Here it is Monday already.

We have done so much this week, but the thing we have done the most is relax.  It has been heaven.  We got here Tuesday and we spent the time just setting up.  On Wednesday we scoped out the lovely city of Ashland WI.  We are camped at the city park and have the best spot here.  It's a pull through parallel to a bay on Lake Superior.
One thing this city is known for besides being on Lake Superior is the murals that are all over the buildings downtown.  We had so much fun walking the dogs downtown taking pictures.  I used my Ipad for pictures and now have to figure out a way to get them to my blog.  That in itself will be interesting.  We did a little shopping, I really needed some new turtlenecks and they had quite a sale on them at a local store downtown.  Moore's Army Surplus Store.  Turns out it was quite a lovely store and huge.  Jim had to go in and get something the first day we were here and he told me about a local production of "The Sound of Music".  Moore's is where you pick up the tickets and since we weren't going to Carrie's cabin until Saturday morning we could go to the play Friday night.  We went back there to buy tickets and it turns out that the owner of Moores have a daughter that is quite talented and is the lead in the play.  Tickets were only $15 and we are excited to go.  The theater only seats 97 so it will be cosy.
The one thing they have is of course a Wal-Mart.  It does come in handy.  I forgot a robe and purchased a fuzzy pull over to keep me warm.  We leave our electric fireplace on at night for heat.  with the down comforter we are snug as 4 bugs in a rug.  Of course the dogs sleep in our bed, it's a king and there is lots of room.
We have had two meals out.  We ate dinner at a restaurant called "Platters", for $70 you would have thought the meal was more memorable but it was OK.  I had whitefish, Jim must have had some pasta, he usually does.  We also ate at a place downtown for lunch.  Beautiful bar, now how can they screw up nachos, but they did, not enough cheese and it wasn't melted, or it was melted and dried and cooled.  Anyway very forgettable but I did have a beer that was made from apples.  Really good.  Apple Ale or something.
By the way the play was splendid.  Marie in the play was not only superb but lovely too.  The other part that was special was Mother Superior and of course all the children were good.
We  went over on Saturday and spent the day with Carrie, David and kids,  It was very overcast, windy and cold.  I was dressed for it.  They have a cabin but it is alll dug up.  No floors and you can't live in it.  Next summer they will get some work done on it.  They have to be 75 feet from the lake in order to add on to the cabin and that seems to be the hold up.  They are trying to create that distance by adding on to the shoreline.  Good luck to them.  What a job they have ahead of them.  They do have a cute shed and have converted half of it to a cute bu

RUMMAGE SALE

That's what I have been up to.  It was a huge success, we made double what I set a goal to make.  About $2300.00.  I was there from 8-5 every day and sometimes longer.  The day of the sale I got there at 6am and we all stayed till 3.  I got there Sunday at 6 again because I helped Gary usher and we had a little hot dog, BBQ lunch for the congregation so I brought tables and chairs up to the narthex for seating.  It all went very well, I made all kinds of crasins, pecan cookies.  We had lots of sweets left from the sale.  There were 4 of us that did 80% of the work.  Ginny, Betty, Linda and I showed up every day and Nancy, Sally, and Darlene each came a couple of days.  You would not believe how helpful the guys were the day of the sale.  I had Pastor Dale, Jim, Paul, Roger to name a few.  Why at the luncheon at the church I let the congregation know I didn't sell any of the large tables and walla I sold 4 on the spot.  Brad, Nancy Johnson's son came right in and helped deliver them.  They were the really big ones, we needed to get rid of some of them because of  the new donation we are getting, we are getting 10 round 72" tables and cart in memory of Charlotte, Judy Gravelles sister.  YIPEE SKIPEE!
I have to admit I am tired and my house has been sorely neglected.  Now I have to get ready for our trip.  We are going to Wisconsin to look at the leaves, to visit Carrie at her cabin and off to famous Door County.
I had to run to church at 5am today to get my creamer.  Out at home.  I really like it in my coffee, it's sugar free but not fat free.
I still have a lot to get rid of, I got a hold of the Orphan Train people and they will be here after we get back.  They take all the clothes, shoes, linens and unbreakable household items.  It helps us a lot, they give them to flood victims and people that are setting up independent living after a rough time.
I had best get at it, my head is still swimming with things to do.  Isn't being a Christian fun.  Or just a good person that likes to help others because I am so blessed.  TYJ!
I need to take some time to smell the roses.  It looks like we may not even go South this year.  Bet we at least get to Texas for awhile.

It's Friday and I am off!

Sound familiar?  I left to see my plastic surgery at 8am, got to my 9:30 appointment just in time.  It was funny because the next morning when I was putting up the Fall Has It All Rummage Sale Posters Denny Stefan was in at my Dermatologist in the adjacent office and they had a laff when they saw my car in the parking lot.  We could have rode together except I had lots to do after.  Nose looks great except for the scar, that could be my new nickname except Disney already is using it in the Lion King.  In 6 months I will go back for a dermabraision, I know Dede had it done for her skin cancer.

Great to have the hole in my nose gone, and the cancer, and the cancer, don't think I am not greaetful.  I thank God daily.

I had lot's of errands to run, went to at least 3 thrift stores, bought some coats, always find some little treasures for myself.  You wouldn't believe the Green Butter Bell, it is so cute.  

Shopped for Groceries too.  Got home at 5p m.  Long day.

BY THE WAY IT IS THE PRINCESSES BIRTHDAY ALEXIS IS THE BIG 40!

I remember my 40th.  That is the year my life changed, I met Jim that year.

Wednesday was a full day.  I went to Janet's and made a couple of trips to the church with my car full.  We had lunch at the coffee shop in town, they make the best wraps.  You know I had a wrap at McDonald's the day before and it was very good.  Of course the French fries and coke went right to my hips.

Janet and I even drove over to Hill City Thrift store but it was closed.  Not open on Mon or Wed.

Will try and hit it this morning.

Thursday was crafter's day, picked up Lorrette, Audrey and met Elaine at church and the 4 of us took off for Bemidji.  They have the best craft store.  Dd some thrift shopping, went toWal-Mart and the Dollar Store and we ate at the Chinese Buffet.  Got Ho me by 5, tended to my baked beans that were in the oven all day, made the sausage, cream cheese and Ro*tels appetizer and I made the canned white chicken, hidden valley ranch one this morning one.  Getting ready for Alexis's birthday party tonight.  Jim and I have a hotel room right nearby with a pool, we will have the Grandkid's.  Too fun.  River, Autumn, Hope and Hudson.  The kids can party at Skye's, we are having hot dogs and beans, will be great.  She is still my Princess after all these years.  I think Jeff was wrong to bail out of the marriage and I don't know why I am having such a hard time with it but I am.  I pray about it a lot.

Well I went to Martha's last night and picked up some rummage, now there is a sad case, she has 7 children and they don't have much to do with her.  It is always everyone else's fault.  Sad.

I made an angel food cake this morning for Skye's fondue.  Will be fun.

Have to run, it seems that is all I do these days is run but it is fun.  I shop a lot too, this coat's for kids keeps me busy.

It's Tuesday and I am off.

I don't even remember the weekend.  It went by so fast, it included being at church and working on the rummage sale.  Off to Dr. Waters for a final check up on my nose.

HOME AGAIN

Been really busy, Thursday I started out hauling stuff in for the Rummage sale, went to Janet's and got a lot of stuff and she has more to come.
Organized some of it at church and I can't tell you how much I miss the Johnson's at church but that is another story, I also went to crafters, it was just Audrey and Lorretta and I but fun.  A little to much negativity for me and I need to get better at handling that.  All that does is pull you down and borders on gossip.  Hate it.  I had hoped I left that behind. It is not who I am.
We had WELCA Thursday night and the meeting went on for 3 hours.  TOO long.
Need to do my minutes of the meeting soon.  While it's fresh, we must have had a dozen women there.
Jim just told me about his dream, he has one every night and they are so stupid.  He loves the telling and laffs all through it.
Got up Friday and made scalloped potatoes.  We had a neighborhood fish fry to introduce some new neighbors.  There was Geri Garoutte, June and Linda, Pat and Bill Lund, his grown son Bill and Pats Mother.  The guest of honor was Linda and Dan Evans.  Teresa were 11 of us.  4 couldn't show up.  George and Millie Boe and Leon and Judy Hoen.
I took a nap after everyone left, oh it was wonderful.

Well here it is almost a week later

So much to report.  Jim is right about one thing.  I have been working non-stop since I have been home.  I just have to slow down.
Let's see.
We stayed at Skye's for 3 nights, had a very nice time.  She is such a wonderful hostess.  We got there on a Sunday night, we drove right to John's and had a fun birthday party for Jim.  John and Pam and Andrew, Rachael and Michael alone with Carrie and David and the three boys, Davis, Avery and Finley.  Pam made some Chili and Rachael and a girlfriend made some wonderful stuffed cupcakes.  John dot Jim the most wonderful Redwing Tennis shoes and Carrie gave him some wonderful Bacon from Wisconsin..
We went to Fred's funeral on Monday, I know it was really hard on Jim.  He saw many many old friends so that was wonderful for him.
We left after the service and reception and had a very nice time viewing Sharon's new townhouse.  I know she doesn't appear too excited but she will love it once she gets settled.  It is quite nice.
We then picked up Skye, a lot of running.  We picked up Chinese and went to Mac's and had dinner outside with Mac, Laura, Hope and Hudson.  We had a fire afterwards, fun. They have gutted their main floor and are putting in new flooring, lighting, new ceilings and new appliances and counter tops.  A huge renovation.  It will be quite lovely.
I am trying to think of how we filled Tuesday, oh yes, Jim went to his old AA meeting and then popped over to his cousin Donna, she shares the same Birthday, new townhouse to view again.  Skye and I went to a couple of home depot's and when Jim got back we picked up 20 sheets of sheet rock, Skye's friend Kevin helped put it upstairs and another Kevin, is going to help her put it up today.  Too exciting for her.  The thought that she actually will get that room done this year.  I just pray she can make payments every month.  Her business is so far able to sustain her but that's all.
It is growing every month but it takes at least 3 years to get off the ground.
We must have had dinner somewhere. I can't remember but Skye was wonderful and got Jim a sour cream raisin pie, his favorite.  We left early Wednesday morning and stopped at Geri and Herb Gustafson in Albertville so I could go to a couple of Goodwill stores for Coats for Kids.  Also went to  
The Hanes Bali outlet store.
We got home around 4 pm TIRED!

U-haul truck broke down and it took 1/2 an hour to go 2 miles!

Well so much for that, we have passed Hinkley, speeding like a demon, I heard Jim tell someone on the phone we have 15 guns to get rid of, we are bringing them to John.
Jim doesn't hunt anymore. Let's see what else did I do last week, I know it was busy.
On Monday Jim had lazier surgery on his eye, we both got shots in our left eyes.
Tuesday  was a quite day, oh ya that was a day I did a lot of running around, worked at church, walked 3 miles with Susan and Jeanne.  I am not going to walk with them anymore, I can't walk as fast as they and as far, I am going to slow it down to 2 miles.
Wednesday I got up early and made a new banana nut bread recipe for Jim's Bible study.  It turned out really good, they ate every piece.  I had a book club meeting at 2pm, was fun, we are going to read "The Long-Shining Waters" for September.
I had stopped by Janet's the day before and picked up some rummage for the sale and we talked about getting some girls together so I asked her who and she mentioned Nancy Green and Gail Martin so I called them and arranged for the three of us to go over to Janet's for dinner Wednesday night and I threw together a cass-soo-lay, as Heidi called it.  It was super yummy.  Sweet Italian sausage and beans.  We all brought something plus wine, we had a real nice time and I know Janet appreciated it so much.