Ramblings of a Thrifty Shopper

We got a new baby!

2012-01-13T23:20:00.002-05:00

We got a new baby and her name is Layla. She is a 5 month old, full blooded yorkshire terrier. She weighs a whopping 2 1/2 pounds! And we are in LOVE!!

2012 in photos

2012-01-10T11:28:00.002-05:00

This beautiful pink tree was my scrapbook room Christmas tree! It is all of 6 inches tall! The perfect tree!

2012 in Photos...

2012-01-07T17:37:00.003-05:00

I want to do 2012 in photos and since I just started yesterday, I have a few days to catch up on, so I am going to post a couple of pictures a day until I am caught up.

Our backyard just a week ago! Yay...it's almost all melted.

Spikey "helping" me make peanut butter fudge. He whined and barked at me until I moved the stool so he could be closer to the stove.

2012 in Photos...

2012-01-07T00:28:00.003-05:00

I am going to give it my best shot to post a photo everyday in 2012. We shall see how I do. I am sure I will miss a day here and there, but I will give it my best go!

Today's picture is a pictureof my 2 youngest grandkids and I ringing in the New Year! We all had kazoos(sorry neighbor's, not really!). Notice the dark circles under my eyes, I was still pretty sick.

I had great intentions of posting every day or sa and that just hasn't worked out.

2011-11-28T04:06:00.002-05:00

I need to get my life back on track. I want to work on this blog everyday. I used to enjoy it so much. I need to make it a priority. I WANT to make it a priority. The one thing that I know I will do, no matter how bad I am feeling or how stressful the day is. We shall see!!

My nephew's wedding...

2011-10-18T01:56:00.005-04:00

The happy couple, Mr and Mrs Tyler Shell!

Dad and Lois

My honey and I!

Tyler placing the yellow rose in honor of his grandma, my mom!

Me, the happy groom and my sister, Lesa, the mother of the groom!

God bless Caylee Marie Anthony

2011-07-06T01:58:00.005-04:00

.●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ In Memory of Caylee Marie Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●.

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T23:33:00.002-04:00

This is what we will be doing tomorrow night!!!

2011-07-02T22:14:00.002-04:00

Our 4th of July party, 2010. Watch for this year's pictures!!

New living room furniture, got it for a bargain! Of course!

2011-06-28T02:48:00.005-04:00

I bought this Basset Furniture love seat and a large sofa for $600 at a furniture consignment shop, right down by my house. It was new, used in a sunroom. I am so in love with this furniture. It is so comfy and well built, besides I looove the colors!!

Lazy boy recliner, $35 at Goodwill. It is in 100% perfect condition and is so very comfortable. The end table is one of a set of 3 that I bought at a garage sale 13 years ago. They were $75 for the 3. I have repainted the tops of them several times. I got the lamp at the Shipshewana Flea Market, several years ago. For around $10. The huge Longenberger basket was given to me by a friend. The cradle in the corner was made for me before I was born(yes, it is technically an antique!!), it has some of my bears in it.

Pictures to come...

2011-06-27T12:07:00.001-04:00

shortly. I got a new camera a couple of weeks ago and am still trying to figure everything out! I am going to post some new pics this afternoon. Stay tuned!

I'm back!

2011-06-26T18:06:00.003-04:00

As I have said before, "hopefully for good, this time". The past year has had it's ups and downs. Lots of downs! I'm not going to dwell on the past, just have fun in the future and blog about it.

I got lots of thrifty goodies over the past year that I am anxious to share. I have been making cards and even selling a few. I want to post about that, too.

I can't wait to get back in touch with all of my bloggy friends. I have missed you all!

Rest In Peace, Rocky

2010-06-28T21:15:00.005-04:00

I'm heartbroken to have to say that Rocky died this afternoon. He had been in and out since we let him free. He had been inside since Saturday morning and had been fine. This afternoon, he wasn't acting like himself and died shortly after Richard got home from work. He was in his bed with his little "hands" crossed when he went to sleep for the last time.

Outside last week, enjoying the fresh air.

These were taken this afternoon. He just wanted me to hold him.

We will miss him so much.

I will be posting pictures of him playing outside on this blog and on his blog, in a day or two.

We have empty cage syndrome...

2010-06-21T20:42:00.002-04:00

Saturday we set Rocky free.

He had become aggressive and quite unfriendly towards me, since I came home from the cruise. Friday evening he bit his dad hard and drew blood. It was a hard decision for both of us and we are still dealing with our choice. We hope that he will come back to visit and eat out of the many bird and squirrel feeders that we have.

I want to thank everyone for all of the comments they have left about him!

Denise

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Rocky's freedom day

Grand Cayman Island(loooong post!)

2010-06-15T19:49:00.013-04:00

The Carnival Inspiration, our home away from home! My niece graduated from Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, FL in May.
For her graduation gift her parents (my sister and brother in law) gave her and a friend a cruise. They love me enough to have invited me along!

Our first port of call was Grand Cayman Island!

We did some Island sightseeing!

We went to Hell! Seriously, we did! And lived to talk about it!!

We held baby sea turtles!

We swam with stingrays! And other sea life!

We saw the most gorgeous waters and beautiful beaches I have ever seen.

It was a day in paradise!

Next port of call: Cozumel, Mexico!

Hi!

2010-06-04T22:11:00.002-04:00

I am bacccck! Hopefully for good this time. I never intended to take a "blog break" but life happens.

As I said in my last, long ago post I was really sick this winter. I was sick for about 6-8 weeks with several weeks to get back on my feet. Without going into a lot of boring detail, I will say that I am still going strong!!

I have a lot of things to catch you all up on and tons of pictures to share! I will be back tomorrow with pictures and tales to tell!

Hi...it seems like forever

2010-04-04T08:46:00.002-04:00

since I've blogged. I have read some of your blogs and commented on a few, but I have been really, really sick.

I've had lots of blood work and an echocardiogram and am still waiting on the results. They should be in this week. Depending on what these results show, we will move onto further tests. Including testing for anemia, lukemia and lymphoma.

I just wanted everyone to know that I am still here and will be blogging again soon.

Miss you all, Denise

Thanks for nothing, Comcast.

2010-03-17T20:58:00.002-04:00

Hi, everyone. I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks. My Lupus has been in a severe flare and I've had some issues dealing with it.

Anyway, we bought a laptop since I was having trouble sitting at my computer desk for any length of time. I absolutely LOVE it!! and I want to thank whoever I am getting my wireless internet from! My friend and neighbor, Charlotte, I would imagine! I called Comcast the same day that I ordered my Dell. They said it would take 3 days for my wireless router to get here. Fine, the computer was going to take 3-5 days to arrive. I asked if it was difficult to install and was assured that it was not, but if I had any issues they would send out a tech for a mere $149.00, uh no, my son in law is very computer saavy and would handle the installation for me. My computer arrived Friday, no Comcast. I called them and couldn't get a straight answer to when it would be here. I turned it on and voila internet! Finally the router got here this past Monday. Justin came today after work, he was here for 2 1/2 hours with most of that time spent on the phone with Comcast and it still isn't hooked up. And on top of that my desktop no longer works. I am upset and frustrated with Comcast, Justin kept getting disconnected and had a very hard time understanding the "tech" that was supposed to be helping him. He will be back on friday to try it again. Hopefully, I can stay connected on my laptop until then.

I promise my next post will be a nicer one with some pictures!!

Little parts of Rocky...

2010-03-02T19:40:00.015-05:00

Since most people don't get to see a squirrel up close and personal, I thought I would give a picture by picture look at Rocky!

Rocky, from head to toe!!

His strong little chin that drips with drool from having me rub it! This is his favorite postion. On his back with me rubbing and massaging his chin. He will lay like this for an hour.

His twitching, nosey little nose that is always in everyone's business!

His soft as velvet, tiny ear that hears every little noise.

The distictly marked front side of his bushy tail.

I love this color of the underside of his tail! It is so different from the front side of his tail.

His soft, pretty musky smelling fur.

This is one on his little "hands". His nails are as sharp as razor blades. Richard has to trim them at least twice a week.

This is the bottom of one of his back feet! Check out the nails on this bad boy!

Rocky and I hope you enjoy his parts!

Look at this bargain!

2010-02-26T17:49:00.005-05:00

It is a Kenmore Stylite with double hepa filters.

I have been wanting a new vacuum for a while. We decided to go buy one today. I told Richard that I wanted to look at K-Mart first. He waited in the car while I went in to see what they had. I was drawn to this one, because of the color! Lame, I know. But I love green. It was the last one and was marked down from $99.00 to only $30.00!! SOLD!

I am almost embarrassed to admit how much this thing picked up. I just vacummed yesterday, but by what was in the canister it looked like I hadn't swept in 6 months. I am not even kidding.

Bye, bye dog, cat and squirrel hair!!

Goodwill's hump day sale!

2010-02-25T11:07:00.006-05:00

Every Wednesday Goodwill has a 40% off hump day sale. Heather and I went yesterday afternoon. She got a lot of clothes for the little kids for spring.

I love the colors in this old tin piece. It is quite large and was only 30 cents!

$1.80 for this amber glass.

60 cents total for these 3 bags of plastic Easter eggs.

I didn't get this at Goodwill, I got it at Cracker BArrel. It was on sale for $5.99 and I love it. The above eggs are going in it, along with some straw Easter grass.

eBay thrifty buy....

2010-02-18T13:19:00.002-05:00

I got this Liz Caliborne 1.7oz Realities perfume spray for just...99 cents....!

Richard didn't buy me a stuffed bear...

2010-02-15T20:02:00.003-05:00

for Valentine's Day, but he bought one for Rocky!! Actually, we got it at WalMart 1/2 off today!

He played and played with his bear. Runnin, jumping and rolling around on the floor!

From the mouth of Kamrie...

2010-02-13T20:51:00.003-05:00

Kammie(age 5) and I were watching the Olympics the following was our conversation...

Kammie: How old is that lady skiing?
Me: She's 35yo, older than your mommy.
Kammie: How old are you, Gramma?
Me: I'm 52yo.
Kammie: Wow, that's almost........really old!!

After discussing what's "really old", this was our next conversation...

Kammie: How old is mommy?
Me: She's 30yo.
Kammie: I wish I was 30yo.
Me: Why would you wish that?
Kammie: Then I could be the boss and make my mommy pick up her room and tell her what she had to do. That would be perfect!!

Yesterday's Goodwill goodies!

2010-02-12T10:53:00.006-05:00

I hadn't been to the Goodwill on Jackson St for a couple of months and was itching to go! I found the stuff pictured below plus 3 nice tops for my cruise and a pair of new straight legged jeans. I had my $5.00 off coupon and they were having a 50% off with donation. So I got all of this stuff for only $10.00...score!

Love, love this rooster table runner. It has beads on both ends. $2.00

I bought this pretty pillow for Heather and Justin. They just redecorated their living room in chocolate brown and Tifffany blue. The new couch is brown. It was just $2.00

Granite ware pie tin for 75 cents and the sweet little sunflower wreath for only a quarter. I already know how I am going to use them!

I have been eyeing these Skechers at Kohl's, but didn't want to pay the big bucks for them! I was ecstatic to find these in my size for only $2.25.

It's a snow day, today!

2010-02-10T13:23:00.007-05:00

We got a lot of snow yesterday and last night. So school is closed today!

Richard left the house at midnight and plowed at Martin's Supermarket until 5:00am. He slept until 9:00 and went and plowed some more! He plows several friend's drives and plows Kylah's other grandma's drive. He had to order some parts for the front end on the Dodge and is going to put those on this afternoon. Then maybe he will get some rest!

My honey's plow truck. His BIG dodge!!

Some pics of the snowy yard.

County snow plows.

8-12 inches of snow in our drive.

Uh, oh...look what's coming...

2010-02-08T21:42:00.002-05:00

6-12 inches or more...we have a winter storm warning until Wednesday afternoon. Man, I can't hardly wait. Not!

Super Bowl 44...

2010-02-07T23:19:00.008-05:00

*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~Dang it!!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Goodwill's thrifty goodies...

2010-02-05T12:26:00.006-05:00

I bought all of these at Goodwill or Salvation Army for $2.00 each! I haven't said anything before, but I am going on a cruise with my sister, her husband and daughter, in May!! I am so excited. I will tell more in a week or so!

This one is Koret. I adore it! It will be perfect for a cruise.
Isn't the trim cute? LOL!

It's hard to tell, but this is a beautiful teal. I saw these tops at Target last summer, but didn't really want to pay the $$ for it. Glad I waited!!

This top is shear and has a blue tank top under it.

This is so summery. I will wear it with white or navy capris.

I will be hitting the thrifts often, for some cruise wear!

Happy Birthday to the world's greatest Dad!!

2010-02-04T16:04:00.002-05:00

Today my dad is 73 years young! He is the best father that 3 girls could ever wish for!

We all love you, Dad!!

OUCHIE...(warning-kind of graphic pic)

2010-02-02T23:18:00.004-05:00

This morning my poor Richard slipped on ice at work and fell and hit the back of his head. This picture was taken after he worked 8 hours and I took the bandage off, that they put on him at work. It was swollen and still bleeding.

Heather and I both thought he should have gone to the E.R., but being the stubborn guy that he is, he wouldn't go.

Saturday's thrifty goodies...

2010-01-31T19:31:00.013-05:00

I went to 1/2 off day at Goodwill yesterday. I hadn't been thrifting since before Christmas and was going through withdrawls! I also went to the Salvation Army. I got some really cute clothes, too. I will show the clothes tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by!

This pleated, celluloid lampshade is my favorite find in a long time! The cute little, milk glass lamp it is on is one of a pair that my parents received for a wedding gift in 1956. The lampshade didn't survive the years in one piece. They are very fragile. I was so excited when I found this shade for $1.50!!

I love the glow from the shade.

There is also a nightlight in the bottom of the lamp.

My first "cloche", it's actually a cheese dome, but I'm not telling! I am going to paint the cheeseboard black. I can't wait to decorate with it. Quite a deal for 75 cents.

Love the lid on this jar! For my scrapbook room. Only 25 cents.

I was sooo tickled to find this. When I redo my scraproom I want to hang my TV on the wall. Therefore giving me more table space! This is brand new and only $4.00!

This little lamp is for my scrapbook table. I am going to be redoing my scrap/computer room this spring and needed a new table lamp. Only $1.50.

I was wanting a train case to keep my Cricut carts and tools in. This one is in near perfect condition and was only $2.00! The tray in intact and so is a snap off zippered case and it even has a key!

Be sure to come back tomorrow and to see the thrifty clothes I bought!! LOL!

As much as I love him....

2010-01-27T16:29:00.005-05:00

he is driving me insane...driving me to drink...driving me to go outside in 10* blowing snow!! LOL!

Richard has only worked one or two full weeks since before Thanksgiving. The man really needs a hobby. Really, he does! He teases the dogs and cat...talks to the TV...snacks non-stop...channel surfs...

A.L.L.D.A.Y.L.O.N.G ! ! ! !

Lord help me and bring on warmer weather!

My reasons for living...

2010-01-25T08:17:00.006-05:00

Heather and I did a mini photo shoot with the kids before Christmas. These are the reults!

Sweet little Kamrie...5 years old!
Our handsome litttle guy, Jaiden...6 years old!

Beautiful Kylah...16 years old!

As hard as living with Lupus can be sometimes, they are the reason it is so worth living through the pain!

Is it possible....

2010-01-21T10:20:00.002-05:00

To die from BOREDOM?

If so, I don't have long to live! Just sayin'.

Where there's a will....

2010-01-20T15:00:00.003-05:00

there's a way!! This cute little guy was so determined to get to the bird seed, that he decided to go inside the feeder!!

He is sooo cute! Click on the picture to see him better.

Yesterday's thrifty bargains!!

2010-01-17T21:02:00.003-05:00

Kroger's had all of their candles 1/2 off! And anyone who knows me, knows how much I love candles. They are my big weakness. I always give a candle with any gift I'm giving. I burn candles everyday.
The jar candle is a 3 wick, it was $3.99. It's Tropical Fruit Medley and smells yummy! The boxed votives are Macadamia Nut and also smell wonderful. They were $2.99 and the single votives were 50 cents! I was in candle heaven!!
These Paula Deen candles were $5.00 and they are big jar candles. Mystery Pecan Pie, Pear Crisp and Bob's Peppermint Pie. You can't even imagine how good these smell!

9 years ago today....

2010-01-14T22:35:00.005-05:00

my dad, my sisters and I lost our best friend. There isn't a day that goes by, that I don't think of her. I miss her as much today as I did 9 years ago. I love you, mom!

Mom's famous roses!

I bought this sign at a flea market last summer. The minute I saw it, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it. It is hanging on our living room wall beneath a picture of us, on Lesa's boat, when we scattered mom's ashes at Stump Pass.

Just sayin'

2010-01-13T22:28:00.000-05:00

Pictures of winter....

2010-01-11T12:45:00.002-05:00

Blue skies!!

2010-01-10T13:59:00.004-05:00

Finally!

After days of dreary, overcast skies it is bright and sunny out! It is still colder than cold, though!!

Look what Santa sent me...

2010-01-06T20:14:00.006-05:00

a Cricut! You scrapbookers know what this awesome machine is! I have been wanting one since they first came out. Back when Kylah and I would drool over them at the demos at Michael's!! LOL! I can't wait to get my scraproom better organized, so I can have fun with this little beauty!

Santa also sent me the Jubilee cartridge! I bought the Doodlecharms cart with Christmas $$ from my dad. The George cart came with the machine.

Rocky thought it was for him!!

Happy sweet 16th, Kylah!!

2010-01-04T09:41:00.003-05:00

Our oldest granddaughter is 16 today. It is so hard to believe. I honestly don't know where the time has gone. Kylah started out life at 3pounds, 11 ounces. She was born 3 months premature to teen parents. We were given many warnings as to problems that she would face being born so early: health issues, learning disabilities, slow growth, etc. None of those warnings came true! Thank, god! She is intelligent, healthy, active, funny, loving and beautiful! We love her more than she will ever be able to comprehend!

Snowy, snowy day...

2010-01-02T16:43:00.004-05:00

It has been snowing for 2 days. We have a lake effect snow warning through Sunday 7:00pm. It it sooo cold...wind chill 6*. Brrr!

My wish to you all...

2009-12-31T18:07:00.004-05:00

a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!! And no, I haven't been drinking!! Yet! LOL!!

Baby, it's cold outside!

2009-12-29T10:16:00.004-05:00

26*.....30mph winds.....blowing snow.
Not exactly my idea of a perfect day! LOL! (click the pic to see the "lovely" snow)!!

GIANT SQUIRREL

2009-12-27T23:06:00.001-05:00

invades peaceful Christmas Village!!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-25T13:02:00.001-05:00

We wish you all the Merriest of Christmas'!!

Red and green....

2009-12-23T15:49:00.002-05:00

bands on Kylah's braces, wish you a Merry Christmas!

Ho...Ho...Ho...

2009-12-22T16:51:00.001-05:00

We are going to have a White Christmas...

2009-12-22T09:16:00.002-05:00

...darn it! As you know, I HATE SNOW!! While I will admit it looks pretty, I hate the white stuff. I hate everything about it: it's cold, wet, slippery, messy. But, I guess that's what I get for living in northern Indiana!!

Santa Paws....

2009-12-18T12:12:00.004-05:00

came early, for a little photo shoot!!

Isn't this the cutest Santa that you have ever seen? LOL!!

One of Santa's reindeer also came in for a picture!

Okay, okay....I was bribing him with a treat!

Pictures that WON'T be in my Christmas cards!!

2009-12-12T13:45:00.004-05:00

Last evening, Richard and I went to spend some time with the kids while Heather and Justin finished up their shopping and had a little time "alone"!! We ate lots of yummy Chinese food and watched Nightmare Before Christmas. I then decided to take some pics of the kids in front of the Christmas tree. WELL, these pictures show the kind of mood all 3 of the kids were in! We laughed so hard and had such a fun evening together!! I think that Kammie was the only one that took it serious!!

Cough, sneeze, sniffle....

2009-12-08T19:55:00.002-05:00

I have been fighting this *%$# cold for 3 days and today the *%$# cold won.

Sudafed, you are my new best friend!

Mom's peanut butter fudge

2009-12-03T16:13:00.005-05:00

This is my wonderful mom making her chocolate peanut butter fudge, for one of the last times. This picture was taken December 1999. She got sick November 2000 and died January 2001. Her specialty was her peanut butter fudge. It was TO.DIE.FOR!! She would pack up tins of this fudge and send it to us in Indiana from their home in Florida. My sisters and I make the same recipe, but it just doesn't seem to taste the same. We miss you mom!

~*~*~*~*~*~

Richard and I have been having a hard time with me being sick, his work being so slow and a layoff coming on December 18. I decided to cheer him up a little with some of Mom's fudge. Let's hope it works!

~*~*~Mom's Peanut Butter Fudge~*~*~
3 cups sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1 jar peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 tsp vanilla
(you can add some choc. chips, if you want choc/peanut butter)

mix sugar and milk in heavy saucepan
cook on med/high heat, stirring constantly until rolling boil
continue cooking for exactly 3 minutes, stirring constantly
remove from heat, stir in vanilla
add whole jar of peanut butter, stirring until smooth
pour in a buttered 9X9 baking dish(I just use a deep dish pie plate that my mom made me when we got married. I have always used this for my fudge)

let set and ENJOY!!

The Partridge Family...

2009-12-03T12:27:00.006-05:00

"Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted"...okay who's brave enough to admit that they are old enough to have loved the Partridge Family and David Cassidy? I am!

Heather and I & Chris and Jay went to a free "Pay it forward garage sale" last night. We got a lot of good stuff. Some we will use as gifts. Some for ourselves and our families.

Heather and I were looking at the books and CDs and she came across this CD. She was making fun, asking if I wanted it. To her surprise, I DID! I am listening to it right now and it is taking me back to my high scool days!!

(I will post more of what we were blessed with last night, in another post)

My favorite kind of recycling...

2009-12-02T11:42:00.003-05:00

The "ugly" pumpkin that I bought for a decoration was getting rotten. Instead of throwing it out, I broke it open and put it by the bird/squirrel feeders. As you can see, they love it!

Hey, honey...do you hear water dripping?

2009-11-30T18:50:00.002-05:00

Well, I didn't, but it was.

A pipe under the bathroom sink broke and flooded the bathroom, ran under the wall into the spare room (where all of my Christmas gifts were kept) and flooded the basement. Directly under the leak in the basement, were 2 LARGE storage boxes full of clean spring and summer clothes. WITH NO LIDS ON THEM. Why were there no lids? No one knows. Was it my fault? Was it Richard's fault? No one knows. What I do know is, I spent all day today rewashing those 2 boxes full of formerly clean clothes. Man was I pi$$ed!

Richard went to Menard's, got the parts and fixed it. Thank god he is a handy man!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

2009-11-25T23:44:00.003-05:00

I want to wish everyone a very happy and yummy Thanksgiving! Kylah and I are volunteering at the Salvation Army and then we will be going to Heather and Justin's for our family dinner.

Belated Halloween pictures...

2009-11-19T23:52:00.011-05:00

Kamrie, Jaiden, Kenzie and Kylah!

Rocky, "carving" his own pumpkin!!

Didn't he do a great job?

Jordan wearing his pumpkin shirt. He thinks he's too old for a costume!

I'm pretty sure that Ozzy contemplated peeing in my shoes, after I made him wear this bat hat!!

Cowboy
Witch
Giraffe
My beloved Spikey in some of his costumes!! I look much happier than he does, don't you think? LOL!

Happy Birthday to me...

2009-11-17T18:15:00.004-05:00

20 days late!! My darn computer was down on my birthday, but I wanted to show everyone the cake that Richard and Heather surprised me with. I didn't think I was going to have a cake this year (funds are kind of tight). They ordered it for Halloween day(my bday was the 29th), when we were having Heather's family over for chili before trick or treating.
Yes, that is a squirrel with a witch's hat on!! I absolutely loved it and so did the kids!!

Thank goodness they didn't put 52 candles on it!

Kammie, the good witch---Jaiden, the ninja---Kenzie, the priate(Kylah's best friend and Kylah, Little Red Riding hood!

Lupus, Lupus go away....

2009-11-15T14:18:00.001-05:00

It's cold and rainy and I'm hurtin' for certain.

Did you miss me?

2009-11-14T22:04:00.002-05:00

My computer went down on October 26th. I have been sooooo bored, not being able to read everyone's blogs! LOL

A lot has happened since then: Rocky got out and was gone for 4 days, I celebrated my 52nd birthday, we went ghost hunting on halloween, the grandkids had a great time trick or treating, the weather has been gorgeous! and I've done some thrifty shopping.

I will start posting with some new pictures tomorrow. Don't forget to visit Rocky at his blog. He will have lots to say in the next day or two!!

Tis the season...

2009-10-26T15:40:00.004-04:00

for asthma attacks and allergy/sinus headaches.

Each fall I have terrible headaches and trouble breathing. I only have one fully functioning lung and it has some scar tissue in it.

While I understand that sometimes people HAVE to burn their leaves, I don't understand why they burn them when they are wet. It rained all night Thursday, most of the day Friday and all day Saturday. The leaves are wet, people.

This lovely fall sight is on the corner across from our house. It's obvious from the smoke that the leaves are too wet to burn properly. You can't hardly see the house for all of the smoke. The only thing I have to say is...thanks goodness the wind shifted and isn't blowing in my direction anymore.

Now, where's my inhaler and my allergy pills...

Indiana Ghost Trackers...Michiana Chapter

2009-10-25T20:15:00.015-04:00

Last month a bunch of us joined The Indiana Ghost Trackers-Michiana Chapter. We meet once a month for a meeting and then a ghost hunt after. Me, Heather, Kylah, Chris, Jay, Heather Hawks, Jason and Jen all joined together.

This month a photographer and reported from the Elkhart Truth went with us. There was nice article in the paper on Thursday. I am going to try to link the article here.

"http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?id=496365"

We had a real interesting EVP(electronic voice phenomena) from the first hunt that we went on with the group. My grandma's name (Dorothy) was heard very clearly on the EVP. There is no one in our group that is named Dorothy. We were happy to here from her.

Some members of our group.

The pictures below, are all pictures that I took.

Orbs at Main Street Cemetary.

Kylah checking for drops in the temperature. (This picture was in our local paper in an article about Indiana Ghost Trakcers).

Orb by a military star at Hill Cemetary.

Unexplained mist at Troll Bridge.

Kylah got scared. LOL

Unexplained mist at Little Egypt Cemetary.

Wednesday's thrifty goodies...

2009-10-22T19:57:00.008-04:00

Yippee! I finally did some thrifty shopping! It's been a while!

Dollar General had racks of 90% off clothes yesterday. Heather and I checked out several stores.

I bought 2 of these "rock n roll" knit shirts. One for Justin and one for my nephew, Kyle. They were only 80 cents each. Merry Christmas, boys!! LOL

These shorts were $1.00 a pair. The denim pair are for Richard and the camo pair are for my brother in law, Jay. I bought him 2 pair of the camo ones.

These polo shirst are for Justin. He has to wear a collared shirt at his part time job. They are really nice and only $1.00 each. I'm putting these with his Christmas stuff.

Flip flops for Jaiden for next summer. 50 cents!

These 2 bins are for my scraproom. They were half off: $2.00 for the large one and $1.50 for the smaller one.

I need help!!

2009-10-22T01:03:00.005-04:00

Mr. Nosey Man decided that today he was going to learn how to type. Needless to say that when he climbed on my keyboard he did something and now all of the words are really, really tiny. I mean so tiny that I can't even read some of my followed blogs, message boards that I visit and even my own blog. This sucks!

Is there anyone here who can tell me how to fix this problem. You might be saving Rocky's life!!

By the way, does my blog look normal or is the type really tiny? When I look at it, it's tiny.

Ouch!

2009-10-21T10:26:00.002-04:00

Yep...I got the H1N1 vaccine yesterday. Our local health department had a free clinic for the vaccines. Luckily Heather, my sister and I were able to get the last 3 injectable vaccines. Because of my Lupus, I couldn't get the mist.

My close encounter...with the deer

2009-10-19T16:34:00.006-04:00

Friday evening I was laying on the couch (with a bad headache) waiting for Richard to get home. I saw the deer out of the corner of my eye coming across the street. I grabbed my camera, some apples & carrots and headed outside. They were in the lot behind us by the woods. I called to "mama" and she came right to me! I was shocked and happy. The 2 little ones stayed back. I cut up the apples & the carrots and fed them to her. I had a heck of a time cutting them up, feeding her and taking pictures all at the same time! But I think I did pretty good! LOL

She loved the apples I was feeding her.
I think this picture is so sweet! She kept nudging my hand for more food.
She's checking on her babies. I threw some apples to the babies! Aren't her ears adorable?!
Eating a carrot out of my hand.
A stupid loud car scared her and her babies off.

Our trip to the apple orchard/pumpkin patch...

2009-10-16T15:17:00.013-04:00

Last Saturday we all went to Kercher's Orchards to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch. They have an awesome country store there with lots of neat things to buy and yummy foods to eat. The weather was chilly, but sunny and bright. We had a perfect day!

But, I have to add that we missed Kylah. I guess hanging at the pumpkin patch isn't a fun thing if you're 15!!

~*~*~*~COUNTRY STORE~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~APPLE ORCHARD~~*~*~*~

"TWILIGHT"!!

~*~*~*~pumpkin patch~*~*~*~

The swine flu has hit...

2009-10-13T15:43:00.003-04:00

at Heather's house. Our son in law, Justin was comfirmed today and he is one very sick guy.

Now, this evening, Heather and Kylah are starting to get sick. They both have total body aches, sore throats, chills and fever. The doctor started them all on Tamiflu today, so hopefully no one else will be as sick as Justin is.

Keep your fingers crossed that the 2 little ones won't get sick, too.

Grandparent's day at school

2009-10-10T10:54:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was grandparent's day at the 2 little one's school. I braved the cold, pouring down rain to attend. It was a little harder this year with both of them attending school. I went to Kammie's class for an hour and then across the hall to Jaiden's class for the 2nd hour.

Nothing makes me feel like I do, when the kids are so happy and excited to see me! I love them so very much!

Kamrie and grandma...kindergarten. Isn't she adorable? LOL

Yes, Jaiden has a dark brown mohawk...remember, he has "cool", young parents!!

Jaiden and grandma...1st grade.

I am soooo bummed...

2009-10-08T20:20:00.008-04:00

Beware...lots of pictures to follow! LOL!

The sad story...

Our favorite scrapbook store, Pages In Time, is closing. Forever. Today was the first day of their sale, invitation only. They only had 20% off, but the place was PACKED. And when I say PACKED, I mean looong line to get in and an even looonger line to pay. I didn't buy much, but I did get some really cute paper with squirrels on it! Yay! I also got quite a few sheets of halloween paper. Both for trick or treat pics and pictures from ghost hunting.

I'll post some pictures of the paper in a day or so. I can't wait to scrap some pics of Rocky with the new paper!

My friends-Charlotte, Laura and Muff!

The line at 9:00 this morning. The doors opened at 9:30.

Prizes...winners determined by how much $$ you spend between now and when they close. I won't be winning any of these!

Some poor guy stood holding this sign at the end of the 1 1/2 - 2 hour checkout line. YES...I said 1 1/2 - 2 hour checkout line! LOL

*~*~*~*~*~*
The pictures below were taken a month or so ago when Charlotte and I went shooping at Pages In Time. Little did we know it would be one of our last times.

Store views from the upper level cropping area.

Upper level cropping area.

Main level cropping area.

Tons and tons of lucious scrapping goodies!!

Beautiful fall rose...

2009-10-06T16:11:00.003-04:00

I went out this afternoon to feed the fish and realized my rosebush had bloomed! I always love fall roses.

As you can see by the droplets, it is raining, today.

The deer were back for a snack!

2009-10-04T20:35:00.004-04:00

Richard went out to fill the feeders and saw them eating the bird and squirrel feed...corn, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, peanuts and raisins. I went back in and grabbed a handful of apples. Mommy deer loved them. She was close enough to Richard that he was able to pet her! I was probably within 6 feet of her and the babies!

He said that some bratty little kids from down the street were yelling at them and throwing rocks at them. He told them to stop. Which was way nicer than I would have been to them! Brats!

Kylah's fashion show...

2009-09-28T12:37:00.004-04:00

Saturday, my oldest granddaughter, Kylah, was in a fashion show at Concord Mall. The show benefited the local humane shelter. Heather, Kammie, Kylah's friend Jasmine and myself all went. Kylah's dad and her 1/2 brother met us there.

Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures. For some reason Heather and I didn't either one get many good shots.

Kylah!

The girls either carried a picture of a cat or actually carried a cat. Some also had dogs on a leash.

Kylah with her dad and her brother, Austin.

Me, Kylah, Kammie and Heather.

I have some cute pictures of the girls, taken at the mall, for another post!

One year ago today...

2009-09-25T20:32:00.009-04:00

Rocky came into our lives! It's been quite the roller coaster, to say the least! LOL I thought everyone would enjoy seeing some pictures of him taken over the last year.

The first 5 pics are from the first couple of weeks that we had him. The first picture is from the first night. The night that his brother died.

We, meaning me most of the time, fed him from an eye dropper every 3 hours for a couple of weeks.

Today's thrifty goodies!!

2009-09-25T15:36:00.007-04:00

I went with Heather to take all 3 ofthe kids to the dentist. The 2 little ones got fillings and Kylah got her teeth cleaned. After we went to Hacienda for lunch and to the Salvation Army. I haven't really been thrifting for a while and I needed a fix! LOL I got everything pictured and a nice white sheet...$1.00. I am going to make a halloween project from the sheet.

A box of around 50 Christmas cards and a dozen or so, thinking of you, cards for 75 cents.

Fall dish cloth...30 cents.

I got both of these 4 foot long fall garland for 37 cents, total!

Handwoven mat for my scraproom...30 cents...1/2 off

Look who came back for a visit!

2009-09-23T15:51:00.004-04:00

Mama and her 2 babies!! They set off our security alarms on the south side of our property early Saturday morning. We watched them for quite a while and then they crossed the street to eat apples from the neighbor's trees.

*~*~*~*~*~*
Don't forget to visit Rocky over at his very own blog!!
http://adayinthelifeofapetsquirrel.blogspot.com

Shadow Shot Sunday

2009-09-20T20:31:00.004-04:00

I'm attempting my first meme. This is Jaiden and I on the way to the bus stop, last spring.

I haven't used Mr. Linky before, so here we go!

Like I said...

2009-09-20T12:41:00.003-04:00

I hate having a garage sale. We were there from 8:30 Friday morning until around 5:00pm. I made a whopping $23.00! My Heather made around $60. Saturday, Mandy watched the sale. I made another $12.00 and Heather made another $7.50...Goodwill, here I come! I will bring my purses home, but the rest is going bye-bye.

Against my better judgement...

2009-09-18T07:20:00.009-04:00

The Heathers are having a garage sale today. While you all know that I LOVE to go to good garage sale, you might not know that I HATE to have one! This is a spur of the moment deal for me. They have been planning it for a week, me since yesterday. Sooo, I am not taking much over to Heather #2's house. But, I am in some serious need of some $$$$$! We'll see what happens! Wish me luck (I'm, gonna need it).

Misc. stuff!

Good reads and a lap quilt.

Purses and wallets.

Enough said...

2009-09-15T19:49:00.003-04:00

Rocky has his own blog!!

2009-09-12T21:29:00.006-04:00

I thought I would start a blog, writing in Rocky's point of view! Please go and give him and his blog a visit!

http://adayinthelifeofapetsquirrel.blogspot.com

If anyone can tell me how to post a direct link, I would appreciate the help!

Never Forget: 09/11/2001

2009-09-11T09:43:00.002-04:00

God Bless America!

Blueberry Festival

2009-09-10T22:44:00.011-04:00

Last friday my sister Chris, Heather and her friend, Heather (aka the Heathers) and I went to the Marshall County Blueberry Festival. Heather and I go every year. This was the first time for the other Heather and Chris hadn't been there for years. We stopped at a couple of garage sales on the way. The road into Plymouth is loaded with garage/yard sales every year. I would have liked to stop at a few more, but my Heather was hungry and she was driving!! LOL

(remember to click on any picture to see the goodies a little better!)

Surprise!

There are so many booths with country/primitive decor. Of course, everything for fall! I hope you all enjoy this pictures!!

These jumbo turkey legs gross me out, so bad! It makes my stomach roll, just looking at this picture. The girls were all making fun of me(they know me well) and dared me to take a pic. Well, I am not one to pass up a dare! :) I can't stand to see people walking around eating these disgusting things. Especially at Disney World! LOL

Every kind of yummy food!

Way to go Irish!!

2009-09-05T20:37:00.010-04:00

As I'm sure you all know...we are a family of Notre Dame fans! Well, most of us anyway! My nephews are University of Michigan fans. But, we love them anyway! Today was ND's season opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

FINAL SCORE:
ND 35!
Nevada 0...zip...zilch...nada!

vs

Stadium

Touch down Jesus

Golden Dome

Yep...Rocky is an ND fan too!!!

Flags around our yard!!

You will be seeing lots of Notre Dame pics the next few months!

Critter sightings at our house...

2009-09-03T11:04:00.011-04:00

We always have lots of critters hanging around our yard. We have an acre with the back part wooded. I think they know that they are safe here.

We call this girl, Sissy! She comes on the deck and looks in the sliding glass door when she wants peanuts! She will come right up to me, but want take the peanut out of my hand. Yet. I talk to her and feed her everyday. She's really small, much smaller than Rocky.

What kind of critters are these? LOL Oh, wait...that's our family, taken on the 4th of July!!

This little toad was in the kitchen last night! He was only about an inch long. I scooped him up and put him out, before the dogs or the cat found him.

This cute little critter was all curled up in a ball sleeping in our side yard, near the street. I had Richard put gloves on and move it towards the woods so he wouldn't wander into the street and get hit by a car. He just sat there and didn't run off. We thought maybe it was hurt. So I called the Humane Shelter to come and get him. We waited and waited and Richard called them back and finally talked to someone. She told him she wouldn't be here until the next morning. What? So we put him in a box with a couple of old blankets and some food(graham crackers, bread, marshmallows and some fruit) and a bowl of water. We sat the box back under Richard's trailer, since it was sprinkling. The next morning the food was completely gone and so was the racoon!! I guess he just wanted a meal and a warm bed!

A few of our pond fish.

This little guy has been hanging in the pond with the gold fish!

I posted a pic of these sweeties before. They were in the back of our property Saturday morning.

This toad was quite good sized. He was on the patio next to the deck.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Obviously, this isn't an animal! I just wanted to show a picture of the cake I got Richard for our anniversary, yesterday! He was surprised and it was so yummy!

31 years ago today...

2009-09-02T09:55:00.006-04:00

I married my best friend! I was 20 and he was 21! Sometimes it seems like yesterday and other times, not so much!! :)

I was looking through some of our wedding pictures today and was sad to see how many of our loved ones are no longer with us. We have lost both of our moms, all of our grandparents, all but one aunt and several beloved friends. It makes me stop and reflect on the time I have with the people I love and care about.

Here we are at my mom and dad's house, before we got married. I was 19 and RIchard was 20! Don't we look like kids? LOL

We had an outdoor garden ceremony. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. In fact, the weather today is identical to what it was 31 years ago!

These were both taken this summer. Boy have we aged!!

Saturday's thrifty goodies!

2009-08-31T14:40:00.010-04:00

Since I haven't been feeling well, I haven't done much thrifty shopping lately. Saturday was Goodwill's 1/2 day and I had a $5.00 off coupon that expired on Sunday, so I decided to run over and see what they had. They were super busy, so I didn't stick around too long. Mostly looked at the shoes and knick-knacks! SO, let's go shoppin'!!

These are for me, as long as my granddaughter, Kylah, doesn't get her hands on them! Yes, at 15 she and I wear the same size shoes. And, I'm quite sure her feet are still growing. She is an inch or so taller than I am, too!

Isn't this vintage, baby bank precious? I just fell in love with it. I am going to give it to my sister for her first grandbaby's room!

This flag was my favorite find of the day! Only 75 cents! I know, bargain! :)

I love the detail on this frame. I can't decide if I want to paint it, or leave it at is. What do you think?

There are 2 of thiese. I think that they are supposed to be napkin rings, but since there were only 2, I am going to put them around a glass votive holder.

I bought this new laundry room sign for Heather. I buy her some kind of decor for her laundry room, every year for Christmas!

These (4) placemats have snowmen on them. They are kind of hard to see, sorry.

4 placemats. These are the prettiest color of burgandy-red. Love them for fall/winter.

8 little grape-vine wreath napkin rings!

Amish vegetable stand goodies!

2009-08-30T10:07:00.002-04:00

Nothing is better than fresh produce! We stopped by an Amish farm that had loads of produce for sale. Cheap! We bought peppers, candy sweet onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and purple & white kholrabi! Yummy! We also bought peaches, cherries (for Rocky) and sweet corn. Good eating this week!

Who's been eating our tomatoes?

2009-08-29T10:30:00.003-04:00

Imagine my surprise when I let the dogs out this morning and saw these little cuties eating our neighbor's tomatoes!!

I'm sure that I think they are cuter than they do!

Fall is in the air...

2009-08-27T20:49:00.004-04:00

Darn it!

While I really love fall-the colors, the smells, the weather, apples, the pumpkin patch, my birthday!, Halloween, campfires, apple cider! I abhor what comes next. Winter.

I seriously feel sick to my stomach when I think about it. We had such a hard time last winter with Richard being laid off, so much snow and record breaking cold, high fuel prices, illness...I could go on, but I won't!

I am hoping that my feelings won't ruin my love for the fall of the year. That's why I took these pictures today. I thought that if I slowly eased myself into it, I would be okay!! LOL

Anyway, enjoy!

Except for the pics at Walgreens, all of these were taken in our yard. The grapes are really getting purple!

Kylah's new braces!

2009-08-26T17:19:00.010-04:00

Today was the day. Kylah got her braces! She has been so excited and was ready to go. Of course, she picked pink! No surprise there. She will have to wear them for 24 months (approx).

Afterwards she wanted a milkshake from Steak and Shake. So, off we went for lunch!

Cheese!
Ooh, scary!

The waiting room was beautiful. Fireplace, view, flatscreen TV, aquarium, beveridge station: coffee, tea, cocoa, water cooler and misc. juices. Maybe this is why the braces cost $3905.00! LOL

Gorgeous view from the waiting room.

Open wide!

Learning how to brush properly.

Finally!

She said the cold milk shake felt good!

We passed Christopher when we were going to eat lunch. He was on his way to our house, so we invited him to go with us!

How NOT to enjoy a Sunday afternoon...

2009-08-24T13:20:00.004-04:00

Saturday I noticed what appeared to be a bug bite near my left elbow. By evening to was tender, swollen and red. I told Richard that I may have to go to the ER on Sunday if it wasn't better. Woke up Sunday morning with the headache from hell. It was so bad that I was that I was crying and vomiting. The bug bite was about the same. Richard called Heather to see if she would take me to the ER. He has a real issue with hospitals. Wimp!

We checked in and I was called to have my vitals taken. Oxygen level-normal, temperature-normal, blood pressure-254/125. WHAT? That can't be right, on comes a different BP cuff. Yep, 254/125. So they get a nurse and she takes it again. Still the same. I go to the waiting room and wait to be called.

They call me back and take me to one of the trauma rooms, you know the kind: right next to the nurse's station, heart monitors, automatic blood pressure cuff, etc. Okay, now I'm worried. They take my BP again the top number has gone UP a little and the bottom number is the same. The doctor comes right in and asks about it. Well, I haven't been to the doctor in almost 3 years. Since Richard lost his job of 28 years and also lost his insurance. :( They give me an IV, take vials of blood and give me 2 pills for the BP. After 4 hours it is low enough that I can go home (I was afraid that I would be admitted).

They give me 3 prescriptions. 1 for headaches, 1 for BP and an antibiotic for the infected bug bite. The ER doctor told me the antibiotic would be $4 at WalMart. Of course, the WM pharmacy was closed. We went to Walgreen's. They tried to put the new insurance through. Denied. Tried again. Denied. So the tech called and the insurance company said Richard was the only one listed (I can feel myself getting upset, again). I was not. I filled out the papers, so I know that I was on them. I asked how much without insurance. $55.00. $37.00 for the antibiotic alone. What, it's only $4 at WM. I told the tech to forget it. I would go to WM today. Well, my sister picked up the other 2 for me and told me to call a local grocery store that advertised free antibiotics. I called them this morning and YES my prescription will be FREE.

So I guess that I am wondering, why. Why is it so expensive at a national drugstore? And why is is free at a local grocery? Does that make sense to anyone?

Anyway, I am feeling some better today. Richard called the insurance co. They said they never received a copy of our marriage license (why they need that, I don't know). I mailed it myself a month or more ago.

When he gets home we are off to the grocery-pharmacy, the library for copies and the post office. Fun, not.

Look at the handsome guy I had lunch with today!

2009-08-21T22:53:00.003-04:00

My great nephew, Liam, is 10 days old today! We went for his first lunch out!

It is so amazing how a little baby can be comfortable in a position like this!!

Is this not the most kissable little face you have ever seen?

Proud great aunt Nisi!

My sister Chris, Taylor, baby Liam and I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch today! The food was good and the company was wonderful! Liam had lots of admirers!

Happy Birthday, Mom...

2009-08-19T19:22:00.004-04:00

We miss you...we love you!

My mom would have been 73 today. She died way to young in 2001, at only 65 years old. It is so hard to believe that we have endured the past 8 years without her in our lives. We miss her more everyday.

I have to say that when god blessed this earth with our mother, it was the greatest gift he ever gave.

This picture was taken at Christmas time, 1999. She was making her famous fudge. She made chocolate and peanut butter! Every year she would pack it up in Florida and send it here to us in Indiana. Believe me, those packages were the most anticipated of the holiday season!

For my friends...

2009-08-18T23:33:00.004-04:00

Heeleys...

2009-08-17T19:45:00.004-04:00

For weeks, Jaiden has been telling his mom that he wants "skate-shoes"(heeleys), for Christmas. Well, they are kind of expensive, considering we weren't sure if he could even skate with them! We stopped at a garage sale Saturday and they had a like new pair for 75 cents, in his size! YAY! We took them home and he was so excited!

Until...he put them on and tried to skate on the tile in the kitchen! It was the funniest thing I think I have ever seen! LOL I laughed so hard, I almost peed my pants.

I would have sworn that this kid had 10 legs, they were moving so fast and in so many directions, all at the same time! I am laughing, now, just thinking about it! He told me that "it isn't very nice to laugh at your little grandson who is trying to skate"!! That made me even laugh harder.

I was so tickled by him, that Justin asked Heather if I was on some new "happy" meds! LOL Kylah recorded it on her phone and I have watched him over and over, Laughing each time.

Today's thrifty goodies!! Finally! LOL

2009-08-15T18:00:00.011-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done any thrifty shopping! So, I was up early and ready to go when Heather got here!

We went to the Salvation Army, first off this morning. They had all of their kids clothes on special for 50 cents! Having 3 in school this year, Heather needs all of the help she can get! LOL She bought 16 pieces of clothing for the 2 youngest ones!

I bought everything shown below and a really nice long sleeved, John Deere shirt for my sister's stepson, for only $8.50! Score!

Isn't my lovely assistant just adorable! She's our youngest grandchild, Kamrie!
Both of these aprons are vintage and in perfect condition. All 3 of the grandkids love to wear aprons when they help me cook.

I am so excited about these 2 wood items! I am going to paint them both satin black. I am going to put the little shelf on the kitchen counter and the pedestal bowl on the coffee table in the living room. I have been trying to incorporate some black in the living room.

It's kind of hard to see this, but it's an antique spool turned into a little lamp!!
Little lampshade for the spool lamp.

6 handmade, woven placemats for fall,
6 rust colored napkins to go with the above placemats.

6 red napkins.

I am going to put a candle in this and put it on my dining room table. It is about 18 inches tall.

I love this little, fat jar! I am going to paint the lid and use it in my scraproom.

Gold and white embroidered square tablecloth.

We also stopped by a garage sale in Heather's neighborhood. I bought Jaiden an almost new pair of New Balance tennis shoes for $1.00 and a really cute pair of tan cordouroy carpenter pants. Also for a dollar. Jaiden has been saying that he wants a pair of heeleys for christmas. Well, this same sale had a nice pair for 75 cents. So, of course Heather bought those for him and also a new pair of Skechers. He was hilarious trying to use those skate shoes! OMGosh, I almost peed my pants watching him! I have some pics that I will post tomorrow!