Category: My Life

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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It was a big weekend here in the States. It was Memorial Day Weekend, during which time we remember all those men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. There are parades and flags are put out at the graves of Military men and women.

Memorial Day is also the unofficial start to the summer season here in New England. Our temperatures have warmed, and the ground has thawed and many people, like me, plant their gardens.

I somehow don’t recall it being this difficult to rake the dirt, set up the little fence and prepare the garden for planting. In the past I have gotten in there, and planted and not thought much about it. This year, I can feel it in several key areas of my body.

Knee, Shoulder, and Back!

Now what does this tell me? That at 53, I am not 23 any longer, and things will ache when used in ways that I do not normally use them.

I have now gotten the pea lines tied, and the peas actually planted and tomorrow Hubby will help me do the actual planting of vegetables. Then I am done.

Until the first weeding!

Meanwhile, I went to the Craft Fair, that I wrote about yesterday and had a great time. I got some infused balsamic vinegar (lemon) and I have my chicken breasts marinating for tonight. I hope they are terrific!

My daughter’s due date for Savannah Rose is approaching, and we are all on pins and needles! I now sleep with my cell phone so I can get the call which will find me on the road to the hospital!

One Jury Duty I was released from because they settled the matter out of court. My next Jury Duty will be heard after June 1st and I am hopeful that it will be settled out of court.

Greta was outside with me for most of the afternoon and she was so good. She used to roam away, but in her old age, she stays close and often brings her ball to play with me, while I work.

Lastly, a friend of mine from High School passed away. He was a fun, warm and wonderful man. In High School he made me laugh and we exchanged wicked jokes! He had an older son and grandchild a lovely wife, and two younger children. I feel so sad for them all. It wasn’t fair to any of them, to lose this wonderful man. I just hate Cancer!

Friday Fill-Ins are sponsored by my cousin Janet. Come on and join the fun!

And…here we go!

1. These three words describe my significant other (or dog, cat, baby, grandchild, best friend!): thoughtful, hardworking, dedicated!
2. My daughter is a delight!
3. Oh, how I adore my family, doggies and friends.
4. It’s amazing how much fun waiting for something can be if one takes time to be friendly.
5. Inevitably, I will grow my hair out, and once again be able to tuck it back into a pony tail when I am working.
6. My girls (Mel, Mandy, Janet, Uschi and Gail) are people who never cease to encourage me.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to soaking in my bathtub, tomorrow my plans include going to a craft fair with my cousin Janet and Sunday, I want to finish all my laundry and prepare for the week ahead!

The Legal List

After two long days sitting, waiting in the Court House, for the trial I was supposed to hear, the Prosecution and Defense plead the charges out, so I never got to hear one piece of testimony or render a decision.

At the end of the day today the Judge came in and thanked us for our service. I mean, we were there, and would have done our job if we had been needed. Then he spoke to us for a bit and answered all our questions, or at least the ones that he could.

1. If you get a Jury Summons…go. You can be held in contempt and put in jail if you blow it off.
2. Not everyone who gets a summons actually serves on a Jury.
3. You can even be sitting in the Jury Box during the selection process and have a Lawyer throw you off during Voir dire.
4. There is a lot of sitting around when you are on Jury Duty.
5. If you are lucky, the people on the panel with you will get along with you and the others.
6. I have to say, the Court House Staff, Deputies and Sheriffs were all so nice. They did the best that they could to keep us happy and informed. One Deputy joked that he was our Deputy and would take a bullet for us! lol!
7. I’d intended to catch up on my reading, but these were really good people on the Jury Panel, and in the end, we shared stories about our lives, New Hampshire and told jokes and funny stories.
8. The weather was pouring rain one minute (during the drive) and then bright, sunny, and hot the next.
9. The holding area for us was in a room where the air conditioner was broken!
10. I kept drinking cold water…
11. You guessed it. I had to keep asking to go to the ladies room. How embarrassing.
12. One more trial next week, then I hope I am done. I could still be called on June 4th for another Jury or two.
13. Then after this, I am free for three years! Yay!

And…here we go!

1. What a beautiful thing to see on a spring day, is a fully blossoming apple tree!
2. Love, kindness and caring are the most important things in life, right?
3. It’s no surprise that every time I hear a baby cry, or see a new born in a store, I go a little weak in my knees!.
4.It wasn’t easy, but somehow I made it through.
5. I like to try new and adventurous recipes.
6. Oh gosh, that’s hard it changes daily. But for today, The Spy Who Loved Me by Carly Simon is one of my most favorite songs!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to just vegging out after a lunch date with Mandy, tomorrow my plans include the usual weekend chores and Sunday, I want to work on my plants, perhaps actually planting my peas.!

The Rain, Rain, Go Away, Edition

It’s May, and usually we are through with April Showers, and May has brought an abundance of flowers, instead….rain! However, here are a few of my thoughts about the start of the month of May.

1. We have had a couple of warm days, and I cannot begin to tell you how lovely the fruit trees were/are.
2. You could step into the back yard and the apple trees were so fragrant.
3. Part of our crop (cherries and peaches) will ripen early this year.
4. I was able to buy large eggplant and tomato plants, and I expect an early yield there as well.
5. In not too many more weeks my daughter’s daughter will arrive.
6. I do not want to spoil the surprise, but I know her name and it is a beautiful one!
7. I’m hoping for a warm, sunny June.
8. So, I am putting my order in now for that sort of weather now. Good for taking walks with babies.
9. Mother’s Day is this weekend. To all of my Readers who are Mother’s, Have a wonderful day!!!
10. I’m having lunch soon with Mandy and when I do I plan a stop at a German Deli.
11. I’ll buy some of our favorite foods like, Leberkäse, Klosterbrot, Tilsiter Cheese, Wursts and some fix’s for meals like Schnitzel.
12. My husband is already drooling!
13. Have a great day everyone!

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing?

Noisy, uncontrolled kids! We like to cruise, and I just hate unsupervised kids running up and down the hallways screaming!

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink?

I used to pack heavily, and now with all the restrictions, I pack very lightly! Many times I’ll buy a container of sun screen or other toiletries when I arrive (the cheapest and smallest) and leave them when I fly home.

3. What’s the best lesson a child ever taught you?

Not to rush. Children grow up so fast. I didn’t know that. I was so involved in their growth, at times, that I forgot to live in the moment.

4. Share one piece of advice you’d give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market?

Live, laugh, smile and be confident!

5. What’s your favorite lemon something?

I make the best lemonade ever!

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel…your favorite footwear?

I have some clogs that I love. They’re a bit old and I use them for slippers now, but oh my, they are so comfortable.

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you’re not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least?

I grew up on Cape Cod, a five minute walk to the beach. I could swim before I could walk, and I loved the long lazy days stretched out in the sand. We ate frozen Milky Way Candy Bars, hot dogs and fries. It was a right of passage when you were old enough and strong enough to swim out to the raft, and learn to dive. The salty taste of the sea on my lips, was as soothing as the warm sun on my skin!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

It’s been raining all day and I’m tired of being wet. Hubby and I did the grocery shopping, and had a Chinese lunch. Best part was some coconut chicken I had. Worst part…they charged me as a senior citizen! Guess I was having a bad day!

As you all know, it was my first day for Jury Duty, and although I was called, I did not make the Jury so I must return in two weeks to see if I qualify for another Jury.

My overall opinion of the court was a good one. Everyone is so nice, and the Court is very well run. I had only one complaint…the benches!

I think there must have been about 75-85 people on Jury Duty with me, and they brought us into an auditorium where there were hard wooden benches! And I mean hard!!!

After we watched our jury Instruction video, we were sworn in, and then began the process to pick the two juries. My backside was feeling first pain and then numb! I thought my backside was well padded, but I was very wrong!

At the end of the morning, I was told to report back to court in two weeks to see if I can perform my citizenly duty and be a juror. If at that time I still can’t find a trial to hear, I will have to report two weeks after that.

I will mention here that I was dressed very nicely in a suit. My hair was done and I had just a touch of make up. One woman came in a velour track suit and slippers and she told me that this was as good as it gets for her! She made me smile!

Oh yes, and she made an active jury! I expect her to be a Foreman!