Okay, I confess....

Lovin' this so much...deep in my heart!!!

2012-01-22T10:03:00.000-06:00

New favorite quote!!!

2012-01-22T10:01:00.001-06:00

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
― Thomas Campbell

Reflection...

2012-01-15T12:06:00.005-06:00

I find myself sitting here on the couch, just sitting. Mindlessly bouncing from e-mail, to Facebook, making a play on one of the many games of "Scrabble" that I have going rather than doing things I should be - homework, and housework.

Shame on me!!!

Now, I have been totally neglecting these things. I have done and submitted one assignment, I glanced at the online portion of my Spanish class. I have bagged up trash bin overflow, which made it much easier for my husband to take outside ;). I put boxes of cereal in the "cereal keepers".

You know, it seemed like so much more as I was doing it than it does seeing it written.

I am fast approaching the year of my 6th anniversaries - "6" years (in February) since I packed up my Grand Am and moved Florida to be with the most wonderful man. The man I married "6" years ago in June, hm...the 6th month of the year. Oh, wait lets not forget in may I will have been employed with the state for - yep you guessed it "6" years! Oh, wait since returning to school I have completed "6" courses. Our cat, Lucky, will be six years old soon.

I just glanced a a couple of blogs, you know the ones you stumble upon when you hit "Next Blog", and one that my sisters ex-husband kept. They both just set my mind to wondering back through the years. It is hard for me to believe that I have been in Florida almost 6 years. I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan. Aside from the house I grew up in, I lived in 6 other places. Of course all in the area I grew up. I sit here in the living room of the home I share with the most loving and caring man who did not give up on me, in Florida!

I do miss a lot from Michigan. Family, and friends, old haunts. But I still get to see them when we go back at the holidays, and during the summer. Eventually I will get the trek down to where it is organized and I visit and see more than I have.

With both my parents gone, it is tough. My niece and nephew now live in my mothers home. It's not the house I grew up in though, my mother bought it a few years after my father passed away.

In one of the blogs I was looking at she mentioned her "haven" was gone. That just kind of struck me. As much as Michigan will always be home, I don't really have a "haven" there anymore. Yes, there is a house there that I am part owner in, that has many of my belongings that did not make the trip down 6 years ago, or since then....where would I put it here? We live the land where houses have no storage...so...that is where my things are basically stored. Someday they and I will be in the same state. But they are just belongings.

My niece Julie, who has a huge piece of my heart. I love her like a daughter she is the other part owner of the house, and now that I think about it I guess I do have a "haven" she is my haven there.

Well, here is to 2012! Please let it be the year where I finally get myself organized. In a lot of ways I am still just spinning from the loss of my mother. When you my dad died, yeah it hurt like hell, and I missed him, and still do. But when your last parent dies it is just a great big double sucker punch! That I am having a hard time recovering from.

Thank you to my husband who has been patient with me, he knows that hurt as he has lost both of his parents as well. I sure wish I had gotten the chance to meet them, because of them, I am loved.

Okay, I confess, this was not written all on the same day...and it is quite a jumbled bit of writing. But, it has been a bit therapeutic.....so...thanks for listening.

Keep your fingers crossed - update ;)

2011-11-26T18:29:00.004-06:00

Well, the leftover recipe from my previous post turned out okay, it tasted like Thanksgiving again.

Super easy, which is always great. It was kind of like leftover lasagna. I did not cook it quite as long as I should have so...I had to scoop it off our plates and put it back into the oven.

So, if you opt to try it...cook it as long as it says.

Hm...what other leftovers could you do this with??

Keep your fingers crossed...it included almost all our leftovers ;)

2011-11-25T17:19:00.001-06:00

LAYERED LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING
CASSEROLE

Leftovers:

turkey
gravy
mashed potatoes
stuffing
green bean casserole
French Fried Onions

Grease a casserole dish that will fit the amount of leftovers you have. (I normally have to use a 13x9x2). Put stuffing as a bottom layer first, then place a layer of turkey. Put mashed potatoes (sweet and/or regular mashed potatoes; pour gravy over them.

Spoon the green bean casserole over potatoes and gravy, then top with French Fried Onions.

Heat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy! (Great for potlucks as well.)

Beards, beards, beards - part 2!

2011-11-25T10:46:00.006-06:00

Well, I must admit that I am amazed at how many hits my post about beards has received. Beards are pretty popular. Why is that? When you do a Google search for beards you could likely spend hours looking through the images. There are a few that jumped out at me in just a few minutes. So, is it creativity, individuality.

This one on the left, well, not just a beard thing for him now is it. My husbands theory on hair is "grow it while ya can" - this man sure is.

This one in the center, is this sideburns gone wild?

I find these curly ones especially interesting. That just has to feel weird to have something extending from your face like that. My dad had a cousin that always, and to this day has a mustache that he waxes into a curl.

This picture above is just a fun angle. I love it!

So, if ya have a minute someday and are looking for some amusement/amazement....do a Google image search for beards....it's worth a few minutes of your time.

Much too late to catch it on the big screen....

2011-11-19T10:31:00.004-06:00

but....I do think it would have been "big screen worthy".My current class is Spanish 1. It's a 4 credit class! It could be quite useful...that is if I ever get the hang of it. In class "La profesora" had us watch - "The Mission" with Jeremy Irons, and Robert Dinero (both looking so young). She had us do a research project on the Guarani, a native tribe in South America. The movie touches on the early days when the Jesuits tried to build missions and "save" the Guarani.

I highly recommend this movie. It touched me having just researched them, but, if it doesn't touch you....well...just think about it. Yes it is a Hollywood film, but it is based upon real people. You can catch it I believe on NetFlix, or if you have Amazon and can stream it.....do it.

We had to do a short paper on the movie, answer 2 questions. The other night in class "La profesora" said to me..."Janet, your paper was so good, I have never seen anyone who struggles so much with Spanish write so well in English" ;) I am choosing to take that as a compliment! ;)

Okay, I confess…I do tend to be a bit of a name critic.

2011-11-19T09:53:00.005-06:00

Okay, I confess…I do tend to be a bit of a name critic. On my blog I even have a “name of the week”…..well....it is more the name of…...until I change it.

On night my husband told me to look up the roster for the St. Johns basketball team. I’m a bit predictable for him. He asked me to read the names to him, I read the first one and then I paused…and he started laughing.

The first one, plain and simple and others are somewhat common. Ones you have heard before.

2011-12 St. John's Red

A couple, well, what were their parents thinking!!!!!

“God’s Gift”….yes a child is a gift from God of that I have no doubt. Why though name your child that? Surely you could find a name that means the same and go with that.

Sir’Dominic….well…makes me think the mother couldn’t decide what pizza she liked best when she was pregnant. “Sir Pizza or Dominos”, and his dad was “Nick”.

I don’t know what people think these days when naming their children. A name is really something that is pretty important. That child has to live with that name, and the harassment that it could bring.

I find it rather hard to believe that those two did not get picked on while they were growing up.

Sometimes I think that the hospitals give out “Boggle” games to expectant parents and they just shake them up and whatever comes out is what the kid gets stuck with!

I can remember sitting at the kitchen table with my dad one day. I asked him why they named us with such plain names. My oldest sister was named, Sally, the middle daughter is Judy and I am Janet. You can’t get much simpler than those names. His reply was “we named you what you were going to be called”.

My father is one of 9 children, and he is named after his father so he was called “Jack” rather than “John”. Of the 9 only my Uncle Lowell was never dubbed with a nickname, or called a shortened version of their name, or known by their middle name.

I wish more parents would think long and hard when naming their children. There is nothing wrong with giving your child a unique name, but, there is a difference between unique and “God’s Gift”…I would not want to be named something you can type into Google and get images of peoples tattoos with my name – I’m just saying!

So, thank you mom and dad, I love you and miss you both dearly and am grateful for my plain and simple name. Janet – “God is gracious”

Big screen worthy...maybe...maybe not....

2011-09-30T18:42:00.002-05:00

Okay, so, if you have read any of my post you know that we seldom go to movies at the theater. My husband has certain guidelines that deem them either "big screen worthy" or no....

My step-daughter was down from school and had decided she wanted to see "Lion King" in 3d. So, my husband being a huge fan of baseball had been thinking of going to see "Moneyball", with Brad Pitt so we went to see that and she went to her movie.

I actually liked the movie more than he did! Though, I did not know very much about the story behind the movie and my husband did. Maybe that made the difference. Maybe not.

Though I will say that though I liked the movie, it wasn't worth the money we spent to see it in the theater. It is so sad how much it cost these days for a family to go see a movie. There were three of us and it cost close to $70 to see the two flicks....and...that is not even in a nice movie theater, with comfy seats that recline back. Here in Ocala we do not have a nice theater to go to, don't get me wrong it is not the worst I have ever been to but it is far, far from a nice theater and so very far from giving the consumer bang for their buck.

Which, is pretty sad in an economy where people are giving up entertainment outside of the house to save money. Wake up Regal Hollywood 16 of Ocala, take a few tips from Celebration Cinema.....make more movies "big screen worthy"....even if the movie is so so at least if the theater is a good one it would draw more people!

So...all that being said it was good but...."Moneyball"....maybe...but....maybe not "Big screen worthy"....

Big Screen Worthy!!

2011-08-26T20:01:00.003-05:00

I have been remiss to mention a great movie that was deemed - "big screen worthy".

"Unstoppable" with "Denzel Washington" who I think is just a great actor. This movie it was like time stood still, it seemed longer than it was and it had you on the edge of your seat.

We went to see this in "The Villages", a retirement community south of where we live. It is one of my favorite places to go see movies, the theaters remind me of what they were like when I was a kid!

So, if you get the chance...check it out. It was big screen worthy, but don't miss out on it because it isn't in the theaters anymore....it is just plane screen worthy!

hair…hair…hair…where are the scissors?

2011-08-26T19:31:00.010-05:00

Okay, I confess, as I age I kind of look at guys with long hair differently. Boy, am I getting old. Often when we are watching sports my husband hears me pipe up and say ---

“he needs a haircut!”

My husband’s theory on hair is – “grow it while you can”. Me – “he needs a haircut”. Which having lived through the 80’s and big hair it is not like long hair is something new to me. I am not old enough though that I don’t remember the hippie era.

I don’t know why it is that I now think they should avoid lengthening their locks and just get it cut!

For some reason I feel the need to mention that my husband does his fair share of yelling out during a game though his is usually something like “WILSON”! When Wilson Valdez is up, or makes a good play. (which scares me almost every time!)

What do you think?

”Grow it while you can”? Or....run and find some scissors!

The paths you travel...

2011-08-14T09:35:00.010-05:00

I have come to think of life as being a series of paths.

I have many regrets in my life, have made poor choices in how to face something or what action to take. I’m quite sure that everyone has regrets they face.

I have not been known to choose what seemed at the time to be the best path to take, if I had done this I could be this by now. If I had gone there, instead of here it might have turned out better. It is one of the great mysteries in life….”woulda, coulda, shoulda”…if you do a Google search putting that in there is quite a bit that comes up.

How are we to know if our lives truly would have turned out better? How do we know we weren’t meant to be right where we are at each given moment?

Yeah, if only I had not taken a buy out from GM I could be close to retirement. Yeah, if only I had gone to college right after high school I would not have had to take as much math, and likely would be in a better paying job. Yeah, if only I had not trusted someone I would not have gotten burned. How many people really can’t say – “yeah, if only” about a few things.

Maybe there is some sort of cosmic fate that is in store for us each which guides us along the way. Maybe we really aren’t the ones making the choices…

“Robert Frost” makes one think about life with his poem:

“The Road Not Taken”.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I do think that life happens the way it does for a reason. I was fortunate to have had loving and supporting parents or my paths would have been bumpier.

I am thankful for the paths that led me to my husband. I did not marry until I was 42, which meant I missed out on being a mother, but, maybe I wasn’t meant to be one. I do have a beautiful niece that I love as a daughter. I have two beautiful step-daughters that I love very much. Maybe that is as much of a parent as I was meant to be.

This song by “Rascal Flatts” always makes me think of my life and my husband:

"Bless The Broken Road"

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

[Chorus]
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

[Chorus]
Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.

Life is a mystery, at times it can be a maze. We all find our way out of the maze at some point in our lives, and sometimes we just go back into it at another entrance. I have been mulling this over, and over in my head and I’m not sure if all this will make sense to anyone but me. If not than it is just a little exercise for my brain. I hope though that you are reading this and maybe, just maybe seeing some new appreciation for the paths you travelled.

more about movies....

2011-08-10T09:04:00.010-05:00

Aside from the movies mentioned in my last post we have also seen two others that were "big screen worthy" and we left the theater almost in awe. "The King's Speech", with one of my favorite actors, Colin Firth. His performance in this was wonderful. Writing this makes me want to go in and watch it - of course we bought it when it came out!

Another that was "big screen worthy" especially 3d worthy was, "Avatar" it really drew you in, the characters were great, and again we left thinking "wow, what a great movie". It too was worth of buying!

Last Christmas on our trek to Michigan for the holidays we saw a couple of great movies, "Red" - which left me wanting to be a CIA agent! "Due Date" - which left me a fan of "Zack (insert funny last name here)" who is was also in "Hangover" which my step-daughter's ordered for us. The previews for "Hangover 2" where showing while they were both here and they thought we had to see it before the second one.

"Hangover" was hilarious, I had sat down on a Sunday afternoon and watched it, opting not to wait for my husband to be ready to watch it and then later in the week he decided to watch it and I watched and laughed even more. Possibly because it was fun to see his reactions. No we didn't catch this one on the big screen, but, yeah it would have been "big screen worthy" - at least to me it would have been.

So....there you have it....more about movies!

Okay, I confess....it was better than I expected.

2011-08-09T09:40:00.006-05:00

When my husband said - "Emlyn would like to go see Cowboys & Aliens" I had a flashback to going to see "Piranha 3d".

We don't go to the movies often, in this household a movie must be considered "big screen worthy" to fork out the fortune it now cost to go see a movie in the theater.

My niece, Julie and I used to go to movies fairly often. Little harder now that we are separated by 1200 miles. So, these days I am glad when they find one they consider "big screen worthy" and go along for the ride. Sometimes I leave thinking - "oh god", sometimes, "hey, that was actually good", or "wow, what an awesome movie". Take a guess which thought was in my head after leaving "Piranha 3d" ;)

We had seen the previews for "Cowboys & Aliens" when we went to see - "Super 8" and I thought - "OMG - does that look awful". Well, I was wrong it was actually pretty good and it was indeed "big screen worthy".

Also big screen worth was "Super 8". This was one that my husband had wanted to see, this time I really didn't know much about the movie, I hadn't really remembered seeing any previews until we were having lunch before the movie...and...I wondered what I was getting myself into. That one was fun for me because it was kids growing up during the time I was growing up - minus the aliens.

As I go through life more and more I learn to open my mind. Of course I may be skeptical about things from time to time, but, I am more willing to say, okay, I was wrong...it was "better than I thought it would be".

So...which is more likely to be real?

2011-07-30T17:58:00.008-05:00

Hm, a leprechaun, a unicorn or.....a

honest politician...which is the true myth?

How lucky am I...

2011-07-09T12:19:00.007-05:00

I am married to a most amazing man. He is a loving and caring father to his beautiful daughters, Kendra and Emlyn, who I have no doubt are the amazing young women they are due in part for having his influence in their lives.

He is a thoughtful, caring and loving husband. I never dreamed that I could be so lucky to find someone to love me as much as he does.

He is an artist, with an amazing eye and talent for creating things in many medias, on canvas, in word. Our walls hold just a few things that are an example of what he can create. He can do such great things using Photo Shop and a couple of photos.

He has been researching a British children's book author, and has created a website through which he has reached out to others in ways I am sure he did not anticipate. His work has even helped people with their search for family information. Also through which he was invited to write an article for "The Croquet Gazette" a British publication.

Some people think of an artist as someone who paints pictures, well, my husband is living proof that an artist is so much more than that!

As a teacher he touches so many lives. I may be a bit biased but when we are out and about it is not uncommon for us to hear a child scream "Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams" with admiration and a huge smile which proves that he will be remembered....some of them were never even in his class, they just attend the school where he teaches! Sadly they can't all be placed in Mr. Williams 5th grade. The face on Leigh is an example of those happy smiles!

So, how lucky am I that he is the man that I love!

Words with big meaning...

2011-07-09T11:27:00.004-05:00

This semester in school I am taking “Introduction to Social Sciences”.

I am willing to bet I will learn more from the class than my letter grade will reflect. Which I guess could be said about any class that I take because I am so…NOT…a test taker. My husband will quiz me about something and it is like my mind goes blank! It could be something that I know stone cold.

It is not that the class material isn’t interesting, because it is very much so. It makes me see things in a different light. Many things I have never stopped to think of before.

When you think of the word’s “culture” or “society” you do not realize how much meaning there is behind them. I sure never did, most of it we actually take for granted.

We have studied the different ages, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age – it makes me how will people years from now define us in this day and age?

Sadly, I think they will see us as very narrow minded. We are a “me” society.

We have millionaire senators making the decisions that will affect the poor people. Heck, why do they care if we have to pay so much for gas, or groceries, or pay more into our retirement or, get a raise….or even loose our jobs? They want people lower down the ladder to take pay cuts to balance a budget…when they are making more than 3 or 4 of those people make all together! Are they willing to take pay cuts - I bet not!

Okay, I’m done with my tangent now. Back to what I was talking about…

Both words are so much of what we are, who we are, and where we live. They are such defining words.

Of course in a lot of ways it has become human nature to take things for granted…and…okay, I confess I am as guilty of that as the next person. I am hopeful that with each class I take I will move forward personally, if not professionally.

Beards...beards...beards....

2011-06-11T17:01:00.014-05:00

Okay, so, I confess there is no explaining what strikes me funny at times. One minute we are watching the Phillies play the Cubs and it strikes me that Matt Garza looks like an Egyptian.

Well, that sent me off on a search for a picture of an egyptian that looked like Matt Garza, and of course singing "walk like an egyptian" ( to myself, which I am sure my husband is grateful for).

So, what do you think? Does he look like an egyptian?

Of course, you stumble on a lot when you are a search....below too good not to share.

Willi Chevalier – 2001 Freestyle Full Beard World Champion

Wow, not sure what else to say....wow

Elmar Weiser – Windmill Beard

Jack Passion reigning World Beard and Mustache Champion

This is just a small sample of what can be found if you take a little of your spare time and do a google seach for "beards". Try it, I had fun!

Hey, I confess it was actually fun!

2011-06-06T18:41:00.010-05:00

Well, I have returned to school to obtain what - I don’t know. To expand my knowledge to earn a degree and move forward in a career. All that sounds good and yet I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. So as I swim through the pool of basics that are needed in any degree you pursue I am encountering some interesting things.

Two math classes behind me, I had to switch and take something other than math. I chose “Introduction to Social Sciences”. It sounded interesting, and so far has proven much more interesting than I had thought it would be.

We were given two options to earn extra credit. One of which my husband and I went too today. The train show at the local National Guard Armory and it was put on by the Lions Club, it is an annual thing.

We went in and having not thought ahead scrambled for the entrance fee/raffle entry. I’m not known for having cash on hand but I did happen to have a $10 bill, and my husband had two dollars.

What we were to look for I admit I am a little unclear on, the professor advised us to look for the “norms”. My twisted mind thought, I’m going to try and find a guy with the name “Norm” and take my picture with it and tell him – “I found a Norm does that count”. Alas I found no Norm. The closest I got was a “Neal”.

I was not sure what to expect, having heard two different experiences from people. Our experience had parts of both. We went on a Sunday afternoon, and one vendor told me that they usually don’t get a big turn out on Sunday. Aside from the vendors and the members of the Lions Club selling hotdogs and raffle tickets there were, maybe 50 people give or take. I would say the vendors were all of retirement age, although these days that varies since I work with officers that are 50ish and retiring. So let’s say most of the vendors were I would say mid sixties. All seemed quite friendly, although I would think it would to their benefit in effort to sell their wares. The ages rather varied of those attending the show. There were the young couples with their children. There were the diehard train collectors. There were grandparents with their grandkids. Of course couples like me and my husband, middle aged – ouch.

In a separate room they had a couple of trains set up running on tracks which was so fascinating. You could see on the faces of those running them and the many observing them that it was something that really held their interest. It was easy to see that train collecting is something that appeals to all age groups. As I was leaving that room it was actually touching to watch one young boy eagerly showing his father what he bought, obviously an interest that the father and son shared.

It was a vast variety of items, so many cars that brought to mind songs “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”, “Wabash Cannonball” or cars with names that you would see on a Monopoly board, "B & O Railroad". We both said “hey look at this” at least a couple of times.

I had actually forgotten that my husband has a train set, one he has had since he was a child. He used to put it up to run around the Christmas tree. He even made a purchase to add to that set. My husband will be 53, and that boy I saw showing his new found treasure to his father was about 12 so, yes I would say it is safe to say that train collecting appeals to a wide range of ages, young and old. Even the degree in which people are interested in trains, a mild interest in it, like mine pure fascination. To that of an avid collector who is a member of a train club such as The Ocala 3 Railers.
(The addition to my husband’s set)

I think this was meant to be a train kind of weekend my husband is in the kitchen making gumbo singing “The City of New Orleans” – as I finish this.

Pretty powerful word.....

2011-02-06T11:07:00.006-06:00

Sorry – what is the word sorry? I am starting to think it is the word that is used the most, which often takes away from the sincerity of the apology.

Or sometimes, we use it to take the blame for something, to berate ourselves. It is one of those words that can sooth, and when you don’t mean to or realize it the word can hurt, or sting.

I am guilty of overuse of the word that is for sure – sorry! I don’t think I ever realized how often I use the word until I married someone who says it as much as I do.

Don’t get me wrong, my husband is a wonderful and amazing husband. I love him more than words could express. He takes such good care of me, better than I take care of myself! A very caring and thoughtful person.

I have come to realize that though it really is a good word, over use of it is bad. Low self esteem is a tough thing to have, and saying sorry all the time for things just keeps that self esteem down in the dumps. It can, when said to another person who also has a low self esteem knock them down a peg or two, or send them to the travel agent of guilt trips.

Yep, it can pack a double punch!

If you put the word sorry into a thesaurus you get: apologetic, regretful, remorseful, repentant, sad, unhappy, glad (Antonym). Wow, I just put it in the dictionary and it has many uses, some good, some…not so good.

I just don’t know how to express how I feel about the word…at the moment it makes me sad. Most often people say the word to make you feel better about something, yet, sometimes it does not.

I’m going to resolve to stop using the word as much, and work towards striking it from my vocabulary. I often do not follow through with resolutions I make, so let’s hope that I am able to succeed with this one!

Stay tuned………

I have only myself to blame….

2011-01-30T19:51:00.006-06:00

Friday was just one of those days from – you know where. But upon reflection I realized that I really do only have myself to blame.

I was super tired when I woke up; I had taken a math test the night before which for me was pretty stressful. As I went about my usual morning routine I realized that I should get the trash out of the house as it had started to stink. I had scheduled for a salesman to come over after work to test the water and see about getting a water treatment system.

This is where the day started downhill, faster than an Olympic downhill race.

I had put my travel mug of coffee, and my glass of milk into the divided wine tote, that usually transports them to work quite nicely, on the counter.

That is when I decided to gather the trash.

As I am bagging up some loose items down goes the wine tote sending coffee spilling out onto the floor and spraying the dishwasher. I quickly pick it all up and grab paper towels to sop up the large puddle of coffee and get that cleaned up. I thought the Tervis tumbler with my milk in it was fine….key word thought. I went to pull that out and discover sadly that it was broken. It had been a birthday present from a couple of friends at work and I was saddened that it had broken.

Of course all this made me late for work, big surprise I know. I finished getting the trash out, left for work having decided to just stop and get some breakfast on the way.

I finally get to work a half an hour late and begin the rest of my day.

I emailed my teacher to find out the score of my test, I was not expecting a high grade as this chapter for me was difficult. I was disappointed to finally hear from him and be told that I had a score of 60, which is a non passing grade. Thankfully you get a chance to bring your score up by retaking it.

All of this being said, I really only have myself to blame.

Had I been more dutiful in taking care of the trash I would not have had to scurry and hurry on the way to work to get it taken out.

Had I been more diligent with studying for the test…I might not have to retake it.

I am so lucky to have my husband! He tried to cheer me up through the day, he called me and had his students wish me a good afternoon, and he ordered me two new Tervis Tumblers to replace the one I broke.

Hey, blog world...are you still out there...

2011-01-23T17:02:00.001-06:00

Wow, I have become a bit of a slacker where my blog is concerned. My husband saw it up on my computer and said, “Wow, you are on the antique”. How sad. I really have enjoyed blogging, yet haven’t posted anything since June last year.

“For shame, for shame, for shame”, I can just hear Gomer now.

Let me see, what all has happened since last June. I think at that point I was done with the reading class I had to take for school. Lots of prep classes are still in my future. I have taken the classes they said I had to take before I could take anything else, reading, college prep, and pre-algebra. I don’t even get credit for those classes.

Now, there are classes I have to take before I can take those classes. Before you can take humanities you have to take English Comp. Pretty much before I can take ANYTHING I have to take English Comp.

I think it is a money making gimmick on the schools part, just my thought.

Thankfully my employer is paying for my classes, so long as I pass with a C or better. We haven’t had a raise in 5 years. This is one way for me to get a little extra. One draw-back is that I can’t sign up for the class I want until the drop-add period so it is going to be difficult to get some of the classes. I was lucky to get the math class I am in now, I got the last seat.

So, here I am in my second math class in college. Math is what really held me back 30 years ago from going to school, and now I am tackling it. Who would have thunk it! I sure wish I had done it sooner, but, better late than never.

I am so fortunate that my husband is so amazing, and patient. He has helped me so much in math. We are tackling “polynomials”; doesn’t that sound like something you would go to the doctor to get removed?

He has also become the main chef of our household. He already was the better cook in this house. Blogging is not the only thing I have slacked on, and I fear I have already forgotten how.

I have made resolutions before, lets hope I can keep more of them this year ;) especially one to be more organized. I think it will help me stay on top of things and....blog more too.

So, right now life is work and school and being married to a wonderful man that I love dearly.

Technology is so amazing....

2010-06-29T17:51:00.003-05:00

I just looked at my blog after having signed up to have the ads placed on it. I noticed the NetFlix, which is something I have recently enrolled in. We move forward in technology so fast these days it is amazing.

I remember back thinking it was so cool we got our first VCR, or our first TV with a remote, our first cable box.

Now, VCR's are a thing of the bast, remotes are "cordless" - yes the first remote I remember having for out television had a cord on it, oh wait, that was for the VCR player and it had a switch you could move up and down that would stop and start the tape. Our first cable box had buttons that you pushed down, you had to get up and go to the TV too, oh the hardships I have known.

I also remember when my mom would fix our TV, she took the back off and there were tubes in the back you took them to a machine that was in most stores and you could check them to see if they were bad and get them replaced. One downside to advanced technology is....you can't fix your own TV.....but.....that is OK I love our HD TV and I will just hold onto those fond memories.

I never had the video games that you played on TV, didn't really get into those but that didn't stop me from sitting in front of the TV all the time I just watched television shows.

Kids now have several different gaming systems, each requiring different games. They even have them in their rooms.

Lets not even get started on computers.

So far I think the NetFlix is great, and I just do it the old fashioned way via snail mail, even with the snail mail they get them too you fast. There are some lucky ones that have the gaming systems and they can just play the movies through them....I this might be my next technological investment....that...or an iPhone 4 ;)

Oh, cell phones....not going to go there either that would take a long time.

I still think the people who are advancing us in this technological world need to focus on advancing our auto industry so that we are not depended on oil!

Take the hint GM!!!! I'm a GM brat, I was raised on your money....time to move forward.

Anyhow - the moral to this blog posting....checkout NetFlix I think you will enjoy it!!!

Okay - I confess...

2010-06-27T11:38:00.002-05:00

Okay - I confess...

I have joined the ranks of those trying to earn a few bucks from blogging. I hope you can forgive me. I have heard of many who make somne decent money with their blogs so I thought of "Nothing ventured, Nothing gained"!

So, I hope you will forgive me as I take "Okay, I confess" down a different road ;) who knows it could turn out to be a fun adventure for all of us...and by us I may just mean me, my husband, and my "other mother, Karen" who may be the only ones who read my ramblings ;)

Okay, I confess, this is getting corning and I am going to stop writing for now and go off and make my husband an omelette....

Life is a lesson - can't we learn from it?

2010-06-27T10:57:00.007-05:00

Admittedly I am not the most scholarly person, and likely never will be. I have lived my life as ignorant as most of the average Americans.

My choice of reading is typically a novel, though I have expanded from mainly romance novels to a mystery, or just something that sounds entertaining.

In school I always took just what got me through, I did not choose to take college prep courses like most. Yes of course I regret that now, but you would likely not have been able to convince the teenage me that I should be taking better classes. So here we have me now at the ripe old age of 46 creeping up on 47 going back to college.

In my blog you may discover grammatical errors, which I hope are improving over time. I will admit that being grammatically correct has not been my focus in life. My poor husband has tried to improve that over the last four years. I know his 5th graders are smarter than his wife.

Though I may not read the same books the scholars would choose to read, two choices in reading I have read have shown me something I do not remember from my history class, and I’d be willing to bet it is something that is not history text books that students are using now.

Years ago I read Danielle Steel’s – “Silent Honor” and it touched my heart and saddened me that although this was a novel it was based on something real that my country actually did.

Sending Japanese-Americans to internment camps, many who were born in America, yes we were at war with Japan but America is a country founded by immigrants just like these people who left their homeland in hopes of building a better life for their families.

How were these people any different from our founding forefathers?

Last night I just finished reading a book by another one of my favorite authors; Lisa Scottoline – “Killer Smile”. This book touches on Italian-American internment camps, same situation as the Japanese-American internment camps, again innocent people who left their homeland to build a better future for their families. Her own grandparents had faced life in these camps, while her father was fighting for this country.

It just saddens my heart greatly knowing that my country imprisoned these people. People not unlike our ancestors who came to this country, America‘s a country built by immigrants.

Sadly, and I am just as guilty, Americans tend to live their lives ignorant and choose not to learn from the past.

Yes, I hate to have to “press 1 to hear this in English”. I really don’t see anything wrong with those who choose to move to this country to build a better life for themselves to learn the language. So, here is the twist – we did not move here and learn to speak Indian – yes I guess I am your typical American hypocrite.

But, did these camps really have to be used? Can they be compared to Hitler’s concentration camps? No, we were not killing innocent people, but we were locking them up…..at what point in our countries history do we learn from the past? We were in a war because of Hitler and his camps and…yet…we were putting people in camps…

I really don’t know how to describe how it makes me feel, to say it saddens me just seems to put it mildly.

Please – can’t we learn from the past!

Creepy is creepy - even with a pretty name!

2010-06-16T20:12:00.006-05:00

So, last night was a night of rudely interrupted sleep. One that has left me is wondering something….

WHAT PURPOSE IN OUR ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM DO COCKROACHES SERVE???

Of all the things to survive since the time of dinosaurs – a cockroach, why a cockroach?
I was sleeping relatively soundly last night when I had to get up to use the restroom, nothing that uncommon. Got back in bed and all snuggled up to my husband ready to drift back into slumber – next thing I know something landed on my head in my hair right by my ear. Living in Florida it was easy to guess – a cockroach. I of course panicked got out of bed so quickly, and was shaking my head about leaving me with one heck of a kink in my neck.

Wait – it gets better! My husband turned on the light asking what was going on and I told him there was a cockroach, he pulled back the covers from where I laid and there he was; cockroach-zilla. I told my husband “kill-it please, kill it”.

The huge thing dodged the first punch, and the second punch made contact and took him out! Yay! I brought him some toilet paper and he picked it up and handed it to me and told me to give it a burial at sea.

I took it in, put it in the toilet and flushed it.

Aaahhhh….drama time is over, time to get back to bed.

Oh, no, now there is some icing for the drama cake. My husband headed into the bathroom after I flushed it to go and….as the nights luck would have it the toilet was overflowing! Oh the joy…..he plunged it and then I mopped up the water….

So, please can anyone tell me what purpose cockroaches serve other than to torment us in our sleep?

Also, some have told me it was a “Palmetto Bug” – to me there is no difference give it a fancy name but it is still a creepy creature!!!

Last dime given to Catherines!

2010-06-06T20:52:00.003-05:00

This is what I think of World Financial Network National bank!!

This is the response I got to an email regarding calls I had been receiving repeatedly about my Catherine’s credit card. I thought I had paid it off, and had not received a statement in at least a couple of months.

“Thank you for your recent inquiry to our Sales and Services Department. World Financial Network National Bank issues your account and responds to all credit related inquiries.I apologize for any trouble you experienced on your account. When your account falls past due, we may contact you to inform you of the past due status. We realize that the past due status of the account may or may not be an indication of a customer’s ability or willingness to pay. During that contact, it is our goal to assist you in bringing your account current as soon as possible regardless of your situation.Our records reflect that you have opted to receive your paper statements on 06/04/2010. Once this option has been chosen the web statements are no longer sent. If this option of receiving your statement is not favorable to you, you may select to have the web statements sent once again. You may change this online by signing into your account choosing"My Profile". This may take one to two billing cycles to get update. You may use the link provided below.”

OMG - how incredibly stupid can their company be? If what they are saying is correct, that I requested paper statements as of June 4th. The statement that I did not get had to be from April or May so how is what they are claiming even relevant, so where are those statements? Apparently statements can get lost in the email world as well as though snail mail.

Also, it is one thing to call your customer and say, "we see you have not made a payment for this month, perhaps there is a problem with you getting your statements, did you receive your statement", this is something that would be fine and acceptable. That would be customer service, what they practice is actually customer harassment. They call numerous times, leave no message, and when you call back all they say is "can I have your account number" - well again how incredibly stupid can their company be if a person does not know where you are calling from or what it is regards too how can the customer begin to know what card they are referring too – do you think that they are calling hoping to get the one person who only has one card?

So, Catherine's and any store associated with them will not get another dime from this consumer!

disappointing, dependant, innocent wildlife.....

2010-06-06T19:10:00.003-05:00

At work today I mentioned to co-workers, “how do these BP exec’s sleep at night”. I think the effort to get it under control has definitely been weak. I was less than impressed with the exec’s I have heard on the news.

When I see the pictures of the wildlife that is being affected by this, it just breaks your heart.

This has affected so many things, much more than we realize.

One of ladies I work with made a very good point. We have to share part of the blame. We do love to drive our car from point A to point B.

Our dependency on oil is quite sad. I am just as guilty as the next person.

The situation with BP has this in the forefront of my mind, not that it would make a big difference. What I would hope is that it would bring it to the forefront of the minds of people who can actually take steps towards changing this dependency we have on oil.

The quality of cars has gone down, yet the price has not.

They have so much computerization that the average mechanic no longer can fix his own car. You have to hook the car up to a computer system to find out what is wrong with it.

If a computer can run part of the car why can’t it make the car go with out the use of gas and oil that do nothing but pollute the environment.

There are so many technological advances in so many industries. Just think if the people who create all these bells and whistles that go off with each new model of cell phone were in charge of the car industry- I bet you we would not be dependent on the oil industry.

If only the car industry could move forward in the ways that computers and cell phones have.

Thoughts....

2010-05-31T09:29:00.004-05:00

It is kind of tough being someone who has never had a child of their own living among parents. They tend to look at you and think, what do you know, you never had a kid!

I had accepted my life and was facing spinsterhood head on. A wonderful man entered my life and saved me from that. Though, I was much too old at that point to have kids.

So, no, I never had a kid but I have two eyes and have observed the varied techniques that parents use. I get an idea of what works, and what doesn’t.

I see the result of the different ways people use.

Heck, I learned from my own parents as to what worked and didn’t. I was spoiled, I will openly admit that. I loved my parents both so very much, and miss them with every fiber of my being! Might I have turned out better had I had more chores? I had no set chores; I cleaned up after myself and did dishes when necessary. But my dad liked to do dishes- he said it got his hands clean. But I knew how to do them and could do them when I was home alone, or when I got out on my won. Had I wanted for something rather than never have wanted for things? Maybe, I might be better at managing money. I might be a better cook, housekeeper.

Pampering your child may be what you want to do, and to a degree it is fine. But there is a line you cross when it becomes too much and your child won’t learn to do anything on their own, be independent, or apt to take initiative to do something on their own. It can hinder their move into adulthood.

Chores, again, fine to a degree. You face a line to cross too. Yes, it does them good to have chores, responsibilities, they learn from this, how to take care of themselves on their own. It can ease their transition into living on their own.

But, hello, don’t burden them with too much they are only children once.

Don’t make them your slaves, and don’t be a slave to them!

But, what do I know? I am just an old lady who never had any kids, guess it is good I have only had cats, because I would have made a terrible parent.

My next mission....how do you not let things frustrate you....is it possible with out taking a pill?

So, what is with cats...

2010-03-11T20:50:00.006-06:00

Okay, so, what is it with cats. Why do they change their favorite sleeping spot more than some people change the bedding they sleep on, cats sleep here one minute and someplace else two minutes later.

Our cat Lucky for instance, her former favorite sleeping spot was behind my husband’s recliner, well, okay I can kind of see her changing her mind on that one given as it would be a rather high traffic area at times.

Her other haunts are:

· my husbands shoes – in the bedroom behind the door
· my shoes – wherever they land
· the back of the loveseat – when there is a blanket there
· in front of the fireplace – when there is a blanket there
· her tent, that a co-worker gave me for her that is out in the sunroom
· underneath our bed – mostly when it is raining
· under the couch – mostly when it is raining and she can’t get into our bedroom to get under the bed.

I am sure there are many more that I am not aware of, oh wait, how did I forget – just about any empty box that she can fit herself into.

She abandoned the tent during the cold months, but I noticed yesterday that with the windows opened in the screen room and the return of warm weather she was once again happily curled up in her tent.

So, what is it with cat’s why do they sleep around – in more ways than one ;)

To be...or not to be....

2010-03-09T11:54:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I do realize that I am not the first person to go back to school at my age, 46. Yet, it still is a daunting aspect to me. I pretty much blamed my lack of desire to go on in school on my poor math skills.

Or I blamed it on the fact that I really did not know what I wanted to go to school for, heck I still don’t but none the less I am going. I have always been envious of those who just always knew what they wanted to be. How do you decide?

My mother became a nurse. She was the first on in her family, well, the only one of the 6 kids to go on in school. My father, well he actually did not graduate from high school. He joined the Navy and after getting out he went to work for General Motors.

My oldest sister, Sally, followed my mother into nursing, and she enjoyed it. But it sure was not my cup of tea. It takes a certain kind of person to be a nurse. Nurses have something special deep in their hearts at least that is how I feel about those who choose that profession.

My middle sister, Judy, followed my father into the GM world and is now a retired shop rat at the age of 54.

I started with GM, worked for a year and was laid off. I had the option to go to work at the Saturn plant in Tennessee and opted to take the buyout they offered. Was that a mistake, maybe, but I’m where I was meant to be.

I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, I loved to hang with my father, whether it was going out to the school house to mow the lawn or just watching him make something out of wood on his band saw. My father thought I should follow him into the Navy, he went so far as to put my name on one of those “invites” that used to be in the magazines for recruiters….yep….I got a call from a recruiter one day and was a little surprised.

But, nope, the Navy was not for me either.

So…what do I want to be when I grow up? What do I want to go to school for? To be or not to be what??? Well, I still don’t know but for now I am starting to practice what I have been preaching to my niece, Julie, get your basics you just may stumble on something that you want to do along the way.

Getting back on the bike!

2010-03-07T13:03:00.003-06:00

Wow, I knew it had been a long time since I have posted an entry on my blog. So long that my husband took me off his links on his blog. He is pretty religious about posting entries on his blog, but me, I was always a once in awhile poster. Once in awhile turned into - "how do I get to my blog again?".

Well, blog world I am back. I will try and be more attentive to you.

In a lot of ways I have still be adjusting to life with out my mom in it, as I may have mentioned I always knew it would hit me hard. I just did not realize how hard. I don't expect anyone to understand, and really know one can losing someone you love is really and individual thing. Everyone accepts, or copes in there own way.

Losing the first parent sucks the breath out of you, like a sucker punch from your worst enemy - death. When you lose your last parent, wow, well to me anyway it has been quite diffacult to accept. My husband has lost both parents, and he knows, but, again we all deal with it differently.

How come we never realize how much someone means to us until their gone? When you can't call them every morning on your break, or call them to say - "hey, how do you do this?". Or call them to share the latest events in your life - "hey, guess what..." Reality bites!

It struck me the other day too, that in my immediate family all three of the loved ones we have lost have passed away around someones birthday. First my father, February 9, 1996. Four days after my middle sisters 50th birthday. Then my oldest sister, Sally, passed away on April 16, 1999, one day after her own 45th birthday. I'm now older than she ever was. Lastly, my mom suffered her anurysm on my birthday, October 3, 2008 and passed away one day before her own birthday, October 6th. I had always loved that our birthdays were so close.

I have to learn to like my birthday again....hated the last one as it made it a year since losing my mom.

My mother did so much for me all my life, and I don't think I showed the appreciation that I should have.

Well, I am getting back on the bike in many ways. I started taking classes at our community college, which is a bit daunting, hopefully I don't get a flat tire on the bike!

Virtual worlds....oh heavens....

2009-11-08T08:33:00.011-06:00

I have become a fan of Facebook. It is a great sight, you can find long lost friends, or family you don't often keep up with. Not that you don't love them, but you just are not in touch with them as much.

It is fun to read about what people are up to, see some photos of what is happening in their lives and share bits about yourself.

I happened to notice the name of a person that commented on one of my friends entries. It was a friend of mine that I had lost touch with when she went off to college. I hate to admit it but I had not seen or talked to her in over 20 years. We are both now living in opposite ends of the country, she is in the Seatle area, and I am in Florida.

Not everyone can see your Facebook page, they have to request you to be a friend and if you accept them then...you are well...I guess you are "Facebook Friends". I have to confess that I do not pay the closest attention to all the "requests" some are to join this or that, or give this virtual gift or accept that virtual gift.

One day there was a friend request from a name from...wwwwaaaayyyy back in my past. It was a girl I went to junior high school with, yeah back when it was called "junior high school" and not "middle school". We went to different high schools, we were not close friends but we were in band together and we both played the flute. When I worked for a bank as a teller I would see her mom now and then and ask how she was doing, but even that was...well...my 21 year old neice was just a baby then so....it had been a long time. She is now happily married and living near Grand Rapids and has 2 children.

I have one friend, Mindy, who said when she started in Facebook that she joined because so many were pushing her too. Now Mindy is playing all sorts of the little virtual games they have on Facebook (way too many to name). I told her she has truly become one of "them" now....

I got sucked into one of the "farm" worlds and was chatting with my friend Mindy on line through Facebook and asked her "how do I get out of this" and she said just click "go home" and....there was no "go home"...it turned out I was in a different "farm world" than she was. Who would have thought there would be so many "farm worlds". I confess that I do go back into it from time to time, I guess I feel the need to plow under all my dead crops.

Now....oh, no....I let myself adopt a virtual dog...he is a Jack Russell, I love them. I named him Lester, after my nieces dog. How did I let myself get sucked in....now I will have to keep it alive....he is named after a dog that I love....I can't just plow him under like the dead crops on my farm....oh that reminds me I better go plow them on my other farm too...but anyway....oh....the virtual worlds....they just may prove to much for me....hopefully I can keep Lester virtually alive longer than my crops...

Something sure smells fishy....

2009-10-24T09:56:00.006-05:00

Okay, I will confess that I have not read a great deal on the whole situation with the Raiders and their coaches that don't seem to get along. My husband is an avid reader of sports, and well, he is my Cliff Notes. But, you don't really even need a Cliff Notes version of the situation, just do a search on, Google, Yahoo, MSN, Bing...any search engine and read the first line of every entry and you and pretty much see that everyone things something just does not add up.

I work in a felony probation office and I see people coming in for much less so to me...it appears that Tom Cable got off the hook. Makes you wonder, does he have naked pictures of someone? Or, is it the owner of the Raiders that pulled some strings...oh...maybe the naked pictures are of the owner. Anyway you look at it....they found a way for 2+2 to equal 7.

Proudly I can say that I am not a Raiders fan, I am left wondering why anyone would be.

Does the Raiders organization have a side business selling seafood? Something sure smells fishy...

New admiration for ducks....

2009-10-22T21:15:00.003-05:00

I am currently in a job that, well I hate. But in this economy a job- is a job. It does not help matters that I am not an educated person. Yep, I am one of those low life Americans who never pursued a college education. Though I need to make that plunge soon, I know it will make my husband more proud of me, as well as hopefully open more doors for me employment wise.

At work, oh who am I kidding at home, in life generally I let little things get to me too much. I guess, if I am to be honest I have done that my whole life. Sarcasm, though I use it myself quite often can cut me to the core. Yes, in my heart know the person serving it up did not mean to say anything in a hurtful manner. I don’t mean it when I serve up sarcasm.

Life can be a challenge, here I am 46 years old trying to change my soft shell. Doesn’t help that my Thyroid is out of whack, and it sure does not help that, did I mention my age…the big M word is likely coming on as well.

My new plan of attack at work is to be a duck, and my office is the water that is just going to roll off my back. I even stumbled upon a dog toy at our grocery store, it is a Mallard duck, I have named him Mel. If nothing else he has brought some laughter into the office.

And…okay, so I am going to apply this plan of attack to life in general.

I have always loved ducks, but, now I have a new admiration from them….

I have been neglectful...

2009-10-17T11:40:00.003-05:00

I have been quite neglectful with updating my blog, I have not even been changing my "name of the week". When my husband mentioned this name I really thought he was messing with me, but, there it was on Wikipedia, he is a living breathing former race car driver....the one and only....

DICK TRICKLE

This one is "Name of the year" worthy...don't ya think.

A lesson on the art of forgiving...

2009-09-27T09:25:00.001-05:00

Below is an article from my local paper, and these parents are just amazing to me. The act of forgiving someone for something is a tough thing. We all can take a lesson from these parents. I am not sure I could forgive the shooter or the Marine Corps.

Both of my best friends sons were Marines, as well as one of my cousin's sons. My father was in the Navy, I have always had a great deal of respect for the military. I remember when I was fresh out of high school, my father had filled out a card from a magazine with my name, you know, the ones that express your interest in joining the Navy. It was quite a surprise when a recruiter called me.…

Looking back, I kind of wish I'd had it in me to do so. I know my father would have been proud. He never had a son, and at one point in my childhood I guess I could have been considered a little bit of a tomboy. I enjoyed doing things with my dad. He would mow the lawn at the old school house we owned, and going with him sure is one of my fondest memories.

This article caused me to lose a lot of respect for the military. Yes, the man is being punished, and has to live the rest of his life with the consequences of his actions. But…why….why…did it happen in the first place? There are so many better ways to "build trust and promote teamwork". It kind of scares me to think that the military protecting our country uses this type of thing to supposedly build trust. Well….I am one person who has lost some trust in the military by having read this.

Bless that family for their loss, and especially for their ability to forgive….

By Tom McNiffManaging EditorPublished: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:19 p.m.Last Modified: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.

The parents of a U.S. Marine who was shot and killed by a superior during a game of "Trust" say they've forgiven the shooter, who was sentenced to eight years in the Marine Corps brig recently.

Damian and Lucy Malone said Cpl. Mathew Nelson, 25, who admitted to shooting Lance Cpl. Patrick Malone earlier this year in Iraq, turned to them during his sentencing hearing Sept. 10 with tears in his eyes.

"He turned around and he was crying, and he apologized," Lucy Malone said. "He said he loved Patrick and if he could trade places with him he would."

The Malones, along with their surviving children and extended family, had an opportunity to testify at Nelson's sentencing in North Carolina. They described it as a celebration of Patrick's life, as the prosecutor flashed photos of the young man dancing and laughing, and family members took turns recalling the young man's passion for life and for the military.

"I forgive him," Lucy Malone said of Nelson. "I forgave him a long time ago. If I don't forgive him, I won't go to Heaven and I won't see my son.

"He (Nelson) is the one suffering now. My son's in Heaven," she said. According to military investigators, Patrick Malone was lying in his bunk one evening after getting off duty. He was either watching a video or listening to music on an iPod, his parents said.

Nelson, who commanded the second section of Malone's platoon, entered the the wooden hooch the Marines called home, walked over to Malone, pointed a 9mm pistol at him and asked "Do you trust me?" or words to that effect.

Militarytimes.com, an independent military news Website, said Malone smiled at Nelson. Moments later, the gun fired and Malone was struck in the forehead.

Fellow Marines were unable to revive Malone. "Trust," according to Militarytimes, is a game that is played in various forms by soldiers. In some cases, a ranking officer will partially slide a magazine into a pistol, pretend to pull the slide back to load a bullet, point the weapon at a subordinate and ask if the solider trusts him. After the solider answers, the officer either pulls the trigger of the empty gun or lowers the weapon and clears it.

Ironically, what has been described by some Marines as a way to build trust and promote teamwork is a violation of the military's most fundamental weapons safety rules.

"I learned in Boy Scouts, you don't point a weapon at anyone, loaded or unloaded," Damian Malone said, "The Marines say they'll reinforce that now. I thought that was obvious. You would think the Marines, above all, would know that."

I've said it before...

2009-05-13T20:46:00.004-05:00

And I will say it again...you sure can stumble upon the funniest things on the internet.

My husband is a huge baseball fan. I have often heard him mention the hazing that rookie players often experience. In looking for a baseball card for my "name of the week" I stumbled upon these photos of rookie Dodgers.

Both certainly good for a chuckle or two....

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-10T09:11:00.002-05:00

Happy Mothers Day, mom, I love you and miss you so much!

I was so lucky to have you as my mother, you were the best mother anyone could ask for.

You took good care of us, and still are, I will never stop missing you.

Vitamins are good for you....

2009-05-09T18:31:00.004-05:00

For Young Men and Women...

For Men...

For Women...

For Everyone else....

somethings got to change....

2009-04-26T14:01:00.003-05:00

It does make you think…

These are trying times for our economy.

Many say it will get worse before it gets better.

We are in the process of doing some small home improvement projects. I called Lowes yesterday to see if their carpet installation special was still going on, and asked more detail. The special is still on however, once you get more detail…it really isn't that special. You know the typical game of this much more for that, and this much more for this. Making what you think is a great deal on carpet…not such a great deal.

The other night my husband made a very good point.

Budget cuts are looming in every direction....but you sure do not see them in th area of home improvement.

I work in a probation office…hm….business for us seems to go up in a bad economy…yet…we haven't had a raise in a couple of years and they are cutting positions of probation officers increasing the work load in a very stressful industry.

My husband is a teacher, a stressful occupation with not near enough thanks for what they do.
Education and Criminal Justice…these are two areas where you hate to see the cuts. Business
does not go down for them.

I really feel that corporations, government needs to sit down and listen to suggestions from "John Q. Public" we may not have Ivy League educations but we are the ones working in the trenches where you are cutting the jobs and making pay cuts.

Working for the State of Florida there are certain job positions that their health insurance is paid by the state. Hm…there is one sure way you could save some money.

The State sure could save money by not throwing money away in leasing office space. For the amount they have paid in leasing the building I work in they could have owned the building and built some equity.

Wouldn't it benefit the state to have some equity in buildings? Hm…equity for "John Q. Public" is a good thing. Hm…equity isn't that an asset? Sure would be a shame for the state to have an asset when they are facing shortfalls in budgets.

Budget = cuts to the ones that make less money. Sadly the ones that decide to make these cuts are making the wages of say, maybe three of these people total.

Boy, I sure hope our economy turns around soon.....

I just wonder about people...

2009-04-13T20:25:00.004-05:00

I basically work as a receptionist, people sign in, I let their officer know they are there.

Okay, I work in a probation office and am not dealing with elite members of society.

We had a clock on the wall in the lobby so they could write in the time they signed in. Often people never even noticed the clock, they would just ask what time it was.

Well, when the time changed....the clock fell off the wall and is now history.

I realize now how many people actually looked at it....more than I thought.

We now have a small travel clock, I have a blue piece of paper taped to the window. "CLOCK" with an arrow pointing down to the small clock.

Yet people still do not see it.

I have even drawn an arrow on a piece of paper and taped it to my ruler so I can point to the clock.

Again, I am not encountering the most intelligent people...but for the love of Peter, Paul and Mary...if you have a watch on...why are you looking all around the lobby, and on all the walls behind the receptionist window for a clock? JUST LOOK AT YOUR WATCH!

Okay, I feel better...thank you to all of you in Blogdon letting me vent.

Too few drivers pay attention....

2009-04-03T21:52:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I just wonder what people are thinking.

It actually scares me at times.

This afternoon at lunch I was going to go get gas, and run to JC Penney's and pick up the shoes I ordered.

Well, I did not make it even to the gas station. I did not know the gas was that low and ran out at at the corner. About a mile from work, and from the gas station.

There was a slight incline at the corner so I managed to get further back from the corner. I called AAA and then the wait began.

While I was on the phone with AAA I was amazed at how man people still pulled up behind me.

A car sitting dead still at a green light with flashers on. My first thought would be to move to the other lane to go around it. Oh no, that was not the case of the many who pulled up behind me and sat…until…duh…they realized that the light was green and I was not moving…oh…duh…she has her flashers on.

Once I was off the phone with AAA I got out and put my hood up, and opened my tailgate thinking this would help people to realize that my car would not be moving.

Well, one would have thought it would have helped…but oh no people still pulled up behind me until they got the clue.

So, it was my lunch hour and I just grabbed my lunch and sat in the open back end of my car and had a picnic.

Surprise surprise…people still pulled up behind me thinking the car would be moving. Um…a fat lady sitting in the open back end of an SUV with the flashers on, the hood up, eating her lunch.

Now tell me….wouldn't you have moved to the other lane?

I wish I had counted how many cars had just pulled up behind me, it really struck me sad as that proves how little people pay attention.

Kind of scary too when you think about it.

Things happen for a reason...

2009-03-22T18:12:00.005-05:00

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. This weekend sure pointed that out to me several times.

In searching for things regarding "microwave etiquette" I stumbled upon the "Shelfari" widget on someones blog.

Boy, is that right up my husbands alley. It is pretty cool, I put it on my blog too! If you are a reader I recommend you check it out. You may very well find many more books you would love to read.

Also, my husband is in search of a new watch. We went to Sam's Club, but struck out. Yet, found something there that we both really want for the yard which...it is a raised bed for gardening...me I think it will work great for herbs, or tomatoes.

Since we struck out in the search for watches we went to the mall. Now our mall here in Ocala is really not the biggest mall, and we had no luck with the watch hunt but stumbled upon something that worked quite well in the bedroom.

A new bedside lamp for my nightstand. I had ordered one from JC Penneys but was quite disappointed when it came as it was much smaller than it appeared online. So, that went back. This one was quite a deal and...the colors just work so great with the colors on our wall and in our bedroom.

Yep, things happen for a reason...from microwave mishaps...to watches needing to be replaced.

I sure wish my husbands watch did not need replacing as he really liked it though....but it got us too the mall....sorry babe about your watch....

My husband....is he lucky...or am I?

2009-03-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

Oh, my poor husband. It’s Sunday morning…only two days of the week you get to sleep in.

I of course and up early…well…early as in around 9am. I of course…let the cat in, the cat who just seems to like to misbehave. Claw at the furniture, meow at the bedroom door behind which you are trying to sleep.

Your wife starts a project with pictures for a collage frame that you bought…oh…what 2 ½ years ago. Then…you get sucked in…the minute you come out of the bedroom…before the sleep has left your eyes and before you know it…a couple of hours have passed.

But…at least the three collage frames that have been sitting empty are now filled with smiling faces and memories.

The wall in the bedroom no longer looks like it is a display from Target!

Thank you my wonderful husband for your love, time and patience….

You truly are the best….

a wish for teenagers...

2009-03-21T12:35:00.006-05:00

You know, I have one wish for teenagers....

I wish you could see, and truly appreciate what your parents do for you.

Some have parents that make them do their share around the house, you know, certain chores assigned to them. Or help make dinner, or set the table, or clean up after dinner.

Yeah, I know you really wish you did not have to do these things, no, they are not fun...but...it is a part of life, a part of being a member of the family. They are all things that you will have to do when you are out on your own...hey...better to learn it now then when you have your own place and before you know it your new pad is looking like a toxic waste dump site.

Believe me you will see that your parents really did you a favor.

Some have parents that don't want you to have to worry about lifting a finger, want you to be pampered and sheltered. Your dinner is served to you, all you have to do is sit down at the dinner table and wait for the meal to arrive and then get up and leave the table when you are done, you don't even have to help take things to the kitchen after dinner, not even your own plate.

Worst thing is...you often take this type of parent for granted...rarely offer up a thank you for serving you...your often quicker to thank a waitress at a restaurant than you are your parent.

Meaning you treat the wait staff better than you do your own parents.

Yeah, sure this sounds great...but in the long run...what do you learn from this? Not a whole lot...and when you are out on your own...who is going to do that for you. You won't really even know how to wash dishes.

I know full well I was a spoiled child, there is no way I will deny that. I may have made my mom wait on me from time to time. I think I am a mixture of the two types teenagers I have mentioned....I think my parents were a mixture of the parents.

Who is to say which is the better way? I am not saying one is better than the other, well, in away I am because yeah teenagers do need to learn book smarts from school and focus on that...but they also need to learn to manage life, take care of themselves....some of them are going to go off to college and be in for a very rude awakening...I feel sad for them.

There were a lot of times I wish I had been more responsible around the house, and...yeah...I sure wish I had been more responsible in school too...we live and learn.

I just hope that they don't realize too late how much they have to thank their parents for. I know I did not thank my parents enough for all they did for me and I regret that. For me it is too late.

I sure hope that others learn to be thankful for their parents.....before it is too late for them.

Okay, so I guess I have more than one wish for teenagers...

Sure it is great to be waited on, pampered...but...remember to be thankful for it...a little "thanks dad/mom!" sure would be great...your home is not a restaurant....your parent is not a waiter/waitress.

Microwave Etiquette 101

2009-03-21T10:12:00.005-05:00

So, you work in an office environment that has a small kitchen area with two microwaves. You put your food in to warm it up, for say, two minutes and run to the restroom. You get back and someone has taken your food out of the microwave set it on top and put in theirs.

Me, well I personally find this a little rude.

Some people agree with me that it was a rude thing to do, but some say if it was done and just sitting in the microwave unattended than they had the right to take mine out.

Me…I would have waited until the person came back and then taken my turn.

There must be some type of microwave etiquette. I was a little surprised to find several things pop up when I did a search for microwave etiquette, some rather funny experiences people have had. I am sure that those involved might not have found it as funny as those just reading about it.

I have gathered from some that I have read that I think most will find that I am wrong, that since I left it unattened the microwave was fair game.

Me...well....maybe it is more "who" took it out, yet...me...I still would have waited for the person...I just think it is a little rude to handle someone elses food.

What do you think?

When does the knife blade loose its edge?

2009-03-02T19:26:00.000-06:00

We are approaching the five-month mark since my mother passed away. It literally was like my worst nightmare come true.

My father passed away thirteen years ago, and that was like a sucker punch to the heart. But mom was there, and even with as much as it hurt her to lose dad we has a parent to turn to for that parental support that you just always know is there.

For years I told my mom that she could never die! I know, as if she had control over that. But, I just knew that it would hurt so, so, much to lose her.

Last summer I flew up for a long weekend when my mother was going to have a procedure done, which ended up being postponed until the next week so, I missed being up there for it. She came through that with flying colors- little did we know that there was something else hiding in her brain just waiting to take her from us. I look back at when she took me to the airport. I checked in early then went and had breakfast, and still got back to the airport early. Rather than make her hang out at the airport I sent her on her way. I remember looking back at her as she got in her van thinking that this could be the last time I see her…and…it kind of was. It was because the next time I saw her she was in a hospital bed in a coma.

When it did happen, and suddenly, I never got say good-bye to her. It was fairly sudden with my father too, but he had been ill and in our hearts we knew it was a matter of time. Now that I think about it you would have thought that would have taught me the lesson to say the things you don't say. You know, like, thank you for all the support you give me, for the unconditional love, for forgiving me for hurting you when I never meant to. So many words that just get left unsaid, and then- it is too late.

I was very blessed with wonderful parents. Yes, I will be the first one to admit that they spoiled me. I did not want for anything.

They are even taking care of me now. I just wish it was in person rather than in spirit. I wish they could see how happy I finally am with a wonderful husband, who I must say spoils me more than they did. Mom did get to meet Sam. I wish they had been able to get to know each other more closely though. It was hard for her to have to learn to share me, and to have to split time between two families. Something I never managed to do, with out hurting her. I just hope she knows I never meant to hurt her. I think she knew that she could rest assured that Sam will always take good care of me.

The knife cut from losing mom is still so fresh, I just wonder how long till the blade of the knife begins to dull….

Part of the scenery....

2009-02-25T17:55:00.004-06:00

Have you ever felt like you are just part of the scenery?

Me, I feel that way quite often. It has happened all my life, it is not like it is something that has just started to occur.

Now that I think about it, maybe that is why I often interrupt people. Which, is one of the things I need to work on. I wonder if I started doing that so I would not just be part of scenery.

Often I will start to say something, or will be saying something and it was like I never said anything. And again, as I said it has happened all my life.

Do you know me? I am that person you know who blends into the woodwork...becomes part of the scenery...I guess there are worse things though...

the funniest things are out there....

2009-02-05T19:25:00.003-06:00

You sure can stumble upon the funniest things when you are looking for photos on the internet....

The best...

2009-02-02T17:48:00.006-06:00

Sou Chef-- that is my husband.

Emeril, my sou chef is better than your sou chefs!

And mine loves me!

I picked out recipe from a cookbook we bought, "50 great curries of India". On a Saturday night, when we have certain British comedy's that we watch, me, I picked out one that looked complicated for my cooking skills.

Did I mention it was 5:30 our shows start at 8:00 and we would still need to run to the grocery store for a few things....?

Well, we did the dash to the store, got back, and Sam got everything prepped for me. He is the best.

The timing turned out pretty good, and my Sou Chef even served us...which...well....okay, I confess he pretty much serves us everynight...boy...are we spoiled or what....?

Worth a look....

2009-01-01T20:04:00.003-06:00

This is a movie Sam got for Christmas, it is one of his favorites, "Crossing Delancey". We watched it tonight and I can see why it is one of his favorites. If you get the chance to watch it. I very much recommend it!

2009-01-01T15:13:00.001-06:00

Those who touch our lives...

2009-01-01T13:28:00.004-06:00

Another thing that we think back on at New Year's is those people who have touched our lives but have passed on.

Many touch our lives in small ways. Through our televisions, on the movie screens, on our stereos. Some were our teachers, or our friends, or family.

It is amazing how people can touch your life. You don't even have to meet them in person, or even know them and yet they have touched your life. Yes, sometimes not for the better, but for some reason they have touched your life.

I grew up watching television and there were a few that touched my life through television that we have lost: Suzanne Pleshette, Tom Posten, Harvey Korman-- the Carol Burnett show was always a favorite-- and Paul Newman. I can remember my mom taking me to the movie theater to see "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Some of them had led long lives, like Eartha Kitt (81), and some died young. Heath Ledger was only 28.

You also think about those who passed away in years passed. You never stop missing them and they are still very much a part of you, part of who you are. My father, my sister, my in-laws whom I never got the chance to meet. Even they are a part of me because they raised the man that I now share my life with.

This year I lost my mom. Day by day it is an adjustment, losing someone from your life. I still miss calling her on my break at work.

Thank you to all that touch our lives. You are forever in our hearts.

On Star....things that make you go hhhmmm...

2009-01-01T11:52:00.005-06:00

An amazing technology that can do diagnostics on your car, right down to the tire pressure, make hands-free calls for you while you are driving, or tell if you have been in a wreck and get assistance for you. It can find a wife that has been out shopping longer than the husband had thought she would be.

I remember hearing that my Uncle Richard used it to find out where my Aunt Coralie was…Boy, she was not too happy. Sam has told me how someone in the sports world had the car locked with his wife inside it if I remember correctly…. another unhappy wife, I bet.

I just bought a new Saturn Vue. She has been dubbed "Vanna Vue". Yes, I am one of those people who name their cars. First, okay, the first was not my car, it was my parents Delta 88 who I named Robert. Then, they bought Joey for me to make payments on…well…I did not get to pick out Joey, so I did not really keep him long, but he was a great little Chevette. He was traded in for Mickey, who then was traded in for the only car that did not get named, who was then traded in for Shelby, who was then traded in for Nellie. I left Nellie at the Saturn dealer in Gainesville and left with Vanna Vue.

Boy, I guess I have had my share of cars.

But, I have strayed from what I had started to write about. This is my first car with On Star. My mother had it on her van and it came in pretty handy for her one time, she had to take it to the dealer and they told her it would be cheaper/easier for her to just back out, call On Star, and have them tell her what was wrong.

So far I have only used the phone feature last week in Michigan. The roads were not so good and it was a new car to me, so I opted not to use the cell phone and keep both hands on the wheel.

I was amazed when I just checked my email. They will send you diagnostics checks on your vehicle.

Vehicle Maintenance

Remaining Oil Life: 78%
Mileage: 3,119

Tire Pressure Monitoring:Normal
Recommended tire pressure - Front: 30 psi, Rear: 30 psi
No issues found.

Left Front:31 psi
Right Front:31 psi

Left Rear:31 psi
Right Rear:31 psi

This is an amazing technology to me, and yet, it kind of makes me think of a sci-fi movie where the powers that be can track people….what do you think?

It bears repeating...I am a Lucky...

2009-01-01T11:14:00.005-06:00

Lucky woman!

I know I have mentioned how lucky I am to have Sam as my husband, I could not ask for a better person to share life with.

He truly does take wonderful care of me. While we were in Michigan for the holidays, my terrible knees were bothering me. I guess they have gotten used to warmer weather. There were times when it was difficult to put my socks and shoes on and he would do that for me.

He is amazing. This was our third New Year's Eve together, and each day I realize more and more how lucky I am.

I had thought about getting a room at a bed & breakfast for the night, but after having been away from home it was not as appealing as it could have been.

Sam shopped for food for last night and today, and he created a delicious dinner for us. We had Strip Steaks with Gorgonzola Sauce, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Green Beans with Shallots and Hazelnuts.

It sure was a delight to my taste buds! How lucky am I to have Sam for my husband?

Resolve = Solution to Happiness…

2009-01-01T11:10:00.008-06:00

That time of year again…Resolution time!

Resolution…Brett Favre…Retire, maybe for real, this year!

Auto industry resolution…All the big wigs in the corporate automotive world...sell your corporate jets. That would bail out your industry and you won't have to hit up the public that has tried to help you by buying your cars. Please resolve to make the change that needs to be done to make your industry move forward!

America's resolution…Wow, our first African-America president!.. Plus a president that actually sounds like he wants to help our country, rather than dig the hole deeper. It is time for America to crawl out from under a bush!

Resolution…Television networks...Resolve not to show the same commercial 3 minutes apart….

Resolution...Detroit…Get some pride!…Resolve to impeach William Ford Clay and resuscitate the Lions! (I guess you could put the Tigers in the same intensive care ward as the Lions.) Although…you will get the first pick in the drafts…again!

Resolution…People, please!…Do not have a baby just for the sake of having babies, or for the sake of getting more welfare, or for the sake of keeping someone in a relationship. That baby is a precious gift from God that you are taking for granted by having it for the wrong reason. Show some more respect to the meaning of life!

Resolution...I...Resolve to be, as stated previously, a better wife but I also resolve to be:

more organized
a better housekeeper
a better cook
thinner ;o)
more positive
more aware of the world
more knowledgeable
more patient

Whew….Thankfully I have Sam to help me with my resolutions. ;o) He is my solution to happiness!

May you all find your own solutions to happiness in 2009!

A new year....

2008-12-31T17:47:00.006-06:00

I have slacked quite a bit in my blogging. I had slowed down quite a bit before my mother passed away and then....it seems I just kind of quit. I have been lax about many things.

To my wonderful husband I apologize for being a slacker of a wife. You are so very good to me and you deserve nothing but the best.

I have mentioned before that I am a lucky woman, and I am reminded daily how true that is.

I sit here typing this and he is scurry around cleaning after he went to the store and shopped for our New Year's Eve dinner and for New Year's Day, too!

On top of that, I was um, slightly stranded at work in my new car, which of course had me wound up. Once I reached him he was on his way to get me so I would not be alone waiting for AAA.

After I got off the phone with him I called the service manager back at the Saturn dealer and asked him a question....."if it was the battery, why will the key not turn in the ignition"...well, my car made the third one he has had this happen to this week, and not the same kind of car. Apparently the steering wheel was locked in just the right spot and once I jiggled the steering wheel the key finally turned and started. Of course this happened after I went "Judy" on the dealership and they were nice to me in spite of it.

Then, I called my husband who was almost to where I was and just came home. Where I am finally and looking forward to a lovely New Year's Eve with the answer to my prayers.

I used to ad a little something to prayers at night. I would pray that God would bring me someone special, to love me for me, and who would help me to become a better person.

Well, God could not have answered all those prayers in a better way.

Tomorrow is new year, it is time for the resolutions we all make. I have many in mind this year. Mostly I resolve to be a better wife, to the man that I love, with all of my heart- my husband, Sam Williams.

Thank you, God!

Day, by day...

2008-12-14T15:51:00.002-06:00

It sure has been a difficult few months, losing a parent is such a hard thing to get through.

When you lose the first parent you still have one to turn too when you need, your parent. When you loose the one you still could turn too, boy is that tough.

There really is not a way to discribe it.

I know many of you know what it feels like. I know too, that time is the only thing that helps...

The firsts that you go through after losing a loved ones are tough too, yet, in ways even tougher when you don't have a parent to share the holidays with.

And me, I totally blew the last holiday I had with my mother, now she is gone and I can not make it up to her.

I hope and pray, so much that my mother knew how much I loved her, and how very, very much I miss her....more and more...day by day.....

I love you and I miss you so much mom!

"modern day packaging"...

2008-12-14T15:45:00.004-06:00

"Modern day packaging"....

Something I remember my dad saying a lot as he had a hard time opening something. I find myself saying it more and more.

Think about it....you have cold pills, sinus pills in packaging that is more often than not difficult to open. Medicines that people are taking because they are sick. You have to wonder if the manufacturer even thinks about it when they design the packaging or do they just think "oh wouldn't it be funny to have people who are sick struggling to open these pills they just bought with the hopes of feeling better".

My husband mentioned to how they put arthritis pills in child proof containers...whats up with that....people who have sore fingers and you put the pills in containers that make it more difficult to open....

Boy, dad, did you know what you were saying when you would sputter about the "modern day packaging"....(it's only gotten worse dad)

It sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-07T18:35:00.003-06:00

I WANT MY MOM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

too hard to write about...

2008-11-06T19:48:00.004-06:00

It has been over a month since I have written.

Boy, has it been one rough month.

My birthday is October 3rd. It was a nice birthday. I went to dinner with my husband and step-daughter Emlyn. We went to a nearby Italian restaurant that we like. It was a good dinner, we had a nice time. It is not a fancy place, but the waitress brought me a dessert and sang to me. I certainly was not expecting that. But it was fun.

We then came home and I opened my birthday gifts. A cast iron grill pan from Emlyn...boy is that thing heavy! Works great too! From my wonderful husband I got a great sweater, a fun and colorful bowl for pasta dinners, a Danielle Steel book, did I mention my husband is wonderful. He shopped at the new Kohl's store that just opened here, because he knows I like Kohl's...and boy does it sound like his shopping trip was an adventure.

We had a wonderful light dessert that he bought, it was very delicious and moist and I blew out candles and they sang to me.

I turned 45 this year. Numerically this was to be a cool year. On the 3rd I would turn 45 and on the 6th my mom would turn 78.....get it....3-4-5-6-7-8!

We went to bed and because I had tried to call my sister back I had the phone on the night stand next to me.

That phone rang around 2 am and I wished it had never rang. At that point my worst nightmare was beginning.

It was my sister, they were on the way to the hospital with my mother. My niece Julie had heard her fall and found her and called the ambulance and my sister, Judy. She said they would call me when they knew more.

Oh, what a long night, sitting and waiting for that phone to ring, yet, not wanting it to ring. That theory "no news is good news".

When she called back, upset of course, she told me that they thought it had been a stroke and they had her sedated. Judy was upset too because Julie kind of kept her distance from her. They are not as close as Julie and I are, but I was there with Julie when her mom died, and I lived with her and my mom since she was 10, that is half her life. It is natural for her to be closer to me.

What could I do, I am 1200 miles away. Helpless is how I felt. I tried to think of who I could call that would be a help to Judy, and Julie. I tried to call my cousin Diane, but she did not answer so I tried her daughter Stacey, and she called her mom who called me back.

Help was on its way to the hospital. Yet, I sat here in Florida feeling totally helpless.

Praying for good news, but it was not to come.

After a long sleepless night they told me I should fly back to Michigan, that it did not look good.

My husband booked me a flight, my cousins picked me up at the airport and off to the hospital I went. I was so afraid in the car on the way there to ask how mom was doing. Somehow I guess I knew it was not going to be good.

Mom had suffered a massive aneurysm. If she survived she would be in a vegetative state.

Basically they were just waiting for me to get there.

Too hard to write about in one sitting...so...end part one.

a must see....

2008-10-02T17:55:00.002-05:00

Emlyn turned me on to a great web site. http://www.icanhascheezburgers.com/ You have to check it out. They have hilarious pictures of cats that people put humorous captions on. They also have link to "loldogs" which is also great.

Her house is the home to 2 dogs, and 2 cats. None are hers, they are my nieces, plus one of mine. Though, my mother is their caretaker. She will not admit to loving them but she does. (I know you do mom!)

This picture made me think of my mother!

I'm getting old....

2008-09-30T19:43:00.003-05:00

Oh, man, I do feel old sometimes....especially when I think about my cousin Diane's daughter Stacey.

She was born the year I graduated from high school. Now...she has two beautiful little ones of her own.

This summer when I went north my niece Julie, and I went to the zoo with Stacey, Noah, and Taylor. Oh, what a hot day that was, but, it was my idea. It was worth the memories though.

Boy did I feel old that day....

Like mother...like daughter....

2008-09-30T19:36:00.004-05:00

Hm...who else thinks my mother and sister look a little alike ;o)

My mother, Norma, aka Doris!

My sister, Judy, aka Big Bird!

Colors!!

2008-09-28T09:05:00.009-05:00

We are coming up on a month since we have been back in the house. I still look around and think wow! We have some bright colors in our life now, and I am just loving it.

Some may think, "wow, bright colors" but they look so great. With each thing we put back in place it amazes me. Sam re-hung the valance we had in the kitchen, and wow, it looks even better.

It is amazing too that little changes can make such a difference. When I was still living with my mother and painted her kitchen I suggested swapping out the old outlets and switches, but no...she wanted nothing to do with that.

Well, we did and even that made a big difference. Maybe, just maybe my mother may trust my judgement on something.

We bought new curtain rods for the living room and they just play so well off the wall sconce that Sam got me for my birthday a couple of years ago.

Not only am I blessed with a wonderful loving husband, but my husband is an artist with the most amazing eye for detail, and what would or would not look good.

The wall colors look so wonderful with his paintings that grace our walls.

I even keep looking at the fireplace. Our woodwork/trim before was painted a kind of seafoam green color. Now it is a biscuit color and boy does it make the mantel look great, it even shows off the stones of the fireplace better, it revives them. We have a cathedral ceiling and there is a wall that devides our living room and kitchen. We have books lined on this wall, and it looks great...even better with the biscuit trim.

You just don't know how much better something can look until you change it.

Now, I am all for "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Well, we were broke and now we are fixed! Living in a home now filled with color!

Prayers do get answered....

2008-09-28T08:51:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning watched my husband sleep and was reminded of how lucky I am. Lucky that God brought me something I had always prayed for- "someone to love me for me that would help me grow into a better person". He takes such wonderful care of me, spoils me actually.

All last week for some reason I was just so tired, one night I had a sore throat. I was in bed, and asleep most nights by 9:30.

Sam, though he has a much more difficult and stressful job than I do shopped for, and made dinner all week. Now, that I think about it the weekend before he cooked all weekend. Very delicious meals.

I doubt he realized what he was taking on when he married me, he has to talk me off the ledge often. But he is good at it...

Thank you babe, for not giving up on me, and thank you, God for answering my prayers in the best way!

You won't regret it!!!

2008-09-11T18:09:00.003-05:00

We have splashed some color into our lives!

Boy, am I a lucky woman.

God blessed me with a loving and patient man.

We are finally back in our home, and boy does it look great! I look around when I am there and still am in awe that it is our house!

It was a long 10 days in the hotel but it was sure worth it. There are still a few things to be done but….boy does it look great! Even things we have had that we put on the walls seem to have taken on a new life.

We have great new light fixtures in the kitchen and dining area, including a ceiling fan in the kitchen which really makes a difference. The ceiling fixture in our bedroom was for some strange reason in the corner of the room behind the door. My oldest stepdaughter Kendra bought us a light fixture for out bedroom when we got married we had intended to just hang it in the corner and swag it to the center of the room. Well, they moved it to the center of the room for us and it looks just great!

The kitchen is also so much more roomier. My brilliant stepdaughter Kendra had the idea to move the bar part of the counter over. They moved it over just about a foot and it seems like a mile. Sam did some measuring and reconfigured some cabinets to move the refrigerator out of the corner and wow what a difference it makes.

I will put some pictures on when I can find the camera. We are plucking away and putting the house back together.

Sam has been working like a dog, me working like a weak little puppy! Even as I write this he is headed out the door to mow the front lawn before it gets dark. I must say again...boy am I a lucky woman.

So.....If you are sitting in your house right now and just looking a white or off white walls do yourself a favor and splash some color on them, you won't regret it!!

Why are they always in the corner?

2008-09-01T20:05:00.002-05:00

Okay, we are still at the hotel, but the house is coming along very nicely. Hopefully Wednesday night.

I was in the bathroom this morning, Sam and Emlyn both still asleep.

Look over in a corner and what appears before my eyes? Nope, not Santa. A huge brown spider!

I grab a wad of toilet paper. I work up the courage, position myself just right, work up the courage and go in for the kill.

What happens next...well...a million, did I say million, I mean billion tiny baby spiders run all over! Of course at this point I scream. Then, grab my hair spray to slow them down so I can catch them. Sam then came to see if I was okay, and went back to bed.

Then I got them all cleaned up and flushed the toilet....and well....needed a plunger. So, I came out got on some pants and a t-shirt went and snagged the maintenance guy as he was on his way out for a smoke and got a plunger. I confessed to using excess toilet paper to kill a spider, and well, he laughed, said it probably got under the door.

Why....I ask you why...are they always in the corner?

Worth the wait....

2008-08-30T16:43:00.002-05:00

You would think that living in a hotel, and eating out every night would be a relaxing way to live. No beds to make, no meals to rush home and make, no trips to the grocery store.

Well, yes there are pros to it....the pool! Yes, the maid does come and make our beds, and vacuum and clean the bathroom, but I have to come here on my lunch and get the cat out so...there are cons...but....did I mention there is a pool? I tried to call my sister in law the other day and my oldest stepdaughter to have them bring me a noodle from Betsy's so I could float. But neither of them answered their phone, but I am sure that either one of them would have hoped on a plane and brought me down a noodle. But...okay....I guess the .99 cent one we bought at Walgreens was cheaper than a plane ticket.

We are currently residing in the Red Roof Inn while work is being done at our home. Tomorrow will be our one week anniversary here. Everyone that works here has been very nice and helpful. But, home sounds so good....our own beds....our own big washer and dryer. I am now doing laundry and have run out of quarters with one load to go....

Looks like we will be here a few more days. In our dining out Sam had a wonderful idea! We have been traveling around the world. We have been to Greece, Mexico, Germany, Italy, China, India, and I believe we will be visiting Thailand soon.

Today we met the contractor and painters to make sure we were all on the same page paint wise. Good thing we did, the painter started to write the paint numbers on the wall for his workers and the first number he wrote was incorrect.

I actually was not going to go in until it was done. Kind of wanted it to be like "Extreme Home Makeovers", but....I went in and was just amazed. Sam had mentioned that the walls were now textured, and even though the walls here in the hotel are nearly the same texture I just could not picture it in my head. But it looks great! I am glad too that I went in, though I wish I had taken my camera. The change is going to be so amazing.

We had plain white walls, and now we will have some lovely colors to brighten our lives.

Our bedroom was the only bedroom with a ceiling light, it was tucked into the corner of the bedroom behind the door. The bedrooms have light switches but...they turn on and off a plug on the wall. We have often wondered what in the world the former owners were thinking when they did things. Kendra had gotten us a light we were going to hook up and swag to the center of the room and we had not gotten it up yet. Now....they will put it in for us, and in the center of the room. One sad and kind of scary thing that the contractor told us about the "corner light" was that the people that installed it had just ran it from the light switch to the corner with....are you ready for this...."speaker wire"! They had a household current running through speaker wire. It is just amazing that the place never burned down.

We also got new light fixtures for the kitchen and dining area, even a ceiling light/fan for the kitchen where it just gets so hot.

It is getting exciting, and I will post some pictures when it is done!

I know it will be worth the wait!

Ya just got to check out...

2008-08-23T18:12:00.001-05:00

this web site!

http://failblog.org/page/2/

Pruning...

2008-08-23T12:00:00.002-05:00

Well here in Ocala we dodged the brunt of Fay. School was cancelled for 4 days, only one day after the new year started. On my job they sent us home early on Friday, which of course did not break my heart but, why even have us come in? I traveled home in worse weather than there was when I went to work. Such is the logic of Florida Department of Corrections.

I told my mother that I am not calling them any more, which is the same old argument with her as I am always the one that does the calling no one, my mother, sister or niece every call me....my nephew well that goes with out saying I don't think he has ever called me. But, here I was in a state that had a tropical storm, with the potential to turn into a hurricane and not a one of them calls to see how things are in our area. But, like I said that is the same old thing. I am always the one that does the calling......

Thankfully Fay was gentle to us, we got lots of rain, and strong winds, lost power on and off, but other than that it appears that Mother Nature just did a little pruning.

Meat....or no meat....

2008-08-17T11:25:00.005-05:00

When my step-daughter returned from her summer with her mom in Michigan we went out to dinner on her first night home. One of the the topics of discussion was a book her sister had read, The China Study.

Okay, it sounds like a good idea, but lets read up on it a bit...is how I though we had left things.

Well, last night at dinner I find out that we are turning Vegan! As she was eating the meal I had made with chicken she said, this would still be good when we go Vegan. Wow, is what I though in my head. I did not recall saying I was going vegan. I remember leaving it at lets read some more about it. I was quite surprised. I still do not know exactly what my feelings are about the whole thing.

I'm not opposed to meatless meals a few nights a week, but to be turned vegan. Well, isn't it something one chooses?

I'm not against changing my eating habits, although I am slow to do it. I have made many changes over the last few year, all for the better.

I think that this change will be a little harder to make. I was raised by meat and potato in every meal parents. There were times I was convinced that my mother would stand at the meat counter and ask the butcher for the fattiest cut of meat.

Granted....yes I need to be more healthy....yes....I need to lose weight....yes....there is a history of cancer in my family that is rather daunting.

Actually, I now eat more healthy than I ever have in my life. More vegetables, fresh vegetables and not canned as well as better ways of preparing meals.

One might think that a Vegan lifestyle would not be such a huge transition and easier to make.....but....but....call me a skeptic.....I think I need some baby steps....a meal or two....baby steps....please.......

This a rambling blog, change is good I know. The change in my life over the last few years has been wonderful. A wonderful husband, two beautiful step-daughters, a home to share with them.

Some changes in life are easier than others.

Changing from 2 % milk to fat free was only a slight adjustment for me....I think going from meat to no meat will be a much bigger adjustment.

one kitchen mystery solved...

2008-08-10T09:38:00.002-05:00

Beware of Pur products!

2008-08-09T12:38:00.002-05:00

Purchase at your own risk.

Well, our last Pur faucet water filter will be our last Pur water filter. Upon moving outside of the city to an area where we get well water we purchased a Pur water filters for our faucet. At first it was great "hey we can get filtered water for cooking with out having to stand at the refrigerator". The joy was short lived. The product lasted less than a year. Against our better judgment we bought the same one to replace it because I had just bought filters from Sam's Club.

The new one is worse than the first one! We are only a few months into the use of this one and water sprays all over from the bottom and I was just using it getting filtered water and noticed that water is now coming from a crack in the side of it.

Great quality product! But I guess that is how they make money. People have to buy new ones more frequently. They will not sucker us in again. Admittedly we did not buy the top of the line filter but I would have hoped it would last longer than a few months! But, then again as I said that is where they make money.

Buyer beware! Use caution when buying a water filter for your faucet! Think again before you pick up the one from Pur.

On a scale of 1 -10...

2008-07-29T17:04:00.002-05:00

Okay, on a scale of one to ten how tired is everyone else of hearing the name Brett Farve?

My "tired of hearing about Brett Farve" rating is - 210 and growing daily.

Had he not cried wolf about retiring for a couple of years now it would be different. The man finally makes a tearful announcement stating he is retiring from the NFL and....."has an "itch" to come out of retirement...."

Please for the love of NFL...MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

You retired, the team has moved on with Rodgers....let them play ball in peace....don't play yo-yo with them......don't keep them dangling on the end of the string year after year and then finally take the retirement walk...only to yank the yo-yo back up again.

Please for the love of all that is sacred between goal posts....just retire and be done with it.

If I were a Packer fan I would be trading in my foam cheese head for another teams colors.

So fellow football fans...on a scale of one to ten how tired of you of hearing the name Brett Farve?

so much for...

2008-07-13T13:03:00.006-05:00

Sleeping in....

Cat in face 6:15 am...meowing...Roxie.

Okay...I give up and get up go out, let Jingles in who had spent the night outside, and feed them both. Back to bed I go.

Next thing I know.....I wake up to my mother outside in the street yelling "Lester, Chico, get over here"...over....and over.....and over....for what seemed like "forever". I am sure her neighbors were loving her at that moment. I wanted to yell out the window and tell her to be quiet!

Okay...I give up and get up go outside, yes in my nightgown and go to where my mother is yelling at the end of the driveway and say "Lester, now"...and imagine that he comes. Of course you only need to call Lester because Chico will fall in line behind him.

Simple as that....I have not lived with these dogs for two and a half years and they mind me better than they do her....but...then they always did....just like a kid they know who they can push and who they can't.

So much for sleeping in.....

One thought...or two....or...maybe it is just one...

2008-07-13T12:46:00.004-05:00

I have been very lax in making entries. Many times my husband and I will be watching something and, well, naturally I react to something and it is common for Sam to say " I sense a blog entry here".

Then....being the purebred procrastinator that I am it does not get written about. I even have made notes on a note pad and...yep...those notes are still not that note pad and not one word is in this blog.

Yesterday I flew home to Michigan for a few days with family. So many things I thought...that is something to write about....eventually....maybe...you will be reading them.

One thing that comes to mind was the woman who was in the same row on the plane. Young woman, early thirties, I suspect Greek. Two young boys, 3 1/2 and 20 months, Alex and Daniel. She is lucky that Alex was quite content to watch a DVD of "Thomas the Engine", "Barney" and others I did not recognize. She had her hands full keeping Daniel entertained.

It was obvious that they had money, as she was dressed in high end clothes, Daniel had on little toddler "Ralph Lauren" jeans, and the huge "Coach" purse had to cost more than a car payment on my car.

But, I digress, one thing I noticed was how her pants were worn. I thought to myself, that shows a mother that has a child on her lap often. Jeans do not typically show wear on the top of the legs do they?

Okay...so....there is one thought....more to come

Okay...so what would you do??

2008-07-03T19:52:00.006-05:00

Okay, so what would you do....

As reported in the Ocala Star Banner:

Clerks at a Mobil gas station located at the intersection of Southeast 52nd Street and U.S. 441, made a major mistake on Tuesday with the gas price. According to sheriff’s officials, the clerks told them when they were changing the gas price, instead of putting $4.02, the figures read 42 cents.

The clerks told deputies that 30 to 40 vehicles took advantage of
their generosity before they realized their error.

The price was immediately changed after a customer told them about the
error.

After it was read at work today, there was some discussion as to who would tell....and who would not have told....what would you do?

A better world because....

2008-06-30T17:42:00.004-05:00

Many people touch our lives every single day. Often it is in just some small way: a cashier, a teller, even people you do not meet face to face.

You see actors performing on the stage, the big screen, or even a small screen that brings them into your home.

Sometimes you hear actors names and it triggers a memory for you. Or you just fondly remember watching them perform. You may not even have watched them, but you can hear the name and think, "Oh, I remember them."

I never really followed George Carlin, who recently passed away, but he was so funny. Many people like him have touched our lives and improved them by entertaining us and bringing laughter into our lives.

It is just a tad morbid, but my husband stumbled upon a website www.deadoraliveinfo.com. It lists the deaths of many people, not just those in the entertainment industry.

I just went back to the first of the year and was able to come up with 14 names that I recognized. I am betting if you went to the site, you might recognize more.

Suzanne Pleshette whom I always watched on Newhart. Ivan Dixon, not a name you instantly recognize but…if you grew up in the 60's and 70's and watched "Hogan's Heroes" he touched your life as Kinchloe. Roy Scheider in Jaws-- who did not watch that? I sure think of it more as I now live in Florida and did see a shark one day when went to the beach. David Groh, another name you would not recognize but if you watched Mary Tyler Moore and Rhoda, he was Rhoda's husband. Richard Widmark, Cyd Charisse-- two that my husband remembers, although not to fondly as he said they always creeped him out. I think he said that about Charlton Heston, too, or at least the characters he played.

With the presidential election coming up it will be very different this year with out Tim Russert.
With George Carlin's passing, no matter what channel you tuned in-- sports networks, musical channels, entertainment networks-- they likely made some mention of his passing.

Sometimes when I hear that people who were in shows I watched growing up have passed away, I feel as though a part of my childhood slipped away as well.

It saddens me that we do not realize how many people touch our lives. You often do not realize how long it has been since they have passed away. For some reason, I recently found a website that listed graves in the cemetery that my paternal grandparents and other family members are buried in. I really remembered how old they were when they passed, or at least how old I was.

I am left with such a feeling that this blog entry is somehow incomplete, yet at this time I cannot continue as it has me feeling overwhelmingly sad. Thinking of my father, my sister, the in-laws that I never got the chance to meet.

People touch our lives in so many ways…..gone but never forgotten….and our world is all the better because of them.

Give credit where credit it due....

2008-06-23T19:52:00.007-05:00

I have to take the time to thank someone who is a tremendous help to me with this blogging adventure.

Harry Samuel Williams.

He is the one who finds the photos you see, and often creates them. My Art Director.

He is also the one who catches my errors. If you see errors, grammatical or spelling...well...that means it hit the blog prior to his reading it. He is my editor.

Most importantly he is the blessing that God answered my prayers with.

He is the one I proud to say is my husband, the man that I love with all of my heart.

Please take a chance and check out his blog, and his web site.

http://harrysbeeftrust.blogspot.com/

https://www.msu.edu/~will1140/

He is an amazing man, and blesses many lives not just mine.

I am so proud of him and wanted to take a moment to give credit where credit is due....

Taste bud temptations....

2008-06-22T09:54:00.008-05:00

If by chance there is anyone that I know that checks the Internet while standing up...please sit down!

I know I have mentioned before that I am getting more adventurous in trying new foods, but some may still be surprised.

Tonight I ventured into the world of Indian Cuisine, inspired by Tuesday night's episode of Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Food" filmed in India.

There is a local Indian restaurant called Amrit Palace. We have jokingly called it "armpit palace". Well, tonight was my first venture into the armpit and Indian food.

It is family-owned and operated with a welcoming, worldly atmosphere. You really did not feel like you were in a store front on the busiest street in Ocala.

Sam ordered "Nan" as an appetizer. It is a bread that is baked in a Tandoor, somewhat like pita bread. It came with a salsa-like chutney. Sam ordered me a Sweet Lassi, which is a homemade yogurt drink and very, very good. He ordered a "Kingfisher" beer, which made me think that my dad would have needed the bottle for his collection of beer cans and bottles.

Food was delivered to a table across from us and smelled and looked delicious. We asked the waiter what it was, and it was Chicken Tandoori.

I ordered the "Tandoori Dinner (for one): Vegetable Soup, Vegetable Samosa, Bhujia, Chooza Pakora and Papadam. Special Tandoori Chicken, Pillaw Rice, Puri, Tayta, Onion Chutney, Gulab Jamun as a Dessert". You can order it mild, medium, or hot...I ordered medium and one of the sauces with it was rather spicy. I would be afraid to try the hot!

Sam ordered the "Vegetable Dinner Served in Thali (for one): Vegetable Soup, Assorted Appetizers, Vegetable Samosa, Bhujia Aloo Pakora, Papadam, Mixed Vegetable Curry, Matar Paneer, Chapati. Served with Pillaw Rice, Rayta Onion Chutney and Sweet Lassi. Galub Jamun as a Dessert".

Ya know, when I was choosing what to order, it didn't seem like a lot of food. I suspected it was a little bit of each thing, a sampler platter. And it was. They served the soup first, then the assortment of appetizers, and then came the main dishes. For me it was the Chicken Tandoori.

I was full after the assortment of appetizers....It was great....And now I have leftovers for lunch!

Okay, I confess...though I was full, I still ate my dessert: Gulab Jamun. It was deliciously moist, kind of like a small round pancake soaked in a lightly sweet and somewhat citrus flavored syrup.

There was so much flavor. Our taste buds certainly were not disappointed!

Sixty seconds of fame...

2008-06-20T21:25:00.013-05:00

Okay, I confess….I am rather new to following sports. Likely two and a half years ago, if you had asked me what ESPN was I would have guessed "extra sensory perception now".

Now, I not only know what it is, I watch it every night after work with my family. Pretty much every weeknight we watch Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption. Admittedly there are a many things that still fly over my head.

"Go Eagles!"

Until I got married, I did not understand football to save my life. It seemed so stupid: "First down, second down, third down….line up and run….push each other"…It made no sense to me. I still have a lot to learn, but I finally know that a quarterback is not just what you get when you pay a dollar for a pop that cost seventy five cents.

"Go Phillies!"

Baseball.... Oh there are so many different aspects, details, and rules. Who knew there was a "Strike Zone"? It sounds like a great name for a sports bar! I'm not quite sure how to put it, but, I finally know there is much more to it than "Three strikes, you're out!" or "Swing batter, swing!"

"Go Flyers!"

Hockey... Well, I think that might take longer. I think you have to be able to follow the puck with your eyes before you can start to understand the game….

"Go Sixers!"

Basketball seems much less complicated, they run up and down the court, shoes squeaking, balls being thrown through a hoop. Where sports were concerned I liked basketball better simply because I understood it more.

Or so I thought, because Sam has been watching it for thirty years and still doesn't get it. And I can't answer any of the questions he asks about it!

However…now…even watching The Finals® is too much, and I did not even stay up to watch the ends of the games. I am always happy for the team that wins "The Big Dance". I am happy to see the players proudly waving to fans in their parades….

But….please...Memo to Boston Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis: PUT YOUR SHIRT ON!

I'm sorry, he sure took any respect I had for his team's victory down several notches by taking his shirt off during the parade. If I were a Bostonian, I would be very disappointed. Heck, I am not, and I am still disappointed.

Sadly, there are sports figures who only think of what they can do to make a lead story on ESPN, and this was Big Baby's way to do so: His 'sixty seconds of fame'.

You wear the costume, you play the part….

2008-06-20T20:43:00.005-05:00

Okay, it might be an age thing, but I just do not get wearing your pants so big that they are nearly falling off.

What is the strong desire to have your boxers or briefs show 8 to 10 inches above the waist line of your pants?

What is the strong desire to walk with your legs apart so that your pants do not fall down.

I JUST DO NOT GET IT! How is this fashion?

I have heard that it stems from people who have been in prison and are not provided with properly fitted pants. Yet…I still do not get it. How can it be possible to be comfortable? I remember when I lost weight, and as my pants got bigger they certainly were less comfortable to me.

What is it-- are all these guys running around with their boxers/briefs hanging out getting discounts on their pants from the BVD companies?

I work in a probation office, and one of the officers has said that it just makes it easier for law enforcement to catch them if they try to run. They have to grab their package and hold it so their pants stay up and are only running with one arm pumping which then slows them down.

So…again…I just do not get it...

I sadly recall one day my husband and I were leaving a store in a local shopping center, and as we passed a family that had just gotten out of a car there was a small boy, not even school age, walking with his little 'gansta' pants on, holding them at the waist so he did not lose them. How sad is that?

Boy, that is teaching them young, and if I am still working in the probation office 15 years from now, I would be willing to bet that same young boy comes through these doors as a broken young man.

I realize that clothing does not always make the man, but, often when you wear the costume, you play the part….

What's in a name?

2008-06-13T15:17:00.006-05:00

I may have already written about how I could 'go long' about some of the names that you hear as you watch sports on TV. Many a "Huh?" comes out of me as I have heard a name. My husband often watches me to see my reactions to names.

However, I am starting to feel bad for ripping on peoples names, especially since they are often names from another nationality.

But…sometimes I just cannot help myself!

Fredi Gonzalez, the manager of the Florida Marlins, is a guy I like, but….What is up with "Fredi with an I"? That sounds like a preppy girl who would be shopping in the Valley with Buffy and Bambi.

Yunel Escobar is one we all went long on the other night….he could open the "Escobar & Grille".... the special of the day could be "Escargot"….

Endy Chavez, Lastings Milledge, Renyel Pinto (Don't smack him on the rear end!), Jair Jurrjens…..just to name a few that have jumped out at me. Oh, there are many more, many more….and….okay….I confess….often when my husband pronounces the name correctly for me, and sometimes tells me the meaning, I concede and admit it is a good name.

It is funny, and sad, that I do not really recall many conversations with my father. There is one that comes to mind often as I think of some of the names, or even some of the nicknames. One day I asked my father why they named me and my sisters such plain and simple names: Sally, Judy and Janet. He told me, "We named you what you were going to be called".

My father was one of nine siblings. He was named after his father, and he was most often called Jack, rather than John.

I really only think there was one of his siblings, my Uncle Lowell, that was actually called by his given first name, and not a nickname or a middle name. It made sense to me, and although I have often thought my name was plain and boring, I appreciated it more after hearing that.

So, thank you Dad, and of course Mom, for giving me my name….

Thoughts on names....

2008-05-31T22:25:00.004-05:00

What is in a name....?

Some names I heard tonight made me think...whoa...what were his parents thinking-- or did they? I really need to start writing these names down.

Do our names in any way help to shape us into the people we are?

As many may know, I tend to 'go long' on names that stand out to me, that are different, unusual.

Which, yes, I know, is not a nice thing to do, yet that does not stop me. I am getting better, but....

One thing I wonder: You hear many names while watching sports. Names that stand out. Coco Crisp: This makes me want cereal. Okay, so what I wonder is....Would the centerfielder of the "Boston Red Sox" be discussed as much if his name did not have a "ring" to it. His numbers are decent, and, well, his team did win the World Series. But he had lost his starting job by then.

So, would he be as well-known if he were not nicknamed after a breakfast cereal?

You never realize....

2008-05-25T12:02:00.002-05:00

You never realize how much a person is a part of you, until you are apart.

I was stupid for a number of years.

I had said many prayers for God to bring me someone who would love me for me, and help me to grow into a better person.

Luckily God answered my prayers. I did not realize it at first, and thankfully my husband did not give up on me.

He completes my heart, life just seems to be incomplete when he is not around.

He is now up in Michigan for his nephews high school graduation. I am down in Florida with my step-daughter.

I miss him dearly and can not wait to pick him, and my oldest step-daughter up at the airport tomorrow.

I can not wait.....to feel complete again....

I miss ya babe!

Beast over Man....

2008-05-22T20:33:00.003-05:00

And my mother thinks the two cats, and two dogs in her house have control over her....

Okay, I confess, it kind of bothers me....

2008-05-18T09:12:00.006-05:00

It has now been three weeks since the Kentucky Derby. As I was looking for pictures of Big Brown after his second big win, the Preakness, I saw one of the pictures of Eight Belles down on the track. It reminded me of something about the picture that has bothered me.

Maybe I am the only one who sees it the way I do. To me, as I look at the jockey, Gabriel Saez, starting to walk away, it looks like he has no care at all for the downed filly, not even looking down at her with concern. The beautiful filly gave it her all and came in second in the Kentucky Derby. Gave it her all, her life, and that is a pretty high price to pay. It saddens me to think that she gave so much to that race and on her back was a jockey that had no concern for her at all. It is sad. I may be naive, but I thought jockeys had more of a love for horses than shows here...as he just walks away....

I know appearances can be deceiving but, I can not help the way the picture looks. Had he been looking down at her as he walked away, I might not be left with the these thoughts....

Beverage and a condiment....

2008-05-12T17:19:00.007-05:00

"O.J. Mayo"

What were his parents thinking? Were they overcome with thirst and hunger? The desire to have some Orange Juice and a sandwich with Mayonnaise? Oh, what were they thinking? It would be hard enough to face life with a last name the same as the nickname for a condiment, but why would you give your child the nickname of a breakfast beverage on top of that?

Heavens, the situation is worse than I thought. My husband proofs my entries for me and he very wisely said that I may want to give a clue as to who "O.J. Mayo" is for family and friends who may read this. So I looked him up on "Wikipedia" and....the former USC college basketball player, who will be entering the 2008 NBA Draft is actually named "Ovinton J'Anthony Mayo".

Parents of the future I strongly encourage you to think....think long and hard.... about what you name your child!

I think I now understand why he opts to go by the name of a beverage and condiment....

Okay, I confess....

2008-05-11T19:55:00.012-05:00

Okay, I confess, I am known for being overly judgmental of names.

You have to admit that some names you see these days you kind of think their parents enjoyed a game of "Boggle" when they were trying to come up with names for their children.

Let's face it, parents can be cruel. They are not the ones who have to go through life saying, "I'm Callix Crabbe". To me that sounds like a name straight out of "Sponge Bob".

Often, when we are watching baseball, my husband will look over at me and say, "Whatcha got on that name?"

I think I am going to start sharing some of the names that, well, catch my attention.

You sure do see some interesting names, especially in baseball. Coco Crisp for one-- I kind of like it, but I am left wanting some cereal.

So...What do you think?....Cocoa Crisp....or Callix Crabbe....Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Cereal or Sponge Bob's neighbor?

Names that make you go, "Hmmmm...."

Don't let a title fool ya....

2008-05-08T17:28:00.003-05:00

Okay, the title of the website does not clue you in, but you have to check out this website: http://icanhascheezburger.com/ The pictures are just too funny!

Love is in the air....

2008-05-06T20:40:00.008-05:00

Well, it is that time of year in Florida again: "Love Bug" season! It's something we encounter twice a year.

Tonight I was trying to describe them on the phone to my friend Karen, in Michigan, and, well, I defer to "Wikipedia". I think they are much more knowledgeable than I, especially since what I had known of their creation seems to be an "Urban Legend". So, Karen, here is a little of what they say about "Love Bugs":

The love bug (also known as march fly, honeymoon fly, telephone bug, kissybug and double-headed bug) (scientific name Plecia nearctica) is a small flying insect common to the southern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast. During the semi-annual love bug flights or "seasons", the insects are commonly found spattered on the hoods and windshields of automobiles. The body of the love bug is acidic and can affect the paint on vehicles if not washed off. Love bugs seem to be attracted to lighter colored objects (white fence posts are usually blackened with them during the peak season), but can accumulate anywhere.

The love bug was first described in 1940 by D. E. Hardy of Galveston, Texas. At that time, he reported the incidence of love bugs to be widespread, but most common in Texas and Louisiana. By the end of the 20th century, however, the species had spread heavily to all areas bordering the Gulf of Mexico, as well as Georgia, South Carolina, and other parts of Central America. L. A. Hetrick, writing in 1970, found it very widespread in Florida and described its flights as reaching altitudes of 300 m to 450 m and extending several kilometers over the Gulf.

I have always wondered...

2008-05-05T21:28:00.004-05:00

How is it that you know that the one you are with is the one. It really isn't something you can explain, more like a sense that washes over you. I used to be envious of my cousins who are happily married, jealous even, because they had something that I wanted. Something that I never dreamt that I would ever have in my life. That certain someone who completes your heart, makes you feel whole. Where you do not question whether or not you are loved, you know it. You feel it to the very core of your being.

My husband is a wonderful man. He has loved me for a very long time, he knew who the one was. Me, I am a slow learner, and thankfully he did not give up on me. He often kids me about the many, many emails we exchanged, and how apparently I did laundry 24/7. I wish I knew exactly when I realized that he was my one, but I can't. Maybe inside there was a part of me that knew it, but I was a chicken. He is a very well educated man, and me, well, did I mention I am a slow learner.

My wish is for everyone to feel the special love that completes your heart, to have someone so amazingly special to share life with. I am a very lucky woman, and I hope that my husband knows how very, very much I love him. I often sit at my desk at work and just look at his photo and smile with happiness. I am amazed. I never new that love was such a strong feeling. Love is an amazing thing. You love many people in your life: Your family, your friends, even pets. But the love you feel, when you find "the one", will just knock your socks off!

I live in Florida now, and I really have no use for socks!

But I no longer wonder....

Beauty taken from us.....

2008-05-04T18:04:00.005-05:00

It has become a ritual for us to go and watch the Kentucky Derby. It is really a great thing to see. I have always thought that horses were truly beautiful and graceful creatures.

I am now fortunate enough to live in the heart of horse country. I can often sit here at the computer and hear a horse whinny from one of the farms across the road. Some of the horses that run in the derby actually have been trained at some point here in Ocala.

I am a very sentimental person, and sometimes I could cry at the drop of a dime. I remember watching "Black Beauty" and crying at the ending. I was heartbroken for Barbaro who had to be put down. Imagine how I felt after this year's Kentucky Derby when a strong, proud' real-life black beauty, a filly named "Eight Belles", ran her heart out and came in second. A really strong finish, where you could see her trying so hard to catch back up to the winner "Big Brown" who had overtaken her lead. What heart!

Shortly after, she collapsed onto the track with two broken ankles. They said she would have been in such pain the way they were broken that she was euthanized on the track.

It breaks my heart to read about it, and my heart goes out to her trainer and owners. It is hard when beauty is taken from us too soon....

Beautiful People or Good Looking People...

2008-05-02T17:41:00.003-05:00

As I get ready for work, I often have the CBS Morning Show on in the background. The other day they had a teaser about "People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People", and they posed the question...."Are they really beautiful people, or just good looking people?". This has had the rusty wheels turning in my head. I still don't quite know how to write what it is I want to say.
To me there really is a difference between the two. You can be a gorgeous knock-out, and still be an ugly person because of what is inside of you.

I really think that the beauty a person has within, far outshines the beauty of what is on the outside.

My husband often says that he really does not want to know all that much about an actor, a singer, or our mailman. More and more I come to understand why he feels this way. The Beautiful People of the world often are quite ugly on the inside. Such as the famous actor who was mad because he could not get a call through to Australia, so he threw the phone at the hotel concierge. Something lke that helps answer the question posed..."Are they really beautiful people, or just good looking?"

Should I be worried?

2008-04-28T20:32:00.012-05:00

Since I have moved to Florida there have been many new encounters. Especially in experiences with nature.

From the large bugs, to Lenny the Lizard, to those white and wandering birds..."Cattle Egrets".

After moving down here, I remember seeing white birds in fields, often around livestock. I found out that they are commonly known as "cowbirds". They are actually kind of pretty, and to see many in flight is a beautiful sight. Ocala is "The Horse Capital of the World". We live on the outskirts of town, and, well, I think this is causing some confusion to the "Cattle Egret" [aka "cowbird"]. More and more, as we drive down the road, I have to yell out the window, "Hey, you silly cowbirds, that is a horse, not a cow!" The confusion they seem to be experiencing is starting to worry me......

From Bugzilla to Lenny....

2008-04-25T17:41:00.003-05:00

Many years ago I went on a camping trip with my friends, Nancy and Karen. An old friend of Karen's, Bernadette, came along with us-- thankfully! We were going to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to go to a concert. We took Nancy's van because, well, you know women, we over pack, and when you camp you need some stuff.

We were headed north when the muffler on her van got louder. As I recall, we left a rest area and it dropped down and was dragging. We pulled over, and Bernadette, being mechanically inclined and the only one who would fit under the van, crawled under and rigged it up with a wire hanger, if I recall correctly. So, muffler back up, still a little loud, we got underway again. Just as Nancy was about to pull into traffic, the biggest bug I have ever seen in my life landed in my lap.

I screamed, of course, opened the door, and got out. I don't think I even waited for her to stop. They did not realize what I was screaming at, and I do not think we ever saw it in the van, but from that point on it was know as "Bugzilla". We have had many laughs over it since then-- it was a fun trip.

Now, here I am living in Florida, where bugs are bigger than "Bugzilla" was, and I find myself saying, "Hi, Lenny," to the lizard that lives outside our bathroom window. Now, this does not mean I have come to like bugs, and fireants are still evil! But, who would have thought, that I would ever say, "Hi!" to a lizard....

Learning Curves....

2008-04-23T18:29:00.002-05:00

I am starting to think that as we grow in life we travel down learning curves. Sometimes we get settled in our ways, and just go through the motions of life. Sometimes we go out and explore new things, try new recipes, or go to new places. Life can be one big “learning curve”, and we are in control of how sharp the curves are, even to some extent, how frequent the curves come at us. You know that saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Well, I do not agree with that, I consider myself an old dog, that can learn a new trick or two. I may not motivate myself to do so as often as I should but, as I tell my husband I am “educable”. It is not part of the definition of “learning”, but I think the word growth can also describe learning. As humans we may stop growing in height, we may grow in girth, thankfully though we never stop growing when it comes to learning. We may not try to learn new things, we may even avoid learning new things, but we never lose the ability to learn.

Who would have thought...

2008-04-18T19:00:00.002-05:00

I still find myself shocked sometimes, and I know that family and friends would be even more shocked to hear me say "do you think we could make this at home". Tonight my husband met a friend of his at Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille on the square here in Ocala, http://www.hookedonharrys.com/page/28-4188.htm. He had met her after work, and I thought, it is such a beautiful day, sitting outside at Harry's sounds heavenly and decided to join them after I got out of work. I had yet to meet her, and am glad I finally got the chance. It was nice to sit and visit. After she left we stayed and had dinner, I ordered:

Louisiana Pork Tenderloin SteakCenter cut pork tenderloin topped with baby Portobello mushrooms and our house made French Quarter sauce, a full flavored Worcestershire butter sauce.

It looked great, and tasted great, had a bit of a kick to it, I thought it was delicious, and believe I will try to make it, or something similar.

Sam's usual is "Crabmeat and Eggplant Napoleon", tonight he strayed and got something from their "Be as Crabby as you like" special menu:

Crab Bisque
A combination of Jumbo lump crabmeat, cream and our special seasonings make this soup unforgettable.

Crab Louie Napoleon
Conquer your taste buds with this spectacular dish featuring cured tomatoes, avocado, lump blue crab meat with chili mayo and roasted peppers, stacked Napoleon style with a drizzling of avocado vinaigrette.

You know, now that I think about it I think it is more surprising to me, than it is to family and friends that I am trying new things. Life is just too short, I wasted too many years. Thankfully, I now have a wonderful future ahead, sharing life with someone who has opened my heart, and mind. I'm growing....finally....

Okay, I confess....

Lovin' this so much...deep in my heart!!!

New favorite quote!!!

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”― Thomas Campbell

Reflection...

Keep your fingers crossed - update ;)

Keep your fingers crossed...it included almost all our leftovers ;)

Beards, beards, beards - part 2!

Much too late to catch it on the big screen....

Okay, I confess…I do tend to be a bit of a name critic.

Big screen worthy...maybe...maybe not....

Big Screen Worthy!!

hair…hair…hair…where are the scissors?

The paths you travel...

more about movies....

Okay, I confess....it was better than I expected.

So...which is more likely to be real?

How lucky am I...

Words with big meaning...

Beards...beards...beards....

Hey, I confess it was actually fun!

Pretty powerful word.....

I have only myself to blame….

Hey, blog world...are you still out there...

Technology is so amazing....

Okay - I confess...

Life is a lesson - can't we learn from it?

Creepy is creepy - even with a pretty name!

Last dime given to Catherines!

disappointing, dependant, innocent wildlife.....

Thoughts....

So, what is with cats...

To be...or not to be....

Getting back on the bike!

Virtual worlds....oh heavens....

Something sure smells fishy....

New admiration for ducks....

I have been neglectful...

A lesson on the art of forgiving...

I've said it before...

Happy Mothers Day!

Vitamins are good for you....

somethings got to change....

I just wonder about people...

Too few drivers pay attention....

Things happen for a reason...

My husband....is he lucky...or am I?

a wish for teenagers...

Microwave Etiquette 101

When does the knife blade loose its edge?

Part of the scenery....

the funniest things are out there....

The best...

Worth a look....

Those who touch our lives...

On Star....things that make you go hhhmmm...

It bears repeating...I am a Lucky...

Resolve = Solution to Happiness…

A new year....

Day, by day...

"modern day packaging"...

It sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

too hard to write about...

a must see....

I'm getting old....

Like mother...like daughter....

Colors!!

Prayers do get answered....

You won't regret it!!!

Why are they always in the corner?

Worth the wait....

Ya just got to check out...

Pruning...

Meat....or no meat....

one kitchen mystery solved...

Beware of Pur products!

On a scale of 1 -10...

so much for...

One thought...or two....or...maybe it is just one...

Okay...so what would you do??

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
― Thomas Campbell