Vinyl Words to Live By

Have you ever heard of Upper Case Living? In a nutshell, it is basically a company that sells vinyl words and phrases that are applied to your choice of surfaces. You could put them on walls, refrigerators, windows, wood, mirrors, etc.

I was to my friends' house earlier this year as she held an Upper Case Living party in her home. They have some pretty creative sayings to choose from. You could also make up your own. Color isn't a problem either as you can order it in your own color schemes.

I had a hard time deciding on which one I wanted. Actually I had a few that were my top choices. But I had to narrow it down. The place in my house that I was thinking of while making my choice, was my kitchen. I had a couple of walls that needed some decor. So it was tough for me to picture just what I would hang on the wall that would have vinyl lettering.

I finally ordered one. It has sat in my kitchen for a couple months only because I hadn't been to any stores to figure out what to place it on. I went to Hobby Lobby and with the aid of an employees, decided to purchase a large mirror. After getting it home, it turned out that it was going to be perfect for the shape of the sticky vinyl letters to rest.

See for yourself........

"Espresso Yourself!"

It took me a few tries to get it hung just right.........but I really like it. I'm hoping to find a couple smaller items to hang on the wall next to it to create a grouping of decor. What do you think?

It's That Time of Year Once Again....

I always like to be ahead of schedule when it comes to holidays. Sometimes I don't do well at staying ahead! But today I managed to finish up the decorating on the outside of my house. I had put up a few light strings and some new features in the yard a couple days before during our days of mild weather. But today the temperature soared into the 50's. All I had left was to hang the lights on the gutters and put some lights on my deck railing. (I'm still debating on whether to climb up on the roof to hang lights from the upper level peaks.) It would be so pretty! We'll see....
I have yet to put up the inside decor but as soon as I clean the house, that will be the next small project. This weekend or even part of next week is when it will be done. For sure. No matter what. No later. No matter what! No one can talk me out of it....uff da! What a chore it seems to be any more. I have so many decorations that it's hard to decide which ones to use. I have accumulated some of my own Mothers' items besides the things I've been given as gifts or even purchased on my own through the years.

But I do love this time of year. We have had some brief snow showers here and there. That always makes me feel like doing something in correlation to Christmas. Some of the radio stations have been playing holiday music now for roughly 3 weeks! That is a little bit too early for me, although I have listened to it some the last few days. And it means I can officially dust off the piano books just waiting to be used to bring a little music of the season into the house!

Have you been watching all the old cartoons that appear on TV? One example would include Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. Another one could be Frosty The Snowman. I remember as a child, waiting in anticipation for these programs to air on TV. They were always fun to watch even if we knew exactly how things would play out.

And what about the crazy shopping mobs? I avoid the traditional "get the bargains while they are cheap" day after Thanksgiving at all costs! Usually I'm on my way to work when these loonies (no offense if you are one of these die hard shoppers!) are on the streets heading to their favorite store! 4AM! Give me a break! If I need to save that much money on a gift, I shouldn't be buying gifts at all! It's nuts! But that's just me....if I had the chance to sleep in....I would. I get up that early (3:15am) every day so it's just not worth it to me. Shopping can wait until normal shopping hours, thank you very much.

Anyhoo....this is either a great time of year for you or it isn't. I don't think there is much of an in-between here. You like it or you don't. Easy enough. I happen to love it! I hope you are enjoying the madness of the season and not driving yourself crazy to keep up with the rush that goes along with it! Happy shopping!

My Thanksgiving

Because I was unable to be in ND (or with any family for that matter!) this week, I signed up to work on Thanksgiving Day. It fell in the middle of my normal work week anyway. Plus I get paid more money. What's not to be thankful for?
After I arriving home roughly 1:30 PM, I put my 8.8 LB turkey in my Smart Pot slow cooker. I glazed it with Pomegranate Chipotle Sauce, from Tastefully Simple of course, and covered it so that the cooking process could proceed properly. Then I set the cook time for 4 hours on high. From there, I found a comfy spot in my chair and whilst watching TV, promptly fell asleep. It was a nice short nap that gave me energy to get up and make a few small casseroles that I ate along with my little turkey. My other side dishes included: Scalloped Corn, Sweet Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole. I left out the mashed potatoes because I simply wouldn't have had a big enough stomach anyway!
After only 3 hours, the turkey was done! I hadn't even started putting the casseroles together!
Once they were in the oven I proceeded to do some minor chores and watched some football for awhile.
Finally the meal was done baking! I ate more than I should, as everyone seems to do, and after cleaning up the kitchen, relaxed in my favorite chair one more time.
I had given my Dad a call to see how their day had gone. My brother's family was visiting at his house for a few days. My sister Cathy had called earlier in the day and we were able to get caught up once again on what each other has been so busy with from day to day.
It wasn't long after my meal and the turkey had worked it's magic on my brain, that slumber came once again. After snoozing in my chair for about 1/2 an hour, I gave in and went to bed. It was only about 9 PM! Sheesh! I am definitely getting older!
I had a very nice quiet day.....and I ate quite well. Thankfully, it was a nice Thanksgiving!

The Work Continues

After returning to Dad and Beverly's house on Sunday, I set about to make some home made Chicken Noodle Soup. Beverly was busy trying to finish up the ironing that needed to be done.
Before I had gone to Dickinson, I had re-arranged the living room furniture in an effort to accommodate some extra furniture that had been acquired from Beverly's Mom after her passing. I vacuumed the floor as I moved things around as it's hard for Beverly to do with her shoulder still on the mend from surgery earlier this fall.
My aunt Penny, Dad's sister, stopped in with some left over Angel Food Cake just as we had sat down to eat supper. So she joined us to eat soup and then some of the cake. Very good! We ate most of a large stock pot full of soup! After eating, Dad and I practiced the songs that were going to be sung for the funeral. Then it was just plain 'ol fun----we sat at his keyboard and sang songs from the hymnal that I had jazzed up by using the different settings and beats that can make the song sound like an entire band is playing along!

When I had arrived on Thursday, Dad had received a phone call regarding the passing of a long time resident of the McGregor area, Bud Thorson. He had been the post master in McGregor for years. He and his wife Arlene had just celebrated their 60TH wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. The family asked Dad to sing at the funeral, which was Bud's request. They had found a piece of paper with Bud's hand writing, stating this request. How can one resist when it's from the deceased them self. How sweet to think of this.
I ended up playing organ for the service and accompanied my Dad for his songs as well. I've known the family for years so it was an honor to be able to do this. I remember baby sitting for Bud's grandchildren through the years while I was in high school. Some of them didn't remember me though! (it's tough to get older!) It was nice to see so many McGregor residents after all the years that have passed by. The service was held in my home town church on Monday, November 17TH. It's like time hadn't moved when I walked through those doors. I got to play the organ that my own Mother used, as she was the organist for several years before her passing. And getting to play piano for my Dad brought back many memories of He and Mom singing together for many weddings and funerals alike, that I accompanied them for, many many years ago.
It was a nice service followed by a luncheon served by ladies of the church. There were maybe 150 (?) people in attendance to pay their respects to the family of Bud. The church was full and they opened up another area in the back of the church in order for all to take part in the service.
God bless the memory of Bud Thorson.

After the service and returning back to the farm, I helped Beverly with the exchange of summer and winter clothes in their proper places. I also helped empty some boxes and made many trips up and down the steps to the basement so that they wouldn't have to, and stored things from the motor home in their respective places. I then set about vacuuming the kitchen, computer room, their bedroom and the laundry room. As I did this, I tried to organize the things that I moved around in order to vacuum. Beverly was busy doing some dusting as I vacuumed.
Then we moved out to the garage and tried to organize some of the things that will go to the new owner of the motor home. It may have been a small dent in the projects that they want to do but it all helps I guess!
Later, I set about making a supper consisting of meat loaf, sliced potatoes with butter and seasoning that were baked, and mixed vegetables. It was very filling and along with the left over soup, should give them a few more meals that won't require much prep time.
Beverly's daughter-in-law called to see if we were busy. She came out to the farm for a visit.

After sitting up for a few more hours watching TV, it was off to bed......I had a long drive ahead of me the next day to return to NE.

Tastefully Simple on the Road

During my trip home, I also had business to attend to as well as just vacationing. My sister-in-law, Susan, had agreed to have a taste testing party in their home while I was in the state. So on Saturday morning, I drove from my Dad's to my brother and sister-in-law's house in Dickinson, ND. Her party was scheduled for 3 PM.

My nieces had a vague idea that I was going to be there but didn't have a confirmation on it from their parents. So when I arrived, I rang the doorbell and had 3 young girls greeting me with very wide grins on their faces....that is, once it registered that it was their Auntie Sandy standing on the other side of the door! It's fun to surprise them! They were helping Susan prepare the dips and desserts that would be served at the party.

Susan had a small gathering that brought in very good profits for her and I alike. She earned several free products from her show.

After her guests left and we cleaned up a bit (after continuing to eat what was left of the samples!), the girls found a couple of games that we played. Kevin and Susan wanted to surprise them again, by taking them to the new movie, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. It was a great movie and we all loved it! Very funny.

Then it was back to their house where we sat and watched a little bit of TV and chatted before going off to bed.

The next day they all got ready for Sunday School and Church while I got things packed back into my van to return to my Dad's house. I still had a few days left and wanted to continue to help Dad & Beverly with some household chores.

After hugs and kisses, I left them and ran a few errands in Dickinson before heading back north to the farm. I made a stop in Tioga for a few groceries as I had planned to make a couple of meals for them before I left for Nebraska.

The view out my front window while driving back to Dad's. These are the Killdeer Mountains....I know....mountains in ND? Yep....

How pretty is this even if it's not green?

It's always fun to see family....my nieces grow more in between each visit with them! Such sweet young ladies!

Time to Get to Work

I told Beverly before my arrival in ND to make a list of chores that I could do to help them as they have medical issues that prevent them from doing some of the things that they need done or would like to have done. She was ready for my return to ND!

Friday morning after getting dressed for the day, my Aunt Penny, Dad's sister, stopped by on her way home from having her hair fixed. It was her weekly visit. So it was fun for me to see her as well. She is so bubbly and fun to visit with!

After Penny left, I decided that this was the day I would work in the living room. I re-arranged the furniture and vacuumed the floors as I went. Box elder bugs are a nuisance in ND at this time of year. As the days get colder outside, the bugs look for warmer places to live and end up getting in the house constantly. So I was able to vacuum up the corpses of these nasty creatures as well. Ish!

Beverly was working on her ironing. Her shoulder prevents her from doing too much at one time so she would do what she could stand each day. She had accomplished quite a bit from what I could tell.

Later, Beverly had a hair appointment in Tioga and Dad suggested that we eat out and invite Beverly's son and daughter-in-law to join us. So they did. It's always fun to see Dennis and Julie.

We had made a stop at the grocery store prior to eating and after returning home, brought everything in snuggled in for the night. Their dog Bandy, a Shih-tzu, always loves company. She seems to like me as well. She ended up sleeping with me each night instead of Dad and Beverly! Go figure! She loves to play and is a great lap dog. We get along fine.....

It's always fun to visit the farm......things don't change too much but it's neat to see how much the trees have grown in between visits especially.

Where I grew up....

driving into the yard....
the back yard...

The front yard....

Such a peaceful and serene setting to see. No traffic, no sirens, and no neighbors! Lots of wild animals roam through the yard too. We watched 3 deer walk past the trees that are showing in the photo just above. It's not unusual to see such a sight. Last year, a young moose wandered into the yard. You just never know who will show up! It's great to be home!

White Christmas...err...Thanksgiving?

I'm officially on vacation......albeit a short one. But non-the-less, it's still vacation! I was hoping to have some days off for Thanksgiving but to make a long story short, I couldn't get all the days I was needing. So I decided to use vacation now instead of later!

I drove to my home state of ND to visit my Dad and his wife Beverly. It's been over a year since I've made the trek back there. Pitiful, isn't it? It was actually for my Dad's 70TH birthday (last October) that I had been back to the farm. Time does go by much too quickly....is that a sign of aging?
I had been hearing all the weather reports prior to my trip about all the snow and such, that ND and SD had been getting. Bismarck was reporting 10 foot snow drifts last week on our news in Omaha, NE. Bismarck happens to be on my route going north to my Dad's. I was hoping that any inclement weather would be done before I had to travel through.

The further north I drove, I could see evidence of the white stuff along the roads. After getting as far as Watertown, SD., I could still see the piles from the snowplows along the streets in town. And from what I could tell, Bismarck had definitely received their fair share of the white stuff. But nothing could compare to the amounts of snow I saw a little further north along Highway 83 near Max, ND! It was already dark when I was traveling along Highway 83 but thanks to the full moon blanketing the earth like frosting on a cake, I was able to see the evidence of just how much snow had fallen in the area! The ditches were full and drifts had risen high enough that someone riding snowmobile was out taking advantage of the mild evening and going all over the place! Now, having been raised on the farm, we had a few outdoor toys, some of which were snowmobiles. We loved them back in the day. So witnessing this event brought back many fun memories! I think I even became a little jealous seeing this individual out having so much fun! (sniff sniff)
Annnyywaayyy, I was very glad that I hadn't tried to travel the week prior. My drive north turned out to be an uneventful one and I arrived at Dad's safely. I was greeted at the door by their ever excited dog Bandy. She is officially the "welcome committee" in the Moberg household! So much so that she gets in trouble for over doing the welcome! Quite the greeter!
But I'm here....and glad to be. It's nice to be on the farm for a little peace and quiet of the country. ....umm...that's a sure sign of aging when one loves peace and quiet! Good ol' North Dakota.

Sky of Wonder

If it hadn't been for the fact that the calendar said November 6TH, today I would have thought it was June or July. The weather has been quite irritable this week and today was no exception. While the northern plains of ND and SD were being blanketed with fluffy white snow, we were being threatened with rain and a chance of snow. But the wind was blowing all day and we were under severe weather advisories for the remainder of the day. I had very vivid flashbacks of all the bad weather we endured during the month of June.
The sky was churning and clouds were on the move. Mother Nature was trying her best to raise havoc on Omaha. Thankfully, all she could muster was a small rain shower and strong winds along with temperatures that only dropped to the upper 30's. It could have been a treacherous drive to work on Friday if she had succeeded with snow!

The southern sky prior to rain.......

Looking to the west.

I was even hearing the thunder boom as I sat at the computer listening to music. Yes, it was that loud! My cats heard it....I could see them look towards the windows as if to wonder what the heck was going on outside.

I have a bad feeling about this winter! Is this the beginning of a real cold and snowy season? Lets hope not! I do like snow, but just not quite yet! It's still fall!