Grey-Haired Coed

Classes for Old People?

2011-11-05T23:50:00.003-05:00

There should be classes for people to learn how to age gracefully. They should include:

1. Proper diet to maintain bodily functions without getting FAT!
2. How to keep in contact with friends and family without spending a fortune on long distance. I know, cell phones.... but what if you can't afford the monthly fee for the cell phone? Hmmm???
3. What to do with yourself in the evenings when you can no longer drive at night. Yes, night blindness has reared it's ugly head! It's bad enough that I am terribly nearsighted, have cataracts forming, but not being able to ever drive to anything at night eliminates a lot of social opportunities.
4. Community education classes in the afternoons would be nice.
5. More alternatives ... not just sleeping, eating, and cleaning house.
6. When arthritis limits a person's physical activity there should be a list of activities that you CAN do!
7. I can sew. And I DO sew for many people. It's a small business that gives me some spending money, and I also sew for charity. 300 baby quilts for Project Linus so far, and every year, bags of receiving blankets, wash clothes, nightgowns and little jackets for Lutheran World Relief. It feels good to make things that children can use!
8. And how do you make new friends when you can no longer get around as you would like????
9. Facebook and email help a lot.

But I want more.....

2011-11-02T20:45:00.002-05:00

I'm still hooked on facebook. But it's fun to be able to 'catch up' on what friends are doing.
I don't get out much anymore, so facebook, email, and the telephone keep me connected with friends and family.
I'm still sewing for people. Thank heavens there are a lot of people who never learned how to sew! My little sewing account keeps growing!

2011-10-28T16:42:00.003-05:00

Apparently facebook doesn't like me anymore... I can read other's posts, but cannot comment or post anything.
Just letting you know, folks.

2011-09-25T03:24:00.004-05:00

I think I am DONE with facebook!!! Too many changes, it's making me crazy!
I hope to spend more time on here!

So Sad...

2011-04-14T05:28:00.002-05:00

My name is Sharon and I'm hooked on facebook. I admit it. I need help!

Don't get me wrong, I love facebook! I have been able to connect with SO many friends and family that I just don't get to see anymore. It's wonderful!

But, you knew there would be a 'but' right?, I spend TOO much time on facebook! I need to get busy with some other things. Like spring cleaning!!!!! Especially my sewing room! Lint, bits of thread, dirty windows and walls, shelves bulging with fabric shoved here and there, my desk piled with things that need to be filed, (yes, I have a filing cabinet right next to the desk). Let's face it folks, the rest of the house may look fine, but my sewing room is in sad shape!

I have neglected this blog because of facebook! I don't read other people's blogs as much as I used to...

My spring resolution is to #1- clean my sewing room thoroughly!

Check back later for an update if you dare...

My Candy Man!!!

2010-12-03T11:48:00.002-06:00

The first batch of peanut brittle!

Dale is busy today making three batches of peanut brittle!
He makes the absolute BEST peanut brittle!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T17:11:00.002-06:00

2010 Pepper Harvest...

2010-10-31T17:31:00.003-05:00

This is it.

Are You Ready For This?

2010-10-23T20:52:00.002-05:00

My new glasses!

History Can Teach Us So Much!

2010-10-22T08:33:00.000-05:00

In today's excerpt  - twenty-eight year old Abraham Lincoln's speech to the Young
Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois.  Titled "The Perpetuation of our Political
Institutions," Lincoln's 1838 comments addressed the rampant lynchings that followed
the Emancipation Act of 1833, and his belief that America's greatest dangers came
not from abroad but from within:
"We find ourselves in the peaceful possession of the fairest portion of the earth,
as regards extent of territory, fertility of soil, and salubrity of climate.  ...
At what point shall we expect the approach of danger?  By what means shall we fortify
against it?  Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean,
and crush us at a blow? Never!  All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined,
with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with
a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or
make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
"At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected?  I answer, if it ever
reach us, it must spring up amongst us.  It cannot come from abroad.  If destruction
be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher.  ...
"I hope I am over wary; but if I am not, there is, even now, something of ill-omen
amongst us.  I mean the increasing disregard for law which pervades the country;
the growing disposition to substitute the wild and furious passions, in lieu of
the sober judgment of Courts; and the worse than savage mobs, for the executive
minister of justice.  ...  Accounts of outrages committed by mobs form the everyday
news of the times.  ...
"When men take it in their heads to day, to hang gamblers, or burn murderers, they
should recollect, that, in the confusion usually attending such transactions, they
will be as likely to hang or burn someone, who is neither a gambler nor a murderer
as one who is; and that, acting upon the example they set, the mob of to-morrow,
may, and probably will, hang or burn some of them, by the very same mistake.  And
not only so; the innocent, those who have ever set their faces against violation
of law in every shape, alike with the guilty, fall victims to the ravages of mob
law; and thus it goes on, step by step, till all the walls erected for the defense
of the persons and property of individuals, are trodden down, and disregarded. 
But all this even, is not the full extent of the evil.  By such examples, by instances
of the perpetrators of such acts going unpunished, the lawless in spirit, are encouraged
to become lawless in practice; and having been used to restraint, but dread of punishment,
they thus become, absolute unrestrained.  ...  Thus, then, by the operation of this
mobocratic spirit, which all must admit is now abroad in the land, the strongest
bulwark of any Government, and particularly of those constituted like ours, may
effectually be broken down and destroyed ... [and] this Government cannot last.
 ...
"The question recurs, 'how shall we fortify against it?' The answer is simple. 
Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity,
swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular,
the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.  As the
patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so
to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every man remember that to violate
the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of
his own, and his children's liberty.  ... In short, let it become the political
religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the
brave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice
unceasingly upon its altars.
"The scenes of the revolution are not now or ever will be entirely forgotten; but
that like everything else, they must fade upon the memory of the world, and grow
more and more dim by the lapse of time. ... They were the pillars of the temple
of liberty; and now, that they have crumbled away, that temple must fall, unless
we, their descendants, supply their places with other pillars, hewn from the solid
quarry of sober reason.  Passion has helped us; but can do so no more.  It will
in future be our enemy.  Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason must furnish
all the materials for our future support and defense.  Let those materials be molded
into general intelligence, sound morality and, in particular, a reverence for the
constitution and laws. ...
"Upon these let the proud fabric of freedom rest, as the rock of its basis; and
as truly as has been said of the only greater institution, 'the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it.' "
Author: Abraham Lincoln
Title: "The Perpetuation of our Political Institutions"
Date: January 1838
Tags: Speeches, Presidents, Lynching
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Book Bags...

2010-10-18T20:53:00.002-05:00

These are the first ten book bags I made for Walker's 'Friends of the Library". They will sell them so that they have more funds to purchase new books for the library.
They were fun to make! We will see how they sell, and if they need more I will make more.

Punctuation...

2010-10-15T08:33:00.000-05:00

On Punctuation

by Elizabeth Austen

not for me the dogma of the period
preaching order and a sure conclusion
and no not for me the prissy
formality or tight-lipped fence
of the colon and as for the semi-
colon call it what it is
a period slumming
with the commas
a poser at the bar
feigning liberation with one hand
tightening the leash with the other
oh give me the headlong run-on
fragment dangling its feet
over the edge give me the sly
comma with its come-hither
wave teasing all the characters
on either side give me ellipses
not just a gang of periods
a trail of possibilities
or give me the sweet interrupting dash
the running leaping joining dash all the voices
gleeing out over one another
oh if I must
punctuate
give me the YIPPEE
of the exclamation point
give me give me the curling
cupping curve mounting the period
with voluptuous uncertainty

"On Punctuation" by Elizabeth Austen, from The Girl Who Goes Alone. © Floating Bridge Press, 2010. Reprinted with permission.

Maynard...

2010-10-05T16:27:00.001-05:00

Every once in a while I get lucky when I take a quick snapshot. This is one of those times!

A Day in My World...

2010-10-02T09:53:00.003-05:00

It started early today... the pain... I cleaned up the kitchen, washed breakfast dishes, emptied waste baskets, then took the garbage out ... I made it out there, but the pain began in my left knee and right hip. No cane or crutch with me, I tried to lean on the large garbage pail that we collect everything in before taking it all to the 'big' metal garbage can. However, the one I was leaning on was plastic. Heavy-duty plastic, but not strong enough for me to put much weight on it as I struggled to get back to the house.

I would take a few steps, then stand and wait till I dared to put any weight on the left leg again. My progress was halting, at best. Tears began to flow. Swear words formed in my mouth. Another couple of steps, rest, repeat. If it hadn't been so terribly painful, I would have laughed!

What a sight I must have been, this old, fat, gray-haired lady limping and inching my way through the fallen leaves. My husband was on the tractor-mower, bagging leaves. My son was using the leaf blower at the edges of our huge yard. (With goggles, a dust mask over his nose and mouth, and industrial sound-blocking ear (muffs?)

During one of my many pauses to catch my breath and cry, my son must have noticed that I was having problems. He was by my side, offering his strong arm. He slowly walked me back to the house, waiting until I made it safely up the steps of the deck. My husband noticed what was going on, and stopped to say, "Why didn't you let us do that?" Because I thought I could do it! I've been doing it a couple times a week for some time.

Bless their hearts... they watch out for me, do SO much of the housework, grocery shopping, all the yard work, etc. They tell me not to worry, that they don't mind... BUT I DO!!! So many times, I just feel useless! Maybe that is one of the reasons that I sew so much. It is something I CAN DO!!!

Well, the pain pill I took is already beginning to work. It's time to sew...

Birthday of our national anthem...

2010-09-14T08:05:00.001-05:00

This is from "The Writer's Almanac" by Garrison Keillor:

It was on this day in 1814 that Francis Scott Key wrote the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The British had invaded and captured Washington on August 24th. After successfully destroying the White House, the Capitol building, and a lot of Washington, the British moved on to Baltimore, and had no interest in occupying it — they just hoped to destroy as much as possible, as a symbolic victory.

The British made their headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and took over the plantation of the town doctor, Dr. William Beanes, who was elderly and well-liked. A young lawyer, Francis Scott Key, was incensed when he heard that Beanes had been captured and was being held on a ship, so he set off to rescue him.

Key was accompanied by John S. Skinner, an agent for prisoner release whom President Madison had sent along. The British commander, General Robert Ross, finally agreed to release Beanes after the Americans showed them some letters written by wounded British prisoners saying that Dr. Beanes was taking good care of them. But he wouldn't let the three men leave until after the attack on Baltimore. They had to get on a sloop behind the British fleet and wait to see what would happen.

At Fort McHenry in Baltimore, there was a huge flag, 30 feet by 42 feet, easily visible from the British ships. Each of the 15 stars measured two feet between the points, and the stripes were two feet wide. A Baltimore seamstress and her 13-year-old daughter had sewn the flag by spreading it all out on the malthouse floor of a local brewery.

The British attacked Baltimore throughout the day on September 13th, and that night they sent more than 1,500 bombs, rockets, and cannon balls across the water at Fort McHenry. But Baltimore had been preparing for war for the past year, and it was well defended. Suddenly, the British stopped firing. From their boat, Francis Scott Key and the other men had no idea whether the British had succeeded or given up and retreated, and they could no longer see the harbor now that the sky was dark. So they had to wait all night, until the sky was light enough to see which flag was flying over the fort. And of course, the next morning the American flag was there.

Francis Scott Key scribbled down some ideas for a poem on the back of a letter that he was carrying. He was released later that day, and the next day, September 14th, he finished writing "Defense of Fort M'Henry," which would later become the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner," in a room at the Indian Queen Hotel.

Within five days, the poem was printed and circulated all over Baltimore with the directions that it should be sung to the tune of an English song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." No one is sure exactly who figured out that the lyrics fit the tune of this popular drinking song. A well-known actor, Ferdinand Durang, stood on a chair and belted it out to an appreciative crowd at Captain McCauley's tavern and became the first person to publicly sing what is now the national anthem of the United States.

Where Have I Been???

2010-09-12T06:55:00.001-05:00

I'm ashamed of myself! Have been spending too much time on facebook, and absolutely NONE on my blog!

I came here today to change my age... yes, I'm 'older than dirt'!

I promise I will have an interesting blog post up soon!

Lutheran World Relief

2010-07-31T17:35:00.002-05:00

I just finished putting two large bags together for Lutheran World Relief. They distribute layettes to mothers with new babies all over the world. I try to put together as many of the items they need at least once a year.

Each layette contains: 1 washcloth, 4 diapers, 1 blanket, 2 nightgowns, and 1 jacket or sweater

I am really proud of these little jackets I made. Used fabric from: bottom legs of some jeans I hand-embroidered a long time ago, fabric from two dresses I found at a rummage sale, and two fancy jackets also from a rummage sale! The trims also came from rummage sales.

Just because a new mother is too poor to buy things for her new baby, there is no reason that she shouldn't get cute things, right?

Correction!

2010-07-09T20:11:00.002-05:00

Donations can be made to our local Northern Minnesota chapter.
Our chapter coordinator is :

Northern Minnesota
Contact: Jonette
(218) 835-4453
jonette@blackduck.net

Jonette covers a lot of miles delivering the blankets to so many hospitals.
Also, she must bear the cost of labels and such. She buys a lot of fabric herself
for the annual 'Make a Blanket Day'.

So if you have some extra money and would like to support a worthy cause, here it is!
Thanks!

QUILT NUMBER 300!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-07-09T16:35:00.004-05:00

When I started making quilts and fleece blankets for 'Project Linus' , I never dreamed that it would become such a labor of love. I started four years ago with fabric that I had left over from other sewing projects.

Soon I was hooked. I used the money I made from doing sewing for others to buy more fabric! And so, it seemed to mushroom.

The quilts and blankets that I have made are distributed by our coordinator, Jonette Anderson, who covers the northwest region of Minnesota. She sews the official 'Project Linus' label on each one, then attaches the name and address of the maker of the quilt. She takes them to hospitals in Bemidji, Deer River, Grand Rapids, Rosseau, and Thief River Falls.

If YOU want to get involved, but don't sew, you can donate to the main office. There is a link on their site.

These blankets and quilts are given to children in crisis situations. Imagine being a small child, who has been hurt in some kind of accident, or are really, really sick. Hospitals are pretty scary to everyone, but especially to a child. Now, a nurse comes to your bed and asks if you would like a blanket to cuddle with...

I have received thank you notes from parents and grandparents who say that once their child received my blanket, they were much calmer, and one even told her mother, "I can be brave now, Mommy." That one really got to me...

Busy, busy, busy...

2010-07-06T20:36:00.002-05:00

I actually feel as if I accomplished a lot today. Made a trip into town to deliver some completed sewing, and pick up another batch that needs doing. Picked up prescriptions at the drug store, then went to grocery store for a few things. Still TONS of vacationers in town, AND in the grocery store! So even though I had a small list, it took forever to get around the store! My knee was SO sore!

Did two loads of laundry, gave Dale and Colin haircuts, trimmed Maynard's toenails, answered emails, did a search of the internet for images of a Polish Santa for a customer who wants me to make an outfit for a Santa doll. Washed two batches of dishes, emptied wastebaskets, tried to take a nap but couldn't fall asleep.

I hope I'm so tired tonight that I can sleep, sleep, sleep!

And that was MY day!

Too Hot!!

2010-07-03T18:04:00.000-05:00

It is WAY TOO HOT! Praying for cooler temps and some nice breezes...

New Design...

2010-06-21T18:59:00.001-05:00

Blogger now offers a wide range of new designs! What do you think of this one? I tried some others, but they made everything so slow.

Having a 'down' time right now. Can't elaborate here, but keep a good thought that this will turn out alright...

Something Different...

2010-06-10T19:08:00.007-05:00

I need to post something other than my pain problems, right?

We have had a cool, wet spring so far. Apparently, it is just right for the grass and flowerbeds! Everything is growing so nicely, blooming like crazy, and offering such a pretty picture! The climbing roses have buds! I can hardly wait to see what they will look like! After two disastrous attempts, it looks like this year these new plants are going to make it after all!

The clematis is growing very nicely, and has had HUGE blooms! Tulips and daffodils are done for the season, and now the lilies are starting to open. Irises are still in full bloom, a lovely purple color.

I will try to add a picture so you can see what I'm talking about.

Pain, pain, pain, pain... it's an old refrain.....

2010-06-03T16:36:00.002-05:00

What did I do so far today? I met with a young lady for a fitting. She will be a bridesmaid in TWO upcoming weddings! She is a childhood friend of our daughter, and she is a married lady now with three beautiful (and well-behaved) young children. It was great catching up with her!

Maynard was a PILL! She barked and barked at her and her kids! I had to put her upstairs, and she still kept barking! If anyone knows how to stop this obnoxious behavior, please let me know!

I watered all my plants on the deck, took a large pitcher of water out to the bird bath (which was totally dry!) Cleaned up dog poo in the back yard, and took out the garbage. Took a completed sewing job to my car for delivery tomorrow. And I was up and down the stairs several times doing laundry.

Now, what's wrong with this picture? Nothing, you say? Well, apparently the gods of pain and discomfort thought it was an AWESOME time to tell me that I shouldn't be doing stairs more than once a day. Additionally, I shouldn't walk around on uneven ground... maybe, just maybe, I shouldn't even try to walk anymore!!!! Yah, try that for even half a day and see what it gets you!

So, I've taken a pain pill, and plan to sew for the rest of this evening.

I wonder if I'll ever be able to dance again..........

Trip to the Doctor...

2010-05-24T17:01:00.004-05:00

First of all, I have to say it was an interesting trip to Bemidji. Started softly raining, which was nice as we need the moisture. Then about half way between Cass Lake and Bemidji the 'heavens opened up' and we were deluged with rain. Yes, I said DELUGED!!!!!!!!!!
I could hardly see the road. I slowed down, and everyone else on the road did also. IT WAS NOT FUN!!
My son was along, he had questions for the dr., and he suggested turning off the highway and going into Bemidji on the south side. Good choice. Traffic was slower and I could see better. It finally let up as we got to the drs. office.
There was a short interview with the dr., then an X-ray of the left knee. Then another conference with the dr. His opinion? "Your knee isn't as bad as it could get."
Hmmmm.... living on pain pills, not being able to walk for any distance without my cane or BOTH crutches, not being able to work in my flower beds, or go up and down stairs more than once or twice a day, lying awake ALL FRIGGING night with pain (even WITH) a pain pill....

MY QUESTION IS THIS - HOW UNBELIEVABLY HORRIBLE AND PAINFUL AND GUT WRENCHINGLY BAD DOES IT HAVE TO BE???????? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM??????

He concluded by giving me a cortisone injection in the knee. That makes, oh I don't know, maybe number 27 total over the last 12 years...........

So pardon me all to heck if I'm mad, and in pain, and just want to slap someone!!!!!!!!

OK, already!!!

2010-05-23T08:28:00.002-05:00

When Sean gives me grief about not posting, well, I HAVE to write something.

Honestly, I think about it but it is so much easier to just write a line or two on facebook!

I do have an update on my bad knee.... (left one this time). I see the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow in Bemidji. Hopefully, he will schedule surgery for a knee replacement within the week. I am SO tired of the pain!

There is a tough recovery period, but I've been through it with the right knee, so I know what to expect this time.

I'll post again when I get his opinion...

2010-05-04T03:33:00.001-05:00

…and this is what happened –

By Sharon Simpson

As I lie in bed at night, waiting to fall asleep, I think about things. My life, mainly. What I’m proud of, what I wish I’d done differently, and what I hope to accomplish before my life is over (and it’s a long list, folks!) As I write this, I am 67 years old. How much time do I have left? Is there time to accomplish all the things I still want to do and learn? I don’t think so. But one thing that I will do is write about my life.

Now this may not make any sense to some people, but the people who know me and love me know that I love to talk, to reminisce, and to make people laugh. Like my dad. Man, could he tell stories. Most of them were true, but he had a way of telling them that would make you laugh so hard you’d have tears in your eyes! Yes, he was a master story teller and I miss him very much… I will be telling you some of his memorable stories, but let’s begin at the beginning:

- - - - - - - -

First Memories

My very first memory is of killing my paternal grandfather. Yes, you read that right. I thought for years that I had killed my Grandpa Stordahl. I didn’t talk about it to anyone, and no one brought it up to me as I was growing up. So I believed that everyone in the family just didn’t talk about how he died so that I wouldn’t feel bad.

Finally, I brought up the subject to my mother when I was home from college for a visit.

“Mom,” I said, “Why didn’t anyone ever talk to me about how Grandpa Stordahl died? Was it because it was my fault?”

“What are you talking about? It wasn’t your fault that he died, and it happened when you were a baby!”

“But I remember him lying on the floor lifting me up in the air. I was laughing and he was laughing. Then he brought me down and I hit him in the head with my head. He grabbed his face. Then someone picked me up and the next thing I know… he was gone!”

Mom stood there, staring at me with her mouth open. “Sharon, for Heaven’s sake, you were only 10 months old. That was your dad! He was playing with you the night before he left for the war. You bumped heads and broke his glasses! I had to pick you up so you wouldn’t get cut!”

“Well, I remember it, but I thought it was Grandpa.”

“No, your Grandpa Stordahl walked uptown to buy a paper. He sat down on the bench outside of the pool hall to read the paper and smoke his pipe. That’s when he had his heart attack and died. My goodness, how can you remember something from when you were a baby!” Mom was looking at me as though she hadn’t really ever looked at me before. “Are you sure that’s what you remember?”

“Yes, I even remember the rug on the floor. It was dark red with big flowers on the edges.”

Again, Mom looked astonished. “Hmmm, I didn’t think babies could remember that much.”

“Well, I sure remember that. And I’m glad I didn’t kill my grandpa! I also remember riding in the buggy. You had some kind of a cover you put over the opening. It had a little window in it with a black dot. I remember loving to watch the bare tree branches and the snow falling softly. It was so much fun having that little window to look through as you pushed me along.”

This time, Mom sat down. She shook her head. “Oh my gosh, Sharon. That was your first winter. You were born in September. So you were only a few months old. I would put you in the buggy, put the cover over the opening because it was so cold out. It had one of those Isinglass windows in it so I could check on you. We walked down to your Grandpa and Grandma Fisk’s place every afternoon for coffee.” At that point, Mom decided that she needed some coffee!

What I’m trying to explain here is the fact that I seem to have a good memory! Yes, there are gaps in it sometimes, but I do remember many things that others in the family haven’t thought of in years. I wanted to write down as many as I could. Somehow, sharing the memories helps keep me connected to the loved ones who are gone.

A Wonderful Post...

2010-04-25T20:27:00.002-05:00

Last night as I was waiting to fall asleep, I had this WONDERFUL idea for a post. Not as great as Sue writes, but it was going to be TREMENDOUS for me!

Do you think I can remember anything about it now? Of course not! I'm wondering if I'm getting just a touch senile...

Now THAT would be an interesting post! I'd begin talking about one thing, then switch to something else as if they were connected somehow. I would cite books I've read, movies I've seen, places I've lived, you know... the whole shebang.

But it's gone. That wonderful, thought-provoking, put-a-tear-in-your-eye-post is GONE.

Planting Roses...

2010-04-20T18:20:00.002-05:00

Three years ago, I ordered two climbing rose bushes fro Guerney's to plant on either side of the arch that Dale and Colin built at the top of my rock garden.

The roses came while there was still snow on the ground... I contacted Guerney's to see what I should do. They recommended placing them in a bucket of water until the ground had thawed out. We planted them when it was time. They did not grow. Just sat there and rotted. Again, I contacted Guerney's. They sent replacements the next spring. These second bushes came after the snow was gone, and we planted them according to the directions. They grew a little bit that first season, but no blooms. Dale and Colin wrapped them in burlap and piled leaves around them for winter protection. They didn't make it.

Sooooo..... we just received our third set of rose bushes! Colin researched roses on the internet, followed all the directions, and I helped him plant them this afternoon. We put them up against the house, on the side of the rock garden. There is wooden lattice there that they can climb on, if and when they actually grow.

Cross your fingers!

I Knew It....

2010-04-17T17:37:00.002-05:00

No matter how old I am, how well educated, how experienced.... I need to remember that osteoarthritis does NOT GO AWAY! If I am lucky, I can learn to live with it.

Since my last post, my knees have been fairly good. My hips, however, are another story. I've taken pain medication TWICE in the last hour. It's finally kicking in and dulling the pain somewhat. If I sit, I'm pretty good. Standing or walking is another story. I want to say 'shit', but I don't know if you can swear on Blogger....

A New Development!

2010-04-07T19:45:00.002-05:00

This afternoon, I took Maynard outside. I walked down the five steps to the lawn....as I've done several times.... and .... THERE WAS NO PAIN!!!

I couldn't believe it! I have lived with so much pain for so long, that its absence actually shocked me! I credit the exercises I've been doing twice a week for the last three months at 'Bone Builders'.

Now I'm not yet pain-free by any means. But the act of going DOWN steps has been so difficult because of the pain, even though I always grip the banister and sort of brace myself for each step. So this was the first actual improvement I have noticed since starting the exercises.

Praise the Lord!!!!!

In the Middle of the Night...

2010-04-02T03:29:00.003-05:00

I remember that line from a song. If anyone remembers the name of the song, who sang it, etc. please let me know. My memory isn't as good as it used to be!

When I was still teaching, and I would forget some small thing... my students would look at me with astonishment. A teacher forgets things??? I would tell them that I was old, my brain was full, and sometimes things just fell out!

Because of that explanation, I had one young boy who would hold his hands over his ears as he read. I asked him if it was too noisy in the classroom for him to concentrate. "No, it's just such a good story, I don't want any of it to fall out of my head."

Moral? Be careful what you tell young children!

That's it for this old gal. I can't sleep. Yes, pain is my companion tonight....

Here's the Plan...

2010-03-29T19:58:00.001-05:00

I deposited my casino winnings into our bank account today. It will sit there for a while until the bills for our credit cards come. Then I will pay off a couple, pay a bunch on another, and.....
I'm going to get some new clothes... And flower seeds... and...and... oh, just the thinking and planning is so much fun!

Sometimes, Gambling Can Be Good...

2010-03-27T18:22:00.001-05:00

I won $7,197 today!!!!

You Know You Are A Quilter If...

2010-03-20T18:33:00.005-05:00

There's more fabric in the house than food.
"Fat quarters" are not the heaviest part of your body.
Your ironing board is always set up, but you never iron clothes.
You think of housework as an interruption to your sewing.
You 'pet' fabric.
People are always picking threads off of you.
You can measure a scant 1/4 yd. by eye.
You save every scrap of fabric to 'use later'.
Your UFO's are not from outer space.
You clean up your sewing room, and your family thinks you are leaving!

Thanks SO much to Jessie for sending this to me!!!

March 13, 1965...

2010-03-18T21:07:00.001-05:00

My great-grandmother made the dress for my aunt. My sister wore it 15 years after I did.

It was NOT a cat fight!

2010-03-17T19:36:00.000-05:00

Sue and I have made up, it was NOT a fight. She merely wanted more information about the day of our anniversary.

Something exciting to me as an ancient lady of 67 is really NOT so exciting to a young sweet thing like Sue. Generation gap anyone? How about two generations? Yes, I'm old enough to be her grandmother! But when I was at BSU with her, age didn't seem to make any difference. She and her friends treated me as an equal. They all made me feel SO welcome, and part of the 'learning to write' experience.

Thanks, Sue. I probably should have said that sooner...

I'm In Trouble..... Again....

2010-03-16T16:53:00.002-05:00

I posted what we did for our anniversary. Sue is upset. (read her comment on last post).

When you have been married for 45 years, it's the little things that are so special. Spending the day with my husband without the distractions of laundry, cleaning, cooking, letting the dog in and out, the phone ringing, the TV going... well, it's hard to explain. We had each others' TOTAL attention ALL DAY LONG! We connected! We talked, reminisced, laughed, and simply enjoyed each others' company all day! Do you understand how special that is?

You will when you reach our age...

45th Anniversary...

2010-03-13T18:43:00.002-06:00

It was a very nice day! My husband and I went to Bemidji. First we stopped at First Lutheran Church so that I could deliver some blankets to the coordinator of our Project Linus chapter. She was hosting a 'Blanket Day' there. The fellowship hall was full of ladies measuring and cutting colorful polar fleece. Then another group was cutting 'fringes' on the edges. A couple of ladies were sitting at sewing machines working on regular cloth quilts. It was so nice to meet the coordinator, I've only known her through our emails.

Then we went to Walmart and shopped. I had a few things I wanted, and Dale went to the grocery section. Next, we had lunch at the Green Mill. So all in all it was a very nice day.

A Bit of a Wait...

2010-03-09T08:39:00.001-06:00

If anyone is waiting for a new post, (points at Sue sitting there in the corner), please have some patience. I want to post something really good about our 45th wedding anniversary which is this Saturday. No, we are not having a big celebration. No relatives live close enough.

So wait a bit and I will post something that will be worth waiting for. OK?

Don't judge me!

Explaining the Eelpout Festival, Sort of...

2010-03-05T17:53:00.003-06:00

Here is the official site.

The whole thing began as a joke 31 years ago. Two local businessmen were having a drink together after work. It was the middle of winter and Walker was very, very quiet. (as opposed to the busy spring, summer, fall tourist time).

They decided that Walker needed something to draw people to the area in the middle of winter. Other seasons had walleye, bass, and muskie fishing tournaments. Why not have a tournament for ice fishing? And what better than the elusive eelpout! (The eelpout is considered a 'pest' fish. No one goes out to deliberately catch one to mount it on their wall, nor eat it.)

So, as the saying goes, that was the beginning...

It has developed into a HUGE celebration of winter. People have decorated encampments on the ice. Walker Bay looks like a small village complete with street signs, and plowed roads. There are Polar Plunges that raise money for the Walker Community Center ($47,000 this year), music, food, games, prizes, trophies, etc.

Local people, like me, try to avoid town during this time...

Another New Start...

2010-03-04T23:42:00.002-06:00

I'm in trouble... again... I told Sue that she had too much time on her hands, when she wrote that she had read "Wuthering Heights". I'm a bad teacher, a bad friend... I apologized to her.

There is NO excuse!!! I need to get back to the library and start reading again!!! I used to read two or three books every single week, folks! Yes, I DID!!!

Man, I'm developing some bad habits in my old age....

Bone Builders...

2010-03-03T18:49:00.001-06:00

I made it to 'Bone Builders' today! I'm so glad I went. Really feel better!

Couldn't do the stretches with my right arm, but could do everything else. It's one hour of non-stop bending and stretching. I needed that. Been cooped up at home TOO LONG!

Did a few errands in town before the class, so could head home right after class.

Hope to make it to the Friday session.

Help is Just Around the Corner in This House...

2010-02-25T19:27:00.002-06:00

I'm busy doing machine embroidery on cotton dishtowels to sell. With the condition of my eyes, it is harder and harder for me to thread the needle. There are up to 10 color changes on each design...

Guess who helped me? If you said my son, Colin, you are correct! He figured out how to make the automatic needle threader work!!! Yeah for Colin!

Third Graders Singing a Song Their Teacher Wrote

2010-02-23T11:12:00.002-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfBUUZNbFM

Better than a river and a rock...

2010-02-21T09:46:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd better post something before I was scolded again.

Walker is hosting its annual "Eelpout Festival". It started as a joke over 20 years ago, and has become a HUGE event every February for the area. They have a contest for who can catch the biggest eelpout, ice races, polar plunges, bands, contests for the best encampment on the ice, music, and this year, some of the Viking's cheerleaders. Many more things that I can't remember right now.

Each year, our son would host a group of his friends, and they would all come back here on Sunday morning. My husband would make stacks and stacks of his pancakes (YUM), cook sausages, and try to fill them up. This year, just one friend could make it. I'm glad he did, though. Colin needs to do something fun.

Dale is busy this morning doing laundry and baking cookies. Yes, doing laundry. After my problems on the steps last week, he has decided to take over that job. I hope it's temporary. Not that he doesn't do a good job, he does a great job. But I hope my knees are better so I can 'do the stairs' once again....

Oh, oh.... I'm in TROOUUBLE!!!!

2010-02-16T19:49:00.001-06:00

You know you are in trouble, when a sweet, little blond lady (who shall remain nameless) scolds you for not posting!

Sorry, sorry, sorry! Guess I thought people would be tired of reading about my aches and pains! Have pretty much healed up now. Attended 'Bone Builders' on Monday, and the regular leader was there. She told me that I should not do as many repetitions as the rest of the group. They have been attending for two years or more. That was only my fourth class!

Also, she told me that because I had trouble with my right shoulder, I should NOT lift that arm any higher than my shoulder. So I got through the session feeling as if I had done something good for my body, and determined that I would follow her instructions when I go tomorrow.

Another positive, our church is having a four week Bible study. We will meet every Wednesday, right before my 'Bone Builders' session! So I signed up. It will be a study of Paul's letter to the Galatians. It's been quite a while since I've attended church in any manner, so I'm looking forward to it. I used to be VERY active when the kids were young. We attended church every Sunday, they attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and I taught both each year. But after they graduated, no one wanted to go with me. I felt silly sitting by myself, so I stopped going. I know, poor, poor excuse.

I'm working on another baby quilt for Project Linus. I have 5 washed, dried and ready to go but want to have more before I deliver them.

There, I posted!

Better...

2010-02-10T10:19:00.002-06:00

With the help of pain pills, an 'Icy Hot Pack' on my shoulder, and rest, I feel much better today. A good night's sleep helped also.

My Head Hurts...

2010-02-08T20:32:00.003-06:00

To be more precise, this is what hurts:

my head
my back
my right shoulder
my right leg

Why?
I made the mistake of sweeping heavy, wet snow from our deck and steps this morning. Then changed the sheets on my bed, did two loads of laundry (requiring going up and down the basement steps 4 times), then re-made my bed (it's a queen-size requiring a lot of bending and stretching to do the job correctly). I also made zuccini bread, cleaned up the kitchen and cleaned my bathroom.
Then, I worked on our taxes again...

Why haven't I learned to pace myself? or ask for help? or accept help that is offered? Oh, I don't know. Just continually STUPID I suppose!!!!!

So I'm under the influence of yet again another dose of pain meds.

When will I ever learn? I need help............................................................................

Bone Builders...

2010-02-01T17:36:00.002-06:00

Although I missed several sessions because of icy roads, it was SO good to get back to Bone Builders! It is designed for old crickety people such as myself. The exercises are designed to help people build stronger bones. I just know I feel really good after a session, and I sleep SO much better!

My Head HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-30T18:19:00.002-06:00

Why? you ask?

Because I have spent the better part of three days trying, yes TRYING to do our income taxes!!!
I use Turbotax. It leads you through the entire process. Even an idiot could probably do it.

Then why the head hurt??? Because even though I keep track of every deduction possible all year long, we will still OWE the government again this year. And I'm not talking two digits here, folks. More like FOUR digits of money we will have to send in.

OK, we just don't have enough deducted from our retirement checks. It's not bad enough that our income was drastically reduced now that both of us are retired, but the government seems to want more of our money than we can afford to give them!!!

So.... we will have to opt for more withholding from our monthly checks... Whoever said that these were the 'golden years' probably had a rich uncle who left them a bundle. You certainly can't find any 'gold' with Social Security, Navy retirement and a teacher's retirement.

Not Mumps...

2010-01-29T15:37:00.000-06:00

Swelling has almost disappeared. A little pain left, but not like it was.

Question...

2010-01-29T02:59:00.002-06:00

Can you get the mumps more than once?

I am all swollen up on the left side of my face... (I know, it's hard to tell on a fat person)...
I caught mumps when I was teaching 4th grade in Duluth in 1973. Both sides were swollen, and boy was I sick!!!

"Miracle Workers," by TAYLOR MALI

2010-01-24T18:04:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Wenda, another wonderful take on teaching!

What Do Teachers Make?

2010-01-24T09:30:00.001-06:00

Listen to this guy! I always knew I was doing something important as a teacher. Nice to know this guy can express it so well!

http://www.ted.com/talks/taylor_mali_what_teachers_make.html

Girls Rock/Play A Giant/Big Piano

2010-01-20T17:46:00.001-06:00

This is fantastic!

Bone Builders...

2010-01-19T22:53:00.003-06:00

Last week I started attending 'Bone Builders'. It is an exercise program for old people... with osteoporosis... and did I say old? Many of the participants are in their 70's and 80's. But a very nice bunch of ladies. There is lots of laughing, everyone is encouraging and supportive.

The program is run by RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Programs), and there is no cost to attend.

Each class is one hour long, and consists of a series of exercises such as: standing behind your chair, hold on to the back of the chair, and raise your leg (with weights on your ankle) slowly to the count of 5, then slowly back again. This is done five times with one leg, then you switch to the other. Some exercises are done sitting in the chair, lifting small weights.

It all seemed so simple, and I kept wondering how this was going to help me. Well....... the very first night I found out that I slept through the night. DID NOT WAKE UP WITH PAINS IN MY KNEES as I have done for over two years!!! So I will be attending 2 or 3 times a week. Who knew that something so simple and easy could reap such benefits?

Apparently, the program has been around for quite some time, all over the country. Now I'm wondering why I had to hear about it from a friend, and not my doctor! Although I did have to have my drs. signed permission for me to attend.

As you progress in the program, the weights on your ankle and those you hold are increased. A friend of mine has been attending for two years, and she uses 20 LBS. ON EACH OF HER ANKLES!!! They started me at 2 lbs. so I have a way to go.

Wish me luck!

PBS...

2010-01-17T18:19:00.001-06:00

I find myself turning to PBS more and more lately. Maybe it's the quality of the productions, the lovely music, the mysteries, the dramas... Whatever is on I find myself totally engossed in the program, even as I sew.

That is all.

And Again...

2010-01-13T10:33:00.004-06:00

This latest batch for 'Project Linus' is 8 fleece blankets. Some are embellished with 'whole panel' fabrics, some with smaller motifs cut from fabric. After stitching down the panels, it is important to also stitch throughout the panel. For example, if the panel has lines, frames, etc. stitch around those. Otherwise, the panel can be pulled away from the fleece. Six of the blankets are hemmed using one of the decorative stitches on my machine, two are edged with simple crochet stitching.

'Project Linus' has patterns and ideas for many, many kinds of blankets and quilts that can be made. They also list the different chapters in each state, with the name and email address for each coordinator.

Project Linus Again...

2010-01-12T19:06:00.002-06:00

While completing some things for Christmas, I took a break from making blankets and quilts for 'Project Linus'. Now I'm back at it again.

No, I don't do it all day long, just in the evenings while I watch TV. Have 14 done as of tonight. I'm hoping to use up a large portion of my fabric 'stash'! I have so much fabric at this time, I have to put a large portion of it in my bedroom. Hopefully, I will see all of the carpet in both the bedroom and sewing room very soon!!

Weather is warming up! Maynard loves it. She can have her run each day without getting frozen paws!

The Other Side of Midnight...

2010-01-08T01:05:00.002-06:00

Isn't that a title of a book? I used to be so aware of books. I was a regular patron of our local library, used the interlibrary loan system to acquire books I was interested in reading but were not located on the shelves there. I would fill out a request form, and in a matter of a few days or sometimes a week, I would get a phone call that my book(s) were in. What a wonderful system, I thought!

Now I can't remember the title of the last book I read. Oh, wait, it was the last of the Harry Potter books. Don't laugh. I thought they were so fun to read... every single one of them.

I always wanted to be a writer, have my books on a library shelf for some unsuspecting person to come along and say, "Hmmm.... I think I know who this author is! Didn't she teach at one time? Wasn't her husband in the Navy for 20 years? She had two adopted children, if I remember right."

Maybe one day I will have the nerve, the courage, the guts to actually write something. It doesn't have to be an important book... just one that people will enjoy reading... one that will make them think - "Hmmm, I never thought of it that way!"

This is my pondering at 1 am waiting for the pain pill to take effect. Yes, another one of THOSE nights! I HAVE to get back to the orthopedic surgeon and get surgery scheduled. But I want to wait until spring. Don't want to drive on snowy, icy roads to the thrice weekly therapy that follows knee replacement surgery for six plus weeks.

Well, this probably didn't make any sense, but what can I say?

2010-01-04T05:56:00.000-06:00

Another weather update:
Temperature this morning? Minus 26. Maybe spring is coming!

2010-01-03T06:54:00.000-06:00

Weather update...
This morning it is -29 degrees.
Looks like a warm-up, folks.

2010-01-02T14:48:00.003-06:00

This morning...

the temperature...

in northern Minnesota...

was-----

MINUS

THIRTY TWO DEGREES!!!

THAT IS THIRTY TWO DEGREES

BELOW ZERO, FOLKS!

2009-12-31T20:19:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Morning...

2009-12-30T16:55:00.004-06:00

Maynard got a new toy, and she enjoyed just carrying it around in the tissue paper wrapping.

I made this fleece blanket for my husband, the Navy Chief. He loved it! Yes, the design was already on the fleece, but I backed it with another layer of fleece.

2009-12-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

2009-12-20T21:53:00.002-06:00

I love this picture. Reminds me of Frost's poem:

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

B...O...R...E...D...!...

2009-12-17T21:21:00.003-06:00

Yes, I am so bored, I could just scream! So tonight I decided to go back to sewing baby blankets and quilts for Project Linus. I was taking a break for a while...

Feels good to be back at the sewing machine. It's sort of like an extension of myself in many ways. It makes me feel good that I am creating something... something that will give comfort to a child who is hurting...

I don't like this time of year anymore. We used to have family get-togethers, lots of laughing, good food, story telling... Since my parents passed away, and only two of my aunts are still living, no more big family gatherings. It's just my husband, son and me. I'm very, very thankful I have them! I have two dear friends who are each alone now. So I know it could be worse.

We do what we can to make this season a happy one. My husband is the premier candy maker! He makes the most awesome, melt-in-your-mouth peanut brittle! And caramel popcorn balls! He spends hours stirring, and stirring the mixtures, candy thermometer on the edge of the kettle... there is that optimum moment when the mixture is ready. Not a minute before or after... He makes batches of each to send to relatives, and give to the people in his office (even though he retired two years ago). I call him the "Candy Man".

I write up our Christmas letter, including pictures. Thanks to a new printer, they came out simply gorgeous this year! It's a Samsung, CLP-315, color laser printer. The old ink-jet finally was beyond fixing...

Oh well, what was my point to this post you ask? I'm not sure. Just trying to stay busy I guess.

Pet Memorials...

2009-12-09T09:28:00.016-06:00

These four rocks are in memory of Misty, a 3 lb. toy poodle who passed away at 15 yrs. old. MISTER, a 20 lb. Maine coon cat, 10 yrs. old. Bridget, the mother of Sony and Tiny. And the latest death was Tiny, 4 lbs. and totally devoted to my husband.

Some people think this is silly. But it helps to do something for these loving friends who were so loyal and brought us so much joy.

This is Tiny. She lived to be 14. She was very ill toward the end, though. We didn't want to see her suffer any more, so Dale took her in to the vet. She was his dog. He told me the vet gave her TWO shots just to relax her, and when the final injection was given, she still reached around and bit the vet! The vet had never, ever had that happen before! Dale was very sad about losing his friend, but so proud of her for being so tough to the very end.

This is MISTER. And, yes, it was always capitalized!

This is my favorite picture of Tiny and Sony. They were very patient, waiting to see if Colin would drop any crumbs...

You probably already know this, but click on the pictures to see them larger...

Repeat...

2009-12-08T05:07:00.000-06:00

OK, wondering is over... this morning is a repeat of yesterday. Back to two crutches again, pain pills, tears....

Pain and Age...

2009-12-07T21:43:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting here tonight, watching TV, playing a game on my computer. Wondering if I will wake up with tremendous pain tomorrow morning as I did this morning. I want to go to class tomorrow. Will be my last chance. Thursday is the last class of the semester, and I have a drs. appointment...

Friday is my husband's birthday, and I have a really nice gift for him. Just hope he likes it. He told me today he doesn't want a cake. My reply? 'But what if I want to make you one?' No answer. I think he's depressed about this birthday for some reason. I don't blame him, really. I'm three months older than he is, and turning 67 really bothered me... still does! 67 seems SO much closer to 70 than 66 did!

My father died of a heart attack when he was 64. My mother lived to be 83. But who knows? Maybe I will live to be 100 and my husband will still be with me. Maybe won't know who we are, but hey. what the heck!

Christmas Baking...

2009-12-06T15:41:00.002-06:00

My husband has started his Christmas baking. Why does he do it? Well, it started over 37 years ago. He was in the Navy, and was transferred to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. His 'duty station' there was the Base Police Force. I was able to teach at the Base school, second grade. We loved it there! No long cruises on a Navy ship, no lonely, lonely days waiting for his ship to come back to port.
Anyway, he was in charge of about a dozen young men who lived in a barracks there. They were not married, and that was NOT good duty for young men! Very lonesome.
As Christmas approached our first winter there, we came up with the idea of giving each young man a Christmas box. Dale went to the Navy Exchange (like a department store), and asked for a dozen large shoe boxes. I purchased envelopes, writing tablets, pens, gum, etc. And we started baking! We made decorated cookies, fruitcake, fudge, peanut brittle, and popcorn balls.
We wrapped everything edible in aluminum foil and Saran wrap. When the boxes were full, we then wrapped them in bright Christmas paper. The day before Christmas, Dale delivered them to the barracks, giving one to each of his men. (No women allowed in that area, so I had to stay home.) He told them all that we wanted each of them to have something 'home-made'.
When he got back, he told me that every single one of the guys actually got emotional... something he hadn't expected. That evening, a group of them showed up at our house, carrying a large box. They had all pitched in and bought us a lovely floor lamp at the Base Exchange! I couldn't believe it! Such nice young men!
Anyway, that's how the tradition began. Dale loves to make peanut brittle, popcorn balls, fudge, cookies, and his special 'blond' fruitcake. (It's a light dough, not the dark kind you normally think of with fruitcake). Recipe is from Betty Crocker.
So for over 37 years, I have done no Christmas baking. When our kids were big enough to help, they would decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles. Now Colin is learning to make all the other things, also.

Moral to this story? If your husband wants to cook and/or bake, let him!

All Within 24 hours...

2009-12-01T23:32:00.002-06:00

I was having so much trouble editing the most recent book for 'Seeing Hands'. I couldn't enlarge the print without messing up the integrity of each page.... and the pages have to remain the way they are in order for them to be translated into Braille.

I struggled, I only worked for short periods of time, I took breaks. And STILL my eyes would water, the print would get blurry.... So I finally emailed Karen and told her (after doing over 150 books for her) that I wouldn't be able to continue. She was SO very understanding. She, of all people, understands vision problems!!!!!

Well, tonight I mentioned to my son, Colin, that I was really, really going to miss doing the books. And he said, "I can show you how to do it without messing up the pages." AND HE DID. JUST LIKE THAT. IT WAS SO SIMPLE.

Now, you ask, why didn't I ask our resident computer expert before????? Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm getting senile. Maybe I've already lost too many brain cells. Maybe I didn't think he could do anything about it.

Well, folks, I'm here to tell you, I was wrong. DOUBLE WW, WRONG! Apparently, he can fix anything. Yes, anything. And if he can't do something, his dad can. (they have different areas of expertise)

I'm all set. Two experts in the house anytime I need them.

Sooooooo...... I emailed Karen. She is going to think I am a real nut job for sure. Just hope she sends me another book to edit!!!!

And it just proves that you are never too old to learn something new. (I should embroider that on a sweatshirt and wear it every single day as a reminder!)

2009-11-25T17:42:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rainy...

2009-11-23T08:35:00.001-06:00

Looks like it's going to rain all day. Hmmm...... good day to stay inside and maybe do a little housecleaning, right? Or laundry? Or bathing Maynard.......

Should I Have Cards Printed?

2009-11-17T18:02:00.004-06:00

I'm disappearing... half an inch at a time! Had my annual check-up Monday. I've lost 7 lbs., and I'm a half inch shorter than last year...

Now maybe this wouldn't bother most people, but the tallest I have ever been was 5 ft. 1/2 in. Half an inch at a time, I seem to be disappearing! Now I measure 4 ft. 10 in. I now qualify officially as a 'little person'.

The Defense...

2009-11-15T08:48:00.002-06:00

I was able to watch and listen to Sean Froyd's defense of his doctoral thesis last night. Technology is amazing!

He did such a wonderful job. He says he will be coming back to Minnesota. I told him if he teaches at BSU, I will be signed up for one of his classes!

Way to go, Dr. Froyd!

Break Over, Now I Have a Bone to Pick!!!

2009-11-08T10:24:00.002-06:00

Why do people send other people 'forwards' that have nothing whatsoever to do with anything real????? Why do they send any at all?

Yes, I'm guilty of passing on a FEW... but only those that seem to have merit, those that I have checked out at Snopes.com, and I pass them on to a very few select friends. So there!

I guess what my point is --- how gullible, ignorant, uninformed do people think I am??? Most of the people who send me this crap are supposed to KNOW who I am, right? They know I'm a college graduate, retired teacher, voracious reader, and keep up on local, state, and world news. So why is it necessary for them to hurl a bunch of non-essential, bias-laden, facts-unchecked piece of CRAPOLA?

I have a spam filter on my email that catches over FOUR HUNDRED bogus emails a day. Do I have to start adding some of these supposed friends, and uninformed people to my 'spam' list?

OK, now you can talk among yourselves and get back to me with some solutions.

I Think I'll Take a Break Now...

2009-10-31T16:16:00.004-05:00

I just completed quilt/blanket #202 for "Project Linus"... This a batch of embellished fleece blankets. I hem the edges, then machine embroider designs all around the hem. Then place a fabric 'panel' in the middle of the blanket, securing all the edges, and outlining various parts of the design with more stitches.

(By the way, that is my hair sticking out on the left side of my head. No... my ears do NOT stick out like that, thank you very much!)

I think it's time I take a break from this project. I love doing it, however, I also want to make several things for family members for Christmas. If I don't start soon, they won't get done on time!

Had rain all day yesterday, snow and ice last night. Today the sun came out and snow and ice are melting! Tomorrow should be even warmer. Sure a crazy fall this year!

This Explains a Lot...

2009-10-28T03:58:00.001-05:00

Amendment...

2009-10-23T08:42:00.001-05:00

At the urging of my son and husband, I had to amend my last post and related comments about a certain device.

Maynard...

2009-10-22T00:34:00.004-05:00

I have decided that our little Maynard does not realize that she is a dog. She absolutely freaked out when Aspen came to visit and brought Kaylee with her. Poor Kaylee, she had to stay in the car because Maynard was so nasty! She wouldn't stop barking at her!

Now we have a neighborhood dog who wanders into our yard, and Maynard simply goes ballistic!! Maynard will look out the patio door and survey our front yard for any sign of this intruder. If she sees him on the road, she starts growling!

When I was taking out the garbage the other day, I had Maynard with me on a long leash. Well, that stupid dog showed up.... and Maynard went nuts. She whipped around on the leash, knocking over the garbage can, and almost knocked me over! I was SO sore that night! Twice, I've called the people who own her and asked them to please tie her up, or keep her inside!

Quilt Ready to Send

2009-10-15T21:30:00.001-05:00

Received word that my friend had her baby! I got his name, and made a label for the quilt.

A Helpful Hint...

2009-10-15T00:45:00.002-05:00

When you have osteoarthritis... (read last post).... it somehow affects the 'common sense' section of your brain. I thought maybe, just maybe I had learned something, (again I refer you to my last post)...

But NO ! ! !

Today I made a batch of apple butter... lots of standing... lots of stirring...
While waiting for it to thicken up, I made four pints of bread and butter pickles from the last of the cucumbers in our little garden.

So I was standing by the stove, standing by the sink, standing by the cupboard, standing, standing, bending, standing, twisting, standing, bending, turning, standing .... well, you get the picture.

Not a pretty picture is it, folks! And it started raining around 7 pm, and now it's turning to snow and ice. So I know the barometer is falling, falling... also not good for achy joints!

So here I am again, not being able to sleep because of the pain, took the heavy pain pills, and I'm waiting for them to tell my brain to forget about the joints and GO TO SLEEP!

Too Much...

2009-10-13T08:31:00.002-05:00

Apparently, that's what I did yesterday... too much. Joint pain woke me up at 4 am. Tried to move around with crutches, had to resort to the heavy pain relievers... I can't drive when I take them, and I knew even if someone drove me to class I wouldn't be any good today. So here I am at home, feeling sorry for myself.

I've said this before, but I'm saying it again: Take good care of yourself when you are young!!! Don't try to be 'Super Mom', 'Super Wife', ' Super Teacher', 'Super Housekeeper', 'Super Cook', 'Super Gardener', 'Super Seamstress', etc....etc.....etc.... Just do your best, and.... wait for it....

TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF! REST NOW AND THEN! EXERCISE! EAT RIGHT! SAY 'NO' NOW AND THEN WHEN YOU ARE ASKED TO VOLUNTEER FOR SOMETHING! LET SOMEONE ELSE BE SUPER! IT'S OK TO BE JUST 'GOOD', AND NOT 'SUPER'!!!

I had doctors over the years who used to tell me that. Did I listen? Did I follow their advice? Maybe for a little while. Then I would start with the over-achieving again.

It's not too late for me to change, and the arthritis is making me change. Now I do accept help when it is offered, take naps in the afternoon, use a cane when I have to walk any distance, use the electric 'scooter' that is available when I shop in Walmart, use 'cruise control' when I drive any distance, (boy, does that ever help!), use my 'Handicap' placard and park close to store entrances, do my exercises to strengthen the muscles in my legs, and try VERY hard not to complain too much....

Sometimes I just have to write it all down to get it into my head!

Class Project Complete...

2009-10-12T08:27:00.003-05:00

As Sue requested, here is a picture of the baby quilt I just finished. I took pictures of each step in the construction, and used them in my 'Technical Writing' class. Our assignment was to create a manual explaining how to do something.

It was a new experience for me to document each step of the process that has become second nature to me, (195 quilts made for 'Project Linus' in the last 2 years). I had to think about each step and what information a beginning quilter would need to be successful. It was good for my old brain!

SNOW!

2009-10-10T11:13:00.003-05:00

We woke up to a white world. Leaves are still on the trees, but now many of them are covered with snow. Maynard LOVES it! She was running around, scooping up mouthfuls as she ran. She really, really loves this time of the year.

I don't mind it as much as I used to when I was teaching. Traveling to and from school on icy roads was NO fun! Now I have the choice of going to things or staying home if the roads are bad. So there!

Made another batch of crab apple jelly this morning. It is so pretty in the jars. And yes, it tastes good, too!

Saw something rather unusual earlier this morning. A very, very large skunk walked through our yard then into the woods. Apparently he didn't get the lesson on 'NOCTURNAL'...

More sewing is on my agenda for today. I finished the quilt top, taking pictures along the way for my 'Tech Writing' class. Now comes the next step, putting top, backing and batting together. Then turn it right side out, sew the edges, and then 'tie' it with embroidery thread. Having to document each step in words and pictures is sort of interesting. Makes me have to think a little harder about something that I've been doing on 'auto pilot' for many years!

This quilt will be going to a dear friend in the Cities who is expecting a baby any day now. When I know the name of the baby, I will embroider it on the quilt.

Pain, Illnesses and General Crappiness...

2009-10-08T07:43:00.002-05:00

No, I'm not sick. However, Dr. Morgan is still sick! He canceled class on Tuesday and again today. On Tuesday I didn't know about it soon enough, and drove to Bemidji.... This morning he emailed me early!

I was just about to email him that I wouldn't be there today. Something happened to my left leg when I got out of bed this morning. Sort of a painful 'click' in the knee joint. Now it's aching...I had to bring out my crutches to get around. As I've said before, growing old is not for the weak!

The Eyes Have It!

2009-10-05T16:05:00.003-05:00

I saw my eye dr. AGAIN today! That makes SEVEN times so far this year. The first six visits were to diagnose and then check on the progress of the 'floaters' in my right eye. Last week the dr. told me I didn't have to come back for a year, because the condition had 'stabilized'.

Well..... the very next day, the left eye had all kinds of lights flashing, and of course.... a HUGE 'floater' in it. So back I go to see what is happening with THAT eye! It is so scary, thinking that your eyes are going belly-up on you. Today, he said the retinas in both eyes are still firmly attached. (very good news!) But the wall of the vitreous humor has pulled away partially from the retina in both eyes. He said that this was a common occurrence for ,....... are you ready for this?...... here it comes..... 'FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING OLDER! The caps are mine. He did NOT shout this information in my face. He wants to see me again next week, just to check.

I know that I'm getting older. 67 on my last birthday. But why does a person have to have things start to fall apart to remind them of the fact? I tell you, getting old is NOT for the weak!

Ahhhh......RAIN!!!

2009-10-02T07:32:00.002-05:00

And boy, do we need the moisture. When you live right IN the forest, you get edgy when things get too dry!
We've had over an inch of rain in the last day and a half. More is falling, and even more predicted for tomorrow!
Can I hear a 'Hip-hip-hooray'?

Baby Steps...

2009-09-30T19:26:00.002-05:00

So here I am, 67 years old, and trying not to feel useless. I'm making a list of things I CAN do...

I am a loving wife and mother. My husband and children remind me that I am a good person and they show their love for me in so many caring ways.
I can sew, almost anything. That talent was inherited from my mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. It was nurtured by a fantastic Home Economics teacher. It has been enhanced by much practice, fantastic new sewing machines that can do so much, and my determination not to ever turn down a tailoring job. I have been able to satisfy each and every customer! That makes me feel really good!
I am fairly successful at gardening. My flower beds are gorgeous! My son helps me now and then with digging, etc. since my arthritis has gotten worse.
I am a good learner. I'm back at BSU this semester, taking 'Technical Writing'. Dr. Morgan makes me feel that my brain is still working very well!
I share my talents by making quilts for 'Project Linus'. Have made 197 so far.

Well, I've patted myself on the back enough. Do I feel better about myself? A little, very little.

Now I Ask You....

2009-09-29T22:39:00.001-05:00

What do you do when you begin to feel useless?

Apple Jelly and Split Pea Soup, No Less...

2009-09-26T09:29:00.002-05:00

I just feel all 'housewifey' this morning. Cooked crab apples a few days ago, strained the juice, and this morning, made a batch of jelly! Haven't done it for a long, long time. I had forgotten how rewarding it was to hear the lids 'PING' when they seal!

Then I started a pot of split pea soup. Had a bone saved from a ham along with quite a bit of the ham still on it. Cut up onions and carrots, and now it is simmering on the stove. Later, I will take the bone out, cut off the ham and add to the pot.

Oh, I love the smell of home-made soup simmering on the stove!

Now I'm tired. Not so much from the kitchen activity as from waking up at 3:30 am... pain in knees again. Aren't you tired of hearing about that? Take it as a warning to take good care of yourself! I am way too heavy.......... and that is SO hard on the joints!

Determination...

2009-09-23T20:49:00.003-05:00

A few days ago, I left this watering can beside the stone planter my son made. The morning glories that I planted there decided to hold the watering can hostage! I tell you, it was a special moment when I saw this! Sometimes nature can be a wonderful teacher!

Duality

2009-09-22T05:35:00.001-05:00

'The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed
ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the
ability to function.' - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Many times, I find it difficult to function with just ONE idea in my head!!

Typical Saturday...

2009-09-19T11:34:00.003-05:00

Washing clothes
Cleaning bathroom
Putting down nice new rugs in bathroom
Hanging nice new towels (they even match the rugs!) in bathroom
Folding clothes
Matching socks
Looking up recipes for how to make crab apple jelly. (I cooked the apples several days ago, and strained the juice)
Wash and sterilize jars
Found out I don't have enough sugar

So now I'm sitting at the computer instead... sometimes it's best to PLAN AHEAD!

And the sun is shining once again!

2009-09-14T17:56:00.003-05:00

As with most of my birthdays during the last 10+ years, I get just a little depressed by the numbers getting so large... but then I talk to myself: Sharon, I say, you are still alive and you have:

A wonderful husband and two children who love you
A very nice home located in the beautiful northwoods forest
A really cute car! Jeep Liberty
Health is better than a lot of 'old' people
A new puppy, Maynard, who is a sweetheart
A home-sewing business that gives me 'extra' money
Opportunities such as taking classes at BSU

So I am happy. Just have to remind myself sometimes about how blessed I am!!!

2009-09-09T01:29:00.003-05:00

09-09-09

Today is my birthday! Look at the date! How cool is that? Oh, and I am now 67 years old.

Older than dirt.
Rocks don't live that long.
Old enough to know better.
It's all downhill from here...

One Pooped Pup!

2009-09-07T23:03:00.002-05:00

My brother, sister-in-law, and niece were up for the Labor Day weekend. They have the house next door. We had a lovely barbecue with them on Saturday night, they came over here tonight. Maynard greets everyone, brings out a toy for them, goes back and forth checking to see if anyone---dropped any food, wants to give her some food, hold her, pet her, or talk to her.

She was in constant motion today, trying to keep track of my husband and son as they worked on installing a new sliding glass door.

Then there was the chipmunk on the deck teasing her into trying to catch him (which she could NOT do).

Instead of taking a nap with me today, as she usually does, she followed me around because I couldn't fall asleep! So tonight she was SO tired... she simply collapsed! Reminds me of when the kids were young, and would play and play then literally drop down and sleep where they dropped!