Forever Fishin

This is Frank and I in a former life!!!

SNOW

Need I say more?

Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Sweepers...OH MY!

Ok, so I am not the best person in the world I know...but I do not think I am the worst in the world either. I think I do my share of work in and around the house. In fact I believe I try to do it all ( that way I know its done to my satisfaction). But does that mean that no one can even lift a finger to do the smallest of chores.........EVER? Ok, so this is my rant and rave post. I admit I have had more to rant about, but refrained as I did not want anyone who read this to believe I was ranting about them........but, since it doesn't look as though I have any or many readers, and this is for my entertainment, I am having my moment. My dander is up, and I have just about had enough.

What is it with putting a new paper towel roll on, or a new toilet paper roll? I mean don't we all use them equally? When you use the last square is it not just decent, to say the least, to put on another instead of leaving the bare roll there for the next unsuspecting guy? I mean I have left it on just for spite, if you will, in hopes of making someone HAVE to put on a roll. But that just doesn't seem to work in most cases. Either I have to have it on before someone else needed it or it just didn't make me feel as good as I had hoped it would. (the spite part)

Today is Friday, our trash pickup day. Not only did I have to pull out the trash, but then I had to put in new trash bags as well. For several Friday's I have actually left the trash can without a new trash bag hoping someone would make the effort to put in a new bag before placing their trash in the can. (Spite) But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO....most days the trash is boiling over the top because I am still waiting for someone to empty it besides me. I mean I even make sure to place new bags in the bottom of the trash can so its not too difficult to find the bags just in case you don't know where to look (in the cabinet just one foot next to the trash cans), but that doesn't seem to help either. Now, if that were the only thing for the day. Last night some time after supper, the paper towel holder above the sink was getting down to the last paper towel. I purposely made sure to leave one on, (spite thing again) as I was sure it would be used before midnight and then have to be used again in the morning by someone else. As expected when I awoke there it was, staring me in the face, an empty roll on the holder. Now I knew this would happen and I had an early dentist appointment so after eyeing the roll and feeling my blood pressure rise, I simply left, without replacing the roll I might add. Yeah spite thing again. Upon my return 2 hours later, still no paper towel replacement. And of course no new trash bag was replaced into the trash can in the bathroom. Yeah, I did manage to not replace that one this morning out of spite I might add.

Ok, so in pain from the dentist, there is still some house work to be done. Sweeping is still a bit hard and I try to keep it at a minimum, but it still needed to be done. I have to sweep a bit and sit a bit...sweep a bit and sit a bit (the knee thing)...today I made a point to sit in front of a certain person in hopes of some volunteering to be offered...(yeah spite again) But that seemed to go unnoticed. So I decided to Strategically sit the sweeper in the direct path from the kitchen to the living room. Yet another spite thing. Now I ask you, how many times can you walk by and around a sweeper and NOT, I say NOT use it? I mean how hard can it be to just be nice some days? Just seeing that a sweeper is in your way on your way into the kitchen the first time around should be enough of a hint that some sweeping needs to be done, or if not that, that someone needs a little help?
HELLO!!??
I just am thinking that after double knee surgery only 2 months ago, a trip this morning to the dentist and a lot of other health issues not named here, would qualify for a little sympathy sweep. Yeah I said sympathy sweep. So shoot me!

Ok now I am getting a little tired...did I say I went to the dentist today? I can only eat soft things for the day and what did I just witness? SOMEONE........ I will not say who...has just taken the last piece of soft zucchini bread. There oughta be a law! I think it was done out of spite!

The Letter

While going through some old receipts/papers today trying to get some kind of organization into my life, I came across a letter that was in my Aunt Lissie's handwriting. I don't quite remember when she gave it to me, but I do remember after reading it, that she told me I would need to keep it and read it often. I guess this is why I saved it. Upon reading it, it made me think of my sister-in-law and something she said to me recently. I don't imagine these are my Aunt Lissie's words, maybe they are...but maybe too she just copied it from somewhere. But I choose to believe they are her words. I just thought I would share them here, just in case my sister-in-law reads this, I think she would enjoy it.

Lord, thou knowest that I am growing older.
Keep me from becoming too talkative, and keep me from falling into the tiresome habit of expressing an opinion on every subject.
Release me from craving to straighten out every body's affairs.
Help me dear Lord, to listen to others describe their aches and pains.
Help me to endure the boredom with patience and to keep my lips shut.
For my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I might be mistaken.
Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not wish to be a Saint (Saints are so hard to live with) but a sour old woman is the crowning work of the devil.
Make me thoughtful but not pushy, independent, yet able to accept with pleasure favors that others wish to bestow on me.
If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut.
Lord knows that when the end comes I would like to have a friend or two left.

Lookin Good

The other day as we were getting ready to leave the house, I looked up and noticed Frank got dressed in a shirt he hasn't worn since we bought it about a year ago. We both got a shirt at the shirt shop were you can buy one and get one free...GOOD DEAL I thought. So upon looking around, we noticed we could get us each a shirt supporting the college's Cat's kids go to. We thought it would be a cute idea to wear them when we visited each of them. (Or at least that is what I was thinking at that moment!!) But with such a bad year last year, Frank never got around to wearing his. He has lost so much weight and when he came in wearing the shirt...I was like WOW!!!!! you look GOOD! Not that he doesn't always look good, but it was that wearing a new shirt, lost a little weight, got some nice jeans on too, lookin good...you know? Anyhow I took a picture of him and he wondered what I was going to do with it and of course I was thinking...(good idea for a blog)....but he wasn't sure he was ready to have his mug plastered across my blog quite yet...so I did a little cropping so I would be able to post it to his satisfaction, (just in case he reads this) and also just to have it for me to remember the day he looked especially good! Oh and its the University of Indianapolis (Greyhounds) the college Cazeo attends. I got the IU shirt where Nic goes. Enjoy :)

Saying Grace in a Restaurant.........

My Sister-in-law sent me this in an email..I kinda liked it and thought I would just share it this way.



Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.
As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!" Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong?
Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart," the man replied. Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal.

My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.
He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already."

THE END

YIPPIEE...SNOW

Did somebody say SNOW?? YES THEY DID! It snowed today! YAHOOO! I love the snow. But haven't seen any this winter season. SO glad its here. We awoke to about 3 inches or so. I was so happy to see it. I love the snow. Had to arm myself with the broom, however, before I got ready to let the dogs out, to make a path for LilBit, or she would just pee the minute her feet hit the snow and that unfortunately would still be on the deck....and that is just what she did anyhow. Seems I am not fast enough yet. But we all around here know to avoid the yellow snow. Anyhow it was a nice thing to see early this morning. I love the snow. Frank told me around 6am it had snowed but I was sure he was messin with me as the weather man said we would be seeing it tonight. So when I saw it myself I was sure happy about it. I love the snow. Too bad I couldn't go out with the babies and run around in it like I usually love to do, as my knees are just not ready for that...it was all I could do to sweep the path! But I didn't care I had to sit for an hour after I did that cause I love the snow. I took a pic of it out the back...not the best but you can get the jest of it. Pretty. White. Everything looks fresh. I love the snow. Dad made it out the drive although he did slide down the hill right into the road. Seems somebody drove around the driveway twice.....guess either they could not make up their mind if they wanted to stop here, or couldn't stop, or just drove around to make a path for us...? whatever...


Oh, did I mention...I love the snow.

Latte Art

I know this has probably been seen before..but I just found it and thought it was cool! :) So enjoy!

January 12th

Three years ago today was when I moved in here to "watch" my mother as she was doing, saying things that just didn't seem right. 20 days prior I had lost my mother's sister and my most favorite Aunt in the world. I was still grieving about her loss and was not prepared for what has turned out to be a huge turning point in my life. My Aunt Lissie was the sweetest most honest person you would ever meet. She never treated me with anything but respect. She treated me as well if not better than or as least equal to my own mother. I loved her with all my heart and I have such fond memories of her and none are bad, with the exception of losing her. So I was not ready to jump into what I had just jumped into with my mother.

My mother had breast cancer in 1974 and lost a breast to that. She recovered quickly and without radiation or chemo. She had received her nursing license a couple of years prior and without reserve went on back to it full force. Through the years she did well with the exception of a couple of bouts with cancer. Skin cancer and then in 1993 she was diagnosed with bone cancer and was only given 6 months to live. She received radiation and did very well and in 2003 was still here and managing on her own. I had noticed a few months prior to my Aunt Lissie's death my moms speech and memory doing funny things. I called her on it several times and as with most questions into her health to me the response was I know what is wrong with me and I am looking into it and am prepared for what God has in store for me. But after my Aunt Lissie's death I knew I had to watch her a little more closely and decided to go and stay a few days with her to watch her on a 24/7 basis.
Good thing as that evening I was witness to her having a seizure, which I had never seen and feared was a stroke. Longer story short, she had a brain tumor...which as dad and I were told in 1974 that anything she had from that point on out was to be referred to as breast cancer. Or in a manner of speaking, that it was the basic cause. The doctors were actually amazed that she was even alive, let alone walking and talking.

So I had to at that moment make some big decisions. My mom needed round the clock care. They wanted to put her into a home. No way, thats my mom. If it was in my power to care for her in the manner in which she deserved, then so be it. So I did. I never went back to my home. I left my 3 bedroom home and brought my husband and 2 dogs here to my parents house into one room. A very hard thing to do. My mom lived for 10 months they didn't give her that much time. I can't say it was a good life for her as she indured more seizures and too many tests and treatments that as we now know were unnecessary. But she had some good days. And I was there. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I don't want to do anything like it again. If I had to do it all over again, would I change anything? No. Thats my mom. I loved her. She took care of me when I needed her. She watched over me and made sure I was safe when I was growing up. And probably some when I was grown up. There was never a question that I would do it. In the back of my mind, I knew for 30 years I would have to do it. I never thought I would be able to do it....but I did. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Would I do it all over again? Yes. That was my mom. It taught me a lot about love, commitment, responsibility,pain, grief, selfishness, family, honesty and faith. Not in that particular order and not at all only those things. I can't say it all made me a better person, I think I am the same. But yet I am different. I have too many feelings to know what to do with, but enough to know I had a good mother who taught me the meaning of life. I only hope I did her proud. I miss you mom.

Hear Today...Gone Tomorrow

Not much in the way of posts lately. I feel kind of silly just writing whatever comes into my mind but then is that not what the blog is for? So here I sit beginning to get into what my day has been like. Another doctor appointment today, but for Frank this time. Whew! But still its getting to him as well as it has gotten to me. But good news as the CT Scan revealed no infection in his ears or any under lying problem. So that was good. The ringing still is there and will be from the nerve damage. Doc says that might subside when he wears the hearing aids. We will see about that when and if we ever get to being able to pay for the hearing aids. Why is it whenever there is something substanstial you have to have in the way of medical or some sort of repair, there is no money to do it? I mean if you have insurance why then is it so important to not cover the most important things most people have to have some time or another? Eyeglasses, Teeth/Dentures and Hearing Aids. I am sure there are other items most insurances don't pay for but these are the things I know for sure about for most. Or at least I have never had any coverage for any of these items and have needed 2 of the 3. (So far anyhow) So for now on the hearing aids I guess we will just have to continue our way of talking so we can understand each other, since neither one of us can hear.

But I am sure if you talked to Frank he will suggest that I can hear......I just don't listen :)

Ok so its been a few days since my last post.....I cannot think of a thing to say. Yes this is weird. I am thinking I need to get to the doctor fast. The last couple of days have been strange and I sit here looking at the computer and don't even want to play any mindless games either. This is sad. Frank actually looked at me the other night and said, "Why are you so quiet? You ALWAYS have SOMETHING to say!" So its official when somebody else has also noticed it. Maybe this blog thing wasn't such a good thing after all? I seemed or thought I had so much in my mind for the last 6 years to say and now I am a total blank. I have not even done anything worth talking about today. I haven't even gotten out of the house. I think I am tired...but for what reason? I know I am about tired of my knees still not being back to "normal", but thought I was dealing with it. Maybe not. I gotta get out of this gunky feeling. Gunky? Is that even a word? Am I tired when all I can think about is when I can get back into bed for the night? Maybe so. Maybe I should have taken a nap today? I don't like to do that. I rarely ever do that. But maybe I should have. Ok thats it...not a good post but wanted to put it in writing how I felt today. Lousy, tired, no brain activity...oh and gunky.

I mean really...there has to be something wrong....look at this font color I picked out?!?

Big Blue

Ok so there it is...my BIG coffee cup I got for Christmas from "B". Now mind you I am NOT, I said NOT a coffee drinker. Not that there is anything wrong with coffee, or coffee drinkers.....I just am not one. Pepsi is my drink of choice. But a few years ago, Hank got me hooked on this drink. Cappuccino. Not any Cappuccino, but specifically, Victorian Inn Instant Cappuccino, French Vanilla. He got it in a 3 pound can from Sam's Club and told me if I liked hot chocolate I would love this as it didn't really taste like coffee ( supposedly he wasn't a coffee drinker either) One drink was all it took and I was hooked...or should I say addicted? No matter. Its good. It does have a hint of coffee I think but mostly a mild, milk chocolately taste, so much so it has ruined me for regular hot chocolate! That's ok. I like this better. For me it's a good Hot/Chocolately/drink, fix, when I need it! Trouble is, Sam's no longer carries this product and I cannot find it anywhere. Now even though 3 pounds of mix will go a long way when you are the only one drinking it...it won't last forever! I managed to finagle a canister from Hank (as he had an extra) when I ran out. But I can finally see the bottom and I am losing it fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Especially since I have a NEW Cappuccino cup to drink it in and it requires more spoonfuls than just a regular cup, but I could use the mix sparingly so to make it last longer.

but who am I kidding? .......................Its a big Cappuccino cup and I am going to use it wisely.