Happy Friday, everyone!

Well, today the old oak trees along our driveway are showing a few batches of ORANGE leaves and, although I LOVE the FALL, I hate the thought of the cold stuff coming. I've been staying close to home this week..serious insomnia...Wednesday night, I went to bed at midnight and did not fall asleep until 10 am Thursday morning...this sure screws up my days and really affects my productivity.

I have been working hard at my illustrations and doing paperwork and negotiations for our BPW 2017 conference, recording everything in my "Master" Binder. I created the programmes schedule for our sorority's season, adjusted it a bit and now that is completed. I have another garbage bag filled with crocheted shawls, lap blankets, infinity scarves...about 15 pieces now, to donate and  am also studying ...taking an online course from the University of Australia on Dementia, to improve the effects of my artwork colouring book for seniors. That certificate, along with my certification as a lifepath coach, and my article about the plasticity of the brain, will hopefully assist me in marketing my work for the senior-care industry. If it helps ONE person reconnect with loved ones, I will be happy.

Jennifer (Danny's girlfriend), now has a part time job but the hours are usually over dinner time. So I plan to drive up there once a week and show the girls (11 and14) some easy & nutritious recipes to make for their supper and for Dan & Jen when THEY get home.

I had my "mammo" last week and see my Oncologist next week...almost five years on meds for stage 2 breast cancer (second time...different side)...I can hardly wait til I am told "no more medication!".

Breakfast at 4 pm...hot protein drink

Snack: 1/2 apple

Lunch: 1/2 cup of chicken soup & 1/2 apple

Dinner: baked beans

Bedtime Snack:  likely 1/2 hot soup

I have never recovered any appetite since my RnY and must make a point of eating on a schedule. Whodda EVER thought that I would find myself NOT hungry and feeling like "oh darn, I'd better eat something"....lolol...ain't life grand?

picture of the poncho? 

My day is going great. I am peeling potatoes and getting ready to can them so I can open a jar of potatoes and make soup in a moments notice.  I may decide against ever canning potatoes again but maybe it will be good. 

I made my daughter a beautiful poncho. She and my son in law live on our little farm. They raise cows and pigs and other animals for food and for selling. They also cut hay for other farmers and they bail it...they work hard. Even in the cold winter, they go out and feed their cattle and also they feed the cattle on one of the largest ranches in AR so they work hard.  She often throws on an old jacket but I know it is bulky and hard for her to work in so she is often taking it off and then she gets chilled. I made a really nice poncho for one of her sons so he could wear it while deer hunting...it's real manly and she loved it and she wears it when he isn't using it at the deer stand. So, I made her one. I used heavy denim and lined it with a light fleece. I thought it was going to be too heavy but it isn't heavy at all.  I decided to put a hood on it too so after I made it, I had to go back and take the neck part out and play with a design until I got the perfect hoodie and it's perfect. I hope I remember how I did it so I can make me one. LOL.   Now all my sewing is done and I can put the sewing machine up until we get moved and get my craft room set up. Yeah.

Today, I am canning those potatoes and fighting with my cat. I swear, two of my *****es sleep all day and never bother me but one complains all day long. She meows and nips at me and I know she isn't hungry, her litter box is clean, and she has water. I think she just wants me to hold her all day and I am not doing it.  She finally fell asleep so when I got up, I was so quiet because I didn't want to wake her up...that's messed up to be so controlled by my animals but I do love her and wouldn't trade her in for three that make no sounds. 

B: 1 fried in pam egg

L: Cottage cheese and fruit

D: Shrimp and some vegetable...I know not yet

Snacks: cucumbers and celery

So sorry you are having a hard time Yvonne. I have been there too and it is a hard place... Sending you a hug.

Julia

Jen,

The apples in AR have been very fruitful.  I finally finished with the jelly and am so damn happy.  I made jelly with sugar for my daughter and her kids and for DH and me, I made very low sugar jelly. I was afraid the low sugar content would prevent the jelly from setting but the juice I used for our jelly came only from the peels and cores and my grandmother always said if you put an apple peeling or two and a core in any of your fruit you are making juice from, it will set with a little heat.  She was right on that one.  I figured that our jelly has less than 10 calories per two tablespoons. I'm going to recheck it.  

Girl, I have made more apple butter and apple sauce than I care to think about.  Last week, my BFF called and said she had a field of pumpkins that I could have all I want so my daughter and her husband went over and picked up a truck full of very large pumpkins.  I am not looking too forward to canning those puppies but we love pumpkin to eat and to bake with.  My daughter has sweet potatoes too and she wants me to make dog treats out of some of those...I've never done that but will give it a try. 

My grandson texted me this morning and told me to make sure to get my heavy coats out. He and his grandfather were scouting out the deer woods and something about a squirrel with an extra growth of fur...never heard that one but it's suppose to be a prediction of an icy winter.