Maybe I Can Get July to Stick Around a Little Longer

Jul 312011
 

My calendar must be wrong, because it says that today is the last day of July.

This simply cannot be possible, because I haven’t completed all the things that I wanted to do this summer.

The attic still needs to be organized, there is still wood that needs to be split and stacked, the bedroom closet isn’t cleaned, rocks are still scattered around the yard when they should be around the new flower/herb garden.

No, this has to be a mistake, because August will arrive tomorrow and that means that my daughter’s wedding is only 4 weeks away and I still haven’t shopped for an outfit.

Hmph!  I think I’ll just leave my calendar on July and totally ignore August for a while.

If I don’t acknowledge it, then it isn’t happening, right?

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The Bridal Shower

Jul 302011
 

My oldest daughter, Christine, gets married in less than a month (eek!) and today her Maid of Honor threw her a Bridal Shower.

And if I do say so myself, it was perhaps the best event that I have ever attended!

Christine looks pretty happy about it too.

Or else she is just waiting to dig into all the wonderful grub that was being prepared for the 30+ guests.

What Bridal Shower isn’t complete without a chocolate fountain with all the goodies, as well as mini cheesecakes.

Or Pickle Wraps.

Never heard of them, you say?  Dang, do I ever feel sorry for you. *NUMMY*

Mimosa?  Don’t mind if I do.

I have to be honest here, I’ve never had one (and I’m not a huge fan of Champagne), but it wasn’t half bad!

And I didn’t even get pictures of the rest of the food (meats, cheeses, salads, rolls, chips) that took up the whole kitchen!

After everyone ate and filled a scrapbook with personal wishes and words of wisdom, it was down to the really hard part…

…opening up the gifts.

Here is where I really need a wide angle lens for my camera, because there were twice as many as I could fit into the shot (Wow!).

But first, it was time for the Bride-to-Be to give out her gifts to the wonderful women that will be standing up for her on her special day.

And there was even one for the Mama.  I think she was trying to get me to cry (you never know when one of us will be sneaky like that).

The girls got beautiful bracelets and I received a Wind Chime with a huge piece of Jade on the end (don’t worry Rick, I won’t put it anywhere that you will hear it when you are trying to sleep.), as well as a coin that was inscribed with a beautiful message to me (told you she was trying to make me cry).

So naturally, the future bride needs to look the part while she opens up her gifts (complements of yours truly).  I couldn’t resist, really… I mean, it looked so pretty wrapped around a present that I couldn’t just toss it aside!

This girl was given some of the best gifts I have ever seen.  Today’s theme seemed to be kitchen appliances and utensils (for her awesome cooking skills):  knives, skillet, coffee maker, gadgets, glassware… you name it, she got it.

And Erik’s Grandma Lee had a little extra special gift for her!

But there was still one more surprise in store for this young lady.  Her bridesmaids thought up a little game for her, and unwittingly involved her future husband into it.  They sent him a list of questions ala “How well do you know your future wife.”

It also involved gum.  There were 23 questions that were asked of Erik about Christine, and she had to guess his answers.  If she guessed wrong, she had to chew a piece of gum.  Let me explain a little better:  she had to add another piece of gum to her mouth when she was wrong.  After the 5th piece, the girls were feeling sorry for her and started splitting the pieces in half.  I think the house was shaking from all the laughter!

Grand total:  9 pieces of Bubble Yum in her mouth!

But Christine was a great sport about the whole thing, although I think that Erik may be in a tad bit of trouble…

Again, thank you Judy for being the Hostess with the Mostess!  Christine is so fortunate to have you has her Mother-in-Law.  You truly are a remarkable woman.

Chris, it was such a wonderful day!  I was so happy to meet all of your friends (and finally got to meet Grandma Lee!).

Now the countdown begins to August 27th!

Breathe

Jul 282011
 

That’s what I need to do.

Work has been so crazy lately, and I need to calm down and enjoy what is around me.  Stress has begun to consume me, but several things happened today that showed me that I can turn that stress around, just by enjoying the little things that happen.

As I walked out to my car this morning to head to work, the birds were welcoming me to the day.  I try to make a conscious effort to listen to them each morning, but this morning seemed extra special.  Even though I don’t always see them, they are there, singing cheerfully.

The college where I work is surrounded by woods, and you never know what you are going to see and hear when you are walking around the grounds.  Today’s extra special guests were a Mama and Baby fox that were checking out the grounds.  I also got to see what my friend and I dubbed a “Humbee,” which looked like a miniature hummingbird and bee combined into the most fascinating creature I’ve ever seen.

Note to self:  More research is needed.

And the bees!  Oh my, it was so wonderful to watch them go from blossom to blossom and grab the nectar.  There were so many of them.  One of the best stress relievers ever.

The clincher?  Calie and I had an appointment today with her vet to determine if they would be able to take care of here while Rick & I attended the wedding of our oldest daughter, Christine.  Being almost 19 years old, I had never “boarded” her before, so this was a scary option for me, and I waited until a month before the event to approach the subject.

Going online to see what is available in our area provided limited options.  The only viable one was the veterinary clinic that I have used for our 4-legged members of the household.  Luckily, we were able to see the same vet that diagnosed our baby girl with kidney failure 2 years ago.  We had a very good discussion, and he was very honest which is always a clincher with me.  But what I really like about this doctor is his love and caring of his patients.  Knowing Calie’s condition and the stress that boarding her would have, it was mutually decided that using the service that they provide would not work for us.

We talked about her health, what could possibly happen if she stayed there (which wasn’t good), and other options that I should look at (and have).  And he stayed there and talked to me about her disease and what to expect.  I was so grateful for his compassion, that I wanted to hug the man when we left.

And when we walked out the door, there was a certain calm that overcame me.  And I could feel it in Calie as well.  I can’t explain it, but there seemed to be a heavy burden that was suddenly taken away.  The option that I dreaded having to do was gone; not by my doing, but by the honesty and compassion of a neutral party.

So I have a few more weeks to find an alternative solution for the couple days that we will be gone, and I’m certain that the perfect solution with present itself.

I’m also feeling pretty confident that I will be able to handle other stressful situations in my life a little better, because I feel a little lighter tonight with that one unknown worry being taken away.

It’s the Best Tasting Pickle I’ve Ever Hoid!

Jul 262011
 

Name that commercial.

It was a dandy back in the day.

Heck, just go ahead and watch it, I’ll wait.

Now, onto the subject of this post: I canned pickles today.  “Ho hum, big deal,” you say?  This is a momentous occasion!  Awards should be given!  Pickle Holiday proclaimed!

No, no, I’ve canned pickles before.  Many times over many years.  But this, my friends, marks a special date on the calendar that announces that I have begun to win the war against crappy, sandy soil!!

Wait… OH!  I just heard the joyous *pop* made by a jar sealing!  *Happy Dance*

OK, to the beginning.  I have been slowly bringing the little babies in from the garden over the past couple weeks, waiting for enough to justify making my Mom’s famous dill pickles, and since I had today off with the afternoon free, I got to work.  But first, I had to find her recipe.

Please tell me that I am not the only person on the planet that has a basket full of loose recipes.

It’s sad, I know.  I really should organize this mess, but I’m afraid that if I do, I’ll never be able to find anything again.  It may look like pieces of junk are just thrown in there, but really, I know what is in there.  And I knew that recipe was in there.  At least it was the last time I used it (12 years ago).  So I’m sifting through and reminiscing over old newspaper clippings and pictures, and getting toward the bottom of the pile and coming up empty handed.  I was getting worried.

And then, when all hope seemed to be lost, there it was, nearly at the bottom of the basket.

I kissed this piece of paper!

Yes, it may be old and faded, but it contains the most perfect recipe for dill pickles that I have ever had in my life.  When I was growing up, we would wait months for Mom to pull a jar from the fruit cellar, drooling over knowing that first crunch of pickle was going to slowly build with the heat and flavor of the chili pepper and garlic.

When she passed away, we found a few jars left that were 4 years old, the last time she was able to do any canning.  I was worried that there was going to be a war to decide who got them, but we were civil and divided them as equally as we could.  And what was left over we immediately opened and devoured.

It was ambrosia!

Another POP… YAY!!!

Rick has been patiently waiting for this day, but he will have to wait a little longer.

Because perfection takes time, and these must rest until winter to reach their full potential.

But it will be worth it, I promise.

And even though I only got 3 pints done today, my plants are still producing, so there is the prospect of another pickle canning day on the horizon.

WOOT!! Last jar just popped!

This is Becoming a Habit

Jul 232011
 

Yep, we went to another auction.  Seems that Rick was put on an email list at the last one, so he gets updates from the auction service.  To me, this is like dangling a carrot in front of the horse.

And this weekend they have 2 located in our area with an assortment of products sure to pique his interest.  Naturally, he wants me to go with, and being the loving wife that I am, I agreed to Saturday, but not Sunday because I have to get my normal weekend crap done (read:  laundry).  The day started off with thunderstorms that required a trip to Wally World to purchase an umbrella (remember, I melt), because stupid me forgot mine one at work.  With this completed, our next task was finding the auction itself.

The thing about auctions is, you never really know where they are being held.  I mean, if the information lists 4 million items and states that it is a “sample” list and “look for the signs,” it could be anywhere.  Today’s was kinda ironic for Rick and I, as it was located at a type of place that has a certain following on TV.  Rick introduced me to this TV show the other night, so I’ll give you a couple hints.

This should be a dead giveaway.

There, I’ve basically told you the name right there.

If you haven’t guessed, it’s Storage Wars, and I have to admit that I quite like the show, and may have giggled a little as we pulled into the parking lot.  Actually, I think I said “You’re kidding me.”  Maybe.

As it turned out, we were not bidding on junk that had been stored in lockers since the beginning of time by hoarders that ran out of space, rather this was stuff carted up here from Chicago that belonged to a gentleman who inherited 2 housefuls worth of possessions from his Aunt.  Why they sold it up here is a mystery to me, and I didn’t have the nerve to ask.

I must say, there was a lot of nice stuff here that went for very cheap.  If we had a bigger house, I most definitely would have snatched up a pristine hutch that sold for less than $200.  But since I am not one to waste money on something that I can’t use at the time just because it is a good bargain, I just watched some other lucky soul cart off those treasures.

What really attracts my attention are antiques.  I love ’em!  Especially anything made out of wood.

Like this old apple press.  It may not look like much to the average Joe, but to me there is quality craftsmanship in this baby.  Did we buy it?  No.

This old stove also caught my eye.  Heavy-duty, still functional.  Did we buy it?  No.

Waterford Crystal.  This stuff was gorgeous, and there were 2 full tables of it, plus more in boxes.  Did we buy any?  Hell no, we left before they even got to this stuff (thank goodness).

But don’t think that we left empty-handed, because we didn’t. Lots of odds and ends that we can use, like lanterns for the yard, another old-fashioned washtub for ricing, a brand new cordless drill that they practically gave away and some more copper kitchenware to add to our collection started by our dear friend Starr.

There was really only one piece that I wanted, but Rick ended up buying all this for $20.  Most of it is solid copper and every piece is usable.  Who knows if I’ll ever use any of it, but it sure does look pretty on top of my cupboards.

After 6 hours, they still had more to go, but we were done.  Time to pay up.  Rick came away from the cashier with a smile on his face, because even though the car was full, we didn’t break the bank.  The grand total was less than $100.

Today’s big winner:  Rick came away with $1,000 worth of surround sound speakers for $25.  He even got 4 stands for little or nothing.

There is still another auction tomorrow that Rick wants to go to, and if I get my chores done tonight, I might join him.  We’ll see.  He’s out in the garage cleaning.  I’m not sure if that means he’s making room for tomorrow’s treasures or not.

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