Saturday again….

The week has flown by and it is Saturday again.  Life didn’t pass so quickly when I was young with a full time job and two small children to take care of.  Jim was working full time at the AFB, driving a school bus part time and working part time at the local hardware store.  Those were busy days but it seemed as if time moved along at a snail’s pace.

Yesterday’s garage sales didn’t amount to much.  I didn’t find any books.  I did find a child’s DVD that my daughter can use with her kids at church.  That is several DVD kiddie ones that we have found this year.  June is the month of the genealogical society’s annual sale where they have hundreds of books.  I am really looking forward to that sale!

I am sharing another photo I took last week out of the car window at 55 MPH.  This was on the rural highway not far from my old home.

I really miss the rural scene.  At the very end of the street I lived on at home was a huge cornfield.

Have a peaceful weekend!  Stay safe and be happy!

Beth

Just to set the record straight and Illinois is proud…

I need to set the record straight on the turkey and the miniature pony.  I was correct about the fox catching poor Snow.   As for the rest of the animals I am posting a quote from my sister.  “The animals on the farm were given to animal rescues or caring people. The only animal purchased was the miniature pony for my son-in-law's birthday. The other animals came from other animal rescues.”  Thanks to my sis for helping me get  the facts straight.

And now I sadly admit that there has not been an awful lot happening here in Illinois lately to make me feel a great sense of pride.  Julia Collins, thank you for brightening my days the last 3 weeks.

http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/on-a-roll-jeopardy-champ-julia-collins-hits-new-milestone-in-thursday-episode/#.U4fck_ldWSo

Photo courtesy of the www.suntimes.com

Julia is from Kenilworth Illinois.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenilworth,_Illinois  Illinois is proud of you Julia!  What a beautiful smile you have!

And now I am off to do some garage saleing (made up word)   I will catch you all when I get home.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

Good Fences # 6

 

 

My sister in West Virginia took these ‘fence’ photos for me while out walking this week.    The fence is in front of her neighbor Ed’s home.  Thanks Rae!  Tell Ed he (his fence) is now a celebrity!

I am linking to Theresa at Good Fences.

http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Update on the turkey….

and the miniature horse.  I received so many comments with questions about the turkey and the pony.  Sadly the turkey named Snow was eaten by a fox.  The miniature horse was from a friend of my niece who raised miniature horses.   They had quite a few exotic animals.  They were all sold before my niece and her husband sold their home.

I was busy yesterday, out paying bills and then running the vacuum and waxing the furniture.  I still don’t have all of the major spring cleaning done yet.  Maybe it will turn into fall cleaning.  I am doing laundry this morning.

It is going to be another hot humid day in central Illinois.  It was already in the 70s when I got up at 6 AM.  Illinois weather is like that.  Spring is short and quickly turns into a very hot summer.

I noticed as we were traveling down Route 9 last Friday that from Bloomington on to Paxton that the Wind Farms have a constant presence.

I took these photos out of the car window at 55 MPH so they are not the best.

I hope you all are having a good week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

A big thank you….

to all of our veterans, those on active duty now and the many who have gone before.  Your love of country and the sacrifices you have made will never be forgotten.

At the Memorial Day Parade in O’Fallon Illinois.

Have a wonderful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Beautiful Sunday…

It is a lovely morning in Central Illinois.  It is 68 degrees to climb to 83 degrees.  Tomorrow is to be even warmer.

My daughter and I ate at the Olive Garden yesterday.  We had lasagna and some of that wonderful soup that has dumplings in it.  I can never remember the name of it.  As an appetizer we had stuffed mushrooms.  The mushrooms were a big disappointment to me.  They were half of a button type mushroom and the filling was cheesy with bits of something that was hard to chew.  The price was $10 for 6.

The last time I had stuffed mushrooms was when I was with my sister in Huntington WV.  We were there to see a George Jones/Tammy Wynette concert.  Back to the mushrooms that time in Huntington.  They were huge.  The Olive Garden is nothing like your real Italian restaurants in  the Boston area Paul but it is passable.

The Olive Garden  does have some gorgeous flowers planted in urns on the porch.

I am resting today!  Tomorrow I will tackle some cleaning.

Have a safe happy Memorial Day.  Don’t forget to thank our veterans, those here now and those who have defended our great country in previous wars and conflicts.

Beth

Who says you can never go home again??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Can't_Go_Home_Again

Me!!   I say you can never go home again!

I have lived here 4 years now.  Each year since I have been here my daughter has gone with me the Friday before  Memorial Day  to put flowers on my husband’s grave.  It is not my home anymore.  My house has changed, there are very few signs of growth in this little town of less than 5,000.  My old friends are still there but each year when I see them I can see that they have aged in the past year.  I have aged too, a lot.  The fact that I am a survivor still seems unreal to me. 

We ran into an old friend when we first got to town when we stopped  at Hardee’s for a potty break.  There selling poppies was an old friend that I hadn’t seen for at least 10 years or so.  My daughter and I each purchased a poppy and I got caught up with DeLoris and the friends we had in common.  After we left I remarked to my daughter how old my friend looked and I asked her do I look that old?  My daughter, ever the diplomat, said ‘I think you look about the same mom.’  Not the right thing to say to your mom!  Right??

https://www.alaforveterans.org/Programs/Poppy/

My poppy.  Thank you to all of our veterans!

After visiting with some old friends and hugs and declarations of love and friendship we headed for the cemetery .

Then I told my old home goodbye till I visit next year, the good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise.

Stay safe on this holiday weekend.  Do not not drink and drive or text and drive which is just as deadly!  Be happy!!

Beth

 

Good Fences # 5

A photo of my sis taken in Maryland at the home my niece and her family were living in at the time.  They had quite a few exotic animals as pets.  I love the old rustic fence in the background!

I am linking to Theresa at Good Fences. 

http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Wednesday, no rant….

and a positive attitude.  It is much easier on your face to smile than to frown.  Heaven knows I have enough wrinkles from the c-pap mask that I use for sleep apnea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea

Did you ever have a recurring dream?  Actually in my case it is a nightmare.  In my nightmare I am always losing my purse.  And I have mentioned many a time before in my blog that I carry half of everything I own in my purse.  I had one of those dreams/nightmares last night and I spent the longest time in the dream looking for my purse.  Also I was looking for my cell phone which is a no brainer as I gave up my AT&T cell phone plan when I moved here and purchased a tracfone.

**************************

no–brain·er

noun \ˈnō-ˈbrā-nər\

: a decision or choice that is very easy to make and requires very little thought

*******************************

Now that my sis has purchased a new cell phone with all of the bells and whistles and apps galore the thought has entered my mind to get a new cell phone.  My Twin talked me into buying an iPad last year and I love it.  Do I want to get hooked to another big cell phone bill?  Nah, I don’t think so.

Yesterday afternoon I took my camera out to check out a couple of the trees across the street from me that were sheared off by the tornado last year.

They are looking much better since they have leafed out some.  If you click on the picture it will be larger.

I am making another run to Kroger this morning.  A package of meat that I purchased yesterday had a use by date of May 12 on  it.  So I guess I do have a Wednesday rant after all.  Very irritating and I could just let it slide and put the meat in the garbage but I am not going to do that.

It is hot and sunny here today.  I hope it is where you are.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

How did I lose Monday??

Well, Monday was hectic.  My daughter and I went looking for the perfect flowers for Jim’s grave.  Fresh flowers are not an option as I want something that will last for a while.  My friend Jo keeps an eye out and does put flowers out occasionally on the grave for me.  Jo lived across the street from me for over 40 years.  Our children grew up at the same time, although her kids are a few years older than mine.  I could always count on Jo if I needed someone to help me in a pinch.

After the flower hunting we went to Kohl’s where I purchased new knee pants and a T to match.  I really don’t need any summer clothes as I have an over abundance right now.  The weather was very windy and warm.  By the time I got home I was out of the mood to do anything.

My first friend I met here has been diagnosed with cancer.  I felt poleaxed when she told me.  She has surgery scheduled for June 10th.  A dear blogging friend has breast cancer surgery scheduled for June 11th and my brother in law in West Virginia will begin his chemo on June 12th.   It has been almost 1 year to the day since I received my cancer diagnosis.  My mind is boggled by all of this and I sometimes wish I had a place to go where I could just shut my eyes, say a prayer and the word cancer wouldn’t  exist anymore.

 

It is beautiful today, to climb to the mid 80s.  I am making a Kroger run this morning to get a few things I am out of.  A few things in my case always means a minimum of 50 or 60 dollars.  Why do the stores put all of this stuff out in the aisles to tempt us?  I can’t resist a bargain so I am hooked.

Time for me to quit procrastinating and get moving.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunny Sunday…

Happy Sunday to you all!  It is a sunny 48 degrees here in the heart of Illinois right now.  It is to reach 69 degrees today and then 80s for most of the week.  Spring is back. 

I went out yesterday and cleaned up the mess around the geraniums.  They look like they have survived the cold weather which is good.

Have a peaceful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunshine!!!!!

I woke up to sunshine this morning at 38 degrees.  I always listen to the weather radio as I am making my bed.  The words ‘scattered frost’ kept popping up as the forecast was given.  I have new flowers planted and I  didn’t cover them.  I will have to check them out after a bit and see if I will have to replace them.

You can see the squirrels have been digging there.  Ornery things!!  The geraniums are bright orange although they appear red in the photo.  I couldn’t believe how expensive flowers are this year.  I have a couple of planters in the back that I will have to take a picture of.  This is all of the garden that I can have.  I am hoping my son in law’s brother plants a lot of tomatoes this year. (Hint!)

I left early this morning to go to a church sale.  Lots of good bargains there.  Then I came home and fixed a chocolate pie for tomorrow.  My daughter and SIL will be coming for lunch after church.  Roast beef, mashed potatoes and green beans on the menu with hot biscuits.

I hope you all have a lovely peaceful weekend!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Just beat the rain…

while out visiting some garage sales today.  I found more books, a lovely casserole dish complete with lid, DVD kid’s movie for my daughter for her kids at church, etc.  It was a fun morning.  I came home and washed 2 loads of clothes and now I am exhausted.  It was very cold here this morning, upper 30s and I wore a winter coat and hat to the garage sales.  I am so ready for spring to decide to come back.    Another month and it will be summer and it will be hot and the temps will soar.  Just Illinois weather.

Lots of sales in the nice part of the city today.

These beautiful flowers (many shrubs) were all along the driveway leading to the house.  The lady having the sale said she was moving to California.

********************************************************************

And speaking of Illinois, it is said to be the most hated state in the USA.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/04/30/half-the-people-in-illinois-hate-living-in-illinois/

I don’t hate Illinois. so I must be in the 50% that doesn’t hate our state.    It was a pretty good state before a few of our governors, most notably Ryan and Blagojevich got their greedy hands in the political pot.  I was brought to Illinois from Missouri as a small child so I have virtually lived here all of my life.  There are two parts to Illinois, Chicago and downstate.  I have always lived in the downstate half and I have never thought the division of state monies was distributed evenly.  Chicago getting 3/4 and the rest of the state 1/4.  Just my way of thinking.

That is enough political meandering for today.  It is pouring down rain again and I am tired so I am going to rest for awhile.  I will catch you all later.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

Good Fences # 4….

These photos were taken in Boyd County Kentucky  in April 2004.  I love Kentucky!  I have always thought it was the most beautiful state in the USA!

I am linking to Theresa at Good Fences.

http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Seen and Saw

Seen and Saw

Saw is the past tense form of "see."  Saw can be used by itself, without a helping verb.
You saw me.  I saw that movie.
Seen is the past participle form of "see."  Seen requires a helper verb, such as "have."
I have seen that movie.  A coyote was seen in the park yesterday.
It is never correct to use "seen" without a helper verb.
I seen you. – Incorrect

Enough said!

Have a  peaceful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Rubbish Tuesday….

A cornfield in east central Illinois before the corn was picked and the field became a pile of rubbish.

Linking to

http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/

Have a wonderful day!  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Stormy Monday…

I went with my daughter to get flowers for my planter this morning and to put around the lamp post.  A big wind came up before we were able to get the planting done.  Hopefully tomorrow.

Two of the guys are working on the roof of the building across the drive from me.  No one  is parking  in the drive anymore.  I think they are scared of this old lady driver.  LOL  I do hope they get finished before the cold front comes through today bringing storms with it.

They are having to be careful of their mess today because I see that Jerry has parked his truck back there, I think we are all getting tired of the constant mess around here.  We were under severe storm warning yesterday and again for today.  It made me really nervous.

Have a wonderful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

 

Happy Mother’s Day….

to my mom.  She has been gone a very long time.  I still miss her and I always will!

This is the picture that was in the newspaper for my mom and dad’s 45th wedding anniversary.  I took this from the newspaper article.  I am not sure which one of my siblings has the original picture.  I know that I don’t have it.

Thanks to my kids for remembering me with cards and gifts, chocolates, cake, etc!  I love you guys.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there,  I hope your day is truly blessed!

Beth

Glorious Saturday and an update….

The sun is shining brightly , it is 56 degrees right now and the temperature is to climb to 79 degrees today.  Lovely day to be alive!

My brother in law received his biopsy report yesterday.  It is early stage cancer but the doctor says it is treatable with chemo.  We appreciate all kind thoughts and prayers!  Thank you!

I did get to go garage saling yesterday morning.  I found some books @ $1 each.  I read so many books that I can’t be sure if I have read one or two of them.  All by my favorite authors.  My sis keeps a record of everything she reads.  I am too lazy to do that. 

I hope you all have a nice day!  Stay safe and be happy!!  Enjoy the wonderful experience of just being alive.  God is good!!

Beth

Friday morning drizzle…

It is drizzling here but I am hoping to be able to go to a couple of garage sales this morning.  It has rained all night long so they may have been rained out.  I haven’t been to one garage sale this season and I can’t wait!

Yesterday my daughter and I  went to Kohl’s and Costco in East Peoria.  Since the new Costco opened last year there have been numerous stores and restaurants opened there. 

This building was built last year.  I think it is fascinating.  So beautiful. Notice the clock in the tower.  The clock is how the building got its name.  http://www.centralillinoisproud.com/story/clock-tower-place-opens-in-east-peoria/d/story/wOvYXl3BLkef1ycPdnqNEg

This photo shows what is housed in this building.

In the distance in this photo you can see part of the East Peoria skyline. 

Have a great weekend!Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Good Fences # 3

http://graveyards.com/graveyards/IL/Champaign/Harwood-Chapel

Jim and I found this cemetery on one of our many drives in the country.

Click on picture to make larger.

 

Linking to Theresa at Good Fences.

http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Busy Tuesday…

Yesterday was a busy day for me.  I had an appointment for a hair cut.  Then I picked up prescriptions at the pharmacy, got a bacon/cheese quarter pounder at Mickey D, did some grocery shopping at Food Depot, had the car filled with gas and came home.  I was pretty well worn out by then.  I am halfway through my ten days of antibiotics and I do feel somewhat better.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

The streets in front of my house have been filled with trucks belonging to the young men doing the repair work on my old neighbor Barb’s place.  These are really some good looking young guys which makes me feel even older.  I am not so old though that I can’t appreciate a handsome young man.  lol  Yesterday as I was getting ready to back my car out, I spoke to a couple of the guys and asked them if they were almost done to which they replied that they were just getting started.  There was a truck parked in my driveway and one parked halfway across the end of the drive.  I said hey guys, you’ve got an old lady driver here. OH my gosh!!  you should have seen the guy parked in the driveway running to remove his 4-door top of the line truck!  I noticed this morning that he is the first one here so he parked out in the street.  I think I put the fear in him.  LOL

Today I am taking it easy and just resting and reading.  I thought about making some cookies to take out to the workers for their morning break  but I am really too tired.  Tomorrow I hope I feel good enough to go to Costco as there were some things I thought I would like listed in the new ad brochure that I received in the mail last week.

Have a wonderful day!  Watch out for the school children as you are driving, a 10 year old girl was hit here in Pekin on Monday and an 11 year old boy was killed in Peoria as he ran into traffic on his way to school.  Makes me so sad.  What a waste.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Rubbish Tuesday…

and an update on my brother in law.  Some small tumors were found in the bladder.  We are asking for more prayer.  Thank you!!  Complete results on Friday.

********************************************************

I am linking to  Roan at Rubbish Tuesday at http://rubbishbyroan.blogspot.com/

This is what it looks like next door to me as the building is finally being repaired from last year’s tornado.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Waiting for an update…

on my brother-in-law.  When I get one I will share it with you all.  Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts.

I have done nothing but rest the last few days, waiting for the antibiotic to kick in.  I think one minute I feel better and the next minute I don’t.  I noticed yesterday afternoon that the lilacs in the cemetery across from my back door were in bloom.  So I walked across the grassy lot to check them out.  It was a mistake because the wind was blowing at a pretty good clip and I wished I had kept my old sick self inside.

On the way across the lot I spied the first weed flower that blooms in Illinois in the springtime.  The beloved dandelion that we pay big bucks to the exterminator to eradicate from our yards.  I can remember eating many a dandelion green when I was growing up which is one reason I am not at all fond of greens of any kind now.

I also noticed while clopping through the grass that there was still a lot of the debris from the tornado in the grass.  Lots of pieces of shingles and some fairly large pieces of wood slivers.  I think these will play havoc with the lawn mowers when they start to mow.  Which should be soon because the grass is at least 6 inches high.

Then I moved on to the the first lilac bush.  This is a beautiful cemetery and it has a lot of lilac bushes surrounding it.  The cemetery is very large and usually one or two days a week if I look out my kitchen window I can see a burial taking place.  A lot of history in that place.  http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/tazewell/zzzlakesidelist.html

Have a peaceful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Prayer Request Please…

My brother in law in West Virginia will be having surgery tomorrow.  His family and I would appreciate all prayers or if you don’t lean toward prayer a kind thought will do.  The surgery will take place about 9:30 AM Eastern DST. 

Thank you all so much!!

This is my brother in law with some of the dancing men that he makes as toys for the ‘kids’ at Mainstream.  http://www.mainstreamservices.org/

I am still under the weather, taking an antibiotic and hoping that I will begin to feel better soon!

Have a wonderful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

It’s Finally Friday…

Oh my this hasn’t been the best of weeks.  Two doctor appointments and constant rain and/or drizzle and grey skies.  Yesterday the temp didn’t make it out of the upper 40s.  Today is to be a bit better and then next week close to 80.

When I worked for the AFB in the 80s I had this poster that read Finally Friday on it.  One of the airmen that I worked with had given it to me.  I was the only civilian in the office and I handled everything to do with officer performance reports.  Believe me I was always happy to see Friday!

My poster was red with white letters and I had to keep it discreetly hidden on my desk.  I had a major for a boss and he frowned on things like this.  lol  The image above is from free images on the internet.  Parts of my career with the AFB I look back at fondly.  I have what is known as a selective memory and the other parts I don’t remember.  That is the great thing about a selective memory, just remembering the good and forgetting the not so good.  If you think about it, that is the way we should look at life, remember the good and learn to make the most of the bad!

I am not feeling quite up to par today so I am planning on resting and reading a book.  I hope we all have a peaceful weekend.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Good Fences # 2

The fence around my garden at  my old home.



The fence around my patio at my old home.

Linking to Good Fences at  http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth