Thursday, March 27, 2008

Spring Cleaning?

Just what is that anyhow? must we do, I guess so.
I shouldn't have any with moving out & in all in the same year,
but non the less I must do!
It's incredible how much stuff we accumulate! Especially when hubby is a collector!
I have just lost interest in yelling about it, so now I must pay!
Now I must again pack to move all the stuff we got when we moved back in,
before we sell the ole place AGAIN! This time we are really downsizing! As the place in Fla is smaller. What winter stuff do we keep? What do we get rid of. Plus I still have the stuff at my daughters in MD that I STILL have to go through OMY!

Back to what is spring cleaning, sorry I digress!
We clean the house!
We clean the gutters,
We clean the yard of trash & leaves to start the spring
So the flowers look as pretty as they can be!

We get rid of clothing too small or stuff we just don't want any more!
Good Will likes me!
We clean and polish till it looks brand new before the dust bunnies can come in and deposit their mites and like-(O I thought the bunnies were supposed to leave colored eggs, my mistake).
Then there is painting and touching up from the winters effects. Yes I live in NJ! and it does have an effect!
Get the grill ready, do I have to prune! How about planting some tomatoes- they are best in June.
Now to another spring cleaning.
I confess I should spend more time on ; that's the clearing of my head of whats been bothering me, examine myself and what I should do for HIM. Spend time in the word, pray and help others as much as I can and be a good example for Him.
And the most important I guess at this point is:"do it all as unto HIM" 1Cor 15:58

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.
Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

Saturday, March 22, 2008

And I thought mine was a catastrophic week!

The week started as any other week at my daughter's, but then!
Danny's tricycle broke down! alas-to the trash it went,
then the next day his "Harley" hot wheel motorcycle broke! Grammy what am I gonna do! thru tear stained eyes.

The next eve while daughter was working I get a blood curdling scream from the back door!Grammy the dog got loose and look what he did to my hands while I was trying to get him back. Mind ya this is my 5 year old grandson screaming with his hands in my face all bloody. I am a nurse, but this was too much-this is my grand baby crying and screaming and BLEEDING. Kisses and washing the hands and Lots of band aids were the ticket.
Seems as though all 5o pounds of him was trying to rescue the dog, that I had trouble holding and getting leashed back up.

Then Friday,amidst me getting ready for the drive up I95 Easter weekend. (I save the best til last); the kids were out playing on the trampoline- The twins come running to the house yelling Kenny fell off the trampoline and he can't breathe! My daughter and I looked at each other and can't run fast enough down to the tramp! I, of course being older almost got there when she was bringing him back up- he was quite shaken and crying and breathing harshly (asthma kicked in)! We checked him out, no broken bones not even a scratch, but the tears were definately flowing! He did complain of some aches and pains- we couldn't get out of him just how he fell-head first, arm shoulder or what. We finally calmed down after that and her work called and said she had 3 visits to make! O Joy- I have a kid with no means of transportation, with bandages on all fingers and another one with a terrible headache and they were all hungry!
Needless to say we had a calmer afternoon- me the kiddos, lunch and movies off the tv!

As the day progressed Kenny kept saying I have a headache and I feel loopy- my being the nurse looked into his eyes and found unequal pupils! EEK what more can happen! I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DAUGHTER AND SUMMONED HER HOME TO GET HIM TO A DOC SOMEWHERE!

When all was said and done the doc felt he was OK. however found he had a slight fever. They came home, I took the others to the father's home for their weekend visit. With my daughter still being on call for the weekend, Kenny not wanting to go too far away from Mom and Grandma - we decided to keep him home for at least the night- There goes my going home! but how could I say no to those big beautiful blue eyes!
After awhile his temp went up to 102.5 humm must have caught something and that's why he was feeling so out of sorts! Some motrin solved that problem- he is well on the mend now.

I said all this to say I thought my week was bad, but it was nothing compared to the week Jesus had for me a sinner. He was denied by his friends, he was sold by his friend, he was tortured, he was tried for sins he did not commit, hung on a cross and left to die! HOWEVER HE rose again! and will come again! HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

Whatever God's dream about man may be, it seems certain it cannot come true unless man cooperates.
Stella Terrill Mann

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Cork? Corkscrew? Wine?

The other day my daughter and I went to a local winery, just to get our favorite wine for some spirits in the evening.
As I have written before I have moved a couple of times over the past year AND to my surprise when we went to open the bottle there was not a corkscrew. I think they went to Florida?
Mom, what are we gonna do? Me, well what did they do before they had corkscrews, we're inventive and we want the wine so I suggest we invent something or we go to the store and pick up a cork screw. SHE, I don't want to go out, ME, and neither do I so guess we better put our thinking caps on.
We first tried a metal shish kabob skewer! to no avail, in fact we had trouble getting it out- it may have been the laughter that ensued that we couldn't get it out. then, we walked about the house looking for something, finally we went to hubby's tools! a very large screw, a screw driver & and pair of pliers! After all what is a corkscrew anyhow but a large screw!
We were quite thirsty by the time we got that cork out, again amid MUCH laughter. I never realised corks were soooo long!
Well by midnight the wine was gone and we were sleeping soundly!

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
There is nothing more dreadful than imagination without taste.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

Thursday, March 13, 2008

when's Spring?

Recently someone asked me when I thought Spring started?? What an odd question, it's March 20th or 21st. Apparently some folk believe it is March 1st- I had never heard of that. So, I looked it up on the net!

Most recognise Spring in the traditional way, by the astrological-March 20th/21st. but of recent past meterologically it is March 1st. Seems it is easier to think in the seasons in quarters by the meteriologically minded! therefore Spring is March April, & May.

Guess some can't remember 21st!? People are always changing nomenclature-what's up with that!?
Still others say when we turn the clocks forward-"now spring is here". the days are warmer & we have more sunlight.

In the scheme of things- does it matter? When I feel warm gusts of wind & rain and the daffodils & crocuses bloom AND I don't have to wear a heavy overcoat-I say Spring has sprung look where all the pretty flowers is! Needless to say also, my allergies start to give way to a clear head and I can breath without holding a Kleenex to my nose-it's spring! hooray!


Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.
Doug Larson

Monday, March 10, 2008

Socks, socks, socks

I think I have complained about folding socks before, but must get on a soap box about it today. My daughter said when are you gonna post something new- I told her if I wasn't so busy finding mates & folding socks, I might have time! We presently have 2 laundry baskets full of mismatched socks- I tell ya now isn't that rediculous!

I think I have come up with the perfect solution to the problem, but she finds fault with it!

Give all the socks they presently have to "Good Will". Buy all new ones; same size, same color, same design. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me- they all wear about the same size. Even the 4 yr old wears about the same size as her. Don't deviate from that except if they don't make them any longer!

Then her response, but Ken needs to wear black ones and the girls like tights- No problemo- black you say- get him same size & design, only black. Tights you say- they stick together so there is no mate to find.

My other solution is -don't mate them- let em wear mismatched socks or let them find the matches- She actually had fault with this too- ya know they have a dress code at school, and you also know they can't find their matches, they have enough trouble finding their school bags, clothes, shoes etc X4

OMG I just came up with the perfect solution- they don't wear socks at all- let em go barefooted and clothes less- Now I know why nudists are nudist's- they couldn't find matches to their socks!!

One cannot fix one's eyes on the commonest natural production without finding food for a rambling fancy.
Jane Austen (1775 - 1817), Mansfield Park

Saturday, March 01, 2008

First Year Basketball

Ok Folks ,
this is the first year of my grandson playing basketball. This is the team, you can by their look they are really into it! However, scroll down and you can see some determination in their eyes!
They got into the play-off, however lost that game by a margin. They were told from the very beginning- it was all about fun, not wins. They DID like to win though. You could see them literally improving by each game, it took several games before they won one, so they were filled with humility! My grandson is # 8. I guess he was the tallest on the team,

Here you can see em enjoying ice cream after a win! Nothing like ice cream to quench one after a big game

Here's the team with their coach. She was the only woman coach for the league! Go GINA!


Again after a game, sisters being a part of the action!





Can you see the determination of my grandson? nothing was getting past him! He could be quite intimidating.










Run boys! get back into guarding mode!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Was it Stupid?

Today was about 50-60 degrees out. All day long the hubby said-let's go swimming, to which I replied are you stupid or something like that! I am cold now! Then thought for a moment- I went to Iceland and went to the "Blue Lagoon" while it was snowing out. I also went to a pool in Kentucky in the middle of a snow storm that was an outdoor heated pool.

Finally at 5:30 pm I relented and went with him. You see I have been in good ole Fla for a week now and the weather has been let's say-less than nice (read previous post).

We had to shower-eek, I thought there would be frost on my toes till we got the shower.
Then we went into the pool- now mind ya it is heated to 80 degrees -so it really wasn't that bad.
Then we went to the hot tub-temp there 102 degrees. Let me tell ya YUMMY. Of course after 25 Min's I went back into the pool to freeze again, and shortly went back into the hot tub.
It really was quite exhilarating!

It's back to NJ tomorrow- have fun while I can!

If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams (1957 - )

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

what a difference a day makes

yesterday when I arose it was 80 degrees AND muggy here in Florida
we went shopping pretty near all day, then had friends over for supper
we had roast pork, baked potato, salad, asparagus, rolls and dessert of either yogurt pie or strawberries & cream over pound cake.

during dinner it started to rain, lightning & thunder AND rain AND rain! wind a blowing and did I say RAIN and the temp started to plummet

this morning it's 50 degrees and still a bit windy. cool in fact, however it still beats the 27 degrees in MD & NJ! we were thinking about going to a baseball game, but we may wait till tomorrow and hope it warms a bit.

NAVEL ORANGES are WONDERFUL right now!

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.
Anne Frank (1929 - 1945), Diary of a Young Girl, 1952

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

24 hours

The last 24 hours has been jammed!

The kiddos waked me yest am yelling "Mommy hurt her leg", I come downstairs to find out she has dropped a frozen chichen on it! O My

To top it off I really didn't want to get up as my throat was killing me, I didn't sleep in my bed and didn't have my C-PAP!

After delivering the children to school (we have to drive them every day
back & forth as is private school & no busses)!

I looked on the computer for what had happened during the night; Castro resigned!, the Pres & wife are in Africa, oil prices are going up AGAIN!, the satellite shootdown is postponed(I am flying on Sunday-I hope it doesn't affect the flight, a young collegiate couple are missing-Providence& NJ, another hurricaine hit the south, the biggest frog in the world was found, AND we prob will miss the lunar eclipse due to snow.

After school we all decided to go to the doc! EEK 4 children to sit in a waiting room! Daughter had the foresite to take their homework with them. Her foot is not broken, but I have strept throat and needed an antibiotic- so we had to then go to pharmacy. My perscription card had a glitch, but the pharmacist squared it away so I could have the meds for the $9.00 fee instead of the real med price. After 2 pills I am feeling somewhat better,BUT not 100%

Then they had to have dinner, baths & bed!

This morn-another 2 doc visits- the 4yr old & 9yr old have sore throats. And daughter is feeling it too. They are all clear thank God.
On the way back it started to snow! and that's my 24hrs- how about you!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

for the advent

Today I recieved this in an email, and couldn't help for my blogger friends to see and enjoy. Quite inspirational! Enjoy


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Saturday, February 16, 2008

grandchildren diddies

Was in NJ last week and had a phone call every day from my youngest grandchild-When are coming home granny! Even had a voice mail from him. Right now he is rubbing my back-he said he has been waiting to do that-yum feels good!

There are candy wrappings all around the house-had valentines day here for sure!

My granddaughters presented me with 2 bouquets of flowers and big smiles across their faces-look what we got for you granny! One with roses and the other with gerber daisies-what a nice surprise-can't do candy! even my daughter remembered my advent fastings, actually she remembers it better than me at times.

Daughter made homemade chicken noodle soup-I felt was good and tasty, the kiddos --some liked some didn't. it had too much chicken in it-go figure.

Despite the age difference in the boys-they get along quite well, now they are doing video games together-they take turns and no-one has to tell them! You should see them when they decide to run around the house and chase each other-EEK you should hear the noise.

The oldest twin has taken to making stuff for me out of her aluminium foil from lunch every day. I make a fuss over it and she gets a great big smile. Actually she is quite artistic! So far I have a horse head, a pencil holder, a duck, a manta ray and a fish. I am just hoping I don't get food poisoning from them being on my wall! The cat has taken at least one of them down.

It's Sat am and we have our last basketball game today. Not till 3:45pm don't know why so late-owell, just grin and bear it!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

book mark

book marked
I found this meme and found intriquing- how about you?

Pick up the nearest book
(of at least 123 pages).

Open the book to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the next three sentences.

Tag five people: Zelda, Merci, Mollie Malone, Pax Romano,& POP


"Our hearts pounded in our throats. I wondered how long it would be before wild-eyed, drug-crazed cultists on motorcycles stumbled across our camp. 'Well, lookit what we got heer!'

from Vol.#2 of "Weird NJ"
I love the Weird NJ series! Pictures and all!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Tornado

Interactive Map
Storm Damage Across the South
"Many had spent a harrowing Tuesday night punctuated by breaking glass and warning sirens as the tornadoes tossed trailer homes into the air, collapsed the roof of a Sears store in Memphis, whittled away half a Caterpillar plant near Oxford, Miss., and shredded dorms at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where crews rescued nine students trapped in the rubble."
'New York Post'

My heart goes out to all involved in these tornado's! Holy cow how many were there in one day! Was it 68 or something like that? And 50 dead so far! As in my post "As Winter Wind Blows" -I don't like the strong wind very much. It gives me an eeire, creepy feeling! Makes my insides crawl! The wind is blowing here in MD today, but not the force it blew in those southern states!

I can't even imagine what these folk felt! or are now going through. I do pray they have great family and friends to turn to in this time!

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

ASH WEDNESDAY

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
-1 Peter 2:9 (NRSV)



On this eve of Ash Wednesday(Shrove Tuesday), I sit here and contemplate the next six weeks.
One of my resolutions this year was to read more scripture and be nearer to Him. So thought I would share one with you today.
My religion does not require or realy advocate "giving up something for" Lent, however as I search my faith/spiritual practises don't think it will harm anybody.
So with that said, along with my New Years Resolution named above, I am fasting from chocolate & ice cream. I also want to do some type of exercise daily.
I am trying to rid myself of a few unwanted Christmas holiday pounds so it can't hurt anyway!

Can you even believe it's Ash Wednesday already!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

As Winter Wind Blows

The wind is piercing thru the branches of barren trees
the trash cans are wanting to leave the yard & street
the bows of the trees are bending to the ground
As Winter Wind Blows.

The chimney's howling like a tornado is passing
the wires on the roof are dancing to and fro
Even the tv scrambles it's signal
As Winter Wind Blows

Nothing can be done about it
It's Mother Nature blowing for you to know she is still there
Be calm inside even if you feel like yelling
As Winter Wind Blows

There's food in the fridge
the heater is running and supper is cooking on the stove
You could be on the street with not even a blanket to heat
As Winter Wind Blows

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Anne Bradstreet (1612 - 1672), 'Meditations Divine and Moral,' 1655


Monday, January 28, 2008

winners!

The time left on the scoreboard is 5.5 seconds, score 22-20 our favor, the basketball is in the opponents hands! Forward they go to the hoop, up, up & away the ball goes-MISSED- Hooray, yells, screams, & shouts of joy for the winners. This is the first win they have had all basketball season. Everyone is agreed winning is such fun & exciting. Let me catch my breath! What a great feeling for me how must these 8-9 year olds feel. They only have a few games left for the season. They have been taught to loose humbly. Plus they have grown & learned so much of basketball this season. They really look so improved. Now, can they win with humility also!

This is not fictional this is my 8 year old grandsons game on Saturday. They have truly known the agony of defeat, winning is glorious for them. For most of them it is their first year of playing basketball, but they have gelled and grown so much on & off the basketball field. From listening to others they eat, drink and sleep basketball as my grandson does.

At one time I heard a parent say,"why are our kids so nice on the playing field?" Is this a bad thing one questions? They have toughened up a bit, but still play fairly! We do have so much fun at the games. All the parents have been so supportive for the kids.
They have learned life lessons on that court. To work as a team, to listen carefully to each other and authority, to practise to make oneself better, to share and to loose gracefully.
Now lets see how the rest of the season goes.

The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.
Martina Navratilova (1956 - )

Friday, January 25, 2008

Safety Harbor Florida

My hubby and I purchased a home in an over 55 community the first part of January. We are planning on being snow birds for awhile. My youngest grandson is still not in school. He doesn't start kinder garden till next September. Where he goes is only a half day program. We had promised our youngest daughter we would help her out till he is in school full time with child care. Sure ties us down, but guess we will be doing.

I absolutely love the place. It has been completely renovated, just so the lady who owned could sell it. It is a single story double wide. It has three bedrooms, 2 complete baths, a dining room, kitchen & living room. It also has a storage shed/workroom for the hubby and a screened in lanai. Burber carpet throughout except in Bathrooms & kitchen/dining room-which has linoleum & pergo. All new appliances! AND COMPLETELY PAID FOR!

Our eldest daughter who is handicapped is moving with us. She quit her job and flew the coop too. It should be great for her as they have swimming pool, community activities, hot tub, miniature golf, fishing lake. Just they pool alone will be quite advantageous for her as she loves swimming and is quite good therapy as well. We will put job hunting on hold for awhile as she needs a break! LOL. My hubby also has problems with arthritis so the weather and pool/hot tub good for him.
Safety Harbor is a small community on Tampa Bay West side. Is is pretty close to Tampa/Clearwater/St Pete. We probably will take in some spring training of the Phillie's as #1 daughter is a Phillie Fanatic if ya ever saw one. She acts like she knows the players one & all. Stats, families, just everything about em. She is fun to watch a game with she yells and hollers and ya feel like you are actually at the game.

Well we moved some stuff, to get started with from our place in NJ. #1 daughter & I went by plane and Hubby & #4 grandson took the ole U-HAUL. God bless my hubby, I don't think I would have ventured with the four old on a trip with a U-haul so many miles! But in retrospect he said he was very good. It took them 2 days and they stayed overnight in a hotel somewhere in S.C. Knowing my hubby they prob would have made it in one day, but moving all the stuff into the truck wore him out!

We stayed with my good friend in Palm Harbor while we moved the stuff in. Thank God we have her & her family! Her place is a whole 4 1/2 miles from our place! Moving the stuff in was FUN! Packing/unpacking again! Especially with a four old a foot! I think I am getting good at this ole moving stuff now! Doesn't make it any easier though. Hope this will be the last move we make, except when we sell the house in NJ and get rid of those things.

I had to come on back to NJ and Hubby & #1 dau are planning on staying there until May sometime. I am gonna plan to go down monthly more or less.
So that's the move and I wonder why I am tired this week!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Danielisms

Just a short post am still getting over the move to Florida and the return to up north.

While driving back to MD from NJ, when Daniel saw the snow said-"when I get home I am gonna play out in the snow till the sun goes down". I had another idea since the thermometer read 20! FUNNY ONE DAY IN 70 DEGREE WEATHER AND THINKING OF SWIMMING AND 20 DEGREES THE NEXT.

What a blessing to see the kiddos all reunited- you can see the love they share! They got Danny a cake to welcome him home and he even had to have candles and them sing to him!

While driving around looking at the snow and ice, Daniel said " the ice is iceolating isn't it?" Can anyone explain that to me, but it sounded cute. Daughter said she thought it meant it was isolating.

This am he came to me and said "grandma can you get the quarter out of my underwear?' I looked all over and in and out of the undies and I couldn't find it. He laughed at me and stuck his hand in the little "pocket" boys undies have in them and pulled out three quarters- A new form of piggy bank I think!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

IRONY?

Today just out of the blue my 4year old grandson came out of the living room where he was playing with his Pirate Ship and asked, "Granma-Where does CO2 come from?" I looked at my daughter and she looked at me, both incredulously shaking our heads. Just by what has been said today, etc where did he get this from! SO I answered the best I could and he demonstrated how we exhale CO2. Did I ever ask this kind of question when I was 4! I surely doubt it, but then I think with tv, videos, books etc they are bombarded with so mush more. That is one sure reason their tv etc should be monitored closely!

Then to the Irony part- I was looking at Treehugger.com and below is what I read! Go figure!

Today's Tip from Planet Green: Put your computer to sleep.Allowing your PC to get some shut-eye when it's not in use can chalk up significant environmental and financial savings. In the computer and models recently tested by Consumer Reports, putting your computer to sleep for 12 hours out of 24 would save about 576 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, or around $44 in dough. Turning off the computer would save even more, of course, although new PCs made within the last three years use very little energy in sleep/standby mode.Monitors and displays, on average, draw twice as much power as your CPU does when left on (yes, even with that flashy screen saver you stitched together from your vacation photos), so configure your power-management options to put your PC and monitor into sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity. Still, hitting the off button is your best bet-a couple of clicks is all it takes to do your part for the planet. ::More at Planet Green

Next he will be asking what a carbon marker or carbon footprint is! Fortunately, so far I have been able to come up with reasonable/reliable answers without having to look them up, but I know this won't last forever! My older grandson regularly has me looking online for something and we learn together!
and how is your day!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

MEME

OK folks I have been tagged for this meme by a couple of folks now and it has taken me awhile to figure out how to do, and also time to figure out the 8 things. I am to write 8 random things about myself of which not much is known about me- I am pretty much an open book, so in this I found the difficulty. SO here goes

1. I am aiming at being a better person. That means kinder , more tolerant. I am also trying to be more Christ centered in all I do. They are some great challenges.

2. In my life I have wanted to be an opera singer, teacher, good mom & grandma, a good nurse, a great friend & wife.

3. I love to watch people- I can watch just about anywhere or time. People are just plain fascinating. Young , Old , in between. I love their interpersonal relationships, crying, laughing. The ones that think they are above any one else- I could go on forever. The best places to people watch are the mall & the beach, and of course restaurants. The one thing I hate when I watch is when I see an adult belittle a child-I just want to go up and smack them for the child!

4. I suffer from depression/seasonal affective disorder(I hope Floridian sun will help with that!)
It really is a PIA to have it. Most of the time I try and cover it up with humor, however sometimes it just plain overtakes me. I do take meds for it. Christmas/ this time of year are really bad for me. This Christmas was not that much fun emotionally for me although I did actually have a great time thru the tears of depression.

5. I am now in the buying jitters for the new place. We have the money etc, but can't help being nervous. Did we do the right thing, are we gonna be happy,when do I get to spend more time down there, when will we sell up north & the list could go on forever.

6. Although many folks think I am quite outgoing & personable- I find myself shy. Don't laugh guys. When I am with new folk it takes me awhile to open up before I can be the crazy mommajax most of ya know.

7. I love the beach- walking on it, lying on it, watching the waves the sunset, whatever. I love the smells, the breeze against my face. I even like ti during a storm with the waves crashing! O such beauty God has made for us to enjoy!

8. Lastly I had a pretty good Nursing career- didn't feel I "burned out" too much. Felt it was a good career choice- helped put kids thru college and paid the bills. Met some lifelong friends along the way. Helped some folks thru their bad & good times on Earth, delivered a baby, watched one die. Worked with housebound, in hospital, in nursing homes- in all had quite a varied experience. Have watched nursing go thru some real changes over the past 30 years from hand servant to well respected part of the medical community.

So there are my 8 for whatever they are worth, Now I challenge 8 others: Zelda, Merci, Pax, JT,
Craver, CHICKEN, Shoe, & Carol

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Gifts/Cyrus

Cyrus, twin #2 & oldest grandson



Twin #1 & youngest grandson
youngest grandson
"looks like sking to me!"

For this Christmas we have a visitor we have loved for years! Cyrus, one of our past exchange students from Sweden came to visit. What fun he is, with a great sense of humor and generosity! He was born in the US, his father Iranian and mom Swedish! Now isn't that a mix of cultures! Always puts a different slant on things. He recently moved to Albuquerque NM to work and study there. In July he finished up his Masters degree and is working to get into one of 3 PHD programs(MIT,Hopkins & somewhere in California) I vote for Hopkins so he will be closer.

So far we have had Smorgastorta( sandwich cake thing-he made), Gloog( a drink) and had vegetarian dishes as he is vegetarian now. All were good eating & drinking.

For the kiddos' Christmas gift he wanted to give them them a trip to a ski slope, and to teach them to ski. In Pennsylvania about 2 1/2 hours from here in MD. Their mom didn't want them to go as she was afraid someone would get hurt (just a mommabear caring for her cubs). As you can see by the pics she finally relented and we all packed up and went. Of course he wanted all of us to gear up and ski, even our physically disabled daughter, but I said no to that one. I had been on ski's once in my life and that was enough for me. I did, however coax my daughter to let them go as it would be a great experience and he really wanted to do it.
He had them up on the bunny slope in no time at all. They seemed to really enjoy it. We had no actual mishaps, except the little guy who didn't like running into the fence one time. At one point in the day he took off ski's and poles ran all the way down the hill and said "I gotta go pee". When we saw him running down the hill we thought O NO he got hurt or something. Seemed like they all liked just sitting back on the ski's and sliding down the hill, and falling.
They would have skied forever I think. The little guy wanted to bring the ski's home and practise- even though we have no snow at present. They all chirped in "they wanted to go back again tomorrow".
Worst part of day was getting the right boots fitted for the skis & the drive back home-bumper to bumper. Best part of the day- having Cyrus accomplish what he set out to do & seeing my grandkids ski for the first time and laugh with cheers of glee!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Cookie Party

I wrote this almost to the conclusion and somehow lost it in the blogosphere so here goes again

I was invited to a Cookie Party Exchange at a co-worker/friend home. I said that seems like fun!
I LOOKED OVER THE COOKIE RECIPES TO FIND ONE THAT WASN'T TOO DIFFICULT TO MAKE- THEY TOLD ME TO DO AN EASY ONE AS WE HAD TO MAKE 12 DOZEN- 1 TO TASTE TEST & THE OTHER 11 TO THE OTHER COOKIE MAKERS. they WERE ALSO JUDGED FOR ATTRACTIVENESS OF PACKAGING.


I settled on a Lemon Meltaway Cookie-not too hard, but was cooking at my daughters with a four yr old helping and the "new heater" installers about the house. At one time I thought to myself- how dumb am I? I can't even convert the recipe to make 12 dozen. It took me three days to complete this task. I even purchased 2 sets of 12 plates to package the cookies. The first set was too large to display only a dozen.

I have figured I need to get away from the children more? I even drove from Md to NJ to attend this event only to have to drive back to Md the next day to watch the kids. My daughter even had to find someone to cover for her until her ex would take the kids so I could get off earlier to get to NJ in time!

ALAS-the party was such fun! Great food to eat & drinks. And seeing some old friends from work I hadn't seen since retiring. AND conversing with someone closer to my age!

The cookies were judged from unbiased folk-no one had entered a cookie. Mine didn't win in the taste test or the packaging, but it well worth my efforts to attend.

Now I have twelve dozen cookies to share at the holidays, if of course we haven't devoured before then. In case you're wondering the cookie that won was a chocolate covered cracker with peanut butter thing-AND they are yummy! The packaging was won by a cookie that looked like coal in an old coal container.
We shall find peace. We shall hear the angels, we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
Anton Chekhov (1860 - 1904), 1897

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

A Snapshot of 2007

Well folks we are starting to close down another year,
For me it has been quite a bear. Have been able to Blog- humm didn't think that possible for me. Many changes, distractions, etc so here goes:

I had major surgery on the second day of the year to fix a surgery just before Christmas, which ended up with a week in hospital ICU stay. As a result I have no belly button any longer. Never used it after I was born, but sometimes miss it.

Decided to stay in NJ after all and have made some modifications to the ole homestead. Probably will do more.

Went on a few vacations-Colorado, Florida a few times and to the Pocono's(Nursing School Reunion).

Have made more trips to Maryland than I would have wanted. Took the annual anniversary trip with the whole family, to the Dutch Country.

Retired from a 30 year Nursing career and took a job as NANNY for the grandchildren. That has been rewarding and also very tiring at times. Still Love the kiddos. I have been helped, by the children, see things thru the eyes of a child. Have given spankings and still get huggs & kisses every day! Didn't have chance to be stay at home mom with my kids, but am now doing it thru fire(sometimes). Have helped my daughter remodel her 80 year old home-LOTS OF WORK THERE!

Contracted the dreaded Lyme Disease, had all the symptoms even the bullseye rash, but took awhile to finally come the that diagnosis as was in Colorado when the fever, chills, muscle aches and pains started. Man what headaches & muscle tetany I had. Was glad when the antibiotic started and I got some relief. Also, did have to go thru 2 rounds of antibiotics. Am glad my doc listens to me! And tested me for it and also continued the antibiotics longer than he thought he should. I am feeling pretty good from that, but still get tired or is that old age? Aside from me rest of family have been pretty healthy-Thank GOD!

We got a kitten, Angel, left in our back yard. Nursed it till now seems like a healthy, growing and amusing cat of 6 months, that the grandchildren say is there's.

Am purchasing a place in Florida to be Snow Birds until the little one gets into school! I can't wait- it is almost brand new. Will have to furnish with new things., etc. Can't wait till we can move there full time as the ole bones need the warmer climate!

With retiring sure miss some of the friends at work. However the TRUE friends will continue to be with me wherever we go. I appreciate their kindness and faithfulness to an ole kook! I also have been quite blessed by my Nursing School buddies after all these years as we continue to be in my life!
AND finally I have a loving family & church family that get me thru these days. SO how was your year?
Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.
Wally 'Famous' Amos (1936 - )

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

D is for Danny

Been spending lots of time with #2 grandson of late, guess that's part of being nanny-granny.
The other day we had our trip to the local library where he goes to a book reading then plays on the computer. (any folk with small children should take em to the library-it's free, educational, and best of all keeps em outta your hair for a bit whilst you read or in my case do homework).
One problem with the library we go to is, they have a book drop outside which he is completely fascinated with. For some reason I can't get him to understand you are not supposed to put gifts of dried leaves & rocks into it. He likes to leave the librarian presents!

After library time we indulge at the local Mc'D's- this one is quite special as it has a gigantic playground indoors. He can eat his usual happy meal of chicken nuggets, french fries & ketchup. I have never seen one person like ketchup so much. My daughter even asked the doctor if it were a problem. She said does he eat other things don't worry about it, it is a phase he will grow out of. He is a little man eating his meal quietly and mannerly. Then he goes on the play equipment. By the time you leave there you have a wonderful headache as 1/2 the towns kids under 5 are there at lunchtime.
I was quite pleased with him the other day: another rug rat was continually pulling at his shirt around the neck, I said to myself ONO we are gonna have a problem-he is only gonna take that tugging for a certain amount of time and he is going to retaliate, but to my surprise he held his cool. I wouldn't have! I would have pushed back or something. Dan is a rough and tumble kid, but enough is enough. I can't believe the other kids momma didn't say anything, well she was engrossed in her conversation- the kid could have left Mc'D's and she wouldn't have known!
After all the play is finished we get ice cream- the happy meal comes with a free very small cone- I get that and he gets a sundae- the wait staff think it's funny. I really don't need the extra calories and he certainly works them off!

Today was the advent of our first snow here in the northeast- he was loving playing in it. Throwing snowballs at granny was quite humorous! We had to go get gloves & hat so he could play longer. I had one terrible time getting him in the house after he had played out there for quite awhile. It was almost dark. he was afraid the snow would be gone tomorrow. He kept saying he wasn't cold. He assured me the snow here in NJ was better than the snow at his mom's in MD.

O to be a kid again with all that wonderful energy & imagination! Plus not getting cold in the snow- doesn't get better than that!
Be gentle with the young.
Juvenal (55 AD - 127 AD)

The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.
King Edward VIII (1894 - 1972)

Outings are so much more fun when we can savor them through the children's eyes.
Lawana Blackwell, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter, 1998

Friday, November 30, 2007

Cats in the Kitchen Kitten in the BR Sink-FFF

Here's Angel the cat, we rescued from the back yard. He is growing nicely, but I find him in the most unusual places! The bathroom sink @ my daughters is one place. Oh and he likes the toilet paper-he doesn't care which side it's put on-he loves to unroll it & make my daughter crazy! The kiddos think it is their cat and my hubby argues it is his!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thanksgiving

I can remember as a child going to my grandparents home for Thanksgiving. We'd have turkey and all the fixings plus grannies chicken & dumplings. I would get my own chocolate pie. I don't know why I was given that distinction as Grannie had 10 children and lots of grandchildren. But I was given my own pie. I could share if I wanted but no-one but me could cut it for the first piece. She was an unbelievable woman my Grannie and we all knew it and were thankful for her.

As time passed and my parents became grandparents we started having the Thanksgiving at their place. My mom was a great cook, and did she ever like to cook. I would love to have a piece of her apple-walnut sour cream cake right now! Unfortunately, that recipe went with her to the grave.

Before the meal prayer was said and everyone took a turn saying what they were grateful for over the year. It was such a delightful time. Some would write down their thanks in a prayer or a poem. Some would say OK let's get to the eating part. We would always try and sit everyone at the same time, but that didn't always work. After the meal the women would do the dishes and the guys would watch football.

More time passes and I find myself maker of the annual Thanksgiving meal. What allot of work. We continued the part of everyone saying what they were thankful for and the prayer. I found myself doing much of the cleanup. Everyone else would watch TV or sleep. Then one day, I said I have had enough. I got myself and my nieces and nephews dressed and we went out back for a walk and looked for rocks. Every person had to get a favorite rock to bring back to their parent. That year we also searched high and low for my invisible dog. the kiddos still remember that year and we talk of it with much laughter. That was the last year I hosted the Thanksgiving meal. I passed the mantle to my younger brothers family.

That leads us to 2007- my hubby & older daughter decided to take a quick trip to Florida. To the warmth and a close family friends home. But alas, we didn't have the turkey meal, prayer or the saying of what we were thankful for. You see were in the air flying back to South Jersey as most of the folks in the United States were enjoying their meal. The funny part is I miss having turkey leftovers, pumpkin pie, mince meat pie & sweet potato pie. candied sweet potatoes, homemade cole slaw and fresh green beans cooked the way granny & mom did em. I missed my grand kids and little spats over who would sit where.

So- what am I thankful for! Family, friends, days past & present, health to enjoy it, A loving hubby, kids and grand kids & God who lets it all happen!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Commercials

I am one of those people who just turn off commercials mentally when they are on. Folks ask me did you see the commercial "xyz" and I just have no clue- I probably do some of my best thinking during commercials- after all ya have almost three minutes of them whenever they are on. It has to be really something for me to see.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
To me they are plain stupid! Who on Earth needs to see a guy in a red wig advertise what? When one does catch my eye -I almost always have to ask someone-so what were they advertising? Maybe I am the stupid one-some I just don't get even when explained.
I am very grateful when the ones about the elections are over-they are relentless!
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
With all that said I do like some of them the first time-not the sixtieth time I have seen!
I am a visual person, and believe me I would never buy something just because it was advertised on tv. In fact, if the commercial is shown too much I may even say I will NOT buy that product. I may be in the minority on this one- I do not think the Geigo cave men commercials are cute-eek, I'd rather see the gecko!
One I do like and other bloggers have remarked on it the one with the little guys walking down the street in their own cute way with backpacks as big as they are- a dance like thing.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

humble pie

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

Nothing puts me down more quickly than the first cold of the season! I can hardly get my head off the pillow! Want to sleep the day away. Get up to get something to drink & to eliminate and then I find myself back on the bed!
Thanks for medi-stops I was able to see a doc last evening-my doc is away & I couldn't be seen by one of the partners till who knows when!
With the antibiotic & cough med I am back in bed again!
Drove home from MD yesterday just to get to see a doc, making myself more tired!
I even fell asleep when I was talking on the phone with my grandson!
I get so darn guilty when I am the sick one-why is that? Just give in to it momma and get yourself back into bed-that's what you would tell everyone else to do.
see ya! in my dreams!

Monday, November 05, 2007

CHANGE

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.
Harrison Ford (1942 - ), quoted by Garry Jenkins in 'Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero


TODAY MY #2 DAUGHTER IS HAVING LASIK SURGERY- SHE IS A BIT SCARED, BUT EXCITED AS WELL. SHE HAS WORN GLASSES SINCE SHE WAS 8 YEARS OLD. SHE PRETTY MUCH WEARS COKE BOTTLES NOW AND IS IN REALITY LEGALLY BLIND. IF SHE MISPLACES HER GLASSES SOMEONE HAS TO FIND THEM FOR HER. I EXPECT ALL TO GO WELL, SHE IS HAVING ONE OF THE FOREMOST SURGEONS IN THE COUNTRY DO IT. SHE HAS WAITED FOR QUITE AWHILE TO DO. I THOUGHT SHE SHOULD WAIT TILL THE PROCEDURE WAS PERFECTED. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER REACTION WHEN SHE GETS IT DONE LATER TODAY.I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GOOD EYESIGHT SO I CAN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND HER NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. HOWEVER AGE IS DEFINITELY CREEPING UP ON ME SO MUST WEAR FOR READING- WHAT A PIA. SO GOOD LUCK TO HER!

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Just some tidbits

A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air.
Eric Sloane

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before.
Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

I guess I will never stop being a nurse, although retired. I still care for the human spirit & being, guess I am a terminal optimist! Sometimes I miss the touch of, helping through an illness of a perfect stranger. Friends and family still ask for my input about their specific problems, sometimes I feel like I am a mother to many.
Any way, while reading this am, on the net found this about E.Coli. This is a germ which causes diarrhea & abdominal pain & cramping/bloating- not much fun if ya have it.
Two recalls in food products:
Totino's/Jeno's Pizza of General Mills products
American Chef's Angus Beef Patties in Twin Cities from Sam's Club

I often wonder: how these products go through all the processing, etc. still come out infected?
What we can do to make our world more safe?
What we can do to get the word out more quickly about such problems? (the one about the Beef Patties was initially found in the summer and we are just now hearing about it-telling folks to check their freezers)

I presume we are better off than foreign countries without the checks and balances, but!

So be careful what you buy, cook adequately, to directions on the packages, wash hands frequently with warm soapy water AND hope for the best.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

silence

There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub. Helen Kuebler Ross

Humm great thought Helen, however where do we find silence? She says even in the bathtub! Silence is not something I hear too much of! However, I do find the peace she speaks of in the most unusual places.
In my car of all places-I will be driving along and all of a sudden become overcome with peace! Am I nuts or something? I look at the trees, the rivers, and just place myself on a mountaintop! I also find that peace when in bed with the big guy-just him & I lying there together. I guess he makes me feel protected or something like that.
How about when all the kiddos have finally settled for the night and a calm comes over the house.
How about when you have been away from your home for awhile(like vacation), you open the door and such peace fills ya!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Friday's Ramblings

Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best. Henry Van Dyke

MRSA
Experts recommend practicing good hygiene. That includes: Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cleaning and covering cuts and scrapes until they are healed. Avoiding contact with other people's wounds or bandages. Avoiding sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, razors and towels.
MSRA infections have garnered much news coverage recently.MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staph is a very common bacterium, present on the skin or in the noses of about 20 percent to 30 percent of the population. It's usually nothing to worry about. MRSA is a strain of staph that has become resistant to treatment with antibiotics, including penicillin, amoxicillin, oxacillin, methicillin and others. That makes MRSA harder to treat than regular staph infections.
Staph infections start out as mild infections on the skin, showing up as pimples or boils. Infections with garden-variety staph are easily treated in most cases. Both staph and MRSA can cause more-serious skin infections or they can lead to pneumonia or infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract, or the lining of the brain. Surgical wounds are often prime targets for these germs.
Skin-to-skin contact with a person who carries MRSA is believed to be the most common way people get MRSA in the community. In this situation, people who are otherwise healthy may get a skin infection with MRSA. It's also possible to get MRSA from surfaces that are contaminated with the germ, but this is less likely than person-to-person contact.
There hasn't been a sudden increase. Drug-resistant staph germs have been spreading across the country for years now, causing deaths from time to time. How is MRSA treated if it is resistant to antibiotics? MRSA is usually treated with Vancomycin, but Bactrim has been known to be effective.
But the best cure is PREVENTION-Wash those hands folks!

DROUGHT

Well here in the Northeast it has been raining for the past couple of days, It is a rain that the gardeners/farmers are most welcome to see! It rains awhile, clears up and then rains again. Not the gully washing type that the ground can't consume! (at least there is no lake in my backyard)! I wish we could send some of it to those poor folks in California!

FREE RICE

Found a fun site-can play for awhile and also provide the needy with grains of rice. You have to match your word knowledge with answers. give it a try, you may provide some much needed rice to the less needy! http://www.freerice.com

ABLATION
Daughter #1 had her thyroid ablation this week, hopefully she will start feeling better. And may even go back to work? She has nodules on her thyroid that are precancerous, ablation is supposed to kill the thyroid and the nodules. Much better than the knife!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Free Lunch?

I rec'd this as an email, but thought interesting enough to be read on the blog. This is an interesting "story" to ponder.

There was a chemistry professor in a large college that had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt.The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government.

In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?'The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd.Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America. The government keeps pushing us toward Communism/Socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc. while we continually lose our freedoms- just a little at a time.

One should always remember 'There is no such thing as a free Lunch! Also, 'You can never hire someone to provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America, you might want to send this on to your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably delete this email, but God help you when the gate slams shut!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

happenings in mommanator land

Went to Florida and had a wonderful time at the friends house! The weather was unbelievable!

When the hubby and I returned the first thing out of his mouth was-'Lets go back- it looks so dark and dismal here'. I had to put on a light jacket as the weather had really turned whilst away! Our family is rethinking a move to Florida, my hubbies arthritis didn't bother him at all while we were down there.

Next a.m. it was 46 on my back porch! oyeh- for those of you that have been wanting the fall to arrive! Has been an unusual fall thus far- the trees don't have as wonderful Autumn look. Noticed today while driving the kiddos, some geese were traveling north- the trees and the birds are confused!

Have been back in Maryland this week- what did we do today! We tore up carpet and put down some linoleum- that was great fun with a four year old helping! However it didn't take as long as expected- we started 9:30am and finished somewhere around 1pm.

All the festivities of fixing the floor of the dining room stopped when I got a call that one of my cousins had suddenly died! He was 62, fairly healthy, but guess he had an undiagnosed aneurysm that ruptured. They aren't exactly sure! That stopped me in my tracks. I just have so much trouble believing he died., but it happens.

Just wanted to write about that to encourage all to keep smiling, if you've argued- apologise, call someone you have been thinking about-for you don't know what the next day or minute has in store for ya!

I pray you bear me henceforth from the noise and rumour of the field, where I may think the remnant of my thoughts in peace, and part of this body and my soul with contemplation and devout desires.
William Shakespeare
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.
William Shakespeare

Sunday, October 07, 2007

things that bump in the night

last night my daughter and I were intently watching "Law & Order Criminal Intent" and all of a sudden something went 'Bang' like a gun or something dropping etc. We looked at each other 'What in the world was that" after much trepidation we both got up and started looking.

My first instinct was the big guy fell out of bed, or the cat had knocked something over. After much inspection we went in the kitchen- there was dough on the floor. You see, an old canister of biscuits had exploded in the trash can. I had thrown out early as I thought they had expired.

Whew that was fun!

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), Unpopular Essays (1950), "Outline of Intellectual Rubbish"

Thursday, October 04, 2007

reunion



Went to the Poconos for another nursing school reunion- we are all celebrating our 60th birthdays! Was a lovely ride from South Jersey. Picked up a couple of others going. The weather was wonderful- just warm enough, no rain, & sunny. We are planning a reunion in Hawaii for our 40th Nursing school reunion. There were 2 more there, but they had to leave early and the one taking the pic.
Many folks can't believe we are still getting together after all these years. It is more of a sisterhood than a class. We don't have any significant others come like hubbies, children etc.
We can talk freely about stuff. We reminisce about old times, and some of the things we did when. IE, about the time I put an upperclassman's room furniture on the roof of the school, because she was absolutely torturing me during the first weeks of freshmen year. I think she thought twice before waking me up every night around 3am, pouring water on my floor and stacking all kinds of things in front of my door during the night.

Then there is eating, drinking, singing, dancing to the oldies, and don't forget about feeding the deer that walk all over the place. We were told this time that there were bear sightings there where we go, So we were not going out at night! OO and we also get up and walk for exercise! One of the gals does all the cooking. She lives alone now and loves to cook- so let her! and can she cook!
A great time was had by all- at least I know by the emails & talk on the way home! So we will be
doing again- as long as we can make it and you all know that 60 is the new 40 so we will be doing until we are on canes and crutches!

Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more. Mark TwainUS humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit (1835 - 1910)
Publish

Friday, September 28, 2007

Vacation

I am going on a vacation again to visit friends in Tampa Fla. I sat and wondered what I am vacationing from as now am retired-5 months already. Looked up the word vacation and realised it had many meanings! AND I guess I CAN take a vaca from my normal activities, to clear my mind and spirit only to come home and do more of the same!

I think of my life as mini vacations at the present! Retired from Nursing, however, a week in Maryland and a week in New Jersey. Which one is truly the vacation! A HA can you guess! I do different things in each place but weirdly the same- cook, clean take care of some. I know one thing for sure there are not enough hours in the day!

Am taking a course offered by the church on the book of Daniel (by Beth Moore) in Maryland. Taking a second study at my church on "Be a Woman of Character'. I hope I can keep them straight!
For those of you who find yourselves driving allot get some books on tape! What a great way to pass the time! Currently am on a series by Clive Custler- I would never read these books, but find them most interesting while driving! My hubby has and has read every book
by Custler and he thinks the tapes give the books a different flavor.

Travel, trouble, music, art, A kiss, a frock, a rhyme - I never said they feed my heart, But still they pass my time.
-Dorothy Parker, Faute de Mieux

Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them. T. S. Eliot

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

conversation

Few are agreeable in conversation, because each thinks more of what he intends to say than of what others are saying, and listens no more when he himself has a chance to speak.
Francois de La Rochefoucauld

I found this quote today and read a couple of times and thought-WOW is that true or what!
How many times have you been in conversation and thought(or said) if you would just listen to me before you answer! or have you listened at all to what I said! or better yet- why do I even talk they aren't listening anyway!
How about when asked "how are you"- does anyone ever listen to the answer? I have sometimes tested this one and said- terrible or sick or some other stupid word- people are too much on their own agenda or planet-
Sometimes when talking with a VERY vocal person- I will not say anything even when they are finished. Just to see if they will listen to me. I give them much time to finish AND sometimes even then they aren't finished. I will even say to some "are you finished, or can I speak now"
As pax would say are we listening to one hand clapping in the world!

Monday, September 24, 2007

AN UPDATE

Just wanted all you folk who have been wondering about Zelda of Garden of Eden- she is so much better and I noticed she is back to writing on her blog. check her out and give her words of encouragement- momma

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.
Abraham Lincoln

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Again Giant Eagle!

Hi all- my bi-weekly post on Giant Eagle and my true love for it! HAHA
Went today with my daughter and we tried something new they have. You got this thingamajig(scanner) with your cart WITH bags attached. You are able to scan all you want to purchase as you go, then place in your bag in the cart!
Therefore you have a running total of what you have spent! You can bag as you wish. My daughter has a specific way she likes bagged!
You don't have to put on the conveyor belt and then bag and then put back in the cart!
After finished you go to the cash register and pay and on your way home!
I really liked this feature- I have for years complained of the bagging process and have wanted to devise or invent something to do this. In fact they even trust you have scanned the items.
This week the daughter paid $1.55 per gallon for the gas.

It is a mistake to regard age as a downhill grade toward dissolution. The reverse is true. As one grows older, one climbs with surprising strides.
George Sand (1804 - 1876)

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

A day in the life.

Got up this am with tree of the four grandchildren in bed with me! One was lying across my feet, one was up against my back and luckily the other was on the other side of the bed- O JOY. Have to get up at 6:30 am to get them off to school. I did not exactly want to get up, but smelled the coffee and decided it was easier to get up than wait for the four of them to come get me.

I was gonna do my usual folding of clothes, but the day had other things in mind for me. Cooked breakfast. Many times we eat late so I decided to make dinner early so we could eat early. Decided to make homemade mac and cheese. There is always tons of cheese here.
Tried to do something on the computer, but my youngest decided he needed me to help with puzzles, play dough, etc. Then his mom came back and did school with him, and I could get online.

We went on a field trip. HA!, went across the street to pick apples. What a lovely day for it. Did we walk there? O NO we drove, however while at the "pick your own" farm we managed to walk quite a bit. He wanted to also look at ALL the pumpkins- man there were some really big ones there, great for pumpkin pie I think.
Then off to a thrift shop, that was closed. The young un didn't want to come home so we took him out to lunch. One of those places with a park so he could get more fresh air and play with some other kids. When we got home he now wanted to throw Frisbee-so all of you that think I don't get enough exercise think again!
It was then time to get the others from school! and then HOMEWORK, of course mom had to leave on a field visit so its me and the kids doing homework! We had to practise spelling!
Just got finished and came out here and to my utter surprise the two not doing spelling have "decorated" the floor with mini Lego's! there goes early dinner, will soon be the time
to go to bed and maybe I will have a little time to sew this evening- I will not fold clothes!

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.
Robert Frost

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Just a Quote Today

I could never say this better! Thanks to the Xpatriated Texan
'Xpatriated Texan
A blog by Thurman Hart
Six Years and Still Upside DownSeptember 11th, 2007
Six years ago, the world was turned upside down. As surely as Washington’s defeat of Cornwallis, the falling of the World Trade Center showed that being a superpower is not sufficient protection to deter someone who trades in hatred and fear. Power can never again be measured in sheer numbers of troops, cruise missiles, or even nuclear weapons.
Unfortunately, the sight of George W. Bush frozen in fear before a class of elementary students was but a precursor to the incompetence with which the American retaliation would be handled. Forces were withheld from the battle against Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan in order to pursue a pre-emptive war of choice against Iraq and Sadam Hussein. Even then, the President refused to send sufficient forces into Iraq to secure the post-Sadam peace.
Republicans like to say that “9/11 changed everything”. They are right. Before that, I didn’t believe an American President could display such staggering incompetence, matched only by his inability to admit a mistake. The combination has proven deadly to American soldiers deployed overseas and has bankrupted our treasury for generations. Six long years have passed since that day in 2001 and yet we are no closer today to either catching Osama bin Laden or to securing Iraq.
Democrats are trying desperately to change directions in Iraq, but theyhave been stymied at every turn by President Bush’s Congressional apologists. They preach patience while even more American soldiers fall on the field of battle. Even as report after report has shown that conditions in Iraq are not improving, these so-called “moderates” continue to run interference against the will of the American people.
A hundred and seventy-six years ago William Lloyd Garrison rallied Americans to the cause of immediate abolition of slavery by pointing out that some issues have no “moderate” stance. “Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm,” he said, “tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen.” To that, I would add, “Tell a soldier he may moderately come home from war.”
Enough is enough. It’s time to bring our troops home from Iraq.
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Monday, September 10, 2007

Quite a Scare

Today, while I was caring for the youngest grandchild, I thought I had lost him. We were both outside, me packing up the car to come home. He was playing in the car, pretending to drive, pushing buttons & knobs of every description.
Mother nature called so I said Danny I have to go to the toilet, he said OK grandma. So off into the house I went. He was probably 20 feet or so away from me. When I went back outside, he was no-where to be found. I called and called. looked in all the rooms, even looked under the bed. Went out front and called him too. My heart was starting to skip a few beats and I had quite a sick feeling! Where could he be? Had someone snatched him up in the few minutes I was in the bathroom.
They live on a busy street, but it's rural. Big hill 100 yards out the back. I even went down to see if he was out back playing with the dog. Who was not barking- he is hound- he always barks when cars, people come in the long driveway.
Where was Danny, had someone nabbed him. What would I tell the family, the police, HIS MOTHER!
Don't know what made me , but I went and looked back in the car- he didn't want me to leave without him so he was under a coat in the back of the car, amid the boxes I had packed to come home! I was really releaved when I found him, but of course scolded to never do that again, as he made my heart go into failure. Of course, he said what's that and why not. I told him that I had thought someone had stolen him. He said would they adopt me? Of course, he is 4 and thought it pretty funny he scared Grannyjax. So I simply said get into the house and we'll talk about it some more. I locked the doors and we went and laid on my bed and he was just as content to be there in my arms. I wanted to kill him, but hugged him so tight instead.

One need not be a chamber to be haunted;
One need not be a house;
The brain has corridors
surpassing Material place.
Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Green

While sitting out on the porch this morning watching the cars go by and getting some fresh air, I decided that there were so many greens and most of us know what they are. So thought might be something to post about.

Green-the color of money to most! Green grass, Chartreuse, Sage green, Colorado Blue Spruce, Lime green, avocado green, mint green,Kentucky Blue Grass, neon green, blue-green, the green in the bottom of the pool at the moment-algae, peuce, kelly green, mold on bread, light , dark & medium greens, the green ya get when ya feel sick.

As I continued to sit there I thought of the green slowly going away this fall, however it turns into unbelievable shades of yellow,gold, orange,brown, & red.

How lucky we are to see!

' We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box'. ANON