and zap November is done

during the purge I found my missing Diva scarf -- or one of them .. 

more beauties from the endless internet

obsession over the birds

I should be in the cave whipping one up

the recliner is quite comfy (and warm)

28 -  thankful for a warm house

29 -  grateful for the ability to make choices

30 -  thankful for good health

well, thirty days of gratitude are done .. I might have repeated myself (a lot) ... it was a fast month -- I have not been enticed by any deals today -- will be watching for a desktop computer for home and possibly a larger monitor for my 3rd street desk .. 

I finally got to the office at 10:00 am this morning -- I did get up early and dashed out 3 loads of laundry, the dishwasher, 3 newspapers and internet surfing .. 

Drove past the fire on the inbound -- heartbreaking -- I can't imagine  a) living there and then b) losing it all in a fire .. it appears the sole job of the fire department was to contain it -- during fire -- gas and power had to be shut off to the park .. awful.  just awful.  

More BOI reports got knocked out .. some payroll, some payroll taxes .. and a spot of cleaning .. it was a cold day and a good day to work.  I have "ice" pictures from the cabin cam on my iPad .. skim frost happened fast.  

 

post Turkey Day

another awesome quilt block

I really need to sit down and play with some fabric

and how did I spend Thanksgiving

I cleaned my clothes closet -- seriously I am a clothes junkie/horder/nutjob

1 - these are google images 

2 - I have a really small closet and a lot of stuff .. 

3 - I flipped the summer stuff to storage in the upper closet

4 - brought down the winter stuff and purged

5 - 5, yes 5 bags for the thrift shop and I have a couple winter coats in the cave

6 - after realizing I had no turtlenecks 

I ORDERED them this morning

I have a PROBLEM ..

this is about the size of a 5 bag pile .. (without the aforementioned coats - there's a coat drive somewhere all the time) ...  

I managed to find a new pair of sneakers ... and socks .. and bra's still in the bag .. I knew they were in there somewhere ...

so the black friday deals -- well, turtle necks and cream color jeans at lands end ... because I think my oversized tush needs a $30 pair of cream colored denim covering it .. 

I'm trying to get over the obsession of only wearing black or navy ALL the time .. and then I saw myself in Tuesday's costume ... leggings, boots, tunic, long sweater ... no, just never again ... what the hell was I thinking .. and I went to the board gig ( the televised board gig ) in said costume 

In addition to the purge -- 4 loads of laundry -- all the pairs of long underwear and summer slips got washed and put away .. tonight I pack away the summer dresses in clothes bag and store in the basement -- now I have clothes on TWO levels of the house .. 

I really miss the mock neck sweatshirts that I used to get a Kohls .. those buggers were warm ... OBSESSING over clothes is not healthy ..

and the idiots at Lands' End just sent me a 60% off coupon ....     OBSESSION  ...  

after the purge, shower and nap -- we went to Nick and Rachael's for supper -- R had to work until 7:30 (live as a RN) so it was kind of a late night ... and dang morning came fast ... 

 

Thanksgiving Eve

it's that time of the year ... 

note to self: you forgot the cookies ... argh

and I got the fancy light bar picture uploaded here  

well, there was a picture of my fancy new light bar gizmo on my desk in the cave -- I managed to delete it while editing .. figured out how to add it -- see picture above ... too much technology again

it might become the fancy new light bar above my cutting table instead ..  giving it a demo ... I have to admit .. crawling around under the desk hooking it up and disconnecting the other two lamps was a PITA -- I'm to old for that floor crawling

this is a potato chip quilt block -- lots of potential here peeps -- if the sewing mojo ever returns this is on my list ... lots of youtube watching to check it out ... I did get some fabric delivered today .. cool beans -- again the mojo needs to return.

25 - grateful to be able to drive Ruby the last couple of days .. 

26 - thankful for good neighbors - today would have been Joyce's 104th birthday 

27 - grateful for a spot of time off for the next couple of days .. or unstructured work time ... 

            I might not answer the phones

 

24th Sunday November

today's endeavors on 3rd St ...

re-arrange the front office/waiting room/largest room in the building and install/tape up the plastic window kits  -- because peeps - I do it all .. not well, but have learned to fake it and get it done ...

23 years of window kits and believe me -- it's a process -- ladders, scissors, tape.  I have the green room to go and that entails moving a boat load of furniture .. 

and then I have to vacuum the dungeon .. I cannot remember the last time I vac'd the dungeon -- it's a hazmat zone .

the piles of boxes on the file cabinets -- envelopes, newsletters, engagement letters, more envelopes - year end is approaching and I've begun to accumulate all the "guts" of the year end packets of goodness .. need to draft a letter and the printer has the famous envelope -- the crew at Nelson Printing is very good to us .. 

anyhow - I flipped the oak table and the seating and some of the plants .. and vac'd for hours ..... 

this little dude / dudette has been hanging out in the cave on my keyboard for two days .. it's kind of like the pacman gizmo ... spins and spins and spins .. 

laundry is perking and Yellowstone is about to begin .. on to my next project -- bedroom floors and clean clothes ... it never ends 

23 - grateful for weekends -- battery recharging is a good thing

24 - thankful for no snow ... although the word was uttered on the news this evening 

 

Saturday musingss

missing my cabin sunsets - shots from the cameras are NOT the same 

missing sun -- damn November it's never sunny

how we communicate with the texting generation

office camera shots -- not a thief, can't spell burgler, just I 

I spent a good share of Saturday at the office -- the file room got a cleaning - not a "good" cleaning, but a cleaning - seriously how does one space get so filthy.  It was bad -- 

all of the envelopes and printed "stuff" for packet production were moved to the front .. furniture fluffed and the the floor swifted multiple times -- moved to the hallway -- more of the same -- too much shit in a small space .. ditto the "fridge" closet .. 

moving to the front room today -- window kits and selective purging -- will re- arrange furniture after the packets are done and out of the building ..  

green room will be next weekend -- that's a hard room to change - just no room for anything 

and so it rolls on 3rd St

Today ( sunday ) -- the last of the farm "stuff" gets stashed for winter -- I have two planters to dump, stash the golf cart for winter, sweep garage and possibly, put away Ruby -- she needs to be vacuumed and washed first .. 

 

fabric dreams

since I don't seem to make time to quilt anymore .. I've been hording pretty quilt pictures whenever I spy one -- I'm not a "yellow' fan -- but this one caught my eye (and I may have shared it before)

always

not my colors but I like the idea

loving the color choices on this one .. 

awesomely cool scrappyness happening here

22 - grateful for hobbies .. even if I don't get to play very often

 

Angry Lake

 It has been an angry lake today - tripping cameras all day long.

 today was "new phones at the office day" .. so far they've rang and I've been able to answer them .. don't ask about the other bells and whistles .. that's beyond me ..

my morning started at 4:00am filing BOI reports .. kinda early and I'm pooped out

21 - I am grateful to be an early riser ...

argh snow

20 - grateful for certain technology (today)

it's snow - the forecast was wrong.  it's sticking.  drive home was slippery in the usual spots .. 

technology was tricky today -- the internet at the office went out twice today -- during the webinar -- we actually watched it on my phone for 20 minutes .. weird, really weird 

tonight was install a scanner at home -- it has taken forever ... nothing is easy with Windows 11

and then I turned on the "melt" feature of my starlink satelite dish.  

I don't like Elon Musk -- I do however really like his internet company .. without it I'd be living at the office (instead of hanging out in the cave)

it is life.

 

Wisdom

19 - Grateful for deadlines that keep me grounded -- or attempt to keep me grounded

truth

I ordered this little dude from Amazon last week .. he's adorable --

Crazy day in paradise -- board workshop lasted until 1:00 .. clients waiting for me when I got back to the office -- it was a rough client gig -- partner in a partnership lost his battle with colon cancer -- sometimes it hits way to close to the heart ... 

and then I spent the rest of my afternoon slipping in my own shit.

I finally packed up homework and headed for the farm

and now it's time for bed.  

so it rolls

 

Imperfect beauty

18 - today I am blessed for family and friends

the critter cam pinged this morning .. when I checked it out -- this was the sight.  the back yard is a disaster area .. literally and figuratively .. this shot makes it look cool

the split rail fences are rotting .. I took down another 25' section a couple of weeks ago . the perennial beds have gone wild and at 3:00 the shrubs have taken over ... 1/2 the pine trees in the grove are dead .. but this pix reminds me that even imperfect - life is beautiful.  

I need that daily reminder.

the Monday shitshow was busy -- must have been the rain .. I just told mom 50' and rain feels colder than 0' and blowing snow -- I got cold and didn't warm up all day ... 

I've been ready old blog posts .. I think today is the anniversary of my watermelon farming retirement .. I miss everything but the work ... I don't know how I juggled the patch, the office, and the Commissioner gig for 4 years .. nuts .. imperfectly nuts.

 

Rest Day ?

16 - grateful for neighbors

17 - always thankful for sunny days

and this is our lake neighbor ( white house on the right side of the pix) .. sucking up leaves from our front yard -- he was rolling out the unit as we were leaving yesterday .. I attempted to empty out the fridge/freezer of edibles and snatched some canned goods too .. 

The water heater was drained so I assumed no water -- and the dock got pulled back up the hill so we are ready for winter .. 

I'm working up the ambition to head to the office .. more window kits, cleaning and yard work in town.  The recycling is loaded in the truck as is yard work tools ... and well, there is always client projects -- the upcoming week is going to be busy

 

TGIF

13 - thankful for purpose in life

14 - grateful for guys who cut down trees

15 - thankful for Fridays

I took this on the inbound this morning .. the moon glow at 3:00 was pretty awesome too .. I however enjoyed it from bed -- I should have snapped a pix .. and I should have tossed a load of laundry in the washing machine.  I did neither -- turned off the alarm and slept until 6:00 am .. always a good thing.  

I've had trouble sleeping the last couple of years .. my fitbit tracks my sleep habits .. might explain some of my tiredness .. lately, I've tried to be on a schedule -- bed by 9:00, read for a few minutes, no TV -- etc .. when I wake up during the night -- no iPad or TV ... 

and TV -- I watched the Martha Stewart documentary on Netflix.  that woman has a potty mouth -- seriously ... extreme control freek .. yikes -- I wasn't expecting it ... or at least to that degree ... argh 

kindness moment of the week  --- a kind treat was delivered from a local assisted living -- thanking me for my kind words regarding their facility -- Heritage Meadows -- it is a nice place - they care about their residents and well, are nice .. it was a fun surprise and treat .. need to pay it forward :)

another 12 trees got cut down at the farm yesterday -- more EAB issues .. we're done until spring  -- I think the junkers are coming next week -- weather will determine -- grain bins are coming down, old farm equipment and junk in the woods is leaving ... progress 

 

new UPS delivery dude

         so today .. our new ups delivery dude thought delivering my new FAKE Christmas tree was funny -- seriously funny -- evidently he hasn't bought a fake tree lately -- Kohls, 20% off and $20 Kohls cash .. all the fun things to keep you spending money.   effective.  My Kohls cash is going towards shoes ... 

        one can never have to many pairs of shoes.  adidas sneakers to be precise .. my favorite model got discontinued AGAIN.  

12 - today I am grateful for all the delivery dudes that keep us rolling

        not only was the TREE, but the amazon goodness -- new rugs for my office .. bold, soft and kind of cheap -- hopefully gets me thru the winter months ....

        and the other drama of the day -- HyVee at 5:30 on -- serious demo derby action in the parking lot .. I snagged a small cart in the middle of the parking lot .. ran into Al and had an election discussion in front of the raspberries ... which were tasty - the berries (not Al) ... and no gallons of whole milk or a fresh loaf of bread in the entire store.  wtf.  milk, bread ?????   I didn't take time for Kwik Trip on the way past ... 

        home for laundry, dishwasher and prepping clients for pre tax planning appointments -- the appointments are rolling in hot and heavy.  today, -- one wanted to come "any Saturday in November or December or any Friday after 4:30" -- no, nope, not going to happen.  no seriously 4:30 on Friday ???? nope, nope, nope.  

        I'm getting old and cranky.  really cranky.

Day 11

 11    Veteran's Day -- so many reasons to be grateful

        And this morning -- the entire house went down with the pukes and shits.  Seriously, both of us.  I woke up queasy at 3:30 .. didn't leave for the office until 7:00 ish .. got there and decided to come home to sleep it off .. got home and Mom was down too ... argh .. 

        She went back to bed, I slept in the recliner -- noonish went back to the office and attempted to be productive -- well, I was .. but I'm crashing fast this evening.  Mom went to her chiro appointment, picked up drugs and laid low ... tomorrow she's back to Parkinson's boot camp.  She hates it even though it is good for her.  

        Spied this ditty on wastebook -- 

truth ...

Day of Rest

10    Thankful for lazy Sundays

        Well, sort of lazy -- nothing on my list got done -- I did manage to run the dishwasher twice .. I did go to work and got irked at the brewery neighbors.   We seem to have a lot of "dogs" on leashes and owners with drinks in their hand coming over and peeing on the grass.  It is rude.  Today I managed to yell at 3 of them and sent a snarky email to the brewery children.

        Since they opened (and during construction) .. the parking has been horrendous.  HORRENDOUS.  People have no respect for private parking lots.  NONE.  And they drive where ever the hell they please.  Since the fence came down -- it seems to have reverted to an alley.  The cones have been moved multiple times.  I left early -- easier on the blood pressure.

        Other than that .. I watched the return of Yellowstone.  Jury is still out on that one.  I kind of liked looking at Kevin Costner.  He's out. 

        Done whining.  On to Monday.

housework diva

 

9.    Today I am thankful for rain days

    I should have went to work -- instead I woke up in the middle of the night with a cramp in my calf .. stumbled around the house ... landed in the recliner and woke up at 6:30 ...  missed the northern lights - AGAIN ... dang it.

    and then ...

1    porch got cleaned -- 

        a    plants got tidy'd up ... and are ready for overwintering 

        b    more trash

2    kitchen floor 

3    bedroom floor

4    tupperware closet

        good grief we have a "tupperware closet" .. not any longer

        1 - full bag for trash/recycling -- 

        1 - full bag for donation (with matching lids)

5    3 loads of laundry

6    cleaning cycle for the washing machine -- smells better now

7    went to office and retrieved package left on front steps

            damn federal express ...

8    finally got a shower ... 

9    messing around and attempting to get pix off my phone

10  bed made - sheets washed

tomorrow ...

1        screens off the porch, front window and patio door

2        more floors

3        office -- projects

                a    window kits

                b    boi mailing labels

                c    audit issue

4        cabin

                deliver "tupperware" maybe rake?

5        cook for the week ....  

Grateful

8.    Grateful to have the happy place

    Grabbed Mom, pizza and technology and headed to the cabin for supper -- I wanted to catch the sunset -- I need my sunsets.  157 days before I'll see another one out here .. seems like a lifetime.  I'm also trying to find the perfect shot for my Christmas cards .. 

    I looked out the door when I walked over to wash dishes and grabbed these shots with my phone.  Winners.  The other project -- finally got the rust out of the toilet .. it's all in the product -- some high priced lysol toilet bowl cleaner that I got on Amazon.  Worked perfectly.  We're almost ready for winter out here.  A little issue with the dock -- it rolled back down the hill and into the lake (argh) .. raking, and I need to strip my bed ( I flip the quilt backwards to keep bed clean and quilt from fading), bring in the clothes .. rake, rake, rake and burn leaves.  

    I'm just not ready to give it up .. Lee wants to winterize next weekend.  The forecast for the middle to end of month is colder looking.  

 

the aftermath ...

 

grateful and thankful

6.    freedom of choice
7.    50' in November

the election aftermath -- it's still sinking in .. 
I just don't understand the young women who voted for Trump .. 
or the Latino population 

    what the hell are they thinking .... 
    I just don't get it ... 

    I don't get a  lot of things lately ...
    Jack told me Rum/ Coke didn't make the night any better either >>>
    neither did coffee .. lots of coffee 

So I guess -- old, white, non childbearing women (such as I)
respond with:
    
    Grace
    Fortitude
    and Revenge in 4 years ...

and my worst thought -- he somehow self destructs and we're stuck with the Junior version -- who frankly is more frightening than the original .. that dude is a nut job.   NUT JOB.  

Grateful and Thankful

 November 

        The month to be grateful and thankful ...
        My crappy attitude lately needs a reminder to practice gratitude ...

So for the first 5 days of November ...

1        I am grateful for the changing of the seasons
2        I am grateful for family and friends 
3        I am grateful for the reminder to be grateful
4        I am grateful for Monday morning reminders of a fresh new week
                (seriously -- )

5        I am grateful for the ability to VOTE and know my vote matters

I was voter #7 in Traverse this morning -- our polling place opens at 10:00 (it's based on the number of registered voters) .. and yes, the curtains I sewed in 4H are still on the voting booths :)  life skills that last forever ...  

I miss my Dad today -- he was an election judge/township board member for 25 years -- elections were part of the gig  .. he enjoyed them -- people, responsibility, respect and the right to vote.  I looked back at lunch -- my first Presidential election was 1980 .. haven't missed one since .. I was naming off the Presidents to Kate - by memory -- not sure if she was impressed .. crazy stuff to remember ...

I must be old.  

note -- I avoided the double chins and my sweater matches my gray hair .... 

I must be old.

Argh ..

yes, argh is my favorite word. 

it is the best description for the time change

gaining an hour is bullcrap

it's freaking dark all the time now 

I hate it

the drizzle of the day was not helpful

I went to work this morning and stayed 5 hours

productive -- or so it seemed

I''m hoping for a quiet calm week 

a productive beginning of the month week 

wisdom for the day -- heavy duty toilet bowl cleaner

amazon delivers - hoping it cleans up the rust, lime and whatnot at the cabin

argh, getting excited over toilet bowl cleaner 

gotta get a life.

 

fungi !!

the gift of zinnia keeps on giving .. well, it's probably the rotting tree roots that were the original occupants of the zinnia space ...  dr google tells me it's birds nest fungi

they are very tiny ....

today's agenda .. so far anyway

1.   pulled up the frozen zinnia trunks (and dumped in the field)
2.   chatted with the neighbor lady for an hour
3.   took out a rotting split rail fence 
4.   wind rowed leaves to the driveway
5.   loaded up un-wind rowed leaves ..
6.   chopped up leaves with the lawnmower 
7.   stored the hose reel and power washer
8.   made the BED

9.   started a pile for the thrift store

10. started a pile for "storage"

next up -- birthday supper with the relatives, tractor supply for cat food .. and maybe a stop at the big HyVee, it's got stuff our HyVee doesn't have .. 

Tomorrow it's off to the office and projects down there ... deadlines, lists, winterizing, it's endless

 

November .. .. the beginning

the fog rolled in at 7:00 am and finally burned off ... it was dramatic 

it is minnesota -- only in one week can there be 80'/sunny, snow and rain followed up by thick fog ... well in 3 days that's happened 

and from last night -- I sometimes plop things up here and post them the next day ...

after the chaos of the day -- it was a wacky one - weather, people, me, change  -- darkness -- I hate the darkness of winter -- I popped in and checked the camera's at the cabin .. sunset -- we had sunset - it was late enough cameras had switched to b/w -- but there was sun.