My Day in Pictures

I was going to title this blog post

"The Mother Lode of All Drivel"

Empty your bladders and refill your drink cups.

Take a visual journey with me, if you would.

'A Day in the Life of Das Coopinkeepa'

I woke up to rain.

Glorious, much needed rain.

I must say, it didn't help my pensive mood, but more fed it.

I'd planned to do yard work all day - so now what?

I realized today that for the first time in my adult life - I'm talking since I was 14 - that I've had a weekday day that was my own. No job, no babysitting, no parent-sitting, no home business, no homeschooling.

Just me. Doing whatever I wanted.

Within reason - of course!

Well, I just had my morning coffee as usual, did my morning chores.

Whilst I drank my coffee, I read this.

Not the whole thing, silly.

I put on some music that I hadn't listened to in a long time, and friends - we had some church up in here!

I slapped a few more rows on this dishcloth.

I'm obsessed with dishclothes.

I can't stop knitting them.

I cain't.

I won't.

I had several nice phone conversations today.

I don't avoid the phone as much lately.

Could be a good thing.

Read me emails.

Please know, that your comments come to my email, and I read them about five times before I delete them. I do indeed.

Love 'em.

Thanks to my morning coffee, which is four shots of espresso and a cup of milk, I had me some 'issues' in the bathroom. Seems I've up and gotten meself a bit lactose intolerant.

It's a crap shoot - (pun intended) some days my morning milk bothers me, somedays it doesn't.

I bought soymilk today.

Really? You want more? I'm just getting started.

I baked some cherry vanilla muffins for the little lady that I met, when I went to go see her house on Sunday - that I thought I was going to buy.

Oh my goodness gracious, it's a long story - suffice it to say, I love that lady, and she's my new best friend. I brought her muffins and eggs today and we chatted. She's ill, and so is her husband. Heartbreaking - but what a spirit of hope and faith about her.

I really wanted to take her picture, but I didn't want to have to explain the whole blog thang.

These are the muffins pre-drizzle.

Fo schnizzle.

I baked the boy child his favorite cookies.

Lemon Butter Snaps.

I wore my new 'Eat Pray Love' inspired flowy yoga looking top.

I even put makeup on, and chose a bright lip color.

I curled me eyelashes.

Mmmmhmmm.

Whilst I was out shooting my pouty lips, the mob showed up.

Demanding treats.

See that hose?

It's the only reason my grass is green.

Watering things 24/7 here.

Oh you pitiful, comical thing you.

I always feel so bad when it rains, this bird looks dreadful.

I used to blow dry it, but it's not too fond of that anymore.

Can't you just see a gold chain around this bird's neck!?

Italian I tell you! Italian!

I gave them some of Roy Thurman's melon.

I used to eat two melons all by myself everyweek.

I used to think it was ok to binge on melons - I mean - it's melon.

Guess what? Overeating is overeating.

Don't make no never mind whatcha be overeatin'.

The birds got a lot of melon this week.

Here's Vinny - struttin' his stuff.

Of course, I had to give the big birds some too.

Another shot of the Sopranos.

I walked to the corner.

And back.

1.2 mile

A nice little 'get your blood pumping' walk.

Join me?

Here's the house next door - just in case you are interested in being my neighbor.

I hope you like muffins and eggs.

And crowing roosters and 4am.

And spontaneous bursts of song.

And bacon.

I always walk to, and touch the stop sign.

Getting close.

Every single time I walk, someone stops and asks me if I need help.

I usually reply 'not the kind that you can give me'

No, I really don't say that - I just say I'm out for exercise, and they mosey on.

There we go.

Some hillbilly shot the sign.

Seriously - hillbillies are so predictable.

You sure can feel September in the air.

One of my favorite months.

Summer is still clinging, but fall is callin'.

I always, and I mean always find random objects.

This is a children's Bible story book.

Ironic to me, that the story that changed the world lies here on the side of the road amid the rubble.

Ain't that just like Him?

A shoe.

Not an old grungy shoe.

But a nice shoe.

A business man, nice shoe.

I got the heebie jeebs but quick.

How does one lose ONE shoe on the road?

I'll tell you how.

Kidnapping.

Extortion.

Murder.

I hope my chickens didn't have anything to do with the devilment that shoe represents.

I caught my kitty mid-meow when I got back.

Splash a little cold water on your face.

I'm hitching up the buggy and going to town.

It's still early! The day is just getting started.

Notice my fuel tank.

Notice how many miles I have until I'm parked on the road.

The conundrum at hand.

I want to go to Grace's house (little old lady I've befriended) and deliver cherry muffins.

She's four miles east.

Gas station is four miles west.

Everything in me wanted to turn east, but I played it safe and headed west for gas and groceries, and then to Grace's.

I know - I'm disappointed in myself too.

I bet I could have made it.

I do this ALL the time.

Despite the icy cold fountain drinks, delicious snacks and the smell of gasoline, I hate going to gas stations.

It's just inconvenient.

Now, the gas station is only four miles away - but look - it took 9 miles of my gas!

While the gas was pumping, it began to rain again.

Success! No need to visit a gas station again for 220 miles.

Next stop - the bank.

I was so hoping that Jake was working, cause he is a doll and a half and has a smile that could power the whole town of Lowell.

Grocery shopping next....

Do you see what I see?

Whilst grocery shopping, I felt a hunger pang, so I found something that sounded good.

Thick and creamy Key Lime Yogurt.

Obviously, I'd forgotten all about my lactose discomfort.

Spoonless, I tried in vain to suck out the thick creaminess.

Prettiness spotted on the way in the back door.

Did the bills.

I do the Ramsey envelope system.

Loves it.

Spent the afternoon with Glenco and the kitchen.

Made homemade mac and cheese.

Favorite food #2.

Why in the name of me don't I make this more often?

Butter lettuces with real buttermilk ranch dressing.

Folks, when you are really hungry, and you eat - slowly - purposely - food is divine.

I made Glenco a tuna stuffed tomato.

I only make these when the tomatoes are coming out of the garden.

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, but Glenny likes them.

Sista Cindy (Aaron's mom) stopped by to pick up a cupcake tin.

I gave her a casserole dish full of mac and cheese.

I went to Aaron's apartment and picked him up for Gymnastics.

I thought it would be a good time to visit with him, and bring him his cookies.

I haven't seen the child since - gulp - Tuesday!

We chatted endlessly.

He's loving school. Making so many new friends.

Being all popular and funny.

My new blog found friend Cheryl met us at Gymnastics and kept me company whilst Aaron did his thang.

I have some serious love for this lady.

I dropped the boy child off at 10pm. It's now 11:15pm and I'm heading to bed Fred.

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow.

Crickets

It's what I hear every time I sit down to blog lately.

Crickets.

I was going to post a picture of a cricket - and then when I Googled crickets, I almost fell out the chair with the heebie jeebies when I saw them.

Crickets freak me out more than mustard does.

And that's a lot my friends.

They crunch.

Law, I'm covered in the chills thinking about it.

Seems that there's so much I want to tell you, and yet nothing in particular.

This could possibly be a 'kitchen junk drawer' type of post.

A little bit of everything.

I've always envied the bloggers than can stick to one subject during a post.

I just simply can't blog about birds and pie crusts when there is so much stirring in my soul.

Sorry to keep you hanging since the last post.

I've been weird.

I'm very introspective at the moment, and for now it's a good thing.

If I get any worse, I'm sure Glenco will splash me with cold water.

Aaron is in this building as I type.

It's ok.

He started yesterday.

I cried like a baby when I left the school.

Cried like a baby when I got home.

The house is so quiet now that all I hear are my ears ringing.

I know there are some of you that would love to have silence so loud that your ears ring.

Be careful what you wish for!

I miss him.

Law, how I miss that boy child.

But he is happy. For now. And that is enough.

Now, if that's all ya'll have popped over to find out - that yes, Aaron is in school, and it's ok - please feel free to click on over to one of < ------- those blogs where there is something really interesting going on.

Or -

read this.

I keep meanin' to tell you that out of the six bantam baby chicks I got - four are dudes.

Beautiful, cocky, funny dudes.

I've never seen the show 'Jersey Shores' and yet, I've named them all from the show -

Vinnie.

Paulie.

The Situation.

Tony.

I may possibly rename my sweet hen Sissy, Snooki, but I just can't bring myself to do it yet.

They just seem Italian to me - I have no idea why.

They delight me endlessly - and I hope to keep them all, or most of them.

They haven't started fighting 'too' bad yet.

I wanted to tell you about my darling friend Renee that popped over here on August 21st - which is National Cupcake Day.

This girl is too much.

She even had Cupcake wine!

Maude has been giving Mocha the cat 'the eye'. They've been dining together and spending entirely too much time together. I've hooked Maude up on MatchDuck.com and she is perusing some profiles. A duck and a cat? It's just not natural Maude. What would the neighbors think?

Speaking of the neighbors. Remember the brawling neighbors? During the Garden Walk?

Up and gone.

House is up for sale yet again.

Won't ya please, please won't ya be my neighbor?

Been playing with the bees again.

Not sure about my honey situation.

But I must say, I love those little bugs. I feel confident with my gloves and suit on, and those little buzzing beauties mesmerize me.

It's Zenlike even.

Speaking of Zen like things -

I saw the movie Eat, Pray, Love.

I hadn't read the book, and now I want to but doubt that I will.

I liked the movie.

It was slow moving.

I liked the clothes Julie Roberts wore.

Nothing boob inappropriate like I always choose.

I need good egg carrying access in a shirt.

She wore all these nice flowing things that made it looked like she just finished Downward Facing Dog or Tree Pose.

Sigh.

I told Glen that I was taking an oath of silence for a week, staying upstairs where there was no air conditioning and living on green tea. I saw the glimmer of hope in his eye that I was telling the truth. Can you imagine? Me? Silent?

I am reading a book presently, that was referred to me from one of ya'll -

Women, God and Food, by Geneen Roth.

I've also spent some time on the Weigh Down Workshop website.

Good stuff. Very good stuff.

Want to cut your grocery bill in half? Eat half as much ! Ha! That's not in the book, that's my pearl of wisdom - no charge.

I'm down 8#.

I'm happy.

I'm feeling emotions.

I'm scared.

I could blog on that all day, but I don't want to bore you with the details.

Let's just say, it's freeing - it's frightening - it's illogical and madness all rolled into one.

I'll never diet again.

I wanted to tell you about the wedding that Aaron photographed!

Yep, he took pictures for a real wedding.

It was a lovely, casual, country wedding, and he did a great job.

I'm sure he'll be sharing photos soon.

So here I sit, tapping my fingernails on the desk, staring out the window.

This is my life now.

I just am.

I'm not a 'homeschooler' anymore.

I'm not an 'employee' some where.

I'm a wife, an aunt, a friend.

I'm a Coopkeeper, a beekeeper, a gardener.

I like bacon and squirrels.

I still hanker to work at Starbucks during the holidays.

I'm sure I'd be known as the Singing Barista.

I have a bad case of musical Tourettes.

Today I pruned bushes.

I'm going to Home Depot for Ornamental Millet.

I'm making smoked sausage for supper.

I'll watch a little tv tonight and read.

I'll feed chickens and collect eggs.

Riveting isn't it?

Aren't ya glad you stopped by?

I'm fighting the urge to throw myself into something big.

A new job.

A new hobby (yes, Deborah, a new hobby!)

Volunteer work.

I'm just being for the moment.

I'm just doing all the little things around here that need doing.

Pruning, painting, decluttering, etc.

I'm trying to be keenly aware of each day.

Cause what is life, if it's not this?

Each day.

Lived.

I want to be alive in each moment.

It seems that in some odd way, I've spent my life fearing feeling - and now I'm craving it.

I want to feel it all.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

I think that when we fear to feel - it is a true sign that we are in control - we are fighting to maintain control - but when we no longer fear to feel - we have truly let go.