Neuteralize My World

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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?

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*

*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...

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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!