Forty Something

A woman in her forties was at home happily jumping on her bed and
squealing with delight.

Her husband watched her for a while and said, "Do you have any idea

howridiculous you look? What'sthe matter with you?"


The woman continued to bounce on the bed and said, "I don't care. I

justcame from having a mammogram and the doctor says I have the breasts of

an 18 year-old."



The husband said, "What did he say about your 46 year old ass?"



"Your name never came up," she replied.

Day 1

This is not going to be on any interest to anyone. Hello, Dad!! I have started back on my diet and I am NOT smiling about it. I said I would do it with my friend Susan, so this I will do.

I was doing great until my sister suggested going out to eat. It has become kind of a tradition to get Alicia and enjoying our noon together. We ate at Qdoba's and I did not eat my most favorite food in the world. CHIPS!! I know it is not the end of the world, but... I am thinking that maybe I might have to do Day 1 over or even extend my week.

The fact I messed up my hip and can not work out has me wondering, is this even going to work? I need positive thoughts right now!! I will let you know how this is going later. Till next time...

OUCH

This will be short and sweet. Last night we all went to Alicia's for the bonfire! I was not there a half hour before I tripped and fell. My left ankle and right hip were messed up. I had to have John help me off the ground and into the house where I stayed the rest of the night. The little girls came in to play with their Bratz and put on makeup. I ended up watching the movie "The Ring". Tessa was so disappointed that we did not stay over night like we had planned. I just did not want to be in another house if I had a painful night. (It was not a good night!!) I will have to try and write more when I can stand to really sit here! Till next time...

Something to think about!

I was given this as an email. I kind of agree with it!

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with
their tedious diatribes about how hard things were
when they were growing up; what with walking
twenty-five miles to school every morning ... uphill
BOTH ways .. yadda, yadda, yadda


And I remember promising myself
that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going
to lay a bunch of crap like that on kids about how
hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now

that...

I'm over the ripe old age of thirty, I can't help but look around
and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy!
I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!
And I hate to say it but you kids today you don't know
how good you've got it!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet.
If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the
damn library and look it up ourselves, in the card
catalog!!

There was no email! ! We had to actually write somebody
a letter ... with a pen! Then you had to walk all the
way across the street and put it in the mailbox and it
would take like a week to get there!

There were no MP3's or Napsters! You wanted to steal music, you
had to hitchhike to the damn record store
and shoplift it yourself!

Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the
DJ'd usually
talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up!

And talk of about hardship? You couldn't just download porn! You
had to steal it from your brother or bribe some homeless dude to
buy you a copy of "Hustler" at the 7-11! Those were your options!

We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the
phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it!

And we didn't have fancy Caller ID Boxes either! When
the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could
be your school, your mom, your boss, your bookie, your
drug dealer,
a collections agent, you just didn't
know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games
with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the
Atari 2600! With games like "Space Invaders" and
"asteroids" and the graphics sucked ass! Your guy was
a little square! You actually had to use your
imagination! And there were no multiple
levels or screens, it was just one screen forever!
And you could never win. The game just kept getting
harder and harder and faster and faster until you
died! . Just like LIFE!

When you went to the movie theater there no such thing
as stadium seating! All the seats were the same
height! If a tall guy or some old broad with a hat
sat in front
of you and you couldn't see, you were
just screwed!

Sure, we had cable television, but back then that was
only like 15 channels and there was no onscreen menu
and no remote control! You had to use a little book
called a TV Guide to find out what was on!

You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You
had to get off your ass and walk over to the TV to
change the channel and there was no Cartoon Network
either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday
Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to
wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little
rat-bastards!

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat
something up . we had to use the stove or go build a
frigging fire
...
imagine that! If we wanted popcorn, we had to use
that stupid JiffyPop thing and shake it over the stove
forever like an idiot.

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids
today have got it too easy. You're spoiled.

You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in
1980!


Regards,

The 30 plus Crowd

Too many thoughts

I have too many thoughts running around in my head. I read this and that from what other people have written. I have opinions, but what does it all really matter. I am just praying that I come out of this fog that seems to constantly be around me. The feelings of frustration at myself and life in general.

There is a strong distaste for letting anyone even get close to me. I think anyone that has ever spent anytime chatting on her might be able to understand what I am saying. I had this conversation with someone where we both agreed that being nice was not always a good thing. I have let myself be walked over to many times and wonder why I allow it. My family often describes me as being like my Grandma Helen. How can a person be sweet and gentle and yet have the ability to stand up for themselves?

I have no idea where all these words are coming from, thank goodness very few will read them. I had originally wanted to write a little bit about how nice it was to spend Sunday with Brenna. She had come over to change the oil on her car. Snow was gentling falling while we talked. It is so rare now to have this chance to catch up on her life. She has grown up into such a lovely young lady!! Children are truly a gift from God. I have to keep reminding myself of that when Tessa is her usual charming self. Till next time...

I hate goodbyes

Today Brenda and Rick left for the open road. I thought I would be ok with having to say goodbye. NOPE! I have been in the dumps most of the day. The house is quiet and there is no one to joke around with. Brenda and Tessa went shopping the last day she was here. Tessa finally has her fish bathroom. I now expect her to do everything upstairs and not in my room.

When I say we got Tessa's room clean, those of you that are family know what a job it was. The funniest moment was when Brenda was hanging her lights. She told me to hold her so she did not fall. I was not paying attention and she started to fall and well the body parts I ended up grabbing were a first. I also got hit with the hammer. Most of Tessa's toys ended up in the crawl space, less is better. Now to see how long this will last. Till next time...

A little visit

Brenda and Rick came for a visit and also because there is a wedding in his family. Tessa was so excited to have them come for a visit. The first night, she got sick and so for the next 2 days were a bit miserable for her and I. (The carpet was not to happy either!)I think the one good thing is that she got sick when there was a break from school.

Alicia had us all out for supper on Friday night. Brenna is home and it was nice to spend the time with my girls. Alicia made a wonderful supper, but she would not eat it. The whole roast thing with the vegetables seemed to not agree with her. She just does not know what she is missing.

Reynolds was having a haunted house and Gregg's mom was part of putting it on. She wanted Mariah to see it. We all went, but the little girls got scared before we ever went in. John stayed with them and I went in with Brenna, Alicia and Gregg.
It was kind of freaky and we never really did figure out which person was Lori. Till next time...

Philosophy

HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato..
5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.


GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don't hurt.
3) Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
4) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
5) Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.



GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing up is mandatory; growing old is optional.
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It's frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.



THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:

1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.



SUCCESS:

At age 4 success is . . not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . having friends.
At age 16 success is . . having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is . . having money.
At age 50 success is . . having money.
At age 70 success is . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . having friends.
At age 80 success is . not peeing in your pants.

Tessa is very excited that her auntie Brenda will be here this week. There is no school at the end of the week also, and Brenna is going to be around here also. There just is not enough time for any of us to be with her much though. My mind is full of thoughts, but I can not get them out the way I want them to come. Does that ever happen to any of you?

I was to the Doc yesterday, and after many times of being told that maybe I need something for depression, I accepted the prescription. I am tired of always feeling tired and like I want to hide. Life keeps on going and I need to join the race again. The grey skies of winter are always very hard for me to take. It is like today, the rain is falling and all I want to do is sleep. I do not want to always have to depend on caffeine to get me moving everyday.

Here it is the next day, and I have a sick child. The best laid plans can be changed in a second. I went to bed thinking I would wake up and go work out. I am now looking at a night where I am not sure if I will get any sleep. I wonder why it had to happen on a night where I have company? Will Tessa get to enjoy her Auntie and what will this new day bring? I know there is more I could say, but that will be for the next time...

Three Women in Mexico

Three women go down to Mexico one night to celebrate college
graduation, get drunk, and wake up in jail, only to find that they are to
be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember what they did
the night before.

The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is
asked if she has any last words. She says, "I just graduated from Brigham
YoungUniversity and believe in the almighty power of God to intervene on the
behalf of the innocent." They throw the switch and nothing happens. They
all immediately fall to the floor on their knees, beg for forgiveness, and
release her.

The second one, a brunette, is strapped in and gives her last words.
"I just graduated from the Harvard School of Law and I believe in the power
of justice t o intervene on the part of the innocent." They throw the switch
and again, nothing happens. Again they all immediately fall to their knees,
beg for forgiveness and release her.

The last one (you know it), a blonde, is strapped in and says, "Well,
I'm from the University of Kentucky and just graduated with a degree in
Electrical Engineering, and I'll tell ya right now, ya'll ain't gonna
electrocute nobody if you don't plug this thing in.

In one ear and out the other

I just found these photos on the computer. I had asked mom to take some photos of the harvest and she actually did. I guess when my sister was here she brought the memory card for us to put on computer and John did. I have been told that he told me what he was doing and I supposedly said yes. I am sitting here now and just found those photos. Yep, you guessed it, I had no idea how they got here. Why am I like that? I am told so many things that I can not for the life of me remember.Here is a sample of the photos given to me. Dad unloading into a truck. Till next time...

Baptizing a drunk

A man is stumbling through the woods totally drunk when he comes upon a preacher baptizing people in the river.

The drunk walks into the water and subsequently bumps into the preacher. The preacher turns around and is almost overcome by the smell of booze. Whereupon he asks the drunk, "Are you ready to find Jesus?"
"Yes I am" replies the drunk, so the preacher grabs him and dunks him in the river. He pulls him up and asks the drunk, "Brother have you found Jesus?"
The drunk replies, "No, I haven't." The preacher, shocked at the answer, dunks him into the water again, but for a bit longer this time. He pulls him out of the water and asks again, "Have you found Jesus, my brother?"
The drunk again answers, "No, I have not found Jesus."
By this time the preacher is at his wits end so he dunks the drunk in the water again, but this time he holds him down for about 30 seconds.
When the drunk begins kicking his arms and legs, the preacher pulls him up. The preacher asks the drunk again, "For the love of God, have you found Jesus?"
The drunk wipes his eyes and catches his breath and says to the preacher,
"Are you sure this is where he fell in?"

Katharine Hepburn

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get--only with what you are expecting to give--which is everything.

Another year older

I was not pleased when I woke up at 1:30am and was never really able to sleep again. So many thoughts going through my head. I really wish I had this little switch that I could flip so that my mind would stop and let me sleep. I have never really been bothered by the fact I keep getting older. It is something we all do, so why is it that this year I am REALLY not pleased about it.

I was excited to be feeling so much better than the day before. The discussion at bible study went well, although there was a moment when I wished I had the wisdom to comment on something that was just a bit off. Alicia had invited me to lunch and it was just so nice to spend time with her. Brenna had called me on the way to the study, so I was able to hear from all my girls.

I had to run and do an errand. The feeling in the air was like anticipation for what is on the horizon. The wind is starting to howl and the clouds are here. There is that feeling of snow in the air. I cannot say I am excited to think of this next season. The one good thing is that this is too early for it to stay!! If it does start to snow there will be a photo taken to mark the day. Till next time...

Memories of a Trip South

Four summers ago we decided to take Tessa to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. I am really not sure if she was all the impressed with all that. I do know she like going through Bear country. I was glad that my friend Jody was the driver through all the traffic and tourists.

I remember how blazing hot this summer day was on the way home. We stopped at this little tourist trap called 1880 Town. The place was known for having some of the props from the movie "Dances with Wolves". The horse that Kevin Costner rode was still living at the time. The photo of John petting a horse kind of makes me smile. I just want to say to him, he is not going to BITE! Tessa really liked going through the old buildings. (I also rather enjoy it myself!) :)

The photo of Tessa sleeping in the back of the car shows an angel. I want you to know she is only like that when she is sleeping. She does not like to ride in the car, the question "Are we there yet?" was about to drive me crazy! Till next time...

This Rose

I sure wish I could see this growing in my garden. I was sent this by a friend and wanted to share it. Enjoy!!

Takes my breath away

I happened to look out the window, and then caught my breath as the leaves almost appeard to glow. I was not dressed to catch this but had John take a quick photo. IT was the perfect way to end a weekend of beautiful weather. They say we could get snow on Wednesday. I am not worried about it staying. Till next time...

Tessa's Birthday

I am going to attempt to write a bit about her birthday. I know she really wanted to do the friends and all, but we decided not to this year. We let her pick where she wanted to eat after church and then had Ice Cream cake at home with the family that is near by.

Gregg, Alicia and Mariah were the only family here now. Her auntie Brenda is supposed to be in the area in a week. She opened her gifts and then went and watched her new movie. She wanted more Bratz dolls, but she does not need anymore. I mean you can find her floor for Bratz and Barbie stuff. I sometimes wonder if that room will ever become clean! Till next time...

Forgotten memories

Last night I thought I would put in a disc with old photos. The one that caught my attention was this one of Mariah looking at John. I wish I could remember what had happened to her eye. That story seems to have faded into the recesses of my mind. I look at her standing in my living in the corner where the vent for the heater is. She looks so comfortable there looking at her Papa John. Time to dig and see what more I can find. Till next time...

Leaves of Fall

This is always the Friday where school gets out early. The reason I know this is because it is the one closest to our birthdays. I remember one Friday where I was rushing to go to a parent teacher conference and then get into our motel room. It was the year I turned 40. OH JOY!!

I knew that I would have to deal with Tessa wanting to be outside playing with her friends. I did not expect them to rake and play in the leaves. I am not sure who had the bright idea to see if they could rake leaves for money. The smile that crossed my face was one knew what the outcome would be. It can not hurt to let them find out the hard way, money does not come easy!! I do wish that when it came to actually raking leaves they would still be so interested.

This day was just so beautiful. I really could have done with a bit less wind thought. I sure does keep the leaves moving. Now if it would just blow them all out of my yard. Till next time...

A day given to others

I wanted to feel bad that things did not go as I would like. I had plans to accomplish more, but didn't? It is so easy to feel guilt over that, but I am NOT supposed to. So tonight I find myself standing outside with out shoes on freezing my feet, because... THE MOON IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

I want John to come home and use his camera. I know he wants me to learn to use mine. I am pouting just a bit. (really). He tells me to pull out the tripod and mess with settings. OK Here I am doing it, and not getting the results that I want! IT is such a perfect white ball in the sky tonight. This photo shows I have much to learn! Till next time...

The last flowers

I was not able to even think about sitting at the computer much yesterday. I was literally taken off my feet. Today, the sun shines and it is a better day. I ventured out and decided to clean up the rhubarb for the year. I really had dealing with it in the spring. Then noticed this lovely rose that is blooming on John's newest addition this summer. It is a climbing one and he has great hopes for it. Let's hope the animals do not take it out like the last few have.

It really is such a lovely day. The smell of fall and the leaves on the ground. You can imagine that soon we will all be snuggling in where it is warm and watch the snow fly. I just choose to enjoy this weather while we have it. Till next time...

A day full of smiles

I may not have been feeling all that great. I have to say that Julie was the bright spot of the day. Many of the conversations were about this photo that she had of herself on her website. The minute I saw that photo I had to ask, "what did you do to your eyes?" The answer was nothing! I am rather blown away by the color that the light has picked up in her eyes.

We had lunch with Alicia, and if any of you had actually heard the topic, well lets just say you would probably roll your eyes. I do not think there is anything like getting a few females that are really comfortable together and then watch the conversation GO OFF!

I spent most of my afternoon working on the food for supper. I do not know how many times I have said I wish I had a bigger kitchen. Julie gets so amazed by the fact I cook. It is so easy, but glad that they enjoy the end result. I made this new recipe from a pampered chef cookbook. It turned out really good and went to well with the roast.

Tessa was able to take her earrings out and wear different ones to school. I was wishing John was home to reason with her when she was all upset. She did not like the fact that it stung a little bit. OHH, I do wish I was blessed with a bit more patience. I am very glad to have been blessed with this day. Just the random moments with family members whether in person or on the phone is what life is all about. Till next time...

The new supermarket

The new supermarket opened near my house and has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and witness the scent of fresh hay.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn.

I don't buy toilet paper there any more

Grandpa's Hands

This was an email that I recieved. I really like the sendiment and it made me think. The photo is of my grandfather at the end of his life. Till next time...

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back.

As a child my Mother taught me to fold them in prayer.

They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.

They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.

They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son.

Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and that I loved someone special.

They trembled and shook when I buried my Parents and Spouse and walked my Daughter down the aisle.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.

They have been sticky and wet, hurt and broken, dried and raw.

And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home.

And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of my Christ."





I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my Grandpa's hands and led him home.

When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa. I know, at the resurrection, he will be stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.