Hurricane Gustav, Thanks! Can you stay awhile?!

I am enjoying my morning. Listening to the rain.

Yes, hurricane Gustav made it all the way to Illinois and we needed some rain this week. God has blessed us abundantly this summer by providing rain every week just when it was needed. He always knows what we need most doesn't He?! He provided enough rain last night to cancel Abby's softball game in Canton - THANK YOU LORD! I am praying that He will continue to send the rain for tonights doubleheader against one of the area's REALLY tough teams. Abby is complaining that her knee is hurting and as the main catcher on the team, she can't sit the bench. She has one more week of softball and then she will be done. Think we can ask Gus to stay for the next week?! Just a nice steady rain.............for the next 5 days should do the trick right?!

I am looking forward to the slower days of fall and winter, can you tell?!

I finally got my new cell phone. In the 12 hours I have had it, I LOVE IT! It is fun and easy to use. I am still figuring out a few things and will actually read the directions so I can use it to its fullest function but I can at least add appointments and answer calls. I even ordered a few skins to keep it from getting scratched up.

Better go tend to the laundry and then I am off to get a new set of nails put on. Then off to play in ice cream and chocolate.

Hugs,

Jeanette

Thanks Mrs. Darling!!

I am excited to say that today, Labor Day 2008, I successfully made applesauce all by myself (well almost by myself - Abby helped).

Abby went out and fully picked the tree that was ready. We have been blessed to have some great neighbors that helped us by picking all that they wanted. This is the first year we have really had good sized apples to do anything with and I was shocked by how many we needed to get rid of. Thanks to Dave & Mary for bringing your kiddos down to the apple farm to have some family fun picking apples!!

THANK YOU MRS. DARLING! She gave me a great recipe and it worked perfectly.

She is a genius in the kitchen.

I had a sink full of apples that really needed to go elsewhere. So, I decided to dig in and get them done. I started peeling and after about 5 apples, decided that I needed an apple/peeler/corer/slicer thingy. So I quick ran to Linen's & Things to pick one up. It worked great and Abby decided that she needed to get in on the action. In about 2 hours we had all the apples on the stove and simmering.

One tree down and one to go!

I just need a few weeks to recover from being in the kitchem most of the afternoon. I purposely don't spend much time in there - wouldn't want anyone in my family to get the wrong idea! Just in case they were thinking I would start whipping up something great for supper, I quick threw some frozen pizzas in the oven.

Whew!

That was REALLY close!!

Praise God that Gus is over and clean up begins tomorrow. I am so thankful that Mama Belle and her family are safe and back at home!

Take care all and get to bed early tonight, we have a busy week ahead!

Hugs,
Jeanette

Quiet

Our day was a restful one. We headed to church this morning. This was our last Sunday before our actual kickoff date for our new church. The worship was wonderful and Pastor Daniel did a great job - like always.

After church I headed out to start mowing. Our sweet older neighbors spend the summer in Wisconsin so we take care of their yard for them. In return, he keeps the snow off our drive and sidewalks in the winter. Although we usually have to mow about twice a week in the summer, and he may only have to use his snowblower once or twice a month. It is totally worth it!! They actually got home last night but I headed over to get their yard mowed anyway. Gabby started on our yard and we got done in good time but I was sure beat. It was SO HOT! I grabbed a shower, threw on my lounge clothes and chilled the rest of the day.

I watched the 1940's American version of Pride and Prejudice (and snoozed some too). It felt good to do nothing. It has been a LONG time since I have done that.

Tomorrow brings another parade but I think we may not go to that one. Abby is spending the night with a friend so it is just Gabs and us. I set up a facebook account for her and she was having fun getting it all up and going. She really likes the pieces of flair! We sat and laughed at some of them.

Ah, the last of the dog days of summer! I hate to see it go but I do love fall. I have a bunch of apples that need to get made into applesauce - maybe tomorrow......we'll see..............

My eyes are starting to itch and water so I better get some Benedryl and chill the rest of the night.

For all you folks down south, be careful and stay safe! We will be praying for all and don't forget, we have plenty of room, we would love for you to visit if you wanna get away for awhile.

Hugs!

Jeanette

ps - ROLL TIDE! (This was actually in yesterday's parade and I had to show my support for my team!)