CHANGE

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

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

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


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

Saturday Rambling

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

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

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

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

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

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

O-MAN/Giant Eagle

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

eek

Humm-One Old Lady

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

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

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

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

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

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

Garden of Eden-Zelda

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

The Family Tree

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

just some thoughts

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

and bats use sonar to get around?

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

I am blue!

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

Gal's night out

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

OK folks - on the lighter side

A Tribute to Gabby

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