I need to rant just a bit. I was reading Senator Ricketts weekly column and it brought up a lot of irritation I have with our government. Where in the world do we get all this money we spend on foreign aid? I thought we were broke and in the hole for a whole ton of dough! Where is that money coming from? Are we borrowing it just to send it overseas? If so, I think that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I better stop there or I might get myself into trouble. George is always telling me I’m too conservative to be a Democrat, I keep meaning to change it, not that the Republican party is all that it’s cracked up to be either. The lesser of two evils? Maybe? Who knows. It’s just another way of dividing us.

Duke is doing well. He is a mighty hunter of crickets and grasshoppers and scared of pretty much everything else. I don’t remember what day it was, but it was windy, and some leaves blew around him and he jumped like he had been hit with a hot poker and ran over to me whining all upset. The landmines are never-ending, but he is such a good pup that I don’t mind so much.

What I do mind is that he is trying to use me as a chew toy. A little at a time, he is getting better. Also, he chewed up one of my favorite curtains. He somehow managed to push the tray on the bottom of his crate out, walked the crate over near the window, and pulled the bottom of my curtain into his crate. Sadly there is no mending the curtain. He has also figured out how to open the door of the crate. We came home the other day to him sitting on the couch, oddly enough nothing was chewed up. We have been leaving him out if we are only going to be gone for a short time, and if it’s going to be a few hours, we wedge the crate in the door jam and pray for the couch. LOL!

George has been working on the cars. The Mini is still a pain. There is a recall on it, but BMW hasn’t found a solution to the problem as of yet. It has something to do with the computer, I guess it could catch fire going down the road. Nevertheless, George keeps at it, but every time he thinks he is getting somewhere, another engine code pops up. I should have a new car by the time he is done. I just hope that is soon, it’s not much fun having a cute little car that I can’t drive. Hopefully, it doesn’t end up just a decoration for the driveway.

The driver-side window on the Mazda has been broken for about a year now. It wasn’t all that important, just annoying when you accidentally hit the button to roll it down. George decided today was the day to take it apart and try and fix it. He got it all apart and of course, all the little plastic clippies broke. After further inspection, it looks like we are going to need more parts. So what should have been a simple fix, is just causing further frustration. It also needs a tune-up and an oil change and so does the pickup, and Mom’s van. I don’t think George ever had any desire to be a mechanic, but he is getting pretty good at it. I’m so thankful to have him, although he may not feel the same about me if things with the cars don’t start going smoother. LOL!

Ol’faithful, my little silver car, got a makeover. I detailed it and the Mazda this past week. Although I don’t want to, I have decided to sell her. We have too many vehicles and not enough drivers. I’ve had a couple of offers, but nothing I would consider. If I can’t get out of her what she is worth, I will just keep her and let my mom drive her.

I’ve been slowly working in the yard attempting to be ready for winter. There have been a few years I haven’t gotten the yard cleaned up before the snow fell, and come spring I regretted that. I am likely going to have a zillion volunteer cucumbers, tomatoes and jalapeños. I had so many cucumbers this year, all from one little hill. I wish I had gotten more canned, but I suppose there is always next year.

Prayer list for this week, our enemies, our allies, our military and our leaders. If you don’t mind, would you add our crazy little family to your prayers as well. We get by alright but life sometimes takes its toll. X’s & O’s.