How wonderful to have the windows open at night...how much more wonderful to wake up to rolling thunder in the distance and the sound of rain pouring through the trees. We've been averaging in the 60s and 70s throughout our days lately. It's about 72 right now. I think this is our warm day, because I detect a little humidity in the air. Leah called yesterday and told me she was at Sam's and they were already decorated for Christmas. It's in the mid-90's and unbearable in Orlando she said. Connie & Larry said the same thing from Ft. Lauderdale.
When I was a child, stores decorated for the month. Now they just clump everything together. I can just picture the first store decorator who said in August, "Just get everything out from now to Christmas. We'll deal New Year's, Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day in January!I wonder if this confuses kids. Anyway, I went in and bought my huge roll of red Christmas ribbon for $8.32.
Oh my word! I can't believe I didn't start out with this. Look down at my little Neo Counter. I checked my emails this morning and didn't recognize the email address, and lo and behold, after I reminded myself of all the bad things that can happen if you answer cellphones that have a certain prefix and your bank account is emptied, to all my computer files disappearing in flames before my eyes if I clicked on it, I decided to just take a chance and quickly click on and off. I was not disappointed. This is what I saw: Congratulations! You just had your first visitor from Canada. Is that cool or what? There was even a little map showing the N. American continent, with Canada highlighted. I pictured my Canadian browser just standing there waving at me. "Back at ya, friend." It was like having a birthday surprise, and it's not even my birthday.
Randy and I went to the Parade of Homes here. Absolutely beautiful. We went to our builder, Jonathan Lee's house first. Fireplace in the backyard, you name it. It will surely win something, just as he does every year. He is very thorough. Our house won the gold award two years ago, and I know he won something last fall on his parade home. He's just a winner, because he does everything with excellence, as does his staff, wife and mother-in-law, who are his decorator/designers. We love him.
Well, here is the word for the blog for the day...last q word, mind you. The word is "quondam" (kwon dem) adj. That once was; former. Debbie McCann, the quondam waiter, is now attempting to accomplish her heart's dream. I think there are some people that are so focused on their goals that they don't let anything thwart them on their path; therefore the only thing that can be described as quondam in regard to them is that once they were learners and now they are teachers/examples to the learners. May you be one of those.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
"The Ubiquitous Pig"
I promise there's a book out there called, "The Ubiquitous Pig," written by Marilyn Nissenson & Susan Jonas. Randy found it on his bookshelf...something he inherited from the previous owners of Red, Hot & Blue. I have thumbed through the pages and have to admit, it is the most thorough book on the history of the pig, I have ever seen. This is from inside the book's jacket: The two authors, "take an affectionate look at the many-sided relationship between human and pigs and the art people have made to reflect that bond." It truly is a work of art! There are quite a few notable pigs out there: Porky Pig, Piglet, "The Three Little Pigs" and Miss Piggy. Don't forget. Beatrix Potter's, "The Tale of Pigling Bland" and Pig-Wig; E. B. White's lovable Wilbur, and Jamie Wyeth's (son of artist Andrew Wyeth) portrait of "Lady," which we have signed lithograph's of.(Great story there. Maybe I'll share it someday.)Yes, the pig really is ubiquitous if we but open our eyes.
I awakened to a phone call from Leah this morning, along with an invitation from my neighbor to come over for one of her healthy juicer drinks, shortly thereafter. I hopped in a warm-up suit and hustled over to find fresh fruit and vegetables sitting out on the counter near the juicer.(I am always intrigued by anything that is healthy or medicinal.) There was a cucumber, apple, celery, cilantro, yellow bell pepper and maybe more. She stuck a straw in her beautiful green concoction and we had so much fun conversing on life. We are loving getting to know each other better through sharing food. There really is something to be said about breaking bread together, even though there was no bread in the juice. You get my drift.
I came home energized to tackle this computer stuff, i.e., how to recover my deleted blog from yesterday. I deleted it on purpose, because I didn't want to stir up a flurry of controversy on water pollution, etc. But, once my sister emailed me on how informative it was, I decided to republish it. Not an easy task, but I did it...all by myself. I am so proud of me, because I don't persevere well when it comes to reading directions and researching how to solve a problem. (I may even go back to my ipod one of these days from my Bag O' Fun that is still packed from my surgery. Don't hold your breath though)FYI: Hit control H to find your history, then scroll down until you find what you are looking for, click on it and there you go! Not so hard, huh? It took me ALL DAY to find someone who put it in my lingo and that's as simple as it gets, folks. By the way, Leah told me this one: See that star up at the top of that long window at the top to the right? Hit that if you want to have something, like maybe my blog, come up with just a tap of the icon. It's called, "Bookmarking." Just do what it says. Too easy. Feel free to pass on any other hints that will make our lives easier.
Word for the blog of the day: quod, n.(kwod) (May sound simple, but remember, I am trying to throw in a few SMALL words for those who play Scrabble.)This looks like a fairly doable word if you've got the letters. It means, "prison," and is British slang.[origin obscure.] In the meantime, keep on enjoying the incredible, ubiquitous, edible pig, and do your best to stay out of the quod.
I awakened to a phone call from Leah this morning, along with an invitation from my neighbor to come over for one of her healthy juicer drinks, shortly thereafter. I hopped in a warm-up suit and hustled over to find fresh fruit and vegetables sitting out on the counter near the juicer.(I am always intrigued by anything that is healthy or medicinal.) There was a cucumber, apple, celery, cilantro, yellow bell pepper and maybe more. She stuck a straw in her beautiful green concoction and we had so much fun conversing on life. We are loving getting to know each other better through sharing food. There really is something to be said about breaking bread together, even though there was no bread in the juice. You get my drift.
I came home energized to tackle this computer stuff, i.e., how to recover my deleted blog from yesterday. I deleted it on purpose, because I didn't want to stir up a flurry of controversy on water pollution, etc. But, once my sister emailed me on how informative it was, I decided to republish it. Not an easy task, but I did it...all by myself. I am so proud of me, because I don't persevere well when it comes to reading directions and researching how to solve a problem. (I may even go back to my ipod one of these days from my Bag O' Fun that is still packed from my surgery. Don't hold your breath though)FYI: Hit control H to find your history, then scroll down until you find what you are looking for, click on it and there you go! Not so hard, huh? It took me ALL DAY to find someone who put it in my lingo and that's as simple as it gets, folks. By the way, Leah told me this one: See that star up at the top of that long window at the top to the right? Hit that if you want to have something, like maybe my blog, come up with just a tap of the icon. It's called, "Bookmarking." Just do what it says. Too easy. Feel free to pass on any other hints that will make our lives easier.
Word for the blog of the day: quod, n.(kwod) (May sound simple, but remember, I am trying to throw in a few SMALL words for those who play Scrabble.)This looks like a fairly doable word if you've got the letters. It means, "prison," and is British slang.[origin obscure.] In the meantime, keep on enjoying the incredible, ubiquitous, edible pig, and do your best to stay out of the quod.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Not Even 20 Flushes
Dire circumstances call for drastic measures. Being on your back for over a week allows you to see the person you've lived with for 35 years with a different perspective. That would be Randy, in case you are wondering. We have 6 toilets in this house, and we are very thankful for all six of them, but for some reason, these toilets develop that little pink ring at the top of the water line faster than we've ever seen them develop before. We expected it in Florida due to all the humidity, but not here, and it develops in a matter of days, whether you use the toilets or not. (FYI, I clean the toilets once a week whether anyone has used them or not... and ALWAYS before and after our guests leave.)
Well, Randy was in charge of cleaning the house while I was off my feet, and he decided he would take matters into his own hands. He went out and bought a product boasting A LOT OF Flushes, thinking he wasn't going to have to clean the toilet nearly as often as I have been doing these last two years. He started with 2 toilets: ours and the guest room toilet located near our bedroom. Our bathroom we share, adjacent to our bedroom, of course is the one most often used. It flushed blue every time, signifying in our eyes, that the product was working. Not so in the guest bathroom, but he didn't find that out until he went out and bought one for every toilet in the house. I did a quick look-see before we had company last week and all the toilets looked like...suffice it to say, a pinkish yellow...not orange, not red, and in some cases green. It took two flushes each to make the strange colors disappear. (I hate to interrupt, but we had quite a few visitors at this time, and I don't want you to think we are dying of some strange urinary tract disease.)
Something was not right. Randy became quite upset, when after only about 15 or so flushes, the water stopped turning blue; he decided to call the company and found out that the product only truly works if you regularly use the toilet, otherwise it reacts against itself. They said they get reports all the time of the different colors. They asked Randy if he'd like more, and he sweetly declined. Randy, being the frugal person that he is though, showed up later with blue hands from removing all the little tablets and doing who knows what with them. I do not want to know, since we won't be using them again, but for some reason our toilet is so blue it's almost black, so I think he's doubling up.
Which brings to mind. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the water. One would think the water in NC would be crystal clear and sparkling, due to traveling all over rocks and coming from hidden, protected springs. We just read in the paper that we are rated number 3 for worst in drinking water. Florida rated 2nd, Georgia 5th, and California 1st. (This is public news. I'm not exposing anything.)We've lived in every one of those states. I wonder what that means for our bodies. Georgia was the only place I ever remember drinking it in excess right out of the tap, but maybe I am just having selective memory to protect myself. If anyone has any suggestions on how to clean these toilets organically, let me know. (Just got off the phone with Leah, and she told me that Clorox makes a cleaner called Clorox Green Works.) Hope this helps. Foot's fine, other than it looks like it is molting today. Hope you all are well. You might want to do a water check of your state before taking that next big gulp.
Word for the blog for the day: "quintessence," n. The pure, highly concentrated essence of something. Time for a mind stretch? Who can come up with a sentence in relation to this word and drinking water?
Well, Randy was in charge of cleaning the house while I was off my feet, and he decided he would take matters into his own hands. He went out and bought a product boasting A LOT OF Flushes, thinking he wasn't going to have to clean the toilet nearly as often as I have been doing these last two years. He started with 2 toilets: ours and the guest room toilet located near our bedroom. Our bathroom we share, adjacent to our bedroom, of course is the one most often used. It flushed blue every time, signifying in our eyes, that the product was working. Not so in the guest bathroom, but he didn't find that out until he went out and bought one for every toilet in the house. I did a quick look-see before we had company last week and all the toilets looked like...suffice it to say, a pinkish yellow...not orange, not red, and in some cases green. It took two flushes each to make the strange colors disappear. (I hate to interrupt, but we had quite a few visitors at this time, and I don't want you to think we are dying of some strange urinary tract disease.)
Something was not right. Randy became quite upset, when after only about 15 or so flushes, the water stopped turning blue; he decided to call the company and found out that the product only truly works if you regularly use the toilet, otherwise it reacts against itself. They said they get reports all the time of the different colors. They asked Randy if he'd like more, and he sweetly declined. Randy, being the frugal person that he is though, showed up later with blue hands from removing all the little tablets and doing who knows what with them. I do not want to know, since we won't be using them again, but for some reason our toilet is so blue it's almost black, so I think he's doubling up.
Which brings to mind. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the water. One would think the water in NC would be crystal clear and sparkling, due to traveling all over rocks and coming from hidden, protected springs. We just read in the paper that we are rated number 3 for worst in drinking water. Florida rated 2nd, Georgia 5th, and California 1st. (This is public news. I'm not exposing anything.)We've lived in every one of those states. I wonder what that means for our bodies. Georgia was the only place I ever remember drinking it in excess right out of the tap, but maybe I am just having selective memory to protect myself. If anyone has any suggestions on how to clean these toilets organically, let me know. (Just got off the phone with Leah, and she told me that Clorox makes a cleaner called Clorox Green Works.) Hope this helps. Foot's fine, other than it looks like it is molting today. Hope you all are well. You might want to do a water check of your state before taking that next big gulp.
Word for the blog for the day: "quintessence," n. The pure, highly concentrated essence of something. Time for a mind stretch? Who can come up with a sentence in relation to this word and drinking water?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Captain of the Neighborhood Watch
We had a retired submarine captain who lived across the street from us in San Diego, and upon meeting him for the first time, he said with great confidence, "Hi, I'm Duke F______, Captain of the Neighborhood Watch." Randy and I were quite impressed and have reminded ourselves over and over of our wonderful neighbor and how safe we felt having him directly across the street standing guard over all of us.
All this to let you know that I am officially a block captain here on the farm. It looks as though I am in charge of 13 houses. I am a little disappointed as I just got back from our first BLOCK CAPTAIN meeting and I did not get deputized; nor did I get a badge, a gun, a vest, a hat, or even a tazer. (This word is not in my 1970 collegiate dictionary, so I don't know if it's spelled with an s or a z. It sounds like a z to me.) But, I will do my job with a total commitment to helping our neighborhood be safe for all of us, and I really mean that. I love this place and our neighbors.
The "Word for the blog of the day" was a great hit it seems. (Loved the comments. Bo, thanks for the bruise relief suggestion. I can tell, the older I get, the more I am going to need it. I planted some hot peppers this year...wasn't sure why, once they started growing; therefore threw them whole into a freezer bag and they are being cryogenically preserved until I decide what to do with them. Thank you, Michael, for the word...look at his blog and you can see the whole US lit up with light spots where McDonald's are located, and thank you, La ti ci a. I always love hearing from you. Here is the next q word..."querist (kwir ist) n. A questioner; an inquirer. [From Latin quaerere, to seek; to ask." Sentence: I would like all of us to become querists, so that we may be better informed about ourselves, others and our world. ] This should be much easier to use in Scrabble rather than ubiquitous; it's not near as much fun to say, but we should strive to be querists, don't you agree? Having a label helps us to become more intentional, I think.
Susan and I went out on our quest for the sink again today. Made it over to a local antique/yard art/junk store, only to find it closed on Tuesday's. Who cares! We went to lunch and will venture back out on Thursday afternoon. Can't wait! It was a beautiful overcast fall day with that nip in the air, so I had the hottest bean and chili soup in the world with a half of a grilled cheese sandwich made with real cheddar cheese. Can you believe that? (It's someplace downtown with Mary's name in it.) I wiped the sweat from my brow and from under my eyes with every bite of that soup. Speaking of which...everything in our yard is in bloom: azaleas, bulbs coming up again, impatience, chrysanthemums, coneflower, the biggest yellow somethings I've ever seen in my life. So help me I could win an award for them at the fair, which is in town. In case you're wondering why I put all this together, and why I have repeated myself from a previous blog...it's because it looks like 3 seasons in our yard instead of one. Susan thinks it's due to global warming, but her azaleas are not in bloom, even though her daffodils and irises are peeking through. I think it's due to the fact that our yard was once pastureland and the cow manure protein/microbes are still there. (I know...they hauled most of that away as topsoil, but something must have remained behind.)
Foot update: I'm glad there' s not a water shortage here. I sure enjoyed basking in the shower today. I feel that since I haven't used much water I was due a little extra time to just BASK! I promise it won't become a habit...just maybe one more time. I had a little toe concern in the middle of the night. I haven't been wearing my boot to bed for quite sometime, but if you recall, I transitioned a day early into the next boot, which I did not wear to bed. Therein lies the problem. My toe, thinking it was protected, as in the past, fell off the pillow I have been propping it on, and hit head first into the mattress. I woke myself up crying out in astonishment. It took me a little while to go back to sleep, but all was well in the long run and the sheets were not covered in blood, as I imagined they could have been in the middle of the night. Thanks for reading and in the meantime, BE SAFE, and may we all be on guard for each other. UPDATE: Leah told me it is taser with an s.
All this to let you know that I am officially a block captain here on the farm. It looks as though I am in charge of 13 houses. I am a little disappointed as I just got back from our first BLOCK CAPTAIN meeting and I did not get deputized; nor did I get a badge, a gun, a vest, a hat, or even a tazer. (This word is not in my 1970 collegiate dictionary, so I don't know if it's spelled with an s or a z. It sounds like a z to me.) But, I will do my job with a total commitment to helping our neighborhood be safe for all of us, and I really mean that. I love this place and our neighbors.
The "Word for the blog of the day" was a great hit it seems. (Loved the comments. Bo, thanks for the bruise relief suggestion. I can tell, the older I get, the more I am going to need it. I planted some hot peppers this year...wasn't sure why, once they started growing; therefore threw them whole into a freezer bag and they are being cryogenically preserved until I decide what to do with them. Thank you, Michael, for the word...look at his blog and you can see the whole US lit up with light spots where McDonald's are located, and thank you, La ti ci a. I always love hearing from you. Here is the next q word..."querist (kwir ist) n. A questioner; an inquirer. [From Latin quaerere, to seek; to ask." Sentence: I would like all of us to become querists, so that we may be better informed about ourselves, others and our world. ] This should be much easier to use in Scrabble rather than ubiquitous; it's not near as much fun to say, but we should strive to be querists, don't you agree? Having a label helps us to become more intentional, I think.
Susan and I went out on our quest for the sink again today. Made it over to a local antique/yard art/junk store, only to find it closed on Tuesday's. Who cares! We went to lunch and will venture back out on Thursday afternoon. Can't wait! It was a beautiful overcast fall day with that nip in the air, so I had the hottest bean and chili soup in the world with a half of a grilled cheese sandwich made with real cheddar cheese. Can you believe that? (It's someplace downtown with Mary's name in it.) I wiped the sweat from my brow and from under my eyes with every bite of that soup. Speaking of which...everything in our yard is in bloom: azaleas, bulbs coming up again, impatience, chrysanthemums, coneflower, the biggest yellow somethings I've ever seen in my life. So help me I could win an award for them at the fair, which is in town. In case you're wondering why I put all this together, and why I have repeated myself from a previous blog...it's because it looks like 3 seasons in our yard instead of one. Susan thinks it's due to global warming, but her azaleas are not in bloom, even though her daffodils and irises are peeking through. I think it's due to the fact that our yard was once pastureland and the cow manure protein/microbes are still there. (I know...they hauled most of that away as topsoil, but something must have remained behind.)
Foot update: I'm glad there' s not a water shortage here. I sure enjoyed basking in the shower today. I feel that since I haven't used much water I was due a little extra time to just BASK! I promise it won't become a habit...just maybe one more time. I had a little toe concern in the middle of the night. I haven't been wearing my boot to bed for quite sometime, but if you recall, I transitioned a day early into the next boot, which I did not wear to bed. Therein lies the problem. My toe, thinking it was protected, as in the past, fell off the pillow I have been propping it on, and hit head first into the mattress. I woke myself up crying out in astonishment. It took me a little while to go back to sleep, but all was well in the long run and the sheets were not covered in blood, as I imagined they could have been in the middle of the night. Thanks for reading and in the meantime, BE SAFE, and may we all be on guard for each other. UPDATE: Leah told me it is taser with an s.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Turning Point II
Sorry, it's taken me so long. I went on and changed some of the settings this AM, because Larry from Camaroon told me he couldn't read the french surrounding the instructions on how to comment on my blog, which is still giving everyone trouble. Could someone please place in the comment section how to comment? Thank you! Anyway, I thought I'd solved the problem by pushing the transliteration button, but when I started writing it came out in Hindu. No, I don't speak or write Hindu. It said next to it that it was Hindu, that's how I know.
I had a HUGE turning point today. I took off my monster truck boot a whole day early AND took a shower without 2 plastic bags and a towel around my foot, secured by postal packing tape. It was so much fun just standing up straight and not worrying about tipping too close to the glass as I tried to shave my legs with the boot propped up on my little stool like in the past. FREEDOM! I got out, gingerly dried my transformed foot, put on a sock, (not too tight the doctor had said) and put on my NEW BOOT. So help me, I felt like Cinderella, minus the Prince Charming. (He was at work already.) I didn't have a problem going from it being tipped up to being level. I AM SO HAPPY!
I just showed Randy my exposed foot and we were very impressed with the scar. Upon a closer perusal than I gave this morning, I learned there is a bruise on the bottom of my foot and that's another consequence of the broken bone. I can't believe I've been walking with a bruise on my foot! I, at one point, thought the doctor had done a toe-reduction that I kind of jokingly, not really, suggested, as my second toe is larger than my BIG toe. I've always heard that a female with a larger second toe, ruled the family. I don't want that to be the case, so I figured I could alter fate. (I used to have spaces between my front teeth and you know what that means...that you're going to travel, and travel I've done, even after I got them fixed, so I guess there really is no fate-altering. Que sera sera.) No, I'm not superstitious. To get back to the point, there was still quite a bit of bruising...and I know it's from the doctor and nurse playing "This Little Piggy," on my toes. I also noticed a little nick on the second toe. I was out of it, but I can just hear the anesthetist saying, "NO, don't reduce that toe! We can get her later for another operation!" He was the one I had suggested it to to begin with.
I remembered the "Word for the blog for the day!" It's UBIQUITOUS. Don't you just love that word? I do. I am going to theme this week's words. They will all have a Q in them, so that I can learn how to spell q words for when I play Scrabble. I play to win. UBIQUITOUS means...just in case it's not in your everyday vocabulary; "being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent." Michael used it in his blog in regard to the golden arches being ubiquitous. My sentence is: The mosquitoes are ubiquitous right now and driving me crazy. I know there could have been a better sentence, but it is 11:07.
I think that's it for now. "Castle" is on and I just love it. I am thankful that I turned my point early and we can all rejoice together that I did. I love talking to my friends from afar and heard from two today. I love telephones and emails...still don't understand how a radio works. I'm embarrassed to tell you how long I thought little people were in those neat old stand-up radios like my mother had, and I always tried to sneak a peek of the singers in there twirling on a record playing their cellos and guitars. (I also tried to keep one eye open at bedtime because my sisters told me that my dolls came to life while I was sleeping. I'd even put a snore in for good measure.) I didn't know until the movie "Toy Story" that I should have tried filming it instead. Sweet dreams.
I had a HUGE turning point today. I took off my monster truck boot a whole day early AND took a shower without 2 plastic bags and a towel around my foot, secured by postal packing tape. It was so much fun just standing up straight and not worrying about tipping too close to the glass as I tried to shave my legs with the boot propped up on my little stool like in the past. FREEDOM! I got out, gingerly dried my transformed foot, put on a sock, (not too tight the doctor had said) and put on my NEW BOOT. So help me, I felt like Cinderella, minus the Prince Charming. (He was at work already.) I didn't have a problem going from it being tipped up to being level. I AM SO HAPPY!
I just showed Randy my exposed foot and we were very impressed with the scar. Upon a closer perusal than I gave this morning, I learned there is a bruise on the bottom of my foot and that's another consequence of the broken bone. I can't believe I've been walking with a bruise on my foot! I, at one point, thought the doctor had done a toe-reduction that I kind of jokingly, not really, suggested, as my second toe is larger than my BIG toe. I've always heard that a female with a larger second toe, ruled the family. I don't want that to be the case, so I figured I could alter fate. (I used to have spaces between my front teeth and you know what that means...that you're going to travel, and travel I've done, even after I got them fixed, so I guess there really is no fate-altering. Que sera sera.) No, I'm not superstitious. To get back to the point, there was still quite a bit of bruising...and I know it's from the doctor and nurse playing "This Little Piggy," on my toes. I also noticed a little nick on the second toe. I was out of it, but I can just hear the anesthetist saying, "NO, don't reduce that toe! We can get her later for another operation!" He was the one I had suggested it to to begin with.
I remembered the "Word for the blog for the day!" It's UBIQUITOUS. Don't you just love that word? I do. I am going to theme this week's words. They will all have a Q in them, so that I can learn how to spell q words for when I play Scrabble. I play to win. UBIQUITOUS means...just in case it's not in your everyday vocabulary; "being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent." Michael used it in his blog in regard to the golden arches being ubiquitous. My sentence is: The mosquitoes are ubiquitous right now and driving me crazy. I know there could have been a better sentence, but it is 11:07.
I think that's it for now. "Castle" is on and I just love it. I am thankful that I turned my point early and we can all rejoice together that I did. I love talking to my friends from afar and heard from two today. I love telephones and emails...still don't understand how a radio works. I'm embarrassed to tell you how long I thought little people were in those neat old stand-up radios like my mother had, and I always tried to sneak a peek of the singers in there twirling on a record playing their cellos and guitars. (I also tried to keep one eye open at bedtime because my sisters told me that my dolls came to life while I was sleeping. I'd even put a snore in for good measure.) I didn't know until the movie "Toy Story" that I should have tried filming it instead. Sweet dreams.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Literate Yourself
We had our Amos Cottage Guild coffee last Friday morning at the Brookberry Farm clubhouse across the street. We had a marvelous speaker from United Way, and after hearing Mary Dame, the Cottage Director, speak, I was thankful once again to be a part of such a wonderful endeavor. I may have mentioned that the Therapeutic Day Program there is involved with identifying and working with children with behavioral/emotional problems, along with their parents, for approximately 6 months to help the children function better in the classroom. Mary had the children make suncatchers for our gift bags that we had ready for new members, of which there were three. (My friend, Susan, is one of them and she's already signed up to help with everything I help with and that makes me happy.)
I am adding a new "something" to the blog. A word for the day! I thought of it after reading Michael's blog and he used the word...hmmmm, I can't remember it so we will use that word tomorrow for our first "Word for the Blog." Get excited...it's a good one.
On to other things. Susan, Randy and I went to the Parking Lot sale at the Hanesbrands Mill here in Winston Salem yesterday, to help support the United Way and to pick up some deals. Needless to say, it was PACKED by 9:45 AM, but that did not deter us. Randy dropped us at the front so I could start hobbling along; traffic had stopped momentarily, and Susan and I were just about to cross the street when a man told us no purses were allowed. I threw my purse at Susan and she tore over to the car and threw them in before Randy could move another inch.
Visualize this: you put a bunch of open boxes on tables, and they're full of drastically reduced underwear in all sizes and colors, and the end result is mayhem. In truth, it only looked that way with the paper strewn everywhere, and being relocated with every shoe that scuffed by or breeze that created paper insert storms. I have to take another moment to tell you how precious these North Carolinians are. I heard nothing but "excuse me's," and, "here's your size 6's you were looking for. " How sweet is that?
In fact, the day was so beautiful with fall approaching and all, that Susan and I just took our time going from box to box, since Randy was already standing in line and hadn't moved for our first six rows of looking. Peace and good will just hovered over the Hanesbrands parking lot, and it was obvious it extended all the way to the parking lot across the street, where our cars were.
I know you're anxious to hear what we bought, but I can't tell you, because they're surprises for our children's stockings; BUT suffice it to say, for 50 cents a pop, everyone got a little something. Susan walked out with a bundle for only $11, and our whopping total was only $31. and our Santa bag was pretty heavy. Oh, I can tell you this. We had silverfish in FL that ate our clothing. Here, we have earwigs, you know, those black little centipede type things with pinchers. They have found my underwear for some reason, so I am prepared now for about 2 weeks without having to do any replacing. Randy would have been, but they only carried size 2X and small in the boxer/brief underwear. (He does not fit into either category.)
Once Susan and I had seen everything, we joined Randy in line, and of course, started getting to know the man behind us. Randy had already asked him everything, so we didn't repeat but a few questions, which Randy answered for us. (His son may be going to Duke on a football scholarship.) In the course of all this talking, I finally noticed that the workers had on T-shirts that said, "Live United." Remember who spoke at the Amos Cottage coffee?" Eric, a United Way executive here. I told one of the Hanes leaders (They had on red shirts as opposed to worker- white.) I was so proud to be a part of this and mentally wished I had spent more. He told me their goal was $200,000. I told him I hoped he exceeded it and Randy read in the paper today, that the sale, along with another United endeavor, produced approximately $266,000. Isn't that wonderful? And it was fun to boot.
From there, we went antique shopping, but not really. I'm looking for an old porcelain sink with sideboards so Randy can make me a potting bench. (I may have told you.) We found the most wonderful hidden house that looked like where Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte would have lived, and then right behind it, a barn full of old glass windows, iron-ware, you name it. Beyond that was the first R. J. Reynold's tobacco warehouse that had been relocated and stocked full of southwestern stuff, like a bison head, lots of antlers and Indian relics. Everything was surrounded with bricked or rock bordered garden areas with antique yard ornaments situated in just the perfect place. Susan and I decided right then that we would be going back and taking lunch with us the next time to eat on the lawn with the old white dog. (He was real and slow.)
You'd think that was a full day, wouldn't you? But no! Randy and I had a choice of going to an Art Exhibit opening or a Press 53 event at a bookstore in Kernersville, about 20 minutes away. I chose the latter because I learn a lot about the publishing business when I hear Kevin speak. (Check out his blog. He's one of my followers, and you may just LITERATE YOURSELF.) It was so much fun. We got to see the new budding authors and hear poetry from quite a few of the already established poets in attendance. Awards were also given out and I wrote my acceptance speech in my head in a matter of seconds, and had everyone laughing, crying and shaking their heads with their hands clasped together and their eyes closed, all at the same time. (As I reread this, I can see how some of you might think I really did win something, so I need to clarify, you have to write, and write well to win. I haven't done either yet, but I'm working on it.) I was so motivated by all the poetry reading, which I am embarrassed to say, I haven't done since college, that I came straight home and wrote a poem, but you will never see it, I'm sad to say. I was venting about something that makes me cranky. Poetry really does mirror the soul, so you'd better watch it if you want to be a poet and still keep your friends. No, it wasn't about Randy or you.
Lest I forget. We each got a raffle ticket and Randy had just told me he didn't think the top one had gone in the fishbowl yet, and lo and behold, whose number was called next? YES! That one! I quickly made my way up to the front of the room, rocking back and forth between my good foot and my newly transformed foot, and claimed my beautiful "Literate Yourself" bag. I was so happy. (Randy had disappeared outside and was calling anyone who would talk to him between 6:30 and 8 last night.) It didn't matter. He took me without complaining and it was a lovely evening.
You are officially caught up now, so I am going to sign off and go and read one of the books that was highlighted last night. I just may learn something. Until next time...read a book and LITERATE YOURSELF! Happy reading.
I am adding a new "something" to the blog. A word for the day! I thought of it after reading Michael's blog and he used the word...hmmmm, I can't remember it so we will use that word tomorrow for our first "Word for the Blog." Get excited...it's a good one.
On to other things. Susan, Randy and I went to the Parking Lot sale at the Hanesbrands Mill here in Winston Salem yesterday, to help support the United Way and to pick up some deals. Needless to say, it was PACKED by 9:45 AM, but that did not deter us. Randy dropped us at the front so I could start hobbling along; traffic had stopped momentarily, and Susan and I were just about to cross the street when a man told us no purses were allowed. I threw my purse at Susan and she tore over to the car and threw them in before Randy could move another inch.
Visualize this: you put a bunch of open boxes on tables, and they're full of drastically reduced underwear in all sizes and colors, and the end result is mayhem. In truth, it only looked that way with the paper strewn everywhere, and being relocated with every shoe that scuffed by or breeze that created paper insert storms. I have to take another moment to tell you how precious these North Carolinians are. I heard nothing but "excuse me's," and, "here's your size 6's you were looking for. " How sweet is that?
In fact, the day was so beautiful with fall approaching and all, that Susan and I just took our time going from box to box, since Randy was already standing in line and hadn't moved for our first six rows of looking. Peace and good will just hovered over the Hanesbrands parking lot, and it was obvious it extended all the way to the parking lot across the street, where our cars were.
I know you're anxious to hear what we bought, but I can't tell you, because they're surprises for our children's stockings; BUT suffice it to say, for 50 cents a pop, everyone got a little something. Susan walked out with a bundle for only $11, and our whopping total was only $31. and our Santa bag was pretty heavy. Oh, I can tell you this. We had silverfish in FL that ate our clothing. Here, we have earwigs, you know, those black little centipede type things with pinchers. They have found my underwear for some reason, so I am prepared now for about 2 weeks without having to do any replacing. Randy would have been, but they only carried size 2X and small in the boxer/brief underwear. (He does not fit into either category.)
Once Susan and I had seen everything, we joined Randy in line, and of course, started getting to know the man behind us. Randy had already asked him everything, so we didn't repeat but a few questions, which Randy answered for us. (His son may be going to Duke on a football scholarship.) In the course of all this talking, I finally noticed that the workers had on T-shirts that said, "Live United." Remember who spoke at the Amos Cottage coffee?" Eric, a United Way executive here. I told one of the Hanes leaders (They had on red shirts as opposed to worker- white.) I was so proud to be a part of this and mentally wished I had spent more. He told me their goal was $200,000. I told him I hoped he exceeded it and Randy read in the paper today, that the sale, along with another United endeavor, produced approximately $266,000. Isn't that wonderful? And it was fun to boot.
From there, we went antique shopping, but not really. I'm looking for an old porcelain sink with sideboards so Randy can make me a potting bench. (I may have told you.) We found the most wonderful hidden house that looked like where Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte would have lived, and then right behind it, a barn full of old glass windows, iron-ware, you name it. Beyond that was the first R. J. Reynold's tobacco warehouse that had been relocated and stocked full of southwestern stuff, like a bison head, lots of antlers and Indian relics. Everything was surrounded with bricked or rock bordered garden areas with antique yard ornaments situated in just the perfect place. Susan and I decided right then that we would be going back and taking lunch with us the next time to eat on the lawn with the old white dog. (He was real and slow.)
You'd think that was a full day, wouldn't you? But no! Randy and I had a choice of going to an Art Exhibit opening or a Press 53 event at a bookstore in Kernersville, about 20 minutes away. I chose the latter because I learn a lot about the publishing business when I hear Kevin speak. (Check out his blog. He's one of my followers, and you may just LITERATE YOURSELF.) It was so much fun. We got to see the new budding authors and hear poetry from quite a few of the already established poets in attendance. Awards were also given out and I wrote my acceptance speech in my head in a matter of seconds, and had everyone laughing, crying and shaking their heads with their hands clasped together and their eyes closed, all at the same time. (As I reread this, I can see how some of you might think I really did win something, so I need to clarify, you have to write, and write well to win. I haven't done either yet, but I'm working on it.) I was so motivated by all the poetry reading, which I am embarrassed to say, I haven't done since college, that I came straight home and wrote a poem, but you will never see it, I'm sad to say. I was venting about something that makes me cranky. Poetry really does mirror the soul, so you'd better watch it if you want to be a poet and still keep your friends. No, it wasn't about Randy or you.
Lest I forget. We each got a raffle ticket and Randy had just told me he didn't think the top one had gone in the fishbowl yet, and lo and behold, whose number was called next? YES! That one! I quickly made my way up to the front of the room, rocking back and forth between my good foot and my newly transformed foot, and claimed my beautiful "Literate Yourself" bag. I was so happy. (Randy had disappeared outside and was calling anyone who would talk to him between 6:30 and 8 last night.) It didn't matter. He took me without complaining and it was a lovely evening.
You are officially caught up now, so I am going to sign off and go and read one of the books that was highlighted last night. I just may learn something. Until next time...read a book and LITERATE YOURSELF! Happy reading.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Shopping and Such
Well, I guess we've all determined that there won't be a blog every day. My sister, Linda, and her husband David, came yesterday from GA and we only had that day to catch up because they left this morning. David was here on business that took him out for the evening, so we hopped over to Belk's and shopped. It's always nice being able to shop with a sister or dear friend. There's nothing like it. Linda was so patient and just poked right along with me. (My friend, Angela, said she saw me on my first day out by myself, crossing the street, but she didn't have the heart to call out to me because I was going at a pretty fast clip and she didn't want me to get hit, for which I am eternally grateful.)
I'd like to take this moment to boast about our Belk's. From what I understand, the chain originated in Greensboro; therefore that store is considered their signature store. Winston Salem being so close, must have warranted a close second in putting their best foot forward, because I can honestly say that the merchandise at the Belk's here is comparable to a lot of the merchandise that Bloomingdale's carried at the Millenia Mall down in Orlando, such as: Lacoste, Lilly Pulitzer, and other trendy, high end designer names. I can't say the same for the Belk's down in Florida or outside of ours here.
Randy was awaiting us when we got home from Belk's, and was kind enough to take us to one of our local favorites, The Village Tavern. We all had hamburgers, as they make a good one, and I have been craving a GOOD hamburger for about a week now. I was not disappointed. Add french fries, half and half sweet tea, and who could ask for anything more? We celebrated Linda's birthday once we got home, with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. She got to open her presents too, a whole 2 weeks early. I love it when birthdays go on and on and on, because I have found that I am really not expecting too much the older I get, because I really don't NEED A THING! So anything is a nice surprise to me...a phone call, card, email or e-card. To tell you the truth, TIME seems to be the most valuable commodity around, and that's what the above take...time. May we give it away with joyful abandon and be blessed for it to reinforce the reminder to keep on giving.
We resumed the neighborhood Bible study this morning, after a short hiatus. We gained 4 new women, but two were not able to be there. I love these ladies. They are just what I needed to feel a part of the true meaning of the word community when we moved into the neighborhood. Add the Amos Cottage Guild ladies, and the sense of worthwhileness that goes along with helping fundraise for a therapeutic day program for children with emotional/discipline problems get a head start prior to kindergarten, and you've got the beginnings of a great existence.
I'm posting this now in anticipation that I can always come back and edit it before everyone starts to read it. Hope you are having a great day!
I'd like to take this moment to boast about our Belk's. From what I understand, the chain originated in Greensboro; therefore that store is considered their signature store. Winston Salem being so close, must have warranted a close second in putting their best foot forward, because I can honestly say that the merchandise at the Belk's here is comparable to a lot of the merchandise that Bloomingdale's carried at the Millenia Mall down in Orlando, such as: Lacoste, Lilly Pulitzer, and other trendy, high end designer names. I can't say the same for the Belk's down in Florida or outside of ours here.
Randy was awaiting us when we got home from Belk's, and was kind enough to take us to one of our local favorites, The Village Tavern. We all had hamburgers, as they make a good one, and I have been craving a GOOD hamburger for about a week now. I was not disappointed. Add french fries, half and half sweet tea, and who could ask for anything more? We celebrated Linda's birthday once we got home, with chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. She got to open her presents too, a whole 2 weeks early. I love it when birthdays go on and on and on, because I have found that I am really not expecting too much the older I get, because I really don't NEED A THING! So anything is a nice surprise to me...a phone call, card, email or e-card. To tell you the truth, TIME seems to be the most valuable commodity around, and that's what the above take...time. May we give it away with joyful abandon and be blessed for it to reinforce the reminder to keep on giving.
We resumed the neighborhood Bible study this morning, after a short hiatus. We gained 4 new women, but two were not able to be there. I love these ladies. They are just what I needed to feel a part of the true meaning of the word community when we moved into the neighborhood. Add the Amos Cottage Guild ladies, and the sense of worthwhileness that goes along with helping fundraise for a therapeutic day program for children with emotional/discipline problems get a head start prior to kindergarten, and you've got the beginnings of a great existence.
I'm posting this now in anticipation that I can always come back and edit it before everyone starts to read it. Hope you are having a great day!
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