Main Street Memories

Just a note....

2012-01-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'll be out for a short while..seems I have benign positional vertigo..a major headache with spinning..like a hangover..but with none of the pre-spinning fun!

Causes
The cause of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is not known however it is believed that some conditions leading to it is caused by a blow in the head. Other causes include damage to the inner ear. Normally, the inner ear contains calcium crystals or otoconia responsible for the sensitivity to movement and gravity. When it is dislodged, it makes its way to one of the semicircular canals and maybe dislodged. When the head is repositioned, the fluid which is normally present in the middle ear travels to the semicircular canal however when it reaches the affected canal, the fluid is blocked causing displacement which may in turn leads to vertigo. The dizziness is triggered when the head is repositioned as evidence by tilting the head, looking up or down, sudden movement of the head, rolling over on bed, and presence of head injury

I work on the computer for 8 hours a day..and the light of the screen and the type gets to me and I start the spinning again..so I'm going to stay off until we get this under control.

Antibiotics..movement exercises..so,in the meantime.. talk amongst yourself...I'll be back soon...

XXOO

-me

Happy8th Birthday , Ella Ireland!!

2012-01-15T17:57:00.018-07:00

Yes, today Ella is 8 years old..

8. years. old! How'd that happen?

She's a hoot..an "Jersey girl" and attitude. For her 8th birthday she asked for a ride in..and I quote..

"Lim - moe. zine"

and she did! She and her Mom & Dad and 3 of her very bestest friends..and their Moms..were picked up and driven to The Rainforest Cafe for lunch - then a swing 'round Times Square..

Birthdays aren't what they used to be..that's for sure.

No Pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, no pinatas..nada.

But she had a blast.

{Ella & Daddy - 8 years ago..}

Happy Birthday, Ella...Papa and I love you tonzzzzzz!

{Ella and Daddy - 8 years later!}

PS.. Braxton, Lulu and Sushi love you too!...

XOXO

-grammie

what's in a name...

2012-01-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

...or the genius of re-packaging..

The other day my eldest daughter called and said "Mom, you got me hooked on Yoga pants.."

Yeppers..from Old Navy..

black....comfortable..non-ironing-needed..no zippers or rivets or buttons...or pockets.

We used to call those ....

Stretch pants.

yes, those banes of the 70's housewives..re-packaged into..

Yoga pants.

Then there's conditioner.

Shampoo, rinse, condition, rinse. Shinny, soft, tangle-free hair...

Cream Rinse.

Conditioner..

Old Navy again..this time it's..compression pants..

skin-tight, seriously-bathing-suit-body-armour-full-length ..compression pants???

Girdle...seriously....

what have you noticed that has been re-packaged?

-me

up for some pondering??

2012-01-09T20:23:00.000-07:00

why is it, just before your scheduled haircut, dentist appointment, car repairs, etc. the issue you had been dealing with seems to be OK now??

Yep, my hair looked great for 2 days prior to my appointment..

...and the toothache? gone.

...not now - but the last time I went to the dentist...I'm just sayin...

And the car noise that goes flippity-jup jup? Not when it's at the shop...

But, hey, I got this karma thing on my side....so..if I keep my thoughts and actions on the up & up..

I'll be able to say "HA!" to the universe..not that that will fix the flippity-jup jup..

Ah, sweet mysteries of life.....

-me

and yeah, I know, right?

2012-01-06T13:10:00.001-07:00

Ug. as in "ug" not as in boots. anyway I think they're spelled ugg ..or uug

I been in a ..well..not a funk per se..but kinda like the inversion that has been covering the valley here..kinda gray ind icky..blah-y...

Lazy..no not lazy..just kinda tired I guess. {great start to a blog post, right? Really makes ya wanna read on., right?? uh...not so much..}

Anyway, I thought I'd let you all know I am still here..popping in once and a while..too much time spent on the computer at work for these old eyes..

And..trying to "unplug" and plug into the life that's around me.

But the thing is, I really miss you all. I've read here and there once in a while and have left a note or two..

I think part of my blah-ness was that I wasn't exercising after I broke my ribs..and the way I can justify anything..

I gave myself permission to eat..you know..the whole "Christmas-only-comes-once-a-year-and-I-can't-exercise-anyway-so-I-may-as-well-make-CANDY!!!

Hmm...now that I see it written out, I can see the flaw in my thinking...

results? weight gain, crappy mood, stomach "issues"..awesome candy..no no no..think about the bad moods..

So, I am back to Zumba, back to Weight Watchers, back to not cooking {insert a little "yay " right here}

..and hopefully blogging about stuff instead of "stuffing" about stuff.

I'll end this pity-party right now and be back soon with some good, light thoughts and some fun photos and some thoughtful words..good feelings..

no wait..that's YOUR blog I'm thinking about :-)

-me

Merry Christmas..and from my very favorite song...

2011-12-25T08:24:00.002-07:00

"Mary Did You Know"

[Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene]

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know..
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

A very merry & loving Christmas is my wish for you all and from our house to yours...

Love, laughter and the light of God to you!

-me & Mr B

Our Merry-Little-Christmas-Party...

2011-12-20T07:37:00.001-07:00

Every year - at least for a little while past. we've hosted a little gathering for the neighborhood to come and have some sweets & treats and fun and friendship.

My Grandfather who I never met..

This year, it was smaller {many participants had places to go - things to do- people to see} but we had fun, and those who missed this year may well be able to attend next year..

My Mother (l) and my Aunt Alice (r) circa 1917

So, it started a couple of weeks ago with a little decorating ...

..put out some treats...

{Parmesan, Cayenne Shortbread}

{Chocolate Chip Cookie Peppermint Balls}

{Corn Chex, White Chocolate and Peppermint Snack Mix}

'Course, had to have ID tags...

{just because Sushi lives on the warm stove, I didn't want the guests to think he was on the menu!}

{Dips..}

{Chips & Mango Salsa..}

{Queso..or.."that's nach-yo cheese"}

{Jeff's "Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake"}

{Peanut Clusters}

{left to right..Cookie Balls, Cracker Toffee, Dark Chocolate, Pistachio and Cranberry Bark..}

{Sugar Cookies, Oatmeal - Golden Raisin Cookies and Peanut Butter Cookies}

..great neighbors and friends..

and just have fun!

And we did..

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas week and God bless us everyone!

..me

to start your week-end with a smile...

2011-12-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

Remember my granddog, Mia? She has 'water on the brain" {hydrocephalus??}

Well, she started out with Brandi & Johnny & Ella at 1.5 lbs..she's now a whopping ...

3pounds!!

And, she can now smile..

Really.

You have your doubts?

OK, here she is...

Have a fun and happy week-end. We're having our little neighborhood get-together tomorrow night at our home..

Photos to follow :-)

Have yourself a happy little week-end!

-me

Just for fun..

2011-12-15T06:57:00.001-07:00

..this is a short video done by a news station about the company I work for :-)

Take a minute if you want so see some interesting science and genealogy meet...

http://www.kztv10.com/videoplayer/?video_id=18979&categories=307

DNA Analysis Proving Helpful With Genealogy

Posted: Dec 1, 2011 7:00 PM by Bart Bedsole - bbedsole@kristv.com
Updated: Dec 1, 2011 7:15 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI - It is an exciting time for anyone who's ever asked themselves "Who am I?"
There is better technology and DNA databases available than ever before to help answer that question.
Quite a few companies are now able to analyze your DNA, for a fee, and tell you what you may have never known, or never been able to find out before.

We recently tested out one of those companies, and the test subject was me.
When it comes to genealogy, I generally feel like I know more than most, thanks to the hard work of a handful of relatives who dedicated a lot of time and money into researching the origins of our family.
But tombstones and title records hardly compete with modern day technology.

Genetree.com is a relatively new company that uses DNA testing to help people reconnect with family or find information about their ancestry.
My personal journey through history began with a small cup of mouthwash provided by the company.
Following the included instructions, I put it in my mouth and swished it around for about a minute, to collect DNA cells from the inside of my cheeks.

Then I spit it back into the cup, tightened the lid, placed it inside the box, sealed it, and mailed it back to the company.
A few weeks later, I received a 51-page email filled with maps, codes, and even a list of possible relatives in the DNA database for me to potentially track down.
It was all then interpretted over the phone by a company technician.

The results were interesting, and maybe even a little unsettling, because it revealed I may not be a blood Bedsole after all.
Dr.Ugo Perego with Genetree explained, "The closest matches we found, which are very close, within I'd say 7-8 generations in the past, is with people whose last name is Hall."
According to Perego, there may have been an adoption, or even an act of infidelity on my father's side of the family somewhere along the line that blended the Bedsole and Hall bloodlines.
"You share 42 out of 43 of the markers we test with individuals whose last name is Hall," Perego said.
On my mother's side, the results indicated my ancestors came from eastern Europe, maybe Germany, something I also didn't know.

It's doubtful Genetree or any DNA analysis company could ever fill out your family tree, so there will always be a place for researching tombstones and title records.
But for anyone just starting out, or maybe at a dead end, a quick shot of mouthwash may be just the jumpstart you need.

You never know what'll come out of your mouth.

-me

So, who's in your genes??

OK, so everyone has had the "white elephant" decission, right?

2011-12-11T10:03:00.005-07:00

You know, that to give that isn't so tacky that you'd be disappointed if you took it home..

yet staying within the price range agreed upon.

Every year I have not wanted to disappoint - so I've always purchased the thing I'd not be embarrassed to give and wrapped it beautifully...

..until this year.

I don't know what it is about being in my sixties that make me throw caution to the wind, but ..

This year's offering?

"Redneck Party in a Box"

Yep. And the wrapping, of course, had to be in line with the gift, right?

So, here it is..

You may be wondering what's in the box..No? {...work with me here people..}

Let's take a look at the ingredients ...

..and, because it's actually a redneck box..I felt it may need written instructions..

Redneck Party in a Box:

Contents:

1 Bottle or vintage 2011 (July) good grape juice

2 redneck wine glasses - for all that good grape juice..

2 pkgs Pop Rocks - to turn that good grape juice into …that ‘$epensive Shampain..

“Or Dur-vies” {that’s French for snacks..} consistin’ of :

Crackers

Pork Rinds

Beef Jerky

Cheese

Entertainment package:

“Chew”

Tattoos

Moustaches

Duct tape {for repairs…..…or restraints}

..and for

am-be-ance…..

Romantical lighting !

Have yourself a Merry Little Redneck Christmas



..{the "Romantical lighting" was not pictured..it was 2 utility candles and a bundle of stick matches in a small canning jar}

It looked beautiful..tucked in with all the "other" white elephant gifts at work...

Yeah..it was a big hit..

So, if you have canning jars, Dollar Store glass candle sticks and some glue..you too could have a set of bee-u-tufulicious Wine Glasses...

My sincere apologies to any redneck friends out there...and I'll leave you with the wise words and advice about this Christmas Season....

"Get 'er done.."

-me

It was sooo cold..

2011-12-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

..how cold was it??

Yeah, I grew up with Johnny Carson and his open ended questions..

Anyway, it was really cold today. And will be again tomorrow. So cold.

I read on Pinterest that if you blow bubbles when the weather is below freezing, the bubbles will freeze and shatter when they hit the ground..Cool huh? I need to go out and buy some bubbles and try this. Like soon..before it gets too warm..

That got me thinking about how cold it really has been. And as I walk the pups in the mornings..how cold it must be for them to ..uh..potty.

And that got me thinking about having to rush home so I could..uh..potty.

So I did.

Rush.

And, whew, made it..well..um..yes I did make it..but it was a struggle. You know..all those layers that have to be peeled off..

Which got me to thinking about Eskimos..and layers..and cold.

They must have tonzzz of layers..and if they don't plan... well..you know..

"Does anyone have to go before we hunt whales? This is the last time I'm asking..don't make me turn around this dog sled..you know I will.."

Cold weather living is not for wimps..or weak bladders.

Must I remind you of the time I was giggling with my daughter, slipped on the ice in the snow in the parking lot of Denny's..and um..piddled in.the.snow?? With the steam rising? And me who can't stop..laughing..and steaming??

Yeah..those are the things memories are made of..

Poor daughter..

Stay warm. Stay dry. And if you slip and fall...try not to steam up the parking lot :-)

-me

so, yeah..that whole "rib" thing..

2011-12-03T21:38:00.000-07:00

I never thought too much about my ribs. I mean, other than the whole "Gee, thanks Adam..now we have Eve.." and we know how that turned out, right?

Or that I used to order them in a basket at Applebee's..rib-letts..that's French for "left over pieces of real ribs"..roughly translated..

Or that Mc Donnald's had a pretty good tasting McFake Rib sandwich.

But not so much these days. I never was any good in biology and didn't know that the bones are all somehow strung together so that when you move your "good side"..it still pulls on the broken side..

{this is not me..just so you know..}

So Mr. B grounded me this week-en..no housework, no lifting, no hazardous duty, no Zumba..

{guess what my Monday will look like..}

So, we went to breakfast {out} and then did some Christmas shopping {out} then ordered dinner "in"..

I kinda like this whole grounded idea. Wonder what I can break next?

Hmmm...don't have too many spare parts anymore, so I'll have to really consider this..

Gunna sign off and go read all your blogs now..have a fun Sunday and in the words of my late Mother..

"A donut without a hole is a Danish"..

Nope, I have no idea how that fits in here either..

-me

Sorry guys..I've broken my body..

2011-11-28T21:16:00.001-07:00

yeppers...I fell on the steps and broke my rib..and boyhowdy..it hurts!

When I fell, somehow I fell on my side and the step went into my ribs..my knee wrenched and it was a slow-moving Thanks-mas..

I will catch up with you all as I can. I've missed you! So, in the meantime..here's a glimpse of our celebration..and we were all very thankful..for safe travelers..for good health..for only 1 rib {!} and for all of you..

Hope you're all well and that you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!

In these photos: daughter April, her husband, Chris, daughter Emily and son, Brian...me and my sister Gerri..and..

..me & Mr. B...

Sweet dreams and I'll be by to visit each of you soon :-)

-me

Me: Do you spend ALL your time on Pinterest? Other Me: No..um..not ALL...

2011-11-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

{guess it's pretty bad when you talk to yourself..and even worse when you text to yourself, huh?}

So, I got one of these:

..on sale..$3.97..but it was too thin..then I remember I had some of these:

..and thought I'd like to try to make something I saw on Pinterest:

..so I did. because, you know I have a lot of these:

..but then I said to my little helper {who is battling allergies and scratching!}

"Braxton, what are those Arizona ladies going to keep their ears warm this Thank-mas??"

So he says...

"ear warmers!"

So I said, "like these?"

.and he said "sort of.."

So I got busy...

and made a bunch..out of a $3.00 too-short sweatshirt, some red felt, a purple jacket that was about 10 years ago..

...and with my very limited sewing skills..now have a way to keep everyone's ears warm :-)

Well, at least the girls..maybe the guys, but I think probably not.

So, what have you learned on Pinterest this week??

{those are all T-shirt strips! Really..}

Have you ever asked yourself the really hard questions...

2011-11-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

..the ones that are a mystery of life??

Like...

...how come I don't know how long my arms are? or..

how do they get all those photos from New Jersey to my home in Utah..through. the. air???

..and if mine are in the air, how many others' are? And do they bump into mine? Or are some floating off..and if so..where..??

Well, you can see how my mind has been so busy. And some questions come out of, well, kinda nowhere.

OK, they come out of things I read on Pinterest..

I read that you can spray your car windows with a mixture of vinegar and water and this will prevent ice and snow from sticking..

..and living in Utah, well that could be quite handy..

Sounds good..but I got to thinking..why doesn't the vinegar freeze? I know alcohol doesn't freeze, but why not vinegar? Is it made of alcohol? What exactly is it made of/

I have heard that when wine goes bad, it can turn to vinegar.so...is it from grapes? And so if vinegar goes bad..does it turn to alcohol?

Is there a vinegar plant? Is it from trees? Or from a vegetable?

So, I go look on the vinegar label..and the ingredient list is short..

"100 % distilled vinegar"

Ohhkaay...

My questions go unanswered..

So if any of my photos bump into yours, just send them my way.and I'll do the same.

I've gotta sign off now. Found a tape measure and I'm going to measure my arms..and try to find that vinegar plant..

PS..I just love spell check..I just found out I spelled "alcohol" wrong..in 3 different ways and "vinegar" 2 different ways..all in the same post..?!

Ah well..have a good Monday, OK?

-me

My my my...

2011-11-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

..how can I be on the computer sooo much, and not get back to visiting all of you?

One word: Pinterest

but, oh, how I love it. Someone said it's like getting a new magazine every day..'cos we all know we do love the photos, right?

So today, after Zumba, and before Mr. B decided to take his Mom and I to Texas Roadhouse for a late lunch..

I tried something I had heard about but was a little nervous to try..

Spinach Smoothies :-)

Yep, you read that right..green, leafy, fresh spinach..well, OK, along with a banana and a handful of grapes and a shot of sugar-free pancake syrup..and Greek yogurt and a splash of Almond milk..

..but was it ever good! A little crushed ice..thick and creamy and.....green.

But ya know..there's the drink, grasshoppers, and mint ice cream..and mint juleps..{don't know if they are really green..but maybe..?}

So, my suggestion? Try it. High in protein, low in fat & sugar, it's sort of a super-food.

And, it's super-good..

Oh..ans I do believe it would be even bertter if it were made in this rockin' retro blender!

-me

World's First LIVING Brain Donor

2011-10-31T21:57:00.001-06:00

Yep..this is the face of a donor..

..and when they said "organ donation?"..I said "sure!"

however, I was thinking more like...

..and not so much like...

..but, oh well..

we had a blast at work..

OK..so some of had more fun than others...

..and for someone for whom Halloween is not a favorite holiday..

I've had some kind of fun :-}

I hope you all have had a safe, fun and memorable Halloween..

{spoiler alert: when I get photos of the grand-girlies and Kathy's pups..they'll be posted here }

Sweet dreams..

-me

Lookie what I made ..Witch's Clothes line..

2011-10-26T13:38:00.001-06:00

Found this on Pinterest - great pattern..easypeasy..

It's in my "Holiday Ideas"

Have fun!

Our week-end..

2011-10-24T06:39:00.000-06:00

..made felt flowers...

..looked up the Weight Watcher's points for Tootsie Pops...ONE! {per pop..}

YAY!

..but..some of us were bored....

...and some of us napped

..bought the cutest ceramic mug/cup ever...

So..how was your week-end?

Hope you have a fabulous week and remember...

"It's almost fRiDaY!!

-me

Come on with us for a walk 'round the neighborhood...

2011-10-22T11:49:00.000-06:00

Hopy ya'll find joy rising today :-]

Yeppers..29 years..consecutively!!

2011-10-18T11:33:00.000-06:00

Today is our 29th anniversary.

29 years ago today, we stood in the October winds in Amarillo Texas, at a park at the Baptist Hospital... and we told the world that it could be done...

That one could find love even after:

one bad {or starter } marriage each..

4 - count 'em f.o.u.r kids from one said starter marriage..

2 fathers who probably thought this was a folly..{later to be proven wrong..and willing to admit it}..

no money to speak of...

5 years difference in age {me..I was older...note the word was...he's now older than me..}

no real plan..

but tonzzz of respect, love and a genuine "awe-ness" of each other..

29 years later..we are still in awe..

Love you Mr. B
XXOO

-me

Kind of a slow, quiet week-end...

2011-10-16T20:40:00.003-06:00

..and that's the kind I like.

Dog walking, Zumba, a couple of meals out, some shopping and a little crafting..

One of my co-workers made a cute headband the other day so I thought I'd try..easy peasy..

..then there was the beautiful mountain..my mountain..OK... OK..I'll admit it belongs to us all...but I really love it ..so I'd like to think it's all mine..

Then there is the favorite thing that I received..in a box..from my daughter..

...apparently, Ella wrote it a while back and it never got mailed..so they put it in the box, probably as a second thought..little do they know it is a masterpiece to me and will be treasured always...

I'm going to make this into an embroidery pattern!

..and I love that she made me thin...and in a skirt..

..notice her crown..or does it say "me"? ....Nah..I like the crown..

grandkiddos..aren't they wonderful??

-me

Warning: serious post..with graphic photos..I'm just sayin'...

2011-10-12T20:18:00.001-06:00

Breast Cancer

OK..now that's over with. Yes, this is "the" month to think about it..to see a lot of pink..

to try to remember to set up that appointment..

to try to NOT think about it..

..but you know what? We need to think about it..all. the. time.

I had a mother with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy of one breast. No chemo. No radiation. Just "slice & dice" and go on your merry way..

She spoke so rarely of it that it was years later we found out our Grandmother also had breast cancer {she has passed prior to my birth, so I never got to know her}

But, doesn't it seem odd that that would not be spoken of ?

And yes, I have had my go round as well.

And I make jokes. And I dye my hair pink. And I remind Mr. B how much money we save by not buying bras...and I am all sorts of goofy...

Then, just after getting the gene test {$$$} to see if it "runs in the family" and we were told we "do not have the errant gene.."..my sister, Gerri was diagnosed with it. Lumpectomy. Radiation. Gratefully, no chemo..

It is no laughing matter.

And it needs to be thought about and acted on every day of the year.

You see, I was told my mammogram was good. The lump I was feeling in my armpit was probably a cyst..definitely not cancer..wait 6 months to see if it grows..

Nope. I'd rather not, please. Find out ...now. They did and it was. I insisted and I am alive.

But I am not a hero. I survived. I followed the regime and I prayed and I had more support and love and belief than one can imagine..but I was not the hero.

And most of that year.. I didn't laugh. Sometimes I still do not laugh. Sometimes I still feel "less than.."

And I am not a hero..it was simply not my time. "They" were not ready for me yet. So many others have lost their battle and so many others were smarter, braver, stronger and more "important" to the world..the real heroes.. their contributions so much more meaningful than what I had to give..

I am not feeling sorry for myself.nor am I fishing for comments...just trying to be honest..and show you how important it is to know yourself..know your body..

I can't answer "why" I survived and I don't know what my "purpose" is..I didn't try any harder or have any more "grace of God" than the ones who's cancer took their very lives from them and their families..

I was scared..I was lost..and I was unsure of anything for more than one day at a time.

I was not brave. I was not strong.

...I was a weak as anyone would be and any bravery came from Mr. B, who never let on that he thought of any other possible outcome than my complete recovery..even though, just now, 15 years later, did he tell me he was as scared and lost and fearful as I was...I just did what he told me and I believed what he told me to believe...and he told me to listen to that still small voice..he told me I'd survive and I did.

But, the question of "why me?" did come...but not in the way you may think.. why was I left to live..why not me that passed from this world? Why did the others have to suffer so much and I pretty much sailed through it..why why why...

And....I'm really not certain why I feel I need to post this..except that there are many faces of breast cancer..the face we show the world...and the face we see only in the mirror..not wanting anyone to see the scars..the mutilation..it is not funny.

It is not of the flippant remarks that I sometimes make..

..it was not "the best thing that ever happened to me" ..it was terrible..it hurt. Everything hurt...the chemo hurt, the needle pokes, the catheter in my chest..the missing breasts... the "phantom pain" was real..and my bald head hurt...cancer sucks.

Just try to make those long distance phone calls to your kids..hear them cry..the sisters who love you and your big brother..to hear fear in their voices..cancer sucks.

So, here it is. Here's the "face" of my breast cancer..the fate of many..and I am one of the ones who lived..

I am not brave. I am no hero. But I do have a voice.

Please, please trust in your instincts. Question everything and everyone. Pay attention. Educate your daughters and your Mothers and yourself. Talk to your husbands or significant others..Get second opinions ..and third ones.

And look at these photos..this is the face of breast cancer...

I am not a hero. I am not brave. I was not strong..

....however, I am getting stronger.

-me

This was a gift from my daughter-in-law..Rachael :-)

2011-10-12T10:40:00.002-06:00

She made this..for me..and I wear it with pride..

...Isn't it beautiful ??

Thank you Rachael ..

-me

PS..yes, it is very important to get your mammograms....but please don't rely solely on them..do you self-exams..and trust your instincts..

If I had relied on the mammogram rereading ..and listened to the doctors instead of my guardian Angels, I would. not. be. alive. today. Seriously...

Things you may want to ask before.....

2011-10-10T14:12:00.002-06:00

..getting your hair dyed pink...uh... fuchsia....

1. Just what is your hairdresser's description of "pink"? Cotton candy? That color right next to purple..only redder? And ..neon??

2. How long will it last? HOW many shampoos????

3. Will I have anything in my closet I can wear that will not clash with pink/ fuchsia hair?{nope}

4. If the above answer is "no"..do I purchase a whole new wardrobe based on hair color? {again..uh..no..}

5. Is Ringling Bros.- Barnum & Bailey in town?

6. How old am I? really..???

7. Could I ever, ever-in-this-world-ever-even-remotely-ever-ever-be indeed be mistaken for Kary Perry in steroids, or Lady Gaga emphasis on the Gag.. or Bozo's older sister?

8. Am I willing to have pitiful, sad looks by complete strangers when walking down the street?

9. Am I willing to scare babies?

10. Am I willing to scare Mr. B???

11. Will it stain the linens, clothes, bathtub???

12. Will is scare the pups??

So..Mr. B, being the sweetie {re: fibber} that he is kept telling me he "sorta" liked it..he said it fit with my face {Wha?} and that he really {sorta}..liked it..

However, he keeps, to this day, telling me he "liked" my bald-chemo-round-head..so I must question his taste somewhat..

Yesterday, after the Saturday functions, after he went to go shopping, I drove to Walgreen's and did this:

Still not the real me..but at least I don't clash with my existing wardrobe :-)

{ I always wanted to be that Aunt..you know, like the one in the movie Twister? All artsy-crafty-odd-friendly-loving-odd-loving-odd-crazy-odd-fun-will-make-you-feel-at-home-odd? Yeah..I think I may be getting closer..}

-me

so, what'd you do today?

2011-10-08T21:16:00.000-06:00

It was an overcast and cool day..just perfect for the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk with a "warm up" with Zumba..then off for a 2 hour "Zumba-thon"...

So, I think I have finally realized that I'm not 25 anymore..not even 39..or 44..and not even 56..

Actually ..I think I am feeling every minute of my 62 years..

My body doesn't "lift"...my legs do not raise...my arms do not circle like all the young women in Zumba.

And that's OK..really, it is. The fact that I have a PhD in life. And they all are just in their freshman year..heehee..

Took a lot pf pictures at the walk...mostly of all the darling doggies dressed and walking for us..

And once again I am reminded of the quote: "I stand because you walked"

Thank you all..

And this is the Pièce de résistance...

The cuestet ever..both the girl and the pup!

Have a great Sunday..and do your self-exams!

-me

OK..are you ready????

2011-10-06T09:41:00.003-06:00

**Disclaimer: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month..and the "theme" is Warriors in Pink..
And...I am doing a BC Walk on Saturday..with our Zumba group {including moi} will be doing Zumba in the park prior to the walk...then we go to Kayseville for a 2 hour Zumba-thon for Breast Cancer and the Susan G. Komen Foundation..

Soooo..I thought..

"Wouldn't it be fun to have pink hair for the month of October to show support.."

Yeeeaaahh...

And I was thinking, like..

..or even...

{Hmm..maybe I should have ordered that on-line..}

but, I guess I didn't realize that "pink", albeit temporary, on gray hair, turns out like this...

Oooohhh yeah. Bold. Bold and sassy..Bright bold and sassy..

holy crap!

I could go like...

..Nah.. I'll wear my pink{ish??} hair proudly..and show them what a 62 year old breast cancer survivor looks like..

{hey..if I were tanner..and she had blue eyes..we could be twins!!}

Cancer may have killed my boobs..but it didn't kill my spirit..

Oh, and speaking of turning 62...I did it! I turned 62..AND...

I got my first tattoo! {well, that's not entirely true..I had radiation tattoo marks..but this was MY choosing..}

TaDa!

Meet "Bertie"..

..my "Zippity-do-da zippity-yay..my-on-my, it's a wonderful day..plenty of sunshine coming my way.. got a bluebird on my shoulder..it's a fact..it's actual..everything is satisfactual.." 62nd birthday present!!

Oh yes I did..and, unlike my hair color..this is permanent! And I love it. And I'm happy.

And I am sooo blessed.

I have lived through damn near everything..and it has made me realize how very precious life and love are..

So here's to all who have been my teachers, my mentors, my loves and my "bosom-buddies"..

Thank YOU..

-me

Got 2 words for ya...

2011-10-04T17:01:00.001-06:00

Holy Crap!!

...more tomorrow..and it's not bad....per se..if you're have an adventurous spirit!

-me

{edited to give you a hint...}

wanted.....

got....

more to come......

Geeze..where's the week-end??

2011-10-02T22:08:00.002-06:00

It's all a blur...how come the week days don't go by so fast???

Saturday I had the privilege to attend the Breast Cancer Survivors Luncheon - one that I have been able to attend for all of the 14 years they've been having them..and I plan on continuing..

But they're not always easy to go to..every year seems like there are younger and younger..one as young as 16 years old..and she was a breast cancer survivor! Can you imagine?? I hope there will be an end to this soon..too may young women {and men and any woman that has..breasts..}

But it was great to see how the list of "survivors" has grown! I ~~think~~ know I'd feel a whole lot worse if the numbers of survivors were dwindling...

Anyway..then it was having neighbors over for dinner..we have really been lax this summer and thought we'd better get busy before it gets too cold. Sometimes when the weather is bad we can go for weeks and not really see the neighbors.

So Mr. B got t'cookin'..and I dragged out my old frame to take photos of the new little neighbor family and of the not-so-new neighbors as well..

{Lulu was look-out for the neighbors coming up the walk..}

It was a fun night and we love love love the new neighbors {who just have happened to have a bumper crop of veggies in their garden ..and they share! So, with the chickens on the right {for fresh eggs} and the gardens behind us, we're pretty much all set.

Now where can I find someone who bakes cookies...Hmmm..

Hope your weekend was fun..if not fast .

Have a good tomorrow and a great week ahead.

-me

it's been a weird week...

2011-09-28T06:20:00.000-06:00

..I've have a little bit of the "blue-uglies"..

..had some headaches and yucky tummy-ies..

..and have had trouble putting the letters to words in the right order {what some people may refer to as bad typing and/or spelling}

however, on the other hand..I've discovered a new language..

my own..

some of the words from this week have been Fall-o-Ween and firfotten..

the first is pretty self-explanatory..the season that's between Labor Day and Thanksgiving..{which is also known in my language as Thanks-mas..but that's an old post}

but the firfotten is a hybrid {doncha love it when you can use the "word of the moment" }anyway it's part forgotten and firgot..yes, that's the way I do say it..as in "I firgot my car.." OK..I don't usually firget my whole car..maybe just the keys..

and the whole last letter-first letter thingie? as in " just the" ..I type just he ..My granddaughter Emily, while in kindergarten, was known as "Emily Ke"

When her Mom asked her what was up with that, she told her she had already used the l-y..{her name is Emily Lyke}

We looked and sure enough, she did..E M I L Y K E ..

she's just as sound minded now that she's 11..bright kid. Despite her grandmother..

ah well..just your average Tuesday..

-me

(and no, I did not use the spell check..it woud have imploded my whole system from this post...

If it's Sunday...

2011-09-25T15:35:00.001-06:00

..it must be Zumba! Yes, I know I know..if my Mother were here, she'd admonish me for not going to church..

But I'm not a church person. That's not to say I'm not a spiritual person..just not an organized "church" person.

I do believe. In Angels..and free choice...

And I don't want this blog post today to get all sorts of philosophical..just know that I do believe..and part of my belief is that I need to take care of myself.

And it's about time, right? I mean, what does it take? I've practically killed myself with the wrong choices..food...

.

( now vegetarian) ...bad driving. ( I drive really so much more carefully..didja know those side mirror thingies help if you know how to set them?? Who knew??) ...bad decisions..( money, eating, bad jobs) and I was given a wake-up call when I had cancer..

But I really didn't totally wake-up all the way. Flash forward 15 years later and I am now..well.. in the past 3 years..deciding to take care of my health.

Eating better, Zumba, resting and learning how to say "no"..

Boy, this is sounding really deep..

to lighten the mood..last week, I took Tank to Zumba.

He was, well, terrified would probably be too strong a word..hmmmm..maybe not.

Just look at that face!

..and that was just waiting to warm up!

OK..ready??

No..get out of my bag, silly..

Come on..breathe...

That's it..bend right...

Yes, tuff monsters DO wear pink..and jingle!

Shake shake shake!

"put your hands in the air, put your hands in the air.."

Hey..there's a friend from Canada, too!

Aww.. you earned your very own Zumba card!

Thank you, Tank and Karine'..

And thank you, Lord, for all you're have given..

-me

Has anyone seen......

2011-09-22T13:17:00.000-06:00

..the Restoration Hardware catalog?

Can't miss it.....

612 pages

Oh yes I did say 612 pages..

..it weighs about 47 pounds.

OK. that's not entirely factual. But it does. I'm certain.

And..it's ..blah...b..l..a..h.. gray. And beige. And gray. And dark.. neutral {no personality of the ..living}

Depressing. And not just the prices ($2000 for a fake airplane-winged desk -wha??)

Didja ever see one of those futuristic movies of, like the year 2015..and everything is gone..

dust..gray..dark..no color....??

Depressing? Well, that just about sums it up.

612 pages of dark, neutral, brown, beige, gray and fake airplane-winged desks.

Kinda like of our economy currently, I guess....

Dark, depressing, no color.

So, shouldn't we brighten it up a wee bit? I mean, throw some red and teal and sunny yellow pillows on that gray couch?

Add a colorful vase {vaaahaase} of flowers?

Geesh people...what next..barbed wire around your homes??

Disclaimer: The opinions here are not from a trained interior decorator. But from one who has, for the most part, decorated her home with thrift store items and silly {albeit} colorful monsters named Tank..and friends.

-me

anyone wanna buy a .....

2011-09-19T16:34:00.000-06:00

church??

Yep, a church. A Catholic church. In Chicago.

Really...

While looking for some photos of our family's history, I asked my sister Kathy (well, I asked my sister Gerri first- but she said to ask Kathy...) if she remembered the name of the church we used to go to when in Chicago (I was about 5-ish so I don't remember much..but apparently more than some of us ..)

She told me "St. Lawrence, of course"..

Of course.

Right..Yeah, that's it...

But sadly, when I found some photos of the old place {it was also school for my older siblings}I saw that the building had been closed in 1999 and was for sale.

And I was sad..sad for the history and the memories associated with that building as well as sad for the neighborhood ..to loose such a magnificent landmark.

The stained glass windows are boarded up and the weeds are prevalent..

A little piece of history..gone. I think the photos of the playground are the most haunting..and sad.

This is was the rectory..

(that's not me..or my sister Kathy..or the ever-forgetful Gerri..just so you know..)

While looking for other sites near the church, like where we lived, we can see some of the places like a corner store that was there and still appears to be open - imagine that! Great..

And I do remember stuff from then..I was about 5and we used to go to the market with Mother..and I remember sitting on the "stoop" and watching the fireflies..

I remember walking to the ""L" with her {the elevated trains to the city} and I was never sure if I had really remembered it as it really was..but after seeing the Google shot of the neighborhood, I realized I had. I see the "L" tracks not far from our home.

We lived in a second story apartment with the owners of the house on the main level.

They has a maid.

A maid! Her name was Thelma and she had only a partial left arm - it was gone just below the elbow. I never had the nerve to ask what happened, but I remember being amazed at how she held a plate in her left arm-stump-thingie and towel dried it. {I also remember she had a little wart or skin tag on the stump ..weird thing to remember, huh?}

She was a black woman and wore a uniform (much like in The Help) and I really really liked her. The family who employed her were named McCarthy..and they had 2 daughters Pat & Mike (Patricia & Mickolene) McCarthy. (not sure of the spelling of Mike's name)

Anyway, thanks to Google Earth, we can all walk through the neighborhoods of our youth..and say good-bye to the ~~scary~~ old wonderful churches and schools we knew so well...

Have a wonderful fall Tuesday and think about the buildings that shaped.. ..you!

-me

One word images..

2011-09-13T06:07:00.003-06:00

Ella and her Mommy & Daddy went to lower Manhattan Sunday....to thank the firefighters, the policemen and the military that were the outside of the 9-11 Memorial celebrations.

When Brandi told me they were going into the "city"..I admit, I was a little off-put. " One never knows, so one should be careful.." I hear myself saying.

But none of us wish to make our homes our prisons..and as a family, they decided to go and pay their respects.

All went well and they are so glad they did go..and so am I {now that they're home safe & sound..}

Here are some images of what was not shown in the news reports....but could have {should have?} been reported with just one word....

Honor

Display

Serve

Remember

Learn

Rebuild

Write

Heroes

Remember..and rebuild. Lives, buildings, trust...gratitude and .love.

-me

My words are too small...

2011-09-10T21:38:00.000-06:00

God bless you all.

-me

I have Canadian cousins...

2011-09-07T21:02:00.003-06:00

I have adopted a ..monster..from Canada. Not that all who are from Canada are monsters..or that Canada is the only country with monsters..

They (Canada..Canadians..) just happen to have some of the cutest monsters..ever. Period. {in case you missed the little dot..there.}

So here is Tank.

He was quite interested in the packing box he arrived in...

He had this little note...

He was a little frightened, and he went straight for my purse..

..finally coached him out, then he tried to hide in the houseplant..

..then he went into the craft room and found a hat..

..guess he thought I wouldn't recognize him..

The monkey's on the bed were feeling really really huggy..which I think might have had Tank by surprise..

....wonder if he'd ever seen a fish before? Or at least one like Sushi who lives on the stove..

..once he decided we were an "OK" family to live with, I told him he needed to "blend"..

Just look at all those new friends! Aww.show us some love, Tank ..

After getting some shut-eye {notice it is one eye in the old saying? Not "shut eyes"? Hmmm..}

he drove to work with me..

"Buckle up Butter-cup"..

.. then on to meet the cousins..

{left to right..Alyssa, Ella, Me (in back) Connor, Emily and Brian..}

{we're blending, we're blending..}

{not too much of a family resemblance..but he is, after all, Canadian..handsome devil..er..monster}

Snack time was fresh peaches from a garden..Not my garden mind you..but a garden somewhere I'm certain.

can you say "Yum-Oh!"?

..and here is Tank's story.....

"Tank is approximately 9" tall with all felt accessories.

He loves love, and snacks. Be sure to keep some on hand. He also enjoys decaf, Velcro running shoes, and sandwiches. Ranch Dressing is his most favorite thing ever, don't ever leave him unattended with it.

Mmm, Ranch Sandwiches.

He is suitable for any age. All monsters are one of a kind, and handmade using socks :)"

See, I fell in love with Tank's brother, Sherman.

Loved all the photos I'd seen of him and his rambunctious cousins that Bonnie creates .. http://www.stufd.net/ but just like people, monsters are one of a kind.

So, because Sherman already had his home, I decided to "request" his look-alike brother, Tank.

There are some differences..

{Sherman is on the left..Tank is on the right..}

ear length for one..

and belly color..

and tooth proximity..

but I believe their personalities are quite similar.

Does your home need a monster to protect it? Or just to love? Contact Bonnie..the creator of all things monster-y....

Well, that's it for tonight..Tank has had a BIG day .

-me

Heros...

2011-09-06T20:05:00.000-06:00

I can add no words...

-me

This has been an awesome day..

2011-09-03T22:11:00.001-06:00

And it was because of several women..most of which I do not know. And one I know very well.

My daughter-in-law Rachael and son Jeff.

... came over today so Jeff and Mr. B could work on Jeff's trailer. They are building a bed platform-thingy {that's the technical term} so when they take it camping, behind his beloved Jeep..they can sleep protected and warm.

Well, protected is relative to the situation, I guess. Protected from sun and probably most rain, but not to much from bears or short-armed dinosaurs..it's canvas..

Anyway..Rachael accepted my invite to go see"The Help"..a movie most of you have seen and that Rachael actually wanted to see but figured Jeff wouldn't want to..after he told her he didn't..

As for Mr. B..he said he would, but somehow I think he was saying that more for me than a real desire to see it.
{their loss by the way..if any of you haven't seen it..it's wonderful..}

Thus, my day with women I'd never {probably} meet, but admire both in their real lives {for portraying the fictional characters of the book so well} and the characters so vividly brought to life by Katheryn Stockett in her debut novel, The Help..strong, loving, smart, wonderful souls..

Afterward, Rachael asked if we could stop at Costco..somewhere I usually never go {Mr. B does all the shopping} and most definitely wouldn't have ventured to on a Saturday afternoon, but I thought, "well why not..

And I'm really glad I did for that's where I ran into another woman I had never met, Chris Hall..author of Conversations with a Moonflower..

She was there at a book signing and was having a conversation with some people I think she knew when I felt the need to pick up her book and thumb through it.

It is a small book and not like the usual books I read, but something drew me to it.

As the others left and I met Ms. Hall, I started listening to her like I had known her.. for a long time.

As she spoke of the Amish { a very important detail in} the book , I shared with her I had recently been there myself and loved it ..

I asked if she would sign a book for me, then asked if Rachael could take a photo of us together..she did and Rachael did..and I walked away with my book and a packet of Moonflower seeds Chris had given me.

Later tonight, after we said good bye to Rachael & Jeff, I started reading the small book. And I immediately felt a sense of something important was in this tiny book..

I have ADD and it's not likely I'll stick with something, even a book that I like, for more than a few pages.

I was so immersed in her message that I suddenly was on the final page. Hmmm..
I don't want to reveal what I think will be a personal message to anyone who reads this, so I'll just say this...

You need to get this book and read it. Like soon. It's at Costco, so there's really no reason not to get it. It's available and even though it's at Costco, you don't need to buy six..

You may though 'cos Christmas is coming up and you'll want to share this.

So go. Buy it. And let me know if it affects yo the way it did me.

Thanks Christine, for speaking to my thoughts with your words.

Like I said, this has been an awesome day, filled with women I don;t know (but really, I do) and one that was gifted to our family when she married my son.

Thanks Rachael, Katheryn Stockett, the lovely actresses from The Help, and to Chris Hall, for making me listen.

-me

I've been scattered this week...

2011-09-02T10:24:00.001-06:00

..I know, I know..but more that usual.

I think it's from lack of sleep. Or at least comfortable sleep.

I've been bed-hopping. Going from one bed to another to the couch to the recliner trying to find a comfortable place to be.

Why?
'Cos I can't get comfortable.

"And why is that?" you ask. Or maybe you didn't. But in my head you did.

"Cos I have what I think is sciatica. The pain in the bum..that is a pain in the bum..that radiates from the small of my back to my bum then around my thigh then down my leg.

So, I can't find a comfortable place to sit, lay down or even stand..which I do not try to do when trying to sleep.

Anyway, I have done some reading and I know I need to get it checked out, but there's really not too much they can do besides pain pills..and they make me loopy..yes, even more loopy than normal.

But I'm stubborn and I want top keep up with my Zumba. And I read bed-rest is not the best thing and that you really should exercise..so I figure it can't hurt..

So waawaawaa..enough already.

Let me tell you what this lack of sleep had me thinking about.

1. Dinosaurs. Hey, just typing that makes me say it funny in my head..dino..saaaaurs..saaaaurs...
anyway - maybe it's because we went to the dinosaur museum with Connor and I saw all those really tall ones.

I thought "they'd have been really good at basketball.." then I saw their short, stubby arms and thought "well, maybe not. They couldn't really dribble or probably dunk very well at all.."

2. Then I was thinking about how I had been eating a few too many desserts and treats lately..and my jeans were beginning to get tight. So I got back on track. That's in itself is good..but my expectations may be a bit off..for instance..

Yesterday at work, the Evil Snack Lady (that would be me..damn job description..) served double chocolate humongously-large doughnuts. With chocolate milk. Cold chocolate milk. Which of course makes sense because if it wasn't cold chocolate milk, it would be hot chocolate...

anyway..I decided to cut one up into small bites..put it in a bowl..and eat it bit by bit (like if it was cut up tiny it wouldn't have as many calories??)...

however, I didn't. I wrapped the bowl up in saran wrap and grabbed a handful of grapes. Yea me, right?

Well, when I got on the scale this morning, I was expecting to see, oh I don't know, like a 5 lb. loss.{yeah.. reality doesn't come easily to me}and was actually disappointed when it showed no change at all. Bummer.

3. Who was the first one to try an artichoke and why?? I mean, who would think you need to peel off each leaf..drag just the bottom part over your teeth, and not eat any of the prickly party? Genius. Pure genius.

OK, so tonight I'll try some Tylenol PM..and see what tomorrow's blog looks like after that..

-me

PS.Mr. Boss-person; you will probably see me doing a lot of this today:

I'll try not to do this when we have guests..key word: try....

..and remember...

What the heck is Pinterest anyway???

2011-08-30T23:12:00.001-06:00

Many of you have asked to some information on Pinterest..

Actually, just one.

But I am here to help..selflessly and without any form of payment or adoration for my expertise..

OK, so in the interest of Pinterest {ahh..I crack me up sometimes}here's what I've learned..and ~~taken directly~~ ~~copied~~ from the Pinterest site:

{note to Mr. Spell Check Person, ...I am too spelling 'Pinterest' correctly..}

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.

**{this is good..I have filled up so many "folders" on my computer that I don't even know what they contain..or where they are..or why I did it in the first place..}

Pinterest is special because of the people who use it.

{they're talking about me, you know, right??}

The guidelines below are based on collective input from people using Pinterest. These are suggestions to help keep our community positive and to ensure that every pin is useful to other people.

Be Nice

Pinterest is a community of people. We know that tastes are personal, but be respectful in your comments and conversations.

Credit Your Sources

Pins are the most useful when they have links back to the original source. If you notice that a pin is not sourced correctly, leave a comment so the original pinner can update the source. Finding the original source is always preferable to a secondary source such as Google Image Search or a blog entry.

Avoid Self Promotion

Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion.

Report Objectionable Content

We do not allow nudity or hateful content. If you find content that is objectionable or violates our Terms of Service can submit the content for review by pushing the “Report Content” link.

Tell Us How to Make Pinterest Better

We're just getting started, so there are going to be bumps here and there. Let us know what's working, what's not. We take your input seriously. You can get in touch with us anytime:

“Follow Button” for Websites

{you will need to actually GO to the Pinterest site to get the code..I am not a "code" person..}

Click the button of your choosing below to select the HTML code to embed. Then, copy and paste the code onto your site where you'd like it to appear.

So, here's their address:

http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/

Have fun and if you need an "invite" just let me know {I will need your email address..your credit card number..and your dog's first name.. and the date of your anniversary..}

OK, OK..just your email address. And M&M's. I am particularly fond of M&M's..plain.

-me

PS..Oh Oh Oh..what they don't tell ya? If you click on the picture you are pinning, it will take you to the original site! You can then look around the blog or where ever they found the thingy you are pinning!

Oh Oh Oh ..and Oh.. here's the final pic from my first blog about Pinterest....OK OK..enough with the squiggly red line under the Pintetest.. IT IS TOO SPELLED RIGHT!

Sweet Potato Oven Fries Recipe // by Amy Rosen

houseandhome.com

Friday I had dinner with old friends I hadn't met...

2011-08-30T09:52:00.000-06:00

Yeppers..blogging friends.

Bridgette at http://lifeinredshoes.blogspot.com/ had a wonderful dinner party at her doll-house-of-a-house last week.

{note the "RED Shoes"!!}

{bad photographer..sorry!..it is just adorable..sooo much more than these photos can show!!!}

There, I met, as in face-to-face-meeting, several bloggers I had visited and gotten to know..virtually.

So, now were are truly virtually meeting and it was great.

No awkwardness, no "finding a comfort zone"..no anything but smiles and hugs and meeting old friends after a long hiatus.

Bridgette was the perfect hostess. Everything from the presentation of the buffet {think Cath Kidson napkin-wrapped forks and spoons, tied with baker's twine..yeah..that cute!}..

...to take home gifts of a Paula Dean cup, hand-crocheted red & white hot pad and a Paula Dean jar-twister-off-er..all in cello bags tied with red & white ribbon (!}..and displayed in her antique shopping cart!

The food? Well, can you just say...YUM-oh?!! Yep. Serious yum-oh. Quiche, salad, fruit salad {watermelon and cantaloupe balls with strawberries}, homemade bruchetta., bread, flour-less chocolate tart cake (she had me at "cake") and beautiful decorated sugar cookies {thanks, Kay!}

A beautiful glass pitcher of clear cold ice water with floating oranges and berries..

...top this all off with laughter, stories, learning about living and being from fun and friendship..

New Zealand {loved their accents!..if I sounded that cute, I'd never stop talking,..}

It was a night to remember! Thanks to Bridgette for all her loving work, thanks to all who attended and thanks to blogging..for introducing us to this wonderful world of friends ..some of whom we've yet to meet!

-me

Wow...I've been a terrible blogger..

2011-08-29T06:51:00.001-06:00

..since I stated "pinning"...

Do you pin? From "Pinterest"?

It's addicting. A "pin board" for ideas..recipes..inspiration..quotes.

And there is just so much..sooo much fun, good stuff..great photos..and one pin leads to another..and another..and another..

Pretty soon, time has gone by..my eyes are tired and dry and I'm falling asleep with the laptop on my lap.

But, I really really like it. No more pining out stuff..no more putting it into albums that I can't remember what I named it..

So, I'm sorry I haven't visited. I do miss you all. And I will be a better friend. But..have you tried Pinterest??

-me

What do you think of when I say.....

2011-08-23T16:33:00.000-06:00

...Old Spice???

That commercial with the guy who keeps saying "now look at me..now look at him..now me.." ??

I usually think of my Dad.

... when he wore aftershave, always wore Old Spice.

And now, Mr. B wears Old Spice.

Daughter Brandi always gets him his yearly supply of Old Spice for Christmas.

I've never had any reason to look at the labeling on the after shave, but today, while getting ready for work, I happened to find myself eye-level to the back side of the Old Spice deodorant tube-thingie..

Now, one would think that the demographic for any Old Spice product is..uh..old{er}, right?

Nope. Not by the listing of what this mighty tube contains...

Yeah..double click on this and see exactly what this is made of...

Hmmm..wonder how the Atomic Robots and Scent Elves got by the FDA??

So, go look at your hubby's deodorant or after shave...you may just see this..

-me

Going to cloud 9.....

2011-08-18T21:45:00.000-06:00

~I dweamt I was a fwuffy cwoud, fwoating acwoss the sky~

...from Cute Overload...
I justcan stand this adorableness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-me

Sing along with me.."what a difference a day makes...

2011-08-18T11:57:00.000-06:00

..24 little hours.."

Yep, the face is back to were it's supposed to be. I guess it just got up on the wrong side of the bed..?!

The weirdness just keeps on, huh?

Oh, and thank all y'all's concern..{didn't know I spoke a second language, eh? Yep..after all, I am originally from the South..{south side of Chicago} then was raised in the South {Southern Arizona}

So, I saw this clip of "Up" and thought it was soo good..and it showed some of the rooms from the "Up" house that we were in on Saturday..so here:

Have a totally "Up" day, OK?

-me

Ewww..weird..

2011-08-17T06:47:00.001-06:00

Short post..weird post..

So, I woke up this morning with a HUGE fever blister on my lip..on the right side of my top lip..

...the same side that I have a that irritating "eye-lid-twitching" thingie going on for. the. 4th. day...{!}

When I went to look at my ~~duck-beak~~ lip, the left side of my nose and under my left eye was bright red..

sorta like a sunburn but just on my nose and under my left eye..

...it's the Nike swatch!!

bring on the Abreva..
....or

.. go to the other half of my lip so I could have those full-Angelina Jolee-lips..

-me

weird, huh??

Geesh....

ps..ever have a song in your head you can not get out of your head??

yeah..that new Target commercial..

"denim..
Shaun White hoodies..
.. and denim..
Converse {somwthing something somethiing..}
{something something something} and hair ge-el and
denim.."

Thanks a lot Target...

Boy, did we have an "Up" day..

2011-08-14T19:20:00.001-06:00

Connor is keeping us runnin' seeing the sights of Salt Lake City and the surrounding area. We feel like the visitors....heehee :-)

Jeff picked Connor and me "up" about 11 yesterday. First one the agenda was to go "up" to the top if the largest open-pit copper mine, the Bingham mine and look d...o..w...n into the big ginormous hole..

But on the way, Jeff asked if we'd like to see the "Up" house..

..the what?

The "Up" house..you know, like in the movie "Up"?

Sure! Soo.. off we went

And as luck would have it, the house was part of a Parade of Homes..and get this, we could see inside the "Up" house.

Inside Up..

Here's a look..it is simply adorable and I would love to find it under my Christmas tree..but that would have to be a rather large tree..

Oh, what's missing?......

Balloons!!

Above is the Disney house...

..this is the Utah "Up" house..and who's on the porch??

Yep..Carl!

Oh..and Connor and Colleen..

He even had the whole walker-with-4-tennis-balls going on..

Remember this scene??

Here it is ...in real life :-)

Click on this college to see the detail they took in this house..from the family photos on the stairway..to the photos and glasses on the nightstands..

The silhouettes? Perfect..

Ellie's big chair ? Yep..it's there..

The retro kitchen is one of my dreams!

Yep..it was complete with ....balloons!

What a great "detour"! What a great day in "My Adventure Book"

Thanks, Jeff!

-me

PS..it's a real house..seriously..4 bedrooms, media room, 2 laundry rooms, and some very lucky person will live in it one day..

Oh..and this is the only one that will be built..Disney bought the plans..

and copyrighted them ..

:-(

Dang.

Isn't it amazing...

2011-08-11T14:06:00.002-06:00

..what your children's children can teach you..

and I don't just mean how to program your DVR..or do Facebook..or order shoes on-line

But about how to live.

Really.

As some of you know, Connor has special needs - he has Asperger Syndrome - an autism spectrum disorder that is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests...

And while I am not trying to be overly-gushy here, I feel he has special talents and reasons for being here with us all.

He has focus. Compete and total focus on things that he's passionate about. Photography. NASCAR. Animals. I can truthfully say he's an expert on these subjects.

His eyes light up when he speaks about them. His whole demeanor changes. He becomes more self-assured..confident..happy.

I admire how he can let is wishes be known..with respect & dignity..

"Sounds good" or "No thanks" or "I'm good"..

He will not do what he doesn't want to do..and has no qualms about saying .."I'm good" when he doesn't want to participate in something "I" think he'd enjoy.

How refreshing. .how honest. No resentment..no doing what "they" want you to do or what they think you "should " want to do.

And how he holds you to your intentions and schedules.."today the Zoo" .."Wednesday the Aquarium"

He looks at the pups and at Sushi {the resident fish} and he sees them... really sees them. He's kind. And he smiles. And he is utterly gentle and kind. to them. And they respond to him with puppy-fishy-kisses.Like they..know..and they understand. And they see him....

And to people. Even when I can see the fear or the anxiety, or the stress of a situation casting it's shadow over him, he responds in thoughtful kindness.

Take yesterday. We went to the anticipated Planet Earth Aquarium, and although I had expected more..Connor seemed delighted at the photo ops of the strange and unusual sea life on display.

But so were tonzz of loud, high pitched, unruly little kids with seemingly uncaring or unknowing parents, pushing and shoving and stepping in front of him as he carefully set up his camera shot.

And I know one cannot control such an environment, and the little kids and their parents have also paid to get into the exhibit..

I could see, physically, that he was getting nervous. Agitated and maybe a little frustrated. But he said nothing. No heavy sighs or eye-rolling. No anger.

He quietly continued to try to get the shots..he moved. He backed up, stepped out of the way.

One mother saw this and said "Oh, I'm sorry.." and he quietly and graciously in a small voice said "that's OK" and he went to another part of the room..only again to be followed by the "screaming masses"..

This continued the whole time. I'm not sure if he got one good shot. But never, ever once complained. Or whined. Or showed anger..

I worry about him being homesick..this is the first time away... and with his Mom and my son being divorced, knows us but really doesn't "know" us..

I worry that he's not speaking up for what he DOES want..Cookies? Pop? Steak? Vegetables? ...yeeeah..probably not.

Will he let us help him with his laundry? Does he even need help? Or reminders??

I have to get used to him wanting to be in his room..alone with his thoughts..instead of being the center of attention and all big and loud like we are...

I want to hug him..but that's uncomfortable for some with AS, so I hold back..

He's a sweet little boy in a growing teenager's body with the mind of a professor..

I tell him I love him and good-night-sweet-dreams and he says "I love you too" and my heart swells

And I have to learn to live each day like he does..simply..with no bad intentions, with no hidden agendas..with no obligation...

All the while being a sweet, gentle soul. Able to communicate with little or no words. Kind. Peaceful. Loving.

What a wonderful world it would be...

-me

PS - Connor has displayed an interest in his DNA and genealogy {!} so I am having one of our DNA consultants do a consultation on his own DNA! He'll learn so much about his ancient ancestors and his YDNA (paternal) line. Thanks to Anna for doing this..next Wednesday..Connor- it's on the schedule! :-)

Don't know if you've noticed lately...

2011-08-09T18:31:00.000-06:00

..but I've been putting photos taken by family members as my header photos.

Seems I have spawned a whole line of great photographers..

Son Jeff..

Daughters Brandi ...

....and April..

Granddaughter Emily..

Grandson Brian

...and now grandson, Connor

....but ya know..they come by it naturally..from Moi..

Just look at the "action" shots this Grandma got of our Chicken Sitting assignment......

..um..wait..

come on...slow down..

OK..well maybe not...

..but they also didn't get it from Grandpa either...

"What goes up...must come down.."

So, grab your camera.............and hand it over to the kids. You won't be disappointed :-)

-me

Connor's coming to visit this Saturday..

2011-08-03T21:32:00.001-06:00

..and we couldn't be more excited!

This is the first time he will be visiting us by himself..all grown up..a high school graduate..

I'm hoping we don't scare him with our loud lifestyle....or our weirdness...or just being us..

If we embarrass him, well..then we've done our jobs -

We cleared out the art room...and got rid of more stuff...and have now a little bitty guest room ..for..uh...little bitty guests?

maybe..and for a little bitty time?

Love this ~~cheap~~ inexpensive sort-of-futon we found at Target..fits well and can be a good reading sofa when it's not being used as a guest room.

Does life get any better? Maybe for some..but for me? This is pretty darned good ;-)

-me

I saw Jimmy Durante in the ladies room @ work...

2011-07-29T16:16:00.000-06:00

I did. Really.

OK, let me go back...

My sister , Sister Kathleen Mary of the Order of the SullivanSisters 3, taught me {and apparently my daughter April}..that when one is um..pre-occupied in the rest room...

..one had no choice than to look at the floorboards..and the floors..so be sure they are clean and dusted at all times..

And, she was right. One doesn't have much to look at while "occupied" unless you bring in reading material, and because we only have one powder room..that is NOT allowed.

And it's true at work as well. They tend to frown when you go "in" with a book...

So, while in there today, I saw Jimmy Durante. In the tile. In the floor. You know..that fakey-marbley-brownish-color-12X12-tile?

Yeppers. Jimmy Durante..nose and all. It was a profile shot. Unmistakable.

But of course, sometimes I see things that no one else does. In clouds. In tree bark. In nuts. Sand. Pavement. Soup..remember this ROOT on a tree by our house?? Freakaziod!!

So, I wasn't all surprised to see him. Rather delighted as he was looking the other way..from me...while I was pre-occupied.

{ewww..}

It's funny 'cos when I went back in to look again.he was gone. But a really big silly bear with 2 teeth was in there.

Hmmm..wonder who I'll see and where..next?

Have a good week-end.

-me

Crazy busy @ work.....

2011-07-28T16:48:00.001-06:00

...which really cuts into my blogging time..whassup with that?? Oh yeah.....I'm now a department/division/team of one..who says there's no "I" in team?

Anyway..just a quick look at the purse(s) I have gotten from the "M" Resort at their gift shop which allows me to fully utilize my mad shopping skills!

{ Looks like melted chocolate! Love the big ol snap-ball-closures! ..and the rose!}

{ OK..this is really cute! Zipper flowers!}

{ Close up of flowers...}

{ eXtREmE close up of zipper flower!}

{ This photo doesn't to the bag justice..it's a real buttery-soft teal color..with "~~rooshing~~. ruching..!!}

Anyway..gotta run. "Can someone investigate that ringing sound on my desk?"

"oh..my phone?"

""OK..I guess I'll get that.."

-me

Happy Happy Hello Hello :-)

2011-07-26T16:05:00.000-06:00

OK, so yeah, I was really out of town, but being the cautious blogger that I am, I didn't want to announce it to any of my readers who are cat buglers..

But we have dogs anyway... oh well.

Doh! I just gave away my secret code for being not home..... "unplugged" ..

See? I did it again.

Anyway, good news is that Grandma Evelyn is home from Las Vegas...bad news is that some of our money isn't.

{Gma Evelyn & Colette, Robert's wife}

Oh, and do you know how they say "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"??

.no..not him..but...Hubba Hubba!!

Soooo not true. Guess they weren't talking about the Creme Brulee...I think it's going to stay with me for a while.

But we had a great time and I got another purse. I love me some purses and last time, I got 2 new ones at the gift shop at the "M" and this time...another! They have some wicked good sales and I zone in on the purse rack.

So, there we were..12th floor...

..and receiving this wonder personalized fruit plate...

Wait..what?? Oh. that. It's obviously my "Vegas" name...

heehee..they changed our room at the last minute and apparently failed to tell the staff..

Or Ms. Sakamura...

Well, hope she likes her Vegas name..The Blakes..

heeheehee :-)

{ " funny, she doesn't look Asian.." }

-me

Hi...

2011-07-22T06:53:00.000-06:00

Taking a little "technology" break..

...."see" you all next week :-)

-me

Pffftt....

2011-07-18T22:15:00.000-06:00

..that's how fast beauty can go by..if you're not paying attention.

Pffftt..

However, if you get a call from the hubby who is working in the garden and he's motioning to

"grab the camera and come out here..like..quickly!"

Well then, you can get quite a show.

This one is facing the other way..East..but stunning in it's own right..

I don't know if you can see it, but because we live in a valley, the sunsets and sunrises are even more spectacular..the color is reflected from the other side of the valley as seen here with the red mountains..

And last but not least, here are the pups with their new summer hair-do's..

{he's really not that sad..he just doesn't want to smile after having his teeth out..}

What a profile! Beautiful!

And speaking about beautiful..

"This is my best side, no??.."

So..happy Monday night and have a grand tomorrow!

-me

Good Saturday mornin' !...or good whatever mornin'..or evening you may be reading this..or..well..

2011-07-16T07:28:00.003-06:00

We interrupt this blog with breaking news!!

"Houston..we have lift-off!!"

...I now have ....Empty Nest Syndrome...

..just "hi"..

Wanted to give you a little update on the hummers...who we've named...

Fred & Ethel.

Yep, Fred & Ethel. Although I loved Lucy & Ricky probably Lucy more than Ricky if I'm being honest

......I always thought Fred & Ethel were just the cutest..ever...even though he sometime was a Grumpy Gus..well, he wasn't really a Grumpy Gus..just exhibited Grumpy Gus-llike tendencies..

So, here they are...Fred & Ethel..

I know the time is coming soon when they will strike out on their own..and that makes me sad..and happy..but sad..but proud..but sad.

We'll miss them for sure.

Mr. B and me {I know, bad English..but ...".Mr. B and I" doesn't sound the same..} will miss calling each other out to see the progress..

to wonder at their size..to see Mama Gracie buzz us when we get too close..

..but maybe next year...Ethel will come back to where she knows her nest will safe.{.except for those two people, one who actually stands on lawn chairs with a camera..and the other who lovingly fills the feeders..}

And we will see the cycle again..and be fortunate enough to be a part of God's miracles..

Thank you Gracie, and Fred & Ethel and God..and MamaSweetieBird..

-me

I think I may have told you before...

2011-07-13T13:11:00.001-06:00

..the story of when I was really young in Arizona {like 6 or 7-ish} and it was hot. Hot hot hot hot hot. It was, after all, Arizona..

And I wanted a pool. Nothing fancy..just a pool..a little blow-up plastic pool to cool off in on those hot hot hot hot Arizona summer days...in ARIZONA..

{this is not me...or me..or me..Google Images..FYI}

And I was told "no"..

..insert sad face...sad sad sad sad face..:-(

So, being the resourceful little girl that I was..and knowing "guilt" is a very good motivator even then...I decided to make my own pool..

{..again..this is not me..or me...or me..Google, yes.}

I took a dresser drawer out, emptied it, took it outside and filled it with water...

And there I sat..just barely fitting..until Daddy came home from work and spotted me.

He laughed..told me to go inside and we had our usual 5:30 dinner..except I think we called it 'supper' ..anyway..

The next Friday {payday}, he brought home and set up my very own pool!

But, wait, not such a great ending..it was not a little blow-up plastic pool..but one that was square..with metal triangular seats {picture photo corners}in each of the four sides..

Metal. Metal seats. METAL. SEATS. IN .ARIZONA...

{photo used just to ~~prove~~ show you they did have metal seats..and no..none of these are me..are me? Is me? Army??..

So, why now am I telling you this again?....Other than to get your complete and total sympathy..??

While visiting one of my favorites sites, http://craftgawker.com/ I saw they also have

dwellinggawker and weddinggawker and foodgawker {!} and on the dwellinggawker (I love typing that...dwellinggawker..dwellinggawker..!!} I found an article on

"10 DIY Pools for Summer"

and they were showing pools made from "odd" stuff...like stock tanks...

{Oh...I **love** this one!}

..and ...are you ready for this??...dumpsters!

{um...not so much..}

Moral of this post? If you have a kid that wants a pool...get them the right kind...or you might just find them in the dumpster...or a drawer..or with branded triangles on her thighs..insert sad face :-( sad sad sad face...

wade on!!

-me

Do any of you remember ...rubber pants??

2011-07-11T16:42:00.000-06:00

No, not leather pants..although I think both would turn your legs all prune-y in any sort of heat.....eekk..

No, I mean rubber pants like when we had our babies, many many many many years ago...OK..maybe not that many 'manys' for you...

Yeah..cloth diapers, diaper services, where you paid someone to pick up your week-old-smelly-sour-in the diaper-hamper diapers, and if you weren't "lucky" enough to have the service....diapers soaking in the toilet..

"Watch out - there's a diaper in there.."

Rubber pants..so all that ammonia and yuck could be heat-activated...and we worried and wondered why the baby had diaper rashes??

And no, I am not telling you I am wearing rubber pants...or diapers..or leather pants either.

It's just that I flashed back the other day when I was putting on a girdle..

gir·dle (gûrdl)

a. A belt or sash worn around the waist.

b. Something that encircles like a belt.

c. An elasticized, flexible undergarment worn over the waist and hips, especially by women, to give the body a more slender appearance.

2. A band made around the trunk of a tree by the removal of a strip of bark.

3. The edge of a cut gem held by the setting.

4. Anatomy The pelvic or pectoral girdle.

OK, number 1C is probably the closest.

No wait..they call them "Body Shapers" now..or Spanx {?}...not "gIRdlEs" silly..

This one was like an industrial strength rubber band..some sort of weapon of mass destruction if it ever let loose..like a cheap bathing suit from the 50's..no wait! A bathing cap!!!! Tight. Sooo very tight..and strong..so very strong..

OK, so I looked at it from the package and thought "even Ella couldn't fit into this.."

But I was determined.

One foot in one leg hole..good..not breaking too much of a sweat....

Now my for the other foot...wait...where is it..OK..there. no wait..I got it into the other lag hole, but my legs are no longer side-by-side..but one had been pulled behind the other by sheer force of the rubber...ah..girdle..

And I stand there, now if a full sweat..breathing hard and looking a lot like the shape of a wine glass..

OK.. OK..more like a brandy snifter..but you get the point.

As I try to pull the weapon up..the force to my finger tips in the death-defying material is almost nail breaking..and the pain as it is dredged up my leg..

My head was now aching..my eyes were now bulging....and the thing hadn't moved but about 1 inch up..making the area directly above the "banding" balloon up like a.....balloon ..you know, when the squeeze one end and the other swells up disproportionately??

Yeeeaah..

So, now the make-up I had just put on was sliding down my face..my hair, after being treated to "product" was now dripping a sticky substance down my neck...and I still had a whole thigh to get over...

Once in place...I finally had that flat {ish} tummy I had wanted..but I also had the flattest pancake of a bum as one would ever NOT want to see..with bulges of puffiness of pink exploding over the top of the thing (my supposed waist) and beneath the bottom of the thing..my once toned thighs..looking more like a life preserver around each semi-independent leg...

I couldn't breathe..I couldn't see..I couldn't speak..which in the end is a good thing..I would hate to have been the dispatcher at 911 for that call..

I moved slowly..my face was red..I really think my earlobes were filled with air..large and puffy as my face and eyes were..

Braxton & Lulu averted their eyes..but I heard them plain as day...

"Eyii carumba Mamma-sita!!" {bet you didn't know they spoke Spanish, huh??}

That's it....it's coming off! Go save yourselves, pups! Run, Forrest, run !!!!!!!!

That thing shot off like a sling-shot from hell...ricochet off the closet door and up and over the desk..

Still haven't found it.

So, if you see me with a tummy pouch and a nice giggly bum...you'll know I have learned my lesson..

-me.

We think we may be having....

2011-07-07T10:57:00.001-06:00

Triplets!!!

No, no Mr. B and me..silly..and no, not one of the kiddos..

The hummers!! Yes. we have another nest this year and we couldn't be more pleased.

When MammaSweetieBird had Gracie & George a couple of years ago..we were thrilled.

{George & Gracie, circa 2009}

It was the highlight of our summer to watch the progress of the nest-sitting, the little beaks when they hatched..and their little inquisitive heads popping up "pre-flight"...

We were there to see Gracie's very cautious first flight and landing, just a few feet away on the wire..

We were "scolded" by MammaSweetieBird every time we ventured too close to her babies..

And, although proud as new parents to see their "kids" take flight..we were sad too that it was over..

{Gracie's short first flight..}

I read that they do not come back and re-use the nest, however, I didn't take it down for a few months..just to be certain.

When I did, I carefully brought it in the house and placed it under a cloche to protect it. It was just bigger than a half walnut shell, can you imagine??

Then a few weeks ago, Mr. B called to me from the back yard. He then pointed to the exact same spot the nest had been...only to see a NEW nest!

{these are the new babies!!}

I don't know about you, but I choose to believe that it was Gracie that has come "home" to give her babies the same protection she and George had....under the eaves, away from the rain and difficult for predators..
(.. and me with my camera..) to get to her wee ones..

{you can see just how teensy they are..that is just a regular size extension cord and tiny back-yard bulbs..}

We figure Georgie is living the life of a bachelor.. flying from feeder to feeder..from house to house...and that's OK..we always had to have at least 1 'wild-child'..

So, here are Gracies' offspring..we think there may be 3..possibly..we think we've seen 3 beaks..but it could be something else..

"Ma...."

But one is a big 'ol baby..always hungry and crying for MammaGracie..

"Mom!!"

MAAAMA!!!

" Mommmmmy..."

"WaaaWaaa! Come feed me! I'm still hungry!!"

"It's to hot in here..and she's touching me.."

"tell her to quit, Mom..."

"WaaaWaaa!"

( I KNOW you have nest-envy..hee hee..I had that for years..)

So, we're going to have a "Hummer of a Summer"..how about YOU!

-me

Happy Birthday America!!

2011-07-04T22:29:00.000-06:00

So, was your week-end productive? Ours was..

Mr. B finished the front room built-ins {so far...}

He has done such a wonderful job of "finishing" our home! He does all the design, the installation and even the decorating.

He has always loved building things..

..and yes, I do realize how lucky I am..

..and no, just because I work for a DNA company, I cannot "clone" him...

...and even if I could, my sister(s) want the first copies.

Course, we did have to go though this first..

and he did have to work with 2 supervisors..who were busy doing what "supervisors" do..

But, in the end...I think it's absolutely wONdeRfuL!!

Hope you all have a great short week {only 4 days of work {outside the home} for us :-)

Good night and sweet dreams ..

-me

We're starting a wonderful holiday week-end!!

2011-07-01T16:35:00.000-06:00

...soooo....:

Yay! I'm all for that! Be safe, wear sunscreen, drink plenty of fluids..and come back here armed with fun pictures to share!!

Until Tuesday..this is me..signing off..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!

Long may it wave...

And sing to the top of the trees and mountains and from the bottom of your hearts...

"America, America, God shed His grace on thee....."

-me......and Mr. B..........and Braxton and Lulu and Sushi too!

Yesterday...bad..then good..

2011-06-29T09:14:00.000-06:00

..and today..better again!

I don't know how many of you are on Facebook or have me as a "friend" so this may be a repeat of what I talked about yesterday..but for those who aren't, and have no idea about this weed..I think it may be worth repeating..

I guess there is a weed called foxtail that is prevalent west of the Mississippi..and it is very dangerous to dogs and cats {and I would imagine any animal or even small children..or big children..like me}

"Depending on the location of the seed or seeds, other symptoms are compulsive licking and biting at a paw or around the groin or rectal area or whining and crying with no obvious or acute injury.

In addition to causing pain and localized infections, foxtail seeds can migrate and lodge in the spine, in the lungs and in other internal organs. They enter through the nose, ears, paws, eyes, urethra or just through the skin and travel through the body The seeds are very small, making locating them a painful, difficult and expensive procedure. Depending on where a foxtail seed has traveled to inside a dog, it can even be life threatening and will require prompt surgical removal."
{ from: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29569.asp }

They (the weed) had a seeds that has spikes that when caught on the pads of their (the animals) feet, enter the body and are like fish hooks..they sort of open and the barbs make it impossible {or at least very painful..} to pull out..then they can actually travel through the body..

{poor baby! Left paw..surgery..right paw..IV location ..he also has a bennign wart removed from his hip..and unfortunately, during his dental (which they decided to do since he wasalready sedated..) they found they needed to remove several teeth..ShihTzu's have a overbite that can cause teeth isues..plus his age..12 years. :-( ...

Although we try to take care in walking the pups on sidewalks and clean areas, Braxton picked up one of these in his foot...maybe Sunday?..and was licking and pulling on something in his paw. Because I didn't know anything about this weed, I thought he maybe he was just grooming..or had a sore paw {understatement} and developed a limp..

We decided to take him to the vet and then learned all about this summer weed. Braxton had to have surgery to remove the "seed"..

So, please consider this a Public Service Announcement..please watch out for these weeds..

..and I have been really concerned with our little neighborhood and the lack of maintenance of some yards and property..with weeds {such as this} can grow in abundance. City code states weeds cannot be more than 6 inches in height..some are up to my waist!

And yes, I know, we've had a wet spring..and people have busy lives..but so do we. And Mr. B takes care and pride in our yard. He works from 5am until 4:30pm every day Monday through Friday..yet our lawn is taken care of..

So, I will be contacting the code enforcement people with my issues, with photos..so maybe no other dog, cat, animal or child {big or little} will have to go through this..

Anyway..this photo comes from http://www.brocantehome.net/ and I just love it! I want a tent like this..

Have a good rest of the week..and please pass this info on the weed to anyone you can..

Time for Braxton's pain pill..

-me

I have one of "those" mirrors....

2011-06-27T21:55:00.000-06:00

..you know..the ones that all those people who are on all those awful "Wal-Mart people.." Wal-Martians... have at their homes?

The one's that when you look at your reflections, says back to you...

"You are lookin' good Girl..MmmHmm...yeah baby.."

OK..well probably not that bad..

But there are days when I leave the house thinking I look pretty good..

and I pass a mirror and see this ..uh..lumpy-bumpy with not good posture and literally NO boobs..{no really, literally ..} which, I may remind you, if I had them, may not look QUITE so lumpy-bumpy..I mean the "girls" can lift your tops away from your lumpy-bumpy-tummy..sort of...

Or..I get to work and in the Powder Room I see the outline of an eyebrow...but nothing in the middle! Bald as Dr. Phil's Charlie Brown head.....but just in the middle. The outline is there..oh yes it is...

Eye make-up? Looks rather good this morning..yes, a little heavier than most women my age..but kinds smokey and nice..

{See any resemblance??}

{me...Halloween..about 70 lbs ago...}

Uh, no. Not in the "real" mirror..I look like a raccoon..or like a linebacker..you know, with the stuff they put under their eyes to make them look scary? The linebacker, not the raccoons..they are too cute to look scary :-)

Wait, what? Ohhhh..they don't do that to look scary? To cut down on reflection? Huh..well that's pretty smart.. {again, the linebacker, not the raccoon..although I do think raccoons are pretty smart..like the one that got into April's kitchen through the Doggie Door..guess they didn't have a "raccoon" door..}

And, did you know my mirrors tells me I am thinner? And there is no etching that states:

"Objects in the mirror are larger than they appear."

I've looked. No warnings there..

So I confidently go out into the world, my mismatched colors, my too-heavy eye make-up..my mere outline of a brow..

...and the back of my hair looking like I fell asleep with my head pressed up against a hot, sticky car seat...

Frightening I tell you...and not just for me...but for the general public....

.......minus the "Wal-Mart" people..

"Yeah girl...you be lookin' fine..."

-me

I have met the thief and it is I...uh..me..

2011-06-25T21:55:00.002-06:00

..isn't that some sort of quote.."I have met the enemy and the enemy is I"..or me..or us ??

So, yeah..I am the neighborhood thief.

Cherries.

Yeppers..full, round, sticky, red and ...abandoned.

"For Sale" house..vacant..and no fence.

Come on..no fence??

Don't judge me.

I even had a split moment of clarity on Friday and asked the question of ethics on Facebook.

Yeah, 'cos we all know how totally upstanding and ethical everyone of Facebook is..it's the bastion of civility and ~~ethical-ity~~..~~ethical-ness~~, ethicalnicity right?

So it ended up a crime of opportunity..well, 'opportunity' can be subjective here..I mean I sorta had to drag the pups to go that way..

However..I have just one word to day....

SCORE!!!

Now, if we weren't on "a good healthy and intelligent eating plan/lifestyle" I would totally {learn how to} make a cherry pie...

Well, at least it wasn't Sunday... I really don't think it's a good idea to steal on Sunday...

-me

"Life is just a ~~blow~~ BOWL..of {stolen} cherries"

EDITED: Thank you, Aunt Amelia , for letting me know ...

Did I ever tell ya..

2011-06-23T22:25:00.000-06:00

How much Braxton loves his carrots?

..or that he's a remote control hog??

..or that he *hAteS* having his picture taken?

Yeppers, that's my boy :-)

-me