tripe

I haven't read any of the news stories about the little boy in Florida. I've thought about it, but I can't. I can barely even think about it. You see, I have a 2 year old son, JJ. If you've met him, you know that he would be the first kid to try to get into the gorilla cage and the first kid to run to splash in the waters on our Disney Vacation. I can't stand to think about what those parents are going through right now. I can't stand to think about what it will be like to go home without him, and I really can't stand to think about what that father is feeling, especially when so many people have decided to cruelly and obnoxiously tell him that it's his fault. Today I'm praying for this family. For today, and for the rest of their lives, they have a new reality; one that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Salute

5 for Friday

1. What do you love about Summer?
It being over and a return to the cooler days and the longer nights 

2. How did you have  fun in  summer?
I had fun as a child when I was allowed to play outside after dark, catching lightning bugs and playing kick the can. But otherwise, not really. Summer is my least favorite season.

3. What do you like to do during summer time?
Write, read, genealogy, email (like the rest of the year). Plus,tv and count off the days until summer is over.

4. Do you like the place where you live?
Yes, very much so.

5. If you have given a chance, do you want to live in the tropics?
I've actually never been to the tropics, only the subtropics, so I can't say for sure-- but I tend to like cooler weather, so I probably would not like it. I think I would miss seasons after a while. I'm hard to please weather-wise.

Memorial Day

 

My Dad in WWII Army Air Corps

 

 Dad and his flight crew

  

Memory Box that Joe and I have been working on. It needs a  bit of adjusting but you get the idea.. Please notice his dog tag on the flag, it is his issued tag that he wore.  He served in ETO and was based in Italy.. He flew 22 missions.  

Family tree

        I have quite a few cousins that I do not know.  35 to be exact.  Slowly I have been contacting each one for information on their family.  Each one has a unique story and unique family.  I have missed out on a lot by not knowing most of them.  The other night I called a cousin who now lives in Florida.  OMGosh, what a character,  it was entertaining and a bit scary all at once.  Let's call her D,  after I introduced my self to D, she proceeded to tell me she is about to get evicted, her pets don't have any food, her car is broke down and she has no money.  Now I admit I am a sucker for a hard luck story, however, not this time.  Something was a little off and it was D. not sure if she drinks or was over medicated but she was flat out weird.  She did have a very hard life and she gave me glimpses of it. She has buried 2 husbands, her father (my uncle) died when she was 8 months old.  
     Her father was my mom's only brother.  He married a very young girl named Donna and they had 3 children.. D was the youngest. When Donna's  husband died she was 22 years old with three small children.. According to D her mother went on the have another daughter and marry 4 more times.  Donna  died at age 44.
Now this was back in the day when women did not work outside the home much.  They did woman stuff, and the man made the living and supported the family.  
    I have been enjoying doing our family tree and getting to know my family on my mom's side.   Apparently I have the world's most messed up family.

5 for Friday

1. What is your favorite condiment?
Yellow Mustard.

2. What is your favorite spice?
Cinnamon, Cloves, Smokey Paprika
 
3. What is your favorite cooking oil? (Canola oil, sesame oil, butter, etc)
Olive Oil and non stick cooking sprays made with olive oil

4. What is your favorite starchy food? (Bread, rice, potatoes, noodles, etc)
All of the above. I am a lover of carbs and starches.

5. What is your favorite flavor for candy?
Duh,  dark Chocolate

5 for Friday

1) What is your favorite book and why?
This question is so much harder for me than it should be. I have way too many, and they sort of rotate around in order based on my mood and my age. Up there consistently is Les Miserables, Gone Girl, and The Art of the Deal. Which is a weird mix. But after all it is me so go figure.

2) How many languages do you speak?
Two: English and Pig Latin. 

3) How many family members do you have named Bill?, Jim? ETC?
I have a son named Jim, in my family the common name is Christopher,  Odd but there  are no ETCs, in my family but would be cool name. haha

4) Whats your all time favorite song?
Wow no way can I just name one song.. I will say this I love Garth and George Strait.

5) What can't you imagine your life without?
My  mind, conscious and fully functioning-- which is why when it starts to go, I'll consider my life over and probably kill myself. I have writing a living will to ensure no one tries to keep me around in a vegetable or brain-damaged state if there's an alternative. Given a second choice I would chose my computer..

5 for Friday

1) Do you like your birth-name? Why?
doesn't matter whether i like it or not, since it's the one everyone knows me by...It is a very old fashioned name and it is one you don't hear often. I was named after my aunt and my gramma

2) If you could change your name to anything else, what would it be?
Yeah I have had this one so long I will just keep it. .

3) What names would you consider giving your children?
I named my boys Greg, Gary and Jimmy..easy normal names

4) If you had a band, what would you name it, and why?
wow since I am not musical in any way shape or form.. hmmm I would say .. "The Big Mess"

5) Is there a name that you completely hate? Why?
too early in the morning to answer that one.

5 for Friday

1. What do you see when you are looking out of the window closest to you?
*peeks out* The river, the park, trees, grass, blue sky with a few tiny clouds. 

2. Who was the last person coming into your room? I was

3.   What is the most predominant color around you?
Light brown. 

4. What is right behind you?
The dining room

5.   What is on today's calendar sheet?
Nothing, as usual. I don't lead very exciting life.

5 for Friday

1. If you have a phobia (or something close to one), what is it?

 Heights - I don't even like standing on chairs/stepstools to change lightbulbs or reach things, though there's practicality to that too. As much as I love dogs, I still have a residual fear of unfriendly dogs (I was deathly afraid of all dogs as a child. All of them.) People in authority, because I fear being judged by them. (I have an extra special fear of all my past teachers, because I would be a total disappointment. Luckily, I never run into them.) And strangers, particularly men.
Snakes,  Everybody's deathly afraid of snakes, Used to have neurotic fears of electricity/electrocution and millipedes, but those aren't too bad now.

2. How long have you had the phobia (or something close to it)?

I don't know? Forever? It's hard to pin down when things like this start. In my case they didn't start with one cataclysmic event or anything, 'cause... my life doesn't have cataclysmic events, really.

3. If you know anyone with a phobia (or something close to it), how does s/he act when s/he is experiencing it?

I don't know anyone with a phobia/quasi-phobia, I don't think, or if I do, it hasn't come up.

4. What is one phobia you would wish not to have?

Strangers/men. It's really fairly stupid, and goes against my belief to treat people as people. But I still have this ingrained expectation that they're going to yell at me / spit on me / mock me. Which I'm sure passes through the minds of many, but it doesn't get carried out often enough to be a rational fear. And yes yes, everyone should carry a healthy amount of doubt re: strangers to avoid getting themselves mugged; that's not what I'm talking about. When you can't pass by people on the street without wanting to shrivel up and die because you're sure they think you're disgusting, something is wrong with you.
 
5. What is one phobia you wouldn't mind having, if you were to face one?

Fear of making a fool of myself.

Happy St, Paddy's Day

5 for Friday

1) Would you rather live in a world with or without technology such as computers, cars, airplanes, bombs?

With technology. For every misuse of technology there are 10 good uses for a technology. Hey even fire has its good and bad uses.
 
2) If you had to live without either heating in your house or air conditioning, which one would you keep?

Given the temperature lately I'd rather keep heating. I can always get naked if it gets too hot.
 
3) If you had to own five dogs, what kind would you get? 

 um...hot dogs?
 
4) If the world had a front porch, what would you do on it?
 
If the world had a front porch? What kind of question is that? I throw the morning paper on it. Yeah and I would stick a porch swing on it too.
 
5) Would you rather live in a neighborhood where you know all of your neighbors by name, or where everyone sticks to their own business? 

well..I don't know. Because I do live where pretty much everybody knows every ones  business. and I think I like it that way.

Cure All

Phew.

It's finally March.

I feel like a worn out puppy.

And I'm sure I'm in good company.

I hope I can restore myself.

With some good friends.

And some good laughs.

I got into a conversation yesterday, and we laughed.

We laughed, and laughed and laughed.

And when we were finished I felt amazing.

How long has it been since you had a laugh that made you cry?

How long has it been since you had a stomach-gripping guffaw?

5 for Friday

1 thing that's on your mind right now
The same thing that I think about so much any more ... the family genealogy I am working on.

2 songs you like
Any thing from ZZTop 
    "      "       "  George Strait


3 things that make you angry
Injustice in the world.  
Intolerant people
People who don't  have common sense,

4 things that make you happy
Grandkids
Bunnies and other furry animals
Phone calls from friends.
Smiles

5 people who have made a big impact on your life
My mom
My dad
My ex-husband 
My friends
My family (in no particular order)

Grateful for

• Waking up
• Loving family
• Loving friends
• Warm Safe Home
• Vitamin D
• Clean water
• Health insurance
• Reading glasses
• Fluffy pajamas
• Eye cream
• Paid Bills
• Central Heating

5 on Friday

1. If you were a crayon, which color would you want to be? 
    Pink very pretty Pink

2. Which color do you think you would be regardless of what you wanted?
    Probably... dark blue. Since that's the color I wear the most. Hmm.

3. Would you rather be used and get blunt, broken and lose your wrapper, or not be used and stay pristine? 
Used and abused — those are the crayons that get the love. (Okay, and abuse. But hey, people'll fight over me!)

4. Would you rather be in a small set of crayons or a large set? 
Maybe large — more friends! Or small to be more unique. But pfft, I think I'd rather choose friends. So yeah, large set.
 
5. Would you rather be Crayola, or a different brand? 
Crayola. Less likely to have lead in the crayons

Listen up class

Morgan says she is having class so she knows how to be a teacher. She's got a pretty great role model!  (FYI the rocking chair belonged to her uncle Greg and her aunt Billie recovered it it is over 50 yrs old)

Things I'm sick and tired of:

• Beyoncegate.
• The actual size of a Subway sandwich.
• How cold it is.  It's winter, people, get over it.
• The Great Flu Shot Debate.
• When people get a stomach virus and call it the flu.
• When people get a cold and call it the flu.
• Conspiracy theories.
• Politicians .  
• Bill Cosby walking free.
• Kanye West.

5 on Friday

1. What's a song you'd enjoy screaming along to as you drove down the highway?  Anything sung by  Garth Brooks

2. What is your favorite place/type of environment to relax?
Relax? What is that? I'm going to say in a hot tub or hot bath - or better yet,  getting a massage.
 
3. What are the best kind of dreams?
I mostly have nightmares. =/ However, I enjoy them, in that they scare me, which in turn makes me feel more alive - especially when I'm rattled awake in a panic.

4. What do you look for in a mate?
Honesty, intelligence, PATIENCE, affectionate, well-groomed, and goal-oriented.

5. If you were a crayon color, what color would you be and why?
I'd be a monochromatic color scheme in pink shades - because that is my favorite color.

5 on Friday

Name five...

... things you can't live without.-coffee, music, fresh air, water, tv. 

... of the best moments in your life.-every moment is special but the birth of each of my sons,  so that is 3, the day I opened my own business,  and the day I met each of my grandchildren.

... celebrities you can't stand. Only 5?   Kanye West, Beyonce, Any of the Kardashians, Caitlin Jenner and any gangster rapper.

... books you enjoy(ed) reading. I really can't pick just 5, so I'll take a pass on this question. I have enjoyed so many books
... items in your purse/backpack/on your desk. I really only carry a wallet with me-usually I have loose change, credit card, and my o2..

Beyoncé and the half time show

 A lot of people were impressed with the half time snow.  Color me meh..

Beyoncé came out in black leather and her dancers had berets  and afros.  At one point in the gyrating performance they formed an X which some say was a tribute to Malcolm X.  They also gave the one fist salute.  Now I am not sure of the lyrics as they made no damn sense to me, but I am old. AS for the BLM movement again.... meh .. all lives matter to me.. I just thought it was vulgar and insulting to every one.. Can some one tell  me what makes her famous? 

From my view point there was a foreigner bouncing up and down, a woman opening and closing her legs and a drug user.. all getting the big bucks to prance and jump around.. and this my friends in entertainment  2016 style.  I think not. 

5 on Friday

1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them?
All the time. For instance, I wonder if people see colors the same as I do.

2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying?
Cars with blaring music, people arguing,  phones ringing constantly... etc etc.

3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things?
Sometimes. Mostly I was a visual shopper.

4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Lilacs, the air after a rain, and babies.

5. What sorts of things do you savor when eating them?
Dove Dark Chocolate

This week's new annoyances (symptoms) of my advancing years:

• Cannot see the buttons on the phone
• Cannot hear anything except screaming children in restaurants
• Raging dyslexia
• Overnight eyelash loss
• A need to talk to the people on television
• A need to talk to myself
• Overnight goatee
• A need to scream at the lead story on the news at 6
• Everything itches
• Everything is especially itchy between 2 and 5 AM

5 on Friday

1. Do you consider yourself to be a good housekeeper? Why or why not?

A good one? I used to be a very good housekeeper before I got sick.. Now I have a fantastic cleaning lady who does that for me.. I like a clean house

2. Are there any household chores that you enjoy doing? If so, what and why?

I used to love vacuuming. And Ironing, ironing everything from dish towels to pillow cases.
3. Which household chore frustrates/angers you the most?

Folding laundry! So annoying.

4. When doing household chores, what do you do to make them seem less of a "chore"?

Well, it does feel nice to live in a really clean place...

5. Which chore do you find yourself doing most often, and why?

Tidying up stuff. I like having a tidy house, and I can still do light house work.

5 on Friday on Monday

1.  Do you believe in luck, fate or a higher being?
I believe in several forces at work in the universe, including luck and karma (which I don't believe are the same thing). Whether there's a conscious higher power is the one thing that I am sure of.
 
2.  Are you in control of your own destiny or someone else pulling the strings of your life?
I have a lot of control over my destiny, but obviously there are some things I can't control-- but I don't necessarily believe someone is controlling them for me so much as they're just circumstances that have happened at random or because of other people. For example, I didn't choose the circumstances of my birth, my gender, or my race, nor did I choose for the economy to be the way it is or for various plans of mine to have not worked out. (Naturally, if I planned them, I was hoping they would!).  Some things may be the result of karma or unforeseen consequences of my choices, but sometimes they just happen-- and how I weave them into the narrative of my life is up to me.
3.  What are your lucky charms if you own any?
I don't have physical charms for luck. However, I do have some superstitious behaviors-- though they ride a fine line with compulsion.

4.  Is the world really just a stage and are we merely actors on that stage?
If you want to think of it that way, sure. I think there are many valid ways to view reality and your life within it. Personally I like the idea that we're all handed a certain prompt (in the form of the circumstances we face in life) to use to write our life's story.

5.  Describe what happened on your "luckiest" day (positive or negative).
Since I consider luck to be related to random probability and completely independent of good works or skill, I don't think I've ever had a particularly lucky or unlucky day.

5 on Friday

1. What did you dream about last night?
No idea! I know I have dreams every night, but I rarely remember any of them. The last one I do remember was about three nights ago. 

2. Do you record your dreams in your blog or a journal?
I've written about one or two of them. Or three. Does that count?

3. Do you think dreams are messages our bodies are trying to tell us? If so, are you real big on trying to interpret all the details?
I think they're manifestations of things that are on our minds, but not necessarily messages. Even so, I think one can learn a lot about oneself if he or she can remember details of dreams. I'm not too concerned with trying to interpret mine.

4. Do you remember your first nightmare?
I have a vague recollection of something about to fall on me when I was little. I woke up screaming.

5. Have you ever had a recurring dream? If you did, what was it and what do you think it meant? I don't remember my recurring dreams. I just remember that they recur and that's pretty much it.

Making a Murderer

   I recently binge watched Making a Murderer on Netflix.  Yep all ten episodes.  What makes the documentary so fascinating — and hopefully you’re already aware of this — is that Avery had previously spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
    I was convinced of a few things, that the justice system in Manitowod County Wisconsin is corrupt. I also am sure that they wanted to see Steven Avery back in prison.
Steven Avery is currently serving a life sentence for the gruesome murder of Theresa Halbach.
    Halbach was a photographer who went to his house to take pictures of an auto he was going to list in the Auto Trader magazine.  Her remains were found  on his property. 

Here are some basic things I know right now:

• Parts of Halbach’s body were found burned in Avery’s fire pit.
• Evidence of Avery’s involvement was found inside his home.
• There is DNA evidence tying the bullet found in the Avery garage to Halbach.
• Avery was the last known person to see Halbach alive.
• Police found her car, with blood on it and in it, left on the Avery family’s lot.
• Avery’s high-school age cousin, Brendan Dassey, confessed that he had assisted his uncle in murder of Halbach.

   Now, to believe Avery is innocent, a person must believe that an impossible number of conspiracies: for starters, the placing of the car, the blood, the body, the keys, and all other evidence. The cover up would have included two DAs and a large group of cops in two police departments. And while it’s not improssible that some of those involved might be morally capable of setting up Avery, It is doubtful at least to me.
I highly recommend this documentary, It is riveting.  

Coincidence

In the year 2016, a remarkable coincidence will take place----both Groundhog day and the State of the Union address will occur on the same day. This rare happening has special meaning.

One involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to an insignificant creature of little intelligence for insight into the future.

The other involves a groundhog....

5 for Friday

1  what is one thing about you that you hate?
I hate a messy house.  I can't concentrate when I'm consumed by junk everywhere.
2   what is one thing about you that you love?
 I love peaceful nights when my house is quiet, and a good movie to watch.
3   if you had to change one thing about you what would it be and why?
I would change my temper.  Sometimes I exaggerate problems and I only make them worse with my attitude.
4   one is one word that you would use to define yourself?
Down-to-earth. :)
5   imagine what you would look like in a perfect world.. what do you look like?
I would look pretty much like I do now only maybe a bit taller and a better smile.

10 Things I hope I have learned.

1. I learned that I judged others. Way too quickly.  I don’t like it.

2. I learned how strong I am. I knew I was strong. But, I tell you nothing has shown me that when we need to be strong we are  strong, nothing  like this journey has shown me.  I keep on going.

3. I learned the value of friendship.  I learned how much friends matter and how sometimes the best thing you can do for someone else is to simply show up. Sometimes it’s very hard to say help or yes or I need help and I am so grateful for those who would just help – plow my driveway, bring a meal or listen.

4. I learned to not feel shame. I think it’s easy to attach shame to one’s life based upon circumstances. When I was first diagnosed I felt such incredible shame. But, instead, I’m learning that this is part of my story and that my life can still be with deep meaning and joy.

5. I learned I am not alone. There are many of us in this life with stories that don’t match what we dreamed about. I learned that sometimes the lonely is felt because we all think we are alone but deep down inside we just haven’t shared. So I work to not hide where I am and what is going on.

6. I learned that my heart would break.  And not being able to fix things in a way that would take away the hurts. 

7. I learned that moments truly do matter. – it is the memories of family and laughter. 

8. I learned that I can do what I often thought I couldn’t. I know, how weird is that sentence? . I guess I hadn’t realized how dependent  I was until I had to do it all myself. So I learned to not grumble, but rather to just do. 

9. I learned to be grateful. Yes, yes, yes this. Grateful. Just for the moments in life that really matter. For the times when I would get a break. For good friends. For coffee. For new days and new opportunities. 

10. I learned how to have hope.  I’m not sure if I have to explain that or not, but know that I once lived in a very sad and dark space. I think I’ve really learned the truth of finding joy.

Because I know you've been wondering....

• I am not admitting how many times this month I have aimed the phone at the television and cussed when the channel didn't change.
• I stopped watching the weather three weeks ago.
• I happily wrote a check to the Wounded Warriors. You should too.
• My inability to suffer fools increases daily.
• I don't think I can wait until this election is over.  Campaign Fatigue.
• I am craving snow.  Wonder if it's coming?
• Did anyone ever see the movie, Gone with the Wind  Best  movie ever.  I actually saw it in a theater.  Pronounced "thee-ater" at the time.
• Everyone should make time to watch "Downton Abbey" .  It's that good.
• I have had the song "Friends in low Places" stuck in my head for what seems like weeks.
• Trying to decide if I like my new sound bar and if it helps.