I had a great relaxing weekend with my kitties. Well Monday anyway. I was busy Saturday and Sunday but today I decided to do NOTHING! I have another two busy weeks ahead of me so I needed to just sleep in and relax today. I did.
My sister wanted me to come over and BBQ hamburgers, but I really didn't feel like doing anything at all. Well she tried to make me feel guilty (this is what she does best, just ask her daughter) hehehe but it didn't work. I felt bad for a while but not long. Sorry Mary Lou!
I woke up at 7:30 and went back to sleep and got up at 10:00. I fed the cats and made my bed and sat down and did some crocheting. I needed something at the store so I had to put my bra on, dangit! I came home and lay down on my bed to read and woke up two hours later. I sat down to do more crocheting and the phone rang, and it was over on the table. Thinking it was mary Lou, I grunted and dropped the stuff that was on my lap and picked up the phone noticing it was 'out of area', so I yelled HELLO! a guy on the other end said Mr. Brett? Now that really pissed me off! I am WOMAN! I have a low voice and people call me sir on the phone all the time! I yelled WHO IS THIS?? I heard a stammer a stutter and a wimper and a click. HEHEHEHEHE I think I intimidated a telemarketer!! So what, my space was invaded and I didn't feel like being nice at that moment. Hmmm, maybe I better take another nap after that, it drained my energy!
Happy Monday!!

"Sometimes I think war is God's way of teaching us geography."
--Paul Rodriguez

Memorial Day is this Monday.

People get excited about a three day weekend, and hot dogs and potato salad, camping and all sorts of fun with family and friends. But let's not forget the real reason for this day:

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

I have a tear in my heart for all those who have given their lives for our Country.

Most of them very young men (& women) who have gone to war for our freedom!
I am very very thankful for them and appreciate my freedom.
Let's not forget there is still a war going on and still have people dying.

God protect our troops and bring them home safely!

My heart goes out to the families that have lost a loved one in any war!
I can only imagine the horror of recieving the horrible news!

Another Saturday on Whidbey!

I called my sister at 9:30 this morning and asked if she wanted to go shopping. I just wanted to go to Costco and another shop then home. She had a migraine and really didn't want to go, but I talked her into it. I told her it was probably withdrawal from caffeine as she hasn't had coffee for a few days because her kitchen is torn apart. We stopped at a coffee shop on the way to Mount Vernon and a few miles down the road she said her headache was lessening. It must've been the coffee.
We shopped for an hour and a half...well let me re-phrase that, I shopped for an hour and a half. She was outside waiting for me for a half an hour.

We were driving and she was talking about her dog Sadie. She was telling me that Sadie was barking at the squirrells, "YIP YIP YIP YIP" but the coyote bark is more "Grrrrryap grrrrryap grrrryap" but she can tell if there is a cat around too, it is "yipyap yipyap yipyap" I turned and looked at her in a weird way and she stopped her yipping, and I said "Oh, Mary Lou, you must get out more often and mix with humans more"!! We laughed 'til we cried on that one.

OH!!! Then there was lunch! I missed the turn off to the place we wanted to go, so we stopped at the Casino to have lunch. I ordered prime rib dip, and she ordered a seafood Louie (salad for all you Easterners). She took her first bite then yelped and had tears in her eyes. I asked what happened, and she cried
"I bit the G--Dam--d sore in my G--Dam--d mouth"!! Ohhhhh, kay!
A few bites later I heard her cussing again and looked over. She dribbled ranch dressing on her boob. I went on eating and heard her cuss again. I looked over and she was wiping dressing off her blouse again! We giggled after that and continued eating. I looked over and saw she had dribbled ranch on her blouse again, but there was now way in hell that I was going to tell her!! NOPE not ME!! Well she went to wipe her mouth and rubbed her blouse while doing that, and felt the wetness of the ranch. My eyes about popped out of my head waiting for the eruption. She started to cuss again and I was so nervous I started giggling then we both broke into hysterical laughter. The waitress came over to see what was so fun at our table, and we just said "Oh nothing"!! Mary Lou's salad wasn't good at all but my prime rib dip was great! And I didn't get a spot on me! Which is a miracle in it's own.

We got home and she drove away and I was unloading my car when the phone rang. All I could hear was her saying get your camera and get over to Wanamaker road now! I grabbed my camera and took off. I got there and she was gone already but I saw about 6 Eagles sitting in the field where they had just mowed. The Eagles were just sitting there looking for baby rabbitts or field mice. I took a few photos and drove off, and a mile away I saw about 6 more Eagles sitting in another just mowed field. One flew off and landed in a tree by the intersection and I drove over to follow it. I turned down the road and a few minutes later a gal walked towards my car. I recognized her as the caretaker that took care of my friend Stu Corey that just died. I told her I was heading for Church in Oak Harbor if she wanted to go. She looked at me and said 'yes". Later in Church she looked over at me and said "you know, I was walking and talking with God and asked Him to hit me in the head, and then I saw you drive up, then you asked me to go to Church". She has come to our Church a few times with Stu, but that was it. I think I was used as a piece of the puzzle from God! What a great feeling that is!
Well I must get ready for bed as it is 11:00 pm already! Yes, I sure make use of every minute in the day!! And enjoy every minute!!

"Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant??
I'm halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God . . . I could be eating a slow learner." --Lynda Montgomery

Elliott has no class at all!
I haven't posted since Monday night, so I thought I'd better do SOMETHING!
Well I have nothing to say. I have been super busy at work and I come home pooped and brain dead. So I think I'll share this cute joke email I got today:

The new Supermarket near our house has an automatic mister to keep the produce fresh.
Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of a thunderstorm.

When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cackle.

So far I have been too afraid to go down the toilet paper aisle.

Have a great weekend!!

When I die, I want to die like my grandfather - - who died
peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like all the passengers in his car."
--Author Unknown

Monday Night

Whew, I had a close call tonight. I had to go to a meeting in a lady's house about the beautification of a small town around here and they wanted our input from transit about our bus stops.
The lady was a sweet little thing from England. My boss and I sat down at her dining room table then PLOP, right in front of my face, not 6 inches from my nose she was pouring a big glass of white wine!! I started to push it away and say no, but she pushed it right back and poured. The whiff hit my nostrils and my mouth started salivating! The little devil on my shoulder yelled "TAKE IT!!" the little angel jumped off my other shoulder and punched out the devil and pushed the wine glass away, then lay against it wiping his eyebrows! I said nicely, NO, I can't drink wine, I'm driving. She then asked if I wanted anything else, but I said no. there were two other ladies besides my boss and I, and they all sipped on their wine goblets for an hour! And they weren't even full!! GEEZE, at least fill the danged glass FULL!!
They would take a sip and then chatter and talk, then eat a cookie, then pick up the glass and put it to their mouth then stop and talk some more then put the wine up to their mouths again and talk. Then maybe, just maybe take a little sip to wet their lips and then put the glass down.
All during this time I wasn't hearing a danged thing they were talking about. There was a dialogue going on in my head. I just wanted to yell at the top of my lungs, "WILL YA DRINK THE DAMNED WINE AND QUIT TEASING YOURSELVES!!?? Then I wanted to grab a goblet and gulp it down and say "Here, like this"! Then grab the other goblets and drink them, then sit down and belch. Then continue on the conversation like nothing happened. But instead I just sat there and agreed with them and offered my side and listened to my boss and nibbled on a cookie then smile and nod again.
Whew! There are times like this that are really close calls. In 36 days I will have 19 continuous years of sobriety. Yikes, that seems a lifetime ago, but it is a daily struggle. Many many days go by that I don't think about it, but then there are days that I would just love to drink a really strong glass of schnapps or something to take away the tight knots in my shoulders and back.
I just got out of a hot bath and it relaxed me a bit. I need a two week vacation, that is for sure!
Maybe in a month or so.
G'nite all!

"The problem with the designated driver program, it's not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house." --Jeff Foxworthy

Mothers day

Well this is a rotten picture, but it shows that I gave Hannah a corsage and took her to lunch in Mount Vernon. We went to the Skgit Brewery. Six of us old recovering drunks going to a brewery for lunch! It was good though, and Hannah had a ball! It is hard being stuck in a nursing home day after day and not getting outside to see the sights. The bus picked us up and took us into Mount Vernon and back about 35 miles miles each way, so she had a ball! Going over the bridge and seeing the water, seeing Mount Baker in her glory. (It was a sunny day)!
Her son left a few days ago, and she was starving for good food! He starves her and nags at her to lose weight. Good grief, she is 90 years old. LET HER EAT fer Chrissakes!

When the lunch arrived I asked her to pose for a picture to show her son what she is eating now that he is gone! See that big sandwich arthur? See all that coleslaw with mayonnaise? HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE And she ate ALL of it, and then ordered a triple layered carrot cake and licked the plate, SO THERE!!! Boy am I busted if he reads my blog!! hehehe

I miss my mom.
She was my friend and drinking buddy when I was drinking.
She was talented, and artistic.
I miss calling her.
I miss asking her how to make a certain stitch in crocheting.
I hate that she died way too young!
I wish I could've convinced her to go to AA with me. She would've loved it.
But....she died and I accept that. She believed in Jesus, and I think she couldn't wait to leave this depressing world and go to heaven!
I hate that she was depressed!
I miss calling her and asking for a certain recipe!
I love her.
I miss my mom.
To all of you that still have your moms, CALL her! Tell her you love her. Tell her what she means to you. Let her know that she mattered to you!
My mom wasn't perfect, and God knows that she made a few mistakes, but she loved us kids. Thank you mom for being who you were, for being there for me whenever I needed you, for raising me to be who I am!
I love you!

Friday night

Ahhh, I love Fridays. I had a long busy week at work and today was a welcome sight!
I got off work at 4:00 and came home and took a nap, got up and had a tamale then went to my AA meeting.
The topic tonight was "Acceptance". Ah, acceptance! The Serenity Prayer is:
God, Grant me the Serenity
to Accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
It got me thinking, I have had a struggle accepting my health conditions and aging. I am not afraid of getting old, but I am afraid of not being able to do the things I enjoy as I get old. I drank my entire life up until I was 38 years old. When I sobered up I saw the world with new eyes, and was all excited about the things I saw!
First of all I left my husband. We were not the happy couple I wanted to be so I got selfish and left. I joined the fire department, became an EMT and worked on the ambulance and bartended. I applied for a bus driver job and got it, then I quit bartending (pretty stupid to bartend and go to AA meetings).
I bought a camper and discovered the enjoyment of camping. I loved gardening, and fishing.
Well my health started going downhill and I had to quit doing alot of the things I loved. Gardening was one of them. I have alot of allergies, and everytime I went outside I got sick, so now I have a landscaped gravel/lava rock yard. MUCH BETTER!
I can now enjoy sitting in my back yard. ( I accepted my allergies, and changed that). I don't camp as much because I hurt alot. Big time hurt. I am not accepting that as I should, but I am learning what I can do and not do to avoid the pain. Now I am accepting the fact that I have Diabetes, and am trying hard to eat right and NOT go back on insulin! I was on insulin for about 4 years and gained an enormous amount of weight. I quit insulin a year ago March and am keeping it under control. So I am accepting the fact that I have to eat different to live.
Actually I find it a challenge but it is ok. I am making lemonade with the lemons being tossed at me!
Generally I am a happy person. I love to laugh, therefore I laugh at about everything. I even liked that stupid song "Don't Worry...Be Happy"!
I am not stomping my feet and crying about not being able to do this or not eat that, I am changing the things I do and finding different ways to cook!

I am accepting God's plan! I find it easier to live my life when I hand my life over to God every night and tell him 'His will be done'. When I lived my life under MY will, I screwed it up royally, so now it is His will. Whew! Thank you God, I can just pray that my friends and family can find half the happiness I feel inside!!
Have a great weekend!!

"My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took
her out in the lake and threw her off the boat. I said,
'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim.'"
--Paula Poundstone

My sister was asking me if I knew of a good hairdresser that could give her a great look. She wants her hair highlighted and permed and cut. I just don't think highlights and perms go together. Last time I did that I got the fright wig from hell!!
But then she'd have to get it cut really short to have a style. Like a brillo pad maybe. Or this cute little Alpaca! Maybe it's his teeth that gives him the funny look? Any way, I love this picture!!
I am so glad it is Wednesday, actually by the time I get this done and go to bed it will be Thursday and then tomorrow will be Friday! Gee, see how fast time flies by?!

Advice for the day:
If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle:
"Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."
--Author Unknown

Monday coming...

Ah well the weekend is over and Monday is a wakeup away!!
Dang, but that went fast!
This picture of the rabbitt is so darned cute, I just had to post it! It came as an email with different photos.
Well yesterday was quite the day. I took Elliott to the Vet and the Vet told me it might be an allergy to his food and to change his food. I asked if it could be worms and he said not this time. He put Elliott on antibiotics, shaved the fur around his poopy butt, I paid the $58.00 and took the not so poopy cat home.
I get home in time for my small group meeting with my Church. Two gals showed up and when they were leaving one was petting Elliott and said, oooooh he has tape worms! Sure enough, a worm was crawling out his now shaved bare butt area!! Well the Vet was closed so I took a quick trip (2 gallons of $3.29 fuel)to Oak Harbor and got three ($15.00) worm pills!! So besides the Vet bill, add another $25.00 and that darling little character of a cat cost me $83.00 for his WORMS!! Gads, what a Saturday!
I washed my linens and blankets THREE times with HOT water just to make sure I got all that crap out! Washed me and my hair too!! We are clean today!!

Well I borrowed a smaller drum to carry with me so I can practice with that instead of lugging my big drum around. I am catching on, and I love it! The people in Church say they like it, so I am encouraged. We have been playing some old time gospel music with the other praise music, and that gets us all going! I love that stuff!! Very Inspirational!!
Well gotta get ready for another busy week ahead!
Hope everyone has a safe and great week!

NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2006 -
We know exactly where one cow with mad-cow disease is located among the millions and millions of cows in America...
but we haven't got a clue as to where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are located.
Maybe we should put the Department of Agriculture in charge of immigration!

What a wake up!!

What a way to wake up in the morning. I usually wake up to Elliott draping across my face and purring me awake. Or if that doesn't work he leaps off the windowsill onto my stomach making me wake up to OOOOMMMPPPPFFF!
Today I woke up to a scratching noise on my bed. I looked down and Elliott was scratching the covers, then he was scooting. UH-OH!! I leaped out of bed and took a closer look and he had poop all over himself and it got on the bed!! Uurrp! Then the stench hit me! YIKES!!! I started gagging and trying to clean him up at the same time tearing the sheets off the bed trying not to get any on me or anywhere else. I couldn't stop my retching sensation, and whenever I gagged, I dribbled. So priority one: Go to the bathroom!! Then I went back and got a closer look and it was on the pillow next to me, and a strip on the sheets. He was scooting across the sheets!!! CRIPESAROONEY What the......?? I came into the living room and there was scoot marks all over the floor! THANK GOD I have laminate floors and not a rug! Although I'm sure the rug would work better for him to wipe his butt, the floors are so much easier to pour bleach on and clean it up!! Anyway, after about 15 minutes of pulling sheets off the bed, running to the washer, gagging, wiping up the floor, gagging, back to the bedroom and finding more, gagging. I finally got it all cleaned up and called the vet. I take him in to get a check up and more than likely a worm shot in half an hour!! GAG!!
I have the weakest stomach in the world!! It was rather interesting when I worked on the ambulance, but that is another chapter altogether!!
So, how is your morning??
Oh....I cancelled my trip to the mountains. No way will I leave him alone with poop butt!!

Blessed are the flexible.......
for they shall not be bent out of shape.

Yesterday during my lunch hour I went to the National Day of Prayer celebration at our Courthouse steps. Pastors from different Churches (mostly evangelical)said prayers. The Mayor (one of my classmates) said a speech, Judge Hancock (one of my classmates) played the bagpipes, and the Pastor from Community Bible Church in Coupeville here played the drums (like mine only he has two). Our Pastor Terry said the Benediction. It was a well put together celebration. The Methodist Church played the bells for a few minutes then followed by silence for personal praying time followed by the public prayer then singing.

I then went back to work.
Tomorrow I have a day of nothing, then I go to Leavenworth in the mountains for a two day conference and home late Tuesday.
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone, and please, if you drink.....DON'T DRIVE!!
Thank you.

Good judgment comes from experience,
and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.