Weekend Photo Hunt (Drinks and Gathered)

Usual by this time of the year I pick up a bottle of booze to drink. But money being tight I didn't get anything.

So it was after Christmas I notice the eggnog was mark down it was just under $2.00 (1.54EU 1.28BP) for ½ gallon (1.89 liters)

But if I was to put any booze in the eggnog it would have been rum or brandy.

I kept the gifts that was going to my in-law gathered in one pile. For Christmas eve dinner party.

So for the next week hunt and it will be the first one for 2012. To start the photo hunting season out the challenge is to find Bling I'll need dictionary for this one. Then other one will be Tree Branch   I got something already figure out for this one.

Click on bling or tree branches to learn more about what I call the weekend photo hunt. 

Well it starts tomorrow, 2012 and ½ dozen is having a No Spend Challenge  It would be great she had a no-eat junk food month...”Oh I know I would be detox heavy and going crazy” ...”I got off subject sorry about that”

I'm staying out of these stores in month of January....Wal-mart....Thrift store....no driving to Sandpoint...I won't be going to any rummage sells like they have them this time of year up in North Idaho.

The only place I will venture into is a place that sales food and necessity of life such as toilet paper.

Daisy, Rosie, and Ziggy pet food.

I know my electrical, phone, water, and natural gas is always under $200 a month.

But I'm clueless what we spend of food.

I can see this challenge will be good thing not to add any more stuff to what I already have.

Both hubby and I don't live in squalor conditions but it getting tight of things in shed/barn. This will be a good chance to start to clean it out...not add anymore stuff.

So ½ dozen is asking anyone else to to join in

Prediction For 2012

Once again I'm going to do my prediction for 2012. I've done this for ages on this blog of mine. Confession time...I got a real crappy out come. I haven't hit the nail on the head. Although I've been some-what close...barely.

1. There will be a food give away here in United States...but it will be on news not because of giving way food. It will be on who handling it.
2. Iran borders will be move into part of Iraq
3. Must world currency will be on the down side (some deflation).
4. The Chinese won will be down in late spring early summer (May and June)
5. Privatizing more things and service will be the big push in government.
6. A larger divide between the haves and haves not.
7. The new count for congress will be 225 Republican and 209 Democrats.
8. Obama will get elected for his second term.
9. Ground beef in July will majorly fall in price to under $2.00 a pound
10. Gas companies will be forced to give there profits from their sell of lottery gas tickets.
11. More people will be involved with there local charity or communities (actual socialize will be up)
12. There will be a new hit songs out for the holidays or seasons celebration.
    
    
    Here in a link to 2011 predictions
    
    

Goals for 2012

As for 2012 goals go....I know I need to down size I got way to much stuff. So I though dispersing 10% of our stuff around here. Hopefully more.

I would still like to turn the smaller bed room into a office/craft room I would get it clean out and it seem like it becomes a catch all room. What every just toss it in there...Both Murphy and I are guilty of it.

The first two area I think should be hit hard and get rid of 10% of the stuff or even more is the shed/barn. Also the shed out on the bench.

I know I should be looking for more hours of work. Confession time...I have real attitude about working...in the home care line. It's such a joke...one thing I do yearly is send a letter off to my elective officials...well here is a link  to letter I send out this year.

 

I need to fine anther line of work or to increase the income. I know Hubby will go back to tree nursery but that is slagging also. He is old man out there most the workers are under 40.

I know things in the economy is tight. But I don't have much to invest for a ceramic business. But there two small area I would like to work towards sells. One is be able to take some finish ceramic pieces to the local farmer market in Bonners Ferry. Every other weekend starting last Saturday in April. It last til the first part of September

Then also try to get an esty page and see if a few ceramic pieces sell that way.

But I need to organize my molds and inventory. To see what I need things such as stoppers for salt and pepper shakers.

Well for health goal is start some simple health habits...drink water, walk and keep a health journal

Now for the garden plant and asparagus bed. Murphy would like to put in a greenhouse and I would like to put in a compost bin One will see who gets there way...Confession time...I'm surely not going to make a stink over it.

I don't want to add a new flower bed yet.

Now for money except we are not in debt. I though every bill of money I get with serial number ending in 12 I would stick in jar and see how it will grow.

I'm thinking of using this money for some needy family for Christmas 2012.

Slowly I been trying to get my blog print off in book format and I thought of any bill with serial number have 4-7's

Not sure how much money I will have save up

Find 5 pieces of ceramics finish them up...market them and the sell will going...One finish piece profits will be going to community action center which is our food bank. At this point I believe a person can only get a food box here 3 or 4 times a year.

I like to see that increase....One can go in more often for salvaging for what every usual it dairy, bread and few odds and ends.

But the salvaging program here is feast or famine.

Second finish piece would go to our local animal thrift store.

Third to the fifth piece will be use to pay it forward for local people.

I think this are reasonable goals that can be obtained.

 

Weekend Photo Hunt (Lights and Surprise)

For years we cut our own tree off our property up by the three mile area. Confession time...I have to say some years the trees where better then other years.

But this year we got nice tree, grand fir. One from nature sometime the ones out wood isn't prefect. Just like we all our including me.

I thought it would be interesting taking a picture of lights reflecting in the front window.

Then I went outside and took picture at dusk looking back though our front window.

One morning my son Sawyer was out and not even sure the reason why. He found this sickly abandon little kitty.

For some reason he was drawn to it. Pick it up and took it to some local Vet in Spokane and paid it's vet bill.

Actual this doesn't surprise me at all. Both of my sons our kind heart people but it doesn't mean they will let someone walk all over them.

Next weekend photo hunt theme...New year eve...the last one for 2011. Gattina theme is drinks and Sandi is gathered

So those who like to gather info on the hunt please click either drinks or gathered.

2012 Letter To My Elective Officials

Once a year I try to send a letter out to my elected officials. With all going on and the grid lock between the political party.

I like take a bit of your time to write to you on “home-care” which is part of medicaid-health and welfare. I'm only pick 3 area that should be put out on the table.

1. Medical Appointment
2. Over time for those projects
3. Remaining on healthy or developing health habits

I have first to say the medicaid nurses who comes out and does the interview with the client actual is pretty right on with hours the clients needs.

1. But when it comes to medical appointment I've taken client to a medical appointment and the medical persons is running late for some reason.

Or they send us off for some test.

Then there are time our assign hours are done and we're working off the clock and not getting our hourly wage. In simple term we're being force to work off the clock

If we're out of the area and our assign hours our use up. One couldn't just leave a handicap or disable person stranded.

My suggestion would be...Have a simple form that someone at each medical place sign the arrival and departure time.

Then send it in with our regular progress note and time slips.

I would guess each month do to medical appointments I'll be 1 to 6 hours a month over my a assign hours. After the assigned hours we're not getting paid.

2. I have to say the medicaid-nurse who interviews the clients are pretty right on for a fair amount of time given per clients needs.

But it wouldn't hurt or be helpful if there was way to have a little extra time for those extra project. I think 1 to 12 hours a year. Client could apply to medicaid for certain extra project like washing walls, shampooing carpets, taking there pet to the vet, clean out a closet, extra shopping and getting ready for different holidays.

The client would have the optional on how he or she see fit to use these hours...They could be use up in one day or spread out though the year.

3. This here is hardest one I believe “Remaining on healthy or developing healthy habits”or should we say having better choices in one life.

I like to give you a brief picture when a possible clients sends me to the store...A shopping list may consist something like this. Box of rocky road ice cream, 2 cases of diet lime flavor of coke, 3 bags of doritos, 2 pounds of ground beef, pkg of hot dogs, philly cheese hot pockets, dozen doughnuts, 6 apples, head lettuce, gallon of milk, case water, carton of cigarettes, and a 6 pack of beer.

First of all everything except the beer, cigarettes and lottery tickets can be bought with food stamps or on ebt food card. The other stuff can be taken off the cash side of there ebt card.

I don't want to sound like I have no emphatic for these people or letting them have a few pleasure in life.

But there is plenty who could improve.

I would suggest the client and those around he or she to set mini goals. To be complete in 3 months or if they don't complete over 75% of set goal. If they don't met it....start cutting there benefits back to zero. If they met there goal let say cut there care only be cut 15 minutes at a time.

And or give them something a little extra such a little extra on the quest card , gift certificate or even cash

Every 3 months a new goal will be sat and client must keep all past goal that been set.

Last of all those who change and start living a healthy life and is still disabled or handicap can be guarantee a care-giver for 8 hours a week.

I heard on National Public Radio that we are classify as companion workers and thought there should be no time limits

It true we as care-giver work very hard and the three area above would improve the quality of care for those who needs it.

As worker in home-care field I like you to consider things I mention above.

Editor Note...This is a copy of letter I've send to some of my elective officials...still need to send some more out. 

Tuesday Outting.

Tuesday the 20^th of December both Murphy and I where out.

Well first Murphy was attending a meeting about the expansion of the airport here in Bonners Ferry. First of all we have some property close to airport that could be effected. But who it will mainly effect is Murphy Aunt Shirley and Uncle Harvey.

As for the expansion on Airport it was quickly table.

There will be anther meeting the 23^rd or so of January.

But what he gathered at meeting that their more interested in the run-way to the south end of the airport.

We are some what effected by the North end run away of the airport.

But the thing there interested is moving highway 2 right though the middle of area property. But with the economy and budget it sure not going to happen the next few days.(years)

Plus we have a shed out there with some stuff in it.

Statement time...We got to much stuff and need to go though the sheds and get rid of the stuff.

Either sale it some how or give it away. Anther thing some of the boys stuff is still here like the wooden blocks when they where little rug rats

So I went and drove Faith around she just had her birthday the 15^th and she just turn 89. But Murphy drove and help our friend Quenella.

After Quenella was done shopping and Murphy was home. Soon Quenella was calling. So her and I chat for about 15 minutes or so.

She was sticker shocked on how much it cost to ship her packages over to western Washington...$50.

She like me. Who never balance a check.

Also has money at the end of the month.

In lot of ways Quenella is strange and I guess we all have our strangeness about us. But her heart and spirit is in the right place.

With her small income she finds ways to help out people in need. I know she helps a few people in there Christmas needs. I know every month she sends some money to heifer international and .smile train  

Then there was some veterans group but I don't recall which one.

I don't know why I like people who is little different and not afraid to go against the grain of salt

Are the Weans In Their Bed, For It's Now Ten o' Clock

Sunday the 18^th Murphy and I went out an about. First we stop over at Murphette to deliver her Christmas present. Her daughter Annie was there and was intrigue with the size of the package.

Well due to the size, measurement of the gift I'm giving to Murphette. I combine mine with hers. She asked me to wrap her gifts she bought for her self. So in the long run of things it was easier to combine mine and her gift together.

I told her Annie that I play fair and don't play favor over one person over anther. I don't think she knows her gift is already delivered to there home. I sign the card “Santa Reindeer”

Pete (Harold) my father and my grandmother Olive on my mom side played favor with people. Opinion time...I find it totally disgusting.

So I try to be fair. Not saying it always comes out that way.

Murphette let me barrow some of her refill ink. I'm out of ink and waiting for some to arrive. Then we left.

Headed toward the old sawmill and ambush rock area looked around. Nothing in particular. Just looking around for the odd find.

Then we went a little farther out and took a short walk out on the game reserve. Good lord the starlings and the Canadian geese where sure noisy.

It actual not a place for one who want to get into some deep thinking mode.

Didn't see much.

Then after we stop in at Faith Murphy sister. She was wondering if the boys where coming up for the holiday. I was pretty sure Bart was. But at that time I wasn't sure what sort of plans that Sawyer and his girl friend had.

Well I got hold of Sawyer and he wasn't sure what their plan are.

I knew Bart was heading over to Portland Oregon to see his girl friend. As I was talking to Sawyer I found out Bart transmission went out in his car.

So at this time I'm not sure if either one of my sons will be up for Christmas. There not little kids. So if there present a little late, oh well. Both of them are pretty sensible.

After stopping at Harvest food to get a few items. Came home and I tried that ink to refill my cartage. Well no luck on that. Hope the ink comes in before like yesterday.

Can't say I was looking forward in applying for energy assistance. Not because we're asking for help. Most year we don't qualify. I know it been a good 10 years or longer since we applied.

It the manger of the energy place. Her husband and my husband had altercation at work. There still bitterness between them.

One may ask “what does this have to do with you getting energy assistance”

Some time she treats me ok then other time she treats me not ok. I wouldn't use the word “shitty”. As I see it she really don't know how to treat me. She between a rock and hard spot.

Well it went ok.

I thought it was longer then 10 years ago. Last time we got energy assistance was back in 2005 and both sons here in high school.

Well our energy assistance was $373 which will be credit to our electrical company. I figure that should last us 4 to 6 months.

Our Northern lights which is our electrical company. The electrical bill usual runs us something in forty dollar range into the seventy dollar range.

I just starting to think a little bit about 2012 now. But not putting much brain cells in it.

Weekend Photo Hunt (Joy & natural)

Didn't put much brain cell in coming up with who “photo hunt” I was going to post. I'm going to use an alphabetize by themes.

Weekend photo hunt theme is “Joy” and “Natural”

I like are “Morning Coffee” The time I spend with my husband and our first cup of coffee. This simple thing in my life gives me a lot of “Joy”

usual we don't have a treat like this...but a little later on we heated up some “ginger bread” I made. Which was joyfully good and both hubby and I enjoyed every little bit..So “I'm sharing this recipe with you”

Yule Ginger Bread

From: The Good Witches Farm House Kitchen

¾ cup sugar

1 cup molasses

½ cup of butter

3 cups of flour

1 cup milk

2 tsp ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cloves

¼ tsp nutmeg

2 eggs well beaten

1 tsp baking soda, dissolved in ¼ cup of boiling water

Cream the butter, sugar, eggs, and molasses...mix well.

Stir the flour and spices and add alternately with the milk to the first mixture.

Stir in the dissolved baking soda. Pour into well greased cake pan and bake at 350° (176)

for 30 minutes.

Editor note...I found out this cake wasn't done in 30 minute but closer to 45 minutes.

I still sat the timer for 30 minute and checked about every 5 minute.

Light now is shortly in the sky. We who live on Northern part of world is lacking natural light. The sun comes up so late in the morning, right around 8. Then pretty much heading down on the other side of earth, close to 3:30 in the afternoon

So it been hard to get the time when the sun set.

For years I been keeping a personal almanac of weather related stuff.

Next weekend photo hunt picture will in some strange or factual will consist of surprise and light 

But now I want to thank both our hostess Gatina and Sandi. If anyone want to check out any picture who is part of a photo hunt click on surprise or light.

Been slowly putting Christmas together. I've heard on the news this year the average Christmas shopper spent right around $700(452 P)(537 E) I don't know if there bragging, complaining or trying to make one feel guilty not spending like that.

Well looks like Murphy and I spend right around $200(129 P)(153 E) The cheapest present is the coloring book and crayons which my two great grand nephews will each get one. There both in 1^st grade.

The most expensive gift well I can't recall if it a set sheets or the 2 quart sauce pan. Well I don't want to say much because theses gifts will go to my sons.

But this year the gifts average out to $10(6 P)(7 E) a piece.

I know we spending a lot less this year on Christmas. Last year we spend right around $100(64 P)(76 E) on each son. This year it was cut by 50%

Then on the kids at family party there gifts where also cut right around 50%.

Slowly been wrapping and sacking gifts. I recycle Christmas wrap. Statement time...I can't believe what people will throw out.

I found two rolls of Christmas wrapping paper in the dumpsters.

I've got Christmas wrapping paper at thrift store, yard sale, wrapping paper that people throw a way. And the day after Christmas sell.

I also do this for those gift bags.

Confession...I'm getting tired of the Christmas wrap. I been using the same wrapping paper doing what every I can to stretch it

Editor note...P stands for the pound and E stands for the Euro.

This caught my attention a No Spend January Usual in January I purchase my under garments. But I know in reality no one our society can't go around spending money. But there is always room for cut backs. I'm going to take the challenge.

 

Weekend Photo Hunt (light and decoration)

We all know and those who don't know that

TN CHICK  retire from photo hunt and pass the torch to Whistle Stop Photo Hunt  there regular blog is whistle stop cooking.

Also Gattina of Writer Cramp will also be hosting a hunt and it will be called Saturday photo hunt I'm going to try to do both Statement time...I need my head examine. But I'll be calling mine “weekend photo hunt”.

My post may be a little lengthy this month.

First time out Whistle Stop Photo Hunt picked the them of “lights” and my guess she took this theme because of Christmas and majority of people has there tree up and all deck out. We put up real tree and here is a picture where it will be going and all lite up.

Next week theme here is “Joy”

Decoration what Gattina picked for her first hunt. I have no ideal what this is called but I know it has something to do with the Scandinavia countries and I got it at an estate sale.

Then every year I pick up a new ornament to hang on my tree. The one I bought is the red bird on crystal pine cone.

Then also I painted one of ceramic ornaments. Most of them I give or sell.

Next week hunt theme will be “natural”

Thursday the 8^th of December my friend Quenella and I went to Bonners Ferry to do our Christmas Shopping. I”m trying to avoid big box store such as wal-mart and like.

We're spending a lot less this year on the holidays. I usual spend $15 to $20 on the kids at Christmas eve party well this year the gifts are right around $5. There 6 kids there and thee total was $30.00

I only need to order 4 or 5 more present on line. I'm waiting to see if Alice sold my dragon or not. She was heading to craft show in Spokane. If she sell it I'll then order Murphette gift on line if not. She'll get the dragon and she collect dragon.

I'm stumped on practical gift for my oldest son. But it needs to be figure out before Tuesday. Any ideal for a 23 year old guy who got his on pad. I don't want to go much over $30.00

Weather Report (November 2011)

The warmest day in November was 27th at 52.7 (11.5)

The coldest day in November 15th was 7.2.(-13.7)

The average high for November was 41.2 (5.1)

The average low for November was 23.2 (-4.8)

Snowfall 18 ¾ (7.3)

I recently change my “who am I” it's on right side.

Have a cup of cup and welcome to my blog. I'm far from prefect and you need not be either. My blog is my blog and I post what every I want. I visit who every blog I feel like. I grew up and I don't need to be involved in clicks like back in high school. But I promise to always be honest on my blog even if it means exposing my own self. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent but all facts are true. I have quite a few interest and so my posting will be of variety of subjects. I'm married and we have two sons that left the nest living life. There two cats living with us Ziggy and Rosie. Blue Healer also we call Daisy. As your visiting here. I have no control on how you may react. But remember all are welcome. Even if we don't see eye to eye. I always felt free to let people comment as they see fit. If you have any desire to leave a comment that is spam or to exploit others please leave my blog and no need to come back. My blog isn't to control anyone and you have the freedom to leave. I have no control or any desire to control any ones feeling or opinions. I'm a student of life and everything around me. So Welcome to my blog.

Photo Hunt (Ripped)

This weeks photo hunt I was actual hoping something better would come along. But I did find this ceramic ornament that was ripped among the seams.

What usual cause a rip like this is pulling your molds to early or late.

But I never notice it in the greenware stage so it got clean and fired...it's ok to hang on our yule tree.

 

I just read that TN CHICK

won't be hosting photo hunt. I've total enjoy being part of it. I only wish the best for her and her family.

Out where I'm at we only have dial up. If someone else would like to take up the hunt I would still be glad to be a part of the hunt.