Friday, December 19, 2008





Just a few of the entries in this year's Christmas door decorating contest. As you can see we have a huge competition brewing and the voting will take place this Sunday. Lots of elves have been busy at work this year.

I am off work for the next 2 weeks and I can't wait. I'll probably be bored after 4 days and ready to come back but we shall see. I need a little time to get my brain programed again. So to all a Very Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.
I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the
furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

A Christmas Carrol

God rest ye merry Democrats,
Let nothing you dismay
November 4th has changed the world
So celebrate the day!
He’ll save us from bad Cheney power
That led us all astray,

O tidings of comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!

In far off Hono-lu-u-lu,
A gifted child was born,
And who would guess his destiny
Upon that blessed morn?

To close Guantan-a-mo for good
And save us further scorn;
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!

A team of rivals he will have
To help him guide our fate;
And Bill’s big ego he will risk
For Hillary at State;

With Wall Street held in check again
Recession will abate;

O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!

Now Joe the Plumber can help John
When plumbing goes awry,
And Sarah needs no fancy duds—
In Juneau that’s too high;

She’ll skin her moose and let us know
That Russia is nearby;

O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas, Christmas, Time for Cheer




Our door decorations are finished. This year's theme is Christmas Around the World. Each of the stuffed animals represents a different country and Merry Christmas is written in different languages. The children will enjoy the scene.

I finished all my shopping this weekend and everything is wrapped and under the tree. I spent Saturday with one daughter and Sunday with the other. I will be off 2 weeks over Christmas and I can hardly wait. This Friday is my LAST day! Hooray.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 & heading towards 70!

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run anywhere.

04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won't wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get in! to heat ed arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list.


REMEMBER: Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day:



When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Monday, December 8, 2008

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a Nissan in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other shit too.
_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.

Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny bitch to find me.

Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
______________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that bitch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
________________________________
SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little shit) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Friday, December 5, 2008

It's hard to turn on the tv these days or pick up a newspaper. Nothing to see or hear but bad news and it gets worse each day. They talk about how ill prepared we are as individuals because we have been a generation of entitlement. My parents knew what it was to be broke and hungry. They watched their parents struggle to keep families together during the Depression. We, the Baby Boomers, never knew our nation when it wasn't prosperous. We don't grow and can our food, we don't think much further than the next meal. This is the first time I've ever been able to say that I'm glad I have no grand children. My worry stops with my own two daughters. They are even less prepared for hardship than myself. My parents provided everything I needed not wanted when I was growing up. My childhood was privileged compared to their own and my children's even more so than mine. I hate to say that with each generation an attitude of entitlement has flourished but we have become a nation of greed and excess. Now it is time to pay the PIPER. But though the economic concerns are great they pale in comparison to the threats of terrorism. The Great Depression of my parent's day saw economic relief because of a World War. Will the economic woe's of our time be altered because of a terrorist attack? Will millions of people be wiped off the earth by some biochemical or nuclear attack that changes our country and planet forever? This is currently being predicted to occur by 2013 and that's only 4 years away. How do you prepare for the possibility of something like that? I heard someone say today that they will start gathering bottled water. Well, how much? Where do you store it? Sooner or later you will run out. My dad always said the pendulum continually swings and maybe that is what is happening now. Whatever the outcome I predict it will change a generation of people and not necessarily for the bad. We've been a little too greedy for way too long.

Thursday, December 4, 2008


Every Christmas I send out letters from Santa and magic keys to the grandchildren and children of friends and co-workers. I've been doing this for about eight years when my neighbor's grand daughter was coming for Christmas and was convinced Santa wouldn't find her. She was also concerned about the fact that her grandmother didn't have a chimney. I found a rusty key and tied a ribbon to it and then wrote a little poem to go with it and sent it to Madison. She brought that key with her and hung it outside her grandma's door and was happy as a lark. From then on it became my own little Christmas tradition and it has become even more fun since I have no grandchildren of my own. I just love hearing the stories about how the kids react when they receive their letters. This is the letter I enclose with their keys.

Dear Madison;

I’m sending to you this magic key to hang by your door on Christmas Eve. I’ll use it to let myself in the front door, so I can leave candy and presents galore.

It doesn’t matter where you are, be it here or near or somewhere far. This key will lead me all the way to where you’ll be on Christmas Day.

Now this key only works for good girls and boys who mind their parents and take care of their toys. Remember to always say thank you and please and I’ll leave something special under your tree.

On Christmas morning hanging high in the tree is where you will find your magic key. I’ll hang it there after my work is complete, when I’ve filled all the stockings with candies and treats.

So mind your manners, be helpful and kind and you’ll be surprised by all that you find underneath the tree, piled high on the floor, if you leave me this key to open the door.

Love
Santa

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Too Much TV News

Between Thanksgiving and the Lighting Ceremony at work I'm just now starting to recover. My house is about 1/2 decorated for Christmas and I'm not even sure if I'll do the other 1/2. I've been struggling with getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I don't know if it is because of the worries about our economy and all the negative talk or what but I'm just not in the holiday mood. I almost have to ration just how much of the news I can listen to right now. I am a very realistic, generally optimistic, person that doesn't worry over things of which I have no control. However, even I can be influenced by constant negative talk. People need to control what they can (frivolous spending) and save when they can. Remember, we are resourceful people who come from some pretty tough ancestors.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Tonight's the night!



Tonight is the 4th annual Golf Cart Christmas Parade and of course the wind is sweeping down the plain here in Oklahoma. Wind chill is around 30 degrees which isn't too bad but the hospital is sitting on a hill so we get the full impact of the wind. It's always a gamble to see if the floats will withstand the gail forces. They are pomping a chicken wire globe of the world out back and bits of paper keeps flying everywhere. I don't know if they will be finished by 6:00 or not. This was a tough year for the parade since we all just got back from Thanksgiving but we shall see how it goes.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008




The lobby is now finished and looks pretty good. Not bad to have all the decorating done before the Thanksgiving holiday. Now I can go home and just enjoy Thanksgiving. Hope everyone has a great holiday and a safe one.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Another Busy Weekend.

Well, we are done with the room.......except for hemming the drapes and purchasing the bamboo blinds.....WE ARE DONE! Ron seems to be very happy with the outcome and so am I. I still think the paint color is a bit bright but if he's happy......I'm happy!



Friday, November 21, 2008




Here are some of our Christmas trees. We have a cowboy tree, a McDonald's tree and a Surfers tree in addition to a lollipop tree and a peppermint tree. A group of volunteers come to decorate our trees every year and they do a fantastic job!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ready for another weekend.





This weekend I hope to finish the project started last weekend. Ron and I spent two days painting his den which was in worse shape than even I imagined. The ceiling and walls hadn't been painted in at least 30 years but it could have been even longer. Ron inherited the home after his father's death so we really don't know if they had painted since the home's construction in 1967 or not. By the color of the ceiling I would have to guess NOT. It took two paint purchases before we settled on a color. Thankfully Ron is happy with it but it's a little bright for my taste. The woodwork is dark mahogany and it is hard to pick a color to go with it. I haven't convinced Ron to let me paint the woodwork YET!!!!! I will say the bright wall color has lightened up the room a bit so that helps. We finished all the painting but we have to hang pictures and take up the 40 year old rug. There are wood floors underneath so that will also lighten up the space as well. These are a few BEFORE pictures. When we finish hanging curtains, pictures, etc. I'll post the after........any helpful criticism is welcome. Decorating isn't might strong suit.



The Finished Product!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

The Pride of OU



My daughter's latest clothespin dolls. One of the counselors at her school was in the OU marching band in 1985. She met her husband while at school and he was a drummer. My daughter researched their uniforms from 1985 and created these dolls. I thought they were so cute!

Monday, November 17, 2008

The auto industry

This was posted at thedailyduke.com and it was so good I had to share it here.

A plan for saving the American automotive industry, and the millions of Americans they employ!

First, a little modern history recap. Trickle down economics doesn’t work. It’s time you just go ahead and admit that. We’ve been messing around with this concept for about 20 years, and with the exception of the reprieve we had from Slick Willie for eight years or so, it has become crystal-clear that while Ronnie may have been a wonderful motivator, he and his team sucked from an economic perspective. Handing the Big 3 billions and billions of dollars is nothing more than a pure, unadulterated trickle down depth charge that will implode our economy and sink our country once and for all.

What has been proven to work, time and time again, is to free up the economic stranglehold by letting the people spend their money. Giving the Big 3 auto makers billions and billions of dollars to make more cars won’t work. You can’t build a pyramid from the top down. It’s simple physics! If you give the car companies billions of dollars, all they’re going to do is build more cars! The problem is, no one can buy those shiny new cars because we don’t have any money and the banks won’t lend us any because they’re just about as messed up as the car companies!

If you want to save the car companies, the jobs that go with them, and the economy at large, do the following.
1. Send every tax-paying U.S. Citizen a survey and in that survey ask two simple questions: Are you a licensed driver in the state in which you live? And, What is your favorite make and model of American automobile, Ford, Chrysler, or GM?
2. Once you get the surveys back, send everyone who responded a check large enough to cover a substantial down-payment on the automobile of their choice. And, this is important, make the check payable to both the survey participant AND the auto maker they chose on the survey. For example, if I said I liked Ford, then you would send me a check made payable to me and Ford Motor Company.
That’s it. The Big 3 and the economy are saved all at the same time. Don’t believe me? Here’s what would happen:
1. Upon receiving their checks, the American people would immediately begin shopping for a new car. This keeps the car dealers open and the sales, service, and administrative people employed. Unemployment rates drop.
2. Because the checks you’ve sent only cover the down-payment, the American people would go to their local lending institutions to borrow the balance of the purchase price. This keeps the banks solvent, and keeps the bankers, tellers, accountants, and loan officers employed. Unemployment rates drop some more.
3. Because the banks are solvent, they are now more comfortable about lending money for home loans. More people are able to stay in their homes and/or purchase a new one. The housing crisis is solved.
4. The car dealers would send the checks to the auto makers and the banks would send the balance of the loan amount as well. The car dealers become profitable, invest in green technology for the future and more people remain employed. New jobs are created as well. Unemployment rates drop even further.
5. New cars have to be insured. Upon purchase of their new cars, the American people would call their insurance companies and purchase more insurance. This keeps the insurance agents, underwriters, actuaries, and claims processors employed. AIG is saved. Unemployment rates drop to an all time low.
6. Because unemployment rates are now lower than ever before, there is a fundamental shift in the overall perception that the economy is bad. Things start to look better to everyone because things are better. Not great, but getting better everyday instead of worse. More and more people are able to find jobs.
7. Since more people are gainfully employed, more taxes are being fed to the beast paid to Federal, State, and Local governments. This not only eventually funds the initial Big 3 bail out, but also helps to fund the much needed improvements to our infrastructure.
And all because we decided that the only way to rebuild our house is from the bottom up, not the top down. By recognizing that it is the American people who are the foundation of our economic house. That it is the American people who must be addressed first. You don’t build your house by first putting on the roof, for goodness sake. It. Can’t. Be. Done.

Or, we could do it this way:
1. Give billions and billions of dollars to the Big 3. They build a bunch of cars for a while until the money runs out. Again. No one can buy them because we’re all broke. Still.
2. There is no # 2. THERE IS NO #2 - We’re just out of luck!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Christmas Parade




It's that time of year again. The annual golf cart Christmas parade! I've been trying to stir up the competitive juices around here but so far I only have 3 floats signed up. This year's theme is "Christmas Around the World". I'm trying to come up with an idea and so far I've all I've got is a giant House (Advent Calendar)....I thought behind each door would be a Christmas scene in other parts of the world. Anyone have any ideas?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ikea


My five days off was great. Although we didn't spend the night in Dallas we did get as far as Frisco and to Ikea. WOW....My new favorite store. I sure wish we had one closer but I guess I shouldn't complain. It's only a 3 hour drive from here but next time I go I will go with a list, measurements, and a TRUCK! Ron and I were actually a little overwhelmed by all the stuff but agreed it was really a neat place. If you were a young couple just starting out it is a great place to buy furniture and accessories at a very reasonable price and it is all young and contemporary. I really liked it. I found the chair I went there to purchase...(one Christmas present done) Picked up a couple of really cool picture frames. I couldn't resist them but have absolutely no place to hang them. They are very large.....white....contemporary....square...and hold a 12X12 picture. Soooo I purchased some scrapbook papers in various designs and colors and tried them out. Looks really good. They will look better in my daughter's very contemporary home so another Christmas present done. We then went to the Frisco mall and did more shopping but after that we were pretty much whipped and decided to drive back home rather than stay the night. My arthritis makes sleeping anywhere but in my own bed a little difficult. Guess I'm the party pooper. We decided we will definitely think about a trip in the near future. We are so different. I'm the democrat but I live very conservatively and Ron is the republican who spends like there is no tomorrow. Maybe that isn't so far off after all. Bush definitely spent like there was no tomorrow and there nearly wasn't one.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Christmas is tight this year


Although embarrassing to admit, Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for all my family and friends as gifts and I've included the directions for those who would wish to do the same.

You need four maxi pads to make one pair of slippers. Two of them get laid out flat for the foot part and the other two wrap around the toe area to form the top. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire.

These slippers are:
soft and hygienic
non-slip grip strips on the soles
built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
no more bending over to mop up spills
disposable and biodegradable
environmentally safe
Come in 3 convenient sizes: (1) regular (2) light and (3) get out the sand bags!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Reconcilliation

I saw this posted in a comment section on another blog and thought it was so good. This poem was received in an email in 2004. Funny how it still applies.

——
In the spirit of reconciliation with Republican friends and neighbors, I offer the following poem…

The election is over, the results are now known.
The will of the people has clearly been shown.
We should show by our thoughts and our words and our deeds
That unity is just what our country now needs.
Let’s all get together. Let bitterness pass.
I’ll hug your elephant.
You kiss my ass.

(an unknown Democrat)

I'm off work for the next 5 days and I can't wait! After my online test tomorrow Ron and I are going to Dallas. It's been over 4 years since we took any kind of trip so I'm excited just to be going anywhere. As long as we don't discuss politics I think we are safe. We do pretty well most of the time but I know his republican blue butt is in a twinge right now so it can be a little testy. I'll work hard on my own self-control (since I can be a bit vocal) and we should do alright.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

WOW

We have all witnessed a historical event....our first African American President. Isn't that something? He is linked by race not only to those enslaved in this country but to their enslavers. I'm just mind boggled by the significance of this moment. I can so clearly remember an event when I was a little girl shopping in Oklahoma City with my mother and her aunt. I couldn't have been much more than six or seven years old and we had decided to go to the diner at Brown's department store. We hadn't been seated for long when a long line of black demonstrators stood outside the door. Some of them had actually come into the diner. There was a little black girl standing in the line and she was about my age. I remember asking my mother what was going on and she told me they were demonstrating for the right to be served in the diner. That was my first lesson on prejudice and bigotry. I couldn't imagine why this little girl couldn't sit down with her mother just like me. I never ever forgot how I felt watching all those people, quietly and peacefully demonstrate. It is wonderful to see so much happen in my own life time. Now, young African Americans will know without a doubt that all doors are open to them even the White House!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Be Sure To Vote


Well, I exercised my right to vote this morning. I got there about 6:45 and was out and to work by 7:30. I have to say that every time I cast a ballot in any election I think about the thousands of men and women who gave their lives so I could have that right. I never want to take that for granted or let their sacrifice be in vain. So...remember to vote no matter what your political persuasion just exercise your right and your voice.

Monday, November 3, 2008


Baby Asher as Elvis!

pumpkin house



I only put out a few pumpkins! ha

Halloween

Well, Halloween was a disappointment. I had popcorn balls, toys, and candy ready for the trick-or-treaters. I decorated the front of the house with pumpkins, ghost luminaries, etc. and then waited.....waited....and finally 4 trick-or-treaters waited some more.....and that was it! Candy anyone? Popcorn balls? Halloween sure isn't how I remember it as a kid.

I'm looking forward to next weekend. Ron and I are going to Dallas. I'm so ready to just get away. I don't know what we are going to do yet but shopping is on my list. Maybe get a little Christmas shopping done. Ron is thinking romance and I'm thinking shopping.............! Must be that Venice & Mars thing.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloween


Halloween is so much fun. My daughter and her co-workers dressed up as the scooby doo characters. The children have been trick-or treating around the hospital and they are so cute. I've got my candy ready for tonight....do you?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

I really wanted to get the hang of taking pictures and posting them on my blog. I so enjoy seeing the pictures other people post but alas it is not to be. I gave my camera away. My daughter needed it for school and whoosh, there it went. I wanted to go around town last night and take pictures of Halloween decorations. There are some really imaginative people around here! So fun! We saw a giant spider on a webb in someone's yard that changes color. Down the road one house has about 40 pumpkins of various sizes sitting atop hay bales and all lit up after dark putting off a warm, orange glow. We saw witches flying through trees and ghosts popping up behind bushes. But....sorry I can't show them to you. My camera is now being used to take pictures of 4 year olds doing various things like....standing in a straight line.....! You know, all those skills we learned in pre-k and find useful today! Not being a novice at motherhood I know I can kiss that camera good-bye. Thank goodness I hadn't used up too many of what I have left of my brain cells learning how to use it. I should have just about enough to learn how to use another camera. I hope!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Answers to Quiz:

1. The one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends . Boxing

2. North American landmark constantly moving backward. Niagara Falls (The rim is worn down about two and a half feet each year because of the millions of gallons of water that rush over it every minute.)

3. Only two vegetables that can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons . . Asparagus and rhubarb.

4. The fruit with its seeds on the outside .. Strawberry.

5. How did the pear get inside the brandy bottle? It grew inside thebottle. (The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small, and are wired in place
on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.)

6. Three English words beginning with dw Dwarf, dwell and dwindle.

7. Fourteen punctuation marks in English grammar. . Period, comma,colon, semicolon, dash, hyphen, apostrophe, question mark, exclamation point, quotation marks, brackets, parenthesis, braces, and ellipses.

8. The only vegetable or fruit never sold frozen, canned, processed,cooked, or in any other form but fresh Lettuce.

9. Six or more things you can wear on your feet beginning with 'S'.
Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Quiz for those who know everything!

This is a quiz for people who know everything! I found out in a hurry that I didn't. These are not trick questions. They are straight questions with straight answers

1. Name the one sport in which neither the spectators nor the participants know the score or the leader until the contest ends.

2. What famous North American landmark is constantly moving backward?


3. Of all vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted every year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn't been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

6. Only three words in standard English begin with the letters 'dw' and they are all common words. Name two of them.

7. There are 14 punctuation marks in English grammar. Can you name at least half of them?

8. Name the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned,processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh.

9. Name 6 or more things that you can wear on your feet beginning with the letter 'S.'


The answers will be posted tomorrow!

Here is the completed bathing beauties clothes pin dolls. My daughter made them for a friend who is putting in a pool this year. They are supposed to be her and her cowboy husband (complete with boots) Pretty cute!

What a weekend. Mine started Wednesday night when my brother fell and had to be taken to the ER. Somehow he sprained both ankles and badly bruised his hand. This laid him up for about 3 days and being the caretaker of our almost 92 year old mother he was in need of help. So I took off work and stayed with them for a couple of days until he was back on his feet. The garage sale was Saturday and we had fun. More entertainment than anything else. Julie did manage to sell her car and dining room furniture and Jamie did OK as well. I just barely managed to make back what I spent so that was OK too. I'm working 16 hours today so I'm preparing for a long day.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Clothespin Dolls





My daughter makes these adorable clothespin dolls. I wish I were so talented.

Ingenuity

Young Chuck moved to Texas and bought a donkey from a farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next he drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have bad news for you. The donkey died last night." Chuck replied, "Well then just give me my money back." The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already." Chuck said, "OK, then just bring me the dead donkey." The farmer asked, "What yo gonna do with him?" Chuck said, "I'm going to raffle him off." The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead donkey." Chuck said, "Sure I can. Just watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead." A month later the farmer met up with Chuck and asked, "What happened with that dead donkey?" Chuck said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00." The farmer asked, "Didn't anyone complain?" Chuck said, "Just the guy who won, so I gave him his money back."

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Back To Reality


Since I've decided moving to Oregon probably isn't the answer to my call for adventure I decided to have a garage sale instead. Only I don't have a garage! So, we're having the sale at Ron's and using HIS garage. I always get myself into these things and swear after it is over that "I'LL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER GARAGE SALE AS LONG AS I LIVE". Oh well, that's how I got fat.....Eating my own words!

Our sale is this Saturday and we're committed because I already put the advertisement in the paper. That way I can't worm my way out of it at the last minute. Both my daughters are contributing to the sale and maybe Ron if it gets around to it. Although he is the big collector! The part I hate most about garage sales is the pricing and the haggling. I just hate that part. That's why I practically give everything away.

What I enjoy about garage sales is visiting with the people who come. You meet the neighbors, run into old friends and make a few new ones. I always fix a breakfast casserole for the workers and some sticky buns. I bribe everyone to work with food!

So, it may not be a new life in Oregon but it is about all the adventure I can handle!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Where's Peter Pan When You Need Him?

I do not live an adventurous life. I'm not even sure if this is something I should regret or aspire to. I'm a very plain, mundane, ordinary sort of person. I am a creature of habit, consistent and predictable. I have lived in two homes in my life. The first being my parent's house for twenty years and now my own for thirty-nine. I never rearrange my furniture and am still using the same hand-me-down bedroom furniture I had as a child. My idea of a great day is when I go to bed feeling as though I have accomplished something. The other day the thought occurred to me that I was in need of an adventure. I thought how great it would be to just up and move somewhere completely new. I picked Oregon. Have I ever been to Oregon? No. Do I know anything about Oregon? No. But I saw the movie Kindergarten Cop and have wanted to go to Astoria, Oregon ever since. I admire people who are not afraid of change. The people who can uproot themselves at a moment’s notice and think of change as nothing more than an opportunity waiting to be had. Change sounds exciting to me but my practical side immediately kicks in convincing me that it is too risky, too scary, too impulsive, too impractical and just plain unthinkable. I am wondering if this is what a mid-life crisis looks like. When middle-aged men and women ask themselves “Is this all there is?” It’s that time in life when there are more years behind you then in front. Maybe it is perfectly normal to want one last adventure.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

My daughter sent this to me today. She is a teacher and feels this says it all.

10 Big Mistakes Parents Make

While we all love our kids, in this day and age of two working parents and insane schedules, we tend to cut corners and neglect important things. That being said, here are 10 big mistakes parents make. By Craig Playstead

1) Spoiling kids There is no doubt that parents love their kids and want them to have all the things they didn't. However, this comes at a price. A ton of well-intentioned parents have ended up spoiling their kids to such a degree that the kids aren't even happy with all the stuff they have. This causes them to never be satisfied and always want more. Junior doesn't need one more piece of crap, what he needs is some special time with his parents. Think of it this way: How will they ever be prepared for disappointment throughout their life—or learn to be thankful for anything?

2) Inadequate discipline When you're too lazy to adequately discipline your kids, you pass the little devil you've created on to your relatives, coaches, teachers, and his friends' parents. It's not OK to let your kids treat your house like it was a Jump Planet because that's exactly how they'll treat other people's homes. They should also be much better behaved when they leave the house and visit elsewhere. I've lived through this nightmare first-hand, with the same kid at my house treating my $1,500 couch like a trampoline, and then calling my daughter 'ugly' while the kids were eating dinner. All within a 15-minute span. If you don't discipline your kid, someone else will—and you won't like it.

3) Failing to get involved at school School is where your kids will spend more time than any place besides your home. It's also the place that will have the most responsibility for shaping their life—from teachers and their peers. That being said, how can you not want to be involved in what's going on there? It doesn't matter if it's you or your spouse: Your family needs to have a presence at that school. And don't use work as an excuse—take a vacation day if you need to. You'll see immediately that it's time well spent. You should also have at least an e-mail relationship with their teacher. It's a great way for that teacher to see that you're interested in your child's development, and the teacher can alert you to anything concerning that may be going on with your son or daughter. Your kid's teacher may take a much more active role with your child if they know you're keeping close tabs.

4) Praising mediocrity While we all want to encourage our kids to do well and build their self-esteem, there is a point of going too far. Building a child's self-esteem is great, but having a big party for a mediocre accomplishment skews what they view as a real achievement. One big place I see this is in sports. A participation trophy for anyone over the age of 6 just ends up devaluing the meaning of a real trophy. It's happening in my own household. While I was against trophies for my 7-year-old son's basketball team, a few moms overruled. My son has played exactly four seasons of sports and has earned more trophies than I did in my 40 seasons growing up. Something is out of whack.

5) Not giving kids enough responsibility Your kids shouldn't be expecting any payment for doing chores around the house. It's a home, not a hotel. That being said, an allowance is a great idea … for extra work. They should be pulling their weight as part of the family. If they grow up without enough responsibility, how in the world do you expect them to hold down a job, or get through college? When they get 'of age,' make sure they're taking some of the burden off you around the house—from unloading the dishwasher to picking up dog poop in the backyard. While they're not your slaves, they sure aren't on vacation, either.

6) Not being a good spouse How you treat your husband or wife is very important to the way your kids will develop relationships, especially as adults. If you treat your spouse poorly, or if your only way to settle any kind of dispute is to yell and scream at each other, you're teaching your kids to handle themselves the same way. Kids learn from watching you much more than they learn from listening to you. If you treat your spouse with love and respect, it will also show your kids the value of their family. It will also make them feel their family is a safe haven in what can be a dark, scary world.

7) Setting unreal expectations When dealing with kids, you need to set reasonable expectations for them—especially the little ones. If you want to go out to a nice dinner and expect your 2-year-old to sit there like a little prince, you are setting yourself up for major disappointment. Also, if you have visions of a football star and your son weighs 80 pounds and likes to play the clarinet, you need to reset those expectations. Don't have unreal expectations for your kids: The expectation you should have is for them to be happy.

8) Not teaching kids to fend for themselves Many parents tend to baby kids these days and cater to their every need, and that eliminates the value of hard work and becoming independent as they grow into adults. I fear that we're raising a generations of wimps. Kids nowadays expect everything to be done for them, from cleaning their room to band-aids for hurt feelings. Teaching them to toughen up and do things on their own doesn't mean that you love them less; it means you love them more.

9) Pushing trends on kids Let kids be kids. Parents shouldn't push their trends or adult outlook on life on their kids. Just because it was your life's dream to marry a rich guy doesn't mean we need to see your 4-year-old daughter in a 'Future Trophy Wife' t-shirt. The same goes for the double ear piercing—that's what you want, not them. Teaching kids about your passions is great, but let them grow up to be who they are. And yes, this goes for you pathetic stage parents as well. It's hard enough for kids to figure out who they are in the world without you trying to turn them into what you couldn't be.

10) Not following through I have trouble with this one sometimes. If you're telling your kids that they'll be grounded if they paint the neighbor's dog one more time, you'd better follow through. Unfortunately, following through on punishments or promises makes your life a little more difficult, but building trust is what's most important. If you're not true to your word, your kids will assume anything you say is just talk. Then you have a real problem on your hands. You'll also end up with kids who don't trust their parents.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

It's a foggy day in Oklahoma. We got a little rain last night but I'm not sure what the forecast is for today. I'm not much on watching weather reports I just walk outside. If it is sunny I grab a hat, if it's raining I get the umbrella. Doesn't matter what the temperature is because I know that could change at a moments notice anyway. We just dress in layers.

I've really been in a funk lately. I haven't been eating right and I haven't kept up with my exercising so I'm starting to feel the impact of being lazy. I don't have any energy and I just feel yucky. I also know I'm the only who can turn that around so I'd better get to work on my mind set. I just keep procrastinating instead of getting to work on the problem.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Monday

It's Monday and the sky is gray and cloudy. There is a prediction for possible rain this evening. This Thursday we are having our groundbreaking ceremony for Camp Claphans. This is the camp we are building on site for developmentally disabled children. It has been a fun project, designing and picking out all the elements we would like to incorporate into the camp. The architects have done a great job and some of the designs are just fantastic. The arts/crafts building has a wall of windows on each side that raise like giant garage doors. The Sammy Jack mess hall is huge and the cabins were designed very similar to those we saw at Camp Barnabus in Missouri. Our challenge is creating a camp that has a rustic feel even though it is located directly behind a hospital. Some very creative landscaping is going into this project. We have tucked everything around trees, hills, and across the lake. Although the groundbreaking takes place this Thursday we don't expect construction to actually begin for a couple of months. I sure hope we can raise the remaining funds needed for this project!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Brain Cells Still Working

The mid-term was a breeze. I guess I'm not as brain dead as I thought. We had 2 hours to take the test and I was done in 90 minutes and then went back over it for the remaining 30. Bound to get an A!!!!!!!! I better hush before I jynx myself!

I was thinking today about our economic crisis and it occurred to me that maybe this is just a ploy to address America's obesity epidemic. You know....The No Meal Plan.... Maybe George is writing his own diet book......something he can fall back on after he leaves the White house. Book tours, a spot on Dr. Phil, who knows. In the meantime we will all be getting slim, Type II diabetes will virtually be eliminated and Lane Bryant will become the new Victoria Secret. So just think of this little ole economic crisis as the new diet plan for America.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Mid-term

Mid-term is tonight. I've read and re-read the 13 chapters being covered and I don't think I can cram one more thought in my head. So we shall see if this old brain of mine can retain anything. It makes me wonder....since I can't remember why I walked into the kitchen most of the time. Maybe this brain exercise will be good for me.

I had someone tell me the other day that the recent problems with the economy is because it is now the end of days. This person was so distressed although a self-proclaimed Christian. I couldn't help but ask what difference does it make? If you are living your life according to your beliefs then you should be ready. It shouldn't matter when that day comes. Not to mention, I thought that was a time to be joyous not fearful. (Unless you have a guilty conscience) Oh well.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

This class is kicking my fanny. Not because it is hard but because it is so time consuming. I have so much reading to keep up with I don't even have time to watch Dancing With the Stars. I sure hope I have a measurable increase in intellect by the time I get finished in December. I'm doing so much writing that I haven't had the inclination to blog. No problem...I don't have that much to say of interest anyway. When I'm not working, going to school or studying I'm just watching my retirement account lose money like everyone else in the country right now. How depressing! Oh well, I figured I'd be working until they find me covered in cobwebs.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Monday, Monday...................

I'm here with bells on my toes. Not really but I'm trying to have a positive attitude. I don't have a lot on my calendar today and I'm leaving at 1:45. I have a mammogram scheduled for this afternoon. After last year's little scare I'm a tad nervous but I want to be smart and keep up with routine exams. You never know when it might just save your life. The only thing I hate about mammograms is well, there isn't just one thing I hate actually. I have a fear of fire drills while I have my @#$% in a ringer. I'm all about being proactive and I sure don't want to die of something I might have caught early enough to survive but I just wish there was a daintier way of doing it. Next year it's colonoscopy time again. Now that's a little charmer. Not painful but certainly a cleansing experience. Ron is due for his this year. The last time he had one we had just started dating and he asked if I could pick him up afterward and give him a ride home. No problem! I drove over to the clinic at the designated time and the nurse directed me to a back room. I walked into a room where several older men were seated in a circle of Lazy boy recliners. This must have been the "toot" room because they were all in a circle passing air. Now, Ron and I were new into our relationship and believe me this was a bit of an awkward pause for me. Of course, it didn't take long before I was completely overcome with the giggles and had to make a quick exit. Poor Ron....he's so straight laced and proper I really did feel sorry for him. I thought he was going to explode in the car on the way to his house. I guess he didn't want to just let er rip so soon in the relationship!

Aint it the truth?

Friday, September 5, 2008

HOW TO BE A PERFECT B!TCH

Jennifer's wedding day was fast approaching. Nothing could dampen her excitement -- not even her parent's nasty divorce Her mother had found the PERFECT dress to wear and would be the best Dressed mother-of-the-bride ever!
A week later, Jennifer was horrified to learn that her father's new Young wife had bought the exact same dress! Jennifer asked her to exchange it, but she refused.
'Absolutely not, I look like a million bucks in this dress, and I'm Wearing it,' she replied.
Jennifer told her mother who graciously said, 'Never mind sweetheart. I'll get another dress. After all, it's your special day.' A few days later, they went shopping and did find another gorgeous dress. When they stopped for lunch, Jennifer asked d her mother, 'Aren't you going to return the Other dress? You really don't have another occasion where you could wear it. Her mother just smiled and replied, 'Of course I do, dear. I'm wearing it to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

I had a four day weekend and did pretty much nothing. We had quite a thunderstorm Saturday night delaying the OU football game by more than an hour. I was so glad I wasn't there. Of course Ron stayed until the end the true blue obsessive fan that he is. He actually called me while taking shelter beneath the stadium to say, "I wish you were here". I replied, "You've got to be kidding". The last game I attended it was 110 in the shade and I practically plowed over our entire section trying to get out at half time. I walked home and haven't been to a game since. That was two years ago and I have no intention of going to another game as long as I live. I have a 42 inch tv and a recliner in an air conditioned house that is sufficient for any sporting event I may want to watch. Do I sound cynical?

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Little Alex


One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque.
It was covered with names and small American flags mounted on either side of it.

The six-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy,
and said quietly, 'Good morning Alex.'

'Good morning Pastor,' he replied, still focused on the plaque. 'Pastor, what is this?'

The pastor said, 'Well son, it's a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.'
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear asked, 'Which service, the 9:00 or the 11:00?'

Is this a beautiful planet or what?






From glaciers, lavender fields to the frozen tundra...we live on a beautiful planet.