Dog Days of August

Happy August 1st!!!! The summer has flown by and now the very, very last of it is here. And it's HOT!!! and HUMID!!!! Reminds me why I like spring!!!


Speaking of "hot"---we had a "hot" little time last night! We went with Penny & her hubby to see a production of "South Pacific" put on by the church they attend. "South Pacific" is one of my favs--love me some musicals!!--and this was delightful! I really like local plays--if you let your imagination go, you can sit and imagine you are right there on Broadway!!! Anyway, the BABA did an excellent job! The songs of "South Pacific" are so familiar--I almost sang along. But, I restrained myself (for the benefit of all others attending) and just tapped my foot.


Before the play we had dinner at one of the all time best pizza places around---Hideaway Pizza! Yummy! It's strictly an "okie" business, so you'll have to come to Green Country to try some, but hey! it's worth the trip. They have all sorts of pizzas with quirky names. Penny had "Pizza of the Gods"! Moi? Just good ole pepperoni!!!


Ok now--put your thinking caps on---Do you know why it's referred to as the "dog days of summer"???? It refers to a hot, sultry time. A time of lack of activity. Guess the "dog" part of it is due to the fact that one just wants to lay around all the time. But that's rather unfair! My dog still wants to go out and chase the ball or take a walk--it's ME who wants to lay around. Perhaps a better phrase would be the "slug days of summer" or the "sloth days of summer"!!! I think dogs across the nation would appreciate the fact the name is changed!!!


Ok, yes, it's early, and yes, I didn't get enough sleep last night, and yes, I am rambling! I think the heat has definitely affected me! I can't sleep well, can't think straight, and earlier this week a co-worker and I had a MAJOR spat! It ruined my day, her day, and made the workplace quite tense. It's ok now. But you know, I just hate it when I weaken and react to what's going on around me! Especially when it's sooooo trivial. Don't you think I could blame the heat? Temporary insanity!


Enough rambling---obviously my life is quite mundane this week! Maybe I'll have some excitement this weekend that I can share with you. Or maybe I can get my thoughts straight! Either way, have a great August 1st!

Preview of a Work in Progress~~~~

This is a preview of the room I told you I was working on. I have all the painting done, and some of the decorating--but not enough that I want to show you yet!
As you can see, I put stripes on the walls. It's real subtle--in fact, I think they show up better in this picture than in actuality! I did learn a valuable lesson--don't use a colored chalk to mark lines!!! I ran out of white chalk after one wall, and just grabbed a lavender one. Bad Idea!!! Very, Very BAD!!! The white chalk wiped right off---not the lavender!!! It smeared and just faded a small bit--and believe me, I used every kind of cleaner I could find. It's a wonder the paint is still there. So, I took a small craft paint brush and went over the light color about 7 times and the darker color about 5. And it was no picnic!!! In fact, my legs are sooooo achy from doing the "squats" to paint the lower walls!!! But, all in all, I am going to be quite pleased when I get all the decor finished. The picture on the wall is made up of notecards I found in Colorado. The photographer took pictures of daises and put them on a black background. I fell in love with them, and they work perfectly in this room!!!



Now, my extra bedrooms are small---very, very small. But I want to show you the other bedroom that I finished last summer (I think). I came down about 12 inches from the top of the room and painted solid white. Then the green, and capped the white with painted moulding. I read somewhere that this draws the eye up and makes the ceiling appear taller. Along that same line, I hung the curtains higher and sewed panels on the bottom to make the purchased curtain longer.

I think it turned out quite nicely! Oops---I don't have the pillow shams on the pillows yet!!! Well, trust me when I tell you the sheets compliment the comforter and colors in the room!!!
This is the view of the curtains.
And then another view of the room and my junky little shelf!!! Maybe I should have opted for doors!!! One of these days I may make a little curtain and velcro it on the outside of the shelf. For now, I'm bored with this room and off to other projects!!! One of these days, I'll show you my red/black glazed bathroom!!! It's my favorite in the house!!!

So, this is what I did this weekend, along with rearranging furniture in the dining room and living room, and cleaning out the kitchen cabinets!!! Just got a wild burst of energy, had the time and went all out!!!

I'm going to sit back today and take an hour off. And then to buy groceries!

Have a great day!!!

But, What Do You WANT To Do?????

No picture today. I have just downloaded 55 from my niece's camera from the Colorado trip---we're going to put scrapbooks together about our trip. And, I didn't want to look at one more picture right now!!!


Which brings me to the title of this post. I am going to have a major decision to make in a couple of weeks that will change the course of my life (in a good way), and which will take me to an entirely different daily routine. Or, if the decision is made the other way---things will stay as they are now. I'm hoping for the change. I don't want to post about it, cause I don't want to jinx it!!! Suffice to say, when the time comes, I'll let you in on the "Big Change"!!!


There's still one more thing I want to do this fall---I want to learn how to process digital pictures with a Photoshop program and learn how to change the backgrounds---do Warhol type prints. I just don't know which way to go. I don't know what program I need to look into, which class I need to take, I don't know anything!!!


I bought some notecards while on vacation and the subject was gerbera daisies---my new favorite flower! Anyway, the photographer had put the daisy images on a solid black background. They are simply beautiful! And this is what I want to do. If any of you have any hints, suggestions, ideas, please let me know. I feel so camera stupid!!!


So, tomorrow is my last Friday off for this summer. I'm going to finish painting my back bedroom. I have only had the supplies for this for the past 2 YEARS!!!!! Trust me, I'm NOT that lazy---I've just had alot, ALOT of interruptions---and work!!! I have already done the buttercup yellow base coat and marked off the stripes; tomorrow I'll paint the stripes--they are just a shade darker that the base coat. I wanted something very subtle. The new curtains are a black & beige stripe, the bed cover is black & off white toile, and I'm going to use alot of black accessories. I can't wait to finish. And if I'm pleased, I'll share pictures!!! Wish me luck!


I'm off now to put up the tape for the striping. Have a good evening and I'll visit later!

The Last of Colorado for This Year!

Aren't these poppies pretty? They were outside the cabin in Colorado. Actually, they were planted all over town, and in yards all around Lake City. My mom has poppies here, but she said they die back in June when the heat gets too much for them. But, in this little utopia, they were ever blooming and GORGEOUS!!
And this was the epitome of serenity. We saw this "pond" at the very top of the mountain on our horse back excursion! And it was quite cool, literally cool!, at this point! Like about 75 degrees at 2:00 in the afternoon cool! Boy, do I miss this today--it's 98 degrees and HUMID here---sweltering is the kindest word I can conjure up! Walk outside and it takes your breath. Stay outside and your sweat glands go into overdrive!!! But sitting and looking at this picture (with the AC vent pointed at me) I can almost feel the breeze!!!


And, back to work -- this week is "gear up" for inservice and enrollment. I don't have anything to do with enrollment, but I have tons of papers to mail out, files to begin and a power point to finish for an inservice presentation. And I have no energy or enthusiasm! It's like this every year during the couple of weeks before school starts -- for me anyway. Maybe it's the heat of summer, maybe it's the regret for all those things I didn't accomplish, or maybe it's the sad realization that yet another year has flown by. Time isn't on my side!!! ha ha


So tonight, I'm going to allow myself to sit and look at just a few more magazines, and have a "couch potato" night. Tomorrow I'll --- well, I'll think about that tomorrow.


Pleasant dreams all!

The End of a Heavenly Week!!!

We're back!!!!! Once again, I uploaded the pictures in reverse order, and I don't have the patience to sit through another upload, soooo you will see these in a random order! This is my grandson & my sister feeding the horses that are residents at the ranch where we stayed. We stayed at Elk Creek Ranch in Lake City, CO. It actually is listed in Gunnison, but it's 9 miles north of Lake City and 45 miles south of Gunnison, so I'm going with Lake City. It is a working ranch (we didn't see any workers!!!), so there are two areas of horses. And they are quite friendly---especially if you take them treats!!!

We did the horseback ride again!!! Believe it or not, we got the same guide as last year. His name was Jeremy and he's in 5th year college. We were hoping he & Kelsi would bond, --- nope. They did talk the entire way tho!!! My horse was "Ace" and he was a sweetheart! Jennifer's horse was "Madonna" and it was ALL ABOUT HER!!!!! The horse didn't want to cross the stream, wanted to stay in the barn, lagged behind all the others--somehow Jennifer brings out the best in a horse! Don't remember Ashley's horse's name either, but it was a "lagger" too. And when we would stop to let them drink, it had to stay and dig for a while!!! Kelsi's horse (once again, forgot the name!), was the "leader" of our trip and was quite a well trained horse. Except it kept kicking my horse in the face; could be because mine kept "goosing" him in the butt! We were gone for 3 hours and it was pure enjoyment!
Hank had a great time on all the farm implements that were on the grounds. I thought this of him and his daddy was too cute. And aren't these mountains gorgeous??? We woke up to that view each morning.
This is the house where we stayed. One mile off the highway through 2 locked gates. No one else around for miles!!! No cell phone service---no internet. It was heaven!!! We did have TV, so my dad could keep up with CNN. Other than that--peace, sweet, sweet peace. I cooked breakfast 2 mornings---the first morning we had French Toast made with homemade blueberry-banana bread & strawberry-banana bread, eggs and bacon. The next morning--biscuits and sausage gravy!! We cooked dinner 3 nights! Had 7 friends over for dinner on Tuesday night. Believe it or not, they are from hometown, and hometown church. We had a great time. And we laughed about the fact that we had to go 14 hours away to get together. But isn't that how it is??? At home everyone is too busy to coordinate schedules.

One day while there, a juried art show was held in the town park. Wow--there were some beautiful items, and it was so relaxing. There is just a certain "attitude" in small upper mountain towns. No one cares how you dress, who you are, what you do===it's just a friendly atmosphere. Kind of like old hippies on field trips!!! Ha ha ha Without the drugs or sex!!! Now, isn't that perfect???

And little Hank was the perfect vacationer. Those long hours riding didn't upset him one bit! (love those DVD players!!! Although he was limited to 2 during trips). He interacted in conversation--think the game "Mad Gab"!! If you haven't played this, look it up and you'll understand! And he took 2 and 3 hour naps in the car!!! During our stay, whatever we dragged him to do, he loved. And staying at the ranch was great---he could play outside and be as loud as he wanted!!! And there was so much "farm" stuff for my little farmer!!!

Family vacations, where the entire family goes, can be tense, trying and totally useless---believe me, I have endured a few of those!!! But this one was good. I'm so grateful to have all of them to take, regardless of their "weird" habits---not mine!!! ha ha ha. We came back still loving each other and wanting to be around each other. That is a major feat!

Well, bloggies, I'm a bit tired (drove straight through last night) so I'll close for now, but I'll regale you with tales of Colorado later!!!!

Vacation Time!!!

I have scrimped and saved since last September, and now -- tada!!! I have our vacation lodging & car rental paid for!!! We leave Saturday morning for beautiful Lake City Colorado!!!


Now, the reason I scrimped and saved is that I challenged myself to see if I, and I alone, could finance the bulk of this trip. All this from catering jobs. And, whoopee!!! I did it!!! Even have a bit left over for gas and extras. When we get back, I begin saving for the next one!!!



Not that I don't want Big Daddy to help out with the trip expense, I just want to see if I can save money!!! ha ha ha And, if I have a goal, and set my mind to it---it works!!!


The entire family (with the exception of my son and my sister's son) are going. A & E (the sons) can't get off work. I don't think they really, really wanted to go, but this excuse is easier to digest!!!


We will spend the first night in Raton NM and drive on in the next day. This year we have rented a cabin that sleeps 15 & it's 9 miles outside of town. We plan to horseback ride, go 4-wheeling, hiking, etc. There's really not alot more to do, and that suits us just fine! We will cook at the cabin each morning and night, and are taking board games & videos. It's family immersion at it's finest. There is another family from our town, who also attend the same church as me, who will be there the same week. They have alot of common interests, so we intend to have them over for food a couple of times.


But, basically, we are there to relax and enjoy God's green mountains!!!


So, I won't be blogging til I get back. Tonight begins the "getting ready to pull out" phase--cooking, shopping for food, washing, packing, cleaning house. Needless to say, I won't even look at the computer. But I'll be thinking of all of ya, and taking great (I hope!) pictures to share.


Everyone be careful and have a good week.

Oh Yeah It's Ladies Night!!!

Well, we finally made it!!! All 6 of us were able to be together the same night!!! That's a major accomplishment for us and our busy schedules!!! This is "Girls Night" at the local Melting Pot. The last Monday of June & July, there are special meal deals and showings. So, of course, we HAD to go!!! A local women's department store had a preview of their new skin care line, a fashion show, and a make over!!! We got samples of the skin care and my sis won a bottle of wine! And we had a four course meal!! How fun--it wouldn't have been quite so pricey but we just had to have us a couple of those fruity drinks!!!
Now I think the above picture is too funny!!! Penny the Queen & I are quite, hmmm, not sure the emotion, but this the dessert course, and cinnamom flames!!! We laughed at this pic til we cried!!!
But then we regained our composure and posed for this one!!! And we let Ya Ya D join the fun!!! BTW---the bananas foster fondue wasn't nearly as good as the dark chocolate one. Not to worry tho--we disposed of them both.

Here's Ya Ya C getting her fabo makeover!!! She doesn't wear too much make up as a rule and we were just shocked by her good looks. Not really!!! She is a doll without anything, she just looked so cosmopolitian!!!
And here I am with one of my favorite things--make up!!! The gal who did the make over even commented on how good my eye make up was that I had put on at home!!! Ha ha ha She even wanted to know what brand it was! I do love me some eye paint!!!
And here's sister Ya Ya J getting her beautification!!! She always has the most perfect make up on her own, I think she just wanted the make up artists to have something to do!!
And Ya Ya D joined in the fun!!! As did Penny the Queen and Ya Ya B, but I am getting tooo "make over" happy!!!

Now, can I just tell you we had a BLAST!!! We always do and it had been such a long time (it seems) since we had all been together.. We laughed and laughed and laughed. If a psychiatrist could bottle these feelings he would have the cure for most any mental ailment!!!!

We started laughing at Ya Ya C's where she has (in front of her gorgeous home) an RV parked with the awning out and the door open!!! We deemed it the runaway room. Anytime we feel tooooo stressed we have decided to call and let her know we need our time out!!!

I know I have said this many, many times before, but if you have some gal friends and you haven't had your time together lately, DO NOT PASS GO until you round em up and have some therapy!!! I love these gals soooo much and I just can't imagine going through life without them. What a blessing!!!

Now, I'm still suffering from an over done weekend and partying late last night, so I have to close and rest before I go to bed!!!

Happy July!!!