Ron Burgundy

It’s been that type of day.

So now, after helping Shingleman prep our dinner, what would I find on HBO but Anchorman, starring Will Farrell. This movie is so funny, and it actually transforms me back to that era. I also laugh when how I see how many stars “started” out with some sort of role in the movie; be it supporting or guest star.

We’re having lemon, ginger, strawberry, orange, cucumber, kale, parsley, apple and carrot juice for dinner . We’ll enjoy it while watching the rest of the movie.

You stay classy, Sam Diego!

Contentment

Going through the storms of the past few days, we are wrapping November up and my girls are helping me put a big bow on it- a present for the past.

Juicing is going well; physically we are doing ok. An acquaintance of mine is turning 65 in December, Mom's first heavenly birthday is in a few weeks too.
Now more than ever. I am sure this
December will be bittersweet.

Enjoy the new month!

Sad news

We got sad news today about one of the fur kids buddies

Lyle went to the Rainbow bridge, and joined other friends of theirs, such as Athena,Angel, Dixie,Nicky and the rest, who used to be buddies on this side, aka, the kennel club in our field in the mornings, especially weekend mornings.

It was a lively bunch, but we all, two and four legged alike, get older, and things like this are inevitable.

Lyle was a gentle giant who loved a treat like the rest of them and would wait patiently for his owner Chris to release his foot off a ball or stick so he could go and chase it. His two legged brother and sisters loved him to pieces and I know they are feeling the loss, as are his folks.

This news hurts my heart, particularly because it hits close to my heart, Zush.

Good night from Zush, Lyle and say hi to our other four- legged friends who are with you. Eventually we will catch up, but not just yet, OK?

Zush is ready for bed, as is her sister and me, too for that matter. It's been a rough night.

Good night.

Felt Like

When we last left the “knoble”(ha-ha)knitting and felting world, I has started on my pink pure wool scarf, in order to jazz up my leather jacket that’s black.

Well, it’s getting there.

I have to rest my thumbs now and then, but I figured I give you a current shot to show how it’s doing. It’s been sitting for a week or two, as I had picked up crochet hooks while feeling Mom around me. I started working on some acrylic yarn, but would like to actually wear this scarf sometime soon.
Here’s a general shot: next one when it’s done and felted.

100 % pure wool

A lot of grapes

“…a lot of grapes…”

That’s what Shingleman just called in from the kitchen.

We are on day 17 of juicing our one meal a day. 

It’s been an awakening. 

I for one, hate to write this, let alone say it,**whispering**… I feel good!

We have been doing kale, celery, cucumber ,grapes,lemon, carrot and apple. Our “desert” is raw I salted walnuts, unsalted shelled sunflower seeds and flax seed. We eat the seeds as if we were eating a small custard cup.

This has been an accomplishment. I think we are going ok!

You never know....

We had gotten some terrible news about a family friend/acquaintance

She was 69 years old and in the best of health and was killed in an accident while walking on this past Saturday.

Yup, you heard me right-walking.

I won’t go into details but she was hit and declared dead at the scene.
Happily married for a ton of years.
Loving Mom and Grandmom, Sister, and friend.
Busy with charities, organizations,….life, to be precise.
Gone.
Just like that.

As I always say, life is so short.
Really.

Blink your eye and a decade goes in a minute.
I especially am aware of that when talking to my nephews Matt and Gregory.

People carry a lot of baggage around, waiting for their “mojo” to effect other people around them.
Well, guess what?
The Man upstairs has the final word

Second Place

Today, I went to work. I got things ready for the weekend last night. I was ready and had everything to go...
So I thought......

Unpacking, I find we are short a magnet that I had bought for the back of the car.. Someone took it off and put a sticker there. Then, through packing, surprisingly absent is my Mac,among other things. It was on the porch.&didn't make the cut.

I guess I am going to do packing next time...**sigh**

Happy Thanksgiving

Here’s hoping you are going to be enjoying the day with friends and family!
Be safe and I’ll be back here on Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a thought...

There were times in my life that I was sorry I couldn’t bear children. I guess, that would have been through my early forties.

Now, on the cusp of my fifty-third birthday, boy am I glad.

I was talking with my neighbors this morning and we were talking about holidays and I said about my nephews being grown. Back in the day it would be going on the train, getting to town, seeing Santa, presents, lunch, well, you know the drill. Don’t get me wrong, mind you-I love kids. The thought of this year having to go out and toy shop and all the jazz that goes with it, well, I feel like I got a break.The first year without Mom is going to be rough enough, or should I say, I know it’ll have its moments. I know she is where she wanted to be and all is good on that front. It’ll just be nice to think back on memories of the past and make my own present memories with Jim and the girls.

Eighteen years redux

I am cheating.

With the help of some editing, here’s a post from last year, brought up to date..thanks for bearing with me.

Now nineteen years ago, I was thirty-three years old. I had moved out on my own. And three months into my independence, I had a really bad lower back ache. You know how when you are hurting eventually you can get yourself into a position to fall asleep? Well, that November, I had my first 48 hours of NO sleep-the pain was that intense.

A visit to my gynecologist, who was an old guy in his late 70′s and on staff at Jefferson, revealed a cervical tumor the size of a grapefruit. Funny how as I never had any issues before in my life and here you go: what do I get butmy first one comes out of the gate like gangbusters. I was on the doorstep of stage three cancer.

Welcome to the world of cancer.

Fortunately, I had the luck of being sent down to a oncologic gynecological surgeon, Charles Dunton, who was working on a protocol for cervical cancer. I had daily radiation, chemotherapy, a radiation implant, and two weeks prior to my scheduled total hysterectomy, my pre-operative exam found NO tumor! The surgeon said he would have never know what was there, if he hadn’t been in on my case from the beginning. They had to do my surgery, because there was no guarantee the cancer hadn’t gone into my lymph nodes.One of my BFF’s, Kate, would come down from Pittsburgh on the weekends when I was in Jeff and there is no better buddy in the world…**Note to Kate-how I remember those 7th floor Gibbon visits-you ALWAYS were my rock!**

Fast forward through later cancers and health issues, loss of family members, finding my Jim, gaining two girls named Zush and Kasia, and my mother’s dementia and earlier this year, her passing.

God has me here for a reason, although when friends are suddenly gone due to cancer, I will be the first to admit the survivor’s guilt is great. I no longer wonder why I am still here. I just accept it, give thanks for it and realize a greater statement was never made than….” If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

Here’s hoping to see you all for 20.

Thanks for reading.

Juicing Update

Well, today I finished day four of Shingleman and my journey into juicing.
It’s still going on!
It is funny that we both seemed to embrace it. Shingleman enjoys preparing it, and I help out with food prep. It is funny that you can work on a beverage for a while, and when done , actually are satisfied.
I’ll be keeping you posted…. Stay tuned!

Sometimes....

I do o.k.

I am currently assigned to customer service, and I just had a woman come in with a problem that took a little unknotting...I managed to unknot her problem and she walked away happy

Nice to make someone happy!

Vessels

…and not the ones on sea, either…lol

One of my BFF’s and I were discussing how haters try to plant information on us and use us as vessels to bring it back to the other.

I have to laugh because they really don’t know us too well.

Keep hating, haters- the venom makes you look so radiant.

I am happily enveloped by my good buds, who are there for you no matter what, and also know what the haters are full of.


No thanks-not interested in drinking “their” purple kool-aid.

Sense knocked in

Never knew I was so aerodynamic.

I had the girls out in the field and they were joined by two other pups. The only problem was a larger one, a Shiloh shepherd, knocked me off my feet and I landed on my head- hard!

I laugh because my mother used to say I needed sense knocked into me.
I heard her laugh as I gathered myself and my thoughts.

I'll be sitting up a few extra hours, just to make sure the head is ok,or, I guess, to make sure the sense stays knocked in.

Eels and Snakes oh my!

Thought I’d have a break in the reference to my psychology 104 class that I end up using everyday-the class was ” Adults, Adolescence and Aging”.

Talked to two of my BFF’s last night and after hanging up with them both, I am quite sure that they, along with me, were shaking their head laughing.

I am tired of saccharine, smirking folks. They think no one can see through their veneer, but guess what ? Your emotion has raised its’ ugly head, so we all get to see you and your five faces. Your neck should be tired carrying a head so big.

It’s Friday.

Thanking God I get a break out of here until Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Hurricane Sandy

I only had one niece.

Her name was Alexandra, and she passed away in September of 1997.

My two nephews here, Matt and Greg, used to call her Sandy.

I don’t think Greg remembers her that much, but Matt and I chatted about her the other day, and about how we missed her.

I am hoping “Sandy” will cut us some slack and send her namesake further up the coast, leaving Undisclosed in one piece.

**Fingers Crossed**

Hell Getting Old

(although the options are crap…)

My dentist who I had faithfully gone to for the past 15 years is on the verge of losing it. He was bringing in more and more people to do specialty work.I liked the old guy. I felt he knew his craft. I mean, who ARE these people and what are they doing in my mouth? Hmmm?

I bit the bullet and left my old dentist for my husband’s, who he has been seeing for the past 28 years. He just moved to a new office not too far away from the house.After sitting in the chair yesterday, I can see how he afforded to move to the new office. Obviously, going to old reliable guy for 15 years had me shaking my head when I left the office yesterday with a computer print out of my “treatment plan”,enveloped in sticker shock,or as I kindly put it, how to pay his office rent for the next year or 2.


You know it was kind of extreme when my husband joking asked, “Uh, maybe you should have asked him if it was cheaper to pull them.”…..


Did I mention my Shingleman has near perfect teeth?**SIGH**


The things a 52-year-old will do to keep these teeth happening…..

Mixed-up day

Today has had a hell of a start.

My father would have been 92 today. Not a day goes by where I don’t miss him.

Came into work with my nephew Greg, and we proceeded to spend a week on a Septa train this morning. Needless to say, I clocked in 1/2 hour late, and Greg had to get off the stop at Temple, because his time was limited.

I had an amusing chat with my seat mate on the train, as we exchanged barbs that only two women who have commuted for over 30 years can let go with.

It can only get better!**fingers crossed**

My brother's birthday

My brother Bob, who was a caregiver of my Mom alongside me, turns 62 today.

62.

I remember my Bob riding me on his bicycle on the driveway of our house on Mitchell St. Bobby who would go out back and make a snow fort for me to play in, Bobby who was always there for me.

I’m blessed to have him in my life.


I am happy that he sees 62 today, as I know that his health often has me worried for him. I know the bittersweet quality to today~it’s his first birthday without Mom. We were on the phone this morning and talked about that. We are glad she is gone and we know where she is at, but still, you miss the person who brought you into the world.


Everyday I have my Bob, I am blessed. He is a great guy and I am thankful he is my brother.
Sto Lat, Bob!

Above-a shot of Bob and his oldest son, Matt, when he got his Master’s degree this past summer at Millersville University

Pumpkin

I took advantage of a day off today and baked for company next weekend, along with a few other chores.

Some pumpkins went nuts in kitchen. I made pumpkin spice cookies and pumpkin bread. I will be wrapping the bread in parchment paper prior to wrapping and tinning up the cookies. Here's hoping they make the trip in one piece .

Beautiful day

We had wonderful weather yesterday and so far today, but as far as I am concerned, four days away from the city and job are the ticket.

The wash is about five minutes away from hanging, after that the girls get their walk with Mommy, and then if Mommy is lucky, I’ll get some quiet time to sit out and read. Oh, I forgot one thing- tomato bath for Kasia the skunk girl. Shingleman says he will help me with that….

Film at 11.

Infield What ???

So it's Friday night, and with the death of my Phillies, Shingleman and I  are watching the Atlanta-St.Louis game.

Two of the St.Louis guys were supposed to catch a ball, and they didn't. Atlanta got mad, and all of the people in the stands started, or seemed to, throw things down on the field. The announcer just announced how embarrassing the action was...I am waiting for someone to mention Philadelphia fans, but nothing yet.

All of a sudden I am waiting for football! **sigh**

Cheese

Although the weather is currently trying not cooperate, I went ahead and bought cheese for a possible wine/event we are going to on Sunday or Saturday, depending on the weather.

In the Reading Terminal Market, there are many stalls which offer items, and for this cheese, I went to a stand run by the Mennonites. Cheese for the day special was roast garlic, and although I love it, not everyone does. I settled for a raw milk sharp cheese, and a creamy Havarti infused with dill. I also got a sharp cheese with cracked black pepper. My choices were thought over-I'd have to eat it for lunch all week if the weather didn't cooperate.

Right now, though, I am just looking forward to a relaxing four days: here's hoping they live up to their expectations!

Vibes

This afternoon, I have been seeing a ton of folks: it's incredible that they have no clue to the depth of their body language. They say" Have a good night."....yeah, I hear your body language telling me to pound sand...**trying to be polite**

I always heard people saying if looks could kill: gee, they obviously know some of these folk that have crossed my path!

Hard to fathom

I just wonder about people whose mission in life is " it's all about me."

No matter what passing role you might have, everything is either:

Why did you do that to me?
Why do you talk like that to me?
Why doesn't anyone tell me?
...and so on.... You get the idea.

I am so happy not to tango with these people ,because they are truly toxic. What a shame they can't see it!

Coffee Talk

It's almost October.

It'll be a funny October for me, with Mom not being around.

My brothers birthdays are in October. My Dad's birthday was in October. I always, as Mom got older, picked out the cards at her request, and it was bittersweet toward the end, to have her scribble Mom on the card, When it came to Daddy's birthday, we always remembered him and both would be quiet with our respective memories, and once in a while, I would tell her a story I remembered about Dad, and she would smile.

So here I sit, typing away.Coffee cup at a safe distance away from my Mac, and I find myself remembering the past.

It's good when your memories are, on the most part, pleasant.

Loving the Haters

I still find it incredible, that some folks have to pull apart other people?
Why?
Your life is so pale, so bland? Who's fault is that, hmmm?
Some of us will keep on keeping on, because guess what?
You are so entertaining!

Casino

AMC just started showing, for the gazillionth time, the movie, "Casino".

This movie speaks to me, as it made me appreciate Robert DeNiro, I was a late bloomer: after this movie, I never missed his films. I still try to catch them whenever they are on.

I have to laugh, because they are running story notes along the bottom; for instance, it just said most of the guys playing mob bosses never acted before. Incredible. I thought they all came from 7th@ Latona.

Always good to lose yourself in a good movie!

Different Color

The road to hell being paved with good intentions, Shingleman passed on rotisserie chicken and here we are, out to dinner.

Go figure.

We are officially together long enough that “I don’t care” ended us out to dinner: if our record stays in tact, this might prove to be a fabulous meal.

Stay tuned!...

Friday Five

This week....


I am thankful for my entertainment as I am working on this post-The Phillies vs. Mets game, where the Phillies are currently shellacking the Mets 16-1...enough said!I am grateful the Phils are on, making me want to stay up and listen-hopefully I'll get a good night sleep.

I am thankful I have the opportunity to work and entire Friday and, as much as I'd like to leave early for Undisclosed, know that it'll be worth my time.

I am thankful for the foresight to make a crock pot of chili this week, thus giving me something for lunch tomorrow.

Although I'll work all tomorrow, I thank God Jim and the girls are picking me up to head for Undisclosed!

Have a wonderful Friday!

Pork Chops and Applesauce

Whenever i hear these two words together, I think of Peter Brady in the Brady Bunch badly lisping it when he was try to be a detective a la Sam Spade in an episode.

I stopped at the Terminal Market and bought some pork chops for dinner. I coated them( of course in flour first) in a combination of panko breadcrumbs, a little Parmesian cheese, and dried onion...hopefully this will come out ok, but be forewarned.

If you see Shingleman or me reaching for Tums tomorrow, you'll know it wasn't that good...lol

Really?

The rain has arrived: no break for my sinuses.


It was difficult keeping my head up today, I mean, I’d like to know why the eyes are aching and I hate to put it on the rain, but barometric pressure gets me every time.

We needed this rain; I am thankful . I just wish rain came alone- no sinus chaser!

Damned if you do....

It’s due to rain tomorrow , and I haven’t seen the weather channel. How do I know? …..


Sinuses.

I am typing this with a bear of a sinus headache. I always claimed to have Philadephian sinuses. Prone to winter infections and pollen the other nine months of the year.
The headache isn’t do bad in the scheme of things, as it reflects a change in barometric pressure,
Translated?

We need the rain!

Working weekend

It was rough being” at home” instead of being down at Undisclosed.

One of my BFF’s,Kath, threw a surprise party for her husband, so we were up here. Trying to get ahead of the situation, we threw a lot of stuff out, a lot into recyclables, and donated a lot of clothes. After all, this house has got to sell before we can go full time to Undisclosed. I am glad we are doing things a little at a time, because leaving things until time to show/sell, well, it’d be a fiasco.

The hard part is having football on in the background : you want to sit and watch the game- not listening while you clean….There’s got to be a better way....

Stand & Deliver

A good friend of mine,"B",is going through rough times and wrote a journal-like entry with her reflections this morning on FB and I have to tip my hat to her,

"I've got this."

Considerate friends indeed help you through trying times.Sometimes you need friends to spell it out for you

Thanks,"B".

Deepest of Holes

They are still digging up my street.

Now, only, to add insult to injury, they are at the intersection by my house and leaving their big monster machines in front of my gate. It has to go somewhere, but the fact that some people in the area think it’s fun to go speeding around the detour and kick up dust for anyone who is walking.

Meaning me...it's not fun!

As I type this, I am still hacking because a sphincter had a good time running by the street with his car not once but twice. Think Oklahoma in the 1930′s. Yup-dust bowl!

I can only keep hoping that karma is a bitch for some people, because, well…just because. I know, I know-not the most Christian of attitudes but…..

‘Nuff said.

Just putting it out there....

Coming into the hospital this morning, I got to notice one thing.

Mercedes-Benz suv's?

Really?
I mean I understand the SUV concept and really thought if wealthy folks wanted a SUV, they'd buy a Lincoln or even a Lexus.

I mean, really? Is that your concept of buying a safe car: you couldn't find a slightly less expensive one? Is this the new concept of keeping up with the Jones'!

Hmmm... Got to think about that.

Eleven

Tomorrow is the eleventh anniversary of 9/11/2001, a terrible day in American history,

To counter the severity of the day, two of my BFF's, Juls and Kath, married their husbands thirty and nineteen years ago,respectively.

Shingleman and I are blessed to know the four of them~ they are the best! Along with Zush and Kasia, we send them love and sunshine all the days of their lives,

Below is a picture of me and Juls taken this past summer ...I need a current shot of me and Kath

Wrapping it up

Vacation is over.

My one vacation every ten years is done. A beautiful week, albeit humid, but giving much teeth to the old chestnut....one day at the beach is better than a day at work.

It was great: I am blessed!

Laying Low before the Storm

Today is a nice day. There’s a nice breeze going when you are by the bay. We put the air back on because the humidity is back.

The weather forecast is calling for a bad storm later, with winds and hail. We are going out now so the girls won’t go stir crazy later.

Just a good day to kick back and take it all in.

Friday Grateful Five

How grateful am I to have had a chunk of time off. It gave me the chance to relax, spend quality time with Zush, bond tighter with Kasia, ….in short, a chance to kick back.

The weather cooperated enough to get us dog walking daily and savor the peace and quiet .Thankful, I think, all three of us are.

I was so grateful to step away from the office and kind of experience a taste of retirement. I am ready for it!

Shingleman is coming down today-always nice and grateful for having him in my life.

My final gratitude moment is for hydrocortisone cream/ rubbing alcohol/witch hazel… Mosquito bites are almost tolerable!

Have a good weekend!

Lazy

The rain that hit the big city finally made it down here last night. The girls and I had a long night, so we all are a little lazy today.

There is not too much on our agenda today:a little cleaning, a little dog walking, and if the weather clears, I will be making a ferry walk.

I could get used to this!

Fulfilled Day

For the first time in a long time, I sat this morning and made out a list of what I wanted/needed to do.

For the first time in a long time, I was able to tick everything off of the list-a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, even though I am beat**not that the daiquiri I had with dinner had a stimulant in it…lol**.

I am going to push my luck and make an attempt to repeat my success tomorrow, but we’ll see how that goes. It’ll go fine**I can hear my Mom saying in my ear**if I just don’t get a sprained arm from patting myself on the back…lol.

I have got to admit there is something to being able to operate at your own pace, and not having to meet a daily deadline. Less stress as an end result and accomplishment ~a win-win situation!

Work A Little, Play a Little...

So, trying to take advantage of the down time, I have Evita on in the background as I try to multitask, trying to keep the girls happy, get some chores done, and not make myself nuttier**insert your witty take on nuttier here____*** than normal.

Bowing to off time, the girls and I had a nice walk this morning, especially since Labor day has come and gone! We freely wandered the streets on our walk, but due to the humidity, I always keep on top of Zush to make sure I am not pushing her too much. Kasia was playing with me and the mosquitoes**scratch,scratch** as I tried to consolidate the recycles for the trash tomorrow. I have a little wash to hang, and in honor of the saint of multi-tasking, I have a baggie with lime away secured with a rubber band on my shower head, trying to clean that up.

Complaining?

Hell, no.

Even the chores of life are more palatable down here…nice!

Rain and Humidity is better than any day in the city....

The rain everyone has been experiencing is everywhere but here. Mind you, the humidity is absurd and grey sky fights the sun, but any day here is better than being in the city!

The girls are each chomping a dog bone as the three of us try to veg. We have had some good walks today, but I am always mindful of Zush in this weather.

Early to bed for us…we can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Time Zones

Shingleman has opted to work this week, while I am on vacation.

Guess who has an alarm set for 3:30am so someone can get to work on time….

Did I mention this is my first 9+ days off since 2002?

••sigh••

The Best Thing I ever Made..

..is now on the Food Network, and I am watching the burger and dog episode. Once again, the marketers at Food Network figures, let’s have all America try these for their Labor Day picnic.

Hah!

I laugh because how many people are going to run to their kitchens to make a cherry sauce to put on top? Not me. Granted, if you watch the recipes, you may be able to tweak what you want and get rid of what you don’t. For instance, the next recipe is for a Reuben hot dog,by Adam Gertler, which might be a little more palatable than the hamburger gigantico that was just presented.

So I am going to kick back this week and maybe tweak some of these recipes. It is nice to be able to anticipate having time to do things I have wanted a chance to do.

Bring it on!

Thankful for....

Ten years with my Shingleman…I can’t remember life without him.

Above mentioned anniversary, which pushed me to take my first 9 day vacation in ten years…I don’t know hot to behave.

Two crazy fur girls who love the water as much as I do, even though I am going to have to give them a bath tomorrow.

The coming of fall and good-bye to mosquitoes.

One of my BFF, Juls, has successful surgery on her shoulder today-thanks for your prayers, folks.



Have a wonderful weekend !!!!

10 years....

I wish I could say I remember every minute of ten years ago, but the day will always be a whirl to me.

What sticks firmer in my brain are the ten years of being "Mrs.Shingleman"- and I wouldn't trade a second of it.

Happy Anniversary to the Shingleman. I can't remember life without you!

One of my BFFs, Juls, is taking a page from book.

She is having shoulder surgery Friday.


** working the beads**


Being in the big city with a lot of university hospitals, and being an old pro with doctors, well, let’s just say I don’t care for pain, especially when it wakes me from a sound sleep.
I know surgery is scary, but know you’ll hold a good thought for Juls on Friday.it’s always good to get your health back.

Poor New Orleans

Wow!\

Memory coming back to me this morning as I watch the weather channel. Tropical Storm Isaac giving signs of turning into a hurricane . As I watch coverage, I am giving prayers for those folks on the Gulf coast-especially New Orleans.

Stay safe, folks!

Rough for a Monday

I don’t know if it was the fact that I know next Monday is a holiday or what,but I just seemed to go in slo-mo today. As if my mind  didn’t want to join my body for that party called work..lol.

Knowing my history with caffeine, I struggled through one cup of coffee and the rest of the day I was wishing for toothpicks to keep my eyes open. Why is it that the anticipation of a holiday seems to make the prior week go really slow? At least it seems that way to me.

Here’s hoping your August wraps up neatly!

Isaac

Spending Sunday watching the weather channel and seeing the preparations for  Tropical Storm Isaac, which is hitting Florida as I type this.

I remember the preparations for Hurricane Katrina. It is mind-boggling, watching the change in the weather and the extreme swings possible. You can only feel for the people in New Orleans, as I see on the weather station are in an alert status. Can those folks be going through issues thinking back to Katrina? I know if I had gone through it and survived, I'd probably be a basket case.

Sending my prayers up so everyone comes through this dance with Isaac as unscathed as possible.

Loving this Weather...

…a little overcast, a little light rain, a ton of walking and most importantly..breezy!

I always have enjoyed the anticipation of hurricanes, and turned into a weather maniac watching the Weather Channel and following sites on-line. I have always been intrigued by what happens as the storm works its way up the coast, the early “knocks on the door” of barometric pressure changes and storm fronts.

After all, it’s hurricane season: it’s August!

Quiet Friday

It was nice to have some quality time with the girls today while getting ready for the weekend. There were plenty of chores to do and it was so easy to have interspersed dog life with household chores. Zush even got a bath this morning to ease itchy skin, so she got an oatmeal shampoo .


We shared a wonderful dinner tonite with our friend Vida and her Mom at the Lobster House. We had broiled shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and it was fabulous. A pitcher of adult beverages accompanied it and the meal and the company gave a whole new dimension to summertime and the living is easy!


Have a great weekend!

Friday five

Am I ever grateful for my BFF ‘s….they are true pillars of support…and it’s great because they KNOW who they are.


God gifted me with a great Dad for thirty eight years. I have missed him terribly for the past fourteen years and will love him forever.


I am grateful my nephew Greg has the chance to start another year at Temple university. He makes our family so proud.


I am absolutely grateful for a good night’s sleep: I only wish they came more often.


Finally, especially after seeing what my Mom went through, I am grateful for my memories: I hold them all close to appreciate the comfort they bring.


Have a good Friday!

Another friend gone

My Zusher lost another pal.

Her girlfriend Paint, who was with her from day one when one of my BFF’s Kath fostered her for SPCA.  Paint and Zush lived with Kath’s number one dog, Jupiter.

I always said Zush learned from the best, and she did. Paint and Zush were well schooled, and the two girls were tightest of buddies, and they both loved Jupiter.

Well, Paint, I found out today, has joined Jupiter at the Rainbow bridge, which makes me cherish every moment with Zush more, as if that is possible. They were a helluva trio, and I like to think Kasia is learning from the best, my gal Zush.

There is a void where the two buddies were, and I know someday she’ll see them again, but there is still work to do here, like keeping Mommy’s secrets, loving Daddy and tolerating Kasia.

Love her to pieces, and I know she joins me in saying rest in peace Painty puppy. We’ll miss you!

OOPS!

I was going to post last night, but I feebly wrist-wrestled with sleep.

Sleep won.

I had three good cups of coffee on Monday at work and a diet coke. When did this excess caffeine decide to bother me? Eleven at night Monday night.

Symptom? Itching…

I think I slept for fifteen minutes on the hour between eleven at night and four in the morning.



Watch out, world…I am rested today! Lol ;D

Kasiagirl..the saga continues...

Well, I figured out how to reward Miss Kasia for coming out and being around people.


When we had “the big event” weekend, if you’ll remember, she was keeping pretty much to herself and even hiding. What would bring her out of her shell, if you’ll forgive the turtle reference, was a walk.


A big one….



A 4.2 mile walk roundtrip. Just Kasiagirl.


Quality time with Mom. Whoo-hoo!

Zush was sadly excused because I knew the distance was going to be rough for her, so she stayed behind, pouting until we returned. I am sure that having Kasia come back and run to her, as if to say,”nyah-nyah!…I got to go with Mom and you didn’t.” was not taken too well, although Zush’s pout disappeared when we came back. For the record, Zush got some prime Mommy time and was most appreciative.

Love my gals and am blessed to have them!

It was twenty years ago today...

...or so the beginning to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band goes....but for me it was 28.

Twenty eight years ago, this T Rex of an employee was green around the gills, walking into the first day in a big government agency scared half to death. By the grace of God, here I am 28 years, 3 cancers, plus Shingleman, minus parents later, and I am still here.

Go Figure.

The benefits I received from this job saved my life, for I surely would never have been on a protocol for my first cancer. The friends I have made and KEPT along the way are choice-with them I am truly blessed. So today I am tuly thankful to those who guided me to the finding of this job, guided me during my early years, and on the bad days, guided me away from darkness.Those of you have been with me along the way know the rode as been bumpy, but it has been great sharing the bumps along with you.

**hugs**