Counting Your Blessings

Counting Your Blessings

My best friend needs to be given a name. I asked her about this and she prefers not to have her real name mentioned. Her exact words were, "EEH I'd rather not be out there." So I need to come up with a new name for her. After reading this post maybe you can give me some ideas.

She has a very old Volvo. It probably has over 200,00 miles on it. She has been driving it for about 6 years. It was given, yes given to her family when they needed a vehicle. This car has been a blessing and a torment. Being old it has needed some occasional major repairs. However, the repairs were cheaper than a different car. She always felt very fortunate to have this car.

A couple of weeks ago she and two of her sons had to go out of town. They traveled in this car 95 miles in just one direction to their destination. Once there there was driving around to be done for the entire weekend. Then there was the return trip home, another 95 miles. I mention this because it becomes important later in the story.

The week after the out of town trip my friend, (name as yet unknown), had a busy week. She had to drive to the farm where she purchases the family's milk, eggs, and meat. That is a round trip of 120 miles. She also had to take her son to his classes at the college, total miles only about 40. There was a Boy Scout function that she had to attend with round trip mileage of about 20. There was church on Sunday, round trip of 75 miles. Plus she had the normal weekly shopping and what not things to do for a busy family of 6.

The car never gave any sign that it was ill or even that it was fading fast. She went out to go somewhere yesterday and it would not start. Not even a click. She called to tell me that she was without a car. I was so sad for her because she is such a good person and needs to be mobile.

But, we counted her blessing and decided that it was a good thing that the car had died. It was good because she had done all of that traveling and made it home, had been to the farm and grocery shopping and was home. The car waited until everything was taken care of and then died. No one was on the road and needed a tow. No one was stranded out of town and needed a tow. Everyone was home and safe.
I have always said that if my car has to die I would prefer to be at home when it does. My friend agrees.

We were grateful and praised God for giving her this gift. Yes, a gift of a broken car. I know strange but it is broken at HOME. We were thankful. We counted her blessings because of all the things she had been busy doing just days before it gave up the ghost. She had driven over 400 miles in the week before and it waited til she was at home to give it up.

Yes counting your blessing can sound strange when something bad has happened, but there is always the bright side. A broken car at home is much, much better than somewhere on the highway.

Thanks for stopping by.

Random Dozen - April 28, 2010

Random Dozen
April 28, 2010

1. Have you ever been so lost that you were really afraid?
If you know anything about the Twin Cities area,you know that people from Minneapolis don't go to St.Paul and vice versa. I don't have a passport to St. Paul and I don't even know what language they speak across the river from where I used to live. Anyway, yes I have been so lost that I was afraid, very afraid. I was in downtown St. Paul, almost out of gas, during rush hour on a Friday evening, and didn't know how I got there or how to get home. This was way before cell phones. I was scared, terrified that I was going to run out of gas there. I cried. My prayers were answered and I made it back to Minneapolis before running out of gas. A nasty experience.
2. Have you ever been to an island?
There was a place I used to go to in Canada, we had to take a boat to an island to get our food supply. There wasn't any electricity where we stayed and the food was kept on this island buried under ground.
3. Are you more of a thinker or feeler?
I am a thinking feeler. I have to think about what I am feeling and why. I can't just feel I have to know why.
4. Do you tend to see issues or situations in life as black and white or shades of gray?
I don't know. I mean I know right from wrong and that would be black or white. But sometimes things seem gray. See? I am confused.
5. If you were stuck on an island, what book would you hope to have with you (Let's pretend the Bible is already there, so you can't say that.)
Funny to get island questions a day after watching Castaway.
I would like to have the Jan Karon series about Father Tim with me. It is light hearted and pure and would give me hope.
6. What are you most afraid of?
I am afraid of a lingering illness that would be hard on my son. Also heights, and bugs.
7. Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
I would rather make new memories. Imagine new surprises, new friends, new places, new foods,new books.
8. Pretend I'm looking at a scrapbook page about you. There are three spaces for you to drop in individual pictures. What are those pictures of, and why did you select them?
One picture would be of Minneapolis with me standing on Nicollet Mall by Mary Tyler Moore, because I love Minneapolis especially the downtown area. Second picture would be of me standing in my woods because I love my woods. The third would be of me with all of my family because my family means everything to me.
9. If you were re-doing your wedding, what would you do differently? (If you're single, tell me one thing you would do if you were planning a wedding OR huge party.)
First off I would be married in a church by a minister or priest. I would have a wedding cake which I didn't have in the real one. I would also like to have a wedding shower. And I would wear a different type dress, not a real wedding dress just different than the suit I wore. I'd have flowers too.
10. Tell me one thing you know/believe about forgiveness.
It has to be complete and sincere.
11. You're waiting in a doctor's office. What is your favorite way to pass that time?
Sometimes I try and guess who the person's doctor is and why they are being seen and if they are contagious.
12. If there were a clone of you in a parallel universe what is one way you hope she/he would be the same as you and one way you hope she/he would be better?
I would hope that this other woman would be a better person. Would be more caring and less selfish. That she would be a better knitter.

Friend Makin' Monday - April 26, 2010

Friend Makin' Monday
April 26, 2010

The question for this week is:

List 5 things (aside from the obvious) that you love.

1. My cats - Picute 1 is Ozzy and Little Kitty, Picture 2 is Tubby



2. Bald Eagles


3. The first signs of Spring - the hint of green as the trees start to green up. These poppils across the road from us are the first to show signs.



4. Chocolate - Any kind, type, flavor, etc.

5. Reading - Almost any kind, type, etc.

(I was going to say Jesus but thought maybe that would be considered one of the obvious.)

Old Friends

I had lunch with an old friend today. We met when we were still in high school, almost 40years ago. We lost touch right after high school and ran into each when we both started working for the same company. Eventually, she became my boss.
While she was my boss we became friends again. We had such a high regard and respect for each other that neither of us took advantage of the friendship. We had a unique relationship. I think we were the envy of our department. We got along so well and knew what the other was practically thinking. She knew that she could depend on me to do whatever needed to be done and I knew that she would never ask me if she wouldn't do it herself. We timed our vacations so that we were never both gone from the department at the same time. I was her unofficial assistant.
I quit working 19 years ago. We live 2 hours away from each other. We stay in touch through email and twice a year we get together for a lunch. We had our Spring lunch today. We meet at the casino near my home. No, not to gamble, neither one of us believe in that. We meet there because they have great food and we can sit and chat for 4 hours and not be disturbed.
When we get together it is as if we had just talked the day before. It feels as if we are starting in the middle of a conversation. There are no pauses in the conversation (except when our mouths are full), we just move from one topic to the next. The 4 hours we are together goes by so quickly that we are always surprised our time has come to an end.
She is not my best friend and I doubt that I am hers. However, she knows things about me that no one else on earth does. And the same is true about her.
I don't make friends easily. I am cautious my nature in that regard. I make acquaintances . That is why I remain friends with someone a long, long time. I treasure them. I try to nurture the friendship. I try to give the friend the best of me that I can give to them.
We only just said bye for now a few hours ago and already I am looking forward to our fall lunch.
So my message after this bit of a ramble is simply this:

Treasure your friends. Hold them close in your heart. You won't regret it.

Random Dozen - April 21, 2010

Random Dozen
April 21, 2010

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?"
I am still having a run in with them. It has been going on for 17 years. They say I didn't return 3 books, I say I did. They won't let me have a library card.
2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts?
I have a place. It is on the top shelf of a sort of closet. Actually a catch all cubby hole. Closet gives it way too much dignity.
3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster?
Mine isn't as bad as say an earth quake but for me it was something I don't want to live through. But the story is so long I think that come July it will become a post.
4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song?
It is either Copacabana or Weekend in New England.
5. What's the best costume you've ever worn?
About a week after I had been in a bad car crash I went as an accident victim. Some of the costume was real some was make-up but I won first place.
6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
The thesaurus.
7. What's your favorite breakfast food?
Cookies. Seriously.
8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial?
Yes, my food dehydrator. Love it. Even after 20 years it still works like new.
9. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Sneaking in and out yes. However, not recently.
10. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Not a lasting love. That has to be grown out of friendship and respect.
11. How man pairs of jeans do you own?
That would be a ZERO. I hate jeans.They are cold in the winter and hot in the summer. They are very uncomfortable and make my butt look even bigger than it is.
12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.")
I don't know who Duff is or his crew but the cake made for me would probably be musical notes that are flat. I only know how to sing flat and off key. But very loudly.

A rough week

Yes I have had a rough week, but it wasn't a surprise to me. But I should give you some background first.

In 1997 I experienced the first of many episodes of debilitating face pain. I started seeing a neurologist with some regularity, like every other month. He put me through countless blood tests, urinalyses, MRI's, and CT-scans. Every few months he would have a new torture for me. I blindly went right along with it. I needed to have answers to why, or what was causing this pain. After approximately 4 years he told me he had a diagnosis.

Sit down now and hang on for this earth shattering diagnosis of his.......I have....wait for it.....

UNIDENTIFIED FACE PAIN!!!!

Yes, you read that correctly. How do you treat this? With pain meds. Strong ones.
So, I started keeping track of what was happening to me just before an episode came on. I learned how to almost completely avoid getting this face pain.
A couple of years ago I was having an especially bad episode of this pain it went on for about 1 1/2 weeks. I took way more painkillers than anyone should take in a lifetime let alone in a weeks time. I got my son to take me into urgent care one Saturday morning and saw the most magnificent doctor God ever put on this earth. He took one looked at me....and he he had never seen me before and said to me, I will never forget his words, "You have trijeminal neuralgia." OW! The difference those few words made to me. I had thought maybe I was just insane and not feeling the pain.
The best way I can describe the pain is to day it is like having labor pain in your face constantly.

Enter this new pain I have. My arms cramp, which causes my hands to become claw- like looking. It doesn't last for a long period of time but it is happening more often, several times a day. I have tried 3 different types of braces. I have tired several different prescription medications, a few different natural herbs/vitamins. Finally my doctor suggested a trip to, yep you guessed it a neurologist. I groaned when she recommended this, she knows my background.
Monday was my appointment. He did what is called an EMT test. It sends some sort of electric shock through the suspect area. I remember having this done to my face. It hurt like, well, like hell. When the test was complete this so called doctor, this so called specialist in the field of neurology said that I had very minor case of carpal tunnel. His recommendation was to wear a brace. I asked him what if the brace doesn't work, because I had tried 3 of them, then what? His response was a resounding..."I don't know." Then he left the room. I was still seated on this table that was four feet of the floor, he had pushed the easy access stool aside, and I had no other option but to jump down off the table. There wasn't a sink with water to wash my arm. I left his office wondering if it was my destiny to get the really bad neurologists. I now know absolutely nothing more than before I went in to the appointment.
I have a call into my doctor but she in only in the office part time so I don't expect to hear from her until next week. I did tell her of his treatment and his indifference.
Since I saw my doctor, I am having new symptoms in my hands. When my fiingers are cold they become hard and look prunny like they have been in water a while. Also, my index fingers have started to throb. This morning even my finger nails hurt.
I am about to start down the road of self diagnosis again and am not looking forward to the trip.
I am trying hard not to have a pity party this week but it is so darn hard. If I give in and have this party I will be the only attendee because who wants to attend that kind of party. It's my party and I don't even want to be there.
So there is only part of why I am having a rough week. Don't worry this is not an installment story of my woes. I just needed to let loose some up my pent up frustration of medicine in this country.

Wordless Wednesday - April 14, 2010

Wordless Wednesday
April 14, 2010




My day was made when I was give this opportunity.
He was in the tree at the side of the highway. I have never stopped for a photo op before, but he seemed to be posing for me.

Random Dozen - April 13, 2010

Random Dozen
April 13, 2010


1. How do you feel about "Gladiator" sandals, also called "Roman" or "Jesus" sandals? A fashion yea or nay?
I think of the styles shown are kind of cute. They aren't made for my feet but cute anyway. My feet will scare small children and old ladies so I don't like to draw attention to them.
2. What is your favorite pizza?
I like to have 1/2 with sausage, green pepper, onion, and shrimp the other 1/2 with Canadian bacon and pineapple with extra cheese. Oh does that crate a craving or what??
3. There are plans in the works to sell roughly 1,000 items from Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas. This means you could buy Picard's chair for your family room. If not a Star Trek item, what prop, background, set, etc. from what TV or movie would you buy if you could?
[Ex: Hurley's "I Love my Shih tzu" shirt from LOST, the plantation home "Tara" from Gone With the Wind, or Tracy's tambourine from the Partridge Family.]
I would want to own the hats worn by Barbra Streisand in the movies Funny Girl and Funny Lady. They were spectacular.
4. Name a local food or restaurant that your area is famous for.
That would be Tobies. Anywhere you go in my state when a person hears the name of my town the comment will be, " Oh Tobies. Home of the caramel roll."
5. What is your current favorite snack?
I like to have Cheez-it crackers with Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Tea. Or chocolate.
6. Hypothetical: You are required to be a reality show contestant. Which show would you choose based on your probability of success? (You cannot choose "none.")
A. Dancing with the Stars
B. Biggest Loser
C. Survivor
Well not Dancing, because I have no rhythm and therefore can't dance. Survivor wouldn't work because I could not go that long without shaving or being really clean. Biggest loser because it might just be the place for me to take off what I need to and to learn how to keep it off.
7. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, how clean is your vehicle's interior?
Right now at the end of winter (yes, I cna still say that), it would be about a 3. In the summer it gets up to about a 7. But winter with all of it's wetness the floors get yucky, and the seats hold extra hats, gloves, scarves, etc. Not too mention a propane heater, blankets, rope, extra socks, and a pair of boots. Oh, and an ice scrapper and extra windshield cleaner.
8. It doesn't feel like Spring until _________.
I put my Birkenstocks on for the first time without socks.

9. Something that made you laugh really hard recently is ____.
Sorry,but I haven't had a good laugh in a while.
10. Tell me about a goal you're working toward.
The last year or so I have been working really hard at learning to be more tactful. Or maybe I should say learning how to be tactful, not HOW just to BE tactful. It is something I am not good at.
11. Share a thought-provoking or inspiring quote this week.
The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present. Barbara De Angelis.
12. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you.
Boy, you got me there.

Sunday Stealing April 12, 2010

Sunday Stealing
April 12, 2010

Yeah I know this is Monday but I didn't do it on Sunday. I will try and pretend that this is still Sunday.

Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Me Me Meme


1. Never in my life have I been:
On a roller coaster that I didn't hate. Even the kid size one they ahd to stop and let me off.
2. The one person who can drive me nuts is:
My husband. Easy.
3. High school was:
Spent in a stupor.
4. When I’m nervous I:
Smoke more. Sad but true.
5. The last song I listened to was:
Heartlight by Neal Diamond. Written for ET. It makes me tear up every time I hear it.
6. If I were to get married right now my best man/maid of honor:
Would be the same as 20 years ago.
7. My hair is:
Multi-color
8. When I was 5:
I was in first grade.
9. Last Christmas:
Was the best.
10. I should be..:
Somewhere else
11. When I look down I see:
The slippers on my feet or a cat.
12. The happiest recent event was:
The day spent with my son.
13. If I were a character on 'Friends' I would be:
A little bit of Phoebe and a little bit of Monica. I am kind of a clean freak and I mostly dress like an old hippy. Complete with Birkenstocks and denim.
14. By this time next year:
I will more gray than this year.
15. My current gripe is:
People who don't believe we need universal health care in this country.
16. I have a hard time understanding:
People who don't think we need universal health care in this country.
17. There’s this girl I know that:
That should grow up and be 28 not act like 12. I would like to tell her ...be a woman not a girl.
18. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be:
My best friend
19. Take my advice:
Never start smoking.
20. The thing I want to buy:
A new computer, an Ipod, a Bunn coffee maker.
21. If you visited the place I was born:
You would think you were in a small town, but it is in the city.
22. I plan to visit:
Maine someday.
23. If you spent the night at my house:
A cat would sleep with you.
24. I’d stop my wedding if:
If I knew then what I know now.
25. The world could do without:
The 2nd amendment.
26. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than:
I CAN NOT think of anything.
27. Most recent thing I’ve bought myself:
A pack of gum
28. Most recent thing someone else bought me:
A Caribou coffee.
29. My favorite blonde is:
My best friend.
30. My favorite brunette is:
My son.
31. My favorite red head is:
not the doctor I saw today.
32. My middle name is:
Ann with an E...Anne just like Anne Shirley
33. In the morning I:
need coffee.
34. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are:
Cats and dogs. They have been blamed for rain they might as well get to experience it.
35. Once, at a bar:
I fell , got knocked off a bar stool.
36. Last night I was:
too tired to sleep
37. There’s this guy I know who:
I can't get out of my mind.
38. If I was an animal I’d be:
A cat because I would be loved and waited on but would still be independent.
39. A better name for me would be:
Kathryn because it is my favorite woman's name.
40. Tomorrow I am:
Going to the doctor (Monday) to find out what is wrong with my arms.
41. Tonight I am:
very cold. I have a cover on me while I type this.
42. My birthday is:
in October.

Ten on the Tenth - April 10, 2010

Ten on the Tenth
April 10, 2010

Ten great reasons to live in the woods.

1. The trees. They are beautiful all year. Even when they are bare in the Winter there is beauty to be seen.
2. The smell after a Spring rain. The earth is so fresh and clean then you just know that God has washed the land just for you.
3. The wild flowers that bloom. We have forget-me-nots, and trilliums that grow quite near the house, like feet outside my door. Farther into the woods we have Lady Slippers, the pink and yellow varieties. We also have violets, roses, and Jack-in-the-pulpits that grow. It is a painters pallet for my eyes the variety of color.
4. Speaking of color, I can not forget the colors of the autumn. With Spring springing up all over it would be easy to forget this beautious season. The falling leaves of fall smell and look equally wonderful.
5. I can't leave out the wildlife. Although I would just as soon forget the skunk that gave us a direct hit a few weeks back. We have an abundance of squirrel, chipmunks, and deer. Our deer are very trusting. Not too long ago I was able to hand feed them. The variety of birds we get to the feeders is astounding also. However, I have never seen a Cardinal.
   
6. You can go for a nice long walk and never leave home. Our property is 1/4 mile deep. By the time I have walked from front to back I am ready to be home in my comfy chair. There is no such thing as an easy walk in the woods. There is always something that has to be avoided or walked around. So the 1/4 mile is more like 3/4 of a mile and then I still have to get back to my house. But I have had a good workout.
   
7. You can play the stereo as loud as you like because the closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away and can't hear the music/noise.
8. Is a convenient place to build a tree stand for deer season.
9. You never have to leave home. Everyone wants to come for a visit and share in the beauty of the woods. The is both a good thing and a bad thing.
10. You can have a three day argument with your spouse and nobody knows because like mentioned before the closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away.
    

There that is my list of why it is great to live in the woods. These are not listed in any special order, but at one time or another each has been the number one reason it is great to live in the woods.

Things I have learned...and others I have not

I have learned that when baking cookies there is no substitute for ...


Do Not even try to make a batch without this very necessary ingredient. Learn please form my experience this week. Cookies without soda are not cookies at all. They aren't pretty.

Another I have learned is that since I have decided to post more about my day-to-day life, but was afraid I would have nothing to say, I have consciously thinking about possible posts in each thing I do. In everything I do around the house, outside, on the computer is swimming around in my mind trying to become a blog post.

One thing I don't know is should I answer the comments to my posts individually or in bulk? Should I answer when they come to my e-mail with an e-mail address in the form of a reply e-mail or should I go to my post to answer? Do you like to have a response to your comments? Any suggestions welcome.

One more thing I don't know is how often to change the look of my blog? Now that I have a go to place for blog looks I am anxious to change it up again. But can it be done too often? And is it possible to change the font type and color?

And yet another thing I don't know is how to put a badge(?) for the blogs I faithfully follow onto my blog. Is there a secret club for people to know about these things and it is a limited membership? And I am not too sure how to link back to a post.

OK I am almost finished. How do you do a crossed out something. Like when if I were to say, "I am really good at this blog stuff." and wanted to cross out good and put in inexperienced. How do you do a cross out?

Is there a way to remember all of the things you do each day within the blog world? Which days are different meme days?

What is an RSS feed? And do I need one? Do I need to subscribe to one?

The don't know list is much longer than the do know list. But, if you have patience with me I might be able to dwindle down the don't know side.

I do appreciate any and all help/comments.

Thanks for stopping by,



I tried to get fancy with this and only bold the first word of each paragraph and this is what happened. I guess I am not ready for the really hared stuff yet.

Random Dozen - April 7, 2010

Random Dozen
April 7, 2010

1. Define a great relationship.
Give and take, mutual respect, laughter together, equality,
2. Why is it called a "drive-through" if you have to stop? (Real question: What was the last food/drink you purchased at a drive-through?)
A few weeks ago I stopped at the Burger King for a coffee while I was driving to my aunt's. They usually have great coffee, especially since there isn't a Caribou close by. That morning the coffee tasted like it was leftover from the day before. It was burnt tasting and thick as tar.
3. As I type this, the Butler Bulldogs are getting ready to play in the NCAA championship game. Every Hoosier is hysterical about this except me. So in honor of the Bulldogs ... what is your favorite breed of dog? (I tried.)
A black Lab. They are the smartest, loyalist, kindest dogs God ever made.
4. If you had to move to a state besides the one you currently live in, where would you move?
It would be Colorado. I love the mountains. It could be Maine, but since I have never even visited there I would be hesitant to move there.
5. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
I would have two parents. Failing that I would have one parent who was functional. Or maybe it would be to grow up in a clean house.
6. Who's the funniest person you know?
My BF. We laugh hysterically together. Mostly because of her.
7. Did you get enough sleep last night?
I don't think so.
8. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?
Gosh, that was so long ago I don't know if I remember. It might have had something to do with coffee. Or maybe the bathroom. Or maybe feeding the cats.
9. Grilled or Fried? --HONESTLY
Grilled or fried what? Hamburgers? Grilled. Chicken? Grilled. Potatoes? Fried
10. Are you afraid of the dark?
I am if I can't use a light switch to turn the lights back on, as in a power outage.
11.When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A nun or a farmers wife.
12. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose?
BLUNT.

Easter Memories with my Son

April 4, 2010

Living in Minnesota like I do, we might still have snow on the ground come Easter. A snowy backyard does not make an ideal place to hide the eggs. But, we managed to hide them nevertheless.

Easters that were cold and dreary we hid the eggs all over the house. My brother, his wife, and 2 step children always came for the weekend. We adults would have more fun being creative in our hiding places, especially as the kids got older. They thought they knew all of our places. Little did they know how our minds could function when forced.

We hid eggs under the couch, way under. We hid eggs under the stereo turntable cover. We hid an egg wrapped in a plastic bag in the back of the toilet. Nothing in the house was off limits to hiding eggs. The kids loved it, but so did the adults.

Years when we could hide eggs outside we used the plastic eggs. Each child had the same number of eggs. Each egg had their initials on it. So lets say WV found an egg that said SW he knew to leave it where he found it. They each were able to find them all eventually with no one feeling badly.

One year the kids decided to hide the eggs for us to find. I hate to admit it, but they did a much better job than we ever did. Of course we were outside that year and they made use of almost the whole 10 acres. The little sneaks.

The last Easter my mom was with us is especially memorable, because the kids tried to get out of trouble by blaming Gramma.
It was a cold Easter and we were in the house all day. Even though it was cold, it had been melting. Our side yard was one great big huge mud puddle. However, the front yard had dried up nicely.
After dinner the kids finally got to my mom, and she told them to go outside and play. They dressed warmly and away they went. We played cards. After about 45 minutes the door burst open, and the kids came pushing in. Fortunately, they were spotted before they ran across my carpet. They were head to toe MUD.
They didn’t just go out and play, they went out and played in the mud. We demanded and explanation as to why they thought playing in the mud was such a good idea. Their reason was simple, “Because Gramma told us to. “ I know that my mom loved to play practical jokes, but I also know she would never ever tell them to play in the mud. She categorically denied telling them that. I believed her as did the other 3 parents.
The kids looked funny and it was hard to keep a straight face but what they had done was just plain wrong. We decided that the most fitting “punishment” for this particular crime was for them to wash their own clothes, and pay for the coin operated machines out of their Easter money.
Oh yes there was grumbling to be heard. That happened in 1991.

The kids are now adults. My bother has divorced his them wife. Easter is just not the same. We enjoy our memories and today my husband and I reminisced about the escapades of Easters past.

I hope you all had an especially wonderful and blessed Easter and that it was mud free.

Thanks for stopping by,

Easter memories - April 2, 2010

I looked all over the house this week for pictures from my childhood. They are pictures taken at Easter of my brother and I. We were in our Easter finery.
My mom always had us dressed to the nines for Easter. There was the required hat and gloves for me and the patten leather shoes. My brother always had a tie.

I can see those darn pictures. I knew right where they were. Do you hate it when you know where something is, go to look for it and it isn't there? Where do you look then? I looked in every drawer in the house, even my kitchen utensil drawer. I can't find the pictures. However, I don't have a working scanner so maybe it is a good thing I can't share them. I will probably find them on Monday when Easter is over.

We had a buffet in our dining room. It's top was always decorated for Easter. My mom made a centerpiece. The centerpiece consisted of colored eggs, jelly beans sprinkled about, and little other Easter candies. No Peeps in our house, not now and not then.

My mom did all of the egg coloring herself when we were still expecting the Bunny to make the delivery. We had the same basket every year. She filled each basket with the grass and the eggs, and the candies, and then she would hide them. I loved Easter almost as much as Christmas.

My mom made the holiday special with all of the childish fun things about the holiday, but she never let us forget the real reason for the Sunday we call Easter.

I think tomorrow I will write about how we celebrated the real reason for this day.
I also have a memory or two from my son's childhood to share.
Come back please to read all about it.

If you can't make it back, I hope you have an especially wonderful day.

Thanks for coming by,

Sunday Stealing: The 35 Questions X 2 - April 3, 2010

Sunday Stealing
The 35 questions X 2
April 3, 2010

36. If you suddenly became single or are single, do you think you could last in a relationship for 12 months or more?
If I were to become single now, I would never be in another relationship ever again.
37. Do you forgive or forget?
I forgive but never forget

38. Do you trust people?
Sometimes too much.

39. What are you not looking forward to?
Getting old

40. Do you get mad easily?
Oh my yes.
41. Tell us about the last time you were told you that you have pretty eyes.
My optometrist told me that just before cataract surgery.
42. Do you have strange dreams?
When I remember my dream it is pretty strange, but mostly I don't remember them.
43. Ever licked someone's cheek or forehead?
LOL Yes I have. Enough said.
44. Tell us about the last time you fell asleep in someones arms.
Stretching my memory tonight is not a good thing. I don't remember. Unless my cat counts.
45. When did you last play a game?
Last week I played Don't Break the Ice.
46. What do you have on you at all times?
Clothing, except of course when I am in the shower.
47. Do you go out in public without getting all dressed up?
Yes most of the time.
48. Do you like fruity or minty gum?
Minty
49. Favourite musician or group?
A golden oldie ...Neal Diamond...a new one Josh Groban or Susan Boyle
50. Do you like anyone?
Almost everyone I know
51. Favourite computer game?
Any hidden object game.
52. First album you ever went and bought with your own money?
Gosh that would be in the late 60's, and it was probably something by Peter, Paul, and Mary.
53. Think back five months ago, were you single?
I haven't been single in over 24 years.
54. Do you believe in celebrating anniversaries?
Yes I do like to mark the occasion. Unless it is the anniversary of a death.
55. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
I hope so.
56. Last thing you bought?
Food
57. Are you a jealous person?
Nope.
58. Does it take a lot to make you cry?
It usually does but lately there is always a lump in my throat.
59. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?
Yes.
60. Have you ever had your heart-broken?
Too many times to count.
61. Have you ever done something while drunk that you still cannot believe you did?
Yes. Back in my mispent youth I drank water from a hose that was coming from the side of a building. It was the overflow from the bait shop's minnow tank. EWWW is right.
62. Is there anyone you secretly wish you could be spending your time with right now?
Yes.
63. Do you text?
I texted my son once. It freaked him out.
64. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now?
No. When I am on the computer I don't like to talk on the phone.
65. Is your life anything like it was a year ago?
It is too much like it was a year ago.
66. Go back one year on your blog. Leave us a link to your favorite post.
http://trudystreasures-2cats.blogspot.com/2009/04/not-follower-never-again.html
67. You can only drink ONE liquid for the rest of your life, what is it?
It would be water
68. Tell us about someone that you have lost contact with someone you wish you didn't.
What can you say about a love lost? A love you never got to say good bye to? A 4 year relationship ended not because of an argument, but because someone had stolen his children and he had to go find them. He had custody and their mother ran away with them. I have not seen him in almost 30 years. I think of him often. Probably because of all the unanswered questions.
69. What is the last thing you said out loud?
"Do you want a slice of apple and peanut butter?"
70. Will this year be better than last?
I sure hope so.