I'm Beginning to Look Like Nora Batty

Have any of you seen the long running BBC Sitcom - Last of the Summer Wine? It's one of our favorite (Saturday night on PBS) shows. It happens to be the longest running comedy in Britain and the longest running sitcom in the WORLD!

Any - hoo, other than those shoes and hair curlers - Nora and I could be twins.
I joked about this (on the phone) with Steve, before coming back home last weekend. I told him that with my compression hose, that I looked just like her. Dang if he didn't agree when he saw them on me.

You better believe that I'll be getting something good for my birthday, after he made that remark!

Sadly, actress Kathy Staff, who played Nora since the very first episode in January/ 1973, has now passed on. You can read about her


HERE

Minnie Higginbottom (Staff's real name) - I thank you for all the laughs you brought my way.
May you rest in peace.

Spring Cleaning Party Continued

Yesterday was day one (of two) in the kitchen. We were to start with our pantries and then go to the fridge. Since my pantry needed very little work (just had to throw out a bag of potato's that had gone bad while I was in the land of sun and fun), so I just took an after shot.

Don't pay attention to this one. I downloaded the wrong pic...
...but the living room still looks this way.

Look at these cute little cans of Coke!

Gratuitous Crisco shot for the Spud Woman;-)

My freezer was a mess, so I tackled it head on. I found several bags of freezer burned veggies, with maybe 1/3 cup left in each . These went into the garbage. Then I spied a bag of frozen pre-cooked bacon, which only had 5 slices left. The bacon went into ME, hee-hee. Put them in a sandwich with guava jelly on toasted Seeduction bread. This is the best bread ever, and you can get it Whole Foods! Tossed 2 bags of stuff that wasn't marked and looked like nothing that I would want to try. Chucked a box of fudge pops (only 3 left) that looked like they had melted at one time, and then were shoved back into the freezer. Who would do that? Had to have been J-Man!!! Decided to eat the last 1/2 cup of sherbet, but darn if it didn't melt before I remembered that I had taken it out! Any-hoo, when I was done, my freezer looked like this...

...this! I put all my stuff (frozen grapefruit cups, Healthy Choice dinners, frozen veggies, etc. etc. into the bottom basket. Next up - is all frozen fruit (bags and cans). Then Big J's pizza's, burritos, Pizza Rolls, and waffles. The white basket has pre-made meals (that I cooked, bagged, and labeled, before I went south), which obviously didn't get eaten while I was gone. Don't have a clue what they ate, and don't really want to know! So I have several meals on hand, for nights when I don't feel like cooking.

Had to throw in a baby photo...just so I can keep your attention!

On to the other side...look at all those bottles. Tossed a few that only had a dribble of stuff left in them. I don't know where a lot of this stuff came from, cause I sure didn't buy it. All I need is some mustard, a bottle of salad dressing (Ken's Lite Walnut Vinaigrette, if you please), soy sauce, sesame oil, and Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges!

The shelves needed to be wiped down, and a couple of things tossed,
but overall is wasn't too bad!

Here is the after shot.

And the other after shot. From the looks of things, I do believe that the husband did most of his shopping at Target, while I was gone. FYI - did you know that you can go into Target and print off coupons at the little kiosk area at the front of the store. They have some really good grocery deals, and you get to save your ink and paper by printing the coupons in the store!

Well - I'm off to work on the Spring Cleaning assignment for today -Kitchen Day 2. This means moving everything off the counter tops, wiping them down, storing seldom used items, and tossing things that I just don't need or use anymore.

If any of you want to join in just click on the Spring Cleaning Button on the top right of my sidebar.

And don't forget to visit my favorite site for house (and life) cleaning and organization...
...The FLY LADY - HERE!

Tomorrow I get to supervise the installment of border material around the beds in the front of the house. I'll be sure to get the photo's of my manly men work'n up a sweat.

This and That

I'll start this post today with a picture for my Katie Tatie over at Tatersmama. Aren't those sweet little feet. It's hard to believe that in a few short years...they will be stinky, dirty, nasty boy feet...but for now, they make me go "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah"!

I received these in the mail, while I was gone. These hand knitted dish clothes are from

Aunt Kathy

I won them for naming her car...who is now known as Malibu Barbie!

She threw this in as a bonus. It's a bottle apron. Maybe I should submit this photo to the

Apron Goddess

Raving Robynn ( who by-the-way, is going through a rough time right now - please keep her in your prayers) got her photo on the site...why shouldn't I go for it?
Aunt Kathy has an Etsy store where she sells all kinds of cute items. Somehow I failed to upload the photo's of the "swiffer pads" that I ordered from her. Any way...please drop by her blog, and tell her I sent you. She has the most wonderful attitude. She has lot a LOT of weight, and she is an inspiration to me! Make sure to take an extra couple of minutes to browse through her Etsy site - and BUY something - okay?

This is a tricky one. I can't remember where I won this. I know that I've won at least two books, maybe three, from

Smiling Sal

So I need to go take pics of them and post them...but in the mean time...Thank you Sally!!! As far as this book goes... I'll tell you what...I'll spend some time checking out blogs, and when I find the post I'll let you know the gracious giver. Will that work for ya?

Don't know if you noticed...but I've joined the Spring Cleaning Party over at

Simple Mom

If you want to play along,...just click on the button at the upper right on my sidebar. Monday's assignment was to do a sweep through of the house. Above is my kitchen/dining room table. When I got home it was piled up with newspapers, and J-mans scriptures. I added to the mess by unloading some of my scrapbook supplies, and my "haul" above.

Here it is, after I glanced at the papers and then put them into the paper bin (to go for recycling - the proceeds go to the local senior center), put everything else away, washed and then buffed the table dry. Those pretty hydrangeas were a gift from three little girls at church. It was a thank you, for Easter Bags that I gave to them.

Will you take a look at this? I was assured that Big J had "Swiffered" the house just a few days earlier. Hah - I went back over the floors, and this is the result. The J-ster does Round Cleaning. I do Square Cleaning. Whats the difference? He just goes around, but I get into the corners (and under and behind the furniture)!

Days two and three, we were to clean the living room...putting things away, de-cluttering, etc. etc. Things weren't too bad in here. I did take Gracie's comforter off of the sofa, and threw it into the wash. Put away some candles, and the sports pages that I found under the big ottoman. I also picked up the throw that has been sitting on there for a while now...I've been wondering why it wasn't on the sofa - so I'm glad that I moved it. Someone had spilled something sticky/gooey on it, and instead of cleaning it up, they just threw the throw on top of it....GROSS. S0 I cleaned and washed and buffed and polished...

And this is the result. Not a big change...but I feel better knowing that the room is CLEAN!

Had to include a photo of Connor. I love the look on his face. He's a happy little guy. He eats well, and sleeps well (5 - 6 hours during the night), and has his very own little personality.

And here is a rare glimpse of me. I'm usually the one taking the pictures - AND - I can't stand looking at photo's of myself. This isn't the person I picture myself to be. This isn't even the person that I see when I look into a mirror. This is a stranger! A fat women, with washed out skin. A middle aged woman. A woman with three chins - oops, my bad - this woman only has two chins the 3rd one is in actuality, just a scar from when she had a tumor removed from her thyroid. This is a woman who has age spots on her hands and grooves along side of her mouth. So where am I?

....Lost in yesteryear, I think. Back to a time when I was young, and my arms didn't flap in the wind, and my face didn't sag. Back when I could get out of bed without creaking, and aching. Back when the children were small, and they needed their noses wiped, and their diapers changed, and when the tv blared...along with stereos, and high pitches voices. When they argued and rough-housed, and dirtied every surface in my home. When, shortly after I had washed all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen and dining room, from the most recent meal...they would surround me from all sides...whining about being hungry again. Back when I would sit up into the wee hours of the morning nursing the youngest and waiting for the oldest to get home from work, or a date. Back when I did 6 to 8 loads of laundry a day...went through a gallon or two of milk a day... when a trip to SAMS's took three carts to fill...

Uuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmm - I think I'll stick to fat, saggy, washed out...and cuddling newborn babies;-)

Love - Peace - go get something to Eat - which is what I'm going to do. I'm heading into the kitchen, which is where (conveniently) today's Spring Cleaning is to take place. I'll be sure to get before and after shots!

Wordless Wednesday

The Bridal Shower

I got to go to Steph's bridal shower. It was really nice. First I'm gonna tell you about the silly thing that her friend Mia did. She blind-folded Steph, then told her that she was to pretend that it was her wedding night. She and Cliff were in their hotel room, and that there was an emergency evacuation of the hotel. The power had gone off, and Steph had to rummage in the dark, to find her clothes and get dressed, so that they could leave the room. She then gave Steph a bag, and told her that she had to take out each item and put it on.

Her she is with the shirt.

Putting it on.

She did a good job - I'll show the front of the shirt to you later.

Next was this fuzzy apron.

Steph managed to get both sets of strings tied.

Next...

...was this big ole bra!

And then a belt.

A scarf.

And a pair of boxers. I missed the very best "shot"...when she pulled them out of the bag, she stuck her hand right through the front flap. When she realized what she did, she almost fell on the floor because she was laughing so hard!

Now a foam crown.

A pair of socks.

Got both on.

Showing off the completed outfit.

Here is the front of the shirt. It says "I'm with Mr. Lovely". This is what we call Cliff.

Best friends - Stephanie and Mia.

Had to get a photo of my parents with Mindi and baby Conner. Look at how Mimi and Papa's (what all the grand kids call them) outfits match!

The shower was so nice. They served chicken salad in croissants, with fresh fruit, and strawberry cake for dessert. The punch was great. The recipe calls for a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade, water, ice and vanilla extract.

They also had everyone play a game called "Feel My Bag". One of the ladies that helped to organize the shower, made cloth bags with ribbons, to hang the bags around your neck. Each bag held a kitchen gadget, and had a number attached. Everyone was given a pencil and a sheet of paper with the numbers 1 - 50 on it. We all had to go around "feeling each others bags" and then guessing what was in each. Then we wrote down what the item was along with the person's name, who had the bag, and put it along side the matching number on the sheet of paper. You'd think this would be easy, but some of the things were really hard to figure out. During lunch, they called out each number, and told us what the item was. Guess who got the most right? Yep, it was me! I won a hand crocheted dish cloth.

Stephanie got a lot of very nice gifts. So many people gave her gift cards (Chili's, Bed Bath and Beyond, WalMart, Bath and Body Workds, etc. etc.), which was so nice, because she can use them once she gets to her new home. Less stuff they have to pack!

Tomorrow, I'll post some more photo's of the most precious baby on the face of the earth!

See a Penny - Pick it up!

I had planned to get up this morning, and immediately upload all the photo's from my trip to Florida, export them into my "blog file", and then put them into a post. Well, I did get up...but then I started reading posts. Before you know it, I've been sitting for several hours, and have gotten so stiff that I can hardly move. With the best of intentions, I head to the kitchen to feed the dogs, planning to head straight for my other computer, to upload those photo's...then I remembered that I needed to start a load of laundry. But - before I start the laundry, I needed to unpack my bags. As soon as I've finished unpacking, I take my toiletries into the bathroom, and see all the packages that are sitting on the bathroom counter (that's another post entirely), so I head back into the kitchen to get a pair of scissors - to open some of the packages with. After opening my packages, I remember about the laundry. I head back to the bedroom, and take the laundry to the laundry room. At this point my stomach starts to rumbled and I realize that it's already after 11:00, and I haven't eaten yet (I did feed the dogs). I throw a Healthy Choice frozen meal into the microwave. I head to the other computer (took two trips - one with the meal and the other with the camera), and slip in my cameras memory card. I upload the photo's into Memory Manager, which is the BEST program ever (if you want one for yourself please go HERE - click on shop products and then digital scrapbooking), and then proceeded to rotate, crop, and label the photo's. I exported a lot of pictures, and then headed over to do my post for the day (at this point, it's after 1:00), but when I started looking for the photo's of my daughter's shower - I realize that I forgot to export them - dang. Back to Memory Manager I go, and then... my mouse freezes. I send a text to the husband pleading for help. He calls a little later, and assures me that the wireless mouse needs new batteries. I find the last two AA's, and after much difficulty, get the back of the mouse opened, and put in the new batteries. No luck. Either the "new batteries" are actually "old batteries" that someone threw back into the "battery box" in the pantry OR something else is wrong.
I'm in a real funk at this point, and decide to scrap the idea of posting today, and instead, open my email. Most of my messages were junk, but I did get the following and decided that I would forward it to several people...then the little light in my head came on and it flashed..POST THIS!
So I am, hence the photo above...

Just A Penny

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the home of her husband's employer.
My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. Her husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure..
How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it," he said. "Read what it says."
She read the words, " United States of America .."

"No, not that.. Read further."

"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?. . .."

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray. I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of
starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. "Yes, God, I get the message!"

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

I decided to leave out the last lines of the email, which stated that if I forwarded this to 7 people, I would receive a miracle tomorrow. I believe in miracles, but I don't believe that God delivers, just because I hit forward;-)

Heading back home this afternoon, so I'll have NO excuse for not posting everyday!

Thanks to all of you who voted for me...but it looks like Jennifer Fleck is going to beat us all. I'm just honored to have been nominated as one of the finalists!

Can't wait to tell you about the last two weeks, and also post a lot of photo's that I have taken.