Pics of the day.

 Leo gifted Marlene and Bernard with this photo of their three children. It is a great gift! The Kelley kids from left to right are Danial, Dwight, and Diane. This was a black-and-white photo and Leo got it enhanced. Great Idea Leo!

The Kelleys have a perfect space to gather and talk. L to R- Butch, Blaze, Bernard, and Laura.

Keri's Key Lime Pie quickly disappeared. It was delish!

Reconnecting

We are successfully reconnecting with our up north life in many ways. Butch is busy getting the old garage, the one that is too small to accommodate a modern car, into a shop. He is enjoying the process even though it is a cool 50 degrees out there today.

I haven't started trivia yet but it isn't too far off. I have about 3 areas to clean up in the yard. My goal is to invent it so it isn't too much of a burden to keep looking spiffy. We sneak in a few games of pool in between projects.

Yesterday we went to Marlene and Bernards's home in northern Iowa and delivered her pecan bits. Jason and Laura went with us and we had a super fun day. Diane and Blaze were there due to a funeral they had attended. But all of us enjoyed a top-notch dinner and then we played Pegs and Jokers. It was so good to see them all again. Lots of reminiscing took place.

Getting Settled

 Yes, we are getting settled. Yesterday Butch made huge strides in getting his workshop/old garage cleaned out and organized and I cleaned out flower beds and raked leaves. We leave before all the leaves have dropped in the fall making it necessary to deal with them in the Spring. I am about half done.

Today we are headed to see Marlene and Bernard in Northern Iowa. Marlene and Bernard played a huge part in our going to the Rio Grande Valley every year and we miss them each season. Marlene asked us to stop by the Weslaco/Donna fleamarket to buy her some pecans. She likes the ones that are bits and pieces and says it saves her time when she is baking. Marlene and Keri are the best cooks in our family and the rest of us have enjoyed their endeavors for many, many years. So today is delivery day for the pecans. And we are taking her one of Keri's famous Key Lime Pies. Everybody wins!!

Oh, and we sneak in a game of pool now and then.

Earth's Tiny Heroes

Why Bees Are Earth's Tiny Heroes — And How to Help Them

If you associate bees only with stings, it’s time to reconsider these hard-working insects. Here's why bees are essential to our planet, and how you can help them. Read More

Medicine Bottle Ideas

I saw these nifty ideas to use the medicine bottles we all accumulate. Maybe at least one of these will pique your interest. B.B.

Sewing helpers

• Machine tools. I like to sew, and my sewing machine comes along on almost every extended RV trip we take. One medicine bottle neatly holds my machine bobbins. Another bottle contains machine needles, and yet another holds fabric pins. Larger bottles could corral different pressure feet and spools of thread, as well.
• Sewing kit. Here’s a tutorial that shows you how to make a bottle cap pin cushion (you won’t need a sewing machine for this). I followed the video directions to make a pin cushion for the cap of a medicine bottle. Inside the bottle, I store sewing needles and a thimble. A small spool of thread also fits inside. Now everything is in one convenient place when I need to replace a button.
• Buttons. Speaking of buttons, I keep a few white and black “shirt buttons” inside a bottle—just in case.

Coin corral

• Laundry coins. I keep quarters inside one of my medicine bottles. At least two dollars’ worth of coins will fit. I tuck the bottle into my clothes bag and the money is ready to use at the campground laundry.
• Shopping cart. If you shop at Aldi’s you’re probably familiar with their shopping cart policy. In order to get a cart, you’ll need a quarter. By keeping quarters inside a bottle in our car, I always have a coin ready for a cart.
• Snacks. When we receive change from fast food eateries, I slip the coins into a medicine bottle instead of dropping them in the car console or into the hidden depths of my purse. The bottle keeps the coins gathered together and we use the money for future snacks and treats.
• Parking meters. Our stash of coins in the bottles also comes in handy if we need coins for parking meters.

Jewelry

• Rings. I don’t always take my rings with us when we travel. If, however, we plan to be gone for an extended period of time, I’ll pack my rings inside a medicine bottle until I choose to wear them.
• Earrings. I also take along a few favorite pairs of earrings in a separate bottle. This keeps earrings paired and together in one place.

Personal care

• Hair care. Medicine bottles easily contain shampoo and conditioner for short RV trips. (Ditto for hand lotion.) I put a different color rubber band around the outside of each bottle for quick and easy identification. You could also use a permanent marker to label each bottle.
• Polish remover. I fill a larger bottle with cotton balls. Then I add fingernail polish remover to the bottle. Medicine bottles seal tightly so I have ready access to polish remover when we’re on the road. To use, simply insert your finger into the bottle and twist.
• Hair pins, clips. Store your hair clips, rubber bands, and pins inside a medicine bottle.

Campsite helpers

• Campfire. Coat cotton balls with Vaseline for quick fire starters. Store the fire starters inside a bottle and keep the bottle with the s’mores equipment or other campfire items.
• Matches. Medicine bottles work great for storing stick matches.
• First aid. Follow these directions to turn a medicine bottle into a first aid kit that will fit inside a pocket.

Hobbies, crafts, and more

• Craft supplies. If you take crafting supplies along as you RV, medicine bottles can help hold small items for you. Think beads, sequins, glitter, and more.
• Seed keeper. I store garden seeds inside medicine bottles. Use a permanent marker to label the bottles.
• Batteries. Keep high humidity away from batteries by storing them inside medicine bottles.
• Earbuds. I’m no longer losing my earbuds! Why? Because they “live” inside a medicine bottle when I’m not using them! Now they’re much easier to locate.
• Baking. Medicine bottles can store cake decorating tips and nozzles.
• Tool items. Keep track of small nuts, bolts, and screws by storing them inside medicine bottles.
• Knit, crochet, etc. Forget buying that ball winder. Instead, wind yarn around a medicine bottle. It will create the yarn ball with the central gap you need. Here are directions.

Inspired? I hope so. 

Myrla's Celebration of Life Video

I am hoping this can be viewed easily. Special thanks to Craig Cunningham for putting it together.

https://clipchamp.com/watch/wHInKuGVaGa?utm_source=share&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=watch