Adventure Announcement

This the one Vicki wants me to do, so here it is

I am going to Chile in December. Not sure of the specific dates yet.

A beautiful sunny Sunday

Yes, it's another beautiful day in the mountains. And isn't technology great.

I have been sitting here in the U.S. and chatting with my youngest son, Jeff, who is presently in China, working. He's been reading Vik's blog finally. and as many times as I say I miss the Girl, I miss the Boys too. They all want me to come live with them, but..........................I am happy and contented right where I am.

Jeff is my youngest, married to a lovely gal, and they have 4 children. 3 girls and 1 boy, all great kids. The oldest is in college. And Jeff and a couple of the kids have been up to help me here also. So has Vik, but she and I seem to get involved in things other than working on the property.

So peaceful and quiet this morning, no animals roaming. Where I sit I can look out a window and see in to the woods, and nothing but a few squirrels skittering around.

Not sure what I am going to do today. Maybe strum and pick would be a good idea since I have done much of it for a week.

Lukas has been entered into a contest and needs all the votes he can get.
Will you help him? Just click on the link below once a day for a week. His mom sure could use the Million$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Thanks to all for your help

http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=A58BAD2481092AFE44E3DF12F9737276

I've been busy, busy

Doing what, not much! But was getting ready for a son and a grand daughter to come for a week. They have been here and gone home. My son said he had to go home to rest before going back to work. He worked his butt off up here and my place looks awesome. A good time was had. We didn't do much, but enjoyed. Went out for dinner a couple of times, they went rafting on the Ocoee River. I stayed home, lol. Last night was "All you can eat" pizza downtown.

Before they came, last Sunday, Aug. 2, I had a Dulcimer workshop that turned in to a Jam Session. What a lot of fun that was!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had 6 dulcimers, a guitar, drum, and a fiddle. And instead of in a backroom as usual, we played in a public hallway and many people watching us. Lots of neat comments. We did sound good.

While family was here, they had a good time riding my 4 wheelers in the woods and the forest. The grand flipped hers over backwards, was not hurt. but landed on her back with the 4 wheeler on it;s back section. She held it up with her feet until her dad got back to help her. Yes, she had a helmet on. He says it scared the crap out of him, but t hen he laughed every time he told the story. A couple of years ago, I ran mine UP a tree, and had to make a leap of life. They are a lot of fun but can be dangerous.

BTW, now I am in my 7th decade as Vicki calls it, lol. I don't feel a lot different, but sure wish I could do what I could about 3 decades ago. I try! I guess that is why I have sons........and a daughter.

My canine kids have been a bit of a handful lately. Lukas, the weimaraner was bad the other day. I was in process of baking some cinnamon rolls, turned my back and he ate the whole pan full. 8 unbaked rolls. I grabbed the bottle of peroxide, drug him outside and pured it down him. 5 mins later they came up. I felt sorry for him, but had I not done it he could have bloated and died. Later, he stole an apple from the bowl on the counter and ate the whole damn thing. They can have apples but not the core and seeds, which he did.

One of the beagles, the little one as we call her. When I got her she weighed 50 pounds and needed medical care. But vet said she had to lose lots of weight first. She was put on a diet and I managed to get 25 pounds off of her, so last Tuesday she had dental done.
They took 6 back teeth and had already lost 2. and she had major infection. SOOOOOOOOO, she is doing great, and on antibiotics. Another procedure for a large lump under her leg will be done soon.
The other beagle, I took off 15 pounds. But, almost lost her this week. She somehow got up on a workbench in the shop and got a box of d-con poison. Out came the peroxide again. Then she hid out in the bushes and we had to hunt for her. Luckily she was bringing up the poison, and I made her bring up more. Vet had me take her in next morning for a Vit K1 shot. She is fine now

It is very quiet here now, again, and I have no idea who will be here next. Vicki? I don't think she is coming to the mountain this year. I miss that girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was a good day on the internet. Vik and I chatted for hours while she was really trying to get some things done to finish moving to her ponderosa, but I think we both needed the day. I laughed, I cried, miss that girl and it's going to be along time yet before we get together. But that will give me time to teach her dulcimer how to play a few songs. The latest is "Wildwood Flower".

I've been a bit lazy lately when it comes to work on the mountain. Tomorrow the boys will come and do the mowing, weed eating and picking up all the fallen tree limbs. Even with no winds, the limbs seem to keep coming down. Just so they stay off the car and house. I have had to move them out of the drive a few times.

New "future" neighbors are up here now and making plans to build in the lot next to me. It will be nice to have them there and will only see the roof top of their home. I have known them for several years, and both are very nice people. She is from Russia, and they met online years ago. Not the usual....................................And he is as big around as he is tall, she is little. I am looking forward to them being here. Maybe I will have some new recipes for Vik to try out.

Mr. Redfox hasn't been around lately, and hope he doesn't. But I am ready just in case. There was something in the side yard, outside the fence, last night and Lukas woke me up at 4:00 this morning to go out. Whatever it was took off when I turned on the outside lights. But Lukas still let it know it was not welcome.

This afternoon I will be going over to another mountain to inspect another friends home that was just painted. They live in Florida and want it checked out before I give the painter his final check. I am sure it will be fine but will take pictures for them. They also had some wood on the deck replaced so will have to check that out to. Maybe I should become a home inspector, lol. I am sure I could do that since working with DH for so many years. I use to find things wrong that he would miss. This is the house we worked on the first time we came to this area.

Today, my t.v won't be on much. It's Michael Jackson Day! Enough of that...................

Well, time to go to the dump since we don't have that service. It's once a week trip at my house, and do it on the way in to town. Need batteries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone...................Sure do miss that girl! But won't be long and I will be missing one of her brothers. He calls me nearly every day, and always have email from him. He's leaving for a long hiatus in China. Going to miss that boy. The other one, oh well, I know where he is, and will be.

After a few hard, long, sad weeks I am back. Life does go on and it's time I do it

I lost a very close friend to cancer last week, and felt terribly alone and lonely. No one to call in the middle of the night which is what she and I did for a long time. It didn't matter that we woke one another up, we needed each other, so we would call. That part is over and she is wherever she is, now free from pain and dancing again. We had a "gathering" memorial service for her on Saturday, and I played a few songs on the Dul for her.

So, on with life. Feel like I am starting over again.

Went to a Dulcimer workshop a few weeks ago, and guess what Vik is getting for Christmas. Yep, a new dulcimer. It's a bit different to the one I have in shape, but she likes it better than mine. It's a teardrop shape but has a wonderful tone. I wish she could have it now so as to learn how to play it with me, but it's easy so she will learn quickly.

As to my personal life, this has been interesting. As I have said before, I really do not want another romantic interest, but several have talked me in to signing up for free dating sites LOL. What a hoot this is................So, yes, I did do it, only to see what the hell is out there. Still not interested but, had a very strange encounter, almost. This one particular site, you sign in with zip code only, no name, and they don't have your actual email. It is all very private.

Anyway, the other morning, I had an announcement, so opened it. and was shocked to see a picture and name of a man I know. He had bought our jeep after DH had passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But that isn't all. He is the father of my handyman, and grandfather of the boys that do my yard work. He has no idea who I am. His wife passed 6 months before DH, and really is a very nice man. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not interested................NO NO NO NO! I must admit there is one I heard from that sounds interesting, but he's 7 years younger. Not sure about that. Altho, my wonderful step-father was 10 or more years younger than my mother and they had a great life.

Last week, I was able to finally contact some first cousins that I haven't seen in many years, and pursuing the Indian Heritage. Yes, we are a small part Lakota, Sioux. A G G G grandmother was a schoolteacher and married a Lakota, in Nebraska. I haven't found out how we ended up in Michigan yet. But I do know she rode her horse side saddle all the way to MO. and somehow ancestors ended up in Mi. Time will be interesting.

I haven't had much contact with Vik lately, she is always busy with things they have to take care of. And not having Internet where she lives, makes it harder for us. I do miss that girl!

Later.......................

Ms. J.

As I sit here this morning, contemplating the things I need, should, want, to do today, I so far have done nothing except read newspapers online, play a game of Spider Solitaire, and stare out the window. When going to bed last night, I had lots of plans for today, but here I sit. Oh yes, I did the usual have to things, like make my coffee and feed the dogs.

Time to kick myself in the butt and get moving and doing, but will do this first.

A friend talked me in to joining Plenty of Fish, hahahaha. Well, that is a joke for me. I am not interested in any more relationships, having been spoiled rotten by the man I had for 13 years. But, I joined just to see what was out there, and can say no thanks. Maybe some of them are wonderful men, but not for me. I will stay single and alone when it comes to that. My pups and friends and Dulcimer keep me busy and happy, don't need someone interrupting my life.

I will say it would be great to have someone come mow my acreage..............that seems to be my hardest, but I can hire it done if needed. I do a little at a time, kill snakes when they are around. Had a couple of copperheads the other day that I took care of. Over the weekend, a squirrel decided it wanted to invade the deck. It won't invade anymore. At least that one won't. I think Mr. Redfox had a good dinner that night. Mr. Redfox travels the road out front, but never comes close to the house, and I do put food out by the road for it.

Since living up here, I have seen one bear. Had several coyotes a few times, but they have left now, not liking gravel shot up their buts. And the best is the big wolf that strolls buy once in a while. The wolf comes only very late at night, checks out under the front light and then leaves. It has never bothered anyone or anything up here.

Me weekend was quiet, altho I went shopping again and picked up a few things to replace some of the old, old kitchen utensils. I went all RED for utensils and a new dish drainer, lol. I love red! Came home and watched the Nascar Race while chatting with a friend online. We usually do that during the races. And that was my weekend, except for hoping to catch Vik online. I am sure they are busy...............I hope everything is going ok for them now that they are back in Futa. Maybe will hear from her today. I do miss that girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, it's time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dogs are wanting me to go walk in the woods, and one wants to play ball, altho he won't let me have it.

Everyone have a great day, and Until next time.....................

Ms. J.