Photo Hunt Saturday

The theme for Photo Hunt Saturday is "FURRY". Of course you knew I'd choose my furkids for this photo op. Why wouldn't I?

Saggy Boobs & Botox

As I'm about to turn the big 4-0, I've been thinking about life. How blessed I have been to do the things I have done in the past 40 years. How blessed I've been to meet so many wonderful people. How puzzled and intrigued to have met so many questionable people. (I will not go into the description of the individual with whom I shared an elevator ride this morning.) And how sad I am when I think about how time flashes before our eyes.



I do not feel 40, whatever that is, and I do not consider it old. Age doesn't seem to be an issue in my family. There's no botox, no boob jobs, no facial peels (showing smooth translucent facial skin with a neck standing out like chicken feet), no butt lifts. Nothing fun that I know of. That's entirely okay with me. Not to say that I won't be doing that facial peel sometime in the future or getting the dark circles under my eyes camouflaged with fat sucked from my thighs, I might. But I probably won't. My home needs too many repairs.



We age for a reason. If I get that peel, will I lose that slight scar on my chin from falling out the car at the drive-in when I was 3? (I'm spoiled, I really, really wanted to go ride on the merry go round and NOT watch the movie. My parents had other ideas so I just opened the car door.) If I lose that scar, will I lose the memory too? The old cliche of how every wrinkle tells a different story is true. It has to be. To prohibit those may keep me in a vacuum I can't get out of. Trapped in a time warp of 1987 with no telltale signs of life's experiences. Sounds refreshing for a minute. Then sad when people walk by my casket saying, "she looks like Joan Rivers". People really do this you know.



Life isn't perfect. We were not created perfect. My boobs will never raise themselves the much needed inches to be college perkier. They will continue to gravitate towards my feet forever. HOWEVER, when I accidentally bump into someone they WILL NOT feel like stabbing elbows. THAT's a good thing.



My hair is graying. I vainly cover it up with dye. It doesn't last. Continuing this process is something I plan to do until I'm too feeble to realize what I'm doing. Then I will continue to dye it. It may look blue, lavender, pink, who knows. I will take pleasure in this. It will make me happy. Happy not to have these WIREY, KINKY gray/white hairs stand at attention like wrought iron.



Lets discuss varicous veins shall we? Varicous veins have been passed from generation to generation on the paternal side of my life. I don't really notice them until I accidentally bump my shin. Then I want to puke. They don't protrude too bad yet, but it's coming. I hear them whispering on ocassion. Walking all those miles on concrete hasn't helped. But let me tell you, it's been fun. I wouldn't trade those miles for anything.



On to feet. My feet. I do worry about my feet. I have a skin issue. I don't like nasty skin. On my feet or anywhere else. Religiously I slather on moisturizer. I refuse to walk around in my cute red sandals with cracked heals. The day my toenails start growing towards the sky, I promise I will retire my cute red sandals. I-promise-I-promise! Really I do.



My eyes will also continue to wrinkle and age. But they still see. They see beauty radiating from the inside of people. I know who you are immediately. There's a difference. No plastic, no frills, no insincere beauty that doesn't match the rest of the package. Beauty from the inside will never be shadowed to people who have eyes that really see.

Is this a downhill slide? Turning 40? I don't think so. My boobs will sag. My butt will droop. Aren't there really worse things in life?

It Was No Hill for a Climber

Everyone has a story. I've heard this line in a movie and I cannot recall what movie. Almost 2 years ago I had the pleasure of attending a Mental Health Conference at Lake of the Ozarks with my supervisor, Sherry, and our institution's Substance Abuse Counselor Susan. I've known both of these ladies for a very long time. But let me tell you something. When you spend several days with people you learn so much about them. It was a very relaxing, educational and eventful 3 days.

After a day of seminars, we decided to go to Springfield to Lambert's, Home of the Throwed Rolls. Sherry had been there, we had not. She suggested, I was game, Susan was not. But she relented. Luckily we only had a short wait at the restaurant when the conversation turned to the Titanic Exhibit at Branson. Sherry wanted to go and I agreed. Susan thought we were crazy. We went to the Titanic that night. It was a blast. We drove all the way back to the Ozarks that night pooped.

The best part of the whole excursion was learning about Susan. She was quite the little entertainer all the way to Springfield. I think she had a nervousness about her because the event was so spontaneous and unexpected. So she told us all about herself. (Remember what I said in a previous post, when someone shares something about themselves with you it is a gift. She gave us all kinds of presents that evening!!) Susan shared her life experiences. One of which was her father Earl. Susan's father had passed away just a month prior. He had Alzheimer's Disease. She took us through the whole spectrum of symptoms, diagnosis and death. It was difficult not to get emotional at times.

Just last week Susan shared with me an article she wrote for the Mid Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. I loved the tribute she wrote for her dad. I loved it so much I asked her if I could share it with people on my blog. Here it is:

It Was No Hill for a Climber

Susan and her father Earl

My story of my father and his fight with Alzheimer's disease is one that lasted for nearly 15 years. He was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's disease in December 1995, even though he showed signs several years before.

Let me start this tribute to the man who gave me strength and taught me to never give up. Years ago when we would take walks together he would say to me as I was tiring out that "it was no hill for a climber". This stuck with me throughout the years as I watched him progress through the disease. He fought Alzheimer's disease to the end as if he climbed through it into heaven.

My father, Earl Epping, passed from this life April 24, 2008. He was 89 years old and lived his last five years at the Missouri Veterans home in Mexico, MO. My name is Susan Epping. I was born and raised in Moberly, MO. I later moved to Tulsa, OK where I spent 20 years of my life. I moved back to Moberly in 1998 deciding that I wanted to be near my father so he would know me as long as he could. I want to share how all the phases of Alzheimer's happened and how I learned to accept each one, not easily, but it happened.

I remember the day he was diagnosed. I sat thinking what will I do when he no longer knows me? I quickly came to terms with that thought, realizing he was the one who would lose the memory, not me. I knew then that I must stand strong for him. I had heard how all the stages occur but really didn't think it would happen to dad.

After my move back to Moberly, my mother and I would attend Alzheimer's support groups to give and receive experience, strength and hope. My mother had a hard time in the beginning with denial, plus she had a hard time telling her friends about her husband, feeling she was betraying him in some way if she told anyone he had Alzheimer's. The meetings certainly helped her in that area. We experienced taking away his right to drive, which was one of the very hardest things for him to give up. For me, I felt very much like the bad guy taking away his keys. At that time I started taking him for drives up to Excello and Mt. Salem, some of his old stomping grounds when he was young. What a fun time we had together! In time he seemed to accept not driving and allowed mother or I to drive him. I learned to love him in every stage how ever long it would last. The Alzheimer's continued to take and take from him. As a daughter I had to help him in ways I never thought I could, like showering, dressing, and feeding him.He was able to stay at home with my mother as long as he could but the time came when we needed more help. In March of 2003 he entered the Missouri Veterans Home. On that day my heart broke. I felt like I was giving my father away. He did seem to adjust more quickly than I and in time it became my weekly routine to pick up my mother and head for Mexico. In time he couldn't walk and ended up in the wheel chair and then came the gerry chair. We all did the best we could. On Sundays we all would attend church services in the chapel at the home and my father could sing the chorus of Jesus Loves Me up until several months before he died.

I could go on and on about him but my purpose today it to encourage everyone who is going through this to enjoy your loved one as they are today and have acceptance. In the last few months of dad's life he couldn't communicate very well, however he would clap his hands when asked. When my mother would ask for a kiss, he would pucker his lips. He also would giggle everytime I would whisper in his ear "Dad, I love you!"

He had forgotten who I was many years before he passed but there were a few times when I would get on one knee and look straight in his eyes and actually get eye contact. He would reach out and touch my cheek and I knew he knew who I was. These times were very few but special, all the same.This is my first Christmas without him and it is very hard. He loved Christmas. My memories of years past have him in his red vest ushering in the holidays. He loved the lights and always decorated the house inside and out. In the past few years I would decorate his room for him. I have never not had a father and I am having the hardest time accepting this. This is my hardest hill to climb. I know he is in heaven and I know he is better off. However, the truth is I dearly miss the little man who at the end would clap his hands, smile and would giggle when I said "I love you."

Earl and his Bride Maureen

Here's to you, Earl Epping, the greatest man I have ever known. I miss you dearly and will never be the same without you in my life. Thank you for making me feel special. My dad loved his family and especially my mother Maurine. My hope is that research will find a cure for this horrible disease. I do believe in time it will happen. My father won't benefit from this but he led the way for someone else....perhaps me.

Earl, Susan and her son Shane

Thank you Susan for sharing this with me. It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man.

Susan is an energetic walker, runner, marathon enthusiast. A lover of life. I have had many laughs and many notable talks with this lovely lady. May God bless her for all she's experienced.

Would You or Wouldn't You?

The hubby and I had an interesting conversation the other day. He surprised me. I believe we were listening to the radio when someone said a guy or girl was "remarrying" their ex-spouse. It didn't even occur to me the hubby would think about what was being said. Then the hubby said, "now why would someone do that?" "What?" He continued, "why would someone waste time on remarrying someone they divorced?" I thought this to be odd. I said, "I'm sure there are all kinds of reasons. Money, stress, job, you name it. Once those pressures have been taken care of or changed, then maybe they decided to work on their relationship."

The hubby didn't agree. He told me once someone divorced things really don't change. He wouldn't waste his time if it were him. Then I reminded him of his friend who had done just that. Different ballgame. He didn't count. That was okay. For anyone else to do it, it was just really strange. I continued to disagree. I think people can learn from being apart or from working on what ails them. I did and do have one exception. Infidelity. He agreed with me on that but insisted once you are divorced there is no reason to go back. I continued to defend my case ( I don't know why I do this, I hate it when he gets in these moods to beat a dead horse, I know I'll never win). He wouldn't budge.

I don't know why this conversation surprised me so much. But it did. I learned something about my husband that I was not aware of. It made me happy especially thinking about something my mother in law once told me.

THEN, THEN I read a post from Blueridge Gal. It was a forgiveness issue, or two, or three. Can you trust enough to forgive? Holy cannoli, she gave three examples of whether or not would you forgive. They really made me thankful for the situation I'm in. How can people be so absurd? If your interested, go for a visit to read them. They made my head spin.

Remember the old saying, "forgive, just don't forget"? Really? Can you forgive without forgetting? I don't think so. But then I believe a part of me doesn't heal if I don't forgive. I don't want to be one of those hateful bitter people I see at Wal-Mart. Life isn't easy. No one I know has said that anyway.

I thought I would add this. Since many of you know I've been married twice. I would not remarry my first husband. Just for the reason I named earlier. I've forgiven him and truly it's been so long ago I don't even feel like I've been in another marriage. (He just seems like an old friend when I see him. It's kinda void.) Except for the fact I miss his family. They were good to me and they are wonderful people.

Guys Have It So Easy

A friend of mine sent this to me in an email last night. I thought it was too appropriate. Men, they really do have it easy!!

Honest Scrap

Becca has presented me with an Honest Scrap Award. It comes with a deal. Keep reading I DARE YA!


I've been tagged. Oh dear, have I been tagged. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this one, but said I would. (I have Becca at I'm Me What More Do You Want to thank for all this!!)

The rules for the Honest Scrap award: A) first list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!B) pass the award on to 7 bloggers whom you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.

I think the kicker from this whole post is where it state, "and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep". I'm digging deep baby. I'm not sure what you want to hear, but here it goes:

1. My first crush happened when I was in the second grade. From my desk I could see the 5th grade classroom. More importantly, a cute boy named Neal. He was blonde with blue eyes. My insides would melt when Mrs. Shreves would leave the door open. I had a crush on Neal for 3 years. Then I didn't. It ended. When Neal was a senior in high school he asked me to sign his yearbook (I was only freshman). I so bad wanted to tell this story, but didn't. Now I wish I had. But I was elated that he asked me to sign his yearbook. (Keep in mind I'm from a very, very small town of less than 700.)

2. Neal was my first crush. George Brett, third baseman for the Kansas City Royals was my first love. He's the reason why I quit daydreaming about Neal. I loved George up until, hmm, let me get ter thinkin'. Well, I still love George. I went to college near Kansas City. It was nothing for me and my friend Denise to show up at a Royals game hoping for me to get an autograph. Needless to say, George had a private exit away from all nuts hanging out where me and my respectful friend Denise posted ourselves every Friday game night. Or Monday game night, Tuesday game night, you get it... Denise and I waited to get into the GA section when I spotted the number 5 sitting on a golf cart. I turned to stone. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. He was only a few feet away from us. Denise had to scream at me to get me to come to life. It wasn't just a number 5, it was like a 52 or something. Goodness, I was soooooo close....

3. The hubby and I started dating in April, 1999. That summer we went to Kansas City to a huge mall. Guess who happened to be there that day? Guess who almost passed out when she caught sight of George and all of his glory? I don't really remember much other than my future hubby said, "DON'T EVER HIT ME AGAIN!!" I had no idea I hit him on the back when I saw George. I think it was my attempt at trying to take the boyfriend out in case George was single. It didn't take him out and George wasn't single.

4. I wanted to be a clothing designer. I didn't feel like I fit in with that crowd. Truth hurts, but I'm not talented in that way. So I started hanging out with people who wanted to pack heat. I'll end it there.

5. My first dog's name was Beezer. I thought it was the same sound locusts made in the evening when I would go out to play. The noise was deafening yet thrilling to my 3 year old self. I may have been 4, but I doubt it.

6. When I was a real little, my dad had a convertible. The first dream I can absolutely remember is I fell asleep in the back seat of that convertible. I was alone and the convertible took off flying over the small town where we lived. The dream seemed to last forever and it scared me. I had to be terribly young when I had this dream. I would LOVE to own my own convertible today. TODAY!!

7. 5 years ago I had the hives for a painful 6 months. My head swelled up like the elephant man's. I had them inside and out. I felt like I was getting stung by industrial, war sized wasps from the inside. The future hubby should have ran then. Good ole Dr. DeSpain said it would be a fluke if we could find the culprit. Thankfully a biopsied spot on my leg got infected. He started giving me antibiotics and the hives started to disappear. Dr. D believed it could have been a severe sinus infection. All other tests were negative. (I'm silently knocking on wood.)

8. Most days I really dislike myself. I think I could be so much of a better person. Then I look around at others and wonder "what in the hell am I thinking? I'm not THAT bad surly."

9. One day in July a couple of years ago, I had a monster of a headache. I had it for 2 days. Sunday and through Monday. I left work to get my neck popped at 9am. After the dr was done I was so disappointed that I still had this killer headache. (Normally when I get my neck popped, my headache disappears.) On my short ride back to work I had a really strange experience. I felt as though I was on the outside looking at myself inside my car. It was as if I had a parallel life or something. It lasted for several minutes and it spooked me. When I got to work I told my boss I had to go home and shared with her my experience. I know she thought I was a fruitcake and told me to go. She knew the headache was bad. I wasn't certain I should drive home, but I did. Thankfully, the experience did not continue. After I got home, a friend came by to let me know my father had passed away. I truly believe that was a part of my dad leaving me that day. There was just too much coincidence in the time and energy taking place.

10. I have been an insulin dependent diabetic for 32 years. 30 years is amazing. Anything beyond that is a gift.

This is more corny than interesting. So I DARE anyone else to take their turn and post 10 honest things about themselves. I DOUBLE DOG DARE YA!!!!

Why is it....

Why is it when I find something I use on a regular basis the company quits making it? For example face cleanser. I love, LOVE an Avon product for dry skin that cleans the face. Takes makeup off like a dream. Including mascara of all things. Now they have a cleansing lotion. Come on, it doesn't work worth a hoot and my face has to be cleaned again after I use it. I've tried all kinds of things and have always come back to this Avon product.

The other thing is underwear. Who likes to break in new underwear? Unless you are a size 4 and have no idea you are even wearing underwear I know you have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm sending a letter to Jockey.

American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce Mix. They quit making it years ago. The hubby and I have not been the same since. We are on the lookout for good spaghetti sauce. We have yet to find one. I kinda concocted my own this past fall and it was mighty tasty. Only he didn't appreciate all the peppers, onions and mushrooms I added. He's just a sauce, meat, a little bit of mushroom spaghetti sauce kinda guy.

Miami Glow perfume. J. Lo brought it back just for Christmas this year. I had to wait over a year to get this. Come on J.Lo. I love this perfume. If I had a bod like yours I wouldn't need perfume either.

Is this a business ploy used so consumers go out spend mounds of money for things they won't particularly like. I won't even go back to the underwear issue, but I'm tired of it. Maybe I don't like change, but please don't profit from it. I have a hard time believing I'm the only loyal consumer to these products!

Does anyone else have these issues with their favorite products?

I'm Obsessed With this Animal

Since I've been off this week, I've become totally obsessed with my friend Reynaldo. Maybe you could say we really bonded this week. He was not really a lovercat before. Now, he's kind of a lovercat. Reynaldo follows me everywhere. He makes me think about Cleopatra and her love of cats. They have a keen sense of whatever. They just know whatever. They never get too excited about whatever. They are a little sneaky for whatever. They are a little vindictive for whatever. They are mystical and mesmerizing for whatever...

It just wasn't sunny enough today for him to enjoy the sunshine through the window. He didn't stay here long today.

I used to work with a guy that had a nose like this. Only I thought he looked like an ostrich, not a cat.

Look at that face. That's amore. I know he loves me. If I'm on the computer too long, he lays down between the keyboard and monitor. Sometimes he just takes a little catnap while he sits and waits.

Tonight he chewed on the button on my pants. Weird?

Reynaldo can hang upside down. He loves it. Especially if the dogs run by. He's just so laid back. I have no idea where he gets it. He must have learned it from the hubby.

My aunt used to say when you take a picture of someone and they don't look at the camera, that means they are crazy. Rey has a tendency to miss the camera head on. Is he crazy?

This is Rey after too much Tuna Juice. Sleeps like a baby.

Cats are wondrous. How can a little 7-8 pound cat sound like a bunch of wild mustangs running through the house? Yet, at 2am, I never feel him jump on the bed and sneak to lay down beside me.

Cats are wondrous. Tomorrow I may be singing a different tune when he steals my straw from my ice tea. Or when he locks himself in the spare bedroom like he does almost everyday.

Cats, they are wondrous...

only Kia doesn't think so...

Emails

I receive emails from people all the time. My rule of thumb is, if I have to scroll down more than twice I hit the delete button. Sorry I get bored. I never tell them that in a reply. (Unlike some of you who send me NOTICES that I am incorrect about things. That's okay I'm not perfect and if it makes you feel more complete to put me in my place, then feel free to make yourself feel better.) I silently, secretly hit delete. No feelings are hurt, unless asked point blank know one usually knows.

On to the real post. (Pam at Antique or Not got me started with all this wordiness this morning!) Not to offend anyone. If everyone believes in God I don't really care what religion you follow, but I found the following email very cute. I got it this morning from my dear friend Margaret:

A Good Catholic Story

A little boy got on the bus, sat next to a man reading a book and noticed he had his collar on backwards.
The little boy asked why he wore his collar backwards.
The man, who was a priest, said "I am a Father."
The little boy replied, "My Dad doesn't wear his collar like that."
The priest looked up from his book and answered, "I am the Father of many."
The boy said, "My Dad has 4 boys, 4 girls and two grandchildren and he doesn't wear his collar that way."
The priest, getting impatient, said, "I am the Father of hundreds" and went back to reading his book.
The little boy sat quietly thinking for a while, then leaned over and said, "Maybe you should use a condom and wear your pants backwards instead of your collar!"

What a hoot! I think there are a lot of men out there that should be wearing their collars backwards!!!!!!!! (Oops, actually I meant to say wear their PANTS backwards, not collars.)

Photo Hunt

Sandi at Whistle Stop Cafe Cooking has her usual Photo Hunt for the week. This week is Hat. Hubby gave me a chef snowman last year. I love his tall chef's hat.

Thanks Becca!

Becca at I'm Me What More Do You Want has presented me with two awards. Thank you Becca. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and just remember you have a wonderful blog too!

Premio Dardos Award

This award "acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day." The rules of this one state that it be passed on to 15 other blogger's.

Van Gogh's Ear

Roger of Idaho Photo is the originator of this unique award and it is given to people who have made a difference, who stand out in areas of art, photography, philosophy, writing, blogging, comedy.

Everyone who visits regularly please take both of these awards and post them on you own blog. I really appreciate all of you!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much to all of you who have wished me well this week. I'm happy to report I'm doing much better. Still moving a little slow, but much, much better. I think the hubby is ready for me to quit laying around and fix him something to eat. So, I may soak this up at least one more night, he's just not quite the domesticate I wish he were. Oh well, can't have everything. Thanks again for all of your nice comments!

Somebody's Watching Me

I got up at 3am this morning. Had a hard time getting comfortable. So at 7am, I try to take a nap. It must be ReyRey's turn to sit with me. I wake up. This is what I see. He's everywhere. He won't stop looking at me. He kinda spooks me lately.

Don't let that innocent look fool you. I can tell he just stole my straw. And dipped his hairy paw in my ice tea. AGAIN. Seriously I think he knows I don't feel well. He's gotten by too many times taking a dipped toe drink from my ice tea while I snooze.

Just when I think he's about to take a nap with me,

his eyes snap open wide.

Why can't he stop looking at me? I think the girls are paying him kitty treats or something. Hopefully he doesn't think the Mongolian Death Worm is in the house.

When he realizes I'm awake, he takes a bath. It's as if he's waiting for an audience. He's male you know. I listen to him slurp.

and slurp...

and slurp...

I'm not going to say it again...

Good grief I'm happy I don't have to take a bath like this.

And I'm certainly happy Rey doesn't have a camera to take a picture of me doing so...

Now look. I'm wide awake and he's ready for a nap. Stinkin cat...

Stay Tuned

Don't give up on me, I'll be absent for a couple of days and won't be posting. Just a bit under the weather and having a hard time staying on task. Though I may come visit for some entertainment later. Have a great week everyone!!

Friendship Award

Tam at Yakiddy Yak Yak presented me with this awesome Friends award. According to Kirsten, (and I quote from Tam's post)who presented it to her, "the Friends Award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Well Kirsten had to google self-aggrandizement noun, the act of making oneself more powerful, wealthy, etc., esp. in a ruthless way esp. in a ruthless way? She said on her blog "I don't think this was the meaning the creator of this award meant." But they did say "The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.""

Okay, I'm familiar with friendships and like I've said before I cannot believe all of the people I stay in touch with now due to this blog. I never would have thought the computer would become THAT important to me. Thanks to all of you who read this blog and keep coming back. For you, I present this Friendship award. Please take it and display it proudly, I know I am!!! Thanks Tam.

Eye Don't Know What That Means?

Has someone ever given you a compliment and it lasted all day. Just something nice you didn't expect? That happened to me today. Well, sorta. There is a guy I work with who likes to tease me and he kinda sing songs "Lisa you look nice today" on some occasions. I've heard it from him everyday this week. Not that I found that odd, because he does that at times. But just not usually everyday. His name is Roger. He's 40ish. He shares an office with Forrest who is 50ish. Not that it really matters, but I want you to have the big picture. Because I am visual. When I hear a story I see it in my mind as it's being told.

Those two fellas have an office on the other side of the wall from my office. I have to walk by their office quite frequently. I stopped by their office today and I have forgotten what for at this point, but Roger did his thing, "Lisa you look very nice today". "Thank you Roger," I sing songed back to him. "You really do look nice today. In fact you've looked nice all week. Did you get a bunch of new clothes for Christmas?" "No," I replied. "Well then, what are you doing different?" "Whatever Roger," I was getting bored with this game. "No I'm serious," he says, you look really good this week doesn't she Forrest?"

By this time I'm rolling my eyes and have had enough. I didn't think poor Forrest would want to be dragged into this but he literally surprised me. Forrest said, "yes you do." Again I say, "Whatever Forrest." Forrest then really surprises me by adding, "you've been wearing dark colors this week and they really make your eyes pop."

Now he has my attention. Forrest has never, NEVER gone this far. It made my day. I thanked them politely because I really felt like they were being sincere. I left their office completely forgetting what I was going to tell them. I see the hubby in the hallway, "hey you wanna go to lunch?" We go out to lunch. Something we do about twice a month. After we got done eating I told him of my compliments. I explained the scenario I described above. Then it continued like this:

me: I was surprised when Forrest acknowledged the colors I've been wearing and how they make my eyes pop.

hubby: hmm, he giggled.

me: So do you think so?

hubby: What?

me: Do you think when I wear a dark color it makes my eyes pop?

He looked at me and then he looked at the road ahead then said,









"I don't know what that means."

What to Do What to Do

In a few, very few short weeks I will be turning the big 4-0. I want to do something fun and special. Something out of the ordinary. The problem is, I cannot figure out what to do. I tried to get the hubby involved, and I quote, "it's up to you". hmmm, really? I never really make a big deal out of myself on my birthdays although I wish I could. People seem to have so much more when they advertise themselves on their birthday. I hear people at work tell everyone they see, "today's my birthday, yay". They have fun. They create fun. I'm the opposite. I tend to wonder why no one ever notices. This time may be different. I may be that nut.

It falls on a Tuesday. No big deal. I like Tuesdays, I always have. So what do I do? Someone suggested I book a flight and head for Florida for the weekend. Sounds great, but I know I'd wish to stay longer. Maybe a redeye to Vegas? hmmm, I've been there. Doesn't really sound that exciting to me. I told mom she should have had me in April or May. Since I didn't have a say in that, I have to face the cards that were dealt. Any suggestions? What did you do on your favorite birthday celebration? Dance lessons? A day at the spa? Dinner at Tavern on the Green? A personal Aerosmith or Kenny Chesney concert? A day without having to pick up someone else's dirty socks and underwear or scooping poop out of ReyRey's personal bathroom? Time's getting short. Ideas are welcome!!

PS - Happy 74th Birthday to you know whooooo...

Your Fav of 2008

I've been reading on a lot of blogs lately about looking back at 2008. What had gone on in their lives and so forth. So I want to change it up a little. Looking back on all of YOUR posts for 2008, which one is Your favorite post of YOUR blog? I've seen some awesome stuff and I'm just nosey to see your own favorite.

Since I'm bringing up the subject I'll start. My favorite one I posted was the idea Cielo gave me from The House in the Roses. It was about my fairy Godmother and the dresses I could wear. I just had a great time finding the color and style of all the dresses. I had a great time that night thanks to Cielo. With My Fairy Godmother's Help

Then there is a tie with this Leonard & Brenda. The miracles of life and I don't need to say anymore.

So now you know mine. I'm curious about your own favorite post of 2008. Please share it with me or let me know if you've done your own post about your own post too!!

Whatever Happened to Thank You Notes?

Whatever happened to Thank You Notes? If there is one thing embedded in my pea brain, it's thank you notes. The hubby and I were talking the other day about a wedding we attended. We took a very nice gift. Then we remembered another wedding we attended. And again, we took a very nice gift. No thank you note from either newlyweds. Did they get our gift? Did they not like our gift? Did they think we really enjoyed watching Aunt Flossie do the Tootsie Roll on the dance floor at the reception? Okay, we kinda did!

My grandmother etched thank you notes into my brain. I try my best to send them. I hear her doubting voice in my head, "did you send her a thank you note YET?" Then, I think to my lazy self I had better get writing.

I guess in the age of computers, just downright rudeness and uncaring, people just don't do that anymore. I don't get it. Never will I accept the excuse "I don't have time". Everyone can make time to do anything they want to do. I bet you are reading this right now knowing full good and well there is something much more productive in life you could be doing!

I don't get it. I never will. Especially for wedding gifts. A friend told me once she just didn't have time to write thank you's because she had over 200 people at her wedding. She just couldn't do it. I told her not to be expecting any baby gifts should that bun start baking. (Guilt didn't even encourage her.) That's my motto anymore. No more thank you's =No more gifts!!

I think it was Terri at Lakewood Manor who stated how much she loved getting Christmas cards. Even though mine are late and I still intend to send them (soon I promise, because some of them have thank you's included) I love to receive them too. Not just Christmas cards mind you, any card. Especially funny, touching and handwritten notecards. Our society has gotten away from anything personal. This, I think, is ironic. Considering the fact we are in a no-one-can-get-their-feelings-hurt-without-a-lawsuit-involved-society. (Too many words in my sentences? I gotcha!)

Maybe it's not the thank you notes. Maybe it's sheer LAZINESS!!!!

Another ironic thing about this post? I will probably be hearing from all my aunts and other relatives reminding me of the thank you notes I didn't send. That's okay. That means I'll get more emails!!

Someone Stole My Pillow

Hope

Sandi at Whistle Stop Cafe Cooking always does a Saturday Photo Hunt. Today the title is Hope. So, my pretty little hen above "Hopes" everyone has plenty of eggs in their basket in 2009!!

The Magic Mushroom

A Mushroom Story

My daughter Cassie was about 3 years old. She wanted me to take her mushroom hunting. It was late in the season, but there was a spot not too far away from the house I thought I would take her knowing the chances of finding a mushroom would be very slim.

When we got there, I picked her out a walking stick. I told her it was a special stick that came from a special tree. The stick would start moving if we got close to a mushroom. Of course I ended up caring her most of the time. We walked and walked. We saw no mushrooms. Finally I saw one mushroom by an old tree. It was starting to dry up. I started sniffing the air for Cassie to notice. I told her,"I smell a mushroom!" I put Cassie down so she could find the mushroom. I was shaking my stick as I encouraged her to keep looking. I gav her hints of where to look. She walked all around that mushroom almost stepping on it. She still did not find it. Finally I pointed my stick at it and told her to use her stick. She started shaking her stick also, still not seeing the mushroom. I continued telling her that I could smell a mushroom. After a period of time I could see she was starting to get discouraged. So, I walked up to the mushroom. I pointed at it and told her, "I believe I see it". And then I told her she should look at the end of the of the stick. After pointing out the mushroom, I let her pick it. Of course,she was very excited as she dropped that one partly dried mushroom in the Wal-Mart bag.

All of this excitement resulted in her wanting to look a little more. But, there were no more mushrooms to be found. I picked her up and we started to leave. Then all of a sudden she started sniffing and said "Dad, I smell a mushroom!" Since we had already looked in that spot and there were no other mushrooms, I told her that maybe she was smelling the mushroom that was in the bag. She replied,"No Dad, I smell a mushroom!"

Since I had built up the story of the magic stick and smelling of mushrooms, I thought, "man how am I going to get out of this?" As I knew there were no more mushrooms. I also knew this was a big adventure to my little girl who truly believed the sticks were magic and I was able to smell the mushroom. I tried to tell her that I couldn't smell any more mushrooms. But that didn't work. She said "No! No! Dad I smell a mushroom!" Not knowing what to say, I put her down and said" If you say you smell one then there must be one here". Although we had already searched in this area for 20 minutes, we began again to look for that mushroom she was smelling. It was the only thing I could do. We looked & looked with no results. Cassie kept saying "Dad I smell A mushroom!"

Then finally, I spotted a mushroom on the opposite side of the tree where the other one was found. Of course this child was fit to be tied. She kept saying, "Dad I told you I smelled a mushroom!"

I had looked around that tree several times before and never once saw any mushroom. The only answer is God works in strange ways. Because I had made up the story about the magic stick and smelling the mushroom. God over looked my faults and short comings as He knew how important this adventure was to this little girl who looked up to her Father as her hero. This a true story that I will cherish all my life. ~ JJ Shaw

This is a picture of JJ while he was serving in the Marines and Vietnam. He shared this story with me on Wednesday afternoon. When he told me he wrote it all down after it happened so he wouldn't forget, I told him I really wanted to put it on my blog. He kindly sent me this story via email. JJ is one special man to take his little girl Cassie mushroom hunting with the magic stick. And, he is truly one special man to write this down so he would not forget. How awesome is that? Cassie is now a junior in high school. I encouraged JJ to read this story at her wedding some day.

Some one once said,"when someone wants to share something about themselves with you, that is one of the nicest things they can do". I thought about that statement for a bit. It is so true. Think of the people that tell you things. Now think of the ones that don't. Those people who love to share their life are the ones who seem to enjoy it the most and have learned from it. I'm sorry to the one's that don't want to listen or want to take part in sharing. It's really a sad, sad life for them. The author of this story has enriched my life with so many stories and experiences that I cannot possibly express how much he means to me and some of my other co-workers. He's a truly wonderful, mushroom hunting man!! Thanks so much JJ!!

Pseudo Resolutions

After thinking about posting my New Year's Resolutions, I decided against it after reading Terry's post at Lakewood Manor. She posted this and crossed off somethings she has already done. So I decided to copy her and do the same. The bold highlighted areas indicates what I have already done. The italics indicates what I would like to do this year:) Don't ask what #46 is, I don't know. I thought about adding my own for fun.



01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game.
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb In Ireland
33. Seen a total eclipse - aren't you NOT supposed to look at these?
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and didn't care who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends - the BEST!
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched whales
45. Stolen a sign
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theatre
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Arkansas River
82. Been on a television news program as an "expert"
83. Gotten flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Passed out cold
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a TV game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about - I hope so
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach.
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

#46. Get out of debt and live comfortably the rest of my life

Now I will really work on my New Year's Resolutions. I've kept good on a few so far...