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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Oh what a weekend I had! The longest birthday celebration ever, wrapped up on Saturday night, when my daughter and her fiancee came up for a visit and a great meal at Canoe!

I love visiting with Mandy and Matt. I always marvel at the wonderful woman that she has become. It seems that just the other day she was a little baby and now she is all grown up. Even if she wasn’t my daughter, I would want to be her friend.

I worked this weekend for my friend, helping her take stock of the supplies in her shop. I learned something very valuable. I do not like taking stock! I’ll do it again for her, because she is my friend and I love her, but oh, it was back breaking work.

Saturday night Hubby and I watched “The Shawshank Redemption”. I do not know how I missed that one, but somehow I did. In any case, it was a fantastic movie. There are two or three episodes of violence, but nothing that was dewelled on. It was all character study. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman Jr. were wonderful.

Sunday was a kick back and relax day. I’m glad I had that. I watched some Public TV shows about the British Royal Family, and sipped some hot tea. Seems appropriate, don’t you think?

Well on Monday it’s laundry day and then I have a meeting to go to in the late afternoon. Tuesday we will go and get our turkey and the last items needed for Thanksgiving, and Wednesday I’ll go to Weight Watchers and hopefully get the inspiration I need to be “good” during this holiday!

Since I always post, I did not want anyone worrying about me. I’m just very tired tonight and so I will post tomorrow morning. I did have a wonderful visit with Mandy and Matt and the dinner we had was awesome!

More later….

Today I turn fifty-three! Wow! FIFTY-THREE!!! I remember when my mother turned fifty-three and I thought she was really old! Of course I am not old. I am young and happy and still think of myself as being a pretty groovy chick! Anyway, I wanted to share with you a short montage, which will show you how I got here!

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember?

“Mandy” by Barry Manilow and “Reminicing” by the Little River Band. Both songs were playing the mornings I gave birth to my girls. Those days, changed me forever.

2. What’s something you’ve given up on?

Eating Peppermint Bark candy. Oh, I swear, it is the best thing known to man. For those who do not know what it is, the base is dark chocolate, then the next level is white chocolate and then the top is broken up candy cane! Yeah, I walk quickly by this in all stores. I’m quite simply an addict to this!

3. What’s something you’ll never give up on?

My Weight Watchers class. I go each week, and even though I am at goal, I still go. I need the support, and I know I always will. So yes, I will never give up on Weight Watchers. I will never give up on me!

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be?

Chicken Divan. I have everything I need to do it, and Hubby would love it!

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music?

Shopping? Yes. And I need to finish all the gifts that I am mailing to Germany, so perhaps this weekend I can do a little of that.

6. What do you know about your parent’s wedding?

They got married in an old Episcopal Church, had a reception in the church hall. The wedding party were almost all family members, and my mother’s gown was handmade, and was a copy of one she had seen in a window. My parents were married 60 years before my father’s death.

7. I can’t believe I have lived the life I have.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I just got done watching a movie called “Hachi”. It’s a great movie about a man and his dog and their love for each other. It’s a real tearjerker, that’s for sure, and at the end I was sobbing. I suppose because I have the four doggies and I love them so very much. It’s worth the time, and the tissues so you can watch this movie. People often think that owning a pet is all one sided. Actually, that isn’t true. I know they love us, as much as we love them.

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using?

My Ronco Rotisserie Oven! I love making rotisserie chicken in it, and it also makes the best steaks!

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue?

I once arrived at a hospital, where Hubby had just had a knee replacement. He was running a fever, was lying in soiled wet sheets and was breaking out in hives because of it. Was I patient with the nursing staff? No way! I brought the roof down! I got the Head Nurse in, and I had LPN nurses cleaning his sheets and bathing him up. I told the Head Nurse I would be there each day from 6:30 AM until 9 PM and if my husband was not properly tended I would go to her boss! Needless to say, Hubby was well cared for, on this surgery and the next one he had! My advice…have your husband or wife be your advocate!

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type?

Living area is set to 66-68. Our bedroom is set to 64 as I like cooler sleeping areas. In a bad situation, we can use the hearth to take the chill off of the house.

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents?

Yes, my mother’s parents were very close to me. Although Papa was strict, he was loving, and Grandma was loving and always made me feel safe.

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken?

Well with my first family, it was many years ago. I think Mandy was 4 and Katie was 2. Since I married Hubby, we have really had no “family” shots. Just the two of us, which is just fine with me.

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you?

The love of Country. The belief in being grateful for all we have, and for the men and women who give their lives for the freedom for our country. I decided some time ago to thank every man and/or woman I see in uniform.

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what’s your favorite card game?

I play solitaire every day. It’s so soothing.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubby and I will be taking a trip next March. We have a house sitter coming, and will be jetting off to Florida where we will catch a ship to the Western Caribbean! I’m so excited, and look forward to one week out of the cold, snow and morning dog walks!

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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As you read, on Saturday, I cooked a totally awesome meal. We watched some TV, a movie with Bruce Willis, Richard Gere and Sydney Poitier called “The Jackal”. Now Bruce Willis usually plays the good guy, who saves the day. In “The Jackal” he played a very, very, bad man! And he was good at it! Gere, as always, was our handsome hero!

I felt a little fatigued on Saturday night so I went to bed early. That was a big mistake, because the dogs got me up VERY early!

So, on Sunday I got up and made coffee and our breakfast and resented like crazy the time change. Hubby hoped to get me out of my funk, so he asked me to lunch while we were going to grocery shop.

All was well for the first hour after eating, and then I just felt really unwell. I am not sure why. It doesn’t feel like food poisoning or anything, but once again, nothing is sitting where it should. I wasn’t even able to eat dinner. That is so unlike me.

So I am sipping my ginger ale and will stay quiet tonight and hopefully feel better Monday morning.

Friday found me attending a meet-n-greet for Texas Governor, Rick Perry’s wife. Mrs. Perry is a really nice person, who spoke well, and really charmed everyone in attendance. Heck, too bad she is not running for office, I would definitely vote for her!

From left to right is yours truly, Mrs Perry and our State Senator and my friend,  Jeanie Forrester.

I’ve never been one to publicly endorse or proclaim who I am voting for. In fact, I am still unsure at this point who I will vote for in our Primary, but I do enjoy meeting new people.

I saw many old friends, made a few new ones and met many young kids who are working on the campaign. We also had two handsome Secret Service Agents protecting Mrs Perry. I was glad they were there, but isn’t it a shame we need that sort of protection? I mean, it’s sad that people can’t behave in a civil manner, when they disagree.

I’ll let you know if I attend any other events! Have a good weekend!

And…here we go!

1. In November, I most look forward to My birthday and Thanksgiving, which are separated by a week.

2. The novocain wore off and the pain wasn’t too bad…phew!

3. It’s right there, in the madness and mayhem that I call home.

4. My faith in God gives me peace of mind.

5. Water great to swim in, bathe in, wash in and cook with, but please don’t ask me to drink it.

6. “There is no problem that a good cup of tea can’t solve” is what my grandmother used to say!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing a little after a busy week, tomorrow my plans include the usual, laundry and Sunday, I want to take Greta and go for a walk!

1. Who taught you how to cook?

That’s an interesting question. My grandmother, my first mother in-law and then myself. So I guess it was a group effort.

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?

Never have I been told I think too much. Probably the opposite. I don’t think enough. I am not a perfectionist. I wish I were, then the house hold crap would be done sooner and better! I am too sensitive. I get upset easily and I cry easily, and despite people thinking that it’s all a result of menopause, I was like this all my life.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

Barbie. Loved them dearly.

4. What ‘institution’ do you have the most faith in?

The love of my God!

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage…your favorite in an autumn garden?

Burning Bush. I have one in front of my bedroom window.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

Our neighborhood has advanced to teenagers, and so we don’t have any little kids. A few years back, they just seemed to revel in making the best out of the rain, or snow!

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

I was born and raised on Cape Cod. It’s really sort of the home of cranberries. Anyway, I LOVE cranberries! Sauce, juice or bread.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have been thinking the last few days how lucky I am in this world. I have love, and caring people around me, a roof over my head and food to eat. Yes, life is good. I actually feel bad for Ms. Kardashian (see yesterday’s post), as she will never know real happiness or love. Those things cannot be bought, or rented. They are real.