My View From The Cheap Seats

 Another week has rolled by at a pretty fast pace.  It usually drags when I'm home alone, in spite of Coopers continuous play-with-me requests.   This week seemed to just disappear.  It's again time for the Magic Kingdom of Bingo!!   In fact, the Elks will be taking up lots of my time this week.

I arrived early enough, only to find I was alone in the upstairs turret, seeking refreshment of the cola kind. I've been there so often lately, the bartender just hands me a coke without me even asking.  It's kind of like Cheers, only this time there were no people!!

At the appointed time ... 4:00 ... I headed down to the dungeon to prepare for the usually light crowd.  You can always tell when people get paid.  The first and last weekends of the month, we are swamped with peasants.  The middle two weeks involve lots of change from broken piggy banks.  I'm sure lots of little kids are crying about that!!  Surprisingly, this night was very crowded.

So here I am, seated at the infernal machine.  It's bright little light covers up a dark heart.  If it can mess you up, it will in spades.  Of course it's never operator error!!!

We sold cards like crazy until 6:30.  That was the magic hour my carriage was going to turn back into a pumpkin if I didn't get to the Pumpkin Patch to pick up my check.  I conned a very nice lady into operating the infernal machine until I returned.  It was a very quick trip.

Upon my return, knowing there were 126 peasants in attendance and NO places to park, I took the first spot I came to.  It was the Elks Manager slot.  I just prayed I wouldn't get towed.

Back in time for the main games, this is my view from the cheap seats.  The sheets on the table are the cards players fight over tooth and nail.  Mostly nails, since everyone has had their Christmas best glued to their fingertips with rhinestones and glitter.  If they didn't spend so much on those claws, they probably wouldn't have to break the grandkids piggy bank!!

There was lots of shouting and yelling from the restless peasants, but no rolling-on-the-floor fights this time, nor did we have to call the police.  As you can imagine, there are many very old folks who have trouble seeing the numbers.  That would be us running the games.  The peasants are even worse.  

There was one big altercation because a sweet old lady won twice with the same card.  She didn't SEE the first Bingo, and only yelled the magic word when she got the SECOND bingo on the same card.  Everyone thought she should have been paid twice.  Sorry, but it doesn't work that way, however she did get her $250 for the win.

This is where the time change hits me smack in the face.  I usually go home around 10:00.  NOW I'm not going home until 11:00 ... WAY past my bedtime!!  I was yawning right and left while trying to count out the last of the payouts to keep the peasants happy.  

That's when a miracle happened!  Our new Kitchen Koordinator who buys all the food for the peasants, since it cannot be co-mingled with Elkdom food, gets an A+ every single week.  She picks up goodies from far and wide, which brings in even more cash to the coffers. 

Any leftovers that cannot be saved, are passed out to the hardworking volunteers of the King's castle.  Look what I scored!!  If this doesn't say Thanksgiving, I don't know what does.  PECAN PIE!  Now I have to go to the store and get whipped cream before partaking of this excellent contribution to my weight.  Maybe I'll even buy the ingredients to make my own.

 In other great news of the night, all the volunteers get paid in turkeys for Thanksgiving.  Those who show up and work most of the time, as well as volunteering for other activities, are granted one whole (usually huge) bird for their eating pleasure.  

Of course it helps when you say yes to the King's request to serve food and drink at the next great celebration ... the Sunday Fizz Brunch!!  So I guess you know where I will be this Sunday.

I'm going back to bed now for a few more minutes of shut eye before heading back to the Elks for a meeting of the accounting minds.  Me thinks a piece of that pie might just wake me up enough for that!!

This FACE!!

 It looks at me dozens of times every day with that "you need to play with me" look!!  He also could use a good haircut.  He's always a hot mess since Mom has to do the cutting.  He freaks out at the sight of a groomer from a bad experience as a baby puppy.

So here's today's Guess-the-State embroidery.  I was completely fooled until I reread the directions.  It's rather funny that most states I think I know, but the most popular bird is not the STATE bird after all.  You will be happy to know that Jim and Barb guessed Kansas for the last one, and they would be absolutely correct.

Here are a couple more quilts up for grabs.  I have to admit I hated this fabric soon after I bought it.  It's Kaffe Fassett material, beautiful but hard to make into a quilt since it's so bright.  This one measures 62 x 74.

This is the wild and crazy backing for the above quilt.  See what I mean about loud and colorful?  

This one on the other hand is more traditional.  A sampler quilt that I really enjoyed making since it's so small.  Only 53 x 53 for the Red Sampler.  The perfect pet size.  Send me an email (audit23@hotmail.com) if you are interested.  There will be plenty more to come.  

Yup ... he's still looking at me.  If I wait long enough, he barks incessantly until I either give in and play the ball game or give him a small treat.

After ten birds, I decided to get back to the quilt I was working on previously.  It doesn't take long to forget exactly what you were doing, especially when it involves cutting a perfectly good square into NINE smaller ones, then mixing them up and stitching them back together.   I'll post pictures of that tomorrow.

What did happen was this mess from just dumping stuff out of the way to make room for the sewing machine.  I think today's project will involve sorting and organizing.

Dinnertime arrived quickly.  Not wanting to eat up all the tamales in one fell swoop, I opted for scalloped potatoes.  I know, not exactly a healthy dinner, but when you're single, you get to eat anything you want!!  No cooking for someone else's palate ... well, except maybe Cooper.  Like any kid, he's pretty finicky.  

It took some time to figure out the mandaline slicer thingy without adding any fresh meat to the pot.  Not pressing my luck, I cut the onions with a knife.  This is just the simplest recipe ever, given to me by a Chef friend.  

Layer potatoes, onions, gruyere cheese (along with some cheddar since I love cheese), salt and pepper.  If you have the time, heat up two cups of heavy cream with five crushed cloves of garlic.  I didn't heat it up this time and in an effort to reduce calories, I used just a little cream and mostly half 'n half.  Pour over the potatoes and bake at 350.  The small casserole above (5" x 8") took 45 minutes so the big one should have been about 70 minutes, or cook until the potatoes are soft.  

Yup ... that was dinner.  Truth be told, it's because this is probably my third most favorite dish in the world, next to Mac 'n cheese and tamales.  Who wants to spoil that with meat or vegetables?

I woke up several times last night to the drip drip of water running down the drainpipe just outside my window.  I don't see any more rain in the forecast, but temperatures have dropped down to the 40's at night.  It may just be time to light the fireplace.  It looks like fall has finally arrived.

I also want to say congrats to Patsy and Bill for braving the media storm and crossing the border into the lower 48 with their fifth wheel headed to the Arizona desert.  We love to see the Canadians headed our way and are happy to report they just drove right across after answering only two questions.  It's about time that border opened up!!!!  Let the good times roll!!

A Slippery Slope

 There's no pictures with this mornings blog.  This has been on my mind for the last week or so and I just feel I should get it out there.

Remember my neighbor?  Maybe I didn't give you the whole story.  It's been a little weird.  When I bought this property I was the County's Property Tax Manager.  The house next door had sold just a week before I bought mine.  I knew it was purchased by a single woman, probably divorced since her name had been part of another house at one time.  It was funny that there seemed to be a husband at the house.  Let me just say this is a pretty nice expensive neighborhood.

People in California are not very friendly when it comes to being neighbors.  We never talked for probably six years.  Wasn't I surprised when I came home one day to find a murder had happened next door.  I knew they raised goats for high school FFA and 4H projects.  

This guy bought a goat for a pet and kept it there.  Turns out he was in love with the married (male) minister from a local church.  When the minister rebuffed him, he lured him over on the pretense of feeding the goat.  He waited for the minister to arrive, then shot him in the head three times.  Amazingly, the minister lived.  

During all of that, I sat on the driveway with the neighbor/ex-husband (about 50 years old) who seemed to now live there, and we chatted.  He said he worked nights about sixty miles away.  Sure enough, I would see him come home every morning since I'm up so very early.

One morning as I walked outside, I smelled marijuana.  When you worked in Yosemite National Park in the 70's, you definitely knew what that smell was.  I never tried any because just the smell made me sick as a dog.  The neighbor proceeded to tell me he got it from his "doctor" out of town and that he absolutely LOVED it.  It made him relax he stated.

About that time was when he disappeared for awhile.  Turns out he had a fight with the ex-wife and was now parking his car around the corner and walking to the house, sneaking into the garage and sleeping in the attic, unknown to his ex who worked days.  When he finally got caught (he told me the whole story) apparently she let him back into the house, or at least the garage.

The marijuana smoking happened every single morning.  He would apologize for talking a mile a minute, say I could probably tell he had been smoking and changed the subject in a split second.  I could definitely see the change happening and I could see his "doctor" bringing him more and more stuff.

One day when he had their dog out in my front yard, he told me he had tried meth.  WOW he stated!!!  That stuff is amazing!!!  No it's not .... stay away from that.  Funny, I noticed his truck was no longer around and he was out and about during the day, when he would normally be sleeping.  I wondered if he lost his job.

The next thing I know, he's knocking on my door wanting to use my phone.  He said he didn't know why, but he had lost SEVEN phones in the last six months.  Of course I figured he had sold them for drug money.  I'm sorry I stated, but I don't want you calling your marijuana supplier friend on my phone.  Oh no ... I just want to call my daughter.  I listened to the conversation and he was asking her to bring his "package", more like drugs, with her when she came this way.  He was very insistent when she apparently said no.

When he hung up, he said he was moving back East, that I wouldn't see him again.  Good luck I said as I closed the door.  As it turns out he has been seen on many occasions by other neighbors, riding his bicycle near the worst part of town, drug city to be exact, and looks like Hell.

I'm very sad because he used to be such a nice guy, rather friendly after all, very good looking and in great shape.  Now he's a drug addict.  

For those who think marijuana is just like tobacco, it can soon become a slippery slope that you may not return from.  I rather expect to hear of his death any time.   Even sadder to know his family just doesn't care.  

A life completely wasted for nothing.

I now keep my garage doors locked every second of the day and night.

Green Eggs, No Ham

I was so brain dead during the exciting exhausting month of October, I missed a birthday. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. CHANCE!!  

Better late than never .......

Did y'all turn your clocks back?  Hopefully you got that extra hour of sleep.  As for me, it was another hour of crazy dreams about cowboys and eating, my two favorite subjects!!

You may have wondered if my outdoor buddies have been strolling down the promenade of my patio.  That would be a yes, although I haven't seen any skunks lately.  I didn't set the camera up the entire month of October.  Pay no attention to the dates ... for some reason this camera doesn't want to cooperate in that department.  Maybe it's the time change.  

This one is short and sweet.  My little foxy buddy still comes around about every other night.  The weirdest part is I can't find where he's getting in, not that I care.  I do love the company!!

There was only one snafu yesterday as I sauntered back and forth between the TV and the sewing room.  I was cooking some eggs for Cooper's lunch.  I should never cook when distracted by pretty thread.  I have a simple method .... high heat until it boils, turn it off and let sit for 18 minutes (these are large eggs).  It's a foolproof method for those easily preoccupied by something else ... anything else.

Turns out as the timer went off and I looked at the pot, there were blue flames still going underneath.  OH NO!!!  Instead of turning the burner OFF, I had turned it to simmer ... FOR 18 MINUTES!  As you can imagine, those turned out to be some pretty green eggs, almost tough is that's possible.  Lucky for me, Cooper didn't care one little bit!!

At the suggestion of Jim and Barb, a blog I'm sure you would enjoy reading about the great outdoors, I decided to mix up the order of Birds of the 50 States and have you guess just which state it is.  There is one tiny problem with that .... I only have a limited number of colors, most of which are red and green.  

The pattern for each bird tells you exactly what color number to use.  That means I have to fake it a lot, so you may not recognize exactly what it is.  Hint hint ... the flower is supposed to be the state flower also.  Along the way I did discover that my favorite ... the chicken ... was not included in the patterns.  I'm now on a mission to get the company to send it to me.  What state has a chicken for it's state bird???

Cooper pretty much bugs me constantly.  He's feeling quite left out and is demanding attention.  Those green eggs seem to be helping my cause.

As if one distraction isn't enough, I decided to make cookies.  Those heath bar chips have been in my freezer for a couple of months, just calling my name.  I threw in the white chocolate chips just because I had half a bag in the freezer also.  As you can tell, embroidery distractions ensued with the first batch which were a little overdone.  I paid due attention on the balance of the baking.  Boy were they delicious!!

My morning tamale and eggs is forthcoming.  I'll make sure the eggs aren't green this time.

It's Toast!!!

 So much for grilled cheese.  It's TOAST!!  Sometimes my days turn out like this ... dark and acrid.  Other days, when I'm not distracted, I actually get to taste a grilled cheese sandwich.  I knew the signs .... being preoccupied with embroidery .... so I turned the flame on very low.  I guess time flies when you're having fun, because soon I smelled the smoke.  

Undeterred, I took a spatula and scraped off the one side of bread, leaving the cheese in it's wake.  I slapped on another piece of bread and stood there without moving until it was done.  It tasted delicious as a grilled cheese should.  This piece went in the trash.

Here's what I was working on.  The Arizona cactus wren.  I'm not sure what he's standing on, because I've never seen any cactus like this.  No matter, I was on to Colorado for the Lark Bunting.  That's one I've never even heard of before.

In the aftermath of Niagara Falls and toast, you'll probably be surprised to see this.  I finally made a trip to the grocery store.  Isn't it amazing how in such a short period of time the shelves in the store are now half empty and tri-tip beef is $25.00?  Maybe someone can explain it to me.  I ended up with the not-as-expensive pork because now there is a shortage of chickens!!!  I'm sure the pigs are soon to follow.  Sounds rather like Venezuela to me.

Most of you know those are corn husks.  Yup ... I'm making tamales.  It's a long process that many people don't do any more.  Oh I've tried those ones from Costco with a teaspoon of meat in them and no flavor.  I've even tried the local carniceria, only to find they are too skimpy with the meat and just don't taste like real tamales.

This recipe is old ... like back to 1970 ... and written on a recipe card in a box I keep under the counter.  Remember those recipe boxes?  They held the greatest recipes of mothers and grandmothers, neither of which ever made tamales in our house.  I don't know where this recipe came from.

After an hour of cooking in a homemade sauce, the meat was done.  I don't remember using my mixer in the old days to chop it up, but believe me, it works like a charm and in about 30 seconds.

While that was cooking, I drug out my biggest steamer pot to soak the corn husks.  I admit, I did not make the masa.  No one makes it better than a little Mexican store across town.  I bought 5 pounds, thinking I would have lots left over.  

Spread it out and add a heaping serving spoon of meat, then fold it up and turn under the bottom.  I used to make little strings of corn husk to tie them shut, but that's a waste of time.  

In no time at all I had tamales ready to cook and water splashed all over the kitchen counter and floor.

Here's the real problem ..... how to cook them.  My first thought was instant pot, but for the life of me I couldn't find a steamer contraption to put them in.  Maybe my old pressure cooker which is huge would work, but has the same problem ... no container for the tamales.  Why I didn't just put them in the pasta cooker, I've no idea.  It would have been perfect, now that I think of it.

At last I found a Chinese steamer pot (appropriate, don't you think?) that fit in the 8 qt instant pot.  I put the balance of them in the old pressure cooker, covering the entire top of both with corn husks to keep the water out.  

The instant pot took the longest at 45 minutes, but cooked them better.  This one fell to the bottom of the old cooker and got a little too much water, so I decided to eat it first.

Let me just say there is nothing much better than a homemade tamale with great masa and lots of tasty meat.  Now I've got 31 more to eat!!!!

Somehow after all that work, I was more tired than I expected.  I held the couch down for about ten minutes until my feet started cramping up from standing too long barefoot.  I actually had to put my running shoes back on to make them happy.  I only hoped I wouldn't be wearing them to bed.  

No matter, those tamales were worth every single cramp!!!  I'm having tamales and eggs for breakfast!!!

How To Change A Water Filter

When in doubt, just Google it.  There are You-Tube videos that show you how to do everything, so when it came time to change the water filter under my kitchen sink, I just looked up the directions.  That's not always a successful proposition in my house however.

I've actually had the filters for going on five years, but never had the nerve to give it a shot.  You SHOULD change them every year.  I might spend a fortune on a sewing machine, but a plumber?  Nah ..... I can do it!!

I only found written instructions, but it can't be that hard, right?  I let the water out as it said, and even found the water shut off valve, although I wasn't positive about that one.  Wait five minutes it said.

I waited ten until it depressurized.  Somehow I wasn't too sure about that step either.  Then it said to twist the filter off counter-clockwise, but it wouldn't turn that way.  Clockwise it was.

Water came shooting out in a huge waterfall!!!!  YIKES!!  I was supposed to get a little water on the o-rings for easy installation.  No problem, the filter and I were soaked in seconds.  Luckily I got the new one installed in record time, and cleaned up the mess.

That's when I read just a little further.  There are TWO filters to change.  Big sigh ... I really don't want to do this again.  This time I grabbed a large bowl to put underneath.  Too bad there were no directions on how to depressurize the system.  

I pulled the second filter out and Niagara Falls ensued.  I couldn't even see where to plug in the new one.  Finally it was DONE!!  YAHOO!!

I looked on the floor and there sat another filter with the new little red cap.  OH GOOD GRIEF!!  I replaced the old one with the old one from the other side!!  $%$#@^%#$   I have to go through this all over again!!

Finally done and only half my kitchen flooded, I double checked to be sure I had the new filters in by hefting the old ones.  I think I got it right this time.  Here's my pile of soak-up-the-mess towels, not counting the two bath towel in the sink.  Seriously, this is MAN'S work.  Next time I'll call the plumber.

I went back to embroidery to make me feel better, since I've finally gotten the hang of it.  For every step, there is a color change and thread number.

Lucky for me, when I bought the machine, they gave me 100 spools of thread for free.  Not really, as you can imagine.  There's about $500 worth here and I've no doubt they increased the price of the machine $800 to make up for it.

Surprisingly, for the most part, I have every thread color required, although sometimes I have to just guess, kind of like when I replaced that filter.  At least here it always comes out beautiful.  

I ended the day at an Elks Lodge meeting.  I passed on the steak and green beans this time and opted for leftover chicken salad and crackers.  Thankfully the meeting was short and sweet, meaning I now have four whole days off to recover from working the Patch.  

The hardest part of all?  Not eating all that leftover Halloween candy.  Today I guess I have to head to the store.  I only seem to have Cooper food left in the freezer, along with five slices of bread and a little cheddar cheese.  Me thinks I hear a grilled cheese calling my name!

Third Time Really Is A Charm

 Finally ... a real day off where I had absolutely nothing to do.  Of course that didn't last long after watching the second of many Christmas love stories where the guy always gets the gal, or vice versa.

 I was so excited to get back to embroidering since my machine was now repaired.  Here I sit.  I can't remember a single thing about how to embroider.  Sewing ... yes.  Just hit the button.  Embroidery is another animal altogether.

First you need a pattern, of which I have many.  Wasn't I surprised when I discovered all the patterns are on CD's and my new computer doesn't have a CD reader built in.  I have not one, but TWO readers I can plug in.  Too bad they are both in Arizona.  

As I looked around longingly, I spotted my oldest laptop.  I have to give it up for Apple's MacBook machines.  Every time I plug in the charger, they work like a charm.  This one has both a CD reader AND a USB port to copy all those 8,978 patterns to a thumb drive.  YAHOO, I'm back in business!!

With the USB finally plugged in to the embroidery machine, I'm at a loss to figure out just how it works.  I'm pushing buttons and getting error messages right and left.  I began with what I thought was the beginning, the flower.

Turns out that was the END.  Scrap that one since they have to be done in order.  At last I was on my way, only to discover the bobbin thread ran out.  I remember the lady saying to use those pre-wound ones.  Hmmmmm this doesn't look good.  Not good at all!!

These designs will pucker a little bit, but this is really bad.  Big sigh!!  Looks like its going to take round THREE before I figure it out.  Then I remembered ..... for whatever reason, the machine pulls the bobbin thread up through to the top.  Therefore ...... no pre-wound thread for me.

And so began round three as I contemplated all that wasted expensive thread.  As you can tell, the end result is quite different.  And so, the third time was a charm, except now I'm pretty sure I will run out of material required to make this Birds Of The 50 States quilt.  It looks like it will be Birds Of The 48 States instead.

It literally took all day to get two finished products.  At this rate it's going to take some time to finish this one since this is only Alabama and Alaska.

By the way, I Googled intermittent cruise control problems and came up with a million of the same question, with not many answers other than it could be twelve different things, all requiring a trip to the repair shop.  That means $$$$$$$$.  I think I'll just wait until it decides to come back on.  Worst case, I'll drive my Jeep.

In other upcoming events, are you ready to turn the time back??

BINGO .... Twenty Times Over

 One quick note about the Pumpkin Patch.  We had larger crowds than ever before this year, with less than 1% wearing a mask.  I wore none, nor have I had any shots.  I would guess I was in very close proximity to around 50,000 people over the month (if not more), including coughing and sneezing kids and adults.  I never got sick, even though I was very much exhausted on many days.  

Nothing ... I got nothing.  Maybe it's because I take vitamin D, or maybe I'm just so lucky I should hit up the casino slot machines!!  

Or maybe I should be playing BINGO at the Magic Castle!!  It began with a nice soda for a little caffeine jolt.  As it turned out, I did not go back to the Patch for cleanup.  I spent the morning feeling guilty for just sitting on the couch.  Cooper loved it as he snuggled up close, making it impossible for me to move should I wake him up.

The peasant crowd was larger than normal with around 125 people.  There was the usual "you didn't give me my red ticket" and "I didn't get enough cards".  It's funny how that happens, as not only does my helper count every card, but I WATCH her count to be sure we are correct, but still they come up wanting MORE paper.

One red ticket goes to each person for a drawing that gives you ten pull tabs.  Those are little cards you can pull the covers off to reveal money ... up to $10 I think, but mostly $1 winners.  You might think we were giving away $500 every time because those little red tickets seem to be worth a fortune by the number of people who come back and say they didn't get one.  It's why I say every single time ... here's your change, your receipt and your LITTLE RED TICKET!!

Then it happened.  There was so much talking in the parlor I couldn't hear the caller.  All of a sudden BINGO was screamed out by what sounded like 50 people.  Uh oh .... that's deadly for us who sell the cards.  It usually means someone got the boxes of cards out of order.  

I ran to the safe to check the numbers.  Nope ... we sold the last two boxes in the series, so thank goodness it wasn't my fault.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  The only thing worse than NOT winning Bingo is for there to be TEN winners who split a $250 pot.  The peasant pitch forks come out with a vengeance.

By the time it was all said and done, we had TWENTY winners who had to split $250.  That's a pretty small chicken dinner winner at only $12 each.  I've never even SEEN that happen in all of my 12 years cashiering.

At long last it was time to head home after the infernal machine gave me fits, maxing out my brain to figure out the numbers.  If you don't wake it up upon making a payout, it will only record $50 instead of $250.  Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things at the next night of Bingo with the peasants.

Happily, dinner was already in the fridge.  I actually had time to make a quick enchilada casserole (all from cans), of which I ate half.  Sounds like a huge amount, but this dish is only 8" long.  It was SO yummy!!  Real food for dinner, instead of candy bar or a hot dog.

Hopefully in the next couple of days I'll actually feel like going to the grocery store for real food.  In the meantime, I'm looking forward to some embroidery on my now clean machine!!

A Day Of Rest ..... NOT!

 I was rather looking forward to sleeping in and hugging my couch all day, but alas, that was not the case.  My amazing Brother embroidery/sewing machine required a doctor's visit an hour's drive away.  I waved longingly to my couch as I headed out the door.  

Traffic wasn't bad at all, if you had cruise control.  For some weird reason, every year or so my best truck buddy decides I should remember the days of old ... BEFORE there was a button to push that kept you going the same speed.  It just quits working.  That makes for a long trip when you have to keep your foot on the pedal for over an hour.

At last I arrived, after discovering the road I usually take was closed about halfway with no signs or warnings in sight.  That made for a ten mile detour, making me late for my appointment.  It's a very big deal, since they NEVER make appointments.  They have however, been absolutely wonderful to me when I call and beg for "can you do it while I wait".  It's why I don't mind spending $400 every time I go there.

Just the doctor visit is $220.  Oh yes they offer a maintenance program where you get maybe $20 off over 4 years.  Not really worth it, but the visit is always a happy one.  Those ladies inspire me to do more embroidery every single time and are happy to spend a couple hours with you.  That makes all the difference.

After answering dozens of questions for me, I bid them a temporary goodbye as my fuel gauge was now on empty.  I pulled into an Arco to find a truck in my way.  You know the kind ... they go inside for ten minutes, then come back out and sit in their truck for another ten minutes before finally driving off.

I heard a voice as I finally got out of my truck.  You sure are patient!  I laughed because that is usually not the case.  What a nice friendly gentleman.  We chatted for maybe fifteen minutes.  He's an area rep for the fuel company and just purchased a place in Arizona.  He even gave me his card.  I may just have to send him an email, he was that nice.

Not so nice was the price of diesel ... and this is at ARCO, the cheapest around.  So someone explain to me why six months ago I paid $2.38 ..... and don't tell me it was the summer rates or it's California, because that doesn't fly any more.  

As I drove off, I looked around.  Oh look ... McDonalds!!  Perfect timing for an egg McMuffin.  I never EVER get the sausage one, but I have to say, this was delicious!!  Probably not all that healthy, but delicious none the less.

After eating, I headed back to the repair/fabric store for a look see at their newest line of gorgeous material.  I know ... I'm addicted to fabric.  I just want one of everything.  I found the backing I needed for number 17 and had the nice lady explain to me how to use less fabric when I'm doing embroidery.  They even hooked up my now repaired machine so they could show me exactly how.  

The ladies here are so nice and hand out information on a silver platter.  I would probably be there every day if I lived closer.

On the way back home, I was pleasantly surprised when I decided to give that cruise control one more click.  It worked like a champ.  Maybe not for long, but at least until I got home.

Dinner ... since I have absolutely nothing left in the fridge ... was the leftover Halloween candy.  I can already feel that ten pounds coming back on bit by bit!!

I did make one little mistake on the last day working the patch.  I was so exhausted, I absentmindedly said yes I would come help clean up today.  What a big mistake THAT was!!  I have BINGO tonight!!  So I'm going in for just a couple of hours to add to my paycheck.  I'll be free as a bird the rest of the week to make my nest and sit in it!!

Halloween Craziness!!

HALLELUJAH!!!!

HALLELUJAH!!!

The last day of the Pumpkin Patch finally arrived.  Two weeks ago, I didn't think I was going to make it.  My final walking total came to 237.29 miles in 31 days.  That's WAY too much for me, although I have to admit I feel ten times stronger than I did a month ago.  I won't be able to keep those number up, nor do I really want to.  We'll see how long all that lasts.

The very last day was weird, maybe because it was Halloween.  One thing is for sure .. I need to upgrade my poor old iPhone which now takes pretty terrible pictures.  The sunbeams streaming through the clouds were beautiful.

I did a quick run behind the scenes to gather a few last photos of the Time Travel Tractor ride.  

And the life size dinosaurs.  These guys bring screams from the kids every time.  

Too bad the sun was in the way of getting a good image of this guy.  Hard to see, but that's a baby beside her, along with eggs in a nest below.  All of these critters were made and hand painted in Korea, then shipped here by container.  Setting them up is a huge project in itself.  Taking them down is even worse.

And then the craziness began!!  The three "boys" all decided to dress up for Halloween in their Daisy Dukes.  Honestly, I think someone lost a bet.  It didn't take me long to spot THIS walking across the property.

The owner Scott was taking pictures.  Hey ... maybe we should have a Pumpkin Patch calendar!!  In no time they lost the blue shirts and had the sleeveless version tied above their waist in front.  A perfect double of Daisy Duke!!  It was hilarious!!

Coming down the slide .... by noon they were all wearing cowboy boots to finish off the ensemble.

Yes, they wore those outfits the entire day as they drove tractors and directed traffic.  I don't think I've laughed that much in a long time.  Most of my time was taken up giving breaks to every employee, since they were working over 6 hours on this day, meaning everyone got a 30 minute lunch break.  

That put me at the top of the slide working my butt off .... but then again, the view was fabulous.  With the sunshade cover torn off completely in the last big wind, I had a birds eye view of the bounce and the corn maze in the distance.

Looking the other way, you can see how I get so many miles in walking from one end of the property to the other.  Thank goodness time passed by pretty fast, as we were all anxious for this to be over.  Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of the Ramp Of Doom.  I was just too tired to make the trip all the way to the front.

The only problem of the day was one woman who stood in the slide line, then had her kids join her when they were finished with another attraction.  Come to find out, her husband was standing halfway through the line too.  When the kids came down, they ran and got into the line with their dad.  Mom was again in the line behind, and they got to go again and again.  Finally we figured out what they were doing and said NO ... that's not fair for your kids to ride it twice before anyone else even gets to go once.

She of course went ballistic.  I mean really, that's basically cheating ... such a good thing to teach your kids.  She ran screaming to the boss, but didn't get anywhere.  It was the only bad note of the day, completely overshadowed by those cute guys in their short shorts!!

I wish I could say I'm going to sit on the couch all day, but I have an appointment in Fresno, so I'll be off early this morning.  No, I'm not looking forward to that.

As for Halloween, those ten kids that came to my door left me 28 Butterfinger candy bars to eat so I can gain that nine pounds back that I lost this last 31 days.  Oh well, easy go, easy come back on!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!