Halloween 2009

Not much going on here. I live in a retirement community. SO no tricks or treats!

While all of you are enjoying cooler weather we are having the last hurrah of summer here in Florida. They keep saying it's gonna cool down next week. They been saying that every week since I have come back from NJ & MD.

You never saw anyone more into Halloween than my mother. She loved all of it. Costumes, parties, tricks, & treats. She made Halloween fun! We would never have a purchased costume. We would always make ours, and we had some humdingers.

I remember when I was real young we entered into the local town parade. My older brother had some good ideas. One year he painstakingly made a robot costume, and that was before robots were in vogue. Another year he was an Indian in full regalia-shamee for his loincloth. Not much else besides that, Indian war paint and a tomahawk(Don't know how he didn't freeze). Of course he won both those years!

I was always heavy as a child. One year I went as a baby-with diaper, t-shirt, bonnet, and pacifier. They thought that one up and I never lived it down-the kids called me baby Huey the rest of the year.

After we had our first dau who was in a wheelchair we dressed her as a jack-in-the box, she was so cute. Everyone thought we were clever. My youngest wanted to be a cowgirl (for many years).

One of the last costumes I wore was at work. I simply had my teeth darkened & had a witches nose on. It was one of my first days at this particular job and did I make an impression! One of my co-workers always said-"I knew you were ok as soon as I saw that nose on ya"

So I'm wishing you all treats and no tricks!

TIDBITS

This plant & I have been fighting. I keep cutting it back and it keeps getting taller!?

Unusual bloom of Jade Plant- I didn't know they had blooms, was much prettier earlier today-looked like a star fish.

These leaves seem to be getting greener?

My newest plant-bought today, hence not planted yet! It's a whirly butterfly!

Interesting tree in the back yard. Everyone has been posting their beautiful tree autumnal pics, so thought I should also. A bit different in Florida!

Talked with my sister-in-law awhile ago, it snowed. They called school off for snow.

It was about 90 here, but we had a downpour!

I have one grandchild with a punctured eardrum and another with strep throat. They had chicken soup for dinner.



Just some thoughts for ya today:

Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis.
Martha Beck, O Magazine, Growing Wings, January 2004

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Nelson Mandela (1918 - ), 'A Long Walk to Freedom'

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)

Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.
Ramsay Clark

This isn't good or bad. It's just the way of things. Nothing stays the same.
Real Live Preacher, RealLivePreacher.com Weblog, January 03, 2004

More stuff

Faith and doubt both are needed, not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve.
- Lillian Smith

So what have you been doing that you have been so busy with, you might ask!

Well, for almost 2 weeks I was in a real bad depression. So bad I didn't even want to go anywhere or do anything! Thankfully that has past and I am onto other things.

Of course we are still volunteering @ the clothes closet on Mondays.

I have also enrolled in a bible study on the book of Ruth. It is very time consuming to say the least. Study, study, study!

Our church also had a three day revival. I was at the church more than at home. However I truly enjoyed the speakers, music, and he was a real artist!

And I have been up late every night watching baseball! Ya know it's just something ya have to do!!! Baseball will only be on a few more weeks and the Phillie's are working it!

OO and I have been doing some fall cleaning. Closets etc. NO ONE do you hear me NO ONE is supposed to buy another outfit in this house for at least a year! We are only supposed to buy disposable stuff like groceries! see how long that stays in effect!

When I did one closet today I found 6 pump bottles of hand wash from 'Bed Bath & Beyond'. I actually have 3 large containers of dishwasher detergent! This is criminal I tell ya. Who needs 5 boxes of hair dye! and I am not even dying at present! I'm looking to see if it's too grey!

A lifetime is more than sufficiently long for people to get what there is of it wrong.
Piet Hein (1905 - ), "Grooks"

This & that

My daughter told me I should put up a new post. I told her to do likewise!
I have been so busy the past week or so. I have hardly had enough time to sleep.
But I think I am a bit back to normal, whatever that is!

The weather here in Florida last week was COLD, but it's back to wonderful Florida now. Temps around 85 and NO humidity!! YEAH that's what I like!

Can anyone tell me a site that buys books? I have found a site, but they don't want any of the books I have put up so far. I also did that swapbook site and haven't come up with anything yet. So give me some advice if ya have any!

Since Facebook it seems like hardly anyone posts, but I find it a good outlet for saying stuff in other than 'snippets'. So here I am and will be! Although FB is a good way to keep up with friends when ya don't want to call or write! I was chatting with
2 folk today one in Sweden and the other in England! Where else could you have that so easily done!
Hope all are well, and I will try and do better on this!




A while back I told you all that I was starting a new garden in my yard. Well here is the elephant ear plant. Isn't it great! Not too bad for planting in the HOT season and I have pruned it a couple of times. I always wanted one of these, but NJ summers were not good on them!

The newest addition to the garden.





This is Hubby's lemon tree, He always wanted one. It is finally growing so nicely! Can ya see the spikes it has on it!? I never knew they had spikes, but they sure hurt

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Breat Cancer Awareness

You are never too young to think about this! Plus MEN do get breast cancer!

"According to the American Cancer Society, every three minutes, on average, another woman learns she has breast cancer. The good news is that there are several strategies that can help reduce risk. Try incorporating the following lifestyle changes into your daily routine:

Get active. Regular physical activity (at least 30 minutes on most days) has been shown to be protective against breast cancer.

Maintain your health care.

Early detection is key: in addition to monthly self examinations, women between ages 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health care professional at least every three years; women 40 years of age or older should have annual breast exams and talk with their doctor about mammograms.

Supplement wisely. Folic acid, vitamin D and antioxidants all may help decrease risk.
Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens. These chemicals with estrogen-like activity are found in common pesticides and industrial pollutants and as hormone residues in meat, poultry and dairy products.

Avoid exposure to radiation. Limiting the number of chest x-rays you receive, especially at a young age, may decrease the risk of breast cancer.

Talk with your doctor. If you have close relatives with breast cancer, your personal risk is increased. Let your doctor know your family history, and discuss other ways you can help to prevent breast cancer. "

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

tidbits

guess this is what it will look like soon up north, 'I didn't take pic'

I want to thank you for all the well wishes from the past post. I don't know what was up with me. Have been in a sorta whirlwind for the past month etc. Maybe just allowing myself to sit and think got me into a funk!? Don't know but seem to be back to normal today.

OK who has any ideas of what to do with my dog! Since we came back he has taking to barking at night. He may not get another year older if he doesn't stop it. I know his routine was mixed up too, BUT I do need to sleep. He has never done this before? Do I need to take him to psychiatrist or get some tranquilizer or just beat him up!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.
-Colossians 3:23 (TEV)

Did you know "Barcodes" were invented 57 years ago? presently they are using for other things besides @ stores. In the rain forest they are tracking tree deforestation to see where illegal logging may be going on. They are using to identify plants & stop illegal trade of endangered species. In some places recycling centers give you a barcode to place on your bags and you can get $35 for amounts of recylced items-wish they had that here. More folk would recycle!

When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
- Ernest Hemingway

A little bragging here- my grandchildren were in a foot race at school. It's called run for education. This year they are running for new playground equipment at the school.The whole school does it. They get sponsors and like! Twin #1 in the beginning of the race fell and 'got trampled', Her words. I said did you go to the nurse , did you get hurt? No gramma, I just got up and ran, I wasn't hurt! I cant believe that-she complains about everything I call her Wendy Whiner most of the time! But she likes to run. She usually is the best runner in her class. She only did 26 laps, her sis did 24. Older brother did 20 something, but the youngest did 39 laps. That equals 5 miles in 1 hour! woowoo. I don't think I could do 5 miles in 5 days, but that's youth for ya! Guess Grammjax will be sending a check! These kids are gonna brake the bank with me Teehee.

I'm back

Or am I?
Physically I am back in Florida with it's nice weather, beautiful shores, blooming trees, BUT
where am I? I can hardly tell.
I have so much to do, and have been doing, BUT
I feel so lonely right now.
I walk the dog, do laundry etc. BUT
I miss......hubby, Bobby, friends and family.
and miss some more!
Have no fear I'll get back into the groove, BUT
How long will it take or how many tears will I shed?
only time will tell!

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