Background

For those of you who have just started following this little blog - which is pretty much everybody since even though I've had this blog for 2 years, I have just started really getting into it - I thought I'd give you a little background. I am what I call a "displaced" Tennesseean. My father was a contractor so we moved around a lot when I was  a kid but home was always Tennessee. I graduated from high school in IL, went to college for 3 years and then got married and went to work in a factory where I stayed for 13 years until they shut down - the same year I got divorced. My kids were 5 and 7 at the time and I decided to go back to school, which I did - got my Associates and then went to work in the office of another factory.  I was there for another 12 years before they too, shut down and I was once again without a job. I did manage during those 12 years to take some more college classes and  get both of the kids through high school and beyond. My daughter got her Bachelors and my son went to a Tech school then joined the Air Force. They are both doing wonderfully. Raising them has been the most important thing I have ever done in my life. I did  manage to get a job after 9 long months of looking. I am now working in the office of a university here in IL where I can take classes for free! I will soon have my Masters in Computer Science. It's been a long journey and I've changed directions a lot of times - from way back when I studied Medical Technology right out of high school, to Office Systems Technology after I lost my job the first time to Computer Science now. It's been quite a ride but that's life. You just keep going and if you meet a roadblock, you have to change directions.

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Questions

1. If you could bring someone to Patrice's porch to join in on our chat, who would you bring?
2. What's your favorite thing to make when fall rolls around? (Can be food, or maybe a craft.)
3. How many times a month do you go to a library or bookstore?
4. What things make blogs the best?
5. If someone would pay for you to take a class (any class- college-private-online-at a craft store-the sky's the limit here, my friends), what class would you take? (BTW- I wish I could go "poof" with my magic wand and make this happen for each of you!)

My answers:

1.  My friend Vickie - Both my sisters are deceased so she's the closest thing I have.

2.  Hands down - sweet potato pie!

3.  I only get to a bookstore a couple of times a year but I do go to the library at least a couple of times a month.

4.  Pictures are great but I really just enjoy reading about other peoples lives - families, friends, hobbies, etc.

5.  I would love to take an advanced photoshop class.

Ta-Da

My flagpole is up!

Labor Day Projects

 This was my cleaning project for the day. Started with this.

 Now it looks like this. Somewhat better at least.

Now should I tackle this one? Me thinks I would probably get in trouble if I did. BTW - this is one of the two rooms left to re-do. These blue walls gotta go. You should see the ceiling in here - it's orange. WHY would anyone paint the ceiling orange?

 I finished the baby outfit last night - kindof like the footed pants just hope it works size wise. I figure it's cooler over there longer in the spring so the grandbaby should be able to get some use out of it. Still needs buttons.

 

 

Can you see the little feet?

Four more of the "names" framed and ready for Biz to put the hangers back on.

Don't care too much for the way the cleaners did the blocking on these, they're not quite right.

 

This one was blocked by the same cleaner but at a different time. They did a lot better job on it.

And lastly - my flagpole - all ready now - just waiting for the concrete to set up.

 Had to call J U L I E first of course

Notice the vette? Biz's pride and joy.












 All nice and level.

 This flagpole is a lot longer than the one at the old house.

Now just waiting for the concrete to set up - next project - getting the spotlight hooked up.

Random pictures

 Her Highnes  the Queen - Pandora

 Kimmy = she's just about turned into a house dog. Feel sorry for her, I know she misses being able to run and play in the country.

 And Macy - she is a very vocal cat. Loves to talk to you.

 Part of my jungle that will have to come inside soon.

 My bike I got for my birthday. Absolutely LOVE it - no gears, coaster brakes, vintage look - rides great and has a seat that doesn't hurt.

 More of my jungle - the Wandering Jews are going crazy.

 Spiders are looking awesome too.

 Another spider and another Jew.

 This is what's left of the garden - still getting brussel sprouts, broccoli, and tomatoes.

 Some of the grass I transplanted from the daughter's house.

 This is what I did all morning. Tomato juice and candied jalapenos - and 2 jars of the leftover syrup from the jalapenos, I hear it's really good brushed on meat on the grill.

 Juice came out good - mot much separation.

 And these look pretty good too.

 Another scarf

 This is my current baby project. It turned out a little bigger than I expected so I'm making pants to match and hoping the grandbaby can use it as a light "snowsuit"

 And this is a picture of my swollen ankle. Actually starting to worry just a little bit since it seems to be doing this every day. Old injury, bad leg and to be totally honest, it's probably supporting more weight than it should have to.

 It was pouring rain and I tried to get a picture of it but it didn't turn out very well.