Good Grief!

Today's high temperature was: 23 degrees

Snow

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I decided yesterday that I wouldn't run up to the store.  That I would stop on my way home today, after the school gals luncheon.  Then I decided not to go to the luncheon.  So, this morning wanted to run up to the store.  I was out of  milk, wet cat good, Diet Pepsi and I wanted to get a new "nut" to put on my toilet flush handle to fix it.

It was snowing a bit, but the weather man had said, "1/2 to 1 inch"--no big deal.  I decided to wait until 2:00 to go--the snow was suppose to stop by then.

Well--let me tell you what--it was still coming down at 2:00, heavier then this morning and the wind was blowing!  It took me forever to clean off my car and get the windows defrosted and take off.  The semi-highway out in front is usually always clear--not this afternoon.  It was slushy with snow and it was slick under the snow.  The Meijer store is on the right side of the highway, so I just got in the right lane and drove along--I was going about 45, when I had to stop at a traffic light and the car wanted to slide a bit, so I slowed it down to 35.  A better idea anyway as it was practically a white out!!

Got to the store and got everything I needed, and a few more things--as it always seems I do.  Couldn't find just a nut for the flush lever, so I bought a whole new handle kit--cost $7.00.  It is made of plastic, as the original one I had is, but here, in this area of water with a high content of lime, calcium, rust--plastic holds up much better than metal.  It's going to be an easy fix, actually.  Unhook the handle from the chain that goes down to the flapper, put the new handle in, tighten the nut, hook the handle up to the chain.  Easy Peasy.

Of course, it won't be, because--I have a high profile toilet and the bathroom furniture is sits under, makes working in the tank very tight.  I shall prevail however, even if I have to empty everything out of that cabinet and move it out.  No big deal!! (she said).

Loaded up the car with groceries, drove home--even heavier snow then before, brought up the empty garbage can, got the mail, unloaded all the groceries and got in the house.  I was covered with wet, cold snow.  My hair was sopping wet--I have my summer hair cut you know--very short.  All of this misery could be alleviated a bit IF I wore a hat.  And gloves.  And boots.  LOL.  I don't even start wearing a winter coat until Christmas......two days ago, I was outside filling bird feeders and walked down to Pearls in my sweatshirt.  It was 40 degrees--I didn't need a coat.
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Finally got the camera---6 days after promised arrival date.  It is newer then mine, but it is not as nice.  Mine had an eye piece to look through AND the screen--this one only has the screen to hold up in front of you.  Mine had a stabilizer thingie so I could take pictures and not worry about my shaky hand.  This one does not.  BUT--it was half the price of what it would have cost to fix my old one--which had already been repaired two years ago.  I have trouble with the zoom feature--things tend to come out blurry--but that may be my shaky hand.  I did manage to get some pix.

I think I already showed you my school?

The Methodist Church where my grandfather once preached,

my parents were married (and buried), where I was baptized, as

were all my children.  Where I got married, my sister,

and Pammie got married.

My mother planted 5 small pine trees around that church

when I was in first grade.  They are still there, and nearly

70 years old.

The ancestor's house, where sister lives now.

Their yard is full of Maples, so I had to put a Maple

tree in the picture.

I had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to

put Ginger Bread trim along the eaves.  Some goes over

the windows too, but thought it showed too much clutter.

Also got my school bus stitched, with the name of

the town--Byron.

Not a very good picture.  

I remembered to put my dog over by my childhood farm--left side.

So--there it is.  The first eighteen years of my life.  I just wanted to keep adding things--I had such a great time making this.  I still do not know how I did it.  I have never cross stitched anything without a pattern.  My Mother would be amazed (as was my sister, LOL)

Now to stretch it on a piece of foam core and get it into the frame.

Of course, the minute I was done with this, I started the new quilt.

This thing is loooooong.

It will take me a few months to finish--

which is a good thing.

Oh just great--it's still snowing outside.  Oh well--doesn't matter.  I have no where to go until Monday.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.  It is Friday you know--or so my hanging flip cards tell me, LOL.

I Think It Will Help.....

...because--I took card stock paper and on each sheet, I typed in two days of the week, ex. MONDAY, then farther down,  TUESDAY--in 72 font and bold.  Then I cut the pages in half so both were the same size, punched holes in the top, put a piece of heavy duty string through the holes, and now that contraption hangs on my bedroom closet door and when I go to bed, I flip the next card over, so that when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see is--THE CORRECT DAY OF THE WEEK.  and...it really helped this morning.  I knew it was Wednesday all day and was not confused at all, wondering what day it was and if I had something special to do or watch on TV.  

Hey--I may be losing my memory, but I still got my ingenuity!!!
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So--Pearl is constantly yelling at me because I never go anywhere, so this morning, I walked up to her place and sat and chatted with her for over an hour. 

Then I came home and wrote out checks and paid bills on-line.  

My friend from Saginaw called, but she couldn't talk.  She refuses to get the flu shot and now she has the flu and is very, very sick.  I hope it doesn't go into pneumonia!!

Watched my soap and cross stitched.

Then Bethie called to say, she and her hubs were going to a movie in town and she was going to stop out to bring me dry cat food and the loaf of Banana-Nut bread that she forgot at the last luncheon.  It was so good to see her and chat a bit.  That bread is out of this world!!!  It isn't made from any boxed mix that's for sure.  A nice big slice, warmed a bit and slathered with butter (and I mean slathered) was so good, when I finished it, I had to have another big slice!!!
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Then I cleaned up and hauled out my garbage can because--I KNEW it was Wednesday :-)

Ate some Tuna-Mac Casserole that I made yesterday--I actually cooked.  I had Tuna-Mac salad for lunch and Tuna-Mac casserole for supper.  I live such an exciting life.

Then I watched the news, and Wheel of Fortune and (my favorite) Jeopardy and watched MSU beat NorthWestern in basketball.  

During  half-time I called my little sis and we talked for an hour!!!  So nice.
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I got an e-mail from Bethie telling me she was not going to the girls luncheon tomorrow, because..........of all the reasons I had blogged about last month.  I can remember, when we used to get together, we'd sit and talk and laugh and didn't want to leave after two hours.  Now, no one talks, we start looking at our watches as soon as we are done eating, and the only important bit of information is deciding where the next luncheon will be.  Can anyone say, BORING?

About the only reason I even go now is because I get to stop in afterwards and visit with my sister, but not tomorrow--because I decided last month that I wasn't going to go this month, except I had something to give to Bethie and we took care of that this afternoon!

I think your advice was correct--attend every other month or two.
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So what do you all think about that story of the lady who is brain dead, but is pregnant (16 weeks) and by law the hospital can't pull the plug, but her husband and family want too?

Let us hope none of us are ever faced with a decision like that!!!  On the one hand, the woman is truly head, but they can keep her body functioning with life support.

On the other hand, there is another life involved here.  Apparently the baby is still alive.  Can they wait another month or so to see, through an ultra sound, if the baby is viable and could be born via Caesarean?  Man alive--what an awful situation.

Well, enough of all that.  Tomorrow I am going shopping because I am out of milk, Diet Pepsi, wet cat food and I need to see if I can get that part to fix my toilet handle.  

Geez--husband's do come in handy at times!  I can't quite figure out how to fix it and I know, Fred would know right away.

Wish my camera would get here--I have so much to show you!!!

Tuesday--I Think?

Today's  high temperature was:  39 degrees

Sunny

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Seriously friends, I think I am going to type the days of the week on separate sheets, so I can flip over at night, so when I wake up I know what day it is.  I could have sworn, all day today, it felt like a Friday.  I am seriously worried about my mental capabilities!!!
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I was just wondering, last weekend, about Ariel Sharon.  If he were still alive and then, I heard on TV, that he had died.  He has been in a coma for 8 years!  They have kept him on life support for that long, until his organs finally just shut down.  Of course, here in the USofA, he would  have been disconnected from life support.  There had been brain activity, so I don't suppose he was dead all this time...or was he?  I was told, long ago, that a person wasn't completely dead as long as the machine showed brain activity--not until they "flat-lined" were they truly dead.  I get confused by that.  Nowadays with all the machines that are available, is it right to keep someone "alive" as long as possible?  Better in the old days when you went into a coma they just let you go naturally and no one had to make the awful decision to take a loved one off life support.

So glad, I have never had to make that decision.  I know that Fred never wanted to be on life support, but...what would I have done if his heart was still beating and his chest was moving up and down?  I might have thought he might come back?  I might have thought he was still alive?  Oh well--it would have been his kid's decision--thank you God, we never had to make the decision.
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I took this test today--it was fun and I liked my results.
http://gosset.wharton.upenn.edu/mortality/perl/CalcForm.html

When I posted, yesterday, about what I had done--that was not all in one day.  It was accomplished over four days time period.  Sorry if I confused you.

I have a plan!! You know the baby quilts I have been cross stitching?  I have made 3 and started working on the 4th one.  I said they were being put away for any great grandchildren.  I have decided to make 9 of the quilts.  One to go to the first born child of each of my grand children.  I have now released any guilt I had about making these. (Because in reality, they are merely projects to keep me busy).  LOL

I sure wish that camera would get here!!!

Prayers tonight for blogger friends, friends here in Michigan--many very ill with the flu or pneumonia, one friend's mother has sepsis infection and one dear blogger buddy's daughter is in hospital with gastric problems.

I watched Mother Angelica tonight.  My daughter Karen thinks it strange that I, a protestant, would watch a TV show of a Catholic Nun, but...I really like her.  The shows are from the 1990's, as she is no longer on TV.  She is in her nineties now.  I just like her no nonsense advice and how we should live. 

Here is the best I could do on a picture of the baby quilt I am working on.  I had to scan the picture off the kit to show you.  It is a full size quilt, so it will take me many months to finish--which is a good thing.  I love the verse.

See ya tomorrow---Jude

My Goodness

Today's high temperature was:  44 degrees

Sunny

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It has been above freezing for four days and the snow is going fast, which is good because we have an Alberta Clipper with 3 inches of snow coming into tomorrow.  Hey--it's Michigan and it's January.

I can't believe it has been so long since I've blogged.  I have so much to show you, but haven't received my camera from e-bay as yet.  It's coming ALL the way from New York--the seller is using the excuse of bad weather.  Which may be the case, BUT I so miss my camera.  It just occurred to me that I take photos almost every day!

Let's see--I went to the Rich People's store and thanks to Melissa, I got a nice hunk of yellow cake with an inch of wonderful frosting,  a pound of good ground round, and three salads.

Thanks to daughter Pammie, I went to Wal-Mart and got Diet Pepsi on sale, some cat food, milk and other stuff.

Thanks to my sister Susan, I went to Meijer's and got  a whole bunch of groceries.

Thanks to daughter Karen, I stopped at Subway and got supper.

I got my hair cut Saturday--really short--I still can't use to the color--grey and dark in back, but I like it.

I got my childhood cross stitch all done--that is what I want to show you.  I am still amazed at myself--I don't know how I figured it all out, but it turned out great.

I got a full size baby crib quilt on e-bay for $10.00 and have started it already.  It normally would have cost nearly $70.00 new.  I love the verse.

Let me see--what else have I done.

Changed the furnace filter.  

Cleaned the humidifier.

Sprayed my big shower with my special lime removing mixture and scrubbed it and it is shiny and bright.

Visited with Pearl--she's bored with winter.

Watched a DVD of "Safe Haven", the Nicholas Sparks book that I could not read because it was about spousal abuse, the movie was good.

Watched MSU continue to win their basket ball games.

Got a phone call from Pammie.

Had a visit from Dar--she is having very real health problems.

Watched another DVD about Martin Luther--gave me a new understanding of what he did and why.

A visit from my sister and her hubby--sent last year's files home with him to burn--as they had SS number and credit card numbers on them.

Tried to fix the flush handle on my toilet.  Have to get a new part and I think I can fix it myself.

Watched a movie marathon on Hallmark channel this past Sunday--Janette Oak books. Wonderful stories of pioneer women--the Love Comes Softly series.

I think that's about all the high points of my life this past week.  Oh wait--got a good stare from an old guy at the gas station today.  He was rather cute--tall, not too chubby AND, I noticed his sneakers were untied--which is the way Fred always wore his.  

As soon as I get that camera, I will post pictures of the Childhood cross stitch panel.

Later--Jude

Now I Know How My Frozen Foods Feel

-8 to 22 degrees today, down to a balmy -6 tonight.

Wind chill -20

Bright sunshine all day.

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Just as I was to the point of frustration, after five days with 3 feet of snow in front and on top of my car--Tasmanian Devil Snow Boy arrived!!!!!  He hadn't been able to get here because he was snowed in.  He apologized.  I was going to rip into him (or so I had been practicing to do), but of course, I accepted his excuses and even gave him double his normal charge.  Hey--what can I say.  I have blue eyes.  Blue eyed people are kind, caring, sympathetic, and gullible--most of all, gullible, LOL.  (Hey--I saw it on the internet so it must be true!)

They forgot, gullible!

I called the cardiologist office at five to five last night and canceled my appointment.  It took me a month to get it and now I have to wait another month--February 5th.  Good thing it isn't something serious.  Well--I ASSUME it's nothing serious.  That is why I was going--to check and make sure my low pulse rate isn't serious.  It's been low for six months, so it can't be all that serious, or I'd be dead by now.  I think I need to adjust my high blood pressure meds and hoping the doc will agree.

Tasmanian Devil Dan went slower today and did a great job.  He is short in stature, so getting the snow up on top of the already piled high snow banks, was a problem, but he managed.

I am going to the bank, the grocery store and JoAnn's tomorrow---<smile>  AND, it is suppose to be 40 degrees and rainy on Saturday.  Good thing we don't have to worry about flooding here--at least I don't think we do.

Life is not only ironic at times, but I find it quite hysterical.  

As you know, my microwave blew up (complete with blue sparks) just before Christmas.  Then, after the New Year, the humidifier spit it's last bit of moisture out into the air.  A week later, my vacuum sucked its last bit of cat fur and last night, I got my camera to take a picture of my cross stitch, so I could show you and the lens will not open.  I had it repaired 18 months ago for the same problem.

My #1 resolution was; "Do not use the credit card!"

Apparently, I invited Mr. Murphy and his law, into my life by making that vow.  Now, I wonder, what will go next.  Hopefully..........oh I can't even say the words..............please, not that machine that from time-to-time, outputs nice warm air!!!!   

Today, I made the "easy" peanut butter fudge recipe found on Face Book.  It is microwaved.  It turned out nice and smoothly firm, but the taste leaves a lot to be desired.  I threw the recipe away, but now I have a pan of not so good peanut butter fudge and someone will have to eat it.  Guess who?  All the sugar I eat, I am surprised I don't weight 230 pounds or have diabetes!!!  I think probably both of those things are more genetic than anything .

So--I heard on the news that a new extensive study has shown that aspartame is not harmful--good thing as I have been drinking Diet Pepsi since 1977 so I would be near death  AND food made from GMO's is also not harmful.  The latter study done in the UK over many years, with many subjects so I will believe it.  

I have no food allergies.  I pooh-pooh people that say they have Lactose Intolerance or are allergic to Gluten.  I tell them it is all in their heads.  (Just like I did when my friends had morning sickness, which I never had).  Apparently it is not, but sometimes, it seems to me, people are way too concerned with what they ingest.  If it tastes good, I eat it.  I think I am particularly lucky to not have food or other allergies, nor any major diseases, AND a strong immune system at my advanced age.  

The only reason I know of is being raised on a farm, drinking Cod Liver Oil when I was young (I loved the taste, but hate fish) having every childhood disease very hard (what didn't kill me made me stronger) , a good gene pool and pure, dumb luck or the fact that I have never drank alcohol in my  life.  

As I see friends and people my age, dropping like flies, I wonder, "Why not me?"   It will all catch up with me someday, I am sure and--I really will be surprised and shocked!

BTW--I have ordered a camera from e-bay, much like mine but a newer model, more zoom power and only $40.00.  I didn't use the credit card, I used my Pay Pal balance :-)

The Polar Vortex Has Descended Upon Us

I know what you mean Ernestine.  No phone calls from kids here either.  They assume I'm okay until the sheriff or hospital notifies them otherwise, LOL..

A look out my front window this morning revealed this--

16 inches of snow--officially.

That doesn't include the drifts that have occurred

So, I went to my front door to open it and look out and....

I could open it about one inch.

Both front and back doors blocked by at least a foot of snow. 

So, I stuck my camera lens through the opening and took a picture. 

Darlene felt trapped yesterday--well today, I am truly trapped.  Good day to cross stitch or clean house--whichever motivation wins--and we ALL know which one will win, LOL.

My ADHD Tasmanian Devil Snow Shoveler never showed up today.  I am the only person in this park that is still snowed in.  I hope he comes tomorrow or I will have to do some myself.  I just want to clean off my car and start it up and let it run for awhile.

My neighbor Tami, saw me complain on FB about being trapped by the snow packed up on my storm door, so when she was out shoveling her drive, she came over.  Made a path from the street up to my porch and cleaned off the steps, the porch and the snow up on my door.  When I first opened up the storm door, I actually got a feeling that I was free.  I sound like Darlene, LOL.

Now we under the wind chill warning.  It was 9 degrees when I got up--the temps continued to drop and it is now -16.  I have no idea what the wind chill is, but probably near -30.

My house has been making loud popping sounds as the siding contracts.  One was so loud, it raised me off my chair and sent the cats running under the bed.  It sounded like my whole east wall had fallen off the house.  I hope the cement foundation doesn't heave--it has before--that really causes a problem because then, none of the closet doors will shut and the front door will get gee hawed and not open very easily.  Our homes sit on cement blocks, on a cement pad, so if the cement heaves, the whole house gets unleveled and it is very costly to get them leveled again.

Well--let's see what tomorrow brings--okay?

13.5--So Far.

This morning--only 6 inches of snow.

My dear snow removal guy showed up--this time with a snow blower.

 Dear Dan is 47 and has ADHD.  

He goes at any job as fast as he can

When he comes in to get paid, he talks a mile a minute

and he talks forever!  But--he is funny and I like him.

A good thing because--I think I will be seeing a lot of him this winter..

Glad I filled the feeder yesterday as I had a crowd all day. 

This is a standing flower pot I have in my front garden.

It is at least 5 feet tall--so you can see how high the

snow drift is and the foot of snow on the top

This evening when I looked out.

Car is almost completely snowed in. 

13.5 inches

 ...and a picture I just took of my front (computer) room windows.

That is snow blown up on the windows

What all this means is---I have had a couple of lovely days, watching sports and movies and cross stitching to my heart's content.  Still not motivated to clean up this room--maybe tomorrow?  Maybe not. LOL

The snow is supposed to quit around 4 a.m.  I have no place to go until Wednesday, so I don't care.  I love it in fact!!!

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Oh, I gotta tell you.  Darlene called at 3:00.

"How long is this suppose to go on?"

"Until early Monday morning."

"Well, it's getting to me!  I don't like it.  I can't get my back door open there is so much snow on the deck."

"Why do you want to open your back door?"

"What if someone came to my front door and I couldn't get passed them and needed to escape out my back door?"

<Good Grief!>

"Ah--in the first place, who would come to your door that you needed to escape from?  And in the second place, no one is out driving in this blizzard, so no one is going to come to your front door."

"I heard that my daughter was coming to the area this weekend.  What if she comes out here and tries to cause trouble?"

"She's coming here?"

"Yes--to East Lansing."

"Well--Indianapolis is getting this same snow storm, so she won't be going to East Lansing.  Secondly, East Lansing isn't in this area--it is at least thirty-five miles west of here and IF she is there, she certainly is not going to be out driving down the expressway to come and harass you."

"Well--I don't like the fact that I can't get out and drive my car.  I went out and started it just to make sure it would start."

"I thought you just got a new battery for it."

"I did, but I don't trust it, so I had to make sure it wasn't too cold."

"Well, right now, it's 27 degrees out and that isn't cold enough to hurt the battery and cause it not to start."

"Okay."

"Besides, you don't want to be out driving in this kind of weather."

"Well--I don't like being imprisoned!"

<Good Grief!!>

"You aren't imprisoned.  Do you need something?  Are you out of water or food?"

"No."

"Well, just relax.  Take an Ativan, put your feet up and watch a nice movie.  You'll be fine."

"I just want to be able to go for a drive---if I want too."

"You don't want too.  You get out there on the roads and get stuck or slide into the ditch and you would be in big trouble.  You are much safer right where you are."

"Do you think our roof will cave in from all the snow?"

"Not likely."

"What if the power goes out?"

"I've lived here almost eleven years and that has never happened."

"Yeah but--what if it did?"

"Darlene--you have no control over the weather or what happens because of the weather.  Go in your bedroom, lay down and talk to Jesus in the Chair."  (She has a chair by her bed that she swears Jesus sits in and talks to her at night.)

"Then--you aren't worried?"

"No.  Not at all.  They will have us plowed out by morning.  Grand River will be clear by mid-morning.  You don't have to work tomorrow, so--just relax and it will all be all right."

"But...it's suppose to get down to -35 tomorrow."

"I just heard, that is the wind chill.  The real temperature will be in the single digits, but we will be all right."

"It's just driving me crazy not to be able to get out."

"Well--put on your coat and boots and go outside and go for a walk then.  Come over here."

"I don't want to go out in this cold!"

<Good Grief!!!!!!!>

"Hey--don't forget.  Season four of Downton Abbey starts tonight.  Nine o'clock on PBS--a two hour view.  Let me know what you think of it.  Call me in the morning.  Okay?"

"Okay--if I live through the night!"

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Let's all calm down.  It is winter.  It is Michigan.  We are FINALLY getting a "normal" winter and it is going to be a hard winter this year.  Which--if you think of it--will make our spring and summer gardens even more beautiful than last year.  The past winter's where it stayed above freezing, were not good for our perennials or our spring bulbs.

This is a geological cycle--global warming--which causes harsher winters and hotter summers.  Just relax and don't forget to...breathe.  What else can you do?

Let it snow!!!!!