Another Thursday…

It is Thursday already.  I complain each time it happens; I don’t like Monday holidays.  If we are celebrating something let us do it on the day this something actually occurs.  Monday holidays were fine when I worked for civil service because they celebrate just about everything and it was nice getting so many extra days off with pay.  Now a Monday holiday just messes up my routine.  Today really should be Wednesday.  And all long time bloggers know that Wednesday is the official rant day in Blogland.  What if I had an actual rant and I had let Wednesday pass me by? HA!!!  You all know me, I would have put my rant out there whether it was Wednesday or not.   Whew, I am sure glad I don’t have anything to rant about today.

I am just home from grocery shopping.  I bought all of the bargains.  Some lovely strawberries at $1.50 a pound.  I know I must have eaten 1/2 lb of them while I was fixing them for the freezer.  YUMMMM!!!!

It is pouring down rain here, finally.  We are way below normal on the rain this year and the ground has been getting brown and crunchy.  It is also chilly at only 50 degrees right now.  I have jeans and a sweatshirt on, yesterday it was shorts and a T.

This will be a good afternoon for me to finish a book I started by Linda Lael Miller.  She is one of my favorite authors.

Time has flown again what with me running around getting soaked this morning.  I will say goodbye for today.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Therapeutic??

Shortly after I lost my husband I got this overwhelming feeling that I needed to go through all of the family albums.  There were a lot of them too; you do take a lot of photos over a 50 year period.   I kept myself busy scanning these photos into my computer. I cried a lot while I was doing this.  It was very therapeutic  and much cheaper than a psychiatrist. There was no grief counseling available in my little city and the psychologist that my insurance allowed  told me that she didn’t handle grief counseling.    So I pulled myself up by my boot straps and said I can do this and I did.  It does get easier as time passes but the memories remain.

*********

therapeutic

noun

something that corrects or counteracts something undesirable <some charitable work might be the best therapeutic for that guy's total self-absorption>
Synonyms antidote, corrective, curative, rectifier, remedy,therapeutic, therapy
Related Words cure-all, elixir, panacea; answer, solution;aid, help, relief, succor; balm, medicinal, medicine, palliative

Learn More About THERAPEUTIC

Dictionary: Definition of "therapeutic"
Spanish-English Dictionary: Translation of "therapeutic"
Medical Dictionary: Definition of "therapeutic"
*********
At the present time I have well over 2.000  pictures on my computer.  I have no more family albums.  As I scanned I distributed the photos to the family members that wanted them.  Some were discarded in the trash can.
If you are wondering about the topic of this post, this coming Sunday June 3rd marks a very special day in our family.  I have been hunting through pictures trying to find the perfect ones to use in a post that I will be doing on Sunday.  My sister Rae has been helping me by sending me some pictures that she had.
*********
Yesterday my daughter and I ate at Grumpy Pete’s aka 8th Street Station aka Frankie G’s.  We loved the buffet there while it was 8th Street Station.  Yesterday was the first time to try Frankie G’s cuisine.  It was not bad although it was expensive for what you got.  Definitely we will not go there again.
I have cleaning to do so this is it for today.  Stay safe and be happy!!
Beth

Tantalizing Tuesday…

tantalizing

adj

Definition of TANTALIZING

: possessing a quality that arouses or stimulates desire or interest; also : mockingly or teasingly out of reach

— tan·ta·liz·ing·ly adverb

First Known Use of TANTALIZING

circa 1683

Learn More About TANTALIZING

Spanish-English Dictionary: Translation of "tantalizing"

 

This Tuesday morning has been very interesting  and stimulating.  Thus it is a tantalizing Tuesday so far.

It is much cooler today at 70 degrees right now.  The last few days have been miserably hot and humid.  We didn’t get the rain promised us yesterday and the lawns are starting to brown up.  My front lawn is still nice and green as it has been watered a couple of times a week.

I have been out running this morning which included a trip to the bank, Wal*Mart, etc.  I have many things I could do around here if I could just make up my mind to do it.  Not nearly as much fun as running, that is for sure.  I did get some new thread, an easy pattern for a purse, and a couple of pieces of material.  Now I have to get the new machine going and see what I can do with it.  The next time we go to Peoria I will ask my daughter if she will take me to a fabric shop.  I may get  into this sewing stuff big time and then again I may not.  Tantalizing thought.

See how easy it is to jibber jabber away and suddenly you have a blog.  While you are smiling at this silliness take the time to touch the morning.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Lest we forget…

http://www.lestweforgetusa.org/

 

“Iwo Jima Flag Raising”
February 23, 1945

****************

It is a very hot Memorial Day here in Central Illinois to reach mid 90s today with a chance of storms moving in this afternoon.  The central air has been going almost constantly for the last few days. 

I had a meal with my daughter and son in law yesterday.  Rib eye steaks cooked on the grill, deviled eggs, etc.  All very good.  What that means to me is that today I am fending for myself and having leftovers. 

I hope you are all taking a moment to stop and remember the meaning of Memorial Day.  My brothers were all in the military as was my husband and brother in law.  Lest we forget!

Do stay safe and be happy on this day of remembrance.

Beth

50,000 Names Carved in the Wall…

There’s teddy bears and high school rings
and old photographs that mamas bring
Of daddies with their young boy, playing ball.

There’s combat boots,he used to wear,
When he was sent over there.
And there’s 50,000 names, carved in the wall

There’s cigarettes, and cans of beer
and notes that say I miss you dear
and children who don’t say anything at all.

There’s purple hearts and packs of gum
fatherless daughters and fatherless sons
and there’s 50,000 names carved in the wall

They come from all across this land
In pickup trucks and mini vans
Searching for a boy from long ago

They scan the wall and find his name
The teardrops fall like pouring rain
and silently they leave a gift and go

There’s Stars of David and rosary beads

and crucifixion figurines
and flowers of all colors large and small

There’s a Boy Scout badge and a merit pin
Little American flags waving in the wind
and there’s 50,000 names carved in the wall

written by Jamie O’Hara

Remembering…

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR TROOPS

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

 

Please join us in our prayers for the men and women of the Armed Forces Of The United States Of America and other countries who are now in harm's way in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the world. We thank them and their families for their sacrifices.

 

We are grateful for the ultimate price of freedom paid by those fallen. We pray for strength and courage for the POWS and Missing In Action and those held hostage.

 

We pray for the protection and safety of selfless relief workers and missionaries who help those in need.

 

We pray for the protection of children and innocent civilians.

We pray for our nation and our leaders.

  

- The Howards, Over 22 Years Serving In The US Navy

 

Thank you to those who put themselves in harm’s way through the years, past and present, bravely defending our country.  My most fervent prayer each day is for peace on earth.

Beth

 

 

Jim in Korea

 

Running clarified…

1. clarifiedpast participle, past tense of clar·i·fy (Verb)

   Verb:

   1. Make (a statement or situation) less confused and more clearly comprehensible.
   2. Melt (butter) in order to separate out the impurities.

   More info »Merriam-Webster - The Free Dictionary

1. clarified - definition of clarified by the Free Online Dictionary ...

   www.thefreedictionary.com/clarified

   v. clar·i·fied, clar·i·fy·ing, clar·i·fies. v.tr. 1. To make clear or easier to understand; elucidate: clarified her intentions. 2. To clear of confusion or uncertainty: clarify ..

When I said in my post yesterday that I was going running I meant going shopping, killing time, etc.  Sorry for the confusion.  My long time blogging friends know that before I moved here I worked out at a fitness center; before that I went to Curves till it closed.  So I could understand  my blogging bro from Boston thinking I was jogging.  Here I do try and exercise every day but no running.

It is going to be miserably hot again today, lower 90s.  I have clothes in the dryer and as soon as those are finished I am going running again to check out a few garage sales before it gets too hot.

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

My cemetery vandalized…

http://www.pekintimes.com/news/x358792268/Cemetery-vandalism-wounds-dozens-of-families

Photo by ~Josh Bradshaw / Times staff~

“Pekin Police investigators collect evidence in Lakeside Cemetary Tuesday morning following the vandalism of over 100 gravestones.”  Quote from the Pekin Daily Times.

This is the cemetery directly behind me that I take walks in.  On one of the newscasts I could see my building in the background.  This is a huge cemetery and it is heartbreaking when something like this happens, especially so close to Memorial Day.  I can’t think of a punishment bad enough to fit this crime.  And I will not be surprised if these are young adults rather than juveniles.

Since yesterday was doctor day and the day before was cleaning day today is running day.  Hooray!! 

Just writing this post has made me distraught so I guess I will sign off and start running.

dis·traught

adj \di-ˈstrȯt\

Definition of DISTRAUGHT

1

: agitated with doubt or mental conflict or pain <distraught mourners>

2

: mentally deranged : crazed <as if thou wert distraught and mad with terror — Shakespeare>

— dis·traught·ly adverb

See distraught defined for English-language learners »

See distraught defined for kids »

Examples of DISTRAUGHT

1. Distraught relatives are waiting for news of the missing children.
2. She was distraught over the death of her partner.

Have a wonderful weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

A Blooming Wednesday…

Yes, that is right, one of my two tomato plants has a bloom on it.  So in another couple of months I might have a tomato, that is if nothing gets to it before I do.  I have about $14 invested in these tomato plants.  I could go to the store and buy $14 worth of tomatoes but what is the fun in that?  Besides at the price per pound of tomatoes right now that wouldn’t amount to much.

 

Can you all see that little bloom?                 My other plant.

 

The flowers that my next door neighbors have planted.

I finished the cleaning yesterday and today I feel lackadaisical.  I need to perk up though because I have a doctor appointment this afternoon.

 

lack·a·dai·si·cal/ˌlakəˈdāzikəl/

Adjective:

Lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy.

Synonyms:

listless - apathetic - languid – apathetical

How is that for a word study lesson?

 

One of my new blogging friends, Nellie,  is a retired teacher.  Please,  stop by and say hello to her if you have a minute.  She welcomes new blogging friends.

Remember to stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Busy on a Tuesday…

No running around for me today.  I have changed the bedding and have the laundry going.  Somebody cleaned up the poopiedoop from the birds and put some kitty litter on the floor under the nest so I was able to get in the laundry room.  As soon as the laundry is done I am dragging out the dreaded sweeper and doing some cleaning and waxing the furniture.  I really need something to motivate me.  Help??

I forgot when I bought the sewing machine (Singer) that I would need to buy some other things.  I gave away all of my patterns and material long ago.  There is no fabric store in town so I will have to go to Peoria for that.  Walmart has a limited supply of fabric.   Also the thread in my sewing box must be at least 15 or more years old so I need to buy some thread, material and a pattern.  I can see where this little venture of mine can turn out to be costly.  I am living by that old adage that says you can’t take it with you so who better to spend my money on than me.  lol  I do believe that Jim and I worked for it.

ad·age/ˈadij/

Noun:

A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.

Synonyms:

saying - proverb - saw - byword - maxim – dictum

The weather is perfect this morning.  Bright sunshine and 60 degrees right now to reach the mid 70s.  Just perfect weather to run around and not do any cleaning.  Oh well, you can’t have everything you want.

Now time for me to check the laundry and then get busy with the cleaning.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

I did it!

I purchased that sewing machine that I have been talking about ever since I moved here.  I haven’t sewn anything for years.  When the kids were young I made a lot of their  clothes.  I am tired of mending by hand.  When I moved here I hemmed curtains by hand and that is no fun.  This morning I went to Walmart and bought a Singer, nothing fancy as I don’t intend to make anything fancy.  Just need it to do some hemming and I think I will make some new curtains for the kitchen.

The barn swallows have built a birds nest on top of the light fixture going into the laundry room.  I love bird watching but I don’t like tip toeing through the bird poopiedoop to get in the laundry room.  Barn swallows are a pretty bird but they fly really fast and swoop at you.  This is the same exact spot they built their nest last year.  Should I grin and bear it or report it to maintenance?  I forgot to mention that the birds have made a direct hit on my front screen/window that I just took apart and cleaned last week.

 

The nest..                                          The bird

I was back getting my glasses readjusted again.  I hope this does it.  Now what is for lunch?  Maybe leftover potato salad and some BBQ on a bun.

I hope this is a peaceful week for us all. Stay safe  and be happy!!

Beth

Hot and muggy…

again today.  It reached the lower 90s yesterday which was about 15 degrees above normal.  I really enjoyed the mild winter but I am not looking forward to a hot humid summer.  The weather forecasters are saying this will be a well above normal hot summer so I best quit complaining and enjoy it.

I am cooking this morning as my daughter and son in law are stopping by after church to eat with me.  Potato salad, BBQ ribs, baked beans and strawberry shortcake with whipped topping.  I have the ribs in the oven right now and the AC turned up high to accommodate.  I should have just gone to KFC and bought some fried chicken.  But then I had these ribs in the freezer and wanted to get them out of there.

No garage sales for me this past  week.  I really do enjoy them although I rarely buy anything.  It is just fun to look and talk to people.

Just a quick hi to you all as I have to get back in the kitchen.  Be good, Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Stupendous Saturday…

stu·pen·dous/st(y)o͞oˈpendəs/

Adjective:

Extremely impressive: "a stupendous display of technique".

Synonyms:

prodigious - wonderful - amazing  - marvelous

This is indeed a stupendous Saturday.  It is going to be very warm and humid (90 degrees) today.  I am not letting the weather stop me as my central air seems to be working OK.

Thank you to my downstate Illinois friend Annie for the Kreativ Blogger Award bestowed on me today.  Thank you dear Annie.

As with all good things there is a catch.  I'm supposed to pass it on (the hard part) and tell you 7 things about me.  I have been blogging for a long time and I think you all know everything there is to know about me.  But for my new readers, here goes.

1. I really love the hills, having been born in Southeastern Missouri in the heart of the hills.
2. I was born number 6 of 8 children.  Three brothers and 4 sisters.  I have only 2 remaining siblings, a younger brother and a younger sister.
3. Daddy moved us all to Western Illinois when I was 3 years old.  My youngest brother was my only sibling born in Illinois.
4. I am a St. Louis Cardinal fan.  It is a family tradition beginning with my Dad.
5. I worked for most of my life, beginning at the telephone company and ending as a civil service worker at an Air Force Base.
6. My husband died several years ago and the best thing that ever happened to me was suddenly gone.
7. I sold my house 2 years ago to move here to be closer to family.

There is no way I can pick only 7 of my blogging friends to give this award to as you all are ‘stupendous’ friends.  So this is what I am doing.  The first 7 people to read my post and comment, please accept the Kreativ Blogger Award and pass it on.

In the meantime, Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Fabulous Friday…

fab·u·lous/ˈfabyələs/

Adjective:

1. Extraordinary, esp. extraordinarily large.
2. Amazingly good; wonderful.

Synonyms:

fabled - mythical - fantastic - fantastical – legendary

My daughter and I used this sunny warm day to make a trip to my old home.  The purpose of the trip was to visit Jim’s grave and put new flowers on it.  I was happily surprised to see that my friend Jo had been keeping flowers on the grave.  She is such a good friend.  We stopped by her trucking company on the way into town and had a visit with her.  Next we stopped at my friend Sherri’s beauty salon for a hug and picture.

Sherri is as pretty as ever.  I have known her since she was a child and she was my beautician until I moved.

Next door to Sherri’s shop is where the theater burned down in 2007.  Now it is a lovely sight with a brand new makeover.

Then I took a couple of pics so you could see my tiny little town that I left for this city of one way streets downtown.

  

Where you see construction in the second pic is where one of the wealthiest guys in town has purchased the whole block and is doing some building/remodeling.  I remember when he was a kid and used to visit in our house.

Next I stopped by the specialty pharmacy where my friend Sandi works.  Sandi was my next door neighbor for many years.  I think I miss her most of all.

I noticed on the way to and from that there are many wind turbines.  The locals call them wind farms.  It was hard to get a pic from a moving car and

this is the best one I got.

Then we visited Jim’s grave for a few minutes and I said goodbye again

On the way home we stopped at the Country Kettle in Gibson City for lunch.  It was very good.

I hope you all are having a good day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Tenacious Thursday…

te·na·cious/təˈnāSHəs/

Adjective:

1. Not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, a position, or a principle: "a tenacious grip".
2. Not easily dispelled or discouraged; persisting in existence or in a course of action: "a tenacious legend".

Synonyms:
persistent - tough - stubborn - dogged – obstinate
 
And that is the way today has been, dogged.  I grocery shopped again at Food Depot and Kroger and got my car washed.  I am well stocked now so stop by and we’ll have lunch and some iced tea.  Sweet tea for you southerners.  I also did a load of laundry so I have been pretty busy.  
 
The time just flew by this morning and I missed Y&R.  I do have it recorded on the DVR so I can watch it later.  This has not been a good week television wise.  Desperate Housewives is gone forever, never to return again until it pops up on the USA Network or TBS or one of those channels.  I might start over again and watch it from the beginning.  I really loved that show!  Ducky had a heart attack on NCIS which happened at the same time as the telephone ringing and the weather radio about blasting me out of my chair.  Man that thing is loud enough to be heard in the next county.  I didn’t watch the 2 hour finale of Criminal Minds so I will have to catch that through On Demand.  All of my favorites, Bones, The Big Bang Theory,NCIS gone until September.  Sigh….I will be reading a lot now.
 
I hope you all have a lovely sunny day.  It is beautiful here, bright sunshine and 71 degrees right now.  Stay safe and be happy!!
 
Beth

Wurlitzer Prize Wednesday…

Today really should win a prize of some kind as it is so beautiful!  Bright sunshine and 54 degrees to reach mid to upper 70s.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

I woke up much too early this morning.  Even though I am used to the c-pap mask now some nights I still want to yank it off and throw it in the garbage.  Last night was one of those nights so at 5 AM I just got up.  The Peoria Journal Star was not here to greet me.  I still don’t have a regular carrier and after talking to the old carrier I can see why.  They are charged $1 off their salary for each time someone calls reporting a missed paper.  I never call until after 8 AM although the paper is supposed to be here by 6 AM.

And now what am I going to do.  First thing, I am going to get to the eye care place and get my new glasses adjusted.  They don’t fit right and I will bug them till they do.  At least the transition lens part and the distance part are perfect.  It is just reading the newspaper that I am having a problem with.

I did the grocery run at Kroger after I was finished with the dentist yesterday but I still missed a few things as I didn’t have my list with me.  I was shopping WILLY-NILLY and when I do that I spend money on stuff that I really don’t need and forget the stuff I do need.

wil·ly–nil·ly

adv or adj \ˌwi-lē-ˈni-lē\

Definition of WILLY-NILLY

1

: by compulsion : without choice

2

: in a haphazard or spontaneous manner

See willy–nilly defined for English-language learners »

See willy-nilly defined for kids »

Origin of WILLY-NILLY

alteration of will I nill I or will ye nill ye or will he nill he

First Known Use: 1608

Now that I have given you all an English lesson I will get off the computer and get moving.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Tolerable Tuesday…

The sun is shining brightly here in the heart of Illinois at the Marigold Capital of the world. http://bethmariesmainblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/marigold-capital-of-the-world%E2%80%A6/  also see http://www.pekinchamber.com/  Because of this I planted marigolds around the lamp post in my front yard.  I think marigolds are so pretty but they don’t smell very nice.  I think I know a few people like that.

  

I am hoping the marigolds perk up after a few days.  Plants are very expensive this year.

  

My tomato plants.   Big Boy on the left and Early Girl on the right.    And so this is my garden.  And now I am homesick for my garden at home.  ;-(

I have to leave soon as I have an appointment to get my hair cut and also an appointment with the dentist.  Hooray!!!

Stay safe and be happy!

Beth

Magnificent Monday…

It is beautiful here in the heart of central Illinois today.  Bright sunshine and 51 degrees right now to reach all  of the way into the upper 70s today.

I told you all about my lovely Mom’s Day lunch out at the Red Lobster on Saturday,  Yesterday afternoon my daughter took me to a movie I have been wanting to see since it hit the theaters a few weeks ago.  It is The Lucky One from a book written by Nicolas Sparks.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w8lE83oYeM  It was awesome.  I love the books by Nicolas Sparks anyway but this one really touched my heart.  The story is about a Marine who has served 3 tours of duty in Iraq and finds a picture on the battlefield of a pretty girl.  On the back of the photo are the words ‘Be safe.’  And I won’t tell you any more.  I cried a bit during the first part of the movie as it was a war scene.  I saw what our troops are going through each day fighting in a war that should never have been.  If you get a chance do see the movie.  I promise it will enchant you.

Zac Efron, the star of the movie.

As soon as I get off the computer this morning I am going to get the flowers and tomato plant as I think we are finally over the frosts here.  Pictures tomorrow.

I hope you all have a peaceful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Happy Mother’s Day..

My mother is on the far right side of the picture.  That is my grandmother and grandfather in the front.  The rest are my mother’s brothers and sisters.

I love this picture.  Seated are my grandfather and my grandmother who is holding my Aunt Mabel.  The girl standing is my mother.

Miss you Mom!!!

Beth

Lovely…

Mother’s Day present.  My daughter and son in law took me to the Red Lobster in Peoria for lunch today.  We all had the shrimp spectacular promotion.  Awesome!!  Potato breaded and hand breaded shrimp is what I had with coleslaw and baked potato and of course the cheese biscuits which I ate 3 of. My daughter gave me a lovely card and baked a cake for me.  I also received a beautiful card from my son.  My daughter has to work tomorrow, thus the early day presents.

Just a boot skip and a holler up the road from me is this fascinating little town called Creve Coeur.  The funny thing about where I live is one little town after another until you cross the bridge over the Illinois River and you are in Peoria.  But, back to Creve Coeur, I have been noticing this little restaurant tucked off to the side of the road  and for a long time I wanted to take a picture of it.  It is a quaint little country type restaurant and the name is what got me.  It is almost exactly the same as my WV sis’s name except for one letter.

My son in law was kind enough to turn the car around and take me back so I could get a pic of it to send to Rae.

The picture below is kind of spoiled because I am in it but my sis will like it.  lol

It poured down rain in Peoria and I am all bundled up for the weather. 

I hope you all had as nice a day as I did.  Do stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

better late..

than never.  I just can’t seem to get going with my blog like I was doing.  I have posted without missing a day since Dec 1, 2011 so I am trying to not miss a day.  It seems to be getting harder to do that. 

I have been garage saling this morning.  I found some books and that was all.  Not very good sales this week.

My glasses came in this morning and after wearing them for a few hours I can see they need some adjusting.  I will get that done on Monday.

Next week I will be getting some flowers for my planter and to put around the lamp post and a tomato plant for my pot.  That is the extent of my gardening for this year.

It is sunny and super gorgeous out again today.  The temperature is 74 degrees.  Just a perfect day.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Thursday…

is slipping right by me.  I have been busy again today.  The cable guy was here right at 8 AM and he was done in just a few minutes.  I have everything up and running now so I am good to go.

My daughter came over and washed all of the outside windows for me.  I followed along behind as the carrier person.  She also sprayed the foundation of the house with Home Defense from Ortho.  It is the first insect spray that I have ever used that has no odor to it at all.  It is also safe to spray inside too.  I think I may spray the foundation in the kitchen and the bathroom but I am leery of spraying carpeted areas. 

After we got through with the windows we had soup and sandwich at Avanti’s.  The cheese soup there is excellent.  Then, don’t tell anybody that we stopped by and had a peanut butter cup blizzard.  I am so full I don’t know if I will even be able to eat mommy oatmeal tonight.  I call it mommy oatmeal because I fix it  and eat it like my mom always ate her oatmeal.  She put in a dab of oleo and a bit of salt and pepper.  I leave the salt and pepper out and use a dab of butter. 1/3 cup quick cooking oatmeal mixed with 2/3 cup of water and put in the mic for 1 minute 30 seconds.  Perfect!  and so good for the cholesterol.

It is a beyond gorgeous day here.  It is sunshiny and 66 degrees with just a tiny breeze.  Just a great day to be alive!  Thank you God!!

I hope you all are in line for a great weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Finally…

the new TV is here and hooked up.  Unfortunately the DVR won’t work and I am having Comcast come in the morning to take care of that.  I was told there would be no charge from Comcast as I have the service plan.  Otherwise I like it.  It is 42 inches, the same size I had before.  They took my old TV away so that was a plus.  On the minus side a couple of shows I had programmed to record tonight will not be recorded.  But I can live with that.

It is 65 degrees and partly sunny today, also very windy.

For some reason I have developed a king size headache.  I am not prone to headaches so I think it must be stress.  I likened the purchase of a new TV to buying a new car.  Both are headache causing agents.  Now I need to calm down and tidy up the living room as it is in a bit of a mess after my marathon cleaning  a few days ago.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Better, Busy, Funny…

Tuesday here in the heart of central Illinois.  I am resigned to the wait for the new glasses and put that thought in the ‘Don’t go there’ part of my brain.

I have been busy this morning.  My daughter went with me to the DMV office to get a new $99 sticker for my car  license plates.  I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t like that place.  When I first moved here and went to get a  sticker they took my Korean War license plates away from me.  The reason was “Ms. De, you are not a veteran, your husband was, therefore you are not entitled to Korean War plates.”  I didn’t think that was fair but I went along with it mainly because I had no choice.  The thought did cross my mind to get in touch with my congressman but I figured he was way too busy making the cover of various magazines.  Anyone reading this from my area will instantly know who I am talking about.  http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/aaron-schock-fitness  Anyway, the sticker is on my plate and I am good to go for another year.

Then we went to Peoria and I purchased the new TV which is due to be delivered tomorrow.  They were very helpful and I hope there is no hangup with getting me hooked back up to my beloved (not) Comcast.  I had such a laugh while waiting for the paperwork to be all drawn up for the TV.  One elderly gentleman (yep, even older than me) was making arrangements to have something delivered tomorrow.  He told them that he didn’t know where he would be living tomorrow but I think I know where I am living now.  I burst out laughing.  Have you ever heard Billy Ray Cyrus sing “Where Am I Gonna Live When I Get Home?”  The words to that song popped into my mind immediately.  Poor old soul.  I looked at him and we smiled at each other.

“Where am I gonna live when I get home?
My old lady's thrown out everything that I own.
She meant what she said
when she wished I was dead
So, where am I gonna live when I get home?”

Words by Billy Ray Cyrus the pride and joy of Flat Woods KY, just up the road from my WV sis.

My daughter and I ate at the Golden Corral.  We were going to Olive Garden but it was on the other half of the city.  It was altogether a very nice morning.  Thank you to my daughter!

Partly sunny and 68 degrees here today.  I hope you all are enjoying it.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Super rant day…

I am what you would call torqued or p*******off today.  I was to have my new glasses in a week to 10 days.  They are trifocals  with transition lens and the total price was $493.  I stopped in this morning (2 weeks later) to see if they were ready.  As it happens the lens are fixed in Iowa City IA.  They were received this morning with an error in the prescription so they are having to be redone.  At home the lens were always fixed in Champaign which was 30 miles away.  I am not sure how far it is from here to IA City.  I asked if that was the closest place and she said it was.  I can’t believe that there isn’t somewhere in Peoria that does this.  Now I am to figure on another 2 week turnaround and I am not a happy camper.  The main reason is that my vision has changed quite a bit in the last 2 years and I am having a bit of difficulty when I read.

Auntie, thank you for the info on changing the size of the columns.  I have been working with computers for  over 15 years so I pretty much understand the common things.  I appreciate your input though. 

Gotta run now as Y & R is coming on.  You all stay safe and be happy!

Beth

Hot and Sunny…

The temp is standing at 82 degrees right now and the humidity is about 70%.  Storms with heavy downpour of 2 – 3 inches per hour is forecast  for this evening.  We are going from a near drought situation to ridiculous.

I have the central air on and a fan going.  I am just finishing cleaning my whole place.  Shaking rugs, running the sweeper, dusting, mopping, etc.  Now I can sit down and look around and admire several hours work.  This leaves the coming week free to do whatever strikes my fancy, like hopefully getting that new TV. 

I saw the ophthalmologist last Monday and I am waiting for a new pair of glasses which set me back a pretty penny.  Except for a vision change my general eye health was good.  I was glad to hear that no surgery was needed right now.  I have a recheck in 1 year.

Nothing else is new around here and I am ever thankful for that.  I hope you all are enjoying a warm sunny day too.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Hi Ho Hi Ho…

it was off to the garage sales I went.  I didn’t use the map, but I found 4 garage sales and a church sale.  It was lots of fun, even going by myself.  I found like new paperbacks, tins to pack goodies in and miscellaneous.  There were 2 neighborhood sales but they were in parts of the city that I had never heard of.  Two years ago when I first moved here I got lost and I didn’t want to repeat that so I stuck to the streets I am familiar with.  Have I told you all before that I love garage sales.

Jim and I used to leave on Saturday morning about 7 AM, arrive back home about 2 PM and hit all of the neighboring towns garage sales.  Champaign/Urbana was our favorite place to go.  There were always lots of sales there because of the University.  I also loved to have a garage sale.  Getting the stuff ready wasn’t much fun but I loved talking to the people.  That is one of the things I miss most here is the interaction with people.  I did try to volunteer at the Senior Center but they didn’t need volunteers at that time.; and then my health started going down hill.   But I haven’t given up hope!

I am looking for some get up and go so that I can do a little cleaning.  I also have laundry to do but I just may read a book instead.  I hope you are all having a peaceful day.  The sun is shining brightly and it is supposed to reach the 80s again today.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

It’s that day…

of the month again when I photograph my tree.  All photos taken on the 4th day of the month at approximately 10  AM.

 

January 2012                                                            February 2012

 

March 2012                                                                  April 2012

 

May 2012  (see, not totally dead but getting there)

I have been to Food Depot to shop their bargains and I think that will be just about it.  It rained and thundered all night and is still drizzly out.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Bright sunshine…

today.  The temp is standing at 71 degrees and it is to reach the mid to upper 80s today.  Storms are predicted to roll in this afternoon and evening but for right now I am basking in sunshine.

My yard was mowed yesterday morning in the rain.  Contractors mow on the scheduled day no matter what the weather even if we are in the midst of a drought.

 

This girl looks like she was having fun even with the rain coming down.  If you click on the pictures you can see the long pigtail on the back of her hair.  Oh to be young again.  lol

I am heading out for another appointment soon.  I hope you all have a peaceful day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Rainy Day Wednesday…

It is still raining here.  I am longing for some sunshine.  The temp is supposed to reach the mid 80s today.  I have to go out in the rain this afternoon for a doctor appointment.

I did get the results of the tests and the biopsies were benign.  There are some abnormalities that I will discuss with the gastroenterologist tomorrow afternoon.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

I have finished a load of laundry this morning and I think that is all I am going to do until it is time for my appointment.  I still haven’t done any spring cleaning.  I have cleaned out a couple of the closets though and that is something.

It is almost time for Mother’s Day.  I miss my mom although she has been gone a long time.  Again I wonder, where did the years go?

I hope you all have a good day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

May Day…

And a happy May Day is wished for everyone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day

I remember May Day fondly from when my children were small.  I received many a bouquet of dandelions or violets held in grubby little hands and presented to me with much love.  As my kids grew older and in school the flowers were presented in tiny little paper cones that the teacher had helped them fashion in school.  To this day it  delights me to see a cluster of violets that have popped  up out of nowhere.

They are such a beautiful little flower, one of my favorites,

It is another dreary day.  It is supposed to get up into the mid 70s today and even 8os for the rest of the week.  I have so many things I need or want to do and I just don’t have the energy to do them.  I am also a bit depressed waiting for the results of all of my tests and the biopsies.

I think I will see when my daughter wants to go with me to look for a TV.

Have a good day.  You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth