July 31, 2017

Books, Boogie & Bambi

Just a quick catch up on the weekend for today.

Friday:

I woke up early to oppressive humidity and cloudy skies.  Rain and thunderstorms were in the forecast.  Not a good day for any outside plans. Fortunately, I didn't have any.

Mom dropped her dog off before I was even dressed.  She and my stepdad were headed to her hometown for her 55-year class reunion.  I don't know how many of her class of 60 are still alive, but she said the last she'd heard only 13 of them had signed up for the reunion.

Once the dogs were settled in I headed out for Monroeville and the ginormous Half Price Books clearance sale at the convention center.  I did stop by the Toyota dealership our son works at to give him some things they had forgotten on their last visit, some books I was parting with, and a couple of things for the grandkids.

It was crazy at the book sale!  The convention center is a satellite of the mall and there is a big Hilton right next door.  When I got there, shortly after opening, there were no parking spaces to be found near the place.  Cars were waiting in line just to cruise the lot hoping to get a space.  I got out of that mess and parked over a 1/4 mile away and hoofed it in.  It was so crowded and hard to get at the tables.  I ended up spending THREE hours browsing!

I bought a few novels for myself, a couple more cookbooks, a couple of books for our grandson (too many choices for me to choose books for the older grandkids), a book of homemaking tips for my daughter, and the prize....a signed copy of Jeffery Deaver's Garden of Beasts for my son.  Anyway, thank goodness they will box up your books and hold them at a pick-up point while you go get your car.  I would have hated schlepping them all that way back to the car.

Our youngest grandson had spent the first two days of his parents' vacation with his other grandparents, but they brought him here around 8:00 Friday evening to stay with us until Mommy and Daddy got home on Sunday.

Saturday:

My husband worked so it was just Boogie (our grandson Colton's nickname) and me all day.  We didn't do much of anything because the poor little guy had a cold and was so stuffed up.  He had a bit of a fever, too.  All he wanted to do was be held, even when he slept.  I loved cuddling him, but I sure didn't get anything done.  My husband worked longer than I thought he would and he wasn't feeling well when he got home so it was just me and the two sickies.

On an interesting note, a man came to my door and asked if he could have all the fallen apples on the ground under our apple tree.  He said he had a deer farm and the deer would love them.  I told him he was welcome to them.  His response was to invite us to come see the deer farm as a thank you.  How cool!

Sunday:

Boogie was feeling a lot better after sleeping 8 hours straight through the night. My husband was another story.  Still we took him to see the fawns at the deer farm, picked up a few things at Walmart and got an ice cream cone.

Boogie was so excited when he saw the deer (not that it shows in the pictures). His little arms and legs were flailing all over the place and he was squealing and hyperventilating at the same time!



Mommy and Daddy got here around 8:30 and oh, if you could have seen Colton's face!  At first he just kind of looked at them, then our daughter said his name and he got this look of absolute wonder on his face and turned to look at me like "is this for real?"  Then he just went nuts when his mama took him in her arms and he kept reaching out to touch his daddy and look up at him in awe.  It was so sweet.

Today:

The house is quiet except for the sound of the fan and the hound dog's snoring. I don't have much planned beyond trying to put the house back together.  It kind of looks like a tornado blew through.

July 29, 2017

Sunday Stealing, the Musical

Welcome to this week's edition of Sunday Stealing.  I'm attempting to get this done on Saturday evening before I head to bed.  We (me) are babysitting our youngest grandson this weekend while his mommy and daddy are at the beach. He is a sweet boy and usually very pleasant, but he has a cold and isn't feeling well.  Nanny is exhausted and hoping he stays down for the night even though he did a lot of dozing through the day.

This from our leader, Bev:

I really like music and so I stole this from a blog called The Green Hearth, who says that some of these are "f*ing hard."  And they are, but I thought they were fun.  Let's give it a try.




1: A song you like with a color in the title.  Pink Cadillac by Bruce Springsteen. 



2: A song you like with a number in the title.  Land of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett.


3: A song that reminds you of summertime.  All Summer Long by Kid Rock.



4: A song that needs to be played LOUD.  It's hard to choose just one, but I'll go with Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd...because it tells you to "turn it up" right at the beginning.



5: A song that makes you want to dance.  Well, every one I've mentioned so far, but also Rock This Town by The Stray Cats.



6: A song to drive to.  That would vary according to mood, but a good general purpose road trip song is Love Shack by the B-52's.


         

7: A song about drugs or alcohol.  I'll Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again by Toby Keith.


         

8: A song that makes you happy.  Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.


         

9: A song that makes you sad.  I'm not sure other people think of it as sad, but I've always thought The Dance by Garth Brooks is terribly sad.


         

10: A song that you never get tired of.  Piano Man by Billy Joel.


        

11: A song from your preteen years.  Dancing Queen by ABBA.


         

12: One of your favorite 80’s songs.  Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.


         

13: One of your favorite classical songs.  Yeah....I've got nothing for this one.
         
14: A song that you would sing a duet with someone on karaoke.  There is no song that I would sing as a duet or otherwise.  I can't sing worth a darn.
         
15: A song from the year that you were born.  1964 was an awesome year for music as a look at the top 100 songs will tell you.  I know from another meme that the top song the week I was born was Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin.


         

16: A song that makes you think about life.  Who Am I by Casting Crowns.


         

17: A song that you think everybody should listen to.  Hallelujah as sung by K.D. Lang.


         

18: A song by a band you wish were still together.  All-Star by Smash Mouth.


         

19: A song by an artist no longer living.   Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash.


         

20: A song that breaks your heart.  Hurt by Johnny Cash.


         

21: A song by an artist with a voice that you love.  Have You Ever Seen the Rain as sung by Rod Stewart.



Whew!  Made it to the end without a peep from my grandson.  Amazing, because it took a long time to answer these.  It was fun, though.  I hope you enjoy the videos and I'm looking forward to checking out all of your song choices!

Saturday 9: Angel (1998)

I'm participating today because I enjoy the Saturday 9 questions and the group of people who participate, but this week's song.....  It's a perfectly lovely song, but when the ASPCA confiscated it to get everyone teary-eyed during their commercials I just got to a point of not being able to stand it because now all I can think of when I hear it is all those sad, pathetic, little dogs cringing or shaking in fear.  I hate it!

Saturday 9: Angel (1998)


... because Bev recommended it

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Sarah McLachlan wrote this song about someone she barely knew. She read the obit of Jonathan Melvoin, keyboard player for the Smashing Pumpkins, who died of a heroin overdose. What's the most recent news story that touched you deeply?

I hate to hear any story of a child losing their life to tragedy.  I hate to hear of the vile, evil things people are capable of doing to each other.  So, um...most news stories get to me.  I guess if I have to pull something recent from the news, I'd have to say my heart breaks for the parents who lost both of their young adult children at that resort in Mexico.

2) Ms. McLachlan performed this in tribute to Linda McCartney at the 1999 Concert for Linda. She was expressing her hope that, in death, Linda found relief and peace after a long and painful battle with cancer. What do you think happens to us when we die?

I believe we will either be in heaven or hell.  I don't believe we can hang around as ghosts or that there is nothing at all.

3) Daytime dramas General Hospital and As the World Turns used this song on-air after a major character died. Do you follow any "soap operas?"

I used to watch Somerset, Another World, and Days of Our Lives.  I loved Days during the 80s...Bo, Hope, Patch, Kayla, and the rest.  My, but we all wanted to be Hope and run away with Bo on his motorcycle.  Swoon!
 
4) In 2007, Sarah donated her recording of this song to the ASPCA. Do you have a pet? If yes, how did you get it (shelter, pet store, etc.)?

I have two dogs.  One is a pure bred that I bought at a garage sale (I'm serious).  The other is a mutt I got from my neighbors when their dogs had 12 puppies all at once.  I've had pets from the shelter.  Some have been great. Others....well, let's just say the shelter didn't tell the full truth.  In theory, I think shelters and adopting from them is a great idea, but in reality I've got a lot of issues with the way they do business.

5) She admits she can't watch those ASPCA commercials, where her recording of "Angel" plays over sad photos of animals. Is there a TV commercial that really gets to you (in either a good or a bad way)?

Yeah, that one as I mentioned at the start of the post.

6) In 1994, Sarah was stalked by an obsessed fan. Tell us about a time you were really frightened. In retrospect, was your fear commensurate with the threat?

I can't think of a time when I've been that frightened because of a dangerous situation or person.  I've been scared to death when I've had to speak publicly and roller coasters terrified me as a kid.  I can't think of anything else.

7) Sarah was adopted by Jack and Dorice McLachlan. Though she has a friendly relationship with her birth mother, she always considered Dorice her mother and sees herself behaving with her son the way Dorice did with her. Is there anyone in your family that you feel you resemble, either physically or by behavior?

I see a little bit of my grandmother and a couple of her sisters in myself, but not a lot.  Maybe there's a lot of my unknown father and his family?

8) McLachlan is one of the founders of Lilith Fair, a summer concert series designed to showcase talented female performers. Do/did your summer plans include an outdoor concert?


Not this year.  I nearly bought tickets for my husband and I to see Charlie Daniels with friends...now I'm glad I didn't.  That was the day my husband ended up in the ER and spent the night at the hospital.

9) Random question: Which of these men would you most like to be seated with at dinner -- Clint Eastwood, Prince William or Jimmy Fallon?


Prince William wouldn't be my choice.  I'm just not into the royals.  I don't know who I'd choose between Clint Eastwood and Jimmy Fallon.  Clint would certainly have some wonderful stories to tell from all his years in movies, but then Jimmy would keep me laughing.....push come to shove, I guess Clint.

Please don't forget to visit the Saturday 9 to find links to the other players and to find the rules if you'd like to join in.


July 27, 2017

Be a Blessing

It's Thursday and that means it's once again time to join in with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday, the day we take time to remember and give thanks for the good things, big and small.  Actually, we're thankful all the time, but Thursday is when we do it "officially."


This week I am thankful...

  • that my neck doesn't hurt today.
  • for medical answers and plans of actions to get my hubby back in good health.
  • that the invitations for our daughter's wedding arrived right on time and turned out just right...and have been daughter approved.
  • for all the time I've had with my youngest grandson.  These baby days are so precious!
  • for all the yummy cucumbers and zucchini from the garden.  I can't wait to be thankful for the tomatoes.  Soon!
  • for a great bargain on strings of lights our daughter wanted for the wedding.  
  • for the cooler temperatures.  When others were running around with long pants and jackets on Tuesday, I thought it was perfect!
  • for getting lost in a good movie.  I finally sat down and watched The Help yesterday.  Loved it!
  • for books that are fun and entertaining (they don't always have to be educational, ya know).  I finished reading the latest Janet Evanovich book last night.  I love her stories and characters....always kind of off the wall and so much fun.  The downside is that now I have to wait until November for the next one.
  • for all that I am learning while my Bible study class continues to read and discuss John Bevere's Driven by Eternity. There is so much in it that is vitally important for every Christian to know.  And once you learn it, there is an undeniable urge to tell everyone because you don't want anyone to miss out on heaven or the rewards that could be theirs.  You want to spare everyone of the misery (and there really is no description awful enough) of hell.
  • that our daughter and her fiance and the friends they are traveling with arrived in Chincoteague safely this morning (thank you, Facebook) to see the pony auction before they head on to Ocean City. 
  • that our grandson's other grandmother was agreeable to splitting our babysitting duties while the kids are at the beach in a way that leaves me with tomorrow free so I can go to Half-Price Books' big clearance sale at the convention center.  I'm as excited as a kid at Christmas!
  • for all of you.
Have a blessed day, my friends, and be a blessing in this world!


July 26, 2017

A Helpful Hodgepodge

Good morning and a happy over-the-hump day to you!  Wednesdays mean it's time for the Wednesday Hodgepodge around here.  So, please, take time to stop over and visit Joyce, our hostess, at From This Side of the Pond.  There you will find the rules to play along and links to all the participating blogs.



1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday?  I was with my husband for his doctor's appointment.  Is that typical?  No, though it's not the first time. On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?  Oh, maybe about a 6?  During the school year I've left the high school and am probably just about getting ready to drop the first student off at home.  During the summer I'm usually reading, writing, or working on a Bible study at that time of day....just being quiet, really.

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.  I threw a towel not long ago for my husband to use as a bib on our grandbaby. As for thrown at me...the closest thing would be a tantrum and it wasn't really quite that, but just let me say that when the doctor wanted my husband to stay overnight at the hospital for testing it didn't go over well.  Not at all.

3. What are three things that would help you right now.
 A chiropractor, a different job, and more money (doesn't matter if it's a raise in pay or a winning lottery ticket).  Tell us how or why.  The chiropractor would be immediately helpful because I've been having a lot of pain in my neck and upper back.  I had x-rays taken a couple of weeks ago and saw the doctor again yesterday.  I have arthritis and degenerative disc disease and he feels a chiropractor or physical therapy is my best bet for pain relief.  A different job would be good for my back (all the bouncing around on rough rural roads can't be good for the back) and a different job would be good for my mental health as I just don't enjoy dealing with kids that much these days...the majority are mouthy, disrespectful, or outright BAD and bus drivers really don't have any power to do anything about it.  


4. Do you think you're strong?  Yes and no.  Why or why not? What makes you strong?  I do have a good bit of strength and I have survived a lot of things I really thought would break me, but my strength comes from my faith in Jesus. I know that whatever I am going through I have One who is there with me, who knows what I am going through, who carries my prayers to the Father and intercedes on my behalf.  


5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction?  Sometimes.  Not really so much these days.  What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?  Gone with the Wind.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  I'm still feeling hopeful after my husband's appointment with his doctor yesterday.  The doctor agrees that looking into the parathyroid is worth doing and he's order a sleep study.  He says most of the symptoms my husband is having could also be explained by sleep apnea.  Since we got a letter after he was anesthetized for a procedure back in May stating that he'd had sleep apnea while he was under, there's a good chance it could be his problem.  Or it could be both the parathyroid and the sleep apnea.  


Either way, I'm feeling like giving the man a good swift boot! He was to see an endocrinologist over a year ago and blew it off and a sleep study was ordered several years ago and he didn't do that, either.  Blood work has been ordered and it's in the works for him to see a sleep specialist, but he's already whining about being too busy at work to do it.  Grrrrr!  

July 25, 2017

Currently, I am...

I was fresh out of blogging ideas today, so I borrowed this from another.

CURRENTLY...

I am...

Reading: Dangerous Minds, by Janet Evanovich

Watching: the laptop screen

Listening to: the local news on TV

Wanting: relief from back pain

Needing: a blanket...it's chilly this morning.

Loving: the cooler temperatures

Thinking: about keeping our grandson for 2 days this weekend.

Feeling: a little tired

Celebrating: our daughter's birthday

Grateful for: finding some of the light strings our daughter wants for the wedding reception on sale at rock bottom clearance prices yesterday.

A quote I want to share


July 24, 2017

Heroes, Sleepovers & Books

Mornin'.  The view out my window this morning is pretty gray and still damp from all of last night's rain, but I don't mind. Nope, not at all, because for the first time in a week it is blessedly cool out there.  No horrible heat.  No brain-melting humidity.

We had a pretty quiet weekend around here.  It started off with my husband staying up until after 10:00 on Friday.  He NEVER stays up that late these days.  Partly because of his work schedule. Partly because of the way he usually feels.  So it was nice to have his company for a while.  We got even more company when our daughter called around 9:30 asking if she and the baby could spend the night.  Her fiancee worked an extra shift and she didn't want to be alone (the depression and all).  So the day ended with a sleepover in Nanny and Pappy's living room.



My hubby worked Saturday and our daughter and the baby packed up and went home by 7:30 so the house cleared out and I had the day to take care of some chores...laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dishes...the glamorous stuff.

I finally went through all the books on my bookshelves and (inspite of the emotional pain it caused) I created a big pile of books to part with.  My son is going to take a lot of them.  I'm going to show the rest to my mom.  What's left after that will go to St. Vincent de Paul or the Salvation Army.



Around 3:00 my daughter and the baby were back to pick me up and go look at the hall where the wedding shower will be next month.  We hadn't seen it before and the bridesmaid who is putting the shower together wanted to know what she'd have to work with. (She's in Alabama and driving up just for the shower!)

It turned out that the woman who showed us the hall was the grandmother of the state trooper who was killed in a traffic accident last week.  He was only 26 and it was such a sad thing.  Our whole town was shut down for his funeral and people lined the streets holding up signs and waving flags during the procession to the cemetery.  There were so many police officers from all across the state and from all over the country that it took over half an hour for the procession to go by (I was stopped at a traffic light just as it got started).



Saturday would have been the young man's 27th birthday, so Grandma was having a hard time.  It was an honor to offer our condolences and hear some of her memories.

My husband got hooked on a marathon of the Showtime series Ray Donovan and stayed up late watching that.  It really wasn't my cup of tea....too dark, violent, crude, and well....just no redeeming qualities.  I really thought it was horrible.  If it's one you like.....sorry.


Sunday found us sleeping in, doing a little grocery shopping, and not a whole lot of anything else.  I did however start the newest Janet Evanovich book, Dangerous Minds, which is the second book in the Knight & Moon series.  As usual, Evanovich is wickedly funny.


And the weekend closed with another sleepover.  This time because our grandson wasn't feeling well and Mom was worried he'd need to go to the ER in the night because of his fever (Dad was working so Mom had no car).  Happy to report that the fever seems to have come down a little and while he has a lot of congestion, he seems to be in a good mood and feeling...okay.  Daddy picked them up when he got off work so it's just me and the dogs for the day.

Our daughter sees her doctor this afternoon.  She is hoping her fiancee goes with her.  She wants the doctor to talk with him about depression.  It seems he might be less than understanding or supportive about it....listening to his mom, who thinks it's not real.  Keep them in prayer, if you would, please?  She confided they've been fighting a lot recently and the wedding is less than 2 months away.  Baby or not, I'd rather see her call it off than go through with it if there's any doubt.

Happy Monday, friends!  May your week be blessed.


July 23, 2017

Sunday Stealing: Around the House

This is from Around the House, which hasn't posted since 2014, so it's obviously pretty old.  It asks us to look around the house and then answer a few questions.
Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule?
It varies.  During the school year I am working so I get up at 3:45 in the morning and I try to be in bed by 9:30-10:00.  During the summer I tend to stay up until 12:00-1:00 and sleep until 6:00-7:00.  Tired or not, I rarely sleep more than six hours at a stretch.

Kitchen: favorite comfort food?
It used to be the seafood pasta bake at Eat 'n' Park, but they don't have it on the menu any more. (Darn them!) So, I guess it's just anything with gravy. Gravy is a good thing to drown your troubles in.

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs?
Showers.  I will, once in a great while, soak in a tub, but for general cleansing purposes I'd rather not wash my face in the same water my butt's been soaking in.

Closet: sum up your style in a few words.
Relaxed, casual, classic-ish, autumn colors.

Parlor: favorite party or board game?
Quelf. It's not for the shy, but if you get a good crowd willing to play along the way they're supposed to it is the most hilarious game you'll ever play.  The last time a group of us played we laughed, we cried, one of us laughed till we blew snot bubbles! (It wasn't me.)

Living room: what do you like to do with your family?
In the living room?  Watch movies, I guess.  All though, back when the kids were small I used to have camp out nights with them on the living room floor.

Dining room: favorite special occasion food?
Manicotti. I have an awesome recipe that has meat and spinach filling rather than ricotta cheese.  I only make it once in a while for maybe Easter dinner or something.

Garden: favorite tree? flower?
In general I love the graceful look of weeping willows, but they are terribly messy trees. The tree in my yard that is my favorite is the Catalpa growing beside the deck.  It has large leaves that provide solid shade over the deck and even protection from rain unless it's raining cats and dogs.  My favorite flowers are zinnias.

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away?
I don't know where to start.  My house is full of stuff that I'm sentimentally attached to.  Pictures, books from when I was a kid, my kids books, movies we watched with the kids, my journals, things made by family members, etc.

Library: favorite book genre?
It's a tie between mysteries and chick lit. I'm happiest when I can find books that combine the two like all of Janet Evanovich's series.

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
Either a book seller or an antiques dealer.

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them?
I think I had my first one about the time I started school and yes, I loved them. I had friends stay over or stayed at friends' homes regularly right up through college.  I still enjoy a sleepover once in a while when a group of friends or my sisters-in-law go on a weekend trip and stay at a hotel...good times!

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings?
Mostly one on one.  Small gatherings are okay, but I don't care for large parties unless I already know a good number of people.  

Pantry: favorite meal to make?
Probably soup.  I make very good vegetable-beef soup, ham and bean soup, and chicken noodle soup.  I find cutting and chopping all the ingredients soothing and is there anything better on a cold day than the smell of a simmering pot of soup?

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore?
My favorite is probably washing dishes...good thinking time.  My least favorite is folding laundry.

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car?
I like to drive myself in a car.  I don't have one, but my favorite car is a Mustang.

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had?
Either being in a basement when I was 12 while a tornado went overhead or when a state trooper called us one night about our daughter.  My husband went to get her and wouldn't let me go with him.  Waiting for him to get home with her and tell me what was going on was pretty nerve-wracking.

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look? 
I don't wear makeup very often at all.  For the most part I wear it only when I am dressing up a bit and going out.  Even then I prefer a very natural look.  The one thing I can't live without is primer.  I love how it evens up your skin and hides minor flaws.  I use it under foundation and when it's hot I often use only it with a bit of powder and blush over it.

If you enjoyed this week's questions, please be sure to stop by the Sunday Stealing home page and tell our hostess, Bev, that you did.  You can find the rules to play along and links to other blogs playing along, too.


July 21, 2017

Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)

It's time to link up with Sam and the Saturday 9 crowd for a little musical fun. This week's song wasn't my idea, but it was one of my favorites back in the day. If you enjoy the meme, please be sure to visit the Saturday 9 site and check out the links to the other players or join in yourself!

(The picture of the center of a Warner Bros. Records 45 is sure bringing back the memories.  I think the majority of my 45s carried the Warner Bros. label.)

Saturday 9: Don't Stop (1977)... because Country Dew recommended Fleetwood Mac 

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


1) Since we're not supposed to stop thinking about tomorrow, let's talk about it: What are your plans for Sunday?  Sigh....as usual nothing much.  Sunday is my husband's only day off and with his health all messed up he never wants to do anything but sleep on Sundays. Oh well, I just bought a new stack of books at Barnes & Noble.


2) Fleetwood Mac was formed 50 years ago in London. Fifty years is considered a "golden anniversary." Do you wear more silver or gold?  I really don't care for yellow gold. I own some, but I much prefer white gold or silver...or even rose gold.

3) This song is from Rumours, which has sold 40 million copies. Is it in your collection?  It was...until vinyl went the way of the dinosaurs.  Thinking they were done forever I sold my entire collection (which I would really like to have back now).

4) It was written by keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie. She was born Christine Perfect, a name that earned her a fair share of teasing when she was a school girl. Do you recall being teased in school? What about?  No, I don't remember being teased in school.  At home, my dad was merciless about everything.

5) Before Fleetwood Mac, she was in a band called Chicken Shack. If you were to order out for a chicken dinner, which restaurant would you turn to?  I have no idea because plain old roasted, baked, or fried chicken is one of those things I NEVER order when I go out to eat.

6) Before she could pay all her bills with her music, she supported herself as a window dresser for a London department store. Do you enjoy walking along, just window shopping? Or do you consider "looking with no intention to buy" a waste of time?  I enjoy window shopping if I'm in the city, but I don't want to go to the mall or Wally World just to window shop.  Booooring!

7) When she found herself making big money, one of the first things Christine bought was a pair of matching Mercedes for herself and then-husband, John McVie. If you were handed a check for $1 million, what's the first thing you would do with the money?  Pay off all our debt.

8) The other girl in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, founded the Soldier's Angel Foundation. She believes in the healing power of music, and so she's proud to provide wounded soldiers with iPods already loaded with music. When you listen to music from your phone, MP3 player or iPod, do you use ear buds or headphones?  Neither, since I don't listen to music on a phone, MP3, or iPod.
  
9) Random question: Let's pretend your high school reunion is coming up. Which classmate are you more curious about: the one who was your first date, or the one who was too cool to give you the time of day? Actually, this year should be my 35-year reunion, but nobody wants to take on the task of organizing one because it's a thankless job.  After the 15 year reunion the class officers quit and there wasn't another one until someone took it upon themselves to organize our 30 year get-together.  Out of a class of 365 only about 25 classmates and spouses showed up.  

According to the one who did the organizing and inviting, most of the people she called told her to take their names off the list....they weren't interested and never wanted to hear from anyone again. I get that. The 30 year reunion was my first and had I not been nagged to death by people on Facebook I wouldn't have gone...and I don't have any desire to go to another.

All that said, if I had any curiosity it would be about the first date, not the stuck up snob that thought they were better than me. 




Thanks for stopping by, now go and enjoy your Saturday.  It's supposed to be a rainy one here....good day for watching movies or reading a good book.

The Simple Woman's Daybook: July 2017

July is already near its end and here I am just getting around to linking up with The Simple Woman's Daybook.  I've missed the last couple of months, but want to get back into the swing of things.


For today...July 21

Looking out my window...The sun is barely breaking the darkness (insomnia strikes!) but the humidity is already oppressive.  The temperature should top out at about 90 degrees today with the humidity only getting worse as the day goes on.

I am thinking...about how to fill the time while the Poodle is being groomed later this morning.  Normally, I sit in my car and read since it takes only about an hour.  Today is too hot for that and the appointment is at 9:00...before most stores are open.  (I ended up going to Barnes & Noble.  I bought 4 books!)

I am thankful...for air conditioning.  In the house, in the car, in most every public space.

One of my favorite things...settling in on the swing with the dogs at my feet, a cold drink at my side, and a good book in hand.

I am creating...nothing yet.  We are still in the planning stage of decorations for our daughter's September wedding.  Parts and pieces are being collected...log slices, mason jars, tea lights, burlap, lace, sunflowers and more.

I am wearing...my pajamas, still.  If I am going to get the Poodle to the groomers on time I will have to shower and dress soon.

I am reading...Driven by Eternity by John Bevere with my Bible study group. It looks at heaven and hell and just who will end up where...the answer may surprise you.  This book is changing the way I think about and live out my faith.


I'm also reading The Love Dare...only about 10 years after the rest of the world. I watched the movie Fireproof for the first time this summer and was convicted to buy the book.  Not that my marriage is on its last legs, but any marriage can probably benefit from doing the exercises in The Love Dare.



I am watching...my favorite summer show, America's Got Talent.  I just love that it has become such a positive showcase for those who are truly talented and inspiring.  I'm also watching Alaskan Bush People on Discovery and a lot of movies On Demand.

I am hoping...that I have stumbled on the cause of all my husband's vague and various health issues.  Over the last few years he has been tested for so many, many things and all we've found out is what he doesn't have.  He feels so awful that he rarely feels up to doing anything, though he pushes himself to not only work, but work long hours.  He has many aches and pains that never let up and sometimes get worse.  It has made him rather grumpy and miserable.  Our lives have been in a holding pattern.

To make a long story short, I found some information online about hyperparathyroid.  The parathyroid is behind the thyroid and most doctors don't even know much about it.  When I compared the long list of possible symptoms to those my husband has...he has nearly all of them!

We see his doctor this coming Tuesday and we will be armed with printouts of all the information I found.

I am learning...to be patient with people (even in thought), to be intentionally kind, and to think less of myself and more of others.

In my kitchen...you won't find junk food or very much that is processed.  My doctor prescribed a diet pill to try and help me jump start my metabolism.  It has two components, a stimulant to speed things up and an appetite suppressant.  It is working like a charm.  I lost 12 pounds last month.  I have a check-in with the doctor next week to see how I did this month.  Most days I only feel the need to eat two meals and I eat a lot less before feeling full.  I rarely, if ever, snack.  To go along with this I've been changing the way I eat as well.  Meals are heavy on vegetables and proteins.

In my garden...things are going very well!  My husband built two raised beds for me this year and the plants certainly like their home.  Everything is flourishing and my hubby plans to add two more beds next year!  So far we have picked zucchini, squash, cucumbers, green beans and onions.  The peppers, tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupe will be coming in soon.




Postscript...Here is the link to the best source of information I've found about the parathyroid in case anyone wants more information.  If you have a wide range of vague symptoms that doctors are struggling to identify the cause of it's worth checking it out.

Shared Quote...



A moment from my day...I'm cheating and adding this after the fact.  The Poodle is groomed.  These are her before and after shots...she does not like to pose so they aren't the best.





Closing Notes...My gut reaction to O.J. Simpson's parole yesterday was, if not outrage, then disappointment.  This morning as I watch the news and it is talked about over and over, I find that I've changed my mind.  I do, without a doubt, believe he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but he was tried and found not guilty of that crime.  That's how our system works.  As for the armed robbery he is currently in jail for...he has served the time and is eligible for parole just like anyone else.  As much as we may wish it were different, we can't deny his parole based on feelings about the murder trial. That said, I wouldn't want him to move in next door to me.  What are your feelings on the whole mess?

July 20, 2017

Blessed in Abundance, Thankful Thursday

It's Thursday and that means it's time to link up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand to show our Creator a little gratitude for the blessings He pours out, both great and small.



This week I am thankful....

* that my husband did not have a heart attack and an overnight hospital stay and many tests showed his heart is just fine and very strong.

* that my daughter is at home and handling things fairly well.

* that a comment by hubby's sister to check on his thyroid (problems run in his family) stirred my memory that while he's been checked for that and no problem was found, our doctor did mention his parathyroid a couple of years ago.  I did some digging online and found a lot of information and a list of the symptoms for hyperparathyroid and it's like they know my hubby.  He has all but a couple of the symptoms.  It's often missed or diagnosed as something else because the symptoms are so vague and could be caused by a lot of things, but since he has so many I am feeling very hopeful that this might be our answer and from the sound of things it's easily fixed with an outpatient procedure that takes about 20 minutes! Please pray this is it!

* that we are beginning to enjoy the "fruits" of the garden.  So far just cucumbers, onions, zucchini and squash, but the beans are just about ready, I saw a few baby peppers yesterday, the watermelon vine is full of ping pong ball sized melons, and the tomatoes are loaded with greenies.




* the poodle is getting her hair done tomorrow.  Long overdue.  The poor thing looks like a black dust mop and I cringe to think what may be hiding out in all that wool since she is not a girly-girl and loves to snoop and get into things.

* my step-dad continues to heal from his week in the hospital.  He is walking and gaining strength daily.

* for my first-ever real hug from our youngest grandson.  It may have been his first real hug to give.  Nothing better in the world!


* I finally got a full unemployment check.  It's been so messed up since they made all the staff cuts.  I am not the only one in this boat and you can't get a live person to talk to.  I'm about ready to concede that I'm just going to be out 2 of the weeks I am due.  Such a rip-off!  Happy, though, to have that check this week to pay a few bills and order our daughter's wedding invitations. (It's getting so close!!!)



* our 23 year old central air conditioner keeps chugging away.  One of these years (probably much sooner than later) we are going to have to replace it.  The last time we had it fixed they told us it would need replaced the next time.  That was probably close to 10 years ago so we are living on borrowed time here. The dogs and I sure appreciate it now that the temperatures are hitting the 90s in the afternoons.

* for my God who blesses me abundantly over and over even when I don't deserve it....especially when I don't deserve it.



* for all of you.  Have a blessed day friends!