Thanks, George!
Sunday, April 23, 2006
A rainy day project
Have you ever had a little space all your own? Well. I have a new little "beadie studio" in my kitchen. George worked to get the shelves up today, and I put up my boxes of beadie items. Nothing makes me happier than to have a little space to work all my own. It is a small area that was the kitchen "nook". The table was there when we moved here, and it was too big for the area. We never even tried to squeeze ourselves in there to eat breakfast. So, finally, two years later, I decided enough was enough. Today is a rainy Sunday afternoon and George made two trips to Home Depot to get the shelves and put the brackets into the studs on the wall. These shelves aren't going anywhere...and neither am I!
A customer sent me a lovely little thank you card with a tea bag in it. You can see it in the window. How nice! I'm a happy girl.
Have a great day.
A customer sent me a lovely little thank you card with a tea bag in it. You can see it in the window. How nice! I'm a happy girl.
Have a great day.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Easter at our house
It was a busy Easter season for us, and it always is around this time of year. Wednesday night was bell choir practice, Thursday we took the night off, Friday we went to Good Friday services, Saturday we baked five bundt cakes and a big batch of chocolate chip cookies and then went to the Easter Vigil service and stayed through the reception until 10 p.m, then came home and frosted five cakes, went to bed and set the alarm for 6, got up and dressed for Easter sunday, carried cakes to the car, made coffee for 100 people, served TWO coffee receptions after two church services and I played in the bell choir. Whew. We got home today at 1:00 p.m., dog tired, and both of us took a nap. Then we had a lovely ham dinner and went for a ride to Gloucester to see the quiet harbor and the lighthouses and have an ice cream. Now it is time for bed again.
Luckily, tomorrow I have the day off. It is one of my favorite days off--Patriot's Day and the day of the running of the Boston Marathon. I like it because it is a day off that I never had before I moved to Massachusetts, and this year it is a good day to have off to recover from Easter!
I'm adding some "not so good" pictures here of cakes and an exhausted baker---me.
Have a great evening and hope you enjoyed Easter as much as we did!
Luckily, tomorrow I have the day off. It is one of my favorite days off--Patriot's Day and the day of the running of the Boston Marathon. I like it because it is a day off that I never had before I moved to Massachusetts, and this year it is a good day to have off to recover from Easter!
I'm adding some "not so good" pictures here of cakes and an exhausted baker---me.
Have a great evening and hope you enjoyed Easter as much as we did!
Friday, April 14, 2006
Treasures From My Home
I recently started selling some antiques and small treasures that I have here in my home. My thoughts are that over the years I have collected some beautiful things, but as I get older (egads!) some of these things have just lost their appeal to me and I'm ready to move them on. I try to take good pictures, write good and honest descriptions, set a very fair price, and then just throw the listing to the winds of Ebay. So far, the winds are favorable. I have sold 8 out of 10 things that I have listed and my little "treasures" business is a success.
Today I listed these Royal Tara Bone China Sugar and Creamer Set that I believe my aunt gave me a long time ago. In the thirty years or so that I have had them, I have never once used them, and they are just sitting in amongst the larger pieces in the china cabinet looking lonesome. So, I wrote a listing and am selling them.
It is fun to sell these things and find homes for items that I no longer want. I believe that Ebayers like to find something that is truly valuable, or unique, or something they feel that they can't live without. I have sold antique Dunkin'Donuts cups, Mary Englebreit candle holders, a pewter candlestick, some lavender sachet, and a Lenox bird figurine. I have even sold more than that, but I can't remember it all right now. One thing I know, I will not miss these things, and I wish them well wherever they may land.
Have a great day!
Today I listed these Royal Tara Bone China Sugar and Creamer Set that I believe my aunt gave me a long time ago. In the thirty years or so that I have had them, I have never once used them, and they are just sitting in amongst the larger pieces in the china cabinet looking lonesome. So, I wrote a listing and am selling them.
It is fun to sell these things and find homes for items that I no longer want. I believe that Ebayers like to find something that is truly valuable, or unique, or something they feel that they can't live without. I have sold antique Dunkin'Donuts cups, Mary Englebreit candle holders, a pewter candlestick, some lavender sachet, and a Lenox bird figurine. I have even sold more than that, but I can't remember it all right now. One thing I know, I will not miss these things, and I wish them well wherever they may land.
Have a great day!
Monday, April 10, 2006
Dining 1950's style
This weekend I asked George to take the round table out of the alcove in the kitchen and donate it to the Salvation Army. It was too large for the space and the table had become a too convenient place to dump stuff that we didn't know what to do with. I remembered something my mother always says, "When cleaning house, things always get worse before they get better." She is right. Things got worse. But gradually, even though George did not have the same vision of the final project that I did, he motored on, and we cleaned out the space, put in an oblong table and I moved my beading supplies in. Stacking tables made into shelves and my big cloth boxes stacked on the floor made a great storage area for my beads and supplies. I think it is a miracle that I actualy KNOW where everything is, but I do, and I am careful about putting things away when I am finished with a project, since I hate not being able to find things when I want them. With the daylight coming in from the window, and two nice lamps, as well as my small Ebay photo studio, I now have a really cute area to do my beading and all my things are finally moved out of the dining room.
Dining rooms are made for the kind of 1950's style dinners that George enjoys. When we have dinner together, he really likes to sit at the table. It is a noble thing. Sometimes I convince him that we really want to watch TV and eat in the den, but even when I do that, I realize that he is right, and we should probably eat in the dining room like civilized people did in the 50's.
Maybe it is the fact that we do not have three young children sitting there with us like he did many years ago, but sometimes two people sitting across from each other in a dining room alone seems...well...lonely. But we have a beautiful dining room set, and now I can enjoy it. Yes, I will!
And I love my new "Bloom where you are planted" Beading Space!
Have a great day!
Dining rooms are made for the kind of 1950's style dinners that George enjoys. When we have dinner together, he really likes to sit at the table. It is a noble thing. Sometimes I convince him that we really want to watch TV and eat in the den, but even when I do that, I realize that he is right, and we should probably eat in the dining room like civilized people did in the 50's.
Maybe it is the fact that we do not have three young children sitting there with us like he did many years ago, but sometimes two people sitting across from each other in a dining room alone seems...well...lonely. But we have a beautiful dining room set, and now I can enjoy it. Yes, I will!
And I love my new "Bloom where you are planted" Beading Space!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Oklahoma is OK!
I just returned from a week in Oklahoma. My mother had improved enough to come home again from the nursing facility, and she was all packed and ready when I got there. She had spent a lot of time thinking about what she wanted to do when we got home. She had some trouble balancing her energy, and has had a little set-back, so she was in bed resting most of the last two days I was there. I was sorry to see that, but hoping that she is recovering nicely under the care of my brother who is there now.
It is hard to be 96. She has all her marbles and then some. And she wants what she wants when she wants it...like most of the rest of us. She drives herself, and strives to have things done right.
I had a good time. I enjoyed going out to Cherokee Trading Post and getting a pair of beautiful silver earrings. I enjoyed going to Braums for a delicious frozen cone, and I enjoyed going to Hobby Lobby for more beads and jewelry wire. The weather is beautiful, warm and sunny. I even enjoyed watching a thunderstorm roll in on Saturday after noon that included a tornado "watch". Oklahoma weathermen really know what they are doing. They had pictures of the clouds from helicopters and tornado watchers in vans. They could tell you within a mile exactly where the wall cloud was. It was exciting to watch. No tornadic activity they said, and they were right, until it got to Tennessee where lots of people died from that same storm. The weather was just right over Oklahoma that day to form a big storm, and the rain and hail came down in buckets for about two hours on Saturday. We were never in danger and Oklahoma sure needs the rain.
The downside of the trip was when I put a shrink wrapped baked potato into the microwave for too long (don't ask). I heard my mom say in her sweet voice, "Honey, is the potato done yet?" Oh Panic! The house was filled with black smoke. I hustled mom to the front porch and ran back to throw the smoking potato outside. I ran to check on her and when I went back to the kitchen, I noticed the little grass fire that had started outside from the charred and smoking potato. So I ran back for a couple pitchers of water and put the fire out. The microwave was ruined. I tried to clean the black insides, and that wasn't going so well. Then I plugged it in and restarted it several times and the thing just sat like a paperweight. I called the Sharp Company. They said it was probably a goner. I went to Wal-Mart and bought another Sharp microwave for $54. I was happy I hadn't burned the house down!
That was the excitement of the week. I'm home, at work, and glad of it.
Have a great day!
It is hard to be 96. She has all her marbles and then some. And she wants what she wants when she wants it...like most of the rest of us. She drives herself, and strives to have things done right.
I had a good time. I enjoyed going out to Cherokee Trading Post and getting a pair of beautiful silver earrings. I enjoyed going to Braums for a delicious frozen cone, and I enjoyed going to Hobby Lobby for more beads and jewelry wire. The weather is beautiful, warm and sunny. I even enjoyed watching a thunderstorm roll in on Saturday after noon that included a tornado "watch". Oklahoma weathermen really know what they are doing. They had pictures of the clouds from helicopters and tornado watchers in vans. They could tell you within a mile exactly where the wall cloud was. It was exciting to watch. No tornadic activity they said, and they were right, until it got to Tennessee where lots of people died from that same storm. The weather was just right over Oklahoma that day to form a big storm, and the rain and hail came down in buckets for about two hours on Saturday. We were never in danger and Oklahoma sure needs the rain.
The downside of the trip was when I put a shrink wrapped baked potato into the microwave for too long (don't ask). I heard my mom say in her sweet voice, "Honey, is the potato done yet?" Oh Panic! The house was filled with black smoke. I hustled mom to the front porch and ran back to throw the smoking potato outside. I ran to check on her and when I went back to the kitchen, I noticed the little grass fire that had started outside from the charred and smoking potato. So I ran back for a couple pitchers of water and put the fire out. The microwave was ruined. I tried to clean the black insides, and that wasn't going so well. Then I plugged it in and restarted it several times and the thing just sat like a paperweight. I called the Sharp Company. They said it was probably a goner. I went to Wal-Mart and bought another Sharp microwave for $54. I was happy I hadn't burned the house down!
That was the excitement of the week. I'm home, at work, and glad of it.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
A little variety
This week I was asked to cover the reception desk at another program. It is a nice thing to have a new place to report to in the morning, and it is nice to learn a new job. I will be there for a week, and then am taking off for Oklahoma to bring my mom home from the nursing center. She is happy to "break of this joint" as she so aptly puts it. We will work on getting meals and services for her at home, and hope that she complys with others ideas of what is good for her. She is of sound mind, and at 96, is a formidable presence. What she wants, she wants.
We will be grateful today, for the nice Boston day, with no snow or rain, and for the beginning of Spring. Mom tells me that in Oklahoma the redbuds are in bloom, and I will have to remember that when I pack and not take my winter sweaters. No one wears brown, or black, there, and those are the staples of my wardrobe. I have to try to remember what 70 degrees feels like and pack accordingly. Spring in Oklahoma lasts for months and is really beautiful. Spring in Boston comes late and lasts about a week, and then it is summer. It goes from too cold to too hot. And that's a fact.
Have a great day. Take time to smell the roses.
We will be grateful today, for the nice Boston day, with no snow or rain, and for the beginning of Spring. Mom tells me that in Oklahoma the redbuds are in bloom, and I will have to remember that when I pack and not take my winter sweaters. No one wears brown, or black, there, and those are the staples of my wardrobe. I have to try to remember what 70 degrees feels like and pack accordingly. Spring in Oklahoma lasts for months and is really beautiful. Spring in Boston comes late and lasts about a week, and then it is summer. It goes from too cold to too hot. And that's a fact.
Have a great day. Take time to smell the roses.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Big Gamblers
George and I took a little weekend trip. We drove to Connecticut and stayed at a lovely Hampton Inn in Groton. It was a beautiful, sunny, winter weekend, and we had a lot of fun. On the way on Friday, we stopped in at Mohecan Sun, the casino near Groton. We had never been there before. Mohecan Sun is out in the woods, and the rolling hills are beautiful. And there in the midst is this huge copper building. It was fun, like the Wizard of Oz. We walked in through a huge wooden structure with stretched canvas and Indian artwork. And on through a richly carpeted hallway into the casino.
If there is a downside to casinos, and I'm sure there are many, the big downside for us is the scent of cigarette smoke. I have heard that in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, they have ways of filtering and blowing the smoke out so you really don't notice it. That is not true at the Connecticut Casinos. It wasn't horrible, but it was always there.
George and I galloped into the casino with high hopes. I put in the first twenty dollar bill. Pull, push the button through $10, cash out and move to another maching, pull, push the button for another ten spot....nothing. I would get a cherry or two, and a few extra turns, but basicly, the bad news is that we spent $60 and got...nada.
We went to another casino on Saturday, Foxwoods, and had much the same result. We stood in a line for a "wampum" card, which you put into your slot machine and in some way, it records your wins, and then you get a chance for discounts and a raffle type prize later...something like that. George had the card, he moved to two or three machines, and lost the card. Oh well. I had to laugh. One time on my machine, I had THREE BARS all across...and guess what...I made $2.50. Another time, George had three EXTRA WINS across, but since he had not played three quarters, he got...you guessed it...nada. At that rate, no matter how good our luck, we were not going to leave rich. The jackpots are smaller that they used to be I think. It all seemed a bit pointless I'm afraid.
There were long lines at the buffet and we were tired of the smokey smell so we turned for home. But it was fun to see what other people do, and fun to see people feeding hundred dollar bills into the machines and still not looking happy, and it was fun to leave the smokey den for the beautiful fresh Connecticut air.
Have a great day!
If there is a downside to casinos, and I'm sure there are many, the big downside for us is the scent of cigarette smoke. I have heard that in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, they have ways of filtering and blowing the smoke out so you really don't notice it. That is not true at the Connecticut Casinos. It wasn't horrible, but it was always there.
George and I galloped into the casino with high hopes. I put in the first twenty dollar bill. Pull, push the button through $10, cash out and move to another maching, pull, push the button for another ten spot....nothing. I would get a cherry or two, and a few extra turns, but basicly, the bad news is that we spent $60 and got...nada.
We went to another casino on Saturday, Foxwoods, and had much the same result. We stood in a line for a "wampum" card, which you put into your slot machine and in some way, it records your wins, and then you get a chance for discounts and a raffle type prize later...something like that. George had the card, he moved to two or three machines, and lost the card. Oh well. I had to laugh. One time on my machine, I had THREE BARS all across...and guess what...I made $2.50. Another time, George had three EXTRA WINS across, but since he had not played three quarters, he got...you guessed it...nada. At that rate, no matter how good our luck, we were not going to leave rich. The jackpots are smaller that they used to be I think. It all seemed a bit pointless I'm afraid.
There were long lines at the buffet and we were tired of the smokey smell so we turned for home. But it was fun to see what other people do, and fun to see people feeding hundred dollar bills into the machines and still not looking happy, and it was fun to leave the smokey den for the beautiful fresh Connecticut air.
Have a great day!
Friday, March 17, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
A full moon
Last night, coming back from a lovely dinner out, George and I enjoyed looking a the beautiful full moon. There had been snow squalls in the afternoon, and one minute the sun would be shining, and the next it would be cloudy with icy snow pellets hitting you in the face. It was an interesting weather afternoon, and one of those Northeastern weather days that are so unique to this part of the world.
The moon was bright and the clouds were silver-lined and it was a night to remember. We had dinner at a local diner called The Blue Note, and they had a piano player who played Elton John and Billy Joel tunes. It was fun, and we enjoyed it, and we realized just how talented those two really are. The man at our diner was doing his best. The dinner was terrific and we both needed it after the week we've had.
I don't know if the fullness of the moon had anything to do with it, but this has been a challenging week. At work and at play we have been challenged. Some days I felt like it would be a good day to go hide under the bed. But it looks like we have survived, and today is another beautiful sunny day.
I have especially enjoyed Ebaying this week and have sold several of my necklaces and bracelets, and it has been fun emailing, wrapping and shipping. I love meeting new people, and everyone seems so nice! It has been the fun part of the week.
Have a good day, and keep smiling.
The moon was bright and the clouds were silver-lined and it was a night to remember. We had dinner at a local diner called The Blue Note, and they had a piano player who played Elton John and Billy Joel tunes. It was fun, and we enjoyed it, and we realized just how talented those two really are. The man at our diner was doing his best. The dinner was terrific and we both needed it after the week we've had.
I don't know if the fullness of the moon had anything to do with it, but this has been a challenging week. At work and at play we have been challenged. Some days I felt like it would be a good day to go hide under the bed. But it looks like we have survived, and today is another beautiful sunny day.
I have especially enjoyed Ebaying this week and have sold several of my necklaces and bracelets, and it has been fun emailing, wrapping and shipping. I love meeting new people, and everyone seems so nice! It has been the fun part of the week.
Have a good day, and keep smiling.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Abraham and Sarah
George and I both work up in the middle of the night thinking about the sermon yesterday and the story of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was 99 years old when God came to him and promised him a child. Abraham laughed. They had a child one year later, and a multitude of nations sprang from his offspring.
I don't know why we were thinking of that. Perhaps because we feel like we are 99? Perhaps because my mom is 96? Perhaps because we ate too much chili for dinner?
Some nights are like that. You just have to get through those early dawn dark hours, when things seem rather insurmountable, and move into the sunshine, where the world gets less scary. I heard the neighbor leave for his work. He leaves at 5:00 a.m. I always feel safe and secure in my bed when I hear him leave, and realize that I have two more hours before I have to get up.
Michael is in the midst of preparing for his upcoming wedding in October, and there is a lot to think about and a lot for him to manage. Like buying a home near Washington DC. I am not going to worry. And I'm also urging he and Michelle not to worry either. "Enjoy", I say. Somehow, like for Abraham, the happy promises will come true, and even things that seem insurmountable now will fall into place. Have faith!
Have a great day.
I don't know why we were thinking of that. Perhaps because we feel like we are 99? Perhaps because my mom is 96? Perhaps because we ate too much chili for dinner?
Some nights are like that. You just have to get through those early dawn dark hours, when things seem rather insurmountable, and move into the sunshine, where the world gets less scary. I heard the neighbor leave for his work. He leaves at 5:00 a.m. I always feel safe and secure in my bed when I hear him leave, and realize that I have two more hours before I have to get up.
Michael is in the midst of preparing for his upcoming wedding in October, and there is a lot to think about and a lot for him to manage. Like buying a home near Washington DC. I am not going to worry. And I'm also urging he and Michelle not to worry either. "Enjoy", I say. Somehow, like for Abraham, the happy promises will come true, and even things that seem insurmountable now will fall into place. Have faith!
Have a great day.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Treasures From My Home
Today I started a new Ebay business called Treasures From My Home. I am going to sell some of the things I have collected over the years. There is a lot. I have teapots, china, candles, lace doileys, antique jewelry, rhinestone pins, tea cups, beaded evening bags...all kinds of things. It is going to fun to list them and see how they sell. I'm not looking to get rich, but I might as well get a few things out of my house and into the welcoming arms of someone else.
Too busy to write. Have to go photograph a teapot.
Have a great day!
Too busy to write. Have to go photograph a teapot.
Have a great day!
Thursday, March 09, 2006
No news is good news
I talked to mom on the phone last night. She said she had lots of stories to tell me about things around there, but she couldn't write them all down, and that she couldn't tell me on the phone. I told her to keep up her journal and we'd share them when I got there. Living around other people gives her a lot of stories to tell. She tells me what she says to crack up the other ladies at her dining table. She told me that the huge TV set in the main room by the nurses station fell to the floor and broke to smithereens. She said it scared everybody. I wonder how that happened. She told me that someone came and brought her more oranges, so she has them on her window sill. She said she is still working hard at therapy and is up to 2 pound weights on her ankles and arms. At 96, I think she is doing a lot more exercise than I do!
Winter is leaving and Spring is coming and it is time to look outside and see the birdies congregated around the seed feeders and dream of pretty plants out on the deck. Seed catalogs are arriving, and George and I are starting to plan our garden. Each year it is different. Last year we planted butterfly bushes and tomatoes. Soon we will see if Chuckie the woodchuck that lives under our garage is still here. He is a maddening little fellow, and I'm hoping that he has found a new home somewhere else.
No big news today, for which I am very grateful.
Have a good day.
Winter is leaving and Spring is coming and it is time to look outside and see the birdies congregated around the seed feeders and dream of pretty plants out on the deck. Seed catalogs are arriving, and George and I are starting to plan our garden. Each year it is different. Last year we planted butterfly bushes and tomatoes. Soon we will see if Chuckie the woodchuck that lives under our garage is still here. He is a maddening little fellow, and I'm hoping that he has found a new home somewhere else.
No big news today, for which I am very grateful.
Have a good day.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Fat Tuesday
Last week, traveling through Newark from Oklahoma, I saw a couple of guys come to the gate. They were pink necked, (different from rednecks), hung over and blustery. One of them was bemoaning the fact that he really needed a drink and the other said that the drinks at the airport were a "rip off". They looked rather miserable. One was feebly trying to read an old circular about New Orleans. Yep, finally I caught on! It was Ash Wednesday! These two had the ol' Marti Gras hangover big time.
I was reading my wonderful book about Winston Churchill by William Manchester. It is called "Alone", and it is a weighty book that takes a lot of concentration. It also just plain weighs a lot, and I was determined to bring it on this trip home anyway. Mike bought it for mom to read, but she isn't ready for this book yet, so I borrowed it with her permission.
These two party boys at the airport wouldn't even be able to lift the book, much less read it.
All in all, it was a crowded, rather hot, and cramped flight back on an airplane that is really too small for a long trip. But I was reminded again how happy I am that I never drink, and that I can face anything at all and know I won't EVER have a hangover like those two.
Viva New Orleans. Viva Lent.
I was reading my wonderful book about Winston Churchill by William Manchester. It is called "Alone", and it is a weighty book that takes a lot of concentration. It also just plain weighs a lot, and I was determined to bring it on this trip home anyway. Mike bought it for mom to read, but she isn't ready for this book yet, so I borrowed it with her permission.
These two party boys at the airport wouldn't even be able to lift the book, much less read it.
All in all, it was a crowded, rather hot, and cramped flight back on an airplane that is really too small for a long trip. But I was reminded again how happy I am that I never drink, and that I can face anything at all and know I won't EVER have a hangover like those two.
Viva New Orleans. Viva Lent.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Scammed!
A few weeks ago right before our Sunday church service, I saw a young woman go into the sanctuary to talk with Pastor Keith. She had been crying. He went with her to his office, where he talked with her until just before he began the Sunday service. He started the service by announcing that she had come to our congregation to ask for money, because she was destitute, had spent the night outside of a shelter the night before with her two small children, and was cold, hungry and broke. The Pastor announced to the congregation that he would take up a special collection, and people reached into their pockets for extra money.
Since I used to work at a homeless shelter, I went to where this young woman was waiting in our library. I said to her that she did not have to talk with me, but that I would just sit there and keep her company. Actually, I wanted also to see for myself that she would not "bolt" or act out in some funny way. She didn't. She said that she would "like to talk to me". She cried, and talked about the shelter the night before and what a horrid experience it had been for her and her two small children. Another woman in our church who is a social worker came with the money that had been collected and counted: over $500.
The young lady cried and cried, thanked us, hugged us, and I walked her out to the car where she said a "friend she had met at the shelter, whose wife was now watching her kids" was waiting for her. I checked out the car, which was full of clothing and household items, and talked to the man who was driving briefly. He thanked me. I told him to be careful and to watch out for her. I thought that we had done as well as we could for these poor unfortunate...
scammers. Today this appeared in the Boston Globe. These people have been to many, many churches and organizations in the north Boston area, and scammed everyone for thousands of dollars. As it says in the article, they were really good! I never saw anyone cry like that on cue before.
Today our pastor said that we would all feel bad, that he was embarrassed, and that it would be hard for us to not to feel angry. Yet, he said that Christ wants us to take care of others, and that if asked if we had been bilked, we would say "Yes, and we prayed for them." And we did pray. And we all felt sad and unhappy that such a thing could take place right in our own church, in our neighborhood, in our town. But it did. They had me fooled, they had him fooled, they had many others fooled, and in the end...they are still very unfortunate and in need of Christ's, and our, forgiveness.
Since I used to work at a homeless shelter, I went to where this young woman was waiting in our library. I said to her that she did not have to talk with me, but that I would just sit there and keep her company. Actually, I wanted also to see for myself that she would not "bolt" or act out in some funny way. She didn't. She said that she would "like to talk to me". She cried, and talked about the shelter the night before and what a horrid experience it had been for her and her two small children. Another woman in our church who is a social worker came with the money that had been collected and counted: over $500.
The young lady cried and cried, thanked us, hugged us, and I walked her out to the car where she said a "friend she had met at the shelter, whose wife was now watching her kids" was waiting for her. I checked out the car, which was full of clothing and household items, and talked to the man who was driving briefly. He thanked me. I told him to be careful and to watch out for her. I thought that we had done as well as we could for these poor unfortunate...
scammers. Today this appeared in the Boston Globe. These people have been to many, many churches and organizations in the north Boston area, and scammed everyone for thousands of dollars. As it says in the article, they were really good! I never saw anyone cry like that on cue before.
Today our pastor said that we would all feel bad, that he was embarrassed, and that it would be hard for us to not to feel angry. Yet, he said that Christ wants us to take care of others, and that if asked if we had been bilked, we would say "Yes, and we prayed for them." And we did pray. And we all felt sad and unhappy that such a thing could take place right in our own church, in our neighborhood, in our town. But it did. They had me fooled, they had him fooled, they had many others fooled, and in the end...they are still very unfortunate and in need of Christ's, and our, forgiveness.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Nice to be home!
Boy, it is nice to be home! Back to the land of soft beds, Dunkin' Donuts coffee, fresh fish dinners (any dinners at all, in fact, and computer access at my fingertips. I like Oklahoma, and the weather was balmy, but it is nice to be back in the nest of one's own life. Mom is doing well, working hard at therapy, and living where the nurses can monitor her bad heart and her changing blood pressure. She still has fluid retention, which they are watching closely, and she needs round the clock care. I'm happy that she is there, even while I am very unhappy that she is there, if that makes any sense at all.
The high point of my trip was being able to spend time with my mom, and we had a lot of fun. She ran me ragged getting little things that will help her cope with the day. We set her up with writing materials, so she can keep in touch with people, and we got a phone card for her, though it seems unlikely that she will use it. She isn't interested on talking on the phone, for some reason I can't quite figure out. She has a TV and some books, and I got her some $16 magnifying glasses because she doesn't like her new prescription (at probably $500). She has books, and a new subscription to the El Reno paper so she can read the news. She is mentally lively, and capable of making decisions, so that is good. Her balance is very iffy, and standing or walking without her "cadillac" walker is out of the question.
For me, it is back to work this week, and then starting to make some new jewelry to please my customers. Spring is the time for arts and crafts fairs, and my inventory is depleted, so I need to get some new items made. And, I must admit, it is just time to get back to my life, whatever comes. It is nice here in Boston, and I intend to enjoy it!
Have a great day!
The high point of my trip was being able to spend time with my mom, and we had a lot of fun. She ran me ragged getting little things that will help her cope with the day. We set her up with writing materials, so she can keep in touch with people, and we got a phone card for her, though it seems unlikely that she will use it. She isn't interested on talking on the phone, for some reason I can't quite figure out. She has a TV and some books, and I got her some $16 magnifying glasses because she doesn't like her new prescription (at probably $500). She has books, and a new subscription to the El Reno paper so she can read the news. She is mentally lively, and capable of making decisions, so that is good. Her balance is very iffy, and standing or walking without her "cadillac" walker is out of the question.
For me, it is back to work this week, and then starting to make some new jewelry to please my customers. Spring is the time for arts and crafts fairs, and my inventory is depleted, so I need to get some new items made. And, I must admit, it is just time to get back to my life, whatever comes. It is nice here in Boston, and I intend to enjoy it!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Greetings from El Reno
I have been in El Reno, Oklahoma for seven days taking care of things for my mom, who is in the skilled nursing facility for awhile. She is doing much better, but not well enough yet to live alone in her house, even with visiting nurses. She is well enough that she wants to write her own letters, read her mail, take care of "business" and paperwork, AND she is mad today at the therapist who gave her questions to answer about presidents and capitols of states, and things she said were "third grade stuff". She has a bone to pick with them about several things. She wants juice with her pills and will NOT accept water. I say? I say, "give 'em hell, ma." She is funny, cute, smart, determined, and practices standing straight and decided that one doesn't have to lean over the walker to walk, but can just touch it a little for a assistance. She is one wonderful lady.
The weather is 80. I enjoy it while I'm driving my brand new Buick Lacerne (s?)which is about as close to a Lincoln as I can imagine. I have decided that you know you are in a small town with you get to your destination before the seat belt alert starts ringing. My mom is blocks from her home, her church, and Wal Mart, and one block from her doctor's office and the hospital. Amazing. My cousin Gene from Minnesota was visiting here for two days, happened to come to see mom and found me here instead. We had two lovely dinners out and I really enjoyed the company. He helped me buy a new stove for mom's house so we won't have to use matches and gas ever again. Thank God. Lots of steps forward we have taken since January when she was sick in the hospital!
I am on first name basis with the clerks at Wal Mart while I lay in supplies into my mom's drawers. I will be back in a month. She misses me already. And I wish I didn't have to go home tomorrow morning at dawn. But I do. Life must go on.
Have a great day!
The weather is 80. I enjoy it while I'm driving my brand new Buick Lacerne (s?)which is about as close to a Lincoln as I can imagine. I have decided that you know you are in a small town with you get to your destination before the seat belt alert starts ringing. My mom is blocks from her home, her church, and Wal Mart, and one block from her doctor's office and the hospital. Amazing. My cousin Gene from Minnesota was visiting here for two days, happened to come to see mom and found me here instead. We had two lovely dinners out and I really enjoyed the company. He helped me buy a new stove for mom's house so we won't have to use matches and gas ever again. Thank God. Lots of steps forward we have taken since January when she was sick in the hospital!
I am on first name basis with the clerks at Wal Mart while I lay in supplies into my mom's drawers. I will be back in a month. She misses me already. And I wish I didn't have to go home tomorrow morning at dawn. But I do. Life must go on.
Have a great day!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Cold to Warm
On Wednesday morning I leave for Oklahoma to visit my mom in the skilled nursing facility. It has been really hard emotionally for me to handle the fact that she is there, and I am constantly concerned about her care there. I know they do their best, but "nursing homes" as they are called, are just not good places to be. I was very sad to have to see her there.
While I am in Oklahoma, we are selling a house that she owns and it is my job to go to the close and handle the business end of it. I'm just hoping that all turns out okay. I am a little nervous about this trip and don't know why exactly. I hope that I get to visit with mom a lot, get her more clothes if she needs them, get her errands done and still find some time to rest myself. I may find out when she will be able to return home, and will schedule a time to meet with her doctor. The last trip, when she was in the hospital, was much harder than this will be, so I am hoping to have some time to relax a little.
One thing I will not miss is the cold weather we have had this weekend in Boston. The house seems drafty, and I am just plain cold! I realized going out to the car tonight, that my whole body hurts with the cold. It will not be nearly so cold in Oklahoma, so I am looking forward to that.
George and I have had a good time this week watching the Olympics and I will be sorry when they are over. Seeing all those snow sports in such a cold country as the Italian Alps makes me shiver. Right now, I'm routing for SPRING!
Have a great day.
While I am in Oklahoma, we are selling a house that she owns and it is my job to go to the close and handle the business end of it. I'm just hoping that all turns out okay. I am a little nervous about this trip and don't know why exactly. I hope that I get to visit with mom a lot, get her more clothes if she needs them, get her errands done and still find some time to rest myself. I may find out when she will be able to return home, and will schedule a time to meet with her doctor. The last trip, when she was in the hospital, was much harder than this will be, so I am hoping to have some time to relax a little.
One thing I will not miss is the cold weather we have had this weekend in Boston. The house seems drafty, and I am just plain cold! I realized going out to the car tonight, that my whole body hurts with the cold. It will not be nearly so cold in Oklahoma, so I am looking forward to that.
George and I have had a good time this week watching the Olympics and I will be sorry when they are over. Seeing all those snow sports in such a cold country as the Italian Alps makes me shiver. Right now, I'm routing for SPRING!
Have a great day.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
My New Laptop!
Wow. I can't be happier about this. For three days last week, I surfed and researched and talked and talked some more. I decided I really wanted a new laptop so I could stay connected even when I am away from home. I looked at all kinds of models, and started thinking of a low-budget one, priced about $500. Ha! It wasn't long before I was throwing around gigs with the best of them, and on Friday I called Dell for the fourth time, and ordered a new Inspiron 6000 Notebook with extra memory (1Gb), extra big hard drive (60GB), extra special screen resolution (WUXGA 1,900x1,200 native resolution), and the 3 year warrantee on everything, including damage by dropping or spilling--egads!
It is a beautiful thing and I can't wait to get it. I decided NOT to force the issue by paying extra for next day delivery, so I will not have it for my trip on Wednesday to Oklahoma, but that is ok. I was watching the ca-ching of the register, and as it was, all my extras added up to more than I thought I was going to spend. Somehow, from the barebones prices quoted on my first call to the amount I ended up with---well you wouldn't know it was the same system! I told the salesman on the phone that I had learned a lot in two days of laptop shopping, and I was spinning off the terms with the best of them by our final conversation. Then it was just a matter of spinning off the numbers on my credit card and...voila, a new, beautiful, silver and white, fast and powerful laptop computer on its way!
I can't wait. Besides all the plans I have to keep better records, maybe write a book, play some games, watch DVDs, listen to music, keep up with Ebay sales and being able to email on the road,...I just plain love the looks of this one. I also bought a pretty red quilted bag to carry it it.
Oh, this is nice! I'm excited, and it feels really good!
Have a great day!
It is a beautiful thing and I can't wait to get it. I decided NOT to force the issue by paying extra for next day delivery, so I will not have it for my trip on Wednesday to Oklahoma, but that is ok. I was watching the ca-ching of the register, and as it was, all my extras added up to more than I thought I was going to spend. Somehow, from the barebones prices quoted on my first call to the amount I ended up with---well you wouldn't know it was the same system! I told the salesman on the phone that I had learned a lot in two days of laptop shopping, and I was spinning off the terms with the best of them by our final conversation. Then it was just a matter of spinning off the numbers on my credit card and...voila, a new, beautiful, silver and white, fast and powerful laptop computer on its way!
I can't wait. Besides all the plans I have to keep better records, maybe write a book, play some games, watch DVDs, listen to music, keep up with Ebay sales and being able to email on the road,...I just plain love the looks of this one. I also bought a pretty red quilted bag to carry it it.
Oh, this is nice! I'm excited, and it feels really good!
Have a great day!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
The Storm
George and I survived the storm. Actually, survived is about the right word, since I came down with a flu-like symptom that I thought was food poisoning, but then had the same symptoms at work on Tuesday and had to leave early. It makes me dizzy, with headaches, and stomach grumbles and just general malaise. I'm sitting it out at home today and hope to be better soon!
My friend Dave died of lung cancer on Sunday. He had fought a gallant battle for almost two years, and had learned how to ask for help in getting to his hospital and doctor visits. He was an accountant, and every bit of his skills were needed to keep up with medicare payments, pharmacy charges and insurance billing. He even had to fight to keep his apartment and get reduced rent rates. Even though you get very sick, and have to deal with the sad facts, they don't make it any easier on you.
He was a lovely, dignified man, and we enjoyed having him here for Christmas Dinner. He was my "coffee buddy" at work, and we had a lot of fun and many laughs. He was a great supporter of my Ebay efforts and never seemed to tire of my talking about sales and jewelry, even though he had probably little interest in such things. He was just great, a really good friend, and I am going to miss him.
The picture here is of flowers that he sent to my home in appreciate for rides to the Doctors offices, since Dave lived alone, and did not drive a car. God Bless You Dave!
My friend Dave died of lung cancer on Sunday. He had fought a gallant battle for almost two years, and had learned how to ask for help in getting to his hospital and doctor visits. He was an accountant, and every bit of his skills were needed to keep up with medicare payments, pharmacy charges and insurance billing. He even had to fight to keep his apartment and get reduced rent rates. Even though you get very sick, and have to deal with the sad facts, they don't make it any easier on you.
He was a lovely, dignified man, and we enjoyed having him here for Christmas Dinner. He was my "coffee buddy" at work, and we had a lot of fun and many laughs. He was a great supporter of my Ebay efforts and never seemed to tire of my talking about sales and jewelry, even though he had probably little interest in such things. He was just great, a really good friend, and I am going to miss him.
The picture here is of flowers that he sent to my home in appreciate for rides to the Doctors offices, since Dave lived alone, and did not drive a car. God Bless You Dave!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
A Nor'Easter Rolls In
All day yesterday, as we heard the weather forecast for a blizzard today, George and I thought that we could still get to church today. I studied my Sunday School teachers book, and prepared the lesson. Today is a different story. The snow is blowing sideways, and the forecast is for the heavier snow to come about noon today, and pile up to 12 inches. That isn't exactly something I want to be driving in on the highway today. So, we decided to stay home. Church is probably going to be canceled, like many others, but we haven't seen it on the list of closings yet.
I talked to my mother last night at the living center, and she sounded fine, although not exactly "with it". She is tired, and seems ready to lie down most of the time. She said she watches TV a little bit. She said she is a lot stronger, so that is very good news.
George and I are facing another postponement of the church Hearts Party, because we scheduled it on a day when someone else had dibs on the fellowship hall. So I have to straighten that mess out by email tomorrow.
Seems like a good day to go back to bed.
Have a great day!
I talked to my mother last night at the living center, and she sounded fine, although not exactly "with it". She is tired, and seems ready to lie down most of the time. She said she watches TV a little bit. She said she is a lot stronger, so that is very good news.
George and I are facing another postponement of the church Hearts Party, because we scheduled it on a day when someone else had dibs on the fellowship hall. So I have to straighten that mess out by email tomorrow.
Seems like a good day to go back to bed.
Have a great day!
Friday, February 10, 2006
A conversation with my Mom
This blog might turn into a conversation about my mother and her recovery from pneumonia, but that is what I am thinking about, so that is what I talk about. I was able to have them bring her to the phone in the library of the nursing center last night, and I called promptly at 6 p.m. I hear "Hello!". It is my mom's strong voice. I was much relieved! She said that they never seem to run out of fruit cocktail, that they have that at almost every meal; that she had a delicious root beer float that afternoon; that she has almost too many visitors; that she walks crooked and they don't know why; that she had a nice bubble bath--all good things.
When I left Oklahoma, my mom and I said a prayer together, in which we said that we would ask for help finding the "good" in this place, and not concentrate on the "bad". I was very concerned about my mom losing interest or becoming depressed. She has had such a busy and full life in her own home. She said, "Did you hear about the nurse?" I said "no." Mom said that she ran into a nurse who refused her the juice she wants to take her pills, and she held her ground and refused to take the pills without it. The nurse got a supervisor, who brought the juice. Mom won. Hurray for mom!
Mike sent a big basket of flowers which made quite an impression. They are bright orange, pink and red carnations, a flower my mom likes because they don't die fast. I happen to be allergic to lilies and once was almost brought down by a bouquet of lilies that someone sent to my room when I was recovering from surgery. So, carnations seem to be the best choice to us. Thanks to Mike, mom has a really bright spot in her room. They also brought in a TV. Mom said the "man" came to ask if she wanted a TV, and she responded, "Well, I'd like to watch the news!". She is so alert and savvy for 96, it is not hard to see why I'm just crazy about her. The book she was reading when she got sick was the biography of Winston Churchill that Mike gave her at Christmas. She made a grand slam at the bridge table three weeks ago at the senior center. She is an amazing woman. I love her so much.
So, that is it from the homefront today. A big snowstorm heading for Boston this Saturday, so we postponed the Hearts (card game) Party at church for a week. I'm planning a quiet weekend of making jewelry and enjoying some creative moments.
Have a great day.
When I left Oklahoma, my mom and I said a prayer together, in which we said that we would ask for help finding the "good" in this place, and not concentrate on the "bad". I was very concerned about my mom losing interest or becoming depressed. She has had such a busy and full life in her own home. She said, "Did you hear about the nurse?" I said "no." Mom said that she ran into a nurse who refused her the juice she wants to take her pills, and she held her ground and refused to take the pills without it. The nurse got a supervisor, who brought the juice. Mom won. Hurray for mom!
Mike sent a big basket of flowers which made quite an impression. They are bright orange, pink and red carnations, a flower my mom likes because they don't die fast. I happen to be allergic to lilies and once was almost brought down by a bouquet of lilies that someone sent to my room when I was recovering from surgery. So, carnations seem to be the best choice to us. Thanks to Mike, mom has a really bright spot in her room. They also brought in a TV. Mom said the "man" came to ask if she wanted a TV, and she responded, "Well, I'd like to watch the news!". She is so alert and savvy for 96, it is not hard to see why I'm just crazy about her. The book she was reading when she got sick was the biography of Winston Churchill that Mike gave her at Christmas. She made a grand slam at the bridge table three weeks ago at the senior center. She is an amazing woman. I love her so much.
So, that is it from the homefront today. A big snowstorm heading for Boston this Saturday, so we postponed the Hearts (card game) Party at church for a week. I'm planning a quiet weekend of making jewelry and enjoying some creative moments.
Have a great day.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Catch Up
I leave again for Oklahoma to see my mom on February 22 for a week. I am counting the days and she is too. I haven't been able to talk to her, since they have to bring her to a phone, and her condition is such that she sleeps, rests, eats, and has her physical therapy. Phone time isn't included in her schedule I'm afraid. It is worrying and I am trying hard to find a place in my life where I can leave my worries behind. My friend said that when she took care of her aging parents, she found that the prayer and humor got her through. I will remember hugging my mom when she was holding a banana, and getting banana all over my glasses. That was a laugh we both shared.
In the meantime, I catch up with work, with bill paying, with house keeping, with jewelry making, and all the other aspects of life which are there--no matter what. Anyone know any good jokes?
Have a great day.
In the meantime, I catch up with work, with bill paying, with house keeping, with jewelry making, and all the other aspects of life which are there--no matter what. Anyone know any good jokes?
Have a great day.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Mercy!
I just returned from Oklahoma where I spent five days at Mercy Hospital with my mother, who has pneumonia and had two heart episodes brought on by lack of potassium--a very dangerous situation indeed. She was transferred to a skilled nursing facility near her home, and I was without the internet while I was visiting her there. She is better. Neither of us was happy about her living in a facility for the time being, and both of us shed tears. But we lived through it, and her job is to work with the physical and speech therapists for two weeks and then I will go back to spend another week with her. Letting go and letting someone else take care of her was very hard for me. I hope and pray that she will be ok.
Living with the internet was almost impossible for me. If I have any "free" time, I like to commune with my friends on Ebay, and check my listings, etc. Not having any email or access made me feel very cut off. George and I are shopping for laptops so that won't happen again.
The weather is lovely and sunny in Oklahoma. The problem there is lack of rain. The grass is dry, the weather is dry, and there is no rain in the forecast. The farmers are hauling hay to the fields for the cattle and we saw many trucks with hay bales on the back. It is a disaster there if they don't get rain soon. And fire is a real threat. No smoking outside any facilities or stores, with signs of High Fire Alert all over the place.
I am home, where I hope to get a home-cooked meal for the first time in 9 days, and get a little rest as well as catch up with things at work.
Have a great day.
Living with the internet was almost impossible for me. If I have any "free" time, I like to commune with my friends on Ebay, and check my listings, etc. Not having any email or access made me feel very cut off. George and I are shopping for laptops so that won't happen again.
The weather is lovely and sunny in Oklahoma. The problem there is lack of rain. The grass is dry, the weather is dry, and there is no rain in the forecast. The farmers are hauling hay to the fields for the cattle and we saw many trucks with hay bales on the back. It is a disaster there if they don't get rain soon. And fire is a real threat. No smoking outside any facilities or stores, with signs of High Fire Alert all over the place.
I am home, where I hope to get a home-cooked meal for the first time in 9 days, and get a little rest as well as catch up with things at work.
Have a great day.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Much relieved!
I talked to the nurse at the hospital who went to my mom's room and helped her get the phone. My mom sounded MUCH stronger and better than yesterday. I am so relieved. She is such a trooper! The nurse said that she hadn't been my mom's nurse for much more than an hour, but it was her impression that she is "sharp as a tack." That's my mom.
Worried
It has been awhile since I wrote a blog entry and for that I am sorry. I'm busy at work, and when I get home, I get busy with jewelry and Ebay selling, and talking to my friends. I now instant message with two other beaders and it is so much fun to learn and offer each other sugggestions, encouragement and lots of compliments!
My mom is sick again. She was doing so well, and Tuesday was even out in the back yard, but she said she felt something in her chest and...now she is in the cardiat unit at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. After some soul searching, I decided to fly out there. I looked at airfares to see what the costs would be. From Boston, with short notice, it is about $700. I found a flight from Manchester NH to OKC for $279 yesterday, leaving on Sunday, and I grabbed it. At that low price, I can afford to go there again on Feb. 22 when I have another flight scheduled. Two trips is better than one I figure, and we all hope that mom can pull out of this. She is in a good hospital with good care, and I am turning the rest of it over to God. I am going to work today, and wish I could fly tomorrow, but...I decided to wait one more day. I hope I made the right decision. It weighs on me.
Sometimes I think that we just have to do the best we can, and bumble through, and try to do the next best thing.
I promise to write before I go, and also from Oklahoma.
Have a great day.
My mom is sick again. She was doing so well, and Tuesday was even out in the back yard, but she said she felt something in her chest and...now she is in the cardiat unit at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. After some soul searching, I decided to fly out there. I looked at airfares to see what the costs would be. From Boston, with short notice, it is about $700. I found a flight from Manchester NH to OKC for $279 yesterday, leaving on Sunday, and I grabbed it. At that low price, I can afford to go there again on Feb. 22 when I have another flight scheduled. Two trips is better than one I figure, and we all hope that mom can pull out of this. She is in a good hospital with good care, and I am turning the rest of it over to God. I am going to work today, and wish I could fly tomorrow, but...I decided to wait one more day. I hope I made the right decision. It weighs on me.
Sometimes I think that we just have to do the best we can, and bumble through, and try to do the next best thing.
I promise to write before I go, and also from Oklahoma.
Have a great day.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Let's play more Hearts.
A few years ago, George and I started attending the annual Hearts Party at church that they hold around Valentine's Day. Since I was not a Heart player, I was slightly intimidated and wanted very much not to make a fool of myself. This feeling was accentuated by the fact that at the end of the evening, they crowed a King and Queen of Hearts, (people who had the lowest scores), and they announced the Joker...the person who had the highest score. They make these announcements of the winners in church and I desperately did not want to be announced the next morning at the church service as the "joker". I was so desperate, that it almost sorta ruined the fun for me.
I won't go into the long version here, but I played so well the second year that I attended, that I was the Queen of Hearts. It was incredibly lucky, since I am not an experienced Heart player. The third, fourth and fifth year of this event, the job of hosting this event has fallen to me by default. So, I made a few new rules: the evening would start earlier, at 7 p.m.; the evening would entail only three games instead of four, so we would be out of there long before 11:00 p.m., which was way too late for most of us; and there would be NO Joker. Woohoo. No one has to be recognized to the congregation as the worst card player of the evening. The person who had the highest score could leave merrily on their way knowing that their misfortune (or just stupid card playing) would not be announced to the whole congregation in the morning.
These were very good changes, and everyone likes them. Typically, about thirty people come, and this year it will be held on February 11th in the church fellowship hall. People bring delicious snacks and desserts, and we always have a really good time. George and I will set the tables and make up the score sheets and get out the Moon Hat the the person wears who "shoots the moon".
We are going out Saturday night to play Hearts at our friend's house. Pizza and cards. And a little much needed practice!
Have a great day!
I won't go into the long version here, but I played so well the second year that I attended, that I was the Queen of Hearts. It was incredibly lucky, since I am not an experienced Heart player. The third, fourth and fifth year of this event, the job of hosting this event has fallen to me by default. So, I made a few new rules: the evening would start earlier, at 7 p.m.; the evening would entail only three games instead of four, so we would be out of there long before 11:00 p.m., which was way too late for most of us; and there would be NO Joker. Woohoo. No one has to be recognized to the congregation as the worst card player of the evening. The person who had the highest score could leave merrily on their way knowing that their misfortune (or just stupid card playing) would not be announced to the whole congregation in the morning.
These were very good changes, and everyone likes them. Typically, about thirty people come, and this year it will be held on February 11th in the church fellowship hall. People bring delicious snacks and desserts, and we always have a really good time. George and I will set the tables and make up the score sheets and get out the Moon Hat the the person wears who "shoots the moon".
We are going out Saturday night to play Hearts at our friend's house. Pizza and cards. And a little much needed practice!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Say yes to more time off
A few months ago, without me asking for it, my hours were cut from 40 a week to 30 a week. I get off Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 and I have Fridays off. There is a hit to the bottom line, that is for sure. My paycheck positivly creaks with lack of grease. However, I have come to look forward to each week more because there is a lot more time for what I really want to do--be creative.
I quickly learned that having a day off each week does not mean that I do more housework--although there is some time for that. Usually I spend Fridays creating new jewelry and listing jewelry items for my store in Ebay: Sparkleandcharm. This can take up most of the day, and in the afternoon I go shopping for supplies, or make something good for dinner. It is amazing to me how much time running my Ebay business takes. I spend almost one whole day each week, as well as at least two hours each day. This is not always selling, mind you, I wish it was. There is a lot of noodleing with listings, improving on pictures, writing to my friends, surfing to other sellers and buyers to do "research", and talking with my jewelry group. And, of course, there is always the purchasing from other Ebayers for beads and findings. I am always happy to support one of my buddies on the Bead Hive, the Ebay jewelry group that I enjoy so much.
We recently had four days off, and to show for them, I have a well organized beading area, a few new bracelets and necklaces, a new polymer clay area in the kitchen, and a few polymer heart pendants that are almost "sale" quality. I have been encouraged by my friends remarks that they think my polymer roses and hearts should be selling right now for at least $20. Nothing like a compliment to make you run for the work bench.
Tonight, after work, it is back to the clay table to perfect my polymer hearts. There is someting to be said for working shorter hours when I get to spend more time working at what I really love to do.
Have a great day.
I quickly learned that having a day off each week does not mean that I do more housework--although there is some time for that. Usually I spend Fridays creating new jewelry and listing jewelry items for my store in Ebay: Sparkleandcharm. This can take up most of the day, and in the afternoon I go shopping for supplies, or make something good for dinner. It is amazing to me how much time running my Ebay business takes. I spend almost one whole day each week, as well as at least two hours each day. This is not always selling, mind you, I wish it was. There is a lot of noodleing with listings, improving on pictures, writing to my friends, surfing to other sellers and buyers to do "research", and talking with my jewelry group. And, of course, there is always the purchasing from other Ebayers for beads and findings. I am always happy to support one of my buddies on the Bead Hive, the Ebay jewelry group that I enjoy so much.
We recently had four days off, and to show for them, I have a well organized beading area, a few new bracelets and necklaces, a new polymer clay area in the kitchen, and a few polymer heart pendants that are almost "sale" quality. I have been encouraged by my friends remarks that they think my polymer roses and hearts should be selling right now for at least $20. Nothing like a compliment to make you run for the work bench.
Tonight, after work, it is back to the clay table to perfect my polymer hearts. There is someting to be said for working shorter hours when I get to spend more time working at what I really love to do.
Have a great day.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
George goes to Hawaii -- again
George left at six o'clock this morning for Hawaii on a business trip. He is coming back home on Sunday. Three days in paradise. Doesn't seem long enough to me, so I urged him to stay longer if he can. And I gave him my shopping list for fresh-water pearls, which they sell, and which I can make some lovely jewelry.
Kitty and I are alone and it is a long weekend. I should have time to make lots of pretty items for my next show, clean the house, and still have time left over to play Everquest and read a book.
Have a safe trip George!
Kitty and I are alone and it is a long weekend. I should have time to make lots of pretty items for my next show, clean the house, and still have time left over to play Everquest and read a book.
Have a safe trip George!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Michelle and Michael
This weekend was an especially wonderful weekend. My mother is home safe and sound after a stay in the hospital. And Michael called to tell me he had given Michelle an engagement ring. I cannot be happier, and every time I even think of it I get tears of happiness in my eyes. It is amazing to have a wonderful son who found a lovely woman to share his life with who is just as nice as he is! They are a wonderful couple and I am thrilled beyond words!
Happy Engagement my dears, and may you live long and prosper!
Happy Engagement my dears, and may you live long and prosper!
Friday, January 06, 2006
A day of rejoicing
Today is a very good day. After several days of knowing that my mom was in the hospital with pneumonia, and not being able to reach her, I called this morning and she answered the phone. She is leaving the hospital today and going home. "Home sweet home", she said. She said she is steady on her feet now, although her back hurts. I'm sure she is looking forward to her nice soft bed at home. She is also looking forward to eating an apple, (she is 96 years old...one apple at a time), and putting a little salt on her food. They had her on a no salt diet because they wanted to get rid of the extra fluid brought on by the IV. She said she was going to go buy some Morton's No Salt. She is up on things, and ready to try to do what the Doctor orders. She checks her blood sugar each morning, and reports that today it was down to 100. She is a crackerjack at taking care of herself and I am so proud of her!
All I know is, this is a joyous day for me. I am home working on jewelry, and it is such a relief knowing that she is ok, and that she and I have a phone date for six o'clock this evening. I have missed talking to her, since she didn't have a phone handy enough to her hospital bed to answer it. Seems that hospitals could have cordless phones like the rest of us.
I am happy happy happy. Have a great day.
All I know is, this is a joyous day for me. I am home working on jewelry, and it is such a relief knowing that she is ok, and that she and I have a phone date for six o'clock this evening. I have missed talking to her, since she didn't have a phone handy enough to her hospital bed to answer it. Seems that hospitals could have cordless phones like the rest of us.
I am happy happy happy. Have a great day.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Blue lights!
I got stopped by the police last night on my way home from work. I had just crossed a railroad crossing, and I hadn't slowed down much. The police cruiser is always there, and lo, he pulled out quickly and followed me and pulled me over. Eeek. I was trying to remember if I was airborne when I crossed those tracks. I had no idea what I had done, but I thought maybe I didn't slow down enough or something.
Turns out, my inspection sticker on my car window reads 11. That is a no no. I Was going to tell him that I have been very busy with beading and Christmas preparations, but he didn't actually ask me anything or give me any time to talk. He was the nicest man! He said, "I'm not going to give you a ticket." Those were his first words. He said, "I'm going to give you a warning so you can keep it in your glove box, so if you get picked up, the next policeman won't give you a ticket either." He said, "Tickets go to insurance companies and then they raise their fees." Then he asked if I was related to a police officer named Danny Shea (I am not), who he particularly liked and said was "a hard working policeman, unlike most of them." Oops.
I like policemen. He could not have been nicer. It took a while for him to write the warning ... and needless to say, I am here happy enconsed at home this morning while the shining white knight George is off with my car to get the inspection sticker. An extra cup of coffee for me this morning. Two nice fellas!
Have a great day!
Turns out, my inspection sticker on my car window reads 11. That is a no no. I Was going to tell him that I have been very busy with beading and Christmas preparations, but he didn't actually ask me anything or give me any time to talk. He was the nicest man! He said, "I'm not going to give you a ticket." Those were his first words. He said, "I'm going to give you a warning so you can keep it in your glove box, so if you get picked up, the next policeman won't give you a ticket either." He said, "Tickets go to insurance companies and then they raise their fees." Then he asked if I was related to a police officer named Danny Shea (I am not), who he particularly liked and said was "a hard working policeman, unlike most of them." Oops.
I like policemen. He could not have been nicer. It took a while for him to write the warning ... and needless to say, I am here happy enconsed at home this morning while the shining white knight George is off with my car to get the inspection sticker. An extra cup of coffee for me this morning. Two nice fellas!
Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Back To Work
After all the holiday celebrations, it is back to work today. Seems strange not to have any holidays coming up. I'm making pink bracelets to sell for Valentines Day, but that hardly counts as a real holiday. Maybe for candy and flower stores it counts. I notice a lot of ads on TV for diets and exercise equipment. It is time to stop eating cookies and chocolates and pack up that lunch bag again with fruit and yogurt. I had fun, now it is back to reality.
Last night we did not achieve our goal of getting the Christmas tree undecorated. I'm reading a good book about the six unfortunate wives of Henry VIII, and I decided that was more important. By the time George came home from errands, it was already dark and time for a little soup supper. So we still have that to look forward to...blegh.
So, we get out our new 2006 calendars and start marking off the days with church meetings, board meetings, and hopefully a few fun nights out. I have not yet resorted to adding Weight Watcher meetings to the calendar, but the jury is still out. We will see how I do by myself.
Have a great day.
Last night we did not achieve our goal of getting the Christmas tree undecorated. I'm reading a good book about the six unfortunate wives of Henry VIII, and I decided that was more important. By the time George came home from errands, it was already dark and time for a little soup supper. So we still have that to look forward to...blegh.
So, we get out our new 2006 calendars and start marking off the days with church meetings, board meetings, and hopefully a few fun nights out. I have not yet resorted to adding Weight Watcher meetings to the calendar, but the jury is still out. We will see how I do by myself.
Have a great day.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Is there such a thing as too much holiday?
I had four days off for Christmas and four days off for New Year, and only 2 1/2 work days. I hate to say it, but life will be good when it gets back to normal. George and I have been thinking about taking the Christmas decorations down, but we are only in the thinking and planning stages. We bought two huge red and green bins today, and that will help us next year. Last year packed things in boxes, and they were so hard to find in the attic that we never did find everything this year. But we had enough so that nothing was missed.
Today I made black eyed peas for good luck in the New Year, a southern tradition. They were delicious. I added sauteed vegetables, tomatoes, Cajun spices, and pieces of ham from the Honey Baked ham we had at Christmas. My New Year Resolution is to eat more salads, and the past three days I have served a salad. So far, so good.
Tomorrow we are going to the movies to see Memoire of Geisha. Then it is take down the tree decorations time, and then off to work on Tuesday.
A good thing. Have a great day.
Today I made black eyed peas for good luck in the New Year, a southern tradition. They were delicious. I added sauteed vegetables, tomatoes, Cajun spices, and pieces of ham from the Honey Baked ham we had at Christmas. My New Year Resolution is to eat more salads, and the past three days I have served a salad. So far, so good.
Tomorrow we are going to the movies to see Memoire of Geisha. Then it is take down the tree decorations time, and then off to work on Tuesday.
A good thing. Have a great day.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy New Year!
Another four days off from work, and I am thoroughly enjoying another long weekend. Our plans for a big New Years Eve centers around being together here at home, and George went to the grocery for some fresh fish and baker potatoes for dinner, and surprised me with a tray of bacon wrapped scallops ready to cook. Yum! New Years Ever is a good night to stay home and count our blessings.
My mother is coming home from the hospital today, and I am so grateful. Pneumonia bad enough for hospitalization is no picnic at age 96. I am thrilled that she is getting better, and there could be no better good news for me to round out 2005.
Best wishes to all and have a very healthy New Years Eve.
My mother is coming home from the hospital today, and I am so grateful. Pneumonia bad enough for hospitalization is no picnic at age 96. I am thrilled that she is getting better, and there could be no better good news for me to round out 2005.
Best wishes to all and have a very healthy New Years Eve.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Christmas at our house
This Christmas, I really wanted to be relaxed, and not hectic and hurried. I think I almost accomplished that. Mike arrived on Thursday, and we had an easy dinner out. Friday was last minute Christmas shopping until the stores got crowded and the parking lots were filling up. We retreated to our house, and I made a turkey dinner with all the trimmings so that we would have yummy leftovers and I wouldn't need to cook on Christmas Eve day. George and I made two batches of cookies: spritz with color sugars, and a new recipe for date/pecan refrigerator cookies. Both were delicious. We ran out of time before we got to the sugar cookes and the gingerbread boys. Frankly, since I also made an apple pie, we didn't need any more cookies for three people!!!
We went out for a Chinese dinner on Christmas Eve and then to church for the 10:00 service where I played in the bell choir. We stayed up until after midnight! That is a big deal for George and I...the early to bedders.
Christmas Eve day I had a chance to knit on a new stole, and I continued with that relaxing project all through the weekend. I'm halfway done. Christmas Day, George went to church, and Mike and I had a leisurely breakfast, and then we opened some really beautiful gifts. George got a new digital camera, we got lots of wonderful movies and books, and I got a strand of beautiful pearls. There is more. The list is long. I knew I had accomplished my goal of a relaxing weekend, when I found myself lying on the couch reading my new book that Mike gave me, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, on Christmas afternoon. Bliss.
Christmas Day was a nice Honey Baked Ham dinner with cinnamon apples, tossed salad, baked potatoes, and Honey Baked beans, with a friend invited to help us eat it, and all enjoyed another day that seemed well-planned and not hectic at all. Christmas was like clockwork this year.
The whole Christmas weekend was like that. The weather was mild, the presents were plentiful and wrapped well before Christmas morning (unlike some years), and the food was planned to be delicious but not to keep a cook in the kitchen the whole time.
Tonight we have company invited for turkey and ham sandwiches, Baked Beans, Christmas cookies, leftover cheesecake and apple pie. We even have efficient plans for the leftovers.
Have a merry day.
We went out for a Chinese dinner on Christmas Eve and then to church for the 10:00 service where I played in the bell choir. We stayed up until after midnight! That is a big deal for George and I...the early to bedders.
Christmas Eve day I had a chance to knit on a new stole, and I continued with that relaxing project all through the weekend. I'm halfway done. Christmas Day, George went to church, and Mike and I had a leisurely breakfast, and then we opened some really beautiful gifts. George got a new digital camera, we got lots of wonderful movies and books, and I got a strand of beautiful pearls. There is more. The list is long. I knew I had accomplished my goal of a relaxing weekend, when I found myself lying on the couch reading my new book that Mike gave me, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, on Christmas afternoon. Bliss.
Christmas Day was a nice Honey Baked Ham dinner with cinnamon apples, tossed salad, baked potatoes, and Honey Baked beans, with a friend invited to help us eat it, and all enjoyed another day that seemed well-planned and not hectic at all. Christmas was like clockwork this year.
The whole Christmas weekend was like that. The weather was mild, the presents were plentiful and wrapped well before Christmas morning (unlike some years), and the food was planned to be delicious but not to keep a cook in the kitchen the whole time.
Tonight we have company invited for turkey and ham sandwiches, Baked Beans, Christmas cookies, leftover cheesecake and apple pie. We even have efficient plans for the leftovers.
Have a merry day.
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