Great Day!

Today's high temperature was: 75 degrees

Today's humidity was:   42%

Sunny and lovely.

We have heat coming back tomorrow

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

OH WOW!!!  I had forgotten this was happening.  A company is not only publishing my 3 children's story books I wrote, but they are putting them in e-book and print format.  I so wanted them in print!!!

Unfortunately, they started with my least favorite, but soon the other 2 will be ready.  I AM GEEKED!!!!!  I will probably end up being their biggest buyer, LOL.  I want copies to donate to the libraries around here too.

I had my books published as an e-book format since 2004, but they weren't selling very well.  Then that publisher wanted to know if I wanted them in print.  I said, "Sure." and I got a notice from this company that they were going to do that.  However--that was THREE years ago and since then, I had forgotten all about it.  I do not remember signing a contract--I haven't paid out one cent as yet.  Now, via e-mail, she informs me that this book is up and ready for sale?  The price they have listed, in my opinion, is ridiculous, but then what do I know.  I am going to stop in the children's picture book in Wal-Mart tomorrow and check out prices.  Last I knew, a Golden Book went for 59 cents!  Anyway, I want to get a box of each book shipped to me so I can sell them and donate them--and yet, I have no clue what my price would be to get them and I have to order 50 each book.

Needless to say, I e-mailed her and ask her these questions.  If I have to pay retail rate--it just ain't going to happen.  BUT--they are being put into print and for that--I am GEEKED!!!!

http://guardianangelpublishing.com/just-too-little.htm
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So much excitement around here today---the guy finally (after 6 weeks) showed up to trim my big Maple tree beside my front porch. I had it trimmed five years ago and it cost $240.00, that was taking out some old, large growth.  Then Freddy climbed up in it and trimmed out the new growth, but, it has come back the last three years and so.................only cost $100.00 today and well worth it.  It just opens up my viewing space and lets more sun in--for winter you know.

 Before

After 

Can you see the difference?

In between 

Monkey up a tree!!

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

They no sooner left then I got a phone call from sister.

"Are you awake?"

"Well....yes."

"I'm at JoAnn's on my way to Meijers and I have to go to the bathroom, can I stop in?"

"Yes."

Click

Glad I had cleaned up the bathroom after my morning shower.

She drove in, she ran down the hallway, and then she came back out.  She talked to her "niece and nephew" (Maggie and Buddy) and out she ran.  We chatted a bit in between times, but she was always moving.  As she was running out to her car, I yelled, "Think about going up to Frankenmuth next month--Okay?"

"Yep,"

Nice for the chance and spontaneity of a drop in visit however. Haven't had that for us in 30 years!  LOL.  

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

Then I had to get over to the Chiropractor.  I took the book of children's stories along with me and gave to the doc.  He was really happy--said he would be reading some of the stories tonight, after supper, as the kids got ready for sleep.

I got a massage--hurt like heck--on the muscles of my neck and shoulders and lower back, then the doc went all over me with the "tapper" what I call the Woodpecker Gun; he even used it on my arthritic hands and especially my right hand where arthritis is pulling my thumb into the palm of my hand.  Then I had the zapper (like a T.E.N. S. device--pads on my neck and shoulder with electric pulses going through--and then, I even got underwater ultra sound on my arthritis hands.  Nice.  and it cost?  $15.00 for the massage.  If I didn't have the massage, it would have been $0!!  Medicare now pays for Chiropractic adjustments.  YAY!

I was going to stop at Wal-Mart to take back some stuff I bought that is either defective or I decided I didn't need, but I was so mellowed out from the massage--my legs felt like boiled noodles, that I just came home. 

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

I no more then got in the door and I saw Dar walking over.  

She walks in, "I noticed you just got back.  Where were you?"

"I was at the Chiropractor's office, I........................."

"Oh.  I went to mine today too.  And the eye doctor's. You were gone quite awhile."

"I had some extra adjustment's done to........................."

"Oh, I also stopped in at my doctor's office.  It appears I owe them over three hundred dollars.  Instead of sending me a bill every month, they decided to wait to see what Medicare would pay.  They didn't, so I have too. Can you believe this weather?  It is suppose to get hot tomorrow though.  Oh my gosh, we are suppose to have storms tomorrow night.  There's a cold front coming through.  Did you know that the manager of the park might be leaving.  You forgot to tell me that I owed you ten dollars.  You should have seen my Father Sunday.  Oh my gosh, he was so funny. We were at.................................."

So, I just sat and listened to what SHE wanted to talk about.  Per usual.  I can't even remember most of it now.

I happened to look up and there was Pearl, on my porch, putting Hydrangea's in one of my railing boxes, along with some fake leaves I had put in there.  Just then, Dar's phone rang and she started the kind of conversation she always does when in the presence of someone--she repeats everything the other person is saying so that you are aware of the things going on in her magnificent life....so I got up and walked out to see what Pearl was up to.

Pretty soon, Darlene came out and the three of us chatted.  Dar told us that with her new job is a union reps assignment.  "I will have to be full time because if I am a union rep, they can't put me on part time."  Then the raucous horse laugh came out.   "My father is sooooo proud of me!  He was a BIG union rep and both my brothers were too and now.....his daughter."  

Raucous laugh   I swear, she sounds just like Curly, in the Three Stooges!!!

Pearl continued to look up, but said nothing, so.....I said, "Well, I will try and restrain myself from saying any negative thoughts I have about  unions." 

Pearl burst right out giggling!

Then I went over to the planter and said, "Pearl, thank you so much.  Isn't this just beautiful?  I needed something else in there to fill it out and this is absolutely perfect!"

Dar looked over my shoulder and then said, "I gotta get home.  I am going out to dinner with Sheila.  That was her that called.  Oh--my life is so busy, but I am so blessed. "  Down the steps she went with a "God bless you both richly.  Bye."

So Pearl and I sat out on the porch and had a nice chat.  A two-way chat. 

P.S.  If you want to buy any of my books, wait until I get all three of them made and then I will sell them to you personally. It will cost you a lot less :-)

Tuesday--Why Did It Seem Like Friday?

Today's high temperature was:  67 degrees

Today's humidity was:  36%

Sunny and lovely--all day!!

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

One of my blog buddie's cat died.  He was 16 years old!  His name was Gizzy.  I felt terrible--all morning, I was sad.  I never met that cat.  I have never met the blog buddy, but still...I felt bad.

Remember me telling you that because I was raised on a farm and animals--pets--were always getting run over or died?  I grew up---I had pets all my life--they died.  I was sad for a few days, but it wasn't tragic or anything.  

I laughed to myself, when a co-worker had to take two days off work when one of her cats died.  It was one of those hairless, skinny, ugly Sphynx or something.  They looked like Yoda on a bad day.

I had to take care of them for a week for her.  I had to feed them their special food out of a spoon!  EGAD!!  Probably registered.  Probably cost a ton of money.  UGLY!!

Take two days off work?  For a cat?  It's just an animal--big deal.

Well--haven't times and feelings changed!  I worry so that I will die before Buddy and Maggie and what would happen to them.  They have to go to live together--they cannot be separated--that is in my Will!!!  My sister said she'd take them, but she is like I used to be--not real cozy or patient with animals.  If Maggie jumped up on her counter--she'd probably make her into an outside cat--really quick!  If Buddy wanted to sit on her all the time, like he does me, she'd probably dump him off her lap onto the floor every single time.  AND FOR SURE--neither one would be allowed to sleep in the bedroom, let alone snuggle on the bed.

I sometimes worry that one of them will die BEFORE I do.  I just don't know what I would do without Buddy lying up by my head every night--his soft warm fur for me to stroke to fall asleep--his big head, resting in the palm of my hand.  Maggie at my feet--keeps my feet warm when it is cold in here.  Their constantly jumping up on the recliner to sit on my lap for a pet, or lie at the foot of the chair for a nap, while I stitch or read.

When a pet use to get sick, I would have them put down, rather then pay for expensive surgeries or vet bills.  Now--I just know--I would go into further debt to get them well--if it were possible AND I wouldn't just leave them at the vet's for him to put them down, I would hold them and pet them while the shots were given!

I'll just bet you, if one of them died, I'd probably cry and mourn harder then I did when Fred died.  I'll just bet I would!  Then, I had to be brave for everyone around me.  Keep a smile on my face and tell everyone how thankful I was to have been in his life--and I was--but now?  I could just cry and mourn and rant and scream if I wanted too.  I'll just bet I would.
====================================
So today, I worked for about three hours.  I am just having a ball and researching all different ways to self-publish and how to market and sell books.  My friend, who I am doing the work for, lives in Europe.  I think it is going to be difficult to keep a supply of her wonderful cookbook on hand to mail to the distribution place.  I think it would be more prudent, if I had the books here and then worked with the seller and distributor.  Easier for me to ship what books they want to sell, then for her.  She lives three miles from the nearest post office and doesn't drive.  I know how to package them, print out a shipping label and have the mail lady pick them up at my door.  

Anyway, I am having a good time--trying not to spend all day in here--and today, I made $21.00 and I didn't spend anything, so I am ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
===============================

I decided to look at my "to do" list and took the refrigerator apart and washed every stinking inch of it, all the shelves, drawers.  Vacuumed under neath.  Talk about a back breaking job.  My back and hip still hurt!  But--it is done and it shines like new.  All of my appliances are fifteen years old--and they run just perfectly.  Kenmore and GE--guess that is the brand I would buy when they give out.  Definitely, GE!

Then I vacuumed, then I mopped the kitchen floor.  Opened up the windows and door as it was getting warmer outside.  

Then--my box of spring bulbs I ordered last spring arrived via UPS!  I am going to keep them out on the porch because I feel it is too warm inside.  I have tulips and daffodils and Snow Glories.  Next week, it promises to be cold again and I will start the process of cutting back the perennials, pulling out the now ragged annuals and planting my spring bulbs, where I stuck the sticks last spring--in the empty spaces in my garden.  I am already getting pictures out of catalogues and other's blogs for what I want to plant next spring. I can hardly wait to see what comes up next year.  I had such a bountiful growth for my lilies this year--they were taller then usual and fuller--beautiful.  

I will take down sun catchers and porch ornaments and garden ornaments, clear everything off my porch and get ready to---paint it.  I know, that is going to be a job.  It has to be prepped and sanded in places.  I think right now, that it will be easy peasy, but I KNOW--that never happens.  There will be a hitch somewhere along the way, but I can figure it out.  I bought treads to go on the steps, because they scare me when the snow and ice come.  I also got something, which I think is neat.  Motion detector lights that go on the porch spindles.  Last year, when I came home from some of Madeleine's functions, always after dark, I had a hard time seeing where the porch steps began--now, these lights will come on and I can see!!!

I am going to paint the porch grey--floor, and the railings and posts white.  Two coats--at least.  Hoping to find a paint that has a primer/sealer in it.  Every one's porch around here is this color--mine is this color:

Floor, railings, spindles.

I want mine to be Cape Cod grey and white--like my sisters.
Too bad I can't afford a new deck made out of the composite Trex like they did.  No maintenace--EVER!

At one time, I had thought to paint my shutters and porch green, but that would be quite a job for me.  OH--I know I could do it, but................this will be a much simpler fix.  They have paint just special for decks and concrete and will last with a lot of traffic.  It even seals up splinters and fills in cracks and screw holes.  That is what I am going to get.  It is going to be very cool and look very nice with my white house with black shutters and new black/charcoal roof..  AND I DON'T NEED TO PAY SOME MAN TO DO IT FOR ME.  I have painted porches before and I will have no problem.  The only problem is $$$$$.  Hey!!! I have a Lowe's charge card--hee hee hee.  Be paid off before next spring!
==================================
Pearl walked down this evening.  I had lent her my 3 published children's books to read.

"I had no idea you were a writer.  How come you never told me?"

"I don't usually tell people.  I guess it just never occurs to me.  When my first book was published, I was so happy.  I drove out to The Farm to tell my Dad and he was kind of yawny about it. Then I told my kids and they were like, "Oh, that's nice Mom."  I didn't quite get the reaction I expected, so....I just never tell anyone anymore."

"Where in the world do you get your ideas from?" (don't end your sentence in a preposition.)

"From events from my childhood or...just from my imagination."

"Well--you write in there, just like a child would think and talk.  How do you know how to do that?"
  
"I just remember how we talked, when we were kids.  When I first started writing children's stories---there was a park right beside where I lived in Saginaw.  I'd go over there and sit and watch the kids and listen to them talk."

"I just never knew.  You are really a good writer!"

Aw gee.  How sweet of her to say that.
==========================
See ya tomorrow, kids.  Later, Jude

Sweepstakes and Suckers

The high temperature today was: 54 degrees

The humidity was:  36%

Cloudy and cold this morning. 

Sunny and cold this afternoon

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

Quite a few of the blogs I read have poetry that the ladies have written.  I love to read them.  This is a poem I wrote a couple of years ago.  Not real profound, but I giggle every time I read it.  It is going in the book for the chiropractor's boys--aged 5 & 7.

I had a Woozle, a very fine Woozle

And I asked him outside to play.

But I got a refusal from my fine Woozle

Inside for a snoozle he’d stay.

I found a stout rope put it over his moozle

Tugged and pulled him down the hallway.

When we got to the porch, he got scared of course

And dug in his claws to stay.

I pleaded and begged and tugged on the rope

I was going to have it my way.

But my Woozle was strong and he broke the rope

And promptly ran away.

So if you have a Woozle, a very fine Woozle

And he doesn’t want to play.

Then accept his refusal, let him be a Woozle

And snoozle inside all day.
================================================

A sad thing today.  I walked up to Pearl's and we chatted a bit, then the mail came and I walked out to get it for her.  She had a huge pile of stuff and while I sat there, she went through it.  All entries for sweepstakes.  It seems she has entered about fifteen different sweepstakes.  She thinks she is in the final stages of winning $2M in one of them.  She went through ten of the today and threw the rest away--only keeping the ones worth a million or more.  It seems out of the ten, she is in the running for the final prize in each one.

Okay

She looked at me and said, "Don't sit over there smirking at me.  Thinking I am silly for doing this."

"No--it's okay.  It gives you something to do."

"Yeah--you can smirk now, but when I win--you won't be smirking then!"

"I hope you know not to send in any money or buy anything from them.  You don't have to pay or buy to win.  It's the law now after the people sued Publisher's Clearing house for requiring a person to buy something in order to be in the drawing."

"I know the law...I know that.  The only money I have sent in is a measly nine dollars for the judge's fees."

"Pearl!  That means it is a scam!"

"No.  It was all explained in the paperwork.  If you don't send in the judges fees, you won't be put into the final drawing."

"But...you've sent them money, so you are getting scammed."

"No I'm not!  It is just a few dollars for the judges fees so they will put my name in the final drawing.  Just wait until I win a million dollars...or more.  Then you will see."

GOOD GRIEF!!!

So, I came home and did some research and this is what I found:

1. Sweepstakes Scams Require You Pay to Receive the Prize

Legitimate sweepstakes will never ask you to pay fees to participate or to receive a prize. You should never have to pay handling charges, service fees, or any other kind of charges up front to receive a win - those are sure signs of sweepstakes scams. No purchase necessary -- it's the law!

You never have to order or pay a fee to enter and win a sweepstakes. You always have an equal chance of winning whether or not you order -- it's the law.

The requests must come in writing and can come from the individual personally or from bulk mailings... You never have to order or pay a fee to enter and win a sweepstakes, by specially trained judges, or by a computer using random selection programs.

She won't listen.  I am not the teacher of the world...or of Pearl.  I have told her.  I have shown her and still...she has only spent a total of ninety dollars for judges fees and she will recoup that when she wins!

and, I'll bet when they tell her she is in the final drawing, but they need twenty-five dollars or whatever to insure her name goes in--she will pay it.  Twenty-five times ten entries.  

...and she just can't see it.  ...and she still hasn't called Comcast to have her home phone taken off the bundle.  A phone that is not hooked up to the outside world!

...and she can't work her new Smart Phone.  She cannot take an incoming call, because she can't figure out how to push the talk button, or whatever button you push.  She actually said to me, "I don't understand this damn thing, but...it is a Smart Phone so it will help me figure out how to operate it."

I mumbled, "A smart phone is only as smart as the operator of said phone."

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

House is separated

 House is prepared for the road

Half a house gone

Bye, bye house.  Bye, bye hunky boys.

Other half going

Hello view!

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

I spent today running around.  Got an oil change for my car.  The guys said it had been taken care of real well.  Nearly 16 years old and only 42,000 miles on it--no rust--no problems.  Yes--I am very lucky.  Stopped at the Wal-Mart to get some stuff to make the story book for the chiropractor's boys.  It turned out really nice.  Made an appointment in late October to take Pammie to the Opthamalogist.  Dar came to visit--blah, blah, blah.  She did ask how my weekend had gone, but when I went to tell her, she started looking down at her watch, stretching and yawning, so I kept it short.  She really isn't interested--unless it concerns her.

Cross stitched some more on Elmo--I think I am going to make it and...put in a couple of hours on my new job.  Could have worked more hours, but trying to pace myself.  It is real interesting and I think it is going to help me too--if I ever want to self-publish a book.  

If it would just warm up a tad, I would get really interested in cleaning up and painting my front porch.  I really would like to get it done before winter comes.  October has some real nice weather--I am thinking--3 days max to get it all done with 2 coats of paint.  We shall see.

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

Oh yes--I bought a three pack of cotton underpants.  I haven't worn cotton in years and years and years--they feel nice and comfy, even though they tend to drag on my jeans when I pull up my pants, but still in all.........nice.

Another mass shooting today--it seems as if we are all becoming blase' about these types of things.  

I am also working on this for a Christmas present

for Jennifer.  Like the one I did for Karen.

Boy--I sure do miss those little kids   <sigh>

A Fun Day

The high temperature today was: 56 degrees

The humidity was:  40%

Cloudy and rainy  all day.

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

A really good weekend--I guess.  Not much going on, which was nice.  Saturday, I got a lot of work done on the Elmo pillow I am making for Evan's 2nd birthday.  Invited to the party or not, he WILL get his pillow.  If there is no party, I will go over the next Monday, when the three older kids are at school, Jen is at work, and visit with Pammie and Evan.  SO THERE!!!

I have to have this completed in less then two weeks.  I am getting really tired of stitch after stitch of reddish orange.  It has been so difficult.  With my shaky right hand, I have a hard time hitting the "holes" for the stitches and occasionally, stick my fingers with the needle.

Saturday, I had my entire day set up.  A football game for University of Michigan, (BOO) started at noon, another one for Michigan State University (YAY), started at 2:00.  There was some golf I wanted to watch, then the local news and then the Detroit Tigers baseball game AND, one hour of the Cedar Cove movie.

I sat in my chair and stitched ALL DAY!!!  and I only got his head completed and started on his arms.  SIGH!

Dar told me that Salvation Army store has office products.  So--before the games started, I ran up there.  It is only 1/2 mile away.  I got a large 3", 3-ring binder; 5 smaller 1" floppy binders in different colors; a pack of file folders and a lined notebook to take notes or just write in.  Equaled=$6.00.  She said they often get in reams of printer paper, pens, on and on.  I need printer paper in a big way--I am totally out!!!!!

The chiropractor I go to has two young sons.  Four years ago, I printed out one of my published children's books.  He said, "They have read it so much, it is falling apart."  So, I decided that I would go on my website and copy some of my other stories listed there.  Kids just like a "book" they can hold in their hands and turn pages.  Personally, I also hate e-books!!!  I want one I can hold in my hand, turn the pages and put a bookmark in when I am done reading a chapter.

I spent quite a bit of time today, transferring the website stories over to a Word document.  Then, I will print them off and put them in one of the colorful binders I purchased yesterday and take them in to the doc, on my next appointment on Wednesday.

It was neat.  I hadn't read these stories in quite awhile.  I got to reading and laughing and then thought, "You are a half way decent children's writer!"  There is always a lot of funny dialogue in my stories, and funny things the kids get into, and of course--always a moral to the story--that the kid figures out for themselves, usually.  All of my stories are based on a life experience I had as a child, or a friend had.

I couldn't write an adult novel if my life depended on it--I don't much understand adults.  But I sure understand kids and remember so vividly what it was like when I was a kid.  Everything was so innocent and happy (most of the time).  I once had a therapist tell me that I wrote children's stories--happy ones, because I was re-writing my childhood--happier one.  I don't think that is true though.  I remember my childhood as being happy.  I had a great childhood!!!

Yeah, my Daddy was critical, mean and slapped me around, but--I still think of the fun time I had growing up.  An only child, so I drew on my imagination and children's books that were read to me and played them out.  One day, I would be an Indian, the next day, a cowboy shooting Indians.  One day I was an explorer, searching for and finding wondrous things in the woods or the hay loft.  The next day, I was a hermit--trying to hide in places where no one would see me.  Attempting to sneak around all day long, without anyone seeing or talking to me, while I was watching and observing them.

I had a wonderful childhood.  Of course, in my children's stories, the Daddy is always so understanding and fair.  THAT might be where the re-writing of my young life came into being?
===============================
 I HAVE A JOB!!!!!  I am scared to death about it.  Perfectionist--I want to do it perfectly--which I know is impossible.  It is right up my alley, as they say.  Doing research on the computer.  Taking copious notes and setting up spreadsheets.  All work from home.  Knowing I will tend to be obsessed about it and reminding myself to NOT stay up all night because I am on the trail of more clues.  I have my handy-dandy new writing notebook from the Salvation Army store to keep notes in, because my remembering is not what is used to be.  I have already made a couple of spreadsheets to keep track of links and what is in them and how to access them.

I even have an expense account!  Well--lah dee dah for me!!!  I have no idea what expenses might occur, but I guess I will find out AND I have a time sheet to keep track of my time spent working on all of this.  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?  Actual money for doing something that I like?  AMAZING!!

So--I'm scared.  I don't quite know what to search for--but my brain is already turning over idea.  (Do I get paid for the brain time, LOL.)  But, I am sticking my "puttie footie" in the stream and we shall see what we shall see.
========================

Did I ever tell you I was a ghost writer on a novel?  A lady found me in a Pogo game room because my ID was "akidswriter" and she chatted with me that she needed a writer for a novel she wanted to publish.  I offered.  She sent me huge envelopes of notes and written pages.  Scraps of paper with ideas--proof of people she had met, been married too.  Pictures of the houses she had lived in and the parties she went too.  She had the story, she needed someone to get it down, with dialogue and correct grammar and spelling and format.

She was from Louisiana.  The book was her REAL life story, but she wanted me to fictionalize it.  I'll tell you what--when she'd call--with that sweet southern voice and tell me instances in her life--I'd sit on this end of the phone line with my mouth all agape and just listen.  What a fascinating life she had!!!  Married at one time to a country singer--she knew Hank Williams and Patsy Cline and all the rest of them, at that time.  Then, divorced, and went off to Beverly Hills, CA and worked in the movies--as an extra.  Had a few speaking lines actually.  I have seen a couple of the movies that she was in.

I can't say much more, because it is private, but we had that book ready to go!  She had an agent and a publisher--my name was going to be on the book!!!  They even had a director who wanted to make a movie from the book!!!.  I loved that job--I was excited for her and was going to be able to meet her.

She died two weeks before the book was sent off for printing. She had no living relatives. Had no provisions in her Will for having her book published. I had no authority.  So--the manuscript is laying somewhere gathering dust, as no one has the rights to publish it.  I do have a copy on a couple of CD's and my hard drive and I treasure them.

Too bad we didn't get it done!

"I 'coulda been somebody, Baby!"
"I 'coulda made millions!"
"I 'coulda had my name in lights, Baby!"
"I 'coulda been a contenda'"

LOL
=================================

Change

Today's high temperature was:  55 degrees

Today's humidity was:  46%

90 degrees on Wednesday--air conditioner

71 + yesterday

55 today--furnace

80+ next mid-week--air conditioner

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

Michigan's Motto:

"If you seek a beautiful peninsula, look about you" 

 OR 

"If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it will change."

Hugs--Kisses and Love

Today's high temperature was:  71 degrees

Today's humidity was:  42%

Sunny--then the cold front came through--58 degrees now.  Br-rr.

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

More pix of Madeleine's band friends:

Maddie & Drew--both horn players

He is President of the Senior Class

They dated a couple of times last year

He is also a singer

Very nice kid.

My favorite--Matthew

He attended West Point this summer

Head Drum Major for the 240+ band

Matt does this when the band comes out for pre-game

They say, he will be drum major at 

Michigan State U, next year.  I wouldn't doubt it.

THIS is the one I want her to date. :-)

Maddie and her other horn buddy, Brian Tang

Wonderful kid--I call him Ting Tang--Walla Walla Bing Bang

He has a HUGE crush on her, but she doesn't realize it.

I was talking about Maddie today.  This girl is so pretty and so talented and when she dances in her ballerina performances, her teacher says, "The look on her face....she is transported to another world!"  That is true.  She is so unpretentious--she doesn't realize how pretty or talented she is.  So down to earth.

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I had a wondrous visit this morning.  I got an e-mail message from Maddie's older sister Susanna--my grand daughter who got married exactly one year ago.  She and her hubby had flown home (from Oregon) for her to be in a girl friends wedding.  They wanted to stop in for a quick visit.  OHMYGOSH!!!

These two are the ones who stopped in.

The "runners".

Here they are with Maddie when she stayed in Portland with them this last July.

I started squealing when they pulled into the driveway, Susie jumped out and run up the steps to me, hugged me and we rocked back and forth, making those, "hm-hm-hmm" sounds.  Derek was close behind her and he joined in the group hug--then we had separate hugs and kisses.

We sat out on the porch and talked because, Derek has a terrible, in the hospital ER, kind of allergy to cats!!  After awhile, Susie and I came in to get her quilt and so she could see the cats--she so loves cats!!!!

Then they had to leave to get down to Birmingham (near Detroit) to get ready for her girl friends bridal shower and pre-wedding stuff.  They will be back for Christmas, though, so.................

"I love you so much, Gramma," she said, when she hugged and kissed me good-bye--twice!!!

:I love you too, Sweetheart," said Gramma as she hugged her again.

NOW--that's the way a grand child is suppose to be toward their Gramma!!!!!

I cried for a half hour after they left--just all that love over flowing my soul and seeping out of my eyes, I guess.

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Then I went down to Pearl's to help her figure out how to get into Face Book so she could play the games she likes.  She needs a new video card really badly!!  It is hard to play and enjoy a game when the monitor screen is all distorted in color and picture.  Sigh!  That makes her even more frustrated, but she will not get it fixed!!!  No matter how much I tell her that it is a simple fix--at least for a video card--she won't get it done.

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Before I put the garbage out last night, I took everything out of the one garbage pail (YUCKY) and put it into the other one--just to make sure my moccasins weren't in there.  Nope!  this whole shoe thingie has gone from being weird to being just plain idiotic.  They are no where on this property!  The only way they got out of here was, someone opened the door, reached in and took them.  Plain and simple as that.  Why--that's another question that will never be answered.  I had a $20 dollar bill laying on the little table behind the door.  Apparently they didn't open the door far enough to see it?  I have not one clue.

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Tomorrow afternoon, I go to the chirocracker again.  The muscles that run along the top of my shoulders, and the base of my neck are still very sore.  My back feels great, but I am having a lot of cramping in my calves.  I imagine tomorrow, I will once again, get the rack, the gun and the electric shock.  It's all good.

My Visit To The Police Station

Today's high temperature was: 91 degrees

Today's humidity was: 62%

Hot, hot, hot.

Then severe storms came through at 6:00 and it cooled off nice!!

YAY

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I got a call yesterday to be at the State Police post in Brighton, today at 11:00 a.m. Although I didn't get to sleep until 5:00 this morning, I made it in time.

I had to fill out forms, and they took my picture--boy, they sure wanted to know a lot about me. My age and height and weight!!

A lady came to the holding tank and took me back to a room and made me lay down on a table that the guy called, "The Rack". He pushed down on my shoulders while the rack pulled up on my neck. Then he told me to sit up and said he was going to use a "gun" on me!!! It must have been an automatic pistol, because he shot up and down my spine and it felt like rubber bullets hitting me!  I told him he should put needles in the gun and then it would feel like acupuncture.

Then, this lady took me to another bigger room and sat me in a chair. She said, "Now we are going to electrocute you." I was ready to confess to anything--I would have said, "yes, I did it," even if I hadn't. 

She put pads on my back and shoulder and hooked up the electrical wires to a machine and ZAP--I felt the first shock hit me--and it got stronger and stronger!!!
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The Chiropractor, that I went to four years ago, has moved into a beautiful new building.  It just happens to be where the State Police Post in Brighton, was housed until 2012.  

He said my shoulder's are coming up to hug my neck.  Me neck is extremely tight and I had lots of oweee's where pockets of lactic acid had settled--toxins, they called them.  I also got a very painful 20 minute massage.  I ache all over tonight, but I actually feel much better.  So far, my left arm has not gone numb!!  All that, and it only cost $15.00--that was for the massage--if I just get an adjustment, Medicare will cover it.  YAY!!!  I have to go back Friday.
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I was going to go to the Rich's People's store, which is only about 2 blocks from his office, but by the time I got out of there, my legs felt like marshmallow creme and I was so sleepy.  I drove on home and climbed into my recliner.  After my soap, I headed back into town to get my salads, find a belt to hold up my blue jeans and stopped on the way home for a "five dollar foot long."  Next month, Subway's special "five dollar foot long" is going to be the Spicy Italian--my favorite.  Unfortunately, I have used up the gift card Pammie gave me for my birthday, but...I will find five bucks somewhere a few times next month.  A foot long sub makes 2 meals for me.
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We had some heavy duty storms roll through.  60 mph wind gusts, hard, pounding rain and a nice cold front behind the storms.  I think autumn is finally here--starting tomorrow.  I am glad, actually.

Dar came over to pick up the frosting she wanted me to buy for her and, instead of paying me, she showed me this and wondered if I wanted it.

It came into the Salvation Army store today.

Brand new, still in the original package.

Here is the description on the package front:

Baby Quilt Stamped Cross Stitch Kit 34x43 - Mod Zoo: 
Happy faces will make baby smile. Zoo-inspired baby quilt 
is stamped for cross-stitch on white pre-quilted 
polyester/cotton fabric with a finished edge. 
Kit contains presorted cotton floss, needle, and instructions. Approximately 34 x 43" (86 x 109cm). Made in U.S.A.

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Retail Price:

$49.99

It was marked $2.99 on the package!!!

Now---when I get Elmo done and the other baby quilt done, then I have one to work on this winter.  I AM THRILLED!!!!!

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Okay-I am  having a slight problem with my spacing.  I went into HTML and tried to change the codes, but when I return to "Compose", it goes back to the left margin not being where I want it.

Anyway--I wrote a letter to the Probate Court in the County where my step-mother lived and died and---no Will has been filed for probate in her name!  SAY WHAT???

This was an e-mail I got from their office today.

Dear Judith,

The Genesee County Clerk’s Office forwarded a letter to us, from you, requesting information on a will for Helen Walts.

Please be advised that the Genesee County Probate Court shows no record of a will for Helen Walts. There was a Petition and Order for Assignment filed on 6/13/13 (case number: 13-196433-PE) that may be viewed in our office Monday through Friday from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. If copies are desired, they will be $1.00 per page.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

So--I sent back a reply and asked if it could be filed in Shiawassee County as that is where she lived most of her life.

This was her reply:

That’s a possibility. You might want to check with Shiawassee County Probate Court. People don’t always deposit their wills with the court for safekeeping, so even if you know there was a will it might be really hard to find. Good luck!

Does the first e-mail mean that the Order for Assignment mean it is going to be filed at a later date?  I should have taken a correspondence course in Law!!!  Of course, I could just ask my youngest, Jen The Attorney, but of course, she still isn't speaking to me.   

I shared the e-mail with my sister.  I didn't want her name involved at all, in case someone found out there had been an inquiry.  I was going to be the bad girl in all this.  It's not that we have to know an amount, or even when we might get the PROMISED annuity, but it sure would be nice to know that one is coming--so we could breathe a sigh of relief and plan a bit.  Susan certainly would like to go on with more renovation with the money that was PROMISED to her and I would just like to know that I can make it a few more years with the PROMISED annuity and not have to go on Welfare or file for bankruptcy!!!

Yes--it is my own fault, being in this position.  I got stuck with a credit card debt for Fred and then, after his oldest daughter said not to worry they would take care of the funeral expenses, so I put it on another credit card--and they didn't help after the first two months, but still.......................my household income was $2,300 on December 31s, Fred was paying half the household expenses and paying me back what he owed me, and then...on January 1, 2012, it dropped to $843.00.

DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA--or anybody else.  I will get myself through, because...I just will!!

This is why I say that my Pammie, reminds me of me!  We are so gullible, or have no self respect or--get stupid with helping people and trusting and believing they will pay us back the money we lent them.   Thank Goodness, Pammie is twenty years younger then me and she is a lot smarter then I was at 54.  Maybe in twenty years, she will be in better shape.

Anyway--it is a scary thing each and every month. But, God has always taken care of me--always.  So--if it is in His plan, we will find out if the Will is like it is supposed to be, as PROMISED!!!

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I have a home, a car, a computer and TV that work and two wonderful purry furry's--I have everything I need.

By the way, did you see Cape Cod Kitty's comment yesterday?  She said I should have gone over to where the hunky guys were taking the mobile home apart and ask if my moccasins might be up on the roof.  LOL!!!  I should have--I would have had a better view of their beefiness!!!
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See ya tomorrow-Jude