HERE IT IS SATURDAY ALL READY

I am almost hopeless when it comes to tech stuff. Can you believe it is December 1st tomorrow, a busy month December is. I need to get a luncheon together of some women. I haven't written since Wednesday I think, not much news. I really need to mop the kitchen again, it is something you can do almost daily. Cooking sure takes it's toll. Yesterday all I did was clean the church with Jim, and we did rather a good job too, I had my yearly physical in the afternoon, I am gaining weight like mad, have to get that under control. II don't want the nickname of fatty Patty. Went over to June and Linda's for coffee, mother were putting up their tree. Linda seems so all in. Her crones you know. No energy, that is who we clean the church for. I think of how I eat and how she must have to eat. Can't go there. Watched the Barbra Streisand special on Public TV last night. Wonderful as always and can her son sing. He does have a gift. Looks just like her. I am trying to remember Thursday, oh heck that was Thanksgiving - I had a blast, made a huge chicken, sweet potato casserole - scalloped corn, stuffing with onions, mushrooms, celery, craziness, toasted walnuts, yummy, mashed potatos and gravy. Stuffed myself. I just know I would do the same thing even if I was alone. I had so much fun putting everything together, we had wonderful pecan pie that I made Tuesday. It really turned out. We ate about 2pm and just chilled out the two of us. Jim went ice fishing to Leech Lake on Friday by himself and today he is going up to Cutfoot Sue with Leon our neighbor. They are both crazy about ice fishing. I may run in to G.R. Just for giggles and to get out of the house. He told me I had better not get a microwave for the stove. I really would like Kenny to rip out the cupboard above the stove but I will have to have Kenny here and see how feasible it is. Jim told me in no uncertain terms had I show up with a microwave.

RUMM, RUMM, RUMM

I am working on sounding like a car, so do ire again, RUMM RUMM RUMM - there that's better. Jim is buying me a new car and giving Carol Gildersleeve, that is the name of my 2002 Buick Park Avenue. It's off white and has seat warmers, you love that in Minnesota. He is looking at a 2009 Buick Lucerne 4D sedan. Brown with Grey interior, sounds heavenly. Nice little V6. He has Loren so who knows what we will end up with, he may even go to the Auction with Loren. Will be fun anyway, I just want American made, may sound silly but that's how I feel. The one he is looking at sounds too good to be true. What fun it would be. Have to not think about it so much. I get like a kid in a candy store. I sure am having fun. Yesterday got my pie made for church last night, we of course saw Helen, she runs the kitchen at the church. Service was wonderful, Bruce is a lay-minister and he did a wonderful job with the service, theme "Attitude of Gratitude". Isn't that something we all need more in our life. Offering was for our local food shelf. I will be working there in December. We saw Charlie, dale and Gwen, Joanne and Audrey, Mary and Betty. Fran so Bethany had at least 10 out of the 40 that were there. We were well represented. We also bought 2 wreaths there youth were selling. Brought som leftover pie home. Half of my pecan was left. There were so many pies and only 40 of us. Saw 4 Pastors there so that was nice. Yesterday I washed my floors, vacuumed, today I want to really get the bathrooms clean. Yesterday I also fixed up and decorated the fireplace. Looks great. Candles burning, lights blazing. I am a real sentamentalist love making the house smells and feel like Christmas. Have more to do. I also tried to get a hold of Kenny my carpenter so I can find out how interested he really is in doing the job here. I will try him again today. I have so many special things on my tree, I have to find Gene Kelly, I found his poster for Sining in the Rain but I wonder where he is. Will be fun looking for him. Went over to June and Linda's for coffee yesterday, Linda is doing better. That Crones has really taken it's toll on her. Jim has worked on cleaning the church with Sue and Gary.

IT'S TUESDAY ALREADY

I can't believe how fast the weekend went, during the day I made my mashed potatoes, yes with 8 oz. Of cream cheese too, makes them so rich, made a new sweet potato recipe and ire was OK but not great, won't make that one again, made a wild rice mushroom broccoli thing, good, stuffing of course and corn casserole, Carmel Apple pie, crust was not perfect but I have that figured out and a perfect pecan pie. I have one in the oven for tonight. We have our Thanksgiving Service at The Congreational Church at 7pm tonight with pie after and they needed 3 pies from Bethany. I said I would do one. My pecan pie is really good. Putsy but delicious. I sent my Krumkaka Iron home with Skye and she is having a ball with it. We had a wonderful Turkey dinner. Our neighbor made us a wonderful pumpkin dessert, gave the recipe to Dot and she made it for company she had and it was a big hit. On Saturday night we all watched "Oz, the Great and Powerful". On December Skye and I are going to the Ordway with Hope. Too fun. We will be seeing "The Wizard of Oz". We are too lucky. Wonderful Laura put all the decorations on my tree for me. What fun for me. Just had some of the pumpkin dessert for breakfast. I be bad. It was too fun having all the kids home at the same time, doesn't happen that often. Christmas at Mac's this year. Will be fun. Monday we went to the Rapids to shop. Boy did it snow. What fun and so beautiful. We picked up our new storm doors and we had Bob out from Floor to Ceiling Tile and we measured for carpet and flooring and new counter. Will take some time to do but how beautiful it will be.

Well here it is Thursday CRAFTER TODAY

We had a good day yesterday, I shampooed and vacuumed until I was too pooped to pop! It will be the last time on three of my floors. There goes little Makons off of his bed in front of the fire. She is such a pretty dog. She sure sheds and we have to vacuum bunches. Jim does a good job of brushing her. I went out to the Barn and snow was Gentey coming down - I have to remember to put my lights on when the group gets here. I worked on the lights outside yesterday, and it was beautiful, 47 degrees I hear. Today wiil be different, heard we will have a high of 20. I wish you could see Little Otto. I have a hearth of about 18 inches, it is flat to the carpet. He is on the beautiful green marble. Warmth of the fire. One loaf of bread out. Worked hard yesterday, felt good, went to bible study on Matthew, it is fun and very interesting. It's Nancy S., Audrey, Gail, Jean and I and of course Pastor. Teresa came to town and took nancy Green to Dr. S I didn't have to. Believe me it is a pleasure to take her. We have a special group of people at Bethany. I have to remember to get some soup containers today, busy getting ready for kids coming tomorrow. I bought cheese and summer sausage and grapes for a snack to go with the Banana bread. We love to eat. My God could anyone have more in life than I do? I am so blessed. Jim is so wonderful and we do fight. Sometimes it's so silly, we end up laughing. I find I am far more irritable when I am tired. Going to make pecan Sandies this morning, have WELCA tonight. Will be an interesting meeting.

WEDNESDAY AND THE LIBRARY

I have to laff, if I went up those back steps of the Library once it was 15 times.  It is like claiming Mount Everest, just think those steps were put in when the depot was built a very long time ago.  The steps aren't even the same, they are different heights by an inch or two in some cases.
It was fun and we accomplished so much, I cleaned, sorted paperbacks and carried a carful of stinky old books to recycling.  I made two trips and stopped at the Muni for boxes.
We were there 3 hours and really got a lot done.  6 women at least.
We all care so much about the library.
Didn't do much when I got home so I had to really get at it this morning and I already have the office/sewing room shampooed. Now the guest room and hall.  It is so nice when the carpet is clean and with little Otto I need to clean it often.
Jim had an appointment in Sartell, at least 2 1/2 hours from here.  He is yet getting a different pair of hearing aids.  Poor man, he is loosing his hearing more and more every year.
He called on his way home and he had lunch with Loren, our friend that owns a car dealership.  I will be getting a new used car.  I am sure another Park Ave.  the ride is superb.  Jim called Skye and is giving my old car to her.  I won't have to worry so much about her driving.
Well here it is 5:30am and I already have one room shampooed.  My last time on some of these floors.  Our carpenter came yesterday morning.  Kenny Ahlbom and he can't get at it right away but we are going to go ahead and order our stuff.  New carpet for Day Room and our bedroom, new linoleum that looks like maple flooring and new counter top and back splash area.  So excited and so surprised about a newer car.  I will be naming my new car Carol Gildersleve because of my last two cars.  My Green park avenue was from her.  Now I have a white one and it will be fun to see what color my next one is.
Must be a 4 doors and have heated seats.
We are in Minnesota after all.
Back to the shampooing of the floors, even little Otto got a bath yesterday.
Llater.

TUESDAY ALREADY

Where does the time go, I can't believe it was Friday when I last blogged.  Well here we are well into Thanksgiving week for me.  Kids will be home this weekend.  I am so excited.  It is a busy week and I have been doing, doing, doing.
Yesterday on Monday I did a bunch of laundry in the morning and in the afternoon we went to Floor to Ceiling Tile and picked out new Formica counter top, back splash, flooring and carpet.  That will set us back, no profit this year on our investments or I should say this is the profit.  So glad Jim was with me,  changed our mid on the flooring, the linoleum will look like maple flooring.  I love it and the counter top changed and will match the flooring and cupboards much better.  Kenny our carpenter comes today and measures and gives up a date when he can start.  Hope it will be sometime in December.  We will see.
Went grocery shopping,  Jim bought a bunch od deer suet for the birds.  You should have seen

The Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is a very large North Americanwoodpecker, roughly crow-sized, inhabiting deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast. It is also the largest woodpecker in the United States, except the possibly extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

I saved the picture of it bur I am not clever enough to put it on my blog.  

Well this is interesting.  Trying to pick out print I can read well.  This is overkill but I hate to mess with it too much, I might erase the whole thing.
Went to Lion's meeting last night.  Had Turkey dinner, stuffing was so bad,  turkey was good, the potatoes at home are so much better bur we had 35 people there and it has to be hard to cook for that many.
I can't believe that the year is almost over, how fast time goes. I have such a good time I can hardly stand it.  And the kids home this weekend.  YIPEE SKIPEE, I am going to get to the kitchen and make some pecan Sandies, so yummy.   Saving iceberg
cream containers for krumkake.  Learned a new trick when I mix them up.  We see if it makes them nice and lighter.  



I need to get busy.  I am de cluttering.  Makes me feel good.
Can you stand it I actually figured out how to get a picture of the bird and that is exactly how they look.  I was at my desk in my office/sewing room, it's the yellow room, I love that room, it's such a happy room.
The guest room is either the Rabbit Room or the Blue Room.  I like Rabbit Room, I am crazy about Rabbits, little Otto I know is part Rabbit, Ozzie callers him Hip-pity Hop because he hops rather than runs.  Anyway I looked up out the window and there was my first woodpecker of the winter.

SATURDAY

We get shots in our eyes to keep things in check, we both get a drug called evastin through shots in our left eye's.  Jim had histoplasmosis which is a fungas the said he got from birds and I had hardening od the artery in my left eye and the shots help disperse the blood I think.  Vision is impaired In our left eyes but Jim's is far worse than mine and I worry he will go blind in that eye, his Mom and Dad both had macular degeneration in their eyes and Lillian finally just closed her eyes and gave up her vision.  I also have glaucoma in both eyes so for us looking at cataract surgery is the last thing we are concerned about.  We are doing fine with it but California Sharon was wondering what was with the eyes so I thought I would explain.  I want you to know we laff because we get our shots at the same time.. How many couples shoot up together.  Weird huh.
I can't remember what I did Saturday. I always seem to be busy.
Sunday church and I went to visit June and Linda.  So fun, enjoy their company so much.  We are planning the neighborhood Christmas party.  It will be across the street at their house.  We will have a dozen of us there.

FRIDAY ALL DAY

Had crafter's in the AM on Thursday, picked up Lorretta and Audrey and met Marcia at the church.  We all went over to Elaine's, I have it next Thurs. We do enjoy ourselves.  From crafter's we drove on to Longville to Patrick's.  We honored Janet.  She is moving to Maple Grove and having a hard time of it.   She has been in the Remer area for 80 some years.  It must be difficult.  I have moved and started over in many places and always adjusted well.  It sure takes time but joining a church and having it be the center of my life has worked for me.  There were 14 of us at the luncheon.  A very fun time.  They have  really good food at Patricks.
I came home for an hour and headed in for a short stint at the Library.  Had a nice dinner at home.  My 3rd night with the Cpap machine was rough but last night went better but I have been awake since 3am, laid there for almost an hour and finally said enough of that.  I am fasting today so I can get my lab work done and I can't put it off another day so good luck with that.  I picked out a cookie recipe and will make that when I am done blogging.  Pecan Sandies.  They are so very yummy and I have never made them.
I put together 2 dozen sandwiches.  $1 a sandwich I figure.  It is good to know how much it cost to make funeral sandwiches.  Will get to church by 9am to set up, will stop off at the clinic to have my blood work done first.  Funeral is at noon.  I may have to so more water jugs, I filled 12 of them.  Jean and Roger will be there and Gary.  I will get Jim to come in.
Tonight is wine club.  I will pick up Janet.  I think Denise will pick up Nancy and it is at Georgene's.
Will be fun.  I will bring Door County wine.  Maybe an appetizer.
Well nothing else new.  I am almost done scraping out my sewing room and I have to get busy planning what I am going to do.  We will see.  I wish Kenny would get back to me on the counters.  It could take months.  White marble print with a white back splash of small shiny white bricks.

THURSDAY IN THE AM AND BUSY DAY FOR ME

Well I made Heidi's famous carrot potato soup and took a half loaf of banana bread and chibati rolls to Jane Wynan that just got out of  hospital.   She is weak but healing.
I went in to church after I dropped Nancy green off at her Dr appt.  I just didn't like how the tables were arrange in the basement.  We got as a gift the Charlotte tables.  Twelve 72 inch round tables.  Seats eight comfortable.  I managed to sell 6 of our old tables.  They were huge and cumbersome.  Basement looks great.  I had to do some final rummage sale clean up.
Wednesday night was our big Lion's Zone meeting at Deer haven Super Club.  Fun, I donated a basket I purchased at our Fall Bazaar for one of the door prizes and we had an auction and I bid on a collection of 3 paintings for $25.   Was a surprise to me but I couldn't let them go for $20.  Something for Andrew.  We had a wonderful chicken dinner.  Nothing better than broadside chicken.  Wonderful Gail even switched with me so I could have white meat.  The dear.
Got home by 8:30, 9ish.

Wednesday Afternoon

Went to Grand Rapids after book club yesterday.  Had lots to do, don't like driving home after dark because of the deer, only saw a few in the ditch.  Little heads alert.  You always wonder if they will dart out.
I had thawed out a smoked pepper turkey breast.  Had it on some really nice multigrain ciabatta rolls.  Yummy.  Got through night #2 of my C-pap machine.

Sleep Apnea

Yes me too.  Sever Sleep Apnea.  I have the C-Pap machine.  I don't even know how to spell it.
Made it through one night with the machine, of course you have to realize I only sleep until 4am..  I only got up once, unusual.  It sounds like there are many benefits.  Living for one.. My blood oxygen levels get pretty low during the night.  Not good.  Anyway a new way of sleeping for PJ.
You can get used to anything I am told.
I sure hope I get used to being an officer of WELCA.  so far I seem to be a cog in the wheels but I am not going there.  I just want to have fellowship with fellow Christians.  I seem to be not always be right for the board at times.  I will work on that.
You sure hear a lot of shooting in the morning.  Deer opener.  I think John is coming up thisThursday to hunt.  No deer for him yet.
Book club today, spent yesterday cleaning out closets, it seems all I do is move stuff from one place to another.  I know I drive Jim nuts.  He is such a good egg about it.
Talking my white book cases to the Library.
I just want to relax and enjoy the holidays, kids will be coming up not this weekend but next weekend.  Have work to do so I had best get at it.

ANOTHER MONDAY

Well yesterday Jim really helped me out a lot.  We first went to church, it was Thank Offering Sunday  and we raised $250.  The premis is you put change in a jar whenever ver you are thankful for something and it is done all over the ELCA to help women.  I just emailed our Pastor's wife.  I want to know specifically who the funds serve.  I know it helps in many ways but what ways?

Jim went fishing at the hot pond after church, I continued packing up my sewing room.  It will be so wonderful to maybe get it organized.  Skye said go to pointers but I just couldn't find anything.
Later

OK THIS WILL REALLY MAKE YOU SICK

I am listening to Christmas music.  I have been ever since I had Jim put up my tree.  Makons is giving me the "Look".  I know he wants something, but what.
It was outside.
I have had a wonderful week.  Not doing much.  Been too fun.  I am workin on de-cluttering and that may just take the rest of my life.
I really don't remember much of this week but I was busy.
Monday of course was my favorite, shot in the eye.  Can you stand it, not one but two.  Jim sometimes gets three.  You don't feel it very often but you can hear the needle go in your eye.  Very creepy.  Oh I am sick for sharing but it makes me laff!
I have been trying to add a picture but gave up.
Jean at the Library is going to teach IPad classes after the first of the year.  I can't wait, it makes me feel like such an idiot.
Don't we embrace technology.
Did my devotion's this morning, it was on temptation - we'll let me tell you, even for an old fool like me there are lots of temptations out there.  Kill me, I am working on them.
My wonderful River has a 19th birthday yesterday.  He is a wonderful boy.  Excited about seeing them all this month.  TOGETHER.
I just talked to Nancy Green on the phone, she is waiting for her cat-scan at St Mary's Hospital in Duluth.  I told her to remember that we can provide rides for her when she gets home and house work.  Jim is so good at it.  Love that man.
Tuesday I ran Skee over to see Nancy at Grand Village in G.R.  We all had lunch together and was too fun.  I also stopped in to Floor to Ceiling Tile.  Poor poor customer service but found what I wanted.
Wednesday we had Bible study but it was cancelled, no heat at church.  Thursday we had crafter's at Lorretta's.  Love going and visiting.  Lorretta made the best Jello Pumpkin Pie Refrigerator dessert.  Too yummy.
Jim took my car to G.R. For an oil change.
Tonight we go to Patrick's for dinner.  Fun.  We are meeting Joan and Bob Alley.  He was the interim pastor at Bethany for a year.  Wonderful people.
Better get at the de-cluttering.  Will get a hold of Linda and empty her van in our pole building this morning too.
Happy day!

MONDAY AFTERNOON

We are sitting in Dr Reynolds office in Baxter waiting to get shots in our left eyes.  Aren't we the lucky ones.
I went over to June and Linda'a for coffee this morning.  Sure paid off, they had a bag of corn candy and they wanted to be rid of it.  Hummmmmmmmm, it found a home with me and I mixed it with some peanuts.
I am working on my Christmas tree, I have 1000 lights on it and we will just let it sit that way for a few days.  I like getting it up around HOLLOWEEN.  Too soon you say, not I say. I could be dead tomorrow.
Had LEFSE for breakfast and brought some to June's also.
We stopped at Target today.  I wonder how they follow your purchases, big Brother is always watching you know.

MONDAY MORNING

I don't remember any group pictures taken this year.  My Alexis, River and Autumn couldn't make it this year so it was harder.  Alexis was going to come on Saturday but got sick.
Lefsa was fun, it was in Mac's new house, I should say remodeled.  It is lovely, this year it was Brother Mark, Sister Heidi, her three kids, Joey's girl Alley and Erin's husband Josh and 1 year old son, Jackson, and Skye and Jim.  Mac & Laura hosted and after we finished rolling out 32 1/2 dozen rounds I got to take Hope and Hudson for a walk to the park, it was such special time and we walked to Mission Hills park.  Maybe 6 blocks from their house.  We went out for pizza after.  Fun.
It was really a good weekend, stayed at Skye's because of the dogs.  I enjoy being there.  Had my hair done.  It is so wonderful seeing how much she has accomplished upstairs.

We Are Almost To Skye's

Ok here we are in Elk River, almost to Skye's, we had a good day yesterday, I did the meat raffle, we sold 6 games, I only got taken advantage of for $1.00 when a table of 6 came in. They either took an extra ticket or or shorted me $1.00.  I also had a liquor basket raffle.  $103.00 worth of booze for a $5 ticket.  I sold 48 tickets.  Good for the "Lion's".
Jim worked at the school, doing Trunk or Treat.  Something new this year.

LEFSE

I was going to spend time online today but it will have to wait till we get in the truck, big day, busy getting ready going to Skye's.  I still don't know how soon Ali can make it, she had the wrong weekend down, thanks to me.  Busy yesterday, I worked hard on making dinner for everyone on Sat and Friday night and gett the potatoes ready, finished up the spuds today.  I think we are doing 30# this year! kill me! we will be rolling forever.
Brining a ton down to Skye's.
Later!