Hermit

I really am a hermit at heart.  

I love my house, I love being with my boys and extended family in my house.  

Yesterday I had physical therapy at 2:30 P.M.  As I was driving down Central Expressway I realized I had not been out of the house since December 23.  A fact that did not disturb me in any way.  In fact, I had considered canceling PT yesterday so I could stay home, and then I changed my mind because I had so much pain from quilting the day before.  

Of course, I wouldn't have been able to stay home if it hadn't been for the elves in the family.  Thank you elves.  

Knit GIrl

I gave this Knit Girl to Loni for Christmas since she is the knitter of the bunch. She has given me some beautiful knitted scarves, Greenie my afghan, and my knitted sweater ornaments.  (I think I might have lost one, I am very distressed.)

I digress.  I bought this for Loni, because I wanted her to know and remember that I recognize that she is a wonderful knitter, plus I gave her a push to become one. :)  

Knit girl is in one of Loni's favorite colors, and she is wearing green pants so Loni will remember it was a Mama C gift.  

Christmas 2010 in Pictures

Jill gave Mina, Loni and me Lenox snowflakes this year.

My nephew Wolfgang lived with us when he was in fifth grade.  He made this ornament this year, and I have placed it in the same spot on the tree each year since.  That is a real ice cream cone, so it has to be wrapped very carefully each year. 

I am to short to get a good picture of the soldier that my oldest made when he was in second or third grade but I remember how excited he was when he gave it to me.  I told him it would always have a special place on the tree and he asked me if "We could keep if for all the days?"  You can always find it at the top near the star.

Mina gave me a gift in this box, and I truly loved the gift, but I am really enjoying the box as an ornament.  It is so pretty!

I found this laying on a shelf in the other room on Monday.  It had money with it.  No one knows where it came from.  We have had so many people in and out of here, there is no telling.  I gave the money to the youngest and put the ornament on the tree.  I think it is really pretty and it goes with me. 

I finally went to see Kyle dance in the Nutcracker this year.  He was the Nutcracker and a Russian.  Of course I had to buy a nutcracker in the lobby.  Kyle was fabulous as I knew he would be, what a talented guy. Oh, excuse me.  Man.  He turned 21 Christmas Eve.

 Gift from Mina and Loni from Hawaii.
I love turtle ornaments!

 Harvey. Isn't he cute.  Some people think he is creepy because he is always watching them.
I think he is the best guard rabbit around.

 My newest sweater ornament from Loni.  (2010)
Seed stitch.  My favorite!

 Another picture of it because I love it so much!

 My cable sweater from Loni. Cable pattern, 2 years ago? 
Maybe 3?  It hangs out in my bedroom when it is not Christmas.

Loni also found the perfect ornaments for me this year.
Lucy in green with a cup saying "Give." Since I keep telling everyone I am going to start charging them to visit Mama to help pay for the oasis.  Also Lucy giving psychiatric help (the ornament talks!), representing how perfect strangers ask me for advise.  I love them!

Youngest, When Did He Get so Tall?

I Believe You Can Never Have Enough Ornaments or Lights!

The Boys Show Off Naked Santa

I Love My Tree!

Naked Santa - A Tradition Now

Oldest Puts Together Mom's Design Wall

Youngest is Quite Happy With His Gifts

Tree at Night

Still Love My Tree

To my knowledge, this Nativity set is older than I am.

My Mom made this Nativity for the Oldest when he was little.

This was my Mom's Nativity in her apartment.

Merry Christmas from My Family

It has been a good holiday season because I have been surrounded by family, friends, and there has been a lot of laughter in my house.

Sunday night we had our second annual extended family Christmas dinner and gift exchange. Mina, Stan, Jill, Joe, Loni, Alle, the oldest, youngest, and Rudi (as the Ghost) were there. 

The menu this year was tortilla soup and make your own tacos.  I didn't hear any complaints so YEAH!

The oldest played Santa and we took turns opening gifts until it was all over. There were lots of gifts to go around and all of them very nice and meaningful.  

Mina gifted Loni a nice knitting bag that looks more like a fine handbag, plus lots of goodies to go with it.  She also presented Loni with a quilt. It was the first quilt for Mina.  It was an easy project and I think she enjoyed herself.  Loni received a quilt top from Jill.  Loni knows my quilt to her is sandwiched and ready to quilt.

Mina received a nice quilt made by Jill, quilted with hearts.  Mina received a quilt top from me, but it is now sandwiched and ready to go. 

The boys got lots of green and Loni made sure the youngest received Magic cards, and the oldest got the latest version of Scrabble.  

The men received manly gifts to match their hobbies. Joe received grilling items to go with his new grill.  Stan will be going to GameStop very soon and will know the temperature of the room he is gaming in. 

Jill will be all relaxed with her massage gift cards.  

Alle received lots of "squishies," and gift cards to spend.  

I will be reading, quilting, and enjoying some very nice bird items.  I don't think I will be packing my new ornaments away this year. Loni's selections were too perfect to store away, especially my new little sweater ornament.

While the gifts were all very, very nice, nothing tops having us all together (well except the ghost).  My heart just soars when the house is full of so much love.

Butch

My cousin passed away today.  I haven't seen him since I was in middle school.

He had a rough life.  Some of it his own making, other troubles were just circumstances beyond his control.

I hope he is at peace now.  

I think there might have been a big reunion in heaven tonight.  

Some say they are not sure he went there, but I am.  He had a kind heart. I remember him trying to teach me to dance. 

RIP Butch.

This Letter was under the Christmas Tree for My Oldest

CEASE AND DESIST

Dear Sir,
I am the proprietor of all copyright in a religious appearance entitled to Christianity. I have reserved all rights in the appearance, which was first expressed in material form on March 3^rd, 300 BC.
It has come to my attention that your appearance deemed 'Jesus-like' is identical/substantially similar to my copyrighted appearance. Permission was neither asked nor granted to reproduce my appearance and your appearance therefore constitutes infringement of my rights. In terms of the Copyright Statutes, I am entitled to an injunction against your continued infringement, as well as to recover damages from you for the loss I have suffered as a result of your infringing conduct.
In the circumstances, I demand that you immediately:

1. Shave off your beard
   
2. Refrain from wearing sandals
   
3. Cut your hair so that it cannot be taking as resembling my own
   

I await to hear from you by no later than close of business on December 26^th.
This is written without prejudice to my rights, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.


Yours faithfully,
Jesus Christ

Of course, the youngest is the culprit, but I see his point. 
A picture of the oldest

Oh Glorious Day!

No workmen here today.  It is quiet.  The boys are still asleep. 

I am sitting here in my bath sheet, enjoying the rustling of the blowing leaves and the ringing of my chimes.  

I am amazed at how many leaves have come off the oak tree in the last few days.  There is a blanket of leaves outside my door.  Every once in a while a few of them decide to get up and dance together, or visit the other side of the field.  What a perfect morning.  

A white Christmas is nice, but I am used to my Texas Christmas mornings now, and don't yearn for it like I used to in the past.  

The problem with a perfect morning is that you eventually have to get up and complete your chores.  I have underwear to put in the dryer for the youngest, meatloaf to make for the oldest, medicine to take, a shopping list to make, and then I can have fun quilting.  

May all your mornings be perfect. 

Me, I will have workmen here again tomorrow, and will be listening to the air compressor go off. I hate that thing.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I am sitting here listening to the quiet.

The painter was here until 8:00 P.M. last night. I thought he would never leave. John left at 4 so at least the air compressor wasn't going all evening.

Lovely gift exchange with the boys last night. Perfect new GREEN slippers. A design wall and online quilting course for my gifts. I sat and watched some of the course last night while working on some blocks for a new quilt. 

Santa was able to sleep in this morning since the boys were up so late last night they are still in bed.  Santa was even nice enough to start some laundry this morning since a boy confessed last night that he had no clean underwear for today and would have to do laundry last night and then forgot. (Youngest not oldest.  Oldest has no clean socks but I had some hidden in my room since I hate I waiting while they try to find some when we go out.)

Today will be full of games, quilting, and movies.  Christmas dinner is meatloaf by request of oldest.  He promised to make bread.  We shall see.  

Tomorrow will be filled with the extended family.  We will have our second annual family Christmas dinner and gift exchange.  I hope the girls like what I got them.  I love what the present they gave Jill and me.  An extra large quilting ironing surface that goes over a 2x4 table.  I really need that for these big quilts.  It was delivered here early so it would come to a pet free house and not bring in pet hair I am allergic to and make me sneeze.  

Looking forward to the New Year.  I feel very optimistic right now. 

Special message to SerenDippity.  Thanks for reading and commenting. May you have a very blessed New Year. 

A Few Members of my Beloved Texas Family

Part of the reason I love this group is because they have a positive, fun outlook on life. Introducing Stan, Rudi, Loni, and Mina.  Stan is the one with the jumping beans...of course. :)

10 Years, Who Knew?

As I have mentioned before I have had Santa's best elves working for me for a few years now.  They go out and find the hard to find gifts.  They run to stores I don't want to go to because they are in crowded areas with lots of people. They are the only reason my hair is not completely white.

The only thing I never asked an elf to do was wrap the presents, something I hate doing.  Who knew that Loni loves to wrap presents. When she told me she liked to wrap presents, I jumped at the chance to have her wrap mine this year.

She came over last night and wrapped for hours. She was actually humming and smiling while she did it.  I have presents under my tree this year without any extra paper folded over the ends. (Well, most of them...the youngest and I wrapped a couple.)  The oldest used her service for his girlfriend's presents and Loni did special things with those gifts, like wrap the ring (not engagement!) in a wrapped box, inside another wrapped box, then placed that in a box with the Lord of the Rings'  doll and wrapped that all together.

I have known this wonderful woman for 10 years and I could have had this service!!!  I will never wrap again, well, I will have to wrap Loni's gifts but then she will see how much she is needed and feel even more love from this family. 

Here is a video that Loni made of my elves.  Loni, Mina and Stan.  LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

I Miss my Toilet

My bathroom is still being remodeled and I miss my toilet. 

I feel like Goldilocks. 

The master bath toilet is too tall!

The Man Cave toilet is too cold and cramped!

My toilet is just right but it is currently sitting in the front yard. 

At this point all I want for Christmas is my toilet, in my bathroom. 

I Have Santa's Best Elf

I hate to shop! Internet shopping is the best thing that ever happened to me, but there are some  things that need to be taken care of personally. 

Fortunately, I have Santa's best Elf.  Loni!

It used to be Stan, Mina, and Loni, but the boys haven't wanted anything impossible to find the last couple of years.  It is just a matter of going to get the items. 

I have had so little sleep lately that even thinking about Christmas is enough to send me screaming through the house, but thanks to Loni and my oldest today, a lot of my little errands were completed.

I am so glad Santa lends out the elves.  

I Don't Have the Right Attitude for a Dating Service

A man working on my telephone line told me about a dating service he was using that was free.  Yesterday morning, I decided to look into the service and then on the spur of the moment I decided to sign up. 

Ever since about an hour after signing up I have either been ROFLMAO or wanting to reach for a bucket to puke. 

So far my responses have included:

• A 27 year old.
• A guy whose mentions in his profile that he likes kissing cigarette smokers, is highly sexed, and would be happy to send me private pictures of himself to show me how naturally blessed he is.  He is 49, but enjoys women of all ages. He has even dated an 89 year old.
• One who is an able lover, but only likes fit women. (I was honest in my profile about my shape.) Also what does "able lover" mean when you are 52. Does it mean you can perform without chemical assistance, or that you know what to do with what you have whether you need chemical assistance or not? 

I can't help but laugh when I look at some of the pictures these men post and then their descriptions of themselves.  A little advice, wear a shirt if you have skinny man boobs hanging to  your waist with tufts of gray hair all over your shoulders because you look more like 76 than 56. 

I was honest in my profile and even though my picture was just a head shot, it was recent.  I didn't pretend to be thin, in good shape, or athletic.  I was just me.  

I don't know if I will keep my profile out there or not.  It is all just too weird for me.  I am not even sure when I would go out with someone.  I am pretty happy with my life as it is right now.  I also don't know if I have the guts to go out with a perfect stranger.  I haven't done anything like that since college.  

I keep asking my oldest if he doesn't know a single professor I could date, but he says they are all married or too young.  Maybe when the youngest starts college next fall he will find me someone. 

I Don't Understand ... An Italian Donkey... at Christmas?

May This be the Theme Song of 2011

I hope it won't be long before we sing this song and it is true.

So This is Christmas (The War is Over) - John Lennon

M

Why Surgeons Dread Redheads

Yes, I was born a natural redhead.

I found this article interesting because I have had several of the issues mentioned. Only one doctor has actually mentioned to me that he knew of the sensitivities of redheads and suggested I would need extra anesthesia during a medical procedure.

As a pre-teen, I woke up during a difficult oral surgery and freaked the doctor and nurse out. I had trouble during a couple of other procedures, and it is noted in my medical history about my hypersensitivity to certain drugs.

Loni can attest to my inability to clot. There have been several times when I did not know I was bleeding and left a small pool on the kitchen floor.

I need to save this article for the next time I need surgery.

Why Surgeons Dread Redheads

I Drove My Parents Crazy with this One

I had the Chipmunk albums and would play this one over and over again. Our preschooler's did this one last year. We even had the chipmunk costumes. It was so cute.

Alvin and the Chipmunks "The Chipmunk Song"

Warning: It Will Get Stuck in Your Head

Our preschool students have been practicing this song for a couple of weeks, which explains some of my dreams lately.

"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"

What Do I Really Need in the Bathroom?

I found out late today that my remodeler will be tearing out my bathroom tomorrow and I have been in a rush all evening to get everything cleared out of it.

My current bathroom has really deep cabinets and a deep linen closet. Tonight when I was cleaning out these cabinets on my hands and knees and reaching back as far as I could with my good arm, I found some things that have probably been back in those cabinets since we moved here in 1993. I never use those cabinets except for things I might need at a later date. There were hot rollers ... my hair is too short for rollers. Lots of velcro rollers, pony tail holders, barrettes, etc. I found some ace bandages, a finger splint, and a few other items from previous physical therapy treatments. All gone now.

My medicine cabinet was full of samples of items I never tried, old razors, and barber scissors. I cannot remember the last time I opened that cabinet.

The vanity drawers were known to me. I use them the most. The top one was full of soap slivers. I hate to throw away soap slivers, but I also will not use the soap when it gets to a certain size. I am always hesitant to throw out soap slivers, because I never know when I might run out of soap. Tonight I threw them away.

The bottom vanity drawer was full of an odd assortment of previous decor used in the bathroom. All of it gone now except some really pretty shower curtain rings I might use again in the new bathroom.

Under the sink was an assortment of products bought, not liked, but too full to throw away. Shampoos, bubble baths, body washes, facial scrubs, and conditioners. All gone now.

As I was cleaning I was trying to decide what I really need in the bathroom as far as cabinetry and such.

I know I must have a place where I can sit in a chair and read while I do my hair and makeup. I enjoy sitting in my little makeup area in the mornings and relaxing while I "InStyle" my hair.

I need a linen closet, but one that isn't so deep. Also, I need to figure out what to do about those top shelves I can never reach. They are pretty useless to me.

I need a mirror over the sink and makeup area, but not necessarily a medicine cabinet.

Drawers are nice for extra supplies. At least 3 towel bars. A niche in the shower for my shampoos and soap. No toilet paper holder on the wall. I hate those. I prefer the ones that sit on the floor and you can place several rolls on at once. You also avoid that stupid over/under argument.

I am sure there are other items, but I am going to bed now so I can clean out the rest of the bathroom in the morning.

What a Great Way to Share Your Gift

It Doesn't Matter How Old You Are - You Can Still Get Growing Pains

There have been a lot of growing pains in my family lately. 

The youngest is having growing pains from realizing that it really doesn't matter how intelligent you are, there is always going to be something that will challenge and cause you to struggle.

The oldest is discovering the growing pains of being in a relationship, going to school full time, and still working an average of 20 hours a week.  

I am dealing with the growing pains of having a job I love, but may not be in my best interest in the long run.  

I have also noticed growth spurts among my friends.  Ever since this summer one of them has come into her own more.  I noticed it right away.  It was like she had a switch turned on and I can tell she is really enjoying her new self.  Unfortunately, not every one has caught to the new her, and sometimes there is tension in the air.  

I don't think I know this person better than others and that is why I noticed.  It is just I like to people watch and mother the people around me, so I tend to pick up on a change in attitude, confidence, swagger, etc.

I think that one of the great wonders of life is our ability to continue to grow and bring about change in ourselves. Unfortunately, I don't have enough confidence in myself to bring about as many changes as I would like, but I hope to learn from my friend.  

Maybe that should be a goal for 2011.  Learn to embrace my growth spurts, and even create a few.  It's something to think about.

I Have to Pinch Myself

It is after weekends like this one that I have to pinch myself because I cannot believe how incredibly blessed I am. 

I spent Saturday with my extended family.  Like all families, we have our squabbles, but we all love each other and are always there for each other.  

Today was spent working on a quilt layout, visiting on the phone with one extended family member, and having another one drive me to see my youngest.  

The youngest looked really good and we had an enjoyable late lunch, and a little time together.  He is such a fantastic young man.

Haven't seen the oldest this week, but that is par for the course these days.  I know he is off doing his own thing as young adults should.  He is a fantastic person too.

I lost the love of my life, but I didn't lose love.  I am surrounded by it all the time.  I don't feel deserving of all my blessings, so I have to pinch myself often to make sure I am awake.

Reminder

I changed the blog design to remind me of the little color I had on the trees until the big wind came and put most of them in the pool.

I miss the true fall colors of the mountains during Oct. and Nov.  Although all my KY people are talking about the snow right now and posting pictures of their lawns and driveways covered in white.  I do not miss weeks and weeks of snow, or being stranded out at the lake.  

We have never been stuck here more than a couple of days due to ice.  I remember not being able to get any where for two weeks in KY because we never had four wheel drive. Our driveway was a pretty steep hill, and then once up on the road it didn't matter which direction you turned, there were steep hills to get to the main part of the subdivision.  My parents loved it when I met Raymond and he could come and get me out and take me to the store.

I still laugh at the fall my friends came down from Ohio in Gordon's monster truck.  The trees had turned and it was beautiful, but then we had an ice storm that melted quickly on the roads, but the rock cliffs still had giant icicles and we went down to Cumberland Falls to see the colors and the ice together.  Our driveway already had three cars that had to get in and out for work and school, so Gordon had been parking the monster over on extra land next to us and when he wanted to leave he would just drive up the embankment to the road and take off up the hill.  My mom thought that was terrific.  

One day while my friends and I were out in the truck, my mom decided that because the driveway was blocked by someone else visiting she would try to get out on the road like Gordon.  Mom didn't have a monster truck, she had a Ford Torino.  Let's just say that it was a good think Gordon was there later to pull her out with his truck, after he got done rolling on the floor laughing.  Poor mom was so bewildered as to why she hadn't made it to the road. 

Not a Happy Camper

My boss has decided that we all need to have our pictures on our website page.  I am not happy.

I don't like to have my picture taken and I don't want to be told I have to have my picture taken. 

I see no reason for me to be on the website.  No one ever sees me.  I work alone most of the time.  I would guess that 90% of the congregation know me, and the rest will get to know me if they keep coming to church.

The other staff members are not too happy about it either.  None of us like to have our pictures made for various reasons.

I guess my only recourse will be to try to take one myself that I like and turn it in.  

Really need to win the lottery. 

Only Good News ...

This has been a very rough semester for my youngest, and quite frankly, I am not sure he is going to have another semester. It could be he ends up getting a GED.

I talk to him every night, and almost every night he gives me more bad news. Tonight's really ticked me off and we had a small heated discussion.

I finally told him I was sick of bad news and he had to tell me one good thing. He couldn't think of anything so I said "Well, did you crap today?" To which he replied, "Yes mother, I took a dump. I took a dump today, I took one yesterday. I take one every day." I said "Well, at least you are not constipated on top of everything else."

So that is the good news of the day. My youngest is not constipated. So the problem is not that he is full of s$%*.

Which reminds me of a prescription Raymond used to carry around with him all the time in his billfold. 

After Raymond had his sacrectomy many nerves were severed and there was a lot of rehabilitation involved.  Our regular surgeon had left town right after the surgery and we were in the care of another surgeon during the recovery process.  He placed us on a rehab floor that we had never been on before, and that I would not recommend.  It was pure hell for us.  Raymond did not receive the proper care for his type of surgery and ended up with a serious infection that required a surgery every day for five days.  After all the surgeries, Raymond became very ill, and no one could figure out why.  After several days of exams by many doctors, I went through the hospital searching for our favorite PA.  When I found her I explained what had happened, and asked for her help.  She said she knew exactly what was wrong and immediately wrote a prescription and told me she would be in touch with the doctor, but to take the prescription directly to Raymond because it would help him.  The prescription said:

"Full of shit."

She was right, it cheered Raymond up because he laughed so hard.  She did call his doctor which started a process of x-rays that proved she was right, and when surgery was mentioned I called her again, and she prescribed a rigorous treatment that kept us from any more surgeries, and solved the problem.  I will always be grateful for her brilliance and caring.  Thank you Sue.  

Old Friends Die Young

I had an online chat tonight with an old friend from high school that I dated a few times.  We met up again through Facebook.  He is almost to the end of his life.  He found out in 2004 that he had a genetic, aggressive, progressive disease and now 88% of his lungs are dead.  We had a nice chat. 

In an earlier post on a high school page we are both on he had mentioned that he owed apologies to four people.  I was one of them.  I asked him why he was apologizing to me.  His response made absolutely no since to me, in fact it sounded like I probably owed him the apology and said so to him.  He insisted he owed me one and asked me to accept it, which I did.  He went on to talk about something I can't believe happened when we were together, but some of what he said had a ring of truth to it. 

He told me had a good life.  He is on his second marriage, both to redheads which he blamed on me.  I had to laugh because I have heard that before from others, including Raymond.  He is not afraid of death, in fact he said he would welcome it. 

This news comes to me less than a week after another classmate passed away from cancer.  Kelly was just someone I saw in passing, but he had a nice smile, and I think we could have been friends as adults, just ran in different circles as teenagers. 

A good friend of mine in high school recently passed away from complications of lupus, and I found out that another female classmate died from cancer.  There have been a few more deaths in the class of '77 too.

All this made me think of this song by the Moody Blues: