Momma's Corner

First let thank you for your kind words and prayers.  I will take time to talk a little about Daniel in a few days, with your permission. 

But for today I prefer to talk about Sunday and Monday.

Sunday Jay and I worked on trimming some to the low branches on the trees in the front yard.  When I mowed out there I kept getting whipped by them and my arms were covered bruises and scrapes.  We used the loppers and the Alligator to clear the problems away.  Then Jay cut the larger branches up for the neighbor to take and we loaded the smaller stuff in the trailer to go out back on the pile.

We had five trailer loads that Jay dumped on the pile.

On Monday morning we went to Dr. Webb’s office to check out Jay’s arm.  There was a problem with the dialysis procedure.  It turned out he had a blood clot and we ended up at Oakwood Hospital so Dr. Webb could correct the problem with surgery.  We never got back home until after 5:00 pm and that was when I discovered the call on my machine about my brother. 

This morning I went to have an ultra sound for the liver and gall bladder and should have results in a couple of days.  It has been a busy and some what stressful weekend but we made it through. 

I hope all is going well for you!

I received a phone call this afternoon from Florida with the news that my baby brother died at 12:49 pm.  I can only think that he was so tired of being ill that he gave up. Daniel had turned 65 on the 15th of this month.  At least he doesn’t hurt any more.  He will be missed.

I finally got to pickup my hook this morning and work on the afghan.  I am now into color # four.

I watched Biography until Jay’s car programs came on then decided to bring up some supplies from the basement and possibly see if I had loaded my weed whacker correctly.  I had, so I tackled some overgrowth around the garage door area.

Some before and after pics of my work. 

I worked until the sun got too warm for me and the trying to climb the side of the banks got to me.  I will give it another shot in a day or so.  Then when this area is cleaned up I have the whole main floor area around the the outside of the dome to clean up.  Damn I hate getting older because that turns a one day job into a major project!

Oh well one foot in front of the other is how things get accomplished!!

Tuesday while Jay was at Davita I managed to mow the whole back half of the property.  It was warm and I didn’t wear long sleeves so I bruised up both arms on branches.  But I didn’t suffer with aching arms or shoulders later that evening.

In the nineties on Wednesday so I turned on the truck air conditioner for the first time since we bought it in April of 2001.  The trip to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit was uneventful and the doctor was very pleased with Jay’s progress.  The pressure in the left eye was 15%.  His normal eye was at 18% so progress is being made.  We will be back to see him again on the 8th of July.

On the way home we stopped at Harvey’s restaurant in Ortonville.  This place was closed for a while and reopened a couple of months ago.  We have been passing this business since before the new owners reopened it ( some almost 10 years ) and never stopped in.  We were delighted with food, served hot, service was more than satisfactory, and it will be on stop to eat list whenever we are headed home from a Detroit or Southfield doctor’s appointment.  .   

Yesterday I got out early and went to the grocery store for some odds and ends ($ 53. worth),  After I got back home I curled up on the couch to crochet a bit because the last two weeks have brought some pretty painful moments.  I finally decided to call my doctor for an appointment after Monday of next week because Dr. Webb is going to see Jay on Monday.  I explained to the receptionist what my problems were, that yes I was having pain, and why I needed an appointment after Monday.  She asked to call me back.

About two hours later I was told to come in now.  So in my shorts and old tennis shoes I hauled my sweaty self down to his office.  After some probing of the abdominal and stomach area an x ray was next.  After having seen the x ray he told me I was full of crap to start with.  (I said you mean I’m full off sh**?)  He said, “Mary we don’t talk like that in a professional office”—but he was smiling broadly.  He said I would be scheduled for an ultra sound to check the liver and the gall bladder.  Then depending on those results we might test further if it is necessary.  On the way home I purchased the old standby, Magnesium Citrate and have been in a close relationship with the porcelain throne ever since. 

At around 6:30 pm yesterday the heat broke with this.

The white particles are hale stones that were an added bonus with the cooling rain.  The air conditioner got turned off, doors and windows were opened, and cool evening was enjoyed.

The ultra sound is scheduled for Tuesday next week and I’m feeling a little better today.  Now if I could get a break from being Queen for a Day (the porcelain throne thing) I want to go start mowing the front part of the property again. 

The news from daughter, Cindy, is that the swelling in her knee is going down without the tap.  She just has to take it easy and avoid the stairs.

I hope this weekend will bring you some pleasant moments and that you remember to laugh loud and long!

Update:

Started the tractor at 11am and finished the front section at 1:45 pm.. Not too shabby if you consider all the trees in the yard.  I have just washed the twigs, leaves, and bugs off in the shower and got Jay’s chicken salad for sandwiches made. 

There is a nice little breeze out in the yard and the big thermometer reads 80 degrees but with the living room and the kitchen doors open slightly there has been no need yet for the air conditioner.  So on with the TV and pick up the crochet hook—this momma is sitting down!

Just when you think all the flowers are gone more spring into view.  This morning my walk around the dome and time in the swing with Brandy brought more color to admire.

This rose bush was one of the the miniature plants I received as a gift.  The size of the blossom and two buds would indicate it loves being outside. 

This Honeysuckle was here when I moved in.  I change the support for it but it looks like something larger is called for.

Sitting in the swing I spotted some clover blossoms and memories of childhood came flooding back.  Lazy summers, laying in the field, and sucking the sugar out of those purple blossoms.

I so long to pull one today but I’m sure it couldn’t taste as sweet as my mind recalls.

I believe this is one of the Snapdragons Cindy gave me to plant but the garden is such a tangled mess that I can’t be sure. 

Now on to the unknowns

Please feel free to educate me on these and I’ll try to remember them. 

My last picture was of an unknown on the leg of the swing.

My first thought was a mutated bee.  Next thought was kill it.  But I opted to take a picture instead.  Anybody know what my creature is?  I’ve never seen one of these before. 

Well I must close for now because an appointment with Dr. Imami at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit is scheduled for around 1:00 pm today.  I’ll let you know how Jay’s eye is coming later. 

Also if you get a chance Cindy of Cindyisms is having problems with her knee. She is home today and could probably use a couple of words of comfort. 

Remember to smile!

It has been a stressful couple of weeks.  The quest to regain the balloon twisting ability in time for my grand daughter’s graduation party has hung over my head. Every day I would think today I will practice but instead I mowed the yard.  The next day I will practice but I chose to clean house. Two days of canning jam took practice time away. 

Last Friday I said I will practice while Jay was in dialysis but a power failure at Davita made rescheduling of the appointment to 5:15 am the morning of the party.  That Friday afternoon we had company which was very welcome.  Les came up to check out a couple of computer problems and brought Zilch with him.  If you are an SEB reader you know that Zilch is a commenter on that blog and is from Vienna, Austria. What a pleasant visit we had and what a delight to meet this man in person. 

Back to the morning of the party—I drove Jay into his appointment then came back home to sleep another couple of hours before picking him up.  Jay did not do well in dialysis and decided to stay home and rest.  I packed up Brandy, the memory board,  the gifts from Les, Mrs. Dof,  us, and the balloons and pump.  I drove the forty mile to my son’s home to find myself in the midst of several people I didn’t know and some I did. 

That is what happens when you get older and move away.  I did however meet Anne and Steve, who are daughter-in-law Debra’s parents for the first time.  Also Debra’s sister, her husband, and son.  But basically I sat with my daughter, Cindy, Brandy tied to my chair,  and our family friend Richard, 

It was a beautiful day, not too warm, with a slight breeze.  Wes and his friend Greg were busy finishing the grilling and Debra was busy with making sure everyone had food and drinks.  (Mine was a can of A&W root beer).  In the process I forgot the camera I had bought along so the pictures are few. 

This is the happy Grad!  The picture of her in her cap and gown is nonexistent due to the temperature outside (and I don’t blame her). 

As to the balloons, with Cindy’s help we made a total of maybe 8 or nine animals and a flower on on a stem. 

All that stressing out for nothing!  But I figure that we tried any way.  I wouldn’t have miss the party because it was in Jasmine’s honor. 

I have spent that Saturday evening and today trying to regain a sense of normalcy.  Jay has taken care of the meals and I have sat and stared or slept the whole time.  But it will straighten out soon because I have to be ready to start driving Jay to doctor appointments again.

I hope you had a good weekend and that you remembered the fathers in your life on Father’s Day. 

It has rained most of the day here so I never got out to fill the bird feeders until just a bit ago.  The temperature is 63 which is great sleeping weather so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble sleeping tonight.  That and if you read Jay’s Jammin’.  this evening you already know we canned 26 1/2 jars of jam this afternoon. 

I had finished the memory board for Jasmine yesterday afternoon but then this morning I remembered one picture that had to go on it. 

It was taken after we had marched in a parade in Pontiac, Michigan a few years ago.  The King and his court from the Renaissance Festival were there also.  We were lucky to have seen the Fairy Princess in the parking lot afterward and she graciously agreed to have her picture taken with Jasmine.  It took a little bit of rearranging but I got it on there.

As to the balloons I am sadly falling behind in my practice and honestly I think it is a full blown avoidance tendency.  But I will try to reaffirm my task and work hard for the next two days.   

Just here to say that this mess was cleaned up yesterday.  Along with the vacuuming, the clothes folding and the mopping (except for the utility room) every thing got accomplished.  Of course last night I pulled another load of laundry from the dryer and that is on the table this morning.

As to the progress on the balloons and the memory board.  The balloon practice as of today is three hours behind.  Last night I made one dog and the head of a poodle (which lost air in it’s body).  I then proceeded to break eight balloons so I folded the whole thing up and put the balloons in the fridge.  I had gone out earlier in the day to pick up poster board, green construction paper, glue, white crepe paper, and a marker pen.  I ended up with everything but I chose a Tri-Fold display board for the poster board.  All that remains on this project is to pull photos out of boxes, scan them with the computer, and mount the whole thing creatively.  That job will begin tomorrow.  Yeah right—-piece of cake——Not!!!!

Today is my baby brother’s 65th birthday.

Daniel has been fighting cancer and several other complications, in and out of hospitals,  for months now.  But he is cancer free, as far as doctors can tell, and still with us.  So for me this is the biggest Happy Birthday I could wish for him.  If you would like to add yours I will happily e-mail a print out of them to his wife Peggy to take to him in the hospital. 

Jay and I are off to Dr. Ross’ office in another four hours so she can check on the progress of his eye surgery. 

I will close for now, take a deep breath, and jump back into the projects at hand.  Remember to laugh it is good for the lungs!

Good morning, it is 48 degrees outside, and the sun has just starting to shine in the Eastern sky.  It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. 

Yesterday, late afternoon, I could take the guilt trip no longer.  I had Jay get out the tractor for me and I mowed the front half of the property.  I came in tired, dusty, but somewhat satisfied that at least the front area looked a bit better.  I have managed to load the weed whacker finally so I’ll trim the needed areas and mow the back half soon. 

When I came in last night I managed to blow up and knot four balloons but my arms said no twisting.  I picked up the afghan but that was the same problem.  So I have two hours of twisting practice due today.  I can work on the afghan when I take Jay to see Dr. Ross tomorrow. 

The dining room table is piled high with clothes to be folded and I think I’m going to run the vacuum this morning right after I mop the kitchen, utility, and bathroom floors.  That will satisfy the inside guilt and maybe I can get on with the balloons and the memory board. 

Have a great Sunday and hug those near and dear to you today.  See yah! 

It is a cool 58 degrees outside with a light rain falling.  Brandy and I have just walked down to the mailbox with a letter.  On the way back I refilled the bird feeders in the Crab apple tree, checked the rhubarb, and the Peonies.

The Peonies in the back East side garden, between the trees, have just started to open.  But the ones in the East garden out front are blooming all over.

The yard is so bad that my neighbor Steve said, ” It looks like you moved away”  I’m way behind on the mowing, weeding, and trimming and Jay can’t work outside while his eye is healing.  My projects included relearning the balloons, gathering photos to create a memory board, putting a couple of rows on the afghan, and still catching up on household duties.  The inside of my house looks steadily crappier each day.  The only thing I can do at this time is to prioritize the items by due date and dive in. 

Speaking of balloons—

I devoted over an hour yesterday to learning a new way to tie the balloons,  Then I started working on twisting dogs.  I finally got a couple of decent ones plus I made a poodle.  I attempted a giraffe but it unwound on me.  I did however make a sitting rabbit.  With my flower on a stem the blossom was good but the stem was wrong.  I have got to be able to pick up a balloon and picture how many bubbles I need for each animal without the book.  A little ways to go my friend!

Now for the last two attempts to post I have screwed up and lost them just as I was finishing—too much to think about!

I’m taking Jay out to find a new pair of slippers after his car shows this morning—he is not my father but I can’t have a barefoot hubby on Father’s day. 

Hope you manage to make your fathers, hubbies, or significant others happy this week end.   

Back in the days of Merribell, the clown, balloon twisting was almost second nature to me.  But several years have passed so the memory and the stamina have taken a toll on me.  But that all changed when grand daughter, Jasmine, asked me to make balloon animals for her graduation party.  So I ordered balloons and gathered the equipment together to practice again. 

My first attempt this morning was quite hilarious.  The animal listed to the right and looked like a beaver with his tail in the air.  Actually I was trying for a dog but I put too much air in the balloon and ran out of room before I could shape the tail. 

Speaking of filling the balloons I have a Pump One that is close to 20 years old.  I bought it at convention from T. Myers out of Austin, Texas.  It allows me to fill a 260e balloon in one stoke without nary a bit of my breath.

Newer models are now available but my pump has been a life saver to me. 

I ordered 200 balloons from a2z Balloon Company on line.

Qualatex , my favorite brand, was only one day away in delivery.  The reason for 200 was, as you can see, I need a lot of practice to get back into shape. 

The last thing I needed was my books.

These I found In a computer desk drawer on the second floor and a closet in the basement.  Not as well organized then as I am now.  Jay also found some instructions on line at the T. Myers site.  All that remains is to start twisting.  I have nine days to pull this off.  Oh well I work great under pressure even if I am old as dirt!

Just a few months ago I bought two new loose leaf binders to transfer my ‘want to try’ recipes to binders with more room.  I moved the recipes to the new books and made new colored divider pages placing them in plastic protectors. Well it took the better part of a day but I was pretty proud of myself when I finished the project.  But ever since then every time I pick up one of those darn books the rings open and the pages partially or fully fall out.  I spent more time replacing the pages than finding something to cook.  I was tired of the frustration so consequently this is what my dining room table looked like yesterday. 

The other projects due to be tackled would have to wait.  In the upper right corner of this picture is a pile of clean laundry to be folded and put away.  It didn’t happen until after the table was cleared of paper. In the upper left corner are the balloon twisting books I have to relearn in the next 12 days. They didn’t even get opened!  In the center of this mess are a hole puncher, scissors, scotch tape, a cardboard box, two loose leaf binders, my reading glasses, and a whole bunch of paper. 

The reason for this mess can be explained when viewing this picture.  The black plastic tab on the right side is used to open, close, and lock the rings in the binder.  They don’t work folks—take it from me.  The metal tab on the left side is for the same purpose except it doesn’t need to lock them.  This baby snaps shut and can chew up a finger if you are not careful. 

Now this does not sound like a daunting task, but when I remembered that I transferred this mess in the first place for more room and I was going to put the whole thing back in the old binders something was going to have to change.  I started with removing every thing from the plastic page protectors which I put in the cardboard box for storage.  Next the pages that didn’t have hole punched in them had to be corrected.  I had several odd shaped recipes that needed to be trimmed and mounted on standard size pages with scotch tape,.  Then recipes printed on cardboard had to be scanned onto standard pages also. I removed the colored divider pages from the page protectors,  punched the holes, and put tabs on the sides.  All that remained was refiling the whole shebang between the covers of the working ring binders and putting the title sheets in the front cover and the spine cover(—right name—don’t know).  I’ll bet you that nothing will fall out now by golly! 

On the lighter side.

Those Iris plants just keep going.

The first Peony of several has opened.

Now the bush in South back garden, at the deck steps, has decided to start blooming.  This poor thing was abused badly by me a couple of years back because it looked like part of it was dead.  Thank goodness Mother Nature forgives a fool!

Well Jay is due in from dialysis in the next hour and will be looking for lunch.  I decided on making some biscuits, for salmon salad sandwiches ( got to go get bread later).  Also a lettuce and fruit cocktail salad for a side. So have a happy one—see yah! 

Update: 
I just check the bread box—-I still got bread—-Yeah!!!

Where were you last Friday night?

You remember times like this!

Jay and I were sitting and watching 504 happy youngsters from Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan about to step out into a new life.

The Graduation was held at beautiful Meadow Brook Outdoor Theater on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan on a pleasantly warm evening. Proud families seated everywhere enjoying the Lake Orion band, Symphony orchestra, and chorus performing better than I have heard. any high school music department, in a long time. 

Grandson Dakota, who turned 16 on Saturday posed in his choral uniform for me before the ceremony.

I managed to get a picture of Jasmine, in yellow, and her two friends before the Senior Prom and I wanted to share it with you.

They look like they are ready to take on the world don’t they!

The proud parents, Wesley and Debra took Jay and I out for dinner before we drove over for the ceremony. They kept saying, “I’m so proud of her” but in the minds they were probably thinking only one more to go.

I will get more pictures of Jasmine in cap and gown, the graduation party, and the special entertainment that day if you don’t mind reading about an old gram crowing.

Molly knows those Hummingbirds are having lunch in that purple bush.

My Snow Ball bush is starting to melt.

You can see the bits laying in the grass.

The lilac bush that got run over by the ditch digger is still valiantly trying to bloom at the edge of the berm where I moved it a few years back.  I am going to buy a couple more to plant in the yard this year. 

Three more colors have joined the purple Iris on the berm. 

The last picture are from the other end of the berm. 

Next week I have to get out there and do some serious weeding in all the beds.  It has been building up since I got busy with the doctors.  I hope my knees are up to the exercise. 

The Wolverton Nurseries have informed us that the strawberries are almost ready.  We will have to get started on the jams shortly also. 

I hope all is going well with you and that you are smiling a little more every day.  I’m sure trying to!

The uploading program for pictures is excused the expression “Screwed”  but my IT man is going to check it out.  In the meantime I have decided a text message is in order. 

The trip to Henry Ford’s hospital in Detroit today resulted in a change in what drops for Jay’s eye and how often to administer them.  The doctor said he is coming along well and the next appointment is in three weeks. 

My latest visitor to the yard was a wild turkey that glided in from the road and disappeared behind the dome this morning. 

I have been wondering why I haven’t seen much activity at the nectar feeder the last couple of weeks.  Well I watched a Hummingbird feeding at the purple bush that hides the utility mess in the front of the dome.  Evidently they prefer natural to man made when it is available.

I also wondered if the Orioles had moved on but I saw three of them fly into the Snowball bush this morning. 

After I removed the larger seed feeder my Woodpeckers are having a time getting to the suet before the larger birds eat it all. 

Friday Jay and I will attended grand daughter Jasmine’s high school graduation.  I’m hoping she, like my other grand daughter Courtney, will go on to college.  I have one grand child left to finish high school.  Dakota, Jasmine’s brother, will be next in a couple of years.

Well it was a long interrupted day for me today and I laid down earlier this evening to regenerate so I’m messed up royally now. Maybe tomorrow I will get back to some kind of normal.  Until then take care!

————-but no camera for some of them! 

Let’s start with a confession.  That beautiful cake you saw in the last post was from a past birthday.  I hadn’t made Jay’s cake yet.  The one I did finally make looked like crap but tasted real good.   

The goings on today included a visit from a very surprised Doe who popped through the trees onto our driveway and then bolted back the way she came.  Next a squirrel climbed down from the Catalpa tree in the front yard and took off for the road. 

This tree was in the way of three larger trees that we finally had cut down.  So now it is just starting to grow limbs on the side that was hampered by the larger trees that were near it. 

Our other visitor was a chipmunk that came out of the woods, ran across the yard between the Crab Apple tree and the Quince bush into the back driveway.

But our wildest visitors were son, Les, and daughter-in-law, Anne, who came to see the birthday boy. 

As is his custom Les checked Jay’s computer. Then he really believed my brain damaged story and installed my Printshop 23 program for me.  (Thank you Son).

After a lunch and some conversation he and Anne left for home and Jay and I are ready for a short siesta.

See you later!

Yes indeed hubby is 68 big ones today.  It is what he called a big thank you to Dr. Hukill for reaching this milestone.  It is what I call more time to bicker with, joke to, smile at, achieve with, and love.  So I proudly say Happy Birthday Mr. Albert J. Axsom.  (Jay)  I’m looking to celebrate many more with you.
With love from your sometimes nagging, a little hefty, but very happy spouse!

It seems they are every where! 

Brandy and I spotted a baby bunny running across the drive into the woods today.  What an unexpected treat.  Also the Orioles are still visiting the Hummingbird feeder. 

It is 63 degrees outside, overcast, with showers expected. 

The wild things as bushes and up close!

They eventually will fade away until Spring time comes again.  But, oh, what joy they have brought to me this year.

I set up a chart last night to keep track of when and what kind of eye drops Jay has to have.  It seems to be working out well.  The Doctor yesterday said the operation seems to have turned out better than he expected.  We will return in a week, and if all is going well again, in a month.  During the second duration Jay will return to Dr. Ross’ office also. 

Well another day passes and I sit and think about all the many troubles others are facing right now and feel grateful that ours are small. 

Take care everyone.  See you soon!

Yes indeed it is 4:30 am and I am at my desk wondering why.  I had created this post last night and all that appeared was the title.  As I typed it out this picture wouldn’t upload, that part didn’t want to preview, and generally it felt like a dud.  When I finally did get the message that the post had been submitted I breathed a big sigh of relief, only to find my post only contained a title.  That was it for me,so I folded my tent, and trotted off the bed.

I’m up now because I woke up coughing and scratching.  When I was out, in the back part of the property, trimming away vines from the base of the trees out there, over the weekend I got bit on the neck and my right leg.  Now I go through this every year and you would think I would know better by now.  But no I have to try and clean things up a bit before the undergrowth gets out of hand.  So now, as in past years, I am paying for my frivolity.  I have the creams to control it and it will eventually clear up.  But right now it is the devil to live with.

OK lets catch up a bit here.  Monday we had company.

Jeanie, my brother Gene’s significant other before he died, came for a visit.  So, as is our custom. Jay and I pored over the ‘have to try recipes’ for a suitable brunch.  With Jay creating and me assisting the results were a great omelet, sausage links, Texas toast, and a sugar, cinnamon, and butter coffee cake.  After, we visited for a while to catch up on the goings on in our lives since our last time together.  A really nice time before she had to leave. 

Yesterday was the trip to Henry Ford hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan for the operation on Jay’s left eye to remove a cataract, correct the pressure, and treat the glaucoma.  The operation went well but it will be a few weeks before the pressure will stabilize.  Today it is back down to Henry Ford hospital in Detroit, Michigan for his post op exam.  Having traveled to both locations we have decided that even though the downtown location is 40 miles longer, round trip, it is easier to drive.  So Detroit it is from now on when we have to see this doctor.

To tie up this post and sneak back to bed for a bit longer may I present the latest flowers from the berm out front of the dome.

I hope your weekend was a pleasant one.  I’ll have time later this morning to visit your blogs.  See you then, scratching and smiling away!

Well I got my lesson in new tractor driving this afternoon and proceeded to mow most of the yard while Jay worked on shredding branches.  The ability to mow when backing up is really handy and I’m sure I should be a pro after another practice or two. 

While out in back I spied this Killdeer trying to lead me away from her nest.  Using the old ‘my wing is broken so you can catch me’ trick but I had already spotted the nest and mowed around it.  The next pass through I got this picture. 

She settled on her nest after I made a couple more passes.  I guess she realized I wasn’t going to hurt her or her eggs.

When I got up near the dome I took these pictures of new arrivals.

I did find one Morel in our front yard but I didn’t pick it yet. 

When my mowing was through I came in and took a shower to get the dust, leaves, and seeds off my person. 

I guess that is all for today—I’m going to rest a while.  See Yah!

This picture seemed an appropriate example of the last few days.  The visit to Dr. Ross last week called a new condition into play.  Jay has developed glaucoma in his left eye.  This brought about the setting up of the surgery for this coming Tuesday morning. 

Brandy went to Doggy Depot yesterday and came home all gussied up and I take Jay today to visit Shawn for his haircut. 

The weather was beautiful a couple of days ago and I had windows open throughout the dome.  But yesterday when it got a little cooler the windows shut like the mouth on a lemon eater!  It is not looking real swift this morning and I forgot to check the paper for today’s forecast so I don’t know what Mother Nature has for me today. 

I forgot to tell you Rhea, my neighbor behind us, brought us some morel mushrooms from her property and Jay made a scrambled egg dish with them.  It was good but personally I didn’t see the big deal that people make over them.  I guess my taste is all in my mouth as hubby says!

The Snowball bush is now in full bloom and my yard in looking like it needs to go to Doggy Depot also.  But Jay has promised that as soon as we get back home this morning he will crank up the new mower, cut some grass, and even give me a lesson in driving it so I can cut later when he is tied up with something else, if it don’t rain.  No it is not the John Deere and has a few more options that I have to learn about. 

Tomorrow and Monday are our two stay home days and nothing is really planned for—that I like! 

Enjoy your holiday weekend, but remember what it represents!  See you soon!

When I worked at Michigan Bell Telephone company many years ago we called the art of doing two things at once overlapping.  Any old telephone operator would recognize that word immediately.  In this day and age the word has been changed to multitasking.  As I sat in the swing with Brandy yesterday this fact came sneaking into my poor old noggin.  I was crocheting Les’ afghan and rocking Brandy on the swing at the same time.  Actually I was breathing fresh air also but I’m not sure if that counts.

Somewhere in my boxes is this a picture taken of me working at a sewing machine with a bird on my shoulder and one of my grand kids (Courtney I believe) tummy down laying across my knees as I rocked her back and forth.  I used to rock my kids that way as I played pinochle with hubby and friends.  So as you can figure out multitasking or overlapping has been a part of my life for years.  I’m sure that if you thought about you have also mastered that art. 

Today our search for a specialist in glaucoma led us to the big city of Detroit, Michigan.  We ended up at Henry Ford Hospital.  I have had several acquaintances that have been treated at this hospital but I have never been inside it myself. A 147.18 mile round trip that resulted in finding a doctor who is going to do the surgery to help correct a potentially dangerous situation was the results.  The good news is that he has another office a bit closer to our home and an opening next Monday to operate on Jay’s left eye instead of waiting a couple of weeks.  It was Dr. Ross who found this doctor for us and we will continue seeing her during this time also. 

  So as age marches us on, each hill encountered is climbed and we wait for the next challenge that life is going to hand us.  Confident that we have more love and caring to give before the game is called on account of darkness!

The Snowball bush now has clumps of green soon to be white on it.  While the Crab Apple has lost it’s blossoms to the wind.  My other two bushes still have blossoms but they too are starting to move on to the next stage of Spring.  There are still flowers in the beds around the dome and iris type buds are appearing on the berm.  I hope to get a couple of lilac bushes started soon.  I’ll pick them up when Jay goes for tomato and pepper plants at McDaniel’s.

As to my outside feathered visitors, the Oriole still insists that the Hummingbird nectar is the best.

This of course gives me another chance to get a better picture of it.  But the Oriole feeder is not being neglected because I see a small woodpecker visiting it daily.  I must remember my camera every time I go outside.  Jay said that the Your Ride driver that picked him up Friday saw a Humming bird at the feeder.  Still haven’t caught one of those yet this year. I also missed a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak that stopped to rest on the deck railing.

This Monday and then again yesterday found us at Dr. Ross’ office.  Jay has developed a serious problem with his left eye.  With no vision in it since childhood it is difficult for him to determine when something is wrong.  He will visit a Glaucoma specialist as soon as the appointment is set up and also continue to see Dr. Ross to determine if the Avastin injection is helping. 

Well the mail brought me funny Mother’s day cards from my eldest son and also from Michael and Dar.  I also received Deluxe Printshop 23 on Friday from the Ann Arbor Jenkins clan.  It seems when Les was programming my new computer he discovered I had Printshop 10 to install.  He asked if I knew how many updates there have been since then.  I of course didn’t because it is not a priority any longer.  Anyway I have it now, thank you children, but upon opening the box and seeing the what looked like a ten volume manual I chickened out and set it aside.  Things like uninstalling 10, choosing what out of 23 I wanted to use, and then installing that just turned my ability to master the project to a chicken turd!!!  Yes I will cry brain damage to Les and he will make it all better! 

Truth be known I had typed a post last night but the internet provider must have felt it to be a ‘poor me’ post and wouldn’t let me send it.  I’m kinda glad that happened because I don’t like downers.  The world is full of downers right now and I don’t need to add to the pile. 

  Get better soon brother—Daniel, DoF, Cindy, and Edna’s hubby Bob because we need you up and about! 

See you soon everyone and don’t forget to laugh!

Starting with the Sand Cherry bush!

It is now in full blossom and the wind today is trying to defrock it.  It is down to it’s seventh veil as Jay said. 

It was thunder and lightening last night but I didn’t realize it until two front paws, of a very nervous Brandy, clawed the side of the bed and woke me.  I got up thinking she had to (as we say) go potty.  I put on my slippers and headed for the door to get her leash.  She didn’t come into the room but Molly did so I opened the door and was greeted a flash of lightening with thunder to follow.  Now I understood.  I tried sitting on the sofa and turning on the TV so I could sit up with Brandy for a while.  Do you that at 4 am in the morning out of 100 channels only about three are not paid programming?  I gave up and went back to bed .  But Brandy slept on the floor near my head instead of behind my knees on top the covers. 

This morning as Brandy and I sat on the swing watching the trees dancing in the wind a slight lull brought two visitors to the Hummingbird feeder. The first was a Hummer but I couldn’t get close enough for a picture.

. 

The second was this Oriole which insists on ignoring it’s feeder for the Hummingbird nectar.

Next subject is on the only thing we grow for canning.

Yep it is rhubarb.  Our very first stalks for this year.  We have more to come from this plant but our other two haven’t started ripening yet.  I ask my canning master, Jay, to pull the stalks, then I cleaned, sliced, blanched, cooled in ice water, and bagged them up for freezing.

Here it is 1 lb. and 3/4ozs. ready for the jam, chutney, or sauce that we make each year. 

Now the ultimate in ‘bird walking ’ as Silverfox says!  This was the car of my dreams for years.  I said when I made management with Bell Telephone I was going to buy one. 

I owned one similar to this but not a convertible.  But alas it was not to be and I survived.  In fact marrying Jay converted me to the Chevy line.

I called the office of the salt company to commend my delivery man this morning and they gave me an E-mail address to reach the manager.  I sent a message to him because both Silverfox and Cindy suggested that it would be appropriate.  See I pay attention sometimes!

Now the wind is still blowing but my thermometer reads a wonderful 70 degrees so I’m happy.  Take care and I’ll be back!

The two plants to the right are Scheffleras.  The first one belonged to my Mom who died in 1992.  I had gotten it from her a few years before that.  The other one, which is the same age, is mine.  The difference in their shapes is because I tried to train mine to grow as a tree.  When that idea failed I just let it go.  Both these plants spend the winter in the dining/living room in the dome.  Each mid Spring we get the furniture dolly out and move them to the deck.  They remain there into the Fall.  However I have placed them out too early or left them there until late in the Fall and the leaves have withered and dropped.  But they survive to delight me once again. 

The Holly bush that Micheal and Darlene gave me is sitting on my counter waiting for me to decide where it will reside in the great outdoors.

The Clematis that daughter-in law, Debra, started for me will remain in the pot on the deck a little longer.  Then it also will be planted in one of the gardens. 

My flowers in the Northeast and Southeast beds are coming along great.  The Bleeding Heart and the Tulips are a joy to behold. 

I need to play “Where Is Waldo?” to spot Brandy in one of those gardens.

The Red Maple that sits beside the back driveway on the turn to go into the garage is also in full leaf.

I must digress a bit to tell you about a kind young man who delivered the softener salt yesterday.  I met him at the door and requested that he take it down the back drive to the garage where I would open the door.  I expected him to drive down so I took it a little slower going downstairs.  When I opened the garage door there he stood with the bag on his shoulder smiling at me.  I tried to apologize for the delay but he said not to worry.  I grabbed a jar of Cabbage Relish to give him explaining what it was made of and what he could use it in.  He was surprised that we canned so I showed him the food room.  He also ended up with a jar of Amaretto Peaches and a small jar of Cranberry-maple Chutney.  As we walked back up the side of the hill he offered me his arm to help me.  I thanked him and he thanked me then left.  A little while later I took Brandy out and found my garbage cart at the top of my drive.  He had walked it the two hundred feet back up before he left.  I knew that because the driveway alarm had sounded only once when the truck left.  A kindness rewarded with a kindness—don’t you love it?

I have tried twice today to type a (as Silverfox called it) Bird walking post and deleted it accidentally both times.  I guess I don’t have the knack for blathering today.  Maybe I’ll try tomorrow.

It was one of those days that when it was over your cheeks hurt from all the laughing. 

Les and Anne came up to take Jay and me to brunch for Mother’s day.  Daughter Cindy joined us also.  The light in Arlene’s Diner was a little difficult to judge but you can see we had a good time. 

The girls ( and I use the term loosely) returned home with full tummies while Les and Jay went in search for a new mouse for Jay’s computer.  We played a few hands of rummy until the guys got back and replaced the mouse.  The girls told of dreams we were having and laughed as we tried to figure out what they meant. 

After a while Les and Anne had to leave to go visit Kathleen, Anne’s mother, on their way home.  So Jay took Anne’s place in the card game and as usual Cindy won with flying colors.  All in all it was a great visit and I really enjoyed my day.

With the celebration of Mother’s Day tomorrow I took this picture because it was an inspiration to post even though both my Mother and two Mother- in-laws are gone.  I would have written off this day except my children remind me with cards and visits that I’m a Mom.  So I decided that even if you aren’t my mom I’m going to wish you a great day too.

Back to the picture!
I pulled off my t-shirt that I sleep in and tossed it on the bed.  It landed on Brandy but she didn’t move.  Returning from the bathroom this is what I found.

Now this is love.  When my dog crawls into my t-shirt and waits for me to return it shows her devotion.  She is every bit my baby since my babies are all grown up. 

A walk out in the yard this morning just reinforced my feelings on why I fell in love with this home almost 10 years ago. We moved in during the fall but the following Spring the trees and bushes came alive as they have ever since. 

The Crab Apple tree in the side yard is one example.  An old, ugly tree that just changes it’s dress and becomes a stunning vision.  The fruit is passed being edible but the branches hold the bird feeders and provide shelter for the feathered friends that come to dine.  Kinda wish I had a dress that could change me from old and not too pretty to drop dead gorgeous. 

My next choice is the Quince bush. 

Just starting to bloom and leaf out it is the spot where the bunnies hide.  Also the birds fly there when I come out to fill the feeders.  As the days wear on the blooms will multiply and color will radiate from it’s branches,

Another favorite is the Sand Cherry that is at the foot of the steps leading to the deck,  When I first moved in here it was a lovely tree but a bad storm split it down the middle.  Wes, my eldest, cut it back in hopes of saving it.  It has now developed into a lovely bush with dark red leaves and pink blossoms.  I am happy to see we didn’t lose it.

With these three plus the Snowball and some other small bushes that are not quite ready to make their debut it promises to be another pleasant Spring display. 

I think I woke up sick this morning—if not in the tummy at least in the head.  I say this because I have swept and vacuumed the main floor, changed the bedding, plus the usual morning duties.  I mean I’m not even expecting company.  I think part of it was because I started Cindy’s dish towels last night and I wanted to sit back down today with them and not feel guilty. 

Something is tickling my ankle and Brandy is outside with Jay.

It is Spirit sitting on my chair rung.  ( Wow I sound like an ADD case,) I am talking about feeling guilty then jump right to Spirit.  ( Oh look there is a chicken!)

Lets see if I can pick up my train of thought after that derailment.  O K I’m back on track.  Brandy and I spent some time in the swing after I got through my bit of feeble mindedness.  I had to marvel at the old Crab apple tree. 

Even though it is past producing good fruit the leaves and blossom are beautiful.  It is just filling out now so the feeders are more inviting to the assortment of birds that come to visit.  I can confirm there is a Hummingbird visiting now but getting a picture may take a while. 

The Snowball bush, out front, is also leafing out now and the blossoms will be along soon.

Checking under the bedroom window I found the dark tulips, under the Rose of Sharon, had opened up. 

Brandy and I checked out the frog pond out back.  It is the highest it has been in the last few years.  It is the source of some lovely melodies sung by the green chorus in the evening.  It may not be a sandy beach but it is my ‘waterfront property’ in the back yard. 

Off subject a little we received the CD/DVD Playing For Change from Amazon today.  My friend Pammie sent a link, via E-Mail, so after hearing it we had to buy it.  I have ordered copies for my kids also. 

Also I’m all set to start the next afghan which is for son Les.  I have until the middle of August to finish it. 

Well that wraps it up for today.  Stay happy and healthy!

Here lies the extent of my good intention yesterday.  Yes I wanted to start embroidering Cindy’s Apple towels yesterday but other stuff kept popping up in the way.  These towels are stamped cross stitch because anything that is identified as ‘counted’ automatically falls off my to do list for two reasons.  One, I can’t see the little stitches to count them and two I have ripped some false starts because I didn’t count right.  I know the best projects are counted cross stitch and that I can use a magnifying gadget to see better.  I own one magnifier that hang from your neck and is propped against your chest.  I also have the adjustable arm lamp with the magnifying lens which is great for vision.  The other item is the 2.75 reading glasses.  But the old “counted word” brings me to a screeching halt every time.

I must also explain that every other week, Tuesday was recycle pickup day.  That meant going the the basement mudroom to cut, fold, and place the accumulated cardboard boxes into a large box.  This box was then closed and tied with twine to go out to the road for pick up.  It also meant that the tin cans, glass containers,  and plastic also had to be taken down.  The last items were the wheeled garbage can and newspapers that I put into a brown paper bag to be collected. A walk through the dome emptying assorted waste baskets, cleaning the bird cages, and of course Molly’s litter box is the final ritual to be accomplished in the collecting for garbage day.

Next was a trip to Jim Mathes Shoes, Inc. in Burton, Michigan.  I had heard from Mrs, Dof in Normal, IL about how good SAS shoes were and I was long overdue on replacing my old ones since the operations.  Well I found a pair of Freetimes on sale and wore them home.  I need a little more time in them to make a final decision but it looks like my limping will improve. 

It was then back home to a little blog catching up and then supper was calling to be prepared. 

I tried the Cook’s Illustrated Orange-Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs recipe.  I used two thighs,then added two legs, and two skinless chicken breasts which left me with the two breast for another meal.  Very tasty and I was surprised that another dish came out right. 

Speaking of other meals, I have three packages of the beef stew I made the other day in the freezer now and two bowls waiting for lunch today.  I do like to try to cook that way.  I don’t have anything special to try for tonight but that may change during the day. 

I have to call Dr. Hukill today because I have been bothered with cramps in both legs that run from my toes to the back of my knees for the last two nights.  Anyone that has to get up to (excuse my language) ‘pee’ two or three times in the middle of the night can imagine the trouble that the pain can present as you stumble to the bathroom.  But I’m sure Dr. can help me get that straightened out. Damn It is tough getting old!!!!     

Take care and See Yah!

Update:

Just put a Sunshine Pie in the fridge and loaded the dishwasher with the assorted bowls and utensils I use to create this fat lady’s dream!  Supper will be the chicken breasts, leftover boiled potatoes, a vegetable, and if I get real ambitious a lettuce and tomato salad.  I’ll have to add some Jiffy muffins to that because the bread is getting low. 

The mat from the kitchen floor plus the bath mats are all out on the deck railing drying but I still have one more load of clothes to fold. I’m going to thread my needle in preparation for the kitchen towel project and depending on how long hubby sleeps I may get a little stitching done.  He had a difficult time in dialysis today.  This usually calls for a bite of lunch and then go lay down to recuperate from the session. 

I forgot to mention that I think I saw a hummingbird yesterday but he didn’t stop to drink so I don’t know if he will be back or not.  I’ll say bye again and visit with you another day!

Any one who knows me well knows I hate to cook.  So when I got up early this morning to try to cook a different recipe for beef stew I was sure my marbles had spilled out of my ears!.  I had everything but the Italian dressing for marinating the beef.  So I decided to cut up all my vegetables, make the beef broth, chop my bacon, and set out my home canned stewed tomatoes so I’d be ready as soon as I had bought the dressing and treated the meat.  Jay and I then went to the township hall for the Otisville Lioness’ Breakfast.  We had pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage patties, orange juice, applesauce, and coffee.  A good spread for only $5.00 per person.  On the way back home I picked up the dressing and started the stew right away.  While I waited for the beef to marinade I decided to make my Swiss steak for supper also. I used my Italian herb tomatoes for that dish.

There you have the stew, which we had a bowl of for lunch and are waiting for it to cool so we can freeze portions for other meals.  Also the Swiss steak which will be our supper meal.  I don’t mind cooking when I can double up my meals instead of one at a time.

I had to take my picture of the little yellow flowers in the grass out front this morning.

Then walking around to the side of the dome I found little purple ones. 

In among the purple ones the Hostas are also coming up now.
 
Well my good intentions to start a new project went to heck yesterday so I don’t know if I’ll attempt it or not today. 

Have a good one—-See yah!

Good Morning!  The thermometer on the wall reads 48 degrees.  This has been the norm along with rain for the last week.  It is a little disheartening when you are looking to hang your coat or your flannel lined shirt in the closet until cold season again.  The sun does shine throughout the day but it doesn’t stay out.  Despite that Brandy wants to be outside all the time and we do clash when I’m busy.  But I do try to go out to the swing or we walk around taking pictures. 

This is Brandy ‘hightailing’ out of the violets.  (Yes my friend that is a pun because she moved before I snapped!)  She delights me because she seems to stop and smell the different flowers blooming around the dome.  But catching her with her nose in a bloom is not always successful.

The Bleeding Hearts are coming along well.

Now it is time for the Daffodils to fade and the Tulips to bloom.

Yesterday I spent time at the new computer watching the two disc DVD CROSSROADS.  It is the Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007 featuring 25 performers.  What a great couple of hours listening to some wonderful guitarists.  Some of them I had never heard of before, some I had, and some were familiar name wise but I had never heard them play.  The royalties for this DVD benefit Crossroads Centre, Antigua a facility for treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse. 

Today I think I will start a new project.  I haven’t been accomplishing much lately so I better get my butt in gear.  It is also pay bills day so I’ll get that under control too. 

Hope you have a great and satisfying weekend and remember the laughter thing!

The new monitors came today.  I bought one as an early birthday present for Jay and a second one for me.

Jay’s old one was starting to fade and it was difficult for him to read anything on it. 

His new LCD Acer 22 inch flat screen was just the ticket to solve his problem. 

I on the other hand had little space on my desk with the old Samsung and the new CPU both on it.

I thought a flat screen might solve my problem so I ordered the same unit for me.  I knew I had a little unexpected money coming in so I spent it.

With my desk in a corner my new Acer will allow me to do some paper work on it also.  Most important was we got them up and running by ourselves. ( Aren’t you proud of us Les?)
Yesterday as I walked to the porch I saw this.

To give you an idea of the turtle’s size those things that look like rocks are actually gravel not as big as my thumb.  Just another visitor to write about!

Well a little grocery shopping is in order and I need to do a little domestic goddess duties.  I’ll see yah!

How do my gardens grow?  It looks like very good.  Peony plants now coming up in two places.  The Grape Hyacinths under and around the Quince bush.  The Violets around the Sand Cherry bush.  The first tulip is about to open. Also the white and yellow Daffodils are thriving in all the gardens. 

Yesterday afternoon I spent quite a while preparing and filing recipes. I am now looking for another place to keep the books because they fall over on the buffet.

While I was working on that Spirit was on the floor playing with Brandy’s ball.

There are two Baltimore Orioles in the yard now.  I have two pictures of one of them but trying to catch a shot of it up in the tree doesn’t allow for a great picture but I’ll keep trying!

Have a great day and remember to laugh!

The big thermometer on the porch reads 68 degrees but the thunderstorm yesterday afternoon has made attaining that warm feeling more difficult today. The flag, at the main entrance has been up for a couple of days now but I forgot to show you.  I haven’t checked the far side of the dome for flowers for two days but I’m sure they are coming right along.  I know that the Sand cherry, Quince, and the Snowball bush have tiny leaves spouting out all over so the tulips are not far behind. 

Speaking of the Quince bush the Baltimore Oriole has been playing hide and seek between it and the Crab apple tree.  I have made it one of my objectives to get a picture of it even if I have to sit out there in a lawn chair with the camera glued to my eye!

During the computer build yesterday my grand daughter tried to help things along by showing me her latest invention. 

It is called the Courtneyvision and is strictly voice activated.  No key board to spill coffee in.  You don’t even have to blow the cookie crumbs out from between the keys.  It works very well because I asked it what 2 times 2 was and it answered 4.  I figure if the new machine didn’t work I would just keep the Courtneyvision instead.  Of course I would save on electricity but I don’t know if feeding her would be cheaper!

Pammie has requested the recipe for the tart I made the other day so here goes.  This was found on the back of a calendar page from Kraft Foods (2007).

                      Free-Form Harvest Apple Tart

  Prep 20 min.              Total 55 min. ( incl. refrigerating)

  1 1/2 C flour                                 2 med. McIntosh apples (about 1 lb.)
  1/2 C (1 stick) butter softened                 unpeeled, cored, & thinly sliced
  1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, divided         1 tsp. cornstarch
  1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jello-Lemon           1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
      flavor gelatin, divided                   1/3 C sliced almonds

Place flour, butter, and half of the cream cheese in a food processor; cover.  Process,
using pulsing action, until mixture is well blended and almost forms a ball.
Shape dough into ball; wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Place pastry on lightly floured surface; roll out to
14 x8 inch rectangle.  Place on parchment paper-covered baking sheet; set aside.
Mix remaining cream cheese and half of the dry gelatin mix until well blended.
Spread onto pastry to within 2 inches of edge.

Toss apples with remaining dry gelatin mix, cornstarch, and cinnamon.
Spoon evenly over cream cheese filling.  Fold edge of pastry over apples toward
center of tart.  (Apples in center of tart will remain exposed).
Sprinkle top with almonds.  Bake, in lower third of oven, 35 min. or
until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.  Cool.  Store leftover in refrigerator.

Makes 8 servings 1 slice each.

For more brown crust, lightly beat 1 egg yolk with 1 tsp. water. 
Brush over crust; sprinkle with 2 tsp. sugar.

Was it good?  You bet yah!  Hope you try it soon.  Our copy is going in the Tried ‘em—Like ‘em book!

What a glorious day.
I spotted my first Oriole this morning at the Humming bird feeder so I had to hurry and prepare the Oriole feeder for it before it moved on.  They are a colorful creature to see in flight.

Every door and window on the first floor was opened wide allowing the fresh air to permeate the inside fully.  Molly was sleeping in the open bedroom window enjoying both the breeze and the sun.  Brandy kept wanting to go outside but didn’t want to be alone out there .  You know it is almost impossible to fold clothes outside when there is nothing to fold them on.  If I left her out secured to something I could hear a whimper every time I passed the door.  I finally brought her in with a warning that I wasn’t playing her game any longer. 

I decided that this was a good day to change my sheets from flannel to cotton. 

Molly decided it was a good time to jump out of the window and get in the way as I was making the bed.  It took the flat sheet, a light blanket, and the bedspread to convince her to move on to the floor.
I took a picture of my work station this morning because SEB was bringing out my new machine this afternoon.

He arrived with daughter Courtney and her friend Brea.  My daughter in law had to work so she didn’t come with them.  The girls explored the dome and picked out a photo album to look at while having lunch.

Les worked on setting up my machine and transferring my data from the old one. 

He then took time to explain some of the extras I now have that weren’t on my old machine.  The speed is faster than the internet can download to.  The ability to play DVDs will be a great addition for me because It takes two remotes to play them on my TV.

Also the fact that it sits up on my desk so I don’t have to lean over to plug into a USB port.  I’m going to love this baby.  I especially want to thank my son for working so hard to build it for me.

.....one of those days.  You know—the kind where you do things but with no particular objective in mind.  My to do list was down to two things—the jam box and the humming bird feeder.  It had laid on my desk for a couple of weeks now and I was tired of moving it around.

I started with packing a box of jams and chutneys to send to my sister-in-law in Florida for her birthday next week.  I have been planning to get it shipped for a couple of weeks but just couldn’t get it done.  Well, it is in the post office and will reach her on Monday hopefully. 

The Humming bird feeder was next.  I assembled the feeder, mixed the nectar, and took out to the Crap apple tree.  I don’t know if the birds are ready to be here but I’m not taking any chances.  That allowed me to throw away my old to do list..

Next while watering the inside plants I stopped to take a picture of the last cactus bloom for a while anyway.

It has really been fun watching my two plants perform right into the end of April.

While in the upstairs bedroom the other day I decided to take down the 2008 calendar.  In doing so I discovered that it had recipes on the back of each page.  One in particular caught my eye.  It was called a Free Form Harvest Apple Tart.  Yesterday while shopping I picked a couple of things I needed to make this recipe.

Right now thanks to hubby’s help it is waiting to be sampled in the kitchen.  Not as pretty as the calendar picture but if it tastes good I won’t care.

Another thing that has been bugging me are the cans of of Eagle Brand milk in my cupboard.  Earlier this year I threw away two cans that were way past due rather than trying using them.  So I found two cans left over from Christmas.  Still good but I was thinking I should use them up.  So I enlisted hubby again and we made Chocolate truffles.

We will give some away and freeze the rest.  There is one can gone and one to go. 

Well it is time for supper to start bubbling on the stove so I had better get my butt in gear.  Take care!  See you later.

Here is wishing Anne and Lesley Jenkins a very Happy Anniversary today.  Son and daugrter-in-law tied the knot eight years ago.  May this be the beginning of a very happy year with many more to come. 

This is indeed the Spring we have been looking for.  When the Forsythia blooms you know it is here and not a moment too soon for me.  Even though today has been gray and rainy all day I’m not letting it spoil my joy.  I took several pictures yesterday of the flowers that are out.

The picture of the dark red plant is of the new growth on the Bleeding Hearts.

This bush has a special meaning for me.  My oldest brother, who passed away a little over a year and a half ago brought it from his house to plant here at the dome. 

Good news—The third rhubarb plant has made it’s appearance in the front garden finally.  I can smell that jam and chutney all ready!

Have a good week and don’t forget to laugh!

Wishing a very Happy Birthday, only a day late, to my sweet daughter-in-law Debra.  She is a colorful person to know !  There are women half her age that would kill to look as good as she!  Seriously she is great looking and as soon as I can get an up to date picture I’ll prove It! 

I sometimes wonder if I march to a different drummer or if my humor is taken seriously when all I want is to make someone smile.  In my post on Magic I felt it was funny.  I mean carrots and zucchini in pockets.  I would suspect that a real shoplifter would at least have hot dogs and steaks in his pocket. Granted we had purposely messed up our hair but wouldn’t it at least rate a snicker?  All I’m saying is I worked very hard to turn getting a haircut post into what I thought was freakin’ funny.  Oh well I’m different I guess!

This afternoon these two old farts trimmed the some of the trees in the front yard. 

That was the first of three trailer loads that Jay drove to the back yard for shredding when we regain are breath and balance later in the coming week.  We certainly were aware that we had sat around all winter when the back and ankles reminded us that we ain’t as young as we used to be.  I’m going to take my trusty grabber out there in the next day or two and start gathering the the little sticks and twigs that the lawn sweeper won’t pick up. 

Right now I have to warm up some Ham and Potato Lasagna that I made for the first time last night.  Glad I made enough for two meals because I sure don’t feel .like trying to create some exotic dish tonight after playing in the tree branches.  Take care—See yah!

Hubby and I woke up this morning looking like this!

The truth be told we have looked like this for weeks.  No amount of shampooing, combing, or brushing could change these poor souls from looking like our home was a cardboard box in an alley to someone you would welcome into your home. 

But thanks to the magic of our very good friend of more years than any of us like to talk about a change has occurred.

Shawn with her trusty instruments has transformed us into acceptable human beings fit to grace the aisles of any super market without having personnel looking for bulging pockets filled with carrots and zucchini.

Yes we can walked the streets of our fair town with heads held high knowing that we offend no one of good taste!  It is indeed magic!

Yesterday I moved the feeding station off the deck and hung everything in the crab apple tree for the spring and summer.  I will miss not watching the birds out of the french door window but with the larger birds coming to the station keeping it filled would become a problem.  At least with the individual feeders it allows the smaller birds to feed and the task of filling is cut down.  I feel the larger birds can find food in the yard and the trees around the property.  So now If I want to see my feathered friends I just walk out to the swing with Brandy and we sit for a while. 

I made the trek around the dome alone this morning because Brandy was busy .  The pictures are a preview of what is to come.

This isn’t counting the tulips that aren’t ready yet.  It is sure going to be pretty real soon!

I was happy to hear that Paula at Mommas Place At Home is out of the hospital and truly back at home. Please stop by and wish her well—tell her Momma sent you.

Also Pammie at Pammies place is celebrating the beginning of her second year of the Ghana Project/Key Of Hope.  A well deserved celebration of all the hard work that has made roughly 200 afghans possible for the recovering children.

If you have an extra moment daughter Cindy of Cindyisims   is battling at stuffy everything trying to get back to normal.  She could use your words of encouragement also.

Have a great day and a better week end

Our company yesterday——

Eldest son Wes, with Debra, Jasmine, and Dakota joined us for dinner.  ( I must confess I forgot the camera so this picture is from an earlier Easter.)  Even though both son and grandson were under the weather they valiantly tried to celebrate also.

We managed a game of Waterworks before dinner and Debra and Dakota won!

Our dinner was ham, homemade white bread, and peach pie.  Debra brought carrots, new potatoes, and asparagus with Hollandaise sauce.  I had Mini Eclairs for the people not fond of pie.  Chips, Combos, and dip were for snacking plus the peanut butter eggs.  But a lot of the leftovers have found their way into the freezer for another day.

Debra brought me up a Clematis plant to start in one of my gardens outside as soon as the weather allows.

It will be a woody vine with purple flowers that can grow to seven feet tall she said.  So I must choose a place carefully to plant it. 

My bay window is filling up now with plants. 

When good weather allows it the Holly plant that Darlene and Michael gave me will also be outside.

The bud on my cactus has decided it will blossom soon.

Also my tulips from Edna and Bob have finally showed their pretty faces.

I dug up a new shoot from my Snowball bush for Debra to take home for her yard and have a couple more to move if I want.

The grand kids drove Jay’s new tractor but of course there will be no mowing yet because the ground is too wet.

It was a good visit and a pleasant day.

Spirit tried to help me type up yesterday’s post but I was afraid my IT man would be upset if the key caps were removed!

When you get up early you can do all sorts of things!

Like you can fill an Easter basket for easy munching as you work around the kitchen.

Or you can arrange the home made peanut butter eggs on the cut glass plate!

Of course you could get a picture of the lovely pot of tulips that dear friend Edna brought you. 

Best of all is to wish your blogging friends a———-

Enjoy your holiday!

The latest on my Christmas cactus.  It looks like possibly one more bud forming on it. 

Brandy is all set for company on Easter.  She is looking and smelling great!

Wish I was ready.  But I still have tomorrow and it will get done. The peanut butter eggs won’t take too long to make.  I think I’ll make some chip dip also.  Then it is finish up the clean up.  So I’ll let you get your work done and I’ll do mine.  See yah!

As a blog writer I count on comments to tell me if people even feel like reading my posts.  These comments mean a lot to me.  They are the life’s blood of my inspiration.  Then once in a while an added bit of inspiration come in the form of a note or a card from one of my readers.

I was so delighted to receive this card in the mail yesterday from Ye Old Teacher.  The note inside wished me a Happy Easter and commented that ” The Bunnies Reminded me of your bunnies in the picture”.  Thank you Kathleen and a very Happy Easter to you and your family.

Temperature is 32 degrees, winds out of the North 18 mph, and snow.  (No kidding!)

Feeders are filled so the birds are good!

Looking East South-East from our deck there is snow.

The branches on the trees located there are covered.

Next to the parking area the Quince and the Butterfly bush bend under the weight of the white stuff.

Looking North down to the road more snow.  It is like during the night an unknown grabbed hold of all the clouds in the sky, pulled them down to the ground, and draped them over everything to delay the coming of Spring.  I so wanted not to see this!

Update:
Please visit Jay’s Jammin’Jay’s Jammin’  for more!

It seems one of my Christmas cactus doesn’t know that we will be celebrating Easter soon.  Not that I’m complaining because now if this continues I’ll have blossoms two time a year instead of all at once. 

After a few days of teasing it seems Mother Nature is about to call for more snow.  I was just starting to move the snow shovel and salt, for melting, off the porch.  The tractor with the mower deck is in the garage and the snow plow is put away for the summer( oh joy).  Obviously my cactus knows more than me about the weather. 

Yesterday we visited one of the homes we hadn’t been to before.  I had promised myself that I would get out and visit some of my friends and relatives at home rather than expecting them to come up here.  Our drive yesterday was down close to the Ohio State line.  We visited friends Darlene and Michael briefly to deliver my projects.  Some delicious salad and pizza begged to be sampled so I did. 
Darlene has a birthday on the 19th of this month so I thought we should visit before the second winter arrived.

My other project was the ugly afghan which I made for Michael.  He seems to have trouble keeping warm when he is not feeling well and I wanted to give him something to help.

This friend, along with his wife, have gone out of their way to surprise us with great tasting meals when they visit.  He is also a delight when cleanup times comes.  I told Darlene I would adopt him if I were richer!

Well when Brandy and I walked down for the Sunday paper this morning one bunny was up next to the butterfly bush and the other down near the Quince bush.  I will cut the Butterfly bush back today because I keep forgetting to do that.

On the agenda for today is to iron four shirts, fill the outside bird feeders. fold laundry, clean the bird cage grid, put away my project materials, water inside plants, and check the progrss on the outside ones. 

Have a great day everyone—I’m going to. 

I spotted three deer running in the woods between our back driveway and Tripp’s the other night.  Too dark to identify if they were male or female but exciting just the same.

My purple beauties decided to show their lovely yellow eyes this morning setting my imagination in gear again. 

The Hen and Chickens are established on the berm but I’m not sure what the other plant is.  If I had to guess I would say Decorative Cabbage.  As it develops it should solve the puzzle!

The project is within seven inches of the needed length so it is off to the knitting needles after breakfast.
Have a great day and find a chuckle or two today!

Almost 40 degrees outside with the sun shining and the wind moving the Sand Cherry, the Quince, and the Snowball bushes but barely fazing the tall trees in the yard. These pictures are from my walk with Brandy down to the mailbox and back up around the dome this morning. 

First on our walk I spotted one of the bunnies out by the leg of the swing.  It was eating and as usual didn’t run as long as I eased up closer and zoomed in.  Both bunnies seemed to be getting a little more at ease around me now.

Checking on my rhubarb plants in the flower beds I found two of the three already making themselves known.  At last I can supplement some of the ingredients In my strawberry and blueberry jam without leaving my yard. 

Another blossom has introduced itself into the garden.  The purple is so delicate that my imagination ran wild with thoughts of how would it taste?  Luscious like the sweetest grape jam ever made.  Or maybe to feel it would be like running your fingers over the velvet in a royal robe.  It is almost like seeing your only daughter in her prom dress many years ago. 

Walking around the dome to the garden below the bedroom window I can see the row of green shoots that will soon have buds that will burst into more colors to add to my rainbow on the ground.

Finally I crossed the deck at the back of my home to step down on the the path that I had laid down a couple of years back.  It had settled into the ground making it very safe for Brandy and me to walk on.  The look was what I had pictured when I placed them down originally.

So there you have my first day of April.  I hope you enjoyed my little walk and now I have 12 more inches to complete the knitting part of my project so I’ll leave you for now.  I even omitted the April Fools joke but the day isn’t over yet!!

Update:
A second trip to the mailbox found Brandy and me being blown down the driveway.  Even though the temperature is 6 degrees warmer the wind has picked up and the clouds are racing across the sky.  The trees are now swaying quite a bit and what started out pleasant seems to be getting colder by the minute.  It looks like I don’t have to play an April Fools prank because Mother Natures is doing for me!

Today the tractor is going to be returned to the garage.

As you can see that at 32 degrees we really need the mower deck on it!!  Well that is Michigan for you. 

Even my Christmas Cactus doesn’t know what time of year it is. 

At least I shall have pretty pink blossoms to celebrate my news from the doctors office this morning.  I am indeed thrilled to know that the stress test was good.  It looks like I have a fighting chance to stay around and bore you with my nonsense for a while longer. 

Next on my agenda is an appointment with Dr. Rohr’s office to check on the eyes.  Also one with Dr. Robbins to check out the the right ear.  I see him once a year to make sure my brains aren’t leaking out.  Believe me sometimes I’m sure that it is a good possibility they are!  My dentist appointment isn’t until May so that pretty well takes care of my spring check up. The other half of this dynamic duo is always full of surprises health wise so I won’t go there today.

I still have to take Molly back to the vets for her shots and Brandy is about due for a trip Doggy Depot. 

Of course the trusty rake will have to sit in the shed a few more days until the ground drys up but that doesn’t hurt my feelings.  I did however see that Jay had tipped my bird bath upright.  ( It had tipped over on the berm.)  Also David set up the fountain, when he was here, so I can run the extension cord to it when I’m ready to run it.  A big thank you to both of you!

Jay has just laid back down for a while so I’m off to turn on the TV and pick up the knitting needles.  See Yah!

Saturday afternoon started with the early arrival ( will miracles never cease) of Cindy and David. Cindy had promised to trim toenails—an almost impossible task for old fogies to accomplish.  The feet are too close to the floor and the bellies don’t allow you to bend right!  She also mentioned a pinochle game.  That turned out to be so sad.  The girls (and I use the term loosely) were so far behind we almost lapped ourselves.  (Drag strip fans know what that means—for others it is really bad.)

Please note the official score sheet that appears on this page.  My charming partner decided that because we were going to lose any way let’s have some fun on the last hand.  She bid 65 with our 29 meld—not impossible, but if you have sh** for hands it is kinda leans toward a set.  Obliviously that was the outcome so we, being good sports, told the guys what great card players they were. 

At least my salmon loaf with peas in white sauce for David and tuna noodle for Cindy went over real well for dinner.  We have Jiffy mix Apple Cinnamon muffins, green grapes in Lemon yogurt, mashed potatoes, and lettuce/tomato/ green onion salad for our meal.  A store bought Dutch Apple pie was dessert to round out the meal. 

As usual funny things happened during the day but the thing that caused healthy laughter was when David went to tighten the hinge on one of my cupboard doors. He asked Cindy to get him a screwdriver and she asked if he wanted a flat one or a Stanley.  A Stanley?  The three of us laughed so hard that no one could tell her that the name was a Phillips screw driver.  Poor baby, her momma didn’t even tell her the correct name of the tools she would have to find. 
 
Jay and I had breakfast at Arlene’s Diner this morning( a special treat). 

Back home I mended two sets of flannel sheets.  It was one of those do it another day projects .  But then I remembered I didn’t want to buy new flannels when we would soon be into warmer nights.

Well I have four days of local newspapers to read and I want to pick up the knitting for a while this after noon so I’ll say so long for now.  Have a great rest of the weekend.

You have all heard that commercial ‘because I’m worth it’.  Well for me yesterday it wasn’t diamonds, chocolates, or even hair color, but it was flowers.  I have yearned for a bouquet of flowers for weeks now but felt it a waste of money.  I think sweet hubby believes that you have to be able to wear it, fix things with it, ride in or on it, gain knowledge from it, or eat it, otherwise it isn’t worth the investment.  But I couldn’t resist the $ 6.99 price to bring a bit of color and comfort into my life.  They weren’t all carnations but but they did fit the bill! 

Yesterday consisted of taking my truck to the dealership in Clio because my Check Engine light had been on a few days.  That is until I drove the 200 hundred feet down the driveway and then turned a sharp left onto Lake road.  Bingo—no light.  But being that this is my transportation I felt I needed to have it looked over even though it would cost $85 an hour.  At the dealership they tried to do a diagnostic but what ever it was cleared itself so they sent me home to drive it until it showed up again (no charge).  That rated a kiss on the forehead and I planted one there!

Now while I was waiting at the dealership I worked on my project again. 

Plus a couple of hours in front of the TV last night resulted in 25 inches completed ( half way my friend).  I’m going to make it even if I am the world’s slowest knitter!  It isn’t perfect but that is what it identifies it as—Mary made it—.  I have been trying to correct it as I go along but I still slipped up once in a while!  Hope the recipient doesn’t mind.

I got the letter saying that mammogram showed negative or normal but nothing on the stress test yet.  Oh well worrying about it won’t change the results and I have better things to do with my time. 

The ground is still squishy so I haven’t hauled out the rake yet but it is going to have to be done soon. I have to rake some gravel, from the driveway, out of the grass.  It was moved there by the snowplow attachment on the old Deere. I won’t have that problem next year because the new tractor has a snow blower on it.  Our new tractor/mower is getting the deck put on and will be back on Monday. 

Sweet hubby has been a bit under the weather with breathing problems but is back under the Doctor’s watchful eye more frequently than before.  Actually for all the problems that he has he is doing quite well.  I know he is fine because I’m getting my daily lectures on cooking, driving, and sometimes I feel even breathing.  But that is what comes of what soon will be 35 years together!

Letting Molly out for a few minutes this morning I spotted one of my bunnies sitting under the Quince bush again.  I really don’t know what the fascination is but then my ears aren’t long and my nose doesn’t twitch.  (At least not yet—but stranger things have happened so stay around ). 

Good Morning!  It has warmed up two degrees since I woke up a little over two hours ago.  We had a confirmation that Spring is here yesterday.  We talked to the man. that sold us our new tractor, in the the drug store parking lot and he said he would be over today, if it didn’t rain, to take the tractor in to convert to a lawn mower. He said if we had any more snow it would be very minimal.  Wanting to see the cold disappear I’m ready to believe him.

Checking the French door window this morning I spied one of my bunny rabbits munching out on the side of the hill.  The other bunny was just disappearing around behind the Quince Bush as I opened the door for a better shot.  A check of the feeder confirmed that seed, thistle, and suet needed refilling .  I also noticed a broken white egg approximately the size of my thumbnail abandoned on the deck.  There was no nest overhead that it could have fallen from so it appearance is a mystery.

This morning consisted of starting the Domestic Goddess routine when the ‘but first’ syndrome kicked in!  The need to tell you I’m so freakin’ glad to have the stress test over with was priority one.  Of course it will be a few days before the results will hit my Doctor’s office so there is really no real news to tell.  I did however commit to sending a few canning recipes to the nurse who handled the injections during the test.  Oh well it helped to ease the apprehension during the procedure. 

My project is now 14 1/2 inches long so progress is satisfactory.  I’m beginning to feel like Mrs. Dof because I have another project lined up, to start when this one is done, with a completion date in August.

I caught up on two days of newspapers this morning to discovered that The Flint Journal is following other papers across the nation by cutting the printed issue to three days a week.  It is time to have my son put the website for it on my desktop so I can find it every day easily.  (hint—hint please Les). TIME MARCHES ON——dragging me kicking and screaming along with it!!!!!

Well my friend I want to check the E-mail and the blogs before I get back to the real world of meal, dishes, laundry, knitting, and etc.  Have a good day!!!!

I’m sitting here enjoying my second and last cup of coffee for the next at least 30 hours.  Yep the stress test is tomorrow morning and the rule is no caffeine for 24 hours before the test.  For me that is a double Whammy because I drink International Delight Chocolate Cream in my cup of coffee.  I like to joke that if you cut me open at the ankles coffee grounds would flood the room.  Of course that is not true because after surgery on my feet the last two years I heard no one complain about the grounds on the OR floor.  But it is going to be quite a chore living through these next hours.  I do have plenty of Orange Crush, which has no caffeine, to drink.  I can make lemon aid or apple juice, drink white milk, or use that stuff (water) you wash your feet in so I won’t get thirsty.  But I figure by the time Jay gets in from dialysis I should be fit to be tied. 

The big thermometer reads 32 degrees this morning, no snow yet, but the bushes and branches are dancing to a rhythmic wind.  The feeder on the deck is about due to be refilled and the sun hasn’t decided to honor us with some basking areas for the animals to sleep in yet.

The words AW S**T just echoed from the kitchen signaling that sweet hubby has nodded off with a cup of coffee in his hand as he waits for the YOUR RIDE bus to arrive.  So it is a frantic change of clothes as I mop up the spill on the kitchen floor.  The story of my life has just unfolded again.  Had he spilled it just 10 minutes earlier his clothes could have gone in the washer.  But when I checked the load it was all ready on rinse.  Oh well such is life!

Les, Anne, and Courtney were up on Sunday and Les looked at my CPU because drawer wouldn’t open to allow me to play a Print Shop Disc.  I had all ready had problems with the outlet that you plug the camera cable into when transferring pictures.  (Boy can you tell I don’t know a whole lot of technical terms about my machine.  Now you can see what my tech, Les. has to put up with when I try to explain my problem!)  The short of it is he may build me a new machine rather than patch the old one.  Jay told to him to go ahead—-we can afford it right now.  I stipulated that this one will be mine because the last one he built for me became Jay’s. 

We had a bit of dinner, some conversation, and Les tweaked a couple of things on Jay’s computer before they went home. 

My new project calls for finishing three inches every day in order to complete it on time.  Yesterday (the third day) I had eight inches when I spotted a mistake some three inches back.  So I ripped it out and finished at seven inches which is two inches short of my goal.

I will close this post and knit another five inches + today.  Tomorrow I have no knitting plan because of the test so Thursday will call for another three inches. 
I will try to better my goal each day and finish early but I never know what events will happen that will change my plans. 

Well I just took my third sip of feet washing liquid or as Jay loves to say ‘what fish sh** in’ ( which is a little grosser!)

Have a great day—-I’ll see you in two!!!!

I promised a while back that I would post a picture of my painted feather.

My good friend and clowning partner, Shane, brought this back from Mexico for me.  I treasure it greatly and it hangs in my kitchen right beside the entry door.

My other promise was pictures of my first spring blooms

The Crocus blooms are in two locations in the garden below the bedroom window .  Shoots from the Hyacinths, Daffodils, and the Tulips are all ready making their entrance into the sunshine.  It promises to be a colorful Spring around the dome soon.  It also reminds me to get the rake out to clean up the beds before the other blossoms start. 

My bunnies are out playing in the morning and the evening but the camera and I are never together when I spot them.  It is a kick when all I see is a white tail headed into the woods at not quite warp speed! 

Well the cardboard in the mudroom is cut up, placed in a box, and tied for pick up on Tuesday morning. A few more clothes have wandered onto dining room table to be folded today so I guess I’ll close for now.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

The big thermometer on the porch says it is 16 degrees out there this morning.  No snow—some frost—lots of cold!  The sun is climbing this morning but isn’t up high enough to create a spot on the carpet for Molly and Brandy to bask in. 

My walks down to the mailbox with Brandy have been stopped the last two days.  The feet and heels are not happy with the pressure.  The thought of my nightly stumbles to the bathroom make it very hard to roll out of my warm bed and put my body in motion.  Yet if I don’t I’ll end up like that fifth little guy in line!

The mammogram went all right except that age has left me with less ability to twist around in to position for ‘photographing’ the lymph nodes.  That had to be redone on both sides and was a bit painful.  So my throwing 10 lbs. of liver unto the platform isn’t funny anymore.  Oh well another laugh slipped down the tube!
The phone just rang and the nurse from Dr. Hukill’s office says that the test showed everything was fine. 

The stress test next Wednesday is at Genesys Hospital (which I am not looking forward to) then Doctor and I will try try to map out a regimen to improve my general well being.  My motto—The golden years suck—is proving to be true, at least for me!

The last couple of days have seen no projects worked on and no novels read.  Besides my test on Wednesday I drove Jay to the Doctor on Thursday.  I dropped him off then drove across the parking lot to Vgs to grocery shop.  $160. lighter I had filled some of the holes in the pantry, assured that Brandy would eat for a while, and bought some items for my menu for Sunday dinner.  Last night it was tacos, plus brussel sprouts, and strawberries from the freezer.  Tonight it will be spaghetti with garlic toast, a veggie, and lettuce and tomato salad.  This way I can use up the lettuce, tomato, and onions that I cut up for the tacos plus the left over beef can go into the spaghetti sauce, 

Well Brandy and I have just made our trek across the driveway and Jay has come alive so I think a bowl of cereal is in my immediate future. This morning I plan to drive to Dotty’s in Clio for seed for Spirit and possibly some more thistle from Tractor Supply for the finches.  Then I best take time to play Domestic Goddess, clean house a little, iron shirts and blouses, fold and stow laundry. change the flag at the front door, and try to bring a semblance of order to my humble abode. 

I hope this is the beginning of a great weekend for everyone!

Is me, sorry to say, the fifth in line.
But other times I’m just fine.
It’s a old tale often told
What you do when you’re getting old.

Happy St. Patrick’s day!

Sorting and Organizing:

  1. Recipes from the internet into two WANT TO TRY binders and filing TRIED ‘EM-LIKE ‘EM recipes into two larger binders
. 
2. CDs, DVD, and Videos into separate racks to find more room for music.

3. Finished the ugly afghan Two pictures of that

All that remains is to notify the recipient to come and get it.

4. Cleaned out the two bird houses out by the frog pond. A picture of one of them.

5. I saw two robins in Phyllis’ yard yesterday and one in our front yard today but not being able to speak robin I couldn’t get close enough for a good shot.

.

6. Brandy and I investigated the pond again this morning and there is still some ice on it.

Then it was back up to the front yard to swing a little.

Had to get another shot of our dome sweet home!

This pine tree is half way down the front driveway.  After we moved here we noticed is was twisted a little. It’s growth was being stunted by the tree right next to it.  We managed to cut the offending limbs out and have watch in amazement as the pine is now growing taller and more beautiful than expected.

Since the Doctor said more exercise I have had David bring down my exercise bike to the front room.  He and Cindy were up yesterday for a little visit.

I have a mammogram scheduled for this Wednesday and a stress test for a week from Wednesday.  Then we will plan what tortures are ahead for me.  Doctor gave me the standard report of I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in!  No, actually for my age I’m doing well.  I will gladly take either one of those reports. 
I have to go but I’ll be back!!

As you can see the big thermometer on the porch reads cold.  Brandy and I have been out across the driveway and partially into the wood for her morning visit.  ( Yes sleeping shorts and jacket again today—but you can’t see much from the road so I won’t cause an accident). The breakfast dishes are in the dishwasher.  Jay has left for dialysis and I am 15 minutes away from the shower.  My physical is today but as usual I have planned side trips to the post office, the hardware, the gas station, and the grocery store. 

Yesterday, looking out the french door window, I spotted a muskrat in our pond overflow. After a short swim it crawled out, ran across to Phyllis’ pond next door, then disappeared into the woods.  I could see it with the binoculars but my camera couldn’t pick up the image clearly.  Unfortunately there are more important places to use the money that a new fancy camera would cost. 

The Red-winged Blackbirds have returned and found a convenient eating place at our feeder.  I haven’t seen a Robin yet but I need to be outside to spot them.  They don’t come to the feeder and I usually see them in the yard . 

Well my friend it is bath time so I must say a temporary good bye—until later. 

—no, wrong character!  Where is momma? 

Well the last four days has been spent playing domestic goddess, reading, lolly gagging, and sitting on the sofa ( I say sofa because coach/couch looks like something you ride in or sit on and I’m too lazy to grab a dictionary and check it out).  While sitting, not riding, the ugly afghan has been spread across my lap being decreased or enlarged slowly by me. (That depends solely on how you look at the progress.)  It is getting tiresome but I will persevere.  (In other words I’m going to get that sucker done come hell or high water).

Why do I choose this place to nest?  Well it is in front of the T V and I can divide my attention between the project and the images on the screen.  Occasionally I can look up and see the loft with the five windows, the fan that runs all the time, and the fish hanging there that granddaughter, Jasmine, made me some years ago.  I look up to remind myself that this is my home.  I live in a unique residence. 

Taking Brandy out a few minutes ago I saw the big thermometer on the porch read 15 degrees and this on the ground.

Yes it has snowed again—lightly and will probably be melted by this afternoon.  But if this isn’t pneumonia weather I don’t know what is.  Our weeks consist of sunshine one day, rain the next, and then snow.  Then the cycle begins again.  Three different jackets hang in the hall closet to match the different temperatures that are turning up almost daily. 

A little drama on the back deck yesterday and I got to play hero.  A small woodpecker hit the french door and fell to the deck.  I naturally looked up and saw a Cooper Hawk with the woodpecker in it’s claws.  I jumped up, started to open the door when the hawk let go of the small bird and both flew away. I think the hawk chased the woodpecker into the glass but I could be wrong.  I like to think I was that woodpecker’s hero for a day. 

A glance outside right now shows the bushes and trees are dotted with color.  The sun is showing off the reds of the Cardinals and the blues of the Jays coming to the feeder.  The Dark-Eyed Juncos, the Chickadees, and the various woodpeckers add the black, white, and gray to the mix.  The sparrows and finches seem to fill out the color palette in my world this morning.

Soon the green will return to my outside world.  Brandy and I will then be roaming the yard looking for the signs of summer.  I smile at that thought. 

Don’t forget look, love, and laugh today!

It is 32 degrees outside this morning.  I know because Brandy, Molly, and me have just been out.  Sleeping shorts and a lined flannel shirt do not make good freezing temperature protection but it does wake you up!  No sunshine yet but then yesterday was a gray, rainy day so today could follow suit. 

Seeing yesterday was such a downer I took the time to satisfy some of my to do items. 

I baked the coffee cake I had mentioned in an earlier post in a parchment lined 9 x 13 inch glass pan.  I will have to improve my technique of sprinkling the sugar and cinnamon but otherwise it was delicious.  In fact I may see an extra pound or two show up on the bathroom scales if I don’t stop emptying the dish.

The second item was to view one of my birthday presents from Les, Anne, and Courtney.  Yes, I watched Neil Gaiman’s NEVERWHERE on DVD and loved every minute of it.  I now have to send it to Les for viewing as promised.

I started a large load of laundry in the washer and two racks of dishes in the dishwasher last evening before sitting down to do a couple of rows on the afghan.  Consequently,  I had to empty and put away the dishwasher contents this morning, but there is still a large pile of clothes on the dining room table waiting for my attention. 

I spent all day yesterday thinking about going to visit my oldest son but then decided to do the aforementioned things instead.  I realize that having his own family brings many extra duties he has to perform so I hesitate interrupting his routine.  Maybe next week end I’ll call. 

Well it is 10:54 am and all my clocks read 9:54 so I have to get busy ‘springing forward’.  Have a great rest of the weekend.  Remember to keep warm if you need to, stay healthy,  and laugh out loud (you know why).

Yes!!! In the gardens around the dome there are signs of Spring.  The fact that snow will probably cover them again isn’t important.  What is important is that I saw them this morning when Brandy and I took a turn around the place.  The big thermometer on the porch reads 62 degrees, the sun is shining, and the fir trees, in the yard, are swinging their branches in the wind like a dancer wrapped in the rhythms of a wild flamenco.

The ice on our frog pond has started to melt adding a delightful depth to the ready to overflow area shining brightly in this glorious day. 

A Downy Woodpecker is the first to sample the newly filled feeder.  Out there now are three finches hanging upside down on the thistle feeder swinging in the wind. 

As Eric Clapton Unplugged is filling the room I must take time to say yes I am better.  The eruptions have stopped and my arms have decided to give me some well needed peace for a while.  I have a physical scheduled on the 13th so I will be bending Dr. Hukill’s ear then. 

This morning started with a burst of energy that included washing out the litter box, laundry in the washer and now the dryer, filling the outside feeder, unloading the dishwasher, and squeezing in three short stories from Ray Bradbury’s ‘We’ll Always Have Paris’ over a bowl of Special K with Cinnamon for breakfast.  My next step is to make Pammie’s Butter Cinnamon Coffee Cake today.  I’m also going to feed hubby some V8 Butternut Squash Soup with a Lettuce and Tomato salad and some muffins for lunch after dialysis.  I don’t know if we will like the soup but it was time to try it.  I may even pick up the ugly afghan for a while this evening. 

I may not be all better but I’m a heck of a lot ‘weller’ (yes I just made up that word) than I was!!!  I’ll be back to blather again soon—can’t wait can you ( a joke—so smile why don’t you)!!!!

  I received this entry from my daughter Cindy.  I felt I should share it with you. 

  *_SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD REMEMBER_*

            /Crabby Old Man

      When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in
      North Platte, Nebraska, it was believed that he had nothing left of
      any value./ /Later, when the nurses were going through his meager
      possessions, they found this poem.  Its quality and content so
      impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every
      nurse in the hospital

      One nurse took her copy to Missouri . The old man’s sole bequest to
      posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News
      Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health.

      A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but
      eloquent, poem.

      And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is
      now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem winging across the Internet.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Crabby Old Man

      What do you see nurses? . . What do you see?
      What are you thinking . . . . when you’re looking at me?
      A crabby old man, . . not very wise,
      Uncertain of habit . . . . . with faraway eyes?

      Who dribbles his food . . . . . . and makes no reply
      When you say in a loud voice . . ‘I do wish you’d try!’
      Who seems not to notice . . . the things that you do.
      And forever is losing . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?

      Who, resisting or not . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,
      With bathing and feeding . . . . . .  The long day to fill?
      Is that what you’re thinking? . . .  Is that what you see?
      Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . you’re not looking at me.

      I’ll tell you who I am,  . . .. . . as I sit here so still,
      As I do at your bidding, . . . . as I eat at your will
      I’m a small child of Ten . . . . with a father and mother,
      Brothers and sisters . . . . . . . who love one another

      A young boy of Sixteen . . with wings on his feet
      Dreaming that soon now . . . . a lover he’ll meet.
      A groom soon at Twenty. . . . . .My heart gives a leap.
      Remembering the vows . . . . . that I promised to keep.

      At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . . . I have young of my own.
      Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.
      A man of Thirty . . . . . . My young now grown fast,
      Bound to each other . . . . . . With ties that should last.

      At Forty, my young sons . . have grown and are gone,
      But my woman’s beside me . . .. . . . to see I don’t mourn.
      At Fifty, once more, . Babies play ‘round my knee,
      Again, we know children . . . . . . My loved one and me ..

      Dark days are upon me . . My wife is now dead.
      I look at the future . . . . . . . . .. . I shudder with dread.
      For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own.
      And I think of the years . . And the love that I’ve known.

      I’m now an old man . . . . . and nature is cruel.
      Tis jest to make old age. . . . . look like a fool.
      The body, it crumbles . . . . . . . . . . grace and vigor depart.
      There is now a stone . . . . . . where I once had a heart.

      But inside this old carcass . . A young guy still dwells,
      And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells
      I remember the joys . . . . . . . . . . I remember the pain.
      And I’m loving and living . . . . . . . . . . . life over again.

      I think of the years . all too few . . . . . gone too fast.
      And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . that nothing can last.
      So open your eyes, people . . . . . open and see..
      Not a crabby old man   Look closer . . see . . . . ME!!

      Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might
      brush aside without looking at the young soul within . .

      We will all, one day, be there, too!/ /PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM

      The best and most beautiful things of this world can’t be seen or
      touched.  They must be felt by the heart./

Sixteen cold degrees grace our sun shiny yard and at 6:30 this morning I decided I had laid under the warm covers long enough.  I had turned in at 9:30 last night because the last couple of days have been wearing me out.  My arms seemed to ache incessantly day and night making it almost impossible to do anything but the domestic duties I have to do and sleep will not come easily.  Once I do manage to sleep I dread waking up.  Each day brings the feeling of not being able to get warm to add to the misery. 
I also feel like Mt. Vesuvius turned upside down.  It is not so much the pain as the feeling of losing control and the stress of having to continually be aware of the possibility of an accident to avoid humiliation.  Consequently I haven’t picked up a project or relaxed, other than a little T V viewing, during this time.  I don’t know what today will bring.  I took some medicine last night that seemed to control it but haven’t taken any more today. 

But enough whining, I’m going to try to do a little house cleaning, bed changing, work on some projects, and take some more medicine today.  I’m almost convinced that dwelling on the situation only makes it worse.  So stay warm, stay in touch, and keep laughing—-I’m going to try.

I took this test at Caroline’s Thoughts and this is my results—What would yours be?

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

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

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

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

It is 18 degrees and sunny out this morning but I have opened and then closed the blind on the french door after another bird bumped the window.  I think they see the reflection of the outside when the blind is up and try to fly through it.  I will just turn on my little lamp and work by that rather than risk having another accident outside. 

I’ve been away a few days working on the ugly afghan as well as attending to some household chores.  Last night as I picked up the crochet hook and yarn I noticed I had made an error a couple of rows back in my work.  Now a couple of rows doesn’t sound like much unless your row is seven feet long.  So you can understand why I decided to try and fix it instead of correcting it.

It was only a little mistake and with a little finagling I should be able to fix it satisfactorily.  So I proceeded to add another three rows before I put it down for the night.  But every time I passed the spot I had tried to fix I remembered the mistake.  It had been only a few rows back and had I corrected it my conscience would have been cleared to continue.  After I laid down last night I thought that If I had only corrected that spot I wouldn’t feel so bad about working more on the afghan. 

This morning when I got up I decided to rip it out to the mistake and correct it. 

As I pulled the work apart I noticed in some cases I had double crocheted five instead of four stitches that were called for in the pattern.  As I ripped closer to my original mistake I found some loose stitches. I had stopped winding the yarn I was ripping out and the pile of at my feet was growing larger.  I was now within two rows of the last color I had added this to and I decided that it was not time to use this brown combination now.  I ripped out the remaining brown and this was what I had.

I selected this combination instead.

I will pick up my project a little later today, try to forget that I have twice ripped parts of it out, and continue on with a clear conscience.

In searching for some of my Neal Gaiman novels over the weekend I couldn’t find them.  I don’t know if I had borrowed some of them from someone else and then returned them or had loaned them to someone and not gotten them back.  So I decided to reorder them and be more careful about keeping track of them.  I also wanted to obtain Ray Bradbury’s WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARIS so I ordered that also. 

Now I have one more Gaiman book on pre order and I’ll try to catch up on these before I look for more.

Well it is the the month of the lion and the lamb so we will see how things go for every one.  See you later!

As promised the other post about this last weekend.  Saturday afternoon Michael and Darlene came up to spend a couple of days with us.  I had made the scalloped potatoes and ham and the Polynesian Sunshine pie was dessert.

It was yummy!  We cut it in four pieces and ate the whole thing.  After dinner we visited a while and then I turned in. 

On Sunday it was my Birthday gathering but Jay had to prep for a Colonoscopy on Monday so there was no solid foods for him.  He decided that remaining in front of the T V in the bedroom was the best place for him so we didn’t see much of him. We had our dinner and played a game Cindy had brought up with her until it was late.  My children went home and Dar and Michael decided to stay over until Monday.

Monday morning I drove Jay to the hospital for his test and we had lunch on the return trip home.  The doctor who did the test gave him an a OK!

The rest of these pictures involve either windows or pets and were taken over the last few days.

I thought my plants were moving around the sill when I glance at the bay window Saturday.

But it was only Molly enjoying the sun shining in!

This morning one of the Red-bellied Woodpecker hit the french door window extremely hard and fell to the deck floor. 

He didn’t move right away so I took a small towel and tried to move him off the snow.  When I picked him up he chirped loudly , flew out of my hand, and landed on the lower part of the railing.  I left him there and when I looked out a little later he was gone.  I told Jay when he came home I was afraid to go down by the garage in case he had fallen dead.  I will get enough courage to look tomorrow and see.

Spirit came down of his cage this evening and when I walked into the room both Molly and Brandy were up close and investigating.  When I reached for the camera Molly moved away so the resulting picture only shows Brandy.  I warned her the bird would bite so she backed off a little and I put Spirit back in his cage. 

Today I have washed, folded three loads of clothes, caught up on the computer happenings, wrote checks, recorded medical expenses, and generally lolly gagged the day away.  Oh well I’ll do better tomorrow!

Where to start—My party—74 wrinkled years to the good—celebrate with friends and family.  I swear I’m am curling up in a prenatal position and turning pink.  Michael and Dar remembered that I like shrimp so for a birthday breakfast Michael made omelets with shrimp, asparagus, and cheese.  Light and fluffy and absolutely delicious with raisin and cinnamon toast. 

They spent the early afternoon with Darlene assisting and Michael cooking my dinner. 

Side dishes of asparagus, peas, a salad, and a bread similar to french bread. (I’m such a expert on this stuff).  The roll ups had shrimp or ham with bread crumbs and other things that I didn’t see because he wouldn’t let me in the kitchen ( he kept saying sit down it’s your birthday).  Again he turned out a very tasty meal.  But he also had another volunteer helper come into the kitchen.

Kathleen,  Anne’s mother, helped Michael with the asparagus and generally kept him company for a while. 

The cake was made here and as with most cakes that look a little sad it was very delicious

Cindy prepared to set the table as Michael and Darlene took a short break.

Then is was time to eat.

. 

It was Kathleen . David. Cindy, Michael on one side, and Les and Anne on the other.  Darlene was out of this picture as was hubby, Jay. ( I’ll explain his situation in the next post).

Of course if someone takes a picture of the “birthday girl” it has to be with her mouth full. her bib on, and that damn bra strap showing (old lady personified !)  I hate bras which any one near me can tell you.  I could be the original shot my self in the kneecap trying to hit my heart broad! 

No birthday post would be complete with out a picture of the presents so here they are!

Finally I have to say it was a great party and this was my reaction to the celebration.

If you had met me 52 years ago this is who you would have been introduced to——22 years old, married, no children.
A lot has happened since then.  Some good, some bad but all a part of what makes up me. 

I’m am pleased to have reached the ripe old age of 74 today and basically the years have been kind to me.  I have a hubby who loves me, three children that I am very proud of, their spouses that have brought caring into my life, and three grandchildren that couldn’t be replaced with any other human in my heart.  The friendships I have known have brought many happy moments to my life.  The tears shed for those who have past and those who made themselves absent from me only fulfilled the knowledge that everything is not always good and happy. 

A great deal of memories that I have are buried beneath the cares of daily life but every once in a while a person or feeling will bring them flashing into reality again.  Then I find myself smiling and longing to bring back that situation to savor for a few moments. 

My only words of wisdom are to try to reach out to others because there is always a hand out there that needs holding. 

All is done except the three shirts waiting on the chair to be ironed.  Amazingly I accomplished almost every thing I wanted to do yesterday and I can still walk this morning.  This is a feat that has not occurred in a very long time.  See I am doing better. 

This evening Darlene and Michael are coming to visit and I have plans for supper already in mind.  In a phone conversation the other day I mentioned to Darlene that I had made scalloped potatoes with ham and she said they loved them but didn’t have them very often.  Well that solved my problem quickly.  So I planned that, a steamed vegetable side dish, and a salad.  For dessert I found a recipe for Polynesian Sunshine Pie printed on one of those slips that are generated with your receipt when the clerk rings up your groceries.  I’ll be making that this morning after I’m through with the ironing board. 

I have been up since a little after 6 this morning and didn’t bother to turn up the heat in here. It just kicked on and is a welcome feeling indeed.  The big round thermometer on the porch is reading 16 degrees and even though we had no snow last night there is still some laying on the ground. 

Well I have done my visiting for this morning and have some minor chores to do so I will say—have a great day as I run about four games of Free Cell and then shut it down!  Remember to laugh—you know why!!!!!

Yep when you work for yourself you can take as many breaks as you want and when you want.  For years I had to follow a schedule that dictated almost every day of my career.  To deviate from it brought problems for not only me but my co-workers as well.  So I did my best to hold to the times that had been set for me.  But now I can stop when I want, clean up when I want, and visit when I want. 

This morning the bedroom, living, and dining room are now vacuumed.  The bathroom and utility room are prepped for mopping.  The bird cages have been cleaned and the covers are now in the washer along with second load of clothes,  The first load is in the dryer and If the energy holds out I will add the kitchen floor to the mix. Not put it in the washer but mop it!!! If not tomorrow morning early it will be done.  Yes we are having company this weekend.  That means get out the coal shovel and the garbage can and make every thing nice again.  Well not quite that bad but at my age it seems that way. 

Yesterday I got the new tires on the pick up, went to the doctors and did a bit of shopping.  The tires have taken a big worry off my shoulders.  I can’t change a tire anymore—can’t lift the good one high enough off the ground to mount it on the lugs.  Now I should be able to drive anywhere without worrying about it. 

The doctor said the foot looked good.  No sign of infection or weeping so I can stop bandaging it.  He also said to get off the blood pressure pills.  He feels that once the worry about the infection and also the swelling in my leg are gone my blood pressure will return to normal.  Of course I am to see him in a month for a recheck.

Well my Carpenter C D has started playing over and the vacuum cleaner needs to be emptied and put away. I’ll get the table and chairs back in place and possibly start the mopping.  BUT FIRST ( there it is again) I see my outside birds need suet, thistle, and seed so I’ll get that done first.  A look at the clock says I’m moving right along—Not the speed of light but a satisfactory pace for me. 

I have to add that Brandy is waiting expectantly on the end of the sofa fot me to put the dog bed full of toys back down on the floor. 

Golly I love working for me even if I don’t get a paycheck!!. 

Set the alarm because you have an appointment at 10 in the morning.  So I set it and this morning I dutifully hauled my dead butt out of bed, set the thermostat up so I could shower, went to the kitchen to make coffee, and poured a bowl of Special K with strawberries.  I check outside and found this.  Snowing like crazy, truck covered, and the road out front barely discernible.  This was going to be quite a morning. 

Yesterday I had taken Brandy to the Doggy Depot in Clio to be groomed, while at the same time, I was getting an oil change and tire rotation on my pick up at Simms Chevrolet.  Barry, my service manager had some not so good news for me.  It seems the tires were getting pretty crappy and he recommended replacing them very soon.  Now these tires came with the truck when we bought it in April of 2001 so we have gotten our moneys worth out of them.  So I had Barry ordered new ones to be put on as soon as they came in.  Thus my concern when checking the weather this morning. 

A thought occurred to me that maybe I should confirm the appointment time with the doctor’s office.  So I called and announced myself as the slightly retarded Mrs. Axsom and that I needed to confirm my appointment which my mind said was 10 am but my newly located appointment card said 3:10 pm.  The receptionist giggled as she replied 3:10 pm.  My mind said thank goodness because the snow and blowing may let up by then.  Of course it is now 18 degrees at 10:24 am and there is no relief yet.  But at least there will be some evidence of where the lanes of the road should be by then. 

I have spent the last hour or so visiting my blog buddies, reading e-mail, and posting so I think the time has come to play the domestic goddess.  I’ll start with mopping the kitchen, utility, and bathroom.  Then I will plan my next strategic move based on the time available before the E T A at the doctor’s office. 
I’ll visit later!

Good Morning! 

The News from Hooterville ( daughter Cindy calls it). 
Molly is on the mend.  No unwanted surprises on the floor.

Yesterday was spent working on the projects (in the picture) with a little more accomplished.
 
The snow and cold are back and I hate it.  I have to take my I Love Snow sign down off the front porch wall because it is quickly becoming a lie!!

My beautiful new, warm, and comfy slippers arrived from Australia the other day and now I can walk straighter.  My hubby does spoil me.
Everyone but Molly and me are still in dreamland.  But that is because of the siestas they took yesterday and the late bedtime last night.  (Which makes for a quiet time for me in the morning). 

This morning I have to go gas up the truck, buy some 1/2 % milk, and pick up some more needle threaders.  I’m sure if I look I can add bread and eggs to that list.
The doctor sitting in for my personal physician ordered some blood pressure pills for me the other day.  I have taken two so far so a verdict on how they are working is not in yet.  I really hate taking medications so this is kind of a trial in necessity over attitude with unknown results thus far.

I see a little sunshine sneaking through the venetian blind so I have to go open them so Molly and Brandy have a comfy spot on the floor in the sun to snooze this morning.

My social calendar shows only an appointment for me with Dr. Hukill this week so barring any surprises I should be able to do a little of the domestic chores that running a household dictates.  I might even sneak in a couple more games of Free Cell!

So stay warm, keep healthy, and laugh out loud!

Today started out with the usual chores.  You know brush the teeth, take the pills, check to see the cat has food, unload the dishwasher, and eat the breakfast hubby made for me.  But this is where the usual became unusual.  Molly, our cat,  has been having some trouble digesting with the oblivious results off and on for a few days.  Well this morning she was heaving clear liquid so I called Dr. Buck and she said bring her right in.  So my breakfast went into the fridge and after a small tussle Jay and I managed to get her in the pet carrier.  I suffered only two scratches in the process. 

At the Vet’s office after temperature taking, feeling the body for anything unusual, and blood tests it was determined she was dehydrated and had a viral infection.  Doctor hydrated her and gave her a shot to get her back on the well list.  When she is better I have to take her back for a batch of shots that are overdue.  I found out one thing.  When you take a 15.5 pound cat and put her in a plastic pet carrier it is a test of your muscles to transport her anywhere. 

Now she is back home and hiding up in the loft and I have had my breakfast, stripped and remade the bed, loaded the washer, then transferred that load to the dryer.  I have read today’s newspaper, have now visited with all my regular blogs and taken time to visit with you. 

I thought I would mention that my Ugly afghan has reached the half way point and I have started decreasing now.  I still have an area the size of the palm of my hand to fill in to bring the lap robe to being 1/4 done.  But a little work on both each day is slowly working towards my goal. 

I hope today was a happy one for you and yours and just the beginning of a better year for us all.

Today is called The Day Of Love.  It’s the day when flowers, candy, and cards are purchased to declare your feelings for your significant other.  You may also e-mail, text message, or call them on the cell phone to connect with the one you love.  But back in my day we didn’t have all these modern things.  Nope all we had was the telephone to speak to our sweetheart. 

I’m here to say I spent many an hour talking to the object of my affections or crying tears of dismay waiting for the phone to ring.  It was the only way to communicate when you couldn’t be together. 

But time marches on and maybe someday we will teleport to the spot where our love waits for us. 

Happy Valentines Day to you all!

Yep like Dorothy in the land of OZ or Alice in Wonderland I too was lost in a strange land for a couple of days.  Only my land was the kitchen and the things that threatened me were spoons, bowls, skillets, the oven, and a Taste Of Home magazine.  Some unknown power took control of my brain and forced me to open the magazine and start to read.  A little voice in the back of my head kept saying put the magazine down!  You hate to cook!  Put it down and walk away.  But I couldn’t leave it alone on the counter.  I found a pencil and pad and started writing down all the things I would need.  Butternut squash—I have that in my food room.  Carrots—those are in the vegetable drawer.  Onions—in the newly hung baskets in the laundry room.  Potatoes—in the wooden bin Jay made me some years ago.  The bacon strips—in the meat keeper and the stew beef in the freezer down in the mud room.  Beef broth—I could make that right here with my concentrate.  That left very little for the store—cabbage and green peppers.

Almost magically the book flipped over to page 48 where the words Cashew Beef Stir-fry grabbed my attention.  But I thought I don’t do stir fry—never have.  But look, my eyes told me, we have carrots, onions, rice and a 1/4 of a can of cashews.  When you are at the store you can pick up the broccoli. a red pepper, a beef sirloin steak,  and a yellow summer squash. 

So there you have it with list in hand it was off to Rosati’s to buy my needs.  I have to be crazy I kept thinking .  I hate to cook.  It will turn out lousy,  I’m buying sirloin and I’m not even Chinese!  But I kept marching through the store crossing off the items on my list as I put them in the cart. 

Then it was back home and on Wednesday the adventure became a reality.  The Wok my son had bought me several years ago appeared from out of the basement and with Jay assisting the Cashew Beef came together.  Actually it was quite good and I had enough to freeze some for another meal. 

On Thursday before going to get the income taxes done I threw the ingredients for the Loaded Vegetable Beef Stew in the slow cooker and let is merrily simmer away for about six and one half hours.  That also came out quite good with enough for another two meals in the freezer. 

But today I think I have escaped my spell because I don’t care to cook anything.  I don’t even want to warm up canned soup.  However my hubby wanted to know if I wanted to continue getting the magazine seeing I had done so well.  ( Man I don’t know——-) 

When I got up this morning it was around 40 degrees on the big thermometer on the entry porch.  It is now at 50 and hopefully will go higher today.  Of course the beautiful white landscape has disappeared and this is what the back driveway looks like now.  But I don’t mind that.  I will gladly wade a little mud to be able to wear a lighter jacket and take Brandy with me for a ride in the truck. 

Yesterday I managed a couple of hours of work on the lap robe but I still haven’t got 1/4th of it done.  Then when the light faded I crocheted another row on the afghan.  It measures 96” on the diagonal but I still need five rows before I can start decreasing.  But a little bit in front of the TV every night will make it go faster.

I have been having a time with Spirit noise wise the last few months and used to cover him (at least I thought it was a him) up to quiet him.  This last couple of weeks I started opening the cage and letting him climb on top. 

The results are a quiet bird who cuddles his toy for hours.  That is why I think he might be a she.  But it doesn’t matter as long as we are both happy..

Tomorrow I take Jay to the hospital for another test so I will take the new dishcloth with the apple basket to embroider on it.  It is smaller and easier to to carry.  This way I won’t sit and wonder how long we will be there. 

It seems my blood pressure is acting up right now so the substitute doctor I saw the other day asked me to take a reading three times a week and if it stays up or goes higher to contact my personal physician about some medication.  I don’t like pills so I am trying to stay calm and not stress out to avoid them. 
I’ll see Dr. Hukill in another two weeks about my foot so I’ll discuss this other problem then. 

Day after tomorrow is income tax preparation day so I have to check my folder and make sure every thing is in it.  Also property taxes are due by the end of the month.  I’m pretty sure we will have enough to pay them but again it is another thing to stress about until it is done.  I have got to stop this problem if I want to get better. 

As for the weather I keep remembering that this is February, in Michigan, which means we can have snow right up to the first of April.  I can’t get to excited about 50 + degrees when I remember that little fact. 

Well I have read my email, visited my blog buddies, and now posted for today so it is a couple of games of free cell (I’m at game #36138 with 10 not solved) then on to the ironing board with four shirts and some handkerchiefs to do.  Next will come lunch for Jay when he gets home and something figured out for supper.  Then I’ll pick up that lap robe again for a while. 
Remember to take care of you and laugh out loud—because it is good for the lungs!!! 

Update:  It is now 60 degrees at 4pm .  Jay checked his papers for his test after he came home and found he had not followed the instructions so it has been rescheduled for 2/23/09.  I hope they won’t charge us for the change but if it happens it happens.  Well lunch is over and my lap robe calls.  See yah!

My company came today.  I no longer feel like the jilted bride left at the alter.  Yep Cindy and David came up this afternoon and we had pot roast and sweet potatoes cooked in beef broth and cider that Jay so loving prepared.  With a salad from a bag and biscuits we pigged down.  For dessert I had made a Sour Cream Apple Pie.  That was pretty good also. 

David took my pile of projects and made quick work of them.  My new smoke alarms are up, the light at the entry door is back in one piece again and one of of my embarrassing problems has been corrected. 

Some years ago after moving in here I painted several rooms in the house.  I moved this hanging basket thing out of the pass through intending to hang it in the kitchen or the utility room right off the kitchen.  I temporarily hung it on the curtain rod that was on the laundry room door until I could hang it up properly.
Well the temporary lasted some six or so years now.  So each time I walked into the laundry room I would think I have to fix that but I didn’t.  Well I bought a bracket the other day and David, bless his heart, installed it today. 

Wednesday the hubby replaced the light over the kitchen sink and added two more florescent bulbs to the main kitchen fixture so now I can see better.  So with my two guys helping I’m am a much happier lady tonight! 

I must take time here to hail the conquering heroes!

Yes sir although one looks half asleep and the other one distracted these two men beat Cindy and me at pinochle this evening. So I raise my coffee mug with the Folgers and the chocolate creamer in it in recognition of who is the better team this time.  But we will meet again.

As you can see my partner is all tore up over the loss and I am also crushed. ( Or is that I have a Crush,orange that is!)

Oh I finished sorting and filing the first ‘want to try’ recipe book this morning and will check the other one out soon.  It seems this was a get it done time around here this week and I’ll tell you I’m happy.

As usual we enjoyed our time together with Cindy and David and parted with kisses

This morning promised to be a very productive day.  Jay was going off to Dialysis and I was going to embroider.  It was chilly in the house and I missed seeing Brandy anywhere when Jay said to bring the camera and come quick. 

So it was off to the bedroom to discover my dog, who always sleeps on top the covers,  was nestled warmly under them.  I guess it was cold in here this morning.

Anyway I got it in my head to make the One Banana Bar recipe that Pammie had on her blog the other day.  So I got out the Jay Wants To Try binder to check for the recipe.  I remembered Jay looking through it for the bread pudding recipe yesterday and how long it took to find the one he wanted.  So I decided as I searched I would put the recipes in piles according to what they were.  Yep that is where the ‘but first’ came in!  After all if I was going to sort them then I might as well make dividers, label them, and put the recipes in behind the correct dividers.

When I finally found the cookie recipe I took a few minutes out to make it and then continued sorting and filing.  I was almost done when Jay came home so lunch was the next duty.  Then it was empty the dryer, fold, and then put away the clothes.

Seeing I had an empty washer I decided to wash the clothes in the hamper and then dry them.  While I was on a roll I washed the bird cage covers and cleaned the cages so when the covers were dry they would go on a clean cage. I was barely through with that when it was time to think of supper. 

Now I sit here typing with the dish washer going and one last tub of laundry turning in the dryer because I decided to wash the bedclothes also.  Of course I haven’t made the bed yet.  But hey I have emptied the dishwasher twice today, the washer and dryer three times, fed all my animals, and my hubby.  So I don’t feel too bad about not finishing the recipe book or working on the lap robe. 

My whole life seems to revolve around the ‘But First’ theory but at least I get a lot of things done.   

Did you ever have one of those days when no matter how hard you searched you just couldn’t find what you were looking for.

Well Brandy did yesterday.  It was hilarious to watch that little head buried deep in her dog bed/toy box and using one paw to either pull out or shift around her toys in search of something.  Watching her brought back memories of my frantic searching for a bill or receipt that I had mislaid.  One of the moments when you put something away so only you and God knew where it was.  Then it ended up that only God knew. 

I finally decided to put my ugly afghan and the yarn I’m using in it in my big basket.

I then placed it in the corner beside the Lazy Boy so it would be handy, 

Well as of yesterday I have broken two of my resolutions.  # one and three have fallen by the wayside.

Monday I drove Jay to Dr. Webb’s office and we ended up at a hospital nearby where Jay was admitted as an outpatient to have his dialysis arm worked on.  We left the house at 9:30 that morning and never got back until after 8 pm.  A long tiresome day but at least the dialysis treatment worked better on Tuesday. 

Yesterday was chores around the house trying to catch up on things that didn’t get done Monday.  My company and I decided that Thursday would be a better visiting day than yesterday so I’ll see them tomorrow.

Today Jay and I went to a medical equipment company for some parts for his Bi Pap machine.  While we were out we went to Sam’s Club, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Gilroy’s Hardware, and Vg’s for groceries.  It was another long day for me.

Consequently I have not embroidered one stitch on my lap robe even though I’ve been saying for a week I would be picking it up, 

Tomorrow morning it is a recheck on my foot and long awaited company in the afternoon.  Maybe Friday will be my pick up the needle and do something day.  Cold first with no snow then the last two days more snow than I wanted to see but Saturday should be in the forties with rain.  A weather alert in effect states don’t go out without a hat and gloves today.  I think we need one of those tents that the utility workers have but with a coal stove in it to go outside with. 

Well it is past my bedtime so I’ll hit the tick!!!  Good night!!!!   

The first of February with 32 degrees registering on the thermometer and a promise of another one or two up today.  By golly it is almost balmy with the sunshine streaming through the french door windows and all the outside things creating lovely shadows on the snow.  I’m not foolish enough to think all this will melt away—not in February but I can wish it would. 

My Ugly Afghan is now 52 inches long with another 20 or so to go.  That isn’t saying it is done because with this pattern when you reach your goal in length you have to do the whole thing again decreasing as you go .  But hey it is a good start.  I will put it up for a few days and work on my Santa lap robe for a while. 

Tomorrow Jay and I will trek down to Dr. Webb’s office for the appointment we missed last Monday.  This time I’ll set the alarm and have us well on our way with plenty of time for traffic, snow if we have it, and any other unforeseen problems we might encounter.  We also plan, after the appointment, to purchase a new florescent bulb to install over the kitchen sink and two LED bulbs to go with the two we all ready bought for the fan/light fixture over the dining room table.  We are trying them out in order to comply with the new ruling due on incandescent bulbs,  I want Jay to add two more florescent bulbs to the main kitchen fixture because I seem to be having trouble with light right now.  It may be time to see Dr. Rohr again.   

Hopefully Tuesday Cindy and David will be up for dinner.  David has been volunteered to take some of the items off this pile and put them up,  You realize that I said he was volunteered to not that he volunteered to but he is very good about helping out!

This is because of my recently discussed third rung issue with the step ladder.  It is tough to get old!!

Tuesday is also mail the monthly payments out day so it will a penmanship practice in the morning.  Another one of those wonderful things that we all go through month, after month, after month.  But then on the other hand I can’t convince myself that online bill paying is the way to go.

Wednesday, so far is a free day!

Thursday it is my turn to visit the doctor’s office to check on the treatment for the foot infection.  I swear, and I have said this a hundred times, if it weren’t for doctor’s appointments we would have no social life at all.  With every appointment I set up I tell them I must check my Social Calendar, a little date book I carry in my purse, to make sure that day is clear.  If nothing else getting older make one get more organized with days available, when to send out bills, recording when payments were made, and filing every pertinent piece of paper where it can be found quickly in case a dispute arises.  Boy I wish I had learned that one fifty years ago.  I have wasted too many years searching for receipts. recipes, correspondence., and just plain everyday things that are created in living a life.

Friday is another day not yet planned out.  But for today my friend I have a few things to do. Like after walking bare footed (something I do seldom) across the kitchen floor in the middle of the night I know now for sure that a good sweeping and mopping are long overdue.  I have one shirt to iron.  Speaking of shirts I must tell you that after one month I have only messed up a couple of my resolutions.  The first one was the piecing between meals—I can’t stop that darn it—so that is off the list.  The second is I went out to the doctor’s office last Thursday with my lipstick on but forgot my earrings.  I may be able to salvage that one.  I’m a little shaky on the one about cooking creative meals so I have to work harder on that.  But breaking one completely isn’t too bad.  Do you Agree?

!

A visit with my personal physician today resulted in a change in antibiotics.  I still have some infection in that left foot but doctor said we will check it again in a couple of weeks.  He also scheduled the physical that I missed last August due to surgery.  That is coming up in March.  I was given a sheet with a list of tests to be taken tomorrow so it is nothing to eat after nine pm tonight. 

This afternoon I got to play tractor rescue woman again . 

This the second time in the last few days that Jay has gotten his toy stuck in the snow.  Every time he does he says, “Well I just just learn something else about the tractor”. 

Well the plant on the right side of my window sill has decided to bloom.

It is only two days away from February and my Christmas Cactus finally decides to grace us with their beauty. 

Tomorrow is daughter-in-law Anne’s birthday so here is an early Happy Birthday wish to her!!!!!

Good Morning.  This is my third attempt at posting on this machine.  Starting last night, when two errors closed down my machine before I could send I disgustedly manually shut it down.  I will see how far I get today before I trying pitching it out the window.

It has been four snow less days since we visited.  This morning however it is falling again and if Jay is feeling better he will be out there with the new tractor blowing white stuff into the wind till his heart is content.  He did post a message on his blog about the new machine but as usual the details were sparse.  I believe he is going to elaberate on them later. 

My latest project is another ugly afghan.  Crocheted in Lion’s brand Homespun yarn from my stash with a few purchased skeins, for added color, thrown in.  It will be quite large so I plan on it being an ongoing project for the next few months. 

In the meantime the regular domestic chores have to be kept up.  I have four shirts to iron (resolution # 2 on my list) and the usual mopping duties to do.  Yesterday was recycling day for trash pickup so the cardboard from the basement got boxed up and tied to go out also.  Exciting reading—right—but so goes my life!  Along with that the cages were cleaned, the litter box redone for the fifth time in a week, the bird feeders refilled, and the carpets were vacuumed.  Is it any wonder that planning and fixing supper is a pain.  One that is going to get bigger because the powers that be want Jay’s diet tightened up.  Another exciting thing to look forward to but I’ll do my best. 

Meanwhile I’m searching for a brave soul who can climb my stepladder higher than the second rung.  I bought the acorn nuts and new screws to repair the entry door light.  The stepladder has sat on the porch for roughly two weeks.  I have tried climbing it but the damn ankle won’t let me get past the second rung. 
Jay is feeling a little under the weather and my neighbor’s hubby has had surgery on his arm so my hunt will continue.  New smoke alarms , purchased last Saturday to replace the ones that came with the dome nine years ago are waiting to go up also.  Like everyone else we are watching the pennies so hiring these things done is not in the budget.  Oh well such is life when you hit the “golden years”

A call from my Sis-in-law in Florida last night informed us that my brother was finally off the ventilator and breathing on his own.  He has been hospitalized since December 15th so that was great news.

Well I got through this post so maybe my machine just needed a rest.  We will see!

I discovered today that the left side of my bay window thinks it is Christmas and cactus on the right side is still wondering if it wants to bloom or not.  Last year every thing was in full bloom at holiday time but this year it is a bit mixed up. 

This will be short because we went out on another grocery shopping trip today and I always end up tired out with feet and ankles screaming.  True to form that is my condition at this moment.  So I’m off for a short siesta until the pain pill kicks in.  Take care everyone! 

It is 20 degrees out side with a high of 26 expected for today.  No snow last night but about tonight who knows because it is Michigan. 
Something I do know however is that the new tractor, with snow blower and mower deck, will be delivered this afternoon.  So hop on over to Jay’s Jammin’  to see pictures and his excitement later this evening.  That is if I can get him off the new toy long enough to post!

January 21st and we welcome a new President of the United States into our calamity.  Knowing that it may take years for President Obama to turn this Nation around let us be patient and co-operative. 

The 21st is also my Mother’s birthday. A brief remembrance for Gertrude Catherine Waggoner 1-21-16 to 3-24-92. 

Today I plan to pick up the lap robe to sew for a while, do the normal household chores, and later in front of the TV I will crochet some more on the afghan I started.

Remember to keep warm, wear you hat and gloves if you go out, and if you live in one of the warm States stifle your snickers please! 

We had company yesterday!  Cindy and David came up and brought Tyler with them.  It seems he has been a little apprehensive when they leave him so he got to ‘go for a ride’ as we say.  So Brandy met her nephew who is a few years older than her.  They got along fine but kept their distance from one another.  On the other hand Molly headed upstairs to avoid the whole situation

The next picture was taken in low light so in trying to make it visible I came up with this.

For dinner we had Jay’s excellent Pork Tenderloin with Peach glaze which he sliced just right.  Cindy mashed the potatoes.  I made a vegetable dish with broccoli and celery that was surprisingly tasty.  I had french bread and mixed fruit from Dole.  Of course I had made the Deviled Ham and Cream Cheese chip dip for snacking.  A favorite with everyone and the bowl showed it.  I had Mini Creme Puffs from Gordon Foods but we were pretty filled up by serving time for them.

David and Cindy cleared away the dishes after our meal and started the old dishwasher running.

Then David took Jay to the drugstore to replace his reading glasses that were broken. 

We talked about playing some cards when they got back but David spotted the box with the second nightstand in it.

In no time flat he had it together and in the bedroom.  So now I have both of them in place and they sure beat a wooden file cabinet, an upturned dog cage under a tablecloth or living room side table all to pieces!

As always we enjoyed our time together and as usual it wasn’t long enough. 

Today with snow blowing all over and roads getting a little slick I went out to do some serious grocery shopping.  I broke down and bought a six muffin baking tin because we never bake over six at a time with the Jiffy mix.  After having crossed every thing off my list I checked out and with the help of a tall blond young lady got everything quickly into the truck.  It wasn’t until I was halfway home that it dawned on me that I was going to have to unload it in the snow storm.  Oh well such is life!

While I was out I did stop at two more places in search of a flower pot, some fake flowers and some dirt (potting soil).  I finally found all three with the following results. 

The boot was a delayed get well gift from Darlene and Michael.  They had bought a plant to go in it but there was a hole in the bottom of the planter so I opted to buy some fake flowers for it instead.  I kinda like the results. 

The plant they bought to go with it was a holly bush.

It now resides in the new pot with the potting soil until it will be planted in the yard.  So just a little effort and very little money there are two new things to brighten the living room.

It is Swiss steak tonight, with potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts, and bread pudding for dessert.  I’m really to tired to think of anything else.   

Every one ‘lucky’ enough to live in the frozen land of the mid west please remember your hat and gloves during this delightful season because “Baby It’s Cold Outside”!

With the temperatures hovering around zero to 15 degrees I have spent most of the last four days near or in the house.

I was working on collecting all my yarn from all over the house to place in plastic containers.  So I gathered from all three floors and pour it out on the bed a little at a time to sort it out.  It took me a couple of days because I was doings chores and working on another project too. 

The results were two containers with a large cardboard box for things like plastic mesh, projects already started, and misc.  The yarn containers now sit in the back of my walk in closet and make it easier to check on the colors and quantities I have on hand.

The other project was to start assembling my nightstands.

When I opened the box I found pieces of ‘wood’, screws, cams, nails, and cardboard I almost gave up.  I have put things together before but I was younger and had more patience.  But I dove in and after three days of working, reworking, correcting mistakes, and walking away from it when the stress built up it was finally done. 

Now the drawer fits a little tight and it may be a tiny bit out of square but by golly I did it and it is done.  Now I must confess I have all ready enlisted Jay’s experise for the other one on Saturday because I don’t want to rework a whole bunch of stuff again. 

Checking the snowfall through the french doors I discovered a feeding station needing attention.  The Thistle was down, regular seed almost gone and the suet cake non existent.  Upon opening the door I was greeted with roughly two inches of snow up against the glass. 

It had been snowing when I got up and was still at it.  Jay had been out and cleared the driveway some time after 8 am so the Your Ride bus could come up and get him.  Looking in the blue seed box I as I filled the feeders I noted that it was getting empty of containers.  So one thing led to another and I ended up going into town and getting gas because the low fuel light was on.  Across the street was the hardware where I bought my seed so I took care of that at the same time.  I know is it not good to let the gas tank get low and the forecast was for the snow to continue through Wednesday afternoon.  So that in my mind justified the trip. 

Now when I left there were clothes on the table to be folded.  I had started rearranging the bedroom with plans to clear off my dresser which has two plastic doll holder boxes and a very large basket of yarn on it. I wanted to clear it so I could put a humidifier on it because Jay and I are congested at night and Brandy is snorting in her sleep.  The Vet said that the air in the room was too dry so I figure if it too dry for her it could also be our problem. 

I had another reason to rearrange.  I purchased my first set of night stands in I can’t remember how long.  If fact I don’t ever remember having honest to goodness night stands ever.  I have for years refused to buy them because of the price.  I found them at a K mart for $29. and change which fit my criteria of nothing over $30.  I missed getting them a few weeks back and was upset with myself about it.  But when I picked up the paper Sunday they were on sale again I knew I was going to buy them.  Now hubby isn’t happy with my purchasing them because he couldn’t see the need.  But I bought them anyway.  When he asked why I bought them I said because I wanted them and I couldn’t ever remember owning any.

I guess I was a little mean about it even though he had made two excellent meals the last two days.  It was Polynesian Chicken with Basmati rice and pineapple slices for our supper.  Then for breakfast the next morning it was Asparagus, Onion and cheese omelet. I guess I’m spoiled! 

Now it is time to fold the clothes, stash the yarn in a box, remove the big basket from the dresser, find a place for the doll boxes an start putting my night stands together!

When I check outside a little after noon the snow has stopped falling and the sun is shining.  What the heck!  Oh well I won’t complain.  Talk at you later!!!!!

I slept in this morning.  Woke up with a painful foot, a leg that hurt if you touched where it is swollen, achy shoulders, and a headache to boot.  I thought I wasn’t just under the weather but I was buried and all you could see was my top knot—that is if I had one!  But that all changed when I opened the refrigerator door. 

Did you ever peek in the fridge expecting to see the usual array of bottles, cartons and containers that get opened daily.  But instead of a clean, white, back wall you see something that has run all the way from the top shelf to the bottom of the unit and then puddled under the bottom drawer to coagulate into a ‘shitty’ mess that is almost impossible to get out.  This little stream could be blue, green, yellow or any other color but mine was red.  The Cranberry/Maple chutney had got knocked over. 

Amazingly all the aches and pains disappeared because they were replaced by anger.  So I sat, had a cup of coffee, some toast with peanut butter, and a very deep breath.  It had to be cleaned and clean I did.  I threw out almost empty bottles and things that were opened that there were two of.  I finally finished about a half hour ago—almost pain free and quite satisfied with myself!!!

So if you get up feeling bad just find a mess that doesn’t get cleaned every week and go at it.  I guarantee you will find you feel better and be very proud of yourself for a job well done!

Subject: Walking
  Sent to me from Kathleen.  Thank you for sharing it with me and now I will share it others!

        The Importance of Walking

        Walking can add minutes to your life.
            This enables you at 85 years old
            to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing
            home at $7000 per month.

            My grandpa started walking
            five miles a day when he was 60.
            Now he’s 97 years old
            and we don’t know where he is.
           
            I like long walks,
            especially when they are taken
            by people who annoy me.
           
            The only reason I would take up walking
            is so that I could hear heavy breathing again.
           
            I have to walk early in the morning,
            before my brain figures out what I’m doing..
           
            I joined a health club last year,
            spent about 400 bucks.
            Haven’t lost a pound.
            Apparently you have to go there.
           
            Every time I hear the dirty word ‘exercise’,
            I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
           
            I do have flabby thighs,
            but fortunately my stomach covers them.

            The advantage of exercising every day
            is so when you die, they’ll say,
            ‘Well, she looks good doesn’t she.’
           
            If you are going to try cross-country skiing,
            start with a small country.
           
            I know I got a lot of exercise
            the last few years,......
            just getting over the hill.
         
            We all get heavier as we get older,
            because there’s a lot more information in our heads.
            That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
           
            AND

            Every time I start thinking too much
            about how I look,
            I just find a Happy Hour
            and by the time I leave,
            I look just fine.
           
            You could run this over to your friends
            But just e-mail it to them!

Gee only a couple of weeks late for Christmas.  I guess sitting in the bay window with the blind down is not conducive to blooming.  By raising the blind I must have let some warmth in and encouraged them to try.  When you think about it this is an example of my life for the last year.  A little behind schedule, fighting to meet deadlines, and just somewhat ineffective because I haven’t really cared.  I find myself looking at a task, any task, feeling like I would rather hide under my covers then attempt to accomplish it.  Now I am not unhappy or depressed just unmotivated.  Can a person get that way?  It is like going through that phase of not caring what you eat because you feel that food is fuel only!

I know it is the winter, cold, snow, ice, and the dangers they present.  At least that is what I thought.  But it is not just the season.  I find myself having to repeat the statements I’ve made, then being very angry because I feel the person I am talking to has tuned me out or doesn’t care to hear what I have to say.  Then of course the next reaction is to shout or express disgust because I am so angry. 

When I ask for help I get it but it is with the attitude of ‘why do you bother me with your petty shit when I have other responsibilities and interests to pursue?’  I do sound selfish don’t I!  But dammit if you feel it will be forgotten and not get done you do tend to nag.  It seems that only I care that bills get paid on time, or the phone calls to friends and relative get made. 

I have resolved to be more attentive to others, to find the happy part of living, and stop growing the frown lines in my face deeper.  Well I think I’m failing but what is new with that. 

No snow last night that is one good thing.  The tractor was in and out of the shop again this last week.  Judging by the cost of repairs lately I think a new machine is called for.  But again you worry because taking on this type of expense when the pickup is about nine years old and could need replacing at any time.  It is enough to turn your white hair gray.  Oh that is another thing that pisses me off. The statement you worry too much.  I agree I probably do but it is my nature and after almost 74 years I’m not going to change now. 

Now that I bored you with my rant I’m going to close and either finish ‘The Broken Window’ by J. Deavers, work on my lap robe, clean bird cages, figure the check book, or stare at the TV for a while.  I may even refuel with a bit of breakfast first.  Have a good day and laugh out loud because I’m going to try to!

What is a pretty blue but blinks red, green, and blue?  It is as distracting as the devil but has seven ports on it?  Why my new USB hub that came in the mail today. 

A trip to the doctor’s today reveal an infection from one of the stitches left in my foot.  When he got through probing I understood why I was having trouble with it.  I have a prescription for an antibiotic. Instructions to change the bandage twice a day, rinse in saline solution, and put a deep wound salve on it.  Hopefully there should be some improvement in three weeks.  I told Dr. Fortin I wanted to check with my personal physician and have him monitor it because he was located much closer to my home.  He agreed that it was OK.  So tomorrow I’ll check with my Dr. to see if he will agree to help me. 

On the way home from the medical appointment we stopped in Clarkston, MI for two haircuts so both Jay and I are good fot another couple of months.  After we stopped for lunch and got home we had been on the road for about 7 hours making for a tiresome day.  So I’m skipping supper and hitting the tick!!!

Just want to crawl back in bed and hide for the rest of the day!  Snowing again. Already two inches outside right now and big fluffy flakes still falling.  I was supposed to take Molly to the Vet’s this morning at 9:30am but she spied the pet carrier and promptly crawled into the wood work .  At least it seems that way because I haven’t seen her for the last three hours. 

I drove Jay down the driveway to the You Ride bus a bit before 8:00am so he could get to a medical appointment on time.  Upon returning to the house Brandy was throwing up on the couch cover and pillow.

So I gave up, called Dr. Buck and canceled the appointment for Molly.  I then stripped the couch and washed everything, which is in the dryer now.  I tried to get a hold of Jay so I could pick him up when he was done but ran into problems there. 

I now have one load of washing folded and put away, another waiting for folding, and as I said the couch things in the dryer. 

I feel like I have been up for hours and the capper came when I tried to use the scanner and it won’t work from either of my machines.  Les had worked on it from remote control last night but it obviously still need more done.  He had to reload Jay’s machine Sunday so we are just finding the things that still need to be connected or worked on.  It will get done but damn I hate calling him after he worked all day. 

So there you have it another sunshiny day at the Axsom dome!

Today’s adventure gave a whole new meaning to the phrase—It’s A Good Thing You’re Cute.
Starting this morning at 9 am at the Doggy Depot Brandy got a bath and a haircut which amounted to $26.  A reasonable price for what was done. 

From there it was out to the Vet’s for a checkup and down hill for the check book.  There was a break out on her back that resulted in a shot for the infection. The Heart Worm test was due.  We needed the medicine for that that she takes once a month.  Also we were out of Frontline—another once a month medication for flea prevention.  The exam for general health revealed a small heart murmur.  When I went to write the check I almost passed out.  $295.55!  She is all set until June now thank goodness.  I wonder if I can enroll her in Blue Cross/Blue Shield or something?????

My daughter is back on her computer and looking for people to exchange ideas with, rant to, and laugh with.  So visit her here and tell her Momma sent you please!
Cindyisms