I Feel His Presence

Soft breezes caressed us as we sipped coffee on her deck. "I feel his presence, Jean."
It warmed my heart for she was referring to my Dad. After he passed away in May 2005, Judy bought his home.

The List Lady

"Would someone please bring me a new dishwasher soap?"

"There is none."

"Acckk, check the pantry and the garage shelves. Got to have dishwasher soap."

"No?!"

This is after Christmas dinner one year. I vowed "never again" as we stood up to our elbows in the sink 'n suds. So, the lists evolved.

My master Christmas list is for every item I could possibly need making a Christmas feast and having company - right down to tea candles.

When I plan my meals, list each dish I'll make and the ingredients/utensils that will be needed. For example:

Turkey: oil, herbs, wide foil, rack, lifters

Each year I search my favorite magazines and files for a couple new dishes. That is why I start now. Big job:)

It's a great idea to list your table items also and have all the linens collected. As it draws nearer, I put them all on the same shelf in the linen closet - including candles and napkins.

I do the same for each room decorated. As Christmas comes closer and Sup**rSto*e has their sale on where you spend $250. and get $30. off, I go and buy all my ingredients at once. Usually I have $80. in points so it ends up being very good deal.

Of course, there is always last minute produce and dairy.

Used to decorate for Halloween but it's too much work so we'll just plan Christmas. I will wear my creepy goggles, though, when I hand out candy:)

All This talk - - -

All this talk about "things" being loose in the house reminded me of "long ago". Vacuuming the closet floor, I discovered a "lizard" - actually, now I have to phone him but it was a kind of lizard:)
Anyway, as usual, I freaked til I realized it was a dead, dehydrated lizard.

So I call Brian, who's about 14 at the time, to come dispose of it.

He was surprised with my find - said he had it in his room and it got away a month ago- what!!! I've been sleeping with a dehydrating lizard keeping me company?

Our house was kind of a mini zoo - the guys had all kinds of pets. No crickets inside, though. We used to leave the windows open to listen to them at night til development chased them on.

Going, Going, Gone!

So I saw this electric fireplace at Co*tco a few days ago - kind of forgot about it til today.

Ha,ha,ha - if you see something you want get it Now!! They were all gone. But, I kind of think maybe it was meant to be -

I was even too upset to have one of their sundaes so you understand, I hope:)

Grasshopper Pie, Anyone?

So I'm sitting here working on my Christmas meals and decor plans - all is peaceful just the cat and my Hon and I. All of a sudden the cat charges across the floor toward me - someone give you catnip, Buddy? "No, I see a grasshopper on the edge of the table lamp shade, Mom."
I freaked, the cat freaked and Hon calmly asks us both what all the commotion is about.

When I got up, it startled the poor grasshopper so now it's somewhere. Some where in my house!
I was running for Kleenex when he made his escape. I closed the bedroom doors vowing to never open them again til said grasshopper is gone.

He's back, back on the lampshade! So I'm dancing a jig and ran away, spinning out on the floor.
Cat's all excited spinning out on the floor, too, he wants it for a snack.

To the rescue, Superhopper, my Man. He grabbed it in the wad of Kleenex I had tossed to him moments earlier. Flush!

Hopefully no more excitement tonight.

Buddy got a nice snack for alerting me to the yucky thing.

Happy Birthday, Robin!

Hope you have the "bestest", most relaxing day ever - do what you enjoy most.

Beautiful Fall - - -

Is anyone else as surprised as I that Sept. 1st crept up on us? Actually, I am happy. This morn I pulled weeds in our side driveway lawn. Perfectly mellow temp of about 20 degrees.

The trees are changing quite quickly now as the days shorten bringing on a new beauty. I have to keep my camera in the car - seems like yesterday I was taking pics of the spring blossoms.

This is a holiday weekend in Canada but I guess they are not such "looked for weekends" as when we worked. I'd like to get the garden pulled- it was a disappointment this year - many people said that.

Celebrate your extended weekend and have a safe and relaxing few days off.