Thursdays Thinking

The future is an opaque mirror. Anyone who tries to look into it sees nothing but the dim outlines of an old and worried face.
Jim Bishop, New York Journal-American, March 14, 1959

Read others' blogs today, some of which were with the grandchildren, humm that isn't always easy! They want to read it, they want to scroll up/down. They want to give me ideas to write about, they even helped to recolor my site! Finally had to tell them to go do something else so I can think! I can chew gum and walk, but can't think, type and talk with kiddos at the same time!

Dau # 2 and I have been challenged to get all the laundry done! With 7 living here it is quite the challenge. Plus we are turning winter to summer and weeding out the too small. O where did the bathing suits go? Have they grown that much in one Year?

Another challenge is getting poison ivy out of the yard! This may be one of the hardest cause we are both quite allergic to it! I think we should hire someone!? but alas that costs too much. The yard is really starting to look nice, but the ivy is still bountiful, luckily in places we don't go into too much! We are in the process of using weed killer- hope it works! The tomatoes are planted along with some great flowers, and I think the peppers got in! The pumpkins will get in soon!

The kids want the pool up, it's now in the getting water in stage, The littlest one wants it READY NOW! He even wore his bathing suit all day yesterday just in case it was full. He forgets it needs the chemicals and of course to warm up a bit! He little teeth would chatter if he were to go in now! It is still a bit cool for me to indulge in the pool here! I guess Florida has spoiled me! When I was a kid I would be jumping in the water just like Dan by now with my mom yelling at me "It's too cold" "you'll catch your death in there", but never did! thankfully! Funny how things have come around in full circle-my mom didn't swim well so she indeed didn't want us to go in! therefore we were made to swim at a very early age. My dad threw us in to make us swim! Believe it or not I can remember him doing that! One of my favorite all time things is swimming!

When I get in the pool in Fla the old folks watch me do laps while they are with floaty's in the shallow end! OOPs I am one of those old folks aren't I!but I can swim! In the opaque mirror mentioned above is me looking older and seeing my mom, dad and grandparents in me! Did ya ever look in the mirror and say-'where did that young person leave and be substituted by my mom' ? My hubby was watching me sleep the other day and told me-" you look so much like your mom" I could have sworn it was her sleeping there!- I could look like worse I guess!

What is in the future for us!? and our children & grandchildren? I hope even if saddness comes it will be filled with fond memories of things we did together!
The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive.
John Sladek

holiday whats that!

Total absence of humor renders life impossible.
Colette, Chance Acquaintances, 1952French novelist (1873 - 1954)

haven't posted for awhile- been too darn busy! I have done more work since I have returned from Fla than I did the whole time in Fla- where's my puppy? I don't think I will complain about walking snickerdoodle for awhile! miss those smells-of Fla. Swimming & riding the bike! Yes I am glad to be retired FINALLY~!

came back to NJ and quickly started to pack things to put in the truck for another load to Fla. this is the end of moving to FLA except for dau #1 collections! then a short attempt to get things in order before returning to MD. not much luck in that regard! next week will have to drive back up there and seriously get the place in order since we have it back on the market and want it to sell! plus with the market we don't want to take a beating! which will prob happen anyhow! I can't believe we accumulated such a bunch of stuff since we had it all cleaned out just a year ago! does time ever flow!

then back to MD, twins 8th birthday, end of school, grandson#1 has Lyme disease again! pack grandson# 1 to take trip with Poppie to Fla, grandson #2 has grown so much and he is becoming quite the young man! gave dau #1 ring I ordered for her for Mother's day- oops-one of the stones not the right birth stone! 40 wacks for grannyjax! I sure thought I said the right stone- will have to look into that! she liked it nonetheless I think.

Dau #2 decided to wash all the clothes in the whole 6 bedroom house! plus change the linens- hang out to dry, fold and almost put away. Along with changing season for the clothes, putting school uniforms away.
it finally got warm here in MD- went from winter to summer since I have been here the past week! O did I forget taking out some bushes in the yard, and planting new flowers? I did have to clean my room here too! I don't remember leaving it that way!!!!

HOHUM not doing too much since back here! no time to crochet and get that thing done I have been doing, unless I want to crochet instead of sleep! I think I got up at 5am today- couldn't sleep, just thinking of all I have to do LOL since the kids were at their dad's, really haven't seen them too much, so they all had to bunk in my room! went to bed around 12! eek- and I couldn't sleep! we were like on a camping trip laughing & having the munchies just before I put the lights out! cookies, drinks and rice cakes! omy- what a bad grannjax! momma had to come in and say you 4 better get to sleep before I come in with the belt! yes she spoke to me too!

Enough of quiet time for me! the kids are now up- cake for snack before breakfast! am being bubbled to death by my #2 grandson which I bought a bubble gun for yesterday! Isn't it wonderful being a five yr old with a compliant granny! not yelling DON"T BUBBLE ME! NOT IN THE HOUSE! We already checked out the animals online, thank heaven for cartoons!

Well it's the start of a new day- let's see what it has in store for me-And you!

Rain

Well after almost six weeks in Florida it finally rained, but mostly at night. We had a mild sprinkle when I took the dog for a walk this am, and it looks like the skies may open up any time.

Today was supposed to be a do nothing day, but of course #1 daughter had other thoughts in her mind. She was a bit depressed today, guess cause Mommanator will be flying back to NJ on Tuesday. I still have to watch the kiddos during the summer. I do miss those munchkins!

We started off by going to our town of Safety Harbor and went to a thrift shop- I do love those- they didn't have too many yard sales guess cause of the weather? I bought something for the kiddos, and hubby. I spent a whole $6.00 and they should all be happy with my purchases.


Then off to Clearwater Beach we went, to scope it out, before #2 daughter & kiddos come here in June. Man was it congested in Clearwater! They are sorta remodelling the downtown area and have much to complete! We then went over a bridge in Clearwater and found the best "Beach Park"- was very clean and the parking was great. They even had a boardwalk, but they don't really know what a boardwalk is! It goes about 100 feet toward the beach, then stops! She got to laughing after that! Folk in NJ really know how to build a boardwalk! For those of you who don't know what I mean ya ought to Google Atlantic City or Wildwood Boardwalk!


Next we had to go to Publix?? a grocery store, to get Orange juice cause she wanted Fuzzy Navels this eve. No wine for us today! O and of course the Hallmark store to purchase some birthday cards.


Do we go home now? No, we go over to my friends for dinner- she made homemade pizza- Yummy- did I ever tell you she is a great cook and Italian to boot! I have never had pizza with shrimp before but it was all thumbs up for that! She even made homemade sauce/gravy to put on it!

I missed my afternoon nap yet again and now it's 9pm and have taken the pup out for his final walk and am ready to hit the hay and watch some TV.

"just for you dog lovers- I did come home a few times in between all these stops to walk the pup- he didn't have to cross his little paws!'

The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.
Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 - 1826), Physiologie du Gout, 1825

I'm sad today but content

Last eve I was called by one of my Aunts to be told that my Great Aunt had passed. She was in her 90's , lived a good life, had 6 children and many grandchildren. She recently had gone blind and had had many falls. SOO the old adage- well now isn't suffering any longer comes to play.

But was she suffering!? she had quite the family! Her daughters,& son were ever present-taking her places and visiting every day, laughing, joking and making each other happy. Every Sunday all her children came to visit and she still would make biscuits & gravy or fried chicken & greens.

She had the most sweet personality a person could have! She was one of 13 or so, being one of the youngest and the last survivor of that tribe! She was my grannies baby sister. Everyday and night were a blessing to her and she didn't mind telling you so!

Although her life wasn't always rosy. She managed to pull the strength from the Lord to get herself through. Two of her sons predeceased her and she never quit saying that wasn't supposed to be- 'mom's should die before their children'!

I have been sitting & thinking of some of those wonderful times I spent with her and family and I will carry with me till I die. Thanks Aunt Alice for some of those wonderful childhood memories!

AN EXCLAMATION MARK !!!!!!

I found this on an other's site and just had to share- does it describe me or what!? For those of you who know me personally. Especially the part of thinking and saying it without a filter! I have gotten a bit better with age about that, but somehow it is hard to control! At least with me you don't have to worry what I am thinking or saying behind your back! Somehow I am able to keep secrets though, must be the nurse training that did that for me! I don't share anything that you don't want others to know! Except maybe Merci's engagement ring! TEEHEE
I'd like to know about that dash- so if you are one let me know!
So much to do today. Hope to post about my weekend in St Augustine soon!

I Am Exclamation Point
You are a bundle of... well, something.
You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama.
You're loud, brash, and outgoing.
If you think it, you say it.
Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself.
You're lively and inspiring.
People love to be around your energy.(But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.)
You excel in: Public speaking
You get along best with: the Dash



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http://www.blogthings.com/whatpunctuationmarkareyouquiz/

this and that Saturday

It is Saturday almost 11 am and the temp is already at 90 degrees! Humidity is also high! It's HOT in Florida! Meanwhile I talked with hubby awhile ago and he reports it was 51 degrees in NJ-he even had to turn the heater on last night?
Hubby is really itching to get back to FLA, his joints feel better here.

Today, later I will be travelling with friend by car to ST Augustine,Fla- don't relish that drive, prob 3-4 hours away! Her sis travelled there- AND I'd like to know why she didn't come to the western side of the state? for a vaca. The gulf is much warmer than the ocean right now, but I guess we will spend time at the beach anyway.

We found a new place to eat yesterday- It's called Crisper's- really good food- you can take outside and view the gulf while eating or inside where the air conditioning is on- just guess what we did!

the dog got groomed this week- you should see him prance around with his little scarf around his neck! He looks like a woman parading her new hairdo!

The Fire ant bites are still driving me crazy! oops crazier! when o when will the itch stop. I have tried- bleach, alcohol(internal & external)TEEHEE, benadryl, Mellaleuca, baking soda paste, pain cream, aloe, hydro cortisone, calamine lotion, noxema, anti-Itch lotion(benadryl like cream), swimming in the chlorinated pool, the Hot tub, meditation & prayer! I may try fingernail polish today!The funniest thing someone told me was to try and not scratch! how absurd!

Bought a Jasmine bush yesterday and had the bright idea of planting today, but it's just too darn hot to plant today- I was supposed to get up earlier, but benedryl makes me sleep!

The post office is collecting for the food bank today- my street did pretty well almost every mailbox had some plastic bag with food attached to it. Guess they don't care about greening the earth- I just hope they recycle those plastic bags! Every mailbox got one in their mail this week!

So where are all the bloggers I usually hear from! No- one is blogging too much!
Have a great weekend one and all!

I think that I shall never see a billboard lovely as a tree.
Perhaps, unless the billboards fall,
I'll never see a tree at all.
Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971)

38!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 8th is quite a day for our family- our #1 daughter was born. Yikes she is 38 today! How can that be? it seems like yesterday I was holding that tiny 4pound 5oz girl in my arms, with all the dreams and expectations one thinks of for their 1st child! My hubby could actually put his ring finger on her hand as a bracelet. Physically she did not turn out as we expected, you see she is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair or crutches, she has cerebral palsy. I don't cry about that anymore because what she lacks in physicality she has gained in spirit & personality. She is a sweet person and everyone likes her (I don't think its about them feeling sorry for her). She is genuine, trustworthy and giving beyond measure.
She graduated high school & an extended program for office occupations.
She is one that people can see Christ in. AND she KNOWS Christ!
She has been a missionary and been to other countries for that. She has been with a Christian organization called YWAM and graduated from their program.
She tried college and decided she wasn't able to do it to completion.
She was a secretary with the state of NJ for 10years-giving her all. But decided to move to Florida so quit that and is taking some time off from working till I get moved down here permanently and "kick her in the butt". (those of you who really know me understand that comment!- I AM the mommanator!)
Although not married and without children which she would very much like. She is the Godmother to- Carissa, Elizabeth, Danny, and Alexzandria. Needless to say that is almost a full time job if ya do it like her. She needs and relishes being a part of their lives.
She can remember things I truly don't! like when people died-dates/times! when someones birthday date/ time and almost weights& heights., addresses, phone numbers, even her bank account number(now who remembers that!? not me for sure!)
She hears everything! so talk lowly if ya don't want her to hear it!
She does stitchery/needle work.
"You can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!" her quote
Read Psalm 139- her favorite scripture
She likes to read Erma Bombeck.
She likes Stephan Curtis Chapman music
She collects! Beany Babies-bears only now, Teddy Bears of all shapes and sizes, coffee cups from states( she doesn't drink cooffee!). Porcelain dolls-which I have put a stop to! 'Precious Moments' Her collections are starting to take up more room than her LOL
She is but one of the Loves of my life and this is just a small tribute to her.



The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love-so you can't know Him if you don't love. 1stJohn 4:8

Seven reasons not to step on a "RED ANT" / "FIRE ANT" hill

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
Martha Washington (1732 - 1802)


1. you scream , yell and scare the neighbors
2. drop or throw anything in your hands
3. you run around like you are crazy and those neighbors you scare are calling the lune bin 911
4. you can't find anything to put on it so you go buy every darn chemical you can think of to quell the itch/burn
5. you drive so fast to the store a cop stops you or you have an accident
6. you scratch, scratch till your skin is bleeding
7. you don't stop itching for many days, cause you can't keep your hands off it

did I say only seven
8. you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep for itching/scratching
9. you take a nap- from taking all the benedryl to calm it down
10. you become very cranky
11. "thou shall not kill"? you go to every ant hill on you property and put ant kill down

I think I could go on and on, but I am sure you get the idea.


NEVER NEVER NEVER step on a "RED ANT"HILL! OO and remember what Martha said!

It's Saturday Morning

All dressed and ready to go on a shopping extravaganza!
#1 daughter, a close friend and I are off to some outlets near here.
Don't really have anything in mind really just a girls day out.

Ya know how us gals like to commisurate over stores!
There's something cathartic about it!
I suppose something might just jump into the shopping cart!
Am on the lookout for new sheets for my bed, a spatula for cooking, and who knows what else.

I have daughters to go shopping whenever I want and am retired.
My friend works fulltime and only goes by herself most times,
what fun it that.
No-one to say yeah or nah to something you've picked up.
Or someone to say-DO you REALLY need that?

Hopefully we won't get lost today!
My friend has been here for 10 years, but won't promise that.
Or spend any money I don't really have.
Must get my bags to take along and clean out the car
of any unnecessary things, so the bundles will fit.
Have a good day one and all, and let ya know when I get back-
Unless the shopping monster swallows me up!

Why didn't we listen!
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)

I am now a cycle momma!

Yesterday my neighbor here in Fla(who is moving) gave me a three wheeled bike. One would think it would be easier to ride than a two wheeled version! Alas, my mistake or stupidity! I got on it, I got off of it, ran it in circles, over the sidewalks and onto the grass. I laughed so much I almost wet myself.
Another neighbor came out to see what all the fuss was about. (She's 74)
What is going on here don't you even know how to ride a bike for crying out loud! Don't run over me or the dog, you fool. EEK you're over driving the darn thing, go in a straight line!!!
By this time I was laughing so hard I couldn't stay on the bike and tears were coming from the eyes(not because I couldn't ride, but because, just because!)
My handicapped daughter who was in her motorized wheelchair was laughing out of fear and of joy I think! Mom don't run over me or snickers. We laughed and laughed.
Finally, I got it down and even rode almost the entire community, and put snickers in the back in the basket.
What a fun time was had by all at my expense- at least they were laughing and I can take it!
While riding I thought of the bikers VA GAL wrote about in Denmark- good thing I wasn't there! I would have caused a major accident. Also, glad I learned before the grand kids came down so they don't think I am a complete idiot. It is great to laugh at oneself with that bellyaching cleansing laughter!

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Wlaking the dog -Smells and scents

Whatever is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD - 180 AD), Meditations

ARGH you must be saying-she has definitely gone off her wig this time- Smells of all things!

Well last eve as I was indeed walking our dog I smelled the most wonderful things;

The gardenias are all in bloom here and Snickers for some odd reason always stops by any of them, and I am so thankful as it is one of the most wonderful fragrances. I really love gardenias. I had to have them for my wedding bouquet many moons ago- did I tell you all I married in March with snow on the ground-not too many gardenia bushes abloom in NJ in March, but alas-I did have them imported for my bouquet! I really never knew how tall they grew in Fla and they are just about everywhere where I live, everyone has one or two of them!

The next fragrance is Jasmin! whew a close second to the gardenia!

Then there are those balmy sea/ocean breezes we have here!

Did I forget the bogenvia! , the new mown grass! It is almost the Garden of Eden here. there are others I haven't learned the names of as of yet- more to follow!

So taking the doggie is sheer pleasure for me. Then my neighbor calls hey there, come over for a glass of wine and I am "forced " to smell the bouquet of the grape vine! Pretty nice one I must admit! AHH the joys of walking the dog in Florida!

AND I thought I-95 was bad!

Have been trying to learn how to get around here in Florida without getting lost, but that hasn't been too easy! The drivers here are insane! There are too many vehicles and not enough real estate! Plus hubby decided to take my navigator home with him!

You have the old folks with their cataract glasses on with walkers and canes jutting out the windows who can't turn their heads to see if anything is coming, so just point and shoot for where they want to go! Couldn't hear a horn if ya blew it.

Then there are the SUV's & Hummers who drive like they are at Daytona. When they make their quick u-turns, look like they will turn over!

Does anyone use a turn signal where you live, I don't think they know what they are down here! I also don't think anyone leaves their home on time for an appointment- fast is the rule!

They do however use their horns- I have never heard so many people use their their horns in NJ or MD.

And there are the islands in the middle of the roads-I have gone the wrong way more than once cause I didn't know a damn island was there until I was already on the wrong side of it! Did it twice yesterday and just screamed - egads glad no-one was coming!

I have gotten really lost twice since being here, but have had lovely drives in doing so and seen more of the state than I would have if not lost. I don't get anxious when lost, too many years as a visiting nurse and following directions of incompetent folk, just grin and bear it! I have nothing but time and finally reach my destination! The other day daughter #1 was with me and she was getting really anxious- I had to tell her to knock it off, what else did we have to do. She replied-it sure is good Dad isn't here he would have a cow- and I had to remind her I wasn't dad! We probably went 50 miles out of our way to get back home, but we did it. We did have to untie the legs of the pup though they were so crossed from him trying not to pee in the house! lol!

I still love it here though (note to me, must post on all the flowers here) and will get used to the crazy drivers! I am a veteran of I-95!

I believe in the forgiveness of sin and the redemption of ignorance.
Adlai E. Stevenson Jr. (1900 - 1965), retort to a heckler asking him to state his beliefs, Time, November 1, 1963

ANOTHER THIS & THAT

Seems like here in Fla I haven't had time to post-go figure! I have barely time to even look at others blogs, but think I am settling into some kind of routine now?

Don't ever come to Florida and not wear sunscreen! My darling skin is now a vibrant red after spending 2 hours in the pool and hot tub, don't even think about the pain, have been slathering cream onto it every couple of hours to combat the heat & pealing that will occur- Don't send this to my dermatologist- he would kill me. I spent most of the day today resting in bed from the sun/headache-not good!

Anybody from NJ want to get a drivers license in Fla? make sure you bring lots of documentation! and I thought NJ was bad. After spending 1 1/2 hrs looking for the place I didn't have enough documentation! not happy about that and will have to wait til I get back to NJ to find it. It took me so long to find cause maquest goofed! also, they don't have motor vehicle places- you go to the tax collector and isn't seen easily from the road?

I backed my car mirror into a wall yesterday- oops broke it, now to find a place that sells them. After quite awhile I found an Advance Auto and fixed it myself- aren't you all proud of me!

Gonna get the dog neutered next week! that will be fun!

Daughter #1 here in Fla-she seems to be enjoying me being here. Says she doesn't know when if ever she will come back to NJ, and I had such a time convincing her she would like it.
Had a power outage today seems as though a transformer blew- it only took them an hour to get the electricity back on after it went out!

Now to the question of the day- I am singlehandedly trying much of the labels of wine here in Fla- got any suggestions? for a new one for me to try!

Man is so made that he can only find relaxation from one kind of labor by taking up another.
Anatole France (1844 - 1924), The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard

this & that

I have been reading all your posts with great enthusiasm, however have had a little glitch with my daughters computer, so haven't been able to post or comment. On the plane down I scripted this:
An ocean of distant clouds I see
As I travel by plane to a distant city
The sky above is a vibrant blue hue,
which reminds me of the sea in the morning dew.

With all troubles and depression left behind
I am ready for a wonderful vacation time
To our new home purchased with glee
just after Christmas we would get the key.

Taking care of the grandchildren my responsibility
will be transferred to grandpa readily!
I will be missed by the kids
but it's time for me
the winter clothes to shed
Enough said.

I have been here four days already and it has been a whirlwind! But I feel so relaxed and happy, guess the "sad " is gone again-I hope. For some reason down here I don't feel the pressures I feel in NJ or MD, but guess this will pass in time? Hope not. It really feels like we made the right decision to do this thing to Florida, I am still quite in love with the place. While in the pool yesterday I laid back and floated and said "now this is being retired!" Probably by Sept-Oct I can move down here full time. The little tyke will be in school full time, and that was the deal.

Man can my hubby shop- I had forgotten that, I don't like shopping as much as he, we have been out every day, all day since I have come. After shopping yest, he said "we won't be shopping any tomorrow, I think it's a day for rest and packing before I go back home", but before we went to sleep last night he said " I have to go to Walmart tomorrow to pick up a couple of things before I go"

He prepared a wonderful dinner for my arrival and Ya should have had some of the cake! Every other eve we have been out to other folks' houses for dinner. I haven't cooked a thing since being here, not even breakfast (he does that) and of course we go out for lunch.
Reality will strike when he goes home-we are going out again this eve.
Hope all are well and as blessed as I feel.

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)

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

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)

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

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

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!