Ending another week

1. Being a coach has it's benefits. My sis/in/law has joined Weight Watchers and I have become her coach. I have an interest in eating correctly and breaking all these bad habits I have created in my life for the reasons that I eat food, so this is kind of right up my alley.

Like today, she was ready to 'eat' because she said she 'felt' hungry. Well, it was almost noon, so it's lunch time, right - reminded her of that - and then asked what she had had for the morning meal and it was lacking in protein, so suggested a very healthy and light lunch -- sliced turkey wrapped in a large lettuce leaf with green pepper, red pepper, sprig of basil, small slice of cheese if you need it, tomatoe, black olives (few) and even a slice of onion should you desire. Yay. It worked out for everyone and I snacked on grapes.

2. Snacking can be good. Put out good snacking things like grapes and strawberries, and raw veggies. It sounds simple, right? But you would be surprised how many people just don't do this and end up having a show down with every carb in the house!!

3. We ate in an Italian Restaurant last night. My husband's choice. And I was so, so tempted to order something pasta and white sauce with heavy cream from that menu -- but when I asked the waitress about a 'shrimp and tortellini alla vodka sauce', she informed me, "It's in heavy cream. Heavy, Heavy cream." And on that note, she looked me straight in the eye and I found my sister in disclipline.

I ordered a Greek Salad (it was wonderful) and a bowl of Pasta Fagioli. Okay, so I got pasta! But the soup was excellent and seemed better than heavy, heavy cream.

4. I still make my green smoothie every day. I still take my Holy Basil (I think that stuff works). And I still am not allowed to exercise for another 4 weeks. Bummer.

I feel trapped. I don't like this feeling of being restricted and dealing with pain should I 'cross some line' of movement. It's very frustrating. Even though I know I have no right to complain because there is always someone who worse off, I know this. Still. It's frustrating.

I'll have to figure this out.

5. We saw the movie Invincible tonight. It's a story based on the Vincient Papale (Pa-pal-lee) a 30 year old bartender, born and raised in Philadelphia, who got a chance to play football with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The new coach was desperate for players and held an open try out. It was touch and go for Vince, but the coach signed him on because he had heart and character and thought he could put some life back in the team and the feeling of the city. Apparently, he did. It really was a feel good movie. Not a bad family movie either.

6. I still have things to do from my last weeks list. Things don't ever seem to go as I plan them, but I still think planning them is best, or else - my gosh - who would know what would happen!?

7. I did start my garden! I have basil, oregano and some lettuce. I can't tell what kind of lettuce it is. The container just said, "lettuce." Good enough for me.

8. If my life were a movie, I would say the cast is turning out to be very interesting, very loving, very funny and a good group of people. The plot, however -- still a mystery.

May these young men survive

If you follow the news at all, you are aware of the return of two boys that were missing. One was missing for 4 years, and one was missing for 4 days.

I watched Oprah today and cried. I feel so for both sets of parents. I remember when Shawn Hornbeck went missing.

I cannot imagine the heartache. My prayers are that these boys can be/will be successful in their future life.

Shawn said today in the interview on Oprah that he comes from a Christian family and that he was praying every night for his family to find him. Today on the show, I hope he felt the love the audience tried to give him.

10 Things that (also) mean absolutely nothing (still) except for number 10

1. The weather is affecting my mood. I am melancholy and so is the weather.
2. I should go for a walk. I can’t seem to make myself do that.
3. I was reading the newspaper today, The Stuart News, and it’s full of typos. They must have no proofreader worth their salt.
4. I thought I had my three days off planned out. Things didn’t work out like I planned. Firstly, I only have two days off …then the weather made me melancholy.
5. A lady who was rude to me at the pharmacist has decided to be really nice to me all of a sudden. Today she told me the long story about her old cat and her new cat. – You see, one day I was there and picked up my prescriptions, and I said, “are you sure you charged me for both of them?” She didn’t really like being questioned, but upon further examination of the situation, she realized that she had not charged me for one of them. She never said a word, just corrected the mistake. Now, today, she tells me that my driver license picture is very good and all about her cats.
6. I need to loose 5 pounds according to me. Actually, it’s just my middle. Dr. Oz has informed us that is the omentum.
7. I gave up wine for two weeks. And eating at night. (Ha Ha – these are two of my pleasures so we’ll see how long it lasts. So far, two nights.)
8. I’m impressed that Oprah started that girls’ school in Africa. I’m sure there will be some bad press about it.
9. I can’t believe that people still care about whether or not Britney Spears was drunk, stoned or tired on New Years Eve. My gosh, people, get over it. Don’t buy that junk. Just read it in the check out line for heavens sakes.

10. Did you know that you can major in being a Clown? Check out this list under Miscellaneous, 4 down from the top – I’m not kidding “Clown” ….(if the list doesn't show up - click on Child Related Careers on the left column --)

Not for Human Consumption

My sister is a produce manager at a major grocery store. She encounters many different and unique situations.

Recently a woman called her frantic with fear! My sister had to do some research, but she was finally able to tell the woman she would live.

Here's what happened - did you ever buy those little prechopped veggies? They come in a plastic container all ready to go. This particular one the lady on the phone had chosen is called 'trinity mix' ... three veggies together, onions, peppers and celery.

Seems the lady just opened the package and dumped them in her soup. Her soup was wonderful and she ate a couple of bowls before she realized that she had dumped that little "not for human consumption" blotter that absorbs the excess moisture from the veggies into her soup! She was frantic.

That is what the blotter says, "Not for Human Consumption" ...so she panicked upon rememebering this, called the store and my sister took the call. After making several phone calls, my sister found out the ladies health was not in jeopardy.

I thought it was kind of humorous that in trying to save yourself a few steps, you could end up in the emergency room. But what am I saying? Don't most accidents happen in the home?

Most of us spend our lives as if we had another one in the bank. ~Ben Irwin

Monday Monday

I just found out I'm off for at least three days this week. Wow. I have so much to do; I'm thrilled. Now I am wondering, realistically, how much I will actually get done! This will be challenging.

1. I have Madam Blueberry's 2nd semester schedule to formally write up.
2. Set up Madam B's computer.
3. Put many things on shelves.
4. Get ready for a garage sale on February 3rd. (My sister is law is telling me, "we need to get together and price these things out." And I'm thinking it will work like this, "This box - Each item - 50 cents." To me, that's the key to a successful garage sale!
5. Line some shelves. I love doing this. It's so nice after you are finished.
6. I have bookwork to do with a deadline of January 31st.
7. Choose a book to read. I'm readying nothing! What a bummer.
8. Ummmm, I'll add more later, I'm sure.
9. oh, write a review ....

Right now, my phone is ringing ....

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ~George Washington Carver

So you think it's easy?

This is so fun ~

The Dancing Vlog!

Learn another language and get some exercise at the same time! How fun is that?

However, I'm not recommending any of the other dancing vlogs on this site ...just so you know.

10 Things that mean absolutely nothing

1. I can't say Dashboard without thinking of Mrs. Dashwood.

2. I hate that I know the words Al Queida, Al Kazeer, and Jihad. (I didn't say I knew how to spell them, I just said I hate knowing them.)

3. I like to make a spinach quiche and eat it all day.

4. I love magazines but buying them is expensive, so I catch up on stuff in the check out line. And, yes, I admit, I do like to catch up on the drama now and then, too. I think it's funny to ask a perfect stranger, 'so do you think she going to leave him?' and they laugh and give their opinion.

5. I love naps. I would rather get up early to get my work done (even before sunrise) and take a nap in the afternoon than sleep in.

6. I am a mess with paper work. If I have any paper, I make a mess with it.

7. I love cooking. I think it's fun. It makes people happy to eat, but they don't always like you messing with their food with fancy things.

8. If you have a family of 5, you are fortunate if three people like the same thing. If all 5 like the same thing, rejoice, as you have been blessed.

9. I like my blog. It's fun. It's an easy way to catch up with myself.

10. I love Fridays and Sundays. I usually work around my house on Saturdays, but I wear leisure clothes, translated means, things might not match but I am comfortable. I like to get all my laundry done on Saturday. I think it's wonderful when I don't have to do a load of laundry during the week, but, honestly, that doesn't always work out. On Sundays, I like to just relax.

So Me and Rachel Ray

And so you think you’re Rachael Ray in a rock and roll movie …

You think, hey, she’s there in a small space making a meal in thirty minutes, I mean, really, you say, I’ve been cooking for like – ever – just what could be so hard about that?

Okay. Well, I added one more thing to her deal but, Gees and Louise,

It weren’t that easy.

The meal I set out to copy was vegetarian and healthy. Both these facts, at least, remained at the end of my program.

Firstly, if anyone has watched Ms Ray perform her culinary skills, I do say, she does make it look easy. Good on her.

And when she is finished, there is no mess. My kitchen looked like Hurricane Andrew and Katrina had children illegally and they were fighting over the inheritance of the South Seas.

The menu –

Penne Pasta with a Cauliflower sauce

Portabella mushrooms and Kale in wine sauce

Of course, it so sounds like a piece of cake. There is no cake. But there are things caked on to my stove and floor now.

The Cauliflower Sauce was quite interesting. You sauté 5 garlic cloves and one red onion in some EVOO (That’s what Rach always says, “EVOO” – sounds kind of spooky, doesn’t it? But it’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil).

Now, you should have your things chopped and diced and ready to go. I, however, did not. I’m skilled at it, remember? (Ha Ha Ha)

I had put my EVOO in the pan and set it on low, as you are not supposed to let that kind of oil smoke, so I kind of forgot about it. …Then I smashed my garlic cloves with a little jar because I can’t find my press and I peeled them quick as I could and threw them in the pan. Yes, forgetting …

1. Splatter some places.
2. Recover and on to the next step …

Add one chopped red onion. I didn’t think it would take that long to chop a red onion, Rach takes about 30 seconds!! So I noticed that my garlic cloves are getting kind of brown, and I begin throwing my red onion in there. I mean, what is this red onion doing? Growing as I chop it?

Okay. So I get the onion in with the garlic and now I am supposed to chop the cauliflower. I watched Rachael do this. No big chore she showed there. She does have a tad bit more space than I do. And the woman is very organized with her little garbage bag on the counter (best invention in the whole of the kitchen world) – but I, of course, did not have one ready because I have no space and I – oh never mind –

I began chopping the cauliflower. Then, I thought,

1. This is taking forever so I’ll just chop it over the pan.
2. No. Dumb Idea. That takes even longer.
3. Back to chopping on the counter.
4. I’ll be days finding all that cauliflower
5. I got some in the pan

It begins to simmer in a lovely way. It is suppose to cook down. At this point I forget what else is supposed to go in it. Ummm. So I put some Italian seasoning and it seems like it’s drying out so I added a cup of vegetable broth. THEN I remember, Rachael added the water from her pasta!! Her already cooking pasta.

Which I had forgotten about getting ready at all.

1. Boil the water for the pasta
2. Put the pasta in the water. Do not cook for the 15 minutes IMO.

Now the portabella mushrooms. I didn’t have a pan left that was big enough for the big mushrooms that you slice into nice ¼” sections and brown in the EVOO. You brown them first, before adding any salt for flavoring because if you add the salt first it will dry out that mushroom. Isn’t that interesting? The pan I had to use was quite small.

I only say this because I didn’t end up adding all the kale she suggested ….a pound and half of kale…which I am glad about because even if kale is good for you, and you do put two rounds of a turn of merlot on it, and some nutmeg…it’s only going to taste ‘just so good’ – if you get my drift, as in “there is no chocolate in kale” …

Onward,

After the mushrooms have browned (there in my little tiny pan), you turn them over.

By now I have about twenty cooking utensils in various places all over the counter.

My cauliflower sauce needed to be mashed. Yes, you mash it. With a potatoe masher. Now, in the real recipe at that point you would have added some of that stock from the cooking pasta. Which Rachael says, with much vigor, is full of great whole wheat things and all.

This, however, would not have worked for me because I didn’t have a pot big enough for all the pasta I poured in and so it was kind of drying up to the top. At first I poured in like half of the pasta, and then I thought, you know what, as long as I’m cooking, might as well just cook the whole thing. Why? Why do I do these things? Rachael Ray doesn’t do these things?

Okay, so where was I?

Oh yeah, I’m supposed to add the kale that I mentioned earlier. I did add some. It’s beautiful looking, but like I said …about kale…if you like it, you add it and move it around and let it get wilty, and then you add more and let it get more wilty, until you have added a POUND and a HALF of Kale. (Do you know how much BeanO I would have to eat to have a pound and a half of Kale?)

Alrighty, then.

To recap:

1. Pasta is boiling.

2. Cauliflower is mashed.

3. Kale is steaming over the browned mushrooms, on which you have poured two turns of the merlot should you wish. If not, you can use some chicken stock and you should put some nutmeg on there. Rachael did. But I forgot. And drat about that.

Back to the Cauliflower Sauce. You add one cup of Parmesan cheese. You are supposed to grate it fresh, but I had enough going on and am glad I had the presence of mind to buy some that was already fresh grated.

I’m trying to think.

I think that’s it.

My Cauliflower Sauce didn’t look like a sauce. It looked like some kind of hash brown potato dish. You are supposed to pour the pasta in it, but I was afraid to do that in case it was not so good.

Oh, the other thing I was cooking was some meatballs and turkey sausage in Italian gravy. Actually, I never call it gravy, I call it spaghetti sauce, but I just felt like saying gravy just then. It’s fun to call it gravy. I think I will from now on.

So. I called in Madam Blueberry.

And she’s very cautious.

“Oh, is this that recipe you got from Rachel Ray?” (She’s being very sweet because she is hungry). “Looks good,” she says.

And believe it or not, it was!! I recommend the Cauliflower Sauce.

The Kale I can live without.

I think I’ll call the Governor about the state of my kitchen. Maybe I can get some funding.

New Limits

Ack! how frustrating to have new limits!

This back injury, or whatever it was that put me in the ER, is just taking forever to heal. I did a round of Prednisone (Can you say, "Miserable?"), and now I'm doing 10 days of anti-inflammatory medication.

I am burning up. My eyes are on fire. My face is on fire. Can this be good? I do not know. And hungry! Oh my gosh, this stuff makes you want to eat, eat, eat. Because if you don't, I think it burns up your stomach. What the 'hey' is it doing for me? I don't really know. I'm trusting some guy that went to medical school.

I bought something today called Mona Vie because a stranger in the park said it helped her husband with his back. That's how desperate I am. I'm talking to strangers in the park and taking their advice. Pain is a frustrating place to be.

But my back spasms every time I try any kind of exercise or stretching. By the end of the night, I am wanting a muscle relaxer so badly.

But, you know what ~ I'm going to deal with this. And if this doesn't work, ummmm, okay, I'll find someone else in the park who can shed some light on my situation!

Thank the Good Lord that Madam B is a cooperative homeschool student! I love this child. She just gets her books and does her thing. I mean, I do have to say, 'oh hey, what about history?' "oh yeah, I'll get to that." she says.

Something about history ~ she just doesn't think it's necessary to study. She says no one listens to it anyway. They don't pay attention, she says; they just keep making more and more of the same mistakes. Okay, well, I can't really argue with her there, can I?

How Well Do You Know Your Calories?

How Well Do You Know Your Calories?

(This is from an article in the Schripps Treasurecoast newspaper transported from another article in the Sacramento Bees)

1. True or False? Light whipping cream has less fat than cream in aerosol cans? (I don’t care. I don’t use light whipping cream or buy cream in aerosol cans. My kids always put it on everything, and it was gone in a day. Not very cost efficient).
2. True or False? Light coffee cream has fewer calories than half and half? (I don’t care. Light coffee cream tastes like diluted dishwater. I’ll die sooner for the 2/3 seconds more of a calorie.

3. True or False? Cup for cup, a soy beverage is higher in protein and riboflavin than cows’ milk? (I don’t care. I don’t drink cow milk, and I don’t drink soy beverages. I drink water, tea, and red wine.)

4. True or False? Cottage cheese has more calcium than other cheese? (I don’t care. I don’t buy cottage cheese. I do use other cheese because I like it in things, I just like cheese, and so I don’t worry about cheese. I worry about liking things like cheese, though.)

5. True or False? Frosted cake has fewer carbohydrates than angel food cake. (Trick question. But I don’t like angel food cake. It’s not really cake. It’s stuff that reminds me of diets, and not having fun at a party. I like the frosting on the frosted cakes. I don’t even really like the cake. I like a plate of frosting. Homemade.)

6. True or False? A rum ball has more calories than a piece of divinity. (I don’t care. I love rum balls. I hate divinity. What is divinity? They should make divinity with rum.)

7. True or False? A peanut butter cookie has more calories than a chocolate chip cookie. (I don’t care. I would never choose a peanut butter cookie over a chocolate chip cookie. Ever. That’s almost cruel to think about!)

Okay, now if one should care – these are all False.

What ideas have you borrowed?

I'm thinking of things I've seen or read that other people do and then incorporated that idea into my own life.

I came back from a visit to Tennessee with Leslie and bought myself a package of white little wash clothes for my kitchen, and a package of colored little wash clothes for my bathroom because that's what Leslie has, and it seems so efficient.

Of course, we won't talk about the fact that some of my white little clothes are now pink because I washed them in with my cranberry colored Christmas napkins by mistake ....

I always carry a hair tie in the car. That's what my friend Sasha does so she always has one when she needs one. And I never could find one when I needed one until I did that. Course, now I always have to run out to the car to get one ....

Rachael Ray always has a little bowl on the kitchen counter for her garbage when she cooks. Very convenient little thing to have there.

My friend Phyllis always used one wash cloth a night for her face. And at the end of its use, she wiped up her bathroom sink and put that cloth in the clothes hamper. I started doing that. And my sister did, too. She said she got the idea from me. I don't know where Phylliss got it. But your bathroom sink stays tidy.

I carry a little notebook in my purse at all times. Just a little one so I can jot down anything. Now my mother in law does, also, as well as Mr. B. Ooops, no, he doesn't carry a purse, he carries the notebook in his truck. A truck is much bigger than a purse.

Somewhere along the way, I learned to keep all I need for cleaning in each place I do the cleaning. I keep extra personal items in the bedroom so if I have company I don't have to always go in the bathroom for lotion or such stuff.

And because Mr. B goes to bed earlier than I do, I keep meds and contact solution stuff in the kitchen as well as the bathroom.

That's just a few ~
I'm sure there are more. As I go through my week, I'll think about them.

But I'm thinking, what would I do without my friends? They are such a source of brain power to me. I love my friends.

Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. -- Jewish Saying

Hold a true friend with both your hands. -- Nigerian Proverb

"A faithful friend is the medicine of life."
-- Apocrypha

Lost in Translation

Well, I had a plan to throw three things out at least today, maybe seven. But I broke three things. Glasses. So, I just have a few more things to decide on getting rid of.

I was lining my cabinets with shelf paper, and Mr. B was downloading the tree. Together, things crashed and the vacuum cleaner is a lovely thing to have.

I told Mr. B, "For living here only 4 months, our shelfs were sorely dirty.

He said, "That's because they're white."

I said, "Really? You mean if they were another color they would not be dirty?"

He said, "It wouldn't show."

I said, "But they would still be dirty?"

He said, "Yes, but they are white."

I said, "Let's talk about something else." And put some music on.

And since you know you cannot see yourself,
so well as by reflection. I, your glass,
will modestly discover to yourself,
that of yourself which you yet know not of.

~~William Shakespeare (from Julis Caesar).

In Making the Year Better - Make more Space

Today I threw out more stuff...

Throw out 7 things every day that you don't use -- anything you see no matter how small. Or if you are afraid to throw them out - put them some place in a box, and leave them there out of the way,

and if you haven't reached for anything in this box in a month, throw it away or take it to goodwill or someplace like that.

If you can't do 7 things, do three. Three is a quick fast number. A real winner.

Today, I am trying to follow some of my good advice in my very long last post:

I wrote a letter to my niece in prison and sent her songs lyrics and a poem. And I told her the wonderful things about her I know. And I told her about what she looks upon as mistakes, big bad and ugly mistakes, are turning into something beautiful out here in the free world.

We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free.

Discourses --Epictetus

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven
- for she loved much.
But he who has been forgiven little loves little.
- The Holy Bible - Luke 7:47 

This year comes with a warning....

Do it now. Live it large. Time's A Wastin' ...

Remember that song? Time's A Wastin'? No? It's an old song. June Carter Cash wrote it back in, in, some year - long ago - in a galaxy where my parents lived in that crashed into mine because my father loved music and June Carter Cash was one of his favorite people.

But I'm not thinking about the song, really. The lyrics are not very deep on a word to word level, but the meaning of Time's A Wastin' - My friends, it is absolutely true.

If you have a plan, if you have something in your life that you think you want to, ought to do, heavens - get to it.

Got a book you want to read? My gosh, don't hesitate - go buy it, or check it out of the library, but please do yourself a favor and read it.

Got a bridge to mend? Mend it. It's not worth another day of struggle to let a heart be torn. Make the call. Write the letter. Fix the fence and life will get better. Love. It’s the binder and the fixer. It will glue your bridge. Goes on clear, shows up pretty in the later years.

Hug your friends. They need it. I promise. It's "4 hugs a day for survival. 8 hugs a day for maintenance. 12 hugs a day for growth." Did you get that many today? No? Well, get busy! You need to survive and grow and maintain, don't you?

That's one positive perk in taking care of a three year old - they hug you, no questions asked. Everyday I can count on Jacob for at least one hug.

Give a thumbs up when the fire fighters ride by even if they are on a regular ride. You'll see them smile and wave if they see you. The serve us. They are sworn to save out lives. Let them know, we see them. Thumbs Up. We appreciate you are there for us.

Smile. Some folks might not act like they deserve it. Like the lady who butted into my turn at the drug store...I still wish I had handled that differently, but it's over now, and I learned that next time, I will say what I want to say, but I will make sure my voice is kinder. As in kinder nicer.

I wasn't meanly when I spoke to her; I was generic. It's was not a helpful tone. It fed her idea of what she was doing was right, and that's not helping anybody. Next time, I'll say what I have to say with a Smile. Even though, some times, I really like raising my eyebrows! I'll smile when I raise them.

Serve your community. I'm here in a new town and haven't done anything to get involved. It feels funny. Kind of selfish. But what's happening is, I'm letting myself fill that slack with something else like laundry or sweeping the porch. I know I haven't washed the car in 5 months.... but really, we each need to give - in some way -- to our community and it's needs.

I did take Jacob to the fire station. Maybe that could count for a tiny thing. I didn't hug them though. I did take cookies. Maybe a fireman thinks that's a good as a hug.

Have any dreams? I do have one. I want to write a book. I don't know if it's a book I would publish, but I sending my sister and my niece a short piece of it for judgment. I know I need to work on it everyday. And I don't. Because I don't see the dream real.

What I see is that everyone needs me in some way, and I have to wait for that moment to be there for them. I'm standing by for them. I leave a time slot open for them always. There's a sign on my heart door that always says, 'come in' ....Always, Everyday I do that. Maybe I have to figure out a way to do that and write my book, too. At least I have the dream. That's good right? But I don't ever want to say to my family, 'I'm too busy, you can't come in because I’m working on my dream."

Here’s an interesting idea for you -- Look at things from the inside out. Seriously. For example, I have a niece who is in prison. I'll tell you the story someday, but not now - but I will say that her sentence for what happened was way over the top.

I go to visit her, and I think about her being in there and feeling locked up and feeling the loss of things as the awareness of prison everyday grows in and around her, and I think, I don't ever want her to feel that she has nothing to lose and cross over to the dark side –

Could we find a way to survive if we happen to make a mistake or a horrible choice that could seal our fate for life? I think, do people in the free world (that's what those inside call 'us' - 'people in the free world') know what we each really have inside of us?

I know many people suffer from a crisis in their lives now and then, but they pass, and then we go on and soon are taking our lives for granted. Most of our days leave us untested for what's really inside of us. Mostly our days don't require us to even have to think about what real strength we have inside.

When I started going through this episode with my body going into pain for unknown reasons and spent 3 months seeing doctors and no diagnosis, and then yesterday, I get a diagnosis that begins with "I'm betting this is...." I felt frustrated and wanted to raise my eyebrows, but for someone reason I not only thought of my niece in jail, my mind began to think of women in concentration camps and how something like this would not stop them from continuing on with their efforts of survival. I will not be a wimpy. I will take my steroids, anti-inflammatory, and the quest is to get better so I can be better and use myself to serve those I love with love.

Yes, I know, you have to have yourself in order to serve your house, and I will do that. My mind thinks about my niece a lot, and I think, "what would I be and what would I value inside those walls? What would I do with my time? What am I doing with my time now?" -- someone who works at a prison posed those thoughts.
Just get up in the morning. Make your list, make your coffee or tea, and your beds if you're anal, kiss your kids, say something positive to them, feed them love with their oatmeal (throw out that junk cereal, really – my eyebrows are raised, but I am smiling) tell them and your husband, and the rest of the assorted relatives who are in your life to tease you into thinking you have got to be sane because you can't be them, or could you? Oh the depths of relationships can very well get confusing….

Which brings me to being a pirate – and what Captain Jack Sparrow said ….

”The only rules that really matter are these: What a man can do, and what a man can't do. For instance: You can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man, or you can't. But piracy is in your blood boy, so you'll have to square with that someday. Now, me, for instance, I can let you drown, but I can't bring this ship into Tortuga all by me onesies, savvy? So, can you sail under the command of a pirate, or can you not?”

So. Can you sail your ship with yourself in command and live out your life as your calling demands?

You need to decide because, you see, “Times A Wastin’” and you are at the helm of your ship.

Made any promises that you haven’t kept? I have a promise outstanding that I am going to get on it and keep it. (Leslie, I’m working on it.)

And then I’m going to follow through on the nagging list of emotional things I’m working on. I will get better. I may not shine in 2007, but I plan to glow a little.

And here’s another thing I’ve observed…Old people fighting. What is that? I mean, gosh, what is left to fight about by then? That has got to stem from some kind of seriously unresolved issues!

I shall have no issues unresolved. They shall be let go, set free, they will not remain around to come back to make me angry when I am 80. Not a freakin’ chance on that – I am leaving this world in a state of Tu Tranquilo.

If God still recognizes me immediately, I will pass over to the next world in peace and calmness. If God’s vision of me is blurry, and He has to look up things, or ask Jesus if he remembers me so I can get a reference, (Heavens, please don’t send Satan!), I feel I’ll pass over, but maybe God will be having me feel some of that tinge of regret that gets me sometime in the night, before I complete my journey home. I'm trusting he won’t but, I think I’ll take care of as many things as I can while still here- so I can sail under the command of My God easily. (My heart surged when I heard Billy Graham say he was 'hoping' he was going to heaven...hoping? If he is Billy Graham and he is 'hoping' ...I truly am hoping God recognizes me!)

So you see? Time’s A Wastin’. Go get ‘em Tiger. Let this be your year for the Glow – or the Shine! Just know this, you will never make the basket if you don’t shoot.

Time's A Wastin' ..... Love's A Waitin' ....

And remember, always, .

Love conquers All

I love my family.
I love my friends.

I love the God that gave me the things I love

With opportunities for more Love..

He taught me Love Conquers All.

I’ve been in the presence of that.

I’ve seen the saddest thing bloom love.

More than one time.

I’ve seen the tragedy become the joy

I have seen the joy come from the tragedy

Grow to love Him – Grow to love God

On more than one occasion, I have seen it,

And I have been amazed by the miracle of it all

And just quietly say to myself,

“It’s true. Love conquers All”

Love is Action

Love is Healing

Though

Love Hurts

Love Knows

When to stay

And when to go
without leaving,

just waits, quietly
for someone to believe.

Love Frees

Love Binds

Love does not know math

And doesn’t count the times

We failed, lost, lied, cried,

Love just waits for us to let it back inside.

Love needs Us
To release Love
to do that thing that
Love can do

Because WE are the power of love

Gifted to us by the Almighty.

Love plants,
We are the reapers.
Those around us sow.

Is your heart ready?

Love brings that peace that passes all understanding,
While living and basking in Love

Love is fast
Love is slow

But

Is Love tough?

One thing I know, it’s always strong enough.

And it’s always there. Always.

Love conquers all
because
Love Bears All Things.

Best dreams to you in 2007.

Make it a wonderful year.

~~Miss Roxie

Sweet Christmas After All

It seemed to come so fast and pass so quickly.

I hope your memories are fond.

I hope all love you have lives on.

I hope your sorrows pass quickly,
and the hurts they burrow
allow love to plant deeply.

I hope the smiles from your children light brightly
those places in your heart where shadows somtimes fall,
and make all their smudges and bad moods
fade a fast distance from memory,

And it is Love that you remember
After All

May you have a most wonderful and God loving, fearing, believing, receiving, miracle believing
New Year ~

Tu Tranquilo,

Miss Roxie

So this is it - 2007 next

Did you feel it? It was that thing that put a little weight on you. It was that thing that made your bones a little stiffer. It left your hair a little grayer, and maybe there are a few more lines in your face that were gifted to you. It was that thing that left you a little broke in that bank account of yours and maybe brought up the numbers on your credit card balance – (yes, I have a balance on my credit cards, and as much as I try, it still remains). So - That was the year passing.

But hopefully, it didn’t take your smile. It didn’t come to do that. If you lost that, you did that on your own. Go look in the mirror and get it back, if that was the case. You need it. It’s going to be the thing that keeps you beautiful.

I'm always amazed, somewhere inside, when I get here. I'm always thinking, “okay this is a great time for a do-over”, and then, next thing I know - I'm here again!! Another year – gone in 60 seconds!

I always have Resolutions. And this year I gave a few out to other people that they should have! Boy, have I become bolder and bolder in my OTJB transportation through the time zone.

I gave my 80-year-old mother in the law the resolution that she will stop fussing at and scolding her 53-year-old daughter for dumb stuff. Totally dumb freaking’ stuff!! I mean, come on, you are 80! It's over, mom.

Message to mom: She is who she is and she's a damn good woman you got there for a child, now leave her alone. Rejoice in all her positive attributes because she has so many. After all, it is she who will decide your nursing home.

I told my father in law he must resolve that he will get paid attention too. It’s just the way it is in this family, and he is really fortunate that that is the case. Please stop acting like your children are doing something so awful because they remember your birthday and buy you so much at Christmas. It’s annoying. They love you. Let them.

I told my own kids to resolve to understand that I am getting older. I can’t out run them anymore, nor do I wish too. I burn things now, my cookies aren't always perfect any more (wah), I don't make your favorite foods like I used to because I can't even remember what they were, and besides I don't use a lot of those ingredients anymore because we have learned they will kill us. (Ummm, you guys seem just fine though...ummmm?). But I do remember that I was (and am) always happy when you came in the door and when I see your face, each of you, I always know there is a heaven.

And boys, if you date a girl that has a name close to your last girlfriend's name, I will call your new girlfriend by your old girlfriend's name. Deal with it. It's not the end of the world.

I told my mother she must resolve to come to terms with the fact that I am no longer 14 years old, and I told my father - I'm no longer 12. And yes, I make mistakes - (didn't they?) - and yes, my children WILL make mistakes, and WILL make a bad grade now and then in school - and they will lose things - and show up late for dinner once in a awhile. In case you hadn't realized it, mom and dad, my kids are human.

However, I love my children and support them –

No.

Matter.

What.

Period.

Amen.

I love my kids, dad and mom, and feel like I have no reason to talk badly about them. And will not. I have good kids. End of story

Okay. So that’s all I think I should say about that. Enough boldness for now.

I hope you all make the most out of the days that are presented to you. I am going to try.

I hope your days are good and prosperous. I hope you lean out of your comfort zone and make a day now and then, good and prosperous for someone else. I’m going to try that too.

My best to you, each and every one. Happy New Year to you all.

Tu Tranquilo,

Miss Roxie

Short clips

1. I still have not checked out this 'new blogger' thing. I'm just so afraid that I will do something that will just mix it all up. I have to find a day to get with Leslie over at Bona Vita Rusticanda Est. She's my main source of computer teaching. My kids go to fast for me. Leslie is patient. (Oh and if you click on that link, you will see a happy banana. But not for long, I know it's headed for that blender.)

2. My father in law turned 90 yesterday. He was in a bad mood that anyone was paying him any attention about it. I'm not clear on the reason. But he has been this way every since I have known him. He gets kind of 'mad' at me, because I tell him, 'every year you say you don't want it, but every year you know this is going to happen, so why get angry?' I'm not sure I should have said that.

We went out to dinner for his birthday. He did not want to go. We had a cake and sang to him and gave him presents after dinner at his house. He did not want the cake or the presents. I don't know what to make of it.

What do you do? If someone says, 'don't do anything! I don't want it.' Do they really mean it? His daughter is afraid that if we ignore it that his feelings will be hurt. She says, 'he says he doesn't want anything, but he really does.'

Why do people do that? It must be some kind of fear of rejection or disappointment issue.

He gets around really well. He has really great legs even though he says they are weak and he doesn't trust them. So maybe he feels unnerved going out, not sure what his legs are going to do.

We are decided on getting a cane for him for a gift, but we didn't come through because we didn't find one that was cool enough.

3. Christmas here was good. One of the sweetest Christmas' I have ever had. I have some photos that I will eventually post. Madam Blueberry loved her rain boots. They are so cute!!

4. Tonight my sister's here with Nathan and he sleeps over here while she and her husband Gary sleep next door at Bills'. It works out great.

They are here for the preNew Years' party on the 30th. Should be fun. My sister sings well so it's always fun to get her up there to sing.

And at the party we were going to announce Steve's 90th birthday and drink a toast to him, and I wonder, will he get angry? Should we even worry about it? The man deserves a toast. Right?

Tomorrow I am cooking for things I'm taking to the party. Spinach Balls (really good), a taco dip platter (really good and easy), and finger sandwiches. Oh yea, and I think I'm cooking meatballs too. It'll be fine. It's the Spinach Balls people really, really like.

Here’s the recipe for those few who might be interested --

1 box frozen spinach thawed and water pressed out of it really, really well.
1 cup cheese - and kind you want
1 box of stuffing - any flavor you like (I mix cornbread and savory herbs)
2 eggs for each frozen box of spinach
1/2 cup chicken bouillon flavor
1 TBS flour

Mix everything to together really well. Make sure the stuffing is moistened by whatever it's in.

Form the balls - about an inch in size. Now I let mine sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before I cooked that. But anyway, I transferred them to a tray and cooked them for 35 minutes. They are good and they hold together well.

They are the type of recipe that if you don't have one thing, you can find another thing and it will be well.

4. So Saturday +Seldom Seen and the Reminders+ are playing at my brothers. They got some rehearsal time in, not as much as they might love, but it all seems to work about well from the vantage point I have.

It's all about family. And having fun. And working together.

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted. ~Paul Pearshall

The lack of emotional security of our American young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born. ~Pearl S. Buck

Family -
Fam i lee
Fa mil y
Fam i ly
F am I ly

We are connected before we are born to those people of whom we don't know and most often will never know. Maybe once, at Aunt Cleo's wedding, will cousin Bobbie come with Callie Mae and sit in the back and smile all knowingly, probably the only relative willing to give out all the answers to the unanswered questions about Charley, Uncle Buck and the covered wagon from Mr. Marshall's barn. We say nothing and the story is all is lost.

Family - we loose the little parts of the stories all the time. What difference does it make if we fill it up with a really good story instead of one so sad? Could it really do all that damage for little Kelley to know that Uncle Joe went to jail for shotting craps on the side of the milk barn? Life goes on. What fear would be realeased if we just went ahead and told all the stories?

Give them the proper light and the proper love. Love conquers all. God's in control. Truth is truth is truth.

There is craziness in every mix of people. You can bank on it. And if everyone seems sane, well guess what? Look around and count the statistics ~ ummm, maybe it's you.

Pursuit of Happyness

In the movie, Chris Gardner says something about Thomas Jefferson writing in the Constitution that we have the right to the pursuit of happiness because

"Maybe happiness is something we can only pursue; maybe we can never have it."

Very interesting thought. I’ve never looked it that way.

I think everyone should see this movie. One good review I read was here.

a quote from that review:

"In many ways, this movie is perfect for our economic moment—a time when "getting ahead" seems less and less plausible and more and more people feel the nip of creditors at their heels. With the middle class squeeze, the line between making it and poverty is increasingly thin. A prolonged illness. A lost job. Unexpected bills. It's not that hard to identify with Chris, so it's uncomfortable to see him and his son sleeping in homeless shelters and bus stations. Still, his determination to be a loving and providing father never wavers."

When I went to the theater to see it, I knew nothing about it. I just watched this guy continue. Continue, and continue, against incredible odds. While taking care of his small son, he just seemed to be able to hold it together because I think he believed that if you are committed to taking care of your child, all will be well.

I can’t imagine being evicted from my apartment and have no where to live, with my child...
I can't imagine my life coming down to such desperate measures that I really need the $14.00 a friend owes me...
I can't imagine riding on the subway all night because I have no where else to go, with my child...
I can't imagine sleeping on the floor of a bathroom in a subway station, on a hand made toilet paper bed, while someone bangs on the door, with my child....
I can't imagine running across town and standing in line at the homeless shelter, hoping to get in because there is a limit for head count, and there are many homeless, and knowing that maybe I won't get in, with my child.....

I wonder how many people in this world would do, or could do, what this guy did to survive in order to honor the responsibility of taking care of his child?

Our attitude reigns. Our attitude rules not just our outcome, but also those around us.
It could change the world if minds would just focus on that.

This father's dedication to take care of his son may be the thing that actually saves him from drowning in a sea of despair and poverty. One never knows what God will send one for the necessitations of one's survival. I know my children gave me a great sense of purpose.

During all Chris Gardner’s trials, I kept thinking, “where is his family?” I still don’t know the answer to that question, but it sure renewed a whole appreciation for the relationship I have with mine.

Simplex arguo

Today I took care of both my nephews. Zack is 7 and Jake is 3. They were very good, actually, and I was quite happy about that because I'm feeling a tad bit under the weather.

When I was making lunch for them, Jake had his feet on the counter.

I said to him, with my eyebrows raised and pointing to his feet, "Young man, what is this?"

He said, "This my feet."

I said, in a very serious tone," And what are you going to do with them?"

He said, "I'm going to walk on them."

Three year olds. Can't get any easier than that.

The How Angry Are You Quiz

I looked up an Anger Quiz after my episode in the drugstore today ~ and seems to me, I'm okay!!!

You Are 9% Angry

You're so laid back, no one could ever accuse you of getting angry. While there are a few little things that may annoy you, you generally play it cool. In fact, your calm attitude tends to provoke people with anger problems. They may think you're screwing with them, but that's just the way you are!

How Angry Are You?

Just wait your turn.

I usually roll with the punches and just make a joke later when people are rude in public. At least what I consider rude, and maybe I was brought up in an era of to much politeness. I just do not know anymore.

I do know that I try hard, when I'm in public to be nice, patient with others, and wait my turn. Thus far in my life I've been able to keep enough control that I have not run with scissors.

This afternoon I had a small encounter at the drugstore.

I was in line. I was buying one thing. Cough medicine.

I had waited my turn behind people who had many more purchases than I. I wasn't thinking anything in particular, just waiting. Then my turn came up, and the cashier began the simple transaction.

From behind me I hear a voice speaking. I turned because I was not sure if the voice might be talking to me, but she was talking to the cashier. The cashier that was completing my transaction.

I looked at the woman speaking and said, 'would you mind waiting just a minute until she's finishes with my transaction? I do need to go somewhere.' I didn't say it meanly. I just said it. I didn't say it sweetly. I just said it.

I turned back around and the woman behind me that had been speaking before said, 'Well, that was not very nice."

I paused for just a second. That second of making a choice. Surely, I would just let it go. Surely I would.

Nope. I did not.

I turned back around, and said, "Excuse me?"

And she said, "That was not very nice."

At first I was thinking, she was meaning herself ~ that she was not very nice to interrupt the transaction in progress. But then I realized she was not. She was saying I was not very nice in asking her to wait her turn. I was not very nice in asking her to wait until I had finished being waited on before she could ask her questions about the CD man being on duty.

I said, "You interrupted the cashier during my transaction."

She said, "It didn't take up that much of her time. It didn’t slow her down that much."

At this point I thought to myself ~ there is no point in talking to this woman.

What was she thinking about? That it was okay to interrupt someone else’s turn if you are going to ask about the CD man being on duty yet? It would be okay to interrupt to ask for an outside line should you need to call 911. That would be okay. I’d even give you my phone. Heavens, I have lent people my car!

Was she so blind as not to see that the cashier –stopped- waiting on me so that she could address the woman’s question?

I was surprised enough at myself that I had said "Excuse me?" but now I hear myself attempting to explain to this woman that this was my turn, and that she had interrupted during a transaction of business and it was not her place to do so. I thought to myself, "Self, you are an idiot. Just quit talking."

So the husband wished me a nice holiday, and I wished the same to him.

Then I got to thinking. How will this woman play back the story to her friends and family? Will she tell how this lady raised her eyebrows at her and said “Excuse me?” with her eyebrow raising voice because she interrupted the lady’s turn in the drugstore line with her question about the CD man being on duty? And will she also be upset that I interrupted her being able to ask any more questions of the cashier until I got my change and was able to leave and she actually had to wait until her actual turn?

No one enjoys confrontation. Especially ones of this nature. Ones involving total strangers and cough syrup. I probably should have let it go. But for some reason, this day, I could not.

I’m sorry lady, but you were in the wrong. You need to learn to wait your turn.

When in doubt -- Socks!

It's practically Christmas. And I am practically out of ideas for gifts and the ones I have purchased are pretty much very practical which makes them, in my opinion, a tiny bit boring. I don't want to have a boring Christmas (selfish silly me). I want a little pizzazz for everyone!

And I am not a materialist. I just like to have fun with watching people open their gifts and smiling. Okay. I get some self-satisfaction if I choose something that a person really, really likes. I'm human, so sue me.

I did come up with a gift for Madam Blueberry, which I had to laugh about since I hadn't intended on posting about it at all, but the Thread of the Shoes (- which I learned about here at Leslie's -), I found hysterical since it so related to the gift I got her, but I can't tell you, just in case she reads my blog ~ but I think it's the coolest idea I came up with. Maybe not *ever* ~ but in the cool catagory nonetheless especially from someone who didn't have an idea in the first place.

And I do know and relish the true meaning of Christmas. I do know that I have many, many, many blessings to count, and I am very happy with my life and my family, and we are planning a fun time together during the two weeks of holiday time, -- I think the true meaning of Christmas is Love Conquers All because Hope was delivered and Forgiveness pronounced as a top requirement for Complete Living. Can't get better than that, the way I sees it.

But, I want to find some pizzazzy gifts! I'll continue to keep my mind open. But I am running out of time, aren't I? And my mind is running out of space.

I looked to see if there was a Pizzazzy gifts.com and there was not. Mostly florists with 'pizzazzy' used as an adjective.

My oldest son has me hooked on perusing Overstock.com ~ they have a way to help you find everything for everybody and anybody which would be easy and lovely to do should one have no budget. That budget does get in the way.

It requires us to be sensible in our frugalnessitates of the frugalness. Very hard job, that. It's difficult to find those three gifts that give joy, represent and provide hope, either together or by themselves, and make people smile.

What I find I've done in the past, is buy people what I would like to have. It seems to work well ~ as far as I know. I've never keep track of how many people have regifted items I have given them.

There was a time in my life I would have felt an offense had someone regifted a gift I had given to them. But that time has passed by me now. I have regifted many things, and I totally understand ~ it's the thought that counts.

I do try to get things that the individual person would like. But let's face it, we all can't do that for everyone, now can we? But when in doubt ~ SOCKS are the perfect gift!

There are some pretty cool socks out there! As a matter of fact, there are so many socks, it makes it really hard to choose.

One can totally express themselves through their socks! Get out there, take your shoes off, and show your socks!! Support the troops socks, handbag socks, cat socks, cow socks, wine socks, martini socks, monkey socks, oh how I wish I'd found this site sooner socks.

I think socks are so cool, that whoever said they need to match, is wrong. As long as they feel comfortable to you, what does it matter? Wear one red and one green this Christmas. Buy two different pairs and switch them over. It'll be trendy!

So this week will find me at the mall, looking around for some really cool socks for everybody on my list!


I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. ~Author Unknown

Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. ~Author Unknown

The Parable of the 9 cookies

It was doggedee rainy here today. Just pouring. It looked like it might be snow at first, that slow falling and each piece looking so defined. But no, it was water as in rain. I got soaked. Head to pretty much toe.

I took Jacob to the library, and he used the umbrella. He's 3 feet tall. I am not. He also has a radar that causes his feet to pounce in every puddle.

One of the ladies in the library today has a very mobile 16 month old. He's like a little wind up toy. She sets him down, and he just walks in a direction till he comes to something and then grabs that something and turns and moves on...it's so funny to watch. I said something to her about him being just the right height to grab things off the Christmas tree. But the mom told me they don't put up a Christmas tree because they don't believe in them.

She said something about she and her husband being Catholic and Jewish. I have friends and family who are Jewish, and they put up Christmas trees, so I was interested and curious, because I am about others beliefs and cultures - in a good way -- but she said it was because they do not want to celebrate the commercialism of Christmas. They give their child one gift. I wanted to hear more about what she had to say, but it was difficult talking while children are running around and not listening to Miss Vanessa. Maybe I can talk with her again sometime, but it's doubtful I'll see her again before Christmas.

My sister in law told me about another lady who said they give their children three gifts only. Three gifts because the Christ child received three gifts. And the three gifts they give represent (somehow) gold, frankincense and myrrh. I remember as a kid having to look up what 'frankincense and myrrh' were.

I am still not overwhelmed with the Christmas spirit. And to that, I do not fault Christmas. I love Christmas.

I baked cookies. They were so good. I ate 9 of them last night. At this rate I'll gain 20 pounds before the 25th. I freeze mine right away, and then they are marvelous!

I baked banana bread. Two kinds. One with All Bran cereal in it for those who may need to increase their fiber with good tasting stuff, and one with applesause instead of oil so as not to clog any more arteries than necessary. My 20 year old said, "Please, Mom, stop already with the changing of the receipes. Let us have our fat and good tasting stuff. We're all going to die anyway."

I still have shopping to do. But not because I haven't been shopping. But only because I can't think of what to buy!! Or what I really want to spend money on!! I am not a very good consumer.

When I reach these weird blue funky moves, I reach around all over for words -- The Bible and Shakespeare are my favorites --

"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none." (All's Well That Ends Well)
-- William Shakespeare

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
-- 1 Peter 4:8

But it remains about love
and love conquering all,
and giving regardless of how you feel,
and tolerating that one more thing you thought you couldn't tolerate,
and be sensible
and take a walk after you eat those 9 cookies,
and oh yes, probably make that phone call you've been thinking about making,
and address that card you were thinking about addressing,
and, yeah, go ahead and say I'm sorry ....

In an old movie they said, "love means never having to say you're sorry."
That's a nice sentiment. But love means go ahead and say it. Then you don't ever have too.

The following is about Saying you are Sorry being a good thing. It's a 5 page read, but it's good. Here is an excerpt ....

"Far and away the biggest stumbling block to apologizing is our belief that apologizing is a sign of weakness and an admission of guilt. We have the misguided notion we are better off ignoring or denying our offenses and hope that no one notices.

In fact the apology is a show of strength. It is an act of honesty because we admit we did wrong; an act of generosity, because it restores the self-concept of those we offended. It offers hope for a renewed relationship and, who knows, possibly even a strengthened one. The apology is an act of commitment because it consigns us to working at the relationship and at our self-development. Finally, the apology is an act of courage because it subjects us to the emotional distress of shame and the risk of humiliation, rejection, and retaliation at the hands of the person we offended.

All dimensions of the apology require strength of character, including the conviction that, while we expose vulnerable parts of ourselves, we are still good people."

This article is not from a spiritual stand point at all. It's kind of like - just the facts, 'mam. So be sure you take that into consideration should you decide to read it all, and it is showing some wise insight, which really to me, is nothing more than common sense from a worldly perspective.

In my opinion this ~
love means, say you are sorry, bake the cookies, eat 9, take a walk, and admit to yourself you are sorry that you ate them. Then all will go better with the world.

Protons jiggle in the sun

I had my MRI yesterday. I'm sure it will turn up nothing of consequence, but before my doctor will sign off so I can exercise at the gym, I had to have one --
anyway,
After it was over, I told the tech that I felt like I was on a ledge the whole time and falling off to the side. He said, that made sense because actually what he was doing was separating my protons and that could make you feel lopsided.

The protons are like first made crazy and then they calm down and chill, emitting "radio signals" that enable the computer to pick up the image they form.

Protons are most abundant in the body in the hydrogen atoms of water ...
Water content...
Water ...

That got me thinking ...

We are all a large percentage water. Some books say 70 some still argue it less, but nonetheless, we are _all_ a large part WATER.

Somehow that makes us more the same than different. The only thing different about water is how it's taken care of, as to how pure it is, you know, drinkable or contaminated or pure or polluted. Meaning to me, it's something we have power over - taking care of the water in our body.

We are always looking at the outside for differences instead of in the inside for samenesses.

Water affects everything. There is nothing on the earth that water does not affect. Think about it. Even just a little puddle of water somewhere is affecting something.

Kids jump in them. Cars run through them. They dry up and other things get dumped in them, they never go away, they just move somewhere else.

Where am I going with this? I'm not sure. I'm just thinking out loud.

. .... .. .... There’s no clear dawning yet.

I did think for the minute that people who are in good health are generally in good spirits, but then I thought, ummmm, I know people who take really good care of themselves and some people don’t really want to be around them, so what’s that all about?

Another dimension of the being – that third dimension, that one that does the non judging, non dictating, non reacting part of us – is that one always there? Do we all even have that part, each of us?

Ooops, sorry, I have slipped over in that black hole area where all thoughts are allowed, but not necessarily connected quite clearly enough. I shall quiet that area now. There will be more to connect later on.

Good night, all.

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Restful Thinking

I have always written. Just as a means of survival. I have never been diligent about saving my stuff. But it shows up here and there.

My mom was going through some old pictures and found one of my old poems from 1980. I was a widow then. My oldest son was just about four. I felt like I was handling a lot, yet handling nothing.

It’s funny now, how reading this poem brings back the memory of each and everything I mentioned in it ~ this was a real day in my life ~

Restful Thinking
~~Miss Roxie

When you see a mommy resting,
Leave her be.
Because she deserves a break today,
You see ...

She fixed your breakfast
Washed four loads

Mowed the lawn

And folded clothes

Cleaned the bathroom

Darned two socks

Untangled all your shoelace knots

Sewed up Ernie

Washed the dog

Saved you from ‘the great big frog’

Fixed your lunch

Wiped up your drink

Washed all the dishes in the sink…

And now, as the clock rounds one,

She wonders about what’s left undone,

But ‘tis of little matter now,

Because as the angels watch and smile,

Mommy needs to rest awhile.

There just may be some value to this

Three minute angels ....

Relief of tension and stress from head, shoulders, and next -- who couldn't use that in the course of their work day?

Mi Hat Su Hat ~ Be prepared

Regardless of a blue funk or not, one must shop for Christmas. I did some online shopping this morning. Gosh, I am just amazed as to how close to Christmas we really are!!

I went to the mall this evening. I decided to wear my Santa Hat. While I was in line at Bath and Body Shop, a little boy in a stroller asked his mom, 'why does she have Santa's hat?' -- His mom, a young woman, shushed him.

I'm an old woman, so I just smiled and said to him, "This is my hat." He asked me could he try it on. His mom, the young woman, said, 'no, no, that's her hat.' But I was already handing him the hat. I guess she wasn't too upset with that, as she let him try it on.

I didn't ask for it back.

You should have seen him. He was so cute. He actually had put it on backwards, but no one said anything. I just stood there smiling at him. He was smiling just looking so pleased with the moment.

His mom was the one to decide he should give it back to me. I didn't ask for it back because I wanted to make sure he had it on long enough to feel whatever it was he thought he was going to feel wearing that hat. One never knows the power of a Santa Hat, does one?

I'm going out again on Thursday. And again, I'm going to wear my hat. Matter of fact, I've got an idea. I have a couple of extra hats here, I may put one in my bag and take it with me. Just in case someone else might find some power in the hat.


Wisdom alone is true ambition's aim � Wisdom the source of virtue, and of fame� Obtained with labor, for mankind employed� And then, when most you share it, best enjoyed.
--Alfred Whitehead

I miss my friends

Friendship

I think a while of Love, and while I think,
Love is to me a world,
Sole meat and sweetest drink,
And close connecting link
Tween heaven and earth.

I only know it is, not how or why,
My greatest happiness;
However hard I try,
Not if I were to die,
Can I explain.

I fain would ask my friend how it can be,
But when the time arrives,
Then Love is more lovely
Than anything to me,
And so I'm dumb.

For if the truth were known, Love cannot speak,
But only thinks and does;
Though surely out 'twill leak
Without the help of Greek,
Or any tongue.

A man may love the truth and practise it,
Beauty he may admire,
And goodness not omit,
As much as may befit
To reverence.

But only when these three together meet,
As they always incline,
And make one soul the seat,
And favorite retreat,
Of loveliness;

When under kindred shape, like loves and hates
And a kindred nature,
Proclaim us to be mates,
Exposed to equal fates
Eternally;

And each may other help, and service do,
Drawing Love's bands more tight,
Service he ne'er shall rue
While one and one make two,
And two are one;

In such case only doth man fully prove
Fully as man can do,
What power there is in Love
His inmost soul to move
Resistlessly.

By: Henry David Thoreau

found on Poet Seers, kind of a cool site ....

Look! Up in the sky ....or just around

Space Shuttle lights up the sky today --

the National Geographic photo of the day ...not your average run of the mill reindeer?

Can you tell what we have here? Maybe. big things. in the water.

This is cool. Reminds me of a story called Roxaboxen. I want to send that book to Miss M.

These are all just cute - little bunnies, little penquins, and I am fond of polar bears ....

Blue Funk

I have been in a kind of weird mood - not of the holiday spirit kind - and I was searching around online for nothing in particular and came across something - The Astronomy Picture of the Day site --

If only my Blue Funk did look like this!!

This was taken on my anniversary two years ago. Is that not phenomenal? Who can believe that is real?

or this ...

Super Earths?

Rosette Nebula?

The Eagle Nebula?

Some beautiful stuff, that.

Heaven is so far of the Mind
That were the Mind dissolved—
The Site—of it—by Architect
Could not again be proved—

'Tis vast—as our Capacity—
As fair—as our idea—
To Him of adequate desire
No further 'tis, than Here—

~~Emily Dickinson

Parts of December till now

“Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together….”

Carl Zwanzig.

So many of the blogs offer up opinions of politics and such - I might start doing that -- it seems a tad boring to post about personal things only, but this is my blog and I do use it as a diary for my life ....so that will always be part of it

On the 5th I had to go to a place and choose some grout for some outdoor tile work that's to be done at my front door. It's seems, that when, the house was under construction, the plumber was working here and did not realize that the concrete crew had just poured concrete around the porch (which is two sides).

The plumber threw a big bucket of water out the front door and then proceeded to walk out. So it looks 'weird' with water lines through it and two huge footprints going out. That's at my front door. Very attractive, yes?

The plumber felt bad, even though I still maintain it's not entirely his fault -- someone should have alerted him to the fact that concrete was being poured -- but never thee mind -- he says it's his fault and is footing (haha, no pun intended) part of the bill for the new tile walkway.

anyway, while I was there at the tile place, I was with Jake and have now realized that these people at Floors Direct think I am crazy. Jake did this little thing where he gets right smack dab behind me, and I can't see him; you see, I turn and he turns. he thinks it's delightfully funny, in a three year old kind of a way.

So, I'm all like calling, "Jake! Jacob!" (and his brother's name is Zack - and sometimes (all of us) call things like 'Zake', instead of Jake --) And he's not answering, just turning when I turn - and smiling - and then one of the clerks comes from around the counter to say, "mam, the little boy is right there."

Did I feel like a crazy person? Yes.

Moving along. the next night was my sister in laws birthday. We went to a great restaurant on the water. Just so lovely, beautiful sky, just wonderful eating outside....

After two glasses of Merlot I realized I really didn't even need dinner, the great company, the view, the wine, and all was wonderful, such laughter a family can make. Maybe an appetizer or something, but really, I didn't need any food. I felt full with enjoyment. Well, on that, and the two big pieces of cake I ate - haha. Oh yeah, Madam B's sweet young boyfriend's little sister Jazzy turned one today - so more cake!!

Other big incidents in a Day-in-the-life-of-Jacob-and-me - I made a hopscotch and played terribly. You try it_ anyone_ 60 or up! Give it a shot. You others, better try it before it too late! I felt like I was carrying a 50 pound weight we won't say where!

I also tried a hoola hoop! How almost embarrassing! I need much more practice. I did well with making a chalkboard road though. I even had a train track and stop lights and everyone who came home and parked on it got scolded by Jacob! LOL. He was only made happy if they promised they would move their car before the sun came up.

Next week is my MRI - on my back. I joined the gym and because I had physical therapy here, they suggested I get the doctor to sign off on which exercises I might have to go easy at. And well, he says, 'exercise? you can't exercise. you have to have an MRI."

Well. like I didn't move to China, WHEN were you going to tell ME about this? (Oh, only if I joined a gym? What a way to work this. I'm not sure yet, who knows what they are doing regarding the doctors in this town. I've had three different diagnoses from three different doctors for whatever it was that put me in the emergency room twice, still have a numb leg, and no one knows what happened really.)

On the list - shopping for the two charities we choose.

Wonderful thing - Came home from work today and Madam Blueberry had the tree done and it looks so wonderful. It's a lovely tree all by itself. She choose it. I was impressed. It's impressive. And simply decorated, I like that. And there was Christmas music playing. It was great.

She is peachy.


”The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
~~John Locke