Here We Go

Federal employees received notice today about their impending unpaid vacation. 

Will they put on another band aid for the third year in a row?  We wouldn't want to tax the sensibilities of our politicians by making them pass a budget, even though it should be a job description requirement or else they don't get paid.

Plan Everything, Do Nothing

I have planned for several projects to undertake and have burned myself out before even starting.  Ever happen to you?  This is even more true if the savings between buying something and making it myself are marginal.

I cleaned out the container garden the other day and put the pots away.  I still have some pepper plants waiting for cooler weather to produce, but the container garden was a bust.   I find it a little depressing to become more of a consumer but you never know what the future will bring.

We received a visit from Rocky, the other night.  No, not Rocky from Big Food, Big Garden, Big Life, Rocky nor his cohorts would connive to make a trip that long just to eat dog food.  This Rocky would:

It is a rare occasion that my dogs would leave dog food in the bowl but Rocky was waiting to clean up after he thought (and normally) would be in bed. 
 

63,728 Miles Traveled Through The Mail

On my old blog, I posted about pen pals and using the postal system more.  While looking around at pen pal sites I came across www.postcrossing.com.   This is great for people who do not want to be tied down by a pen pal but still would like to receive mail and see the world.  Since I joined three months ago, I have been receiving nice post cards.  Fair warning though you have to use international stamps.  I send out between 5-8 a month and they only let you send out so many at a time.   The family has enjoyed seeing the postcards that come in.  Here are two of my favorites from Russia:

I have sent postcards to retired people, college students, children and everyone in between and have received some nice thoughtful ones.  Some people jot a quick note and fill up the postage with many different low currency postage stamps which is also neat!

If you are looking to receive real mail other than bills and junk mail but don't want the commitment of writing long letters or keeping up a pen pal you might want to check out www.postcrossing.com.



 

Settled for Thrifting and Please Send Rain

Not too long ago my husband was talking about a typewriter (which hopefully still resides at my Mil's house) that types in script.  This automatically induced a huge fit of nostalgia and I decided I wanted a regular manual typewriter, pica preferably but would gladly scoop up an elite font (bringing back any memories yet?).    As I browsed the Internet and drooled over 1930's and above typewriters my son glanced over my shoulder and asked "What the heck do you do with that?".    Off I went to look local.  I  hit the Goodwill stores and other thrift stores.  Nada.  I thought someone has to have one that still works for a not insane price somewhere.  So I hit free cycle, craigslist and the multitudes of local swap, barter and trade boards on the Internet....zilch.  A couple of calls to over priced antique stores didn't turn up anything either but I was offered a couple of electric models.  All the while I am kicking myself for not hanging on to the typewriters that have been in my family.  The hunt is still on!
While looking at books I don't need I picked up a few.  Here are a couple:

The Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen.  I don't know how I didn't already have this one and Sarah Ban Breathnach's Mrs. Sharp's Traditions, Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations of Comfort & Joy.  Both look promising. 

We have a new resident that lives out back, he comes and goes as he likes, I really do hope it is a he.  He also does not like to have his picture taken and hangs out in the darkest areas of the yard when I am around, so I just aimed,  clicked and I finally caught him, he blends, can you make him out?

Maybe this one is easier:

Now you can see why I hope it is a he. 

Oh yeah, please send rain!

 

Ready for Fall Weather

I know I have a couple of months before we have fall weather, but I am ready.  School has been in full swing for over a month now and there have been all sorts of fundraisers, parent meetings, and whatever else.  Furlough was cut short by six weeks with an ominous side note as to how much expenses will be next fiscal year if we do not have a budget set in place. 
It was a wonderful day to find Vladimir Putin giving advice on democracy,  and the President at a meeting with cabinet members actually said that they had to return to figuring out a budget and something to the effect of improving customer satisfaction.  Comparing Americans to customers doesn't make a lot of sense to me.  Can we shop somewhere else??  I guess if we wanted to be Ex-pats we could. 


I am still crocheting away and here is my new favorite hat:

 

 

 

This uses a self patterning sock yarn.  I am working on scarves and hats for the homeless at the moment.  I sent the shawl off to my pen pal and now she is having warm weather.  I also have to start on blankets for the winter.   Hope all is well!

 

 

Never Forget

Budweiser aired this once as a tribute.