2023, The End

 

In the month of December, I averaged walking 13,178 steps per day.  Sunday, Dec. 8, was the only day I did not make 10,000 steps. I am not sure what I did that day.  Maybe it was the week I went to see Betty. I don't really remember.

For the year, I average 10,609 steps per day.  These are my total steps, not just a single walk. February, March and October I averaged less than 10,000 steps per day.  I am guessing the weather was not good in February and March.  Not sure what happened in October.  Next year, I am going to try for 10,000 steps every day.  

And, in other news, it is December 31st and Sister Betty was mowing grass today.  I think she may have lost a few marbles.

So that's done

Robert got a late Christmas today. We put 4 new tires on his truck. Jr. Said he thought we last put tires on it 3 years ago. Anyway, he is on the road again. 

Only 1 more day of work for me this year.  

It is getting cold here, but it was warmer this morning at 4:30 than it was when I went to bed last night.  I will have to turn on Helen's heat this week end. She left the first week in November, and I have only turned the heat on one night so far. 

I am ready for July.

The Shephard guarding His Sheep

Merry, Merry

The kids all bought everyone presents this year, so we have lots more packages than usual under the tree.

I got a permanent today. I wanted to wait till the first of the year, but it was just looking too shaggy.

I am off work until Tuesday.  Jr. Says he is cooking the ham this year. I hope it is edible.

The sun also rises..

Once again for me.

Home Again...

Click, clack.

Elesio and Hannah made a gingerbread house. It is cute.

I made it home just fine, but it was sure foggy in the mountains.

I walked my 3 miles after I got home. Now, I am done for the day.

Christmas Punch

This is my friend Wanda's Christmas Punch. She would make this every year for our Christmas party at work.  Everyone always loved it. She retired several years ago. Monday, I am making it for our work Christmas party.

Tomorrow, I am going to see Sister Betty and finish my Christmas shopping.  It will be fun!

This...

Sums up the situation with the chicken company I work for.

1964

See who is sitting next to me...

Brenda Carol Tuttle

1941-1992 of Blue Springs, Missouri. Yearbook photo from 1958.

She moved to Blue Springs in 1960. Survivors include husband John, one son, four daughters, and one grandchild.

She was a member of the Santa Fe Trailers Square Dance Club.

Seasonal

Amen...

Happy day

For her birthday, Hannah got money from me and her dad because that is what she asked for. Robert took them to Fayetteville shopping. I hope they have a great day.

If I only knew...

I think of the people I work with as my work friends. I do not really have much contact with anyone at work outside of the work place, but I still consider them my friends.

One young woman started in our department about 6 months ago. She has had a really hard time learning her job.  She is very hesitant and unsure even after all this time. 

I did not care much for her at first. Then, another friend that worked closely with her disclosed some things I did not know.

When this girl was just 16 she got pregnant. The guy disappeared before the baby was born. After she was18, she got a job where I work. She lived in an apartment very close to work and did not have a car.  One icy winter day, while carrying the baby  girl to the babysitters, she fell and cracked her head open. Since hearing this story, I am less judgemental about her abilities.

If I only knew...

She is married to a nice man now, has another child, good life, and a friend in me.

Sister Betty is going to make her a toboggan for Christmas. I will give it to my friend and get all the credit.

Sisters...

Sister Helen, I just think you should know that Sister Betty is NOT saving those quilts you made for her imaginary great grandchildren.  She is wasting them trying to stay warm.

A nice day

But cooler.  I made Chilli. It hit the spot. I walked 13,600 steps today, 5.6 miles. I was really lazy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Only getting 3,000 steps Wednesday, and 7,000 each the other two day. I did much better the last 3 days of the week, so I still averaged 10,400 a day for this week.  

One more day then back to work Monday.

Glorious day...

I started my walk before sunup this morning going up meek hill and down the other side.  It was cold, about 33, when I started out but I was bundled up. It warmed up to mid 30's by the  time I got home.

I told the kids they could have left overseas today or find their own food.  They went to Harrison to eat. I had cornbread dressing and green beans. Cornbread dressing is my favorite Thanksgiving food.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great day. Em, Lex, and other son joined us. We had turkey and everything to go with it. Plenty left for tomorrow.

Hannah made the rolls and they were great. 

Now, all is cleaned up, so I can enjoy quite time.  All is well.

Christmas Tree

Oh, Christmas Tree.  Hannah and Eliseo put up the Christmas Tree. This is one we have had for many years, but I usually put up a really small tree if at all. Kids wanted this one. It looks pretty.

I am off to Sister's house soon.  It is raining here and 46 degrees. Maybe sister's weather will be better.

Frost

We have had frost the last two mornings.  Yesterday was really nice later in the day but it is gloomy and rainy here now. I walked to Dan's and back this afternoon, then put in some time marching in place to up my steps. Fitbit did not know the difference. 

I have this whole week off work. I am going to see Sister Betty tomorrow. Maybe do a little Christmas shopping at Russellville.

Gas Car

Found...

Saturday going down..

Helen and I went to Harrison today and watched Greta play basketball. We really enjoyed It. She is a pretty good ball player.

The Evolution of Basketball

 Betty's post about the original rules of Basketball lead me to this website Basketball Basics that I thought was so interesting. Did you know that: 

• Basketball at one time was referred to as the "Cage Game" and players' "Cagers." This was a result of wire mesh (chicken wire) or chain-link fencing being hung around the entire court in an effort to make the game go faster by eliminating all the out of bounds delays.
• actual peach baskets were used and that someone had to climb up and get the ball out of the basket after each goal
• at first the game was played with soccer balls and after each goal there was a jumpball 
• when a player was replaced by a substitute, the player could not return to the game
• coaching during the game was not allowed until 1945, yes 1945, over 50 years after the game was first played
• why the 'key' is called the key

I found it all very interesting. 

Two teenagers

The Poor Boys.

Early walk

Walked up meek hill and down the other side early today. It was nice out. Not done anything much more today. Back to work tomorrow. 

All gone

This concrete thing is the only sign remaining where the old Stone house stood. I think this was his well. Everything else is long gone.

Frost is on the tractor

23 degrees @ 8am.

Damp Walk

 

I walked up Meek Hill this morning just at day break.  It was damp but did not start raining until I got back to Dan's. These criters are wondering what I am doing out in the rain.

I was dressed for the weather.  This large sweatshirt is just the right size to protect from the rain.

It is supposed to drop below freezing tonight.  The first time since sometime in March.  I guess winter is on its way.

A Good Day...

 

After All...

I took the day off for a doctor's appointment, so I thought I would walk early.  Looked out about 7 am and it was raining.  So, I frosted the cake I made to take to work for Ryan's birthday today.  When I finished, I looked out and it had stopped raining so I walked to Dan's and back, took the cake to work, got groceries at Berryville, made the base for the chicken speghetti I am taking to work tomorrow then rested till time to go to the appoitment.

I got the mail on my way out and had my credit card bill.  It had a charge for over $400 that I could not remember what it was for.  I thought and thought what I might have pruchased, but was drawing a blank.  Went on to the Doctor.  My blood pressure was up.  I wonder why.

I looked at my bank account, and saw that on the same day of the $400 charge I had paid the eye doctor. Then remembered my new $400 glasses.

I did find out that I started using my Cpap and took the bone density test in April of 2021, two and a half years ago.  But I will probably forget all that tomorrow.

Oh, and I got my flu shot and my covid shot today.  Now I am all shot up.

Planning for Christmas

I give small gifts to each person of my department at work every Christmas. I have already purchased bags and had Sister Betty make chicken coasters for each. Last week I found these plates at a junk store. There are 11 small like this and 3 large plates. I will make cookies or buy candy to fill them. I have 3 bosses so rhe 3 large plates will go to them, perhaps with a different filling. The best part, all plates for $1.50. 

Fall?

 

It is fall, but many of the trees are still green because we have not had a frost.  October 25 and it was 72 degrees at 4:30 this morning.  It is supposed to get down to 32 Sunday night, but still the days are going to be warm.  It was actually hot this afternoon.  Maybe this means we will not have winter this year.

I think this is a Republican tree

It is full of vultures.

Still here

This was taken Sunday on the drive to Betty's.

Not much happening here. It is cooler in the mornings now. Down around 40 most mornings, but nice during the day. We have not had a frost yet. Maybe it will stay warm all winter.

Oh Happy Day, Cousin Reunion 2023

 

Sunday Walking

 Over the Hill and thru the dell...

I started my walk before sunup this morning.  This was taken from the other side of Meek Hill..

The sunup was beautiful.

I walked to the branch the other side of JR's, 4 miles round trip.  It was 42 when I started out, but it warmed up nicely later in the day.

Then I went to Aldi's and got potatoes for Thursday along with vegtables for Helen's veggie tray.

Hetti Mae

Reincarnated.

Day of rest

Sort of. I took the day off today and took my car for an oil change. I walked to cemetery at 7.  It was a glorious morning.

Wildlife

On the loose!

Walking at sunset

Tonight I walked at 6:15 to cemetery road and back, 2 miles. Temperature was just right for walking. By the time I git back to Dan's, the sun was setting  behind the trees.

Tomorrow I am off work. Taking the car on for an oil change then whatever.

New glasses

I may not look better, but I can see better. They fit better and are sturdier than what I had.

Today In My News

Elise and Hannah found a rabbit.  I thought we might have fried rabbit, but they declined.

We started full time with our new computer system at work today.  There were a few hiccups, but my part we smoothly.  Not much different than the other system for me.  It is harder for the techs on the floor, because it is much slower for them to use.  They are supposed to order them real keyboards to use with the tablets. That would speed things up.

Hannah had a problem with her car, but Uncle George worked on it and it seems to be fine now.  I knew there was a problem, but I am not sure what was wrong.  I am not much of a mechanic.

I finally went up on the hill to check on the game cam. It seems to have completely died.  I may buy another on, or maybe not.  We will see.

Helen says Bob is back from California.  He was really sick out there. She said he said he was not going back.

Yard Birds...

 

Early this morning in Son's yard.  Just a few minutes ago they walked down the road in front of our house.  I was out walking, but Greg said he thought there was around 30.  We have not seen a single turkey anywhere around here for over a year, so this was a surprise.  Brother Clayton's great grandkids, I am sure.