where have all the bloggers gone

Well here it is the beginning of September, looking at the blogs and seems to me that writing is at a standstill for most of my fellow bloggers! Must be all blogged down in life!

school has started, some still on vacation,
one I know has a bum wing(and her dominant hand is the one that is laid up) OH by the way just in case you are wondering- Zelda told me to tell all she is doing well, she has started PT, goes a couple of times a week, also thanks for all the encouraging words!

Another is out running around in his new car, others are partying to the end of summer, others are BACK TO SCHOOL THEMSELVES-that's scary at my age!

Personally I am here in MD helping the kiddles get back in the routine of school-whew, breathing room for a least a few hours of the day! Got all the uniforms ready & made the school bags-you should see them! quite the eclectic collection of colors! They each picked out the material.
However, when they return-HOMEWORK! I think one of my least favorite tasks is spelling! The twins have the same teacher so, I have to go over the same words TWICE. This morning we had to go over spelling before they went to school. The little one is being home schooled, mom is doing it at present so more breathing room!

So all of you blogger friends-hope all is well, hurry back so I don't have to find others!

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987), The Philosophy of Andy Warhol

After 1990

If you were born after 1990, you probably won't know a thing about these things, unless of course you read alot, LOL
The automat
Black & White Movies
Blue Laws
Carbon Paper
The Draft- not the footbal or baseball kind!
Handkerchiefs
House Calls- not the tv program
Leisure suits
Mending
Paper Dolls
The smell of Burning Leaves
An Unanswered phone

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,A medley of extemporanea; And love is a thing that can never go wrong; And I am Marie of Romania.
Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967), Not So Deep as a Well (1937), "Comment"

CHANGE

As I sit and look out the window, I see the breeze soflty blowing the trees
I know there is change in the air
I see the first leaves have fallen and we are still in summer
The leaves are starting to turn their wonderful yellows, reds & oranges

The hustle & bustle of school clothes' & supplies' purchase complete
The kids have returned to school whether they want to or not
The teens from the local school are training for track up my street
I hear the band practising in the distance

While outside this am the weather has turned a bit cooler
what a refreshing feeling
a little briskness to the air, but can still go out in shorts & T
Yes I know there is a change in the air!


Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
King Whitney Jr.

Saturday Rambling

I think I am gonna start putting a quote on my blog when I blog- see below- so I am not JUST rambling-LOL So look for it and tell me what you think- or you can just comment on the quote

I used to dread getting older because I thought I would not be able to do all the things I wanted to do, but now that I am older I find that I don't want to do them.
Nancy Astor (1879 - 1964), interview, 1959

One reason I chose green for the template was it is a constant reminder to me and also the readers, to think more green. We have but one Earth and I personnaly want it around for my children & grandchildren! Without the effects of our constantly trying to kill it! and might I say ourselves! just think of all the diseases our society have inflicted upon ourselves!

And talking about green- you should see the NEW composter my daughter and her dad have built! It's a 55 gallon BLUE drum on a wooden pedistill. WOOWEE! However it has been working well so far- we have actually been taking the compostable materials out into it and the youngest grandchild loves turning it. It is quite a site when you look out into the backyard, but she has found a great spot for it-out of the way sorta.

Found another interesting site besides http://www.treehugger.com/ its http://www.instructables.com/ they have ways/instructions to make things in a green friendly way. when looking it over today found a handbag/wallet made from an padded old bra- don't think I will be making any of those it would have to be a shoulder bag-LOL and I don't want my undergarments on my shoulder- its bad enough to have to wear them in the first place! Actually there were some very interesting instructions for using old things- like making buttons from old metal buttons, making glasses from wine bottles, making solar panels, refilling MONTBLANC pens & ad infinitem!

And speaking of green we made "dirt" for the kids this week- wow did they like it. It's a dessert called dirt- made with chocolate pudding, oreos, whipped cream & gummi worms. I have had it made in a children's bucket & shovel to serve, with silk flowers for adornment at parties- great tasting simple dessert to make!

O-MAN/Giant Eagle

I think blogger has the flu or something like that! I have been trying to post since last evening! And like I have the time to keep on trying! Finally I have it fixed I hope! Had to actually write blogger to figure it out then redisign my template-hope ya like the new look, guess it was time for a change anywho!
AT any rate here goes a try at what I had written last eve.
Yesterday we again went to Giant Eagle, The kiddos went to the eagles nest for some playtime, computer & games. We shopped for groceries.
giant has food stations like most stores do now a days. We had such a ecletic bunch of food-all was good. I started off with a peach-new kind and quite sweet, next was a small toast with chedder cheese spread, a small crab cake, pork hotdog on bun, acakey like thing with marscapone cheese and bown sugar-too sweet, a corn relish was delightful-prob had corn, black beans, roasted red peppers, vinegar & hot pepper( we actually want to try and make some), then the best for last was a milk chocolate covered strawberry with marscapone cheese-OMG to die for! They were only $10.99 per pound- I could get a bunch of em and take to a Pax Party and they would be gone in seconds!
We did actually purchase food, picked up the kids and checked out and much to our surprise my daughter got $1.20 per gallon of her next purchase of gasoline! She has a van and it was almost empty so on the the gas station we went! It cost her $27.00 to fill up!
So when are we getting a Giant Eagle in NJ! Additionally the store is so cleand and the staff are so pleasant!

eek

Humm-One Old Lady

Can't believe I can't think of anything to ramble on about.

How is it that 4 children can mess up things faster than one old lady can get it cleaned up!
How much laundry can one old lady fold in one day!
How many threats can one old lady deliver before noon!
Who has time for a shower or comb her hair.

How many boo boos can one old lady cure!
How many noses can one old lady blow in a day!
How many different meals can one old lady think up-when they only want noodles!
Who has time for reading a book or reading a magazine!

How many times can one old lady say go to bed!
How many times can one old lady say NO you can't go swimming!
How many nails can one old lady say don't hammer it there to a four old!
Who has time for a drink of wine!

How many scoops of ice cream can one old lady scoop in a day!
How many times can one old lady say get off me I am not a sofa!
How many times can one old lady say get off the computer & stop downloading things!
Who has time to blog, or even use the computer!

This old lady is tired, guess she is going to bed!
However she has twin granddaughters helping her sleep-OYEH!
Tomorrow IS another day of Granny Bliss.
I get so many kisses from the 4yr old, runny nose and all!
And huggs and I love You's from em all.
Today they told me they didnt need their mom cause I was here ( with momma sitting across the table)! You should have seen her look!

Garden of Eden-Zelda

Hope Zelda doesn't mind- but here goes.
Today she had surgery for a rotator cuff- she asked me to go with her. Of course I said yes.
She had the surgery and is doing great so far! She actually had a tear of the biceps and a tendon tear, plus a small rotator cuff injury.
After a few hours of surg & recovery I was able to drive her home!
Now for a few days of more revovery! she will have to start her exercises.
I wish her well and will see her again when I return from Maryland! What a trooper she is!

The Family Tree

Guess I will ramble on!? This tree is in our front yard and the kiddos love to climb in it. I sometimes shake & shudder when they go up there. The oldest twin always goes the highest! She almost goes to the top, dress and all! There have been more pics taken of and on this tree, somehow it measures time and space.
When we bought the house some 30 yrs ago, my folks were living here. Dad decided one day he wanted a red maple in the front yard. So he went out, purchased one and gave me the bill! I was not so happy at the time, but now when I look at it I think of dad and how happy he made us. The crazy things he sometimes did, his humor. He was such a quiet man, but could get his point across with just a glance! and I don't mean just anger. He could make me laugh just by pointing at mom. OOO, Sometimes he could get her so aggravated when I would laugh.
Why do trees sometimes have so much meaning in our lives? I can remember my grannies Weeping Willow like it is in my back yard! She would always make us go get a switch to whip us with. Funny how ya don't see too many Weeping Willows any more. My baby brother just planted one in his yard- he remembers the switches too. Says he needs it for his grand babies!
I see so vividly the tree we buried my first cat under. I must have been all of 5 when that happened.
Then there are fig trees, grown locally by the Italians- some yummy fruit grown if done correctly. They have to be meticulously covered for the winter. If you arent from around here, you wonder what is under these covers.
I live in a peach orchard, and there's Apple,nectarine,& plum trees too.
Maybe the tree means so much because of my Christian upbringing? Ya know the Tree of Life?
Does make one stop and think if for only a few minutes?

just some thoughts

Why do insects fly to the lights? I've been watching in the eve, and they are quite driven to the light.

and bats use sonar to get around?

Had a glorious storm here yesterday. While driving the kiddos back from basketball practise. Thought I would take a longer way since, for some reason or other the battery was dead in the car and wanted to recharge it some. You would have thought we were in the worst storm of the century by the sound of the boys! The yelling and screaming- go back home we are scared. They were actually telling me how to drive-IE. turn right or there's a curve. Jeez it was unbelievable! Then when we got home the little one wanted to play out in it! thunder/lightening and all. He was quite dismayed when I wouldn't let him. and of course he also wanted to go swimming!
AHH and it actually cooled it down and some of the humidity went. Don't know how it is this am, hoping it worked for awhile, but if I know the east coast it will be MUGGY again.
Have a great weekend and stay cool!

I am blue!

Today I was packing a trailer to move some stuff back to NJ. Whew, why on earth would I do that with the heat index @105-just a mommanator sort of thing I guess. After loading the trailer I backed up the hubby's one yr old vehicle with trailer attached, of course-I TOLD HIM I COULDN'T"T BACK UP WITH TRAILER. So whilst backing up, something went wrong and I made a hole in the car. I have been in a state since. I did call him and tell him. He wasn't very happy! He is pretty handy with mechanical things so maybe he can fix or maybe my baby brother will get me out of dutch! or should I say out of the heat! I can blame no one but myself! But the kids were about, 2 of them in the car telling me what to do- like 7 yr olds know how to drive. Actually I didn't know I had even done it till my daughter said MOM, what did you do to the car, ya know it has a hole in it.
while this was all happening, my grandson 4 yr old, who loves water- sprayed his mom's cell phone. She was not blessed either! That isn't working- thankfully she has cell insurance.
Guess this is just another day in the life of the mommanotor! at least no person was injured-things can be replaced! And also am reminded that I am to be thankfull in all things-and so it goes! And how was your day!

Gal's night out

Went out the other eve with two of my bestest friends. As luck would have it, don't ya know when we arrived at the theater- 4 others from work were there. We were hoping they weren't going to see what we had intended! Luck was with us this time.
We went to see Hairspray- O MY we laughed , danced in the seats, and thoroughly enjoyed it! Much better than I had really thought it would be. I can't even imagine what it would have been like on stage! Queen Latiffa- stole the show again! She can REALLY sing! & dance! Although the lead actress was so cute too, and what a pleasant voice she had. I guess I didn't know the story line before I went. I felt like I was back there again in the 60's. The clothes, the hairstyles etc.
After the flick we went to a pizza place and had the best white pizza I have ever eaten. No broccoli, just extra cheese, mozzarella & ricotta & the best garlic & fresh basil! YUMMY
Of course there was much talking and laughing as only can happen at a gal's night out! Men just don't understand a gal's night out! So refreshing and cathartic!

OK folks - on the lighter side

A Tribute to Gabby

Gabrielle was 15 when she was taken in life to death while doing one of her favorite things-riding an ATV. I was shocked and horrified as anyone would be. An acquaintance's daughter taken so early in life! What could I do or say to comfort her family! Words just don't seem to come to me at this time. I am in grief too. How do I understand? What is the purpose? Why so young? Why, Why, Why?
HOWEVER as I live my faith I remember I am not to question why!
Genesis 18:14 reads-Is anything too hard for the Lord?
Psalm 121:1-2 reads-I will lift my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Matthew 28:20 reads- Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Philippians 4:19 reads- My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
Psalm 56:8 reads- You number my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle; are they not in Your book?
HE holds your tears in a bottle, and our tears. Not one of them falls to the ground without Him intervening to save them. We often feel alone in our grief. That God has forgotten us. He is always doing something! Even when He is seemingly doing nothing. He is doing something. He lets us bury our heads in His chest, and He wipes our tears as He wipes His own!
Dawn, Allen & Allen Jr. Let God collect your tears and let you bury your heads in His chest as you grieve.

Maryland & Back to NJ in a Day

While driving back from Maryland on the infamous I95- while watching oncoming traffic- I wondered if I95 could be seen from the satellites as the Great Wall of China. It would be the Great Wall of I95. A moving oops- traffic jam all up & down the Eastern Seaboard! Also known as: too much traffic not enough real estate!.

How many varieties of cars there are! Black, blue, green, silver, red and all the colors in between.

Then there's sedans, SUV's, Humv's etc & etc.

There are the drivers which you see mostly from the shoulders up. Those on ear piece cell phones that look like they are talking to themselves, the smokers, the eaters, the coughers & wavers. and How about the honkers, no turn signalers, the car ragers and the ones the hubby says are : driving with their heads up their asses!.

Don't let me forget the motorcyclers and crotch rockets that drive in every lane and down the centers.

The ones who don't know where they are going- reading maps.

My all time favorite are the ones driving 70 or 75 MPH while reading their favorite books!

ANGEL baby

So what do you think! Should we put back outside for the animals to get? I couldn't! My eldest daughter is feeding and he likes it this way, only occasionally eats the food in dish although watered down. Is using litter for tinkles. I am concerned today doesn't look as happy! Will keep ya posted. Am taking to vet this week.

I'm falling and not in Love

Well I've gone and done it this time. While doing a yard sale this week, I missed my footing and fell, gracefully of course,to a gravel driveway. I fell hand first and three of my fingers looked like the were going in the wrong direction. (and I didn't even go to Pax's party).

After inspecting the hand thoroughly, the hubby said nothing is broken, but did it hurt! The rest of the day was spent with a pack of frozen hot dogs on it, which did help with the swelling and pain. Sunday am my fingers looked like they had turned into sausages! Complete with a purplish hue. Thankfully it is my left hand, I'm right handed, but I never realised how much one uses the other hand while doing stuff! I am really doing the "seek and find" on the keyboard now!. My left hand is practically useless! Good week for the grandchildren to be here!

The kitten is good. The grand's love it. We have decided it's a boy not a girl Name is Angel, although car wash is still being wanted by the kids!

Found out how Merci found out it was Pakistan! She ran the Mouse over the pic and it showed the name of the place, And I thought she was soooo smart. She really is about computers teehee!

Kittens Cats & things like that

Ok folks, believe it or not I am a grandma to a kitten now. The other eve my hubby came walking around the house with our dog on the leash and something in his hand. I couldn't tell what he had. Well lo and behold it was a yelping kitten. He found it in the backyard, not more than 3-4 weeks old. What could we do? leave it out there to get killed by the other animals that live out there? No, my daughter immediately fell in love and we now have something new to tend to!
We are feeding with a dropper at present and are going to get some kitty food later today.
I hope it does well and survives the grandchildren coming up next week! If it does survive I guess God intended it to be here! A couple of weeks ago our grandchildrens' cat ,daughter had before they were born, left the house and never returned! They were all heartbroken. So now granny has one despite her allergies.
I already have a sinus infection and suffering a great bout of Lyme Disease (on second round of antibiotics & headaches!) so whats a few allergies!
We haven't decided on a name yet but Angel is the current favorite. I like Mimi. Heard names from the grandchildren: carwash, fluffy, speedy & lexie.
I am starting to call my home a little zoo- a dog, 2 turtles and now a cat!

You Be the Judge

My daughter and I have been having this discussion for years now. Something like, which way does the toilet paper roll go on the dispenser.

"Which way in the dishwasher do the knives, forks & spoons go". She maintains that they should all go up\; the bowls of the spoons, tines of the forks, & the blades of the knives. O did I mention in some things she is compulsive? Plus she learned this at summer camp when she was 16 or so.

I maintain that they should go down so as not to touch the ends that go in your mouth when used. Additionally, you won't cut your hand on the knife or prick with the tines.

She also maintains they be all like things together. I think this is a great idea, but maintain just as long as they get in there, I could give a fat rats ass. Actually, I really could care how they go in especially when dealing with 4 grandchildren. You should see the number of utensils that are used in a twenty-four hour period.

To sum it up- I really can't get all that excited about it. There is a dishwasher and it's name isn't mommanator!

Just an added note read on treehugger.com you shouldn't prewash your dishes by hand either to conserve energy=water, electricity etc. as most dishwashers today with the products we use will get much of the stuff off. If a problem is found then prewash heavily soiled objects- IE. cooked on stuff in the pots & pans.

And a quiz- where do you think the pic was taken?

WOW-WOW

Down here in Maryland my daughter found a new grocery store. You wouldn't believe it! It had a child care place sorta like Ikea only better! The kiddos can go in for 1 1/2 hours free, then you must pay. Well we took the 4 cherubs this week. The youngest one has a real problem being left anywhere. He was the first to go in and they all loved it! In fact they didn't want to come out they were having so much fun. They had computers they could play with. The kids really love time on the computer. I usually have to take a number to get online. Not really I use it first in the am and they can use much of the rest of the day.
Back to the store- it was very clean, actually my daughter & I had fun in it. Racing to get items. I really hate grocery shopping!
The kicker is that when you checkout they give you money off on your gas if you buy at their station, which is accross the street.! She got 20cents per gallon off her next fill up! With the price of gas these days that is amazing! Gas here is 20-30cents a gallon higher than in NJ.
I certainly would frequent this store-prices were comparable to the store she presently goes.
It's called Giant Eagle - so if ya see one give it a try. We don't have in NJ yet, at least I don't think so.

7 Wonders again

just found out they are having a vote again for the Natural Wonders of the World here's a site you can go to for a vote. www.new7wonders.com get your vote in!

7-WONDERS of the WORLD!

While watching TV yesterday found out we have seven new wonders of the world.

1. why did we have to have seven new ones? Didn't we already have 7 of the Ancient World and 7 of the Modern World?

2. I'm not complaining just wondering what kind of political statement it was.

3. What kind of money making scheme was it?

4. How come they didn't want Europe taking all the cudos , but yet the Roman Coloseum stil got a place? & Whats wrong with North America?

5. What about natural wonders?The Grand Canyon, the Niagara Falls, The Nile River, The Glasiers in Iceland, North & South Poles, the Sahara Desert, the Great Barrier Reef, & the Amazon Rain Forests

The winners are: The Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal in India, Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Chichen Itza in Mexico.

Some of the top loosers were: The Acropolis in Greece, The Eiffel Tower in Paris, Easter Island, Stonehenge, Sydney Opera House & the Statue of Liberty

Congrats to Nadal & Venus great tennis! @ Wimbleton

Movies

Here is a critique of the past 2 movies I have seen in the past week:
"Ratatoullie"
I actually went and saw a movie about a RAT, in line I kept saying to myself I'm going to see a movie about a Rat? Actually we took the kids to see it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was fun, alot of action packed humor. It was a bit too long-I am judging this as a 4 year old wouldn't sit still for the last 15 minutes-, but don't know how it could have been cut down. The kids wanted to see it real bad and I'm glad we took them. All in all it was a good kid flick, the computer graphics unbelievable, you could see the strands of hair on the rats body.

"Fantastic Four- Rise of the Silver Slider"
Was predictable, but the action shots were good. I would have liked to see the Silver Surfer without the silver on, he had quite a body! Hubby and I had a good time. Went to our favorite theater which is much cheaper than others, you can actually buy popcorn and not feel like you have spent enough for a good meal.

So what have you seen lately?

Celebrating the 4th??

4TH OF JULY BY THE NUMBERS.
Number of hotdogs to be consumed on July 4th: 150 million
Amount of chicken purchased in the week leading up to July 4th: 700 million pounds
Amount of red meat/pork purchased in the week leading up to July 4th: 190 million pounds Percentage of American households with outdoor grills: 87

SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR DIETS FELLOW AMERICANS? WHAT HAPPENED TO VEGGIES, LOFAT-LOCARB DIETS?


Amount of fireworks sold to individuals for personal celebrations in 2006:252millionpounds.
Amount of fireworks sold to cities and municipalities for public celebrations last year: 25 million pounds
Amount of fireworks sold to individuals for personal celebrations in 2000: 102 million pounds Total dollar amount spent on fireworks in 2007: 900 million dollars
Total dollar amount spent on fireworks in 2000: 350 million dollars
Percentage of fireworks sales that take place in late June and early July: 80

SO WHY AREN'T WE CONSERVING ENERGY & WORRIED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT HERE?- JUST WHO GETS THIS MONEY SPENT?

Dollar amount of fireworks imported to the US from China in 2006: 212 million
Dollar amount of American flags imported into the US from China in 2006: 5 million

GUESS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT GETS IT HUH? WE ARE STILL INTRADE WITH THE CHINESE! WITH ALL THESE FIREWORKS THEY SELL TO US WHAT KIND OF BOMBS CAN THEY BUILD? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AMERICAN COMPANIES THAT LOST THIS TRADE? I'M GLAD THAT THERE IS ONE COMPANY IN NJ THAT STILL MAKES FLAGS!
ANOTHER QUESTION: WHY DO I HEAR FIREWORKS HERE IN THE PEACH ORCHARD IF FIREWORKS ARE BANNED IN THE STATE OF NJ?
JUST SOME NOTES FROM THE MOMMANATOR?

Words

Words
Words spoken may soon pass away and forgotten be,
But when spoken in love and kindness,
are like beautiful flowers,
and even though they fade and die from conscious memory,
their fragrance lives on embedded in the deeper mind –forever.
– Dick Innes

found this while on the web today. HOW true!

But those spoken in anger and resentment-OMY
they tear up relationships,
flow with bitterness and are emblazened upon ones heart.

Family Reunion

Yesterday was the annual family reunion here in NJ. We used to do this all the time when I was a kid at grannies house or go to Ocean City for the day. Life however got into the way and the reunion was suspended for quite awhile. Much to one of my Uncles and his wife's credit they resumed it a couple of years ago. It takes place at their home here in South Jersey and it is a ball seeing everyone and talking about good ole times!
My dad was one of ten and the eldest. He passed many years ago(maybe thats why I feel a bit depressed today?). There's one Aunt and 3 uncles left. All of the extended families attend, even those of the expired brothers and sisters. We come from all over to attend- NJ, NH, NC,SC, Penna, & Va, at least thats all I can remember right now.
My dad's family actually originated in Kentucky so in reality it's a bunch of rednecks getting together and having a noisy ball. We also come in a variety of shapes and sizes!!! & now colors.
They have pictures of which we try to tell who folks are, being one of the older grandchildren I can remember most of em, but one had me stuck yesterday. Then there was that pic of me 150 pounds heavier EEK, what an eye opener!
We talked, ate & ate, drank, swam& played games. I even played volley ball with a bunch of teens- was supposed to be guys against the gals, but being me I played with the guys-we won!
Then there was the music- was great mixture of old and new, pop/country. Then the finale was two of my uncles playing guitar & singing. Then the singing of Amazing Grace that left no eye without a tear as that was/is our family song.
What a great day with wonderful weather!

things lost, but not forgotten

Where does the time go?
Been to Colorado & Florida this month and now the month is gone!
Where did the necklace I bought for my granddaughter go?
Could be in the bag I have yet to unpack, as now in Maryland.
I'm still looking for those mismatched socks.

Where is the poem I wrote on the plane so I could post?
must be in my carryon bag I've yet to unpack.
Where is my money?
O yeh I am retired I have none!


Well at least I still have my memory,
am sharing the moments of my grandchildrens youths,
the smiles, the laughter, the good days and bad.
But most of all I get huggs and kisses galore! and will remember till I die.

Clearwater!

First I'd like to say, you all can't think of any words to add to my meme! Owell, guess no one is loooking.

Went to Clearwater Beach today. After spending time in the water AND lunch decided it was time to take a walk before going into the Gulf. I must say I think the actual beaches are cleaner in good ole Joisy. Here is a short list of things I saw while walking on the beach. People of course-All shapes and sizes- there was even one gal who was 8 or 9 months pregnant with a bikini on! That was quite the site! I saw on the shoreline a half eaten peach, & a calzone! Also were soda, water & beer bottles and cans, a T shirt, shoes of various sizes, paper & plastic cups, cigarette butts, and little plastic things that looked like from kids toys. OO and lots of seashells & seaweed.
I kept thinking while walking when are people gonna learn!!!!!! WE ARE KILLING OUR PLANET, BEACHES AND WATER SUPPLY. And distroying the nature that some of us really love.

Florida!

Never I say Never let Ole granny out without SPF50 ever again! I flew into Tampa Fri am via Spirit. We went to the pool about 11:30 am, I had sunscreen on and reapplied every time I got out of the pool. I am a lovely shade of Red and HURTING a bunch! Tomorrow we are going to St Peters, to the beach. I am gonna be one of those idiots that go to the beach with that white stuff on their noses all over my body! I thought the tan I had from taking the grandkids outside all the time would get me through, BUT O NO not me! I am a lobster I tell ya, just out of the pot and ready to eat!

Words

Here is a list of 100 words set by the American Standard Dictionary which are musts for the high school graduate! Now all you post-graduates-how about some practical advice or words for everyday life-meme! I was pretty impressed with myself- I only had to look up a couple.

abjure
abrogate
abstemious
acumen
antebellum
auspicious
belie
bellicose
bowdlerize
chicanery
chromosome
churlish
circumlo
cution
circumnavigate
deciduous
deleterious
diffident
enervate
enfranchise
epiphany
equinox
euroevanescent
expurgate
facetious
fatuous
feckless
fiduciary
filibuster
gamete
gauche
gerrymander
hegemony
hemoglobin
homogeneous
hubris
hypotenuse
impeach
incognito
incontrovertible
inculcate
infrastructure
interpolate
irony
jejune
kinetic
kowtow
laissez faire
lexicon
loquacious
lugubrious
metamorphosis
mitosis
moiety
nanotechnology
nihilism
nomenclature
nonsectarian
notarize
obsequious
oligarchy
omnipotent
orthography
oxidize
parabola
paradigm
parameter
pecuniary
photosynthesis
plagiarize
plasma
polymer
precipitous
quasar
quotidian
recapitulate
reciprocal
reparation
respiration
sanguine
soliloquy
subjugate
suffragist
supercilious
tautology
taxonomy
tectonic
tempestuous
thermodynamics
totalitarian
unctuousus
urpvacuous
vehement
vortex
winnow
wrought
xenophobe
yeoman
ziggurat

Colorado Musings

Well the trip to Colorado has ended and now its just a remembrance. Will never underatand why we went from BWI-Atlanta - Denver- those silly airline people!
It had it's ups and downs, so I'll just share a few.
The wedding was really beautiful-up in the mountains-great view, great food. I was really cold though. Not like a pax wedding atall- they do it different there. They had Mexican food-REAL different, but REAL good. My sister in law made- the wedding gown, the cakes. Nieces did the flowers, invitations. You would never have known it was not done professionally- those folks are so talented! Actually my sister in law does weddings all the time.
We did a Celestial Season Tea tour in Boulder- kinda neat- to see the tea being made and packaged. They should package the smell of the place- OMG it was wonderful! and the MINT room- to die for! Then of course had to buy too much tea!
We did the normal touristy things a couple of days, but most of the time was spent relaxin and enjoyin family we hadn't seen in awhile. Some of the husbands and children I had never seen.
All in all it was a good vaca.
Now I need to get packed for the trip to Fla which starts on Fri- bet I won't be cold there!

Coffee vs gasoline

While on vacation in Colorado, we were chatting about the price of gasoline-
Then I interjected why doesn't anyone complain about the price of Starbucks!
Albiet sooo good tasting do we realise we are spending nearly $25 per gallon of it!
Yes we actually sat around and figured it out!
Ridiculous I say- do we see anyone yelling about that!
But I do say that is why I only splurge on it occasionally!
Thank God we don't need it like gas,
but we do have to conserve energy-

My daughter says I have become a nut about energy conservation, BUT
I want some around for my children and grandchildren.
We can all do just a little bit for conservation! and it can add up to alot!
Going to Colorado only makes me even more zealous for green! I love the East coast and Joisey!
and am getting a little tired of people putting us down here in the garden state- they shouldn't knock what they don't know! Plus all of Joisey is not North Jersey- down here in the south we still have open spaces and farms and trees and tomatoes and peppers and peaches. OOPS I have now gottten on a soap box- Have a good day!

Gardening & fair skin

Well should I say the curse of fair skin. Went out to work on my garden again, bought some roses and just had to put them in, however had to prepare the ground, it took about 2 hours to do that. In the meantime I am collecting the sun on my shoulders and neck. I am now a bright hue of red in those same places. When will I learn to use spf 30?? My skin doctor always says use sunscreen if you are gonna be out in the sun. I went out after 3pm, but had spent the am yard saleing with the hubby( he loves it).
I guess I do need some color before I go to Florida in June?? OO and the Colorado sun (that's next week)always turns me bright red- closer to the sun ya know! So do I suffer now or later, probably both.
Tomorrow out in the sun again planting the dahlias and peonies! I am just a glutton for punishment. Guess I am just too set in my ways to learn some of the lessons in life- use sunscreen!

Green! and granny-bragging!

Ok folks, I purchased some plants with the green stuff I was given for retirement. Then of course had to exert some energy to plant it all and wound up cutting shrubery on one piece of the property to make my Iris/ Rose garden . Today however I purchased a butterfly bush, clematis in purple and pink, yellow coreoptus (sp?)( I called it Shannon), blue eyed grass which I call ( Melanie)I don't know why I named them, But did.
Of course, more bushes for the back garden a Blueberry and a grape- whew- we are gonna have more berries after awhile. I think the hubby has planted 15 or 20 berry bushes this season already- he has dreams of using the garden to get farmer rates on the taxes! One can dream can't they!
Now on to the bragging- went to the grand kidds award chapel
#1 grandson rec'd an award for playing the keyboard, an award for Art- creativity in fine arts. He didnt get a scholastic award but gets almost all A's on his report card- go figure
#1 grand daughter award for scholastic achievement
#2 grand daughter rec'd the same award for scholastic achievement
#2 grand son will get an award for being a pistol!
Now did I say they are chips off the ole block! (our side of course!)We are so proud of them- you should have seen their mom when their names were read- you could have driven a car into her dropped jaw!
I just pray this continues as they grow!

Fracture

Took time out this weekend to indulge myself just a little. Went to see the movie Fracture. Was a typical Anthony Hopkins great acting flick and Ryan Gosling was really believable. Unfortunately I got to the theater a couple of min's late, but don't think I missed the point of the whole flick. If I had come in a few min's later I would have missed much.
I figured out the plot prob 15-20 mins into the flick, and when I found out I was right, movie was kinda anticlimatic. Was an enjoyable outing, went shopping afterward! ALONE- I hardly do anything alone! Always have kids, my children or hubby along. Unless I go out with my buddies.
Although I like being alone sometimes, don't think I would want all the time! too much of a people person. Also think being alone gets me depressed-think/ reflect too much!

just a question

How many darn socks can a family of 5 acquire? I have spent this am folding socks-and I'm not done had to take a break!-can't she buy ones that are alike-forget the ones with stuff on em. ANd why do they all seem the same size- the ages vary from 35-8-6-6-4- and I swear only the 4 year old wears a different size- O the Joys of being a nanny granny! AND where are all the missing socks? must be in sock heaven! I'll share missed socks with anyone-wish people wore miss matched socks life would be so much easier!

On another note- a grandson with a hammer is a joy of another sort to behold! he wants to hammer the world and I have to keep him away from all the wood in this victorian style home!- the french doors, the wood railing upstairs and the wooden posts all over- to name a few!

mammograms

Ok ladies and gents- whats up with the declining of women getting mammograms? It is a simple procedure that can recognise CANCER early and be treated! When CANCER is visualised later-it is not curable. SOO tis the season schedule your mommograms or the mommanator will get ya! And don't forget those monthly breast exams- you can have your significant other do it for ya- can be a fun time if ya know what I mean! Also-gents don't forget your breast and testicular monthly exams- ya thought I was gonna forget ya huh!

Mothers Day

Well here I Sit thinking of Mothers Day. I have mixed feelings about it. You see my mom died several years ago and I am feeling lonely for her. She was a great inspiration for me. She moved to the US from England when she married my dad and only went back 2 times after that. I often think how different I would have been if I would have lived in England my whole life. Not as nutty I think! However my mom let me be me, so I probably would have been much the same. She made me be an individual and gave me the fortitude to overcome some hard things in my lifetime. Thanks mom.
Whenever I hear folks complain about their mom's I often say- I wish I had my mom here like you do, even if she is bothering you at this moment, just be thankful you have her to complain about. Since my dad is also gone I often feel like an orphan around these days of celebrating our parents. It is very hard. I guess so hard because they were both great role models.
I also say we didnt have much when I was growing up, but I never felt like I didnt have love! Actually unless someone tells me I realy didn't realise I didnt have "things" cause our home was always filled with love!
One of my desires in life is to be an example like my folks so my children and grandchildren will remember me like I remember my folks and grandparents!
Hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Ken & Dan

I've posted about my twin granddaughters, so nows the boys turn.
I never had a son, but always wanted one, in fact when my hubby and I were in childbearing age-we had quite a disagreement about whether we should have another child, he won ultimately,but I have found sons in so many other guys. I now have my grandchildren.
Dont' know why I wanted a son so badly?? just one of my quirks I suppose. He was gonna have red hair and freckles, blue eyes and be named James Christian-Jamie for short!

Well I got most of what I wanted in my first grandson- he is now 8 years old blondish red hair, with a splattering of freckles over his nose,and he has the prettiest sky blue eyes. I sometimes joke with him about it. He just says O Grandma! He is a very good student and really wants to please. He is too sensitive though, he can cry at the drop of a pin. Guess thats part of first child syndrome?? He is quite fascinating to watch play- he is so much like his dad-its scary sometimes! When watching him he reminds me of my brothers when they were younger. You can almost see his brain working while he is at play. He loves to build things. He can make something out of just about anything. Will explain all the moving parts etc. He has now gotten to the age where he wants to be alone some of the time. On his eighth birthday he posted a sign on his door-NO GIRLS ALLOWED! It is his domain. Sometimes he has a short fuse with his siblings, but when I remember back-isn't that what siblings do? It is so amazing what a grown up conversation you can have with this kid! He loves anything to do with the weather-always predicting whats gonna happen. He loves anything to do with nature-Volcanos, stratosphere,hurricaines,tornados, rocks. He once asked me "how hot is the sun?' I had to research it for him. He and grandpop will read National Geographic together from cover to cover!

The other grandson is altogether different! He is four. He had blondish hair and light brown/hazel eyes. He is a wild child-just like his mother at this age-she keeps thinking he has a problem and I keep telling her apples don't fall far from the tree. He can be so endearing and sweet one moment and be in total rebellion the next- In the bible it says spare the rod and spoil the child-this statement is for this child! This is one smart kid! The others are smart too, but I think this kid just uses all his brain, always testing ya. He gets into things the others wouldnt even try. He is the Baby and he just rules the roost! He is also very strong. Last week he was quite fascinated with a hammer and nail! He hammered everything in his site, I was glad he didnt use my car or tires! So I gave him nails and watched him hammer-what did it hurt!? Today they went to a petting zoo- I cant wait to hear the adventure. He is gonna build me a house one day and its gonna be painted blue- and he can say I LOVE YA in such a cute way ya just want to hug him to death, but I must remember I am the grown up and need to mold this child!
All my grandchildren are taller than most kids their age, sometimes this presents a problem as other kids think they should act older than their stated age, but they will adjust! It hasn't been that much of a problem yet.
I love my grandchildren so much. I hope they remember me like I remember my grandparents!

today

the day that was is, and the day that is was and so it goes into infinity.
I sit and reflect on my life and it all goes into a blurr.
what season of my life am I really at?
a crossroads of sorts, trying to develope a new and improved identidy
too old to start anew, but to young to just sit and watch time go by.
so here I sit rambling on trying to forget the dishes in the sink and the bills not paid.
use the wisdom you have acquired I say and do something prophetic, or be another Mother Teresa, but no I just sit here pondering what shall I do, what shall I be?
All you can be is you and no more or less so get up aff your ass and BE.

AM I SEEING THINGS?

May 3, 2007

• McGreevey to enter Episcopal seminary NEWARK, N.J. (AP) The nation's first openly gay governor has become an Episcopalian and been accepted into a seminary, according to a published report. Former Gov. James E. McGreevey, who was raised as a Roman Catholic, was officially received into the Episcopal religion on Sunday at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York, said the Rev. Kevin Bean, vicar at the church. McGreevey has entered the church's "discernment" phase, which usually precedes seminary work, Bean told The Star-Ledger of Newark in a report posted Wednesday on its Web

I thought I was actually seeing things when I first read it and when said something to the family, they said what are you talking about-were you watching SNL? I had to actually show them the print. I also thought the Episcopal church had a real stand on no gays in the priesthood. Please tell me I dreamed this or its a joke or something. McGreevey is certainly an evolving entity! Who knows what he is evolving into!

RETIRED II

Here I am in wonderful retirement/Maryland thinking about the wonderful party that was held for my retirement. I don't have enough words to say thank you to all who worked hard on it. Plus all those who took time out of their workday to attend!

I was ushered into a room full of co-workers who were bellowing because somehow the time of the event didn't coincide with their bellies, so I got up and said " go ahead and eat and make merriment I have a speech later-all prepared". Wow did I know how to quiet a room! A speech-she has a speech? Even the exec was puzzled and said to one of my friends- she must wait till I say what I have to say. Humm let them be tortured- I told em to tell her I was going first!, but then laughed and said not to worry, I will say what I have to say before all is done!
The room was all decked out- New Officeland III was where it was held. I didn't want to go out to a rented place- I just didn't want folks to spend a whole bunch of money on me. Even folks from Officeland II came. It was catered by my co-workers, what a nice variety of foods, AND the deserts OMG one was better than the next. I tried to taste just about everything, but the old stomach couldn't hold it, my eyes were popping! The main cake was adorned in red roses with white frosting-was an unbelievable strawberry shortcake-only the best baker in South Jersey! Then there were 2 trifles-both homemade- one a raspberry liquor drenched brownie and chocolate, the other a strawberry & cream one, then there was a fresh fruit bowl, 2 other cakes from the same bakery-a canola one and a chocolate raspberry cream delight. Then other sundry cookies and cakes. I don't even think I can repeat what all the foodstuffs were, needless to say I don't think anyone went away hungry! If they did it was their own fault! There wasn't much stuff left over though.
The room was decorated with such ambiance! every table was adorned with pink tablecloths, and pansies. The head table also had a lovely Gerber daisy- unusual colored. Plus a good friend picked a bouquet of flowers from her garden which contained daffodils, Narcissus, tulips( in a variety of colors) and the wonderful lilacs which smelled marvelous. O did I mention the flower decorations were part of my gift YEH. Now I just need time to plant em, hopefully my hubby will keep them watered till I get home on Friday-not to worry he has told me it has rained every day since I left.
After eating I was toasted by some of my great co-workers and friends! I was embarrassed by some of the things that were said. Some folks I didn't think I had impressed too much even had nice things to say. Afterward one of them came up to me and said "I don't know you too well & by what was said about you and the speech you gave it looks like it was my loss" color me red with embarrassment!
The final statement by me was NO CRYING will be done here for my departing I am Not dieing, just moving onto another season of life, so lets have laughter and joy! I have worked in some capacity since I was 14 so it is time to kick off a little, enjoy my grand kids and family and enjoy what I have worked all these years for. Since 60 is the new 40 I have lots of years to do just that! Lucky me!
I was given many lovely gifts. Money, jewelry, an angel, a book written by a coworker, an angel and a plaque.
Thanks to all!
Then was the final farewell, I was ushered to my car by some of the greatest people in the world, my best friends at work and anywhere! I love them. Kisses and blessings to them! they think I am their mom! I hope they all keep in touch, but if I know them like I think I do they will!

RETIRED

Well, I did it and have 2 job offers already. I started watching the grandkids over the weekend-the whole house has some type of flu! NOT GOOD! all are running fevers, coughing and all sorts of junk stuff. The last one woke me up at 5am by turning on the lights and screaming "I can't breathe" EEK he has a touch of asthma and was really making himself worse. God bless children they certainly know how to get your attention. His mom had been trying to get him to calm down, guess he thought granny was better. Temp was 103- we started today off with a bang!
It is now bath time. And then off to bed! YEH!
I need to write about the wonderful retirement party, but will have that another time. Need to do without 8 hands helping me. So have a good one for me.

AWAY AGAIN?!

This weekend I went away again, to the Poconos this time. It was another reunion of my Nursing school class. This time we were celebrating turning 60! Seems like we will celebrate just about anything!
It was just beautiful up there! We didnt do much besides eat, talk, & drink. O yeh, we did go for hikes, watched the deer go thru the yard and thoroughly enjoyed each others company again.
We talked allot about nursing and how it has changed over the years, Not necessarily for the good. How incompetant we feel the new nurses are just coming out of school. Also, about the sorry state of affairs medical/nursing care is today.
We cant believe we actually took the Nightingale pledge all those many 39 years ago- how idealistic and young we were then.
We looked at many pictures of the past and couldn't decide how we got from there to here now.
We also discussed how remarkable it is that we still keep in contact still after all the time has past. Thirty-five of us graduated- 10 of us were at the reunion and we keep in contact with about 10 others, 2 have died that we know of. We would love to find some of the others. We are gonna try again next year for the reunion to connected with more. In fact we found another one this year. Our 40th reunion we are currently planning to take a cruise to Hawaii.

Shell& Liz

Here I am in cold windy wet Maryland. Trying to post, but the twins are wanting to help. They were watching TV but as soon as they saw grannie, they decided they wanted to play on the computer, but I said NO my turn (mean grannie!).
They are identical twins and boy are they looking alike today. As they get older they seem to look more and more alike. They do have subtle differences in looks, but I almost have to look at them directly in the face and have them say something, before I can tell them apart.
We were so surprised when they were born, but are sure glad to have them, they make life interesting for sure, along with their 2 brothers. A total of 4 children in this quiet house. LOL
8-6-6-&4. When they all get home from school its like a war zone till they have a snack, get homework done and settled down. After school they take the dogs for a walk or feed them.
Their differences are in their personalities.
Liz is a helper, neat and very caring, she jumps up when asked to do something and does stuff even when not asked, she has to be told not to do Shells chores. Shell is quite different-she is MESSY! Messy, messy- she only helps when you make her, she is caring but doesnt like anyone to know it. Pax has said that Liz will be a doctor or nurse and Shell will be the artist, hippie type in SOHO(even with the baret on her head).
They are both very good students in first grade, bring home all A's & B's- between all the kids they are costing me a fortune as I give them money for each A they bring home, but it is money well spent if it continues.
As I only had girls I can see so many inherent differences between girls & boys.
Now they realy want to use the computer, I will finish here and write about the boys on another day.

Out & About

While I was out today killing some time before I had to pick up Melanie from her friends house & driving to Maryland. I took a drive about a 5 mile radius of my home and oddly enough not far from where I used to live as a kid. I couldn't help but notice;
1. the die hard gardeners were out mowing their lawns, do they have to start so soon! is the grass realy long enough to cut?? Ok I can deal with multching, fertelizing, planting and raking, but MOWING!
2. my yard doesnt look that bad considering I haven't done all that stuff! the daffodils, forsythia,grape hyacynths, hyacynths, and of course the Blue Bells of Scotland add some blue & yellow color to my yard.
3. the peach trees all around my house are starting their lovely pink blooms, should be in full regailia by next week if it stays like today!
4. people aren't bundled up like nannooks of the north everywhere
5. people seem PLEASANT- waving and smiling at the same time
6. people are driving far too fast to get to the shore-already
7. building, building, building everywhere-soon this will be called the too expensive house state not the garden state. So what ever happened to the Pinelands commission? I saw houses being built on postage stamp size lots. In the middle of town there was a section being built that will prob have 10-12 too expensive homes on it.
8. even the cemetaries were abloom and thank God we have them or else there would be a house or Eckerds or WAWA on every corner
9. Sadly I saw a stretch of trees(near where I used to ride my bike as a kid) that had either had Acid rain and a lot of it or else some chemical deposit- all the fauna and flora was DEAD- yes dead-how long will it take to replace that grove of trees along that creek? or better yet when will WE learn to stop the ruination of our trees and creeks with our polluting ways! I so wanted to take the grandkids on a bike ride there one day when they master two wheelers!
10. Saw the price of gas going up up up, in our state! at one station it was 2.53 this am and now 2.63 per gallon- maybe I shouldn't go to Maryland their gas is always at least 25 cents higher than ours.


But alas I am happy to still be able to see these things and enjoy the pretty things along with the ugly! Guess I should keep my eyes on the driving huh

time and again

We converted to another computer today, so I have lost all my bookmarks! I think the man does that just to keep stuff off his computers! He did say if it isn't hooked up he can't get junk on it. Well I will have to work at it again so here goes! LOL. Ya see he finally brought the computer back from Maryland and I dont have to use the laptop any longer. It came with the price of getting a new computer desk!
We haven't brought the old one back as of yet, but when I retire I will make it my business to get that cherry wood desk he had to have, cleaned out from the daughters stuff and get it back to NJ. I think he and I play these games just to keep life interesting! His goal is to have the most toys when he dies! My goal is not to spend money on toys!
He wins most of the time. Just a small example: he has a 2006 motorcycle- I go to Goodwill to get stuff. He has a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica with all the whistle blowers, I am driving my paid off Malabu! I am definately a product of my dad and he is of his dad. Owell I guess that's part of what has kept us married for 38 yeasr now!

Missing

OK this is the question of the day-AALA PAX-FFF

How come I know where my esophagus and corpus collosum are,
but can't find my passport,
or my glasses that I had on my face reading with, a short five hours ago!

I can locate an address, someone gives my while in the car,
but always loose my keys!

Why do I have to be ME?

SO you ask, what's up with the mommanator? Who else should she be!?

I would like to throw caution to the wind!
I would like to get in my car and just drive off and start a new life.
I would like to tell people off!
I would like to Not care about anyone else or just plain anyone.
I would like to Not care about money. Get nails done, hair coiffed amazingly bad-punk rock style,I haven't been bleach blond yet!!
I would like to go out and buy my RED jag or convertible mini cooper, or baby blue Aston Martin.
I would like a single story home in PERFECT repair.
I would like to get a message by a tastefully gorgeous Swedish masseuse- male of course.
I would like to go to a spa (the Blue Lagoon was nice) and have everything offered and Not give a damn how much it costs.
I would like for no-one to want me to do something for them.
I would like someone to change, launder and iron my sheets, remake the bed, spritz with lavender and tuck me in tonight.
I would like to say something sometimes and people not say-how do you know that, are you sure, turn on their heal and either go look on the computer or ask someone else in my ear shod.
I would like Not to feel much of the time that something of doom is gonna happen.
I would like to believe some of what I hear, see, etc.
I would like to be whistled at or someone say who is that?
I would like to sleep in late, have someone saunter in with fresh brewed coffee & breakfast on a silver tray.
I would like to feel like I did in the Spring of 1969.

these are not necessarily in want order & the list could go on forever
these are but a few to mention and on the uppermost of my mind.
I can't be having a midlife crisis- I am well past that age.
Heaven knows even with hitting the lottery some things are not attainable,
But at least I do have LOVE.

the Last hurrah

As some know I moved, but really didn't move last Aug/Sept then again in Dec.
Now this time I AM MOVING- as you also know Officeland I is moving to Officeland III-a glass building, however only some selected have the view from a window-not me of course-why give the old broad who is retiring a window!? Packing for the move has been something! The dust & dust mites might I say have been terrible! The smells that have evoked have been indescribable! The place too darn hot! Since we only have 1 window in the building that can open, we are left to opening doors of which there are some who scream when the doors are open-let em scream I say-they can put on their darn coats for all I care I cant breathe with my allergies, the smells and the heat- oops I complain too much!

The actual packing has been a mix of bitter sweat, as I am packing for the move and for retirement-have looked through things that have been my work for almost 20 years now at this office-thrown hard work just plain ole in the shredder- IS THAT ALL THERE IS?, IS THAT ALL THERE IS!

Some things even brought a tear or two to the mommanators eyes! BUT of course there were the tears of joy too remembering things associated with a memento or a gift or a card from a co-worker/friend. One I can specificaly remember is from a great friend who sent me this unbelievable "nurses" card along with a hand written poem-so special!

Then of course, there is the TRYING to get some actual work done in this mess, noise, heat and confusion! Yes they actually think we can work in this atmosphere! They took all the client files away, so we cant even look things up. That doesnt stop the phones from ringing or my wonderful co-workers giving me more things than I can get accomplished before I finally take that walk out the door to my next endeavor- as I close one door and open another to the next season of my life!
as I always say 'quityerbitchin at least yer in the race!' and of course my 'get over it already'.

Weekend in Lancaster

Well this past weekend I was celebrating my 38th year of marriage to the same guy! Yes people sometimes get married and are true to their vows. We have had our ups & downs, Spats, crying, laughter- we have had it all, but somehow have always worked IT out!

We have gone to Lancaster for the past couple of years, in a real nice Hotel! Well this year me(ya know the one getting older every minute) and my computer couldn't remember the name of the Hotel (the Revere Inn). Soo I registered with A Days Inn- what a fiasco that turned out to be. Lets put it this way it was probably one of the worst places I have stayed in in my entire life!
Of course it was prepaid, with no refunds! I would have forfeited the money, but with me being out of work for so long, I honestly couldn't afford to do that! It was supposed to be handicapped assessable- much of it was , but the game room, & indoor Pool were not! and of course the mommanator has already made an ADA violation report on that. Then let me say a few things about the weather! It was beautiful falling rain, sleet, hail, snow, ice all the way there. In NJ we hardly got any snow but it accumulated a foot up there in Lancaster! The Days Inn staff didn't think it necessary to clean sidewalks or driveways. However a foot of snow doesn't stop the clan from having a good time shopping & eating! And so we did -laugh, swim, shop and eat!
Happy Anniversary to the Mommanator & her Mountain Man

girls night out

This evening went with a few folks to Sandy Cove Maryland for a girls night out.
It involved a great meal of cod and/or chicken, vegetable mix, savory yellow rice,
salad with the most scrumptious raspberry dressing, bread and wonderful desserts.
I had a bit of oreo cookie pie and coconut custard pie! Was I full after that!

Then we saw a show: a couple sang a few tunes and then the main event was a ventriloquist-
she was unbelievable- I swear those dummies were talking and not her. She has done her thing all over the world- just returned from Japan. She did the funny part with her dummies-aka-peoploids then told an amazing story of her family. Mostly about her daughter who had a drug/alcohol problem and finally after many years went to a treatment program and it finally worked. She had us laughing one minute and crying the next!

The only thing which was a downer was the darn rain and driving in it. I have gone to this place another time and it rained then too!? Cant figure what that is all about-owell!

Party!

Well yesterday we had the first of several parties at Officeland I to "honor" the folks leaving us on the first wave of moves from Officeland I. The supervisors fed us with a grand variety of pizzas and the rest of us brought in Veggie Salads, Friut salads and deserts. We had the usual speeches from the supervisors complete with crying and gnashing of teeth!
One gal said "I AM JUST GOING TO MOVE" to Officeland II. I like them at Officeland I and have established relationships and I don't want to move. Well honey that isn't how the state works- you will be leaving to Officeland II if you want to continue to work!
We also had a video of past & present residents of Officeland I- we laughed allot at that, and were surprised how different everyone looked- some smaller, some larger, some with and without hair and surprisingly some of the older folk looked better now!
All in all it was a fun time reminiscing about the "Days of Officeland I-and the passing of time- like the sand in an hourglass"!
And of course no-one wanting to help clean-up.

March Maddness

This is gonna have a new meaning for me. As most of ya know I am retiring from wonderful state service the last day of april 2007! Well yesterday it struck me I have so much to do and so little time. I have to pack to go to the new building, yes I will leave some things behind-like state purchased books, files and the like.
I also have to pack the things I have to take home. I have to take said packed items home. Also, have to take the furniture thats mine home. Of course have to help the daughter and take her furniture/ wheelchairs home!
Along with bringing stuff back from Maryland to resume living in NJ-unpack that stuff!
The beginning of the week I happily found out I had more time to use than I thought-so have to get that time used up-see the smile on my face!
I also have an abundance of stuff left over from when I was on leave to get done, along with the stuff that has been given since I got back to work-OMY whats a gal to do? I will just have to pace myself! LOL
I think I should just ignore it and leave it to the next person, but if anyone knows me I cant do that!

tired

I am so tired from returning to work and trying to satisfy all those "wonderful" social/case managers that I hardly have the brain power or stamina to think let alone to type a blog!

HOWEVER- I watched 'Babel' this evening while resting in my luxurious new bed. Brad is starting to look much older, but thought he did a good job. Kate-well, does she do much badly! At first I found it a bit hard to follow with the 'subtitles' and three story lines. It looked so true to life in all the various scenes. I will have to look at the remainder of the Academy nominated flics I have ordered from Netflix to see if I agree that it should have been nominated for best Picture. I have been so lax in seeing movies at the theater this year,. I cant wait to see the Departed. Tomorrow eve is 'Little Miss Sunshine'

Guess I should be off to bed/sleep- tomorrow is another day at officeland where there are sooo many personalities to deal with. I am so glad I live so close to home so I can come home at lunch and lie on the sofa or bed and get a powernap!

Introducing

A new blogger would like your opinions- good or bad. Catch him on "No1Big Daddy"

Just thought I'd add a pic for your veiwing pleasure? Arizona cactus

Arizona Gals

Which one of these "ole"gals could possibly be a mommanator? They are sweet Nurses, every one a baby boomer! They are all 60ish you know the new 40. Some are retired from nursing, but 2 of them still work in nursing. One is a Wharton Graduate and has a different kind of funeral business(a theme funeral of all things). One works for Bristol-Myers-Squibb.

They all still like to party.

Iwould put anyone of them against a new graduate from just about any school!

that sky

went outside a few minutes ago just to get something out of my car
looked up and to my amazement saw a beautiful sky,
all decked out in the most brilliant stars I have seen in a long time

have I not been looking or were they just brighter?
isn't it supposed to rain or something tomorrow?
I must be mistaken, I thought I heard the news right!

were they put there especially for me to see this night?
it made me think of things like when I was a child,
when dad would say-now there's the big dipper and the little one too
do you see the seven sisters and Venus too in that southern sky.

Made me realise that parents teach us so many things,
those little insignificant things that we share with others,
like when I told one of my exchange students -look there's
venus-see the one which is shining so bright in the southern sky,
and he argued one can't see the planets with the naked eye
and I was happy to show him the news paper article the next day
"you can see Venus in the sky these nights-look to the southern sky if in NJ"

or when I took another exchange student out in the night
and she looked with amazement to the sky
and said-the sky is so beautiful-I never see the sky at night before
I wondered why her parents had let her come all the way from Japan
but she had never seen the sky at night before.

So I thank you God for sending me out on this night
just to look up at that beautiful sky to remember things
ever so insignificant, but none the less important to me.

Butterflies are Free

This is my first time adding a picture, Hopefully you will see the beauty of this butterfly as I do!
Couple of months back I went to Arizona, on a reunion trip with some of my Nursing School buddies. During the trip we went to a nature reserve, were lucky enough to go to this butterfly exhibit which was opening the following week!
These butterflies actually are Not free, they are enclosed in a climate controlled building with no predators except MAN. We had to go through seal lock doors in & out and actually were examined afterward to make sure we were not taking any home on our clothing!
What a beautiful exhibit! We saw some other butterflies than the typical Monarch we see around here.

Monday Morning

Well this has been a long day already! I have been awake since about 3:30am nursing a sick grandchild who finally went to sleep after having diarrhea and fever all day Sunday(the day of rest?) Alot of crying and I want my mommy!
Originally had planned to get my kitchen back in order correctly, after the move back in the house! Dont know if that will happen, but if the big guy is interested will probably forgo a morn of rest to get that kitchen done. He is up and atem- complaining all the way about this and that hurting, banging into things. -Gotta love him!
Have already read my email, the paper, looked at everybody's bloggs (not much new reading since 12midnight!)
Well thats it for now!

Anna Nicolle

I said I wasn't going to comment on the death of the beauty, however I guess I have to throw something in there.

Why did she die? How did she die?
My daughter and I have come up with a theory that we haven't heard on the news.
Could she have been trying to detox herself?
After all she had a new baby, a death of a loved son, the law suit, men trying to be the father of the baby and the list goes on!
She may have been trying to detox herself and went "cold turkey" which is real dangerous to the body. Can cause some of the symptoms she was reported to exhibit before her death. Yes it can cause cardiac symptoms, dysrythmias and sudden death!-she had no drugs in the stomach.
I guess we will never know, but it is another thought to throw in the mix.

gas tanks

Can anyone tell me why the gas tanks are not on the same side on every car!
You see I have about 4 cars I drive routinely. The state car (some of the state cars have tanks on opposite sides), my car, my hubby's car and my daughter's car. Then of course sometimes am asked to drive someone else's car because they are sick or whatever.
Then I have to get gas, which side of the car is the tank on! Invariably I drive to the wrong side of the gas pump! Not so much of a problem in NJ as we have folks who pump our gas(believe it or not) But then there are the other states. One gets out of the car and oops I did it again- have to get back in to pump my own gas!
Next problem I have encountered with this, is you drive to the gas station, which line is the lowest! Get the car on the right side etc. etc.
As Americans we pay a plenty for gas (not as much as foreign countries, but it makes a hole in ones pockets. Along with coming up with a more efficient- fuel saving car! Can't the car makers and pump makers make those darn gas tanks uniformly on one side or the other!

the Valentine

What is it anyway?
A card that shows you feelings so true?
Roses are red
violets are blue
sugar is sweet and so are you!
OR is it that feeling you
have had for someone for a long time that you cant explain!
OR that unexplainable warm glow that goes to your toes
when you just think of that special someone.
OR is it a dinner for two at an expensive restaurant
with champagyne, a favorite meal topped off with truffels and white chocolate mousse?
Or a gigantic bouquet of a dozen or two long stemmed red roses
in a perfent Wedgewood crystal vase?
Or is it just another day when people can actually
be nice to someone else for no reason at all?
Give them cards, chocolate candies in red heart shaped boxes,
smiles, a touch or illtimed kiss on the cheek?
OR is it a guy/gal going to the poorest of poor
in the city and ministering to them with a bit of food
or a blanket in this coldest part of the year?
WELL
to me it is any one of my four grandchildren coming up to me with a hug and a kiss and saying grandma "I LOVE YOU" for no reason.
or a co-worker/friend saying "mommanator thanks for what you do" and truly meaning it not that superficial stuff with a glance and a smile but a true heart felt thank you.
You see any day of the week can be valentines day not just on February 14th.

LOVE THE MOMMANATOR

How to prepare for a Mammogram-guys can read

Must write this for all my friends/family who have had mammograms or known someone who has! I found this in a book I am reading by Barbara Johnson a humorist
The Mammogram
This is an xray that has its own name because because no one wants to actually say the word "breast". Mammograms require your breasts to do gymnastics. If you have extremely agile breasts, you should be fine. Most breasts, however, pretty much hang around doing nothing in particular, so they are woefully unprepared. But youcan prepare for a mammogram right at home using these simple exercises.

Exercise 1. Refrigerate two bookends overnight. Lay one of your breasts (either will do) between the bookends and Smash the bookends together as hard as you can. Repeat this three times daily.
Exercise 2. Locate a pasta maker or old wringer washer. Feed the breast into the machineand start cranking. Repeat twice daily.
Exercise 3. (advanced only please): Situate yourself comfortably on you side on the garage floor. Place one of your breasts snugly behind the rear tire of the family van. When you give the signal, have your hubby slowly ease the car into reverse. Hold for five seconds. Repeat on other side.

History of Sacrifice

Yes folks this is from me and take it for what it is worth! A statement on Today.

The wars have taken many lives, but what are the nations fighting for?
Here is a listing of the American lives spent over the years:
Revolutionary-----------------25,324
Indian Wars-------------------6,125
War of 1812-------------------2260
Mexican-American War-------13,283
Civil War----------------------562,130
Spanish-American War--------2893
Philippines War-----------------4,273
World War I-------------------116,708
World War II------------------408,306
Korean War--------------------54,246
Vietnam War-------------------58,219
(per education world)
IRAQ
there have been 3,318 coalition deaths so far in the conflict with Iraq---
Americans-----------------3,065
Austrailians----------------2
Britons---------------------130
Bulgarians------------------13
Danes---------------------- 6
Dutch-----------------------2
Estonians-------------------2
Fijian-----------------------1
Hungarian------------------1
Italians---------------------32
Kazakh---------------------1
Latvians--------------------3
Poles-----------------------18
Romanians-----------------2
Salvadorans----------------5
Slovaks---------------------4
Spaniards-------------------1
Thai------------------------2
Ukrainians------------------18
(per 1-26-07 CNN count)

How many Iraqui?
per News Center article published 7-05 they aren't counted
(but the armed forces sends reports of same).
the Bookings Institute says as of 7-13-05 there have been an estimated 22-25,869 civilian casaulities (feeling that is a low estimate,) with probably more than 100,000 police, soldiers & insurgents deaths.
Not to mention the destruction of buildings,land & jobs. The maming, orphaning of citizens.

New Years Resolutions?

Yes we are at the beginning of February, however lets take stock of those darned resolutions.
I hardly made any cause 1. I was too sick to even think of any other than getting better, and 2. I hardly ever make any.
Why on the green earth do we resolve to do something that we haven't been able to do in the past? Because we are looking at fireworks, kissing our special someone or just a wee bit drunk? Or do we think about it for weeks and days Humm what shall I do different in the next year or years. Let's be honest we only do that for a couple of days/weeks at best!
With all of that said, I resolved to:
Be kinder, loose weight, be tollerant of others stupidities, and try to get my financial situation DONE before I retire.
How have I done in the month? Dont laugh, but I am kinder- I have to be or else no one would have helped me in the past month.! I would have had to get my own meals, done my own dressings and the list goes on! I lost weight with one surgical procedure 131/2 pounds to be exact, but haven't been on the scale since! I resolve to get weighed tomorrow and send a follow-up LOL. How in the world am I supposed to get my financial situation DONE before I retire on temp disability! What a joke!!, but am glad for it (did ya all know all states don't have temp disability? We are one the few. My daughter in Maryland has to pay every 2 weeks for hers if she is to get ill)-(there is one good thing about Jersey!)
Now to being tollerant of others stupidities-that has been easy so far, I haven't seen too many folks!
Now if ya have the ambition, let me know about your resolutions and how they are coming along.

ODE TO SNOW

Wintry glistening white stuff falling from the sky, only seen best thru a child's eye,
As old folk scream-'How am I gonna get that car cleaned off for work,
do I have to shovel that stuff,
they scraped the end of the driveway over,
should I call off from work,
do I have enough time?'

Children see flakes big and small,
a conundrum of color as it is prismed in light,
snowmen, forts, snowball fights,
mom & dad staying home to play with me ,all day and through the night
Hot chocolate, popcorn, snow angels, boots hats and fur-lined gloves galore,
Mommy take me out for some more

No dear she exclaims, my arthritis is hurting and my back is screaming
lets take a bath and explore a book or some music or
I'll start a fire, maybe we can toast marshmallows
and watch the birds we fed before,
I'll get a glass of wine and a cup of Hot Apple Cider for you,
and then we'll take a nap and dream of some more!

Then we can have snow cones as made in my youth
when the snow was over the roof and
I still had to drudge more than a mile,
just to go to a bus to get to school
to send me back as soon as there
cause the roads were too rough and we might slide in a rut,
with that OLD bus driver to get us back in an hour

with no-one at home,
we played in the snow, made snow angels, built forts & snow men,
had snow ball fights,
without our boots, hats and coats and fur-lined gloves and no one knew
cause when they returned we were completing our homework and had dinner on the stove
or praying for more of that
glistening white stuff falling from the sky.


That glistening white stuff falling from the sky. O MY
more of God's wonders right before my eye!
how did it become so white falling from our sky
of acid rain & factory dust from afar
that glistening white stuff falling from the sky!

Abducted by Aliens Again

I don't know what has happened to me but I must have been abducted by those darn aleins again, or something like that. Actually let me put the blaim where it is due! I lived with a friend a few months back who realy was abducted, cause she is a CLEAN freek!
I had this surgery you see,and I am not supposed to lift anything larger than 10 pounds and no cleaning or stuff like that. Well I can't get outa this cleaning thing!
O NO the mommanator! today I found myself washing baseboards! with bleach!!! Yesterday I took out all the trash to the street and it doesnt get collected till tomorrow, I washed the trash cans! I even picked up trash outside to put in the cans. and the list goes on and on!
PLEASE let those aleins come back and return the mommanator!

Kenny Day

Well yesterday was an interesting one. As you all know I have been out of commission for awhile now, missed the #1 grandsons birthday, so thought we would have a day for him.
He is presently studying the constitution, liberty bell etc in school, sooo living in Lovely South Jersey decided the first thing we would do was take across the river and see that darn liberty bell. He was so excited you would have thought he was opening a gallon of Hagen Das! We had to go through metal detectors, take off the coats etc, then back outside to get to see the bell inside?
Ya know there are lots of things to read while walking to see the bell, did we read any of them NO he was too excited to see the bell. Well we saw the bell and even touched it ( the lady said we arent really supposed to touch but since there were so few people there it would be ok). He touched it so lightly you would have thought he was gonna break it again! Then, ok whats next, no going back to read all the stuff about it. Then off to constitution plaza, to find out about going into Constitution Hall. Believe it or not, but no tickets needed for January or February since there are so few people then. What luck, but it was quite chilly walking around Phillie, all bundled up @ 30degrees with a wind chill of I dont know what. We had a Phillie pretzel & drinks, and off to Constitution Hall they went I stayed back as I was now getting a bit tired, plus granny had to go to the shop to buy a little liberty bell a book ,candy for the birthday boy.
Believe it or not we had great parking one block from the liberty bell on the street!
No sooner had we gotten back to the car and he says ok I am ready to go back home now! We realy had a fun time and he touched the Liberty Bell!
In the evening we continued with the K Day theme and took the 4 kids to see "Arthur and the Invisibles", another adventure- taking 4 kiddos the youngest almost 4 to the movies. We probably could have gone to see Pavarotti for what it cost to get in and junk food.
The movie was real cute and all enjoyed. When I got home I went to bed, HUMM I am a granny!

home again!

Well we came back home yesterday! whew long drive, then off to the brothers for dinner. Like I wanted to be out longer! But the food and company was good. They gave me a small glass of wine which I immediately tasted. OMG it was wonderful. When I asked what kind it was my brothers friend said it was the one you gave me, right over my head, I said, let me see what kind.. We both laughed heartily when he showed me, of course he was laughing at me and I was too! It was just what I needed for a mellowing after that ride from Maryland!
Then this morning found out a family from our Church had an accident and 2 lives were taken, the dad and the 8 year old daughter! I pray for the peace of Christ to overtake this family and thank God the 2 are with Him now!

little house on the prairie

Today is yet another one in the recovery of granny jax. Of course it involves some time spent at the grandkids home in Maryland. So far today I have finished knitting a hat(now the girls want one exactly like it but only smaller!) finished a scarf I have been trying to finish for awhile. We have cut everyones hair except mine since it is too short to even comb, hence the new hat! The kids and I have straightened up the living room. Have tried to do some homework with the kids. Have been watching "Dirty Jobs" forever.
All of a sudden the house got real quiet. Owhere owhere did everyone go? They all left me to make a doghouse for the new puppy. Everyone is hammering- the sound out there is a buzz. I tried to go out, but even with the new hat and a jacket felt cool so came in, was gonna take a nap but the computer called!.
Yes this is little house on the prairie- cutting our own hair, making dog houses and last but not least getting our feet stuck in the new puppy poopie!

2007

well here I am trying to get back into this blog thing. seems like I have to have surgery to get with it, or at least have some time for it. Let me do a little year in review! So many things happened it almost is rediculous.
Since I am retiring in April 2007 we decided to sell our home in NJ. What a whirlwind, it sold in 30 days, whew. So we packed, had the movers move stuff to MD(our next stop till the last grandson is in school fulltime then to move further south. Jim went to Colo on his motor bike, the house sold so quickly I had to get him back home to get the house emptyied. So lock stock and barrel we were in MD, I moved with a great friend til I actually retired. What fun! THEN the day before settlement the realtor told us the buyer couldn't come up with the money! So back to square one. We have moved from the house, wintertime is coming, holidays etc(people dont usually (buy then), OMY I feel like I am in a bad movie. Soo as time passes we decide to not sell and continue to live in NJ till we die or God has something else for us. Dec 1 we move back to the homestead, however most of our stuff is in MD.
Dec 18th I have surgery, 2 weeks later I have to have repair of the surgical site as it has become necrotic in 2 areas. Humm 2 surgeries in 2weeks, thats good even for me! So we are now into 2007!

With all that said I look to retiremnet with great anticipation and a little angst! Money seems to be the biggest thing I fear but I am reminded that God will supply all my needs!