weekend in pix (updated)

 

it was a quiet and calm day at the lake -- I got up later than normal (6:30ish) .. did my usuals and then make the hotdish -- so we took hotdish, buns, treats out there with us in time for lunch -- after scoping out our favorite farmers ... 

I did my weekly life planning, work projects, county commitments, weather forecasts and what to wear and when -- just makes life a bit more controlled ( or so I think )

here's the start of a crib quilt -- I took a tub of mixed scraps, trimmings and bits to scrapbooking and then attempted to be creative -- once the borders and quilting happens == it might have more personality

I did manage to bind 12 potholders -- it was a shoddy process -- I'm out of practice.  Argh.  

After supper tonight, I lugged all the "stuff" back to the basement and began a spot of cleaning.  I have way to much SHIT and sewing STUFF.  

I saw a quilter on Instgram and she gave up fabric, pattern, notion shopping and only shopped here fabric stash for a year -- she found it liberating.  No deadlines, no "keeping up with the Jones' " just enjoyed the process .. 

I should be doing that -- finding time to sew is my issue(s).  small steps peeps, small steps.

I gotta stop

 doing this to myself

5:00 1st load of laundry .. in 
Load 2
Load 3
Vac basement floor
Vac porch floor
Shower
Bake cookies
Go to grocery store
Back home - unload groceries
Office - pick up chair
8:45 back to scrapbooking 
1:30 back home
mow grass/blow leaves with lawnmower
3:30 back to scrapbooking
7:15 home
feed cats
surf www

thinking about going to bed 
I'm pooped.

(((( giant sigh ))))

I'm so not ready for the darkness of fall and winter ... 

The phones/internet got switched over yesterday and by mid afternoon every thing was working ... so I left the office at 4 ( roll over and .... ), fed the damn cats, grabbed Mom and McDonalds and we went to the cabin for supper -- 

My head and heart tell me this gorgeous weather is going to vanish, soon.  But I need every moment of it -- I'm self diagnosing my bad attitude as to much work, too much mom, to much County, to much political bs -- just to much of everything 

I overslept this morning -- and instead of dashing off to the office -- I vac'd the basement -- those damn asian beetles .. I spent a spot of time pulling fabric and projects for the weekend crafting event at church and I kept finding more beetles -- sucked the buggers up and tossed the bag -- they smell !

the church school ladies host a 2 crafting events a year -- the fall one is tonight and tomorrow .. they are fabulous cooks -- we eat well --- depending upon life -- I may sneak out tomorrow and mow lawn in the afternoon .. watching the weather .. or -- I need to clean garages as well  ---- tooooo muuuuucccchhhhh

these dudes were actually fishing -- it was fun to watch them 

 

Wednesday

on the GAC wastebook page 

I assume it's one of Jon's pix 

late morning shot from my webinar

it was pretty awful

8 hours that I could have been doing something productive

I did clean out my desk drawers, the bookcases, the bathroom shelves

3 bags of trash/recycling and shredding

ever 10 minutes or so they pinged us to prove attendance 

PITA -- I did leave w/30 minutes to go ... 

 

 

road trip

 

today was the annual "County Board Road Tour" -- aka - a bunch of Commissioners, staff and etc cruising around in the VINE bus checking out new, old and future road projects and drainage ditches

look at that baby pump water 

for less than 2 minutes

somewhere down the "ditch" is Swan Lake -- it's currently backing up into the system ... 

I've tried really hard this fall to live in the moment and not sweat the small shit.  Today was a good example -- crazy things happen every day in my world - and I just kept ignoring emails :)  and watching the miles roll on past ... with the usual waving at everyone ... literally everyone

I packed snacks for the trip -- cheese, beer sticks and crackers ... road trip food ... we did stop for lunch in Upper North at 2:00 .. 

Tomorrow is the UofM Ag Tax Class .. good stuff 

it's my life lately

pooped diva

pretty accurate representation this evening

My day's always start early:

2 loads of laundry
make bed w/clean sheets
put away clean clothes - sort for thrift shop
dishwasher
kitchen counters
trash

read 2 newspapers

surf the www
load up appliance recycling items at home
get to office load up more appliances/tech
get to appliance recycling
back to work

straighten out garage

work .. 

pack up homework

home

more laundry

work on work while washer is washing

Mankato

Bison drive -- road needs work its full of potholes and really rough

no bison close up

cross country to kohls 

   get mom into store and shopping

   get returns done

   find mom -- more mom shopping

   making her try on clothes in the aisle 

   remember she's got a walker 

   check out .. $227 later  - mom has clothes

Goodwill

    drop a box, a bag and 3 bags of books

Applebee's 

    supper -- good eats

HyVee uptown 

    drop mom at door -- they had a motorized cart .. busy than hell in there

    find eats 

    check out

    get mom back in truck and walker

Finally get back home 3 hours later

Feed cats

Nap in chair 

Sit at computer and order Kohls for myself .... 

TIME FOR BED 

highly recommend the lime chili chicken at applebees ... tasty 

 

random images

 

oohh la la ...

these goofy frogs just crack me up ..

10/14/26

That's a wrap

done - final
roasted and toasted

1,395  -----   1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S and 1065 tax returns
256 days of work

and it starts all over in 100 days .

Not sure what I need --- 
well, 
 new body
 less stress
 more travel
 less self whining
 more fun

I'm going to settle for a sub sandwich and a R9 meeting and then ... a darn good book ... Kindle unlimited sometimes has the "classics" available ...

I downloaded "all things great and small"  .  James Herriot -- always a good read .. over and over and over 

toodles 

M

Well, I didn't get home fast enough for the darn good book!  and managed to only get 1/2 of the sub sandwich down .. but I got to the R9 meeting ... took the back roads and checked out a little farming action on the cruise -- 

There is nothing better than a night drive seeing harvest in action -- equipment lights up the prairie ... the rain currently happening might slow them down today -- but it will also settle the dust ...

Record breaker 90. on 10/10/11

the northern lights were a bust 

again

I slept well so it doesn't matter

walked down to the lake at 9:00 and attempted pix .. they're fuzzy

so today ...

6:00 -- up for the newspapers and obits

6:30 -- in the shower, coffee and internet surfing

7:00 -- worked on estate return prepping 

9:00 -- jacked Mom out of bed

        -- browned chix breasts and got them in the crockpot for lunch

10:   -- more estate prep

11:30 - cooked up some rice for the chicken in the crockpot 

            lunch and dishes

12:00 - finally got to reading my book and a nap

3:30 -- left for home -- dropped trash and lawnmower off at the office

4:00 -- hopped on the lawnmower at home

5:15 -- start hauling water to the new trees -- 14 5gallon pails worth 

               they're looking good 

5:45 -- dish of ice cream for supper 
6:00 -- feed cats, put truck in shop, finish hauling water

6:27 -- start laundry and type this

I've tried to bunch up laundry rather than a load a day -- nope going back to a load a day .. going to hit the treadmill or sew while it's perking along

the 90' hot dry heat with the bugs is driving me nuts.

we didn't plan our food choices out very well this weekend either .. I didn't think ahead very well 

after dashing home to feed those damn cats last night -- I pickup up Subway .. it's been awhile and it was pretty tasty .. shared a foot long so it wasn't too expensive .. I've got a strong hankering for Taco Johns .. strong hankering -- might need a road trip this week .. 

 

Birthdays

... can be overrated ...

    So, I spent my birthday at the office, then I went to a funeral for a client, county co-worker, a friend ---  then, when I got home we loaded up and headed out to the lake -- forgot a few things but that is life ..

    The last couple weeks have been a bit crazier than normal ..
        1 -- the neighbor with his mental health crisis
        2 -- Margo's accident and death
        3 -- general weird things
        4 -- cousin David wiped out on his SxS and led to a lot of excitement
                he's very beat up and doesn't have any broken bones .. but very sore
        5 -- just a lot of drama/stuff/no so calm birthday week

                                                                                                                                                                           The wind is calming down -- believe me it has been raining leaves all day long .. I mowed the back yard this morning and then grabbed the blower and blew the leaves to a "row" "pile" along the front sidewalk .. spiffy stuff .. beats raking ... 

       A couple of pontoons have drifted past tonight -- I'm jealous.

    I'm currently sitting in the porch with technology and soaking up the sunset .. can't ever get to many sunsets.  The forecast for northern lights is high.  So the phone is charging and I'm hopeful -- I've never been out here when they've hit.  

    I did a spot of work this morning and have a couple projects for tomorrow -- otherwise it's more yard work -- tulips need to be planted - if I can get a shovel in the ground .. probably home after lunch depending up weather -- mowing and the like there as well ... it never ends until it snows.  and let's all hope that stuff stays away for at least 2 more months .. a little snow over Christmas is all I need.

    New iPad arrived -- I'm reading and surfing but not sharing pictures yet -- must be a setting somewhere .. it has a really clear detailed  picture ... 

Butt Napkins

seriously, this hits the spot ...

 

Black Screen of Death

 

yes, the www has a picture of the black screen of death

my well loved iPad took the fatal dump this morning --- she was well used over the last 6 years -- seriously, I probably dropped the goofy thing at least a zillion times and then it got stuffed in my tote bag, laptop bag, tossed in my purse .. you get the idea -- it went to battle daily ... and then ... psst  ... and well, our friends at Amazon had them on sale, I SAVED $10 on the prime gig.  argh .. 

it was the other $300 of stuff I just had to have that set me over the edge 

I can't believe I bought dishwasher pods on freaking Amazon .. bathroom rugs, sticky gizmos for the gnat snappers, Tylenol, kitchen rugs, white t shirts, celery salt, a Firestick, an echo for the Tiny Diva for Christmas, a swiffer wet jet for the office .. all the important shit in life

Kate texted in sick this morning while I was at a County gig and the day got wonkier by the minute .. lunch was a cheese stick and coffee  ..  phones were out of control and the endless "where's my property tax refund" questions -- I swear it was at least 15 times .. 

the count is down to 11 and 6 of them I haven't seen a spit of info so I'm counting it as 5!!!!!!

then the freaking party will start

sorry I'm in a mood and I won't have any reading device until tomorrow .. I really only used the iPad to read (kindle app) and surf the www.  I did airdrop pix from my phone to it as well.  and I regularly backed up the pix to my home desktop computer .. life skills

weekends

 

this popped up in my wastebook memories from 17 years ago -- my how things change

the $500 snowplow truck .. with a hole in the dash where the radio was, key bent in the ignition -- somewhat permanently (sp?)  it was a runner ..

Friday, I left the office early (2:00) and went home to bond with the lawn mower -- I got almost all of it mowed in 4 1/2 hours .. whimpy grass mows fast ...

 

we then proceeded to go to Mankato for supper -- back to dining out somewhere new -- Mom chose HyVee Deli for Chinese .. well, bad move might be the best description ..

 

then I went to Office Depot and spent $110, on post it notes, white out, legal pads and a small receipt book .. that was fun

we went to the lake shortly before lunch on Saturday -- after a 30 minute wait in the McD drive up for iced tea -- because one of us needs her iced tea -- and the water at the lake makes crappy tea .. 

it was sunny, got cloudy late afternoon -- it was raining at the farm when I got home to feed the cats ... always LOVE driving home to feed the flipping cats .. NOT ... and then after the front went thru the sun arrived -- it was gorgeous .. 

it was a fast 28 hours -- back home to finish mowing, bond with the weed whip, feed the cats and bathe the lawnmower / SxS 

incident

I'm not sure how to begin.  Mom called mid afternoon - Jean called her and said there was an active shooter incident on our driveway .. at the time I was getting my Sam's Club delivery .. and I headed out there -- came in from the north where the road was blocked with lots of law enforcement - including our driveway(s) ..
a call to 911 to get my mom out of the house went no where ... no where ... I finally drove up to the barricade and not so nicely pleaded my case to get to the house.  Finally, the let me thru with strict instructions not to go to JW's .. so me and the Sam's Club got home
 .. and waited .. and waited -- no communication .. and helicopters circling .. chatted with JW by phone .. finally saw the all clear on Wastebook -- because wastebook knows everything.  

Evidently the order for notification went out and no one got notified -- I'm miffed.  It was a neighbor in a mental health crisis .. we are grateful it was a safe ending to a bad situation.  

no notification -- none.  
I'm a little torqued and calming down ...

the dudes in flap jackets carrying rifles was a sight I didn't think I see at my mailbox ...

 

Amy!

somedays there are simply no words ... but Senator Amy's words yesterday ... hit the spot ... and this meme .. well it too - hit's the spot 

"dirtbag"   really -- I'm not sure what kool aid was being served -- but adults do not behave in such a manner

btw :  I cannot spell Klobachar or phonetically say it .. trips my tongue every time ... even when I was introduced at a County gig .. it's been Senator Amy from day one .. 

 

Tuesday!

inappropriate but seriously appropriate !!!

at least no f-bombs in this one ...

 

and the fog ... never left

awoke to more rain this morning -- no wind and fog ... 

it was eerie and cool at the same time

left for home kind of early 

it was a quiet, calm, peaceful weekend ... I worked a little, read a little, cleaned a little and napped a little .. cooked a lot :)  

back to work and normal tomorrow .. although I forgot the box of ice cream sandwiches out there -- sometime this week, we'll fetch them and catch the sunset (which is coming damn early these days)

 

Lots of pix!

oooff .. she's a dirty Ford -- I went home at 3:00 to feed those damn cats and swap out some homework projects -- I finished up 4 tax returns this morning !!!!   12 to go  ....  

I got up at 6:30 and dashed out to shut my truck window -- the sliding back one was open and it was raining ( in my jammies) .. started the paper reading 

Mom wandered thru and wondered why it was so dark -- time escapes her ... I got up for more coffee and the dock crew was moving the dock up the bank ... 

then I found us on the porch cam ... 

sometimes there's so much going on in a picture that it's cool 

I am a geek

more importantly -- the days until the sun returns ...

need more sun

and the other side -- even the door handles got some overspray 

Ridgetop Road -- was pretty loose and muddy in a couple spots

I run Ridgetop all the way over to Hwy 99 -- 6 miles of gravel .. but it shaves 4 miles off the commute and it's a pretty drive this time of year ... 

We're out here for the weekend -- I've got office projects and she's watching TV ... the view is a lot better than home .. while I'm out here -- I've been tidying up a few things too ... it's too wet for yard work but the vac is humming .. cleaning out the food cupboard -- anyone need can chicken from 2024 -- ya, that kind of "stuff" is getting done.  

 

wowzer

halloween ideas

I saw this quilt in the newspaper this morning -- blocks in memory/honor of the 90,000 people that ice detained, rounded up, harassed ...in Minnesota this winter/spring ... and I'm assuming the number has risen -- powerful statement 

this getting healthy kick I'm on is killing me ... I started by walking 1/2 mile in the morning and 1/2 mile in the evening on the treadmill ... this morning I overslept and hadn't slept well so I skipped it .. the goal is 7 miles a week and add 2 miles every week 

so tonight I did the full mile -- in two sessions 

I'm too old, too large and too out of shape for that ... 

absolute truth 

my feet hurt and I'm sweating up a storm .. need shower and ice cream

the end.

be accountable.

 

6 years ...

6 years of cabin life .. the world was going to hell with COVID and we did a thing 

a really good thing 

this little house on the lake has brought a lot of joy 

it's the place to get away from the everyday stress 

and today's stress -- I mowed lawn for 90 minutes this evening 

day 2 of treadmill walking is done

yes, there's a spreadsheet for both of them 

I have a spreadsheet for everything in life.

 

Sundays

  well, I managed to get out of bed and then fall asleep in the recliner for 4 hours .. evidently, that was supposed to be on my agenda today -- watched a bit of the 4H horse show .. then proceeded to spend $124 on gas, $25 on dirt and $12 on snacks at the gas station.  The truck was almost empty -- got the recycling dumped and picked up more homework -- endless homework 

  went home and picked up mom -- it was nice this morning ... really nice .. so I thought an afternoon at the cabin would be okay .. it was 

I managed to walk out the dock and not fall in .. the dizzies are still with me once in a while

today it was intestinal issues -- weird -- so I had a 3 hour nap once we got out here -- still don't feel the perkiest -- weird 

it's a lonely dock - all of the docks to the right (north) are also empty except the neighbors -- they still have their pontoon in the water .. to the left (south) .. it's a few of them  -  I only saw one boat go past this afternoon -- the sheriff's water patrol !  but then again it is difficult to see things thru the eyelids .

 

on a Roll ...

  after a zillion phone calls and walk in's today -- I got productive  ...
1    grocery store on the way home another $90

2    dishes

3    laundry

4    washer is running a cleaning cycle as I type this

5    porch vac'd

6    basement vac'd

7    kitchen vac'd

8    trash and recycling to the truck

9    truck out of the shop - haven't driven it for 2 weeks

10  finished a tax return -- down to 21 to go ... can't freaking wait to be done

  the truck's gas tank is on empty -- any bets --- 28 gallon tank -- at least $140, I think I last filled on 4th of July weekend -- 10 weeks ago -- it's been sitting a lot -- Jeep'd it today -- closest to the door and it was raining -- hauled some kitchen trash this morning.  

tomorrow's agenda:

1    scrub the kitchen floor

2    scrub the downstairs bathroom

3    purge some clothing

4    trek to Mankato

        cat food

        thrift shop

        Hobby Lobby? fall decor ...

5    Garden Center - need some dirt for potting up some perennials 

6    work -- projects await me

 then I plan on sitting on my tush, surfing the www or reading my book -- I've had the urge to crochet ... finished a scarf during my webinar -- that was the only thing that went well ...

toodles

       

I'm trending solids lately ..

piled a pile from the stash

the large stash

I watched this woman on Instagram last week -- she didn't purchase any fabric for a YEAR ... just shopped her fabric stash -- found it to be easy -- and less stressful 

I haven't bought much lately .. a couple patterns

some pretties for backs

some english paper piecing papers 

thread

 

notice the house in the center!

so cute