Happy Birthday to the Mister!

Hope this year with two crooked numbers sees you doing loads of the things you love!

Today I noticed...When I'm mad about one thing, I tend to be mad about everything.

I've sort of been mad all day long today. It really started early last evening. 

Something didn't go as we had been promised with a group I volunteer for and now a project with high impact is stretched out for another month and everything about the project is stagnated and impeding business for the group. I did a bit of research and have come to believe that part of the problem is that someone is confused. Part of the problem is that the powers-that-be are not well informed and haven't done their homework like they should. Part of the problem is that there was rogue action in years past and we are now suffering the consequences. I'm sure that there are other factors that I am unaware of, but all of it together has become a big old batch of red tape and things cannot get done!

Then, today, I sat down to do a simple task for the Mister that snowballed into a big chunk of red tape. He got a notice in the mail weeks ago with information about renewing his driver's license. At that time, I read through it and came to the understanding that renewal would be a simple process of checking some boxes and entering a payment method to complete it online. I sat the envelope on the corner of my desk and have just been watching the calendar to take care of renewal near to his birthday - I mean, why renew and pay any sooner than necessary? Plus, in eight years, when it is time to renew again, his birthday will be a good reminder for getting it done.

I entered the URL as directed in the letter from Safety and Homeland Security. (Already things are seeming ominous, aren't they?!) I navigated according to the instructions provided. After I had input all of the required information and was ready to select submit and move on to the payment screen, a notice popped up telling me that the renewal could not be completed because the Mister is required to get an updated photo for his ID. Frustration! I read back over all of the info and nowhere did it say in the printed and mailed instructions that a new photo would be required. Even on the envelope it simply said, "Complete online registration for fastest service."

Thankfully, there was a link where more information was available. The very first option suggested going to a Kiosk. Plus, wonder of wonders, there was a Kiosk listed as being only four miles from our house! So, I immediately called the Mister and let him know the good news. He asked if I would tag along to, "handle all of that computer mess." He hopped in his pickup and came right to the basement door to pick me up. 

Within a matter of minutes we were walking into the local County Recreational Complex and approaching the mechanical Kiosk. A lady at a nearby desk asked if we were planning to renew our license and we let her know that was exactly our plan. She pointed to a different machine than the one we were honing in on and said that it would be where we would need to complete our task except that it is out of order today. She apologized and gave us instructions for the location of the nearest other Kiosk. So, a bit disgruntled, we turned and headed out the door. 

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about a half-hour to get only fifteen miles away, we entered the next County Recreational Complex. The lady at that front desk asked if she could help and we explained our mission. She quickly let us know that the only Kiosk they have there is one for renewing auto license plates - there is no Kiosk for renewing driver's licenses. She very helpfully gave us directions to the nearest AAA business where she knew there is a Kiosk expressly for renewing driver's licenses. (Obviously we were not the first people who had made that mistake.) So, with growing frustration, we turned and headed out the door.

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about twenty minutes to go only ten miles away, we entered the AAA building. The lady at the front desk asked if she could help and swiftly pointed us toward the desired machine. We followed the computerized instructions and after a couple of tries, the machine snapped the photograph. Shortly thereafter, the machine spit out a receipt with information saying that the photo does not closely match the previous one on file. So, we gave it another try. Again, same results. The last line instructed us to take the receipt to a local Driver Services Center for assistance. Heaping frustration! So, we turned and headed out the door.

After trekking through traffic for a bit, taking about a little over a half-hour to get only eleven miles away, we entered the Driver Services Center. We were instructed to go to the back corner to check in. We were fourth in line but numbers one and two made me question whether they really needed to be operating a motor vehicle anyway. Number two let the check-in lady know that he had two bills to prove residency. However, both had different addresses and the addresses were different from the one listed on his digital bank statement that he showed her on his phone. The check-in lady informed him that he needed proof of residency in only one location and needed to have the correct home address on his bank statement. She gave him a list of items he might bring back when he returned. He asked if he would be leaving with a plastic coated license card after he returned with the correct documentation and she let him know that is not how it works - driver's licenses are mailed to the address where you document your residence. He informed her that he had recently moved from Florida and that is not how things worked there.  She let him know that he is now in Tennessee and must follow Tennessee procedures. 

Thankfully, number three had all the correct documentation and all was in order. She gave him a number and instructed him to listen to be called to a station. Then, came our turn. She quickly looked through our paperwork and gave the Mister a number and instructions to listen to be called to a station. We took a seat and waited. 

In ten or fifteen minutes the number was called. The Mister handed over the documentation needed. He posed for a picture. He signed three or four more forms. He swiped his bank card to make the payment and was given a couple of sheets of documentation that he had renewed his driver's license. The fellow behind the counter told him to look for his new license within the next thirty to thirty-one days. 

The Mister took me out for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant. As we were traveling home, I knew that I needed to change my attitude. I began to look for reasons to be thankful even though we had spent three hours trying to complete what should have been a simple task. I told the Mister that I am thankful for the privilege of driving, the fact that we own fairly reliable vehicles, and that I am retired and was able to spend half the day with him renewing his driver's license. 

I am also thankful that his license will be valid for the next eight years. 

Today I noticed...Sometimes it is best to just jump into a project when the helper is ready.

I suggested to the Mister that since it was a rainy day, we could update our spreadsheets relating to the cemetery today. He's penciled in info on his and I've added info digitally on mine. So, they no longer were matching. He wasn't ready to work on that this morning. So, after we finished breakfast, I did my exercises and headed downstairs, thinking I would work on a sewing project I have an idea for...

He chatted with a friend, answered a couple of calls about business, went and paid a helper, and completed a couple of other errands. Then, he came in for lunch and sliced, battered and fried up a bit of zucchini. Then, he took a short nap before he was called to meet a potential customer wanting a cemetery lot. So, he trekked down there for a bit.

In the meantime, I researched a bit about my project and the dimensions of the fabric that it would take. I had browsed online for inspiration from products similar to what I am wanting to make. I had gathered supplies to give the project a practice run and was just about ready to select my thread and get started, when the Mister came into the office with his notebook ready to collaborate on updating the spreadsheets.

I dropped everything and jumped into the updates! 

Funny how that happens. My project will keep till another day...

Today I noticed...A big bag of some snacks is hard to find.

The Mister likes crunchy, crispy snack foods. He could sit and eat an entire family size bag of chips at one sitting if he doesn't watch it. When I get those little lunch box sized bags of chips, he will eat at least a couple for a snack or with his sandwich. 

Generally, I try to buy those family sized bags in our grocery order and sometimes I even get the party size. Those bags will generally last at least a couple of days around our house - unless the Mister is in a really snacky mood.

One type of chips is really hard to find in the large bag at our local grocery store, though. It is those Onion Flavored Rings. I have only found them available in the family size a couple of times. I have only found them in the party size once. 

What's up with that? Why are they so hard to find? Are they that popular and the store runs out quickly?

Happy Valentine's Day!

I saw this posted on Instagram a few years ago. 

I must admit, I have done this same exact thing. This is year seven for me with the same card. Every year, he puts the card and envelope in his sock drawer. The next year, I just look in there, read it to be sure. Put it on the kitchen table in front of his chair. This year I set it atop a bag of Reese's Peanut Butter hearts. He opens and reads it and comes and gives me a hug and kiss. Then, he said, "I didn't get you a card, but I love you, Valentine. I'm going to get you some breakfast. What do you want from Hardees?" He had a big grin on his face just like a little kid.

Hope you have a happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Anniversary!

I loved you way back then!

And I love you now!

Happy Birthday, Mike!

We hope this is your best one yet!

Patience

I've been bugging Mike to put a new top on the table for the front porch.  A few months back a strong wind storm did a number on it and broke the glass top that was on it. 

Mike doesn't have quite the urgency that I do for the project.  So, I'm having to be patient. 

Patience is hard for me.

Yesterday, when I had finished working from here at home, I hopped on the ATV with Mike and we went for a ride.  We rode all over our ponderosa and even a little bit of the neighbors'.  We wound up back at Pop's barn where I checked out the progress of the seedlings he has been nurturing.

Then, we eased around the side of the barn to go close up the greenhouse for the evening to keep the new seed trays from getting too cool during the overnight temperatures.  I noticed something as we rode by the seedlings again.  Do you see it?

I think my exact words to Mike were, "I like how you crafted that plant table."

He responded, "Now, honey, that is a fine example of some redneck-carpentry there!"

So, today, when I mentioned how nice it would be if I had a new top on that table on the front porch so I have a place to set my coffee cup, he began to tell me how he would be glad to bring me one of those red plastic tubs and some different pieces of lumber to stack upon it.

Somehow, I'm learning that patience might be easier than I thought.

Happy Anniversary!

One of the best moves I ever made!

Saturday Mornings

Since I have been back at school, many of my Saturday mornings are spent trying to catch up on reading/blog-browsing.  I set up a small desk right in front of a window in the bedroom. 

The desk is one that I remember helping my parents construct.  It is made from the wrought iron legs of an old treadle sewing machine that Daddy connected and stabilized with some metal rebar.  Then, we constructed the wooden top from some planks Daddy had at the shop.  I remember my paternal grandparents expressing disdain that Mama would want those old sewing machine legs. 

I was really glad to get it when my mother was dispersing some of her things after she recently moved to her new house.  The table had been placed in my bedroom when I was a young girl to provide me with a desk for studying.  Honestly, I can say that very little studying took place at that spot.  However, I did have a sentimental feeling toward it when Mom said it was up for grabs.

My view out our new windows is a beautiful one peering through the blinds and looking down the driveway toward the highway across the hay field.  Sitting there is also a good place for me to watch our groundskeeper as he is mowing along the creek bank.

 Watching through the slats of the blinds I can see the canvas shade he has attached to his mower bobbing along even when I cannot see the entire mower.  So, I sit and listen for the hum of the mower and glance up every now and again to see the mower or the top of the canvas and I know that he is safe and hasn't slid off the bank and into the creek bed.

Then, in a little while, up the drive he comes toward the house.  Sometimes there will be another couple of hours of mowing around one of the barns and sometimes into the house he comes for dinner.

 Rounding the curve as he finishes off the long stretch, is always a good sight for me to see looking out the window.  I know that he is safe and I know that the area around the creek and fence looks like a well-manicured park.

And I know that lunch had better be ready in a short while!

Happy Birthday, Mike!

59 looks pretty good on you.

A Book for Levi

You may remember that earlier this year we wrote a book.  It was a good idea, we thought.  So, we wrote another one for Easton's brother, Levi.

Cover

Inside Cover

Pages A & B

Pages C & D

Pages E & F  

Pages G & H

Page I & J 

Pages K & L 

Pages M & N

Pages O & P 

Pages Q & R 

Pages S & T 

Pages U & V 

Pages W & X 

Pages Y & Z 

Inside Back Cover/Dedication Page 

Back Cover

Writing an ABC book seems relatively easy in concept and at first thought.  Then, comes the decision of what words and photos to use for representing each letter.

The level of difficulty increases in a huge way!

Next, comes writing a rhyme for the  pages and the level of difficulty increases astronomically!

Especially when the writer is not so great at rhyming.  So, the writer reaches out for help...

"Hey, honey, give me a word for Levi's book that starts with N."

A good response is shared.  "Nanny Goat."

"Great!  Thanks!"

Then, "Hey, honey, give me a word that rhymes with smart."

Not so great a response - not really appropriate for a sweet grandchild's ABC book!