The Balloons

I shopped at Grocery Store A last Wednesday—because it was Wednesday when folk 55 and up (moi) get a 10% discount.

Ice cream and birthday balloons for 2 of 4′s birthday was on the list. I was hoping to find a nice inexpensive balloon or 2, as I did not want to drive down to the Dollar Store.

The discount, it seems, is only on the FIRST Wednesday; the wonderful floral balloons were $8; some nicer, typical party balloons were $4.

Not seeing any other balloons (better suited to my budget), I finished shopping and checked out.

As I was putting my groceries in the car, a lady came out with several balloons that were plain (but nice) colors.

I had no cooler (which I usually took) for the ice cream, and though it was coolish out, the sun was beating down on Jeepers, and I didn’t think I had time to go find and buy the less expensive balloons.

Since 3 of 4 was on a tight schedule, it didn’t work for her to get the balloons. So Thursday, the day of the par-tay, I went to Grocery Store B.

There the gal tried to interest me in their $4 balloons. Do you have something less expensive I timidly asked.

Jackpot. Balloons 99 cents that only last 6 hours she said. I’ll take 3. They lasted through the party and a couple hours longer.

Bookcase

My new bookcase (the way it was a couple weeks ago) complete with many of my favorite books (except, The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan & the forgotten Colony that Shaped America, by Russell Shorto); and library books that need to be returned—soon.

For my new Office

Out with the old

It has been very busy times at the Smith Family Circus. Hero felt sorry for me and made me an office in the room vacated by 2 of 4 when she got her own place.

I have been busy making a rug and wall hanging for the new office as well as organizing information so it is readily accessible.

I’m hoping to be back at writing the second week of January. This year is off to a whirlwind start!

Apples, apples, apples

I’ve been busy making applesauce and apple crisp from my Anna Apples. I was told that Anna is a desert apple tree.

Each year I am doing better at picking the apples when they are not too green, but before they are too ripe or sunburned, or the animals (birds and rabbits) get to them.

I just finished my morning snack of my homemade applesauce with some granola on top. I highly recommend it.

Apple, orange, cholla

My Anna apple tree.

My orange tree that has more than 4 oranges for the first time in 10 years.

Nearby staghorn and cholla cactus.

On Organizing

Dejunking and pitching is my current focus. As I mentioned in my last post, there were too many boxes in my ev (everything) room which doubles as my office and a guest room. I was getting claustrophobia.

The top of the bookcase is now visible with some of my favorite books—many of which I have listed in my Favorite Reads section.

Many of my unwanted books have found new homes. Now, what to do with old nostalgic 33-1/3 rpm scratched records.