Sneak Peak Sunday

Oh what a week it’s been.  I worked.  I cooked.  I cleaned.  I wrapped more presents.  We ate.  We celebrated.  We shivered and shoveled.  We lounged a bit succumbing to laziness.  And that about sums it up.

Sneak Peak Sunday

I truly don't even remember all of the past week's activity, but I can hit on some highlights:

Friday night I got my nephews, Paul and Daniel, for a couple hours in the evening. I gave them choices of what we could do and they scrutinized over the pros and cons of each idea before proclaiming that they would like to go shopping at Walmart. I have to say, this is not the option I would have chosen. Perhaps they thought they could talk me into buying them some new toys??? I have no idea. At one point Paul told me that Walmart has the best selection of toys. And Daniel added "for the best prices." The truth is that we always purchase some items for at least one child on the "Angel Tree" at church. The children who's names are not revealed, are children who are not expecting to receive gifts for Christmas. We have done this each year since we got married, except for one year when we were just simply too poor ourselves. But this time I let Paul and Daniel choose, within a particular price limit, what they would want for Christmas. Little did they know that I might actually pack up these items for THEM and get our Angel Tree children something else. After all, I did get them to agree that this is truly what they would pick for themselves. HA!!! At least I know they'll like their gifts. They were so particular. They fussed over prices and added the prices of smaller items together to see if they would have enough. "Does the tax count?" Daniel asked. "Is it a big deal if it's a few cents over?" Paul chimed in. "What can I get if I have a dollar left over? A pack of gum?" Daniel added. They were so funny.

After the shopping spree, we had enough time to hit Chuck E Cheese. A pizza and a pile of tokens later we were lost in the world of game playing and ticket grabbing. Paul asked me to ride the roller coaster game with him and it was fun. Daniel was more concerned with playing for tickets. We hit the jackpot on one game THREE times. They combined their tickets and had almost 400 to choose a prize. I tried to talk them into barrettes and bangle bracelets, but they would have none of that. Daniel got an eye patch and something else that was tiny, while Paul chose a gooey squishy green lizard thing that I was fearing might loose its green guts in my car. On the way home they were discussing how many eye patches they could have got for all their points. They chuckled at the idea of getting enough eye patches to give everyone at least one, if not two a piece for Christmas. HA! They are too funny. The boys thanked me for the date. They are so sweet. It was a good time.

Saturday morning my Girls Group reconvened after having a few months off. Oh how I missed my lady friends and the intimate study of the Lords word. I'm looking forward to continuing that in the months to come.

The other highlight of my weekend was another ride on my crazy, I mean sweet, pony. I should have known that a chilly windy day was not the day to ride, but I just can't help myself. I don't want to miss any opportunities to go, especially since I have so many to catch up on to make up for those years she was far far away. Well, as we crested the top of the first big hill, some birds were a flutter in the trees. The other horse spooked first, and Penny followed. I lost my balance, but thought I could regain it when she spun in a circle and off I went! Ahhhh!!!! Just for the record... I haven't fallen off a horse for a good 10 years, and this is the absolute FIRST time I've fallen off my sweet Penny. Luckily, she's not too tall so it's not that far to the ground. I landed on my hip and rolled 3 times before picking myself up and catching my frantic sidekick. Moments later I brushed myself off and got right back on. It wasn't her fault. She wasn't trying to dump me. I just didn't have a good enough grip this time. The rest of the ride was full of anticipation of the next spook. It's the wind I tell ya. It whips up between her legs or something. She was a little jumpy today. I saw spots for about an hour after the fall. Honestly, I don't think I hit my head. But later when she spooked my back cracked. Rene'e mentioned that maybe something was out of alignment from the fall and then re-adjusted when my back cracked. I'm not sure of the timing of when my sight went normal again, but it does make me wonder. I'm going to have to chat with one of my doctor friends about that.

Keith is watching football. We had a nice bowl of soup for an early dinner. I took three ibuprofen and a hot shower. Oh how I'm dreading my work this week. I'm REALLY behind in things and quickly approaching deadlines. There is just never enough time to accomplish everything these days.

And that's a sneak peak at my weekend...

Sneak Peak Sunday... Fall Beauties

We were to attend a memorial service for Great Aunt Mary Jane yesterday, but alas another important duty would arise. My friend was out of town and her horse was sick with a temperature of 104 on Thursday and 103.6 on Friday. WOW! So I needed to tend to her before doing anything yesterday morning. I was in luck. The antibiotics we'd been giving her were starting to kick in and her temp was coming down. It was down to 99.5. Yippie!!! So I fed them and left there pleased that all was finally well.

But while I was out that way I figured it to be a perfect opportunity to wipe out my chores at the farm where Penny lives... and we really enjoyed it. What a perfect specimen of a day! As if the sunshine and breeze were not enough... enjoy the beauty of the season that surrounds us! Keith brushed Penny and we both pitched in to clean the stalls and prepare them for the evening.

Greetings! Did you bring treats?!

A glimpse of the Lord's artistry... I love fall!
Dee does NOT look happy. She is cranky!

The leaning tower of I don't know what!
She's such a love-bug.

Sneak Peak Sunday

I was checking the new batteries in my camera when Crystal shot me this cover-girl look... She is forever a delightful pet. She's got such character and attitude and quirks. We just love her.

We live in a neighborhood of townhomes. Our next door neighbor decided to plan a garden this year... in her front yard. She has earned the title "Mid-night Gardner" because she has spent many nights tending her garden into the wee hours of the night. She was a little late getting her vegetables into the ground, but I see she has a nice crop of tomatoes over there and a pumpkin that is still green.... But THIS little number is a sneaky watermelon that crawled over into OUR flowergarden (ignor the weeds) and parked itself along the wall under our living room window. How about them apples... I mean watermelon?! It's really very small and will likely not reach maturity before succumbing to the elements of the season. But hey... Way to go Mid-night Gardner!

Sneak Peak Sunday

Today was a glorious specimen of the beauty of the fall season. There have been some chilly nights lately and there is still a nip in the air. Morning came all too fast for us here.

We went to church and participated in World Communion Sunday. It is always a pleasure to break bread with our fellow Christians. Remembering the price paid for us is a solomn, yet joyful experience. As I raised my head, I noticed the sun shining thru the stained glass windows in the front of the church. It was a beautiful site and another gentle reminder of the Father's faithfulness.

My Handy Hubby was off to work shortly after we returned. I tidied the living room and let the birds out for a bit. Then I had some quiet time before meeting up with the Zombecks.

The Zombecks served DELICIOUS roast beef for dinner. Amanda mentioned that she missed our old family tradition of roast beef and mashed potatoes every Sunday after church. We chatted and giggled and enjoyed every bite.

Later we lazily shopped thru a couple spots and then they helped me take our car to the garage to drop off in anticipation of tomorrow's testing. I pray that it passes! Then we grabbed a hot-chocolate at Starbucks before meandering home.

Speaking of Starbucks, can I just say that the new salted caramel hot chocolate is the bomb! Oh yumina yumina yumina!

And now my Handy-hubby is home from work. I must tend to him and gain some rest before tomorrow's activities. G'night!

Sneak Peaks

Wow! What a week! Do you ever come to the end of a week where you can't really remember everything from the week? Let's see...

Monday - work, "Wising Up" Ladies Bible Study at church

Tuesday - work, "John" Bible Study at church

Wednesday - work, farm-chores, Administrative Board Meeting at Church

Thursday - work, farm-chores, ride Penny, water the flowers

Friday - work, farm-chores, (raining - yippie!), out to dinner w/ hubby

Saturday - work at farmers market (oh my aching feet!), nap, dinner with Zombecks, out to show "Jeff Dunham" (OH SO FUNNY)

Sunday - church, lunch with hubby, Dinner is in the crock-pot, thinking about a little nap.

Summer is slipping away...

Wow. I have barely posted all summer long. You know when someone has a new child they kind of find themselves too busy for all the activities of their former life???? Well... having my pony is like having a child. For me anyway. I am spending a lot of time spoiling her. I guess I'm making up for lost time or something. It's like I'm falling in love with her all over again and with each new ride it just keeps getting better and better!





I had a fantastic birthday. I'm a whopping 35 now. Despite usual morning aches and pains I still don't really feel old. Although... one night K wanted to go out for a drink and I told him it needed to be some place quiet because I'm 35 now and I prefer the prim and proper scene as opposed to the loud and obnoxious ones. HA!!! K got me this fantastic PINK riding helmet which is getting much use these days. I never used to wear a helmet for trail riding, but now that I'm older I'm a little more safety conscious. It's a good thing. He also got me a small PNK bag that hangs on the horn of my western saddle so I can potentially take my camera riding with me or a bottle of water or whatever. Renee & Janet got me a new black saddle pad, a purple and black halter for her, a purple lead rope, and a lick-it treat for her. I need to get her a lickit holder. I was pleased to be so spoiled with equine related birthday goodies!

Aside from my birthday, I've been busy with WORK, helping some friends put in hay, and other little things. We had a visit from my sister and her family while the kids participated in Mom's "Grandma Camp" for a week. I took some time off to enjoy their visit and had another special date with Esther to ride the horses and play with the doggies. While they were in town we had a whole-family portrait taken. This includes my parents, siblings with inlaws and their children.

K had the opportunity to assist me putting in hay this past Friday. For his trouble he was offered the opportunity to ride with us. We were out for two and a half hours and it was fantastic. My dream is to one day have a place where we can have at least 2 horses so we can ride together more often. He does like to go, but rarely has the opportunity since we only have one horse. Many thanks to Janet for allowing him to use one of hers.

Yesterday I helped Mom can some stewed tomatoes. The kitchen here is just so small. I canned last year, but it was not efficient. Uncle Charlie supplied the goods and we split the end result 3-ways. That was great because it was just about the amount we'll use between now and next summer. Someday I'd like to have a garden to produce my own vegetables for canning and I'd like to have a large kitchen and pantry for preserving such things. That's something I remember from childhood... always canning and freezing in the summer and enjoying the goods all year round. FRESH frozen corn for Thanksgiving.... Nothing like it!

That's about it I suppose. Back to the grind now. I hope to get better at regular posting in the weeks to come. Actually, I have a long list of aspirations for the fall season which I'd like to accomplish.