Some Random Friday Facts....

Another dreaded day under the belt....today I had to return to Lincolnshire to gather the rest of my sweetie's clothes, furniture and personal belongings.  My son-in-law Sam rented a small u-haul truck to carry the furniture back to his house in waiting for my grand-daughter, Brie to take it to school with her when she returns in August.  She has rented an apartment, and ofcourse furniture is needed, so the timing was perfect. When he moved into Lincolnshire 2 years ago, I purchased brand-new bedroom furniture, bed, mattress, night-stand, and large dresser with mirror, along with chairs & lamps.  He doesn't need any of that where he is now...it is all provided, so what better way to use it than to furnish Brie's new apartment.

After another tearful goodbye I headed out to the country to find the peace that it always brings me.  This I will definitely miss since moving him to town, I will no longer have these drives to look forward to...

The Queen Anne's Lace is blooming.....

As I drove, I turned down a road that I had driven on about a month or so ago, but that day it was foggy and rainy....today was sunny and hot.  Things always look different when the sun is shining so I drove over this familiar road and stopped to take a picture of the fence post and then the barn.

As I was taking pictures I could see a man walking across the field toward me, obviously on his way to speak to me.  My first instinct was to turn and get back in the car and drive away....but I thought, heh, I am not doing anything wrong, I am standing in the road, not on anybody's property....and what the heck, I am taking pictures of a fence post, for goodness sake.

Well, sure enough his first words were..."can I help you"...no, just taking pictures, is there anything wrong? "well, just wondering why you are taking pictures of my boss's house"....oh, I am not taking pictures of the house, I am taking pictures of the fence post.   "Fence posts huh?, well we get a little suspicious out here when someone drives up on these quiet roads and starts taking pictures"....I then explain to him about visiting my husband and then finding solace in driving thru the country after these visits and taking pictures. And then I mentioned that I had been on this same road about a month prior, in the rain and had taken a picture of the old barn in the rain & mist.  "Oh," he says, "I am taking that old barn apart and re-finishing a basement with the barnwood."  If you have the picture I would really appreciate a copy of it, and any that you might take today. Not only would I like the picture but the new and old owners would really appreciate it as well."   

Today....

Last month....(look at the difference in the height of the corn.  I measured it today and it was at least 7 feet tall)

Just proves that a smile and a friendly word can turn someone's suspicions around really quickly.  I now know his name, and have his email.  Pictures are on the way.

Also on the way home I stopped by one of my favorite garden centers.  They were loaded with beautiful flowers to freshen up the pots that have become a little tattered....I have a couple that definitely needed some fresh new flowers.  Between barns & a stop at the garden center, my mood definitely lightened.

Now who wouldn't feel better after a stop here.

Bookclub met tonight....our book this month was "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman....definitely a thumbs up for me.

And a couple of pics from the photo shoot on Wednesday....great family, good shots, perfect day.

Joining Nancy, Madge, Maria and Kristi..

Five Fact Friday - The November 2, 2012 Edition

Oh where oh where do I begin for this 5 fact friday....???  So many new adventures, so many new faces, so many new facts to share...

Since arriving home after 2 weeks of a glorious time in California & Arizona I discovered that the maple tree in the front yard has been stripped bare of leaves...full when I left, empty now upon my return.  Thank goodness my neighbors raked up all the leaves and dragged them to the curb, no easy task with the picket fence surrounding the front yard.

Eventho while gone, we had several very cold nights, and slight frosts, I am still able to enjoy the last of the roses.  They were blooming profusely when I returned, probably due to the added sunlight shining thru the leafless trees.  

While in Palm Springs attending the fabulous "Oasis" we took the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the top of the Mt. San Jacinto changing climates from summer to chilly fall weather, climbing approximately 8,500 feet.  Personally I am not a lover of great heights, but I wouldn't have missed this...the scenes were spectacular.

Returning from Oasis I spent time in Phoenix, AZ with wonderful friends who retired to Sun Lakes.  A beautiful area, filled with palm trees, cactus, golf courses and water features galore.  I can see why people retire to Arizona (except for maybe the extreme heat in the summertime).  

And finally for this 5 Fact Friday....the last weekend I was in Arizona we drove to Tortilla Flats way up into the mountains where we enjoyed the spectacular sight of Canyon Lake.

Would you please join me today as I muse on "savoring moments" at my collaborative blog, Focusing On Life.  Also linking to

"Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, "I'm with you kid. Let's go."  ~  Maya Angelou

Until next time....

A Few More Things I Like About Fall ~ Five Fact Friday

Busy day for me...went early this morning to get my haircut, in preparation for my trip next week.  Went to my financial man to talk finances, something I really am not fond of doing, but a necessary task.  And right after I told him I wasn't planning on any big expenses for the rest of the year, my daughter tells me that she really would like to buy my youngest granddaughter a car (the sophomore that attends Iowa State) so she can get back & forth to school since it is such a hassle when she wants to come home.  My daughter has a really good friend that is in the 'restoring auto" business and he has come upon a really good car for Brie for $2,500, sounds pretty cheap to me, since I spent a LITTLE more than that on my new car.  He is doing the minor repairs on it and is willing to sell it to Lisa for cost.  OK...so much for any new expenses, but really $2,500 is not that much and this means Brie can come home more often, right now she pretty much stuck at school, there is not too many other students that live close to share a ride with.  Told my daughter I would buy the car for Brie since I gave Bailey (other granddaughter) my old Honda CRV when I bought a new one.  Only fair, right?  I am just happy that I can do it for them.

Then I went to see my sweetie...he is OK.  He has been having some anger issues and they have tried some new meds that have not worked, in fact the change made him even worse.  Back to square one to try something else. It is hard to believe that my sweetie gets so angry since he was such a kind-hearted soul prior to Alzheimer's.  Not only does it rob you of all your memories, but it changes your personality too.  Please God, help someone to discover a cure or treatment so others will not suffer.

After all this I went for a drive to ease my soul...the colors around here are breathtaking right now and since I am leaving for 2 weeks next Tuesday, I am afraid that when I return all the beauty will have faded.  So I took off to the countryside and found what I was looking for....

I guess you can call this 5 Fact Friday...

1. Got my haircut. (a must)
2. Went to see my financial guy (a must)
3. Made a decision to buy the car for Brie (a want to)
4. Visited my sweetie (a want to)
5. Went for a drive in the country. (a need to)

My cutie patootie hairdresser...she has been my gal for over 25 years....I was trying to photograph the pretty leaf, but ended up taking her picture instead.

Came upon this small flock of sheep.  They were not the least bit sheepish...came right up to the fence and baaa'd at me, like they were talking.

I also found some cows and donkeys...but that's for another day.  I am tired after my busy day and I am headed to bed...night night!!

"God's arithmetic:  Happiness adds and multiplies as you divide it with others."  ~  Unknown

Until next time....

Five Fact Friday - The Oct 5, 2012 Edition

Good morning.  It is an absolutely gorgeous Fall day here in the Chicago area.  We are predicted for very cool weather the next few days with frost on the pumpkins overnight.  It's difficult to think that just a couple of weeks ago we were still sweltering in the 90's...but that's what they say about weather in Chicago...."if you don't like it, stick around it will change in a minute."

Today is Five Fact Friday so here are some VERY random facts about moi...

1. I am a newspaper almanac junkie....it's the column usually next to the obituaries that lists happenings on this date through the years.  I just find it fascinating and it reminds me of the world's history and events that sometimes changed the world, sometimes good, sometimes not.  For instance on today's date in in 1902 Ray Kroc, the businessman who built the McDonald's fast food empire, was born in Oak Park, IL.  Can you imagine a world without a "Big Mac"

2.  I love to decorate my home for the different seasons...right now I am lovin Fall and all the loveliness it brings.  Please visit my collaborative blog, Focusing on Life, where I am sharing many more photos of my Fall decorating.

3.  I just purchased and received my very first batch of business cards.  Since I am attending Tracey Clark's Camp Oasis in Palm Springs, CA this month (a 4 day event filled with inspiration, photography, & fun) it was suggested that we have business cards to exchange with fellow attendees.  Purchased these from an on-line company called MOO.  I am very pleased with the results.

4.  I am a cup collector, altho this might not be a surprise to many that have followed this blog in the past.  My favorite shop for discovering new and lovely cups/mugs is Home Goods.  I really, really need to stay away from there, I am definitely running out of spaces to store all my lovely cups.  But it never fails, I walk in, I spot a new one, I must purchase.  I never spend more than $5.99 and many are priced cheaper than that.  Sounds like I am justifying my purchases, doesn't it?

5.  My closet is in turmoil right now and definitely needs a good cleaning/purging.  There are items of clothing in there that I have forgotten about, that are definitely too small, that are so out-dated that they will never come back in style (ie. I still have suits hanging in my closet that I wore in the 80's).  PS...you will not see pictures of the inside of my closet, just sayin.

Linking to Reflection of You 5 Fact Friday....

"I believe in hard work.  It keeps the wrinkles out of the mind and the spirit.  It helps to keep a woman going."  ~  Helena Rubenstein

Until next time.....

Five Fact Friday oops I mean Saturday

I thought I might try and play along with Kim's "Five Fact Friday"  Think I will list something rather benign....5 favorite drinks since last week I did nothing but complain.

1. I think a good cup of coffee is at the top of the list.  Nothing gets my motor started better in the morning than that first cup, or the 2nd or the 3rd....but that's all, just 3.  
2. In the evenings I like a nice glass of wine...discovered Muscato recently and am lovin' it.  But it's not fun drinking alone.  When my Mother lived with me, we enjoyed a glass together almost every evening at 5:00 PM, sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later.  My sweetie never drank anything alcoholic, he was allergic to alcohol, would break out in hives, so until my Mom moved in with us I rarely drank a glass.  Now that she is gone, I still carry on the tradition, altho not every evening. 
3. A good old fashioned chocolate soda with vanilla ice cream is my idea of a yummy treat.  I haven't had one of these in years, not too many places have "soda", mostly shakes and smoothies are the treats of today.  I have recently discovered "Red Mango" a smoothie place in our downtown that makes the best banana, strawberry, peanut butter, yogurt smoothie.  I am sure it is much better for me than that chocolate soda.  
4. I love Dr. Pepper, not diet but regular.  Growing up in the south where Dr. Pepper got it's start I remember the Dr. Pepper building with the big clock with the 10 2 and 4 highlighted...in other words...Dr. Pepper is good any time of the day.  Unfortunately as I have aged and sleep evades me, I have really cut back on drinking caffeine during the day.  After my coffee in the mornings, I try to stay away from caffeinated drinks.  
5. A frozen margarita can whet my thirst along with some chips and salsa...ahh a nice evening treat or at lunch, not picky.  

                                            

"Who, being loved, is poor?"  ~  Oscar Wilde

Until next time.....

Five Fact Friday - The Loss of Patience Issue

Five Fact Friday has been on my to-do list for awhile now.  I guess I just couldn't come up with 5 facts that I figure would be interesting for others...but after thinking about this here I go.  This summer our Bible Study group, while on break from study, met at Barnes & Noble each Wednesday for coffee/tea and chit chatter...  And since we are a Bible Study group we decided to focus on the Fruits of the Spirit over the summer and share how we captured those "fruits" in our daily living.

Since "patience" is our nemesis (everyone of us) we left that fruit until last and also allowed for the most time to try and bring more patience into our daily lives.  So with that being said, I am sharing five "things" that test my patience.  I would venture to say, many are on your lists as well.  These are in no particular order, they seem to all try me equally.

1. Always, always getting in the wrong line at the grocery check-out.  No matter how many lines there are to choose from, I always manage to get in the one that needs a "price check" .
2. Women who refuse to get up an extra 15 minutes early to put on their make-up at home in front of their bathroom mirror instead of using the car mirror and endangering the lives of all around her. 
3. A wet newspaper, disrupts my morning ritual...
4. This one has been solved by the I-PASS, but driving up to the toll booth and being behind the person who doesn't begin to search for his money until he is stopped, holding up traffic for blocks.
5. And finally, having an urgency to "go" to the bathroom, rushing to find an empty stall, scrambling with your purse and packages, finally getting relief, only to discover there is no toilet tissue ARGH!!  
6. And I am not even going to mention the loss of patience I feel with "certain" cell phone users. 

And one more fact....I LOVE FALL!!

Owls are "big" this year...this face captured my heart.

Stopped along the road and gathered handfuls of these gorgeous branches with bright red berries.

I don't do alot of "Halloween" decorations, but I couldn't resist this cutie.  

And I love the shape of pumpkins and their stems...

Please join me and read more of "absolutely nothing" at my collaborative blog Focusing on Life.

After reading back over this post, I am not sure these all fall into the "patience" category or if they are just irrations...maybe both, anyway there are 5 of them or 6 and they are facts about me.  

 'Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears."  ~  Barbara Johnson

Until next time.....