Lovely

I got to see Maisey yesterday.  John was taking her for her morning walk and when they got to my driveway, she stretched out her leash and headed toward the porch.  I was in this front computer room, so I stepped out on the porch.

Maggie (my cat) always comes to the screen door and she and Maisey talk through the screen.  John and I sat on the porch chairs and chatted.  He didn't have to work at the school yesterday, but he had promised a friend, with mild dementia, that he would come over and stay with the guy, while the wife went grocery shopping.  After that, he had to make a meal to take to an older couple--he does that the first Wednesday of every month.   

First he had to go to Meijer to get ingredients for the chicken noodle soup he was going to make for them and to the Brighton Bakery as the old couple like some kind of special bread and the bakery keeps it back for John to buy.  Then after all that, he wanted to go to church.

He goes to church every Sunday and Wednesday and sometimes to a group supper there on Saturday nights.  The group usually goes out to supper and a movie.

John is the middle of 13 children.  No wonder he likes to talk so much.  He probably didn't get enough attention when he was a kid.
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I planted the rest of my Impatiens and crocheted most of the day.  I had to run into Brighton to get more yarn.  Another 5 more strips and it should be done and, it is pretty.  Periwinkle, Plum and variegated yarn with those two colors in it.

I got around 5:00 and the phone rang.  It was Karen.  She and my oldest grand daughter, her daughter Helene were over to Jen's helping "stage" the house for an open house this weekend.  She told me that Elise's last band concert was at 6:30, if I wanted to go.  I washed up and jumped into some nice pants and top and went.

WOW!!  I was impressed with this 5th grade band.  kids!  Usually a 5th grade band concert--this is the first year the kids have learned how to play their instruments, doesn't sound all that great.  This band sounded as good as my kids band when they were in 8th grade.  

Elise plays her Mom's flute--that $400.00 one I bought for Jen when she was in 10th grade.  I noticed that Elise sits up straight in her chair AND she doesn't tap her foot to the beat, which I was always taught was a "no-no", so I was very proud of her.  She came up into the bleachers to sit with us, when her band was done.

Jennifer, Me, Elise, Helene, Karen

My oldest and youngest grand daughter's.

Note how tall Elise is.  5th grade--11 years old.  Helene is as tall as me.  I think I have mentioned before that it has always been a thing of pride in my family if the grand kids can be as tall as Mimi/Gramma.  I'm really glad that I am tall so the grand girls think it's okay and aren't a bit embarrassed about their height, like I was.  I had such a lovely time with part of my family.

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I got home around 8:00 and when I walked up on the porch, there by the door was a plastic container filled with chicken noodle soup--and it was still warm.  I carried it in, took the top off and ate half the container, as I had no supper.

Man...it was delicious.  I think the best chicken noodle soup I have ever had.  

Jackie, across the street, had arrived home from a weeks vacation this morning.  I had gathered her mail and watched her home and I figured she had made the soup for me.  Then..................I remembered about John saying he was making chicken soup for the old couple.  But--could a mere man cook like this?

So I called him.

"Hi, is this the Meals on Wheels man who left chicken noodle soup at my door for my supper?"

"Meals under wheels," he said.

"John!  This is the very best chicken noodle soup I have ever had!  I had to leave before I ate supper, I was hungry when I got home and... I just ate half  of it!"

"Well... I made so much...took about three meals worth over to the elderly couple, ate some myself and thought maybe you'd like some."

"Thank you so much.  I have been wishing I could find someone who would cook for me.  Are you taking orders?"

"What do you want?  Chili?  Potato Soup?  Shepard's Pie?"

"Shepard's what?"

"Shepard's Pie.  You make it out of sheep.  Do you have sheep on the farm?" (Hah, hah.)

Then he went on to explain how it's made--I've never had it and it didn't sound too good to me, but...if he ever makes it--I sure will try it.

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Okay, so John goes to church 2-3 times a week.  He reads his Bible every day.  He is an animal lover.  He mows lawns for his neighbors and cleans out their snow piled driveways FREE and...HE COOKS!  Plus, he gives great hugs and has kissable cheeks.  Hm-mm.

But, he talks too much and for too long.  He's only 5'6" and only 71 years old.  Hm-mm. 

I say, keep him as a platonic friend.  Right?

If he goes to church and reads his Bible that much, he wouldn't want unmarried sex anyway.  Right?

So I don't have to be scared of him?

Mid-Week

I have the hardest time finding titles for these posts.  I had the same problem when I was writing children's book--thus two books with the word "Treasure" in them.

My wee sis had her two Grand Girls come for a visit.  She let them put all the furniture back in the dollhouse.  She thought perhaps they'd play with it for an hour or so---SIX HOURS.  She tried to draw them into another activity, but they wanted to play with the doll house.  I am soooooo glad I gave it to her now, instead of waiting until I am dead.  Makes my heart smile knowing that two little girls are enjoying it, like so many little girls have in the past 70 years!
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I am becoming suspect of John.  He has no grammar skills, and you know that drives me crazy.  He uses "went" when he should say "gone".  Occasionally he says, "I seen that".  Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.  He also hasn't watched TV in a year!  What kind of nut case is that?  He doesn't know how the sports teams are doing, nor does he know what is going on in the news.  He has no clue as to the names of the flowers growing in his gardens.  He loves all kinds of animals, even snakes! He doesn't own a recliner?  How can a man exist without his recliner!  

He isn't at all like Fred, which is probably the problem and also a good thing.  He does make me laugh--loud, deep laughter, snorting giggles, and that's really the only thing I need from him.
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Frank ambled by this morning.  I wonder if he and Agnes have ever met on their walks?

Wait. What?

All sorts of stuff going on in my head today.

I wish I looked this good!

Can you imagine the torment he has gone through all his life?  Bruce Jenner was a fantastic athlete--I loved him in the Olympics.  Now, he is a beautiful woman and I'll bet he is much happier.  I think of the physical pain he has suffered to get the womanly body he feels he was born to have. 

Some people go through money and pain for plastic surgery to look younger.  Most of the time, they look kind of strange and would better have just aged gracefully.  A lot of times, what they see in the mirror with their new look, is not what people see when they look at them.  Just look at Kenny Rogers.  GEEZ LOUISE--he would be much better looking if he had left himself alone.

Bruce Jenner, spent the money and went through the pain for a "real" reason, not a selfish one, in my opinion.  

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I had to run up to Wal-Mart to pick up my prescription.  I don't know many people in this area, so when I shop, I am not looking around to see if someone I know is in the store.  Today, as I was checking out, the lady ahead of me in line turned and said, "Well Hello, Judy."  A lovely lady from my home town that I have known all my life--graduated two years after me.  She is just as beautiful as she was in high school--perhaps more beautiful.  We hugged and chatted a little bit.  It was a wonderful gift in my otherwise ordinary day.

I did check out the garden area and they had 6 packs of Impatiens for $1.72 each, so I got a couple packs to plant in between my Hostas in the area under my Lilac bushes.  As I remember right, Impatiens look beautiful planted in with Hostas.

Back when I could afford it and could bend over to plant it, I bought 5 flats of Impatiens and planted in that area because I wanted masses of color.  Three years ago, when I had to divide some Hostas, I put them in this area.  Easier to car for.  I would like to put down some dark brown mulch, but don't know if I have it in me.  The kids did it three years ago for me, but.....................

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This is Agnes.  She walks so fast it was hard to get a picture of her.  Luckily I was inside and didn't have to talk listen to her.

Last month, when I had supper with Karen, I noticed she was wearing her high school class ring.  I was kind of glad to know she still had it, it cost quite a bit, and she said she found it in her jewelry box and decided to wear it again.

Two weeks ago, I found my class ring, in a little crystal glass where I have the rings and earrings I wear most of the time.  I decided to start wearing it.  Last week, when I went out to visit my wee sister, I noticed she was wearing her class ring too!

What's up with all this wearing of our class rings.  Maybe, because we can't afford plastic surgery, we are once again wearing our rings to feel younger?

Mine is nearly 60 years old--a bit worn down on the Eagle emblem on top, and a bit big (can you lose weight in your fingers?)  I weighed 120# when I first put this ring on.

Good Grief!!  I need plastic surgery on my hands!! 

No wait.  I need plastic surgery on my nose--it's too wide.  No wait.  I need my eyelids lifted.  No wait.  I need plastic surgery on my neck--no, it looks pretty good.  My boobs!  That's where I need it.  Breast reduction and get these puppies from a 40DD down to a nice C cup.  Then of course, there are places on my thighs I need the skin tightened and of course---take down the stomach to pre-pregnancy size.  

Where in the world would I stop?  I could have all the work done on my face and neck, but hands are where the real age shows and I don't think they have plastic surgery for that--or do they.  

Well--at least I'd look nice in my casket!! HAH!

  

June

"Go With Flow"--where are you?  You haven't posted in an age and a half and I'm worried about you.
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I love it when a new month starts on a Monday.  It helps me feel more mentally knowing what day it is all month.  

Saturday morning, it was rainy and so muggy.  I closed up the windows and turned on the A/C.  Late Saturday afternoon, a cold front came through.  I turned off the A/C and opened windows and the front door.   Saturday evening at 10:00, I was cold--it was 49 outside.  Closed up the windows and door.  11:00, it was cold inside, so...I turned on the furnace.

Sunday, the highest the outside temp here was 49 degrees.  Back wearing sweatshirts, jeans, sox and slippers inside!

Today--it looks like no rain and a bit of cloudy sun, maybe into the 60's.

My lawn mowing guy arrived early, 8:00, and woke me up--thankfully, because he always checks to see if I want my lawn mowed.  If he doesn't get an answer at my door, he doesn't do it.  I jumped into my clothes, opened the door and gave him the "thumbs up" sign.  From now on, he will put me on the same schedule as Dar and Jackie and mow every other Monday.  $20.00 a time.  I owe him $80.00 for May--YIKES!  Used to could afford that every week mow job...can't now!
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John called last night.  He was going to his sister's, about 80 miles north of here, for his nephews' graduation open house.  He was taking Maisey.  I asked him how his day trip was.  

He got about five miles from home when he remembered that he hadn't remembered to grab the graduation card on his way out the door--because he was worried about Maisey and had sat up a nice, blanket and box for her to lay in on the passenger front seat.

Came back, let Maisey out of the car to pee, got the card, back in the car and off he went.

Up by Flint, some 20+ miles, Maisey had a mini-seizure and threw up all over the area she was in.

"I had a migraine by then, so I just turned around and came home!  Maisey gets nervous when she goes in the car.  I shoulda known better!"

I told him he could get a mild tranquilizer from her vet for her and a mild tranquilizer from his doctor for him!
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Pretty quiet around here today.  I did a load of towels and rugs.  Tried to find something to eat for lunch--Old Mother Hubbard am I.

Watched my Soap and then started at 2:00 to vacuum, dust and in general, clean up this house!

I have a specially-made rug in front of the cat litter box that is "supposed" to catch the tiny pieces of litter off the cats paws, when they exit their bathroom.  I don't care how well it works, and it works pretty well, there is always little pieces of litter over the living room.  As they walk from computer room into living room, the rug by the front door catches some and the first half of the living room carpet catches, what is left in the crevices of their paws.

Plus, my carpeting is old and worn and if I don't vacuum every few days, it looks even more old and worn.  It had been 7 days since I vacuumed.  Plus, dried up helicopter's off the Maple tree had been tracked in.

It's also been a while month since I've dusted everything, so that needed to be done and knick knacks sitting on "things" also needed dusting.

It ended up being a two hour straight cleaning session.

I should be glad I live in a small house.  When I lived in my two-story house, I did a room a day and 3 loads of laundry, and it took at least two hours.  I couldn't do that now--of course, that was almost 30 years ago before I had back problems, arthritis, dizzy head, etc.

Then, I sat down and crocheted--I do believe I am more than half-way done with the project and it is looking quite nice.
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Why is it, when you call the doc's office the minute they open in the am and tell them, "Can you please renew my Metoprolol prescription?  I only have one left."  It takes them two days to do it and you have to go to the pharmacy and beg for "just one pill to get me through until my prescription is ready."  Because the doc has only given you a months supply with no renewal, even though he knows damn well, you will have to take that med for the rest of your life?

Agnes and Frank

Today, I met Agnes.

I have seen Agnes walk by here every morning.  I don't know which lot she lives on, but every day, between 9:00 and 10:00 she walks past here with her sprightly step.

Today I was outside, looking at my gardens and I said, "Hi'.  Worse one word I have ever uttered.

Instead of just a Hi back or a wave, as most people do and keep on walking, she stopped!  She walked up the lawn to where I was trapped standing and she commenced to converse sermonize talk.

You have heard the term "Ratchet Jaw"?  She makes Dar look like a mute!!

"I've got Iris growing too, but you know, my Grandma had beautiful ones, a whole garden, just Iris (breath) my daughter had a really good job, she quit and is going to work for Quicken Loans, she isn't too bright, but (breath) we had to ration everything during the war, everyone had a ration book, I still have mine, it doesn't have any stamps missing, I guess I didn't eat much, because...(breath) we lived on a farm, all us kids had to work in the fields, and if we didn't work, we didn't eat (breath) there were ten of us, we all had to work in the fields, but I'd rather do that then have to help Momma in the house (breath) never did like house work, still don't, but I do it, gotta keep my place clean (breath) my daughter helps, she moved in next door and she comes over to help (breath) we like it here, my grand daughter comes too, she just got out of school, (breath) we used to get out of school later when I was a young girl, middle of June, these kids nowadays, they got it easy, none of them (breath) have to work in the fields."

"Nice talking with you.  Bye", as I edged towards the porch.  She followed me.

"I got four kids, not a one of them has any common sense (breath) probably cause they never had to work hard when they were kids (breath) they should have had to work in the fields like me (breath) like that jack-ass in Washington, no common sense (breath) bet he never had to work in the fields either, hah (breath) I still mow my own lawn, got me one of those little push mowers (breath) lawn looks nice (breath) eighty-two and I still do it all (breath) walk every day, gotta walk every day to stay healthy (breath) keep my mind sharp (breath) my mind is still sharp."
<really?>

"Okay.  Nice to meet you.  I have to go in now."

"All right."  and she started back toward the street.

"Have a nice day," I called out.  (worse four words I ever uttered!)

"That reminds me (as she walks back up the drive) I heard we got those terror people right here in this country (breath) that jack-ass in Washington got no common sense (breath) get them airplanes up in the sky and drop some bombs on that country (breath) just like we did in WW two, that would end them good (breath) I was in school back then I remember (breath) everything rationed sugar, gasoline (breath) we lived on a farm, had plenty, I worked in the fields, all us kids did so we wouldn't starve (breath)........

"I have to go in now, Agnes.  Bye."  and I walked in and shut the door!

I will NEVER go outside my house until I make sure Agnes has passed by on her morning walk!!

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Then of course there's Frank.  I met Frank a couple years ago.

Frank ambles by here everyday.  He's as senile as Agnes.  I would like to introduce them to each other, but they are on opposite sides of the political system. 

Retired, union Ford worker.  Frank likes to go on about the, "Goddam Republicans in Lansing (breath)can't fix a damn pothole to save their ass!(breath) going to take away my pension and Social Security (breath) I buy lottery tickets every other day (breath) gonna win big (breath) take their goddamn money from them (breath) they don't know how to use it anyway (breath) wife up and died last year (breath) cost me all the money I had put away just to put her in the ground (breath) damn Republicans and their big corporations(breath) every damn funeral home is owned by rich Republicans! (breath) every damn big corporation, owned by Republicans (breath) General Motors, all of 'em."  

I made a mistake and said,  "But Frank, if it wasn't for the big corporation of Ford Motors, you wouldn't have had a good job and a nice pension."

He looked at me, as if I had grown horns.....

"Hell yes I wouldve.  Worked for the union, union got me the job and good pension, goddamn Ford Motors dint have nuthin' to do with it, union, yep, union (breath) worked that assembly line for thirty years, I did (breath) union, yep, union (breath) Ford Motors dint have a damn thing to do with it." 

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Can I please move back out to the farm country where all the neighbor's are normal?  PLEASE!!!

This noon, I went up to Subway to get lunch.  When I walked in, a young lady was waiting behind the counter.  She looked like perhaps a high school graduate in her job for college.

I was feeling silly, so I said, "Do you know where I can find a Spicy Italian...six feet three inches tall, with lots of money?"

Blank look on the girl. She didn't expect me to say that, so of course, she was stymied.  

I waited...1 Mississippi.  2 Mississippi.  3 Mississippi. 4.....

She had no clue..."Ah....Er...we have Spicy Italian subs here."

"Okay, I'll have one of those."

I know she was new because she took a very long time and when it came to the veggies on it?  I could see her lips move as she counted out, precisely 6 tomato and cucumber slices onto the sub.

Sweet young thing--kids today don't catch on to my humor.  My kids friends would have known and quipped right back.  Maybe kids today are so immersed in their electronics they have forgotten how to jibe back and forth?

Or---maybe I'm just weird in my humor?

Food For Thought

Today was quite uneventful.

Dar had to work.

It was hot and humid, so I stayed inside most of the day.

John picked me up at 6:30 and off we went, up to Howell to Asian Fusion.  An Asian buffet place.  YUCK!  I hate these kinds of places.  Chinese, Japanese, Thai and American and nothing has the distinct taste of the country it is from.  The eggs rolls were made of some kind of beef paste and tough.  I couldn't find any of the Oriental veggies I like.  There was NO steamed white rice that I could find.  However, the hot Oolong tea was good as were the Fortune Cookies.  and the red jello cubes I had for dessert were good.

Of course I didn't complains--are you nutz?  I ate more than I have in a week because....I was trying to find something from under those sneeze shields that tasted like Chinese!!!

When John went back for dessert--I looked at the bill, $23.00 and fished the last five dollars out of my billfold.  When we were ready to leave, I placed them on the table.

"What's that?" he asked.

"I told you last time that if we went out to eat again, I was going to leave the tip."

"If I invite someone out to eat, I pay for it."

"Look, I'm older than you and I'm bigger than you.  Unless you want me to take you down here...in front of all these people and beat you up...you will let me do the tip."

"I believe you could too.  Okay."
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Well, we had a good time talking about when we were kids and the shows we used to watch on the 12-14" TV's our parents had.  "Sgt. Preston" and "Sky King" and "Howdy Dowdy."  And we talked about Maisey--it costs him over $300.00 a month, just for her special meds and food and he had her to the vet yesterday at $250.00 for tests and IV.

Then we waddled out to the car and I said, "I'm going home, find a Peacock feather, stick it down my throat.  Like the Romans used to do, so they could eat more."

"Sounds like my kind of people," he says.

He is extremely easy going, smiles and laughs all the time, just like I do, so it is pleasant being with him.  When we got to my house, I thanked him and he put his right arm out for a hug, so I hugged him and kissed him on his cheek.

"Thanks J. T." I said.

He replied, "Thanks J. J.  Have a good weekend."
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Then I saw him take Maisey for a walk up the service drive.  He's a good man.  A nice friend.

Back At It

Ancestory.com, here I come--again!!!

As my sister has delved into the new information I gave her last November, she is finding inconsistencies.  WE have in our original records a statement that says, "After his wife Margaret died, Conrad went to live with his daughter."  Well--it seems that in the new stuff I typed for her, Margaret died two years AFTER Conrad.  So either I have a typo, which seems logical, or something isn't right in the written story we have.  GEEZ LOUISE!!!

AND because I am writing the history BOOK for my kids, I will have to go into that and make corrections.  AND--the great great grandfather, John, whose obit says he is buried in the local cemetery?  Cannot be found!  Susie found his first wife and two babies that died and  his older child, but not him or his second wife.  Where the hell is he?  I have searched county and state death records and Find A Grave and he isn't listed in any.  I can see why there might not be a headstone--well not really because my family is big on headstones, but why is he not listed--somewhere--in official records?

SO--back I go on Ancestory.com and more searching.  Gotta wait until the first of the month when I get some $$$ in my Pay Pal account.  

If Susie had looked at those files when I gave them to her--she said, "I will wait to read these.  This is a winter project"--instead of waiting until now--this would be all done and we could be outside enjoying our gardens, instead of sitting inside in front of the computers with books and pages of info spread all over.  LOL
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  Then Dar comes over all a thither--she is going on vacation Saturday.

"I have so much to do!  I need to scrub the bathroom and clean the two little bedrooms.  My brother and Pat are going to stay here until they can buy a new house. (These the two who moved to AZ May 13th and are now back.)  Then I have to clean out and scrub the frig and get money out of the bank and pack.  I just don't have time.  ARGGH!!"

"You've got today off work?"

"Yes.  I have to do laundry too!"

"You've got lots of time.  Make a list and you will get it done.  You haven't opened the two small bedrooms and bath in a year.  I doubt they are dirty.  You can clean out the frig while your clothes are washing and drying.  It's only ten o'clock, you have time to go up to the bank, get any food you might want to leave for Terry and Pat.  Open up your suitcase and pack your clothes as you wash and dry them."

So--at noon!!!!! two hours later, she decides to go home and get started.  GEEZ LOUISE!!!
=================

I watched my Soap and went outside to do a bit of weeding and---Dar showed up again.  Pepsi was on sale where she works so she brought me 10 jugs.  Regular Pepsi.  I only drink Diet and Diet DeCaf.  So I told her and off she went.  She was back in an hour with the right kind of Diet Pepsi.  Why all this?  I guess because she is going on vacation and I am to watch her house and get her rent envelope up to the office and pay our lawn mowing guy for her.

Kind of warm out today, so I came in and sat for a while and crocheted and then at 5:00, back out to finish up and close up my shed.

I came back in to fix supper and.....Dar showed up again.  She came in, sat down and boasted about what a great Union Steward she is going to be, because, "I can be a real bulldog!"

At 7:00 the phone rang and instead of picking up and saying, "May I call you back.  I have a visitor."  I picked up and talked to my sister.  After about 10 minutes, Dar took the hint and left.  

I got something to eat and started crocheting a bit.

Ya know?  I wouldn't be at all surprised if Dar came back around 10:00 tonight because she forgot to tell me something important!  GEEZ LOUISE!