Last night the weatherman mentioned a norther moving into our area this evening. Now, in Texas that is big news. Especially after we are used to most days being at least 80's or 90's. We rarely, if ever, have snow. And by snow I mean it falls from the sky but never hits the ground. Maybe we do get too excited over ice days which occur two or three times a year. But, for some reason the news of the FIRST norther or frost just totally excites most of us around here! I have to cook a pot of chili for the annual event. It's ready and the cornbread is set to put in the oven. I keep opening the front door to see if it has gotton here. So far at 4:19 PM? It's still hot.

No wonder the meterologist doesn't leave his cell number on the bottom of the news screen.

**This is too funny. Can't take credit for writing it but sure did get a chuckle out of it. **

THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY! We Must Stop This Immediately!

Have you noticed that stairs are getting steeper. Groceries are heavier. And, everything is farther away. Yesterday I walked to the corner and I was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become!

And, you know, people are less considerate now, especially the young ones. They speak in whispers All the time! If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they're red in the face! What do they think I am, a lip reader?

I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age. On the other hand, people my own age are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and she has aged so much that she didn't even recognize me. I got to thinking about the poor dear while I was combing my hair this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection. Well, REALLY NOW - even mirrors are not made the way they used to be!

Another thing, everyone drives so fast these days! You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.

Clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20? Do they think no one notices? The people who make bathroom scales are pulling the same prank. Do they think I actually 'believe' the number I see on that dial? HA! I would never let myself weigh that much! Just who do these people think they're fooling?

I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on -- but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in there!

All I can do is pass along this warning: WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!
Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities.PS: I am writing this to you in a larger font size, because something has happened to my computer's fonts - they are smaller than they once were.

OCTOBER is officially BREAST CANCER AWARENESS month. I have done my part and had my annual mammogram. Have you?

I personally think that insurance companies should lower the age requirement so that all women, even youngun's in their 20's - 30's should be able to qualify for coverage. I have seen too many young women be diagnosed even when it's not hereditary.

Too many family and friends I know have had to deal with the nightmare of C.A.N.C.E.R. and the horrible treatments. I have a precious cousin fighting for her life right now and sweet friends who are doing the same. Life is hard enough ! PRAY FOR A CURE! But, do what you can to help yourself and others! Get your mammogram and support cancer research.......

FOR those of you stopping by for the FALL OPEN HOUSE.....scroll down a little past my little blurbs 'of late' and you'll find it. I got a little anxious and posted early. THANKS for stopping by and thanks to Deena for organizing!

They don't always seem it but today has seemed like a LONG day. I guess because I have had a busy past few weeks and all of a sudden NOT.

I slept until 8:30 AM and then wandered around with a few cups of coffee for about an hour assessing(LOL). I was going pretty good by 9:30 AM. By 4:00 PM I had cleaned the bathrooms, made the bed, stripped the guest beds, washed, folded and put up 3 loads of clothes, cleaned, cooked dinner, run to the pharmacy and the ranch store to pick up "ant" killer, organized some library thoughts that Tawana left me for Wednesday, did a few emails, and now I am fixing to bake something sweet. I haven't even watched TV. Trust me there is plenty more I could do but at 6 PM I just realized it was a holiday.

So tomorrow? I'll have my own private holiday. Just because I'm retired doesn't mean everyday is a holiday. Everyday is just Saturday.

SO, here are the rules;

1. Link to the person who tagged you http://www.ashleyallenphoto.net/
2. Post the rules on your blog. Copy and paste onto your blog, then fill in your own answers.
3. Write six random thoughts about yourself
4. Tag six or so people at the end of your post
5. Let each person know he or she has been tagged
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

Six random things about me:
1. ] I'm very spontaneous about everything I do.
2. ] Most times I think with my heart and not my head
3. ] I learn something new ( or 2, 3, or more ) things everday.
4. ] I feel most secure and content in my own "nest". I think I could never leave my house for days sometimes. Then I crave the social world!
5. ] I am a compulsive sales shopper... Know of any good ones going on now? I love to buy for other people.
6. ] I love jewelry! Mostly bracelets. My motto? When in doubt over-accessorize.

I am so random that I could have gone on and on. 6 was too easy!

I tag:

Jenna
Hollie
Kelley
Christine
Kathy
Sheila

I think Ashley already tagged Heather and JD if not...TAG.

When I retired one of the children painted me this portrait of myself. Don't you think she captured the real me? Even down to the jewelry I was wearing. You gotta love 2nd grade art class. I enjoy it everyday as it hangs by my desk.

Several years ago, my friend Deena over at Can I Be Pretty In Pink ( and yes, she can ) started hosting an open house for all the seasons, so although miles separate most of our blog friendships, we can visit through pictures. So, here is where I spend my time. Here is where I nest, love, sleep, and make memories.

Welcome to my house. I love FALL. I don't like Halloween, witches, skeletons, RIP signs, ghosts, and scary masks. But, I do love pumpkins, scarecrows, fall colors, falling leaves, the smell of cider, the hope of a "soon" roaring fire, and the drop in temperature after a blazing summer. I love opening the windows for a breeze and caramel apples. I love the first real nip of cold air because that means soup.

This funny little guy guards my front door and keeps the little RED birdhouse safe. I never know when Mommy Wren is going to show up to raise a new family.



Scarecrows do NOT scare birds.

Do you see my LIZARD friend who stays on porch year round? He likes to hang around and watch every season change. I swear he is prehistoric. His favorite perch is these solar lights. He is watching me make his picture AGAIN. This summer his wife was with him for the portrait. Can you see him on the metal rod on the side of white post?

Come on in. Watch your step up there. Even after all these years I still fall in sometimes! Usually because I am admiring the pictures of my grandchildren on the wall!












This old window that sits up on the piano was off the farmhouse that my son in law's grandparents lived in for over 70 years. I like to think that his grandma Salas used to look out this same window!












I love pretty books to display.








I told you I like pumpkins. They are scattered and hidden everywhere. I wonder if I counted them how many I would have? I have some that are "not real" but they sure look it until you pick them up!




I haven't set the Thanksgiving table yet but I use all my emerald green glass dishes and glasses that are in the cupboard behind my table. I started collecting the green glass years ago and love to find new pieces. It works for all occasions. I love it at Christmas too with all the red. Even Easter bunnies look good on them! I like to use my special things instead of saving them for "something special". EVERYDAY is special! Get out that china, girlfriend!

If you want, you can sit in the kitchen and have a cup of hot apple cider. Or join me in a cup of coffee. I love to crank up the pot about 3 every afternoon. I inherited this trait from Mom and Dad.







I bet I could find something good to eat too.







It is still too hot in TEXAS to have a fire in the fireplace but until I can I keep candles burning in there. It's some kind of therapy for me.

Let me tell you that some good naps happen in this room!




I also love to collect OLD books and hymnals. I have quite a collection and some of them were actually my grandmothers and are in great condition. Some I have bought for myself and I am always looking for a new favorite one. I have a basket of really old hymn books. I thought I had made a picture of them but couldn't find it when I started looking!







Even the laundry room has to have a little fall. I spend ALOT of time in there. How in the world do 2 people have so much wash?











This old book was actually one of my own children's books. I am so glad that my mom saved things like this for us. I have several of my old story books. I guess it qualifies them as antiques. DON'T ANSWER that.

This is my side of the bed. It is always a peaceful place to end the day. See the alarm clock with all the letters off the around the alarm buttons? I haven't used that clock for "getting" up purposes for 2 years and I LOVE IT. I forgot how to set it. I try and always remember to blow out the candle on my side but it smells so good. It is the BEST candle ever and I stock up at this time of the year because Walmart only puts them out in the fall. They are seasonal, they say. For $ 5.00 and they last forever.






The smell just overtakes the house but it is not strong and overbearing. The first thing anyone says is, "your house smells so very.....CAN YOU SAY YUMMY..Everytime I go to Walmart I buy a candle to put away and save for summer when they are off the shelves and scents like this are gone.

Don't be afraid to drop by anytime because this sign says it all. Plus, I love to have guests.....even unexpected. Well, if it's after 10 AM!

Why does blogger scatter words and pictures everywhere? It should be easy to set something up and save it and it actually stays that way....grrrrrr.