Snow

        Well Jeanie,  the snow finally found it's way here.   Yesterday we had a warm snap so all the snow we had,  which wasn't a lot melted.   Now we are busy snowing and blowing away.   My son will be thrilled  as he got a new Kia Sorento and this will be his first snow to drive in..

   I just looked it up to get a photo and find they have been recalled for bad brakes.   Hummmm.   Had to text Dan and let him know before he gets out in it.  Bummer.  But they should fix it.    I like the Kia Sportage in red.   They have one where Dan got his and it is so pretty.   Might have to see if they would give me a good deal on a trade in for my van.

          I brought my popcorn cake to work and it was a great success.   It vanished quickly and turned out pretty good if I must say so myself.  I just had to have a piece,  heck with the diet for a minute.

       Last night we went to a Templeton Rye speakeasy party.   Man oh man whiskey is not my drink of choice but it was fun and everyone was dressed up like gangsters from the 30's. so the mood was light and fun.   It was a late night for us though.   We are usually home and in our PJ's by 9.   I don't know how you do those late nights Jimmy.   In our defense we had been shopping all day.   I bought a couple of books.   One is called A big little life, a Memoir of a Joyful Dog by Dean  Koontz.   I have heard it was good.    The other is called A Secret Gift by Ted Gup.   It's about how one man's kindness-and a trove of letters- revealed the hidden history of the Great Depression.   It was recommended by a friend who is a historian and knows I like books like this.  So I am set for a couple of days.

   Next week I have to had a class all day to get renewed for my ACLS,  or Advanced Cardiac Life Support.   Then the next day I have a skills lab class.  So much for my days off of laziness and joy.   But it has to be done.   After 30 years though I think I have it figured out.

    Zoey,  who is laying next to me just sat up and gave me a hug,  isn't that sweet.   I promised her I would cut her nails today and I have to clean the other critters cage.   My hands are weak enough that clipping Zoeys nail is difficult but she won't let Rick do it. I am blessed with the job.   Last time I had it done at the vet they trimmed 2 too short and she remembers that also.

   Oh man,  I just heard some banging and looked outside,   it is really snowing and blowing.   Maybe I will skip the gym and work out at home today and have hot chicken chili for supper tonight.   A good book, and hot meal and a cuppa tea.   My idea of a nice night off work.   

Well enough rambling on.  Time to get my breakfast of a green monster and start my chores for the day.   Have a great weekend all.

Popcorn Cake

See,  I cook, kindof.

Gee, another Post

         The day that will live in infamy,  Remembering the day today and as always, our brave soldiers.

         The tree is up,  the stocking are hung by the fake chimney with care.  My shopping is done.   I can sit back and enjoy the season without any mad dashes to the stores.   We got great news today about my son's job so our spirits are again high.   I just love this season.

             Besides having to get a new water heater everything is going well.   My son just bought a new Kia Sorento and it is so cool.   I never had the courage to buy a new car,  hate the way they immediately are worth less the minute, second, you drive off the lot.  Doesn't seem right.  But he has to drive 30 miles to work and after last winter he wanted a 4 wheel drive.  I know I will worry less about him on the roads.

         I threw my neck out last week so have been taking it easy and haven't been to the gym all weekend.  But I did work so I don't hit the gym much when I work 12 hours.  I am at the age where sleep is more important.    I do like working out though and love that I feel so much stronger.  It's a good thing.    

     I am even off Christmas this year.   I am thinking about getting a big ham and having everyone over for dinner.   It will be nice to just relax and visit with family

  Our carbon monoxide alarm went off last night at around 2:30 in the morning.  Poor Zoey freaked out and kept trying to get out of the house.   It was saying error so we decided it was just not working well but her getting so freaked out did worry us,  well Rick at least.  I went back to bed and decided if I woke up in the morning  it just meant it was time to get a new one, and if I didn't get up, means it was working, LOL.  They only last about 8 years.   Poor Rick though was up for another hour trying to get Zoey to relax.   Now this morning she is just exhausted and curled up on the couch.  She is so cute.  Just a nervous Nellie in her old age.

    Well,  time to pop in the shower.  2 more nights of work.   I am just really liking my job these days.   The staff I work with are so fun it makes going to work much nicer.    And since I am finally recovered from all my medical issues it is easier to do the work.   Losing so much weight has helped also.   I hope it lasts.   I love feeling better.  Its a good thing.  I hope everyone is having a Merry Month and will have a Merry Christmas.   Oh, and I am still looking into finding the perfect church for me.  I think I have one picked out.

  

Not just in our Country, This is Brilliant!

My favorite Season is coming

            Rick is putting the tree up and I am enjoying the fact my shopping is finished,  minus one last gift.   Early enough I can relax and enjoy my favorite season.    I love almost everything about it.   

            Yes,  the commercialism gets to me,  the mad dash to spend more then necessary.   Putting up with Rick's Bah Humbug Scrooge attitude.   He hates it.  I know why.   His family always had a ton of relatives get together.   Lots of laughs,  ton's of great food,  traditions starting weeks before Christmas to be completed.   All gone.  His family is almost all gone.  What is left is scattered around the country and starting their own traditions.   His reason to enjoy the season is gone.   I never created any traditions because we had his.

              His brother is still around.   We get news of him occasionally and he pops in when he needs something.    Rumor has it he has gone through all the money he inherited.   But..... why talk about him.  Back to the season.

         I have been missing the Christmas I grew up.   My Christmas was full of making gifts and church.   Working on the Christmas plays.  Going around to the nursing homes and singing Christmas carols.   Volunteering to wrap gifts for the poor.   Pulling taffy and making fudge.   Church on Christmas eve and Christmas morning.   The songs of the seasons.

       After a bad experience with organized religion I remained religious,  but not a church goer.  My believe remained strong but my mistrust of churches and their reasons went deep.   But as we do I have mellowed and now will admit it is not all churches that are like that,  maybe not even most.    And I feel the need to belong to a church again.   Selfishly for the joy of my childhood Christmas's but mostly to spiritually reconnect.   Does that make any sense?

      I am going to have to find a church I like and one that I will have to go to myself because I know Rick won't go.  Not that he doesn't believe either.   But he hates the routine.   I find myself needing a routine these days.   Needing to reach out to people again.   Ready to connect.  

      The stages of your life are interesting.   The changes of my views and opinions,  the things I once thought important and the things I now think important.   I am not where I thought I would be but that is OK and I am not unhappy with where I am, but I think I need to do something to grow more.  I feel stagnant.  And what better way to freshen up your life then with some growth.  Mentally and spiritually.    I think this will be a lovely Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Following the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress recognized the need to give thanks for delivering the country from war and into independence. Congress issued a proclamation on October 11, 1782:

By the United States in Congress assembled.
 

PROCLAMATION.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President.

Charles Thomson, Secretary

    May the lord bless you all in your gifts of family, friends and food on your tables.   From my home to yours,  Happy Thanksgiving.

Hey, not a political rant, just musings about the ole dog

   
  Zoey is laying at my feet,  as usual,  a soft slightly scuffy old dog that snores louder then Rick.   She spends hours sleeping these days.   And as always it is in the same room as me.


     She is going to be 13 next birthday.   Old for a big dog.   And basically she doesn't look old like some ole labs can look, she isn't gray in her face,  not too fat, except for her cloudy blue filmed eyes you would never believe she is as old as she is if you didn't know.   But we know.


    I hate to move to another room as she heaves herself up to follow.  When I am cleaning house she moves room to room with me.   And she is stiff these days so I feel bad.   I tell her to stay, that I will be back but up she comes.   And with the colder weather she is stiff and sore.

      Running my hands over her body while I pet her I count 13 fatty tumors.   And in her groin I feel a large palm sized mass that has recently gotten larger.   It does not feel the same as the fatty tumor.   Pausing in my petting I momentarily have a wave of sadness wash over me.   My poor sweet ole dog.   And as usually the very tip of her tail will start to wag and she will look up at me as if to ask,  why did you stop petting me.   Spoiled old girl.


       I hate that she is getting older and fondly remember days and years past with her chewing up every type of toy we bought her,   walking through miles and miles of trails and woods,   the happy grin she gets when she leaps in a lake after a hot walk.   I can't understand people who don't like dogs.   What's not to like.


     Mentally I am preparing myself but also I am denying it.    Lets just slow time down,   why does it have to go so fast.   I want to savor it.....  as long as I possibly can.   Soft fur under my fingers.  Warm head on my lap.   Love you Zoey.