Quit yelling at me! I'm fine. LOL
I have been trying to get on here since last Saturday. I either get side-tracked or it is time to go nite-nite.
Sorry. I know how I worry about my blog buddies when they disappear for a while.
I have not disappeared--still here. My life as boring as ever.
In other words, no news is good news--right?
I will be back in the next few days to post something more scintillating.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Life--so tenuous.
I haven't seen hide nor hair of my blogging buddie, Lily Scott--Moon Spinners. Did she just quit blogging? Anyone know?
================
I get attached to some of the genealogies I do--well practically all of them. I did one 2 years ago, for the clients father and wife's family--her parents. I worked day and night on it to get it done for his 103rd birthday. Recently, I had a funny feeling. I kept thinking of him and wondering. So, last week I finally remembered to e-mail her and......he passed away in January. He would have been 105 in...May, if I remember right. As I read her e-mail I cried. I had gotten attached to him while researching his family and his life. She had attached a photo of him taken at Christmas, and he was standing as straight and as tall as photos I had seen of him as a young man. She also attached his obituary. I printed them both out and put in his file folder.
One I did in January was fascinating to me. I could tell as I researched, what a wonderful family I was dealing with. My client's parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, so I printed out a book for them. Her mother is a wonderful writer--her whole family is--many of them had written biographies of themselves--even the men. My client sent them to me and I copied them and put in her book. It sure made that family come alive to me.
Now this last one. I just mailed it out last Friday. Oh my! Her earlier ancestor's came here and without a thought, they fought in Wars to defend their new homeland. Many of the great grandfathers, fought in the Revolutionary War. One is even buried at Arlington National Cemetery--and I don't have to tell you, that is a big deal...at least to me it is. As I researched on, getting nearer to her father, I find 100 years later, her great grandfather's and their sons, fighting in the Civil War. As I was working on a couple of her grandfathers, I notice that the father and three of his sons fought in the Civil War--on the same day, in the same battle, the three sons all died! One of the sons, her direct ancestor had a small son--also her direct ancestor. It brought tears to my eyes, thinking of how I'd feel if 3 of my children were killed...on the same day! Buried in an unmarked grave in a different State. How can anyone deal with that?
Or the findings of young mother's who had 10 children in 11 years and then died shortly after their last child was born. Natural causes--they were just worn out. And the babies that died at childbirth, or within a few years of life.
Unique custom in those days--when a child died, the next child born of the same gender, was given the dead child's name. Now to me that would be bad luck, but to them, it was done to honor the child that had died. Some of the children died on the ship ride to America. The man makes the decision to go to the "new world" and the wife has to tag along with all the kids. Such bravery.....we have NO idea.
I'm not a crying person, but I have had tears cloud my eyes on more than one occasion. Some days, I am drained by supper time, it has been so emotional.
==============
The one I'm working on now? For a friend. Not so great. Stay tuned for my dissertation on that one.
================
I get attached to some of the genealogies I do--well practically all of them. I did one 2 years ago, for the clients father and wife's family--her parents. I worked day and night on it to get it done for his 103rd birthday. Recently, I had a funny feeling. I kept thinking of him and wondering. So, last week I finally remembered to e-mail her and......he passed away in January. He would have been 105 in...May, if I remember right. As I read her e-mail I cried. I had gotten attached to him while researching his family and his life. She had attached a photo of him taken at Christmas, and he was standing as straight and as tall as photos I had seen of him as a young man. She also attached his obituary. I printed them both out and put in his file folder.
One I did in January was fascinating to me. I could tell as I researched, what a wonderful family I was dealing with. My client's parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this summer, so I printed out a book for them. Her mother is a wonderful writer--her whole family is--many of them had written biographies of themselves--even the men. My client sent them to me and I copied them and put in her book. It sure made that family come alive to me.
Now this last one. I just mailed it out last Friday. Oh my! Her earlier ancestor's came here and without a thought, they fought in Wars to defend their new homeland. Many of the great grandfathers, fought in the Revolutionary War. One is even buried at Arlington National Cemetery--and I don't have to tell you, that is a big deal...at least to me it is. As I researched on, getting nearer to her father, I find 100 years later, her great grandfather's and their sons, fighting in the Civil War. As I was working on a couple of her grandfathers, I notice that the father and three of his sons fought in the Civil War--on the same day, in the same battle, the three sons all died! One of the sons, her direct ancestor had a small son--also her direct ancestor. It brought tears to my eyes, thinking of how I'd feel if 3 of my children were killed...on the same day! Buried in an unmarked grave in a different State. How can anyone deal with that?
Or the findings of young mother's who had 10 children in 11 years and then died shortly after their last child was born. Natural causes--they were just worn out. And the babies that died at childbirth, or within a few years of life.
Unique custom in those days--when a child died, the next child born of the same gender, was given the dead child's name. Now to me that would be bad luck, but to them, it was done to honor the child that had died. Some of the children died on the ship ride to America. The man makes the decision to go to the "new world" and the wife has to tag along with all the kids. Such bravery.....we have NO idea.
I'm not a crying person, but I have had tears cloud my eyes on more than one occasion. Some days, I am drained by supper time, it has been so emotional.
==============
The one I'm working on now? For a friend. Not so great. Stay tuned for my dissertation on that one.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
What's happening, Kids?
Snow! That's what's happening here.
Thursday, I went to lunch with my Old School Gal Pals--windy but a nice day. Stopped out to The Farm to visit with "Lil" Sister for awhile, then home, parked, put my windshield wipers up so they wouldn't freeze to the windshield, came inside and haven't been out since.
Snow started at 3:00am Friday morning and didn't quit until 7:00 pm last night (Friday). We only got about 6".
My snow removal kid stopped in Friday around noon and wanted to clean out the drive.
"No! We've got more coming."
So he went down to Dar's and did hers.
He came back around 4:00--"No! We've got more coming."
So he went down to Dar's and did hers again.
He showed up this morning. "No! We've got more coming. Come back Monday morning, okay?"
So he went down to Dar's and did hers.
We are supposed to get another 6" Sunday (tomorrow). Every time he cleans, it's $20.00. He has a snow blower so he can clean up a foot of snow, as easily as he can 6".
He knows that Dar is where the money's at. LOL Besides she had a physical therapy session yesterday afternoon and thought she was going out. The roads outside the park were nearly impassable, couldn't see the lane lines besides that, her shoulder is still in a sling. She planned on driving in a blizzard, with bad roads, with just her left hand?
Dar is one of those people that get antsy and nervous when she is snowed in and can't leave. I mean, she gets practically hysterical--she feels trapped. She's paying the neighbor to bring her mail in everyday. She can't walk 30 feet to her mail box, but she was going to drive, 4 miles in white-out conditions, with just her left hand. Oh--the PT office called her and canceled her appointment.
I, on the other hand, love being snowed in. It's so quiet, beautiful to watch the snow falling, lots of birds and squirrels at the feeders. I could care less how many advertisements and junk mail is building up in the mail box. I'll get it Monday. HAH!
=============
I didn't watch the Olympic opening ceremony last night. I wondered if they were going to have "Lil" Kim light the flame. LOL They are really promoting these Olympics as a huge political scenario. Well, if it tames Lil Kim down, more's the better.
Big News! Karen's oldest son Marcus is getting married June 2, I told you that, but last weekend? Her youngest, Madeleine, the ballerina, got engaged! Totally shocked me. She's only 21 and today, these kids at that age seem so immature. They are still into giggling and having fun with friends and constantly on their phones. I don't know. I had 3 kids by the time I was 21, but nowadays--they just don't seem as old as we did at the same age.
Oh well. It is a marriage made in Heaven. They've known each other since their home school days. They both are very spiritual and active in their church. He proposed to her in their church chapel and they are both strong Catholics. AND he is German!! Stefan von Bulow. They aren't getting married until May 2019, after they both graduate from college.......
I have decided, after asking advice from other grandma's, that it is quite all right for grandma to wear an elegant pant suit to Marcus' wedding.
Karen wanted to take me "dress" shopping. I'm thinking, "dress--which means heels, panty hose, aching back and legs. With a pant suit, I can wear a nice pair of flat sandals. I already have the white lace shell to wear under it. Now I am just waiting for the spring clothes to come out so I can get a light blue pant suit, sleeves down near the elbow to cover up my ugly upper arms, straight cut pants to cover up my ugly, age spotted legs, and closed toe white sandals, to cover up my ugly feet and toes.
My sister is trying to convince me to color my hair blond again. She says, since I have gone gray, my face looks colorless, and I won't "stand out" in the wedding photos.
Good Grief. I don't want to stand out in the photos. The guys are wearing navy blue, the girls dresses are light blue, I figure if I wear light blue, I will blend into the background.
She said, "You can let it grow back after the wedding." Then I'd have to color it again for Maddie's wedding? Oh, Lordy. Hey--this is Gramma Judy--I am gray and wrinkled and old. That's just the way it is. Although, because I am a little vain, I WILL wear make-up that day--if I can find where I stashed it and it isn't all dried up!
Isn't life fun?
Thursday, I went to lunch with my Old School Gal Pals--windy but a nice day. Stopped out to The Farm to visit with "Lil" Sister for awhile, then home, parked, put my windshield wipers up so they wouldn't freeze to the windshield, came inside and haven't been out since.
Snow started at 3:00am Friday morning and didn't quit until 7:00 pm last night (Friday). We only got about 6".
My snow removal kid stopped in Friday around noon and wanted to clean out the drive.
"No! We've got more coming."
So he went down to Dar's and did hers.
He came back around 4:00--"No! We've got more coming."
So he went down to Dar's and did hers again.
He showed up this morning. "No! We've got more coming. Come back Monday morning, okay?"
So he went down to Dar's and did hers.
We are supposed to get another 6" Sunday (tomorrow). Every time he cleans, it's $20.00. He has a snow blower so he can clean up a foot of snow, as easily as he can 6".
He knows that Dar is where the money's at. LOL Besides she had a physical therapy session yesterday afternoon and thought she was going out. The roads outside the park were nearly impassable, couldn't see the lane lines besides that, her shoulder is still in a sling. She planned on driving in a blizzard, with bad roads, with just her left hand?
Dar is one of those people that get antsy and nervous when she is snowed in and can't leave. I mean, she gets practically hysterical--she feels trapped. She's paying the neighbor to bring her mail in everyday. She can't walk 30 feet to her mail box, but she was going to drive, 4 miles in white-out conditions, with just her left hand. Oh--the PT office called her and canceled her appointment.
I, on the other hand, love being snowed in. It's so quiet, beautiful to watch the snow falling, lots of birds and squirrels at the feeders. I could care less how many advertisements and junk mail is building up in the mail box. I'll get it Monday. HAH!
=============
I didn't watch the Olympic opening ceremony last night. I wondered if they were going to have "Lil" Kim light the flame. LOL They are really promoting these Olympics as a huge political scenario. Well, if it tames Lil Kim down, more's the better.
Big News! Karen's oldest son Marcus is getting married June 2, I told you that, but last weekend? Her youngest, Madeleine, the ballerina, got engaged! Totally shocked me. She's only 21 and today, these kids at that age seem so immature. They are still into giggling and having fun with friends and constantly on their phones. I don't know. I had 3 kids by the time I was 21, but nowadays--they just don't seem as old as we did at the same age.
Oh well. It is a marriage made in Heaven. They've known each other since their home school days. They both are very spiritual and active in their church. He proposed to her in their church chapel and they are both strong Catholics. AND he is German!! Stefan von Bulow. They aren't getting married until May 2019, after they both graduate from college.......
I have decided, after asking advice from other grandma's, that it is quite all right for grandma to wear an elegant pant suit to Marcus' wedding.
Karen wanted to take me "dress" shopping. I'm thinking, "dress--which means heels, panty hose, aching back and legs. With a pant suit, I can wear a nice pair of flat sandals. I already have the white lace shell to wear under it. Now I am just waiting for the spring clothes to come out so I can get a light blue pant suit, sleeves down near the elbow to cover up my ugly upper arms, straight cut pants to cover up my ugly, age spotted legs, and closed toe white sandals, to cover up my ugly feet and toes.
My sister is trying to convince me to color my hair blond again. She says, since I have gone gray, my face looks colorless, and I won't "stand out" in the wedding photos.
Good Grief. I don't want to stand out in the photos. The guys are wearing navy blue, the girls dresses are light blue, I figure if I wear light blue, I will blend into the background.
She said, "You can let it grow back after the wedding." Then I'd have to color it again for Maddie's wedding? Oh, Lordy. Hey--this is Gramma Judy--I am gray and wrinkled and old. That's just the way it is. Although, because I am a little vain, I WILL wear make-up that day--if I can find where I stashed it and it isn't all dried up!
Isn't life fun?
Monday, February 5, 2018
I DID IT!!
A good movie came on TV at noon. "Martian", with Matt Damon, an astronaut left behind on Mars. He had to figure out to live until rescue came.
It was a 4hour movie, which worked out well. When the commercials came on, I got up and dusted and vacuumed, put away the clean dishes, and the clean clothes. Straightened up areas. When the movie came back on, I sat in my recliner and rested. I even got my couch and recliner vacuumed.
4 hours was just the right amount of time!!
Oh yes--bird feeders and squirrel feeder box filled, new suet cake in the little cage.
It was a 4hour movie, which worked out well. When the commercials came on, I got up and dusted and vacuumed, put away the clean dishes, and the clean clothes. Straightened up areas. When the movie came back on, I sat in my recliner and rested. I even got my couch and recliner vacuumed.
4 hours was just the right amount of time!!
Oh yes--bird feeders and squirrel feeder box filled, new suet cake in the little cage.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
What is wrong with me?
Such laziness abounds in this house!! I can't believe how I let things go. I see gray cat hair on my navy blue couch and shrug. I see pieces of thread, cat hair, crumbs on my almost new gray/blue carpet and shrug. I step on bits of dry cat food, or cereal on my kitchen tile, and kick it off to the side.
There is a lovely layer of dust, very visible on all surfaces in the living room. Oh well.
For some unknown reason, in the bathroom the other day, I decided to clean it. That cleaning "frenzy" lasted all of the half hour it took me to clean.
The top of my dryer is layered with clothes that have been folded, but not put away. My bra, that has been dry for a week, still hangs from the hanger on the pole above the dryer.
My dishwasher is sitting, door open, racks pulled out, with clean dishes that were washed yesterday, still sitting there, not put away in the cupboards above.
This computer/office/den room looks like a hoarder lives here. My cooler that I used for the Christmas spaghetti sauce Christmas gifts, sits by my dusty book shelves. My nice long table, where I like to lay out and put genealogy pedigrees together, is so covered with...stuff, that there wouldn't be enough space to lay an 81/2x11" page, without having to move something.
The desk? Stacks of paper, the only clear space is where my keyboard sits and room to move the mouse around.
The bird feeders are empty!
What is wrong with me?
==================
I don't like nor do I watch professional football. Except for the Super Bowl. That comes on tonight at 6:00. It is now 11:00. That gives me 7 hours to clean up this place.
Unless, of course, I sit down in my recliner to rest my back and notice there is a good movie on TV and pick up my cross stitch or crochet project and get distracted.
What is wrong with me???
There is a lovely layer of dust, very visible on all surfaces in the living room. Oh well.
For some unknown reason, in the bathroom the other day, I decided to clean it. That cleaning "frenzy" lasted all of the half hour it took me to clean.
The top of my dryer is layered with clothes that have been folded, but not put away. My bra, that has been dry for a week, still hangs from the hanger on the pole above the dryer.
My dishwasher is sitting, door open, racks pulled out, with clean dishes that were washed yesterday, still sitting there, not put away in the cupboards above.
This computer/office/den room looks like a hoarder lives here. My cooler that I used for the Christmas spaghetti sauce Christmas gifts, sits by my dusty book shelves. My nice long table, where I like to lay out and put genealogy pedigrees together, is so covered with...stuff, that there wouldn't be enough space to lay an 81/2x11" page, without having to move something.
The desk? Stacks of paper, the only clear space is where my keyboard sits and room to move the mouse around.
The bird feeders are empty!
What is wrong with me?
==================
I don't like nor do I watch professional football. Except for the Super Bowl. That comes on tonight at 6:00. It is now 11:00. That gives me 7 hours to clean up this place.
Unless, of course, I sit down in my recliner to rest my back and notice there is a good movie on TV and pick up my cross stitch or crochet project and get distracted.
What is wrong with me???
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Proves my point
I e-mailed my sister about how different my kids are. This was her reply--something her son said on the drive home.
Adam said "they're like 2 separate worlds -Mark and Pam yelling about terrible Republicans - then Karen and Jen talking to you about house and family. Are they related??" I laughed.
Adam said "they're like 2 separate worlds -Mark and Pam yelling about terrible Republicans - then Karen and Jen talking to you about house and family. Are they related??" I laughed.
Monday, January 29, 2018
It was the best of days, it was the worst of days
Karen called me two weeks ago to say that Jennifer was coming in for work related meetings and would be at Karen's on Sunday, the 28th. We were all getting together and she would call me later with details and times.
She didn't call, so Saturday morning, I called my sister and asked if Jen was in and if we were getting together and what time.
"Oh. Didn't you get Karen's text?"
"How would I get a text? I don't have a cell phone---remember?"
I keep telling these people! When you send out an informational text, please either e-mail me, or phone me to let me know. They text each other constantly! I never know what is going on--which has left me feeling a distance between me and my family.
So--Jen was flying in late Saturday night and yes we were getting together on Sunday--at 11:30. Just bring snacks--no big meal.
I scurried around and made the chip dip all the kids love and also a batch of Chex Mix, because Jennifer loves it. I always used to make it for Christmas and I knew she hadn't had any in years. I filled a plastic bag with some just for her--to take with her.
I arrived at 11:30, greeted warmly by Jennifer and Karen. Then Karen looked at me and said, "Oh my gosh, Mom! I forgot to call you!"
"Yeah, you inconsiderate brat!"
Did I really say that? Of course not.
"I found out from Aunt Susan," I said, amidst more hugs and kisses.
Soon the rest started arriving. My son Mark and Cindy and daughter Pam, all rode down together. My sister Susan and her Chuck and son Adam. No grandchildren--just my kids and me. It was wonderful.
We all admired Karen and Mark's new addition and their beautiful fireplace.
Had our snackies and settled in to watch the MSU/Maryland basketball game on their new 65" TV.
I kept wondering where Jennifer was and then I saw her. Outside on the front porch. A big deal for her law firm was going astray. She was on the phone with her partners and then the clients.
I managed to snaggle the brats for a photo. It's been 4 years since we've all been together at the same time. I tried to get them in chronological order, which they refuse to do and Mark just kept mumbling, "just snap it! Take the damn picture!" Like trying to get a herd of cats to comply!
Then Granddaughter Helene arrived with Della and granddaughter Madeleine came in from ballet practice--see them in the back at the table?--and Jen was back outside and on the phone--see her in the background, through the window?
She didn't call, so Saturday morning, I called my sister and asked if Jen was in and if we were getting together and what time.
"Oh. Didn't you get Karen's text?"
"How would I get a text? I don't have a cell phone---remember?"
I keep telling these people! When you send out an informational text, please either e-mail me, or phone me to let me know. They text each other constantly! I never know what is going on--which has left me feeling a distance between me and my family.
So--Jen was flying in late Saturday night and yes we were getting together on Sunday--at 11:30. Just bring snacks--no big meal.
I scurried around and made the chip dip all the kids love and also a batch of Chex Mix, because Jennifer loves it. I always used to make it for Christmas and I knew she hadn't had any in years. I filled a plastic bag with some just for her--to take with her.
I arrived at 11:30, greeted warmly by Jennifer and Karen. Then Karen looked at me and said, "Oh my gosh, Mom! I forgot to call you!"
"Yeah, you inconsiderate brat!"
Did I really say that? Of course not.
"I found out from Aunt Susan," I said, amidst more hugs and kisses.
Soon the rest started arriving. My son Mark and Cindy and daughter Pam, all rode down together. My sister Susan and her Chuck and son Adam. No grandchildren--just my kids and me. It was wonderful.
We all admired Karen and Mark's new addition and their beautiful fireplace.
I kept wondering where Jennifer was and then I saw her. Outside on the front porch. A big deal for her law firm was going astray. She was on the phone with her partners and then the clients.
I managed to snaggle the brats for a photo. It's been 4 years since we've all been together at the same time. I tried to get them in chronological order, which they refuse to do and Mark just kept mumbling, "just snap it! Take the damn picture!" Like trying to get a herd of cats to comply!
Then Granddaughter Helene arrived with Della and granddaughter Madeleine came in from ballet practice--see them in the back at the table?--and Jen was back outside and on the phone--see her in the background, through the window?
Della and my son-in-law, her grandpa, looking up at my sister.
I didn't realize how loud my two oldest, Mark and Pam talk. Then there was yelling about the ballgame, so I had to get outside and sit in my car for a few minutes, just to re-adjust my hearing and mind.
==================
Came back in and sat down at the dining room table with Pam and Jen to hear the biggest shock of my life--well maybe not of my life, but the last half dozen years. It shook me to my core.
Pam is moving to New Jersey and live with Jennifer and her family. For two years!!!!!!!
My Pammie, who loves to live alone. Who hates the city. Who doesn't get along with Jen's husband.
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?"
Did I say that? Of course not.
I just sat and listened to her plans.
Jen's husband Eric's father, has finally turned one of his prosthetic offices over to Eric to run as his own. Jennifer will "retire" in two years to be his accountant/lawyer/run the office.
Pam is going to be watching the kids again, while she lives there. She is going to establish residency so that she can get disability, which she is having a hard time getting here, but can more easily get it in NJ, with Jennifer's support and legal help.
I managed to squeak out, "What are you going to do with your house?"
"Walk out and lock the doors."
smart mouth!
"It's not good for a house to sit empty that long."
"I don't care!"
My Pammie. Who loves her house and her farm and never has wanted to leave it for more than a few hours at a time.
"Would you like me to go out and check on it. Maybe spend a weekend, so it looks like someone lives there?"
"Nope! I don't want anybody in MY house. My friend Ed is going to drain all the water pipes, put anti-freeze in the toilets, winterize it. He is going to mow the lawn every week. It's all taken care of."
Then my sister, who had heard a bit of the conversation said, "Do you want us to have a key, so we can check on it, once in awhile?"
"Nope! Nobody has a key to my house, except me. I don't want anybody in my house. If you ever see a blaze coming from the East, call the fire department and then call me."
I had the strongest desire to just slap her!
===============
My Dear friends. This is not going to work! Jennifer and Eric aren't going to like Pam living with them. The two older kids resented her when she used to live at their home two days a week. She bossed them and they didn't like her rules. Eric is not fond of her.
I think Jennifer is doing this to help her sister and thinking that Pam can help her. While they get their business going and build their new house.
This is not going to work!!!
I'm still in shock and the only way I know how to deal with it all, is.....try and not think about it and go with the flow. It is as it is. But...............
this is not going to work!
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