Thursdays Thinking

The future is an opaque mirror. Anyone who tries to look into it sees nothing but the dim outlines of an old and worried face.
Jim Bishop, New York Journal-American, March 14, 1959

Read others' blogs today, some of which were with the grandchildren, humm that isn't always easy! They want to read it, they want to scroll up/down. They want to give me ideas to write about, they even helped to recolor my site! Finally had to tell them to go do something else so I can think! I can chew gum and walk, but can't think, type and talk with kiddos at the same time!

Dau # 2 and I have been challenged to get all the laundry done! With 7 living here it is quite the challenge. Plus we are turning winter to summer and weeding out the too small. O where did the bathing suits go? Have they grown that much in one Year?

Another challenge is getting poison ivy out of the yard! This may be one of the hardest cause we are both quite allergic to it! I think we should hire someone!? but alas that costs too much. The yard is really starting to look nice, but the ivy is still bountiful, luckily in places we don't go into too much! We are in the process of using weed killer- hope it works! The tomatoes are planted along with some great flowers, and I think the peppers got in! The pumpkins will get in soon!

The kids want the pool up, it's now in the getting water in stage, The littlest one wants it READY NOW! He even wore his bathing suit all day yesterday just in case it was full. He forgets it needs the chemicals and of course to warm up a bit! He little teeth would chatter if he were to go in now! It is still a bit cool for me to indulge in the pool here! I guess Florida has spoiled me! When I was a kid I would be jumping in the water just like Dan by now with my mom yelling at me "It's too cold" "you'll catch your death in there", but never did! thankfully! Funny how things have come around in full circle-my mom didn't swim well so she indeed didn't want us to go in! therefore we were made to swim at a very early age. My dad threw us in to make us swim! Believe it or not I can remember him doing that! One of my favorite all time things is swimming!

When I get in the pool in Fla the old folks watch me do laps while they are with floaty's in the shallow end! OOPs I am one of those old folks aren't I!but I can swim! In the opaque mirror mentioned above is me looking older and seeing my mom, dad and grandparents in me! Did ya ever look in the mirror and say-'where did that young person leave and be substituted by my mom' ? My hubby was watching me sleep the other day and told me-" you look so much like your mom" I could have sworn it was her sleeping there!- I could look like worse I guess!

What is in the future for us!? and our children & grandchildren? I hope even if saddness comes it will be filled with fond memories of things we did together!
The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive.
John Sladek

holiday whats that!

Total absence of humor renders life impossible.
Colette, Chance Acquaintances, 1952French novelist (1873 - 1954)

haven't posted for awhile- been too darn busy! I have done more work since I have returned from Fla than I did the whole time in Fla- where's my puppy? I don't think I will complain about walking snickerdoodle for awhile! miss those smells-of Fla. Swimming & riding the bike! Yes I am glad to be retired FINALLY~!

came back to NJ and quickly started to pack things to put in the truck for another load to Fla. this is the end of moving to FLA except for dau #1 collections! then a short attempt to get things in order before returning to MD. not much luck in that regard! next week will have to drive back up there and seriously get the place in order since we have it back on the market and want it to sell! plus with the market we don't want to take a beating! which will prob happen anyhow! I can't believe we accumulated such a bunch of stuff since we had it all cleaned out just a year ago! does time ever flow!

then back to MD, twins 8th birthday, end of school, grandson#1 has Lyme disease again! pack grandson# 1 to take trip with Poppie to Fla, grandson #2 has grown so much and he is becoming quite the young man! gave dau #1 ring I ordered for her for Mother's day- oops-one of the stones not the right birth stone! 40 wacks for grannyjax! I sure thought I said the right stone- will have to look into that! she liked it nonetheless I think.

Dau #2 decided to wash all the clothes in the whole 6 bedroom house! plus change the linens- hang out to dry, fold and almost put away. Along with changing season for the clothes, putting school uniforms away.
it finally got warm here in MD- went from winter to summer since I have been here the past week! O did I forget taking out some bushes in the yard, and planting new flowers? I did have to clean my room here too! I don't remember leaving it that way!!!!

HOHUM not doing too much since back here! no time to crochet and get that thing done I have been doing, unless I want to crochet instead of sleep! I think I got up at 5am today- couldn't sleep, just thinking of all I have to do LOL since the kids were at their dad's, really haven't seen them too much, so they all had to bunk in my room! went to bed around 12! eek- and I couldn't sleep! we were like on a camping trip laughing & having the munchies just before I put the lights out! cookies, drinks and rice cakes! omy- what a bad grannjax! momma had to come in and say you 4 better get to sleep before I come in with the belt! yes she spoke to me too!

Enough of quiet time for me! the kids are now up- cake for snack before breakfast! am being bubbled to death by my #2 grandson which I bought a bubble gun for yesterday! Isn't it wonderful being a five yr old with a compliant granny! not yelling DON"T BUBBLE ME! NOT IN THE HOUSE! We already checked out the animals online, thank heaven for cartoons!

Well it's the start of a new day- let's see what it has in store for me-And you!

Rain

Well after almost six weeks in Florida it finally rained, but mostly at night. We had a mild sprinkle when I took the dog for a walk this am, and it looks like the skies may open up any time.

Today was supposed to be a do nothing day, but of course #1 daughter had other thoughts in her mind. She was a bit depressed today, guess cause Mommanator will be flying back to NJ on Tuesday. I still have to watch the kiddos during the summer. I do miss those munchkins!

We started off by going to our town of Safety Harbor and went to a thrift shop- I do love those- they didn't have too many yard sales guess cause of the weather? I bought something for the kiddos, and hubby. I spent a whole $6.00 and they should all be happy with my purchases.


Then off to Clearwater Beach we went, to scope it out, before #2 daughter & kiddos come here in June. Man was it congested in Clearwater! They are sorta remodelling the downtown area and have much to complete! We then went over a bridge in Clearwater and found the best "Beach Park"- was very clean and the parking was great. They even had a boardwalk, but they don't really know what a boardwalk is! It goes about 100 feet toward the beach, then stops! She got to laughing after that! Folk in NJ really know how to build a boardwalk! For those of you who don't know what I mean ya ought to Google Atlantic City or Wildwood Boardwalk!


Next we had to go to Publix?? a grocery store, to get Orange juice cause she wanted Fuzzy Navels this eve. No wine for us today! O and of course the Hallmark store to purchase some birthday cards.


Do we go home now? No, we go over to my friends for dinner- she made homemade pizza- Yummy- did I ever tell you she is a great cook and Italian to boot! I have never had pizza with shrimp before but it was all thumbs up for that! She even made homemade sauce/gravy to put on it!

I missed my afternoon nap yet again and now it's 9pm and have taken the pup out for his final walk and am ready to hit the hay and watch some TV.

"just for you dog lovers- I did come home a few times in between all these stops to walk the pup- he didn't have to cross his little paws!'

The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.
Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 - 1826), Physiologie du Gout, 1825

I'm sad today but content

Last eve I was called by one of my Aunts to be told that my Great Aunt had passed. She was in her 90's , lived a good life, had 6 children and many grandchildren. She recently had gone blind and had had many falls. SOO the old adage- well now isn't suffering any longer comes to play.

But was she suffering!? she had quite the family! Her daughters,& son were ever present-taking her places and visiting every day, laughing, joking and making each other happy. Every Sunday all her children came to visit and she still would make biscuits & gravy or fried chicken & greens.

She had the most sweet personality a person could have! She was one of 13 or so, being one of the youngest and the last survivor of that tribe! She was my grannies baby sister. Everyday and night were a blessing to her and she didn't mind telling you so!

Although her life wasn't always rosy. She managed to pull the strength from the Lord to get herself through. Two of her sons predeceased her and she never quit saying that wasn't supposed to be- 'mom's should die before their children'!

I have been sitting & thinking of some of those wonderful times I spent with her and family and I will carry with me till I die. Thanks Aunt Alice for some of those wonderful childhood memories!

AN EXCLAMATION MARK !!!!!!

I found this on an other's site and just had to share- does it describe me or what!? For those of you who know me personally. Especially the part of thinking and saying it without a filter! I have gotten a bit better with age about that, but somehow it is hard to control! At least with me you don't have to worry what I am thinking or saying behind your back! Somehow I am able to keep secrets though, must be the nurse training that did that for me! I don't share anything that you don't want others to know! Except maybe Merci's engagement ring! TEEHEE
I'd like to know about that dash- so if you are one let me know!
So much to do today. Hope to post about my weekend in St Augustine soon!

I Am Exclamation Point
You are a bundle of... well, something.
You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama.
You're loud, brash, and outgoing.
If you think it, you say it.
Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself.
You're lively and inspiring.
People love to be around your energy.(But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.)
You excel in: Public speaking
You get along best with: the Dash



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this and that Saturday

It is Saturday almost 11 am and the temp is already at 90 degrees! Humidity is also high! It's HOT in Florida! Meanwhile I talked with hubby awhile ago and he reports it was 51 degrees in NJ-he even had to turn the heater on last night?
Hubby is really itching to get back to FLA, his joints feel better here.

Today, later I will be travelling with friend by car to ST Augustine,Fla- don't relish that drive, prob 3-4 hours away! Her sis travelled there- AND I'd like to know why she didn't come to the western side of the state? for a vaca. The gulf is much warmer than the ocean right now, but I guess we will spend time at the beach anyway.

We found a new place to eat yesterday- It's called Crisper's- really good food- you can take outside and view the gulf while eating or inside where the air conditioning is on- just guess what we did!

the dog got groomed this week- you should see him prance around with his little scarf around his neck! He looks like a woman parading her new hairdo!

The Fire ant bites are still driving me crazy! oops crazier! when o when will the itch stop. I have tried- bleach, alcohol(internal & external)TEEHEE, benadryl, Mellaleuca, baking soda paste, pain cream, aloe, hydro cortisone, calamine lotion, noxema, anti-Itch lotion(benadryl like cream), swimming in the chlorinated pool, the Hot tub, meditation & prayer! I may try fingernail polish today!The funniest thing someone told me was to try and not scratch! how absurd!

Bought a Jasmine bush yesterday and had the bright idea of planting today, but it's just too darn hot to plant today- I was supposed to get up earlier, but benedryl makes me sleep!

The post office is collecting for the food bank today- my street did pretty well almost every mailbox had some plastic bag with food attached to it. Guess they don't care about greening the earth- I just hope they recycle those plastic bags! Every mailbox got one in their mail this week!

So where are all the bloggers I usually hear from! No- one is blogging too much!
Have a great weekend one and all!

I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree.
Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.
Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971)

38!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 8th is quite a day for our family- our #1 daughter was born. Yikes she is 38 today! How can that be? it seems like yesterday I was holding that tiny 4pound 5oz girl in my arms, with all the dreams and expectations one thinks of for their 1st child! My hubby could actually put his ring finger on her hand as a bracelet. Physically she did not turn out as we expected, you see she is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair or crutches, she has cerebral palsy. I don't cry about that anymore because what she lacks in physicality she has gained in spirit & personality. She is a sweet person and everyone likes her (I don't think its about them feeling sorry for her). She is genuine, trustworthy and giving beyond measure.
She graduated high school & an extended program for office occupations.
She is one that people can see Christ in. AND she KNOWS Christ!
She has been a missionary and been to other countries for that. She has been with a Christian organization called YWAM and graduated from their program.
She tried college and decided she wasn't able to do it to completion.
She was a secretary with the state of NJ for 10years-giving her all. But decided to move to Florida so quit that and is taking some time off from working till I get moved down here permanently and "kick her in the butt". (those of you who really know me understand that comment!- I AM the mommanator!)
Although not married and without children which she would very much like. She is the Godmother to- Carissa, Elizabeth, Danny, and Alexzandria. Needless to say that is almost a full time job if ya do it like her. She needs and relishes being a part of their lives.
She can remember things I truly don't! like when people died-dates/times! when someones birthday date/ time and almost weights& heights., addresses, phone numbers, even her bank account number(now who remembers that!? not me for sure!)
She hears everything! so talk lowly if ya don't want her to hear it!
She does stitchery/needle work.
"You can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!" her quote
Read Psalm 139- her favorite scripture
She likes to read Erma Bombeck.
She likes Stephan Curtis Chapman music
She collects! Beany Babies-bears only now, Teddy Bears of all shapes and sizes, coffee cups from states( she doesn't drink cooffee!). Porcelain dolls-which I have put a stop to! 'Precious Moments' Her collections are starting to take up more room than her LOL
She is but one of the Loves of my life and this is just a small tribute to her.



The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love-so you can't know Him if you don't love. 1stJohn 4:8

Seven reasons not to step on a "RED ANT" / "FIRE ANT" hill

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Martha Washington (1732 - 1802)


1. you scream , yell and scare the neighbors
2. drop or throw anything in your hands
3. you run around like you are crazy and those neighbors you scare are calling the lune bin 911
4. you can't find anything to put on it so you go buy every darn chemical you can think of to quell the itch/burn
5. you drive so fast to the store a cop stops you or you have an accident
6. you scratch, scratch till your skin is bleeding
7. you don't stop itching for many days, cause you can't keep your hands off it

did I say only seven
8. you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep for itching/scratching
9. you take a nap- from taking all the benedryl to calm it down
10. you become very cranky
11. "thou shall not kill"? you go to every ant hill on you property and put ant kill down

I think I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the idea.


NEVER NEVER NEVER step on a "RED ANT"HILL! OO and remember what Martha said!

It's Saturday Morning

All dressed and ready to go on a shopping extravaganza!
#1 daughter, a close friend and I are off to some outlets near here.
Don't really have anything in mind really just a girls day out.

Ya know how us gals like to commisurate over stores!
There's something cathartic about it!
I suppose something might just jump into the shopping cart!
Am on the lookout for new sheets for my bed, a spatula for cooking, and who knows what else.

I have daughters to go shopping whenever I want and am retired.
My friend works fulltime and only goes by herself most times,
what fun it that.
No-one to say yeah or nah to something you've picked up.
Or someone to say-DO you REALLY need that?

Hopefully we won't get lost today!
My friend has been here for 10 years, but won't promise that.
Or spend any money I don't really have.
Must get my bags to take along and clean out the car
of any unnecessary things, so the bundles will fit.
Have a good day one and all, and let ya know when I get back-
Unless the shopping monster swallows me up!

Why didn't we listen!
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)