Halloween Decorations

My sister Pam decorated her house for Halloween.  Halloween is one of her favorite holidays and she has some really great decorations.  Most of them she has purchased but some were gifts from her neighbors.  Her neighborhood does this "Ghosting" thing every Halloween season.  Someone will ghost a house (gifts such as a decoration, baked goods, candy, etc will be left at a house and a ghost gets placed on their door.  When the recipient gets the gift then they go "ghost" another neighbor.  I like the idea and wish I started that when we lived in Florida.  Anyway, Pam really wanted to decorate for Halloween before they go on vacation so she spent the last two afternoons decorating.  Brian put the lights up on the house.  Everything looks so good.  Great job Pam and Brian.

Remembering Mom!

On Sunday Craig and Karyn hosted a gathering to remember our Mom.  Friends in the area were invited and it was a nice way to just celebrate my Mom right now.  Our big Memorial service for our Mom will be next summer in Lake Geneva, WI where we had a summer cottage when we were growing up.    My Mom talked a lot about the cottage and Lake Geneva the few weeks before she passed away so we all decided that would be the place to put her ashes.  A Wisconsin girl goes back home.
The gathering was very nice with about 30 people attending.  My brother Craig created a beautiful slide show that he played on his TV through out the house.  My sister Pam and I made some food along with my sister in law Karyn and friend Dori.  Almost everyone who attended brought food so there was plenty to eat.  We displayed my Mom's Dollhouse she built with me along with several pictures of her and a bottle of Crown Royal.  Mom loved to have a cocktail or two at night.
My brother toasted her and several family and friends reminiscent about her.  We played some of her recordings then finished with the song "Gloria" that Craig wrote about Mom.  It was a great way to remember Mom and it allowed some closure for Craig, Karyn, Pam, Brian and me.  Mom would of loved the whole thing and we know she was there in spirit!  Love you Mom!

Happy Birthday Shadow!

Today is my dog Shadow's Birthday!  Happy Birthday Shadow!  He is the best dog in the world in my opinion and I hope he has a good birthday.  I wish I was home to help celebrate but I know Tim will do something special for him today.  Shadow had a rough beginning as he was found when he was about 6 weeks old behind a Walmart on a cold rainy night.  He was taken in by one of my employees who cleaned him up but could not keep him due to the fact that they had a couple of dogs already and a new baby.  I am not sure how Shadow got into Carrie's hands but for my 50th birthday Carrie gave Shadow to me.  He was a mess covered in fleas and had the mange but once we got him cleaned up and after a couple of vet visits he became the best dog we have ever had.  Shadow got his name because even though he was given to me he really loved Tim and followed him everywhere hence the name Shadow.  Tim trained Shadow really well and we knew he was a smart dog because he learned very quickly.  He loves to travel and he has been the best companion during our travels in the RV.  He was always ready for a new adventure and has enjoyed traveling.  Shadow is a Flat Coated Retriever, looks like a black Golden Retriever, and is a people dog.  He is needs to be with people and is one of the friendliest dogs around.  Happy 6th Birthday to my sweet boy!  We love you Shadow!

The SAS Was A Success

The second day of Pam's SAS was a success and the cards were a hit.  We had a smaller group then we usually do which was nice for a change since most of the time, during Pam's SAS, it is pretty full and busy.  There were extra door prizes so everyone went home with extra goodies.  When the last lady left Pam and I got busy cleaning up and putting everything away.  What took three days to set up took one hour to take down and be put away.  Thanks Pam, you did another great job!

Seting Up For The SAS

This week Pam and I have been busy getting ready for her September SAS (Stamp And Stack).  I know it is October but the SAS had to be postponed due to my Mom's illness and death.  We decided to go ahead with the SAS because my Mom loved them and this one was in honor of my Mom.  We had 14 stampers last night and it was not as busy as it usually is but when it had to be postponed twice we were happy with the turn out.  We have another session today and even though there is only going to be 10 ladies in attendance (there is usually 20 - 25) it will be fun anyway.  I got to participate in it and managed to make all the cards and the Make and Take.  The ladies that attended made 10 cards and a make and take.  Everyone wins a door prize and this time there were some extra "gifts".  All of the ladies were so gracious as to give their condolences about my Mom.  Pam has some wonderful friends and I am lucky enough to know them too.  Nice job Pam!  Let's do it again!

Shopping And A Shower Door

I forgot how much fun it is to just go shopping when there are so many stores available and all in close proximity.  After dropping off Pam at her office I headed over to Target.  I picked up some shorts and a top (on clearance) and a Christmas present for Rory.  I then headed over to Jo-Ann's to get some Cross Stitch floss and an item for my sister.  I then headed over to Michaels to pick up a few more things for Pam.  After Michaels I headed over to Party City to pick up some glasses for my sister in law.  Then it was on to Best Buy and Walmart.  The best part about visiting all these stores is that they are all in a five mile radius.  In some cases they were right next door to each other.  It was a very successful shopping trip and I got every thing I needed to get.
While I was shopping back at the farm it was the third day of rain straight and cool outside.  George did decide to fight the rain and began building a door for the outside shower.  The door is looking good so far.  Tim is weather watching there is a Hurricane in the Atlantic and right now it is headed for his area of the country.  So, the rain and will just might continue. 

The Outdoor Shower Is Done - Almost!

The outdoor shower is almost done.  All it needs is a door.  The outdoor shower is to be used for washing off after mowing, harvesting or other things that might happen on the farm.  It will also be used to wash the dog, Roxie and maybe even Shadow.  George has planned on this shower since he roughed it out last year so having it almost done has got to be a good feeling.  Now there is one less project to be completed on the farm which is good because Tim and George started looking at the hot tub that George put in last year.  He has had it looked at a couple of times but sometime over the past few months it began to leak in areas that were not expected.  Good luck guys!