Friday, June 30, 2006

Tis Friday?

Yep, today is Friday and for many it is also the last day of work, as most plants and businesses take next week off for the 4th of July vacation. Somehow I have no Fridays in my weeks. Since Jerrell started working only 3½ days a week, every Friday is Saturday and Saturday is Saturday to me. He wonders why I get my days mixed up, I have no idea. Yes, HE has caused me to take my medicines on the wrong day and grocery shop once on the wrong day. Also, my not working plays a big role in my weeks I am sure. I really get sweaty when Jerrell's mom calls and ask me what day it is. Now I understand that a 90 year old woman could possibly get confused, but what excuse do I have? It has to be Jerrell. Since Jerrell is an only child, he checks by phone daily and goes to her house most every day. He is down there now mowing her yard and weed eating around the fenced in back yard. She always pulls weeds or something while he is mowing because she always wants to help. Up until just a few years ago, she could take the push mower and do the trim up where the riding mower cannot get. She is not able to do that now. She is a fair driver though, goes pretty much where and when she wants to. Her outtings are less now, other than going to church. She does visit a friend in the nursing home, go to the grocery store, pick up her medicines and get her hair fixed on Thursdays. She can and does do far more than I do. God has truly blessed that lady. We just try to never ask her how she is doing? If we didn't know better, we would swear it was a recording. Her reply is ALWAYS, "Just fine, they ain't nobody told me I wasn't" and then the sweet little grin. Oh it is getting old. Jerrell has made me promise never to ask her how she is doing. I took her to the junkyard one day last summer, told her to sit in the car while I went in to check on the part. Within 5 minutes, in she walks and of course she being old, one of the men says " and how are you today"? I cringed and out it came. That is why I wanted her to stay in the car. The moral of this story is that an only child should never marry an orphan. It just ain't fair.
Welp we got little Roxy a hair cut and decided to get her a "high and tight" for the summer. Her moustache was a like a sweeper, in the house it got all the dust bunnies and a few ufo's;
outside it got most anything from leaves to cobwebs to some kinda little berries hung in it. Then it got wet when she drank water and stiff after her nightly icecream. I was washing one end or the other every day. I think she knows she is missing something since she has always had a moustache, but she has a little short nose and I think she is the cutest and best dog on Holt Rd.
I admit she is a daddy's dog. He will be off for 10 days now and she liable to go into a grieving phase when he has to go back to work. Last night he said she was acting like she wanted to sleep with him....hehe......I said well take her, she will be fine with daddy. I laid a while and as usual couldn't go to sleep so I got up and stayed up for about an hour. I had laid the covers back when I got up so I sat down on the bed, reached for the covers and about came outta my jammers, I felt something warm and fuzzy. There was my sugarbugger in my bed. Hmmm, she cannot jump on or off either beds or go through closed doors, so this morning I asked Jerrell what happened. He said ahhhh she walked all over the bed for a few minutes, then came and sat on my head, so I got up and put her in the bed with you. Now this happened before I got up, within 30 minutes of going to bed and he said I was in the bed. I didn't hear his door open nor see or hear him put her on my bed and I wasn't asleep. We do indeed have some dsyfunctional things going on around at times. I may share some of the humorous ones sometime. Well my clicker has clucked, so until tomorrow, God Bless!

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Do ya'll like sweet taters?

I love a good ole sweet tater. Plus they say they are good for you. I am running late today so I am going to send along this to all my friends and loved ones. Just sit back and relax and enjoy these sweet taters I am sharing with you. Be sure and have your sound on! God Bless!!


To All The Sweet Taters In My Life! <<< click here

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

What a wonderful day!

Anyone that knows me, knows what happens to me lately, usually happen in the confines of my home. I am by choice a "home hermit". I know the ladies over at Belk think I have passed away. I used to go so much they knew me by name, although I primarily went on "sale days". I really had a nice friend in the shoe department; she would hold my size shoe in a shoe she knew I would like when it got down to the last of my size. Of course, she knew to only hold them on a good "sale day", otherwise I would not be there.
I have discovered the ease and simplicity of ordering online. I am now a regular LL Bean customer with my own card, as I like the idea of no tax and free shipping. LL Bean has some nice merchandise, BUT I only shop from their sale section online. I get the sale catalogs in the mail as well as non sale catalogs. My initial order was not a sale item. With LL Bean I can actually get a medium tall length (32") in my pants and no longer have to wear "high waters". I bought me a pair of medium tall kakis with the comfort waist and was very pleased. Also, they are delivered to your front door. I can actually make a purchase there cheaper than Belk, counting the gas to get over there, the sales tax and general aggravation in having to drive across town to East Albemarle, which is my least favorite secion of Albemarle. I have yet to go to the new Walmart which has been here for almost a year I think. Other than the pants, I have paid less on the other items that I have ordered than I could have at Belk best sale or Walmart. Luckily and more so, since I am notorious for bad luck, all my items have fit. The only problem I have had and will have to deal with this winter is a pair of boots I purchased. I am looking forward to wearing them in the winter. I missed getting them when they put them on sale the first time, so waited and sure nuf they put them on sale again. Within 3 days the boots were here. I sure liked the looks so I thought I would try them on and make sure they fit and were going to handle my now nerve damaged right foot that don't operate like the left one. Once on they felt great! I was half pleased. The problem I encountered was getting the boots on my feet. Getting them to drop into the heel on the bottom of the boot. With all my might I pulled and pulled. They were described as being "easy to put on" as they have elastic and velcro. My efforts were futile, so I had a thought, I went to the tool drawer and got the pliers and pulled them suckers on with one good pull. Now that should not be necessary! I will deal with that when the time comes, like maybe a washcloth folded to keep from having a plier imprint on the boots .
Grandma Claudia got some beach pictures today of Caroline. She spent last week at the beach and like her mom, she loved the water. The water would splash on her and she would just chuckle. She, along with her mom and dad will enjoy the new pool they are having put in. The concrete should be poured this week, so they will be finished with it in time for all of them to enjoy it all summer. Please look in Moo's Pictures of little Caroline wearing her very own little sunglasses. Absolutely precious! Until whenever. God Bless!

Monday, June 26, 2006

Yesterday and today


Yesterday was a good day. We had an early morning call from my brother, Ron, saying he and Michelle were going to ride up from South Carolina to visit with us. I always have a warm feeling and look forward to seeing Ron and Michelle. Ron and I are closer now than we have been in 40 years and for that I thank the good Lord! Although, after their departure, my mind began twirling. I was left in confusion. I have so many unanswered questions and no one left to answer them. Have I been wrong all these years or could we both be right? Ron and I see things differently. I respect his opinions and understand them. I also respect mine and understand them. I was still sitting on my "thinking stool" as I call it at mighnight. I finally gave up and went on to bed. I was awakened at 3:00 a.m. with not an unusual angina attack. I take me two nitros and finally get up and sit once again on "my thinking" stool until I got pain relieved enough to go back to bed at 4:00 a.m. Little Roxy gets Moo up at 8:30. Having said that. I have concluded my relationship with my brother Ron is far more important than the unanswered questions I have about my past. He told me he was the happiest he had ever been in his life. What more could a sister want for a brother. He is a special brother, because we survived, despite many obstacles, we had to overcome alone. Other than my family, Ron is the most important person to me. Thank you Lord for allowing Ron to have this little bratty sister. Thank you Michelle for making him the happiest he has ever been. You are the best sister in law I could ask for.
God Bless!

Friday, June 23, 2006

§ Why I like to blog §

Tomorrow will be two weeks since I started my blog. I have throughly enjoyed working with it. I like the freedom of being able to express myself. I also enjoy chatting on mIRC. You can talk in real time and make "keeper friends". My channel happens to be a family channel with strict rules; teaching newbies to mIRC and nothing makes me feel better than being able to teach someone something new and enjoy their excitement with them. I tortured myself with message boards and forums from June of last year until December. They remind me of when I was in the 8th grade and would "pass notes". I can remember clearly I passed a note, isle over isle, to George. The note said: "I like you, do you like me?" Not long the note was passed back and I eagerly opened it and it said: "No, I like Glenda". SILLY. That is the same with message boards in a way. Little messages are sent back and forth. The difference being, not all, but most thrive on arguing and worshipping anything from GTO's to cable news anchors and are obsessed with harassing people. Also, some posters, but not all, have the mentality of a rock. Message boards work well for non- typers or as I call them, "peckers", but that is just not my idea of fun. I don't call following the owner's rules as they make them up along the way fun. I just prefer not to belong to a cult message board. So glad that is in my past and I can quit wasting my time, although time is about all I have now and no guarantee of that.
With a blog, you are free to express yourself without someone jumping on every little word and struggling to type a nice reply. Enough said !
It has been extremely hot here today. 96° is HOT to me. I have been outside once and that was to run to the grocery store.
As they say, short, sweet and to the point today. Until later.
God Bless!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Reminder

My comments settings have be enabled to allow anonymous comments to be made. All comments are welcome! Thank you. God Bless!

My lucky day...and blogging

I am thankful for another day and Uncle Sam. My little check was deposited last night, so I hurried to the bank this morning to get my "wad". I was anxious to get to the dentist office and pay that bill off. The little lady looked surprised when I walked in. I don't know if it is because she is so little and I am very tall and I intimidate her or what. After the shocked look when I told her I wanted to pay this bill off, she proceeded to anxiously take my money. I walked out leaving that place in the sea of forgetfullness.
On my way to run a few more errands, I stopped at my usual cigarette buying place and noticed a lot of cars there. Having a one track mind, I proceeded in, bought my carton and got back in my car. Then and only then did it hit me, hmmmm, maybe gas prices have dropped, so I looked and sure nuf it had dropped 30¢ on the gallon so I continue to Richfield to get my Prilosec. Of course my little red needle is pushing Empty. I am one of "those" SUV drivers, but I only get gas when I have to, whether it is $2.69 or $9.99 a gallon. I ran my a/c and continued on to Richfield. Luckily, their Prilosec was on sale. So with a scatch off card from CVS I had $3.00 off and I also had a $1.00 coupon so I was delighted! I was headed home and actually had a productive thought. I will just ride on down to my regular gassing place and get some gas. It was the first time I had seen the pay inside before pumping sign, but I am tall enough I just waved at Juanita over the SUV and she turned the pump on. I felt good. I had a half a tank of gas which is usually the norm for me.
I would like to share some "comments" from some of my readers that I have received in email form as my blog will not take anonymous comments.


I GREW UP ON THE SAME STREET AS CLAUDIA HALL BUNTING. SHE IS A WONDERFULLY CLASSY LADY WHOM I AM PRIVILEGED AND PLEASED TO CALL MY FRIEND.
Thanks for the nice compliments.
Love your writing.BOB HARRIS"VOICE OF THE BLUE DEVILS"


Thank you Bob. I might add that Bob has been the "Voice of the blue devils" at Duke University for 30 years and also was inducted into the North Carolina Broadcaster's Sport's Hall of Fame .
We, the county and City of Albemarle, are proud of Bob. [:¬ )

Claudia, you really have done a great job on this; keep it up! It does appear to be theraputic as all diaries are. I didn't know you could do this stuff. I won't even attempt it. M and I were hoping to go to Albemarle last weekend but we went to Mr. Harris's for Father's Day. Maybe next week or the following. WE love you! Ron and Michelle----


This was from my wonderful "older" brother Ron and his precious wife Michelle. Ron and I have decided I am not just dumb, but had ADD when I was younger as I could never concentrate well. Although I did make it through 2 years of college and then on the insistance of my brother I went to a business college. I enjoyed all my times at college, most of which was extra curricular activities :P~ I am what you call "the black sheep of the family". I didn't learn to type at the business school. I learned it on the job with the Stanly News and Press as a typesetter. You sit and type for 8 hours, you will learn to type. Thanks brother and Michelle for your encouragement. I also proofread some at the press brother, so I did correct one word. Love you!

Good Site Claudia, Nice Bio.I liked reading it ... Great pictures of the Family ! and what a pretty baby Steph has ! Boy how times change everything.... A lot of good memories on Holt Rd..


This one is from Michael," my third son". He is a wonderful young man with a wonderful wife Carrie and two precious daughters. After working as a 911 dispatcher for I think 9 or 10 years, he got tired of being in the pit at the courthouse and is now a police officer with the city police department. You make me proud "Bo".



Hi, Claudia:
I started reading your blog, but unfortunately 1) I'm not feeling too hot lately (more about that later), & 2) you say comments are not to be self-serving. Gee, I'd love to ask if anyone who reads the comments knows of ANY WAY a wannabe writer can get an agent to read & critique his/her work without charging a reader's fee. I promise I'll try to finish reading it very soon. And I do hope your mouth feels a lot better by now.


This is from a great friend of mine in California who in her own right is indeed a writer. I ain't too smart so I really don't know what this comment means, but if I know Anita, she is possibly using constructive criticism which I welcome. Thank you my friend and I will email you shortly.



Thank you for sharing your website with me. I really enjoyed seeing you and your family. Nice looking man you married...real keeper...as you have done



This is from Polly Schinella from Maine. Polly and I have been friends for 9 years. I actually met her the day I got my computer and downloaded the program mIRC (Microsoft Internet Chat Relay). Out of the thousands and thousands of channels, I saw the perfect one for me, #mirc4dummies. Polly was a channel operator there and we talked daily along with many others. 6 months later I became a channel operator and proud to say I am still on their userlist today. Let me tell you. For true friendships, there is no time or distance. I love you Polly!

That's all Folks.
God Bless!






Wednesday, June 21, 2006

The morning after the night before

Yesterday is just that, in the past. I try to enjoy and make the best of each day I am given, but yesterday was not the norm. Sure I have been for dental work many, many times in my life, but nothing compared to my experience yesterday. If that tooth had not absessed I am here to tell you that I would still have that tooth in my next life. It took him longer and the most pulling and cracking just to remove the crown. After rejecting his offer of the crown bits to make a necklace charm, he got back to work. He took each of the 4 nerves out which was tolerable, but when I asked why was it hurting so bad he said oh, I am having to scrape the absess out. After 45 minutes of yanking and picking and cracking, he finished. I asked him why it was so hard to remove. He said the tooth was cracked which most likely caused the absess. That was a first for me. I had never had a shot in the roof of my mouth or had to have refills on the medicine before he could begin. Quite frankly, I think dentist have no mercy, to put someone through all I endured and then the little lady at the desk says the total is $277.00. He should have paid me! Since I have chosen to not worry about things I have no control over, smiled, dumped out all I had and that amount didn't exactly excite the little lady. I gave her $88. I really think she was wanting me to dump my change too. Anyways, if Uncle Sam is on time, come tomorrow I will go pay that little lady the remainder of my bill. I have always valued my good credit, but charges like this makes me want maybe at least one red flag on my credit report.
I ain't felt worth a toot today. Nothing worse than waking up with angina pain at 4:30 this morning, my dog a gagging and I get one of those nausea spells. Of course the dog came first, so I put her down and she headed to hunt her daddy. Jerrell does not get up until 5, so she came back and whined at his bedroom door. I eased off and went back to sleep.
I cannot finish without thanking my fellow blogger, Sally Jennings, for all her help on my blog. She was kind enough to take the time to explain to me the way to email your blogs without going to the site. You do it through an invitation only email service. I have been reading her blog faithfully for over a year and I do not think she will mind my sharing her blog address with you. She has such informative blogs and I always get my coffee and hurry to her blog. Please check Sally's site out at MyThoughts and I am sure you will enjoy her blog as much as I have. Thanks Sally!
Until the next time. God Bless!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Starting out like another yesterday

I got up at 6:00 this morning so my motor would be running on enough cyclinders to be alert enough to get my tooth extracted today. I decided to post early today for fear of not feeling like it after the ordeal with Dr. Swann.
I came to the site earlier this morning and my counter showed 146 and now it shows 14. I will have to check and see if I inadvertently have it minusing instead of plusing, although I have not touched it since I coded it in.
Jerrell has started showing interest in my computer. Last night I was on the computer later than usual. He hollers from the den "ARE you still on that computer?" Yes, I reply, I am having a blog problem. Part of my bio is on my blog on the front page , so I am working on it.
I immediately lucked up and had it corrected. Then back to the den I go. "Do you realize how much time you spend on that computer?" Yep, sure do. " bet you spend at least 8 hours a day on that thing, maybe even 10." Nah, I don't stay on it that long, I am on and off it during the day. "If you had a job when you worked and had to work that many hours, you would be complaining about being overworked." If you didn't have a computer, what would you do during the day?" I would watch tv some and may clean up the house a little more. "That thing is going to break one day, then what are you going to do?" By this time I was too tard to answer back. Some folks have a savings account or stick backs for a rainy day, I have a stick back for compter repairs. I have been blessed with good credit so I won't worry about that right now.
I have had a computer since November of 1998. Jerrell never has been interested in learning. I tried encouraging him by telling him not to give up, that he would finally learn to make that mouse go where he wanted it to. He knows 3 things about a computer. He knows what a mouse is, the horror of the words, "I think I got a virus" and "welp my puter is down".
Anyone that blogs knows that a large part of a website is using codes. And you better remember what that code was and where it is or that edit buttom ain't worth a pee diddly squat. I managed to get my hit counter close to where I wanted it. I guess the more entries I make, the further down the page the counter will go.
I take very little seriously, so if I make a mistake I just take it on the chin and keep on keeping on.
Gee, I just looked at what time it is, I gotta program my brain now for the dentist. Until I return... God Bless!

Monday, June 19, 2006

Everything that could go wrong, DID today

I should have stayed in the bed this morning. I almost did. It was 20 til 9 when I heard the phone ring. I never try to get to the phone from the bedroom anymore because I cannot move fast enough to get to it before it quits ringing so I just quit trying.
I did go ahead and get up and I have been behind the entire day. Not that I do anything, but my biological clock is off. Lunch times gets here before I am hungry. Throws everything outta kilter.
I come to the blog and see something here that is not suppose to be here. I wish I knew how I apparently made that mistake because I had tried all last week to get it to do something at that very spot, but totally different than what appeared there today. Not even close. It is gone now. What I did musta worked. Will wait until tomorrow and see if it reappears. So bear with me. I am new at this and frankly doubt I learn very much, very fast. Most of my learnings have always been the hard way so why should it change now. I figured I best blog today as tomorrow morning I get a crowned tooth pulled and I may or may not feel like looking at this computer. Oral surgeons have been known to cut teeth out. Oh well, I was always game for experiencing something at least one time!
I had a wonderful Father's Day. Jeff was home. Mrs. Bunting came by and we just had a good time together. We always find a way to make each other laugh, I am getting to enjoy it. The older I get, the less serious things are. I no longer argue, I know longer cry. I live for the moment because it just could be my last.
I did make a couple boo boos today and I hope things will work out. That has become my middle name lately. I think I know what it is; so my advice for anyone would be, to never try to wean off any medication and buy and try to break in a pair of Rainbow sandals at the same time. It totally changes your actions or lack of. Be sure you have plenty of bandaids. Also, use them before you get the blisters!
I am tard. I will go easy on myself tonight. Keep ya phingers crossed for me as I endure the tooth pulling tomorrow. Until whenever. God Bless!!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Remembering the daddy I never knew

Staff Sgt. Claude R. Hall, 29, was killed by a hit and run driver on September 18, 1943 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I was there that day, but I was not aware.

Daddy,
I was there with mama and your two- year- old son Ronald Dean, that day, but I was not aware. I was on the train with you, mama and Ronald Dean on that long trip home, but I was not aware. You know how stubborn mama was and can imagine what she said when told she could not ride in the train car that carried your body. Oh, she was there right by your side the entire way to Salisbury. I went to the cemetery last weekend and I ran my fingers across the words on your tombstone that mama wanted inscribed on there. "He was a good soldier, a good husband and a good father". As you and she planned, mama named me after both of you. Claude Reuben Hall and Ruby Hall named their daughter, Claudia Ruby Hall. After you were gone your daddy or none of the Halls had anything to do with us except for your brother James and wonderful sister, Maie. Uncle James and Aunt Margaret bought us and helped us learn to ride our first bicycles. Aunt Maie and Uncle Watt kept us months at a time when mama would be in the hospital. They wouldn't let me work in the tobacco but made me try to milk a cow. Never got no milk out. In looking at some pictures daddy, I was an ugly baby, but had the thickest head of black hair. I became independent and stubborn just like mama and Ronald Dean became mama's little man. He called me Sister until I was 16 yrs old. I got mad at him and told him NOT to call me Sister anymore. He quit and I regret it to this day. He got aggravated with me a couple years ago and he said "You are just like your mama". Huh, I said to him, "Yes and I am proud of it". He shut up. She moved us around a lot, she was just lost without you. In fact we moved so much Ronald Dean had to repeat the first grade. After many moves mama bought a house in Ellerbe. Our first house with an inside bathroom, running water and even a furnace. Mama never did remarry. You had been gone only 10 years when mama had cancer surgery done at Duke University Hospital in 1953. All they had then daddy was radiation. Mama would catch the train at Hamlet and go to Walter Reed Army Hospital for treatments every so often. Other times, she would go to Ft. Bragg. You would have been proud of Ronald Dean. Although he was not old enough for driver's license, when mama was too sick to drive, he would drive by himself to Ft. Bragg to get mama her medicine. Mama was the strongest willed, most elegant lady I ever knew and she fought that dreaded disease until the good Lord said no more. Many said she would have made a good Philidelphia lawyer. She had Dr. Rankin in Ellerbe for a family doctor. I mowed his grass at his office and me and Ronald Dean both had paper routes to help mama out. She asked Dr. Rankin to tell her when she should go to Walter Reed because she didn't want to die at home. She knew it would be harder on us. When he told her time was near, she sent me to Bible camp in Southport. I remember leaving that morning to walk to the church to get on the bus. Mama knew she would never see me again but she never let on to me. Ronald Dean drove her to Hamlet to catch the train for her final trip to Walter Reed. Ronald Dean was 16 then and was still mama's little man. He remembers their goodbyes well. Zotus's daughter, Ruth, was a nurse at Walter Reed then. After losing 25 lbs, mama died in Ruth's arms on her 13th day there which was Wednesday, August 20, 1958 at 10:00 p.m. Mama was 46. I still treasure the last three letters mama wrote me, the writing was not good because she was so weak. The last letter written the night before she died, Ruth had to write it for mama. In her last letter she said she was so weak if she were a snake she couldn't make a shadow in muddy water. Mama's body arrived home on Friday at the train station in Hamlet and was buried beside you on Saturday. They let me pick out her dress. It was pink and she looked almost as pretty in death as she did in life. It was a rainy day and it was the first funeral procession I can remember ever being in. As we crossed the square, Claudine Phifer a policewoman and a family friend was standing with her hat off and her hand on her heart. Mama never would have been buried at your daddies church, but she wanted to be buried beside you, the husband she never forgot. Years later Jerrell and I removed the contrete border that surrounded your grave, united the two graves and spread new gravel and bordered it with slate rocks. We later removed the gravels and slate rocks, planted grass to help the mowers job easier. Ronald Dean and I wanted you together, not separated by a border of concrete. After that day all I had left was grandma, Ronald Dean and a pocketful of marbles. I was not classy like mama. I was a tomboy daddy and liked boy stuff, but later I became more lady like. I think you would be proud of me and Ronald Dean. We never did nothing we think would have disappointed you or mama. We still talk about you and miss you, but we also know that God knows best, but in our human way we often ask why. So daddy, mama joined you 15 years after you left. 29 and 46 was too young for both of you to go, but God surely had his reasons. Happy Father's Day Daddy.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Apologies necessary - Columns

Apologies necessary - Columns

I was raised on the same street as the "Voice of the Duke Blue Devils" Bob Harris. He is one of the nicest men you will ever meet who has blue blood. I agree with this column. Duke deservers better from the media.

Always behind

Sure I am a few days behind in posting to my blog. That is just one of my charateristics! I am at the age if I don't feel like doing something on a particular day, then I don't do it. I chose to have a blog so I could express myself day by day. Also, I have found it is good therapy for stress. I am burdened this morning. I read a blog of a person I do not know personally, nor really know her well at all, but her blog today touched my heart. She is a young lady with two precious daughters. The younger girl is having eye problems and I want to ask for prayers for this little girl. Our Lord hears our prayers and answers them according to his will. Please say a prayer for this little girl and her mom and sister. May God Bless them this day!
We went out for our usual Friday morning breakfast out. Our usual place closed down for a couple weeks because the manager was having some eye problems. Since she and I are friends, I called her and she said they hoped to open it up soon under new management. The new manager is super! But....last week my pancake was not nearly as good, nor do I like lumpy grits as I had today. My husband used to get their country ham as it is not as salty as most ham you get around here. Today his piece of ham was cut in half. The plates were smaller and servings were smaller as well. The regulars were not there. NO SMOKING sign now is on the front door. I always looked forward to the good fellowship, having my coffee and cigarette while I waited on our orders to be filled. The NO SMOKING is hurting their business, but they have their reasons and I certainly do not mind abiding by the rules. We have decided not to go back, not just because of the smoking situation, but overall meal was not as good and the cost of the meals had increased greatly.
My ex daughter- in- law, Stephanie, brought her 4 month old baby by to visit with me on Monday. Caroline is 4 months old and oh she is such a happy baby. Smiles all the time. Grandma Claudia got to hold her a while, well until my arms felt like spaghetti noodles and I said "Steph will you please take this baby, she is killing me". She weighs 15 pounds. Steph has two big dogs at home so Caroline took right to my small Roxy. Steph put her down with her little feet on her moms and Roxy is a kisser anyways and oh did she kiss little Caroline and she grinned from ear to ear. Her reaction time was so slow, she would raise her arm to pat Roxy and Roxy was already gone. She would turn her head and just could not keep Roxy in her eye sight. Roxy jumped up to kiss her and she just smiled, was not scared in the least.
That was a great day! This is my second visit with her. Steph has sent me pictures of her from the sonogram to the birth, then every 6 weeks and it is amazing to see how much they grow in such a short period of time. Stephs new husband is a very nice looking man and a great husband and father. Steph showed me pictures of her awesome home and showed me what was going to be in her back yard. YES, an inground swimming pool. Steph is a water duck. My son Jeff, her ex husband remain friends and talk weekly on the phone. He has met Steph's new husband and is going to meet Steph for lunch so he can see the baby. Jeff and Steph were married 6 years, but could not have children. She and David chose to go the IVF way and the first time they were lucky and now have Caroline. God Bless them. They are great parents.
I have clicked out for the day. Have much more happening, but will have to wait til another day.
God Bless!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that don't believe But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for my brother and my family. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it.
Unknown Author
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, June 10, 2006

My First Post

THIS is my first post. Tomorrow will be my oldest son's birthday.
I am in the process as we speak of cooking supper. My husband is grilling
steaks, I am cooking home made french fries to go along with the salad and
the garlic toast. This is one of my favorite meals, although my husband's
favorite is "my" fried flounder, which we had last Saturday night.
Today, as all days start up with my body running on 2 or 3 cyclinders and work
up to a near hum by mid afternoon. I am not a couch potato, but more of
a home hermit. I have lost the desire to go out only if it is a must. I do have
one joyful outlet once a week and that is going to the hairdresser. I always
leave with much laughter left behind. Laughter surely is good medicine.
I do not have my site finished nor do I care. I worked quite a while trying to
get my picture with my profile, but for some reason this site appears not
to work as all other sites I have posted pictures to. That will give me something
to ponder over tonight as I sit in my recliner and twiddle my thumbs. Until
tomorrow, good day. God Bless