The boys are back.....

The fiber boys that is..........

My neighbor next door is totally "hooked" up with phone and t.v. and everything.  They wanted to schedule me but I was on my way up North so now they will connect me on the 20th....just in time for football!  The first pre-season game is tonight but I'll probably listen to it on the radio.  I will be paying the same price for fiber, unlimited long distance any time and the lowest t.v. package which is local channels and more than I did for long distance charged by the minute and no t.v.  Both include the internet and fiber will be much faster.  Sweet!  I can't wait!  They came back to install the fiber for another neighbor and it is SO HOT.  Yesterday was 94 but "felt like" 104....those poor guys.
I'm still doing laundry.....I don't think Jim had any clean clothes but he had a lot of them!  Maybe when you have to go to the laundromat you need more clothes on hand.  I'm washing them all and then I'll probably put them in the garage sale this Fall.  He had some nice work clothes...like Carhart and some nice fleece sweatshirts that I might use this Winter.  I've been going though his things each day for a bit....some of it is hard but it has to be done....and paperwork.....that will get burned eventually as much of it has his Social Security Number on it.  I have a shredder but there's just too much of it to shred.  I did find something comforting yesterday........a rosary...we're not Catholic but I think maybe his room mate was and a Pieta Prayer Book which I'm sure Jim remembered the Pieta statue I have had for over 40 years............

  We talked about God but now I feel very comforted that he was praying and I found notes that indicated he was praying for others too............

While I was gone I received some gifts from my daughter and her family.  I've missed a few so there will be more later.............designer Duck Tape (duct tape)

a campfire night light....too cute!

an engraved rock that Amy gave me when it was "getting rough"...........so true although I have been known to say trust in "HER"...........

and the grands gave me some fool's gold.....I hope there wasn't a subliminal message there?

I also discovered some new products........my daughter uses this and I bought some and love it!  I  usually wash my face with soap and although my goat soap that I make is not drying like regular soap, I manage to get my robe wet, my pj's and the whole countertop.........this I use face pads with...no fuss , no muss!  It does not dry out your skin and it is pure.........LOVE!  It's by Garnier and my daughter gets hers at Walgreens and I got mine at Walmart so it is readily available.  Great for makeup removal so it says............

I've also been buying this soap at Walmart which is pure and uses essential oils not chemicals....they have liquid and foaming.  I prefer foaming as it is less messy and doesn't drip all over the sink.  This one is Apricot Vanilla but the one in my kitchen is Spearmint and Lemongrass and I think that is my favorite.............also, save the foaming containers as you can use them to "foam" any of your own soaps or cleaning products.  I make my own upholstery shampoo and it is great for that..........

Okay, I was looking for Goldbond Comfort Powder but then I saw this and I couldn't resist........it comes highly rated on Amazon.........I haven't tried it yet but I have been looking for an anti-chafing powder for the Summer when it is so hot here!  I can't work outside without perspiring and getting rubbed raw in places so I hope this helps!  The older you get the thinner your skin in places so it doesn't take much to get rubbed raw..  It is not talc but corn starch and calamine and maybe something else.  You evidently can't buy it in stores but only online, from what I understand.  I will let you know how I like it...........I ordered mine from Amazon.............

 I had to start my Helix hat over....I can never seem to get off on the right foot at the first try....sometimes it takes me three or more to get going properly but this time was only 2 and I switched to my darkest yarn to start.......I'm almost done with the brim.......

 and here is a picture of my Grace girl who got a shampoo and a haircut while I was gone..........she's so pretty with that hair cut and no matting..........Miss Peeps kept crying at me the first couple days I was home until I finally figured out she was missing her 2 "babies"!  They forget to give them to me when I went to pick her up.  I called and they had them and I picked them up on my way to Walmart the other day.  She was so happy to see them! LOL!  It was hysterical.....they really are her babies!

 That's all for today folks.  I went to the Farmer's Market this morning and now I'm off to bake some bread that's been rising and I need to make a peach cobbler for dessert.  Yesterday I made pork chops and gravy with potatoes and green beans for a vegetable.  It's good to be home and eating my own cooking for a change.   Although I had some mighty good eating at my daughter and SIL's while I was there.
Happy Trails!!!

YOP Week #5

                                                       
If you don't read my blog through the week than you might not know that my son passed away July 24th....thus the reason for my absence on YOP.  I posted about it in the post before this one if you want to read it.  I also had to have my little Annie girl put down while I was up North.  I will have a few updates at the end of this YOP post but for now I will show you what I've gotten accomplished these past weeks.  Which isn't much but I was grateful for the handwork I had with me.  At a time of great stress....handwork is like a "port in a storm".
The only project I took with me was My Granny's Afghan cross stitch.  It was easy to pick up and put down along with some Beatrix Potter mystery books by Susan Wittig Albert which I highly recommend.  Here's my progress so far.....working on square #5 of 39..........

While I was in Iowa my daughter took me to a yarn shop.  I have never been to a real yarn shop and it was amazing!   They also carried wool, needlepoint and cross stitch supplies.  I needed some supplies that I was going to order online but I was able to get everything I needed at the shop. 

  Along with some sock yarn...they are the same color although it doesn't look like it..........so let the sock knitting begin!

With the new needles I was able to start the Helix hats that  I'll be making for Christmas............they are a 'stash buster' project......

I did not keep up with my cross stitch "days" but yesterday I managed to stitch for Stars and Stripes Saturday........I finished the white row and started stitching the white on the red row and then I will stitch the red on the white row..........

I need to get back to my YOP list and ensure I am "on task" but baby steps....

A couple days before I got the phone call about my son, I saw these crows or ravens in my beck yard.  I've never seen them grouped like that and they stayed there for a long time.....now I wonder if it was a 'sign' of things to come.................

Friday was a rough day.  Jim left everything he had to me and I was able to get it all packed in my Tahoe and unloaded it when I got home.  I was going through his things and found the gift he had told me he had for me.............
 a beautiful shawl and card.........I will cherish it forever...........

 He had been hospitalized several times before I knew about it and he didn't want the doctors to tell me until there was no hope and that's when I got the call.  He knew for a long time.........I was blessed to find this gift from him.  Despite his problems I never once doubted he loved me and I hope he never doubted my love for him either...........

 I also found a picture of Jim's dad and I when we were high school sweethearts.  I thought that picture had bit the dust years ago but evidently Jim had it.   We had our senior pictures taken and then one of us together.  It's hard to believe I was ever that young....and no wrinkles! LOL! 

  I also lost my dear little Annie who was the happiest dog ever....while Nitty was the stoic type...Annie was the welcome wagon.  She was full of joy and I hope she is now united with her big sister, Nitty, and Jim who was Nitty's original owner before me. 
Yesterday was good.  My dryer died but it forced me to hang clothes outside on the clothesline that Jim had built for me several years ago.  I mowed the lawn in the morning and being outside was good therapy.  I've always felt that hard work helps a person work out problems or sorrow and makes you so tired that you sleep well regardless.  I came in and took a nice bath, had a nice supper and slept well.  Grief is a slow process and I'm not sure I will ever totally get over it but I also know Jim, Nitty and Annie would not want me to be sad for long.........I'll try not to be but no promises.
I want to thank ALL of you who left comments of love and support.  I cannot tell you how much it meant to me.  You are true friends and I missed you all.  I am so glad to be back and plan on catching up with all of you.

Please stop by here and see all the other beautiful makes from the Year of Projects group.Happy Trails!!!