Uncategorized – thereisnosanityclause

Age

“I am older than I once was but younger than I’ll be….”-Paul Simon-The Boxer

I recently heard an additional stanza of THE BOXER by Paul Simon and the words about being older than I once was have been resonating through my mind. I have been going through some medical issues over the past year. I never had been daunted before , going through serious medical issues in my life, because I always looked at it as something to approach, deal with, and get on with things.

That was thirty years ago.

A week from today I am going to the city for some surgery. The thought of it brings me back thirty years. Egad, how cavalier it all was then. Now, I genuinely am afraid.

The mere fact that I am still here thirty years later, well, the Lord has been good to me. My body, however, is thirty years older and I have not taken as good care of my body as I should have. It makes me wonder if I can still “pull a rabbit out of my hat.” The “what ifs?” dance around my head in the middle of the night, and, quite frankly, I worry. I multiply this by the potential that there might be two or three additional surgeries coming along down the road.

If anything, my diagnosis has, as it had thirty years ago, make me appreciate everything…well mostly everything.

I relish my time with Jim and Kasia, because they are my loves and my family. I am grateful every time I get up in the morning and can get two feet on the floor. Most importantly, I relish my time alone. I reflect on the past, pray for today and hope for the future. Some people I know are afraid to,kind of, be by themselves. Me? I like sifting through things in the parts of my head that are working , and making myself chuckle.

After all, laughter is the best medicine.

Jim with the late Zush to your right and our Kasia on your left.

9/11 and 18 Years Ago

I would be remiss if I made no post to make mention of the 9/11 anniversary. The National Geographic channel has been running a lot of programming, especially one I have mentioned on the blog before”. 9/10- the hours before.” If you have opportunity to catch it. It is extremely bittersweet knowing what we know is going to happen. If you miss it, you can also see it on You Tube. It is definitely worth catching.

Signing off on the eve of the 18th anniversary, thanking God for every day I have two feet on the ground and remembering ALL the poor souls of 9/11, especially those first responders who suffered long after the fact.

Long Ago…

…in a galaxy 94 miles away from where I am now, Jim and I said our vows 17 years ago on the 31st of August.

We have gone through ups, downs and bumps, but we are still here. Perhaps the fact that we were late bloomers at 42 and 48, and maybe we assumed that maturity would see us through, but what ever it was, my vote being love, we are still standing at the seventeen year mark. I have often said that it has gotten to the point where I can’t remember life without Jim and Zush, and later Zush and Kasia joining us. I think it’s a good thing.

So happy anniversary to the former bagel baker. I love you and am looking forward to the golden years that we might actually participate in down the road.

Here @ Undisclosed Location

It’s a beautiful day here, if you discount the “gazillion” percent humidity. Allegedly we are due for thunderstorms this afternoon or tonight. In the meanwhile I am taking part of the long standing tradition of moving the sprinkler periodically across the lawn.

The heat is kicking our lawns’ butt, so I convinced Jim to put the sprinkler out, with assurances that I would stay on top of it and move it periodically. Hell, my job during summer vacation, other than walking with my trainer, Kasia, is watering flowers and vegetables. Lawns? No big leap for women-kind there.

You don’t mind it when you manage to snag an occasional sunset like the one above. It makes it all worthwhile.

Training with Kas…continued

Kasia and I were at the bay this morning, since we both enjoyed the break in the weather that started with yesterday’s rain.

You can see the marked difference in the sky from yesterday. The blue over the bay was back and a great breeze was riding side-car. We walked for a nice clip along the bay and then made our way back home.

The flip side of this is it is still vacation time for a lot of folks, and I guess the amount of umbrellas will increase as we get closer to the weekend. It’s ok, though. Kasia and I are used to it and will adapt when we see a lot of folks. Hopefully we will keep getting out early enough to enjoy some solitude on our mother/daughter/ trainer walks. I know she enjoys them. As for me, the exercise is good, but more importantly, I savor every second I have with my girl. I know her sister, Zush, would want me to.

Too Damn Hot!

Boy, how I wish that we had some clouds in the sky right now.

Like most of the eastern part of America, we are in the oven for a few days now. Yes, I know it’s July, but when the heat index reads 115, well, I’d like to talk to those who don’t believe in global warming.

You know it’s hot out when even the bay water looks like it could be stock for soup! Yet some folks who have their vacation now are ON the beach. How they can actually stand the heat is beyond me. There are more heat advisories than you can shake a stick at, but just seeing that hot sand?**shaking my head**

Kasia and I walk early in the morning on the shadiest street. Once we take care of business, she’ll turn and look at me as to say,” Air-conditioning…NOW!” I can’t say I blame her.

Here’s hoping for cooler weather and that you are staying cool too!

A Pause in the Action

I have been off the blog for a little while because we had company here and things were kind of hopping.

I’m back.

The heat is taking its’ toll. Rain is not a common occurrence ; the lawns are starting to get brown from lack of water. My new normal morning includes watering all the flowers so they keep hanging in there. I do enjoy seeing the fruits of my labor.

The first “Jersey” tomato is ripened on the vine and ready to be picked. What a treat it will be to crack it open. When watching my calories, our tomatoes prove a treat, as they tend to be quite flavorful. It is to the point that I eat regular tomatoes only during the growing season. Outside of the season, the flavor of other tomatoes can be quite disappointing. We also have fresh lettuce that Jim has grown and I have been harvesting for salads. That has been really tasty. It makes you WANT to eat a salad.

This blog post today is dedicated to my late neighbor, Jeanne. She passed away this past winter at the age of 92. She always was a blog reader of mine, and I always looked forward to her comment for the Jersey tomato post.

We Love Our Mailperson

..for Beth our Mailperson. Back in the city, our male Mailmen weren’t too nice to her. As a result she’d bark at them all the time. What a difference a small village makes.

Beth comes up slowly with the truck, especially in the summer, as she knows I have her out there. She goes slow so Kasia won’t get frightened. It’s really incredible. Before Beth comes to our house, she goes down a block on the other side of the street. Kas will bark once to let me know to get her ready. I bring her out and Beth rewards her with a biscuit.

Nice to have an animal friendly mail server! It’s deeply appreciated.

Apollo 11

I never really was into astronauts. I saw the movie “The Right Stuff” when it first came out, and never turned back. I was hooked! Former history major, I dove head into the Mercury 7 project, Sputnik, Gemini program and the Apollo program. What really is bizarre for me is that I am realizing , thanks to news feeds, that it is going to be 50 years next month that Neil Armstrong first landed on the moon.

Neil Armstrong leading Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin to transportation to the launchpad.

I recently caught the documentary on CNN,” Apollo 11″, which showed behind the scenes film of what happened before the flight through when splashdown of the capsule occurred. It was really something to see film of the guys whose voice you recognize from hearing a historical clip of moon communications. It truly was a different day. All male engineers in white shirts with pocket protectors and ninety percent of the control room smoking either cigarettes or cigars: I am sure today’s Mission Control is a different picture.

Even the technology has grown in leaps and bounds from what the film shows that was there in the control room. The computers we know now were only a dream back then. The food the astronauts ate was geared for space (remember TANG?) and now, with the space shuttle and international space station, they were making pizza in space!

If you have a historical itch about the space program the needs scratching, check out the documentary “Apollo 11” on CNN. Don’t forget “The Right Stuff” and “Apollo 13”, to check the program out further. It’s really amazing.

My Trainer, Kasia

Thanks to meeting up with a neighbor and Lexi, his fur child, we went down to the bay this morning. Instead of floral shots this morning, I get to share these pictures with you.

It was delicious, the breeze coming off the bay this morning. As we are a few blocks back, well, the humidity often has us with air-conditioning on. At 7 am, there was a slight breeze off the bay that made the walk quite pleasant.

The slight specks on the horizon were ships 🚢 heading up Delaware Bay. This morning shots of the bay were , indeed, with a sky that blue. No filter needed with the superb day, started with good exercise to boot. Now we are back in, so I can get a few things done here. You don’t mind it when you get to start your day with this view.

The End of the Month

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and officially, today is Memorial Day. I always preferred to acknowledge it on the 30th of May, which was the first ” Decoration Day”. Either way, I have taken thought of those who served and still do serve, and thank them for their service. It is hard to want to celebrate this in the Washington Area today, as the American Vice-President is leading the ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery. The “President” of the United States is in Japan, where he gave an award to the winner of a Sumo wrestling competition last night. All I have to say is….wow.

Tomorrow marks the last week of the month, work-wise, and I have school through the rest of the week. It’s hard for me to believe time has gone so quickly and summer vacation is around the corner. Here in “Amity”, our population is bursting at the seams. I will get through the summer, and wait patiently with Kasia, for our quiet time, which is after Labor Day.

Here’s hoping that you honored the Veteran in your life today, and enjoy the start of the summer months.

How Good You Feel…

…when you are working to try to get your body back on speaking terms with you, and are feeling good, until you get a good chunk of pollen in your lungs that ,according to your physician, has turned into an acute sinus infection.

Seriously?

I was chatting with my buddy Bonnie and said mentally I feel fantastic ,but physically I feel as though I was hit by a truck. My doctor decided that the only thing that would clear out the infection was Amoxicillin, and with my radiation history, well, let’s just say that I am staying close to the house.

Since the beginning of March, I have been counting the carbs and calories and honestly? It is becoming second nature to this point. I worked school this week for three days and I am sure that I probably shouldn’t have worked that last day, but I enjoy the interaction with the students. Now, today through Monday, I am going to dedicate to losing the “hit by a truck” feeling, and getting my body and mind on the same page.Part of me, though, feels as if this is a plot by my body to see if I’d willingly revert to my old ways. Hah!

I’ll let you know when I start feeling like myself.

In the Wee Small Hours…

Well, I am up. It is, indeed, in the wee small hours of the morning.

I hate it when I can’t sleep. While working on this behavior modification, usually I am pretty shot and sleep well. Tonight, er, rather, this morning, well, it is a different story.

I am usually pretty good and stopping caffeine at a decent hour so it doesn’t keep me up. I also like to exercise early enough so I am not trying to fall asleep with my physical and mental engines running. Today just doesn’t seem to want me to sleep. After a while of staring at the ceiling, I check my watch out and figure that I might as well get up.

The newest glitch is that the pollen is starting. I am starting to get a cough that just makes me nuts. I always used to pride myself in knowing my sinus post-nasal drip cough, but this new cough makes me sound like I smoke a pack of Pall Mall cigarettes daily. The wheeze is terrible. My physician says to go the Claritin D-Mucinex route, but it really is not working for this night-time cough. There is nothing like working to improve your physical state, but your entire body isn’t behind you 100 percent.

Well, I’ll stay up for now, and recruit Kasia, aka, my personal trainer, to walk just a wee bit further to make her Mom more tired. Perhaps that’s what’s needed. It’ll be good just to get a few hours of decent sleep.

Tricking My Metabolism

It is Thursday and it has been nice being home with Jim and not being two ships, passing in the midday, as it were. We got a bit accomplished, and with the fiasco of last night’s dinner out as the exception, it’s been pretty good.

I have found the time to tweak my foods this week. By that I mean slipping a nonfat yogurt in when I think my body was looking for carbs. It has been a week for more salad, and I am surprised at how easily my body is adapting to it.

Kasia has been keeping me on my toes also. It’s incredible that the longer walk has her looking for it, that is, walking more frequently. That has been a plus for the both of us.

Of course, to spite my Claritin -D and Mucinex input, I always get to appreciate the new things in bloom that are gorgeous. How the lilacs bring me back to Mays past. It is also a reminder that Jim’s birthday is coming up, along with Mother’s Day.

I made it through Easter pretty well, and if I keep mixing up my walking, with biking and the like, I should hopefully be ok in May. Actually, I’ll find out on Tuesday, which is the next dietician’s appointment.

No “Weigh” to Serve

A lot of times I’ll hold off on writing the blog post for the day, and I really don’t know why.

Is it because I’m tired?

Is it because I have nothing to say?

Is it because I don’t know WHAT I am going to say?

Hmmmm…today’s reason is that I felt a blog post coming. and it came from going out to our usual spot, Crest Tavern, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey. Did I mention we went out to dinner tonight? Let me rephrase that: we went there, walked out, and went to a different restaurant for dinner who treated us well, gave us wonderful service, and our dinner was good.

We headed for the Crest tavern because we like the food there. as a rule. We had a problem once before with a salad I had ordered where they had the nerve to put “white” looking iceberg in the salad, claimed it was romaine, but either was you slice it, it was “white”.

Tonight’s issue was the girl normally in the front to seat you wasn’t there. We waited, and waited, and saw there was an open booth, so we went to sit there. A waitress, who I was told by another that her name was Marie, decided to come over and try to chew us out. We are regulars. You are chewing WHO out? For someone who deals with customers, she sure had no” customer service” skills. We were told that we HAD to get up, the table HAD to get fixed, and that there was a long wait. Long wait? There was a couple with two kids and we saw with our own eyes that there were two vacant tables. We were really disgusted with her attitude. After we had left, I got on the phone and called the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. I got a guy named Tim, and he sounded like he couldn’t give a rats’ butt what we experienced. Thus, my blog post for today, which is going to go via social network around to where people who visit the Wildwoods will see it. Never mind that we are the people that visit them off-season because WE LIVE HERE. Obviously, it doesn’t seem to matter.

We went a little deeper into the city, found Owen’s Pub, and enjoyed a comparable dinner with servers who were smiling, attentive and quick to help.

This was strike two with the Crest Tavern. Will we be back? We’ll see…..

“Weighting”Time

What a good way to get exercise-GARDEN! It seems as though spring would never get here. If it only weren’t frustrating, at least this year for us.

We had gotten plants last year from a local farmer and our veggie output was awesome. As I said to Jim, our kiss of death works, because this year, it looks like the farmer is either not farming, or hopefully nothing serious, but no plants there. Bummer!

Now, about last years friend, and this year’s nemesis, the gerber daisies. I bought four, as where we were, they only had four. Bought a red, yellow, fuchsia and orange. Don’t you know, the yellow and fuchsia got shock from being transplanted?

**Sigh**

It’s nice. This time last year I had no stamina for gardening like I used to. This year I was out there and it felt good. Now, if I can fix my gerber daisy situation, I’ll feel great.

The weather was great today. Kasia and I had some quality walking time that we both enjoyed.

So it was a day to reap the benefits of feeling and being fifteen pounds lighter. No, I am not stopping: fifteen is the current number. It is worthwhile to feel as if I am getting back in the land of the living.

Springtime Sunday

It is a gorgeous day today, and it is Easter Sunday to boot. Kasia and I have already had one longer walk and as soon as I post this, we’ll have walk number two.

Jim is already out, as he likes to do a really fast walk, and Kasia and I tend to move too slow for him. I am getting her out for the second walk because we have to go up and see Jim’s family that is ninety miles northwest of us. I want to get Kasia nice and tired out, and it will also benefit me, as I’d get the exercise too!

Enjoy the day and make the most of it.

Savor every moment!

Easter

It is almost Easter.

Nothing for me to worry about, as there is no junk in our house to blow calories on. I have to admit that I would have paid a million dollars for a piece of my Mother’s babka and a cup of coffee this morning.No worries, though, just happy memories wistfully thinking about it.

I am traveling for Easter dinner.If you are making the holiday dinner, here’s hoping it comes out delicious. If you are traveling, stay safe.

Me? I’m just hoping to stay clear of the Easter basket.

A Long “Weigh”to Go

The allure of the water is deceiving. You figure you are at the ocean, bay or whatever. What do you forget about?

POLLEN.

I have been doing longer walks with Kasia trying to burn up the calories. Now the problem is I have a pocket full of Kleenex I have to deal with while handling Kasia and her paraphernalia.

Sure, the flowers are a beautiful sight, and I always appreciate the view of them after the snow of winter.

I try to be good to my body with as much holistic medicine as I can get ahold of during allergy season. I figure that to throw chemicals down my throat isn’t really the relief I am looking for: as a matter of fact, I feel it is an invitation for y0ur body to start trouble where it currently may not have trouble. While I am doing the calorie counting, I feel more in tune with my body than I have in the past couple of years. So, for example, when I am congested, I use a saline wash to clean my nose out. That simple act puts the YOU in user friendly.

Well, speaking of walks, it’s time for my buddy/training partner, Kasia, and I to go and get some fresh air in our lungs and hang out together. We’ll hopefully enjoy it and come back worn out.

School’s Out…

…for spring break.

The last few weeks, having sporadically taught sixth grade, I felt like I was in Florida with the students during spring break.

You see, for fourth thru sixth grade, swimming is compulsory in gym. After all, Cape May is on the Atlantic Coastline. I remember whenI started here, I thought that it was an awesome idea, and that it makes a lot of sense. When I would go with the students to their gym class, the pool looks so inviting..The rough part? The humidity in the pool area makes me feel like Florida in July.

Although I will miss the students for a little bit, I do admit that it will be nice to sleep in once in a while for the next few days, and more importantly, spending quality time with Jim and Kasia.
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“Weighting” for a Lifestyle Change

When I had gone to my doctor, I had a good conversation with his nurse, Anne. We talked about dieting and counting calories. To look at Anne, you would never know that she counted calories once upon a time.She had clued me in upon what worked for her and one of her hacks that she let me know about was ice cream sandwiches.

Ice cream sandwiches?

She had my full and undivided attention.

Evidently, you would get two chocolate graham crackers. Ok, I thought:so far so good. Then you fill the cracker with whipped cream and stick it in the freezer. On the surface, this sounded like a good substitution.There is only one problem. When you first take them out of the freezer and hold it as you would an ice cream sandwich, they are no longer as large as an ice cream sandwich. You might as well just eat two graham crackers and touch the can of ReddiWhip to them. I would already have my 1 cup of fruit with some whipped cream on it. Don’t get me wrong.

I appreciate what Anne was sharing with me. It worked for her. Hacks are not universal. The ice cream sandwich might work for you. It didn’t for me.

The one thing you pick up, when trying to get back to a healthy lifestyle, is that you do, indeed,learn by doing.

“Weight” a Minute!

In a minimal amount of time, here are some things that have made me grateful and happy during this leg of my behavior modification.

Even with fourteen pounds off, my feet hurt less. I basically wear the same shoes when I am in school and it’s absolutely amazing how the loss of weight has my feet saying thank you.
“Weight”! Are those my missing in action abdominal muscles? All of a sudden I have the ability to take steps without walking one step at a time. Now I can ambulate one foot after another! It has sadly been a while since I did that.
I always drank water. That was never really an issue for me. However, starting again from square one in behavior modification has stirred up the thirst in me. I like that. Ever look at low calorie lemonade, soda, juice, etc? Ever look at the label and read the ingredients? You go and read until you see the big 5 syllable words that translate into chemicals. Ugh. No thanks: I’ll pass.
My cheerleading squad is with me every step of the way. It helps that Jim is doing this with me, but he is truly in my corner, encouraging me by telling me how much better I look. My neighbor behind me comes down over the weekend and we go for a walk. Gregory, my neighbor, does research work for me and tells me about different twists on “Eat this, not that”.He also finds comprehensive quick lists of calories in things, such as lunchmeat. My 81 year old neighbor calls over to me to tell me she can see the loss of weight in my torso. Oh, and let’s not forget my Kasia, my number one walking partner.
My support group rocks!
No, I don’t waltz by myself in a women’s room stall, but all of a sudden I seem to have a little bit more room to take care of business in.You go from banging elbows on stall walls, to noticing I don’t have to hang on anything to get myself up. I missed that and am grateful to have that ability back.

So this is my quick list for now. Sometimes, I have to admit, I see the little changes and kick myself for letting myself go that far. Depression sucks, and I was deep in it. Crawling up and taking care of myself? I find it a much more pleasurable task.

“Weighting”to Figure It All Out

This past week, I had an appointment with my relatively new general practitioner. He commended me for my weight loss, and with his next breath, said most of his female patients my age hit a plateau and then stop watching what they eat, recording calories, and start eating junk. I had thought that it wasn’t really thought through by my doctor, because he knows that I need to be positive about this lifestyle change. I decided to cut him some slack, as he really is a good doctor and just was throwing the conversational thoughts out there.He was “spit-balling”, as it were.

I am still under the weather with either early allergies from pollen or a run-of-the-mill head cold. I usually can make due using a saline wash to clear my sinuses out, but it just wasn’t working. When that happens, I have to pull out the big guns: I take a decongestant. Hopefully, I will be ok for work this week and for the Easter holiday. I am hoping , also, that Easter dinner will offer me good choices. As I am going to someone’s house for Easter dinner, I don’t think bringing my own salad would be too good. I just hope that I can get through Easter without it causing my calorie counting to go into overdrive.

“Weighting” for Good Health

It was a beautiful day today, albeit colder thanks to the current winter storm hitting the midwest. For example, I’m wearing polar fleece over a sweatshirt as I type this. Will it stop my weight-loss mission?No way.

Our local hospital,in conjunction with our registered dietician and a few other physicians and nurses, ran a healthy eating program at a country-club located in our vicinity.The program started at 6PM and at 5:30PM, they offered us healthy choices for dinner. There were various salads with light dressings that were very tasty. I had the spring mix with sliced Granny Smith apples and walnut halves that was really good. Jim also opted for this choice. They offered hummus and sliced veggies and dip in addition to fresh cut fruit. The offerings were cantaloupe,pineapple,honeydew and grapes.

It was a 1 1/2 hour program and definitely worth the time and attention. Now, if I can shake this cold?

I’ll feel great!

“Weighting” for Good Health

It was a beautiful day today, and, on the top of it, it’s my day off. .What better time to go to the doctor!

Seriously?…..

With my cancer history, I keep my doctor appointments. I learned early after my first diagnosis You have to stay on top of things. It’s a small price to pay to skirt by cancer scares. Actually, today was the first time, in a long while, I looked forward to going to the doctor.I was thinner!Anyone who has ever been overweight knows how much you look forward** insert heavy sarcasm here** to getting on a scale in the doctor’s office. Once in a blue moon, you might luck into a nurse about your age. Otherwise, they are always 25 and flowing the Keto diet and there is no fat on them anywhere. No wonder my self esteem always was M.I.A.going there.

Today’s visit was different. I had lost weight for the first time since retiring and moving here. I give the dietician the credit for me getting my act together.Even my blood-work has shown an improvement since deciding to count calories. It is an exec end, almost winning way to start, and I am going to try my damndest to keep it going.It may not have the equivalent of Willie Wonka’s golden ticket, but good health is always the grand prize.

“Weighting” to be Kind

Finally, I am home. It was a good day which was busy. Busy is good. Busy equals movement which keeps my metabolism going. In short, it keeps my hand out of f the cookie jar…lol.

I am gradually adding a small amount of dried fruit to help keep me going. Today, I put some dried cranberries. I am conscious of sugar in dried fruit, and know too much is bad. It is just a little to add some flavor pops in my meal. I also have walnut halves to add some good fat into my diet.

The day, academically, was awesome. I try to be kind to the students, and I get good behavior in return.

I was a math teacher who additionally taught two classes to autistic students. It was great to see when I made some headway with them. The only lousy part about today? I slept poorly last night.

I have to work on that.

Weight a Minute!

Between the exercise of walking Kasia further, school and counting carbs and calories, I am officially down 12 1/2 pounds.

Take the picture above. Where Jim and I go out for dinner on Thursday nights, they have introduced this roasted red beet salad which is delicious. Six months I wouldn’t have thought so. Incredible what accountability will do.

The dietician looked at me as though she didn’t think I would do as well as I did on the scale. Easy to do, when you are tired of lugging the extra inches on your body.Our appointment today gave us a few ideas on trying twists in the menu to keep us satisfied and keep up our good work.

So we are going to keep on keeping on. This appointment marked one month since the initial appointment with the dietician. I’m going to keep doing what has been working for me, and not kill myself, as I realize that an almost 60 year old body goes slowly in some areas. Fortunately, there is no race. My body is happy, and I intend to keep it that way!

Starting from Step 1

Back from when this picture was taken, I was a ton thinner than I am now.

I officially am disgusted of it. So I made a change.

Today was my first appointment with my dietician.

When I was doing behavior modification, I learned how to do it.Obviously, I dropped some weight. Now, however, it’s different. I am almost 60, and my metabolism is slower. So in a fashion, I have to start at square one.This time I am doing it so I feel better and can go through life with a few less aches and pains.

Wish me luck!

Phil was right….

…I think.

Pardon the shaky quality,but it’s the best shot of my robin I saw this morning, while walking Kasia.

I had to laugh, as I could have gotten by with my down coat, but figured I’d wear a little lighter jacket. I have a couple different apps on my phone for weather, but I think my surgical incisions are more reliable than any barometer.

That’s my story and I am sticking with it!😎

Jeez

The look on Kasia,feigning sleep, is disgust. I tried introducing her to a healthier, dehydrated raw food that allegedly is better for her. The argument made for this food is what dogs would eat in the wild. With the current trend of drugs, like for euthanasia, currently found in Hill’s prescription food, I figure I have to work this in. I’d like to keep Kasia around for a good long stretch.

I’ll keep you posted on the battle.

Saving Some sunshine

It is due to be 100% rain tomorrow so Kasia and I went out to suck up some sunshine.

We’re in now, getting ready for dinner, and to lay low for tomorrow ,

Hope no one gets washed away tomorrow!

Close but no cigar

If you are a regular reader

Of this blog, you know that I had won a ring after entering a picture ( one of my favorites) of Zush wearing glasses.

I never take it off, medical procedures notwithstanding.

I woke up this morning and it was gone!

I can say I honestly cried as hard as when she died. I got my prayer warriors together and between that and my Saint Anthony ‘s, I found it!

I feel as if my girl is back with me.

August with the Kas

My girl Kasia is hanging in during the, pardon the expression,” dog days of August”.

She takes a rest in shade whenever she gets a chance, and I have no argument with her. We usually try to get out while it’s earlier in the day and make the best of a little later cooler walk.

When it’s agreeable to us both, we head down to the beach. In some ways, I miss Zush, as she would always take us toward the water. Kasia makes up her own mind daily, and I can honestly say she never goes the same way twice.

She learned from Zush, and has become the best girl on earth. We all know who the best girl in heaven is, in my humble opinion.

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And in the Middle of Things…

….you have seen posts of me since the end of May, when I managed to keep things somewhat light and gay. Well, I wasn’t quite honest.

I have been having severe gastrointestinal issues that have required a ton of testing. In fact, I haven’t had this much testing since 1993, which started the timeline of my first cancer.

Today, I reminded myself how fortunate I am that I have a good retiree medical plan thanks to my old job, and opened my eyes to see the inside of an MRI tube. When I had my first one in 1993, I seem to remember it being completely mirrored. Today, I opened my eyes and saw two yellow tube lights to each side of me on the ceiling. Jeez, Mar, you have gotten old, thank God.

So please forgive me if the posts have been sporadic, but I hope to get my health issues behind me. Send any prayers and good karma, if you can spare them, to me.

Appreciate it!

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In Between it All

The picture above is of my mother-in-law and our family friend, Joe. My mother-in-law is 99 years old. Joe is 95. We teased her about being an older woman. She laughed.

The two of them get along so well. When I saw Joe he’d always ask about Jim’s Mom and Mom about Joe.This was taken during their latest visit at the end of June.

We’ve gotten to the point when Jim’s Mom is still in the hospital and now we await the next steps. Naturally, she will need to go to a rehabilitation center once she gets out. What happens then depends on an ” official” diagnosis. It is hard when you have a family doctor, are admitted into an emergency room, and all of a sudden there are 7 doctors , more or less, moving in and out on you.

And so, we wait. Please keep prayers and good mojo sending toward Jim’s Mom’s way.

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The Beat Goes On…

My thanks to all who inquired as to Jim’s Mom’s health.

She is resting comfortably and hanging in there. One lesson for anyone with older parents, relatives, friends, or neighbors :stop in and make sure they are hydrated, especially in this heat. I know water isn’t necessarily easy to get down in this heat, but in this case. it’s a necessary evil.

We are now back in the praying and sharing caregiving game. I’d ask anyone who reads this to hold a good thought for Jim’s Mom. For all of those people out there caregiving, and you KNOW who you are. Hang in there. Savor what time you have together, because you can never get it back.

OOPS….

I humbly apologize to those who would catch my blog on Facebook.

Kasia was wondering where all our view ship went, and then we realized that our post didn’t make it to Facebook.

We’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again. Thanks for understanding!

The Hits Just Keep on Coming…

Our at the Orthopedic doctor, since the boot urgent care gave me on my Friday the 13th debacle has irritated the leg beyond belief.

Yes, I have tried everything possible to make it ok, but didn’t want to drag to the point of a return of cellulitis from two years ago.

So I posted this picture on Facebook, with the premise being turning life’s current lemons into lemonade.

Highlights

My friend, Joe and my mother-in-law had their annual visit today.

Joe is 95 and my mother-in-law is 99. What a duo. Mom’s hearing is shot, Joe always tells me he feels good, but he tells a lot of stories, and I love him: he is one of a kind.

As usual, Kas served as chaperone 😂

A good time was had by all!

Taking A Breather

Kasia is kicking back after a beautiful day, where the weather was absolutely gorgeous. The wind was just a bit breezy and it felt so very good.

The sky was a gorgeous shade of blue, and the only thing hindering Kasia’s walk today were all the cars still in town. The both of us will be happy when traffic dies down and we’ll be back to our normal rythym.

Hope you have a good week!

Company’s Coming…

…and when you’ve been tied up with work, usually you pick up what you need last minute.

BIG MISTAKE!

Our stools at our breakfast bar were worse for wear. There was no way they should still be in the house. So what did we do? The number one capital sin of a Friday mid-day in July-go shopping.😩

We found what we were looking for at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Unfortunately, so were many other people shopping, although not necessary for bar stools.

The photo above shows one of four registers open and lines snaking from here to Timbuktu.

Chalk this up to rookie mistakes.

Columbo Night

In my quest to find something in cable land that won’t insult my intelligence, well, all I can say is ,” Thank God it’s Sunday!”

ME TV on my local cable shows Columbo reruns and it is a pleasure to have a challenging show to keep me entertained.

Beats some of the other crap on Cable.

In The Wee Small Hours

One of the songs from the Broadway hit “Hamilton” has a line about it being quiet uptown.

I think I am more down east here than uptown, but it is five in the morning and I am up.Outside of the tapping on the laptop keys, the silence is deafening.

Why am I up? It’s the ever popular end of medication that you are on and all of a sudden, it’s as if you are playing the should I try to go back to sleep game.I think staying up wins this round. Actually, it is kind of rare to be in a position to actually listen in the silence, and your mind and ears get a rest.

Pollen is out full force here and now both Jim and I are coughing in unison.I learned that it is always bad once I see the forsythia in bloom. The Christmas cactus in the window is blooming again, and is probably the only flower that isn’t bothering us.I guess that spring is officially here at Undisclosed location.

Kasia is sleeping one the floor behind me as I type this, as I know she is frustrated with the lack of activity here. We’ll try to get a good long walk in today before the weather tanks over Sunday and Monday.She has been a real trooper but I really don’t want her to fall out of the habit of walking with me.We both need the exercise.

Enjoy your weekend and hopefully the nice weather that goes with it.

He’s back ,again….l

Gluten-free Jim is back in action.

The above picture is his flax seed bread and Italian herbs in it.

We went to three different stores yesterday, in search of gluten-free and organic products. It’s good to be well, but it is really pricey. I see the receipts from the stores, and the price of ten things he needs is the price of 30 we normally would buy.

I am proud he has gone one week out gluten-free. If it goes well, I guess I might have to convert.

Worst Mother Ever….

…says Kasia. The morning rain turned icy and now we have snow. Momma told Kasia it’s too slippery for now. It’s incredible how a pup and a child can share a universal pout.

**The sound you hear is maternal guilt piling on.**

There is always tomorrow, 🤞🏻 I hope!

And some more….

Here is Kasia not looking very happy with me, but Jim and I had a date night last night.

The only chance of seeing a first run movie down these parts was a drive away,, so we went off to dinner and then saw The Darkest Hour. It was Gary Oldman staring as Winston Churchill and Kristin-Scott Thomas, of Four Weddings and a Funeral and, later, The Other Boleyn Girl as Clementine Churchill. We both enjoyed the movie, but, unfortunately in the age of #METOO it might get rolled over for Oscar Time. That would be a shame.

Back at the home today, disgust is on Kasia’s face, because it is now a fact that Mom picked up bronchitis on the tail end of here current list of ailments….My girl hates being the health Continue reading And some more….

One Saving Grace Being Home sick

Along with the Olympic Channel that I have found, this post led me to some interesting viewing and reads!

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via What to Do When You Finish ‘The Crown’

After Commercial Break….

So after Winter storm Grayson, Greg’s visit and getting Jim over the viral illness hump,you were prepared to see a new post from me.

Bless your heart!

It turns out Greg is home sick and guess who else got it? That’s right-me!

After ” station identification “, I’ll be back.

Let’s All Have One, Shall We?

So I am up at three thirty in the morning and pretty much awake.How much sleep did I have? Uh, none.

Steroids and watching the time I take it: when WILL I ever learn.

So far I caught a Johnny Carson rerun on Antenna TV for an hour and maybe that forced me up, I just don’t know. He had Bob Hope and Dean Martin and Charles Nelson Reilly on and I was laughing hysterically. If you actually read these names and say, “who?”…go google them.

After that I had Stephen Colbert on with Tom Hanks, again, who is promoting he newest film, “The Post.” It occurs during two weeks when the Pentagon Papers were about to be published in the early 70’s. Funny how it should have a limited release starting on my birthday, but down here in “Undisclosed” we seldom get the first release of anything.

Moving on, I watched Stanley Tucci, Meryl Streep, the late Nora Ephron on you tube from a few years ago from when the movie ” Julie and Julia” first was out.It was bittersweet to see the three of them together.

Now I am writing this post with hopes of crashing and burning a little later and can catch up with life a little later on today.

Not a Creature was Stirring..,

Kasia has got the right idea.

We’ve got an inch of snow ⛄️ out front and with a hopefully waning bronchitis front, we are all settling in for a cozy night in.

Here’s hoping you are safe if you go out, but hopefully you’ll be warm and safe like us.

After all, there are 10 days until Christmas 🎄

One-Eyed Jacks

Well, here I am, two days post-op from the cataract surgery which went well, except for one thing.

BRONCHITIS.

It got to the point in the operating room where the surgeon said I had to keep my head still for five minutes so he could do what he needed to do. Thanks God I managed to do it.Jim met the surgeon afterward and told him the surgery went perfectly.

So I am fighting bronchitis and taking all my eye drops and have decided to bypass people every day until the next surgery. I went to the 8 am Mass on this past Sunday. When we were there and I said to Jim, this wasn’t necessarily a good call. We saw people hacking and blowing their noses, etc., so I am sure that’s how I picked this up.

Not this time……Bwahahaha…..stay tuned.

Last Squints

Getting my eyeful of life, as it were. You know, smiling with Kasia

When she sneaks on our bed, it’s hard not to smile, especially she looks so comfortable!

I’m making us dinner, being so aware of watching what I am making. It’s all how the eye perceived the pallet.

Grateful for the visions I have been blessed with, and praying for a good outcome for Tuesday.

💚 from Kasia’s Mom<<<<
gt;<<
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Doctor Shuffle-“The Beat Goes On.”

This morning the spot is a doctor’s office again, albeit it this time for Jim.

What is funny is that they warn you to bring a laptop or tablet because the average wait time is four hours. Why so long you ask? They have equipment for testing and blood work, and by the time you would have too go from place to place, well ,you actually save some time.

Once we are out of here, well, we will see what Jim has to do. Then we’ll get back to my impending surgery.

Ah…..the joys of large middle age!

More Education for Me

What a difference fifty years has made.

Today in third grade, we had “Lockdown” practice. Since I have been working down here, I only was in a lockdown once, and that was when a local bank was robbed and they put the whole school under lockdown.

It was a good, yet challenging day in our third grade today. We had a lot of interaction with the children, and I actually had the mentally challenged boy walk with me into class-that was a big step. They say it shows he trusts me. Don’t get me wrong: we had our share of tears and tantrums, children crawling under tables to avoid doing math problems, and other sorts of drama.

I really have come to like this class. All of the students have their own stories, some sad, some with family issues and the like. You really learn the dynamic about handling children with these ailments. You want to try to help them the best you can.

I’ll be keeping them in my prayers, because God knows they need it.

Early to Bed

Kasia is not the only one turning in early these days. I had a dermatology appointment this morning with Jim, so we had to make sure we were both up and ready for the early appointments,
Then we had a few stops to make before we got back to the house. I have to get Kasia out a few times and take care of laundry and making Jim lunch and dinner , and then it starts…

pencil-case… check
writing paper… check
iPhone … check
thermos for coffee…check
donuts …check.

Tomorrow is election day here and I am sure all through the country. It’s another morning of being at my local fire hall by 5:15 and done if we are lucky. by 8:15pm.

Long, Long day….
Thus, early to bed.

12 Things I See Happy People Do (that unhappy people do not)

If only more folks could follow this….

Missing my gorgeous Zush💔

Baltimore Archdiocese Agrees to $50,000 Settlement with Clergy Sex-Abuse Victim Who Said She Was Shown Body of Murdered Nun….if you are watching “The Keepers” on Netflix, this is a tie- in

Source: Baltimore Archdiocese Agrees to $50,000 Settlement with Clergy Sex-Abuse Victim Who Said She Was Shown Body of Murdered Nun

This antibiotic will ruin you.

Using antibiotics??Hmmm….

Mountains and Mustard Seeds

4739 Hi there, we need to talk. My name is Amy Moser. I have almost written this post at least 20 times and got too overwhelmed and abandoned it. Well here goes…

The antibiotics you took or are taking for your sinus infection, UTI, skin infection, laser eye surgery…ect…may have already damaged you.

Cipro, Levaquin, Avalox, nearly every generic ending in “quin”, “oxacin,””ox,”…are all part of a large family of antibiotics called “Fluoroquinolones.” The FDA finally updated their warning on these antibiotics as of July 2016. They site “multiple system damage that may be irreversible. Permanent you guys. Here is the link for the warning if you are a doubting Thomas: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm500143.htm. Take a gander real quick if you are reading this with an eyebrow raised. Trust me, I wish I had been given the opportunity to soak up this information before it was too late.

In 2010, I took…

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Something New

Today I am shadowing a student who has an” in school” detention; this , and I have to admit, is as far away from kindergarten as possible! I am shadowing my student to make sure she has her work in math, language arts and science completed,

The early leader of how unusual today is for me is that I found an article on ” The Perfect Pour” for ketchup in Scholastic Magazine…..** reaching up to smooth my grey hair**..,I read Scholastic magazine 50 years ago.

Oh well, we are working through language arts. Hopefully today will be a good experience for us both!

You Tube

I was born in late 1959. There are many things I missed in the last century. Through the circumstances that have had me home over the past six months, I discovered You Tube.

Remember I was an American Studies major. I know there are old movies and things that you can find. What have I been listening to or watching are reports on the assassination of the late president John Kennedy. Evidently, they run American documentaries on British television, such as channel 4 and BBC.

The one I watched today was narrated by George Clooney, and it was the story of how JFK and Walter Cronkite, and how they had age and the service in World War 2. It starts with how CBS went to 30 minute news with Walter meeting with JFK in Hyannis Port 2 months before the assassination. It takes you from the various reporters views, from the shooting through the burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

So with this post, I once again am showing my history background , and I guess it is better than some of the crap on cable. I know some of you may think I have no life, but hey, a little knowledge is a good thing.

Me and my BFF

There comes a time on Facebook that you get too many tear-jerking dog stories. My buddy Kathy, and other dog moms know to give me a tear-jerker warning.

As I am getting a little too close for comfort in this area, I decided to spend time on the floor hanging with my Zush tonight.

Granted the picture I took was a selfie with my IPad, but you know what?

I will cherish it until I breathe my last. It was good sharing Momma and Zush time. It will always be the biggest chunk of my heart!

Good Days

There doesn’t seem to be that many of them.

Today was an exemption. My buddies Kathy and Tim, Zosia’s foster parents came down to see us. They also brought Henry and Champ, their two dogs.Below is Champ.

Here is Henry.

Kathy and I go all the way back to grade school together. We lived in the same neighborhood. It is always good to reconnect with a buddy who shares history with you.

The only bad thing is when you separate, you wish you still lived closer! Kathy got to see in person how Zush was. We walked all the pups around the neighborhood.

A good day indeed!

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

Our night last night was rough. We are trying to figure out how to make her comfortable.

Tonight, I am going to try to stay up with my girl, and hopefully things will go a little better. I feel bad, because Jim tends to be up more than I am. He needs some sleep, so hopefully it’ll work out for the both of us. The weather is supposed to be wintery tomorrow. I hope things will have a little more improvement. Prayers and good karma for the Zush will be greatly appreciated.

Catching Up…

Thanks to a friend of mine on Facebook, I have been trying to catch up with a religious friend of mine, who saw me through some bad times with my first cancer.

With thanks to Maryanne, a buddy of mine, she forwarded me this photo of my pal Brother Jim. I understand he is in Pittsburgh these days and not up to par. We met on the morning of my cancer surgery and became fast friends.

So now it’s time to become Columbo and say a prayer that I can reestablish our friendship.

I’ll keep you posted.

Who Needs a Bath?

Not us, say Zusher, Kasia and me.

Why, you may ask? Well, you know all phone apps that telll you when it’s going to rain?

THEY LIE!** joking*

Here’s Zusher’s favorite pastime, walking in puddles.

Here’s Kasia drying off after getting soaked.

Well, now we gals are all in and dry, and even I am dried off. Time for dinner for all the girls!

Why Polish Women Are the Greatest on Earth

Nice to see someone appreciate a nice Polish gal like me….thanks, Jeanne Bass for finding this…..

Friday Night Date

The family is all together tonight. Jim is off, and what a difference. We had a pizza for dinner, Zush and Kasia are laying back. What’s the bonus?

Turner Classic Movies is showing “Mr. Roberts.”

This movie is about the waning days of the Second World War in the Pacific, and Henry Fonda, who plays Mr.Roberts, wants to get off his duty on a cargo ship and into the heat of battle on a destroyer or battleship. This is all I will reveal of the plot, because it really is worth viewing. James Cagney plays the Captain, with William Powell and Jack Lemon in supporting roles.

Always nice to find a good movie to relax and watch.

Have a good weekend!

Sing along with Zush

Here’s tonight’s photo of my Zosia. She is “singing to me”, and good mom that I am, I taped it. As with my mother, I know one day I’d wish I still could hear it.

Kasia has been pretty good: I hate to say it, because it’s like looking for trouble. She seems to be getting what’s happening to Zush, and ,dare I say, bows a little to her big sister.

We walked a little bit this afternoon: I usually let Zush lead the way. I look at it as her bucket list. Some days, we don’t go far. Other times, Zush wants the bay.

Nothing like being a spoiling Mom.

February Malaise

With occasional barks from Kasia in the bedroom, it’s kind of quiet here.

I have television on, but my mind is with Zush. We both are kind of beat.

It is a gloomy day here. It’s the kind of day that history usually leads us to believe is better spent in bed. As Zush is still quiet and resting, I figure I’ll hold off on our walk till the area of 4pm. We did almost a mile this morning, so we won’t be quite as intense on this one. Still, it is pleasant to go out in the winter solitude, with hardly any cars around to choke us with exhaust as we walk. By the time we get back, it’ll be dinner and we’ll get ready for the night.

Kasia has been extremely good: I can’t help but wonder if she picks up on what’s going on. I do believe animals sense things. We’ll appreciate the coziness of this weather and the evening. After all, isn’t that what girls do?

Time

They say time heals all wounds.

Yeah, right.**read heavy sarcasm here**

Tomorrow is five years that my Mom passed away. There isn’t a day that I don’t miss her. This is my favorite picture of Zosia and Mom. My Dad passed in 1998. The same goes for Dad: there isn’t a day that he isn’t in my thoughts. I always remember how they would tell me about when they would no longer be here but how they would always be with me.

Somehow, it would be nice just to hug them.

Weather or Not

My nephew, Greg, informed me of a chance of one to three inches of snow forecasted for the Undisclosed Location on Saturday.In honor of this,I decided to do something I have never done in my life before. I actually started taking Christmas decorations down.

The snowflake on the front of the house really isn’t in focus and the doghouse is still up, but I did start taking the ribbons down, after talking to my neighbor. Her Christmas decorations are all down, but I normally wait until after the feast day of the Three Kings to take the rest down. With the snow that is allegedly coming, I started by taking the ribbons I had up off so they didn’t get ruined. The rest, I decided, can wait until the weather clears and dries them all out.

These clouds were coming into the area when I walked the girls this afternoon, and you could feel the chill coming in with the front.

The only good part about this? I don’t have to run to the local Philadelphia store to buy eggs, bread, milk and toilet paper…..lol.

Worries and Prayers

Please forgive me, gentle reader, if the blog as been falling by the wayside of late. Zush has not been feeling good and of course, that has hit me at my core.

You can’t telll what is wrong. I offer chance to go walk, or go to the potty.After having three days with issues, I spent a good bit of my morning crying.Part of it is frustration at not being able to help her. Part is not being stupid and keeping in the back of my head the eventuality is there and hopefully, it’ll be in the offing. The melancholia stays with you,but you go back to what’s at hand: keeping my girl comfortable and going.

Please keep us both in your prayers, as we sure can use them.As for me, I have to go barter with God.

Home

It is always good to be here with the girls.

What is hard is when one of them isn’t feeling well.

My girl , Zush, is off of her food. Don’t get me wrong: if I cook food for her she’ll eat. It is as if she just doesn’t feel like eating her dry kibble anymore. Both Kasia and Zush grew up on Pedigree, then Beneful, and once the recalls started,we went to Nature’s Recipe. They seemed to both like it: we switched to it a year and 1/2 ago.

So it goes without saying, I’ll be cooking and trying to entice my gal to eat. If you can throw any prayers or good mojo out for us, we surely would appreciate it.

Outdoor Living

I am sitting outside with Zush. Jim and Kasia are out walking at the bay. Yes, the rain finally stopped and things were pretty good until 4pm.

What’s with a 4pm witching hour?

Our power is out. No hurricane, no severe storm warning …our power went out! It would appear a utility pole was run into by a car.The guys Atlantic City Electric sent to fix that, well….I guess they figured it was a good time to put the whole area out. Allegedly Atlantic City electric claims power will be back by 7.

Here’s my bestie,Zush, keeping Mom company while I read and listen to Ryan Howard’s last game as a Phillie and read my book.

Emergency candle, anyone?

Puddin’ Cookies

Next on my list…I have a box of chocolate instant pudding in my pantry……

Retro Recipe Attempts

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that it’s acceptable to call somebody puddin’ (perhaps an affectionate nickname for a child), but it’s pretty rude to call them pudding.

recipe

I think Bisquick was following the same sort of logic when they named this recipe. Pudding Cookies is unappealing, but Puddin’ Cookies is fun and hip!

PUDDIN’ COOKIES! Mix well 3/4 cup Bisquick, 1 pkg. instant pudding mix (any flavor), 1/4 cup salad oil, 1 egg. Form into small balls; flatten with hand on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 min. at 350 (mod.). Makes about 3 doz. They’re fun!

Puddin’ Cookies! It’s excitin’!

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Apple Cider Donut Cake

This is next on my baking list! Love apple cider donuts!

Lea & Jay

I warned you didn’t I? Here we go now with the first of what may prove to be a parade of Fall-time apple-y goodness…Apple Cider Donut Cake! Whaaat? Yup….Apple. Cider. Donut. Cake. Could I have crammed any more deliciousness into that recipe title? I’ve already told you how I love apples. And Apple Cider…especially the type that is a bit more medicinal…if you know what I’m saying…is exciting. Donuts! Who doesn’t love cinnamon sugar laden apple cider donuts?! Well you get all of those mouthwateringly yummy flavours all wrapped up in one gorgeous big old bundt cake.

This cake is amazingly moist and tender, just bursting with apple flavour. It would be delicious simply unadorned, but it is completely over the top when brushed with some boozy cider glaze and dusted, quite liberally with crunchy cinnamon sugar.

It is great anytime of the day, for breakfast, tea-time snack, dessert or…

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Pup Update

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good mojo that you have passed onto me from yesterday’s blog. The photo you see above is Zush taken this afternoon.Yesterday’s trauma has passed somewhat, and although I am the police mom, the girls are once more existing together.

Kasia has been outdoors in the yard for more time in the past day since she came to live with us almost seven years ago. Tone of voice still has a little edge in it, because we want her to get that what she did was wrong. The two girls are hanging out together within a few inches of each other.We are just going to take it one day at a time.

Prayers Needed

So all this tendonopothy has played havoc with my knee replacements. It is a struggle to get out of bed to the bathroom. The pain is horrible and I can not imagine what’s going on.

Please throw out a prayer or some healing light for me , as I surely need it!

History not quite repeating itself…

For those of you who remember me during my boot days of 2005, this picture might seem like Groundhog Day to you, but really, it isn’t.

I don’t have a rip or tear in my tendon in my left foot. Instead, the tendinitis is so severe it is being termed “Tendinopathy with tendon thickening…. With a “nightcap” of tenosynovitis with fluid distending the tendon sheath.”

So, I guess my summer is extended another 4-6 weeks while I try to heal up.

Yeah… That’s what I said. LOL

Missing Kiddos

So today, in the classic tradition of Philadelphia, that is, voting early and often, I am working the polls to the primary election.

My butt is dragging since I had to be here at 5:15am, after getting up at 4am to take care of the girls.So far I’ve had two cups of coffee and I am still in a fog.Now, we are onto recipe discussion, getting deep in discussion with a 91 year old,75 year old and 68 year old…see a trend there?

I miss being with my school kids. Tomorrow is their big day for their kindergarten concert.Fortunately, I’ll be back with them for it.

Time stops for no one.

Breck Girl

For those who remember the 70’s, you remember the Breck Girl who graced many a back cover of Glamour or Seventeen magazine.

Here is’s Zushie girl’s before shot.

Granted, this is not a full body shot, but here she is post-shampoo and Furminator treatment. They blew that winter coat out , got some dirt off the fur, and now she looks and feels like a million!

Love her and the sister to death💚💚🐶#MYBFFS

Joys of June

Cleaning out pre-school books, playing bingo with Marian the magnificent, as we had no cage for balls and I had to come up with numbers out of my head.The boys enjoyed it, especially that we used goldfish crackers for markers

Even with their educational problems,I have hope for their future with 10 days and counting. I know they’ll be leaving with my prayers .

I only hope that they’ll remember me fondly.

Weather or not

It is quite a dreary day here;the kind of day I can’t pull on my back brace hard enough for ache relief and to kill the pain.

The windows cracked open the other day for fresh air are closed for the chill.I went to try to work the pancake breakfast but only stayed an hour, as the pain hurt.

I was due to go to a family surprise party this afternoon, but that long a car ride was not for my back’s liking.

The girls and I got our 10,000 steps in by the skin of my teeth- it’s icing my back for the night.

Back at the scene of the crime..,

Still buying coughdrops, but feeling good enough to be working.

We are busy testing kids for the end of the semester.We are innudated with assemblies,eating into our time. Now we start working on next years class! Busy is an understatement.

Thank God for Friday!

EarthDay

E dTyyI am sitting in a gym class where the teacher based all the events on recycled thing, i.e,empty laundry bottles,water weights..quite clever.

I stop and think of what my and previous generations have done, but it’s great that folks have brought it to the forefront. My complaint? It should be every day!

It’s raining coconut donuts

Up in the city things were a little different. We had parties for showers, wedding, baby and the like. It was all very nice.

I definitely have moved to a new state.A shower her constitutes a couple dozen Dukin donuts and best wishes. I have a card for my bus buddy, and can’t wait to have her back in September! Good luck Mrs.Ridgeway!💜

Doctor time

After leaving at the crack of dawn, we are about 1/2 hour to the doctor.

A Little Slice of Heaven

It truly is a little slice of heaven.

I got the girls out today slowly,because I am getting over a major kick butt sinus infection gratis’ of my class. I t was funny to actually take our time and bask in the warmth.

I was going to do some baking tonight but don’t really feel the urge, at least not yet.I usually do something and wait until the house temperature is 70 degrees**joking** but it is amazing that when you’re really not feeling 100% yet, there are tons of ideas going through your head.Your inner-self said uh,no. Not yet.

Time to bask in the Delaware Bay sunshine.

Best Banana Cake Ever

From my buddy over at Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts….this one is a no brainer!

Source: Best Banana Cake Ever

Quick Mix Oatmeal Crunchies

Next addition to the Valentine’s Day week line-up….this awesome recipe!

Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts

A couple of months ago, I bought several boxes of instant oatmeal because I had about 10 Quaker Oatmeal coupons that I was able to stack with a great sale price, making the oatmeal nearly free! However, after using a few of the flavored oatmeal packets, my family agreed that we prefer my Hearty Crock Pot Oatmeal much better than the instant packets. Knowing that I would have to figure out a way to use up all the leftover boxes, I scoured the Internet for some recipe ideas. After experimenting with various ingredients and playing with quantities, I came up with my own recipe for Quick Mix Oatmeal Crunchies. These flavorful cookies are a snap to throw together and we absolutely love them for lunchbox treats and afternoon snacks.

Quick Mix Oatmeal Crunchies

6 packets of flavored instant oatmeal, any variety you prefer (I use a mixture of cinnamon, raisin…

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Mom…it feels like a lifetime

Today marks four years since Mom passed and I have to offer what I had written in last years post. The meaning is even deeper, as is the heartache.

I miss her every day.It’s a hole in my heart that I know might be healed over by the time I pass away.I find her in little things, and especially, while in the process of moving, I unpacked her sweater and sat with it on today.I made waffle batter this morning in one of her mixing bowls. Tomorrow I am going to look for a book to put her handwritten recipes in. I know she is at peace,and that is the only thing that makes the pain of loss a little bearable.

I keep a picture of her on the table by my bed, and see her every morning.It’s a shot of her before she fell into dementia.On the computer I see pictures of her in her hospital bed when she was in hospice.Today we got the new issue of AARP magazine and they had, on the cover,pictures of everyone who had Alzheimer’s/Dementia and they were people who had passed within the year.

I cherish the memory while God still blesses me with one, and cherish every day I am on two feet. I figure the best way I can honor her legacy is to keep going as best as I can.

Doesn’t stop her from missing me, though.

My nephew Greg and my Mom,.circa 3 years ago

Mom’s last pic

Peanut Butter Bites

With the exception of the Splenda Brown Sugar, I like this recipe and may give it a shot! Yummy!

Source: Peanut Butter Bites

A Shameless Plug

LAST DAY TO VOTE FOR ZUSH…PLEASE SHARE>>>>LINK ON TOP

thereisnosanityclause

http://pets.subaru.com

Subaru is currently getting folks to enter and vote for pets in the Subaru Pet hall of Fame.

I entered the Zusher.

The link to vote is at the top of this page and if you should see it on Facebook, the picture above is the one I entered for the Zush.

Please vote for my girl, and if you could share this post,Zusher and I would truly appreciate it. If you are going into the site and can’t recognize her, search for ” Zush” and you will get her entry and the little blip I wrote to submit for her.You can vote daily through the end of November and, again, thanks!

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Cinnamon Raisin French Toast Casserole

Yummo….gotta give this a try!

Simply Made Kitchen and Crafts

Not far from our home, there is a Pepperidge Farm Outlet that we often visit when going to a nearby mall. One of the items I usually stock up on is the cinnamon raisin bread that is always marked down to a reasonable price. I bring the loaves home and tuck them in the freezer for lots of different recipes.
This is a tasty casserole that takes minutes to put together. It’s such a treat to put a big pan of French toast in the oven rather than standing in front of the stovetop making slices in small batches. This makes for more time to enjoy early morning conversation with the family while savoring the awesome combination of cinnamon, raisin, pecans and maple syrup with a piping hot cup of coffee. I often make this the night before serving so that when I wake up there is no prep time…

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Really?

So you think you are doing something by having the ability of your blogging app on your phone? I really thought that was great, since it enabled me to do blog posts earlier in the day.

So I pick my iPhone6 and imagine my dismay when my site fell out of my app. Seriously?Did I , like breathe on it or something? After playing sign in roulette for 30 minutes, I finally got back in.

My moral of the story?

There is no way a 55 year old liberal arts major, circa 1981, can be tech savvy.

Beauty

Despite the turmoil of the past few days, I got up this morning and got my girls ready for their day.

I had to come in early, so correspondingly, I had the girls up. It has made an impression in my mind to keep loving Kasia and keeping her in the loop.What effects us effects her, and after all, Zush is her sister.

The morning was beautiful,and ever mindful, was thankful to the Creator for another beautiful day with my family.

An Open Letter to Joy Behar

Nurses deserved better than the treatment the got from the View

According to Kateri

As many of you have seen, Miss Coloradodelivered a beautifully spoken monologue about nursing during last week’s Miss America pageant. Recently, on The View as the pageant was discussed, Miss Colorado’s scrubs were referred to as a costume, and Joy posedthe question of why she was wearing a “doctor’s stethoscope.” Below is my now calmed down reply to all of it. Additionally, Iwould like to personally andpublicly congratulate Kelley Johnson RN on her chosen talent, it is one that will reward you forever.

Dear Joy Behar,

A beautiful woman in a beauty pageant put on baggy clothes and humbly walked across the stage to talk proudly about her career, and her passion for caring for other human beings, and the only thing you could muster in response was an insult grounded in ignorance.

Rather than being offended or getting angry, I will instead, take a moment to teach.

I am…

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Rough day

Just got news of one of Zush’s buddies falling ill.

When you are a parent, you watch your children grow up, we get older, but for those of us whose children have four paws, well, it’s as if we get cheated because our friends don’t get the time we desperately want them to get. So when it comes time to be praying and working good mojo, it feels as if I am praying for a good friend of mine.

Putting pup prayers and good Karma from me, Jim, Kasia and Zusher….

Dog speed, our friend.

Lola

Lola is our boarder who is helping keep my trolley on the track of late. They say God does things for a reason, and Lola hanging with my girls is , indeed, a blessing.

Lola is 12, a year younger than Zush, and a sweetheart.She really has been loving Camp Zushkash..sometimes I have to let her kick back and rest from walking…lol.

Nothing like rescue fur babies to make your life worthwhile!

Ode to a Kitchen Aid Mixer

When I was single, I treated myself to a Kitchen Aid hand mixer. I mean, I wasn’t looking for doing any major baking, so a hand held mixer would work well.

It worked very well, and served me for 16 years without fail.

Until tonight.

My neighbor who is from Eastern Europe and a young mother was telling me tonight that her husband’s birthday is Sunday. She doesn’t drive and was walking back with her son in the stroller from the grocery store, where she bought fixings for a cake. I asked her what kind . She said chocolate. I asked her what kind of frosting…she said, ” I am going to melt some chocolate and butter and drizzle it on the cake.

I introduced her to the world of 10x sugar and the classic buttercream frosting. I give her the empty bag from the sugar I used and told her that it was the basis of what was in the bowl I gave her.She seems happy to get it, and I told her it was my little contribution to her husband’s cake.

In the midst of doing the icing, my beloved Kitchen Aid died.

**sigh**

It goes without saying that I may be going on Amazon as soon as I post this to get a new one.

Mr.Baseball

Things are so bad with our Phillies, that Jim and I are watching “Mr.Baseball.”

We have found this movie on the MLB channel that they are probably airing due to the weather here on the Mid-Atlantic region. The funny part about this movie is that it is 20 times the hitting that the Phillies seem to currently have.

Tom Selleck is the star of this movie and my guesstimate of the year of this movie would be around 1987.Dennis Heysbert, the guy in the All-State insurance commercials is also in it.We might ac

That’s how bad our baseball situation has become.

the semicolon project

This is an excellent article that, sadly, people who have depression will either read it and not recognize themselves or not take the time to read it. I have been there…take a few minutes and read it- YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

hpwritesblogs

Today I went to a tattoo artist, and for $60 I let a man with a giant Jesus-tattoo on his head ink a semi-colon onto my wrist where it will stay until the day I die. By now, enough people have started asking questions that it made sense for me to start talking, and talking about things that aren’t particularly easy.

We’ll start here: a semi-colon is a place in a sentence where the author has the decision to stop with a period, but chooses not to. A semi-colon is a reminder to pause and then keep going.

In April I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. By the beginning of May I was popping anti-depressents every morning with a breakfast I could barely stomach. In June, I had to leave a job I’d wanted since I first set foot on this campus as an incoming freshmen because of my mental…

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Goodbye for Now

Meant to reblog this…a touching farewell for Ray, one of Michael Vick’s dogs…..by the folks who SAVED him

Nana Michelle Aloha Recipes Oh So Simple Key lime Crème Pie

Going to give this a whirl.

Nana Michelle Aloha Recipes Oh So Simple Key lime Crème Pie.

Cutest Pup-once more with feeling….

It’s not May 1st, yet, and Zush and I are begging for you to take a second and throwing her a vote: simply click on the link and then click on vote! It’s that simple! Thanks!

thereisnosanityclause

I KNOW THIS IS A REPEAT, BUT PLEASE KEEP VOTING FOR THE ZUSH…we both thank you!

Zush Ciliberti is entered in the cutest pup contest but I need you guys to go and vote for her.

You all know her picture by now, plus she is the only pup wearing glasses…lol.

This benefits the Rogue shelter and costs you nothing…vote for my best gal and please, PLEASE share with all your friends and have them throw a vote for the Zusher.Vote early and often( just because I am out of Philadelphia doesn’t mean some things change..lol) until May 1.

Thank you from Zusher and Mar..click on upload contest pictures when on their page and the photos will come up…Smooches!

Here is the link, and please remember to vote daily until May 1, 2015.

https://foto-app.appspot.com/get100/128640000647630/K_6631463380320256/

This is the picture you are looking for….

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Jersey Boys

It’s no secret I was born in the last two weeks of 1959.

So tonight,we were watching HBO and the “Jersey Boys” came on.

I was watching, and it really was hitting me that I wasn’t getting it.I mean I grew up in a house that played Simon and Garfunkel and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, well, I would hear them occasionally on a transistor radio. I stopped and remembered all the people who I knew who just went bananas over the “Jersey Boys” musical.

**Shaking my head**

I know this movie was directed by Clint Eastwood, and for being a 60’s child, I see more of “The Sopranos” in this film than I do anything else.Don’t get me wrong.I sing or hum along with Frankie Valli music when it’s played, but this movie is hard for me to watch.

Maybe I need to get back to my transistor radio….

Seriously Scoffable Banoffee

Yummo!

ice cream magazine

Seriously Scoffable Banoffee

I find Banoffee’ists can be territorial but this is a bit of a fail safe to the most discerning and determined.

Sometimes you need a little luxx, and if the luxx uses up tired cookies and biscuits.

Turning a fridge raid into a diner party delight?

Who’s complaining!

The topping is the key:

The Ice Cream -Cream

Combine whipped cream (soft peak) to ever so slightly softened vanilla ice cream with ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence.

Cut and fold the ice cream and vanilla into the cream. Roughly equal quantities of ice cream to whipped cream, then place into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and return to the freezer for a few minutes if too soft.

The Base

Bash and generally beat up the biscuits by hand rather in the processor, (I used ginger biscuits that were becoming a tad soft) and added some nuts in…

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Rescued by Black Boy: how a neglected dog set me back on my path, away from PETA

This is why I fight for animals!

mom2nomads

There was a time when I was a True Believer and a very good little soldier, I did what I was told to do, when I was told to do it, I didn’t question orders and if I did it was never to the face of the one giving them. Then, one stormy and snowy evening, I stopped by an abandoned house to check on a dog I’d been feeding and caring for. I pulled up in front of the home and saw him huddled on the open porch, under cover as much as his short chain would allow, his thick fur encrusted in ice. In that moment I made the decision to unchain him and usher him into my van and, unlike past days when he’d been slightly timid and unwilling to trust me completely, he followed me. I rubbed him with towels to dry his soaked fur, wrapped…

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Loose Dog? Don’t chase! Stop, Drop and Lie Down

Good advice!

No Dog About It Blog

Have you ever had a dog escape your arms or car or home? What is the first thing you do? If you’re like most people, you chase after them. They run and then you run. It seems almost instinctual, doesn’t it?

I’ve come to believe that it REALLY IS INSTINCT that takes over when we chase after our loose dog(s). It’s not just something we do when our own pets get loose, but something we do when a friend’s dog gets out of the house or when we see a stray dog running down the street or the highway. There is even a recent video showing police officers chasing after a dog on a highway in California. They never even had a chance of catching him. It was a losing proposition.

The problem with our first instinct (to chase) is that it rarely gets us closer to getting them. In fact, the…

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Fit Bit Batteries

The fact that I’ve been doing the fit bit daily since Halloween did not cause me to have shock at a message I got tonight when I synched it to my computer.

“Your zip battery is low.”

Well, with the exception of me showering or sleeping, my little fit bit zip has been working overtime, so I guess I’ll have to go around and look for a battery for it so I can keep on trucking’, as it were.

I have been watching Biggest Loser this season and noticed they wear something similar, but they wear it in a bracelet form around their wrist.I prefer my zip because it is of hard rubber and stays on my bra all day. Unlike a pedometer on a belt or shoe or whatever, you don’t have to worry about it getting lost through the day.

Battery shopping will be number on the list of things to do tomorrow.I feel better walking. Can’t quit what works!

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,400 times in 2014. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Ryan Howard’s Sad Family Story

for my husband to read…how greedy can baseball get?

The Zo Zone

Charlie Manuel has plenty of opinions on hitting a baseball, and one of them centered on the psyche of the hitter.

It is a difficult game to play, he said, but it can become impossibly difficult if the mind is not clear. Manuel said a divorce, a breakup, an argument, a sick family member or other family issue can affect a hitter at the plate.

Manuel’s words came back today following FOX29’s initial report and The Philadelphia Daily News’ detailed report about Ryan Howard’s twin brother Corey suing him for $2.8 million, Howard’s father requesting $10 million as severance from the “family” business and Howard countersuing because he thought his family conspired to defraud him.

It is hard to imagine Howard had a clear mind at the plate the past couple seasons because of it.

Howard and his family settled out of court last month, but if everything alleged…

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Hector

Hector was a pit bull of Mike Vick’s who was rescued and became a therapy dog..this is a touching tribute! ❤

Hector.

More Meaningful Interactions

This blogger’s post goes hand in hand with mine today.Worth reading!

Eric Tonningsen's Awakening to Awareness

“You can’t upload love, you can’t download time, you can’t Google all of life’s answers. You must actually live some of your life.” ~ author attributions vary

A recent TIME mobility survey polled 5,000 people and found that 84% of participants couldn’t go a single day without their mobile device, with 25% admitting that they checked their phones every 30 minutes. With so many ways to check in and let the world know exactly what you’re doing and when, many feel pressured to maintain their online identity, tweeting, and over-communicating around the clock.

That’s not all bad, but it’s not all good, either. More and more, many people live under the expectation of constant connection. The digital age brings with it many blessings, especially in terms of ready information and instantly accessible research. We know issues, developments and stories instantly, promptly communicate them to friends and colleagues, and get instant…

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What you didn’t know about rescue (but really need to)

As a dog mom of two lovely golden retirever mix rescues, one 12, and one 5, this hit home!

Dog Hair & Bourbon

As a sort of follow-up to last week’s post that got a lot of people all hot n’ bothered, I figured I would stir up some discussion on what exactly is the purpose of rescue. This post applies to most dog rescues; I fully understand that there are indeed rescue groups who do take it upon themselves to fill the niches provided below. Those groups are few and far between, however.

Dog owners tend to have a lot of misconceptions about rescue groups and animal control, and what their job is in society. Spoiler alert: it’s not to fix your problems.

1. We’re not rehabilitators

So you got a dog, and now that dog is causing you trouble. It’s snapping at company, herding/nipping your kids, tearing up the house, whatever… The likely reason is that you didn’t train it right, didn’t do your research, got a dog from a…

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Family Time

We are really happy.

My nephew Matt and Kat are here spending Labor Day weekend with us and its’ a treat to see them,as it’s the first time we have spent solo with them since their wedding back in May.Kat even brought us a blueberry cake and it is spectacular.

The girls are happy that they are here, well at least Zush is, and Kat is better than she was when she met them before: outside of the initial barking, she is good.

I’d write more, but it’s time for dinner-am putting on my hostess with the most-est gown.

Odd couple strays Joanie and Chachi find new home

Odd couple strays Joanie and Chachi find new home.

Just one of those mornings.

You ever had a morning that started out good?

Then, as an act two, the heavens opened up while trying to get into work as I was on the expressway.

I can not, and I mean, CAN NOT, wait until my last punch in because my chief occupation these days just seems to be shaking my head.Maybe it’s my definition of common sense as opposed to other folks, but again? ***smh*** There are only so many times that you can calm yourself down going,” This time next year….”

Fortunately I get to get out a little earlier today due to a medical appointment: here’s hoping that distance works wonders!

Dishwasher world

Nope.

Never had one.

Plastic Tupperware basin, filled with Dawn, hot water, rinsed, put in drain rack, dried and them put away.

Oh my God! What a new world!

I have a load of pots and pans in now and a second load in my sink ready to get in for the next load. I have no idea how I lived without it…

Moyer, Stairs in Comcast Booth in 2014

Comcast SportsNet will announce Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs have joined its Phillies broadcast team as early as tomorrow.

Sources said today contracts are nearly finalized. Sources told MLB.com last week the network had begun negotiations with the pair as replacements for Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews, whom the network declined to bring back as part of its recently negotiated 25-year contract with the Phillies.

Moyer, who has worked with ESPN, interviewed three weeks ago. Stairs, who has worked with NESN, interviewed two weeks ago. Comcast originally intended to hire just one broadcaster, but both impressed during auditions.

Both are members of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship team.

It is unclear how the Moyer-Stairs combination will work alongside play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy. They could share time in the booth like Wheeler and Matthews (Wheeler broadcast six innings, while Matthews broadcast three), they could split games, or they could both be in the booth at the same time with McCarthy.

Comcast also had Mitch Williams, Mickey Morandini and Kevin Stocker among its finalists.

Comcast broadcasts its first Grapefruit League game from Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., on Feb. 26.

The Zo Zone

Moyer, Dobbs Become Free Agents; Unlikely to Return

Comcast SportsNet will announce Jamie Moyer and Matt Stairs have joined its Phillies broadcast team as early as tomorrow.

Sources said today contracts are nearly finalized. Sources told MLB.com last week the network had begun negotiations with the pair as replacements for Chris Wheeler and Gary Matthews, whom the network declined to bring back as part of its recently negotiated 25-year contract with the Phillies.

Moyer, who has worked with ESPN, interviewed three weeks ago. Stairs, who has worked with NESN, interviewed two weeks ago. Comcast originally intended to hire just one broadcaster, but both impressed during auditions.

Both are members of the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship team.

It is unclear how the Moyer-Stairs combination will work alongside play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy. They could share time in the booth like Wheeler and Matthews (Wheeler broadcast six innings, while Matthews broadcast three), they could split games, or they…

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The other Mrs. C.

My mother-in-law turned 95 yesterday.

Ninety-five.

I am jealous, although I am so happy for her, but it just makes me miss my Mom all that more.
She wouldn’t have liked to go out like my mother-in-law does, but just to see that smile and
and hear that voice would be so nice.

Sto lat, Mom C., and many more.God bless you and keep you safe.

Mom..I miss you every day.

A Killer In Your Fridge ~ Sweet Poison…A MUST READ

A Killer In Your Fridge ~ Sweet Poison…A MUST READ.

My Kingdowm for a blankee…

I’m beat.

We are juicing again and it always ends up like a movie theater.Seatings at 1,3,or 5 a.m.
We are up letting the juice do its work. You are always happy that it is working,your
plumbing, that is, but to have the juice do it’s work, well…hi ho. it’s off to work again.

Have oral surgery tomorrow, so probably a little time away from the computer.

Have a good weekend!If you are in the areas of the nor’easter blowing through, be extra careful,ok?

light at the end of the week’s tunnel

Egad! I am beat.
We have been busy as all get out, as taxpayers are coming in from the corners of the city and
they aren’t happy.
Smile, answer questions, give directions, a sympathetic ear.

Whew!

Thank God for Thursday!

Undisclosed Part two tomorrow!

Yay!

Almost 11 years later…

We went to Mass this morning,as we normally would on a Sunday.

Afterward,we went to a restaurant that we last went to on our honeymoon,almost 11 years ago.

We have changed,life has changed,but,most notably,how those prices have changed for everything that was on the menu.It was a pancake house: it wasn’t a steak house or seafood house- a pancake house.

Jim got plain pancakes and I got a plain waffle. I had coffee and Jim had orange juice.The small orange juice was $2.50 for a SMALL glass: we wondered if it was gold plated. Bacon, which we seldom have, was $3.75 for a side order.

Nice to know that we are still together, and our love has grown to beat the rate of inflation…lol

Enjoy your weekend!

Holy Saturday

My nephew Greg just left. He came to pick up ham I made for them. I remarked how old I am: sitting here alone with the fur girls, watching Pope Francis I have the Easter Vigil Mass at the Vatican.

Jim is out painting our front fence, as we get the house ready to sell. Melancholia is quite overwhelming. This house had me busy on this day for the first six years, as I would be preparing for Easter. Then Mom got sick.

It is good to have good memories; it doesn’t make them hurt any less, but they are good.

A blessed Easter to you and yours.

Hootenanny

Mike our neighbor is over.

We are listening to You Tube, Jim is playing his guitar and we are singing songs of our youth.

**the two shots of whiskey I have taken are the best cough medicine to listen and sing along with.**

It’s good to kick back, and the fur children always enjoy Daddy playing music.

Life is good!

Extreme Couponing

TLC is running a marathon showing of the show “Extreme Couponing.”

Highly ironic is that Jim knocked apart my kitchen pantry in order to start sprucing up the house so we can sell it.

I liked my pantry. It saved me from going down the cellar to get things ready for dinner. Now Jim has bought a little closet for the kitchen and although now the kitchen has a little more space, it just doesn’t look the same.

Oh well. Guess this is the first step toward the future.

Here’s hoping!

Long day hacking

It was a long day in the office today: probably due to the arrival of daylight savings time.Once again, it was dark in the morning, but working later, I had the added perk of having sunlight, or should I say twilight? Either way you slice it, it was swell coming home with the light!

The hack,a.k.a. I”ll walk a mile for a Camel cough, is doing somewhat better…instead of hacking every five minutes, I can actually go 1/2 hour without coughing~ a major feat!

Now,with no offense to my fur girls, if only the cough would no longer sound like it belonged to a cocker spaniel….lol

Hacking

For once it wasn’t my sinuses. Imagine that.

I went to the Doctor today and ended up with two inhalers, cough suppressants, and a referral for a chest x-ray. Can you say viral?

Gee, knew I was sick.

Jim mimics my cough, but as lousy as mine sounds, you can multiply his by 10. I just hope his doesn’t turn into a hospital trip, since he wouldn’t go to the doctor.

The fur girls know we are sick~ pretty compassionate!

We’ll keep you posted!

Bah!

The 90’s hit “You’ve had a bad day” came home with me tonight.

Jim is sick with a hacking cough. Hot soup for dinner~ he doesn’t want to eat. I went up with the girls to see my friend who is very sick.She fell off the toilet because her legs are getting worse. Now I have to go down to my friend whose husband is in rehab. She is scared about caregiving: she has been married 55 years and is afraid to see what happens down the road.

I try to help, but after a while, it’s a rough gig!

A P.S.- to cap dinner off, my husband just dropped a roast beef, albeit a small one, on the floor ….

Did I mention Zush is happy? 😀

Sunday blues

It was a good and active weekend: the kind of weekend that makes you dread Monday.

My friend and her husband came down and it was as though everything was go- go-go, not that it was a bad thing. The fact that Jim and I are both hacking like we are cigarette smokes doesn’t help. You are active but your speech comes to a halt when you start hacking.

Good sign when you need to rest all week after the weekend!

Have a good week.

The headache from hell

I work customer service.

Right now it is extremely busy.

Any complaint, annoyance or irritation that they are experiencing, they are coming in by the droves. It’s a job. It’s keeping me busy.

It gives me the headache from hell.

Stressing and hoping

Maybe it’s the February blues, but I don’t know.

I am on a day where I am supposed to be unwound from the week- I am not.
I am supposed to feel good- ditto.
It’s a gorgeous day and my moping I am going to put away in a box.

Look out…. I’m coming!

Friday Five

Another Friday, another week I am thankful to put behind me.

I am grateful for the flannel sheets on this bed. I bought a better grade of flannel sheets for our bed: trust me- the cash was with it for the softness.

There is a warm spot in my heart for tonic water, be it diet or otherwise. My mother- in- law told me that a little before bed cuts down on leg cramps.She was right!

I escape in only one tv show- Law and Order Criminal Intent. Actually, I enjoy trying to determine who did it. Although it’s off the air, I am always thankful for their reruns.

We are headed into some forecasted snow tomorrow. It is a treat for us to be able to escape as a family to the cold and quiet.

To wrap this up, Friday is one year since Mom’ s last full day in this life. Not a day goes by that I don’ t miss her, and I was blessed to have her as my Mom.

A little here and a little there

Just as I slowly pull myself out of my codeine-a-rama for my cough and ribs,well, now
it just seems to be the issue of who can still get through what’s left of winter by standing on their feet.

Weather has gone from springlike and foggy to getting cooler to alleged sleet tomorrow night. This is just so I
can hear my Mother say in my head ,”This is pneumonia weather-you don’t know how to get dressed.”
It’s a shame that the amount of Zush hair that gets left on me daily doesn’t count because I wouldn’t have to worry
about getting sick I’d have a built-in instant coat!

As for myself, well, I am waiting for that magical snow day to hit-hopefully when I am at home in bed
with nowhere to go and nothing to do!

Let the games begin

It’s an accomplishment: getting out of the city traffic in one piece… so is getting through another year.

51- new knees
52- Mom gets her travel orders for Heaven
53- ?

Here’s hoping for the upside.

It was twenty years ago today…

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

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

Go Figure.

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

**hugs**

Sunday

We had the idea to hit 4PM Mass yesterday figuring we’d be up early for the beach…sleep had the upper hand, though so again we are getting a late start to the day. The girls are under the table with me in the air conditioning as I type this, and having hung out some sheets on the line, have half an eye to the sky for rain.

We are going to lay back today too, maybe some exotic lunch while we run in and out of the raindrops. The nice thing about being around fresh produce is that there are so many ways to enhance a meal with things like fresh tomatoes and the like.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Another day,another MD

So here I am waiting for my ENT doctor to summon me back.

The hack that I have shared with one of my BFF ‘s Juls will hopefully be dissected and allergy medication will be updated. If I am lucky, he’ll clean the ears out well enough that I’ll hear everything in court. It is funny, but I put a lot of these visits off last year because of my new knees. Now I am glad I have them so I can play catch- up with all these appointments.

Jazzin’ for a yard sale, or two, or three..

Weather permitting, the borough of Wildwood Crest is having major yard sales. As my sister-in-law Joanna is down, we are going to have the alarms set and are psyched to have a girls’ morning out.

We celebrated her husband’s birthday tonight with a recycled cake, meaning we’ll celebrate their anniversary tomorrow with it and Shingleman’s birthday on Sunday.Well, come on, I see you shaking your head** I see you, don’t look away** but hey, everyone is counting calories…lol

Three Thousand…..

…views of this blog!!!

Thanks to all!

I’ll keep writing if you keep reading!

Mar

This Year”s Ash Wednesday birthday ? ZUSH!

It’s Ash Wednesday today, and as one of my co-workers wrote, giving stuff up for Lent to give you permission to act like a sphincter for the rest of the year.( roughly paraphrased)

I was thinking about that. Yes, I am Catholic, born and bred, but while thinking about what my buddy Anna said, I realized how true it is. I am not talking about people of other faiths, mind you, but people who I have known for 28+ years. Yes, I know I will go for ashes today, and like to think I am not THAT bad of a person BUT I know things I do the rest of the year, well, in retrospect, it’s like why bother with the ashes? I know a co-worker who religously gives up sweets for Lent. Well, not me. This year I am going to just try to start from within to try to clean up my act, and if I manage to find some happiness there, then I’ll try to pay it forward.

On a lighter note…

My Zush was born 11 years ago today.

We got her at six months and “my little human in a fur suit” has been the light of my life from day one.

Sto Lat, Zush!! ( that’s may you live 100 years in Polish)

Me against the system

Evidently if I want to have the posts placed on my FB page, I have to synch it up with this WordPress account.

“This is only a test.”……

Zush whisperer

Today is a rough morning.There is only one thing filling the bill-the Zush whisperer.

There is a line Henry the Eighth mutters in the series The Tudors. He tells the Spanish Ambassador ,” You do not.know all my secrets.” Well, for the past ten years, Zush has been the guardian of mine. I love her with every molecule of my being and then some…and Mom loved her too!

Fur children …. I thank God for them!

Mom

Services for my Mom, who passed away the 19th of January, will be held Friday the 27th of January.

If you could please just say a prayer or hold a good thought at 10 in the morning then, I thank you. Not so much for her, though, because I am sure I know EXACTLY where she is at, and that’s in heaven. Say one for me. Yes, I know it is selfish, but please, one for me.

The “stuff” which I know was going to begin, has started.

It is incredible as to how people who have had nothing or very, very little to do with Mom over the past four years are now “grieving “.Well, folks, news flash-you can have all the tears, crocodile or whatever,that you want. Bob and I have cried rivers over the past four years and we KNOW WE did well and she is at peace.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual life shine upon her. May she and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.

Early new year’s resolution

I figured I’d beat the rush.

My godson,Greg, has been awesome sending me clips on how to knock calories off here and there without really noticing it. Well, the one thing I did decide to adapt to I am noticing, but I figure it’s time….

I am pulling the plug on ANY form of creamer in my coffee.

Call me silly, call me foolish, but I figure my heart and waistline will be co-beneficiaries of this move. The last time that I was into drinking black coffee, I was, maybe, a junior in college. So here we are, almost 22 years later, and I am going to give it a second shot.

I’ll keep you post.

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