Another "spring" storm...if I ever get my hands on that rodent, I will own a new fur coat.  Perusing the boards here, and I see the same names, ad nausea.  Sad.  This has such potential for reaching out and the same topics are rehashed until threadbare, by the same folks who can't seem to sign off the computer. 

Merry Christmas!

Finally, the wet, cold weather has arrived!  We were beginning to think Winter would pass us by this year. My heart goes out to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, at last reading, there are still so many without homes, or power, or both! Winter is not the season you want to try your hand at camping. It seems so little, but hopefully our meager donation for assistance will be put to good use.

With the wet, comes indoor projects. Today, however, is a day for bundling up and making beef stew.

Chuck sold the last of his software, and is now buried deep within the world of sports cards! I'm thrilled he found something to keep his interest, now that the music is no more.  Not sure where we will store all the boxes, lol, but we will find a place! Everyone needs an interest, a hobby, a pastime that keeps your mind and spirit active, crossing my fingers this is such a thing for Chuck.

And now, a fire is calling my name.

Fall is fast departing, the irrigation has been shut down, bulbs are snug in their new beds and the veggie garden has been tilled, ready for next year.

With the return of cold weather, comes more free time.  So, I decided to update this journal.  Not much has changed.  Chuck is a little more disabled then he was at my last writing, finding things to amuse his mind grows difficult!  Not able to type much at all, or sit at the computer, we tried a voice activated software package and a laptop he can use in the recliner.  His spirits are great, I can only hope I am as positive when things start to go wrong with me!

I think the hardest thing for me to watch, was his inability to play music.  One by one, the instruments were sold, and he now uses a program on the computer to create songs.  The sadness in his eyes, when he couldn't pick up or use a guitar, was almost too much to bear.  And yet, he smiles. 

Once, I mentioned my fondness for model trains, and it's like watching a small child at Christmas light up when I show him different models, I think he is more excited then I am at the prospect of this new hobby! 

I never thought it possible to love someone so much.   I was so very wrong.

Spring is around the corner! Or so it feels like. The gardens are bursting with new life, several trees are covered in green and it was so bright and sunny, I had to break out the Foster Grants.

Free time is spent raking leaves,turning over soil and fertilizing,nothing like getting your hands dirty! Our veggies are snug in their little cups,waiting for a bit warmer temps to venture outside,and the plants moved indoors for Winter,are now hanging from the patio cover. The days of gray and brown are over!

The last two weeks have been interesting. First, let me say that snow is no longer magical. Our town shut down for a week,we have no snowplows and rely on local farmers to plow the streets. Bumper high snow,packed on top of ice,makes for dangerous driving,I don't care what kind of 4-wheel drive you have.

Today, the sky is clear,deep blue and we are sitting at 40 degrees, it's about time! Having a well stocked pantry with home canned fruits and sauces, tons of flour,sugar and coffee just makes it seem as if we can weather anything. Big trip to the "city" on Friday, time to restock essentials. This, is the highpoint of my world.

2012 arrived. Yippee. I'm thinking that if Meteorologist had been offered on career day in high school, I would have signed up. For women, it was nursing,teaching or secretarial duties. I don't recall anyone pushing Meteorology, not even for the boys.

Not only is the field interesting,but it's the only career I know of that your safe,no matter your prediction. In fact, people expect you to be wrong. Pretty cool, when you think about it.

Just one more day....I must say that I am ready to put 2011 to bed. I also, can't wait to see what 2012 brings!

Here's to a happy,healthy New Year :)

Woke to a lovely picture of fresh snow over everything.   Snow adds to the magic of the year and can turn an ordinary day into something special.   I can say that because we only get a few inches, typically...not the many feet others are dealing with!

Things are settling down, not as much running around,a day or two to relax and do some baking. Maybe a good soup day.

Big day on Monday. Today, we had the van worked on, took it in for a luxury wash and detailing, oil change, the works. We are heading to Seattle for a specialist who will hopefully have wonderful things to suggest for Chuck. The wait has been long, and I have to say, he is not looking forward to 7 hours in a car, 3 1/2 hours each way. Reclining seats,pillows and anything I can do to make him comfortable, has been done.

The weather is behaving, forecast is cold and dry, but no snow! Having a fairly large mountain pass to climb, this is great news! I will breath a sigh of relief on Tuesday, when this trip is behind us.

Too much food.  It's harder to make special meals for only two, then it is for twenty!  No matter how small the bird is, there are always leftovers!

Wonderful day, everything went smoothly, nothing burned and I remembered the cranberry jelly. A bit too much football for my personal taste, but otherwise, a grand day. I am thankful for my life, my husband and loved ones. There could be more money, but when I look at all those who have lost so much, I feel blessed that we are doing so well. Now, it's time to unpack Christmas and start the mayhem!

I think if I smell apples one more day, I will hurl.  At least the canning is done, jars lined up in the pantry like little soldiers. We even have enough to send as gifts, apple butter and apple sauce, my family will love me! Beautiful, crisp fall day, following a night in the twenties, perfect for roaring fires, homemade bread, stews and fleece lined slippers.  I miss Summer already.

Solid day of heavy rain, perfect for canning applesauce!  1 bushel of apples down, 6 quarts of applesauce in the pantry.  Another bushel left to go, and Im thinking...applesauce and applebutter!

Fuji apples won't be ready for another week or so and my game plan is to put up tomato sauce next, hopefully all those green tomatoes will be ripe in a few days while we wait on the Fuji's.

9 min to kill while I wait for the cooking to be done, and here I sit.  It's like playing beat the clock to get all this stuff in jars!

First full day of rain and gloom..brrr.   We pulled the last of the tomatoes from the vine, dug up the plants, all berries have been trimmed and it feels like Fall has hit full force.  The heavy robe was brought out of hiding; Thick sweatpants and socks are the fashion of the day, and hot chocolate is flowing in a constant stream.

I'm counting the days until Spring. 

Finally home!  Dogs resting, van unloaded, scrubbed down and packed again for this weekend.  Came home to a dead computer, I guess 6 years is a good long life.  Now trying to get the new one up to speed and having arguments with the browser. 

Had a GREAT trip back east, stopped at every tourist trap along the way, took countless pictures and the dogs did fantastic.  Still flying high from the experience, now ready to do it all again, but this time closer to home!

Fall has arrived in all it's glory.  Ordered wood for the winter, started pruning roses and berries.  Birds are active, geese flying overhead almost in a constant stream, and I am making soup.  Funny, how it can be warm when you leave and totally different upon your return!   Gotta go..hasta!

Busy, busy, busy.

Packing, grooming dogs and getting ready for a cross country trip.  Our once a year dog show, devoted to only this breed.   Three days of driving, each direction, half the fun is getting there!   I am, the poster child for American Tourist.   Picking up little tokens of each state when we stop for gas; hats, mugs, tshirts, key fobs..you get the picture.

Seeing people I haven't seen since last year, renewing friendships and making new ones, it's like a party that lasts for an entire week.  Everyone stays at one hotel, the late night discussions held in hallways can go on until dawn!  

Dogs look fantastic, putting their best foot forward....just got my own hair done, lets get this thing going!

We had such a mild summer, the last two weeks have been a bit overwhelming, too hot for my taste.  Hopefully that little episode is over and Fall can start to gear up.  I look forward to picking apples when we get back.

Ta, for now!

Hot weather, finally arrived.  Morning chores, watering done early, now onto indoor stuff.  First canning of the year, stewed tomatoes.  Found a very easy recipe for Italian style, just a few more to pick from the plant and we are ready to go.  Nothing beats the feeling of watching the pantry fill with jars for the winter, such an emotion of accomplishment, must be what squirrels feel as they store nuts!

What a sticky mess.   And not in a good way.  I had forgotten, (its been a year), the mess involved with peeling peaches for pies.   It's everywhere!  I'm thinking a firehose to the kitchen just might work.  

Great fun though, and nothing better then home made peach pie.  Time to jump in the shower and lose the syrup that has attached itself to various parts of me.

Ok... I have come to the conclusion that BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, Sadomasochism and Masochism, based on the original context of the acronym.  This is how I view it, so my comments on my profile and journal stand as written, we don't partake in this particular combination of activities.   As always, these are my views.

Dominant and submissive in nature is what we are, it's not what we do, this, plus the fact an acronym can only support one word per letter, there is no way that BDSM can represent Bondage/Discipline/Dominance/Submission/Sadomasochism/Masochism. 

I may have been wrong...eek!  The world makes a little less sense now. 

Actually, if what I based my thoughts on in regard to BDSM is incorrect, I owe some apologies and some deep soul thinking is in order.    

While we don't do BDSM activities, there is most assuredly a dominant force and submissive nature at work in this house...

Stay tuned for an update.  Could be the biggest apology online ever recorded. 

BDSM, people assume that because you take the time to post on a forum that is clearly labeled for BDSM, that you MUST partake in the activity.  Well...we all know what happens when you assume. 

I put in my profile that my husband and I don't enjoy BDSM, as it was explained to us as Bondage Discipline Sadism Masochism.   I was recently corrected that this also means Dominance/submission...but that makes no sense to me.  How can it have two meanings?  If the D/S had two meanings, then shouldn't it read BDDSSM?

We took the time to read books, (Screw the roses, give me the thorns and BDSM101), made a few visits to play parties and spent several weekends at the Wet Spot in Seattle.  My husband even went so far as to have lengthy discussions with the owner of the WS, trying to find out what this was all about.  We didn't simply read online and make a decision, it was done with hands on experience.

Same with Gor.   John Norman brought us together, for that I owe him.  But after spending time with folks that were met on the internet, it was decided that there were too many questions unanswered, too many hypocrites involved to make it worthwhile.   In the lifestyles defense, we did meet a handful of people that didn't use chat rooms to converse or hold discussions, and it was through our meetings with them, that we saw the entire thing in a new light, a different and better light.  No roleplay, secret handshake or funny language, no clothing or food that was imitated from a set of books.  I saw firsthand that people could assimilate something from the books, and it had nothing to do with what you typically find online..and everything to do with a self awareness.

We still don't use the "G" word, too many nutcases that lay claim to being gorean and our lives can be lived in the same manner, without labels, titles or funny looking toga's. 

So, when people say to me that ALL goreans enjoy BDSM, I just smile, secure in my knowledge they are incorrect, but it's not their fault.  They have been hanging with the wrong group of folks :)

Edited to add:   Just about the time I ponder this board and wonder if I should even be here...someone sends me a message after reading my profile and makes me blush with their kind words.  I am constantly amazed at the number here, who want such a simple relationship, just surprising to find them on a forum that boasts BDSM as it's main function.

Peaches, peaches, everywhere!   Too early for the canning variety, but we cleaned the orchard of Galaxy, Pink Diamond and White Lady Nectarines!   Chuck even went picking!  Of course, the camera was left home...but it was good to see him out among the trees and smiling :)    I have to laugh when I come to read this forum, at the number of people who remain alone, yet have all the answers to relationships... all manners and forms of relationships, they know what works, what is correct, incorrect and by George if you don't agree, you are wrong.  Plain and simple.   Experts, on paper but not where it counts.  

Does it help feed the need?   There can be no one, anywhere on this planet who is actively living with a partner, who knows more then these self proclaimed experts.  One of the "perks" to a message forum.   After all, without these lonely experts who fill the pages with the correct and incorrect ways to a healthy relationship, what would a message forum be?   We can't all be living it, there would be no one left to write.

Peach pie, coming up.

Peaches!   Another week or so, before the canning fruit is ready...jars and supplies are all lined up in anticipation.   Apples to follow.

With August, comes the start of our temperature change, by the end of the month we will have lost 10 degrees ( on average ).  The mornings are already getting chilly, it's starting!

Our list of home repairs has dwindled down, I'm amazed at all that was accomplished.  Not bad for a couple of old folks.  Giving the deck another coat of paint, and ordering a few cords of wood, seems to be our last few chores for the year.   I started to stack up some inside projects for the winter, helping to keep me occupied!  I am ready for Fall...bring it!

Things are moving!  In an effort to clean house and remove all items not used in the last six months, the last appliance just walked out the door.  *waves goodbye to a portable room A/C*

With central AC, there is no need to hang onto a room unit, it is doubtful I will ever have a large kennel building again, so...Craigslist to the rescue.   The stand up freezer went yesterday, and assorted hair dryers for dogs and crates left last week.   Wow...closet space again!   Chuck proclaimed he was NOT for sale, I think the glassy eyed look I had while seeking something else to sell, worried him.   The weather is turning sticky and hot, strange for this part of the world....so indoor projects are getting done.   Work with what ya got, thats my motto.   On that note, buh bye for now. 

Gorgeous!  The PNW has blessed us with absolutely beautiful weather lately...I almost feel guilty, considering what the rest of the country is experiencing.    Our veggies are thriving, the roses are exploding with color and today I bought out the local farmers market, more roses!    The raspberries are loaded, we are having fresh berries morning and night, with enough left over for baking.   Tomorrow, we head to the cherry orchard and load up on Rainer cherries, 1.50 a lb at the Upick orchard.   The season of plenty!   Time to start preparing the canning supplies, buy more jars, etc, this looks like a great year.

Where is Summer???!!!   More rain today, however I won't complain about it, we are not getting hit like those poor folks in the midwest and south.  A little rain is ok....

On the positive side, I am finishing up inside projects.  Guest bathroom painted, moved on to the master bath.   Only the guest room is left for a new coat of paint, it's amazing when I stop and look at all we have done.   If only I had painted everything white, then we wouldn't have a collection of gallon cans, each a different color, each only lacking 1/4 of it's contents.    Hey, we have extra for touch ups!

Veggies are in the ground, the berries are bursting with new growth, and next week, the U-Pick farms open up and we can start bringing in flats of fresh produce.   Yeah!  By next year, I hope to have our own berries to the point we won't need to buy any extra.  I feel like a squirrel, as I clean out the pantry and get things ready for new cans filled with fruits and veggies.   When you look at it from a timeline, we only have 5 months to stock up for winter, lol

Ok, time is up.  Chuck is waiting for dinner and it should be almost ready... ta!

I love message forums.  They tend to bring out the best in folks. NOT.  

You will find people who would argue the sky is blue, just to see their name in print.  And, as much as this is a forum for a wide variety of interests, you would think an open mind should be common among the masses, but it's not.    Agenda's, soapboxes and just plain ol bull headed arguments, fill the posts.    Why?     Is it so important that everyone think alike? 

Who puts cathedral ceilings in a bathroom?  I know I'm short...but c'mon.  Even with the "tall" ladder, it was a stretch to reach that high peak.   At least the painting is done!  Finally, the weather was warm enough to open windows, all these put off projects are coming to an end :)

Rainy day,  outside chores are put off and the house smells like fresh baked bread.  I think they call this paradise. 

I got to put my new dough hook to good use today, woohoo, no more tired arms from mixing bread!    

As the weather starts to climb, 40's at least, things start to turn green outside and there is a push to fertilize, plant and start those long awaited projects out doors!  This year, I'm trying a straw bale garden.   I like the idea that in the Fall, I can use the composted straw in the flower beds, on of our contributions to living green.    

We found several local farms that are raising beef, pork and chickens on pasture!  No grains, hormones or supplements.   Just grass, and lots of it.    After a trip to the dairy, we got to see the Jersey cows, on green grass no less!, batting their long lashes and looking like a cow should.   We brought home milk, raw, with cream on top!  OMG.   Our trip also added several dozen eggs, from chickens who never see a cage.  The taste is unbelievable, the yolks are deep orange, instead of washed out yellow.  Then, our freezer had a few cuts of beef added to it, from, you guessed it...pasture fed beef.   I'm waiting for the call in April, when we can pick up fryers that were raised on grass, not crammed into small cages and mass produced.  

Next trip, will be for butter, yogurt and cream, all from those lovely Jersey girls :)  

This will be our second year here, and I am looking forward to lots of fresh veggies and fruits.  The berries should produce well,  homemade jam, here we come!   

This journal reads like "down on the farm", instead of something on a BDSM forum, lol  Oh well, it's my life :)

Calm, quiet day.  I took advantage and cleaned out some boxes left over from the move.  It was like a second Christmas!   Stuff that had not seen the light of day in years.  

What do you do with old photos?   Pictures taken with people you will never see again and haven't spoken to in ages.   I say SHRED!   But... having an afterthought, I tried to contact some of them via FB or old email accounts, asking if they wish to cherish the Kodak moments.    I guess, if no one responds, then we shred.

Some folks like to hang on to things as keepsakes, I prefer to maintain neatness and order, the less clutter the better.  

So, we'll see.  

Otherwise, the day has been so spooky quiet, (even the dogs were good), should I look heavenward for falling birds?

Here it is...2011

Happy New Year!   Don't squander your days, live a little.  Ya never know how many more are on the books.

Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous new year!

Are we ever too old to learn lifes lessons?   Evidently not.   I myself, learned a valuable one just this week. 

Early morning doctors apt with Chuck today...sort of dreading the drive on ice covered roads and heavy fog...but we are leaving early and taking it slow.   At least the snow stopped, although I think I would rather have snow then ice.

With luck, we can stop by Home Depot for some essentials...since I am housebound, the time is spent painting and finishing up details, like baseboards.  Keeps me occupied, since we both detest daytime television.

That lesson?   I can't help everyone, not my place or job.  I am actually hurting their chances at success by taking on the difficult areas, preventing them from growth.  

I should have known better, but I was helping someone, so how can that be a bad thing?  Maybe by helping, I was not letting them do the stumbling by themselves.  Hrmmm..something to ponder. 

I've taken things as far as I can, the word came down from "he who must be obeyed", enough.  You cannot expect people to listen, or expand their thinking on something when they have no desire to do so.  Continuing to plead my case is futile and borderline harassement.  (Says himself)  So, as much as I would love to fill bandwidth with more questions and responses...it's over.  My involvement in this has ceased :)

So... how about them Mariners???     Oh yeh, it's STILL snowing!

Spent "Black Friday" with friends, as far away from the malls as possible!   Not hard to do with the weather, ice and slick roads doesn't make for a fun time.   I don't care what kind of four wheel drive you have...ice doesn't play.   We all become equal at that point, lol  Most of us, sliding sideways.


This cold front won't let up, we have made a large dent in the woodpile!   Speaking of...I better go toss another log into the box.