Misremembering Memorial and plans

 Memorial Day isn't until NEXT weekend, not THIS one! Whew!  But no matter.  After Biolife this morning, I stopped and picked up some flowers for both Robb's stone and his dad's.  Will get them put out this weekend with help from the kids.

I took the Aggster for a walk yesterday and she's waving at the bus barn.  AND the cardtrol company was giving out free hotdogs and chips as customer appreciation so we picked up a couple meals for the gang back home.  I think they're still in the fridge.  Oh well, Leon can eat them tonight.

I'm headed to my hometown for a baby shower tomorrow.  Looking forward to spending some time with family.  Hopefully back in time to help Jen change out a bathroom air vent and a patio light.  Plans, plans.

I got some Aggie time in this morning while Jen got ready for work and hoping to have a bonfire, firepit tonight with Leon and the gang.  I've got a lot of branches and junk to burn and I'm thinking Leon wants to cook some marshmallows or hotdogs.  We'll see.

I ordered a cake for one of the confirmands at church this weekend.  The gal at the bakery did NOT understand the word confirmation and repeated the words back to me, "Congratulations on your consirmation".  Um, what's that?  That's supposed to be an "F".  I had to spell it for her a few times until she got it, I hope.  "F" as in Frank!  I guess Sunday will be the big reveal! :)

Oh well, It's not MY kid being confirmed!  That's not for another 2 years.

I joined a long hair for women over 50 group this morning.  I just got it cut on Wednesday!  

This is my intro picture for the group.

I feel so lightheaded...  Eh - it was a trim.  I've had bangs most of my life except for a few times when I thought, hey, let's look like Christy Brinkley! (as in my senior pic on the top shelf) and then thought again.  When it grows into my glasses, it's time for a trim.  I don't do it myself anymore because my hairdresser will just shake her head and feel like upping her price.  I can't have her doing that!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Something about Aggie

 I got a lot of Baby Aggie time in this weekend!  I walked with her for 1.5 miles and she slept the entire way.  Her parents anxious on the porch waiting for my return.  I remember my first hour without my babies...  

After I got back and was exhausted from the added exertion of pushing a stroller, Leon had gotten his scooter delivered and was ready to go on a scoot/walk with me. REALLy??!  He was gracious and gave me a few minutes to rest up before we went out.

I made some more pickles and figured out a slick trick!  In order to get the cutter into the cuke, you had to wiggle a little to break the skin, on both sides.  So I took a peeler and peeled the top and bottom of the cucumber.  Easy peasy!!  It sliced so quick and easy and wasn't stuck together on the bottom when I dropped it into the bowl!  My batches of pickles are getting better!  I'm doing the "slice, boiled brine, sterile jars and lids, into the oven for 15 minutes" trick.  I'm determined to have a crunchy pickle!

On Sunday, I got some more Aggie time!

And so did Meri and Maddy!

Well, there is my photo dump of the day!  More fun and chaos coming up!

Terrible Twos and Other Changes

The twins turned 2 years old this weekend!!  And we were invited to their party on Friday.  Ryan and I attended.

They got twin cars!  One was built before the other and they fought over it pretty hard.  But then their dad finished both and then they fought over each one individually.  If Luke was in one, then Nova wanted it.  If Nova was in one, then Luke wanted it.  We finally got them in their own cars and then they either played bumper cars and hollered when a wheel got caught on a carpet edge, or Nova stood on the car threshold and leaned on the door, tipping it over.  She did that repeatedly...  

 

That might explain her crabby looks when the cakes came out.

They each had their own cake, which were beautiful!  

Then on Saturday, I sewed my little heart out!  Well, I cut out 4 bridesmaid dresses!!  Then Maddy and Matthew invited me to go on a walk with them that afternoon.  Whew!  I needed a break from sewing, so that worked out.

We walked down a path I didn't know existed.  Well, I KNEW it existed, but didn't know how long it was and it's even longer than what we walked, 2.8 miles to a bridge that we'd always admired.

There were some lovely places to take pictures along the way.

The dogs looked great for Maddy and Matthew's pic, but we got Zola's butt for mine.

We turned her around for a better one.

When we got to the bridge, Matthew jogged back the 2.8 miles to the car.  Maddy, me and the pups started walking down the gravel road instead.  So I got in about 4 miles worth of steps on Saturday!  My legs were beat.  They were pretty sore on Sunday but much better on Monday.  I just need to keep walking!

Then last night, I worked on the yard.  I hadn't felt like working in the yard last spring out side of making sure it got mowed.  So last spring and this spring leaves, weeds and yuck junk needed to get cleaned up.  I drug around a big tarp, cut all the dead bits off the landscaping and raked it onto the tarp, then took it out to the yard waste place in town.  A tarp made quick work of the patio and around the front fence.  There is more to do though and it'll get done this year.  I hope.

Ryan started a new job this week and I'm keeping an eye on Leon.  Making sure he stays on task with his schoolwork and other stuff.  We've worked out a system that if he completes 90% of his responsibilities on a chart each week, he'll earn a wee bit of money.  If he gets 100% of it done each week, then he can make a bit more than base allowance.  He's gung ho now!  But still doesn't want to brush his hair.  That might be the 10% each day...

Meri's Ryan is also starting a new job soon!  Everyone's lives are changing!  More on that later...

Have a good Tuesday!

Walking, Weddings and Mints

I have been enjoying the weather as much as I can.  It's been in the 50s for much of this week!

And I'm only 12.6 miles from completing my 500 mile walk around Scotland.  Virtual of course!

Lately my ear buds are blasting Lord of the Dance, because 1) it'll raise my heart rate so I get my heart points for the day 2) it encourages me to walk faster.  If only I could dance like them, I'm sure I'd triple my steps in the same distance.

Pay no attention to the little red dab of a scab on my lip... The weather has been so dry and I smiled at someone and it started bleeding...  ugg..

Last night, the kids were over for taco Tuesday.  Meri, Ryan (bf) and Maddy started forming mints out of some white mint dough I'd made earlier.  Matthew sampled for us.  The dough got soft fast!  So it's in the fridge hardening up a bit.  Meri and I have tomorrow off so we'll break out the mold again then.   We've got lots to do tomorrow!

Our annual Irish meal will be tomorrow night and all the kids are coming over.  But in addition to cooking all day, she and I need to make several cupcakes, get all the stuff together for the wedding shower this weekend for her best friend.

I washed the table runners from Maddy's wedding (pic is from my Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary several years ago) and we'll pick up lavender tulle to lay over it.  

I think I found the least expensive one at Hobby Lobby but we'll stop by today and see.

Anyway, back to work.  Have a wonderful day!  If you are able to, hit up a Lenten service somewhere tonight!

Iowa Hauntings

 I haven't blogged much lately but got a request from Meri this morning to start up again.  

I need to.

Life has been chaotic and there's been no time to shower, much less blog.  But I'm carving out a LITTLE time... baby steps.

The twins are still with us, so Meri and my walk was at 5:30am today. She had to work at 7 and I needed to get the walk in before the kids woke up.  Ryan was home sleeping so it's not like they were ALONE in the house... I hear them now fussing around a little...  I don't have much time.  My stress levels raise when they're awake and I don't get the things done that I need to.  

But that's a vent for another time.

Today during our very early morning walk out to Robb's gravestone, we walked our usual way and got caught up on each others lives and events of the weekend.  It was pitch black.  I wouldn't do this walk alone at all.  When we got to the cemetery, we sat a dark figure walking the little road that winds through it... and they were singing...  

I'm pretty sure I know who it was but Meri has seen enough scary movies that she was wasting NO time.  We hustled through the cemetery on the grassy part instead of the road.  We could still hear singing the entire way but we walked fast.  Not clear enough to hear what they were singing though.  

Got out to Robb's stone and sat on the grass for a bit while Meri thought she saw two people.  She heard them whistling too.  So we had to talk in VERY hushed tones because if we could hear them........

Robb made us feel safe for a bit but time marches on and we had to get back.  The singing continued and sounded closer as we cut through the cemetery on our even quicker walk back. I think they were walking down the center road close to us... My toes hurt.

So now I'm home.  Housework needs to be getting done and here I am at the desk typing like a mad woman before the twins wake completely.  I think they can totally hear when the dishwasher opens, like a cat and a can opener, and know it's their cue to run in an jump on the door of it...  or pull dangerous things out...  sigh.

The pic is not of this morning but of the other night when I went on a power walk. Iowa is beautiful this time of year!

Tracking my steps

 The girls and I are making TRACKS!!!

We're half way around the Ring of Kerry and almost to Valencia, of which I have a poster on my wall...

And this is just one of the beautiful virtual views of my virtual walk.

Ireland is so pretty!

Anyway... reality.  Shub moved to his new apartment on Saturday.  Meri, Robb and I helped.  Meri had a couch dropped on her foot.  Shub and I had to take his apartment door off.  twice...

Also had to borrow tools from a mom in another building who has the BEST tool bag!!!

Susan is my new best friend. :)

We also had to take all the base off of the big couch to get it thru those narrow narrow apartment doors.  Why do they make them that narrow??!!!  

Then we all sat at his newly put back together dining room table and enjoyed some Papa Murphys pizza together.  The first meal in the new pad.

He and Meri got everything organized yesterday and today.

After a COVID scare with her littles, Meri's daycare opens again tomorrow.

She tested Negative twice and that is the standard around here for daycares.

Robb and I attended Leon's little brother's birthday party yesterday!  He just turned 5.

We had to leave about the same time as when they were getting water balloons set up.

Coincidence?  I think not.

Leon stuck around for an extra day.  Mainly because Finn was getting the new Scoob movie from us and Leon wanted to watch it before coming home...

sigh...

I spent the rest of the day on that wedding dress!  It's DONE!!!  Well, mostly.  There is just one little tweak that has to be done, but it was getting too dim out on the deck last night and you need proper sunlight and not just a lamp.

Whew!

They're coming by tomorrow night to pick it up and drop off 2-3 bridesmaid dresses that need hemming.

THOSE will be a snap!

What I've been up to and a cliffhanger

 My goodness!  The last several weeks have been a rush!  And it hasn't slowed down...

I'm still hoping to finish up that wedding dress soon.  I'm sure the bride would like it back before the wedding...  There's hand work so of course I'm procrastinating...

I'm also dreaming of other clothes that I need to make for myself, as I made the mistake of putting some of my sewn knit tops in the dryer...  UGGG now the texture feels weird on them and some are pilling...  I'm a firm believer these days in hanging up handmade things to dry.  Well, not leggings...  But tops, yes.

Last week, we discovered that our little neighboring burg had a beach!!!  Who knew?!

Well, my girls did!  They apparently went swimming there many times during high school.  But I took Leon down to it.  It's more just a rapids area of the local stream thru town and some sandy build up on the shore.  But it's perfect.

and quiet.

Well, until we got there...

Leon spent part of last week with a mask of V for Vendetta that he'd got a while back.  He painted it all black, then added more color over the top of that.  He's going to have me make him a black hoodie sweatshirt and then wear this for Halloween.

You know... IF we can even trick or treat this year...

Last week, Robb, Leon and I went to a grad party for one of my nephews.  

They live out on the winding-est road of my old home town on several acres of land.  The kids have made trails through the woods below their house with a 4 wheeler.  Back in the day, my parents riding lawnmower was our 4 wheeler... ;)  

Leon and I went on a walk about down there.  Beautiful!

They have a shooting range, a huge pile of dirt to dig in, an archery area, everything. 

Well, except for an outhouse.

THAT would have come in handy...

They had a swimming pool too!  So while the family was greeting other guests, Leon went swimming.  It was a HECK of a time getting him to agree to get out after some other young ones were getting jealous.  HEY!  GET OFF THE POOL DECK!

Also, last week, on 7/24, I was on a walk.  I always listen to Flashdance or Full Monty or other sound tracks via Youtube on my phone while I walk(dance, run,whatever)... I heard a commercial about Conqueror events and a virtual walk you can do around the Ring of Kerry!!  It's 124 miles, but if you get some team members with you, you can divide that up.  Each of you gets a medal at the end.  So we've been walking to our hearts content in small town Iowa, but racking up miles in Ireland.

Some day, I want to walk it in person again.  Well, not the 124 miles, but just 1 mile.

on a beach.

Maddy, Meri and I are doing it as a team.  We're about 30 miles into it so far!

We've got until October some time to complete it, but I think we'll be done in another week or two!

The app is cool!  Whenever you log your steps/miles/etc, you can see exactly where you are on the walk, thanks to Google Earth!  

And you get a postcard in your email whenever you reach a milestone.

Currently, we are here.

I've been updating my background profile pic on FB with our progress if it's significant.

So I've been walking a LOT lately.  I hope it soon means that some more weight will come off.  So far this week, I'm still up 4 pounds from Sunday.  The "going home from college town" pizza is really taking it's time coming off...  So is the salt from too many car chips that day...

THEN Leon and I have been trying to play Bears vs Babies once a day.  We haven't so far today yet.  I need to remedy that.

Leon is having a blast creating the monsters.  We've modified the rules so that he doesn't have to wipe out a monster until the very end when we tally up the points.

Here is one of his that he was especially proud of...

 THEN the produce from our garden is finally taking off!  We picked a bunch of cucumbers Tuesday and I managed to get several jars of refrigerator pickles done.

Wow was THAT easy!!?!

Our garage fridge may just be renamed the "Pickle fridge".

 

They are delicious!!!  I've eaten a whole jar just by myself today...

It was a small jar...

And a good one of Robb and Leon goofing off one day after work.

AND I have some news but until it gets booked today, I'll wait to tell you another time.

Have a great Friday tomorrow!

Ipodosauruses and where to find them

 Leon is the proud owner of a, way older than him, ipod.  At one time, I think it started out as mine, then later one of the other kids.  Maddy had it at college for a while as her school email was the last associated with it.

Every time Leon went into the email, she'd get an alert on her phone that someone was trying to hack into her google...  So I set Leon up with his own email account and have sent lots of things to it already.  Shared it with family and I hope they will too.

It's not something you'd guess for an email address.

He's an odd duck... ;)

The main function that I wanted to do for it was to get a phone of sorts set up for him to call family.  So far no dice.

I did found a website to download apps for it, as the available apps for this (non-upgradable) version of ipod are hard to find.  I downloaded a Star Wars game and One Epic Knight game for him.  He's enjoying it on car rides.  

Another thing he's enjoying is the camera function.

  

After visiting my bestie yesterday AND having a kid try on a tuxedo jacket that I'm altering, Leon and I visited an old metal bridge nearby and went for a nature walk.  

Or in his case, run.

Lots of destruction on the path from the recent flooding.  

But it was a fun time.  He took TONS of pictures, including the one at the top. 

And just so you know, he posed for this shot.  

It's VIP week for him at school this week.  He filled out a poster and I printed off lots of photos of him growing up for the bulletin board.  He wanted a pic of him reading one of his favorite books for the poster so he's pretending to either read or act surprised by something Dog Man did.

Don't know which.  I'm sure he'd tell you.

He brought along Darth Vader's little Princess book to read aloud for his class as it's one of his faves too.  It's all about Darth Vader raising Leia from childhood on and the mishaps of raising a little princess if you're a dark lord.  We've got the whole set of Darth Vader comic books.  They're a stitch!

I'm planning on going to have lunch with him today at school.  I've gone several times but this year was definitely not as many as kindergarten.   Looks like pizza for lunch, yay!

I can restart my diet tomorrow...