How I See It

Blogger site is giving me troubles

2011-08-17T09:57:00.002-04:00

Hey All,

I've been trying to respond to the comments and I can't. The system is not recognizing me as giving myself permission to comment. What's up with that?

Karen

I know she will rest in peace

2011-08-16T22:32:00.001-04:00

Born September 25, 1917.
Died June 28, 2011.
She was 93 years, 9 months, and 3 days old.

Six weeks after mom died, I am still mourning, but I am not crying anymore. I am only just beginning to feel whole. The idea of not having my mother to talk to , to touch, to hug, to kiss, has me living in a surreal existence. She is always present in my thoughts. It is almost as if she is here, with me, guiding me, consoling me, counseling me, comforting me as she has done for the past 64 years of my life. Sometimes I reach out and yearn and long for her touch...that is the hardest feeling to overcome. It sometimes gets so intense I think I will go crazy from the longing. Sixty-four years of living life with its ups and downs teaches me that I am reacting to a feeling that will disipate in time. My reality is my acceptance that mom is no longer with me, physically, but she is with me spiritually. I know she will rest in peace. Will I?

Walking Sheba - An Educational Experience

2011-05-23T10:23:00.035-04:00

Sheba

Shiba Inu

This morning I took Sheba for a walk. Nothing unusual about that expect it was 8:00AM and I had been awake since 5:00AM. This was Sheba's second walk of the day.

"Can I pet your dog?" someone shouted.

"What?" I asked. I was not wearing my hearing aids thinking I would not encounter anyone at that hour.

"Can I pet your dog?" she asked again while swkwardly running towards me, backpack flopping from side to side, reading glasses in one hand, a juice box in the other hand.

"Sure. She's friendly. Somewhat shy, but OK to pet."

The girl kneeled down, somehow switching her juice box to her left hand, and petted Sheba. We got to talking about dogs when I became aware that she was on her way to the bus stop. I told her I didn't want her to miss her bus and she better go (where was her parent, by the way?).

As she skipped off toward the bus stop she shouted, "What's your dog's name?"

"Sheba!"

"Sheba? That's the name of a Japanese dog called Shiba Inu," she informed me. "She doesn't look like a Shiba Inu," said my new Japanese friend who is in the fifth grade. "She looks like a Greyhound or Min Pin."

"Wow!" I said with eyes open wide. "You know a lot about dogs. She's a Dachshund with some Manchester Terrier and, yes, Min Pin mixed in for good measure. Doesn't she look like a pedigree?"

"Why is she named Sheba?" inquired my precocious dog lover.

"It's getting late and I don't want you to miss your bus. I will tell you the story the next time I see you, OK?"

She smiled and ran off...just like that. She must really keep her fifth grade teacher hopping.

I went home and Googled the breed. Now I can add Shiba Inu to my ever growing list of dogs I wish I could own.

Finding the love you deserve

2011-04-15T11:52:00.001-04:00

Many years ago, when I was feeling frustrated with the kinds of men I attracted, I took a workshop regarding finding the love you deserve. A good workshop that delved into analyzing your past decisions and where those choices took you, as well as questioning your present state and where you want to go.

I learned I was not clear about what I wanted in a man. I seemed to go for the superficial stuff, totally ignoring the essence of the person. The workshop helped me turn my thinking around and it was then I began looking for the 'essence' of the man I would want to marry.

My man would be kind, gentle, respectful, honest, trustworthy, loyal, comforting, loving, and on and on and on. So many adjectives, so little time...

It took a few years to find him, but I knew in my heart that he was 'the one'. Who? The man I dated when I was a sophomore in college...all those years ago...45 years, to be exact.

I owe it to my daughter who introduced me to Facebook so I could see pictures of my grandchildren. She also introduced me to the concept of reconnecting with friends from the past, "You know, Mom, high school, college, people you've met along the way."

I went on Facebook in January. In March, we reconnected. We have been inseparable ever since.

You may ask, "Seriously, Karen, what is the essence you were looking for that he provided?" Unconditional love! He loves me unconditionally. I can be myself, warts and all, and he loves me for it. Honestly, if it were any one else and that person had to live with my "warts", he'd be gone; but my husband loves me just as I am. And...I love him back, unconditionally.

Unconditional love is contagious.

What a crazy day, yesterday

2011-04-12T09:18:00.002-04:00

The weather was nuts yesterday. It started out so cold I had to wear layers of clothing and a jacket. A few hours later, the jacket came off and the layers were peeled. By the mid-afternoon I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt. If it didn't happen to me, I wouldn't have believed it.

I love the sun and warm weather, and so does my body! Full of energy and life I take Sheba for a long walk around the neighborhood. The neighborhood in this area is not typical of what I know in Pennsylvania. Bedford, NY is considered horse country as many of the homes have zillions of acres. Some are for horse breeding, but others are just rolling hills. The houses on my street have to have a lot size that is at least an acre, most being 3 or 4 acres. That's a lot of property, mostly wooded and undeveloped. Consequently, when I go walking I am really hiking. It felt good, and the arthritis did not flare up until the last stretch of a one hour walk.

That was yesterday. Today, it is raining. A good day for shopping and book reading. I am reading Homer Hickam's, October Sky. The story is set in the mid to late 1950s in a small coal mining town in West Virginia. It is the life of a boy who is fascinated with outer space, rockets, and girls. I just love a good story and poetic prose. Toni Morrison writes poetic prose, and so do a few others whose names I can not recall.

What good books have you read lately?

Do We Have the Right?

2011-04-04T13:45:00.001-04:00

Ever since CBS News/60 Minutes reported on an Alabama school district requiring a publisher to remove the N-word and replace it with 'slave' in the novel, Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, or they will ban the book, as it was their right to demand such an act; or when I learned that a minister felt that burning the Koran was his right, I have been thinking about freedom of speech.

Oprah has said many times, "count your blessings for having been born in America." She refers to the fact that here, in America, we can be whomever we wish to be, we do not suffer the attrocities that are put upon others in other countries, we have the freedom and the right to speak our mind, good or bad. Our civil rights are recognized and respected.

Some people have gone too far. Do we have the right to burn books, bomb government buildings, fillerbuster on the floor of Congress to the point of possibly closing it down, rewrite classic literature in the name of freedom of speech?

Read Lucy's comment on my last blog posting, Huckleberry Finn does it again. She asked the question, "Why do white people think they are the only "perfect" people on this earth?" when refering to their demonstrations, killings and bombings.

I would like to reword that question and ask, "Why do people do these things in the first place?" We live in a country that gives us the freedom to speak, demonstrate, and argue our opinion, belief, point of view. There is no need to injure or harm another when doing so; the voice will be heard! But to seek violence as the method for being heard? It does not make sense. What it is is bullying.

It is said that if you ignore the bully the bullying will stop. What happens when the bully continues to mame, destroy, create havoc, rob people of their civil rights until he gets his way? We are debating that issue today when deciding how to handle Gadafi who will fight to the death and expects his sons to do the same and to "die on Libyan soil". Gadafi is robbing the citizens of Libya of their civil rights. Should we and other nations ignore the bully? The debate will go in either direction with sound arguments for each side. So be it. We can do that because we have freedom of speech. What we can not do is become violent. We do not have the right.

Do we have the right to speak freely? Yes. Do we have the right to do so with violence? No.

Huckleberry Finn does it again

2011-04-01T14:15:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday, CBS News/60 Minutes had a segment on Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and the use of the N-word, A publishing company in Alabama edited out the N-word and replaced it with the word, "slave". They did that because of the controversy over the use of the N-word and the threat of banning the book in the school district.

Literature remains classic because of what was written and how it was written. If one changes the author's intent by changing the words, it is no longer the author's writing and the revision changes the message, thereby robbing the writing of it's classic appeal. So I believe that the N-word should remain in its original form. More important, the classroom teacher should take the time to use the controversy as a 'teachable moment' thereby educating the students not only with great literature but with sensitivity to diversity in our world. Huckleberry Finn is a classic because it still causes one to pause and think, hopefully to grow in the experience.

Oh yes we did!

2011-03-28T11:10:00.001-04:00

Our one year wedding anniversary was on Valentine's Day. We honeymooned at Mohonk Mt Family Resort in NY. What a trip!

The accomadations were fabulous: full breakfast buffet, high tea, gourmet dinner all included. The recreational activities took us through the day and into the night. I mean, that's great for family vacations, but as newly weds, did we really need to do that much? Apparently yes, according to my hyperactive husband. "Never miss a moment", he would say, and off we go.
We ate our 'all you can eat' breakfast with relish and fervor (never miss a moment, right?) rationalizing that we will be burning off those calories throughout the day by snow shoe hiking, cross country skiing, walking around the Resort (inside and out), and whatever else HE thinks of.
By the time High Tea came around we were famished and ate like there was no tomorrow. And I wonder why I gained half the weight back since marrying this man who has no bottom.
Dinner was a full course meal which gave us TWO appetizers each, the entree, and dessert. "Not a problem," remarked my forever-hungry-hyperactive-when's dinner?-husband. "We have evening activities to attend. There's the one hour wildlife lecture, then the two and a half hour movie, then we can go for a winter walk to see the stars and enjoy the night's ambiance." He is such a romantic!

Don't think the romance ended there. My Mr. Right had flowers sent to the room, anniversary cards given to me each night we were there (2), and showered me with love and attention, compliments and adoration throughout the weekend. What a guy.

And the funny thing of all of this? We didn't have to go away to do the things we did (including the compliments, adoration, love and attention). But what the heck? Right? Nothing like doing it off location. I truly approve of married life.

Let me be brave in the attempt

2011-03-27T21:14:00.000-04:00

My 35 year old son has Fragile X Syndrome. I call him a gentle giant. He is 6' and 200+ pounds -- big to look at, somewhat overwhelming in size, but as soft as silk and as gentle as a puppy.

Yesterday he participated in one of many basketball tournaments sponsered by Special Olympics. He loves going to these games so he can be with "his buds". Last year he scored a few points for the team. The coach called him "the bomb" and from then on my son refers to himself as "The Bomber". So cute!

So yesterday he scored. Well, you should have seen him! Hootin' and hollerin' for the success of it. My heart swelled with love and joy and pride...it should all be so simple...shouldn't it? That something like a basketball score can bring such joy to so many?

The world can learn an awful lot from our special needs citizens. They know what unconditional means...no strings, no hidden agendas...just the pure joy of it, whatever the 'it' is.

Well, it was worth a try

2011-03-26T12:11:00.000-04:00

I have been playing, or working, with the online surveys that are advertised everywhere. I call it work because I spent hours filling out forms. I have no idea what company or what product is being surveyed. I just go through the forms and wait to see if I am qualified to continue with the questions or screened out. I've been screened out of 10 surveys and have not qualified for any survey. I am totally frustrated.

I do not feel productive this way, so I canceled out of the program. Word of warning to those who wish to pursue this as a money making venture -- you have to spend many hours answering questions that will result in points. You have to accumulate many points before you are deemed worthy of payment. Some sites request your social security number in order to fill out a 1099-MISC. Don't do it!!

Well, it was worth a try. Now I am an educated consumer regarding online surveys. Some people say they earn up to $700 a year for their efforts. What they don't say is that they have to pay income tax for earning that much.

When it is all done...who makes the money?

Out of Boredom Comes Growth

2011-03-25T14:56:00.000-04:00

     I keep busy most days, but lately I've been bored. I have retired from formal teaching and I have remarried and relocated, but I am slow in making connections in friendship or employment. Summer is approaching and the prospects of finding work in education dims. That's dangerous for me as when boredom sets in, I get into trouble. Lately, it has been redesigning my physical appearance. The hair keeps changing color and the weight keeps going up. If I don’t put an end to it I will look like the Goodyear Blimp only red, not gray (well, I guess that’s a good thing).
     I do enjoy time with my children and grandchildren, but that doesn't happen on a regular basis.
     I have a husband, and I enjoy cooking dinner for him, but he is busy with his stuff and so there is much free time available for trouble making.
     My 93 year old mother is finally stabilized after a long bout of hospitalization. I was quite busy during that period. I'm not needed as much now, so no time filled in that arena.
     What to do? I decided to go back to blogging and see what I can do in making money. I mean, why not? If I going to sit at the computer for the sheer joy of it, I might as well make it work for me financially. I’m actually excited about this new project as it keeps my mind active. I love a good mental challenge. First I need to figure out the parameters. The new technology baffles me but I am motivated and I know I will catch on. My mind is fully occupied.
     Out of boredom comes growth. I am learning to be a blogger and my writing is becoming more fluid. This is good; but boredom still sucks!

Has it been that long?

2011-03-21T16:22:00.004-04:00

So here it is, one year and one month later. I don't know where the time went but I think it is somewhere between gaining half the weight back and luxuriating in the ecstasy of married life. OK, OK, so I'm not exactly luxuriating, but I am having the time of my life. I just love being a homemaker! Call me old-fashioned, but the tasks of keeping the house straightened up, cooking, caring for the yard, walking the dog, and watching TV at night with my husband suits my OCD and need for order and routine. Wait a minute! Did I just say order? Strike that out of my vocabulary when it comes to my loving, caring, husband who lives on the edge of just about anything. It could be the brink of an argument, the end of a deadline, last minute wardrobe change, filing taxes, sorting through the mail. It doesn't matter what the task, if it has to be done it gets done on his time, his way. I have learned, thank goodness for wisdom that comes with age, that it is best to leave his things alone and go about my business in keeping order and routine. I have learned to keep the peace by not wanting to be in control (well at least not all the time). I have learned that the mess gets cleaned up, eventually, so why even get started in a discussion that will lead to a fight? To love is to know; not only what can be done, but what can not be done; and to accept the unacceptable. Know what I mean?

Mr and Mrs

2010-03-08T11:10:00.003-05:00

Next week is our one month wedding anniversary. We have been non-stop celebrating this glorious event. Our honeymoon took us to NJ, NV, and CA. Everywhere we went I told "our story" to whomever would listen.

The first people subjected to hearing the story were the Pilot and Senior Flight Attendant on US Airways. They did not believe the story, I gathered, as they kept looking at the two of us and asked, "How many years did you say you are married?" When I reiterated the point that we JUST got married but it has been 45 years since we dated, the flight attendant gasped and said, "Maybe there is hope for me!!". Later during the flight, while I was napping, the flight attendant gave my husband (I love saying, "my husband") a bottle of wine. She whispered to him, "To loosen her up".

At the Bellagio, in Las Vegas, NV, I was greeted with "Welcome to the Bellagio, Mrs Lieberman". I swooned...then giggled...then asked, "How did they know?" It turns out that my husband has a connection who set us up with VIP service for the three days and nights we spent there. I mean we had it all: room service, concierge lounge with unlimited wine, cheese, drinks of all kinds including alcohol, and...oh, I forgot to mention the limosine service that picked us up at the airport with the chauffeur standing at the arrival gate holding a sign that read: Mr and Mrs Lieberman!!!

We ate, we saw shows, we toured all the casinos, and did not lose a penny as we don't gamble. You don't need to gamble to have fun in Vegas! So much to do, so little time to do it in. Having never been to Vegas, and being youthful in nature, I applauded the sights as I saw them for the first time as if I were six years old.

We met friends the last day in Vegas and traveled to their home in Laguna Woods, CA. We stayed there for the week but we traveled to Palm Springs, Santa Monica, San Diego, and Long Beach. Again, lots to do and we did it all.

OK, I'm going to sign off now, but rest assured there will be more stories and some photos to share in the next post.

Until then, The New Mrs

Today is my wedding day

2010-02-14T08:18:00.004-05:00

As a surprise, Ed traveled from his hometown in NY, to be with me the morning of our wedding. I had thought he was going to meet me at the synagogue. He quietly came into my house at some hour when I was asleep, and since I have severe hearing loss, I did not hear him come in. This morning, I found, on my bathroom sink, a jewelry box with "To My Valentine" written on it (Ed slept in the guest bedroom which furthered the surprise when I awoke this morning). Inside the box was his high school ID bracelet that he gave to me when we dated in '64, but took back when I transferred to Temple from Pitt. Another example of how his love for me was born the day he met me...even as young as 17. Today I will wear Ed's ID bracelet as part of my wedding attire. This love story keeps on growing.

Wedding Bells are ringing

2010-01-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

Dreams do come true...you just have to believe it. I do. Forty-five years ago I met him, my husband to be, at the University of Pittsburgh. We became friends and did a lot together: ski, tennis, movies, outings with various clubs, but never dated. A year later, we started to date and continued a nice casual relationship for a few years. Time and space interrupted our friendship and he went his way, I went mine. Last year, two years after the death of his wife of 37 years, he started looking for me. At the same time, I was looking for him. I signed up on Facebook in January, he signed up in February, and in March we reconnected. We've been inseperable ever since, and in February we are getting married! I never forgot him. He never forgot me. When asked, "What kind of man are you looking for?", I answered by describing my fiancee as I knew his spirit, his essence, as it was when he was 17. The essence of a person is forever steadfast and sure. Life experiences may create behaviors that are not necessarily a true reveal of a person, but if you know the spirit of that person, then you know. I know! btw...we are getting married on Valentine's Day. How romantic is that???

A Critique of Mel Brooks', The Producers

2009-06-02T20:59:00.003-04:00

The Producers The New MEL BROOKS Musical The Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, PA is ending the season with a highly energized performance of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, a show that explores how not to do something right.

Broadway producer, Max Bialystock (played by Ben Lipitz) and accountant, Leo Bloom (Ben Dibble) calculate that they can earn more money making a flop than a hit. They set out to hire the worst director in town, the worst actors, and mount an utterly tasteless play, Springtime for Hitler, that claims to be a musical celebration of the romantic side of the Nazi leader. The play becomes a hit, is hailed as a satirical masterpiece and, as a result, the producers face financial disaster! What did they do right? Who cares? In an effort to show the making of a disaster, Mel Brooks’ music and lyrics, aided by the artistic direction of Bernard Harvard, the musical and vocal direction of Douglass G. Lutz, and the choreography and direction of Marc Robin, kept the audience laughing from curtain rise to curtain fall. As the play opens, Max Bialystock -- with a name like that, already this reporter is amused -- produces the latest in a series of flops, a show entitled, Hamlet, the Musical. He retreats to his office, a sparsely designed set with casting couch (used to woo hormonally induced geriatric women into writing sizable checks to bankroll his productions), desk and chair, and, most important, an armoire consisting of pictures of all his lovers ( “I have the denture marks to prove it,” moans Max). Leo Bloom, a nerdy, high-strung, under-medicated, nervous wreck of an accountant arrives to assess Max’s books. Leo wishes to be a producer, and, after much banter between him and Max (“You have two sets of books, Max”), Leo discovers a way in which Max can make money: produce a flop; that way he can keep the money obtained from his paramour investors. This excites Max and puts Leo into a tailspin of hysteria because he will be doing something strictly out-of-character. Max assures Leo, singing, “We Can Do It”, but to appease himself, Leo pulls out a blue blanket swatch from his childhood and passionately self-soothes. The accounting firm in which Leo works portrays a staid robotic sameness that causes one to cringe. The drabness is broken when a chorus line of dancers enter the scene, dressed in low cut leotards, feathers, and sequins…so Mel Brooks! Of course, one dancer (Sean Bell) is in drag and it is his character that brings the audience to a lustful roar. Max and Leo find the perfect flop of a play, Springtime for Hitler, written by a crazed Nazi supporter, Franz Leibkind (Jeffrey Coon), who sings to his pigeons, “In Old Bavaria”, while the pigeons, donned in swastika arm band, salutes to the name of Hitler whenever mentioned. Brooks sticks it to the Third Reich! To win Leibkind’s signature for the rights of to the play, Max and Leo have to sing and dance to “Der Guten Tag Hop-Clop”, and wear swastikas, “Max, we’re in too deep!”, says Leo; “No, I’ll tell you when we’re in too deep,” responds Max as he turns to the audience and cries, “Oy!”. Max and Leo obtain the needed rights to the play and return to the office to prepare looking for the worst director and actors. In walks Ulla (Amy Bodnar), with big breasts, long legs, tight dress, and blonde hair. She is every man’s wet dream, and, once again, Brooks, never known for his subtlety, emphasizes the fact with claps of thunder and bolts of lightening. Ulla is well aware of her “gifts” and tells the men, “When You Got It, Flaunt It!”. The men are drooling, the women are laughing, and, once again, predictable comedy and perfect timing wins the audience. Roger DeBris (Jeremy Webb), gay director of gay productions, is chosen to direct Leibkind’s play. DeBris’ man servant, Carmen Ghia (Robert McClure), and he expose a side of homosexuality that is not only satirically humorous, but grossly over-the-top! How did Brooks get away with this? He did, and thank goodness for that! Diversity exists and the audience approved. The assemblage of the worst actors, the worst settings, the worst everything, is completed and triumph is shouted in song, “Along Came Bialy” as the curtain falls at the end of Act One.

As the Second Act opens, much to Max and Leo’s surprise, Springtime for Hitler, becomes a runaway hit! Max and Leo are mortified, “Where did we go right?” Now they have to pay back their backers with the money they had hoped they would keep. “NOW we’re in too deep!” cries Max. Leo and Ulla run away to Rio and Max goes to jail. Not to worry, however: in jail, Max produces another hit, Prisoners of Love. Leo returns from Rio with his wife, Ulla, and all ends well. Mel Brooks is known for his outrageous risqué humor and he does not disappoint with the writing of The Producers; but it is the Walnut Street Theatre’s entourage of actors, so aptly directed and choreographed, who bring the show to a standing ovation. Although the humor is predictable, it was the timing and delivery that made this production a success. The Producers is being performed at The Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA from May 12, 2009 to July 19, 2009.

Mother's Day at Karen's House

2009-05-11T11:52:00.006-04:00

What an awesome mother's day celebration! I had a brunch for family and friends who did not have family in the area. Lots of good food, good conversation, and laughter. Take a look at my mother! She is 91 and keeps on ticking, or I should say 'kicking' since she has restless leg syndrome and is always kicking me under the table. This picture is the four generations. Rachel is now 8 months old.

My grandson, Sammy, is now three years old. He was, if not Rachel, the center of attention at the brunch. And...isn't that how it is supposed to be?

Can't let the entry go by without bragging about my children...here they are...they are always a source of joy.

My daughter, Pam, 35, and proud mother of two beautiful children.

My son, Scott, 33 years old and looking gorgeous!

I have not entertained in a long while and I was somewhat anxious about having enough food. As usual, I bought more than enough and everyone ate as much as they wanted. It was fun for me to entertain; I had forgotten how nice it is to have people over. I see a wine and cheese gathering in the near future when I invite the girls for a swim and a sip.

Water vs Coke: Who Knew?

2009-04-01T12:07:00.003-04:00

This came to me and I thought I'd share the information with you. I am not a Coke, or soda of any sort, drinker, but...I do not drink enough water! I knew water is important for good health, but who knew the detrements of Coke? Read on...

WATER

#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)

#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.

#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.

#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?

COKE

#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the 'real thing' sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

#1 the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would you like a glass of water? or Coke?

2009-03-29T21:10:00.001-04:00

If I were disgustingly rich I would travel incessantly. A few years ago I would have bought a motorcycle, but some dreams you just have to let go of. I would like to see exotic lands such as Thailand and Peru, and romantic countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece. I would do this in my private jet, which is fully staffed. When not traveling, I would relax at one of my several palatial estates high up in the Grand Tetons of Wyoming, somewhere on the Keys of Florida, perhaps in Vermont. During those relaxing times I would enjoy a variety of music including ballads, blues, rock, classics, music I can dance to. Oh yes, I would have a personal trainer who is adept in choreography. My children would come and go as they please; I would have dozens of dogs and horses - a breed for every mood. As a disgustingly rich lady I would create a home for children, of all nations, who are in need of shelter and food. I would ask only one thing of them in return: to tell me what they learned that day, before going to sleep at night. Being rich is a dream these days. The economy is faltering and our state of the union is up for debate. I can only hope and pray that our state of financial unrest is temporary and that the dream each of us have is realized.

Snow Day - WooHoo!

2009-03-02T09:06:00.003-05:00

It was one of those nights when I went to sleep feeling overwhelmingly tired and woke up way before my usual wakeup time feeling amazingly energized (3:30AM). This is not the norm. As it was, I went back to sleep at around 6, just to wake up at 8:30. I think I'm awake for the duration of the day. It is still snowing! I love it. The energy invades all of my senses and I feel renewed. Today I will catch up on my reading, watch The View, and stitch together patches to form a blanket to be given to the needy. I like snow days. It gives me permission to stay in and not perseverate over anything too important. I have plenty of food and plenty of wine, good music, and renewed spirits. Life is good. I don't have to worry about shoveling the snow. I live in a condo community and I pay good money for someone else to do it. I will have to walk Sheba and that will be a chore. She hates the snow. I keep her out and command, "Poop!", and she does, eventually. Yes, my precious Sheba poops on command. Jimmy are you reading this? Put that into your Possum's Journal (giggle and a wink...not a Palin wink, however; more of a Joan River's wink - did anyone see Celebrity Apprentice last night?). Have an awesome day!

My thoughts about writing blog entries

2009-02-24T20:03:00.008-05:00

I have been writing exposes for a few years, mostly regarding my life as a single woman/mom/grandmom. If one considers blogging as published work, then I am published (warm smile, Palin wink)! I think I found my voice as my "blog followers", along with friends and family, encourage me to carry on with the project. This "writing" feels good. I do not wish to do research and write, as I did this as a reading specislist most of my career life...and those days are over. I enjoy the craft of writing. I like playing with words and sculpting them into something worthy of view. I am always learning and because of my joy of writing, I developed a passion for reading. The novels I read are varied and I do this for a reason. I listen to the author's voice as it is written on the page and I grow as a writer from that experience. The different voices, or different writing styles, are learning experiences for me. The same goes for the reading of my blog friends' entries. I learn from everyone. DB of Vagabond Journeys is a writer, among other things. His words sparks my imagination and I find I think about things a little longer. Beth of Nutwood Junction writes her opinions in a manner that gets me thinking, too. We think alike, Beth and I. Then there is Bucko (a.k.a Ken) at Bucko's World who writes about what goes on at work or in the world. His entries gives me the "man's point of view" and I like that. Paula of Paulines Country Tales keeps me laughing heartily with her cow and country stories. Then there is Jimmy at Jimmy's Journal. I don't know where he finds the time, but his posts always covers something in the line of personal, political, humorous, and wise sayings. He keeps me entertained. I just mentioned a few writers. Those of you who are reading this post and find your name missing, fear not. I enjoy reading about the lives of my cyber-neighbors. I feel as if when I log on and read Tracy's Just being who I am, or Lucy's What is left of a whole new life, or Missy's Upsidedown World, or Mort's Caring-and-Sharing, and Alice's As always Alice", I am not alone and I do not feel lonely. Their entries about the goings on in their lives makes me feel connected with them even if it is cyber, it is real...and that is a good thing! Carry on, dear friends. I look forward to spending the rest of this week reading your blogs and saying "Hello" in the comment section. Afterall that is writing, too.

Have a great week

2009-02-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

My sister and niece are coming up from Virginia. They will spend the week with me while visiting mom. So....have a great week! I don't think I will be at my computer any time soon. Take care! Karen

25 Things about me...11 to 25

2009-02-16T11:18:00.002-05:00

The next 15 items, totaling 25 with this entry, are short; so I put them all up...don't want you to lose interest...keep it short and sweet, I say. Here goes: 11. I used to beat up the boys in my neighborhood. Let’s not go there in any form of deep psychological analysis; let’s just say I was a tomboy and outran, outplayed, and just about outdid the boys back then. 12. Mom put me in Glamour School and made me take Elocution classes to smooth out the tomboy in me. It worked. I can walk a straight line with a book on top of my head without tripping or dropping the book. I can even answer the phone with the etiquette of a lady. Imagine that! 13. If it weren’t for the math and sciences I would be a veterinarian today. 14. I hiked across a 3 mile crater of an active volcano in Hawaii, sniffed the sulfur, and fantasized in the rainforest that took me down to the crater. 15. I rode on another boyfriend’s motorcycle from Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, Co. Like a little girl, the smile on my face told it all. 16. Although friends say it isn’t so, I consider myself solitary and somewhat of a loner. I am resourceful in entertaining myself and challenging myself. One may say I am independent. 17. I study and interpret dreams. Tell me yours. I will be gentle and compassionate in my interpretation, but I will tell the truth in what I see. 18. I enjoy silver and turquoise. I have tried to move my jewelry interests over to diamonds and gold, but alas it is the silver that beckons me. 19. I don’t care much for whatever is in style at the moment. I am a conservative dresser tending towards the classic. The turquoise goes great with the look. 20. I am single…duh! But did you know I’ve been single longer than I’ve been married? 21. I am actively searching for the man who will put up with my antics. 22. I love peanut butter and I put it on broccoli…and, I eat it raw! 23. The “zone” in the cosmetic weight charts gives one 25 pounds to play with. I have gone from the top of my zone to the bottom of my zone in four months. Now I have to go shopping. 24. I hate shopping! 25. The greatest joy in my life is being a Mom and now being a Grandmother. OK, Folks! Your turn!!!! Karen

Twenty-five things you did not know about me (6-10)

2009-02-15T12:50:00.002-05:00

Well here it is folks, five more items about the life and times of Karen. I hope you enjoy the read; I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. 6. I would talk about wine, but everyone and their sister knows I love my Chardonnay. 7. I color my hair. Yes, I do! I have been doing this since childhood when my mother didn’t like that my platinum blonde head was turning dark. She spiked the shampoo with hydrogen peroxide until I was old enough to read labels and figured out what she was doing. I went to a professional stylist in college, then to the commercial box-on-a-shelf, and am now back to professional color. I have been a blonde, red head, brunette, and am contemplating strawberry blonde for this coming spring. Heaven help us! 8. I went to an overnight camp for a few years, and participated in a raid. This is when you sneak out at night when the counselors are smoking and joking in the canteen. We visited the boys’ side of camp. Of course we were discovered and were grounded from the weekend dance, but who cared? It was fun! 9. I attended two colleges as an undergrad. My freshman and sophomore years were spent at the University of Pittsburgh. I entered the school of education in August…I did it this way because the school’s quota for liberal arts was full. I was lucky to get in as my high school grades were less than stellar and my SAT scores were deplorable. 10. I graduated with a B.S. in Education from Temple University. One full semester of credits from Pitt did not transfer, so I had to spend two summers making up the credits. It was OK, however, as the summer program was much easier and the campus more laid back. Stay tuned...numbers 11 to 15 are close behind. Until then... Karen

Twenty-five things you did not know about me (1 -5)

2009-02-13T13:28:00.005-05:00

My niece challenged me to a creative writing experience. It took a while to decide if I really wanted to take her up on the challenge, and after a long trip through the dead zone of creativity, I decided, what the heck! So here it is, folks: the first 5 of 25 things you don't know about me...heaven help us! 1. I promoted a rock band back in the early 90s called Equal Rights. I am very good at cold calling and inside sales, so this was a cynch. I got into two recording studios to present the demo tape, audio cassette in those days. The response was favorable, but the band disbanded. I went back to teaching. 2. When I skied Killington, VT, in my 20's, I had no fear and KNEW I could do anything I set out to do; so I took the chairlift to the highest summit figuring I could ski down those godforsaken slopes just like everyone else. It took two minutes on the top of that mountain to learn I was not an advanced skier and I was not a courageous soul. I walked down the mountain, waving to all who skied by or stopped to make sure I was ok. 3. I dated a motorcycle racer who enjoyed giving me 115mph rides down the newly constructed highway that is now overloaded with cars and trucks. I loved every heart-stopping moment of it. Don't tell my mother! 4. I love to write, but you know that. What you don't know is that I got 15 emotionally disturbed middle school students to write a five paragraph essay about themselves. Then I published their works, at Staples, for a presentation to the class as a gift. Teachers are promoters...and you gotta be good at sales to teach! 5. I have two sisters: one older and one younger. Yes, I am a middle child and I live up to all that analytical, psychological hoo-hah that is said about the middle child. And I'm darn proud of it!! OK, I'm going to do this in segments as I don't want my readers to get overwhelmed with all this new found knowledge about their somewhat quiet friend (oops, there's that tongue-in-cheek again). Until then, that's how I see it, Karen

Which One Shall I Go With?

2009-02-09T12:00:00.005-05:00

Valentine's Day is this weekend and the love is in the air, as well as in my heart! It is time to start looking again.

In the free tabloid, In Your Prime, a February 2009 publication for Pennsylvania/New Jersey 55+ community, two articles regarding finding love after fifty have given me the strength to look beyond my past and towards my future. "A Love Letter to Yourself", by Edie Weinstien-Moser, reminds me that I am to treat myself with the same kind of affection and compassion I would towards another human being. With that, I went through a makeover. I lost a lot of weight, fixed up my hair and makeup, and renewed my spirit.

The other article, "Never Say Never", by Scott Edwards, tells of a woman who has lived a life similar to mine. Her latest breakup was particularly painful because she thought that he was The One. He wasn't, and it caused her to second guess her instincts and question her identity. Well, knock me over with a feather! Those words could have been mine. The heart warming tale takes us through her journey that ends in meeting her "soul mate" at the young age of 64.

Now if that isn't encourgement enough, I have my daughter cheering me on!

And I like who I see in the mirror these days.

So help me out, Friends. I am entering the internet world of senior dating and need a picture that will attract the right man. Which one shall it be? #1 which was taken a week ago, or #2 which was taken a year ago. Of course, you can also choose #3 which is the one yet to be taken.

I'm counting on you...

Picture #1

Picture #2

Picture #3 Yet to be taken

Your vote is important to me.

Karen

Hello Friends

2009-02-04T20:35:00.001-05:00

Tonight I am reading your blogs, so you will not see an entry here. All is well, however, and that is a good thing. Carry on...

Independence

2009-01-30T12:36:00.006-05:00

As I was walking Sheba, today, I wandered further than I had planned. The winter winds had subsided and the icy paths were cleared. Before realizing the distance, it was too late to retract, so I marched on at a summer's pace. It felt so good. I ended up at a pond that was only slightly frozen. The big "Thin Ice Do Not Skate" sign shouted mercilessly, so I obeyed. The Canada geese, however, did not head to the warning and seemingly enjoyed their frolic in the cold water and on the slippery ice. All of a sudden, I had a flashback to my childhood days of winter. It was 1954. The snow storms were frequent and school seemed to be closed more often than open during January and February. In walking distance from our home, sat a pond. It belonged to a golf course. This was the kind of pond that I, for one, would never be able to drive a golf ball across. There must have been a million golf balls in that pond over the years...fodder for some enterprising young boy who would be courageous enough to wade through those merky waters in his gathering of merchandise. That pond was the neighborhood gathering spot during the winter. I remember carrying my ice skates over my shoulder, as I skipped through the snow covered streets...always with my big sister along, so that I shouldn't be alone. After all, I was only eight years old. But I was alone as my big sister would find her friends and skate off with them...way over to the other side of the pond where the big kids skated. Undaunted, and full of resolve, and being a middle child who learned at an early age to be independent, I put on my skates and skated the pond happily. It wasn't long before I would come across a friend from school or a friend from the neighborhood. I wasn't reallly alone. Today, I saw myself, at the pond that can not be skated upon, alone...yet, not alone. I am grateful for the good and loyal friends who keep a watch over me either by phone, email, or in person. I have a loving family who support me in whatever decsion I make for myself. I am an independent person. I may be by myself as I lace up my skates, but rarely do I skate alone. Know what I mean? Karen

Mid-life, a story from Anonymous

2009-01-26T17:21:00.004-05:00

This is not an original How I See It. It is from our favorite author, Anonymous. I've seen two shows lately that went on and on about how mid-life is a great time for women. Just last week Oprah had a whole show on how great menopause will be... Puhleeeeeeeze! I've had a few thoughts of my own and would like to share them with you. Whether you are pushing 40, 50, 60 (or maybe even just pushing your luck) you'll probably relate. Mid-life is when the growth of hair on our legs slows down. This gives us plenty of time to care for our newly acquired mustache. In mid-life women no longer have upper arms, we have wing spans. We are no longer women in sleeveless shirts, we are flying squirrels in drag. Mid-life is when you can stand naked in front of a mirror and you can see your rear without turning around. Mid-life is when you go for a mammogram and you realize that this is the only time someone will ask you to appear topless. Mid-life is when you want to grab every firm young lovely in a tube top and scream, 'Listen honey, even the Roman empire fell and those will too.' Mid-life brings wisdom to know that life throws us curves and we're sitting on our biggest ones. Mid-life is when you look at your-know-it-all, beeper-wearing teenager and think: 'For this I have stretch marks?' In mid-life your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing we can retain is water. Mid-life means that you become more reflective...You start pondering the 'big' questions. What is life? Why am I here? How much Healthy choice ice cream can I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice? But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. We realize that breasts sag, hips expand and chins double, but our loved ones make the journey worthwhile. Would any of you trade the knowledge that you have now, for the body you had way back when? Maybe our bodies simply have to expand to hold all the wisdom and love we've acquired. That's my philosophy and I'm sticking to it! Until then... Karen

Life in the 1500's

2009-01-25T19:16:00.004-05:00

True, or not, the information satisfies my curiosity. How about yours? Here are some facts about the 1500s: Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water. Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs ) lived in the roof When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying It's raining cats and dogs. There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, Dirt poor. The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a thresh hold. In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme, Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old.. Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, bring home the bacon. They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat. Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous. Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust. Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake. England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive. So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all n ight (the graveyard shift). to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.. Like I said, don't know if it is true, and who cares? It's fun to see it this way... Until then, that's how I see it, Karen

It must be Spring!

2009-01-23T10:24:00.005-05:00

Believe it or not, I saw 8 robins peking away at the dirt on the baseball field where I walk Sheba. It was 33 degrees, but it didn't keep the robins away! I think I might have seen a cardinal, too. Of course, I didn't have my camera...not in the habit of taking it with me. It must be spring...such hope and newness in the air! Mom is being discharged, after 6 weeks of illness. She goes home this Monday. I have seen to it that her aide will be available, the refridgerator full, the heat on in her apartment, and generally that the house is in order. Do I hear chirping? Friends, you have sent me wonderful words to live by. Thank you for taking time to express them here. When I get like this, depressed and lonely because life is throwing punches too often and too hard, I retreat to my spiritual side and get strength. Your words, my blogger friends, helped me get there. Thank you! I am feeling strong and purposeful, grounded and focused. My substitute teaching credentials are in order and I begin work, if I want to, next week. I plan to do it just a day or two a week, maybe a few days in a month...just enough to bring in some spending money to pay for my outings with the girls. Well, the sun is shining and Sheba is whining. The day is new and I feel true. Stay in the present, you can't go wrong Life, my friend, is a dance and a song. oooh...did I just write that? yes, I did! Until then, that's how I see it, Karen

Life

2009-01-18T18:20:00.003-05:00

In a sermon, I heard, "Life sucks". The clergy apologized for using harsh words, but said it was the perfect word for the description of life. The deal is...knowing this...make the best of it, in whatever manner you choose. I liked that. The acceptance of life being difficult, and the permission to do whatever one needs to do to make it work. I am being challenged by life these past few months. Wish me luck with making the best of it. Until then, that's how I see it. Karen

Who am I? How am I doing? Where am I headed?

2009-01-08T12:51:00.002-05:00

Who am I? How am I doing? Where am I headed? These are the checkpoint questions I have learned to ask myself as a result of many years of personal growth and spiritual development. I didn't get where I am by accident. I believe in destiny, fate, God's plan, call it what you may. Each life experience taught me lessons from which I can better myself. The recent breakup with my boyfriend is yet one more experience from which I can take time to reflect on who I am and how I am doing, then decide where I am headed. I am a single mother. I have lived, other than the eleven years I was married to the father of my children, as a single woman. It has been a difficult journey with many ups and downs. Raising my children, as a single mother, was the most challenging and most rewarding part of that journey. They have grown into productive, joyful, healthy individuals and they are a source of great pride. I look forward to enjoying many years with my grandchildren helping them grow into happy and healthy adults. I am an educator. I have taught in public and private schools and am now retired. However, I continue to tutor and am going back to substitute teaching. My journey as one who is gainful and productive continues in a positive manner. For this I am grateful. I am a friend. Thank goodness for the girlfriends who have supported me through the last few months of struggle and suffering. I return their friendship in many ways and with that we continue a lifelong relationship. I am a daughter. I am not doing too well with this part of my being. Watching mom in her illness saddens me as I can not make her well. I try to concentrate on the gifts she still has which is a sharp mind and good counsel. My journey with her is treasured and I try to remain present and focused when I am with her. I am single and available. I am forever the optimist maintaining a hopeful outlook that one day my true love will come. As I get older, I question such frivolity of thought, but it is who I am. I maintain a good figure, healthy outlook, and keep myself active and interesting as I seek a life partner who is in sync with my being. All in all, I am pleased with who I am and how I am doing. The journey through life is always going to be filled with ups and downs, but those are the checkpoints that keep me strong. So I ask of you...how are you doing? where are you headed? I look forward to your comments. Until then, that's how I see it, Karen

So did you survive the holidaze?

2008-12-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

We had a pleasant time of it, visiting with mom in the convalescent home. We exchanged gifts and ate some. The nurses and staff performed a chorus of holiday music which everyone enjoyed. My daughter and SIL brought the grandchildren and that lifted everyone's spirits...a two year old just enjoys the whole world as long as there are toys to be played with and gifts to open; and a 3 month old enjoys the world as long as that bottle is coming her way! Mom's spirits are good. She will stay for a while as she gets stronger and heals. The Florida trip has been canceled, but I will be enjoying time here with friends. Today I go to the Poconos for an overnight trip with my son. I have a friend who rents a house up there and every year I go up to enjoy the ambiance. I used to ski, but the knee is still talking to me and saying stuff I can't write here for fear of offending someone. That's OK, however. There is much to do up there and the sights...with the deer and the snow...suits my spiritual nature, so I'm happy. Looking forward to reading your entries this coming week. I know I am behind, but I also know that all of you good people understand my absence. Be well, take care...

Big Hugs to All!

2008-12-22T09:42:00.003-05:00

A hug, a big big hug, to you! Here's hoping you have a wonderful time with family this coming week, and an equally wonderful time with friends, too. Mom has been relocated to a nursing home for rehab. Once the PT and OT assess her, we will know how long she stays. Her roommate seems nice, but Mom prefers privacy and does not like to talk much and likes to have the TV on all day and night, and there is only one TV. So we may have her moved to a private suite which will cost out-of-pocket. We are taking it day-by-day. My Florida trip is on hold, a decision will be made on Dec 30th which gives us another 9 days to see how mom is faring. I could use a week of golf right about now, but I can get it in February, as well. As my big sister says, "So where's the lemonade? Aren't we supposed to have lemonade with all these lemons?" I liked that one.

Update on Mom

2008-12-20T03:17:00.006-05:00

Typical of the past few weeks' sleep pattern, I am awake at 3:00AM and flaundering around looking for something mindless to do. Not that blogging is mindless. In fact, I am somewhat surprised that I can write, let alone think, coherently.

Mom has been re-hospitalized for a week now. Many tests have been taken but the results show nothing. She is a medical phenomenon. What brought her in this time around is the hand. I can't call it an injury to the hand because when it blew up the way it did, she was simply doing nothing. The docs and nurses all agree that it doesn't take much, just a simple wisp of something against the skin, to cause this kind of injury...that's how tissue thin Mom's hand it. Check this out:

Notice the manicure and the jewelry...

Anyhow, the hand was twice the size of these pictures when I brought her in last Sunday. Now she has to go to a rehab facility in order to learn to manage herself. She has an aide,who will probably leave us for other work since Mom will be in rehap for a month and not in need of an aide until she is discharged. That is not good news. Finding a good, competant, audible, coherent non-medical aide is like finding a needle in the proverbial haystack.

A heartfelt (right hand touching my heart) thank you to all for the prayers and well wishes. You know how powerful prayer is and I am grateful for the healing energy that is sent my way.

2008-12-14T21:29:00.001-05:00

Just a post to say that mom is back in the hospital. I will post when the time and energy permits.

Knitting blankets for the needy

2008-12-10T20:14:00.007-05:00

I volunteer with a group of ladies who knit blankets and give them to those in need. I do my part in the knitting, stitching together knitted squares, and delivering blankets to shelters, hospitals, and family services where they are distributed accordingly.

I started the group seven years ago. It was going well, but not well enough in my opinion, so I asked a respected member of the community to help out. She took leadership and boy, oh boy, did she ever do a bang up job. Today we have more knitters than we can count because the group has spread into the community. Volunteers at local hospitals have joined us, sending their knitted squares to my Aunt who organized a group in her apartment building. She gives me a bag of enough knitted squares for two or three blankets! We don't even know anymore who is doing the knitting, the process has gone out of our hands.

Note the squares...once the knitted squares are gathered at our monthly meeting, we choose a theme and stitch the squares together. It is time consuming as everyone has an opinion on what color goes with what theme, but it is fun. This blanket was stitched together but only in portions. We had to do some fancy foot work to get a reasonable theme. Given the effort, it turned out OK. We had just enough squares in this color theme to pull it off and then we notice we were shy two squares and tried to match with the pink. It is a challenge. It takes 36 squares to make a blanket.This blanket was made by one person who chose to change the pattern. It satisfies the specifications, however...36" by 36"...or there abouts.

We plan to deliver twenty blankets tomorrow, but I will not be going. I will be busy bringing mom home from the hospital (after an 8 day stay) and settling her in for a cozy weekend at home. Yea!

2008-12-06T10:04:00.005-05:00

My sister and her dog, Philly. It is a brisk day in Pennsylvania and I just returned from walking the dogs. Philly, my sister's dog, is staying with me while my sister spends the remaining visiting days, here from Virginia, with her husband who came up to get her. Surprisingly, the dogs continue to get along and walking them is harmonious. It has not been as joyful a week as we had hoped. Mom had a bronchial asthmatic attack that sent her to the hospital. She has been there since Wednesday and the doctors are not sending her home until her heart stabilizes. She hates hospitals! In March, when she was in she wanted out within two days. This time she is welcoming the visit. She even thanked me for taking control of the situation and insisting that 911 be called to take her in. This is not a good sign. I try to remain cheerful, hence last night's post and this morning's cartoon keeps me in that crazy place...for the time being. Late at night when I try to sleep is when the thoughts go awry. I can't read because I can't concentrate, I knit while in the hospital so I don't care to do that, I play mindlessly on the Internet, and cry. Crying is healing. Thanks to Joyce for this cartoon...little did she know at the time...

In Response to Spaghetti Cat (Beth's Entry at Nutwood Junction)

2008-12-05T17:51:00.003-05:00

Hey Beth ...bet your spaghetti cat can't do this! Lovingly submitted...

Just a quick hello

2008-12-02T21:48:00.002-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving feast has come and gone and I am still stuffed! The dinner, with all the great grandchildren running around the apartment, was a success. Mom loved the attention and the noise and seeing the family together. I, on the other hand, am exhausted; but happily so. My big sister is visiting with me for the week. She brought her chocolate lab, Philly, and, fortunately, the two dogs are getting along. This wasn't the case the last time her dog came to visit. Sheba had such a hissy fit with territorial boundaries that Sheba either growled, barked, peed or pooped inside the house. Thank goodness this isn't the case this time around! I called and wrote to CBS3 Consumer Relations program...this is the local network who blows the whistle on business who are scamming customers. You may remember how I got charged a restocking fee by Best Buy because I opened a closed package with a digital camera I bought, and then returned it because I didn't like the camera. Anyway, they said they are getting lots of complaints but can not do anything about it because Best Buy has covered their rears with all kinds of legal policies protecting themselves in writing on the back of receipts. Darn! So how is everybody faring with the next holiday just around the corner? My shopping is done. It is easy when the grown kids ask for gift cerficates and the babies are too little to care, but the parents are touched. The biggest problem is what to get my boyfriend. He has everything! And what he wants, I can't afford. Until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

2008-11-25T20:55:00.003-05:00

Well, the day is near and there is much to do. My son will be with me for his monthly home visit and that is always a joy. He is such a big help around the house. He helps me walk Sheba, empty the trash, make his bed, and tells me he loves me and wants to marry me (but he knows he can't because it is against the law...loving wink and smile). My son has Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder causing autism and mental retardation. That doesn't stop him from watching football and mixing it up with the guys in the family.

My daughter and her clan will be with us. She is now the mother of two. Her impression of me as a mother has changed since the kids were born. Hmmm, nice to be on the receiving end of her love and appreciation. We are quite close and I see her and the grandchildren often. Lately, my grandson (2 1/2 years old) has given up Barney for Beyonce. This kid is gonna be quite the heart breaker, sooner than later it seems.

We will be at my 91 year old (I love bragging about her age) mother's apartment for the big feast. There will be 14 adults and 8 great grandchildren. Always the organizer, I made part of the dinner (at my home) and will take it to mom's place on Thursday. The other part of the dinner was bought at Giant Supermarket where they will cook a turkey, do stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, gravy, and a pumpkin pie all for a reasonable price. Now that's my kind of entertaining! Mom insists on making her famous yam and marshmellow casserole. I will see to it that the wine is plentiful.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Marie Antoinette Award

2008-11-24T20:55:00.006-05:00

Alice, http://asalwaysalice.blogspot.com/, has chosen me as one of her blogger friends to award with the Marie Antoinette tag. Thanks, Alice! In response, I get to pay it forward by selecting bloggers who, at this point in the award-giving gig, has not been mentioned, or at least I don't think they have been mentioned, and let me tell you I spent lots of time looking through all the blogspots on my Google Reader to make sure to find only those who weren't chosen so they, too, can be honored....whew! what a run-on sentence...my students would be proud! Remember to snag and tag the picture from here and place it on your blogspot entry. Mention where you got it from and list new bloggers who have not received the award, but you feel should. Presenting the Marie Antoinette Award to: Ora, Someone who enjoys people, children, and pets, writes with wisdom and heart. Marlene, http://marlene-one-day-at-a-time.blogspot.com/, lives near me but we've never met...however we are blog neighbors and that's a good thing. Kristi, http://ramblingwoolysheep.blogspot.com/, has interesting stories to tell. Tracy, http://tracy-justbeingwhoiam.blogspot.com/, is a stay at home mom...good for you, Tracy! DB, http://vagabondjourneys.blogspot.com/, writes wonderful stories. Lucy, http://whatlifeisabout-lucy.blogspot.com/, lives life fully. Claudia, http://whatclaludiaisnowthinking.blogspot.com/, also known as Claudia's Thoughts, works hard and long hours but still finds time to blog.

Stuart, http://kafkasworld.blogspot.com/, also known as Specimen Days, enjoys the Bible and finds ways to incorporate its teachings into daily living.

Jody, http://fishhawkroad.blogspot.com/, has some interesting thoughts and too few readers.

Be sure to stop by and give them a hearty Hello! I know they will appreciate it.

A walk in the woods with Sheba

2008-11-21T15:41:00.010-05:00

I saw the handsome doctor today. I told him how my knee was keeping me awake and I needed something stronger than an ice pack to calm it down. He was gracious, compassionate, and willing to please...but not in the manner in which I had dreamt...

He gave me a cortisone shot right there in that cursed knee! and now I feel like dancing...

Instead, I took Sheba for a walk. It is a crisp, cold, focused day here in S.E. PA. The snow fell this morning, enough to make the world look pure, but not enough to make the schools close. I did not have my camera with me for our morning walk so we missed taking pics of the snow covered park where Sheba likes to run.

However, I had my camera with me this afternoon when the temps rose to a brisk 34 degrees.

This is the nature trail we walk whenever my knee cooperates. We love it here.

She gets to sniff all kinds of stuff, and I get to commiserate with Mother Nature.

We end up at the pond in which many kinds of water fowl like to frolic.

Here they think I have some bread for them...HA! little do they know...

And so our walk ends with a very brisk walk home as the sunlight is failing and the temps are falling. Note the edges of the trail...snow covered!! I love snow!

Welcome to my home

2008-11-20T15:51:00.004-05:00

This is my living room. I do all of my knitting and reading, sometimes blogging, and television watching here. In addition, I dance. Note the table is moved to the right, giving me more room for dancing. My fibro may be raging and the knee that won't heal may be screaming, but that doesn't stop the dancer in me from doing what I love. Did you see Sheba in the fireplace? I am allergic to wood smoke, so the fireplace has become her den. She has carpet remnant under her bolster pillow which is wrapped in a beach towel. Only the comfiest (is that a word?) for her!

My dining room is sparse. I use it mostly to do my business work or some writing on the laptop if I'm not sitting in front of the TV with the laptop on...where else?...my lap!

Yes, I got a new camera and am very happy with it. More pics to follow...

Fibromyalgia

2008-11-19T20:22:00.005-05:00

This has not been a good day for me. In truth, my fibromyalgia (http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fibromyalgia ) is raging. The pain feels like acid running through the muscles, and the stiffness feels like rigamortous. I know, from life experience, that the weather is the blame. It is bitter cold today, but for the past weeks it has been raw. The combination is lethal...well, not that extreme except for when it affects those around me. I am miserable and I show it. I don't want to, but it's too hard to be "upbeat and happy" when the pain is so severe. I barely have the strength or fortitude to rise up out of a chair let alone rise up for those around me. I wish people would be more compassionate about this condition that doesn't show itself except through facial expressions. My face shows the misery and sometimes the look is misread. I am hoping that those I have offended today can find it in their hearts to forgive.

2008-11-18T10:00:00.006-05:00

To calm my nerves after the frustrating week I had, ie the substitute teaching application process and the digital camera fiasco, I sat down and finished reading the mystery novel, Entombed, by Linda Fairstein. "It was a crime scene Edgar Allan Poe himself could have conjured, only it was all too real: workers demolishing a nineteenth-century Greenwich Village brownstone where Poe once lived unearthed the skeleton of a young woman -- buried standing upright behind a brick wall. Manhattan Assistant D.A. Alexandra Cooper takes on the gruesome case while in pursuit of the Silk Stocking Rapist." This is the blurb I copied from the back cover (yeh, I'm feeling too lazy to be so thoughtful with my words this morning). It was a great read and the description of the burial scenes were so real it was as if I was watching TV. I actually skipped a line or two in fear of what may happen next. Fairstein is an excellent suspense writer. Today, I'm on to reading Moment of Truth, by Lisa Scottoline. "When attorney Jack Newlin discovers his wife dead in their home, he's convinced he knows who killed her—and is equally determined to hide the truth. He decides to frame himself for murder, and to seal his fate he hires the most inexperienced lawyer he can find: a reluctant rookie by the name of Mary DiNunzio from the hot Philadelphia firm of Rosato & Associates. But hiring Mary may turn out to be his biggest mistake." (I love cut and paste...makes my life easier). Well, I'm off to see my two only students today. I have been working with both for two years. One is an adult with low IQ who I am helping to get established as an independent person - which is a challenge because his father is in denial of his son's limitations and expects unrealistic results from this poor kid who is 38 years old. The other is a Japanese girl who lives in a bilingual household. Her parents are determined to give her the best of everything including stellar English skills in writing...and they actually believe I can do that for them! ((lol, lol)). Both students are a joy to be with. They are the extremes of each other: the man has low IQ and the girl is in the genius range with a high IQ. Enjoy your day...

I was duped!

2008-11-17T19:19:00.003-05:00

I enjoyed the digital camera for three days. On the first day the memory died after 3 shots. On the second day the battery died after 15 minutes. I went back to Best Buy to resolve the problem. Following is the scenario... I took the camera back to Best Buy. They checked it and said it was not defective. They took it back, even though it was opened, but charged me $13.50 restocking fee for having opened and used it. I registered a complaint with HQ, but I don't think it will do any good. I told them I will never shop at their store ever again...I don't think the guy cared. Here is what I wrote to HQ at Best Buy last night: To Whom it May Concern: I bought an 8942399 NS-DSC7P09 pink digital camera for $89.99 in your Springfield, PA store on 11/13/08. I was assured by the sales associate that there was enough internal memory for at least 25 pictures and that the only condition with buying the camera would be a 30 day return policy. I used the camera for 15 minutes and took only 3 pictures before the memory was full and the battery was low. I took the camera to the Geek Squad at Best Buy in King of Prussia, PA, who convinced me to buy 1 gig memory card, even though I was assured by the sales associate that I did not need to buy a gig of memory. The camera was low on battery within a few minutes of use. I took the camera back to the store on 11/16/08 to return it. It was then I was told I was to be charged a 15% restocking fee for having opened and used the camera. I want my 15% returned, $13.50, for the following reasons: 1. I was mis informed by the sales associate about the quality of the camera's internal memory. 2. I was not informed that there is a restocking fee. How am I to know if I like the camera if I don't open the carton and use it at least once. Note that I bought and returned the camera within 3 days. I have the receipts. 3. I was not informed by the sales associate that there is a limited battery life and that the camera is not rechargeable. 4. This is an inferior product and I am not satisfied. Misinformation, absence of information, and poor customer care has brought a bad impression upon your store. Please refund my $13.50 restocking fee for a product I used for only 15 minutes before it proved itself inferior. I doubt I will hear from them, but I feel better for making this public.

The Four Generations

2008-11-14T16:46:00.001-05:00

I broke down and got a digital camera using the birthday money my mom gave me a few weeks ago. I didn't plan on spending the money as I was raised to save, save, save, but what the heck! I want to show off my offspring, and other pictures of what I try to describe in writing. So this is the first edition. I used Picassa which makes it so easy. All I have to do is upload the pictures and then "blog this". So easy! Happy Weekend everybody.

This is so frustrating...this substitute teaching application process, that is

2008-11-12T17:22:00.003-05:00

I will not be considered for substitute teaching until all clearance checks come in. It is not enough for "proof of registration" for clearance checks, it must be in my hands...hard copy...to be delivered, in its original form, before the interview and training (yes, there is training) process begins. So ......no wonder they are desperate for subs!! If I wasn't desperate, I'd quit the process. They could have given me a probationary appointment until the checks cleared... how much harm am I going to do as a sub in the next 4 weeks? I won't even be placed for at least another week or two as I have to go through the training process (after 30 years of teaching? this is sooo annoying), but they won't even get me started with that...my reasoning is that when the clearance checks come through they can put me to work because the training has been done. Hello? Anybody home? I hate the system! This is why I work as a tutor...for myself, no bureaucratic nonsense. Ugh! Ask me if I'm feeling frustrated right about now.

2008-11-10T08:38:00.002-05:00

A new week is upon us and I am ready for it. I went to Physical Therapy because I was told by those who have had the knee surgery that it was important to do. The time there was long...an hour and a half, split between assessments of the movement of my knee and teaching me leg exercises to do at home. At the end of the session, both therapists said I was in great shape and that I appeared to know what I was doing given the exemplary responses to all the pushing and shoving they did. Well, I should be! I'm a jock! I may be an old jock, but still...once an athlete, always an athlete. Anyway, I don't have to go back! Woo Hoo! I do all that stuff anyway when I walk Sheba or watch TV. So I will stuff the co-payment cash into my pocket and spend it elsewhere. On another note, I am applying for substitute teaching in the area. My tutoring business has plummeted given the recession and I need to stay active and gainful, so why not? So, to sub for a school and be paid minimum wage, I have to cough up $60 for various clearance checks. Are they kidding me? I'm 62! Are they afraid I'm going to fall in love with one of the 6th graders and marry him? (Remember that one a few years back?) Child abuse clearance (yes, I abuse my child just ask her...she called me Sargent all through high school), Criminal history clearance (yes, I am a criminal, just ask my boyfriend when he catches me sneaking a cookie from his cookie jar), and Fingerprinting so I get recorded into the Federal banks...just in case I decide to become a felon. I am joking, of course. The system needs to do all it can to protect the children and I am all for it. I am even willing to give them $60 to prove it.

I get to watch history being made...again

2008-11-05T09:54:00.003-05:00

I am a happy girl! My country has proved itself, once again, to be democratic and free. The campaign is done, the nation has voted, and now it is time to get down to business and fix this country's messes. I believe we will see change, I pray it will be quick, but I am realistic that change does not happen overnight. I pray for our country to be patient with our President-Elect and let him do his job. I pray we support him, not judge him. I pray that the angry Republicans and Democrats that voted Republican can accept the country's choice and be a part of the union. I pray for a peaceful transfer of power. Can I hear an Amen?

Whew! What a day!

2008-11-03T18:49:00.003-05:00

For some reason I slept really well and woke up ready to rip. This is new! Don't know why and I'm not asking, all I know was I had energy and I wanted to put it to good use (but not clean house, 'cause I didn't want to ((giggle)). So, at 7:30am, Sheba and I went for a brisk Fall walk. What a gift to get up so early and catch the beginnings of a new day. In the park was one deer. We didn't see him and he didn't see us. Then all of a sudden he bolts and runs right in front of us...I mean I could have touched him!! I don't know who was more astonished, he or I. You may ask, "What about Sheba? How did she react?" Sheba, bless her doggie heart, was more interested in sniffing the grass where other dogs had visited. She missed the whole thing! Then when the deer was far away from us, but close enough to see the pure white tail wagging, she runs to catch it. Silly Sheba. Later on I met my mother and daughter and grand daughter for my birthday lunch. Four generations! Lots of pictures taken and much conversation around babies, birthing, and parenting. I thanked my mother for having me. She was touched. It was almost as exciting as seeing a deer's white tail so close up it could be caressed. Now, 7:30pm, I am dancing! I pulled out a cassette my daughter mixed back in the late 80's and am playing it. Whoops, wait a minute...that knee of mine is reminding me that enough was enough. No problem. I'll chair dance. From the waist up I can move and grove. I think I'll go over to Chili's Sauce and see what music he's playing tonight. I hope tomorrow brings more of the same, but if not, that's OK. Today was glorious.

I don't want to!

2008-11-02T20:00:00.003-05:00

Want to know what is so cool about being 62? I get to say, "I don't want to" whenever I feel like it, and I can get away with it. For example, my bathrooms need cleaning, but "I don't want to", so they aren't getting cleaned today. And, my carpets need vacuuming, but "I don't want to", so guess what? you got it! the carpets stay dirty. Who cares? I don't. And when I do care, those things will be handled. Ah yes, I do enjoy being 62 and not having to be responsible to any one other than myself...in the privacy of my home, that is. Then there is the rest of the world where "I don't want to" is not heard even though it is thought. Being responsible is not negotiable when one has a family and a boyfriend. No complaints! It's just so delicious when I am home, alone, see what needs to be done but do nothing because "I don't want to".

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-11-01T15:46:00.004-04:00

It has been a wonderful day for me. It is my birthday and every one wants me to do what ever I want. So I am!! ...and, yeah, I'm hot stuff!! (((giggle)))

Bob and I began our celebration last night with a drink and dinner at Chickie's and Pete's, a local bar that caters to the sports crowd of Philadelphia. Yesterday, we celebrated the 2008 World Series Championship. We did not go to the parade, but we watched it on the various TV channels...all day long. We went to help Pam with Halloween and then off to the bar to celebrate with the locals.

Today Bob and I took a nice adventurous walk along the Manayunk Canal and then home to rest before going out tonight for dinner and to see My Fair Lady at the local theater.

Tomorrow I celebrate with a girlfriend and the rest of the week, for each night, I continue the celebration with girlfriends.

It's been glorious!

To Be a Grandmother

2008-10-28T10:32:00.006-04:00

I am sitting on my bed in my daughter's house. I have been here since yesterday as SIL (son-in-law) is out of town on business. Rachel is happily lying beside me, cooing and doing all the bodily movements a 6 week old baby does. My daughter, Pam is driving Sammy to daycare. Sammy is so sweet with Rachel. He handles her tenderly. Mostly, it is all about him, however. Ever since Rachel was born he has been a terror in the house. He only wants his mommy or daddy to handle him and even then he is not too agreeable. Typical for a two year old he must do all things HIS way. He keeps his parents hopping. I have learned to let him come to me for hugs and playtime. When I tried to hug and kiss him before, he would have such a fit you would think someone was butchering him!! With my new personae, he is different towards me. Last night we spent an hour downstairs playing while Pam nursed Rachel upstairs. This morning, the same thing. He even came over and hugged me saying, "Aw, Mom Mom, I love you!" Can you just die?

Do You Believe In Me?

2008-10-26T11:28:00.007-04:00

I found this to be inspiring. Please hear what our children have to say. Our children are our future. They rely on us to take them there safely, securely, and with confidence. The rest is up to them; and if we believe in them, they will succeed.

Freedom and Celebration

2008-10-23T15:21:00.001-04:00

First I want to thank Beth at Nutwood Junction for supplying the wine...oops, I mean the picture of the wine and wine glass. I snagged it from her blog. Thanks, Beth!! (sip) The latest pictures on the side bar represent my state of mind after knee surgery: freedom and celebration. I feel like a 19 year old again. No pain and raring to go. But my 61 yo (soon to be 62 on Nov 1st) body just doesn't want to hear it! So call me 39. That's OK. I am pain free...reason enough to celebrate. Today I took Sheba for our usual 2.5 mile walk around a beautiful wooded nature trail which surrounds Haverford College (Bryn Mawr, PA). The leaves have turned and the view is spectacular. The Canada Geese must have gotten the report that I was home and raring to go because they honked and flapped their wings rhythmically as if in salute to my coming. They even got up into a flight formation and flew around the pond for a moment. I swear it was in recognition of my homecoming!! (giggle) Even Sheba felt the change. She was energetic and wanting to chase anything that looked suspicious. THAT was how I tore my meniscus. She was leashed, but acted as if she were free...and boom! off she went in one direction, I in the opposite direction, and the rest is history. So I was careful and paid close attention to Sheba. I kept her leash tight, but not too tight. When we got to the open field, I took off the leash and let her run. She ran like the wind. I could feel myself running with her. It was exhilarating! Watching her, that is. When we got home, I continued my celebration with 10 leg lifts and arm rolls, lots of stretching exercises, and walked a flight of stairs 6 times. I rode my stationary bike for 10 minutes, too. I blew it all with an egg sandwich for lunch. But that's OK. I got up. I got out. I exercised. This is something I couldn't do for the past year and a half. It felt like freedom.

What Does Age Have to Do With It?

2008-10-22T14:08:00.003-04:00

I wear hearing devices. I had to get them a year ago when I finally had enough with the “What did you say?” format of my conversations with students and friends. I’m OK with the hearing devices…one in each ear. I have severe hearing loss. Some day I may even have no hearing at all. The ENT doctor and the Audiologist attributed my hearing loss to age, (ugh!) and the possibility that I had gone to too many rock concerts in my day. Now listen up people…one can NEVER go to too many rock concerts! I go today. I may be one of the elders at these gigs, but I go, and I have fun. Why do I write about this? I am doing so because I am amazed. I am amazed at my body, its degeneration; and my mind and its youthfulness. How can the two coincide? This must be an age thing. I know I never questioned my body’s ability to keep up with my spirit (and boy oh boy, my spirit sure is something else). I just did what I wanted to do –whenever I wanted to do it (within respectable limits and reason). Just a few years ago I went motorcycling with a boyfriend across Colorado. I really did (girls, it helps to be single for this one; it adds to the fantasy that you may be having just about now). I went skiing at Jackson Hole, Mammoth Valley and other Western slopes just a few years ago, too. I have gone whitewater rafting, hiked the trails of the Grand Canyon and camped out near there (too advanced for me to actually camp in the Canyon, but if I was braver, I would have), and meditated with a Guru, ate vegetarian, and did Yoga for a while. I don’t think I have done it all. I still desire a safari in Africa, a waterskiing adventure on the Caribbean, and a helicopter ride, maybe parasailing, but that scares me so I don’t know about that one. So there it is…my mind is restless. It’s because the pain in my knee is gone and I am feeling “youthful”. Maybe it’s the ever present desire to do something “alive”. Do you know what I mean? The degeneration of my body speaks volumes of the desire to continue to live life to the fullest. Just because I can’t hear and just because my knee went south on me, doesn’t mean I have to stop living. Am I right? What do you think??

I'm Back!

2008-10-20T12:38:00.002-04:00

Hello Dear Friends, I am back from the world of drug induced sleep to report that all went well. As you well know, the night before surgery was the pits as I spent wasted time agonizing over what may happen before, during and after the operation. Wasted time, I say!! The day of surgery was smooth and actually pleasant. The nurses and staff were welcoming and compassionate. I did not have surgery in a hospital but rather in a surgical center that only does outpatient procedures. What an operation! - The business, not the procedure -All state-of-the-art equipment. Young, did I say YOUNG doctors, nurses, staff, and pleasant atmosphere. They kept asking my name and birth date. Couldn’t they read it on my wrist band? I know, I know…if I couldn’t answer the questions I would be in big trouble. So they wheel me into the operating room and Dr. Anesthesia asks me for my name and birth date. I told him I was Sophia Loren and I was born to be young. Then I told him that I had been asked that question so many times that I felt the need to be comical. He laughed. The staff laughed. Then they were silent…No, really, what is your name and birth date? I gave them the correct information. The last words I heard were: “Don’t touch the leg. She’s not under anesthesia, yet!” Do you think it was their revenge joke on me? I hope so!! I spent Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday sleeping. I didn’t like the dreams. They were weird. But I had no pain, at all. So it was worth the trade-off. Today, I return to my house and resume a life without drugs. I don’t kneed them (get the spelling pun?) I have no pain, just soreness, and I am walking. I see the good doctor in two days and then begin physical therapy. Love to all and thank you for the good energy that got me through the “rough” spots of pre-surgery jitters.

The Night Before Surgery

2008-10-15T20:14:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow is the big day. By tomorrow night I will be pain free of torn meniscus and only handling superficial pain from surgery. I am so mixed with feelings and I don't know why. On one hand I am grateful that I can have this surgery at this time when medical technology is so apt and recovery will be a breeze; and yet, I am so fearful of what may go wrong while I am under anesthesia. I believe my age has much to do with these conflicted feelings. If I was thirty years younger, I would have less life experience and therefore fewer ideas to imagine in what could go wrong. On the other hand, I am an elder and therefore wise. I expect myself to think wisely, knowing the surgery is minor and the outcome will be stupendous. After all, I will be able to run...I love to run. I haven't ran in over a year and my weight gain is evidence of that. I will be able to cross my legs, walk steps without wincing, dance while listening to my iPod, and a boatload of other stuff (lucky Bob!!) Hi Bob! [sip] (that one is for Beth at Nutwood Junction-go ask her about it). I am believing what I feel tonight is normal, but I don't like the feeling. So there, I've said it! I don't like green eggs and ham!! Agh! Ok, ok...It's off my chest. Now I can go watch the Phillies slaughter the Dodgers and go to the World Series. Go Phillies!!

All about my boyfriend, Bob

2008-10-12T16:07:00.003-04:00

This coming Thursday I will have my right knee operated on. I tore the meniscus last year and have lived with the darn thing, thinking the pain would either go away or I could live with it. Neither has happened. I walk around in a manner that reaps pain in other’s eyes. I moan at night and groan during the day. My disposition is horrid, sometimes, and the pain cloud over my head is ever present. Why would anyone want to love me, let alone be with me? Ask my boyfriend, Bob, he thinks I’m fantastic. He wouldn’t change a thing. He loves me just the way I am (except he would like to see me lose weight. I know this because he said so. That’s another entry for another time…you don’t want me to go there, not here. This is a love letter). Anyway, Bob has gone out and bought all the food I love to eat, and other items I may need, so I can be comfortable while I recuperate from the operation at his house. He is such a dear. I have bored him to no end with anxious chatter about the operation, going under anesthesia, the doctor’s qualifications, the recovery time, my future, and heaven knows what else. In my mind, it was bad enough that I ran myself ragged caring for my daughter and mother these past weeks, and not see him, but he does not complain; he just keeps on loving me and telling me how happy he is to have found me. This is a man who loves me. Sometimes I wish I can love myself as much as he loves me.

Taking care of the Caregiver

2008-10-11T10:53:00.004-04:00

Hello dear friends, The last few posts have been submitted as snags from emails I get from friends. They make me giggle...the snags and my friends...so I posted them here. It's been an exhausting time for me as I care for my daughter and her newborn, my mother, and try to be an attentive girlfriend to my boyfriend and my girlfriends. No one expects me to do all that I do, but they are grateful, and I am content as it is who I am, Caregiver. However, even the Caregiver needs nurturing after a while and this is the time I choose to do so. I gave my mother and my daughter notice that the coming week is about caring for myself. They lovingly agreed and will seek assistance from other family members, if needed. So what will I do with my time now that it is not spent caring for others? I plan to meet girlfriends for lunch or dinner, go to a Peter Nero Pops Concert with my boyfriend, sleep late if I want to, take a nap if I want to, walk around in my pajamas all morning until noon if I want to, knit, read, sit and enjoy the Fall in Pennsylvania as the leaves are changing and it is a beautiful sight. In other words, I will allow my spirit to rejuvenate so I can remain strong for myself and others. I am so proud of myself for taking care of myself. This sense of empowerment gives me great inner strength and reinforces my thinking that I am deserving of such "selfishness". After all, not only do I benefit from caring for myself, but others reap the rewards as well.

IMPORTANT HEALTH ADVICE FOR WOMEN

2008-10-10T11:04:00.006-04:00

This was sent to me to share with you. I do not know who the author is, but I agree with all that is said and want all of you to know that this is valid information based on personal research. Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness?Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Chardonnay. Chardonnay is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Chardonnay can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything. You will notice the benefits of Chardonnay almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing ofthe past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had. Stop hiding and start living. Chardonnay may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Chardonnay. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it. Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, drymouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker,Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister! WARNINGS: * The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you are whispering when you are not. * The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them. * The consumption of Chardonnay may cause you to think you can sing. * The consumption of Chardonnay may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting. Now Just Imagine What You Could Achieve With a Good Merlot!

Some Wise Sayings

2008-10-09T14:08:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself,'Lillian , you should have remained a virgin.' - Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter) <><> I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.' - Eleanor Roosevelt ;

<><> Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement. - Mark Twain <><> The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible. - George Burns Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year. - Victor Borge <><> Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain <><> By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. - Socrates <><> I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. - Groucho Marx <><> My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. - Jimmy Durante <><> I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back. - Zsa Zsa Gabor <><> Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. - Alex Levine <><> My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying. - Rodney Dangerfield <><> Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery. - Spike Milligan <><> Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP . - Joe Namath <><> I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon . Then it's time for my nap. - Bob Hope <><> I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it. - W. C. Fields <><> We could certainly slow the ageing process down if it had to work its way through Congress. - Will Rogers <><> Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you. - Winston Churchill <><> Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. - Phyllis Diller <><> By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere. - Billy Crystal And the cardiologist's diet: - If it tastes good, spit it out.

Is it true that AOL is closing its doors?

2008-10-08T11:31:00.004-04:00

So I've been reading stuff my Followers are writing and I am beginning to question: Is AOL going to close up shop come January? I don't know how to get validation on this information. Due to JLand closing, I can't help but wonder. Anyone have solid information on this??

Up Close and Personal

2008-10-07T21:59:00.001-04:00

This is Sheba, my eight year old mutt-a-gree. She is a mix of dacshund/manchester terrier/min pin/and italian greyhound. Sheba never leaves my side. Where ever I go, she goes: up the stairs, down the stairs, out to the car, back from the car. She sleeps on my pillow or between my legs. When I am babysitting, she stays close to my side and tolerates my giving attention elsewhere. Is she spoiled? You bet!

Like being back in high school/Like walking through a campsite

2008-10-07T20:32:00.001-04:00

Hi Folks! Well here I am...guess the blogging bug is gonna stay with me. Today I spent time searching out old friends from JLand and tagging myself as a Follower to new blogger friends. This is so much fun and I find it quite relaxing. However...I feel as if I am back in high school and like I am walking through a campsite. Remember in high school the competition of dress, who your friends were, how many friends you had, how active you were in activities outside of school, and such? Well, traveling around the blogspot sites today reminded me of that. So many of you are decked out in awesome finery. Your expertise is evident. Being a new comer I am finding myself humbled, but encouraged. I don't see competition like I would see in high school, but I can see where it could become daunting for us new comers. It's a learning process and I'm loving it. As well, going through all the websites reminded me of the days I spent camping. I love the nights when every one had their campsite decked out to distinguish them for others and to show off some personality. It was so cool! Even more, I had so much fun viewing the creativity and whimsy and beauty of the various campsites. Those were fond memories and traveling through blogspot today brought that to mind. I don't see myself as getting too involved with the creative part of decorating my pad. I'm too left brain for that. I like to brag that my creativity comes in the manner in which I can reach a student with a learning strategy a teacher or parent did not think of. That is where my rewards are found. I get great pleasure out of visiting the sites and look forward to visiting often. Until then, stay creative, bring joy with your creative endeavors, and lucky me for reaping the benefits. Karen

Slow in the movement, but steady as she goes

2008-10-05T22:26:00.000-04:00

Well Folks, this new blog site has all kinds of gizzmos that is boggling my mind. I am going slow, steady as she goes, and sailing through calm waters of the moment. When time permits, which means somewhere between changing newborn diapers or changing 2 yr old diapers, walking the dogs, managing an aging parent, and balancing a boyfriend relationship, I will play with the blog site and create a piece of art. Until then I am trying to get to all of you nice people and commit myself as a follower on your site. If I am not there, and you know who you are, and you want me there...respond and I will go make my mark. Best of luck to all of you faithfuls, Karen

Welcome Bloggers

2008-10-02T16:05:00.000-04:00

I got it goin' on, folks! Thought I wouldn't be bloggin' but it is in my veins. Thanks to Helen who helped me, once again, to get myself up and running. More to follow... Love, Karen