Leap Day Hooray..

I will be gone today out searching for a brown eyed handsome man for me to propose to. Watch out all of you guys.   LOL   http://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html  There are some really good traditions for February 29th.  For example:

In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day, just like Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. In Greece it’s said to be unlucky for couples to marry during a Leap Year, and especially on Leap Day.  I consider the 29th to be a good day as I woke up this morning alive and breathing.  That in itself is a miracle.

It is gorgeous out this morning on the 19th day on the countdown to Spring.  It is 55 degrees and sunny but very windy.  We are under a high wind advisory for this afternoon.  I noticed the grass in my front yard has started to green up.

I am feeling pretty yucky today so I called and made an appointment with one of my many doctors for Friday.

You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

The days…

inch ever closer to Spring.  Although I see no signs of it outside, the calendar says March 20th will soon be here. My one robin that I saw  last week has gone walking to Missouri.  Only 20 more days.  Right now it is 30 degrees and the sun is trying to shine.  Thunderstorms are predicted for this afternoon. 

I have been busy already this morning.  I started cleaning in the bathroom when I had to stop midway.  The maintenance guy came to change my porch light that was burned out.  They are so good to take care of things like that.  You have to furnish your own light bulb though.  Now I am not in the mood for bathroom cleaning anymore so I will finish it this afternoon.  I also have to run the sweeper and dust the furniture too so this may run into tomorrow,

I made an angel food cake yesterday with frosting.  Angel food is my favorite cake and I do like frosting on it.  I think I will have a cup of tea in a little while and check to see if the cake was as good as it was yesterday.  I think it probably is.  You are all welcome to come for tea and cake.  You too R B. 

I think the frosting kind of squashed down the cake but it is still very good. 

Gotta scoot as my cup of tea is waiting.  You all stay safe and be happy!!  Today is my 90th day in a row to post.

Beth

A sister…

How do people make it through life without a sister?    I was blessed to have four sisters.  Three of them (my older sisters) died of different forms of cancer.  I have one remaining sister.  She is a bit younger than me and a whole lot wiser.  She is always there for me whenever I need her although a distance of 500 miles separates us.  She will listen to me for however long it takes to calm me down even though her own mind is filled with many worries of her own.  She calls me three times a day just to make sure I am still breathing.  These calls to me happen even if she is away from home or staying with a member of her family in the hospital.

I woke up this morning thinking how nice it is to have a sister/confidante that you can tell all of your problems too without fear of them being repeated.  Just wanted to say “Thanks Rae, for helping me remember parts of my childhood I had forgotten (some of it I would rather be forgotten),  Thanks for helping me remember old friends (and boyfriends) from a time when we were both young and pretty.  Thanks for all of the advice and never criticism even though I deserve to be criticized now and then.  Just THANKS!!”

It is bright and sunny out this morning and the temperature is standing at 28 degrees.  The countdown to spring stands at 21 days.

I have errands to run this morning so I will catch you all when I get back.  Have a peaceful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Sunday after…

the night before which I spent at the hospital having the second phase of the sleep study test.  I hope this is it as the rest you get after being hooked up to all kinds of wire thingies can not be described as restful.

This means I am exhausted so I am going to spend the better part of the day resting.  I have stuff to put together tacos for my lunch so I am splurging on that today and celebrating the holiday that my sister declared yesterday.

Only 22 days left on the countdown to Spring.  The sun is shining this morning but it is windy and chilly at 30 degrees.  At least it is warmer than yesterday which never made it out of the 20s.

All for now.  Catch you all later.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Today has been declared…

The Day All Old Folks Go Off Their Diet Day by my WV sis.  This morning she and her husband were entering the Jolly Pirates Doughnut Shop in Ashland KY at the same time as several older ladies.  (Now bear in mind that my sis is almost as over the hill as I am.  Actually she is 22 months younger).  My sis is a great people person.  She jokingly said to this group of ladies that this was officially the day that all old folks go off their diets.  This did not go over well with this group of ladies and they walked away in a huff.   LOL  I had never heard of a Jolly Pirates Doughnut Shop but I guess they are common in KY, WV and Ohio.   Have any of my readers heard of this place?

My sis and brother in law live in the part of WV where you can stand with your feet planted in WV and put your left arm in Ohio and your right arm in Kentucky .   The name of the city is derived from these three states.  Ken O Va (Kenova)  I think that is so cool the way that city was named.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenova,_West_Virginia

It is cold and windy this morning at 24 degrees right now and not to get much warmer today.  I am longing for Spring which stands in the countdown to Spring at 23 days.  I am waiting impatiently for a day with sunny skies, no wind, and 70 degrees.

Closing this off for now as I am observing “The Day All Old Folks Go Off Their Diet Day.”  Come join me.  The official age to celebrate this holiday is to be over the age of 55.  You are certainly eligible RB.

Enjoy the weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Only 24 days…

left on the Countdown to Spring.  This morning the weather keeps changing from rain to snow and the temperature is stuck at 32 degrees.

At least the days are getting longer.  It is staying daylight until 6 PM now.  We go on daylight savings time on Sunday March 11 when we spring forward an hour.  That means it will be dark again when I get up in the morning.  I really don’t like daylight saving time.  I whine about it every year for all of the good it does me. 

I am busy doing laundry and nothing else this morning.  I have been thinking about starting spring cleaning but the calendar says I can’t do that for 24 more days.  Oh shoot!  I am definitely going to ask my daughter to come and help me.

A pic from the internet showing my all time favorite flower, the Pansy.

This is short this morning as I need to go check my laundry.  I hope you all have a good weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Pouring down rain…

at 37 degrees which makes for a chilly outing.  Only 25 days left on the countdown to Spring.  It is not going to be spring like at all today as the temps are to fall all afternoon and the rain is to change to snow.

I have been to Kroger with my daughter this morning to shop.  I don’t know if you get the Kroger ad in your part of the country that promises that you won’t have to wait in line.  HA!!!!  This is a large store.  There was one checker on 15 items or less and one regular checker plus a lot of the check yourself lines were open.   I don’t like the check yourself lines.  I think it is just another way for a job to be lost.  To make a long story short, the wait in line did not match the promise of a speedy checkout that is touted in the TV ad.

I have mentioned dozens of times in my blogs that I am a people watcher.  I don’t mean that in a derogatory fashion at all.  I try to smile and say hi each time someone tries to run me over with a cart.  I never get defensive at all.  I just say ‘pardon you’ and give them a big smile.  All of that nonsense put aside, I saw two sailors in full dress uniform in the store today.  Awesome!  Age range, 18 to early 20s.  The mother in me wanted to hug the both of them, say thank you, and ask if I could take their pic for my blog.  Darned if they weren’t moving so fast I lost them in the crowd.  Maybe next time.

I did get out to Bergner’s yesterday.  I got the shoes.  There were lots of good buys in the men’s department and I did think about starting Christmas shopping early but I decided against it.  Men’s $60-$70 dollar shirts at a good reduced price and then take off 85% and the price was amazing.

My shoes and 3 guesses as to who is in the pic sitting there.

I am running way late so I think I will close and start thinking about what to have for lunch.

You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Gorgeous sunshine…

and 37 degrees on the countdown to spring which stands at 26 days. 

I am trying to motivate myself to go to Bergner’s this morning.  They are having a big sale with an additional 85 % off yellow dot clearance items.  I also want to get a new pair of Easy Spirit shoes.  I love those shoes!  I just talked to my sis in WV.  She is my motivation.  She said, just get up off your hind end and go.  So that is what I will do.  See, doesn’t take much to motivate me, just a kick on the rear.  lol

It was fun answering the questions in yesterday’s blog.  Paul reminded me that most of our friends from Windows Live Spaces are not blogging anymore.  Some of them are on Wordpress and I keep up with them there.  Some of them are on Facebook to the exclusion of everything else.  Several of my old WLS friends keep in touch with me by email.   I have a Facebook account but I am rarely on there.   I should get on there more often as I do have quite a few relatives on there.  Really doesn’t interest me though.

An earthquake happened yesterday  in southeastern Missouri at Sikeston which is 27 miles from where I was born in Bloomfield Missouri.    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/21/missouri-40-earthquake-felt-across-13-states/  Also see

http://theendtimesarehere.com/2011/01/30/new-madrid-fault-connecting-the-dots/.  What is very interesting is the article at

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/is-the-new-madrid-fault-earthquake-zone-coming-to-life

I am not going to worry about an earthquake happening now.  Actually that is the least of my worries at the present time.  It is time for me to close this post down and get ready to go to Bergner’s.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

I’ve been tagged…

1. If you could acquire any talent overnight what would it be?

2. If You are married where did you spend your Honeymoon? If you are not where would you like to spend your Honeymoon?

3. If given the chance where in the world would you like to live for a year?

4. What fairytale character are you most like?

5. What's your favorite topping on pizza?

6. What first attracted you to your significant other? If you are not with anyone right now what is the first thing you notice?

7. What’s the one color or print that you will never ever wear?

8. If given the chance to meet a fellow blogger who would it be?

9. What’s the most courageous thing you ever did?

10. What is your favorite movie of all time?

11. what's your favorite song right now?

These questions were posed to me by my good friend Joanne at  http://10minutes2breathe.blogspot.com/.

Feel free to answer any or all of them  or choose them for your blog.

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

My answers.

1.  I would love to be able to sing.  I can’t sing, period!

2.  Snowed on the night we were married and since we were broke anyway, we stayed in the apartment we had just rented.

3.  Nah, not for a year.  For the winter months I would choose somewhere warm.

4.  Definitely not Cinderella!

5.  I love mushrooms on pizza, but they are no good unless accompanied by sausage and lots of cheese.

6.  I love to answer this question!!  Jim was so handsome and I was enchanted.

7.  I look terrible in red.

8.  I have met several of my fellow bloggers.  I would love to meet my friends from England and of course Boston Boy and my Twin.

9.  Hard question.  I think it would have to be picking myself up and moving forward after the death of my husband.

10. My favorite movie of all time has to be Little Women.  I have every version made of it on DVD.  My favorite version is the one starring Judy Garland and Peter Lawford and  a very young Elizabeth Taylor.

11.  I love music!!  Classic country is my favorite.  If I had to choose a song right now it would One of These Days by Emmylou Harris or George Jones. 

 

Those are my answers.  Please answer one of the questions for me in a comment.

27 days left on the countdown to Spring. Enjoy the day.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Body of missing man found…

http://www.pjstar.com/

John Garrett was 73 years old.  He suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.  He lived with his caregiver wife of 51 years.  While they were each taking a nap one week ago yesterday, he awakened earlier than his wife and left his home on foot.  He was not wearing a coat, just a sweater.  A 27 mile radius around his home had been thoroughly searched for the past week.  A college student home for this weekend saw the story of Mr. Garrett on the news and recognized him as a person he had given a lift to the day Mr.Garrett disappeared.  He related this to authorities and Mr.  Garrett’s body was found yesterday morning close to where the student had dropped him off.  Mr. Garrett had been on a waiting list at an Alzheimer facility for quite a while now.

This is very sad news.  I had been praying along with so many others that he would be found safe.  My heart goes out to his wife and family.  Having been a caregiver for my husband for the last 2 years of his life I know the questions that are always on my mind.  Did I do this right, could I have done this differently, etc.  Now after over 5 years I still have those thoughts swirling around in my mind, even knowing that I took care of Jim the best way I knew how, with much love and compassion.

When I saw the news headline in the paper this morning it just made me feel so sad. 

It is bright sunshine and 27 degrees and the countdown to Spring stands at 28 days.

On a happier note, my niece and daughter are coming over for lunch today.  So I need to be thinking about that.  I hope you all have a great week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Yes, it is true…

there are only 30 days left on the countdown to Spring.  Actually only 29  if you don’t count March 20th.  Should I quit counting it and move us up a day?  I know Spring is right around the corner as I saw my first robin on Friday.  He was all spruced up with his red coat on.  He tipped his hat and danced a little jig for me.  Thanks Mr. Robin.

I am fixing lunch for my daughter and son and law  for after church.  Barbeque beef sandwiches, potato salad and baked beans.  It all smells good.  Come on over if you like.  You too RB.

It is bright sunshine again today and the temp is holding steady at 31 degrees.  It is chilly out though as I found out when I made a quick run to the store to pick up buns.  It does put me in the mood for Spring though.

My son is planning to visit me on or about his birthday on April 8th.  I don’t get to see him very much since I moved here so I am always happy to see him.

I also looking forward to St Pat’s Day as I am Irish on my dad’s side and Dutch on my mom’s. 

Have a great day and stay safe and be happy!

Beth

Another gorgeous…

day as the calendar inches ever closer to Spring at just 31 days.  Bright sunshine and 27 degrees right now to reach into the lower 40s today.  I am so ready for spring.  Today I am going to tackle spring cleaning in the kitchen.  I hope to get it all done, cabinets and all but we shall see. 

I am up and exercised and had breakfast, now I need to get motivated to start.

My next door neighbor left Thursday for Austin TX for the birth of his new grandbaby.  His daughter had an accident which involved a broken bone and so her mom has been with her for the last several weeks.  I will be glad when they are home as I miss chatting with Deb as I am coming and going in and out the back door.  Plus she is my Avon lady and I haven’t seen a new Avon book for 6 weeks now.

I received the Jools Holland CD that I had ordered from Amazon.  I had never heard of this person.  I discovered him while I was checking Mixpod for different versions of ‘Enjoy Yourself.’  It is a really cool collection of music.  There are 21 tracks on the CD.  Go here to listen to the song on you tube. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w4DqFhLDBk&feature=related

I really need to get up and move if I am going to accomplish what I have planned for today.  Have fun, stay safe, and be happy!!

Beth

Did you ever…

start a post only to have it go into the big cyber space in the sky, never to be seen or heard from again?  I started my post and had to leave the computer for awhile and now my brilliant post is gone.  So being the good soldier I am I will start over again.

Want to know who’s corrupt?  Illinois ranks third in the nation according to a University of Illinois study released Wednesday. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/political-fix/study-finds-illinois-third-most-corrupt-state/article_e5038a26-5812-11e1-bf8d-001a4bcf6878.html\”Illinois .

“The study which looked at public corruption statistics and data  the U.S. Department of Justice has gathered since 1976, also listed Chicago and its metropolitan area as the most corrupt federal district in the country.”  Now isn’t that something to be proud of??  If only the Chicago area didn’t weigh the rest of the state down.  lol

Well, I have lived here most of my life and unless something unforeseen happens I will die here too. 

And speaking of that, my doctor visit yesterday was good.  I passed my stress test with great results.

While my daughter and I were out on her birthday we stopped at McDonald's for a drink before we went to lunch.  We were sitting at the back near the rest room area when a lady walked by and started talking to the couple in front of us.  She told them that she hadn’t noticed them on her way to the rest room.  She said she came to this particular McDonald’s because it was out of the way and she thought she wouldn’t run in to anyone she knew that would bother her.  She then proceeded to yak away for awhile until which time the gentleman seated told her that was why they came to this place too.  OH, she said, sorry, and just hurried away like a house on fire.  I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing.  I am a people watcher and I had noticed that this couple looked a bit mismatched, he being older and she appearing much younger.  Rendezvous??  lol

Only 32 days left till Spring.  Break out the bathing suits.

In the meantime, I am off to pay some bills.  Stay safe, be happy, and have a great weekend!

Beth

And then there…

were only 33 days left on the Countdown to Spring.  It is drizzly and foggy here this morning and the temp is holding steady right now at 36 degrees. 

As I am writing my blog I often look at a word I have written and wonder if I have used it in the right context.  The red squiggly lines underneath a word on live writer let me know if it is misspelled but not if it is used in the right context.  One of my duties at my last job at the AFB was to proof and correct officer performance reports, also to make note if the words were used in the right context.  I spent many a time running up  3 flights of stairs to the general’s office at the end of the day to confer with his secretary over the use or misuse of a word.  Looking back I can now honestly say that was my least favorite job I have had in all of my lifetime.  This was before the days of computers that corrected words for you.  No whiteout was allowed.  If you had to correct a word hopefully you could get it just right on your typewriter and lift it off and redo it.  Easier said then done.  Now I don’t give a tiddleypoop whether a word is used in the right context or not.  My blog, my words!

I have managed to get my place cleaned and dusted this week including the bathroom which I hate to clean.

I need to close for now.  It will soon be  time to head off for my doctor visit.  Update on that tomorrow.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

First day of Spring

Not sure when Spring is scheduled to start?  http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-spring-vernal-equinox  I see it is 1:14 AM  EST on 20 March so that would make it 12:14 AM CST.   I think that means there are exactly 34 days left on the countdown to Spring.  So far I haven’t seen a single sign of Spring.   And although I heard we had robins stay here all winter not one has been gracious enough to honor me with his presence.

Where I was living before in this tiny little town of 4300 the local newspaper was published on Thursday.  Each week on Thursday I would center my blog around the local news.  Mostly feel good stuff with the occasional driving under the influence, etc.  I already knew all of this stuff because I had a scanner that I listened to that kept me up to date.    There is a lot more news where I live now and each day someone  is shot or murdered in the Peoria area.  Right now the headlines are ‘Search efforts continue for a missing 73 year old man with Alzheimer’s Disease.’  This is happening so frequently anymore.  This man has been missing since Sunday and I am sure his family is frantic by now.  This brings to mind “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks.  A beautiful story.  I  read the book and have seen the movie.  Makes me cry every time.

Rain is on tap here today through tomorrow.  It is 35 degrees right now.  I have a doctor appointment in the morning so I hope it is through raining by then.

All for now.  I hope you all have a peaceful day.  I am praying that the 73 year old man is found safe.

You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

For my daughter…

Marcia on her birthday 14 February 2012.  I well remember the day you were born.  We didn’t expect you until 22 February but you surprised us all and arrived Valentine’s Day at 10:50 AM.  I find it hard to believe that you went from looking like this:


On your first birthday.  And this is how we looked at Applebee’s at lunch today:

Bad hair day for us both because of the hats.  Can’t wait for Spring.  It is only 35 days away.



Marcia eating her free birthday sundae at Applebee’s today.

Happy Birthday Marcia!

Love,
Mom

Grammy Awards…

I watched the Grammy Awards last night for a little while waiting for 8 PM to watch Desperate Housewives.  First they said a prayer for Whitney Houston which I thought was very nice.  Then a song sung by Bruce Springsteen.  The guy is 63 & 1/2 years old and I am wondering why he thinks he can sing.  Don’t yell at me, we are all entitled  to our opinion.  He chanted the same verse over and over again and at one time during the song he did a split holding the guitar between his legs.  All I could think of when he did that was, boy, I bet that hurt.  I did listen to a few more of the performances and my ears actually hurt.  This is my uncensored critique of the Grammy Awards.

It is 36 days now on the Countdown to Spring.  It is cloudy right now at 28 degrees with a couple of inches of snow due this afternoon, changing to freezing drizzle this evening.  I have already changed bedding and got the laundry done.

I just spoke to my WV sis a few minutes ago.  She made mention of the fact that yesterday, 12 February, was Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.  We are very proud of him here in the state of Illinois for his many accomplishments.  Yesterday no mention was made on the local news (or on the local news) in the state of WV that it was Lincoln’s birthday, although I am sure he will be mentioned on President’s Day 20 February.  The news centered around the death of Whitney Houston.  She was a very talented lady who died prematurely.  Am I getting my point across?

I think now that I might go out and make a quick run to the grocery store.  I hope you all have a good week.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Cookie making…

on the 37th day on the Countdown to Spring.  I made peanut butter cookies and cherry date cookies this morning.  Recipes on my recipe space. 

I thought I might take some over to my new neighbor to welcome her.  I doubt if she will be there very long as I noticed as she was moving that she is very young.   Definitely not an older widower with brown eyes.  lol

Anyway now my back is hurting from standing on my feet for a couple of hours.

It is 27 degrees and bright sunshine here today.  Much nicer than yesterday although snow is predicted for tomorrow.  I hope Valentine’s Day is clear for my daughter’s birthday.  Thinking back through the years, I can remember all kinds of weather on Valentine’s Day, most commonly an ice storm.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

How observant…

are you?  http://blogthings.com/howobservantareyouquiz/  I am not as observant as I thought I was as I couldn’t answer some of the questions on the quiz. 

I was in the kitchen a little while ago putting stuff together for a chicken casserole.  How do I put stuff together for a chicken casserole.  Cooked noodles, cooked chicken cut in small pieces, canned mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, canned peas and whatever else strikes my fancy.  When, knock me over with a feather and call me unobservant, I discovered that my electric stove here has a timer on it.  I have been complaining for almost 2 years that my stove here didn’t have a timer on it.  I will probably jump a foot when the timer goes off. 

It is bitterly cold here this morning on the 38th day on the Countdown to Spring.  The snow didn’t amount to much.  The furnace has been running almost constantly.  I imagine the Ameren (lights, gas) bill will be outrageous as that company was just granted a rate hike.  Seems like every company has been granted a rate hike except for the common person.  There, I am ranting and it isn’t even Wednesday.

I am considering making cornbread to go with the casserole.  My brother in law thought that would be a good with it.

I hope you all are enjoying a peaceful day.  I am hoping my SIL will get me a lotto ticket as one of the lotto jackpots has gone over 300 million.

Stay safe and be happy.

Beth

Would you believe…

it is only 39 days left on the Countdown to Spring and we are on tap for snow and the coldest temps of the winter.  I knew it was too good to be true.

I am just home form grocery shopping and a trip to the bank.  I was out of diet 7-UP and I have to have the stuff on hand.  I have a rotisserie chicken which I am going to have for lunch.  I love the rotisserie chicken from Wal*Mart.  I don’t buy my groceries there though as I think they are quite a bit higher than the other grocery stores in town.  I went from one little IGA store at home to half a dozen good sized grocery stores here.    I shop the sales here and what I have coupons for.

As I mentioned before, the temps are to be dropping all day and the snow is on its way.  Wind chill tonight to reach 10 – 15 below zero.  So I am stocked up on food, my Nook is fully loaded and I have a Phillip Margolin book that I am ready to read.  Could life get any better?  Yes, it probably could but I am thankful for what I have and I consider each day a privilege.

I have a new neighbor in one of the units.  This is the 3rd family I have seen in that unit in the almost 2 years I have been living here.  I had thought about looking for a house to buy when my lease is up 1 April.  I have decided against that as I am waiting to see what life brings to me in the next few months.  I do know that my rent will be raised $10 a month and that is the second raise on the rent.  I am spending enough on rent to buy a house, that is for sure.

Well, I have jabbered away and really not said anything so I guess I will quit jabbering and start thinking about lunch.  I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Enjoy Yourself

You work and work for years and years, you're always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy makin' dough
Someday, you say, you'll have your fun, when you're a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you'll have in your old rockin' chair.

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.

You're gonna take that ocean trip, no matter, come what may
You've got your reservations made, but you just can't get away
Next year for sure, you'll see the world, you'll really get around
But how far can you travel when you're six feet underground?

Your heart of hearts, your dream of dreams, your ravishing brunette
She's left you and she's now become somebody else's pet
Lay down that gun, don't try, my friend, to reach the great beyond
You'll have more fun by reaching for a redhead or a blonde.

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.

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

An old Guy Lombardo song that I remember from when I was a child.  This song has been running through my mind a lot lately.  So I am going out this morning and spend some money.  I still have to get my daughter’s birthday present which is on Valentines day.

Only 40 days left on the countdown to Spring.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Just call me…

sweetheart.  This was a new one for me.  When the receptionist called me from the dentist office yesterday to remind me of my appointment she ended the call with ‘thank you sweetheart.’  I wasn’t quick enough on the draw to say ‘you’re welcome sweetheart’ like Nancy suggested I do. 

Actually yesterday during my stress test I finally decided that I like Dr. G. after all.  I realize that he has my best interest at heart and that is the most important thing.

I had to stop for a minute and get my clothes out of the dryer.

My daughter stopped by on her way to work this morning and cleaned the snow off my car.  No snow on the ground this morning, just on my car.  The next thing on my agenda is the trip to the dentist.  I will finish this post when I get back.

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

I am home from the dentist with my teeth cleaned and x-rays taken.  All is well with that part of my life.  Since the dentist’s office is directly across the street from Kroger of course you know I had to go to the store where I bought a couple of necessary things plus a cherry pie and ice cream which were totally unnecessary.  I am hoping my daughter will stop by for her lunch hour.  Cherry pie happens to be her favorite.  My favorite pie is lemon meringue or banana cream pie with meringue.  Recipes on my recipe space for all 3 pies.  Stop on by, I am fixing fish sandwiches to go with the pie and ice cream.  You are welcome too RB.

It is a bright sunshiny chilly day on this 41st day on the Countdown to Spring,

All for now.  I hope you are all having a great day.  It is important that you stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Yes…

it is only 42 days left on the countdown to Spring.  I am killing time waiting for the time to leave for my appointment.  No breakfast this morning so I will be glad when this is done.

A worker from maintenance has been over here this morning, cleaning out the furnace and putting a new handle on the commode.  I would have said toilet but I didn’t want to offend anyone. LOL That is the best part of renting.  You don’t have to pay for maintenance.  And I will say this, the maintenance here are right on time and all very nice.   I  hope he finishes before I have to leave for my appointment.

It is another foggy, frosty day and the temp right now is 28 degrees.  I think we are supposed to get some rain or snow this afternoon and I hope I am home before then.

The maintenance worker just left which is good because it will take me awhile to get all of the frost off the car.  C’mon Spring.

You know what??  I am hungry for pizza and I just might figure out some way to have that today.  Tomorrow is the dentist and I hate that too.  I equate the dentist to a visitation.  Both equally painful.

I will finish this when I get home.

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I am home from the stress test.  I didn’t have to do the nuclear part of it this time.  Just the EKGs and walking the treadmill.  I had the doctor and two nurses in there with me and it all went well.  I got my pulse rate up to the proper rate and did very well with no AFIB.  Now I am home with a little personal pizza in the oven and I plan to eat the whole thing.

You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

43 days left…

in the countdown to Spring.  It is pretty out this morning but treacherous as a good part of the northern half of Illinois is enveloped in freezing fog.   I know that several flights out of O’Hare have been cancelled.   It is 28 degrees this morning and very foggy.  When you look outdoors everything is white.  It isn’t snow but the freezing fog.   If I didn’t feel so tired this morning I would be out taking pictures. 

I didn’t watch any of the Super Bowl.  I found old reruns of Without a Trace and Bones so in addition to reading a book during commercial breaks I was good to go till bedtime. 

There is nothing new to report here.  I hope this week is a good one for us all.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

44

days to go on the countdown to Spring.  It is beyond gorgeous out today with bright sunshine and 37 degrees.  Just a lovely day to be alive.  I have been out in the sunshine and ventured to the 24 hour Walgreens where they are always busy and call me Mrs. D.

There is hardly any breeze right now and if that continues to be so I am taking a walk in the cemetery after lunch.  I have been asked so many times if it bothers me, living across from a cemetery.  The answer is NO, not at all.  We need to be aware of the living, the dead can’t hurt us.  It is so peaceful walking there.  It is a huge cemetery and I have only covered a small portion of it.  Some of the stones are awesome and some of them tell a sad story.

This is Super Bowl Sunday.  I am not into football.  Jim tried many times through the years to educate me.  lol  He was such a football fan as he played football and lettered in it all 4 years in high school.  I understand nothing about it.  I do watch part of it for the commercials and I will admit some of the players are hunks.  I will be cheering for Boston Boy’s team.  I hope that doesn’t jinx them.

Not much on the agenda today.  No family cooking as I have to watch what I eat for today and tomorrow until I have the stress test done on Tuesday.  Then Wednesday is a dental appointment.  YUCK!!!

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

Beth

A drizzly…

dreary day on day 45 on the countdown to Spring.  It is 37 degrees and I am not complaining, mind you, just stating a fact.  After what has been happening to Colorado with the huge blizzards I consider myself lucky.

It is the day of the month for me to take a picture of ‘the tree.’

Picture taken 4 January 2012 at 10 AM

Picture taken 4 February 2012 at 10 AM

Click on pictures to enlarge.

All for this morning.  You all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

46 days…

and on the downward spiral towards Spring.  I am running so late this morning as I have been to two grocery stores and cleaned them out.  lol  I am definitely well stocked in the grocery line so come on over and  I will feed you.  That means you too RB!

Dr. visit yesterday was more of the same.  Dr. G. was very nice to me and only called me honey a couple of times.  For some reason the doctors all forget we have a name and we are either honey, darlin’, sweetie or young lady.  I really don’t like that.  Please call me by my last name, Mrs. D.  as I have cherished that name for over 50 years.  Even though I may be somewhat over the hill I have a  higher than average IQ.  Nothing new from the visit except that I have to have another stress test next week.  I am wanting to get back in to exercise/working out again (big time) and the doctor says no until I have had another stress test.

Then to the results of the sleep study.  Well, I am pondering that for awhile.  Got enough on my mind as it is.

All for today.  I have to get the groceries put away and in 15 minutes it is time for The Young and the Restless which I am hopelessly addicted to.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

47 days…

till Spring and the groundhog didn’t see his shadow here so that means Spring is right around the corner or 47 days from now, whichever comes first.

I just went outside and snapped a couple of pics to show you how the cemetery looks shrouded in fog with a temp of 27 degrees.   It is lightening up some now as you couldn’t see anything an hour ago.

This picture shows the tree that I will be taking a picture of each month.  Next shot will be 4 February at 10 AM.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

I think I didn’t make myself clear in yesterday’s post.  I moved here from a town of 4300 almost 2 years ago.  It was there that I had a 60 mile round trip to see my doctors and to go to the stores, Meijer, WalMart , Target, etc.  Here most of those places are just a few miles  from me now.  I like it here but I do miss my friends.  I also misspoke when I said the neighbors here didn’t reciprocate.  One of my neighbors moved out at the end of December.  Before she left she put a handwritten note in my mailbox thanking me.  Also 2 of my daughter’s friends (and she has many) that I sent a fruit cake to sent me cards and a gift.   I guess what I was trying to say is that I miss you Sandi and Jo, a lot. 

I have to close for now.  I have a doctor appointment later this morning.  Do stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

And now it is…

February!  The countdown to Spring is 48 days and tomorrow we will find out if the groundhog sees his shadow.  Makes no difference one way or the other; Spring doesn’t begin until 20 March and even that is iffy.  Today is beautiful though.  It is 39 degrees heading to the upper 40s. The sun is shining brightly and that brightens my day.

I am just home from the pharmacy and getting my hair cut.  Lots of people out in the stores.  That is one thing I don’t like about this town.  At home I lived 3 blocks from the post office, 5 blocks from the only grocery store in town and 7 blocks from the fitness center where I worked out.  To really grocery shop I had to drive a 60 mile round trip to Champaign but I only did that once a week.  On either side of me, across the street from me, behind me and catty corner across the street I had neighbors who were friends that I could count on.  I have become friendly with my neighbors here.  It is not the same here and I guess that must be my fault as I haven’t made much of an effort.  I do take them things I bake, etc. and they always thank me but they never reciprocate.  Did I spell that right?  I guess I did as there are no red squiggly lines under the word.

Probably the number one thing I dislike about this town is the fact that my health went all to hell in a  hand basket after I moved here.  Well, I guess it is a good thing that I am living here because what would I do without my daughter and SIL as they are so good to me.

This is Wednesday which we in the blogging world long ago declared to be rant day so I gave you all a long drawn out rant.  lol

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth