Category: My Life

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!

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

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.

This morning we heard that on Saturday and Sunday, we are going to be getting some snow…maybe! What this means for those of us in the northeast, is that all those little jobs that we’ve been putting off, had to be done before it was buried until 4-6 inches of snow.

I tried to convince myself that making the bed and cleaning my closet was more important. I even got out my winter sweaters, and got those organized.

We took the air conditioners out and stored them for the winter. This was a big job as each of them weighs a ton, and after the windows needed to be cleaned.

But after lunch and a hot cup of tea, I had to face the last job of season, the one I had been dreading! Stripping the garden, and rolling up my garden fencing.

Hubby was busy getting all the hoses put away and closing all the cell calks from inside. No more water outside until next spring.

When I was done I came in and sat down and tried to convince myself NOT to cook dinner, but somehow I got my legs under me and cooked a pretty decent meatloaf, with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Now I am snuggling with Arnie as I watch the incredibly bad reruns they show on Friday nights. Perhaps I’ll just watch reruns of NCIS on the satellite. Those are always good no matter how many times I’ve seen them!

This picture was drawn by Dave, my cousin Janet’s boyfriend , and then she photographed it, and then did the photo-editing to put in the text! When I saw it, I just knew it was perfect for this weeks Friday Fill-In! Dave, this really is fabulous, and Janet, you took a super picture!

And…here we go!

1. Beware of Little dogs covered in snowballs!.

2. Oh, how I love the first snow.

3. And since we can only go with the flow, I think I will have a fire in the hearth and accept lower temperatures gracefully.

4. Mystical or fine spirits?

5. Where the heart is.

6. Pot Roast is one of my favorite meals when it’s cold out.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to making Maribeth’s Meatloaf, tomorrow my plans include the usual laundry and Sunday, I want to make a real Sunday Dinner. Perhaps a roasted chicken, with all the fixings!!

I listened to the distant lull of heavy equipment machines working all day long. I wasn’t sure where they were coming from, but it made me more aware of the dackels, and I actually walked with them each time they went out.  Later on, Hubby went to our Post Office, and discovered that our neighbors, through the woods, were having their new driveway laid today. Ah yes. Exciting times, when someone up here gets a tarred driveway, that is cause for celebration. Most everyone up here has a dirt driveway. A tarred drive is luxury!!

Many people don’t understand what it means to live in the country. We’re about 20 miles each way to the cheapest best grocery store. Mostly, you cannot see your neighbors house from yours during the summer, and in the winter can’t get there, due to the the snow drifts.

The Post Office is the happening place. In the winter when our population shrinks to nearly nothing, it is likely you will meet your neighbor at the Post Office, even if you’ve had to snow shoe there!

Our winter Ice Fishing Derby is one of those great events. Our big lake freezes over and we all try to go on that Saturday and walk around. You can see the various Bob Houses, see the fish that have been caught and even chow down on sausage and onions on a roll, or plain hot-dogs, and hot chocolate.

Of course I have to mention another really positive thing about living in the country in a small town. We had a woman recently who became very ill. She very nearly died. The village people took food to her family, provided gas money for her family and now she is back home they are helping with driving her to doctors appointments. People care.

The other day I got a phone call. Were all my dogs home? Why yes, yes they were, why? Well someone had located a dachshund in town, and they wondered if one of mine had escaped. Eventually we found the owner, but it got me thinking, how lucky we are to have a community like this. For as inconvenient as it is to live in the country, so far from everyone and every thing, the people make it especially nice.

I really love our little town!!!