OK - I lied

Here I am again even when I said I wouldn't. Yeah, I lied.

I wanted to talk about Advent. I have said before - I am an old time Lutheran. I love the ritualism. I love the old hymns. I love the old liturgy. I hate the new hymns. I hate the new liturgy. I hate the loss of the ritualism and the bringing in worship leaders with microphones, loud guitars, and no robes. There I said that.

Now on to Advent. When I was younger, Advent was just the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It sometime brought extra services for me to play. It had a wreath, and sometimes a calendar that had candy in it. It was the blue vestments.

Now I have the need for the full meaning of Advent. I need it to be a time of contemplation. Of watching and waiting. The anticipation of the birth of the lord. I never really understood the not singing Christmas carols - until Christmas. Now I understand the beauty of waiting. Them beauty of contemplation. As the world (even Lutheran Churches) turn left, I turn right. Again. Out of step.

Oh and the left and right I used are not political left and right. They are just how far apart I feel from the churches that are in vogue now. We are at 180. I know there has to be change. The church needs to be a living thing, and therefore it has to change. I just never thought I would be the one who wouldn't change with it.

So save the Christmas carols until at least tomorrow night. Contemplate peace.

Peace be with you.

Bah!

No, I am not in a sour spirit about Christmas. Things are coming along rather well after my self imposed slavery upstairs in my converted attic room slaving over a sewing machine for hours on end - oh wait, that's not exactly right. I was in a nicely appointed, air conditioned (yes - it is still hot here) room while my machine works its little heart out. Things did get completed, and now I have the rest of the evening and half day tomorrow to pick up the danged clutter that was down here reproducing. That's what happens you know, when two pieces of clutter ... well fill in the rest.

No, what I am "bummed" about is that I miscalculated when I was counting years of survival from cancer. It is only four. So what's the big deal? It is survival, you know. True, but there is a bit of magic with that number five for survival. I know there are plenty of survivors who die at all number of years. I heard recently of a twenty-five year survivor passing from cancer. No true magic, but it is a special number, and I won't reach it until next year. Bah.

I am still in a state after that one particular "Hoarders" show. The one where she was, to me, just messy. Each little break from changing threads yesterday I used to go around and around the craft room trying to find homes for all the stuff. Some of it simply wants to live under a bridge - it wants nothing to do with a home. All you crafters know that we use some people's trash - or what they would consider trash. As a teacher I surely did. We used old 2 liter bottles, baby food jars - practically you name it. I have really become rather paranoid from that program.

I have never claimed to be a housekeeper. At the time I had a full time teaching job, part time organist, and running and supplying a little craft shop on the weekends, I learned that there are moments that you will never get back. Spending time with your loved ones is precious. The house can wait. I guess my mom was a little that way. A spotless house certainly wasn't on her agenda.

So I will continue on my "hoarder" ways. There is a little clutter about. Sometimes it gets out of hand and I get the whip to it. I don't know how many days are left in my personal calendar, but I think I would be better off if I try to live them fully. I won't be staying home to clean house if there is a better opportunity out there. Happy hoarding and sloppyness to all! Enjoy your life - after all you never know...

I don't know how much posting I will be doing between now and the 4th. With all the celebrating, we will be at the SSB until the 4th. If the elves have added more G's to the service, I might have web service. It is really spotty. So if I don't post again I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. I will post pictures of my projects too.

Peace be with you,

Bah!

No, I am not in a sour spirit about Christmas. Things are coming along rather well after my self imposed slavery upstairs in my converted attic room slaving over a sewing machine for hours on end - oh wait, that's not exactly right. I was in a nicely appointed, air conditioned (yes - it is still hot here) room while my machine works its little heart out. Things did get completed, and now I have the rest of the evening and half day tomorrow to pick up the danged clutter that was down here reproducing. That's what happens you know, when two pieces of clutter ... well fill in the rest.

No, what I am "bummed" about is that I miscalculated when I was counting years of survival from cancer. It is only four. So what's the big deal? It is survival, you know. True, but there is a bit of magic with that number five for survival. I know there are plenty of survivors who die at all number of years. I heard recently of a twenty-five year survivor passing from cancer. No true magic, but it is a special number, and I won't reach it until next year. Bah.

I am still in a state after that one particular "Hoarders" show. The one where she was, to me, just messy. Each little break from changing threads yesterday I used to go around and around the craft room trying to find homes for all the stuff. Some of it simply wants to live under a bridge - it wants nothing to do with a home. All you crafters know that we use some people's trash - or what they would consider trash. As a teacher I surely did. We used old 2 liter bottles, baby food jars - practically you name it. I have really become rather paranoid from that program.

I have never claimed to be a housekeeper. At the time I had a full time teaching job, part time organist, and running and supplying a little craft shop on the weekends, I learned that there are moments that you will never get back. Spending time with your loved ones is precious. The house can wait. I guess my mom was a little that way. A spotless house certainly wasn't on her agenda.

So I will continue on my "hoarder" ways. There is a little clutter about. Sometimes it gets out of hand and I get the whip to it. I don't know how many days are left in my personal calendar, but I think I would be better off if I try to live them fully. I won't be staying home to clean house if there is a better opportunity out there. Happy hoarding and sloppyness to all! Enjoy your life - after all you never know...

I don't know how much posting I will be doing between now and the 4th. With all the celebrating, we will be at the SSB until the 4th. If the elves have added more G's to the service, I might have web service. It is really spotty. So if I don't post again I hope you all have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. I will post pictures of my projects too.

Peace be with you,

Here's some more random stuff

I never watch "Hoarders" when it is regularly scheduled. I watch "On demand." But I don't think I am watching it again. It's funny - there's that show -and then there is "Pickers." To me they seem one and the same.

The most recent "Hoarders" I've seen - the woman wasn't a hoarder! She simply either didn't know how to keep house or she didn't. She didn't live where there is one little path through a garbage strewn place. She was messy. Hello - that's where I am right now! I simply had not picked up the clutter because it was just too much. I. Am. Not. A. Hoarder.

I do (sometimes unfortunately) hang on to things. I am a crafter and I was a science teacher. When you teach science without sufficient funds - it is amazing what things you can use in your classroom. Anyway - those things are gone. They have been for some time.

I have been working on the craft room to get things in more order, but there is a lot of stuff. That I use.

Those programs are going all over me. I guess I could turn myself in - not telling that I was pretty incapacitated for several years - and get a crew in here to help me in two days to get rid of years of clutter. I know - nasty - but that's the way it is. I do recognize that I have had a problem with getting rid of things that belonged to my aunt/uncle and mom/dad. Those things are not holding me now. There was just such a loss there for a while. It was hard to get through. My kids still have some sh*t here. I am fully able to get rid of it now. If the garbage service will just cooperate.

No, I really am upset with that program. There is a big difference between hoarding and just not getting rid of stuff. If G had gotten rid of this sh*t, that would have been a BIG help. I don't think we need his cardiology books any more than we needed my taxonomy books that have been long gone. So I don't think I will be visiting those hoarders any more. It is not even an inspiration anymore.

I was going to add something else. I have been like a third world person sewing as much as possible because there were things I wanted to do. They are done. Now it is no time limit like before. But I still don't remember what else I was going to rave and rant about!

Peace be with you.

Oh - hi there!

I have been running since last week, and haven't come by here. As usual, I am running because I procrastinate. So it is time to pay the piper.

We celebrated a birthday and a dedication last weekend. I don't think I moaned about the dedication. It is verse two to Son's family. Little Bitty was dedicated on Sunday. I am old school Lutheran. I make no bones about it. Never have, and this dedication thing goes all over me. I have gone through that before. Of course the "service" was still a rock concert - at least it was Christmas carols done to rock. Then the communion method really goes all over me. When the congregation was invited to come up and take the communion back to their seats (!!!), G leaned over to me and said something like "over my dead body." My problem is that it remained just wine (don't know) and bread (wafer?). As my previous pastor remarked there was no voodoo over it to sanctify it. (BTW - L was the greatest pastor we ever had, and he made the love and message from God more real than anyone I have ever been around before. He has had honest dealings with God, and he is still God's servant)

After the dedication, we went to the reception. Daughter was afraid DIL's brother would be there, so she nicely had their church program as an excuse not to go. The brother was overheard to remark how he hated all of us because we were such snobs and pretentious. Well, G and I were there with Lady Bug. The brother wasn't. And we had a great time with DIL"S extended family - at least I think we did!

Yesterday I slaved over the sewing machine. I felt like one of those third world people in a sweat shop laboring over a sewing machine. Well, not really, but I am making each child a machine embroidered gift tag for each of their presents. Little Bitty only has a gift card holder this year. DIL wants money so she can buy clothes for the spring and summer. Hey - ok, I'm there. Sounds really good. I hate doing things like that, but a three month old isn't going to be opening anything!

I will get a picture of these. I am proud of them. There will be three different designs - to fit the three gifts for each child - how about that!!

Back to Little Bitty - for her dedication, I made her a pink "lovie" with a really pretty cross, her monogram, and date plus seven little bibs from quilted material with various designs. I told Lady Bug that the eighth design had a lady bug, and I would never put a lady bug on anything for another little girl in the family.

I wish I could say it is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, but it is not. Yesterday it was 81. Miserable. I know other parts of the country (and world) are having beastly weather, but for us it is not Christmas like. We have a little cold front move through, then heat again. Even if I set the thermostat on automatic, it is wrong. Too hot/too cold.

Yesterday afternoon I had PT again. The therapist grabbed me before I could leave the clinic post injection. It has been at least a month since I have had PT. She only put me through two processes, and I AM SORE!! Shows I need it. I just hate giving up that much time for PT right now. Ah -well just more moaning about things. I am so terrible.

I have rambled along way too long. Sorry if it is too much in places. This is called stream of consciousness I guess. But then - that's my life. Just a jumble of things

Time passes so fast

Happy Birthday Daughter. You turn 37 today. My, where has the time flown? It seems like yesterday that you were born, and here you are with three children! You should be just a child yourself.

Every night before I turn out the light, I look at a picture that is a collage of you and your brother that I put together for your wedding. I know it sounds strange since usually something like that is made for the new bride and groom.

This collage was made because, as many of you know, Son has a band, and is a song-writer. He wrote a song that was dedicated to the new groom. It was to take as good of care of her as she did him. So I put together pictures of them from early childhood through the teen years.

Theirs was an unusual relationship - especially during the high school years. Daughter was a junior when her little brother came to the school. At that time, she included him in the group activities. That may have been because it was far easier. The group activities were here. I never knew when I got up on Saturday morning who I would find sacked out on the floor of my den. There would be kiddos from freshmen to seniors there. That was great with me. I knew where they were instead of worrying.

So every night I look at those pictures and morn the time that has passed. It happened so quickly. Now they are grown with families of their own. They are making memories like I did. But it went by so quickly. I hope they grasp that same thought - time passes so quickly. Grasp those precious times with your children.

Happy Birthday my wonderful daughter.

Wanted to show you

This is a picture taken from my kitchen window at the SSB. This is my house feeder where I can bring deer up for me to watch. This little doe didn't know she wasn't supposed to be at the feeder in the middle of the day, but she was great to watch. She is a yearling, and cannot easily reach the buffet table. She would knock off some corn, and then eat it from the ground. At least that's before she had posed for about three pictures then figuring she wasn't alone!!

It is such fun in the early evening when we have 6-10 deer on the feeder.

Here I go!

I am so bad at this. I am going to try to add a picture of my beloved Simone's head. I just hate this because it could be something really bad - a mast tumor. If it is, hopefully we have caught it early. But regardless it's placement, and her age don't add up to much good. The vet and I talked about removal of the tumor - especially if cancerous mast - involves also removing about a half inch of surrounding skin. Another problem is that she has about six very small "bumps" around that main one. She would lose most of her scalp on her head.

I managed to get the picture! The oily patch is where the associated tumors are. You can see if you add the half inch around them, we are in a mess. The other treatments include radiation as a follow up. Well - we will perhaps know more on Monday or Tuesday.

I have managed to get a few more things done around here. The tree actually has half of the glass garland. I purchased the other half yesterday. I have some solar lights that I put around the mailbox yesterday. Today the yard men came. They are not exactly careful - so we will see. The lights burned about an hour last night. I'll bet they won't even come on tonight as their little strings were probably cut. Not a big loss I fear. That's why the lights were put way back in the container. I think they are headed for the trash can.

I am off to lunch, and then finally upstairs - with the embroidery machine. We'll see how long this lasts this time. I hope a while. I was surprised the bill was only $94 for the computer part.

Should I post right now?

I had the injections yesterday, so I was out of commission due to the few minutes Dr Moreno send me to happy land. Today I am suffering the after effects. I have the headache from hell because I didn't sleep the rest of the day away, but I hate losing two days after returning from the SSB. I also still feel out of it! Someone is messing with this keyboard. They are moving the keys all around so it is taking me twice as long to type. I have never said I was a typist - thanks Mom who wouldn't let me take typing - but today is really bad.

I took Money Pit number one (Simone) to have a check of her lesions checked again. There is some improvement, but we are sending a sample to the lab for a more definite explanation - hopefully. There is no guarantee.

I am trying to get all the Christmas stuff done. Tree is up and has some garland. That's it. No decorations. The kidlets presents are here - waiting for wrapping. Son and SIL presents are here - somewhere awaiting wrapping. I knew I was too drugged to remember where they are right now. It is Daughter and DIL I have to get. I have no idea! Then is Lady Bug's birthday in January and Wiggle Worm in February. Oh my!

I was going through my blogs I read. I got through some of them. I have an order memorized. Guess what - memory failed me today. Signs that I need to have a close eye on me!

So before I reveal where the gold is hidden - I better sign off for today. I am not responsible for anything I say or do today!!

We're back - and to a mess

It was a fairly quiet weekend at the SSB. G shot a doe, and he is finished until it is Spike season. We have some mighty long spikes running about. Those will never sprout a full blown rack, and they are three or four years old. We don't want them entering the breeding there. That will mean none of the bucks will have any horns.

I forgot to check the home voice mail Sunday afternoon/evening. It was our renters. They had a sewage backup. I found the message Monday morning, and began calling. We had to leave the house, so that meant cell phone. We had cell phone + hills = no service.

Before we left, I got the voice mail of the renter. I left a message. On the road, I finally got the plumber in Llano. I kept calling the renter and leaving messages.

I got home, and renter called. She is really not the sharpest knife in the drawer! She hesitated, and I asked if they had gotten with the plumber, and had it come to fix the problem. No - she just got home. That phone was at home. She sees I have called multiple times. So talking top the plumber. She said they did a stop gap - the sewage is flowing into the back yard. Gasp!!

Then the way she does things, she adds that the heater "isn't putting out a lot of hot air." Ok - I gave her the HVAC people's number to call. She calls it in that evening as an emergency. That is an additional $78 thank you very much!

I am going to send an email, as I promised, but with all my numbers, not the contractors numbers as I had said before. They were so concerned before signing the lease that we would just enter the property without notice. I was trying to respect their privacy. So I have tried to let them schedule meeting with the contractors. Well that is OVER. I am no longer careful about their privacy except to give them notice. You either be there at that time or I will. Simple. Like the apartments do it.

And so here I sit.

It is 3:36 in the afternoon. That means only a few more hours of daylight, which brings me to another strangeness in nature - like why don't we have day light savings now if we absolutely have to have it. But that is another day's musings.

I managed to put out the little trees that had lost their stakes. I thought I was so smart when I bought "All-in-One Light Stakes." No - didn't work. They are standing like drunks in the front flower bed. If I get my brains together and find the camera, I will get their pictures before I make another attempt.

I had lunch with DIL, Son, and kidlets. We had a great time. I also found they have the stretchy "ribbon" to make the little head bands for infant girls. My first stop didn't have any, but I went on. I also got some more lights for the outside bushes too. That is why I am bemoaning the amount of daylight. Is it moving me to action, well you can tell!!

My niece sent DIL and Daughter emails through their Facebook pages (gah - she could use their REAL emails or duh, call on the phone)about MIL's 90th birthday. She suggested Dec 26, 29, or Jan 2. She doesn't have to travel - they do. Plus, the 29th is a workday for Son.

I know Daughter isn't just too excited about the whole thing. She remembers all the shuns by MIL at holidays before as it is. She also remembers MIL giving me a huge box full of her children's pictures, then at the 88th birthday asking why Daughter doesn't give her pictures. Anyone got a clue???

So I have played all day. We are off tomorrow for the SSB. When I get back on Tuesday, I have an appointment for another round of injections. I was going to cancel, but I think I have hurt something again. I don't know how that could happen since I put up the tree - alone. What a puzzle!

Hope you are enjoying the season! At least I hope it is a good one since most of the time this year things are not always pleasant.

Peace be with you.

Christmas decorating - again.

Wasn't it last week we took all that junk down? Are you sure? It seems like I just got it all put away. Maybe that's because I really did.

Anyway, if I don't get it out and up today, there won't be much sense in doing it at all. After a round of swearing and shouting (accompanied by some hurt feelings on my part), the Christmas tree was brought into the house. Right now it sits between the den and the entry hall. it is still in its body bag. Really that's what its bag looks like. So I need to get it out, and determine which strings of the pre-lit part are out.

Then I need to get the lights for the outside in the bushes. At least Lupe, out yard guy, has trimmed the bushes so they look nice. I have a garage full of yard art, but no one helps me put it out. I am not going to put my back into spasms by doing it. I know my limits at 65. It has taken me quite a while to learn this lesson, but I finally have. Of course, I have the scars and residual problems from the learning.

Yesterday I had to drive 30 miles to get my sewing machine. It was ready far earlier than I thought. I began looking for wreath holders. I couldn't find any. If I were not, I would have been falling over them. Since I want not one buy two, they are not around anywhere. I will continue my search tomorrow when I meet DIL and kidlets for lunch.

After doing all that, I will disappear into the upstairs void to work on things I wanted for the craft fair. I keep thinking if I outfit all the kidlets, someone will fall in love with the things and just have to have a copy. I wish my machine had been working, or I wish I could trust the little Brother not to eat the cards, so I could have made more Christmas cards. I had planned to not only have the Stella designs (she is like the Maxine character). I wanted to make some more traditional ones as well. Best laid plans and all that!

I have managed to waste enough time here. I have babbled on and on. Just a jumble of letters here. I hope you have all your things done. At least I have 99% of the shopping done.

Peace be with you.

Such sadness

Her political stand was never important. Her fight against breast cancer was. Her death has hit me so hard. She had a relapse at the time I was diagnosed. Her fight was my inspiration. Through her battle she had other battles to contend with - battles that would have brought a lessor woman to her knees. She lived her life with dignity and valor. She will be so missed. Her presence will no longer be the inspiration to us with breast cancer.

Peace be with you Elizabeth Edwards.

A bit of this and a touch of that

Daughter and I did the little craft show here in the city. Every year there are more vendors, and the take is small. My cards were the hit this year. I think they would have sold last year, but I was getting out of the hospital the day that was rescheduled. Since it was after Christmas, I doubt they would have sold either.

We did not sell a single wreath. They are beautiful. In fact, we sold eight cards, a sleep mask and two girls coins purses. What a waste of five hours on a cold Sunday afternoon.

I went to a craft show on Saturday. That started my back hurting. Setting up yesterday almost killed me. My back was screaming. So much for me not having the injection next week. I am not as well as I thought.

I decided the only way for any relief was a hot bath. I cannot kneel. I have to kneel to get out of the tub. So I thought I would bring a pillow. After the water was out, I put in the pillow. It wasn't going to work well. So I managed to maneuver to get out. I wasn't going to be known as the old fat lady who had to be hauled out of the tub. Not in this little city! Not on your life. It wasn't a pretty picture, but I got out!

Best news of all is my machine is ready. It is earlier than I thought, even though it is too late for this craft show. I will make some things for the grandkids now. Such is life.

Simone may have cancer. It is something that boxers are prone to. She had a bit place on her head. The vet did a quick biopsy this morning. The cells didn't look cancerous, and she has one little place with the big one. They are mostly in a circle - with one outside the circle - a little way out. G met a boxer that lives on the corner who does have that cancer - a mast cell cancer. He is ten, and this is killing him. So we just have to wait and see.

Enough rambling. My hydrocodone dosn't have any effect on me, does it. I feel just the way I have been writing. Ohhh bad. I will try to be more with it tomorrow!

Peace be with you.

Here I sit with other things to do

I just can't seem to break the habit of sitting here at the computer every morning. I check my embroidery sites, read emails (from 4 sources), check Facebook, and then read blogs. Then sometimes I am inspired to write on the weekend - like today.

Tomorrow is the last craft show of the year. My embroidery machine is still in the shop - not unexpected. So that means I can do sewing projects to add to the merchandise, but that's it. So I am working on little lovies (you know, the things with different ribbons sticking out) that are in the shape of a cat. I had a program for embroidering one, but well...

Yesterday Lady Bug came to help. I had her cutting those blasted ribbons. That takes time. So she cut while I sewed. We completed 3 1/2 in an hour and a half. Not too shabby.

I want to go to one of the school's FFA craft show today. I think Daughter will go with me, and if not, I may not go. I really do not need to spend any more money this month!

I have been reading all you wonderful people who have decorated for Christmas. It makes me a little sad. All my stuff is still put away. I want to put up the tree this year, but I am worried about that cat who should be dipped in gold when he passes. I am afraid, and for good reason, the little critter will try to eat the thing. I surely don't need to pay for another exploratory surgery!

So I have wasted enough time. Simone is sitting here coughing because she has a bad case of reflux, so I am going to get her an antacid pill and sew more lovies!

Peace be with you.

Highlight of the day

Yesterday I attended the sewing club's Christmas party. It was our club (morning and afternoon groups) and the Viking club. There were just a few from the morning club, and I was sitting next to someone I didn't know. She is a member of the Viking club.

I originally was going to attend the Passion Party that was given by my daughter's friend. Off this subject for a moment - her friends are tending to be somewhere between Daughter and me in age. Interesting. Anyway I was going to go to give N a little support when she had her first party. But then I changed my mind and went to the club party. I figured the Passion Party wasn't giving away door prizes, and even if it did ...

Part of the reason I went is that there are give-aways. I had hopes of winning something. I didn't win anything, but I had a great time because of my table mate. One of the give-aways was based on how many gifts/gift cards you brought for this military support group. You either brought a $10 toy or a $10 gift card. I had neither, so I was excluded from this give away. She had 7 (2 gifts and 5 cards), so I thought she would have a great chance. They only gave away ONE thing with this. She didn't win.

We had some games. We didn't win. They drew our memberships cards for two store gifts. We didn't win.

I didn't want to make a meat, vegetable or a dessert, so I bought decorated cupcakes from the grocery. I brought them all home. Great - just what I need. More temptation.

All in all, it was a great time because I met someone new who had a tremendous personality.

Peace be with you.

What a creep!

I just reversed a positive RSVP. What a tacky thing to do! I would feel much worse, but Daughter encouraged me to do it.

You see, her friend is having a Passion Party party. You know - the "special toys." There are other nice things that make a woman feel pampered. I really like N, and she will be great with this party plan. She has that kind of personality. Regardless of how you feel about these things, they are there, and N will be a great one to sell them. Anyway, Daughter made me feel better because she is trying to get N to postpone this thing.

Her timing isn't good. She is aiming at women who stay home. Those women are more "scarce than hens' teeth." My street is unusual here. There are at least six of us, but many of us are retired now. There is only one young woman who stays home. She used to work only part time, but that job disappeared like so many jobs.

What is a better opportunity than this party you might be asking. Well my sewing club of course. I feel rather like an outsider since my machine is at another facility being repaired right now! Just kidding, but I really am considering changing machines. I do like the Brother people - a lot. I got confused last year and went to their Christmas party. It was a lot more fun. To be honest N's party will be a LOT more fun, but there is the chance I will win something at this party.

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We may have falsely accused my nephew and his gang for the destruction. Our hunter was there last weekend with his cousin. They are good people, but they brought the cousin's 12 year old boy. As it happens, the cousin shot an spike and his son a doe. They left the towels. Apparently the boy then decided to target practice.

Our hunter feels terrible about this. He shouldn't. G feels a little bad about jumping to conclusions about our nephew. I told him that once you get a reputation, it is hard to live it down. Something happens and you are suspect. That was especially true when we found the Game Warden has dealt with them three times since late October. His mom told us "they don't do those things anymore." Perhaps that is true, but sometimes it is hard to believe.

At least I don't think there will be any more problems. I don't mind my nephew thinking we are watching and have others watching the place. I sincerely hope he is growing up. It is time.

Peace be with you.

And we lived happily ...

Thanksgiving was a good holiday this year. On Thanksgiving day, our little house on the hill had 11.

Son and DIL arrived about midnight on Thursday morning. Their trip was fairly easy - if any trip through the Texas hill country in the dark can be considered easy. There were herds of deer along the roads - especially the county roads - to keep them on their toes. But they made it.

They were going to leave Friday at about 5 to go a little further to her Dad's ranch. I hated to see them go, but what can you do? At least we had them for a while. Wiggle Worm was just warming up to all of us. He hadn't spent that much time with us in his entire life. Then Little Teeny was just what you would expect of a two month old!

Daughter and SIL stayed until Saturday morning. But Friday night we got out the board games. the kids had a great time playing Chinese Checkers among other games.Then the house was quiet. Very, very quiet.

Packing before the trip brought its usual fights here on the home front. We were taking the big screen plasma set up there. We were cautioned to not let it tip on its front as the plasma would be too heavy and cause the glass to break. G has no spacial abilities, and he will admit it 99% of the time. Guess when the 1% is.

I envisioned it against the tool box in the truck, but the wheel wells sticking out stopped that from happening. I knew that I needed my elastic cargo net. I spent the day Wednesday untangling it. It had just gotten thrown in the garage. I finally moved the set along one side of the truck bed. I was trying to get the net over which was a challenge because I have been told specifically not to get on my new knees like that. So I needed G's help. Since he can't visualize what I am doing, he will fight rather than listen. Such fun was had!

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All the while we were there, I was without any WiFi. I was able to provide it to SIL and Daughter, but this computer will not allow me to connect to WiFi -- at all. I am going to have to do something about it before we go back. We will be there for a while around Christmas, and with G retiring, we will be there much more. This isn't a good situation!

****************************************************************************

We also discovered that "someone" had been on the property. They left behind a bag of bloody towels that apparently had been used on something they killed. In addition they left a lot of shells on the hunters' cabin porch that fell after they shot up my bird feeder (14 holes in it) and a couple of holes in our little drop feeder. They must have had some kind of automatic weapon. We know it was our nephew and his gang. Our houses are the closest of the ones there. I also know, even when G would deny it, that D was always on our property when he lived with his mom.

We called all the neighbors, including his mom, to look out for anyone on our property. She said "they don't do things like that anymore." She knows they did it! We also called the Game Warden. He had already talked to them about being on other family land where they didn't belong that day. He has talked to them about their placement of a feeder as well. He knows them well, and he, too, knows they trespassed.

I just hope they get the idea that someone is watching - including one who can put them in jail. D needs to learn there are boundaries, and in our case he crossed fence lines. It wasn't just a road that divided the property.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Peace be with you.

This just in!

I got a response from the company about my problem.  I have copied and pasted it below:

We recommend that when placing the USB cord into the machine, that it is placed in carefully to prevent any of the prongs from becoming damaged.  If you are experiencing a problem with the cord, please contact your authorized Janome dealer for additional assistance.

We appreciate your interest in Janome America, Inc.

Well I thought I would just ram it in from below, above, or from a side with enough force to move the blasted machine (which is in excess of 50 pounds).  What a help.  I really can’t believe it.  Bury your head in the sand.

Answers for questions

I am going to answer a few questions here, and probably bring up new ones,  or at least make you wonder about me.

The first question is about meal worms.  Here, our school district loves to use the inexpensive (should be free, but that required a little more work) meal worms to show how they change from the larva – hence meal worm – to the moth. 

This will probably gross you out, but in your grain products, there are insect eggs.  There are flour moths and in the oats, meal worms.  I should have known better, but I was once overwhelmed with flour moths because I forgot about those pesky eggs.  I am still battling them to a degree, but I am getting them under control.

When I wasn’t able to get around, my cereal/grain pantry , well, aged.  Suddenly there were little moths flying all around the house.  They took over the dining room because we certainly didn’t use that room.  I was doing good to set the breakfast room table.

I have found the non-toxic glue traps for these little buggers, and putting the grains in the freezer for about a week or so will kill them – and that reminds me – I just bought some flour.  But air tight containers help too.

Anyway, back to the meal worms.  Science supply houses sell these little bugs for the school children to take care of and watch them turn into a moth.  An ugly moth, but a moth never-the-less.

Now a fix for the machine.  I don’t think there is something different for that USB slot.  I am simply going to have to be incredibly careful.  I am considering completely re-arranging the craft room.  I have thought of this before, but I just hate to move things.  Such a mess!  But I may be able to find a way to put much less strain on that little port.

I did write the company.  I got a return email – a form letter – that they had gotten the email and would get back to me.  I also posted to the Yahoo group to see if I am alone in this.  Nothing on that front yet either.

I am really considering trading the machine for another brand.  I am really upset with this.  And the machines seem to be in a snit when they come home from cleaning.  They are cantankerous little beasties at best.

If you don’t get the design in just the right place, it won’t read it at all.  If using the thumb drive – the design has to be in a special folder.    Now from the computer to begin with – I don’t know.  I cannot get that to work at all.  And the cards must be obsolete since I can’t find one.

And so my moans and groans go on.  I will spend the day later wrapping the tv in plastic.  We have been in an extended period of dry – but now rain, of course.

Happy Thanksgiving to you.  I hope you have a great day.

 

Peace be with you. 

Sewing, no sewing

In my quest to find a repair facility other than where I bought my machine, I found some really nice places - places I only wish I had known about before. The first has been in business forever! I found they have classes - lots of classes. They carry the sister to my machine - same thing but has another name on it. It sells for less too. Anyway, I will be checking in with them a lot more. Their repair guy was really great. When you don't use your brain ...

I ended up taking the machine to a sewing/quilting shop that sells the machines. They have a guy that does the repair, and they are going to order the part. I was explaining why I think there is a defect in the design, I proved myself right. The owner and I looked at one of the fancy Brother machines - one that would be equivalent to mine. Those little points have protection around them They aren't just jutting out into space like mine. I feel somewhat vindicated. I also don't have to have remarks made by the other place's repair guys.

The real downside it that I will be without the machine for at least two weeks. Our little hometown craft show is before I get it back. Well -that's the way it happens.

I emailed the company with my complaint about the port. I doubt anything will come of it. But I made my point. It is a design flaw. I really am thinking about changing machines soon anyway. I really like the Brothers. And the Brother club where I go for the Janome club is a lot more fun. Those gals are something.

So all that's left is for me to get things together for our trip to the SSB. I am anal about things. I want to be sure that we have enough of everything. If not it does mean a 45 minute trip - one way. No one wants to do that.

We will be putting the big tv there - if it makes it in one piece. We ended up getting a plasma. I didn't think there would be a big difference in performance. The difference is in the transport. This one has to be upright, otherwise the plasma gets too heavy and breaks the glass in the screen. I might have known this had I not been in cameras looking for that blasted ATA card!

Peace be with you.

Mixed bag

Today was another nice day. We did our part to help curb the financial standing of the community. We decided that we were getting too old to see the 26 inch regular tv at the SSB. It is really noticeable when we come home and enjoy our big digital one, so off we went to the "Big" Buy store - which in itself is comical. You see - G swore a long time ago when he had a problem with them that he would never set foot inside one again. Well - this is twice. This time we walked out with a 42" plasma. If I had known before about the real difference for us between Plasma and the other, I wouldn't have gotten the plasma. It has to ride upright, or the plasma will break the glass, and that isn't covered by any type of warranty. So Merry Christmas to us - - and the family who will be around to help break it is this weekend.

Speaking of warranties, I am going to have to take the sewing machine back to the dealer - again - for the broken USB fitting. This will be number three. I JUST got it back last Wednesday, and it has to go tomorrow. I hate, hate, hate to take it to this dealer. I know they are saying bad things about me behind my back. I know they think I don't know how to work the machine. But, unless I want to just use the built in stitches and the very few that I loaded on it, I am dead in the water. I cannot get anything to load on it.

I went to the local computer big store. I bought a little plug to change the USB ending into a different kind. The machine is supposed to be able to be loaded by a computer. Not using Win7 or even XP. The old laptop lives up there with the machines. It still works, although slow and limping along. I thought this new method I dreamed up would work to read from the CD reader. No. Such. Luck.

I have made a mission about finding an ADA card that is 2"x2". They don't exist. That would be another way to load designs. I am out of luck there too - so tomorrow I will have to face the music. I would rather take a beating. The only other dealer is about 20 miles past this one. It would be really foolish.

It was completely my fault the thing happened, but upon closer examination of the little adapter in the machine and other USB ports, there is a design flaw. Those little fragile connections are just sitting there - there is no protective plastic around them. Look at any of your USB things and you will see the points are protected. Not here.

Back to my responsibility. Every time I have a machine serviced - cleaned, etc - it comes back screwed up. It makes thread nests on the back of the fabric like no tomorrow. It was doing that. I spend three hours on one little project - that by the way turned out like sh*t - and I hit the machine about six times. It is on a cabinet that has the place for the machine that goes up and down. Well, one of those blows, well, you can guess the rest. Now I have to pay the piper, face the music, and all those other phrases. I really don't want to. Really, really. Anyway...

Today was a good day. We went to a local theater group for a play. It was really cute, and gave a good afternoon of entertainment.

Pray for me tomorrow. That is weighing so on my mind. I don't mean to be sacrilegious, but this is going to be really bad. Can't keep my mind on the good, happy things!

Peace be with you.

Smokin'

That's what my credit card is doing. After two days of concentrated shopping, that little sucker is just smoking. Can't wait for this bill.

Wednesday was the general stores. Yesterday was the grocery store. When you are going to have 11 people at the out in the sticks SSB, you have to be sure that you have everything you think you are going to need. It is about 30 miles to town, which only has a single yucky grocery store, and that trip is 45 minutes one way. So not having something is not an option.

When the checker told me that I saved $122 between my coupons and the store savings, I knew the bill was going to be the national debt. And it was. But when you are feeding six adults, one preteen who eats like the food is going to be taken away with no more coming (and is still thin as a rail - just like my dad and her uncle - bah!), food is consumed in a hurry. The entire back seat of the truck was completely filled - to the point that one bag spilled its guts when I opened the door here at home!

G was put out. And he will be more put out when it is time to load it on Wednesday. I don't know what he thinks we are going to do, but it has to get there. The sad part is that the kids will be bringing food too. As I lamented yesterday, Son and DIL will leave on Friday afternoon, and Daughter and SIL will leave Saturday morning, but there is still the time that we are all there. Hence, the national debt of a grocery bill, and a lot of "stuff" to load.

Just gotta love the holidays. I wish I had a larger cash-back than I do. I could use it. Of course after this bill, I may have it!

Peace be with you.

A breather from shopping - for a bit!

What a change from last year. I can shop! It doesn't completely do me in with part of one store. Yesterday I set out at 1 PM and I made three stores. I was through at 3PM and not because my knees were screaming. I ran out of space in the truck.

We have a four door F150 and there is a tool box on the back. That would have been some storage, but it opens on both sides. I would have spend a good deal of time running back and forth trying to keep one edge open while trying to get the other open. So I opted for the backseat floor. We still had the doggy blanket in there, so it did a good job of covering the packages I put there.

The only real concern was when I went to Big L**s. This one is not a nice store, as they can be. I bought some bulky things at Target, and then more here. The Big store is right next to Hobby Lobby where I really needed to go next. With the changing neighborhood I was in, I was really apprehensive about putting those packages in the back and walking off.

I considered driving about the parking lot and park again, but I thought that was just plain silly. I practically ran through Hobby Lobby!! I was quite relieved when I came out to find I was not a victim of a smash and grab. I really wasn't sure.

So, my credit card has gotten a workout yesterday. It is going to get another today as I venture out for the grocery shopping that will include Thanksgiving. Since we will be at the SSB, I have to be sure I have everything.

DIL and son were to be with us, but Daddy Warbucks (her dad) is winning for part of the time. They will leave here the afternoon of Wednesday. Having to stop in San Antonio, they will be in late on Wednesday. Then Friday afternoon they will be leaving for Daddy's ranch. I have to say I am really disappointed. I don't get to spend that much time with them as it is. Well - the old poem comes into play - a son is a son until he takes a wife.

Daughter and SIL will be with us until Saturday morning. His parents are so messed up, they aren't going to see them at either holiday. Every single one of them needs money, and that's all they want from the kids here. It is a sad situation. They really live from moment to moment, but partially because they don't look at income and compare it to outgo. I should talk right now. I haven't done that either. I will have to take money from another account (ouch) to cover this upcoming credit card!! But I don't do this as a natural fact. It is only on occasion - like Christmas.

Again sorry about putting the restrictions on the comments. I tried to be open, and I got spam there. So ...

Peace be with you

Quick

Just got back from another spine injection and daughter and SIL are taking me to lunch in a bit.

Sorry about the word verification again, but there has been a little spam coming through. Again - sorry. Thought I would give it a try. Didn't work.

Get back here in a bit.

Arggggg

Sometimes I tend to over-react to things. I know that is a strange trait that no one ever knew, but it's true.

When the change-over to digital only TV, I was so anxious to get a small, portable TV that would work when the power went out. Now this is pre-generator. So I was really set on getting this stupid TV. Years ago, we went through a hurricane and were without power for a period of time. G tells me it was something like 6 hours, to me it was days. As I said before - me over-react?? We were without TV. Now if you are able to listen to the sound but no picture that is absolutely maddening. We would be wondering just where the weather was heading and so on, and the weatherman would say - "here's the radar view." Yeah, sure thing. So I vowed I would never be without a TV (sounds a little like Scarlet O'Hara doesn't it)

Anyway, when the changeover was here. A reality. The little Sony had no way to hook up a converter box. Alas - it was obsolete. So where is this going - well to me buying another little TV. I was rabid. I understood that one of the pharmacies here (and these places are another story to me!) had them for $99. Hey - good deal.

I didn't want to go to the one closest because the staff there apparently was just hired in the couple of minutes before I arrive - meaning they know NOTHING. So I wasn't going to trust them. Daughter called on one that had competent staff, so off we went. Ah ha I had my TV.

When I first turned in on, getting the signal was a problem. I turned and turned the blasted thing. If you touched it wrong it went off. I began searching for stations. Our main three wouldn't come in (those being CBS, NBC, and ABC). But I found we had more stations than I ever dream of. In those higher numbers, stations abound. The problem is that I don't speak those languages. They are not just the Spanish language stations - they are almost every language spoken here in swampland.

If you move this thing - you have to rescan. So if you find the station you want, and you move - you lose. You get to rescan. And it is almost a given that you will not get the stations you want. If you want to listen in, say Viet Naimese (ooh - sorry, I massacred that spelling), you are in business.

So I went out to buy a new boosted signal antenna. I knew I had one, but since the advent of cable - I had not used it in eons. Now another $25 is invested in the little jewel. It still won't bring in the channels, and now if you move the antenna OR the TV you don't get a picture.

So now we have the generator. OK - we have the big digital tv - that part is ok, but I know as well as I am sitting here that if (when) we have another storm, I will have lights, and a tv that will have a snowy screen because, bless their hearts, the cable won't work. I have thought about going to satellite or even the ATT system that comes over the phone lines, but there is a feature we get on cable that I love (again another story). So I will stick with cable.

When that storm does hit - you will find me behind the big tv trying to find where to hook up my power antenna, and then figuring out how to make it all work. All of this because I want a picture with my sound. The new phone may be the way I go though. It has local radar available, so that means I have to find a way to watch my soap opera. So you will know where to find me.

Peace be with you.

Bi-polar?

I really thought I was able to hide my bouts with depression, but that's not the case at all.

When I am depressed, the house is a total wreck (as opposed to being a partial wreck when I am not depressed). The dishes get done when they absolutely have to be done. Things aren't picked up when they should be. My posts are dark and brooding.

Then there are the other times when, while not being manic, I do have more energy and want to get more things done. I am not depressed right now. It may come back at any time, but it's not here right now.

And so I deal with this stuff. I should march myself right to a doctor for help, but I don't want chemical help. There are some of those that will interfere with the Femara. Plus, I am on enough drugs to supply a pharmacy as it is. My mother would say that I rattle when I walk I am taking so many pills!

So I am happy and a bit hyper. I am nowhere near being manic. I've seen people who become manic after depression. That is not me. So I am happy/sad rather than manic/depressed. I don't go deeply into either state.

I will try to keep myself in the happy state. I just have to identify those things that cause the sad times and keep them at bay.

Peace be with you.

Bright as a burned out bulb.

Not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Bring on those sayings. They fit me to a tee!

You see - when my trusty Gateway crashed, I lost a lot of bookmarked sites. The more I think about them, the worse I feel. There were so many that I visited infrequently, but they were, non the less, important to me. They are gone. Some of those sites were places where I found items for the business. I may not need them right away, but down the road ...

In addition, I lost my list of blogs. With my terrible memory, I was able to remember a few - but that was all. I have thought of looking at other bloggers' blogrolls with the hopes of finding those blogs that I enjoyed, but are lost in cyberspace and in some dry, dusty, dungy place in my memory. Now that's a really scary place. I try not to dig too deeply in this brain of mine! Who knows what will happen.

Then this evening it hit me like a load of bricks. Come here to my very own blog. There are 99% of my dead blogsphere friends. So I looked at my blogroll and there they were. My beloved blogs. So if you haven't heard from me in several months - this is why.

Now I know I can be a silent lurker. I will read but not comment. Shame on me. I am trying to be better. I just cannot put my joy at finding these blogs once again into words. I will be seeing you again.

Here and there

I have been thinking of writing an essay to the magazine that is printed by my religion. We get a monthly Lutheran, but I don 't know if they would even consider my essay. I am wondering just where my church has gone. I look for it, but I cannot find it.

I know the young people are not sticking with the ritualistic church as we have known. They are going to these huge non-denominational churches that are really not that at all. They have their feet firmly in the Baptist church, but they don't have that as a link because they don't embrace all the tenets of that religion.

So now the Lutherans are moving that way. Part of our service used to include one of the creeds - Apostles, etc. Not any more. There is no liturgy. The pastors don't wear the garb. They are there in just a shirt and pants. Some will still don the stole for communion. Communion used to be the main emphasis of the service. It was placed after the sermon. Not any more. The music is all new wave Christian. We have a new hymnal, but sometimes it is not used. But even there, so many of the old familiar and comforting hymns are gone. The new hymnal is full of new ones. I just don't know where my old church is. If there is a more "typical, old style" service - it is on Saturday night or the early service. So the main, highlighted service is the new one - that the young people still are not flocking to.

I find the new churches that are non-denominational are there to make you feel good. The music is supplied by a band with speakers that are booming. Communion is just a brief thought - hey - it's in the isle behind the first set of chairs - help yourself. The bread and wine has not been consecrated. It's still bread and wine. Meanwhile, the rock show continues with lights flashing, and the music booming through huge speakers. And the "message" which takes the place of the sermon doesn't give you a challenge, it doesn't inspire you to work to become better - it is "I'm ok - you're ok." Things are good. You are good.

Well enough of my bitching. That's exactly what I have been doing. It isn't the essay I would like to present to the magazine, but it is just my thoughts spilling out. And that's enough.

********************************************************************

This is same song, different verse. Yesterday, G watched Simone walk into a table outside. It has been there longer than she has been here! I thought nothing of it - until. Yep, later she came and put her head in my lap. It was later alright - 15 minutes before the vet's office closed. Her left eye was watering, red, and that third eyelid was halfway over the eye. So we went this morning. She scratched the cornea. Boxer problem with those beautiful, soulful bulging eyeballs.

So she got to go for a ride. We now have the ointment for that scratch. She is to go back next week to see how it is healing. Been there many times with a boxer. Not my first rodeo! Since she was already there, they worked her in for a bath and pedicure. And I am a lot lighter in the wallet.

I wonder if we could claim the vet clinic on our income tax????

************************************************************************

OH, and I went to pick up my sewing machine. The place that accepts USB was broken - again. The guy that repairs them said not to let it happen again. He doesn't know how many more will be covered. I wanted to unload on him. I certainly didn't try to break that d*** thing. How ridiculous. I really think I will not take it there for repair anymore. I think they really believe I am doing this because I don't know how to use the stupid thing.

If it breaks again, I may go somewhere else and trade it for a different brand of machine. He just set me off!!

I have babbled enough. I probably should just hit delete, but I'm going to let this out.

Peace be with you.

I guess they are just too exciting.

Today I ventured out to the high school's FFA Craft Show. This was partially to see how my new knees would fare, and to check out the back. Lady Bug was also singing in the elementary school choir. I think I talked about that yesterday, but you know my memory. Anyway, I get up early, get breakfast done for G, and I am out the door.

When I get there, it is already a madhouse. The parking is way out in the field already, so I slapped the handicapped tag onto the mirror and asked the guy directing traffic if there were any spaces up by the exhibition hall. Well, good old country boy that he was - he had absolutely no idea. His job was to stand out there and direct cars onto the grassy field.

I went on up and circled about a bit. I managed to cuss a couple of SUVs that took enough room for three cars because they didn't know how to park. If the space between them and the next vehicle was just a smidge bigger, I would have been able to shoe horn my little Pontiac in there. I purposely didn't take the truck for that very reason. But three rows over I got my spot.

LB was with the kids across the street. That mom was taking them. They were still here when I left, so I thought I would see them at the show. But that wasn't to be. I poked about a bit, and most of the crap at the show was just that. It was crap that was bought in some discount places - we have one here called Harwin where the places are regularly hit my the police for selling knock off merchandise. But everything they have is CHEAP. That is what I was seeing. Crafts - made by hands - very few.

While I was waiting in the show barn (I told you it was FFA!!!) for the choir, I saw an ambulance come in with all its lights flashing. I didn't know where the attendants went for the longest time. When I finally decided to take another small stroll around the crafts, I saw where they were. In one of the booths, there was a woman about 85 sitting on the floor having fainted I am guessing by the questioning I heard when I passed.

The reason this sticks in my mind is that when we did the show in Mason, a woman went down right in front of our booth. That time, it was heat related. This time I don't know the cause. I guess these craft shows are just getting too exciting for us old folks!!

I looked at most of the booths. I didn't find anything I couldn't manage to live without. I was really sort of killing time trying to find LB and my neighbor. I made one final pass down an isle. It was going to be my last. It was then I saw it. The thing I couldn't live without. When I hang it at the SSB I will take a picture and post it. It was the thing I had been looking for. It had a relative there I also wanted, but couldn't figure a way to hang them both without them looking stupid. I can't wait to get them up and post a picture. You'll just have to wait. So much for the excitement of the craft show.

Peace be with you.

Slow learner

I am thinking I could be called a slow learner in this case - realizing I am retired and can sleep late everyday!

G retired (the first time) before I did. When I would have haul out at 6, he would get up also. I thought that was so sweet. Now I'm thinking he didn't do it just for me, but that's beside the point.

So when I retired, and he was working again, I would get up with him. For the first five years, I would get up because I would be keeping a grandchild while the parents worked. Then through the cancer years, mastectomy, chemo, radiation, reconstruction I still got up when he got up. Now during those times, he would be getting up later because he was making sure I was OK. But I still thought it was my duty to get up with him.

I finally have come to the conclusion that I don't have to get up when he does. He is choosing to work. He talks retirement, and the whole family laughs at him. But I have gotten smart. I am retired. I don't have to get up at 6:30 anymore. So I don't.

That point was brought home to me today. Simone will bump the bed if we are asleep and she needs to go out. She was bumping the bed this morning at 8:30. I had a dim recollection that G told me she had been out and been fed this morning. He told me when I was still 3/4 asleep.

Simone was putting of a great show. I was sure she had not been fed since she didn't want to go out. But there was that dim memory. She was still begging in her passive-aggressive way. So I emailed G. Sure enough, she had been fed. He said I was still really asleep when he told me.

Anyway, I enjoy my later mornings these days. I will read until about 11:30, and then about 8:30 to 9 I will get up. It bothers me now if I have to get moving before that. But I will do it. Tomorrow Lady Bug is singing at the high school's FFA craft show. I will be there at 10:45. Means getting up a little early, but I will love doing it.