THE CHRISTMAS MY FAMILY REMEMBERS MOST
It all began on Tuesday, December 23 sometime in the 1970's, when we gathered at my cousin Jane's house to celebrate Christmas with my father's side of the family. Present were Preston, Jane's husband, and three children, my sisters and their husbands and children, and my aunt and uncle (Jane's parents) and my parents as well. We had a wonderful time eating and making merry and enjoying each others' company.
The next day, Wednesday, was spent doing all the last minute shopping and cooking. Then that night the genius, our three children and I all celebrated with the genius' side of the family. We gathered at my in-laws' house for a superb feast consisting of turkey, dressing, scalloped oysters, cranberry sauce, etc. We were quite satisfyingly full when we started for home.
Once home, we saw the children off to bed fully intending to be awakened by them before dawn once again. However, some of us didn't make it through the night. Ashley and I were in the bathroom losing the delicious meal we had downed the night before. We were up most of the rest of the night and by morning Brenda and the genius were joining in. Jim IV felt queasy and got worse throughout the day, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
We made the decision to camp out on the king-sized bed and open our presents. We proceeded to do so, but periodically, one or the other of us would have to interrupt to run to the bathroom. This went on throughout the gift opening process, and to some extent, throughout the day.
Meanwhile, my parents and my sisters' families were experiencing the same thing. We were supposed to meet at my maternal aunt's and uncle's lakehouse to have our big dinner, etc. as we had for several years, but no one could come! My aunt and uncle, their children, and my step-grandmother all waited in vain for us to arrive, but we were all sick! Out of seventeen of us who had eaten at Jane's house, fourteen were ill.
We checked it out with Jane and they admitted to having had a stomach virus earlier but were well over it by the time we came to their dinner. It must have been a very potent and stubborn virus because we all caught it!!
Whenever anyone in our family is asked to name his/her most MEMORABLE Christmas, everyone names this one. I don't know why but we always seem to define events by the negative aspects of it. I wonder why.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE, AND MAY YOU ALL REMAIN WELL TODAY!!!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
MEMORIES OF TWO CHRISTMASES
Writing about Ashley's birth made me remember our first Christmas with her when she was but one week old. We were in Lawton, OK, as I said, living in a little 2 bedroom furnished duplex in town as opposed to on the base at Fort Sill which was full. I was still recovering from the long labor and birth and the genius was doing his duties as a husband and new father.
Our meals consisted of mostly frozen dinners or sandwiches which he prepared, while I was busy taking care of our new baby. When Christmas Eve rolled around both of us were getting pretty tired of the routine, not to say the frozen dinners. (I've never really gotten over my initial impression of them.)
Ashley was the third grandchild on my side of the family, but she was the first on the paternal side. My in-laws were ecstatic over her arrival and had sent a mountain of presents to her for her first Christmas. In addition, there were many gifts from other friends of the family all wrapped and sitting under the tree for Christmas. Of course, we had quite a few gifts ourselves because this was our first Christmas away from home.
That night after dinner (thankfully, I don't remember what it was) we were sitting in the living room ready to collapse for yet another sleepless night when we made the momentous decision to open just ONE present. The delight of "breaking the rules" was so great that we decided to open just ONE more. Of course, you can guess what happened: By the time we were through, every gift was opened and the floor was covered with wrapping paper from one end to the other.
We were NOT sorry the next morning and once our three children were grown, we have done the same thing with them. Every Christmas Eve we get together with whoever is in town to eat a big meal and afterwards open our gifts.
That means that Christmas Day is one of rest and relaxation and eating leftovers.
Tomorrow I will share everyone's MOST memorable Christmas!
Writing about Ashley's birth made me remember our first Christmas with her when she was but one week old. We were in Lawton, OK, as I said, living in a little 2 bedroom furnished duplex in town as opposed to on the base at Fort Sill which was full. I was still recovering from the long labor and birth and the genius was doing his duties as a husband and new father.
Our meals consisted of mostly frozen dinners or sandwiches which he prepared, while I was busy taking care of our new baby. When Christmas Eve rolled around both of us were getting pretty tired of the routine, not to say the frozen dinners. (I've never really gotten over my initial impression of them.)
Ashley was the third grandchild on my side of the family, but she was the first on the paternal side. My in-laws were ecstatic over her arrival and had sent a mountain of presents to her for her first Christmas. In addition, there were many gifts from other friends of the family all wrapped and sitting under the tree for Christmas. Of course, we had quite a few gifts ourselves because this was our first Christmas away from home.
That night after dinner (thankfully, I don't remember what it was) we were sitting in the living room ready to collapse for yet another sleepless night when we made the momentous decision to open just ONE present. The delight of "breaking the rules" was so great that we decided to open just ONE more. Of course, you can guess what happened: By the time we were through, every gift was opened and the floor was covered with wrapping paper from one end to the other.
We were NOT sorry the next morning and once our three children were grown, we have done the same thing with them. Every Christmas Eve we get together with whoever is in town to eat a big meal and afterwards open our gifts.
That means that Christmas Day is one of rest and relaxation and eating leftovers.
Tomorrow I will share everyone's MOST memorable Christmas!
Friday, December 18, 2009
SPECIAL DAY
Forty-eight years ago today our oldest child was born. YIKES!! How did she get so OLD? How did I? How did the genius? It all just flew by, but I remember the day very well still.
We were living in Lawton, OK, while the genius served his two years in the Army at Fort Sill. It was a chilly morning on the 17th when he drove me to the hospital after I had been in hard (?) labor all night. I was sure I would deliver soon. But it was not to be! I had dilated only ONE centimeter, and I had to reach TEN before things really happened. I began to get an inkling about what I was in for.
But finally, after REALLY being in hard labor throughout the next night, Ashley made her appearance about 8:oo in the morning. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. She had a little fuzz of red hair and I immediately could see my sister MA in her face. I could also see why she took so long to arrive because she weighed in at 8 pounds and 13 and a half ounces!! She looked 3 months old!!
I told the hospital I wanted "rooming in" which meant I got a private room with her in the same room with me. Biiig mistake. I spent most of my time trying to feed her and she just wouldn't fill up. I went home from the hospital much more exhausted than I would have been if I had left her in the nursery. After three days, we paid our bill of $7.35 (cost of my food), and I went home with the genius.
Of course, we had no clue about what to do as parents. Again, I spent most of my time feeding her, not knowing if she were getting enough to eat since I was breast feeding her. (At her six weeks check-up, she had gained four pounds, so she was getting enough!) This routine went on for a week until the day after Christmas when my mother arrived. I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life!! The genius could go back to work and Mother, one of the most efficient people I've ever known, took over.
She stayed until Ashley was three weeks old and we both flew back to Nashville where the genius joined us a couple of weeks later. I had a good rest except for getting up every two hours at night feeding her. I'm happy to report that at six weeks she settled into a routine and from then on I had a good night's sleep. As you know, that's always important to me.
And you know the rest of the story: She grew up, married a wonderful man, with whom she had four children, and now has her first grandchild on the way.
To quote a line from the poem "Forgotten Language" by Shel Silverstein, "How did it go? How did it go?"
Forty-eight years ago today our oldest child was born. YIKES!! How did she get so OLD? How did I? How did the genius? It all just flew by, but I remember the day very well still.
We were living in Lawton, OK, while the genius served his two years in the Army at Fort Sill. It was a chilly morning on the 17th when he drove me to the hospital after I had been in hard (?) labor all night. I was sure I would deliver soon. But it was not to be! I had dilated only ONE centimeter, and I had to reach TEN before things really happened. I began to get an inkling about what I was in for.
But finally, after REALLY being in hard labor throughout the next night, Ashley made her appearance about 8:oo in the morning. She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. She had a little fuzz of red hair and I immediately could see my sister MA in her face. I could also see why she took so long to arrive because she weighed in at 8 pounds and 13 and a half ounces!! She looked 3 months old!!
I told the hospital I wanted "rooming in" which meant I got a private room with her in the same room with me. Biiig mistake. I spent most of my time trying to feed her and she just wouldn't fill up. I went home from the hospital much more exhausted than I would have been if I had left her in the nursery. After three days, we paid our bill of $7.35 (cost of my food), and I went home with the genius.
Of course, we had no clue about what to do as parents. Again, I spent most of my time feeding her, not knowing if she were getting enough to eat since I was breast feeding her. (At her six weeks check-up, she had gained four pounds, so she was getting enough!) This routine went on for a week until the day after Christmas when my mother arrived. I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life!! The genius could go back to work and Mother, one of the most efficient people I've ever known, took over.
She stayed until Ashley was three weeks old and we both flew back to Nashville where the genius joined us a couple of weeks later. I had a good rest except for getting up every two hours at night feeding her. I'm happy to report that at six weeks she settled into a routine and from then on I had a good night's sleep. As you know, that's always important to me.
And you know the rest of the story: She grew up, married a wonderful man, with whom she had four children, and now has her first grandchild on the way.
To quote a line from the poem "Forgotten Language" by Shel Silverstein, "How did it go? How did it go?"
Thursday, December 10, 2009
SHOPPING AT AMAZON
I know a lot of my stories are about the genius, but he's just such a unique man and livng with him is such an experience! Here's the latest one.
A couple of weeks ago we were having a nice chat and he said he had ordered some new books from Amazon. He said he really got a good deal and part of the deal was slow shipping so he could get it free, and looked at me pointedly. I said confidently, "What?! I always get free shipping and I get it in two days!"
He replies, "Then why are there always shipping charges on the bills?"
A little less confident now, I said, "Well, I'm almost positive it's one-click, two day, free shipping I use. But just to be sure I'll look it up right now."
So on to the "trusty" internet I went. Sure enough, there it was "one-click, two day free shipping."
He said he was still sure there were charges on the bill. When the next one came in, (I order frequently -- Amazon has found a gold mine in me.) I showed him and he was finally convinced.
So the net of it all is that his books still haven't arrived, and I've had at least five deliveries come since then, what with ordering Christmas gifts, etc.
I feel so bad for him that whenever any package does arrive I actually think of hiding them from him. At least he's quit asking if the box is for him!
I know a lot of my stories are about the genius, but he's just such a unique man and livng with him is such an experience! Here's the latest one.
A couple of weeks ago we were having a nice chat and he said he had ordered some new books from Amazon. He said he really got a good deal and part of the deal was slow shipping so he could get it free, and looked at me pointedly. I said confidently, "What?! I always get free shipping and I get it in two days!"
He replies, "Then why are there always shipping charges on the bills?"
A little less confident now, I said, "Well, I'm almost positive it's one-click, two day, free shipping I use. But just to be sure I'll look it up right now."
So on to the "trusty" internet I went. Sure enough, there it was "one-click, two day free shipping."
He said he was still sure there were charges on the bill. When the next one came in, (I order frequently -- Amazon has found a gold mine in me.) I showed him and he was finally convinced.
So the net of it all is that his books still haven't arrived, and I've had at least five deliveries come since then, what with ordering Christmas gifts, etc.
I feel so bad for him that whenever any package does arrive I actually think of hiding them from him. At least he's quit asking if the box is for him!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
LIFE WITH THE DOGS
Because we have had so much rain lately, I've been inside a lot with only the dogs to keep me company. For various reasons, we have kept Jesse more, so Rufus has been a happy camper, albeit a little jealous at times. But they both have such different personalities that they get along especially well together even after many days.
Jesse is female and acts like it. She is quieter and milder, and is content to sit or snooze for long periods. Rufus, on the other hand, is pure male, getting restless after a period of time and prowls and pokes his nose into things. I always get a little wary during these episodes because that's usually when he gets into trouble. If he's not going to the bathroom somewhere he is getting into the trash or dirty clothes. At times like these, Jesse just watches him but doesn't join in.
In the mornings before he goes to work, the genius takes them out for their first walk. Rufus has a routine that he adheres to every day regardless of whether Jesse is here. He goes out, does his business, and is rewarded with a "greenie" which he grabs and races back to my bed to eat it. Meanwhile, the genius gets his food prepared which is ready and waiting for him when he comes back downstairs. But sometimes the genius does something else like take the trash out, and Rufus thinks he has gone. That's when "the bark like no other" comes forth. It's a short angry yelp that sounds like he's saying, "What the hell!!" (Pardon my French, but it describes very well what I think he feels.)
I get so tickled at him that I almost have trouble going back to sleep. Almost -- but somehow I always manage to drift back off.
Because we have had so much rain lately, I've been inside a lot with only the dogs to keep me company. For various reasons, we have kept Jesse more, so Rufus has been a happy camper, albeit a little jealous at times. But they both have such different personalities that they get along especially well together even after many days.
Jesse is female and acts like it. She is quieter and milder, and is content to sit or snooze for long periods. Rufus, on the other hand, is pure male, getting restless after a period of time and prowls and pokes his nose into things. I always get a little wary during these episodes because that's usually when he gets into trouble. If he's not going to the bathroom somewhere he is getting into the trash or dirty clothes. At times like these, Jesse just watches him but doesn't join in.
In the mornings before he goes to work, the genius takes them out for their first walk. Rufus has a routine that he adheres to every day regardless of whether Jesse is here. He goes out, does his business, and is rewarded with a "greenie" which he grabs and races back to my bed to eat it. Meanwhile, the genius gets his food prepared which is ready and waiting for him when he comes back downstairs. But sometimes the genius does something else like take the trash out, and Rufus thinks he has gone. That's when "the bark like no other" comes forth. It's a short angry yelp that sounds like he's saying, "What the hell!!" (Pardon my French, but it describes very well what I think he feels.)
I get so tickled at him that I almost have trouble going back to sleep. Almost -- but somehow I always manage to drift back off.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!!
That's the name of the town T Squared (oldest grandchild) and his wife Kirsten live in Arizona. I don't know where the name came from, but they lived up to it by calling to reveal their "surprise": The baby they are having in April is a girl! I wouldn't have been disappointed either way, but there are advantages to having a girl.
Number 1. Let's face it, girly baby clothes are much cuter than boys' and there seems to me to be a much bigger selection of them out there. And you can't go wrong on color either. How many boys wear pink, or men either for that matter? But a girl can wear any color and look cute.
Number 2. Girls are easier to potty train. I won't go into detail on that one, but trust me, I know.
Number 3. And the old adage is true: "A girl is a daughter for all of her life, but a boy is a son till he takes a wife."
Now don't think I'm complaining with that last one -- it's just a fact of life. And I wouldn't want it any other way. What kind of husband would a guy be if he stuck close to his mother?!? We parents raise the boys with that in mind and it's OKAY when that happens.
One thing I'm sure about is that Kirsten and T Squared will make wonderful parents of either sex. I can hardly wait for it all to begin!!
That's the name of the town T Squared (oldest grandchild) and his wife Kirsten live in Arizona. I don't know where the name came from, but they lived up to it by calling to reveal their "surprise": The baby they are having in April is a girl! I wouldn't have been disappointed either way, but there are advantages to having a girl.
Number 1. Let's face it, girly baby clothes are much cuter than boys' and there seems to me to be a much bigger selection of them out there. And you can't go wrong on color either. How many boys wear pink, or men either for that matter? But a girl can wear any color and look cute.
Number 2. Girls are easier to potty train. I won't go into detail on that one, but trust me, I know.
Number 3. And the old adage is true: "A girl is a daughter for all of her life, but a boy is a son till he takes a wife."
Now don't think I'm complaining with that last one -- it's just a fact of life. And I wouldn't want it any other way. What kind of husband would a guy be if he stuck close to his mother?!? We parents raise the boys with that in mind and it's OKAY when that happens.
One thing I'm sure about is that Kirsten and T Squared will make wonderful parents of either sex. I can hardly wait for it all to begin!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
POST-THANKSGIVING REPORT
I hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. The day itself was spent by us at my uncle's lake house, as planned. There was a record number of people attending (53) ranging in ages 6 weeks to 80 years. You may wonder how that many people could be seated at one table. We were crammed in shoulder to shoulder around a table that stretched all across the back (or front) glassed-in porch overlooking the lake. Of course, the food was delicious and of course, there was plenty of it, and we all came away stuffed!!
My sister MA was there in spite of the fact that she was in pain. Her joints are acting up, swelling and hurting, so she wasn't her usual energetic self. My other sister BJ has also been in bad health lately, with this mysterious blood disorder she is fighting. It seems we are all falling apart. They both have told me to hang in there and stay healthy, and I'm trying, but age is catching up with me fast.
I'll keep you posted on their progress. Both have doctors' appointments this week and we should know more in a few days.
Right now it is a fight to get my rest. Last Wednesday I was looking forward to sleeping in since the genius was home on holiday and could look after the dogs. Alas, I had forgotten that the pest control man was coming at 8:oo. When the genius came into the bedroom, I just barely awoke and told him to just spray around me -- I wasn't budging!! (I tend to do things when I'm asleep I wouldn't dream of doing [no pun intended] when I'm awake and alert.) So the genius had a good time telling all the family at the lake house that I stayed in bed even with a relative stranger walkng around me with a spray can.
Oh, well! It probably gave that man a good story to tell at the Thanksgiving table -- they could all be thankful that their family members weren't so lazy!!
I hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. The day itself was spent by us at my uncle's lake house, as planned. There was a record number of people attending (53) ranging in ages 6 weeks to 80 years. You may wonder how that many people could be seated at one table. We were crammed in shoulder to shoulder around a table that stretched all across the back (or front) glassed-in porch overlooking the lake. Of course, the food was delicious and of course, there was plenty of it, and we all came away stuffed!!
My sister MA was there in spite of the fact that she was in pain. Her joints are acting up, swelling and hurting, so she wasn't her usual energetic self. My other sister BJ has also been in bad health lately, with this mysterious blood disorder she is fighting. It seems we are all falling apart. They both have told me to hang in there and stay healthy, and I'm trying, but age is catching up with me fast.
I'll keep you posted on their progress. Both have doctors' appointments this week and we should know more in a few days.
Right now it is a fight to get my rest. Last Wednesday I was looking forward to sleeping in since the genius was home on holiday and could look after the dogs. Alas, I had forgotten that the pest control man was coming at 8:oo. When the genius came into the bedroom, I just barely awoke and told him to just spray around me -- I wasn't budging!! (I tend to do things when I'm asleep I wouldn't dream of doing [no pun intended] when I'm awake and alert.) So the genius had a good time telling all the family at the lake house that I stayed in bed even with a relative stranger walkng around me with a spray can.
Oh, well! It probably gave that man a good story to tell at the Thanksgiving table -- they could all be thankful that their family members weren't so lazy!!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
THANKSGIVING MEMORIES
So today is Thanksgiving. We will be making the trek out to Old Hickory Lake to my uncle's home (actually he has two houses next door to each other) and eating a huge midday dinner with about 40 or so others. Most everyone is related to someone else there, but there are a few people who are not. Of course, everyone brings something to eat (I always take my spinach casserole). One cute Chinese couple always brings homemade pork or chicken dumplings that are to die for. Then someone else brings a squash bisque and we all try not to overdo on those so we can enjoy the real deal. Sometimes when I get a hankeriing for it, I make oyster stuffing, but I didn't this year.
Last weekend we were at a dinner party and someone suggested we tell a story of a memorable Thanksgiving. The one that flashed into my mind was when I was in high school and we were all sitting at the table with the usual family (my grandfather, step-grandmother, their daughter, who was just two years older than MA, as well as my parents and sisters). But also at the table were two new faces.
One was Shirley Foley (daughter of Red and now long time wife of Pat Boone) and her current "boyfriend," Bill Kreitemeyer. (Hope I spelled that right.) Bill was the star of the Vandy football team that year and I was completely star-struck!! I was used to Shirley because she had been living with us for several months and I knew her sisters well from school. But here was this COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR sitting at our table and I could hardly eat.
But in looking back, I realize how ironic my awe of Bill was when a few montHs later Shirley would begin dating Pat Boone and he would be a regular visitor for a while!!
TALK ABOUT STAR STRUCK!!!
So today is Thanksgiving. We will be making the trek out to Old Hickory Lake to my uncle's home (actually he has two houses next door to each other) and eating a huge midday dinner with about 40 or so others. Most everyone is related to someone else there, but there are a few people who are not. Of course, everyone brings something to eat (I always take my spinach casserole). One cute Chinese couple always brings homemade pork or chicken dumplings that are to die for. Then someone else brings a squash bisque and we all try not to overdo on those so we can enjoy the real deal. Sometimes when I get a hankeriing for it, I make oyster stuffing, but I didn't this year.
Last weekend we were at a dinner party and someone suggested we tell a story of a memorable Thanksgiving. The one that flashed into my mind was when I was in high school and we were all sitting at the table with the usual family (my grandfather, step-grandmother, their daughter, who was just two years older than MA, as well as my parents and sisters). But also at the table were two new faces.
One was Shirley Foley (daughter of Red and now long time wife of Pat Boone) and her current "boyfriend," Bill Kreitemeyer. (Hope I spelled that right.) Bill was the star of the Vandy football team that year and I was completely star-struck!! I was used to Shirley because she had been living with us for several months and I knew her sisters well from school. But here was this COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR sitting at our table and I could hardly eat.
But in looking back, I realize how ironic my awe of Bill was when a few montHs later Shirley would begin dating Pat Boone and he would be a regular visitor for a while!!
TALK ABOUT STAR STRUCK!!!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
IIIII'M BACK!!!
OK, OK, OK!!!! I've had enough phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, and verbal approaches. I give up!!! I'll start writing "Pegtales" again.
I've been asked if I have writer's block, if I'm ill, out of town, substituting Facebook for the blog, or DEAD!! But I was none of the above -- just tired of writing. I just got lazy. But I'm turning over a new leaf.
During the last few months I've been to Florida for two weeks with the sisters and hubbies (not mine of course -- he still works for a living!) I've watched tons of Gator football plus other college teams. And all the other things I like to do now that I've retired.
One of the people who called to check on me was my cousin Jane and we had a nice chat about Ole Miss football and Oxford, etc. She told me a funny story about visiting Aunt Faye who is now in a nursing home in Oxford. It seems she is not a happy camper.
Aunt Faye said, and I quote, "Bobby and Sue (her children) think this place is the best thing since sliced bread, but I say it STINKS!! The food is terrible and the coffee is ALWAYS COLD." She did admit that she likes the way the people at the home fix her hair.
Oh bless me!! If I live to be 108, or even 104 like another aunt, I hope I'm as clear in my mind to give everyone around me a hard time like she's doing.
OK, OK, OK!!!! I've had enough phone calls, emails, Facebook messages, and verbal approaches. I give up!!! I'll start writing "Pegtales" again.
I've been asked if I have writer's block, if I'm ill, out of town, substituting Facebook for the blog, or DEAD!! But I was none of the above -- just tired of writing. I just got lazy. But I'm turning over a new leaf.
During the last few months I've been to Florida for two weeks with the sisters and hubbies (not mine of course -- he still works for a living!) I've watched tons of Gator football plus other college teams. And all the other things I like to do now that I've retired.
One of the people who called to check on me was my cousin Jane and we had a nice chat about Ole Miss football and Oxford, etc. She told me a funny story about visiting Aunt Faye who is now in a nursing home in Oxford. It seems she is not a happy camper.
Aunt Faye said, and I quote, "Bobby and Sue (her children) think this place is the best thing since sliced bread, but I say it STINKS!! The food is terrible and the coffee is ALWAYS COLD." She did admit that she likes the way the people at the home fix her hair.
Oh bless me!! If I live to be 108, or even 104 like another aunt, I hope I'm as clear in my mind to give everyone around me a hard time like she's doing.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
FOOTBALL!!!
Is there anything better than college football? Especially in the SEC? What a Saturday!! Tennessee vs. Georgia, Auburn vs. Arkansas, Alabama vs. Mississippi, Gators vs. LSU!! It doesn't get much better than that!! Even Mississippi and Houston are having a good game as well as South Carolina vs. Kentucky.
The genius and I plan our whole day around watching the games. It's really too bad that this is the end of the quarter for him and he has so much work to do that he can't watch all of it. He just has to take breaks and check in every now and then.
Right now I'm watching the Ky-SC game and am pulling for the Wildcats, of all things. While I used to be a huge Spurrier fan (after all, he played AND coached at Florida) but since he has been at South Carolina I have learned to dislike him like the rest of America. (Except for SC, of course; I'm assuming they still love him.)
People say it's just a game, but tell that to the people in the South on a fall Saturday.
Is there anything better than college football? Especially in the SEC? What a Saturday!! Tennessee vs. Georgia, Auburn vs. Arkansas, Alabama vs. Mississippi, Gators vs. LSU!! It doesn't get much better than that!! Even Mississippi and Houston are having a good game as well as South Carolina vs. Kentucky.
The genius and I plan our whole day around watching the games. It's really too bad that this is the end of the quarter for him and he has so much work to do that he can't watch all of it. He just has to take breaks and check in every now and then.
Right now I'm watching the Ky-SC game and am pulling for the Wildcats, of all things. While I used to be a huge Spurrier fan (after all, he played AND coached at Florida) but since he has been at South Carolina I have learned to dislike him like the rest of America. (Except for SC, of course; I'm assuming they still love him.)
People say it's just a game, but tell that to the people in the South on a fall Saturday.
Friday, October 9, 2009
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
OK I just discovered the best chicken white chili recipe! (Men, or women for that matter, if you don't cook, you can stop reading.) This is just soooo easy and it tastes like it did when I used to make it from scratch. I'm all about saving time in the kitchen.
Here's what I did: I found a white chili mix (McCormick) in the grocery and looked at the package directions and it looked like a breeze. I always have cooked chicken on hand because of Rufus so all I had to buy was a can of white beans and the mix.
The first time I made it, the chile was a little blah, so I tried it again and Presto! a great dish. This time I sauteed a little chopped onion and green pepper and then followed the directions by addihg the mix, the beans, and one cup of water. Wahlah-- chicken the Shackleford way.
I may just have to write a cook book or have a TV show like the Contessa!
OK I just discovered the best chicken white chili recipe! (Men, or women for that matter, if you don't cook, you can stop reading.) This is just soooo easy and it tastes like it did when I used to make it from scratch. I'm all about saving time in the kitchen.
Here's what I did: I found a white chili mix (McCormick) in the grocery and looked at the package directions and it looked like a breeze. I always have cooked chicken on hand because of Rufus so all I had to buy was a can of white beans and the mix.
The first time I made it, the chile was a little blah, so I tried it again and Presto! a great dish. This time I sauteed a little chopped onion and green pepper and then followed the directions by addihg the mix, the beans, and one cup of water. Wahlah-- chicken the Shackleford way.
I may just have to write a cook book or have a TV show like the Contessa!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
WEATHER TALK
With all the rain we have had this fall, the mushrooms have been popping up all over the place. They are interesting to observe, coming up so fast and growing so rapidly. Sylvie Plath wrote a poem about them that we used to study when I taught eighth grade literature, amd I don't see a mushroom now that I don't think of that interesting little piece.
Mainly, the poem was about something that arose overnight and spread rapidly until it took over the world. And like all poetry, the mushrooms (which are not mentioned in the poem, only in the title) obviously symbolize something else. I had the bright idea that since the poet eventually committed suicide (why did so many writers do that?) that the mushrooms stood for depression.
Recently, I went online to read the poem again and read other folks' interpretaions. There were many.
One was that they stood for the women's liberation movement because Plath was a feminist. Another idea was that because she was pregnant at the time she wrote the poem to describe how that experience felt. That's a unique way to describe a new life growing inside of a mother!
The most unusual theory was that the mushrooms represented communism or maybe even China, which was the big enemy in the 60s when the poem was composed. Others thought that maybe it was war.
Not one mentioned depression. But I'm sticking to my belief anyway.
That's a nice aspect of poetry: Readers can interpret it any way they want!
With all the rain we have had this fall, the mushrooms have been popping up all over the place. They are interesting to observe, coming up so fast and growing so rapidly. Sylvie Plath wrote a poem about them that we used to study when I taught eighth grade literature, amd I don't see a mushroom now that I don't think of that interesting little piece.
Mainly, the poem was about something that arose overnight and spread rapidly until it took over the world. And like all poetry, the mushrooms (which are not mentioned in the poem, only in the title) obviously symbolize something else. I had the bright idea that since the poet eventually committed suicide (why did so many writers do that?) that the mushrooms stood for depression.
Recently, I went online to read the poem again and read other folks' interpretaions. There were many.
One was that they stood for the women's liberation movement because Plath was a feminist. Another idea was that because she was pregnant at the time she wrote the poem to describe how that experience felt. That's a unique way to describe a new life growing inside of a mother!
The most unusual theory was that the mushrooms represented communism or maybe even China, which was the big enemy in the 60s when the poem was composed. Others thought that maybe it was war.
Not one mentioned depression. But I'm sticking to my belief anyway.
That's a nice aspect of poetry: Readers can interpret it any way they want!
Monday, October 5, 2009
OH, THE JOY OF BEING A GRANDMOTHER
For a week now I have had "issues" with our wireless box. Sometimes it would work and then go off while I was online. Other times I couldn't get on at all. Finally, I marched upstairs and jerked the plug, let it wait a few minutes, and plugged it back in. It WORKED!!! Sometimes you just have to show it who's boss!
Anyway, I haven't been able to write any blogs for a week.
The genius and I had a great weekend, eating out, going to Michael's varsity football games, etc. This afternoon we watched him play a junior varsity game, the first one we have been able to get to and boy, were we proud grandparents!!
He did a great job of blocking. Sometimes they put three guys on him just to keep him in his place, but most of the time he just bowled over his opposing lineman. He also recovered the other team's fumble, and near the end of the game when we were leading 8-0, he tackled the ball carrier and saved a touchdown. So they beat a team they hadn't beaten before!!
I remarked to Brenda toward the end, "This is definitely one of the highlights of being a grandmother. I have been looking forward to watching Michael play football since he was two years old -- NO, three months old!! It's his SPORT, and I love watching him.
Of course, I have enjoyed all my grandchildren, and I have sat through dance recitals, school pageants, basketball and baseball games of the others, and several graduations and been a proud grandmother at all of them.
But today was Michael's day.
For a week now I have had "issues" with our wireless box. Sometimes it would work and then go off while I was online. Other times I couldn't get on at all. Finally, I marched upstairs and jerked the plug, let it wait a few minutes, and plugged it back in. It WORKED!!! Sometimes you just have to show it who's boss!
Anyway, I haven't been able to write any blogs for a week.
The genius and I had a great weekend, eating out, going to Michael's varsity football games, etc. This afternoon we watched him play a junior varsity game, the first one we have been able to get to and boy, were we proud grandparents!!
He did a great job of blocking. Sometimes they put three guys on him just to keep him in his place, but most of the time he just bowled over his opposing lineman. He also recovered the other team's fumble, and near the end of the game when we were leading 8-0, he tackled the ball carrier and saved a touchdown. So they beat a team they hadn't beaten before!!
I remarked to Brenda toward the end, "This is definitely one of the highlights of being a grandmother. I have been looking forward to watching Michael play football since he was two years old -- NO, three months old!! It's his SPORT, and I love watching him.
Of course, I have enjoyed all my grandchildren, and I have sat through dance recitals, school pageants, basketball and baseball games of the others, and several graduations and been a proud grandmother at all of them.
But today was Michael's day.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
VISITING COUSIN MONTY

I couldn't resist snapping this yesterday.
Both of them were asleep on top of the sofa, but of course woke up when I came in the room. We are keeping Jesse for a week because Laurie has a business trip to NYC, which seems to please both dogs.
Today I am taking them to BJ's; her dog Monty needs to have some play time and
Rufus will provide that. Jesse will probably just sit on the sofa and growl whenever Monty comes near. I think she feels above all that nonsense and ALSO SHE doesn't want to share Rufus. The combination of those two feelings makes her grouchy.
The main reason for going is to check on my sister and see how she is. I'll let you know!
I couldn't resist snapping this yesterday.
Both of them were asleep on top of the sofa, but of course woke up when I came in the room. We are keeping Jesse for a week because Laurie has a business trip to NYC, which seems to please both dogs.
Today I am taking them to BJ's; her dog Monty needs to have some play time and
Rufus will provide that. Jesse will probably just sit on the sofa and growl whenever Monty comes near. I think she feels above all that nonsense and ALSO SHE doesn't want to share Rufus. The combination of those two feelings makes her grouchy.
The main reason for going is to check on my sister and see how she is. I'll let you know!
Monday, September 28, 2009
HAPPY CAMPER
Now THIS is what I'm TALKING about!! Sunshine, mild temperatures, nice breeze, low humidity -- I could take this all year long!!
And yesterday it was the same so Brenda and I went to the Arts and Crafts show at Centennial Park. We THOUGHT it was perfect weather, and it was, but the place was a sea of muck and mud. I felt very sorry for the vendors. When I got home I just had to throw away my sandals -- they were ruined. But since I only paid $15.00 for them on a no sales tax day, I didn't feel too bad about it.
As usual, the place was full of all kinds of interesting items. I ended up getting a stained glass hanging for my bathroom window upstairs to match the blues that my friend Betty started last summer when she and her husband Larry came to visit. She gave me a gift of all kinds of bathroom stuff, various soaps, lotions, candles, soap dish, etc. that inspired me. I was just waiting to find the perfect stained glass ornament for the window to use them and I did. Today, that's my task: rearrange everything in that room to match.
So what with the weather and a little "retail" therapy, I am back on top of the world.
Now THIS is what I'm TALKING about!! Sunshine, mild temperatures, nice breeze, low humidity -- I could take this all year long!!
And yesterday it was the same so Brenda and I went to the Arts and Crafts show at Centennial Park. We THOUGHT it was perfect weather, and it was, but the place was a sea of muck and mud. I felt very sorry for the vendors. When I got home I just had to throw away my sandals -- they were ruined. But since I only paid $15.00 for them on a no sales tax day, I didn't feel too bad about it.
As usual, the place was full of all kinds of interesting items. I ended up getting a stained glass hanging for my bathroom window upstairs to match the blues that my friend Betty started last summer when she and her husband Larry came to visit. She gave me a gift of all kinds of bathroom stuff, various soaps, lotions, candles, soap dish, etc. that inspired me. I was just waiting to find the perfect stained glass ornament for the window to use them and I did. Today, that's my task: rearrange everything in that room to match.
So what with the weather and a little "retail" therapy, I am back on top of the world.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
VARIOUS NEWS ITEMS
This WEATHER!!! Like Johnny Cash, "I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when." But I'm not stuck in a prison unless it's of my own making -- I tend to get depressed during gloomy days like this. I'll be glad when this cloud cover moves on!
The news from Mississippi is that our Aunt Faye (108 years old) is now in a nursing home. Her son Bobby could not continue to take care of her, and Sue, her daughter who lived close by, was also trying to nurse a sick husband. It just got too much for both of them. Aunt Faye is not a happy camper right now from all reports; she doesn't understand why she can't just go to sleep and not wake up. And I'm guessing that with her feisty personality that she is not a very cooperative patient. The good news is that there are several of my first cousins who are in the same home and they can visit with each other.
Speaking of illness, my sister BJ is at home recovering from some sort of infection that has attacked her red blood cells. After spending almost a week in the hospital when her blood count had dropped to a dangerously low level, she is taking it easy and trying to get her strength back. Since she has bounced around going from one activity to another all her life, this is an unusual state for her. She has always been on the giving end and is now being forced to receive (very graciously, I might add). It must not be easy for her to let people wait on her when she has always been such a servant to others. Her blood count is back up to normal now and she is slowly recovering her strength.
That's all my good, cheery news for the day. You can see what kind of mood I'm in!!
This WEATHER!!! Like Johnny Cash, "I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when." But I'm not stuck in a prison unless it's of my own making -- I tend to get depressed during gloomy days like this. I'll be glad when this cloud cover moves on!
The news from Mississippi is that our Aunt Faye (108 years old) is now in a nursing home. Her son Bobby could not continue to take care of her, and Sue, her daughter who lived close by, was also trying to nurse a sick husband. It just got too much for both of them. Aunt Faye is not a happy camper right now from all reports; she doesn't understand why she can't just go to sleep and not wake up. And I'm guessing that with her feisty personality that she is not a very cooperative patient. The good news is that there are several of my first cousins who are in the same home and they can visit with each other.
Speaking of illness, my sister BJ is at home recovering from some sort of infection that has attacked her red blood cells. After spending almost a week in the hospital when her blood count had dropped to a dangerously low level, she is taking it easy and trying to get her strength back. Since she has bounced around going from one activity to another all her life, this is an unusual state for her. She has always been on the giving end and is now being forced to receive (very graciously, I might add). It must not be easy for her to let people wait on her when she has always been such a servant to others. Her blood count is back up to normal now and she is slowly recovering her strength.
That's all my good, cheery news for the day. You can see what kind of mood I'm in!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
RETREAT CONTINUED
As I said on the last post, my first idea of what this trip was about was when I saw all the food Anne unloaded from her car. My second impression came when soon after we had unpacked the car she asked everone to pick a number between one and five and slapped the cards on one of the fourtop tables. Okaaaay, I thought, this is to be a bridge-playing, pigging-out trip.
And that's what it was. We began playing with one of us rotating out and continued all afternoon and after dinner as well. AND --- while we were busy playing, an assortment of snacks was placed all around us. I began to feel the pounds pile on my sedentary self.
We did stop for meals and what feasts they were! Anne (and the others as well from their conversation) was a Gourmet Cook. Just a few of the dishes we had were the following: an assortment of fruit breads and scones, (both homemade, of course) plus fresh fruit (strawberries, melons, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches all deliciously fresh), bacon and eggs for breakfast. For lunch we were served eggplants stacks (I got the recipe for this one), chicken salad, green salads with fresh homegrown vegetables grown by the Amish with a different homemade dressing each day. Sha had another lunch planned, but we insisted on leftovers that day.
Dinner consisted of parmesan chicken, barbequed chicken, and tilapia with a rum butter sauce to die for. I can't remember all the vegetables but a few were fried corn, turnip greens, roasted tomatoes, brussel sprouts, and grilled okra. To top off each meal, she had made and brought three scrumptious desserts: a rich, creamy chocolate-raspberry concoction that I had at least three pieces of, a lemon cake with butter cream frosting, and a blueberry pie. I rarely ever step on the scales so I don't know if I gained weight or not, but my clothes still fit, so I guess I didn't do too much damage.
An AC man came one morning and we had him take pictures of us on the deck overlooking the lake. I asked Anne to email them to me, but she hasn't yet. I'll post them when she does.
Thinking back, I realize that the picture-making session was the one and only time I stuck my nose outside during the whole stay. Needless to say, I had a wonderful time!!
As I said on the last post, my first idea of what this trip was about was when I saw all the food Anne unloaded from her car. My second impression came when soon after we had unpacked the car she asked everone to pick a number between one and five and slapped the cards on one of the fourtop tables. Okaaaay, I thought, this is to be a bridge-playing, pigging-out trip.
And that's what it was. We began playing with one of us rotating out and continued all afternoon and after dinner as well. AND --- while we were busy playing, an assortment of snacks was placed all around us. I began to feel the pounds pile on my sedentary self.
We did stop for meals and what feasts they were! Anne (and the others as well from their conversation) was a Gourmet Cook. Just a few of the dishes we had were the following: an assortment of fruit breads and scones, (both homemade, of course) plus fresh fruit (strawberries, melons, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches all deliciously fresh), bacon and eggs for breakfast. For lunch we were served eggplants stacks (I got the recipe for this one), chicken salad, green salads with fresh homegrown vegetables grown by the Amish with a different homemade dressing each day. Sha had another lunch planned, but we insisted on leftovers that day.
Dinner consisted of parmesan chicken, barbequed chicken, and tilapia with a rum butter sauce to die for. I can't remember all the vegetables but a few were fried corn, turnip greens, roasted tomatoes, brussel sprouts, and grilled okra. To top off each meal, she had made and brought three scrumptious desserts: a rich, creamy chocolate-raspberry concoction that I had at least three pieces of, a lemon cake with butter cream frosting, and a blueberry pie. I rarely ever step on the scales so I don't know if I gained weight or not, but my clothes still fit, so I guess I didn't do too much damage.
An AC man came one morning and we had him take pictures of us on the deck overlooking the lake. I asked Anne to email them to me, but she hasn't yet. I'll post them when she does.
Thinking back, I realize that the picture-making session was the one and only time I stuck my nose outside during the whole stay. Needless to say, I had a wonderful time!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
RETREAT TO THE LAKE HOUSE
I mistitled Monday's entry -- it should have been Bridge Vacation instead of river vacation. Or maybe I could add "eating" to the title also. Whatever I name it, the time at Anne's cabin was FABULOUS.
The other four of us arrived first (Anne had stopped at the grocery store on the way down) so I was able to unpack my car and tour the house first. It is a rambling wooden one story structure that has been added onto four times. What you see when you first enter now is a huge kitchen with double everything (2 fridges, 2 dishwashers, ovens, cook tops, etc. Every drawer and cabinet in the room (and there are many) were labeled so that people would know where to store each item.
The kitchen is actually part of a very large glass-walled room that is filled with tables and chairs for eating (or playing games) that are scattered throughout the room, and there is a seating area in the corner. All of that overlooks Wheeler Lake which is formed by a damn on the Tennessee River. I estimate that perhaps 30 - 40 people could sit at tables in that room and eat at the same time.
And the same could be said for the numbers that could be bedded down. There are two small bedrooms that came with the original house, then two other immense ones that are lined up with small single beds in each one. (One is called the boys' room and the other the girls'.) On the back a sleeping porch was added to hold numerous other beds all lined up in two rows with plenty of room to spare. I didn't count the beds but again, my estimate is that the whole place sleeps 30-40. In addition to the rooms named, there are also a big living room with a fireplace, a laundry room with two of everything and three baths. Another one bedroom cabin sits beside the big one which I never even looked in.
I'm sure that on holidays and other special days the whole place is packed to the hilt because Anne has five children and fourteen grandchildren, most of whom are teenagers or older.
When she pulled up in her car at the cabin (house!), I began to get an inkling about what this trip was to be about. Her SUV was packed with coolers, boxes, and sacks all filled with either the groceries she had just bought or dishes she had already prepared. On a cabinet door in the kitchen was a typed copy of the menu she had planned for each day of our stay. I wish I had copied it for you (she had a copier there, of course) but I neglected to do that. I didn't want to seem too uncool.
But let me just sum it up by saying I was DAZZLED by all the preparations she had made for four of her friends.
I'll continue this tomorrow.
I mistitled Monday's entry -- it should have been Bridge Vacation instead of river vacation. Or maybe I could add "eating" to the title also. Whatever I name it, the time at Anne's cabin was FABULOUS.
The other four of us arrived first (Anne had stopped at the grocery store on the way down) so I was able to unpack my car and tour the house first. It is a rambling wooden one story structure that has been added onto four times. What you see when you first enter now is a huge kitchen with double everything (2 fridges, 2 dishwashers, ovens, cook tops, etc. Every drawer and cabinet in the room (and there are many) were labeled so that people would know where to store each item.
The kitchen is actually part of a very large glass-walled room that is filled with tables and chairs for eating (or playing games) that are scattered throughout the room, and there is a seating area in the corner. All of that overlooks Wheeler Lake which is formed by a damn on the Tennessee River. I estimate that perhaps 30 - 40 people could sit at tables in that room and eat at the same time.
And the same could be said for the numbers that could be bedded down. There are two small bedrooms that came with the original house, then two other immense ones that are lined up with small single beds in each one. (One is called the boys' room and the other the girls'.) On the back a sleeping porch was added to hold numerous other beds all lined up in two rows with plenty of room to spare. I didn't count the beds but again, my estimate is that the whole place sleeps 30-40. In addition to the rooms named, there are also a big living room with a fireplace, a laundry room with two of everything and three baths. Another one bedroom cabin sits beside the big one which I never even looked in.
I'm sure that on holidays and other special days the whole place is packed to the hilt because Anne has five children and fourteen grandchildren, most of whom are teenagers or older.
When she pulled up in her car at the cabin (house!), I began to get an inkling about what this trip was to be about. Her SUV was packed with coolers, boxes, and sacks all filled with either the groceries she had just bought or dishes she had already prepared. On a cabinet door in the kitchen was a typed copy of the menu she had planned for each day of our stay. I wish I had copied it for you (she had a copier there, of course) but I neglected to do that. I didn't want to seem too uncool.
But let me just sum it up by saying I was DAZZLED by all the preparations she had made for four of her friends.
I'll continue this tomorrow.
Monday, September 14, 2009
FOOTBALL AND RIVER VACATION
The genius and I had a great weekend filled with football among other things. We both enjoyed watching the Gators play (and win) and look forward to the Tennessee game this Saturday. They play in the "Swamp" which should certainly give them an advantage, but they have been known to lose important games there, too (i.e., the Mississippi game last year which my cousin Jane loved).
We also watched Michael warm the sidelines on Friday night. The one game he played in last week we didn't see. I'm sure we will see him knocking bodies about soon. By the way, he is the second biggest guy on the team, weight wise, and only in the 8th grade. He had to get his hair cut over the weekend, about which he is most unhappy, according to Facebook.
I'm not sure I'll be able to write any more blogs until Thursday because I will be spending the next few days at a cabin in Alabama on the Tennessee River. I use the term "cabin" loosely; I suspect it will be quite nice. My friend Anne whom I've known since the first grade has invited me and some other women to her place for a couple of days. I will take my trusty camera and take pics if I can.
And poor Rufus will have to do without his "mommy" for a while.
The genius and I had a great weekend filled with football among other things. We both enjoyed watching the Gators play (and win) and look forward to the Tennessee game this Saturday. They play in the "Swamp" which should certainly give them an advantage, but they have been known to lose important games there, too (i.e., the Mississippi game last year which my cousin Jane loved).
We also watched Michael warm the sidelines on Friday night. The one game he played in last week we didn't see. I'm sure we will see him knocking bodies about soon. By the way, he is the second biggest guy on the team, weight wise, and only in the 8th grade. He had to get his hair cut over the weekend, about which he is most unhappy, according to Facebook.
I'm not sure I'll be able to write any more blogs until Thursday because I will be spending the next few days at a cabin in Alabama on the Tennessee River. I use the term "cabin" loosely; I suspect it will be quite nice. My friend Anne whom I've known since the first grade has invited me and some other women to her place for a couple of days. I will take my trusty camera and take pics if I can.
And poor Rufus will have to do without his "mommy" for a while.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
MORE NEWS
After yesterday's blog, I received a note from my sister MA that her granddaughter Morgan, who is the same age as Jordan, also became engaged over the weekend. That's kind of ironic because the two of them were good friends, especially when we went to Florida every summer. So congrats to that newly engaged couple as well.
I spent a wonderful weekend celebrating my birthday (it finally arrived!) and getting into the new season of college football. We watched our beloved Gators, of course, as well as other SEC teams. I even found myself watching Florida State and Miami until I looked at the genius and said, "Why am I watching two teams that I don't like and don't care who wins?" But we did have fun.
For months we have been saying to each other, "Only five more months" (or three, or two weeks, etc.) When I realized that my birthday fell on the opening day of the season, I began saying to the genius whenever he indicated he was counting down, "That's right! It will be my birthday; I've never known you to be so excited about it!" Of course, he was talking about football, but he went along with it. When the day finally arrived, I was excited about both.
And I must say, the genius came through big time for my day. Below is a picture of my hand holding his present to me -- sapphire and diamond earrings! I'm sorry it's so fuzzy, but I took so many photos that I finally decided to go with these two.
Hmmmm! I wonder what my present will be if I make it to seventy-five!!

After yesterday's blog, I received a note from my sister MA that her granddaughter Morgan, who is the same age as Jordan, also became engaged over the weekend. That's kind of ironic because the two of them were good friends, especially when we went to Florida every summer. So congrats to that newly engaged couple as well.
I spent a wonderful weekend celebrating my birthday (it finally arrived!) and getting into the new season of college football. We watched our beloved Gators, of course, as well as other SEC teams. I even found myself watching Florida State and Miami until I looked at the genius and said, "Why am I watching two teams that I don't like and don't care who wins?" But we did have fun.
For months we have been saying to each other, "Only five more months" (or three, or two weeks, etc.) When I realized that my birthday fell on the opening day of the season, I began saying to the genius whenever he indicated he was counting down, "That's right! It will be my birthday; I've never known you to be so excited about it!" Of course, he was talking about football, but he went along with it. When the day finally arrived, I was excited about both.
And I must say, the genius came through big time for my day. Below is a picture of my hand holding his present to me -- sapphire and diamond earrings! I'm sorry it's so fuzzy, but I took so many photos that I finally decided to go with these two.
Hmmmm! I wonder what my present will be if I make it to seventy-five!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
NEWS, NEWS, NEWS!
Lots of news this week. I'll go out on a limb and say there should be several blogs in the next few days.
Today we will concentrate on Jordan, our second grandchild. She just graduated from Grand Canyon University in nursing in three years and has secured a job at a hospital in Phoenix. I believe she starts in October.
Jordan is two years younger than Tom (Tsquared) and several years ago became best friends with Mike, Tom's closest buddy. Mike is so close to us that he has seemed like a part of the family for some time. He began coming to Nashville (and Florida) when both boys were about 10 years old. Therefore, everyone was pleased when Jordan and Mike started dating.
Over the past weekend they took their annual trip to California where Jordan's grandfather lives. While they were at Disneyland, Mike proposed and presented a ring to Jordan. What an exciting time for them and for all of us as well. They truly seem perfect for each other and certainly it's what everyone was hoping for.
Below is a picture of the newly engaged couple.
Lots of news this week. I'll go out on a limb and say there should be several blogs in the next few days.
Today we will concentrate on Jordan, our second grandchild. She just graduated from Grand Canyon University in nursing in three years and has secured a job at a hospital in Phoenix. I believe she starts in October.
Jordan is two years younger than Tom (Tsquared) and several years ago became best friends with Mike, Tom's closest buddy. Mike is so close to us that he has seemed like a part of the family for some time. He began coming to Nashville (and Florida) when both boys were about 10 years old. Therefore, everyone was pleased when Jordan and Mike started dating.
Over the past weekend they took their annual trip to California where Jordan's grandfather lives. While they were at Disneyland, Mike proposed and presented a ring to Jordan. What an exciting time for them and for all of us as well. They truly seem perfect for each other and certainly it's what everyone was hoping for.
Below is a picture of the newly engaged couple.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009
COFFEE: THE DRINK OF CHOICE FOR ME
Ashley started quite a conversation on Facebook recently on drinking coffee. It seems that people either hate it or love it and like to express their preference. The discussion made me think back to when I first started drinking it.
My parents both liked it with no sugar, just real cream (no half 'n half for them!). Whenever I tried it like that it had no appeal to my taste buds. But sometime in my first year of college I sampled it with sugar in it and I liked it -- a lot! I believe I started off with both sugar and cream, then later switched to just sugar and that's what I stuck with for years. Later, when Sweet'n low came out, that was my sweetener of choice.
I think that one reason I began to drink it was because it tasted so good with that first cigarette of the day. I used to think that if I stopped one, I would have to quit them both. But it didn't work out that way -- I was able (FINALLY!) to stop smoking in my early thirties and I have continued coffee to this day.
The only times I didn't like coffee was when I was "in the family way." I knew right away when I was pregnant with Jim IV because I got up one morning, poured me a cup and immediately it tasted like it did when I was expecting Ashley. So I did without all through my pregnancies, but as soon as I woke up in the hospital after giving birth, that first cup was heavenly!
I still enjoy drinking coffee, but when I retired I came up with a new set of ingredients. Now I like it with sweetener, cream, and a scoop of Ghirardelli chocolate in it. That is usually my breakfast and it staves off the hunger pangs until lunchtime!
Ashley started quite a conversation on Facebook recently on drinking coffee. It seems that people either hate it or love it and like to express their preference. The discussion made me think back to when I first started drinking it.
My parents both liked it with no sugar, just real cream (no half 'n half for them!). Whenever I tried it like that it had no appeal to my taste buds. But sometime in my first year of college I sampled it with sugar in it and I liked it -- a lot! I believe I started off with both sugar and cream, then later switched to just sugar and that's what I stuck with for years. Later, when Sweet'n low came out, that was my sweetener of choice.
I think that one reason I began to drink it was because it tasted so good with that first cigarette of the day. I used to think that if I stopped one, I would have to quit them both. But it didn't work out that way -- I was able (FINALLY!) to stop smoking in my early thirties and I have continued coffee to this day.
The only times I didn't like coffee was when I was "in the family way." I knew right away when I was pregnant with Jim IV because I got up one morning, poured me a cup and immediately it tasted like it did when I was expecting Ashley. So I did without all through my pregnancies, but as soon as I woke up in the hospital after giving birth, that first cup was heavenly!
I still enjoy drinking coffee, but when I retired I came up with a new set of ingredients. Now I like it with sweetener, cream, and a scoop of Ghirardelli chocolate in it. That is usually my breakfast and it staves off the hunger pangs until lunchtime!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
THE JOYS OF HAVING GRANDCHILDREN

We went to Michael's football game Friday night and I snapped his photo. He looks like --- a FOOTBALL PLAYER, which he has all his life, but he's finally doing it! He is #45. I'm a proud grandmother!
Well, here's my news of the week, (YEAR!!). I'm to be a great grandmother!! Wait a minute -- I'm already that! Don't I babysit, go to football games, dance recitals, graduations, etc.? That falls under the category of "great"! But all kidding aside, Tom and Kirstin are expecting sometime in April. I'd better get my plane ticket reserved.
Having a daughter who is a grandmother makes me feel older than just being a great grandmother!
We went to Michael's football game Friday night and I snapped his photo. He looks like --- a FOOTBALL PLAYER, which he has all his life, but he's finally doing it! He is #45. I'm a proud grandmother!
Well, here's my news of the week, (YEAR!!). I'm to be a great grandmother!! Wait a minute -- I'm already that! Don't I babysit, go to football games, dance recitals, graduations, etc.? That falls under the category of "great"! But all kidding aside, Tom and Kirstin are expecting sometime in April. I'd better get my plane ticket reserved.
Having a daughter who is a grandmother makes me feel older than just being a great grandmother!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
DEPRESSING BIRTHDAY COMING UP
I don't know when I've celebrated a birthday so many times (and it's not even here yet!). First, it was with the classmates in July that we were all celebrating together; then it was when Nashville Electric Service called me about my one year old picture; and yesterday it was at the nails place with a free decoration for my toe! (see picture below) Why does the whole world want to know it's my seventieth?
The July Birthday Bash was really fun, but then a picture of us appeared in the paper to broadcast our age to the rest of Nashville!
Also I'll explain about the NES thing: when I was a year old a picture of me with a birthday cake appeared in the paper in a half page ad for NES because we had the same birthday. Apparently, the company had formed the year before on the day I was born and they searched the records for a such a baby to use with their ad. So this year we are both observing our 70th!!
I doubt very seriously if anything will come of it. I mean, who wants to know that either I or NES is seventy? Also, because of the high salaries of their top people recently published, the public is down on them. So they're probably going to keep a low profile, but if anything happens, I'll let you know.
And then yesterday the lady who does my nails (Rose) insisted on giving me a toe decoration because my big day was approaching. I resisted at first because of my (ahem) age, then I thought what the heck! The granddaughters will probably like it. She put a flower on each big toe, but when I got home, Rufus jumped on my right foot and messed it up!! Thus, only the left one was photographed.
I don't know when I've celebrated a birthday so many times (and it's not even here yet!). First, it was with the classmates in July that we were all celebrating together; then it was when Nashville Electric Service called me about my one year old picture; and yesterday it was at the nails place with a free decoration for my toe! (see picture below) Why does the whole world want to know it's my seventieth?
The July Birthday Bash was really fun, but then a picture of us appeared in the paper to broadcast our age to the rest of Nashville!
Also I'll explain about the NES thing: when I was a year old a picture of me with a birthday cake appeared in the paper in a half page ad for NES because we had the same birthday. Apparently, the company had formed the year before on the day I was born and they searched the records for a such a baby to use with their ad. So this year we are both observing our 70th!!
I doubt very seriously if anything will come of it. I mean, who wants to know that either I or NES is seventy? Also, because of the high salaries of their top people recently published, the public is down on them. So they're probably going to keep a low profile, but if anything happens, I'll let you know.
And then yesterday the lady who does my nails (Rose) insisted on giving me a toe decoration because my big day was approaching. I resisted at first because of my (ahem) age, then I thought what the heck! The granddaughters will probably like it. She put a flower on each big toe, but when I got home, Rufus jumped on my right foot and messed it up!! Thus, only the left one was photographed.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
UNCLE
Isn't that what you cry when you've had enough of something? OK, I'm crying it now; I've had enough excitement.
Yesterday I was shopping at Steinmart, my favorite store, and while I was trying on clothes in the fitting room I overheard two salespersons talking. One asked the other to cover for her because she had been called to the front of the store to hang out. Someone had robbed the bank down the street and all extra hands were asked to come to the front of the store.
I wasn't too concerned since I figured those robbers were long gone, but when I got to the checkout I heard that "they" were on foot. I said, "Is there a description of them?" The checkout girl said, "All we've heard is that one of them is an older white male wearing a baseball cap."
When she said that, I pictured a man in his sixties. Then she said, "He's in his forties." So I guess that makes me "elderly"! Anyway, I was extra alert looking all around when I went to the car, but I didn't see anyone the least bit suspicious.
But I am getting a little tired of being threatened by the presence of robbers!
Isn't that what you cry when you've had enough of something? OK, I'm crying it now; I've had enough excitement.
Yesterday I was shopping at Steinmart, my favorite store, and while I was trying on clothes in the fitting room I overheard two salespersons talking. One asked the other to cover for her because she had been called to the front of the store to hang out. Someone had robbed the bank down the street and all extra hands were asked to come to the front of the store.
I wasn't too concerned since I figured those robbers were long gone, but when I got to the checkout I heard that "they" were on foot. I said, "Is there a description of them?" The checkout girl said, "All we've heard is that one of them is an older white male wearing a baseball cap."
When she said that, I pictured a man in his sixties. Then she said, "He's in his forties." So I guess that makes me "elderly"! Anyway, I was extra alert looking all around when I went to the car, but I didn't see anyone the least bit suspicious.
But I am getting a little tired of being threatened by the presence of robbers!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
INTERESTING WEEKEND
The genius and I had a good time with the grandkids this past weekend while their parents had a mini vacation. It actually started on Thursday afternoon when they got home from school.
That night I stayed at their house with them and we were going to decide on Friday where we would stay that night. Friday morning I got them off to school then rushed home to get ready for bridge club. Bridge club went longer than expected and I was a little late getting back to meet Jay at his house. I had warned him I might be late so he was prepared for this. What he and I were not prepared for was the excitement going on in his neighborhood!
It seems that some robbers who were being chased by police, had driven into a field and two of then had escaped by foot. The children's school had had a lockdown for a while before they let them go home. Jay called to tell me as I was on my way.
About two miles from the turnoff to his house there was a section on Hillsboro Road that was partially blocked by fifteen or twenty patrol cars. Plus I noticed as I went by that the TV news trucks were there.
I soon arrived at the house and we decided that we would pack up and come back to our house for the night as soon as Annie got home. I wasn't that worried, but I knew they would feel better.
So that's what we did and we passed by the patrol cars again as we came back into town. This time there were not as many but there were more news trucks.
As soon as we got home, I checked the online local news and the men had all been captured. So we were safe!
The rest of our weekend was fun, but not nearly as exciting, for which I am thankful!!
The genius and I had a good time with the grandkids this past weekend while their parents had a mini vacation. It actually started on Thursday afternoon when they got home from school.
That night I stayed at their house with them and we were going to decide on Friday where we would stay that night. Friday morning I got them off to school then rushed home to get ready for bridge club. Bridge club went longer than expected and I was a little late getting back to meet Jay at his house. I had warned him I might be late so he was prepared for this. What he and I were not prepared for was the excitement going on in his neighborhood!
It seems that some robbers who were being chased by police, had driven into a field and two of then had escaped by foot. The children's school had had a lockdown for a while before they let them go home. Jay called to tell me as I was on my way.
About two miles from the turnoff to his house there was a section on Hillsboro Road that was partially blocked by fifteen or twenty patrol cars. Plus I noticed as I went by that the TV news trucks were there.
I soon arrived at the house and we decided that we would pack up and come back to our house for the night as soon as Annie got home. I wasn't that worried, but I knew they would feel better.
So that's what we did and we passed by the patrol cars again as we came back into town. This time there were not as many but there were more news trucks.
As soon as we got home, I checked the online local news and the men had all been captured. So we were safe!
The rest of our weekend was fun, but not nearly as exciting, for which I am thankful!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
SOUTHERN WAYS
I love living in the South. Just this morning I was out walking the dogs and there was a repairman working on a house up the street. He came out to his truck that was parked almost in the back, saw me and said, "Good morning. How are you?" And I said something equally friendly and then went on my way -- feeling good. And that happens all the time in Nashville. Thank goodness the carpet baggers haven't completely taken over.
Speaking of the dogs, poor Rufus was terribly sick on Sunday night. He got up at 4:30 a.m. and I heard him in the bathroom throwing up. Sure enough, he had ruined the bathroom rugs and floor going at both ends. What a rude awakening!!! Just like having kids again. Anyway, at least I knew what it was -- I had fed him some leftover steak the night before. No more red meat for him!
He's fine now and we are getting ready for our nights at Jim IV's house, looking after Jay and Annie. Jay catches the school bus at 7:00 (what an ungodly hour!) so I will be getting up early Friday morning. I'm keeping them through Sunday, so we will have to decide whether to stay there or come back here for the weekend. Jim IV and Laurie will get some much deserved R and R.
And I will get to have quality time with grandchildren!!
I love living in the South. Just this morning I was out walking the dogs and there was a repairman working on a house up the street. He came out to his truck that was parked almost in the back, saw me and said, "Good morning. How are you?" And I said something equally friendly and then went on my way -- feeling good. And that happens all the time in Nashville. Thank goodness the carpet baggers haven't completely taken over.
Speaking of the dogs, poor Rufus was terribly sick on Sunday night. He got up at 4:30 a.m. and I heard him in the bathroom throwing up. Sure enough, he had ruined the bathroom rugs and floor going at both ends. What a rude awakening!!! Just like having kids again. Anyway, at least I knew what it was -- I had fed him some leftover steak the night before. No more red meat for him!
He's fine now and we are getting ready for our nights at Jim IV's house, looking after Jay and Annie. Jay catches the school bus at 7:00 (what an ungodly hour!) so I will be getting up early Friday morning. I'm keeping them through Sunday, so we will have to decide whether to stay there or come back here for the weekend. Jim IV and Laurie will get some much deserved R and R.
And I will get to have quality time with grandchildren!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
IT'S FUN TO BE RIGHT ... ESPECIALLY IF I'VE BEEN UNJUSTLY ACCUSED
It's interesting how long it takes a person to realize certain situations. A friend of the genius once told us that when he was a teenager, he and his father used the same toothbrush for over a year before one of them discovered it. When he was relating it to us, he said, "I did wonder why my toothbrush was always WET when I used it, but it never occurred to me that I was sharing it with someone else!" A similar situation has happened in our kitchen, although not as gross as the toothbrush incident.
I keep a bottle of hand soap and another of lotion in a little basket right next to the sink in the kitchen. Very gradually, over a period of perhaps two years, I noticed that I always seemed to be moving it closer to the sink. Somehow, the basket was always pushed a distance of six inches to a foot away from where I thought I had left it. Finally, I became fully aware of the situation and asked the genius about it.
He said indeed he had been moving it because it was always wet under the basket and he had to keep mopping up the water. So I agreed to try to keep it dry underneath it if he would refrain from moving it. It was a nuisance to have to reach a foot away from the water to get the soap.
I also began to pay attention to how I washed my hands, thinking that I was getting my hands wet before I put them under the soap and thus dripping water across the counter. But no, my routine was to turn the water on with my left hand and reach with my dry right hand for the soap. I also began noticing how I rinsed things off (vegetables, dishes, etc.) and checking to see if these actions splashed water and left the counter damp. When I clean the kitchen I always wash, then dry with a paper towel all of the counter tops.
The other night the genius went into the kitchen, washed his hands, then called me in there to show me how wet it was. I told him I hadn't been in there since I had cleaned it up from dinner and had made sure that all the surfaces were dry!! So we both decided that he was the culprit. He was sticking his hands under the water, then dripping them to the soap.
I was expecting him to pull out the little credit card I gave him this summer that stated " I am right" because I know he is saving it for a time when there's no doubt that he's wrong, but he didn't. He's saving it for a time when I least expect it, I'm sure.
It's interesting how long it takes a person to realize certain situations. A friend of the genius once told us that when he was a teenager, he and his father used the same toothbrush for over a year before one of them discovered it. When he was relating it to us, he said, "I did wonder why my toothbrush was always WET when I used it, but it never occurred to me that I was sharing it with someone else!" A similar situation has happened in our kitchen, although not as gross as the toothbrush incident.
I keep a bottle of hand soap and another of lotion in a little basket right next to the sink in the kitchen. Very gradually, over a period of perhaps two years, I noticed that I always seemed to be moving it closer to the sink. Somehow, the basket was always pushed a distance of six inches to a foot away from where I thought I had left it. Finally, I became fully aware of the situation and asked the genius about it.
He said indeed he had been moving it because it was always wet under the basket and he had to keep mopping up the water. So I agreed to try to keep it dry underneath it if he would refrain from moving it. It was a nuisance to have to reach a foot away from the water to get the soap.
I also began to pay attention to how I washed my hands, thinking that I was getting my hands wet before I put them under the soap and thus dripping water across the counter. But no, my routine was to turn the water on with my left hand and reach with my dry right hand for the soap. I also began noticing how I rinsed things off (vegetables, dishes, etc.) and checking to see if these actions splashed water and left the counter damp. When I clean the kitchen I always wash, then dry with a paper towel all of the counter tops.
The other night the genius went into the kitchen, washed his hands, then called me in there to show me how wet it was. I told him I hadn't been in there since I had cleaned it up from dinner and had made sure that all the surfaces were dry!! So we both decided that he was the culprit. He was sticking his hands under the water, then dripping them to the soap.
I was expecting him to pull out the little credit card I gave him this summer that stated " I am right" because I know he is saving it for a time when there's no doubt that he's wrong, but he didn't. He's saving it for a time when I least expect it, I'm sure.
Monday, August 17, 2009
ME AND NICHOLAS SPARKS
OK!! I vowed that I would never read another Nicholas Sparks book --- and I haven't! But by mistake I bought a movie on sale that was BASED on one of his novels. Now I have a NEW vow: I'll never watch another movie taken from a Nicholas Sparks book!!
The man is obsessed with BAD ENDINGS!!!
First, I read The Notebook. That was a nice story that focused on a couple's love and ended when the wife became ill with Alzheimer's. That one wasn't too bad -- a little sad, especially if you've ever had a loved one with that disease. It hit too close to home for me.
Then I read The Promise. The plot in that book centered around two teenagers' falling in love, but the girl gets leukemia and dies in the end after barely making it down the aisle to marry her boyfriend.
Sparks also wrote Message in a Bottle, the ending of which is just as bad, if not worse than the others. So I said, "No more!"
I did actually read a nonfiction by him that chronicled a trip he and his brother made, and I must admit, it was good.
Then the disaster the other night in watching Nights in Rodanthe. I think the movie producer knew what he was doing when he put the author's name on the back of the DVD and hid it in the credits. He/she must have known there were people like me out there who had refused to have anything more to do with his works.
But -- I was trapped once I got into it. Here's the basic plot: a young mother of two children whose husband has left her for another woman, but now wants to come back to her, is stuck in a vacation beach house with another man. He is a handsome surgeon who is wrestling with a patient's unexpected death on the operating table. Lo and behold, a storm comes up and their fear for their safety draws them together. It gets worse!!
In a matter of a few days, they fall in love and make some life-changing decisions. HE decides to do mission work in Equador with his estranged son for a year, and SHE chooses to end it with her husband.
During the year the woman and her new love write "wonderful" letters to each other, vowing of course to remain faithful till he returns. Knowing Nicholas Sparks, I was ready for the ending.
The good doctor, who had of course reconciled with his son, was getting ready to return, and he was KILLED in another storm!! How sad is that?!?
I was so prepared for it, I didn't even cry -- instead, I laughed because it was sooo predictable!! He really needs to stick with nonfiction!!
OK!! I vowed that I would never read another Nicholas Sparks book --- and I haven't! But by mistake I bought a movie on sale that was BASED on one of his novels. Now I have a NEW vow: I'll never watch another movie taken from a Nicholas Sparks book!!
The man is obsessed with BAD ENDINGS!!!
First, I read The Notebook. That was a nice story that focused on a couple's love and ended when the wife became ill with Alzheimer's. That one wasn't too bad -- a little sad, especially if you've ever had a loved one with that disease. It hit too close to home for me.
Then I read The Promise. The plot in that book centered around two teenagers' falling in love, but the girl gets leukemia and dies in the end after barely making it down the aisle to marry her boyfriend.
Sparks also wrote Message in a Bottle, the ending of which is just as bad, if not worse than the others. So I said, "No more!"
I did actually read a nonfiction by him that chronicled a trip he and his brother made, and I must admit, it was good.
Then the disaster the other night in watching Nights in Rodanthe. I think the movie producer knew what he was doing when he put the author's name on the back of the DVD and hid it in the credits. He/she must have known there were people like me out there who had refused to have anything more to do with his works.
But -- I was trapped once I got into it. Here's the basic plot: a young mother of two children whose husband has left her for another woman, but now wants to come back to her, is stuck in a vacation beach house with another man. He is a handsome surgeon who is wrestling with a patient's unexpected death on the operating table. Lo and behold, a storm comes up and their fear for their safety draws them together. It gets worse!!
In a matter of a few days, they fall in love and make some life-changing decisions. HE decides to do mission work in Equador with his estranged son for a year, and SHE chooses to end it with her husband.
During the year the woman and her new love write "wonderful" letters to each other, vowing of course to remain faithful till he returns. Knowing Nicholas Sparks, I was ready for the ending.
The good doctor, who had of course reconciled with his son, was getting ready to return, and he was KILLED in another storm!! How sad is that?!?
I was so prepared for it, I didn't even cry -- instead, I laughed because it was sooo predictable!! He really needs to stick with nonfiction!!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
MUSIC AND BACK TO SCHOOL
The genius and I both love music -- all kinds -- and frequently listen to it in the car while we are driving. Occasionally, we will find a program on TV, especially NPT, that will catch our fancy and we will stop our surfing to watch (and listen). Recently, we spent a very pleasant two hours enjoying a group from Ireland, called Celtic Thunder, who were recorded live in what looked like their native country.
The main stars of this group are five men, ranging in age from 16 to 41. They all had spectacular voices and harmonized very well. The rest of the stage was filled with an orchestra that highlighted the drummers and especially four lovely young ladies who played three violens and a cello and sang some also. These girls were all dressed similarly in satin dresses and were amazing as they played their instruments superbly and were able to dance around the stage at the same time.
We were so taken by this group that we promptly ordered the DVD and one of their CDs online. Now we can sit around at night and be entertained all over again. I'm telling you, my Irish blood is stirred everytime I hear them.
Otherwise in our lives, school is beginning for the genius and also for the grandchildren. Today is the last day I will have Jay and Annie (except for next week when I will keep them for a long weekend.) We went to the annual kickoff
picnic for the faculty last night and ended up eating outside --- in the RAIN!! I kept thinking we would move inside, but no! -- people just put up umbrellas and continued to eat. Granted, it wasn't raining hard, but I'm not one to sit around getting wet when I could be inside. Needless to say, the party didn't last long.
Now with school beginning again, I can look forward to some long, lazy days!!
The genius and I both love music -- all kinds -- and frequently listen to it in the car while we are driving. Occasionally, we will find a program on TV, especially NPT, that will catch our fancy and we will stop our surfing to watch (and listen). Recently, we spent a very pleasant two hours enjoying a group from Ireland, called Celtic Thunder, who were recorded live in what looked like their native country.
The main stars of this group are five men, ranging in age from 16 to 41. They all had spectacular voices and harmonized very well. The rest of the stage was filled with an orchestra that highlighted the drummers and especially four lovely young ladies who played three violens and a cello and sang some also. These girls were all dressed similarly in satin dresses and were amazing as they played their instruments superbly and were able to dance around the stage at the same time.
We were so taken by this group that we promptly ordered the DVD and one of their CDs online. Now we can sit around at night and be entertained all over again. I'm telling you, my Irish blood is stirred everytime I hear them.
Otherwise in our lives, school is beginning for the genius and also for the grandchildren. Today is the last day I will have Jay and Annie (except for next week when I will keep them for a long weekend.) We went to the annual kickoff
picnic for the faculty last night and ended up eating outside --- in the RAIN!! I kept thinking we would move inside, but no! -- people just put up umbrellas and continued to eat. Granted, it wasn't raining hard, but I'm not one to sit around getting wet when I could be inside. Needless to say, the party didn't last long.
Now with school beginning again, I can look forward to some long, lazy days!!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
TRYING TO WRITE
Somedays it's just hard to sit down and write. It's not necessarily writer's block either; it's just that there's too much going on around me. I think it will be much easier once the genius is back in school --- next week. Once that happens I will have whole days to myself and not be thinking about lunchtime or running joint errands, etc.
The grandkids will also be back in school and I won't get to see them as much as I do in summer. Below are some random pictures I have taken the last few weeks.

ANNIE AND I ARE EATING LUNCH AT FIVE GUYS

JAY ALSO AT FIVE GUYS

IN FLORIDA EATING FISH THE GUYS CAUGHT THAT DAY
Somedays it's just hard to sit down and write. It's not necessarily writer's block either; it's just that there's too much going on around me. I think it will be much easier once the genius is back in school --- next week. Once that happens I will have whole days to myself and not be thinking about lunchtime or running joint errands, etc.
The grandkids will also be back in school and I won't get to see them as much as I do in summer. Below are some random pictures I have taken the last few weeks.
ANNIE AND I ARE EATING LUNCH AT FIVE GUYS
JAY ALSO AT FIVE GUYS
IN FLORIDA EATING FISH THE GUYS CAUGHT THAT DAY
Friday, July 31, 2009
ONE FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE
There is one exercise in futility I have managed to avoid most of my life; it is frustrating and almost always ends in a feeling of failure for me. I'm talking about parallel parking.
The genius is a master at this. He pulls up even with the car in front of the empty space, begins backing and turning, and at just the right moment he shifts the steering wheel around and backs the car smoothly in.
On the other hand, I end up hitting the curb and having to rock forward and backward several times while impatient people waiting to go around me angrily honk their horns or at the least give me dirty looks. I'm exhausted when I get through, usually sweating and swearing, and I don't even want to get out of the car.
I cannot imagine how I was able to pass this part of my driver's test when I was sixteen. Then I had to use a car with a stick shift and no power steering!!
What made me think of this is that last week I had to go to two stores and I spotted a perfect place right halfway between where I wanted to go. The only problem was it was a parallel place, and to make matters worse, it was on the opposite side of the road from the way I was headed. Without bothering to think things through, I whipped across the road and headed in front first. That's always a mistake; I was doomed before I started. I must have gone up and back, up and back, sixteen times, trying to avoid hitting the Jaguar behind me and the Caddilac Escalade in front. Finally, I stopped when I thought I had done a reasonably good job and got out of the car. It was then I realized that I was about a yard and a half from the curb.
I quickly hurried into one of the stores before anyone connected me to the car.
There is one exercise in futility I have managed to avoid most of my life; it is frustrating and almost always ends in a feeling of failure for me. I'm talking about parallel parking.
The genius is a master at this. He pulls up even with the car in front of the empty space, begins backing and turning, and at just the right moment he shifts the steering wheel around and backs the car smoothly in.
On the other hand, I end up hitting the curb and having to rock forward and backward several times while impatient people waiting to go around me angrily honk their horns or at the least give me dirty looks. I'm exhausted when I get through, usually sweating and swearing, and I don't even want to get out of the car.
I cannot imagine how I was able to pass this part of my driver's test when I was sixteen. Then I had to use a car with a stick shift and no power steering!!
What made me think of this is that last week I had to go to two stores and I spotted a perfect place right halfway between where I wanted to go. The only problem was it was a parallel place, and to make matters worse, it was on the opposite side of the road from the way I was headed. Without bothering to think things through, I whipped across the road and headed in front first. That's always a mistake; I was doomed before I started. I must have gone up and back, up and back, sixteen times, trying to avoid hitting the Jaguar behind me and the Caddilac Escalade in front. Finally, I stopped when I thought I had done a reasonably good job and got out of the car. It was then I realized that I was about a yard and a half from the curb.
I quickly hurried into one of the stores before anyone connected me to the car.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BIG WEEKEND
The genius and I had such a great weekend that I've had a hard time putting it into words. But I can't go on postponing writing about it just because I'm at a loss as to how to describe such a fun time. The weekend was filled with activities that revolved around my classmates' seventieth birthday bash, and what a great time we had.
It started with Friday night at the club with the genius and me hosting the first night. We had drinks and appetizers from 5:00 to 7:00 to get the celebrating started. Because we had added the Friday night party as an afterthought, we didn't think many people would show up. But over sixty people came and saw and conquered -- the food, anyway. It was great seeing everyone.
Then on Saturday I had invited our new friends Larry and Betty along with another classmate, Gailya and her husband John to lunch. I call them new friends because although we were in the same high school class, we didn't really get to know them until after the 50th reunion two years ago. Now we correspond on a regular basis and have become fast friends. It was really pleasant and interesting to sit and talk with them without everyone else around. The genius and I have talked several times about how much we enjoyed that time.
Then it was on to Richland Club for another big night, the actual celebration. At this occasion over eighty people were gathered as we mingled, had a delicious dinner, and then sang "Happy Birthday" to each other. There was a huge cake that was not only attractive to look at but was really tasty as well. Finally, we all reluctantly said our good byes.
Later, I tried to remember how many came from out of town and where they were from. I recall the following places: Decatur, AL; Springfield, Houston, Indianapolis, several from Atlanta, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Tampa, and even San Fransisco. I appreciated everyone's efforts to get here and enjoyed seeing them all. These people have brought a new meaning to my life, especially Larry and Betty.
But -- I also enjoy getting together with the in-town folks and treasure my new-found relationship with them.
The genius and I had such a great weekend that I've had a hard time putting it into words. But I can't go on postponing writing about it just because I'm at a loss as to how to describe such a fun time. The weekend was filled with activities that revolved around my classmates' seventieth birthday bash, and what a great time we had.
It started with Friday night at the club with the genius and me hosting the first night. We had drinks and appetizers from 5:00 to 7:00 to get the celebrating started. Because we had added the Friday night party as an afterthought, we didn't think many people would show up. But over sixty people came and saw and conquered -- the food, anyway. It was great seeing everyone.
Then on Saturday I had invited our new friends Larry and Betty along with another classmate, Gailya and her husband John to lunch. I call them new friends because although we were in the same high school class, we didn't really get to know them until after the 50th reunion two years ago. Now we correspond on a regular basis and have become fast friends. It was really pleasant and interesting to sit and talk with them without everyone else around. The genius and I have talked several times about how much we enjoyed that time.
Then it was on to Richland Club for another big night, the actual celebration. At this occasion over eighty people were gathered as we mingled, had a delicious dinner, and then sang "Happy Birthday" to each other. There was a huge cake that was not only attractive to look at but was really tasty as well. Finally, we all reluctantly said our good byes.
Later, I tried to remember how many came from out of town and where they were from. I recall the following places: Decatur, AL; Springfield, Houston, Indianapolis, several from Atlanta, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Tampa, and even San Fransisco. I appreciated everyone's efforts to get here and enjoyed seeing them all. These people have brought a new meaning to my life, especially Larry and Betty.
But -- I also enjoy getting together with the in-town folks and treasure my new-found relationship with them.
Friday, July 24, 2009
EATING OUT WITH BRENDA AND JIM IV
How I love living with the genius -- he really makes me laugh! Last night we were having dinner with Brenda and Jim IV (Laurie and the kids are out of town). We had a great time discussing all sorts of topics, one of which was movies.
Jim IV had brought over the Bourne series to watch and for three nights straight, we had watched them. Lots of mystery and action, and we were telling Brenda about it. She hadn't seen the movies, only read the books. We talked about how sometimes it got a little frantic with all the car chases, fighting, etc. Then the genius with a very straight face said, "I think all the noise and action really upset Rufus."
The three of us burst out laughing and he kept insisting, "No, I mean it, his personality changed; he just didn't act like himself."
Brenda gasped, "I can hardly wait to tell Ashley!"
We had barely recovered from that little episode when the genius announces, "I heard a song today, and I'm sure you all have heard it. But I never had, and it was the strangest song. I was riding the indoor bike at the rec center when it came on: 'Who Let the Dogs Out' must have been the title." We all started laughing all over again, and one of us started singing right there in the restaurant and the rest joined in, "Who let the dogs out, WHO... WHO-WHO."
He said, "YES, that's IT! What's the purpose of that song?" We all agreed it was a silly one.
I'm surprised the restaurant manager didn't come over and tell us to calm down, which has happened to us before (Remember, sisters?),
We had a great time, needless to say.
How I love living with the genius -- he really makes me laugh! Last night we were having dinner with Brenda and Jim IV (Laurie and the kids are out of town). We had a great time discussing all sorts of topics, one of which was movies.
Jim IV had brought over the Bourne series to watch and for three nights straight, we had watched them. Lots of mystery and action, and we were telling Brenda about it. She hadn't seen the movies, only read the books. We talked about how sometimes it got a little frantic with all the car chases, fighting, etc. Then the genius with a very straight face said, "I think all the noise and action really upset Rufus."
The three of us burst out laughing and he kept insisting, "No, I mean it, his personality changed; he just didn't act like himself."
Brenda gasped, "I can hardly wait to tell Ashley!"
We had barely recovered from that little episode when the genius announces, "I heard a song today, and I'm sure you all have heard it. But I never had, and it was the strangest song. I was riding the indoor bike at the rec center when it came on: 'Who Let the Dogs Out' must have been the title." We all started laughing all over again, and one of us started singing right there in the restaurant and the rest joined in, "Who let the dogs out, WHO... WHO-WHO."
He said, "YES, that's IT! What's the purpose of that song?" We all agreed it was a silly one.
I'm surprised the restaurant manager didn't come over and tell us to calm down, which has happened to us before (Remember, sisters?),
We had a great time, needless to say.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
DAY AT HOME
My day at home yesterday didn't go as well as I would have liked. I did some things around the house, and some of them turned out well -- and some didn't.
I started out with the bright idea that I would try (again!) to get the spots out of the rug that my dear Rufus put in. I have tried so many different solutions that didn't work that I decided to get tough. So I mixed a strong concoction of carpet shampoo and bleach. I sprayed each spot with this and took a brush and scrubbed each area. Then I got out the shampooer and went over the whole area. This little exercise worked -- and it didn't work: I now have lighter brown spots with circles of white around them (whiter than the white carpet). Whether it looks better, I'll let everyone be his or her own judge. At least I know it is clean.
Then I decided to frame out the mirror in my bathroom. I had already painted the wood pieces to look like a wood frame and had gotten all the instructions and materials from Home Depot about how to glue it on, etc. So I started with one long side. It just didn't occur to me that I would have to paint the back side also, but the unfinished side shows in the mirror. So now I need to take it down and start over.
It would have been a lot easier to take the mirror down and get a new framed one, but I really like the size of this one, just not the way it looks around the edges.
One job that did go well was the cleaning out of the refrigerator, but how can you go wrong with that?
My day at home yesterday didn't go as well as I would have liked. I did some things around the house, and some of them turned out well -- and some didn't.
I started out with the bright idea that I would try (again!) to get the spots out of the rug that my dear Rufus put in. I have tried so many different solutions that didn't work that I decided to get tough. So I mixed a strong concoction of carpet shampoo and bleach. I sprayed each spot with this and took a brush and scrubbed each area. Then I got out the shampooer and went over the whole area. This little exercise worked -- and it didn't work: I now have lighter brown spots with circles of white around them (whiter than the white carpet). Whether it looks better, I'll let everyone be his or her own judge. At least I know it is clean.
Then I decided to frame out the mirror in my bathroom. I had already painted the wood pieces to look like a wood frame and had gotten all the instructions and materials from Home Depot about how to glue it on, etc. So I started with one long side. It just didn't occur to me that I would have to paint the back side also, but the unfinished side shows in the mirror. So now I need to take it down and start over.
It would have been a lot easier to take the mirror down and get a new framed one, but I really like the size of this one, just not the way it looks around the edges.
One job that did go well was the cleaning out of the refrigerator, but how can you go wrong with that?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It's funny how things happen. I've been trying for months for a guy to stop by and work on my yard a little and yesterday I looked out the window and there he was, working away. This summer we had really let the yard go with all the traveling, etc. And when I did work on it, I killed the grass in spots, trying to fertilize it. So I was most appreciative that he showed up.
It still doesn't look great, by any means; I mean, the grass is still dead, but it's a good start. I would love it if he would come on a full time basis, but the genius would probably not like that at all. But it looks better than it did, and for that I'm grateful.
Today is a nice rainy day, fairly cool, and I have nothing specific on the agenda. No doctors' appointments, no shopping I have to do. I believe I'll use this opportunity to have some time to myself.
I've been reading a Maeve Binchey book, The Firefly Summer, for a while now, and it is really good. I thought I had read all of her books, which are set in Ireland, but I found this one. Like her others, it is long and involved and I'm really enjoying it.
We had a nice time eating with Brenda and her children last night at Ruby Tuesday's.
The problem I have now is that the only thing that makes me feel older than celebrating my birthday each year is for one of my children to have a birthday.
It still doesn't look great, by any means; I mean, the grass is still dead, but it's a good start. I would love it if he would come on a full time basis, but the genius would probably not like that at all. But it looks better than it did, and for that I'm grateful.
Today is a nice rainy day, fairly cool, and I have nothing specific on the agenda. No doctors' appointments, no shopping I have to do. I believe I'll use this opportunity to have some time to myself.
I've been reading a Maeve Binchey book, The Firefly Summer, for a while now, and it is really good. I thought I had read all of her books, which are set in Ireland, but I found this one. Like her others, it is long and involved and I'm really enjoying it.
We had a nice time eating with Brenda and her children last night at Ruby Tuesday's.
The problem I have now is that the only thing that makes me feel older than celebrating my birthday each year is for one of my children to have a birthday.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
FUN TIMES
Well, I surely finked out last week on writing -- I suppose I was taking a vacation from everything. We had a really fun time, but I think all of us were glad to get back to normal again.
One of the highlights was that Mike, Tommy, Danny, and Kirstin went deep sea fishing and caught tons of red snapper which we promptly cooked that night and ate. It was yummmmmy!! That was a first for us and we really enjoyed it.
The genius and I were able to eat out at our favorite restaurants as well as enjoying Ashley's great cooking throughout the week.
At the beginning of the week (on Sunday night) I was in the dog house. I was sure that Papa Joe's restaurant was open and we drove the 28 miles there to eat without calling first. But guess what? It wasn't! And neither was anything else. We finally drove to a seafood market and brought a load of shrimp and grouper and took it home to cook. We had a late dinner that night but it was worth all the driving and wait.
I did take some pictures but they didn't turn out, so that was another reason I didn't get around to posting on the blog.
Big party plans this weekend: our classmates from high school are getting together to celebrate our 70th birthday. There will be two nights of partying and on Saturday some of them are coming to lunch at our house. I'm so excited!
And speaking of birthdays, today is Brenda's and we are celebrating with her tonight. The fun never ends !!
Well, I surely finked out last week on writing -- I suppose I was taking a vacation from everything. We had a really fun time, but I think all of us were glad to get back to normal again.
One of the highlights was that Mike, Tommy, Danny, and Kirstin went deep sea fishing and caught tons of red snapper which we promptly cooked that night and ate. It was yummmmmy!! That was a first for us and we really enjoyed it.
The genius and I were able to eat out at our favorite restaurants as well as enjoying Ashley's great cooking throughout the week.
At the beginning of the week (on Sunday night) I was in the dog house. I was sure that Papa Joe's restaurant was open and we drove the 28 miles there to eat without calling first. But guess what? It wasn't! And neither was anything else. We finally drove to a seafood market and brought a load of shrimp and grouper and took it home to cook. We had a late dinner that night but it was worth all the driving and wait.
I did take some pictures but they didn't turn out, so that was another reason I didn't get around to posting on the blog.
Big party plans this weekend: our classmates from high school are getting together to celebrate our 70th birthday. There will be two nights of partying and on Saturday some of them are coming to lunch at our house. I'm so excited!
And speaking of birthdays, today is Brenda's and we are celebrating with her tonight. The fun never ends !!
Monday, July 13, 2009
LIFE AT THE BEACH
We are having a wonderful time in Cape San Blas!! We arrived late Saturday afternoon following an uneventful trip in two cars. And our place is just right for us.
There's a bedroom and bath on the bottom floor right off the entry hall where Tom and Kirstin are staying. On the main floor are a huge living room, dining area and kitchen, all with a view of the beach, plus a half bath. And then upstairs are three bedrooms, two opening to a deck on the front, and 2 baths. We are right on the beach where we all spend a few hours a day usually at various times.
Rufus is loving all of it because he is getting so much attention. Yesterday I took him to the edge of the water where he played tag with the waves. Then I picked him up and took him out a few feet and let him swim some while I was holding on to him. He really seemed to like it. He loves walking on the beach until he sees another dog and then he's intimidated -- what a little chicken he is face to face -- but oh so fierce if he's behind a glass door.
Brenda and her friend Katie are staying down the road and they came by for a visit last night. We all gathered on the front porch and suddenly, a huge roach started across the floor right in the middle of us. The genius shot his foot out and crushed it and the sound was UNbelievable -- there was this indescribably LOUD pop as he squashed it, and we all went "Ewwwwwwwwwwww"!!!!
This morning Mike, Tom, and Danny went golfing and saw a baby aligator on the course.
I'll try to take some pictures today (not of the roach or gator) and post them tomorrow.
We are having a wonderful time in Cape San Blas!! We arrived late Saturday afternoon following an uneventful trip in two cars. And our place is just right for us.
There's a bedroom and bath on the bottom floor right off the entry hall where Tom and Kirstin are staying. On the main floor are a huge living room, dining area and kitchen, all with a view of the beach, plus a half bath. And then upstairs are three bedrooms, two opening to a deck on the front, and 2 baths. We are right on the beach where we all spend a few hours a day usually at various times.
Rufus is loving all of it because he is getting so much attention. Yesterday I took him to the edge of the water where he played tag with the waves. Then I picked him up and took him out a few feet and let him swim some while I was holding on to him. He really seemed to like it. He loves walking on the beach until he sees another dog and then he's intimidated -- what a little chicken he is face to face -- but oh so fierce if he's behind a glass door.
Brenda and her friend Katie are staying down the road and they came by for a visit last night. We all gathered on the front porch and suddenly, a huge roach started across the floor right in the middle of us. The genius shot his foot out and crushed it and the sound was UNbelievable -- there was this indescribably LOUD pop as he squashed it, and we all went "Ewwwwwwwwwwww"!!!!
This morning Mike, Tom, and Danny went golfing and saw a baby aligator on the course.
I'll try to take some pictures today (not of the roach or gator) and post them tomorrow.
Friday, July 10, 2009
FAMILY'S HERE
Ashley and Danny have been here 2 days and the house has been rockin'. Wednesday night we all gathered here for dinner and then four of the grandkids stayed here to sleep over.
Yesterday we all gathered at Jim IV's club for a good tennis and swim time. Plus, we all had a delicious lunch. We were all back here for dinner again, then the boys spent the night at Jim IV's. Thereafter, things got very quiet and this morning Ashley and I have had fun hanging out.
This afternoon Mike, Tom, and KirstIn are arriving. We will eat Thai food for dinner and leave early tomorrow morning for our favorite vacation spot. We are all very excited.
I'll try to put some pictures online next week while we are there.
Ashley and Danny have been here 2 days and the house has been rockin'. Wednesday night we all gathered here for dinner and then four of the grandkids stayed here to sleep over.
Yesterday we all gathered at Jim IV's club for a good tennis and swim time. Plus, we all had a delicious lunch. We were all back here for dinner again, then the boys spent the night at Jim IV's. Thereafter, things got very quiet and this morning Ashley and I have had fun hanging out.
This afternoon Mike, Tom, and KirstIn are arriving. We will eat Thai food for dinner and leave early tomorrow morning for our favorite vacation spot. We are all very excited.
I'll try to put some pictures online next week while we are there.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
FAMILY'S COMIN'
Big day today!! Ashley and Danny arrive from Phoenix and on Friday Mike, Tom and Kirsten will get here. Then all of us, including Brenda and her two will take off for our favorite Florida spot, Cape San Blas.
So Thursday and Friday will be extremely busy having all of the family here trying to see "the Phoenix people." There will probably be lots of grandchildren sleeping over either here or at Jim's or Brenda's. I'll let them work that out, and try not to get too involved in the decisions made about that. I'll just be available with sheets, blankets and pillows in hand, if need be.
I've about got the inside of the house to my liking, just a few little items to finish until next year when hopefully, I will be able to think about new floors for the downstairs and get the stair railing built.
Then I'll concentrate on the outside. It's a real mess right now, especially since I killed a lot of the grass. I planted some grass in the spring and it was doing so nicely until I put weed and feed on it. Apparently, I used too much because we have big brown spots all over the yard. I even got some on the neighbors' yard when I made each turn with the spreader.
One of the ladies next door asked me, "What's up with these big brown spots all over the yard? Do you know anything about them?" I had to explain what had happened and apologize profusely. I'm sure they wonder what kind of neighbors they have who would not only kill my grass. but theirs too!
I'll wait until it's cooler and I have nothing else to do before I repair the damage. And they're ok with that.
Until then I'll sit back and enjoy the family!!
Big day today!! Ashley and Danny arrive from Phoenix and on Friday Mike, Tom and Kirsten will get here. Then all of us, including Brenda and her two will take off for our favorite Florida spot, Cape San Blas.
So Thursday and Friday will be extremely busy having all of the family here trying to see "the Phoenix people." There will probably be lots of grandchildren sleeping over either here or at Jim's or Brenda's. I'll let them work that out, and try not to get too involved in the decisions made about that. I'll just be available with sheets, blankets and pillows in hand, if need be.
I've about got the inside of the house to my liking, just a few little items to finish until next year when hopefully, I will be able to think about new floors for the downstairs and get the stair railing built.
Then I'll concentrate on the outside. It's a real mess right now, especially since I killed a lot of the grass. I planted some grass in the spring and it was doing so nicely until I put weed and feed on it. Apparently, I used too much because we have big brown spots all over the yard. I even got some on the neighbors' yard when I made each turn with the spreader.
One of the ladies next door asked me, "What's up with these big brown spots all over the yard? Do you know anything about them?" I had to explain what had happened and apologize profusely. I'm sure they wonder what kind of neighbors they have who would not only kill my grass. but theirs too!
I'll wait until it's cooler and I have nothing else to do before I repair the damage. And they're ok with that.
Until then I'll sit back and enjoy the family!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Sometimes I get a little carried away when it comes to putting photos on the blog, so just bear with me. Yesterday an electrician installed some new lights for us and I thought I would share.

Kind of dark, but this is the fan/light installed in the master bedroom.

Track lighting over the kitchen sink

A shot with the light off in the dining area.

Dining room with the light on (notice the pattern on the ceiling)
We also got new ones in the bathroom and guest bedroom plus a closet light in the master. I'm very happy with the results.
Sometimes I get a little carried away when it comes to putting photos on the blog, so just bear with me. Yesterday an electrician installed some new lights for us and I thought I would share.
Kind of dark, but this is the fan/light installed in the master bedroom.
Track lighting over the kitchen sink
A shot with the light off in the dining area.
Dining room with the light on (notice the pattern on the ceiling)
We also got new ones in the bathroom and guest bedroom plus a closet light in the master. I'm very happy with the results.
Monday, July 6, 2009
LAST WEEK IS OVER, THANK GOODNESS!!
To say that last week was a rough one would be an understatement. What possessed me to make three doctors appointments in one week I don't know but I hope I have sense enough not to do that again.
On Monday I had my six months's check up where I was poked, stuck with needles, and donated four vials of blood to the cause. The reports from that visit were fine -- I'm doing well for a 69 year old.
On Tuesday I prepared for Wednesday, the endoscopy and colonscopy. Enough said about that. If you've ever been through that, you know what it's like.
Then on Wedneswday I went in for the tests -- waited two hours before I was actually rolled into the treatment room!! I was not too happy about that. Both tests were uneventful except for one thing: the endoscope scratched my throat and I'm still not over that part. It has caused me to have a tickly cough that has kept me awake nights. I'm not ever happy when I don't sleep well, as my family knows. Anyway, let's hope that passes soon.
Then on Thursday I went to the dermatologist to have a place on my chest frozen off. That's not so bad, but the place looks pretty nasty.
Oh well, I am being cheered up today because an electrician is coming today to install some light fixtures I bought over the weekend for the dining room, bathroom, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms. That should lift my spirits.
Nothing like spending a little money to improve my mood!!
To say that last week was a rough one would be an understatement. What possessed me to make three doctors appointments in one week I don't know but I hope I have sense enough not to do that again.
On Monday I had my six months's check up where I was poked, stuck with needles, and donated four vials of blood to the cause. The reports from that visit were fine -- I'm doing well for a 69 year old.
On Tuesday I prepared for Wednesday, the endoscopy and colonscopy. Enough said about that. If you've ever been through that, you know what it's like.
Then on Wedneswday I went in for the tests -- waited two hours before I was actually rolled into the treatment room!! I was not too happy about that. Both tests were uneventful except for one thing: the endoscope scratched my throat and I'm still not over that part. It has caused me to have a tickly cough that has kept me awake nights. I'm not ever happy when I don't sleep well, as my family knows. Anyway, let's hope that passes soon.
Then on Thursday I went to the dermatologist to have a place on my chest frozen off. That's not so bad, but the place looks pretty nasty.
Oh well, I am being cheered up today because an electrician is coming today to install some light fixtures I bought over the weekend for the dining room, bathroom, kitchen, and 2 bedrooms. That should lift my spirits.
Nothing like spending a little money to improve my mood!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
SECRETS OF SUCCESS
So what has been the secret of the success of 49 years of marriage for the genius and me? I would say it is a combination of things.
First of all, we would both admit that our marriage has had many rocky places in it, some worse than others. But here we are still chugging along and not doing too badly.
We do disagree a lot and argue over unimportant things. Case in point: We pull into a parking place and realizing I have plenty of room on my side, I swing the door open wide. He says, "Look out! You're going to hit that other car! Boy, that was close!"
I can't let it go as I answer, "I had plenty of room!" and proceed to show him when he comes around the car. He grumbles "Ok, ok."
As we are walking toward the store, I ask, "Do all old couples squabble like this?"
He answers, "I don't know, but we've been doing it all along."
Then I burst out laughing and he joins in and there are no hard feelings.
That -- laughter -- is one of the keys to our success -- we make each other laugh a lot, even though we always want to be right. For Fathers' Day I gave him a card that had a little plastic credit card inside that gives him one privilige to be "right." It cannot be used in the presence of others and it's only good for one time. I'm waiting for the time when he will pull it out, probably when he knows I'm absolutely correct about something.
We're fair about it when we are wrong, though. We frequently have to say to each other, "You know when you said 'such and such'? Well, you were right."
Another reason we have lasted is that although he is left brained and I am right (there's that word again!), we enjoy intellectual conversations. We took a test once and each one of us found that to be the most appealing trait about the other. That was years ago, but it's still true today.
So that's how the genius and I made it this far, but please, tell me how we'll tolerate each other once he retires!
So what has been the secret of the success of 49 years of marriage for the genius and me? I would say it is a combination of things.
First of all, we would both admit that our marriage has had many rocky places in it, some worse than others. But here we are still chugging along and not doing too badly.
We do disagree a lot and argue over unimportant things. Case in point: We pull into a parking place and realizing I have plenty of room on my side, I swing the door open wide. He says, "Look out! You're going to hit that other car! Boy, that was close!"
I can't let it go as I answer, "I had plenty of room!" and proceed to show him when he comes around the car. He grumbles "Ok, ok."
As we are walking toward the store, I ask, "Do all old couples squabble like this?"
He answers, "I don't know, but we've been doing it all along."
Then I burst out laughing and he joins in and there are no hard feelings.
That -- laughter -- is one of the keys to our success -- we make each other laugh a lot, even though we always want to be right. For Fathers' Day I gave him a card that had a little plastic credit card inside that gives him one privilige to be "right." It cannot be used in the presence of others and it's only good for one time. I'm waiting for the time when he will pull it out, probably when he knows I'm absolutely correct about something.
We're fair about it when we are wrong, though. We frequently have to say to each other, "You know when you said 'such and such'? Well, you were right."
Another reason we have lasted is that although he is left brained and I am right (there's that word again!), we enjoy intellectual conversations. We took a test once and each one of us found that to be the most appealing trait about the other. That was years ago, but it's still true today.
So that's how the genius and I made it this far, but please, tell me how we'll tolerate each other once he retires!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
BOOKS AND MOVIES
What will the genius and I watch on TV now that the college baseball world series is over and the football season hasn't started yet? We just can't seem to get together anymore on what we like to watch.
We recently looked at the movie Gran Torino, which I thought I would really like. But the language was more than I could bear, and there was definitely too much violence. Now I realize the violent scenes were short and far apart, but I can't stand ANY, especially when torture is involved. The only way I can get through a movie like that is to be on the computer or read a book the same time it's going on so I don't get too emotionally involved.
And therein lies the difference between the genius and me. He can watch exciting, suspenseful, even violent movies and really enjoy them, whereas I get so drawn into the characters and their lives that I can hardly stand anything painful to occur to them. I get these horrible images in my mind and they don't go away. And sleep is impossible without medical help after I watch.
He and I are the same way with books. He is now reading some of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's books, describing the Siberian work camps, etc. I know he is a great writer and very influential in the fall of communism in Russia, but I'm content to read about him and leave his books to others. I guess I'm just a wimp but after all these years of my love affair with reading, I know what I like: feel good stories with happy endings. Just give me Jane Austen or Jan Karon and I'm fine.
I'll leave the violence and gore and misery to the macho types!
What will the genius and I watch on TV now that the college baseball world series is over and the football season hasn't started yet? We just can't seem to get together anymore on what we like to watch.
We recently looked at the movie Gran Torino, which I thought I would really like. But the language was more than I could bear, and there was definitely too much violence. Now I realize the violent scenes were short and far apart, but I can't stand ANY, especially when torture is involved. The only way I can get through a movie like that is to be on the computer or read a book the same time it's going on so I don't get too emotionally involved.
And therein lies the difference between the genius and me. He can watch exciting, suspenseful, even violent movies and really enjoy them, whereas I get so drawn into the characters and their lives that I can hardly stand anything painful to occur to them. I get these horrible images in my mind and they don't go away. And sleep is impossible without medical help after I watch.
He and I are the same way with books. He is now reading some of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's books, describing the Siberian work camps, etc. I know he is a great writer and very influential in the fall of communism in Russia, but I'm content to read about him and leave his books to others. I guess I'm just a wimp but after all these years of my love affair with reading, I know what I like: feel good stories with happy endings. Just give me Jane Austen or Jan Karon and I'm fine.
I'll leave the violence and gore and misery to the macho types!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Sometime during the spring the genius informed me that we had $2800 in our flex-spending account for medical expenses and we would lose it if we didn't spend it. So I have been diligent to make all the appointments I have been putting off.
I have set up times to see the dentist, the eye doctor, the dermatologist, my internist, and the gastrointerologist (groan!). I think that about covers it. The last one is a week from today and boy, am I dreading it. Not the appointment, but the preparation.
They sent out a huge set of instructions for getting ready for the exam. I have to cut out aspirin and Advil for a week beforehand and three days prior to the test, no fruits or vegetables. Then of course, the real prep begins -- fluids, and the dreaded medication that goes with it. I vowed five years ago I would never do this again, but here I am getting ready for it.
Needless to say, nothing else is on the calendar for next Tuesday!
On another subject, the genius and I have never really cared for baseball. Very occasionally we have watched some games when Vanderbilt or Florida games were televised, but even then we can't seem to get excited about it.
Now we are really into the college World Series games being played in Omaha. We don't really care who wins -- Texas is where our great-nieces attend, and LSU is an SEC team. But it is just fun to watch this exciting series. Every game seems to bring surprises, and the players are just so talented. So every night we have been parked in front of the TV watching the games and enduring the same old commercials.
And I'm sure we will be there for the final game tonight.
BUT --- only a little over two months and we will be completely immersed in our favorite pasttime of all -- GATOR FOOTBALL!!!!
Sometime during the spring the genius informed me that we had $2800 in our flex-spending account for medical expenses and we would lose it if we didn't spend it. So I have been diligent to make all the appointments I have been putting off.
I have set up times to see the dentist, the eye doctor, the dermatologist, my internist, and the gastrointerologist (groan!). I think that about covers it. The last one is a week from today and boy, am I dreading it. Not the appointment, but the preparation.
They sent out a huge set of instructions for getting ready for the exam. I have to cut out aspirin and Advil for a week beforehand and three days prior to the test, no fruits or vegetables. Then of course, the real prep begins -- fluids, and the dreaded medication that goes with it. I vowed five years ago I would never do this again, but here I am getting ready for it.
Needless to say, nothing else is on the calendar for next Tuesday!
On another subject, the genius and I have never really cared for baseball. Very occasionally we have watched some games when Vanderbilt or Florida games were televised, but even then we can't seem to get excited about it.
Now we are really into the college World Series games being played in Omaha. We don't really care who wins -- Texas is where our great-nieces attend, and LSU is an SEC team. But it is just fun to watch this exciting series. Every game seems to bring surprises, and the players are just so talented. So every night we have been parked in front of the TV watching the games and enduring the same old commercials.
And I'm sure we will be there for the final game tonight.
BUT --- only a little over two months and we will be completely immersed in our favorite pasttime of all -- GATOR FOOTBALL!!!!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
TRIP TIDBITS
I promise that this will be the last blog about the trip West; I just had to record a few little items or incidents we saw that were interesting or amusing.
A couple of intriguing signs:
1) STATE PRISON! DO NOT PICK UP HITCHHIKERS (As if we ever would!)
2) FALLING ROCK EXISTS HERE Are they dead elsewhere? I just thought "exists" was a funny word to use.
And then there were the towns of stars that we passed through.
In Texas:
1) Roger Miller's hometown (wasn't that "King of the Road"?) (taught both of his children)
2) Astronaut Tom Stafford
In Oklahoma:
1) Garth Brooks
2) Troy Aikmann
3) Carrie Underwood
Then finally, when we were almost home, we passed a big truck with a Gator license plate. As we went by, I gave the Gator chomp with my arms, then did a thumbs up. He honked, then the genius honked and we went on, pleased to have made that small contact with another member of the Gator Nation.
Little things, but meaningful!
I promise that this will be the last blog about the trip West; I just had to record a few little items or incidents we saw that were interesting or amusing.
A couple of intriguing signs:
1) STATE PRISON! DO NOT PICK UP HITCHHIKERS (As if we ever would!)
2) FALLING ROCK EXISTS HERE Are they dead elsewhere? I just thought "exists" was a funny word to use.
And then there were the towns of stars that we passed through.
In Texas:
1) Roger Miller's hometown (wasn't that "King of the Road"?) (taught both of his children)
2) Astronaut Tom Stafford
In Oklahoma:
1) Garth Brooks
2) Troy Aikmann
3) Carrie Underwood
Then finally, when we were almost home, we passed a big truck with a Gator license plate. As we went by, I gave the Gator chomp with my arms, then did a thumbs up. He honked, then the genius honked and we went on, pleased to have made that small contact with another member of the Gator Nation.
Little things, but meaningful!
Friday, June 19, 2009
VIEWS FROM OUR SHANGRI LA

Here is the view we have out of the front of our house. Because the bamboo is an evergreen, it stays this way all winter.

This is another angle out of the front window.

A view from the side window. Essentially, we are surrounded by greenery until the leaves fall off the trees.

A bouquet of hydrangeas from the bush in the front yard. Both flowers are from the same bush.
These are some of the reasons we love living here. It's like being in the country even though we are in Green Hills, a section not far from the downtown. Very convenient to everything, including the interstate. But we have lots of privacy at the end of our little dead end street.
Here is the view we have out of the front of our house. Because the bamboo is an evergreen, it stays this way all winter.
This is another angle out of the front window.
A view from the side window. Essentially, we are surrounded by greenery until the leaves fall off the trees.
A bouquet of hydrangeas from the bush in the front yard. Both flowers are from the same bush.
These are some of the reasons we love living here. It's like being in the country even though we are in Green Hills, a section not far from the downtown. Very convenient to everything, including the interstate. But we have lots of privacy at the end of our little dead end street.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
HOME, HOME, AT LAST
We arrived last night to our Shangri La, and it was great to be back. We had a wonderful time, but to quote Dorothy, "There's no place like home!" We had some glitches this morning (overflowing AC drain into the kitchen and no internet) but both are fixed now and all is well.
People have been emailing me wanting to know why we didn't get a ticket when we were pulled over last week, so here's the story: First, the trooper informed us that we were going 83 in a 70 mph zone, and asked to see the genius's license. As the genius was handing it over to him, he said (as he had been instructed to do}, "There's something I need to tell you. I have a right-to-carry license (and he whipped it out) and there's a loaded .38 in the glove compartment."
Immediately, the trooper's stern attitude relaxed and he said, "Oh, that's ok. I'll just give you a warning then. Just slow down." We were both flabbergasted! It was so obvious that he changed as soon as he heard about have the r-t-c license. We discussed it for a long time afterwards trying to figure it out. We never did work it out. If you have any ideas, please comment or email me.
Needless to say, we were very grateful. We also didn't speed (at least not much), especially after we got out of Tennessee.
We actually enjoyed our long ride, believe it or not. There was lots of scenery to see, we had some great music I had purchased for the trip, and we discovered a game to play that had us laughing a lot. We would take a name of a town (especially if it was a Native American name) and try to make up a sentence with it. Example: Tucumcari (New Mexico) -- "'two cum carry' a lot more than one." Very corny, I know, but we enjoyed it. The genius especially liked it because he would somehow work in the "peeing on foot" incident into his. We became very creative and it kept us from getting too cranky with each other. (I must admit, though, having that .38 in the glove compartment right in front of me tempted me a few times when he got testy.)
Overall, I highly recommend what we did, with the possible exception of taking a pet along. But even that was enjoyable because we could have the peace of mind that nothing could happen to our little darling. And I must admit he was a trooper on the road.
And --- by the way, it's our 49th anniversary today. Get ready for next year, everyone! There's no telling WHAT we'll do to celebrate!
We arrived last night to our Shangri La, and it was great to be back. We had a wonderful time, but to quote Dorothy, "There's no place like home!" We had some glitches this morning (overflowing AC drain into the kitchen and no internet) but both are fixed now and all is well.
People have been emailing me wanting to know why we didn't get a ticket when we were pulled over last week, so here's the story: First, the trooper informed us that we were going 83 in a 70 mph zone, and asked to see the genius's license. As the genius was handing it over to him, he said (as he had been instructed to do}, "There's something I need to tell you. I have a right-to-carry license (and he whipped it out) and there's a loaded .38 in the glove compartment."
Immediately, the trooper's stern attitude relaxed and he said, "Oh, that's ok. I'll just give you a warning then. Just slow down." We were both flabbergasted! It was so obvious that he changed as soon as he heard about have the r-t-c license. We discussed it for a long time afterwards trying to figure it out. We never did work it out. If you have any ideas, please comment or email me.
Needless to say, we were very grateful. We also didn't speed (at least not much), especially after we got out of Tennessee.
We actually enjoyed our long ride, believe it or not. There was lots of scenery to see, we had some great music I had purchased for the trip, and we discovered a game to play that had us laughing a lot. We would take a name of a town (especially if it was a Native American name) and try to make up a sentence with it. Example: Tucumcari (New Mexico) -- "'two cum carry' a lot more than one." Very corny, I know, but we enjoyed it. The genius especially liked it because he would somehow work in the "peeing on foot" incident into his. We became very creative and it kept us from getting too cranky with each other. (I must admit, though, having that .38 in the glove compartment right in front of me tempted me a few times when he got testy.)
Overall, I highly recommend what we did, with the possible exception of taking a pet along. But even that was enjoyable because we could have the peace of mind that nothing could happen to our little darling. And I must admit he was a trooper on the road.
And --- by the way, it's our 49th anniversary today. Get ready for next year, everyone! There's no telling WHAT we'll do to celebrate!
Monday, June 15, 2009
PICTURES OF NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA

This is a picture of the highest mountain in Socorro, NM, where we spent two nights on the way to Phoenix. The white speck on top of the mountain is a big M painted on each year by the freshman at New Mexico Tech. It stands for miners because it was originally a school for mining engineers (and still is a major, actually).

Here is a shot of the mountains on Arizona's "scenic route" which I loved and the genius hated.

We're pretty high up (almost 8000 ft.) in the "scenic" mountains of Arizona.

If you look across the valley to the left of the sign, you can see the road where we had just been. The genius was freaking out at this point.
We had a great visit with Ashley and are now on our way back. I'm sure all of that part of the family was glad when we left because of the disturbance Rufus caused several times either with the dogs or the cats. Ash said she had never seen her overweight kitty move so fast up the steps when Rufus chased her. And I never saw Rufus move so fast when the two big dogs chased him one afternoon!
Tonight we are in Albuquerque and plan to be home Wednesday night.
This is a picture of the highest mountain in Socorro, NM, where we spent two nights on the way to Phoenix. The white speck on top of the mountain is a big M painted on each year by the freshman at New Mexico Tech. It stands for miners because it was originally a school for mining engineers (and still is a major, actually).
Here is a shot of the mountains on Arizona's "scenic route" which I loved and the genius hated.
We're pretty high up (almost 8000 ft.) in the "scenic" mountains of Arizona.
If you look across the valley to the left of the sign, you can see the road where we had just been. The genius was freaking out at this point.
We had a great visit with Ashley and are now on our way back. I'm sure all of that part of the family was glad when we left because of the disturbance Rufus caused several times either with the dogs or the cats. Ash said she had never seen her overweight kitty move so fast up the steps when Rufus chased her. And I never saw Rufus move so fast when the two big dogs chased him one afternoon!
Tonight we are in Albuquerque and plan to be home Wednesday night.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
ON THE BACK ROAD TO PHOENIX
The following story is true, I'm ashamed to say. I don't know why I'm telling on myself this way, but the genius thought it was funny. So here goes.
On Friday we were tooling across Arizona after having driven through New Mexico. The road we were on was the "scenic route" which translated means winding two laner with many switch backs and sheer drop-offs on the side of the road. Of course, I thought it was beautiful, and of course, the genius was cursing the whole way, vowing never to take a back road again, no matter how short it was. "Enjoy it while you can because I will NEVER do this again."
So you get the idea what kind of mood he was in. We really needed to stop and let Rufus relieve himself, and there were NO rest areas or gas stations. So we pulled off at a scenic overlook to let him go do his business. As soon as I stood up, I realized that I couldn't wait either, so opted to go in a little ditch that was hidden from the road.
I got "in the position" and was starting to go when I felt my foot being splashed. I tried to maneuver around to get the appendage out of the way but to no avail. Modest as I am and considering the mood the genius was in, I decided not to say anything and just go straight to the car and get out the handy wipes. He was impatient and was standing behind me waiting to hand Rufus to me. So I finally said, "I peed on my foot and need to clean it up, okay?"
Incredulous, he asked me, "How did you manage to do?"
When I tried to explain, he was laughing so hard he couldn't hear me.
Oh well, at least I managed to cheer him up for a few miles. The things I do for that man!
The following story is true, I'm ashamed to say. I don't know why I'm telling on myself this way, but the genius thought it was funny. So here goes.
On Friday we were tooling across Arizona after having driven through New Mexico. The road we were on was the "scenic route" which translated means winding two laner with many switch backs and sheer drop-offs on the side of the road. Of course, I thought it was beautiful, and of course, the genius was cursing the whole way, vowing never to take a back road again, no matter how short it was. "Enjoy it while you can because I will NEVER do this again."
So you get the idea what kind of mood he was in. We really needed to stop and let Rufus relieve himself, and there were NO rest areas or gas stations. So we pulled off at a scenic overlook to let him go do his business. As soon as I stood up, I realized that I couldn't wait either, so opted to go in a little ditch that was hidden from the road.
I got "in the position" and was starting to go when I felt my foot being splashed. I tried to maneuver around to get the appendage out of the way but to no avail. Modest as I am and considering the mood the genius was in, I decided not to say anything and just go straight to the car and get out the handy wipes. He was impatient and was standing behind me waiting to hand Rufus to me. So I finally said, "I peed on my foot and need to clean it up, okay?"
Incredulous, he asked me, "How did you manage to do?"
When I tried to explain, he was laughing so hard he couldn't hear me.
Oh well, at least I managed to cheer him up for a few miles. The things I do for that man!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
WEST, DAY TWO
The genius and I made our way across the plains today and on into New Mexico by 5:30, Mtn. Time Zone. This was in spite of lots of construction and about an hour of rain in Texas. But we love the scenery of New Mexico and enjoyed our ride.
I was struck by the color of the sky as we rode and tried to capture it in the picture below. Near the earth it is a pale blue, almost turquoise, actually, and then it gets darker blue up above us. The clouds looked 3 dimensional and were really fascinating.
The second picture is of an overpass that is painted that same light blue and also a coral color. There were lots of other artistic touches everywhere: on water tanks, bridges, buildings, etc. I tried to get a shot of a storage tank that was covered in tiger stripes and then the front had the tiger's face on it, but I was too late. (The speed limit in New Mexico is 75 and the genius was going at least that.)
The third is Rufus who was not the least bit interested in all the scenery.
Tomorrow we will spend the day here and then go over to Phoenix on Friday.


The genius and I made our way across the plains today and on into New Mexico by 5:30, Mtn. Time Zone. This was in spite of lots of construction and about an hour of rain in Texas. But we love the scenery of New Mexico and enjoyed our ride.
I was struck by the color of the sky as we rode and tried to capture it in the picture below. Near the earth it is a pale blue, almost turquoise, actually, and then it gets darker blue up above us. The clouds looked 3 dimensional and were really fascinating.
The second picture is of an overpass that is painted that same light blue and also a coral color. There were lots of other artistic touches everywhere: on water tanks, bridges, buildings, etc. I tried to get a shot of a storage tank that was covered in tiger stripes and then the front had the tiger's face on it, but I was too late. (The speed limit in New Mexico is 75 and the genius was going at least that.)
The third is Rufus who was not the least bit interested in all the scenery.
Tomorrow we will spend the day here and then go over to Phoenix on Friday.
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