RIP Brian

A sad day for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department.
A fine young man gunned down.
RIP Brian Etheridge.
He graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy with my son.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY.....
September 28, 2009

Outside my window...
The sun is shining brightly but it is cool at 67F. You can feel fall in the air.

I am thinking...
That I will soon be leaving for another day of work.

I am thankful for...
the fact that my deputy sheriff son was home sleeping when the shooting took place in his county.

From the kitchen...
Not much cooking has been going on.....I am not in the mood

I am wearing...
My usual on Mondays....scrubs

I am creating...
space!

I am going...
I am going to get the pool put away this week if it is the last thing I do.

I am reading...
Harvesting the Heart...Jodi Piccoult

I am hoping...
today goes by without a hitch.

I am hearing...
All my Children in the background

Around the house...
I am tackling the enormous amount of clothes we have accumulated.

One of my favorite things...
is sitting outside and enjoying the cool weather; even if I prefer summer.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.....Parent/teacher conference on Thursday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: A Fall Meme

It’s not really fall in until...

All the leaves on the trees have changed colors...

What did you need to do in the waning days of summer for it to feel complete?

Swim and bask in the sun

A person I know was wrong for me but about whom I frequently thought after a break-up was...

if they were wrong for me then you can bet I didn't think about them later.

If you could only attend one major sporting event what would it be?

It would be none cause I am not the sports type person.

Assuming that you write an anonymous or partially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifying characteristics might you be identified in a bar?

My amazing sense of humor!

Most blogs cover some sort of niche – personal, political, dating, culinary, etc. What topic, if any, would you like to address on your blog but doesn’t fit into your niche?

I won't discuss anything too personal on my blog

If you could manipulate the time space continuum and give as many as three pieces of advice to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give and to what age of you?

1. Don't get married before you are 30.
2. Save more of your money for your retired years.
3. Don't be so serious!

Who among your friends do you really wish had a blog because their stories, or perspective on something ought to be shared?

Rozanne

If you were to take an e-cation (vacation from the trappings of our electronic world,) and assuming that employment obligations would allow it, how long of a break could you take? What would you miss the most, the least?

A couple of weeks would do it and I would miss my computer the most and my cell phone the least.

On September 11th of this year, I attended a couple of parties and was somewhat conflicted by the fact that this ignoble anniversary shall pass with it being just another day in the eyes of many (and in some ways my own eyes as well.) Thoughts?

Unfortunately it is just another day....what happened, happened and we will move on!

How high are your walls? Who was the last person to scale them? What tools should would-be climbers have on their belt?

My walls are pretty high. My husband has scaled them. He needed plenty of patience.

The sexiest thing a man or a woman can say to you (or has said to you) is:

You look pretty good for a granny

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: I Call Your Name

1. If you could have named yourself, which name would you have chosen, and why?
I always wanted my name to be Connie....I just thought it sounded better than Paula.

2. If you could relive a year in your life, what age would it be, and why?
I would do 40 again....my kids were 20 and 16 and I hadn't yet discovered how they can break your heart.

3. If you could go back and change one friendship in your past, who would it have been, and why?
I wish that I could have met my friend Nanne sooner and that she was still alive.

4. If you could have dated one person in your past that you did not date, who would it be, and why?
Whoa.....I just don't think I will go there.

6. If you had the opportunity to live in another country, which one would it be, and why? If you choose NOT to live in another country, why do you want to stay in your current country?
I would not live in another country....there is not another country like the USA.

7. If you could choose your dream job, what would it be, and why?
I would like to be a landscape designer.....what would be better than working all day outside?

8. If you could wish a wish and it be guaranteed to come true (other than riches) what would it be, and why?
I would wish all of my family would be in the best of health.

9. If you could meet two blogger friends (you may choose more, if you wish) who would they be?
I would like to meet Nurseexec......we could talk for days about our jobs.
And I would like to meet Budweiser......just so he could keep me laughing.

Sunday Stealing

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger called Yellow Jacket from Foma. He explains that "I found this clunker on Impetua's blog.". But, it was probably stolen at that blog as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: One Long Meme (Part Two)

27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat?.........gads this one is hard...I love to do both

28. Do you look like your mom or dad?...........my mom

29. How long does it take you in the shower? .........as long as it takes

30. Can you do the splits?........gads, no

31. What movie do you want to see right now?......I am not a movie person, so none

32. What did you do for New Year’s?.....worked

33. Do you think The Grudge was scary?...........I don't even know what The Grudge is

34. Do you own a camera phone?....yes

35. Was your mom a cheerleader?....oh good Lord, no

36. What’s the last letter of your middle name? E

37. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?....not nearly enough

38. Do you like Care Bears?.....no I am 58 years old

39. What do you buy at the movies?......nothing, I don't go

40. Do you know how to play poker?.....you bet I do

41. Do you wear your seat belt? most of the time

42. What do you wear to sleep? shorts and tees

43. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? The movie Picnic was filmed here

44. How many meals do you eat a day? 2

45. Is your tongue pierced? God no! And I don't understand why people would do that

46. Do you always read My Space bulletins? nope

47. Do you like funny or serious people better? funny.....

48. Ever been to L.A.? yep

49. Did you eat a cookie today? not yet

50. Do you use cuss words in other languages? I know some in Spanish

51. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? pay...I wish someone would tell me how to steal them

52. Do you hate chocolate? nope I love it

53. What do you and your parents fight about the most? they are both dead so they don't fight anymore

54. Are you a gullible person? nope

55. Do you need a girlfriend to be happy? What???????????????

56. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what what would it be? I would be a landscape designer

57. Are you easy to get along with? Nope

58. What is your favorite time of day? getting off work time

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: The Last Time

1. When was the last time you bought something for someone else, and what was it?
......a cute little sports bra for my grand daughter

2. When was the last time you complimented someone, and what was their reaction?
......yesterday at work, an elder, and she was pleased!

3. When was the last time you had to return a purchase to the store? What was it and why?
.......a camera bought by my grandson in June and it was a piece of crap

4. When was the last time you had an ice cream cone?
.........yesterday

5. When was the last time you had to go to the doctor's office?
....three years ago

6. When was the last time you were embarrassed by something you did? What was it and what happened?
.......gosh I can't remember anything that has embarrassed me lately

7. When was the last time a stranger was kind to you?
......last Tuesday at the Kansas State Fair

8. When was the last time you locked yourself out of your home? What did you do?
......that would be several years ago and I just hung out in the backyard until my husband got home from work

9. When was the last time you thought about cheating (on anything, a test or a person)?
...............LOL! I am not telling

In Memory

remembering.....

Happy Labor Day

Annie Schlechter

“Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day. It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken.”

―Bill Dodds

Sunday Stealing

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger known as Barbara at Stray Thoughts. She is our first two-time victim! She explains that she saw

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Random Dozen Meme

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration?
.....Bottled water

2. What is something that people are currently “into” that you just don’t get or appreciate?
.....texting....why not just call. There is a loss of contact with real people

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel “ho-hum” about?
.....tying knots...I have taught my granddaughters how and now I am addicted

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car?
.....anything that is on the radio 'classic country'

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient:
.....sunflower seeds

6. What advice in a nutshell would you give to new bloggers?
.....just do what you want. It's your blog, it's for you, and if others read and comment..then great

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you?
.....Cherry Ann..thank goodness my dad overruled her

8. What in your life are you waiting for?
.....retirement

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from?
.....Amazon.com........a book for my grandson

10. Today–what song represents you?
.....What's it All About?

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself?
.....that I will do anything to avoid doing things I need to be doing

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you’re wearing today?
.....Because I am going to work they are scrubs
What do they say about you in general or specifically how you’re feeling today?
.....they say 'I am going to work'

Oh to be young again......

You know that it seems like I have spent my entire life 'wanting to get older'
When I was somewhere around the age of 10, I couldn't wait to be 12. I had an older sister who was 12 and she just seemed to be so grown up and sophisticated. But guess what? When I got to be 12 I didn't feel all that grown up or sophisticated.
Next, I wanted to be 16. Why? Because at age 16 mom said that I could wear makeup. And at 16 you can drive. And, because at 16, I could go on my first date. But guess what? I had already been wearing makeup.....sneaking it on when mom wasn't looking. And due to a car wreck at age 15 I wasn't at all interested in driving. (Remember that wreck dear bro?) And because I went on my first date just before I turned 16. It's not that my mom wasn't very good at making me wait. It was that I WAS very good at wearing her down.
Then it was all about turning 18. You know why? Because when you are 18 you are an adult and you can do what you please. Right? And back then (long ago in the olden days) you could buy beer. Not liquor, but beer. So I turned 18 and made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Because I didn't have to have mom's permission and I could do what I wanted. I got Married!!!
And never left home cause he was in the Navy and they wouldn't let wives go on aircraft carriers. Imagine that.
So by this time it was all about turning 21......why? Because at 21 you could vote! That's right, you used to be able to buy beer at age 18 but not vote until 21. Now you can vote at 18 but not buy beer until you are 21. If my memory doesn't fail me (and it often does) I think the first time I voted in a Presidential election was 1976 when Ford ran against Reagan. And I, sadly, voted for Ford. But what did I know. I was just a kid. Well, by this time I was 25.
And that was the last time that I wished to be older. Who wants to be 25? That is half-way to 50.
Last night, at work, someone was talking about 50 being 'old'. Wow, I thought. I am old. Cause I am 58. The person I was talking to is 25. I thought to myself. "I remember being 25" and I, too, thought I knew everything. So then the conversation turned to "would you want to be young again?" Nope, I would not. If I could wish myself back to any age, I think 40 is as far back as I would go. What the heck is wrong with middle age. I know what I want now. I can do what I want. There is no one telling me what to do. And my kids were almost raised and out of the house. I was settled into my career and I knew where I was going.
But I am okay with where I am at today, too!

Thursday Thunks

Kids falling out, revenge and unmentionables

Welcome to the September 3rd version of Thursday Thunks!
(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)
Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!
This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the number one thousand twenty six and the color of the dirt spot you need to wipe up on your kitchen floor.

1. Your thoughts on truck drivers?
I think for the most part they are good, honest hard working people. But I cannot understand what their big hurry is and why
they always seem to want to run me off the road.

2. Did you hear Michelle Duggar is pregnant for the 15th time? (but that will be kid #19 if you lost count....)
OMG....enough already. I think this woman needs to find something else to fulfill herself as a woman. Sure, I know they say they can afford them but I have never heard of a kid yet that wants to raise her/his mother's kids and that is what these older kids are doing....and haven't they heard that there are already too many people in the world???


3. Have you ever done something to hurt someone intentionally... just for the sole purpose of hurting them because you thought they deserved it? Maybe a paybacks a bitch sort of thing?
Hmmm.....probably!

4. Is there anyone in your life that when you go to their place of residence, you just walk in without bother knocking? Does anyone just walk into your house without knocking?
My kids walk in without knocking....everyone else knocks. And , no, I don't go into any ones place without knocking.

5. Whats in the trunk of your car? Do you even have a clue?
A blanket, spare tire, ambubag, umbrella, box of paper towels.

6. When you go to a family holiday get together (such as Christmas or Thanksgiving), about how many people are there?
Around 35

7. What is in your kitchen sink right at this very moment?
dirty coffee cups

8. You go to a store to buy an expensive item... say $150. You pick up that item and a couple other this n' that's. You get to the register and the expensive item rings up at $40. The cashier doesn't seem to notice and tells you your total. Do you go with what they say and pay it or do you question the price difference? You know you would question it if your $40 item rang up at $150....
I doubt that I would bring it to her attention...you're right I would complain if it was the other
way around.

9. Do you fold your underwear or do you just toss it in a drawer?
Fold

10. There is a Harley-Davidson giveaway. Chances are $100 and they are only selling 250 tickets. Do you buy one?
Nope

11. Who is your favorite Disney character?
Bugs Bunny

12. It's September - most of the weekly sitcoms/dramas are starting new seasons again. Which one are you most looking forward to? NCIS and CSI Survivor

13. You are at a grocery store and are on your way out to your car with your cart full of grocery bags. On your way to your car you see a black kitten in an empty cart. What do you do?
Nothing

14. Is there anything that you do for a hobby that you are asked to do for friends/family that most people would hire a professional to do? (example: cake decorating, fixing cars....)
I am a nurse....everyone wants medical advice

15. Are we there yet?
I hope not, cause I'm not ready!

What is a luxury?

You'll never miss the water, 'til the well runs dry. - W.C. Handy Are you grateful for the luxuries in your life? Even if you've never seen it, you are probably aware of the CBS reality show Survivor--sixteen castaways sent to live on an island to duke it out and vote one another off for a million dollar prize. What is most striking about this concept is not the competition, but the absolute gratitude these people hold for things we take for granted everyday. The dirty, unpurified water they cling to for life is the same stuff we flush, wash, and cook with everyday without batting an eye. They covet and fight for food that we could easily pop in our microwaves or sit down at a restaurant to order. The very fact that you can read this at your computer signifies that you are one of the most wealthy, educated persons on the planet. Take a moment to think about the luxurious and privileged life you live. Give thanks for a whole body, everyday freedoms, your family, and all of the choices you have. Cherish what you have while you have it because you never know when your life could change.

How true this is.....think about not having a car and having to walk
everywhere you needed to go. Think about not having clothes to
cover up with or your clothes were really dirty and stinky and you
didn't have a way to wash them or dry them. Think about having
to take a bath in dirty water or cold water. Think about going to
bed at night hungry. And no TV to watch, or a book to read, or
the computer to write your blog on. Or what about not being able
to go to the dentist to have a rotting tooth pulled or to the doctor
for an antibiotic for that kidney infection you are suffering from.
We have so much to be thankful for but I think we take all of the
things we have for granted......What do you take for granted?

Antonis Achilleos

“Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.”

―Author Unknown