Not So Sweet

                 

Hi again. I don`t really know why I haven`t posted an entry in so long.

Remember I said I was having headaches for like two weeks straight? I no longer have them once I figured out what was causing them >>> Aspartame - the artificial sweetener in Diet Coke! If you research aspartame online you will see that it is bad bad bad. Bad news. It`s in many products and has been known to cause severe migraines in some people. I also read where it can cause depression and mimic signs of MS and fibromyalgia! I stopped drinking the diet soda and the excruciating headaches went away.

It`s been hot here. In the 90`s kind of hot. I`m not a summer person. I`m not enjoying this. We have many festivities and concerts going on as Football Hall of Fame week is being celebrated here. I haven`t gone to any of them. Somehow the idea of strolling through a  mass of smelly bodies squashed together in 90 degree temps while smelling cotton candy and corn dogs mixed with the scent of port-a-potties just doesn`t appeal to me.

I was asked to go see fireworks tonight by an old "friend." ( I use that term very loosely here. ) Okay, we used to date. There was a lot of drama. I declined. It just didn`t feel right.

I can`t wait until Corey gets home. She`s been on the other half of the world long enough!

I`m probably a tad old to be listening to these young emo bands but I love them. My favorite is Jack`s Mannequin. Andrew is 23 or 24 and survived the same kind of leukemia as me. We were both diagnosed in 2005. We are both well now. Please donate blood - it saves lives!!!

 

I also love The Academy Is and The All-American Rejects.

                    

I have a great song of theirs playing on my Myspace page. Check it out. My page is pretty!   :)

http://www.myspace.com/pennysplace2gogh

Have a wonderful weekend. I hope to catch up with journals soon!

Tags: Aspartame, Myspace, Jack`s Mannequin, Andrew McMahon, The Academy Is, The All American Rejects, leukemia, donate blood

Big Kosher Pickle!

 

 

My friend Cathie and I had dinner tonight at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Do you have those restaurants where you live? ( Named after the Jimmy Buffet song. )

Cheeseburger in paradise (paradise)
Medium rare with mustard 'be nice (paradise)
Heaven on earth with an onion slice (paradise)
I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise

I like mine with lettuce and tomato
Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer.......

Well, when this particular song started to play in the restaurant all the employees gathered round the bar to clap their hands and sing along. One brawny guy was especially fond of the BIG KOSHER PICKLE line. He just cracked me up!!

I had a festive drink with rum, fresh pineapples, and strawberries ... (Hey, keeping it healthy. Heh heh) The strawberry in my drink was wearing sunglasses. Very cool!

 

I`ve had headaches for 2 weeks now. I rarely ever get headaches until now. They feel like tension headaches, all around my head and down the back of my head into my neck. Help me!

I have some days off so I hope to catch up on journal reading. It`s been a very busy week here in my little piece of Ohio.

Thanks to Missie for the darling name tag!

Happy weekend.    :)

Tags: big kosher pickle

Blue Skies

           

        

Today was one of those beautiful summer days - blue skies, white fluffy clouds, green grass, and rows of corn dancing in the breeze. I`m happy to be off work and enjoying it.

In New Zealand it`s already tomorrow, so my daughter has some free time to shop and have some fun. It`s been a good week there, with warmer temps and no rain.

There hasn`t been much going on here lately and the things that have been going on I don`t much feel like writing about.                    

I took a couple days off to pick up Corey once she gets home next month. She will have just turned 21 so we will celebrate her birthday once she is home from NZ. Then back to college, beginning her 4th year - WOW!

I`m pretty sure I have some time off after Thanksgiving that I`m going to use to visit my brother and SIL in Indianapolis. I`m feeling the need for a little road trip.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

Thanks to PinkCreations for this awesome tag and

Thanks to Donna for the marina dock graphic

Touch of The Master`s Hand

Well it was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer felt it was hardly worth his while,
To waste much time on the old violin but he held it up with a smile,
"Well it sure ain`t much but its all we got left I guess we ought to sell it too,
Oh, now who’ll start the bid on this old violin?
Just one more and we’ll be through. "

And then he cried," One  - give me one dollar,
Who`ll make it two only two dollars who`ll make it three,
Three dollars twice now that`s a good price,
Now who`s gonna bid for me?
Raise up your hand now don`t wait any longer the auction`s about to end,
Who`s got four- Just one dollar more - to bid on this old violin?"

Well the air was hot and the people stood around as the sun was setting low,
From the back of the crowd a gray haired man,
Came forward and picked up the bow,
He wiped the dust from the old violin then he tightened up the strings,
Then he played out a melody pure and sweet, sweeter than the Angels sing,
And then the music stopped and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low he said now what am I bid,
For this old violin and he held it up with a bow.

And then he cried out," One -  give me one thousand,
Who`ll make it two only two thousand who`ll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that`s a good price,
C`mon, who’s gonna to bid for me?"

And the people cried out ,"What made the change? We don’t understand!"
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
"It was the touch of the Master’s hand."

You know there`s many a man with his life out of tune,
Battered and scarred with sin and he’s auctioned cheap,
To a thankless world much like that old violin,
Oh, but then the Master comes,
And that old foolish crowd they never understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is rought,
Just by one touch of the Masters hand.

And then he cried out," One -  give me one thousand,
Who’ll make it two only two thousand who’ll make it three,
Three thousand twice you know that’s a good price,
C`mon, who’s gonna bid for me?"

And the people cried out, "What made the change? We don’t understand!"
Then the auctioneer stopped and he said with a smile,
It was the touch, that’s all it was; it was the touch of the Master’s hand,

Tags: Touch of the Master`s Hand, Wayne Watson

To Part With A Port?

             

Greetings one and all.

Today I went to the Cleveland Clinic for my 3 - month check up and bloodwork. This was my first time going there since my meds and chemo have been completed!

The drive there takes me about an hour and I did some reflecting along the way. I`ve been there so many times I feel as though I could drive it with my eyes closed! North on the expressway to downtown Cleveland by Jacob`s Field where the Indians play, merge right; go two exits and turn right .... and so the journey goes.

When I was first diagnosed with leukemia and taken to the CC I was terrified. I knew I was in bad shape when they transported me there. It was to be my home for the next month until I was discharged and then I would spend up to 4 or 5 days a week there after that . Long days of chemotherapy. Ofcourse I couldn`t drive there myself. My brother took me.

Bone marrow tests, hair loss, chemo shot into my spine several times, wheelchairs, barf buckets, shingles, dozens of blood transfusions, pneumonia, learning to give myself shots, sores in my mouth, mouth tasting like tarnished coins, blurred vision, weight loss -- just a few of the bad things.

The love of my family and friends, visitors, cards, flowers, magazines, teddy bears, food when it tasted good, new pajamas and slippers, new friends and fellow patients, amazing doctors and nurses, lots of prayers and more prayers and an abundance of blessings -- just a few of the good things.

So I`m thinking about all this as I`m driving along. The sun is shining, my CD player  is blaring, my real hair blowing in the breeze!  :)

My bloodwrok was good. I met with my doctor. We discussed whether or not to leave the port in my chest. The port is hidden under the skin.  My blood is drawn from it and when I had chemo, that`s the way it was administered from an IV into my port. It`s a small surgical procedure to have it removed. Or it can be left in "just in case."

I told my doctor that I probably won`t be keeping it, that I didn`t plan on needing it.

He smiled and said, "That`s exactly what I was thinking. "

Tags: leukemia, prayers, Cleveland Clinic,

Too Hot

Okay, it`s over 90 degrees here today. Thankfully I went to an air conditioned church - onto an air conditioned restaurant - onto air conditioned Kohl`s and now I`m in my air conditioned home! I do step outside now and then.

Funny thing is, I never used to care or even paid any attention to the temperature. It`s 90 degrees? So what, I was ready to get a tan and then go out and have fun. There`s a blizzard? It never stopped my friends and I from going anywhere. ( We even slept in the car once in a hotel parking lot in Detroit during a snow storm. Who heads farther north in February?? )

Anyhow, on the other side of the world my daughter says it`s really cold in New Zealand and she has purchased a winter coat! She loves it there, though. I have been researching NZ quite a bit over the past couple months and it is one place I`d really love to go.

So I bought pajamas today at Kohl`s. Nothing like new pj`s. I had a gift card so that`s why I went as I`m broke otherwise! I love Sundays and going to church, but I find I do tend to get a tad lonely later in the afternoon, so I tried to stay busy today and it has helped.

I`ve been divorced now for close to 5 years, separated a year before that. I keep hoping for that nice Christian gentleman to come along and fill the gap that I sometimes feel in my life. It is something I pray about and if it`s meant to be I know God will bring him my way when the time is right.

I hate to whine or complain when I am so blessed. And one thing I don`t do very often is make myself vulnerable or express myself emotionally in this journal. There are some things going on that I just don`t discuss here. But I`m definitely "the glass is half full" kind of a person. I`m learning more and more each day to truly trust in the Lord in all matters and it keeps me even.

Well, I`m off to read some journals and shower and have a big glass of cold Pepsi.   :)

 

The latest good book I`m reading is River Angel by A. Manette Ansay.

Tags: New Zealand, God, blessed, Christian gentleman where are you!

Morning Aerobics

At the start of your morning when the first alarm goes off, sit up in bed stretching right arm out to hit snooze. Relax. When it goes off again 9 minutes later, repeat process.

When cell phone alarm goes off extend left arm as far as possible and bob it up and down several times while searching for phone. Flex fingers over the dials until snooze setting is activated. Relax.

Repeat process for 30 minutes.

 

........ So my morning goes.

It`s rough when you`re not a morning person.

 

Today Mandy went to the groomers for a haircut. This morning I told her to hurry and go potty because we were going >>>>> (magic words) >>>>> BYE BYES.  Wow, did she do her business fast and run for the car!

After dropping her off, it was on to McDonald`s for my morning unsweetened iced tea.   :)  Then I washed and dried my car. By 10 am it was already 80 degrees. I filled up my car with gas. It`s $2.93 a gallon but with my Speedway rewards card I get 5 cents off per gallon, so make that $2.88.

Later my mom and I are going out to lunch and picking up Mandy. Speaking of my mom, she fell again the other day. I cannot get her up when this happens. She wasn`t hurt. So we called 911 and 3 guys came and lifted her right up. I never saw such nice looking rescue guys in my life! Wowza! One of them actually made friends with my dog, which is no easy feat.

Corey, as you know, is in New Zealand. They flew to a different part recently and now they have access to phones and computers. I like hearing from her more often. :) They are helping to establish ministries at the schools while they are there. Much work to be done and it`s very exciting for her.

I do indeed have Swimmer`s Ear. Not that I swim, but whatever. The doc gave me ear drops and they are helping.

I just can`t quite get over my feeling of Blah-ness. Not sure what exactly that`s all about and it`s not like me. I feel like sleeping and it`s hard to get motivated lately. Maybe because I`m not on any specific routine in my life right now. Also, I know this sounds weird, but summer is not my season. If it could be like autumn year `round I`d love it!

I hope you have a wonderful day.

thanks, Donna!

Who Could It Be?

               

            Anyone you know?

 

              

 She takes pictures of her feet

 

              

              And reads a lot

 

              

    ..... And lives in Ohio .....

Happy 4th

       

Happy 4th of July!

Independence Day is truly worth celebrating. How blessed we are to live in the United States!

 

 

 

Today`s a restful day for me. I didn`t have any plans so I slept in really ( really ) late. My mom wanted to go out to eat so we had dinner at Bob Evan`s. Later I went to Walmart to get a few groceries.

Today was cloudy and cool. We had a bit of hard rain in the early evening but it didn`t last long. So everyone who went out to enjoy fireworks shouldn`t be disappointed. I can hear then beginning now, but I can`t see them from my house for all the trees.

 

 

I logged onto the blog about the New Zealand trip and was thrilled to see that they had updated it.... and with pictures of my daughter, too!  :)

Tomorrow I will be going to the doc. I`ve diagnosed myself with Swimmer`s Ear - which you don`t have to go swimming to get, by the way. Then I`ll be meeting a friend for lunch. And I hope to walk at the park again.

I hope you`ve all had a happy and safe holiday.

 

 

Tags: Independence Day

Tagged

I`ve been seeing a lot of these tags in journals today and then lo and behold I go over to visit one of my favorite journals Good Morning Sunshine ! and find I`ve been tagged too! Thank you, my dear and fellow Ohioan. Your journal is so encouraging and uplifting. I look forward to reading it every day!

According to the Rules of the Award, I'm to pass the Award on to 5 other "girls" whose blogs I read and enjoy.  And they, in turn, pass it on to 5 girls blogs that they enjoy.

That`s a tough one, I think. There are so many good journals out there worth reading.

I`m not sure who`s been tagged and who hasn`t but here`s my 5 girls >>>>

Good Morning Sunshine !  ( listed above )

Cab's Creations   This is Chris` tag journal which has somewhat turned into her personal journal as well. Chris was one of my very first J-Land friends and I`ve also met her personally. She`s on a bit of a computer hiatus at the moment due to some personal stuff. Hey Chris, we miss ya!

visions  This is a fairly new journal started by my friend Betsy who lives in Connecticut. It`s an interesting story of how I know her. We originally met as pen pals when we were teenagers! She visited me in Ohio, I visited her in Connecticut and we would go to NYC. Then I moved to NY and we would continue to get together. Then growing up and busy lives lead us apart and we have recently been in touch again over the past year or so. She is a wonderful photographer. I hope you`ll check her out! Maybe her and I will even get together again sometime! :0)

Damaged Goods Too  Lisa Jo has gone private, but I have to include her in my list. Also a fellow Ohioan, she writes one of my favorite journals! It`s an honest expression of her thoughts, feelings, rants , and raves. Love ya LJ!

Missie's Upside Down World Missie tells of her daily happenings with her family and let`s not forget the pets! She`s a stay at home mom who keeps pretty busy with all that she has going on. She also makes some great tags!

A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR, PLEASE...  Stop by and say hello to Sugar, another of my favorite ladies. Her journal is full of uplifting stories, cute graphics, and prayer requests for fellow journalers. Stop by her other journals as well and shake some paws with her furr babies.  :)

 Times of My Life, One Nurse's Story  Pam`s journal is private. I love her stories about work and her friendships. There always seems to be something going on! She lives in California and posts some beautiful pictures of her day trips as well.

Please don't take life for granted. Lisa is another fellow Ohioan. She suffers with chronic pain but still manages to keep the faith and pass on some encouraging words.

Be Still...... Know that GOD has ALL the answers.... :o)

Katie is - do you believe it? Another Ohio girl! Ohio rocks! This is a happy journal filled with funny stories as only she can write them. Her sidebar pics are just awesome and very inspiring. She`s one of my newer friends who I`m so glad I met!

 

OOOooooooops, did I say tag five  people?

 

A New Me ( ...at least for today... )

Hello and happy Monday! Many of us will have a shorter work week this week. Anyone have any fun plans for the 4th? I wish I did. But I don`t. And I`m off Wed, Thurs, and Fri. I`m sure I`ll find something to do.

I do have a doctor`s appointment scheduled for Thursday. I seem to have some sort of ear infection. My ears are itchy and sore!

On Friday I`m taking Mandy to the groomers to have her fur cut off again. I had it done about 3 months ago, but it`s grown out very much since then and I know she`s hot, even though she spends most of her day laying on top of the air conditioning vent!

The "new" me got off work today, changed clothes, grabbed my iPod and went to the park to walk. There`s really NO excuse why I haven`t been! If Betsy can hike 4 miles ( gulp! ) I can get my lazy butt out and walk at least a mile at the park! I`m happy to report that I did walk one mile. It`s the first time I`ve walked that far since I finished my treatments. I don`t kid myself that I`ll do this 7 days a week, but 3 or 4 times would be nice.

Then I came home and did some laundry and vacuumed up all the little bits of papers laying about as someone knocked over my shredder. I do hate to point a paw at anyone, but I know who the culprit is!

So for now I`m taking it easy and having a delightful glass of Chardonnay.

 

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o`er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils,

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

             -william wordsworth

Tags: Wordsworth

Cooler Temps, Naps

               

 

Hello again! It`s a sunny and cool day here in my little piece of Ohio. Right now it`s 66 degrees. Perfect!

I did absolutely nothing today except go to church, pick up some lunch at Taco Bell, and take a nap.

I talked to my daughter for about 30 seconds yesterday. They are safely in New Zealand! The time difference is 16 hours so it`s already tomorrow there (and winter.)

Church was lovely today - very patriotic, as we sang The Star Spangled Banner and many other such songs as the 4th of July draws near.

This may come as a shock, but I`ve decided not to buy any more handbags for a while. LOL, not exactly breaking news, but what I really want is a Dooney and Bourke bag! I can`t get one now as every cent I have has been poured into Corey`s trip and rent. But maybe once school starts again and she has her college loan money I`ll be able to. I would go for a Coach bag - they seem more prestigious, but honestly I much prefer the D&B bags. I don`t normally buy according to brand names anyhow; I buy what I like.

Speaking of money, I just paid $170 to have my car serviced. It was due for an oil change and 15,000 mile maintenance. ( So many miles and I`ve only had it 10 months! ) I hated to pay all that money to have a new car maintained, but what can you do? I have to keep it running well and I want everything to stay covered under the warranty with Toyota. The dealership did give me a loaner car for the day - a very nice Corolla. ( mine`s a Yaris. ) And ofcourse washed it for me.

Did anyone see the HUGE full moon last night?? I was reading that the moon was actually just very,very low in the sky, more than at any other time of the year, thus forming an optical illusion of looking so large. It was breathtaking!

I`ve noticed that since I`ve been working part time at the bank again that my fingers are often numb - Carpal Tunnel like. Sometimes I work my hand and wrist with a one-pound weight and that helps. My toes are still slightly numb due to a certain kind of chemo that I took for so long. I love working part time. I think more than that would be a bit too much.

I hope you`re all having a happy and safe weekend.

God bless---

 

 

 

Tags: New Zealand, 4th of July, Yaris, God bless!

Mixed Emotions

    

I`m not sure how I feel about my daughter being so far away. She should be in  New Zealand by now. With the time change, they actually lost a day by flying there. Isn`t that weird? And it`s winter there, which gives you an idea of how far away it truly is!

Even once she arrived on the west coast, she still didn`t have enough money raised to get to NZ, so we had a bit of a stressful situation. I scraped together what I could and an aunt and uncle in NY very graciously helped her out as well.  She has been raising support money for this trip for 2 or 3 months and did pretty well. Thanks to a couple J-Landers who also contributed! It`s so exciting to think that because people stepped up to sponsor this trip, that lives will be forever changed; people will hear about Jesus!!

So I`m taking the advice that some of you gave me to relax now and enjoy some "me" time. I have 3 days off and boy, do I feel like I need it.

Today my friend Janice and I had lunch and ran some errands together. I got some good books at the library.  :)  I went to the bank, I paid bills, did laundry, and got through a mountain of paperwork.

I`m off to relax and enjoy my evening .......

Cheers!

ps --- don`t get me wrong, I`m happy she has this opportunity . I guess I`m just missing her.

 

And He said to them,

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

 - Mark 16:15

Tags: New Zealand, Mark 16:15

A Happy Melancholy

I know it`s a strange title for an entry, but it sums up how I`m feeling .....

My daughter has raised enough money to go on her trip, (although she still owes more and needs more sponsors.)

She left last night.

 -- Happy that she got to go on her trip ......

Melancholy now that she is gone.

I miss her and feel alone.

 

Yard Sale

It`s a pleasant day here in northeastern Ohio. It`s about 68 degrees and partly cloudy.

My neighborhood is having its annual yard sale. Corey and I ( well, mostly Corey. ) spent a lot of time last week cleaning house and going through the shed to see what items we could sell or throw away. Wow, did we throw out some junk!

Since she still owes money for her New Zealand trip, all of today`s proceeds will go toward that. We don`t have high priced items to sell - mostly books, Cd`s, beanie babies, some household items, things like that. I think she has made $45 so far.

My poor Mandy about had a fit this morning when I took her out potty as she saw all the neighbors out and people getting an early start on buying. Running in circles, barking, growling .... geez!!! Then once I brought her back in she cried for about an hour. lol. Poor baby. She`s so spoiled. No way was I letting her stay outside. I jokingly said I could put a price tag on her, but my mom brought up a good point; Mandy wouldn`t let anyone even get close enough to her to buy her!

So I have the luxury of doing what I want today on my Saturday off while my daughter tends to the sale. I was out there for a bit chatting to people and whatnot. I ran out to get some gas and a soda for myself and an iced coffee for Cor.

I`m reading a good book by Jody Shields called The Crimson Portrait. It`s a rather strange story about a doctor during WWI who collaberates with an artist in a makeshift hospital to help wounded soldiers with horrible facial wounds. One man will be made into the image of a grieving widow`s lost husband. Shields is a talented writer. This is the first book I have read by her. Somewhat in the style of Anita Shreve.

I hope you`re all having a good weekend.

Love & God bless,

Thanks to Sugar for finding Imagechef.com. Love it!

Tags: yard sale, New Zealand, Crimson Portrait, God bless!

Thursday`s Greetings

Hi again friends.

Check out the above pictures. I had story time at the library today with some "friends." They`re a bit stony and inhuman until you get to know them.

Ahem -----

The other two shots are from a little store I visited in Amish country. Antiques, gift shop, and a wine shop that sells wines from vineyards all over the state of Ohio.

The sky darkened and the rain began to fall, so we headed home. Otherwise I would have had more pictures to bore you or entertain you with. ( Depending on your point of view. )

Saturday evening I met up with my friend Cathie at a local festival - hot rod show, bands playing, lots of carnival food and fireworks. It was a good time, but I was bombarded with hot flashes! What`s the point of getting ready, doing the hair and make up, only to feel like a sweat hog all night?? LOL

I have mentioned before that my daughter is leaving for New Zealand soon. It`s a missions trip so therefor she has to raise money on her own to get there. It`s almost time to go and she is still short on the financial end. She was in tears earlier and I felt so helpless. But then we prayed and things turned around.

There`s kind of a new phrase that we`ve been hearing for the past couple years - " Think outside the box. " That`s basically what God`s been telling us for years! Lean not on our own understanding!

Where we can see no way out of a situation, God can and does make a way where there seemingly is no way.

So to those of you who have been praying and/or are donating funds ..... thank you!!  Lives are changed because of these trips .... not only the lives of those that are ministered to, but people like my daughter who watch in awe at what God does in people`s lives ( and in her own life as well!)

Anyhow, I hope this finds you all happy and well.

I`m feeling great physically.

And spiritually - I know God is in control.

Happysummer!!

thanks Jen for all the great name tags you make and find for me   :0)

Tags: Amish country, God

Beauty Routine in Progress ......

Hello and happy weekend to ye!

Thanks for your good wishes and suggestions for the minor health issues I`ve been having. The swollen ankles and feet mean that I`m getting old I think! The fluids in the body succumb to gravity and thus end up retained in my left ankle. Lovely. The doctor did prescribe a support stocking. I haven`t gotten it yet, although I`m sure it`s very attractive. I do prop my leg up when I can.  Heh, somehow that doesn`t sound quite right .......            ô¿ô 

My bloodwork was all good - cholesterol, thyroid and all that.  Yay!  The pain in my side is gone. Thank God. I can once again move and breathe which is convenient.

Anyhow, I don`t have much time to do a journal entry because tonight is All About Penny - the night that I am giving myself a pedicure, coloring my hair, filing the nails, plucking the unwanted hairs - ( Come on, ladies, you know what I`m talkin` about! Ugh. )

Tomorrow I have to work. In the evening I`m going to a local festival featuring live music, fireworks and whatnot. What`s summertime without doing that?

Have a great weekend.

God bless and be well.

Spring Cleaning and Rearranging

I wish I could tell you that I have not posted an entry in a week because I`ve been busy with so many exciting things. The truth is that while I have been busy, nothing much very exciting is happening at the moment. But sometimes I prefer it that way.

I have had a pain in my right side for a few days now. It`s right by my rib cage. The doctor didn`t seem too concerned. Actually I think I may have pulled a muscle. I also wanted my doctor to look at my swollen foot and ankle. Again, there doesn`t seem to be a reason for concern there either. I went to the hospital yesterday to have an ultra sound done on both legs just to make sure there was no blood clot lurking around. Later I called off work. I was tired and my side was bothering me. I came home and slept.

Today we had the carpets shampooed. Everything looks so much nicer! Corey has been a big help to me lately. For one thing, she loves to cook, so she`s been making dinner. She also spent several hours sorting out all the junk that is stored in the shed. I moved to my current location about 4 years ago and whatever I didn`t know what to do with then went into the shed along with other miscellaneous items since then. We have bags and bags of stuff that we`re throwing out. The rest will go toward our yard sale in a couple weeks. I told Corey that any money we make she can use for her trip to New Zealand. This will be a missions trip so she has to raise the money to get there, plus buy her own plane ticket to LA, which is where they will be departing from. Please pray that she gets everything she needs. Our church is helping, as have many others. My ex-husband`s brother and his wife contributed $500!!

Also if you wouldn`t mind praying for the people that they will be talking with and helping while they are in NZ it would be much appreciated.

Today I`m catching up on the many things I wanted to do yesterday and didn`t ..... laundry, cleaning the patio, etc. Corey and I also re-arranged one of the bedrooms -- something I have been wanting to do for a long time now. It definitely looks better and there is more room.

I hope this finds everyone doing well. I plan on visiting journals today. I`m  behind again.

The picture at the top is one I took at a nearby park. I know I`ve posted it once before, but it`s pretty and that`s how it looks here today. Beautiful weather.  :0)

 

Love to all & God bless!!

Work and Hot

Hi everyone and a very happy Thursday to you!

Are most of you having this same hot weather that we have here in Ohio? When it gets up to 90 degrees that`s way too hot for me, but it was a beautiful day. I worked all day but I did a bit of yardwork once I got home.

Speaking of work, most of us know what each other does for a living. Do you like your job? What is the hardest part about it or the area that you feel the most stress?

I`m a bank teller. I like the job. The pay and benefits are okay, and I`m in an office now where everyone gets along fairly well. Speed and accuracy is not a problem for me. I can do transactions quickly and I usually balance to the penny. ( Hence my name - lol. )

And although I do okay at getting referrals, this is the most difficult part for me. Talking up the products in order to get a customer to see a banker at the desk does not come easy for me. I`m not pushy or aggressive. If I look at it as an opportunity to help the customer get a good deal then the focus becomes easier. Anyhow, I did reach my quota in order to get a pay-out for the past two months.    :0)

I like the professional atmosphere of working in a bank. I like that it`s cool in the summer and I`m not on my feet all day. I like being off most holidays. I do NOT like when a customer goes OFF because we ask for ID if we are not familiar with them. We have to be extremely careful about who we give information to and that we get ID for people making withdrawals if we don`t know them. I don`t talk about work much but decided to for this entry and to see how you readers feel about your own jobs.

Two other subjects that I could talk a LOT about are my daughter and my mother, but believe it or not, I`m a rather private person. It never bothered me to talk about the leukemia I had, though.  I guess that was therapeutic for me and it`s my decision to tell what I want about myself. I don`t feel as comfortable writing about family or friends other than at a superficial level.

Time out .... a certain Cocker Spaniel is barking for her potty break .......

Anyhow - - - Corey and I went shopping earlier in the week looking for jeans. When she goes to New Zealand soon, it will be their winter. Mild winter, but winter nonetheless and she`s complaining she needs jeans.

I wanted her to look at Kohl`s since I had a gift card. She was skeptical but said okay. No luck. 

A store at the mall she likes - again, no luck.

Old Navy , where she always buys jeans - again, no luck!

Those were the only stores she would consent to look at since I wasn`t going anywhere that would cost me an arm and a leg.

Me : How about Target?

Corey: ( huffy sigh )  No, Mom

She loves Target, but I guess  their jeans don`t fit her right, or it`s a bad selection or who knows what.

Me: Okay then - Walmart

Corey: ( gives me the You`ve - Got -To - Be- Kidding-Me look. )

Me: Fashion Bug has cool jeans.

Corey: Ewww .......

Need I say she was getting a bit cranky? lol

She ended up getting them at Old Navy but by ordering them online. She found the same kind and style that she bought there last time and loves.

Oh yeah, while we were there at the real store, not finding any jeans, I did buy some flip flops. Lovin` me some flip flops!! They have every color and  at 2 pair for $5 !! Between the two of us we have green, yellow, light pink, dark pink, black, brown, red, tan, blue ....     Cheaper than purses that`s for sure!

Have a great weekend. I`m off tomorrow and have lots to do.

Ta - ta

God bless!

 

Thanks to my friend Chris over at  Cab's Creations for the great (and very appropriate!) name tag.  Chris visited me last summer and we had a great time. (Miss ya! I may just stop by and see you this summer sometime. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stormy Weather

Ha Ha, you didn`t know I was on the cover of all those above magazines, now did you? What a fun new feature!

The weather here is being dished out in typical Ohio fashion; it`s bright and sunny, then it rains. Then the sun peeks out, then the dark clouds form, the wind gets fierce, thunder and lightening begins, then the downpour. Later the sun returns. And so it goes -

Yesterday my employer had a company picnic for our district. It was quite nice. The park where it was held was lovely, the food was good and the games were fun. ( water balloon toss )        :0

Later Corey and I went to Walmart where I bought a couple shirts. I love new shirts maybe even more than purses! Corey bought a set of luggage. She`s bound for New Zealand soon! Wish I was going. My baby`s going so far away for six weeks!!

I`ve been feeling great. Today I went walking. I get tired after a long day, but it`s a normal tired, not that down to the bone weariness I had during treatment.

I`m off to read journals and try to catch up some. Just been busy, don`t worry about me.   :>)

Love & Hugs,

thank you, Donna!

Freedom

 I have fond memories of Memorial Day as a child. I was too young then to realize that freedom is a gift that many have fought and died for in order for us to have.  My main memory is the excitement of the parade. That horses and marching bands, clowns, and fire engines were making their way - loudly - through my own little neighborhood was almost more excitement than my young mind could comprehend!

And even afterwards, it was fun to just stroll down the street seeing the aftermath of it all. The festive feeling that clung in the air was palpable. You could almost reach out and touch it with your fingers. To be able to catch a piece of it and store it in a jar would be a priceless gesture. When one grew older it could then be released into the air. Once again my eyes would widen at the sight of the marching band parading down the street. I would laugh as the clowns passed by and chase down some candy that they tossed. I would stare at the horses looking so elegant and grand as they clomp clomp clomped on the pavement. I would point at someone I might recognize and marvel at the fact that I was acquainted with someone who actually had the honor of being in a parade!

I would get a tear in my eye as the American flag was proudly being displayed. Red white and blue blowing in the breeze, glistening in the sun. Gentleman, remove your hats, all you citizens put your hand over your heart! Stand up and celebrate because you`re free!

Tags: Memorial Day, freedom

Holiday Weekend Begins

 

Thanks to Donna for the tag. Isn`t it the cutest??!

Happy holiday weekend to all of you!

Any plans?

I`m working tomorrow. After church on Sunday I`m having a couple friends over for pizza. No plans for Monday, Memorial Day, other than my mom wants to go out to breakfast.

I got so much done today. The temps were right around 80 degrees. I bought hanging baskets of impatients. So pretty! I also got my hair cut and so did Corey. I bought some shiny pink polish for my tootsies. :0)

Yesterday when I arrived home from work Corey had dinner all ready. Yum. I could get used to that. She made chicken breast, peas and rice. Then she baked blueberry muffins. I`m not sure who she gets the cooking jag from - certainly not me! Her grandma, most likely.

I made a doctors appointment to see about my swollen ankle - but I can`t get in until June 11th! Today I wore capris and flip flops and I kept looking down at my left foot to check on the swelling. Really bugs me.

I`m reading a good book called Body Surfing. It`s the latest one by Anita Shreve. It`s about two brothers in love with the same woman. I love the way she tells a story. This particular family lives in a grand home in New Hampshire. It has a bit of a history, as characters from some of her other books have lived in this same home throughout the years. Kind of a cool thing that you wouldn`t know unless you have read some of her other books.

Gas went down 10 cents here. It`s now $3.39. I was going to wash my car today ( Corey and my mom both say it`s clean as can be, but they`re not looking at it with my critical eye. lol ) but the weather is calling for thunder showers tonight, so I didn`t.

I`m off to read a few journals and relax. I have to be up early tomorrow for work and I`m a bit tired. However, I have noticed an increase in energy since I`m all done with the leukemia treatments!

Have a lovely weekend.

God bless!

 

 

Tags: Anita Shreve, leukemia, God

A Busy Day Off

Well, it was indeed a busy day and I accomplished much. Corey and I were out practicing driving, as she still doesn`t have her license. We also went to the bank, Verizon store, and to Olive Garden for lunch.

I wasted about an hour and a half at a local hospital trying to get a simple five minute procedure done - getting the port in my chest flushed out. Since I have just finished treatment, we decided to leave the port in for a while. It`s under the skin so it`s not visible and it doesn`t bother me at all. Anyhow, there was some mix up about the doctor not faxing in the order from the Cleveland Clinic. My doctor in Cleveland and I thought it was all set to go, but I guess not. So to make a long story short, I left. We did get it all straightened out a couple hours later. Now I have to go back a different day. Oh well.......

Then we went grocery shopping. Geez, having a college student home can run up one`s bill!

I`m off to take a quick shower and catch some American Idol.....................

Testing Out Picture Feature on Wittle Face

Who`s Going To Win?

The picture above was taken of Mandy just a day or two ago. Muah Muah, How I wuv that wittle face!!

So for those of you who watch American Idol - now that the last night of singing is complete, who do you think will win? I agree with what the judges said that Blake is the best performer and Jordin is the best vocalist. Personally, I would love to see Blake win. Either way, you know they are both going to release a record.

I`m off tomorrow and have many errands to run. The main thing that I have to do is go to a local hospital to have my port flushed. I still have a port in my chest to draw blood from, but since I will only be going to the Cleveland Clinic every three months now I`ll have to go somewhere around here to have it flushed so it keeps working. All that really consists of is putting a type of saline through the line which should only take about five minutes.

Gas went up to $3.49 here today. YIKES!! That is outrageous. I know in most places it is even higher.

Today was a warm one - in the 80`s. Tomorrow should be nice also. I should go to the park and walk again.

Have a wonderful evening!   XO

Free Lunch, Pretty Drinks, and Great Mirth

So I haven`t done an entry in over a week and AOL goes and changes everything on me!

I just wrote a very looong entry and deleted it by mistake.    <kicking self>

Anyhow, my Mother`s Day was nice. I picked up Corey from college. Three years completed - where did the time go? We had a nice lunch at TGI Friday`s.

It seems like I`ve been busy ever since. I`ve picked up some extra hours at work too. Because of that and the fact that I got some good referrals, my manager and asst manager took me and another teller out to lunch on Friday. I thought that was very nice.

My branch did well last year so on Saturday night we all got together to celebrate. ( better late than never. ) We went to a bar/restaurant and had lots of food and drinks. There was ping pong to play, pool, and darts. I had my first drink in over 2 years. Now that my treatments are finished for leukemia I treated myself to a glass of white wine. Everyone cheered and clapped for me! It felt pretty darn good! Then I had what one of my co-workers calls a 'pretty drink' - a strawberry daiquiri. Yummy.  :)

Sunday was a big day at our church. we celebrated its 20-year anniversary. We buried a time capsule that will be unearthed in another 20 years. We had special singers and a guest speaker. The children planted a tree. We honored those in our church who serve in the military. I made a collage of all our college students that was hung in the church foyer.

In the book of Nehemiah, there is a portion that speaks of a great celebration ... eating and drinking, rejoicing and great mirth. ( I love that word! )  So that`s what we did. We had a covered dish lunch and a time of fellowship. It was quite nice.

I don`t like what has happened to me this week for the first time - swollen feet and ankle! UGH! What do I do to prevent this??

Well, this entry isn`t as long as the one I deleted <Grrrrr> but it`s enough for now.

I missed you guys!!

Love & God bless,

Penny

 

Tags: church, Nehemiah, swollen ankles

For The Moms

     

I thought I would say Happy Mother`s Day to everyone now since I won`t be home until later in the day tomorrow.

I`m blessed to have a mother who always took good care of me and still tells me to this day that she loves me. I have two very early memories of me with my mom. The first one is : I am laying in my crib as a baby and was sick. She was taking my temperature.

The second one is : We were going somewhere, not sure where, but I was wearing a dress. I must have been about three years old. My mom lifted me up and sat me on the table and then she put shiny black patent leather shoes on me. They were always my favorite when I was little! Such a simple thing, but it`s one of my favorite memories.

My own daughter was a surprise. By that I mean she came two months early! She weighed in at 2 pounds 11 onuces. When I went home from the hospital I couldn`t bring Corey home then as she was too small. How I cried.

She had to stay in the hospital for six weeks. Then she was able to come home - happy and healthy - at a whopping 4 and 1/2 pounds!

Being  a mother is challenging. There`s no foolproof instruction manual on how to raise a child. But one thing I always told myself was - I need to do this right.  Corey only gets one childhood and I want to be there for her, I want it to be a happy one.

We`ve had our ups and downs like everyone else, but I`ve always loved being a mom. My 'baby' is now 20 years old. She`s away at college and we still talk on the phone at least once a day.

Whatever your situation is I hope all you moms are able to enjoy your special day.

 

 

Love and hugs,

 

   (Jenny, you rock!)

 

Not Hard To Swallow. Nope, Not At All!!

                   

        Ladies and gentlemen!!!

                   ( ahem )

It is my pleasure to present to you :

MY LAST TWO PILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Twenty six months after being diagnosed with leukemia .......  the pills are finished! The chemo is finished!

Some Mother`s Day gift to me, huh?!  :0)

I`ve Been Tagged!

Oh no! I was tagged by Lisa over at Please Don`t Take Life For Granted to list 7 random facts about myself. Hmmmmm......

 

I`ll try to list ones that you may not already know.

 

1. In high school I was voted Most Unique.

 

2. My (ex) husband and I were pen pals on and off for about 10 years before we met. I lived in Ohio - he in NY.

 

3. I have been a blonde, a brunette, and now a redhead!

 

4. I don`t eat red meat.

 

5. I once camped out all night in line for Backstreet Boys concert tickets. ( got `em! lol )

 

6. At the age of 19, I bought a one-way ticket to California and spent the summer roller skating, visiting pen pals and relatives, occasionally sleeping on the beach, and going to bars in Mexico!

 

7. I have been to DisneyWorld once and DisneyLand 7 times.

 

I`m not going to tag 7 others, but you should do it - it`s fun!

Would You Do It?

For the mere price of $200,000 you can take a trip into outer space for 2 and 1/2 hours.

 

Supposing that money were no object, would you do it?

 

Here`s some info I copied from AOL news :

 

The spaceship will be attached to the belly of a jet carrier that will take off like a regular plane and then release the spaceship at about 50,000 feet.

There, a rocket will ignite and hurl the ship toward space at more than 3,000 mph.

The ship will peak at about 400,000 feet, and passengers will experience four to five minutes of weightlessness, Whitehorn says. They will be encouraged to somersault through the cabin.

"We are designing the spaceship to allow the passengers to leave their seats and look out of the different windows," he says.

Drawn by the Earth's gravitational pull, the spaceship will glide back for landing.

Waking up Early Is Nice!

Hi folks. I`m not a morning person. At all. If it`s my day off I will usually sleep in. I did have to be at a 7am meeting today, so I was up early. The meeting lasted until 8:30 and then I went to the park to walk. It was so beautiful - nice, sunny, and cool. I am serious about building up my stamina again. Walking is the best way I know to do this.

I`m off soon to meet my friend, Sandy, for lunch. Then I must go vote. Today`s high is supposed to be about 76 degrees. If I really feel motivated, I`ll do some house cleaning.

Have a wonderful day!

"..... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and

     Savior Jesus Christ.

        To Him be the glory both now and forever."

 

 

 

               

 

Tags: walking, vote, Lord, Savior, Jesus

Flip Flop Frenzy

Here`s what`s happening in Penny`s piece of Ohio :

Current temp:  71 degrees

Current gas price:  $3.09

Current weight loss for me:  6 pounds!!

Current read:  Whitehorn Woods by Maeve Binchy 

 

So today my mom wanted to go out to lunch and to Payless Shoes. I had nothing to do so I took her. Wouldn`t you know I found a purse on sale and flip flops?? I LOVE flip flops almost as much as I love purses! The picture at the top shows my latest purchase.  :0)

Today I received a call from the Cleveland Clinic saying I was late for my chemo appointment and was I coming in for it? No, I won`t be coming in for it, as I had my last one in April thank you very much. My doctor said he would cancel it but obviously he didn`t.

I`d much rather be out buying purses and flip flops.

 

Yesterday after church I went out to lunch with some friends. We had a nice time at Cracker Barrell. ( I had a chef salad. ) I have been trying to walk some and eat healthier. Even so I was surprised when I weighed myself today that I had lost 6 pounds! I pretty much eat whatever I want for lunch then I try to eat a reasonable dinner, nothing huge - and something for breakfast because I have to eat to start my day. My snacks have been fewer and further between and they normally consist of celery, strawberries, pretzels, popcorn, or yogurt. I know the weight is not going to come off fast, but some of it MUST come off. 

Tomorrow is another day off for me, yet I have to go in for an hour and a half for a meeting at 7am. Huh? Well, actually, I don`t HAVE to, they said they would postpone it if I couldn`t make it in. But I said no biggie. I didn`t really have plans for that time slot other than sleeping !

On Mother`s Day I will be on the road again. This is Corey`s last week of school, so I`ll be picking her up and bringing her home. :)

My church is having its 20 - yearanniversary this month and we have all sorts of cool things lined up. One thing that I was asked to do is to make a collage of all the kids from our church who are currently in college. So I have been rounding up photos from everyone and what school they are attending and what their major is. I think I`m going to buy a big frame and some type of fabric to use for the background. Then put the kids` pictures and info, some scrapbooking things to do with school and maybe some buttons or ribbons for decoration. Maybe a little glitter and a Bible verse. Anyhow, I am excited about doing this. I want to make it look good.

Another thing we are doing is making a time capsule to bury in the lawn and we will open it up again in another 20 years, God willing. The little children are going to plant a tree and some flowers. We`re also doing a tribute collage to our military personnel and we`ll be having a lunch that day and taking pics of the festivities. I love all the ideas everyone came up with.

Take care & God bless.

Thanks to Donna at D`s Designs for the top tag and to Toni`s Tags for the one below.

  (((HUGS)))

 

Tags: Whitehorn Woods, Cleveland Clinic, chemo, Mother`s Day, flip flops

A Picture Perfect Day

Wow, another beautiful day in Penny`s piece of Ohio!

                      

I decided to go to the park and have some fun with my camera.

I have learned from Betsy and Greg that mid - afternoon when the sun is at its peak is probably the worst time to take a picture outdoors. Ofcourse this is when I was at the park - smack dab between 2 and 3 o` clock!

Oh, well .........

                      

The dogwoods are in bloom, it was sunny and breezy with temps right around 70 - Perfect!

I walked around the lake as I took pictures. Now that all my treatments are finished, I am slowly trying to get back in shape and get my strength up.

I`ve also included pictures of my backyard. I live close to lots of places, yet I`m located off the beaten track, just a tad in the country. Very pretty and peaceful.

I hope the rest of you have enjoyed your day.

Love ya and may God bless you!

Have A Seat and Relax

 

Hello there! Won`t you join me on the porch? There`s a lovely breeze. Can I get you something to drink? Iced tea, lemonade, a soda, coffee?

   

It was a lovely day here in Ohio - about 83 degrees and sunny. A beautiful day to be off work and oh, did I enjoy it! My mom and I went to lunch and ran a few errands. I vacuumed my car and washed it. Then I went to Walmart to buy a few groceries. ( okay ... and a shirt ... )

Then I came home and spread another bag of mulch. I`ll be happy when I get all that done. Now there`s a thunder storm heading our way. One of the neighbor boys was in the middle of mowing our lawn but had to hold off until tomorrow because of the rain. At least the front is done. My gosh, it grows like crazy, esp in the spring!

I hope you`ve all had a nice day.

Be safe & God bless!

Faux La La

Happy weekend, everyone! It is a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio. After church I stopped at the store, then came home and made dinner - roasted chicken, baked beans, pasta and potato salad.

I got some summer things out of the shed to put on the patio - chimes, garden figurines, things like that. I would do some more yard work and mulching, but I do my best to honor the Lord`s day and not work, so I will get that done later in the week.

By the way, here is a picture of my faux flower arrangement that I said I was making a few entries back:

It`s rather large and simple. I`m happy with the way it turned out, though.

Last night I had breakfast for dinner. I met an old friend at iHop and we chatted forever. Her and I met back in grade school .... 3rd or 4th grade. Wow! I saw her for the first time in years about 2 years ago. Then the other day I received an email from her asking if Id like to get together again. I`m glad I did, as I really enjoyed it!

I finished reading vinegar Hill by Manette Ansay. She`s a very good writer although the book itself was somewhat dysfunctional and disturbing. Now I am reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Maeve Binchy. The book is called Whitehorn Woods. I love her! All of her books are good. I signed up for this thing at the library where I list all my favorite authors - then when they come out with a new book, one is automatically reserved for me. How cool is that?!

This is a picture I took of Mandy that turned out weird. I am standing outside looking in through the door at her, which is why you see reflections of the patio table and chairs. Mandy looks almost surreal, like a ghost dog.

Cute as a button, that wittle face. Muah. Muah.

Did you hear about these peaceful protests that were going on in cities across America this past weekend where people camp out in parks to protest about people takenout of their homes and forced to live in camps in Africa?  My daughter participated in this in Pittsburgh this weekend. They slept in a tent that they made out of cardboard and tarps. She said it was cold and muddy from Saturdays rain, but they had a good time.

Anyhow, I`m off to read journals

Love & God bless,

    

Tags: Ohio, church, Whitehorn Woods

Shopping, Changes, and a Cool Band

Hello again. I`m sorry I blinded all of you with that last entry. It wasn`t intentional. I would have changed it if I could but heck if I could figure it out!

Last night I went to bed early and skipped American Idol. I watch it to see how they sing and who gets voted off, not for a fundraiser. Not that I have anything against that ; it just wasn`t what I wanted to watch.

 Today was my day off so I slept in late until - -  well, until embarrassingly late.

I had lunch at Friendly`s and did a bit of shopping. I desperately needed bath towels. I don`t know how exactly bath towels come up missing, but mine have seemed to be dwindling. So I found some on sale and bought mostly pink ones.  :0)  I was also looking for kitchen towels in red or with apples but didn`t find any of those. I didn`t buy a purse. Not because I didn`t find any I liked ( because believe me, I did look and did find )

After a stop to the bank and the dry cleaners I stopped at the auto store to buy a car vacuum. As often as I wash and clean my car, I`m figuring this will definitely save me money in the long run. When I came out of the store a guy was parked next to me in a pickup truck and he said hello, so I smile and say hi. Then, I`m not really sure how, but we ended up having like a 10 - minute conversation.

Then I was on my way to Walmart. By this time I`m sort of tired. I suppose it`s  caused by all the meds and treatments I`ve had over the past two years. I`m wondering how it will feel to be completely off all of them. As usual, I`m standing in the check out line all in a hot flash. Does this happen to any of you ladies? Ugh, it sure is a nuisance!

Anyhow, I was thinking today how many ways I have changed over the years. I have always been sort of a neat freak, but not with the frenzy that I used to be. So much more mellow now. I mean, I still keep things clean and tidy, but now if I can put off vacuuming for a day  I will - or if the dishes don`t get done by bedtime, that`s okay.

When I was going through my divorce I wanted very much to start dating again. So I did meet a few guys here and there and dated a couple of them. It`s hard to believe I`ve been single for over six years now. I guess you could say my bout with leukemia put a cramp in my social life for a (long) while, but I find that I`m happy being single. Don`t get me wrong, I`m always on the lookout for that Christian gentleman ( where IS he, anyhow?? ) , but I don`t mind not dating. It has to be someone special because I`d just as soon sit home with John Grishom <wink> than to just go out with someone for the sake of going out. Not to mention that most of the guys I see who are good looking and that I find appealing are - oh, half my age. LOL

Anyhow, I was bopping along in my car today to a really cool band.

>>>> TheAcademyIs <<<<

Tomorrow I have another day off, so I`ll be taking my mom to lunch and then to get her hair done. I didn`t mention that she fell down the other night. I hear her yell, "Help!" So I go into the back bedroom and there she is, sprawled out on her back. It seems that some little Cocker Spaniel, Mandy ( with that wittle face that Mama wuvs so much - muah, muah! ) was chasing a tennis ball and how that ball ended up under one of my mother`s feet just as she was walking into the bedroom is beyond me. To make matters even more hysterical ( I mean worse. Worse. ), Mandy thinks she wants to play. Why else would she be down on the floor like that? So with tail wagging and body wiggling, she`s all over her. LOL  It`s funny now because my mother wasn`t hurt, thank God. But I could not get that woman up. Had to call 911. Mandy had to go in her cage for a little while because the excitement was just about too much for one little puppy.

 

 

Tags: American Idol, leukemia, Walmart, The Academy Is, Cocker Spaniel, puppy

Nothing Much

It`s been a whole week since I`ve posted an entry. Sometimes I just have to stay off the computer and get things done. 

                                                

The weekend brought with it some gorgeous weather. On Saturday I met a friend for lunch. We`ll call him "M".  M and I used to date each other a few years ago, around my divorce time. Then we had a big fiasco. ( his fault ) Seriously, he would even tell you it was not cool what he did. So we didn`t talk for a while. Then we did. Then we started hanging out again. Long story short, I stopped talking to him and told him not to call me. Anyhow, Saturday we got together for lunch and talked and caught up with each other`s lives. And that`s pretty much it. ( and no, I will not date him again. )

                       

Sunday after church I came home and had lunch and slept most of the afternoon. I felt so out of it from the mega dose of steroids I had been on. Thank God I am done with them!! By Monday I was feeling much better, which was good because I had to work all day.

Today was to be my day off, but I got a call at 9:00 this morning asking me if I could come in at least to cover lunches. One of the girls couldn`t make it in because her husband was in a car accident. So I went in and worked from 11-5:30. I figured once I was there, I might as well stay. I still have Thursday and Friday off, so it really wasn`t any great sacrifice AND as my asst manager so aptly put it - " Just think of the extra money you`ll have on payday to buy a couple new purses with! "

I just finished reading a wonderful book by W. Dale Cramer called Summer of Light. It`s about a man who loses his job and stays home to look after the 3 kids while his wife works. So between doing laundry and side projects and all the adventures he has while keeping an eye on 3 kids, their dog, goat, and chickens, etc, he also finds a new hobby and draws closer to God in the process. It`s funny and inspiring.

I just started another book which, by contrast, has started off rather depressing. It`s called Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansay. I`ll let you know how it is.

                         

American Idol is on and I`m not watching it. I`m just bored by it and don`t particularly care who wins.

After work tonight I did some yard work. I have bags of mulch in the trunk of my car that I have been itching to get to. I did some weeding and got one of my small flower beds done. Looks good. I was happy that I`m feeling so well that I can come home from work and still feel like doing some gardening.

I will try to get around to your journals soon.

Have a great night!~

  

Ugh, I can`t figure out why this entry turned out this way with the blue highlights. Oh well...

Tags: W. Dale Cramer, American Idol, God