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Post by emmsmommy on Dec 31, 2023 6:41:15 GMT -5
Since we celebrated Christmas with my parents yesterday, we technically awoke to a white Christmas! About 2" on the ground here but by the time we traveled down the hill into the next county there was none. Had a delicious meal and afterwards I hooked up my mom's computer, decided the keyboard wasn't working, grabbed the spare dad had and realized it was the old one with some unresponsive keys and ended up using the on-screen keyboard to finish setting it up. Left it to update and played a few hands on Shanghai with mom and my aunt. When I went back to check on it it was in hibernation mode and couldn't get the monitor to come back on. So now thinking it's either the monitor or cable that's the issue because this was one of the problems she was having with the old one. So hubby is to round up replacements in the next few days and I'll attempt to bring it to life again.
The highlight of kiddo's day was her doctor set as she spent the day examining and vaccinating everyone. Received some gift cards and cash this year that I intend to use towards the completion of the greenhouse.
Our New Year's Eve will be spent at home as will New Year's Day. Have plenty of leftovers for today and will cook a meal tomorrow to celebrate the new year!
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Post by datgirl on Dec 31, 2023 12:32:32 GMT -5
We ran out early to pick up something for dinner tonight. Picked up a steak and some other things. Then we ran into Menards and since I had one of their rebates, I figured I should buy the first seeds of the season. Some new onion seeds, Sugar Daddy Peas and Bush Blue Lake Beans. It's a start. Soon I'll go thru my seed stash and see what I need.
Going to start taking down some of the Christmas decorations but will leave tree and Nativity set up until January 6, Epiphany.
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Post by Mumsey on Jan 1, 2024 6:22:44 GMT -5
Sis and I have had a busy weekend. Good food and fun and reminiscing. A neighbor over Friday night for barley pop and subs, Oysters, (fried and stew) Saturday night. Homemade pizza last night. It all winds down today, she's going home after lunch and I'll be watching the Hawkeyes in the Citrus Bowl. Made reservations for The Princess at the boarding kennel. This week will be spent doing odds and ends, like touch up painting around the house, getting ready for trip to IL, cleaning the guest bedroom which is no longer that. Sending the double bed home with sis, donating to someone who needs it, don't know that I'll replace it. Now I will be forced to hang coats in the closet instead of tossing them on the bed.  The upstairs is easily converted to a sleeping area with an 18" high air mattress. We wrestled the bed out of the house and wrapped it in a huge tarp, put it in the bed of her truck and tied it all down with a cargo net and tie down straps. We spent Saturday morning cutting up water bottles for seedling pots. Ended up with 811. That should be enough.  . We also got the 4" box spring put under my California king bed. DS talked me into buying one instead of building one. But the supplies I got for building one will not be wasted. With sis's help, they will become tables with removable legs for yearly plant sale. The purchased box spring was a good move, easy to assemble, perfect height and fit. These were all things that DH and I had recently talked about doing but didn't happen at the time. One thing sis and I didn't get done was laying flooring in the front entryway, we've had the flooring to do it with since we did the kitchen 7 years ago. It's not a big deal, the existing flooring is narrow oak and doesn't look bad. I have been very appreciative of family in the last month. I haven't spent a weekend alone since DH passed. The Princess has enjoyed the company too. |
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Post by claude on Jan 1, 2024 19:28:05 GMT -5
Hugs Mumsey🤗 Holidays can be so hard. Kids and family over for Christmas Eve. I made 2 meat lasagnas for dinner w a huge salad and daughter made a charcuterie board that was great. When the kids open their gifts is my favorite time. The squeals and laughter do my heart good. New Year’s Eve was quiet. My daughter found a countdown for her boys new years celebration before bed. It was great! She videoed it for us to see. Today is New Years day and my sister and I took a 7 mi hike from town to Kent ct. it was so peaceful. Finally the sun came out! Then she went home and so did I. Quiet and restful evening tonight. I should sleep well🤩
Happy new year friends.
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 1, 2024 20:47:18 GMT -5
From our younger days, when we worked more hours, we would spend New Year Day in our PJs and robe- even if friends stopped by!- to start the new year slow and relaxed. We still do and so that is what we did today. Talked on the phone with family and friends. Took down the Christmas tree and decorations. Feels good to have the house back to usual.
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Post by emmsmommy on Jan 2, 2024 19:03:42 GMT -5
Kiddo was back to school and I had lots of plans but couldn't seem to get motivated. Guess being sick took more of a toll on me than I thought.
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Post by centralilrookie on Jan 3, 2024 6:36:36 GMT -5
With sweetheart not working the first two days of 2024 I must admit that I haven’t accomplished much. It’s time to get my pen and pad out so I can jot down tasks that I need to get done. We did take two of my grandchildren out for supper last night at an eatery of their choice. Luckily it was a budget sub and Italian place that serves their locally famous warm bread with all meals. From the time we picked them up till we dropped them off I don’t think they ever stopped talking. 😂 With the new year comes the need to make up my mind if I’m going to help the farmers this coming year. They really treat me well and I do enjoy the experience but the timing puts me behind with the garden and I’ve got quite the list of projects that I want to accomplish here at home. Decisions……
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Post by gardendmpls on Jan 3, 2024 7:08:58 GMT -5
Guess being sick took more of a toll on me than I thought. It's better to take a few days rest and get those projects done later than to drag through for weeks. Of course, easier said than done. |
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 3, 2024 11:48:26 GMT -5
I do enjoy the experience but the timing puts me behind with the garden and I’ve got quite the list of projects that I want to accomplish here at home. Decisions.... I've made a similarly needed decision with the new year. I have to admit that as much as I love helping friends in their gardens, I've had to practice self-love and prioritize myself and my gardens first. With our two properties to tend, this middle-old gal (as opposed to oldest-old  ) has plenty 'nuff to do. I promised myself that 2024 is going to bring big changes. I have withdrawn my regular tending of a friend's small garden, who can't care for it herself (she already has had another friend offer to step in!). I found that my own gardens were not getting the full attention they deserve. It is so liberating. it's a healthy thing to put ourselves first at times. |
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Post by emmsmommy on Jan 3, 2024 12:28:33 GMT -5
desertwoman, centralilrookie, I have realized I need to make similar changes. Too much pitching in to help others and not enough attention to my own garden, home and family. My involvement at school will be limited to parties and special events, other obligations will be handled by importance.
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Post by binnylou on Jan 3, 2024 14:31:03 GMT -5
Celebrated the day by finalizing my seed order..🤭
Again.
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Post by Mumsey on Jan 3, 2024 18:18:41 GMT -5
emmsmommy, desertwoman, centralilrookie, It IS ok to say NO! And not feel guilty about it. You must take care of you and yours first and foremost! That's the main reason why I won't be sucked into volunteer organizations. A willing worker (which I always was), always gets more and more asked of them until they burn out. Been there, done that. NO NO NO!! . I do limited things like help with judging at the fair and the annual quilt show. Very short term commitments.
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Post by Mumsey on Jan 3, 2024 18:24:36 GMT -5
I made the decision a bit ago to go to Illinois on Friday instead of Saturday, and to return Monday, to beat the snow with high wind that's expected in Iowa later Monday. Luckily I was able to change Princess's reservation for her lodging adventure. Packed all her food and treats and her comforter, sending along her bark collar in case she drives them crazy.
Plus I have to be home Tuesday as brother from New York is flying in for the week. Haven't seen him in 4 years.
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Post by Latitude33 on Jan 3, 2024 19:41:45 GMT -5
Cleaned up after the "Worst Rain Storm of the Year!"...uh, hello? It's January 3rd. Didn't do much in the garden today except dump standing water from last nights rain event. Went to the Dr. for a much belated annual exam, and this year, because I qualified somehow, in addition to the ultra comprehensive i.e. courtship ritual I get to be tested on my cognitive abilities. Wohoo! One task the nurse directed me to do was to draw a clock face showing the time to be 11:10. Feeling a little snarky, I replied a.m. or p.m.? She said "let me check"...she got half way to the door.
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 3, 2024 20:29:21 GMT -5
Feeling a little snarky, I replied a.m. or p.m.? She said "let me check"  |
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The upstairs is easily converted to a sleeping area with an 18" high air mattress. We wrestled the bed out of the house and wrapped it in a huge tarp, put it in the bed of her truck and tied it all down with a cargo net and tie down straps. We spent Saturday morning cutting up water bottles for seedling pots. Ended up with 811. That should be enough. 
. We also got the 4" box spring put under my California king bed. DS talked me into buying one instead of building one. But the supplies I got for building one will not be wasted. With sis's help, they will become tables with removable legs for yearly plant sale. The purchased box spring was a good move, easy to assemble, perfect height and fit. These were all things that DH and I had recently talked about doing but didn't happen at the time. One thing sis and I didn't get done was laying flooring in the front entryway, we've had the flooring to do it with since we did the kitchen 7 years ago. It's not a big deal, the existing flooring is narrow oak and doesn't look bad.
) has plenty 'nuff to do. I promised myself that 2024 is going to bring big changes. I have withdrawn my regular tending of a friend's small garden, who can't care for it herself (she already has had another friend offer to step in!). I found that my own gardens were not getting the full attention they deserve. It is so liberating. it's a healthy thing to put ourselves first at times. 
