Bring Your Own Cheese

What Mommies Need

2010-12-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

What Mommies Need is giving away a magical Unicorn My Pillow Pet. Ends 12/13
Hoping to win one for my granddaughter! Check out all of the What Mommies Need giveaways!

PS Mom Reviews giveaway.

2010-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

PS Mom Reviews is giving away a Magical Unicorn Pillow Pet. Ends 12/12
I am hoping to win one for my granddaughter!

Check out her other giveaways, as well!

Hottest toy of the season!

2010-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

I think the hottest toy of the season seems to be the My Pillow Pet. I have a bunch of grandkids who have them or want them this year. I think the Silly Monkey is adorable and would be great for my grandson, Sam. My granddaughter, Trinty and Hope-Anne both want the Dolphin. Now, if only they would come out with a mouse, I might want one for myself!

I entered to win one of my choice from Baby Loving Mama. ends 12/10

Mournful Monday

2009-05-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is just the tip of the iceberg in the lastest rental eviction that I fretted about Friday.

Stove -

Fridge

Vanity nailed shut

Half of a closet door
I hopefully had another one move out this weekend - and I know it will be worse, at least as far as the filth goes.

Friday Fretting

2009-05-22T04:58:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and I am Fretting - We bought an 11 unit complex the end of January. We've had to start evictions on 2 of them, 2 moved out on their own, 2 were already empty, and the worse one I gave a 30 day notice to. I'm afraid we'll have to evict that one also. Of course, the Captain is out to Sea - so guess who is left here to do the dirty work???? Whine, whine, whine. Actually, I am enjoying getting the apartments back into shape, but I had no idea how much work it would be. I strip floors of carpet, tack strips, linoleum, tiles, rotten wood - whatever it takes. I sand sheet rock, prime and paint walls. I make numerous dump runs. I clean up a lot of trash. This morning I have to go see the damages to the eviction that left last night. This tenant never paid any rent, and wouldn't let us in the apartment. They had 2 Pit Bulls. He said he'd leave the key under the mat. We think they may have been messing selling drugs. I'm dreading it. But then yesterday I dreaded going to court for the other eviction process and we were in and out in 20 minutes with everyone being very cordial. It was weird - they agreed to be out by the 8th of June. Of course, no money - but as least they will be out and we can renovate and get someone in who will pay rent. I'd better quit whining and get to work.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Birthday hacking!

2009-05-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

Too bad I don't have a bunch of old pictures scanned in my new computer to post here, but I am hacking the blog, nonetheless! Waahaahaa!

To Mom from Her Pesky Kid

I really love my mother,

And it surely makes me proud,

To know I’m one of her pesky kids,

And to sing her praises loud.

My mother has a birthday,

Almost every year,

And on that day she’ll ponder life,

And even shed a tear.

See, Ma don’t like her birthdays;

She says they make her old,

But she’s as sharp as she ever was,

If the truth be told.

My mother showed me lots of things,

About the world, you see,

So then I could teach my pesky kids,

The things my mom taught me.

Thank goodness for you, mom. Where would I be without you?

Happy Birthday!

By Karl Fuchs

Happy birthday and Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

Lisa

Makes you think

2009-04-28T03:24:00.000-07:00

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busyboulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He didthe right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beatenthe red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming infrustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, droppingher cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked upinto the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her toexit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted,photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, apoliceman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back tothe booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personaleffects.

He said, 'I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled upbehind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy infront of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do bumper sticker, the Choose Life license plate holder, the Follow Me to Sunday-School bumpersticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; naturally... I assumed you had stolen the car.'

Turkey Fight - Almost

2009-04-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

I saw these 3 turkey near one of our apartment complexes - The 2 toms seemed to be squaring off against each other over the hen.
Hey - I'm the Tommy around here!

Are you looking at Me???

2009-04-25T05:43:00.001-07:00

Mika was barking - so I looked out on our deck to see this cutie.

Ah ha

2009-04-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

I googled the "Pink Shoelaces" lyrics - and I was right after all. Who remembers this tune?

Now I've got a guy and his name is Dooley
He's my guy and I love him truly
He's not good lookin', heaven knows
But I'm wild about his crazy clothes

He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

He takes me deep-sea fishing in a submarine
We go to drive-in movies in a limousine
He's got a whirly-birdy and a 12 foot yacht
Ah, but thats-a not all he's got

He's got tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
He's got tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

Now Dooley had a feelin' we were goin' to war
So he went out and enlisted in a fightin' corps
But he landed in the brig for raisin' such a storm
When they tried to put 'im in a uniform

He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

Now one day Dooley started feelin' sick
And he decided that he better make his will out quick
He said
"Just before the angels come to carry me
I want it down in writin' how to bury me."

A wearin' tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka dot vest and man, oh, man
Give me tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

And a big Panama with a purple hat band!!

It is by Dodie Stevens and called Pink Shoelaces - I had to call both of my sisters and then they remembered the song.

Slip of the tongue or mind????

2009-04-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

I recently made fun of my daughter and granddaughter's error in song lyrics. What goes around comes around. Tonight at the dinner table, Arianna told David that some boy they both know wears pink shoe laces. I say "Isn't there a song about pink shoelaces?" No one can think of one, but I have the tune in my head - so I call my sister, Gwen and ask her. She says, "A white sport coat, and a pink CARNATION" - Oooops - you mean it wasn't "A white sport coat and pink shoe laces? my bad."

I've been working pretty hard lately at being a "Sally" (which is what guys call guys who don't do guy things well - like construction or handy man stuff), so I am really exhausted when I get home. The other night I decided to say grace and started "Come Lord George" Where on earth did that come from? The kids almost fell off their chairs laughing at me. I'll never live it down.

Lastest Paintings

2009-04-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

Ready for some Whine?

2009-04-20T14:36:00.000-07:00

I've had several people say they haven't heard from me lately and wonder what's new. So prepare yourselves.

1. I moved back to Maine to my ex-husband, and his (our) 2 grandchildren and our fat cat - Midnight. Mika is soooooo pleased to be home. She is very busy barking to let everyone know she's back - especially the squirrels and her neighbor friend - Jake.

"Can Mika come out to play, please? Please? Or at least give me a pig ear"

2. The kids are happy to have me back, and I am very glad to be back in their lives.

Getting ready for Easter

3. We have a new Great Grandson - Bradley - Here he is with his Papa.

4. We invested in a new 11 unit apartment complex - actually 3 buildings - 1 has 6 units, 1 has 4 units and 1 in a single unit. It came with 9 units occupied. I say occupied- because not all of them bother to pay their rent. The 6 unit building is a disaster - it has 2 units empty - we have already put in over $5,000 in the renovation of one of them. The other empty shouldn't be too bad - just a gutted bathroom and new carpeting and linoleum - oh and some sheetrock repair. 2 units are kept up fairly well, but one of them is 6 weeks behind in rent and I will be giving them a 7 day pay or quit notice. The other 2 are a mess - both are rented and they pay on time with help from the state. One has 2 huge dogs, 3 birds, 2 little girls, a mom and her brother. I have literally never been in a place so filthy and smelly. The other one has 2 cats, birds, 4 little boys and a mom and dad. They seem really nice - but it sure is crowded. We, as new landlords, have decided no pets - especially no dogs. So far, the dogs are still there. Now we found out that there are cockroaches. The 2 messies apartments have several occupants with allergies and don't want it bombed, others are upset and want the whole building bombed. Goodness - what a challenge this is turning out to be. The 4 unit building now has one empty unit that I am having another challenge on how to get rid of the cigarette odor. That tenant left owing a month's rent. The other bottom unit is awful. The tenants have never paid rent at all, they won't let us in to inspect. They hand papers back and forth through a torn screen door. I did get partway in a while ago and noticed that there is a padlock on the closet door in the living room. They also have 2 pitbulls. The other day they flooded the basement by using a dishwasher (not allowed) draining in their plugged sink. We gave them a 7 day in March and had our lawyer serve them again in April - we go to court in May. The 2 units upstairs keep their apartments immaculate, but one is almost a month late. The single unit has one man with 2 chihuahuas that are near death they are so old. Since he lives alone, we are letting him grandfather his dogs, but he can't replace them. He is the only one who pays his own heat - so he literally wrapped his whole house in plastic.

5. I am managing all of our rentals now, and not having to work another full-time job like before. We now have 19 apartments units (2 complexes), 36 storage units, 2 mobile homes, and 3 houses, oh and one house that we have never gotten ready to rent yet. Besides doing the bookwork, collecting rents, doing the banking, etc.. I'm also learning to do light???? maintenance. On the apartment we are almost done with - I've sanded sheetrock, removed trim from around doors and windows, removed baseboards, removed baseboard heater vents, cut and rolled up old carpets, removed tackstrips, removed nails from boards, removed old floor tiles, picked up lots of trash in the yard, replaced end caps on baseboard heater vents (in the apartment that is filthy - my pant legs almost stuck to the floor), gone to the dump and unloaded a toilet, metal junk, and the second trip, the entire old set of kitchen cabinets (by myself). Uff-da - I'm getting tired just thinking about it.

6. The Captain hired a nanny-housekeeper while I was being the prodigal wife. Not working out at all. She will be here until the end of this month. I like her ok, but she is sooooo slow. Anyway - with me here now, we don't need a full-time nanny-housekeeper. The ideal situation would be someone to come in before the bus got here to get the kids started on their homework, start the evening meal, and do some housework. With the costs involved in the newest apartment complex, it doesn't look like we'll be able to hire anyone full-time. The Captain is guessing that he will be done fishing from the middle of July until March - so with 2 of us here, we should be able to handle it. I will miss not having to do laundry or vacuuming. Oh well.

7. It might snow or at least sleet tonight - yuk.

Kids say the darndest things

2009-04-20T09:54:00.001-07:00

I just overheard my grandchildren singing "The Clapping Song" - Arianna sang - 3, 6, 9 the goose drank wine, the monkey chewed tobacco on the cell phone line. Too funny. It reminds of the way my daughter Lisa used to sing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" She always sang - "Then one froggy Christmas Eve,"

Wordless Wednesday - You know you live in the sticks when.....

2009-03-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Roadkill

2009-03-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

The other day, a snowy day - I was slowing down towards the bottom of a hill so I wouldn't slide onto the upcoming intersection. There was this little chickadee in the road - it must have been aerodynamically challenged because it didn't lift quite high enough into the air and sort of tumbled across my hood and into the windshield wiper. I got out to see if it would be OK. A couple of days earlier I had been at my friend's (she teaches a wildlife class at a college) and a chickadee flew into their arcadia door and knocked itself dizzy. She said that if we left it outside it would freeze to death because it wasn't moving - so they brought it inside and put it in a cat carrier until it was back up to par - about 20 minutes. They put it back out side and away it flew. Sooooooo - I picked it up - it didn't appear to have any broken legs or wings but was way too docile. So I held it and drove to our office. Of course I had a hard time getting in because the overhead door was frozen shut - but I managed. I put it in a box with paper towels and an old torn bath towel over it - and went about my business. I had to make a trip to the new apartment complex we bought and I got a little feed from one of the tenants. The sweet little bird started hopping around and scratching to get out - so I stopped where I picked it up - thinking it probably had a nest nearby. I carried it up over the snowbank (with no boots on) and gently set it down. It flopped and wobbled and scurried away from me. I was a little alarmed at his lack of steady mobility, but he manage to hop up on a tree branch, and then to another, so I left it and went home for lunch. I took these pictures when I dropped him off.

After lunch, I had to drive past him again and he was still on the same branch, with it's little head tucked under it's wing. I was feeling guilty about hitting it and worrying that it would become fox or eagle lunch - so I climbed back over the snow bank and farther - and picked him up again. He didn't really try to get away, but seemed fairly alert. I put him back in the box and picked up the seeds I had left for him in the snow. I went to the office and planned to go to town to get a cage to keep him in until I was sure he was OK. When I came out of the office 10 minutes later - he was dead. But - surprisingly enough - I didn't cry. Almost though.

Home

2009-03-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm home in Maine and very glad to be here. The children were ecstatic to see us. And we were glad to see them too. We got here on Friday the 20th - went to dinner to celebrate and then got a huge welcome back to Maine snowstorm - we got 12-18 inches of snow on Saturday. Back to shoveling. The Captain went back to Virginia for another unsuccessful squid trip - and is now switching gear to go scalloping instead. Yahoooooo! I am keeping really busy with the new (to us) apartment complex we bought (borrowed for). Right now my "job" is to manage 18 apartments, 2 mobile homes, 3 houses, and 37 storage units. There are 2 apartments that are vacant and need extesive work to get them ready to rent - and there are a couple of acquired tenants that we need to move out. I didn't think it would keep me that busy, but I run all of the time. The office is located in the basement of one of our apartment buildings where we also have the storage units. There is an overhead door that we access with a security card - it seems like I'm always having to work to get in - either the door is frozen to the ground or blocked by snow falling off the roof. Post office runs, bank runs, collecting rent runs. But I feel so alive and energized by it all.

Virginia

2009-03-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

I made it to Virginia on Wed. 02/04. Mika and I picked up the Captain at the train station - she was sooooooo excited to see her "daddy". I was glad to see him too - I was tired of driving. lol

It took us until the 13th to get the boat ready for her first excursion with her new Captain. We had to get the gear ready to go "Squidding". It was quite the experience. Mika loved being on the boat - while we were docked anyway. The weather was wonderful most of the time. Shirt sleeves.

Then we were off - it kind of stopped being fun and started being work. I had to do all of the cooking, most of the dishes, and also worked on the deck. I didn't have to haul back or set out the gear, but I did sort fish. It was a good thing that Mika and I took motion sickness meds - we never found our sea legs. One of the interesting things I found out was that the squid were not as big as I thought, but we couldn't keep anything under 4" or the price would go down. So, the guys told me that if I lay the squid across my gloved hand and it covered it, that would be long enough. See - size does matter. In other words, "under a handful - throw it back" - for gals "over a mouthful is waste"for guys. You have to see the squid to get a clear picture. The picture I'm showing isn't really a good one. Some are really limp, but other's are a little more "sturdy".

We didn't make any money that trip - we had a fire on the boat (more about that later) and had to go back to the dock without a complete trip - so what squid we got didn't even pay for the fuel or groceries.

North Carolina

2009-02-01T18:31:00.001-08:00

Well, I've made it as far as North Carolina - with no problems. I'm staying at my sister-in-laws=tonight and tomorrow - then off to Virginia. Thanks for all your prayers.

Moving

2009-01-26T06:27:00.000-08:00

Well, decision finally made after much praying, writing down pros and cons, and much deliberating. I'm going back to Maine - to my husband, our business, and our beautiful grandchildren. Now the praying is for the travel back. We are weighing our options. Drive or fly. I'm having a hard time finding any flights that are non-stop so Mika won't be stuck in cargo twice. Not having much luck. My jeep is a '92 and pretty rusted out and will not pass inspection in Maine. We already have 2 vehicles in Maine and don't need this one. My youngest son has agreed reluctantly to travel with me if I need him. I offered a couple of scenarios - a plane ticket back or the jeep. He spontaneously said he'd take the jeep - but in the long run that might be more expensive - with gas money to get him back to Phoenix. We'll keep looking at options and praying. I still haven't set a date. Financially for our business, I should have left this weekend - but I had to give a notice at work. John is sending me traveling money. My car is registered in MN and is up in Jan - ooops. My insurance is late and canceled. My cell phone is late. Things will work out.

Ooohhhh I'm so Scared of the Loud Noises

2009-01-21T17:11:00.000-08:00

Family

2009-01-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

I have the most awesome family.

My daughter welcomed me into her home - made sure I had my own space - gave me free rein over the whole house - shared her friends with me - she is awesome. She wants to protect me - she wants what's best for me.

I have two devoted sisters. They are both older than me - and probably far wiser. They have each sacrificed for me. They would do anything to help me. They tend to mother me, and I tend to let them. They want to protect me -and want the best for me.

I have 2 wonderful sons who are also very supportive. They want to protect me. They want what's best for me.

I have neices and nephews who support me, want to protect me, want the best for me.

All of them have heard my tales of woe about my last marriage. I worry that I will disappoint them if I go back. They will still love me, but will they still be supportive?

I wise person once told me that you should not air your marriage problems to your family - they love you more than your spouse and may hold a grudge against your spouse for hurting you.

Goodness! I love them all.

Decisions, decisions

2009-01-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is a huge decision for me to make. Sometimes, with the passage of time, you forget why you do things. I know I was miserable, I know I was emotionally/verbally abused. I know that I didn't stand up for myself. I also know that I probably could have handled things differently on my end also. We are talking about counseling. My ex has said that he is willing to go for counseling and has been working on being less critical. We are both praying for wisdom.

As many of you probably know - I have been married 4 times. I always end up leaving. I end up with abusive partners. Not physical - but emotional. Can it be different this time? Is it time to stop running? Am I an enabler? Am I a Drama Queen? One thing different about this relationship - is that when I left the first 3 - I didn't look back, it was over. I can't seem to get over this one. I keep sensing that I need to be there - for him, for me, for the grandchildren. I will keep praying.

Not about me

2009-01-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

A little more about my recent thoughts. One of the things that bothered me in Maine was that I never felt like the lovely home I lived in was "mine" - it was always my husband's home - then it was always my daughter's home - now it is my sister/neice's home. In Maine I had a lot of stuff that I have carried with me over the years, but it just piled up everywhere - I left a lot when I went to MN - then I left most of that when I moved to AZ.

I figured that maybe I'm looking for something to fill my heart - I lost my mother at age 14 and maybe that is what I need - maybe I need the Lord more - so I have been praying consistently and fervently. I give myself 10 minutes every morning, just thanking and talking to our Lord.

You know what I found out? Nothing here on earth is really ours anyway. I don't miss my stuff, I miss my purpose. I found out that I am really a selfish, whiney, human. I plan to live more as a loved child of God. I pray daily to become more selfless rather than selfish. This world isn't about me it is about Him.

I talked about how the views here tug at my heart strings and always toward God and His awesome creation. Well, when I was in MN driving to and from work - I felt the same tug - when I would see pheasant, or deer (unless it was roadkill), the lakes. When in Maine, I traveled along the Kennebec River every day and never tired of it - it always drew me toward's God's awesomeness. So - I guess you could say - the whole world is God's Country.

Enough - gotta get to work

Ramblings

2009-01-19T19:40:00.000-08:00

Got lots of stuff going through my mind lately - and I have been keeping it to myself mostly.

Last February - I left my husband, grandchildren, cat, home, job, neighbors, and friends. I was miserable, depressed, and incredibly lonely. I lived in Maine - with a daughter, 7 grandchildren, a sister, 3 nieces, and high school friends in Minnesota, a son, daughter-in-law and grandsons in the state of Washington, and a son, a sister, 3 nephews, a niece, and a best friend in Arizona. I really felt isolated from my family - being the only one on the east coast. I was feeling unloved by my husband and totally inadequate. He was very critical and gone from home a lot. I worked a full time job, took care of his grandchildren -at the time 7 and 9 - they were 4 and 6 when we got custody of them, took them to church, taught Sunday School once a month, did the cub scout thing, dance lessons, did the books for my husbands rental business, screened tenants, collected rents, did the banking, shoveling and tried to find some time for my art classes. I am 56 years old, got tired, depressed and left.

I invited my eldest sister from AZ to come take a road trip with me to Minnesota to keep me company for the move. My sister and brother-in-law and a nephew decided to come out to help. My brother-in-law brought his pick-up and a trailer to help me move all my stuff - which was mostly photos, artwork and books.and of course my faithful companion, Mika. My two sisters who are 10 and 13 years older than me road with me. We had a blast. We hadn't spent much time together in the past quite a few years. Mika and I moved in with my daughter, her husband, 7 children, a dog, 2 cats and a hampster. They welcomed us with open arms. Then we acquired kittens. - Oh, I forgot the fish. I got my own beautiful room. I got to spend time the family I loved. I joined all the festivities with my daughter and her lovely friends, who became my friends. I totally loved her church family. I became wonderful friends with her mother-in-law. I spent great times with my sister and her children. But I couldn't get a full time job with benefits, I was still depressed and lonely. I didn't feel fulfilled. I didn't feel a sense of purpose.

I took a 3 week trip to Arizona to help my sister recuperate from a dual craniotomy and fell in love with the beautiful state of Arizona again. It was like coming home - something about the views of the mountains and deserts tugs at my heartstrings. I ended up moving here - I share a room and bed with my lovely sister. I'm lonely. I don't feel a sense of purpose. I have no goals.

I miss my husband, I miss the grandchildren - I was their anchor for over 3 years - I was their when they went to bed, when they got up. Their papa - was gone a lot. Their mother moved to Maine to be near them, but only saw them once or twice a week. We had a plan - we were working towards our retirement - we planned to have our rentals paid off in less than ten years and be able to retire. The kids kind of put us back a few years - but what wonderful kids. They loved every meal I cooked, they went to bed when told, they got up when told, they giggled all day. I miss them.

My husband (ex) and I have been talking daily. He has been working all summer on not being so critical and has agreed to go to counseling. Am I crazy to consider going back? I had some knocks on the head from God - Once I prayed about getting a full time job and more money - and He said "Why should I give you more, when you weren't a good steward of what I already gave you?" Ouch. I could use the same quote for a fulfilling life with purpose.

Re Wordless Wednesday Picture

2009-01-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

This picture - is actually a large rock we encountered while hiking that is encrusted with coral. Isn't it amazing to see coral on a mountain in Arizona? Try zooming in on the picture to see the details.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-01-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Cooper

2009-01-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Newest Grandson

2009-01-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

I just got back this morning from a quick trip to San Diego. I left Payson at 9 Friday morning - 2 hours later than I planned - first I had to get my oil changed and a new air filter put in. I picked up my youngest son, PJ in Phoenix and off we went to pick up my niece in San Diego and also to visit with my eldest son - who just got transferred to the sub base on Point Loma Linda. He and his wife just had my youngest grandchild a little over 2 weeks ago and were in a hotel in San Diego - their furniture doesn't get delivered until Wed. We had a great time. We left at 8pm last night and didn't get back to Payson until close to 4 this morning - and yes, I got up for church. We got stopped by the border patrol, my son really got patted down - they made us get out of the car - with a sleeping 5 yr old. We weren't allowed to put our hands in our pockets or bring our purses with. I thought they were going to tear the dash right out of the car. They had two dogs search the entire car - of course they didn't find anything, but golly. They did find something in the car in front of us though. Interesting. Any ways - here is a picture of the newest member of my family - he sure looks older and more alert than just being 2 weeks and 2 days old.

Thirteen signs of God's love on nature walks in Arizona

2009-01-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2008-11-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

Mystery Solved from last Wednesday

2008-11-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

An old family photo - My father, uncle and all three of my children in 1984

2008-11-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-21T18:50:00.001-07:00

In Arizona

2008-10-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it to Arizona. What a trip!!!! I am so blessed.

I was planning on leaving Minnesota early Wed morning - around 5am - but didn't get going until just after 11am - I lost my bank card and had to wait for the bank to open to get cash and order a new card.

I drove around 700 miles - to Kansas City the first day - got there around 10pm. At my last fill-up before stopping - I found I had not put the gas cap on - ooops. I wanted to make up time, so I got up at 3:30 or so and headed out - at 7:30am I was already in Oklahoma City - going 70mph - which was the speed limit - in morning rush hour traffic on I-35W - and the front driver's side tire and brake assembly fell off. Goodness - luckily I didn't panic and it happened just at an off ramp and I was able to maneuver to the area between the off ramp and the freeway. My tire kept going, the brake stayed behind. I called 911 and they asked me if I was the lady who just lost the tire - yup that would be me. I only have liability insurance and no savings - no credit card - Uff da! Now what? A wonderful police officer stayed with me after calling a tow truck - he canceled one and got one that would fix the jeep for me that day.

The folks at the repair shop were awesome. They put up with Mika and with me from 8:30am until they finally finished the repairs at 6:15pm. One of the guys rearranged my luggage/junk in the back so I could use my rearview mirrors. I'd been trying to go by the side mirrors and Mika was always in my way. It ended up costing a little over $1000.00 - My friend (who had send me $300 cash, charged $300 on the repair bill. My ex-husband provided another $300 for the repairs - they took a personal check from me for $250 and I paid the rest in cash - which still left me plenty for the rest of the trip - I hadn't even made it half-way yet.

I made it to Amarillo Tx by 9:30 that night. I left there at 4am and got to Payson by 3:00 pm. Friday. Of course there is a time change there. I went to a job interview within a half-hour of arriving and started my new job Monday.

The reasons I say I am so blessed is:

1. I have such a wonderful network of family and friends who are always there when I need them - I hope they know that I will always be there for them also.

2. Although I had the car problem - I am blessed it happened during daylight and in a city rather than at night on a lonely stretch of highway.

3. Although I had the car problem - no permanent damage was done - no one was injured - no other vehicles were involved.

4. The police officer was wonderful - I need to try to find out his superiors to let them know what a great officer they have.

5. The people at the car repair shop went out of their way to make us comfortable and to get the work done as soon as possible and get me out the door quickly.

6. My dog, Mika, my faithful companion - kept me company and was a great traveler.

Praise God - thanks to the Lord! I'm sure there are many other blessings I could write about. We are here safe and sound.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-24T13:30:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-10T19:18:00.000-07:00

13 Things I took pictures of in Arizona

2008-09-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

Family - Sister Gwen, Neice Karyn

Veterans Memorial in Fountain Hills

Indian Ruins on the Mogollian Rim

Best Friend

Tonto Natural Bridge

Blackberries

Cool Blue Bug

Really cool green bug

Shriners with camels

Shriners in cars

Shriners on horseback (I missed the motorcycles
A Totem Pole

My youngest son and girlfriend

home

2008-09-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it back to Minnesota. I had a great time in Arizona. My sister is doing awesome. Praise God. I spent time with old friends and made new ones.
It was great to see the grandchildren again. My youngest - going on 2 yrs old - wasn't talking much when I left - it's amazing what 3 weeks will do! He held up his arms to get a hug - proceeded to leave a glob of dripping from his diaper on my white pants. When I set him down, he pointed to the mess and said "Oh, man". Too funny.
I'll post pictures later.
Mika was glad to me - I was afraid she'd give me the cold shoulder, but she couldn't.

Arizona

2008-09-02T11:55:00.001-07:00

Look what I found in Arizona - just when it's time to leave to go home.

Arizona

2008-08-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been here in lovely Payson for almost a week now. I guess it's about time I do a little blogging.
I'm sitting in my sister's "Makin' Room" - that is what her grandchildren call her craft room. Cute, huh? My niece just got the internet set up down here so I can spend a little more time on-line.
It is absolutely beautiful up here in Rim country. I've been taking quite a few pictures - I'll probably have to wait until I get home to post any of them.
I even found a store that makes caramels as good as the ones I buy at the local pharmacy back in Princeton.
I miss everyone back home, but I am enjoying my family here as well.
My youngest son, PJ and his girlfriend are coming up to visit today. I think we will pack a picnic lunch and head for the river. My suitcase will be heavier coming home with all of the "special" rocks I find.
Later,
Pauline

Arizona

2008-08-07T20:02:00.001-07:00

Next week I'm going to Arizona to spend a few weeks with my sister. She went home from the hospital today, but needs 24hr observation for a while. She sounds great, but still a little hazy. I'm planning on encouraging her to be creative while I'm there, and I plan to take advantage of her art supplies and do a little creating myself. I haven't heard from Peg - the winner of my bloggygiveaway pet portrait - so I think I'll draw another one - I need the incentive.
(I'll still honor the giveaway to Peg - if I hear from her in the next week) I'm also going to be looking for another job when I get back - I work for a temp agency and have been working steady for the last few months, but family is more important.
I'm going to miss my Mika - my daughter just got a new puppy and Mika is jealous, and she is not going to be happy that I leave her behind.

Restrooms Around the World

2008-08-07T03:27:00.001-07:00

Thirteen Bathroom signs
1.

3.

4.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Bloggygiveaway Winner

2008-08-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Peggy from PegsPlay won the pet portrait from the random number generator. There were so many entries that I would love to have chosen, I'm glad there is such a thing as a random number generator. I think I may choose another one after I finish Peggy's portrait. Thanks to those of you who entered.

Pauline

Bloggy giveaway Pet Portrait

2008-07-31T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm going to try to join the blogging frenzy. I'll start with a give-a-way for the Bloggy Give-a-way Carnival. I'll create a portrait of your pet - my choice of medium - either pencil sketch, water color, oil, acrylic or a combo. I'll let you do the framing. This is for U.S. only. Leave a comment about your pet. Make sure to leave a way to get in touch with you. The winner will need to email me a picture of their pet with information about it's habits and personality.

Giveaway will close on Saturday evening. Winner will be drawn by random number generator and announced on Sunday afternoon.

Here are a few of my sketches and paintings.

Update on sister

2008-07-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to a cousin's funeral. All of the grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles have passed away - and the cousins are sure getting older. My cousin had been in a nursing home with Alzheimer's for awhile, and the pastor talked a lot about the disease - which surprised me. I liked his message about how she may have forgotten us, but we have not forgotten her - and most important of all - God did not forget her.

When my sister was not responding - I worried about her forgetting us - Praise the Lord - she knows us all. I am so glad that she knows Jesus.

She has been transferred from ICU at the hospital to the rehab next door - and is not happy. She gets confused, depressed, scared, alone and angry. I've been praying that she will feel God's loving arms around her giving her comfort and hope.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Granddaughter's say the cutest things!

2008-07-28T16:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday my youngest granddaughter was helping me play a puzzle game on the computer - she said she saw something that was obviously not on the screen - she said she "saw" it with her "back" eye. I'm not sure if she was referencing "eyes in the back of her head" or if she meant "in her mind, like behind her eye"?

Yesterday my eldest granddaughter - after hearing about her father's episode at the gas station - he started driving off with the hose still attached to his car - and broke the handle off the hose - she thought it was pretty funny, until her mom mentioned that the clerk in Coburn's laughed and said she was going to tell his mom - who comes in every morning for the paper. "Oh, did that happen in town? Am I going to have to move?"

Too funny.

Rebuttal to Senility

2008-07-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline

1.... Start your list here! This is the List from my dd blog about me - can you believe it?- I think I need to clarify a few things. I can never get these font buttons to work right for me - go figure.

Thirteen Things that point to my mom's (that would be me) senility
My mom (over 50) moved in with us several months ago to get on her feet financially. I don't think she should ever move out, and here is why:

1. Mom couldn't find her phone anywhere, and she was starting to freak out at me because I had used her phone last. I told her I clipped the phone to her purse strap. Could not find it. She tore the purse apart, searched the car, her room, the computer desk. Finally I called the phone and found it clipped to her purse strap. Yes, the purse she had emptied looking for it. Well, come on - the phone is black, the phone case is black leather, the purse is black leather - the phone is small - it must have been dark in the kitchen
2. I got a call from my mom's cell phone one day, but there was a man on the other end, not my mom. She had left her entire purse, and cell phone, at the grocery store. Thank goodness she was with my mother in law so I could call and have her go back for it. That was entirely my granddaughter's fault - she was supposed to be watching me (and her other grandma) that day. That was why we let her come along.
3. One night I got a call from Pamida. They had found mom's cell phone in the parking lot. I probably wouldn't have dropped it i the parking lot if I wasn't busy taking (someone's children - because she was home with a "headache") my darling grand babies out of the cart - and besides, I was still stressed out from losing my phone earlier in the day at Cub Foods - dd called my phone for me and nice gentleman answered - and she didn't tell me it was there - I figured it out by myself - but he did tell me that she had called. (not the same guy from the day I left my purse.)
4. One day mom was really freaking out, she could NOT find her phone. (what's new, right?) She tore the place apart looking for it, and was just near spazzing. So I called it while she looked for it in her room. She had used it for a book mark the night before and put it on her book shelf. Now, you have to admit - that is a very creative use for a cell phone - the case has a really neat clippy thing on it.
5. Mom and I were visiting in her room and she wanted to show me something, so she went to her closet to get it. The closet is pretty big, it even has a window, but it isn't THAT big. I asked her "When did your curtain rod fall down?" She said "It didn't!" Then she looked and it had fallen, and she should have seen it when she walked straight toward it walking in, or when standing next to it digging in the dresser. You see, I am a very focused person - I was concentrating on finding some artwork that was buried on top of the dresser in the closet - I was not - I repeat NOT - looking for clothes.
6. Even after living with us for 2 months, my mom couldn't find her way around my house. She would head toward the bathroom when she wanted the dining room, and head to the dining room when she wanted the bathroom or stairs. She always got lost. She's stopped telling us now, but I don't know if she has it figured out or not. We were going to put up signs for her birthday, but decided to be nice. If they would quit moving the bathroom from one side of the house to the other, I wouldn't have that problem - geeezzz
7. We are afraid if she moves out that she will actually start on her plan to make a sequel to "27 Dresses" and make it 27 Wedding Dresses, always a Bride and Never a Bridesmaid. (she's been married 4 times, she is already on her way, we are going to start calling her a serial bride, lol, and she finds this funny, too, it's a joke) Who says it's a joke? I think Hollywood will love the story - did she tell you that every wedding was in a different state?
8. She lost her phone, again, and it was right next to her on the desk. This has happened so many times that I could do an entire TT on it alone, but it would get too repetitive, right? Again, tiny black phone, black case, and black desktop
9. In order to show the need to move her in the first place, we could ask her how many times she forgot her dog at work for the night and had to go back and get her. Don't ask me how many times - I don't remember.
10. Her driving is getting to the point that her dog won't get in the car with her. But if your head broke the windshield from slamming on the brakes, would you want to ride with that driver again? Her head didn't break the windshield - just cracked it - she just won't stay in the seatbelt.
11. Mom has breakfast at a cafe every morning with my mother in law. They both lived in the same area for many, many years and know a lot of the same people. In fact, they both owned the same house, at different times, of course. (that would mean that in our growing up years, both my husband and I spent time growing up in the same house at different times.) Well, they talk and talk and talk every day, and they never run out of things to say. Because they don't remember things so their repeat stories are always new.
.How does she know if we repeat our stories? When we are at breakfast - her lazy behind is still in bed.
12. If she moved out, who would laugh at her comfort her when she comes home crying about seeing road kill after work? I will just pick up a couple of movies to drown my sorrows - like Bambi or Dumbo or Stepmom or Old Yeller
13. And if she didn't live here, I think the dog would get sick of being the only one to scare all the time. Oh believe me, they are very afraid of me down at the grocery store when they see me walking down the aisle pushing a cart with a very lost, scared look in my eyes - shaking my head and muttering "I know I had it when I came in here"

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Hip Hip Hooray!

2008-07-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

I talked to my sister, Gwen last night.
She is coherent and able to converse.
Praise God,

Thanks for all the prayers!

She is still strapped to the bed with the tubes draining the blood, so we still don't know if there is any permanent damage to her right side - time will tell.

Oh, I am so grateful.

Pauline

Another update

2008-07-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well,
We still need prayers - Gwen is not responding to voices yet. Her legs are moving - but not on command. They have had to put a tube down her throat because she is having trouble swallowing. I'm trying not to worry, and leave it all in God's very capable hands -but we are only human so we worry anyway. The nurses are still very optomistic, and it is still early.

Her children are there - her daughter just took a few hours off to go volunteer at a nearby soup kitchen. It helps to serve others when you feel anxious.

Pauline

Update

2008-07-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who kept us in your prayers!

My sister's surgery (bilateral craniotomy) went "textbook" according to her surgeon. That is an awesome thing. Her surgery was late yesterday afternoon - into the early evening.

Now we still have to wait and see how she progresses. I spoke with her nurse this morning (5am their time lol) and she is still groggy but her right side is moving and she is doing better than before the surgery. It will take at least 24 hrs before they will be able to tell much - there is still swelling in the brain.

Hopefully she will make a complete recovery - we'll just keep on praying.

Thanks,

Pauline

Subdural Hematoma

2008-07-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

My eldest sister will be 70 in August. She's always been a creative inspiration to me. She did a little modeling when she was younger - then worked for many years as a hostess in a bar in Minneapolis. She moved to Phoenix and worked in a factory. She is always cheerful. She is a wonderful artist - at one point we bought a small windbell company together and painted windbells for the Cowboy Hall of Fame and for Lawrence Welk Village. She's been taking care of her grandchildren since then. She is active in her church and works part time running the thrift store for the American Legion.
Her husband passed away in February 2007.
For as far back as I can remember - she always drank. I wouldn't call her a drunk, but I would say that she is probably an alcoholic, as was her husband.
Right now she is in ICU in a hospital in Phoenix, AZ
She had been complaining that something wasn't right - she had headaches, had trouble forming sentences, was not steady on her feet. She had an MRI 3 weeks ago, but nothing unusual showed up on it. Yesterday morning her son, who lives with her, was making coffee when she got up - she was all bent over and her right hand was curled. She had trouble talking - He wanted to take her to ER, but she wanted a shower first - but needed help - she couldn't even get herself dressed.
She has subdural hematomas on both sides of her brain - they airlifted her from Payson to Phoenix yesterday. They have been monitoring her and she is getting worse - they were hoping that the body would absorb the excess blood, but it isn't. She will be having surgery tomorrow or Tuesday.
There are a lot of things that can cause bleeding on the brain - usually from a head injury - but in older people, it is usually caused from brain atrophy. The blood vessels stretch and start to ooze. The brain shrinks, but the rest of the skull doesn't. Heredity could be a factor, excessive drinking could be a factor, just getting older could be a factor. But, whatever the cause - in her case there is a probability that it will happen again.
Her right side is affected and her speech is affected. She is right handed - so now, she can't sign her name, do crossword puzzles, carry on a normal conversation. She is coherent, she knows what is going on and what she wants to say -but can't form a sentence. She is literally trapped in her dysfunctional body and my heart goes out to her.
My other sister, who is not the healthiest - nor is her husband, and I live in Minnesota. It seems light years away. We both wish we could be there - and will find a way if necessary - but what can we do for her but pray? Thankfully all of her children are with her to give her support and love.
I just needed to ramble, and cry, now I need to go pray some more.

Sketch of Cats

2008-07-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

These are sketches I made from photographs of my Sister-In-Law's cats. I don't usually do sketches, I mostly paint - but this was a fun project.

Where is Home?

2008-07-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling pretty depressed for a long time now - years actually. I haven't been able to put my finger on why.
I finally started going to counseling about 6 months ago - (about 4 or 5 times only) while still living in Maine. Of course - she wanted to start with my childhood.
I have taken anti-depressants off and on for years, but never consistently.
The overlying thought that I have is that I want to go "home", but I don't know where that is. I am always incredibly lonely no matter where I am. I honestly cannot remember the last time I actually felt like I was "home". I always felt like "this is not my house, my home, I don't belong here".
I'm always searching for that feeling of safety, unconditional love, comfort, acceptance. I always come up lacking - and usually blame myself for having too high of expectations.
I have finally decided that I have been looking in all the wrong places. I'm not going to find it in a man, my loving family, any structure. I will only find it in Jesus.
I need to start delving into His Word and to fully rely on Him. I know he loves me as I am and will continue to love me as I struggle to learn to rely on Him, serve Him, obey Him, trust Him, and love Him.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-09T03:58:00.000-07:00

Three Generation at Graduation

2008-06-12T20:56:00.001-07:00

Granduate, Grandma, Mom

Thirteen Random Things

2008-06-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

Most of these are nothing to brag about

1. My first job was debeaking turkeys - yuck - especially since I was a teenager

2. I've been married and divorced 4 times in 4 different states - not that I'm bragging - I consider it a blight and yet I wouldn't change a thing. I've learned from each marriage and have beautiful children and grandchildren because of them.

3. I love to read - everything and anything

4. I am an awesome procrastinator - and I have passed it on to my children = another thing not to brag about :)

5. I am addicted to caffeine - mostly coffee - I also like tea and diet coke

6. I love to paint - I started with oil, then did some tole painting, then acrylics, and the latest - watercolors - I don't take the time to do much with the talent God gave me - shame on me

7. I am my own worse critic - about everything - have you noticed?

8. I love our Lord, and am always in awe of His magnificent creation

9. I enjoy my drive to and from work - I get to cross the Mighty Mississippi every day and see beautiful countryside and often a myriad of wild life - I listen to Christian Radio and visit with my Lord

10. I am super emotional - I have been known to cry over road kill - "Oh, no - what happens to their babies? or what if the mommy or baby saw the accident, sob, sob, sob"

11. I'm having a time adjusting to not having my own home - sharing with 9 other people. I just don't always know when, what, or if I should comment on things. I realize that the adjustment will take time and that there will be ups and downs. God doesn't promise us a rose garden without thorns - but if we let Him, he will remove the thorns from us.

12. I absolutely hate it if anyone is mad at me, especially my family - they are supposed to always love, like, admire, respect etc.etc.etc. me. I cry if I even think one of my grandchildren is mad at me or if I think they don't like me. Poor, poor, pitiful me. Another thing not to brag about.

13. Money, possessions, vocation - these are not very important to me. Relationships are the most important things to me - my relationship with Jesus, my children, my grandchildren, the rest of my family, and my friends. Now this trait can be like a double-edged sword. Because of what I consider not that important, I tend to put it so far on the back burner that it gets toasted and I end up in trouble for being irresponsible - like late bills, lost possessions, late to work. Not bragging!

New Boyfriends

2008-05-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

I am seeing 5 gentlemen every day.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed

Then I go to see John .

Then Charlie Horse comes along, & when he is here,

he takes a lot of my time & attention.

When he leaves, Arthur Ritis shows up & stays the rest of the day.

He doesn 't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint After such a busy day, I'm really tired & glad to go to bed With Ben Gay.

What a life! Oh, yes, I'm also flirting with Al Zymer

and thinking of calling JACK DANIELS or JOHNNY WALKER to come and keep me company.

now remember:

Life is like a roll of toilet paper...the closer it gets to the end,

the faster it goes...so have fun, think 'good thoughts' only,

learn to laugh at yourself, and

'Count your blessings!!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-05-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought it was funny

2008-05-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

A few posts ago, I wrote about why you shouldn't marry again and again and again. It causes havoc at the driver's license bureau - you need certified copies of each marriage certificate. I have been married 4 times, in 4 different states. Nothing to be proud of -- but if I can't find some humor in it, I'd really get depressed.

Saturday, my daughter, her mother-in-law, and I went shopping in a neighboring town. The night before I had this weird idea pop into my head and decided to share it with the girls. (I was pretty high on caffeine at the time - we'd been to breakfast and had a couple of pots of coffee) I was thinking about the movie "27 Dresses" always the bridesmaid, never the bride. So I figured, I could get married a few more times (quite a few) and see if Hollywood would buy the rights to my "story" - "27 Wedding Dresses" always the bride, never the bridesmaid. I thought that was hilarious. I figured it wouldn't matter where I found the husbands, the marriages weren't going to last anyway - I could pick them up in bars or thrift stores - didn't need their money because I'd live off the royalties. Then expanded the idea and figured I might have a hard time finding that many husbands - so maybe Hollywood would create a Reality TV show to find the husbands. It just went on and on.

So, I decided to call my sisters and my sons to tell them that I'd changed my mind and was going to get married again after all. One sister laughed and went along with my idea, one son was pretty hesitant and didn't think it was a very good idea, even after I told him it was a joke. The other son joked a bit after figuring out I wasn't serious (both of them asked me when and to whom - to which I replied soon and I haven't decided yet), said I should marry a few rich men to get money from them - I told him that if I ever decided to marry again I would move to where his brother is (he's an officer in the Navy) and have him set me up with a rich, retired, widower. He had a fit - Mom, you can't marry a military guy - they are too controlling - just like your last husbands - you need to find an artsy-nerdy guy like the one you used to watch painting - you know the one with all the hair. You could compare paintings and stuff. (I think he meant Bob Ross) .

My oldest sister almost had a heart attack. Even after I told her the story line. Her daughter emailed me last night and asked if I was getting married - I told her no, and told her the story line, she emailed back to ask if I was dating someone - No no no no. It was a joke. I am not dating anyone - I have no plans to date anyone. I would run and hide if anyone even looked like they might ask me out. NO no no no.

Update - New Job

2008-05-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I finally have a full-time job. I start this Friday. I'll be a receptionist in a secured lobby of a large marketing company. It kind of seems "top secret" reaching under my desk to push a button to unlock the front door and making photo i.d. badges for visitors. I'll also be doing some human resource projects. I'm excited about starting.

Now, there may be a few snags. Yesterday my jeep wouldn't start, it turns over but won't start - a neighbor is working on it - and hopes to get it running today. It would be nice to be able to get to work on Friday. The other snag is that I have such a bad cold I just can't seem to stop coughing. It is debilitating. Hopefully it will be better by Friday. I was supposed to work at a temp job in St. Cloud all week - til Friday anyway. Yesterday I used my son-in-law's car and got there at noon. He stayed home so my daughter could use the car to go to an appointment with the kids in the morning. Today I couldn't get there at all. Makes me feel so guilty.

There are five drivers in our household, and six vehicles in the yard - one of which works at this time - and that one has a cracked windshield and is missing the driver's side mirror. We're hoping to have at least 3 of them working this week. I know, we sound like rednecks - but it is what it is.

A little while ago I was thinking about getting a post together and asking for prayers for my sister who is at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester today and tomorrow for tests. Just after this thought I got a phone call from the Mayo asking for her. They have my cell phone as the contact for her - I took her there about 6 weeks ago for testing. De'ja` vu. Anyway - I would appreciate prayers for her. One of the tests she is having is an endoscopy - but for her it is very dangerous because she has had several stomach operations and her organs are not all in the proper place anymore. One time she had this procedure done and the perforated something and she had to have emergency surgery.

Another thing I don't miss about Maine - my driveway

2008-05-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I went to a Woman's Brunch at church yesterday - what a great time! More about the speaker's topic later.

Anyway, we had out picture taken together - I love it. Isn't she beautiful?

April Snow

2008-04-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

Is it really the 26th of April? This is what I woke up to this morning, ugh! Just a few days ago we set up a little pool in the front yard for the kids. Go figure!

Job Hunting

2008-04-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Uff da! Job Hunting is certainly trying my patience - teaching me perseverance - humbling my ego - and dwindling my bank account. Well, actually, the job HUNTING isn't dwindling my bank account, it's the not GETTING a job that is doing the dwindling.

I have posted my resume' on a couple of on-line employment search sites, pursue the local newspapers and apply to almost any job that comes up, and am registered with three fairly local employment agencies. I have actually work on 2 one-day assignments.

I was so sure that I would have a great job within a week of moving here - and I've been here since the first of March. Things are looking up a bit. I had an actual interview this morning and 2 of the agencies have jobs in mind - even though they may be temporary.

Great Green Hunter

2008-04-23T13:05:00.001-07:00

Where are the eggs?

2008-04-02T06:44:00.001-07:00

Free Whine or why not to marry again and again and again

2008-03-31T15:33:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in so long, I have a lot to whine about. Well, for starters, I left the fisherman - husband number 4 - Yes, that's right number FOUR.
I moved from Maine to Minnesota to live with my daughter and her large but wonderful family.

I figured I'd have no trouble landing a job immediately - it's been a month and so far not even a bite. Of course, instead of really really trying to get a job, I have been enjoying getting to know my grandchildren again. And living without constantly saying "I'm not allowed".

Today I went to get a haircut so I would look a little more professional and not like a 55 yr old still hanging onto her 60's hippie look. I also wanted to get the haircut before I went to change my driver's license.

It's almost April - and wouldn't you know it - snow, snow, snow. So my grandson - whose wallet with his driver's license was lost - and I drive to the next town over, in the snow storm - to get our driver's licenses. First they see that my license is from Maine and ask if I've ever had a Minnesota license. I said yes, but it has been over 20 year ago. So I need to take the written test. I already knew that and had read the manual online- I am prepared. But, what I didn't know, was that in these little bitty one-horse towns (that I love), you can only take the test at 10am on Thursdays - and today is Monday. Ok, so I'll have to come back again.

Oh, by the way, "How many times have you been married?" Excuse me? Is that any of your business? (I didn't say that) Four. Yep, four. "Did you ever take back your maiden name?" Um, nope. "Well, you will have to bring in 2 forms of identification - one of which is a certified copy of your birth certificate (Primary Documents) and one from the (Secondary Documents) Current photo driver's license, or Social Security Card." OK, no problem.

"And - certified copies of all of your marriage certificates" Excuse me? All of them? I have the divorce paperwork - won't that work? "No, it has to be certified copies of all of the marriage certificates." It's new policy because of the 911 incident. Why are you picking on me? Do I look like a spy or terrorist or something? _ No, I didn't say that.

Not only have I been married 4 times, it was in 4 different states! How long is it going to take to get all of these documents? How much money is it going to cost? Do I have time to get a job first? By the time I get them, I'll be driving illegally - don't I have to switch my driver's license withing 30 days? "No, you have 60 days." Gee, Thanks alot.

I'm moving back to Maine - Not.

Ok, so I get home, It's too late to call Maine - time difference ya know. So I start with Minnesota - 1969 - I call the county office and they kindly look it up, yep they have it. Send $9 and request the certificate with the names and dates - mail it to such and such address. OK, so far so good.

Next, call South Dakota - 1975. 3 different numbers until I reach the right person. They are mailing me a form to fill out to request the certificate. I have no idea what it will cost. Ok, next?

Arizona. Only 2 calls. I'm really not sure about the date - so I guess 1985 - right. They also have it. $23.00 with my debit card and it's on the way.

So, tomorrow I'll see about Maine. Right now, I just want to go to bed and sleep til it is all over. Bummer, bummer, bummer. I should never have divorced or ever married - Not really - I have learned from each marriage - granted, I am a sloooooooowwwwwwww learner. I have wonderful children and grandchildren and friends from each marriage. I just won't do it again. Never, ever, ever again!!!!!

Anyone have any cheese to go with my whine?

Look at this great giveaway!

2008-01-31T08:08:00.001-08:00

An Island Life is giving away a Trendy Tadpole t-shirt. The shirts are so cute, with sassy little sayings for little kids. Ends Feb. 4.

What to bring, what to bring - that is the question

2008-01-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

Great contest!

2008-01-21T07:53:00.000-08:00

I'm a grandma and I love having the grandkids around. But I don't want to hang onto a high chair, booster seat and all that baby stuff that takes up precious room.
Sassyfrazz has a giveaway for a great solution for me.
She is giving away a kaboost chair booster that just lifts the chair up so the kids think they are big people.
Contest ends February 1.

I will not miss this

2008-01-16T10:18:00.001-08:00

Mika and the Turkey Tracks

2008-01-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

Contests around the blogosphere

2008-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Big Bald Blog is at another awesome contest!$100 Per Month For The New Year Seriously, that is amazing! He has teamed up with some other bloggers for this contest with tons of ways to enter. Enter by February 1.
Who wants to pay you?
1. Mixed Market Arts
2. JoeTech.com
3. Link Bait
4. Gorilla Sushi
5. CK Marketing
6. The Big Bald Blog
7. How 2 Blogger

Our Blessed Arrows is giving away 5 Large Rumpsters aio diapers. It goes through the end of February. My dd uses cloth diapers, so I'd love to win them for her.

Visiting a Troll

2007-11-28T12:54:00.001-08:00

Home Sweet Home

2007-11-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

Wordless Wednesday Using a Life

2007-11-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous Apron!

2007-11-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

The Apronista is giving away this incredible apron from Heavenly Hostess for the Fall, Y'all giveaway!
The apron is reversible and comes with a matching headband. Aside from the fact that it is really very adorable and fashionable, my dd thinks she would look really hot in it.
So, hopefully I can win it and give it to her for Christmas. Even if she does know I've won it, lol. And she will have to wait until Christmas.

Or maybe I'll keep it for myself. So I can be a hot grandma.

Cute giveaway!

2007-11-03T10:38:00.001-07:00

Amanda is giving away one of these adorable tag blankets from her website Simply Sweet Bowtique.

I'm thinking blue minky for little Samuel.

2007-10-18T05:19:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

2007-10-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline1…. Start your list here!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I have to get done before my husband gets home some time tomorrow. I work 30 min. from home, get off at 4:30 – Leave for work at 7:00 am tomorrow morning. Think I can do it?

Deposit my paycheck
Complete paperwork at our rental office – write out rental receipts and attach them to invoices and file
Cub Scout meeting at my house at 6 – making posters
Wash Cling-on’s hair and braid it for school pictures tomorrow
Wash sheets
Put clean sheets on all beds
Clean bathrooms
Vacuum Living room
Clean fridge
Clean up after scouts
Straighten out basement where we went through toys
Clean off countertops
Hide all my excess paperwork

Oh my gosh – I need to do way more than 13 things – I need to sweep basement floor, clean the cat box – empty all garbage cans – organize Tupperware cupboard – clean out bread drawer – kids showers – clean off computer areas – make sure kids rooms are clean - I’m sure I’m missing somethingsssssssss Help - pray for me please.
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Autumn View for Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday - Ribbet

2007-09-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Commercial?

2007-09-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

This morning my grandson asked me if Poppa was in commercials. I said, "no, why would you think that?" Well, he is a Commerical Fisherman after all.

Wordless Wednesday - Noah's Ark

2007-09-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

I've been painting on this wall in the nursery at our church for 3 years now. By the time I finish it they will decide to use the room for something else and have to paint over it. I have actually done more since these pictures. The lions are done, the dolphins are done, there are chickens, loons, hippos, zebras, an otter, some parrots, and raccoons added. There is more detail done on the ark also.

Menu Planning giveaway!

2007-09-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

Nell is having a give-away on her blog, Casual Friday Everyday.
Win a free year to a menu planning service called “menu planning central!” They plan the week's meals for you and even provide the grocery list! This is exactly what I need as a busy grandmother raising grand kids and working full time and running real estate businesses on the "side." What a time saver this would be to me.

This is a very generous gift, enter by Sept 15. ($239.64 value)

Thursday Thirteen - Messy Desk

2007-09-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline
1. 13 reasons I can’t see the top of my desk at work.

1. A grocery bag full of grapes – both red and green
2. A margarine tub with dry dog food for when Mika comes with me to work.
3. An empty diet pepsi can I plan to bring home for the kids to recycle – been there about 2 weeks.
4. A kleenix box
5. An open bag of Carmel Corn Flavored Crispy Rice Chips
6. An apple
7. An orange
8. Files I need to file
9. Empty coffee cup
10. Napkins – to put my fruit or chips on
11. Empty blueberry container
12. Recyclable paper
13. A multitude of pens, pencils and sticky notes not where they belong

Wordless Wednesday

2007-09-05T13:03:00.001-07:00

Thursday Thirteen

2007-08-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

These weird facts were sent to me from my sister-in-law from a much longer list of wierd facts or sayings.

Thursday Thirteen

2007-08-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

#1 The "sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick" is said to be the toughest tongue twister in the English language.

#2 Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times

#3 In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.

#4 Most lipstick contains fish scales.

#5 If you keep your eyes open by force, they can pop out.

#6 It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky

#7 Horses can't vomit

#8 On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year

#9 It's possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs

#10 Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

#11 The electric chair was invented by a dentist. (FIGURES)

#12 A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.

#13 On average people fear spiders more than they do death?!

Cuttin' Scallops

2007-08-29T11:28:00.001-07:00

Wordless Wednesday photo by Devon

2007-08-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

Thirteen things I did today

2007-08-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline1…. Start your list here!
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. Woke up before the 5:30 alarm and finished a book I was reading
2. Hit the snooze button about 13 times in order to finish the book - so had to rush to get to work on time.
3. Saw a crane or egret or something in the fog on the river and wished I could reach my camera - it was on the floor on the passenger side of the car.
4. I worked for 5 hours instead of my 4 hours for a Thursday. My boss wasn't crazy about me taking a whole day on Tuesday - I used a vacation day to take my granddaughter to the airport in Boston and picked up my Grandson. A 3.5 hr drive each way.
5. I picked up the mail and stopped at our office to see if any tenants paid - they didn't.
6. I went home and picked up my grandson and Mika and went to town.
7. Went to the bank to deposit my check - kept out $40 - gave grandson $20 - part of what his parents sent along for him.
8. We went to McDonalds to eat - spent $9.00
9. Went to put gas in my car since my idiot light (dummy light to Cling-on) was on - couldn't find my debit card so put the remainder of the $20 I had left -$10.00 in the car.
10 Got lost trying to find my accountants house in the country - passed it 3 times - used up most of the $10 gas I put in the car.
11. Went to one of our rentals to meet with two contractors - one needed my permission to doze down the lilac bushes - boo hoo.
12. Took my grandson for a ride to see some wild turkeys - he took lots of pictures
13. Intended to sew up 13 wipies for Qtpies7 - my daughter - to use for my Thursday 13 - and sewed 14 by mistake - Sorry Qtpie :)
5. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is my son - the one in the car accident where the airbag didn't deploy and he broke off some teeth on the steering wheel. Now he has an infection from the broken teeth. He is in a lot of pain with no insurance to go get it taken care of. I'm sending these to GM, but I doubt if they will do anything about it - they don't stand behind there products or there customers - obviously.

Contest

2007-08-10T09:04:00.000-07:00

So a Blonde Walks into a blog is having a contest with lots of great prizes, cookbooks, apron, hat, for blonds,from Another Blonde Moment,. Open until August 12, just for a comment.

Pets I've Loved

2007-08-09T03:34:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline1. Capper - I was a toddler and we got a white Spitz - my sisters wanted to name him Casper - but I couldn't say it so Capper it was - I have a scar on my hand from him
2. Dan - a golden retriever left at a farm place we lived at. Great dog - hunters came to borrow him.
3. Lassie - a mutt I got - we lived on a turkey farm and she started killing baby turkeys - just one here or there - my parents told me a nieghbor found a home for her - when he came to get her he put her in his trunk (so his car wouldn't get dirty) that night while home alone - Lassie came crawling home with a gun shot in her neck.
4. While pregnant with qtpies7 we got a St. Bernard and named him Moose - did he ever look funny sitting on the loveseat.
5. When qtpies7 was a toddler we got her a black kitten - I would call - here kitty, kitty, kitty - and she would call "He kaliddiditty. so that became it's name.
6. We moved to a Dairy farm and got a great German Shepherd named Judge. He was very good with the kids.
7. After moving from Minnesota to Arizona we got a little terrier mix named Mandy - She loved to dress up in the kids t-shirts. I mourned for a week after she died.
8. Then we got a desert tortoise named Sherman - who loved bananas.
9. Then came Randi - Mirandi Cecille - she was a Pomeranian. When I was pregnant with my youngest she would only eat crackers - just like me.
10. Blaze came next - a Curly Coated Retriever who insisted on getting our newspapers and if one of us didn't know he'd been out to get it - he'd end up getting the neighbors also. He also helped carry in groceries.
11. Another black cat - Bagheera. He was declawed but still took birds out of the air.
12. I got Mika - you've probably seen her in a previous post at the Arizona Humane Society. The best dog I've ever had.
13. And now we also have another black cat - Midnight aka Nightmare. He's also great.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-08T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is my son's car - his airbag did not deploy and he broke some of his teeth on the steering wheel - granted his teeth were in really bad shape to start with. But my point is that he would not have taken a bite out of his steering wheel if the airbag had deployed. GM says that the airbag was not defective and that the car has to hit in a certain way before the airbag deploys. Excuse me??? How hard does it have to hit? This car is completely totaled. Head on with a light pole.

Thirteen Ideal Ways To Spend Free Time Without Spending Money If I Had Any Free Time

2007-08-02T03:16:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things about Pauline

1…. Read - uniterrupted - all day
2. Take a nice leisurely walk in the woods with a camera and a backpack with snacks
3. Paint - leave the paints out all day and paint in all my mediums: oil, acrylic, water colors, pastels, and try out my new Chinese Inks
4. Go window shopping - most of day in Barnes & Noble
5. Go to a nearby beach and walk along the shore picking up seashells, turning over rocks to see the critters living there (being careful not to disturb them, stopping now and then to lay in the sun and read, bring camera for beautiful sunset
6. Spend the day looking at photos - memorabilia I have boxes of photos taken over the years and tons on my computer and on disks I like to sort them, then sort them over again in different categories
7. Watch movies - I have tons I haven't watched yet and some I'd like to watch again. No interruptions, just a pause here and there to make popcorn
8. Go out and pick wild berries - We just finished the strawberry season, raspberries are almost done, blueberries are starting, and then the blackberries. Bring bug spray and lots of containers.
9. Play cards with friends - all day. My favorite is Hand and Foot. Board games are fun to - I do love Pictionary
10. Spend a day pampering myself - A nice long bubblebath - with a glass of wine, candles and a good book - give myself a pedicure and a manicure. How about a facial while I'm at it. Make some good herbal tea - do some stretching - maybe dance to a few Richard Simmons tapes. Take a nap. Spend the day talking to our Lord.
11. Crafts - Like quilting, scrapbooking, needlepoint, pressing flowers, I used to like to do macrame`
12. Go for a drive and explore local roads I've never been on - again take the camera to take pictures of old barns, animals, the river views around here.
13. Blog - blog, blog - read everyones blog - What I wouldn't give to have a whole day to surf the net instead of grabbing a few minutes here and there.