Playlist Updates

I am just really loving the playlist!! I don't have too many on my blog page - but my myspace is full at 100 - and I changed a bunch of them around. Every time I remember some old music from my youth - I can just go looking for it, find it and put it on the list.

Yesterday I must have been feeling a little melancholy - I added "Let's Just Kiss and Say Goodbye", "Have You Seen Her" and "I've Found Someone of My Own". These were all great songs that I remember from my childhood - I mean they're not even songs from my teenage years!! I also found "Love Grows Where my Rosemary Goes" and "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You" by a band named Sugarloaf!! Does anyone remember them?

You can't listen to "Have You Seen Her" without remember Sinbad's version of it on one of his specials - hilarious!! And the Five Man Electrical Band singing "Signs"! Tesla did a great job covering it a few years ago that I enjoy too.

Speaking of covers, have you heard Korn doing "Word Up"? Or Metallica doing "Turn the Page"? Both great jobs!

Funny thing is - you've got to know how old you're getting to be when you can tell your kids, who are singing their latest favorite song, who did that song in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's!! And they think their music is so cool and new! NOT!!

Looking Forward to Monday

Does that sound crazy? I am looking so forward to tomorrow. A dear friend of mine I haven't seen in about 6 months is coming over in the morning. We're going to catch up on all of the news, and probably a little gossip too. She's been a great friend to me for several years and I'm looking forward to seeing her!

Have some plans tomorrow for after she leaves, I am about to begin listing on Ebay some of the things I've decided to part with - I've decluttered and decluttered and there is a ton of stuff that needs to find new homes. It's all very nice and in good shape, I just don't have the inclination for it any longer and don't plan to have room for it after next spring.

That's a story in itself, but if I can get these kids out into their own places, I am moving to something very efficient and much smaller where I can truly be retired, sit in the sun if I want to, read, play on the computer and just be lazy.

Anyway, I hope everyone has as good a day as I am looking forward to for Monday!

I'm Sick of This Shit!

OK - I've gotten all the emails the last year or so with all of the things presumably wrong with Barack Obama. All the little 'excerpts' from his book - they're not officially excerpts if you rearrange the words, leaving or adding what you choose! I've seen all the little cut up videos - BUT - I have yet to find proof of one single thing proclaimed by those who claim they are trying to save this world from the anti-Christ!

And if you're easily offended, I'm about to piss you off! It never ceases to amaze me how otherwise reasonably intelligent people will just take someone's word for something so VERY important without checking out anything for themselves. How much of a dumb ass can you be?

There are folks out there saying everyday crazy stuff - like - hey - wasn't the world supposed to end last Thursday?? Or there's some upcoming date on which a cataclysmic catastrophe is supposed to take place that will wipe out most of the world's population and leave only a few stuck with the responsibility of starting it all over!!

Find out the facts - search for them - be able to prove what you're about to say - and know for sure who you are voting for and WHY!!!

While it was a fictional story, Tommy Lee Jones had a great line in the movie "Men in Black" - "A person is smart, people are stupid". It goes a little further than that, BUT, don't be a stupid person just following someone else's ill fated hysteria right to hell!

Cataclysmic catastrophe - elect John McCain and see!

And, as far as the stupidity about Obama's middle name - check out these FACTS:
In the registry of convicted felons in the State of Tennessee, there are 4 Husseins and 25 McCains. Someone's name DOES NOT say everything about that person!

You Have to Vote

I've blogged some about politics, not a great deal, not as much as some of my old friends would have thought! Maybe because one of the blogs I used to read, well, his blog began to be full of all the ugly and disrepectful things I usually try to avoid, and, of course, they were all about Hillary.

All about Hillary because of two things - one, he's a big ass Republican and two, he's an even bigger ass chauvanistic pig. He's around 60 or so, but believe me when I say his attitude about women meets you about 10 feet before you see him. Not since my stupid ex-husband has a man infuriated me more - but - enough about him - he does not deserve these few words or any time in my universe.

I truly believe that major changes must take place for this country to proceed. Can you honestly say you are happy with the state of the economy? Do you have enough money? Are you not sick of pulling into a gas station? Can you buy whatever you want at the grocery store without counting as you go? Do you still have an active social life where dining out, movies, and other activites that are not free are part of your daily routine? When did you last go shopping just to shop - not for a necessity you'd had to plan for?

If you answered yes to these, are you giving back in any way? When's the last time you donated to the local food bank? Or made sure your elderly neighbor was getting enough to eat? Or that your other neighbor, the one with 3 kids, had enough food in her house? Or that her lights weren't cut off when you didn't see any lights on there last night, but you knew they were home? What about the family down the street where dad was hurt at work? Did you check to be sure they had gas in the car to go to the doctor or milk for the kid's cereal this morning?

Because you see, if you were able to answer yes to the first set, congratulations. The next paragraph are those who are struggling today. And, they're not struggling because they've been irresponsible or they haven't been cautious spenders or are wasteful consumers. No, they are the heart and the backbone of this country, and they are struggling because we've had an administration that has no clue about the real world. Excuse me, if you've never had to wait for anything in your life and you've never had to budget to cover your obligations, how can you propose to have any damn clue how to make decisions for the people as a whole?

There HAS to be CHANGE!! If you are not registered to vote, please do so today. If you need a form, call me - I have some and I will gladly mail you one or bring it to you, if you're in my neighborhood.

Voting is a right no American can take for granted, or fail to exercise. Hundreds of years have passed and hundreds of thousands of men and women have given their life to protect the way of living we have in America - don't take that lightly or disrepect it by not registering and voting.

If I see you, and I don't know, I will asked if you are registered to vote. And, I'll have forms with me if you're not! Even if you're going to vote Republican, I'll still give you a form. Oh, I'll try to teach you better too, but I'll give you a registration form.

And in the words of the late John Paul Jones , "I have just begun to fight!".

Too Many Projects, Too Little Time

Starting to feel a little rush here - I tend to do this to myself quite a bit. I think I must thrive on the anxiety!

Actually, I have this history project I've been working on for close to 2 years. Quite honestly, I've avoided it the last few months because I became disillusioned with the original mission and sponsor. But, with an August 31 deadline looming, I have no choice now but to get this thing done.

So today, I'm trying to make myself spend sometime every day working on it. My goal now is to get it out of my hair, but, I can't just do a half-ass job at it! See why I'm feeling the pressure. BUT, if I go ahead and get it done, I can devote more time to the things I've having fun with - like the class reunion stuff and the new book club starting in the neighborhood!

I've really got to make a list of my chores for the next few months and priortize them - or I'll never get retired!

Happiness is a State of Mind

I've been thinking alot lately about being happy. I think I may be about the happiest I've ever been in my life now.

Not to say there were not special days that can't be matched - like the days my babies were born, their first days in school, watching Renee enter the auditorium at graduation.

And, not to say there aren't still a few things that disturb me daily. Lynn is not back home fulltime, but I am hopeful and he will be one day and hopeful that he has a bright future ahead of him.

But, on a day to day, hour to hour, basis, I am happy, and I am proud of the fact that I've reached this point. I have reached a point of not being afraid to say no, and not worrying about saying exactly what I think. That does not give me a license to be mean, but, I am free from holding back and being miserable about it.

And I see the future - I'm not sure what it holds - but I'm fully expectant that it is there. I'm not scared of it and I dare to let my mind dream of the possibilities. Realizing I still had dreams and they can happen - well, the last of the shackles of despair slipped off and I've truly found myself again.

I feel like a whole new life is starting and I'm excited about it!

I just love Kid Rock!

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know how bad he is BUT I still love him! There's just something about a tall skinny bad boy blondie that gets my attention, even at 48 years old, like nothing or nobody else.

Don't have an explanation for it, it's just what moves me.

Now Kid Rock has this new song out - a really cute summer time song - starts off with the music of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and switches to Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama". The only thing that makes this song not the anthem of my youth is where he says "summer of 89" and my summer was 79!! Well, 80, 81, 82, 83... you get the picture!

Really catchey arrangement and just a good remember when song for the summer - hope you get a chance to hear it soon! If you pass me in traffic I'll be the one with it cranked up singing along at the top of my lungs!

If I could just find a 1979 Buick Regal to drive!!

AND, I've added it to my blog songlist so you listen for yourselves! See if it doesn't make you smile and remember someone or something a little special from your younger days!

Fresh Produce

I've joined a CSA - community supported agriculture - and our first food delivery was yesterday.

Pretty neat idea, you pay a membership fee, in this case $25.00 and that's payable once a year. You then get a weekly delivery of fresh produce and/or meat and eggs for a weekly fee. The minimum with this group is $20.00 for 1/4 bushel of fresh produce. That is what I started with, but I'm sure I will increase my order!

Yesterday the truck arrived at the newly renovated Coleman Park Community Center. The folks delivering were extremely nice and everything went really smooth, especially for the first time for a drop in this location. Several of my neighbors and friends were participating, so we were all there to take possession of our boxes.

My box included a good nice mess of green beans, about 10 new red potatoes, 6 summer squash, one large onion, 2 large bunches of green onions, about 10 green cucumbers and 4 lemon cucumbers! And a pint of blackberries!!

All very good quality and extremely fresh. I snapped the beans and put them on, got a blackberry cobbler in the oven, and make onion/cucumber salad to marinate in the fridge. Everything else I put in ziplocs for use today and thru out the week. The potatoes I scrubbed up and put on top of the green beans to cook.

I should probably be ashamed to say that I had 3 cucumbers and a huge serving of blackberry cobbler for supper! And, I had a huge serving of cobbler for breakfast! It's been years since I had fresh blackberry cobbler and I'm not sure I've ever had any better than what I made last night.

Renee got home from work after 10:00 PM - she had a bowl of the green beans and potatoes and said they were so delicious she was about to eat them all!

I can add one serving of meat and 1 dozen eggs to my haul for $10.00 more - which is probably what I'll do next week. This week, the folks that got meat got pork chops.

The meat raised, beef, pork, lamb and chickens, are all free range. No pens, no corn feed, they graze and mingle as livestock should. No antibiotics or steroids and the vegetables are grown organically without pesticides.

Most interestingly, Good Morning America did a segment this morning on CSA's and that you actually save money over the course of a year, besides getting better food products and supporting your local economy. I have much more to say on this issue - another blog, another day!

It's takes a special man to be Daddy

Years ago, around 1980 or so, I bought a little wooden plaque at the Hallmark store on Church St. (near the L&C building) that said "Any man can be a father, it takes a special man to be a Daddy". On the plaque there were some assorted miniature tools - quite fitting for my Dad - and it was his Father's Day present that year.

I've still got that plaque - in the cedar chest where the things that have no other use but are too dear to my heart to do away with. I thought about it while watching the news last night and the piece on Barack Obama's address to the church in Chicago.

He said basically the same thing somewhere along these lines - any fool can be a father - the real courage is shown by staying and raising the child'. He was referring to the number of children whose "fathers are MIA" and he directly said it was especially in African American families.

I know he's right, he knows he is right and I hope that what he says is taken for what he meant it to be - a call to arms to stop this madness and move toward restoring family units and strengthening them. Bill Cosby said something very similar a few years back - about got himself lynched by his own race.

I'll vote for Obama - I am that much of a Democrat - and while I've been a Hillary girl for years - I will vote for Obama. Right now, it's looking like I may really like him by November.

Father's Day

My dad was a character. Man of few words, but when he spoke no one (well, except Mom) contradicted him or questioned him. Whatever he had said was just the way it was going to be and that was that.

I remember sometime the summer of 1988 - either 4th of July or Labor Day, that part doesn't matter - I was pregnant with Renee and we were all at Mom and Dad's. We decided to cook out, which meant a trip to the store, a trip to my house to get the big grill, a trip to Larry's for something and I remember saying we'll (referring to me and the ex) do whatever we were about to do.

Before we could get started my Dad walked in and said, "well, you do this and you do that, etc" and realigned all of the jobs. No one said a word and everyone got busy, except me! He'd realigned everything so that I was left sitting on the couch without a task. And while I'm thinking "Man I should be doing something!" my Mom asked me if I'd realized who he'd left sitting. That was all she said, all she needed to say!

When Renee was born the next winter, Daddy didn't come to the hospital when they induced me or anytime during the almost 23 hours that followed. He said he'd done his time and Ronnie (the ex) would just have to do his! But, somewhere around 5:00 AM when they decided I was about to be an emergency C-section, and Mom called him, she said he must have been up and dressed because she thought he appeared in front of her before she hung up the phone!

Later in recovery when they only let folks in one at a time, I was a little surprised to see my dad come around the curtain first. I didn't know he was there at all! He didn't say too much, except that she was beautiful, but not the prettiest little girl he'd ever seen! He hugged me and told me he loved me, then he scooted right out!

He's been gone almost 13 years, but everyday of my life I remember something about him, something he said, something he didn't say (he never said I told you so, even when he could have!), remember his strength, drive and determination. I love you Daddy!

Rainy Saturday

Is there just anything better than waking up hearing the rain on a morning you don't have to get up? It's the best nap ever, to just fade back into darkness with the rain gushing thru the gutter, the house still dark because it's cloudy, everybody else still knocked out, including the cat! I slept for over 2 hours like this today and it was wonderful!

I was aware, very briefly, that the rain was coming down harder a couple of times. And, when I've finally gotten up and made myself a pot of coffee and fed the cat, the kids are still sound asleep, the cat has gone back to sleep, and I don't know what to do with myself. I may even get back in bed for another nap!!

Seriously, I've got some organizing, etc. to do today. I had planned to clean carpets - that may be out - not sure. Renee has to be at work in a little over an hour so the silence here is about over. Lynn will drag out soon and fuss about how empty the fridge is!

So, I get to enjoy the computer a little longer with nobody snorting around like they're just waiting for me to get off so they can check their myspace or email!! Damn cat!

Keeping your Brain Working

The last post reminded me, I saw a report on Good Morning America about ways to keep your brain functioning, to challenge it, and hopefully delay or prevent Alzheimer's or dementia.

That may be my greatest fear in life right now, besides what will become of my son. I don't want to lose my mind and not know what's going on. I am a very large person, taking care of me if I have no clue what's going on will be impossible and I couldn't stand to put that burden on anyone.

Anyway, I'm sure you can review the report on the abc.news website but there was one thing on there I've tried and have to tell you about.

I am right handed, it said whichever hand you are, try doing stuff with the other one, especially brushing your teeth. I've taught myself to write decently with my left hand, but, brushing my teeth was a whole other experience. Awkward to say the least, but I could tell that my mind was really having to work at it. The pressure is all different and the up and down motions were backwards - it really was a chore but I got it done. For the next while until I get it mastered, I'm brushing with the left hand.

Then on to the next chore to try and keep my mind spinning in control!

Book Club

OK - just about the time I think I'm wrapping up at least one project and I'm moving a little closer to really being in retirement, something else comes up. Yesterday a friend mentioned to me a book club starting in our neighborhood and then laughed when she said my face really lit up!

I love to read - always have. It's hard for me now - so next month I'll make the trip to the opthamologist and get those new glasses I need. I had already planned on getting a reading chair and high power lamp to read by - so I should be set. Reading outside in the natural light is easy - if I could just stand the heat!!

When we moved to Nashville in 1969, one of the first things my mom did was take us to the Public Library and get us cards. The little town we came from in Glasgow didn't have one. Back then, you could check out 8 books at a time, and I did. On library day, I'd sat up almost all the way thru the night and finish 1, 2 or even 3 of the books I'd checked out. Mysteries were always my favs even back then.

It's exciting to think about a book club. I have been way impressed with the young lady who suggested this - she has quite a list of authors she enjoys. So, I really look forward to expanding my horizons in reading. Also, reading is one of those things that keeps your brain working and helps to delay, if not prevent, Alzheimers. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.

So, something else to keep you updated on in the future - look for our first selection and my opinions on it as we begin this adventure.

Blogging Ideas

Sometimes I run out of ideas to blog about. I know that sounds crazy because I can run my mouth forever, but, there are moments I just think of a subject to expound on and share my infinite volume of wisdom on. So, I have a challenge. I know I have a few regular readers - and to you I said a huge thank you!! I appreciate you taking the time to see what I'm preaching about today, but since I seem to have hit a lulll - what do you want to know about?

Comment back with a question or suggestion - I'll be glad to say something about the subject, no matter what it is!

Look forward to hearing from you!

Remembering Mom

Five years ago today my mother died. It really wasn't a surprise, how quick it happened possibly. Her health had been going and the last month rapidly.

My mom was one classy lady. And she taught all of us that class does not have financial roots. We were never rich by any standards, my parents worked hard and we lived modestly. But, she taught us to stand tall and meet the world full face. AND literally at that! I can remember her telling me to stand up straight, put my shoulders back, raise my head, swing my legs from the hip joint - all of these being good for your posture and skeletal health, but for your presentation and confidence.

I hear her words in my head, 'there's no sin in being poor, but there is no excuse to be dirty', 'don't even bother doing something if you're not going to do it right', 'do your best and everything will work out fine', 'be sure the memories you make are something you and the rocking chair can handle when it's just you and the rocking chair', 'if you behave one half as good as you look, you'll be fine'.

I've said all of these to my kids, plus some other more colorful anecdotes - Mom did have a way with words, especially if you frustrated her. I've always been overweight but she taught me how to dress in flattering styles and colors and would never allow me to be sloppy, be dirty, wear ill fitting tight clothes, or "roll like a slug" when I walked. And yes, those were her exact words!

She always believed we could do anything we set our minds to and she gently pushed until her dying day for each of us to strive a little harder. I find myself doing that with my kids, pushing, working, encouraging, and sometimes just listening. She was the smartest woman I ever knew and I'm so glad she was my mother.

There are big days in your life, the day you graduate, the day you get married, and the day your children are born. These are the good days. There are some big days not so good - those being the day your parents die, the day your marriage ends, and God help those you've had to live thru this one, the day a child dies.

I remember vividly the day my mother died, but more importantly, I remember the way she lived, the standard she set, and her determination and drive. I love you momma!

Budget

That's a 6 letter word most folks just cringe at - and I've been one of them at times. Living on a fixed income, I had to work within a range. But, some major changes will be happening in my life and to my cash flow soon - so it's become necessary for me to really have a plan so that I can continue to survive and eat!

Turned out - it wasn't so hard. I sat down with a legal pad, made a page for each month remaining in 2008. Listed what would be due on the left, made a list on the right of expected income.

So this week was Social Security week - I call it my "big check". I have managed to pay everything that was due in June except for one small item. Of course, the variables for the remainder of the month are food and gas, and each is going up daily. We've cut back dramatically on driving, combining trips, trying to make each mile count.

My son has a bus pass - it's about $50 but he's adept at getting to the locations he needs to and is much much cheaper than me driving him around. And, I'm hopeful that the visual education he is getting will make him appreciate his home and mother more, along with giving him a desire to be better than average. Believe me, there is nothing wrong with the bus and I rode it for years when I worked downtown - Lynn doesn't understand my pushing him, says he's happy to be barely average, and I want more for him than that.

Anyway, back to the budget. With the economy where it's at, you've got to know what's coming in and what's going out. My plan is very simple so try it. Write in pencil - much easier to make changes. Mark things paid with a big PD - it'll make you smile when you see the progress you're making.

AND, you know what - that $2-3 dollars a day on 20 oz Diet Cokes that I'm not spending now - theres one tank of gas for the month! If the economy doesn't improve, I may get all this weight off!! But that's a blog for another day!

Progress Report

I looked backed over the last post or two - couldn't really decide what to write about today - so thought I'd just to a progress report - an update to what's been going on!

Diet Coke Rehab - I am 19 days in - I did succumb to a 20 oz yesterday with my gyro - mostly because they were out of Dr. Pepper and Renee brought home the Diet Coke. It was beyond my realm of imagination to put it in the fridge and drink water. All in all, I am feeling much better, lighter in fact, although I'm sure that's mental because I don't think a pound has gone anywhere!

Decluttering - some major progress in the last week or so - my living room is starting to look pretty shabby - all of the latest get rid of stuff is being stacked in there. I'd really like to finish up my bedroom this weekend and sort what's in the living room. Some of it is "wait for a yard sale in the fall" and some of it is "get on EBAY NOW!!".

Class Reunion - have been having fun with that! I've actually got it posted to every community calendar I can find and have got some great information together for the "reunion yearbook" I plan to put together.

Kids - status quo - Renee is babysitting a very special little girl this weekend. It is very trying and she'll be exhausted, mentally, when it's over. But I can't imagine any better birth control! Lynn may come for a day this weekend, he's a little on my bad side today.

It's going to be so hot that I'll stay inside this weekend until the sun goes down. Two nights this week my neighbor and I have sat outside until almost 9:00 PM. It's been so nice, especially since the neighbor behind us moved about a month ago. Nothing like the peace we've had since then!!

Have a great weekend!

A Reunion in Planning Stages

Some old classmates and I met Saturday to begin planning a reunion for this fall. By old, I don't mean OLD as in aged, but OLD as in back in the day! Needed to clarify that one! Still cute and still cool were we!

It was fun and we got several things planned out - got the juices flowing actually and I've come up with several more things. I did tell our coordinator she'd have to tell me to stop, just stop! I have a tendency to just keep making something bigger and bigger and bigger until Cox's army wouldn't have enough folks to do all the work I've set out. That could be part of my physical problem right now, always trying to do the mostest and bestest of anyone!

And who was Cox? And who was his army? I heard that my whole life and have no clue....anyway, I digress!

I am quite excited and hope we have a good turnout! I didn't make the 10 year, I was pregnant and it was one insufferable summer in Nashville. Made the 20 with the idiot husband in tow, need I say more about that one. So for 30, I'm up and ready to have a blast. Just dawned on me, that although we talked about this Saturday, I should probably consider a designated driver that night. I may want to throw back a few!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday! I am 48 years old which surprises me to no end - that I've lived this long. On most hands though, I feel like I've not done anything yet and there are so many things I want to do in the future.

Right after I woke up today, Renee came in with cupcakes, a balloon, a rose, a birthday card and a gift card to Barnes and Noble. She said she bought that so I'd have to spend it on myself - if she'd given me a VISA gift card, I'd end up spending it on her and Lynn! What a smart girl!! Lynn gave me the bestest hug!!

I ate cupcakes and had coffee in bed and have proceeded to not accomplish one thing today! I've sat on the deck a couple of times, played on the internet, talked to the kids, and generally been so lazy I'm on my own nerves!

Tomorrow I must get something accomplished, but for today, it's been nice to not put too much pressure on myself. I'm sure as I'm writing this that my Martha Stewart sheets from Mother's Day are calling my name and I'll soon be back in the bed sitting up watching reruns.