Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Procrastination Tool Meme

Cheers to all us thieves!

1. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
My favorite restaurant in this whole world is in Canon City,
Colorado and it is called The Belvedere.

2. What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?
I think I could eat potato chips dipped in sour cream every day
of my life and not get sick of it.

3. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
I have never had anything like an organ removed from my body
but I had a titanium rod and three screws placed in a severely
broken leg.....and then I had the 3 screws removed.

4. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
I am a nurse, the last heavy thing I lifted was a person.

5. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Nope

6. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
Yes, I think it would be good to know what day you were going to die.
Then I can be ready for it!

7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
When I was a kid, I always wanted to be called Connie for some
reason. But now I am happy with my name.

8. What’s your goal for the year?
My goal for this year is just to make it til December!

9. Last person you hugged?
The last person I hugged today was my grand daughter Harley.

10. First place you went this morning?
Well I have not left the house today so I guess the first place I went
this morning was to the bathroom...isn't that where you went?

11. Do you always answer your phone?
Nope I never answer my phone unless it is someone I want to talk
to. I love caller ID.

12. It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
There will not be a text message for me at four in the morning
because I had that turned off on my cell phone. A phone is to talk
into not get or receive text messages!

13. If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I would love to have violet eyes.

14. What’s on your wish list for your birthday?
Hmmmm.......a vacation would be nice!

15. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
At my age, I am only more nervous about the future.

16. Do you have any saved texts?
Like in phone texts???? See #12.

17. Ever been in a car wreck?
Yep, the summer before I turned 16. My oldest brother was driving and we were
on our way to the lake. Car flipped over and all 6 passengers walked away
from it. I stayed over night in the hospital due to hysteria! And a
butt full of glass from scooting out the back window.

18. Do you have an accent?
I don't think we who live in Kansas have accents.

19. What was the last song to make you cry?
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree

20. What did you do last night?
Watched TV with husband and grand kids.

21. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
No, thank God I have never had that feeling!

22. Current hate right now?
Hate is a pretty strong emotion but there is the mother of
my grandkids.......

23. Met someone who changed your life?
Yep, I am married to him.

24. How did you bring in the New Year?
I held back the hair of a puking girl.....she is 8!

25. What song represents you?
Frank Sinatra's "My Way"

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Liar, Liar

1. What is the last "white" lie that you told?
Today I told someone I had company so that I could get off the phone!

2. Can you forgive a liar?
I have a really hard time with lies.....depends on what the lie is about and
why someone lied to me. "White lies" don't count.
I might eventually forgive!

3. Do you tend to exaggerate or underestimate?
Again this depends.....I exaggerate how much money I spent but
I underestimate how much money I have. But this is only
when talking to my husband! LOL

4. Do you hold a grudge?
Oh yeah!

5. What's the biggest lie you've ever told?
Oh my......

6. Are there times that you feel that it is okay to lie?
Yep I think little white lies are okay...and if you lie in a kind way to avoid
hurting someones feelings....like "your hair looks great" when everyone
really knows it looks like sh**!

7. Did you ever end a relationship because of lies?
Yep, my entire first marriage was a lie!

8. Do you think you can tell when someone is lying to you?
Yep, I am very good at telling when someone is lying to me!
I told my grandkids (one of those little white lies) that when
I graduated from nursing school they installed little
lie detectors into my eyes and I know when someone lies.
They are young enough that all I have to do is make them look
me in the eye and the truth comes spilling out...

9. Have you been caught lying?
I am sure that I have but I can't remember at the moment.
Or is that just a "little white lie"....I'll never tell

Wednesday's Walk

On Sunday I was browsing through some blogs and I ran across an entry that someone had made about her sister and swimming and it brought back the memory I have of my sister and I swimming together one time when we were younger. I was 11 and she was 13. The pool we went to was pretty good sized for the small town that we lived in at that time. My sister was enamored with the life guard that was watching over the deep end of the pool that day. I knew that she was doing everything she could to catch his eye. I don't know how old he was, probably around 17. I also knew that she had bought herself a set of "falsies" to put into her swim suit. I, being only 11, wasn't really sure what this was all about but when I noticed one of them bobbing around in the water behind her I fetched it for her.....as any good sister would...and took off swimming after her yelling...."Claudia, you lost this" holding it high in the air so she (and everyone else, including that good looking life guard) could hear me. I didn't really understand why she was so mad at me. We giggle about this every summer when we get together....Don't you love the memories that sisters
have?

FOR TODAY February 23, 2009........

Outside my window...
The sun is shining and there is a slight breeze. It is already
52F outside. I hope spring is on it's way.

I am thinking...
I am thinking about how glad that I am that it is Monday and that
it is the last of my four day working weekend.

I am thankful for...
I am thankful for this job that I have but it has been a stressful
weekend and I will be glad for a day off!

From the learning rooms...
We aren't learning much here at home this week. At school, Harley
is still working on the multiplication tables and Darian has
been reading about dinosaurs.

From the kitchen...
I haven't fixed a meal since Thursday. Think I will
make some spaghetti for them for my day off tomorrow.

I am wearing...
My scrubs, as I will be going to work soon.

I am creating...

I am creating my dining room plans in my head right now.

I am going...

I am going to work soon!

I am reading...
I finally finished Blind Alley. I have Jodi Picoult's Perfect Match waiting.

I am hoping...
I am hoping that spring is right around the corner. I am really
tired of winter.

I am hearing...
I am hearing the hum of the mail truck as he makes his way up the street.

Around the house...
There will be much laundry to do tomorrow on my day off.

One of my favorite things...
One of my favorite things about spring is planting flowers. There is nothing

quite like digging in the dirt.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I work today, off tomorrow, work Wednesday and then I have a four
day weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
There is nothing quite as precious as a sleeping baby.
This is my youngest grandson, Tucker

Click here if you want to join usl

Sunday Musings

It is not giving children more that spoils them; it is giving them more to avoid confrontation.

John Gray, "Children Are From Heaven"

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Letting the Sparks Fly

1. Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?
I would go to 4:53 blog....she is so creative and I love to see what she is up to

2. What would be one thing that would embarrass you a great deal?
I would be so embarrassed if I farted out loud in public!

3. What values did your parents instill in you?
My mother taught me that it didn't pay to tell lies.

4. What’s a fad of your teen years that you remember well?
I grew up in the 50's and 60's and remember the mini-skirt well!

5. What is your favorite breakfast?
My favorite breakfast is french toast, egg over easy and crisp bacon.

6. What is the best birthday gift that you have received?
On my 40th birthday, my youngest son bought me a gold necklace with
the letters RN. He used his own money and picked it out himself.
It is my favorite present ever.

7. What gadget could you not live without?
I could not live without my computer.

8. Do you collect anything?
Yes, I collect dolls!

9. What website (non-blog) do you regularly visit?
I regularly visit Multiply. I belong to a Grannies group there.

What do you think?

How Other Countries Fight Fat

While many governments struggle to keep their citizens nourished, the leaders of wealthy nations are trying to get theirs to eat less. In Japan, health officials check the waistlines of citizens over 40, and those considered too fat undergo diet counseling. Failure to slim down can lead to fines. New Zealand has rules barring people it deems too fat from immigrating to the country.

In Great Britain—where 60% of men and 50% of women are expected to be obese by mid-century—residents of some cities are being recruited to wear electronic tracking tags to calculate how much they move each day and how many calories they burn. Daily exercisers will be rewarded with store coupons and even days off from work. Britain’s National Health Service is paying for at least 30,000 people to take weight-loss classes.

Germany plans to spend $47 million on healthy-eating and sports programs and to set tougher nutritional standards for school lunches. The government also is asking candy makers to stop targeting young children and encouraging software companies to develop games that force players to move.

— Lyric Wallwork Winik


What do you think? Should the government dictate how fat a person can be?

Wednesday Walk

The summer before I entered the 8Th grade we moved from our home in Pratt, Kansas to a little town in Grant County Oklahoma called Lamont. It has a population today of 465 people and I think it was not hardly any bigger back in the summer of 1964. My stop-dad had gotten a job transfer and that is what packed us up and took us on that little summer jaunt. And that is what it was...cause we moved back to Kansas before school started in September. Can't remember the circumstances of the move back, but I know we came back. Anyway....I digress. This is my memory of Lamont, Oklahoma.

The family at that time consisted of the twins, Fred and Claudia, who were just two years older that me..so they must have been 15. I was 13 that year and the baby, Rich was just 11. I am not sure why the older brother , Chuck, didn't make the move, but he didn't. We moved into a small 3 bedroom house on a corner lot. Nothing fancy.

This was just a tiny town and you could walk anywhere you wanted to go. The Main street was about a block long. There was a grocery store, a restaurant , and movie theater. And that is about all I remember. I remember a man named Leroy who stuttered and made fun of himself. Whenever he would start to stutter he would say "back up and start over Le.Le.Roy" and then he would try again. We thought he was a hoot. And he taught all of us how to drive a wheat truck. We would help out in the wheat fields with harvest and he would give us a bit of cash. Not much, but any cash made us feel rich. Driving that wheat truck was so much fun.

I remember the movie theater would have a show that would be there for about 2 weeks. It cost 50 cents to go. And once you bought a ticket and went you could go back and see the show again as many times as you wanted while it was in town. We did, too! Maybe that is why I can't watch movies over and over again anymore. And I don't remember the title of a single movie that I saw that summer but I remember hanging out at that theater a lot.

That was also the year the Beatles came to America. So listening to Beatles music was a big part of that summer...."I want to hold your haaaaaaaaand" A neighbor girl, Susan, and I would swoon in front of her TV. I was in love with Ringo and she with Paul. She was also in love with my brother Fred. Wonder what ever became of Susan.

The biggest thing to happen the summer we were in Lamont, Oklahoma was the night the grocery store burned to the ground. Heck it was probably the biggest thing to EVER happen in Lamont. We heard the sirens. Everyone got out of bed and dressed and ran to main street where the whole town gathered to watch the grocery store burn. All of the kids thought this was a big block party. We ran up and down the streets playing and having a great time. I am sure the adults were huddled wondering where on earth we would have to drive to get groceries now. And some were probably worried about what would become of the jobs they would lose due to the loss of the store. But to us it was just a big party. Turns out we did most of our shopping 19 miles up the road in Tonkawa, Oklahoma.

I remember once evening walking home from the movies and getting closer to home and hearing our mom crying out loud. We raced to the house. She was doubled over having intense abdominal pain. We had seen her do this before but this time it was much worse. I don't remember the details or how it was worked out but I know that my grandpa came from Valley Center, Kansas, about 70 miles away, picked her up and took her to the hospital in Wichita, Kansas. She had her gallbladder removed.

And we packed up and moved to Kingman Kansas.....that was one fine summer!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 15, 2009

Outside my window...
It is dark outside my window. It is Sunday night. I usually do this
on Monday morning but I am doing it tonight. I can see a street light shining
but that is all that I see.
It is cold. Only 29F.

I am thinking...
I am thinking...someone messed with my office chair...
There, that's better!

I am thankful for...
I am thankful for my dear husband who likes to go to the grocery store.
Problem with that is I sent him with a list for about 8 things and
he came home with about 8 bags and spent $l50.00
I would complain but then he would want me to go to the
grocery store and I hate it!

From the learning rooms...
This week we are learning about fairness. Yep life is not always fair.
That is a hard lesson for kids to learn but one that is so necessary
for them to get! That is what their church lesson was so we
will continue to talk about it at home.
I remember my mom telling me..".Life is not fair! " And another thing
she used to say was "nobody promised you a rose garden"
Years later when I was much older and I was the caregiver instead
of her there was an opportunity to say those very things to her.
I remember the smile it brought to her face and she said,
"Be careful of the things you say to your kids"

From the kitchen...
For supper tonight I made chicken fried steaks with mashed potatoes
and gravy and steamed peas. Fresh fruit for dessert.
Well Papa and Darian put their fruit on top of ice cream!

I am wearing...
Ah for once I cannot say that I am wearing my scrubs.
I have on grey sweats and a navy blue t-shirt and pink socks.

I am creating...
I am still not creating a darn thing.

I am going...
I am going to start thinking about what colors I want to paint the new dining
room. But I think first I have to find the handyman that is going to
put up a wall for me. I want to paint before I get the new floors.

I am reading...
Still reading Blind Alley

I am hoping...
I am hoping that soon it will be spring. I am ready to get outside!

I am hearing...
The news on the TV in the other room.

Around the house...
I had the weekend off and I didn't do much around the house. I
caught up on the laundry and did the dishes but there wasn't
any vacuuming or dusting done at this house.

One of my favorite things...
One of my favorite things used to be talking to my sister on the phone.
But she has gone crazy and fallen in love again and man
it is hard to talk with her. But I am happy for her.
She deserves to have love again!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
On Tuesday we will have Paige over for the evening along
with the two who live with us.
And Thursday is my day without any kids!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Nothing says spring like daffodils and a little chick!

If you would like to join us or read other Daybook entries then click here

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Have you ever been on This Trip?

Leaving the City of Regret
I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt Trip."

I got tickets to fly there on "Wish I Had" airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my baggage, which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was weighted down with a thousand memories of what might have been. No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town.

As I checked into the Last Resort Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the year's most important event, the Annual Pity Party. I wasn't going to miss that great social occasion. Many of the towns leading citizens would be there.

First, there would be the Done family, you know, Should Have, Would Have and Could Have. Then came the I Had family. You probably know ol' Wish and his clan. Of course, the Opportunities would be present, Missed and Lost. The biggest family would be the Yesterday's. There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share.

Then Shattered Dreams would surely make and appearance. And It's Their Fault would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in his life, and each story would be loudly applauded by Don't Blame Me and I Couldn't Help It.

Well, to make a long story short, I went to this depressing party knowing that there would be no real benefit in doing so. And, as usual, I became very depressed. But as I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that all of this trip and subsequent "pity party" could be cancelled by "Me!" I started to truly realize that I did not have to be there. I didn't have to be depressed. One thing kept going through my mind, I can't change yesterday, but I do have the power to make today a wonderful day. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged, as well as encouraging. Knowing this, I left the City of Regret immediately and left no forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I've made in the past? Yes! But there is no physical way to undo them.

So, if you're planning a trip back to the City of Regret, please cancel all your reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a place called, Starting Again. I liked it so much that I have now taken up permanent residence there. My neighbors, the I Forgive Myselfs and the New Starts are so very helpful. By the way, you don't have to carry around heavy baggage, because the load is lifted from your shoulders upon arrival. God bless you in finding this great town. If you can find it -- it's in your own heart -- please look me up. I live on "I Can Do It" street.

Sunday Stealing: The Q & A Meme

1. where is your significant other?
Why, do you want him? No, just kidding. He is in the other room
working on a jigsaw puzzle.

2. your favorite thing?
My favorite thing is my ring on my right hand that my sister and I had
made from our mom's wedding ring set. We both have one !

3. your dream last night?
My dream last night was just plain weird....I was looking for a dog named
Brownie. This dog was from my childhood. I looked for her everywhere. I found
molded food in my mom's refrigerator, which is not surprising since my mom
]has passed. In fact most of the people in the dream have passed. And I never found the dog..

4. your goal?
My goal is to retire. I am counting down the days.
I have 1,514 days to go!

5. your hobby?
I have a couple of hobbies....I collect dolls and I love to garden

6. where do you want to be in 6 years?

I want to be retired!

7. where were you last night?
I was home!

8. what you're not?

I am not a shy type girl. I say what I think.

9. one of your wish list items?
I am wishing for hardwood floors in my dining room, kitchen, and family room.

10. your pet?
No real pets here. I do have a big-ass goldfish and a "sucker" fish

11. missing someone?
Yes I miss my oldest son

12. your car?

A 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora

13. something you're not wearing?
A bra!

14. love someone?
I love several someones!

15. when is the last time you laughed?
This morning when I read Bud's Blog. He is a hoot

16. last time you cried?
Today...I was watching the show Intervention!

17. favorite past time?
I have a few....blogging, reading, gardening

18. are you a hater or a lover?

I am not a hater so I must be a lover!

19. any vices?
HMMMMM....I bitch a lot, is that a vice.

20. favorite meme other than Sunday Stealing?
Saturday Nine

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Be My Valentine
If you want to play along.....click above

1. Do you have Valentine’s Day plans?
As in celebrating the day...nope. I plan to do some laundry, clean the house a bit,
and take a nap!

2. Do you buy a Valentine’s Day gift for someone special?
I bought little stuffed dogs for the grandkids along with small
boxes of chocolates...and a bag of candy for my husband!

3. What, so far, was the happiest event of your life?
The birth of my sons has been the happiest event in my life!

4. What is the best job that you ever have had?
Hmmmm........Being a nurse is the best job I have ever had!

5. What would be your fantasy job?
I have always wanted to be the "Beer Girl" on a beach in
the Virgin Islands....too old now and not able to run in sand but hey
this is a fantasy isn't it?

6. What would you think would be the worst job?
I think the worst job would to be a prison guard!

7. What foreign countries have you visited?
I have visited Mexico, Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand, Puerto Rico, Venezuela,
Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Jamaica, and The Virgin Islands, Canada.

8. What foreign country would be your fantasy trip?
I would love to go back to Bangkok, Thailand!

9. Since leaving your home growing up, how many places have you lived?
This is the 8th place that I have lived in since leaving home. Not too bad considering I
left home 41 years ago!

Travel with me on the Road of Optimism

"Don't evaluate your life in terms of achievements, trivial or monumental, along the way....Instead, wake up and appreciate everything you encounter along your path. Enjoy the flowers that are there for your pleasure. Tune in to the sunrise, the little children, the laughter, the rain, and the birds. Drink it all in...there is no way to happiness; happiness is the way."

Dr. Wayne W. Dye

This quote especially touched me when I read it. I often think in terms of all the bad things that happen to me. But we do have to stop and smell the flowers. Watch in awe as we see the sunrise or the sunset. Listen quietly as the birds sing. And pay attention to the little children. They have so much to tell us . Recently we have had two of our grandchildren move in with us. It has not been easy. I work full time. My husband is elderly and not well. I saw it as a burden but one that I have had to carry as I have felt that part of their problem was my fault as I must not have done a very good job of raising their daddy or he would be a better father to them. But this week when the girl did something that made me laugh out loud, then put her little arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug, I thought to myself: We are blessed to have these kiddos with us. They are teaching us so much. Their love for us is pure and honest and they make no demands on us. The do not question our motives. They are just happy to be out of the situation they were in and in our home. They haven't asked for anything. They know that we love them. And they love us back unconditionally. And it is wonderful! Now that is optimism.

Wednesday's Walk

Come walk with me down memory lane. If you want to create your own memories click on the above picture and join in......

A day that will remain forever etched into my memory was January 17, 2001. My youngest son was a new deputy sheriff for the Reno County Sheriff department. That morning in our city of slightly more than 40,000 people, a natural gas explosion occurred in our downtown area. It destroyed two businesses. And it caused panic in the entire city. The next day another explosion occurred in another part of town beneath a mobile home park. My son was sitting on patrol duty at the edge of this park. He was talking on the telephone to his young wife when the explosion occurred. She came to our house and we waited together for word from him. It was terrifying. Soon the phone rang and it was the nursing supervisor from the local hospital ER asking to speak to my son's wife. I handed her the phone and carefully watched and listened. I can only say that there was a guardian angel with him that day. He was okay. But the explosion was beneath a mobile home in which two people lost their lives. He, and a fellow officer, were first responders on the scene and attempts to rescue the two will be an image that will stay in his mind forever. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes during this time. It came to be known that these explosions were caused by abandoned brine wells.
The city is now safe. The businesses have been rebuilt. But the memories of these few days will remain with us forever. In May of 2002 my son and the other officer with him were given an award for their bravery. This is a picture of us taken at that ceremony.....I will always be thankful thankful that God was watching over my son that day.....

I've been tagged

I was visiting over at Charlie and Me's Place and was tagged.
The idea is to tell you 7 things about me that you might not
know and then tag seven people. But I am going to follow Carol's lead and just let you pick up the tag and do it...leave me a comment and I'll come read yours.....

1. I collect lots of things and all of my things collect dust. I have a
doll collection that is sitting all around the house...actually many of them are put away now that the grand kids are here because my grandson doesn't like them looking at him!
2. When I was young I liked to go to church every time the doors opened. I loved to sing hymns.
3. I hate grocery shopping and I am lucky to be married to a guy that loves to grocery shop.
4. I want to get a tattoo.
5. I have always wished that I could ice skate.
6. I would like to become a Private Investigator. And I would be good at it too!
7. I plan to write a book someday about my life as a nurse. Believe me it will make good reading.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 9, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is shining brightly in the sky today but the wind
gusts are up to 43 mph. It is 54 F out

I am thinking...
I am thinking about my friend Donna who lived in Canada
I met her almost 4 years ago in a group on MSN.
She has been like a sister to me since then.
We were so much alike.
I got word last night that she died on February 6, 2009
She had a long battle with lung cancer
RIP my friend

I am thankful for...
I am thankful that the kids are continuing to live here.
Every day that we have them here is another day
that we can be sure they are safe!

From the learning rooms...
You know, I do not home school but I think that every home
has learning rooms. Yesterday here we learned why
lying is NOT a good thing!

From the kitchen...
Yesterday my husband made a giant pot of vegetable soup.
He used ox tails to flavor the soup.
Darian was so sure that was the most horrible thing he
had ever heard of but he ate two bowls.

I am wearing...
Alas, it is Monday so I am wearing my scrubs to get ready to
leave soon for work. I am so looking forward to a day off tomorrow.

I am creating...

Nothing!

I am going...
I am going to think about a Valentine project for the kids to do

I am reading...
I am still reading Blind Alley. I just haven't really gotten in to reading
lately. Raising two little ones is hard work!

I am hoping...

I am hoping Donna's family is doing okay.

I am hearing...
I am hearing the wind blowing outside my window.

Around the house...
Oh my I have so much laundry to do. After 4 days of working
it has piled up and that is what I will be doing tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...
One of my favorite things is tulips. And it is that time of the
year to start thinking they will soon be peeking out of the ground.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I work today, I have off on Tuesday and Thursday, I will work on Friday
and I am so looking forward to the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is my friend Donna, taken at Christmas 2008 at
her home in Canada.

Please join us in doing The Simple Woman's Daybook

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Sunday Stealing

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The "Get to Know Your Friends" Meme

Click this is you want to play along.

1. What is your occupation right now?
I have been a registered nurse for the past 26 years

2. What color are your socks right now?
I am barefooted!

3. What are you listening to right now?
Absolutely nothing!

4. Last person you spoke to on the phone.
I called my husband just as I left work and started home

How old are you today?
I am really, really old. Well it sometimes feels that way.
I will be 58 on my birthday in April.

6. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
I am not a big sports fan. But I do love to watch figure skating.
I have told my family that if I believed in reincarnation then
I want to come back as a figure skater!

7. What is your favorite drink?
I have many favorite drinks but right now I will
say it is a tequila sunrise....I also like beer and wine.

8. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Only my hairdresser knows for sure!

9. Favorite food?
I love, love, love, lobster!

10. What is the last movie you watched?
Oh I am sure this will astound some of you, but in 1986 I saw
Ferris Bueller's Day Off at the movies. I am just not
that into movies!

11. Favorite Day of the year?
My favorite day of the year is Thanksgiving.

12. How do you vent anger?
I scream!

13. Favorite toy as a child?
I loved playing jacks as a child. We didn't have many toys.


14. Living arrangements?
My husband and I live here...
along with two grandkids

15. What was the last thing that you cried about?
I won't say anymore...the picture
speaks for itself

16. Who is the friend you have had the longest?
My friend Rozanne !

17. What did you do last night?
I worked until almost midnight

18. What are you most afraid of?
Mice! I am terrified.

19. In how many areas of your country have you lived?
Except for a very short stay in Oklahoma and an even shorter stay
in Virginia, I have lived my whole life in Kansas.20. What is your favorite flower?
The alstromeria is my very favorite of all flowers

Saturday 9: Time Has Come Today

1. What time of day do you usually play Saturday 9?
Usually around noon if it is the Saturday that I work.
And if it is my Saturday off...then it just depends

2. At 9AM on a weekday, what are you doing?
Sleeping

3. At 9PM on any given night, what would you most like to be doing?
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and every other weekend
I am at work at 9 p.m.

4. What is your most frequent activity online?
My blog and a Multiply group that I belong to

5. Is there one day of the week that seems to fly by? If yes, why?
Yes always Tuesdays and Thursdays cause these are my days off.

6. Do you agree that the older you get, the faster time seems to go by?
Oh my gosh yes. I remember my mom telling me when I was 15 and couldn't wait
to be 16 and then when I couldn't wait to be 18 and then it was 21 that I couldn't wait for...
"someday you will quit wanting the time to go by so fast." And here I am
now wishing it wouldn't go so fast.

7. What is your favorite thing to do with free time?
Spend time with the grandkids, read, garden

8. How much time do you spend alone? Would you like it to be more? Less?
Absolutely alone! None. Do I wish for more....you best I do

9. If you could spend one hour doing something what would it be?
Lying on a warm beach somewhere all alone.

What do you Think?

The positive cycle of forgiveness

"OK, be honest. Do you hold grudges? Do you allow old drama to determine your behavior? Is there someone you just can't seem to forgive? Grudges and a non-forgiving attitude do nothing but harm both parties. You might feel like you're "winning" by not letting someone off the hook, but you're only increasing your own worry and stress. Bitterness can lead to hate, which can sour a life. Today, write a letter explaining your point of view to the person you feel resentful towards. Clear the air; forgiving him. Even if you don't send it, it is an excellent way to relieve tension. Forgiving someone does not absolve them of the wrong that you experienced. It can simply free you to live a life that isn't anchored to the hurt and resentment of past events."

Okay now tell me what you think about this!

Happy 9th Birthday Harley.....
here she is with Brother Darian who
turned 11 on Saturday

Wednesday's Walk

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane with me
Click on the above picture if you would like to join us

When I was a child pop would come in glass bottles and when
you bought it you had to put down a 2 cent deposit on the bottle.

Then when the bottle was empty you returned it to the
store and collected your two cents.
Now, not everyone returned the bottles to the store.
People who didn't need the money threw them out their car
windows and many ended up in the ditches.
Or out behind buildings.
Or laying by the trash.
But kids, like me, who didn't have any money, or any way to
earn money, would find pop bottles and cash them in.

I can remember many Saturday or Sunday mornings when we
would take off pulling the wagon behind us in search of
those treasures. We'd walk in the ditches on the out skirts of
town. Sometimes the bottles we found were caked with dirt.
Sometimes they still had "fluid" in them. Often they were filled
with cigarette butts. But we didn't pay any of that any mind.
It was the two cents we were after.

When we had found what we needed for the day.....
whether it was the 25 cents to go swimming
or the 50 cents to go to the movie
or enough to fill our pockets with penny candy..


Then we headed to our favorite corner neighborhood store.
It was called Jordan's.
It sat on the corner of Stout Street.
I remember Mr. Jordan standing behind the counter with his
glasses sitting on the end of his nose and his white apron
covering his clothes as he watched to see what we
were going to do.

We'd unload the bottles and see what ones he would take and what
ones he would make us dump out and wash. When we were
finished and he was satisfied
he'd hand over the money. I think he was most happy
when we spent what we got at the store.
I learned many lessons in my young life about life at
that corner grocery store.

Optimism

Once again I am on the road to optimism and today we will tackle Rule #3

"Understand that the past does not equal the future. Just because you've experienced
pain or disappointment in the past does not guarantee that it's all you'll experience in the future. There were many things in your past that you couldn't control, and everybody comes across unfortunate circumstances at some point in their lives - you're no exception. But there are also many things in life we can control to one degree or another, and therein lies the possibility of change. A day or week that starts badly will not necessarily end badly. Do not make a bad start turn into a self fulfilling prophecy for a bad ending."

Yes there were many things in my past that I could not control. And there will be many things in my future that I will not be able to control. You see, this is part of my problem. I like to be in control. Especially of things that go on around me. So my goal for this week is to accept what happens. At the nursing home where I work I used to have a resident, a dear, sweet old Mennonite lady, who would say "It is what it is" So this week that is my motto.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 2, 2009

Outside my window...
It is still dark and cold. But I see stars shining in the sky.

I am thinking...
Oh me, oh my it is once again Monday!

I am thankful for...
Another weekend spent with Darian and Harley

From the kitchen...
I did not do much cooking this weekend. The kids were gone

so Papa and I had takeout and cleaned up the left-overs

I am wearing...
my sweats and a tee that says
I 'shamrock' Boston

I am creating...
nothing still, although I have a project in my head.

I am going...
To work on Monday Wednesday, and Friday this week

I am reading...
Still Blind Alley

I am hoping...
the warmer weather continues here in Kansas
We had temps on Saturday that broke record highs

I am hearing...
A hoot owl outside my window. I always hear him at this time of the day

but I have yet to see him.

Around the house...
It is so clean..that is what I accomplished this weekend.

One of my favorite things...
is a clean house.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Harley turns 9 on Wednesday...we will celebrate on Tuesday evening
She will spend Wednesday with her mom

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
My sweet Harley on the day she was born 9 years ago this week

If you want to join us at The Simple Woman's Day book click on this link

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/