Sunday, December 30, 2012

MEMORIES 2013 JAR

Robbin posted an idea from some site on her Facebook and I decided to give it a try.


Maybe at the end of 2013 I will appreciate the good memories and not dwell on any bad times I have.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

CHRISTMAS

It was an ugly sweater Christmas this year.










Another Christmas has come and gone. It was a fun day.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

THE PAST KEEPS TUGGING FROM TIME TO TIME

I lost a longtime friend this week.  Tomorrow I will attend her funeral.  I met Mary Lou in  1960 when we first came to Butler.  She and her family owned a duplex and rented out one side.  We rented it from her for a couple of years. Child number 2 was born there in May 1960. At the end of 1961 we bought a house and moved from there.

But we have stayed connected ever since.  She brought me into an extension club that she belonged to and we have been in it since. We meet monthly.  The first years we learned lots of homemaking tips. And we all together had about 3 times as many kids as members that came to our meetings too until they began school. As time went on we left the Extension organization and became a social club. 

A couple years ago her heath began to get bad, and she went into a nursing home and eventually became unable to attend even occasional meetings.  I saw her almost every day as she entered the nursing home at the same time my Mom did.

Along the way members have lost spouses, but this is our first member  to pass on.  She will be missed.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

HOW PHOTO BOOTHS HAVE CHANGED...


Went shopping the other day, and got Jim to go into this photo booth. Years ago you went in and sat there and it clicked away. Now you choose this, and choose that, and it also videos you while you are posing.  Found when I got home, I could put this code in on a site and see the video of how silly we were while posing....as if the pictures did not show that for sure.
Above we are sometime in the 60's.  Below 2012.  My how the years fly by.
 
 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

THINK I AM "EBAYED" OUT.........

Hobbies are fun.  But if they are supposed to be relaxing, I guess I sometimes overdo it.

Lately have been getting lots of freebie days to put stuff on Ebay.  If I can save the listing fee, I feel like I should get as much as I can on there.

I have had almost 200 items fixed so I can just run them over again if they do not sell.  But every time I get free days, I go fix up some more.  Have 209 listed at this moment and have picked out a few more from my stash to get ready if I want.

Hmm has my hobby become an addiction?


Monday, December 3, 2012

END OF THE YEAR SCRAMBLE

It's that time of year when we  are looking forward to Christmas with family and food.  Listening to the music and hustle and bustle of the season.

I have my tree up and some decorations on the fireplace.  I am not a decorator so I do not have any themes or great decorating schemes.  I just put a little up to bring a bit of Christmas spirit in the house.


Since this picture I even have a couple gifts under the tree.  I still need to get out there do some shopping for gifts and cards. Make a menu for dinner Christmas Day, which is always the same food,but you still need a list.

There will also be the Christmas party at the nursing home for Mom. They have a reception with food and gifts for all the residents. I hope she enjoys it this year. Last year she was not feeling well and was not interested.  But this year she enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner, so hoping she will get some joy out of this too.

My club will be having a dinner and gift exchange also. We have potluck and always enjoy food, visiting and gift exchange.


So December is a month of "events" and also of winding down and ending the year, so we can begin a brand new one and always hope that it brings better things.


Monday, November 26, 2012

I AM A VERY TWISTED SISTER

I have been thinking things are going along pretty smooth with Mom recently. She seems to be having her pain managed well. She has not been "needy" and want lots of stuff brought to her or done for her. Has been asking the aids or doing it herself.

But this evening she decides to want to be informed on things she has skipped before. Ask how much her rent there was.  Told her more that she would like. She ask about the girls that clean her room and wanted to know who paid for that.

She wants to think things are free, not costing her anything or she might as well be at home since she owns it. Even though she cannot get herself, meals or do much for herself.  She has the deluded idea that she does everything for herself and needs no help.

And there is no use trying to change her mind. If you start asking about the things she does not have to do herself, she  still thinks she could if she had to.

Mostly it is a subject just best skirted around,,,talk about the weather , the meals , just anything but reality.


But every once in awhile she has momemts of clarity where her one and only love her money comes to mind. She wants to know how it is doing how fast it is going, and if it is growing.  Well what can I do but lie like an ass or divert her.  Her money has been gone for many months and she is on STate Aid.  Am trying to sell the house and then she can pay with what comes from it til it runs out.

She was ranting today because she bought and paid for a house and is out there paying rent.  And I am sure in her mind her CD s are still sitting there too.

I am trying my best to allow her to live out the rest of her life without knowing she is broke. But she get  so hateful and mean about me making her stay there, and she pushes my buttons. 

I had to get out of there today because I was this close to just laying her finances out there and letting the chips fall. Letting her soak in the situation she has let herself get into by not listening to me years ago.

I walked away. She would just get more mean and hateful and blame me for using her money to keep her there to be taken care of. 

She has used her money all her life to snag future favors. Gives someone something or some money,writes it down, and then waits til there is something she wants them to do for her.

I quickly learned not to take anything with strings, andmade very sure it was a gift and not a snare.  She did not like this, but not much she could do about it.

Am staying away for a few days, and maybe her mind will move to something else.

Since her money was most important to her, and her security, maybe we can keep chugging along without her knowing it is gone.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

CLEANING WEEK

Making a list and checking it twice...not for gifts but to get my cleaning done.  Tomorrow was my start date, but I began this afternoon so I am ahead some.

Got one room and the front hall clean, where does all the dust come from?  The thing that makes me feel I accomplished the most was I got my closet organized.  Have been digging back in corners for long sleeve shirts, then some days need short.  Anyhow figured the short could be put aside til spring, so moved them to an unused closet.  Now maybe I can find what I want easier.

Hope to be done by Wednesday. Then after a satisfying Thanksgiving dinner that I do not have to cook, I will be ready to put my tree up Friday.

Mission:  Sit back and wait for Christmas and 2012 winding down into the new year.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

NOVEMBER 15, 2012.....92 AND COUNTING







I think Mom had a good birthday and enjoyed the Thanksgiving Dinner at Willow Lane Thursday.

Tim and Debbie brought her a cake so we stuffed ourselves with dinner and dessert.

Some of the other kids are coming to see her over the weekend, so her birthday can last a few days.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

LOVING THE FREE EBAY LISTINGS

Just coming off of a round of a free week of listings. Those things have not all ended yet, and tomorrow begins another offer of 4 days of listing things free.

Have almost 200 items written up to keep running as they end.  Helps make a little more money if you do not have to pay the listing fee for each item.

Sept and Oct have been really good months of selling lots of items, and finding things at auctions that have been worth quite a bit to resell.  Found an old dish for $1.50 and sold it for $55.00. Now that kind of thing perks you up.

I am an Ebay junky.  Jim thinks I am wasting my time cause you do not make much money at it for the time you have to invest in finding things and researching them to see if they are worth anything or what to ask for them.  But it is like a hobby to me.  I enjoy the time I spend doing it.  Even if you do not make much money, most hobbies cost money and I do get a little bit of a return for my hobby.

So I am a happy Ebay junky.


Monday, November 5, 2012

THINKGS I LIKE ABOUT NOVEMBER

November, though it starts bringing the year to an end, is also the beginning of the Holiday Season.

The month begins for me with our Anniversary every year.  This year, I went to a good auction today.  I love auctions, and especially when I find some really good Ebay sellers. On the 16th I have an appointment to get my hair curled, which it is really needing so that will be a boost. The 20th our club will meet and will be making plans for our Christmas Dinner. (And of course my hair will look good from my perm).

Then comes the 22nd, Thanksgiving.  Turkey, fixings and pumpkin pie (sugar free), yum yum. By then the stores will be in full swing with Christmas decorations and sales for everyone. So November is a pretty good month.

And not to forget any day now I will hear Christmas songs on the radio. One or two stations in the area begin this on November 1, so they may already be playing them.

I know I should be putting some things in here I am thankful for, but I am shallow....not really I do have lots to be thankful for just not in the mood for lists.

Enjoy the Fall Season.

Whoo Hoo, I have got this Blogging thing for right now....at least once a week and sometimes every day.  (Most likely I will dissappear one of these days for a few months.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

NOVEMBER 2, 1957 - NOVEMBER 2, 2012

Time is strange.  When we are 4, it seems forever before it is time to begin school.  Then it seems forever until we get to Jr. High and then through High School.

But then after High School there is a major time warp.


From this:

To this:

Goes by like the blink of an eye


 Pay attention and enjoy the journey!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Officially Halloween

 BOOO!
It's Here!  Get the candy ready for the little goblins....

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

FALL WILL BE LEAVING FOR WINTER TO SLIDE IN

Lately we have a day of short sleeve weather, then on for a light jacket, and a few the big coat.  I wish Fall would last longer here like it does in some areas.

The storms will soon be coming in.
The rain we really need after the long drought this summer. Ground has large cracks and building foundations are shifting from the long siege of dry weather.

Then will will come the snow.  In this area you never know. Some years we barely see any. Then there will come a time when we have the "big one" that every one talks about.

I like Spring and Fall and a little rain now and then.  And I do like to see a pretty snow. But mostly I just endure the time from the holidays til Spring.

Like it or not winter will come.

I guess I will just suck it up....and maybe dance a little.





Sunday, October 28, 2012

My Halloween Montage

Halloween is on the way. Pumpkins and witches and a big full moon.
And the skeletons and the flying bats will be here sooon.


Am ready to dance the Halloween dance all night long..........
This blog has been brought to you by 2 Ibuprofen and an ambien.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Halloween is almost here

Halloween is on its way. We have sacks put together for the grand kids and great grandkids. And some extras for other Tricker or Treaters.

But we better get another sack in case.  Some years we have lots, some not so much.  Depends on the weather, and also lots of organizations have someplace they can go and have candy and play games. Also after the parade some groups park their cars and have Trunk or Treat.  And the kids are satisfied and ready to go home.


Hope everyone has a spooky time.

Friday, October 26, 2012

DOGGIE BIRTHDAYS

Dallas, on the right, is going to be 4 years old.  We rescued him so we do not know exactly what day in October he was born so I chose 10-29-08. He was about 14 months old when we got him in Jan 2010.

Charlie, on the left, was born 11-20-07.  We brought him home from the breeder in February 08.  So he is going to be 5.

They will be needing birthday cupcakes here before long.
They wrestle.

 Snoop around.
Swim

Stand outside wanting in.

 Do not know what they were doing that I caught both with tounge out. Probably just had a treat.

 And most of all they keep us company and look cute.