A Fun Day

The high temperature today was: 56 degrees

The humidity was:  40%

Cloudy and rainy  all day.

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A really good weekend--I guess.  Not much going on, which was nice.  Saturday, I got a lot of work done on the Elmo pillow I am making for Evan's 2nd birthday.  Invited to the party or not, he WILL get his pillow.  If there is no party, I will go over the next Monday, when the three older kids are at school, Jen is at work, and visit with Pammie and Evan.  SO THERE!!!

I have to have this completed in less then two weeks.  I am getting really tired of stitch after stitch of reddish orange.  It has been so difficult.  With my shaky right hand, I have a hard time hitting the "holes" for the stitches and occasionally, stick my fingers with the needle.

Saturday, I had my entire day set up.  A football game for University of Michigan, (BOO) started at noon, another one for Michigan State University (YAY), started at 2:00.  There was some golf I wanted to watch, then the local news and then the Detroit Tigers baseball game AND, one hour of the Cedar Cove movie.

I sat in my chair and stitched ALL DAY!!!  and I only got his head completed and started on his arms.  SIGH!

Dar told me that Salvation Army store has office products.  So--before the games started, I ran up there.  It is only 1/2 mile away.  I got a large 3", 3-ring binder; 5 smaller 1" floppy binders in different colors; a pack of file folders and a lined notebook to take notes or just write in.  Equaled=$6.00.  She said they often get in reams of printer paper, pens, on and on.  I need printer paper in a big way--I am totally out!!!!!

The chiropractor I go to has two young sons.  Four years ago, I printed out one of my published children's books.  He said, "They have read it so much, it is falling apart."  So, I decided that I would go on my website and copy some of my other stories listed there.  Kids just like a "book" they can hold in their hands and turn pages.  Personally, I also hate e-books!!!  I want one I can hold in my hand, turn the pages and put a bookmark in when I am done reading a chapter.

I spent quite a bit of time today, transferring the website stories over to a Word document.  Then, I will print them off and put them in one of the colorful binders I purchased yesterday and take them in to the doc, on my next appointment on Wednesday.

It was neat.  I hadn't read these stories in quite awhile.  I got to reading and laughing and then thought, "You are a half way decent children's writer!"  There is always a lot of funny dialogue in my stories, and funny things the kids get into, and of course--always a moral to the story--that the kid figures out for themselves, usually.  All of my stories are based on a life experience I had as a child, or a friend had.

I couldn't write an adult novel if my life depended on it--I don't much understand adults.  But I sure understand kids and remember so vividly what it was like when I was a kid.  Everything was so innocent and happy (most of the time).  I once had a therapist tell me that I wrote children's stories--happy ones, because I was re-writing my childhood--happier one.  I don't think that is true though.  I remember my childhood as being happy.  I had a great childhood!!!

Yeah, my Daddy was critical, mean and slapped me around, but--I still think of the fun time I had growing up.  An only child, so I drew on my imagination and children's books that were read to me and played them out.  One day, I would be an Indian, the next day, a cowboy shooting Indians.  One day I was an explorer, searching for and finding wondrous things in the woods or the hay loft.  The next day, I was a hermit--trying to hide in places where no one would see me.  Attempting to sneak around all day long, without anyone seeing or talking to me, while I was watching and observing them.

I had a wonderful childhood.  Of course, in my children's stories, the Daddy is always so understanding and fair.  THAT might be where the re-writing of my young life came into being?
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 I HAVE A JOB!!!!!  I am scared to death about it.  Perfectionist--I want to do it perfectly--which I know is impossible.  It is right up my alley, as they say.  Doing research on the computer.  Taking copious notes and setting up spreadsheets.  All work from home.  Knowing I will tend to be obsessed about it and reminding myself to NOT stay up all night because I am on the trail of more clues.  I have my handy-dandy new writing notebook from the Salvation Army store to keep notes in, because my remembering is not what is used to be.  I have already made a couple of spreadsheets to keep track of links and what is in them and how to access them.

I even have an expense account!  Well--lah dee dah for me!!!  I have no idea what expenses might occur, but I guess I will find out AND I have a time sheet to keep track of my time spent working on all of this.  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  Actual money for doing something that I like?  AMAZING!!

So--I'm scared.  I don't quite know what to search for--but my brain is already turning over idea.  (Do I get paid for the brain time, LOL.)  But, I am sticking my "puttie footie" in the stream and we shall see what we shall see.
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Did I ever tell you I was a ghost writer on a novel?  A lady found me in a Pogo game room because my ID was "akidswriter" and she chatted with me that she needed a writer for a novel she wanted to publish.  I offered.  She sent me huge envelopes of notes and written pages.  Scraps of paper with ideas--proof of people she had met, been married too.  Pictures of the houses she had lived in and the parties she went too.  She had the story, she needed someone to get it down, with dialogue and correct grammar and spelling and format.

She was from Louisiana.  The book was her REAL life story, but she wanted me to fictionalize it.  I'll tell you what--when she'd call--with that sweet southern voice and tell me instances in her life--I'd sit on this end of the phone line with my mouth all agape and just listen.  What a fascinating life she had!!!  Married at one time to a country singer--she knew Hank Williams and Patsy Cline and all the rest of them, at that time.  Then, divorced, and went off to Beverly Hills, CA and worked in the movies--as an extra.  Had a few speaking lines actually.  I have seen a couple of the movies that she was in.

I can't say much more, because it is private, but we had that book ready to go!  She had an agent and a publisher--my name was going to be on the book!!!  They even had a director who wanted to make a movie from the book!!!.  I loved that job--I was excited for her and was going to be able to meet her.

She died two weeks before the book was sent off for printing. She had no living relatives. Had no provisions in her Will for having her book published. I had no authority.  So--the manuscript is laying somewhere gathering dust, as no one has the rights to publish it.  I do have a copy on a couple of CD's and my hard drive and I treasure them.

Too bad we didn't get it done!

"I 'coulda been somebody, Baby!"
"I 'coulda made millions!"
"I 'coulda had my name in lights, Baby!"
"I 'coulda been a contenda'"

LOL
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Change

Today's high temperature was:  55 degrees

Today's humidity was:  46%

90 degrees on Wednesday--air conditioner

71 + yesterday

55 today--furnace

80+ next mid-week--air conditioner

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Michigan's Motto:

"If you seek a beautiful peninsula, look about you" 

 OR 

"If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it will change."

Hugs--Kisses and Love

Today's high temperature was:  71 degrees

Today's humidity was:  42%

Sunny--then the cold front came through--58 degrees now.  Br-rr.

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More pix of Madeleine's band friends:

Maddie & Drew--both horn players

He is President of the Senior Class

They dated a couple of times last year

He is also a singer

Very nice kid.

My favorite--Matthew

He attended West Point this summer

Head Drum Major for the 240+ band

Matt does this when the band comes out for pre-game

They say, he will be drum major at 

Michigan State U, next year.  I wouldn't doubt it.

THIS is the one I want her to date. :-)

Maddie and her other horn buddy, Brian Tang

Wonderful kid--I call him Ting Tang--Walla Walla Bing Bang

He has a HUGE crush on her, but she doesn't realize it.

I was talking about Maddie today.  This girl is so pretty and so talented and when she dances in her ballerina performances, her teacher says, "The look on her face....she is transported to another world!"  That is true.  She is so unpretentious--she doesn't realize how pretty or talented she is.  So down to earth.

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I had a wondrous visit this morning.  I got an e-mail message from Maddie's older sister Susanna--my grand daughter who got married exactly one year ago.  She and her hubby had flown home (from Oregon) for her to be in a girl friends wedding.  They wanted to stop in for a quick visit.  OHMYGOSH!!!

These two are the ones who stopped in.

The "runners".

Here they are with Maddie when she stayed in Portland with them this last July.

I started squealing when they pulled into the driveway, Susie jumped out and run up the steps to me, hugged me and we rocked back and forth, making those, "hm-hm-hmm" sounds.  Derek was close behind her and he joined in the group hug--then we had separate hugs and kisses.

We sat out on the porch and talked because, Derek has a terrible, in the hospital ER, kind of allergy to cats!!  After awhile, Susie and I came in to get her quilt and so she could see the cats--she so loves cats!!!!

Then they had to leave to get down to Birmingham (near Detroit) to get ready for her girl friends bridal shower and pre-wedding stuff.  They will be back for Christmas, though, so.................

"I love you so much, Gramma," she said, when she hugged and kissed me good-bye--twice!!!

:I love you too, Sweetheart," said Gramma as she hugged her again.

NOW--that's the way a grand child is suppose to be toward their Gramma!!!!!

I cried for a half hour after they left--just all that love over flowing my soul and seeping out of my eyes, I guess.

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Then I went down to Pearl's to help her figure out how to get into Face Book so she could play the games she likes.  She needs a new video card really badly!!  It is hard to play and enjoy a game when the monitor screen is all distorted in color and picture.  Sigh!  That makes her even more frustrated, but she will not get it fixed!!!  No matter how much I tell her that it is a simple fix--at least for a video card--she won't get it done.

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Before I put the garbage out last night, I took everything out of the one garbage pail (YUCKY) and put it into the other one--just to make sure my moccasins weren't in there.  Nope!  this whole shoe thingie has gone from being weird to being just plain idiotic.  They are no where on this property!  The only way they got out of here was, someone opened the door, reached in and took them.  Plain and simple as that.  Why--that's another question that will never be answered.  I had a $20 dollar bill laying on the little table behind the door.  Apparently they didn't open the door far enough to see it?  I have not one clue.

==========================

Tomorrow afternoon, I go to the chirocracker again.  The muscles that run along the top of my shoulders, and the base of my neck are still very sore.  My back feels great, but I am having a lot of cramping in my calves.  I imagine tomorrow, I will once again, get the rack, the gun and the electric shock.  It's all good.

My Visit To The Police Station

Today's high temperature was: 91 degrees

Today's humidity was: 62%

Hot, hot, hot.

Then severe storms came through at 6:00 and it cooled off nice!!

YAY

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I got a call yesterday to be at the State Police post in Brighton, today at 11:00 a.m. Although I didn't get to sleep until 5:00 this morning, I made it in time.

I had to fill out forms, and they took my picture--boy, they sure wanted to know a lot about me. My age and height and weight!!

A lady came to the holding tank and took me back to a room and made me lay down on a table that the guy called, "The Rack". He pushed down on my shoulders while the rack pulled up on my neck. Then he told me to sit up and said he was going to use a "gun" on me!!! It must have been an automatic pistol, because he shot up and down my spine and it felt like rubber bullets hitting me!  I told him he should put needles in the gun and then it would feel like acupuncture.

Then, this lady took me to another bigger room and sat me in a chair. She said, "Now we are going to electrocute you." I was ready to confess to anything--I would have said, "yes, I did it," even if I hadn't. 

She put pads on my back and shoulder and hooked up the electrical wires to a machine and ZAP--I felt the first shock hit me--and it got stronger and stronger!!!
======

The Chiropractor, that I went to four years ago, has moved into a beautiful new building.  It just happens to be where the State Police Post in Brighton, was housed until 2012.  

He said my shoulder's are coming up to hug my neck.  Me neck is extremely tight and I had lots of oweee's where pockets of lactic acid had settled--toxins, they called them.  I also got a very painful 20 minute massage.  I ache all over tonight, but I actually feel much better.  So far, my left arm has not gone numb!!  All that, and it only cost $15.00--that was for the massage--if I just get an adjustment, Medicare will cover it.  YAY!!!  I have to go back Friday.
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I was going to go to the Rich's People's store, which is only about 2 blocks from his office, but by the time I got out of there, my legs felt like marshmallow creme and I was so sleepy.  I drove on home and climbed into my recliner.  After my soap, I headed back into town to get my salads, find a belt to hold up my blue jeans and stopped on the way home for a "five dollar foot long."  Next month, Subway's special "five dollar foot long" is going to be the Spicy Italian--my favorite.  Unfortunately, I have used up the gift card Pammie gave me for my birthday, but...I will find five bucks somewhere a few times next month.  A foot long sub makes 2 meals for me.
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We had some heavy duty storms roll through.  60 mph wind gusts, hard, pounding rain and a nice cold front behind the storms.  I think autumn is finally here--starting tomorrow.  I am glad, actually.

Dar came over to pick up the frosting she wanted me to buy for her and, instead of paying me, she showed me this and wondered if I wanted it.

It came into the Salvation Army store today.

Brand new, still in the original package.

Here is the description on the package front:

Baby Quilt Stamped Cross Stitch Kit 34x43 - Mod Zoo: 
Happy faces will make baby smile. Zoo-inspired baby quilt 
is stamped for cross-stitch on white pre-quilted 
polyester/cotton fabric with a finished edge. 
Kit contains presorted cotton floss, needle, and instructions. Approximately 34 x 43" (86 x 109cm). Made in U.S.A.

---

Retail Price:

$49.99

It was marked $2.99 on the package!!!

Now---when I get Elmo done and the other baby quilt done, then I have one to work on this winter.  I AM THRILLED!!!!!

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Okay-I am  having a slight problem with my spacing.  I went into HTML and tried to change the codes, but when I return to "Compose", it goes back to the left margin not being where I want it.

Anyway--I wrote a letter to the Probate Court in the County where my step-mother lived and died and---no Will has been filed for probate in her name!  SAY WHAT???

This was an e-mail I got from their office today.

Dear Judith,

The Genesee County Clerk’s Office forwarded a letter to us, from you, requesting information on a will for Helen Walts.

Please be advised that the Genesee County Probate Court shows no record of a will for Helen Walts. There was a Petition and Order for Assignment filed on 6/13/13 (case number: 13-196433-PE) that may be viewed in our office Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. If copies are desired, they will be $1.00 per page.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

So--I sent back a reply and asked if it could be filed in Shiawassee County as that is where she lived most of her life.

This was her reply:

That’s a possibility. You might want to check with Shiawassee County Probate Court. People don’t always deposit their wills with the court for safekeeping, so even if you know there was a will it might be really hard to find. Good luck!

Does the first e-mail mean that the Order for Assignment mean it is going to be filed at a later date?  I should have taken a correspondence course in Law!!!  Of course, I could just ask my youngest, Jen The Attorney, but of course, she still isn't speaking to me.   

I shared the e-mail with my sister.  I didn't want her name involved at all, in case someone found out there had been an inquiry.  I was going to be the bad girl in all this.  It's not that we have to know an amount, or even when we might get the PROMISED annuity, but it sure would be nice to know that one is coming--so we could breathe a sigh of relief and plan a bit.  Susan certainly would like to go on with more renovation with the money that was PROMISED to her and I would just like to know that I can make it a few more years with the PROMISED annuity and not have to go on Welfare or file for bankruptcy!!!

Yes--it is my own fault, being in this position.  I got stuck with a credit card debt for Fred and then, after his oldest daughter said not to worry they would take care of the funeral expenses, so I put it on another credit card--and they didn't help after the first two months, but still.......................my household income was $2,300 on December 31s, Fred was paying half the household expenses and paying me back what he owed me, and then...on January 1, 2012, it dropped to $843.00.

DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA--or anybody else.  I will get myself through, because...I just will!!

This is why I say that my Pammie, reminds me of me!  We are so gullible, or have no self respect or--get stupid with helping people and trusting and believing they will pay us back the money we lent them.   Thank Goodness, Pammie is twenty years younger then me and she is a lot smarter then I was at 54.  Maybe in twenty years, she will be in better shape.

Anyway--it is a scary thing each and every month. But, God has always taken care of me--always.  So--if it is in His plan, we will find out if the Will is like it is supposed to be, as PROMISED!!!

=====================

I have a home, a car, a computer and TV that work and two wonderful purry furry's--I have everything I need.

By the way, did you see Cape Cod Kitty's comment yesterday?  She said I should have gone over to where the hunky guys were taking the mobile home apart and ask if my moccasins might be up on the roof.  LOL!!!  I should have--I would have had a better view of their beefiness!!!
======================

See ya tomorrow-Jude

     

Mission Possible!

Today's high temperature was:  89 degrees

Today's humidity was:  51%

Sunny--hot and humid

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I just absolutely refused to go outside today.  The hot, wet air felt like it wrapped around me in a smothering embrace, when I stepped out on the porch to put the cat litter in the garbage pail, so............

Instead, I went on a complete and last, thorough examination of this house, in a quest of finding my moccasins!  This time, you would have thought I was hunting for the Holy Grail.  I started out in the bedroom--I worked in a clockwise direction.  I looked behind curtains and checked window sills.  I even looked up high on my cabinets and shelves.  I looked low under every piece of furniture.  I opened every box and trunk--every cubby hole was searched.  Da Nada.

It was suggested I pray to St. Anthony, so I did that: "Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, come around for what was lost, must now be found."  Nothing.  So...I give up.  

==============================

Now--in that same spot, is another pair of slip-on's

So--what to do on a hot, humid day?  Stay inside where the temperature is 75 degrees and dry.  Hopped into the shower for a nice, long, very warm hosing down, then I looked out my window and what did I see?

They are taking apart, the house behind Pearl's--apparently they are moving it out of here.

Put the wheels back on it and took it apart.

Getting ready to put the protective covering on it

so they can haul it down the highway.

But wait...what is that on the roof? 

OH MY GOODNESS!

Be still my heart!!  

Let's watch this beefcake for awhile.

I think I just did an eye-hump!!!

Takes me back to when I was 16 and the football boys

used to come out from town and build up their muscles,

helping my Daddy in the fields.  I, of course, was on hand

to drive the tractor.  Saw a lot of tanned, muscled boys back then.

Had to wear a little bib to catch my drool.

<sigh>

Got the protective coating all on and probably haul

it out tomorrow.  Opens up my view for sure!!!

YAY!! 

After a fun morning of watching beautiful young manhood, I sat in my recliner and made lists.  Watched my soap.  Cross stitched on Elmo.  Watched the TV news coverage of all the stuff about Syria and what we are or are not going to do.  Such a farce!!  

Dar came over to tell me that she has indeed been hired by Meijer's as a cashier and that she gave the Salvation Army notice--3 days notice.  Her boss, instead of wishing her luck, said, "I am really happy for you....and for me.  Now, I won't have to put up with your arrogant, mouthy attitude." (okay)

Dar said back, "And now I won't have to bite my tongue anymore and keep from telling you what a rotten manager you are!"

Guess she burned a bridge there!!

Pearl came down to show me a top that she wants to buy.  Kind of cute, it is purple and on the front is a picture of a cat laying in a hammock.  Merle goes to the Cardiologist I suggested tomorrow to get his Holter Monitor--finally!!!  Pearl is mad at her bank because she gets access to her account/statements on-line, so they quit sending her paper statements and she wants both.  I told her to go on-line where she can request both.  She said, "Oh, I hate that damn computer!"

Then she wanted to go through the house to look for my moccasins, so we did a walk through together and she proclaimed, "They aren't in THIS house!"

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Then, tonight, I watched the President's address--Yawn--nothing new there.  I find it a bit strange that we are now letting Russian President Putin do our diplomacy for us and we still haven't made up our minds if we are going to throw 100 cruise missiles into Syria, or stay out of it.  

I am just about done with every lasting politician!!!  They are all so worried more about their next election, that they don't get anything done while they are in office.  I think they are totally out of touch with how the average American feels or needs.  All they do is bicker at each other--like they are campaigning for their next run at office.

The saddest part of all--I do NOT see one potential GOOD candidate out there!!!  Hillary Clinton makes me want to vomit!  I would rather cast a vote for Billy Boy, then for her!  I cannot stand any of the Tea Party people.  I could vote for John Kerry, if I had too.  I feel for the guy.  I think he would be a really good Secretary of State, if his boss would quit throwing him under the bus, making him look like he doesn't know what is going on, every time he makes a statement.  So--who does that leave?  In order for the Republicans to get back in the WH, they need to nominate a Hispanic or Black...because white, Republican voters  are in the minority now.  

I have loved politics since I was twelve years old.  Loved how it worked--fascinated with the nuances of it all.  Now, I hate to even read about it or watch it on TV.    

Putin says Assad will turn over his WMD, BUT, the US has to agree NEVER to intercede militarily--ever.  Well, that;s not a very good idea.  Obama wants to throw in a few missiles to let Assad know we don't like what he is doing.  Oh yeah, like that is going to deter the madman?  Kerry calls Assad a "Hitler"--well you don't go after a Hitler by throwing a few bombs his way--you go in and take him out.  We don't want to go in, because we can't afford money or personnel for that full scale action.  If we throw a few bombs his way--that will just give Assad a reason to retaliate--to escalate.   If we stay out, we look weak.  If we go in, we look like the aggressor.  In the meantime, with all this wishy-washy, going back and forth on a decision, we are losing credibility in the world as a world power.  

...and all the average American wants is for our government to do something to get us back to some form of economic stability.  

WHAT A MESS!!!

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Tomorrow--I am finally (after thinking about it for 6 months) going to my chirocracker, getting a massage on my shoulder and neck and a neck adjustment.  I just cannot take the continual pain that runs from my shoulder up into my neck and down my arm--causing numbness.  

Then, after that, I am going to the Rich People's store for some salads and CAKE, then on to Meijer's for some file folders and a fire proof box and then, on to Subway for a "five dollar foot-long", and then on to Lowe's to get some deck paint because--My front porch has needed taking care of for three years.  Fred put a light stain on it five years ago--the steps are worn down to the original color/original wood.  I am going to paint it--dang nabbit!  Grey steps and deck and white railing and posts.  Then I am going to put black treads on the steps and next summer--put down a blackish piece of rubber backed outdoor carpet piece I have out in the shed.  I am real tired of this brownish porch that in no way matches my white house with black shutters.  I know--every one around here seems to stain their decks and porches that color, but--I am going to paint.  Probably have to re-paint it every year.  I don't care!!!!!  So there!!!!

======================

Yesterday, I got Pam's name on my bank accounts as POD--she can access the money after I'm dead.  Got her put as beneficiary on my life insurance and in essence, have made her my executrix. Done with that youngest brat of mine.  I don't care if she is an attorney--she can help Pammie if she needs the help, but I want Pammie to sell the house, transfer the car title and keep whatever money is left over--if there is any.  She will split the sale of the house with the other 3.  Karen told me to do it. Mark told me to do it.  I didn't ask Jen, but I am sure she would be relieved not to have to do all the paperwork and make the phone calls.

SO THERE!!!

Now--I am trying to pin Pammie down on when I can get her to the Opthmalogist, get her eyes checked and get her a pair of glasses.  I am tired of my daughter not being able to see!!!!  She loves to cross stitch and read, and she can't, because she can't afford glasses.  She saved for five years to get her dentures.  I gotta take care of this one thing--then I can rest easy.

I am WOMAN ON A MISSION!!!!! 

A Rainy Monday

The high temperature today was:  74

The humidity today was:  87% !!!

Rainy all morning-61 degrees.

Then sun came out and it soared up into the high 70's.

Record heat wave coming tomorrow.

===========================

I didn't wake up in time to get to church yesterday.  Perhaps because, yesterday was Grandparents Day and they were doing something special for all grandparents and.............I am missing my four youngest grandchildren?  Was it some subconscious thought that made me turn off the alarm and roll over and go back to sleep?

I really needed to leave here and go out to find some solitude and peace.  I drove up to my hometown and into the cemetery, to find the new grave of a friend who died last week.  Found it--near my step-mother's grave.  Talk about solitude--cemeteries are the best for that.  No noise--no one chatting--peace.  Then I stopped over at "my" cemetery--nice there too.

Drove on over to The Farm to visit my sister. They are getting new siding put on.  The vinyl composite material the contractor used to make the gingerbread looks wonderful!!!  He took off the old gingerbread and made a template.  This place is going to look better then the original house, when it is done.

The only problem I can see--the new siding is not as wide as the old, but....it matches their new addition.

This is a collage I am working on.  Pictures of The Farm, before they started tearing down old buildings and adding on.  I want to print it out and put in an 8x10 frame for my sister.

Chuck had taken down shutters and the shutter holders.  The holders were covered with years and  years of white paint.  He was trying to sand the paint off them.  I suggested he put them in a can of gasoline, let them set and then scrape the paint off.  They turned out nice and clean and then he painted them with an old dark, brass color.  They look a "new" hundred years old.  They were putting shutters back up yesterday, so I didn't stay long.

My main reason for stopping in, was to pick up a quilt (that my great grandmother had made), for Karen's second daughter, Susanna.  She and her hubby are coming into Michigan next weekend.  Susan had enough of great grandma's quilt's to give to my three daughters and the four grand daughter's.  She asked if I wanted one, but I turned her down.  I said, "I don't need one.  It will just come back to you when I die, in a few years, so give mine to one of the kids."  I had two of my great grandmother's quilts at one time.  They aren't beautiful, like the one women make nowadays.  They were made for function.  I used them to lay outside on and get a tan.  My kids used them to drag around the yard to make tents, or on the beach, or thrown over something to keep paint off it.  When they got worn out and raggy, I threw them away.  No big deal.  <gasp>

Stopped in to visit with Pammie (remember--she only lives 1/2 mile east of The Farm) and on my way, noticed that someone is living in the Little House on the Corner--that is a good thing.  Now I know for sure, that will not be my home.

Pammie is hyper with happiness.  She talked a mile a minute!!!!!  It sure was nice to walk into "my" house and see it cleared of all of The Idiot's junk, sit down in "my" living room and just chat and laugh and relax with my daughter.  I gave her Fred's leather recliner and she let me sit in it.  I felt like his arms were around me.  She and Fred had a special relationship and she just loves his chair!
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Got home around five, ate some supper and watched the end of the Tiger's baseball game.  Really nice day back home
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I have a really weird, strange and spooky thing happen here.  I have a pair of leather, rubber soled moccasins that I purchased in St. Ignace (town north of the Mackinaw Bridge) 15 years ago.  They have become worn and loose.  I only slip them on when I need to run out to get mail, take out or bring in the garbage cans.  Saturday, when I vacuumed, I put them and my sneakers back on the rug by the front door.  I was gone most of yesterday afternoon.  This morning, when the mail lady came, I was going out to get my mail.  It was raining and I went over to slip into my mocs and they were gone!  I figured I had worn them in the house somewhere so I went into the computer room--nope.  The living room over by my chair--nope.  The kitchen--nope.  The bathroom--nope and finally the bedroom--nope.

Now, I was getting a bit concerned.  I checked every closet.  I checked under every piece of furniture.  I opened up every cupboard, even opened the dishwasher.  No moccasins.  Then I went out and looked in the garbage pail, in my garden shed--even in the trunk of my car--no moccasins.

How can that be?  They are too heavy for Maggie to drag and hide somewhere, but I went back and looked under the bed, dresser, chest of drawers, couch--anywhere I could think of--no mocs.

It is a mystery.  I can't believe that someone would open my house, take the mocs and leave?  Why not take the computer--TV--money laying out on my counter?  Makes no sense, but they are no where to be found!

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I have written before about the age differences of my children.  I just found an old Christmas card that shows that pretty well.  We always sent out picture Christmas Cards.  This is from 1972.

Mark, almost 15.  Jennifer 1, Pamela 13, Karen 11.

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Memories

Because, she always wore braids and I always wore a pony tail