Saturday in our little valley

Okay, this has nothing to do with my post title BUT can someone tell me how you can get a blog button like Mrs. Nurse Boy has......look about half-way down on my sidebar and you will see a blog button that says "Poop on Jelly". We are blogging buddies and I just loooove her blog, which her husband, Mr. Nurse Boy contributes to, too!
I would just love to have a blog button but don't want to have to make it myself and would gladly pay a modest fee to have someone make one for me!
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Daniel and Erin took vacation days yesterday and Daniel came over and christened my shiny, NEW grill by grilling chicken breast I had marinated overnight, brats and hot dogs. We also had mac and cheese, chips and potato salad that I made earlier. The kids don't eat potato salad. Too many foreign ingredients, they say. :-)

Then after lunch, Jaylon went down for a nap and so did Daniel on the living room floor, Erin on the sofa and Ed in his recliner, while I went to the computer to do a few things: Facebook, emailing, paying bills and reading blogs, in the cool quietness of the living room/family room.
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Below is a picture of my porch swing that Ed and I painted last Friday morning before it got too terribly hot.

It had been stained brown before but I wanted it to match my porch rocker so we painted it with white enamel and it looks sooooo much better. Painting it was a bit tedious but well worth the effort!
We've been endeavoring to get a few things updated and so on this summer and we are making pretty good progress. :-)
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ANDDDDDD........last night Ed took me to see the All-Ohio Youth Choir Cardinal Chorale perform at the First Presbyterian Church in Logan. He knows that I love this sort of thing and my girlfriends were all busy or out of town, so he said he would take me!!! Yayy!
Oh, and I told him that he had to at least ACT like he was enjoying himself! AND he really DID enjoy himself! The chorale was awesome! And we got to see quite a few people that we hadn't seen for awhile!
The chorale is comprised of singers from the original choir. The chorale travels around the state singing at different venues to bring attention to the choir which performs every year at the state fair in August.
After the concert concluded, the young people milled about with all of those that attended the concert. It was great to get an opportunity to meet them personally and get to know them a little.
You can tell that they are an exeptional group of young people, ranging from high school seniors to college sophmores.
It was a great evening! Thank you, Ed!! :-)
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I woke up this morning unable to talk above whisper, coughing and sneezing. I've not been feeling the greatest this week, especially in the mornings and I've felt like maybe I was getting bronchitis. Sure enough, I have.

I've been around quite a few people with a plethora of ailments, so I guess I was bound to catch something from someone.

Well, I finally started feeling "human" again around three this afternoon after being in bed for most of the day. So I got up, showered, ate a little and Ed and I watched a little TV, went outside and sat on the porch.

Now, it is 8:53pm and I'm starting to feel pretty rough again.

Isn't it funny how you can feel bad in the morning.......feel better briefly in the afternoon/early evening......and as soon as it begins to get dark outside, you start feeling yucky again? :-/

I'm taking some OTC medicine to kind of quell this floogey I have, until I go for my regular 4-month check-up with my doctor scheduled for this coming Tuesday.

BUT I am going to the family reunion tomorrow afternoon at four, if it kills me!! Which it probably won't because I should be feeling pretty good during those hours. :-)
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Well, I am going to take myself off to bed to read for awhile. Hope your weekend is going well!! *cough* *sneeze* :-/

Wednesday with Jewel :-)

Ed has been working like crazy outside....well, actually NOT "like crazy" because Ed is one of those guys who paces himself, works steadily along, takes a water break briefly and really enjoys whatever it is he is doing at the moment....sprucing up the place and putting some extra and finishing touches to the flower beds and yard and all. I think it all looks pretty terrific! :-) AND I believe he is just about done for the summer, believe it or not, and we should be able to just enjoy it all from here on out, except for mowing and trimming.





And what am I doing while he is working away? Taking care of Jaylon, doing laundry, playing with Jaylon, cooking, chasing after Jaylon, cleaning, playing cars with Jaylon, paying bills, reading to Jaylon, watering plants, helping Jaylon to eat/feeding Jaylon, fixing something to eat for Ed, playing with Jaylon out on the front porch where he has his Little Tikes water table, motorcycle/rocking toy, play balls, etc.

You get the general idea! :-) And I wouldn't have it any other way! I just love this little guy!!!

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I made what will possibly be one of many strawberry pies that we will enjoy this summer! Yes, it is gone! It scarcely lasted two days and I only had one piece! Ed looooves his desserts! He said his two favorite kinds of pie are "hot" and "cold"! Oh ha ha.....:-)


Don't get me wrong....I love the occasional piece of pie or a cookie with my morning coffee but oh, I LOOOOOVE me some chips, bread, meat, potatoes, vegetables. Oh, and Dortios? We won't even go there!
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I've been planning our annual Peters Family Get-together/Reunion which is this coming Sunday at my niece's home.

It looks like everyone is going to be able to be there. Now if they just choose to be there.

I've been emailing, FB messaging and phoning everyone to make sure everyone knows who is bringing what and so on. I'm taking a strawberry pie or two and possibly a tortellini salad or sloppy joes or....well, I'm just waiting to see what everyone else finally decides on! THEN I'll definitely make up my mind!! :-)

I just love all of my family!! My nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. We don't get to see eachother very often, so I really look forward to Christmas and then summer get-togethers!!
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In closing this post, I'll leave you with a picture of Ellie the kitty of the house peering out of an empty Pepsi box that she managed to squeeze her chubby little self into. :-)

I had just set the box there for Ed to dispose of and lo and behold if Ellie didn't take up residence in it! :-) So I left it there for a few days until she grew tired of it. :-)

Still among the living!

Gosh, but I've been trying to catch up with reading blogs and commenting, all the while needing to post to my own blog. I'm doin' my best! "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!" :-)

This week has been busier than most AND I've been dealing with a feeling of almost bordering on exhaustion. Go figure. My friend, Pat, says that I try to do too much. BUT I tend to disagree with her, BUT today I've sincerely endeavored to take it easy and rest, since we don't have little Jaylon today.

Ed is not working this summer, which is his first summer off in six years! And I am enjoying having him home so much!!! He helps me with Jaylon so much! AND speaking of Jaylon.....he's growing by leaps and bounds and is such a cutie pie!!!

And he's such a happy little guy! We have so much fun with him!
I am sometimes amazed at how many pictures I've taken and continue to take of him! Oh my!! LOL
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I finally decided on and bought a new set of dishes. It seems to take me FOREVER to make decisions sometimes! But, alas! I finally found just what I wanted! I've had them for a few weeks and just love them!
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Yes, this is a VERY random post! :-)

Some evenings when Daniel comes in after work to get little Jaylon, I am just amazed by how handsome he is and how nice he looks! (I know, I know, it's because I'm his mother *smile*) And he always dresses so nicely. Soooo, I just HAD to take a picture or three the other evening! :-)


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And here is the picture of my 40th class reunion that I told you about a couple of weeks ago here! We did have such a great evening, talking, laughing, eating.....there HAS to be eating, you know!!! :-) I am the 2nd person from the left on the front row and my twin brother, Johnny, is the third person from the right on the front row. :-)

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I made Spanish Rice for lunch today and dressed it up with tomatoes, lettuce, black olives, sour cream, grated cheese and tortilla chips. It was sooooo delicious!!! It is one of my favorites!! AND I think it looked so pretty in one of the bowls from my new dishes! :-)

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I am going to close this post and take myself off to bed! I pray you are having a wonderful weekend, good weather and are enjoying the goodness of the Lord in your little part of the world!!! :-)

These two shall become one....

Ed and I had just pulled into the carport, arriving home from church shortly after noon. While gathering my things, I noticed a little change in the drink holder on the console between the two front seats. It quickly passed through my thoughts that I should see if there are any quarters in there because we save and give our quarters to many different causes at church.

I had no more than had that thought and gotten out of the car than Ed said, " You should see if there are any quarters in the car and put them in the lighthouse at church."

What? Did he just read my mind? I shook my head a little. Uncanny, hm? And we seem to be doing this thing more and more often. :-)

Soooooo, we come into the house, put our things away, change our clothes and I commence to fixing dinner, which I already have almost ready because I put chicken and dressing in the crockpot before we left for church this morning.

So, I'm minding my own business, fixing dinner, when Ed turns to me and says the very thing that I am THINKING! (although neither of us can remember just what it was, now, a few hours after the fact. :-/ This is happening more and more, too! LOL)

BUT, we do this more and more the longer we are married and I think it is so neat, though at times kind of weird feeling, making me think: Should I be REALLY careful about what I am allowing myself to think? :-) I think not. :-)

Like I always say: What's mine is mine and what's his, is mine! LOL Money, thoughts......we're in this together!!!! For keeps!!!!

A rainbow in my kitchen

About two years ago, my twin brother Johnny gave each of the ladies in our ladies group at church a little crystal angel ornament.

I loved it so much that I didn't want to pack it away with the other christmas ornaments, so I hung it in my kitchen window where I could see it every day!
Well, I would see it every day and always remember Johnny and say a prayer for him but one morning, not too long ago, I noticed Jaylon looking at something on the floor, so I took a closer look, too.


A rainbow on my kitchen floor! What a pleasant and happy thing! And it took little Jaylon for me to notice it once again! And appreciate it.
I guess I had just gotten a little too busy and preoccupied to notice it or appreciate it like I used to. It happens.

Oh, but isn't a rainbow just the most beautiful thing especially when it comes as a gift from your twin brother? :-)

♫ Oh what a beautiful morning ♪

Please ignore the dates on my pictures. Some of them are incorrrect. (stupid camera) (or maybe it's the stupid camera operator) (that would be me....argh).
Anywayyyy.....all of the pictures were taken during the last two days. So, now you are "up to date". I couldn't resist. :-)

Oh, it IS a gorgeous morning here in SE Ohio! Cool and fresh, the birds singing, the smell of honeysuckle in the breeze. *sighhhhh* And temperatures in the low 70's again today. *sighhhh* I love springtime!
Below is a picture of the clematis vine I have growing up the lovely fence that my wonderful husband built for me last fall. :-)

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Wellllll.....we went to my 40th class reunion Friday evening and had an absolutely wonderful time!!! It was more like a FAMILY reunion!!! :-)

You see, there were only 21 in my graduating class. Our school was in the country and all of the classes were very small. Our school went from 1st through 12th grades.

Most of the kids in my class went through all 12 grades together, which I think is sooooo neat.

Anywayyyyy.......there were 14 of us who were able to make it and 9 of us brought spouses, so there were 23 altogether.

Oh, but we laughed and shared wonderful memories, looked at our old school pictures. We girls could have stayed for hours and talked and laughed.

And would you believe my camera was on the blink?! Of all times! But my sister-in-law took a picture of all of us, so when I get it, I will post it! :-)
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Jaylon and I took our morning walk yesterday and he was so taken by the daisies along the road.....




So, I picked a couple for him, he looked for the horses in the neighboring pasture and then we headed for home, daisies in hand. :-)



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There is a local greenhouse that Ed and I just love. The family is just wonderful and we look forward to seeing them each spring. They have the greenhouse at their home but sell the flowers/plants yearly at a stand they have along Rt. 33. Their flowers, hanging baskets and vegetable bedding plants are a cut above.

Well, this year they have awesome tomato plants. One in particular is called Husky Reds, which doesn't get very big, though the stems are thick and strong, is planted in a big pot and already has tomatoes on it. Ed and I bought one and are anxiously awaiting the first ripe tomatoes!




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Below is a beautiful pot of flowers that I purchased at the world's largest retailer. :-) I usually assemble my own, but this one was sooo lovely, I couldn't resist.
Now, I've never had much luck with petunias. I know....go figure....who can't grow petunias? Uh, that would be me. :-/

BUT I am endeavoring to keep them "dead-headed", watered sufficiently, and "sunshined" adequately, so we'll see if I manage to kill them off they survive.

The economy is sooo bad that....

I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

I ordered a burger at McDonald's and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

If the bank returns your check marked "Insufficient Funds," you call them and ask if they meant you or them.

Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.

McDonald's is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.

A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico .

Dick Cheney took his stockbroker hunting.

Motel Six won't leave the light on anymore.

The Mafia is laying off judges.

Exxon-Mobil laid off 25 Congressmen..

Congress says they are looking into this Bernard Madoff scandal. Oh Great!! The guy who made $50 Billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!

AND, FINALLY.......

I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called the Suicide Lifeline. I got a call center in Pakistan and when I told them I was suicidal they got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

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The United States Border Patrol is asking citizens to keep on the lookout

for a red 1951 Chevy that they suspect is being used to smuggle

illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico

and into points along the U.S. Border.



If you see the vehicle pictured below

and have reason to believe that it is

the suspect vehicle,

you are urged to contact your

local police department

or

the U. S. Border Patrol.

I Love Your Blog

Nel at Fasteneau Facts blessed me with the above award! Thanks so much, Nel! You are a sweetheart!
I have made so many wonderful friends through blogging and, many times, it IS my social life. :-)
I first started blogging when I began having health problems and became pretty bound to the home here. Then I began taking care of little Jaylon as I was recovering from back-to-back hip replacement surgeries, so the internet helped me to stay in touch with other human beings then, too. :-)
People who do not use the computer or internet have some difficulty sometimes trying to understand how you could possibly have friends "through a computer" but it is indeed possible! :-)
Anywayyyyy......thank you again, Nel! And I do count you as a dear blogging friend!!! ((HUG))
Oh, okay....now I am supposed to list 10 things that I loooooove!
*disclaimer: My "loves" are listed in random order, k?*
I felt the need to explain this after my niece Bethany questioned me about loving Pizza Crossing Pizza more than little Jaylon! LOL Oh, but they DO have the BEST pizza!!!! ;-)

1. Oh, the Lord has to first! He has been so faithful to me!
2. My home and where we live.
3. My dear husband who has loved me for better/for worse, in sickness and in health, for more and for less...LOL...that last one is my own creation. :-)
4. Pizza Crossing Pizza
5. My little grandson Jaylon Daniel
6. Daniel and Erin
7. The salad at Olive Garden
8. Doritos
9. Sitting on my back/front porch in the morning with a delicious cup of coffee as I enjoy the freshness of the morning.
10. Enjoying a really good book!!

Now, I am to tag 10 blogs that I love. That shouldn't be too difficult because that is about all that I have the time to keep up with.....wait! I'm going to list 12! Don't you just love that I'm changin' the rules? :-0 Okay...... so here goes, in no particular order!

1. Barbara at Stray Thoughts

2. Stephani at A Defined Life

3. Mr. and Mrs. Nurseboy at Poop on Jelly

4. Angie at Angie's Ad Lib

5. Chantell at Where U Can Find Me

6. Theresa at My World and Welcome To It

7. Liz at Lemonade Living

8. Mary at Life In A Small Town

9. Sir at Up on His Hind Legs

10. Becky at What the Muffin

11. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond

12. Don at Take Two

Up and running....again!

My wonderful husband installed all new phone lines, outside the house and inside, so my internet connection is once again good and my speed is very good, for dial-up. I was really having some difficulties even staying connected, but no longer, thank goodness!! :-) That is why I have not been blogging much. BUT, here I am now!
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This past weekend, we went to Ed's 50th class reunion on Friday evening. It was in Corning, Ohio at the American Legion Hall. A former classmate of Ed's organized this gathering and we enjoyed a wonderful meal and meeting many of Ed's classmates. Ed had not seen any of them since graduation! It was so funny to see them greet eachother and not recognize each other!

There was a poster of their graduation pictures on the wall and you could see a resemblance in their "then" and "now".

Then, on Saturday evening, we went to the Corning Alumni Banquet where the 50th Class was recognized and honored.
Again, we enjoyed a very nice meal, visiting and all. A ladies' Barbershop singing group "One Voice", sang a selection of older songs and a band was going to play after the banquet and there was going to be dancing for those who wanted to stay and join in.
Below is the sign as we entered Corning and you can tell by the road that it is in the hills! That is the main road into Corning. :-)

This is Corning High School and the banquet was held here in the old gym which is on the far left, but not pictured here. It was decorated so nicely but it was sooo hot inside. Actually, it wasn't too bad when we first arrived but there were over two-hundred in attendance and after the meal it started getting really close and stuffy. I had to step outside a couple of times but it was hot and humid out there, so finding a bit of relief was a little difficult. Inside the gym, there were like three or four regular size oscillating fans running but they could hardly help in such a crowd.
By the time we left, we couldn't wait to get into the car and start the AC! :-)

Next is a picture of Ed standing beside the sign welcoming us to the class reunion! Isn't he a cutie?!?! :-) Everyone kept asking him how he was staying so young-looking and healthy! Can you believe he is 67, soon to be 68? :-)

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Before going to Ed's Alumni Banquet Saturday evening, we stopped by the Bowen House in downtown Logan, to celebrate with Josh Caldwell, who graduated from Ohio Northern University this year!!! Josh was in the youth group when we were the leaders. Josh is a sweetheart, a fine young man and I know he has a wonderful future ahead!


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Now you didn't think I would post without mentioning "the boy", did you?!?!? :-)
Jaylon loves to swing with grandma! :-) In the porch swing, that is! Well, and we do dance once in awhile, too! :-) The swing looks a little worse for wear, but I'm hoping to paint it white in my spare time, sometime. *sigh* :-/

Oh, and he is learning how to climb, too, as evidenced below. :-) Thankfully, grandpa has a safety latch on the gate which is supposed to be child-proof. We'll see.! :-)

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And lastly, below are a few pictures that I took of our yard and plants. Ed has everything looking so nice around here and he's managed to do so midst some rainy, stormy weather. It's so nice to sit out on the front or back porch in the early morning or evening and enjoy the peacefulness and beauty, listening to the birds and sounds of nature around us.






It sounds like you've all enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend last week and here it is the weekend again already!! Take time to just sit and enjoy the beauty around you.