Stay safe out there.....

Well, once again we are on the last day of a year. It seems like they've been coming mighty fast in the last few years.

After having a close call two years in a row, my family stays in and at home during this time. We celebrate quietly dong something that makes us feel comfortable and happy. I'm usually found reading a book. Even my grown kids stay in on this night where so many drunken fools get on the roadways.

I no longer make resolutions. I was just setting myself up for failure most of the time and no one likes that feeling. After all, regardless of what people want to think....the New Year is just another day....not a new beginning. You still have to deal with all you did last year and/or the years before. I don't mean to bring you down.....but its just the facts.

My family and I did manage a great Christmas dinner, even though it was a couple days late. Our family movie night went well. Actually it spanned to two nights. We watched Wall-E, which I wasn't sure I was going to like at first. After all, there is very little dialogue. After it finished, I can say that I did enjoy it, although the subject matter was quite depressing. I kept thinking to myself.....is this REALLY a kid's movie. I guess it was a not so subtle attempt to get kids to "clean up their act" since its failed on so many adults (I'm ashamed to say). The second movie was Kung Fu Panda, which was just plain fun. I liked it and there were some giggle out-loud parts in it. The third one was Prince Caspian. It was good but I can honestly say that I liked the first one better (The Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe). Its amazing how your brain accepts the fact that animals are talking and making logical sense....or is that just me? The fourth movie we watched was Wanted. I did not finish the movie; it was entirely way too violent for me. I am actually surprised that Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie agreed to make such a film.....they are soooo far above anything like this! However I should be fair and note here that my teenaged grandson loved the movie. Lots of cars being driven ridiculously and wrecked, not to mention shoot 'em ups that are beyond your wildest imagination. So I guess you can say that 3 good movies out of four isn't bad.

Those five days I had off from work really did help me feel a lot better. Now I have Wednesday and Thursday off and don't plan on doing anything strenuous. As a matter of fact, I slept a lot today. I think this old body really needed it. So I am pretty much over what I had and I hope that it stays away. I'll be walking a wide circle around anyone who is sick.

I hope that all of you have a safe and happy night tonight....doing something that you really want and enjoy doing. I am also hoping that the state of our nation will get better soon, although I know it will take a while. The best to all of you and please remember to continue your random acts of kindness. It makes you feel so good. Bless you all!!

Merry Christmas to all.....

We had to post-pone Christmas because both my daughter and I are sick with bronchitis. We made sure that "Santa" made his visit, but the big dinner feast will have to wait. We are planning on having it Saturday.

This rates pretty close to the time I spent Christmas 1,000 miles from home (my first time away from my family) and all the phone lines were tied up and I couldn't even get a call through.

But the dinner will still be a good one, even though its not being eaten on the right day. Next person that comes around me coughing is risking their life.....honest. I'm so tired of people coming into work sick and passing it around.

Merry Christmas everyone. I love you all. Hugs!

I'm sure I've mentioned how I feel about this.....

This picture is of two deer walking in deep snow, but I post it here so you can see how my DOG looks walking in this stuff. She's a rat terrier, all white with a black and brown head. All I can see is her head when she goes outside. She leaps through the snow. I actually thinks she likes it.....in moderation.

This morning at 8 a.m. I get out of a nice warm bed and let her outside. The weather has changed somewhat. Now its very windy, making the wind chill plummet to only 8 BELOW zero. Brrrrrr.

I let her outside....her usual time out there is about 10 minutes. She doesn't have a big fur coat to keep her warm. I have to tether her out on a 50 foot nylon leash because she will chase the squirrels to the next county if necessary....fences are no obstacle either; she just leaps over them. Since it was so awfully cold, I cut her time outside in half. When I went to the door, she wasn't there, which is highly unusual. I called her and I didn't see her running anywhere. I grabbed the one end of the leash that's tied to the deck and started pulling on it. I only pulled a little bit, then it tightened up and I couldn't pull it any further. Its hidden underneath so many inches of snow that I can't even see which way the leash has gone or what it's tangled around.

I can't begin to tell you how scared I was. I know in this type of weather a little dog like that can freeze in minutes. I had to rush and get dressed, get boots on, my coat. Of course, I couldn't find my gloves. I only have 1900 pair of them around here but couldn't find a single one. So I had to go without them.

Something told me to go outside the back breezeway door instead of out on the deck. When I went out that door and started calling her, I saw the problem right away. She was underneath the deck. She had come in from the other side, probably chasing a squirrel or maybe a rabbit and the leash only let her go so far and she was trying desperately to get out of the other side of the deck but, of course, could not. Most dogs can't seem to figure this kind of thing out for themselves, unfortunately. So I had to walk in snow that was knee deep to around to the other side of the deck and get her to come out the same way she went in. Once she came to me, then I had to carry her back around the deck and to the back door.....thank goodness she was ok. As for me, I was scared. I kept thinking that if I fell back there in my yard and couldn't get up for some reason, no one would know where I was. The snow would eventually cover me up. Wow...it sure gives you something to think about and a high respect for nature and its power.

So, I'm going to think of a different plan on letting her outside in this deep stuff. I don't want a repeat of this ever again!

Did I ever mention how much I dislike this white stuff? Our weather is so strange. We have all this snow, the wind chill is now about 15 below zero with winds gusting to 40 mph and they are predicting freezing rain on Wednesday. In the meantime, I hope you all are warm and comfy wherever you are and if I don't get back before Christmas......have a very merry one surrounded by your loved ones. Stay safe and don't forget the reason for the season!

I'm just plain disgusted.....

You know I guess I've never really thought about how many "lowlifes" there are out there.....and the really devious ones disguise themselves as good, decent people.

I hit on this subject briefly before but this time I'm really mad. I had NO idea just how big of a problem this was. I guess I try too hard to see the good in everyone, especially at this time of the year.

Our fire department is involved, along with other groups, making baskets for the families in need. I know they are in need all year 'round, but at Christmas it seems to touch more people in a more profound way. Collections are taken up and the food distributed in hundreds of baskets.

I complained about expired food being donated before but I had no idea just how prevalent this practice is. What is with these people? Do they think that just because some one needs some extra help, they are undeserving of food that is fresh? Well, you know, life can turn on a dime and I sincerely and truly hope that each and every person who has purposely given expired food to the needy will someday have to face that problem themselves and be in a position of having to ask for help.

I was informed by the maintenance crew that the dumpster behind the building that is being used to sort out the food for individual baskets was overflowing. Overflowing with what, you ask? Well, with expired food that was donated, that's what. I was appalled. If a huge dumpster can be filled to overflowing just out of ONE building being used to sort baskets, just think what the overall picture must be for say......the city.....how about the county?

Unbelievable! Why even bother to donate? Just throw it out....or are they hoping that the needy families will have to be subjected to such humiliation? It does make one wonder. Well, I can assure them that there are good people at work, sorting through things, just to make sure that only good food is given out and you low-life trash in sheep's clothing will have to think of some other evil to do to make your life worth living.....how can you even look at yourself in the mirror? Shame on them all.

Gimme a comfy chair, I'm plum tired.....

Well, the present shopping is done, now I have to wrap the effing things. The thought has crossed my mind to just hide stuff around my house, unwrapped, and play a game of "hot and cold" to let them search for them. But it wouldn't work out. You couldn't assure the right person would find the right gift. To say I don't like to gift wrap is an understatement. I don't know why either. Its really not that hard....its just something that I don't particularly enjoy. Maybe its the idea of all the work that goes into wrapping, and it gets torn up just a few days later. Gee....I don't know. I'm just plain weird, I guess.

I still have to get groceries and clean my house. This weekend will see me doing that, I guess. Then I have to work on Monday and Tuesday. I really do expect those days to be very quiet at work. A lot of people will be too busy to worry with doing business.

I'm getting ready to go up to the drugstore in just a few minutes. I have to stock up on Nyquil and Dayquil. Both me and my grandson are coming down with something....scratchy throats and a cough starting up. I sure hope we can ward it off with these products. They've always worked great before, so I do have confidence. I just plain don't have TIME to be sick.

Unlike last year, only ONE of the things I ordered didn't come in due to being out of stock. I did not shop at the same place as I did last year. Once burned, you know. They were horrible to buy from as far as online purchases. Packed horribly and even though I ordered WAY in advance, some of the things came in only a couple days before Christmas. So this year I used two other stores and have had very good luck. I think I'll stick with those from now on.

We have some nasty weather headed our way, predicting up to five inches of snow by tomorrow morning. I was supposed to make the dressing for our annual Christmas dinner at work that's being held tomorrow. Ordinarily, I would not have to work until Friday. I called and canceled coming in because I just don't want to take that chance just for the purpose of eating. One of the workers said if I'd still make the dressing, they would come pick it up in their 4-wheel drive. I have to laugh at that, but said I would make it so they could have it. Too bad they can't cart me back with the dish, but then I'd have to worry about getting home afterwards. If it doesn't look too threatening, I may still go in.....you know how it is....you never know with weather, its so unpredictable.

Well, I'm off to the drugstore.....battling traffic all the way. Its truly a jungle this time of year. HO HO HO. Stay safe out there.

I'm not too fond of the red nose though.....

You Are Rudolph

Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you!

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

There are earth angels among us.....

We've heard that many times before and a lot of us sure have witnessed it. I work next to one. I envy this woman because she just has such a giving nature.....no second thoughts at all.

Recently, she went to the grocery store and bought the makings for a complete Thanksgiving meal, as well as added extras like bread, milk, eggs, hamburger and macaroni and cheese and spaghetti for the days before and after. She gave all of these groceries away to a struggling needy family she had heard about.

This isn't the first time she's done something like that and I don't expect it to be the last. She recently lost her husband of 40 years and has realized that her life had been very blessed and actually it still is. Although not rich, she is comfortable and though she can't have the one thing she wants the most (her husband back), she doesn't have to worry about being out in the street with no income. She wants to pass along some of her blessings and Thank God for people like her.

Her early life story is very poignant. She was taken away from unfit parents at a young age and went from foster home to foster home back when the agencies were less than adequate. Her childhood memories are more like nightmares. And yet she brought herself up from such a hard beginning to marry her true love and raise lovely children who are an asset to society. I look at her in awe.

I wish I could do something for her to show her just how special she is. I really don't think she's aware of it. But God surely knows and I'm sure she's been reserved a seat at His table. Do you know any earth angels? I hope so. I feel its a privilege to be in the same room with her but I can go further than that and actually call her a friend.

How many ways can you fix turkey.....

I had to work Wednesday, much to my dismay, but when I got home my daughter and family were here and we soon were well on our way to prepping and baking for the big day. It had been snowing most of the day....a wet, heavy snow...which is just perfect to make a snowman or snowoman. I guess you could call this a picture book Thanksgiving in just about every way, including the weather.

My family did not leave until Sunday and by then I was beginning to get a bit cranky. I'm so used to being alone that a house hopping with noise, laughter, a 6 yr. old running from room to room, games and TV going was a little much for me....not to mention my dog. She hid under the bed frequently but the fragrance of food kept luring her out so she had that "deer caught in the headlights" look on her face a lot. The kids did go outside and make a snowoman, complete with an old hat of my mom's on her head. They gave her blue bottle cap eyes and a red bottle cap smile. A piece of celery made a perfect nose. Its interesting to note that the birds would come down and "steal" the bottle caps, only to be disappointed. I suspect they were hoping for berries. They never touched the celery nose. Note the svelte figure of our snowoman....she apparently stayed away from the Thanksgiving table.

My granddaughter lost her front tooth while here and we had to put it under armed guard to make sure it didn't get lost before she could get home to leave it under HER pillow for the tooth fairy assigned to HER house to come get it and leave her a reward. Do you know that the going rate seems to be $5 a tooth now? She had gotten the official word from the kids at school who had already been through this. Heaven forbid HER fairy leave her something less!! We assured her that her fairy was a union member and up on the latest trends and not to worry. She must have checked on that tooth, securely wrapped in a plastic sandwich bag, 200 times while she was here.

By today our official snowfall topped off at somewhere between 8 and 9 inches. I don't remember getting so much snow this early in the winter season. It should make the ski resorts happy. Monday morning the roads were nearly impassable. I traded my working days so I wouldn't have to drive in it. I was so grateful to crawl back into bed early Monday morning and snuggle down under the comforter. Monday evening rush hour wasn't much better and I was, again, grateful to be home....warm and comfy with PLENTY of leftovers to eat. I'm just about fed up with turkey for a while at this point. I think I'm growing tail feathers.

I don't know how many of you ventured out for Black Friday to do some shopping. I know of several of my co-workers who look forward to this event every year. I am NOT one of those brave souls. This year I was informed of CYBER MONDAY, which is online shopping with wonderful deals at a lot of stores. I took advantage of that while sipping coffee in my jammies and I can tell you that my Christmas shopping is done except for the secret Santa gift that I will have to buy for work. Everything I bought was at a reduced price with free shipping. Some of the items were more than 50% off. I am, indeed, a happy shopper. We are not buying for the adults, only the kids....so my shopping list is not too long...but its nice to know that its done. I will have to work a lot of days this month so it works out nicely. Well, its getting late and I'm rambling. I simply MUST get around to all of your blogs so I'm leaving now. I hope your evening is wonderful and if you live in snow country....be careful out there!

Every once in a while.....

a commercial comes on TV that makes me laugh out loud. The following is one of those commercials. I hope it affects you the same way as we all need a good laugh on a regular basis.

This is kind of strange.......or not

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

UPDATE

Because a lot of people in my comments said they got the same card and thought maybe that it was the only one offered, I retook this test, and answered everything offbeat and opposite of what I really feel and did get a different card, so there is more than just the "moon" card in the deck. Maybe everyone who got the moon card is a Pisces like me?...or not. Anyway, its just for fun.

I Do This Sometimes.....

Many years ago I saw this picture in a magazine. It was a postage stamp size picture and was advertising a tapestry for sale. I really loved the colors and interpreted it as a representation of these "older" ladies gossiping up a storm on their shopping day in the village. I drew it, using the tiny one as a guide. I named it "Social Network". Its done in pastels (chalk) because I can work with that pretty good. I am terrible with oils or watercolors.

Its 38 degrees here and, according to the weather map, we have snow coming....its 3 counties west of us. A good day to snuggle down inside and maybe read for a while. I still have some laundry to do, but I can read while the machine does the work. I surely would be in a mess if I had been born back in the day when there was no such thing as electricity. I have the utmost respect for the Amish. Although if we didn't have a TV or a computer, think of the extra time we all would have.

My granddaughter, who is in kindergarten, has missed several days of school along with about 10 others from her class. Seems as though a "single dad" brought his child to school sick because he didn't want to miss work. Needless to say, the whole class was exposed and now every mom of every sick child from that room has it out for that dad. I can picture them with torches and weapons, circling his house, ready to spill blood. (shades of Frankenstein) My daughter has cleaned up so much puke that she's practically traumatized by the whole ordeal. Who knew that such a small child could expel such large quantities. Heaven help that poor single dad if my daughter ever comes across him. It won't be a pretty sight.

This n' that.....

Picture it....the 1960's...in America. The scent of Patchouli hangs in the air, the music of that era says so much. Hmmmm. This is the feeling I'm getting today here at home, minus the Patchouli....which I love by the way.

I am dressed in sweatshirt and black leggings (my favorite casual outfit), headphones on my head with an mp3 player clipped to my shirt. The music from the 60's and 70's takes me back as I sway with the beat. I have made myself a mixed drink and am sipping it as I'm cleaning house. Laundry going, dishes getting washed and tables being dusted. Beef stew in the crockpot, making the whole house fragrant and giving off an air of coziness. Today I've been blessed with a rare bout of energy. I don't know where its coming from but I'm not questioning it or wasting it....I'm using it as fast as I can for I don't know when I'll get it again. I've worked over 60 hours these past two weeks (part-time) and I should be tired but instead I feel energized. Its cold outside....gloomy and raining, making a mess of all the leaves carpeting the ground.

To say I've let my house go during all this outside work is an understatement. I'm hoping I'll be able to get it back in shape in these two days that I have off. Thankfully, next week I go back to my two day a week schedule for a couple weeks, then I have to fill in for another person's vacation. Don't misunderstand, I'm very grateful for the work.....the money will be going to pay my daughter's property taxes to save the house from the forfeiture list. So I'm on a mission. LOL, kind of like the Blues Brothers. Damn those property taxes anyway.

I took my vehicle in and got it winterized. Had the tires checked, oil changed and all fluids topped off. Hopefully that will do the trick and I won't have any repairs. My grandson came over and put all the deck furniture in the garage in preparation of winter. I hear that states west of us have been getting some pretty impressive snow. With all this rain, if we were just a bit colder out, I fear this could be snow also. I'm not ready for it to snow. We had such a brutal winter last time.....I just dread it.

On my way home last night in heavy rush hour traffic I was behind a guy that was driving so erratic that he frightened me. I wanted to get away from him but figured I'd rather have him in front of me than behind me. He crossed the center line several times as well as drifting onto the shoulder. I dug out my phone and was preparing to call and report him but by the time I got the phone out of my purse and turned on, he went a different way than I had to go and so he lucked out. I just hope he got to his destination without causing anyone grief.

Well, my break is over and I must get back to the business of making this house look halfway presentable. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Tell someone you love them.

I'll Be So Glad When This is Over.....

I imagine every one of us has been bombarded with campaign ads...to the point where you almost feel like screaming...enough already! One of my personal pet peeves is the dreaded recorded announcement we are subjected to over our home phones. True, you can hang up the phone as soon as you discover what it is and not have to worry about hurting anyone's feelings.....but what if you're at work and these announcements clog up your answering machine. Twice now my machine has been filled to capacity with these unwanted announcements so that if a personal message I really wanted to receive would never come through. Personally, I don't think that this is fair. I can't believe that my unlisted number has made its way to SO MANY people.

We are subjected to filled snail-mailboxes and so many TV campaign ads that you just about know them all by heart. I have even gotten a few emails, but thankfully, not too many.

Amidst all this madness, one simply has to look for some humor. So far, the pickings have been rather slim until Friday night. My daughter called me and was really tickled. She told me that she had just received a recorded campaign call from a person who is running for re-election in our township. The name is well-known to us and is going to get our votes. My daughter went on to tell me that if I received this particular call, to listen to it and not to hang up....that an embarrassing mistake had been made.

Well, it wasn't more than 20 minutes later and I received the call. The person started out with "Hi, this is _________ and I'm running for re-election as your Township _________." It went on to cite all the things this person stood for and has done and also would like to do in the next four years. Then the voice faltered and after a few ahs and ahms.....and the sound of paper being rustled....the voice mumbled something and then said "damnit" and then another voice is heard saying something about didn't you have that written down and then the answer is no and more shuffling of papers and conversation back and forth and then the recording stops.

Oh yes I know....I shouldn't laugh at other people's embarrassing mistakes, but after so many of these irritating calls from so many different people, I was grasping at anything to make me feel better or at least make me smile and I was rewarded. Wow....this person's campaign manager is in some deep trouble I would suspect! I like this person and so I looked up the phone number in the phone book and called them at home and left a message on their answering machine, advising them of the wrong recorded message going out to probably thousands of homes. I ended the message with..."I voted for you, I think you're doing a great job....but you might want to pull this recorded announcement".

I know I'm not the only one who will be soooo glad when this election is over. And no matter who wins, there will be about half the country who is not happy. That, in itself, is going to be a difficult situation.

Tagged.....

I've been tagged by Heather at Adopting a Child to list 7 weird things about me. Oh Brother! Well, here goes:

1. I find it calming after putting the clothes in the washer to lean over, head supported by my elbows and just watch them agitate, with the clean smell of the laundry detergent wafting up as I’m watching.

(they asked for weird....weird they shall get)

2. The tastiest food on my plate I will save for the very last to eat. When I was a kid, I'd eat the vegetable I hated most first so I could get it out of the way and then the rest of the food would help get rid of the taste of it.

3. Though I'm not afraid of them....I don't like clowns. I think they are evil. I never allowed my kids to have clown dolls or pictures or even clown coloring books. Don't laugh.... remember that serial killer who used to dress up like a clown? Even Stephen King made a clown evil in his book, IT.

4. Speaking of books.....I love the smell of new books and will sometimes put my face in a book just to breathe it in. Matter of fact..... I just plain love office supplies....pens, pencils, notebooks, notepads.

(yep, I know this looks strange, odd and weird)

5. And since we are on the subject of reading material.....I start looking at a magazine from back to front.

6. The sound of seagulls and the ocean makes me feel tremendously sad so, because of that, I avoid what most people would consider paradise.

7. My intuition or hunches can sometimes be so accurate that it scares me.

Ok, there it is. I know I have a lot more than this, but of course you can never think of them when you want to and so I had a hard time even coming up with the required 7. I'm not going to tag anyone with this but if you want to play along, please do so. Do we share any weird qualities? At least if you're having writer's block, its a post.

Some snippets.....

During this time of year we have an organization that puts bins at both the entrance/exit doors of the building where I work for the purpose of accepting food donations. The organization then transports them all back to a central location and they are distributed....probably after being checked over first to make sure the food is acceptable.

I have a couple stories concerning this. We've been getting in a lot of donations and the bins are over-flowing....which is really good, especially during these hard times. It makes your heart swell to see such an outpouring of compassion.

Well, we have a certain resident in the area who is quite colorful, to say the least. The other day she walked in and helped herself to several choice bags of food and started to leave the building. She was intercepted and kindly told that these items are for the needy and she said that she certainly was needy. Then it was explained to her that they had to be taken back to a central location before being distributed and if she would contact that organization, then she could get what she wanted from them. She reluctantly agreed and put back the bags. None of us really think that she qualifies but that will be up to the organization to decide.

The second story is just plain sad and will make you angry. A lot of people put food in those bins that is expired. A woman called one of the offices (thank God I wasn't the one to take that call) and said she was bringing up a lot of food but wanted to know how fast it was going to be distributed because it had all expired....some just expired and some up to a year. The employee who answered our phone got it across to her that why in the world did she think that just because someone was needy, that they deserved to eat expired food? The woman argued that it was perfectly good as long as it didn't sit around too much longer....then our employee said....then YOU eat it. HA. I love it!

I'll end this post with a warning. A friend of my grandson's cashed his small paycheck at a convenience store a couple days ago. When he got home he was looking at the cash and thought some of it looked a little odd. Come to find out.....$120 of it was counterfeit. All twenty dollar bills.

From what we are finding out....but I don't have 100% of the details....if you get counterfeit money, you are stuck with it. No bank is going to change them for good money. You might be able to get the business you got them from to change them out.....in good faith if they want to keep you for a customer...but it would certainly depend on the business. And...of course, if you can PROVE you got them from there in the first place. For the most part the business doesn't want to get stuck with them either. So you should make a police report, of course, but don't plan on getting your money back. Cash your paychecks at a BANK. You are not going to get counterfeit from a bank and on the off-chance that you DO, they will replace it if you can prove you got it from them. (so check your money right as you get it) Remember, the 20's have that strip embedded in them.

In these times, we are going to be hearing more and more about stuff like this. Matter of fact, anything that isn't nailed down probably will be stolen from you. You can purchase a counterfeit detection pen very reasonably at any office supply store. You make a mark on the money in question and if it turns a certain color, then its not any good. We should all have one of these pens on us so we can check. Make sure you check your change very carefully. With the excellent capabilities of today's printers, a really good copy of money can be made. Professional counterfeiters don't fool with twenty-dollar bills, but that's what's showing up now. These people are amateurs with good computer equipment and I guess they figure no one really scrutinizes a small bill and they'll get away with it easier. Their thinking seems to be correct. Be careful.....its a jungle out there!

An award to pass on.....

I was given this award by Joy from Joy of Six and I really do appreciate it so very much. I want to pass this on to the following bloggers.

Fiwa, of Do you speak Fiwa-ese.....because she is, without a doubt, one of the kindest, most thoughtful, compassionate people I've ever seen. She has inspired me to Monday Random Acts of Kindness and inspired countless others to just be good to one another. What a joy you are, fiwa. Bless you and all that you do.

Happy One of Life is Good. She has such an optimistic outlook on life and such a pure heart that her glow just leaps out of the computer and encompasses you. Once you go on a daily walk with her and witness the beauty around you through her eyes, you'll be back for more. Her references to Bible verses along the way here and there are a source of strength to many of us.

Elizabeth of Crusty Beef. I just don't have enough room to say all the nice things I'd like to about this young wife and mother. What a wonderful job she's doing raising her sons and teaching them all the right things. Add creative writing talent, intellect and a wicked sense of humor to that and you've got one special woman. Her boys are so lucky....not to mention hubby.

Just tell Me WHY.....

So after finishing last night's short post, I went directly into the kitchen....did not pass GO...and made myself a stiff drink. The book ticked me off because there is just so much stress and unhappiness in the world now and I thought I was reading something that might end differently than it did. It was almost like the author just got sick of writing the book and decided to end it.... just like that. I will be selling this book on half.com as I don't keep books I don't like. Back to last night, I settled my pajamaed self onto the couch and put in a movie. IRON MAN, to be exact. It was very, very good, by the way....even though I had to watch it in installments.

Yes....sigh....party girl that I am.....NOT - after having my drink and being all warm and cozy and such....I fell asleep. Woke myself up to an irritating sound (my snoring) and realized from the drool coming out the side of my mouth that I had been doing some serious sleeping. I had to finish the movie this morning. So, now that I'm in a better mood, I can get down to writing some stuff about WHY do people do the things they do. One of the main reasons that I walk around slowly shaking my head.

Case in point. Friday morning I'm driving to work in rush hour traffic. This woman beats all land speed records to enable herself to pull out in front of me. I take this in stride even though I can't help but notice that there is NO ONE in my lane behind me and she could have waited 4.5 seconds longer and then pulled out leisurely....but she preferred to nearly roll her van, so thats ONE WHY. The next WHY is that she proceeds to drive 33 mph in a 50 mph zone, directly in front of me in rush hour traffic so I can't get around her. Having no one behind me is of no help to me in this case. I notice that she frequently is scraping the curb and actually bounces off of it on more than one occasion. Even though its going on 8 in the morning I wonder if she's drunk or high on something else, so I back off, not wanting to be involved if she rolls the van by going up over the curb. I'm forced to follow her for several miles before I'm finally able to get around her and I can't help myself.....I just HAVE to get a look at the driver of this vehicle (I didn't know beforehand that it was a female driver) and WHAT do you think I see....well, I see a female driver with an effing CELL PHONE pasted to her ear. WHY? People like this need to be committed.

The office building in which I work gives out forms this time of year. You have to go to a particular office in the building to obtain the forms or to turn the completed forms back in. Approximately 1900 times a day I am asked by people coming into the building where they have to go to obtain or turn in the forms and also how to get there from my office. I would like to add that there must be a SIGN on the walls of this building, strategically placed every 10 feet or so that gives out that precise information and furthermore the signs are bright neon pink or orange....difficult to miss. There also are signs pasted on each exit/entrance door of the building. WHY? Don't people READ anymore? Are we a society of blubbering idiots? And....yes....I behaved myself and answered each and every one of them sweetly with a smile on my face.

And this last WHY for this post just made me angry. I received a call from someone who had bought a foreclosed home....that obviously needs some repair.....but they have rented it out to a low-income family and they wanted to know if they could further take advantage of the poor state of our nation as well as our local government (my words not theirs) by securing money specifically set aside for low income families so they could fix up their house just because a low income family is renting it. I took pure pleasure in telling this greedy person, "Sorry, no...YOU have to be low-income, buying and living in the home yourself in order to obtain such free repairs". GREED! This is why our nation is in the mess its in. Greed. (I didn't say the greed part, that's just my thoughts)

So, I'm going to put my soap box away now for a while. Sometimes I get into 'bitch mode" and I just have to let it out. Hope your day is great. I think mine is going to be better now. I just got one of those "you think you have troubles, but you have nothing compared to some people" slaps. My daughter brought home a flier from church. They are having a benefit dinner for this 29 year old man who was shot in an attempted robbery incident which will leave him paralyzed. He has 2 small children and no health insurance. I do not know him or his family but my heart goes out to them and God Bless the people who are helping them. I will be one of them. Say a little prayer for this man and his family and if you happen to know someone wealthy that would like to help, I have the address of the Credit Union that is accepting donations for them.

Wasted time.....

I have invested the time to read a 566 page book called The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, as mentioned in a previous post. I finished that book today and had to really control an overwhelming impulse to throw the book across the room. After investing all that time, I feel that one is entitled to have at least a good feeling.....or something pleasant, if not thought provoking.....when you finish a book. Not this senseless mind numbing....WTF feeling.

Its rare that I've been so disappointed in a book, although I'll have to admit there have been a few in my lifetime. I would NEVER recommend this particular book to anyone. It wasn't that terrific to start with....but I kept having faith that it would get better. By the last 3 or 4 chapters it all went to hell. If you still want to read it....be forewarned!

Needless to say, I am now in a horrible mood. I need to find something funny to cheer me up....maybe I can find a light-hearted movie to lose myself in.

Anyway....I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I still can't believe how fast time passes. Wish I could say I was on a cruise or something, but I've been working, either at home or at my paid job. I'll return in a bit with more general bitching....after I make myself a drink. HA

A Day at Work With a Spaced-out Fly....

The temperature dropped big time last night, enough that the furnace kicked on. So today has been very cool with the high in the 50's. This, of course, absolutely panics the local community of flies in the area. It happens every year and you'd think they would learn from the birds and head out to warmer climates, but noooooo.....they have to stick around and then panic when cold weather hits. A freaked out fly is one of those that fly into window glass, dive into steaming cups of coffee and try to fly into your mouth. They lose all sense of reason and must certainly be a pure embarrassment to their relatives.

So I get into work this morning and have just set my coffee down on my desk when I get dive-bombed by a fly. This continued all day long. It acted so sluggish at times but when I would go to hit it, I'd always miss it. He aggravated me all day, flying at me like a kamikaze pilot and just making a general nuisance of himself. Everyone who came into the office was batting and waving him away with complete irritation. At one point I grabbed at him and actually caught him in my hand. When I realized I had a live, gross FLY in my hand, I gasped and opened my hand and....of course, he then flew away. (I know...not the smartest move on my part) Even the maintenance guy couldn't kill him. Just before quitting time, the last time I saw him he was on the ceiling, shivering. (the fly, not the maintenance guy)

So, if its not bad enough battling a fly on crack, I then have to contend with a woman accompanied by a bunch of kids who acted like little wild people. They were running up and down the hall, in and out of offices, jumping on the waiting room chairs and just creating havoc. I could not believe that this woman didn't assert herself a little to settle them down. One of the women from another office (who reminds you of the Church Lady from SNL...remember her?) said something a bit stern and they actually calmed down for a few minutes; one of the little darlings being extremely interested in seeing how far he could get his finger up his nose. I don't even want to think about where he may (and probably did) wipe his finger. What did I do, you ask? Well, I sat in my chair and watched with a slight smile on my face, thinking of all the things I'd like to say or do but, of course, I cannot. It doesn't take much to amuse me these days.

I then calmed down a guy who was having a fit because his road wasn't graded properly and after that I re-directed a call from a woman who starts out the conversation with, "I probably have the wrong department, but - " (doncha just LOVE those kinds of calls). Took messages, did the mail and sorted faxes. All in all, not a hair-tearing kind of day except for .......the fly....and the kids who may or may not have been raised by wolves.

That's One Ugly Baby, Lady.....

When I was doing my 15 minutes of housework this weekend (wouldn't want to strain myself, you know), I came across this. I imagine its been like that for a bit since I haven't dusted in a while. It brought an immediate smile to my face. This is the kind of surprises you find when you're a grandma.

I just love being a grandma. I imagine I found all sorts of things like this when I was a stressed-out, working mom but I can't really remember any of them. Back then it just irritated me that it was something else that wasn't picked up and put away. I was so concerned about doing my job, taking care of my family and trying to keep the house clean so the neighbors wouldn't talk bad about me, I never took time to stop and smell the roses.

Being a grandma, I see these kinds of things and stop and smile at them.....and furthermore, I leave them right as I found it because it makes me smile every time I look at it. I have left this totally as she left it. My granddaughter will find it eventually and then do something else that will surprise me when I least expect it.

I wish I would have taken the time to appreciate my own kids the way I now appreciate the grandkids, but back then it just seemed impossible and maybe it was. If I could dish out advice to any young mom, that's what it would be....slow down and appreciate your kids and if something is a little dusty.....so what! That dust will be there waiting for you, but the kids just keep on growing.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this and I hope it brought a smile to your face as well. Those of you who are grandparents know just what I mean and those of you who are too young yet.....I hope you think about it and the next time you open the cupboard to find a bunch of Legos in your casserole dish, stop and have a good laugh over it.

Holy Smokes.....

That's an odd saying, isn't it? But it basically sums up my shock. Where in the world did the time go? I have been in my own little world and also have visited many places via my books and TV programs. While my son was living here (ONE WHOLE YEAR!), I rarely got the chance to read because he interrupted me so often. You know, he has ADHD...he's always had it but way back when he was first starting school, they didn't have a name for it. He was just labeled as being "difficult" and "hyper" and was put into special classes at school for "emotionally impaired". I would never recommend those classes for any child. And I don't want to get started talking about all the trauma we went through during his school years. It was terrible and he ended up being cheated out of an education and other classes in which he could have excelled....like music and art, both of which he has natural talent. All I can say is that they've come a long way in helping these kids and hopefully more and more of them are now able to take advantage of a good education and any electives they are interested in.

But anyway, he still suffers from the same symptoms that he's had all his life.....and he won't take any medication for it. So, if you're around him, you have to be prepared to be subjected to lots of activity, almost non-stop talking and having every nerve in your body standing at attention on top of your skin.

So, I've been enjoying my "peace and quiet" when I'm not working outside the home. I have read quite a few books...I'm reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle right now and, 100 pages into it, its holding my attention. How can you NOT like a book that involves dogs!!! I've also started watching TV again. I may become a fan of FRINGE, a new series that has a female as the main character (FBI) who is uncovering many government secrets. I caught a showing of HEROES, which I had never seen before. It held my interest but I will admit that it was confusing. I'm not sure who the good guys/girls are or who the bad ones are at this point.

How fast the evening flies when you're looking at a TV program that holds your interest....or reading a good book. After supper I would sit down to do one or the other and before I knew it, it was bedtime....and no time for computer entries. I did manage to read your blogs at work though so I have been keeping up pretty good except for the last 3 days....I've been off work and busy around home. I must say the weather is beautiful here and its giving me energy I thought I had lost forever. I work every day next week so my work here at home will have to be put on the back burner....at my age its hard to accomplish both things and do them well.

Just the facts ma'am.....

This election is really getting to me. There are so many things that I dislike and like about each candidate that I'm having a terrible time of it. Just when I think I've got my mind made up, I get a scathing email with a bunch of possible truths, possible garbage about one side or the other and then it sets me back to square one again. I often split my ticket when I vote. I usually vote for the person, not the party. Is that wrong? Anymore I'm really confused.

Someone told me about this website that is supposed to be fair and is not leaning one way or another....just toward the truth.....so I thought I'd pass it on. www.factcheck.org - I've been reading some of the stuff on it and hopefully it will help me to make a decision that I will be comfortable with. My daughter and I will be voting alike so as not to cancel each other's votes out.

If anyone knows of another place to get honest answers about both sides, please advise me. I'm just so effin' sick of the lies. I hate the mud slinging too, but they are both doing it. I realize there are no saints left but I'm just sayin'.....

Oh my goodness.....

I drove home from work in the rain. It had been raining on and off for most of the day and some of the downpours were impressive! This is our little taste of Gustav...what's left of him.

Rumors were flying around at work that gas was going up 30 cents and we all were chomping at the bit for 5 o'clock to get here so we could fill up. I pulled in the gas station and filled up my tank, which was about a quarter full. The gas was $3.89 a gallon and it took nearly $49. to fill my tank. It had gone up slightly from that morning but not any thirty cents. I was beginning to think that maybe it was just a rumor and nothing more.

After I'd been home for about 2 hours my daughter called and said she'd gotten a call from her cousin in Arkansas. She said that gasoline there had been raised to $5.25 a gallon. I am in shock.

This can't continue. People will not be able to afford to drive to work. Someone said it was due to the hurricane. I guess Texas prices are even worse. I have never seen things this bad. And to think that I actually remember the summer I was 17, we had a "gas war" and it was selling for 10.9 cents a gallon at one station. The next lowest price was 11.9 cents a gallon. Boy oh boy, does that ever make me feel old! Back then a dollar's worth just about filled your tank....AND, they put it in for you, not to mention checking the oil and washing the windshield. Yep, those were the days.

BTW, if you want to try out the new "followers" link from Blogger, click on "Followers" in my side bar and it will add your picture and a link to your blog. I found out about this from Bear.....so far my only follower....and haven't really experimented with it much.

Whew.....

I can't believe how fast time goes. Between working, family and computer problems, I have been neglectful in posting. Actually nothing really "newsy" has happened for me to write about. I guess that's a good thing.

Things are slowly getting back to normal in my household and stuff stays where I put it. School is back in session, traffic has increased by 1/3 and it takes longer to get anywhere.

The airline people are now sending "bills" to my address to two different names that are so outlandish they just HAVE to be fictitious. Since I've never flown in my life and never intend to....I can assume that these are in reference to the tickets some thief bought using my credit card number back in January. And here I thought that was all taken care of. I sent those back, "unk, return to sender, not at this address". Hopefully that will stop it.

My browser program, which I love (Flock), updated automatically and all my bookmarks disappeared. That made me write a burning email to tech support. I then used my back-up to find them all again and now everything is OK. A reminder to all of you. BACK UP your system or else your personal data can be lost....poof....gone forever. I have an external hard drive and clone my whole system on that. I can't tell you how many times its saved me, but even if its only once, its worth it.

I'll write more in a few days....after I win the lottery and go on my spending spree. HA.

Thoughts from the edge.....

Every once in a while when I walk through my breezeway, I walk through a huge cobweb. It always brings to mind one of Gary Larson's creations from his The Far Side cartoons.....the one with the two spiders putting a web across the bottom of a playground slide, with one telling the other, "if we pull this off, we'll eat like kings".

I've often wondered about the size of a spider with such magnificent ambitions. Well, I won't have to wonder any longer, since I've seen him.

The other morning I sleepily stumbled into the bathroom and walked through a web.....that had not been there a mere six hours before. I was shaking my head and thinking about Gary's cartoon with a smile on my lips when I happened to gaze into my bathtub and observed a spider roughly the size of a small Buick.

Now I have been known to capture some spiders in a tissue and set them free outside but this one was a bit much for me.....and besides that, I'm sure he was witness to my bathtub incident (in which I had to slither out of the tub) and, given his size, he could have surely helped me out but didn't, so I wasn't feeling too kindly toward him. He met a watery grave and yes, I do feel sort of guilty about it but.......I just don't like spiders. I know, I know....they are beneficial but they are downright creepy and I can't help it. I feel the same way about snakes. I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to this.

It did make me wonder just how a spider this size manages to gain entry into my home. I have come to the conclusion that he probably was born inside my home and has been eating like a king since. He has probably had his eye on the dog for quite some time but since the web was at MY eye level, its certain I was the intended prey. I have visions of my entire house enveloped in a cocoon of webbing, saving leftovers for a later date. Something tells me that he may have had the same visions.

Think it can't happen? Here's a picture taken at a State Park in Texas last year of a giant spider web created when a trail wasn't used in two weeks. I think we may need a bigger can of Raid.

I'll leave you with this tidbit that will probably haunt you as it does me. I once read that we (as in humans) are NEVER more than 3 feet away from a spider at any time. Now isn't that a comforting thought? Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend y'all.

I'll Be Back Shortly.....

I'm so sorry for the prolonged absence but I've been working every day and its kicking my butt!
I do have a little something to say that will get you goose pimpley all over.

I lost my credit card. It had been missing for a while before I realized it wasn't in my wallet. I went online and nervously looked at my statement and was glad to see that it hadn't been used. I then called the bank and put a hold on the card for a few days and starting looking in earnest.

I looked every place that I thought it should be or could be and then I started looking at places where it could never be. My daughter came over and she helped look for it. It was very frustrating.

My friend told me that when she went to Catholic elementary school they used to sing a song to Saint Anthony when they lost things because he can help you find them. She said you don't have to be Catholic to request Saint Anthony's services. So I started talking to Saint Anthony.

I was, at that time, going through a pile of recipes on my computer desk. I was slowly retyping them into a data base and there is no way the card could be in that pile but I was looking anyway, having exhausted just about every other place. About half way through the pile, I looked skyward and whined "awww come on Saint Anthony, please help me". My dog, hearing the whiny voice, came in to see what was up. I turned sideways, away from my desk to pet her and when I turned back......the card was laying in front of me!

This is a true story. I still get goosebumps over it. So, I'm telling you right now....it does not hurt to believe in things you may not quite understand or logic may tell you otherwise. And as far as Saint Anthony....he's a welcomed guest at my house anytime because I'm always losing something.

Well, its time for me to scoot out the door and head off to work. Y'all have a wonderful day and I'll be back in a couple days. I can visit and read your blogs from work, but I can't comment.

I have learned.....

it's not a good idea to put bath oil in your bath water if you have a bad left knee and a bad right hip. Whatever visuals you're getting right now are probably pretty darn accurate. I bet none of YOU have ever slithered over and out of the tub on your belly much like a great big snake. Sigh. Necessity makes one do odd things. I can laugh about it now.

Trip down memory lane.....

Memories of Our Cruises.....

This picture is similar to the first car I owned, back in 1961. A 1957 Ford Custom, 2 dr. Sedan. My dad got it used for me and I made monthly payments to him to pay him back, plus paid for my own insurance. Price of vehicle was $600. Memories.....priceless.

I was fortunate enough to experience some of my memorable teenage years during 1958 through 1962. It was a wonderful time and although it may bring unhappy memories to some (Vietnam War era), for a lot of us, it was a time like no other. Cruising was all the thing back then. Shiny cars, no cares and great music, cruising along Woodward Avenue between our burb and the next, ..….where all the kids went, ending at the most popular local drive-in restaurant for a 5x5 (big hamburger) and a coke.

One weekend in August a bunch of years ago, some car enthusiasts got together and decided it would be fun to make “the old run”, cruising the highway again….and even do it in some vintage cars. Even though the drive-in is no longer in business, the memories hang in the air. The idea caught on. And now this event has gone from a small one, to one known world-wide. The air is filled with the music of the late 50’s through the 70’s. A lot of people dress just like we dressed back then. For about two weeks prior the event, you can see the cars from that era being driven around town, so shiny they hurt your eyes. The local radio stations have hopped on the band wagon and play all the music from those years we loved so much. At any given moment, you can turn on your radio, close your eyes and travel back in time 40 years or more. Yesterday I was behind a fine looking ’56 Chevy on the way home from work, listening to the Beach Boys.

This weekend is going to be a nice one, even though it won’t be a typically blazing hot August day. The temp should top out at a perfect 80, and the sky is the purest blue and the sun is bright and inviting. I always feel badly for the participants who often trailer their vehicles across country and then have to put up with rain, which has happened frequently. But not this year!

I don’t personally attend anymore; my knee has decided that for me. But I still enjoy the event by watching some of it on TV and listening to all those wonderful songs. I remember driving to work in my senior year, listening to the strains of “Runaround Sue” and “The Wanderer”; I hear them again and my mind travels back….to a simpler time. True, no cell phones, no computers, no video games but we often left our homes unlocked and the keys in the ignition of the family car sitting in the driveway. All of you my age know what I’m talking about. I’m glad I was blessed enough to experience it.

So, if you want, you can check out Dream Cruise and get a glimpse into the past. I often wonder exactly what today’s teen thinks of all this. Probably about the same way I used to feel when my mom talked about the “Big Band Era”, and dancing “The Charleston”.

All of You are Just Wonderful.....

Every one of you that commented on my post where my son hurt my feelings......how can I ever let you know how much I appreciated your kind words. I really mean this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you....thank you....each one of you. I really have some wonderful, caring readers.....I am so lucky! But I have to say this.....the one comment that made me giggle was Janet's. LOL. She made note that at least I'd have my parking spot back.

Go Janet!

I think her sense of humor is just as evil as mine! Thank you again....everyone. It really did help oh-so very much.

Is it Something in The Air?.....

I know what's going on with my family but it seems like a lot of us are having an exceptional amount of drama happening lately. Something in the stars? I sure don't know but will be seriously glad when it all decides to end. I am in desperate need of some peace.

I am the Queen of worriers. I worry about everything. You can get worry wreaths, worry balls, worry boxes, worry beads, worry stones, worry dolls and lord knows how many other things....but nothing seems to keep you from worrying if you're the worrying kind.

Last week my son had to show his butt and he, along with my ex really hurt my feelings. I was just nicely getting over that when my grandson left his house Friday afternoon with a friend, telling his mom he'd be back in "a couple hours". Three days later, she is a quivering, shaking mess, sitting at the police department filing a missing person report. I don't think I even have to tell you what it was doing to me. The matriarch of the family....the one who has to stand strong and be the backbone. I did all that but when I was alone, I fell apart. I was just plain scared. We were planning his little sister's birthday celebration Sunday.....he knew that. Our out-of-state relatives were leaving to go back home Monday. Yes, indeed....I was truly scared.

At 17 years old, he apparently thinks he has earned the right to come and go as he pleases without answering to anyone. He has stayed at friend's before for a couple days but he's always called. This time he didn't call. (No....he doesn't have a cell phone like 90% of the teen population) He was with a new kid in town. None of his friends knew this kid's last name or where he lived....they only knew his first name. Today was the fourth day he'd been missing. We were getting a picture ready to email to the local news media when his best friend called and said they had located him. Yes....he's fine. This new kid is wealthy I guess and he's been having a lot of fun at his house....for four days. And yes....the kid's parents were aware that he was there, as they were home and he was there by invitation. I'm sure there are phones in the house....why didn't he call home? And what happened to the old deal that parents used to do.....call the other kid's parents! Get acquainted....find out if the kid has permission to stay....What happened to that? Although I'm not blaming this on them....the blame is on my grandson. What he did is 100% wrong and unforgivable.

You think you know your kid or your grandkid....but you don't really know them like you think you do. He has put his mother and me through so much worry during this time I can't even begin to tell you. I had so many What If's going through my head........well, I'm sure you can imagine.

As soon as we found out he was alive and he was OK....then we were both instantly and gigantically pissed. I absolutely cannot believe that he was so uncaring....so inconsiderate...as to let us suffer like this. And no....there had been no argument beforehand....he just casually left.
I don't know what she's going to do about him....I think she's going to cart him down to the police station to let the officer have a little talk with him, if they will do such a thing. As for me....I am numb. I'd like to spank him hard and send him to his room with no TV or privileges for a year.....I'd like to put him in the naughty chair, send him to bed with no dessert and anything else that will get it across to him that what he did was terribly cruel and wrong. But he's too old for any of that.

That which does not kill you, will only make you stronger. Both my daughter and I ought to be champions by now. Thank God this turned out ok.....it could have gone the other way so easily.

Not gonna cry.....

My mom always said that when children are little they step on your toes and when they get bigger, they step on your heart. My son certainly has made that little statement come true many times. He has finally moved out and I should be doing the Happy Dance but he left on bad terms. He said a lot of things that hurt and it will take me some time to recover from his verbal attacks. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

I'll dig around and find my smile that ran away. I'll put it on and be back in a couple days. In the meantime, I'm visiting all of you, but not really commenting often. I'll be fine as frog hair in a few days....life is too short to dwell on things that are upsetting. I just have to stifle the urge I have of wanting to smack him right in the face as hard as I can. Oops....did I say that out loud?

What kind of friend am I.....

You Are a Good Friend Because You're Loyal

You stick with your friends no matter what, even if you feel like they're doing the wrong thing. You believe in letting people figure out their own path in life. It's not your place to interfere. And part of your loyalty means that you'll do a lot for your friends. You definitely go the extra mile. You'll even do great things for friends without them asking. After all, that's what friendship is all about. You are truly a friend for life. And you have friends you've known since you were a kid. Your friends can count on you to do a favor, remember a birthday, or just be there to listen. Your friends need you most when: They can't turn to anyone else You really can't be friends with: Fickle people who change friends quickly Your friendship quote: "Friendship doubles your joys, and divides your sorrows."

What Makes You a Good Friend?

I thought I'd close out this month with another one of these tests. This one hit me pretty close too....or at least I thought so. Maybe I should ask my friends about that. Anyway, these are all kind of fun to take.

What Hand Gesture Are You.....

You Are a Thumbs Up

Your life philosophy can be summed up as, "Tomorrow is another day." Your greatest wish is for everyone to be content with what they have. You are naturally content and optimistic. You encourage people to be happy. Even if life isn't perfect, you believe that life is what you make of it!

What Hand Gesture Are You?

I got this from Mental P Mama's site and thought it was amazingly accurate as well as something a little different. Click on the link above and see what YOU are. I was sort of surprised because this does fit me pretty darn close right now. I wasn't always like this though. With age I have mellowed like.... fine wine? LOL

6 Things I'm Proud of MeMe.....

Janet tagged me for a meme to list 6 things that I’m proud of. This is a lot harder than it seems at first thought. This is all from my heart though so please don’t take it as bragging.

1. I am proud of the fact that I was raised to believe in God and to believe that if you lead your life as a good person, good things will come to you.

2. I am proud that I was given the parents that I had. They were good, hard-working people who raised me to live by high morals. I worked hard and never did an impetuous or thoughtless act. They taught me your name was only as good as your integrity.

3. I am proud of myself because I was able to basically raise my family alone. I lived on a strict budget and planned my life with cunning strategy so I would not be a financial burden in my old age.

4. I am proud to be an American. Being female and the main breadwinner, I’m glad I was given the opportunities to better my life. We take so many things for granted and reading as much as I do, I have been given glimpses into how some others in other countries are forced to live.

5. I am proud of my children because they both are caring and compassionate human beings who also believe in God and try to live their lives as decently as possible.

6. I am proud that I try to do things to make people feel better or to make things a little nicer in our world. They are just small things, but they are consistently done. I care about others and I don’t judge for it’s not my place.

I’m not used to patting my own back. In my previous post I mentioned how I felt like a failure…but I meant that in terms of being perfect. Nothing I do is absolutely perfect, but it did get positive results. So, my mom’s old saying of “If something is worth doing, its worth doing right”….could be replaced with mine…. “be as good as you can be, so you know you’ve given your all”. If its not perfect….well, who is judging? Its taken me a lot of years to be able to say that and feel OK with it.

I’m not going to tag anyone because I found this a very hard meme to do and I don’t want anyone to feel obligated. If you’d like to do it though….please do so and let me know if you’re going to. At least, if you don’t share it, write it out and sit and think about it for a while. It makes you do some deep thinking. Love you all.

Some reflective thinking.....

Some of the blogs I visit have hit upon an interesting topic and it’s caused me to do some reflective thinking. Its basically a question of dreams and goals and is your life today what you expected it would be. And…how do you feel about your present status.

My life now is not what I expected it would be. I’ve had some twists and turns but I have to admit that things could be a lot worse than they are and that sort of makes up for any shortcomings. I think one of the darkest clouds hanging over my head all my life is the fact that I never thought I was as good as what I should be. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried I never could achieve perfection, in my eyes. We all know women who have the perfect houses, the perfect children and the perfect spouses. Everything these women touch seems to turn to gold. They decorate perfectly, they cook perfectly and put together the most perfect parties or gatherings. I honestly don’t know HOW they do it. They must never sleep.

My mother was one of those women. I have not been able to follow in her perfect footsteps and for this I feel like such a failure. There! I said it. After all these years….I actually said it. I feel like a failure. At this age it bothers me less and less though. My children love me and somehow don’t think of me as a failure. My employer loved me and praised me for my work so I guess I wasn’t a failure there either. Why do I feel like one. Maybe its because my house is not as perfect as my mothers….or that perfect woman down the street from me. And, of course, "Martha" doesn't help your self-esteem much. I have some dust on my tables and a pile of books sitting near the couch, among other imperfections. I’ve always felt that reading a good book takes priority over dusting a table. Drawing pictures with the kids takes priority over waxing the floor and comforting a friend takes priority over ironing clothes.

I guess maybe I’ve just never had my priorities straight. However, I’m glad that I’m finally feeling comfortable in my own skin. And even though I do love her, it did help when Martha went to prison....I can make myself feel better by saying at least I don't have a record. I now have a “this is me, take it or leave it…..or what you see is what you get” approach to life. I’m not out to impress anyone….I’m just me and even though my life isn’t what I had pictured for myself, I didn’t do too badly. I certainly can't do it over now. I do seem to have the respect of most everyone who knows me….I just need to have that same respect for myself and acknowledge that even though I’m not perfect, it seems as though I am loved and that’s a pretty good accomplishment. How do you feel about your life so far?

A google view.....

Thanks to Brad for this idea. This is a google view of my neighborhood. I live right in the middle of all those trees, where the yellow pin is, so you can only see a portion of my roof. The parking lot at the right is for the elementary school where my kids went and now my granddaughters both go. Three "blocks" west of me is a huge lake, where they all learned to swim.