I hate politics so I'm gonna ALWAYS vote!!!

Can you believe? We (Tittabawassee River Voice) have met with legislators and with local elected officials and all of these people agree - our homes and property need to be protected from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which is overrun with extemist environmental activists - none of whom we elected! Governor Granholm, who has already dragged our lovely state of Michigan into last place on so many levels, just turned on us today. She vetoed the homeowners' rights legislation that all of the rest of our elected officials agreed to support.

Now on to what I really wanted to talk about today... Did you ever hide something - from yourself? If so, you know how relieved I was to find these items today!Not that I don't ever clean house but... well sometimes I must do a better job than others.

Right after Frank died, I checked his billfold and saw this credit card. Decided I should put it away until I had time to take care of such things. A few days later I couldn't find it! Panic! Phoned the company and cancelled it. Got a new one in my own name. That was four months ago.

Last week I was cleaning house for the Christmas holiday. I found the credit card AND a little bit of money. It was the best Christmas gift! All that time I couldn't find the card - and I looked again periodically. Funny thing... I don't even remember the money!

Today I am at the Governor of Michigan... How could she be so continually unaware of the taxpaying voters in this state!!???! I guess she must not plan on running for a second term.

It's the first day of Winter!

..and the weather guy is finally predicting a warm-up! Yes you heard that right. He says it might warm up to freezing temperatures by Christmas Day.

Youngest and shyest of my furry little family... AmyLou Mae decided she likes the new bedspread. Isn't she just the cutest little thing? The bedspread is one of the oldest new things I've ever had. I started crocheting it in the early 1980's - for a king-sized bed. Don't remember why I set it aside but I'm sure glad now! I put it on the single bed I'm using right now... and it's a perfect fit!

Last Friday...

More snow
It started earlier than usual and it's been colder than usual. Today the weather guy said the normal temperature for December is 35 degrees F. It's been in the 'teens and lower for most of November and so far in December as well... and the wind? It seems to blow all the time! I took this photo while it was snowing last Friday. Gotta admit it's pretty but enough already.

Bryn, I watched The Christmas Blessing last night. It's a beautiful story. Gotta admit it was bringing tears to my eyes. I'm glad you recommended it. Thank you!

Today was really a busy one! Got some more paperwork out of the way and then I did a bit of shopping for Christmas. I still have bags of Christmas decorations all over the place. Maybe I'll get them spread around the house where I want them by end of day tomorrow... a whole day just for decorating! I think that will be fun.

Now for some Monday Madness!
1. Name 1 toy you owned when you were younger, that meant a lot to you. My first bike... before they made them with training wheels and they all came in one size. It was blue and from the Western Auto Store. Some of my friends were riding Schwinns but I didn't care. It was a great bicycle!

2. Name 2 games you enjoyed playing as a child. Monopoly and Scrabble

3. Name 3 foods you didn't like as a child, but do now. I can only think of one - liver with onions.

4. Name 4 foods you didn't like as a child, and still don't like. I guess I liked just about everything and still do, but I never liked fat meat of any kind and still don't. Oh! Milk!!! I never liked white milk and still don't, but I like chocolate milk. It isn't a matter of 'like' or 'not like' for either fat or white milk, however; both of them make me gag.

These were fun... but okay Otto. You've guilted me into it. I'll try to come up with some suggestions for you next week.

Decking the halls...

..yes, that visit to Frankenmuth really gave me a jump-start!!! It's beginning to look like Christmas around here now... and the Nativity scene is prominently displayed where the cats can't accidentally knock it over! You know what this means? I'll be 'at home' for Christmas and those who like to visit on the Day are welcome! Also looking forward to our traditional family party on the Saturday after Christmas... which just happens to be New Year's Eve this year!

I visited Bryn's blog yesterday. It's beautiful AND she has all kinds of Christmas links. I just keep going back to visit the various links. Bryn also told me about 'The Christmas Blessing' tonight at 9:00 on CBS. I also planned to watch 'Silent Night' - a 2002 movie - on the Hallmark Channel, but now it sounds like I might have seen it already. I've asked Patti & Rich to tape the 2005 Carool Burnett version of 'Once Upon a Mattress' - 7:00-9:00 tonight on ABC but I might watch it if I already saw the one on Hallmark.

Oh yeah... almost forgot. Bryn's website also pointed me toward a little review to find out if you're naughty or nice!!! I scored a C+... you'd think I'd have gotten extra credit for telling the truth, wouldn't you? (Bryn & OttO both scored A's.)
Today I'm feeling Love to all, Ima CouchPotato

a magical evening...

..in Frankenmuth, the town that celebrates Christmas all year long.
Yesterday Patti went along with me to take care of some business... and then she invited me along with her family to see the Christmas lights and get some photos in Frankenmuth. Ah yes, and we had dinner together at Sullivan's Black Forest.

Here is a photo I took of the nativity scene near the Silent Night Chapel. My goodness! Is it already the weekend before Christmas??? It seems time is moving way way too fast!

A few days ago I posted my plea for Michigan residents to tell Governor Granholm to sign the Homeowners' Fairness bill - HB-4617S-4. I actually did this on several web sites. I think she is getting our message. I'm not sure if she will pass or veto the bill, but I'm convinced she knows the previously silent majority is speaking out through the Tittabawassee River Voice and our friends at Midland Matters.

Last week my friend Len and I had radio spots running on WSGW, a local radio station, all week long. The clincher was Wednesday, when Len got to have an interview session on the Art Lewis show on WSGW. Len's amazing when it comes to explaining such matters. I think he really got our message across because Thursday and Friday Art Lewis had call-in's all in support of the legislation. Folks this is democracy at work!!!

Len isn't just a 'good time friend' either. Last week he cleaned the snow off my back deck and showed me how to use my snowblower. Yesterday, after yet another snowfall, he stopped by, cleared snow off the deck again and then cleared my whole driveway with the snowblower! It was all nice and clear when Patti & family came over to pick me up!

Tonight Nat & I had a nice long phone conversation. I was telling her how there didn't appear to be anything worth watching on TV, then I checked the listings for 9:00 pm... and ended up watching a really cute little movie on the Hallmark Channel - Meet the Santas, with Crystal Bernard.
Today I'm feeling to have good family and friends.

update...

Ya' know, I used to say 'Happy Holidays' and 'Seasons Greetings' and such - more or less because it does encompass all the seasonal holidays, I guess. Now however, since the ACLU has declared everything related to Christ, Christmas and the Christian religion 'politically incorrect' - I tend to say 'Merry Christmas' instead. It's a sad state of affairs when the majority is downtrodden by a small group of demagogic destroyers of all that has been sacred for centuries!

For those who think the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is for 'the people' you should know the organization was started in 1920 by a Communist back when Communism vowed to conquor the world! They say they are 'Advocating individual rights by litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom.'

I read about that fact somewhere else but my googling effort today brought me to Diane Dew's website. Read it - PLEASE!!! Maybe some of the people belonging to ACLU think they are doing the right thing for 'mankind' but the leaders and really active member KNOW what they are doing... and it is not for the good of the majority!

*********

It's not beginning to look like Christmas yet around my house, but at least I'm thinking about it! Perhaps as I move some of the boxes of dishes for the spring rummage sale downstairs I will move some of the Christmas boxes upstairs! Not accustomed to doing things all by myself but it's doable...(sp?)

Wanna thank Kevvy for the logical explanation for occasional doorbell ringing! (So my special spirit is taking advantage of the local airwaves, eh?)

Now for a bit of Monday Madness!

1. When is the last time you moved? Summer 1960 - when OttO (our 5th child) was a baby.

2. How many times in your life have you moved? in my married life, 6 times...all in our first five years of marriage!!!

3. In your opinion, what is the worst thing about moving? It's been so long I don't remember but based on my kids moving... and just the thought of ME moving, I would say - all the decision making as to what to keep and what to get rid of... and oh, yes - the work!!!

4. What is the most exciting thing about moving? new faces (neighbors) and new spaces (the house/apartment)

5. If you've lived in the same place all your life, do you plan to move in the future? I don't think so.

6. Do you WANT to move somewhere else; if so, where? Not really... I like the four seasons even though winter is a bit tooooooo long!

Every time I think about that ACLU I feel

If you still need convincing; if you really want to know more; if you have time - you should also read:

• ACLU Founder a Communist Ideologue Bent on Uprooting Judeo-Christian Foundation of America
• How the ACLU is destroying America using your money
• America's Communist Lawyers' Union
• ROGER BALDWIN: FOUNDER, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION 1884-1981

I just like to back up what I tell you so you know it's real... not just 'my version' of something!

Bloggin' 'n Blogjoggin'...

...sort of like walkin' and chewin' gum!!! I guess when I'm doing one it's slower for me to get doing the other. Well then, here's making up for lost time.

One of these precious arms will be sporting a cast come Monday morning. This is Patti & David making beautiful music at David's recital November 12. Patti, ever the good mom and also a student of David's piano teacher, gratiously agreed to accompany him in a duet. David has another performance scheduled soon and is worried he might not be able to play. You see, he fell off the bleachers at school Friday afternoon and fractured his left wrist. He's right-handed so good for other school work but he really enjoys his piano!

I suggested Patti tell him about how his gramma (me) had two hairline fractures and sported TWO casts many years ago. Fresh from being an at home mom - at a new job - I was worried about not being able to type. Good ol' Dr. Stander assured me the exercise would keep my fingers limber, so I lost no time from work. Then there was OttO - who made contact with a truck while riding her bicycle and spent her first three weeks of college wearing a cast!

BTW - Happy Birthday David!!! My youngest grandchild is growing up. Seems like only yesterday James, the oldest one, was 12.

I had another doorbell experience today.. this one during the day... wide awake... reading the paper! I changed the bell to that Christmas tune, '..first day of Christmas' when I brought the newspaper in. Sat down to read the paper and it rang... doo-doo-doo-doo (insert tune here)... Nobody there, no extra footsteps in the snow, nada! My scientific part went out and checked to see if it still has the same tune... yup... tune plus a beep! at the end (like phone answer machine).. so I tested it again! No beep but it works.

Told one daughter about it and she told me some very trustworthy people, experienced and trained in such matters, said some people do receive subtle messages from the spirits of loved ones. I must admit there is a sense of comfort associated with this occurrence. Then I was telling another daughter about it... and while telling her, the bell rang again... a traditional 'ding dong' (insert tune here) and she asked me 'Are you sure?' - yes, even the cats responded when it happened!!!

Anyway, gonna have a son-in-law check the thing for shorts next time he's here. Meantime... well... since the first doorbell incident, I've heard too many other stories to be thoroughly convinced everything has to have a concrete provable explanation.
Today... perhaps I'm mostly a bit

'Tis the Season for...

...cleaning cupboards??? I haven't done this since the last time we remodeled and moved the kitchen (had 3 different kitchens in 3 different locations of the same house over a 45 year period). What is this madness? I need the space.

Yesterday I found a little 4-cup coffee maker... actually makes 2 mugs of coffee - just my limit and addiction first thing every morning. I forgot we even had this little thing. I put away the big one until next time we have a family gathering.

If you know me you know the husband & I traditionally left town the last weekend of April when the Walleye Festival takes place and - more important - a giant rummage sale! Traffic jams all along our two lane road because of cars parked alongside the road - yes there are that many rummage sales!

I've never done rummage sales - from either end. Husband was a junk collector - never got rid of anything and even salvaged a few things from friends and family (when I wasn't looking) that he thought he could 'fix' - whether he could use it or not.

This year I will have a rummage sale during Walleye Festival! It will take me that long to clean out 49 and 11/12 years of collecting! I'm motivated to get this done... every time I want to combat this new loneliness of mine I get busy!
Today I'm feeling ... oh yes and guess what??? I found the big serving tray with cutting board that I couldn't find on Thanksgiving!!! Yeay for cleanin' out the cupboards!!!

...and now a bit of Monday Madness

1. I've always been afraid of the dark.
2. People should not talk on cell phones while driving.
3. The one thing I look forward to every day is a phone call from a loved one.
4. My first meal of the day usually consists of a cheese sandwich and 2 cups of coffee.
5. It seems like cooking and handling the dishes is are a never-ending job.
6. The last time I painted a room in my house/apartment was a really long long time ago but OttO painted my bathroom about 4 or 5 years(?) ago.
7. The next time I paint, I'd like to paint my bedroom(room) not sure - maybe a dusty rose - or some other pinky kind of color (color).

Soup!

It's what was supper today! It was only meat & broth yesterday because I was saving it for today! To answer your question Jan, it is delicious. There are two more meal-sized servings & one lunch-size... some of which is going in the freezer for another day. Ya' can only eat so much turkey stuff in a row, don'tcha know?

Yesterday I had my last 'Turkey-Day dinner' for awhile... and froze the rest into individual meals... five more to be exact! They're big ones too - ya' might call 'em 'hungry woman' meals. They'll come in handy some day when I have a busy day and not really much time to cook.

Today I kept myself busy clearing out the cupboards over the island between my kitchen and dining areas. These cupboards have glass doors and I've decided to get rid of any dishes I absolutely NEVER use... and put those I use most often in this cupboard. Makes sense to me - from kitchen (dishwasher) to cupboard to dining table!

The weather is warming up & most of our snow accumulation is melted again. Tomorrow I'll shovel up the rest of my leaves and move them to a mulching area... that is if it doesn't rain! I got some of them raked between windstorms and snowfall but there are several piles that accumulated during the last windy days. Now they're wet so it should be easy to move.

Then there's some paperwork to finish up - in case I get rained in...
Perhaps today I'm feeling

I'm multitasking...

...blogging (took this photo earlier today)
... I'm cleaning my oven ('cuz the marshmallows grew too fast and exploded upwards and downwards Thursday)... I'm making soup! Just a bunch of meaty bones, water and poultry seasonings right now but it's beginning to smell pretty darned good already! I'm planning on getting the rest of my 26 things for November... and during all this I received a phone call & had a nice conversation with Pam. Life is good.
Today I'm feeling a little bit

The turkey turned out pretty good...

...oooops! I guess I got his bad side - the rest of that wing was still in the pan. Not bad color though, is it? What a meal... what a family! Those who could be here... were - and so much sharing. Sharba's famous spinach dip in a big rye round a few hours before dinner filled famished tummies that had early breakfasts, a long ride to granni's house, or just wanted a tasty appetizer! Pumpkin pies grown, built & baked by Windy and the perfect apple pie by Sharba's daughter... and Sharba's hubby was my kitchen assistant - bigtime!

Kevvy is a wonder in the kitchen. His 'smashed' potatoes are the best & he carves turkey like a pro! The table was full; tummies were filled; conversation flowed beautifully and comfortably... Otto and family got here in time for dinner despite her stepdaughter's best attempt at sabotage. They brought us up to date on the remodel project. Amazing! Despite all the preliminary happenings to slow them down, they're now at the finish line. Her stepsons are great... helping their dad often and I'm guessing they'll be in the new part by Christmas.

When all were gone I slept like a baby for the first time since August 29. Was it family... conversation... tryptophan... or all of the above? Dunno... don't care... just know it feels so good! Perhaps I will have to do some holiday shopping after all!

Why I need a bigger bed...

sleepy time...

FOUR cats!!! That's why! Actually I have five cats but the big guy there - Bubba - won't let Ellie May anywhere near him - no way and no how! These kits are... from left (the orange & white fellow): Goober, Daisy Mae, Bubba and AmyLou Mae.This is the scene that made my day Monday. How can anybody have a bad day with such a beautifully furry little family, eh? Oh yeah... here's Ellie Mae. Is she bothered by the lack of togetherness? I don't think so.

Right now I'm preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Made some cranberry sauce already... and cooked sweet potatoes (in the microwave) - when they're cool I'll be able to put them together with some brown sugar and marshmallows (cuz that's how #1 son-in-law likes 'em). The turkey finally thawed enough for me to get the giblets out... they're cooking right now for the stuffing. Got two pumpkin pies baked already - thanks Windy!!! Don't forget to bring 'em tomorrow! (Windy grows her own pumpkins for the pies, too.) Yes, there's Coolwhip in the freezer!
Hmmm! What's left to do? The dressing - after giblets are cooked. I don't stuff the bird because everybody likes their dressing kind of crunchy so I just bake it separately. Gonna make a cherry/blueberry crisp instead of pies because I'm too lazy to make a crust from 'scratch' and don't have any from the Pillsbury doughboy in my fridge right now. I have some veggies & olives for a crunchy tray (& hoping Windy remembers to bring some of her famous pickles) and there will be dinner rolls. Okay I cheated there - bought some at the supermarket & just have to pop them in the oven for last minute browning tomorrow. Hmmmm! What am I forgetting? Oh yes!!! I'll cook a nice green veggie just because I should...

I blogged over at TRVoice too! You must read the Thanksgiving menu I referred to over there!

Today I'm feeling for family & friends... and that everybody has safe travel weather for the holiday.

My second post of the day....

..a bit of Monday Madness

1. I have little or no patience when it comes to people like Michael Moore. (Sorry, the news just came on! This guy is a multimillionaire and keeps getting richer by pretending he relates to 'the poor' (that would be us). He criticizes big business but owns a load of stocks...

2. I wish I could spend more time in the sunshine! It was dark and gloomy all day today and the days are still getting shorter here in Michigan.

3. The most productive thing I accomplished this past weekend was laundry - I did it yesterday so it would be out of my way this week and I can concentrate on getting ready for Thanksgiving.

4. The most enjoyable thing I did this weekend was talk with Otto on the phone. She called right after I photographed my cats - where four of them were all snoozing on my bed at the same time... a real novelty. They filled it up.

5. I've always wanted to learn how to answer this question. I really don't have any such big 'always wanted to learn' thing.

6. If money wasn't an issue, I'd buy a lakeside condo.

7. I blog because I like to write, but just writing a journal wouldn't be fun because I like to have somebody read what I write.

Thanks OttO!

Tidy Friday Wrap-up....

..on Sunday afternoon!
So as not to take credit for that which is not mine... I took this picture Friday afternoon. It had also snowed Thursday. I do not recall any recent years having such an early snowfall! Will this be the pattern for winter 2005/2006?

Not lots of snow but nuisance snow... the kind that makes roads slippery in the morning and as it gets blown across roads. I guess it's better than hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes blowing around the world, eh? Not so sure I like the gloominess that's been hanging around though. Sunshine is good. Well enough about the weather... pretty boring don't you think?

Last spring I got an IPAQ handheld computer from somebody that didn't want it anymore. Been messing with it off and on since then. Well this weekend I just charged it up again! If you let it sleep too long it loses all its memory, you know, so it was like starting all over again. This time I have a bit of time to learn how to use it. One thing I learned... by reading the book Larry... was that it should be plugged in whenever it's not traveling... and for that matter, even when it's traveling whenever possible.

It has an expansion memory card pack but it doesn't seem to work. Guess I'd better get together with the previous owner and find out what I'm not doing right. Also, it has the neatest fold-up keyboard... basically full-sized. I think I need to download a driver for it though... so far all I could find online was in Japanese. I don't read Japanese. I like my IPAQ just the way it is... but plan on using its full potential soon!

Today I'm feeling because the chatboard was used by an ignoramous. I think I will delete it because I usually forget to check it out anyway.

snowontrees1_05.03.05

snowontrees1_05.03.05
Originally uploaded by enjaees.

Wow! This is really very nice! I just went to your pictures and was able to blog about it.

I happen to think this is really beautiful!!! I'm not so sure I could do this well.

Hmmmmm! Now I'm wondering if I really like this idea. Let's discuss it! ;-)

Well I guess it's not so bad. You do get the credit for the photo. I think it's kind of neat... but actually ... belonging to flickr is a good way to keep up to date on when your friends add photos! ...Not too sure about putting your friends' photos on your own website though. Hey picture taking family... what do you think? Isn't this great what OttO found?

I guess today I'm feeling kind of because I'm not sure if I should have done this.

Autumn Berries Popping Out

Autumn Berries Popping Out
Originally uploaded by granni39.

Just wanted to share this photo with you. It's one of the two actually uploaded to flickr since I joined earlier today. It's kind of cool what you can do with flickr... Natalie!!! Why didn't you tell me all about it?

...and where do YOU live?

I live at 'blahblahblah' - you know, that perfect spot where if you get there, you need to turn around and go in the other direction. Funny thing... it's the last place I would want to use as a turnaround. Across from this driveway is a ditch, deep enough to have trouble getting out without a wrecker. This is the driveway least likely to be shoveled in wintertime because my vehicle is 4-wheel drive. In one direction there is a curve sharp enough that you can't really see the cars until they come flying at you. In the other direction there is a business with a nice wide driveway and parking area that is always shoveled and a much safer place to turn around. Anyway, I thought this was a pretty good picture... looks sort of like a pair of hearts, doesn't it?

It's another really really windy day!!!

...and the good news is:

• There was a big limb that fell off the old Maple tree after the last big wind a couple of days ago... and it was just hanging between my cable and the electric line right over my driveway!!! It finally came down with today's wind!
• I got a fair amount of paper work done yesterday and all I need to do today is get one of the documents notarized prior to mailing and go to the DMV to get some vehicle titles changed. Midland is less busy than Saginaw & I have choices! I can do my court house business another day when I need to go to Saginaw anyway... maybe tomorrow.
• I slept well last night - again!!

...and the bad news is: I don't really want to go outside at all! It's too windy!!!

Oh! more good news!!! I ordered a pair of shoes from TEVA!!! Want to see them? I hope they're as comfortable as they look. Jan says Teva shoes are comfy. You'd better be right, Bug... because you know how funny you look trying to wear your mom's shoes! Wanna see 'em? I like the beige color too but thought this color might go with more of my winter things. Who knows? If I really love them I might get another pair... in the other color!

Today I'm feeling

What is it they say about the 'last rose of summer?'

It can't be too bad, because this old rose actually looks pretty good, don't you think? This flower is from a bush we planted long ago and it almost disappeared among the weeds in the past few years.

The free landscaping this summer... and of course, my new knees... revived my gardening gene! One of the more pleasurable was rediscovery of these forlorn, neglected white roses. Yes... white. I think the pink is because of the cold weather because they actually looked white during the summer.

Today I should be doing some paperwork. I've neglected it too long. Gotta have things in order - I'm thinking by end of the year at least! Okay, I've guilted myself into it. Gonna start now. Meanwhile, I just want you to know I'm feeling just fine today... glad it's warm in my house... trying not to see how gloomy the weather is. I do not like so much rain and cold.
Today the weather is but I'm feeling because I don't want to do all that death-related paperwork!!! Anyway, I used to hear people say 'I feel like the last rose of summer' like it's a bad thing. Right now it's looking like a pretty good thing! Cheers!

stuff & madness...

I find drinking 'gentle' teas contributes to tranquility. The day I raked, the Tylenol helped bigtime!!! I think partly because I don't take many pain killers it works extra well. Yesterday my shoulders still didn't ache... and yet again today! Today my heart aches instead... but I can't find a pill that helps.

Here's some Monday Madness...
Otto said...'It's been a while since we've done this; I ask each of you to choose a letter of the alphabet and answer each of the following with a word/group of words that begins with the letter you've chosen... And as always, thanks for playing! =)'

I'm choosing B for my maiden name... Barton

1. Name one color. - Brown
2. Name one song. - 'Blue Moon'
3. Name one movie. - 'Bridges of Madison County'
4. Name one vehicle. Buick
5. Name one food. - brussels sprouts
6. Name one household item. - broom
7. Name one book. - Bible

Does anybody know how to remove a 'write protect' from a flash memory card - you know... like the ones we use in our cameras???

Today I'm feeling

The Ginger-Lemon Tea...

..works like a dream! Tonight I tried the chamomile-mint. It's smooth. I like it even better than Plantation Mint or green tea with mint!

This morning I attended a wonderful little piano recital... a real treat. Good job, Patti & David... and thanks for the nice lunch afterward. This afternoon I gathered up leaves for a couple of hours. I don't have an aching shoulder anymore... now both of them ache. A couple of Tylenol, along with that chamomile-mint tea, should guarantee another good night's sleep.

...speaking of which, tonight I'm feeling and now it's raining, so I don't have to worry about any embers left from my day's leaf burning session!

Yesterday I returned some items to a friend...

..and while I was there, in Midland, she showed me how to get to the Community Center. It was the longest short trip I've ever driven!!! (FYI I couldn't find the place last week when I wanted to attend a meeting there.)

Most of the time I was 'too close to the curb' - never mind I never drove over the curb or even rubbed near it. The rest of the time I was either moving too soon - in front of a car??? - or not soon enough! Every once in a while I was supposed to turn 'right now!' before a corner or driveway appeared. When she suggested we have a bite to eat I said I had just eaten a couple of hours ago and wanted to get home before dark. Actually, I was exhausted!

When I got home I fed the cats and chilled out. Home never felt so good! Does that make me an uncaring person?

Lately I haven't been sleeping as well as I should... waking up several times during the night. A few days ago I stopped having my evening cup of green tea - to avoid the caffeine - and now I can sleep a little better. Jan suggested I try having an herbal tea at night, maybe chamomile. I really don't like the taste of chamomile but today I found some chamomile with mint. While I was shopping I also bought ginger with lemon... and just finished having a cup. Mmmmmmmm! Very tasty! Tomorrow night, the minty chamomile! The store also had chamomile with valerian - branded as 'Sleepytime Extra' - but I was a bit concerned that the valerian might be more than I need. Who knows? Maybe I'll buy some next time.
Tonight I'm feeling

Okay... I just had to try this....

Mmmmmmmmmmmm! I like magenta!!! It's a vibrant color that just kind of jumps out at you. I found this at Cielo's Words...


Your Power Color Is Magenta



At Your Highest:
You energize yourself and push others to suceed.
At Your Lowest:
You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed.
In Love:
You are suprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet.
How You're Attractive:
Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you.
Your Eternal Question:
"What is my next source of inspiration?"

What's Your Power Color?

Do you know when the first day of Christmas begins?

Well, I do! I asked Jeeves! His first response is here: Drennon's Twelve Days of Christmas. It tells the true origin... then goes on to tell us the urban myth that says the song was actually part of 'An Underground Catechism.'

Last night my doorbell rang.

Nothing strange about that - right? Wrong! It was dark outside... the motion activated light did not turn on so I couldn't see anybody out there, if indeed there was somebody out there. No vehicle in the driveway... and... oh yeah..... the melody was not the one that is supposed to ring! Get this. It played a Christmas song!

Was I scared? No, I phoned my next door neighbor. Her husband has a big gun! I told her she is now on my speed-dial! She said okay. Oh! That's right! I have a big gun too!

Yup! This really happened. This morning I checked my doorbell. It still played the same tune I had it set for... not the Christmas song. Now for the strange part.... just supposition.

Last week I told Windy I wasn't sure there is life after death. She asked why and I responded that if there was, her dad would have let me know. She asked how he would do that and I said I wasn't sure but I know he would let me know.

The Christmas song? 'On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...'
Draw your own conclusions.

I Was Without Internet Since Yesterday Evening...

..and I see Otto was also! I almost phoned her but she had phoned me earlier and I didn't want to interrupt her evening. I didn't mention before but it was Otto & her husband, along with her stepson & his wife, who spent most of their Saturday at my house cleaning up my husband's lifetime collection of metal junk even though they all have full-time jobs and plenty to do at home on their weekends. Here's a big ol' public THANK YOU, family!

I'm always talking about my wonderful daughters. Cassie-b asked how many daughters I have. The answer is six - all pretty close in age. Would you believe they all have blogs. The ones who blog the least work with computers in their everyday jobs (doing stuff I don't know how to do) so they don't blog quite as often. Here they are in birth order. The two in the middle are twins:

- Windy (Linda)
- Sharba (Sharlene)
- Peakay (Pamela)
- Foggy (Patricia)
- Otto (Natalie)
- Bug (Janice)

I wanted a big family... I wanted girls... I am blessed. They are an eclectic mix of personalities and I dearly love every single one of them.

Now... a bit of monday madness

1. Sometimes I wish I could just afford to hire somebody to complete the work on my house all at once.
2. If I could take a long weekend to heaven to *visit Frank, I'd be very happy. *I would definitely require a return ticket home for this trip!
3. The world would be a better place if more people would just be considerate of one another.
4. One of my greatest qualities is patience.
5. The one thing about me that I need to work on is patience.
6. Happiness is being content with what you have but always planning and ready for the next phase.

Good questions Otto. I really look forward to Mondays & a bit of 'madness'.

Yesterday I was feeling

kind of like this...
..and was pretty frustrated... maybe feeling a bit sorry for myself. Yes, perhaps I was angry as well! Then the phone rang and I had a nice visit with one of my daughters. It changed my whole attitude. Later the phone rang again... another daughter! Yes! What a difference a phone call can make.

Last night as I vegged in front of the tv I could hear the farmer's powerful machines out there... working late into the evening. They were loading semi's full of golden kernels of corn. It was too dark to take pictures.

Today some of my family came over and removed a lot of junk metal items from my property. It was stuff Frank had 'collected' for over 40 years. It was a sunny day - early on - and they all have homes and families but they knew that moving that stuff would make me happy. There were a couple of phone calls too! I love my family and they continue to bring sunshine into my life.

It's been raining all evening. For awhile there was even hail bouncing off the roof and all around. I was cozy in my warm house, watching 'Catch me if you can' starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I enjoyed it. The news came on. There are 6,000 people in Saginaw without power tonight. Some people had to evacuate their homes because a tree fell and busted a gas main in one neighborhood. There were a couple of people reportedly trapped in their cars because trees fell on their cars. Life goes on and soon the sun will shine again.

Today I feel

Bet you can't guess why this guy's on my roof!

He's installing the boiler for my hot water heating system, of course.
Yeah I know... this was last week's project, but I just had to share this picture with you. Part of installation required a new chimney liner. The fellas didn't want to chance harming the old brick chimney by propping a ladder against it. They didn't feel it was safe to walk on the cedar shakes roof - especially since it was raining and they were wet and slippery. Solution? Get a crane over here... and there you have it - Tim up on the roof, supported by a crane and ready to get the liner and put it down into my chimney! Guess there won't be much room for Santa anymore. The liner is pretty slim.

I was just watching the Today Show on NBC... having my coffee and playing Spider Solitaire. Actually I was listening, not watching. Then I was listening to a girl singing - not a bad voice but not great either, in my opinion - but definitely a girl! All of a sudden Ann Curry busted out laughing! I looked up - there was a guy, naked to the waist, and it didn't show below - singing his heart out with that girl's voice! When Ann could not stop laughing she endeared herself to me for a long time! Apparently the girl's voice coming out of that guy was a big surprise to her too! The guy(???) is really big in England right now and will be on the Today Show tomorrow. I guess I'll be watching.
You might say that incident left me feeling

Who gets 'the King's chair' in my house?

You guessed it! His name is Bubba - the masculine version of his first nickname - Bubbles - which was given to him by his original family (where he was born). His given name back then was... Champagne! Also not very guy-like, don't you think? Anyway, he's a buncha buncha lovin' Bubba when he wants to be. The rest of the time? He either lies around looking regal or attacks EllieMae, the little momma-girl cat who adopted me!

Now on a more serious note, if you've been wondering or worrying about the avian flu... don't be too concerned. I asked a friend, who happens to be a doctor, if I should be worried about catching this flu when I feed the wild birds. He said there is not much concern at this time here in the United States and it tends to be more prevalent in water fowl.

If you're feeding wild birds, wash your hands well afterward. There are other diseases we are more inclined to catch from them if we accidentally touch their feces or other residue. Me? I'm not sure if I will continue my bird feeders because I'm afraid I might have problems going up and down the back deck in winter when things are slippery and icy. The good news? My neighborhood has lots of bird feeders!

P.S. - Stop by at sherle's photos to see a recent autumn photo!

It's Monday... and time for

Monday Madness

1. Name 1 comedy movie you've seen.
The Oddfellows - with Walter Mathau

2. Name 2 black and white films you remember seeing.
When I was a kid most movies were in black & white! The ones I remember most starred Humphrey Bogart, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans... and on and on.... titles? Hmmmmm!

3. Name 3 dramas you thought were worth watching.
On Golden Pond... The Bridges of Madison County... hmmm. Actually this is tougher than I expected... I guess I don't watch many movies.

4. Name 4 television shows you watch on a regular (or semi-regular) basis.
Survivor... Grey's Anatomy... Restless Housewives... Boston Legal (not necessarily in order of preference.) Okay, I'm a couch potato.

5. Name 5 things that, in your opinion, are advertised on television too frequently.
If I name them I'll get spammed with undesirable comments, etc. but will try to get around that with other words. Items that enhance s**ual performance... class action lawyers... prescription drugs... loan companies... overpriced kitchen gadgets.

Happy Halloween! Don't forget to read my entry from last night... just below this one. Boo!

Happy Hallowe-e-e-e-e-en!!!

OttO and I went to the Dow Gardens yesterday! You have no idea how much this meant to me. This was the sort of trip I've been missing out on since my life has changed. It's like... you don't like to go alone, you know? The day was perfect... lots of sunshine and almost no wind whatsoever! A light weight sweatshirt was almost more than I needed for the temperature.

Nat & I both got lots of great shots and I might share more of them later, but I had to share the frazzled jack-o-lantern with you first. We noticed him sitting next to a computer monitor when we were on our way out at closing time. The young man at the desk turned the light back on so we could get a better photo. Ya know, now that I think about it... every person I've ever met at the Dow Gardens is just darn good people!


Have a lovely - - Halloween!!! Heee-heee-heeee!

Sad but true...

Nutcases on the internet are invading our blogs now! I've already blocked comments on one of my blogs because of so much spam in the comments section! Are they working on our Hello photo input now? Trying to upload a photo from Hello - I received the message:

Error:com.google.blogger.exceptions.RateLimitingException: For
anti-spam verification purposes, please login to Blogger.com and create a post
on your blog. You will need to solve a CAPT

Well here's the photo I wanted to share. It's a picture of my view from the kitchen window. Isn't it beautiful? How could anybody have a bad day with beauty like this right in their own backyard?

I was able to share my photo by using the 'compose' mode of blogger. I actually like Hello better only because it frames the photo for you... which does add a nice touch.

I accidentally erased part of that quote above but what it means is you have to type in characters seen in a picture before you can publish to your web. I guess many of today's kids have more time than they have brains because they sure like to cause havoc for no apparent reason on the internet. Bye for now... I may try again later!

Warm is a good thing...

...and I'm warm!
What a difference a day makes. The guys from Answer Heating and Cooling showed up bright & early yesterday, promptly at 8:00 a.m. while I was still having my morning coffee.

Replacing a boiler that was in place since late 1960 takes more talent and determination than just plain ol' installing a new one... and these guys are wonderful! What a team. Answer depends on referrals for their business and they deserve your business! When I told the sales manager I had no heat at all - just a little portable electric - he made sure I would not have to wait. Now I can get back to the business of living instead of spending my time keeping warm!

What's happening? I'm back to working with my friends on the 'homeowners fairness' legislation. I guess I'm now included in the class action suit with the litigious weirdos that love to sport their skull & crossbones t-shirts and signs. I have my own version of their sign. I created this version based on observation of the species... Lone Tree Council.

These people are complaining about the vague possibility of minute amounts of a dangerous chemical existing in their yards because of historical and archaic manufacturing methods. The company they (I guess I mean we, although against my will) are suing discovered the means for even measuring down to quantities in parts per trillion... and cleaned up their act long ago. I have personally observed two female members of the original 7 litigants, after a performance they put on for the news media, purposely ingesting large known quantities of that and other chemicals even more dangerous to their health. Right! They were having a cigarette!

What else is happening? I'm planning for getting my cell phone replaced... still an active member of two computer clubs... currently planning for a big Thanksgiving feast to include all of my wonderful big family who can possibly fit it into their busy schedules. Let me know, people!

Daisy Mae was missing this morning...

when I woke up she was nowhere to be seen. I called her; she didn't come. She is usually either sleeping on a rug in the bathroom or on her tower. Why should I worry so for a cat? I don't know but I certainly was relieved when she meandered into the room after I had my breakfast!

I had to cancel my Sprint cellphone service today. The phone was messed up after a power outage on Friday. I was charging the phone at the time... the outage was erratically off and on for a very short time but that's all it took.

I've been looking at changing over to something less expensive anyway since I hardly ever use the cell but it sure gives me a feeling of security when out and about. I've been reading about prepaid cell phone service at CNet and so far it looks like Sprint's 'sister company' Virgin Mobile offers me what I want.

Hopefully I can quit carrying my little electric heater around with me tomorrow. The crew is scheduled to arrive at 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to install the new boiler for my heating system. It's a Lennox so it's got to be good, right?

Now for a bit of Monday Madness...
1. diamonds or pearls? I wear a diamond ring but am really a simple daisies and costume jewelry sort of woman.
2. paperback or hardcover books? Paperback - easier to share instead of accumulating.
3. carpet or hardwood floors? Carpet!!! I've had both and carpet is easier.
4. dogs or cats? Cats! I like dogs too but cats are easier to care for.
5. fluffy or firm pillow? Firmly fluffy???
6. fine point or medium point pens? Fine point.
7. clocks a little fast or on time? I try for on time.
8. mahjong or spider solitaire (or other)? Spider!
9. wall calendar or desk calendar? Both plus my Yahoo calendar.
10. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?' Survivor!!!

View from my window...

Hello Moon!

Am I really seeing the actual variations on the moon - the plateaus and valleys? I took this photo last night while watching television. I would have shown Frank the picture and asked him that question. He would have had an answer.

No I am not sad just... empty, sort of. I told my friend Mary that I did all my crying the first day... and the screaming. Now I am, if not content, at least reconciled to my new phase of life. Mary said perhaps I feel this way because Frank & I had such a close and positive relationship... not that we were always happy, but because we were good friends.

Now for a bit of Monday Madness

Which one?
1. Lemonade or Iced Tea? Iced Tea - Bigelow green tea with lemon or mint are my favorites, but I like an occasional Crystal Light Lemondade, yellow or pink!

2. DVD or VHS? Sadly... I don't yet know how to use either my DVD player or the VCR!!!

3. Gold or Silver? I like silver but it tarnishes. My wedding ring is white gold.

4. Baseball or Tennis? I understand the rules of baseball & played in the street as a kid, so I guess baseball is my answer. The sound of a baseball game being broadcast on the radio makes me nostalgic.

5. Spring or Autumn? Spring brings rebirth and freshens the earth... Spring!!!

6. Diet or Regular? Diet... I've grown to prefer the taste. Sugar is too sweet.

7. Hearts or Stars? Doodling, I tend to draw stars more than hearts.

8. Snail Mail or Email? I like the nowness of email!!! Being a procrastinator, snail mail just doesn't happen with me.

9. Shop: Online or In-Store? I don't like shopping but in-store works best for me. I like to really SEE what I'm buying.

10. Credit Card or Check? Credit card - I only use credit cards that give me money back and always pay them off each month. If I can't afford to do that, I don't buy it. The exception is the offer 1 year same as cash or whatever time period. In that case, if I can afford it, I figure out how much my monthly payments are and have it paid off in the timeframe allowed. Why? ...because I was a credit card junky when my kids were very small! I will not let myself go there again.

Frost Predicted for Tonight in Mid-Michigan

Weather guy is gleefully predicting our weather will reach the freezing point tonight. I've brought in some of my geraniums... they look beautiful inside & add that special touch of color all winter! I just have to remember not to overwater them. It's easy to keep them in a bright place because my home has lots of windows.

I might bring in a couple more plants today and must transplant the sage into the ground. It won't survive winter inside or in the planter box where it resided all summer. The sage is wonderful! I clip and wash a few leaves and tuck them under the skin of my Thanksgiving turkey for a special aroma and flavor! I also use some to rub the inside of ol' Tom, along with some garlic, then throw a few pieces of onion and celery in there. No, I don't stuff it because most of my family likes the dressing a bit crisp so I bake the 'stuffing' in flat baking dishes alongside the bird.

My little $20 electric heater is keeping me warm. I carry it to the bedroom at night and into the living area in the daytime. Getting a second estimate for new furnace - a hot water system boiler - Tuesday next week. I hope they move fast after my decision... or I'll need to buy a second little heater!

Today I decided to go outside...

because I've been doing 'desk work' all day long!

This morning... took care of 4 more bills... but first I phoned my insurance agent Gee I'm glad I did! She changed my van insurance to 'comprehensive' because I only plan to drive it occasionally... when we put the boat in and when we take it out. I've cut my auto insurance almost in half. She told me just give her a phone call whenever I decide to use it! I recommend Auto-Owners Insurance!!! For autos, homes and even boats.

- Received a phone call with my first estimate on a new furnace. I need a new boiler and a couple of extra peripherals for it. The price? High!!! I have somebody coming over next Tuesday to give me another bid.

Yesterday my right leg hurt - the shin bone... I think. For some reason I thought it might be my shoes causing the problem. Well guess what? It hurt again today and I was barefoot most of the time!

When I went to the post office to mail my bill payments I wore my oldest crappiest walking shoes... an old pair of Dr. Scholl's with extra arch supports in them... and when I got home, walked around the yard a bit taking photos and got my newspaper.... came in the house & the leg no longer hurts!!! It was the shoes! Funny thing... I bought an identical pair of Dr. Scholl's walking shoes a while back and they hurt my right foot - where I have a bunion. So I guess they're not identical after all. I sure am gonna look funny wearing my ratty old ones whereever I go, don't you think?

I missed Survivor last night because I had a computer club meeting. Great meeting, not many showed up for it though... they missed a good one! A young chiropractor talked to us about ways to keep ourselves in shape... at the computer and otherwise. Very interesting information.

Today I discovered I could find out all about what happened on Survivor by going online to http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor11/show/ep05/index.shtml - just found out you can also watch videos and all kinds of other stuff about the survivors here. Now I don't feel so bad that I don't know how to use the VCR. (I'll learn though... don't worry.) What I really wanted was to find a place on tv where it might be run again on a different day.