MiMaw's Garden

Neuteralize My World

2007-05-10T18:26:00.000-05:00

Seriously, I have neutralized my home in a last ditch effort to appeal to buyers. I have de-cluttered so the rooms look bigger. Went from a King-size bed to a Queen-size. Left only one chest of drawers and a bedside table. Removed the Polish Princes's comfy recliner, leaving him to sit on the couch. No reclining and relaxing for him! Removed the stereo, the Playstation and end table. Took out corner cabinets and coffee cart out of the kitchen/dining area. Downsized my office, the spare room and the basement.

Painted the rooms neutral colors: such as Cream in my Coffee, Summer Moon and Gray Palisade. Replaced my drapes with with tab-top twill curtains in a linen/khaki shade which can be opened to view the acreage surrounding the house. Covered my lovely floral sofa with a khaki slipcover. A wooden rocker with khaki cushions sits where the recliner used to sit. We replaced the floral rug (which matched my sofa and valances) with a taupe rug. The wood floors were polished to a sheen.

Wallpaper was stripped. Lacy curtains replaced with voile ones and a plain, cream-colored tablecloth rounded out the kitchen/dining area. Speaking of wallpaper, our bedroom was stripped of its wallpaper, painted and plain curtains hung up.

Jaek said the living room looked like it 'lost its soul' and he's right. It is plain and has no character; in other words, it is BLAH!

The housing market in Michigan is devastating. There are too many houses on the market and a depressing number of foreclosures. It is definitely a buyer's market. We have to sell this house. Two mortgages and two sets of utilities is straining our budget beyond belief. We took it off the market for six weeks to revamp and then find a realtor who was willing to work at selling it rather than just list it for the sake of listing it.

We decided to revamp after much discussion. Okay, it was more of a lecture from me telling the Polish Prince that we have to do something to make it more appealing. People who came for showings said the house wasn't modern enough and not decorated to their taste. Of course, his response was, "So buy it, paint it, update it and redecorate it!" To get my point across to him, I made him sit through 3 hours of Sell Your Home. He could not believe people had no imagination to see what could be. And to bring the point all the way home, there was a news blurb about how to sell your home. It stated (paraphrasing) that people nowadays cannot visualize beyond what is there in front of them. The best thing to do is to de-clutter and neutralize everything in sight.

So that is what we have been doing for the past six weeks. And I am tired of it! I have one room to finish - my office - my space. I am procrastinating as much as possible. If I neutralize it, take out all the stuff which makes it mine, I fear I will lose myself.

We contacted a realtor who has been advertising that she has sold 17 houses in 18 weeks and many are sold in 21 to 30 days. Unfortunately, she wanted to drop the price some more. The look of pain on my husband's face scared her for a moment. He believes in buy low and sell high. We have always made a fair amount on the houses we sold (3 to date) so it goes against his nature to getting less than what he feels is his fair share. It took some time to calm him down and show him his way of thinking wouldn't get the house sold.

So, today we signed the papers for this realtor to list it. Jaek's wife will be out tomorrow to take some pictures and by next week we should be busy showing the house to lots of people! Wish us luck!

Fighting Demons in the Bottle

2007-04-03T22:11:00.000-05:00

Haven't talked in awhile. Lots of reasons but if I listed them, they would just sound like excuses. So, why now, you ask? I need to release [vent] the emotions, thoughts, and feelings building to an explosive climax [not the good kind].

Alcoholism. Disease? Disorder? Nasty habit? Yes, to all three BUT it depends on the person. Does genetics play a part? An addictive personality? Tolerance level? Upbringing? Or the cliche of the day: Nature vs Nurture? Once again, yes to all but depending on the person. Is there a cure? Can one just rely on willpower to kick the habit? No, to both. Do we love 'em or leave 'em? Love or Tough Love? Force them or coerce them? I honestly don't know the answer to any of those questions.

Where is MiMaw going with this line of questioning? Probably nowhere, but maybe somebody out there has some insight on the subject. My Baby Son is an alcoholic. I have known this for a long time. He has known it but only recently admitted it. Oh, he has said it in the past but he didn't really mean it. He insisted he could get it under control. Which meant to him that he could still drink... in moderation. There is no such thing with an alcoholic. He was doing pretty good for awhile, but life threw him some curve balls and he sought out the Demons in the Bottle. The Demon took hold of him and refused to let go. He hid it and lied through his teeth about it. The Demon dragged him to Hell and was determined to keep him there. For whatever reason, Baby Son decided it was not a place he wanted to be. He called a friend [not on the top of my list, but that is a whole 'nother story]. She is helping him to get into a Rehab Center, helping him through the D.T.'s and keeping me informed. The past is past... she is helping him now and IF she follows through with it... I will be forever grateful.

Why did he not come to his mother for help? He was too ashamed. For lying to me, backsliding and "letting me down". It bothered me at first, but in retrospect it is probably a good thing he didn't come to me in the condition he was in. I grew up with an alcoholic ... a disgusting drunk. Don't get me wrong! I don't have anything against drinking... in moderation. Even tying one on once in awhile is okay as long as there is no driving involved. But when I am around someone who is completely shit-faced, something inside me snaps and I turn cold. If Baby Son would have come to me... I would have no sympathy for him and would have kicked his ass rather than help him. I would not, could not, give him the help he needed. I have been on the phone with him a lot these past few days giving him words of encouragement and telling him how much I love him.

To go back to the opening remarks. Baby Son has a disease. It is genetic. He has an addictive personality and cannot quit on his own. His body cannot tolerate alcohol. My father and grandfather were alcoholics. Baby Son's biological sperm donor was an alcoholic along with other members in that family. Only Daughter gets upset with me when I question what I might have done wrong or could have done differently to prevent it. I know it isn't my fault, but I am his mother so I should have been able to do something to stop it before it got out of hand. Okay! I know that isn't true.

My heart aches. He is hurting so I want to be able to kiss it and make it all better. I cannot. I have tried in the past. He made this decision of his own accord [which is the way it has to happen] and he needs to see it through on his own... for his own sake. All I can do is show my support, love and lots of prayers.

Tomorrow is the day he starts the process of going into Rehab... as long as he doesn't chicken out. Tomorrow he fights the Demon to get out of the bottle.

Hibernation

2007-01-31T18:40:00.000-05:00

Gonna be a bear....
In this life, I'm a woman. In my next life I want to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're suppose to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too.

If you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake up to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business! You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them, too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS you to have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!

Excuse while I go back to sleep!

Twelve Thirty One Two Thousand Six

2006-12-31T16:31:00.000-05:00

The Family Get-Together was a success! The pool was a big hit with the kids. Jake (the Mineral King) supervised (seen above with his daughter). We had a total of 44 show up! We had lots of food, fun and laughter!

I spent hours and hours each day (for over 2 weeks) scanning, editing and adding photos to my computer (over 1200). Some of the photos dated back to the 1920's and 1930's. Some were in good shape and some were in sad shape. A lot of the photos were in black and white, some were in color but had a gawd awful yellow hue to them. The majority of them had thumbprints on them that showed only after scanning. Waaay back when, the person taking the picture must have thought they had to stand back about 50 feet from their subject, so I enlarged the photo to bring the subject up close and personal and then cropped it to get the excess background out of the photos. I removed unwanted items from the photos. One photo of my brother and his wife... they were standing near a canyon in Colorado with a gorgeous backdrop of a snow-capped mountain but there was a man standing behind my brother's elbow so... I took him out of the picture! I was able to make a CD for each family member to take home. I attempted (and failed) to make a DVD slideshow with accompanying music. I worked on it for over 15 hours but the program I had wasn't the one I used before and it wouldn't work. I was so disappointed! I had one section of just baby pictures... about 20 of them... and the Bobby Darin hit, "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" to accompany it. So instead, I set it up on my laptop to run a slideshow through the screen saver. It was on top of my stereo in the corner of the living room. People wandered over and watched it and tried to guess who was who. Even though I had organized all the photos by family and dates, I set it to random shuffle. At one point, there must of been 20 people standing there trying to guess who was on the screen and what year it was taken. I still plan on making the DVD slideshow... found the program I like (Only Daughter had it and brought it to me)...but not until next year {ha ha}.

I am so glad I followed my heart and had the family here. The loved ones who have gone on before us were smiling down with happiness to see us all together.

One final note on this last day of 2006... Only Daughter is ENGAGED!! Her finace (I can finally call him that!) surpised her with a trip to California and proposed to her while they were in San Francisco. He is a wonderful guy but most important... he loves my daughter and treats her like a princess! Congrats to the happy couple!!!!! Looks like a fall wedding!

Happy New Year to one and all!

2006-11-09T13:57:00.000-05:00

Last Friday night we were suppose to have a family get-together at a local restaurant. My brothers, sister, their families and mine. Instead, the family gathered at a funeral. My nephew died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 39 years old. There is much speculation about his frame of mind and his actions leading up to that point. I don't know if we'll ever know the whole truth. Only God and my nephew know.

I was angry when I first heard the news. Suicide is the coward's way out. It is a selfish act with no thought for those who loved him. That is my opinion. I do not want to argue the point or get into a debate with anyone who has other opinions. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one and nobody wants another one. I am not angry anymore. It isn't my place to condemn him for his actions. I don't need to know why. It is over and done with. Life is what is important. The lives of those he left behind...family and friends...his beautiful daughters (ages 16 & 17)... will go on.

Family. It is important to me. I am the baby of the family. There are a lot of years between my oldest brother (the father of the nephew) and me... eighteen years! I grew up with my nieces and nephews. By the time I had a family, the family gatherings became few and far between. Whenever we had a party, I invited the whole family. Some showed up, some didn't. One year I had a birthday party for myself and invited the whole family and a bunch of friends. I'll be damned if they all didn't show up! Sure surprised the hell out of me! And it was a good time. We had my mother's photo albums and loose photos of hers and mine. We have a wonderful time looking through the photos... "Omigosh! I remember this!", "Who is this?", "No! It can't be". Memories flooded the room and we all felt the shared love... what family is all about.

So... after the funeral, I kept thinking about how I could get the family all together at my house. We live in a smaller house but it has an indoor-inground heated pool (sounds much more grandiose than it is!). I threw the idea out at the Polish Prince. His response was, "That's an awful lot of people." He's right, as always. The number of people who would be invited ranges around "55". I know not all of them would show up, but there is the distinct possibility a lot of them might.

My brother who died (a car accident) in 1968, left two small boys (ages 4 & 2). The oldest, his namesake, died at the age of 19 (a car accident). His youngest son had a lot of pain and tragedy to deal with (not long after his brother's death, his mother passed away from cancer). He went through a period of recklessness and drugs. He came to my my mother's funeral and looked so lost and sad. Unfortunately, we lost touch with him for awhile. The next time we met up with him, he was a changed man. He was a missionary/minister in Mexico. He married a local woman, had triplet boys and then another boy. Every few years he comes up to Michigan for a visit and we try to get-together with him. A few of us have, not the whole family. This visit, he requested a family get-together with as many of the family as possible. Some of the family he hadn't seen since he was a little boy, so he was really looking forward to it. Instead, he was re-introduced to the family at the funeral of the one he specifically wanted to see. He was the officiating minister.

So, you see, my heart yearned for a family get-together... an informal gathering... a Pool Party. My mind said it was impossible to pull off but my heart kept nagging me. My Sister and her daughter must have received my psychic output. I received an email requesting that I host a party and they would do all they could to help. How could I resist? So, if all works out, a month from today there will be a houseful of people ...living, loving, laughing, sharing memories and making some new ones. Those who have gone on before us... my mother, my father, my brother T, T's wife and son, my nephew, his mother, and his youngest daughter... will be looking on with happiness and love.

Best Friends for Life

2006-11-05T14:25:00.000-05:00

I started this post October 24th, so I thought before I make any more blog entries or work on NaNoWriMo, I better finish this....

Hi! How are you? Gee, it's been a long time since we've had a chance to sit down and have a chat. Anything new and exciting in your life?

It has been 40 days since my last post. Doesn't really seem like that long. My best friend from North Carolina came up here for a visit. She was born and raised here in Michigan, but moved away about 22 years ago. She had only been back once or twice for a short visit. She stayed just a couple days shy of a month.

She got to see the trees change colors. We took a trip to northern Michigan where the colors were in full force. The brilliant oranges, yellows and reds contrasted by the dark green of the pines. She took pictures for her son-in-law who had never seen the autumn transformation. I found it strange, but then she explained... North Carolina doesn't have that. One day the leaves are on the trees and the next day they aren't... they just die and fall off.

She came up here with her car packed full... her clothes, personal items, a variety of projects (quilt [with sewing machine], socks [knitting], towel topper [crocheting], afghan [knitting], pajamas [sewing... pattern, material and machine], Squinkey's stuff (her Chihuahua baby) and lots more. Of course, knowing she was coming to Michigan, she brought gloves but NO COAT! We ended up shopping for a coat at Goodwill where she found a beautiful (like new) heavy coat plus lots more stuff. It was good times at the Goodwill!

We took a day and drove to our old neighborhood. We drove by our elementary school, by some friends house near there, past the house I lived in, the path we walked to school, the streets between my house and hers (where we played softball, football and $5), and finally stopping at the house next to hers (see previous posts). Kathy wasn't home so we left a note and stopped at the coffee shop across the street. We could see the house from our chairs, along with the stores we frequented. She says, "I am surprised we haven't seen anyone we knew back then." Then she says, "Hmpf, maybe they have, but we probably wouldn't have recognized them!" Kathy called while we were just finishing our Lattes so we back to her house. We took a tour of her gardens (took pictures). We stood outside looking at both backyards (side by side) and did a lot of "remember when" while pointing to this or that.

It was kind of weird being in that house again. It hasn't changed much. So many afternoons I sat in Kathy's living room talking to her about school, friends, boyfriends, life in general.... Here I was, once again, sitting in her living room talking to her... but this time, she was filling me in on her family (there were a lot of them then and LOTS more now). Before we knew it, 4 hours had passed! We had one more stop to complete our day. Fat Man's Fish Fry! We ordered lots of our favorites and brought them home to share with the Polish Prince. Some memories are better left undisturbed. Sure didn't taste as good as we remembered!

It even snowed just for her! Well, that's what I keep telling everybody. How do you explain so much snow so early in the season? I guess they get snow down there in NC, but not much and not for long. So she was out early with her camera capturing the moment (which lasted all damn day!). The trees were heavy with the snow. It definitely looked like a Winter Wonderland. I took a lot of pictures, too. We selected the best and sent them via email to her husband and kids.

It was an absolutely wonderful time with her here. We were so comfortable with each other. She helped out when I needed it and even when I didn't! At times we talked non-stop, others we were comfortable with the silences. We worked on our various projects, shared thoughts and ideas, watched television or took turns on the computer.

The time came when she decided she should go back. She said she should go before the snow hit again or she would have to stay until spring... I said, "Yeah, so?" I would have been happy and content to have her stay until then. She might have been happy but she wouldn't have been comfortable... too cold for her. Hell, it's too cold for me but I got no choice!

Deb left for home on Wednesday, October 18th... with a heavy heart, I waved her goodbye. She arrived safe and sound at home on the 20th. Life goes back to the way it was (sort of). We haven't had much chance to catch up online. I think she has lots of projects to finish (some she started while here) and I have projects to finish, NaNoWriMo and a family tragedy to deal with. Which makes me miss her even more.

Trick or Trick Twins

2006-10-29T23:53:00.000-05:00

What could be scarier than having a baby on Halloween? Having TWO! My Polish Prince's brothers were born FIFTY years ago on Halloween. R1 and R2 are not identical twins. No way, no how! They share a mother, brothers and a birthday and that's about it.

They live in a farming community where everybody knows everybody. A lot of the younger generation have moved out but many of their age group and older are still there. A few are still farming but it isn't like it used to be. Many in that area are of Polish descent. Say what you will about the Polish, but they are a hard-working, fun-loving, caring people. Neighbors aren't just neighbors, they are extended family (in some cases, literally).

Farming used to be a way of life for many but now it has to be supplemented by outside jobs. Planting and harvesting season consists of 20 hour workdays. Unfortunately, this season is extremely wet so the harvesting will be postponed until it dries out some or it freezes. Neither happened last week so a party was planned in less than a week and the call to par-tay was answered by one and all in the community (or so it seemed).

First, I have to mention a very special lady... Rose. She is an absolutely wonderful person! I have never met anyone so selfless and giving as Rose. When her mother passed away, she gave her life to helping her father raise her brothers and sisters. She was engaged to be married... the longest engagement I've ever known of...over 10 years! She waited until the last of her siblings was through school and on their own. When she finally married, she did it in old-fashioned Polish tradition. I can't remember what it is called (shame on me), but the wedding celebration lasts 3 days... 3 days of partying! Can you imagine? What fun it was! A few years after they married, she learned she had MS (Multiple Sclerosis). She doesn't let it get her down, oh no, she is always on the go, doing for everybody... it just takes her a little longer. She planned a party for the Twins. She pulled it together in less than week and did a fantastic job of it. The day after the party, she was there to clean up. Her movements gave away the fact of just how much the MS was affected by her work, but her attitude was awesome! So upbeat, happy-go-lucky, cheerful...you get the picture. She is one of a kind!

The party was fantastic! So many friends, neighbors and relatives together- talking and laughing and drinking. Since it was for their 50th birthday, that was probably the average age of most of the people but there were a few younger and a few more older than that. I have been a part of the family for over 25 years so I have attended many, many functions where all these people have also been in attendance. All have aged, some more gracefully than others. I had to laugh my ass off when one of the women related an incident involving age. It made me think of the saying, "You know you're old when..." She said she went into Yonkers on Senior Citizen Discount Day and got carded! She was absolutely ecstatic. The salesperson said she couldn't be a day over 40 and she proudly showed her driver's license to prove she was 56 years old! Gawd, I remember when getting carded meant something else entirely different! I must admit, she did look good. Better than she has looked in years, but it wasn't just her looks. Her exuberance and joy of life lit up the room.

Many of the couples were bragging on how many years they had been married (bragging, not complaining). Twenty-five, twenty-one and twenty-two (ours) years and still going strong. R2 has never been married and R1 is going through his second divorce. I noted that 3 of R1's former girlfriends were in the crowd. They are all married with kids, but still in their circle of friends. Each twin has his own circle of friends but another one that overlaps both of them. These friends have been around most of their lives and will probably be in the circle for the rest of their lives. Not that it matters, but some I love, some I like, some I have no opinion one way or the other and some I can't stand...

One person comes to mind...Red. I first met him 25 years ago and thought he was a MCP (male chauvinist pig) and an asshole. He thought he was God's gift to women. He attempted to get into every woman's pants. He actually thought he was doing them a favor and they should feel honored to get laid by him! There wasn't anything likable about him... he was a liar, cheat, and an all around creep! Twenty-five years later... he still is! I couldn't believe the audacity of that man... He came to the party with his long-time, live-in girlfriend (he lives with and off her), but said or did something to piss her off and she left. One of R1's ex-girlfriends (over 20 years ago) was there with her husband. She looked good, but then she always has. She's one of those perky, pretty, sweet woman... the kind I would like to hate, but I can't because she is so damned nice! We got totally wasted at her bachelorette party -together we killed a bottle of Blueberry Schnapps and Peach Schnapps and by the time we got to the Butterscotch Schnapps, neither one of us could see straight. She passed out and they threw her in the back of her fiance's truck. I got taken home (how? I don't remember) and had to be undressed and dragged to bed. Ah, yes, those were the days when I could handle my liquor! Sorry, got sidetracked.

What was I saying? Oh, yes. She was there with her husband. She must have looked across the room at Red and smiled. You know, one of those smiles that says, "Hi" but nothing more. Well, he took that as a sign that she w-a-n-t-e-d him and wanted him bad! He hound dogged her for hours. Told everyone that she was giving him the eye and he was gonna get him some of that! I knew times had changed when the guys thought he was an asshole rather than a macho stud. Years ago they might have hoo-yahed him on, but now they thought he was pathetic and an idiot.

The party was exceptional... lots of good food... beef, pork and turkey cooked on the roaster, scalloped potates, beans, salads, and a wonderful array of yummy desserts! Beer, wine and booze flowed generously. Even some homemade brew called Apple Pie which did taste like apple pie but kicked ass! The twins enjoyed their party to the nth degree... they were both wasted beyond belief by 1:00am. R1 couldn't see straight so he spent the night on the couch. My Polish Prince stumbled in about 1:30am and R2 and a nephew closed up shop about 2:00am after the last of the crowd left.

The guys were feeling more like 70 in the morning. They were quieter and moving a lot slower than the night before. I don't know how my guy has managed it, but years ago he was able to transfer his hangovers to me! Doesn't matter how much he drinks or how little I drink... he has no hangover but I feel like shit! Somehow, I got not only his hangover but his brothers' hangovers along with a little of my own! It was worth it! It was a good party with good friends to celebrate a couple of good guys' birthday!

Who Be You?

2006-09-14T19:32:00.000-05:00

Participate! Be clever!

1. FIRST & 2. SECOND NAMES -Mi Maw
3. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? - After my brothers and sisters. I'm the youngest so obviously I was named after they were.
4. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? - While reading Jurgen Nation last week.
5. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? - I much prefer my typing. It's quicker and easier to read.
6. WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? - Roast Beef
7. KIDS- Yes, 3 ... one of each.
8. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? - Yes, I am my own best friend.
9. DO YOU HAVE AN ONLINE JOURNAL? -Well, ya-ah!
10. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?- Define "A LOT"...
11. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? -The doctor asked me if I wanted to take them home but I said, "Ewww, no thanks! Maybe next time."
12. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?-I have used a bungee and I have jumped, but never, ever would I do them together!
13. FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Cheerios
14. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not if I can help it.
15. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? -Does smell count?
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? -Anything chocolate with chunks of chocolate in it.
17. SHOE SIZE? - Depends on the shoe, the day and how much water I am retaining.
18. RED OR PINK? -Red or pink what? That could make a big difference on how I choose.
19. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? -My overabundance of calories that have transformed themselves into pounds of FAT!
20. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? -My Mother, she passed away in 1988.
21. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE -Leaving the toilet seat UP!
22. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? -White shorts and barefoot.
23. LAST THING YOU ATE? -Grape cherry tomatoes from my garden.
24. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? -The sounds of silence broken by the clicking of keys as I type.
25. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? -Vermillion
26. FAVORITE SMELL? -A freshly powdered newborn baby.
27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? -The stupid office manager where we buy our propane.
28. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?-Mouth to see if they are smiling.
29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? -Fridays. Need I say more?
30. FAVORITE DRINK?- Coffee with cream, coffee frappuchino, Margarita, Banana Colada Fuze (half frozen to a slushy consistency).
31.. FAVORITE SPORT? -Crochet. What? It isn't a sport? Okay, bowling.
32. HAIR COLOR?- Reddish blonde with LOTS of white highlights.
33. EYE COLOR? -Brown
34. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? -No, I like my glasses 'cause I can take them off easier.
35. FAVORITE FOOD? -Rare steak, smashed redskins and fresh asparagus.
36. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? -Scary movies with happy endings or a happy movie with a scary ending.
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? -Dark green
38. FAVORITE DESSERT? -Anything sinfully chocolate. Oreo cheesecake!
40. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR? -Death of someone I love.
41. IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? -A Sloth...wait...I am a sloth!
42. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? -Nora Roberts - Northern Lights
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? -duh? My mouse or mini rat as I call it.
43. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? -Reruns
44. FAVORITE SOUNDS? -Slot machines at the casino ca-chinging.
45. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? -The Beatles, of course.
46. THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? -Not sure which is the furthest Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico? One of those or should say, all of those?
49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT ? - The ones I can talk about are: crafts, crochet, knitting, cooking and gardening.
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? -On my birthday (how convenient!) and in a hospital, although my mother was always asking me, "Were you born in a barn?" I personally, think she should have known the answer to that... she was there I assume.

Just Call Me Yenta*

2006-09-13T20:46:00.000-05:00

*Fiddler on the Roof's Matchmaker

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.
Find me a find, catch me a catch.
Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book
And make me a perfect match.

*************
Yenta's response:
Did you think you'd get a prince?
Well I do the best I can.
With no dowry, no money, no family background,
Be glad you got a man!

I would make a great Matchmaker! Well, maybe not. My recent attempt at matchmaking didn't go so well. See Jaek's Post-Mind Meld. But it isn't my fault. How was I to know she liked older men? Hmmm... she never did say HOW OLD? I went that route a couple times. Interesting stories could be told about them.

I know what makes a good marriage and what makes a bad marriage. I've had both. Not in that order, switch them around! Although it wasn't a bad marriage, it just wasn't a very good one. The best thing about the first marriage is my two kids! The worst, well---- can't say, enough said.

This marriage is good. Twenty-two years good. I know what makes a marriage good. Trust, communication and teamwork. Of course, being friends helps a lot, too. My Polish Prince can be a real asshole at times, but then I can be a real Bitch, too. We have had our ups and downs, a rollercoaster ride at times, but oh, what a thrilling ride it's been!

The TCT is the most important. You can't base a relationship on looks. Looks change. Oh, gawd how do looks change! Asshole moment: while looking at a picture of me when I was younger and a whole lot thinner, he says, "Oh, this was when you were young and pretty." Ouch! I know he doesn't say it to be mean, he just said it without thinking! You can't base a relationship on sex. That changes, too. My ex Father-in-law said it best, "What we use to do all night, now takes us all night to do". And that ain't a bad thing!

The most important thing is LOVE. But that's one thing which just happens or it doesn't happen. You can't make it happen. Why people love who they do, is a mystery to me. My Mother always said, "Love goes where it will, even if it's up a hog's ass!" She spoke from experience. Love doesn't always mean you like the person. My Mother knew that from experience. She also knew there is a fine line between love and hate and after 42 years of marriage, that line was crossed. I don't know if she actually hated my Father, but she certainly didn't love him or like him!

Trust is the most important. Not just trust as in fidelity, but trust that the other person always has your best interests at heart. Trust that no matter what you do, the other person will always love you.

Communication is so important. "I'm not a damn mind-reader! Talk to me!", was heard frequently in the early days. Now he'd rather I keep my opinions to myself (just kidding).

Teamwork doesn't mean always do everything together. Or even agreeing with each other 100 per cent of the time. It means working together to make the best of your relationship. It also covers... I won't ask him to do the laundry if he doesn't ask me to mow the lawn, but I'll hold the board while he nails it.

Matchmaker, matchmaker, plan me no plans.
I'm in no rush. maybe I've learned
Playing with matches a girl can get burned.
So bring me no ring, groom me no groom,
Find me no find, catch me no catch.
Unless he's a matchless match!

Remembering...

2006-09-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

I have read many posts regarding September 11, 2001. They touched my heart. I have nothing to offer that has not already been said and so much more eloquently than I ever could. I will offer my tribute with a moment of silence.

This, That and the Other Thing

2006-09-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

I have come to the conclusion that I must be writing the way I did for my English classes. I need to throw linguistics out the window and start writing the way I talk. The Naughty Monkey referred to me as 'refined'. Whether it was a compliment, insult or an ambiguous comment, I'm not sure. Red and Stacy (Jurgen Nation) found out I am Jaek's (Mineral King) mother and were afraid they might have said something to offend me.

Hah! Jaek said on the comments of The Naughty Monkey post Title Free... "Refined tastes" indeed! MiMaw is me mother, and I can tell you that her tastes are raw, rather than refined, though I believe you intended that to be complimentary. Just like sugar can be raw or refined, both of which are sweet and good with coffee, so is my mother, the now-referencable MiMaw. She can be sweet, and she is good with coffee. He does know his Momma!

I would offend quicker with my warped sense of humor than be offended by someone else's. I must admit the liberal use of the *F* word is something I am trying to get use to. I think to myself, "Do they actually use this word that often when they talk?" I hope not, but that is my personal opinion. I don't say it and I don't write it. I don't allow my kids to say it around me. My Sister, her daughters (they are in their 30's) and their kids use it... frequently, but not around me. Most of my family know I don't like the word and I am happy to say they respect me enough not to use it (although they slip once in awhile). Boy, that sounds so sanctimonious! Don't think I mean all the blogs I read are disrespectful. I mean, because I asked them not to use it around me, they have enough respect for me heed my request. If they didn't respect me or care about me... they would say "*F* no!" It is easier to skip over it while reading than to shut my ears when I hear it. It was funny when Baby Son suggested to Only Daughter that I might not have such a problem with the *F* word if I heard it more often. Only Daughter said, "Uh, okay. You do it and I'll wait to see how she reacts." Let's just say... I have yet to hear them say it even once!

I usually replace that word with another word... like "fudge" (there's nothing like homemade fudge!) Or stealing from the Sci-Fi shows... "frell" or "frak". I'll even use friggin' and freakin'. Then I get told, "What's the difference if you mean the same thing?" This is where my weird sense of perception comes in... I just don't like the sound of the word. It is so harsh sounding, cruel and cold. It hurts my ears...even if I read it to myself. I do like the initials WTF. I would like to use them but if I write them I would be saying, "What The Fudge" or "What The Frell" but you would be reading, "What The *F*". So in essence, it would be as if I was saying it and it would be going against my own principles. Well, not really principles...but let's say this, two of my children (and my future daughter in law {heh heh} she knows who she is) read my blog and I wouldn't want them to read it as if I was saying it. I would never live that one down! I guess I'll just have work it out as I go along.

Changing subjects: Stinkypaw had a post talking about Cyber-Friends. One of the most amazing things I have noticed among the Neighborhood and surrounding areas is the friendships which are being formed. Sure, some were already in existence. Those are awesome in themselves, but the ones that are forming through the blogs... is... is beyond awesome! Sorry, I it is the only word that came to mind. She mentioned thinking about a blogger while she was shopping. How many think of the other bloggers during the day? I must admit I do. If one is having a bad time... I wonder how she's doing. If one has something coming up... I wonder how it went. Just like I do with my 'real world' friends.

One interesting thing I have noted, there isn't much of a generation gap. There is one, but it is bridged through the blogs. Music, television, movies, lifestyles.... so different, but it is overlooked or by-passed or applauded in the blogs and comments. I guess you can't attribute it to the generation gap exclusively. Just plain ol' differences in people. So, you choose your cyber-friends or fellow bloggers (whichever you choose to call them) but would you be friends with them in the 'real world'? As I said, watching friendships (and even romance... Darren and Nabbalicious) develop is awesome (there I go again). It is mind-boggling that people from all over the world, from all walks of life converge in Blogsville and are 'friends'. Is it because we can't see them face to face so we're not prejudiced and more willing to accept them? Hmmm... something to think about.

....Jungle Out There... Part Deux

2006-09-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

To continue what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted!!

The couple we went with are DINKs (Double Income No Kids) so they were not so enamoured by the Little People as I was. Or the Children's Petting Zoo with this cute little Pygmy goat...isn't he sweet?

Which to me explains why the woman hated the Monkies! Aww c'mon! How can anyone NOT like the Monkies. They are so fun to watch! And oh, so revealing as this picture shows:

There were a lot of peacocks in the park. Even an all white one. This is the only Peacock who posed so pretty for me. It would have been nice if he would have fanned his feathers, but he said "No thanks, this will have to do".

Of course I had to take a picture of this Pot-Belly Piggy. He wasn't as cute as the little pink one but hey! looks ain't everything. He had a great personality. Besides the fact he kept nudging the other one out of the way.

So all in all, it was a good day.

It's a Jungle Out There

2006-09-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

Labor Day weekend was pretty darn good. The Polish Prince took me shopping and to the Outback for dinner with no comment on how much money I spent shopping or he spent on dinner!

Monday we went to Binder Zoo with some friends. It isn't a very big or animal populated zoo and not top on my list of favorite zoos, but it was nice. It was Labor Day, a holiday AND the day before all the Little People go back to school so parents from miles around decided to treat their Little People to a day at the zoo! Honestly, I didn't mind them. Animals in the cage and animals running around outside the cage... what's the dif? It was crowded but I got a kick out of watching the Little People and their reactions to some of the animals. Especially the giraffes. There is a 'feeding' spot where the girafee come up and people can feed them (you can purchase the food behind you for a nominal fee). I didn't feed them because I was having too much fun photographing them and watching the kids. Like this one:

It was awesome to get so close to the giraffes. Did you know they have the same number of vertabrae in their neck as we do? The Ranger asked the question and guess who got it right? Moi!

Blogger and I are having a discussion right now. I want to add more pictures to this post and it doesn't want me to. Guess who won? Soooo this post will be continued.... in Part Deux.

First Day of School

2006-09-06T20:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my grandson's first day of school AND his 6th birthday. I called to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and to see how his day in First Grade turned out. He didn't have a whole lot to say. He isn't much of a phone person, I guess. He is SO not like his father in that respect!!

Today, I stepped back in time when the phone rang shortly after 8:00 pm and the Mineral King (aka Jaek... my Firstborn) called to tell me how HIS first day of school was. Yes, it brought back memories as I listened to his excited chatter about school. It thrilled me that he wanted to share his day with me. Makes a Momma proud!

I am so happy for him. He has the opportunity to do something he has wanted to do for a long time. Going back to college with a wife and two small children isn't going to be easy, but he will handle it and do great! He is a very intelligent, hard-working individual who has goals and has been given the chance to meet those goals. He will do it with Flying Aces!

I wanted to make this tomorrow's post but decided put it in tonight because my post about the holiday weekend is sitting in 'Drafts' ...why? BECAUSE I CAN'T UPLOAD MY PHOTOS!!!! Even so, this was a good one to post 'cause I am a PROUD MAMA!

2006-09-01T13:08:00.000-05:00

Took a walk around the Neighborhood and surrounding blog areas. I realize it is September 1st. And a gray cool day. And Labor Day is Monday. And school starts soon. But can you really say it is FALL? According to the calendar the Autumnal Equinox doesn't begin until Saturday, September 23 at 4:03 U.T. (whatever u.t. stands for... universal time?). It's the end of summer, almost Fall but not quite yet time which has me feeling so... so... discombobulated (or discombooberated).

Have you ever had the feeling that something is going to happen? Don't know what. Don't know if it is good or bad. But something is there, waiting to happen ... to me, for me, around me. It's looming there, hovering over me. I have a million things I could be doing, should be doing, but the motivation just ain't there. The foreboding is hovering over me, playing with my mind and emotions.

Feeling oppressed, suppressed and depressed. And at the same time, feeling flighty, mighty and tighty-whitey (sorry... I needed a third rhyme and that's the best I could come up with). It's like being wrapped up in Saran Wrap and fighting to get yourself out. Not that I would know what that's like. I have a vivid imagination, so you use yours. Anyway, the feeling of frustration and helplessness while struggling to get out is replaced by the exhiliration of the fight and the venting of emotions. That's what I'm talking about. Or is it?

Could it be a form of intuition (I'll refrain from calling it 'women's intuition' because my boys have it, too)? Is it a an omen, a portent or a harbinger of something good? Something bad? Or is it just a sign of idontfeellikedoingadamnthing and thisisasgoodanexcuseasicancomeupwith?

It is probably because there are things that should be happening (selling the house and moving) and they aren't happening and I can't do a damn thing about it! Some things are just out of our hands, but I don't like it. I hate the feeling of not being in control. If something isn't going right one way, I find another way to make it right but at this moment in time... I am at a loss as how to make it right. So I guess I'll just take another walk through the Neighborhood and experience life vicariously through the eyes of others.

Just One of Those Days

2006-08-31T22:10:00.000-05:00

The Woman I Am

The woman I am
Hides deep in me
Beneath the woman
I seem to be.

She hides away
From the stranger's eye--
She is not known
To the passers-by.

She goes her way,
The woman I seem,
But the woman I am
Withdraws to dream!

The woman I seem
Goes carelessly--
When love goes by
Does not seem to see.

The woman I am
Knows sudden fear...
And hides more deeply
When love draws near!

For love might look closely
Perhaps...and see
Her beneath the woman
I seem to be!
---Glen Allen---

Give It Your Best Shot!

2006-08-30T20:59:00.000-05:00

Finish the following:

Why did the chicken cross the road? _______________________

A priest, a rabbi and a minister walk into a bar _________________

Or how about answering these?

What is your most blonde moment?

What is your most triumphant moment?

What is your most embarrassing moment?

What is your happiest? saddest? most disgusting? hot damn! moment?

Twitchin' Fingers

2006-08-29T20:38:00.000-05:00

I have been blogging, lurking and commenting for a couple months now. It's a lot of fun and feel like I have made some new friends. But it is such a l-o-n-g, tedious process for me. I don't have high-speed internet or DSL. I have freaking slow dial-up! 26.4 kbps or lower. Those who have such wonderful photos... takes for-evah to load. I don't want to miss anything so I wait. I try to have 3 windows up at a time so I can be reading others while waiting. Various bloggers have been talking about knitting and crocheting. The weather is cooler, the work on the houses has slowed down and now my fingers are twitching. Itching to get back to the yarns.

I learned to knit when I was a teenager. I taught myself to crochet when Only Daughter was a baby. I like the look and feel of knitted projects but crocheting is soooo much easier and quicker. I have crocheted hundreds of afghans, baby blankets, potholders, kitchen towel/toppers, and a lot of other items too numerous to mention. I love to crochet! I love to create different patterns. What I love the most... is when I give them as gifts to people I care about. Actually, I get asked to make blankets and other items for people I don't even know! My friends and family ask me to make stuff for them to give as gifts. Of course, I say 'Yes'. Gives me an excuse to do what I enjoy most.

For awhile there were babies on the way by the dozens so my fingers were flying for 10 to 12 hours a day! The baby boom has slowed down. Another favorite is the kitchen towels with crocheted tops to hook to cabinets or stoves or fridges are fast and easy to do. I have a stock pile of 75 towels (which makes 150) but they are all packed up and at the new house. Hmmm... I do have a tub of some yarn in one closet. Maybe I could make something to appease my itchy fingers?

Last Christmas, I made scarves and hats out of that new type yarn... Fun Fur, Boa Yarn and a couple others I can't think of what they are called but I bought to try out. Some work better knitted and some work better crocheted. I didn't know if Only Daughter would like something like that, but I made her a set and her friend a set and they loved them. Other Daughter asked for a set so I made her and her baby a set. I really liked the ones I did for Other Daughter. Red and fluffy. I bought yarn to make myself a scarf but I was too busy making stuff for other people. Maybe this year.

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I will go see what yarn is in that tub and figure out what I can do with it.... Anybody need a baby blanket????

The Getaway

2006-08-28T20:37:00.000-05:00

The Polish Prince has been working hard at his job, around the house (both houses), so he wants to take a couple days off to do something, go somewhere. Away from the house so he won't be tempted to work. Hah! I am able to resist the temptation to work better than him!

So where do you want to go? I ask.
Don't know. Just get in the van and drive.
Like where?
I don't know. You're suppose to come up with an idea.
Really? Why is it up to me.
Because you're the planner.
But I am sick and can't think.
So are you saying you don't want to go now? We can stay home. I can find something to do. It doesn't matter that I haven't had any time off and I need to get away.
No, we'll go. I can sneeze, blow my nose, and feel all around miserable in the van just as easy as I do here in my recliner... my comfortable recliner, in front of the television.

So we head out Friday with no destination in mind... just NORTH. Michigan has some beautiful scenery heading up north and along Lake Michigan. We've been 'north' many times so he took some back roads and we zig zagged through the countryside. It was a really pretty drive. I was enjoying myself in between sneezes. We went through one area where asparagus plants were tall and going to seed. There were a lot. I mean a LOT of asparagus fields. I am talking thousands and thousands of acres of asparagus. I got out the handy dandy map for that county and sure enough in the info section it said we were going through the 'asparagus capital of the world'. Seriously, it was amazing. We agreed we should come back in the spring just to see how all of the asparagus is harvested. (side note: The Polish Prince was born and raised a farmer... it is in his blood!) Of course, did I get any pictures of these fields of green? No! Mental Slap!

We made our way to the lakeshore and headed north into Manistee. My Sister lived up there at one time. Come to think of it, so did my Brother and his family. But wow! The town has sure changed. I got all turned around. I recognized a bar I had stopped in many years ago, but that was about it. We were heading to the outskirts of town and I started to point out the lifelike statues of some deer. WHOA! Thems real! A doe and 3 spotted fawns were grazing by the side of the road. Close enough that I could have counted the spots. I got a couple pictures of them.

If the Polish Prince would have been sick, he would have been in his chair whining about how miserable he was. It would have been, "Can you get me a drink? Can you get me some kleenex? Some soup would be nice." And so on and so forth. When I am sick.... I get no sympathy. I get, "You can handle it, you're tough! Where's my dinner?" He knows it pisses me off... this double standard, so I guess he was making it up to me because I agreed to go travelling with him... cause he pulled into Little River Casino and asked me if I wanted to walk around a bit and throw some coins away! Hey! this is a big concession on his part! He hates taking me to the casino. He says it is just a waste of time and money. I LOVE going. He says I am addicted and I'll send them to the brink of bankruptcy. Yeah. Right. Huh-huh. I am definitely not a true blood, dyed in the wool gambler. Playing the quarter slots is big money for me. Playing more than one quarter at a time is really pushing my luck. Seldom do I hit Max Credits. I personally like the nickel machine and if the gray hairs are hogging them... I love the penny and two cent machines! Besides, I spent my money at Little River. No, of course, I did not win anything. I never expect to. I just had fun!

We left there after a an hour or two and continued heading north along the lakeshore. We were trying to get to Petoskey before 10:00pm. There is another casino, Victories, up there but it is for the buffet that we go... the Mukwa Cafe. Oh, the food is sumptious! We got there just in the nick of time and feasted on the best fried fish, mashed potatoes, roast beef and veggies. And the desserts....mmmmmmmm good! Of course, afterwards, we wandered around and dropped some coin in. Actually, I put a $20 bill in a 2 cent machine and played that for two hours. When it was gone, I was ready to go.

We stopped for the night at Boyne Falls. The motel was nice enough but being sick and in a strange place.... equals NO SLEEP! NO REST! We were up and out early. Travelling south now. Baby Son was camping around the Baldwin area with some friends so we set out to find him. Omigosh! I should have gotten better info. He said Pickeral Lake near Baldwin. There are many Pickeral Lakes in that area! But not the one Baby Son was at! Tried calling on the cell phone. Northern Michigan is not an area condusive to cellular traffic. Finally reached a spot where the phones were coming in just barely but enough to ask where he was and to stay put until we got there. They were in the town of Baldwin at the ice cream shop. So we met them there and found out exactly where the campground was and made plans to stop when we were done with lunch.

We ate in a quaint, little restaurant. Good food and homey atmosphere. We sat there longer than intended because it started raining.... a deluge... torrential downpour! I felt sorry for Baby Son and the camper buddies. We made a run for the van and headed down the road about 10 miles to the campground. It stopped raining after 3 miles. By 7 miles, there was no indication that it had even rained. Got to the campsite and they were dry!! I was glad for them except it was a rustic campsite and they could have used the 'shower', if you get my meaning!

The fishing wasn't so good. They were glad they brought back up food. They were deep frying a turkey. I found out later that it turned out really good. As a matter of fact, their camping trip was so good they stayed another night. Haven't heard yet whether or not they made it back safe and sound. I'm the MOM... I worry!

We made it back early Saturday evening. I was glad we went but happy to be home. The pupkids were VERY happy to see us back! They missed us. So did the 10 outside cats but not for the same reason... they were just hungry!

Today I am feeling much better. Still blowing my nose some, but no need for nasal spray, cold medicine, antihistamine, aspirin or anything else. I am on the road to recovery. So much so... I did 6 loads of laundry... and posted this long winded entry!

The Nose Knows

2006-08-24T23:35:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday I taught I had sinus congestion. Monday I taught it was allergies. Tuesday I realized I hab a code. My nose is pugged up. I can't breed. My troat is on fire. My head is full of codden. My eyes are watery. My nose is itchy as hell. I sneeze fifee times a day and half the time I ain't quick enuf to grab a tissue so schnot goes all ober. And to top it off, when I sneeze, I swear my troat is being ripped out. Arggggggghhhhhhhh.

We were going to go on a mini-vacation today. Just take off for anywhere but here. Eat out someplace. Stay overnight. Just enjoy being together and away from it all. Too sick to enjoy it so we are holding off until tomorrow. Gawd, I hope I feel better tomorrow! Today, the Mineral King brought his Little People over for a visit. He lets me in on a secret. My cold was a gift from his Little People when they were here last Thursday. Thank you, my little darlings!

Seriously, I have managed to avoid a cold for quite awhile so I knew it was time. Trying to maintain two homes has worn me down so I was a perfect target for the germ beasts. It amazes me that there has been milestones made in the medical world but they can't come up with a cure for the common cold. Although, I don't think there is anything common about this cold. Probably 'cause it is mine.

So I will go spray my nose, down some antihistamine, lather on some Vick's Vaporub and try to sleep. And hope tomorrow is a 'clear' day!

What's The Buzz All About?

2006-08-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorite characters. Pooh loves hunny and hunny is made by bees. I love the song he sings when he is trying to sneek honey by pretending to be a rain cloud: I'm just a little black rain cloud. Hovering over your honey tree. Pay no attention to little ol' me. 'Cause everyone knows that a rain cloud doesn't like honey, no not at all...

I have no problem with bees. (Hate. Hate. I say... HATE... wasps and hornets.) Pooh's bees are honeybees. There are a lot of other bees, too, although I don't know all the different varieties. (I don't like yellow jackets either.) For the most part, bees are usually busy (heh heh busy as a bee) going from flower to flower, gathering nectar and taking it back to their hive. At the hive there is a Queen Bee. I like that. Not a King Bee, but a Queen Bee. The workers are male and they live to serve the Queen Bee. I like that. Oh, I already said that.

I have lots of flowers in my yard so I have lots of bees buzzing around. Along with lots of butterflies and hummingbirds. The butterflies are doing a job. The hummingbirds are doing a job. Just like the bees doing their job, collecting nectar. So I let them go about their business. I don't bother them and they don't bother me. Except the other day, a bee stung me on my pinkie finger. Ow! It hurt. Owww and stung. Owowowow... but then it stopped stinging so all was well with the world again.

Only Daughter has a phobia about bees. It is a well-founded phobia since she is allergic to bee stings. She doesn't like the sight of a bee or the sound of a bee. She doesn't even like photos of bees or cartoon pictures of bees. I assume she really hates the Nasonex bee, too. Of course, knowing this, I like to tease her (with love... lots of love) and send her pictures of bees. I sent her a recent photo of bees and was quite surprised when she suggested I post it to my blog. Of course, there is a story to go with it.

My Polish Prince (formerly known as My Man... which sounded so possesive and non-descript I just had to change it) asked me to come out to the back yard to look at something. I always dread it when he asks me that because usually it involves something I would rather not see. Our house is surrounded by Black Locust trees. Old ones that are probably over 80+ feet tall. He points to the big one behind the pool room. As I walk towards it, I hear a sound. It grows louder and louder. I could feel it. It roared like a locomotive. Looking up, I gasped! I had never in my life seen so many bees swarming around! Hundreds of thousands (no exaggeration!) of bees swarming that one tree and more coming in from all around. I have seen a few movies about bees. The swarm of bees coming in and the sound of them sounded so hokey and fake... or so I thought. That is exactly what they looked like and sounded like!

I felt no fear. Of course, I looked down at my body to make sure all my skin was still intact. I walked around under the tree in awe. Got my camera and took a couple pictures. Yeah, right. Try taking pictures of bees in a flurry. Only one turned out half way decent. And one wouldn't know they were bees just by looking at it... but that's what they are. An hour later, they were gone except for a few stragglers. There they go into the wild blue yonder.....

Feeling Blue

2006-08-21T20:18:00.000-05:00

When I am feeling blue. And neglected by family and friends. Like now. A little ditty my Mother used to say pops into my head. I only know part of it....

Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. Sittin' in the garden eating worms.
Big fat juicy ones. Little skinny scrawny ones.
See how they wiggle and they squirm!

I'm having another Pity Party and that's what is on the menu du jour.

Does anyone know the rest of this ditty? Okay, has anyone ever heard this before?

I Do Believe In Spooks*

2006-08-18T21:49:00.000-05:00

Movies, books and television dealing with ghosts, paranormal, supernatural, and psychic phenomenom intrigue me. Some make me laugh, some make me wonder, some scare me and some make me wish I believed in ghosts.

The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
The Ghost & Mr. Chicken
Ghostbusters
Ghost Dad
Ghost (especially the pottery wheel scene)
Sixth Sense
Dragonfly
Always
What Lies Beneath
The Frightners
House (the movie not the television series)
Drop Dead Fred
Twilight Zone
Friday the 13th the Series
Nightstalker
X-Files
Twin Peaks
The Dead Zone
Ghost Whisperer
Medium
Supernatural
Psi Factor
Lost
Kay Hooper's book series on the special unit of the FBI consisting solely of people with some type of psychic abilities.

I want to believe but my little voice inside me won't let me. Part of it has to do with Bible scripture. In I Samuel 28, King Saul cleansed the land of Israel from all occult practices, but when he consulted God on the threat of a Philistine invasion, he got no answer and turned to the Witch of Endor. A spirit or vision of Samuel appeared before Saul but not because the witch conjured it up (she was more surprised than Saul!). It was God's doing and he admonished Saul for his actions.

So it stuck in my head that there are no such things as the Spirit of the Dead or Ghosts. But I want to believe in ghosts and visions of spirits. I want to be able to communicate with those who have passed on. That's it in a nutshell... why I can't believe. There have been loved ones in my life who have passed on and if it were possible to see them or for them to communicate with us, I know in my heart of hearts that they would have done so by now.

Now on the other hand, I believe in evil spirits possessing a person. Oh, not to the extent of The Exorcist with spewing green shit and the head doing a complete 360, but mental conditions like schizophrenia and such that cannot be controlled by medicines could fall into that category. Definitely the serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmers, Ted Bundy, The Boston Strangler, the Son of Sam (David Berkowitz), Dennis Rader - BTK, John Wayne Gacy, Gary Leon Ridgway (the Green River Murders), and of course Charles Manson (although the list goes on and on). They have no conscience, no soul and I believe are possessed by evil spirits. No childhood trauma or genetic faux pas could explain what they and others like them have done.

So why can't I believe in the good spirits? Of those who have gone before us? I hang onto something I learned when quite young... when you die, you're dead. Your body turns to dust and ashes. Your spirit or breath of life leaves you. You don't go to heaven or hell. Nothing happens until Christ's Second Coming. I don't visit my Mother's grave because she is not there. Like I said, I have hung onto that belief for many years, but I am not so sure about it anymore. First of all, the spirit or breath of life leaves a person... so where does it go? Too many accounts of near death experiences indicate there is something after death. I have not had any actual ghost sightings but I have felt things which could only have come from my Mother. My Baby Son has had visions. He was about 8 years old when he dreamt that my aunt (whom he had met only once) died in a car accident. Several days later, my aunt was killed in a car accident and the details were the same as what Baby Son dreamt. When he was about 12 or 13, he had a dream about another aunt dying (one he knew well and loved). He was really upset about it because he knew it would happen and soon... and it did. Yet, my Mother has not contacted him (at least as far as I know) and if possible, she would have. He was very close to my Mother and all the stupid, crazy stunts he has pulled over the years... I would have expected her to show herself, slap him up side the head (or kick him in the ass) and knock some sense into him!

I spoke with a cousin last week and he said him and his family had moved into his parents' house after his father had passed away. He is a scoffer at the supernatural hocus pocus, as he calls it. He would be the first one to laugh at anyone who said they had seen a ghost BUT not anymore. He saw his mother's ghost in what was her bedroom. He said it scared the beejeebies out of him, but he had no doubt in his mind that it was her. I want to believe him.

Guilt creates a barrier for me. I think that God would be upset (pissed) with me for believing in ghosts, paranormal, psychic abilities and the like. So I hold myself back. If I feel that I have experienced something of a supernatural phenomenom, I shun it and explain it away. I guess I need more proof or evidence of personal experiences from people I know. So if anyone has had a ghostly encounter, please share with me... make me a believer!

*This is a line from a classic movie... what movie and who said it? This is WAY TOO EASY!

Something You Don't See Every Day

2006-08-16T22:53:00.000-05:00

An unusual sight on one of our afternoon drives. Let's make it fun! Add a caption. Or a short storyline. Or cartoon comment. Something.... please? It took two days to get this photo uploaded to this post. I should have just let it go, but it became a matter of principle. So it is here... for what it is worth!

Four by Four

2006-08-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

My niece sent this to me in an email, so I thought it would be fun to share. Feel free to answer in the comments.
Four things about me - Things may or may not known about me in no particular order.

A) Four full time jobs I have had in my life:
1. Mother
2. Factory worker
3. Waitress
4. Claims processor

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Young Frankenstein
2. Fifth Element
3. Enemy of the State
4. Fiddler on the Roof

C) Four places I have lived:
1. Kentwood, MI
2. Brown City, MI
3. Austin, TX (outskirts)
4. Goodells, MI

D) Four TV shows I watch:
1. House
2. NCIS
3. Related
4. Desperate Housewives

E) Places I have been on vacation:
1. Las Vegas
2. Tennessee
3. North Carolina
4. U. P. MI

F) Websites I visit daily:
1. Bloggers
2. Yahoo Homepage
3. More bloggers
4. Umm...more bloggers

G) Four of my favorite foods
1. Steak
2. Cabbage & kielbasa
3. Chinese
4. Seafood

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. (My) New house
2. Ireland
3. Casino
4. Whirlpool/Jacuzzi

Full of Beans

2006-08-09T18:30:00.000-05:00

Doctors have concluded that, if you find the man in 3 seconds, then the right half of your brain is better developed than most people.
If you find the man between 3 seconds and one minute, then your right half of the brain is developed normally.
If you find the man between one minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to eat more protein.
If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the right half of your brain is a mess, and the only advice is to look for more of these types of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger.
The man is really there. Keep looking!
Only Daughter sent this to me (not Other Daughter).
I thought it was cool and wanted to share with ya'll.

*********
Yesterday's post... today's outcome
The house showing was a good/bad thing. The couple said the house wasn't for them, but he is a Realtor and will definitely keep our house in mind for potential buyers. Wah Wah Okay I'm done crying about it. There is an Open House on Sunday.... so keep the good thoughts, prayers, etc coming fast and furious!

Think Good Thoughts

2006-08-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

Okay. I am fine. Breathe deep. Think positive. Nope, it ain't working. The nasty little negative thoughts keep invading my thoughts. Meditate. Ahhh-hummm. Ahhh-hummm. Crap! Still doesn't work. Look on the bright side. Shure!

Our house has been on the market for over a year now. No buyers. Oh, well, there was this one buyer way back in December but their buyers backed out so they had to back out from buying this house. A little over a month ago, we went ahead and bought another house because we were optimistic and full of faith. Now I think we were just stupid! No, not really. That is just fear talking. I know we can manage two mortgages for a short period of time. At least I thought so. Now with the price of gas on the rise even more, the hot summer causing huge electric bills and My Man having work done on the new house... I am beginning to worry. Which is ridiculous because I am not the worrying type. Not usually. Only this isn't a usually situation. It just was not suppose to take this long to sell our house!

We are scheduled for an Open House on the 13th. I wasn't going to bother getting the house 'ready' until Friday or Saturday. My Man is going out to the new house tomorrow early because the Floor Guy will be there. He was going to mow the lawn, weedwhack, etc. I am having the Little People here until mid-afternoon. The Realtor Lady calls. Someone wants to see the house between 6:00 and &:00 tomorrow night. Great. Wonderful. Okay. I can handle this. I can't say "No", that would be just plain stupid. So we'll bust our chops getting things done. It isn't like there is a lot to do, but we want it to present well. Which is actually funny because when we went to look at houses, it never bothered us whether the house was clean or not. We always look past that stuff and see the potential. The condition of this house and the one we just bought was less than perfect. Boy, is that an understatement as far as the house we're living in now goes. We have done a lot of remodeling and fixing up to get it to look as nice as it does. It still needs work but it is time for someone else to do it.

We are tired. We would like to move on (literally) to the next chapter of our life. I hope, I pray, I wish upon a star, cross my fingers, anything and everything in hopes this house will sell and sell soon. Just like in Peter Pan when TinkerBell is on the verge on dying.... Peter has everyone think good thoughts ..... won't you think good thoughts for us?

My Mama Done Told Me

2006-08-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

Things my mother taught me:

1. Speak softly but carry a big stick. Teddy Roosevelt may have coined the phrase but he didn't live in our house... my Mother did! She didn't actually carry a big stick, but she didn't need to. When she lowered her voice, we knew enough to stop and listen and heed her warning.

2. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Be nice to your enemies, nothing confuses them or pisses them off more.

3. Never air your dirty laundry in public. When my parents divorced after 42 years of marriage, family and friends were shocked. They thought they had a happy marriage. The immediate family knew better. We knew about the abuse... physical and mental.

4. Never argue with a drunk. A drunk doesn't listen and he won't remember it when he sobers up. Besides that, it's fun to listen to him argue with himself!

5. If someone shares a confidence with you... KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. One thing I could always be sure of... if I told my Mother something and asked her not to tell anyone, she never did. She went to her grave with many, many secrets.

6. Always tell the truth. Telling the truth is easier than trying to keep your stories straight.

7. Read. Read. Read. Books were my Mother's friends. Since my Dad kept her from having friends or going anywhere, she lived vicariously through the books she read. She always told me I could travel the world over, explore, learn about history and be whoever I wanted by immersing myself in books.

8. Be true to myself. Don't let anyone else control my life. Don't do anything that goes against my beliefs or ethics.

9. Treat your family with respect. Please, thank you and just all around common courtesy should be given to family and not just reserved for friends.

10. One thing she taught me after she died.... Tell the people who are close to you that you love them. Don't assume they know... hug them, kiss them, show them and tell them!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2006-08-03T18:57:00.000-05:00

These are my grape (cherry) tomatoes. I did not plant them this year. Twenty plants popped up in my garden so I have been weeding around them and tending to them.

Usually I plant Marigolds around my tomato plants to help keep the tomato worms away. Since I didn't plant the tomatoes, I didn't plant Marigolds either. The heat, humidity and thunderstorms make the plants grow like crazy. Unfortunately, the tomato worms are growing and increasing in number, too.

Where do tomato worms come from? I go over my plants carefully every morning, removing the damn little creatures and smooshing the living crap out of them. By evening, there are more... bigger and did I mention, more?
This is a smooshed tomato worm, so I know they are not coming back to life and sneaking back into the tomato vines. I have no qualms about slamming my foot down on 'em, squirking their green, oozy lifeforce out on to the ground. Of course, years ago when I planted my first garden, it was a different story. Remember I was a suburbia girl transplanted to the country. Country as in where the cows graze until milking time, manure is spread thick and heavy over the fields (inevitably on the days I hung the laundry on the line), where when a car passed the house... you ran to look to see who it was and wave. So I did what all the other country gals were doing. I planted a garden.

My Man plows up a patch of ground, adds some black dirt (which in reality is cowshit which has aged), plows it again and then tells me to rake it out evenly and... get the rocks out. So I raked... and raked ... and raked. When he got home from work, I was sitting in a chair exhausted, sweaty and sore from raking. We walked out to the garden together. He stood there, scratched his head and said, "What the hell is that?" pointing to the 2 foot mound of rocks and stones lining the length of the garden. "What do you mean, what is it? You told me to rake out the rocks and stones, so I did." He began to laugh and laugh and I got mad and madder. He said, "I just meant to surface rake it to get the big ones from the top." "Well, why didn't you say that?" So the next day I planted in my garden...everything. And anything. No matter if I liked it or not. If it was a vegetable, I planted it. I found out that year that I hate... no, loathe... parsnips. Yeck!

I lovingly tended my garden. I hoed. I weeded. I watered. But my tomato plants looked funny. The leaves were disappearing. I told My Man this. He walked out to the garden with me and then asked, "Did you check for tomato worms?" "Uh...umm. What do they look like?" He bent over a tomato plant and pointed at one of the ugliest, most humungus, greenest creatures I had ever seen. I sheepishly said, "Obviously not." At least he had the decency to hide his smirk and muffle his snickering. Then he told me the most disgusting thing. He wanted me to pick them off the plants, drop them to the ground and step on them. Ugh! I wasn't about to touch them things. He got me a pair of gloves and a pair of needle nose pliers to pick them off. He picked one off, dropped it to the ground and stomped on it, squirking icky, oozy green crud all over... including my feet and legs! I said, "No I don't think so!" He suggested I put them in a paper sack and then put them in the burn barrel. Okay. I could do that. Well, I used a lunch sack and after it got almost full of about 50 of those green monsters, I was getting more and more pissed. How dare those little suckers invade my garden! Sucking out the life juice from my tomato plants! I ripped them little buggers of the vines, threw 'em down on the ground and smashed them. "Take that you little sonabitches!" It wasn't until years later that I learned if you plant Marigolds around the tomato plants, it keeps the tomato worm population down.

That first garden was truly a learning experience. I learned I don't like cleaning, cooking and pickling beets (cause what else is there to do with them). Planting 8 zucchini plants is not a good idea. Over the years I have learned that 1 or 2 zucchini plants is enough... to feed the family, your neighbor's family and all your relatives. More than 2 plants... you should be shot! The amount of zucchini I got that first year was enough to feed a starving nation for a year! And you have to pick them every hour or they grow to the size of large watermelon! Although my boys had a lot of fun with them. When the season was over, they went out and played war with the 'left-over' veggies, using them as bombs and torpedoes. Which came in handy the next year when I couldn't plant a garden. Plants popped up all over... tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and squash.

Gardening is a love/hate relationship. I love planting the seedlings and seeds, watching them grow but hate the weeding and bug demolitian. I love picking (no, picking falls under hate) and cooking and eating fresh vegetables. By the way, I have many recipes for cooking with zucchini. I hate picking, cleaning, and blanching them to freeze them. But I love pulling out a package of veggies in the middle of the winter that came from my garden. Store bought just don't taste as good!

We already have a garden area at the new house. Should be able to get some fertilizer real cheap from our neighbor's. Next year I'll be back to planting a full garden: green beans, full size tomatoes, grape tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cabbage, green peppers and whatever else my little heart fancies.

Twenty (Stupid) Questions

2006-08-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Questions I have been asked and the answers I should have given:

1. Can I ask you a question? Yep! You just did - that's all for now.
2. You're pregnant! What is it? A baby elephant, what else?
3. (When answering the phone, I hear...) Is that you? No, it isn't. Who did you want?
4. (Phone rings across the room) Who is that? What? Am I psychic?
5. I ask the question, "Do you want more coffee?" He says, "Is there any left?" No, I just wanted to know if you wanted some, that's all.
6. [My all-time favorite] Is this a movie he made before he died? No, after... he was still under contract.
7. Does this outfit make me look fat? No, I can honestly say the outfit doesn't make you look fat.

Pick -Up Lines I have been asked in a bar and the answers I should have given:

8. Is this seat taken? Yes, Mel Gibson went to the restroom...he'll be back any minute.
9. Where have you been all my life? Well, the first half I was in elementary school...
10. Have we met somewhere before? Yes, weren't you with your wife at this one party...
11. What's your sign? I've always been fond the STOP sign, but right now NO TRESPASSING comes to mind.

Rhetorical questions that require no answer:

12. Who's your Daddy?
13. Where's the beef?
14. Who-who let the dogs out?
15. Can you hear me now?
16. What's love got to do with it? (TT)
17. Do you want fries with that? (okay. This one requires an answer)
18. What's up, Doc?
19. Why so blue, Panda Bear?

The number one question on everyone's lip nowadays:

20. Do you blog?

This Little Piggy

2006-08-01T15:28:00.000-05:00

I collect pigs. No, not real pigs. Mostly ceramic ones. Every size, shape and color. My family and friends know I collect pigs. They give me gifts along with the sentiment, "I saw this pig and I thought of you." Well. Thenk you.

My Dad use to say, "I stood up for you today. Someone said you weren't fit to eat with the pigs and I said you were." Well. Thenk you.

Now on the other hand, my Mother had a saying which I use on occasion, but to this day, I have absolutely no idea what it means. When asked where my Dad was, she would reply, "He went fishing and the pigs ate him." Well. Okay.

Baby Son had a friend who had all kinds of animals on their farm. A little pig named Daisy who was trained to pull the bell on the door when she wanted to go out. Many goats, chicken, dogs, cats, horses, cows, geese and an African Bush Hog named Ringo. When Ringo was a tiny piglet (or is it hoglet?), he tried getting into a bucket of water which he did... but couldn't get out of. He was going down for the count when out of nowhere, a big Mama Goose pulled him out. From that day on, she adopted Ringo and took care of him. Ringo grew up... and out. Full-grown, he stood about 3 feet high, 4 feet long, about 400 pounds with 1 1/2 ft tusks. He was a formidable sight, but he was a big baby. He roamed the yard, rooting for whatever he could find to eat. I was told that Ringo loved to be petted. He would sit up like a dog and nudge until he got his ears scratched. So that's what I proceeded to do. Mama Goose came barreling up to me with two other geese, side-by-side, necks and heads together as one, honking and squawking like their tails were on fire. I started to turn around but not fast enough... Mama Goose bit me in the ass! She was protecting her baby, Ringo. Baby Son, who was laughing his ass off, shooed them away with a rake he was carrying (for just that reason! I saw him carrying a rake, but never gave it a second thought). It was only then that he explained about how Mama Goose had saved Ringo yadda yadda yadda.

I travelled to Missouri with My Sister and her husband (now her ex) when I was 12. There were cows, goats, and hogs. I was warned to be careful as I crossed the barnyard so I didn't slip and fall. City (suburbia) girl that I was, asked "Why?". My eyes followed the pointing finger to the skeletal remains of a cow that had fallen down among the hogs. "They eat anything," I was told. Yeesh! I believed it! These hogs were huge! I was mad at My Sister for some reason so every time I passed this one red hog (My Sister is a red-head), I would say, "Hiya, Sis!" The boy who was with me thought it was funny, but I don't think she would have thought so.

Speaking of pigs and My Sister (what a segue), for my 39+1 birthday, she bought me a concrete pig. It's about the size of my Puggly, Annie but it weighs a ton! It took 4 guys to carry it in. My nieces bought two little piggies to go with it. I repainted them a couple years ago, but it looks like they'll need it again after we move. My Man decided to move them... by himself... and dropped Mama Pig and broke her ear. He glued it back on, but it looks bad.

When we move, I'll be pulling out all my pigs and displaying them. They have been packed away for over 6 years... poor piggies!

That's it for the Piggy Tales except to say that my grandkids don't like my versions of "This Little Piggy".

This little piggy went to Bloomingdales, but this little piggy could only go to WalMart. This little piggy had Prime Rib, but this little piggy only got a Big Mac. And this little piggy whined and complained..."Nobody loves me. Nobody plays with me. Everybody hates me...."

Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine

2006-07-31T15:03:00.000-05:00

I got scolded by #1 Son for not showing pictures of Kyra Marie. He brought her home in January of 1992 (against the wishes of parental units). Just a wee bundle of curly fur, she wiggled her way into our hearts. #1 Son called her Velcro Toes because her tiny toenails made the sound of velcro being pulled off as she ran across the carpeting.

Guess who fed her, gave her water, bathed her, potty-trained her and whose lap she snuggled in? #1 Son? Not! He would take her downstairs to sleep with him every night. And every night I counted... 1...2...3...4...5...reach down and scoop her up to sit in my lap. He would come upstairs and get her a couple times, but eventually he realized it was a lost cause.

She is getting up there in years now. She has arthritis in her back legs, especially her hips (she was hit by a car in 1994) so going up and down the stairs is pretty much out of the question. Although when I let her out of the pen, she runs around (actually kind of bounces like Tigger) like a little puppy. She pays for it later. She'll get up to go outside and her backside slides out from under her. It doesn't stop her, she keeps going as if nothing out of the ordinary is happening.

She is practically deaf. About 99% hard of hearing. Her eyes are showing signs of cataracts. Her teeth are getting bad (thus creating a severe case of halitosis which would gag a maggot). As I said, she's stiff from arthritis. Last winter she had a stroke and then the flu. I thought we were going to lose her. She recovered nicely... well, as nicely as she could for her age.

The above pictures were taken about an hour ago. Yeesh! I had a hard time getting them. She is camera shy. Unlike the Pugglies who love to have their picture taken!

Yeah, I know what you're thinking... what about the Children and Watermelon Wine? Well, I'll do another post with the Children, but I think I'll keep the Watermelon Wine for myself. Thenk you!

Pugnacious Pugs

2006-07-30T19:38:00.000-05:00

Meet my kids. Top Left is AnnaBelle, born December 18, 2003. Bottom Right is Emily Louise born July 19, 2003. Obviously, they did not come from the same litter. Emmie Lou was bought over the internet and flown up here from Florida (but was actually born in Minnesota). Annie was born in a small town north of here. I wanted a Pug ever since I saw "Frank" in Men In Black. I suppose Emmie kind of looks like Frank, she certainly has his attitude! Seriously, I read that Pugs are lovable, loyal and good around kids. And I heard they are obstinate and snore loudly.

Emmie and Annie are as different as night and day. They both are lovable, loyal and good around the kids BUT Emmie is the domineering, self-centered, allaboutme brat. Annie is sweet-natured and laid-back. Annie is a chubby, soft, cuddly marshmallow. My Man says she is not overweight... she is BUFF ... but let's face it, she is a chubbette. Emmie is thin, gangly legged and muscular. Both love attention, hugs and kisses but Emmie is a hog. She doesn't want Annie getting any extra attention. She will literally attack Annie for no apparent reason (at least not to us).

Both are obstinate (which is a fancy word for stubbornashell). They are like teenagers with selective hearing. They will listen only when they are in the mood to do so. I know they know their names... but if they don't want to pay attention, they put me on complete ignore. Lately, Annie doesn't want to go outside to go potty. Not that she is going in the house... she just doesn't go. I keep telling her she will explode if she doesn't. I have to scoot her out and guard the door so she doesn't sneak back in. It is a good thing we don't have close neighbors. I would die of embarrassment. I nudge her to the grass and repeatedly say, "Go poop. Go pee-pee." She goes only a time or two during the day which I would think for a dog... that can't be good! Our old dog (15 year old Cockapoo) goes a dozen or more times a day. Okay, so she's old and like old people, they can't hold their water, but still... it gets irritating to let her out so much and yet Annie won't go out at all. Emmie, well, most times she is willing to go out but she gets hooked up to a chain 'cause she doesn't know enough to stay in the back yard and won't come when she is called.

Snoring... omigosh! Between My Man and AnnaBelle (literally...between them), the snoring is loud enough to shake the walls! Emmie doesn't snore too often. Only when she is really, really tired or has her nose smooshed down in the covers.

Just like children, they are both individuals with unique personalities and idiosyncracies. And just like kids... I may not like some of the things they do, but that doesn't mean I love them any less.

This is AnnaBelle (isn't that a beautiful face?) when she was a baby.

Starry, Starry Night

2006-07-29T22:15:00.000-05:00

Starry, starry night. Paint your palette blue and grey. Look out on a summer's day with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
(This is the opening lines to a song. Does anyone know the name of the song and the artist? No cheating! Just off the top of your head...make a guess.)
I walked outside at 11:00pm DST and ugh...the heat and humidity slapped me in the face like a warm, wet washcloth. The dampness in the air was so heavy it clung to me. The darkness surrounded me. I looked up and was awestruck by the vast array of stars in the sky. The more stars visible, the more insignificant I feel.
I stared up into the night sky listening to all the sounds of the darkness. Frogs and crickets creating a cacophony of music and yet it held a melody all its own. I let the warm night hold me close for a few moments more then retreated into the cool comfort of the house.
All winter long I wait for the long, hot days of Summer. There's always so much I want to do to enjoy it. Picnics, going to the zoo, the park, travelling and camping (I miss camping a lot.) The past 3 summers have been nothing but work, work, work until exhaustion overtakes us.
Three years ago, we decided to have the family reunion here so a lot of unfinished projects needed 'finishing'. It took the whole summer, right up to the day of the reunion (August 15th) to get them done. Didn't realize how hard I had pushed myself until I ended up in the Emergency room 4 days later... heart attack!
One would think I learned my lesson but no, last year we spent the summer getting the house ready to sell. We keep finding things to fix up or to improve to make it more appealing to prospective buyers but....
...here we are a year later and the house isn't sold yet! We buy another house which needs some sprucing up so this summer is spent going back and forth between houses, doing what needs to be done.
I am tired (I tire so-o-o easily now) and so sore every night. I wake up feeling as if I haven't slept or even rested my weary bones. I keep getting chest pains but don't know if it is muscle spasms or something more serious. Of course, if I could lose about ^% or &) pounds I would feel a helluva lot better. But that's a lost cause!
I watch as my summer drifts away from me without having done anything FUN! or EXCITING!

Thay Doan't Taste Like Crawfish

2006-07-23T21:57:00.000-05:00

Dialects are hard to write and harder to read, but this one jes e'nt da same widout the dialect.

Heading down to Florida. Signs along the way "Boiled Peanuts". Eeuuw, sounds gross. Had to stop...not for the peanuts...mechanical problems. My Man had to put a doo-hickey on the thingamajig. While waiting for him, My Sister and I went into a shop to browse.

There by the counter was a sign that read "Boiled Peanuts". I just had to ask about this local flava.

Me: "So what are Boiled Peanuts? Are they any good?"

(Toothless, well almost...he did have a couple teeth on the bottom, paunchy southern hillbilly wearing a t-shirt which had seen better days or maybe years...which showed off his hairy belly, his pants riding on the hips below his hairy belly... let's just call him BPG for Boiled Peanuts Guy)

BPG: "Wah-el l l, lat me tell yah."
(Very s-l-o-w, long drawn out dra-awl)

My Sister and I look (gawk) at him ... waiting... waiting

BPG: "Wah-el l l, hev yah evah hed craw-w-wfish?"

Me: "No, can't say that I have."

BPG: "Wah-el l l, thays doan't tess like craw-w-wfish."

My Sister and I look at each trying hard not to bust a gut. Look back at BPG.

BPG: "Wah-el l l, let me tells ya. Some yars back, thays tried ta get me ta et some craw-w-wfish. Thays says thet da mo-ar yah et, da bettah day tess. An' da mo-ar be-ah yah drinks, da bettah day tess."
(pause...pause... deep breath...)

BPG: "Wah-el l l, Ah doan't drinks be-ah [sister and I do a fast double-take to each other] so Ah jes kep etting dem dare craw-w-wfish. Da mo-ar Ah et, da bettah dey tess. So... boiled peanuts is jes like dem dare craw-w-wfish. Da mo-ar ya et, da bettah dey tess."

So My Sister, Baby Son and I each bought a container of boiled peanuts. I could NOT imagine them tasting good no matter how many of them I ate, but it was a challenge we couldn't turn down.

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere in particular (Georgia), the motorhome breaks down. We (as in My Man driving and me telling him where to go) limp it into a town which, thank goodness, has a NAPA store. My Man, using their tools outside the garage door out back, fixes whatever whatchamallcallit broke. My Sister, Baby Son and I wait inside the sweltering hot motorhome trying to amuse ourselves.

Dum de dum dum... Hey! Let's try our boiled peanuts! With much trepidation, we begin eating them. Ummm....well... not too bad. One followed by two, followed by three, etc etc.

Omigosh! "Da mo-ar ya ets, da bettah dey tess!"

Thank You, My Friend... Kathy

2006-07-21T23:01:00.000-05:00

My home life wasn't the greatest when I was a kid (another story, another time) so I didn't stick around the house much. If I wasn't at the McClains, I was at the Berends'. Deb's parents worked during the day. Rule was: no company and chores had to be done. Both rules got broke a few times, but usually I hung out next door until one of the parents got home.

The parents at the Berends' house weren't home much but that was because of work and they owned a tavern Up North. How cool is that? They were also building a house up there. Kathy, being the oldest daughter became the Caretaker in their absence. She is about 6 or 7 years older than me, but there wasn't much of a generation gap. Char is closer in age but we never connected on the same level. Doug and I had an on-again-off-again relationship for a few years. We always were friends. Okay, not always. When he was seeing Linda Osborne, I really didn't like him. Yet he was the one who introduced me to my First Real Love (Craig). Then there was Duane, my buddy! My mom called him The Retard but it was with affection. He was so crazy and funny. He could do stand-up comedy at age 11. He had several routines which would just have me rolling in the aisles. My favorite is...."Deep in the heart of the jungle you can hear the sounds of the constipated ape...Unnnhhh!" Guess you had to be there. Marvin, was the little brother. He didn't really hang out with us, but we all looked out for him. Oh, yeah... brother Ray... didn't see a whole lot of him, but for a while I had a secret crush on him. Older brother Gary was married to Cheri and they had a little girl... Debbie.

In the early years, Char shared her dating experiences with me. The best was "the twins - Char & Dar". Then along came Mike and that was it for her. Kathy was dating a guy named... Si? Sid? Crappola! I can't remember his name! Probably because I didn't like him (sorry Kath, but I didn't). Then along came Ed. I remember Heath bars were given out at their reception. Deb and I liked to share Heath bars... she ate the chocolate off the outside and I at the toffee part! I gave them purple bath towels for a wedding gift... purple was her favorite color!

Kathy and Ed stayed in the house and the rest of the family moved Up North. I still visited Kathy on a regular basis. I was able to talk to her about anything and everything. And she listened! She offered advice occasionally, but mostly listened. She was always there for me. When my brother was killed in a car accident, my parents had to go to Petoskey. I was left in the care of my sister and her husband. She was close in age to him so she took it really hard. She couldn't offer me any solace so I went to Kathy. I was 14 and had lost my big brother, my hero! I close my eyes and I can still feel the comfort of her embrace. I would have totally fell apart if it wasn't for her. Thank you, my friend!

My mother never drove a day in her life. She had to rely on others for transportation. When I was 16 my dad wasn't around much. Hunting or fishing or drinking or in jail (because of drunk driving). Kathy drove my mom to the store quite a bit. My mother was looking forward to the time when I had my driver's license so I could drive her around. Unfortunately, my dad refused to take me out driving to fulfill the learner's permit requirements. Kathy and Ed came to the rescue. They took me out driving at night, weekends and any other available time. My driver's training teacher, Mr. Azkoul was a real a**hole! They weren't my parents so it didn't count! My mother was quiet and mild-mannered but let me tell you, when she got through talking to Mr. Azkoul... he was more than willing to sign off on my permit. Yay Mom!

Yes, Kathy (and Ed) were a big influence on my adolescent years. I can't imagine what my life would have been like without them. I haven't seen them in a few years. We've talked a few times over the years. Time and space haven't diminished the love I feel for them or my deep, heartfelt gratitude. Thanks guys! Love you!

Battle of the Minds

2006-07-20T09:55:00.000-05:00

Deb's comments regarding the previous post:

Hmmm...I remember things just a tad bit differently. I got the cast on my arm from jumping over the bushes between my house and Doug's house. We were trying to see who could jump over them without hitting the tops. You were there when I did it. And Nancy Brown. And at least a dozen other kids ( okay most of them were Berend's).

I read the next blog, too. I remember going to Mary Jane's a lot, but the pool table was in my basement. I also remember spending a lot of rainy days in the Berend's basement singing along to the record player that had a short in it. Remember how we used to get Dwayne to give himself shocks all the time?

Just went out to have a smoke. Did some thinking an the pool table. We had a standard table in our basement. Mary Jane had a bumper table in her's ....I think. We liked to go over to her house because it had an upstairs. They were (more or less) the 'rich' people. And she had a couple of older brothers that were very good looking.

The field we played in was between our house and Mary Jane's ( untill they moved a house there when I was about 15). It was flatter and bigger than the one beside Mary Jane's. Besides, the people that lived on the other side of that one would yell at us every time we tried to play there.

Do you remember every summer we would walk over to the pool to swim....at Godwin School? It was a long walk, but oh so worth it.

That's just my rememberings. By the way....that Faygo song....I find that running through my head a lot. All I can recall is the tune and....."That's why we make Faygo". Oh, and something about Hoola Hoops.

My response:
Of course, my memory is much more attuned than yours. I say that because I can practically name every person in our class (even before the reunion) and tell you something personal about them. Having said that….

No…I was not there when you broke your arm, but later I was shown where and HOW it happened.

Mary Jane had a pool table FIRST. And as you say, they had money so it was an expensive table (not bumper but a big ass, solid, cost-a-fortune table). When your dad built a room in your basement for Karen (don’t know if it started that way but she got it), he bought a pool table. Let’s just say it was less expensive than Mary Jane’s… and not level. We still had a lot of fun with it as long as we could keep the balls on the table (they went flying a few times).

I remembered the basement and record player but couldn’t remember whose basement it was. I thought it was yours, but it may have been the Berends’ basement. It was the first time Doug and I slow danced… to the tune by Paul Anka “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”. And Steve Heiner and Doug’s rendition of Tommy James & the Shondells “Hanky Panky”. Ah yes, Duane… I want to reminisce about him later. He could always make me laugh!

Mary Jane had a lot of older brothers. She was the youngest. There were two fields we played in (which I was going to cover later). The one between Mary Jane’s and her next door neighbor (on Daniel St) was mostly for softball and kickball. The one across the street from you was for football and $5. When they built the house there, we played in your front yard or the Berends’ front yard. That’s when I got my knee busted up by Regan Lewis (What’s His Nose).

Yes, I remember going swimming at Godwin and spending time at the Rec Center. But thank goodness we didn’t have to walk all the time! Lots of times we took the bus. I swam more than you did because you kept wandering off to the Rec Center... cute guys in there!

There will be more Shared Memories and along with it, more debate I'm sure!

This Is The Beginning of a Bee-yoot-ee-ful Relationship

2006-07-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

The good old days. When I was a kid I couldn't wait to grow up. Now that I am all grown up, I long for the carefree days of my childhood. They weren't all good, but there are plenty of good memories, lots of great memories and a whole heap of fantastic ones.

Deb and I knew each other in 3rd grade but it wasn't until 5th grade that we became best friends. We have remained friends through all these years (with several spans of losing touch). She lives in North Carolina and I live in Michigan but the computer keeps us connected. We know the other one is only fingertips away.

I can honestly say, lo, these many years later, it was because of her next door neighbor that we became close friends. I went to the Carnival at Bigelow Field in Home Acres (a small carnival but a big event for us kids) with Janet Perez. One ride on the Scrambler and she was on the sidelines puking. So I looked around for someone I knew would ride the HAMMER with me (there were a lot of people I knew but only a few who would brave the HAMMER). I spotted Deb in a group. She stood out because she was wearing a skirt and she had her arm in a cast. Both of these points added terror to the ride. I asked, she agreed and we climbed aboard.

The HAMMER was made up of two hammers with seats in each side of the hammerhead. So I guess 8 people can ride at a time. The hammers swing back and forth, passing each other, gaining momentum until they swing up and over and down. Of course the up, over and down is the wonderfully terrifying part of the ride. Except once we went up and over, Deb's skirt went up and over her head scaring the snot out of her. Her arms flew up and the one with the cast smacked me hard in the face. I was stunned (literally) and she was scared stiff she had hurt me. When I realized nothing was broke, I started laughing .... laughing so hard I was practically crying. She started laughing, too. When we got off the ride we were holding onto each other and laughing but everyone thought something was wrong. The group of kids she was with earlier came up to her and... that's when I noticed him! Himmm Doug...

The next day at school she told me he thought I was 'cute'. Omigosh! He thought I was cute. A 7th grader thought I was CUTE! So I started going over to her house to visit her and to sneak peeks at ... Doug ... maybe even talk to him.

What started out as a fluke turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship...actually quite a few different relationships. Some of which still touch my life, my heart and soul.

The Berends and the McClains were my family. They were there in good times and bad. I spent more time at their homes than I did at my own (with good reason...but another day, another story) and they made me feel as if I belonged there with them.

Next post will be a tribute to a very special person in my life... Kathy... Doug's sister... my confidant, mentor, lifeline, and friend (every teenager should have a "Kathy" in their lives).

Remember When You Were A Kid?

2006-07-17T20:45:00.000-05:00

The temperature was in the 90's today with the heat index hitting a whoppin' 105! I stood outside in the blazing sun with a hot breeze blowing over me and the Faygo Boat Song got into my head. The tune was there but only a few of the words flitted around. "Comic books and rubber bands... mhmm mhmm mmhmm...Remember when you were a kid? Well, part of you still is and that's why we make Faygo." I have to blame My Man for it (why not? He's an easy target!) because he mentioned earlier today about not seeing anyone out and about in their yards when it is this hot. So my mind jumped back mhmm years to when I was a kid...

Gosh, when I was a kid (yeah, yeah, way back when) no one stayed in the house during the summer. As soon as breakfast was eaten, the whole neighborhood was outside playing. We shot back home for lunch or ate at a friend's house and then it was back outside until dinner time. Then back out until dark or on the occasionally night until 11:00 pm so we could play hide and seek.

Everyone knew everyone on the block so all the kids had free rein of all the yards for our massive hide and seek game playing. I'm talking a lot of kids... maybe 20 kids with the ages ranging from 5 or 6, (I was about 8 or 9 at the time) all the way up to 18 (that's one reason we could stay out late... the older kids took on the responsibility of keeping watch on the younger kids). We liked to hide in this one yard because it had a lot of lumber stacked up in the back... great hiding places! Ollie Ollie Oxen Free... I have no idea if that's what was really said, but that's what I remember and if it is what was said...What the hell does it mean?

When I was in the 3rd grade we moved (we lived one street north of the elementary school and now we lived one street south of the elementary... only the creek seperated our house from the foot ball field) and my friends changed. None of my friends lived on my street and it wasn't condusive to playing... too busy of a street, but the four blocks to the north had kids by the score. We usually gathered mid-point at the empty field near Mary Jane's house. We played softball, kickball, football, $5 in that field but basketball was played at Deb's (my bestest friend), tether ball at the Berends' and when it rained we played pool in Mary Jane's basement.

Had to shut down and save as draft because an awful thunderstorm rolled through. It was worse to the north of us but it was still pretty wicked here leaving a trail of branches and limbs everytwhere. At least the heat and humidity broke.

We rode our bikes everywhere and anywhere! My brothers bought me an old clunker when I was in the second grade and I do mean old clunker but it got me around and it was mine. I earned a bike when I was in the 5th grade - got straight A's on my report card! It was a blue, 3-speed, English racer...Awesome! Okay, a 3-speed bike dooesn't seem like much nowadays but back then, it was the top of the line. Nobody else had a 3 speed. One speed. That's it. Sorry guys. Eat my dust!

Wow! That was great travelling down memory lane. I just might do another one soon. I have some other nostalgia I would like to re-live. I re-live. You as a reader must su-ffffffer.

Video games, computers, satellite TV, DVD movies, cell phones... nobody just goes out and enjoys the outdoors anymore! Unless there is a pool in the backyard but even then it is sporadic. There are quite a few kids on my street and I see maybe one or two every week or so. I hear them when they are in the pool. Otherwise, they must be held captive in their houses. Prisoners of the techno-age!

So many things you almost forgot
Tryin' to remember
Remember when you were a kid?
Well, part of you still is ..........

Open and Shut Case

2006-07-16T17:19:00.000-05:00

Another Open House come and gone. Our realtor warned us that July is usually a bad month for open houses. I assume because people are vacationing or doing yard work. Even so, having said that, she said 7 couples came through today and two were very interested. The kicker is, they have homes to sell, too and one hasn't even put their house up for sale yet! The other one lives in Indiana but her son lives down the road from here. Humph! sounds like the old Sam the Sham (and the Pharoahs) song: "Oh, That's Good...No, That's Bad". Only those in my age bracket (39 years old!) will recognize the song and even then, I don't know how many would have heard it. Sorry, derailed there for a moment. Point is, for every good thing, there seems to be a bad thing to balance it back to zero!

We have been working for over two weeks to get this place cleaned up so it looks more 'spacious'... which we did. And clean. And neat. And appealing. And looking so good that someone will come along and think they just have to have this house at any cost. But that's just wishful thinking on my part.

I keep praying (begging, pleading) to God for the right buyer to come along soon, but it ain't happened yet. I am trying hard to keep the faith... there must be a reason why it is taking so long and it really isn't my place to question the why's and wherefor's but to just accept that it will happen when it is suppose to. BUT my faith waivers and My Man's holds strong.

We need to get started on the new house, cleaning and painting so WHEN the buyer for this house comes along, we'll be ready to move out. Time and energy are in short supply right now. This has Got to be our last move! We are getting too old for this crap. Well, the body is, but the mind and heart are oh, so young!
So another open house is scheduled for August 13th...another 4 weeks. Hopefully, it will sell before that (our mantra for the last 11 months!). We need all the prayers and good thoughts we can get! I could use some encouraging words, too. I am depressed..........

Postscript: Our realtor called a little while ago... someone wants to see the house tomorrow!! Hoo-ray! They are from out of town (is that good or bad... don't know...just a fact to share) so say prayers!

You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd

2006-07-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

Through the modern marvels of digital photography and computer software... my Little People can ride their bikes in a Cow Herd. Okay! So one cow doesn't make a herd but there are a lot more than just this one cow roaming in my backyard'.

It is so wonderful to have about 100 acres for my backyard but we don't have to mow it! The cows are curious and will come up to the fence to stand there and stare. The little babies don't come up as close. The bull ... and oh, what a bull he is! ... comes up to protect his ladies.

I am certainly no expert on bulls (bullsh*t ... maybe) but he is really gorgeous! He is the Mel Gibson of bulls! His coat is as black as pitch and so glossy you can almost see your reflection. He is muscular and broad shouldered and oozes bull sensuality (like I would know what that is!) The cows and the calves don't bother me but he kind of scares me. I definitely wouldn't go into the pasture while he is there! The owners say he'll be gone by September. I guess he comes in to service the ladies and once that's done... they ship him off. They may have hired him for stud service only. If I was a man ...I mean Bull (although a lot of men think that is their job!)... that's the job I would want!

Once we move in and get to know the neighbors more, I'll find out if we can buy some meat directly from them. Black Angus... mmmm...porterhouse, T-bone, NY strip, rump roast... .... on the grill... seasoned... rare... with baked potato and a salad...

Home In-Movement

2006-07-05T17:17:00.000-05:00

I am never, ever moving again! I know I have said this before, but this time I really mean it! I am getting too old for this sh*t! Plus the fact twenty years of accumulated junk takes sooo long to load up, move and unload... and eventually (maybe) put it away in some semblance of organized chaos!

We decided (it was a unanimous vote on My Man's part) to move the stuff from the barn, workshop, shed and the furnace room in the basement over this past weekend. A majority of it got moved but there is still a lot of sh-tuff out there.

One of the Brothers Grimm showed up on Friday and the other one showed up on Saturday with his Man-Child. My #1 Son, his Wife and Little People came over on Saturday to help. Ho-boy! It was hot and sticky so by the end of the day everyone was tired, sore and cranky. We all worked hard... even the Little People! I truly appreciated all my #1 Daughter in Law's help. I couldn't have gotten my Job done without her. I was so proud of the Little People! They might be short, but they worked hard carrying stuff from the furnace room and on up to the garage and then on to the trailer.

Everyone was more than ready for dinner but not so ready for the next leg of the journey... going to the new house to unload! Several loads had already been taken over and dumped there, but the final load of the night was done in slow motion. The heat, the work and a full stomach slowed everyone down. But it got done!

We started again on Sunday (we as in... the guys worked and I mostly supervised and cooked meals). Baby Son came over to help. He was the monkey in the rafters! Climbing up and dragging all the odds and ends which had made it's way up there over the past 6 years. It was pretty much a repeat of the previous day... load up the trailers and trucks and take them over to the new house and dump them in the garage and/or the barn (it isn't really a barn, more of a huge outbuilding but we haven't decided how to refer to it... shop, maybe?) It threatened rain all day so the humidity level was high making it feel like a sauna in both barns. Once again, dinner was a welcome relief but it was after 10:00pm when I started cooking hotdogs and hamburgers. But no more moving after dinner. There wasn't a whole lot of movement by the guys either! Most had taken a shower while I cooked so after dinner they all staggered off to bed.

Monday... the work day started later and all guys worked a lot s-l-o-w-e-r. It was only one big haul... one truck and trailer load. I stayed at home and they all rode together. My Man gave him the scenic tour on the way home. I fixed spaghetti and meatballs with garlic toast for dinner. Showers and dinner out of the way... they decided to watch Tomb Raider... just to gawk at Lara Croft methinks, although they said it was for the action (yeah, sure... I believe that!). Aww shucks, they deserve it!

Tuesday.... youngest brother went home first --he had a 5 hour drive ahead of him. Other brother was taking younger brother's man-child with him to stay for two weeks at the Matriarch Mother's house. BUT we had to go to the new house because they forgot to bring some chairs back with them so not as to waste a trip... a trailer and two trucks were loaded. We followed them in our truck... but about 5 minutes down the road, we had turn around because man-child forgot his retainers. Got smart though... did what I should have done in the first place (before leaving)... did a walk thru and found a number of items they had forgotten! Finally, got to the new house and while the guys were unloading I walked around. I found a berry patch... big, fat, juicy red raspberries ....and I found big honkin' mulberries!

The last of our movers gone... we sat in lawn chairs up by the cow gate and enjoyed the breeze and the view of our new property. Okay so we sat for about 5 minutes... then My Man weed whacked, mowed a patch of lawn and ran the rototiller over the garden... then sat for awhile longer. We finally headed back and vegged out for the rest of the night.

All that moving and it doesn't even include the household stuff... a little but only stuff packed in boxes for the past 6 to 10 years. Still have a few more truck/trailer loads to take out of the workshop and barn but at least it is a start! I get to start cleaning and painting...Whoopee! Now what we need is a buyer for this house! Pray! Pray! Pray!

Look What I Can Do

2006-06-29T10:35:00.000-05:00

My #1 Son (aka mikinoel) looks like his Father but has inherited a lot his talents and non-talents from me. He is a creative soul, imaginative, a dreamer, has an acute (finely tuned but cute, too!)memory, ingenious procrastination skills, is mathematically dysfunctional, and has weird elbows!

I must have known this. It isn't something one can hide or ignore. Or maybe because it is normal for me, I just never noticed it as being something out of the ordinary on him. I know! I got it! It is because up until yesterday, I didn't know he had gone through some of the same trials and tribulations (more trials than tribulations... most people don't look at it as an attribute... usually they look at it and say "Eeuuew!") I went through as a kid and young adult.

The discussion was Vacation Bible School and songs. I remember my VBS as a kid, young adult and adult. An attendee, a helper and a teacher. Leading songs was part of the package. I was always requested to lead "In the Lord's Army". The audience laughed when I 'flew' the plane. My wings were drastically bent in the middle. The laughter was at me but with love (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

Son came up with similar experiences. We spent 10 minutes comparing notes on what other people thought of our unique ability.

I was cheerleader (hard to believe looking at me now) and keeping the arms straight was a big deal. L.C. (aka BMB...Big Mouth Bitch) kept yelling at me to straighten my arms. "I am!" "No you're not! They're bent." Son had a similar experience in the Army. "What the #%$* is wrong with your arms!" So we had to learn to relax the arms a little to keep them looking straight. What the morons didn't understand was for us it caused undue stress on the arm muscles.

In 8th grade I had got into trouble. A group in the back of the room were freaked out by my backward elbows and called me "retarded" (popular derogatory remark of the era).

Both Son and I can 'lock' our elbows which can be handy or extremely painful. His was handy, mine was painful. I would lean back on my arms, thus locking the elbows. Some thought it was funny to karate chop (equivalent of kneeing someone from behind) the inside of my elbows which were on the outside when in the locked position. OWWW! Damn! that hurt!

Since I was obviously unaware of this inherited condition in #1 Son, I wonder is Only Daughter had this trait? I am sure Baby Son has it but he has suffered through it like Mother & Brother have.

Hmmm... just thought of something. Has #1 Son also inherited the weird knees from his Father? I should know this. Like our elbows, the Father's knees snap back in a locked position making the legs look 'bent'. If Son has this... oooh, I am sorry... to be plagued with weird elbows AND weird knees...well, blame it on your gene pool!

Just talked to Baby Son... yes, he has the weird elbows and he says we discussed all of the above before. I think they as brothers discussed it without me.

Monster Butterflies

2006-06-27T22:16:00.000-05:00

I have butterflies in my stomach...Monster Butterflies! We signed the papers for the new house so there is no turning back now!

I know in my heart it is the right thing to do. We just couldn't pass up the opportunity to get this house. It is what we both want. I have faith that this house will sell in the near future. Although my faith waivers at times. Then the most amazing thing happens...My Man tells me to have faith and believe that God will see us through this. Why is this so amazing? Twenty-five years ago he wouldn't have said something like that. He wasn't against God, it was the church he was against. He had some bad experiences with the people of various churches over the years. I made it clear from the beginning that he was entitled to his opinions, but I would prefer it if he kept them to himself. Nothing he said or did was going to affect my faith in God or my beliefs. He respected my wishes most of the time.

Of course, on the other hand, I didn't keep my opinions to myself. If something good happened, I thanked God. If something didn't turn out the way we expected it to, I said God must have another plan for us. My intuitions I attributed to God speaking to me. I always told him when I was praying for someone or something. I never hid my faith or beliefs from him. It has spilled over to him. He is subtle and quiet with his faith, but it is there and he offers me support to boost my faith when I need it. Like now...with the new house...with selling this house...with making ends meet until it does sell.

I am really excited about getting started on the new house... cleaning, painting, moving stuff in... it is going to be quite an adventure!

Ain't Life Funny

2006-06-26T10:23:00.000-05:00

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. This year marks the 25th anniversary of meeting my #1 Man. A Blind Date. One that was set up in the most unusual of circumstances. One that proves that God works in mysterious ways!

My sister in law called a 'friend', Woody, in April of 1981 to chat. While she was on the phone, I was sitting nearby but I could only hear her end of the conversation and even then I was only half listening. Somehow, the subject of available men was brought up. He must have gone into a lengthy description of someone he knew, her silence as she listened is what actually got my attention. She sighed and said he was too young for her. I sat up, raised my hand and said, "What about me? Me, me, me! I want to meet him!" Woody knew me so he agreed to try to set up a date for the 4th of July picnic planned at his best friend's home (who was the cousin of this mystery man).

Several days before the big day, he calls me and we talk for awhile about trivial stuff. There must have been a spark of interest on both our parts because we agreed to make it a date.

I can't say it was Love at First Sight... actually he scared the be-jeebies out of me. I had been reading a romance novel which involved a mountain man kidnapping a woman, raping her, and keeping her a captive slave. My first sight of my date was him arriving on a big ass motorcycle, wearing a leather jacket, helmet, sunglasses and sporting a full beard. My overactive imagination brought to mind the story I had been reading and I thought, "This mountain of a man is my date?" A lump of fear rose in my throat... or was it anticipation? or excitement?

The day progressed with lots of fun and laughter with this boisterous group of people (mostly men). An abundance of family and friends... the Man's 4 brothers (5 if you include Fred as a brother) 3 cousins and lots of friends. I felt comfortable and at ease with all of them until the infamous MCP debate. I firmly believed most men were Male Chauvinistic PIGS! Cousin Joe and I got into a heated debate which set the stage for 25 years of antagonism, hostility and negativity which will probably continue for the next 25 years (or more like... to infinity and beyond!).

Trying to cool the atmosphere, my 'date' offered to take me for a motorcycle ride. Ho Boy! I hadn't been on a motorcycle in more than 10 years and tried desperately to get out of riding one that day. I came up with every excuse I could think of. I had no shoes...Whoosh! Ten pairs of shoes landed at my feet. I had no jacket...Voila! Cousin Phil handed me his leather jacket. Mmmmm... it was buttery soft and smelled oh so expensive. I had no helmet... Plunk! One was pushed onto my head from behind.

I had run out of excuses so I found myself on the back of a black GoldWing, hanging onto the grip bars until my knuckles were white and turning numb. We rode through Johnson Park, gliding over the winding roads. I began to relax and actually enjoyed myself (although my grip didn't loosen much!) so much so that I agreed to take a road trip to Harrison the next day.

The 100 mile ride up there wasn't too bad with frequent stops to stretch the butt muscles. We visited their Aunt and Uncle who lived up there and spent the afternoon swimming at the local beach. Okay... I swam... and a few of the West Side cousins swam but the East Siders either waded or floundered in the water! Early evening we had dinner... the whole fam damily at one table... what a sight (and sound)!

A day of fresh air, swimming and a full belly made for a long ride home. I could hardly stay awake so they threatened to super glue me to the seat! They all took turns riding up alongside us to check on me. My arse was soooo sore I could barely swing my legs over the seat to get off!

My date walked me to my apartment door and with reluctance I asked him to come in. He had been the perfect gentleman all weekend! We sat on the sofa, he leaned towards me, reached out.... I thought, "Here it comes... the real guy will show himself now." He pulled my boots off, stood up, grabbed my hands to help me up and then walked me to the door. He told me he had a wonderful time, kissed my cheek, walked out the door, got on his motorcycle and rode off into the night. I stood there with my mouth open, my hand touching the spot where his lips had gently placed a whisper of a kiss on my cheek, and stared out the window as he drove off. I stood there for a good 5 minutes that way, hardly breathing and when I finally came out of the shock... I sighed a long, drawn out "Wow!"

Right then and there is when I fell in love with My Man! Twenty-five years later... he still takes my breath away! He makes my heart do flip-flops, my insides tingle, and my heart swell with adoration and love! And it all started with a BLIND DATE!

An Elephant Never Forgets

2006-06-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

My best friend's mother has Alzheimer's and had to be put in a nursing home. My kid's Grandmother has dementia and is in a nursing home.

I took care of my mother for 4 months after she was diagnosed with cancer. Physically, she was in a lot of pain but her mind was sharp until the last three days. She retreated to a time when she was the happiest. She was a teenager staying with her aunts; Lillian (Lill) and Lula. She saw me as Lula and my sister as Lill. It hurt that she didn't know who I was, that it was me taking care of her, or that I was the one with her at the end.

So I can imagine how loved ones of Alzheimer patients must feel. I use to say it must be terrible for the person going through it but actually they don't know what they are going through most of the time. It is the family members who suffer the heartbreak of losing a loved one right before their eyes.

Physically...I am a mess. I am overweight (let's call a spade a spade... I am FAT...OBESE!), I have had a heart attack, my hips/legs/ankles/feet hurt like hell 90% of the time and to top it off... I have ACNE! But my mind is sharp and my memory is good... too good at times.

Still, when I lose something I know I should know exactly where it is... I worry. When I see an actor/actress on TV that I recognize but can't think of their name... I worry. When my sister tells me something that happened in the past that she insists I was there or should know the details... I don't worry about me, I worry about her!

Seriously, I am the one everyone asks for past history from... birthdates, marriages, certain incidents... I always have the answer. I am like an elephant - I don't forget. Unfortunately, I remember the unpleasant along with the pleasant. Fortunately, at this stage of my life, the pleasant is far outweighing the unpleasant.

Right now I can remember a half dozen things that happened when I was 4 or 5 years old. I can keep it going through each year of my life. I can remember a lot of good memories of my brother Tim (he was killed in a car accident on June 16, 1968) and I can close my eyes and see his face as clearly as if he was standing before me. I can do the same with my mother. A lot of times I can even hear her talking to me (I know that's not a sign of a good mind...).

I went to my 25 year High School Reunion. Actually, I was one of the main organizers of it and acted as hostess for it. So I went around the room talking to everyone and of course, said on numerous occasions, "Remember when...". Some did, some didn't. Some asked me how I remembered all that stuff! I told them honestly that I didn't know how... I just did.

Seriously, I cherish each and every memory I have. It's like photographs or even a movie in my mind. But then I wonder... am I really remembering it as it happened? Am I remembering what I want to remember? Who cares? For the most part they are enjoyable to revisit and if those others who are involved can't remember it, then who can say if they are real or imagined.

Kudos to My Kids

2006-06-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

I have 3 kids... one of each. They are my gifts from God. I consider them my greatest achievements in life.

My oldest is married to a wonderful Christian woman. They have given me two beautiful grandchildren. They are such unique, funny and precocious little people! I love them beyond words!

My son is a talented, imaginative and creative person who has been stifled in a factory environment (his words... paraphrased) for too many years. That factory closed it's doors and he is without a job BUT instead of looking at it as a devastating blow, he is accepting it as an opportunity from God to follow his dreams of writing. I am so proud of him! I am also proud of his wife for working with him so he can accomplish his life goals!

My daughter is a strong, independent, self-sufficient individual. She is a beautiful woman with a warm, funny personality and a heart of gold. I am proud to call her not only my daughter, but my friend. We share a mother/daughter bond that only mothers and their daughters can understand and relate to.

When she was 12 or 13 (I think) she decided she wanted to be an airplane pilot. She geared all her schooling towards that goal, went to college, got her pilot's license, graduated with a Bachelor's degree (omigosh... I can't believe I forgot what the degree is called!) and even though she didn't continue flying planes, she works in the field of aviation as a dispatcher for a charter plane company. She tells me about her work, but it is beyond my ability to comprehend. It is an awesome responsibility, but she handles it with the ease of a trained professional.

She has been in a relationship for over a year now with a fantastic guy! She met him on a blind date (a common bond between us... my husband and I met 25 years ago on a blind date!). I could not have asked for a better guy... even if I had hand-picked him myself! He has fulfilled his dreams this year... he graduated from the Policy Academy (with many honors!) and is now a full fledged COP!... I mean Police Officer! I just know he is her soul-mate and she is his. I am hoping that eventually they will make it a life-time committment and then give me some more grandbabies!!! (I'm sorry... I couldn't resist!)

My youngest is the reason my hair has soooooooooooo many gray hairs! He a smart kid who does some of the dumbest things! I couldn't (and wouldn't) even begin to list all his antics. His brother used to tell him, "Your proctologist called. He found your head." Unfortunately, it was true... but the important thing is that in the last six months or so, he has turned his life around. He lost his job but didn't let it get him down... he got two jobs! He is living out on his own and taking care of himself for a change. He is finally maturing and accepting responsibility. I am so proud of him. It was a long, hard struggle but I think he is going to make it!

I am a very lucky mother!

Pity Party

2006-06-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

Once in awhile I have a Pity Party. It is a party of two... me and a guest! No one else is invited. No one else would want to come. I wallow in the mire of my own misery. Woe is me! Ho hum... life's a bitch! Yada, yada, yada. The guest of honor at my party today was House Not Selling. It has been almost a year since we first listed the house. We have had a lot of lookers but no takers. I have been praying and praying for the house to sell. I know God always answers prays with one of three responses: (1) Yes (2) Not yet or (3) I have a better plan. Knowing and accepting are two different things. My prayers are insignificant compared to a lot of other people's prayers in this world. There are a lot more serious, life-threatening situations which need His attention, but I get selfish and self-centered at times and want my prayers answered NOW! I try hard to have the faith He will see us through this but once in awhile it just gets me down. Today it is getting me down...down...down...

Tomorrow will be a better day. I can only take so much self-pity. Life is too short to waste it on worrying about things that are out of our control. Let go and let God! Another saying I have become fond of..."Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things". Love it! Absolutely love it! My glass is half-full and I know soon it will be overflowing! See... the party's over! Life is SWEET!

This Old House

2006-06-18T19:23:00.000-05:00

Selling a house isn't what it used to be. There is one buyer for every 12 houses on the market. What makes it even worse is that they are building houses all over the place. Subdivisions (they call them Estates), huge monstrosities, and condos are popping up all over. People would rather buy a new home instead of a good solid old home like ours. Of course, we need to find that special buyer who wants an indoor pool. It is getting to be a real drag though... it has been 11 months since we listed with a realtor. We had it sold once, or almost I should say. But the ones that were buying our house... their buyers backed out and then the domino effect occurred. So we lost out on a buyer and a house that we wanted to buy. So.... this time we took a huge risk and decided to buy the house we wanted before this house sold. We sure are doing a lot of praying, wishing and hoping a buyer comes along soon. Tomorrow we have a showing and I have a 'good feeling' about it. This is the ONE... the buyer!

Hopefully this next place we're buying will be our last home. I have said that about our last 3 homes but for one reason or another we decided to move. This house 'feels' like home... I call it homely! We both really love this house so I think it will be the one for us! I don't know if anyone else will see the charm of it like we do, but I guess it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks of it. No close neighbors and black angus roaming in the back... don't get much better than that!

Can You Hear Me Now?

2006-06-16T22:08:00.000-05:00

Not since the line "Where's the Beef?" has a commercial catch-phrase been heard so often and in so many places. "Can you hear me now?" has been heard on television, in the movies, friends, families and anyone who uses a cell phone.

Many commerical catch-phrases, slogans - whatever you want to call them - show up in everyday language but I'll bet the person who says it doesn't even know what product it represents.

I love the one where the little fairy flies around and zaps stuff but when she zaps the car she is thrown against a wall and falls to the ground. A guy walking a dog points at her and says, "Silly little fairy" and she zaps him into a yuppie. I use the line on anyone who does something really stupid. No... I do not know what product is being advertised.

My #1 Man likes the commercial where the guy meets these thugs down by the docks with his network lined up behind him. The line he likes is, "Really. You get service out here?" I can't count the number of times I hear that line come out of my man's mouth. Sometimes it is just "Really" and other times he follows the line through to the end. I think the commercial is for Verizon but not sure... although it is for a cell phone.

What commercials have tickled your funny bone? Which ones stick in your mind like velcro? Which ones do you just hate to hear/see? Past or Present?

Almost But Not Quite

2006-06-15T21:58:00.000-05:00

Tonight #1 Son came over and enhanced the look of my blog. I feel like such a Newbie! I will probably need to call on his blogging expertise for awhile. When I get the time (if that day ever comes), I will try to master some of the tricks of the trade. For right now, I just wanted a place to voice my opinions and well, just talk about nothing in particular, to no one in particular. My #1 Man says I am a "Cornucopia of useless information". Now I have a place to share my wealth of knowledge.

I am a Blah Blah Blogger!

2006-06-14T22:37:00.000-05:00

I never thought I would join the ranks and become a Blogger, but here I am! I have no idea what to write about or how often I'll be writing.

Serendipity
According to Marcus Bach, "The World of Serendipity" in 1754 Horace Walpole coined the word serendipity. He based it on a Persian fairy tale about the three princes of Serendip (an ancient name for Ceylon) who traveled in search of treasure but rarely found what they were looking for. Instead, they kept happening onto things that turned out to be even greater treasures than those they were seeking. Although their goals eluded them, they were richly rewarded with exciting discoveries along the way. Eventually they realized that they were being guided by an unseen power that knew better than they did what was best for them. Walpole himself found that, when he learned to "dip into life with serenity" each day resulted in thrilling, unexpected experiences. (taken from the book God's Best For You... Today, Tomorrow and Always by Marilyn Morgan Helleberg)
We plan our lives and try to take control of our destiny. We make goals and strive towards them but life's bumps and grinds cause detours and delays. We cannot control our destiny because it is not ours to control. I don't believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason - both good and bad. My motto has become, "Sometimes the worst thing that happens to you, turns out to be the best thing to happen to you". In other words, if life gives you lemons...make lemonade! There is a higher power that has bigger and better plans as long as you "Let Go and Let God".