We wish you flowers and warm fuzzy things on this day!  Happy Valentines Day from Molly, Jay, and Momma!

I went to bed on Monday night with a promise of an exciting day tomorrow tucked close to my heart. Jay’s love for food and preparing it was going to be demonstrated on Valentines Day and it was all for me.

I awoke to the kitchen sounds of a busy man working diligently on our breakfast. Banana Sour Cream Pancakes were cooking on the grill. He was concentrating so hard on cooking the pancakes that he forgot to dice the bananas until it was too late to add them to the batter. But the lemon zest that was added to the batter was like sunshine peeking through a cloudy sky. The pancakes were dense but flavorful even without the bananas.  With a couple of slices of bacon and a small glass of orange juice I was almost transformed into a world traveler on a fancy vacation.

Lunchtime brought a dish of polish sausage, potatoes, and corn .  But the dessert was the highlight of the meal.  Chocolate-Strawberry Panini made with thick slices of pound cake and spread with Nutella (a chocolate-hazelnut spread).  Then sliced strawberries are placed on half of the slices and that is covered with the other slices chocolate side down.  Not having a panini grill Jay placed them on our Foreman grill sprayed with nonstick spray for two minutes until cake was golden.  Heaven on a plate is all I could say!

When supper time came it was Asparagus, Gruyere and Tarragon Souffleed Omelet. Jay opted to omit the tarragon because of my problem with some spices. With the asparagus and onions the omelet was still delicious.  We will definitely try this again and add the tarragon next time.  All these recipes can be found on the Food Network. 

I want to thank my Valentine for a very special day, for all the work he did, and all the pleasure it brought us both.  Love You Jay!

It has been winter too long. My complexion is the same color as this frog’s belly. I feel like I will just loose control and sink into oblivion if spring doesn’t come soon. I live from day to day thinking I want this, I want that, I want to go here, I want go there, and I want to go take a nap. I have had these obsessions before about wanting certain things and then when I get them I really didn’t want them at all or I never used them after all.  What I really need sunshine, green grass, bushes budding, and the trees filled with new leaves not bent to the ground with snow.

I have whined for months about wanting a puppy. I have told everyone I want a mutt dog. I even enlisted the help of my Doctor as to how a puppy would make me exercise more. Then I wake some mornings and as I sit on the edge of the bed I wonder how painful those first few steps will be to get to the bathroom. I think about adding the work of a puppy to the daily routine of caring for Molly, the four birds, the cage cleaning , the box changing, my regular dishwasher duties, the laundry, and the once a week vacuuming, and mopping.  I must confess the hubby is the primary cook so that is just an occasional duty for me. 

But I’m finding the breathing thing starting to diminish. The up and down stairs involves right foot down on the step then bring the left foot to the same step and then repeat the procedure over again until I get where I am going. It is a very worrisome point to get to.

I keep doing my breathing exercise once a day but I should do it more often. I try to do a knit or crochet project but I get bored with it. I still have my doll houses to do but my heart isn’t it. It seems at around five or five-thirty some days I want only to go in a lay down for a couple of hours to revive myself.

I know most of this is mental and I have to get back to normal.  I have to admit that I can’t add a puppy to the mix.  I have to stop dwelling on what I can’t have, what I can’t do, and think of what I can do, how lucky I am to be as healthy as I am, and that despite the frog belly and the wrinkles I am a pretty women for my age.  Also that I am loved!

Wow I feel better already!

The UPS man in the driveway is always exciting even if it is just prescriptions arriving. But last Tuesday the package was for me. My own Vermont Teddy Bear in a lovely blue box with all types of saying on the inside and clouds and stars on the outside. On the bottom of the box it says: If you can read this, then either you’re under the box or the box is upside down and the Bear inside is getting a headache! On the front is a hole marked air hole—something else to make you smile. He comes with his own hospitalization plan. If he tangles with a pet or a youngster Vermont Teddy Bear will fix or replace him free of charge. If he get dirty you put him in the washer on gentle with mild soap and hang him up by his ears to dry. Then a light brushing and he is good as new. If you are interested in in one like him then check on line for VermontTeddyBear.com for the company.  I love him—-he is my Valentine from the Hubby!

So many things came to mind when we were out of order.  So much I wanted to share with you.

The death of Al Lewis brought back a lot of memories.  ‘Car 54 Where Are You? also The Munsters were two of my viewing favorites back then.
As Jay and I talked about that another thought came to mind. 
Does anyone remember black and white TV?
I remember my mom and dad would go to the neighborhood bar once a week to watch Arther Godfrey on TV.
We kids of course were out of luck because we were too young to be in a bar at that time of night.

But then a miracle happened when my parents bought their first TV.  It was black and white Muntz brand. Some where along the line they bought a piece of plastic that fit over the screen. It was blue on top, red in the middle, and green on the bottom. If the picture was of something outside it was great but an inside scene didn’t work to well.

I remember that a lot of the programs, especially dramas, were broad-casted live. The US Steel Hour, The General Electric Theatre, and Kraft Theatre were just a few of the dramas offered. Then Jerry Lester’s Broadway Open House, ErnieKovacs program, and The Sid Ceasar and Emogene Coca Show were among the comedy programs offered. Then came Bonanza, The Warner Brother’s series, so many variety shows that had us spending hours traveling in a make believe world. For kids there was The Friendly Giant, Sesame Street, Mr.Dressup, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and cartoon programs of all kinds. 

We cried, we laughed, and we sat spellbound just as we used to sit in front of the radio listening to The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Of courseTheShadow.

Maybe it is my age but I don’t find that sense of excitement in many of the shows today.  I find the majority of reality shows distasteful.  Comdey seems to be dictated by demeaning someone or something.  It is hard to laugh at that type of thing. 

Well that was one thing I wanted to share and as the days go on I’ll remember the others ( I hope)!

I think we are back—Boy did I miss you guys!

Living in a dome straight walls are at a premium.  We were trying to find a way to build an ‘appliance garage’ or at least a cupboard where all the appliances are in one area. They have been shoved into low cupboards, on the kitchen counter, and even on top the buffet hutch. Then we got the bright idea to buy a stainless steel cart that could be rolled into the utility room when not in use . This is a temporary fix until we can afford to have something built.

But then this brought the need for a cover. Buy putting the Kitchen Aid on the top shelf there is no need to lift it all the time. But this dictated that I place other units of approximately the same height on that shelf also. I finally with Jay’s help got the shelves adjusted to accommodate every thing and still present an almost even look on the top of the cart. 

I pulled out the white, trigger linen that I use to make clown costumes, placed it inside out over the filled cart, and preceded to pin it to fit as best I could. Out came the old Kenmore sewing machine and I cut, fitted, and stitch until I had something that resembled a cover. I had used this method to make covers for the bird cages but they were much easier to fit.

Not real pretty but it will keep the items a little cleaner.  That was my project for today.  Wonder what tomorrow will bring!

The mail came today and my very dear friend surprised me with a new bookmark to replace the one I gave away. After I had let mine go I felt a little sad. I kept telling myself that it went to a very worthy friend. But I still was sad . But today the smile came back. All I could say was this one in mine, mine, mine!
Thank you Diane you made an old lady happy!

The Rummy Shark swam in again tonight!  I needed to get out the big cards for this big game!

I could read these cards but the hand needed toilet paper to keep it from slipping onto the table.

Even the discard pile looked better than my hand.  I could see the shark moving in!

This was her look just after adding the score.  She said, “Sorry Mom”.  But I knew she was smiling underneath.

This was the score.  You can feel my pain.

Big cards didn’t help me.  Even changing to regular size cards didn’t help.  I was lost in the deep water and the Rummy Shark was at home there.  I had to concede that she was the champ.  This is the victory picture. 

Great game Champ!  I love it when you win really!!!