This and that

First - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  After today, things will be crazy, but I wanted to leave you with those wishes.

I have been thinking in the last couple of days (no smart remarks, please!) about how traditions change.  What we think of as traditions are there only to change.  As our kids get older, they begin to make THEIR own traditions.  I saw it happen as we and our kids got older - there is no longer the greater family get together at Christmas, at all.  We don't see the in-laws at all like we used to.  Our kids and their kids all have their own families or things to do.  It is just too much of a hassle to get together like before.  I do miss that.

Even things we did as a family (us and our kids) have changed in the last couple of years.  There are more grandchildren, and our kids are setting their traditions with their kids.  Sometimes, as I am seeing now, the grandparents are sort of pushed aside.  At first I had my feelings hurt a little, but I do realize now what is happening.

Today our big point on the agenda is church at 7:30.  Now if I were thinking of our old church, I wouldn't even dream of going.  All the C&E members will be there, and unless I were the organist as I used to be, I wouldn't have a seat.  This church isn't that way.  Oh, we will be crowded, don't kid yourself, but we are so small that we have very, very few C&Eers.  So off we will go - in the glorious rain!!!

Tomorrow will be interesting.  I am sure Daughter wants us to be there in the morning - which means a big breakfast.  We would go to Son's, but there is a 10 mile difference.  Daughter is a mile, he is 11 miles.

Then we will go to DIL's mother's house for lunch.  As a posted before - gumbo and probably ham.  Plus there will be so much food her counters will nearly collapse.  Things will be great - if her son isn't there.  He doesn't like one or more of us - probably my SIL.  That family doesn't care for him - he still cannot get over his bragging and loud mouth, and that doesn't go in their family.

Then tomorrow night we will be back at Daughter's house for dinner.  SIL works for a commercial oven company.  They gave him a commercial oven last year, and he had it hooked up yesterday.  So the hunk of beef that he has will be cooked in that.  They are inviting my across-the-street neighbors whose kidlets go to school with my grandkids as well.  So, it should be interesting.

We will be leaving on  Monday for the SSB.  This is one time I really don't want to go.  I don't know why.  I am usually up for the trip, but not so much this time.  I have been sewing each and every day.  It has become a routine, and I won't be taking things to do like that.  In fact, I don't know what I am going to take to keep myself occupied.  I know there is always cleaning house.  It needs it, but really??

So, have a great holiday season.  See you when I get home.  Peace be with you.

All's well, and all that, plus the beat goes on.

Some mixture!  Some things are right, and some things are just continuing to be strange.

The dryer was worked on the way I hoped.  Of course, that wasn't the real issue in yesterday's post - it was that hard headed man I am married to.  I don't see him ever  changing either, but this has gotten worse.  Geesh!

Grannie - you are right.  He used those brushes to get all that junk out.  I never knew there were such things.  Learn something new everyday.  Isn't that Martha Stewart's mantra??  Oh, well - I do try.

The beat that is going on has to do with that stupid accident.  We got a call yesterday from another adjuster, or something.  They want another taped recount of the events.  We didn't recognize the telephone number, so we called the adjuster at the insurance company to see if this is really on the up and up.

He was out, but called this morning.  It is legitimate, and so G will call this guy again.  It seems that the insurance company is very upset about the lying taking place on their part.  I believe she has had a claim before, and they are very upset about her  not being truthful with them.  They are probably looking for a way to dump her.  I didn't know they needed a cause, but I guess so.

So things are rocking along.  I just wish I knew what was going to happen for Christmas.  SIL keeps talking about this hunk of meat he has and wants to fix, but nothing else is being talked about.  He wants to go to San Antonio to see his family, but Daughter doesn't want to go - at least not before Christmas.

We are going to DIL's mother's house for a while.  She always includes us in her family Christmas.  We have a good time, but apparently we don't like real Cajun food.  Their gumbo isn't what I like.  They don't put anything in it but chicken and sausage.  I like a good seafood gumbo.  They also have theirs with the rice that one would expect, but also potato salad.  Interesting!

So what we will be doing and where - who knows.  Church will be one of the places on Christmas Eve.  And DIL's mom's house will be a stop on Christmas Day.  Other than that is a mystery!

Peace.

Grrrrrr

I really should just sit and get over this "mad" I have going on right now, but I am still seething.

Our dryer has been working more and more poorly over the last few months.  G was going to dry some towels I had in the dryer, but they didn't dry after two rounds over the weekend.  He discovered that there was a huge amount of lint - behind the filter.  The filter has never fit correctly, and after a million loads, well, it allowed a lot of lint to gather behind it.

He is not the mechanical sort.  He took something and began to dig out the lint.  He got a lot out, and I had the idea that the vacuum cleaner would be just the thing to use.  It would have been, but the space between the front of the dryer and the back of the lint filter holder wouldn't allow the crevice tool to get down there.

I went to the garage to find the largest screw driver I could find.  (note - I was able to salvage some of my dad's tools after his death, and he had some like this, otherwise I would have been SOL)  It worked sort of, but I couldn't get all the lint.

I remembered that the guy who cleaned the chimney also cleaned dryer vents.  Now I thought this would include the dryer too.  I can see what needs to be done, but I don't have (???) the proper sized screw driver for those little screws that holds the entire thing.  Poetic justice, right?

Anyway this is a long way around to explain why I am still boiling.  We called that guy, and he is supposed to come out this morning.  We are having some of that water that falls from the sky this morning.  He called to say he would like to come later because this involves ladder work.  I replied - uh, no.  The vent just goes out the wall.

I TRIED to explain to G that we probably aren't going to get what we think we are getting - a complete cleaning of the whole thing, and we probably will have to call a repair person.

Every time I try to explain something to him, he looks at me like I am some creature from the planet Xenon who is speaking in some other language.  It is like he thinks I don't know anything.  It makes me so mad I could just spit.  He will argue with me for hours about something that I know is right.  All with that stupid look on his face.

If I hadn't already blown up, although nicely, yesterday about this very thing, I think I would be  in a better mood.  I told him about how he argues with me about everything.  I told him he gives me that stupid look (but I didn't say "stupid") look that is like I am a creature from outer space.  I told him all of this, and yet this behavior continues.  I am beginning to believe he is stupid.  There, I said it!  And right now I MEAN it.

I am just furious.  So I simply held the phone back to him, said to call this guy to get an explanation.  He said no - he thinks the whole thing will be cleaned.  I simply said OK - and walked off.  I have better things to do with my life than argue with a wall.

Thank you for listening!  And peace be with you.  And this is why I don't publicize my blog to the family!  It is my outlet.

Merry Christmas then and now

I thought I would add pictures of the clan.  The one to the left is last year and is all of them.  Son and family on the left, Daughter on the right.

This is Son's family this year.  Little girl has grown - a lot!!

I don't have a current family picture of Daughter's family, but they are at an age where they don't change as much as Little Girl.  You can't see Baby #3 - still inside.  Will be here January 12.


The first picture was one of the many I was given for Christmas last year.  They were framed beautifully.

So - that's my family.  Daughter's birthday was yesterday.  She turned (gasp) 38.  Cannot believe all these years have passed.

Peace.

More time with the kidlets

Seems like our Pastor is in a bit of a quandary.  Daughter is on the board.  They wanted to have lunch after church.  That's all that needs to be said to give background.

So what does that have to do with anything, you ask.  Well - it meant that we had the kidlets after church today.  We had them twice as long as we were supposed to have them.

I sound terrible, don't I.  You KNOW I love those kids.  I enjoy being with them - but when I am told x amount of time, I plan on x amount of time.

Kids being kids, want to play with toys they don't normally have around.  Such is the time at Grandma's.  But I knew that it would be a whirl-wind when parents came to get them, and they were spending their time getting out multitudes of toys.  I really did not feel like picking them up.

As it turns out, they did better than great - they were superb. Couldn't ask for better kidlets.

In yesterday's pics, Lady Bug's personality showed through like a champ.  She is such a great kid - it scares me.  I do love them all, but there is just something about this one!

Perhaps it is because I am more comfortable around older kids.  One reason I never, ever wanted to teach in the elementary school.  Sixth grade science was the lowest I ever taught - thank goodness.  I have to be honest - high school biology was the fav.  The others are growing too, so someday ...

Peace.

Busy, but nice

Today, I got to spend the better part of the day with Lady Bug.  She came over and we BAKED!!  Her brother joined us later.  Cookies, cookies, cookies!  Oh and she decorated my little skinny tree.  Quite the clown - that girl.

Unbelievable part 2

The identity of the witness has been revealed.  They have the same address.  The witness is her boyfriend.  She told G she called him.  Post accident.  And yes, he did come later.

So the insurance company is going to have all the managers sit down.  They know she is lying.  They are looking at holding her 100% at fault.  Guess the car will be repaired!

Can you believe - trying to scam you own insurance company.  I know why - she doesn't want to be dropped or have her rate increase.  But still...

My back - she is a hurtin'.  Just kidding.  Really.

Unbelievable

Remember the parking lot accident that happened Wednesday of last week?  When we left, there were no "witnesses" to this - only boyfriend whom she said she called.

Well, we got a phone call today - suddenly a witness has surfaced.  They said that we were parked on the same side of the isle.  Nope - I have pictures.  The witness said we backed into each other going out different ways, and that WE hit her.

So G gave another statement.  The insurance person - and by the way, she has the SAME company - said the witness' facts didn't add up.  Little Bimbo.  Perhaps I should play the injury card after all.  I can't believe this.

I always knew that accidents in private parking lots were a problem, but this is really too much.  Our question is just where was this witness the day it happened.  No one came out other than boy friend.  Hummm.

When we reported this accident, the agent said that repairs to our vehicle would come from our insurance, so what is the deal with this girl - oh, I know - she wants her car repaired at our expense.  We had already decided that if the damage to ours was more or less the $1000 deductible, we wouldn't have anything done.  The damage isn't that great.

I guess trials and tribulations are the order of the day.  Especially with people trying to shrug their responsibilities.  Sad.

Peace.

Pictures, pictures, pictures!

 This is not the new tree to replace the huge one.  This is my favorite little Christmas tree.  It is about 18 inches tall.  If you look closely, you see that it is LOADED with Boxers!  They are crawling all over it along with candy, presents, and associated Boxer goodies.  I looked on line last week, and this tree is no longer available.  I have friends who would have loved it with Doxies on it.  Now I will have to be super careful with mine.

My Boxer tree

Christmons

As I was sewing yesterday, I decided to make a sample of Christmons  to donate to the church.  The tree there looks much like mine below - no decorations on it.  Just lights.  I don't know if they want to put these on, but if so - here they are.

My new little tree - without any decorations yet!

This is the new tree.  The old one would have taken that entire space - and still be crammed in.  I really love this little one.  It is perfect for the spot - AND I can pick it up by myself.  G still claims he will help - haven't seen that happen yet!  I put the poinsettia on top because I just haven't gotten the ornaments out for the tree yet.  But this is my new little prize!

I will try to get a picture of the other little Boxer tree for tomorrow.  It is a little 3 foot metal tree that I put my annual Boxer ornaments on.  It lives in the living room - where there is carpet.  If one of the ornaments falls, it possibly won't break.                                              

I was sitting here writing and looked at the new tree picture - and the white baseboard that I haven't stained or painted after the tile was put down years ago.  I doubt that it will be done in the near future either!  Can't get down on my knees for that.  Looks horrible in the picture though!

Doing battle - again!

That seems to be the catch phrase these days.  The computer issues have been well documented.  Now it is a new adversary - the Christmas tree.

Several years ago - don't remember how many - I decided that I was going to buy a fake tree.  I was really sick of the expense of the real tree to say nothing about the needles that would work their way into the carpet.

So after Christmas, I went to a store, and bought a tree.  Not a normal tree mind you, but a huge tree that probably had a bottom circumference of about five feet or more.  Plus, it had been a floor model. So problems were inherent.

The first problem was when I was sure it would fit in the trunk of my little Grand Prix.  After all it had the pass through trunk - into the passenger compartment.  No problem!  Yes, problem. I had to come home to get the truck to take that prized purchase home.

I used to wrestle this tree in the living room between the piano and the window.  Didn't really fit, but I made it fit.  Then as the family began to grow, I realized that there wasn't enough room in the living room for presents to be handed out when the time came.

So I moved it to the den.  That was great except there was no place for this humongous tree.  So it went on one side of the island fireplace.  That meant we only had the one way to the front door - which was sufficient.  Right?

Yes, it was good - the tree went there for the last couple of years.  But this sucker weighed 14 tons.  I couldn't manage this tree by myself - especially in the last couple of years.  I had to get my son to put the monster in its bag last year, and then put it away.  He had to get it out for me this year.

But this year something was wrong.  I couldn't get the tree into its base.  It would tilt and roll.  When I put the middle section on, it was worse.  I could see this monster falling on a grand kidlet - it would kill that child.  Plus the entire bottom section wouldn't light.  (I think it was the cord attached - but that's our little secret.  I think it really was OK)

When I was at the same craft store where I got the monster, I saw they had a skinny little tree - about six feet tall.  I remembered that little tree as I was doing battle.  I told G the time had come.  I was going to get that little tree, and monster tree could go to Goodwill or someplace.  Someone could do battle with that tree and love it.

Yesterday morning, I set out to be at the store about when it opened.  I knew there would be a lot of shoppers, and I am accustomed to being out early - if I shop these days.

I went to the manager to get someone to help me.  If I were buying a tree at the full price - I wanted one in a box.  I waited and waited - no one came.  So I went back.  The manager said the little guy didn't see me.  I wanted to tell her - "look at me - I am rather hard to miss!!"

Anyway - I scored the tree. It is so cute, and fits so well.  I just love it.  Very minimal.

The other tree is in the back of the truck awaiting its trip to Goodwill.

Peace.

Tamed the monster - until it completely breaks

Yes, I set out to battle this here lil' ol' computer this morning - and I won, at least so far.

Part of my problem is that I am still back in Windows 1 (or whatever it was), and this little babe is 7.  I really had a steep learning curve to begin with.  I see now there isn't all THAT much difference, and the things I have discovered that are different, I really like.  The Gate*** upstairs is XP, and I miss some of the things here.

Anyway, back to my story.  This morning I tried to remember what I would do to solve the infernal loop Della likes to settle into.  For some reason, the was it was, it would automatically go to my name as user, and I would just log on.  Now it doesn't do that.  When it doesn't, the internet security program is going through all those things that want to access the internet immediately, and I have to approve them all over again.  But then Della still sits and spins.

So I discovered the old "crtl-alt-del" trick.  I do that immediately, and choose change user. Ok!  Works.  Then I shut down the internet protector.  Then I am good to go.

Whatever is locked in here, I am pretty sure I will have major problems someday.  I did a scan from the Mc yesterday.  It came out clean.  I have another I will do today, but I feel there is something nasty lurking within those chips in here.

I just wonder when it will come exploding out of the keyboard like "Alien."

Peace.

Here we go again

This computer is really acting wonky.  It takes me about 30 minutes to get it to stop its running in some kind of loop.  It started being sick a couple of days ago.  Anything that was typed would stop after two or so words.  That was aggravating.

Yesterday, it was caught in some kind of loop.  One of the virus controls I use for internet is apparently the culprit.  If I can get to that program and shut it down, then all's right with the world.  If not - well, no internet on this computer today.

I really thought I had the problem solved yesterday.  Got the offending program shut down, and everything worked fine.  Today G turned it on, and it was the same thing.  Another 30 minutes to try to get it solved.

So I am running a scan to see if there is an offending virus or some other thing hidden.  I have no idea where G goes on the internet.  Nothing really bad - but he isn't really aware of where problems can hide.  I KNOW he got viruses on his work computer that shut his down, and even threatened the entire system.  We have to get another computer up so I can put the router back on.  Then I can take this computer back - for me, plus use the one upstairs - for me.

Exciting days

Yesterday was another test of the Grandma's Lack of Technological Sense.  Thanks to my dear internet friend Judy, I got to play with our "new" home theater system.  The thing is at least three years old, and I still fight it.

I was going to watch the wonderful Adele DVD.  Oh, that meant that I had to put the DVD in the player.  That part I remembered.  Then came the real fun.  I had to get sound out of the speakers AND a picture on the screen.

You have to understand that I have trouble switching from regular tv to surround sound, and getting the radio on - well, let's just say that I try for about 15 minutes, then walk away!

So I loaded the DVD.  The easy part.  Then I began trying to get the sound. I finally got that, all the while knowing that I would never get to listen to Prairie Home Companion on Sunday again!

Then I tried everything I could think of to get the picture.  I knew G wouldn't settle for sound only with something completely off the subject on the screen.

I fiddled and fiddled.  Then the memory came flooding back into my feeble (post menopausal, post chemo) brain.  I needed yet another remote.  This action required three remotes.  You see, our fancy, expensive all in one remote that never worked properly is dead.  It is beyond revival.

We watch so many DVD movies I forgot how to work all that stuff.  When I got the third remote out, I remembered how to control the input, and viola, there was the picture.  I did it.  I had sound - out of the speakers, and an image on the screen.

We sat back and enjoyed the concert - greatly!!

Today began as a good day.  I got to sleep in!!!  We went to the Wednesday prayer and communion service, bought Daughter's birthday gift,and then found a new Italian restaurant.  The food was delightful as well as inexpensive.

That was the end of the beautiful day.  As we had already backed out of the parking space and were getting ready to pull out, there was a loud explosion sounding thingy.  I thought the car (yes, the "new" one) had blown up or something.  Nope - some little girl was in a hurry to leave and backed into us. So my bright, shiny new Toyota has a big boo-boo on the back.

What's even worse, I am hoping this is just nerves, but my sciatica, which has been hurting anyway again, is killing me.  I know when I get upset, it will hurt.  The back tightens up a lot.  Well ...  It is tight !  And I am upset. So, what will tomorrow bring?  We'll see.

Peace.

Introducing: Lady Bug Fish

Here is the little fish in our family!  This is my Lady Bug with one of the medals she was awarded last weekend.  She swims again this weekend!

Times have changed

Not too long ago, Daughter thought she was Wonder Woman.  She thought she could have a full time job, volunteer at the school, have the kids in sports, keep a spotless house - basically do it all.  And this was all with SIL out of town, a lot!

Last week her world began to crumble a bit.  Nothing really bad, but just enough that she FINALLY decided she does need to call on me sometimes. SIL was out of town, and Monkey  Boy had one of his GI problems thereby missing two days of school.  That was last Wednesday and Thursday, with me keeping the two older ones on Friday after school.

Yesterday was one of those days for her.  She is frantically making her calls   on her stores.  They have a number they are to meet in a month.  She will be in Orlando most of next week for a company meeting, so there goes a week for her.  She has been elected to the "Board of Elders" at church, and they had a meeting last night.  Lady Bug had swim practice.  (I need to find her picture from the swim meet last week and show you - she got 4+ medals!!).  SIL is out of town.

She asked me to watch the two younger ones.  Normally - no problem, but I spent the morning with DIL and her two.  We went shopping, then met G for lunch.  Fun morning.

The problem was that when I got home, I was so full it was like Thanksgiving all over.  I was stuffed, and I wanted to sleep.  I am so glad Daughter called.  I had forgotten about me watching hers!

I went over there.  That was probably the first mistake.  Monkey is not supposed to play video games during the week.  He pulled a fast one on Granny!  He went up to the game room first to play.  Then he came downstairs and commandeered that TV.  When Daughter got home she was rather livid.

It seems while she was at the swim meet over the weekend, SIL allowed the day to be full of video games.  MB spends too much time, and does not take potty breaks - leading to constipation then diarrhea.  Then after last night, well...

So Grandma probably made a mistake, but that's what happens!  Not gonna' let it get to me.

Have a great one!

Peace.

"Bummed"

Yep , that's me.  The craft show was/is today.  It was down to the wire for the snow to be blown.  If you remember, I said that there was a great chance for rain today.  It was still 70-80%.  The time that the decision was to be made was 10:30.  That was when the snow was to be blown.

Well - when I got up it was very dark and overcast.  Then about 9ish, the sun had the audacity to come out.  I got my first email from the person who chairs that committee. She said she would send an email between 10:30 and 11.

I had already made my decision.  As frantically as I worked last night, I still wasn't ready.  Then after G and Son picked up and unloaded firewood yesterday, I knew any help I sought from G was gone.  I knew  he was going to be too sore.  And he is.

So I told Daughter that I was pulling out.  When the email came, the show was a go.  They decided to blow the snow, so there will be no rescheduling of the  event.  There went my last chance for a show this year.  This means I haven't done a show in 1 1/2 years.  Her being at a swim meet was a big part of my decision.  She couldn't help, and G certainly didn't want to help.  That was clear even last night.

Well, here it is 1 PM, and we are having rain.  I will bet that the snow won't last very much longer, and I am sure there won't be many kids there to play in it.  I know there have been lots of kiddos out of school sick.  I would hope their parents would think better of them  being out in this much cooler, wet day playing in cold, wet snow.

So - my income for the day $0.00.  I guess it's ok though.  I am not sitting out in the wet cold.  My merchandise is not getting wet.  Have to look at the positives.  Got what I wanted - rain.  Not when I wanted, but still got it.  Didn't get to church because it might not have rained.  I need a weather wizard!

Peace.

This and that

Yesterday I moaned and groaned about not getting things done for the Craft Show.  Well, and this is a familiar mantra in Texas anyway, but bring on the rain.  We are forecast to have a 60% chance of rain Sunday.  If that happens, there will be no show.  That would be great because I am not ready at all!!  So - as usual - bring on the rain.

As for Monkey Boy.  I said yesterday that he now loves me while before he really could care less.  It is the strangest thing.  Oh, and I have him once again today.  He is happy to stay with me which would not have been the case in the past.  He is very demonstrative with his affection.  He is really growing into a great kid!

Now the other grandson - the three year old.  I get the same reactions from him that I had gotten from MB.  He refuses kisses and the likes.  He avoids me like the plague.  I guess that one day he will change too.

One day - that makes me think.  It is really strange knowing that my days are numbered.  I don't know how long I have on this earth.   No one really does, but at 66 there are certainly fewer than there were before.  And then there's always the "c" factor looming out there.  Will it return?  Probably.  It almost always does.  Obits will say "fought cancer for x number of years." It is just sobering to realize you are really mortal after all.

OK - enough gloom and doom.  I have MB stationed in front of the TV, and am headed up to sew.  Pray for rain again!  Please - I need more time!

Peace,