My good friend, Laura, has just moved from Minnesota to New Jersey, about one hour from me. I have been so excited...anticipating this move for months now...and yesterday she and her family arrived on our doorstep on the way to their "new" home. You all know how happy I am to be back here...and it is just the "icing on the cake" having some of our friends from Minnesota living nearby. Another good friend is expected to arrive some time this summer. Thanks, Verizon!!!
While here Laura reminded me of a story I had told her a few years back about a funny thing that happened to me in my other Pennsylvania home. I thought it was time to share it with you. It is a most bizarre story!!
I had a neighbor...who shall remain nameless, of course...who once had a squirrel for a pet. Yes...you read that right...a squirrel. Apparently they found an abandoned baby squirrel on their property and decided to "raise" it as a pet.
Now this neighbor loved this silly squirrel...and had been spotted at the township ballfield with "Timmy" nestled in her shirt between her breasts! Oh..."Timmy" was the squirrels name. Weird story, you say??? Gets weirder!!
One day I was out in my green minivan depositing the children at their four separate destinations for their four separate sports activities which I would some how try to be present for an equal amount of time. Whew! Those were the days!! I saw a lot of two-inning games back then.
On this particularly warm and sunny day I had to return home because one of the kids had forgotten their glove...or ballcap...or cleats...or something of great importance. Mom had to "save the day".
I parked in the back of my house...ran and got the item...and hurried back and got into the van. Every moment was crucial here. As I turned the key...suddenly...out of no where...there appeared...IN MY LAP...a squirrel!! I screamed...opened the car door...started running frantically up the street...with the creature clinging to my pant leg for dear life!!!
There, at the edge of her yard, stood my favorite neighbor...with her two adorable children...laughing hysterical...saying it's only "Timmy"!
I am not exactly sure what happened after that...shock set in I am certain...but I do know that "Timmy" lived there for a while before he was finally released to search for his squirrel mom.
So...there you have it...my bizarre squirrel "tale". Thanks, Laura, for reminding me!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
It's my Mother's fault!
This morning I was thinking about fruit during my workout...
yes, cyberfriends, I finally got around to starting a daily workout routine. I must say it took me so long to get motivated because I was crushed with the response to my polka aerobics idea...("Roll Out the Barrel" blog, March 16th)...with only one interested party!
...anyway...back to the fruit. I wasn't really thinking about fruit...but rather making a comparison. My honey has never understood my reluctance to workout...and my frustration with the results once I do. He has found an exercise routine that all around "works for him". He can lose...maintain...fit it into his busy schedule...and still eat whatever he likes!! He has also only ever had, at the most, 10-15 lbs. to lose at any given time. And...as all you female readers know...guys shed it more quickly.
I...on the other hand have...let's say for the sake of this blog...30-40 lbs. to lose. A far cry from 10-15 lbs!! I may do good for a while...but then hit that plateau...and get discouraged....which causes stress...and I am a stress eater...you get the idea.
It also has a lot to do with genes...here's where the fruit comes in. My honey comes from a banana family...tall and lean men on both sides of his family. I come from a pear family...where the women on both sides of my family are a bit rounder about the middle.
Although a banana and a pear are both yellow, sweet fruit...the similarities end there. Yes, my honey and I are both adorable, sweet people...but I will never weigh my "20-something" weight. Don't get me wrong...I know I can lose weight with some really hard work and a focused...dedicated mind. I know that I could be healthier carrying a little less baggage around...and definitely would enjoy my reflection just a tad more. But most days I would rather not break a sweat or pull a muscle for the sake of vanity.
We all know that a bruised piece of fruit is not as tasty!!
P.S. My friend, Gerrie, just sent me this in an email...and I thought it was the perfect ending punctuation...
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on
nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those
conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and
fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
yes, cyberfriends, I finally got around to starting a daily workout routine. I must say it took me so long to get motivated because I was crushed with the response to my polka aerobics idea...("Roll Out the Barrel" blog, March 16th)...with only one interested party!
...anyway...back to the fruit. I wasn't really thinking about fruit...but rather making a comparison. My honey has never understood my reluctance to workout...and my frustration with the results once I do. He has found an exercise routine that all around "works for him". He can lose...maintain...fit it into his busy schedule...and still eat whatever he likes!! He has also only ever had, at the most, 10-15 lbs. to lose at any given time. And...as all you female readers know...guys shed it more quickly.
I...on the other hand have...let's say for the sake of this blog...30-40 lbs. to lose. A far cry from 10-15 lbs!! I may do good for a while...but then hit that plateau...and get discouraged....which causes stress...and I am a stress eater...you get the idea.
It also has a lot to do with genes...here's where the fruit comes in. My honey comes from a banana family...tall and lean men on both sides of his family. I come from a pear family...where the women on both sides of my family are a bit rounder about the middle.
Although a banana and a pear are both yellow, sweet fruit...the similarities end there. Yes, my honey and I are both adorable, sweet people...but I will never weigh my "20-something" weight. Don't get me wrong...I know I can lose weight with some really hard work and a focused...dedicated mind. I know that I could be healthier carrying a little less baggage around...and definitely would enjoy my reflection just a tad more. But most days I would rather not break a sweat or pull a muscle for the sake of vanity.
We all know that a bruised piece of fruit is not as tasty!!
P.S. My friend, Gerrie, just sent me this in an email...and I thought it was the perfect ending punctuation...
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on
nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those
conflicting nutritional studies.
1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and
fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dreams or reality?
I had the most bizarre thing happen to me this morning...and I just had to share it right away.
We have all experienced those weird dream moments right before waking up...like when in our dream the phone is ringing and then we realize it really is....you know those moments. It is a surreal feeling to experience our subconscious working at that level. I have never studied the mind...I guess that is why I am, at times, mindless...but I am certain it would be a fascinating study!
This morning I was deep in dreamland...I was working in the front of my house planting my new shrubs...one with nature. Cailyn was there just playing and laughing. It was a glorious moment and I was enjoying two of my favorite "pass times"...gardening and watching my granddaughter just do the things she does!
Suddenly a thought came to me in my dream. "It must be time for the alarm to go off right....(my thoughts paused)...and then I thought...NOW"...and the alarm went off!!!
I hit the snooze button...gradually coming back to reality...understanding that I was not in my flower bed...but my warm and snugly bed with my honey right beside me and no Cailyn in sight.
But how did I know when the alarm would go off???? And even better...why was that thought even in my head while I was gardening??? That is the ONE time that I rarely think about time...I mostly just get lost in my thoughts...mindless.
I will ponder this a bit more I am sure. Tick....tock...tick...tock...
We have all experienced those weird dream moments right before waking up...like when in our dream the phone is ringing and then we realize it really is....you know those moments. It is a surreal feeling to experience our subconscious working at that level. I have never studied the mind...I guess that is why I am, at times, mindless...but I am certain it would be a fascinating study!
This morning I was deep in dreamland...I was working in the front of my house planting my new shrubs...one with nature. Cailyn was there just playing and laughing. It was a glorious moment and I was enjoying two of my favorite "pass times"...gardening and watching my granddaughter just do the things she does!
Suddenly a thought came to me in my dream. "It must be time for the alarm to go off right....(my thoughts paused)...and then I thought...NOW"...and the alarm went off!!!
I hit the snooze button...gradually coming back to reality...understanding that I was not in my flower bed...but my warm and snugly bed with my honey right beside me and no Cailyn in sight.
But how did I know when the alarm would go off???? And even better...why was that thought even in my head while I was gardening??? That is the ONE time that I rarely think about time...I mostly just get lost in my thoughts...mindless.
I will ponder this a bit more I am sure. Tick....tock...tick...tock...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Spreading the "Word"
We have many trees on our property. Remember the Chainsaw Party a few blogs ago? My honey and his "buds" were clearing the property of a few trees so that we could put in a pool. It was quite the event!
Today I discovered a tree I had never seen before. One that is really quite beautiful...with pretty yellow flowers. After surfing the web I found out it is called a yellow poplar...or tulip tree. I will try my best to make sure that this tree is never a victim of the chainsaw gang!
About 3 weeks ago there was a knock a the door. The local electric company had hired a tree service to trim all of the trees that touch the power lines. The man standing at my door worked for the tree service and was there to inform me that they would be cutting back some trees on our property. "Was I interested in keeping the wood that they cut, or should he haul it away?" Well, since there are countless things that I now know can be made out of logs I told him we would like to keep the wood.
The next day my honey was riding by where they had trimmed our trees. There lying on the ground next to one of the trees, was a piece of freshly cut wood...and carved into the wood was the Christian "fish symbol". It was really quite beautiful to see...a simple carving by some one's chainsaw...a refreshing reminder that we Christians are not alone out there.
We've kept the piece of wood and gave it a resting spot at the entrance to the bridge. Here we can see it everyday as we enter our property. It is a great way to remind us just how blessed we are. Thank you, Jesus!...and thank you our anonymous Christian friend.
Today I discovered a tree I had never seen before. One that is really quite beautiful...with pretty yellow flowers. After surfing the web I found out it is called a yellow poplar...or tulip tree. I will try my best to make sure that this tree is never a victim of the chainsaw gang!
About 3 weeks ago there was a knock a the door. The local electric company had hired a tree service to trim all of the trees that touch the power lines. The man standing at my door worked for the tree service and was there to inform me that they would be cutting back some trees on our property. "Was I interested in keeping the wood that they cut, or should he haul it away?" Well, since there are countless things that I now know can be made out of logs I told him we would like to keep the wood.
The next day my honey was riding by where they had trimmed our trees. There lying on the ground next to one of the trees, was a piece of freshly cut wood...and carved into the wood was the Christian "fish symbol". It was really quite beautiful to see...a simple carving by some one's chainsaw...a refreshing reminder that we Christians are not alone out there.
We've kept the piece of wood and gave it a resting spot at the entrance to the bridge. Here we can see it everyday as we enter our property. It is a great way to remind us just how blessed we are. Thank you, Jesus!...and thank you our anonymous Christian friend.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Sweater Maker
Some of us have been blessed with a creative relative who likes to share their talent with other members of the family. I have one of those relatives...my dear Aunt Jean.
My Aunt Jean...now an octogenarian...used to make her own clothes...sing in in the church choir...bowl every week and very well, I might add...and work outside the home as a corporate secretary. She loved to travel by car, and has visited all of the states in our country (of course she did not drive to a couple!)...but has lived in only two of those states, New Jersey and Nevada.
She also has been knitting for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have received countless items hand knit by her: sweaters...my Christmas stocking...sweaters...hat/scarfs...sweaters...Barbie clothes...sweaters...a shawl...sweaters...an afghan...and sweaters...just to name a few.
My all time favorite was knit in the 70s when I was in high school. She made me a burnt orange jumpsuit!! It had stripes of tan and brown around the collar and cuffs. It was made with HUGE bellbottom pant legs. WOW!!!...what a flashback I just had!! LOL!! I was quite stunning in it!! The thing is, though, it weighed more than me at the time!!!
She has knit my children their baptismal gown...sweaters...baby clothes...sweaters...their Christmas stockings...sweaters... hats/scarfs...sweaters...afghans...and sweaters.
She knits for EVERY family member...her sisters and spouses...nieces/nephews and spouses...great nieces/nephews and their spouses and children...and so on and so on. She knits for about 50 people that I know of, and probably a bunch that I don't!!
Every year...without fail...for as far back as the beginning of time...she has knit everyone a sweater for Christmas...a different style each year...in a multitude of colors. It was no surprise what was inside her package!
This past Christmas we did not receive sweaters. This year she retired her knitting needles and is giving her tired hands a rest. It was strange not to receive her sweaters. A family tradition has ended.
Someone will have to learn how to knit. "Knit one...pearl two"! That is all that I remember from the one time she tried to teach me. But the thing is...I remember the words...just not what they mean!
Someone will have to continue the tradition of the Christmas stockings. Every family member has one! The new grandbaby will need one!
Leigh???...Carrie???...Jessie???...Will???...which one of you will it be? I am certain Aunt Jean would love to teach one or all of you!!!
My Aunt Jean...now an octogenarian...used to make her own clothes...sing in in the church choir...bowl every week and very well, I might add...and work outside the home as a corporate secretary. She loved to travel by car, and has visited all of the states in our country (of course she did not drive to a couple!)...but has lived in only two of those states, New Jersey and Nevada.
She also has been knitting for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have received countless items hand knit by her: sweaters...my Christmas stocking...sweaters...hat/scarfs...sweaters...Barbie clothes...sweaters...a shawl...sweaters...an afghan...and sweaters...just to name a few.
My all time favorite was knit in the 70s when I was in high school. She made me a burnt orange jumpsuit!! It had stripes of tan and brown around the collar and cuffs. It was made with HUGE bellbottom pant legs. WOW!!!...what a flashback I just had!! LOL!! I was quite stunning in it!! The thing is, though, it weighed more than me at the time!!!
She has knit my children their baptismal gown...sweaters...baby clothes...sweaters...their Christmas stockings...sweaters... hats/scarfs...sweaters...afghans...and sweaters.
She knits for EVERY family member...her sisters and spouses...nieces/nephews and spouses...great nieces/nephews and their spouses and children...and so on and so on. She knits for about 50 people that I know of, and probably a bunch that I don't!!
Every year...without fail...for as far back as the beginning of time...she has knit everyone a sweater for Christmas...a different style each year...in a multitude of colors. It was no surprise what was inside her package!
This past Christmas we did not receive sweaters. This year she retired her knitting needles and is giving her tired hands a rest. It was strange not to receive her sweaters. A family tradition has ended.
Someone will have to learn how to knit. "Knit one...pearl two"! That is all that I remember from the one time she tried to teach me. But the thing is...I remember the words...just not what they mean!
Someone will have to continue the tradition of the Christmas stockings. Every family member has one! The new grandbaby will need one!
Leigh???...Carrie???...Jessie???...Will???...which one of you will it be? I am certain Aunt Jean would love to teach one or all of you!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A one of kind "treasure"
My friend, Jean, and I spent her birthday browsing at a flea market near us. I love flea markets. You can find some real "treasures" at flea markets.
I have been to this particular Tuesday flea market many times...and it has always been packed full of vendors and shoppers. But because they were open on Memorial Day, only a handful of vendors set-up their tables today....apparently only the desperate to move their goods vendors.
Now...if you have ever been to a flea market you know that some of the vendors are just pedaling knock-offs of someone else's hard work...I have been known to purchase these items in the past. Some of the vendors are selling food items, or flowers, or perfumes. Some of the vendors deal only in antiques.
Well...apparently these vendors were home resting up after a long and busy holiday weekend where sales were good so therefore a much needed break was warranted. Very few of them were set-up today.
The majority of the vendors there today were selling the miracle creams and lotions...the velvet paintings...the CDs of artists who have been dead and gone a long time...and the 2008 calendars. And then there were the "creative" type vendors that were displaying the goods they "created" with their own hands. You know...license plates made into birdhouses and purses...jewelry made out of broken pieces of china or bottle caps...garden decorations made from old garden tools decorated with things like door knobs and keys and old silverware and coffeepots. These are the fun things to see...things that you may or may not say..."wow...I never would have thought of that!"
Occasionally at these vendor tables you will find a real "treasure"...a true conversation piece...an unbelievable one-of-a-kind gem!!
Today I found that treasure! I walked past it...almost missing it completely...then slowly realized what I was seeing. I quickly brought Jean's attention to it. She squinted...focused...giggled and then just turned and walked away. I, on the other hand, could not move.
I was frozen to the spot...my eyes filling with tears...the laughter rising from deep inside me! I could not believe what I was seeing. I think it must have been created by a husband/wife team. They discovered a way to bring their two worlds together...working side by side to create the perfect piece.
You must have just the right decor to display this work of art. I knew immediately I did not have it. But some where out there one of you may. I guess it would be a cross between a yurt and a ladies bathroom.
I can give you directions to the flea market if you are interested. Something tells me it will still be there next week!
I have been to this particular Tuesday flea market many times...and it has always been packed full of vendors and shoppers. But because they were open on Memorial Day, only a handful of vendors set-up their tables today....apparently only the desperate to move their goods vendors.
Now...if you have ever been to a flea market you know that some of the vendors are just pedaling knock-offs of someone else's hard work...I have been known to purchase these items in the past. Some of the vendors are selling food items, or flowers, or perfumes. Some of the vendors deal only in antiques.
Well...apparently these vendors were home resting up after a long and busy holiday weekend where sales were good so therefore a much needed break was warranted. Very few of them were set-up today.
The majority of the vendors there today were selling the miracle creams and lotions...the velvet paintings...the CDs of artists who have been dead and gone a long time...and the 2008 calendars. And then there were the "creative" type vendors that were displaying the goods they "created" with their own hands. You know...license plates made into birdhouses and purses...jewelry made out of broken pieces of china or bottle caps...garden decorations made from old garden tools decorated with things like door knobs and keys and old silverware and coffeepots. These are the fun things to see...things that you may or may not say..."wow...I never would have thought of that!"
Occasionally at these vendor tables you will find a real "treasure"...a true conversation piece...an unbelievable one-of-a-kind gem!!
Today I found that treasure! I walked past it...almost missing it completely...then slowly realized what I was seeing. I quickly brought Jean's attention to it. She squinted...focused...giggled and then just turned and walked away. I, on the other hand, could not move.
I was frozen to the spot...my eyes filling with tears...the laughter rising from deep inside me! I could not believe what I was seeing. I think it must have been created by a husband/wife team. They discovered a way to bring their two worlds together...working side by side to create the perfect piece.
You must have just the right decor to display this work of art. I knew immediately I did not have it. But some where out there one of you may. I guess it would be a cross between a yurt and a ladies bathroom.
I can give you directions to the flea market if you are interested. Something tells me it will still be there next week!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Adjusting to Mother Nature
I love it here...the woods...the creek...but mostly the serenity. It's a good thing, because being surrounded by Mother Nature has brought me into close contact with things I really tried to steer clear of in the past.
I have never really been the "outdoorsy" type. Although I did a little camping (church camp) when I was in grade school...I was always happy to get back home to my own bed and bathroom. I am not a fan of bugs and critters.
Now the deer that I see from my window...and the geese I chase down the lane...and the ducks I see swimming in the creek...and the blue heron that circles our property...these are all beautiful sights...great examples of the sheer wonder of God's creation. And they are all far enough away from me that I do not worry whether or not they will come close enough to me to actually touch me. But...there are some of God's creatures that are too bold for me.
Let's take for instance bugs...yikees! From carpenter ants...to spiders...to Pennsylvania's version of a "stink bug"...to centipedes...to silverfish...I have experienced them all. I hate bugs...they really make me feel all crrrreeeeppppy...and crrrraaaawwwwlllly. And critters???...that's another whole level of creepy crawly yuckiness!
I think that all critters such as rodents and snakes should be banned from the earth! Mice...rats...snakes...are totally gross creatures that just give me the "heebiejeebies". All of these have reared their ugly heads here at the Money Pit...but thank goodness I have not crossed paths with any of them personally.
I know that they are all a part of Mother Nature...I just wish they were silent partners and/or nocturnal so that I would never have a chance to cross their paths. My honey does his best to shelter me from them...however...the fact remains they are here...and actually were here before us...so they do have some claim to the property.
I know I must learn to adapt to them...since this is hopefully our last stopping place before I reach the pearly gates. I will try hard to be brave. But, maybe they could all become extinct...like the dinosaurs. No one misses the dinosaurs, right?
But...here's a thought...do you think there are bugs and critters in Heaven? I sure hope not.
I have never really been the "outdoorsy" type. Although I did a little camping (church camp) when I was in grade school...I was always happy to get back home to my own bed and bathroom. I am not a fan of bugs and critters.
Now the deer that I see from my window...and the geese I chase down the lane...and the ducks I see swimming in the creek...and the blue heron that circles our property...these are all beautiful sights...great examples of the sheer wonder of God's creation. And they are all far enough away from me that I do not worry whether or not they will come close enough to me to actually touch me. But...there are some of God's creatures that are too bold for me.
Let's take for instance bugs...yikees! From carpenter ants...to spiders...to Pennsylvania's version of a "stink bug"...to centipedes...to silverfish...I have experienced them all. I hate bugs...they really make me feel all crrrreeeeppppy...and crrrraaaawwwwlllly. And critters???...that's another whole level of creepy crawly yuckiness!
I think that all critters such as rodents and snakes should be banned from the earth! Mice...rats...snakes...are totally gross creatures that just give me the "heebiejeebies". All of these have reared their ugly heads here at the Money Pit...but thank goodness I have not crossed paths with any of them personally.
I know that they are all a part of Mother Nature...I just wish they were silent partners and/or nocturnal so that I would never have a chance to cross their paths. My honey does his best to shelter me from them...however...the fact remains they are here...and actually were here before us...so they do have some claim to the property.
I know I must learn to adapt to them...since this is hopefully our last stopping place before I reach the pearly gates. I will try hard to be brave. But, maybe they could all become extinct...like the dinosaurs. No one misses the dinosaurs, right?
But...here's a thought...do you think there are bugs and critters in Heaven? I sure hope not.
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