SUMMER IS HERE

Yesterday it was almost 90, today they predict 95.   I've already done all the work outside I intend to do today.   Walked, watered the garden and pulled a few weeds.

This was a nice relaxing week-end.   I did realize yesterday that I had forgotten to go to my yearly eye exam last Friday morning.   Man, 75 catches you in your get along or something.   ANYWAY...I just rescheduled it for this Friday.

Not only MY GET-A-LONG is going but think my computers is too.   I cannot comment on anyone elses blog and cannot post pictures anymore.   DURN!!!!!

Nice Day

We just got back from Connie and Jim's.   Jim grilled chicken and fixed sweet corn and salad and big, big cookie.   Man, that guy can cook.   YUM  YUM

We sat around the pool and chatted.   Ted and Connie and Jim got in the pool but the water was 74 degrees or some such number - too cold for this old womans blood.   I sat beside the pool and baked a bit, then got in the shade.

Their flowers are so pretty and if we had a pool like that I doubt I'd ever do much of anything except lay around beside it.  UMMMM   That's an idea.

I hope everyone that is traveling has a safe journey home and an enjoyable week-end.   I'm thinking of all our service men and women that will not be with their families this week-end and hope before much longer we can get them all home.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE

Some of you know that I have been trying to get on to Blog all week with NO luck.  I couldn't even comment on anyone else's blog.   Connie has spent a lot of time this week trying to help me but nothing seemed to work.

I decided this morning I'd try just for the heck of it and WALLA, here I am.   Aren't you all thrilled?   HA HA

ANYWAY...I wanted to comment on Kim's blogs.  She probably spent too much time with Dad and I on Monday and had extra work to do Tuesday.   I did NOT take her camera either.   I wouldn't know how to work it if I had.   New fangled technology and I DO NOT get along.   I'm glad she found it and could send pictures of the bat in the new hat and Jeremiah pitching ball.   I have no doubt that boy will be a pro one of these days.

Now, I also had something I wanted to comment on.   I just had my birthday and two dear friends gave me a subscription to the Newspaper from Astoria, Illinois.   It's the nearest one to our home towns anymore.  We used to have a great Newspaper in Vermont but many years ago it folded.

This paper has all the local news.   Babies born, all the pictures of every graduate, every prom picture, notices of breakfast clubs around the area and one section that I particularly like - "A Step Back In Time".
This is more my speed these days.

Last week I received my very first paper and enjoyed reading all the local gossip.  Oh yes, it also has all the obituaries in so they don't have to cut them out and mail them to me anymore.

In the Step Back column I saw that 90 years ago on my birthday, that would of been May 18, 1921, a big change was made in womens attire.   You see before that date they had not been allowed to be seen in public without having their ears covered.   But after that date they could go out and show off their beautiful ears.   I was thrilled that someone in the inner circles of style made this change. 

This week I noticed they also have pictures of the most wanted in Fulton County.  I have to tell you some of them look pretty rough.   One was wanted for sexual abuse.   Man, she was a tough looking character.

I'll keep you posted on all the exciting news now that I have my very own subscription. 

BIG WEEK-END

Well, the week-end started Wednesday with my birthday.   First thing we had a beautiful box of flowers delivered.   I was not about to leave them home so they were in the car when we left for Macomb on Thursday.  This is what they looked like when they arrived.

We drove to Illinois on Thursday and stopped at the Midwest Distribution Center in Chatam on our way. That's quite a place and I'm looking forward to working there if we ever get moved.

Arrived at Beverly and Kermit's Thursday.  Friday started out by meeting another friend, Donna for breakfast.   We giggled and laughed and Ted finally sent me home with her so he could have a break from us.

Then he picked me up and we grabbed a sandwich and went back to Beverly and Kermit's and she was getting ready for the other family members to come for dinner.

That was fun and I look forward to other family gatherings such as this only at my own house.  

Saturday we headed to Kim's and arrived in time to go see Jeremiah practice baseball.   He's got a good arm, that boy and someday I have a feeling he just might be a member of the Cub's baseball team.

Later that afternoon they went to stay with their dad for the evening and we rested awhile, then she took us to a really neat restaurant for dinner.  Medici is one of the new restaurants in "Uppity Town Normal" and the food was scrumptidelicious.    

Then we went to the old Normal theatre and saw The African Queen.   I know, Kim has already told you all of this but I wanted to refresh your memories.  

This morning Kim and I went shopping and I look forward to times of having dinner with her, going to the movies or a play and doing some shopping together.

It's been a fun week-end and tomorrow we head south again.   Hopefully someone will be sitting on our front porch waiting for us to get home so they can buy our house.

Thanks for my wonderful Birthday gifts.    I won't forget this birthday and won't ever celebrate 75 years again.  

BIRTHDAY

Yes, it's my birthday.    I'm an OLD woman today as someone reminded me this morning at 6:40 when she called.

You see I have these two friends.   We've been friends for YEARS.  We were ornery in school but think as we get older it gets worse.

This particular one sent me two cards.   One was a very nice HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY, the other one was a musical card that didn't work when I opened it.    I called her to chide her and when she answered I got to laughing so hard I couldn't talk.    She knew it was me and said, "I guess you got my card"    I told her the least she could of done was not send some damed old thing that was worn out.   WE both had a good laugh.   SO...this morning when she called she tried to sing Happy Birthday and then here came this terrible music from one of those cards.   What a friend.

Well, then I tried to get on the Internet.   It has been a problem lately with so much rain.   Out here in the boonies we have different kinds of challenges.

I called our provider at 8 a.m. and told them we thought we needed a new modem but of course we had to check everything out  -  a couple of times before they actually sent a guy with one.

So...I'm back on line and happy to be there and see everyone's wishes.

We leave in the morning for Macomb, IL and will see the friend that sent the old broken card, a niece from Missouri and several other family members.   Then Saturday we go to Kim's and hope to get to see Jeremiah play some ball.   I have a feeling someday he will be a pitcher for a pro baseball team.   I will be watching from another place but you can be sure I'll be watching.

Tonight neighbors are taking us to dinner so it's going to be a good day after all.

COMMERCIALS

Well, we sat down to watch the 5:30 news and then the commercials started.

Let's see.    The first thing we saw was this guy trying to eat a corn dog and it kept hitting him in the face spreading mustard all over him.   That really was interesting.

Next we saw this car that went to school for two years.   It traveled all over the globe learning things.   I really did enjoy that one.

Then we had some dandelions taking a train ride.    I never knew they did that so we broadened our education on plant life there.

Then this lady had a problem with her bowels I guess.    She was eating this stuff out of a paper cup and said if it didn't work you could get it free.   Right!!!!   I'm going to write this company and say I'm still constipated.

And some poor people are unable to breathe this year because of allergies.   They are really bad and I know it's not funny but for heavens sake.

We also have a commercial here that is one of my favorite.   This guy up in Gallatin or somewhere gets a microphone, goes out to his sales lot and starts YELLING at us as loud as he can about what these cars have on them.   He ends it by yelling "COME GET ONE"   So far we've controlled ourselves and managed to stay away from him.

BUT... the very best commercial I've ever seen is where this guy starts walking toward the camera and I have no idea what he's saying because all of a sudden flames shoot out from his necktie, then his shoulders, and then his back.   By this time I'm rolling on the floor. 

FOR HEAVENS SAKE people, make the darned commercials just a little bit real and I might watch them or better yet try some of the stuff you are trying to sell.

Even a Clydesdale farting is more realistic.

Little Green Animal

Yesterday afternoon I mopped my kitchen floor.   I don't do that very often.   This new floor just doesn't get as dirty as the old one and I hate wasting energy.

I put the mop outside the back door to let it dry and of course forgot it till this morning.   When I started out to paint the trim on the Dutch Barn I took the mop in the utility room to put away. 

Then I noticed SOMETHING had fallen onto the rug in there.  It's a varigated green rug and at first I didn't see anything, then I saw a little green toad.

I yelled for Ted.   Usually a toad doesn't bother me but for some reason I didn't want to pick this one up.   Well, he didn't want to BE picked up anyway.

Ted came out grumbling and we couldn't see it, then I saw it had gotten on the fire extinquisher and was headed behind the washer.   That was not what we had in mind.

Ted picked the extinguisher up and thought he'd just carry it outside but, like I said, that toad liked our green rug.

I was yelling afraid he'd get on me and Ted was trying to herd it out the door and I kept backing up laughing at the picture we were making.   I wished like everything I'd of had my camera and knew how to do a video.  It might of won us $10,000 on FHV's if we could of gotten it.

Two old people - one chasing a toad that was leaking some green liquid on the rug and Ted. The other old person  BEING chased by it.   What is this world coming to?

That little green toad is somewhere in our garage probably still looking for the pretty green rug.

CONNIE LOU IS 42

Gosh, I cannot believe you are 42 today, Connie.  You came the night before Mother's Day.   What a gift you were.

You never had to cry because when you would wake up either Kim or Jill were right there waiting to get you out of the bed. 

So many memories of fun times come to mind.   The time we had put the new carpet down in the basement and you three girls had gotten up early Saturday morning to go play on it.  They said we couldn't walk on it for 24 hours and you were all waiting to get on that pretty ORANGE SHAG carpet.

You all came into our bedroom and your hair was sticking straight out from your head.   Kim said, "Don't touch her" - you had so much static electricity in you we could of made toast.

Then just before I had Mark we went to the mall one morning very early to get Deanne a graduation present.  You got behind the counter of in a jewlery store where we were looking at music boxes.   All of a sudden you were gone.   All three of us were frantic.  Then I told Kim and Jill to go find the nearest gum ball machine and there you were.   Man, you loved those machines.

And the time I took you to town and you told some lady you were going to get her Bee Wee's and she thought you were cute.   I had to turn around and when I looked back you were washing your arm pits from the fountain.

You and Jill were just like a couple of clowns.   I used to threaten to put you in a cage and haul you to town behind the car.   The time on the way home from Audrey's wedding and you two took the netting from the rice bags and stuck them under your nose and made faces at cars as we drove by.  

At my very first Parent/Teacher Conference your kindergarten teacher could only say "She doesn't color inside the lines" and I told her I hoped you never did.   Sometimes I  was kind of sorry for saying that.  :)

Happy Birthday, Connie - I hope you NEVER color inside the lines.  Love you girl.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

I'm not sure just why we have a Mother's Day.    Sometimes I think it's a reason for the retaliers to make more money.   One time I heard a minister say the average mother had over $70 spent on her.   I almost vomited.

Mother's Day is every day of a life of a woman that takes care of a child in my book.   Every time I hear one of my children having a problem with one of their children I silently think, This is Why We Have Mother's Day".  

I was not a particularly good mother.   I don't mean I didn't love my kids, I did and still do.   I just never handled things the way I probably should of.   BUT...by the grace of God and their own strong will they have all grown up to be pretty neat people.  I'm proud of all of them and see special qualities in each one. 

SO...Happy Mother's Day to ya' all.   Even Mark.

My Flowering Rock

This rock is in our back yard and from early spring till late summer has something blooming either on it or around it.    I LOVE this rock.   These are some yellow Iris Connie gave me and they spread like wildfire.  Up close they look a little like an orchid.

Our family seems to cater to rocks.   Many years ago Connie picked rocks up out of the street and sold them to a neighbor kid for a penny apiece.   She was about 3 at the time and came inside with this money in her hand.   Of course, like a dummy, I made her take the money back to this child.  That was the year someone is California decided to sell PET ROCKS and became a millionaire.

Then one time someone gave Ted a special rock to put on his desk at work   It was just a rock.  Just a @*! rock.     Can't put the real name here as this is a family column.  

LIFE IS GOOD

It's Monday and many of you go to work today but these old retired people kind of keep the same routine most days of the week.

Had a big old garage sale this past week-end and got rid of many TREASURES.   I'm so glad so many came and took them away.   Now we will make work for some people at Good Will this week with what was left.

The news on my computer this morning is:    Bin Laden dead.   Goodness, I can only hope this is true.   I know, we aren't supposed to wish anyone dead but God knows I do.  

I can only hope this really is true this time.    Would this mean our men and women could come home?  Deep in my heart I know that's not going to happen right now but maybe they can come sooner than we had scheduled.  That would be WONDERFUL news.

And...on my computer this morning I also had a note from a niece in MN that she and her family WILL be able to attend our family reunion this summer after all.   That was just the most wonderful news to this old woman's heart.

Her dad, my brother, and I had always tried to get all our kids together but for various reasons we just never quite managed it.   SO...if the Good Lord's willing and the crick don't rise (that's not funny down here right now) come July 15/16 we will have a PARTY.

LIFE IS GOOD