80 years of stuff.

Picking my brain and picking cotton, not at all alike.

Birthday Party

Good Morning, Good morning---sun's up and skies are blue Good morning Good morning to you. Hope you kids are doing OK and life is treating you well despite the momentary stress in your lives----somehow it always passes and something else comes along. Finally went to the physician's assistant yesterday, I'd rather see her than the Doctor, after being ill for about a week . I think that Hurricane Ike must have blown in some different bacteria as so many people were down with upper respiratory "crud. Any way she said my lungs were pretty raspy and gave me an injection of Rocephin which is like an elephant gun but it gets rid of strange and ominous bacteria. I'm invited to a birthday party tonight given by a 90 year old for his 80+ roommate. The last time I went over Homer fed me sauerkraut and sausage in a bowl and fork---it was simple but tasty----besides they are pretty interesting and amazing guys so you don't really care, plus the Vodka tonic they fixed was something like getting kicked in the head by a mule but only one to a customer. The next door widow was there who loved dad and she said all kinds of nice things about Dad,----she had one of those Vodka tonics also. All in all it was a fun evening and I got in my golf cart and came home. I'm looking forward to this evening. After I saw the Dr yesterday---who gave me a clean report on my Colonoscopy and holding back a guffaw said "I'll see you in two years". I replied "yeah Doc , God willing and the river doesn't rise-------and the same to you, Ms. Appointment Secretary, who wasn't doing such a good job of holding back with tears of laughter in her eyes and a straight face. So I reverted to Arnold Schwarzenegger, momentarily, and over my shoulder as I opened the chiming door said "I'LL BE BACK" Well it's not good to dwell on yesterday because then you remember that the dishwasher needs to be emptied and the laundry needs to be folded--but here again sad to say I don't have that handsome dude with the white glove on checking out nooks and crannies---yes I spelled that right. Make of it what you will.!! I really must close as I have a lot to do before venturing out tonight. First I'm going to wrap the presents I got for Homer and sign the Birthday card which is great. It says the secret for eternal youth is to LIE!!!! ---then wrap the package of Merci chocolate with 21 little sticks of yummy flavored chocolates from Germany. A small tin of Danish butter cookies, a jar of chocolate Macadamia nuts from Hawaii and a bottle of my homemade Kahlua--TaDa--I just hope he is not diabetic and can't enjoy such beautiful treats. If he is ----then maybe he can use them to entice some willing participants that would like her nook and crannies searched. Next I am going to wax the whole lower jaw to rid it of misplaced eyebrows and lashes. Bought some stuff you warm up in the microwave and with my luck it will explode like the spaghetti sauce did and I'll just have to tell everyone I.m the bearded lady from a passing gypsy tribe. After that I think I will stand on my head for a little while to get everything that is headed south back to heading north so maybe I can show a little cleavage when I head for the party. As it is now ----well I don' think I have a top that is cut that low.. Keep in mind that God loves you and so do I------you have given, purpose, substance, and balance to my incredible life and taught me more than I ever taught you. LUVYA'MOMXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOO

Pralines

The blog is beautiful-----Pralines are the best. If they are packed right they do last. I sent them to my grandson in Okinawa and once those young marines knew he had a package of pralines they gathered around. I always tried to get my pecans in seasen since I live in a state known for it's great tasting Pecans. To save money I bought the bags of cracked and while watching T.V I would shell and clean them and put them away in varying size freezer bags. Then come Christmas or whatever I had already bought my pecans.I did that with a lot of stuff as you know. That's how we have managed to survive with as many kids as we had and as little money as Dad earned in the military. I was always finding ways to stretch my dollars and yet provide my family with thee things they NEEDED-----not necessarily just what they WANTED. We just did'nt have they money. I'm sure you have lots of thrifty tips and people are going to go back to frugal ways to save money. You remember how the little ones used to love blowing bubbles with an old piece of soap and a sewing spool. I recycled all kinds of things and made toys for you kids. (dad said that all he got for christmas was his Dad cut the pockets out of his pants---Yeah he did too say that and then he'd laugh that mischeivious little laugh of his---like he did when he gave the toast---Here'a tae us who' laek us--damn few-)---Thank God I would reply ! Got to get ready to go to work---don't really want to but until they find someone else---however I may give them my notice and scram out of there. I SPENT THE BETTER PORTION OF THE WEEKEND IN BED WEARING A DEPENDS I had a very bad case of 'green-apple quick stomp--feel some better today but still not up to Par. Helen Cowan broke her arm last week.From what I understand from BJ who isn't getting her stories all that straight any more,Helen fell out of bed about four in the morning and laid there several hours---now mind you that made me very sad that she coulnd'nt even get to her phone. FYI--I usually keep at least my cell phone within reach even when I go in to shower--in case I fall.----do you suppose I could get paid doing a freelance column for newspapers and call it "Straight from my Noodle" or something like that? Luv Ya, MOMXXOO

Tournament

Hi Terri-Yes I made it to the tournament and had a decent time. Kaye took her truck as she has some stuff in New Braunfels storage and she left early so I ended up playing 18 holes Thursday and driving home from San Marcus and went back to work on Friday, worked one shift on Saturday and two on Sunday. worked Monday and Tuesday,came home and went to bed where I have been for the most part with an evil cold and cough. Finally made it to the doctor on Friday for an elephant shot in the Po of Rocephin and to the other Dr for a report on my Colonoscopy which was good. Picked up a few things at the grocery and came home and bagged it in. I have just really been taking it easy as our rally for the cure is Wednesday and I have been looking forward to it for a year and do not want to miss it. Your opportunity sounds good. You are so bright and capable. I set some pork chops out earlier and had some sweet potatoes that were beginning to become house plants---I cut off the growing ends and set them up in a bowl to continue growing and baked the other end along with the lemon pepper chops so I have had a great supper and heading back to the bed and will try to go back to work tomorrow. I called in yesterday and told them I wouldn't be in this week end. I ended up 5th gross in my flight out of 20 women in the flight. Did really good on the back 9 with a 52 and 53 but the front nine ate my lunch. Take care of yourself and I'll write again soon--Luv Ya' MOMXXOO

Good Morning!

Good Morning, good morning ---Suns up and the skies are blue---Good morning, good morning to you. Thanks so much for the great email. It completely changed my mood, I was a little whipped as I worked over the week end and went to Sean and Dianna's Then yesterday I babysat for Annie. Her babies are truly great and they love each other---so I really enjoyed the day. I made Manicotti for Sean and Dianna on Friday. They ate only about half of it and Sean does not eat leftovers ---so I brought it home with me and added a little more sauce and cheese and warmed it up for Annie's family, along with a huge pot of butter beans and ham. Dianna made a wonderful Ham on Sunday---she was going to throw away the bone and surrounding meat so instead I brought it home with me and fixed the beans. Annie was happy. She loves Manicotti and Stuart loves butter beans and I also made cornbread--I was really good. Also there is a fruit stand between here and Frisco and I bought some lovely local peaches----fixed some for both families. I used to take the kids and Ann's kids from Justin to Forestburg peach picking every summer. I didn't realize that Dad had never been peach-picking before so after we moved up here and I missed having fresh peaches, I talked Dad into going with me---I explained to the farmer that Dad was a Yankee and had never been peach picking before. He gave Dad the royal treatment---put Dad on the flat bed trailer,Behind his tractor and drove him through the orchard looking for the biggest, ripest juiciest peach to give to Dad. It was a beauty and Dad relished it with juice running down his chin and forearms finished it off with gusto, wiped his face and hands with that ever handy handkerchief that he always carried in his pocket and asked if there was another in the orchard which truly delighted The farmer, Dad and I gathered a couple of bushels, came home and put them in the freezer. Dad loved the fresh peaches to put in Sangria and on his ice cream and peach cobbler. He just didn't know how much it took to get them from the tree to the freezer. I have written quite a lot of stuff and I am going to start sending it to you, I am cooking some bones and odd meat that has been trimmed off meats I was cooking and put in the freezer. It truly smells like a walk down the German streets and passing their restaurants-----you remember that beautiful aroma that made you want to go right in and order a bowl of" knodl suppe" Have to go now. I love you MOMXXOO

Gruss aus Lake Kiowa

Good Afternoon my beauties and handsome guy!!!! A note to bring you up to date. No, no my dearest Terri---all is well ! I went this morning to get my Colonoscopy---Aside from a couple of small polyps and some diverticulitis which are little pockets in the colon and not at all unusual for my mileage all was well ---I do try to watch my diet and eat stuff like oatmeal------not a lot of fast food or ready cooked freezer meals ----I have got to get serious about losing this weight. I nearly died when I saw how much I weighed, So I have to get serious about it and quit digging my grave with my teeth-----besides you never Know when I might get Sean Connery in as a resident in one of the cozillion Senior citizen centers that employs me-----No I haven't slipped off the deep end----its probably the Versed they give you when they take you to Surgery. WOWEEEWOW---now you see them, now you don't-----they could have cut off my head and I don't think I would have known it. Annie came and got me @ 6:30 this morning and brought me home. She works there and everyone knows her and seems to respect her. She really has her hands full with two little ones, working four days a week so they can have health insurance (and those bleeding hearts that don't want that illegal sent back to a hospital that has agreed to accept him in Mexico make me sick -----They should be sent back with him.) Now where was I? Their new home is about finished--she designed it and they have some really good craftsmen out there as is Stuart and I think they barter with each other for services. The house sits on three acres of land with a fabulous view out a little ways from Muenster. Sarah is happy about being out of Gainesville High School. Also the north end of Gainesville is slowly becoming little Mexico and a lot of the stuff that goes with it----gangs,etc. I made a huge batch of Kahlua Last night which ought to be well seasoned by Christmas if it last that long . My list of recipients keeps getting longer and longer. I may even try my hand at Fruitcake this year and soak it in Rum like I used -----Hey Tom! do you remember the Col's kid that was your friend there in Camp King that spent a lot of time at our house around Christmas and got "blitzed" on eggnog (dad made that with no shortage of rum) and the rum soaked fruitcake. God love him his Mama was dead and his Dad was a Col.and he didn't know what living really was until he started hanging out with you and Mike. I wonder where he is today and if he remembers those good times. So much for today---I'm gonna go cook some cabbage and watch the Olympics. I am only working one place this weekend.May never go back to the Other place and I told the Director,my friend , that I didn't need that kind of aggravation---the cat-fight was on I got there last Saturday and did not let up. So I called Sunday and told them I was having trouble walking--which was the truth and went back to bed and went to work about 2pm at the other facility. I love you guys with all my heart. Stay well and safe, May God Bless and keep you in his warm and loving care and give you the strength you need to get through whatever it is you need to get through. MOMXXXXXXOOOOOO

How about them apples.

Hi-I was writing you a really nice email telling you how happy I was to get your address ---the phone rang , I moved away from the computer and the letter disappeared. That makes me want to throw the computer in the Lake. I hope you can deal with this heat. I played golf yesterday @ Legacy Ridge in Bonham. It is a neat course---9 regular holes and 9 like in Scotland, a links course with a lot of high natural trash where you can get in a world of hurt if you don't think and play smart . Well I was in trouble on two holes--took a 12 on one and 9 on another. Other than that I did OK, except for 18 holes in blazing heat like being in satan's kitchen & heading for shade trees as often as possible----playing with an 82 year old that was a really nice person but slower than Molasses in winter--and climbing little hills that grew taller as the day wore on. Even at that I was only one stroke away from winning a golf ball that would have cost me only 50 bucks counting play day fees and contribution to gas fund of the gal who drove but all in all it was a fun day, (as Dad used to say "we don't talk about strokes on the golf course"). I haven't made it to any of the outside play days yet this year due to work schedule. Everyone (except for those I regularly beat on play day) was so happy to see me there and welcomed with hugs and how you doing--it's good to see you--we've missed you. Most of them think I'm pretty much a character because one time it started raining and we had to call the match. A few of us entertained the group--me being one of them--with my quirky, off color geriatrics jokes and a few stories about marriage and having children and how to survive both. It's 5 o'clock and I am still in my pj's. What a life. I rolled over today after the price is right and slept til almost 3. I am working 16 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday so I wanted to take it easy today. It just dawned on me that I should be writing a column for some news paper about how to survive the Golden Years(what!!!!). If you think so to let me know---I know Deb got a couple of chuckles out of it. My next letter I'll tell you about my dinner party and the great day I had playing golf with a retired Lt Col. Air Force who could shoot his age and we were paired with a young couple in their late forties (a four man scramble) who were wondering what they had done to deserve two old Dino's like us---but by the 7th hole when Clark said " I shot my age out here the other day" and the young couple said" WHAT!" "Yeah Clarke said I shot a 90--to which they replied" there's no way you can be 90" "Yeah I am, both my kids are on Social Security. I had made several putts and some chips that were truly brag worthy and Hi fivers--they both looked at me in unison and I said I'm probably the only Octogenarian you know with three time cards in her purse-----I'm 84.We won 4th out of about 20 teams and only 3 strokes off 1st place. How about them apples. LUV YA MOMXXOO

Back to school?

Terri------ When is your school and do you think I could benefit from it? I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to keep up the long hours I put in on the weekends but I need something to keep me going that seems to me to be productive. I could play bridge and start drinking at noon but that's not my bag. How long is the school and where is it? and is it just so you can work for them. Gonna go take a bath and clean up----I can't even stand to smell myself. Gonna try out some of those gadgets you bought me------I don't know why it is that I just can't seem to be o.k. with just hanging out or laying around and watch movies all day without thinking I'm wasting time God only knows I have worked hard all my life and deserve to take a break---I'll talk myself into it one of these days LUV YAMOMXXOO Tommy just called from Phoenix They were on the road for 9 days and said if we thought we had high gas Canada is worse. They sell It by the liter up there . It cost $1.76 per liter. He and Deb are living in an apartment until their house closes in Alaska--he will still be working for Alaska airlines. I Love you MOMXXOO

Melancholy

Hi Sandy, Thanks for the email. For some reason I am so melancholy tonite. I just miss Dad so and it does not get better with time . He drove me nuts sometimes but that's who he was. I miss his hugs which he did often and the three kisses which was his trademark. I am having a lot of problem walking. I did get my house looking great today and stated putting my new bar chairs together and Jarrod came by and finished the job. They are really pretty and match the dining room furniture. they are black leather and well built.---look really nice.. I am going to see Terri tomorrow if the weather is good.I still have her album here that I made her for Christmas---do not know where the time goes. I will call you in the morning and give you the number for the time share. I am looking forward to the Military women's tournament in September. Made some extra copies of the schedule for some of the retired military here. I also unpacked today my birthday present--a new set of clubs. They are really nice I am looking forward to trying them out. Thought I would check out a stationary bike tomorrow and put it in front of the TV and maybe I can get motivated to lose some weight. I have been buying more fruit . The cantaloupe I had today was fabulous. I have Mangoes, Watermelon ,avocados and boiled up a couple of ears of fresh corn two nights ago I need to pick up some more salad. I am happy too that I don't have to get up and go to work---and can just turn over and go back to sleep if I want to. Goodnight for now---Gonna drop Megan a line. Luv ya MOMXO