Just some random thoughts....

Happy Thursday, everyone. We have just 2 more days in this month then it'll be September. I can remember as a child, September always meant school and cooler temperatures. How things change. School now starts in August and the cooler temperatures here doesn't actually happen until October. Hmmmm.

Heat...  
We won't be seeing a break in this heat and humidity until maybe next week.

County fair...
our fair started this morning. I don't know if or when we'll be going out. We're suppose to have the 2 youngest grandsons Sunday and Monday because Teresa is working at the fair, so we may take the boys out then. It gets more and more expensive every year so we won't be doing much. And with the heat, I may leave Hubby at home. He gets so grumpy when he feels miserable.

My brother... 
my brother in Texas has a birthday Saturday the 31st. Every year he gets mail from me on his birthday, sometimes a gift, other times just a card. I almost forgot him this year. So I quickly wrote a letter this morning and gave it to the mailman.

Our mother... 
our mother's birthday was last week and it's always a nostalgic day for the 3 of us, my brother, sister and me. So many memories of her and the things we did together. She would have been 95.

Wedding reception.... 
when our daughter got married last year, they couldn't have a reception because of their busy schedules. He had to get back to work, she was working plus trying to finish her schooling so she could take her state exam. Then the move to Michigan and our grandson starting in a new school. Consequently, to celebrate they decided to have a party this weekend for their first anniversary. Both families will be there, at his mother's house in the country. Mike's mother and sister have even ordered a wedding cake for them. It should be fun.

Fried chicken...
It's been a busy day for me, so when we went to the grocery store this afternoon I picked up a store-prepared fried chicken for supper. It smelled so good. All I had to do when we got home was prepare some potatoes. I like those kinds of meals -- quick and easy.

Too much togetherness.... 
there is such a thing. Ever since Hubby totally retired, we've spent day after day, 24/7, together. The only break I get is when he goes out for a range meeting (2 hrs. once a month). I'm thinking we each need some "me time" but I have no place go. It's not that I don't love him, but when I start getting frustrated at the little things he does, and have to bite my tongue, I know I'm in trouble.

Cake... 
I baked a cake last night for no reason except I was hungry for one. My favorite. Just a white cake with vanilla icing. Now I can hear it out there in the kitchen calling my name.

Until later.............

Hodgepodge Wed. Aug. 28, 2013

It's another Wednesday, so that means another Hodgepodge list of questions from Joyce.
How to join the Hodgepodge fun.

1. Labor Day weekend (in the US of A) is approaching...what's something you've labored over this year?
That is a difficult question. There's been SO many things I've labored over this year, from the smallest one-day jobs to the ones that's been in progress for the last few months. However, the only thing I can think of isn't actually a labor. Well, I guess it is. It's a labor of love. I finally have a dream come true. I've labored over piano lessons. Most days are fun; others are true labor.


2. What is one word to describe your 'job' or career?
Always on duty --- I know that's not one word, but that's the smallest description that I could think of. I'm retired from my paying job, but my career is still alive and well. That would be a wife/mother/grandmother. That's the career I chose in 1963 and I've never regretted one moment since then. With a husband, 3 grown daughters and 7 grandchildren, my duties are on call 24/7 and I wouldn't have it any other way. They all make me happy I'm here.


3. What was your worst or least favorite job ever? Why?
I tried working in a factory and it was awful. The pressure of keeping up to speed with the others almost drove me crazy. I'm a laid-back kind of person, so when I was thrown into a situation where I had a supervisor watching over my shoulder, heaving big sighs of disappointment, and the ladies working the same line of manufacturing beside me, yelling for me to "hurry it up", I was in tears. If they hadn't let me go, I would have done it myself. However, I applaud those ladies in factories. It takes a special kind of person to do the work.


4. How do you measure contentment?
Contentment is defined as “satisfaction with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else” and contentment is “ease of mind.” We are always surrounded with advertising telling us if we bought their product, we'd be happy. Material items does NOT produce happiness. Too many people today look at others around them, seeing their life, then they wish their life was more like their's. "I wish I was happy like she is." If truth be known, that smiling person 'with the perfect life' isn't as happy as they think. For me, it's the ease of mind. I may not have all I want, but I have all I NEED.


5. Pickles- like or dislike? What is something you eat that requires a pickle? Dill, bread and butter, sweet gherkins...what's your favorite kind of pickle?
I used to love pickles, but I don't eat many now. My favorite was always the orange strips. I like dill slices on a burger once in awhile, but that's about all. Oh, I have to have sweet relish in my potato salad. :)


6. In your current house-town-state, what is it you like living close to?
That would be my family and friends. Both my husband and I were born in this little town of only 12,000 people and we've stayed. Our brothers and sisters are still here. Our children (2 of them anyways) still live here. Plus our grandchildren are here. We couldn't live anywhere else.


7. What is one thing on your 'want-to-do' list before summer draws to an official close?
I want to take a vacation, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen -- again.


8. Insert your own random thought here.
I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do a blog today because my day started out with this computer. I was getting all kinds of error messages. I got so frustrated trying to find the problem until I finally had to walk away from it. I sat down in the living room, feeling as if I was in mourning. Over a computer? I've had this happen before but I stayed with it until I had it fixed. Today I just couldn't handle it so hubby took over. He got it fixed, but for me, it was an eye-opener........ I'm addicted !!! I wonder if there's any support groups for me?

Hot week ahead

The big news today: hot and humid. Our temperatures are rising to the mid 90's with the expected heat index to be in the high range. That could even reach the triple digits. Summer has returned. :)

We have the boys today while Teresa is at work. She finally got to go back after her case of pneumonia. I'm sure the boys will be hanging around the living room most of the day. Jr. isn't feeling too well. He has an ear ache. I have drops for him when he wakes up.

Bryan has gotten over whatever it was that had him down last week. He's 100% ornery again. I'm so glad. The hardest thing for me is a sick child. He spent the morning watching TV while his brother slept.

Last Friday Bob and I went up to our favorite eatery for supper. Friday is always the seafood buffet, which I love. I usually just fill my plate with fish, some shrimp, clam strips and hush-puppies. Then a big salad. Bob had his favorite.... a Texas tenderloin. They are so big, he folds them over in the big bun and his french fries are served on another plate because there's not space on the same plate.

When my brother was up from TX in June, we took him up there to eat. He tried the tenderloin and loved it so much he wanted to go back the next day for another one. When Bob and I were there Friday, he let me take a picture of his sandwich and send it to my brother. The text I got back was "a loving sister would send one to me, no, bring me one". I think it's funny that a guy from TX has to come to Ohio to taste a TX tenderloin.  lol

There's nothing else going on here today, so I'll go for now. Hope you have a great day.
Until next time...............

Friday, Aug. 23, 2013

My day was just starting and I got hit with enough drama and sorrow to last a week. That's what I get for complaining about my quiet, event-less life. I don't like the drama, so I'll take back my quiet life, please.

I hadn't even gotten my eyes opened, or that first cup of coffee when I get a message from my daughter that got married last year and now lives in Michigan. They didn't have a wedding reception, so they're planning a celebration next week, on their first anniversary, back here with family and friends. She just realized this morning that she had a wrong phone number on the invitations she sent out. She doesn't know how many people got it since she worked several days writing and addressing them all. Now she's all upset that she made (in her words) "such a stupid mistake".

An hour later our youngest daughter came in, all upset. She ranted and cried over several things in the few minutes she was here. I had started this writing by going into all the details, then decided to not bore you.  So, in a nutshell she talked about:
1) Our grandson, her son, in Columbus at OSU, has big money problems and may have to quit school.
2) Her car needs repaired
3) She's scared her ex might not bring her boys home Sunday.
4) She's been laid up the last several days with pneumonia. Today was her first day back to work. 

Then on top of all this, while she was crying, she got a message from work that one of her clients died last night. She cried even harder. I had to calm her down. Her nerves and emotions are all tied up.
And I just got a message from her ---- she was just pulled over for doing 70mph in a 55mph zone.
She worries me. I don't know how much more she can handle. Would you say a prayer for her?

What a way to end an otherwise good week! I don't know why I feel the need to write out all of these things and share them with anyone. Maybe it's a catharsis. I realize none of this is beyond control or life threatening, but I also know when problems come in large bunches, it's a threat to our emotional well-being.

My daughters are good girls and I raised them in a loving, stable environment. Taught them right from wrong. Plus we all attended church as a family. They are still church-goers and love the Lord. I know He's watching over them, but I still worry. It seems they are always facing problems coming at them in huge bunches. To them it feels like they never get a break. It's always something going wrong. As a parent, I still want to shelter them and solve their problems, but I can't. Their problems are all too big. They'll tell me "if it weren't for bad luck, I've have no luck at all". That's the way it's been all their adult life. I don't understand. Why do some people seem to have problems follow them everywhere they go? Nothing they do can stop it. I would love, just for once, to see them all happy at the same time.

Hodgepodge Wed. 8-21-2013

1. What's your worst food memory?  How about one of your best?

My worst was whenever I was pregnant, I could not make gravy. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, it always came out so thick you could cut it with a fork. After 43 years, it's still a family joke. If my gravy turns out a little thick or lumpy, my girls will ask "is Mom pregnant?" 


2. Do you appreciate people telling it like it is, or would you rather a speaker temper his/her words and maybe beat around the bush a little?  How about when you're the one communicating...which type are you?

I have that tendency to speak before I think. It can be bad but people know where I stand. I sometimes appreciate people telling it like it is, as long as it's not harmful. Those that beat around the bush can drive me crazy. 

3. What's your favorite place to hang out?

Hang out? I can't say I do that anymore. We do have a favorite restaurant where we sometimes go with family or friends. We have been known to shut down the place at night -- go in for supper and leave before they turn out the lights. lol But other than that, I hang out in my computer room/home office, which is complete with a soft chair, TV, stereo and of course, my computer and other electronic gadgets that I like. Oh, and my new acquisition --- my electronic keyboard, which I'm learning to play.  That's my idea of a hang-out.

4. When do you most feel like you're a slave to time?

The perfect example would have to be when I was still working. Those last couple hours in the day would drag on so slow but I couldn't leave until the clock said I could. I hated that. But, now that I'm retired, the only thing I can think of is when I'm all ready to go somewhere but it's too early to leave. Then I feel I'm a slave to time. I know that's not much of an answer, but that's my life. I do feel bad for these young mothers today who have to get too many activities fitted into their allotted time. Those are the ones who are truly a slave to time and an active family.

5. What was the last concert you attended?  Who'd you go with? Was it any good?

I've never been to a concert. I can hear you now ----- never? That's right. I've never been to a concert. I grew up in the 50's and 60's when most concerts were in the big cities. I never felt the desire to drive several hours to see someone who was already in my living room on a vinyl disk. :)

6. Reality TV...harmful or harmless?  What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to reality TV?

Oh, my.... I could go on and on about this subject. There are so many reality shows on TV that are positively ridiculous. Hubby has a few he watches, like storage wars, which isn't too bad, I guess. But when I think of reality shows I think of Survivor and Big Brother. Those shows have a huge following but I think the people on them are disgraceful. If they are normal, by our current society's definition, then we are in trouble. They're childish, self-centered, back-biting "kids" and each season they get worse. I think they are harmful for our younger people, showing them that this behavior is OK, normal. 

7. What's something you think is overrated?

Hybrid cars.... I've read articles on them, namely the Prius because I like the looks of those so I checked them out. In one article (that I saved) they listed the disadvantages:  1) There is not usually a return on the investment. 2) The fuel and emissions saved over a 30mpg car is not that significant. 3) Hybrid automobiles are completely dependent on gasoline. 4) Replacing hybrid batteries may cost about $10,000. 5) Large lead acid, and metal hydride batteries are not earth friendly. I feel right now they are very over-rated. I won't be buying one.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I've been working since last evening on a grocery list and dreading the thoughts of going to WalMart today. That was my first thought when I opened my eyes this morning, then we got hit with a horrible thunder storm. The lightning was awful. I won't go out there when there's rain because we always have to park so far from the door. But it looks like the rain is moving off to the east, so we'll be heading out soon. I hate going to Wally World. 
 

An Un-healthy Monday

It looks like we have a summer cold bug being passed around our family. Our daughter started with it and took it back to Michigan with her ... the coughing, headache, etc. Then our grandson. He got so bad he couldn't breath and had to get a breathing treatment. Then his mother got it. She's bad. Couldn't give anyone a massage today and spread the cold germs to her clients. Now I have it. I've been fighting it a few days now, but I'm not as bad as the others.

Viruses this time of year are very difficult to get over.

Not much going on here. Nothing to report anyways.

Teresa dropped off the boys this morning while she went up to the shop. She cleared her calendar for today then came back, got the boys and went home to take more medicine and rest. Just now I got a message from our grandson..... he forgot his "bankie". Now he wants us to bring it over so he can sleep tonight. It's just a rag now but he's not ready to give it up yet. I'm sure, with the fighting, the divorce, the moving into a new home, etc. etc., he's feeling some insecurity. So our daughter isn't going to push the subject again. At least he doesn't take it to school with him.

I'm sure you've heard by now about the mass demonstration called the "Million Muslim March" that's to take place on Sept. 11th. The American Muslim Political Action Committee is organizing the march and claims Muslims in this country have been the victims of anti-Islamic bigotry since Sept. 11, 2001.
[no personal comment -- my friends know how I feel about this].
What I wanted to mention tho' is all the news going around about a 'counter-march'. I don't know if this is true or not, I just know if this does happen, it could get ugly. I will be sure to watch the news that day. I almost wish I could go along -- with the bikers, of course.

Hope you're having a good day.
Until next time...................

Sunny Sunday

We had a good time last evening at the NRA banquet. Our table consisted of Bob and I, his brother and our sister-in-law, my cousin and his wife plus Daryl, the auctioneer for the live auction, and a friend of our's, Al. Daryl is the auctioneer I used to work for.

There was a packed house. The members had sold 130 tickets plus some at the door last night. The room holds 175 people, and as the room was filling up, they had us move our table over so they could set up another one.

Elaine and I left before the guys could. They had to stay and gather up the things that belonged to the organization. Bob didn't get home until after midnight. The treasurer did a preliminary count of the income for the night... $35,000! I'd say it was a success.

We didn't make it to church this morning. Bob is exhausted from all the work the last few days, so we played hookey. I know it's not a very good excuse but at our age, I'm sure the Lord understands.

It's another beautiful day in NW Ohio. The sky is clear. The current temperature is in the mid 70's with an expected high of 81°. Hopefully we'll be able to keep the windows open again today, but if that humidity goes up anymore, we'll be turning the a/c back on.

I have no plans for today. I think I'll just study and practice this afternoon. Bob brought home some left-over roast beef last night, so I don't have to cook. Just heat that up and have sandwiches. When he came in with the box, showed me what he had, I asked why not the pie? They must have had 6 different kinds of pie last night. That was the best part of the meal. They were so good. Now I'm  hungry. :)

Our county fair will start Aug. 29th and run through Sept. 2nd . That brings a whole bunch of emotions out of people. The kids are glad but parents are worried because they can't afford to take the kids out. The kids are sad because that means school will be starting and parents are glad. Now for us old folks... we may go out one night but it doesn't hold our interest anymore. We do enjoy going out and running into folks we haven't seen since last year's fair. I am hungry for the french fries, TX tenderloin and an elephant ear. Oh, and maybe a waffle. There's also a lady with a trailer that makes THE absolute best cherry ice cream. We never miss that. Hope she's there again this year. We may be taking the 2 youngest grandsons out one night too. Our daughter has to work at the display table for the shop.


I received this email today from Yahoo..............
"As part of our continuing effort to provide you with a wonderful Yahoo Email experience, we want to  make sure the mail you send gets to the friends, family and other contacts you are trying to reach, In support of this commitment, we have removed your email addresses in your Yahoo address book that are no longer valid. The following addresses have been removed from your address book............"
Now, couldn't that be proof they're reading our emails?

Hope everyone is having a great day.
Until next time..............

Sat. Aug. 17, 2013

Sorry I've been absent the last few days. Did you miss me? lol

Wednesday, Bob had to take the car back up to the repair garage. They ran a complete diagnostic and found out it wasn't the ABS, or the brakes. It was a wheel bearing. $300! Ouch! That sure hurt our budget.

Thursday, while we were at the grocery store, I got a text from Lisa that she'd gotten Ian's clarinet from the repair store but he can't play it. "He can't get any sound out of it." I couldn't imagine any problem with the horn. It had to be Ian. So we stopped there on our way home. He was packing it away when I walked in. I made him put it back together and watched that he did everything correct. Then I had him try to play it. Nothing. I got right in his face, hands on either side of his face to help with the puffing cheeks, and told him to blow. Harder. I don't care if it's just a screech. He did and he did. LOL The problem was he was so afraid to make that screech in front of his dad and older brother. They went outside and after a couple more tries, he was playing the scale. I talked to him for quite awhile, encouraging him all the way.
But since we had groceries in the van, I had to leave. Lisa and I went outside so I could get my hubby and the food home. Ian came out with his horn and played me a tune. He was so proud. I told his parents the importance of their cooperation, patience and encouragement -- and NO TEASING. I'll check back with Ian next week to see what's happening.

This evening we have a banquet to go to. Bob's a member of the Friends of the NRA and he's been busy lately, going to lots of meetings and working the last couple days making final arrangements for this big yearly fund-raiser event. It's being held at the Elks Lodge and they are catering the meal. The guys have sold 150 dinner tickets so the banquet room is going to be full. Right now Bob's out there, helping to set things up and making sure all is just right plus find out what his duties will be tonight. He'll be home in a couple hours to clean up then go back out. My sister-in-law and I will be going out around 5:00pm.

We've had another full week of this beautiful spring-like weather. It's been great. Highs in the mid-70's and down into the 50's at night. However --- summer is returning. By the end of next week it's suppose to be in the upper 90's. Looks like we will be turning the A/C back on.

Today our daughter Teresa is moving our grandson Curtis back to Columbus, OSU. Being his first year, he took off the summer semester and came home. Now he's ready to go back. Won't be seeing him for awhile and I'll miss him terribly. I pray for his safety and well-being. 

The last few days we've had a low-flying helicopter going back and forth from the airport, which we don't live far from. It's not Life Flight. It's sheriff. It's that time again, the marijuana harvest season and the corn is very tall this year, so they fly over the fields to find their growing spots.

Well, got things I should be doing, so I'll close this. I hope everyone has a super weekend.
Until next time......................

Wed. Hodgepodge 8-14-2013

It's hodgepodge Wednesday again, so here's my answers to the questions this week. I hope, as I do this, that it will give you a little better picture of who I am.


1. My daughter earned her Master's Degree this past weekend...what's something you've 'mastered' in recent weeks or months?
The only thing I can think of right now is the ability to cook a meal for just the 2 of us. I think I have that mastered, but some days I still end up with too much left-over. lol

2. What song most reminds you of your childhood?
"Jesus Loves Me" ..... that was the first song I learned in Sunday School and I remember how good I felt when I sang it. I felt like I was special to Someone. 

3. What do you think about single gender groups and/or events? Should every group/event be open to both genders?  If not, what sort of exceptions do you think are appropriate?
I believe there are certain groups that were created for one gender that now has been 'forced' to change policies to accommodate the other gender, whether they like it or not, just so they don't offend or be considered racist. Example: girl scouts and boy scouts. 

4. What's your favorite spice? Your favorite dish containing your favorite spice?
This one is easy ----- cinnamon. I love the taste and the smell. When I head for the bakery department in the grocery store, I can smell the cinnamon bread before I even get there. For me, it's a very soothing scent. I use it on several foods. A few examples would be on toast in the morning, cinnamon rolls, on sweet potatoes, in coffee and on apples.

5.  I saw this question on Marla's facebook page and asked if I could
steal/borrow it for the Hodgepodge...thanks Marla! 
Chevron patterns are everywhere!  Do you like it or think its just a little too much? Do you own anything 'chevron'?
I don't own anything Chevron and there are no places in our area that advertise it. 

6.  What's something you disliked as a child, but can fully appreciate now?
Of course, my first thought was vegetables. But at the age I am now, my answer would have to be education. The learning, the studying, the school environment, all of it. I hated school when I was a child, but now I wish I had applied myself more and possibly have gone to college.

7. What can irritate you very quickly?
Today's child! I see too many of them that are just "me-me". Whatever suits them at the moment. They have no respect for anyone or anything. They hit their mother, call her nasty names, use fowl language, and she does nothing. In the stores, they pick up anything and play with it or destroy it "because they can". I'm not referring to small children, I'm talking about pre-teens and up. I could go on and on with this subject, but I think you've got the idea. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I read an article in the morning paper that sort of goes along with my answer to question 7. Companies are now having training sessions with their employees, bringing together the older ones that they call "work-a-holics" with the younger employees, to train them on how to cooperate with one another. In other words, I feel they want to "dumb down" the older workers who work ethics, who wants to do their job and do it well, to put them on more of a level with the younger workers who are only there for the pay checks. Living in a small manufacturing town, we see it everywhere. These companies need to hire more people to get their products made because the younger workers don't want to do any job where they may break out a sweat, or they take more breaks than they should. Often times they're found off in a corner on their cell phones. It's becoming a major problem in our country. 

The Prodigy

I'm going to do a little something different. I have a story to pass along to you. You may have read this before, but it's a great story. I've heard it's true, but even if it isn't, it will leave you with something special. 


At the prodding of my friends I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Honor and I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines , Iowa. 

I have always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons - something I have done for over 30 years. During those years I found that children have many levels of musical ability, and even though I have never had the pleasure of having a prodigy, I have taught some very talented students.
However, I have also had my share of what I call 'musically challenged' pupils - one such pupil being Robby.

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano, so I took him as a student.
 
Well, Robby began his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary piano pieces that I require all my students to learn. Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him.

At the end of each weekly lesson he would always say 'My mom's going to hear me play someday'. But to me, it seemed hopeless, he just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled, but never dropped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming for his lessons. I thought about calling him, but assumed that because of his lack of ability he had decided to pursue something else. I was also glad that he had stopped coming - he was a bad advertisement for my teaching!
 
Several weeks later I mailed a flyer recital to the students' homes. To my surprise, Robby (who had received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and that because he had dropped out, he really did not qualify.

He told me that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to his piano lessons, but that he had been practicing. 'Please Miss Honor, I've just got to play' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital - perhaps it was his insistence or maybe something inside of me saying that it would be all right.

The night of the recital came and the high school gymnasium was packed with parents, relatives and friends. I put Robby last in the program, just before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he might do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer'.

Well, the recital went off without a hitch, the students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on the stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked as though he had run an egg beater through it. 'Why wasn't he dressed up like the other students?' I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?'

Robby pulled out the piano bench, and I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen to play Mozart's Concerto No. 21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys; they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo, from allegro to virtuoso; his suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent!

Never had I heard Mozart played so well by anyone his age.

After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo, and everyone was on their feet in wild applause! Overcome and in tears, I ran up onstage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I have never heard you play like that Robby, how did you do it?
 
Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Honor .... remember I told you that my mom was sick? Well, she actually had cancer and passed away this morning. And well ...... she was born deaf, so tonight was the first time she had ever heard me play, and I wanted to make it special.'

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed in to foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy. I thought to myself then how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.

No, I have never had a prodigy, but that night I became a prodigy ....... of Robby. He was the teacher and I was the pupil, for he had taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself, and may be even taking a chance on someone and you didn't know why.

Robby was killed years later in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murray Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April, 1995.

Thank you for reading this.
May God Bless you today, tomorrow and always.

If God didn't have a purpose for us, we
wouldn't be here!

Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013

Happy Tuesday, everyone. I hope you have sunshine on your shoulders and good thoughts on your mind.

Last night on our local news, they did a report on a recent study on how a good relationship between children and their grandparents is healthy for both.

"Grandparents play a pivotal role in the development and health of young children. As traditional figures in the life of children, grandparents are typically viewed as the solid and dedicated caregivers in the family unit. The emotional relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can significantly affect the children’s academic, psychological, and social development. It has been shown that children have a higher level of self-confidence when grandparents give more affection. Such emotional closeness has long-term positive impacts on children’s lives."

I found this very interesting and after reading the full report I feel so blessed that I was given the chance of building that close relationship with my grandchildren while they were growing up. I now get the hugs and the "I love you Grandma" from each one of them. And no amount of money can buy that. 

We've had some busy days here lately. We had all the kids here this past weekend. Yesterday, Monday, we got up early so we could get Ian back and forth to the school for band practice, plus we had the 2 youngest grandsons staying until Teresa got off work. We have both the boys again today. Bryan, our youngest, age 6, is sick with one of those nasty summer colds that are so hard to fight. He's coughing and tired. I just let him sleep as much as he wants and keep an eye on  his fever.

Yesterday was Jr's 9th birthday. He is Bryan's older brother. Teresa had a small party for him last evening,
cake and ice cream with just a couple friends and his cousin Ian. We went over early and had supper with them, then I cleaned up and washed the dishes while everyone was outside playing and talking so Jr. could blow out his candles and cut his cake. 
 

Bob just got back from the repair garage. The ABS light on his car came on the other day, so he had to get it checked out. Hopefully it's just a wire connection, or it could be the sensor. His brakes are ok, but a new sensor could mean over $300 for a new one. Ouch!! That's going to hurt our budget big time. He's taking it back Thursday morning for a complete diagnostic check.

Well, gotta run. Bob's going out to mow the yard and I have to fix lunch for the boys.

Have a good day.
Until later......................

A Special Sunday

The weekend is almost over and the kids have all gone their separate ways. Lori and Mike are headed back to Michigan. Hollie and Cass are headed for Chicago. Dylan is staying in New Bremen with friends for the rest of his summer before going back to Michigan. It was great having them all here again.

Lori, Mike, Hollie and Cass met us after church this morning at Orchard Tree for lunch. Afterwards, they came down here so Lori could cut Hollie's hair. Then they all left. All us girls cried and the guys are going "oh gosh". I told them to hush. It's hard to say goodbye to our baby girls... Lori was saying goodbye to her's and I was saying goodbye to mine. It never gets easy. Not if you truly care.


Yesterday, Lori was telling us that she got a call from her bank last week, asking her if she was traveling in France.  "No!". "Your credit card has been charged 6 purchases in Paris, France" and he listed off the charges. Thankfully they were just small purchases in electronic stores. She went to the bank the next morning. Somehow someone had gotten her credit card information, made a new card and evidently sold it to another person in France. He told her all they need is the magnetic strip off the back of the card that contains all the information... name, address, social security number, etc. Or a receipt of one of her purchases. He showed her that a card was actually swiped at each store. They told her that they had others too. They closed out her account immediately and took care of the charges then they're going to issue her a new account.  Scary, huh? Doesn't say much for Chase Bank's security either. I'd be changing banks.

Our weather is beautiful again today. A mix of white clouds and sun, 80° and the humidity is only 54%. The makings for another good day.

I feel like taking a nap now but if I do, I'll have trouble sleeping tonight. I'm not a nap person, never have been able to do that. I'll just rest awhile and get in some practice later.

Hope you're having a good day.
Until later................

Family Get-together

I have had a very busy day. The kids all made it here and we had a great time, sitting around the kitchen table, laughing and catching up with all their news.

Tomorrow is our gr-daughter's 21st birthday, so we gave her our gifts today. Her brother Dylan gave her a movie poster from a movie she loves. Sitting next to her is her fiance Castian.

I fixed big pots of beef and noodles with mashed potatoes for supper. Lori stopped at the grocery store to pick up some drinks and brought down stuff for a big salad and desserts. She picked up something new for us all that's just showed up in our local stores.... remember, we live in a small town. :)

It's called Gelato ... definition:  "sometimes labeled as "Italian ice cream" in the US, but is closer to ice milk, as the Italians have found that too much butterfat interferes with the transfer to the tongue of the fresh flavors Italian gelato is noted for." She got chocolate with chocolate chunks. Whatever they call it, it's delicious, but we couldn't eat very much of it because, even with the low fat content, it's still rich.

Our grandson #3, Dylan, is learning not to fight grandma when she points a camera at him.
He's such a great kid with a fabulous sense of humor. My daughter Teresa (Dylan's aunt) was talking to him when I told them to "look here". She and I are the same height, 5'1", and Dylan is our "little boy". He's 16! And wears a size 15 shoe! Since he and his mom and step-dad moved to MI, we don't see him very often but I think he grew another 3" since the last time.


1
Our daughter Lori, was sitting between her husband Mike and our grandson #1, Joseph. Joe is Lisa's son.

Lisa and her husband weren't able to be here today but everyone will see them tomorrow.

Lisa and Lori are our twins. Are you confused yet? :)

It was a good day, but I'm tired.

Hope you had a good Friday.
Until next time.............

Family Music

Good morning, everyone. I hope you have a great day. Another weekend is here. Already!

My weekend is going to be a busy one. The kids are all coming home! Lori and her husband and our grandson #3 are coming down from Michigan. Our gr-daughter and her fiance are coming up from N. Carolina. And of course the other 2 daughters and their families, who all live close by, will be here too. It will be nice to see them all again, together in one place. I just wish I had a table like that.


Today was Bob's turn to get Ian to band practice. He let me sleep in a bit. Ian told Grandpa that he didn't feel well when he got up. He sent his mom a text to tell her he didn't feel well. She asked him if he was too sick to go to band and he said "oh, no! I wanna go!" I think he likes it. He told Grandpa later that he played his first note today. I told Ian yesterday that when he got good on the clarinet and I got good on the keyboard, we'd create our own garage band. He just he-hawed. It thrills me to no end that he likes it. I hope that doesn't change.

As for the rest of my grandkids, in order of age, Hollie sings .... Joe dances .... Curtis plays the trumpet .... Dylan's our comedian .... Ian's learning the clarinet and still wants to take drum lessons .... Jr. wants guitar lessons .... Bryan wants to learn how to play my keyboard. Oh, and their Grandpa wants to learn how to play his harmonica.  Our 3 daughters all sing beautifully. Is their showbiz in our future? LOL

Well, gotta run... things to do.
Until next time.....

Hodgepodge Wed.

1. The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week... what's one thing you could do this week to qualify as a participant?
Oh, there's so many things I should do, if I could. I would get rid of our "stuff"... those little things, knick-knacks and such, laying around, that drives me crazy anymore. They collect dust and it takes me forever cleaning around them. My hubby doesn't understand why I would want to just throw them away.

2. It's also National Peach Month... peach pie, peach cobbler, or please pour me a Bellini?  What's your peach pleasure?
Peach cobbler (warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream) Oops... sorry, I drifted off into drool mode.

3. Eleanor Roosevelt once wrote: "Do one thing every day that scares you." Agree or disagree... explain.
I would have to disagree. It would be a way of facing my fears, but I don't think my nervous system could take it.

4. What's your favorite household chore?  Yes- you have to name one.
Since I have to name one, it would be washing dishes. Since Hubby retired, he's helped me clean the kitchen and wash the dishes every evening, by hand. It's during this time we talk, about anything and everything. It's during this time I have his complete attention with no TV. :) 


5. Fodors recently listed (what they've dubbed) the ten most beautiful sunset spots in America. Click here to read more and see the pretty pictures, but this is their list:

Butterfly Beach in Santa Monica CA, Mount Haleakala in Maui HI, Old Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe NM, Laguna Beach CA, Hopi Point in Grand Canyon AZ, Four Seasons in Miami FL, Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica CA, Gay Head in Martha's Vineyard MA, Ensign Peak in Salt Lake City UT, and Mallory Square in Key West Florida.

Have you seen the sun set from any of these spots?  If you could choose to watch the sun set this weekend from one spot on the Fodors List, which would you choose?  Where was the prettiest sunset you've ever seen?
I have not been fortunate enough to travel to any of these places but if I had to choose, of course it would have to be Mount Haleakala in Maui HI. I've dreamed of visiting the islands all my life. However, the Grand Canyon or Laguna Beach come in at a close second. 

6. What's your favorite or most used app?  If you don't use apps how about your favorite or most visited website?
I love my iPhone and I have apps! lol  My favorite is hard to choose. I use all of them but the one I use most often is my weather app. I use it first thing in the morning, again during the hottest part of the day and again in the evening to see how the weather is going to be during the night.

7. We've recently passed the halfway mark for 2013...write a seven word sentence that sums up your year thus far.
Thus far it's been joyful and uneventful.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.
My only random thought right now is having to go out in this steamy (humid) weather to go to WalMart. I've been putting it off too long. Gotta do it. :(  There are thunderstorms coming our way for this afternoon, thus the reason for the humidity.

Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. Marrying Becky is the best thing my brother ever did. I'm glad he has her. She's a very kind and generous person. And she takes good care of my baby brother.

Not much of anything going on in my little part of the world. It's been a quiet day.

I didn't feel well this morning, so Bob got up early, picked up Ian and got him out to the school for band practice. I thanked him and went back to bed. I had a splitting headache, but when I got up later it had let up quite a bit. I felt fine after a hot shower. Ian laughed when he saw Grandpa and asked if we were taking turns picking him up. Yep.


Our weather today was still very nice, even though the humidity and the temperature have been climbing up a bit the last few days.

The high today got up to 83° with some cloud cover. The low tonight is suppose to be around 63°. Not as cool as it has been.

We're still sleeping with the windows open, no A/C, but I kept waking up during the night, too warm. That might have contributed to my morning headache.

In the news:  would you eat a "lab-grown meat product"? It was all over the news yesterday, that the first lab grown hamburger was revealed. It looked like real ground beef, but it wasn't. They say this is the wave of the future.

"The €250,000 ($440,525) cost of making the burger was paid by Google co-founder Sergey Brin,  who said he got into the idea for animal welfare reasons. The lab team at Maastricht University grew 20,000 muscle fibers from cow stem cells over the course of three months. These fibers were extracted from individual culture wells and then painstakingly pressed together to form the hamburger."
It doesn't sound appetizing to me.

And with that, kind folks, I will say "good night". Hope you've had a good day.
Until next time............

But I'm not complaining....

In the "old days", Monday was always considered laundry day. Women would work the whole day, scrubbing stains off the knees of the boy's pants, soaking the whites, treating and scrubbing the collars of their husband's shirts, then hauling the basket of heavy wet clothes out to the line in the backyard.... all that good stuff.

My laundry day(s)?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday......

but I'm not complaining.


Schools around here will be starting Aug. 21st but for some kids, today is their first day back to academia. And that has changed my daily schedule.

Grandson #4 (Ian) is in band, so he had to be out to the school by 8:30 this morning and through the next 3 weeks. Since both of his parents work, Grandma gets to taxi him back and forth.

But I'm not complaining.

Our daughter has had quite a time finding him a clarinet. She did manage to find someone with one for sale and he told her it was like new, had recently been over-hauled with new corks and pads. Not! Ian's music teacher checked it out this morning and it's not playable. Too many air leaks. So she has to take it to be fixed. You know, you want to trust people but if they have something they want to sell, they can tell you anything. "Buyer beware"

Today is going to be another beautiful day. Right now it's 66° with a high of 79°.

We do have a chance of rain this afternoon and for the next 2 days, scattered showers. But that's ok. It keeps the grass green. Last year at this time we were up in the triple digits and I can remember the grass looking like it was dead. Everyone had to be careful. Some areas in the country saw huge wildfires and they lost everything they had. I need to remember that someone always has it worse somewhere. So when it comes to our weather...

I'm not complaining.

Husbands!!! They can be so frustrating. I said: "Why'd you do it that way? I would have done it this way! Makes it much easier."  Then for the next 5 minutes I listen to his explanation.

But I'm not complaining.

In the news, it always seems to be the same old stuff that I get so tired of hearing about it, until something interesting changes the story. It seems our Sec. of State has NO IDEA why 35 CIA agents were at the Benghazi Annex the night of the attack. No one has any answers because Hillary said she doesn't know why they were there and they can't ask those 35 CIA agents because they are basically under gag orders to zip it or else. Well, it seems that now the CIA agents involved are being subjected to frequent, even monthly, polygraph examinations,” part of an attempt to keep the agency’s Benghazi secrets from ever leaking out.”  Is this America???? 

Now when it comes to our government and their actions............
 I AM complaining!! 

Hope you have a great day. 
Until next time...............

Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013

I have a family member in Texas that loves Christmas. Every year she starts getting out her decorations a little earlier than last year. And she starts the count-down. She posted her first last week. Everyone teases her, but if you'd see her big gorgeous house, and all the decorations she puts out, you'd understand why she has to start early. Anyways, I laughingly play along with her count-down. I have the app on my iPhone so I opened it last night and this is what I found  .......................

Let's get the school supplies bought before we start on the Christmas gifts. 

Today is a beautiful day. We still have the windows open. The high today is 73° with blue sky and big white 'cotton' clouds. Our nights are still going down into the 50's which makes for good sleeping. 

We went to church this morning and it was another good service. In a nutshell, the pastor talked from 1 Samuel, how David faced the giant, and how fear prevents us from facing our giants and trusting God. 

I got an email today from my cousin up north. Her and I do our family genealogy together, up to a certain point where her tree goes off in another direction. She had gotten an email from a man in Idaho who stumbled onto a name on my side of the family, my great-grandfather. He had some questions, so I dug out my book and sent the answers to her, along with a couple old pictures, and she'll send on the info to him. I should get back into my research, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day. 

After church this morning, Bob and I went up to our favorite restaurant. After a meal like that, I don't think I'll need to cook supper. I may just have a salad and I'm sure Bob will just snack. 

I hope you've had a good day. 

Until next time................................

Friday, Aug. 2, 2013

My day started out dark and gloomy. The temperature was fairly comfortable but very wet.

Since then the sky has turned blue and the sun is out. The high is around 81° and still damp, humid. This always happens after a summer rain. It turns into a sauna.


D#3 called around noon today ... needing Daddy's help. She was at work and had casually mentioned to one of her clients yesterday that she and the kids like hamburgers on the grill, but she didn't have a grill now. So, today, when she went out to her car at lunch, there, sitting beside her car, on the public street, was a charcoal grill. Since it wouldn't fit in the trunk of her car, we took the van to pick it up then took it over to her house. The boys were there, with the babysitter, so we stayed for awhile and talked to them before heading back home. We don't get to see much of them anymore and when school starts, we'll see them even less. I miss those little characters. They're growing up so fast.

Teresa also told me when she called that the skin tag she had removed yesterday didn't look good to the doctor. He sent it in for testing and now is the waiting game. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask for prayer that she gets back a good report, and it's nothing serious. Thank you. I so appreciate having you as a friend that I can turn to in times of worries.

When we got back to town, we stopped in at a new meat market that opened recently to see what they had. They completely remodeled the old restaurant and it's spotless. A far cry from what was in there before. Now it looks brand new and the meat in the cases looked very good and fresh. The prices weren't bad either. We came home with enough meat for a week of meals for $24. I don't think that's too bad.

Speaking of food..... I posted, on my recipe page, the chocolate dessert I made yesterday. The recipe is a 'keeper'; Bob liked it. It does taste good, but not like I thought it would be. It's more like a cake or brownie, baked in a pie plate. Even tho' it had a full stick of butter in it, it was not very rich. We ate ours last evening with a scoop of ice cream.

Since it is a quick and easy recipe to whip up, I will no doubt make it again. But I may experiment with other things that could 'dress' it up.

One word of warning .... watch it closely those last few minutes. If it's over-baked, the edge will turn crunchy very fast. lol

That's about all to report today. I hope you've had a great day.
Until later................

World's Longest Yard Sale

The annual World's Longest Yard Sale, also known as the US 127 Corridor Sale, starts today through the whole weekend. Since highway 127 is a major thoroughfare in our town, thousands of people will be coming through. Some travelers will staying the night in our motels and continuing their travels tomorrow. It is a huge event.

It also means it's going to be very difficult to get across town. Cars will be parked on both sides of the street, legally and illegally. Some will even try to double-park. I hate following those people down the street. They'll either slam on their breaks at the last minute, or drive 5 mph. Then you have the ones who step out of their cars into the line of traffic, or they expect traffic to stop while they walk across the street in front of you. I declare, the avid garage salers have a 6th sense when it comes to the right places to stop, or they'll try to hit every one they see, but it's dangerous for all of us. 

This year the sales extend for 690 MILES long ..... from 5 Miles North of Addison, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama! Their web site provides lots of tools and information for those who will be traveling the route, such as trip planners and free maps.
Web site:    World's Longest Yardsale   

It looks like they'll have good weather for their weekend. Our high today will be 79° with some cloud cover and down to 57° tonight. Good sleeping weather.
 There is a chance of some light rain tomorrow and Saturday, but the weather experts say it will be spotty and scattered. 

We've had the A/C turned off for several days now and it looks like we might not have to turn it back on for another week or so. This has been a very mild summer for us so far. But this is only the first day of August, so it can change anytime. I think we'll still get more of those hot, humid days and it will probably be the first week of school where the teachers will have to deal with all those little sweaty, smelly darlings in a small room.

Bob still hasn't gotten the riding lawn mower fixed. Everything has tested out ok, all settings right on the hundreth degree, so it all comes back to that starter one mechanic tested and told him it was ok. He's off again right now to see another guy about borrowing a starter to put on the mower to see if that isn't the problem. Thank goodness we have another mower so our grass isn't looking like a jungle out here.

So far today, I've gotten a lot accomplished. I took advantage of the hubby being out of the house. I don't know why but I can't seem to get any cleaning done when he's sitting in his chair. I got a load of laundry done, cleaned the bathroom, dusted the living room, put a chocolate dessert in the oven and I just got a meatloaf mixed up and ready to go in.

My chocolate dessert is a new recipe. It's looking good, and smells so good, but the center is all puffed up so I'm afraid to open the oven door until it finished. It looks like it may fall before then. Kind of like a mousse, which I've never been able to make. I have no idea if it's going to taste good, but I'll let you know. If it's a 'keeper', I may post it on my recipe page. It was so easy to whip together and bakes for a half hour. Something that could be made on short notice. I like that kind of recipe. Have you ever tried your hand at making a mousse?

I better get back to the kitchen so I'm closing this for now. Hope you've had a good day.
Until next time.................