Mr.Green Jeans

Chops & Beans

2012-02-10T15:02:00.002-05:00

Another good meal from the cookbook. Now if and when I have cooked Chops in the past, I can't say I have ever paired them with beans. But this recipe kinda made them have a Barbeque~y taste.
I have a lot of cookbooks, & in recent weeks when I emptied up my boxes from storage, found I have a sort of collection. Which is rather odd as I don't usually go by a recipe, I like to make things up as I go along, and sorta wing it and add ingredients all willy nilly. So I do believe other than trying a new recipe for the first time, this is the first time I have ever gone for weeks using recipes to cook my evening meals. I am surprised and actually loving it. I am finding that I don't use as much ingredients(which is good, hence diabetic cookbook) but I also am not throwing anything out. So I am thinking the diabetic dude and Homie are loving it also.

Chops & Beans

The only thing I did in this recipe different is not use as many chops or beans as it called for as I didn't have that many on hand...but for 3 it was perfect and all we had leftover was a bowl of beans which Homie gladly consumed the next day for lunch.

6 Chops ( I used 4 and boneless)
2 1 lb. cans of Pork and Beans ( I used one can)
1/4 cup of ketchup
2 slices of bacon, browned, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped onions sauteed
1 tbsp. Worcestershire
1 tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 tsp. mustard
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. ketchup
1 lemon (I didn't use the lemon either)
Combine beans, 1st round of ketchup, bacon, onions, Worcestershire, brown sugar into crock pot. Brown Chops in skillet, separately add rest of ingredients together and brush onto each chop before submerging into beans. Cook for approx. 4-6 hours, this time depends on whether you cook on high or low and how many chops you had I am sure, as I only cooked this for 3 hours and it was perfect. Homie usually chokes on chops and he ate 2 of the 4 Chops I cooked in this as they were so tender, they just about melted in your mouth.

This as with most of the recipes I am finding in this cookbook are very delicious. They were sounding too good to be true and I was hesitant after a couple to whether I was doing Shankster a disservice or not. But after his Levels have consistantly went down, and we got a big thumbs up from the Doc after only 3 weeks, I think its time I tooted my horn.

TOOT TOOT!! :)

Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole

2012-02-04T20:03:00.004-05:00

Sounds too good to be in a Diabetic Cookbook doesn't it.

It was.

We Did It!

2012-02-01T19:24:00.003-05:00

Or I guess I should say the Shankster did it!

About 2 and a half weeks ago his blood glucose was up to 311 and a surgery/procedure was halted. So then his journey began as a diabetic. When you are mostly clueless at how to begin this process, it can be very daunting to say the least. But I think that is where the WE part comes in. :)

We searched for info and bought a few books, listened to family and the doc. I at times felt like a total dummie and searched for a book that stated that, Diabetic for dummies. (I didn't find it but am sure there is one) At times his level got up to almost 400 and I got very worried. But I have to say I am very proud of him. I don't think I could be so diligent at keeping the carbs/sugar at bay. After all I am a chocoholic.

But he is doing very well I think, and after only 16 days his level today was 99! I know that still may be high, but I think its great, especially after having numbers in the 3 digits, I am was happy to see that number come up.

Good Job Shankie!

One Down...

2012-01-28T19:35:00.002-05:00

And a few hundred to go...Recipes, that is. Good Recipes, Diabetic ones....

ok I was writing that to the theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies, and it was a lot funnier in my head....anyhow,
Explanation.....

We are on a Diabetic Diet. Which is harder than you can imagine, not that I ever imagined what it would be, but lemme tell ya, this is hard. Especially when you have more to feed in a dinner meal than just the one diabetic dude. But I am making it my mission to not let it seem like we are making too much of a fuss. LOL, fuss? who am I kidding, I have an online calorie/carb counting journal, Print them out each day to go over, went to the bookstore and bought 2 books, have spent literally days on the computer googling information and am getting advice out the wazoo from all kinds of experts, (the ones you don't pay for, you know, the free kind) & I thank you all, and I think I am even dreaming about what to and what not to eat each day. But its all good, we are getting it and doing a pretty good job at it I might add, for a couple of newbies. We have on the second week lowered it considerably and have maintained it for a week. So now just have to work on getting it down more to the desirable goal.

One of the books I got was a Fix it and Forget it Cookbook for diabetics. I love it. Hundreds and hundreds of recipes for the crock pot. (the fix it and forget it part) And since I have a NEW and Larger Crock Pot, I am loving it even more! The best part I found in this cookbook is that you can pick up the book open it to a recipe and chances are good that you have all the ingredients in your kitchen....no need to run out and spend more money on something you normally don't ever buy. So double loving that part.

So far I have fixed 2 recipes from the book, loved them both but today got to use my new Crock Pot. Today we had Pork and Cabbage Dinner. Total Carbs only 9gm! The ingredients sounded iffy at best to me as it called for slicing up an apple & placing beef broth in with it, but whoa momma, it was delish.

Well now its time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin.
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin' in.
You're all invited back next week to this locality
To have a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality

Hillybilly that is. Set a spell, Take your shoes off.

Y'all come back now, y'hear

Yes, it is official, I am an idiot.

Older Age Brings to Me....

2012-01-27T16:54:00.006-05:00

More wisdom perhaps? More happiness? More weaknesses or strengths?

I have been in the mindset of when I get older I will NOT be like my mom or dad, I will be Different, Independent, Cool.... able to leap off tall buildings with a single bound....................Yeah, who am I kidding, I find I am EXACTLY like my mother and I can see my dad in there lurking around.

Help me, somebody, Please!!!!!

I was reading recently how when you are in your 20's its like anything is possible, in your 30's your weaknesses and strengths are confronted and a depression comes round that continues to your 40's and in the mid 40's you are unhappy...then in the 50's/60's you get on an upward trend towards contentment and happiness and things turn around for the better.

WHAT? Better? Better than what?

Ok I dunno who these guys researched but this is how I see my life. I have always felt like I am twenty something, in my mind....(after I was actually 20 something) I have always felt like anything was possible and still do. I don't feel like a depression came round or that I was unhappy or got suddenly happier inside of 10 or so years. I feel the same. Always in a good mood, always happy. Now since turning 50 I can say I am trying things I maybe would not have tried in earlier years....(mindset thing)

Which brings me to this post...(which I think I have detoured from considerably) (but I couldn't figure out what to title this post so this is where it took me)

I bought me some Crocs. Yes Anna, you read correct. I not only bought them I am wearing them some days, all day, and out to KFC once! The Shankster left me alone shopping one day recently and I was feeling like I needed to do something for ME, (yes Sandi you read correct also) I looked the entire store over looking for something for me only.....then, I did it, I found me some Crocs and I tried them on and carried them around the store for about 30 minutes and thought what the heck......

Crocs? I am so surprised at how much I love them. I have never liked them but for some reason over the last couple of years look at them when I see them out and about. I have even tried one or two pair on, and always was sure I could NEVER wear them....even around the house. I don't like them. They are not for me. Anyone who knows me, knows I only wear tennies and they have to be supportive and I wear them from the time my feet hit the floor to the time I go to bed. And I always get white and they are always the same ones until they discontinue them and ....see a pattern yet?

So maybe older age does bring wisdom? Or just the privilege to change my mind whenever I see fit. Yeah, that's it.

But now, Thankfully, My tennies are getting a rest!

Don't ya just love em? And they are MY color. :)

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive.....

2012-01-27T16:30:00.004-05:00

Matthew 7:7// Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

I believe it is true that you if you ask for it, you shall receive it. I have always known these words, even say them every now and again....its just that most of the time the things I ask for I don't receive....or at least I don't think I have, as I don't actually see that I have received anything.

Recently I have been using the 1970's crock pot for several meals a week. Been dreaming of a new one that is bigger and more easy to use (and clean). Look at them everywhere I go.
The Shankster, wanting me to have everything I dream of, jokingly asked my dad yesterday to get me a new crock pot.........today I received it. And yes from dad. Wow. Miracles do happen.

Now I do remember asking for some other things, most notably for my ship to come in.........oh well... for me, I guess the crock pot is a start. :)

Thanks Homie!

Who Knew?

2012-01-13T20:33:00.004-05:00

Apparently, it DOES pay to go to the carwash and wash your car periodically. :)

And yes....I am laundering it.

It is a Small World

2012-01-13T20:06:00.005-05:00

As I said in the previous post, we had a rotten year. Filled with lots of things that is just reality, but not fun reality and it just seemed never ending.

I have an online friend that I have "known" for 14 years, give or take. I said "known" as I never met her physically until 2007, as she lives around 9,000 miles away.

She collects all kinds of things and is in a lot of groups for such collections. She knows a lot of people all around the world. She is my best friend. She took the time to inform some of her online community collector group of friends how our life was going in the last several months.

Long story short, around the holidays, we received over 30 cards from folks we don't know from adam. In each card, in which some were handmade, from these people who know not who we are either, were notes/words of comfort to us. I couldn't believe it, that people you don't know can be so concerned they would take the time to not only send a card, but to actually take more time to write a note just to hopefully put a smile on our face.

We received cards/notes from Oregon, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, Canada, Wisconsin, Washington, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Holland/The Netherlands to name a few.

And, with each card we got, we smiled. Thanks to all of you from the Pathtag Community. And Thanks to Gemma.

Mama said there'll be days like this.....

2012-01-13T18:56:00.003-05:00

Wow, I have been away since June. A lot has happened since then.

I started this blog to keep track of my feelings as a good friend passed away and I was full of things I thought I wanted to say or even write down, and maybe to keep some family posted on my life through pictures...and sometimes to just amuse myself by keeping a log of the days events, as it seems as though some days my life is a bit amusing to say the least. And so it turned out that I liked to write mostly about just that, my life, whether it was amusing/boring or just down right sad, that is what this blog has turned out to be.....stories about my life.

2011 started out with an ice storm that rocked our back porch and then some. It also brought down more pine trees around here than I care to remember. (cuz we had to clean them up) The Shankster and I slowly but surely got it all cleaned up and in the process the Shankster paid for it and ended up in surgery.
He went through several surgeries/procedures and a bunch of tests. A tree fell on our car while we were driving. We welcomed a new grandson....we lost a brother & best friend.

The Shankster was recovering from his June surgery and then in late July we both went on a journey with the Shanksters brother in the last days of his life.

I want to say that 2011 was the worst year the Shankster and I have ever spent together. Not just because he went through a number of surgeries and physical pain. Not because of all the mess we had to clean up from the pine trees. And Not because of his brother going through shear hell on this earth for about 3 months.

I want to say I never want to go through something such as that again. But I can't, what I have to say is this, I can't remember a time in my life I have ever spent so much time with family praying. We woke up praying holding hands and listening to Freddie sing the Lords praises. We went to bed doing the same. We laughed, we cried, we sang gospel songs, we prayed. We would spend most of every day listening to Freddie praise the Lord and NOT asking... "why me"? one time.

I can't say it was the best time I ever spent, but I have to say it was nurturing to have gone through it with Freddie. He kept going when most would have faltered, he smiled when others would have cried, he even told jokes where others would have been angry. Even on his worst days, he joked & sang. We saw him kicking up his heals walking down the hospital hall while holding onto an IV pole. We listened and laughed as we wheeled him in a wheelchair on yet another bad day all the while he sung Mama said there'll be days like this, There'll be days like this My Mama said (Mama said, mama said).......

It was the longest 3 months of my life, yet it went by too fast. I can't know why he was taken so early, but I do know he was ready. I only can hope I can have even half the grace this man had if I am ever faced with even a tiny bit of what he had to endure, and trust me, he had to endure more than any one I have known, but all he had to say about that was that it was not as much as Jesus Suffered.

I feel honored to have known such a man and more honored to have gotten to be with him to the end.

So here we are, 2012, and the story continues, without a very good man I might add, but it still continues.......Mama said Mama said....

Frederick Leonard Doerr
10/23/1951 ~ 10/28/2011
May He Rest In Peace

Surgery Day

2011-06-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

I forgot which round this was...but today is the day. Wish him luck.

More Rounds of Surgery

2011-06-01T20:32:00.004-04:00

Actually Round#2 of surgery came and went. All things well, which was what we were hoping for. Happy that the procedures/tests/labs are all done for that problem for a while at the least. But now we are looking at surgery #3 which was scheduled for this Friday. But Heart doc didn't clear it.....so now we have to wait. Who knew that surgery was hard on the heart? Go figure? Hopefully this surgery was to cure what was ailing the poor Shankster, and he would only need to recover for a while and be completely well. Being that "WELL" is in the sense that Whatever WELL is for the Shankster at the moment. (I tried but still it sounds silly) He still needs some "fixing" on other parts but we will get to that on another post, as this is for what is going on for now.

We have to go see Heart Doc to check him out to see if he is ok for another surgery. If so they are tentatively scheduling it for the 20th. So we will see.
In the meantime he is still working on the tongue. By "working", I mean still eating soft foods, he has graduated from the pudding and jello, to other more substantial eats. (more mashed potatoes with gravy with occasional pintos n cheese from Taco Bell) /// :)

He is also working on his speech. I love it. I think he has overcome such great pain and I am very proud of him. Not just pain, but certainly mental stress trying to deal with not one but 2 different ailments at the same time that could have turned into a whole lot more than anyone needs to deal with. Luckily and by the Grace of God, he was spared, and I think he is doing great in that regard.

Even though his speech is pretty good, he sometimes has a time saying certain things, and gets very tired very quickly, which makes for some pretty funny words. Like don't even ask him to say "She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore".
However, I am having some great fun with him, and he is ok with it. We found out years ago that if we were to survive at all in this sometimes cruel world, we needed to have laughter. So I have had my fair share of that in recent weeks, listening to the Shankster speak, and joking around with him. All I can say is that he sounds like Paul Reubens in a movie called Mystery Men. Its one of those movies that you either love or hate. We both loved it, and have watched it so often we know the lines pretty much word for word. So I get him to repeat some of the lines every now and again when I see him get depressed or down, and we have a good laugh.

So Shankie, if you are reading this......its about that time again for a speech lesson, say "Weapons Check" :)

Thunder Stealer

2011-05-19T15:19:00.003-04:00

Yea, that's me....I stole the Shankster's thunder. As of this morning I do not have a voice. Lost it sometime during the nite. Never had that happen before. Don't like it. The not talking part. I'm a talker. It's worse too since the Shankster cannot talk, it has been a very interesting day.

A lot of funny moments when I thought I knew what he was wanting, and tried to say it for him to get it all turned around into something else That is ok, laughter is just what we needed today.

.....along with some better pain killers, a nurse to care for me and the Shankster, a cook for both of us and one solely for Homie as he is driving us both bonkers.

Who said silence is golden?
;)

Day #6

2011-05-18T15:12:00.004-04:00

For the Shankster Day #6 is no better than the past 2 days. He is still in much pain and the medication is no help. Good news is I found a couple of more soft foods he can swallow without chewing and he says it has helped.

Bad news is, I am sick. I awoke yesterday to a terrible dry throat. All day I seemed to be drinking water like it was going out of style. But felt fine....until around 8pm. Last nite was the worst nite I have spent in a long time. I coughed so hard I thought my head would explode. My head feels full and killing me. I had the chills and just felt plain miserable. So I knew I had to get to a doctor to find out what was going on. I felt horrible, not for myself, but for the Shankster and how bad I would feel if what I have is contagious and he got it. I can't even imagine him coughing with bronchitis with the pain he already has.

So even though I had to see my usual doc's brother (which I have seen before and didn't like at all) I was going. Turns out he was very pleasant and even popped a few jokes. I was thinking now who are you, and what did you do with Dr. Steve? He was very understanding about my concerns with getting the Shankster more sick and even seemed concerned himself asking all about him. So the bad news is this, I have a fever, and I have bronchitis, and a sinus infection, bacterial...not what I was hoping for. He says I will even get worse before I get better..yikes. He was nice enough to give me some pills (see, I knew there were still some docs like this) that will take care of me in hopes of nipping this in the bud before the Shankster sniffs it out and tries to grab onto it for himself!

He is like that you know...wants everything I have.....:)

Day #5

2011-05-17T14:30:00.003-04:00

Day #5 is not much better. Pain is still making itself very present and with no relief from the medications, I do believe it is taking its toll on the Shankster. After much trial and error I did manage to find a couple of things that he could swallow for nourishment this morning, as ice cream, pudding and jello were just not cutting it for breakfast.

I found that the prepackaged creamy oatmeal went down easily and made him smile. The smile has been few and far between since Friday... Now this was not like the regular oatmeal he loves usually that made him want to scream when he tried it Sunday, as it went down rough and thick and hard to swallow. Its funny as you really don't know how thick or rough some foods are that you think are soft until you can't chew at all and you have stitches on your tongue.

I also made some Raspberry Tea for a change from regular tea and water for the Shankster.

This is my only problem. I think that the Shankster may lose a bit of weight from this not finding anything substantial to eat, but I think I just may gain it, as I have to try everything I make for him to see if it is edible, then eat it when he cannot so not waste it, along with my usual meals, of course.

Man, I can't win for losing.....:)

Kaxander

2011-05-16T15:57:00.006-04:00

Day #4

2011-05-16T15:21:00.002-04:00

Guess I should really start at day #1.

Shankster got the surgery & all went well. The "lump" was actually a Tumor. The size of a Mediterranean Olive....quite big for the tongue. And the Doc says he has never seen something as this in this area. The good news was that he doesn't think it was anything to worry about. YAY! But it will still be checked out and we should find out in a week. So still send good thoughts his way please.
And as I figured, Shankster was trying to talk when I arrived in his room after the surgery. As long as I have known him, whenever he has had surgery, afterwards he is a talking nut. I think probably due to the medication they give him, but still he usually does not shut up.
This time was a bit different as you really couldn't understand him, but he thought you could. :)

They gave him something to control the saliva and said he would be VERY dry and thirsty for days. I, along with the nurse, told him to not try and talk. She told him she wanted to bring him something to drink....did he want water? No response. She said well we also think if you want you could have some Pepsi. His eyes lit up. The same thing happened when she offered Jello.

So when we got home I made Pudding, Jello and some Bean Soup. (per his request) He was sure he could get the soup part down easily. I Went and got some ice cream and made some tea hoping this would be enough for the first day. We established early that COLD went down a lot more smoothly than hot...or even warm. So Bean soup not much of a hit.
We knew ahead of time there would only be drinking for about 11 days, but I didn't have a clue it would be this hard to figure out the best things to get down to fill up a stomach in order to take the 4 different medications they sent home with him. If he takes 3 of them on a empty stomach he will get nauseous. So far on day #4 we have done pretty good without the nausea.

Day#3 wasn't the best for pain. He awoke with more pain than he has had so far. And so #3 was miserable. Today isn't much better for pain. And it is harder to eat...or drink his meal. I blended a banana with some ice cream and he scarfed that down very quickly. So guessing he loved it.

Now to work on the pain, the pain pills only seem to be working for 2 hours, not 4, so We finally called Doc to see about the level of pain vs. pain pills. Luckily for the Shankster he gets something different to try..lets hope it works better.
Now if I can only stay balanced enough to get myself across the street to get them for him. I would tell you I am a bit sick today, got a sore throat last nite and am stuffy to boot, Head seems full of pressure and I am dizzy to boot.....but its not about me for the next 15 or so days...its about the Shankster...so I won't say a thing.

;)

Surgery/Round #1

2011-05-12T09:34:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the day for sending good thoughts, vibes, prayers, and anything that can be mustered up in support for the Shankster. Hoping this first surgery goes well, outcome is positive and he recovers quickly. He is not looking forward to the miserable pain the doc said he would be in for 11 days...or the not talking or EATING! yikes. Hey is this some sort of a diet? I would say Sign me up, but I don't want a diet that is this painful. :) (just kiddin Shankie!!)

I just pray he does well and that he is strong enough for the second round that awaits him on the 26th. Stay Strong Shankie!!!!!

BPPV

2011-05-11T21:45:00.000-04:00

After waiting 2 days to get the car back to have a way to go, I got my bootie to the doctor asap this morning. I was miserable since Sunday evening with the extreme dizziness. I don't think or remember if I have ever had an earache, so when my right ear started hurting yesterday was thinking this was my problem, and with the dizziness so bad, thought I was in need of a miracle pill, toot sweet.

Much to my surprise, after several "tests" doc says this is what my problem is. BPPV. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Translation...I'm Dizzy every time I move my head.

Basically this is what I got out of what he said.

Small crystals are built up in the inner ear fluid but doesn't cause a problem as this is where they belong. If they shift to a different part of the inner ear canal, the fluid there moves at a different speed than normal, which causes the nerve cells to send signals to the brain which now don't match the visual input from the eyes. Dizzy. This is what I am.

There is a maneuver that can be done to "reset" so to speak, the crystal/or crystals back to where they belong. Epley Maneuver. We did this in the office. I thought I was going to fall off the table in the 3 person Merry Go Round that was now the Doctor's office. Me, Doc and The Shankster. Luckily for me, the Shankster and Doc was on both sides of me and were keeping me from falling off the Ride. It was the absolute worst dizziness I have felt. Gee I waited 2 days for this, I thought I would just get a pill and it would all be gone in a matter of days. What the heck?

Oh and I almost forgot when he told me to remove my earring, and before I could say What for, he jerked my ear in a way where I was ready to Kick him where the sun didn't shine. Said it was some kind of a chiropractic move. Ok. I was almost regretting spending the gas money to drive up there.

But I have to say even though I was disappointed that I didn't get that pill, I am Happy to report that the pain in my ear and neck is completely gone. Nice move from the Chiropractic Ninja.

And I also wonder what happened to the days when you could complain to the doc and get a pill, take it a few days and your problem was gone. Now I have to do this maneuver several times a day and hope it helps in a few weeks. In other words, NO PILL, and ride this Merry Go Round several times a day and hope to not puke.

I bet I don't get a Corn Dog either.

Googly Eyes

2011-05-08T15:36:00.003-04:00

The Shankster is calling me this, it appears to be my new nickname. :)

It's ok, I just wish it wasn't because of the reason. Dizziness. Of course that was my middle name since 1992....but for the past few years, it had either taken a back burner or I had just gotten so used to it, it wasn't as noticeable. Until recently. I had even went from taking 4 pills a day to be able to walk around like normal (whatever that is) down to 1 pill a day, and eventually to none. Mostly because they were too expensive and my insurance didn't cover them. I just figured I would try to do without them if possible, and it was, for a while.

Then recently I noticed I didn't seem to be able to shake the dizziness quite so easily, I told the Doc I might need the pill help once again. He decided to get me some that I could afford instead of the ones that worked.....ugh. But these pills are cheap, and I like cheap...and I only have to take them as I need them, so if I feel or get too dizzy to maneuver...(act normal) I can pop a pill. It is supposed to take care of the situation. It didn't. That was a few weeks back.

Yesterday I awoke to the room spinning uncontrollably....I took a pill and it seemed to help. But this dizziness was not the dizziness I am used to. Ha...see I am used to it. Anyhow usually it is me that is spinning, but yesterday the room was spinning. Not a good feeling. Today I awoke fine. Thought it was a fluke...or something I ate. Until I got in the shower...very strange to see the shower head floating all about. I made my way in to tell the Shankster and this is when he said I had Googly Eyes....He can tell when I am dizzy and how bad by my eyes. I took another pill. But it has been with me all day.

But no matter, The Shankster made this a Happy Mother's Day for this Googly Eyed mother .

Ahhhhhhhh....

2011-05-06T19:06:00.002-04:00

Well it has been nice....but the time will end sometime today...so nice to feel a bit normal if only for a few days. I only wish this week had went a lot better...especially for the Shankster. For any visitors I may have, please pray for the Shankster as he will need all the help he can get for the next 3 weeks. Thanks.

All Dressed Up

2011-04-24T16:29:00.001-04:00

My Boys

2011-03-31T22:15:00.003-04:00

It would have been the best if B's Face got into this also, but the boys holding hands was just the sweetest.

FYI

2011-03-09T19:44:00.000-05:00

#1~ Don't store clothes of any value or that you think you will wear, in a shed/storage for 7 years.
#2~ Don't try to wash said clothing when you finally find it, after 7 years
#3~ Don't cry, it doesn't help

KaXander

2011-02-28T19:08:00.020-05:00

Little Guy is home and doing well. Just a few pics to share for now.

2-21-2011

2011-02-23T21:26:00.018-05:00

Kobey Alexander
5lbs 13oz

Asking for prayers as he was about 6 weeks early, and is having a few issues. Mommy is finally home & doing better, but the Little Guy kind of enjoyed getting waited on by all the pretty nurses and has decided to stay there for a few.......:)

OH yeah..... and I am a GRAND NANA for the second time.

Quick Project

2011-02-14T18:45:00.008-05:00

A few weeks ago, actually right after a snow storm but before the ice storm I decided to work on a sewing project for the Shankster. He has so much pain in his neck (and no it isn't all from me) that when he does feel like pickin on his guitar the strap is so stiff it isn't comfortable enough for him. I was sure we could find something new, but most straps aren't really for comfort. So, I bought some really neat fabric that is kinda like lambs wool. I only paid $2 for this piece and was sure I could fashion something for a bit of comfort.

I measured....

Then cut......

Here is the finished piece. I actually folded this over twice for added softness. It was hard to sew, but I made it work.

OMG, I sound like TIM GUNN. MAKE IT WORK! I watch too much Project Runway.

Contractions.....

2011-02-13T21:12:00.001-05:00

But no baby yet.

Earlier this afternoon I got a call from B that M was having contractions. So we hurried up and made the 40 minute trip to try and get there before she had to rush to the hospital. I absolutely hate having to live this far away from our kids when things like this occur and we need to be there to help asap. But this is life.
We made it in time and M was anxiously awaiting as she was making her way to the car as I was exiting mine. The hospital gave her something to stop the contractions as she was a bit under 35 weeks and nothing else was happening. So we got to spend time with the boys for a few hours. That's fine with me. M was ready for nothing but bed when they arrived back home and we came on back to the frozen icy hill.

Maybe the next time I post will be to announce the birth time of Koby Alexander.

Project Pillowcase

2011-02-11T18:23:00.004-05:00

Once again I found myself on a project I knew nothing about how to accomplish. M had some more of C's shirts and wanted me to make a pillowcase in the form of a "quilt" style for him. Something to sort of match the T-Shirt Rag Quilt I made him a while back. She wanted one side to be the same as the Quilt in the Flannel fabric. Then the other side to be of the special shirts. I am surprised I didn't take more pics of this but here are a couple.

This was for the flannel side.
As you can see this was as I was laying them out.

Then here is the finished shirt side. This was what I thought would be the hardest as it was from his uniform from football and the material was mesh. It was hard, but I think it came out ok. I had a couple of different colored uniforms to use and tried to get all the numbers and names in. It makes for a thick pillowcase on this side, but looks cute in a tween boys room. I tried to look this up on the Internet and in books to see how to make/sew a quilted form type pillowcase. I couldn't find anything. So I had to go it willy nilly. My first thought was to just sew it all to a existing standard white pillowcase. Simple? Seemed so in my mind. But it was the hardest thing to try to get done, especially with the mesh fabric. I ended up just tearing it all out several times before just winging it my own way. I guess that is just how I roll.

Round 3?

2011-02-05T14:39:00.008-05:00

I honestly don't know if this is round 3 of the Winter Storm of 2011 or not, quite frankly I lost count when the ice came and the trees came down. I still can't get the cracking of the trees out of my mind. We were hoping to get some more Sun today to melt some of this ice, but this is what we awoke to.......

More Snow.

Homie had gotten his car out on Thursday, I guess he got cabin fever worse than the Shankster has, as he said he had to go out and find some salt to melt the ice......Took him an hour to get in the car (it was all iced up) Then 2 hours just to get it out of the parking spot. (Wouldn't move from the ice) And of course we had no salt left to try to melt any of this. He changed his mind 3 times about leaving, because of all the ice and he knew if he left and got down the hill alive, he would only be able to turn in the lower drive and then walk up the ice to the house...

Here is where the car sits now...right inside the road at the lower drive at the bottom of hill.....where you can see the snow from this morning....we measured and we have 3 inches of new snow. This was as far as he could drive into without sliding anymore and possibly going into the ditch.....like someone did last winter (click on highlight for link)

Now I really do not know what this Idiot is doing here as he can only use one arm as the other arm is the one he has fallen on 3 times now, and he can hardly lift it. I mean really? Are you kiddin me?

Where does he think he is going? We can't leave, Since Homie got down the icy hill ok, I guess we could, but then what? We don't have another drive to pull into, unless we shove Homie's car into the ditch. So I ask, what is the point of cleaning the new snow off the car, especially when you are miserable and you can't even lift your stinkin arm cause your shoulder is a mess!!!!

I was sent a virtual 2 x 4 to knock him upside the head, but quite frankly, No matter what he says, I think he has hit his head enough lately.........

Where's Waldo?

2011-02-03T19:31:00.003-05:00

Day 3 of the after math of the Ice/Snow Storm. The Shankster has now fell twice. He swears he didn't hit his head either time.

But I ask you.....................What do you think?

Things That Go Crack in The Night

2011-02-02T11:20:00.010-05:00

It was all the Shankster and I could do to shut our eyes last nite. Each little snap & crackle we heard kept us on edge. Finally at daylight we decided it didn't get any worse over nite and decided to pull on our boots and get out the chainsaw and handsaws. The Shankster had went out yesterday to get Homie's paper and made it out the front door and down the front hill with no problem and he was actually in his house slippers! So today he was sure it would be no problem to go out the front door again to get around to the back deck to get working on the mess on the back deck.

Think again....He made it to here........

Then landed here......

Not sure if you can see, but there is a thin layer of snow on top of an ice rink. We knew we got more ice, but it is sure not noticeable...until you slip and fall.

Homie and I heard him and tried to go and help him, but he told us to stay. Finally he was able to slide over to the porch and roll onto it. He said he only hurt his butt, shoulder and pride. But is asleep now so I know he has hurt more. I'm hoping he will be able to sleep it off ok.

More pics of the back deck......We have decided to wait for the ice to thaw before trying to clear it.

I hope it missed my grill....:(

This Pine is at the bottom of the hill, the top is broken off the one on the left.....Can't see it on the ground in the pics, but we got the binoculars out to make sure it wasn't in the road.....not that too many people are driving in this as we are under a #1weather emergency....but luckily it isn't....so it will have to wait a bit to be cleared up also.

More Ice Storm

2011-02-01T22:18:00.006-05:00

These are not the best pics, but it was the farthest we could open the back door after part of the Pine tree fell on the back deck at 10pm. Stinkin Ice Storm.

I was just getting ready for bed and CRAAA-CKKKK, but this time I heard it hit and thought it hit the house....hopefully it was only the deck that it hit. We sure have some work ahead of us.

On the up side.... when you crack open the back door, it does smell like Christmas!!

2-1-2011

2011-02-01T21:13:00.006-05:00

February 1, 2011 Ice Storm.

These were pics from early morning. I was actually up before the crack of dawn due to hearing a CRAAAACK at about 4 am. There are so many HUGE Pine Trees surrounding this old house, I worry even on a good day when they will come down in the middle of the nite. So when the Ice started before we went to bed I knew there would be lots of trees laying over heavy with ice......but when I heard the craaaaackkkk at 4am I jumped outta that bed so fast....and hollered at the Shankster. He heard it too and was already on his way looking out. It was some of the 3 pines that are closest to the side/back of the house, but I think just mostly limbs from way up....they are now all hanging over and on the back deck and have slid down the back hill to the driveway. Too much ice still to go out and try to get them all down. I am sure with what has already came this evening and what we are in store for during the nite, they will come completely down.

Now these three Pines at the bottom of the hill sure look different from the pics I took from just the 5 inches of snow we had a couple weeks back! Either they are just heavy with ice or there are some limbs that have cracked on these also.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

2011-01-30T16:32:00.002-05:00

My Dad is on facebook........Now it is really official..... I have NO PRIVACY at all.

Snow Again

2011-01-15T15:37:00.001-05:00

January 1, 2011

I think we have about 5 or 6 inches of snow this time.
I'll take it.....I love the snow.

You can always tell if we have more than a couple of inches as if you didn't know where it was, you wouldn't know there was a driveway there.........

Happy shoveling!

Bad Hair Day

2010-12-24T17:11:00.003-05:00

I have had a few of these in my time, but nothing so bad to speak of....until now.

I recently took the plunge and I don't say that lightly, as it took me way too long, years actually. But I took the plunge and got my hair cut. I think my hair has been long since about age 15. By long, I mean at least to the middle of my back. It was short above my ears in grade school and I have never had it cut since. 40 years. I honestly felt as if it didn't grow fast....or at all some years. It seemed as I looked at pictures, it was always the same length. But I did always trim it myself and sometimes a couple of inches. I never had good luck with going to salons either. I think I can count on one hand how many times I have been to one in my life.

Once in the early 80's I ask one to cut my bangs. For some reason she told me when you cut bangs you have to cut them from the back of your head...Not knowing better I allowed this and for me it wasn't a good look. But I dealt with it until they grew out. Another time in the early 90's I went in and paid about $75 to get my hair french braided, it took 3 of them to do it and it was out by the time I got home....

Then in 2006, I realized I needed a change as my hair was so long I was sitting on it when I had it in a ponytail. So I went and ask for it to be cut up to the middle of my back and I also again wanted bangs, as I had worn it this way for so long, I was losing some hair up front, so I needed help. This lady told me I only needed less than an inch cut off. She said my hair was in good shape. That was fine, But I did want some of the length cut. She argued this for a while and then said whatever I wanted but she didn't think I would like it. I told her it was ok, as long as she didn't cut it above my shoulders it would be fine.....

She cut it above my shoulders. If that were all, she kept me turned away from the mirror and I had no idea of how much she was cutting until a woman came in and asked if I was donating my hair....the salon lady calmly said oh I didn't think of that, and I just said she isn't cutting that much....little did I know there were tons of it on the floor. Now keep in mind I never go to salons.....Then all of a sudden she said she was done and I ask where my bangs were and she suggested I had a widows peak and couldn't have bangs. I don't have a widows peak. She claimed I had to leave in a hurry as she had to leave. I was devastated when I got home. Not only was my hair cut above my shoulders, but it was shorter in the back than on the sides and one side was longer, about an inch and a half than the other. And my problem still existed as to what to do with it as I didn't need to put it in a ponytail and quite frankly now I couldn't, but couldn't do anything else with it either! I tried to get back in for this lady to fix what she messed up, but she avoided me for weeks. For the rest of the year I don't think I did much in the way of going out. Sad, but true. I was a bit gun shy of going to another salon, sort of afraid of what to ask for but more afraid of what they would do with my hair as up to now I wasn't having good luck. Which brings me to about 6 months ago. I had met a lady at a salon while getting more hairspray. Told her of my wishes for my hair. She seemed nice and said I didn't have a widows peak either and could easily have some bangs. She really seemed to know exactly what to do with me.

Which brings me to about 4 weeks ago. Yes it took me 6 months but I finally went to her and she cut my hair, and I love it. Not sure if its me, but it literally took a weight off of my shoulders....(no pun intended) I haven't wore my hair in a ponytail since. I haven't used hairspray either. Something I just love! I don't think I have worn my hair down for over 7 years. The Shankster seemed to love it too and that was worth a lot to me even though it only cost $20!!

Which brings me to last week. The week of December 13th. This week will be etched in my mind forever. I had gotten up early and washed my hair. Had a bit of privacy as dad was gone and the Shankster was getting some much needed sleep. I decided to take this time to use my new ROUND BRUSH WITH LITTLE WIRE BRISTLES and LITTLE ORANGE TIPS. I have never had one of these. But the Shankster was spoiling me and got me one. The instructions said to wash hair, curl with brush and use hair dryer to dry and since it was ceramic it would heat up good. So I used it on my bangs. Looked great. Decided to use it further and took some hair from the top of my head. This was the beginning of a bad move on my part.

Took about an inch of hair and rolled it into brush, started to dry it and thought wow this will take too long. Went to take it out and it didn't budge. I thought I would die. After 20 minutes I went to relax my arms as they got too tired and the brush just kept GRABBING other parts of my hair. I panicked. I went twice to see if the Shankster was awake for some help. He wasn't. But after another 10 minutes of getting absolutely no where, I decided to wake him.

To wrap this us a bit..... After 3 hours, 1 pepsi, using tweezers, picks, forks, water, Pam olive oil spray, conditioner, and then scissors and nail cutters to cut the orange tipped wirey bristles off to hopefully roll my hair off the brush, Frank was at a loss. No matter what we did, more hair seemed to keep grabbing onto the round brush, there was such a matted mess there now, I felt hopeless, not to mention the pain. The pain was down to my eyeball. And now I had wires, and tiny round orange thingy's in the matted hair, not to mention all over the room.

He then had the bright idea that he could use a Hammer, yes I said HAMMER to break the ceramic part of the brush and then pick it all out of my hair. I actually agreed to this. I even grabbed the Hammer, and gave it to him and laid my head down on the table for him to take the shot. I believe I was at this point, delirious. After several tries and it didn't even budge the brush I could see he was freaking out. He was shaking and everything. Poor thing he did try.

So I took the scissors and gave them to him and said cut it.......he didn't want to, but he did.

talk about a bad hair day.

Bill this one is for you. One, of my most memorable moments of 2010.

Snow

2010-12-04T14:27:00.006-05:00

It Snowed a bit last nite and I am a little excited about it. I do love the snow. Not much, but enough for a couple of pics. The nice thing is that it is still snowing!!!

I Did It!

2010-12-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

I finally did it.

It was a long time coming, And I am loving it so far. :)

SNOW!!

2010-12-01T10:05:00.003-05:00

Normally, I would be excited about waking up to this.......

Because I do LOVE the Snow!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T21:01:00.003-05:00

Are these not just the cutest cookies you have ever seen? Oreo Turkeys. Which include all of my favorites.

Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Fun

2010-11-24T15:59:00.002-05:00

Freezing Rain & 36 degrees.

The back deck has been covered with ice since 10 am.

I made the most of today and made some Easy Cheesy Lemon Bars.

70 Degrees

2010-11-22T16:23:00.002-05:00

Yes I said 70 degrees today. Nice warm breezy weather today.

Sewing Frenzy

2010-11-07T19:59:00.009-05:00

Last few days I got busy with some sewing and craft making. Not particularly what I am used to doing, but figured I would try it all the same. Just trying my hand in helping out the d~i~l. She is going to sell at a craft show, and asked me to help or just go with. Anyhow, I had a bunch of things I have saved over the years to try, but never got around to it, so here are a few things I've gotten done so far. I had a bunch of felt, buttons and ribbons in my sewing box, so I made these ornaments.

They aren't the best, but these little boogers are not the easiest to make when you have never made them and really didn't know what you were doing in the first place. After about 2 hours and I had only gotten one done, I was ready to pack it in. Doesn't help when you have to do it all on the bed, and then pack it all up to go to bed, then get it out the next time again. (Sorry wouldn't be my blog if I didn't complain a little.)

And then I made a few Hot Pads......... and a couple of Ipod Cozys out of Jean pockets.

My lovely sister had a great idea of some glass bird feeders & I went and purchased the glue I was sure I had enough glass items to put one or two together...but can't find any and am sure they are all packed down in the barn...after the ornaments fiasco, my fingers are much too tired to go digging in the barn.

Well since I have been up since 2:30 I guess I am tired and going to bed now. I am not sure how many hours of sleep I will get tonite......but hope its more than last nite, I don't care if we were supposed to get an hour extra....I am sure I got robbed.

Time Change

2010-11-07T19:50:00.002-05:00

Lets just say the time change didn't fair well with me this morning. I changed my ipod and Kitchen & Bathroom clocks before going to bed.

Got up when the light hit me in the face. Looked at the ipod, and it said 6:40.
Sounded reasonable...But the bathroom clock said, 2:30. Thinking I had lost it, went to the Kitchen. The Stove and Microwave clocks said 7:15 and 8:15. Shankster said to check cell phone. It said 8:25.

We decided to turn on the TV. It was 7:40....who knew that one day you would have to check the TV for the time.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T20:20:00.000-04:00

The Girls.

Syd.

Sammie.

My Little Goblins

2010-10-31T20:47:00.000-04:00

Trick or Treat?

2010-10-31T16:59:00.004-04:00

Had some spare time and decided to take one of the shirts of C's, from his quilt squares, and make it into a Trick or Treat bag. For some reason I just could not find a spot for this one in the quilt, I thought it was too Halloweeny themed. Is that a word? Halloweeny?

Not the best, as I re-purposed a shirt to use as the bag part, but thought it would do for candy. Made for a big bag for Treats, hope he remembers who made it for him if he fills it up....:)

Trim Job

2010-10-31T16:52:00.005-04:00

This is what the front yard looked like for a week. Poor Tree Trimming Guy's help never showed up so he was doing it all alone. After getting stuck in the driveway twice he decided if it was ok with us, he would just leave his equipment just where it was until he could return the following weekend. Uncle Sam still owns him during the week, so he only does this on weekends. He returned this weekend and finished the job. Of course now Homie wishes he would have cut down the two remaining Pines that are dead in the front yard as well.

But for this winter we won't have to worry about these trees crashing into the roof, or the raccoons coming down the chimney. Thank God for small miracles.

Day #6

2010-10-25T18:32:00.001-04:00

Today was the first day I was able to walk without help, walking stick or the Shankster! Not a 100% yet but Hopefully on my way. Say Prayers!!

When It Rains.....

2010-10-23T13:22:00.003-04:00

Well As the Shankster was napping as he is still extremely sick from Bronchitis and waiting on me hand and foot is really tiring him out, I kept hearing something but since I cannot walk two steps without help and sounding like an elephant tramping through the house, I had to assume it was nothing. Finally after an hour, I decided to try and get up make my way to the little girls room. It seemed as the sounds I had heard were closer so I looked out the window.

It seems the tree guy who was gave us the estimate 2 months ago and was supposed to be here in 3 weeks, decided today was the day he decided to be here. News to us since we got a phone call a few weeks back saying he wouldn't be here til the 3rd week in November.

What does it matter you ask? Well he is stuck. Trying to come up the short hill, his large tree trimming truck got stuck in the ditch and he has been out there for an hour. We have a couple of Large tow trucks in our yard along with a couple of regular pick ups and a few sight seer's. (Yes Sight seer's, everyone likes to get in our business here, I am sure they are trying to find Homie as I sit here to tell him what is going on here) :) I hate this stinkin town.

After about another half an hour one tow truck got him out. They are finally gone. He is trying to get up the hill again and I have to call to the Shankster as I hear his truck sounding like he is stuck again. And he is. My worry is as he is trying to get that large thing up our hill he will inadvertently get it stuck in the ditch from behind. Geez. Holy Crap as I sit here it sounds as if he is coming up the long hill now and stuck there.......OMG.

My biggest problem with this all is I cannot get up and stand to watch.......hahahahha yes I am a nosey - body - sight - seer as well..........but hey I live here.

Fighting It

2010-10-23T12:15:00.002-04:00

Its Saturday and even though I feel a bit better, it still seems to be a losing battle. I tried to keep upright a bit longer to see how I would do and I think I overdid it. Shankster said I would do that and he was right. But I had to move a bit, this sitting is just brutal. I am still fighting over whether or not to go to the hospital. Geez I just don't wanna go there, but am afraid it may be inevitable.

Its just noon, so will wait a bit longer.....which is what I said Thursday at 8am.

Am I Anal?

2010-10-23T12:04:00.004-04:00

This is the first time in 3 days I have been in the kitchen.

OMG......I won't say more as I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Homie just never cleans up after himself, Shankster is the best cook ever, but he is one messy cook. Don't think I am not grateful, but holy moly, I can't wait til I can get in there and do my thing.
Ok guess I had to say something.

Yes, I think I may be a tiny bit anal.

Ridiculous

2010-10-22T20:50:00.000-04:00

This is really getting boring. I have watched about as much TV as I care to. (Can't believe I am saying that) The Shankster has provided me with the Computer so I could try to keep busy that way. I think I have told him what to do so much he is ready to kill me. :)
And I have made enough lists to last a lifetime. (I love lists) Shankster hates them, it means something he may possibly have to do. (But for me he doesn't mind) :)

Good thing about the lists though, Homie actually completed one. He was going to Walmart so I just handed him that list. :) Oh how I miss doing my own things....
How do people sit like this all day? OMG is all I have to say, this is ridiculous. My Bootie is numb. Any Suggestions? :)

Down & Out

2010-10-22T15:24:00.004-04:00

Ok so its Friday and I am still sitting. This really does suck. Having to have people wait on you hand and foot is not all it seems to be. Geez. Did I actually say that? Wow I must be delirious as well.

Ortho Doc has given instructions to sit some more, actually for another 2 days at least with ice and an extra pill. If after 2 days I am no better, I am to go to the Hospital for a knee immobilizer.
Oh Gee just what I wanted an extra pill to take and Sit some more and another hospital bill.

So here I SIT.... broken hearted, tried to......OH WAIT a minute...that is a whole nother problem...........

:)

Thursday

2010-10-21T18:16:00.000-04:00

Just a check in to talk about my day today.

I have sat all day. I mean I literally have done nothing but Sit all Stinkin day. When I got up I was fine but while eating breakfast my knee had a twinge and I couldn't seem to stand up. Then I couldn't straighten it out. I was sure I would be fine in a few minutes, but hours later I was anything but fine. So I sat all day thinking I could fix it. I couldn't. The pain to try to straighten it out is terrible and I cannot walk.

So here I sit.

Mission Accomplished

2010-10-19T16:37:00.005-04:00

Once again I have been summoned to sew something. Wasn't real happy about it as at that moment I didn't have a clue as to what to do. "M" had decided that K.B. was going to be a clown for Halloween. Evidently "B" was one and used this outfit when he was between 2 & 4.

Now for the life of me I cannot remember that, but this outfit was in the hope chest of clothes & other things I had saved from when he was a child, so it had to be his. I had given all the clothes to them when K.B. was born. I do remember several Halloween outfits in there, I remember a Clown Wig, Batman Cape, Superman Cape, Dreadlock Wig and a couple of Scary masks. But cannot remember this outfit.

Now seeing how this is, at the least, 30 years old, it needed some repairs done. "M" asked for the waist to be repaired as the elastic was....well, for lack of a better word, gone to crap. But since she found no hat with it she asked for me to make him a clown hat to match. Trick was I had exactly 2 weeks to do it, as she had made an appointment for K.B. and C to get pictures taken with their Halloween outfits on.

No pressure.

So here is the finished product. I decided on a jester type hat. Not the best but I think it will do.

As I was repairing the outfit, I see that it has been handsewn. I made a lot of things when B was little, I made his bedding covers, curtains, pillows, so I am wondering if I made this? I never really knew how to put in elastic and it shows on this, so I may have made this but cannot remember. I hate how I have lost some of my memory. I am hoping to find some old pics of B during that age to see if he has this on. Guess its out to the barn soon.

I am happy with the finished look, I think the hat can be worn again during the holidays. I will just take off the fuzzies & bells and he can wear it in the snow. Don't ya think?

In The Past.....

2010-10-04T16:58:00.008-04:00

I was told that the definition of Frugal is This....

I beg to differ.

Twenty Bucks

2010-10-04T16:50:00.000-04:00

Some things will never cease to amaze me.

Recently we had the misfortune of having to replace all 4 tires on the Vehicle. Just one of those things you Have to do that you really are never prepared to do..or pay for. This is the first time we have had to pay this much for tires. And as usual we didn't have it, but managed. After researching for several days, maybe even weeks, we decided to buy locally. It worked out to be about the same no matter where we went. The local guy is also our go~to repair man. He was nice enough to even give us a rebate that he had already filled out for us as well. We didn't even know there was a rebate. $20 is not quite what I would have loved to have after spending over $700, but hey twenty bucks is twenty bucks.

So I can't tell you how surprised and pissed off I was when I got a letter from the company turning down my rebate, citing I was past the expiration date on the rebate form. A lousy 3 days late, for a lousy twenty bucks. (yes, now the twenty bucks is lousy) Now I pride myself on when I do send in rebates to read them over and over and then just before I put it all in the envelope to send, look it over once more. I am a pessimist, & forever skeptical about everything. I know there is nothing for free. I know if it looks too good to be true it probably isn't. So I always check and double check.

This time I didn't. If I had, I am sure I would not have sent in the form. But the guy at the shop had been so nice to fill it out for us and stapled all the necessary information together to send in. He knows our situation and I know he was doing what he could to help us even if it was only going to be twenty bucks. He knew we didn't have the money to buy the tires (considering how we paid for it) and I am sure was thankful too we bought from him. So I didn't check. I just sent it all in.

Which brings me to my amazement. As I said I was pissed. I usually don't act on my anger but recently I have found that if I am hurt or angry I am doing something about it other than sit and stew and make myself sick wishing I had said or done something. I can't say you should always act when you are hurt or angry as you may sometimes say some things you are not proud of or you may say something you really didn't want to say and in the process hurt someone else. I never intend to hurt anyone. I never intend to be nasty or mean. But I have to say, in the most recent past, I am ok with what I have said or done after being hurt yet again. And for this particular event I wrote a letter to the tire company of my disappointment, which I read over to make sure I wasn't just writing a letter in anger, and it wasn't nasty or mean, and I sent it.

About 7 days later I received a twenty dollar check in the mail..................Amazing.

Just Take a Guess

2010-10-03T17:00:00.001-04:00

At Who's wall heater decided to come alive this morning? After me being here for 7 years that thing has Never worked. I was sure it was dead along with most of the other wall heaters in this house. I can't even remember when it worked last. I can remember coming here and my mom would keep the door to this room shut as it was so cold in here in the winter because the heater in here never came on. I think the only 2 that are working are ones in Homie's bedroom and living room.

I awoke to the sound of Popping/Cracking and the smell of something burning....... Just more of my things being ruined......oh well I am getting used to it.

Whatever.

International Space Station, August, 2010

2010-08-27T22:51:00.004-04:00

Seen it! Very Cool. One of the coolest things I have ever seen. We didn't think we would really be able to see it, but did a bit of homework trying to make sure where and when, and there she was. Saw it at exactly 8:49 and again at 10:24 pm. Not exactly something that was on my bucket list...but it should have been. Now I want to see more.

What's For Dinner?

2010-08-27T17:27:00.003-04:00

I think I tried this once on my blog to post what we eat for dinner each nite, but I either get sidetracked, or...Hmmf, I'll go with sidetracked. Anyhow, tonite I will try once again, as what we had was really delicious!

Now I really love Taco Salads. Homie not so much...I don't think he likes the salad part. :) So we don't have them as often as I would like. He likes something we fix that my sister would always make for him when he went to see her in Sunny Florida. I think she calls it Taco Casserole.

So in Our Taco Salad, we usually make a nice big salad with the usual stuff, lettuce (usually 2 different kinds), carrots, radishes, cabbage, and tomatoes. We use Ground Beef and spice it up with a bit of Ortega seasoning. We like any kind of shredded cheese and usually always have some Re fried Beans with it. Our choice for the Re fried Beans/seasoning & sauce is all Ortega. We use just about any Tortilla chips, as I think most are gluten free, but we also look for the ones with the lowest sodium. Yes I can spend an awful amount of time in the isles reading/comparing ingredients.

OK, now in the Taco Casserole, we use Ground Beef sometimes with the seasoning and sometimes without, if you don't have it on hand I don't think its all that big a deal as you can't taste it missing. Then we add Garlic & Onion or Garlic & Herb Diced Tomatoes. Now I think here you can fudge on the original recipe my sister uses. I think she used the Garlic/Basil & Oregano diced tomatoes. And I have seen several different additives and even none at all only the diced tomatoes. So I think this is a choice. Then add Brooks Mild Chili Beans. Now this is all served over Tortilla chips with Shredded cheese. Yummy. Also use sour cream & olives with it. (Homie or Shankster neither one go for those) That's ok more for me.

Ok in an effort to not eat as much red meat as we would normally do without thinking (see recent Turkey week) we decided to eat Chicken this week. But wanted to kick it up a notch. The Shankster decided he was going to make the decision tonite and he decided he was going to combine the above 2 recipes. Taco Casserole/Taco Salad.....but with Chicken and his own twist.

We don't have a name for it yet, I am going for Shankster Surprise...but don't think it will take off. But here are the ingredients as it was very good. I worried as he kept adding things, but it turned out great.

Boil Chicken. (we used 3 boneless Chicken Breasts)
Tear apart Chicken put in skillet, add 2 cans of Garlic/Onion Petite Diced Tomatoes, 1 large can of Brooks Mild Chili Beans, (and this was what I thought the odd part), half of a small cabbage pulled apart. Let simmer. He used some Shredded Cheese in the mix for thickening. But we also used it at table. We used Tortilla Chips and made a salad out of nothing but shredded Cabbage and Radishes. We poured the Chicken mixture over our Salad with crunched up tortillas, the Shankster used Ortega sauce, and I used Ken's Country French Dressing with Vermont Honey. Homie ate it plain....one plate with the salad and one plate with just the mix and chips. He actually even said he loved it. I guess... he had 2 servings! It was great and the Cabbage in it was really tender and good with the tomatoes and cheese.

So a kind of a Taco Salad Chicken Casserole or a Chicken Salad Taco Casserole? I dunno.

Bon Appetit!

One Project Done....Finally

2010-08-14T21:10:00.013-04:00

I usually always seem to have something to do. I always seem to have a list of things I want to do. Lists have helped me keep myself organized and to remember. I have always tried to keep my home in a somewhat clean and organized state. So in keeping with that busy most every day doing what I can when I feel like it to make that happen. For years I liked to sew, this was back when "B" was a toddler. I also went into making clocks and then Macrame. However after the accident, I seemed to have trouble with the clock making, and even though the Shankster tried to help me make them, it just didn't seem the same. It was the same with trying to Macrame.

Since being here I have lacked anything to do for the most part as there is no room to keep a hobby. I try still to keep a somewhat organized and clean place, but it sometimes is a challenge this not being my home. But in 2008, when K.B. was born, I had the desire to sew again. I went to the barn and found all the things I had kept of "B's" when he was a baby and when I was pregnant with him. I made this quilt for K.B. out of Maternity Jeans I wore, Jeans of B's, and Jeans of Grandpa Shrum's (Homie), and the back is of Flannel blankets that were B's when he was a baby. (Yellow was his color, evidently as I found so many things of yellow.) So K.B. has a nice memory Rag Quilt.

This was the first time I had ever made a quilt. I also went on to make K.B. some hats/shoes/blankets. It took a while to get back into the sewing and there was a lot of trial and error, & one day I may sew only to be in misery from the pain for 3 days, but I was glad some things stayed with me enough to make, especially, the quilt for K.B. Besides, since I took the time to save all those things, it was worth it to me.

Which leaves me to my most recent sewing project. "M" asked one day about 6 months back if I would make Corey a Rag quilt like I made for K.B. out of some of his Uncles shirts and his shirts that were special. There were all kinds of shirts with things printed on them that she wanted to make sure was incorporated into the quilt. Places he had been or done or just silly graphics he would remember from his Uncles shirts.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows the challenges I face each day, not just living with pain and dizziness, but living in a small space where there not only is no room for my belongings, but really no room for a project.....especially the size of the project I was just about to start. I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. I jumped into it thinking I can do anything. Yes I honestly still think that. I am not a pro. (except for in my mind) But the Rag Quilt I made for K.B. was not too hard so I was sure I could do it. Little did I know about fabric and how different fabrics stretch/rip/pull and NOT fray. Which Fraying is the most important part of a Rag Quilt. I read up on it. For a couple months I researched all the fabric for which I was working with. I was sure I could do this. Cut everything to spec. Decided to then (after cutting everything for a RAG QUILT) test a piece for ragging/fraying. Dumb move on my part. It didn't Fray. Turns out Tee Shirts don't fray. Who knew? Turns out everyone in the true world but me. Ok no big deal I can figure this out. Seeing how I already cut all these shirts with all the memories for this child into small pieces that will only work for a RAG QUILT, what am I to do?

Without going into too much more detail, I figured it out. I won't say I didn't have to sew/take apart and re sew/take apart and re sew about a billion times, cause I did. I won't say I got to where I would just walk by the sewing machine every day and grumble as I was not looking forward to getting my butt in gear to finish this job, cause I wasn't. I won't say I didn't have to research the whole thing again, cause I did. I won't say I didn't have to go back to the fabric store a billion times cause I did...I won't say....well, you get the picture.

But after the Shankster making sure I took a couple days this past week to get this job finished as it needed to be finished by the 19th (C's Birthday), I think it turned out ok.
Backside is made in flannel, army colors, C is big into Army, and camouflage. I am hoping he will love it.

And Please if you see the flaws/defects, don't judge me, besides, the Shankster already said to me, "Those are not flaws...... that's Character you see in that Quilt." (my biggest fan)

Zumba

2010-07-29T18:54:00.005-04:00

Yes, I said Zumba. I am a Zumba-holic. I was asked by my sister-in-law to go with one nite a few weeks back as she decided to go and didn't want to go alone. I had just gotten home and wanted to go a tiny bit, but the other part of me thought no way am I going, so I said no, but she asked if I would go the next week and I said ok, thinking I would surely get out of it somehow. I didn't want to go as I was sure I couldn't do it. I have no rhythm, I can't dance & I have no money. I thought it was a mostly dancing kind of exercise class. From what I have seen on TV and the Internet I was sure I wouldn't fit in at all. I am a bit over weight and was sure that most who would be there were size 1's or in that area. I figured I would be laughed at. And I thought I had checked some prices and found it to be on the expensive side, for me anyhow.

For the most part for 7 years since being here, I haven't exercised at all. I miss my pool. At least I got some exercise in it. Since the knee surgeries, I haven't done anything much for exercise and I can tell. I don't do anything that I can't sit within a few minutes. I can't stand for any length of time and I don't even walk with the Shankster any more as I am afraid I will need to sit because of my knees and around these parts that's outta the question.

The next week came and Kimmie asked if I was going. I reluctantly went. I was literally scared outta my mind. Yes I am a grown woman....outside. Inside I am still scared of certain things and getting up around others and doing something like this was really not something I was ready to do. I did an exercise class when I was twenty something and loved it. But now and after being cooped up in this God Forsaken house for 7 years, I was sure I couldn't do it. The class lasts an hour. How was I going to make it?

Aside from falling flat on my face during the second song, and feeling like a complete idiot during that and most of the routines, I made it the whole hour. On my feet, my knees withstood it all. I couldn't believe it. I loved it. I had a blast. Nobody really looked at me or at least I didn't think they did, but I really didn't care either. I had the most fun. I felt alive. The most alive I have felt in 7 years. It was once a week and I was ready to come the next week. But when Kimmie called that day and said she couldn't make it, I really didn't know if I could go alone. But I did. I also found out there was another class during the week too. I went to it also. So far now I have been 6 times. I love it. And the best part is that for each time, I have been able to stand up the whole hour and do each routine. Now I am not saying I am good at it at all, but I wave my arms about and move my legs and shake my bootie too, and I think that is what is important, to move and keep moving. I also needed some girly time and at 3 bucks a pop, I have less than $20 into it and I feel great. It's the best 3 bucks I have spent on myself in a long time...and I'm lovin it. Oops, that's McDonalds theme...Oh well, move over MickeyD's, there's a new Place in town for me to spend my $3~

Hot & Humid

2010-07-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

If I have learned anything in this life, it's that when one thing goes wrong, it's like a domino effect and it just keeps getting worse by the minute.

It's hot and humid, & I mean HUMID. You don't want to do much outside for the humidity. So you either stay in or get in the air conditioned car and go somewhere, anywhere, as long as it is air conditioned too. We have one room in this house with an air conditioner. My room. If you do things right it can cool my room and the room next to it ok. At least good enough to make do. (Hey, it's all I got) It's the 3rd AC we have gotten in the 7 years being here. Another thing learned, this house chews up and spits out Air Conditioner's like crazy. I am hoping this is not one of them.

Last couple of weeks I have heard bubbling sounds coming from the AC. All seemed good, Air still working, seemed to be draining on the outside ok, but bubbling, so water is somewhere. Finally, one day I came in to water everywhere in the room from it leaking. After careful thought, & trying everything else, we decided to take it out of window. The darn thing was filled with water. And yes, water went everywhere, which if you know this room, everywhere is the whole room and mostly the bed! Needless to say a rotten evening that was. A few of the drain holes were clogged, so we cleaned the AC thoroughly and with fingers and toes crossed, put it back together and plugged it in hoping it would still work as we were drenched in sweat in the 100 degree weather we have been having. It worked...YaY! And no bubbling. It was even quieter. Less than 24 hours later, it is full again....and water is all over the place, again...?? Please this isn't happening to me, not now, it's hot, it's humid, I am broke.....this is only a bump and it's only because it is hot & humid, Just a fluke, this isn't a real problem only a bump. (this was my prayer by the way as I was cleaning up the wet carpet among other things)

I have let the AC "rest" and tried to not use it until it was a have to...but in this heat it's nearly a have too 24/7. I even emailed and called and left a message at the company who made this AC and got a response I wasn't expecting. "It seems you have a product, Window Air Conditioner, we don'thave information on." WHAT? Didn't I buy this from you and your name is on it? What am I to do with this information? Weird. SO now I am really in trouble now, I thought.

Oh well why would this be any different from anything else in my life. Keep calm, work with what you have we thought. So we take it out and apart again. So far the AC is still cooling, so we are able to keep cool for the most part, it is just filling up with water so fast so we have been having to turn it off, unplug and drain, which is a real nightmare...not to mention a pain in the butt. And yes we got real creative with how we were draining the water so not to have to take it out and apart every time. Sucking it out with a straw. But Hey, at this point, I don't care, it's hot, humid (ok I know I already said that) and if I have to get up every hour all nite and suck the water out through a straw to keep this thing running, the floor dry, and me cool, I will do it.

This Sucks. Literally.

When Lightning Strikes....

2010-07-20T17:29:00.016-04:00

Get out of the way.

This is what the Shankster learned yesterday. Actually he learned to listen to his instincts. A Storm was coming. I was in pain from the doctor visit so was laying in bed but the Shankster kindly made sure I had everything I needed and said he was going to sit on the porch and watch for the storm. I bet he wasn't out there five minutes when I heard the door shut. He walked to where I was and told me something had just told him to come back inside. At that moment, the worst sounding lightning strike I ever heard, struck. I jumped, and said we need to look out back as it sounded like it hit something close. I looked over at dad who looked like he had just seen a ghost, and he said the Shankster had gotten out of the way just in time, and we went to the front porch.

The Ash tree in front of the porch where he was sitting was the one that got hit. It looked like all the bark shredded into a million pieces and splattered all over the front porch and hitting the front of the house. It is all over the front lawn and some of the bigger pieces even went to the side of the house. Several pieces lay on and around the rocker where the Shankster was sitting.

Thank the Good Lord, as He was watching over the Shankster, as he would have surely been hit in the eye or even worse maybe hit by the lightning itself also as he was sitting just 10 feet or less from the tree and right in the path of the shrapnel (as we are calling it, as it looks like a bunch of shrapnel) These are the pieces I swept up on around the rocker.

This piece was so hard to get out of the window it embedded itself in there as it struck the window.

The Ash Tree will never be the same, neither will the Shankster, he literally got outta there by a hair on his chinny chin....Ash. :)

Friday

2010-07-02T17:28:00.001-04:00

Turkey Salad!

I don't think I have ever made this before, but the Shankster says I have. I had some reservations, as I love homemade chicken salad and for some reason had this in my mind, so I was thinking the taste buds might be thinking chicken instead of turkey.

But it was great! I chopped both light and dark meats for this with celery, bits of green onions from the garden a bit of mayo and relish. For seasoning I used some more of Mrs. Dash Original No Salt Blend. (yes I love this stuff) We used both rye and wheat bread.

Coming up I am sure the last bits of the turkey will be used for cold sandwiches or Turkey Burgers. I Found this recipe when I was about 21. Love it for Turkey leftover bits. So if I can find it in the mess of things that are still packed....Turkey burgers tomorrow!

Thursday

2010-07-01T17:24:00.003-04:00

Turkey Pasta.

Rotini Pasta with Torn up Turkey bits. Included are Zucchini, Squash, Sweet Onions, Green Onions,Green peppers/Red Peppers or Yellow Peppers. All chopped and placed in a hot pan with steamed Cauliflower. Seasoned with Mrs. Dash Original Blend Salt Free Seasoning. (Great if you love seasoned foods and salt like I do, but don't need the salt!) I top it at the last minute with a bit of shredded cheese.

An added delight, Garlic Bread!

Wednesday

2010-06-30T17:20:00.002-04:00

Turkey with Bean Dip. Bean Dip is a wonderful recipe from the Shanksters mom. We use it with Burgers or Venison as well. Goes great with the Rye bread too. Hormel Chili with Beans, and Jalepeno Cheese Whiz. Was a great meal for our Anniversary too.

Tuesday

2010-06-29T17:18:00.001-04:00

Today was easy. Warmed Turkey Sandwiches on Rye Bread. Rye bread from Shapiro's. They make their own rye bread every day. I have been waiting to buy a loaf. Should last as long as the Turkey.
Yum.

Monday

2010-06-28T17:05:00.001-04:00

Hot Turkey. Not much else to add other than it was yummy. Nothing like having Fresh hot turkey from the oven for me. We also had a pot of green beans with potatoes and onions. A good start for Turkey week.

Turkey Week

2010-06-27T17:08:00.002-04:00

I don't know about anybody else, but I love Turkey. Not just on Holidays, but any time of the year is good for me. So usually, if we find a good buy, will keep a turkey on hand for just when we are feeling the need for turkey, and then leftovers for a few days. And for us, Turkey is a good alternative to red meat. I am lucky to be married to such a guy that loves leftovers just as much as I do. I love to cook, and have enough for at least another day. We have a few recipes that allow for that and then some. But a Turkey meal will leave enough for leftovers for several days.....I like that.

There is nothing better to me some days than coming home to a meal that is already cooked, so the Turkey in the freezer has been calling my name lately. This is my goal this week on the blog....each day I will have something made with the Turkey. (hence Turkey Week) Lets hope I can stick to it, not only eating the Turkey for the week, but writing down what we are eating.

Wish me luck.

R.I.P.

2010-06-08T21:38:00.002-04:00

My HP All in One Printer/Scanner/Copier, died today. She lived a long life, 2001 - 2010, may she rest in peace.

Waiting

2010-05-13T21:21:00.007-04:00

Ok, so I don't have the best camera in the world, I usually don't take the best pictures, and by All standards this is not the best video in the world, you can hardly even see it.

BUT.....there is no denying what this little guy is saying..... NANA....Nana...Nana!!

At least I hear it perfectly. :)

He is also telling me to get him more milk. He loves his milk. He tells me to "Sit Down" or "Get UP" Or to put on Barney or Elmo..... kind of a bossy little guy......But I don't care how bossy he is, so far, because I have waited over 689 days to hear him say Nana, & I have to say that I am lovin it.

Multitasking

2010-05-13T17:42:00.003-04:00

Kai, watching "Hanna Montana" and texting, using Poppa's cell phone.

Crap, I can't even text.

Peony

2010-05-13T17:35:00.003-04:00

First Bloomer. Nice end to a rough day. The Shankster's procedure was today. Thought it would be the end of things, but seems like the beginning. Seems we are still going on with more tests. But despite how bad he felt, and he was feeling mighty bad, he managed to walk down the drive and pick the first bloomer for me. Now how special is that? What a sweetie.

Pray, Pray, Pray,

2010-05-04T20:30:00.001-04:00

For the Shankster. Please! He is my everything, and he is in a bit of a pickle right now.

2010-05-02T17:40:00.000-04:00

Annual

2010-04-22T14:58:00.002-04:00

Just another year to get my annual Mammogram and Ultrasound. Hopefully another year of getting an all clear. These are the things on my mind as I went to my appointment today. Since 1991 I have been going to the same place to get my mammograms and ultrasounds. The Breast Center of Indianapolis. (But for the last 2 years, it is called, Solis Women Health)
For 13 years straight I went twice a year for these reasons. For the past 6 years I have only had to go once per year. (Thank God)

My mother went there, which for the most is why I chose to go here. Well "Chose" is a bad word. I didn't really have much of a choice, as when I got my first mammogram in 1991, per the insistence of my mother, it came back questionable with a big ole Q, so she insisted I go to where she had been going for at least 15 years. I went and have been going since. A lot has changed since I was first there, mostly I believe to a change in ownership or management. The best doctor they had there left, but I was happy still with the ones I saw in recent years there. I was happy with the way I was treated from the time I checked in, to the time I checked out. I have never had a harsh word spoken to me, I was treated with the respect I feel the doctors, nurses, and techs there deserve. I have heard of how women dread going to get these particular tests for the pain. I have never even with the amounts of fibroid cysts I have, experienced any of the pain I have heard of.

Until today.

I got the most rude, rough lady tech ever. What can usually take 45 minutes, took her all of 10 to get my films done. She pulled, tugged, shoved me into places I had never been pulled or shoved into before. I even slightly moved my shoulder back once to get my bearings, only to hear how I had with that one move messed up her up completely so for her to have to start all over again....and she was not happy to start again. (She told me)

I tried to be nice, and funny by saying how even though I have been doing this for 19 years, every year, I seem to forget how to contort my upper body the way they like, so to fit into the machine for a good picture. I was told, it was her job security to have women like me forget. Now I know that for some of these Techs it is probably as awkward for them as it is for us getting the mammogram, and if you are a larger woman with larger breasts maybe it is harder for them to get it just right. But I am not much larger now than when I started going, and I have never been as hurt physically as I was today.

If that was all, the ultrasound which is usually not painful probably to anyone, was equally painful today. What normally takes at least 30 minutes sometimes even more (remember I have done this faithfully at the same place for 19 years), the ultrasound took less than 20. But it was a rough 20 minutes, not only for my boobies, but having to hear this woman sigh at least 4 times during, as if I was ruining HER day.

During the ten minutes of the mammogram, I was also told how having my hair up in a ponytail was not a good look for women of my age.....when she then pointed out how she was not much older than me.
WHO CARES? What the heck? I mean you are beating the crap outta me from my boobs up, and you have the nerve during this time to tell me my hair style is not a good look for me? I already know this, but don't really care to hear it from you at this point. Geez.

I then asked this woman whose name I unfortunately didn't get, how long she had been there as I have NEVER seen her, NEVER gotten her as my tech and HOPED to NEVER see her again, as if I did, I was sure to RUN, not walk the other way. She said she had been there 21 years. I didn't hardly believe that. I loved this place. I think they were very respectful of my mother, treated her well. I have been treated the same also. I have recommended this place for 19 years. I will NEVER recommend it again. I wonder if anyone who reads this can give me advice on whether to make a call or write a letter to this place and report this woman? Not just for the pain she inflicted on me but some of the rude remarks. Or is this normal for me to have the pain this time, maybe I have just been lucky for 19 years? I would love any advice as, I also am really contemplating where I plan to go from here on out as I feel as though I have been beat to death today, I can hardly move my upper body. My armpits are sore, my arms are sore, my collar bone hurts as well as my neck and chest, I have a cut on my chest, and my boobies to say the least feel as though they are swollen, so big as I feel like they are up into my chin.

Seriously.

Of course the Shankster says "Well....they feel bigger? Hmm, that isn't such a bad thing..... is it?"

Geesh!!

New Light

2010-04-21T23:00:00.000-04:00

Almost forgot that we also, put in a new light/fan in the bathroom. As there was an almost non existent light in there, and the fan was Kaput. Mom was constantly complaining about the light....or the fact that it was so bad. So Mom, again this is for you! It was almost worth the 4 hours it took us to install it. We can see in there now, the fan works and there is also a heater included in the fixture......Dad loved that...as he usually freezes in here. And for a room without heat, it is not bad...not bad at all.

Closet

2010-04-21T14:40:00.005-04:00

Finally a new closet.

Well not so new as in NEW....but a re-done, cleaned up, cleared out closet. Finally! This actually took way more that either the Shankster or I had anticipated....but well worth the hassle in my mind. Mostly the Shankster's hassle, I might add, as he did most of the work.

What we thought was going to take all of about one day maybe two, took nearly five. B had came in and put up some shelves and re arranged the only closet here to try to accommodate holding 3 peoples clothing among other things you stick in a closet about 5 years back. It has taken me this long to figure out what the next step was going to be in there. Procrastination if my middle name....especially when I have to recruit a helper. Even though the changes B made were terrific, it was still in need of striping old paint, wallpaper, plugging up holes everywhere, then re-painting, and hopefully re carpeting. It was old, dusty, smelled musty and the light fixture in there was a total mess/hazard. (don't ask)
Luckily we found a remnant carpet for $20 which had padding attached. Padding! WoW, the only room in the house to have padding!

A cheap bucket of paint and luckily we already had some Kilz so we were gung ho to complete this job in record time.

Well as usual in this house, you can't do one thing without running into a dozen obstacles. Usually obstacles that will cost you and arm and a leg. Unfortunately we don't have any more arms and legs left so we were going in with what we had. What we thought was one layer of wallpaper, turned out to be 5, before we finally stopped scraping and tugging, ranting and raving. We had to come up with a new plan as, you cannot or at least we couldn't paint over more than 40 year old wallpaper.......trust me it just doesn't work.

When we were cleaning out the closet we came across some rolls of wallpaper. I remember them. I had tried to sell them in a yard sale and my mom just begged me to not sell them and give them to her so she could put up somewhere in this house. I cannot even remember how long ago that was. I have been here, now going on my seventh year and I believe our last yard sale together was around 96. Obviously the poor woman never got the wallpaper up. So when the Shankster asked if we could use the wallpaper, my only thought was gee... does wallpaper go bad? I was a little bit scared.

But it worked. We wallpapered what we could not paint. The Shankster put in a new light fixture as the previous light has been on non stop for I know the last 7 years and probably for 30 before that. (Again,Don't ask) We put in the carpet and put everything back in. I reluctantly donated at least half of my clothes and some other items I had in there, mostly for room. But I can say I don't mind at all going into the closet anymore. Its clean, smells clean. Not musty, dusty
anymore.

And you can turn the light on and off just like regular people do.

WOW. I love it.

Oops!

2010-04-09T12:39:00.001-04:00

Correction......The Shankster said it's the 4th day!

He should know, he has done the most...thank goodness.

3rd Day in Closet....

2010-04-09T12:38:00.000-04:00

Nuff said?

:)

Tackling The Closet...

2010-04-07T16:45:00.002-04:00

Or should I say The Shankster is tackling the closet? I am on a break.

:)

One of Those Days....

2010-03-09T15:34:00.003-05:00

Just when you think you are going to have a great day, something comes down and wallops you right in the head. Or at least that is what happened to us today.
While taking a walk, we decided what a nice day to just forget all the things we Need to do and go fishing. So that is what we did. We even wrote Homie a note saying we were taking the day off and going fishing and left him some chili for dinner. That is the last time I take a day off to do something for me.

Not even 15 minutes from the house as we were merging into a turn where you don't have to stop, the car in front of us stopped and so did we. He then went to drive on, and so did we, only to have him slam on his brakes and we just didn't have enough time to stop.....without hitting him of course. His car/truck had a spare tire on the back and while that is what our car mostly hit, it didn't do much damage to his, but messed ours up something awful. Well we think its awful cause its still new to us and we just love it for so many reasons. The hood is a goner, along with the grille & both fenders as they were shoved up into the front doors which misaligned them. The bumper needs replaced as well as both headlights.

Of course this is the first for the Shankster and although we weren't for sure what all to do, as luck would have it my camera was inside my car and I took pics of the other car as well. I gave them my info and we got some of their info but right off knew something was up as they didn't want to call any body and wanted to keep it "between us". They said they didn't need their vehicle fixed and as they put it were only interested in getting our car fixed and making sure we were ok cause we were elderly. Yeah you heard me they called us elderly.

WHAT? ELDERLY? What the heck? I am only 54. I might be old, ugly and somewhat fat, but I am NOT ELDERLY. I was like ok kick us while we are down dude.
But I guess we are stupid, as all the info we got from them was fake. Leave it to us to not ask for their drivers license to physically look at it and only rely on them writing stuff on a paper....Go figure.

Oh well waddya expect from a couple of elderly folks?

Wow, Twice in One Week!

2010-03-06T16:39:00.003-05:00

Shankster did it again and surprised me with lunch today. Nothing special but he knows I am sort of a big fan of the China Buffet Restaurants as I used to take my mom there every time I came up to see her. Guess he knew she has been on my mind lately, and he thought maybe I might need to just go to this particular one for a change, or maybe just a memory. Actually I didn't even know we were going for lunch. So a nice surprise for me. Not so much for him as he isn't such a fan, but what a nice thing to do for somebody. Wonder what I did to deserve this?

Better go fix him something to eat now.

Great Day

2010-03-03T20:30:00.002-05:00

Just needed to take a minute to say what I great Hubby I have. The Shankster took me to Shapiro's for lunch. Quite a surprise as I haven't been there since living here...so at least 7 years, and it was delicious. I just love the Pastrami Sandwich with pickles.

But the second best part was that I got to eat while sitting just a couple of chairs away from Rupert from Survivor!! :)
Ok maybe not exciting for some, but it was for me.

And no I didn't get a picture as I didn't have my camera, and no I didn't get to talk to him and tell him I hope he was the big winner this season, as I am a Big Ole Fraidy Cat and just decided to look at him several times. But... we did exchange Smiles! And he has a wonderful one.

So I feel like I know him personally.....

I also thought he was also a lot more handsome in person. :)

Motherload?

2010-02-17T16:35:00.003-05:00

Did you ever Day Dream of finding a box of money? No name, no holds to it, but money you could use free and clear? Geez, I even have Dreams of finding money....coins, silver you name it. Silly yes. But I still dream it.

You hear stories all the time of people finding money in the strangest places. I heard once where a man found money in books. His wife had passed and he found the money accidentally while he was packing up the books to donate them. I heard once where a man bought an upright piano and after having it for several years looked inside to have it tuned and found $200,000. (I have an upright and looked in mine after that......but no money) I hear all the time where people will start remodeling or repairing an older home only to find money or treasures inside the walls and such. Which brings me to this post.

Recently we have been doing a project in this old house. It needs so much but money is certainly in the way as we have none. So we do what we can when we can do it. This time we were tearing into the walls sort of and of course my mind wandered away from what we were doing for a short minute. What if...I mean WHAT IF, in these old walls there was a treasure? Coins, money? anything I could use to put back into the house and maybe get me some heat installed? Anything! I started seeing stars...........or dollar signs.

And as luck would have it, after tearing out some cabinets, and into a double layered drywall I did find something.....................

God does have a funny sense of humor......

Hmmm, I wonder where the other half is????

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T14:47:00.000-05:00

I Love The SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-09T12:37:00.006-05:00

Stupid Anti Lock Brakes! Couldn't quite make it up the long hill and of course this was the result of it sliding all the way back down.........The best part was how the Shankster was still in such a funny mood through it all. We laughed all the way up as we knew when we started it wasn't going to make it, then laughed back down, backwards and sat there a while leaning into a ditch laughing.

Of course Homie was sure that putting some salt down, after we got stuck, was going to help....? Too Funny....:)

Don't Even Tease Me...

2010-02-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

With forecasts of 5 to 8 inches of snow only for me to awake to NOTHING!

That is just wrong on so many levels....Stinkin weathermen, only job you can have and be wrong most of the time without losing your pay or getting fired.

Busy

2010-02-04T19:49:00.002-05:00

Busy working on a ~LONG OVER DUE~ project. Hope to post some before and after pix soon!

History

2010-01-28T20:37:00.004-05:00

Is history repeating itself? Or have the Shankster and myself gone totally whacked with the loss of Elvis?

A little "History"

One day in March of 1993, our dog Hooch brought home one of the best dogs. She became one of our family when hers was not found and we called her Lil Bit. She was so cute. We found out after taking her to the Vet that she was about a year old. She has so much fur on her you couldn't even see her eyes. Hooch and Lil Bit were inseparable. Lil Bit followed Hooch everywhere. And she followed Hooch home or as we see it, Hooch brought her to us. We think Lil Bit was abused as she was so afraid of loud noises, particularly loud voices and Brooms. But after a couple of days under the back porch eating biscuits & pork chops, she made her way into our home and hearts.

After losing Elvis so suddenly, we are lost. It seems too quiet here. Seems like we are missing something. We aren't sure we are ready to go get another pet just yet, as we know none will replace our Elvis. Every dog we have ever lost, we have always had another to care for and spoil a bit more. But not this time...........Until this morning.

In the wee hours of the morning while it was still dark, the security camera and light came on. Upon viewing we realized it was a dog. Ok. No big deal. Until later. There was the dog again on the back porch. The Shankster went out to shoo it away. But instead of running she came up to the Shankster wagging her tail. The Shankster liked to never get back into the door alone. Poor thing had obviously been out all nite. Looked Cold. Looked hungry. I went over to grab some grub of Elvis's but Homie said not to feed her or we would never be rid of her.

I am a bad girl....didn't obey Homie. I handed the food to the Shankster and that little baby was starving. After eating she went on the front porch and went to sleep under the sun.

I think either Homie was right or History may have repeated itself...........or maybe the Shankster and I are totally nuts, or maybe just maybe Elvis is telling us she needs a home?

But How could you ignore this starring at you through the window all day?

Our Last Baby

2010-01-15T17:02:00.003-05:00

Our Baby Boy, Elvis

3/1996 - 1/15/2010

Elvis was one of the best dogs we had. Found him at a yard sale, and the Shankster said he was the only thing I ever got at a yard sale for free that was worth anything. He knew when it was time for bed and he made sure to get his "spot" when it was time. He loved to bury his nose in the covers. And he loved getting his treat after doing his business, and if you forgot he let you know about it. He loved cauliflower and cabbage about as much as a steak bone. We miss him already.

For Sandi....

2010-01-12T19:27:00.003-05:00

Mom always taught me to respect my elders....and to do what I am told by them.

So Sandi, this is for you. :)

Finally a bit of dark hole money.....ok, ok so it's just a couple of bucks, waddya expect from a tootsie roller?

Ice Castle

2010-01-11T17:17:00.009-05:00

How Scary is this?

Snow

2010-01-07T12:31:00.017-05:00

forgot to put up the glider.....:(

Just about enough snow to slide down the hill...so come on down! We'll be waitin for ya~

And Yes, we forgot to put up the mower also..........maybe it will snow enough to cover it? Ohhhhh wouldn't I just love that?

Cold Feet?

2010-01-06T19:50:00.007-05:00

My feet are freezing. For the past couple of weeks it has gotten colder each day until it got in the single digits. Big Deal. I don't really mind the cold...actually I prefer it. Mostly because I love the snow. But there has not been much snow, only cold. Thats ok. Doesn't much matter to me.

But when you live in a house with no real heat to speak of unless you go buy it in the form of a plug in appliance, it sort of sucks. Since being here so far we have went through 4 space heaters.
And you only stay warm if you sit directly in front of them. And in this house the plugs are few and far between, and most of those are in use....so that in itself was a challenge.

There is no furnace here but electric heat in the form of base heaters. There is one in every room in the house. There are six rooms. Only 2 of the heaters will actually work properly. Sadly neither of those are the rooms I live in. But so far it has been ok. I usually adjust to most any situation. I don't like to be too hot so its really been ok for the most part.

Except for when you get out of the shower in the morning and you can see your breath, and it isn't from the steam of the shower....Or at night when you try not to drink too much so you won't have to go to the restroom as you have to gently place your hiney on the frozen seat. (about as bad as an outhouse) But really its been ok, so far...(did I say that already?)

For some reason my feet are absolutely freezing. Its been around 68 degrees or so inside the house and outside it has been between 5-20 degrees for the past couple of weeks. Yeah a bit on the colder side, but inside my feet should be fairly warm....wouldn't you think? I like the winter months but of late I have really been thinking of this..

As my feet are so cold.

I have literally been getting up and patiently waiting for the time to come so I can get my booty back in bed so my feet will warm up. The other night I went to bed with not only my jammy bottoms on, but my sweats on over them. I got hot so instead of getting out of bed to take something off, I chose to pull my sweats down under the covers...as my warm sweats hit my feet, my feet thought they were in heaven and so I actually kept them there.

That is until I worried myself sick thinking if I awoke in the middle of the nite to go to the restroom, I would forget they were there and fall flat on my face!

So here I sit with my feet freezing even though I have 2 pairs of socks on, a cover over my feet and under them, and my wool booties on....waiting patiently for 10 pm to roll around. Last nite I cheated and got in bed at 9pm. OMG....what has my life become?

Oh well, with that I leave you this since I have been listening to the weather reports today, and we are expecting some winter weather to come tomorrow. And as you all must know by now...even with freezing feety feets.....I still welcome the snow.

Little Goofball

2010-01-06T11:20:00.006-05:00

It didn't matter that there was nothing in this cup....but he was determined to keep trying.

We just could not pry it out of his hands...then again..why would we?

:)

Pizza Stone

2010-01-05T18:50:00.004-05:00

Finally...I have a Pizza Pan...I have waited for one since I moved here as I cannot find mine which is packed somewhere in the Abyss, and I have just resigned to ordering pizzas from the local Pizza Niche which were good, but started getting expensive not to mention you had to wait until after 4pm to order one.....I mean what if you wanted one before 4..yeah what about that??? So the Shankster and I started making our own and using a stinkin cookie sheet. (although the cookie sheet is good for cookies!!!) It worked ok, but lemme tell ya, this PIZZA STONE WORKS SO MUCH BETTER. Yes I said Pizza Stone. Not Pan. Stone. I love it and the pizza was delicious.

BEFORE......

And AFTER!!!

Thank you Kimmie!

Am I Rude?

2010-01-05T16:50:00.003-05:00

Once again, I have lost a family member. And once again there is the painful event starring me square in the face.

The Funeral.

I believe in always going to the funeral. With very few exceptions, I have went. I can remember before even turning 20, spending unmentionable hours in Farley Funeral Home. No matter who had passed that was the funeral home of choice it seemed and there was always several days/hours of showings. So I don't know any other way, than to go. I mean it is rude to not go isn't it?

I do think it is the right thing to do. Always. Even tho Always going to the funeral, may mean that I have to do right thing when I really, really, really, don't feel like it. By not feeling like it, I mean I have simply had just about my fill of death in the past few years. It isn't an inconvenience for me to go. There is nothing I have to do otherwise that would keep me from going. I am not going to be remembered for the one who always went to funerals. I just do not wish to go.

I just believe it is the thing to do and I have come to realize that its just one of life's inevitable calamities that I share with my family & friends. But some days in the past few years when someone I love or know has passed, I have simply wanted to say a prayer for the family from my own home, is that wrong? Is that being rude? Have I crossed some sort of bridge to nowhere?

In 2000 I had to attend my best friends funeral. That was the hardest. I am glad I went. But I couldn't help but think over and over, what is happening? Why doesn't everyone stop talking? Don't they realize my best friend just died? What is the matter with all these people? It was hard realizing the world wasn't going to stop because my heart was breaking. Then I remember on the second day looking around and thinking about the first showing and at how many people were there. You could hardly move for all the people. During the procession I turned and looked back, the memory of it still takes my breath away. The most powerful and humbling thing I've ever seen were all these inconvenienced people who believe in always going to the funeral.

I have had to endure in the past 6 years many more deaths. My mother, several Aunts, Uncles, a few in-laws, and cousins and now another cousin.

I take it a day at a time, and try to do the right thing, the sometimes-inconvenient task, like taking a few hours out of a day to go to a funeral, to a show a friend that he or she is not alone in their grief, and to remind myself of the insignificance of so many of my own feelings.

But then I ask myself, would it be rude of me if I didn't go to a funeral of a loved one?

Geez, I am so conflicted.