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.

A good deed comes full circle.....

My daughter and I both believe in random acts of kindness and in doing good deeds if we possibly can manage them. She will help when she's in need of help herself because she believes that we should care about one another. God, I'm proud of her.

Anyway, a good deed has come full circle in our little family.

She took her son to the dentist to see about his broken tooth. The dentist has been treating her and her family for several years now and knows her situation. Well, are you all sitting down because you're not going to believe this one! But this is the truth. He fixed that front tooth....thank goodness there was no nerve damage. It had to be capped. My grandson's smile is as good as new now and you could never tell that anything was ever wrong. The price? Well....an unbelievable $100 out the door.

May this good man (the dentist) be forever blessed for his kindness and compassion. He knows their situation and gave them a deal of a lifetime. A beautiful smile on a young man....priceless.
Prayers answered and an act of kindness comes full circle....unforgettable.