I Shoulda Known!!

Mitzi in Byron Center, please send me an e-mail
jjmiller6213@comcast.net
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Today is Karen's youngest, Madeleine Sophia's, 19th birthday.  I call her, Precious Girl.  The years slip by so quickly!

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When I was a little girl and actually on, until I got overly positive with life, at around 70, I would never make statements about anything really good.  I figured if it was good and if I acknowledged it, it would soon go all wrong.  I didn't know about "fate" back then, nor do I really believe in it now, but in January, when I proclaimed to the world: "I am so glad this is an odd numbered year, because they are always the best for me. "   

 I shoulda known! 
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My daughter Karen stopped in for a visit, on her way to her dental appointment.  I just flat out asked her--told her I had a bad feeling about (her daughter) my second grand daughter and her husband.  I was right. Trouble in Paradise, way out there in Oregon.   

CRAP!

Second question--because I have had a bad feeling about my youngest, Jen and her husband.  "Are they separated?"

"Not yet."

CRAP!

Third question--because I got wind of something and had, not a bad feeling, but a worried one.

"How did Pammie's skin biopsy turn out?"

"Oh.  I didn't know you knew.  It was fine.  She's all right."

THANK YOU GOD!!

Fourth question--she filled me in on the latest.  Worse than I thought.

CRAP!!

Remember me telling you when the girls got together two weeks ago?  I knew darn well something was afoot!!

It is better for me to know what is going on, instead of having these bad, worrisome intuitions.  When I know, I become much more able to cope and become tougher and stronger!
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So--it is as it is!  Life gets hard and sucks a lot of the time.  BUT--life can be good, most of the time.  We just have to get through the sucky times, not make any rash decisions, not go off half-cocked out of emotional feelings.
<keep telling yourself that Jude>

Pray for strength and just keep going--Onward & Upward--Ever Forward!

WOW!

A really nice day!

Thanks for the support you have given, via e-mails.  Glad to know I'm not the only one who would feel hurt as the MAMA!  You know, sometimes I feel like I am losing a grip and my mental state isn't all it should be.  Like perhaps I am reacting oddly.  Then I get a comment or a message from someone who  says, "Yeah, I feel the same way," and that lets me know.  Well, it lets me know either that others are also losing their grip with mental stability or as woman, you all can identify.  It's comforting no matter which way.  LOL

Pearl came down for a nice hour long porch-chat.  She was on her way to visit Jackie, but stopped in here first because Jackie was napping.  We had a great talk.  Giggled a lot and out-right laughed. 

"Oh, your Azalea's are so pretty."

"Azaleas?"

"Yes--those bushes behind you."

"Those are Rose of Sharon bushes."

"I get them mixed up."

"Azalea flowers are much smaller."

"Oh I know!  Just drop it!"

"And they don't bloom this time of year."

"Yes, I know!  Just drop it!"

"And Azalea bushes this tall usually only grow down south."

"Okay.  DROP IT!"

"These flowers remind me of Holly Hocks--which I can't grow."

"OKAY!  We will call them Rose of Sharon Holly Bushes!"

"Okay."
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Just like my BFF, back in the day, Pearl and I can go back and forth and tell each other when we think the other is being stupid and it is all right.  It has taken a while, she is overly sensitive, but I think we are finally there and it is great!!
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"By the way," she said.  "My three kids are getting along with each other---finally after all these years."

"That is great!"

"Yeah--they still don't like me too much and never tell me much, but at least they like each other.  At least at this exact moment."

"My kids all like each other.  It's me that a couple of them have a problem with."

"Did I ever tell you that six years ago, our son Vic had a heart attack and was in the hospital two days before anyone thought to call and tell us...his parents?"

 "No--I didn't know that.  Why are kids like that?"

"We didn't guilt them enough....like our parents did us."

"Yeah.  I guess."
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One of the e-mails I got today was a real surprise.  A woman, who has been reading the blog for awhile, told me her name and where she lived.  She said she had commented before and then I remembered.  

Earlier this year, she told me the name of the Chinese restaurant, up in Howell,  that I was trying to remember.  Come to find out, her Mother lives directly across the street from me in the Condos and goes to the church where my Jennifer and family used to go.  Also, this woman, lives in a new LOG HOUSE directly on the road I drive on every time I go up to my home town, Byron, and The Farm!!  I've probably seen it and oohhed and aahhed, but now I will be sure and look for it.  

Now--how cool is that?  What a coincidence--or not.  I think there are NO coincidences in life.  Things happen for a reason--good things anyway!!

Then I got another e-mail from a reader that lives WAAAAAY out in Washington State.  I know she has been reading for awhile, but she doesn't often comment so I had no clue who she was or where she lived.  She told me a bit about her life.  We have similarities!

I LOVE THESE KIND OF CONNECTIONS!!!

It is also very good for my OCD.  I have made a list in EXCEL of all my readers, that I know of, and where they live and if they also have a blog.  If--on my right side-bar, I see in my Feed-Jit that someone from Ontario, or Oregon, or Washington, or Ann Arbor have visited but left no comment, I can look at my list and....."YAY!  Kathy, Dawn, Margie came by today."  Fills my heart way up to the top!!!

Again

I have said this before, but it needs to be said again.

It never ceases to amaze me how the blogosphere is such a close knit group.  I always get so much support and comfort from you ladies.  More than from friends I see everyday.  Weird, isn't it.  Thank you again!!
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Jackie (nice woman) who lives across the street had knee replacement surgery Monday.  She came home yesterday afternoon!!!  She lives alone, but her grand girl is staying with her.  She decided not to go to rehab.  I visited her for a bit this morning.  

She can't control the pain.  Her pain meds scare her so she won't take them.  She can barely walk to the bathroom.  NOW--if she were in rehab, they would monitor her, help her to the bathroom, check on her every hour, bring her food, on and on.  She is 78 years old.  

I was awake early this morning--garbage truck roar woke me at 7:20.  Got up, fed the kids, staggered in here and saw Darlene walk over to Jackies.  Nice of her to check on Jackie.  Darlene was smoking, she stood on the driveway for awhile, then bent down to snub out her cigarette, walked over to one of Jackie's plant containers, and buried her cigarette butt in the pot.

Is this woman entirely clueless to the fact that this fall, when Jackie cleans up her annuals, and cleans out the dirt in the pot, she will find that cigarette butt?  Is there enough nicotine in that butt to kill the roots on the pretty tangerine Tuberose Begonia that blooms so prettily in that pot?

When Dar goes for a walk, she always smokes and when done with her ciggie, she just throws the butt down on the street.  In front of someones driveway?  So what!

She used to smoke on her way over here and I'd watch at she threw the butt on my lawn.  The first time I saw that, I asked her not to do that again.  

"What am I supposed to do with the butt?"

"Drag is on the cement to get the ash and residue off.  You have only the filter left.  Roll it and put it into your pocket until you get home and throw it away!"

The last time I went to supper with her, the second we came out of the restaurant, she lit up.  She wanted to take a walk down the sidewalk to look into some store windows.  She just casually walked along, expelling her smoke as she strolled, whether other people were next to her or not.  I didn't even want to be seen with her!!!!!!!  When she was done, she flipped the butt out onto the parking lot.

Of course, I did tell you about the time I had to take her to the ER and on the way out, me pushing her in a wheel chair, she lit up while we were still in the lobby!!!  I said, "You can't smoke in here!"

"Well, hurry up and get me outside."
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Ya know what?  The more I am around that woman, the more I dislike her!  She is becoming even more bossy, boastful, and pushy since she got her Union Rep job where she works!

The other day, I was over to her yard, talking to Pat her SIL, whom I adore, about the garden she was working on.  Dar kept butting in to tell Pat things like, "Oh Judy doesn't like to do that."  "Judy is the kind of person who wouldn't....."   "Judy feels like..........".

I so wanted to say, "Look, I am not a five year old that you have to tell Pat how I think, act or feel!  You don't know me as well as you think!"

But of course I didn't, but I saw Pat roll her eyes, when Dar was distracted and not looking.  She does it when I am present around her and another friend of hers--she has two.  I think I just might say that next time, because the temperament and mood I am in these days, I just do not suffer fools very well!
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I worked on this bulletin board/collage picture thingie I have in this room.  I have put it back together about 4 times in the last 12 years.  After awhile, the photos fall out.  This time, I put a tiny drop of Elmer's glue behind each one.  Maybe they will stay in place longer?

Today it was so nice and cool with low humidity--until about 1:00.  I dead-headed the annuals, and checked on the perennials, washed out my garbage can and sat on my porch for awhile.

Maisey stopped by this morning, for a pet and a treat.  John was with her, but he didn't get a pet or a treat.  We had a nice chat however, while Maisey nosed the screen on the front door and Maggie The Cat nosed the other side.  I was amazed Maggie didn't run away.

I was trying to be nice, so I asked John where I could buy a new garbage can with wheels.  (As if I didn't know!)  He told me he bought his at Lowes, it is square, with wheels, and a handle, with a locking lid    "I think I paid around twenty bucks for it."

"Okay.  Thanks.  I love Lowes.  I will check there."

He SOOOOOOOO needs to feel needed and useful---maybe I made his day?  I should have given him a $20 and asked if he'd run up to Lowe's and get me one.  I know he would have--he is so easy to take advantage of.  However, my independent self would not allow that! LOL

Wednesday

It IS Wednesday.

While most of you know that, with no sleep Monday night and in an emotional and mental fog yesterday...I don't even remember going to bed. When I woke up this morning, the first thing I saw was my "day reminder" hanging on the bedroom closet door.

Thankfully, John called and said, "Remember to get your garbage out tonight.  The guys are coming at seven in the morning now.  I don't want to see you out there, still in your nightie, dragging your garbage pail down the street, trying to catch up with the garbage truck!"

"Oh.  Is it Wednesday?"

"Yes.  Are you feeling better today?"

"Yes.  Thanks for reminding me.  See ya."

"Oh wait--remember not to use the water today.  They are flushing out the wells and the water pipes.  All you'll get is rusty water."

"Yes.  Thanks.  I DID remember that."  HAH

I went into the bedroom and flipped the card over to Wednesday.  It IS Wednesday.
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Look at this.  My best Buddy.  He's looking out the east window--keeping an eye on the Wiccans' next door.  Ever vigilant.

He came and stood by my chair and meowed, it sounded like, Mom?"

When I stood up, he trotted over to his food area and sat down by the water bowl and meowed again.

I walked over and looked down, the water bowl was completely dry.  I must have forgotten to fill it last night before I went to bed AND this morning when I fed them.  GEEZ!!!

Not wanting to give either one of my kids water from the tap, I filled the bowl with bottled water.

See how he drinks from the opposite side of the bowl?  Apparently he doesn't want to get his nose wet, so he laps from the other side and gets his chin wet.  He must have drank for 15 minutes.

Then he jumped up on the couch and took a nap in the sun.

All these years of having pets, I didn't know it was possible to love an animal so much!
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This was posted on Face Book this morning.

"August 8.  Can't wait.  I'm going!"

In Detroit.

At least they have the decency not to have this peculiar event on a Sunday.

This statue was recently shown in Detroit also.  

"The Satanic Temple of Detroit revealed a new, 9-ft.-tall statue of Baphomet at a ticketed event shortly before midnight on July 25. Hundreds of supporters turned out for the show and cheered and chanted "Hail Satan" when the statue was unveiled. 

About 100 protesters showed up Saturday afternoon to challenge the statue, claiming it was "disrespectful" to other religions. Jex Blackmore, the director of the Satanic Temple of Detroit,described the Temple as "non-theistic" to WJBK-TV and said the participants do not celebrate "the Judeo-Christian representation of Satan." 

The group originally planned to display the monument on the Oklahoma State Capitol grounds next to a monument of the Ten Commandments, as an objection to the placing of a religious monument on government property. Blackmore said Saturday the statue would be transported to Arkansas next – earlier this year, Governor Asa Hutchinson signed a bill authorizing a Ten Commandments monument near the state Capitol."
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Living next door to these people is a real test of my belief in "religious freedom." 

It's Complicated

Bad day--heavy, really heavy, bad stuff going on that I can't write about.  Oh--I'd like too, but it is a confidential thing.  Someday, I will be able to lay it out here.

I went down to Pearl's to talk with her about it and fixed her computer while I was there.  I knew how Pearl would react.  Just listen and NOT give advice or try and fix it--just what I needed.

Later, up to Wal-Mart to get some cat food, as they were completely out and they kept looking at me like they might attack and take out a bite of meat.

When I got home, I couldn't take a chance on Dear Dar bothering me, so I put a sign on my door, "No Company, Please", and I took a nap.

John and Maisey stopped in for a Porch Chat for an hour.  It was nice until the skitters tried to carry us away.

Fire Flies drive Maisey crazy.   She's scared of them.

The bad/heavy stuff hasn't/won't go away for a long time, but I feel better tonight.

It is all in God's hands!

Oh oh!

My Wiccan neighbor's are in trouble now!!

Their friends were over Saturday evening and started working on installing the laminate flooring at midnight.  I still don't know why they can't work on the flooring in the afternoon, but I guess they have to wait until after dark and the "witching" hour.  (Witching--get it?)

It was hot last night, so I had my windows closed up when I went to bed.  I also put the blinds down because their bright work light was hanging in their kitchen window--which shines into my bedroom window.  I turned my back on the window and went to sleep.

BUT---

At 3:00 am, their friends were leaving.  They were talking and laughing loudly and proceeded to slam the doors on the back of their work van.  I did not wake up...BUT, it woke up and scared Dar, her brother and sister-in-law.  They thought the loud noises were gun shots!!

Dar is going up to the office and reporting Tamara and Ron.  Two weeks ago, when they kept me awake for two hours, I mentioned it to my friend who works for the park.  He said, "In the Park Rules it states "quiet time" from 11:00 pm until 7:00 am.  Do you want to report them?"

I declined, love they neighbor and all that, but Dar is going to get them now.  You all know when Dar gets it in her mind to do something---well she was waiting at the door when the office opened at 9:00 this morning.

She came back around 10:00 and came over.

"I have just gone to the office and ranted.  Tami is going to get a warning today, but I have to write and sign a letter of complaint.  It goes into their file.  Can  you write up and type it for me?"

"Ah-hh, can't you type?"

"I don't have time.  Terry, Pat and I are just about to leave.  You know how to type these kinds of things.  You say it much better than I ever could."

"Nah.  I don't want to."

"Why not!!!?  

"Because, I am not the one filing the complaint.  It is not my story to tell...it's yours."

"But you heard the noises too.  Last weekend and now this weekend."
<manipulation>

"Yes....but I am not filing a complaint.  You are.  It's up to you to write up exactly what happened."

"But...I don't have time.  I have to have the complaint written, signed and in the office tomorrow morning.  We are going to see Terry and Pat's new house and we won't be back until this evening."

I just smiled and shook my head.

"Okay, I guess I can write it up myself.  It should be typed though."

"Have Terry or Pat type it.  They know how to use the computer."

She kind of huffed out the door.
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Noon:  Pearl just called.  Dar was over to their house yesterday after work and asked them if they had heard the noise Sunday morning.  Pearl said, yes they had.  Dar said she was filing a complaint and wanted to know if they wanted to sign also.

Pearl told her, "No. They're putting in a new floor and when they get done, the noise will stop."

The problem Pearl and I have now, is that when Tami gets the notice, she is going to think it came from Pearl or I.  She would never think about it being Dar.  Neither one of us wants Tami, who lives between us, to be mad at us!  

Conundrum!!

My Neighbor

This is what she posted on Face Book this morning.

Tamara Hoole

10 hrs · Brighton, MI · Edited · 

I am a hard worker, honest, genuine, loving, giving, peaceful, and WICCAN. If you are my friend, you will love and accept me for who I am. I don't believe in hurting, sabotage, condemning, judging, stealing, or satanic worship. I am NOT an evil person. I believe in a Goddess as well as a God. I don't want to hear any crap that I am going to hell, ect.. I don't force my belief upon anyone and don't like it when they try to force their belief on me. I accept you for who you are and ask the same.

Her profile picture

 

They were married on Halloween, in the local cemetery.

This is their wedding photo

She once was a nice Catholic girl.  Then, for a time, she studied Jewish teachings.  Then, for a time, she attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church and was trying to convince me that they were the true religion.  Then, for a time, they attended the Non-Denominational Mega church up the road.

When she met her husband Ron, she decided to study Wicca and become a Wiccan, as he was already into white witch-craft and is a magician.

As I ponder on living next door to these two people, who work nights--on purpose--because they worship the dark of night, the ones who worked on their floor and kept their neighbor's awake all night.  Now, she is wanting the park to cut down her pine tree.  She traps and kills chipmunks and squirrels, BUT the practice of Wicca believes that ALL living things have a spirit.  The entire environment has a spirit. 

So--wouldn't cutting down her pine tree and killing small animals be a form of murder?  How can she justify these actions?

Wiccan's are quite Liberal, believing in abortion, gay rights, same sex marriage, get your kicks in whatever you want to do, yet SHE does not believe in any of these things.

I'm quite confused.

Does anyone know where I can buy a bushel of Garlic?