MiMi's Life in Living Color....fun,laughter, tears..

New Job....maybe

2009-04-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

I have a sorta new job.....I am working contract labor ( no bennies) for a company in Louisiana...that is a ways from Alabama. Here is the rest of the story.....

Went to check on my Mother who is not doing well....the lady that works with my sister quit while I was there...that left her in an office by her self. The guy that owns the company did not know what do so sister suggested I could do it. Here is the kicker.....this company does billing for anesthesia...my field of expertise is manufacturing...not seeing a connection here.......

Anyway....I have worked for a month there...my contract ended April 10, 2009 but he has not terminated or extended it officially. Told me if Sister did not work there he would hire me as a manager.....not sure about that but that leaves Jay and I in a void.

Here is our problem.....should we move for a job if offered to me ...should I just leaved things like they are right now..I am staying with my sister in La. and Jay is here in Alabama with the dog. Right now am coming home every other weekend for a visit to see Jay and daughter.

Well the guy did not hire me so I have solved my own problem. I have come bck home to look for a job here with little success. Mother is holding her own ( that is all we can ask for) so we will stay here until something comes up............so it continue.............

Stephie

2009-02-13T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is my daughter,Stephanie, we use to call her Grandma...different blog and my 2 georgeous grandson.

Stephie will soon be graduating from college as a secondary education History teacher. WOW!!!!!!! She started back to school 3 years ago to persue a degree in education (poverty) because she thought she could make a differnce.

She is awesome...smart, funny, beautiful and bring so much joy to my life. She is a full time wife and Mother..active with her 2 boys, a honors student in college, active in her church and Cub Scouts. Her boys take violin and guitar lessons and Stephie manages to juggle all this stuff and still graduate with a 3.79.

AMAZING!!!

She is petite(about 5 ft)and cute as a bug, bubbly (never meets a stranger or judges people based on where they live or work). She is kind to a fault and has difficulty saying "NO"....

I want everyone to know how proud I am of my "baby" and how lucky I am that God gave me such a wonderful gift.....

I have become a statistic

2009-02-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

Yep, I have become a statistic...LOST MY JOB !!!!! I have become part of the thousands of people that are unemployed. Lost my job on January 22, 2009 and the pickings are really slim. After you have worked all your life, you would hope at 61 to be in postion that it would not have that much impact on your life...that being said....my job choice for the last 20 yrs has been manufacturing...need I say more.

I did try to cross train a couple of years ago when I was laid off from yet another manufacturing job but hubby lost his job also..so it just could not happen. So we picked up and moved so we could find something else and start yet again.

I am not complaining because it has allowed to me make good friends in various parts of the country.

Not old enough to do the SSI thing and to hyper to stay at home.

Looking, looking, looking

Saw History Made

2009-01-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

I, along with million of other people, watched as our first Black president took the oath of office as the President of the United States. I do not like the description African American, I agree with Whoopi Goldberg..were just Americans and our color or ethic background does not make us any more or any less American.

I saw the millions of people brave the cold with joy in thier faces and a sense of "We have finally made it" in thier hearts. I was a little disturbed because the press was really focused on the whole racial thing and that was not Obama's focus during the campaign. I know people find this hard to believe...but not all Southern people are prejudice or racist. I was raised by Southern parents(both from Louisiana)and was never brought up to believe that blacks were inferior in any way.I never raised my children to be racist and have no use for people that are. I personally think anybody that judges someone by the color of thier skin is an idiot. Being Black does not automatically make you bad just like being white does not automatically make you good.

There is no disputing the fact that the Black Man was abused and mistreated for far to many years. The changes initiated by John Kennedy were long past due...but that being said --this is a different time and a different era. Maybe this young, articulate, educated man can take us into a new era and heal the wounds that have been open far to long.........

Good Blog/Bad Blog

2009-01-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why you read some people's blog religiously and others only occasionally or not at all after a while? What makes you go back to a blog day after day? Is it because they are funny, or have the same interest you do ? Is it like making new friends...some you bond with immediately, some you have to take the time to get to know and others are just not your cup of tea?

I am considering not blogging anymore. It seems I have not found that group that wants to visit on a regular basis. I know a lot of people visit but do not leave a comment..but that does not seem to be the case here. There are several blogs I following on a regular basis because they are funny and so inviting, eventho I have nothing in common with these ladies (lots of them are very artsy)but guess my little venture into the blogging world was not so successful.

Not sure, guess I will give it some more thought.................

Reason for the Season

2008-12-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salva tion and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!*
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Fire Rainbow

2008-12-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is a Fire Rainbow and appartenly are very rare. Everything has to be just right for 1 to occur. This picture was taken last week on the Idaho-Washington border. The temperature has to be exactly 58 degrees and the clouds have to be cirrus and at least 20,000 ft.....pretty cool..huh

Where has all the manners gone.....

2008-11-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

This past weekend my daughter and I went to the Outlets to do some shopping. While standing in line to return a gown I had bought Mother, this young lady(use the term loosely)came pushing her way through to get in line with her Mother.
The lady behind me said "Excuse you" when the girl came through...she never acknowledged her. Another lady said "You must be a teacher"

"Why" ask the first lady....
"Cause you made a comment about her not saying excuse me....."

No the lady said... I just a parent who believes children should be polite....

We wonder why our world is in such bad shape.....maybe becuase simple things like being Polite is not important...parents are so worried about being thier kids friend that we have forgotten how to be parents....

How sad will our society be when being civil, courteous and polite becomes a thing of the past...........

God's Masterpiece

2008-11-11T08:54:00.001-08:00

Have you ever seen anything as beautiful as this ? They are called "Glasswing " Butterflies and are found in Central America and Mexico. Can you imagine seeing something so splendid in your yard? What a joy that would be.

We just never know what magnificient beauty God will gives us.....

Looking for the thin me.....

2008-10-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Inside every large woman is a skinny woman screaming to get out.....but cartoon people lose so much easier than real folk....

I use to be "little", "thin", "tiny", skinny......long, long ago....vague memory
Went and saw my Mom recently and she made the comment " I never thought Carolyn would be as big as she is!"

Ok, I know Mama is old and old people are somtime blunt....even rude... but it's not like I am huge.

I mean, I am bigger than I was when I was 40 but I am still a size 12. They say the average woman is a size 14 so I am below average.....right????

I use to be Olive Oyl

Yep that was me...a stick..straight up and down...no curves..(kinda like my hair..see a pattern here).

I was a perfect 36......12, 12, 12...5"5" 110 lbs. Alright,probably 115 lbs....but thin!!!!!

Then I quit smoking...that is a good thing..but my body did not like me depriving it of all that nicotine(smoked a lot).....vengeful little thing...one's body....

So, the body said.....watch what I can do.....POOF!!!!!!!!!

I'll make you beefy...your body and fat will become BFF.....

I'm still a perfect 36....the numbers just grew a little...still straight with no curves but now more of a log...tree trunk. I am still a perfect 36 just now I am more like 36, 36, 36.

So dear hubby and I are dieting...he lost 16 lbs..I lost a finger nail...

Sitting on the couch, watching the Biggest Loser on TV..eating my 100 calories Blue Bell Moo Bar and thinking I sure would like to lose 6-10 a week.....but to many cigarettes(could not physically do what they do), lots of work, nobody to cook my meals for me, not enough time to measure out the food.....

Ya know size 12 is not so bad after all.

Could be a lots worse...............

Fall and Festivals

2008-10-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

It has finally begun to feel like fall here...sorta...

It was in the low 50" last night and is suppose to be in the lower 70's today..
Went to a craft show in Fairhope,Al. with Grandson # 1. He is my 14 yrs old and is a budding artist....

The festival was at the pier ..which is so cool...this was taken before Katrina..not quite fixed yet...

We checked out all the tents and discussed (in depth at times)the color and shading of several painting....

We went to Mickey D's for lunch...sooooo very healthy......

No pictures cause daughter had camera for camp out with Grandson # 2(did not use it)..

I love Fairhope..it is a little quaint community with cool little shops...need to take a day trip and blog about it...

Anyway, this was my first "official" festival of the year....I love festivals...

HAIR..long beautiful hair......NOT

2008-10-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

All my life I have wanted "model hair". Long, silky, sexy with curls. Soft and flowing just like in the commercials. That did not happen.....

When I was young I had middle hair..not long..not short. I was the page boy generation.....
But would my hair do that...NO !!!!!!!!!!!!

All my friend had this beautiful page boy and hair I had ....middle hair....straight(like a stick) fine..fine hair.....more boy.... less page.....

This is where the "PERM" comes in....

My hair was so tight ...it made my eyes slant...curled to the scalp and because the perms were so "ammonianey" it crackled.....

Enter the wire curlers......no blow driers, no curling iron...
REMEMBER DIPPITY DO.......

Curl the hair..put the cap on ...go to bed...roll anything up to lay on so the curlers did not stick in your head at night....

"Hair, hair long beautiful hair...come on sing along...I know you know the song.....
When the 70's came along and hair was long and straight.....mine was short and straight

I would have sold my soul to the devil for Farrah Faucet hair.....

But..... I had short,fine ..did I mention straight...like a stick hair.....

Then the 80's and the "FRO" oh yes...I had a "FRO".....for the second time in my life I had curly hair.....loved, loved ,loved the "FRO"....but alas...they did not last...

Next was the short, flippy hair style

I had the short...did I mention my hair is straight (like a stick)....no flip here!!!!

For years I kept a perm in it and wore it really short, curly on top (kinda like an old lady)until I got tired of paying $70.00 for a perm...for reallllly short hair....

Thought I had to perm it cause if it got to long...limp, dishrag..did I mention straight and if it was to short.....with no perm..stick straight up.....use that word a lot huh???
Enter 2008.....hair is still sexy and curly but for some of us ..or me at least..not so sexy and defiantly not curly.....
Before....lots of mousse,curling iron (very small) and lots of hair spray..not bad hair for about 2 hrs. ..then flat sticky up..did I mention straight ?

Last week went to my beautician and announced ....cut it....short...really short...

"You know if I cut it really short...it will stick straight up......

"Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!"

At almost 61 my fight is over.....I have come to the realization that I am not destined for greatness when it comes to hair.....

Now I have "Wash and wear hair".....wash it and let it dry...out the door...no hassles...no gel ...no time ..no worries...

I love my new old hair.......it actually looks better than the picture but it had rained earlier......also I colored it so no more red

What I learned.....

2008-09-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

This is my little dog Oscar. He is about 16 yrs old and recently has had trouble getting up and around. It is not uncommon for Daschunds to have back problems. We believe Oscar was abused as a puppy and that has added to the problems he is now having with his back. We think he may have been kicked across the floor when he was a puppy as he is afraid of any shiny surface. When we take him to the vet he will not walk on the floor at all. He will not walk in the kitchen or in the garage...he does not like our foyer....hard wood.

Back to my story.....recently he has had problems pushing up on his back legs. Once he gets up...he is really wobbly. He are getting him a shot each month for this and also have him on a special dog food that is suppose to help. I cannot see that these measures have made a lots of difference. Took him back to the vet and he gave Oscar some different medicine and we are going to have the shot every 3 weeks instead of once a month. He told me as long as Oscar could "poop" and "pee" he would be ok. You know people probably think I am crazy when I am excited my dog can do "Number 1 & 2".

On with my blog....I got this email today and it so fits the situation we are in. Oscar has complete faith that Mr Man and I will always take care of him....he's so right......soooo this is what I have learned from my little dog........

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERYDAY

This is not Oscar or my dogs but love the pictures:

Oscar did look like this when we first got him at age 2.

September 11, 2001-IN REMEMBERANCE

2008-09-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

Fall....

2008-09-09T06:24:00.001-07:00

It is definately not fall here in the south....the temp today is suppose to be 90

But...I am ready for the look and smell of the fall....I have to go to North Alabama to get the true color but I love the change of the leaves and the crispness of the air.

I love homemade soup and cornbread.....

I love chicken and rice with those little rolls and butter...

I love chili and crackers.....

I love the smell of cinnamon and apple pie...

I want to put my new orange table cloth on and put out my fall arrangments...little pumpkins and my little wagon with the fall flowers....

And then there is Thanksgiving and right behind that Christmas....

Why is so much of the season's based on food?

I am so ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I are a College Student

2008-09-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

I have decided that since I do not know what I want to be when I grow up....I am going back to college at the age of 60 to learn digital photography. I am pretty good with my new camera but there are so many features on it that I do not know how to work.

No I am not going to handle hawks or any other bird of prey...I may take pictures of them....
South..The University of South Alabama offers a Certification Program In Photography...think I might just take it...
Photography is something I have enjoyed for years but never taken to the next level. I think it is time to up the pot and jump in with both feet.

Who knows I may be a famous photographer of the Life and Times of the People of the Bay....

Gulfport and Biloxi

2008-09-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

All you hear about is New Orleans and the parts of Louisiana effected by Gustav.....

Here is the damage Gustav did to Biloxi and Gulfport

Highway 90--which is the main beach road- is gone again....they just got it fixed from Katrina...
The whole first floor of the HARD ROCK is under water...Katrina wiped it out on the day it was suppose to open....now they are flooded.....

We need to keep them in our prayers because since they help themselves and do not complain....people forget about them

Waiting for Gustav

2008-09-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

We spent our labor day waiting for Gustav to decide if it was going to Louisiana or Alabama. Since we live on the Gulf Coast, we were a little apprehensive as to the direction it was going to take.

Our Monday started out fine, just a little cloudy but got worse as the day went on.

Rain, wind...wind and Rain ....
At one time the rain was blowing sideways across the yard...

Gustav gave me a little pond in the yard where there was not one before

All day we listened to Tornado Warning for our area

But none came.......so very glad....

Read and awesome book..itwas so good....

Stayed in my PJ's allll day...never lost power or the TV....for a hurricane...it could not have been better......

Not everybody was so lucky but nothing like Katrina....

You want me to do what?????

2008-08-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget that kids today do not work like we did when we were young. Grandson # 1(age almost 14) is wanting to buy a guitar. His parents told him he could have one but we would have to pay half. Smart move on thier part. This is him on the couch with Payten...they are the oldest and youngest of my grandkids...

I told him if he would weed eat the back yard(which is a jungle-apparently the people who lived here for 7 yrs were not yard people)I would pay him $ 20.00. I did not know that he had never used a weedeater, his Mom was the official weedeater of the house at 10.

Anyway, I showed him how to use the weedeater and sent him out to work. He came over in manly flip flop's and shorts. I ask him could he work in them and he said he could.

A few minutes later he came back in and ask if I had something he could wear. My grandson wears a size 10 shoe---his Paw Paw wears a 8 1/2...see a problem here? So I hooked him up with some of his Paw Paw's long socks and a pair of moccasins. I so should have gotten a picture.....
Out there a few minutes and back in...MiMi...do I have any deodorant here?? It's hot and I am sweating......
NO, but it will not do any good..you can just take a shower when you get done....

FINE... back outside he goes....

Out there a few minutes and back in the house....MiMi , there is a big bee out there...

Does he have a white face????
My grandson in his slow Southern drawl said....WELLLLL...it not like I am going to get close enough to see his face!!!!!!!

Go outside to check it out and is only a bee looking for pollen....assure grandson # 1 it is not a killer bee and he will bee (ha) fine....

Back to work........

Few minutes he is back......MiMi, there is this black thing with legs hanging down flying around out there....may be a wasp!!!!

No, wasp are red.

Could be a female wasp....you know they are the ugly ones....it a nature thing!!!!

Go out and check.....it's a dirt dobber (dauber if your not from the South)......

It's OK man...they will not hurt you....

HUH....that's what you say!!!!

2 hrs later the yard is weedeaten( is that a word) and he is ready to go home and take a shower.....

Ya just gotta love your grandkids.......

When did that happen???

2008-08-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

As I was buying a Diet drink and a 90 calories snack for break at work, I dropped some of my change on the floor. As I bent(alright I said it...BENT)over to pick it up...I realized I had become my grandmother.

OMG....When did that happen???
When did I get so stiff I could not SQUAT DOWN and pick something up off the floor??

Couldn't I squat yesterday??? Surely it was only yesterday..I remember squatting !!!

When I was a kid and we went to my grandparent's house for the summer....my sister and I would make fun of my Grandmother bending at the waist--with her butt in the air--picking up something she had dropped.

We would run outside and die laughing at the sight......

I just did that...

Yep....bent at the waist...knee's and leg straight..with my butt stuck straight up in the air....in a public place!!!!

I DID NOT MEAN TO BEND IN PUB-LIC.....did any one see???

Here are my thoughts on not being able to SQUAT...
When I was young and limber and could bend so well at the knees:
I made fun of all those people who could not bend with the greatest of ease.

I thought it was OH so funny that they stooped from their waist to the floor;
With their butts so high in the air ..you could see the socks that they wore.

But now I am one of those people, whose knees just don’t want to bend;
And squatting is out of the question cause I’d never get up again.

So I have become my Grandmother , with my butt way up in the air,
Be careful of who you make fun of …..before long their fate you will share.

Sugar and spice and everything nice....

2008-08-04T11:31:00.001-07:00

This is my new granddaughter, Payten. She was born in May and lives in Texas with my son and his wife. She is my only actual grandaughter...I have 4 more from a second marraige. Can you tell she will be a fashion diva with her Chuka Boots on?

I have 2 mean boys to go with this little girl. They add so much joy to my life. They are smart and funny and such good kids.....polite and well mannered. Make a grandma's heart proud.

Aren't grandkids great? Play with them, spoil them, hyper them up and then send them home to Mom and Dad......I should have had them first..

I wanna go home...oh wait I am at home

2008-07-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Back from my vacation to Baltimore and had a ball. Left on Saturday after the Bowling Meeting and drove to Cleveland, TN. Spent the night and drove on into to Baltimore the next day.

Went to Ft McHenry where the Star Spangle Banner was written. So very cool...love the bay (guess that is what it is). This is a replica of the flag that flew over the fort when it was attacked.

Got this great picture of a sailboat in the harbor...guess it is a harbor and not a bay.

Went to Washington DC and saw all the usual stuff....Washington Monument. Lincoln Memorial...etc.

Went to the Holocaust Museum and it was heart wrenching. Did not take pictures because it seemed almost disrepectful to take pictures of the horror's they lived. At the end of the exhibit is the "Room of Shoes". Both sides of the walk way is covered with shoes found at one of the camps. There are thousand of shoes there...all sizes and types. Men, women, kids......such a loss.

Then we went to the Vietnam Memorial..that is my generation. Our boys got thier draft notice with thier diploma. To see your reflection in the wall with all the names is kinda freaky....

Went to Gettsburg and found the Alabama Monument.....

Pretty cool..huh???
Anyway, had a safe trip up there and a safe trip home...who could ask for more....

Go east young woman...

2008-07-16T17:12:00.000-07:00

Me, Stephie and the boys are going on a road trip. We are leaving from Spanish Fort,Al. and driving to Baltimore, Md. We have mapped us a scenic drive so we can take advance of a part of the country we have never seen. Once we get out of Tennessee, we will be in unknown territory. It is about 1,000 miles from here to there and we are looking at 2 days travel time.

We have our maps and also a TOM TOM to guide us on our journey. Maybe we will not get to lost.....the TOM TOM has a woman's voice(will have to change that) since it was a Christmas gift for Hubby and she gets really irritated if you do not do what she says...

"At the next light turn right" Turn right at the next light...."Make a U turn immediately and turn left as soon as possible...."

Do you want me to map a new route?????

You know the little person in the TOM TOM is thinking...alright STUPID turn around and do what I tell you. If you knew where you were going...why did you ask me???? Maybe she will not get to irritated with us....or he....

Anyway, Stephie has planned our week (she is our social director)and we are going to be very busy seeing all the wonderful things in that part of the country.

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we're off the see Abe, George W (could be Washington or the the other one), the Vietnam War Memorial, Gettsburg (history major),Holcaust Museum, Hershey Chocolate factory..you can make your own flavor of Hershey Kiss....

FUN FUN FUN.......

Electronics are cool...when they work!!!!!!

2008-07-13T10:19:00.001-07:00

I need to go to Walmart to pick up stuff for the week. I need to go to Bruno's and pick up diet soda for work. I need to go...I need to go...I need to go...

Purse, keys and cell phone are in the car ready to start the day....

There is only one problem...

Yep, my garage door opener is holding me and my car hostage. The door will not open!!!!

I first thought it was the battery in the door opener so got out my trusty tool and changed the battery.

I guess it is obvious that changing the battery did not work since I am blogging and not at Walmart. I checked the breaker to make sure all was ok there...no problems. I checked for power going to the unit..plugged the blower into the outlet the door opener is using....blew all the dust off the top of my car.

We had really bad weather here last night and lost power for about 2 hrs. Looked for a reset on the unit and found a button to push but it did not work either. The lights in the garage work but the light on the opener is dark..no life..no light...CRAP!!

Hubby is in Ft Walton at a bowling tournament...no help for a while.....daughter is on her way back from North Alabama...5 plus hrs there.....no transportation there.

I could ride my trusty lawnmower...like George Jones did when he got the DUI but guess where it is at......yep ...in the garage!!!!!!!!!

Guess I will just make some lunch and watch the Lifetime channel until help arrives...Have a good Sunday !!!!!!!

Summer Time...Summer Time....

2008-07-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Remember the old song??? Maybe not....anyway it is officially Summer in the south. Hot muggy days with hot muggy nights. 80's in the morning and upper 90's in the afternoon. And it is only going to get hotter.

The car is so hot when you get in it..you cannot touch the steering wheel. Guess that is not exclusive to the South....anyway I want to go to the Beach.

Because of the heat, the jellyfish are out in large numbers. For those of you who have never been stung by a jellyfish....they compare to a wasp sting or a yellow jacket only more intense.
Normally they are not bad until August but warnings have been out since June. Since they are clear...it's hard to see them in the water and they can still sting you out of the water if they are on the beach.

Off track...the beach is calling me and I have not been able to go all season...the jellyfish and the fact gas is over $ 4.00 a gallon.

I want to lay on the beach with a good book, a cold drink...and sunscreen...I want to to get in the salt water and let it wash all the aches and pains away....the ocean has magical powers...it's actually the gulf..but close enough.

Maybe next week!!!!!!

I wish I had, I wish I had.....

2008-06-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Why is it when money is tight...you can think of all these things you want?
Hubby is a mechanic and with gas being so high...people are not getting thier cars fixed.

Little explanation here about how he gets paid.....
Mechanics get paid by the job based on the time a manual says it will take to fix the problem with your car. If the manual says Hubby can fix this in 1 hour..he gets paid for 1 hour...if he fixes it in 20 minutes-he get paid for 1 hr. If it takes him 3 hrs..he get paid for 1 hr.
So...he can be there for 8 hrs and only get paid for 3 hrs.

Hubby averaged about 30-35 per week...that's pretty good. Since gas has gone so high..he is only averages about 1/2 that. That means our bring home pay have been cut in half!!!!!

Anyway, when we were making good money.....I did not want any of this stuff...but now that were not ....I HAVE to have it.....

I want a scanner......I don't need one right now but I want it!!!!!

I want a new cordless phone for the kitchen....we have a green wall phone..think it belonged to my 83 years old mother. I don't need this right now but I want it!!!!!!!!!

I want new clothes for my trip to Baltimore...going with daughter and grandson....fun!!!!!!!!!!! I don't need new clothes but I want them.

Think this stuff will make my life better.......that would be a "NO" But......I want it anyway!!!!!!!

Oh my God...it is calling to me

2008-06-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Last night I made Chili Dogs for supper.I was Jay's bowling night so need something quick. Now it was about 90 here yesterday so not sure why I made Chili Dogs but anyway I did.

I cooked 2 for me and 2 for Jay....why ??? we never eat 2.....

Back to the story...I ate one and Jay ate one...thought I will save the other and take it in my lunch tomorrow.......

Then I hear it...ya know, there is another hot dog in here....yep and chili......you really need to eat it.....

I don't want it right now....yeah but there is a hot dog and chili in there girl

So being the wuss I am ...I ate the other hot dog,(which I really did not want)the rest of the chili and gave Jay's dog to the dog....

WIMP.......

As I mentioned, I take my lunch to work because I only get 30 minutes. So since I could not take the hot dog from last night....ate it...I took a sandwich, chips and a diet drink. Also took some watermelon for break.....

Here it is, lunch time, and I eat my sandwich,chips, drink and was good to go until break.....so I thought

Then I hear it...Ya know..there is watermelon in there....
Yeah but I am going to eat it for break.
You probably need to eat it now....now ...now

The lunch bucket people might get it or the desk fairy may give it to her friends...better not take a chance....

(Don't you love the desk fairy)

So being the strong person that I am......I ate the watermelon......wimp.....

Do think food has the power of mind control/ It is possible!!!!

The company has a "Walk to Memphis" program where 2 people have to walk 424 miles between now and August 13......2000 steps equal 1 mile....give me the pedometer.....

The ABC"S of Me

2008-06-03T11:34:00.001-07:00

Recently while visiting my friend Anita"a blog (theothersideofthelake.blogspot.com )she had the ABC's of me . I thought it was pretty cool,so thought I would share with the rest of you.

This is the ABC"S of me:
Accent-Southern
Breakfast or no breakfast: -No breakfast
Chore I don’t care for:-Washing clothes
Dog or Cat:...2 Dogs
Essential Electronics: Cell phone and computer
Favorite Cologne: Pleasure by Estee Lauder
Gold or Silver: Gold
Handbag I carry most often: Red one from Pennys
Insomnia: NO
Job Title: Administrative Assistant
Kids: 2
Living Arrangements: Married
Most Admirable Trait: I am a good person
Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Taking the car while my parents were gone with friends
Overnight hospital stay: ChildBirth (3)
Phobias: Fear of falling-broke wrist
Quote: Never argue with and idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Reason to smile: My grandchildren
Siblings: 3- 2 sisters and 1 brother
Time I wake up: 5:00am
Unusual Talent or Skill: Poet
Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Green Beans and Artichokes
Worst Habit: Judging people on the first meeting, although I am usually right
X-rays: Not many
Yummy Stuff: Ice cream and apple pie
Zoo Animal I Like Most...Sea Otters—they make me smile
Have seen lots of these via email but not exactly like this.....

Gene Challanged

2008-06-02T16:42:00.000-07:00

I think I am Gene challenged. I mean.... I know I am jean challanged but I believe the imagination gene and the creativity gene has skipped my generation completely. Actually, I believe it has skipped several generations.

After I found Colleens blog (mainstreetmemories.blogspot.com)and all the wonderfully talented people she knows, I knew for sure that the creativity gene was not be to found in this body.

I would never see and old desk at a thift store and think "How pretty that would be in blue and I could do this or that. Or see an old beat up lunch box with a home made handle and think I could put this on the front or that on the back. NEVER HAPPEN!!!!

I thought I was a pretty good writer until I read her blog about her eyes...so funny. Only a truly gifted person could make lazy eye so hilarious.....

Although I am a pretty good poet:
MAN

The room was quiet, no visitor today;
The people he loved had gone away.
Alone he sat and wondered if this was his life;
No children to visit , no love of a wife.
He has memories of a better time;
He sees a different man in his mind.
Life has made him old with a crooked spine;
But he sees a strength words cannot define.
His hands are strong made for shaping life;
The joys, sorrows, accomplishments and the strife.
Life is a novel it’s plot, beauty not exposed;
In his mind he is young never to be old.
The room was quiet, no visitor today;
The people he loved had all gone away.

Anyway, every once in a while..the creativity gene surfaces for a brief moment...and then it is gone. Kinda like the Disney commercial with the teenage girl and her smile. Only for a brief moment......here is my brief moment of creativity.

Nate(from Oprah)said every picture should have it own frame and I had these pictures everywhere( on the coffee table, on the computer stand, on the little refrigerator we keep the beer in )and they all had different frames. So I saw this transfer at Micheal and said "Hey ,I could use this" There goes the security deposit.....

Anyway, I thought it turned out pretty well.....Thank you Colleen...all your crafts inspired me...

New Grandbaby

2008-06-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Payten Michelle Kimble was born May 14,2008 to Shawn and Kelli Kimble of Jefferson, Tx. This is my only granddaughter.

I have 2 beautiful grandson's-Trevor (13)and Cameron (8) and now I have this beautiful little girl.

Who could ask for more???

Job Hunting and Summer School

2008-05-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

My son lost his job yesterday. He is in the automotive industry and with the price of gas people are not getting thier cars fixed. It's bad enough to lose your job but he has a week old baby. He lives in an area that is not heavily populated and with the old job he was driving 50 miles one way to work. As you probably figured out, his wife is off on maturity leave and is not workimg right now either.

What do you say to him? I'm sorry son. Something will come up....maybe. I am so glad hubby and I have something to fall back on(he draws his SSI)if we should lose our jobs. That is how we ended up here...me and hubby both lost our jobs. Times were better then than now.....

It just seems like everytime he gets it together...something knocks him back down. How much bad luck can one person have? He has a tendancy to get depressed...hope he can work his way thorugh this one.

I am really worried about him......it's tough being a parent...even to a 40 yr. old.

My daughter has started her summer semester at school. Second day and she hates it all ready. She has not had a break since she started because she is trying to finish her degree before son-in-law gets sent somewhere else for his job (like Baltimore).
She is so deep into her degree she cannot transfer and if she did she would basically lose a whole year.....yeah..not seeing that happen.

Anyway, second day and she has 2 pop quizs...second day!!! This is the summer and you would think it would be a little less intense. Of course these are upper level classes so maybe not!!!

The cost of gas is effecting them also. With only one income,she has to drive 40 miles everyday....like having a job with no money coming in..things can get tight.

They will be OK...she is working a big 6 hrs a week at Bath and Body and they are really good with money....better than me or her Dad.

Cremes, lotions and Body stuff

2008-05-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

Number 1 daughter(only daughter)went to work for Bath and Body Works.....
Grandson # 1 needs braces and you could buy a small country for the cost of Trevor's braces.

Anyway , she gets discount at Bath and Body Works and also Victoria's Secret..one owns the other......no sure which way....

Now a discount at B & B is bad enough..love smelly good stuff and all the girly things that have..foamy soap for your HANDS...Mother, you do not bathe with foamy soap..it is for your hands....my bad....no wonder the lather did not last on my new body brush...who knew?????

She always get a discount at Victoria Secret......do they make OVER THE SHOULDER BOLDER HOLDERS??? I mean, I know thay have all these skinny little model with the push up boobs but do they have the BIG GIRLS BRA'S????? I'd like a 38D in that little number please....what ??? None that big huh?????

The girls need some assistance and the little push up thingy just does not fill the bill.....

How about some new panties.....those are panties...if I pay extra do I get more...it's string......

Maybe I just need to stick with the foo-foo stuff.......

This is my Mama

2008-05-11T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is my Mama......she was tall and beautiful and she took care of all us girls. She was a stay at home Mom with stair step for kids, me(the oldest),Sarah(11 month younger than me)and Bobby Sue(13 months younger than Sarah). Three kids in 3 years basically...can you imagine?? No disposable diapers or bottles, no baby wipes to put in a little warmer....no washer or dryer!!!!!!!

She washed diapers in the bath tub and hung them on the clothes line. My dad was a private in the Air Force and made about $ 40 a month. Mama never cursed or drank but has smoked for 60 years..still smokes at the age of 83.

She was a horrible cook but make the best pies, cookies and cakes I ever tasted. Her biscuits could have been weapon of war. We ate lots of chicken, meat loaf and roast...she did not tuck us in at night and read us a story (probably to tired) but she made most of our clothes and was always there when we needed her.

She would tear us up in minute if we did not mind and taught us to respect all people..with no thought to color, religion or position in life. That was not easy to do in the Military because back then things were not as equal as they are now....officers had thier place, the NCO's (Pop was a Sqt by then) had thier place and the Airmen had thiers.

There was always young men that worked with Pop at the house for holdiays and cook outs....young men away from home.....Mama took care of everybody....

She laid my Dad's clothes out for him to wear everyday until the day he died.....she fixed his plate everyday of his life...he adored her.....

She has had problems with her nerves for as long as I can remember and fought what I know now to be depression but never let it effect her to the point she could not take care of us kids.....

She was and is amazing.......even at the age of 83

HAPPY MOTHER' S DAY MAMA

Alabama Education---or not ?????

2008-05-09T05:14:00.001-07:00

Although I moved to the South when I was 16, I was for the most part not educated in the South. Being from a military background, I was educated all over the USA and the world. When I moved to Alabama 26 years ago, I was concerned about the education my daughter would get.....although Louisiana is not great by any stretch of the imagination...the school Stephie attended was ranked very high in the US.

When Stephie finished high school, all student were required to take and pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. It has 5 parts and all 5 have to be passed. They start taking this thier JR year and took it until they passed all 5 parts....

Unfortunately, this test is given on an 8th grade level..graduting from high school....AM I MISSING SOMETHING HERE.....if you are a High School graduate you shouldn't you function on a high school level......

They did compensate the good students by having 2 diploma's....1 general for students that are not functioning on a high school level and 1 academic for kids that took higher level classes. Makes sense..but if you apply for a job and cannot fill out the application properly...all they see is a diploma from Alabama......

Now for my point.....the state of Alabama is considering lowering the requirement for graduation to only 3 parts of the exam--2 to include Math and Reading.....WHAT????

Let me repeat ...8th grade level...............

Currently Alabama is 62 points below the national average (only Mississippi is higher than we are).

Jobs are more competitive and cost of living is getting higher and higher...even in the South. Companies down here are bring in people from other parts of the country because our people cannot fill the postion available...no reading or math skills....

MY POOR GRANDCHILDREN.

Yard Work-not exactly...weed control

2008-05-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year when everybody's thought turns to thier yard and flowers. The house we live in has one of the ugliest yard in the world. It was let go for 7 years and half the backyard is briars and pine straw at least 6 inches thick. You cannot even get a mower through it because it is so thick. The only way to cut it is with a weedeater or hedge trimmers. So I decided to get in the yard last weekend and get rid of as much as I could. It drives me crazy.

Anyway,the weedeater ate my lunch. Both legs are cut. I have a blue spot on my knees where the tree got me and the yard looks a little better......no good by any stretch of the imagination. LOOKING PRETTY BAD THERE..BOO BOO!!!!!!! I tried to kill it last year with vinegar and salt, that what the power line people use sometimes, but it only worked for about a month and then it was back.

Our front yard is even worse...dirts with a few scraggly trees..fix it you say...not my house and the land lord does not care. All they want is the rent we pay each month.

We would buy one down here but not planning on staying and since Katrina and Ivan , if you can get home owners insurance...it has gone up an average of 300%. There are people loosing thier homes because they cannot pay thier insurance on thier house.

Planted my little garden...3 tomato plants in planter on the patio...also ugly..so we can at least have fresh tomatoes this summer......one day will have a really nice yard and a bigger garden......maybe

Falls, Balls and Friends

2008-05-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Detroit on Saturday. Did not see much in the Detroit area but the bowling alley and the hotel. The city that the tournament was held in had organizations paint bowling pins along the path going to the center but discovered when we had the pictures developed...no one got a picture of any of them. I was the driver so was a little difficult for me. We did get to see all the professional womens bowlers..those you see on TV every once in a while. That was pretty cool...they bowl the Queens Tournamnent on the Friday we left to come back. This is me and my doubles partner..I am the one with the red hair(gift from my Dad) and a bowler named Trish Johnson. Love, love... mine and Violetta (vi-O- lee-ta) bowling shirts.....they are Mickey Mouse and have our names on the front....bowling shirts are cool....

Can't take pictures during the tournament but this is practice. Form is pretty good but bowling was not great.....still had fun.

Went to Niagara Falls and it was one of the most spectacular sites I have seem. We stayed in a motel right across from the Falls so you could see them out our window. Had a balcony with iron grates across it so you could open the door and look out. WOW...we left the door opened all night so we could hear the falls (11th floor) and turned the heater on in the room because it was in the 30's at night.

Could not ride the Maid of the Mist ( the boat that takes you do right next to the Horsehoe Falls) because it did not run until May 15th. We did get to go under the falls through a tunnel and look out......so very cool ( literally). The temp dropped probably 5-10 degrees by the water.

Rode a 30 ft ferris wheel-enclosed- that gave you a bird eye view of Niagara and Buffalo, NY..right across the lake.

Ate in the Rain Forest Cafe with our Safaria Guide and the creatures. Had to try on the local hatters goods and thought we struck quite a pose. Had to coach some of the girls but like I told them...we will never see these people again and the kids that took the pictures got a big kick out of it. Food was excellent.....

Our next stop was the CN Tower in Toronto. It is the tallest free standing building in the world. It is 447 meters tall...that's 147 stories. About 345 meters up they have a restaurant ..in the round part of the tower..but we could not eat there cause 2 of the ladies would not go up.

About 130 stories they have a glass floor that you can look down and see the ground. I was the first to venture out and coaxed the other 3....two of them are afraid of highs...hey it is only 130 stories...beside the fall will not hurt you...it is that sudden stop at the bottom.......no humor!!!!!!!!
The elevator that takes you down the 137 stories is on the outside of the building and takes only 58 seconds to get to the bottom floor.
All in all we had a great trip ...on the way back me and Violetta ungraded to Business class which was really cool for only $ 40. So well worth the money to set up there with the big boys and not in the cheap seats.....plane was full so we each had a big seat for the flight home......RENO HEAR WE COME......APRIL 2009

Here's you sign......

2008-04-18T06:39:00.001-07:00

For the most part...I hate doctors. However, that being said, they seems to have become a necessary evil in my early later years.

I have had a blockage of one of my saliva gland for over a week. This causes the saliva to back up in the spit glands (UCK) and produces a large knot in your neck..making it hard to swallow. The cure for this is anti-biotics and sucking on lot of lemons. Usually works...had this before.

Things being the way they are...not this time. Leaving on Saturday for week vacation and cannot eat or drink without discomfort.

I went back yesterday...cause the stuff is not working....to see if I had another path. Checked in and had to do the usual weigh in......

Me...I have lost 7 lbs since last Thursday

Nurse....Did you have your shoes on when you weighed last week????

Me....Pardon me !!!!! Even if I did(which I did not)they do not weigh 7 lbs.

Nurse...Thought that might explain the weight loss.

HERE'S YOUR SIGN!!!!!! You think it is because I have lived on yogurt and oatmeal for a week?????

NURSE....well I am sure that MIGHT have contributed to the weight loss.

The doctor told me I needed to see an ENT doctor and that I would just have to pay out of pocket since the ones locally does not take my insurance (retired military).

Told him I did not have pockets..the IRS had taken them and most of my pants......

Guess I will drive the 50 miles to a military base when I get back....

Leavin' on a jet plane

2008-04-16T07:07:00.001-07:00

I am getting ready for my trip to Detroit to bowl in the National. While we are up there (Detroit) we are going to Niagara Falls. I am really excited about the trip to Nationals but especially about the opportunity to see Niagara. They say it is in the low 60's during the day and the mid 30"s at night. Colder than here but not by much lately.

The only down fall is I have this blocked saliva gland in my throat that causes me pain when I eat. Taking antibotics and lemon drops and lemon juice but still have this hugh lump in my throat......thought it would be better by now but not seeing lot of change......

Why is it we are fine until it is time to do something and then all these things pop up ? Sure do not want to spend the whole trip eating soup....love soup but not that much....

Take me ridin' in your truck..truck

2008-03-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

Recently I was driving down the road and came up next to a pick up truck. Years ago (many years) a truck was for the working man. It was usually used, most of the time dirty and carried men going to work doing labor.

The dash of a working man's truck always has stuff on it......baseball caps, papers, food wrappers, cigarette or chewing tobacco packages (full and empty), a coffee mug or coke cup, work gloves, small tools and some things that may be never be identifed.

In the back was a gun rack with guns (usually more than one), another cap and maybe a shirt or jacket.....

Soooo...why is it when guys by a SUV or a minivan for work they do not put stuff on the dash or have a gun rack in the back? Why do you never see stuff on the dash of a car? Have you ever seen a gun rack across the back glass of a SUV or a minivan....NO..don't think so.....

Truck cost as much or more than car now days but for the true truck guy....some things will never change .......

Growing up

2008-03-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

My son was Peter Pan. He did not want to grow up and saw no reason not to live with me for the rest of his life. Then he meet the girl and his life has never been the same. In 3 yrs he has gotten married, bought a house, and is expecting a baby at the ripe old age of 40(his first). All this grown up stuff scares the crap out of him.

Number 1 daughter,on the other hand,had Grandson # 1 at 19 and is now the cool Mom. She is younger than most of his friends parents so she knows all about the cool stuff....computers, video games, the WII.

When did our kids become grown ups? When did we become grown ups? We still expected Mother to pay for lunch well into our 30"s. When did we start paying our own way?

It seems so strange for "the kids" to pick up the tab at dinner. Wait...son does not do that...well sometimes he does. Not as much as daughter!!!!

"The kids" are in thier 40's and early 30's.....Grandson # 1 is a teenager...is daughter still a kid....YES..besides she is my baby....

Oscar-Dodger

2008-03-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

I have a 16 yr old Daschund named Oscar. He has a bad back, allergies, no teeth and some type of reoccuring fungus that makes him miserable. Recently he started to limp but did not seem to be in any pain. He had a problem walking when he first got up in the morning and would not put his paw on the floor. I carried him to the back door so he could do his duty and helped him get back in the house. We had to build him a step cause the patio and the doorway were to high and with the bad back he could not get in .

Anyway, took "Old Man" ( he is 112) to the vet and they told me he had hurt is elbow. OMG--do dogs have elbows??? His little front legs are only like 3 inches long. Where are his elbows??? They do not know if it Arthur (he's 112), a pulled tendon or maybe a bone spur. How big a spur can you have on a leg that is 3 inches long.

As you can see, he is grey ( he use to be brown), has a hump in his back, not many teeth and is wide across the middle. Just like his Mama and Daddy.....

If you could.....

2008-03-10T08:33:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard the question "If you could not fail, what would you do?" Well I often wonder if I had the opportunity.... what would I do? If I knew all would be OK and I did not have to worry about bills...what would I do. Not what I a doing..for sure.

When I began manufacturing I loved it but after 25 years and the demise of several companies, I am ready to move on. On the flip side, I do not want to start over pay wise and do not want to work nights and weekends.

Wouldn't it be cool to give tours and tell all the people stuff that most people doesn't know(I am the keeper of useless information)or maybe take pictures of all the cool stuff that we see everyday that we don't take the time to see. What about a job where I could travel..love to travel...and do what I wanted to do ...not like a salesman...more like a technician or a trainer.....

I guess what is missing is the passion I had for my job when I started it.....that what my life needs....a little passion..not the sexual kind but the life kind......

When did we all get old.......

2008-02-21T11:34:00.000-08:00

This morning while getting ready for work, I realized that Jay and I are getting old. Not really old..just regular old. Everything in our house is grey..including the dog. Jay is totally grey and Oscar's whole face and legs are grey. I cover mine with highlights or it would be grey.

Oscar (the weiner dog)and Jay(the hubby) move at the same rate early in the morning. They both stretch in the morning to get the old bones limber and both make a dash for the bathroom after a night of snoring. I poke Jay only to realized it is the dog I am hearing not Jay.

Oscar flaps his ears to let me know he needs to go out now...and Jay's has his morning bout of coughing to clear the lungs after more that 40 years of smoking......wonderful morning sounds..Oscar's ear's flapping and Jay hacking.

Jay has to eat breakfast at 6:30 am everyday...(he cooks eggs, toast, hashbrown and sausage) even on the mornings he golfs. Same if we are traveling but I can hold him off until about 8:00 then.
Oscar lets me know he is out of food as soon as he is through with his morning trip. They both eat and both make another pilgrimage to the bathroom. Guess there is something to be said about a routine.......

When did we become our pets and our pets become us????

Guess I have my morning quirks but can't think of any right now.

CITY TOURNAMENT

2008-02-18T09:22:00.001-08:00

Bowled the City Tournament last weekend. It consist of Double, Singles and Team. Think I may get money back in the singles but the rest was bad.

This past weekend,I was helping with the tournament. If you are on the Board of Directors that is part of your responsibility.

Women can be really grouchy if things do not go thier way.

Some complained because there was a Birthday party at the other end of the bowling center and they were taking pictures.

"Go tell them to stop....:

"I am not telling these people they cannot take pictures of thier kids B-day party. It's not like were professional here"

"The flash bothers me...I can't concentrate. "

" Wait till they are done!!!!!"

Can we have a little whine here? Give me a break.

Then there are the ones that bowl bad so they complaint about the lane.....to much oil, not enough oil, approach is to slick (that may be true), bowler next to be is to slow..messes up my rythem.

It was pretty tiring and when I got home last night....I crashed. Drank 2 beers, ate me some wings, took a shower and I was out......

Start all over this weekend.....State Tournament in Birmingham...at least I don't have to work...I can just bowl and have the rest of the day off.

WHAT YOUR NAMES MEANS

2008-02-15T06:42:00.000-08:00

What CAROLYN Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.
A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

To find out what your name means got What Does your name mean HERE

HAPPY VALENTINES

2008-02-14T07:07:00.001-08:00

To Everyone in Blogger World..hope you have a Happy Valentine and get good chocolates and flower.

Mr Man got me Chocolate Covered Strawberries (like I need them--but YUM)candy, a single yellow rose (love yellow roses) and a new camera....YEAH!!!!!!!!!

My camera was stolen several years ago and bought a digital to replace it but just was not the same. Now I have a new Cannon Power Shot digital that is awesome ( as soon as I learn to use it). Did figure out how to turn it on.....

Is this awesome or what?????

Pirate Name

2008-02-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

My Pirate name is Captain Mary Rackham....

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

This is to funny because I live on Pirates Lane, Spanish Fort

If I was a Pirate ...I would look like this.....maybe

To get your pirate name go HERE

Wearable Clothes

2008-02-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

Let me preface this with I hate BRA's.......I hate wearing them, I hate buying them, I hate folding them and packing them...I hate BRA'S !!!!!

When I was young and thinnnnnner...I did not wear them half the time but as I got older and Beefier...they became a necessity...not attractive without one!!!

That being said...this weekend when I was bowling..the Bra came alive and decided it was hungry...so it proceeded to eat my boob.

The under wire (required to keep the girls in place while sliding down a lane) stuck into the side of my girl and buried itself in the flesh. Have you tried to bend a underwire back and keep people from seeing you with yur hand stuck up your shirt...not an easy task.

What is she playing with???? Why can guys play with the boys and nobody gives a second look????

Bent it up...then down..then back...then forward...no relief

I have on a BIG shirt..think they will see the girls are a little low---all right a lot low.

I suffered through the(2 hours) 6 games I needed to bowl..and when I got home it was on..or in the case of the bra ---off!!!!!

Red, ugly, streaky (?)mark on the side of one of my girls......your gone..I don't care how much you cost or how cute you are. You cannot do that to the girls with out repercusions.

It is against the law to "Burn your Bra".....never mind that was a different time....

Thanks to the Bowling God

2008-02-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not bowl, all bowlers( at one time or the other) prays to the bowling god for devine intervention. He prevents un-makeable splits or allows you to look really cool and pick them. He prevents you from missing single pins and grant you those glorious strike. Sometimes he will gives you more than one strike.

This past weekend he allowed me to bowl over average in singles which has put we in 2nd place right now. Then he humbled me in double just to keep me from getting to cocky.

He gives it to you and he can snatch it out of your grasp with a horrible split or missing a single 10 pin. For non bowlers, that the little pin that refuses to fall on the far right side.

I hate it...the 10 pin .....it taunts me......fair exchange

Anyway keep your fingers crossed...I need money for Nationals in Detriot

To Vote or not to Vote

2008-02-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Super Tuesday...went to vote(when my Dad was alive, he was addiment about voting). They wanted to know if I was a Democrat or Republican...is it bad that I don't know????? Have to ask Jay...for years I was indifferent( is the a party???)

I know where I stand..I know what I believe to be best for me and my family....maybe I could just make my own candidate...Clintcainbamaromney.

So many people..so many decisions.....thier all crooked as snakes...does it matter???

Liberal...conservative...think I am a CONSERVATIVE LIBERAL or a LIBERAL CONSERVATIVE!!!!!!

Obsolete Things

2008-02-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

I never thought in my lifetime I would be involved in something that for the most part has or will become obsolete.

When you think of things that have become obsolete.....you think about things in the late 1800's or early 1900's.

Horse drawn buggies, saloons girls (guess we have the mens clubs still), true lumberjacks(done by machine now not men), button up shoes, Snake Oil men, door to door salesmen, typewriters. I am sure there are more...popcorn on top of the stove.

For 15 years, I repaired and assembled payphones. In its hey day,when the market was deregulated and they busted up all the bell companies, we manufuactured 10,000 payphones per month. Our factory employeed 500 people and some people had done it for 30+ years. Then cell phones hit the market and payphones for the most part have become obsolete.

They were everywhere...service stations had whole banks of them, malls had section dedicated to them, movie theater had them outside, found them on the street corners, grocery stores had them in the front of the store. They were on the side of the road for the bad guys to call and give you direction as to where to drop the money off.

Now you would be hard pressed to find one if you need one. Some in the airport for internet use, few in the mall for those people who cannot get a signal in the mall.....gone....

Another thing my great grand children will have no clue as to the use......I have one for my house that can be plugged into the wall and used like a regular phone...maybe I can use it for a retirement investment one day....

Weight Loss

2008-01-29T05:42:00.000-08:00

Ever once in a while, I get the grand idea that this post menopausal, non thyroid working, no metabolism body can lose weight. WHAT WAS I THINKING.....

Recently, my daughter and I started the Weight Watchers Point-low carb-Your best life-You on a Diet at South Beach Diet. My niece ask me if I had lost weight and one of the guys at work did the same thing. I mean...it's a guy...the notice nothing..have you lost weight person.

It must be true.......

Pants don't seem to be as tight...stomach may be a little flatter...believe I have lost weight.....

Went to the Doctor...stepped on the scales ---YEP here it is 5 big ones..know it..pants looser.....waiting.....2.1 lbs less

What????? Big shoes, I have on big shoes, 2 shirts....lets do it again!!!!

2.1 lbs......only 1 month for 2.1 lbs...let's see at this rate I will be at my ideal weight in January 2010.....

Growing Old Ain't for Sissies

2008-01-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

As I enter the twilight years of my life, I have decided that getting older is hard work. Nothing works as good or as regular as it did when you were in your 20's 30' 40's or 50's.

Take for instance body functions...gas.....

Why is it when your young the "Pull my finger" Uncle was so funny but not so when you got older....that's just gross!!!! You know you all have them!!!!

Anyway..I degress..as you get older that is one body functon that looses it mind?? Mind??? Seems like you have zero control over what your body is doing.

Recently I bought a pair of shoes and in the process of stooping over and trying shoes on...it just happened. Right in the middle of the Shoe Department!!!

Where did that come from??? Thought I was safe and no one was within 2 aisles of me to hear (pretty loud)until I heard it. The unmistakeable snicker of teenage girls!!!

Yep, there they were..right behind me. OH MY GOD..do you pretend it is not you? NO one else even close....the snicker becomes laughter. Then the laughter becomes snorts as they tell thier Mother what the old lady did.

I am mortified and move to another aisle to escape....to no avail. I can still here the snorting of teenage girls. When did I loose control of my body? I am a type A personally and have to always be in control.....

Then I hear it...the walking ones from another old lady.....things could be worse I guess. I laugh as I see her look around...the saga never ends

Girl's Day Out

2008-01-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

Ever once in a while you just need a "Girl Day" . My daughter and I had that yesterday. Met for lunch and just talked. She has a lot with school, church, scouts and kids so sometimes it is good just to talk about nothing...you know hair, clothes, junk......

After lunch went to Hallmark for cards, Sam's for nothing....saw some cute stuff..have to go back. Pedicure was on the list but will have to save that for another time.

Then to a "Chick Flick". Yep, saw the ultimate "Chick Flick"...27 Dresses......cute, cute, cute.....

Such a nice day......

It's a Girl

2008-01-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

It's a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

We found out yesterday that my son and his wife are having a girl. Being a blended family--Jay has 4 kids and I have 2,we have grandaughters but this will be the only grandaugther from my kids. We just got little Summer(Jay's side)but Jay's kid live off and we do not get to see them often. We actually have 3 other granddaughters aged 22, 21 and 16 but we have never had the opportunity to be real grandparents. They have always lived in Vegas or Utah and we have always been in the South.

We have 2 cute boys here , age 13 and 8 but now we will have a little girl. I am so excited !!!!!! Ribbons and bows and all things girly...can't wait. Baby is due the latter part of May or the first of June. Shawn's (my son) daddy's b'day is June 02...how cool would that be?????

Tagged

2008-01-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

I have been tagged by Robin so here goes:

What am I reading?

Right now I am reading John Grisham " The Innocent Man". It about a killing in Ada, Oklahoma of several young girls and the conviction of 2 innocent men.

Just finished "The Memory Keeper's Daughter " about a doctor that had a set of twins and did not keep the girl because she had Down's Syndrome. This is a really good book with the most unlikely of endings.

Also just finished "Not Flesh Nor Feather" about a flood in Chattanogga and things coming out of the river...kind of far fetched but not a bad read.

What I am listening to?

Probably soft rock or country. Love both kinds of music and keep the radio on at work all the time. When I get tired of one, I switch over to the other.

What am I watching ?

Since I bowl on Thursday nights and my VCR is broke, I have been recording Grey's Anatomy on my TIVO and watching the stuff I missed. Love Grey's Anatomy. Also watching the audition for the new Idol...so funny. Do not watch the actual show but love the auditions. Also waiting for the new Survivor...TIVO...yeah!!!!!

Summer is here !!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-16T15:00:00.001-08:00

In the mist of all the cold and wet, little Summer entered our life. She was born 1/13/2008. Weighing in at 6 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. she was born little after midnight. She is welcomed by her brothers Vincent and Jonas.

As I look into this sweet childs face and the faces of her brothers.....I wonder what would make a man throw his 4 children off a bridge. If you have not seen it on your news.....a man threw is 4 children off the Dauphin Island bridge. 2 boys and 2 little girls..age 3 months to 3 years. They have found both boys and one of the little girls ( they are 1 & 2) so they do not know which little girls they have. Still looking for the other little girl..

BAYOU LA BATRE -- The body of a young girl -- one of four siblings who authorities say were tossed from the Dauphin Island bridge by their father -- washed ashore in the marshlands of eastern Mississippi, discovered by a marine patrol officer Tuesday morning.

The girl has not been identified, officials said, but she is one of two young missing sisters, Hannah Luong, 2, and Lindsey Luong, 1.

The bodies of the girls' two brothers -- Ryan Phan, 3, and Danny Luong, 4 months -- were found in the coastal lands of Alabama during the weekend.

Authorities vowed to continue searching for the remaining missing girl, despite weather forecasts for thunderstorms today.

Investigators launched a massive search on Jan. 8 after police said the children's father, Lam Luong, confessed to throwing them off the two-lane 80-foot-tall bridge as an act of revenge against his wife, Kieu Phan.

Luong, 37, of Irvington, is in jail on four counts of capital murder in connection with the deaths of the four children. Luong's attorney has since said that Luong has said he was pressured by police into making a false confession.

The unidentified girl's body was found Tuesday at 9 a.m. by a marine patrol officer with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which has been helping in the search.

Rusty Pittman, marine patrol assistant chief, said the officer found the body in the North Rigolets Bayou, near the Mississippi-Alabama state line.

"We're just trying to help bring this family some closure," Pittman said.

Officials said family members recognized clothing found on the girl's body, but it remained unclear which of the two sisters had been found, pending an official identification from a medical examiner.

So happy having little Summer but so sad for everyone associated with the 4 little children.

Your appointment is......

2008-01-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

Seems like all I have done since the new year is complain..so why change a trend.

I hate doctor appointment...they are a total waste of my time if I am not sick. "We can't renew your meds cause we have not seen you in six month"

" You have not made a change to my meds in 6 years"

"That is true but we still have to see you. Are you sick?"

" NO, I just need my meds filled!!!!"

"We will see you WEDNESDAY at 4:00"

Took off from work early so I could get to the appointment I did not need on time to find out the DR did not come in.

"We called you" "When????" "Today" "What time" 3:30...

That was last week ....rescheduled for this week. Same time..different day...

Today..got to the DR office..left work early...sign in and come back..it will be hours......how many ???? Hours..it is 4 now.....sorry.....hours!!!!!!

Here is the problem..you have to get your PCM (primary care manager)approved before you can go see him or her.....This was the only doctor in a 50 mile radius that took our insurance......

HOURS.........

Just got a new doctor and will see how long I keep him......maybe my wait will be less than HOURS......

On my high horse !!!!

2008-01-08T11:03:00.000-08:00

They closed grandson # 2 school for 10 days because "traces " of lead paint was found in the rafters when they sand blasted the school to repair. I know the EPA says lead paint is bad for you if you eat....but I bet my kids ate plenty.

They cut thier teeth on thier cribs, the coffee table, toys and anything they could get in thier mouth. They seems to be fine to me. Didn't know I was not suppose to allow this......

Son looses his mind ever once in a while...huh...maybe it is the paint. Just took longer to effect him.

I know we are suppose to protect our kids but how much paint are they going to get from a beam that is 20 ft in the air?

Kids are fat because of McDonald's....really???? Grown ups can't say no...

You can't fail Johnny cause it messes with his self esteem...how about when he can't read well enough to fill out a job application...

How sad that he cannot read .......so many books lost.

Must be getting old.....

Think my time was easier, played in the yard, rode our bikes ( probably with lead paint), watched our 3 channels on TV and actually went to the library for books....

You got mail

2008-01-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

Working in a manufacturing environment, you get 10,000 email a year. There are those that say "Send this to 10 people in 10 minutes..yadda, yadda, yadda. Everybody you work with that gets it send it to you....nothing happens

There are those that say "See what happens when you send this to 10 people"..that would be nothing.....again you get this 50 times from the people you work with...

Then there are those people who have nothing to do so they forward you thier whole in box at one time....50 more....

Love the turn your volume up.....no speaker kids..can't hear it...

"You have been slapped by the friendship fairy..so glad your my friend....I got that from who again?????

But to get to the point, from these 10,000 emails ..the ones that I do not automatically delete because it has been forwarded 25 times and you have to scroll through all that stuff to see what it is about..

I keep the good saying in a folder on my computer. This is my list for the 2007 year.
Hope you enjoy them:

1. Take care of your body, It is the only one you have.

2. Be kind. Be gentle. Be compassionate.

3. Be honest. Your reputation is your most valuable asset.

4 Stand up for what you believe in.

5 . Help to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

6. Laugh often. A good sense of humor can cure almost all of life’s ills.

7. Show respect for all living things, including this planet on which we live.

8. Music and books can heal your soul. Have a good collection of both.

9. Keep a journal. Life moves fast and writing down your thoughts, feelings and experiences can be incredibly grounding.

10. Sometimes being a friend means just ‘being’ there. Words aren’t always necessary and silence can be golden.

11. If you know you’re wrong … admit it.

12. Choose your friends very carefully.

13. Stay connected to those you love.

14. Look for the good in people.

15. Listen to others and to children.

16 Never underestimate your ability. You can do anything you put your mind to.

17. Finish what you start.

18 Save at least 15% of your income

19. Live within your means.

20. Everyone has greatness within his or her soul. Find your passion

Memories

2007-12-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

Some of the best gifts are the ones that are made just for you. My little brother made us girls memories from some old pictures Mother had......

I love this gift..everything I got was wonderful and things that did not have to be returned or exchanged.....but the gift from Tom warmed my heart.

I guess when you get older....now 60..you appreciate family and parents and all things associated with them....my Dad has been dead 13 years and Mother is now 82 and not in as good a health as she was last year. That makes Tom's gift better....

I (the taller of the 2 blondes) am the same age in the Christmas pictures as my youngest Grandson Cameron and the same age the picture with Mother as my oldest Grandson Trevor...don't you think Trevor looks like me ??????

Christmas , family, friends...you just gotta love it.....

SIZES....???

2007-12-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered who came up with Women sizes? Why are Junior's odd numbers 3, 5,7,11,13 and womens are even 8,10,12,14.....?

Bought a suit to wear to a funeral..funeral wear..odd term but anyway tried a 12 but was to tight on the girls so bought a 14 for the girls. Just figured the skirt would fit...this thing would fit my 6"5" brother......huge......

How do they know what a size 12 is? Buy a large shirts..girls are happy but have no shoulders. They have now become my elbows!

Buy a 10 pants ..waist is screaming--killin me here...have to breath. Buy a 12 pants and waist is happy but butt is saying..."Back here somewhere..can you see me???

Big 10...little 12 ....so confusing.

And the new shirts...OMG...the large would fit my 8 year old grandson...can I have a BIG MAMA in that please......

Since this country is getting bigger by the day...shouldn't our sizes be smaller just to make us feel better.....we do that in shoes. I wear a 32 in European sizes for shoes but only a 6 1/2 in US.

Cute shirt ..I 'll take that in a 1/2 please.......

OH Baby , it's cold....cooler outside

2007-12-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

We finally got cold (cooler) weather..although it is fleeting. Temp dropped from the mid 70's to the low 40"s on Sunday night and was in the 30"s this morning when I got up.

Hate the cold -makes my bones ache..but it needs to be cool for Christmas. Frost was on the ground when I came to work and I could wear one of my new thin sweaters for the first time this year.

Maybe it will be cool enough to make quickie chili...not a cook so easy is good for me.....It is good with cornbread..yes I said cornbread

Recipe for quickie chili:
1 lb hamburger meat
1 can stewed tomatoes
2 can Ranch syle beans
1 pkg Chili mix
Chili powder to taste

Brown meat..drain and add all the other stuff...simmer until you get ready to eat it..It's so gooooood

It will be back in the 70's on Thursday but for now I am enjoying this cool spell....that's Southern for cold weather in South Alabama.

A time to remember

2007-12-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as wel l. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

At a time when all you hear about is stealing some old ladies Christmas decorations (yes they stole from a 80 year old woman)..it is nice to see that good things still happen. He gets nothing for doing this but the satisfaction of knowing he has honored our heroes.

Serious Thoughts

2007-12-11T12:09:00.000-08:00

I am not a usually a serious person, but sometimes we need to just take a minute and remember what Christmas is about. I love, repeat love Christmas.

Love the colors, trees, Christmas Paper...but most of all the music.......

I like all the old songs of Christmas the most.....The First Noel is my favorite.

Recently we went to the program at my daughters church and the theme of the night was "Christmas is forever" It was inspiring.....

Take a look at the link for "Cool Things to See" for the Interiew with God. This will just take a minute and is worth the time.

Dancing With the White Dog

2007-12-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

I take a 2 lane country road to work every morning. In one particular spot a White Dog lies in wait for me to come through. I never see him or her on my way home in the evening, just in the morning. I can see him/her as I approach the house. As I round the curve, he will crouch down in his pursuit form and waits for me to pass. Just as I get even with the yard, he springs into action.

You can see the determination in his face to catch the strange creature with the funny legs that has invaded his domain. He never barks just runs after the car for a short distance and then sits in the middle of the road and watches me drive away.

I just know he is thinking...tomorrow....tomorrow I will be quicker and the creature will be slower. Tomorrow the creature will be mine.......

It's MY BIRTHDAY

2007-12-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY.....yep I am the big 6-0.

Wow..how old is 60 ? Some people say if I could do that over......

The only thing I truly, truly regret is SMOKING!!!!!!!

No that I have not had my share of death, trama, divorce, life but it made me who I am. 60 years....

I was in High School when Kennedy was shot..I went to a segrated school with segreated hospitals and movie theaters. I moved back to the south when I was 16.
What a culture shock.....we only had 3 channels on TV...got that when I was 12. Pop bought a new car every 3 years but he was only a Sargent so thing were tight with 3 girls. I am the oldest.

Military brat

I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in.....have all my teeth(thier paid for) most of my hair...memory is good ( I think)..health is pretty good.

I am the oldest of 3 girls but we are stair steps. I am 60 today..sister Sarah was 59 on Nov 23 and sister Bobby will be 58 Dec. 28. Can you imagine ? That me on the right, Sarah on the left and Bobby in the middle.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2007-12-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

First weekend in December ..time to put of the tree. This is my tradition although it seems a little early this year.

Pulled the stuff from the attic ( not basements here) and decided what would be usable and what needed to be trashed. After looking a the tree decided it was time to retire it and move up to a prelit. No stringing lights...where have I been????

With new prelit in hand...decorated and put in the living room. Running the AC cause it is 75 here today. Something wrong with decorating a Christmas tree with the AC on.....

Then it was time for the fireplace...why do people in South Alabama put fireplaces int hier homes. I have lived here 5 years and have never been able to lite the fireplace.

Anyway..

Love my Santa'a and NO I did not make them. The writing gene did not morp into the ART gene. Cannot not color a picture much less paint stuff. That is why I love Craft Shows!!!

Off track.....

The Santa and the tree on the end are pieces of flat wood painted...how smart. The other 2 are ceramic and one is from Walmart...hey I need something to even out the setting.

As you can see there are no gifts under the tree...me and the dog hadn't wrapped them when I took the picture. Got then wrapped but not under the tree yet....

I LOVE CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE THINGS THE SEASON STANDS FOR.....why do we have so much tolerance and forgiveness this time of year and not all the time...ya just gotta wonder

1-800-GOOBER

2007-11-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know..a Goober in my world is someone paid to help you that does not now anymore than you do.

Yesterday I got a message on my cell phone that said I had a new photo. Downloaded and got a text message that said; "All your contacts have been deleted...hope you have fun putting them back in".

Holy Crap Batman!!!!

Called my cell provider. For English press 1..for Espanol press end..if you can't speak English call back when you can....sorry, off track!!!

This is my comversation:

This is GOOBER can I have your cell phone number?

xxxxxxxxxx

Yes C-A-R-O-L-I-N-E how can I help you?

It's Carolyn..no "I" in my name Caro-lynn

Yes Caro-line....

Explained about the picture and he said WELLLLLL Caro-line a picture cannot deleted your contacts are they still there?

If it cannot delete why ask me if they are still there? Beside it only said it was a picture..it was really a text message.

Are they there Caro-line?

Yes Mr GOOBER they are there but I have not turned my phone off. Will I loose them?

NO but......I have never heard of this. Someone is messing with you.

If an Email can kill your computer..why can't a text message kill your contacts?

Beside it was not anyone I know...they put a g on puttin" we don't use "G's" here.

WEll Caro-line can I help you anymore?

I didn't know you had helped me at all..........

Treasures

2007-11-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving every one, just a little late. Have been out of town and could not blog.

BLOGGER WITHDRAWAL

When to LA for the holiday to see MaMa and family. Ate to much , not a enough time to visit and spent way to much money.

Say Mama and only son. Spent time with favorite sister and other family members.

Mama gave me treasures. She gave me a quilt made by my great grandmother, post cards written by my Uncle Sam when he was joined the Army in 1942. Mama was 18. He went to Duck Hill, Miss. for basic traning and wrote to Mama, Aunt Short (sister) and Mama Thomas.

She gave me her mothers wardrobe closet...I remember MAMA Thomas keeping her dusting powder in the little door with the mirror. Her stocking (she did not wear hose) with the garter that held them up. Her pearls for church on Sunday was in that little door.

Her Sunday dresses hung in the other side. Only the good ones she wore to town and church.

Her and some of the church ladies would gather at her house and make quilts. The back were feed sacks and the patch work front was scraps. They stayed on her bed all winter and was put in the corner during the summer.

She wore house dresses with aprons and smoked till the day she died. She raised chickens and milked her cow. She made her own butter. She could not read but was one of the smartest people I knew when I was small. She could build playhouse and make pies from scratch. She was cool!!!!!!

Beer, Bowling and Hot Wings

2007-11-16T06:16:00.000-08:00

Last night was bowling night. We start at 6:30 and normally finish around 9:00. The team we bowled last night pre-bowled so we only had our team on the lane. My first thought was ......
Yes, we can go to Beefs and have wings and beer. They close at 9:00 on week days so can not go normally. Went something like this:

"Let's go guys"

"George your up"

"Jay your up"

Lets get this going.....after me pushing and pushing we finished at 8:30. Not sure I could get us there by 9:00. It was my mission.....

"Get you stuff Jay....have a good Turkey day everyone "
" Come on honey .....let's go"
"Have to go to the bathroom"
"You can do that at the restuarant"
" Let's go"

In the car ...on the road....yeah we have time!!!

How fast your driving?

60...why

Speed limit is only 50

I know but it is 8:45.....have to be there by 9:00.

In the parking lots....9:00...is the OPEN light still on......YES!!!!!!!!!!

"If it is fixin" (southern for going) to close we can go home"

"I don't think so...we will go to HOOTERS!!!!!"

You still servin" ( we don't use G's in the South)

Sure .......life is good

Cold beer, hot wings, ranch dressing, celery sticks, curly fries

Can things get any better !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, being the good Mother that I am, I am on a 900 calories a day diet with my daughter so she can look good in swim suit for her cruise in December. The wings, beer and curlie fries is probably more than I can have for the next 2 days. Salad here we come..but

I tore those wings up.......and it was light beer.

Am I missing something

2007-11-07T06:27:00.001-08:00

This is a picture of the storm surge of Katrina on the Missisippi and Alabama coast. After the hurricane hit, peoples lives were changed forever. Not all the people in Mississippi and Alabama live in homes on the gulf. Some of them were shrimper whose only income was from the Gulf. Homes had been in families for generation and most had no insurance on them. When they lost thier homes and shrimp boats..they lost the only way of life they knew. Shrimper's on the gulf are like the Crab and Lobster fishermen you see on the Discovery channel, only not as dangerous.

Now they have to worry about exposing themselves and thier children to formaldehyde. It is a fact that this chemical is present in most Fema trailer. Kids are sick with colds, allergies, nose bleeds plus a number of other illnesses. The FEMA people have decided not to test the level of this chemical in thier trailers. This testing has been put off indefinitely by FEMA executives. Formaldehyde is used in the embalming process and we do not see a problem with exposing chidren to it? Am I missing something here?????

We can have massive recall for toys with lead in them from China(as we should) but FEMA is not held responsible for a harmful chemical. I know Katrina has been 3 years and people should not still be in these trailers but they are and it is probably making them sick.

Soap Box

2007-11-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

When I came to work yesterday morning gas at the station across the street was $2.83, when I got off 8 hrs later gas was $2.99. Did I miss something in that 8 hrs period? Did we have a major hurricane or one of the refineries catch on fire. We have all these reserves we are saving for our great, great , great grandchildren(who will probably drive solar power vehicles) and we cannot afford to go to work or have any life because the extra we have is being put in the gas tank. These foreign countries are holding us hostage and the gas companies are making million in profit because we cannot open up Alaska or the gulf for enviromental reasons. When did we lose all of our common sense?

When I was a kid and the weather got really bad,dark and gloomy, my great grandmother would tell me God was crying because he was sad. When it rained and the sun was shining, she said they were happy tears......I wonder what kind of tears he is shedding now? We have so screwed up the world he made.....

Southern Things

2007-11-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

I have spent all of my adult life in the South. We moved back to North Louisiana when I was a Junior in high school. Prior to that, I had spent my whole life on military bases both in the states and overseas. What a culture shock that was! I was born in the late 40's and did not move back to LA. until 65. This was the beginning of the Civil Rights movement. We went to an all white school (never did that before) and even the movie theater was segregrated...black in the balcony and whites down below. The clinics, hospital, funeral homes were all separate. For us, me and my sisters, all grown ups were addressed with Yes Mame or Yes Sir.....no there. Needless to say, our school years were a little difficult. That being said, I love most southern things although some of them still elude me 40+ years later.

Recently I had to go to another plant we own about an hours drive from the coast. It is a small south town where the plant is the biggest employer and no commerce. One small store (Piggly Wiggly), hardware store, feed and seed, drug store ,a couple little shops and one restaurant. Right out side of town is a shop called Rays. Apparently Ray is a butcher (think they call them meat cutters now) because he has a sign that says Rabbit Meat, Catfish and Coon..the other side also says deer. Do people actually eat Coon? How do you cook it? What do eat with it? Guess Granny and Jed did cook possum and coon in Beverly Hills. Wonder if it is fatting?

I thought people only hunted Coon, did not know they killed and and actually ate the meat!!! MAMA Thomas use to tell us kids that if you killed a Coon and skinned it , you had to leave one paw on it cause it looked like a cat skinned. We thought she was just getting us kids (we were city slickers) but maybe not.

Some Southern things still elude me 40 years later and no we do not eat coon, rabbit or deer meat. But mine at Walmart.

Everyone called her Bill

2007-11-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

My mother's name is Clotilde (clo-tild) but everyone calls her Bill. Mama is 82 and for the most part in really good health. Heart is good, memory is fine, if you take into consideration Mama is 82. She smokes like a chimney and sees no reason to quit at this time in her life. She has a little COPD from smoking for 60 years and shakes a little but other than that she is doing good. The problem is MAMA is dieing. Not from heart problems , cancer, COPD...MAMA is dieing from sadness. It seems so strange to say that and makes my heart sad when I read it.

Mama is tall (5'11') and has always been thin like a model. She had an olive complexion that required not makeup and hair so black it look purple. She was beautiful. She was a stay at home Mom and was the Room Mother at school. She made our clothes and crochet doilies and throws. She never wore pants until 1957 when we went to France and wore spike heels that made her even prettier. She was by all accounts Harriet Nelson or the Beaver's Mom.

Her and POP ( my Dad) were married 47 years when Pop died and I think that was the day MAMA quit living. She sat down on the couch, lit a cigarette and has not gotten up. For the last 13 years we have lost MAMA a little each day. She lost interest in her church (she still goes every Sunday) but is no longer involved. Most of her's and Pop's friend have passed away so she has no friends. She lives on junk food ( cookies,ice cream, etc) and is down to 97 pounds. We thought it might be something health related but the Dr. said it is sadness. Depression really does kill you.

How sad will my life be when both my parents are gone.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

2007-10-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

Don't you love surprises? They are so wonderful to get when your in the slumps. This past weekend the little round man and I went to North Alabama to visit family we had no seen in a while. His sister had a heart cath, his brother had a knee replacment and his other sister has a lump under her arm that will be checked tomorrow (she has had both breast removed from cancer), so eventho it was really good to see them, everything that was going on was a little overwhelming. When we got home, all the hedges had been trimmed (we have a lot) and there were pansies in the flower pots on my front porch. There was a cute little pumpkin on my porch that make everything else that much prettier.I have sorely neglected both the hedges and flower pots. Everything looked so neat and clean and ready for Thanksgiving company.

My daughter and son-in-law along with the grandsons did all this for Jay and I. Such a lovely surprise, it really lifted my spirits. You just want to stop total stranger on the street and say.....Look what the kids did!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Civil War -as told by a 7 year old

2007-10-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this blog with the statement that my daughter is going to be a History teacher when she recieve her degree from University of South Alabama. She is also a Cub Scout leader. On one of the "Go see it" trips that are required to earn thier badges in the Cub Scouts..she took them to the site of a Civil War battle here in South Alabama. She very simply explained to them about the Civil War and what it was about. This is the story as it was told to me by my grandson:

"There was this war between the South and the East. The South wanted "maids" and the East said no so they had a war. There ws this guy in a big tree and he was killing all the bad guys but then the guy fell out of the tree (that was pretty dumb-huh??) and got defeated. So the East won the war and that is why we don't have any "maids".

Fall is here

2007-10-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Fall has finally come to South Alabama. Well as much as we get. The temperature dropped 22 degrees yesterday from 74 to 48 last night and this morning. Everyone is in thier "BIG" coats (this is South Alabama)long pant and sweatshirts. Time for homemade soup and chili. Trees are turning a golden color and the mums are in full bloom.

I love the fall...jeans make me look thinner and I love all the long sleeve shirts (hides the bat wings ). Pumpkins will keep better-usually take them into the house with the AC so they do not ruin so quickly and Halloween is right around the corner. Time to start looking for Christmas gift and working on the menu for Thanksgiving.

A Passing of Time

2007-10-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

At the ripe age of 27, I bought my first new car. It was 1976 Chevelle Malibu Classic, 2 door hardtop, AC,beauty rims, with a 8 track player (oh yeah) for the obscene price of $ 5243. I drove this car everyday for over 10 years. By then my son was driving age and he drove it for another 10 years. I went to the hospital in the Chevelle when my daughter was born. I brought her home from the hospital in the very same car. It was cooooool!!!!!!! 350 engine with dual exhaust (glass packs)with a 4 barrel carb. Run like a raped...well it ran really good.

I have kept it all these years and have taught my 2 kids, 3 step kids and to many neighbor kids to count in this car. The Chevelle was my signature. I never owned a 4 door car until all my kids were grown. My friends got to old to climb in the back seat. Today after 30+ years, I sold it. The Chevelle has gotten sad on the inside. Outside look good and had never been wrecked after all these years. To many stereo's taken out and put back back in by the boys ( yes 4 of the 5 kids were boys). It's like losing an old friend. Although it had not been driven for over 5 years..it was in my care. Is it dumb to feel the loss of a car???????

Hello Blog world

2007-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at the "blogger" world. Have seen them and thought it would be a good venue for what I had to say. Am still working and practicing for retirement so when the time comes I will be really good at it. Just had my annual evaluation for a raise and got the dreaded "Dear Carolyn " letter. Your wonderful , you have exceeded our expectatons for the year.....but.....I had to go to Africa hunting and my brother bought a 300,000 house on a island so we cannot give you the expected $ .25 raise we so generously gave you last year. We appreciate your understanding!!!!!

I work for a privately own furniture manufacture that has been in business for 50 + years. The "brother" have multiple homes and investment but the economy is bad and money is tight so no money!!!!!!!! My retirement fund is getting lower