Birthday Gift

Yeah, this morning I just completed my birthday gift to myself. I just made my reservations to go home to PA for a visit with my family there. Northwest had a special for fall travel, if I used 20,000 of my 23,000 world perk miles that I have, I could go home for $149.00. That is a good price, usually I have to pay at least $350.00. There was only one time that I went home for under $300 in the last 10 or 20 years! Now, when they say $149, you know the price they tell you is never the bottom line, they always have the disclaimer about taxes! So, of course, it cost me over $40 worth of "taxes and fees"...but oh well, traveling to PA for less than $200 is still a bargain, that is a bargain, if I don't count that I've used 20,000 of my miles. One more full fare trip would have given me a free ticket. But, I know how hard it is sometimes to redeem the "free ticket", so I decided I'd just use the miles now. At first, I thought it was the "perfect" deal because I thought I could purchase TWO tickets with those 20,000 miles, but then found out that I couldn't. When I found that out, I realized it wasn't the "perfect" deal...but oh well, it is better than paying $458.00 which is what the full fare is going for right now.

By the way, I will be traveling east in November, AND I'm staying for a full week!

Best birthday gift I could get. I can't wait to see everyone!

Significant Birthday

What a beautiful weekend! Sunny, and middle 70’s, yesterday and today! I wrote earlier today that I needed to go outdoors while it is so nice. I did go out and sat on the deck for a while, then sat on my neighbor’s deck, visiting her and another neighbor. We don’t very often get to visit, and we should do it more often, because Ruth and Joe will soon be leaving for their winter in Florida, November 1st. The three of us took a walk, not a long one, but it was a walk!

It’s the first day of fall today. 60 years ago today, my Grandma Ebersole used to always tell me that my Dad was in the field harvesting when she walked to the field and told him that he had just become the Father of a baby girl. (He was too busy in the fields to take time to go to the hospital and wait around while Mom was in labor!). I was not only the first born to my Mother and Dad, but I was also the first born Grandchild on my Dad’s side of the family. (On Mom’s side, I was way down the line). So, Grandma always told me how “special” I was. I’m glad she did, because all during my growing up years, and school years, I never felt special at school or even at home. However, I did feel special when I was around my Grandparents and my Aunts and Uncles. They always made me feel so special, and if not for the affirmation I always got from them all my life, I probably would have not had any self esteem. I’m so grateful for the love my family has always shown me. If you have love from your family, and know that God loves you, then it doesn’t really matter if anyone else loves you. Of course, I’m even more blessed, because not only do I have the love of my family, but I have so many friends, who I know also love me and because of all the love I feel around me, I’m truly a blessed person!

I called my brother this afternoon, as he shares my birthday. Do any of you readers have the same birthday as a sibling? He’s not a twin, just happens to have the same birth date, different year. He wasn’t home, so I sang happy birthday to him on the telephone.

My “baby” sister (45) called me to wish me Happy Birthday, and so did my out of town son. Last week I called another brother, Tim, whose birthday is on the 18th, he’s the first of the three siblings that were born when I was a teen. I can’t believe that he turned 48! Gosh, I changed his diapers! I just can’t imagine that the three youngest in our family are all in their 40’s already, but then, I can’t believe that I’m 60 either!

It’s been a great Birthday weekend.

Surprise

The first time ever…. My husband purchased a decorated birthday cake for me, from my favorite bakery, and it even said “Happy 60th, Linda”!! It was on the table when I arrived home, along with a beautiful card (he NEVER forgets my birthday and always has a great card for me). But, this is the first for cake. He invited Scott and Sara and our best friends Sharon and Jerry over for birthday cake in the evening. Scott got called out to work in the cities, and ended up driving down there about the same time I was driving home, and Sara worked… so it was just the oldest son, my husband and Sharon and Jerry. But we had a great time.

He invited them for last night, instead of today…. Why you ask…when today is my birthday…well, today the Vikings Football game is on TV and then there will be golf. But, hey, I’m thankful for the cake and the celebration last evening. I also was greeted upon my return home with birthday cards from the mail.

Now, I’ve written enough…the weather is just too beautiful to be inside. I must get out and enjoy this beautiful day. After church, before coming home, I did go to the Rose Garden for a walk among the roses. But, feel the urge to go outside again. These days will be few in the coming months, so I’d better enjoy it.

Birthday Weekend

I spent Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday morning in Hudson with Dawn and Family. (read posts below) It was great. Skylar, our Grandson, came home early that evening because he knew Grandma was there, that was so sweet. What was even better was that he visited with his Mom and me from 9:30 to almost 1 am. We kept saying we needed to get to bed, but we were having such a great visit, and a good time that we just hated to head upstairs. Couldn’t believe that the time flew that fast, and before we knew it, it was 1 am!

The time there was good, with Skylar, with Dawn and a dinner out to our favorite Italian Restaurant (birthday treat for me), and even a delicious special birthday cake that seemed more like the kind they serve at weddings, Dawn said it had to be “special” because mine was a “special” birthday .. .. the BIG 60. Now, when I was growing up, anyone that was 60 or more, was OLD… OLD…OLD… and now, here I am, 60…does that mean I’m OLD… well, I don’t think so. I don’t think age 60 is what age 60 was 40 years ago!!! (At least, that is the new saying that us baby boomers have!)

Yesterday morning Madelyn (Granddaughter) and I went to breakfast together. Then she, Dawn and I went to an orchard in Hastings and bought apples. I drove back to Duluth in the afternoon. It was a beautiful drive, the weather much better on the trip home. 70’s and sunny! The leaves south of us seem to have turned colors faster than ours here, the leaves were beautiful on the drive home.

Rain, Tornado Warnings, Stormy Weather

It was quite fortunate that the “All Staff work meeting” was held on the same weekend as my birthday. It allowed me to go to our daughter Dawn's home in Hudson on Thursday evening and spend two days and one evening with them.

The drive started off pretty scary on Thursday. The weather was terrible driving down I-35. Started with fog and high winds here in Duluth, then rain, then I was in the middle of a storm making it’s way through the middle of the state. It rained so hard, I considered pulling off the road, but then was afraid to do that, so I just continued to drive, trying to see through the rain, and hands glued to the wheel. As I passed Pine City the radio station weather news said a tornado was spotted heading toward Pine City. I kept driving! Rush City brought the end of the rain, however, heard that it was pushing its way to the metro area, and the closer I got, the more threatening it looked. Just as I turned off the exit to Hudson, the clouds opened and it poured, along with the tornado siren. I stopped at Target, so I could pick something up for the granddaughter, thinking also, I’d rather be inside than on the road if a tornado comes through. I asked the sales cashier what they do when the tornado siren goes off, she said “nothing”. I laughed. Then she said “well, that’s the warning siren, I guess if the siren came that one had been seen, there would be something we would do, I’m just not sure what!” So much for tornado preparedness in Wisconsin! By the time I finished at Target, the sirens had stopped, so I headed to Cove Lane.

Fun Day

Thursday after work, I drove to Hudson, WI to spend the evening with our daughter and her family. I needed to be in St. Paul on Friday for work. It was our “Annual All-Staff Celebration” of our Minnesota Region to celebrate the end of another fiscal year. It’s the time that the Regional Vice President takes to give recognition for a year of hard work by all of her regional staff. She and the planning committee want it to be a fun time for us. This year it was a sports theme, and we were all to dress in our favorite sports team’s clothing. We each drew a sports related eraser from a hat when we got there, and whatever your eraser was (soccer ball, football, basketball, baseball) that was the table we sat at. I drew the basketball table. We had a relay game to see which team could get through dressing up in hockey and football equipment the fastest. The most fun game was a game fashioned after “Jeopardy”. It was a game that revealed things about our Management Leaders that we didn’t know, with questions from categories such as “Fear Factor”, who’s afraid of snakes, “Dish it up”, favorite things they like to make & it revealed who doesn’t like to cook, “My hometown” revealed who grew up in the same neighborhood as Peanuts creator Schultz, and many other fun categories.

This meeting was held at St. Paul’s Como Park and Conservatory. It went from 11 to 2, so that everyone could tour the conservatory and park after, but it was over 80 degrees with humidity to match. It was so hot in the room we were in, that I don’t think anyone stayed. The room overlooked the pink flamingos, it was a beautiful view. If it had been like it is here in Duluth today, I would liked to have stayed and look around, as I have never been there. Always heard it was a nice place, and now it has wetted my appetite to go back to visit, but it will be during a cooler.

For what one of our staff members described as "Mandatory Fun", this was the most fun we had in quite a few years! The VP and Committee did a great job of planning it.

What a Relief!

Speaking of "health care" access (see post below) I feel extremely fortunate and blessed that my family has health care coverage through my place of employment. Yes, we have co/pays, but from a $6,000 clinic bill for a health issue last winter, to have to pay a bit over $500, we are happy to do so. And that was only the doctor's fee!

Hanging over our heads since my surgery in March was a $42,000 plus hospital bill that my insurance declined, even though it had been pre-authorized before my surgery. (and remember, I was only in the hospital overnight). The hospital insurance person that I worked with kept telling me it was in "appeals" and I shouldn't worry about it...of course I have worried about it. Especially when I got a call saying it was in "collections", I just about went through the roof...called the hospital again and was told "not to worry, that was a mistake because it is in appeals"... so finally, finally, I was so so THANKFUL when I opened a letter on Saturday that said "Appeal Resolution: Overturned". I jumped and shouted for joy. I mean, really, $43,000 would have bankrupted us! They say that most people file bankruptcy due to medical bills... I can see why! I was never so glad to see a piece of mail!

Now, a procedure that was done last October, still has a $1940 charge that is in appeals. Also, my two esophageal motility tests that had to be done in Nov. and Dec. have not been paid yet, still arguing with them over those. I will feel better when those amounts are paid ...but if they aren't ...somehow over time we can pay those amounts ..but NOT $43,000! I hope the motility tests get paid for, because I have to have another one done next week that's very similiar, it will be a 24-hr ph acid test. My surgeon from my procedure in March wants to be sure his "Anti-reflux" part of the surgery is working effectively. He said with my acalasia, I could have acid reflux and not be aware of it. I just dread having the test done, but don't want acid ruining my esophageaus either!

I just feel so sorry for, and feel compassion for those that do not have health care coverage, I don't know how, in this day and age, with the costs of health care, anyone can be without it.

Yes, health care is definitely an issue that must be dealt with. Everyone needs to have access to affordable health care!

Access to Care Campaign

CBS Evening News Features Society’s Access to Care Campaign

Last night, the American Cancer Society’s access to care campaign was featured in a news segment on CBS Evening News. The segment began with the statement, “The American Cancer Society says it’s not just cancer that’s killing Americans – it’s the lack of health insurance.”

In the piece, which told the story of an underinsured Stage IV throat cancer patient in Tampa, national chief executive officer Dr. John Seffrin stated, “We’re now seeing data that more than race, or ethnicity, or socio-economic status, it’s whether someone has insurance or not that determines whether they’re going to survive their cancer disease.”

The US Census Bureau estimates that 47 million Americans lack health insurance and millions more have inadequate coverage. As a result, too many people can’t afford preventive care or screening tests – and too many end up dying needlessly of cancers that are detected too late. Many more die or are impoverished because they can’t afford the cost of their cancer care. And so we can’t help but ask, is choosing between your life and financial ruin really a choice?

That’s the question we’re posing to the American public through our access to care campaign. The Society has a long history of educating the public about opportunities to improve cancer outcomes and of moving our country to action. We plan to educate Americans about the need for greater access to quality health care, to give them a forum in which to speak out about the issue, and to urge them to take action to ensure that improving our health care system remains a top priority for presidential candidates and all of our nation’s lawmakers.

Nationwide Advertising Campaign
One of the primary strategies of the access to care initiative is an integrated nationwide television, print, online and radio advertising campaign that will run through mid-November 2007. The objectives of the ads are to increase awareness of the issue, frame the dialogue through the "cancer lens" and drive individuals to ACS to learn how they can help.

The ads are nonpartisan and do not promote a specific health care reform plan such as mandatory insurance or single-payer government coverage. Rather, they tell the stories of real people, such as Kathy from Minnesota, who faced cancer with inadequate or no health insurance; unfortunately, it’s a story that’s too common in our country. Through the ads, we’re attempting to illustrate what’s wrong with the health care system and that opportunities exist to fix it.

The three television spots will run on major national networks including NBC, ABC, CNN, Fox News, CNBC, MSNBC and BET. The print ads will be published in national magazines including U.S News and World Report, Time, Reader’s Digest and Oprah, the Magazine. - The American Cancer Society

NOTE ALSO: this week the Duluth News Tribune had a front page article on the issue of health care access, not related to cancer. This issue faces everyone who "falls through the crack" with dealing with any kind of medical issue, be it cancer or another disease. (click the link on my site to the Duluth News Tribune if you'd like to read the article. )

Duluth Makes National News!

Last night Duluth made the NBC evening news. There was a report about Lake Superior, the “Greatest of the Great Lakes”, being affected because of our climate change. The report said that the water is 5 degrees warmer than it used to be, and the warmer water is not good for the lake. Also, Lake Superior, due to the last few years drought, is 2 feet below normal, and that this is causing problems for ships. The ships have to carry less because the water level is not up to what it should be, so this affects the shipping industry that we have here. The report showed photos of our waterfront and the lake and the city. Quite interesting, this climate change is affecting many things and many places.

Have you heard about the new documentary "The 11th Hour"? It is a Leonardo DiCaprio's film, about the impacts of global warming, icluding droughts, hurricanes and flooding of coastal areas. I haven't seen it, think it just came out.

Shipping & Railroads - Duluth's History

Speaking of shipping; I was at a funeral, earlier today. During the meal after the service, I visited with a gentleman who was a grain inspector and was a friend of and had worked with the man we had just memorialized. He told me he had to retire from the job when he was only in his 30’s, because he had been hurt on the job. He told me about grain inspecting of the grain that came in by rail. It was really interesting. I never knew what “grain inspectors” did before, or what it involved, it was not an easy job. After he healed from his injuries, he went into the ministry, and was a minister until his retirement.

This conversation brought the subject of trains up, and one of the men volunteers at the Railroad Depot to maintain and fix our trains that are used for the “Scenic Railroad”, one of our tourist attractions. A year ago, they brought a steam engine from WI, and they worked on it and this fall there are offering trips up the shore on it. He and the other men at the table were telling about the history of trains in Duluth. It was a big industry, trains bringing in grain and iron ore from the Northern part of our state “the Iron Range”. Railroads were also big for passenger transportation. My husband's Father worked for the one of the railroads. It was a big employer too. Bob talks about his Dad taking them on train excusions back and forth to Minneaplis, St. Paul, and also to and from Chicago. Their family could ride free because his Dad worked on the railraod. The men at our table were saying that at one time in our city’s history there were as many as 150 trains coming through our city on a daily basis. Wow! You learn something new everyday!

Dining - North Shore Scenic Railroad

AND…. Speaking of trains… a group of us from Hope UMC, are taking a train excursion up the shore tonight. It will be on the Dinner Car, and it will be an elegant meal, reminiscing the dining cars of railroad passenger trains of the past. We are looking forward to a fancy meal, in a fancy dining car and a scenic ride along Lake Superior. We thought we'd see colored leaves, but think it's a bit early, they haven't really turned color yet. (I’ll take photos and post them later). Some people were expressing that they would like to take this trip, so I put the trip together. The price is a bit steep, so our group will be small. However, as our pastor kept telling me, when I was concerned that no one would sign up for it due to the price, “But, Linda, you get this wonderful meal, AND you get the TRAIN RIDE TOO!!! Those of us that signed up for it, are looking forward to it. It will be fun. I was never on a train until after I was in my late 20’s! I will enjoy it.

Here's some information taken from The Scenic Railroad Website about scheduled train trips that are available this fall (The dining train dates weren't listed, so I'm guessing they are sold out).

In September we will be running our Fall Colors train to Two Harbors on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are required and the cost will be $25 for diesel runs and $30 a ticket plus a $3 Heritage Fund charge for steam. It's going to be a great season for fall colors this year because of the drought, an upside to the weather we've been having. The steam engine we're going to run is a 1923 ALCO and hasn't been operational for three years so this is going to be quite an event! Trains leave at 10:30AM and return at 4:00PM the same day.

Schedule of Steam Rides
September 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29
October 5 & 6
Call the Scenic Railroad for reservations and/or more information

Ness and Bell

The election results are in from our Duluth Primary for Mayor and City Council seats. The winners for Mayor are Charles Bell and Don Ness. They will be on the general election ballot in November, then we will see who the new leader of our city will be. The incumbent, our current Mayor came in 3rd place. I didn't write the results last night, because I'm still getting up extra early each day, which means I'm extra tired at night and have been falling asleep early! As soon as I heard the results last night, my head hit the pillow!

VOTE!

YOUR CIVIC DUTY:

Duluthians, don't forget to vote today. Polls are open until 8 pm. This is a very important primary election. The future of Duluth, our Mayor's office and 2 "At Large" Council seats, plus other council seats up for election. I voted at 7 am this morning.

Fall and the Primary - Both upon us in Duluth

This weekend there is no doubt that fall has arrived in Duluth. It’s been cool the last two days. On Thursday, we had 89 degrees and high humidity. The weatherman told us it would the last hot day we would see until spring! Today’s high is probably around 60.
So, fall is definitely here.

Along with fall in Duluth comes our primary. The primary is coming up on Tuesday. Duluth has a large number of candidates running for Mayor, along with the incumbent, who said he wasn’t running, but then threw his hat in the ring after all. There will be 11 on the ballot. That’s a lot of candidates! The top two will run against each other in November. Also, there are City Council Candidates running for open council seats, including two “At Large” seats to represent the whole city, also very important races.

I have been reading and studying up, to intelligently decide which candidates to vote for, which ones will be the best for our city. Our city is in some pretty dire straits these days, an unresolved health care issue for city retirees, the SMDC parking ramp issue, the raid on the fund that was to pay for our city streets getting back into good shape, all these things, plus more, causing BIG financial problems. It’s quite vital to our city for good leadership to address these issues. Our vote on Tuesday will mean more than ever, for the future of our city.

I want to encourage every voter to tune in to the our public access TV station and WDSE station to watch the “News Tribune Endorsement Interview process” that is televised quite often, and to the “Meet the Candidate” shows, where each candidate talks. Become informed. Both of these were on this afternoon, and I watched one them for the second time, in case I missed something the first time I saw it. I also read that only 54 % of the eligible voters in the city voted in our last election. That is really sad. Please, please get out on Tuesday and vote during this very important primary! And, if you are new to town, and you aren’t registered, you can register at the polls! Don’t wait until the general election, your choice for mayor might not make it through the primary to the general election if you don’t vote on Tuesday! Vote the Primary!

Wal-Mart - A Social Justice Issue

Today on public television I watched a documentary about Wal-Mart. It was quite eye- opening. I have read in the newspapers over the years about the lawsuits against Wal-Mart for various things. I decided a long time ago not to shop at Wal-Mart for justice reasons, for what I’ve heard about how they treat their employees, low wages, no/or very expensive health care, etc. This documentary just affirmed more what I’ve heard, and after today, I made the right decision about not shopping there. They interviewed past employees who told how it really is to be a “Wal-Mart Associate”. They told of the intimidation they get from their managers. There are more employees on welfare at these stores because of poor pay, the managers are actually told to inform their employees of what government services are out there for them. They interviewed Chinese workers in Wal-Mart factories that work day and night for little wages. The documentary showed the real truth behind those “Wal-Mart” ads on TV that try to make them look good. The corporation is facing lawsuits in 31 states over discrimination of women, over wages not being paid for overtime (being forced to work off the clock), and for hiring illegal immigrants. It also told of the state subsidies that the corporation receives from states and cities, that takes away from their schools and small businesses. The small businesses in these communities don’t receive subsidies, they are driven out of business, downtowns become empty.

Wal-Mart does everything they can do to keep unions out. 240 billion in sales, but no livable wage and health care for their employees. This is a social justice issue!

Yep, you won’t see me at the Wal-Mart in our area anytime soon!

After the documentary, it told about a documentary film that came out in November 2005, (I had never heard of it) called “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price”. A film sensation that's changing the largest company on earth. The film features the deeply personal stories and everyday lives of families and communities struggling to survive in a Wal-Mart world. It's an emotional journey that will challenge the way you think, feel... and shop. (I’m wondering if it’s what I had just seen.) They gave the website: www.walmartmovie.com to refer to.

They said on the web site that it was released simultaneously in theaters and DVD in November 2005, the film has been seen by millions worldwide. Families, churches, schools, and small busineses owners have screened the film over 10,000 times and the world is taking notice. See the film, share it, and become part of the movement forcing companies to act responsibly.

21 Days Makes a Habit... so they say

It looks like we finally got some rain. It's real foggy this morning. We need the rain. Maybe it will be a rainy day. One thing is for sure, each morning looks more like fall. I guess fall is upon us, our summer is gone.

I was out of bed early the last two mornings. I'm trying to get into a discipline of getting up earlier in the mornings. I've decided to try it for 21 days in a row...they say it takes 21 days to make a habit. I am a sleeper, I like my sleep and it's hard for me in the mornings to get out of bed. However, I also like to putz around in the morning before going to work, and on the mornings I oversleep, I can't do that. It would be a big benefit to me in many ways if I could get into the habit of being awake for 1 or two hours before going to work. On the days that I do that, I really like the way my day goes, but in the past, I've never been able to be consistent. So, I'm going to work on being consistent. It won't be easy, discipline does not come naturally to me (as it does to some people). But, I'm going to give it a real try!

How Many Photos???

How many photos do you have laying around various places in your home, or all put away in boxes, or bins or bags in your spare room, or attic or your bedroom? How many years worth? Or are you one of those tidy, organized persons that puts them away in order in books, within in a week of them getting developed? Are there a lot of you out there that are neat like that, or are there more of you out there like me, with 3 - 10 - 20 or 40 years worth of photos that need to be organized or put in some semblance of order. How many of you dream of making photo books to to give to your children when they are grown, have you done it yet...or are your children 25, 28 and 37, and you're still trying to find the time to put them "together" or at least in "some sort of " order? Confess now, which one are you? Let me know, please comment and let me know that I'm not the only one with bins full of photos sitting in a spare room just "waiting for organization". Make me feel better, I'm sure I must not be alone!

The project I talked about in my post above is "PHOTOS". I have been talking about organizing my photos for the last 3 winters....was to be my "winter project"...what a laugh... do you think I might make it happen in '08? Well this weekend, I have made a valiant attempt at starting ...

I feel really compelled to get them in some sort of order, I'd like to then narrow them down and put them onto discs, maybe even onto DVD's or something like that. I would like to make either books or discs for each of the children and grandchildren. I am very nostalgic, and I love photos, I love to remember things and look back on old photos. But, I realize that not everyone in my family is like I am, so I am really afraid that IF something happened to me before I accomplished this project, that the pictures would all get thrown out...(even though I have warned family members that they better not do that)... I know it's a possiblity. That's why I feel COMPELLED to accomplish this project! And, the first step to accomplishing, is to get a START!

So - I spent a lot of time this weekend sorting through photographs, and organizing them. Of course, I haven't begun to make a dent... I mainly got through just the ones I had downstairs from the last few years. I have blue Rubbermaid storage bins full, upstairs to organize! But, at least it's a start. I spent most of today doing that. The last time I really organized pictures was when I was pregant with Rob (28 now)!! So, you can see, I have a BIG project ahead of me. Two years ago over the Christmas break, our Grandson was visiting, and he was going to help me ... we took tons of photos out, and started sorting, well guess what happened... we spent so much time looking at them, especially the old ones that he had never seen, he enjoyed asking me about them all...that we never made much progress. Later that winter, when I didn't get back to the project, they all got shoved back into the bins and stored away again! My friend told me that I should forget trying to do it now, she said "Linda, this is a retirement project"! Well, Sharon, retirement is a long way off for me, and I keep taking photos, and they keep piling up! So, I keep saying I must get to this NOW! I simply must! So, this was a start. Now, if I can just keep at it!

Don't Labor....

I know, you haven't heard from me in four days. Well, I think the idea of Labor Day weekend is not to labor, and I must confess I labored some, but it was at home, in my own time, and I had equal time of relaxing. I didn't feel like being on the computer. I wanted to connect with my PA family by telephone, however, I struck out with everyone I called. No one was home! I guess they were all away. One of my friends called a little bit ago and told me that they went to the cities to visit their son, then they went to the State Fair. She said that the fair is expensive and figures they spent over $200.00! Umm...I guess that's why we don't go to the State Fair! I would have liked to visit Dawn and family in Hudson, as they were going to take their boat out on the St. Croix River, but my Bob wasn't interested in boating, (he'd rather golf) and Rob worked, and I didn't want to drive down by myself with the holiday traffic.

So...we had no plans. I went to the grocery store on Sat., otherwise I have been home all weekend. Of course, Bob golfed each day, and Rob worked this weekend, so I had the house to myself a lot of the time. It's been nice. I sat outside on the deck yesterday afternoon and read a book. We've had great weather... perfect weather...up till 3:00 this afternoon when the clouds rolled in. It's still nice, just cloudier and damper. I had planned to do extra jobs around the house that I don't have time for otherwise, and I did get some things done, such as straigtening the basement, cleaning a few corners and bringing up the fall things I decorate with. I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, I didn't do any cooking or baking, which I thought I would do, and I didn't get summer clothes put away, etc. But, I did accomplish something extra that makes me feel good. I started working on a project that I've wanted to start work on for a very long time now...read my post below to see what I spent a lot of time working on this weekend:

(Well, you've already read it above... I keep thinking I have it figured how to place two different posts in the order I want them to be in, but again, it didn't work...so you've read the second one of tonight's post first)