Making Resolutions Sorta.

 Here comes the New Year.  The last time that happened I managed to accomplish the one , no  two goals I had.  However, setbacks occurred and indeed set me back three times.  I picked up again except this last time.  But a new opportunity is here.  I think I may go for it.  Again.  The popular phrase "life happens" is certainly true around here.  

I wanted one of my smoothies yesterday for lunch and found my milk had gone off.  It was a week and a half old.  While B. was here, we didn't have smoothies for lunch that is for certain.  We had "real food" so no milk was used at all.  Half a gallon goes to waste, but..it happens. 

So, off into the occasional flurry we are having here to get milk again and it will be used  I have to stock up on a little fruit too.  I never punish my smoothie of fruits with kale, spinach, turnip greens,  potato eyes (kidding) or all the other seems-to-be-necessary greens.  Ew.  I'd rather eat those at dinner, not in my smoothie.   

Found some clothes from when I was thirteen up in the attic. (crawl space really.)  I've been carrying them around for years.  One is a sheath dress, aqua in color, with a bolero to go over the sleeveless dress top. Mid knee. I dressed up to meet my soon-to-be husband.  With my hair and fair complexion, it was a  nice combination for me.  I was only just over a mid-teen when I bought that one. .  White high heels.  Still have it all.  Does not fit in the least!  There is a Mexican style (supposedly) skirt and top as well.  The waist on the full skirt would fit a wasp's waist!   It was meant for dancing really. Swirly and whirly. No way on this earth could I ever wear it again.  A few other dresses.  I think now the fairies could wear them.  I will have to make the decision to let them go.  

Did I tell you?  One thing I got from my youngest was a pair of aquamarine earrings.  Stones are rectangular, a perfect aquamarine color.  Probably a carat and a half each stone.  Binge-wearing them. Not my birthstone..that's sapphire.  But I have always wanted an aquamarine.  They are pale and elegant looking.  

My best best friend,  The one I call Daughter Dear and she in turn has always called me Mother Dear because I am 12 years older than she.    I firmly took her in hand when she became a colleague; and in my opinion, she desperately needed some guidance!!  (she did!!) She took it very well (it fell on deaf ears) and started calling me Mother Dear.  The first time was in response to my advice "Yes, Mother Dear!" She called me that to all her friends, mine too.  Before a very short time, EVERYONE was calling me that to this day.  I gained two more 'daughters' who wanted to be in that family we had formed.  But as their supervisor, neither they nor I allowed our family relationship to intrude at work.  They all three are still my daughters and there IS love between all of us. to today.  They call on me when needed for my thoughts.   

See what just came in?  

Coming Ever so Close

 Well, I have wrapped the last three gifts and that means I'm finished. My DIL said she and my grandson will be here tomorrow for half an hour or so and she'll take the bagged up gifts with her.  They have a large home.  I have a postage stamp here that I live in and my room is getting crowded. Katie's other favorite brother will be here Thursday afternoon.  

I used a lot of gift bags,  Usually I hate to spend money on that type of thing when wrapping paper is less expensive.  However, I dislike cutting paper, wrapping and all the rest so much that the money is worth it.  I don't dislike wrapping birthday gifts as much but if I can squeeze it into a bag, I will.  

I had cat help with the last thing that I had to actually wrap as it is too large for the bags I have.  I thought to use twine as a "ribbon" though nothing else had any real ribbon or tie-ups of any sort.  Pain in the neck.  She saw her chance to help and jumped up to the table and subdued the twine very well.  No trouble from it any longer.  It is afraid of her even glancing in its direction.  I got a requested lens cover for N's telescope.  The cover is as large as a dinner plate. as is the lens of course.   They charge a zillion dollars for those things.  His hobby is astral photography.  Of course, the telescope is motorized so he doesn't have to stay with it for hours as it moves with the earth.  After he spends the hours with settings and calculations and gets it moving, it can track and do what it was told to do. 

Oh! If you ever wondered how much help you get from protective covering for the cell phone you have, those coverings do their job.  I got a Zagg ($$$$$$$) and it's cracked across and up. Several lines of cracks radiate across the face of the iPhone's protective cover.  The iPhone fell out of my purse when I got out of my vehicle and hit face down of course on the asphalt.  I'm chicken to take the old face off so waiting till I can get one of the family to do it. 

I just had a spam sandwich,. Those things are good.   

Let's go do this.  I'm sleepy! 

Hoo RAY

 My eyes seem totally OK.  Can't beat that with a stick!  I have my face all decorated up (allowed to wear mascara now) and I've been out cruising the aisleways and fluttering my eyelashes at the fellers.  And smiling. 

Katie posted a couple pictures of herself in her new place to enjoy the earlier morning sunpuddles.  I couldn't find her for several weeks during that part of the day, and thought I'd accidentally shut a door on her and so I  spun about all over the house calling and looking untilllllll I finally saw her. 

I had a big lunch of chili.  Not much, I called it 'big' because I don't eat "heavy" foods in the day as a rule.  

I did have a pineapple smoothie too.  I'm fuller than a tick as I always am when I eat that much.  

Speaking of food, I am going to soak some pinto beans, and put in some salt pork with them as they cook. (Dad always called it "fat meat" and he's the one who taught me to cook.)   For the last 30 or so minutes the beans cook, I will add maybe 5 small potatoes to the pot to cook with the beans.  How totally delicious potatoes are cooked in pinto juice...and this is a Southern female speaking to you.) Some cornbread (no, not sweet) and some coleslaw on the side.  Nirvana. Oh, and diced white onion to add to the pintoes and potatoes on your plate.  Don't forget the coarsely ground black pepper over it all.  Have yerself a spoon of cold coleslaw over there on the side.  Some folks like to add it to their pintoes on the plate.  

Is anyone up for a meal?  You'll bust wide open eating if you do come over. 

Every 3,4 years or so I post a picture of me for an hour or so and take it back down.  You may recall that.  Here's someone taking a nap.  Much nicer. 

It All Comes Out on the Other Side

 Well, it all comes out on the other side, as the saying goes.  

After a month of travail with my eyes, the Dr. said I seem to be over it all now.  I remain with three tiny knots in my both eyelids.  One on the left upper lid and two on the right lower and upper lids.  They will resolve in time and are not noticeable to the casual observer.  They are brought about by the oil ducts that are in the eyelids stopping up. They became unable to drain and caused great trouble to me.  After my last visit with the eye Dr., he prescribed antibiotics for thirty days going forward because I had five bad infections going on.  He is trying to tamp this completely down.  I wore my sunglasses in the stores as I was embarrassed.  

After taking everything out of the silverware tray numerous times..all of it..washing it as well as the tray, washing each individual piece of cutlery...here is the complete truth..and bear in mind I have no reason to lie.  I was mindlessly standing at the silverware drawer again yesterday.  I just pulled the drawer open again, took out the spoons again, and fanned through them.  Erich's spoon was the second one down from the top.  I had washed all the cutlery while searching, washed the tray, washed the drawer, and I went through it probably 10 times, yet...there it was.  Second spoon down.  I was deeply grateful to have it again.  

It looks big here, but it only holds a little in the bowl and it may be 4 inches long in the handle.  It may be a demitasse spoon.  When I found out I was expecting, we looked everywhere and couldn't find a standard baby spoon so we bought this one.  Stainless steel.  Bought in Bremerhaven  Deutschland.  That is where Erich was born I will add.  He had to travel as an infant with us all over Europe.  We gave up and returned to the States. His passport shows him at 18 inches in height. His picture is adorable.  We got it stamped for him in various Countries. 

I got all my wrapping down yesterday.  WHEW! My cards are mailed. There will be electronic ones as well.  

Going to go bake a potato.  

You Know What They Say...

 They say, "if this is the worst that can happen to you, you have it made".

True.  But:

You go buy some nutmeg and while it is THE brand name of spices, the top will not open so as to remove their seal.  I will call the 800 # because I hate the drive going back...finding another container, standing in line again, and all that!  Then, when I got home, I was going to have a smoothie for lunch.  I got the new half-gallon of milk out and the lid would not budge.  The containers for water and milk are manufactured so thin as to be almost as squeezy as a plastic bag, for pity's sake.  So, here I am with a rubber thingy to give me a grip on the edges of the milk cap. using all my might to get THAT lid off.   But holding the milk container forced milk up and onto the counter and floor when the lid finally came off.  Had to clean that up.  Then, I opened a can of Dole pineapple chunks.  Son of a gun if the pull tab on the lid didn't come off the lid into my hand!  All you can do is find a bowl..turn the can upside down in it to let whatever juices "eeped" out, to go into the bowl....and try to use the can opener on the other end.  Finally got that done.  Then, started measuring milk and chocolate syrup.  The lid like to NEVER have come off the Hershey's syrup!  

What in the name of common sense is going on today?

Somehow I lost a baby spoon from Germany that I used to feed Erich.  When he was finished with it, I have always used it.  Wherever we moved to, that spoon came along.  I used it faithfully because it fit my hand and my mouth perfectly.  I ate ice cream etc with it.  I have had it all this time and as of yesterday, it disappeared.  I even went through the trash trying to  find it.  I have opened drawers, taken everything out and cleaned too -since I had done that.  No luck.  It does make me very sad.  I had just given thought to putting it up for always.  Now I have lost it and it is hard to bear. 

Bad 24 hours is what I am trying to say.  But as the title expresses...if that's the worst thing... etc. 

Gotta get into the tub  to clean it as it's far easier that way with my short arms and short self...and clean the tub.  I'll be in my skivvies- so you can't supervise.  

Sweetest thing.  

Dee-lish-us!

Guys..I got a hankering for a Big Mac yesterday.  Haven't had a Big Mac Attack in a LONG time.  I succumbed to such an attack probably 5 years ago, and I was very disappointed by what I got.  Then, it had been even longer since I had had one as I don't eat junk food any longer...well...I DO have Krystals when my middle boy visits.  He can't wait to get over there as there are no Krystal's in Charlotte.  (Steamed little burgers, steamed bun, diced onion, mustard and a slice of dill pickle)  They are addictive, I swear.  Back to the Big Mac!  I got home and unwrapped it and Land O Goshen (old cartoon saying)--Snuffy Smith) it was just deliciously dripping with "special sauce" instead of being as dry as the Sahara desert as it usually is here in this town...why I quit stopping there for lunch.  (this town serves the dryest ANYTHING there is in it's many fast food places..horrible!) So, it was just so delicious looking with the sauce leaking out...it was hot...not warmed by that infernal light...plenty of lettuce was falling out.  What a delightful mess.  I sat at my table with the plenty of napkins supplied and loved every luscious bite.  It was all over my hands (and I am fastidious) and many bits  and sauce drops dropped onto the plate.  I ate them all.  Gathered them with my fingers.  OH, that was so good!  WHAT a treat!!  Made the rest of my day! 

Hired the leaves to be done by pros.  My lawn man quit with no notice.  These guys were faster than Superman!  They had the BIG industrial blowers...and you may imagine my yard with giant trees woods.  The front and side yards were pretty covered but my back yard was  close to knee-high in leaves.  I have a chainlink fence around the immediate yard that was installed to keep the kids in.  My land goes all the way down through the woods to the Co. line.   The leaves are many many! They got it done.  I gave permission to open the gate and blow them into the woods. 

This is my area all the way down to the Co.line. These leaves are blown into the yard.

Well, come one..get in the car.  We're leaving. 

The Day After

 This was a delightful easy Thanksgiving for which I am more grateful than what may come across here.   

Nothing marred the gathering.  No overt sadness, just gratitude for being together.  By the way, the all kids were talking about high school teachers and memories.  They were funny enough that even I, not a participant with them, was laughing.  Sitting around talking is a singularly wonderful thing. 

The turkey was tender (sorry, Tabbies) and the dressing was moist to a perfect degree.  I made the cranberry sauce myself so it was good too.  The mashed potatoes were amazing.  I can't make them that good anymore.  All my self-indulgent bragging about the two desserts were well founded.  My goodness, they were good.  I am tired of desserts now though, and  I will happily go back to my more spartan diet.  The gravy and rolls were perfect too.  Had to give my DIL credit here with everything except what I brought. 

I hope your day was perfect.  That it was warm, there were sunpuddles for you to enjoy, and that perhaps you joined the many others including me and the boys, taking a walkie after the feast.  Strong sun, very cool.  Just the boys and me.  The youngest wanted that walk with just us. Christi and James didn't mind a bit.  Erich was missing from us, but not our love for him.

Today, the sun is just breaking thru the mist.  Going to be nice.  Colder'n who dunnit out there though. 

Before I go, I want you to see my new tongs!  Katie showed them but you may have missed them.  (of course they won't be used except maybe a cookie.)

Bizzy Bizzy

 Well sir, I just finished the homemade coconut cream pie.  I think I totally outdid myself and I don't mind saying so.  (as usual.) I could not wait to see what the filling tasted like as I got ready to pour it into the pie shell.  After getting as much as possible into the shell, I was able to scrape the pan, and oh boy...I could hardly wait to get the first scraping to taste.  WHOA NELLY!  Good, I reckon if I say so myself.  (Which I do say so at every opportunity I can create!!)

It's to serve my middle boy as he arrives late into the evening.  It will be raining there, along the way, through the mountains and here.  He deserves as large a piece(s) as he wants.  Me too, of course. 

I have a doctor's appt. at 1pm this afternoon.  I can't see my DR.  so it will be an NP.  I want to have my eyes assessed and I hope to request 6 more tablets of antibiotic.  I will see the eye Dr.  however 4 December.  I hope this is over.  

We are going to have Thanksgiving at my youngest's home.  So looking forward to that.  I'm making a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting to take with us to their home.  Staying away from much of the coconut cream pie will be harder than not eating too much cake.  One can always have chocolate cake but the pie means some real work.  I'll probably be like Katie and roll on the floor trying to purr after the first forkful. 

I wish I could make some of both desserts for each one of you.  I am grateful for your friendship and caring.  How wonderful if we would be able to sit together and have a good meal,  a delightful dessert, and talk...the thoughts of all of us, twining together in a sparkling imaginary cloud over our heads.  We'd talk for hours.  We already actually do know much of one another.  Our cats and dogs, and just we ourselves can't keep our personalities away from what our pets say each day.  I have found that true as each time I have had the good fortune to meet and sit with one of the blogging family, there is no strangeness.  Not on my part at least.  Goodness knows how I strike the other blogger.  They may be reeling as they head to their vehicle and holding their heads.  

Rain. T'ain't Much But It's Better Than None *revised w/translation at the bottom*

Trying to get up the nerve to go out in the misty rain.  I am such a wuss about getting my hair all frizzed out.   Wear a hat, say you?  Yeah, but.  That's better than total frizz, but still, if I had my druthers...which I do not, I would have nothing up there.  You know the old saying.  If that's the worst you have to have to deal with, be grateful.  It isn't, but I am. (grateful.)  My knees are coming along nicely as is my eye.  At least I have not posted pictures of my eye so I did have a care not to make you shudder.  I chronicled its look each day so the Dr. could see its progress if he wished.  I have a follow-up on Monday as it is still there, however, it is a minimal problem now. 

I made one heck of a great, moist pumpkin bread yesterday.  A different recipe. I still have over 3/4th of it.  I wrapped it tightly and placed it in the fridge. Took a good serving to my stylist at the salon. 

Katie wrote quite the blog a few days ago about me.  Well, both she and I co-wrote.  But the night before last, she absolutely punished me to the max!  She crossed the Rubicon (the barrier I reset against her landing on my head all night) and...absorbed all the heat my head had to offer all night while settling her rear on my shoulder joint,  until I woke up at 3 with pain there...and tried to shoo her back. 

You all know, well, some of you do anyway,  that I am from and live in the South. 

I found this next on a local online place for us here in my city.  Loved it, because it is completely true.  While at work in my particular career, I used many of these  I will show in a minute here, and so much more while supervising, and in other circumstances where I could.  Comes naturally.  But, I know when it's not appropriate of course.  This made me laugh when someone posted it on the local page. 

For non-Tennesseans, here's a translation.  

Q.  Did you eat?  

A.  No.  Did you?  You want to?  Alright, Let's go.

Howdy!

 Here again and waiting to get better.  Have an eye problem and wish it was over with.  Maybe in another week.

I was experimenting with my boy's 50 mm lens a while back.  Thought I would show you a few.  With that lens....there is no adjusting the lens to bring things closer as with my usual lens (which was out for repair... $$$$$$$$$$$. You get a closer picture by walking up to whatever you want a closer view of.   I have shown you at least one photo maybe here or on FB one, but here are a few more.  I ran across them last night.  

I have slowly but surely having a railing put up on my small side porch by the carport.  We all use that door more than any and a rail is badly needed/.  I have had a tumble occasionally for the past 25 years  Friends are always complaining about that entrance and I hurt my knee (again) there a week ago.  That did it.  I started casting around to find someone to build a rail.  My DIL volunteered her brother.  

Here you are!  

I cropped the picture you see just above this one.  

Lilies

 I thought to post the business part of the red lily in my yard.  I had several.  I have a wider angle too that I can include.  The header picture is what I termed "business end." Pollen. 

I am trying to get myself together for going out.  The day is beautiful-- chilly sun at 46 degrees F.  By the time I am actually ready to step out onto the day, it will be in the mid 50's.  It rises quickly, several degrees per 20-30 minutes.   I prefer the chill.  I am among the few. 

Here is the full view of the Lily.  (I think you know that without my helpful telling!  Heeeeee.) 

Thought I'd say that I am still watching the original Chuck Norris "Texas Rangers." Love that show, but now I have seen them all.  So I am watching re-runs of re-runs.  :-)   I have no interest in the knockoff Rangers better known as a re-boot.  None at all.  Once I have seen the real thing...that's it.  Ain't nobody like Chuck Norris.  Back when they started the re-boot of Hawaii 50, I gave it a chance.   As soon as I saw how they worked in all the "warrior" females and changed the general storyline to featuring them, with their "incredible" acumen, sex appeal of course,  and effort, I quit.  That cured me, though it shouldn't have, of even watching/trying just one episode of another re-boot featuring another popular series.  They rarely succeed.  But apparently, the big studios don't get the message.  

Sitting here espousing my attitude (ain't it though??) of the changes in TV shows...men are seen as useless and women are the ones guiding everything to perfection...I just don't bother.  I watch the re-runs of re-runs and read.  Or leave for the day.

This is one of the rare times I know I will offend someone, probs female, with my opinions.  Usually, I have no idea I did, until it's too late.  :-)  As a strong lady till present days, I don't need  TV reassurance as to my worth.  Now...I'll go pretty up to sweep as many people as I can off their feet in the nicest sort of way.  (no one ever accused me of not loving the fellers) 

XXOO

Whatta Day!

 Forty-five degrees F by the time I was able to get out of the house.  PERFECTION for walking.  I wish all of you had been with me.  You would have LOVED it.  Oh... and reference walking or any activity...I decided against using my knee pillow last night when I went to bed.  The mattress & boxspring are so comfortable- and after having taken the pillow out from under my knees the day before, so as to get up for the day, I found myself lying there in total comfort.  Last night I decided not to use it.  

I can tell you that getting out of bed was faster than it has been in a LONG time as there was not much back pain to speak of.  Got down off the bed (it is high) and I walked perfectly normally away from the bedroom.  Usually, I walk like the hunchback of Notre Dame the first minute up.  I was astounded at how much it appeared that the pillow was causing pain.  I will try again without it tonight and after that...Katie gets it.  At the park, I took off like a racehorse and never let up!!! 

Here is today with me...you just missed it.  Next time you hear me hollering, for you, come OUT! 

I am making vegetable beef soup too. I just put in the potatoes and carrots, green beans, and assorted mixed vegetables.  I  do have a pound and a half of stew beef in there.   Hurry up if you're going to be here, spoon in hand.  I have crackers too.  It'll cook for close to another hour, then...we'll let it rest a while and then we'll  eat it.  

1800...OK? 

Hm, The Plot Thickens

 By golly, it's a plot.  Has to be.  

I  have called Homley Despot three times in four days asking when the installer for the blinds might be here.  The first time was interesting,  The person who spoke with me after a hundred and four years waiting for her to pick up said she allowed it to "fall through the cracks" and that no one was coming.  Good thing, thought I, that I called!  Now this is from September 2.  She said she would put me on his list of installations.  

Nothing happened so I called for the third time yesterday...waiting a l-o-n-g time for someone to answer..and I was able to ask for the installer to call and say when he might be here.  He did!  Hours later, he did.  Now I have to wait till the end of the month.  He said he may... emphasis on may, squeeze it in on the 16th.  He'd call.  So already well over a month's wait...going on two months. 

Found to my embarrassment I spelled "vertical" wrong every single time in the last blog.  Every time.  I knew something looked wonky, but didn't look it up. Now typos, I am the Queen of those!  All people and certainly kitties are well used to that through the years but I don't often misspell. 

Get to go wrangle with City Farmer this noon.  Sigh.  Hate bothering to go in.  I have had all the contention I want for the past several weeks.  I got, as I mentioned last blog, a strange paper describing my house totally wrong.  The agent I spoke to (mine was on vacation) was a bit snarky. So, best to go in.  (I'm superb at snarking back.)

I just glanced at the time.  I'm still here in my nightgown (pretty as it is) and I believe I will get up and start the day.  Good grief! 

This was taken in the wetlands near me.  I was introduced to what chiggers are!  The backs of my knees...oh!  I hope never to go through that again. 

This is a closer upperer of the above picture. 

Waiting..But Not for Godot

(Just went through and corrected as many placements and other type errors as I could spot.  I am always in too much of a hurry when I hit"publish".) 

 Got me something new.  I have always to this point had an inkjet printer.  One thing I have unfortunately found true is the horrifically expensive ink... about the same cost as the lesser HP inkjet printer itself.

This in turn has caused many customers to just buy a new printer when the ink needs to be changed.   I just put terribly expensive (2) inks into my printer a week or so ago.  After only maybe five printings, and this is true---the black print was already gray!!!  I could not have printed more than 5 sheets worth when this happened, really.  I got a new printer alright!  I got a laser printer.  It comes with 6 free toners.  

I called an hour ago to Homely Despot to see what the hold up was on installing my verticle blinds and I was by told the person I was speaking to had failed to tell the installer that the blinds were shipped to me instead of to him, the installer.  Hence NO one was coming,  But she promised to tell him to get me on the schedule.  So...after a month, I am still in quasi-dark with the dead verticle blinds. Homely Despot...you can "eat dirt and die" as the kids say around here...before I spend major money there again.  

They are the ones who did a superb job, probably 10 years ago, completely renovating my kitchen, floor to ceiling, in the 4 days I was off work.  Tore the entire thing out...removed it all...had to move appliances too of course, and everything was replaced with new appliances, even the sink, and all the counters and wooden cabinetry and its hardware.  Making new electrical connections for the over-the-stove microwave...new plumbing.  Did an amazing job.  Those days are gone.  The floor was last...on the day I had to sleep/nap from noon to 3:30 so as to allow me to leave at 4:30 to report for the 13 hr. midnight shift.  They gotter done though.  They had a great way of doing business back then.  

Katie is asleep behind me where and when I need to do aerobics  I have to wait until she wakes.  She was mashed into her soft cushy but slightly too small beddie  She sleepily gets out and stretches asleep on the floor till she's un-cramped and then, gets back into her beddie again.  If it takes too long then I am sunk under the sink till she gets up or I have to wait till tomorrow.  

Thanks for allowing me to vent yesterday or so about the two businesses.  

I rarely get pee-ohed anymore but when I do, it sure is easy to see you made me mad.  :- )  I didn't get this red hair and freckles for nothin'! 

Bee carrying pollen in his cargo britches! 

This Should be a Do-Over Day

 This has been a bad day.  Three times already.

It could have been worse.  The house coulda caught fire..I coulda had an accident...I coulda gone to my reward...but instead, I got to go round and round with: 

A.  Homely Despot  B. CityFarm.  ( Both are spelled that way on purpose) 

  Those who know me on FB know about the Homely Despot problem.  That particular thing was finally resolved with two "crisp" phone calls from me and a personal visit there as well.   But the blinds still aren't installed.   The other wrong thing was...  I saw by today's mail that my house was insured for a VERY large amount of money and the home described seemed not to be mine.  I even supposedly had an attached two car garage.  The square footage was five hundred sq. feet larger than I have.  There were other discrepancies as well.  I called,  and since I was already not a happy camper, I wasn't with them either as I detected a slight snark on that end.  

No one who reads my blog here ever worked with me, so no one here knows I am not a namby-pamby by any means.  But on FB there are colleagues who as such, know me. 

To top things off so far, I got the County tax bill...whewwww! I always pay by return mail. So it's ready to go out.  

Something just went right!  The maintenance that comes twice a year for the heat and air is here.  YEA.

Worse still I bought some iced cinnamon buns for company tomorrow...huge ones...dripping with cinnamon and icing, and I ATE ONE! Big as my two fists together!  My stomach did not like that richness.  It isn't used to it. 

arboretum

My Arm!

 Good grief!  My right arm is full of bloody scratches, dried blood, scabs, from that poor girl only reaching her paw toward me to pat me only---just pat me lovingly.  Her claws are so long.  She is not extending her claws, they are just ridiculously long.  When you are napping under a heavy solid oak bed, even though it is not in fear...it is only your fave place, your mom can't get you to the PTU.   There's no one to help head her off at the pass.  I made an appointment for her at 1515 tomorrow.  Good luck with that, Mom she murmured.  She loves resting her paw on my face, even my mouth while she's getting lovins in the bed on my chest.  Now, I wince because I might get a puncture.   But I'll try. They charge just over $25.00 a trim at her hospital.  That's highway robbery.  NO one charges like that anywhere else.  But I pay it to keep from being shredded.  

Couldn't go anywhere with anyone to celebrate today, but I did go out.  Katie mentioned what happened on her blog.  Unfortunately, I must not have slept well because in the early afternoon, I accidentally took a half hour nap.  I feel great, yes, but I avoid ever doing that..until today.  I'll pay for it by lying awake in the bed.  I hate that.  

Wish me great great luck getting a small girl off to the v-e-t tomorrow. 

It is beautiful today.  Aren't the clouds graceful? 

Hoo Boy

 Well, The middle boy will be here tomorrow night, and leave Sunday midmorning for Charlotte so he will be ready to head in to school Monday morning.  Can't wait to see him.  We will meet the youngest one at a restaurant in The Big City and have such in my honor...we'll all return to our place..Bruce of course with me.  We'll watch the football game we hope IF we can stream it. I just have antenna TV.  I have Roku too, but...we'll see what we can do.

Going to make chicken fingers for us for supper.  A recipe.  I'll let you know how they turned out.  Hoping for crispness.  We'll have mashed potatoes with that, and shelly beans. 

Washed this red hair this morning with Katie's assistance.  Got it combed, fluffed and ready to go after a while, and headed to the grocery store. If I say so myself it looks good!   I got what I needed for supper Saturday night but I forgot to look for more savory salmon pate for you-know-who.  

I never bought anyone pate hardly ever, but bought some of the salmon pate last week.  She actually licked her bowl clean as a whistle for breakfast.  I have never seen that happen...ever.  When I gave her the other half can for supper, it got down to the crumbs and she did what any kid would do!  She reached her paw in, scraped it across the traces!! and licked her paw!  I have never ever seen any cat of mine ever lick the bowl white as new...and take her paw to sop up anything left. 

Maybe she's watched me with bread and gravy when I have been  sopping.   I can make me some gooooood fried chicken gravy, and really, any gravy worth sopping up.  I try to do the more lady-like thing and eat bread and gravy up with a fork.  

We had important company one evening for supper when the kids were very young.  The son I will  mention was about 8.  I had cranberry sauce on the table too with fried chicken, & all the rest.  Came time toward the end of the meal when one of the boys picked up the cranberry sauce dish, got the last piece, and then, tipped the bowl  to his mouth and licked all the juice that was left in the bowl.  There were some  major gasps coming from me and his father when he did that, believe me.  Embarrassing.  We spoke about it then and later at bed time.    

I'm smiling right now, remembering. 

I saw this in Facebook and LOVED it! 

 

Google slipping some...

 Google used to be pretty good at catching spam comments.  Now, they just show up any ol' time.  I get maybe one on this blog every week or so, and Katie gets one a little less often --but she does get them.  I tend to that immediately.  The longer you wait, the more time they have to use your site.   I see them when I am visiting us guys here in the Blogosphere, and the CB one as well.  I am always surprised that some of us in the blog family don't get rid of them.   Here lately, I got a comment from a lady of the evening inviting me, the blog owner to come to her/his/its blog.  Um, just no.

Hotter than whodunnit out there well, it seems that way because of the humidity.  It is actually only 82.  I just came back from the drugstore and it felt wonderful in here...albeit darkish from the broken blind.  Darned thing. 

Strangely, I'm not eating a whole lot.  Nothing appeals.  Odd.  Not going hungry...just same old same old...and not the most nutritious though no sweets and no junk food.  Hope those amazingly good cinnamon donut holes stuffed with custard stay away from me.  Twelve came into the house.  I ate a total through the day of five!  They were left here and I had to steel myself to throw them away.  

My youngest and his wife have gone to AZ for a week.  Her aunt is staying with my grandson so he can attend school.  They have sent me such fantastic pictures,. The great Crater, formed from the giant meteorite.  The Petrified Forest,  the Grand Canyon,  just all the fab places they can get to.  They flew there and rented a vehicle.  I forgot to ask the temps.  The sky there is as dark blue as a crayon! 

Me, I was sick before they left and we know that story.  Lasted about 5 and a half days.   But it's over.  It wasn't covid or flu but it pure beat me to death and stomped me as well! It was one of the worst pains in all of my joints and muscles that I have ever experienced and...many other symptoms as well.  I could do without a return.  Fever too.  Whoopty-do. Had a lot of company before, during, and after.  No one is sick.   This picture is a dear and sweet one.  

Have a wonderful rest of the week, all of you.  XXOO 

An Historic Day of Sadness

 It is as beautiful a day today as it was on September 11, 2001. 

I will never ever forget this nor will my sons.  It affected me personally and regarding my work.  

I have several other things I would like to write, but in today's day and time freedom of speech is not guaranteed any longer.  

I remember that three or four hours after this horrible event I had to leave the house for a brief time- and it was eerie seeing deserted streets.  No cars coming or going but mine.  I remember seeing gasoline prices rising here in town (everywhere else too) rise to $3.00 a gallon.  From what...probably $1.50 or so.  Greedy station owners wanting to cash in on the tragedy.  They almost all lowered the prices back after a day or so, in shame.  I had to take the oldest home so he could go to work and that was when the plane went down in Pennsylvania.  I heard it all on the car's radio as I drove along taking him home. And the Pentagon...what happened there.  

 I got home as quickly as I could and for 4 days and nights, I hardly moved from the TV when I was able to be there.  I had to go to work. 

I took a photo of a newspaper picture.  Here it is.  You must look closely and you'll see the face. 

I saw it on television and it appeared in the paper as many others saw it too. 

United States of America, it said.

 I have already written about this today on FaceBook.  I said there, that there is nothing that makes me more eager to answer my cell phone than seeing the United States of America on the caller ID.  SURE I feel obliged to pick it up and answer it! Jerks.  I did listen to the voicemail.  It was very low-pitched and indistinguishable.  I do know at the end I head "asap".  So they wanted me to call asap. I'm just busting to call! 

Gotta get my face on.  I'm moving awfully slowly.  I did get my hair washed and soon I will hot iron it.  

Katie, for a month now is spending almost all of her time at the corner of the bed, underneath.  She sleeps with me, but during the day, no more time in her tree, in her bed, or in her PTU.  On the couch back..hardly get her to come out to lay on me.  Or watch her baby shows.  She is eating well...using the box just the way she should.  She seems loving when I swoop down and get her on my lap. She leans her head back for LOTS of kisses on it again.  Tilts her face, so I will smooch the cheek area and the whisker humps.  More head kisses. Bunches.  Then down to enjoy petting and snuggling.  I don't know why he has taken to going just under the bed.  She is paying attention to Chuck Norris, Texas Ranger.  For a while now she's a fan..  OH OH!  For a long long time now, she always twines her tail around my forearm while I brush her when she is on my lap or doing the monorail on the tub edge.  I consider that a hug.  What do you think? 

Just found out.  Stay away from milk if you aren't feeling the best.  

The bed is up to my waist now!! And I need the stool to get in.  I feel so silly. 

Hi ho, Hi ho, It's to the Grindstone I go...

 Doing all the little things that add up in time spent.  

Walked into the kitchen yesterday and some unknown force made me open a terribly--no, really-- horribly messy and somewhat dirty after not cleaning it out in forever, drawer.  

Man.  I opened it.. slid the garbage can under the open drawer and started taking things out.  I threw a lot into the trash, but the things I laid out to go over did not escape.  I whisked out the (large) drawer's bottom, lined it, and put in the things I knew were important in my go-to & next to the stove drawer.  The papers..wax, parchment,  aluminum, cling, etc etc.  went bacl.   Then the two ragged and yucky looking thick potholders I kept until I can find some equally thick, went back in. I threw all the rest away.  I was looking at thick holders and mitts today...$8.99!  WHAT?  Say again?  HUH?  What?  The heck I will! 

Threw out a LOT.  More than I kept.  Then I got on my step stool and cleared off the fridge top again.  Did that last month so it wasn't too bad.  But, I got rid of 6 no longer used or wanted placemats.  Kept only 4.  

Another drawer where the cough drops and the peppermint patties are, and the graham crackers packet opened that I'm eating on...I am about to go open that drawer with the trash can under.  

Cleaned and changed out her litterbox, and a bunch of other of that type of thing that has to be done routinely. 

Did I tell you I finally bought a new box spring?  The mattress is only several months old...maybe 6 months.  It is so thick and heavy and the space isn't too welcoming in that room, that my DIL helped me rotate it and I saw again how horrible that 35 yr. old boxspring was.  Dirty too. Went the next day, paid the two dollars for a new one and it was delivered last night at 1800 hrs.  I will tell you. I have not ever slept that well in a hundred years (I declared to myself when I rose.)  And Katie, once she got on it, (on HER side too.) did not budge a centimeter.  She stayed there dreaming for close to three hours in the evening well before bed.  

We both, me & Her both say that poor sleeping surfaces, even a box spring, make a huge difference.  I'd invite you to try it, but that would be awkward.  😀😉😎 So...we'll let me just say it was delightful. 

Just finished my workout...came in here.  I'm hungry so I'm going to have something to eat. OH!  The bed is so high now, that I have a 10" stool to help me into it.  Seriously!  I'd take a pic of the bed but the new bed skirt isn't on it yet so my stuff shows under the bed.  The mattress is so heavy and awkward that I need help moving it so I can put the new bed skirt on it.  

What's up with you? 

My Fall Colors...but Last Year.

Out front of the house.  Did not add color.  Sky was that deep on that day. 

 Hi Guys, wanna see where I live..the Fall colors I mean.   These were done  Fall of last year.  Not time for Fall color here yet.  

By the way, washed my hair this morning; and I should be hired (I'll charge a LOT) to be a Rainmaker.  I can't wash it, that I don't need to go out as soon as it's done.  It's long...and the damp gets in it, flattens it down, and makes it frizzy.   It may be nice weather out there when I have to wash it.  The rain comes down like a minor miracle as soon as it's styled and I'm ready to roll!  Just sayin'.   Here's my little 45 second "movie".   See my "movie" here for you.  Called My Fall Color.

My Fall Color

Hooray Hooray, It's Surely Another Day

 Well, here's an example of humidity here at the ol' homestead.  Biggafy the pictures...

Mom's and my bedroom

Visiting Brovvers Bedroom

Another Window in That Room

It's like breathing a glass of water outside when you are out there.  Middle picture shows the water rivulets running down.  The outside temp was 75 overnight. This pic was about 0630.

I had an awful nightmare last night that made me call out several times.  Last call... I heard it as I woke.  My goodness.  Katie was still on the bed and came to my head and purred hard for a few minutes.  

Anyhoo, I'm dressed, and looking decent, and let's roll!  

Here it Comes!

 I was reading a blog I enjoy every time I go there.  It is I Have Three Cats.  I feel as though I have been there at the CozyApartment through the author's excellent writing brimming with description and love for his charges.  Today he spoke of seasonal changes as I had in mind to do as well here, so I would not bother Katie.  (You know how she is)

The day before yesterday, I left the kitchen door on my way to my vehicle- and I stopped not intending to, to gaze at the sky.  And I stood longer than I meant to, looking at the beautiful sky, but mostly observing the sun, where it was in the eastern sky at the time, and how its light appeared to me.   It was definitely a harbinger of Fall.  It was hot and humid outdoors, but I could see Fall is beginning to pick up speed in a manner of speaking.  The particular shade of blue in the sky spoke of approaching Fall and the slant of the sun's rays absolutely told me that Fall is near.  

I stood there for additional moments, slightly uncomfortable in the humidity and warmth, but unable not to enjoy the fresh taste of the morning air... the almost grosgrain ribbon-like blue of the sky, the unmistakable slant of the sun's strong rays.  Fall, without a doubt.  

So glad.  I found I was standing there smiling with my bare teeth hanging out as my Dad used to say.  (It always made me laugh when he said that.)  It was always preceded by "Well, don't just stand there with your bare teeth hanging out!"

Miss him still.  I always will.  He has said several things that were peculiar to him alone.  Others may have said the same, but I have never heard them.  I remember him remarking while we were in the car and he was taking us on a trip and he noticed the moon shining at noon or earlier "They forgot to haul in the moon!"  And his rather louder exclamation if something surprising and of course unexpected happened, "Great day in the morning!" Lastly, I just recalled his greeting when I came downstairs in the mornings as a little girl...(all of these remembrances are from when I was young) "'About time you got outta that haystack." We are Southern and we have our ways.  

I ought to tell you one day about the time Dad invited the next-door neighbors for supper when we had to be in NJ  for his work; and though they liked us very much, they found the choices of menu beyond the pale I guess.   They even questioned the fried apples, never having heard of such and disliked the taste as they were absolutely not dessert type...meaning they were unsweetened. except a spoonful of sugar sprinklerd on top as they cooked.   Only someone brought up here knows how to make them fit for supper. not dessert. 

Okay.   Running off at the keyboard. 

Jumpin Catfish!

 Jumpin catfish you all.  Seems like it's always something,  Not unpleasant...don't mean that.  Just my time is needed each day for some reason or other.  That's a good thing really.  There are meh stuffs to do too.  As  like my appointment to got see the insurance agent at 10 tomorrow is a pain. 

 But..I noticed on the horrendous high amount bill I just got on the house insurance which, the house,  is very modest (I never recovered from the amount on the car insurance for pete sake!!) that they have my roof down as from when the house was built in 1954.  I have replacement value for the house, and they'd give me $2.75 for the roof at that rate.  Not like I haven't told them 5 times through the years I have lived here!   Of course, that is when the house was built, 1954.  When we bought it a long time after that, who knew?  The roof has since been replaced several times.  Tornado damage each time. They probably have me down with the pitiful 1954 furnace that was still in this house when it was purchased.  Gonna try to get things straight.  New windows too...new kitchen, and new bathroom too.  You all saw the bathroom getting torn out and remodeled!  

Of course, my rate will go up but...best to attend to this.  Hope it "takes" this time.  They didn't discount for the burglar alarm system this time.  Good ol' State Farm.  I do have the most handsome agent in at least 10 States, I swear.  DIL says so too. 😜

Going in to read for an hour.  I do that each night when no one is here.  

Sitting and Waiting

 I am sitting here trying to be positive about being able to grab Katie and get her into her carrier and so on to the Vet for a claw trim.  I have had to cancel two out of three appointments as for inexplicable reasons, she has hidden each time.  That has not happened in all the years she has been with me.  Otherwise, she is totally normal here at home.  Only then.  You are keeping me company and holding my hand. 

Twice now, two days in a row I have had some odd allergic-type reaction to being in the grocery store.  Once , day before yesterday, it was intense itching on my right hand under the pointer finger fingernail.  I didn't think it would ever stop but it did by the time I got home.  I didn't know you could get an itch there!  Then yesterday an intense itch on the ball of my foot.   Both lasted maybe half an hour in total.  I take Allergra already for problems...but apparently, that isn't helping this new malady.  I looked it up...it would seem to be some type of allergy.  Any of you have this ever?  Today it is my great toe on my right foot.  Go figure!  

Meanwhile it will soon be time to try to gather up Miss K for her trip--- I hope! I will turn her carrier face up so I can drop her in (slowly) (I hope) 

Took these a few days ago.

Sure Do Wonder

 I just posted a comment on FaceBook about the Police and the Troopers always closing the interstate and highways, either half, or the entire thing because of accidents.  

That has come about in the past 10 years or so where they were never entirely closed for hours before.  In all these years we could squeak by on the edge of the road since the police are there anyway, why not now?  I am not referring to gargantuan wrecks of many trucks and vehicles scattered all over the road surface.  I am referring to one or two.  Around here, it seems standard practice to especially close the entire Interstate both ways for a wreck in one lane.  They used to say for the safety of the responders.  But that was never an issue before as police ARE there and used to direct the flow of traffic away from responders.  Now you sit there for 2 hours or more with traffic backed up for 8-10 miles.  Why? Because they can?

Katie refused to cooperate this morning and hid under the bed when I did nothing to alarm her. She just intuited that I was going to gather her up, though I wasn't even at that point.  For the second time, I had to cancel her appointment for a claw trim.  If someone else was here to close doors, I could have gotten her into the PTU.  This has become her go-to for the past three trips to the vet.   If it keeps up, no more trips to the Vet.   

If I can, next time I will lever myself under to take a pic of the floof! 

Nirvana

What is my nirvana you ask?  Shelled (or even in the shell) pistachios!  I ate half the small bag I just bought...close to 200 calories but until today I had no idea how packed with nutrition they really are!  I got something from Lose It about nuts and what nutrients are in each...and why we are urged to eat, within reason, all nuts.  They are "drenched" in good-for-you nutrients! 

One of my roses here which made a comeback finally after that horrendous freeze last January. 

 This is my brand new iWatch band.  I am a bee fan, always have been, and even though I have been stung on a few occasions, only hornets really REALLY hurt a LOT.  So, hornets...ain't no fan o' dem.  Bees, I am an absolute fan. Love my watch's new band. I may get the so-called "vanity" plate my State has with a bee and a purple flower on the license plate soon.  It encourages the conservation of bees.  And don't be afraid of them.  They are only going about their daily business and helping you much more than you realise.  That is only their wings you hear!! 

And please, should you see a swarm, just report it to a beekeeper. They are NOT going to come after you for pity's sake.  Me, I would call the non-emergency number of the police department and ask who the beekeepers are.  I will bet they know.  Not  911, now.  The non-emergency number. 

Be good, stay nice, and give someone outside the family a hug.  I'd run and get in line for one if anyone is giving them away.  :-) 

Oh My! I thought You Were a Lady!

 Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys, and Girls...the word is out.  I have shown my colors.  It would seem I am the perfect lady until you really torque my jaw.  Then..it's no-holds-barred.  And my jaw got torqued two times in two days no less!  1.  A loss, and... 2.  an expensive ink pen. 

You may know one of my boys passed away September 14th.   I got several snail mails from the University Hospital where he was always treated and always had surgery.  Moving on, they did not know he wasn't here any longer and sent a bill.  Not much.  Nominal. I emailed and told them what had happened.  They requested a copy of the certificate that I was given at the mortuary. They gave their condolences.  I mailed the copy of the certificate.  This has been repeated four times...each time with another request for that certificate--- which I will add hurts me every time I have to see it...and their promises that it would never happen again. Only to find it happened regularly once a month since March...once a month. 

I called after getting another bill a few days ago, I called and ripped them a new one!  More apologies.  I mentioned that this time he was threatened.  So...they have assured me (again) that it will cease.  If it doesn't I will go to the University in person.  NO one wants that.  I didn't have my career because I am soft and squishy.  😱   I know they can't do anything, as the person they are after is not here.  It's the principle of the thing and the sadness it engenders. 

Guy, don't feel you have to address my loss.  BUT,  if you have stories to tell about similar/differing things you have had to deal with after you have more than done your part -only to have a business or someone else continually ignore your explanations...etc etc.  It would be fun to see how many unknowing doofuses are out there that we have to contend with!  

The week is over, fellers, and I will have the dentist AGAIN Tuesday.  We just can't seem to git 'er done. 

You see this in FB?  LOVED it.  

Nightmare on East Drive!

 Jiminy gee Crickets and Toadstools, guys!  What a shocker this morning.

I got up, fed us both, took my time going through the blogs, answered some, and so on.  Still in a gown and looking pretty just-got-uppy, if I say so myself. 

I started after just over an hour to wash up, get dressed, and do all the rest of the female stuffs we do in the mornings.  Then, I went to clean out her epic works in the litterbox.  I saw something black and good-sized next to the car when I put the just collected bag of her works out for later disposal.  Standing in the doorway I noticed and I wondered if someone threw something into the driveway.   

I kept looking at it, it wasn't clearly identifiable as it was sorta sprawled out.  THEN, I really saw it.  It was my trifold wallet, black leather, sprawled open, and lying there in the driveway next to the car.  It had to have somehow fallen from my purse as I got out of the car at 2pm, wrestling with several other things I had to bring in. It laid there, wide open, in the bright hot hot sun since 2 pm yesterday.  Cars passing constantly, mailman...cats...  I went out there in my gown and picked it up.  My license and registration and insurance card and about 70$ were in there.  Even my coupons!! 😊 Whoa Nelly.  I was thankful for seeing it this morning.  Still am. I have never had that happen. 

 Once, in Walmart parking lot unknown to me of course, my iPhone fell out of my purse onto the meltingly hot paved parking lot. I was in the store, and what with everything including check out, a good half hour.  It was hot as a griddle when I  came back to the car, saw it and picked it up, thanking Goodness it was still there.  I took it home..looked up possible care of it, and let it cool.  Only then, I tried turning it on...it worked.  Two bad moments.  Oh..that reminds me.  I have found and picked up three phones this year so far.  I have always wondered why women put them in their back pants pockets where they only go in halfway, and walk around like that.  If the person happens to be more amply endowed, even more so likely to work its way out.  I always turn them into the office where I am going. 

I'm dressed, and have some Rive Gauche perfume on..(I am always perfumed...always). My face assembled, my hair combed..let's go out! Race ya to the car. 

Someone's in the kitchen with Mama!

Someone's in the kitchen I knooooooow! 

Just Thinking...(of Course).

One of the bloggers, Two Spoiled Cats in the CB, wrote her thoughts on a feature that is called "Sparks".  That is a thought that some of us present for enjoyment or contemplation regarding life and living that life.  

Here is that Spark.  

It set me to thinking as many of her chosen Sparks do.  I sent her an email saying what I thought after having read the Spark.  I hoped maybe you would like to read my thoughts too, and maybe tell us all some of your own. Go back in your memory...

Here in general is what I said:

I have thought of all that waste- or maybe I should call it newness and inexperience.  

During the time of growing up, you naturally don't have any experience in life yet,  with people of all ages.  You especially don't yet have enough give and take with people of all ages- not just teens or pre-teens as you are.  

Your life has been straightforward and always the same.  The only ripples are pop quizzes and a snarky classmate.  You always have those snarky ones to buzz like a hornet in your life.  And, did it snow too hard to walk to school? Can you get to the skating rink, and will that boy be there again this time to skate with?  Will we hold hands?  Will you know what to say to him if he is there?  My gosh, why do I feel this way, you wonder? 

Most importantly, you cannot understand or even think that you will not always be that strong, vigorous, physically perfect young person.  Of course you will always look this way.  Why, look!  You can stretch out your arm and see the flawlessly woven skin God gave you.  Of course you will always be strong, perfectly made, and a credit to your parents in school, and...someone to be reckoned with. 

You know with all your being that "that other" i.e. sickness, heartache, death, happens to other people.  Not to you.  You will always be this way you think.

I am smiling a little as I write remembering my younger self.  The jolts along the way to adulthood when life itself gave you that 'pop quiz' and usually, you failed it...but you learned for the next time... just in case it happens again.  It always did, you found. 

Many times Pam's choice of spark leads me on a short but good journey that I occasionally tell all of you. 

Lookit this!

 See? I have a wabbit!  He's learned too.  He became myopic from reading so much.  

AND Katie's brovver from NC found this in his yard.  

He, as does everyone else keeps a close eye on them, and watches for the Mom to come back.  This morning he sent a picture taken while on his walkie, of two moms and three babies.  I will post it, but I only see the two moms and one baby and possibly the leg of another.  See if you can make out the three babies.  Maybe they were  onlyvisible to him as he stood there.