I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay!

After several days of cold temperatures and hurricane force winds, Mother Nature has graced us once again with beautiful weather. We are all thankful at the Geier ranch.

But, we know we are living a charmed life. Those wintry days reminded us we need to get our outside chores done now. Snow is coming soon to stay.

The wood pile was our focus this afternoon. Paul split and I stacked. I liked this job. One can see exactly what has been accomplished. Instant gratification, right up my alley!

Woohoo! Done for the day!!! Paul, take my picture! I am a proud lumberjack! Tomorrow we will have another stack to admire!

Oh, no! Ten minutes later, my house of cards came tumbling down. Guess that row of short logs was not a good idea? Guess maybe I was a little ambitious thinking the stack could be that tall? Thanks, Paul, for capturing this moment as well.

 Tonight we chose to forget the whole debacle and enjoyed our efforts while we watched the World Series.

We're calling it an early night.

I know what's ahead tomorrow.

Thinking ahead

There's a storm upon us out there. It's not often there are warnings issued that the wind could carry away a small dog.

We from the northern lands know how to hunker and stay warm. 

While we avoid the elements outside, Paul and I find we are focused on Florida. The locale is calling us. This morning we bought a waterproof container for my iphone so when we go to the beach it will be protected from the wind, salt water and sand. 

I can see us now. Hanging with the family at Oscar Scherer.

Countless hours sifting for shark teeth.

Living our simple existence in our "cabin on wheels."

Oops. Wind gust. Back to

Time to put another log on the fire!

Paul's Adventure

When our friend, Ari, heard that Paul was going to Utah, he asked if the purpose of the trip was to pick out a sister wife for me.

We are still laughing about that one.

He is back home and ready to share. Enjoy!  There are no additions to the household!

He's back!

Paul came home today!

And I have the t-shirt to prove it!

I am looking forward to his blog post, aren't you?

All is well.

A delightful gift

I am trying to be conscious about buying (or not) buying books because I have so many, especially cookbooks. I recently made the leap to read ebooks on my iphone. The screen is a bit small, but I am not able to afford an ipad for awhile. Actually, I like that the library comes right to me.

My niece, Lisa, and I are planning our second annual "Julia Child Night." What a fun way to bring family together.

As we began to make our Julia inspired menu plans, Paul reminded me I still had a gift certificate from the summer theatre cast. I had forgotten! And, of course, he had already researched how much the books he knew I wanted would cost. Real books. Hard covers and everything! I love books. Really love books.

My gift arrived in yesterday's mail.

I forced myself to wait until I had all my (self assigned) tasks done for the day. Here is where I should mention I love being my own boss!!!  When my boss self said I was excused, I sat down and carefully opened the first book. As a child, on the rare occasion we were assigned a brand new textbook, it was a HUGE deal. New books were treated with extreme care. I remember being instructed to carefully open a new book in the center and carefully go through the pages and gently press down so the binding would not break as we used the book. I don't know if it helps, but that is what I always do with a new book.

I am fully aware this set of cookbooks is dated material and their recipes were written for "rigorous" cooks. I have other Julia books, ones she wrote in America after her time in France. But this first book was the one that started her career and led to her television show, which I LOVED as a child. I have never completely read these books, although I have checked them out of the library as references.

Now they are in MY library. I am pleased to own them.

I appreciate this gift. It is delightful. Thanks to those wonderful people with whom I spend my summers.

And, poor Lisa. I sent her about a dozen emails yesterday as I obsessed about our menu.

Good times.

Because Paul teases me about my use of cartoons, I'll close with this:

I hope to hear from him today. Off to the gym!

This is different

Paul left early yesterday on a guy trip

to do some camping in Utah.

He'll be gone for ten days.  He and I have not been separated for this long since before we had children. So, this will be different.  I am

However, Suzanne had a rare day off yesterday, so she and I spent the afternoon together visiting here in our living room. And Nick just walked in the door this morning and poured himself a cup of coffee, so it's not as though I am isolated. However, this could be it as far as appearances from those two for the rest of the week.

I am excited for Paul.  I miss him already, although he thought I was anxious for him to leave. I just couldn't believe a person could organize and pack and repack and agonize over every detail. 

Packing is one of his things. Ask me about grocery shopping with him sometime.

Sunday night, he finally had an out of body experience where he looked at himself and realized he needed to quit repacking and admit he was ready. Whew! 

I have learned so much living with him. He goes through his days quite differently than I go through mine. And yet, we work very well together.

So, my week isn't very planned. What will it be like without Paul here?

I have already discovered I talk out loud to myself. 

Hmmm.  

Wonders never cease...

Honestly, I can now say I've seen

Paul (aka Butch to his immediate family, thus the blog title "Adventures with B and B") announced he had started his own blog.

And, when I asked if he wanted to share pictures of our trip to Jay Cooke State Park, he said he would! And so, here is the link to his first post.

Me? I'm

Which, as we all know,  is rare.

Inspiration does or does not happen.

I have been feeling a little sorry for myself lately.

I have always been driven by goals.

I did not feel inspired to finish writing about our trip up north.

Was a big blue funk heading my way?

Where could I turn?

A creative outlet has always helped me feel grounded.

Good grief, Barb. Just stop.  Life could be much worse. After all, you don't even have to work anymore for heaven's sake.

Whew! That's better. I needed to get over myself.

If I don't feel the inspiration, I don't have to tackle the task. I worked hard for a long time to earn the right to say that.

Everyone feels down once in awhile.  I'll get back to this blog again soon, I hope. I am sure I'll be inspired by something!