TBT: Throw-Back Thursday

Today's high temperature was:  80 degrees

Cool, cloudy, breezy in a.m.

Hot and humid by 2:00 p.m.

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

My son Mark, at 14 months, watching as the tub filled up with his bath water.

He did love his bathies!

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

In regards to "my Monkey's"--I can't write a book about them and not get sued AND, probably every one would think it was fiction!  LOL

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

Well, I have a conundrum to figure out.  I have been looking at this for the last three years.  Every month, this pile of junk seems to grow.  I see it from every window on the east side: living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

The park rules clearly state that "there will be no outside storage.  Everything must be stored in your shed.  Patio furniture, when not in use, must be stored in your shed.  Wood must be stored, up off the ground, at the back of your home."

This is Tami's home.  This doesn't take into account all the other "stuff" she has on the small lawn space between us; planting real close to the lot line, not realizing that plants are going to grow larger.  

She keeps digging holes and sticking bushes in them, but...she never takes care of anything!  I am hoping, the Smoke Tree she just planted dies from neglect!!!

Any problem we have, here in the park, has to be addressed in written form, signed and turned into the office.  So...last night, after Dar left and I was in a "dammit" mood, I printed out those pictures at the top and typed, "I don't want to cause any trouble and I certainly don't want this person to know I am the one, but, I am so tired of looking at this growing pile of junk every day of my life."  Then I printed out the part of the rules that she is abusing, highlighted them, signed my name and put in an envelope with Rob's name (the manager) on the front.

I still haven't turned it in.  I know that he can probably address it quite easily, just by telling her that "they" noticed the stuff and she has to store it in her shed, (which is already full to bursting.), he wouldn't mention me or show her the photos.  I'm still scared she will find out it was me who turned her in and....to be quite honest, I am scared of her.

Pearl says, "What can she do to you...if she found out?"

I said, "You know her and how she gets.  Who knows what she might do.  Wait until the middle of the night and pour salt in my garden to kill the plants.  Let the air out of my tires.  Who knows."

It's easy for someone else to tell you what to do...when they aren't directly involved.  She has a lot of stuff on Pearl's side too, but Merle and Pearl have trees and bushes that camouflage it from them.

Pearl said, "Well, I talked to her about that mess this summer and told her she better clean it up before the park management sees it.  So, maybe she will think it is me...and I am NOT scared of her at all!"

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

Meanwhile, my Zinnia's are enjoying themselves and giving my neighbor's a nice view--I think.

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

I went out to get my mail and this was what I found.  

After I got through crying, I realized, it is things like this that keep me from wanting to just "off" myself!

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

I walked up to Merle and Pearl's this evening.  Merle was sleeping so she and I went out on their screened in porch to talk.  She is still very concerned with him.

She was playing on the computer and Merle was out in back, caulking a window.  All of a sudden, Pearl got a message on her monitor.  She was disconnected from the Internet.    She looked up and saw that Merle was over by where the cable comes into the bedroom, so she went out and said, "Did you cut the Internet cable?'

"Nope." he said

So she came back in.  She said she saw him with a black cable in his hand.

He later came in and said, "Yes...I cut the cable, but it was an accident."

So, I'm wondering why in the world would he cut the cable in the first place, when all he was supposed to be doing was caulk the bedroom window.  Pearl is wondering why in the world he would lie to her.  Something is just not right with him.    Is he getting senile too?

Then she said something to me that really meant a lot.  She talks quite soft, or she asks me a question while her head is turned, or on the phone, she mumbles and I am constantly saying, "What?"

When I do that, she gets on my case. "I wish you'd get a hearing aid.  You are deaf, Girl!"

So tonight she said, "Do I speak too soft or mumble?  It seems that a lot of people are saying 'What?' to me when I'm talking to them."

"So--I'm not the only one?"

"No...and I want to apologize for telling you that you're deaf.  I think it's the way I speak."

Maybe she finally realizes?

Then she said, "Did you know my left leg is shorter than my right one?"

"No."

"You haven't noticed how I limp when I walk?"

"Yes.  Maybe you need to wear a lift insert in your left shoe."

"Oh...I have one."

"YOU HAVE ONE AND YOU DON'T USE IT??  My Gawd, Girl--that would help your back so much!"

"Do you think that would help?"

"Oh Pearl.  Don't you remember when I had to wear one in my left shoe....before I had my second hip surgery?"

"Yes.  Why did you wear it."

"Because, my left leg was shorter and I could hardly walk because my back hurt so much.  Put that lift in and see if it helps.  Please!"

"It might not fit in these shoes."

"So--wear a different pair and see if it helps.  Do it tomorrow--just wear it around the house and see.  Please?"

So--who knows--right?

================    

A Day At The Circus

Today's high temperature was: 77 degrees

Sunny.  Breezy.  Beautiful

==================================
Well Friends--I can go around all day muttering, "Not my circus.  Not my monkey's", but it appears that I am the RingMaster of this circus and I DO have to interact with the crazy monkey's

9:30 a.m. phone rings.   It was Monkey #1.  Pearl

"I saw you go with Dar last night.  What did ya do.  Go to a movie?"

"No.  She invited me to supper.  We went to Applebee's"

"I thought you couldn't afford to eat out!"

"She paid."

"Oh...so now I suppose she's your best friend?"

"No.  She's not my best friend.  I had helped her with something and she wanted to re-pay me I guess."

"Well!  Did you have a great time?"

"It was all right.  We just ate, talked a bit and came home."

"Oh.  I was wondering if you'd like a bouquet of blossoms off my Snow Ball bush."

"Sure.  I'd love some."

 Yes...I know.  It is not a Snow Ball bush, it is a Hydrangea, but we aren't going to argue about it.

A nice bouquet and I was informed that I was not to throw them away, but wait for them to dry and change colors.  Which I do every year, when she gives them to me...apparently she has forgotten. 

 Such pressure I am under.  I know she will look every time she comes down here, LOL.

=======================
Monkey #2, Tami--arrived on my porch around 2:00.

She had seen Monkey #3 (Dar) in the store the other day and when Dar greeted her, Tami said, "My name is Tah Mar Ah.  That's what's on my birth certificate.  I wish people would call me by my right name!"

We were all introduced to her as Tami.  So, that is what we call her.  Now that she's a Vampire, I guess she wants to be called Tamara?

When I saw her, I went to the door and said, "Hi TAMI.  What's up?"

"Did you see the tree cutting guys this morning?"

"Yes."

"Where did they cut trees?"

"I know they trimmed some branches off Mike's Maple tree.  I don't know where else they went."

"Mike?  Who the hell is Mike?"

"Our neighbor on the other side of me.  On the corner."

"Oh.  Well why in the hell didn't they take down that pine tree I want cut?"

"I don't know, TAMI.  Are you on the list up at the office?"

"Yeah.  I been on the damn list since last summer."

"I don't know.  I guess you will have to call the office."

"Oh yeah!  I have never been late with my rent...well a couple of times, but....maybe that's why they aren't taking that tree down.  It's putting moss on my roof.  I need it out of there.  The squirrels get up there and throw the pine cones down on the roof and the ground.  I gotta pick all them bas***** up and the noise. I'm as good as anyone in this d*** park!   Yeah, I'm gonna call the office and I am going to ream them a new a**hole.  You just watch.  Those guys will be out here before the end of next week.  I'll lay money on it!"

and off she stomped.  Tami doesn't ever "walk"--she stomps...everywhere.
=========================

Monkey #3 (Dar) didn't show up until 7:30.

"Connie is telling everyone that SHE bought the house!   She claims she paid fifty thousand for it!"

"The house?  Oh...you mean...your place?  And...who is everyone?"

"My sister-in-law, Mary! "

"And...why do you care?"

"She sent me twenty thousand to buy that place.  I got a great deal.  Now....."

"Is she listed as the owner?"

"Both our names are on the title.  She won't sign off, so it can be in my name alone!  She wants ME to buy her out!"

"But...she is the one who bought it?  Did you contribute money too?"

"I put in a thousand!  I bought it so she and her kids could get away from her husband and we all could live together.  Her and the four kids!"

"Well...that was your first mistake.  You know mother's and daughter's can't live together."

"Yeah and now Jeffery is texting my brothers and crying to them that I won't see him or talk to him while he's drinking and using drugs."

"Okay."

"I just don't know what to do.  If you see him over there...call the police."

"I thought he didn't have a car."

"He doesn't....but you just never know.  He might hitch-hike out here."

"I don't think that's very likely, but.............."

"And now Lisa has unfriended me on Face Book."

"Lisa?"

"Yes--my oldest daughter.  The queer one...ah...Lesbian....that lives in North Carolina.  Connie is filling her head with lies and nonsense and Lisa told my sister-in-law that she is now remembering instances of when she was little and I was abusive to her."

 "Hm-mm."

"Now, Michael won't accept any of my calls or texts.  Neither will Cindy."

"I don't know who Cindy is."

"Michael's wife.  She has cancer.  Remember?  I drove clear up to their place last summer with clothes for the kids and furniture and stuff I got from the Salvation Army...when I worked there."

"Yes...I remember.  Why is Michael mad at you?"

"He didn't like it when I told him they weren't bringing up their kids right!  Do you know....Cindy had their last baby out under the Maple tree in their back yard!  They are Vegans now.  She home schools them.  Michael said I was interfering and to not contact them again!"

"So...why are you contacting them again?"

"I'm done!  I wrote a seven page letter and made copies to send to all of them....except I don't know Connie's address, but I think Mary has it and the next time I am there---I am going to sneak around and find it!"

"I thought you did that last year."

"No...that was at Pat and Terry's house.  I went to the bathroom, but I used the one in their master bedroom and I looked through drawers until I found Jeffery's address."

"Oh.  Well...I don't think your letter to them is going to help.  They will only think that you are justifying things and probably....it's not at all the way they remember their life with you."

"Oh no.  I explained it all.  I told them why I neglected them when we lived with Cleveland."

"Cleveland.  I didn't know you ever lived in Cleveland."

"NO!  The guy I lived with for twenty years!  The black guy that played with the Globetrotters.   The guy I escaped from when I moved to Michigan.."

"Oh."

"We had a huge mansion.  He didn't like having the kids around.  He stayed in the master suite all day long and he wanted me in there with him.  It was just like a living room, bedroom, kitchen all in one.  He didn't care if the kids were in every other room in the house...he just wouldn't allow them in our room."

"So...who took care of the kids?"

"Oh...we had a cook and a woman who took care of them."

"For twenty years...you all lived like this?"

"Yes.  It was terrible on the kids, but.......it's not my fault!"

"Well...Dar...calm down.  Let's talk about this.  It IS your fault that you kept them in that kind of situation for twenty years.  All the time they were growing up.  They only see that.  To them...they grew up without a mother.  You told me that you didn't speak to your mother for thirty years...until just before she died.  Why didn't you speak with her or have a relationship with her?"

"Because, she was never there for me.  I'd come home from school and she was in her room.  She never cooked for us...my Daddy did all that.  My Aunt had to take me shopping to get my first bra.  I grew up without a Mother."

"You didn't really...she was in the house.  You felt like you grew up without a mother...just like your kids feel about you."

<I think I saw a flash of light as the bulb went off and settled in her mind.>

"Oh Dear Lord!"

"You had a rough life.  I had a rough life.  We both figured it out and here we are...still standing.  Your kids are going to have to do the same.  They have to figure it out for themselves and nothing...you say or do, will fix it."

<she nods>

"Step back.  Don't write them explanations---it won't help and it might make things worse.  Mellow out!  Quit bugging them!   If they call or text you with nasty comments--don't respond.  You are playing their game.  All you can do is wait and see...just like you did with your Mother."

"and pray."

"Yes."

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Other than tending to the monkey's--it has been a really nice day :-)

  

We Never Know Who We Might Impact

A pretty nice day, after the humidity went away

I have thought about this all day.  I was amazed and dumbstruck by Vickie's comment yesterday.  This silly little blog and my inane words somehow helped her in a time of need.  How weird is that?  Or...was it a God Whisper that took my words to her?  I believe in that sort of thing.  Too many "happenings" would never have happened, if God had not had a hand in it.  Thank you for telling me that Vickie.  You have no idea what an impact your comment has had on my mind!

I need to be more careful what I write, I think.
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I have found something like that in my own reading of other's blogs.  A chance posting they made and I read it and think, "OHMYGOSH!  I feel the same way!"  Or they will post something that lifts my spirit and adds joy to this lonely life.  All the bad stuff on the Internet, but this...this is the good stuff and thank goodness for the Internet, or we would never have this close communication and connection.


I did something tonight that none of you would or could guess in a gazillion years!!!  I went out to supper with Dar!

She was here last night until nearly 10:00.  Her son had called and left a message yesterday, around noon, that he was done!  "This time, Mom, I am really done.  I just realized that the reason I have no friends and no one in the family wants to be with me is because, I am a flighty, nasty, stinking drunk.  I just threw out a bottle of just opened Gin and I.  Am. Done!"

She was elated, but by the time she had an opportunity to return his call...she could tell he was drinking again.

She came over here--all hyped up, not knowing what to do and while she was here, he kept texting her.  About, how no one in the family would answer his phone calls today.  How she didn't love him enough to call him back (she was at work).    She texted him back about how she did love him...all the family loved him.  They felt so bad for him...on and on.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I said, "Quit answering his texts!  He is trying to make his drinking all your fault and...you are playing right into his hands and enabling him."

"But--doesn't he need to know that I love him?"

"You already told him that."

Then he texted back, "I've got my hand on the cap of a bottle of Gin.  You wouldn't call me back.  You don't love me, so I am going to drink!"

She looked at me, "What should I do?"

"Tell him, 'Go to your AA meeting...right now.'"

So she did and he quit texting her.

We talked for another hour.  I came in the computer room and we searched on the Internet to find an Al Anon meeting for her!

Then her phone beeped again and he was texting her, telling her how he just had sex with a girl...going into minute', filthy details.

"Turn your phone off!" I said.

"What if someone calls me?"

"It's nine-thirty at night.  It will go to voice mail and you can read it when you get home."

We talked for a bit more, about enabling, what it is, what she needs to do, on and on.
==============
This morning, she came over around 10:00 and invited me out to supper tonight.

"I owe you a lot.  You got me through last night and I feel much better this morning.  I want to take you out to supper."

So, we went out to Applebee's and shared a 2 for $20, which she paid for.  It wasn't too bad either.  We didn't talk about any of "our" problems.  She gave me a running commentary on when she lived in Greece and about her raise at work.  Then she said something really weird,

"I am such a boaster!  I'm not a good listener either.  I come over to visit you or I go visit Jackie or Shelia and all I do is boast about this and that--what I bought or what a wonderful person I am.  That's just wrong!!!  The Lord laid it on my heart this morning, that I need to learn to shut my mouth and listen, instead of always wanting to talk about myself!"

I had not one idea of what to reply!  So I said, "I've felt that way about myself a lot of times.  I'll be driving home from lunch with the gal pals and I will think, "Geez!  All I did was yak, yak, yak!"

"But you never boast about yourself."

"I was brought up that ya don't "toot your own horn.  If I ever said something real boastful about myself, someone in my family would turn and say, "So...whadda ya want.  A medal?"


It wasn't such a bad time.  She does tire me with her incessant, loud talk, but..........all in all, it was pretty good.

I do think she may have ulterior motives however.  As we were driving out, Judy L. was outside and Dar slowed down and waved--like she wanted Judy L. to see that she is not Dar's only friend?

I may have been used again.  Like I was in my dream about the President?

Weird Weekend

HOT AND HUMID AND HOTTER AND MORE HUMID!!

I don't understand Labor Day at all!  It's not like Memorial Day or July Fourth--it's......what is it?  

Okay--it's a Federal Holiday, so people in the government and banks and attorneys and people like that don't work.  I don't even think of them as laborers.  

Started in 1894--after murderous strikes and workers being killed and all.  Then our labor unions took it and ran with it.  A day off for the factory workers.  Except--every factory worker I ever knew worked on Labor Day to get time and a half pay!  And, you gotta work the day before and the day after to get that Holiday pay.

Farmers sure don't get the day off.  Employees at stores and restaurants, don't get the day off.  People in health care, don't get the day.  Who the heck gets the day off?  AHA--the salaried people.

The Big Wigs at GM, and Chrysler and Ford.  The Government workers.  The lawyers.  The Bankers.

No laborer gets the day off.  I guess it's too celebrate the end of summer?  Yet, summer doesn't end until September 21st.  Weirdest Holiday I ever heard of!

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

You want to hear something else even weirder?  I had a dream that I was with President Obama!  A sex dream!  He never even took his clothes off and afterwards, he smiled, got up and walked out to give a press conference.  I watched him on TV, while I was getting myself put back together.

Now what does all that mean?

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

I haven't spoken to another living soul in three days!!!  It was so quiet, when I woke up Sunday morning, not even any noise from the expressway a mile away.  No one mowing their lawn.  No yapping dogs.

I just lay in bed--trying to hear something--nothing.  Total quietness.  I pondered for a moment if the Rapture had occurred and I was Left Behind.  I HAD to get up and look outside to see if I could see anyone! 

Jackie was gone.  Dar was gone.  No cars at the new neighbors.  Even the Vampires had flown off somewhere.  Creepy. (around noon the Vampires returned with the female doing her normal screeching--all back to normal.)

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

I did a lot of crying yesterday.  Not yowling, sobbing crying, just tears flowing at different times of the day.  I am so lonely for a hug.  Not just any hug.  I want a real man kind of hug.  One that is nice and strong and lasts for a few minutes.  

I still think there needs to be a business where you could "hire" people for things that you need.  A handy man to trim the hedges or drain the hot water heater.  A guy who would come out and watch the ballgame with me and whoop and holler when our team scored.  A nice lady who would come out and paint my toenails and fingernails for me, because I can't with my shaky hand.  A young kid you could call, who would come out and play a few games of Backgammon or play his guitar while you sang along.  A guy you could call when you need a big, strong hug.  

So many things we lonely widows need.  Women who are living alone because they are divorced, don't seem to need the emotional things that widows do.  I really miss the companionship of a man.  I don't want all the other stuff that goes along with it.  I don't want someone to sleep with.  I certainly don't want sex.  I don't want a man living here all the time.  I just want an "occasional" man--with his smile and his deep voice and his nice strong hug...and perhaps a kiss or two.  <sigh>

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I posted on Face Book that I could see the new neighbor's TV from my front windows and that didn't even watch the Tiger baseball game.

Now, people are accusing me of being a Peeping Tom.  This is not so!  When I look out my front window, this is what I see.

It's not my fault they don't close their shades!

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

  

A Really Nice Day

High temperature today was: 73 degrees

Sunny with a nice breeze.

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

33 years and 5 kids ago, this young couple were married,

at 4:00 in the afternoon, at the MSU Alumni Chapel

They sure got it right.

Wonderful marriage, kids and life.

Then, this morning I find out on Face Book, that

grandkid #1 and #3 are in Spain!

A friend of mine--much younger, was on Face Book telling a story about her grandma and after I commented, she commented back this.  How very nice of her.  My mother has been gone 44 years and it is always a thrill when someone remembers her and tell me what a lovely lady she was.  <sigh>

• 10 mins · Like
• 

  Patricia Adler Judith Miller . HERE is a story for you. When I was,a little girl there was a lady at my church who was tall, beautiful, and was,always dressed in lovely clothes. I thought if I could grow up and be like that kind gracious lady I would be so happy. That was your Mom. I still think she was a lovely person.

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I'm not a spontaneous person at all!  I like things scheduled--I like to plan.  My little sister called today at 12:45 and said she was coming this way to Bed, Bath and Beyond and JoAnn's and wanted to know if I wanted to run into town with her.  I had to think about it for a few--which is just so stupid of me!

"Sure," I said.

"Okay.  I'll pick you up at two,"

"Good,  I won't have to miss my Soap."

"Oh!  Good Grief!" she said as she hung up.

She arrived at 1:58.  Then realized, she had left her JoAnn coupons at home.  So, I jumped on the computer, found them and printed them out and we were on our way!

We weren't gone very long and only spent about 90 minutes total time together, but we sure enjoyed it.  She got me out of this house--which is important.  As the older sister, I have always felt I had to take care of her and make sure she was always all right.  Now, it seems the roles have reversed.  
=======================

I'm watching the first MSU football game tonight.  I can just imagine how my Brighton band kids feel, that got accepted for the MSU marching band.  I'll bet when they stepped out onto that field for pre-game, their hearts were pounding!!  Not really my grand kids--but friend's of Maddie's that started calling me Grammie and I loved, as much as my own.

====================
Got an e-mail from Karen.  "We are all fine.  On our way up north for the weekend.  We've been so busy."

Apparently way too busy for a 10 minute call, once in a while,  to see if Mom is still breathing?  Someone said, "well,  you call them!"  Every time I try that, they either aren't at home, or I leave a message and they forget to call me back.

I am getting more and more discouraged that my own children somehow don't have time for me.  They encouraged me to move down here to be near them and their children--so, here I am.  Where are they?

• 
  

Beautiful Day

Today's high temperature was: 71 degrees

Not a cloud in the sky!

Sunny and a nice breeze.

My kind of weather!

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

Balisha had a great post this morning.  You might want to bop over and read it.  I completely agree.

I woke up to an e-mail message that someone had purchased Chrissy's cookbook AND children's book.  It is my job to ship them, so I got right on it.  They were packaged, postage taped on and in my mail box for pick-up by 10:30.  YAY!!!

Which reminds me--I have a few of my own children's book left.  Why don't I put them on Amazon?  DUH.
================
Pearl walked down for a visit this morning.  We had a really nice chat.  Apparently Merle is going in for a Sleep Apnea overnight test at the hospital next week.  I have been trying to get him to do this for 2 years!!!  He snores all night long and has fallen out of bed a couple of times.  If he is waking up several times a night, because he stops breathing, that could very well be the reason he is so tired.  Fred had it done, got the small bi-pap machine, and both of us slept better.  I hope this is the ONLY reason Merle is not feeling well.  They sure can't find anything wrong with him otherwise.  His thyroid is perfect.  His doc did take him off the Statin drug he was taking, because Merle's legs were cramping and feeling weak.  

We'll get that guy up and running yet!  LOL
=======================

Debbie made my day yesterday!  She left a comment on Face Book that her grandson often asks his mother to read my children's book to him.    I rarely get feed-back about any of my books.  At Christmas, I gave one to each child and grandchild of mine and my nephew and his kids.  Not one word on what they thought of it.  I began to wonder if they even enjoyed it--did anyone enjoy it?

I can remember when I told my family that I had written a children's book and it was going to be published!  There was a certain condescending pat on the head with, "Oh, that's nice."  My Daddy said, "Are you gonna make any money off it?"  That was it.  

I got the same reaction when I told them that I had built a website of stories for children to read--nothing.  I don't think any one of them ever visited my website.

A lot of writer's in my family, but never a published one and there was no excitement or anything.

There was a publisher who liked it enough to make it into an e-book.  There was another one that wanted to put it into print format.  That should reassure me that it was a "good" book...one that THEY thought kids would enjoy.   It's not like I self-published the book only because I thought it was good, But............. 

So, thank you Debbie for letting me know at least, the book is read, more than just once :-)
=========================
I have been getting messages and photos from my "adopted" grandkids--who are now in college and auditioning for marching band.  So far--all of them have made it!!

Brian made it into the University of Michigan Marching Band--horn section

Drew made it into the Central Michigan University Marching band. AND concert band--horn section.

Kyle is now a Michigan State University Marching Spartan

...and my favorite Matt-is playing Trombone with the Michigan State University Marching Spartans and practicing to be their Drum Major next year!

=================
I'm a bit worried about my "real" grand daughter, Madeleine.I didn't receive a Thank You card after her graduation open house. I mentioned something about it to her on her 18th birthday, August 1st.  She assured me she had sent them out, but my sister didn't receive one either.  I thought maybe she had my address wrong or something.  Maddie said, "I'll send you two, Gramma.  One for graduation and one for my birthday gift."  I haven't received anything.

I private messaged her on Face Book to see if she was in college and have heard nothing back.  This worries me.  I guess I will e-mail Karen or call her and see if everything is all right.

Very strange.  I have received really nice Thank You notes from my "adopted" grandkids--none from my own.
===================
It's going to be 55 degrees tonight.  I might have to close my bedroom window. :-)

Relief From The Heat

Today's high temperature was:  74 degrees

Today's humidity was:  47%

Beautiful!  All windows and doors are open

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I make spaghetti sauce, each Christmas, for the men on my list--4 quarts, frozen in two- 2 quart bags.  Last year, it just did not turn out well.  It was way too thin and runny and a bit greasy.  The last few months, I have made small batches to see what I might have been doing wrong.  I think I figured it out, as this last batch was nice and thick, didn't run off the cooked spaghetti and was very tasty.  Good thing because in November, I have to start making this stuff= 32 quarts, at 5 quarts at a time.

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Got another one of Chrissy's books up on amazon.  This time a children's book.  It's a cute story.

Here's the LINK.  Also in a Kindle Version here..
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My sister gave me some bounty from her garden.  I love sweet corn!  I always boiled it in a kettle.  What a pain.  Get the pan out, fill with water, wait for it to boil, insert corn, wait for it to cook--for 2 ears of corn.  Then I read a post on Bella's blog.  She told of how her husband, wraps the cleaned ear in paper towel, drenches it with water, put in the Microwave and--6 minutes later--it is done.

I tried it,  OHMYGOSH!!  It is steamed and moist and delicious!!

I twist the ends of the paper towel.  It reminds me of a Tamale :-)







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I learned something new today.  It is NOT called cement.  It is properly called concrete.  Cement is the powder they use to make concrete.  Who knew?  I've called it cement all my life.  I thought concrete was something stronger--with re-bar or something.

 It's almost like a work of art or a dance that guy in yellow does with that long "float".

When they were all done--of course the urge came back of wanting to run over there and put my hand print in the lower left corner of the wet cement concrete.  Instead, I saw Bob walk out of the house, so I scooted over for a snoop chat.

I said, "Don't you want to put your initials or the date in that wet cement?"

"Yep!  We always did, when we were kids.  Guess I'd better not now.  The park paid for that parking space."

"Are you going to put in a sidewalk?"

"Yep.  From the parking space, along to the front door.  Plus we have another parking spot for our son, over by the end of the house, probably run a sidewalk up from that too.  We have to pay for all of that."

"Well...if you have to pay for it...then you can put your initials and the date down at that end."

He laughed.

"Are you putting in a new front porch?"

"Yep.  We're putting in a deck, from the back porch here....all along the front over to just the other side of the front door.  Those steps are just temporary."

"I gotta tell ya, Bob.  I'm relieved!  We were afraid you were going to keep those ugly steps!"

He laughed, "Oh my Gawd, no!  They are just so we can get in the house.  The deck will look real nice.  White just like the back porch.  Probably put a roof over it too--I don't know for sure yet.  My youngest son and I are going to build it.  I can't work with Rob (the manager), we fight," (I had noticed the tiff going on Sunday morning.)

"Well...it's going to look really, really nice." I said.
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So, now we know....the ugly steps are going to be gone!!!!  

These people have a lot of money.  I'm afraid Jackie, Pearl and I are going to have to move out of the neighborhood!!  It's getting awfully fancy around here.  LOL