Daily Ooos: Thursday, August 7

[faerywings]

Hoo boy, yesterday turned out to be a very long one. So much for "quiet-ish" that I was hoping for. But I made it through and got a lot of loose ends semi-tied up.
My ILs were supposed to be coming here for lunch and when I looked around the DR/LR, it was obvious that I hadn't done a good cleaning recently, the dust and cobwebs were building up. Honestly, I had recently cleaned but I think with the patio work and the heat/dog shedding, it just got to be too much. I felt that it would be nice for them to sit in the DR without looking at the dust and I cleaned for three hours. Just dusting the curtains and light fixtures took a decent chunk of time. After all that, they decided that they were not coming for lunch but only popping in for an hour mid-afternoon. But at least the house is clean. For now.
Before and after their visit, I had to work on lesson plans for the August HS Pod field trip. That's coming up quickly, it's next Friday. Then I still had to rewrite all of the notes from the Forest Bathing walk-through. I should have done it immediately after I got home on Monday, b/c I had a hard time deciphering some of my scribbles. I heard from Lauren, who will be joining me on the walk, but as support. I don't feel ready at all but I realized I'm overthinking. It's really just a slower observation hike with a focus on the senses and some meditations thrown in. I have no problem doing an observation hike with 20 kids for a field trip, how much harder will it be with a handful of adults? Rhetorical question. It's like apples to oranges

We have been watching one of the monarch caterpillars build their chrysalis. We know we had two caterpillars for sure. One looked like it was going deeper in the garden on Monday. No idea if this one is the same one or the second one. Either way, they didn't pick the best place to build it, it is right on top of the front door jamb. We are going to have to be aware of it as we go in and out. Gary has been taking pictures of it as it progresses. I am the emotional support person, cheering them on.
@BoatLady do you have any advice on how to keep it safe while it metamorphoses?

I have to clean for my friend this morning and this afternoon, I need to catch up on the loose ends I didn't get to yesterday. Some of those loose ends are unraveling quickly so I have to get on that.

The weather looks to be beautiful but I am hoping that we get some good soaking rain before the field trip next week. The topic is stream study and the life cycle of amphibians. If it doesn't rain, there won't be enough water in the upper stream so I need a Plan B. Maybe even a Plan C. hehe.

Sending out love to you all!

 

[faerywings]

@vickyday I hope you had a successful time with your errands.
It must be bittersweet looking through old photos. I think you are doing an amazing job fulfilling your role as a non-preacher wife as well as having a new purpose within your church, including support of the new preacher's wife.

@Betty Jo I saw a headline from a local newspaper that North Jersey had 24 measurable earthquakes so far this year! The one from the other day was close to where Caitlyn works but she was down the shore with me.

@BoatLady I love to see the boats too! It was very hazy so it was hard to see far out, but there were a few on the horizon, plus a large sailboat that was a little closer. I didn't get any pics of them. I did snap a few of Cait and Tom in the waves. They are so dang cute together.
I can't wait to see the waterfall photos. Even though you didn't bring the tripod, I bet they're still stunning.
I really enjoy reading about your daily adventures, never a dull moment and always jam-packed with so many different things to do/see/eat!

Cool and cloudy today -- I'm loving it -- so I dragged David out with me to weed whack a piece of trail that's been needing it for a while. It only took us an hour, but, sheesh, do you come home dirty. Plus then the obligatory tick check. But it feels good to get that out of the way. We have a big work day coming up Saturday so I'll have to wash my permethrin-treated work clothes this evening.

For sure, good to get that work done with it's not hotter than an oven and wetter than soup out there.
Thanks for the reminder about the permethrin-- I think it's time that I respray my boots, hat, and backpack. I am pretty sure I did it last in June.
Isn't that the truth about schools starting up early everywhere other than the Northeast LOL!
Hope you enjoyed your easy dinner, book, and glass of wine!

 

[vickyday]

Hoo boy, yesterday turned out to be a very long one. So much for "quiet-ish" that I was hoping for. But I made it through and got a lot of loose ends semi-tied up.
My ILs were supposed to be coming here for lunch and when I looked around the DR/LR, it was obvious that I hadn't done a good cleaning recently, the dust and cobwebs were building up. Honestly, I had recently cleaned but I think with the patio work and the heat/dog shedding, it just got to be too much. I felt that it would be nice for them to sit in the DR without looking at the dust and I cleaned for three hours. Just dusting the curtains and light fixtures took a decent chunk of time. After all that, they decided that they were not coming for lunch but only popping in for an hour mid-afternoon. But at least the house is clean. For now.
Before and after their visit, I had to work on lesson plans for the August HS Pod field trip. That's coming up quickly, it's next Friday. Then I still had to rewrite all of the notes from the Forest Bathing walk-through. I should have done it immediately after I got home on Monday, b/c I had a hard time deciphering some of my scribbles. I heard from Lauren, who will be joining me on the walk, but as support. I don't feel ready at all but I realized I'm overthinking. It's really just a slower observation hike with a focus on the senses and some meditations thrown in. I have no problem doing an observation hike with 20 kids for a field trip, how much harder will it be with a handful of adults? Rhetorical question. It's like apples to oranges

We have been watching one of the monarch caterpillars build their chrysalis. We know we had two caterpillars for sure. One looked like it was going deeper in the garden on Monday. No idea if this one is the same one or the second one. Either way, they didn't pick the best place to build it, it is right on top of the front door jamb. We are going to have to be aware of it as we go in and out. Gary has been taking pictures of it as it progresses. I am the emotional support person, cheering them on.
@BoatLady do you have any advice on how to keep it safe while it metamorphoses?

I have to clean for my friend this morning and this afternoon, I need to catch up on the loose ends I didn't get to yesterday. Some of those loose ends are unraveling quickly so I have to get on that.

The weather looks to be beautiful but I am hoping that we get some good soaking rain before the field trip next week. The topic is stream study and the life cycle of amphibians. If it doesn't rain, there won't be enough water in the upper stream so I need a Plan B. Maybe even a Plan C. hehe.

Sending out love to you all!

Well, at least you got your cleaning done! Hopefully the Weis work will fall into place quickly for you!

 

[vickyday]

@vickyday I hope you had a successful time with your errands.
It must be bittersweet looking through old photos. I think you are doing an amazing job fulfilling your role as a non-preacher wife as well as having a new purpose within your church, including support of the new preacher's wife.

@Betty Jo I saw a headline from a local newspaper that North Jersey had 24 measurable earthquakes so far this year! The one from the other day was close to where Caitlyn works but she was down the shore with me.

@BoatLady I love to see the boats too! It was very hazy so it was hard to see far out, but there were a few on the horizon, plus a large sailboat that was a little closer. I didn't get any pics of them. I did snap a few of Cait and Tom in the waves. They are so dang cute together.
I can't wait to see the waterfall photos. Even though you didn't bring the tripod, I bet they're still stunning.
I really enjoy reading about your daily adventures, never a dull moment and always jam-packed with so many different things to do/see/eat!

For sure, good to get that work done with it's not hotter than an oven and wetter than soup out there.
Thanks for the reminder about the permethrin-- I think it's time that I respray my boots, hat, and backpack. I am pretty sure I did it last in June.
Isn't that the truth about schools starting up early everywhere other than the Northeast LOL!
Hope you enjoyed your easy dinner, book, and glass of wine!

Thank you. I hope I am supportive enough!
I get teary looking through old photos of Tim and I, especially when I think about my wonderful life with him! So, I don't look through those very often. Tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of his death.
Got all of my errands done in perfect timing to stop by Mark's shop to pick him and Bob up for lunch. After taking them back to work I went back to CVS for my last errand of getting Mark's meds. I have to wait until I'm on the way home to get his Ozempic because it is refrigerated.

 

[vickyday]

Good Morning,
More rain today! Cool temps, too. High of 70 yesterday! Love the cooler temps! Not the rain for 3 days, however! I need to do some laundry for our FL trip next week, but the septic is already full and running over and smelling! And water is running in the basement!
I have the rest of my August AJ pages done and ready to post when the time comes. And my challenge is ready to post for week 3.
Another lunch date planned with Mark. No Ilene for this week and next as she is in WV with her cousin and other family.
Need to run to the church and move the trash cans back from the road as we forgot to do it last night while at church. The guy who usually does it is having a colonoscopy today, so he was doing the prep yesterday and wasn't at church. No problem! I did get the bank statement while at church last night and confirmed my July figures are correct for the Financial Report, so I will drop that off while at the church today.
That's basically it for me. Will try to work on some other challenges today since I will be MIA for the most part next week. I'll check in now and then, but won't be doing any scrapping. I need to go over and post the MIA while I'm thinking of it.
Have a great day!

 

[MariJ]

Good morning to all. Chris, your monarch watching sounds so cool - will be happy to see photos and layouts, soon?
Ok, so I think I figured out this "quote" thing, here goes -

But it was worth it, all of the driving and traffic and having to get across 3 gazillion lanes on the Driscoll Bridge.
Side note: I googled the name of the bridge. I always called it the Raritan River Bridge or the Bridge from Hell. The Bridge Most Likely to Give Me a Heart Attack. But I digress. TIL that it is, according to Wikipedia, the widest bridge in the world:

You made me laugh Chris. When I was little and we'd be driving to the shore house each weekend my Dad would say, "What's the name of this bridge" to my sister and I, the answer always being "The Raritan". I was much, much older when in recent years I saw a sign and discovered it's the "Driscoll Bridge", who knew? I guess us "locals" knew better! But still, every single time I go over the bridge I hear my Dad asking, "What's the name of this bridge?" Every single time...

I also got to see dolphins!

Wow, I haven't seen any there but I've heard from others who have. Lots at Sandy Hook and the bay where my family is, but I've never spotted them.

I saw this before I left and I said hi for you! I hope that you can get down at some point, maybe after the end of the season?

I hope so but it's a crazy, busy summer and so far I can't see the light. My friends in Belmar are down there and enjoying. My littlest friend is now 2½ and if we thought she was a beach girl last year, this year she's officially loving it all. The sand, the water - all of it. Her Mom said one day she's sitting there playing and deliberately mashes her face down into the sand like she decided to see what it tasted like. Dad did a fast pick up and ran her to the water to wash off all of her before that sand got into eyes and such!

We were at Belmar, a few towns south of Asbury Park. My mom's family had a house there when she was growing up, a few blocks from the beach. Man, I wish they still had it. Could you imagine??

OH MAN, for sure... Can you imagine, wow.... My friends' house I go to was the above 2½ year old's great-great grandma's, her Great-grandma who will be 92 soon went there all her life. She'll tell me about what it was like then. They too, are only 3 houses from the beach on 17th Avenue and it's the same old house they all grew up in.... Fifth generation enjoying it now!

There have been a bunch in North Jersey in the last week. I personally haven't felt any of them but it sure is weird having so many of them in the news. Thanks for thinking of me! ♥

Oh my for sure I felt that first one. I was laying in bed watching TV but really sleeping I heard the load rumble and felt both the house and my bed move. I got scared that either the house was falling in or someone was either trying to break in or had hit it. (Living on this 4 lane road on a hill the house HAS been hit). I walked all around, saw nothing and decided that oh well, if they get me they get me. And went back to sleep. The next morning I saw it was an earthquake. I wasn't home for the second one, but didn't feel it where I was.

Hope I got this all right - quite chatty this morning. Wishing everyone a nice day...

 

[BrightEyes]

Morning, all. Woke up to high humidity (87%) which made the 77*F feel like 92*!!!! No opening the house this morning. Then realized that I had not put the trash bin on the curb - so made a mad dash out in housecoat and slippers to get it there. Thank goodness, the trash truck is running later than usual.

Yesterday was a busy morning... took the library books back, dropped off mail at the post office, bought a tee shirt and PJs at Kohls, and finally took the time to get my hair cut. The stylist did a great job on it and I am happy to have it back to my short do again (like in my avatar).

DD#1 will be back at my place this afternoon so she can get packed and ready to leave for home tomorrow morning. It is about a 7 hour drive from here to there.

@faerywings so neat that you got to see some dolphins! Hope your area gets some rain before the hike... but if not... I am sure you will come up a plan B.. of plan C... if needed!

Oh my for sure I felt that first one. I was laying in bed watching TV but really sleeping I heard the load rumble and felt both the house and my bed move. I got scared that either the house was falling in or someone was either trying to break in or had hit it. (Living on this 4 lane road on a hill the house HAS been hit). I walked all around, saw nothing and decided that oh well, if they get me they get me. And went back to sleep. The next morning I saw it was an earthquake. I wasn't home for the second one, but didn't feel it where I was.

WOW... earthquakes can be scary. Lived through many of them while in California and a few other places. Glad the ones in NJ were on the small size and no major damage.

Need to more coffee then shower and get dressed. But first, I need to check on my challenge. HAGD

 

[AK_Tracy]

Good Morning Ladies!
Where did yesterday go??? Spent Monday getting cabinets for DD. SIL came home from work yesterday. The project they hopped to work on was a no go as parts hadn't arrived. So about 2 they called and asked if I still wanted to help demo the kitchen. Yeah baby!! Hubs took the grands and went fishing. My granddaughter had the hot lure and caught three fish. She received a pink tackle box and pink lure for her birthday. She was so happy. Her third fish yesterday, they were reeling it in when an eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish!!! Hubs quickly grabbed around grand to help hold the pole and child in the boat. The eagle was trying to fly away and couldn't because of the fish line attached to the pole. The eagle was probably 10 feet from them! The line finally snapped and the bald eagle flew off with grand daughters fish, lure and half the line that was on her pole. She was mad. Turned to hubs and said, that eagle was an a**h***. He was trying not to laugh as he told her that's now a word we use sweetie. She's four. But the eagle was a poop and stole her fish AND her new lure. I think she was most upset by loosing the lure. This eagle is super bold and always flying over our house. We have to watch the little dogs so they dont get eaten. We've had a lot of eagles watching our kids when toddlers, dogs and watching us fish on the lake but never has one dared to get so close and steal our fish. There are so many fish running up the rivers right now that we are surprised he stayed close and took the lake trout. Crazy times for sure. No photos as hubs was too busy keeping kids safe in the boat.

DD, SIL and I got the old cabinets out, new ones placed but not screwed in. They then had to run to the store for screws and counter tops. Thankfully its raining today so hopefully they are able to stay indoors and finish the kitchen. It looked so nice, even only half done yesterday.

Not much happening today as its raining. Need a day to stay still but man the rain was so hard last night it kept waking me up. Feeling tired before I even start my day. More coffee needed for sure. Good things its strong today.
Have a great day!

 

[Terri M]

Today marks the end of an entire week with the air conditioner off! Not only do I love the fresh air, and the sound of kids' voices as they play, I keep thinking of lower electric bill - Yay! This evening the local seafood store is having their food truck at one of the nearby wineries, plus there will be music, so looks like a second evening in a row with an easy dinner.

I've been making some good progress on my photobook from our 2016 "Great American Roadtrip" and very much enjoying remembering all the places we saw. My timeline in Google Maps is my salvation. It's probably good I have those pictures to work with, because I'm not getting many pictures for my weekly pages in my annual photobook. I usually fill in with a lot of photos from the gardens but this summer's heat has really done a number on it and there's not much pretty left.

Either way, they didn't pick the best place to build it, it is right on top of the front door jamb. We are going to have to be aware of it as we go in and out.

How long are they in the chrysalis?

Her third fish yesterday, they were reeling it in when an eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish!!!

That's an exciting story! She won't forget that one. Don't you think grandpa should have given up the kids for the sake of a good picture? But, truthfully, he comes off a hero.

 

[bcgal00]

Good morning ladies. We have been getting quotes and after having no hot water for two days we now have a company coming tomorrow to install a new tank. Thank goodness we have an on-demand hot beverage tap to use for washing dishes, that helps. I have dry shampoo so that has helped for my hair. But...I sure can't wait for things to get back to normal. Just in the nick of time too b/c we are hosting a BBQ this wkend for 11 of us, I need hot water.

Finished S1 of Yellowstone 1923 and really enjoyed it (not as much as Yellowstone but still quite good). Tonight we'll start season 2.

I have a few more wks before a couple of end of summer markets and am using the time to create a line of kids bracelets as I've had a lot of requests for them. I can't wait for the kids to see them at the next market. I felt so bad for all the ones that were asking for small sizes so now I'll have a whole display just for them. I love that the boys want them too.

@faerywings That's cool that you can watch the progress of the monarch.

@vickyday I understand about not looking at the photos too often. I have to pick and choose when I peruse Bailey's pics b/c it wrenches my heart but I try to smile through it and just think of happy times.

I'm going to enjoy a quiet day with jewelry creating, maybe scrap a page later, do some laundry (good thing I wash in cold since we have no hot water LOL) and only go out for a few groceries later. Jen is taking the dogs to the river today for a few hours so I'll enjoy the quiet. I love my dogs but I also love some quiet where I am not bugged to play or go outside for a bit.

 

[AK_Tracy]

That's an exciting story! She won't forget that one. Don't you think grandpa should have given up the kids for the sake of a good picture? But, truthfully, he comes off a hero.

I thought the same thing!!! Why didn't you grab a photo then grab the grand!!! But truthfully I am glad he focused on the kids, there were three in the boat with him and I am sure he didn't have enough hands to go around. But oh I can imagine the photos that could have been. So that means I will probably go with him from now on and it will never happen again.