Sunday, February 26, 2006

Whine Tasting Weekend

There is no point in moaning about it. I am going to state emphatically that I will never be a good blogger! I just don’t appear to have whatever it takes to keep it going. Actually, I started a post yesterday and something happened to it. Now, I am starting over.

I always put the blog last on the to-do-list and it shows. The last month I have spent time creating new pages for my website, updated and posted updates to the two sites, cut out the fabric for 4 maternity skirts and one blouse and made two of the skirts, gone shopping for maternity clothes for my daughter-in-law, I have worked 40 hours a week, and done housecleaning on the weekends. My RA has been very painful and I have worked in pain. There is no relief for it, so it seems.

I take 500 mg naproxen sodium twice a day for the RA and it usually takes the edge off. This month, the pain has been an endless expanse. Friday night, finally, I took a doxepin. I was prescribed this antidepressant about 15 years ago for migraine headaches and insomnia. It helps balance the serotonin in the brain. It worked wonders and I didn’t have to take it every day, only as needed. In the last couple of years, the doctors want me to take it every night before bedtime to help me sleep better and keep me from having so many headaches. I have not done that but I discovered Friday night that my pain was less on Saturday morning than usual. By the evening, it had worn off. So, I took another Saturday night. Today is Sunday and the pain is just as bad as it has been for weeks. I am tired of making the effort.

Everything is pushed aside for pain. I don’t want to go to work, I don’t want to write, and I don’t want to be around people. I have to pretend everything is ok or I am a whiner. I have to smile when I feel like collapsing in the floor and screaming or I am depressing to everyone around me. I want to cry but the cistern where they are stored is dry. It doesn’t help at all. Even writing this sounds like I am complaining. That makes me feel worse.

I got so angry last night with Jerry because he had done nothing while I worked overtime yesterday, Saturday. He was supposed to do several things and none were done. He sits in the chair all day, drugged out of his mind on morphine. All his trips are in his mind and he doesn’t even know it.

They are weaning him off Lortabs with the morphine. They have already stopped the Lortabs and upped the morphine. I expect them to start reducing the morphine in a few weeks. He took pain meds for two years for the problem with his back. And he is an addictive personality. He has lost 30 pounds since his surgery but morphine takes away appetite. I have no doubt that once they take him off the drug that he will gain it back.

He was not supposed to pick up anything heavier than a gallon of milk for three months but that doesn’t mean he can’t do other things. He never gets out and walks like they told him. He just sits in his chair and sleeps with the television going. That’s why I know the weight loss is not natural. I have told him he is supposed to walk but he won’t do it. He has taken two walks since December to the end of the street once (two houses down) and another about twice that far.

I guess I am just worn out. I stopped feeling appreciated years ago and I have learned to deal with it as a part of life. I stopped taking my sense of worth from everyone around me. But you get tired, you know. Trying to make sure all the bills are paid, that there is enough food in the house, that the house is clean, and that repairs are done, taxes filed, and appointments are kept. I am doing everything and frankly, some things are beginning to slip. I no longer care if the kitchen floor ever gets fixed, or why the washer is pouring oil by the gallon on the rotten floor in the laundry room or if the spray nozzle ever gets screwed back on, if the leak around the side door is dealt with, or if the cabinets in the garage are ever installed. Today, I want to walk and see what else is out there. Tired doesn’t begin to encompass it.

Saturday, February 4, 2006

Oh the Woes of Everyday Life


Has this been a busy time for me or what! So true. I thought for a bit that I would have to just cash it in and not do the blog at all. But I am not a quiter and will continue to try. I don't know if anyone is even visiting! It says I have had 32 visits but no one says a word. Better no word than "You stink!"

I just posted the latest update to the church website. Please drop by and take a look. I love doing the websites but they take so much of my time when I do the updates. It took me two weeks to do this update and once it was posted, I had a problem with the photo page and had to take another week to find a slide show that would take a lot of photos and still load with some speed. I don't know if I succeded but take a look and let me know.

My website is next on my list. I am going to do a major overhaul on it. It was my very first expriement with website creation and since I have gained greater knowledge I am eager to update it. I do get a lot of compliments on the writing so I will be featuring more of it. I would love to do this stuff for a living.

Becca is as sick as a dog with "morning sickness" that she has most of every day. She has been to the ER three times to be rehydrated. They have been giving her meds which have not worked well. If you know of any good remedies, let us know!

Dave had a bug two weeks ago and was sick all of that Saturday night. The following Monday, Jerry appeared to have it. Only Jerry has been throwing up for the last week, off and on. I was getting ready for work Friday morning and he was in the other bathroom being very sick. He came down the hall and I told him to call his doctor. It was about the nth time I had done so. I also asked him if he was doing this all day every day ,as it seemed like it to me. He said no and then he looked at me and said, "I will be glad when she has that baby." I lost it then and laughed for about five minutes.

My Rheumatoid Arthiritis flared up this week and it was a terrible week but Friday was horrible. The pain in my legs, knees, shoulders and hands was the worst it has been in awhile. Not sure what triggered it because I take 500 mg Naproxin sodium every day. I am supposed to take it twice a day but it is hard on the stomach and so I play conservative with it. Have to keep antiacids handy even then and be sure to eat when I take it. Yesterday, I felt as if I had had no medicine at all. And last night I fell over a basket and caught myself with my hands. Pain is relative... to the abuse you place on your body.

Haven't worked on my writing as much lately because of the website updates. Hope to be back on track with that soon. I have stuff brewing in my head that needs to be on paper.

Also have been crocheting again this week. Working on the hair bun holders. Becca says I should sell these. I will have to upload a picture of one. And I decided to do a baby blanket and I might try a baby sweater or something.

Today I have been paying bills and now I must stop and do the bank statement. I dread that because Jerry and the debit card are not coordinated well. There is always about $100 missing in the register when I try and reconcile it. So he is not to use the debit card except when he absolutely must. Now, he just writes more checks.

I shall sign off now and hope to dash off another post soon. Today, life is grand. But be careful, it can turn in a moment.

Monday, January 16, 2006

Time Dilation & The Dishes

I am not going to apologize! I have been truly busy and so I have no reason to feel guilty. But I do. I wanted to do this blog but it just is not going well. I can’t find time or I can’t find topic. Very annoying.

Today is a holiday and I am off from work. I have found that the amount of things I have to get done increases exponentially in direct proportion to the amount of time I have off work. I think it is in the opposite direction. So, I end up with more to do than I have time to do it.

I did manage to clean most of the house on Saturday and do laundry. But I have to do dishes from Saturday through Sunday. I don’t have a dishwasher. On Sunday I spend nearly 6 hours in church. We generally go out on Sunday to eat so I am home approximately 4 hours during which time I am tired and try to rest and prepare for evening service. There is about 2 hours spent on getting ready for each service and another hour in the evening getting ready for bed. Then I usually spend an hour or two on the computer. So that leaves about 8 hours for sleep maybe. Sunday is a busier day than any of my work days!

There has to be some law that governs this but I have not found it written down. I wonder if this is like what they call “time dilation”? You know, the idea that moving clocks move at a slower rate than stationery ones. This would have to be something similar. If anyone comes up with a name, let me know!

I have dropped off the history board so I will stop spending huge chunks of time on that. I liked it but one can only talk so much on a single topic before one becomes redundant. Redundancy is boring. I met some nice friends on the board and I hope they keep in contact. I just need the time spent there for other things.

I found out last week I am to be a grandmother. I will have to think about it and give another post on it. I have been trying to garner some excitement but have not managed to do it. There are reasons. One being that I feel much too young to be a grandmother.

Well, the dishes await and so does breakfast!

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Much Ado...

I am trying to find my way through the morass of internet entertainment I am now involved in and it is not easy. I spend about 2 hours answer things like email, groups I belong to, and this blog. I need to update two websites, the church site and my personal one.

It came to me in the evening yesterday that I might be spending valuable time posting to a blog, updating a site, and participating in banter on boards that could be better used in writing that novel I keep putting off working on. I do work on it but allow myself to be distracted. It is kinda hard to ignore someone wanting assistance to get up after back surgery. And the boss would not approve of my using job time to write my novel. At least. . . I don't think so. Mmmm.

Anyway, I am going to sit down and work out a plan. I have to limit something. Since I have an eight hour, five day a week job and have to keep house and have church a couple of times a week, I am going to have to work hard to find the extra time. Or I could let something go. Maybe I could give away someone.

What puzzles me is why, when it seems to be going well, and the writing is flowing, that I just get distracted with living and doing other things I find less enjoyable? I have no answer. I doubt anyone does. I don't know if it matters.

So, today it will be brief. I am tired of messing with all of the stupid things I mess with to no point. I am obviously looking for answers in the wrong place! If there are way to structure my time that will still leave me with an unstructured feeling I would love to know about it.

Sunday, January 1, 2006

Happy New Year!

I never make resolutions. I call them lies dressed in fancy clothes. But I would like to do a lot of things better next year.

I want to: pray more, go to church more, be kinder, love more, write more, travel more, sleep more, enjoy life more, be more compassionate.

Would those be resolutions? No. I don’t promise I will do any of those things. I just want to.

This comes as I have been pondering my Christianity lately. Several people have said some things in the last few months that really irked me. No, actually, I think they offended me. They also made me realize that I am not loud enough. So add, I want to be a louder Christian. Today, I am ranting and you don't have to like it or agree! Much of this was written as the new year came in so beware. If you are not a Christian, you might want to leave now.

No, I did not tell these people they offended me. They wouldn’t believe me nor would they care. They don’t want to hear what I think or what I have to say about my beliefs. My views, as a Christian, have no merit.

That is why I have a blog!

Here’s the thing that bugs me. Have you ever noticed how non-religious people love to rant about how wrong you are and how right they are and how they know exactly what is wrong with you and the world? How, if you would just listen to them, all your problems could be solved. And all your problems are religious.

Yet, when it is your turn to respond to their claims to try to explain how and why you think and believe the way you do they don’t want to listen to your response or your opinion. Because nothing you say could possibly be important, factual, good or right. You, the religious person, don’t know yourself because religion has blinded you to the real world and therefore, you must be told how to fix your life.

You, a religious person, could not possibly have the wisdom, the insight or the intelligence of non-religious people. Nothing you think or believe could be right because you are tainted . . . with religion. You, the religious person, must keep your mouth shut and listen to the elitist intellectuals. You, the religious person are an idiot and the non-religious is the only person with divine knowledge!

Check the barnyard because it is overflowing with that stuff.

Let me see now. Intolerance. They keep saying religious people (read Christians) are intolerant. I wonder now… my thesaurus and dictionary… wait, here it is:

Dictionary: Intolerant: Unwilling to tolerate differences in opinions or beliefs, especially religious beliefs. Unable or unwilling to endure or support[1]

Thesaurus: intolerant, close-minded, mean, narrow, narrow-minded, small, small-minded, unfair.
[2]

Really?

It crosses all genders, races, religions, nationalities, national and international borders and, educational levels. But wait!

Does the above described behavior sound like tolerance, the thing all non-religious people say they possess in vats?

Tolerance: 1. The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others. [3]

Not agreement with or acceptance of, but recognizing and respecting the beliefs and practices. Wouldn’t you have to listen with courtesy and allow a difference of opinion to be called tolerant?

All right, now, let me clarify something else, for me if no one else. I was told not too long ago (by an imbecile of gargantuan proportions that I only know slightly) that Christians are responsible for all the wars. I did not respond because, well, how can you respond to such an idiot? That is just so strange.
Anyone read Foxx’s Book of Martyrs? I can’t relate the butchery the book relates nor the time span it covers. But the let me give you a clue, Christians are the ones being killed.

Wasn’t it the Christians who were fed to the lions in Rome just because they WERE Christians?

Then, there were the Protestant Christians who were burned at the stake, beheaded, drawn and quartered, boiled in oil, hacked to pieces, flayed alive, generally killed in the Inquisition in Spain and France, Britain and various other countries all over the known world have had similar purges. Why? For the European continent it frequently resulted when Protestants would not comply with the Roman Catholic Church, which during those times had become a political entity run by emperors and kings of those countries.

(Note: This is NOT a reflection on the current Catholic Church, which still has even more serious problems with its clergy than with the masses. They are not the only ones, all religions have similar problems because humans inhabit the churches and the pulpits. We are all trying to get to the same place but it is not easy for some of us. Gee, would that be a tolerant response?)

Russian Christians disappeared because they were religious and worshiped something besides the communist party! They were a threat to domination by a political machine. Even the Russians knew you couldn’t battle God so they just got rid of his agents. Happens all the time.

Hitler and his cronies killed more people in captivity than anyone in history! Six million Jews (a vast number of them believe in and worship One God but some were just Jews of no religious persuasion) and half as many Christians killed in the gas chambers of the Third Reich. He said it was because they were all intellectually inferior!

And please, let’s not forget the unholy war Islam has instigated against all Christians and Jews in the 21st century in an effort to exterminate them. They say so openly! No Christian group I can recall has ever done anything remotely like that.

However, this is not the first time Islam has done this. Byzantine ruler, Leo III, stopped the Muslim advance at Constantinople around 740 B.C. In France, Charles Martel led the battle and stopped them. Yes, it took a war of global proportions. Surprise! By the way, they were seeking world domination then, too. Yes, I heard about the Crusuades and it was the same war.

There have been a few “Christian” fringe groups out there with an insane leader wanting to take over the world, or his part of it. I think Waco comes to mind, and Jonestown. Does anyone who is a Christian really believe those people were practicing Christianity? Jones was drugged out of his mind and was certifiably psychotic. He had brainwashed hundreds of unfortunate dysfunctional followers. Some of his inner circle did actually get away. They didn’t like Kool-aide and had no brain to wash but they knew when to run.

As for Waco, the Federal Government came in and put a stop to that “Christian” group. Whether or not he was insane, Uncle Sam made an assault against a self-styled “Christian” group who had not made any serious threat against anyone outside the group. Still Uncle Sam had a duty to tell them what they believed and how they should behave because, well, a Christian group of any ilk couldn't actually know.

It was true that they had re-written the Book and set up their on version of Christianity. It didn’t match much of anything in THE BOOK. Of course, it wasn’t about that, because Uncle Sam was telling them that they were not thinking what they were thinking. They were thinking something else, and Uncle Sam knew what it was and it was wrong!

But the non-religious won’t let you say any of that, because they can read minds. They know what you are thinking. You aren’t thinking what you think you are thinking. You are thinking something else, and they know what it is and it is WRONG!

They have the answer to all of life’s problems. Since mostly un-Godly people have been in charge for most of civilized time, I’d say they have not gotten their message out very well. Of course, if you try to say differently, they will resort to belligerence or out-right violence. It's ok when non-religious people resort to violence. Because they have a good reason.

Give me a break.

Oh yes, I did not say non-Christian, I said un-Godly. You can call yourself a Christian and have absolutely NO Christ-like behavior or ideals whatsoever. I could name a roster full but that would just bore us all.

Now, I don't care if you agree or not. Your opinion has no bearing on my views and as such can have no valid point and so would be a waste of time for you to share it. I know exactly what you are thinking and you are wrong. No response is necessary.

You see, I am practicing my intolerance level. And I feel pretty good about it.

Seriously, have a Happy New Year!

Source for Definations:

[1]Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
[2]Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
[3]Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary. Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

I See Something Coming!

Yes, the new year is just around the bend. I can see the glimmer of the ball on top of that building in New York.

I have an eye exam this afternoon. Really.

I also have a runny nose, a headache, a stuffy head, sneezing, and coughing. Sounds like a cold but I am denying it. By the time the eye doc is done my head will truly be exploding.

I have a four day weekend beginning Friday. I so need another. I discovered that my "novel" has progressed more than I knew. I checked the files and there are 34 "sections" saved on my computer. I don't know if I can rightly call them chapters because some may eventually be merged. Anyway, each one runs about 2500 words except for one which is 10,000 words. So that gives me about 78,000 words. Now I am faced with the task of organizing it into something coherent. Actually, I think it is good. I am very critical of my own writing and rely heavily on my gut to tell me when it is right. A lot of this is "right".

I have one section posted on my website. I think it will be a prologue but not sure. www.cindysplace.4t.com Do visit please and check out the last page for some of the writing. Some of it is rather old. I am working on adding some things but I am spurcing up the pages before I do.

Must go now but I will be back soon.

Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Cheer......

Merry Christmas!

Yes, it is Christmas Day and I am here at the blogspot. We are not all up yet, even though it is after 10 a.m. Jerry was sick again last night from taking some of his painkillers. There is one pill that makes him sick when he takes it but thankfully, he has run out of that one.

Today he did not want to go to church and I am disappointed. I have not been to church on Christmas Day that I ever recall and I was looking forward to it. I guess I could have gone alone but then there would be no one to watch that dratted dog and wait on the patient.

It just is not going to be Christmas for me this year. I have tried the music, the decorations, and the thoughts. Nothing has worked. I do not feel any of the usual excitement. Maybe I am tired. Maybe I am worn out. Maybe I have become Scrooge. I have no idea.

Could be that I just had too much to really prepare for it. With Jerry’s surgery on the 1st and then playing nurse after working all day there really wasn’t time to do anything else. I didn’t even have time to shop much.

I did go and buy myself a Christmas present, two pair of beautiful shoes. One pair is a t-strap and the other is similar but doesn’t have the t-strap. I was going to wear the T-strap pair this morning. They are so pretty and feminine. I have been looking for ages for a pair but could never find any. I had some when Mike was small and I loved them so much I wore them out. They were camel colored. These new are burgundy. I don’t have a lot to wear with burgundy but I will! Oh, I love pretty shoes. These have a slender 2-in. heel and will make my not-so-bad ankles look slimmer. Actually, my Christmas presents were the shoes I bought, gift certificates from my Aunt for the Cracker Barrel for the whole family, and my sister bought me a 1-hour massage at a local spa. I can’t wait for that!

I am not obsessed with fashion. I don’t follow trends. I think I can look good by following my instincts. Mama taught me how to dress when I was young and I am one of those people who look best in suits or clean lines. Don’t wear a lot of frills because I began to look bulky but I like delicate folds and lace and ruffles in understated amounts. When I was a size 12 I could wear all those ruffles and bows that were such a fashion in the mid-70’s. What size am I now? Nunya…. Well, let’s say my sand is still where it should be but in a bit more mature amounts. Still, once in a while a head will turn and I get smiles. <sigh> Not as much as I did 20 years ago….

I have one more day of reprieve and then three days back at the job before the next four-day weekend. I can hardly wait! For now, I am going to sit back and enjoy my coffee and try and do some real writing. I have worked on web pages this week and this blog. I am supposed to work on the “novel” sometimes. I need discipline and a less intrusive life.







Tuesday, December 20, 2005

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Five days until Christmas and I just started putting up my decorations last night! The tree will go up tonight but will come down by the end of next week. I don’t know if I will ever do this again. I don’t really want to do it this year. My heart, I fear is just not in it.

Mama had her stroke on Christmas Eve in 1973 and died January 2, 1974. I have never felt the same about Christmas. We were so happy that week and it all melted like a late winter snow. When I had children, some of the joy of the season came back. We baked cookies, played games, sang carols, and decorated the tree, all together.

The house is silent tonight. I looked at the stockings and remembered there are no children in the house now who will race to find the treats that they would usually be filled with. No one will come dashing down the hall to bounce on the sofa and beg to hand out the gifts. No squeals of “Me first, me first!” No shouts of “Oh Boy! That’s just what I wanted!” No grins!

Tonight, there are no twinkling lights, no smell of cookies baked, no whispers and giggles, no rustling of presents because some one is sneaking a peek. No carols drifting through the house, no laughter, no anticipation, and no sense of wonder. There is only silence and off in the distance, echoes.


Sunday, December 18, 2005

Christmas is Missing

Christmas is one week away. I don’t have my tree up yet. My sole concession to the season is a nice Christmas tablecloth and a lovely centerpiece that holds five candles, which I don’ t have. My aunt bought the candelabra for me when I admired it. We found it in a second hand shop that I simply love and from which I have bought dozens of home accessories. It came with a piece of greenery that the candles encircle. Last Christmas I bought some lovely Christmas flowers and some berries and stuck into the greenery. It has a gold net bow and the whole thing is very pretty.
Merry Christmas.

Yesterday I swept, vacuumed, dusted, moved furniture, washed clothes and dishes. I spent the whole day trying to clean up and get ready to put the tree up but by 5:00 p.m. I was so tired I could hardly move. So, I plan to put the tree up tomorrow night! I will! I want my tree up. I want to feel some kind of Christmas spirit.

I have still not mailed cards, although I have them out! No stamps. I should mail them I guess but payday is after the holiday.

Do you ever get the feeling that all this is a waste? That the whole reason has been lost? I don’t have small children at home anymore and something has changed. I used to enjoy the cooking of cookies, and cakes and decorating the house. I liked playing Christmas songs and hearing Alvin & the Chimpmunks sing about Christmas. I love Grandma Got Run Over by A Reindeer, and Silent Night, Away in a Manger, and We Three Kings. I love the song Feliz Navidad! I loved my special tree ornaments. Every year I buy a special unique ornament, but not this year. I like the feeling in the air when it is Christmas but this year there is none of that. I don’t know what happened.

Maybe Christmas never came this year. Maybe it won’t ever again.

Dixie Girl

Friday, December 16, 2005

Office Break....!

Oh for a day of my own! I wish that I didn't have to work so hard. Eight hours at a desk, after that home to pickup, cleanup, and try and find time around 10 or 11 for me!

I need a real vacation! Tahiti sounds wonderful to me, exotic, warm, and sunny. Someday, when I am too old to appreciate it I may be able to go there.

Jerry got the staples removed from his back on Wednesday. He is getting around a bit better but I think he is moving too fast. He wants to do all sorts of things that he should not do such as not getting up the way he is supposed to and moving in an awkward way.

I have slacked off my writing too much in pursuit of an interest that is really not my thing anyway. I need to make a bigger effort. I have looked at finding a net-based writing group but so far they all look rather lame. Not sure I want to do that.

I miss my friend Cecile because we could talk about writing all day and encourage each other. She was a great one to push me. I got very productive when she was doing that. She moved to New York and now I don't hear from her much.

Money is tight because Jerry still is not working. And Christmas will be pretty slim if it exist at all. I am at the point that I am not sure I want to put the tree up or not. Mike and Gina won't be home; they will be at her folks this year. They were here Thanksgiving. They got their presents when they were here. My limit is $50 each. Next year they are supposed to spend Christmas with us.

Dave and Becca are, of course, living with us again because of their own money problems. I have given Dave & Becca part of their Christmas money to pay a debt they must take care of now. They will get the rest at Christmas. And that is it.

The car is bad, very bad. Water is puddled on the floor on the driver's side. It freezes when the temp drops. Frost on the inside results at night and I scrape inside and out so I can see. The seat is broken on one side so I am sitting sidways a bit when I drive and it makes my back hurt. The suspension appears to be a bit ... uh... well it just isn't very good. Tires need replacing. Something is wrong with the transmission. I have been driving along and it just stops, not goes dead, just stops. I have to shift into another gear and then back to drive. THAT is very nerve racking. I am terrified that I will be on the expressway doing 55 and this will happen. So..... I take back streets home and to work most of the time. I avoid the expressway, which isn't an expressway anyway.

I get nervous when we go to church. We have to cross the Ohio River and I am already terrified of crossing birdges. The thought of something stopping me there is something I can't even think about. But I do. We drive about 30 minutes to church, twice on Sunday and if we get a chance we go other nights too.

I never hear from anyone but my Aunt in Atlanta. I get email from my Dad and step mom, and my dad's sister. I get lots of email from friends and aquaintences but no contact from four brothers and a sister in Florida and Alabama. I did try and reply when the sister wrote but it was all about her "poor, mistreated, and misunderstood" self, so I just gave up. Too depressing dwelling on the past, most of which didn't exist anyway. I no longer make attempts to be social, stamps are too expensive and I do not have long distance anymore. My phone card is used for emergencies and to call my mother once in awhile.

My sister, Phyllis, lives nearby and we take a day once in awhile to do girl stuff, like hit the book stores. I love Barnes & Noble. I would love to have my own bookstore but have no idea where to start. I am trying to get enough hobbies to break a record. So far I am up to writing, reading, crochet, playing my keyboard, sewing, remodeling, web design and finally blogging. Let's see, what else could be called a hobby? Eating? Maybe, sometimes. Sleeping? Nah, I don't get enough of that to call it a habit, let alone a hobby.

Anyway, I felt compelled to stop and take a break and dash off some astounding post for this blog. So far boring....... I must get back to the grindstone, the nose feels better now.

Dixie Girl

Friday, December 2, 2005

Center of the Universe




This is our family BDL (before daughter-in-law)












Dave & Becca - November 13, 2004 - She is a sweet as she is pretty!



Dixie Girl

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Time for a Break!

Thanksgiving is OVER! This has been the busiest week I can remember at home.

Tuesday night my son, Mike, came in from Arkansas with his wife, Gina. We were so glad to see them. I took Wednesday off but did not cook as planned. I don't remember exactly what I did that day. The rest of the week sort of followed suit.

Thursday my son, David, came over and my sister, Phyllis. Phyllis, Gina and I cooked dinner. Becca, David's wife had to work until 8 p.m. and so we decided to have our dinner ready about that time so she could join us. We did but were nearly famished by then. She came but had eaten at work! Ah, the joys of family. Won't do that again.

Then Friday Gina and I went shopping. I hate shopping on a good day. The day after Thanksgiving is NOT a good day. We went to Cato's where I gave Gina a gift certificate for her Christmas present and we went to a couple of other stores. They will be at her folks on Christmas and so get their presents now. I got Mike a webcam and myself one. He told me he wants to see my beaufitul face when we chat. So he got a webcam. Aren't sons wonderful?

Friday night we were going to watch movies and I wound up watching The Ring 2 by myself. Liked it. Not as scary as the first and not as much fun alone. Dave was supposed to watch it with me but Becca called him home. She didn't want to watch movies. He came back Saturday and watched it by himself.Gina and Mike don't care for scary movies. Jerry went to bed about halfway through. I am glad I like my own company.

Saturday we did some more shopping. We came back and Gina & I watched National Treasure. I liked it and then we played some Uno Attack. Gina bought me that for Christmas. Don't know what will happen when she goes home. No one to play games with unless I can get the other two over and Jerry will play.

Mike & Gina brought their cat, named CindyLu. Gina added the Lu because I don't think she is comfortable calling the cat by her mother-in-law's name. I don't really mind. It makes Mike happy. But every time he called the cat I kept answering!

We have Dave & Becca's dog because they don't know how to house break one. Raven, black lab pup. She met the cat and they got along famously. Had to call the dog off a few times because she thought the cat was a chew toy.

And so Sunday is here. Morning church, afternoon relax, night church. Have to go wash my tresses, take a nap and then be ready to leave by 6 p.m. I will get home around 11:00 p.m.

Thank goodness I get to go back to work tomorrow!

Thursday.... back surgery for Jerry. It begins again.

Dixie Girl

Sunday, November 20, 2005

The Play's the Thing

Someone already said that but it works. For the last month my spouse and I have been involved in practicing a play at church. Friday and Saturday nights were performace nights. It went well and I had a blast doing it. But I am so tired.

We taped it so copies could be made and anyone who wanted one could buy it. I watched the tape last night and do you know it is true that the camera adds 10 pounds to a person! Really. I will probably never wear that blouse again. It didn't look that bad in the mirror.

I started this blog thing a week ago and have not had time to really investigate what it is and how it works. I,of course, know what it is, but not exactly how everything works. I already have a web site so this seems a bit much. Who wants to talk to me anyway?

I do see some positive effects. My family can post and we could keep in touch much better that way since most of them never call. I have about 40 people in my address book and IM so there is a group to tap into. Of course, this assumes that they want to put messages here.

Then there is this little forum I am participating in at the moment. Involves history regarding the French Revolution, more specifically Marie Antoinette. Do you know there are people out there who actual dream of this dead queen? I suspect some of them have little altars to her. Really. And some of them can get quite hostile when you tread on their little queen. Do it anyway. It makes the site so much more interesting.

Visit it if you like history, like Marie Antoinette, or you want to read my post. If you are interested in joining the fray,contact Axel, the moderator. He is always looking for new members to add a bit of spice. The address is in the links section. Tell him Dixie Girl sent you.

My posting has been fun and there are some very nice people with lots of smarts participating. It has allowed me free rein of my sarcasm and writing. Both of which need work! Axel keeps asking for more so I guess it is ... well, good seems a bit arrogant of me.

Mike is coming home for the holiday. He and Gina will be home on Tuesday night. I will be so glad to see them. Mike has called nearly every day to say he is coming home in x days. Driving us crazy but I understand he is excited. We will be 6 for Turkey day.

David will be here but Becca has to work a double shift at the nursing home and so may not make it. Phyllis, my sis, will be here, too. We all plan on playing Clue, and Uno, and Twister and anything else we can think up. We love playing games on holidays.

The boys and I always did that when they were growning up. Jerry would usually be watching the games on television and the boys and I and Phyllis would be playing board games. The girls they married seem to like the tradition and now everyone wants to play games on holidays. I am glad. It is good quality time and everyone has fun.

I may not post again for another week but if you stop in please add a post to let me know you were here. Like I said, this is new territory and I am discovering what I can do with it. Check out the website and read the stories on the last page. I am nearly done with an update and soon there will be more.

Later.

Dixie Girl

Monday, November 14, 2005

Getting Started

I am so new at this. Just set this up on the spur of the moment. It is 1 a.m. and I have to be at work by 8 a.m. I have to stop this late night stuff!
Why in the world do I need a blog? I will be back to spruce it up when I am not drooping over the keyboard and can see straight.
I don't know how long this will last... What could I possibly have to say?
Visit my website. www.cindysplace.4t.com Far more interesting. An update is coming soon.