This post’s photos take us back in time to when the crew and I roamed across Utah. We camped by the Green River near the town of the same name. (Photos don’t match the text and aren’t always in correct sequence).
Wednesday, December 5, at home in Arizona
Reggie and Roger play their games on the bed. Reggie stands on his back legs and pounces with front legs (arms?) outstretched, claws extended. Roger counter-attacks with a “bite” to Reggie’s flank and a high-pitched whine that seems to say, “You are NOT the boss of me!”
Suddenly Roger stops.
He sounds an alarm and flies off the bed, barking and racing down the hall to the back door thar leads to the patio and the back yard. Reggie and I follow to see what’s the matter.
“Oh, Dennis is here!”
Dennis is the privacy fence installation guy and a friend.
“Hi, Susan,” he begins with his usual warm smile. (Dennis prefers to use the name Susan, rather than Sue. That’s fine with me. In fact, most of my life I’ve been a Susan and several people I know still call me by that name.)
“I’m on my lunch break. I need to check on what materials we need to finish up the job.”
After Dennis takes inventory and checks a few changes we made to our plan, he asks me about stain and I make a decision. I’m not confident it’s the right one, but I can’t dither forever. (More about the stain in a future post once it has been applied.)
Dennis gives me an invoice.
The total cost of materials and labor is fair and reasonable. I’m not going to talk about the cost of having a privacy fence built around our backyard because, you know, there’s always a reader who has to point out something negative among the overwhelming number of positive comments from supportive readers.
Of course, the one negative pops into my consciousness more than the positives, and the negative tends to persist like smell rising from crap on a shoe.
I’d like to control that better!
Which reminds me . . . .
You know how you go to a website or write an email and then the next few days you receive messages “out of nowhere” on the same topic? Funny thing: I experience that in real life! Maybe you do, too. In fact, I’m pretty sure you do.
It’d be creepy if it weren’t so wonderful.
For instance, I’m thinking about the power of other people’s negativity over my thoughts and feelings. A common problem. Over the years, with the help of our loving God and some maturity, that power has weakened. Not completely gone, however. Not by a long shot.
Oh, how I wish it were!
Anyway . . .
I’m at the thrift store (again!).
I find a few pots for the plants I’m propagating — I purchase perfectly priced propagating plant pots! — and also a floor lamp.
It was just last night I said out loud to the living room, “What this corner needs is a floor lamp.”
Anyway . . . anyway . . .
I’m struggling this day to push out of mind some snark hurled my way at another website.
I browse the book section at the thrift shop, my eyes scanning the vast wasteland of battered books. (I read fiction on my Paperwhite. For reference books, I like the paper books.)
I come across “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and a daily devotional by Billy Graham, “Hope For Each Day.”
I read both these books years ago.
I should take these home. It’s time to read them again.
I reach out and put the two books in my basket.
As I breeze on home, my thoughts flow around the plant pots, the floor lamp, and the two books.
Those two books . . .
Unlike the phony, targeted messages transmitted to me on the internet, I’m convinced the prompting I was given at the thrift shop is from a personal and sincere voice pointing me toward what I really need.
Again.
Pretty neat, eh?
rvsue
READER PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS!
Dawn in North Carolina recommends:
Armarkat B5701 57-Inch Cat Tree, Ivory
“For Amazon finds that I would recommend, I love the 57-Inch Cat Tree by Armarkat. It’s easy to install, very well made and my cats LOVE it. I received one for a Christmas present last year and I highly recommend it!” — Dawn
Suzago from the Pacific Northwest recommends:
“After years of living without a sewing machine, I decided to get one for household repairs, wardrobe adjustments, and making gifts (nothing fancy). This Singer sewing machine is fantastic for my purposes. Very smooth and easy to use.” — Suzago
LeeJ in northern California recommends:
Howard RF4016 Restor-A-Finish, 16-Ounce, Walnut
“Howard Restor-A-Finish is amazing and comes in different colors, walnut, oak, etc. I have oak furniture that I keep looking like new by yearly applications. It covers scratches and rubs perfectly. My bedroom set is over forty years old, I have had it probably thirty years. I bought it used back when I wanted quality furniture with dove tailed joints and solid wood and could only afford man made stuff, or used. I use the Howard’s on it too…. I just put on gloves and wipe it on with a piece of folded cheesecloth. It dries quickly and makes furniture or cabinets look like new.” — LeeJ
~ ~ ~
RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
~ ~ ~
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
First?!
YIPPEE FOR KAREN! FIRST TODAY! 🙂
Good morning
Good morning, Norman! Have a great afternoon!
I am close to first today. No comments posted as I type. I love the pictures on this post. I also like the subject. God is busy guiding us and I believe he send things our way as a way of helping and answering prayers. As I type my hen turned rooster is crowing his cock-a-doodle-doo head off in my back yard. I live in a subdivision that does not allow chickens, but I thought I might get away with it with just hens.. I bought what was supposed to be only hens. But Henrietta has now become Henry and is looking for a new home SOON! He loves the sound of his own voice.
Thank you for the post and hope your have a great day. It is cold in Southaven and we have snow in the forcast for the weekend.
ha ha ha… I have a Scarlett Macaw (almost al loud as a rooster) we named him Rico and all was well until last year when HE laid an egg… it is still hard to drop the male pro-nouns LOL… and she/he won’t respond to Rica.. he squawks RICO at me if I call her Rica… so Rico it is for our female Macaw.
Oh that is funny, correcting you like that. I used to have a dog named zamu which means watchman in Kirundi. Being female she probably should have been named zama but in that culture I don’t think you would ever find a female watchman. So I didn’t rename her. I adopted her here in the states from another missionary kid who grew up in Burundi. Obviously we wouldn’t have used the name when we lived there. We wouldn’t want to insult our real zamu.
Haha, this happened to me several years ago. I was so attached to my little Hank, I cried when I exchanged him at the chicken farm. My 12 year ole hen, Blondie just passed on…so sad
I echo your comment about learning the negativity of others shouldn’t impact our thoughts as much as it can. I, too, wish I had learned to ignore those naughty negative ninnies earlier in life – but am thankful I have finally learned to live in my own happy world and avoid drama and naysayers.
Keep posting about your propagating efforts! I just harvested seeds from a lantana plant and plan to do the same with seeds from an asparagas fern. In the spring, I want to root cuttings from a beautiful spirea that I would love to have in more places on our property.
Howdy !!
I LOVE Spirae Cantoniensis, its common name is Bridal Wreath; beautiful bush & flowers !
My regards. Lucy.
I can totally identify and agree with you Sandy and Sue. Growing older and wiser everyday.
Hi Sue and Crew! The photos are amazing as usual! I like that campground with the trees gracefully growing all around the table. Targeted messages creep me out, I still can’t get used to the fact that if I look at something online, 20 ads for the thing will appear in my newsfeeds, e-mails etc. The other kind of message doesn’t bother me, I think what a relief, I know exactly where they stand now. What I do hate is silence, when I try and contact someone and they don’t respond I start to think of all kinds of crazy things, are they hurt, did something terrible happen, did I do something wrong, do they hate me? Silence can definitely be a targeted message or it can just mean the person forgot. I need to work on that!
I have that same problem, in my head. You explained that perfectly.
Hi Sue, love your thoughts about on positive and negative and your two book buys. I’ve work hard on myself about letting go of the negativity others have drop in my lap through the years…lately, I’ve noticed that I tell myself “Nope, not today or any more, bad thoughts/guilty feelings go away…I can’t change the past but I can change this moment and I CHOOSE positive things in my life”. I have also learned to walk away from negative people or situations (that isn’t life threatening to me or others) and feel good for myself. I must admit that part of that growth has come from you and your blogorinos…Ya’ll are so positive and friendly and share lots of good…been watching the events and services for Pres. George H. W. Bush and have been reflecting on the decency of the majority of the people…It brings back Mr. Rogers…Do what you do best and find the wonder in your world.
Loved the photos and the boys and how well Dennis is be a friend and hard worker.
On another note, I have been shopping through you from Amazon: pizza socks for a pizza loving niece, a Buddha Board for a meditative BIL, makeup brushes for a 16 niece who wants to do film makeup when she grows up (my how fast she is growing up), laminator for me to work on my memories…still working on ideas for a few more.
I might order a Buddha Board for myself, it seems most interesting, my gift order is supposed to be here today:
Buddha Board Mini Buddha Board, 5 x 5 x 1/2-Inch, Black
by Buddha Board ASIN B000LUYQ22
As always Take Care
Well said!
Hi Sue-
I’m glad you found just the books you needed, and hope they give you some inspirational reading. As far as the cost of the fence, that’s nobody’s business but yours! We readers certainly don’t need to know details like that, although it is fun to hear about the fabulous bargains you find at the thrift shop!
It is enjoyable to follow along as you make this house your home. Have you been doing any grilling lately? Maybe it’s not the right season. I loved seeing the yummy things you made on your grill!
Well, Sue, you express a problem a lot of us experience no doubt. People!! Finding the good ones, also means running across those we would rather avoid, frankly. At least it has in my life. Good grief, one of my own parents was a huge thorn in the flesh for me. When you try to follow GOD it can certainly make it hard to know what to do, or not, in any given situation. I would like to say he changed…but not much…and then he died. I always wished him well…but I must admit I do not miss the troubling phone calls. A friend sent me this amazing little quote and I printed it out and put on my fridge: “WANTED: Encouragers. (Critics we have enough of already. Thanks.”) I have laughed at that a lot…but also loved the truth of it. It does seem that many today have some form or other of mental illness that drives them. We have to not take things personally, even if they feel personal, eh? I told a relative one time that “if I had believed all the stuff certain kin said to me, I would have jumped off a bridge long ago. But the trouble is, even that would not have pleased them”. She said, “Yea, you would have jumped from the WRONG bridge.” I have laughed a lot over that one too down through the years. So true.
I think another reason you should not tell the price you are paying for your fence is that Dennis could be giving you a cut rate he might not want to give everyone, you know. Private businessmen often do that if they think a person for some reason needs the extra cut (at least the private businessmen in my kin always have done so). It is good to tell others he is honest, hard working and does a good job however…word of mouth reputations are rare and to be desired too!!
I remember years ago reading a book that helped me so much (a wonder I could remember how to find it with my aging mind!): Irregular People by Joyce Landorf. Ha…the name in itself says a boatload really!!
Blessings and enjoy your new fence, doggies, and all else. (TRYING to enjoy the weather here…after all, I HATE being hot…but really folks, 17 degrees is a bit chilly…oh yea, have been in lots worse -35 below…but we are old now and feel this cold in our bones!!)
I may have to embroider that and hang it on my wall… “WANTED: Encouragers. (Critics we have enough of already. Thanks.”) . It made my day, thanks for sharing it.
You are most welcome…great idea to embroider such!! THANKS for that idea!!
Hi, Elaine,
That is an awesome idea, Elaine! 🙂
Hi, Elizabeth,
I love the quote you shared! Thank you! 🙂
Great quote Elizabeth.
I have someone I’d like to paint it for and then give it to them. Some folks are so high and mighty, they just can’t seem to like you for who you are or accept that you may be having a bad day and say things you don’t mean.
Painting such seems an awfully nice thing to do, Barbara. I have a close friend who has always lived in hell of one sort or another…one of the nicest people ever too. We cannot do a lot but be a good friend…and I like to send encouraging things to her and others too…after all, how else can we have any impact on changing the world except in small ways, for most of us…
You are welcome, Denise…I tend to collect sayings…and using them to write a book of memories for my offspring…heh, when it will be finished no one can tell at the speed I do anything…but maybe someday. Some sayings are out there online and part of some amazing posters too…just love some of those too.
Great Quote! LOVE it.
I’m glad the fence is getting done. Whatever stain you decide on will be fine, so don’t worry. I’m sorry you’re receiving negative comments, I guess when we put ourselves out there we sometimes get those. Though I can’t imagine what anyone would pick on you about.
Love the pictures of the boys playing. And of the mountains! I love those mountains! Here’s it’s pretty flat and lately grey skies with snow. Could use a little variation…but I can’t complain, we went up to the Upper Peninsula for Thanksgiving and got to see some of the Huron ‘mountains’ while we were there, and of course we saw Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior, so you can’t beat that!
Susan, Sue….Think I’ll stick with “Missy”! I’ve had another little fall Sunday but our fire department got me up. I came out with only a few aches and bruises. My balance is shot and knees gone. My Grandkids and others have asked me to sign up for an alert and I finally did sign up for both Detta and me so we each have push button pendants which we will wear henceforth. Missy, most folks harbor such love and respect for you and your life, don’t ever give any thoughts of the very few who are just nasty. Not worth it…
Love the touches you are applying to your Little Rancho.. *Hug
So sorry to hear about your fall, Jim. I hope you are feeling a bit better as each day passes; I know you are sore. Sending you and Detta some healing **hugs**. Thank goodness for our wonderful police, fire fighters, and EMT first responders! Please take good care of yourselves! 🙂
Oh Jim, sorry to hear about your fall. Hope it didn’t result in too much pain. I have found as I’ve gotten older (65, but some days I feel much older) I have to really be more intentional about how I move, and slow down. For example, when I go up and down our stairs now, I hold the railing and I never carry something in both hands – which I used to do all the time and resulted in quire a few tripping incidents. I’m glad you got the medical alert system – it will give you and your family more peace of mind. No fun laying on the floor for too long – you might miss something fun going on!!! (Just kidding!)
Those alert buttons are really great. Have been thinking of getting one for DH so if I’m out, he will always be able to get help.
You and Detta take care of yourselves.
I wonder if you could tell Siri to call 911 for help and give your address…or just call them for you and you could furnish that info. Hope I never have to find out.
Dear Jim, I’m glad you came out with only a few aches and bruises from your fall. Know what you mean by your balance being shot. Between a pinched nerve in my leg and no cartilage in that knee, some days each step can be an adventure. For what it’s worth, a friend gave me some Magnesium lotion which I use on most everything that hurts. I apply it twice and rub it in really well and it seldom fails me. Works great on the knee with no cartilage. Good choice getting the alert buttons, now all will have peace of mind. Hello to Detta! Take Care.
Oh, Jim, I’m sorry you fell and ached afterwards. I’m glad the fire department came to help you. Hopefully, you and Detta won’t have a need to use the medic alert system, still it was wise of you to get the pendants.It’s always good to hear from you!
An Irish blessing for you…
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
NOTE: May the road rise up to meet you, NOT may you fall down to meet the road. Okay? 🙂
Hugs and Healing to you and Detta! Missy loves you!
So sorry Jim, to hear of your fall!! It is sure not easy getting older…we are but a few steps behind you. My hubby now uses a cane a lot whenever we are away from home…or the store motorized carts etc. Not what we like or wish…but we have to do whatever we can to stay well!! Best wishes to you and Detta.
Jim, Sorry to hear about your fall. Hope you and Detta are getting on a bit better now. The alert buttons are wonderful. Not only do they help you to know that you won’t get stranded, but they give family members piece of mind, knowing they will be contacted if something goes amiss. Well done on making that decision.
Jim and Detta, sorry to hear you fell. A funny story…My sweet MIL was falling quite often so we got an alert necklace for her She would forget about it and accidentally push the button and all of a sudden there would be a voice asking about the emergency…it would scare her. We had lots of laughs with her.
Have a Merry Christmas!
I’m Rainbirding in AZ
Howdy Sue and boys!
I hear ya on the negative Nancy’s. Don’t let it get you down! Kinda like when shopping for produce, there’s a lot of bruised stuff in the bins, and I suspect it’s from rough handling from others before you. Kitty, Larry and I think you rock! Prior to hitting the trail, I feel blessed to have been led to your blog. Travel, and doggo stories in one blog? Yippee, score!
We enjoyed the Salton Sea, and are on the move today making our way towards Blythe. Life is an adventure, one mile at a time. I am having an amazing time discovering new places and making friends with new faces. A camper we just met back at the “Sea” gave us a wonderful tip for a super place to camp on waters edge outside of Laughlin. NV side. And, FREE! We’re going to go check it out! Just passed a bunch of depressing feed lots, and I couldn’t bear to look… I don’t support factory farming of any kind, but that is a story for another day.
Cheers to you and your fine crew!
Hugs!
” there’s a lot of bruised stuff in the bins, and I suspect it’s from rough handling from others before you.” That’s a great way of seeing things, Suzi. We don’t necessarily need to accept the wrong ways some will treat us or others. Yet understanding that hurting people often hurt others can help us- to let go of thoughts about their offensive ways, and move on to nicer thoughts.
I particularly enjoyed your pictures today because the snow began as I returned from my errands. I like the one looking past the trees and picnic table to the mesa in the distance.
I see three kinds of messages in your post. The kind where someone always has something discouraging to say (including advice after the action has been taken). I have learned to both blow off that and avoid receiving it. That’s why I quit blogging, for the most part. Someone can always misinterpret whatever I say. However, I don’t have to take it seriously. It’s just whatever comes out of someone’s mind.
The kind from the Internet generally gives me a chuckle because it always comes after I bought whatever it was or decided I didn’t want it. I just say, “Too late!” and go on.
The kind of message that comes from a Greater Power is very useful. I had one of those today. I went to my favorite thrift shop looking for clothes. (I’ve lost enough weight.) I realized I really don’t know much about clothing sizes (nothing there), but far from the clothing, I found a belt pouch (a.k.a. fanny pack) that is exactly what I wanted yesterday in a specific situation. The situation will arise often in the future, and I’ll have exactly what I needed. I listened to that inner voice telling me to take a good look around. I’ve been able to hear it at other times, too, such as getting to know (or not) people I meet. I highly recommend meditation as a way to “hear” those nudges better. Meditation turns down the “noise” in my mind.
Ah . . . yes, that old saying, negativity spreads like wildfire. I know how that is. I can think of many instances and examples of experiencing just that, but I won’t go into detail otherwise I’d take up this entire feed! There’s that old saying that one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch, well, not if you remove it! I’m on Twitter and boy, there are a lot of negative people up there. I choose to ignore the ones that attack me because they don’t know who I am. It’s easy enough to disconnect. And that smell like crap rising from your shoe?! Ha, I had to laugh at that because just this week, after taking the dogs out to walk and then leaving for work, all the while driving in to work I kept smelling something. I thought, “wow, something must be burning”. I got to work, got all setup and sat down at my office and smelled something funny. Not the same as my drive in, but I kept smelling something. I checked my top, my desk, then I checked under my shoe . . . oh no! I stepped in dog crap! OMG! I laughed because I was completely disconnected from the origin of the odor while driving in! Well, I immediately cleaned my shoe! What a laugh I had and a lesson, now I use a flashlight when I take the dogs out. You too can use a “flashlight” to spot that crap and the books are one!
Hi, Sue.
As far as the blogorinos are concerned, You Are The Best!
Have you been harboring thoughts of getting away to somewhere safe and warm over the holidays? Perhaps, when the Amazon shopping is completed by the blogorinos, you can get away without the computer for a week or so. We would be onboard for that.
Back to strolling the desert after a time enjoying your morning coffee and planning those magnificent burrito dinners prepared so wondrously on that great grill. Come back and let us know how it all came out.
I would bet the boys would love it, too.
God bless you, Sue
Diann
Many
I agree with you about ‘real’ reference books, I need it in hand…
I think people are so full of the madness of life these days they use the internet – leaving comments – as a way to blow off steam. Sometimes I see a post on social media and I cringe because I can already see the bad comments people are going to leave. I have two pomeranians and am on a group on Facebook. I don’t dress my dogs in cute outfits and never would, but sometimes a newcomer will post a dog in an outfit. Because I have nothing positive to say and because obviously that dog is loved and cared for and will not die because it is wearing a dress I keep my mouth shut. But so many others don’t – dog abuse, cruel, shouldn’t have a dog, it’s not a doll. It’s so annoying and it does stay with you longer than the positive comments.
That old adage – if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all – should be mandatory somehow.
Those are two great books you found – I haven’t read them in decades and now I’m going to look at the library! I love the thrift store – I have bought hundreds of books I otherwise couldn’t afford – also on eBay – over the years. Love the photos.
I have to tell you something that made an impression on me recently. I have a beautiful Daughter in Law. We don’t live under the same roof but we are only 100 ft. apart. She is very very creative with her knitting and crocheting. One day she had blocked the afghan that a customer had commissioned. It was the american flag, with 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes, and she made 50 stars. Beautiful with a wavy pattern. I commented how beautiful it was then I said “I shouldn’t say this but.” Just then my very wise Son said “So Don’t” So I didn’t say it. Later I googled the american flag. Because I thought there were 7 white stripes and 6 red stripes. I found out I was wrong. The lesson I learned, you don’t have say what you are thinking. Mom always quoted Benjamin Franklin. “It is better to be silent and thought a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt”.
Love, love this post. “Seek you ye shall find” and you did! His plans were made for us before we were us! I , paraphrased of course. The older I get the less it worry about what others say. Incase I get busy around here, Sue , have a very Merry Christmas.
Hug the boys for me. Enjoy your nesting.
Susan!!! The psalmist said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made …” and so are you. So please do not worry about some boob on the Internet who made a snarky comment. That person is not worth your time or energy. Far better to focus on what is true, what is noble, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable. OK, enough Scripture but you get my drift.
Like Dennis, I prefer to use people’s full name, or if I know the person well enough, I make up a silly nickname. I think most people like that – or at least no one has told me they’re offended – LOL.
Sammy is doing really well. The first week post-surgery he was pretty lethargic and needy and I was worried that he was on a downhill spiral. But a couple of days ago he turned the corner and he is now back to his old self – nagging me an hour early for dinner and jumping up on the couch for snuggles. I made myself an Irish coffee this afternoon and was sitting in front of the fireplace enjoying it when the phone rang. When I returned to the couch, he was standing on it, licking the whipped cream from the top of my cup. If he wasn’t so darn cute I’d have reprimanded him – but how could I?
The photos of R&R in Utah brought back good memories of your trips to Utah and our own. I love that state – it just has so much natural beauty. I think we may head up there this spring and camp for a few weeks. I’ll have to go back to your posts and look for good spots and tips.
We have had rain off and on for the last few days and it has been really nice; it has fallen at a rate that allows the earth to absorb it and not run off into giant mudslides. Hopefully that pattern will continue through the “winter” – California and the rest of the West really needs relief from these drought conditions.
Glad you are feeling better – must have been the Emergen-C!! I loge that stuff. Have you ever just sprinkled it on your tongue from the package? It’s like that candy that used to come in long straw-like cylinders (I’m talking the 50’s) and it was usually kind of sweet and sour. I used to love that stuff as a kid and Emergen-C straight out of the package is a decent substitute!!!
Glad to hear that Sammy is doing better, Cynthia! 🙂
Hi, Sue,
Thank you for sharing the flashback photos! I enjoyed reminiscing! Love those cute little boys! 🙂
It amazes me that people still write negative comments about you on other sites. Their life must be pitifully empty and cold, hence their need to crap on your parade. Try to ignore them and focus on your happy home, sweet pups, and the warm blogorinos who love you and always wish you the best. If an unsavory comment pops up, delete it and block that troll. As Cinandjules would say, “Bless their heart!”
When you were on the road, you were sharing prices to be helpful to readers who may be traveling in the same areas. What you spend on your home is your business, as well as what/how you decide to upgrade, paint, stain or such. Try to ignore the unsolicited advice. It is fun reading about your thrift store bargains, but that is different.
Years ago, I had an acquaintance who lamented about Walmart putting mom and pop grocery stores out of business. He would give me his unwanted opinion when I mentioned that I occasionally shop at Walmart. After the listening to his tirade one too many times, I asked if he shopped at the small, family-owned grocery in his town, he said, “No.” My reply, “So…. you are not supporting them, are you?! Why not?!” Stunned silence. “When you pay my bills, you can have input on where I shop!” That was the last time he whined to me about Walmart! 🙂
There is a current hip-hop song, “Smile B*”, by Lil Duval, featuring Snoop Dogg. I only listen to the “sanitized” version on the radio, and love the positive message. Some of the “clean” lyrics: “You got a lot to be smilin’ for.” “If you’re breathin’, you achievin.’”
Refrain: “I’m living my best life, ain’t goin’ back and forth with you!” When I encounter a jerky person, I silently sing the refrain. I try not to waste energy on crappy people! If you are interested in seeing the rest of the lyrics, do a google search. Beware….there is a lot of offensive language.
Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! Isn’t it amazing? When you are kind, that kindness finds its way back to you. Dennis comes to mind… God is good! Love ya, Sue. 💕
Really enjoyed these reminiscing photos. I know you are busy and loving furnishing your new home, but do you miss the traveling? Utah is a big “must see state” on my bucket list. Hope you can get away occasionally.
Love you Sue. Forget all the negative Nellies out there. Give the pups a hugs from me.
Hello Sue, How do you do? Wasn’t that part of a Johnny Cash song way back when??
Love the pictures of yester year and the boys playing by the water and in the sand. Also love their play fighting at home. Isn’t it great that Roger is such a good guard dog? He is guarding your home and the beautiful life you have given him. What you pay for jobs on your home is no 0ne’s business but yours, period! But it is nice to see what you got at the thrift stores and prices of those things. I am so wishing I lived back in SE. Az for all the good thrift stores in that area. You got some dynamite deals lady! As for the people who are unkind on other websites, I have found people who are unhappy want to make others unhappy as well. Not playing that game. My energy is better spent doing something positive. I read the Dr. Peale book waay back when I was young. Remember it changed my thinking for the better. I’m sure it will help you.
Love the way you talk to the living room, made me chuckle out loud. Someone mentioned about your cooking on your grill, have you done any of that since moving into your home? You loved those goodies you made, we did too. Ok, just my 14 cents for what it’s worth. Don’t let the jerk weeds get you down Sue, they are not worth your time or energy.
Be Well.
Wonderful messages tonight! Thank you all!!
To me, God has His ways of speaking to us…… Wonderful, huh?
My husband has a saying that ‘ people shouldn’t let other people
decide who they are ‘. I don’t always remember! Lol
I really enjoyed your pictures, makes me want to be there.
I know what you mean about the negative stuff hanging on and on. But there is a quick shortcut to shutting a lingering one down. Use the rubber band around your wrist behavioral psychology retraining method. It really works. When you get one of those pesky things hanging on slip a rubber band around your wrist and when that pest comes into your thoughts just snap the band and tell yourself to “snap” out of it. It is amazing, it really does work, it short circuits the train of thought and teaches your brain to avoid it. You don’t snap the band hard enough to hurt yourself, that is not essential, it is really more about reinforcing the moment of mentally saying to yourself….stop thinking about this. This retraining with a snap of a rubber wrist band method works for breaking all kinds of little habits you wish you did not have.
I’ve periodically enjoyed reading positive-thinking books for over 40 years. For the past several years I’ve given up fiction entirely and, instead, I now enjoy books that I deem inspirational (i.e. self-help books, autobiographies of people I admire, and books about wildlife). I discovered a long time ago that when someone hurts me, there’s an author out there who can comfort me and help me to heal.
It would be impossible to give us too many Southern Utah photos.Every third year or so we return from our AZ snowbirding through the canyonlands there.Our favorite place on earth.We have met 3 or 4 sets of neighbors out there in their campers who had never been there.All of them now claim Utah as their favorite camping destination.
Very neat indeed! Too often we bring negativity to ourselves by putting it out there – but sometimes when just contemplating its affect on us we’re given a little needed opportunity to step out of it 🙂
I can see the pups playing on the bed, your description is wonderful!
Jodee Gravel one thing about RVSue, she is nothing if not positive in her blog, so not a case of her bringing it upon herself. Just some miserable people out there who try to bring others down. Maybe they need to read some self help books! Aren’t Sues descriptions great, you can just see the boys playing. Take Care.
GOOD MORNING!
A misty morning here in southeastern Arizona! I hope your day is off to a great start wherever you may be and whatever the conditions.
Dennis and Gilbert arrived early and are working on the last section of fencing. They also hope to install the big double gate (wide enough for the PTV and delivery trucks) and the smaller gate (accessing the maintenance lane). They always set high goals for their day and work hard to meet them.
Your comments are a pleasure to read and I’m thankful for the inspiration they bring us. I’d like to respond to every comment individually but if I start that this morning, the day will get away from me. Know that you and your shared thoughts are appreciated, as always.
Bye for now,
Sue
The photos you put in this post are terrific, Sue. The sixth one is breathtaking. Seeing that from one’s campsite would be an amazing experience, though far less pleasant at this time of year. I’ve been watching reports from all around the country to see what conditions are like currently. They’ve shown mudslides as far south as San Diego, ice storms mid-country, well below normal temperatures in so many places, and you have a home in the part of this country where countless RVers are trying to get to 🙂 !
In a way, I can understand some people wondering if you miss traveling and seeing something new. But, now? You have it made! Your beautiful home is still new and interesting to you. Every day you spend time adding (or considering) ways to furnish and improve things to make it just right for you and the boys to enjoy.
Dennis using his lunch break to check on the fence project impresses me, what a dedicated and hard worker he is. About being confident in choosing a stain, and I know you gave it a lot of thought before you did. I’m sure it will look great, and since eventually stains need to be reapplied, one could change the color or kind at that time if they wanted to.
A wonderful thing about the way we’re created is that anything wrong gets our attention. That serves us well in most ways, like making us withdraw our hand from a dangerously hot surface, or allowing us to notice a low tire that needs to be inflated. Reading positive things is a great way to improve our outlook, so I do that every day. We even have a built in mechanism to help us refocus from negative patterns of thinking. Voice trumps thought every time. Try this- start counting mentally(without speaking) from 1 to 30, then when you see now written in capital letters, spell your first, middle and last name out loud. Ready? Start counting…
NOW
Can you remember what number you last thought of ? No one I’ve tried this with could, and I can’t when I do it, either. That’s why I listen to happy music and sing along with it whenever I want a lift.
I hear you about the negative comments on the cost of stuff, how you could have done it cheaper, etc. But it’s YOUR fence and YOUR money so do it YOUR way. We’re having landscaping done at our new home and it’s costing way more than I ever thought I would spend. But you know what? It looks amazing and Paul and I don’t have any aches, falls or other physical issues when someone else does it. We may have to take one or two fewer long camping trips but we get to enjoy the beauty every day. Some things are worth it.
Hi rvsue.
I hope all is well in your new life in beautiful Arizona.
In the past few months have camped at sites you have reviewed previously. We have enjoyed them all, but now I am wondering when you look back on your camping days, which campsites come to your mind as your all-time best AND the worst?
Snarky comments can cut us to our core, but they can also be a positive thing if they draw us closer to God! So it seems you are definately on the right path – Awesome! “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil 4:8
Can hardly wait to see pictures of your finished fence. We had to put up a new one this year and the cost was out of sight.
Don’t let the snarky comments worry you too much. They are only unhappy with themselves. We all love you and the boys.
Are you putting up a tree for the boys? Please say yes.
Lots to unpack in this post.
Smell of crap coming up from my shoe – absolutely hilarious, because it’s true. When my sons lived at home their rooms were filthy. Floor covered with dirty clothes – yes, the laundry room was only steps away (sigh), I used to tell them, the smell from the clean clothes never permeates the dirty clothes, it goes in the other direction. How true in so many ways. A negative comment can really overcome all the good stuff. I’ve also gotten much better about what does and doesn’t bother me. A good sense of humor is very helpful.
Of course your very Mary Poppins like alliteration also made me smile “I purchase perfectly priced propagating plant pots!”
And those beautiful flashback pictures. We can never get enough of those.
Hugs to the boys!
I recently purchased a couple of sets of sheets, and ink cartridge and a laptop through your link. I’m always wondering if it worked, so keep your eyes out.
I saw those items, Applegirl! Thank you very much for your support, both in words and in shopping. 🙂
The reason I come to your blog is that it makes me feel so good – ( don’t understand people that want to bring negativity through the door) . In a couple of weeks I will be in a hospital stay for several days and I am bringing my tablet to keep my spirits up with your daily thoughts and treasure hunts….and those wonderful photos of the pups. Thanks for being there.
You’re welcome, Andrea. Thank you for being here. 🙂
Sue, I just ordered two Krups handheld mixers – hopefully thru your link. I couldn’t find the usual link at the top of the page, so I tried entering Amazon thru another order at the bottom of the page. Hopefully it worked….
I see them! Very nice. Thank you, Cynthia.
SUE DOGS.. SORRY MY CAPS LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK. PLS DON’T RELY ON OTHERS’ OPINIONS. U R A WONDERFUL PERSON. U PROVIDE UR EXPERIENCES WHICH TAKE MANY PEOPLE AWAY FROM THEIR LIVES, INTO YOUR EXPERIENCES. IT TAKES THEM FROM THEIR PROLEMS, GIVES THEM WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES.. ALLOWS THEM TO LIVE THRU YOU. MY GROUP FOLLOWS YOU AND SINCE THEY STARTED WE HAVE HAD ZERO RELAPS’. YOU PROVIDE THEM WITH A TOMORROW. THEY HAVE A REASON TO LIVE. WE GOT A REGGIE/ROGER DOG LOOK A LIKE. HIS NAME IS RONNIE. WE TAKE PICTURES OF REG/ROG N PUT WITH RONNIE ON OUR PICTURE WALL. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU HAVE HELPED MANY MENTALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE, AND HAVE IMPROVED THEIR LIVES. VIEWING YOUR LOGS HAVE HELPED US TO REDUCE 50% AGRESSION. PLEASE CONTINUE YOUR SITE, N PICTURES OF THE DOGS, IT HAS CONTRIUTED TO THOSE WITH MENTAL ISSUES, GAIN MUCH NEEDED TOMORROWS, N REDUCED VIOLENT ACTIONS SO MUCH. I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE DIFFERENCE YOU’VE MADE IN MANY LIVES.
Dy, That is awesome! I have to say that reading Sue’s blog has been good for my state of mind when life takes a bad turn. It is calming and stable, so I’m not surprised it is helping your group.
You’re welcome, Dy, and welcome!
I apologize for not replying sooner. I don’t know if you will see this….. Hello to all the members of your group! Thank you for reading my blog and for loving Reggie and Roger. I think Ronnie is a SUPER name for your new “canine crew.” He’s a lucky dog! 🙂
Looking for reviews,,,,,
Hi everyone, I’m someone who cooks quite a bit, but I’m not a big gadget person – I really keep to the basics of utensils and cooking paraphernalia, as I’m not big on clutter or extra stuff. Lately I’ve been eyeing the Instant Pot, since I do lots of soups, stews etc. It’s a type of pressure cooker. Does anyone have one, and are you happy with it? Is it worth the counter space and the $70? Please don’t recommend a slow cooker instead.
So, any Instant Pot owners, I’d love to hear your opinions of both quality and usefulness. Online Amazon reviews are good, but I’m never sure if they’re real.
Thanks!
Hi Applegirl – not sure if it’s too late to answer your question or not, but here goes. My DIL bought me a 6 quart Instant Pot for Christmas in 2016 (because her mother had one and loved it) and after my initial fear of it (I was sure I was going to blow up my entire neighborhood), I came to love it. I liked it so much that when they went on sale on Amazon Prime day, I bought myself an 8 quart pot for home and moved the 6 quart pot to our motorhome. I have made all sorts of soups and stews in it, and modified many of my slow cooker recipes – all of which have turned out great. I use it regularly to make oatmeal (a big batch lasts us the better part of a week) and last weekend I cooked a turkey breast in it – turned out great. It’s also great for hard-boiled eggs – the shells just slide off if you do it right. I would highly recommend getting one. My DIL bought an Instant Pot cookbook, but I’ve found tons of recipes just by googling. She has made cheesecake in hers and it was delicious. If you are going to do sweet and savory recipes, some people suggest buying an extra silicone seal because they don’t want odors from one type of dish to affect another. I just wash my silicone seal in hot sudsy water and haven’t noticed that it retains any odor. Good luck!!
Sue and crew, know this from deep in my Heart, you all bring such Joy to me as I read about your lives and look with wonder and joy at all the pictures you share with us. Some people just have to be negative because of the sadness in their own lives and hearts, always try to look past their comments and send them positive thoughts and love, as we know you do, so that way you will only have positive thoughts of love throughout your life during those time.
Thanks as always for sharing your lives with us.
Respectfully,
S. Kaeseman
Thanks for my laugh of the day…….. “like smell rising from crap on a shoe.” LMBO