Not on the road again!

However, I have been travelling again! Went on a cruise to Cozumel. This is a pic on the return trip. A bit cloudy and the water a bit rough.

I have never been on a cruise before. I was always too scared to try as I have pretty severe motion sickness. To my pleasure I didn't really get seasick. I was plagued by the "green apple quickstep". Who in their right mind goes to Mexico and doesn't take either pepto-bismal or immodium! I actually had to buy it there!

I went with my younger dau and a great friend . We had a splendid time. I truly enjoyed the snorkeling & shopping! I spent entirely too much money!

We went with a faith based group, called 'Cruise Chics'-they had planned activities. We had 2 singing groups- "Babby Mason & Beloved" There was also a speaker, Shelly Hendrix. So we had plenty to do, with that and all the ship activities. Next year Oct 13-17 will be the next cruise and will be going to Western Caribbean- if anyone is interested let me know.

Now I am all rested and hit the deck running when I came home. It often amazes me what I do in a week. I don't know how I fit it all in when I was working full time!

(more on the cruise later)

Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.
Tom Robbins (1936 - )

His Will?!

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I have really been pondering this of late. What shall I do, where should I be? Guess I am a bit down? Why you ask? well it may have something to do with the weather change? or maybe my pulse which has been too low? or my feeling just a bit "off"?

With that in mind maybe one of you can interpret a dream I had the other day. It was a doozy.

To begin with it was kinda fun and I really hated to awaken, but life proceeds. Nothing gory.

There was this disembodied head that was floating around. Don't know who the lady was but she had long dark flowing hair. I was with most of my family brothers, sister , daughters etc, We were taking a trip, I think it was by bus., I remember the driver distinctly, he was an gentle older man.

At any rate, Dan was very worried about this lady with no body. He says, " Grandma, Why doesn't she have a body, and just float like that". Of course I couldn't answer. He says, " Grandma I'm gonna find her body so she doesn't have to float around like that". Sure enough later in the dream he finds a body and somehow attaches it and then we all went floating around. It was so much fun.

How Can it BE?

Yes of course, that's The Dan Man with his hand in the air. He is one spunky kiddo, and I love every bit of him. He is so charismatic and animated. He reminds me so much of myself and his momma at this age. Absolutely nothing goes by him without some comment or commentary.
This was at the end of Vacation Bible School I took him to in NJ this summer. They had quite a party afterward. Including confetti.
He went around and picked some up and asked me to put in my pocket for later. Of course I told him at first I didn't want to put into MY pocket, but with a bit of pleading I acquiesced. On the way home from the event, he asked for the confetti back. With guarded thoughts I did give it to him in my car, and of course told him NOT to throw it in my car. He assured me he wouldn't, then asked for POPPIES ashes we had in the car. Can you imagine what was going through my head at this point. (O we have a small mason jar of ashes in the car since the kiddos wanted to disperse some on our vaca)!
Later, I asked him what he did with that confetti. Well he put it in the ashes container. "Grandmom, Poppie needs them to play with, doesn't he!", was his reply. What could this Granny say to that. So now Poppie has confetti to play with in his ashes!

Just a Brief

Well folk, I just wanted everyone to see my warped sense of humor, plus maybe get a smile or laugh out of some?
While travelling this summer I saw this brief case and thought-how many on "WALL STREET" needed one of these. Or how about Lawyers or Doctors or such! Might devalue some's inflated egos a bit AY!

note to self:get out and take some pics!

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
-Confucius

Yes I am still here!

Sorry I haven't written lately, but have been quite busy of late.



Just wanted to write a bit on honesty.

Today I returned something I had purchased about a week ago.

I didn't have the receipt, but took back anyway.

The original price was 34.95 but luckily I had a coupon, a $10 one at that.



Well when I returned it today, they gave me the original purchase price.

I could have just taken the money and run,

but I just couldn't!

I told the clerk about the error. He looked at me strangely, like are you for real.



He thanked me profusely for being so honest. All the while looking at me

like I had 2 heads.

I just couldn't in clear conscious keep it.

I am not saying all this for a pat on the back, just thinking aloud I guess

and wondering how many would just have taken the $10.

A fun memory

Went to an unbelievable concert this evening. One of the ladies whom performed had a gold tooth which I could see from my seat. reminded me of something that happened while we were on vaca.

One day we stopped a Kentucky Fried Chicken . Two clerks behind the counter both had goldteeth. My 7year old grandson was fascinated with the golden teeth(grill). Out of the blue he says to the clerk "where did you get your gold teeth?" I of course wanted to climb under the counter, but that didn't stop Daniel, O NO. With pointed finger he says" Look grandma he has them too." I honestly was turning red as an apple by this point and tried to quiet him. he then announced "grandma , I want some of them." I told the clerks he liked their teeth and wanted some just like em. They both chuckled, and I sighed in relief. They weren't angry with this little chap.

All Good Things DO Come to and END

The one boardwalk I know of in Florida-John's Pass- this is about as long as it is! Funny really when compared to the ones in NJ!

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible. T. E. Lawrence

I have been sorta contemplative this morning-is it me or is it the cough syrup I have been taking? teehee

I have only a couple of days left here in Maryland before I start on the road trip back to Florida.

I am so happy for the summer to begin to come to an end. It has been quite a summer with the family-children and grandchildren, aunts,uncles, sister, brothers, in-laws, & old friends.

I will miss all these folk, but it is time for me! My new friends and my life! Believe it or not but I do have a life of my own. Sometimes I really don't think folk appreciate that I do! However, that's what happens when you give till you are exhausted. You need to get recharged so you can give more. AND that's about where I am today.

I have so much more to accomplish before I leave, and really don't know why I am on the computer. But, here I sit. Taking some time for me before I get out the ole mommanator routine and get it done.

I still have some things I promised to do with the kiddos, packing a car, and a couple of projects I have started in dau #2's home. OMY get up and get it done! So I will write again when I get back to my place in Florida I guess!

post script-some will say O you will be missing them soooo soon, and I suppose they are correct!

Quick trip to NJ

No scenery quite as impressive as this, but I did see quite a few family and friends!

Believe it or not, but I really don't remember the trip back! And it was just yesterday!

The only thing I truly remember was on I95-4 lanes going each way bumper to bumper

in the small state of Delaware! Kids asked why and I said it's the ole

"too much traffic for the Real Estate"

Was gonna go to church this am, but got up with what I feel is Strep throat, so me and dau #1 need to go to medi-stop. Don't want to go back home with that!

Time is winding down here in the great Northeast, but we are ready for our own beds, and own schedules! Not that we haven't had a good time, but one can only have so much fun-teehee!

Found this on a site I frequent and took me to thinking. In our lives we do hold secrets, each and every one of us-isn't it great that the Lord takes care of them!

Deuteronomy 29:29, 'The secret things belong to the Lord.'

O it is Iceland in previous post

u huh

NO this is not one of the places I visited this summer, however it looks like a great summer vaca spot! I have in fact been here and know first hand. Anyone want to guess where?



I am in pack/unpack mode. Or should it be sort mode? I have duteously been sorting kids clothes. even though it doesn't seem like it, school will be here before we know it. And I will be retuning to Florida in 12 days! I have to get it done before I leave! The kids wear uniforms. So granny sorts, hems and helps with the shopping for the upcoming year. It seems like the kiddos have growth spurts right as summer is here and need almost a new wardrobe by the time school starts! Kenny has now overtaken granny in height, he is 11! wears a 10 1/2 men's shoe! and did I say starting puberty! his brother informed us last night he has hair growing under his arms! I did ask him how his arm hair seeds were doing and he said NOT GOOD!



The kiddos are also all loosing teeth. Seems like everyday one or the other is handing me a tooth!
Yesterday in fact I got 2 of them. Tooth Fairy is going broke here!



I also have been sorting things too small or outdated for their other clothes and for dau #2 clothing too. Seems like a never ending battle. AND those socks OMG they have had babies. I think I may just take em all to Good Will and let them sort or do whatever with them and buy all new ones for the kiddos!

And I must take a quick trip to NJ to see my family & friends up there and get dau #1-she has been up there for 4 weeks now. She will return to FL Aug 25th. So many things to do and so little time! BUT I will get done what I am supposed to!

WOW!

It's truly Amazing how quickly a bug of some sort can bring ya down!
Everything was going pretty well at the daughters house, I was making a real headway into the laundry and sorting clothes (to get rid of the ones too small for the children). When I got sick, and do I mean sick. I felt like I had a monkey on my back or a large 16wheeler had run over me!
A real good case of GI track something or other! Me and the toilet had become real good friends! I was in a cold sweat too. Dau thought she should take me to the ER, but I said no.

Well it took all night to get out of my system, and here I am a day later and still feeling the effects! I even got up late this am?? Very unusual for me. The kiddos were good and let me sleep in, but now they are wanting brunch- yes they let me sleep that long! So another day wasted!
or was it?? Probably not. I will get done what I really need to get done, and take care of myself!

Now I pose questions for you my blogger friends:
How often do we think of our self!?
How often do we stop and smell the roses/coffee?
How often do we put others before ourselves?
How often do we think we are indispensable?AND
How often are we wrong!

ps-dau made some homemade chicken pastina soup,
the kids got me ginger ale(with a straw in the glass)
grandson #1 continued the laundry!!!
& I spent some quality time thinking, since I couldn't do much else LOL

She aint what she used to be!

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne

The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. ~Chinese Proverb

Well I am back in Maryland for the duration of the summer until I go back to Florida, I will be caring for the Kiddos until school starts back up. It is much easier here as there is more room for them. However i get to do the housework! It's back to laundry by the bushels, cooking and cleaning!

One might say, but you have the pleasure of being with your grandchildren. BUT BUT she remarks, shouldn't I be able to love em and send them back! Anyone knows me, knows I love the kiddos, but sometimes I like time to myself! Owell that's life I suppose. Their mother is working lots of overtime for extra cash to pay the tuition for this year! Just grin and bear it granny, you will go back to your sedate life all too soon and you'll be missing them!

Corn Palace

You ask "Corn Palace" . Well it sits in Mitchell, South Dakota. We were driving past and Dau #2 says- I have seen that on "Ripleys Believe It or Not", We must go see. So we make a turn off the interstate and we go see. It's a building adorned in all types of corn cobs! Actually very interesting. I don't know what I expected to see. but here it is. Much larger in life! At the end of this post is a little something from their site.
The whole town seems to be fascinated with corn! In the background is the Palace

Inside the palace are many treasures one could purchase. All corn related! This id the corn man of course!

The Christmas Tree with ornaments made of corn cobs. And the kiddos being corny!

AH yes, corn hats, At first I thought they were the "cheese hats" till I looked further!

You can in the background some of the more recent murals made from corn. Every year they have a different motif.

See the duck made from corn of differing varieties!

This is how the artists block out a mural to actually make the entire picture.

The Corn Palace is a multi-purpose arena/facility located in Mitchell, South Dakota. It is a popular tourist destination, visited by more than 500,000 people each year.[1] The Moorish Revival building is decorated with Crop art; the murals and designs covering the building are made from corn and other grains. It also hosts the home basketball games of Dakota Wesleyan University and the Mitchell High School Kernels.
History
The original Mitchell Corn Palace (known as "The Corn Belt Exposition") was built in 1892 to showcase the rich soil of South Dakota and encourage people to settle in the area. It was a wooden castle structure on Mitchell's Main Street. In 1904–1905, the city of Mitchell mounted a challenge to the city of Pierre in an unsuccessful attempt to replace it as the state capital of South Dakota. As part of this effort, the Corn Palace was rebuilt in 1905. In 1921 the Corn Palace was rebuilt once again, with a design by the architectural firm Rapp and Rapp of Chicago. Moorish domes and minarets were added in 1937, giving the Palace the distinctive appearance that it has today. It costs $130,000 to decorate the Palace annually.
The exterior corn murals are replaced and redesigned each year with a new theme. The designs are created by local artists. From 1948 to 1971 the artist Oscar Howe designed the panels. Calvin Schultz designed the murals from 1977 to 2002. Since 2003, the murals have been designed by Cherie Ramsdell. No new mural was created in 2006 due to an extreme drought.[2]
Besides being a tourist attraction, the Corn Palace also serves the local community as a venue for concerts, sports events, exhibits and other community events. Each year, the Corn Palace is celebrated with a citywide festival, the Corn Palace Festival. Historically it was held at harvest time in September, but recently it has been held at the end of August. Other popular annual events include the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo (in July) and the Corn Palace Polka Festival (in September). It is also home to the Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers and the Mitchell High School Kernels basketball teams.

Badlands?

People are drawn to the rugged beauty of the Badlands. These geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.


This was not on the planned trip originally, but owell we were so close why not! We had many such stops along the way, I like trips that aren't all 'planned' out.

These are incredible. I also love places to see that are free. There was a nominal fee to get into the park, $10 a carload, but well worth it. Of course we didn't see everything, too many miles, but had a great experience.

Funny pics with everyone squatting, BUT the wind was horrible that day. Was awful driving. The kiddos were scared out there, even the big kids! We found out later there were tornado's in N Dakota, maybe that's part of why the wind was there!

This kiddo is usually so brave, but not this day! LOL Wind does have a calming effect! Have to remember and put in my granny bag of tricks! lol

If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas A. EdisonUS inventor (1847 - 1931)

Home Again!?

Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
- Tom Stoppard

This quote fits us to a T. Yes I am in Florida unexpectedly, but here none the less.

We went out to Colorado for the memorial service, but took the long way there.

Turned it into a real summer vaca! We saw: Devils Tower, The Badlands, Yellowstone, The Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mt Rushmore, The Great Salt Lake and much more along the way. The Kiddos really enjoyed all the places going out there. You will be in for some unusual pics in the future!

Somewhere along the way we, #2 dau & I decided, maybe it would be a good idea for us to travel to Fl back home, the kiddos would stay with me for a few weeks , see the Shuttle lift off, and then I could drive them back after that! Somewhere along the way I must have gone brain dead. I am now thinking, after my dau has gone back up to MD, Me with 4 kiddos & 2 dogs by myself in the car! By the time we get back to MD we figured the kiddos would have been in 25 states! Now that's a summer huh?

I want you all to know, we did do some teaching along the way about states, and me thinks the kiddos have actually learned allot about this big ole country! I don't think anyone understands how big and magnificent this country is until they travel its expanse by car! Along the way we have met some pretty nice Americans- and just perfect remembrance for the 4th of July!

WHEW

I hope I will see this fellow when I get back to Florida, and the oil spill hasn't killed him!





I'll be on the road again on Monday-heading toward Colorado., with 4 kids , two dogs and my daughter, wish me patience! Several days in a car with that many can surely try ones patience!



I have a pinched nerve in my back/neck, Wed. eve was spent at the local medi stop- basically they gave me some meds to shut me up. Then Thurs am was spent in ER, the pain was so intense I just couldnt stand it. After several hours of poking, prodding and xrays they decided I have arthritis & a pinched nerve- near my scapula. Yikes, they gave me Valium, Dilaudid, & Tordal IV followed up with Motrin & Tylenol. I went to sleep for about 20 minutes only. Still had the pain, but was relieved somewhat. and believe me I have high tolerance to pain! Usually I go to sleep just taking an aspirin! They sent me off with a couple prescriptions and said maybe I should have chiropractic care or get with my doc and have physical therapy! what part of I am on vaca didn't they understand? O yeah they listen to what they want to hear. AND this is coming from a nurse folks!


The house is kinda cleaned up, now we are on to packing! Yikes packing just for the kids alone is a task! Then of course we have to pack for ourselves and 2 dogs what fun! O and pack the van! I am tired already and we have only just begun. But I cant do it all and the daughter went off to work. The doc said I should rest, Yea I can do that watching 4 kiddos and 2 dogs and a handicapped daughter.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark. Michelangelo

Maryland View

Gone are these days on the pier for awhile! Me and friend DD @ John's Pass Florida

Well I've been here about a week now, except for the time I went up to NJ. Yes I95 is still as crazy as always. So many cars, trucks & vans. It was a steady stream of traffic all the way there and back. But it was done without a hitch!

When I first arrived in Maryland all that I could think of as I exited the car was the smell! The lush green trees and so many varieties of flowers in bloom. Yes I missed spring, but I can never forget these smells!

My daughters tomato plants look spectacular! about 2 1/2 foot tall all full of blooms.
Her potato plants are just about to bloom. All the vegetables she has set out look great!

I do miss Florida, but I enjoy being with the family.

Lopped OFF

So you don't think my grandchildren are total scamps, this is what the twins did yesterday.

They have been growing their hair all winter for locks of love. I can't believe it only took a year, but here it is. Lizzie went first as it was her idea to start off with. One day she came home from school and announced she was growing her hair for 'locks of love'. My daughter was so happy as she does work for Hospice.

Her hair was much longer, and she came out with this cute bob. She complained all day she missed her hair, but when she got up this am she was happy it didn't take too long to fix.

They actually partition off the hair and measure it to make sure the areas are all long enough, must be 10 inches for 'locks of love'. Daughter says Pantene will take 8 inches.
Whatever it is a great cause and something the twins can do for someone else they don't even know.


Michelle came out with a bit different doo. She always wants her hair different from Lizzy, bur of course Lizzy loves being a twin, and always wants to look the same. Don't they look older than 10?
Now we have to get packaged and sent off.

Summer Craze!

Well I arrived safely in Maryland, actually don't remember most of the trip. Listened to the new Peterson book on tape! liked it!
The trip was not without drama though. The truck my brother was driving had a slow leak and we babied it the first day. Then the second day got a late start cause he had to repair the tire, in 2 places. Thank God he is a truck driver and knows how to do it! Thanks Uhaul for the 'good truck' It made the trip a bit longer, but at least we arrived safely!
The next day we made our usual holiday trip to the doctor. Seems as though grandson #2 got into poison ivy while at his dads and he has a whopping case of it. Quite close to his eye. He is now on steroids!!
Took the twins to a swimming barbecue party! I prob knew 3 people there besides the girls! Wasn't much fun for me, but I wanted them to go. They had a great time swimming AND eating!
Then we came home and had dinner! At least the rest of the family did! Actually dau #2 made nice salad with chicken grilled on the barby. We also had a fruit salad I made with the kiddos.

Time to go to bed after a full day, but not one kid wanted to go. We had quite an ordeal over it. Usually they go @ 8pm, but now school is out. They get to stay up later, imagine 11pm, screaming and yelling I could hear in my room downstairs. It ended with the house looking like the Texas Chain Saw massacre happened here. One girl kicked the other in the face and the bleeding and crying started. There was blood everywhere! and the bloody nose lasted quite awhile. They were banished to their rooms, but ended up sleeping on the floor downstairs!
Owell the start to a fun filled summer in Maryland! (hopefully) Luckily today has started out quietly!
We did Memorial day in grand style, even remembered the soldiers and those lost in combat and shot off some fireworks in their honor, AND how was your holiday!




The only difference between stumbling blocks and steppingstones is the way in which we use them.
- Unknown

Good Days

The sun is setting on a good day I had at the beach with my new friend!
It seems my heart is on the mend?
Now I find myself getting ready to go back up north,
for eventful summer months to spend!

Maryland to New Jersey, then off to Colorado
will the driving ever end!
I will miss Florida and my new found friend.
long hot summer months to spend.

Time spent @ Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse, don't forget Yellowstone too.
Baby showers, reunions galore, & barbeque's to even the score.
Three months- how will I fit it all in!
But believe me I wont get thin!



Write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble.
- Arabic Proverb

Atlantis!

It was a spectacular site on a picture perfect day for the shuttle WOW I loved it. I have been waiting for years to experience a shuttle take off! So on 5/14/2010 I finally did! Supposed to be the last flight of Atlantis. Of course I got a t shirt! and a book!

It was a 7 1/2 million pounds of thrust. It was off the ground in mere seconds!

And then the contrails were all that was left to see!

We arrived there at 9:30am, and many people were there already! All sizes shapes and colors.

Young, old and babes in arms! There was one lady whom was celebrating her first blast off on her 88th birthday. It was one hot day! I did come home with sunburn despite being under an umbrella, loads of sunscreen & light clothing covering me! But who cared when that thing blasted off. Everyone in the crowd was excited ;yelling screaming & clapping. I was so nervous(excited) I shook all over for about ten minutes afterward! Man if ya ever get to visualize one of those babies take off DO IT SOON! only 2 more to go!

EEK the traffic coming home was just horrible. We drove 2-3MPH for at least 20 miles, and we waited for the crowd to thin out. It took us 6 hours to make a 2-3hr drive!

It was all worth it and I am gonna try and make the next one!

post script-7 1/2 million ton thrust and only 3 womens bathrooms where we were! except if ya count the porta potties!bottles of soda $2.99, hot dogs $7