Thurs. 13 ... In Alphabetical Order
I haven't played Thursday Thirteen for a loooooooong time... but now that a few other's have finished up the ABC's of things, I've decided to get started on it! LOL! That's me... if I'm a follower I'm waaaaaaaay behind! (otherwise I'm the leader!) Sooooooooo... here is my first of 26 Thursday Thirteens.... beginning with letter "A". Thirteen "A" words that are important to Melli...
(note... they don't "define" me... they're just important to me.)
1. Amanda. The list would have to start with her -- my first born child who I love more than cheesey crab dip with homemade bread!
2. Alzheimers. This disease has poked it's evil little head into my life once again. My mother had it and I was totally and completely intolerant of it with her. Now that mother-in-law has it, apparently I'm being given a second chance to learn what is important and what is not. God is gOOd like that! I'm NOT so good at getting the lesson... *sigh*
3. Apple. I am hoping that at some point within the next 6 months I will be able to bite into one of these and enjoy it's sweet/tart juicy flavor once again!
4. Avacado. Probably my favorite forbidden fruit! I LOVE them sooooo much... and they are sO darned fattening!!! HOW can a fruit be fattening??? (honestly... I could eat them by the bushel basket!)
5. Adventure. I LOVE to go on adventures! Anytime, anywhere. You going somewhere? I'm UP for the trip! Just holler! And sometimes... when life gets a little too dull... I just have to create my own adventure!
6. Automobile. Yes - it IS important to me! Without my auto I would feel like a prisoner in my own home! It is my freedom to roam the neighborhood -- and sometimes OUT of the neighborhood. It is also necessary for things like grocery shopping and doctors appointments -- but mostly it is a luxury that has become very important to me.
7. Architecture. I get great enjoyment from architecture. I love to walk through a big city and notice all the different styles because invariably there is a fabulous mixture of old & new, antique and ultra modern. I also enjoy the architecture in the "country" -- different home styles - and even the barns.
8. Art. I also enjoy art! Almost ALL art! (lots of "a" words there!) I love the Impressionist stuff, Renaissance stuff, modern stuff (although sometimes I do wonder about the modern stuff!)... folk art, natural art ... and KID art!!! I just LOVE it! I collect stamps because they are little teeny tiny pieces of affordable art!!! LOL!
9. Air conditioning. Again... like the auto... it's a luxury - but it's an important one to ME! I am almost always hot, and I absolutely hate to sweat! I LOVE my air conditioning! I know it's winter and we're not using it right now... but come Spring and Summer, I'm going to be plenty happy that I HAVE it!!!
10. Aveeno. My daily moisturizing lotion. It keeps my skin from looking like another "a" word -- alligator!
11. AMERICA. Where I live. Where I am PROUD to live. The land of the free, the home of the brave! Nope, we're not perfect... but neither is ANYwhere. A LOT of people criticize America and Americans... but I've noticed that there are an awful LOT of foreigners trying to get IN to America ... and then want us to conform to THEIR ways. Seems to me if they wanted to come here so badly, then they should accept our ways.
12. Abba. God... Father... Reedemer... Love. He whom I live my life for. He whom I WISH I could obey allllllllllll the time. He who has forgiven me for all the times I can't.
13. Amen. Meaning "Let it be so". Abba... Thy will be done. Amen!
Labels: TT
Say WHAT???
Mom: Do ya suppose there's any mail up there in your mailbox?Me: No. The mailman hasn't come yet - but the newspaper is in the paper box if you'd like to go get it.Mom: Well... what'd I do with my shoes?Me: They're in the family room under your foot stool.Mom wanders into the family room. Then I hear the spare room door open... then it closes... then... nothing. Nothing. More nothing. Dead silence. I get up to go "refill my coffee cup" as an excuse to check on things. She's not in the kitchen. She's not in the powder room. She's not in the spare room.
Me: Mom???Mom: *coming back from the livingroom from whence I just came* ... What? Me: What are ya doin'? Mom: Welllllll.... I just thought I'd go on up here (points to the steps) and get some paper for the bathroom.Me: Oh. Are we out? (I go and check - knowing that there are 6 rolls in there!) Mom: I don't know.Me: ??? Oh. Well... look Mom - there's tissue IN here. We don't need any from upstairs. Mom: I know! I just put it there!Me: ??? ??? Well... then why were you going upstairs to GET some? Mom: Well, I just thought I WOULD!Me: *noticing Mom's still barefoot*... Mom? Where are your shoes?Mom: In there. (points to living room) Me: Okay. Well, you were going to put them on and go get the newspaper. Why don't you do that? Mom: Okay. Just let me run up here (points to steps) and get my purse.Me: Why do you need your purse Mom?Mom: Just to know where it is.Me: Mom... you're just going to the mailbox and back. You don't need your purse.Mom: Okay! She puts on her shoes... puts on her coat (inside out - but on) and walks up to the mailbox and back without a hitch!
Two hours later, I'm still wondering how I'm supposed to keep any semblance of sanity with THIS type of conversation going on all day... every bloomin' day! LOL! HELLLLLLP!!!
Wordless Wednesday -- 800th Post !!!
Who ME???
I didn't DO it!
Party / Home Make-over
happening at
JANE'S
(while she's away!)
Come play!
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt -- Old Fashioned
Join the
blogroll. Visit participants.
Doing dishes the old fashioned way
gives Mom something to do, and makes
her feel useful.
Labels: Photo Hunt
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!
44 Years! WOW!!!
I wish you 44 MORE!!!
Happy Day!
My friend Sandy, and her darling
Hubby are celebrating TODAY!
Go show some love!
Friday Feast #177
Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?
Well, now... that would depend entirely upon who I am with and what antics they might be up to! I laugh as many times a day as I get the opportunity!!! I will tell you that I RARELY amuse mySELF enough to laugh!
Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?
Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?
BE STILL MY HEART!!! Let's go to California! We can take the NORTHERN route to get there and the SOUTHERN route to get back! We can stop in New York and see Niagara Falls, and then head west and visit Mount Rushmore and Grand Teton National Park, Then head into Seattle to visit the Space Needle, travel south arriving at our destination in California (yet to be decided, but NOT Disneyland), then coming home we can stop and see the Grand Canyon.... Oh, I'm gonna LOVE this trip!!! When do we leave???
Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.Chesapeake Bay!!!
DessertIf the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?I don't know what the sky does where YOU live, but I seem to get skies of all different colors already! God is pretty creative with it! We do get blue a lot, but sometimes we get pink and red and orange... and other times we get lovely shades of purple... right now the upper sky is sweet baby blue, while the lower sky is a creamy yellow... so... that pretty much only leaves black - which is the night sky, brown - which is sorta dusky, gray - reserved for cloudy days or GREEN! Now the grass is green, so things could get confusing... but I guess if we MUST change it then LIME GREEN it is!!! I really hope God doesn't MIND us messin' with His perfect plan!
I'll Have TWO Please!
I received this meme in an email from my darling niece, Jae, over at Chaos Ensues. (see? you can tell she's directly related to Insanity Prevails!) Hehehe... I decided to answer it here.Two names you go by:Honey
Nana*and recently... "Umm" *Two things you are wearing right now:
Oklahoma basketball shirt
(I dunno why Oklahoma... no attachment for sure!)
sweatpants
Two of your favorite things to do:
Read
Sing
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
A life of my own
Prozac (not sure who for...)
Two favorite pets you have or have had:
Kitty
Jewl
Two people who will fill this out:
Used to be I could answer this easily... but now everyone is too busy! I'll sayyyyyyy...
Gattina
Mar
(but they should not feel obligated... this is not a tag!)
Two things you did last night:
Cooked dinner
Worked on a puzzle
Two things you ate today:
Coffee
More Coffee
(i haven't eaten yet today!)
Two people you last talked to:
Mom
Dennis
Two things you're doing tomorrow:
Buying a gift...
Going to son Mathew's for his birthday!
Two longest car rides:
From home to Fort Bragg, NC
From home to Keuka Park, NY
Two favorite holidays:
Christmas
Easter
Two favorite beverages:
Coffee
Diet Pepsi
Wordless Wednesday
Labels: WW
Take Me Away Tuesday....
Today I am feeling a need to be "not here".
Sooooo... in my head... I am...
Lounging by the pool... sipping mimosas...
... basking in the sun of the French Riviera...
... looking out at this view.
This afternoon I think Dennis and I will...
... take a little sail...
... find a quaint little restaurant ...
and
watch the sun set.
So. What are YOU doing today?
Two! Two! Two posts in One!
In Which We Speak Of Eggs and Birthdays...
Saturday was a Luz & Nana day. It was also Pop-Pops birthday! Mom & I went and picked Luz up and we headed to the PARTY store! We (Luz) selected all the hats and decorations that we were going to need to properly party Pop-Pop. (well... I admit, I
did steer her
away from the Dora aisle!) Then we got his balloons, and headed to the cake mix aisle at the "little store". Luz kept insisting that she didn't want to help me make a cake and I said that was fine -- but in the end, she did want to help me make a cake. And THAT is what this post is really about. Because... I learned something this day. I learned that as parents (and grandparents too perhaps?) we often think children are not capable of doing "certain things"... but as we prepared to make our cake, Luz said "I want to break the eggs!" ... and remembering that very first little picture I was given of her... back before she was MY granddaughter... the one of her ever so gently holding that little egg in her hand... well... I said... "of course, Baby! Of course you get to break the eggs!" And look!
She checks it out...
... taps gently...
...looks for a crack...
... opens it up...
... and into the bowl!
... Got some whites on the fingers - but saved the shell!
Baby Girl broke ALL THREE eggs and did a PERFECT job of it!!! Not ONE piece of eggshell did she drop! (and no broken yolks either!) Was this Nana AMAZED!? Darn tootin'! Amazed that someone back in her "other" culture had taken the time to TEACH a 3 year old HOW to crack an egg! Our little Luz is the best darned egg cracker the world has EVER known! LOL! ... well... okay... I might be a weeeee bit prejudiced there... but... she's GOOD!
And yes ... of course she mixed it up too!
And cleaned it up!
Of course, no party is complete without balloons -- and Krysti was in charge of "entertainment" - so she was making balloon "things".
She started off with a flower!
Then she made Luz a Party Hat....
... but was NOT
thrilled when Luz wanted it to be a
FOOTBALL HELMET! lol!
Dinner Time!
Always FUN with my crazy bunch!
(looks like an add for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, huh?)
And then FINALLY...
.... we get to the
CAKE!!!
And PopPop ENJOYED it!!!
Happy BIRTHDAY old man!!!Labels: Birthdays, Grandbaby
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt -- Important
Join the
blogroll. Visit participants.
Driver's license and credit cards are VERY important!
Two weeks ago mine went missing!
I've replaced the driver's license (as you can see)
But the credit card is still missing....
(my Master Card)
Funny thing is... nobody's used it.
I wonder WHERE it is???
I really don't want to cancel it...
But I guess I have to.
AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING....
My Maaaaaan has a BIRTHDAY today!!!
Whooooo hoooo!
Labels: Photo Hunt
Love / Hate Meme... and a story...
This little meme came to me from Sanni yesterday! I thought it would be an EASY thing to do -- but I found that I have a LOT of things that I LOVE - too many to choose from sometimes... and the HATE thing - well... I just don't really feel THAT strongly about most things I dislike. Sooooo... it was somewhat thought provoking.- I love to eat: Yes I do! (jk) I love to eat rice & gravy! My comfort food!
- I hate to eat: Liver and onions... I will only do it for people I really love!
- I love to go: In the water! Pool, ocean, lake, river, puddle, shower...
- I hate to go: To the movies - almost as much as I hate to go to the dentist!
- I love it when: I understand without a doubt what God is trying to tell me!
- I hate it when: I can't find my driver's license and a credit card... for over a week.
- I love to see: Nature in ALL it's glory!
- I hate to see: Anyone suffering.
- I love to hear: Luz call me Nana :)
- I hate to hear: LOUD noises of any kind.
And now... a little story about yesterday's snow! When Mom got up yesterday morning she came down stairs and the first thing she said was "Do you SEE what it's doing outside?". I assured her that I DID see - it was snowing. Well, she was SO excited about it -- she just couldn't get OVER it! "It's SNOWING!", she would say. "I can't BELIEVE it's SNOWING!" And she went on and on and on... me nodding and agreeing and "yes! It's pretty"-ing! Finally, I stopped her and I asked "Mom! WHY are you sO excited about this snow?" She looked at me like I was off MY bloomin' rocker and she said "WELL! It's doesn't often SNOW like THIS in July!!!" ... well... I did about fall off my bloomin' rocker! I certainly should have been MORE excited than I was!!! ROFL!
And THIS was how Mom spent most of the day yesterday!
Snuggled up next to Kitty on the couch, with the toasty
fire in the fireplace... reading MONDAY's paper. LOL!
And this morning... she got her coffee and sat down there
and promptly asked me if we EVER put a FIRE in that
fireplace!?
Life is FUN here!
Labels: meme's
Of Weather ... Maps & Men...
According to THIS...
It is RAINING at my house!
But according to THIS:
...it is something altogether different!
They "say" areas to the west of us are only supposed to get up to 1 inch...
.... we'll SEE!
Making a Band Meme...
I have been tagged by
Gattina, to create a CD cover. This Band meme came originally from
Mimi Writes, the meme queen and peace globe initiator.
Here's how it goes. You are about to have your own band's CD cover. Follow these directions to the letter. It's fun and requires no thought at all. Go to......
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of our band.
2.
http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3The last four words of the very last quote is the title of our album.
3.
http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover
4. Use whatever you want to make a nice cover and post the official result.
and here is my cover :
Now, I gotta tell ya ... when I hit the wiki random search and up popped AEREON, I went... HUH? It's a "manufacturer of hybrid airships". I was like, oh great! Then I go the the quotes thing and I get "does not love her"... *sigh*... and now I'm bettin' that when I go to the picture thing I'll probably get a gas pump or cigarette butt or something... but then... I got a BIRD! A tufted titmouse! (and I had to wonder for a second if it belonged to our good friend Barbara - cuz it's sO pretty! But no... it belongs to someone named Mary, who I sincerely apologize to for stealing it...) But it DID make the whole album cover sort of "come together" - did it not???
I'm not taggin' folks -- but I DO recommend you try this! It was fun!
Wordless Wednesday - A Day For The Birds!
Labels: WW
Sunday Seven -- Thanks for Mom...
...Lest you think I've forgotten HOW to be grateful...
7 things I am thankful for in relation to my MIL
1. If I must have constant companion and travel buddy, Mom is the one to have. She is the only person related to me that does not mind listening to my PRAISE MUSIC as we tool down the road! Never mind that I could just as easily listen to Toddler Tunes or John Philip Sousa -- the POINT is, I can listen to my PRAISE music without complaint!!!
2. I ALWAYS have a lunch companion ... which is important because lunch "dates" with friends have ... um... dropped off considerably! But Mom loves lunch and because she does not complain about food either, I am free to try places that no one else would try with me! Never mind that our entire lunch time conversation revolves around "mmm... good."
3. I sometimes complain because it takes us no less than 15-20 minutes from the time the bath water starts running until Mom is actually sitting in the tub... we have a few rituals... and apparently she doesn't mind cold bath water... but I am THANKFUL that she IS able to get in and out of the tub on her own, UNassisted, on most days -- and I do believe that with the help of Curves she will continue to improve in this respect! Never mind that her idea of a bath is one dip and we're out! (hm. maybe it's the COLD bath water?)
4. I am thankful that since Mom moved in with us, Dennis eats dinner at the table with us most nights.
5. I am thankful that since Mom moved in with us, Dennis goes outdoors to smoke. (it really is AMAZING the influence that a MOTHER has on her son! EVEN when she doesn't know he's her son half the time!!!)
6. I'm thankful that Mom is our Light Patrol, Door Patrol, and Pet Patrol! Don't even DARE leave a light on when you leave the room! Do NOT leave the front door open, EVEN if you're carrying in groceries (or out trash) ... and honestly ... the pets are just tooooooooo spoiled! They TRULY go in and out at will! (withOUT a doggie door! ... and without leaving doors open!)
7. I'm thankful that I NEVER have to come up with NEW material to entertain her! ONE joke is all I need - it will last for MONTHS -- if not a lifetime! Annnnnd it can be korny! :)
Labels: Sunday Seven
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt -- Skinny
Join the
blogroll. Visit participants.
Here are two views of one of my very favorite "skinnies"...
... and yes... I took both shots.
And... having just visited a site that was
showing a "Cleopatra's Needle" - which I
had never heard of - I thought I better come
back and make sure that everyone KNOWS
this is
The Washington Monument
Washington, DC
Labels: Photo Hunt
Stolen Items...
I picked this meme up from my good friend
Jen yesterday... as a matter of fact, I also stole the name thing below it from her too! I've been seein' it around all over the place... figured it was time...
- Do you wear a name tag at work? No... I don't work anymore - but I'm thinking that a name tag MIGHT be handy anyway! Matter of fact, I'm thinking the whole family should have 'em!
- What kind of car do you drive? Champagne Ford Expedition.
- What do you order when you go to Taco Bell? Chicken Gordita Supreme or Nacho Belle Grande
- Have you ever had a garage sale? Yes, one ... and I never will again!
- What color is your iPod? Oooo! I have that revolutionary new INVISIBLE one!
- What kind of dog do you have? Black Lab.
- What's for dinner tonight? BBQ'd Chicken Wings, mac & cheese, Broccoli & Cauliflower
- What is the last alcoholic beverage you had? A glass of wine on New Years Eve.
- Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Left it at home. (not doin' me much good there!)
- Last time you were sick? I've had a cold since before Christmas - it will NOT go away!!!
- How long is your hair? Just below my ears - and getting shorter - tomorrow!
- Are you happy right now? Happy? More like content at the moment.
- What did you say last? When will the wings be ready?
- Who came over last? Amanda & Luz just left a little while ago.
- Do you drink beer? Ew! No!!!
- Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted? Oh, I'm certain they did!
- What is your favorite key chain on your keys? Favorite? How many key CHAINS does a person need on their keys? I only have one... I guess it's my favorite!
- What did you get for graduation? Let's seeeeeeeee... that was 33 years ago... almost 34 actually... and oh yea... NOTHING.
- What's in your pocket? I got no pockets... I'm wearing gym shorts.
- Who introduced you to Dane Cook? I bought a Dane Cook DVD for my son fro Christmas - but I have NO IDEA who he is!
- Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear? Yes. ... and I have made myself one too!
- What DVD is in your DVD player? No clue. I don't watch DVDs.
- What's something fun you did today? I took Mom to Curves and
tortured ran her through her paces! Then I did MY workout -- and then we stretched! Stretching is the FUN part!
- Who is/was the principal of your high school? I only remember the VP... I honestly could not tell you who the principal was!
- Has your house ever been TP'd? No! (thank you Lord!)
- What do you think of when you hear the word "meow"? My cat, Freedom.
- What are you listening to right now? The hum of the computer fan.
- Drinking? Nothing.
- What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart? No favorite.
- When is your mom's birthday? Somebody somewhere is collecting all this personal data about us so that they can steal our personalities and take over the world!!! Paranoid? Who?
- When is your birthday? This one is common knowledge! Sept. 4th!
- What's the area code for your cell phone? SEE???
- Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now? It is FAR too old for me to remember!
- Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror? Yes - my Holy Star.
- How many states in the US have you been to? Not many... about a dozen.
- What kind of milk do you drink? 1% white
- What are you going to do after this? Eat dinner - IF the wings ever get done.
- Who was the last person you went shopping with? My little shadow... MIL.
- What is your favorite fruit? Bananas and grapes.
- What about your favorite dessert? No favorite ... I like variety.
- What is something you need to go shopping for? A new dryer.
- Do you have the same name as one of your relatives? Well, depends. My mother, my sister and I are all named Mary.... does that count?
- What kind of car does one of your siblings drive? LOL! Too funny! I have absolutely NO IDEA!!!
- Do you like pickles? Yes
- How about olives? Black ones.
- What is your favorite kind of gum? Spearmint - but I don't chew gum.
- What is your favorite kind of juice? I guess orange juice - but I don't really drink it too often.
- Do you have any tan lines? YEP! And I'm PROUD of 'em too!
- What hospital were you born in? Now see? WHY does anyone need to know that?
- WHO ends a meme at 49 instead of 50???
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Scientific Theory...
(it's all in a name...)
| What Melli Means |
You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. (yea... right!)
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! (who? ME?)
You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. (???)
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.
You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. (hehehe...)
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.
|
Labels: meme's
Wordless Wednesday...
Labels: WW
Roundin' the Bend...
So, I took Mom to Curves for the first time today. Drat it all, I did NOT take pictures! How did THAT happen??? Well... cuz I was the one teaching her how to use the equipment today. I might be the one teaching her to use it EVERY day -- but I'm hoping that SOME days an "adventuresome" employee might help out. However ... I might have been the only employee they had that was quite THAT adventuresome. But we DID it! She got all the way around the track! And I made an impromptu executive decision that SHE should only do ONE time around the circuit -- but to stay on each machine for at least a full minute - maybe a little more. Same with the recovery boards. The reason I thought this method to be in her best interest is because it takes her soooooooo looooooong to get on and off each piece that if we even dared to TRY to follow the little lady who's sO sweet voice encourages us on and around, well... it just wouldn't work at all! So! She made it once around the track - with me encouraging EVERY pump of her arms or legs (depending on machine) and EVERY lift of her knee when I had her marching on the recovery boards. It was a stitch! It really is quite a workout just getting her through HER workout! When she was done, then I did MY workout -- 2 times around! WOW! I did not realize HOW MUCH I had missed it! It felt SO good to be back!!! I was amazed at how well I was still able to do because honestly -- I have done NOTHING - not even a stretch - in two and a half months!!! And after MY workout, I grabbed her and took her into the stretching room too! That was actually a bit more trying than the entire workout! Stretching is what she needs most -- and I knew it would be! Heck - it's what's we ALL need most! I really really wish people would UNDERSTAND how important stretching IS to the overall workout! As far as mobility goes, stretching ALONE will give that back -- without EVER using ANY other form of exercise! I was proud of her though! She got down on the floor with me -- and that's more than some of the MEMBERS have done in the year and a half I've known them!!! She doesn't have a bloomin' thought of her own in her head anymore -- but she follows directions well! If you repeat them 72 times a minute... *G*
Tomorrow we rest her body (mainly because we have other commitments for MY time) and we will do it again on Wednesday! She had fun! She doesn't remember NOW that she had fun... but she DID! It occurs to me that having alzheimers could be beneficial that way! If you THINK you're doing it for the "first time" EVERY time - then it will always be brand new! Right??? We'll seeeeeeee!
Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt -- Delicious
Join the
blogroll. Visit participants.
THIS is
delish as it gets this morning!
Mmmmmmmm....
Care to join me?
Ohhhhhhhh OKAY!
Krysti thought THIS breakfast was pretty darned
delicious!!!
Labels: Photo Hunt
