NOT A LOTTA STUFF

Dear Diary,

I haven’t a lot of really interesting stuff to write so I will just write about what has been going on the past few days.

It is Friday and I haven’t done much of anything these past few days. On Wednesday night, at about 6:00, I laid down on the couch and fell asleep for the night. I woke at about 6:00 the next morning. Thursday was a long day. I checked my mail, did a little shopping, came home and did some dishes and then just vegged out watching t.v. and playing on the computer.

Today wasn’t much different. I was playing on the puter and then went for a nap. Just not up to doing too much of anything right now. I guess I am still winding down from all the pre-Christmas work and blessings.

So what did this last year bring me. It was a little rocky there for awhile. Ups and downs and confusion all the time. Then by summer things started to settle down a bit more. Then this fall I started to babysit and everything else seemed to just fall into place. For awhile there I was going to open up a craft shop and then did briefly in my living room. Then I had the idea of moving to the city come spring and now I am back to my old self of just not knowing what will happen next.

I have decided to stay at the beach a bit longer. Will have to wait and see how my finances go this year. I will be off the medical coverage come May so I will have to make sure to put money aside for my medication.

So as I turn this page in my life I wonder what the new year will bring. It is like a nice clean slate all ready to start over again on.

Each year I think I will make new years resolutions and then I make them but don’t keep them so this year I have decided to set some goals for myself instead. I am starting out really simply to begin with. That way maybe I can get some things done. I find coming up with a list is the hardest thing though. What would I like to do with my life and what changes can I make? Hummm!!!

So anyway, one of my goals is to read through "The Message" Bible this year. I began reading the New Testament last year and got up to Hebrews but didn’t get much farther so I want to finish the New Testament and then start on the old Testament as well.
Another goal I would like to set is to join something this year. I am not sure what yet but something where I can meet other people my age and maybe have something in common with.

I would like to have lofty goals like walking a half hour each day but I know I wouldn’t do that so I don’t bother putting them on the list.

Do you have any goals or New Years Resolutions that you plan to do? I can use all the help I can get.

Weather wise, I must say we have had one of the nicest years on record. Hardly any rain this summer and hardly any snow or cold weather this winter so far. I know our turn for some sort of disaster is coming, and I should be getting prepared for it with some sort of emergency response program set in place so I will be ready.

As for the new year, I haven’t even got a calendar of the new year yet. If you have any nice ones you would like to get rid of then please snail mail them to me. Hee hee. Then I will know what day or month it is. Mind you with computers now a days, I can print up my own.

Well I think that is about it for today.

Hope you have a great day and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THE BEST GIFT EVER

Just when you think it is all over and done with, what does God do? He blesses and blesses again.

Boxing day and I thought I would be all alone as everyone else would be at the alternate families and have other obligations. But low and behold I had a house full and I felt very blessed.

My father-in-law and his friend dropped in and then my daughter, son-in-law, grandson, granddaughter, and a neighbour lady dropped in. I had a house full and was immensely blessed by all their company. It was so nice to have them all drop in.

Again, it made my day special. It was my home, my Christmas, and my family. I hadn't cleaned from the day before but that didn't matter. It was just a time of enjoying each other's company and sharing the day with loved ones.

Today I have to get busy and do up all the dishes. Then I have to empty the fridge and put all the leftovers in smaller containers and freeze what I can so I have food to eat for the next month.

I can't believe how much food there is left over. I thought everyone would eat a lot more than they did. Then yesterday when I offered leftovers to everyone - they didn't want any. They said they still felt full from the day before.

Anyway for Christmas dinner I made the following feast:

Turkey
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Corn
Turkey Dressing
Cole Slaw
Meat Balls
Bar-B-Q pork pieces
Bar-B-Q ham slices
Meat Pie
Cabbage Rolls
Perogies
Pickles
Rolls
Black Forest Bowl for Dessert
To top it all off, we had Spumente La Scala Wine with our meal.

Now I have enough food left over to carry me through the next month or more.

As for some of the gifts I got:

A Pasta maker
A new VCR as my old one doesn't tape anymore.
Money, gift certificate,
Beautiful doiley
mittens,
Cahews, Chocolate covered cherries,
Other odds and ends.

As I said, the gifts weren't the big thing for me this year. It was the family. It is the greatest gift I got this year. The love of family put into my heart. And that was the greatest gift I got and that came directly from Jesus. Thank you Lord.

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER

Dear Diary,

I had the best Christmas EVER. And no it wasn't because of the gifts because they didn't really matter at all to me this year. What really made my day was having my whole family here with me.

It is so strange. God has really done a work in me this year. He has given me such a love for my family that at times it hurts. It hurts in a good sense. It is just so much love coming from within that I just don't feel I can contain it at times. What has caused this.

Part of me feels so guilty because I didn't feel anything like this while my husband was alive. Then Christmas and everything about it seemed a big hassle and not worth all the trouble. But this year it is like, nothing was trouble. It was all a labour of love and I would have liked to do more than I did. I wanted my family to feel extra special this year.

My idiosyncratic mind is trying to figure this out but the regular mind set is just to enjoy it all.

Here it is 2006. I had MY FAMILY in MY HOME for Christmas.

This year has been something of a discovery for me. I find that suddenly this house and everything in it suddenly became MINE. I suddenly felt at HOME for the very first time in a long time. I felt like I belonged and this is MY HOME, and MY FURNITURE, and MY LIKES AND DISLIKES. It is very strange indeed. I guess maybe it is part of the finding of myself and who I am and the realization that I am an individual.

But again I must give credit to God in all of this as it isn't anything that I did or didn't do. It is all God and what he has been doing in me. In me there was no such love or caring. In me it was always a burden and too much trouble. It is so strange how God can change us from the inside out. Praise his Holy Name.

I felt my family deserved a feast this year. Especially my two son-in-laws. One of them I had never had over for a meal at all. Terrible of me - I know - but just never got around to it or never felt able to live up to the mother-in-law ideal. But I broke through the ice and finally made him a meal fit for a king. (Or so I hope they thought so)

My son-in-laws have been so good to me in so many ways. Firstly by making my daughters happy. That makes a mother very happy. Secondly, they have given me the most precious grand sons and they are both doing such a great job raising them. They are both the greatest fathers. I am so proud of them both and so glad that they are a part of my family.

They are both very good hard working men with upstanding family values and love for their families. God has double blessed me with them.

And as for my daughters - well, I knew they were a blessing from the day they were born. I love them both immensely and have been so very proud of them for most of their lives. They have turned into such beautiful women and are the greatest moms. God took the mess I made of raising them and turned it into something beautiful. I am so very proud of them both and all they have accomplished in their lives.

Now as to my grandkids. Well that is a whole other story. I often write about my two grandsons but I have hardly ever written about my granddaughter. She is also very special to me and this last year I feel we have grown much closer. She is my son-in-law's daughter from a previous marriage but is very much a part of my family now. She is in her twenties now, with a boyfriend and a home of her own. She comes to visit quite often and has been here helping her dad with work he does on my house. She is a very good and hard worker.

I am going to include her picture on my side bar so I hope you will all check her out.

Well that is about it for today. Hope you have a great Boxing Day.

THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS

Hello Once Again Diary

Do I make this a regular thing or just wing it for now? Humm. I will have to think on that one for awhile.

Yesterday I babysat Alex for about an hour in the morning while Rob Snow Blowed for me. Then in the evening I babysat for about 2 hours while they went to a movie. I hadn’t seen him all week and he had to be in a extra good mood. I love him to pieces. He is so sweet and cute and cuddly now and just makes my day. What a blessing it is to have Grand children.

(Thank you Jesus for giving me such a beautiful gift in my old age.)

Today I have to get busy. Up till this morning everything seemed manageable, but this morning for some reason I am in a bit of a panic. When I think of all I still have to do and the little amount of time, I think, I will never get it done. But then I think "O.K. Girl, take it easy, one thing at a time. So what if the floor isn’t exactly the cleanest, or something isn’t just right. The idea is getting together with people you love and want to spend time with - not a home inspection. So take it easy and enjoy what you are doing." So that is my plan. Enjoy the day and clean as I go.

I wanted to get a new outfit for Christmas, but when you are my size, it is not exactly the easiest thing in the world to do. First of all it is to "get out shopping". Then it is finding something in my size. Then when I try things on, I become so depressed I end up giving up. So most of the time I am defeated before I even try. I can live with getting and wearing hand me downs. What the heck - it is a lot cheaper that way and no depression set on by looking into dressing room mirrors.

Anyway, clothes have never really been my thing. As long as I am covered and comfortable. I do not believe in the old saying that the suit determines the man. I also do not believe in the saying "You get what you pay for". I have found over the years that if you are careful and diligent, you can get a lot more than what you pay for and get good quality to boot. It just takes a little more work sometimes.

I guess I would be what you call a very low maintenance type of woman. Don’t need a lot to keep me happy. Just lots of hugs and affection. I love heart gifts rather than splashy money gifts. Don’t give me a gift if you feel you HAVE to. I would rather not get anything than get a "NEEDED TO GET YOU SOMETHING" gift. My daughter and I were discussing this last night.

She is of the opinion that it has all gotten so commercialized etc. I agree to a point but then I think it is still what each individual makes it. Sure it is Jesus’ birthday and we all know that. (Well some of us more than others) So with that in mind, what would Jesus have us do? Jesus believed in celebrations. The Jewish people had many celebrations. So, what should we as Christians do? Can we enjoy this time of celebration or should we be all somber and Holy?

So what is the intention? We honour Jesus’ birthday. So how can we do that? By honouring our families and enjoying their company. I believe that Jesus would want us to Celebrate Christmas as a time of Families getting together and loving one another. That is the greatest gift we can give him.

If you have Jesus in the right place in your heart, I don’t think that Christmas or any other time of year is going to change what you feel inside and what you believe. So with Jesus in his proper place in your life, the next thing you have to do is make sure you have your family at the right place in your life.

In this fast paced world with so many things to do and places to go and restrictions on time, it is nice to have a time to look forward to each year to just celebrate the family and share with others of the good fortune we have had in the previous year.

My Christmas shopping begins in January. I always have my family on my mind whenever I go shopping or to garage sales or second hand stores. Whatever comes along I think "Humm, maybe my daughter would like that" So I might buy it and put it away till Christmas.

Why put it away you might ask? Why not give it to her right away? Well, I have found out that people like to "give" more than receive (most of the time) So giving gifts for no apparent reason doesn’t seem reasonable to some people. Some people can accept gifts at Christmas but have a hard time accepting gifts at any other time of the year.

But then there is MY joy in giving. I love giving gifts and will give gifts throughout the year as well. I like to listen throughout the year for hints as to what the people I love might be wanting or needing. I like to give gifts that are more of the "want" type than the "Needing" type. You can go out and buy your own needed gift but when can you ever get those gifts you really want but never get around to buy yourself. So to me, Christmas is like icing on the cake. That’s when you get those extra gifts - sometimes unneeded but loved just the same because you know the person was thinking about you and caring.

Anyway, I think I have said enough for today. Have a great day and if I don’t get back to you MERRY CHRISTMAS.

DEAR DIARY

So is blogging supposed to be easy or hard? I ask you? Is there some sort of rhyme or reason to this blog thing? If it is just like writing to a diary, o.k. I think I can do that. If it is to be smart and funny and grammatical and all that hog wash, then I am a no way hosea - kind of person.

So here goes.
(Quick word of warning - My diary entries were always very boring so read if you like or leave - all the same to me.)

Dear Diary.

Yesterday I went to have my regular doctors appointment. Woo Hoo, I lost another 6 pounds. I have been averaging about 2 pounds a month and this has been going on for some time now. I was so excited when I finally went under 200 pounds and now my next goal is 175. It doesn’t seem I have been doing anything out of the ordinary except babysitting so maybe that is what is helping. All the getting up and down and lifting and putting down is burning calories - YIPEEEEE!!!!

While I was in Gimli I decided to stop and have coffee with my daughter. That was enjoyable. Then I did some last minute shopping and came home and unloaded the car.

(Do you know that unloading the car is one of the things I hate doing the most since Val died. I guess I never realized how many loads he had to haul in all the time.)

So now I have all my preparations nearly done. Aren’t I a good girl?

Christmas is just 2 ½ days away. This year has been really special for me. I don’t know why but it is one of the first years I have really looked forward to Christmas. Usually I am a scrooge at Christmas time. Not that I am cheap - as I am exactly the opposite - it is just the whole thing gets me down and depressed usually. I don’t know why. Just never liked it, or birthdays or special family occasions of any kind.

So this year I started at the beginning of November and put up my tree and decorated my house. I really love it all. I am enjoying everything from top to bottom and will not be in a hurry to take it all down. (Maybe it is because I am seeing it all through my grandson’s eye)

I am also having Christmas dinner at my place this year. We haven’t done that in a few years. Usually I don’t look forward to it at all but this year it has been different again for some reason. I am enjoying it and really getting into making a feast for everyone.

I am really sorry I didn’t have this spirit when Val was alive.

I even went so far as to send out a few Christmas cards this year by snail mail. (Couldn’t afford the price of stamps so could only mail a few) Can you believe it? Haven’t done that in many many years.

It seems since the computer came along no one sends out Christmas cards anymore. I think it is a shame really. I can remember my mother and my aunt having competitions as to who got the most Christmas cards in the mail. Back then you could mail a Christmas card for about 1 cent each. My mom had over 100 cards one Christmas.

One thing at our house that I noticed. We were a very poor family and many times had to wait for Christmas or birthdays to get clothing that we needed. We didn’t get a whole lot of presents but we sure appreciated what we did get.

The thing was that mom and dad made Christmas the best part of the year. Mom would decorate the house from top to bottom. Dad would get a real tree and we would all decorate it with mostly home made stuff.

Mom would go all out in cooking and baking. She would make hundreds of goodies for Christmas. Where she got the money to bake all that stuff, I will never know but you can be sure we had tons of stuff to eat and that wasn’t even including the Christmas dinner.

Many times dad would make us our Christmas presents. I remember one year he made us all doll beds and we got little dolls for Christmas. Each crib was hand made with our names on it.

Christmas mornings we would be up about 5:30 in the morning trying to wait for our parents to get up. Then we would go crazy unwrapping presents.

Thanks Mom and Dad for some of the loveliest Christmas’s ever.

Well diary, I guess that is about it for today. Hope you have a great weekend.

WHAT I AM LEARNING

Hello there! And how are you?

It has been awhile since I blogged and I am sorry for that. I hope that as I get more used to Alex and he gets more used to me, that I might get more time on the computer.

As it is, the minute I go near the computer he wants to be on my lap. That isn’t so bad but have you tried to think of something to write when a 14 month old is on your lap, pressing buttons, jabbering away and hitting you in the face every so often. Believe me, the words that come to mind are not to be said or even typed in front of a toddler.

So anyway, I tried a few times to take time to check my email and such on the computer. Low and behold, a little munchkin decides that since Grandma isn’t watching, it is time to try new things out.
He has learned that the door to my craft room (call that Crap Room) doesn’t close all the way. All you have to do it push it open.

Isn’t it funny how children, even at the early age of 14 months, know to be extra quiet when they are NOT supposed to be doing something and they know they are not supposed to be doing it.

Well suddenly it got very quite in the house and for a brief second, I forgot that Alex was even here. Then I remembered and snuck around the corner to see what he was up to. There he stood in the room with a tube of paint in his hand and a grin on his face.

I looked at him with that evil eye of mine (I have been recently trying it out on him) and all he does is grin wider and cuter.

Well I held my ground and I walked him out of there with a stern warning.

So then I go back to what I am doing and for awhile everything seems to be going o.k.
Then that thundering silence creeps in on me again. I creep around the corner and what do I find?

You got it. He’s in there again only this time with a whole package of paint tubes. This time the smile is even wider and cuter.

I convincingly scold him and lead him out of the room giving him this long sermon that I am sure will scar him for life. He carried on playing as though nothing has happened. I continue trying to use the computer.

Now whoever invented the saying that "Silence is Golden" was not a mother of little ones or a grandparent babysitting.

Must have been written by a man but that is a whole other story.

Anyway, back to this story. Suddenly there is silence again. Catching the thief red handed I scared him by very loudly scolding him.

He had the nerve to yell back at me.

Can you imagine that?

14 months to my 55 years....

I could squish him like a bug.....

Doesn’t he relize that?

Or is he just so trusting of me that he knows I would never harm a hair on his head?
Is that how I look to God when I get angry at him?

Does he see a rebellious child that is exploring her world and wanting to learn and see new things? Or does he see me going against him and his personal character? I think because I am his child he knows where it comes from and can handle it. Anyway, that is a whole other lesson.

He yells back and me and I gently tap him on the bum (hard enough to feel it through his diaper, yet not hard enough to hurt. I’ve done worse in love taps.) And the next thing you know there is a major crying session.
Not the kind of crying session like - "you hurt me" but this is one of those deep sobby type sessions like "Grandma is angry with me, she doesn’t like me anymore. I really screwed up this time. She will never love me again."

I gently reassure him for quite some time that he is still loved and that grandma doesn’t like what he did but she still loves him.

So this is what I have been learning through the eyes and mind of my grandson.

Hope you have a blessed day.

IN OTHER WORDS

Like the proud mother who is thrilled to receive a wilted bouquet of dandelions from her child, so God celebrates our feeble expressions of gratitude." ~ Richard Foster

I don’t know about you but I loved dandelions. When my child would bring me a bouquet I was so please with it.

My children taught me so much about God and his love and now my grandchildren are reteaching me old lessons that I forgot. Children surely can teach the old about God and his love. Just watch the child and you will see what a loving father we have.

I see my grandson playing contentedly and I just love to watch him. I think of Father God looking down on me and just loving to watch me. I can see him chuckle at some of the things I try and fail at.

I see my grandson trying to communicate with me and he gets so frustrated trying to tell me what he wants. I try so hard to talk to Father God, but my words come out all scrambled and baby talkish. I get frustrated and he sees that.

Does he answer by what I ask? No....he sees what I really need and he fulfills that. I don’t have to worry about anything as he is there to help in any way.

I would do anything for my grandson and I know that God is there and will do anything for me. He is the best Father and he cares so very deeply for me. As I love my grandson - HOW MUCH MORE GOD LOVES ME.... It is truly amazing to think about.

If we can see God as the father figure - the GOOD FATHER FIGURE then we have it made. We know that he only has our best interests at heart.

We know that he gives gifts to his children just to watch their excitment. That was a hard one for me to learn. I love to give gifts to my children and grandchildren for no other reason than to watch their excitement. How much more God....

It is hard for us to imagine that the almighty God might just want to see us being amused. We tend to think we have to DO something to merit his love and attention but often times we can’t do ANYTHING except just be ourselves.

It is in being ourselves that we bring God much joy and contentment. Just being his child and letting him enjoy us. Just having fun with the Father and letting him take care of us. Bring him the wilted dandelions - he will love and cherish them and might even put them in a scrap book as he loves our expressions of love towards him.

Mar 10:15 Verily I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God, as a little child, he shall not enter it.

Have a child like day and know that God is watching you and enjoys your every move.

SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

Last March I posted some handy household hints that I received in an email. Well, it looks like you are going to get to see some more as I just got these in and think they are hillarious. Enjoy.

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

1. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

2. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.

3. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

4. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.

5. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

6. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget about the toothache.

7. You only need two tools: WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

Remember:
* Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
* Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom.
* If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You get another chance.

And finally, be really nice to your family and friends;
you never know when you might need them to empty your bedpan.

OVER THE SUMMER UPDATES

Summer is almost over and it is time to get back to blogging again. Sorry to all the people who kept checking my blog only to find I haven't been blogging much.

I have had a busy summer. I went to the city by myself twice and am getting the hang of driving in by myself. It is still a little scarey but eventually I will get used to it.

Finally had a huge garage sale and cleaned out the garage completely. Now I can park my car in the garage for the winter.

I have been busy babysitting Alex a lot. He is such a great kid to babysit. Never a problem. Always seems so content and happy.

I also finally set up my front room with all my crafts for sale. I had an open house on the day of the garage sale to let people know that I would be having this regularly till everything sells. Still have a lot to do to set it all up and get it all priced. Also I have to hand out flyers to advertise and let people know where I am.

I have decided to move back to the city in spring some time. I will be selling my house to my daughter and son in law and will look to move into an apartment for 55plus. Hopefully in the city I will have more people to visit with and things to do to occupy my time. Winters out here can be quite depressing if you are living alone.

I am also hoping that I can use some of the money from the house sale to go on a trip or two just to get away and see some of the country. I have always wanted to do that so now would be my chance.

Not a lot of other news happening this way for now. Will keep you posted.

Have a great day.

"ONCE IN A WHILE YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK AND VISIT YOURSELF." Audrey Giorgi

"Once in a while you have to take a break and visit yourself ." Audrey Giorgi

So here I am at 54 years old - finally visiting myself.

It is a shame that it took the death of my husband a year ago to finally get me to visit myself, but here I am.

So what do I find out about myself?

First, I find that I CAN SURVIVE the loss of a loved one - with God’s help.
Sure is good to have him around in crisis situations.
Don’t know what I would do without him.

Visiting myself has been a weird trip.

I never knew things about me like I am learning now.

I guess as you go on in life you just let things happen and figure it will be that way forever.
You don’t really stop to think why you do certain things.
You take life for granted.

Then being married puts a whole new spin on who you are.
For years I have been this married women with two grown children.
Suddenly I find I am a single woman again.

So who is this single woman?
I haven’t seen her in years and years.
She is so new to me.
I don’t really know if I like her or not yet.
She kind of scares me as I am not used to her and don’t know what she might do next.

I was comfortable with the married Dallas.
She seemed to know everything she was doing and just did it.
This new single woman though is something else.
She is up, she is down, she is confused at times, she is depressed at times, just never know how she might be from one moment to the other.
At times, visiting her can be so much fun and at other times, you just want to get out of there as soon as possible.

I guess it is like everything else though, the more you get to know a person, the better friends you become.
So I guess I will keep visiting this person for awhile longer till I really get to know her really well.
Who knows, I might just become best friends with her yet.

So, when was the last time you visited yourself?
Don’t wait till it is too late.
Have a good day.

WEIRD THINGS I DO

I am back.

It is so weird looking back now.

Now I can see it all much clearer.

I was really in a state there for a week or two or three. Didn't realize how much till now that I am feeling better.

It is weird.

You can be in a state (for lack of a better word to describe it) and not even know you are in one till you look back on it. You know something doesn't seem quite right, but you don't know how bad it is till much later. Anyway, I think I am o.k. now.


So what can I write about.

My space bar sticks on my keypadandevery once in awhile Ihave to go backand putspaces in everywhere. Ishould just leave it all once so you can see what Imean. It canbe quite timeconsuming to correct all the mistakes.

O.k. I decided to leave that last paragraph as is so you can see. Wow, this one seems to be getting worse but I will correct it for you reading pleasure.

So what does one do when one's house is clean and no dreams to look forward to?

I need something to motivate me into doing things again. I am not saying that in a depressing way just a questioning way. Don't want you thinking I am in the dumps or anything like that. Just speaking whatever comes to mind.

So.... I was talking on the phone with my daughter and we started discussing some weird things we do.

I'd like to take a survey of people and find out what kinds of weird things they do.

I tried looking on the net to see if I could find any kinds of listings on it and I couldn't. Maybe I am not using the right terminology for it.

Anyway, here are a few we discussed.

When you eat your smarties (M & M’s) do you eat the red ones last?

I sort mine into piles of different colours and then try to make even piles. Then I will eat one of each colour to make sure the piles stay even. Then sometimes I will get rid of one whole colour. And yes, the red are usually the last to go.

I will also do this with Jelly Beans or any type of candy where there is a lot of colours. In that case I don't usually eat the red ones last but it varies from candy to candy.

When I eat potato chips, I will sort them out into piles of various sizes. All large together, all medium together, folded together, etc. I usually start by eating the crumbs and little ones first and save the large ones for last. The extra dark or crispy I eat right away.

I also tend to eat all the broken sunflower/pumpkin seeds first and the largest first. Then go on to the rest.

I have a tendency to count things all the time. Doesn't matter where I am, I find myself counting things. It happens without me even knowing it. I just catch myself doing it a lot. I've counted the number of signs in a farmers field. I've counted the number of cars that pass on the highway. Do you know cars seem to come in packs of six most of the time. Don't know why that is. When I find seven in a row, I think I have accomplished something.

I also have a tendency to buy things in twos when I go grocery shopping. It is rare that I pick up one of something. Mind you things like ketchup and mustard I usually only pick up one of each. But soups are usually in two's or fours - even numbers.

If I pay for something I will usually pay with a bill even though I may have the correct amount of change. I like having a lot of change. It is like extra money to me.

Another strange thing I noticed when I went to the doctors office the other day. People tend to leave an empty seat between them and the other person - unless they are a couple. I guess we all want our own space.

People have a lot of weird eating habits but I want to find out all kinds of weird things people do. What is it that causes us to do these things? Is it part of our character traits or something else?

I have to have a spoon in a cup when I drink coffee.

Also I have certain eating utensils I will chose over other ones.

I also shake my cans at the end of a drink to make sure it is empty. If I hear sound, I will drink till there is no sound.

Now are all these things JUST ME or do others have their own weird habits and strange things?

Come on fess up.

Tell me yours.

Right now I am very fascinated with this. It must be the latest kick I am on. Hee Hee.

Must do something to keep away the boredoms. Those little rascals creep up on you when you least expect them. Hee Hee.

Well, I guess that is it for today. Will keep sending any more weirdo things I come up with.

Now you know just how REALLY WEIRD I am. Hee Hee. But I guess you already knew that before.

So, with that, I will bid you a great day. (A great WEIRD day)

TO ALL MY READERS

I haven't been blogging alot lately as I am not in a good state. The anniversary of my husbands death is looming on the horizon and I guess it is affecting me more than I thought it would. I have been a bit of a basket case lately. I am sorry to all of you who eagerly look to my blog for information or wonder what I have been up to.

Since my big trip to the city I haven't been doing much of anything. My daughter was away for two weeks and she is back now and that is good. I got to play with my grandson and that really made my day. When he is around I am happy.

But tonight I had a really hard time. I went over to visit my daughter as I really needed a good hug and she wasn't there. Then I came home and phoned my other daughter but she wasn't there either. I felt so very lost and alone. I wanted to call my friend Tilly but she has been through so much already and I felt I just couldn't unburden myself on her at this time. I ended up calling my mom.

Aren't moms the greatest? What would we do without them?

She listened and prayed for me on the phone and I felt alot better. I know God is with me and taking care of me. I guess this is something everyone goes through.

It is the anniversary of his death and it is weighing heavy on my soul. It seems I miss him now more than ever. I am so glad my friend Tilly is coming to spend some time with me next week. It will make the time better and help me to get over this.

The thoughts of living alone for the rest of my life scares me to pieces. I know I like living alone but thinking about it - is different for some reason right now. No one to share my feelings with. No one to share what I am thinking. Etc. I will not bore you with all the details, I am sure you can imagine them yourselves.

I will go on. I must. But I am not the strong person everyone thinks that I am. I am a weak feeble woman who needs a helping hand every once in awhile. I know that sounds lame but that is how I feel right now. Everyone seems to look to me for stenght but it seems I have run out of strength right now. I can't seem to do the simplest things. Even housework seems to overwhelm me. I guess this is all part of the grieving process and I haven't really shared alot of that with any of you. Well, now, I think I must.

I will be o.k. I know this will pass. Jesus has helped me thus far and has not brought me thus far to abandon me. I ask your prayers for this time in my life. I really feel so alone and lost and confused about my future. Thank you to all who pray.

I ask forgiveness for such a morose blog. That is how I am feeling right now so I thought I would share it. I love you all. God Bless and keep you in His gentle care.

THE BIG TRIP

Tues, May 2nd I left for the "BIG CITY" (Winnipeg). I was terrified. Really, as I haven’t driven that far before. I decided to go by way of the "Little City" first (Selkirk) as I had driven there a few times already. I was pleasantly surprised upon passing the little city (Selkirk) as there was 4 lane traffic and the speed limit was only 80 Kil. All the way. Just perfect for a first time driver. I chose a good time to leave as there was not a lot of traffic on the roads and I had them mainly to myself. All the way though, I could not shake off this day dreamy feeling I had in myself and in my eyes. It was so weird. It took me to the next morning to finally get back to normal. Sort of like jet lag or something. My son-in-law says maybe I was in shock the whole way. Anyway, I think Jesus did most of the driving for me.

I arrived at Sharleen’s about 2:00 in the afternoon (I had left about 12:30) Got to see my cute little grandson Tyler. He is such a doll. That evening Sharleen took me grocery shopping. Then we spent the evening talking and watching t.v. The next day we dropped in and visited my sister Darleen and then went to a swimming lesson. Tyler just LOVES swimming. He is so cute in the water and loves to splash. When they were ready to get out of the pool, grandma went to help by taking Tyler, and wouldn’t you know it, she dropped him on his head on the cement. I felt so awful. Everyone looking at this mean old grandma dropping her grandchild. Bad Grandma, bad grandma.










That evening we went to the St. Vital center. I had to get some ink cartridges refilled and while we waited we walked and walked and walked. I was so pooped out. I am not used to all that walking. From there we went across the street to the huge Dollar store and did lots more walking and walking and walking. I was so tired that evening. Can’t believe how out of shape I am. Must get busy walking a lot more so when I visit the city I am not so worn out.

Next day - Thursday, we went out again. This time to Value Village. I bought a few toys for the boys, a winter coat for myself and a couple of tops. From there we went to Staples where I quickly picked up some envelopes and then we went back to Shar’s. Stayed home to watch Survivor that evening.

Friday afternoon about 1:00 I left Sharleen’s and went to my mom and dads place. That evening their street was having a street wide garage sale so I went sailing. Ended up getting a car seat so I can drive my grandkids around, a high chair, and also a number of other toys for them. In the evening we went over to visit my sister Bonnie and her husband. While we were there, out of the blue, a vase dropped on Bonnie’s head from a shelf behind her. Nearly knocked her out. She is in a neck brace for the next two months because of the operation on her back and did not need that happening to her. Jerry was so upset and I don’t blame him. He was blaming himself but it wasn’t his fault. She is o.k. now but has a little bump on her head.

Saturday, mom had a tea to go to so I went over to visit my sister Gloria whom I haven’t seen in ages. On the way there I stopped over at the Good Will store and of course bought a few more toys for the boys. Had a good visit with Gloria and got to see her daughter while I was there and her husband for a short time. When I got back to mom and dad’s my sister Betty was over there and my niece Maddy. Visited with them all afternoon and then Bonnie and her husband Jerry dropped in and then my sister Kathy also dropped in. So I got to see all my sisters and parents while I was in the city.

Sunday was a fairly quiet day. It started out being so nice and sunny and warm. In the afternoon there was such a rain downfall we thought there might be a flash flood. Thunder was rolling steady and there was even hail. Other parts of the city didn’t even get a drop.

Monday morning I was up early and packed up the car. Around 11:00 I left to go have lunch with my best friend Tilly. I hadn’t seen her in quite a few months. It was so nice seeing her again. From there I left and stopped off at "The Brick". I had a $50.00 gift certificate and wanted to use it before the time ran out. I bought a couple of fancy candle holders and had to pay an extra $20.00 for them but they are really nice and will go well with my decor.









From there I left for home taking the same route back. Driving this time was a lot easier and I felt a lot more relaxed. I stopped in Selkirk and went to the dollar store out there and got a few things.







Can you believe I only paid $5.00 each for these vases? Great buy.

Then came home after checking my mail. Got home at 4:10 and took about an hour to unload the car. I was so tired and tried to have a nap but I guess I was still to wound up and couldn’t sleep so I ended up getting up. My house is a disaster right now as I haven’t put anything away yet. Was way too tired. Just sat and watched t.v. for the evening and then went to bed.

I feel like I was gone about a month. Whenever I go to the city the time seems to stretch and stretch. Well, think about it. Out here I may go shopping once a month or visit once in awhile with my daughter and her husband and yet in the city I am doing a multitude of things each day. So each event seems like a whole day or week. So when I get back here I am really worn out from fitting in so many things in such a short while. It is nice to get back to the slow way of life. People in the city are on the go steady steady. Country living is more for me especially now that I am getting so "OLD". Hee Hee.

Now I have to tell you about my little grandson. He was just starting to crawl when I left. Mostly he rolls around the house. He does the cutest little scrunchy face and had me laughing so much my cheeks hurt. He scrunches up his face on demand and looks so mean but it is so very cute on him. He also claps his hands in the cutest way. I love him to pieces. You should see him jump in his jolly jumper. If he knows you are watching him he even does it higher and higher. He is a little ham and loves attention. He did not hold a grudge against me for dropping him - he still loves his grandma. Hee Hee. I am so very very blessed to have two of the cutest grandsons in the whole world. I cannot believe how fortunate I am.

So now you know what I have been up to in the last little while. Now it will be time to clean house and get some spring cleaning done.

Hope you have a great day.

TEN SIMPLE PLEASURES

I've been tagged by my daughter. I've never done this before so here goes.

1. I find so much pleasure in both my grandsons. I love it when they make me laugh.
   
2. I find pleasure in both my daughters and in both my son-in-laws
   
3. I find pleasure in all my family
   
4. I love spending time and hearing from my friend Tilly
   
5. I love hot summer days with cool breezes and no bugs
   
6. I love laying in a nice warmish swimming pool and just relaxing
   
7. I take pleasure in reading other people's blogs
   
8. A nice coke and a plate of french fries or maybe a pizza
   
9. I love crafting and creating new things
   
10. Getting a surprise gift, package or money in the mail

Well now, who should I tag? Hum let me see. For starters how about...
Darlene, and Pam,

MEET THE WOMAN PROVERBS TALKS ABOUT. MY MOM.

My mother doesn’t seem to get half the credit she deserves. Being from a family of six girls, we all tend to lean on our father for everything. Mom ends up getting the short end of the stick.

But the old saying is true, "Behind every good man is a good woman." If it wasn’t for my mother, we probably would never look up to my father the way we do.

Growing up, my dad was an alcoholic. He was the "fun" one, the one who played with us and told us stories.

Mom was the serious one. The one who sewed our clothes, took care of us when we were sick, baked bread from scratch, planted gardens to keep us in food, and did extra jobs on the sideline to make sure we had enough money for things. But did we appreciate those things - No. We liked playing with our dad. He was funny and he was one of us.

Did we care that she had to put up with an alcoholic husband? Of course not. We just thought she was too bossy and strict.

Meanwhile on the sidelines, she was teaching us daily. She taught us how to love one another and care for each other. She taught us the value of saving and spending wisely. She taught us the value of helping out others. Even as needy as we were, she taught us that there was always someone out there that was more needy than we were.

She opened our home to relatives that needed a place to stay and never complained about it. She would feed them from the little we had and yet we felt like we were queens with the feasts she would prepare from scratch. She still makes her own bread and buns and they are to "die" for.

She clothed us from hand me downs as well as from little dresses she would make by hand. Not knowing how to use a pattern, she would design them herself and make us all matching dresses. Even now that we are all grown up, she knits blankets and sweaters for us and little outfits for the grandkids.

Many times she wanted to leave my father but because of us, she stayed. They have now been married and together for 56 years. A great example that we all plan to follow.

She was the first one to find Jesus as her Saviour and led each one of us to his knee, so that we could get to know him as well.

My father also came to know Jesus as his saviour and was delivered from Alcohol. He became a different man, more of the man that God intended him to be and the husband my mother deserves.

Because we are girls, we still tend to look to my father for everything. Yet deep in our hearts we know that it was mom who taught us everything we know today. She kept us all together and today we are a very close knit family.

She has brought honour to our family in many ways. My father is a respected member of his church and community. Why, because she thought little of herself and only cared about taking care of her family. She may have stood on the sidelines but she was the greatest coach.

My mother IS the woman that Proverbs 31:10-31 talks about.

"A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find! Her husband depends on her, and she never lets him down. She is good to him every day of her life, and with her own hands she gladly makes clothes. She is like a sailing ship that brings food from across the sea.
She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and for her servants. She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, and she always works hard. She knows when to buy or sell, and she stays busy until late at night. She spins her own cloth, and she helps the poor and the needy. Her family has warm clothing, and so she doesn't worry when it snows. She does her own sewing, and everything she wears is beautiful. Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city.
She makes clothes to sell to the shop owners. She is strong and graceful, as well as cheerful about the future. Her words are sensible, and her advice is thoughtful. She takes good care of her family and is never lazy. Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says,
"There are many good women, but you are the best!" Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD deserves to be praised. Show her respect-- praise her in public for what she has done."
CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Thanks for everything Mom. You are the greatest. I love you.

JUST RAMBLING

It seems everyone on my blog list has been busy blogging so I guess I should get busy as well. Don't really have anything much to say so who knows how this will go. Maybe it is time for a rant, or maybe a rave or maybe....????

I've been a busy little girl and enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having lately. I go sit on my deck for awhile and just enjoy the sunlight. I am such an addict to the sun. If it is cloudy - then I am down and depressed. Sunlight makes me happy and sets me free, free, free to be me. O.k. so I just get to be happier and more energetic when it is sunny. This happens with clinically depressed people. We rely on the sun to make us happy.

Other than that, I have crafts to make me happy. I have been extremely happy all winter. Making so many many different things. Now it seems to be coming to an end and that is depressing - but wait, I just started a new thing. I am making a quilt. Yipeeeee I am busy again.

Told you I didn't know where this would go. So it goes.....and goes and goes.... Who reads this junk anyway. Don't you have anything better to do with your time? Sheesh, you'd think you would be outside on these beautiful spring days instead of sitting indoors all cooped up and reading this dumb ole blog. Well, your loss.

I've been over to see my little grandson quite regularly lately. I pop in for a half hour to an hour. He seems to just L-O-V-E his grandma. Comes to me right away and lets me give him kisses and is content to just sit on my lap. I finally got him to "Give me Five" by slapping my hand. Wanted to get him to do it before he goes to visit his Grandpa in Kingston. Hope he has it down pat by then.

I saw my other grandson on the Easter Weekend. He is such a little card. So cute and claps his hands. I just love it. Those teeny tiny little hands clapping away and then a great big smile.

I love both my grandsons so much some times it seems to hurt. Never thought I could love little people like them so very very much. I think God gives grandparents and extra compartment to hold all the love they have for their grandkids. And they are soooooooo very very very cute. Is it just me? or are they just the most adorable kids you ever saw? I know I am prejudice but who cares. I love them so very much and am so very very thankful to God for blessing me with these kids in my old age.


We have Winnie the Pooh and Egor too!





Well, what can I say? My thoughts lately seem to go to the grandkids all the time or crafting. Will try to come up with something new next time.

Hope you have a great weekend.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As I lay down for my nap today, I began to think of Easter and how One Person changed all of history.

We hear of people like Bill Gates, who changed computer history.
Then there is the woman who didn’t want prayer in schools and set about to accomplish her desire.
We hear of Ghandi and how he changed people’s minds by nonviolent protest and how many people imitate the way they protest now because of him.
We read of one man - Hitler, who hated the Jews and set out to destroy them. In his course he had millions of them killed.
There is the one person who invented the Atomic Bomb, the man who discovered electricity, the man who invented the telephone. The list goes on and on.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

In the Bible , we read of one man - Adam, who disobeyed God and sin entered into the world.
We read of one man - Noah, who listened and obeyed God and saved his family and the human race from extinction when the great flood came over the earth.
We read of one man - Abraham, who talked with God, obeyed and became the father of a great nation.
We read of one man - Moses, who stood in the presence of God and led the Israelites out of bondage, forever changing their nation with the Ten Commandments.
We read of one man - Paul, who set out to destroy all Christians and become the Apostle to the Gentile churches.

And lastly I will mention the greatest person to ever set foot on the earth.

Jesus.

He was just a humble, quiet man but he changed history forever.

It has been quoted that there have been more songs created and sung about him than any other person in all the world. Millions upon millions of lives have been changed for the better, because of him. More books and stories and poems have been written about him that even every library in the world could not hold all the words written about this one man. He changed times and customs and led the world on a whole new path.

This one solitary man made a difference in the world. Why?

Because he loved us.

He has given you your life.

Your life is very unique.

Even a twin or a clone cannot be duplicated with all that is inside of you.

There is not another person in all of the world that has seen the things you have seen.
There is not another person in all the world that has thought all the things you have thought.
There is not another person in all the world that has felt the things you have felt.
There is not another person in all the world that has tasted and smelled all the things that you have tasted and smelled.

You are truly a very unique individual.

What difference will your life make in this world?

We are not alone.

Every thing we do causes a ripple effect that goes on indefinitely.

Each of the people I mentioned above is still causing ripple effects on the earth.

Will your life be a ripple causing good or will it be a ripple causing evil?

The choice is yours.

Go out and make a difference in your world!

Have a Joyful Easter Weekend.

FULL VIDEO OF ZANDER

LATEST CRAFTS.

Here are some of the latest crafts I've been working on. Remember these are just a sampling of all the crafts I have been making. I make lots of each item.

The first two pictures is what my beautiful living room looks like while I am crafting. I love clutter. Hee Hee. Enjoy the show.

IT'S A BLOG'S LIFE

Some people misinterpreted what I wrote in my last blog. I am sorry about that.

I thought that with all the "therefores", "henceforths" and so on you would get the tongue in cheek message.

I've got a life.
Of course I do.
Everyone does.

Mine is just not a blogging life so to speak.

It is not a life filled with adventure and mystery and all kinds of wonderful little anecdotes I can share with everyone.
It is sort of a mundane life in comparison to other bloggers.

I have a very fully life.
I am up early in the morning and sit and write letters to my wonderful friend and family members.
I read other peoples blogs and see what they have been up to.
I fill my time with crafting and sewing and watching t.v. in the evenings.

But how exciting is that to write about. Not much excitement for a blog.

A few times a week I venture outside to the store and sometimes to my daughter's for a quick visit. (Sometimes even supper)
Then the odd time, I even get to go to the BIG CITY or even the smaller city only 1/2 hour away from here.

O.k. I know it all sounds so boring, but really - I am quite content with my life.

I enjoy that I am never rushed in anything I do.
I can take my time and do whatever I want to do - whenever I want to do it.
Isn't that what most people work towards?
I have no one to answer to (except God of course) and life is sweet.

Sure it can get boring at times but I usually have something to fill those times.

I really don't miss having a lot of people in my life.
I have always been a loner and I am comfortable with it.
Making new relationships can be quite taxing and nerve wrecking on a person.
I prefer living in my comfort zone.

When God wants me to move out of it, he'll give me a kick in the pants - I am sure.

I have been busy preparing for my big adventure this summer of opening a craft store of sorts from my garage.
That has me excited and has kept my creative juices running.
I am looking forward to seeing how that all pans out. (Then I might be depressed)

For now, I will continue as I have been continuing.
Cabin feven has set in a little but I am overcoming the fever by chilling out with a few crafts.

A preview of more of what I have been up to will be coming shortly.

So for today, I bid you all a contented life. I know I have one.

HENCEFORTH, ANOTHER BLOG

What should I blog? What should I blog? What should I blog?

This line keeps echoing through my brain day after day.
My daughter blogs.
My sister blogs.
Others blog.
Why do I have so much trouble blogging?

I guess if I had a life - I would have something to say.

People always tell me "Get a life." I would, but where do you go to find one.

I've never seen them for sale in any of the stores and believe me, I've been in plenty of stores.

Couldn't find them at the restaurants either - nope, none there.

Thought maybe they had them at the bars and I tried that as well but nope, nadda nothing, zilch.

Please, please can anyone direct me to where I can get a life?

I even tried going to the big city as it seems city people all have lives but you know what - I found people there that didn't have lives either.

It seems to hit the seniors the most. No one tells you when you are younger that when you get older you wouldn't have a life.
I wonder why that is?

Maybe they are AFRAID to tell us lest we do something stupid like develop some sort of life we can carry into our old age.

Some people learned the secret years ago and are living healthy normal lives in their old age. But not me.
No. I have to be different again - as usual.

So, while everyone else is living their lives, I just exist.

Existing can be o.k. Better than the alternative anyway.

So that brings me back to "What to blog?"
I can't blog about my life, cause as I said - I don't have one.
So I guess I can blog about my existence.

I exist, therefore, I am. That is what I am here for.

Furthermore, I am all that I can be - me.

Henceforth, I have written another blog.

Go ye therefore and live your life like there is no tomorrow. For someday, you may just exist.

P.S. If you find a spare life hanging around somewhere, could you send it my way.
This existing thing really sucks BIG TIME.

HANDY HINTS

Funny Hints.

Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against the harmful rays from the sun.

Cobwebs: Artfully draped over lampshades, they reduce the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere.

Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand-sewn play animals for underprivileged children. (It also keeps out cold drafts in winter.)

Dusting: If dust is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist the "This is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes."

Always keep several get well cards on the mantle so if unexpected guests arrive, you can say you’ve been sick and unable to clean.

General Cleaning: -Mix one-quarter cup pine-scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly.

Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations

Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still dont get anywhere."

As a last resort, light the oven, throw a teaspoon of cinnamon in a pie pan, turn off the oven and explain that you have been baking cookies for a bake sale for a favorite charity and haven’t had time to clean. Works every time.

Cobwebs anywhere - simply throw glitter on them and call them holiday decorations.

The following are REAL Hints:

Use chocolate flavored Ex-lax to control chipmunks, moles, etc.

Hair Lice - regularly shampoo with Coconut Oil Shampoo. Coconut Oil is the source of dodecylalcohol which is lethal to adult lice and some eggs.

Did you know a burst of spray starch or hair spray will ground a flying insect?

Doggie Deodorant - In between baths, dust your dog with baking soda, leave it on 10 minutes or so, brush it out and enjoy a sweet-smelling dog.

Remove glue and sticky stuff from objects you buy with a little peanut butter.

Reduce Food costs - Very simple: Don’t do your shopping on an empty stomach.

To eliminate odours of cabbage, brussel sprouts or broccoli, place the heel of bread (the whole last crust of a loaf) on top of vegetables while cooking.

Experts tell us that to prevent the top of your meat loaf from splitting, simply brush it with some cold water before you put it in the oven.

Keep a plastic sandwich bag in the shortening can so that you can insert your hand, grab some shortening and grease pans with the same bag over and over.

Plastic Wrap - Keep it from sticking and tangling - Store in freezer of fridge.

To add an interestingly different flavour to gravy, mix in a little instant coffee.

Bacon - Before you open the package, roll it over on itself. This tends to loosen the bacon strips for easier removal.

Fruit sauces sweetened after cooling need half as much sugar as sauces sweetened while hot.

Omit salt when cooking corn because it toughens the kernels. If you must add something, let it be sugar.

Sauteeing with butter, add a little salad oil to the pan to keep the fat from burning.

Add tablespoon of vinegar to oil, before heating, and deep fried food will not absorb as much of the oil.

After working with onions, rub your hands on your stainless steel water taps or something stainless steel. Removes smell.

To correct lumpy gravy, blend a little salt into the flour or cornstarch before adding water to the thickening.

To keep a vegetable salad fresh while standing, place inverted saucer in bottom of the salad bowl before putting salad in.

Popping corn pops better if you freeze it first.

Candles burn longer if they are frozen first

PLEASE PRAY

Quite a few months ago, my sister Bonnie woke up to terrible pain in her back. She seemed to be getting better for awhile. Then she started getting pain in her neck area. This pain seemed to get worse and worse. She was going to a doctor and a chiropractor but nothing seemed to help. It finally got to the point where she couldn't even hold a pencil in her hand without being in so much pain. She went to a specialist and I think they told her that she had a ruptured disk. She has been bed ridden and on pain killers.
She will be going in for another MRI and will be going to a private clinic to get some sort of operation.

I am asking everyone to pray for her healing. They don't really know what is wrong.

In advance I thank you all for her prayers.

MY GRANDSON IS AFRAID OF ME

Yesterday I got to go with my daughter Angela and her husband Rob to Selkirk. They picked me up and I got in the car and sat beside Zander. I said "Hello" and he said "Whaaaaaaa." He was making strange. He cried till he finally fell asleep from the ride.

So last night I got to babysit while Ang and Rob went out to Celebrate their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. Wouldn’t you know it, Zander cried nearly the whole time. He started out fairly well but then he looked around and there was no mom there and he was in a strange place and the crying started and continued till 25 minutes before they got home.

I can’t believe the patience I have with him though. It didn’t bother me that he was crying. I felt so sorry for the little guy.

I can remember years and years ago, before I had my kids, babysitting a baby that made strange. Now this baby made strange with everyone - including the father. There was no stopping him either. I remember how it grated on my nerves and I felt like strangling him at times. I finally had to tell the mother that I just couldn’t babysit for her anymore as I just couldn’t take it.

Wow, I have really come a long way. Why couldn’t we have this patience when our babies were born? I guess that is what is so neat about being grandparents.

So, if you pray for patience, don’t be surprised if God brings some little ones into your life.

Here’s a picture of my poor frightened grandson Zander.

BLOGGING ABOUT BLOGGING

What does one blog when one doesn’t know what to blog? That is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of the people who think you write crap or whether is it nobler not to write anything at all.

O.k. so that is all I know of Shakespear. Never really took him in school.

Wow, I got at least 8 comments on my last blog. What did I do right? Must be some secret to giving instructions or something. Thank you thank you thank you to all who commented.

You like me - You really really like me!!!! Hee Hee. Blush blush.

For those of you that don’t know it yet, my sister Darlene and some other ladies have a woman’s magazine on line. Check it out by clicking on the link "Christian Women Online" located on the right hand side of the page.

Darlene is the editor and originator, my sister Bonnie writes the food articles and my niece Stephanie writes the poetry corner. I find the magazine very interesting and informative but then again I may be biased.

You may notice a couple of other new names I have added to my blog roll. You might want to check out some of these blogs as well.

Mind you I wouldn’t want any of you to leave my site unattended. Keep reading me - please. Just - if you have extra time.....

I highly recommend you check out Tony’s blog at

http://fuggettaboutit.blogspot.com/

This guy cracks me up with his dialogues about his wife and grandson. He is a stand up comedian and worth the visit.

Blogs - what does that mean? Does anyone know what those letters stand for. I know it is for some sort of log - maybe??? but where did they ever come up with a word like BLOG?

There are probably billions of blogs around the world. Where do you think they are all stored? And why???

Every blog I have ever written is stored somewhere on a page of it’s very own. Is it just drifting out there in space somewhere or does someone actually have it sitting on their grand immense computer? Why would they even do that? I could understand if it was on my own computer but why would someone want my rantings and ravings sitting on their computer?

It blows my mind when I think these deep thoughts.

With that I think I will bid you Ado. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Have a great day and a great tomorrow.

P.S. I asked Google what the word Blog meant and this is one of the answers I got.

The name "blog" is a truncated form of "web log" according to Rebecca Blood's essay "Weblogs: a history and perspective." Blog is used to refer to sites that can best be described as mini sites or mini directories, populated with the site owner's personal opinions. Blogs are now popular for business use as well.

So there you have it.... weB LOG. Amazing.

POSTING A COMMENT

Good Morning Everyone

I want to write this note to acknowledge some of the people that read my blog on a regular basis and don’t often comment or never comment at all.

I have people like Aunty Joyce and Rainnia who read me regularly and maybe many others that I don’t know about. I would like to know who reads once in awhile so get busy and post a comment. You can also read what other people are commenting. Sometimes we can have back and forth conversations with other people this way.

It occurred to me that maybe some of you don’t know that you can post comments and let me know you are reading. So here is a quick lesson.

If you would like to comment, run your mouse over this phrase at the bottom of this article.

"What my 'peeps' have chirped about.....I have 1 'peeps' who made my day"

You will see a line appear under the pharse "have ‘peeps’ who made my day." Click on that.

A new window should open with comments on it.

Then run you mouse over the line "Post a comment" Click on that. Another window should open for you.

In this window there is a box where you can leave your comments to let me know you have viewed the article.

Leave your name in the comments box so I know who you are, or if you like, you can just click on the spot that says anonymous.

Make sure to type in the letters you see in the Word Verification section and then login.

I hope to see you posting comments.

I hope this helps. Have a great day.

FINAL DESTINATION

The beautiful sun poked it's head through my window and rudely awakened me. As I set my C Pap machine to the off position and tried getting out of bed, the bladder inconsistency started to kick in and I had to rush to the bathroom. With my daily routine of peeing, washing the sleep from my eyes, and combing my hair, out of the way, I stumbled to the kitchen to get my regular cup of coffee to start my day.

O.k. I am moving. Stiff all over but none the less moving. But for only a few minutes as I sit myself down at my computer to begin writing the weekend events to my friend and family.

Oh Yeh, forgot to take the hand full of pills I need to keep me going each day. One for diabetes, two for high blood pressure, two for taking the liquids out of me, one for colesterol, one to keep my blood thin, one for anti-depression, not to mention Cod liver oil to keep my joints moving , multi vitamin because I don't eat properly, Vitamin B 100 to give me energy and a little garlic pill to keep cold germs away and make everything taste better. O.k. Now that I have had my breakfast, it is time to move on with my day.

As I read over what I've already written, I realize that this is an "Old person's" letter. When did this happen to me? When did I suddenly become Old? When did the aches and pains start? What could I have done differently to stay young?

Look out people. It could happen to you in an instant. Time creeps up on you in the night and snatches your youth away.

It reminds me of that movie "Final Destination" where they just cannot escape death's plan. This is the grim reaper of age that comes to get us all. Do what you want but he will get you in the end. There will be the sequal "Final Destination 2 and 3" but in the end he catches us all.

Some try to fool him with face lifts, cosmetic surgery, exercise programs, make up, clothes, healthy eating, etc. but he can see through all that and he WILL GET YOU in the end.

So what can we do about it? That is the big question.

I suggest we make each day count for something. We know the end is coming some day so why not prepare for our final destination.

Do you know where your FINAL DESTINATION IS GOING TO BE?
Please read the following link so You too can prepare for YOUR FINAL DESTINATION.

http://1of6.blogspot.com/2005/05/are-you-ready.html

Have a great day and Stay Young at heart.

WHAT KIND OF COFFEE ARE YOU?

You Are a Plain Ole Cup of Joe

But don't think plain - instead think, uncomplicated You're a low maintenance kind of girl... who can hang with the guys Down to earth, easy going, and fun! Yup, that's you: the friend everyone invites. And your dependable too. Both for a laugh and a sympathetic ear.

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

MORE CRAFTS

These are the two cards I worked on last night. The cards are hand cut and then overlapped. Then I glued on felt for the pot, embroidery thread for the stems, cut up some leaves and made yo-yo's for the flowers. Then put on a backing paper to make it look like a lattice fence. Have a great day.

HOW I SPENT MY WINTER