July 26

 

I've not gotten a lot done today. I did water my plants,
I fell asleep on the couch and so didn't get on to sewing  those caps. I hope to get on those in the morning. 
I did clean up the cupboard over the fridge. not that I made any more room, I just re-arranged everything so the door will close now. I have to clear and resort the other side now. Somehow, everything that fit up there before we moved the camper, doesn't fit up there now.

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

Vegetable-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Vegetable-Stuffed Baked Potatoes

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

(serves 6)
1 Jar Ragu Cheese Creations Double Cheddar Sauce
1 bag Frozen Assorted Vegetables, cooke and drained
6 Large Baking potoates, umpeeled and baked

Heat Ragu sauce in a 2 quart saucepanl. Stir in vegetables,heat though. Cut a lengthwise slice from toe top of each potato. Lightly mash pulp in each potatoe. evenly spoon sauce mixture onto each potato. Season with Salt and Pepper

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

July 25, 2012, Morning

July 25, 2012

 

Well. Jerry brought home some "news"  this may well be the last week on this job. The company is losing money and from what he gathered is not being paid.  Of course, that's just rumor.   That does not mean we will be moving, but that we may be moving. Another company on the job, is needing workers and was asking for those who didn't want to leave the area, to put their name on a list. Jerry put his name on that list.

 

 If we do end up moving, I'll be leaving most of my "garden" behind. I need to harvest most of the herbs any way. As they are staring to suffer from the heat.  The tomatoes and flowers I'll leave with Lizzy. She's the neighbor girl and I think she will enjoy them as much as I have.  I'll also leave her the candle holders and the pillar stand I bought this spring. The only plants I want to take are the Aloe, Hen and Chicks, and Sea Onion. I would like to take my elephant ear, Especally if we go to Flordia, but if there isn't any room for it, it stays behind. I didn't have to pay for it, it was free and I have enjoyed it a lot.

 

We would like to take our grill and fire pit, but we paid less that $50 each and if we don't have room, can replace when we get elsewhere. If I have to leave them behind, I'll give them to Lizzy's family. I know they can use the fire pit as they only have a ring of concrete bricks, but they have a large smoker.. of course they may prefer the smaller grill for all I know.

 

(love my fire pit even if we don't use it all that often)

I need to go through my books and see what I want to keep and what I want to leave behind. thinking of asking at the laundry mat if they would like them. This laundry mat has no books out, which is unusul to me. But yes, books can make a place look cluttered and this place is not cluttered at all.

 

I did get Jerry to sit outside with me a few minutes. Rocky would not shut up. I forgot there was a bit of water in the kennel when Jerry brought it in, and Rocky does not like water at all. Jerry didn't like hearing him and after he yelled at Rocky a few times, gave up and came back inside and let him out of the kennel. I had watered all my plants by then and was just getting ready to sit down when Jerry came into the camper.

 

 

 

David's birthday was yesterday.  I do believe he was on the road since his facebook said he was at a Petro station in Knoxville TN.  too far for us to run and visit. Oh well.  reading his facebook, he had lots of well wishes from his friends.

Beth called, needing a phone number for a friend.  She told me that Heather had stood by herself for about a minute.  She had pulled herself up by Beth's pant leg, then let go and just stood there.  She's only 10 months old so she may well be walking before she's a year old. None of my kids walked that early but Jerry's mom said he was walking by the time he was 9 months old. Mary was not far behind him and all three of her kids were walking at before they were 1 year.

 

 

 

 

what I've done so far.
Made Jerry's breakfast
took the dogs out
answered an email about Kindle books
downloaded a few more book for Kindle
 read in a book on my Kindle for PC
Straighted up a few files on my computer (yeah, lazy work, I know)
cleaned up the bathroom.
sprayed OderBan on the carpet in the back.
went back to bed for 2 hours.
meds and breakfast
cleaned out rack at foot of my bed.
cleaned up over my bed, sorted, tossed a few things,
cleared off middle shelf of closet behind my bed.
lunch, salsa, cottage cheese, a few chips.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

For Today ... July 23, 2012

For Today ... July 23, 2012

Hello ! It's been a while since I used the journaling worksheet to write up anything so I thought I wouls start using it, again.
Saturday, Breakfast at Golden Corral. Cash the check at Wal-mart. Shop at a small road side flea market. Found a nice bone handled knife for $30. A Wii game, a couple of CD's, some scented oil for a diffuser.

Sunday. Breakfast in Dover, A excursion to Paris. Turn around and come back home. (it was less than an hour to drive to Paris) We were looking for the road to a state park, and we missed it. We might go back, next weekend.Jerry not feeling good. Not feeling bad, but not feeling good either. I was like that last week.

I timed how long it took us to get home, as we passed the Save a Lot store, about 30 minutes, which is faster than going to Hill Top, and there is a Piggy Wiggly that is less than a minute more away. We may go there this next week for our grocries. Don't know yet. It take us at least 50 minutes to drive home from Hill Top. We don't like the Piggly Wiggly in Erin, it just "feels" greasy when we are in there.

We left to do the laundry around 4 pm, and didn't get home until close to 9 pm. That's because we saw an ad on the TV right before leaving, for a way to make cola's at home. We went to Dickson (an hours' drive) and picked up one, Ate dinner at Arby's (we like Arby's) before stopping at Wal-mart for a Cola maker. Picked up some flavorings for the water while we were getting it, as it comes with 6 samples. We got Root Beer, Diet Cola, Diet Pete, and Lemon Lime. I'm thinking of making up some concentrated tea, to try out, And maybe some concentrated drink mix to add to the water, as well. The first bottle we "made" wasn't really all that fizzy, but the one I made this morning was much better.

I trimmed Jerry hair and beard Sunday afternoon. I went shorter than he wanted, I think. but he said it was very hot, and wanted it shorter. I forgot to take his picture after I was done. one side looks longer than the other, but I think that's because part is laying down and the other side is sticking up.

Outside my door ... (4:30am) it's still dark. High in the mid 90's today. I'm thinking of putting the cover of the canopy on the frame today. I'm trying to stay awake this morning (we will see if I fall asleep while I'm typing this up) so I can do a few things outside before it gets too warm to move. I want to move my plants to around the back, around the canopy (make it feel like an outside room) move the water hose to our site, and around back. Clean up where the dogs potty
(10am) according to Accuweather it's 74F outside. It's pleasant, unless your having to move around a lot. I broke a good sweat just moving my pots around and then watering every thing.

The Dogs ... Barney "discovered" how to get at least the front half of him wet, in a dish pan. He dives his head under the water. So funny! I picked up a cloth "ball" at Bills warehouse, and he and Macon love it. They play keep away with each other with it. I hope to play ball with both of them today, either out front or in the back. I'm not wanting to move the picnic table around back, just our chairs and the plants. The grill and the table, I want to leave out front.

The Cats ... Are good to remind me I need to feed them in the afternoon. We have "smelled" a skunk around here a couple of night. I have to remember to bring in the cat food dishes before dark now. That may be what attracts it to our area. They like being outside. I need to put a water dish outside for them. So far, they have been coming into the camper to drink water, but when I water my plants they drink from either the saucers or from around the water faucet. They are all starting to put on weight, They ran off all the extra weight they had while we were at Elk Harbor (now called Momma D's)

From the kitchen...
BBQ meatballs, Salad, Alfredo noodles, Peanut Butter Fudge.
I plan on cooking outside today. First I need to use a extension cord and plug the air conditioner in to the 110 outlet at our power box. Otherwise I'll have to reset the breaker every time the air conditioner comes on. I have some meatballs that I'm thinking of cooking in some BBQ sauce and have as sandwiches. I'll make a Salad. I might make Alfredo noodles and serve the meatballs over noodles instead of having them in sandwiches. I have a recipe for peanut butter fudge that I want to try.

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
Put above ingredients in saucepan, and stirring constantly,
watch for this to come to boil.
Time it at slow boil for 3 min. exactly. Remove from heat, and stir in quickly 1 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
Immediately, pour into buttered dish, let cool slightly and cut into squares.

(made the fudge at 5:30) Easy enough to make, but a very large plate would be needed. I quickly sprayed a small baking pan and poured into that) I do remember Jerry's mom making Peanut Butter Fudge and pouring it onto a buttered plate, but her's was much thicker and stood up, not spread out, when she poured it onto the plate.

My early lunch is a ham sandwich and a bit of cheese.

I am hearing... (4:30) Morning news. Fans blowing, Air conditioner. I'll change the setting on the air to energy saver, so even the fan turns off until the compressor turns on to cool the room with it.

 

(9:30) after talking to Beth, I came inside and Racheal Ray is on, Guy Fierro was on, talking about what is comfort food. Food your Momma use to make for you when you either did good, or needed comforting. then Jo Frost(Super Nanny) was on. Talking about soothing a baby to sleep for nap time and how they can learn to fall asleep on their own at bed time if you make it a routine. Next is a chicken pot pie. Sure can tell she made this episode in Fall.

I am wearing... (4:30) black Capri PJ bottoms, Black shorty top, Not long enough to be a dress, too long to be a blouse. not right for a baby doll top either. It has no sleeves and is a bit low cut (for me)
(10am) Dark Grey cut of sweat pants (shorts) and a purple and pink splattered shirt that Bailey Made for me on our last visit to her home.

I am reading... I finished H10N1 over the weekend. The ending left me wanting to know more, but over all it's a good read. Not as good as Stephen Kings. "The Stand" but good read. Make you think about what you would want to "hoard" if there is a pandemic. I think the barbarian attiitude of the survivors was a bit over played. Now I'm reading . "Pathologies" a collection of short stories. very short and not all make much sense. I did like the one titled "My Parole"

I am hoping... That the truly high heat, stays north of us. The humidy is up, of course, but at least we are not looking at 100 or more temps. I hope to sit outside each day and read for a little bit. I want to make the area beind the camper, under the canopy a small haven for relaxing and reading.

I am creating... Today, I need to cut out 4 caps. I have the patterns ready. I picked up a cutting mat and rotery cutter to help make cutting things out go smoother.

One of my favorite things... Sitting outside, in an area I have created just for sitting, and watching hummingbirds come to the freshly filled feeder.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I made a "to do" list last night. I have been doing this a couple of weeks, now. It's working ok. I still need to check the older lists and see what I need to add to this weeks list.

***********
Around the house...
Up at 3am
made Jerry's breakfast ( Ramein Soup, Sausage, Eggs)
made some diet cola ( my first try at this, not bad)
Took out the dogs
Figured out menu's for the week
Texted Jerry about address numbers. They were transposed
Wrote the 4am journal entries (this page)
Switched the air to energy saver, raised the temp from 70 to 74
Made the Peanut Butter Fudge
Made Hummingbird necture (used last of our Sugar)
Started a grocery list (on paper) for the week
read a few emails
(7)
meds and breakfast
changed clothes
take cat food dishes outside, after sunrise
took "before" pictures of back area
put out hummingbird feeder
hung a wind chime near hummingbird feeder
moved candle holders and white plant stand to other side of camperdead-headed flowers and put them on other side of camper between legs and between candle holders
set the two step stools on other side of camper,each at a leg of the canopy.
moved Aloe and Sea Onion to candle stands
moved catnip to one of the step stools.
Took the dogs out
scooped the poop out of the yard

down loaded pictures from my camera
Beth called, we got to talk about 30 minutes before my phone battery died on me.

Before I moved stuff around

After I moved things around.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

Whats on your agenda today? 7/19/12

Jerry and I were in bed early last night. He got weathered out an hour early. Tried to call me but my phone was turned off. I had not started dinner yet, so we went to Fritz's for dinner (Chicken strips, potatoes, salad and a roll) We came back home, turned on the TV, and both of us were falling asleep within minutes. I didn't even take the dogs out. We went to bed. I was up at 9 PM, to take the dogs out (their normal time) then right back to bed. We get up at 3 am verses the 3:30 before his job switched start time from 7 am to 6 am. and I'll tell you that 30 minutes makes a big difference for some reason. The last few days I've just felt like I was dragging myself around. Barely getting anything done. I would head back to bed almost as soon as Jerry left for work, and still wake up feeling tired.  I think we both got most of our sleep caught up last night.

 

I did get Laura's dress re-hemmed and the swimsuit top fixed for her granddaughter who goes back to her mom this weekend. But I've not worked on any thing else I wanted to work on, so far this week. 

 

I had planned on Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese for yesterday's dinner. Today's menu is pinto beans with ham, corn bread, Salad and a Jello no-bake dessert.
I went back to bed at 5 and was up just before 8, feeling so much that I did when I got up at 10 yesterday.
med's and breakfast
took the dogs out. let them pee and poop, then tied to a tree while I watered my plants. I've been neglecting them and need to dead head the flowers soon. I transplanted my Roma tomato to a larger container and put it on a block of wood at the front of the camper so I won't forget it.
I set the shepherd's hooks at the legs of the canopy. I still need to zip tie them to the legs to stabilize both the legs better and the hooks from swaying side to side.

I plan on ironing some material and cutting out a couple of caps for SIL.

 

I need to clean up in the camper. the floor really needs to have the vacuum

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/
http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

Not Your Mother’s Macaroni Necklace

http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2012/07/03/not-your-mothers-macaroni-necklace/

Not Your Mother's Macaroni Necklace

Summer, Trends

By Kid's Crafts Contributor Stephanie, from the Blog Geek with Glasses.

Macaroni necklaces have been a staple of kid's crafts forever. This summer step up your crafting skills by making these fun bow tie pasta necklaces or pins. Bow Ties have become increasingly popular as racks of them are major department stores, so why not let the little ones make cute faux bow ties for themselves.

Supplies:

• Bow Tie Pasta
• Paint
• Jump Rings or Pin Backs
• Hot Glue
• Cord, chain or beading supplies

I prepared the bow ties first with either the jump rings or pin backs. This way the glue gun can be put away and the kids can finish the project. Also this gives them something to hold on to while they paint. If using the jump rings, use 2, one on either side at the top so the bow tie doesn't fall forward when strung and has a more stable mounting. One ring just seemed to make the pasta flop around.

Once the glue is set, the sky is the limit. We started with acrylic paint. For the polka dots we let the base dry first then used a toothpick dipped in paint to make the dots. Another idea is to glitter them, cover them with a matching base paint, then glue, then glitter. To make them look like a sterling silver pendant, use chrome spray paint.

After the paint has dried string them on cord or chains. Super easy and cute!

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/
http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter

Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

4 medium Sweet Potatoes
1/4 cup butter or Margarine
1 teaspoon Powdered Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Finely chredded Orange Peel
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3 Tablespoons Chopped Pecans

Scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush. Pat dry, Prick the potatoes with a fork. Place in a shallow baking pand and bake at 425F for 40 to 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together butter, powdered sugar, orange peel, and cinnamon. Stir in chopped Nuts.
Cut cooked Sweet Potatoes in half, Top each half with a dollop of the butter mixture.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

"Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day."
—Glen Cook

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

Stuffed peppers

Stuffed peppers

"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene"
2004

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, plus 2 Tablespoons
4 Bell Peppers, halved at the stem, seeds and ribs removed
1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved
1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves, chopped well
1 medium Onion, Chopped
3 Cloves Garlic, chopped fine
1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
Salt and Pepper, To Taste

Preheat oven to 425F.
Lightly oil baking pan with 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil. Arrange Peppers, cut sides up, on baking pan. Lightly oil cut edges.
In a bowl, toss the tomatoes, onion, basil, 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Red Pepper Flakes, Mozzarella, Salt and Pepper.
Divide mixture between peppers and roast in top of oven until pepper are tender, about 20 minutes.

 

Billie C.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A_Melting_Pot/

"Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day."
—Glen Cook

http://pinterest.com/mountainrose57/

July 10

I'm slow going today. I stayed up, reading emails and sending off my Crafts News letter, before heading back to bed at 7am.. got up around 9:30, took out the dogs and got a bit of breakfast. Been picking at the house a bit, watching a bit of T.V. and not really seeming to get any one thing done. I did run dish water, but now I have to wait until the milk cools for my yogurt before I can clear the sink and do up the dishes. The stovetop has a cover and I put all my dirty dishes on that before washing so I have room in the sink to rinse things after they are washed.

 

orginal recipe
Veggies with Dip

 

Mix powdered onion soup mix into a cup of plain, low-fat yogurt and you've got a tasty, low-cal, high-calcium dip that's perfect for jazzing up strips of green pepper or celery sticks.

 

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 package onion soup mix
8 green pepper strips or celery sticks

 

Calories: 150
(my version)
1 cup yogurt
1/2 package Ranch Dressing mix (more or less to taste)
Cut up vegetables.
I used the last of my yogurt to make a Veggie dip with, so I'm making more yogurt today.
Homemade Yogurt
small batch
1 quart Milk
1/4 cup Yogurt

 

Pour Milk into a large enough pot to hold Milk and more. Place on burner and boil on high heat. Do not leave unattended. Milk rises as it boils and will make a mess if your not careful
As soon as it starts to boil, turn off the heat, let the milk go back down. Turn the heat back on to medium for another 3 to 4 minutes. Stirring gently so it boils like water, Take off stove and place on a trivet to cool off.
Beat the plain yogurt so that it is smooth. When Milk is lukewarn to the touch, add in the beaten yogurt and stir at least 2 to 3 minutes to make sure it is well incorportated.
Transfer into the container which will be the final resting place to keep your yogurt until it is comsumed. Place it back on the trivet in an area where it will not be disturbed, Put a cover on top, cover with several kitchen towels. It will turn into yogurt in 5 to 6 hours.
After it has sat out, take off the towels, open the top, it will have become yogurt. Place a couple of paper towels on top, to absorb the whey. Place in the fridge and use as needed, Save some to make the next batch.

 

Jerry thought the air conditioner has stopped spitting water onto my bed.. NO, my bed is still damp.  and I'm getting frustrated with it all. I put the rain coat over my bed to at least try to keep it dryer.
I still need to take the styrofoam ice chest out with me, and see about making a cover outside on the window that the air conditioner is in.. The cats think it's ok to come in that way and when they come in through there, they are jumping on me. They also know they can get out that way. I need to stop them
I just finished up the dishes, not that there were a lot of them. We have been eating out a lot. I really need to get back to cooking now that the tempatures are going back down a bit this week.
Jerry got rained out an hour from the end of the day. He said he called but after 5 rings it went to voice mail so he left me a message. The phone was right by me the whole time. I finally got his message, at 9:30 pm. after we had gone to bed.
Jerry asked our neighbor if he would help him take back the rented truck. They were back just a bit after 6 and we had Chicken, Alfredo noodles and Salad for dinner.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

"Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day."
—Glen Cook

Bubble Refill Station

(Billie's note: this one almost makes me wish I still had young kids around. I have to make sure my Daughters learn of this one.)

http://www.meaningfulmama.com/2012/07/day-190-bubble-refill-station.html

Day #190 - Bubble Refill Station & Homemade Bubble Recipe

I saw this idea on Pinterest and knew immediately that it would be perfect. My children have the habit of having bubbles in their hands, and they reach over to pick something up or chase the bubbles, then they accidentally dump out all of the bubbles. This idea came from La La's Home Daycare.

I had also pinned a bubble recipe from My Frugal Adventures.


Homemade Bubbles
1 cup water
2 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup
4 Tbsp dish soap


Mix all ingredients together in a large container. I did 10 times the recipe for our bubble refill station.

It took a little bit of effort to hose off the patio because it just made more bubbles. So, I would recommend doing it over the lawn. That's the only advice I have because I love having this refill station available to the kids. Who doesn't love bubbles?

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

"Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day."
—Glen Cook

Christmas Craft- {Whimsical Candy Ribbon Trees}

http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2011/11/christmas-craft-whimsical-candy-ribbon.html

Christmas Craft- {Whimsical Candy Ribbon Trees}

I took two white styrofoam cones and covered them in ribbon, bakers twine, waxed cotton ribbon and candies. These Trees are fun and whimsical. I placed each one on top of some glass candlesticks. To make the red and white bows, I cut fabric to size, twisted them and used push pins to push them into the styrofoam cone. I then used my hot glue gun to glue spice drops over them. The other ribbon and peppermint candies were also glued to the cone with a hot glue gun. A fun craft, and not to time consuming.

Are you DECKING THE HALLS, OR PREPARING FOR THE DECKING?

FA LA LA LA LA... LA LA LA LA!

winks, jen

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

"Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day."
—Glen Cook

Good Afternoon

Hello.
Weather according to Accuweather is 87 (at 10 am) with a high expected around 104 today and 105 tomorrow. Even with the windows closed off and the air on high it's going to get hot in here. Sunday will feel cooler at 95, and by Tuesday we may onyl be 88. That will feel cooler.

I'm up late this morning (9am ish) I had a bit of a rough night. First off, my bed got soaked from the water the air conditioner spits out when it gets really humid. Maybe Jerry can take care of that this weekend. Then, just as we were all going to sleep the neighbor across the way, started firing off fireworks. Never mind the county is under a burn ban. Add to that, when I looked out the window, there were two fires going. Why they needed two, I have no idea. When I got up in the middle of the night the two fires were still going well, someone was sitting at the table between them. I checked to see how wet was my bed and it was much dryer so I laid a thick towel over the dampness and tried to sleep in my own bed. That worked out, somewhat. The alarm went off at 3 am (as usual) and I got up to make Jerry's breakfast. I was going to fix him a can of Corned Beef Hash and Eggs, He asked for the two hamburger that were left from the 4th, Ramein soup and eggs. I just had to change pans for cooking in as the one in my hand is almost too small cook the soup in, and the handle gets hot when I do.

I had to take the dogs out after I got his meal made, and that went well.

I headed back to Jerry's bed once he left here. I did wake up around 7, but only long enough to turn over and go back to sleep.

Yesterday, I left the door and windows open almost all day long. The Dish man took over 4 hours, and we have poor service. He suggested a non-HD box that might fix the problem. The problem is too much cable between the dish and the camper. over 400 foot. It's just too far the carry the signal. It's not expected to be carried more than about 250 foot.

Today, I need to water my plants, try to raise the canopy by myself. if not. then it will have to wait until Sunday. I'm getting tired of how it looks where it's at and will at least move it closer to the camper.

I need to do the cleaning that I put off from yesterday. I never expected it to take him over 4 hours. Laura brought me back a dress I had hemmed for her. showed me where it was not right and then asked if I could also put some cups in a top for her grand daughter. I think I can do that but I'll need my glasses to do that. I may work on that tomorrow

For dinner, I'm thinking of putting some meatballs in some BBQ Sauce in the crock pot outside the door, and just make sandwiches with that. I have cantaloupe I think I'll cut up for dessert and add a few grapes to that.

The dogs are doing much better, health wise and none seem to have the runs any more.

They all got a visit from my young neighbor across the way while I was trying to hear what the Dish man was saying. considering I wasn't right there by them, they did well. She convinced Rocky to not jump on her. Barney got into it with Macon over the attention so Macon backed off but in the end they all three got some loving from her. She has a good mid sized dog, and is doing well with her. I really need to get that canopy up so I can start feeding the Hummingbirds again.

My garden has survived the move well. One of the leafs of the Elephant Ear didn't do well but the rest look great. I need to move them closer to the camper but I'm not sure Jerry is finished with trying to level the camper up front, just yet.

I found the cut up card stock I did for a rosette and worked on putting that together yesterday. I still need to find the centers and some good glue to see if that's all I need. If I have time today, I think I'll pull out my beads and work on something.

 

 

one of the groups I own

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cream_Of_Soup_Recipes/

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

Declaration of Independence

[Adopted in Congress 4 July 1776]

---

The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy of the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levey war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

 

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the
people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government lest
it come to dominate our lives and interests." – Patrick Henry

Good Afternoon

 

Jerry is napping and I'm just staying cool. Oh man do I love this spot. It is soooo much cooler than where we were before. The shade makes a huge difference.  It's over 100 F outside but nice and comfy inside. Not having to juggle between having the air on or turn on the water heater.

 

Yesterday was hot and the van wanted to over-heat while we were going back for my plants and a few other things we had left behind.  We were just praying that it would get us to the campground we had been at. Parked in the shade and Jerry poured water bottle after water bottle into the radiator. (of course the motor was running so it wouldn't crack the block) After about 8 bottles of water it started to cool down, but was still running hot.  More water finally got it to come down. We picked up about 1/2 of my plants, the propane tanks and some of my plants.. and we "limped" it back home. all 4 miles or so of driving, in the sun, at 2 PM. (hottest part of the day)  We decided to wait until this morning to go get the rest of our things left behind. The propane grill, my small tubs of plants, pick up the wood and pile it back nice and neat. A few other odds and ends left on the table. And so we left the campground looking almost as nice as when we moved into it back last August.

Last night was "Light Up the Cumberland" and we got to see a fantastic fireworks show. practically outside our front door. We moved over by an oak tree to watch them. Sooo loud though, I'm sure Macon was jumping out of his skin inside his kennel inside the camper. He had a touch of Diarrhea this morning from the stress of it but he's not in trouble for making a mess in his kennel but I bet ol Barney was sure happy to get all that washed off once we got back home from our trip into Clarksville to get all the shopping done at Wal-mart. We could have stopped at Hill Top but there wasn't that much on my list and we already had to go to Wal-mart for a new sewer hose anyway.  I found another Cartridge for my Cricut and that was nice at 1/2 price. I found lots of things in the discount area and I picked up what I could to make a few things. I also picked up some more material to make more caps for my Sister in Law. I have one done, ready to send to her for a size check before I make any more.  I also picked up some material to make me a long blouse or dress. Not sure just what I'm going to make out of it, yet. I have two patterns .

 

The van ran a bit hot but not as hot as it was yesterday. Jerry is going to have Firestone flush the radiator. The closest appointment they have that we can get it in is on the 14 Th.

Billie C.
http://thelifeofbilliec.blogspot.com

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the
people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government lest
it come to dominate our lives and interests." – Patrick Henry