Time in a Bottle? HMMM?!

YES!

2009-03-02T16:52:00.002-06:00

I am ignoring my blog!!!

Normal?

2009-02-12T05:47:00.002-06:00

Things are not yet back to normal! High winds yesterday knocked out a small percentage of the power that had been restored to customers in the area. I am ever so thankful that we are part of the lucky ones that still have our amenities in our homes. Work has been so overwhelming. It's exhausting, but those power crews need clean clothes too! We have been processing at least 200 wash and fold orders each day. The projected time for this to go on is at least another month! It's crazy! I feel like I am on my last leg, but I also have a job to do and I want to do it well.

Not much in other news, except that I want to congratulate my niece and her husband Dustin on the new addition to their family! Samantha gave birth to Logan Bennett Conover on February 8th. He is a cutie! Bradyn and Tegan are going to be great big brothers! I just know it! If you want to take a gander at him, check out Samantha's blog on my sidebar! I just wish that we all lived a little closer so that I could give that baby a squeeze!

And now for the biggest news of all!! Husband has been doing laundry here at the house!! Cheer!! Applause!! Fall out of my chair! Makes me happy though!! Peace~!

Still Waiting

2009-02-03T05:35:00.006-06:00

for the damn cable to come on! It's frustrating, but I guess that those DVDs that have been piling up over the years, that are still unopened will get some use now. Things are slowly getting back to normal in our neighborhood, but for some of the areas out in the county they are still without power and other conveniences. Actually, for me, it is becoming quite a stressful situation. Here at home, there is so much to catch up on, like the laundry, but good heavens, I have seen enough dirty clothes in the last 4 days that it makes me want to hurl! I shouldn't feel that way, as we are taking care of all of the power crews that have been working so hard to restore power, but man, do they have a lot of dirty clothes. I just better not see a comcast uniform or I will be pushed to the extreme! Here's a few more pictures to share. I think that these are of day 2

This is the power pole in front of the house after the storm.

Bradford Pear (or what used to be) trees across the street.

Back of the house before most of the limbs crashed to the ground.

Mess of power poles at the end of the block!
More later! Gotta get to work. Peace~!

All Is Well,

2009-02-01T16:34:00.005-06:00

Well, I guess for some of us more fortunate Paducahans who are now the recipients of some great work of Paducah Power system who worked through the night on Friday and Saturday to get us up and running again. There are still some people in the area who remain without power. There are still complete counties (on a different power companies) that still have no power, water, gas, or really anything to speak of. This whole experience has been very humbling. For my family members that read my blog, know that we are all OK and we now have power and heat! We never did lose hot water or our gas service, which was awesome! It's cool to be able to stay clean in harried situations. Will do several more posts as time permits to relate the whole storm with those of you that are far away and anyone else who wants to read. I have taken over 100 pictures of the whole mess. Peace~!

Well!

2009-01-27T16:09:00.008-06:00

I truly never thought that it would happen, but it did! Why oh why can't we just have some snow instead of this CRAP!!

It is everywhere! I mean every where! It's kind of scary sitting in the house and hearing limbs break and crash all around you!

Crashing over the beloved man cave and into the alley!

Into the front of taxi cabs blocked by a fence!!!

But I have got to admit, it is kind of pretty! I love looking at the trees, especially colorful ones!

Here's my neighbor's weeping cherry tree! Weeping pretty fiercely today!
At least with snow we could have built a snowman somewhere! Might not have been a big snow man or lasted too long, but it would have been more fun than this!

I'll Try and Do Better Next Time!

2009-01-11T19:42:00.015-06:00

Can you believe that this is one of the only pictures that I took while all of the punks were in for Christmas! What is wrong with me? I guess she was happy with her new jacket because she wouldn't take it off.
Maybe she just loves guitar hero so much!
Maybe all of us liked guitar hero a lot. It was very time consuming! But it was also very mind boggling! Maybe I didn't take a lot of pictures because we broke in the fire pit that Pappy got for Christmas! Boy, won't springtime be fun! Come on down neighbors!!
Maybe we were just all too tired for me to post after two solid weeks of "holidays". I went back to work completely unrested! Oh, well, it was worth every minute! Maybe we were just too busy doing other things! We had a wonderful New Years Eve, spent with friends, playing games, ate wonderful food, and I actually did take a few pictures that evening! What's up with that? Guess that I was feeling relaxed for a change. Karen made an awesome dinner, we had stew, salad and rolls! Patience made a chess pie and a good time was had by all! What would I do if I couldn't play games? It reminds me so much of spending time with my family! The UNO game was awesome! Poor Bill!

Here's the awesome CHESS PIE maker!
No yawning allowed Daniel, it's not midnight yet!! Here's Steve, I guess just making sure everyone has everything that they need!That's all that I have to post for now! Sorry it was so boring!! I'll try to do better next time!

Isn't this cutest thing ever

2008-12-30T13:02:00.002-06:00

Christmas Past/Christmas Future

2008-12-29T17:12:00.005-06:00

Greetings to all! Christmas turned out pretty well so far this year. The reason that I say that is because Megan, John and the punks will arrive on New Years Day and we get to do it all over again. I was showered with lovely gifts that I had asked for, Edwin got almost everything that he asked for and Pete got above and beyond what he asked for! (Pictures in a minute)

On Christmas Eve Jillian and Mike came over and we played UNO for what seemed to be hours. It was a lot of fun with some evil "get even" plays throughout the evening. We laughed so hard I thought that we would cry. Now for Pete's BIG gift! Yes, that's right, he got a set of drums! The black ones to be exact! The burgundy color ones are from a friend's house that were brought over in order to make the EPIC drum set! They were taken immediately to the man cave! I know it's kind of a sacred thing for guys, but I had to post the picture, therefore, you get to see the man cave, or at least part of it!

PETE IN ACTION!
I didn't get any other pictures to share, but plan to utilize all of my cameras this weekend when everyone it here. Should be lots of fun! Can't wait. Found some way cool cooking blogs that I will be adding to my favorites here after a while. Be sure to check them out. Especially the one with the baked french toast! It is to die for! Peace!

Crunch Time

2008-12-24T04:17:00.002-06:00

'Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house.....Goodness what a mess! It's been a crazy week at work. I have a ton of things to do, well, not a ton, but a sizable amount, and I'm worried sick that everything will not get accomplished. See, these things on my legal pad size list are things that need to be done so that I can enjoy my vacation after Christmas. It's mainly holiday stuff and cleaning the house, but time and energy seen to consume me and at times it seems that all of both is lost!
I had a pretty good day yesterday and got a big surprise at work. It was nearing the end of our work day and everyone started to gather around me. I told them to get back to work, and they handed me a Christmas card. When I opened it up, there was a gift certificate inside for a massage! Yes, you heard it, a massage! One half hour of complete and total relaxation in a room where my cell phone is not allowed and I can relax and get all of the kinks worked out! WooHoo! A good friend of mine also gave me a gift card to visit Old Navy! I am talking sheer heaven on earth! A massage and shopping, who could ask for anything more? I have decided that I am so fortunate to have such good people working for me. Each of them have their quirks and things don't always go as well as I would like them to because as you know, when you get a bunch of women together things can get a little crazy at times, but most of the time, things are upbeat and fun and the best thing about my job is that I don't have to work nights and weekends, and the job is challenging and it seems that there is always some sort of learning process that is involved.
So, today I am going to play Santa, in a secret sort of way. I hope that it will make some people feel good and appreciated. Nothing is wrapped, but I don't think that should matter too much.
I bought a hat several weeks ago on sale! It's awesome! I am starting to like hats a lot, especially in the winter time. I will have to do a Hat blog! My favorite is still my Elmer Fudd Hat!
Megan, I don't know if there will be many gingersnaps left by the time that you arrive! They sure are good with my morning coffee!

Worse than a child!

2008-12-18T05:37:00.009-06:00

As Christmas is only 1 week away I find myself as anxious as a child awaiting Santa's arrival, but not specifically for the gifts that I will receive, but for the gifts that I have chosen for my beloved family this year! My heart is racing due to the anticipation of said event. My heart is racing because of the plans that I have to do some nice things for neighbors and friends. Santa will come to our house this year on Christmas Eve, which he hasn't done for quite some time. This will be Pete's last big Christmas, as next year, he will no longer be a teenager, so Santa will visit one last time with a surprise! That is, if aforementioned teenager hasn't snooped! I have baking to do, gingersnaps for Megan mainly, and some new recipes that I would like to try! I am going to force myself to get all of it done too!

On one last note, please read my friend's blog! Her name is Beverly and she is travelling through Southeast Asia! Her stories and pictures really hit home as to how fortunate we are to live in such a great country. You can find the link on my sidebar! It has become an adventure to me just to read her stories and see how other people live.

Request

2008-12-17T05:05:00.002-06:00

At the request of the Carbonara clan I guess that I should update. Things have been a little bit crazy and busy here and it has made me ever so lazy too! What with work, trying to get the Christmas shopping done, making lists and checking them twice, I have not been sleep deprived at the end of the day! Matter of fact, trips to the Land of Nod have been quite early and very satisfying!
It's hard for me not to be sentimental at this time of year, what with being away from my family back home in Idaho and with Megan and John and the cutest little punks ever being in South Carolina. I miss Mother's cooking and all of the family card games and such that seemed to always coincide with the holidays. I miss seeing the wonder in the punks eyes every time that they walk into our house gazing at the Christmas tree and wondering what is in each and every package and if they will be the recipient of the "great big huge" one! I miss my teenage girls singing the "Loose Panties" Christmas song! It won't be too long until Megan and John and the punks arrive for Christmas and I have a list a mile long of things that need to be accomplished beforehand, will they get done? I seriously doubt it! I will be taking a vacation day this Friday and maybe some of those things will be done, but if there is a good "doorbuster" somewhere, that will take first priority! More later! VC

I GUESS

2008-11-06T18:34:00.002-06:00

It will be a little bit longer, between work, dental work, a freaking cold and other things where in the heck does all of the time go??? I promise pictures and a real post next time, maybe, if I'm feeling adventurous, a "word of the day"!

Good Heavens!

2008-10-30T05:32:00.002-05:00

Has it been that long?

Inquiring mind wants to know!

2008-09-11T05:26:00.002-05:00

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with a narcissistic, chauvinistic, sociopathic, controlling individual? The person in question is no one that any of you would have any direct contact with, but I really need some advice here! Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Things going OK here! This week has seemed to drag like crazy.

Our Wes lost 2 teeth in one day. He actually lost one at school and then pulled the other when he got home from school. The tooth fairy probably didn't have to pay double though because he really LOST the first one at school. On Saturday, Will is going to be 5 years old! Can you believe it? Wow, seems like the days just drag sometimes, but time is actually flying!

On haitus I guess

2008-09-03T17:28:00.009-05:00

Haven't blogged in a while, I guess because I was very nervous about our trip to Mississippi and the onset of Hurricane Gustav! Maybe I must explain that I am pretty much terrified of water, having been through a flood once in my life, so it made the trip a little more nerve racking than it should have been. The Husband's parents were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, so it was pretty much a requirement to be in attendance. The only family member that wasn't able to attend was Pete and I missed him a whole bunch. Things were going well, except for the heat and the tv station set to updates of Gustav. I didn't need a reminder. The party went well, we got to see the grandbabies, as John and Megan also travelled from South Carolina to be there. Now I want your opinion! Who could not LOVE this face?

Or this face?
Or this face?

It was so good to see all of the kids and have at least a couple of days with them. Of course, I don't need to remind you about Gustav! There was a mandatory evacuation for Jackson County Mississippi issued on Saturday. Well, the party still remained to be considered. Husband's mother was very intent on having said gathering! Well, to stay married for 50 years is a real milestone and does call for a celebration. In the back of my mind all I could think was Gustav, Gustav, Gustav. Same weekend as Katrina hit 3 years ago. Oh, lord, what had I gotten myself into? Well, needless to say, the party took place and was very nice. Here's a picture of the cake.

That's their wedding picture on top of the cake!

Here's the happy couple cutting the cake!

All in all we had a real nice time. Megan, John and kids left Saturday night after we had all eaten way too much seafood, potatoes, coleslaw, ribs, hush puppies, and biscuits. They couldn't find a motel room until they were almost to Birmingham. We left Sunday morning after Husband helped his Dad board up the house. Traffic was horrible. I have never seen so many cars with Louisiana plates in all of my life. I don't blame them though, I would have skedaddled! Sometimes we were going 20 miles and hour, and then up to 50 miles an hour. It was a long drive and we were exhausted by the time that we arrived at our front porch.

Now it's back to the same old daily grind! I will say though, that there's no place that I would probably rather be than HOME. It's nice to visit different places and see new things, but home is the best place of all.

One picture to share!

2008-08-13T16:54:00.002-05:00

for madre terra! and patience too! and anyone else that would care to look!

Break

2008-08-10T11:31:00.003-05:00

Well, it's Sunday and the weather has finally given us a little break. It's actually tolerable outside. I am off to take some pictures and going to a scary little town. I am thinking of taking a body guard with me, but since it's Sunday, hopefully, everyone will be in church and not get too curious about someone invading their little town with three cameras and a tripod to take pictures of things that I might find fascinating, but others may find a little strange. I think that this little excursion may make me feel a little better than I have been lately. Maybe it will make me feel a little productive instead of in such a rut all of the time. Too bad that it took the words and inspiration of someone that I have known for about a year to light a fire under me and get me motivated again. I know, I know, others (especially Patience) have encouraged me, but I don't know what it was this time that made me want to get off my butt and do something. Hopefully things will turn out well.
When I get home I am going to try one of "Pioneer Woman's" recipes and drink a glass of wine. This will be the third one that I have attempted, and the others have turned out great, so I know that this one will be just as good. Might have to share with some neighbors though, so look out!
Samantha, I hope that you are feeling better. You haven't blogged in a while, so I suppose that the "sickness" isn't letting up at all. To all of you in Idaho, I miss you all something terrible. Mother told me that Oakeys is having a "beast off"! Oh Lord I can't imagine! See "Finally a few free minutes" to see what the "beast" is! Too much for me to handle, but the food at this place is awesome. That's all for now!! PEACE~!

I have decided that IT'S GREAT

2008-08-04T19:39:00.010-05:00

to live amongst such music lovers! First of all, a big THANK YOU to Steve and Karen for making the weekend so enjoyable! Good friends, good food and good music always seem to go together well. Here's some pictures to prove it!

Here is the hostess with the mostest favoring us with a little tune! Awesome stuff Karen!

This is Karen's nephew Tom! He LOVES Stevie Ray Vaughn and favored us with with some awesome music!

Here's neighbor Bill! While the cat was away, the mouse came out to play.

Here's Michael helping out with some percussion!

And of course there's Ike!

And here's Charlotte singing her heart out.

Sorry, no pictures of the bread that I made or the wonderful soup that Karen made! A good time was had by all.

Have I mentioned that it's HOT here?

Well, It's Saturday

2008-07-26T17:05:00.004-05:00

and the town of Paducah is relatively quiet, considering that the Summer Festival is going on. There should be fireworks this evening and usually they are better than those that they have on the 4th of July!

Stayed up way too late last night listening to the Outlaw Hours on a local radio station with my husband, my son, and one of his friends, who seems to be a fixture at our house, but I really don't mind. We had a really good time just hanging out, listening to the music and singing along with all of the songs that we knew. Pete even got the guitar out for a spell and both he and Philip played for a few minutes. It's an awesome feeling to have such a great connection with your child. I don't know what I would have ever done had I not had Pete in my life. He will be 19 next month and that is a sure sign that I am getting nothing but old. EEK!
This picture was taken a year ago at Megan and John's wedding. Speaking of which, I totally forgot to tell them Happy Anniversary on here, and also thank them for being such great parents to our 3 grandchildren. I don't know what we would do without you guys. John is the greatest husband and father and Megan could not ask for a better person to be in her life.

Too Long Between Posts

2008-07-24T19:50:00.002-05:00

Well, here I am neglecting my poor blog again. I guess that my life is so uneventful that I really have nothing to share. I am actually thinking about changing the blog title to "Things that you really shouldn't send in to be cleaned at the local dry cleaner". This week has just totally grossed me out. I would absolutely be embarrassed by the things that I have seen this week. So, I guess that I will just rant a little about a couple of my pet peeves concerning my profession!
I don't know if any of you have read one of my long ago posts titled "Advice for the Holidays", which you really need to read, but now I have something more to rant about! I don't know what it is, maybe the hot weather, too much company during the summer, too many cocktail parties at the lake, but LADIES, when you have an "accident" please try to get the bulk of the stain out before you send it in for cleaning. I know, I know, Time Rules My Life too, but let's pay attention to what we are doing here. MEN, if you also have an accident in your drawers, just throw the damn things away and go buy yourself a new pair of pants, and I am not talking about urine here! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is what I have dealt with all week long! Is there a full moon or something? If you don't want to deal with human excrement, what makes you think that I or any of my wonderful employees do? I know I am griping, but I'm just trying to keep it real.
OK, enough of the rant! I'm glad that it has cooled down a little from the extreme temperatures at the beginning of the week. I still haven't risen early enough to get back into my routine! Told you so! I bought a skirt! Wow! What a boring person I am!!! PEACE~!

The Day I knocked the Sales Rep out!

2008-07-17T19:26:00.002-05:00

Has anyone ever ran through the forest with their eyes closed? It is with strong conviction that I advise you not to! It can cause brutal headaches! Way too long of a story to go into right now, but funny as hell!

The weekend is approaching! WOOHOO!!!

To everyone in Idaho, I miss ya'll!!!!

To everyone here, I'll see ya'll out and about although I am somewhat of a recluse these days!

Barb, where are you?

Samantha, where are you? Oh, I guess heading to Idaho right?

I might run away this weekend! About 30 or 40 miles is all, but heck, who knows, a southwest chicken panini and a bottle of Nooner sounds pretty good right now.

PEACE~!

GEEEEZ!!!

2008-07-16T18:35:00.005-05:00

Has it been that long since I have posted? Well, I guess so. Guess that I've been feeling pretty funky lately or didn't really have that much to share. Truthfully, I have been in sort of a funk and feeling very disgusted with myself. Seems that my life has dramatically changed over the last several months for several reasons that I really won't go into right now, but I will name a few. I guess the first big change was my work hours. For some unknown reason, I convinced myself that if I didn't have to go to work so early, I didn't have to get up so early. I have finally realized that I should never have done that. It has really messed up my life. Well, not MESSED UP, just kinda messed up. I should have continued getting up at 3:30 in the morning and I would feel much better than I do. See, that was my time for quiet. My alone time. The time that I could make the coffee as strong as I wanted to and not have anyone complain, and drink the whole entire pot by myself, now I'm lucky if I have time for one 12 oz. red plastic cup. The time that I could sit and work on that DAMN Sunday newspaper crossword puzzle to get my brain in gear and realize how much words fascinate me, even though it does take me all work week and I usually have to get my bible (crossword puzzle dictionary) out. So, to make a long story short, I started sleeping in until 4:30 or 4:45 or 5:00 every morning, and I have lost some sense of myself. I miss that time in the morning and how it gave me some sense of peace and time to get my thoughts together. So, therefore, being the procrastinator that I am, I am going to start getting up earlier next week.

I am rather aggravated with myself over the fact that I have not practiced my hobby of photography! There are so many places that I want to go to take pictures and I just won't do it! I don't know why! Maybe fear that I am the only one that will enjoy seeing the visual outcome of what I choose to shoot. Maybe I fear that I don't have a digital SLR that you can do so much with, but I really LOVE my film cameras! Speaking of cameras, while in Idaho, my brother gave me the camera that my dad used to take pictures with! Oh, how I wish that I could find some film for that one!

It even came with it's own fancy carrying case and 4 good flash bulbs! Now if I just had some film! Guess that I will Google it and see what I can find out!

Now how's that for a treasure?

I also need to start walking again, but it's too damn hot here! Especially after working in temperatures equal to the depths of hell all day. I need to do a lot of things, but I have also come to a depressing realization that they just are not going to get done!

On a more cheerful note, had a really good time at Philosophy Gallery last Saturday evening just visiting with friends, and we probably overstayed our welcome. But, you know how it goes when you get to talking! That is the only time that Time Does Not Rule MY life!

Wesley is finally getting his two front teeth, or so he told me on the phone!

I think that those people in Sweden kidnapped my dear neighbor, as I have not seen her since she returned home!

I am still trying to plan a little summer party/get together which will include Sangria, but it's just too damn HOT!

My husband is watching some show about RATS on the History Channel! GROSS!!!!

I miss Michael, Ashley, Gavon and Grace!

I have become addicted to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman! That's probably why I haven't posted because most of my computer time is spent reading her blog and her recipes and looking at her photography!

Had my mouth all set for some rhubarb pie, but don't know what happened to it! heehee!

Reading a pretty good book called Sharp Objects!

That's all for now folks! PEACE!

Lots of stuff!

2008-06-30T19:58:00.010-05:00

Oh, heavens will I ever recuperate? Kids and grandkids arrived one day early, so it has been an exhausting weekend for us! With family, in-laws and neighbors, the weekend was well spent! Will just post a few pictures to explain the weekend and call it good! First of all I would like to say SHAME SHAME SHAME ON the person that keeps letting their dog do this in front of my dear neighbor's house (Patience and Bill's), to be exact. They take such good care of her dogs and treat everyone's property with the utmost respect. Why can't other people be like them?

We had a wonderful time Friday night on the porch. Met a new neighbor, visited with current neighbors, and with Megan and John. John's family came over and things got a little crazy. Megan cut Pete and John's hair, once again to freak me out, and here is the end result!

Yes those are mohawks! Can't wait for them to disappear! Then came time for the grandbabies to have some fun! They found a sand pile in the alley! Oh, heavens!

We grilled out on Sunday and had a small birthday party for Wesley, who will turn 6 tomorrow!

We won't talk about the sangria on Friday night. All that I will say it was THE BEST batch that I have ever concocted! In closing here's me and Sonnie!
Yep! The mohawk's gotta go! Maybe I will get some sleep tonight! Wish me luck!

AHHHH!!

2008-06-25T19:21:00.002-05:00

Well they are coming in a day early! Kids and grandkids that is! Can't wait. They'll be here around midnight! Would someone please remind me to take lots of pictures!!

To Sierra Madre regarding your latest comment! You are welcome to join us for sangria when you make it here, but, there is one thing that you must remember. You will be in Kentucky! Redneckitis will soon set in and you won't hear the clinking of the sangria glasses, because the sangria will be red plastic cups! Ahhh! The best way to drink it! hee hee!

NOW HIRING!
Inspector position! I would be your boss. Must be able to stand temperatures equal to those in the depths of hell!! Anyone know anyone looking for a job?

PHONE CONVERSATION

2008-06-21T15:30:00.002-05:00

Last night I talked to my grandkids! They were cute as usual, but one thing really struck my funny chord. When Bailey got on the phone, I asked her what they were doing, and she stated to me, rather "matter of factly" they were just "sitting around looking at each other", with a very SOUTHERN drawl in her voice. I guess you would have had to experienced it for yourself, but it was rather humorous! I am very excited because John, Megan, and all three grandbabies will be here on Friday! Friday night, the women are taking over the man cave for chit chat and adult beverages, which will probably include sangria! It probably won't happen, cuz the man cave is a guy thing, but hey, I can dream can't I?

Changes

2008-06-17T19:37:00.007-05:00

It's amazing how much one person's life can change within the matter of a month or so. It's been kind of a sad month for me! My best friend here in Kentucky moved away several weeks ago. Maybe I wasn't her best friend, but she was also my neighbor! I have watched her kids grow, shared meals with her, did the Black Friday thing with her, shared good times at our favorite winery with her, and the list goes on. I miss their little family so much. It's like something is amiss on our block without the Cromikas being next door. To see Grace kicking her leg at Edwin through the deck and giggling and "flirting" with him, or seeing Gavon jump off of the porch at least a hundred times without getting tired, or just sitting on the porch with Michael and Ashley on a Friday night and chatting about all the crazy things in the world! I am wondering now how I am going to get along without them. I realize that change must come, and most of the time, at the most inopportune time, but life is just not the same. First John and Megan and the grandbabies move away, then Michael and Ashley and the kids! GRRRRR!!! I want all my kids back~~~!!!!!

But, the one cool thing that happened though, when Mike and Rondia (Michael's parents), brought Gavon and Grace over to tell us Goodbye, Pete and two of his friends (Phil and Paul), and Gavon and Grace played the most intense game of hide and seek that I have ever witnessed in my life. Pete is 18 and Phil and Paul are both 19, but they took this 7 and 3 year old and had a hell of a good time. They were hiding in the portable toilet down the street, in trunks of cars, anywhere that they could think of, and these older boys were serious about this stuff too! We laughed and laughed and had such a good time watching them. We also had a really nice visit with Mike and Rondia.

TOP SEVEN AT 7!

1- GOT GREAT NEW NEIGHBORS TO THE WEST, GETTING NEW NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST NEXT TUESDAY!

2- WAY COOL "HIPPIE" ARTSY VAN PARKED KITTY CORNER FROM US! MORE NEW NEIGHBORS??

3- HIRED 2 NEW GREAT EMPLOYEES AND HIRED BACK 1 FORMER EMPLOYEE, THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR VALERIE TO SOON HAVE A DAY OFF!

4- MADE SOME KILLER SANGRIA LAST WEEKEND, AND SHARED IT WITH FRIENDS! ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO! I AM GLAD THAT YOU ENJOYED IT BILL AND PATIENCE! I HOPE THAT ALL OF THE GUESTS ENJOYED IT TOO. I BET YOU ALL HAD SOME KILLER FRUIT SALAD FOR BREAKFAST!

5- TRYING TO PLAN A GET TOGETHER FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, BUT AS ALWAYS SEEMS THAT MY TIMING IS WRONG OR I AM JUST TOO TIRED TO GET OFF MY BUTT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! SANGRIA WILL BE INVOLVED, GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY, AND PROBABLY PINK PANTIE PULL DOWNS! sorry michael and ashley, gotta share the love and do it without you!

6-WESLEY WILL BE 6 YEARS OLD ON THE FIRST OF JULY! WHAT IN THE WORLD WILL WE GET HIM? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

7-THINKING ABOUT STARTING TO WALK TOO AND FROM WORK! THESE GAS PRICES AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE REALLY STARTING TO TICK ME OFF! I DON'T HAVE FAR TO GO, BUT WITH MY LUCK, AT THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF CRAZIES YOU WILL MEET. THERE WAS ONE STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF 9TH STREET WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUST STANDING THERE, LIKE HE DIDN'T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD! PEPPER SPRAY MAYBE?

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! PEACE!

SIT

2008-06-02T18:38:00.004-05:00

I like to sit! Especially after a grueling day at my work place! This was a different kind of sit! Several weeks ago, when Barb was here, she ask me to sit for her while she did an artistic view of me with pastels! It is different when you sit in front of the tv, watching your favorite program, or sit while reading a book, or sit and play a game of cards, or dice or a board game with your favorite friends or beloved family members. This was what I will call a "hard sit"! First she told me that I should wear something bright and colorful! I scoured my closet for the requested article of clothing, only to realize that I am quite a boring dresser. My closet is filled with mostly black and white clothing. Black because they say that it is "slimming", which I really need, and white, just because I like it! Only recently have I begun to purchase tans and something with a little splash of color here and there. So, I guess that meant that I had to go shopping! Oh, darn!

The experience was something very extraordinary. Sitting for an artist takes tons of concentration and most of all self control! More that I thought that I could ever exhibit! At first, yes, I took the break after 20 minutes or so, stretched my legs, went outside to satisfy my ill habit, then I was back at it! Staring at a pink post it note on Karen's wall, I willed myself to not move a muscle! The longer that I sat, the longer I wanted to sit. I found myself in some kind of weird zone, not because I wanted the whole experience to be over, but because, there was no one there that was bothering me, I didn't have to think about anything, unless I wanted to and it was pretty cool! Then Barb, the artiste!, did a bad thing! She offered to make me some coffee! I said "sure" with my closed mouth, so as not to screw up the end result! Time for a break! Went outside, came back in and the coffee smelled oh so good! I got a couple of swigs in, then that old slave driver made me assume the position once again! I sat my cup right near the front leg of the chair! It was Starbucks and it smelled so dang good, and I couldn't even take a sip! By the time that break rolled around again, it was just the right temperature for guzzling! I won't ramble on too much, only to say that this was a really good experience. It taught me a lesson about self control, in that you can really have self control when you need to! Thank you Barb and Karen for the great experience. Now to all of you far away readers, here is the end result! I love it!

PATIENCE PICTURE!

WORD OF THE DAY:

Can't help thinking about the little boy in the Dairy Queen commercial!

ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM

Main Entry:
antidisestablishmentarianism
Part of Speech:
n
Definition:
originally, opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England, now opposition to the belief that there should no longer be an official church in a country
Example:
When people are asked for the longest word they know, they often say antidisestablishmentarianism

IT'S ALIVE!!!

2008-05-28T20:17:00.005-05:00

Well, most of you know that I am alive! I just haven't blogged in quite a while. After my return from Idaho, I guess that things just got so busy and hectic that I found it hard to find time to sit down here at the computer, cruise frequented websites, check email and all of the daily things that I was used to. So, now to get back into the swing of things I'll list just a few things that I've been doing! Work, work, and more work. You know, it's hard to play "catch up" and have the feeling that you still haven't achieved the "being caught up" feeling.

Just a few things to share! On my flight back to Paducah I spent a lot of time reading. I read another Jodi Picoult novel and enjoyed it. I had a three hour lay over in Minneapolis/St. Paul and considered braving the Mall of America, but decided against it after about 2 minutes of thought. I opted to eat at a restaurant that had a bunch of micro brew beers available for tasting. I had the biggest order of nachos that I had ever seen. The beer wasn't too bad, but cost more than my food did. When I arrived in Nashville, I went to retrieve my luggage, and guess what!? It never showed up. Turned out that those Potato Heads in Idaho Falls, you know, the ones that work for TSA, had tagged by bag with the wrong flight number. I had such a feeling of panic and had to take a "calm me down pill". I went into this little office, they took all of my information and told me that they would send it via courier. I thought YEAH RIGHT, there goes my Idaho Rotten Potato VODKA, my work keys, all my underwear, and my Old Navy wardrobe! You ever had one of those moments where you just felt like you couldn't deal? Well, this was it for me! Dude assured me that the courier would be calling me to ask for directions to my house. Aforementioned PILL had kicked in by then. Whatever! I gave them my trusty cell phone number and went on my way! My friend Karen was in Nashville that day to pick up a friend of hers, Barb. Karen told the husband that she wouldn't mind picking me up also, although it was a little later in the day. When they arrived, I told them the news that my luggage hadn't showed up and they were stunned. There was some idle chit chat and such as we were leaving Nashville! Now, I must tell you that I really like Karen. She and Barb talked about artists and stuff, they were finally pulling me into conversations I guess trying to make me forget about the damned luggage! Now, I also must tell you, I really like Barb! The trip home from Nashville turned out to be one of the best nights of my life! It was just a girls night out I guess! We talked about boob jobs, husbands, hell I don't know what else, but it just felt good. Then we stopped in Clarksville to eat and ended up on some kind of adventure taking a tour of the town! We finally had to stop and ask directions to get where we wanted to go, but, had a good laugh about the "direction giver" also. We stopped at Chili's to eat and everyone of us got carded!! Woohoo! How much fun is that?!! We talked and laughed throughout dinner and then finally made it back to Paducah about 10:00 in the evening. I was exhausted! Dude from the airport called me to tell me that dude from the courier service would be calling me to ask directions to my house. I didn't sleep at all that night waiting for his call. He never did call, I must have dozed a little, but my luggage was on my front porch when I woke to prepare myself for work the next morning! Hallelujah!

WHILE IN IDAHO

I didn't take many pictures, but acquired some! Some people say that I look a lot like Mother! What do you all think?

Then I realized that none of the kids in our family look alike! What do ya'll think?

This is my brother's headstone! Couldn't find the picture that I scanned to have it inset on the headstone. But, I figured since it was Memorial Day, I may as well post it instead.
That's all for now folks! Sweet Dreams!

FINALLY A FEW FREE MINUTES!

2008-05-12T18:23:00.006-05:00

OK dear readers, I know that you have been anxiously awaiting a detailed report of how my trip went, but with some consideration for you poor things that so painstakingly read this blog, I am going to have a little feature, along with my Word of the Day, and "Patience Picture", called "While in Idaho". I figure if I do it that way, I will have time to reminisce and focus more on all of the details and share more with you, rather than just rambling on and on incessantly about the whole trip all at once.
I have decided that it is really good to be home though. It's strange how you always consider one place "home", only to reach your destination and realize that somewhere completely different is now your HOME. I will always consider Idaho home, but when I got to my HOME, it was a completely humbling feeling. It's hard to explain, but hopefully something that some of you may be able to understand.
There is so much going on here right now! Mostly the anticipation of our LowerTown Arts and Music Festival. It's over Memorial Day weekend. Word has it that 80 vendors have signed up! There will be food booths, artists selling their wares, live music and all that jazz. But, what makes it so nice is that we can sit on our front porch and listen to all of the music without having to fight the crowds. Now, don't get me wrong, it's nice to wander the streets and see people, but, there's no place like home! That's my funny for the day! It's pretty bad when you get to the point that you can't stand to wander about 2 blocks away! Maybe I am getting phobic or something. EEK!
WORD OF THE DAY: CHUFF
–noun 1. a rustic.
2. a boor; churl.
3. a miserly fellow.
PATIENCE PICTURE: SEE WHILE IN IDAHO

WHILE IN IDAHO
OK, so while I was in Idaho my whole family, well, the ones that were there ate at numerous restaurants! My brother told me about a new place called Oakey's. When Samantha and her family arrived, we all decided to eat there. It was such a cool place. Just a glorified burger joint actually! Sports stuff on the walls, guitars on the walls, record albums posted all over the bathroom walls, it was just way cool. While looking at the menu, Dustin, Samantha's true love, noticed a 20 ounce burger. He just knew that he could tackle it with no problem! The served it with a pound of hand cut fries, yes, made from IDAHO potatoes, on a trash can lid that had been turned upside down!
I told Dustin that I would give him $5 if he could eat all of it! He made a good stab at it! But, ended up taking some home in a go box!
A good time was had by all, and no one left hungry! Now here is one of the funniest pictures that I took while I was in Idaho.

OFF

2008-04-30T05:27:00.003-05:00

WELL DEAR READERS, THE FEW OF YOU THAT THERE ARE, YOU WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW THAT TODAY IS THE DAY THAT I LEAVE TO SEE MY MOTHER. WOOHOO! YOU WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW THAT I WILL ALSO HAVE SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT WHEN I GET BACK, HOPEFULLY, COMPLETE WITH PICTURES. YA'LL BE GOOD WHILE I AM GONE.

MOTHER AND QUILTS, THE VIEW FROM BELOW~!

2008-04-25T04:21:00.009-05:00

In honor of the season here in Paducah I will be talking about quilts in this post. My niece, Samantha, has evidently become quite the seamstress and has been making a lot of quilts lately. I also have a friend here in Paducah, Aynex, that is a quilt artist. She does commissions, has an Etsy store and shows her work at several galleries here in the arts district. Some of you that read this blog probably don't know about the quilt show here in Paducah. For almost one week, our population almost doubles! People from all over the world attend this quilt show and we also have a museum here dedicated to the quilter! I have been there a couple of times and it's pretty cool. I don't attend the quilt show though. I have never been to the quilt show! I have been to some of the smaller ones, but never the really big one to see the quilts that are entered each year. The prize money for the winning quilt is above 10 grand. The winner has a choice as to whether or not to take the quilt or the money. So, on with my story about Mother and quilts.

When I was growing up, it seemed, always in the winter time, Mother would put a quilt on. She would piece them all with her sewing machine, get out the big old quilting frames and it was a pretty big deal. It was pretty cool to me, because, once the quilting frames were set up in the living room, the TV was never in view from the couch or any of the furniture that we had to sit on to watch TV. I would always lay under the quilt to watch TV. It was almost like I was in a cave or something because depending on the color of the quilt it would get really dark under there. Then one day while Mother was quilting I realized how cool it was to watch her as she was stitching away with what ever design she was making. I would trace, from below, every line that she had made. If she was tying a quilt, some people here call it "tacking", I would just stick my finger up to the indentation and it entertained me for quite a few minutes. Dad would get aggravated because he couldn't see TV after a hard days work, and sometimes he would crawl under the quilt with me and my little brother. I still have a lot of quilts that Mother has made for me and they are my treasures. I will now share some pictures with you.

This is a baby quilt that my Mother made for me to give to one of my grandsons, but I just don't have the heart to give it away. The top is a crib sheet that she had saved for YEARS, one of mine matter of fact, so that tells you how old it is. Then she put the blue backing on it and then tied the quilt.
This one is a collaboration between my Mother and my sister. My sister did all of the cross-stitch work on 12 blocks, then she sent it to my mother to piece it together and quilt it. It's one of my favorites and the one that I use most often.
This is one of my favorites! I don't use it that often because it is so precious to me. Each block is done with what is called "candlewicking". Little tiny french knots every where. There is a different design on each block. It's absolutely unbelievable. Mother put MANY painstaking hours in on this one, and I am so lucky to have it.

This one is probably one of my favorite treasures. It's from my Grandmother. I will never forget the day when she asked me if I wanted this quilt whey she died. Mother and I went to visit my grandmother. We started going through her cedar chest for some reason, just looking at things that she had in there I guess, and I saw this quilt and made the comment as to how neat it was. I can't remember the story exactly, but I am thinking that HER mother had helped her make it and it had been in her cedar chest all these years. She looked at me and asked me right then if I wanted the quilt and I told her yes. It has been in MY cedar chest since it's been in my possession.

I know that my quilts aren't fancy or anything, but they really mean a lot to me. Seems like everything is so rushed these days, but every stitch made on these quilts were done by hand. Quilting has evolved into a special art and there are so many different designs and ways to do things, but these are something special!

5 MORE DAYS!

Only 8 more days and a way cool ART SHOW

2008-04-22T05:24:00.003-05:00

Yeah, only 8 more days. I had to mention that first because I am getting nervous as all get out. No, I haven't started packing yet, my trip to the airport is still up in the air, as I don't know if I am driving myself, or if my neighbor is really going to call in sick and take me. There are just way too many considerations to make and it's not good for the body, soul and mind to be in such disarray! Like, should I take both my digital camera and my film camera? Am I going to be charged extra for a second piece of luggage now that Northwest and Delta have merged? Will there be flight delays? (Delta has had a lot of problems with this lately.) Will I make my connection from one end of the MSP airport all the way to the other end on my flight there? I haven't started packing, but I do have my suitcase open and waiting to be filled up. The weather there is going to suck! Looked it up on the National Weather Service and Accuweather this morning, so I have decided that I will be doing a lot of layering, rather that carrying a coat around with me, just more to deal with and I don't need that! How many books should I take to read? How long is my mp3 player going to last? Should I even bother taking it? AAAARRRGGHH!!!! Help me out here folks!

Went to a WAY TOO COOL art show on Saturday night. The guy was pretty young and what was really cool was that it was in one of the condos down the street that hasn't been rehabbed yet. He had many different types of media to choose from, and I even bought Pete a piece of art. Will take a picture of it when dude gets a hold of me to come and pick it up. You can see pictures and more on the art show here! There may be someone you know in a picture! Anyway, that's all that I have for now. Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's off to work I go. Later!

OH, Any suggestions for my pending flight would be greatly appreciated!

FUN and FAMILY and REAL GOOD FRIENDS!

2008-04-15T18:50:00.009-05:00

Well, our weekend with the grandchildren went pretty well! It was so much fun to have them in the house for a couple of days, even though the arguing, running, screaming and all of those kid things had me on my last nerve! Thank God for the little magic pill that I am allowed to take when moments that seem too stressful seem to overwhelm me! They weren't that bad though. I did get my camera out and actually took some pictures of them WITH FILM! It's so easy today to just whip out the digital camera and snap snap snap and it's done, then if you don't like it, hit the delete button. I am very critical of myself when taking pictures and can't wait to see the finished product. I then go through and tell myself everything that is wrong with each picture, and once again assure myself that it will get better next time. Here's a few examples! I know you are all probably tired of looking at grandkids, but you will survive!

This is my Wesley! We tried to pull the other loose tooth, but it wasn't ready to budge!
William Max looks just like his Opa! He can sure eat those waffles at Waffle Hut! Miss Bailey is 6 going on 16! She loves to be primped on! She sure tells the boys what is what!

THE MOST BAD ASS BIKER GANG IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

This is Miss Grace! She like buttershlies and shlowers! She's moving to Texas soon!

This is Grace's brother Gavon! He kept the soccer balls going for afternoon play sessions with the grandkids!

Good fun was had by all. On Saturday, it was a so called Mexican Fiesta for all of us, which included dinner at Casa Mexicana with Ashley and Michael, Pete, and Phil, home made sangria (which was to die for), helicopter rides and haunted houses!

On another note, only 2 weeks until Idaho and all I know is that I better get busy!

No words for today, and there are plenty of pictures.

THE YOGA STRAP!

2008-04-11T10:46:00.008-05:00

Who would have thought that something so simple would make me feel better! I went to physical therapy again last Tuesday and man was it awesome! I got an unbelievable massage, and Emily worked on some pressure points and I am trying to throw my shoulders back where they should be. While I am working this contraption really works. It's like a long cotton strap with 2 D rings on the end and I have to throw each end of the strap over my shoulders, cross it around my back then around to the front and tighten it up. I know that it sounds weird, but on Wednesday when I came home from work I was almost completely pain free for a change, and I didn't even have to take any muscle relaxers. I did wait a little too long to rig myself up yesterday though, but made it through the day just fine.

When I got home I had 2 beautiful grandchildren waiting on me. The weather was nice and they were all out in the front yard with the neighbor kids riding tricycles! It was awesome seeing them play together like they used to all of the time. Then the third one arrived later. It feels so good right now to have them in the house, doing all of the stuff that they used to do, like running in the house, (a definite NO NO), begging for juices before they have finished the one that they are drinking, asking for treats (which they usually get and they will be full of chocolate before they leave for their journey home), being hungry 100% of the time, (and I thought that Pete was

bad!), but it's still nice to have them around! Bailey, Wesley and Will will leave tomorrow morning a little after 6 a.m. instead of 2:30 this afternoon. I washed all of their hair with my lovely grapefruit shampoo! They smelled so good! I even scrambled them some eggs! So our goal for this afternoon is to entertain 3 small children! It's kind of overwhelming, as they have never stayed with us for this long. I am too old for this stuff!! haha!

In regards to OTHER STUFF only 19 more days until my trip to Idaho! I have yet to get my luggage down from the attic like I said that I was going to or make my lists complete of everything that I want to do while I am there, although the list is started.

Also, got some news that has me rather distraught, sad, and upset, and every other emotion that one could feel in that respect. My neighbors are moving to Texas:-( They have been such good friends and we have shared so many good times with them. I will hate to see them go. It's been an awesome experience watching their children grow. They are like our second grandkids! I know that they will be back for visits, as they still have family here, but I will miss them so much.

It's kind of weird having a day off! I am finding myself wondering what to do, although these kids are keeping me kind of busy, which is a good thing!

Will post more adventures with the kids and hopefully more pictures tomorrow!

word of the day

PROGENITOR
(prō-jěn'ĭ-tər) Pronunciation Key n.
A direct ancestor. See Synonyms at ancestor.
An originator of a line of descent; a precursor.
An originator; a founder: progenitors of the new music.

PATIENCE PICTURE

SELF EXPLANATORY!

Sharing

2008-04-08T18:38:00.002-05:00

Got this in an email and thought that I would share it with everyone! Some of you know that I love words, so, I thought that this was pretty cool and needed to be posted!

Ode to English Language

An Ode to English Plurals
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice, Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice .
If the plural of man is always called men, Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen? If I speak of my foot and show you my feet, And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet? If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?
Then one may be that, and three would be those,Yet hat in the plural would never be hose. And the plural of cat is cats, not cose. We speak of a brother and also of brethren, But though we say mother, we never say methren. Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him, But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!
Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant or ham in hamburger; and neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing; grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.

We have noses that run and feet that smell.

We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.

And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
And in closing: if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

IN PREPARATION

2008-04-08T04:56:00.004-05:00

What a stupid title for a blog, but I couldn't think of anything else! Just a few things to bring up and then it's off to work I go.

Went to my first physical therapy session last Thursday. Turns out that my shoulder blades are pulled away from my spine too far. I know that this sounds kind of freaky, but that's what Emily said. She also told me that I need to learn to relax! I thought to myself, yeah, that'll happen, but I really have been trying. I go back again today at 3:00 and she is going to give me something to wear called a yoga belt. Evidently it will make me stand straighter and hopefully pull my shoulder blades back to where they need to be. At least this is the way that I understand it. She did some weird pressure point thing on my head, back and stomach, and since then I have been able to turn my head and look up at the sky, so this is a plus. I am still having problems raising my arms though. That is really a trouble spot for me, since right now, at work, the particular job that I am doing entails raising my arms all day long. I just love being short handed at work! Yesterday was awful and very painful! I even took my muscle relaxers all day and tried to relax, but, by the time that I got home I thought that I was surely going to parish! Edwin found me a huge ice pack, and I spent most of the evening on the couch. It did help a little bit, but, it doesn't feel like it's going to be such a good day.

Next, I need to BRAG on my GRANDSON! I am telling you that everyone thinks that they have beautiful grandchildren, but I have the most beautiful, cute, smartest grandson ever! Wesley spent Saturday night with us. When he arrived he came marching in just like he always does. It was so awesome just to have his presence and know that he was somewhere close. I asked him if he was going to sleep by Oma and he told me yes, but then when I got up in the morning Edwin was laying by my side and Wesley was racked out on the couch! When he woke up I asked him what happened. He said that Opa was laying by me. I told him he should have left Opa on the couch and laid by Oma. He informed me that he couldn't do that to Opa! How cute is that? On Thursday night we will have Bailey and Will come to stay the night with us. I told Wesley's dad that if he wanted to spend one more night with him he could bring Wesley back on Friday morning, but he may end up bringing him Thursday night also. Friday night, we will have all 3 grandbabies all night! Should be quite a circus around here. I hope that we aren't too old to keep them entertained. I know that we won't have a problem with them entertaining us though. I plan on making a video of Will reciting the "Stinky Cheese Man" if he's not too shy to do it. I am going to try and french braid Bailey's hair, or play beauty shop for a while, if she will let me! Actually, all three grandbabies are quite beautiful! Since they have moved to South Carolina I have missed them so much and it will be nice to spend some quality time with all of them, even though the time will be short.

Only 22 more days until I leave for Idaho. Mother has informed me that I will be working for her! Oh, goodness! I wonder what she has planned. Probably changing a light bulb or something like that! I hope it is that simple. I am so nervous and excited!

WORD OF THE DAY

VEXATIOUS
/vɛkˈseɪʃəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[vek-sey-shuhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
causing vexation; troublesome; annoying: a vexatious situation.
2.
Law. (of legal actions) instituted without sufficient grounds and serving only to cause annoyance to the defendant.
3.
disorderly; confused; troubled.

PATIENCE PICTURE

Me and Wesley being silly!

WOW

2008-04-01T05:41:00.001-05:00

30 days! Time is passing so fast! CANNOT WAIT! ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!! Seems there is so much to look forward to these days! Especially physical therapy and the hope that someday there will be menopause! GRRR!

The Stinky Cheese Man?

2008-03-29T16:48:00.004-05:00

Last night I talked to my grandbabies on the phone. In a previous post I have mentioned that Will can recite the whole story of "The Gingerbread Man". Well, somehow, someone, somewhere has changed the story now to the Stinky Cheese Man, and Will informed me that it is a book! I don't believe him though. He went through the motions of the whole story, except he said, "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?", you can't catch me cuz I'm the Stinky Cheese man!" It was the cutest thing ever. I am also happy because I am taking the 11th of April off and will get to spend time with my grandkids! They will be here for spring break and with other grandparents (Will and Bailey) and Wesley will be with his Dad. Then we get to have a slumber party with them for a couple of nights. I am really looking forward to this since I didn't get to spend much time with them the last time that they were here.

32 days until I am in Idaho! woohoo!

Oh, Bill and Patience, I am serious about the Chicken Cacciatore and French Bread! Aynex, you are more than welcome to come also, if you think that you can handle my cooking! Let's set a date OK guys?

ZONED

2008-03-27T19:13:00.003-05:00

OK, the good news is that my blood work came back normal and there are no fatal diseases lurking in my body somewhere! I was a little worried about that since Mother has had arthritis of the spine probably since the day that I was born, if not before. I don't think that I can ever remember her not having back problems or grey hair! More good news is that I will be going to see EMILY next Thursday at 5:00 in the afternoon. Until then I will continue to take the muscle relaxers that have been prescribed for me. They aren't as bad as Flexeril, as in, I don't wake up feeling like I have been on a 10 day drunk, but they did help me sleep a little better and even caused me to oversleep just a little! Another thing that was comforting to me last night was that a good friend of mine suggested an ice pack instead of heat for my back. I made the funniest looking ice pack known to man. A ziploc baggie full of ice with an old towel wrapped around it. I put it on my neck/back at different intervals and by the time that I went to bed I was completely numb! So, thank you Patience for the advice about Emily, I know that you have been telling me to go and see her for a while, but I guess I had to wait until it was just unbearable. If things work out I will make you and Bill some Chicken Cacciatore and French Bread. I know that anything will make me feel better than I do now. It's kind of strange though, now that I brought that up, I just realized how long I have been having this kind of problem. Didn't I complain about my neck and back way last summer? Then I went through the sciatica thing (for more info see the post called STEROID HELL) and knew that I was absolutely going to die. I did tell my doctor that steroids for whatever is ailing me was NOT AN OPTION! I guess that all of this is just a sign that i am getting older and need to start paying attention to what my body is telling me and get it taken care of in a timely manner. Will update on the physical therapy after it happens!

Actually, there is one more thing that has really made me feel good in the last week, not physically, but emotionally. At the end of last week there was a resume' left on the desk for me at work. I kind of read it over and was pretty impressed at the job candidates longevity at her previous jobs. There was a business card attached that said Easter Seals of West Kentucky, and the woman's name on it to contact if I wanted to interview the job candidate. I wasn't really sure about the situation, but then my husband's niece came to mind! Her name is Olivia and she is 5 and has Downs Syndrome. I thought about when she gets older and has the opportunity to join the work force after some special skills training. Then I thought about one of the salesmen that pays me visits at work and his son, who is also Downs, working at a family business in Nashville, which is the same line of work that I do. So, I thought, what the heck, I may as well set up an interview! Her case worker brought her in for the interview. When she came in to the office I saw the sweetest person in the world. She has no physical limitations at all. She is just extremely shy! There may be some other underlying things that I don't know about, but her resume' was great so I decided to hire her. When I gave her the good news she was beaming! She wanted a job where she could just work by herself and the one that I hired her for will be perfect. Today was her first day at work, and of course her case worker came with her, probably for moral support and stuff like that and she said that she had to document everything. Her case worker won't be with her tomorrow, but will check on her periodically. I have another girl that is helping with her training and I will check in on her often. What was so amazing to me was the awesome smile that I got when I told her that she had the job. It was unforgettable!

WORD OF THE DAY

FORMIDABLE

for·mi·da·ble /ˈfɔrmɪdəbəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fawr-mi-duh-buhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
causing fear, apprehension, or dread: a formidable opponent.
2.
of discouraging or awesome strength, size, difficulty, etc.; intimidating: a formidable problem.
3.
arousing feelings of awe or admiration because of grandeur, strength, etc.
4.
of great strength; forceful; powerful: formidable opposition to the proposal.

PATIENCE PICTURE

I guess I will call this on "farm life"

Massage Therapist?

2008-03-25T17:34:00.003-05:00

Well, once again, I have been stricken with the neck, shoulder and upper back thing. Another trip to the doctor, another shot in the butt, and yet, more medication. This time I hope that it helps. She gave me a new muscle relaxer because I told her that I couldn't take Flexeril, as it makes me feel like I have been on a 10 day drunk when I get up in the morning. They are also testing me for Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis! Who knew? Well, they should after the 4 huge vials of blood that were taken from me. What was really good is that my vein didn't roll when they stuck me, and I hardly have a mark there either. Now, that's what I call a professional "vampire". That's what they call her at the doctor's office where I go. My doctor also suggested that I get a deep tissue massage and then continue to get massages about every 2 weeks. So, my question is, does anyone know a good massage therapist. I would greatly appreciate your suggestions.

The roof is now done, hopefully forever.

Not much else going on.

35 more days until I am on Idaho soil!!!!!!!! woohoo!!!!

2 more weeks until GRANDBABIES! Look out neighborhood! woohoo!!!

WORD OF THE DAY

MUSCULOSKELETAL

mus·cu·lo·skel·e·tal /ˈmʌskyəloʊˈskɛlɪtl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[muhs-kyuh-loh-skel-i-tl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
concerning, involving, or made up of both the muscles and the bones: the musculoskeletal system.

PATIENCE PICTURE

I WILL CALL THIS ONE "ALIENS AT THE MOTORCYCLE GRAVEYARD"!

IN OR ON? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

2008-03-15T11:57:00.002-05:00

OK OK BE PATIENT PATIENCE! I didn't realize that I had published this until I saw the comment by my dear neighbor. I have just been mulling it over in my mind for almost a week as to how to explain what I am trying to say! So, here goes, but I will have to start from the beginning!
OK, I have lived in Western Kentucky for almost 15 years now. It will be 15 years in September as a matter of fact. I pretty much transplanted myself from a little town in Southeastern Idaho. Most of you know that I grew up on a farm, and that the nearest "city" is a place called Idaho Falls. It's a little bigger than Paducah. Well, probably quite a bit bigger by now.

When I first came here I found out rather fast what people meant by the term "culture shock". I got a job and met some nice people and I had that job for about 6 months. I didn't really get to know anyone there because it's always been really hard for me to make friends and it still is. So, anyway, then I got a job at the place where I am still employed. I finally began to make friends and learn some "southern" ways. I would hear people talk about what they cooked for dinner, and the whole time in my mind I was thinking WHAT THE HELL IS THAT! For instance, white beans! There are people who cannot survive without this staple. Where I come from, we always had what we called lima beans, but here they are butter beans, and ham hocks! Mother always made them in the crock pot and they were ever so tasty! I had never heard of POLK SALAD (I hope that the spelling is correct) and to my amazement I found out that this is actually a freaking WEED! and people wash it off and eat it! Then I heard several years later from one of my co-workers that everyone thought that I was weird! PLEASE give me a break! I don't go foraging in ditches for greens to put on my plate! and they thought that I was weird? I don't think so!!! I could go on and on about all of the differences and such, but time is of the essence!

Anyway, back to the question which also involves I guess a "southern" thing! Last Friday night my husband and I got into a discussion, not an argument, but a discussion. I was relating an incident about my day at work and to make a long story short I told him that I was tired of everyone around here saying that things are IN THE FLOOR! I quickly pointed out to him that if whatever was IN the FLOOR that it would be embedded in there! He was arguing, not discussing, with me and I had finally had enough. I got up from my chair and grabbed one of his SWEET AND LOW packets and threw it ON THE FLOOR! I then asked him if it was ON THE FLOOR or IN THE FLOOR! He then stated that it was IN THE FLOOR! GRRRRRR!!!! I am not trying to be the grammar police here, but give me another freakin' break! My question to ya'll (yeah, that part came really easy to me after I moved here) is simply is it IN OR ON?

In other news, in 1 1/2 months I will be in IDAHO! woohoo!!!

Pete is fine! Edwin is fine! Getting our roof repaired this weekend! Wesley sent me an email that said " opa oma i love you i am going to bed wesley" how dang cute is that?

WORD OF THE DAY:

ACCULTURATION

ac·cul·tur·a·tion /əˌkʌltʃəˈreɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-kuhl-chuh-rey-shuhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group.
2.
the result of this process.

PATIENCE PICTURE:

Just something weird that I have in the back yard! (Running out of pictures, need to take some more!)

Chicken Cacciatore and other stuff

2008-03-09T18:24:00.001-05:00

OK, so yesterday, while Husband and I were being extremely LAZY on the couch, we were watching Throwdown with Bobby Flay on the Food Network! His challenge was Chicken Cacciatore with some guy in New York. The whole time that we were watching, Husband kept saying how good it looked, so I thought that today, for our Sunday meal, that I would put my own spin on the dish. Actually, it turned out quite well.

The first thing that I did was bread the chicken and cook it in some garlic infused grapeseed oil! This stuff is awesome, if you haven't ever tried it, you really need to. It's much lighter than olive oil and I think that it tastes better. So anyway, I let that cook and then pulled it from the pan. Then I chopped up some red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper and orange bell pepper, added some organic chopped garlic, some chopped onion, added some chardonnay, and let it reduce so that it would get all of the good stuff off the bottom of the pan. Then I added a couple of tablespoons of flour to thicken the brew up a little bit and let that simmer for a few minutes. When that started to smell really good I added 2 cans of diced tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce, then I let that cook for a while and added some freshly sliced mushrooms. I let that simmer for about 20 minutes and then added the chicken that I had previously cooked and let that simmer for about another 15 minutes, just long enough for my rice to get done. (Sorry Bill, I couldn't do pasta this time.) This is the end result. It actually turned out pretty good and was rather tasty.

In other news we had the threat of a massive snow storm again on Friday. People still get so freaked out about this sort of weather here. I was so excited, as the weather people were calling for 4 to 8 inches or something like that. Here is the end result and it was gone by about noon on Saturday! Bummer!

This was at about 9:00 p.m. EST. It was pretty while it lasted. Not too much else going on here. OH, VERY IMPORTANT! I talked to my sister on Friday and she told me that the last time that she weighed in she weighed 187 lbs. I am so proud of her. She had the gastric bypass surgery and has been going through a lot of ups and downs within the last year. She has now hired a personal trainer to help achieve her goals. Keep up the good work Sybil! If any of you would like to send her any words of encouragement, you can get to her blog through mine on the link section.

Pete has contracted the CRUD that I had last week. Hopefully he will feel better soon. I hope that we caught it in time with meds so that he don't feel as awful as I did.

LAST WEEK WAS GRUELING!

2008-03-05T04:32:00.004-06:00

The last time that I posted I told myself that I would be more faithful about it, and here it is, almost a week later that I find myself with a few free minutes to post. It was a pretty eventful week, but not for me! See, I got the most awful CRUD and was as sick as I could ever remember being, with the exception of one time when I was in high school. Now, mind you, I don't like to be sick, I loathe it with every nth of my being! So, Wednesday afternoon when the body aches seemed to be overwhelming, and the sinus pressure got so bad that I thought that my head was going to explode, I went to the doctor. I was given a shot in the butt and some strong antibiotics, but the nurse practitioner told me that if it was viral that the antibiotics wouldn't help! I went to the pharmacy to fill them and they were 25 bucks and that was with my co-pay, for 5 flippin' pills! I told the pharmacist that they must be dandies! She informed me that it was the only medicine that was knocking out whatever is going around! Well, with that being said, I thought that I was cured for sure. I started the meds and continued to get even sicker. By Friday morning, I thought that I was surely going to expire! Then, at 3 a.m. Friday morning, my flippin' doorbell rings! Here I am sick as a dog, and someone is wanting to get me out of bed! I had a few very vulgar thoughts run through my head, as I had not slept well all week, and had a few choice words prepared for whomever was at the door. I hauled myself out of bed only to find Megan, John and the kids all standing there bright eyed and bushy tailed and the words "surprise" being uttered kind of quietly by the kids. I didn't know what to say! This was not expected and I had never felt so unprepared for anything in all my life, but then again, I guess that there was really no way to prepare myself for a surprise. I stayed up for a while with them and tried to get some more rest before I had to go to work.

I went on to work feeling so awful that I was wondering how I was going to make it through the day. At 9 a.m. I made a decision that will surprise most of you. Yes, Ms. Too Dedicated, left work and came home to be sick! I was so miserable that I couldn't stand myself. I came home, put on my pajamas, crawled into bed and really didn't leave the bed until Sunday morning. I only got up when I had to go to the bathroom, or unless I was foraging for orange juice, which I was drinking like mad and had to send special orders out several times to have some delivered to me. I think that I slept a total of 9 hours on Friday after I left work, and who knows how much I slept on Saturday, a little less, but I guess that my body needed it. My wonderful neighbors, Ashley and Michael offered up some Mucinex DM, I started taking it, and I think, but I'm not sure, that's what made me start feeling better, that, and probably the much needed rest.

Sunday morning I got up and got to spend a few hours with Megan, John, and the kids. I had missed all of the festivities and fun that took place all weekend, and I felt really bad about that, but there was nothing better than having Wesley sit on my lap, eating a cookie while laughing so hard and smearing the "goo" all over my shirt. I made a big deal about it and he was laughing so hard. It was so nice to hear his sweet voice and laughter. It was nice to watch Bailey write her letters and see how smart she is and worry about how her hair looks and such! She is such a girlie girl! Will also didn't feel well, but his sweet presence is something to behold. I just wish that I had more time to hear him recite "The Gingerbread Man" in person, rather than hearing it over the phone. He wouldn't even let me take his picture.

Well, that's enough about that. I am getting so anxious to go to Idaho to see my Mother. It's less than 2 months away and time is sneaking up on me! There are so many things that I want to take, and, so many things that I want to get while I am there to bring home with me that I really don't even know where to start. I guess that lists would be good! It's silly, but the little things bother me, like should I just take my digital camera, or all of my cameras? If I do that, then I would have to make a film purchase before I go and that would be more stuff to haul there and back. I am perplexed as to what kind of clothes to take, as they are still getting snow almost on a daily basis, sometimes at least and inch a day. I really don't own a winter coat so I guess "layering" will be it for me. Hopefully the weather will break before I head west, but I do hope that there is still an accumulation of snow upon my arrival so that I can build a snowman!

Speaking of snow, we had another awesome snow storm yesterday in the late afternoon. What's surprising is that there is still some on the ground this morning. Well, that's all for now folks. Just thought that I would give a little update, with the promise of a more entertaining and interesting post later.

WORD OF THE DAY

OBSTREPEROUS

ob·strep·er·ous /əbˈstrɛpərəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uhb-strep-er-uhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly.
2.
noisy, clamorous, or boisterous

PATIENCE PICTURES

Wesley's missing tooth! Bailey's 2 new teeth on the bottom! Like I said, Will wouldn't let me take his picture, otherwise there would be one of him posted also!

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

2008-02-24T07:26:00.003-06:00

FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY!

Can't count on it sticking around too long though, but there is always hope. Yeah, right, supposed to be 58 degrees tomorrow. I LOVE THE SNOW! There just isn't enough of it!

LIFE GOES ON

2008-02-23T12:06:00.003-06:00

Thought that I had better post something since it has been almost 2 weeks and some people, or person, namely Sybil, thinks that I am not alive. Cameron probably thinks so too since I have not produced any pictures of my house for him. I will get to it as soon as I can.

The past two weeks have been pretty up and down as far as Western Kentucky is concerned. One day it will just be COLD, COLD, COLD, the next day it will be OK, and then we get an ice storm or two to sweeten the pot. The whole town shuts down, except for Owen Cleaners, the grocery stores remain open, so that people can fight over the last gallon of milk and loaf of bread on the shelf and stuff like that. It's pretty much the craziest thing that I have ever seen. The ice does bother me, but not the snow. I would be happy if Old Man Winter were to dump a couple of feet of snow on the ground and just get it over with, but no, we have to have that stinking ICE! Seems to be pretty nice today, but I have yet to go outside to see whether or not I need to bundle up or just wear a sweater.

No big events have transpired, except for the fact that Wesley lost his first tooth! I sure do miss him and Bailey and Will.

I haven't cooked much this week! It's not that I haven't had the time, but, I feel that my creativity for creating meals has purely diminished to nothing. I am tired of cooking the same old thing all of the time. I have tons of recipe books that I have gone through, and nothing sounds good, looked at recipe websites on the internet, and nothing sounds good, etc.. I wish that all of you that read my blog would contribute some new and creative ideas with me. You do have to remember that I live with 2 men who are almost strictly meat and potato guys. Pete will try new things, but Edwin seems to be more finicky! When Bill posts a recipe for something that he has made I usually write it down and look forward to attempting to do what he does with pasta, but it probably won't be as good as his. So, does anyone have any that they are willing to share?

But, as far as the ambition to cook, I will be proud to tell you that I got up the other morning at 4 a.m. and baked a chocolate cake and took it to work.

WORD OF THE DAY! ( I know that you all have missed this little feature, well probably not, but you are going to get a word of the day anyway.)

NONPLUS

non·plus /nɒnˈplʌs, ˈnɒnplʌs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[non-pluhs, non-pluhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -plussed or -plused, -plus·sing or -plus·ing, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.
to render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely. –noun
2.
a state of utter perplexity.

PATIENCE PICTURE

This is Wesley at Megan and John's wedding last summer, I guess that he had just finally had enough! The picture is courtesy of Steve Utz, who graciously did me a huge favor, by taking pictures at the wedding and the crazy reception. I guess that I need to make him and his sweet wife Karen about 30 more loaves of bread to show my appreciation.

CHANGE

2008-02-08T18:28:00.001-06:00

Just thought I would let you all know that I had all of my hair cut off, well not all of it, but at least 6 or 7 inches.

HMMMM?

2008-02-07T05:17:00.001-06:00

As I was pondering as to what to blog about this morning, I realized that it is the 7th of February, and an old friend's birthday. His name is Harper. I stated in a previous blog that I would blog about him sometime in the future, so I guess that today will be the first one that I write about. He used to be our neighbor many years ago, and sort of became a part of our family for many years. He is single and has no family to speak of, so we kind of took each other in, as I don't have relatives that live close by, and neither does my husband. We shared almost every Sunday dinner together and many good times on the front porch watching all of the funny people go by and consuming adult beverages.

One time in particular we were all on the front porch, got a little inebriated, and decided to get out the tequila. Now, mind you, we were all a lot younger then, and a little crazy, and not so set in our ways. We were out there for hours, just doing what we were doing. The conversation had come around to music, and, Harper is a HUGE Blood, Sweat and Tears fan. He decided to go next door and crank up the stereo. Now, I am talking record player, not CD player. Well, someone, who shall remain nameless, called the law on us. We were just sitting there having a good time, having our cocktails, and the police pulled up. Harper had gone next door to switch up the record. The officer approached us and stated that we were making too much noise. He had drawn his gun and headed over to Harper's house after we had explained to him what we were doing and that we would go over there and tell him to turn the music down. The officer told my husband that he would not be allowed to enter Harper's house because he may be dangerous. He drew his weapon and started to go into his house. I could not believe my eyes. This was my neighbor and my friend and he absolutely did not pose a threat to anyone! He was just a little tore up and was way into his music! To make a long story short, the officer then realized that he was not a dangerous man, that we were just having a good time, but he did ask that we cut the music. We did, but soon after that said our good nights and went to bed. It wasn't so humorous then, but after the fact we did get a few chuckles out of the situation. So, Happy Birthday Harper, and thanks for all of the good times, the talks, and your wisdom. You are truly a character. I know that you don't come by as often as those days gone by, but you are still in my thoughts almost every day. "God Save the Child"

PATIENCE PICTURE: another montage that I have titled "STACKS"

WORD OF THE DAY: MALADROIT

mal·a·droit /ˌmæləˈdrɔɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mal-uh-droit] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless: to handle a diplomatic crisis in a very maladroit way.

THE PAST WEEK

2008-02-02T15:52:00.000-06:00

Has been rather uneventful. Just work and home and things like that. It has been so nice to be able to work 40 hours a week and get home at a decent time and feel like a human being instead of feeling like a slave to my job. I still have tons of things to do here at the house that I am not doing though. It's kind of hard to get back into a routine, while working 40 hours a week, when I used to work 50+ hours a week. Hopefully, I will get used to it soon and be able to get some housework done once in a while.

I can't quit thinking about going to visit my Mother though. I am so excited, but not looking forward to flying alone clear across the United States. I have done it before, and I guess that it's nothing that several good books and my mp3 player won't cure. I hope that someone there will let me use their computer to recharge my tunes for the trip home. And, another problem has me perplexed. I don't know how I am going to get to Nashville for the flight out. I guess that I will take the car and leave it in one of those parking lots, but I really don't want to do that, and I really don't like driving to Nashville. Any suggestions from anyone as to where the best place to park my car would be appreciated! I hope that everything will work out though.

Kids are all fine. Megan just got back from a business trip to Greenville, South Carolina, where she did several days of training, which left John to take care of Wesley, Bailey and Will while she was gone. I bet that was a trip! Jill is still working and has a new man in her life. Pete is still going to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He's also still working part time, which gives him a little spending money and that helps us out a lot.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday, and I will be making my usual fare of lasagna, layered taco dip, and Pete is going to make his Hot Wings. Gotta root for the Giants, because, I always root for the underdog. So, Go Giants.

Patience Picture- It's a coneflower that blooms on one side of our house.

WORD OF THE DAY

MERETRICIOUS

mer·e·tri·cious /ˌmɛrɪˈtrɪʃəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mer-i-trish-uhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry.
2.
based on pretense, deception, or insincerity.
3.
pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute.

WOOHOO!

2008-01-25T05:25:00.001-06:00

In 3 months and 4 days I will be leaving the city of Paducah! I am going to see my Mother, my sister and my brother. Words cannot express how excited I am! It has been 4 years since I have laid eyes on my Mother, even though I call her every day to check on her, it's just not the same. I am so looking forward to just being with her for a while, and my brother and sister also. What excites me the most, is that it seems to be something of a tradition that every time that I go there we go through some of Mother's "junk". Well, some of it is junk, but mostly it's treasures. Pictures, pictures and more pictures, old linens that my grandmother made, all of my mother's recipe books, stuff like that. Speaking of recipe books, there is one that she has that is absolutely AWESOME! While my brother and I were young she kept all of our used notebooks from school. She would buy magazines like Woman's Day, Family Circle, and Good Housekeeping, and always, Better Homes and Gardens, cut recipes out, and glue them to the pages in the used notebooks. She has one "recipe book" that is simply a loose leaf binder, covered with contact paper (ugly contact paper at that), with recipes glued to every single page. The last time that I saw it, the damn thing wouldn't even close. That is by far my favorite one to look at. There are some really old recipes in there, as she had that one before I was even born. Maybe that's why I love recipes, any one have any that they would like to share? I can always use more.

So that's my exciting news for the day. Ya'll have a good one, and another WOOHOO! IT'S FRIDAY!

WORD OF THE DAY!

MAUDLIN

maud·lin /ˈmɔdlɪn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[mawd-lin] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental: a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog.
2.
foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness

I WISH THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN THE GENIUS!

2008-01-23T18:32:00.001-06:00

I don't know why I couldn't have thought of it! What a concept someone has conceived! This evening while I was in the shower it hit me that it's funny how many different scents for different things there are nowadays! In my shower I have PINK GRAPEFRUIT shampoo and conditioner, MANDARIN and GRAPEFRUIT body wash, GREEN APPLE shampoo and conditioner. I have PINK GRAPEFRUIT body spray, and WILD CHERRY and NUTMEG body spray. In my kitchen I have DAWN GREEN APPLE scented dish soap, BASIL, BLUE SAGE, and ROSEMARY dish soap (thank you Patience! It is awesome! and yes, I do just walk by and smell it sometimes), and CINNAMON and CLOVE BUD air freshener! I also have one of those burner things, I can't recall the technical term right now, where I light a tea candle, and I have some CLOVE OIL that permeates the air when it heats up!

WORD OF THE DAY

FALDERAL
fal·de·ral /ˈfældəˌræl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[fal-duh-ral] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
mere nonsense; foolish talk or ideas.
2.
a trifle; gimcrack; gew-gaw.

Just something to write about!

2008-01-22T18:23:00.000-06:00

And most of you won't really give a crap, but, Cameron, I expect a comment from you and Sybil, I expect one from you also, since you all never leave comments. My faithful "commenters" are my dear neighbors! Samantha you can comment also! Mike too! Randy too! Doesn't matter, just leave me some comments so that I know that you all are alive and kicking! OK, so here's the weird post! I am going to share with all of you what is on my beloved mp3 player! They won't be in any specific order either! I will just list the artists, as it would take WAY too long, and TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, to list all of the songs!
ABBA
AC/DC
B52'2
BETH HART
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
CHER
DAMIEN RICE
DEVO
MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
MEATLOAF
MERLE HAGGARD
NEIL DIAMOND
NEIL YOUNG
PAT BENATAR
QUEENSRYCHE
RUSH
RUTHIE FOSTER
SMASHING PUMPKINS
STYX
TALKING HEADS
THE CARS
THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS
THE HOLLIES
THE SWEET
TODD RUNDGREN
TOM WAITS
KANSAS
That's the list for now, but I reserve the right to change it at any given time. Oh, and there's also all this pre-loaded crap that really ticks me off, because I can't really figure out how to get it off!
I guess that I will have to have my son remove it for me! Well, no I can figure it out! What better way to learn!

WORD OF THE DAY
LOQUACIOUS
lo·qua·cious /loʊˈkweɪʃəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[loh-kwey-shuhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous: a loquacious dinner guest.
2.
characterized by excessive talk; wordy: easily the most loquacious play of the season.

THIS OLD HOUSE!

2008-01-19T18:29:00.000-06:00

I am a faithful reader of Bill Renzulli's blog and as a result have been doing a lot of thinking. He has been writing about when he and Patience moved here and the mess that the neighborhood was. Most people don't know that we have lived here in LowerTown for the past 15 years, or at least I have. We were here when it wasn't such a good neighborhood and have seen the progression that has taken place since all of the artists have moved here. It has been a bit harrowing at times, with home inspections and such, but has been well worth it to me. See, a couple of years ago, my husband really wanted to move, and move bad. I was kind of wishy-washy about it, because I really didn't want to leave the home where I had raised 2 step-daughters and my son. It was really the only place that he had ever known, and I hated taking that away from him. Not that he wouldn't have learned to be happy somewhere else, but I really love this house, so, in my mind, that was the excuse that satisfied me, and though I shared it with no one, my husband relented to stay here. Now comes the kicker! He said that he wasn't going to live here without fixing up the house. We had already remodeled the bathroom once, and that was a real pain in the ass! The thing that I remember most about that time was the fact that we had a really good neighbor at the time! Harper Stackhouse is his name, and most of you locals probably know him, but, anyway, he said that it wouldn't be a problem if we were to use the shower while we were without one. So, most of you know that I have a job where EXTREME temperatures really take a toll on the body, and all that I wanted to do was hit the shower when I got home. To this day, I still wonder what all of my former neighbors thought when they saw me running across the lawn in my red terry cloth robe, and a towel over my hair. Anyway, it was quite humorous! I have a lot of good memories of times with Harper, and maybe I will share some of them sometime. Anyway, the next time that we remodeled the bathroom it was much better, but a little harrowing. I thought that things were going well, until one day when I came home only to find that I had NO FLOOR in my bathroom at all, the dudes were standing in the basement looking up at me when I came home. The floor joists were completely rotten from previous leaks (before our tenure here) that had not been properly repaired, so they had to rip the whole floor out and start from square one! It took a little longer that expected, but the end result was well worth it. Darryle Sosa is probably one of the best tile guys around and has done several projects here in LowerTown that are quite noteworthy. The most recent remodel project was the kitchen and I really hope that I never have to go through that again! We started the project on Pete's birthday of 2006! The guy from Kitchens Incorporated was supposed to meet me here one morning at 9 in the morning to take measurements. I came home only to find that the demolition crew had beat me here! I walked into what used to be favorite room in the house, even though it was the coldest room in the house and needed so much work, only to find that every memory that I had, all of the good times, family meals, roll making, beer drinking, and such, had just gone down the shitter! In my mind I knew that the end result was going to be better, but damn, all of the memories seemed to escape with every blow of the sledge hammer! I started to cry and I am sure that Mr. Measurement guy thought that i was a real FREAK! It's funny how you can become so sentimental about such simple things, but that kitchen really meant a lot to me. Things progressed pretty good, until one day, I came home and there was NO BACK TO MY HOUSE! No walls, no nothing! I felt like crying again! When was all this crap going to end? I was ticked at my husband for putting me through all this, ticked that I couldn't cook a meal, ticked that my life as I knew it was over for the time being! See, men just don't understand, or at least the one that I am married to, that if you take away a woman's kitchen, you have taken away half of her life! It's not that I cook a meal every day or anything, but the kitchen is where I usually went to find some sort of solace, or just a place where I could be alone and think or read or do a crossword puzzle, because no one else really ever went in there. So, to make a long story short, or longer, the foundation had a huge hole in it that the previous owner had knocked out to run extension cords and such so that also had to be repaired, I guess that it needed to be done. Then there was the cabinet issue, and i won't even go there right now, because if I do, I will be boiling mad by the time that I finish this blog! Anyway, 3 months later, on Christmas Eve of 2006 was the first time that I was able to cook in my new kitchen! The first neighbors that I invited to see the kitchen were the Renzulli's, along with friends, Dee and Lee! And of course, the Cromikas! I was scared to cook in it the first time, but hey, it was Christmas Eve and a gal has to do what a gal has to do! Probably one of the best Christmases I can remember, and probably one of the best gifts that my husband has ever given me was and up to date kitchen with all of the amenities, and I got my KitchenAid mixer that year also! What a year it was! The next project was my son's room, the front room and the living room, or den! In the front room we put in a whole new ceiling and hopefully, someday, will knock all of the plaster off the walls and put in sheet rock, but the best addition to that room was the gas logs in the fireplace, but my husband and I have had no time for romance in front of the fireplace! In the den we also closed off doorways, as we did in the kitchen, and had a custom built space for the armoire where we keep the TV and such. It's been a lot of work, but well worth the outcome. I love this old house! I love its character, its color and everything about it. I will write more about other aspects of the house, and some good times and probably some bad times at a later date. We aren't near finished with everything that needs to be done, but I am happy here and intend to stay for a long time. Also, I am grateful to my neighbors that have come here to pursue their dreams and make my neighborhood a better place.

WORD OF THE DAY!

UNGUENT

un·guent (ŭng'gwənt) Pronunciation Key n. A salve for soothing or healing; an ointment

WONDERING

2008-01-17T05:21:00.000-06:00

I don't know why, but this has been on my mind a lot as of late. Maybe it's the start of the new year, which brings around taxes, taxes, and more taxes. I would just love it if someone would explain the tax system, or whatever you would want to call it, here in Kentucky! For instance, why, while we live in the city of Paducah, should we be burdened by paying both CITY taxes, and COUNTY taxes, while those living in the county only have to pay county taxes. Isn't their mailing address PADUCAH also? I have never understood that. Why is there no tax on food when you go to the grocery store? Wouldn't that help the economy a little bit and generate more revenue for the state? Why do they take city tax out of my paycheck? It isn't much, but I still don't understand it! Maybe the reason that I am so confused is because I come from a state where there is a food tax, we are not taxed on the value of our vehicles every year, they don't take city taxes out of paychecks and so forth and so on. I posed this question to someone yesterday and I got accused of having a REPUBLICAN point of view. I stated that was not the problem, it was just something that I really don't understand, and that I would just like for someone to explain it to me. Any takers?

WORD OF THE DAY (on my brother's advice)

CONUNDRUM
co·nun·drum /kəˈnʌndrəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuh-nuhn-druhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
a riddle, the answer to which involves a pun or play on words, as What is black and white and read all over? A newspaper.
2.
anything that puzzles.

MY HUSBAND HATES NEIL DIAMOND!

2008-01-12T14:19:00.001-06:00

Ok, as for the Neil Diamond stuff, we'll get to that later, as for now, just a few updates of what's been going on in probably the busiest week of my life as to date. Well, maybe not, but it sure seemed like it!

First of all, I want to tell everyone how proud I am of Jillian. She is my 26 year old step-daughter, (but let me clarify to everyone, that both her and Megan are both more like daughters than step-daughters, simply because I came into their lives when they were very young and I was young also!), that has been living with us since the day before Thanksgiving. She has been through living hell with her marriage and her own personal hell as well. I took a chance and hired her to be one of my employees and to make it even more weird, to take over my previous job as a shirt presser. She has been doing really well and excelling every day. I also found that I could count on her when I really needed help, as I had to call her back to work the other day, when I was in a mess, she was in the tub, but came back directly to help me finish that task that I needed to complete. Anyway, we drug test all of our employees, and after her years of drug use, her test came back 100% clean. She is also going through some sort of self evaluation, which is hard, but really making an effort to get her life back together. She is attending Narcotics Anonymous meeting on a daily basis. She has also decided to make some changes in her personal life that I won't publish, but I was so glad and relieved to hear that she is really serious about that aspect of her life. It actually feels like she is part of our family again, after being somewhat separated from her for years. So, welcome back Jillian, and if any of you local bloggers see her out and about, give her a big hey!

Megan, John and the kids are also doing well. Megan has started working again after about a year and 1/2 of not working. She is working for a big paper company in South Carolina called Bowater. She has a lot of excitement in her voice, which I haven't heard for a while, and seems to be so glad to be back to work. She will also be having other opportunities with this company that involves travelling to other states and I am so jealous! WOOOO!! New York would be awesome and so would Canada. John is loving his job as well, and especially the part that he doesn't smell like a pork shoulder every night when he comes home. He is learning to be a pipe fitter and really likes it and all of the people like him as well, but who wouldn't like John! He is the model for a GREAT SON-IN-LAW! The kids are all doing well, growing like weeds, and doing great in school. I sure do miss them though.

Yesterday I registered Pete for his second semester at WKCTC. It was the last day for registration, so there were slim pickings on the classes. He has some harder classes like, THE ETHICS OF WAR AND PEACE, GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY, INTRO TO MUSIC, and WRITING II. I really hope that he excels and makes good grades this semester. He does love the "college" scenario better than the "high school" scenario though. And of course, he still loves his music, and times are rare when he doesn't have a guitar in his hands just picking or strumming at it or something. He doesn't even know how proud that I am when I hear him playing the guitar, and that he is talented enough to just hear of figure out a tune without much effort. I always had such a hard time memorizing a piano piece, and learning to read music. His work schedule has been cut to two days a week at the laundromat, and he is still doing rugs at the plant, and I will also be able to call him in for various other jobs as I need him, IF he's not too busy studying.

OK, now as to the reason why my husband hates Neil Diamond! I really don't know! Who in the world could hate Neil Diamond? He says that he just hated all of the "pop" stuff that we grew up with, but who could hate Cracklin' Rosie or a live version of "Holly Holy"? Or, songs like "I Am I Said". It is just beyond me! Well, years ago, when my sister came to visit me we were talking about music. I used to love fooling around with her record player! I would stack those 45's up and just let them play and play. Well, I don't know what resources she had, but one day she came home with this album. It was Neil Diamond Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and I am here to tell you that it is the most awesome thing ever. Even now, years later, I still listen to it, and am listening to it now! The orchestration is awesome, and if you have ever read the book by Richard Bach, well, that's all that I need to say! If you don't have this CD or have never heard of it, I encourage you to find it somewhere because it's definitely something that just makes you feel peaceful and it's something that you can just kick back and relax to! Every time that I play it, it also makes me think. I don't know why, it just does! Oh, the picture is for my sister just because I told her that I would post one. By the way, the earrings are JULIE SHAW originals. I got them for Christmas and I love them. The photo was taken after a hard day at work. I usually try to not look so CRAPPY!

WORD OF THE DAY!

ESCHEW

es·chew /ɛsˈtʃu/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[es-choo] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object)
to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid: to eschew evil.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS!

2008-01-03T03:50:00.001-06:00

Can you believe that it is 2008? Where has the time gone? I have and 18 year old son, and 2 step-daughters ages 26 and 24 and 3 grandbabies ages 6, 5, and 4. It seems surreal to me that I have lived here in Kentucky for so long and that the kids are so old now. I won't dwell on that though.

We had a pretty good new year. Pretty uneventful and quiet, but nice. We did Christmas with our neighbors on New Year's Day because they were out of town on Christmas. I got the most awesome POUR SPOUT for my KitchenAid mixer (from Ashley and Michael and Pete) and a purse that I was looking at one day while shopping with Ashley. What was funny was that I got her the purse that she was looking at the same day. Before we traded gifts we ate Colaches (don't know how to spell this one and don't have a Spanish dictionary), drank Mimosas, visited and just had a good time. Then after we opened gifts, we played a game of Apples to Apples. If you haven't played this game you really should get it. We had a bunch of laughs until we were all worn out. Gavon even helped Pete play while Grace was napping in the middle of the living room floor. I guess that it was all just too much for her.

I made bread the other day! French Bread! I made a regular loaf and I also made a Sun-dried tomato and Basil loaf. They turned out pretty well. I shared those with some different neighbors who are on my blog list! It really makes me feel good to do things for other people. I just wish that I had the time and resources to do it more often.

I don't feel too insightful this morning. My hair is FULL of static, my lips are chapped, I am tired and so this will be very short and sweet.

WORD of THE day!

SUBJUGATE

sub·ju·gate /ˈsʌbdʒəˌgeɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suhb-juh-geyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object), -gat·ed, -gat·ing.
1.
to bring under complete control or subjection; conquer; master.
2.
to make submissive or subservient; enslave.

Just a picture and a word!

2007-12-31T04:35:00.000-06:00

WORD OF THE DAY!

ELUCIDATE

e·lu·ci·date /ɪˈlusɪˌdeɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[i-loo-si-deyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -dat·ed, -dat·ing.
–verb (used with object)
1.
to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior. –verb (used without object)
2.
to provide clarification; explain.

REST?

2007-12-27T06:32:00.000-06:00

I will start this morning with the word of the day, but first I need to explain! I am taking two vacation days, with one vacation day still owed to me, which I will take next month some time. So, anyway, I lay awake in bed, hoping that I can go back to sleep, but that just isn't going to happen. I get up and go outside in the brisk weather, in my slippers and sleeping clothes, which made it even brisker, to get my newspaper. I read a couple of articles, letters to the editor and such and then find my trusty pencil so that I can do the morning crossword puzzle. (I do crosswords in pencil because my Mother told me to never use a pen in case you have to erase something. If you can use a pen, you are just entirely too smart.) There I am, getting my brain exercise and come upon the weirdest clue that I have ever had. The word of the day is:

BACCHANAL

bac·cha·nal /n. ˌbɑkəˈnɑl, ˌbækəˈnæl, ˈbækənl; adj. ˈbækənl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[n. bah-kuh-nahl, bak-uh-nal, bak-uh-nl; adj. bak-uh-nl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
a follower of Bacchus.
2.
a drunken reveler.
3.
an occasion of drunken revelry; orgy; bacchanalia. –adjective
4.
pertaining to Bacchus; bacchanalian.

I grab my trusty Crossword puzzle dictionary, and it gives two possibilities. One of them is orgy! I am thinking what the hell kind of word is this to put in a puzzle. Well, of course, orgy doesn't fit into the spaces that I need to fill, so I just go on about my business and try to fill in more spaces, especially now that I have my trusty helper out. I try to work it for a while, but the word bacchanal is really bothering me and I think, man, that will be my word of the day. Actually, it's a pretty good word, and one that probably a lot of people don't know, except for those that are able to do crossword puzzles in pen.

In other happenings, there is not much going on. Christmas with the grandkids, John and Megan turned well, but kinda hectic and crazy, in a good way. I was sad to see them go, but I know that they needed to get back to their lives. Bailey and Wesley are in kindergarten and getting smarter every day, and Will is in a day care that also has a pre-school. Wesley can count in French and Will can count to 5 in Spanish. That was pretty impressive! Bailey is starting to sound out words and such, so they are doing well.

Ever since Sunday, when we did our Christmas, I have been thinking that the most horrible job to have would be a garbage man! I guess that the politically correct term is trash collector or something like that. I mean, I would really hate that job! It would probably seem that with a somewhat mundane job, the work load would double or even triple in less than a week. So, KUDOS to all of the hard working people in the City of Paducah that have this job, for cleaning up my trashy mess after the holidays! If you know any of them, tell them thanks for me. I don't know any trash collectors, but I am sure that they rarely hear thank you! Maybe I'll leave them something on top of the trash bin, but I would be afraid that it would get thrown away.

Two days off and what will I do? I can tell you what I AM doing! Laundry! How freakin' ironic is that? Anyone out there wanna give me a break? Just holler at me! Maybe a glass of wine, beer, or just chit chat for a while? Won't be much of a rest! On a final note, I guess that it's like my Mother says, "No rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need any!" Wonder which category I would fall into.

Oh, by the way, one of my most favorite pictures that I have ever taken.

Exhaustion!

2007-12-24T04:15:00.000-06:00

I am completely and totally exhausted! I am going back to work today in hopes of getting some rest. I hope that we will be done early though so that I can come home and take a nap. You would think that I would be rested after going to bed at 7:30 last night, but I guess that it wasn't enough. We have had a great time with Megan, John, Wesley, Bailey and Will. We did our Christmas yesterday, but it kind of made me feel out of sorts. It's been absolutely nuts in the household with 5 extra people staying here, but the time has been well spent and it's always nice to have your family around you. Saturday evening and Sunday morning, I spent my time cooking all of the things that we usually have for Christmas. I did a ham, homemade rolls, tons of gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies, and several different appetizer type dishes. By the time that all of that was done, I was done also. (Thanks to Jill for all of her help.) We opened some gifts and we all got some really nice things. I got 2 pair of really cool shoes! One pair is red! But, anyway, I didn't take one single picture of anyone or anything, BAD ME, but who had the time?
Tomorrow, Edwin, Pete, Jill and I will do our Christmas after we have all had coffee and stuff, then I will be on vacation until the 31st of December. Now, that doesn't mean that my cell phone won't be ringing like crazy, but I really am going to try and rest my body and my mind starting this afternoon.
Mother, Cameron, and Sybil, I love you guys with every nth of my being and really wish that I could be there with you guys at this time of year. It just seems that it's never in the cards for me though. I hope that you all try and have a good Christmas and play some cards and laugh and all that stuff. Samantha, I love you too and I know that you will have a lot of fun considering that you have 2 young ones that still believe! The looks on those young faces on Christmas morning will be priceless.
Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention the fact that my car won't start! Maybe Pappy will work on it today! Just my luck!

WORD OF THE DAY:

I see this word in crossword puzzles all of the time, I guess that it's time that I learn what it means so that I can fill in some blanks!

ERSATZ
er·satz /ˈɛrzɑts, -sɑts, ɛrˈzɑts, -ˈsɑts/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[er-zahts, -sahts, er-zahts, -sahts] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
serving as a substitute; synthetic; artificial: an ersatz coffee made from grain. –noun
2.
an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine; a substitute.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

I REALLY HATE CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

2007-12-20T04:31:00.000-06:00

It's been a hell week so far at work. I really mean what I said in the post title. Now don't get me wrong, I love Santa and all that jazz, in fact I have renamed my living room, front room, or whatever that room is with the Christmas tree in it "Santa Hell" because of the collection of Santas that I have amassed. But, I just don't understand the point of having a sweater that you can only wear once a year for about a month. Don't get me wrong, I love clothes and am a shoe freak, but those things are really getting on my nerves. I have seen so many of those things this week that I think I am going to puke. I have seen them with little tiny Christmas lights on them, jingle bells on them, an actual Santa beard on them, sequins, glitter, you name it. Yeah, I know, I was trying to get back in the Christmas spirit, but these things are absolutely ridiculous! Maybe I shouldn't be so anal about it because it is Christmas, or maybe I'm just tired. Maybe I should change my attitude and think of it like the "little black dress" saying. You know the one that goes "every woman should have a little black dress", and say "every one needs a Christmas sweater", well, I don't need one and don't want one, but I do have a little black dress, and it's not so little. I prefer red anyway.

So much for my ranting, on a lighter note, in less than 24 hours my GRANDBABIES will be here! I am so excited to see them! We will do our family Christmas on Sunday and they will head home to South Carolina! It just won't be the same without them here for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Won't be the same without Megan and John here either.

Picture is from Christmas last year. Sorry about the red eye!

WORD OF THE DAY! SOLICITOUS

so·lic·i·tous /səˈlɪsɪtəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suh-lis-i-tuhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
anxious or concerned (usually fol. by about, for, etc., or a clause): solicitous about a person's health.
2.
anxiously desirous: solicitous of the esteem of others.
3.
eager (usually fol. by an infinitive): He was always solicitous to please.
4.
careful or particular: a solicitous housekeeper

Gift

2007-12-19T04:39:00.000-06:00

Last night I made a gift for a young friend of mine. A couple of weeks ago I took her and another friend of mine to the art galleries for Second Saturday. That's when the galleries stay open a little bit later to allow more folks to come and peruse their wares and such. She was so impressed. She's a very creative person and loves art and music, and she really enjoyed herself on top of that. So, I tried to put my creative mind to work and made a montage out of a couple of slides that I did during photography class. (Thanks to Beverly!) I didn't get to watch TV, or scratch my husbands back, but I feel that the time that I spent working on it gave me a good feeling. I will put it in a frame that I bought at Michael's and hope that she likes the outcome.

WORD OF THE DAY!

sub·lime /səˈblaɪm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[suh-blahym] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation adjective, noun, verb, -limed, -lim·ing.
–adjective
1.
elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry.
2.
impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc.: Switzerland has sublime scenery.
3.
supreme or outstanding: a sublime dinner.
4.
complete; absolute; utter: sublime stupidity.
5.
Archaic.

Simple word for the day!

Christmases Past

2007-12-18T04:25:00.001-06:00

My Christmas spirit is disappearing. I don't know what's wrong with me. Well, I do know part of the problem, but that is another post, which probably won't be written. So, instead of wallowing in the muck and mire, and trying not to become a horrible grinch, I have been trying to think of something to "light my Christmas fire", and it has nothing to do with mistletoe, so get your minds out of the gutter!
While growing up, I had the greatest parents you could imagine. Christmas was always the best time! There was ALWAYS at least a foot of snow on the ground, Mother was always making homemade fudge, homemade caramels, tons of wonderful goodies, and of course baking that EVER DREADFUL fruitcake! Of course, there were still chores to be done where Dad took charge. I particularly remember one Christmas when me and my little brother, Cameron, thought that we were going to outsmart Santa. We had been looking forward and planning for a couple of days. The only heat that we had came from a propane stove and it sat right in the living room, underneath the stairs that led upstairs to our rooms. So, the plan was, that we were going to make camp, underneath the stairs, near the stove, so that we wouldn't freeze to death. Bedtime came and our parents agreed to let us do this, probably because they knew that we wouldn't last too long. So, there we are, blankets and pillows on the floor, (why we didn't opt for the couch I do not know), and ready and willing to lay there and wait for Santa to come popping down that chimney through the stove pipe, and magically out into our living room through the vents in the front of the stove where the heat came out. I don't know if this is what Cameron thought, but I sure did believe it. We left the Santa treat near the stove, so that if we did happen to fall asleep we would hear him and it would wake us up. I couldn't tell you what happened or why, but the next thing that I knew I was awake, the treat for Santa was gone, there were gifts everywhere, I was warm, but my body was oh so stiff and sore, I guess from sleeping all night on that hardwood floor. I don't know why my parents didn't carry us up to bed after we konked out, probably to teach us some kind of valuable lesson, like don't wait up for Santa!! I think that on Christmas Day that year we played endlessly in the snow! We did that a lot though. Well, off to work I go! Oh, almost forgot, the WORD OF THE DAY IS: SPURIOUS (rhymes with furious!)

spu·ri·ous /ˈspyʊəriəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[spyoor-ee-uhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit.

AARGH!

2007-12-17T19:09:00.000-06:00

WORD OF THE DAY IS CAVEAT! CAVEAT CAVEAT CAVEAT! I shouldn't need to say more!

ca·ve·at /ˈkæviˌɑt, -ˌæt, ˈkɑvi-, keɪ-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kav-ee-aht, -at, kah-vee-, key-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
a warning or caution; admonition.

Have you ever realized that a yellow light is a caveat? Weird! Pain is a caveat! That sinking feeling you get in your gut that moves to the bottom of your toes is a caveat! So many caveats, so little time.

This Random Game

2007-12-15T07:05:00.000-06:00

OK, so, as I said in a previous post, my kids all have the myspace account and all of that stuff. Well, I ventured there this morning to see what my daughter had to say and found that I had been tagged. So, now I have to do this ten random things about myself, but I told her that I would do it on my own personal blog-space and not on myspace. I'm sitting here thinking about what to write because she said that I would have some quote random facts unquote, about myself. Mind you, I will NOT reveal all little secrets, just some things that people may or may not know about me, they may or they may not be random. So, here goes.

#1- When I was six years old, my Dad pulled my first tooth.He took a piece of thread, tied it around the tooth, gave it a yank and I blacked out! Whacked the back of my head on the hardwood floor and I had a huge knot there for a week.

#2- My favorite season is winter. Not so much here in Kentucky, but if I were in Idaho, what fun I would be having in the snow.

#3- I used to weigh almost 300 pounds.

#4- Give me a bowl of refried beans, cheese melted in them and a bag of tortilla chips and I am pretty happy for a while!

THIS IS HARDER THAN I THOUGHT!

#5- I grew up on a dairy farm in Southeastern Idaho, so yes, I know how to milk a cow.

#6- I had a Saint Bernard when I was growing up and his name was Irving.

#7- One of the best days of my life was several years ago when my Mother (80 yrs. old at the time) rode the tram to the top of the Teton Mountains. It was an awesome day! She just sat around and looked around while we hiked around, took pictures, and stuff. She was truly amazed to be up that high! Some older people would have stayed below and not taken on the adventure. My brother and sister were there that day also, so it made for a really good day.

#8- It amazes me to watch Pete play the guitar.

#9- Caramel is better than chocolate.

#10- I am homesick most of the time.

Those are my random things. Now for the "word of the day". It's not really a word, just something that came up in conversation last night. I thought that I was going to laugh myself sick over it. How the word came about is yet another story that could take forever to explain.

I don't even have a definition for it, but you all will understand!

The word is REDNECKER. The sentence it was used in is as follows: The cage fighting at Murray, was MORE REDNECKER, than the cage fighting at the Big E!

I really don't need to dwell on that one.

Since this is random thought day, I will post a random picture for Patience. This particular photo reminds me of the craziness of the holiday season! A little bit of everything, going every which way!

WORD OF THE DAY

2007-12-14T04:22:00.000-06:00

I have decided to start myself a "word of the the day" or "blog-word" of the day. I think that what I will do is when I post I will pick a word and give the definition. The word will have something to do with how my day went the previous day. I will not blog on about it, well, maybe sometimes, but I may also find new words to use and expand my knowledge a little bit. I have always been a little bit of a word freak though. I have loved to read since I was a child, I love crossword puzzles, word games and stuff like that. If I hear a word that is unfamiliar to me I usually try to look up the definition so that I can expand my vocabulary. Words are fascinating! Could you imagine a world if we didn't have words? The world would be dull and boring. Our faces would be all contorted and such from trying to communicate without using words, therefore there might be some rather ugly people in this world. There is always sign language, but to sign you have to have letters, which make up words, but I just want you to try and imagine a world WITHOUT words.
OK, so here's the word of the day! The word is INGRATE! Yes, INGRATE!
in·grate /ˈɪngreɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-greyt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
an ungrateful person. –adjective
2.
Archaic. ungrateful.

I won't say really how my day went yesterday, but, ingrates really puzzle me. I am thankful for everything that I have, and everything that I choose to do without having limitations posed upon me. I don't want something for nothing and never have.
I know this doesn't make much sense, but it's early and I need to get myself in the "work" frame of mind.

STEROID HELL

2007-12-11T03:35:00.000-06:00

OK, so here's the story! I really hate these steroids. When I get done taking them it will be time for a long winter's nap! I have been up since 1:30 this morning, made a pot of coffee, drank some coffee, folded a load of clothes, washed my face, brushed my teeth, washed a load of clothes, and tried to think of something to blog about for the day! (These things were not necessarily done in that particular order!) What's really been strange is my unreal craving for coffee. Now, I really do like coffee, but this is getting ridiculous. I even found myself going into the breakroom yesterday at work and heating up coffee from the pot that I had made at 5:oo that morning, just so I could get a shot of the good old Java! What I was really wanting though, was a piping hot cup of Organic Love Buzz from etcetera!, but I couldn't leave the premises at that particular time.

Ok, so here's more to the story. Just got home from work (5:30 p.m.) and I am completeley exhausted, especially after my morning workout, thanks to the steroid buzz. I have decided that I just can't do it anymore. They are WIGGING me out!!! I am going to taper off on my own. I feel like my insides are going to blow up on me. So, is this a good thing or a bad thing? At least my back, hip and leg have quit hurting, but is SLEEP DEPRIVATION worth it? HELL NO! I need my beauty sleep! Just my humble opinion. VC

Advice for the holidays!

2007-12-10T04:17:00.000-06:00

OK, this may be boring to most of you, but I hope that in some ways that it might also be helpful. I don't know why it's on my mind, but just something that I need to get off my chest that has been bugging me for about the last 10, yes, 10 years.

As most of you know I work at a local dry cleaner/laundry and have for 13 years. During a conversation the other night with some of the best neighbors in the world, the conversation came around to getting clothes clean, little tips and tricks and such, and it just so happened that in my "steroidal stupor", I must admit that I really spilled my guts about things that really bother me in this line of work. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and all of that, but there are just a few things that really get on my nerves, but I just want to offer a few little tidbits of advice to people to make life easier on you and me when bringing in all of your lovely Christmas sweaters, pretty clothes and such before and after the holidays. I guess that I will start at my #1 piece of advice and go from there. OK, so here it is!

#1- Remember that we are not miracle workers, also that some things work and some things don't. Just like every day life for all jobs that anyone does. If you spill something on your garment, please, oh, please, try and remember what you spilled on it. An identifiable stain is a lot easier to get out than one that is unidentifiable. Also, remember that we do use chemicals, some of them may be harsh to the fabrics, so therefore, if we can just get it to look better with a more "faint" looking stain, it's not because we didn't try, it's because we don't want to ruin the fabric. We do make a big effort to please everyone, but not everyone can be pleased!

#2-Another important one! Please check all of your pockets and hidey holes for things of importance to you. Ladies, you know, that expensive Clinique lipstick, men, get those lighters, as the list goes on I will name a lot of the things that I have found over the last several years that need to be pulled out of pockets, used and unused condoms, crack cocaine, marijuana, sex toys, sex videos, ink pens (expensive ones at that), stacks of business cards, MONEY, credit cards, checks for large amounts of money, and the list goes on and on. We give back what we do find, but just as a security measure for yourselves, it's best to get this stuff out before you bring it to the cleaner. Oh, and another thing, especially to those of you who are married, pull those phone numbers out, especially, the ones written with little messages on the cocktail napkins, this goes for women also. Remember, when we "mark in" your clothes that there is a ticket with a NAME on it, so we know who you are, not personally know you, but we see you on the news sometimes, sometimes in the paper and stuff like that, so, basically, you are letting us into your utmost private life and giving us little bits of information that we really would prefer not to know about!

#3-ALLERGIES! This is not a real biggie but kind of important. Some people are animal lovers and that is strictly their preference, but some people also have bad reactions to animal hair, especially cat hair. My friend Beverly had cats and she used to buy the enormous lint rollers at PetSmart or somewhere that would pull the cat hair of with very little ease. It would be so helpful if people would take that pretty Christmas sweater, or that lovely blanket, rug or whatever it may be and save us a little work. I know, I know, that's what we get paid to do, but it also saves us time, and makes our job a little easier. While speaking of animals, and stains, please warn us if your animal has had an accident on any item that you bring in, don't just roll it up and drop it on the counter, and expect to pick it up the next day! Stains like this are harder to get out, and that also goes for the human variety of excrements. Yes, I've seen that also. Not to be gross, but someone, who shall remain nameless, had spent the weekend in Vegas and brought a shirt in one Monday morning,(this was years ago), he had imbibed in WAY TOO MANY adult beverages, vomited all over himself, stuck the shirt in a plastic bag, and brought it to be cleaned when he got back to town. Come on now, THROW THE FREAKING SHIRT AWAY! Who wants to mess with that kind of stuff? I certainly didn't, but did it anyway, because it was my job! I guess that it all boils down to courtesy, I guess it being that don't send stuff in that you wouldn't really want to mess with yourself.

#4- And probably the most important piece of advice! When you leave work on Friday, go home, kick your shoes off, try to forget about the troubles and woes of work, and partake of your choice of adult beverage, and don't puke on yourself and send the clothing in for cleaning!

Well that's all for now folks. You all don't have to take this stuff to heart, but maybe just as some helpful hints. Merry Christmas to all of you! VC

UPSTART

2007-12-08T13:11:00.000-06:00

Just for the sake of being trendy I guess, I have opted not to blog on myspace like so many other people. Yes, my children all have the my space thing, but this seems to be a little more controlled to a certain extent! Not that I am a control freak or anything, it's just that I think that I will like this better.

Last Saturday, as an early Christmas present I took my son for his 2nd tattoo, and I got one myself, in memory of my dad. It's pretty "epic" in Pete's words. The signature is pretty close to the original. Man did he have some beautiful penmanship. The stars about killed me though, pretty intense work if you asked me! But I like it! Now I have my father on one shoulder helping to lead me through life and our angel Emma Renee' on the other shoulder to help me out also.

Pete's tattoo is from one of his favorite bands "Circle Takes the Square" It's pretty cool looking. But, someone told me, "Hey! That's from Hollywood Squares!" And then I realized that Pete probably isn't old enough to realize what Hollywood squares really is!

I guess that this is a pretty good first post, not too much information, but just a starting out experience for me. Now if I can become professional at it like Samantha, Bill, or Patience, or the MasterBlogger, Aynex, I will be doing good!