YAY!! Cardinals won!!!

on to game 2!!

The weekend was pretty stormy with rain all day Saturday and off and on again yesterday.  I went out between rain showers yesterday to take a couple of pictures of what is happening to the trees by the cemetery.

 

This is ‘the tree’ that I have been taking a picture of on the 4th day of each month so far this year.  You can see if you click on the photo that the tree must have been very pretty in years gone by.

This is just a general view of the cemetery from my back door.  It was too wet for me to walk on over through the grass for better pics.  This was taken from my back door.  And then the rain started again and the temps fell 20 degrees.

And then I settled down to watch the Cardinal game.  It was very exciting!!  And they won 6 – 4.  It was a bit nerve wracking when the Giants tried to make a comeback, and now on to game 2.

It is a new week and I am all set to make the most of it. The sun is trying to shine.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.  Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

More from my walk…

in the cemetery a couple of weeks ago.

I love this verse.

Very interesting sentiment here.

And this, the simplest verse of all, is my favorite.

*****

I am stuck in the house today as I am waiting for a package to be delivered by FedEx.  I have no idea what time they deliver here.  So I am in the waiting mode.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Walking in the cemetery…

Yesterday was such a beautiful day I took a walk through the part of the cemetery closest to me.  It is a huge cemetery which is miles long.

This stone in particular caught my eye.  The verse on it is wonderful.

It was peaceful but sad walking in the cemetery.  There is no green grass.  The only thing green there is the weeds.  The ground crunches underneath as you walk.

Some of the trees are losing their leaves way too soon.  I have more pictures which I will show at another time.

Stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Fantastic Friday…

Oh my, the garage sales, so many and I was worn out long before we found them all.  North Pekin alone was having a community sale of 40 or more homes.  My daughter and I went to several in town and then to quite a few in the community sale.  I got several books including 2 cookbooks put together by different groups.  I love that kind of cookbook.  It is my kind of cooking.  Lots of really nice Christmas trays and tins.  I do a lot of goodie giving at Christmas and I never ask for the container to be returned (unless it is one of my kids.)   Then we stopped for a bite to eat and then home.

Not a good picture taken from the inside of my car.

It was in the low 40s when we started out this morning.  It has climbed all of the way  up to58 degrees now.  Can you imagine garage saling on the first day of June wearing, jeans, sweatshirt and a winter coat?  Yep, that was me.  My daughter wasn’t dressed quite so winter like but then she is 20 years younger than me and healthier. 

Three men ages 24, 23, and 19 were arrested for vandalizing my cemetery.  Just as I suspected they were not juveniles but adult drunks. 

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x639970681/Alcohol-fueled-cemetery-vandalism-police-say    

My furnace wasn’t working this morning when I got up.  Maintenance came and fixed it while I was gone.  That is one good thing about renting.

I hope you all have a peaceful 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

And the wind always blows in Chicago…

and downstate too.  What happened to the sun??  It  is another dreary windy morning in central Illinois.  I stepped out my back door a few minutes ago and took a couple of pictures.

A  very pretty tree in the cemetery, even prettier when the sun is shining on it.

Glancing to the right you get a view of the trees blowing in the wind.  It is sharply colder this morning and for the next week temps at night are to be in the 30s.  I am glad I don’t have my tomato planted yet.

I think that I will do some more closet cleaning.  I am getting stuff ready for Goodwill.  I am pitching what I haven’t worn in awhile.  Then maybe I will be motivated to buy some new clothes.  My daughter tells me I am too picky when it comes to buying clothes and I guess I am.  I can’t understand why clothes in size 10 are all designed for teeny boppers.  Most of the tops are semi sheer material.  I am always depressed when I come back from shopping for clothes.  I usually end up buying something for my kids and nothing for myself.

Nothing significant happening right here.  My heart goes out to the tornado victims over the weekend.  It did thunder and lightning here last night and I had to turn the computer off for awhile.  I would hate for something to happen to it along with the TV.  That would be too much.

I hope this is a really good week for us all.  I have a couple of appointments and I am hoping that is all that is pressing this week.  Do stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

When The Wind Blows In Chicago :  ~S. Turner & A. Murphy~

Well here I am in Chicago all alone near the place where we met
I walk through the rain the wind whispers your name oh why won't they let me forget
Cause when the wind blows I get lonely and one day for sure you left behind
But the wind always blows in Chicago so I'm lonely most all of the time
Folks looks so happy on State Street they don't know that our love's not the same
There's a crowd all around but I don't hear a sound
Just the wind when it whispers your name
And when the wind blows I get lonely and one day for sure you left behind
But the wind always blows in Chicago so I'm lonely most all of the time
Yes I'm lonely most all of the time.

I love that song.  And the wind always does blow in Chicago.

SNOW and the countdown is…

68!  We are under a winter advisory here for blizzard like conditions.  It is snowing like crazy and the wind is whipping around.  the storm is to last until 6 AM tomorrow.  Should I mention again that I do not like snow.  It wasn’t so bad until I had to handle it all on my own and now I dread it each winter.

The storm has just started and this is what my car looks like now.  This photo also shows the tree that I am taking a picture of each month for the year.  If you click on the pic you can also see the cemetery in the background.

So I am hunkered down and ready to face the day.  I have plenty of books and my Nook is filled with over 90 books so I guess I  will be OK.  Boston Boy, take note that I have bread, milk, eggs, and deli meat and cheese on hand.  Watch out for tomorrow ‘cause I think this is headed your way.

hunkeredpast participle, past tense of hunk·er (Verb)

Verb:

1. Squat or crouch down low: "he hunkered down beside her".
2. Take shelter in a defensive position: "hunker down and let it blow over".

Definition #2 is the one I am using today.

For my Twin, I hope your wall unit is delivered safe and sound today.  Don’t take any crap from anyone and make them all wipe their feet.

I am getting into my hunkered down position so you all stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

My photo of the month…

This tree is between my house and the cemetery.  It is very old and parts of it is dead.  I just hope the cemetery association doesn’t decide to cut it down before I get all 12 photos.

This photo was taken on 4 January 2012 at 10:00 AM.

It is a beautiful bright sunshiny day out.  The temp is up to 34 degrees already.  A welcome change after the bitter cold and wind of the last few days.  Tomorrow it is to be in the 50s.  C’mon Spring!!  The countdown to Spring has begun.  Only 76 more days!!

I made a quick run to the store this morning.  School is back in session so the traffic is lighter and the stores are not so crowded.  Hooray for school.  lol

Let’s see, on my agenda for today??  Maybe clean a little bit.  Definitely need to make some phone calls. 

Do stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Seems never ending…

Yesterday was really messed up.  I called my doctor’s office to speak to the nurse about the med that is giving me all of this trouble.  This was at 8:30 in the morning.  they called me back at 4:50PM to tell me that because this one doctor didn’t write the prescription I would have to go through the one that did.  Too late in the day so I had to call this morning.  I thought it was all straightened out until I picked up the med from the pharmacy.  The instructions on the bottle were not what the nurse had told me to take.  Now I am in the hold mode waiting for the nurse to get back to me to clarify that.  By the time all of this piddleyfarting is done my BP will be sky high. 

Without the offending med I have felt pretty good today although exasperated.  I am pretty sure that is the word I am meaning to say although torqued or p’d off might also describe the way I am feeling. Not my usual pleasant self and that is a fact.

Putting all of the misery aside, it is a lovely day; the sun is shining and it has warmed up to 65 degrees right now and I thank God I am here to enjoy it.

I tasted the fruit cake and it is really good.  Anyone that wants a piece, stop by.  Not you bro, cause I know you don’t like it.  And my real little bro is doing pretty well.  He is in therapy, hoping to regain his lost memory.  This is especially hard for him as he was very active in his church and local groups and also taught a driver’s ed class for AARP.  Rae got an excellent report from her surgery as did my daughter for her colonoscopy.

This is just an update, nothing much to write about.  If I feel good tomorrow I plan another walk in the cemetery.  I hope this week is being good to you all.  stay safe and be happy!!

Beth

Another doctor visit…

I saw the cardiologist this morning.  I have been having some problems with the meds clashing with one another so the merry go round is spinning again.  I hope I am not allergic to the new med.  Tomorrow I go back to the cardiologist to be fitted with a Holter heart monitor which I will wear for 30 days.  This will be a pain in the wazoo but I agree that it has to  be done to see how the meds are controlling the A-fib.  (irregular heartbeat)  I have so many doctor appointments the next few weeks that I have stopped counting.  Mixed in with all of that I have a dental appointment too. 

After the doctor visit my daughter and I stopped for scripts, then to pay bills, then to Kroger then back to Avanti’s where we had lasagna with salad and warm bread and butter.  I brought half of mine home as I don’t seem to have much appetite lately.

During my walk in the cemetery the other day I stopped to read many of the stones.  Below is a very interesting one.

If you will click on the pic you will be able to read the verse.

And now, I am absolutely worn out.  You all stay safe and be happy.

HUGS!!!

Beth

A peaceful walk…

in the cemetery.  Yesterday afternoon was lovely so I gathered up my keys, cell phone and camera and headed across the back yard to the cemetery.  I know that might spook some people out but it is a very calming walk for me.

This little fellow was the only living thing I saw yesterday except for

an old gentleman who was hidden behind this tree watering it.  I told him hi, we discussed the weather, decided we needed some rain, and I went on my way,

You can see the colors are not as pretty this year as last and many of the leaves are falling fast without changing color.

Tomorrow is to be in the mid 70s.  I am looking forward to that and then it is back to freezing temps and the dread of ice and snow.

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

Beth

Lovely day for our trip..

It has been partly sunny so far today and we made the trip in good time.  While there we stopped for a visit with my beautician Sherri, then on down the main street to the specialty pharmacy where Sandi works (she compounds special drugs) then out to the cemetery to put the flowers on Jim’s grave.  This is close by where my friend Christine has an assisted living room in the Knight’s Templar nursing home where we visited with her for about half an hour.  Then on down to visit a minute with my friend Jo who with her family run a trucking company.  She wasn’t there as she is in South Carolina at her grandson’s helping care for her new great grandbaby who was a preemie. Her daughter, son and granddaughter were there and were getting ready to Call Jo right away tell her that we had been there. Wonderful to see them  and get big hugs from them all.  I had some wonderful friends there.  I wasn’t able to see Anne and Bill (who has stage 4 cancer), I will try to call them tonight.  I drove by my old home and was heartsick for a minute seeing the high grass and the weeds in the yard, and then I remembered, that is not my home any more.

While in my old home town I spotted a garage sale on the way to the cemetery.  I couldn’t pass that up.

I noticed as we were going into town that gas right off the interstate was still $4.19 a gallon.  I filled up in town for $3.75 this morning.  Here in Pekin it is pretty well set at $3.84 a gallon.

Now on our way home we stopped at a new Avanti’s restaurant in Bloomington where we had a bowl of clam chowder soup, hot bread and butter and chicken parmesan.  Not too bad although I think the Avanti’s here in Pekin has better hot bread.

Click on the pics for a larger view.

As we were traveling through Bloomington I saw all kinds of new buildings, such as Bob Evans, a Holiday Inn and several more places.  I do think the economy is making a bit of a recovery.

All for now, I will visit you all later.

  Beth

Walking in the cemetery…

I am just home from a walk in the cemetery behind my house.  It is just beautiful there today, so peaceful, well except for a little dog that was being walked.  He yapped at me,  Reminded me of the mini pins I left when I moved here.

So lovely, nothing but peace here.

Everything is budding out and the shrubs are green.  The lilac bushes aren’t blooming yet but my Twin took a lovely picture of one for me.

Beautiful.

A wonderful day for a walk.
I loved this one, not sure if the nickname was Spud or Smitty.  I am sure he knows. 

This one is great, OLT as if to say, I had one life to live and I lived it the best way I knew how.

Click on the photos to make them larger.  I will be exploring a different part of the cemetery on my next walk
.
I also had my hair cut today, so for today, I am having a good hair day.  I hope you all are having one too.  The floor is all yours Boston.

  Beth