Books

I love books. I always have. I'm a voracious reader too; so much so that I'd go broke if I bought all the books I read. Thank Heaven's for the library system. I still used to buy a lot of books though. Due to space, and budget constraints, I now, generally, just read library books. I feel bad though, for the authors I love trying to make a living and periodically I do buy books. Generally, I will go to book signings and buy the book while also getting it signed by the author. I think it's pretty neat. I was out and about today, looking for a gift for my goddaughter and I decided to go into Barnes and Nobles. I found a neat book for her-a mystery with ghosts as well as local history! Then I thought I might pick up a new mystery by an author who befriended me on Facebook. They had one copy left...but as I was reading the back...and the intro...and, OK the first page, I wasn't sure that I'd really like it. There are so many books I truly love that I don't own and I wasn't sure if I'd like this one. Plus, it wasn't signed...so I decided I'd wait and hope a local library will carry it...or perhaps she'll include my area in a future book signing tour. I will admit that I did buy a new mystery. It takes place in a cheese shop-now, how could I refuse that?

Computer Knowledge, or Lack Thereof

I wish I was more computer savvy. I downloaded these pictures, but they are a very high resolution. I want to get transform them to a lower resolution so I can put them on a blog (which limits picture size) but I don't know how to do it. It's very frustrating as I want to get on with this project, but don't have the know how to do it! Ugh.

Faker

Harley is such a faker. I rode him this evening. He was fine walking to the indoor arena and walking around with me riding. Then we started to trot and he continued to break and periodically limp. He had new shoes put on this morning were his feet sore? Nope, he was faking as he didn't want to work. He was perfectly fine walking and cantering. The goober was faking it, trying to get out of work. I made him work a bit and he finally gave up the "poor me, my feet hurt" routine. He is really a good boy, so I can't get mad...the big faker!

Worn Out

I have presents to wrap, things to stamp, recipes to write, loads to clean...and I don't feel like doing anything! The great thing about vacation is that there's always tomorrow...although I hate wasting time. I guess I've done so much these past 3 days that I've now crashed. I will wrap the gifts as I have to mail them tomorrow, but other than that...

Photo Phriday on Saturday - French Onion Soup

Photo worthy French Onion Soup at The Johnson House.

Vacation!

Hooray, Hooray, I'm on vacation! Vacation actually started yesterday at about 7:06 AM as I nearly ran getting away from work. It was so busy, I didn't even post a blog! The day was cool, dark, and rainy-perfect for sleeping-which made it very hard to wake up and get out of bed early-so I didn't. I called the folks to wish them a happy anniversary (49 years!), thought of my friend who was celebrating her 50th birthday!, and remembered my sweet Barrett-who came into my life 14 years ago, also on September 9th. Then I was getting ready to go out. I met my friend Kim and we went out for dinner, then to her ceramics class. We had a great time-I worked on a new project, not ceramics, but it requires firing in a kiln. You'll see the results some day...but not soon, they'll be Christmas gifts. Anyway, by the time I got home it was after 10, I had a headache starting up, and I decided to just take a hot bath and get to bed. So I did. I'm off to start today's round of fun, so I'll post again later!

Almost There

I just have to get through one more night at work...then I'm on vacation. Woo hoo!

Little Rolls

I love artisan breads. The only problem is that I hate to eat a whole loaf of the stuff. Wegman's has solved that issue...at least with some flavors. I bought some pre-made burgers and went to get 2 rolls. I glanced over and saw multiple little rolls, in wonderful flavors. There were kalamata olive rolls, rosemary, and today I saw pretzel rolls. These little guys are absolutely delicious. And they make for a nice taste, without worrying about eating a whole loaf of bread before it goes stale, nor deciding only one flavor!

Appraisal

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm refinancing the house. As part of that the house had to be appraised. The appraiser was late, but did come out and was quick. He was concerned that there was no railing on the roof of the sun room since there is a door to it. He said that banks get nervous that a little kid could fall off and sue. No kids here. He did like it better since the door has a bolt and there's a storm door as well. I asked him what the value was and he said he couldn't discuss it at all. He did say that he has to do research yet too-I guess see what homes are selling for here. Oh well, nothing to do now, but wait.

Spending Mood

I'm in a spending mood. Yankee Candle is having a sale online...another site has body sprays and such on sale, I want, want, want. But...I just spent over $300 on that stupid bagger (which I may try to return) and I need to buy a new wine fridge. At least I was good at Walmart, I just got what I went for-flavored water for work, some make up that I was running low on, (OK, plus a new eyeliner) toilet paper (always good to have on hand!), and sandwich baggies. OK I did get some little storage containers for my rubber stamping supplies as well as a pencil holder and binder clips for the rat cages-but they were on clearance! So I think I did quite well!

Frustrated

I am frustrated. Lately I seem to get frustrated quite a lot! I tried to mow the front yard, so my Dad wouldn't have to do too much tomorrow. Apparently, my mower only likes to run in drought conditions. Even though the grass was dry-it had rained last night, so my machine thought it was too wet and everything clogged up and the stupid thing decided not to run. Of course, this happened at the front far corner of my house-so I had to push it all the way to the back. The addition of the bagger makes pushing very difficult. Anyway, it's a big pain. Now it's 6:30, I feel like I've accomplished nothing and have a ton left to do. FRUSTRATED!

Photo Phriday - Cabot & Amelia & My Grapes

Busy Busy

I am busy, busy, busy. My mortgage agent received the last of my paperwork, so that's done. The appraiser is coming Monday, so I need to clean, clean, clean. The good thing-I asked about how long he'd take and he said "30 minutes". So that's quick! I had to pick up Cabot this evening and I need to mail him out tomorrow-so he gets to the ship in time to see Alaska! I'm late making a birthday card for my friend in Tokyo-it's her 50th, so I need to do something special! I also have to make another birthday card and an anniversary card. And clean. And mow at least part of the lawn. And I MUST work Harley this weekend. And clean. Sigh.

First of the Month

It's another first of the month. September...autumn is coming, and coming quickly. It works for me as fall is my favorite season. Still, time is passing quickly. I'm trying to clean in preparation for the appraiser. He called today and set the appointment for Monday. I wasn't thinking (he woke me up, of course) and after I hung up I realized that Monday is Labor Day. It makes no difference to me, but he may want to reschedule. My mortgage agent says she won't her from the underwriter for about 2 weeks. So things are coming along.