Clear skies, very sunny, beautiful morning and it's up to a whopping 13 degrees.

Now, I'm officially an OLD person, dwelling on the weather, I used to laugh at my Dad and John's parents for constantly talking about the weather and here I am, doing the same thing.

Good Morning. Ah, born old, interesting concept. I was the baby and still am, so nice to have a big sister who paved the way. I'm sure it was infuriating for Norma though. I always got to do things earlier because Norma was already doing it. (like make-up, shaving legs, etc.) Even voting, I remember Norma saying, well, you can't take that away from me, it's the law. And then, California changed the law from 21 to 18 and we both voted for the first time in the same election. Ha. I thought it was hilarious, Norma was fuming mad.

My Blue Apron meals were delayed this week due to the weather. They come from Sacramento and I'm sure they come straight up Interstate 5. Last Wednesday, I-5 was actually closed down around Ashland. The Siskiyou Mountains are gorgeous, but sure are treacherous in the winter.

I made it to Battle Ground yesterday and got to the bank, post office and Fred Meyer. Fred Meyer is a "one-stop" shopping place, so besides getting groceries, I went to the outdoor garden section and bought a new thermometer. Curious to see how close we actually are to what I read on the Brush Prairie section of the Weather Channel web site. They had an indoor/outdoor wireless set up marked down from $20.00 to $9.00. Also, some priced much higher up to $70.00, but I go for the bargains. I don't need the humidity and barometric pressure. I have a reader in the house and the sensor is outside. The internet states Brush Prairie is 22 and my thermometer reads 23, so it's pretty close. For years, we had a big round thermometer that I had hanging on the birds' enclosure (chain link) and we could easily read it from the window. But, from about 9 am - 1 pm, the sun would shine directly on it and therefore, not be accurate, reading up to 120 degrees on some days. This will be better, the sensor is protected from the sun and we can easily pick up the reader and look at it. It also has a memory and will show highs and lows, if I can figure out how to access that info, it's a little computer and I've decided computers hate us all.

That reminds me, when I was at Carol's last week, they got an "Alexa" for Christmas and we were having fun playing with it. Carol's a gadget nut and loves all the electronic doo dads. It's eerie to speak out and things start happening. And, a female voice speaks back to you from the beyond. Do do do do, (Twightlight Zone tune) That was me, not Alexa.

Doing fairly well on logging, I'm surprising myself at how easily I fell right back into the habit. I "play" with it like I did at NM, treating it like a puzzle and working my calories to fit what I have left. On my way home yesterday, I stopped at our favorite Mexican restaurant and got take-out and what I ate wasn't in the database. I decided it was not worth trying to dissect my meal and enter it, since I don't plan to get it again, so I played "close is good enough" and logged what I found that I thought is similar. So, I am doing it a bit loosey goosey, but will do better. The Blue Apron meals now come with a Nutritional Facts sheet, so I can much more easily enter all that into the database. That's something new, they just started putting that slip of paper in about 2 months ago. All the recipes are named and numbered, so I can list them and find them again easily if I choose to make that recipe again.

Today, we'll hunker down inside and stay toasty by the woodstove and John will watch some sports on tv. I see that he'll have a choice between basketball and football. Forecast is snow about noon and then turning to freezing rain late and ice tonight and tomorrow. I'm glad we have plenty of firewood and nowhere we have to go. Monday, it should be just rain and in the 40's, so I trust the roads will be cleared of ice by the time I have to go to the doctor.

Good Morning, dropped in yesterday, but John needed me before I could comment on anything. I was up by 5 am, and wouldn't you know it, he got up at 5:15. No morning solitude for me.

Had snow on Saturday and a dusting yesterday, but now, should be rain and thawing. I'll call the doctor's office a little before 10 and ask if they can tell me how the roads are. My appointment is scheduled for 11 am. I think I will be fine driving in, but I'll see if John freaks out again. I doubt that he'll go with me, but he may worry to much if I go alone, we'll see.

Jack and Gayla came over Saturday afternoon, had a really nice visit. I am so thankful for our new deck, I have no fear of anyone getting injured now. Gayla is doing quite well, considering. The cortisone shot has helped and she is using a cane, which also helps. This first week of tax season has been mostly setting up the office, not too busy yet. Got all caught up on corporate frustrations and the new manager and updated on co-workers. It seems pretty routine again this year. I miss seeing the people, but certainly don't miss working in the office. I don't comply very well with corporate rules, they seem so unreasonable to me.

I have been chatting with Dena through the little messages on this site. She clicks "like" on my logging and I commented on her exercise. She's doing well logging and sounds like she does quite a bit of exercise. Of course, having kids really gets you moving. She mentioned skating with her daughter. I guess I do get moving when I go out to feed. It doesn't feel like much but when I write it down, hauling hay and water buckets, it does add up. I just wish I could get back to the workout dvd's. When I try to do that, I end up gasping for air.
This accountability thing has really helped. When I waffle about logging, I remember that others see that date "completed" and it spurs me on.

I heard from Sue and she is doing great. Both knees are functioning very well and she was also able to get her "carpal tunnel released" in her right hand. I'm not sure what all that entails, but relief is relief and I'm happy for her.

I have meals piling up in the fridge. I'm not complaining, but since I'll be out 3 days this week for appointments, I won't feel like cooking and will probably bring lunch/dinner home with me. (Subway or deli). I'll probably skip a Blue Apron delivery until I get caught up. I put some of the meats in the freezer and the veggies usually last in the fridge.

I guess that's it for now.

The whole flock headed in the opposite direction of the new water pan, and the crippled duck tried to follow them. She went back into the enclosure and I lost track of her, she may be hiding under the deck of the big pool. No one has found the new fresh water yet.

Good Morning, Oh, Greasysgal, it is so good to see you. I think of you often and remember that you asked about Kel when NM closed. She's doing very well. Still in MN and with a new job that makes her so happy. Still with Ben, who makes her extremely happy. And, very much into yoga, again very happy with that. I'm glad to hear that you are feeling peace, that's great after many challenges.

Yesterday went well as far as traveling the roads and getting to meetings go. Got to the diaphragm test and they did confirm that the left side of my diaphragm is paralyzed. Still not sure if anything can be done, but after more tests, I'll be back to the pulmonologist at the end of the month. I like that all my doctors confer with each other, so maybe when they put their minds together, they'll come up with something. Bible study was nice, a few more people. They had changed the time on the request of several people who have yet to show up, so, we're moving it back to an earlier time to get the regulars back who couldn't make it in the afternoon. It will now be at 11:30 am, I think that will be a good time for me too. I enjoy the fellowship, even if I don't talk a lot, it's nice to be around people.

Came home and was going to fix a late lunch, but John said he wasn't hungry, so waited until dinner time. By then, it started to snow, and wow, what snow we got. Big, beautiful, heavy, wet flakes that built up many inches in just a couple hours. It's snowing lightly now and it looks like we've accumulated about 4-5 inches as I look out the window, I'll know better when I go out to feed. The news is saying parts of Portland got a foot of snow. Very unusual. But, it sure is beautiful and better yet, I don't have to go anywhere today. I wonder if the birds will venture too far out of the backyard today. Again, as I look out the window, I wonder if I'll even be able to open the gates to the enclosure to let them out. I can hardly see the gates.

I am scheduled for doctor appointments tomorrow, so I'll see how warm it gets and how much melts away.

I put the trash can out at the street for pick-up and I can hardly see it. I'm sure the garbage truck will be delayed today, if he shows up at all. I also figure that the Blue Apron meals will be delayed again, but that's OK too, I have plenty to eat here.

I guess that's my big news for today, our winter wonderland. I suspect we'll have our chores of feeding animals and bringing in firewood and that's it, all the work for today. No more!!

Well, long again but not quite as long.
Once again I've gone a whole week and it doesn't feel like it should have been that long. Tuesday I got back into my projects I had put off for Christmas and then wondered why I put them off. But I got the farm books as ready as I could. It is nice that we haven't started Good News Club yet so I had a whole Tuesday at home until we went to Thomas' basket ball game. He got to play almost all the JV game - did foul out toward the end and they lost badly. We went and ate during the girls game and watched the boys game. It was a close game so Thomas only played a bit at the end but it was a good game to watch.
Wednesday was at home too until time for church in the evening. The kindergartner I go to class with didn't come so I got to go to the adult group. Thursday we had our women's meeting. I always enjoy the speaker, good refreshments and the visiting. We did get a spattering of snow in the morning but it didn't keep anyone at home. I picked up a 4-H and headed to town for the evening - very cold but roads were fine. While the 4-Her was at her first meeting, I ate with Julie and then I went to 4-H Council meeting. Fortunately it didn't last too late so got home by 9.
Friday some of my Flylady friends were getting together at Panera's so Ralph dropped me off there and went to a bookstore. I went up to get some tea and found out my Panera card had a free bagel on it for me so enjoyed that. From there we went and did our usual errands. We ate at Burger King, got groceries and got home about 2. Put things away, finished straightening the house and worked toward Sunday since we were going to be gone a lot Saturday.
Saturday we decided to pack a lunch for noon. My sister came along and we went to watch Jeremiah play volleyball. I did not know so many people paid mucho money to do it and he was the only boy I saw. No rules against till he's 14 and he wouldn't be doing it if his dad wasn't the coach and his pay covers Jeremiah's cost. Good games. We watch him play 3 games and then left. While there Ralph ended up meeting someone who's mother had grown up in this area, visited with a farmer from not too far away and had gotten Maggie to fall asleep and visited with a family who took their picture and emailed it to me cause it was so cute. We went to Walmart and I got a couple of things I'd forgotten Friday since I left my shopping list at home and then we went to Thomas' ball game. This time he fouled out early in the JV game and got to play a bit more in the varsity game which ended in overtime with a close loss. It was a cold day still and the gym was cold. Ralph found out they keep it at 60 so he's not sure he'll go to more games cause he does not handle getting cold.
Sunday we ended up with just Lori's and my sister here. Cooked a tenderloin in salsa, shredded it and had it over rice. They liked it. Thomas had Bible study so Lori was going to come back to church in the evening to get him so the three girls decided to stay here partly cause Maggie went to sleep and the other two just wanted too. We watch Pollyanna and they built with the wonder blocks. We had our CE business meeting in the evening which isn't an exciting one but made Lori think about maybe coming out more.
Monday night was 4-H so I worked on the calendar, got the Family notebooks ready, and also worked on the farm books. Couldn't do some things cause I could find the 2015 book so finally decided I just tell our tax person. Well, when I got to the meeting I learned that she had our 2015 book and I had totally forgotten so she checked the 2016 book and I brought them both back home to finish a few little things up. Since that didn't take very long, I had set up to meet a friend for "coffee" - actually we both got pop and had a good time visiting. I got home about noon and ate and then did the usual - gearing up to being gone. Ralph started putting in his own eye drops so he didn't have to come in for me to do it. And after several days over very cold weather - highs of 20-25, it warmed up and was up in the 50s. Yesterday was strange in that it started at 50, went up to 57. It was 35 when I went to bed and 43 when I got up. Now it's going down again and we have a chance of freezing rain starting Friday. I hope not. We had a cousin pass away Sunday morning (battled cancer) so we're doing visitation around church tonight. Ralph is getting the kids we bring to church and I'll be able to go earlier. Then afterwards I'll head for Derek's house. I packed this afternoon and it looks like I'll be gone for weeks instead of 4-days but I'm taking some food I'll make myself finish up that Ralph won't and some things to bring out if the kids need something new to do plus clothes for Sunday and some projects to do if there's time since they will go to bed before me. Ralph has frozen dinners to keep him going along with his bread and cheese, applesauce and cranberry relish so he won't starve.
Derek won a trip to the International Builder's Convention in Florida. He left Monday. Then the company decided they would fly the wives out for Thursday through Sunday so that's why I'm going in. The kids are 8, 5, 5, 3, & 20 months. The two oldest will be in school and the third in preschool in the morning and she has rides arranged for them so I won't have to load up the boys a lot which is nice. Not sure if we'll come out here to church (30 minutes away or go to their church) or stay home if the weather is bad. But it should be fun and hopefully go smoothly.
Found out Ava (one with cerebral palsy) is going to have surgery on her one leg to cut the tendon so her leg will go straight. They'll case it. I'm not sure how she'll get around cause I don't think she would understand crutches. I'm praying it helps. They have a wedge in her shoe now and she does walk better with her brace on but she still has the limp when they are off.

Sheryl, guess I'm not friends with Jannie on Facebook. Thanks for letting me know I'm not losing my mind. Always good to hear when Norma has a good New Year's day with your mom. So sorry to hear about your aunt. It's hard. Hope you can get strong enough to go back home.

Marcie, you're like Julie - three three day weekends fairly close together and then you'll have to have 6 day weeks for quite awhile. You and your dad find some good places to eat. Nice of you to let the neighborhood kids earn a little money and get your leaves taken care of. So glad Cisco's lump was nothing. Bummer on the traffic but not much you can do about it. How nice to have a friend willing to take things to the dump - an encouragement to get things together and out of the house. Sorry to hear about your cousin. Oh my on the tires getting stolen. Can't imagine what they thought when they saw that in the morning. Maybe it crossed their minds to do cause it was on the jacks.

Sheryl, oh my, sorry to hear about the aunt on the other side. It's a part of life but.... Great job on your food logging. I took a break at Christmas and need to start again cause evening the scale is staying where I want it, I know I'm not eating as well - although I'll have plenty of fruits and veggies at Derek's with the stuff I've taken to use before it goes bad. I'll roast the broccoli and peppers. I know the kid won't eat any but I'll feast. Lots of appointments for you to go too. I really hope it helps them figure out something for you. Not long before the woodstove will really happen now. Hopefully, John will be okay with it happening on that day.
Oh funny about you and Norma and voting. Yep, the younger always seem to get to do things earlier than the older one does. I gave Paige her drink in a regular cup rather than one with a closed lid and straw and asked if she'd like it on Sunday. The change just makes me see how they are growing up. Maggie is staying words. I'm sure I heard her say grandpa at least two times. I just heard about someone getting Alexia last week - not sure how I'd like that.

Isabella, guess we all talk about the weather. Guess it effects all we do. Always something to talk about the way the weather changes around here. Yum on the white bean soup and wow on Dan being willing to open up about his anxiety. Great evening. I'm sure you had a great time with your friends.

Sheryl, nice that your new deck is safe and welcoming. Glad Gayla is going okay, considering. It is shocking sometimes to log something and find out the calories, etc. But you learned from it and it was nice you didn't have to guess. If the old duck has more problems, I hope John doesn't notice. We finally are seeing geese around here. They were a lot later. What a beautiful snow you got - just a mess for getting around.

Greasy gal, great to have you pop in and hear that things are going well.

Well, again things for hanging in there. Need to get supper going so we can head out. I already loaded things in the car.

Good Morning. Yay, Marcie, The headline on the news when I turned it on this morning was that you are out of your drought. Is that true? Do you feel the relief?

I love new towels, feels so good. And, I like my MyPillow also. I got a 2 for 1 deal and since I wasn't sure which firmness I would want, I was able to try two different ones. I like the softer one best. John likes a very small pillow, so I bought a My First Pillow, a baby's pillow, for him and he loves it. It's about a third of the size of a standard pillow.

I got a call from scheduling from the hospital and got my appointments all set for later this month. I trust this weather will be gone by then.

Not too much to say this morning. I'm sure I'll be inside all day, so I may check back later.