Ten On Tuesday..... The Bunny Report Edition

1) The bunny has been here.  As in Easter... not Energizer....although I could probably really use a visit from him too plus he's pink so that totally works.  Apparently I was a good girl because the husband bunny brought me some wonderful Fannie May goodies like a FUDGE egg and Mint Meltaways, and remember the cutest bunny ever, the bashful beige bunny?  Well he has a pink friend who now lives with me.  Very smart husband... um bunny. 

2) And just so you don't worry that the husband was neglected.... he was gifted with Fannie May chocolate bunnies, and peanut butter, pixie, and Trinidad eggs.  He was well cared for.  As always.

3) And here you have proof that our sweet little great nephew Elliot was happy to receive the "small bashful beige bunny" as his new friend.  I mean how cute is he holding him? 

4) We had a very nice Resurrection Sunday!  We didn't make sunrise service, but had a wonderful very full church service that included some wonderful music, duets, and an awesome drama at the end.  We then had a relaxing dinner at Springmill Lodge and got to have some family time for the rest of the day.  Beautiful weather too.  Springmill Park was lovely.  Made me think a big Easter cookout would have been pretty great too! ha.  Do people do cookouts for Easter? 

5) OK so after all of our binge watching of the Walking Dead, and then catching up just in time for the season finale... we may now be having withdrawal.  Do we really have to wait till like um October?  Cause perhaps we should have rationed seasons 1-5 a bit to avoid the lull.... I did hear there is a companion series coming for the summer?  Hopefully that will be a good thing. 

6) The replacement bike fork arrived today!  This should mean that my bike will look like a bike soon, a very pretty pink bike.... and not just a pile of parts in the dinning room. 

7) Been doing lots of googling and pinterest browsing about Bible Journaling, Watercolors, and Art Journaling.  The browsing lead me to this blog yesterday and I am in LOVE with her artwork!  She does amazing lettering and I love her art too!  She is also a stamp carver!!  A girl after my own heart.  I think I pinned half her blog yesterday and I totally know what I want to carve for my first stamp too after seeing one of hers!  She has some classes linked which I plan to check out and she has stamp designs with Technique Tuesday!  I think I want to be like her when I grow up....

8)Worked on my planner some on Saturday while my husband was working on running TV and DVD wires in the walls to hide them from hanging down behind the TV.  Did a little watercolor painting of a tulip and my Resurrection Sunday banner and added lots of fun and pretty washi tapes!  Are washi tapes not like the coolest thing? 

9) Have you watched Amy Tangerine's latest Design on Time video?  Check it out here!  She makes me want to use all my stamps and paints and sewing the minute I get done watching one of her videos.  She has a way of showing how fun and simple it can be when we don't stress about perfection and just have FUN... what a concept for Monogirl.

10) Date night was great this week!  We had carryout pizza and pasta from town....not to be confused with the big city.  We watched Amazing Race both old and new.  We watched a movie called Interstellar.  Which was good... until it wasn't.  ha!  It reminded me of how I felt about The Abyss.  Remember that one? Good story, action, very interesting, until the way they pull it all togehter turns out to be this giant alien thing lifting them all up out of the water.  Really?  Interstellar's whole 4th/5th dimension thing felt a lot like that. Overall a good story though I guess.  Plus didn't I mention it was date night and we exchanged Easter gifts then, and no bad moods, movies, or attitudes are allowed on date night. It's sacred.  But you knew that right? 

And to close.... two more very cute pictures of our new little nephew.  Is he not the cutest? 

Awwwwww... I mean how do you not love the bow tie?  Blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

1) More stuff up on the wall!  Yay!!  So I bought these from Zulily... My husband is probably thinking I need to start deleting their daily emails without peeking at them.  ha!   They are pallet shelves or pallet bookshelves I've seen them called.  When I ordered them I planned to put pictures and knickknacks on.  After that I saw them called bookshelves which gave me some different ideas.  My very first thought was of my beloved copies of Charlotte's Web and Lassie Come Home.  I still remember - clearly - the day my Dad took me to Printer's Ink in Jefferson Square Mall and told me I could pick out 2 books.  These are the books and they are a treasure to me and now I am oh so excited to have a cool way to display them.  As for the rest of the space?  I haven't decided if it will be all books?  Pictures?  Antique plates?  Or perhaps a mix of all?  I think I'm liking that last plan the best.

 

2) Since I've come back to blogging I set up a query to put a link on facebook whenever there is a new post.  Working pretty well.  My only complaint is it also prints out the whole blog post and when it does it squishes all my lines together making it difficult for one to read.  Um do they not know that Monogirl's OCDness does NOT like that?  So then I obsess over whether or not people know that if they click on the link and/or picture it will take them to the actual blog where hopefully reading is more eye friendly...... So that I can stop obsessing.... may we declare item #2 on today's post as the official public service announcement informing all readers of this option.... I feel so much better now...

 

3) Apparently we've been binge watching way to much Walking Dead.  Why you ask?  You did ask right?  Well that would be because today driving to work I came up on a spot in the road that is covered with blood.  LOTS of blood.  I don't know what got hit but I assure you it died.  I mean there is like at least a car length of red pavement.  It was likely a good sized deer.. however as I drove up on it today the thought that went thru my head was "looks like a herd of Walkers have been thru here..."  Bwa ha ha ha ha...... Of course then I'm like OK was that funny?  Or like totally psycho?

 

4) Stopped to pick up a salad at the little food place in town on the way to work yesterday.  They were busy!  I placed my order for carryout and was ready to pay, but the girl left to start making food so I figured OK I pay when the food is done I guess.  Sat down.  Was going thru emails on my phone and while I'm waiting the place got quite crowded.  Word to the wise.... always call your order in ahead at lunch time.   Finally its my turn, my salad is ready and the girl walks out and hands it to me and starts to walk away.  I said um I still need to pay you.  She says didn't you already pay?  I say nope...still need to pay you.  At this point a lady across the room says "boy are you an honest person."  I smiled at her and said it was important to do the right thing.  That kind of stuck with me the rest of the day.  It reminded me as a Christian, it's always important to live my life the way that honors Jesus 100% of the time.  People are watching and I want my life to always be a witness!  I also felt blessed that as a Christian it never even occurred to me that I could walk out without paying.  That's not what I was taught, not how I was raised, and I am thankful for that too. 

 

5) This book came in the mail today!  Apparently it's become quite popular with the whole Bible Journaling craze because it's like the first time I had to wait forever for the book because it was on back order and unavailable like everywhere!  So Monogirl is happy to have her very own copy and eager to dive in! Maybe then I will actually DO some Bible journaling since that is the idea after all....

 

6) The pink bicycle has arrived.  It's sitting in the dinning room encased in about 10lbs of shrink wrap which is good I guess since it looks like there are lots of pieces under there.  Monogirl is quite happy her husband enjoys "some assembly required" and has agreed to take care of that for her. 

 

7) Have you seen this video from Amy Tangerine?  You have to watch it just to see the amazingly cool thing she does with watercolors and a straw!  SOOOOO cool.  I have to try this.  As soon as I figure out exactly how she did that...

 

8) And as long as you are watching Amy Tangerine videos I'd watch this one too.  She is so good at creating and I love her style!  I see her stuff and then have to say um Monogirl... why do you not use all your fun stamps and paints more like Amy?! 

 

9) Regarding my shelves up top in the pic... they don't look like I've got the flag hanging in my dinning room do they? Because that is totally not the look I am going for. 

 

10) I haven't carved a stamp yet.  I can't decide what my first one should be.  Well.. .first one since leaving high school.  An arrow?  A word I'd use in my journal?  A word in an arrow?  I am thinking I should keep it simple but need to cut thru the monobrain fog and make a decision.  Not my best thing sometimes. 

And now the husband is home and it is dinner time!  I believe French Bread pizzas are on today's menu. 

Blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

1) Have I showed you this pic?  I think I only had it on facebook. This is my attempt at getting back into sketching, artwork, etc.  I loved it in high school and still do.... but had gotten away from it.  Now that I have all these new art supply toys, I need to get busy! 

2) So I go to the library today to return some books and pick up some on hold.  The library lady then proceeds to spend the next several minutes checking in my books, before turning around and getting my books on hold and checking them out.  Really?  Is it necessary I stand here and wait while you check in my books.  Has no one told her patience is not my best thing? 

3)Last night I had my yearly employee review.  On my way there it occurs to me perhaps I should have dressed a bit more professional than yoga pants and a comfy shirt and sweater and a messy bun.  Although.. I figured if that was the case, then wearing the shirt I dropped spaghetti on at dinner was a big mistake.  Lets hope they didn't deduct points for that huh? 

4)Also on the drive in last night it was like Wild Kingdom out there.  First I come up on a deer at the edge of the road... and thank you God for telling her to wait a minute and not run out in front of me.... then I get past that and here goes a coyote across the road.  At least it keeps you alert!

5)Looking forward to a bonus date night tomorrow night!  It's the season premiere of Amazing Race and Survivor back to back!  Yay!  Cannot wait.  We are gonna snuggle up on the couch, eat pizza and watch every exciting moment! 

6)Apparently Miss Tris is in heat.  She certainly acts like it.  We had/have plans to get her spayed, we just thought we had more time.  Darrel called the vet yesterday and they inform us the price is $20 more if the cat is in heat?  Um why exactly?  Need to go google that! ha.

7) This past Sunday the husband and I sang this song.  LOVE that song.. and VERY fun to sing with the husband and his lovely harmony.  We might need to do that again.  Of course.

8) Do you observe the season of Lent?  Loved these thoughts the 1000 gifts author shared on her blog yesterday.  I also need to know where to get one of those candle wreath thingys she has.  How cool is that?

9) Anyone familiar with #SheReadsTruth?  Someone mentioned it in the Bible Journaling community I joined on FB and it sounds good so I am checking it out starting today.  Anyone want to join me?  Looks like they also have a FB community and some great devotionals.  Their website is here.

10) Still going strong on the Elm Creek Quilts series and am currently reading book 18 which is The Wedding Quilt. Enjoying the series but am becoming eager to dive back into an Amish book or two.  And yes of course I have a list. 

So how was your Tuesday?  Hope it was a good one.  Blessings !

Ten On Tuesday

1) Yes, Valentines day has come and gone, but just had to share that actual art work occurred at Monogirl's house... she made a card for her beloved husband....It was a hit.  Of course now more artwork needs to occur.

2) Our Valentines Day was good!  It was mostly celebrated on date night beginning with dinner which was pizza, pasta and bread sticks from town... and oh yes... the all important Chocolate Confusion Cake for dessert.  That just seemed like a very Valentinesy thing to do right? 

3) Beautiful pink roses and a Valentine's E-card started my Valentines day because when I got to work... these were on my desk.  I *heart* roses especially when they are the perfect shade of dark pink.... He knows me well. 

4) Last year our Valentine's gift to each other was new iPhones.  This year we got a bit more creative.  My husband... all on his own... picked out a very PINK very Vera purse.  Did he do good or what?  There was also a beautiful card and a very pretty box of again the all important chocolate. 











5) My gift for him was a coach Wallet that I got on a great clearance deal back at Christmas, Fannie May candy and cashews and I made the card as I mentioned with my trusty new watercolor pencils which were VERY fun!

 

6) On Sunday night, we decided to order out for dinner.  So as we are sitting enjoying our wonderful Procopios sandwiches, the cat starts misbehaving. Darrel had his hands busy with his dinner so as I reached to get her back from what she was getting into I managed to spill my plate... dumping an entire cup of red sauce In. My. Lap.  Very nice.  I managed to get my nightshirt,  my pretty pink long john pants... and of course the sofa.  So as Darrel is helping me clean up I of course have to go change clothes and get my tomato sauce covered stuff in the wash.  As I am putting my stuff in the wash... Monobrain kicks in.... and I somehow manage to try to open the washer lid with an open bottle of tide sitting on top.  It of course falls off and lands completely upside down.... and pours laundry detergent all over the pantry floor.  I'm all like OK seriously.... did that just happen?  Um yep it did.  Do you know how hard it is to clean up laundry detergent? .... fun evening.  One minute we are cuddled on the couch enjoying dinner and one of our shows.  Apparently the next minute we decide to mess up and then clean everything in the house..... I liked the original plan better. 

7) Do I have plenty of crochet projects lined up right now?  Not to mention scrapping projects.... cross stitch projects... art projects.... Yes.  Did I see this Pineapple Pashmina today and totally need to order it?  Anyone?  OK... so I haven't ordered it yet... but only because I couldn't decide what color I wanted to make it in.   Do I want Pink....OK so that's a given.  Or maybe ecru, black.... or maybe the cement color?  I am decision challenged today. 

8) I forgot!  Also for Valentines I gave Darrel the "How Well Do You Know Your Husband" book and also the wife version.  I saw them on another blog and they looked totally up our alley.  There are 100 questions.  We figured we'd do 10 or so for several date nights.... which of us do you think will earn an A+ first?

9) Are you a fellow cashew lover?  Cause if ya' are... you need to try some of those Fannie May cashews.... Pricey?  yes.  So good?  yes.  They are worth the splurge on occasion.  And as long as you are placing an order... get yourself some mint meltaways too.  The green ones are the best!

10) And now... I shall bid you goodnight as I go and dive back into my book and perhaps enjoy a cashew or two since my husband seems to like me enough to share.

Blessings!  

Ten On Tuesday

1) Yes... I showed up....for a possible 10 on Tuesday.  At the moment I only have like um 4... on Tuesday but that just doesn't sound as nice.  Let's see what we end up with. 

2) Here you have a pic of my current project.  Bought this in a kit from Mary Maxim because I fell in LOVE with the pink color.... shocking I know and because I liked the raised stitches. Loving it but am also ready to be done with it and move on to one of the 101 projects waiting in the wings. 

3) I work at our church.  Not news to you right?  Well it is such a blessing.  Especially days like today when my boss.. the Pastor walks around singing at the top of his lungs.  Love that and am thinking I need to burst into song right along with him next time. 

4) Are you ready for Valentines day?  Or are you in the "it's just a made up card holiday" camp?  I am soooo NOT in that camp.  When I was a little girl my Mom told me a story about when she was in grade school (I think) and a boy that liked her gave her a giant heart shaped box of candy.  It was so big she had to wrap both arms around it to carry it home.  I loved that story.  I love romance.  And yes I could not wait until someone wanted to romance me and give me a giant heart shaped box of candy.  The husband God had for me?  Totally fits that description.  We always enjoy Valentines day together.... and this week, for us, it will start on date night!  Can't wait. 

5) Speaking of date night, my BFF sent me a link to this blog today and I love love love all these cool ideas for dates!  I mean how creative to make this gift for her husband for Christmas?  I might totally have to steal some of her ideas.  I love how she took pics and made a scrapbook page for each monthly date too!  Awesome!  Of course she also makes me want one of those instax cameras all over again too... I mean it comes in pink and I don't have one.  That is reason enough to get one right there.  ha! 

6) This would be my gift for J at Kids Hope tomorrow.  Cool like confetti looking polish, a sparkly headband and a I *heart* volleyball bracelet.  Did I do good for an almost teenager?  Is it a bad thing that I am 48 and I like it too? 

7) A friend gave us some of those little poke in the ground solar landscape kind of lights.  We live in the country and our driveway is HARD to find in the dark so we used two of them at the bottom of the driveway to help guide us home.  We also live on a highway.  No sidewalks.  Barely a shoulder to walk on or pull over if needed.  Being outside of town and heading out into more country I don't know where anyone would be walking to anyway.  However... one of the lights went missing?  Where did it go?  Did someone drive out here just to pick one of them up and take it with them?  Did someone happen to walk by and need a light to find their way?  Did it like blow away in a tornado I don't remember?  It's just gone.  Makes no sense.  I mean you'd have to purposefully drive out here and pull in our drive way and choose to take only one light.  This does not compute.  If someone had driven over it or hit it and knocked it in the ditch.... well that I'd understand.  Would a dog pull a light out of the ground and carry it away?  Or is the universe just messing with me?  At least we could still find the driveway with the other light.  Well... until someone.... like probably the people working on the sewer line... GRRRRR .....smashed that one. 

8) I realized today that I recently told you that we got a great Christmas gift in the form of a new great nephew but then blogger and its picture loading issues prevented me from showing you.  Well... .blogger is still pressing my buttons with its picture loading issues but I found away around that... so here you have little Elliot.  Is he not the cutest thing ever?  No.  I am not biased. 

9) Still reading the Elm Creek Quilts books.  Started #16 today! There are 20 in the series so I am on the downside and excited to be through the whole series.  You'd think a series that long would get boring or redundant but she has a cool way in each book of picking a different part of the timeline of the story and maybe the whole story is about the earlier generations. Then the next book in the present.  Then the next focuses on another member of the team or goes back and picks up a story that started a few books ago.  It's been very interesting and I've really enjoyed them.  Thank goodness for the library and the inter library loan thing because I've been able to request all 20 books thru them from libraries all over the state of Indiana. 

10) Trying to get the bedroom ceiling fan replaced (from the power surge).  Not liking anything we see in the stores.  Very much liking ones like this online.... but they are all WAY more than the budget.  Another cool one.... but with an over $400 price tag?  Really?  Hard to go that route when Lowe's has them under $200.... but they just are not that cool.  Do I have to pay for the coolness factor? 

And lookey there.... I made 10... yay Monogirl. 

Be back soon!  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) So how has your Tuesday been?  Mine?  Didn't start off so well.  Small freezer.  Full of food..... dead.  Yes, another victim of the power surge it would seem. So instead of heading to work when I thought I was ready to go I found myself making multiple trips across the yard, out to the garage to an old fridge/freezer we have out there!  OK... so I could be bummed right?  But I am trying to think of reasons to be thankful instead.  Like that God gave me a nudge to check the freezer in the first place.  Not sure why I opened it last night, and then remembered to check again this morning to see how it was doing.  Also Thankful that I had another freezer to cart it all too and that I think most of the food is OK.  There may be a few inedible frozen pizzas.... The best news?  The Strawberry Freezer Jam was saved.  For that... we are truly thankful.  I mean have you had Strawberry Freezer Jam on a fresh hot biscuit?  YUM. 

2) More remodeling progress!  Yay!  We have the trim painted and installed!  Door trim is up and painted.  Windows are painted and trimmed AND we have curtains in place again.  They were in place for a short while until we discovered we had to take them back down to paint the windows... duh.  We are good like that. 

3) Since Monogirl has been like in major crochet mode she has been perusing Pinterest for what else?  More crochet patterns and ideas.... I mean it's like chocolate or scrapbook supplies you can never have too much.  The most um unsettling crochet idea I've come across?  A men's... obviously... crocheted jock strap.  Oh and with a matching pair of mesh shorts. I'm all like seriously?  I had to show my husband and make him promise me should I ever start to crochet things like that that he would take my hooks away from me immediately never to be returned. 

4) The sound of Christmas music could be heard from my car here recently.  Something like this one.... and this one.... which have long been favorites.

5) It's Operation Christmas Child time again.  Does your church participate?  We have a goal of 500 boxes this year and I might have done a little Amazon Smile (do you go to smile.amazon.com to shop thru Amazon?  It's such a cool way to help your favorite charity.  Mine is Nourish Our Children) shopping today to get a thing or two to contribute.  So fun. God has been putting ideas in my head about things we can do for next year with crafty stuff.... like crochet stuff... and woodworking stuff.... Stuff Monogirl and her husband just happen to enjoy.  It might involve some sort of crafty challenge... .perhaps some of ya'll would like to join in?  Stay tuned... more info to come soon. 

6) Date night this week had a much better start considering there was no threat of power surges and um fire..... I am thinking that is a big improvement.  It did however include starting with a funeral visitation.... But after that Home... PJ's.... Movies... Pizza.... and popcorn ensued.  A good time was had by all.

7) Have you ever tried to live without your microwave after you are used to having your microwave?  I mean one night Darrel had a plate of left overs all ready to reheat until he walked over to the microwave and remembered oh hey... this doesn't work.  Grrr... What did one do with left overs pre- microwave?  Then there was date night.  All ready for the movie.  Ready for our popcorn... but oh wait.... you can't make microwave popcorn without a microwave and that was all we had.  Until... Monogirl wondered if one could break into the bag and put it in a pot on the stove... Guess what?  It was pretty yummy that way and tasted even more movie theatery.  Might need to do that even with having a microwave. 

8) It seems the good ol' insurance company would now like some sort of expert to fill out some sort of Affidavit to prove that there was a power surge and to prove that our stuff was damaged by said power surge..... Well lets see.... my husband took electrical stuff in college.... he made the right diagnosis according to the electric company guy... .does he count?  I'm guessing not.  I supposed its some sort of coincidence that the power line broke..... the power got all weird and too strong on one side, and not enough on the other and then when it was fixed... .Viola... like magic like 10 things no longer will even turn on.... I'm sure the surge had nothing to do with it right?  Darrel was thinking they ought to be thankful we aren't asking them to pay for a whole house and contents since we actually prevented a fire... hello!!  Just help us out here!  And oh... while you are at it add the freezer mentioned above to the list!

9) I am currently again THREE books BEHIND in my yearly reading goal.  The year ends like um NEXT month.  I really really want to make that goal.  And I really really want it to stop telling me I'm behind.... Guess there is only one solution for that problem... I apparently have serious making my reading goal issues.  You'd think there will be some kind of penalty or something rather than Monogirl just wanting to MEET THAT GOAL. 

10) Is it just here in Southern Indiana or did winter arrive sometime during the day today in your neck of the woods too?  It is cold out there!  And um Monogirl was thinking when she got in the car after work that it only takes sitting on a cold leather seat once to figure out why the person who invented heated leather seats was a genius.  I'd now like a portable one to take with me wherever I go please. 

And looky there.... I made 10... On an actual Tuesday.  Perhaps its a Thanksgiving miracle? 

Blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

1) Yes....seeing peeks of colors in the trees. LOVE. I especially love the orange ones. So pretty. Isn't God cool ?  All the gorgeous color when they could just turn brown, shrivel up and fall off!

2) They have been doing a tar and chip process to the road I take to work. They already have part of that road closed and now tar and chip the rest? Really ? Have you driven on tar and chip? It's loud. Rocks spit up on your car and then to make sure they stick we add tar to it. Wonderful idea. I am not a fan. I told Darrel they say they are prolonging the life of the road but it's at the expense of shortening my life from the aggravation. 

3) Yesterday was 13 years since we moved from Illinois to Indiana. Started out losing my job and ended up with the biggest blessing living in the Indiana country. Love how God uses hard things for good. 

4) This arrived today. Yes. I ordered it. Apparently I am in the mood for some Christmas crafting this year. 

5) Wonderful date night this week. Carry out Italian beef combos. The season premiere of The Amazing Race. Oh and there was a movie called The Signal. Not a bad movie but definitely odd.....

6) In home remodeling news the trim boards and the rest of the ceiling goes up this week and trim boards means curtains can go up! Hallelujah to that news. 

7) A giant spider might have crawled across the living room floor last night. Monogirl might have screamed "giant spider giant spider " until her husband came to slay it.  Monogirl does not like spiders ....or snakes...or mice. Just for future reference. 

8) um we are going to have to call 8 a 10 cause monogirl is fresh out of ideas for tonight. But hey at least she showed up...improvement right ?

Blessings. 

Ten on Tuesday

Ok.    Trying this blogging thing from the iphone app. Could be a good thing.....or not so much. A result something like mad Libs comes to mind.

1) Mind.  Perhaps a good place for monogirl  to start because yesterday....driving back to the office after lunch.... She stopped at a speed limit sign. Not a stop sign. A speed limit sign. No one knows why. A group of psychiatric experts are looking into it.

2) How cute is the picture ?  Yes. That is Miss Sophie all curled up. Darrel and I were watching tv. He was holding my hand. Yes.... We do that. Miss Sophie comes along and settled herself down in the space between our arms. Awww too cute right?

3) God bless the nice Directv man. He was at the house today upgrading our receiver and he gave us two extra remotes. How cool was that? 

4) ok.... So far I am liking the blogger app. Quick. Easy to use. And more convenient than firing up the laptop. Two typing thumbs up. Perhaps it will also be a good work out for my texting speed. 

5) Yes....it is that time of year! Endless Shrimp time at Red Lobster. Yum. It is also Never Ending Pasta Bowl at Olive Garden. So basically it's fall which is apparently pig out time. Works for me. 

6) Fall. Did someone say fall?  Yes. That also means it's Bath and Body Works pumpkin soap time and fall candles. Yes. I've already placed an order. Yes. It has arrived. As soon as I get my pumpkin filled up....we may officially declare a beginning to fall. Which also means the leaves need to immediately start turning colors too. 

7) Who is looking forward to fall shows ? We can't wait for the start of Survivor tomorrow and for The Amazing Race this weekend I think?  Also the Chopped Ultimate Champion tonight and Big Brother finale tomorrow. Do we think Derrick will win ?

8) The downside to a new dvr? We had like 40 some series set to record. Yes this  means now I get to set all that up again. Someone needs to invent an app for that. 

9) It is still September. Yet somehow I have Christmas crafting on my mind. Trust me when I tell you my minds plans are much bigger than what my hands will likely complete. Some things like mug cozies or scarves would be gifts. Other thoughts are a new tree skirt and stockings for us. Christmas tree skirt and Christmas stockings just to be clear since after I typed it I was thinking a skirt and stockings sounded like a whole other thing. Ha!  

10) And let's end with food shall we ?  What do you get hungry for in the fall ? We've had a few almost fall temp days and I am allllll ready for some pumpkin bread. And peanuts with candy corn. And beef stew. And I'm sure my husband would put in an order for pumpkin pie. Since I am thinking no one is likely to show up at the door with any of those things....perhaps I should head to the kitchen. 

And there you have it. A first. Ten hopefully somewhat interesting thoughts typed entirely on an iphone. Yes you witnessed it here first. 

Blessings !

Ten on Tuesday

1) Ever have one of those moods.... one of those days where you just don't care? ..... You know those days right?  Well today?  Monogirl is tired... she has a headache... she is tired... and she just doesn't care.  She isn't sure what it is she just doesn't care about?  But whatever it is?  She is sure she just doesn't care.  Now... if you are a guy?  You are like huh?  But if you are a fellow woman... a fellow Monogirl?  I know you completely understand because being a girl.... you know that it just doesn't have to make sense on those days. 

2) So since I am failing miserably at being a good little blogger here lately..... let's once again try to get caught up by going in reverse date order and start with the most recent picture which would be this one!  Our niece Lauryn and our nephew Cole and their co-birthday cake, blowing out their co-candles.  I think they even managed not to spit all over one another.... however Monogirl who was in her parent's close quarters RV at the time did not manage to get a picture showing both faces..... so this will have to do.  Besides... we got to eat DQ Chocolate Extreme Blizzard cake after the blowing out of the candles so all is well. 

3) Here you have a hornets nest.  They picked a fight with my husband and as you can see.... he won.  He went up to fix a rotten board on the roof and after getting stung discovered there was a nest in the eaves of the house.  After we thanked God that he did not fall off the ladder or break his glasses (when they fell off) after the sting... he then armed himself with some spray and went back to do battle.  He took them all out... including multiple larva.... ewwwww.... and the queen who was twice the size of everyone else.  Yikes.  They may have won the first battle... but Darrel won the war.  Of course he did.  He is good.

4) Monogirl actually stopped at an ATM today just so she could get cash so she could buy a strawberry daiquiri smoothie.... Yes.  It was HOT and it was that just don't care day remember?  Well Monogirl hasn't used an ATM in like literally years.  She usually just whips out the ol' debit card.  Today cash was required.  So she pulls up....she inserts her card... and then looks for instructions which there were none... on whether one was supposed to swipe their card, or put it in and leave it in.....Couldn't they have given Monogirl a clue on a rough day?  My husband tells me now that they changed it recently and even he wasn't sure which way you had to do it.  This made Monogirl feel somewhat less um.... clueless .... on how one operates an ATM machine for future reference.


5) What can I say?  There was a sale.  A CBD.com sale.  How's a girl supposed to pass that up especially when it includes free shipping?  Am I right?  And now look at all this Amish/Christian/Fiction goodness sitting here waiting for me to dive in.....

6) A new crochet project has been started!  Did I finish the old one I was telling myself I had to finish first?  No.  The desire to try out the stitches for the new one won out.  This might have something to do with the fact that it has stitches like 8-bptr dec.... I know... it's like huh?  What the heck is that?  And then... once you figure out it's an 8 stitch, back post, treble crochet decrease.... You're like well goodness.... who even thought of that?  Yikes.  I have to admit though... it's pretty cool looking.... and OK... fun.  Sorry to inform ya'll though... it's a "secret" crochet project... so for now... no peeking. 

7) As I mentioned on facebook, the translation for this picture is Tanner saying... "will someone PLEASE get the stinkin' kitten OUT of MY BED!  Well...we could do that..but it wouldn't help unless we are going to hog tie her or something because the game goes like this.  Tanner lays on bed.  Kitten jumps on dog.  Dog jumps up grumbling and groaning and growling.  Kitten lays on bed.  And repeat.  Could the dog win the fight?  Absolutely.... but he seems to think we should be taking care of it. 

8) Have you seen this COOL little 4x4 size mini album on Pink Paislee's blog?  LOVE.  Totally had already been thinking of doing a little travel album something like this with Hilton Head pictures and now?  So inspired and can't wait to make one of my own.  I mean it's SO cute right?

9) We recently had an all day date at the State Fair.  Yes.  It's one of our favorite days of the year and this year did not disappoint.  We had SUCH a good time.  This was our "we are off to the fair" selfie.  Not to bad for trying to cram both of us into the picture in the car.  ha! 

10) At the fair we headed straight for the Amish soft pretzels first off.  YUM.  I need one of those daily I think.  There was also the famous milkshakes and some awesome Asian noodles and teriyaki chicken with veggies stir fry to enjoy.  We got to see the huge draft horses too.  Including this really cool show where the guy stood on the back of 2 horses while driving 6 of them!  It was amazing.  And the Belgian horses?  Gorgeous.  I had no idea they were so giant.  I think my husband was totally in love.  Surprised he didn't try to hitch one to the back of the car.  So... as I leave you for today... Two more pics of the horses.... oh... and one of my husband with the pretzels! ha! 

And for tonight, I say goodnight and blessings!!

Ten On Tuesday... maybe

1) I want to crochet this wrap/throw for our new... OK in progress new living room.  I keep telling myself I can't start this project because I have not finished the last crochet project so I must do that first.  I don't feel like finishing the previous crochet project.... so therefore I am stuck and am crocheting nothing.  Do ya think I could just give myself permission to start the new project in that pretty green yarn that is going to look oh so nice in the room?  Apparently not... I don't have issues do I....

2) Have you seen the new trend.... well OK... new to me... of having parties or classes where everyone makes their own painting?  I've seen a few online friends who have posted their creations and thought it was a fun idea.  Well today I hear that my LSS is hosting a "Modern Social" class which is one of these painting classes.  It's in November and it will be for a Christmas painting.  When I was looking at samples on their facebook page it turns out the one I like is one we can make in the class.... REALLY tempted to sign up.  Any other Doodlebug girls going? 

3) Just finished the book Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate and A Fall Of Marigolds by Susan Meisner.  Both were SO good.  5 out of 5 stars.  They are not Amish.... *gasp*  You just might LOVE them too.  Run now to your library or Amazon and hook yourself up with a copy immediately. 

4) And on that reading note.... I am up to 60 books completed towards my goal of 100!  Go Monogirl.  Planning to make a BIG ol dent in that last 40 on our upcoming vacation.  All books are better when read sitting by the ocean.  It's a fact.  I looked it up. 

5) Currently Miss Sophie and Miss Tris are chasing one another around the room.  Well... Tris is chasing.  I think Sophie is saying look little kitten... back off... judging from the amount of hissing I am hearing.  And actually I am not sure Sophie has made up her mind.  One minute she seems to want to play.  The next minute there is a hiss that seems to be communicating STOP pouncing on me kitten before I slap you good.  It's quite entertaining.

6) Did you hear the news scrappers?  Project Life now has Heidi Swapp Project Life stuff.  Yes. Me and my bff were alllll over that.  Can't wait to see it in person Cause you know... I might have ordered a thing... or two. 

7) And now.... we arrive at the reason for "maybe" Ten on Tuesday... cause here we are at 7... and Monogirl is out of things to say.  Who knew that was even possible huh?  I'll work on doing better for next time... but for now?  I need my Amish Church cookie... my diet Pepsi and my book. 

Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) Yes. It's me.  I'm back.  Yes.  Again.  And... I have discovered it's been so long since I've shared with you I don't know where to start!  should I start with.....

2) This picture?  Pink stuff.  More specifically pink birthday stuff.  Pink polka dot birthday stuff.  The scarf was a gift from my friend Kay and it is SO cute and I am loving tying it in my hair.  And yes, it was made even cuter when I discovered I already owned matching pink polka dot sandals..... I had to wear them together immediately.  Can you blame me? 

3) How about birthday week?!  Yes!  You missed birthday week!  How did that happen?  OK.. it was my fault.  Well let me assure you it was AWESOME.  There was chocolate.  There were presents.  What's not to love?  This was one of my favorite gifts.... a combo book mark, elastic books strap, and pen all in one with little post it flags too!  How fun is that?  Perfect for my Sunday School book!  The chocolate was pretty good too.  There was also scrapbook stuff, including sketch pens for my silhouette cameo!  He got me sketch pens all on his own?  He is amazing.  It was a wonderful birthday week and a good time was had by all. 

4) The big birthday gift?  This amazingly cute Coach Duffel.  LOVE.  It has pink stripes and orange stripes and a long strap and short straps.  SO cute and quite functional and very summery for the little bit of summer that we have left.  I just might have loaded it up immediately and carried it with me wherever I went.  You can picture that can't you?

 5) THIS was the cake.  Eclair Cake.  SOOOOO good.  And yes... there were 48.  FORTY EIGHT candles.  How on earth did that happen?  Goodness.  And yes, we put em' all on the cake and Monogirl tried to blow them all out in one puff.  Did that happen?  Not so much but eventually she got the job done.  Then we ate Eclair cake.  Lots of Eclair cake... and I am thinking we definitely need another one... made by the husband of course because he is quite good at it!

6) I should also tell you about this.  My husband made it!  I was commenting on how all my charging cords always seem to be on the floor somewhere when I need them, and wouldn't it be cool if there was a thing like I have in the pantry that holds brooms, mops, dusters, etc. that would mount on the back of the table and hold the cords. I headed over to Amazon and found this.... which looked like it might do the job... but in the meantime my husband was formulating a plan.  And yes... that plan resulted in this after a few mere minutes in the wood shop.  Hos cool is that?  And yes.  It has made my charging life much easier.

7) On my birthday we spent our 2nd day this summer at Holiday World.  I was asking Monogirl what does she like to do?  Monogirl likes to shop... so OK we could go to Indianapolis and do that or Monogirl likes to go to the beach or pool. So what did she pick?  Well sun and the wave pool of course.  It was a perfect relaxing day with my perfect date.  Isn't he cute when he's all tan? 

8) While we were apart there was also reading.  Lots and lots of reading.  Did you catch the review I posted a few days ago?  You MUST read that series.  SO good and then as I mentioned we must start petitioning Hallmark to get going on the movie series! ha.  Currently I am reading *gasp* a NON Amish book.  Yes apparently that is possible.  The current selection is Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate.  It is GOOD.  I am not too far into it just yet and while I am blogging it is sitting here calling to me... so I am thinking we must wrap up soon and take care of that.  This is my first time with this author.  I will definitely be reading more of her books.  Which is wonderful and perhaps stressful... because there are LOTS of them.  I'll need to read them all of course.  So many books.... so little time.

 

9) Also while I've been away I've been sick.  This upper respiratory thing grabbed hold of me like 3 weeks ago and just this week my voice is coming back and I am starting to sleep thru the night rather than wake up like 9 times to cough my head off.  Summer colds are definitely the worst! 

10) And 10.. I made it to 10.  After a long hiatus at least its a decent start.  Hoping to resume to our regularly scheduled program plus some new stuff for the rest of the year so I'll hope you will keep visiting with me!  Until then..... Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) This would be my recent haul from Sephora.  The coolest thing about that is that everything on the left.... FREE.  Don't ya just love free?  The Bare Minerals summer bronze kit... free from points earned.  The lash enhancer and "better than sex" (yes... that is what it's called...... could it possibly be that awesome?) Mascara were from points earned. The mini mascara and lipstick were my Sephora birthday month gift.  The shampoo samples and the "Look Good Naked Righteous Butter" body butter/lotion sample were also freebees.  I bought the pressed powder and 3 nail polishes.... One of which is this awesome aqua green/turquoise kind of color that must go on my toes immediately! Now... one of the Bare Minerals bronzer things is called "Skinny Dip".... then the Better than Sex Mascara.... and Look Good Naked Lotion.... is there some theme here they are trying to communicate?  And um if that "Look Good Naked" lotion really works?  Well then I am going to be needing the large economy bucket size...

2) Have you heard of something called a Knot Genie?  I had not heard of them until they popped up on Zulily recently.  It claimed to magically get the knots out of your hair.  It said it was for children and Adults.  I am thinking I qualify as one of the two... depends on the day.  I definitely qualify as someone with knots in their hair... I've got knots that would make a sailor proud.... So I had to try it right?  It actually works!  And it doesn't hurt that mine is metallic pink... I am sure that helps it to work better.

3) So it's fresh orchard peach time in Indiana.  And wouldn't you know that they timed the closing of the highway the orchard is on with the availability of said peaches.  Very handy.  But my husband loves fresh peaches. So I had no choice but to take a back country gravel road to get to the orchard which means driving 18 mph down the gravel road so as not to spew gravel on the car..... Now trust me when I tell you18 mph and flying gravel requires way more patience than Monogirl possesses...It must be true love. 

4) OK who knows what a "Spiker" is?  And no... it does not have anything to do with volleyball.  Monogirl doesn't do Volleyball... she might break a nail.  A Spiker is a beach drink cup holder that has a spike that goes into the sand to keep the all important diet pepsi from falling over.  What a good idea.  Why do I never think of these things?  And yes... I now own a pink one... or two. 

5) WHO was the genius who decided all light bulbs have to go to these fluorescent ones that take time to warm up?  I mean really?  The ones in my bedroom take several minutes to warm up and give full light.  I go in there for a minute and need the light and end up finding it in the dark before it even starts to light up enough.  Don't people flip the switch when they need light like NOW ... Or now am I supposed to remember to go in there 10 minutes prior to when I will need light so it can have its slow warm up time?  Another thing that would require way more patience than Monogirl possesses.

6) As the days of the month go by.... we are getting every closer to the beginning of birthday week.  Monogirl might be just a wee bit excited about that.  Count down to this Saturday is on! 

7) Does Monogirl have birthday plans?  Well... she is trying to decide what kind of cake she wants.  She has it narrowed down to yellow cake with chocolate frosting OR Eclair cake. The husband makes an awesome Eclair cake and yellow cake for that matter.  Or maybe a Baskin Robbins cake.... yum.  Have you had their chocolate Oreo ice cream?  Oh. My. Goodness.  Then Monogirl was thinking since her birthday is on a Saturday and she gets to spend the whole day with the husband he wants to know what does she want to do?  Well.... she likes shopping.... she likes the beach.... she likes shopping... she likes Holiday World which is like the beach....If you sit by the wave pool it is.  So currently she is trying to make up her mind. Maybe we should just go to the library. She might have also sent her husband a few birthday gift idea emails.... Monogirl gets a wee bit excited about birthdays.  Did she mention that?

8) In remodeling news, the ceiling is almost done.  We ran out of boards for the last couple feet.  We are getting ready for a run to Lowes for the rest of the boards, plus the trim boards! Yay... curtains can't be far off after that.  Darrel is currently working on the mount for the TV to get it on the wall.  And we have purchased the floating shelves for the other wall... just need one more that they were out of and those can go up! 

9) Have you seen this new Smartphone wristlet from Vera?  I am thinking I must have one in either Clementine or Pink Swirls.... how cute would that be in my pink Coach purse?  This one is very similar to my Hobo wristlet but it has that cute little turn lock!

10) And OK... we are going to have to call 10.... um 10... cause Monogirl is hitting Brain Fog and that is never a good thing.  Case in point?  I just typed the word nevery..... is that a word?  I didn't think so.

I bid you goodnight and blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

 1 Yes it's strawberry season in southern Indiana. Aren't they beautiful?  And the taste...yum.  So good. We got these Sunday at a nearby orchard. Yes. The same one that has the wonderful apples and peaches. We will be returning to purchase a whole flat. We plan to make ourselves some strawberry freezer jam like Darrel's mom used to make. Good stuff.

2)Date night. It was awesome. We headed to the drive in. We plopped down our eight bucks each for a ticket. We brought a yummy pizza with us. And a good time was had by all. The movies were Godzilla and Transcendence. Both really good. It was also the perfect weather night with my favorite sweater and blanket. Perfect evening.

3) Um apparently I have just a book or two checked out from the library. Ya think? I went to return a book and pick up one on hold. I left with that one plus several more and already had several at home. So many books so little time. It's there a job where I can read 24/7? Cause sign me up for that.

4) Did you notice I finally got those two book reviews done that I've been promising you like forever? You are welcome. Of course as soon as I got those done I headed right over to net galley and got like five more. I'm beginning to worry I'm headed for some kind of book intervention.....is there a twelve step program for book addiction? Please don't sign me up....not wanting a cure.

5) Yesterday I got to play music teacher for a few minutes. It was very fun. A little person at church needed help with her piano practice. We got to do c notes and d notes. I got to tell her about half notes and quarter notes. We even got to number our fingers and then wiggle certain numbers when they were called out. See...all those years in band and those early organ lessons paid off.

6) 2 new pairs of pedal pushers arrived in the mail today.  However for height challenged monogirl.....pedal pushers is  code for "these will really be Capri pants on you"  Best way monogirl has discovered to obtain petite length Capris. Monogirl is smart like that.

7) The husband is currently out painting more ceiling boards. We have made it across the living room at this point and yes perhaps we will actually get across the dining room now and then finally get to see the other new light in place. Hallelujah and praise the Lord on that one.

8) Four day weekend coming up. Well it is for me since I switched my day off from Thursday to Friday. We have a family thing to take care of some things for Darrel's mom but am hoping to also have some time for reading, crocheting and scrapping. Oh. And I am thinking the beach opens too. Wahoo!

9) Miss Sophie's latest thing is to get right up in your face and give you a little head but with her cute little pink nose. Yes she is just that cute that I actually find this endearing. Can you blame me? I think not.

10) And now it is time for Dancing with the Stars finale so I bid you goodnight as I must go so I can root for Candace!

Blessings.

Ten On Tuesday

1) Is this not the coolest pendant?  My sweet "honorary" daughter Ashly gave it to me for Mother's Day... .which in my book is one of the kindest things ever.  This is made by a company called Compelling Creations.  I had never heard of them before but apparently it's Christian designed jewelery and you can have home parties for it, like Tupperware, or it looks like you can buy online.  My piece here is for Psalm 46:10. Looks like most of the pieces have a verse and there are even charms and stuff with verses on them.  LOVE this and the meaning behind this piece and am definitely needing to check this out better!

2) If you are an Amish loving reader like me, I discovered this site... via Facebook I think?  Who knows.  Anyway, Amish Wisdom has some cool articles and of course book info. not to mention a great book giveaway going on right now that you might want to sign up for! 

3) Read this in a Max Lucado devotional today e-mailed to me from a nice man from church who sends the staff devotions each day.  It read: David declares in Psalm 23:2, “He leads me beside the still waters.” He leads me! God isn’t behind me, yelling, “Go!” He’s ahead of me bidding, “Come!” He leads us. He tells us what we need to know when we need to know it. Hebrews 4:16 says, “We will find grace to help us when we need it!”  Isn't that good?  Something really hit me today thinking about the difference between he LEADS me and not Him behind me yelling Go! He leads me.  He is showing the way.  He has already been thru wherever He is sending me.  He's got it covered.  SO need to remember that. 


4) Last night Darrel was working on a deadline for work, using his laptop on his um... lap.  See how that works?  Well Miss Sophie generally likes to lay in his lap so she kept walking over there trying to step on the computer and inch her way across.  Finally she decided she would just get as close as she could and laid herself down on his arm.... He was thinking this was not very conducive to working on his deadline. 

5) In Date Night news, this past week was spent at this new and exciting place.... Are you believing that?  Cause um nope... Monogirl was at home.  Guess what though?  We love home.  We had a wonderful cuddly evening watching movies and enjoying our pizza and bread sticks (a minute ago it said bread stick...as in one.. making it sound like we both gnawed on one...ha!) and I think there was Reese's somewhere in there too.  We also had popcorn now that we got a new box.  Last box?  Was Pop Secret Movie Theatre Butter but um that is NOT what it tasted like.  It was sweet.  Isn't Kettle Corn sweet?  We did not like it... and no we do not like Kettle Corn.  We are thinking perhaps our box/packages were mislabeled?  Anyway date night movie time is much more fun when one has good popcorn.

6) This was my other Mother's Day gift from Ashly.  I know.... I told you she was the sweetest right?  The little flower pot there looks like a giant tea cup.  Very cute!  Loved that she thought of me.  It was a true blessing.  I also received three very kind messages from friends telling me Happy Mom's Day and they were thinking of me on what they knew could at times be a difficult day.  Love good friends and I pray God blesses you like you blessed me.

7) In book news, last night I stayed up... yes a little too long to finish Promise of an Angel.  I give it 4 out of 5 stars and YES I had to stay up because I had to know if Judith and Andrew were going to get things worked out and if Samuel was going to be able to walk.  When you only have less than an hour to finish a book (according to the little person who lives inside my Kindle and calculates these things) well how is one supposed to go to sleep and not just finish and learn all the answers?  Apparently I am not capable of such a thing.  You are shocked aren't you.  I am now reading book 2 in that series... of course I am, and it is called Brush of Angels Wings.  I also walked out of the library today with 4 more books to read you know because the 500 or so on my Kindle just aren't enough....

8) OK why do the iPhone people give me this short little charging cable that I continue to pull out of the socket because its not long enough so then my phone is NOT charging when I think it is charging?  Do they think I have patience or something?  Someone please tell me these come in a longer size... and do not cost a million dollars and as long as I am asking for stuff can it come in pink please?

9) If you are a Christian Fiction lover like me did you know you can go to amazon, search for Christian Fiction under books, and then sort by publication date and you will see all the books yet to come out this year and on into next year?  LOVING that... and how did I not know this sooner??

10) OK.... WHY would you throw away the box with the cooking instructions on it and put the bag in the freezer without saving the instruction part or writing it on the bag?  Why?  My husband did this to me so he could fit the bag in the freezer better.... can I understand this?  Yes.  Do I understand throwing my instructions away um no.  My OCDness self is trying to figure out why one would do this and since his only answer it he doesn't know why.... see this is not helping me.  I might have to give him a small whack on the back of the head..... yes... it's probably an impatient monogirl kind of thing.  Good thing he gets that huh?  New Rule at Monogirl's house.... throw the instructions away and it will not go well with you.... bwa ha ha ha.... Cause I am just that big and bad.  You are picturing it now aren't you... ha! 

And whew... finally made it to 10.  Was getting worried for a minute there.  But now? Now I must bid you goodnight!  Blessings!