I think I might print this picture out and frame it. I love trees and this photo is pretty. I didn’t take it though, it was already on my pc under sample pics. I just bought a picture similar to this one but it is in 4 sections and I love it. I haven’t put them up yet but will be doing that shortly. In fact I think I might search for other photos of trees on the same order as this one and print those out too and place them around the ones I bought. I’m liking that idea the more I think about it. Trees and light houses are my favorite things to hang on my walls except of course pictures of my family. I also have a clock made to look like a tree made out of wood with 6 holes cut out around it for pictures. I call it my family tree. Someone Bill use to work for made it for us but I drew the tree for them to use as the design. I really should update the pictures in there as the ones in there now are of the kids with they were young. I bet Toodie could make a family tree like that and it would probably be awesome.

I started my Christmas shopping the other day. This is the earliest I think I’ve ever started my shopping. I hope to get it done early this year and not be shopping Christmas Eve. I bought 5 gifts so that’s a really good start for me. Thanksgiving will be easier on me this year. It is the year the kids go to their in-laws homes but I usually cooked anyway and had William and his dad here but this year our youngest son and his girlfriend invited us to have dinner with them. I will make a couple pies and maybe a salad to take along. I won’t know how to behave not having to cook on a holiday lol. I sure am happy they found each other. They are a good fit together and I really really like her.

Bill left hours ago to have the oil changed in my car. Whenever he goes somewhere that shouldn’t take more then a hour or 2 takes him 4 or 5. I keep teasing him that he has a girlfriend somewhere and that is why it takes him so long to do something so simple lol. I guess I’m going to have to start following him huh hehe. He wouldn’t dare, he knows the kids would kill him lol. Besides, he already has the best .

Ok, time for me to hang pictures. Take care my friends and have a fantastic weekend.

Well it’s another dreary fall day and from the reports it will stay that way for about a week. Yippie Oh well what can ya do? Grin and bear it is about our only options.

It actually fits my mood though because I can’t get that little girl who was just abducted and murdered out of my mind. It breaks my heart and I can’t imagine the pain her family is going through. Once someone is listed as a child molester/pedophile and been convicted I don’t think they should ever see the light of day again. No 3 strikes and your out for them, once and they’re in for life. The death penalty is too good for them but do I think they should all die after they have been tortured awhile.. Let them feel what it’s like to be scared for your life and hurt and in pain. I say let the parents of these children alone with them for a couple hours or so and let them have at him! These creeps, these cowards, these scum of the earth makes my blood boil and I think I could personally kill them with my bare hands. When my daughter moved to where they live now and the first time I saw it and saw how long their driveway was and that you couldn’t see the road from the house I told them that in no way do they allow our grandchildren  to walk to the road to catch the school bus. The first thing I thought of was how many times have we heard of kids disappearing while waiting for the school bus or going and coming from school. I knew I probably didn’t have to tell them that but I wasn’t taking any chances and told them in no uncertain terms not to let them do that. And they don’t, they take them to school and pick them up everyday.

How many children do we have to lose before laws are made to keep these creeps in jail or given the needle? No second changes for them…EVER! If the prisons get to populated give them a shot in the arm and they will never hurt another child... period. I’m sitting here almost in tears thinking about what that sweet little girl went through and I want revenge!

Picture of William and his dad in a email today. It made me smile :). I don’t know how he did this, I tried calling him to find out but he must be in school because he didn’t answer. He’s going to school to learn computer stuff so maybe he got it from there. I think it’s cute.

We went for a ride yesterday hoping to see some pretty fall colors but sadly we were either too early or too late. I’m thinking too early. We rode a short distance up the Mississippi river then when there wasn’t much color there we headed for a town where eagles are normally plentiful but once again no luck, not a eagle in sight. It was a disappointing day. Maybe we will go again when it looks a bit better around here, I don’t think the colors have gotten this far south yet. No pretty pictures of fall leaves but I did get this one of an old train depot.    It’s still in pretty good condition and I’m not sure if it’s still used to this day or not. It’s in a nice park along the river and tracks still do run in front of it. It was a nice day for a ride and I could have stayed all day in that park. I’m glad we went yesterday as it was 61 degrees and beautiful. Today however is another story. It’s cloudy and it’s supposed to start raining this afternoon and continue through the weekend. What else is new right?

I took a pork roast out for supper tomorrow as it won’t be thawed out in time for today. I hate thawing things out in the microwave, it seems it does something to it and I don’t like it. It’s a pretty big roast and too big for just the two of us so with what’s left I’ll turn it into soup or something.

I hope the kids have decent weather for Halloween this year. Usually it’s either cold or rainy and they have to wear coats over their costumes and that’s no fun for them. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for them.

I best get busy around here but first I have some visiting to do. I’m brining donuts!

If I should roast my chicken, or make creamed chicken and biscuits or chicken and dumplings. Decisions, decisions. It’s a good day for a nice hot pot of something. From visiting some of you it seems the weather is pretty much the same all over and having the kind of weather to cook something savory.

It’s going to be a fun day tomorrow. Why you may ask. Because Brody and Devan will be here in the afternoon until my daughter gets out of work. Jon and Josh are going up north hunting so those two get to come to grandma’s . Josh is skipping school for the day so don’t tell anyone ok? Jon’s an avid hunter and I think Josh might turn into one too. He loves anything outdoors and would rather be outside then in the house and I think that's great. He’s not one of those kids that likes a lot of video games which is unusual in this day and age. I hope he stays that way.

Well If I’m going to get my chicken doing something I better get at it. The day has flown by for some reason and I didn’t even sleep late this morning. Wow, I think this is the shortest blog I’ve ever written lol. Nice huh hehe.

I was all set to write a blog  when my son and his girlfriend came in and stayed awhile and by the time they left I was out of the mood lol. I see Terry mentioned Ryker’s birthday party that was on Saturday and boy was she she right when she said that the gifts took up half the table.  They had it at Chucky Cheese and theirs wasn’t the only party they were having there. There were two or three other parties going on and that place was packed. Ryker didn’t like Chucky but Brody loved him. Isn’t it funny how differently kids react to things. Going to add a few photos of his party…

Every one had a good time and the kids loved it. It was a bit too crowded and noisy though but that’s ok. As long as the kids had a good time is what’s important. Ryker did good with his cake. He made a proper mess and looked so cute. By the time he got to his cake my camera card was full already so I didn’t get pics of that but I see Terry did. So that is what we did on Saturday. Sunday I just vegged out and did nothing.

Soon, when the leaves are at their peak we want to take a ride along the Mississippi. I’m worried though, it seems we are going right from summer into winter and if we get high winds the leaves will be blown off before they get a chance to change. Actually we really didn’t have what I’d call a summer either and now it looks like we might not have a fall or Indian summer. The temps are unusually cold lately for this time of the year. It’s like we’ve had only two seasons this year, winter, spring and back to winter again. I’m not happy with Mother Nature this year. In fact, I wasn’t happy with her last year either when she flooded us. I think her and I are going to have to have a serious conversation pretty darn quick if she doesn’t get over her pms or whatever it is she’s so moody about.

Well I have to run to the pharmacy and get my pills refilled but I will be around later to visit. See ya real soon buttercup!

When you’re cutting your bangs. Especially when they are wet!! That’s what I did the other day and what’s worse, I KNOW BETTER! I don’t know what I was thinking when I did that. Obviously I wasn’t thinking. I like my bangs even with the top of my eyebrows and they were getting long and needed trimming so after my shower the other day I got out my trusty scissor, combed down my bangs and snipped away. Of course when they are wet they appear longer then they do when they are dry and I knew that too. After I did that I began to dry my hair and was disgusted when I realized what I had done. I always cut my bangs between hair cuts with my stylist and have done it several times. I know from watching stylists cut hair that you NEVER raise your eyebrows  for bangs to be cut.,now they are in the middle of my forehead and I hate it! Even thought I'm not or every have gone to beauty school I use to cut just about everyone's hair in the family. My mom and dad's, hubby's, kids in-laws etc. so I really do know better then that.  I can be such a ditz sometimes. No need to respond Terry .

Here’s a cool little web site I want to share with you  http://www.supercook.com/ It was on our local news the other night. What it does is give you recipe's with ingredient's that you already have in your house. You just type in what you have and different ideas will appear for you to choose from.. For instance, if you have chicken breasts, basil, tomato paste, noodles or what ever you just type it in and you’ll get several ideas that you can make from them.. I sometimes get so frustrated when I watch the chefs on food network when they are making something that sounds really good then they come up with something that no normal person has in their pantry. With t his site you don’t have to worry about that. Cool huh! 

Speaking of cooking,  I better go and get something out for supper. Bill has a check-up appointment today and he had to fast so I’m pretty sure he’ll want something filling tonight.. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful and happy fall day. See ya soon!

 Eric took 7th place today in the city wide spelling bee and I couldn’t be more proud. He’s in the 5th grade and the spelling bee was grades 5 through 8 and he won a $50.00 savings bond. We were all so nervous for him but he was as cool as a cucumber. The girl who won was in the 7th grade and won a $100.00 bond and a new bike. It just so happened that his mom had taken a vacation day today even before we knew about the spelling bee and his dad was able to get off work as well to be there too. Debi’s sister and I went along as well and I wouldn’t have missed it in the world if I could help it. I tell you, some of the words they gave those kids I would have gotten wrong myself. All I can say is thank God for spell check on here or you all would think I’m a dummy lol.  Needless to say when it was his turn we all were on the edge of our seats. I think he did great to win 7th place out of all the other kids who were there. Him and one other student that got to the top 10 were the only ones in the 5th grade who got that far. We are so very proud of him, can you tell?

It’s going to be a busy week for us. Tomorrow is breakfast again with Bill’s work buddies and their wives. Then on Wednesday Bill has a doctor’s appointment in Madison and I think I might ride along this time. I don’t usually go but I think I will this time. Then on Friday I have to take my sister Jodi to the hospital, she is having her very first colonoscopy and she’s as nervous as a cat. At least she doesn’t have to drink that nasty stuff like I had too. Now you can just take pills if your liver is ok. Then on Saturday is Ryker’s birthday party, he turned one yesterday. I can’t believe that him and Brody are a year old already! Oh, some exciting news to report too. Ryker is going to have a baby brother or sister next year. No it wasn’t planned, they would have liked to have waited a couple years but that’s ok, the kids will be close. And we just love babies in this family so we are all excited. Trent is kind of shell shocked but he’s such a good dad and when he comes back down to earth he’ll be more excited lol.

Well that’s all the news I have for today. I could tell you that it’s nasty outside and raining but I won’t. I don’t want it to spoil my mood . See ya soon!

Tomorrow is the city wide spelling bee our grandson will be in and I sure wish him loads and loads of luck. I’m going to go watch and pull for him the best I can. I sure hope he wins but if he doesn’t at least he tried. I’m taking my camera of course and I hope to get a picture of him getting the winning award. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Good luck Eric, we love you!

I went and did some shopping yesterday. I got an email from Shopko and saw that they were having a 2 for 1 sale on sweatshirts and I needed some new ones for winter. I only had a couple and they both have a grease stain on them from frying chicken. I ruin more clothes that way. Anyway, when I got to the store they not only had those on sale but just about everything in the store was either on sale for 2 for 1 or on sale at half price. Well I couldn’t pass that up so I also got me two new pair of jeans. I saved over $44.00 dollars that I wouldn’t have if I’d had to pay full price. The sale is on through Wednesday if any of you have a Shopko near you.

Bill went turkey hunting at our daughters place on Sunday and look at the pictures she got of him and Brody. I just love that big smile of his! You can’t help but smile just looking at him. Bill said Brody was giving him great big hugs and smooches, lucky papa! He didn’t get a turkey but he got something much better don’t you think?

The fuel pump went out on Bill’s van and it cost us $504.48 to be exact to have a new one put in yesterday. Oh well, I guess it could have been worse but it’s so annoying when there are other things you’d like to buy but now have to put it off AGAIN! On top of that the weather is crappy which doesn’t help my mood at all.I’m glad I went to the grocery store yesterday and got that out of the way for another few months lol. It’s true. I only go every few months and in between Bill goes and picks the things up we need. I just write him a list and off he goes. When I go I usually get quite a bit of meat and other essentials and it holds us over for quite awhile. Of course we do go out to eat almost every Friday for fish and sometimes another night as well or order pizza to be delivered.

It’s fall and time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms again. Speaking of smoke alarms… Years ago when the kids were all home and if I’d forgotten to clean out the broiler or that I had buns in the oven or if something spilled over in the oven and would start to burn and smoke and cause the smoke alarms to go off the kids would all holler out “Mom, suppers ready”Smart aleck kids! We’d laugh about it and I’d try to save what it was that was burning lol.Those were the good old days eh!

When microwaves came out I had to have one of course but I later almost wished I didn’t have one. The kids were teenagers then and were always home for supper until we got a microwave. They knew they could always reheat it in there so they figured they could just do that when they got home. I had to put the kabosh to that. I liked having them all here for dinner and so I told them unless there is a good reason, like a school function or something they had to be home to eat…period. Sometimes you just have to put your foot down.

Well I guess I’m just rambling on and probably should go do something productive. Haven’t a clue what that will be but I’m sure I can find something that needs cleaning or washed. Hope you are having a good day and that sun is shining for you at least.

Hugs all around!!!