" Wordful Wednesday "

Today is wordful Wednesday. It has been a practice with some of us bloggers to compose a poem each week on this day. This week however, I am not feeling very inspired to do so. I do have to be inspired to rhyme. And it's not happening this time!

Some of us have chosen to participate in a game of tag. I am going to post the list of twenty of my favorites in just a minute. First I have to say that I do enjoy these kinds of lists as I get to find out different things about all of you. And quite frankly, it's a nice break from trying to come up with something new!

I do have a request of anyone who would like to participate. I am very interested and very curious as to why you started blogging. I am sure everyone has a different reason. I think it would be interesting to know. You can tell me why in my comments section, but I would really like to see a post about it. So please keep this in mind. I think it will be very enlightening! I will, at the end of my twenty favorites list, tell you why I started blogging. Some of you may already know.

Twenty of my favorites

1. Color - Purple today, Blue tomorrow
2. Dessert - Cheesecake, is there anything else?
3. Smell - Vanilla and Babies
4. Flower - No fair I love them all, O.K. then Cosmos
5. Animal- My husband, but I like dogs too.
6. Month - October
7. Beverage - Water
8. Pair of shoes - My slippers
9. Snack - Cheese and Crackers
10. Song - How Great Thou Art
11. Book - The Bible
12. Fruit - Cherries
13. Hairstyle - Crew Cut, no fuss no muss
14. Piece of Clothing - A very worn thin, with holes, twenty-two year old night shirt that I wear when I am sick.
15. Store to Clothes Shop In - Wal-Mart, I hate clothes shopping. I know it's not normal right?
16. Season - Fall of coarse.
17. Hobbies - Crocheting, sewing, blogging, gardening, laughing, being annoying.
18. Things To Collect - Crochet patterns, piggy's, crosses, bones. Don't freak out, they're wish bones. Stick around and maybe some day I'll explain!
19. Movie - " Summertime " starring Katherine Hepburn and " Under the Tuscan Sun" starring Diane Lane.
20. Restaurant - El Rancharito Mexican Restaurant


Alrighty then, there you have it. And now I will tell you why I started to blog. Last November I had a stroke. And it was pretty scary. Thank the Lord up above I came home from the hospital with no lasting effects. Although my memory seems a little worse. I am a very high strung person who has had a difficult time accepting the fact that I can no longer do all the things that I'd like to. While I was in the hospital, my daughter , Ginny, flew home from North Carolina to help me out until I got myself back together. She was so worried about me, as I try to do way to much. I have been working on this and I believe that I am getting much better at the relaxation thing!

Ginny had been blogging for awhile. I really didn't think much of it as I really never used the computer except for work at church. Ginny thought it would be something for me to try that I could do to keep myself busy. INTERPRETATION: Ginny thought it would be something for me to try that would keep my butt in the chair for long periods of time! So she set me up.

So that is how this blogging thing began for me. Keep in mind that blogging does not prevent strokes as I had another one in February. But it is fun and it has kept me relaxed when I need to be. But most importantly I have met new and amazing friends.

Now, I want to hear your stories. I want to know how you discovered blogging and what made you decide to try it. So go get busy. Inquiring minds want to know!

" Finally, a Boring Post! "

Wow we've all been so darn busy lately. What with visiting the grandkids, spiritual girly retreats, hiking, deep sea pool diving, accepting awards and of coarse delving into the deep dark resources of our brains trying to figure out what Marcy did before she married Michael, it's no wonder there's been no time to blog about everyday, boring mundane life such as it is!


Maybe Marcy was a stripper. You could wear a uniform in the beginning, tools could definitely be involved and I believe you could describe it as networking. The guys would most likely enjoy it over the gals. Well sometimes. Let me know if I guessed correctly please Marcy!


I apologize Marcy. We all know what a wonderful, funny and spiritual woman you are. But I just couldn't help myself ! And another Thank you to you, my girlfriend, for thinking of me as you were handing out " The Charming Blog " award.


As you may or may not know, I share a computer with my lovely 14 year old daughter Katie. We usually split up our time pretty well but it's been a little difficult lately with all of the awards and trying to keep up with everyone's blogs. The poor dear couldn't sleep last night so I now have free reign !


" BORING POST "

Today I woke up and as I was stepping out of bed to go to the bathroom, I stepped in a pile of cat puke! So much for going back to sleep. It was 5:00 a.m. and I was fasting for the long awaited gallbladder function test that was to start at 9:30 a.m.
Oh God help me! No food. No water. No coffee. not for at least another six hours!
I'll admit it. I am not ashamed. I am a big cry baby when it comes to fasting. I like water. I love coffee. Whaa, whaa, whaa. Yes I am a big baby.


But I made it through. One test down and one more to go next week. My Katie girl is sleeping on the couch. She is supposed to be having company tonight. That should be interesting! I think I will grill some chicken tonight and make some salad for dinner. Our weather has been so, so gorgeous this week. It is a wonderful treat to be able to have the doors and windows open.


Kate and I went to the library yesterday. I took out a couple of books and Katie rented some c.d.'s. I also rented a DVD of the old Mary Tyler Moore Show. What fond memories that brought back! My favorite character on the show was Rhoda Morganstern. Remember Rhoda? I always related to Rhoda over Mary, even in their apartment styles! I was able to watch part of it last night and will probably finish it tonight. It is one of those shows that I consider to be comforting. Like The Andy Griffith Show.


O.K. back to the weather. I took this adorable photo of Ruby last week during that horrible, nasty heat spell we had.





As you can see, she wasn't up to running around much.
But now that I think about it......




She still doesn't look like she's up to running around much! Oh well, it's a dogs life, right?And while everyone here is enjoying laying around napping, this girl is getting further and further behind in housework. And if you have read my past postings, you will know that I can not relax until everything is just so. So I know that I was tagged yesterday and would like to answer the list of twenty of my favorite things now but my O.C.D. is kicking in big time and I must get up and move! If I am allowed on the computer this evening, I will be back to list those. If not, well teenagers are not generally up at 5:00a.m., but I am!

" I Am Honored!"

Wow, I was very surprised today. Jackie from "Teacher's Pet" passed an award onto me and six other lucky participants. Jackie's blog is very entertaining and I give her much thanks. Thank you Jackie!

It is called " The Premio MeMe Award ". I don't really know what Premio MeMe means but still I am honored to receive it !




I do kind of like the picture. And I definitely like the frame so I will take it!
To except this award I must post seven things about myself.
This is going to be tricky for me. I will have to open up my files.
Most people that read my blog already know, for the most part, who I am.

Also I must pass this award to seven other bloggers. So I would suggest that you all start being really, really nice to me!

I am only kidding. You are all very kind and thoughtful already. If you get this award from me and someone else, it's o.k. Just do the best that you can.

And now, seven boring things about me!

1. My favorite thing about going to church is singing the hymns. I do realize that is not why we are supposed to go. But truthfully it is my favorite part.

2. Nearly everything that I know how to do, I taught myself through books. Example, crocheting, sewing, cooking, blogging and even buying our home. The non-fiction section of our local library is my favorite place to go.

3. I am so tired of worrying about my health. It seems that every time I start to lose weight and feel good again, something else happens to set me back.

4. All three of my pregnancies had health problems involved. The last one I was told if I were to get pregnant again that I could die.

5. When my older daughter was eleven months old she almost died from Spinal Meningitis. She spent her first birthday in the hospital.

6. I once saved my ex mother-in-laws life by performing the Heimlich maneuver on her.

7. Besides the fact that I can't crochet as much as I used to the thing that I hate the most about having arthritis is not being able to dance anymore. You should never stop dancing if you can help it.


And now I shall pass my baton, I'm sorry, award onto the following people:


1. Marcy from "Blessings Each Day"

2. Teresa from " Do the Write Thing "

3. Ginny from " Ginny from the Blog "

4. Mary Ann from " Desperately Seeking Serenity "

5. Jerelene from " Jerelene's Journal "

6. Annette from " A Wisp of Creativity "

7. Linda from " Linda Lu's B.T.D.T. (Been there done that)

I truly enjoy reading every ones blogs. You all make me smile in some way. And you all deserve awards in my heart!

" My Dad "

I have been thinking about my dad a lot lately. I don't know why. Many people when thinking of fathers have this iconic vision of the man that helped in creating their life. I had pain. I say had, because I have long since dismissed from my mind all of this pain and rarely, rarely think of my dad any more. Yet still there are moments,maybe a particular word, or even a vision of someone else, that will make this memory resurface once again. My dad died thirty tears ago. He was an alcoholic.



My earliest memories of my dad did have love in them. I guess they still do. Just not the kind of love that I have always wanted to feel. I was, in my early years, a daddy's girl. I remember my dad bragging about what a good little girl I was and I remember wanting to sit next to my dad and eat the same things that he ate. Hot pepper sandwiches when you are four is a true show of love I believe! That is the extent of the fond memories however.



My dad had family in Illinois and in California. He was a cement contractor, a trade he had picked up in the See Bee's. He would find work in Illinois during the summer season. When it would start to turn cold, off to California we would drive. Each and every year. Sometimes twice a year, quite often staying with relatives. I can't tell you how many different schools that I attended growing up as truly I can not remember them all.



Dad never physically hurt me. Unless you count spankings when I did something wrong. A practice that he halted when I was ten years old saying that if I didn't know right from wrong by then, there was nothing more he could do. He did however hurt my mother. Physically and emotionally. Time after time. Year after year. My mother finally left him after ten years of marriage. I often wonder what took her so long.



I remember one night in particular. I was in my own bed yet it was in the same room as my parents bed where they were to sleep. I have no recollection of where it was geographically as I was only around four or five years old. Dad said that he had a knife and if my mother made a sound or moved that he would kill her. I was too terrified to breathe let alone move. I thought that if I made a sound , my dad would think that it was mom and kill her.



There were many of these nightmarish incidents that were to follow. The last one that I remember took place when I was eight years old. It was shortly after my baby brother was born. We were living on the second floor of a two story apartment in Chicago. My brother was asleep in his bed, just a few months old at the time. My father as usual was drunk and was threatening yet again to kill my mother if she didn't leave the apartment. Her and I left to go outside not wanting to leave my brother behind. Mom was so upset. We stood outside for just a short while and I knew, at eight years old, that my dad would soon be passed out. I instructed my mother to stay outside as I quietly crept upstairs. There was my father, passed out on the sofa as I had suspected. I very quickly and quietly went into the room where my brother lay in his bed. I wrapped him up In a blanket and just as quickly and quietly crept down the stairs to my mother. I don't remember anything after that. I don't remember where we went. I do remember however that it was shortly after that when we moved out on our own. My mother, me and my baby brother. Finally.



Life did get better after that. Still I missed my dad and had all kinds of anger inside of me towards him which I could not understand. He would call me from time to time as I was growing up. Usually he was drunk. My mother did not want me to talk to him. I would talk to him when she was not around. Finally when I was in the sixth grade he wanted to meet with me. And I wanted to see him. We agreed, behind my mothers back that we would meet at a bowling alley in Chicago. He had a job there as a pin setter. I told him that I would meet with him but with the condition that he be sober. I took the bus that evening to the bowling alley. My mother thought that I was going out with friends. When I got there, he of coarse was drunk. I left immediately, very hurt, very angry.



That was to be the last time that I spoke to my dad. It was the last time that I saw my dad until his funeral about ten years later. That was the beginning of my angry period. My son was nine months old when we flew to California to attend my dad's funeral. I was angry that my dad ruined our relationship or so I thought at the time. I was angry that my dad never got to meet his grandson because of his alcoholism. It was easier to blame him for my anger at the time as I didn't know any better. I stayed angry for a long time after that. Very angry. My love for him had now turned to a feeling of hate. Which now, I realize was simply my misunderstanding of the whole situation. I would come to learn those lessons later in my life.



As I grew older and actually learned more about this disease, I was able to see the past with a better perspective. I also learned that pent up anger harms no one but the person feeling it. It took me years to work through it all. I have no feelings of anger anymore. As a matter of fact as I said in the beginning, I rarely even think of my dad anymore. I do feel sad for the man that had so much torment inside of him that he felt helpless in controlling it. And only confident in drowning it.


I do feel somewhat envious at times of people who have or had these wonderfully inspiring parents in there lives. However, I suppose in someways, I have become stronger from living through it all. I think that it has helped me in becoming a better parent. I can't say that I am grateful for having lived through it, but I am stronger ultimately because of it.

" Friday Favorites "

I am generally not a fan of Fridays. If you have read my posts from the past you would know why. It is the start of the weekend. And while I enjoy having my family around me, particularly when my husband is home, weekends have always meant double the work for me. More laundry, more cooking, more dishes, more picking up, helping my husband with projects around the house, well you get the idea!


While everyone gets to sit and relax, mama is busy preparing meals and washing clothes. I guess it would be safe to say that my weekend begins on Monday! Ha! Of coarse my weekend is a little longer then everyone elses but that's o.k. , because I deserve it!

In my free time I used to crochet, all the time. I have made so many things over the years and it truly is a passion of mine. Then one day I started having a lot of pain in my right hand. Another day that hand started falling asleep at night. And you should know the rest of the story. Arthritis and carpel tunnel made themselves at home in my hand. It wasn't long after that when my left hand decided to follow suit. I guess it didn't want to be left out!

I went to the doctor and he said I crocheted too much. What the !#$& . So apparently the thing that I love to do the most, the thing that gave me so much pleasure, the thing that kept me sane, relaxed, happy and satisfied, was now keeping me from sleeping at night and causing severe pain. Not to mention it was keeping me from making all of those wonderful gifts made for my loved ones! How cruel!

My doctor suggested, this was several years ago, that I start having cortisone shots. Oh Lord do I remember those first shots. I almost kicked the doctor in the shins! But a little time went by and when the shots finally kicked in, oh what a happy crocheter I was ! The shots do wear off however and after having them four times they don't last as long as they used to. They say that they can do surgery on the hands but I just can't bring myself to do that, yet.

I have pretty much given up this passion of mine. And I have thousands of patterns. Hundreds of dollars worth of books and magazines filled with patterns. I have pretty much given up now on this passion of mine. I have taken up reading again. I gave it up when I started crocheting. And of coarse blogging has also filled this void of something to do with my hands that doesn't hurt. I also learned to sew as it doesn't hurt as much as crocheting. This however is an expensive hobby anymore.

Still there is nothing quite so satisfying to me as creating something from a ball of yarn and a needle. There are times when, throwing caution to the wind, I just can't help myself and just have at it. Recently this is just what I have done. It took me much longer than it used to but I made it through!





When I tried to find a camera case for my new camera, I was not happy with any of the choices. They just were not me! So throwing caution to the wind I brought out some crochet cotton and designed something that is a little more me. I think I shall call it " Granny Flower Camera Bag ".

It took me several weeks to make. Something that would have only taken me two days in the past. Oh well, it just made me appreciate it even more! I think it suits the little old lady in me quite well. Don't ya think?

" Thoughtfilled Thrusday "

Well here we go again. Another three to four days of extreme heat. I know, I know. You are probably tired of hearing me drone on and on about it. But being under heat advisories for the next three days with predicted heat indexes in the triple digits, It is hard not to think about it. If I could pass this lovely weather along it would go to Eileen from "Umma's World" as she has a lovely pool to cool off in and I am sure that her grandson Jayden would love that as well!

As I write this the temperature at 9:00a.m., with the heat index, is 89 degrees. We are supposed to get some relief next week as it is only supposed to be in the mid to upper 80's. That I can handle!

This heat wave makes me sit and ponder my childhood and days gone by. Growing up we didn't have air conditioning until I entered high school. As I am sure it was the same for many of you. I have one particular memory of my mother and I sitting outside on the front porch of an apartment building we lived in when we were still living in Chicago. I was in the sixth grade. My mother was a single mom at the time to me and my younger brother. She waitressed to make ends meet. When she would come home at night we would sit on the porch to catch up and cool off.

We had fans, but no air conditioning. Window air conditioners were not something that was common at the time. What seems odd to me is that I really don't remember being very hot. Perhaps it is because we tend to block out uncomfortable feelings and situations we have experienced in our lives. There did come a time in those three years that we lived there, that mom was able to get a window unit. However it didn't blow very cold air. Our bedrooms were too hot to sleep in so we all had to camp out in the living room on extremely hot nights. And it did get hot in the city.

I am a huge fan of the 1940's. The people of that era were extraordinary to me. I love the music of that time. And often listen to the 40's station on the satellite radio. The music from that era always picks me up. I also loved the movies from that era. I pay particularly close attention to the scenery in those old movies. The decorating styles, furniture, building architecture and interior design. I love it all and it fascinates me.

Growing up in the city of Chicago gave me many opportunities to visit many of the buildings from that time period and older. Many of the old office buildings of the downtown business district are still, on their interiors, as they were back in the forties. And older. The only difference is the modern day addition of central air conditioning. When I would visit these buildings, I couldn't help but imagine what it was like back then.

The amount of clothing that people wore was a bit more than what we wear today. It just wasn't proper to wear something that risked too much exposure. Suits and ties for the gentlemen and skirts, blouses hats and heels for the gals. Fabrics were heavier then too. But just imagining all that proper attire with no air conditioning is somewhat stifling.

They did have their little architectural tricks however. Very high ceilings gave the hot air a place to go as opposed to staying at ground level. And of coarse the transom windows that sat atop most doors of that day. Allowing a hopeful escape for the hot air that found it's way up to ceiling level. One of the apartments that I lived in when my children were young, still had the transom widows in it. My sons current home has them above all of the doors upstairs. I personally don't know how well they worked but I do like the way they look!

We are so fortunate today to enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. But not without sacrifices. The amounts of energy that we use for this modern day comfort is enormous, as are the costs. Not forgetting to mention the fact that it has helped in turning our nation, and world for that matter, into a generation of spoiled and lazy human beings. Along with many other technological advances of our time.

I do include myself in the above mentioned statement as I sit here in my air conditioning typing away on my keyboard on my computer hooked up to the Internet. However, after hearing of a sixty-one year old woman in our area that passed away in her home from heat stroke yesterday due to lack of air conditioning, I am grateful for this modern day convenience non the less. It has saved many peoples lives, who because of health reasons, just wouldn't be able to handle this much heat.

So until next week, when hopefully, I can once again venture outside, I shall stay inside enjoying this modern day convenience. Perhaps with a nice glass of iced coffee!

" For All of You "

I went to the doctor to see what was the matter,
He told me he thought
it could be my
Gallbladder.

Although it may be my stomach too,
He wasn't too sure
what will we do?

One test next week
And one after that,
All of this stress is making me fat!

I am feeling much better
this much I know,
Unfortunately, my husbands making me go!

So now I don't know more than I did before,
at least one more week
maybe more.

I'll be fine, this much I know,
because of friends like you
that keep me in tow!

Many thanks to all of my wonderful blogger friends who have sent their prayers and well wishes my way. Our faith connects us all.






Don't worry, you're not seeing things. This photo has absolutely nothing to do with my poem. It is yet another photo that I lifted off of my daughters blog. It is a picture of my daughter Katie on the left and my daughter Ginny on the right.

It was taken on the way to North Carolina last month in Metropolis, Illinois. The home of Superman.

In case you didn't know, Ginny is a journalist, you know, Lois Lane. They are quite patriotic don't ya think?

" A Cuppa Joe Anyone? "

Coffee has been on my mind lately. I like coffee. It's not for the pick- me- up reason as it is for some. It is the flavor that I crave. Anything coffee flavored will make my taste buds sit up and take notice!


Thinking about coffee reminds me of my grandmother LaVerne. Grandma was a huge coffee drinker and coffee lover. She would drink coffee all day long. My husband also remembers his folks drinking coffee all day long.

Those hot summer days did not stop grandma from drinking coffee. I remember her coming to visit me often when my children were growing up. She always expected a pot of coffee to drink and I always accommodated her.




I don't ever remember my grandmother drinking a soda. One time when she was visiting in the summer at my mothers house, she was offered a beer. This was late in the day of coarse! She happily accepted it saying " Oh yes dear thank you, there's nothing like a nice cold beer on a hot summers day!" That was a first for me to see.


Grandma Laverne used to visit weekly and take my children to the park and Mcdonalds. She always ordered coffee to drink. It was always hot and it was always black.






When my husband Jake and I talked about this we both thought back to the days when people drank coffee in place of soda, tea and even water. I want to say that people drank coffee more back then, then they do now. But I can't say that that's true as we are a nation of coffee drinkers now as well.
And while I am sure that many people still drink it black, I think that our coffee drinks of today are more of the fattening variety.






I myself have indulged in this sinfully delicious taste treat from time to time. But not without my share of guilt! I remember my grandmother talking about iced coffee, but I don't remember ever seeing her drink it. It was always hot and always black.


I think that anyone who drinks black coffee is brave, strong and courageous. I am a wimp. I prefer mine with creamer and sugar substitute. My oldest daughter I consider to be brave, strong and courageous as she can drink hers black. She is however a journalist. I believe that drinking strong, black coffee is a prerequisite to being one.


I have had coffee with chicory, which is very strong yet very good. After having it, I started brewing my usual pot much stronger then I used to.


I have had Chai coffee which I absolutely love but only in the winter. The spices in it make me feel all warm and cozy on a cold winters day.


Lately, in this heat, my coffee focus has turned to iced coffee. Not the fancy fattening kind, but just my normal cup on ice. Not as plain as black iced coffee, but plain none the less. I have been fixing this frequently as of late. Something different. Not soda. Not iced tea. Not water. Just Iced coffee.






Cold, smooth, satisfying and delicious, Iced coffee.

" Blogger Block "

I like to be entertaining, somewhat, when I blog. I know that I don't have to be. From what I have seen, I can say anything that I want to. However, I choose not to bore people with the nastiness of life. After all we see that everyday. My problem seems to be Blogger Block. You know, like writers block. It is a very good thing that I don't get paid to write, for I would have been fired by now! I don't know how my daughter Ginny comes up with new things to write about. But then again I can't envision Ginny with a lack of something to say.

I will blame it on the heat I think. Yes that is what I will do. It has no feelings to get hurt. It is succeeding in it's own way to melt my brain. Turn it to mush. Similar to the time when my children were small, when they would nurse I always said that they were sucking the brains right out of my head. Oh the sacrifices we make for our children.

That's it. The heat. It makes me feel like a snail. Slow. Very slow. And while I have many projects floating around in my brain, my physical being has no desire to move. Alright, I'm going to give you the heads up. Cover your ears, well your eyes would probably be a better idea in this case, if you are a summer lover. I love the fall. Actually I prefer winter to summer also. Ah but since I can remember, fall has always been the time of year that excites me. Yes you heard me right. Excites.

It isn't only the pleasant temperatures that I so enjoy, but also the smells and tastes of fall as well. Apples and cinnamon. Burning leaves. Pumpkin pie. Leaves crunching under your feet. And those beautiful colors. Reds, oranges and vivid yellows. I prefer wearing a sweater to a tank top. My soft, cozy slippers to bare feet. Halloween and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all. Giving thanks for family and friends. Celebrating those people that mean the most to us. No gift giving involved. Just sincere gratefulness for what the Lord has bestowed upon us. It doesn't get any better then that.

I apologize if I have bored you. My thoughts can not help but turn to cooler weather. I sit hear pondering what the CEO'S of our local power companies are going to be doing with their yearly bonuses as we struggle to pay to keep our houses comfortable. I can't help but to daydream about opening the windows and doors again! Oh dear, I said I wouldn't bore you with the nastiness of life and here I go on about the lovely utility companies that are trying to , oh never mind. I am sorry. I will go outside today to look at my flowers. But I have to warn you that I will be daydreaming about fall!

I wanted to post this story about this man that Katie, Jake and I saw walking on Friday and Saturday. I thought him to be an interesting character.
http://www.register-news.com/features/local_story_166205531.html

There you will also find a better photo of him then I had taken. ( Surprise, surprise )

Oh dear here I go again. It is horribly hot here in southern Illinois today. When I walked Ruby and Roxy last night I felt as though I lived in a tropical jungle. I say jungle because with all of the rain we have had the weeds and plants are flourishing! Unfortunately with heat indexes of 105 degrees, I have no desire to do anything about it. But I am sure that there are many of you with the same temperatures right now as well! So on that note I will spare you anymore jungle talk!



I think my husbands Fathers Day weekend was pretty good. He was able to cookout on Saturday. He BBQ'd pork steaks which were delicious, while I was in the kitchen making potato pancakes and green beans. Katie loved the potato pancakes, they did come out good! The whole dinner was fabulous but we always do good with the food when we cook together!




I forgot to mention that Friday evening we watched " Gran Torino" with Clint Eastwood. We all enjoyed the movie. Even Katie, who as usual, had to put up a stink because she didn't want to watch it. She even made her homemade caramel corn for her dad. This time we made it with real popcorn and it came out even better. And oh did daddy like that!




Sunday morning I was up before my husband . Which is unusual. When he woke, we had coffee together and I made him a nice Fathers Day breakfast. Of course Katie was still asleep! So it was a peaceful morning!

When Katie woke up she gave her dad his card and framed photo we had made up for him. He really loved it and we decided to hang it over the fireplace. We will get the other ones printed that she took and make a collage of her photos.





Sunday afternoon we went out to our sons house for another BBQ. Our daughter-in-law is a wonderful cook, so anytime we are invited for dinner we usually go! They had a feast of grilled meats and side dishes. Jake got a t-shirt that said "Worlds Greatest Grandpa" and had Jack and Sarah's hand print on it!





Today is baby Jacks 1st birthday! Happy birthday baby boy! The photo above shows Jack chillin' after being splashed by his sister Sarah! It was nice being able to play with him yesterday. I tried to get a photo of Sarah but she wasn't up for the photo op!
After our delicious dinner, we visited a bit and went home. Katie stayed out there to spend the night. I wasn't feeling well so we didn't stay too long.
I think my hubby had a pretty good weekend although I know he wished it could have been longer. He had to leave last night.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend!

" I'm Not Interested In Any Worms "

Who was it that said, " The Early Bird Catches the Worm "? I would like to meet this person. I would like to meet this person and ask " Are You Insane " ? I am an early riser by nature, and I am a morning person. Even in the summer I rarely sleep much past six a.m.

This morning however I arose at 4:10 a.m. . I tried to go back to sleep as I kept hearing the voices of several middle aged to seniors that I've crossed paths with in my life saying " The older I get, the less I sleep. " or " I don't need that much sleep anymore. "

Well I've got news for all of those people, I DO NEED SLEEP ! I like sleeping. And I am not interested in catching any stupid worm! I tried falling back to sleep but usually if I wake up after 4:00 a.m. I have a difficult time going back to sleep. So I will just walk around like a zombie from "Night of the Living Dead " all day!

O.K. that is enough. My poor baby Spooky was not feeling good all week. We discovered upon examination that he had an infected tooth or gum. Our vet is open on Saturdays at 7:30 so about 10 minutes past 7:oo we went in search of the big lover boy. Because he was sick he was nowhere to be found. Cats tend to hide or go off somewhere when they think they are going to die. Spooky can be a little dramatic at times. Anyway, after waking Kate up for help, It took us 45 minutes to find him! So much for getting to the vet. before anyone else! No matter though as he has his meds now and already seems to be doing better!


After that little adventure into the animal kingdom, we decided to take a ride out to mom's house. I couldn't get a great photo of this guy, as we were traveling too fast for me to be camera ready, but from what I've been told he is traveling across the country for a cause. I am not sure what that cause is. I vaguely remember hearing about him somewhere. He is pushing a giant inflatable ball of the Earth. He has a dog with him and carries a back pack. Kate and I had seen him in town the day before but I didn't have my camera with me.

Once we got to mom's house we had a nice little visit. My mother collects angels. She has many, many angels. This is only one of the many sections of angels mom has hanging everywhere! My mother always has an angel watching over her. Literally! My husband, Katie and I visited and had tea. Jake hooked up her digital converter box for her to her bedroom t.v. Because our government doesn't dictate at all about how things will be done. It is a completely democratic society.


The opinions expressed by this blogger are just that and should not be taken to seriously!


More angels! Mom is an angel herself .






And now, in honor of Fathers Day, a little poem for my husband, Jake.

You can be rough and gruff and opinionated too,
still I cherish the day that I met you.

Many good times and bad times have come and gone,
but you've always been there to sing my song.

For you there is nothing that I wouldn't do,
as I know for me, you feel the same way too.

You are the hardest working man I know,
all the while keeping your family in tow.

You've made me laugh, you've made me cry,
but ultimately you make me sigh.

The happiness you've given me I cannot measure,
But it's all of the days that I will treasure.

For me there is no better man than you,
forever faithful , forever true.

Happy Fathers Day, I love you.

" A New Favorite "

This is my Friday favorite for this week. I didn't expect these photo's to be on my Friday favorites as I just discovered them.

I know that I am no photographer, far from it. I don't have an eye for it. I have taken some photos that I've really liked and have been proud of, but nothing of mine can compare to these.

All of these photos were taken at the lake by our house. This last one is my very favorite. This last one is also the one that Katie had enlarged and framed for her dad for Fathers Day.

All of these spectacular photos were taken by Katie on her camping trip this past weekend. She is interested in going into photojournalism. I think that would be a good idea.

Katie


I don't know what this weekend has in store for us. Jake wants to grill and be lazy! It is Fathers Day weekend after all. And I am sure he will be surprised with his gift from Katie!

" I'd Like to Thank the Academy, Oops, I Mean..... "

Sorry, you caught me day dreaming again! I meant to say I would like to give a big and sincere THANK YOU to Marcy from " Blessings Each Day " for her thoughtfulness. She has bestowed upon me a great honor this day.
It is the much coveted " Honest Scarp Award ".
I will be forever grateful to this warm, friendly and witty woman.
Thank you Marcy!



There are a few rules to receiving this prestigious award and they are as follows :


1. Say thank you for the award and give a link to the presenter.

2. Share ten honest things about yourself.

3. Present the award to seven other blogs.

4. Tell them of this award and the rules.


Ten Honest Things About Myself

1. I have no tolerance for people that think that they are better then somebody else. As I get older I try harder and harder not to judge. But that can sometimes be difficult when you yourself are being judged.

2. I love when I have my " hysterical fits of uncontrolled laughter ", as they feel so good, but there are times when my family gets annoyed with them.

3. I don't really care that my family gets annoyed with my " hysterical fits of uncontrolled laughter ", because they feel so good!

4. I have always wanted to go parachuting or paragliding. I have had many dreams through my life that I am flying. I would like to fly.

5. I don't like to drive. That feeling went away many, many years ago. I would enjoy a chauffeur, I think.

6. One of my worst nightmares is being in a horrible car crash.

7. I once won third place in a legs contest. Get your mind out of the gutter. It was for charity and my friend made me do it!

8. I love reading, but mostly I love reading about serial killers.

9. My fathers side of the family is directly descended from " Ivan the Terrible ".

10. I hate living in the town I live in. If I could move I would.

There you have it. The good the bad and the evil!

And now I would like to pass my crown , uh , I mean award to:

1. "Ginny from the Blog"

2. Brenda from "Bee's Nest"

3. Mary Ann from "Desperately Seeking Serenity"

4. Jackie from "Teachers Pet"

5. Garnetrose from "Garnets Garden"

6. Brin from "My Messy Thrilling Life"

7. Barb from "Live and Learn"

I do enjoy reading all of your posts.

" Yuck ! "

This morning I must complain. While I consider myself to be mostly optimistic, yesterday and today reminded me why summer is not my favorite season. Yes you heard me correctly. Summer is not my favorite season. It seems to me that everyone I know or know of, thinks that summer is the best time of all.
I am not totally indifferent to summer, it's just not my favorite season. So to keep you from running and screaming from this blog thinking " What kind of crazy woman is this that doesn't like summer? " There are a few things that I do enjoy about this season!






I do for example, enjoy the obvious beauty of this season. I'm no photographer but I did manage to catch these two playing on my Coneflowers yesterday. And as you know I even enjoy the weeds. That is, when it isn't so stiflingly hot out that I can't do anything about it. I don't tolerate the heat and humidity well at all. So when it hits here in southern Illinois, I have to go inside and stay inside.




I also enjoy being able to see family more often. I love not having to go to bed early and wake up before dawn. And I treasure the times that my husband and I are able to spend time together outside. Weather permitting of course!





So there you have it ! Go ahead take your name off of my followers list. Walk away shaking your head in disbelieve. I'll take my chances. But remember if you do walk away, you'll never know what are my favorite seasons!

" Weeds" by Diana

Ever faithful ever true
there's no better friend to me than you.

Most people look at you in disgust.
As for me I know you are one I can trust.

You come and stay all summer long.
Ever vigilant , ever strong.

What would I do if you were not here?
Many I know would stand and cheer.

As for me I know I would be so bored,
after all I believe you were sent from the Lord.

Ever faithful, ever true.
What would I do if not for you?

" Rainy Days and Mondays - Just Call Me Crazy ! "

Can you here the Carpenters singing this famous song now? " Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down". This was going through my mind all morning as it is a rainy day today. It is also Monday. But even though this is the tune of the day in my brain, I am not down. No, as a matter of fact I took a stroll in my yard today with umbrella in hand to take a few photos. The photo above I shall call " Wet Roses "!

This photo is a self portrait. It is one of my favorite photos. My stunning beauty just overwhelms me everyday! Actually this photo was taken two summers ago when I took my granddaughter Sarah to the park. It was an extremely hot summer day and I was amazed at my granddaughters ability to run gigantic laps around the park in 90 plus degree weather! She gave me her sunglasses to hold for her so she wouldn't lose them. I didn't lose them. I wore them. And I didn't care who saw me. Just call me crazy. There is something about having gone through menopause that can be very liberating!

An overview shot of the lilies, and the weeds. I love the weeds. They never give up. Weeds persevere. They always give us something to do outside. Weeds are very at home in our gardens. What a wonderful compliment they pay to us each and everyday. Rain or shine. Wind and hail. They are always there for us. Weeds are trustworthy. We can always rely on weeds. I guess you could say, that weeds are our friends.

Here we have the lovely Cone flowers. They are nearly as tall as me! Well it's not as if I were ten feet tall so I guess to all of you flower experts it's no surprise. I do believe that they are at least three feet high. My secrets out. I'm a munchkin!

This little beauty is, I have to say, my favorite flower. At least to date. It is a Cosmo. I bought a package of seeds last year as I thought they were so pretty. Several of them came up. Early this spring I noticed these tiny little sprigs popping through the same spot that I had the Cosmos planted last year. I thought that I recognized the sprigs as the Cosmos from the previous year so I let them be. It wasn't long before I knew that they were indeed the Cosmos. I don't remember them being a perennial. But who am I to question Mother Natures hand?

There were so many of them popping through. I had a lot of thinning out and transplanting to do. So now I have this glorious little flower all over my yard and in planters. I prefer to think of them as a gift from God.

Lilies in the rain.

My last flower photo today is my Lantana. I purchase and plant this flower every year. I plant it in the same spot year after year. The Lantana grows very large. It's branches have been as much as four feet long. It is situated directly across from my kitchen window where you will forever find me doing dishes. And year after year our little Hummingbirds return to these red Lantanas and the red Cannas which grow right next to my kitchen window.
The Hummingbirds will sometimes come right up to the kitchen window as if to greet me. This takes my breath away, year after year!


Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds."
And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:11-12

" Soothing Sunday "

Yes indeed it has been a soothing Sunday. When I woke this morning I relaxed with my coffee and read everyone's daily blogs.

Yes I do realize how lovely I am in the morning! I just can't figure out why I am always hearing horses. I should probably see the ear nose and throat specialist.

After my soothing morning ritual I started to get ready for church. As I posted yesterday, we had a student from the seminary school in St. Louis leading our service today. Our pastor and his lovely wife decided that they just had to go and visit their grandson. Isn't that silly!


All kidding aside, they deserve a nice visit with their peeps and some quality time with their beautiful grandson. And I think that it is a wonderful opportunity for a young seminary student to have some hands on experience. I'm glad that we can provide that opportunity and grateful that we found someone! And he did a fine job. Very nice.

After church I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things.



I can't do without my Sam's Choice coffee in the morning.

Not only would I be unpleasant to be around but for some odd reason, I hear hissing sounds until I have my warm cup a joe in my hands!
So I picked up some coffee and a few other things. Waved bye, bye to Wally World and off I went in my trusty station wagon headed home.
Initially I was going to do a little yard work but it was a little too humid and warm for me today. I have been feeling much, much better today and thought it better to take it easy. Whatever, I mean LAZY !!!

Now anyone that really knows me, knows that I can't completely relax until my house is clean and straightened or I am very, very ill.
So when I got home and put my few grocery items away I took the doggies for a walk. After which I washed the dishes and the floors downstairs. All the while singing
" Don't Ya Want Me Baby?"

Alrighty now I can RELAX! I popped a Marie Callender's Parmesan chicken pot pie in the micro and when it was done I settled in my comfy recliner for some lunch and serious reclining.
Ah yes there's nothing like a full belly, quite house and two cozy doggies to induce a nice little nap!
After my nap I watched the telly all day and all evening.
" I'm a celebrity Get Me out of here!"
" John Q"
" Pursuit of Happyness"
And now " Ice Road Truckers"

Very soon now I am going to walk the doggies, go upstairs, lay in bed and read.
Was I bored watching t.v. all day? Nope.
Didn't I feel lazy just laying there most of the day doing nothing? Nope.
It is very rare for me to be able to sit most of the day and do nothing and I totally enjoyed it!

" Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow "

Yesterday

I received a phone call late yesterday afternoon from my doctor. He called me personally as I am his favorite patient. I've told him so! You would never know by looking at him that he is a very nice man! He is also a very harried man as you can see, so when I received his call yesterday, I was very surprised to say the least. Surprised because the lovely people at the X-ray department where I had a sonogram done said he wouldn't have my results until next week. And guess what they found?

Not a baby! Did I get you? Did I?
That would be an impossibility at this point in my life if ya know what I mean. Come on you're smart people you can figure that one out.
O.K., O.K. I'll get to the point. They found nothing. Which is a good thing. The liver, gallbladder, kidneys and whatever else they saw looked good. That is very good. My blood work looked good except my cholesterol was still too high, but we decided , the doctor and I to let that go for now as I am still having a lot of pain. So they are going to schedule a scope test hopefully next week. I just want to find out what the problem is and fix it. I had a TEE test which I think is similar to the scope test in November 08.
So some good news and some no news. But I think we are getting closer.

Also yesterday evening, Kate and I went to the video store. I told her that we would get a movie that we both agree on. I really wanted to see "Gran Torino" with Clint Eastwood. Or a romantic comedy.

Katie wanted to see a teen movie or a slapstick comedy. Oh dear, what to do. I said to Kate, "Come on "Gran Torino" is about neighbors not getting along with each other and then the revenge starts, and there's gang's and more revenge and it's got Clint Eastwood in it, you can't go wrong with Clint!" To this Katie replied, " Why would I want to see that? I live it everyday in our neighborhood!". I couldn't say much to that and I was trying to pick her spirits up so we settled on " House Bunny". I so did not want to see this movie.

But alright I'm keeping an open mind. The movie started out in the Playboy mansion. I asked Katie, why are we watching this movie? She told me it was supposed to be really funny. So I continued to watch and it wasn't too long before it had me laughing out loud as was Kate! It was a silly movie, similar to "Legally Blond" which was another one I thought I wouldn't like. But mom gave it a chance and it was pretty funny. And the message in the movie was about being true to one's self, which is always good. Kate made some more of our good popcorn from the day before and it was good having some laughs together. FINALLY!

Today
Today the plans were to go watch my granddaughter Sarahs ball game. After which Katie was going camping with my son Frank and his family. They are going for one night at least, maybe two. They live right by a lake and campgrounds.
Katie was all for this which surprised me as bored as she's been. But they will go bike riding and maybe fishing.
I hope all goes well and they have a good time. It will be baby Jacks first time camping. He will be a year old in 10 days. Maybe Katie will help out. I hope!
I had to leave the ball game very early on as it was so hot out there and I was feeling very sick. The pain was pretty bad all day today and it really makes me miss my husband more. It did get better after I got home and fell asleep for awhile. So now here I sit rambling again. I found a movie for myself to watch tonight. I opted on saving "Gran Torino" for when my husband comes home. He wants to see it too.
I picked out a movie called "Into the Wild". It is about a wild Alaskan adventure.

If I ever start to feel better I think I could use a wild Alaskan adventure. It sounds like something Teresa and I could have fun doing ! And that is my plans for this evening.

Tomorrow
Tomorrow I plan on going to church. I haven't been for awhile and I really am missing it. I've been in to work but not to worship. Our weekends with company and graduation parties have all gone by so now I can go back to visit my church family that I love.

This is an actual photo of our sanctuary. I'm sorry that it is somewhat dark but I just didn't feel like turning all the lights on! Our pastor is out of town this weekend so we will have a guest seminary student to lead our service tomorrow. That is something that is always interesting to see! In any case I am looking forward to it even if I don't feel good.

I would also like to get into my yard and pull some weeds if the weather cooperates. Other then that the rest of the day I will just go with the wind!

I'm going to leave you tonight with one of my favorite verses.

Do Not Worry
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:22-26

It's not as easy as it sounds!
Goodnight All.