Is twenty six years a long time?

Suppose it depends on what you are doing.
Like being alive - no, not a long time.
Growing a beard? A very long time.
Being a tree? A good long time.
Being married?
I don't know!

Seems like it's about a long time, but not really.

We went out to dinner and shared a meal (it's costly these days to do anything! Even go to Barnes and Noble.) We sat at the bar because we weren't dressed up, but this is a nice little place right down our street. We were going to order take out, but the atmosphere was relaxed and because it was a Thursday night, not crowded, and we didn't feel out of place so much.

And I didn't realize that people at the bar, talk to each other like they are old friends whether they know each other or not. It's was kind of refreshing in a way. It was not a 'bar' type atmosphere, just a nice little restaurant.

The lady who tended the bar gave us a free (huge, giant) chocolate chip cookie because it was our anniversary. I thought that was nice. We brought that home to Madam Blueberry, and this made her very happy.

So what's it like to be married for 26 years?

I'll have to think about that answer.

Easy Peasy Meal - Meatlballs

I get raves every time I fix this - and it's so easy, I can't take any credit.
I'll share it here as I think, it's one of those recipes that once you make it, you can go wild and add what you want.

Frozen Meatballs (1/2 a package)
One package of Au Jus gravy
One can cream of potato soup
one medium onion chopped fine
three cloves of garlic chopped
3 cups of water

One crock pot (if you don't have a crock pot, you have to stay home while it cooks on the stove)

Mix the liquid ingredients in the crock pot.
Add onions and garlic, stir well.
Add meatballs.

Turn crock pot on low and forget about it for five hours. If you need to get it jump started, you can put it on high for less time. Maybe on high for the first hour and then turn it down. Whatever. I think it will turn out just fine.

Sometimes I add a tsp of crushed red pepper for a nice bit of pizazz. You can add carrots and celery, or whatever veggies are left in the 'fridge (cut them small so they will cook through in the amount of time you are leaving the crock pot on.) I think even corn would work. It's just one of those recipes ...

You can serve this with anything. Rice, potatoes, noodles, garlic bread and a veggie (or not if you have enough in the pot), or just put them in a sub with some melted cheese.

I often make the whole package of meatballs and then just double the rest of the stuff. I put the extra in the freezer for the next week.


The Frozen Meatballs are precooked, so if you make your own, just put a bunch in the freezer and add them to the crock pot with the other ingredients.

Nothin' to it,
But to do it ...

Friday after Fay

This was one of those days. One of those days in which you had a million plans and you didn't do any of those things.

I got up late. I made coffee.

Then, there's a major blank. Somewhere between getting up and almost noon, a friend I was going to visit called and told me she wouldn't be home. Drat! I thought, I just lost my last incentive for getting out of the house today!

I had thought I would go to the hospital to take my mother in law some decent food, as she says there is none in there, but I found out that my father in law was going to be released today - so needing an incentive still to get out the door -

I decided to mow the lawn. Not my lawn. My mother in law's lawn. Have I ever mentioned that I am not gifted in this area? Mowers and Me. That was not a book written with me in mind.

This mower we have is a push kind with some kind of automatic 'bar' thing, that if you hold it in, the mower goes by itself. Sorta. It doesn't necessarily go the right way. It just goes somewhere. Like into the flower beds and over flowers, and maybe my mother in law will be so tired she won't notice those huge divots in her yard.

Luckily for all concerned, the mower ran out of gas. I have concluded that I am in terrible shape physically.

When my mother in law found out I ran out of gas, she told me there was more in the shed. I told her it was raining.

In the real picture, I did get some things done. I did not spend the day doing nothing. But, in the abstract of the picture, I didn't accomplish the things I was hoping to accomplish --

and I think, what it is, is that I'm going to have to be in the mood to do those things.

However, that is not a good thing -

"...don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work. - Pearl Buck

Those things are not ingrained habit things. Those things are outside of the discipline of my character things. Those things are a struggle for me, still.

But, one day! It may not be this day! But one day - and soon! I shall move past this place and into that place of ... what was I talking about again? Oh yeah, doing things I don't want to do ...

So when I do that ...

I'll probably blog about it here.

You're never to young for a ....

Pacemaker? Well, apparently not. See that fellow in the blue shirt and the khaki pants up there dancing? ...the one coming around in the swing with a smile...

Yeah, that guy,

That's my father in law. He's 91. He's been having trouble with his heart not pumping right for a little while now, so in an effort to stop going to the ER at 1 in the AM, like we did again this Sunday, the doctors put a pace maker in his Irish heart this morning.

Hope to see him dancing again soon!

The Twilight Series

Well, I've pretty much decided that I won't bother with reading the rest of this series. I read the first book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyers, and it was okay (I was on vacation, relaxing by a pool in the most beautiful weather; had I not been on vacation, I'm not sure I would have stuck with it.)

I kept waiting for the story to evolve. I could see good things in there to address - like the differences that people feel about 'groups' and how we label people to protect ourselves - And each time I put it down, I thought, well surely, this next chapter ...

but, it stayed a teenage love story with the heroine Bella keeping secrets from her father, all the while her boyfriend, the Vampire Edward, wanted her to share with her father the fact that he was in her life (I realize, now, how mature he was as he was likely hundreds of years old!).

And then, Bella almost gets killed, how many times, I can't remember?; and there, always to save her with his super V-powers (like flying and mind reading and all general coolness), is her Vampire Hero.

He's a good Vampire, as he doesn't feed on people, but still, this seems like a precedent that is going to become an annoying hardship in the relationship - Kinda of like a Lois Lane-Superman situation falling into style. Poor Edward! His only job will be rescuing the clumsy, beautiful Bella!

Anyway, the reason I'm not going on with the series is (mostly) because the people I know that have read the other two books don't seem all that blown away. And, I think I can predict the ending. So, I'm thinking, why bother.

I have read reviews on line for the next two books and there are people raving; I suppose because I wasn't burned deeply with passion for the first book, I'll most likely pass for now.

But, to each their own.

For the people who love the books, they have found that something wonderful to experience in finding a book series that keeps you engrossed - And That,
now, that,
is (maybe) better than dark chocolate!~

Tropical Storm Fay is passing by

When you name weather, it must get really angry. Outside, Tropical Storm Fay sounds just like a hurricane. There are sheets of water over the windows, and I can't see my road. There are warnings everywhere for everything, but yet,

Mr. B's place of employment said they had to report to work today. (Good Grief) And when the men got there, risking life through this torrential dangerous weather, they said, 'Go on home, we have no work today.'

Mr. B had givin his notice last Friday, and why he bothered to drive down there today (45 minutes at 6 AM into a worse part of the storm), I do not know. Something to do with being an honorable man, but sometimes these lines get all blurry for me.

Those are man's lines. And man, is a lot of times, an idiot. Well, actually, when man gets involved with money, or a corporation... the idiocy has a much better chance of showing itself.

We will most likely lose power. I've got the coffee on.

It's a new day

Enjoy it.
Whatever happened yesterday that was bad, forget about it.
Think good thoughts,
Do good things
for yourself and others,
Smile and wave,
Eat chocolate,
Do a little dance,
Drink water,
Read a poem,
Start a new book,
Memorize something,
Smell a flower,
Don't watch television,
Draw a picture,
Learn something new,
The past is done,
The time is now,
Only now,
Live like you believe that.

If this is Thursday....

I don't know why, but I feel likes it's Monday. Although, I wish it were Friday, but I'm not sure why about either of those thoughts.

I really have much going on, and much that I need to do, and some that I want to do.

The Doctor appointments are really cutting into my time! I decided to make the most of the physical therapy, and I consider that my work out time (I mean, they do have me on the exercise bike for 10 minutes,you know?) But the driving to and fro - bummer at today's gas prices and then the time crunch - well, I listen to audio tapes, but still,

what is neglected is my house and spending time with my daughter! Who doesn't really mind because summer is almost over and her boyfriend (of 2 years) is over a lot and soon that will change. Actually, next week school will start here.

My house - Oh, I can't even go there. I've had two cups of coffee, and I still haven't cranked up to Flylady.net speed this AM. But she is the real deal should anyone have the desire to get it all together. I trust her completely to keep me on track.

My cards and letter pile to write is high.
My bills - yikes!
My yard! - double yikes! But it's been raining and doctor says I can't do what I wish to right now! Wah.

What else can I complain about this morning? Ha. Ha. Not a durned thing.

Because the bottom line is -

It's all good.

A Good Thing to do:

Positive thoughts, train them into your brain. Squash those negative thoughts, stop them in their tracks and reroute them or rephrase them - what do you need them for anyway? Can you answer that question? Let me know if you can find a reason because I cannot.

In the words of Henry Ford - If you say you can't, then you can't.

There. Can't be much simpler than that, now can it?

The True Neverending Story

Remember the book, or the movie, The Neverending Story? For me, that would be Motherhood. I am the motherboard and gladly connected to the hearts of my children. I will love them no matter what, no matter when, no matter where, I will love them.

The connection I have may be one that some people might not understand. I don't really understand it either! I just know it's big, it's HUGE, it's bigger than I ever, EVER imagined a feeling could be. How can you know this will happen to you?

It's like it took wings. And then, it took off, and it's still flying. The neverlanding plane from heart to heaven to God's eternal home in the sky.

I am thinking about this so much lately because of their ages, the time has come to let them go. Let them fly away on their own, live their lives as they will, choose their mates, and extend their families. Which to me, is only more love added.

No matter how it all presents itself, I shall be blessed

Happy Birthday, Nanette

Today is my sister's birthday.

I'm not even sure how old she is any more! I just know she is a very special person to me, a really terrific friend, and someone with whom I can share the deep things of my life.

I am so proud of her and her accomplishments. I am extrememly happy when she comes to visit, or I can visit her. We always have a good time, drink some wine, share some jokes and gain weight. (drat! why is that!)

As my younger sister, she has had to put up with me always, always, _always_ nosing into her business. She tells me something and I say, "well, here's what you should do...." Poor Nana, never has a chance. Big sister is, like, in the roll of being "in charged" of her. But, I did find out from her, recently, that she is very used to my doing that and doesn't resent it all that much. That is a load off my mind!

So, Happy Birthday my darling, beautiful sister. May this day and every day be filled with joy and love. May the sun shine sweetly at you in the morning and may the stars bid you a restful night's sleep. Know in your heart, that all is well.
And may the Lord continue to bless you and keep you close.

This is William....

...he eats fire.

(Editor's note: William is a street performer in Key West. He put on a really great show. And I thank the Gypsy for helping me clarify)

Thirty two years ago today,,,

...my heart was opened wide, and it seems like it was placed outside of my body, and given into the hands of a tiny, little being. I became a mother for the very first time.

I am sitting here trying to think of how to describe the part of the world that became alive to me. I can't find the words to capture or frame how it felt to hold in my arms that small precious infant being.

I am glad that God has allowed me to remember all the details of those days, those first moments, those first everythings. I am forever thankful, forever blessed, and forever will I feel special to have the experience of being a mother. There is no other experience to replace it, none like it, none as fulfilling that I have known.

I love my children. They have my heart, and they always will.

Happy Birthday to my first born son. Happy, Happy Birthday.

A house in my childhood

My parents were married in this house. The house was built by my great grandfather. We are not sure when. It's fun to try and figure out the dates and all. My family was one of the early Key West families. My grandfather was born in 1908, so somewhere before that, this little white house was built.

It was weird when I saw it this weekend. Somehow, along the lines of time, the house got tiny!! I remember this house as HUGE -- running through it barefoot with my cousins in tow. Those were the days when Key West was, well, something it's not today. It was just a small beach town and we walked everywhere in our bathing suits and in barefeet that never complained. Not worrying about one thing in the whole wide world.

Pirates off the coast of Key West

Even further south

... from where I live in Florida, are the Keys. So that's where I'll be for a few days.

Kenny and Kody, alert, your letters are in the mailbox.

Grandma Rita and Madam B will keep an eye on all my beautiful plants.

Stocked up the fridge for Mr. B, just to make it a bit easier for him.

So all should be well ~

Listen to my good friend Albert Einstein:

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.


Miss Roxie says, "Choose Wisely."

First day of August 2008

Let's see ~
Ten things about August ...
okay, well maybe not ten...

1. I will be writing to Kenny and Kody this week. Kenny is patiently waiting for me to send him his reward letter for his hard work on his book reading. And Kody did come through and sent me a letter, also! I better send out two to make up for lost time!

2. Two birthdays in August. My sister and #1 son.

3. I am going to the Keys for a week. Hooray.

4. After I get back from the Keys, I have to continue more therapy for my foot, and get the results of the MRI and see a neurologist, (and regarding that, my guess is that I injured myself gardening. I should write a book about "How Not to Garden" or "Ways to avoid the Doctor While Gardening" - and I may have carpal tunnel, but like, who doesn't?)

5. My foot therapy - what a riot. I have three more weeks of therapy~ and after three days, my hip is hurting and I was so frazzled yesterday after so many extra things and doctor appointments thrown in my life's mix, that I locked my keys in my car!

But, in the end, it's like a little mini workout time at the gym. Not a bad deal at all.

6. Is there six? I miss my gardening. Is this how injured sports players feel? Hahaha. I wonder.