title explained

Onward and upward! something that you say in order to encourage someone to forget an unpleasant experience or failure and to think about the future instead and move forward.

My e-mail: jjmiller6213@comcast.net

Thursday, March 2, 2017

You mean a lot to me.................

When I starting this blog, I never realized how much it would come to mean to me.  Not so much what I write, but the comments.  Yes, I use this as my kind-of journal because arthritis in my hands has kept me from writing anything with pen and paper--that is legible.  Typing is still fairly easy.

I let it all out here because it is almost like having a conversation with friends.  I have to say, I think most of you know me as well or better than a lot of my "real life" friends.  In a real life conversation, a friend might say, "Oh, stop being such a baby."  or "Why would you think something dumb like that?"  Here, the comments might say the same, but I can't see your facial expressions, so any negative comments wouldn't hurt as much.  LOL

To say that on this blog, I bare my soul, would be an understatement.  Sometimes (I have been told), I am TOO open.  There are things I should just keep to myself.  That has been preached to me since I was young.  Consequently, I have kept things to myself that were screaming to come out.  I have a permanent line of sores around the edges of my tongue from biting it.  

I know that I have strange ponderings and thoughts.  I can't really put some of them out there to "audible" friends.  I do have a reputation to uphold after all.  A perception that "they" have of me.

Here is my safe place.  Well, it is safe now that my kids don''t know how to find it.  Remember a few years back when someone in the family told my daughter Jennifer of something I had posted about something she had said?  She quit speaking to me and forbade me to see her children?  Remember that fiasco?  The person who told her loves to spread hurtful gossip.  Jennifer had quite misunderstood what I had posted.  Well. anyway.  I feel a bit safer here now that this blog is no longer findable on ANY search engine.  Anyone who finds me, finds me from another blog where I have commented.

That being said--or written, I get such help from your comments!!!  It could be an affirmation or it could be a different way to think on something.  Sometimes an "I disagree", or an "I know just how you feel."  Either and all of your comments just make my day.

I know that sounds trite, but it is the truth!

Guess what?  My Bestie, who doesn't comment, but sends me comments via e-mail, my Bestie, Bethie, is also have a colonoscopy on March 30th.  She's an old hand at it--getting one every 5 years like she is supposed to.  Too bad we aren't having it done at the same place.  We could ride together and commiserate with each other.  LOL   Misery loves company and all that.
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I woke up this morning to my big cat Buddy, kneading my left shoulder.  He was right on the spot that aches and his kneading felt sooooooooooo good.  Of course, the minute I moved and he sensed I was awake, he stopped and came around to nose my cheek with his cold, wet nose.  I had over slept and he was hungry!  It was a nice massage for a moment anyway.

I love that animal more than I should allow myself.  Growing up on a farm, I learned early on, it was not wise to love an animal too much.  Just about the time I became used to a pet, it either died or got run over by a piece of farm equipment.  I never became attached to a calf or lamb, because they were sent off to market.  So, I never had an inside pet.

Then---in my 50's, I got an inside cat.  I didn't want her, but she was going to be sent to the pound, so I grabbed her and she was mine for 13 years.  When I had to have her killed, it tore me up for weeks.  I swore that would never happen again.

Then I met Fred and in he came with his 12 year old dog, Tootz.  She was a love!  Then a few years later, Fred was in hospital, I woke up one morning and the dog couldn't move.  I couldn't get her in the car so I called the vet.  They came out and while Fred was on the other end of the phone talking to her in her ear, the technicians put her down.  Right there, in front of me.

I swore.  "No more pets!"

Six months later Fred suggested we get a cat.  or rather, "Two cats.  One for each lap."  I wasn't about to deny him anything, so off we went to animal control.  I got Buddy and he got Maggie.  Six months after that, Fred died and left me with one lap and two cats.  I've never quite forgiven him for that.  LOL.

Buddy has always been my favorite because he is so gentle and calm.  He sleeps right by my head every night.  Maggie was a frantic cat--hissing, clawing, biting.  She now has turned into a lovable cat.  She sits on my lap and pats my face with her paw until I pet and cuddle her.  She sleeps by my feet.  I have become so attached and in love with both of them now.

ARGGH!  I'm sunk.
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I bought a brand new black inkjet at Staples.  $49.95.  Can you believe that?  It's because my printer twins are old and the ink isn't manufactured every much.  It worked perfectly in my printer so up to the refill place I went to turn in the ones that didn't work.  We had a long, informative conversation.

The cartridges can get old, of course, and although they test them before they sell them, if not used soon, the sponge can dry up and the ink won't come through.  Probably not too many people buy that kind anymore, so who knows how long they hang on the shelf.

I asked if I could get my new cartridge filled when needed.  Yes.  It might take them a few extra minutes to refill it, but at least I would know it was fairly new and had only been used once before.  That is the way I am going to go from now on.

I got store credit for the black ones that didn't work.

They also have a March Special on an HP Envy printer and flat bed scanner, copier, fax, all in one for $99.99.  The ink refills on that one coast $18.00 for the color and $13.00 for the black.

My refills cost, $29.00 for the color and $22.00 for the black.  Plus I have that $25.00 store credit.  

Hm-mm.  
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Theresa--thanks for finding me!!  Where are you from?

35 comments:

  1. Hugs.... I am one of those, who doesn't always agree, in comments. So I hope you understand, that I don't mean to be .... Oh whatever I know I come-across-as, at times. "Bossy" hardly covers it!!! lol

    Glad you enjoy comments, like a little conversation, they are. Of course, we all enjoy comments. But you do put yourself "out there," and ... Take more chances.

    Glad your friend is having one of those things, same day!!! You can commiserate, via email, on the clean-out-day-before. ,-)

    And just to let you know, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. Best of luck with your testing!!! I don't say pray, because I don't. Long story, not for here. But I certainly send good thoughts and wishes.

    Gentle hugs,
    Luna Crone

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    1. You crack me up! Miss Goddess of the Moon!

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  2. since we both are from Michigan and both are Michigan State fans, I am a big fan of your blog. I look forward to reading your entries and am disappointed when a couple days pass and I haven't heard from you.Please keep writing and I'll keep reading.

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    1. We sure have had a rough basketball season, haven't we?

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  3. Re: your comment on my post.... You said you see my pictures fine. And added, that you have a wide monitor on your computer.

    Yes, I think that makes a big difference. Or at least, it seems as if it would.

    And I love to hear that someone else, uses a big screen computer!!! Yikes, so many use those little-to-me devices. How in h*ll can they see blogs, on them, I wonder?!?

    Thank you for answering my blog-reading question. Thank you for making me feel less like a Dinosaur, with my old computer. -grin-

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  4. I feel the same way about blogging and the people who read my blogs and comment. We do become friends and I reveal far more in the blog world than my offline world. I think that's because we can round out our thoughts and explanations without interruptions. I have a friend, too, who won't comment but will write me an email about something I wrote. It kind of annoys me that she won't comment in public but it is what it is. I've also had people say that what I write is too personal. To that I say then you don't understand the blogging world. People, share, people get personal.

    I have have lived without an inside pet and hope I never will. As much as it hurts to lose one, I keep doing it.

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    1. Do you have someone who would care for Levi--in case you--ya know, drop over? I worry that no one would let my cats lap sit or sleep on the bed or sit on the furniture.

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    2. I have a small trust in my will that will give the person caring for him enough to pay his yearly expenses with any going to the Humane Society if he doesn't need it all. I have named a person who works in pet rescue who has agreed to find him a good home. There are cat rescues and no kill shelters that you might look into that you could name to place your cats if no one in the family steps forward. I have written a paper telling all of Levi's likes, dislikes, etc. to follow him.

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  5. I'm glad that you enjoy writing, and reading comments. I do remember about Jen and that fiasco, so good for you starting over. No one in my family reads my blog although Hunter knows the name of it. LOL Of course, if they got on my computer they'd be able to see where it is unless I remove my every time I pull it up to read or write. I don't post much anymore; having lost so many due to FB, and a couple to death.

    I'd like to have a printer again, but that's a bit tight for my budget (the one you spoke about) and also I don't have much room on my desk; you've seen also how little my room is. I've been tossing it around in my pea brain to write another book. If I decide to do that I'll drop my blog altogether since I spend so much time reading other's blogs. :)

    You keep going, Judy, and I enjoy reading what's on your mind. I've come to feel you as a real friend, and honestly I'm sad to have lost so many to FB. That's another thing that takes up so much time. I like seeing the pictures and the odd jokes now and then, but politics has made it boring to me. I mean, if someone wants to post about that, it's their business but I seldom respond.

    Keep your chin up, those tests are going to come out fine! xoxo

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    1. Oh, and drum runners is barrel racing on their horses. Hunter hasn't done too much of it lately since her grandmother has been gone but she's back! :)

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    2. FB has absolutely ruined the blogging world. A lot of the blogs I so enjoyed, the people just post a couple words on FB and don't post on their blogs. I really miss that!!
      Barrel Racing--okay.

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  6. I just love your honesty, as I have said before...and the real life things you share with us are so relatable.
    I look forward to all your posts. You are a unique and fine writer!! Thanks for being there and I love hearing about your furry friends, too!! My furry friends are keeping me entertained these days as I deal with some illness...life is a rocky road right now!

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    1. I miss your blog posts!!! I'm sorry like is rocky--it gets that way from time to time and as we get older, the health issues seem to be boulders in our road. You two new kitties sure are cute.

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  7. Fred died about the same time Charlie died. It was a sad time. How did it get to be more than five years ago?

    Bee

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    1. Yes--Charlie a bit later. I don't know how it got to be this long. Hope your physical therapy is going well and you soon will be back home.

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  8. we are all friends, aren't we?? i enjoy blogging so much, i'm not sure i could ever give it up. i'm not sure what i would do if a friend disappeared, such a loss that would be!! i too use my blog as a diary of sorts, to keep track of my mishaps and adventures!!

    i have always been a no pets person, but now i want a puppy and i'm not sure i am going to hold out!!!

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    1. Just think of all the fun you and Mr. Handsome would have with a pup! Think of all the photo opps too! You could take him on road trips. Oh, Deb. I think you should get one!!! Maybe a dog from the Humane Society that is a year old and already house broken?

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  9. I agree it's nice to have a blog family and friends don't read. I've had it both ways and prefer only other bloggers as readers. I share your feelings about pets. If I ever live alone I think I may get a cat.

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    1. I enjoy my cats. They seem to listen to me and never talk back.

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  10. I know what you mean about having an "unfindable blog." My mother, without asking my permission, shared my blog with my sister a little after Christmas. (I didn't even know my mother had my blog address, and she shared it because I sometimes complained about no one ever reading it. She thought she was being kind by sharing it, but quickly learned that she was wrong and overstepped. I didn't mind strangers reading my blogs, but family? Really? As private as I am?)

    I never get personal on my blogs, but on a post from that week my sister took offense to me saying her/her family's visit that Christmas Eve was the "obligatory visit." (And I didn't rant or anything. I was just stating a fact. We never see them throughout the year, but come Christmas we do). For days she ranted over that to my mother, and my mother asked that I delete the post. (Because my sister asked her to tell me to delete it). I was pretty angry because I did nothing wrong and was caught in the middle. I ended up deleting that one part, to make my mother happy, but later added it back in. I will NEVER AGAIN abandon my principles to make others comfortable... especially when I did nothing wrong in the first place.

    Sorry for rambling, but reading what you wrote really affected me. I so understand. Having your privacy violated, or your words misunderstood, isn't an easy thing to forgive and move on from.

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    1. My daughter saw that I had 3,545 views and she thought that was how many people had read the offensive blog--in one day!!!!!!!!! She didn't understand about the stats numbers and when I tried to explain that only 7 people had read that post and none of them knew her----well, you know from experience how it goes when it involves family. So I deleted that entire blog, started a new one (this one) and made sure it was as private as I could make it.

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  11. I love blogging, too. Being able to write my thoughts out and then hit publish is a gift, and the people who comment have become friends. I have friends and family who do not blog, and don't really understand what I get out of writing for strangers. They don't understand that we are not strangers to each other, that we are friends, and that we often have more frank exchanges than we do with offline friends and family.

    Love your blog, Judy. Hope you keep on keeping on for a very long time.

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  12. Judy I had been following your blog many years ago when your dear Fred was still alive and then suddenly it disappeared, until today I didn't know why. I connected with you both times through Miss Bee. Well I call her Miss Bee. I enjoy reading your honesty. I look forward to your posts. I just wanted to drop in and formerly say "hello"! Yes, I am a cat blogger and my voice speaks through my cats. I've been going through a very dark time myself the last 17 months and it's been hard to keep up their posts but I have. I have 4 cats and they are such great comfort to me, so I relate very well what you said about your two!

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    1. I am so glad you found me again!!! I will look in on you too.

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  13. One lap and two cats ... that's funny. As you know, I'm a confirmed dog person. I did the whole "never again; it hurts too much when they die" thing last April. But here I am with my beloved Rizzo and I don't know what I'd do without him. He can be a little pest but he's so adorable, I just laugh. But TWO dogs? No, huh-uh. LOL xoxo

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    1. I really blew my mind on how you figured out how to keep the little guy from eating rocks. I thought at first it was a bug protector over his head. You are sooooooo clever!!!

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  14. Isn't blogging amazing and it my favor "social media" out in the cyber world.
    I've meant all sort of nice people all over the world.
    I've had all sort of emotion reading ones blog from tears running down face. To right out laughing that ones bust a gut.
    I was one who never kept any sort of journal when I was young...I find blogging a total blast and how much I have to share with the world out there.
    Coffee is on

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    1. I didn't start keeping written journals/diary until I was in my 30's. I still have them and love looking back on what my kids were doing at that time. I probably should burn them before I die and the kids get a hold of them. LOL

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  15. Judy, enjoy your honesty and mistake I made was sharing the sharing with family, result - much I do not post about :)

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  16. I truly enjoy my blog! I wish I had more time for it!

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  17. I know how much it hurts to go through the death of a pet, but I have decided that in spite of the pain of loss, I will get bring another pet into my life, because there are animals who need me as much as I need a pet. My pets have given me so much love and entertainment. Last night I watched Koco pawing and pummeling her bed to get it just right for her, and I laughed with joy as I saw the effort she put into getting it just right. Judy, I do enjoy your writing. You have written so much that I would like to respond to, but that would take a lot of time. Thanks for blogging! Nancy

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  18. I'm so glad to have "met" you on your blog. I think we all just want to be heard and understood. Glad the "internets" can help you with that!
    much love,
    M

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  19. Oh Me Oh My. 33 comments! In my dreams!!! Do you get notification of comments on an older post like this one?

    I have in the back of my mind that a new conversational blog would suit me just fine. No pressure. No availability from search engines. Private to all but those who find me from another blog like yours. I'd create a new pseudonym and address so no one reading my old blog could link through GowitheFlo to my new one. I don't know. Wonder if you'll read this, my friend. This is a test LOL!!

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