slept in. walked. did exercises. Kevin mowed yard.

a bit drizzly. cooler. took Z her chair and books. Izzy was having a blast with the chair. Z was a bit unsure but trying. filled fuel tank on trailer, ice cream for lunch. picked up Rip. groceries at Unionville Hy-Vee. I blew a rod trying to log into MyChart. I was sure I had already done this. but had to create an account. idk. I was bound and determined not to call the help # and by ad there, I did not.

Friday we went INSIDE Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs. bucket list✔️

checked into our hotel in Omaha, found the concert venue in La Vista, ate at Chili's, Kevin saw Blackberry Smoke for the (?) time.

Saturday we found Chef Boyardee. walked along the river. I went to Voodoos Odd Shop. bucket list✔️. lunch at Longhorn. hung at hotel. supper at Sickies Garage.

Sunday drove to Plymouth to visit Katie & Brayden and check out the new lawn. beautiful. they made lunch, we hung out, then on the way home, an eagle flew across the highway right in front of us, and we checked out 2 supposedly haunted cemeteries in Rock Port, MO that are bucket list.✔️ home 11pmish.

got my steps in early. KJ and girls met me at the "new" bookstore at Princeton that I had not been in, in the old title office.

Z had trouble finding a book. she really wanted a notebook and pen. so I picked out her book and she picked out her notebook, pen, and bookmark. and she really wanted to get a notebook for Neneah. she is such a giving, generous little soul. always worried about someone else. I don't know how her big old heart fits into her chest. Izzy picked out a potty training board book with 4 pages. she knows what she likes. she was still excited about seeing trash cans. (insert smiley face.) found a western written by Chuck Norris for Kevin, and a ghost book for me. cute little bookstore. a couple of cozy reading chairs. big stuffies in kids area. Z longs for a Squishmallow. Squishamal? whatever. I didn't realize she didn't have one. so will rememedy that. then we went to the cofee shop. (also my first time. in KJ's old bank) again, Z had trouble making a decision. Izzy and I went with vanilla cones, Z finally decided she wanted chocolate. then she got brain freeze. apparently just not her day. then I took a pic of girls by the new eagle mural at American Legion. quite beautiful. 2 women stopped and asked if I'd take their pic. so I did. then the girls went home for lunch. when I got home, Katie was here working. she left again to say goodbye to the girls, and started off in the severe thunderstorm warning. she said it got bad but she was driving out of it.

Katie came home to tell Nicole goodbye before she moves to Maryland.

Kevin took an early out, mowed our yard. I weekeated. 1977 steps = 1 mile. did 3 extra workouts. tried to do an all over workout one, but it was too much. I got cocky. that workout attempt put me back in my place.

I found my beheaded baby Katie reborn doll the other day, started making her a dress from old curtains. think I'll pose her holding her head on her lap. took the photos I'd printed off to girls for their photo albums. hung their dream catchers. helped Zerelda read her library book.

fire at Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park. The big shelter with the Skull Face where he shows you the evidence. (sad face.) Chris thought trespassers. why are people like this?

rainy. flash flood warnings. indoor walk.

did some more creepy corner work. changed sheets. yesterday started doing a dance workout, too. going to try a step aerobics workout on step from garage into house. freshened Katie's room for her upcoming visit. but the BIG news???? The REALLY REALLY BIG NEWS????? I. found. the. Bear. I knew he was in a tote. I knew it. I could see myself placing him in a tote, right on top so he wouldn't be smooshed. closing the lid. for safekeeping. for Katie's first baby. looked through virtually every tote in the house. I was starting to panic. and today, I checked the totes in Katie's closet. there he was, smiling up at me. All is well.

every grandbaby I've given something of their mom/dads. a childhood toy. Ian got Grape Bear. Cora and Violet got American Girl Dolls. Millie got The Big Brown Bear that Kevin bought me on our honeymoon to Worlds of Fun. Zerelda got weenie dog. I can't remember what Izzy got. and she's the youngest. go figure. KJ had a bazzillion cherished stuffies. But Little Tan Bear was also bought on our honeymoon to Worlds of Fun. all 3 kids slept with him. he has been patched and patched and patched. his fur is matted. his nose is scrunched. he has been well loved. and now he's going to Nebraska for a new generation.

WalkFit: for me, the arms are the hardest part. my arms are noodles, bro.

after lots of grumbling from Kevin that it's too hot to sleep, took another quilt off the bed yesterday, washed it, dried it, and going to patch it up. I froze last night.

made 3 phone calls today, something I don't like doing. glued a tiny wig on a tiny doll. not sure why. not quite yet....also made a primitive pumpkin head square bodied primitive doll. did 2 additional indoor workouts today. didn't do evening walk. left my step counter on till I hit the daytime goal. Katie called. Kevin brought home salad and chicken breast strips and fresh fruit. a perfect supper.

update:

Ella The Keeping Fairy is done. I went with her tribal African Voodoo vibe, ditched the wings. I see her as a slave who works in the house. grumbles to herself. slowly poisoning Massa and his family. always plotting escape, which is hard, since she has countless farflung children. and quite possibly grandchildren. how would she know? Massa sells them off each spring and fall like cattle. she has a special spot on top of haunted doll cabinet. I call her Black Ella. which of course is not acceptable these days, but back in the 1850s where I've placed her....

The Black Frog came to life today with his poly pellets, which are kinda steep, but very very cool, and is hanging out on top of Koren's doll house.

these patterns and a few others I've completed have been moved to the shelf in the basement. where I found the Patchwork Kitty pattern that I haven't tackled yet. still have a patchwork bear pattern. and of course an upcoming 9 patch baby quilt and stocking and Christmas Sack....

morning walk at park. left phone on and indoor walked rest of day. hit 10,000 steps. made gramma deb barbie bigfoot jammies and a bigfoot pillow from a worn out bigfoot sock. reading. some porch sitting. Katie announced her happy news on social media today. I bawl everytime I watch the TikTok. just so sweet.

celebrated first day of summer with a ghost hunt to a location where we'd never been. (it was on my bucket list of "area" locations. as in within driving distance) The Alexander Majors House Paranormal Camp.

learned some cool history. he was one of KC's first millionaires, shipping goods out west by wagon. also involved in the Pony Express and he knew Buffalo Bill Cody. didn't feel spooky. interesting house design. tons of doors, windows, closets. some equipment activity, but I really don't believe in it anymore. esp. spirit talker. met a psychic that doesn't like Chris & Kelly. I personally adore Chris & Kelly. crossed it off my bucket list. one and done. 2286 steps. 1.1 miles. combining Walk Fit with ghost hunting.👣👻 there were 3 psychics there. I know we met 2 of them at the Joplin Paracon. Kevin strikes up conversations and gleans all kinds of good info. I just wander and take pics. of course there was an annoying person in the SEVEN people on our hunt. she looked a lot like one of KJ's good friends, so gave her a chance but quickly regretted it. wore my striking Trans-Allegheny Asylum shirt. no one commented. oh well. I know I was perfectly dressed!

heat advisory started yesterday. I had an on-the-way home Pepsi. and cookie dough bites. and some of Kevin's Ruffles. he also had a Coke and an Almond Joy. ghost hunting fuel. they were plugging KC Paracon and the Peneteniary Investigation. Kevin was excited. he was a bit floored by ticket prices. he's already met Brian and Richel. but not Dustin Pari. and celebrities cost more. so, first Saturday of August, we'll be in Kansas!

Izzy hung out here awhile, she discovered the magnets on door and added a bunch more.

evening steps were weedeating. 2709 to be exact. 1.3 miles. 59 minutes, 23 seconds......and truth be told, those are hard-earned steps, dragging a heavy ass weedeater around. roast, potatoes and carrots for supper. used the crock pot bag for the first time and yeah, baby. crockpot is still clean. scrounged up more stuffing in basement, will it be enough to finish Ella? I think so. or close. Rip is having a lot of "accidents". I am losing patience. a lot of yelling in my house. and threats. aaaarrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhh.

today was Rip's long awaited groom day. had to keep track of the time all day, then Kaity messaged that she was running ahead, bring him early!

Walk Fit walk, cut out and started assembling Ella the Keeping Fairy. who I love for her tribal spooky black magic look. so I'm ditching the wings. I might call her Ella the Keeping Witch. got a few things at HyVee, some birthday bows at Dollar Tree, visited Mom. rained off and on all day. downpour when I was ready for evening walk, so did Infinity Hoop instead. and I discovered that 3511 steps = 329 calories; 1.7 miles ; 35:02. guess all that ineffective hooping has paid off. Kevin took an early out, replaced his hoses, and finished brushcutting here.

note to self: local post office takes a TWO hour lunch break. 11-1

I cut up the box I had to make a box to package Tracy's goat doll and Victorian Pug Portrait in. I thought she took lunch at 11:45. so I wasted a trip to PO. but package is in front seat, ready to go next time I'm out. Russell asked to rent trailer a few more days. Izzy is supposed to come over to play this afternoon. rounded up a bunch of scrap black and white fabric, going to piece together a crazy quilt frog.

I see Morse Mill Hotel is up for sale. $625k. I STILL haven't been there. think they're on the 2nd owners since they opened as a hotel???? will have to look that up.

it doesn't matter how much you do it or when you do it, it just matters that you do it.

Izzy canceled on me, so made an afternoon trip to PO to mail Tracy's package. did an afternoon walk, looks like rain. Kevin planted my new lilac bush. I got HB and roast out of freezer to thaw, making walking tacos for supper, will make roast Thursday. am I finally getting my shit somewhat together? frog recommends poly pellets for filler, so ordered off amazon. never used them before. so will sew front and back of frog together, and finish when I get the pellets. I'm thinking next project will be Ella The Keeping Fairy (at long last). I think the black I got for the goats will be perfect for her skin. rec'd Halloween fabric I'd ordered. thinking VooDoo dolls for Tracy & I. also have The Ghost Adventures Paper Bag Puppets rolling around in the back of my mind. think that brown curly burlap bow will be perfect for Jay's hair....I've already made them as lil' stuffies and Ken Dolls. so why not Paper Bag Puppets? I'll frame them on wall when completed.

I decided that the witch I made modeled after one I saw at Curiosities and Oddities needed arms. and a broom. so did that. then decided to go through my FB and order pics for the girls albums. that was a project. now to finish the episode of The Paranormal Files I'm on, drink some more water, and off to bed. guess I could go ahead and do Katie's anniversary post....it's officially 6-18 now...

this morning I burst into a bit of a jog between signs, walked to next sign, repeat x3. tried to jog on night walk, made it about 4 steps. too soon after supper.

I'm on a 4 day Step Streak. today I finished Goat Doll #2, made Witch Broom #1, and Kevin cut that rough spot off Witch Broom #2. but discovered I'm out of black ribbon. so....that one is on hiatus. started a Richard Estep book on The Haunted Monroe House in Indiana. haven't read for a bit. visited the girls. ordered them dreamcatchers for their rooms. Z looks exhausted. says she's having bad dreams. put mulch around new tree.

Fathers Day.

I posted a pic of dad and baby Koren. did an emergency drug store run. peanut butter shakes. bought a new tree for farm, and another lilac bush for here. Zerelda christened the new tree "Baby Orange." mowed at farm. used Walk Fit while we walked thru Hy-Vee and Bomgaars. 1499. and while I weed eated. I am pooped. skipped night time walk.

Zerelda's long awaited birthday party day! it was fun.

I had found a bag of balloons cleaning. they just kept randomly popping...not sure how old they were. us, KJ's family, Ann's parents and little brothers. Kevin helped me clean up after party. then I took him out to Toot-Toots for Fathers Day Supper since he'd ate nothing all day. he was out at farm moving the blue panels the boys got years ago from a Wade retro fit. then he drove tractor to town, put on box blade, and worked on the spot where he'd ripped out trees a while back. then it was party time.

did 2 walks again today. watching videos of fellow bigger citizens and their little plugging away at it victories. there is no magic cure. it ain't easy. it ain't quick. I know all this. I really do. but I get frustrated. (sigh.)

I've been thinking about all the ghosts in our yard. ghosts of trees past. buried pets. the old swingset. ripped out flower beds. of children running amuck. of the old back porch where all the mud pies were made. of the old front porch which was my Outside Living Room. every spring I'd drag out totes of outdoor toys and the camp chairs. the yellow siding and green garage doors. of birthday party pinatas. camping sites. The Doll Tree. The Werewolf Woods. the old garden. Christmas lights. Halloween decorations. the bushes under bedroom windows. the stack of my books where Koren climbed out the window to go stand in the neighbors yard and talk to Ashley. the old vehicles....that truck he bought that was stolen from Henley's Implement. The Black Blazer. the '89 Cavalier. The Cavalier Koren bought to replace it. The Lumina. The Monte Carlo. The Exploder. The Oldsmobile. The Alero. Katie's little red car. Marie's old blue and white truck we bought for KJ. The 02 Avalanche. The '05 Avalanche. the 2019 blue truck. the lost toys that occasionally work their way to the surface. all the sticks KJ played Power Rangers with. the trees that were climbed. the old wooden cow that Kevin bought me one year.

Friday the 13th continued.....

Walk Fit workout, got in my 3000 steps. I'm not pushing myself hard enough to see real progress, so tonite I did another 2500 steps. will this determination continue? (insert eye roll here. just insert the damn thing alreay.) I mowed and weed-eated our yard. started on Tracy's doll. it is 9:35 p.m. doll #2 has head, ears, eyes, torso, arms thus far. Kevin had chiropractor appt, so ate at Uprooted Kitchen & Tap, then Hy-Vee. found gift wrap and bows for Ian's birthday. festive yet manly. finished Season 4 of Stranger Things. so I am all caught up. I have thoughts. is Vecna SLENDERMAN???? he does have the tendrils....does Will like Mike a bit too much??? was Eddie's death scene sadder than Johnny's in The Outsiders????? it was at least a tie.

1:11 a.m. Friday The 13th and Goat Doll #1 is done!

100% handsewn. I figured it out one piece at a time. changed my dress fabric totally. I am happy with end result. not perfect, but good enough for me and The Creepy Corner. rememembered the tiny foam pieces I had...perfect for horns. now to start on Tracy's....think I'll use same fabrics for dress, just in different arrangement.

I'm sad that my Build a Bear order was cancelled....

Jaws sweatshirt. gray sweat pants. Hocus Pocus sweatshirt. camo boxers. guessing out of stock? I'm getting refund.

played at farm with the girls today....Cops and THIEVES (as Izzy says). rain blew in fast and furious early evening and then the sun was back.

"cleaned house". not as thoroughly as for last gathering, but that was just a couple weeks ago and that was an INTENSE clean. this was a routine maintenaince clean. goat #1 has not only a torso, but attached arms, with attached head, eyes, and ears. will have to figure out horns. guessing like cardstock and glue on? working on legs with the hooves now. tedious hand sewing. but I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

it turns out he WASN'T done mowing hay. more hay was mowed after work today.

I met KJ and family at the library. got a new card and the girls each got a book. we played at the park a bit, but it was hot. parted ways. I went out there when Kevin went to mow, Zerelda and I read some of her book (Bad Kitty), and she gave me her snake for another operation. I've about figured out how to do it now. piecing together Goat #1. torso is complete. maybe my fingers can do a leg or two before bedtime....picked up The Scooby Doo and The Gang quilt from Karen's Longarm Quilting today....I. love. it. piled it on The Grandkids bed. gonna be like The Princess and The Pea in there with my stacked up quilts....Kevin's grandma marie did this with her quilts in The Guest Room.

cutting out the goat dolls.....no printed instructions. I don't do well in these situations. but I REALLY want to make them. (fingers crossed)

a quilt suggestion came in today. will start looking for fabrics. exchanged propane tank for grill. led Russell out to farm to borrow trailer. vacuumed. Walk Fitted. had the park alone this morning. no one needs to see me huffing for breath and trying to maintain a pace. no one. I was finally brave enough to try casting the workout onto the tv. easy peasey. I was a bit panicky trying to UNcast it....not so lemon squeezy. but I did figure it out. I'm on Season 4 of Stranger Things. it does somehow just keep on getting stranger. if I ever make another spooky quilt...I have to include a Grandfather Clock. mowed at farm. Kevin finished mowing hay for Cow Kevin.

finished Violets gift box and wrapped rest of gifts I've bought so far.

cleaned change out of white truck, soaked in Dawn Powerwash. changed sheets. started Season 4 Stranger Things. todays goal was 3000 steps. made cursed apple. doesn't sound like a lot, but man, I was busy ALL day.....(giggle.) Kevin mowed hay for Cow Kevin after work.

oh boy, oh boy, oh BOY!!!

Summerween!!!! 👻👻👻these are deb's ghost adventures......

1 week of Walk Fit workouts. 4th day of walking. first day I walked at park, heard disembodied female voice. I jumped. looked around. no one in sight. but I was down the hill from basketball court, maybe kids on court? day 2 of walk. heard disembodied female voice at a nearby spot from day 1. 'goal completed' or something? huh? my phone in my pocket with WalkFit app running counting my steps. /debunked/. today is day 4. walking near plastic fence I heard moaning. quick glance confirms that post is cracked, slight breeze. /debunked?/ time will tell.... 👻🤣

kids hung out here. ate lunch. then off to say goodbye to friends.

I am bursting with ideas! TikTok Tina Basement Barbie. a cursed apple.

Hello, noble wanderer! Errantry refers to behavior that's like a traveling knight. This poetic word comes from a Latin term meaning "journey." It's a fitting word to describe your wanderlust (armor optional).

day 2 of meeting my Walk Fit step requirements. rain. met kids at Princeton bar afternoon, then journeyed onto Walmart where I bought the requested Katie room pillows, hopefully what I need to make goat dolls, and some groceries and basic care items. had a road Pepsi on the way home. MAN, was it good. I used to grab a cold one to start every road trip, and usually every stop on said road trip. took down pictures from front door, the plastic on frames was starting to split. replaced with magnetic ABCs. maybe that will be more fun for Zerelda to read???? have to spark the excitement. I also want to take her to library this summer.

I mowed our yard. weedeated. got my app steps in doing 2 laps at park.

day 5 of Walk Fit. and took a bed nap. boom.

today I got my DTaP whooping couch vac.

started binging Stranger Things which is something I always meant to watch and now I am. and that's about my day.

today was super busy, deb style.

I spent the majority of my day redoing the password binder with lots of doodles and coloring, also scrapbooked the caches of photos I'd found recently cleaning house, and made little piles for Zerelda and Izzy's scrapbooks with duplicates. day 3 of Walk Fit. changed Katie's sheets. took my cryptid stuffies downstairs and piled them on the couch. put my cojoined twins on that little chair mom gave me. found a few more things to stuff into deb's creepy corner curio display. Kevin brushcut after work. spread my books out on top shelf in my room. put some toys up on the empty shelf space in kids room. whew! now to watch my newest Small Town Monsters Kickstarter dvd for bedtime....what name did I use in the credits this year? guess I'm about to find out..... (it was bigfootdeb)

this morning I saw a CHIPMUNK in our yard! did he just move in or have I just not noticed him????

I am tickled pink.

a rainy day. Izzy came to play while Mom and Dad went to town. I rearranged Gramma deb's barbie loft, took out the 'wall shelf' (pepsi crate) and made a corner desk intstead. then took the crate downstairs and made it into a tiny creepy curio. painted the little wood blocks I found cleaning basement black, then painted deb's creepy corner on the blocks and stacked them on top of crate. I have my moments.

it's Monday. my nieces birthday.

I downloaded a fitness app for old fatties who are lazy. Walk Fit. day 1 a success. hooping doesn't seem to be going anywhere. and I am phobic about walking at park. almost done with my first bottle of Bioma. think it's working so ordered more???? I gave up sweet tea. voluntarily. the glass I indulged in yesterday at the BBQ was heavenly. cut myself down to one pepsi a day. trying to find an exercise that fits, and being more careful what I eat. trying to prepare myself for whatever the nutritionist throws at me next month. the scale showed a slight dip this morning. am I finally ready to commit? is this the time? will I do it? will I not get yelled at? I seriously don't think I can do therapy. I don't want to know whats rattling around in the deepest darkest recesses of my brain. I don't want to cry in front of a stranger. I'm not good with feelings. and the only way this is going to work is if I want it. (sigh).

saw my first fire fly of the season tonight. and had my first Randy's soft serve of the summer. sprayed for bugs. wrapped some birthday gifts. Kevin picked up new mower belt and put it on. and went and filled fuel tank on trailer and brought it home. he's brush cutting here. made an appointment for my tdap shot. and Kevin's oil change appointment.

I've told Zerelda the saga of my Shaun Cassidy poster I got from friends for my 7th grade birthday that I hung in my school locker that was later ripped out by an unknown someone and broke my little heart. I found a tin "poster" of Shaun on Temu and now it's hanging in the downstairs locker where I store laundry supplies and extra towels. is it slightly ridiculous? yes. does it make me smile? also yes. and it was from Temu, so basically free. I got it before all the threatened tariffs that will probably shut Temu down.

today was our "Mothers Day BBQ"

a perfectly perfect day! good weather. Kevin grilled on Blackstone. hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, baked beans, fruit salad, deviled eggs, Rice Krispie Treats, chocolate chip cookies, sweet tea. all the kids. all the grands. and mom. Grandpa gave tractor rides and side by side rides. Barbies went camping outside. we got some very exciting news that cannot be released at this time. I don't know why I get so stressed cooking for the kids that I cooked for every day of their childhoods. (insert eye roll here.) I. am. a. deal.

my first porch hummingbird sighting! Kevin saw one on patio grilling! my first tick sighting, as well.