Rainy Saturday

Well some day stories will be told how Gma stood in line in pouring rain waiting for the library to open to the book sale. I had my #8 queue pass (you have to get there and get a number) and waited and waited from 9:23 onward. I had already dripped through the Farmer's Market (nobody had jalapenos???), walked to Chelsea Market (Zingerman's bread and a Vernors) then the Post Office. A nice family came in behind me--library book sale virgins. One Gma was visiting from Australia --we had a very nice chat. She told me about the 4 year drought in Melbourne and how "scary" it was to have the weather shifting southward (more monsoons in the "wrong" places). I discovered we were after the same books (oh horrors!) so I tried to be polite but she did get to books I wanted--boo! I did okay though (see pic) These will be nice on Gma's shelf for Hunter and/or future Gchildren visits.

Now home it is storming. I"m going to take advantage of the day to read and read and read. My Lincoln book is due this week with two days devoted to taking Dad north. I can't renew because it is on a waiting list for many. The Lincoln Highway DVD was excellent (thank you A2 Public Library!) and now I will dream of scooting along there and seeing ALL of the sites. This is right up my alley. Maybe someday I'll have a partner and we'll get a trailer and just moosey along and enjoy people. Maybe someday I won't have a partner and I"ll get a trailer and just moosey along and enjoy people. ;-)

It has been an interesting summer. Several of the men whom I have known well or dated in the last 6 years have had disturbing, life interrupting, devastating health news, 2 have lost their jobs, 1 is taking an early retirement with lots of trepidation. It is almost as if I've reached a "certain" age and these are the things now popping up in my life view. I think I'll make hay while the sun shines.

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It's Friday it must be Garage Sale Day

yep, this is the new Hunter haul. I will keep in my Gma toy box unless....blah and blah.

What's here you ask? a "GIANT" fire truck puzzle (4'), plastic mattel dump trunk and bull dozer, gallons of duplos, a train set (minus wheels on the box car :-( and track, playdoh cut out thingees, Legos (for a future day), and in the back--an individual child's tent for indoor play. What a haul! All for under $10!

Okay, I have a doctor's appointment so I'm in for the day--but thought you'd like to see.

It's fun to be me ;-)

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Full Day/Good Day

Had a good meeting with my Financial advisor. Still on track to have some money when I retire. Not interested in being a burden or not being able to do the fun things I like to do.

Was at Meijer when all their computers (cash registers) went out. They could only accept cash at 98% of the registers. I dashed to the deli counter where they could still take checks. (weird) I was in line for a couple of days but I made new friends. ;-) I even whipped out my iPhone and played bubblewrap (my vice) while waiting.

What a beautiful day. Good to be enjoying it!

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Breakfast Company

I was cooking bacon. I bought bacon to have some great BLT's with my garden veggies. I cooked a "bit" for breakfast and pronto--Jan and Marshall's cats showed up. They are sweet cats--GREAT MOUSERS!!! (also squirrelers, skunkers, gophers, woodchuckers, snakers--very versatile). I drizzled some bacon drippings over "their" food and they left as satisfied customers.

The Excel class yesterday was good. I hope to put some of the teachings to direct work--otherwise I'll forget! My cold has kicked in so it was hard not to want to nap that late in the afternoon but alas--I made it through.

Came back to my good book (also NCIS marathon) and watering. I have already picked out 3 places that some of that handblown garden art glass could go. ;-)

Meeting with my financial not advisor but beneficiary. She is the one who benefits from my having pay deducted to invest. Though I have lost tons (like everyone else) she continues to drawn her pay from my investments. I'll listen intently shift as needed.

Pam Sjo (realtor on vacation) 's computer sends me email of houses in A2 for sale. I have "seen" about 100 now, and really NONE have interested me like the house on Spring St. Oh well.

Perhaps with some garden art I'd fall in love out here again ;-)

Tomorrow is the official Garage Sale day.

Saturday is the monthly book sale at the library. I will go look with a discerning eye. (It is where I found Hunter's "Things that Go" big book, the Happy Baby "Things that Go" board book, and the Ultimate Lego book for JP) I've decided to make a small toy box here at the house for Hunter and any future Gchildren. When Hunter is here later in the month--if he plays with something he likes, he can just take it with him (with his Mom and Dad's permission that is)...otherwise toys can just stay here for when he likes to visit. I can supplement as I choose and it won't crowd their living space.

Speaking of space: I do think I am going to dig into the cold storage area. That means--I have to be brave. Probably will wear my snow boots in case any mice run over my feet (argh)!!! I hope to get rid of many of my things--old clothes, bedding, Christmas decorations, etc. I will get rid as in recycle.

In this state, we can't seem to get rid of our houses, and the value has sunk so low so quickly that it is hard to comprehend. (I miss my Mom here because she would be able to analyze it and direct me, anyone as what to do, when to do it, where to invest, when to fold, when to just jump in, sell and buy something else. She was very smart that way--though she did hold on to her Ford stock ?) Personally, I would be willing to take a loss in value here to get into the house I want in A2. (selling low/buying low) It has to be the right house though. in the meantime, I'll dream about that garden art ;-)

Will think about it later for now--

Off to play

Have a great day

:-)

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the swans

now the DNR think the birds were hit by a car.

I dunno.

It would be easier on my mind thinking a car hit them by mistake rather than someone purposely killed them.

All sad none the less

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NCIS Marathon= it must be Wednesday

Up early for an appointment... All those appointments teachers put off until summer is here. Back home to do some chores, nurse this cold. Took a little nap, but have a computer class back at the Pittsfield Twp Library later this afternoon. Attended a class yesterday at Mallet Creek Library. Actually these classes are kinda fun ;-)

I stopped at a store on the way home--the Wackenhut Gift Shop. (though its inventory rotates. I bought hanging planters there earlier in the summer, now they are selling produce (got a squash to add to my stir fry) and they also are carrying garden glass. I am particularly interested in this artistic blown glass. The artist assured me it would make it through the winter. ? It is quite expensive ($100 a piece) so I'll think for quite a while. Nice to dream none the less.

There was some loud explosion in the neighborhood last night. There was a boom and then the house shook. Jan called and asked if I felt that "yep!" Then Mike got in the act. We all smelled a burning electric smell.....but didn't see anything on fire. Marshall got in his car and drove all around looking but found nothing. I called Alice and asked if the police scanner picked up anything--nothing. Just a mystery at this point. Glad we all felt it and it wasn't just something I did ;-)

My Dad wants to go to see Uncle Lino so I'll try and figure that out. Denise appears to be trying to skip out on the trip. She has several jaunts lined up this month--Wisconsin, Chicago, Ottawa so I can imagine she might not one more thing to do. Dad wants to go on a Tuesday and come back on a Wednesday (Farmer's market day up there--they have a GREAT market) Uncle Lino comes down about every 6 weeks for an appointment at U of M. He stays at my cousins in Detroit. It would be nice for HIM to visit Dad, but that just hasn't happened so.......I'll be the runner. Uncle Lino is in Spring Lake Mi.

Have some new library reading, so in the cool of the afternoon--I'm off to read.

Hope everyone is having as delightful a weather day as I am.

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Broken Hearted

http://www.annarbor.com/news/lodi-township-residents-mourn-deaths-of-trumpeter-swans-authorities-investigate/#comments

I've watched these swans for years. It was one of the joys of traveling Scio Church to school. I'd watch for their return every spring, watch them build their nest, watch the nest get disguised as the weeds grew in the pond, watch the Mom and Dad take turns sitting on the nest--even in pouring rain, watch when the cygnets arrived--watch the Mom and Dad play with the babies--and last Thursday again watched as the Mom and Dad flanked the babies along Scio Church shoulder while the babies napped. I loved watching these birds. They were graceful, loving (they mate for life) and so kind with their young. Who could be so cruel? This person needs to be caught and punished. So sad :-(