My niece, Beckah , stopped by yesterday on her way to moving back to CA and we went out in the back yard to see what we could find in the garden.  Previously, I'd been sending Naomi out and she'd bring in a few things at a time...but apparently she thought the orange tomatoes weren't ripe yet!  Nope....that's their color when they are ripe....and they are sweeter than the orange ones!!  We collected a massive bowl full of goodies...and one wee strawberry!  We pigged out...and sent a bag to her sister Rachel and to her fiance, Jason.   I wonder if Rachel got any?  Hmmm??? Beckah???  heheh....

I love September in Oregon...I think it's the best weather ever.  If I had my way, the kids wouldn't get out of school until the end of June and not start school until October. 

Outside of the garden, the yard is a bit scary and needing tending to. Sadly J and I both really are not yardwork people...and it doesn't get done regularly.  But today I'm thinking the front needs some attention...so I'll likely trim up the bushes, put down some fresh mulch on the porchside bed and plant the daffodil bulbs and top it with Vinca as a ground cover.  It's a good day for it....cool now..and warm as the day moves on! 

Well...I guess I should stop talking about what I'm gonna do and go do it!

Happy Saturday!

I was so happy to have a week with my beloved....it was sweet!  By the end of the week I was pining for my girlies and couldn't wait to give em big hugs and smell their hair!  (you know what I mean!) 

Naomi's got acting classes this week!  She went to the first one today and really enjoyed it.  While she did that, Mary and I had a 'date'.  Very cool bonding time...   Tomorrow while N's at class we're going to the Aveda School for haircuts!  (P.S. mama's out there.....great place to get girlyfied on a budget!)

Soooo....I'd been gone most of the day, picked up some chicken to do a stirfry, and when I got home James had already got the rice on and chopped all the veg!  What a guy....  He rocks!

The neighbor just came over and gave us 4 comp. tickets to the Ringling Bros. Circus!  Sweet!  We've never been to a circus before!  Woot!

I'm picking up my mom Wed morning and she's staying until Thurs afternoon.  I've been playing telephone tag with her doc and her social worker.  She's stable....we're just waiting for the go ahead on moving her out of the hospital and into her own place.  I still wouldn't mind her being here, but the doc and the soc. both didn't recommend it. (and...I do agree...it's not the best solution long term).

I just don't want her to be where she's at any longer.  We're going on 7 months of being in the hospital....for me that's been weekly trips to Salem (an hour each way plus the visiting time).  She's used up her LIFETIME alotment on Medicare for psych. in hospital stay.  I'm trying not to cringe each time I see a bill....but I know God's in control of all  that green paper.  When it's gone....Medicaid will kick in.  In the meantime, just focusing on getting her out and in a safe and comfortable assisted living community that will meet her mental health needs. 

I've been school supply shoppin w/ the girlies!  Wowza....lots o' stuff!  Done some clothes shopping.  Still a bit to do.  Trying to hit sales and keep within a budget.  Once they are done....October is my month for clothes!  Finally. 

Ok....that's the basic stuff in my world right now....can't wait for bible study  and home fellowship to start up again.  I'm itchy to be plugged in again.  Summer has been full.  I'm ready for autumn.....

Mmmm....thinkin of apple pie n cinnamon smells.....ready for the leaves to change....

(in the meantime, I'm eekin every bit o' sunshine I can...and indulging in Dahlia's and fresh fruit at Justy's market!)

Damn...

I hate it when ya get a call from someone you haven't talked to in a long time and halfway through the catching up they try to sell you shit!

I just felt like saying...."Oooh...you didn't call because you wanted to talk to me and catch up, you just want me to buy stuff."

Grr...

.........................................

Anyway, that just happened, otherwise I was planning to write that we're going to the county fair today!  The girls got ribbons for some things they put in and I've yet to see them!  (they worked on it w/ a friend's mom)

It's supposed to be in the 100's today.  I'm trying to herd turtles out the door.  They've been fed, two are dressed, now....if J could just hurry his shower just a bit....we might have a chance to get there before we melt!  I wanna go in....stay for an hour or two and then go hide in my air conditioned house!

My gf told me how expensive the rides are this year..yikes!  I already gave the girls an option, 1 ride at the fair and they can have a trip to Oaks Park sometime before school starts with the full ride bracelets!  (that's about the price of 2 rides!)  They jumped on the deal!  

.................

I've been continuing the decluttering post-garage sale.  Worked on a load of paper stuff on my desk and am about 3/4ths done with the sorting.  My kitchen counters are all clean with only what I want on there. What a relief.

Sweet!  Today was a big success!  Sold a load o' stuff and made some seriously good cash!  Definately made up for yesterday.  We loaded the leftovers in the trailer and it will be gone tomorrow. 

AND.....

I've got my downstairs bathroom painted!  It's a milk chocolate color....no, not poo color!  Before it was baby poo green (previous owners idea).
It's a huge improvement  I didn't want to have to go lighter in color and have to prime coat, so I picked another dark color and I'm happy with the results.  Now, I'll just get some artwork, update the light fixture and hang the smoky blue towels and that lil bathroom will be done! 
Well....until I can afford the flooring!  

The house is clean, but messy at the same time.  Too many projects going on...I guess that's not entirely a bad thing.  

J is telling me I'm missing out on the opening ceremony....I better go see...