Well, autumn is officially here

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-1998
Well, autumn is officially here
9
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 4:39pm

I think. The rains have come, probably to stay for the next, what, 7 months. At least they're not torrential rains, but for the most part, drizzly or gentle rains.


I have begun my winter hunkering down activities now that I have halted my denial that my tomatoes are not going to ripen. I've started several sewing and crocheting projects (DH & I are MAKING all our Christmas gifts this year -- at least for the adults). Also, I'm doing one thing I've never done before -- making cordials from berries I picked this summer and froze. Starting them this weekend and they'll be "done" by Christmas.


Between rains I will go out and put my gardens to bed for the winter.


Are any of you cutting back or making your own gifts for the holidays due to the economy and high prices? What are you doing? I'd love to hear some of your homemade ideas.


I'm afraid retailers are really going to suffer this year. I know they're not getting many of my hard-earned dollars.


On another subject, DD and her DH got good news Wednesday. They had their conference with Hunter's teacher, school psychologist, and speech therapist. They all said they couldn't believe he's the same boy they said goodbye to last spring. He's jumped so much they are sending him to another school which houses a higher level of special ed. I'm so proud of him I could just bust. He's reading and writing and doing math at a typical 1st grade level, at the high end! His low special ed. scores are in the social/adaptive areas and speech. He still babbles nonsense quite a bit, and they said he probably will for a few more years til he learns to slow down. I think his brain just works too fast for his mouth!


That's all from here. Everyone have a great weekend.


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-01-2006
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 7:25pm

OH NO..it's Autumn!! How did that happen? LOL


actually I had a hint..leaves are turning red, yellow and orange here....


I too have begun fall planting, putting summer things away, etc


Red, funny you should ask about cost-cutting ideas..I was thinking we should share them


how about under our "fun and games" section? although it is not fun and games


I am cutting back on presents, was just thinking how many will get homemade fudge!!


also have already cut back on gift wrap/bags 2 ways:


1. go to the Dollar store


2, use old maps or Sunday comics as wrap


Dutch

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 7:35pm

Hi Red


I have been seeing a lot more license plates from those northwestern states in the last week. Those snowbirds that can fly away to warmer and sunnier AZ seem to be on their way.


I am afraid there is no making of Christmas gifts for me. I just don't have the skills necessary to do it. I don't sew, and doing crafts, well if you ever seen anything I tried to make you would know this is not something I am

                          &n
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-1998
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 7:48pm

Ah, Mare, you sell yourself short. I've seen your lovely home, and you do have some fine skills! I cannot decorate my home...it's just very stark. Not by choice! It's mainly because I can't make decisions and I'm a procrastinator! LOL!


Thank you for your words about Hunter. We are so hopeful for him. He works very hard and just loves learning.


Hugs,


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-19-2003
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 8:13pm

    

                      

Avatar for jan_magee
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-03-2008 - 10:42pm

Red, the leaves are starting to turn, here, too. Yes, fall is here.


I'm already feeling the lack of sunshine, so have to get out my full spectrum lights and start them earlier than usual.


Dh and I don't exchange gifts, anymore. Well, I might make him something, and he's free to shower me with lovely gifts, if he wants!! LOL Since there are no children or grands here to worry about, I make token gifts for friends. It's usually a themed gift basket, with very inexpensive items, more creative than costly.


I'm so glad to hear Hunter is doing so well! You have evey right to be proud. You've all worked so hard, and it's paying off.

Jan


chat cl for Your Well-Being 43-59 (Health) - Tues. and Fri. at 9 PM ET - other Y W-B chats every weekday at Noon ET and Sat. at 9 PM ET!


Jan


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 10-04-2008 - 1:08pm

Hi Red


Thanks for your comments about my home. I have a good eye for color and a good sense of what I find pleasing in my home. However when it comes to making things it just is not going to happen. Lots of people have tried to help me in that area but soon found out I am just not able to do those things. Not selling myself short at all just stating the facts LOL


Love ya


                          &n
Avatar for cl_campmum_of3
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 10-04-2008 - 2:15pm

Oh Red, that is so wonderful about Hunter...

     

 

          

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2005
Sun, 10-05-2008 - 1:45pm

I think we are actually getting a Fall also!! Almost seems early this year - sometimes our change doesn't seem to come til right about Halloween when we have to give thought to a long sleeved shirt. Of course we don't get the color change stuff to signal us it just suddenly turns cooler one day!

Anyway have had the AC off for a couple days and not broke into a sweat. Had it off a few days over a week ago, but daytimes popped right back up to triple digits & it just got too warm in the house to keep it off. Even pulled the bedspread up last nite- a first. Think I may even get out the Fall "house stuff" today - table linens, candles, centerpiece, oil lamps, afghans for the living room, etc. Of course along w/being able to keep the windows open to enjoy catching a breeze comes our layer of farm dirt on everything...

As far as the "C" word - I did get the center quilting done on the Xmas quilt for SD25 & SIL now that they'd made it 4 yrs, bought a house, etc.. Then I had the accident, it got too hot to sit under a quilt, & she informed us of their divorce before they left for Afghanistan this summer. I can still finish it for her (if I'd just pick it up & work on it)- she's going to keep the house - but I'm not as enthused to work on it as it doesn't feel right when I wanted to make it for her when she seemed settled into a home-centered life - & now I don't think she's there yet! As for the rest of the family - I have a couple of small things picked up during the year - but I have just started giving thought to getting out Halloween stuff. We are giving thought to an early T-day w/my sis & S21 in Maine end of October - but Christmas - not even close! When the kids were growing up I made something for someone almost every year it seems, everyone in the family has an original Xmas stocking, knitted or crocheted sweaters, doll clothes, stuffed animals, dresses, a Xmas outfit or PJs/or flannel pants - Couple times I made a full family set of Xmas PJs - but I haven't done it for quite a long time. The kids just aren't settled into home lives yet except oldest. G'kids have sooooo much stuff, my big project for them each year tends to center around helping D32 w/sewing their Halloween costumes. DH & I tend to not do so much for Xmas as just thruout the rest of the year for each other as things come up... Every year we talk about making our own Xmas cards again - but it's never w/enuf lead time to realistically get it done. This back to school and teaching stuff has about taken it out of me as far as being able to get anything else accomplished...

Great news about Hunter - you have every right to be busting w/pride!! Enjoy - & have a great weekend also.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 10-06-2008 - 5:49am
Love, love, love this weather!! Red, I only planted cherry type tomatoes, red, orange and yellow. I have had tomatoes constatly this year. Last year when I planted the larger viriaties, mine didn't all ripen either.

       


 


                              &n