serenechaos

What`s happnin`

2011-02-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

Very busy week just passed. Learned new things. like the meaning of metanoia. It is a spiritual transition. Also found a new author to me in church this morning. Kristain Neff. Just wrote a book called Self-Compasion. It will be out in April. I looked it up on Google. She covers a lot of territory I am interested in for a lot of reasons. She has an austic child, she is knowledgeable in inner work on compassion for self and others, she practices Budism and teaches mindfulness and she is so young. Well, young to me that is.

I met a woman at work who was so inspirational. She was ill and in a lot of pain but always had a smile and a kind word for whoever came into her room. Other patients would go into her room to visit with her. She said her purpose is to bring the joy of the love of God to all who came into her path. She was a joy. I went to work yesterday and noticed her name gone from her door. I thought she had gone home. She had gone suddenly home to heaven. I felt sad at first then remembering her smile and joy all the time I was happy for her quick trip to heaven.

Went to the wedding of the Little Guys` dad. It was so fun. Little Guy is now 3 years old and cute as the dickens. He wanted me to take a picture of his shiny shoes. Glad his daddy is now a happy guy with a beartiful loving young woman at his side. Life is good

I Feel Like Blogging again

2011-02-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

I haven`t blogged for over a year. I`ve been on facebook and have decided that is ok but not as good as blogging. I like to read what the kids are doing but can`t think of anything to write in such a small space. I think it may be a generation gap.
I once again have an updated computer. The old one went out and this time I got a refurbished one that is like brand new. It is a Windows 7. I have been on line learning how to use some of the features and found my old blogger address and blogs. I love having lapses in memory and then finding them again. It is so cool. Life is good.

Life is good. Creative One turned 25 yesterday. A grown young lady with a good job as a Vet Tech, We are proud of her.

I have retired from floor duty nursing and fell into a perfect job after a 30 year career on my feet to sitting on my butt. Woah!! What a concept. But the Butt sitting is not all bad at this leg of the journey. Part of the sitting involves being with the patients in an interview type of setting with all the time in the world to spend with them being able to really listen and not being pulled away with pressing other duties. How did I get so lucky?

Juan In A Million is now tied to a dialysis machine l5 hours a week. As is his usual manner he is accepting it and doing fine. Feels ok has more energy than before and looks good. Has made new friends in the dialysis setting. Is friendly and kind to staff and other patients. He is an asset to the center.

Until next time.

Pesky squirrel

2009-07-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have created a little hide-a-way in the back yard where I can watch the birds at the bird feeder and have quiet time.
It has been invaded by a squirrel. It is cute, but it can jump from the tree, land on the bird feeder hang by its back legs and reach inside the bars and take the seed and prodedes to eat upside down. Amazing!
I left the tool shed door open and came back to find the little dickens standing on the bird feed container chewing a hole in the lid. Ungrateful brat!!
Next I can`t find my cup of tea. It has a snap on lid and I use a straw. I search around and find the straw on the ground and the cup on a smaller table under the big table. It is turned over and empty. Not even a stain where it would have spilled. It had been full. Next time I will invite a squirrel to tea!!

Where`s Church?

2009-06-14T09:19:00.000-07:00

This morning a strange thing happened on the way to getting ready for church. I was almost dressed in the Sunday ritual when a force outside myself removed those cloths and put on comfortable everydays and a pair of sneakers. This same force placed some reading and writing material in a bag and poured a cup of green tea to go .
I am driving down the street and ask "Ok, where are we going?" No answer so I continue on . A visual comes to mind of a park called Majestic View not far away so that becomes the distination.
It is truly a majestic view of the front range and far enough out to be secluded in the middle of suburbia. I soak up the view, the cool breeze, and sounds of nature.
I open one of the books and read "The closest relationship one has is with oneself We always will have ourselves with us. Do we enjoy the relationship? " Hummmm that is food for thought and apprapo for the occasion. .
Next I read " I revealed Myself to you as the Light of My Presence. I sang you a Love song, whose beginning and end are veiled in eternity. I infused meaning into your mind and harmony intao your heart. Join Me in singing My song.
The third reading from the three I read daily is called "Living is Worthwhile" There is a power greater than we are. There is a love that casts out fear. There is a faith which overcomes all obstructions. The Spirit gently leads me, wisely counsels me. I kow that the love which envelops everything flows through me to everyone, and with it goes a confidence, a sense of joy and of peace, as well as a buoyant enthusiasm and zest for life. There comes back to me today everythig that makes life worthwhile.
I looked out at the expanse of beauty and pondered these words . It was so peaceful and comforting. During meditation I had a feeling of being given strength to cope with the path coming up before us, no matter what happens. Maybe that is why I ended up in this place this morning.
There were fun people passing me by as I sat on that bench enjoying life. All had a good word. I was honoed with the licks and tail wagging of happy dogs. Serious runners gave a wave. I like to think they enjoyed seeing an elderly lady praying in the park early on a Sunday mornig.
Where is church?

Rude awakening!!/Inspired solution

2009-06-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Spring sprung. I jumped out of bed threw on my garden cloths ran outside to take inventory of what needed done first. It was not a pretty sight. A very dry winter had left the grass brown and dead looking, trash had blown in under bushes and plastic bags were cought in trees blowing with the wind . Dismal. Discouraging. I picked up the rake and started mucking out from under the bushes. After about 30 minutes my body was in distress. Every muscle aching, joints painful, my legs felt like they were not capable of getting me anywhere. I drug the rake that had now turned into a heavy burden back to the shed and trudged back into the house. What`s going on? I went to exercise class four days a week all winter to keep myself in shape. This is very depressing. So much for spring. I`m bummed.
Well, this will never do. There is a solution to every problem under the sun. I divided the yard into sections in my mind and then into priorities. Each day I chose a section to work on and only thought about that, purchased what ever was needed for just that one goal. I have two raised garden areas and I did them one at a time. One is for seeds and one is for bedding plants. I did the seed one first. First day I just got the soil ready. Took plenty of breaks, stopped and watched the birds and squirrels doing what they do, lay down on the grass and soaked up some rays . So it took longer but I have never enjoyed doing it so much as I have this year. Age is a wonderful thing. It has taken a month to get all the veggies and flowers where they belong. And then there is Creative One, when she has time between classes, has come over and added her speacial touch to the flower beds and keeps the back yard mowed.
Ah, Spring has sprung and it is wonderful!!!!

Me too

2009-05-14T18:10:00.001-07:00

Is this where I start falling apart?

2009-04-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

Well the blood pressures is out of control. I decided to stop my med because it was causing an annoying cough. Did check with the Doc. but forgot to hold up my end of the deal by checking it daily for 2 weeks and let him know. When I remembered it was off the charts. Started on a new med. not working so far.
I quit taking my cholesterol Med because it was causing muscle weakness and cramping. Again. Doc knows. said to check it in 2 months which I just did and found it to be 379. Doc and pharacist in a huddle to see what`s next. Will start Zitia when it comes in.
Cardiologist called yesterday said they need to see me . They have an opening today at 1:10. Must have had a look at some labs or something
I already have an appointmemt at 11:15 with the ophthomologist because I can not see very well out of one of my eyes. So today is look at granny day. I feel fine . My eye is my #l concern.

Before I forget

2009-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

The antics of the "The Little Guy" this past Monday. First of all he has this obsesion with the phone. When it rings he runs all over looking for it. I answer it and put it back up high so he can`t reach it. He looks at me, puts his hand on his hip., and the pouty lip comes out like "how dare you?" ( He is l6 months old.) Next he discovers that he can throw anything over the kid barrier to the downstairs and listen to it bounce all the way down. Really fun for granny to retrieve said objects He is very leary of the cat. Walks way around her in a circle and she of course honors him with her most vicious hisssss which throws him into a heart wrenching wail . Well this time he hissed back at her and she ran. Such satisfaction on his little face. He learnead how to put the legos together after weeks of trying. He learned how to push the button on the Sesame Street toy to make Elmo come out and sing. He is a joy to us once a week. It takes the two of us to keep up with him. He has so much fun with PaPa`s walker, cane, reacher and automatic chair that goes up and down by pushing a button!! Life is good on both ends of the spectrum.

Evolve Or Disolve

2009-04-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

I have been studying on the year plan of reading I established at the new year. It has evolved into other reading which alway happens. I read an essay on Aristotle`s Picture of a Flourishing Human Life based on his work "Nichomachean Ethics". He was a pre-Christian philosopher who lived and taught in Athens in the fourth century bce. It was unrealistic even in the time he wrote it but it does have valid possibilities. The aim in part was to keep government in the hands of ordinary people and to prevent the formation of elite groups who would serve only in their own interests.

Then I read an article called "Alchemy of a New Humanity." by Barbara Marx Hubbard. She shares a contagious conviction that the universe is coming alive, that we are in the midst of a quantum shift, and that we area collectively engaged in transforming the cosmos. The possibility we are approaaching is what she calls conscious evolution, the awakening of the spiritual, social and scientific potential of humanity, in harmony with nature for the highest good of all life.

These two readings got me to thinking. We obviously, as a civilization , did not go the route of an Aristotelian Life. We are now facing the concequences of a people run amuck in greed, ignorance of plundering the planet instead of using it as a friend. It can no longer heal itself, we have made it to ill. Our children have not had the top priority in health, education and welfare. They are our future. We have not invested well in our greatest asset.

All is not lost however We are at a point in our evolution as a species where we can turn the tide of evolution through Cosmogenesis. We are facing a New Crisis world wide in economics, wars, and global warming. This is not necessarily a bad thing. When the going gets tough the tough get going. I feel there is more good going on then adversity, even though we are made aware only of the adversity through the media. We are now at a point where we must evolve by working together to save ourselves and our planet or we will be disolved.

If by chance there is any interest out there you could go to the HumanityAscending.com web site for more information

real students

2009-03-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

I am honored with the opportunity to assist a friend of mine who runs a school to certify nursing assisstants. The students come from all walks of life. Some are mothers of children with special needs. With the CNA license they can get some pay to take care of their children at home and not put them in an institution. Some are young folks just out of high school not sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Some are from another land looking for opportunities not available to them in their own country. Some are being re-trained after living through some hard knocks in their lives. Some are nurses in training getting the requred CNA license before they can graduate from nursing school. There are some who have retired from their lifes work and are looking for a new way to be of service to their community. I look forward to the times I am called upon to help out with observing them in learning the skills they need to perfect in order to pass their State Boards. I so much enjoy getting to know them and hear their stories. It is a learning experience for me.

One pound!!

2009-03-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

I just finished a 10 day diet of fresh fruits, veggies, rice and beans ,no pepsi. No sugar, dairy, or meat. It really wasn`t hard to do. Had plenty to eat. went the whole 10 days without heart burn or reflux problems. All good until I stepped on the scale after the 10 days. Lost only one pound. My partner doing it with me had the same result.

However. we both felt better. Her blood sugars were under control and we both had more energy. So it was not a lost cause. It was a learning experience. Well, for the future anyway. As soon as the sweet tooth is sactiated . Made a mad dash to the corner gas station to get my chocolate pay day candy bar. It is the only place I have found a chocolate one. To die for. I only bought one but their existence only a couple of blocks away weighs heavy on my mind. I even ate some of the babys airplane shaped snack cookies. devoured the jello puddings in the fridge ( Gentle Ben says with a sad voicel did you eat my sugar free pudding ?) EEEK!! I`m such a pig!! I didn`t even concider the pudding was off limits in my persuit for sugar. It was even sugar free! Oh, the scourge of addiction ,it has no conscience.

Mistaken Identity

2009-02-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

Received a document in the mail from the Denver Photo Speed Enforcement Program addressed to me. Well the photo was of a man driving a truck on 6th ave at 0800 . I of course called the number listed and got an answereing machine. I proceded to tell the machine that I am a female and drive a small station wagon and would never be on 6th avenue in rush hour traffic. To please check their records and get it right.

Gentle Ben is looking over the document carefully ( after the phone call) and says you know this looks like Heart Son. Oh no!! I call Heart Son and ask the license# on his truck. It`s a match. I always forget his truck is registered in my name!!!

I`m hoping my message gets lost in the reams of paper work at the police department.

Back in business

2009-01-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

It turns out my computer really was sick. It needed a total reformat, an anti-virus which I had neglected to keep current which led to a virus when Creative One accessed her face book. Also needed a new fan and a new cd burner. It wasn`t reading discs.
We found a fellow who comes to the house, picks it up and returns it and puts it all back together. He picked it up yesterday and returned it at 0900 this am. It is like a new computer.We will hope all works well.
I hope Granny`s computer saga is over.

kalidiscope

2009-01-23T07:07:00.000-08:00

How busy is to busy? I love my life. Since the last post I have gone to one Journey group meeting, two work meetings, attended 3 computer classes, four yoga classes, went out to breakfast 3 times and out to lunch twice,. Baby sat the boy two times, took my handicapped friend grocery shopping twice and out to Rock Creek Clinic three times for treatments which also required an hour class before each treatment as it is in the experimental stages. In my spare time I worked 24 hours at my part time job. Also tried a couple of new recipes that could be slow cooked or in the oven and served anytime.
Some of the lunches and breakfasts included rekindling old friendships that is really so much fun and a chance to learn new things I didn`t know existed . It`s great!! Also found some time to squeeze in some study time on the Brain Plan for 2009. Fascinating. I never thougut I would be able to read and understand anything on Atheism. The Power of now I do only a couple of paragraphs at a time. And the God Code, well, that is quantum physics and takes a lot of thought
On Tues, the 20th I was dressed had my shoes on , heading out the door for a 7:30 meeting followed by a class, but I could not tear my eyes away from the Inaugration. Could not. I made two phone calls cuddled up in my blankie and cup and tea and watched history taking place until I absolutely had to go to work at 1:00 pm. Ah, what a day. Loved every minute of it.
Took the computer classes again in hopes of being able to fingure out my e-mail problem yet again. It did`nt work. The instructor came home with me yesterday to see for her self that it couldn`t be accessed. Well it can`t. It isn`t me, quest or the internet. It is the computer itself. It has to be taken in for a checkup. Bull Crap!!!!!! So, Granny and the computer saga rages on.
Somewhere in the midst of all this I had that sore throat, earache, cough thingy that really made me mad. I tanked up on echenecea, vit c, nyquil, tylenol, cough drops , correcedine for day time and forged ahead. I won.
Well, time to head off the Yoga class. TaTa

Grandpas Harmonica

2009-01-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

I sent Grandpa`s harmonica to Itchiban Son yesterday. I thought he already had it and I think he did too. Well, I found it in a drawer and it is on its way to him as we speak. BTW his father was stationed in Hokido, Japan the year before he was born and learned a few words of the Japanese Language. He frequently referred to him as our Itchiban Son. ( Number one son)

Gentle Ben hanging in there

2009-01-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Dr. Appt with the Nephrologist went well. Lab numbers are all elevated but can tweak the meds a little to try and lower them. He is still a ways out from dialysis. Lost 3 lbs. which is good as he had gained last time. The fistula will still need another procedure but not for a couple of months.
While in the waiting room received a call from Heart Son to wish us happy 25th anniversary!!! Hello!! I was so into worrying about this Dr. visit, since I got the lab results off the computer, I spaced it. So glad he called to remind us. So we went to lunch at Applebees. We have had good years. Lucky us.

Brain food for 2009

2009-01-05T06:17:00.000-08:00

Have settled on a plan.

1. Read Philosophers without Gods. Meditatins on Atheism and the Secular Life. Edited by Louise M. Antony. The reason I chose this subject is related to the youngest son. I call him" my teacher." I have had to learn things I never thought I would and have never regreted any of it. When he told me he was gay, he at the same time, provided me with literature, phone numbers for a support group to contact and he also had his bag packed in case the wind blew the other way. Well I went to meetings and read more than I ever wanted to and educated myself. From a homophobic hateful person I became an educated accepting parent in love with my precious gift. My son. Now he is talkibng atheism. Ok I will learn about that. I started it over the weekend and am finding it ever so interesting. I have changed my own views over the years also and I choose to accept a higher power, but I am open to other views. I look forward to conversations with "my teacher" on the subject.
2. Study the Power of Now, by Echart Tolle. He was chosen as the Spiritual Here of the year by the Church of Religious Science to which I subscribe at this time in my life. I started it a couple of years ago and put it aside. He published another book this last year, A New Earth Awakening To Your Life`s Purpose. Operah jumped on it and it was a big buzz on the internet and the church I go to also did and offered a 6 week workshop. Well that all went way to fast for me so I pulled out the first book and it is more to my liking. So that`s the plan with Tolle. I will make it a study for the year. A slow ruminating read.
3. A friend gave me a daily reading book for Christmas. " Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young. I wouldn`t ordinalrily find this title interesting, but I read her bio and she is not a Bible thumping fundamentalist. She is a tea s cher and has traveled a similar spiritual road as I have. Anyway that led to my purchase of a new LARGE PRINT Bible with my gift certificate from Barnes and Noble. So I will also dabble in that for a while. I haven`t done Bible for several years.
4, Will continue with the daily readings from the Science of Mine Magazine with daily meditations and very interesting articles on New Thought, Old Wisdom.
5. And the one I like the most of all. Quantum Physics. Einstein said Imagination is more important than Knowledge, It is a preview of coming attractions. I love it. I have read books by Greg Braden and Joe Dispenza to name two . I have heard them both lecture. Dispenza was featured in What the Bleep and The Secret. Greg Braden`s God Code is the current book I`m reading. Dr. Dispenza has a new book out about the Brain and Computers. It is fascinating. So much to learn, so little time.

That`s the plan and I`m sticking to it.

Plans for 2009

2009-01-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

Finally got it together. The Plan. Guidlines: Things I want to accomplish.
1. Keep closer contact with family and friends via phone calls, cards and snail mail. Grandson likes the snail mail when he remembers to check his mail box.
2. Be a beneficial presence in my daily rounds out in the community , at work and at home.
That means be nice.
3. Continue my committament to exercise with Silver Sneakers 4 days a week. It`s good for
my ego. I am in better shape that most of those other guys. ( except for that skinny chick with the dyed black hair and super personality)
4. Contac Bonna Sue and follow up with a few practitioner sessions. I finished my sessions with the shrink. They were beneficial and I can call anytime for follow up. She was a really good therapist. She pointed out that I have a good support system and already do a lot of self help tools to keep my self grounded and out of the nut house. Bonna Sue is a Practioner from church that was there when the trauma happened and knows stuff. I am now in remission and would like to stay that way.
5. Schedule a one on one tuturing session with Janice Calm , The computer teacher at the Senior Center. She does home visits. I need help. I have taken her classes twice and still don`t get it all. ( I love her name)
6. And of course get rid of the 20 ( well, ok, 30) extra pounds that have found their way back to the tummy and butt. Skinny sister has as her resolution to become obese. She is the 100 lb. wonder. She eats snicker bars daily and drinks half and half. Her Dr. told her she wouldn`t have ended up in the hospital with the flu if she had more meat on her. We are trying to figure out how to make a trade.
Well, that`s it for the Plan. I`m still working on my study guide that I do every year. It will be forthcoming.

End Of An Era

2009-01-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

I was in the midst of writing plans for my life for 2009 when the phone rang. It was my good friend, Marianne. One of the Magnificent 7. She needed my help to pack for their impending move. I walked into a sea of upheaval which always happens when one moves. As I was packing up the China Closet I packed so many memories of days gone by. This was the party house of the days of babies, children, car pools, pot lucks. birthdays and best of all the annual St. Patricks Day party. The adult children were all on hand orchestrating all the activities. Marianne is on oxygen and her stamina is limited and Chuck has diabetes and has had some mild strokes making his memory a little clouded. He was looking out the window as their beds were being loaded onto the truck. He says " Oh, I guess we won`t be sleeping here anymore." My dear friend Chuck, one of the funniest people I have ever known. He always kept everyone laughing. Chuck of the Air Force Flying Core during the Koean War. Chuck of the Control Tower at Stapelton airport, Chuck the volunteer Holy trinity school bus driver.
It is time to move into a smaller place with less upkeep etc, etc, etc. I was desperately holding back the tears. Its ironic, while making plans for your life, life happens.

Trust Me Ma!!

2008-12-24T06:04:00.000-08:00

There will be a missing special person among us at our yearly celebration. Missing physically that is but she is always there in all of our hearts. I always left the the box of Christmas wrap out just in case. She always promised to be on time. Trust me Ma, I`ll be there. And she was rushing in with all of her gifts at the very last minute. Can I wrap these real quick? Just take me a minute , trust me Ma. It`s been 13 years since she was taken from us. But I still see her and hear her in my minds eye and heart coming in with all the others. Trust me Ma, I`m here.

generations

2008-12-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

Creative One arrived unexpectedly to help with more Christmas festivities. She wrapped all my Christmas presents. ( think she likes to know what everyone is getting) She does them with thought and creativity. She also deep cleaned the kitchen. Took her 5 hours. While I was watching the now 1 year old baby who is such a joy. He makes us laugh with his antics and into everything personality. A very joyfilled day and then to top it off an e-mail from the 8 year old granddaughter. Imagine an e-mail!! My cup runneth over.

What was I Thinking?

2008-12-09T06:54:00.002-08:00

"Creative One " (that will be the adult granddaughter ) came on Sunday to decorate out house for Christmas. She is opening boxes and says "Granny why are there names on some of these boxes? " Karen is on the cookie serving dish, Casey on the ferris wheel, Bernie on the carasel, you get the picture.
I didn`t have an answer because I couldn`t remember. It was my handwriting so I must have done it. As the day progressed in laughter and real creativity, ( she dressed herself up in garland and Christmas lights) I suddenly remembered. I had had a heart malfunction in November that was scary to me. So when I was putting away the Christmas stuff that year I was thinking maybe I won`t be here next year so I decided to designate the nicest of the Christmas "stuff " to new owners. Isn`t that a riot? Well, it was a good thought at the time Now it seems kind of silly since I am still here.

crabby old lady

2008-12-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

My favorite CD is skipping this morning. Why do we have to have CD`s anyway ? I have cassette tapes I have had for 30 years that play just fine. My CD`s never last more than a year and they cost a whole lot more. I don`t have the technology smarts to figure it out. My kids say clean the CD player. Hello? How do you do that? And my vidio cassettes last forever and never break or wear out. The DVD`s on the other hand sometimes work and sometimes won`t even start. I know it`s the operator of the machine and not the DVD and that makes me crabby!!! I have a lot to plan and firgure out today and I like to do it with soft soothing music in the background not that bumbbumbbumbbumbbb. Pisses me off.

Bump In The Road

2008-12-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Looks like Dr. week coming up. Gentle Ben to start on Insulin. We go for teaching today. An appt for me with a shrink and one with the dentist. A filling fell out last week. Makes the calandar look interesting . The crazy lady goes to old people exercise class everyday , takes care of a year old baby once a week, goes to journey group once a week to contemplate our life journey, work 15 hours a week, run errands for friends that are physically challenged , meet with prayer partners once a week, try to learn how to operate the computer. Now the printer doesn`t print and I know it`s not the printer. I`m worried about the shrink. I don`t want to appear nuts so I`m trying to print out how "normal" I am. It isn`t working.

Black Friday Continued

2008-11-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

I forgot a couple of items. First I wore my uniform pants with the many pockets so I wouldn`t have to take a purse. Put my credit card and drivers licsence in one pocket and my phone in another, car keys in another. Donned a short sleeved blouse ( I get really hot shopping) even though it is 28 degrees outside. I look pretty funny but it is 6:00 a.m /and who cares?
While on my second trip in, a lady asked if I worked there . I told her no but I think she didn`t hear me because she started asking questions about what size pajamas she should get for her friend that is living with them because he lost his job. He is short but pretty big around the middle so do I think she should get a xxl for him. I look at it for her and decide for her that she should probably get the xl. She thanks me and goes to the housecoats that says one size fits all and wants to know if I think that will go around him. It is open so she asks me to put it around me so I do and it goes around comfortably. She looks at it and says "no, his stomach is much bigger than yours." It won`t fit him. So I till her I`m sorry it won`t fit and hope she finds one that does as I am slowly backing away to make my escape.

Black Friaday

2008-11-28T09:36:00.000-08:00

Why is it called that I wonder? Ka-ching ka-ching Friday would be more appropriate. Oh well that`s neither here nor there. I did it. I got up in the dark and went Christmas Shopping and 6 a.m. I haven`t done that since the early 1970`s when I went to redeem my green stamps on that day and got into a terrible traffic jam and didn`t get what I went for. I said "never again in my lifetime will I do that."
I have been suspecting short term memory loss but now it seems I have a touch of long term memory loss as well. It was an adventure. I got what I went for first thing. It was very heavy
so they graciously offered to get someone to help me get it to the car. I waited not to long a time when a lady came to do the deed. But I was concerned because she didn`t look any more capapable of carrying it that I am But then she sent for a flat cart thing so that was ok. On the way to the elevator somene threw up in the asile. She is a manager as it turned out and had to take care of this inconveince. She goes gagging off to find help. Finnaly she returns and we continue to the elevator where a little kid had broken a glass bottle full of something in the entrance to the elevator. She`s off again. We at last get to the parking lot which is packed and I have to go get my car and lose my spot. It is quite a hike. The item is safely stowed in the car and I take off to find another parking place . My common sense says leave, you have what you came for but, the shopping frenzy is contagious and I am suddenly on a mission. A parking place opened up in front of the door so I took it.
Back into the land of dreams and everything you ever wanted right at your finger tips and on Sale!!!! I floated through the store in a shopping coma checking out when my arms got full and tired and took those items to the car since is was now so close. I did that three times when finaly the legs gave out the the breathing became short and labored and the stomach began growling and the thirst became a real need to quinch. At this time my sister calls on my cell phone. I tell her where I am and what I am doing. . She says " get your ass out of there and get home. Don`t you know it is dangerous to go out in these mad crowds . I just saw on the news that in Florida a Wal-Mart employee was trampled and killed, two pregnant women had miscarraiges and three people were sent to the hospotal when they opened their doors. Now I am next in line to check out so I do and take the last bag out to the car and colapse inside. There are cars honking at me to get out of there so they can fight over my spot.
This time I mean it. NEVER AGAIN IN THIS LIFETIME!!!!!!

Magnificent Seven

2008-11-25T05:49:00.000-08:00

I have a group of 7 friends who have laughed and cried together for 40 some years. Our kids named us the OOC`s ( out of controls) some years ago. However as the years have past we recently renamed ourselves the Magnificnt Seven. We have all cooked out of the Colorado Cache cookbook over the years . We had a luncheon the other day and each brought a favorite dish from the cookbook. It was so fun. We brought our books with us. They were in all versions of the original, from not to bad to very very well used. Mine was the dirtiest. I never thought about washing a book. We went through the books together and added notes from each other and tips and how we have made changes to suit ourselves. For instance, I add 6 eggs instead of 5 to the Chilli Rejeno Caserole and I layer the chillies and cheese instead of stuff them. Now our books are an exclusive Magnificent Seven Version which I think should be published as the new and improved version.

empathy

2008-11-23T09:04:00.000-08:00

I see the face of a young brave marine on the front page of the paper. He served his country , came home and told he had to go again. He could not in his soul face the horror again. I don`t know the young man at all and very little of the facts of the reports. I just know how it makes me feel.
We as a people the world over have not yet evolved out of the mind set of War to settle our lack of understanding of other cultures, ideas or beliefs. Educated, mature elected or inherited leaders of our global world choose to send our children to the slaughter. They are not provided with the necessities of the war they have been sent to fight. They are ordered to give more than they volunteered to give. Then they punish a soldier who just can`t take it anymore and makes a poor choice in how to get out of it. If he told the truth he would be ostrasized and called a coward and still have to serve time in the brig with a dishonorable discharge. I feel deep sympathy for the family of the young man and all others who have faced such unspeakable sorrows of war.
Yes, I am a senior citizen and have seen much. My family sacrificed one, and two others wounded in WW2 . My father was gone from home for 3 years . We as a family sacrificed much and we were proud of our country. We had a victory garden, my mom painted her legs with pretend nylons so parachuttes could be made for our boys over there. I am patriotic still and am proud to be an american. And we need to grow up and take resposibility and seek other solutions to our problems. Amen

Whoa!! Pink Towels

2008-11-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

Linen`s `N Things are going out of business in our neck of the woods. All sales final. I was cruising through looking for some towels with a pattern for a change. Found some with a argyle type pattern in different shades of pink with some green that miight match the green on the walls in the bathroom. Get home and throw them into the washer > When I went to fold them discovered the handtowels and the washchoths do not match the bathtowel!!! And when fully unfolded the main color is hot pink. The colors are all the same but the handtowels and the wash cloths have stripes down the middle. Hang them up and wait for my husband (Gentle Ben) to make a comment. Nothing . Ok we can live with the odd combination.
Fast forward two weeks. Go back to Linen`s just to see if the towels are still there. Yes they are. Ok, I will now get the handtowels and washcloths to match the bathtowels . But now maybe I should get the bathtowels to match the ones at home . So I buy another unmatched set
Hang up yet another set of very hot pink towels in a green bathroom with beige carpets and shower curtain. It is really garish!!. Wait again for a comment from Gentle Ben. Nothing.
Granddaughter comes over to do her weekly help out Granny chores I hear this loud shriek coming from the bathroom ,Whoa!!! What`s with all the pink!!!!
I don`t know what`s with the pink. Now Gentle Ben speaks "I was wondering about that myself."

serenity returns

2008-11-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

Have not been able to post because I forgot my names to sign in with!!!!! after days of trying every combination I could think of I finally hit on the correct one. I am so happy. It is now written in the old fashioned way, on a scrap of paper, by hand ,always at my disposal without having to sign in anywhere.

How does this sound?

2008-11-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

We have a new president elect that is making amazing history in our nation. The campain was long and gurelling for all concerned. We know that both contenders are well accepted by the popular votes both received. So, why can`t we utilize both of them? Let Obama and Michelle handle the ecconomic issues, health care and educatation. Let McCain handle the war and peace issue and other foriegn affairs. He could choose his own cabinet. Let Hillary be seceretary of state and Bill be secretary of the treasurey ( We were in the black when he left office and he is a Rhoads Scholar after all.) We just need to keep him focused on the task at hand. Bidden can be the peace keeper in the White House making sure all parties are following the rules and offering his imput to both as he respects both men a great deal . Oh, and let`s have Sara be the cheerleader for all the issues! Mrs. Mccain seems to do well with Real Estate. I don`t know if there is a title for that or not.
Oh, an afterthought, there is still only one Vice President and that would be Joe of course.

Leaves and granddaughters

2008-11-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

It`s fall. One of my favorite times of the year. My precious 8 y.0. granddaughter was over a few days ago and she wanted to rake up the leaves so we could jump in them. She was vigorously raking and noticed I was not keeping up. "I could use some help here Grany" she quipped.
We had our pile all pumped up for the big jump. So much fun!!!! So much joy laying in the leaves looking into her beautiful joyful face. It doen`t get any better. My jumping is more like laying down gently but that doesn`t matter to her. Ah, the joy of grandmotherhood.
Fast forward a few more days and the 22 y.o. precious granddaughter comes over and begins the chore of cleaning up the leaves and helping me put the yard to bed. She has the leaves all raked up into piles and we begin putting them into bags and I hear her say " Granny, don`t be doing that now, you might hurt your back." So I go get the camera and get a picture of her sitting in a pile to add to all the pictures I have of her doing just that since she could walk.
I sit on the patio watching her lovliness and reflect on the blessings of grandchildren and all the memories that keep me company . Life is good.

Teeth

2008-11-08T06:15:00.000-08:00

I had a tooth attack not long ago. It was sooo sore and ouchy. I called the dentist and got started on antibotic. I babysit for a little 9 mo old baby one day a week. He was also having a tooth attack at the same time. His was of a different ilk. He was grabbing everything in sight and madly chewing chewing like a mad dog.
I went to the dentist and was finally put out of my misery, however I came out of the ordeal minus a tooth. The babe returned for his weekly loving, sporting yes, a brand new shiney tooth. As he lay in my lap happily drinking his bottle , nonchalantly swinging his foot and touching my face with his pudgy little hand, we had a wordless communication. Looking deep into each others eyes we recognized the dichotomy of the tooth exchange .