Hey there. Hi there. Ho there.

I'm here!!!

Another year older and deeper in debt.  HAH

First:  thank you Chrissy.  I see food in my future. :-)

Sunday at Karen's for a cook-out with my favorites:  Hot dogs/hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans, Broccoli salad (you know that kind with nuts, raisins & bacon in it), potato chips and cake.  Let's not forget the cake.  Yellow cake with that made with Crisco and powdered sugar frosting.

My grand daughter from Oregon called me.  I could see her and she could see me on the phone!  Now, that is amazing.  She was in Alaska, hiking in the mountains!

3 more grand babes were there too--Helene, Marcus, Stephen, also Pammie and my Wee Sister and her hubs.  My son wasn't there and I wondered, I was sure he would show up.  I found out yesterday, Karen hadn't even invited him!  What's up with that?  Jennifer was invited, but didn't show.  That didn't surprise me.

When the 3 grandbabes walked in they came for hugs and kisses and a beautiful bouquet of the bluest Hydrangea's.  They apologized for being late as church had run over a bit.  I smiled, thinking to myself, that I was so proud that they all had gone to church!!  They go to church every weekend and sometimes during the week for Mass.
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Stephen, Helene, Marcus

My Son-In-Law, Mark holding up a shield because the candles kept going out in the breeze!

Helene, Karen, Mark, Stephen, listening to my sister telling tales

My sister with a rapt audience of Pammie, Helene, Karen

and of course, my alter ego!

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Yesterday it was so humid, I didn't go outside all day long.  Wee Sister stopped in after her dentist visit to calm down.  She was so hyper.  Neither one of us likes the dentist and both of us have problems with the Novacaine working to numb the work area.  She had to have 4 shots!!!

Then the storms came in!  There were tornadoes all over the state.  Most of them stayed up in the clouds, but half a dozen touched down.  I don't think it classifies as a tornado unless it does touch down, but the weather people like to inform you when one is going over--which to me is just "wind in the clouds."  I watched as they tracked one on radar that was going straight up the road that my cousin's farm and the church my Grandfather built are on.  I haven't heard yet if all is okay up there.

I stayed up until 2:00 watching my close-up radar on the computer screen.  I have my house pin-pointed exactly and can see what is coming.  As usual, the storm split and part went south and part went north.  Apparently we are in a "basin", lower elevation depression, and that ground configuration keeps the really bad stuff on either side of us.  Kewl Beans--right?

I have tied up the genealogy on my family--finally.  Didn't find the 4 & 5 great grandmother's maiden names, but that is just the way it will be.  I am now doing a search for Dar's sister-in-laws family.  And, would you believe it, for Dar's mother's family.

I can see already why Dar is as she is.  Her mother had a terrible childhood.  In and out of the orphanage, because Dar's grandfather kept leaving the family and her Grandmother had to work as a housekeeper and didn't have enough money to keep a house for the kids (Dar's mom and aunt).

Interesting searching it is.

I am nearing the end of the crocheted blanket I am "testing" for my "Like A Daughter".  It is turning out beautifully.  Not too many mistakes in my stitches.  Although there will be some.

Today the repair guy is coming to put a new drain pump in my dishwasher.  This makes me smile, big time!  The weather is so cool and breezy--no humidity and I have every window and front door open.  Tomorrow, back to the Chiropractor and Thursday the Cardiologist.
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So all is well as I begin my 77th year.  OMGOSH!!

How did I get this old and still in one piece?  Well--not exactly all in one piece.  Parts of me have been broken, but it's all inside so no one can see.

AND AS I ALWAYS SAY:

Good To Go

My dishwasher won't drain!  I hate that.  Yucky water sitting there in the bottom of it.  Plus, I hate washing dishes by hand.  

The good thing about all of this is.....I have an Appliance Repair Service contract with my DTE electric company that costs me a mere $20.00 a month.  That's $240.00 a year.  I have already had my dryer fixed ($187.00) and the pilot light on my water heater (200.00) and now a new pump for my dishwasher at--$250.00+.  I would say my service calls that cost me $000.00 have already paid for my service plan three times over.  AND--it is such a relief, when something quits working to know, all I have to do is call and it will be fixed.  No sweat.  No stress!
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Yesterday, I was sitting in here and this girl, jumped off her skate board and came walking up the front lawn to my garden.  I watched as she bent down to pick one of my Lily blossoms.  I stepped up to the open window and asked, "Do you need something?"

She took of running, jumped on her board and was gone.

I have had this happened before here, with two other young girls that started picking my Tulips and Daffodils.  Why in the world do they think it is quite all right, not only to walk on other people's property, but to pick flowers from other people's gardens?  If she had come to the door and asked, I would have given her some.  

I think I remember saying this to a couple of girls, loooong ago.  Watching out my big picture windows as they broke off stems of Lilacs. I had to smile as I watched them giggle and stick their noses in the bloom to enjoy that heavenly scent.  I cranked the side window open and said, "If you had come to the door and asked, I would have cut some branches for you."  HAH!!!
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I got a message late last night.  A friend asking me why I had missed the Old Gals luncheon yesterday afternoon.

No one had told me where we were having it.  I thought they had cancelled it again.

Friend said they had it at my favorite restaurant because that is where I said I wanted it this month.

Hm-mm.  I talked to one of the friends two weeks ago and I did mention that I liked that restaurant and she said she would tell the others.  No one got back to me though, so....................

Who knows?  Maybe that conversation meant they would meet there?  Maybe she forgot to call me back?  Maybe I forgot? I have noticed lately that I am having a bit of trouble remembering.  Which is a scary thing and why I now have to write everything on my calendar.

Ask me about a vacation I took back when I was 10 and I could tell you in great detail.  Ask me what I had for lunch yesterday?  I'd have to think about it quite a while to remember.  

Senility--here I come!!!
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The squirrels have chewed the seed ports out of my Triple Silo feeder.  Now, when I pour in the feed, it flows out all the ports!  I think I have found the answer.  This feeder has METAL seed ports!  Let them chomp their little rodent teethies down on those!!!

Maybe this will be a birthday present to myself?

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To the Chiropractor's again today.  He did an adjustment on my neck again and a lot of pressure point manipulations on the spot that hurts so bad next to my left shoulder blade. 

I can turn my neck from side to side now.  My shoulder doesn't hurt a bit, there is no pain in my collarbone and not a bit in the upper left of my chest--which was leading me worry about a heart issue.

I go back next Wednesday and then once a week for a while and I HAVE PROMISED MYSELF, once this gets under control, I will go once a month to maintain my cervical C1 and C2 and my lower back also.

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I saw Maisey this morning.  Her Daddy is making a big pot of Chili and giving me a sample.  I gave him 3 cans of diced tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce I got from the food bank last week.  I didn't tell him I had made Chili last week and already have 8 containers of it in the freezer.  He wanted to do something nice, so.....................

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I just finished this book.  A real quick read--kind of like her diary.  I enjoyed it.

Ramblings

(Just a thought:  Sometimes a house is so big, that it owns you,

 instead of the other way around.)

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I have and always will hate this saying!!!!!

OR

"God never gives you more than you can handle."

BALONEY!!!   GOD does not give you anything BAD.  Usually you bring it on yourself, because GOD gives you free will and choice AND HE will NOT step in to stop your stupidness.  God WILL help you handle the bad stuff, however.

"Everything happens for a reason"--BALONEY!  Cancer happens, for a reason?  You get hit by a car and killed, for a reason?  The love of your life dies, for a reason?

For what reason?  Huh?  Explain that one to me.

Don't EVER say these two phrases to ANYONE, who is desperately ill or at a funeral visitation!  I MEAN IT!!!  ===================
My favorite was at Fred's funeral, when someone unknown to me, pressed my hands between hers and said, "I know just how sad you feel.  We had to put our fifteen year old dog down last week.  I haven't stopped crying since."  I have forgotten most of what other said to me that day, but I don't think I will ever forget her words of sympathy to me. HAH.

The simplest thing you can say at a funeral is, "I'm so sorry." and then a hug.  Not, "I'm sorry for your loss," not, "He/she was such a good person," (cause maybe they weren't), not "God will get you through this," just simply, "I'm so sorry."
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So--I know it's silly, but my saddest fear is, after the kids move, I will die before I see them again.
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Maisey and John stopped by last evening on their walk.  He had her "business" in a tied, white plastic bag that he sat at the end of my driveway.  We sat on the porch and as the sky darkened, it was time to leave.  

He stopped on the top step and said, "Is that a tame duck?"

I wondered what he was talking about.  A duck?  then he pointed toward the bag at the end of the driveway and yes, it did look kind of like a white duck, with it's head sticking up.

"Yes.  My tame duck,"I said.

"Really.  I've never seen it before."

"John...did you really think that was a duck?  That's Maisey's poop bag!"

He looked again and then bent over in laughter.

"I really did!" he said.  "Guess I need to wear my glasses!"

"Oh.  My.  Gosh!  You're losing it, Boy!"

"Don't you dare tell anyone."

"I won't."

(So, I am telling the world...here)

This morning, I hurriedly filled a white plastic bag with cat litter and put it out by my garbage pail. When I saw him and Maisey walking by, headed for home, with another while plastic bag in his hand, I stuck my head out the front door and started quacking!  HAH
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Chiropractor yesterday afternoon.  Headache gone.  Shoulder pain, gone.  Neck pain, almost gone.  I go back on Friday.

I'm Sad

Jennifer and Eric's house is for sale.

I remember how excited they were to find this property.  It was located in an orchard.  They cleared the land.  Eric had drawn up the plans when he was younger--it was/is his dream house.

I can remember how excited our whole family was when they moved from Salem, MA back "home".  Their oldest was just a baby.  

They built it the same time I moved in here.  A couple of years ago, they added a formal living room and family room, and added on to the kitchen, on the left.

It is a magnificent home with a wonderful view of a small lake out the back.  A huge concrete deck on the back. 

5 or 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms.  Beautiful.

They are starting a new life adventure.  At only 43.5 years of age, now is the time.

They will be moving to New Jersey and Eric will take over his father's Orthotics businesses.  Eric is very good at that--making artificial limbs and those running legs that the athletes use.  Jennifer will be able to do pro-bono work--she loves that and also help companies set up non-profits organizations, she is the expert in Michigan on that.

Eric wanted to start his own business here, but...the company he worked for had a two year non-compete clause, so he would have to wait that long and...well, that's kind of impossible.  DAMMIT!!!

I just hope my four Grand Babes can adjust well.  It is going to be a much different life than they've had here.  

My oldest daughter Pam is really going to have a difficult time adjusting.  She is very attached to the little guy.  

Our whole family is sad, but---what can you do.  Jen and Eric are doing what they think is best, overall, for their family.  I can't fault them for that, even though I cry about it most everyday.

Moaning on Monday

I know--anyone with severe arthritis, or fibromyalgia or any kind of auto-immune disease that causes pain in the joints and bones/muscles, know what it is like--the pain that is, and how we try to live with it.

My neck and shoulder had been feeling pretty good.  Then I decided to sleep on a different pillow and to tote in heavy groceries using my left hand.

For the past week, the continual pain coming out of neck, into my left shoulder and down into my left wing bone is so severe, it makes me nauseous.  I have tried everything--my hot rice sock, my ice pack, my horse liniment, my OTC pain pills.  Everything helps--for a couple of hours--that's it.

Anything I do, hurts.  Sitting here typing on the keyboard.  Sitting in my recliner crocheting.  Driving the car.  Doing laundry.  Making the bed.  Strangely, the only relief I get is when I lay down at night with my head on the contour pillow.  The one that has a place cut out for my neck and my head lays in a lower circle.  

It takes me down physically and emotionally. I don't want to go anywhere, see anyone, do anything!

I called to make an appointment with my chiropractor--I go in Wednesday afternoon.  I know he can help.  Help, not cure the problem.  There is no cure of stenosis of the C1,2 & 3.  Oh, I'm sure there is some sort of neck surgery they could do, but that is not going to help it.  Shots of Cortisone might help--for awhile, but I'm not that courageous at this time.  Besides, for that, I would need someone to drive me to the pain clinic and then drive me back home.
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Today, my dishwasher doesn't want to drain.  Lovely, just lovely.  I have had this repair done three years ago at a cost of $200.00.  Thankfully, I now have the Appliance Repair Plan through my electric company, which will take care of all of it.  So far, just this year, I have had about $600.00 of repairs and my plan costs $29.99 a month.  I would say, it has already paid for itself.
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It is easy for me to be assertive with John because, I do it in a light-hearted, joking manner.  He takes no offense.  If I did that with Dar, she would be very angry and never speak to me again.  I don't want that from her---I just don't need her coming over here every day and staying for hours.  Today, I have my front door locked and if she comes over, which she probably will around 7:00, I will either not answer, or I will slowly walk to the door and tell her that I am not feeling up to company--which is the truth.

Now, John talks way too much and too long.  Much like Dar, BUT his conversations are always funny and if I want to say something and he starts talking I just say, "Now...it's my turn." and he shuts up, at least momentarily.  He isn't a boaster and his conversations aren't always all about him.  BUT--that isn't to say in the mood I am now, I could take an hour spent with him either.  

I know that he is very depressed and very lonely.  He is used to living in town and walking everywhere he wants to go.  He has his group of church friends that he has lunch or coffee with three times a week.  He is very social, unlike me.  He now calls me "Hermie", because I told him I was a hermit.

When his dog Maisey dies, he is going to move back to Brighton into the Millpond Apartments, which are government subsidized and your rent is based on your income.  The last place on this earth where I'd want to live.  I need windows on all sides of my abode.  I need quiet and not having to put up with people on all sides and below or above me.  I lived in a townhouse once, for a year, with windows only on two sides, and it drove me crazy!!!

Okay--I'm off here.  It is so hot and humid outside that I am staying in--at least until the weather breaks or Wednesday.  Whichever comes first!!
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6:30 pm
I saw her coming.  I ran into my living room, sat and flipped my recliner back and waited.

I heard her knock and then try to open the locked door.  

I lay there with my eyes closed--peeked a bit.

Then she walked off the porch and around to look in my living room window!!

Back to the porch and tried the door again.

I got up, walked to the door unlocked it and she said, "Can I come in for awhile.  I won't stay long."

"Oh...I just don't feel well...I was napping."

"I'll just be a minute...I want to tell you something."

"I don't feel well enough, Dar."

"Okay.  Do you want me to leave?"

"Yes.  Please."
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Subterfuge?  Yes.  But it worked and I'm glad because I just could not handle her today!

Half-Way

Half-way through June--already!  It is scary how the days fly by!

I got up at 7:00 Saturday morning and John picked me up at 8:30.  He had an umbrella with him just in case.

I said, "You won't need to carry that around.  It's not going to rain until after noon today."

"Are you sure?"

"Trust me."

I was wondering how I was going to walk around the whole thing with getting the normal back pain from walking too far or standing still too long.    Luckily, as we were walking toward the market, John said, "Oh oh.  I forgot to change into my walking shoes."  Just then he stepped off the curb and winched in pain.  He has bad pain in the ball of his foot, I think Plantar Fasceitis, anyway, he was limping so I knew, we weren't going to be staying long.

He got lots of veggies and I got asparagus, a big tomato and we both got two quarts of Michigan, June bearing strawberries.  I have been craving them and not had them for a couple of years. I so hate those from California, that are available in the stores.  They are huge, but they have a big core you have to take out and they aren't naturally sweet.

We walked over by the millpond, but 45 minutes after we arrived, we were back in the Jeep.  He showed me where he used to live and the machine shop where he worked--a short block from his house  He drove home the back way, exactly like I would have, if I had been driving and just as we got to our park, he said, "Do you want to go have breakfast?  I've got a gift card to Leo's"

I said, "Okay, but...I want to go to Bob Evans."

"Okay.  Bob's is good.  I'll turn around and we'll go on up."

"Could you take me to my house first?  I have a gift card to Bob Evans.  You drive and I'll pay."

"We could use my gift card."

"Nope!  My turn to pay. "

"Okay...I guess so."

He dropped me off and went to his place to check on Maisey and get his other shoes.

When we got to Bob Evans, I could tell he was a bit uneasy about the whole thing.

"Order anything you want," I said.

We had a nice Brunch.  He told me more stories about his growing up in a family of 13 kids and funny things about the trouble he and his brothers got into.  
He insisted he leave the tip--which is the correct way to do things.  When he buys, I leave the tip.  He's not real comfortable with that arrangement, but that's the way it is going to be.

I was back home by 11:30.  For supper last night I had, fresh asparagus, a nice big sliced tomato and strawberries on the biscuit I brought home from Bob Evans.

I was exhausted by 10:00,l went to bed and didn't wake up until 11:00 this morning!!!

I have had a few gastric-enteritis problems all day--the first strawberries of the year will do that too me and while Dar was here this afternoon, I had an episode--or as my grandma would have called it, a "spell".

Sitting in my chair, listening to Dar prattling on and all of a sudden, my heart started pounding hard.  Not fast, just kind of hard.  I started to sweat and felt dizzy.  I told her and she got hysterical.

I leaned back in my chair, breathing deeply and slowly and she started yammering on about her job.  Every now and then she'd say, "Are you feeling better?"

"No."

"Do you want to go to the ER?"

"No."

"I told them today at work that I wouldn't..............."

Finally I said, "Dar, you'll have to go home.  I need to lie down."

So out the door she went like the devil was after her.

I kicked back my chair, the cats came to lay on top of me, my heart was now behaving nicely and I dozed for about an hour.

I got something to eat and then sat back down and worked on my crocheting while I watched a movie.  I feel good tonight.  Actually not a bit sleepy and it's going on midnight.  Guess I should go to bed.

I'll be fine!
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Thinking tonight of how happy I was 58 years ago--my wedding day.

Well...Hello!

Yes--I have been terribly remiss in my posting to my blog.

Why is that?

Trying to straighten out a mess in my genealogy.  I traced an ancestor, way back--way, way back, only ti find out, although the guy's name was the same and born in the same year--it wasn't who I was looking for.  How can that be?  Because waaaaay back in the day, not only did people name their children after their father and themselves, the next generation did the same.

So--one Conradt, named two of his sons, Conrad and Peter.
The next generation, Peter, named two of his sons, Conrad and Peter.
The next generation, Conrad, named two of his sons Peter and Conrad.

I had the right Conrad, but the wrong wife.  Then I had the correct wife, but with the wrong Peter.
What a mess--as I had posted that incorrect information into my Family Tree Maker and given that info to my sister, who alerted me to the fact of the mess.
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When I wasn't trying to figured that out, and in the midst of trying to get my crocheting on it's way, Pearl came over.  Tami came over.  Jackie came over and the ever popular Dar came over--twice.  ARGHH! 

 Then the cute little John and Maisey stopped by on two different evenings, to sit out on the porch and talk.  He and I may or may not go to the Farmer's Market this Saturday--if it doesn't pour rain, which is predicted.  I have never been, but don't know if I can walk that much.
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Then there were phone calls about medical bills I owe from the hospital stay.  My DHS case worker said they didn't meet my deductible, but she was going to notify someone from the hospital "help" center, AND she did raise my food assistance again.  One of these days, I might actually get enough to help with groceries.  Anything helps, so I am very thankful.

Then there has been trips to get food and typing paper and inkjet replacements, and gas up the car (not all on the same day, of course)  and...I have been busy.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  LOL