Well, what have I been up to?
5'11", but now I'm 5'10'.
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Nuttin' much going on here.
The Stink Bugs are back, ever trying to get into the house to "winter-over" up in the ceiling trim and produce more Stink Bugs in the spring.

I keep telling myself I need to get outside and cut back and clean up the perennial gardens, but for some reason, I don't.  There are many excuses.

#1.  The yard waste people just came and they won't be here for another two weeks, so I have plenty of time.

#2.  It isn't even Autumn yet, so I have plenty of time.

#3. I have to drag so much stuff out of the shed, in the wheel barrow to get it done.

#4.  The sun is too hot.

#5.  It's too cloudy and it might rain.

#6.  It's going to make my back hurt.

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It is such a procedure nowadays!.

Gone are the days when I could work outside for 4-6 hours and enjoy it and live to tell about it.

Now...I have to load up my wheel barrow with: Loppers, small garden shears, electric hedge trimmer, long extension cord for said trimmer.  The yard waste bags.  My trowel.  The rake.  My hand digger.  My folding chair so I can sit to do most of the job.

Today would be a perfect day.  My back feels pretty good.  The sun is nice and it is only 74, but...the yard waste guys came this morning so that means, if I cut back/cleaned up, I would have to store the full bags in my shed and then haul them out September 30th.

Maybe, if conditions are right, I will get out there on Saturday the 28th.  I don't work on Sundays, no matter how nice it is outside, so that takes out the 29th.  Besides, the 29th is Rosh Hashanah.

Oh good.  Another excuse.  If it is a special Jewish or Catholic day, I can't work.

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I had lunch with the Old School Gal Pals last Thursday.  Our Senile friend was picking on someone other than me, for a change.  She tells these "stories" and then turns to someone and says, "You remember Ruth.  You were there."

Ruth does not remember because it never happened.

Like the time my friend Bethie wasn't at lunch and Senile Liz went on about how Bethie's husband offered me a ride home, but he kept stopping and the ride home took seven hours and I thought he was kidnapping me?

"You remember Judy.  How you told me you were so scared you'd never get home?"

Never even close to happening.

We don't know where she comes up with these things.  Some are humorous and we laugh, unless it involves one of us.  Then whomever she has involved, looks confused and says something like, "No.  That wasn't me.  Must have been someone else." and we keep on eating, or someone will jump in with another subject.

Ah--the joys of getting old!

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I did get to stop in for a visit with my sister at The Farm.  Probably the only reason I go to the luncheon.  If they are held in the town near The Farm, I use that day for a visit with Sister.  When "they" want to go some where else and it is not convenient for a stop on the way home at The Farm, for me, I usually do not attend.

Although with Senile Liz, I probably should attend all the luncheons if only to defend myself.

Sister and I sat in her smaller living room, which used to be the parlor in the olden days.  Very nice and cozy and we just talked--about her son and my kids and her giving me information about my daughter Jennifer and Jen's oldest, my grandson Andrew who, at 17 years old, just started college at some private college near Boston.  He hates it!

I think he should have taken a year in between high school and college.  What do they call that year?  I know there is a name for it.  Of course, I have not mentioned my thoughts to anyone.  I feel like there are spies in the family that would report back to Jen of "Do you know what your Mother said?!"  

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My snoopy, gossipy cousin who got me into trouble with Jen and caused me to delete my original blog and make this new, unable to find in any search list one, has somehow gotten on my friends list on Face Book.  Every time I post something, I can feel her lurking in the background.  I am putting her on my "restricted" list so she can't find me.

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That's about it.  Here I sit, with my excuses and my paranoia.  How pitiful. LOL 

I don’t do much, so when I go to the grocery, it’s like an “outing” for me.  I sometimes engage with people and I intentionally look for old, short or electric buggy people so I can help them get something off the tall shelf.

I went to Meijer to get in on their “10 for $10.00, 11^th one Free” sale.  Had to get my Diet Pepsi.

This time I was the one who needed help.  The shelf where the Diet Pepsi is, was empty.  I looked behind me and they had stacks and stacks of it, in the plastic cartons they bring into the store, but, there were stacks and stacks of other Pepsi drinks on top of my Diet Pepsi.

I turned and saw a guy loading up his cart with Coke.  He had a cammo TRUMP baseball cap on.  He was about my height, but he had a big torso—you know what I mean, a big tummy.  I made a judgment that he had a bit of Red Neck attitude so I knew, he’d be polite to an elderly woman.

“I like your hat,” I said.

He looked at me as if I might be being sarcastic, I wasn’t.  Then I asked, “Could you help me?  I need to get at the Diet Pepsi, but it’s too heavy for me to lift those other cases off it.”

“I’d be glad to Ma-am.  How many bottles do you want?”

“Eight of the Diet Pepsi and three of the De Café Diet.”

He proceeded to get the other cartons off the top and, I could see him counting to himself as he put what I had asked for, in my cart.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“You’re welcome.” He said.

A man of few words.  He didn’t ask if I wanted more than eleven.  He didn’t mention anything political.  He paid attention to what I had asked him to do and he just did it.  I liked that.

Stopped in the dairy department to get some milk.  Along the way, there was a lady in an electric buggy, trying to stand up and reach for some lunch meat.

“May I help you get something?” I asked.

“Oh, thank you so much Honey,  you’re so kind.”

“What would you like?”

“I’m getting bologna.  My brother will only eat Oscar Meyer and he will only eat the beef kind.”

So I reached up to get a package.

“Now, is that thick cut?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, he has to have thick cut.”

I found it and handed it to her.

“Well, now, that’s too much.  Is there a smaller package?”

I didn’t see any so I told her, “You can freeze it.  Use some and then put however many slices you need into those Ziploc bags and freeze it for next time.”

She laughed and laughed. Hm-mm.

“Did you see this mop I had to get?”

“Yes.”

“My brother wanted this kind of mop.  He doesn’t do the mopping, I do, but he told me to get this kind.  I don’t know why his daughter doesn’t come over and clean for us, but she don’t.  I can barely walk, but it’s up to me to clean.”

I am starting to ease away, so she follows along, in her buggy, talking about how the kids won’t come over and help…mow the lawn…clean the house.

“But they think they are going to get everything when he dies.  Well, I have joint title to the house, so if he dies first, I can stay there.”

By now we are up by the bakery and I am trying to get to the check-out.

“They’ll probably try to kick me out of the house.  Dang kids nowadays. They don’t have time to help—all too busy, but…..hanging like Vultures over your head.  Waiting for you to die and then will come in and pick and take what they want.”

Then she sort of veered off to where the bread is displayed.  “Oh my.  I almost forgot to get his rye bread.  He’d sure be mad if I did.  Thank you, Honey.  Bye. Bye.”

Whew.  Okay, into the check-out lane.  With my new Meijer charge card, I got $15.00 off my order!  When I got gas, I got 0.10 a gallon off the Meijer gas.

It was quite  an adventurous outing today!

  

I just had the best time yesterday!

I had an appointment to get my hair cut and had my $$ saved up in the envelope for it. I had to get cat food and milk and water and some food for me.

I just got a new Meijer card. $10.00 off the 1st order and I had my $16.00 for food on my Bridge card.

As I was getting ready to leave, my sister and Chuck stopped in with bags of groceries for me, including ground beef! YAY.

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So I took off and after my hair cut as I was paying, a lady walked up to me and smiled. I didn't recognize her, but she did look familiar and I thought, "Oh no! She knows Karen, or her kids danced with Maddie, or were in the band......I'm suppose to know her."

So I stuttered, "You look so familiar, but I don't remember your name."

She replied, "No, we don't know each other, but I wanted to tell you. I was watching your reflection in the mirror while you were getting your hair cut and you have the most radiant smile!"

I was flustered and ready for a sarcastic remark like, "You must be mistaken...are you sure it wasn't a grimace?" BUT thank God, He kept my mouth shut and I just thanked her. and kinda floated out to my car. It's been a long time since I've received the gift of a compliment.

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Up to Meijers and up and down the aisles, helping short women or people in the electric carts with reaching stuff they needed off the tall shelves.

Up to the check-out line and got behind an old guy with not too many items. He must not have realized I was behind him because he backed into my cart. He turned with kind of a grouchy look and I said, "Hey watch it. I'm old and I'm cranky."

He said, "You aren't as old as I am."

I said, "Wanna bet?"

"Can you top 80?" he says.

"Depends on the month. When is your birthday."

"October 16th--I will be 80."

"Hah! I was 80 on June 21. Got you beat by almost 4 months. Now pay up the bet."

"Damn! You women are always right!"

"And don't you forget it," I said.

By now we both had our stuff loaded on the belt and I notice an older women behind me...holding a birthday card.

"Please go ahead of me," I said.

"Oh thank you. I just hoped I'd find a nice person today. I have to get this card to the post office before the five o'clock pick up." (It was 4:20.)

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Something was happening with the old guy. He was arguing with the cashier. "But why do they all look alike?" he asked.

I whispered to the clerk, "I'll help him if you can take this lady right now."

So I went up to him and said, "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. I got all these jugs of water and I thought they were all the same, but some cost more than the others."

I checked the water jugs and asked him, "What kind of water did you want?"

"I want spring water."

"You have two spring water and four drinking water."

"I don't want drinking water! How can you tell?"

"Well, the spring water jugs have a green cap and the drinking water jugs have a blue cap."

"I don't want no drinking water. I want spring water."

Meanwhile the cashier is ringing up the rest of his order.

The aisle next to us was closed so I suggested, "Put the jugs with the blue caps over here. Someone will take them back for you. Just get the jugs with the green caps."

Which he did and was soon gone.

I stepped up to the cashier and said, "Don't you just love checking out old and cranky people all day?"

She said, "I can tell you aren't one of them. Thanks for your help."

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I'm here to tell you, every time I go to the store, I have so much fun.

To top it off, when I got home, my neighbor was outside and came over and carried in all my groceries for me.

I had a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a quiet week.  Most of my weeks are, but this one has been particularly boring quiet.

On Wednesday, I went to the Cardiologist for my yearly check in.  It is such a waste of time because there is nothing wrong with my heart, but I suppose it is a good thing, at my age, to have a Cardiologist on "reserve.

Besides, this one was the man who saved Fred's life--after two other Cardiologists told us, there was nothing they could do for Fred.  This doc and I have a mutual admiration for each other.  He really liked Fred and every year, he tells me, that he still thinks about Fred and what a nice guy he was.

I got tears when this doc told me he won't be coming out to the Brighton office anymore, but he added, "When you start having heart problems in twenty years, come down to St. Joe's and ask for me.  I might still be practicing."  Then he hugged me and out the door he went.

When the nurse came back in, I had tears on my face and trying hard not to lose it completely  She said doctor had assigned me to another "really wonderful" Cardiologist, but like I told her, "It won't be the same!"

I guess it was the connection to Fred that he and I shared that made him so special to me and now another connection to Fred is gone.

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The rest of the week, I spent a lot of time sitting in my recliner, watching the Little League Baseball World Series and the Championship Golf Tournament.  They both ended today.  No more watching golf until next spring.  BUT---

College football begins next weekend, so..............

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Next month is my month to go to my primary care doc for my 6th month blood work and check-up, prescription renewal.  Also my 6th month dental cleaning and my 6th month check-up at the Pulmonologist.  I also have another appointment with the joint/spinal doc, which is another waste of time.

He insists the only help he can give me is injections in my back.  I insist that I tried that 4 years ago, it did no good and I'm not going to do it again.  Especially when it would have to be done in his primary office, 30 miles away and someone would have to drive me there and back.  I just wish he'd give me a Prednisone taper pack to use when my back gets really bad.  That works the best for me.

When last I visited him in June, he prescribed one for me.  I didn't use it until July 18th, when my back was so bad I could barely walk.  Well, the effects from that have lasted six weeks.  My back doesn't hurt continually anymore and doesn't hurt very often.

If I do something strenuous and it starts to hurt, I just sit and rest for about 15 minutes, than go back and finish the job, or lay down on the couch and do some back exercises.

I know people that take 20 mg of Prednisone on a daily basis.  While I don't want to do that, I don't see why he couldn't prescribed the taper pack when/if I need it.  Maybe I would only need it every 3 months and the effect would last 3 months.

Oh well, I will ask him.  Without that, I am not going back to him.  It begins to feel like he wants a visit from me every two months so he can get a nice payment from Medicare.

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I have to get to work now figuring out my September budget.  I thought it was a good idea if I posted to this blog first.  You know after trying to spread out my money and ending up in the hole--LIKE I DO EVERY MONTH, I would not be very good company.

We are enjoying nice cool 70's with low humidity.  At least that helps my overall mood.

Thanks for listening.

I did an adventurous thing, at least for me, Saturday evening.

My daughter Karen's high school class of 1979, were having their 40th class reunion.  Up in Durand.  Just 31 miles away.

This group of "kids" were my favorites.  Of all my children, I was closest with this class.  A small town school, they graduated around 60 people and I knew more than half.

I was their "room mother" for 5 years, attending their school parties and going with them on field trips.  In high school, many of the boys played 4-H softball for my Dad and I was the scorekeeper for the team.  Many more of them took Gun Safety classes, taught by my Dad, out at our farm.  They built their homecoming floats in our barn.  We chaperoned their high school dances.

A bunch of them would show up at our house after a school dance or the last night of their Senior play--all wanting a snack and then sitting around in the living room, talking until the wee hours.

At times, half a dozen girls running around upstairs, laughing and giggling at a pajama party.

Some are friends on Face Book.  Most of them, I haven't seen since their graduation day.

I wanted to see and talk to these kids one more time!

But....maybe it wouldn't be cool to crash their reunion?  Then I saw on their on-line notice of the reunion, "all alumni are welcome".

AHA--I am an Alumni of that school and besides--it might be fun. I was shaking the last few miles, still wondering if I should just turn around and go back home.

I didn't tell Karen and Mark that I was going.  I just drove up to the Eagles Club near Durand and walked into their banquet room.

Two of the girls that organized the party and are FB friends and would recognize me after 40 years, yelled, "Momma Miller"! and rushed up to me for hugs.  Hey--I figured I was in like Flynn!

Karen and Mark looked a little surprised when they walked in and saw me, so I went up to them and reached out to shake Mark's hand and said, "Hi.  I'm Judy Miller, Karen Miller's Mom.  I didn't know if you'd recognize me or not."

Mark replied, "Hi.  I think I remember you."

Of course I had just been to their house last Sunday.

Digress--Karen and Mark knew each other all their life, at school.  He was the smartest boy in the class and Karen was always trying to beat him in grades.  They got together on their Senior Trip and married two years later.  I remember well the day she came home from school and announced, "I beat that Rivard kid!  I am the class Valedictorian and he is second place!"  She had beat him by one-tenth of a point on their GPA.

Most everyone recognized me.  There were 3 guys that I didn't even recognize their names, but in talking, found out they took Gun Safety and they said, "Wasn't that out at your farm?"  Of course, they all knew Karen, when I mentioned I was her Mom.  They also all mentioned what a nice, kind person she was to everyone--which made this Mom proud.

I only stayed about an hour and a half and as they were getting ready to sit down to eat, I knew it was time to leave so I could get home before dark.  

They encouraged me to stay and eat, but I told them all, "You kids don't need a chaperone and I gotta get home before dark.  It was a wonderful treat for me to see you again.  I'll see you at your 50th reunion," and I turned to leave.

"Bye Momma Miller.  Thank you for coming. Be careful driving home.  See ya later."

Karen and Leslie--one of Karen's friends.  She spent a lot of time at our house when they were growing up.

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As I was coming home and got near Byron, I stopped at the Dollar General to get a cold Diet Pepsi.  I saw Pammie's truck in the parking lot, so I knew she was working the check-out.

I thought I'd sneak in, get my Pepsi, get in line and surprise her when I got up to the cash register.

She was checking out a guy and his little girl and I thought totally engaged with them, but she must keep one eye on the entry door because she nonchalantly said, like it happened all the time, "Hello Mother."

I went and got the Pepsi and stood in line, watching her as she checked people out.  

She is wonderful with people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had heard that some people have written to the management of that store that Pam is the best clerk ever, but Saturday evening, I got to see it in person.

She engages each person in a bit of conversation, while she works the till.  Always chats it up with the little kids.  Smiles and laughs for everyone, thanks them and sends them off with well wishes.

Now, I know how painful this job is for her.  With her severe back problems, she is in constant pain, but you'd never know it by the way she interacts with the customers.

I paid for my Pepsi quickly because I didn't want to hold up the people behind me, but she put her hand up high, pointed at me and said, "This is my Momma!"  People clapped.

Then she leaned over and kissed me good-bye.  I whispered, "I'll bet sales would soar if you kissed every customer good-bye."

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I got home just as it was getting dark.  I was so high on happy that I didn't get relaxed enough to go to bed until well after 1:00am.

What a great time I had.

My kids go up to Karen and Mark's cottage for a few days every August.
Jennifer is in town for a two week business conference, so they got to go this past week.
The cottage is near where their Dad lives so they got to visit him too.
I am so blessed that my kids love each other enough to want to spend time together.  I know so many families where siblings don't speak to each other for years and years.
I'm glad they lined up in chronological age order--a lesson I always nagged them about.  LOL

     Mark 61 and a half-Pam 60-Karen almost 58-Jennifer almost 48.

I don't care how old my children get, as a mother, when I look at them, I still see my little kids.