Outside my window....It has been a beautiful Spring day. The perfect weather for a picnic. Sunshine, light breeze, low 70s, low humidity.

I am thinking....that tomorrow I will walk around the woods and take some Spring pictures to post. I need to do it soon before they become Summer pictures. The woods changes so quickly.

I am thankful.....for my friend Vivian. She came and drove for me after my last eye surgery. She will be here for the next eye too. This is for scar tissue that has formed on the new lens they put in after the cataract surgery.

I am wearing.....navy blue capris, royal blue top, socks and slippers.

I am hearing.....a Sherlock Holmes program my husband has taped from WPT.

I am creating.....an embroidered table cloth.

I am going.....to the library later this week and to the thrift store.

I am reading.....nothing right now...hence the trip to the library.

I am praying.....for a friend who has to have hip replacement surgery on Wednesday.

I am remembering.....My uncles, cousins, and father who all served in the military. They are gone from me now, but I look forward to seeing them again one day.

I am hoping.....that my gray cat Randy comes home. He has been missing since last Thursday. He is so sweet and loving. I miss him.

On my mind.....my son. And what he is going to do with his future. I think he is undecided and I can't help him with the decisions. It's hard to let them go.

Noticing that... that the blackberry bushes have lots and lots of flowers this year. I hope that means we will have a large crop of berries come August.

Pondering these words.....but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

I am wondering how to do that when I am the only one in the house who believes.

From the kitchen.....venison stew tomorrow, pork ribs and sour kraut with potatoes and carrots later this week, and I need to make some bread dough.

Around the house....clean clothes that need to be put away, a living room floor that needs to be vacuumed, and dusty furniture.

One of my favorite things.....the missing kitty's name is Randy. If anyone sees him please tell him his mama is worried about him.

A few plans for the rest of the week.....an eye appointment to check on the eye that just had surgery and to schedule the next eye. Trip to library, yarn store, and thrift store.

Six Word Saturday - May 29, 2010

The boy is gone 3 days.

He went missing on Thursday. I keep telling the others to go find him but they look at me like I am crazy. I am worried about him because he thinks everything is a friend. How wrong he could be!

Sunday Stealing - May 30, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Just Because Meme

1. Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up.
The woods, my husband, a cat, birds outside the window, a to be read reading list.

2. How do you style your hair? How often do you cut it?
It is very short. I have it cut about every 3 months, but i always seem to cut it myself between professional cuts. My hairdresser says that I add texture.

3. What are you wearing now?
A robe

4. What's your occupation? Do you like it?
Housewife. Most of the time

5. When was the last time that you took a nap? Was there a special reason?
I fell asleep reading Friday morning. I guess the reason was because I was tired?

6. Who was the last person you hugged romantically?
My husband

8. What was the last full meal that you ate?
Pork, pasta, green vegetable, and applesauce.

9. What was the last email that you received?
Blog notification

10. What one website do you always visit when you go online?
Blogger and FB

11. What was the last significant thing you bought?
Do groceries count?

12. What musical artist did you not get at first, but then became a fan?
Moby or Flogging Molly

13. What do you think about before you go to bed last night?
Plans for my day today.

14. What was the last CD you bought?
A Harry Conick Jr. Christmas CD

15. What is your favorite weather, and why? What's the weather like today?
Sunny, 68, low humidity, mild breeze. Lovely like that. Today is hot...86 and muggy.

16. If you could have a special artistic talent, what would it be?
I would love to be able to sing well. I sing now loudly but not well.

17. Did you watch the Idol 9 finale? If yes, what are your thoughts?
I have never ever watched any Idol.

18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
What? Are you out of your mind??

19. Any special plans for this (holiday in the States) weekend?
None, sad to say.

20. Besides your current S/O, who was the last person that you loved romantically?

It was a long, long time ago. I have been married almost 20 years.

Random Dozen - May 26, 2010

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?
I think going to a party. Then I can go home when I want and not worry about the guests. I don't have to wait for them all to be ready to go home.
2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.
My cousin's wedding reception. It is where I met my husband.
3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?
I hope to hear, "Well done good, and faithful servant."
4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?
The lightness it brings to the day.
5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?
I prefer to bring my own gift. I like to shop. I like to get creative in my gift giving. I like to be independent.
6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?
A free week of housecleaning works for me. That would mean the dishes would be cleaned and the kitchen cleaned which is the worst part of cooking anyway.
7. What song describes your mood today?
A song about arguing would fit today. That is what I have done most of today with the husband.
8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)
I can't answer this question. I didn't have nay bridal showers. At work I was the one who planned those things, and I couldn't very well plan my own. At home I don't know why I didn't have any.
9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?
Chocolate anything.
10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"
Today during the 3 hour long argument. The D word was said.
11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."
Potato chips are a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop. Or chocolate cookies.

12. "-----" is the best motivation.

Fear is the best motivation.

Random Thoughts - May 19, 2010

1. What is one really fast, know-by-heart "go-to" meal to fix in a pinch?

Tacos or Burritos. Always easy, always fast.
2. What is one item you won't leave home without. (Purse and license do not count.)

My Sunglasses. Since cataract surgery it seems my eyes are even more sensitive to the brightness of the sun.
3. Where is one place you never tire of visiting?

I haven't been there is a very long time, but it would be the Minneapolis Art Institute and Walker Art Center.
4. Share one factoid of your family's history.

My grandparents both came from Germany, but didn't know each other when they came here.
5. Complete this sentence: "Once upon a time I ...."

Once upon a time I wanted to be a Special Ed teacher.
6. If you could win a one year's supply of anything, what would it be?

HMMM. Maybe chocolate? Or a year's worth of waxing at the salon. Or haircuts. Or maid service.
7. "One quirky thing you may not know about me is ...."

One quirky thing you may not know about me is I gave up knitting because I hate to purl. I mean I hate to purl. I started to crochet instead.
8. You have one dollar in your pocket. What will you buy?

One pack of gum and a stamp. A pack of gum will last longer than a chocolate bar and you can always use a stamp.
9. "One thing that always makes me laugh is ...."

One thing that always makes me laugh is watching the cats play.
10. What is one thing you could do today to help yourself reach a personal goal?

Quit smoking.
11. What is one thing you could do today to bless someone else?

I prayed for my son and friend Vivian (from the Volvo post) when they were driving through horrible traffic to my home.
12. What is one thing you're looking forward to soon?

Taking the cover off the air conditioner tomorrow and turning it on. It got up to 83 in the house today.

Cute and Naughty

How can something this cute....even if she is blurry, she is very cute.

Be so naughty? She loves my car.

She is just about 1 year old this month. Of course we don't know the exact date because her mommy kept her and her litter mates well hidden until they were about 8 weeks old. Out the three kitties, she is the only one who is friendly towards us.

Manic Monday - May 16, 2010

Welcome to Monday Mayhem.

This week's meme is called "What are you thinking"?
For each scenario, give your interpretation of what the person may have been thinking.
Have fun!

1. The person with 40 items in the 12 items or less line.

, "I am so so busy. I just know that I am the busiest person in the whole entire world. Not only that I am most special in everything that I do. I know that the 12 item rule does not apply to me. Who would deny my the fast lane? Silly me. No one would!"

2. The driver who is smoking and talking on a cell phone while driving.

" Look at me I am multi-talented. I can talk, smoke, and drive all at the same time. I don't need to flick my ash or even put the cigarette out while I drive because I will just throw it out the window. I don't need my hands to be free to hang onto the steering wheel because I am that most talented person. I can steer with my knee."

3. The father with 8 children and a TV show who cheats on his wife...over and over again...

"I have heard the phrase sex addiction. I am not a sex addict. I am a cheating addict. "

4. Facebook and their security features.
"If security is necessary, we have enough features to make even the most paranoid person feel secure."


5. Heidi Montag
"I love myself. And it shows."

6. People who attempt to sell Viagra via spam comments.

"To quote P.T. Barnum, "There is a sucker born every minute."

7. Those wonderful shoppers who catch up on their phone calls while shopping.

"Why are all these people looking at me?" I am speaking as quietly as I can. If they don't want to know about Jasen's problem they should not listen in on a private conversation."


8.People who find themselves on the People of Walmart website.

"Darn I look good ....today"

Britney Spears let herself go…….again.

Kentucky (photo from People of Walmart.com)

9. People who just can be stupid....

"I didn't see a weight restriction for this bridge. What gives?"

From Whitetrashrepairs.com




10. People with multiple-multiple piercings.



" I think I have problem. I wonder if there is a 12 step program for people like me."

11. Blog Stalkers
"I am such a chicken. I should really take my talent out into the real world and do this for a living." "I could teach a class."

12. In-laws who are controlling or bossie.

"She just doesn't understand my son. She doesn't know that he needs to have his tidy whiteys ironed. If she didn't work outside the home she would have time. She is not the one for him. I will have to see what I can do to get him to change his mind about her." I am such a good mom"


13. People who use or wear items and then attempt to return them.

"Oh my!" "What will I do now?" "I knew grape juice left a stain. How can I return this now?" " I should never have agreed to hold that baby." "Maybe if I dye the entire gown purple they will never know that It has been worn.' "Yep that's what I will do. And if they question it I will make such a scene that they will pay me just to get me out of the store." "I'm so clever."

14. You share one with us :)

"Today would be my daughter's birthday. She would be 35. I can not tell anyone because what would they think. They would hate me and turn their backs on me. They would not understand that I loved that girl more than life itself, that I didn't want to do what I did, but that I had no other choice." It is a choice I made that I must live with forever and a day."

Garage Sale Season

I don't know about you but during the winter months I anxiously await Spring. Not just for the warmer temperatures and the lovely flowers, but because it is the start of GARAGE SALE SEASON!!

I would like to take this opportunity to share my vast experience with all of you. I have been garage saling for over 40 years. I was doing this long before any of my friends realized what a gold mine was to be had for a paltry few dollars. Today I am going to discuss going to the garage sale, what to expect, what to look for, how to ask for help or a better deal. Soon I will discuss with you how to hold a successful sale yourself.

I get breathless just thinking about the treasures that await me around the next corner.

I look in the paper each Saturday to plan my garage sale excursion for the following weekend. When there are a lot listed for one general area I take a highlighter and mark my path. I also make a big red X through any sales that do not appeal to me. I mean because really a girl must have a plan when it comes to garage saling.

The first thing you have to do even before you read the ads is to figure out what you are looking for. If you can think it, want, dream, wear, read, cook with it, you can bet it can be found at a garage sale. You need to make this decision before the ad reading because it will aid you in making a list of priority sales.

For the sake of this tutorial we are going to minimize what it is I am looking for. Normally I have a long list of things that I am dreaming of taking home with me, but for this I am choosing to need a footstool, hassock, or ottoman. I know they are all the same thing but the ads may call this item by any of those names. So that is the first thing. Know the name that your item may be called. You don't want to miss the perfect sale because you didn't know that a footstool was also called a hassock.

OK, now for the ads. I recommend several different colored highlighters. Depending on how many ads there are I use either 3 or 4 different colors. One color for sales that match your criteria exactly, another for almost a match and another for maybe. Once you have figured out which sales match perfectly plot your travel course. You know your home as of course the start point and work your way out from there. [I wish I had a map to show you what I mean. ] Now you need to number your sales. You need to do this because it will tell you at a glance where you are going next. There isn't any point is worrying about the sales you aren't going to go to so just put them out of your mind. As you are driving to the sales on your color coded list you will most assuredly find sales that were not in the paper. Stop if you want, but keep in mind that the longer it takes you to get to the next one on your list the more likely it is that your perfect item will be already sold when you get there.

At a sale if you are looking at something electric, ask if they will plug it in for you. You want to know if it works. I have yet to be told no.

When you do find the item of your dreams don't be afraid to haggle with the seller. If the seller is having a garage sale with the idea of clearing out and making room for what ever they should be willing to come down in their price. If not well then it is their loss for your not buying it and they may be stuck putting it in the thrift store box.

I always ask if they will take half of their asking price. Sometimes they say no, sometimes they come back with a counter offer. One thing you should decide is what is the MOST you will pay for it. If you will pay full price, ask for a better deal anyway, but if you really want them to come down then be prepared to put the item back.

One time I had a lovely set of bath towels, a couple of pieces of crystal stemware, a picture frame, some clothes, and a mink coat. Yes, a mink coat! It was old, but the pelts were in good shape. Anyway, I asked if they would take $10.00 for all of it. They hemmed and hawed, but them agreed to $12.00. If I had not asked the whole stack would have been closer to $30.00. That's the rule don't be afraid to ask.

Take some refreshments in a cooler with you. It will save you money and time. And put some snacks in the cooler also.You won't have to stop somewhere along the way.

Armed with knowledge of what you are looking for, a good idea of where you are going, the savvy to ask questions, and haggle for your price, you should be ready to have a great time out doing the garage sale circuit.

I wish you good luck on your travels and with your quest for the next great garage sale find.

P.S. When you get to a sale make sure to put the car in park and turn the motor off before exiting the car. It works best this way. One time I was so excited to be at a sale, after I parked the car I just jumped out. My SIL screamed at me to STOP! I had not put the car in park or turned it off. I shudder to think what could have happened. I might have missed out on some real treasure if i had hit another car.

Random Dozen - May 12, 2010

1. Please share one memory of your high school graduation. Pics would be great!

Are we talking the ceremony or the parties afterward? I have one of each. Before the ceremony I was worried about forgetting to turn my tassel. My last name was at the end of the alphabet, at the end of 968 students before me. I kept saying to myself turn the tassel, turn the tassel. Well, I remembered to turn the tassel, but then I fell down the steps as I waved to the crowd. I left the city to go to a party way out in the country on a lake. Right in the middle of the party, when things were really starting to rock, we were informed that a tornado was sighted just across the lake from us. At that very moment the power went out. Here were about 50 kids all jittery, in the dark, with what we thought was a tornado bearing down on us. Turns out the parents of the kids whose house we were at thought they were playing a good joke. That is until we girls (of course) became hysterical.
2. What is one "emergency use" item you keep in your vehicle at all times?

I always always carry blankets. Usually two but sometimes three. I figure in the winter I might need them for extra warmth and in the summer someone injured in an accident might have need of one.
3. In your region, do you celebrate graduation open houses? Addendum: (If so,) how many open houses/bridal showers/weddings are on your upcoming events calendar?

Yes, we have open houses for the graduate. I don't have any open houses, showers, or weddings to go to this summer.
4. Tell me one truth you believe about motherhood.

It is the hardest job ever, but also the most rewarding. And one that never ends.
5. What was the last thing you broke?

The ring fingernail on my left hand.
6. On average, how many pieces of junk mail do you receive daily?

Today I received 3 pieces of junk mail. I don't consider the catalogs I requested as part of that total. If they are then I received 6 pieces of junk mail today.
7. Do you like to shop by catalog?

It is almost the only way I shop for close and yarn. I bought practically all of my Christmas gifts from catalogs.
8. Is lawn maintenance at your house a "his job," a "her job" or "his/her job" or "that's why we have teenagers" job?

Totally a man's job. He won't teach my how to use the riding lawn mower so it has to be his job. I was trying to put in a new garden, which is totally woman's work, gardening that is, but I have had to stop because the problems I am having with my arms.
9. Which room would you like to redecorate in your home?

That would be my bedroom. I would like it to be a retreat, but right now it is a catch all for things we don't know where else to put them. I would like soft lighting and lighter colors. Lots of pillows.
10. Do you read a newspaper regularly, or do you read most of your news on line?

The only paper that I could get out where I live is a 10 page local paper that is really not worth the paper it is printed on. So I get my statewide news online from the paper n the city.
11. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

As in Destiny? I don't know. I don't like to think that I am destined to make the mistakes that I do.
12. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

Doing the right things.

Ten on the Tenth - May 10, 2010

I have been trying to do a post about my mom since April 12, but never could make it a manageable post for readers. It was always too long. With being limited to 10 things about my mom I can finally tell you almost all about her.

1. My mom's name was Margaret. Her nephews called her Aunt Marge. One nephew and only this one was allowed to call her Maggie. If anyone dared to call her that other than this one nephew there was hell to pay (sort of).

2. My mom was a career woman long before she was a mom. This was practically unheard of in the 40s. She even transferred out of state with her job. She went into a new state knowing only her boss and his wife. The following picture is of her in her career woman days.

My mom wore a mink coat in her career days. She played golf (does a person play golf?), she went dancing, and was on several bowling teams. My mom once bowled a 300 game. That is a perfect game that many professional bowlers never get. It is kind of like the whole in one that golfers dream about. Even after my mom became a mom she continued to bowl, just not on so many leagues. Her average was something like 256.

3. In 1955 my mom became a mom (with me). This was a huge turning point in her life. One I have never been sure she didn't regret. She moved back to our home state and got married. It wasn't being a mom so much that I think she regretted but the marriage part of the whole equation. Her choice was not ideal. But she stuck it out as long as she could, about 15 years.

4. My mom could do the New York Times Sunday edition crossword puzzle in ink in under 3 hours. She took the Mensa test, passed, and was asked to join. She declined. She was a voracious reader. Her bookshelves were lined with the classics, with modern romance, Stephen King, and many biblical study reference books. She loved the opera. She loved classical music and Willie Nelson. My mom could type 65 words a minute on an old Remington typewriter and when her place of employment updated her with an electric she went up to 150 words per minute. Makes me wonder what she would do on a keyboard like we have now.

5. My mom was the most generous person I have ever known. She gave of herself and of her time. Even when she was just weeks from death she went to her volunteer job at the Courage Center. I don't know how she managed. She made the holidays special for the entire family. I mean entire family, brothers, aunts, cousins, everyone. One of my cousins has said that her heart was as big as she was.

6. My mom played the piano. One of my best childhood memories is of sitting on the piano bench with her and singing sill songs. She gave piano lessons to one of my cousins. He later went on to other piano teachers because my mom had taught him all she could. I think she probably didn't realize what talent she really had.

7. My mom was a teaser. She teased and teased and teased. Fortunately, she could take as good as she gave. She went every week to get her hair done at the beauty shop. When she would return home my husband would comment, "I thought you were getting your hair done." Her reply, "Go to hell." She would grin real big at him then. There was their weekly routine.

8. The following is the last picture taken of her. It was taken Christmas 1990. She went home to heaven in April 1991.

Yes, she is sticking her tongue out at me. I love this picture so much because that is who my mom was. She thumbed her nose at convention and had a career when women were having babies and she stuck her tongue out at anyone/thing that she felt like.

9. My mom loved cats. Growing up we always had cats, always plural. Yes this cat is sitting in a cupboard in the kitchen. My brother and me (is it and me or and I ? I can never remember) were not spoiled as kids because the cats got all the spoiling.

10. My mom loved to dress up. I mean all the way up as shown in this next photo.

That is me with her. The reason for the celebration was my uncles 70th birthday or maybe his 25th wedding anniversary. I can't remember. It was in the late 1970s. See the hair?

That is my mom. I miss her everyday. It seems like I should just be able to pick up the phone and give her a call. I wish I could.

Six Word Saturday - April 8, 2010

Snow is May is not right.

Yep we had snow yesterday. It started snowing yesterday afternoon abut 2 and didn't stop until this morning. Fortunately, the ground has thawed so only 2 inches stayed on the ground. Most of that is gone now but still...It's not right. Even in Minneosta.

Random Dozen - April 5, 2010

Random Dozen
April 5, 2010


1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?
I usually have company come in May so my Spring cleaning has never been an issue. I just have always gotten it finished early. However, the is year my company is not coming until July. I have not even started with Spring cleaning. And I am regretting it.
2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?
I usually fall asleep reading and wake up for a second when my husband turns out his light.
3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?
I still like the comfy style of the 70's. All except for the mini skirt and hot pants...my legs are not what they used to be. But I won't give up my Birkenstocks.
4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?
Hands down it would be my chili served with popovers or corn bread. Cheese, onions, and sour cream on the side.
5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?
Oh my yes. I am a sucker for check out aisle cookbooks.
6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?
For Josh Groban to sing. And no flowers. I figure that if people want me to have flowers they should give them to me when I am alive and can enjoy them. I don't want them when I am dead. My family has instructions to return any flowers that are sent.
7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

8. What is your favorite type of bread?
I love Ezekiel raisin bread, but only rarely because it is so expensive. Otherwise Whole Wheat is fine with me.
9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)
My husband is angry all the time. It is part of his illness. I am so afraid that it will start to rub off on me. I don't want to be angry all the time at the world.
10. What trait would you like most to develop?
Thriftiness. I spend way too much money on needless things. I try hard not too but I end up doing it anyway.
11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?
I wish I had a picture. We redid my son's room after he moved out. We painted it a very light yellow with white trim. I have a white storage cupboard in there, my Grandma's rocker, a bed, and bookshelves. There are blue and white accent pieces. A yellow and white quilt is on the bed. Right after we finished I commented that it looked like a cottage room. I love the freshness of this room. It is crisp and warm and inviting. I like to think I am inviting and warm. And I know I can be crisp at times.
12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations
and activities, and blogging?
I am the least busy woman you will ever meet. When making arrangements to meet someone for let's say lunch, I always let them name the date and time. I am always open. I have no commitments. So maintaining a balance is not a hard thing for me to do. I have no balance to maintain.