Awwww....Monday morning

Today at the local watering hole, the activity is picking up a bit.....we currently have a male and female duck waddling around...the male is busy courting the female.  He is trying to charm the daylights out of her...bobbing his head up/down..all the while chattering away...she seems unimpressed, but I think she's just playing a good game "hard to get"...lol

The summer months are coming to an end, soon the snow birds will be back...I'm looking forward to the cooler temperatures.  These last few days have been blistering with the humidity....blah!

I'll be putting on my boots and climbing on that bull I like to call Government, and ride em' tell they give me what "Eldest" needs for his independence....hopefully I wont be bucked off too soon....after my ride I'll be changing my gear, and putting on my clown suit to entertain the people at work....smiling thru the whole show!

Sunday Sayings...

ok, so I'm trying something different for Sunday Sayings...my blog & all...watch if you would like...I won't know...neither will anyone else....lol

Want to lift you spirits...go get some Cheezburger (s) ..cute pics you can upload your own, add captions...something different....I added the caption on this one...

On the home front...I'm finding the strength for another battle....regarding "Eldest"...

Having a special needs child, is a win some, lose some game. You have personal triumphs...these last a lifetime in your heart....The aches of climbing the hill for those achieves are all soon forgotten....when you add to those certain struggles, the "outside", political world in which your adult child must face...you must find the strength to NOT concede the war...

Here's a recent scenario...I have been pumping, cheering, manipulating and yes bribing "Eldest" to achieve independence... A battle that I greatly have accepted from our Heavenly leader.... the personal triumphs I speak of, when you are given the reward of understanding, "readiness", and trust from your child to go forth into the world of living....We recently celebrated a victory of riding the Public transportation special needs bus...It was a long battle with "Eldest" to achieve this reward....

I attempted fate again the other day..."Eldest" wanted to see his friends, and ride the transit system again....Yes, victory...when I was dialing the number, I was explaining to him, that he must now make arrangements in the future, (another step towards independence)...as I was making his reservation, the operator told me he DOES NOT qualify for this transportation, due to the fact it was not medically needed....they should NOT have given him transportation last week...

To say the wind was knock out of me would be an understatement....

as I stated earlier having a special needs child, is a win some, lose some game. I must yet AGAIN, find my inner strength to do yet ANOTHER battle with the outside world...all the while, pumping, cheering, manipulating, and yes, bribing "Eldest" towards independence.....I will win you can bet the ponies on that, but to find the strength...here lays the problem...

This recipe probably has enough protein as a main meal, but if you want to have it as a side, I recommend serving with grilled chicken breast.

Bean, Tomato & Pepper Salad

• 1 medium yellow pepper, seeded
• 1 Pt. cherry tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp. Seasoning (your favorite, garlic, dry red peppers, salt...etc)
• 1 can Cannellini (white) beans
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1/4 c Italian parsley, minced
• vegetable oil spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Drain and rinse the cannellini beans.
3. Spray roasting pan with vegetable oil spray.
4. Cut peppers into thin strips and combine with tomatoes, seasoning blend, and 1 Tbsp olive oil.
5. Roast vegetables for 25 minutes, remove from heat and place in bowl.
6. Add beans and remaining olive oil.
7. Toss and serve at room temperature.

Trifling Tuesday..on Thursday...

According to a British law passed in 1845, attempting to commit suicide was a capital offense. Offenders could be hanged for trying.  no comment...

It is against the law to whale hunt in Oklahoma.  ...so glad the whales are safe in the vast waters of this state...hum?

In Pocatello, Idaho, a law passed in 1912 provided that "The carrying of concealed weapons is forbidden, unless same are exhibited to public view...huh?

Wyoming - No photos of live or dead rabbits allowed........what about the Jackalope?.....

Ok, so you noticed I posted Trifling Tuesday  today....I had a mini break down on Tues...we wont go into it....thx for all the loving comments...this too shall pass...Just how long it will take????

What makes it so painful is, I always had it together...mentally....or at least I thought....lol...I would only on rare occasions cry....as a matter of fact one friend thought I was tooo hard...(lets not reminisce) but at our recent high school reunion, she commented on how soft I have become, and that I need to toughen up...lol...Oi...

On the home front...the "boys" would always come to me to get things done, arrange this, plan that...need this...now...my brain feels of mooch....I need to start practicing my crosswords again...lol...like that will keep me stable....I'm sure I will find my comfort zone again...I just "wish" it would hurry up and get here.....

Tissue anyone?.....

 

 

I'm not sure what's worse/better "sweating" or "crying".......Oi

Hubby is "walking" tenderly around, giving me space, can you blame him?

Each time I turn around I burst into a stream of water...Yes, I'm supplementing the heck out of myself, but the ebbs of menopause thrust themselves ahead....

Yesterday, C-boi called, as we're going thru a few "to-do" items, I start crying all over again, he's like "Ma!, whatz up?" You gone crazy?....lol.. 

I'm attempting to tell him, I'm ok...then I'm sorry I'm crying, which made it worse...I start crying harder...now, I can't even speak...I hear, got to go...poor guy, his mother has gone over the edge..

Poor eldest had a to bear witness to all this blunder....This morning when he awoke, he says....Are you going to start that crying again today? cuz I dont need that again...

I wasn't planning on it, but since you mentioned it......

Sunday Sayings....

 

 

It's so beautifully arranged on the plate; you know someone's fingers have been all over it.   Julia Child 1912 - 2004

The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.  U.S. President Andrew Jackson  1767 - 1845

Friends  or family coming over...serves these...quick & easy munchies...

Ham wrapped Oysters

3 Tbs prepared horseradish

1/2 # deli ham slices cut into strips 3 x 1 x 1/4

oysters, fresh or canned

3 Tbs butter melted

1tbs lemon juice

pinch of garlic salt

Spread horseradish on 1 side of ham strips.  Place an oyster on strip, roll up and secure with wooden pick.  Arrange on broiler pan.  Combine butter, lemon juice and garlic.  Brush onto oysters.  Broil for 8 - 12 minutes.  Serve warm appetizer.

Quick Cheese Spread

1 pkg Cream Cheese

drizzle Kikomann's Teriyaki Glaze over top  of cheese, sprinkle sesame seeds, serve with crackers.

I had a restful 3 days off...I barely did the laundry, very minimal house cleaning.  Eldest & Hubby enjoyed a family cooked meal, 3 nights in a row...how spoiling...lol 

On Fri I remember I was "itchin" to go, and play or do something......I just "itched" myself right into a book...I stayed with the book on Sat too...lol   Aw, the excitement.....

Throw your penny thought in....Here's to "Wishing" for your turn.....

 

 

Good beach day...what next?

 

We had a wonderful time at the beach yesterday....now what to do today?

I love to enjoy the water, sun, people watching always fascinates me as well...

One family of four, parents with teen children arrived, laid out all the same chairs, towels, 2 identical umbrellas sat together neatly in a row....I thought it a little funny...very organized...next a leather tanned salt, had his lounge chair, cooler, backpack and that was all...he was a "regular" obvious in appearance and lingo, another "regular" showed up later, while both single each knew the other enough to carry on a polite conversation....to the other side of us, gma & gpa with kids & gkids...I spent most of my time watching them play together...they were building an extreme sand castle...their moot must have been 8 feet in diameter...the gkids just kept digging, & digging...

Eldest & I dipped our toes into the water Gulf waters, threw a football at each other, snacked on some grub, but made no attempt to build any sand castles.  I guess he sized up our competition and thought better....lol

I'm itching to do something today, just haven't put my finger on it yet...

throw your penny thought in...."wishing" for your turn....

 

No seconds for me....I'm stuffed

 

cute tag from Joyce

I need to fill the ocean with Calgon, and soak my bones......

so much going on with hubby, eldest, c-boi.....AWWWWWW

I thought when we were 1st married, raising our babies I was stressed.....NOPE!  I was only in training...I can't stand days, weeks like this....so my only solution is to chuck the whole mess, and run to the beach....THERAPY!

Eldest arrived home safely the other day...THANK YOU JESUS!  ....he enjoyed the bus ride, he enjoyed the group....but! he doest want to go again....the struggles of the special needs...

He was invited to join the gang on Fri for a movie...now I have to pump him up for that...jeez..He is one tough egg to crack...the highs & lows....not sure at this point if I'll get him on the bus again...one step forward, 10 back....

C-boi, college.....injury....enuff said...

Hubby....are there 48 hrs in a work day?????.....lol

My work, all the little chiefs are dancing around again, vying for position of Head Honcho....which none will receive...just in their imaginations....here's the scenario

I was bored the other night so I elected to write the next days break schedule out for the head cashier (hc)....I ran it by the (hc) that night...she was like whatever...ok, by me..

Next day....OH NO!!!!  how could I possibly do that!  I'm not a head cashier...only a (hc) can do that, why would I possibly...(fret, fret, fret...)

all this being said when I wasn't around mind you (by the very hc I talked it over with)...so when I arrived at work, another little chief opened her mouth...on what I was & wasnt "ALLOWED" to do!.....

I said K, fine by me...just doing you guys a favor...no biggie, but remember the next time any little Indian asks me to do a PO for invoice (real time consuming paperwork, only for head cashiers)....aint going to happen...that's ya'll thing!

She was like What??  oh, no you CAN do those...I said, hey I'm not here to do you guys any favors remember...I just was trying to help out,....keep busy....you know I do get PAID to work....so, you can let all the little chiefs know I will find other 'STUFF' to do in my spare time.....thus, why they are all dancing around again....

I'm sure when I arrive back in a couple of days, they will "RE-DIRECT" me as to what I am able, (capable) of doing...our manager will let them vent, then ask...hey if she's (me) helping you out what's the big deal???? 

I know the chiefs are worried about their position in the food chain...but we have had this talk a million times...no worries....the only difference in our jobs, are they have the freedom to move from behind the desk....Now, why the original (hc) had to get ugly....I have no idea...we might need to have lunch to discuss a few things....

now....which way to the beach????

Trifling Tuesday....

ALASKA
Illegal to wake a bear for the purpose of photography—although it is legal to shoot a sleeping bear. Huh?

NEBRASKA
Barbers are forbidden from shaving their customer’s chest. Sweeney Todd perhaps?

PENNSYLVANIA
Where you cannot fire a cannon at your wedding. Not a problem in the south...I think it's prerequisite.

VIRGINIA
It is forbidden to flip a coin in an eating establishment to determine who’ll pay for the coffee. Easier than flipping people...you think?

So it has been a trying day today...C-boi was injured again during football camp....this time he has thrown in the towel completely.... he is very upset knowing his football career is over, it's hard to not be with him and help him thru this trying time. His injury this time was his foot. They are not sure if it is a 3 degree sprain, or something to do with the tendons under his foot...either way he is wearing a boot. He was upset last night that he has let his team, coaches, friends and family down. We had to mend those concerns, while not fretting too much about his injury....Oi!

I know I'm grateful for football to be over, why we got him started is beyond me...He is meeting with his coaches, to determine what is best for them, the college...blah, blah...We know, he will stay in college, he just wont be an collegiate athlete anymore...An abundance of maturity has happened over night...He knows the best thing for him is to keep his nose in the books... His university has intramural sports, so if he feels the need to be athletic he can join the Fresbie golf team or whatever sport they offer..... (much safer...lol, not the same, but safer)

Eldest is attempting his independence today....Have I mentioned my nerves are shot???

Anyway, we have Eldest on a handicapped city bus, taking him to the local Independent Living Center & back home...They were late picking him up this morning, but Eldest held it together...I was very impressed with him...Usually, his anxiety gets the better of him, then we get behavior...not something I care to deal with, but it all worked out...After the driver arrived at our doorstep, I went with him this morning to check out the driver, ask some random questions...doing my mommy duty...he should be getting picked up again soon...so I'm starting to get a little jittery...it wont be the same driver, and Eldest is clueless on how to arrive home, so I have to put total faith in the unknown.....I know by the time Hubby gets home I'll be ready for sleeping pills, whiskey....and CALGON!!!

Ok, time to start a load of laundry, do some baking, clean the house...tackle my anxiety until Eldest arrives....

It seems as tho someone heard my plea for the 3 unruly children to be sent in a corner...Ana, Bill tho hurricanes, should be clear from coming in contact with SWFL...whew, hopefully they'll obey, and NOT become unruly.

Throw a penny thought into my "Wishing" well....

3 Unruly children.....

Ana, Bill & Claudette....someone needs to have these 3 sit in the corner for a time out...

Sunday Sayings...

 

Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains.  William Penn 1644 - 1718

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.  Margaret Thatcher 1925 -

Smoked Sausage Stew

1# Smoked sausage  - sliced or diced

1/2# bacon

trinity  - onion, carrots, celery...diced

1 cn onion soup

1 16 oz can whole tomatoes

2 c. potatoes - cubed

1/2 t Worcestershire sauce

15 oz can corn drained & reserve liquid

1/4 c flour

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage & bacon until brown,  saute in trinity, add onion soup, tomatoes, potatoes, Worcestershire sauce and corn.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.  Mix reserved corn liquid & flour together, gradually add to stew thicken as desired...

Serve with yummy  warm french bread...

What a bummer....

 

Another beautiful day at our local watering hole.  Not much action going on tho, we have on occasion a head pop up to said hello...there are several turtles in our lake.

I did not get my nails done, yesterday.  The salon is under "stressful" times...the owner is fighting with her husband and doesn't "feel" like going to work.....there are only 2 full time nail tech she & another gal...when I made my appointment yesterday all was fine for later afternoon.  I get a call around 1 saying, can we change the date & time...I was ok, but when I asked the "new" girl why she said she had to go to the beauty academy.  She just graduated and was packing up her things, and receiving her license....She said she was thrilled that I had made an appointment with her, cuz she hadn't done an actually customer yet....lol  (Alarms are going off in my head)...I tell her that I should probably cancel the appointment,  cuz I thought I made appointment with the other technicians.  She tried her hardest to get me to come in, but I wasnt brave enough, plus she admitted my particular fill was difficult...I have no idea why that is....I usually change nail colors...Oi! 

So I guess my mission today, if I "wish" to accept it,  is to find another salon...Hopefully the owner of my regular salon will get her act together...since she has decided not to come to work, she has left all the appointments to the other tech...The new girl was just helping with minor stuff, but now is ready to take the bull by the horns...

I've made a mess with the changing banks...I have to balance all statements, we are still waiting for checks, debt cards...the bills are waiting too...why did I add more work for myself again???....

"Wishing" I could go to the pool today....

I don't want to talk about it....

 

Cboi ( new name.. he's maturing)...Is back in Collegeville USA.....nuff said...lol

If your interested, he actually got all his crud....STUFFED into his Jeep...including the RECLINER, but did I take any pics???? Oi!

Eldest  & I plan on something today...just not sure what...I think I'll go shopping...I do have to return a couple of shirts at JCP...I actually have to get a smaller size...UNBELEIVABLE!  Maybe we can hit the Goodwill too...and I have a nail appt.....

My life is soooooo exciting....aint it????

Its.....TRIFLING TUESDAY.......

 

Until the law was repealed in 2004 bars in South Carolina were only allowed to serve liquor out of tiny bottles.....whew, glad we've moved pass this law....

In Newport Rhodes Island -  it's illegal to smoke a pipe after sunset....very important....

Alabama - It's illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church... you kidding me..right?...

Switzerland - It's illegal to flush the toilet after 10 pm....this would be a problem in our house....

Denmark - No one may start a car while someone is underneath the vehicle....hum?!?

Oh, I  just love looking at the "critters" on the webcam(s) located on my sidebar...If you haven't had the chance to check them out, you should...not the same as in person, but hey...close enough!

While on vacation we were "reacquainted"  with our littlest niece...here's my favorite pic....

 

 

She's a pistol..."eldest" became her human toy...He LOVED playing with her....We miss ya kido!

Well, we changed banks yesterday...bookkeeping should be fun this month...with 16 accounts to manage... (cant close the others until all entries are entered...) CALGON!!!!!!!

 

"C-boy" says he is getting ready for his road trip,...all I see are clothes, boxes, crud all over this house....how he thinks everything will fit into his vehicle??? He's trying to pack a recliner too! Oi!

We had the best lunch yesterday...Chili's serves 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, 1 dessert for 20.oo... what a deal..Since all 4 of us went we ordered (2)..We were stuffed to the gills...the only item we finished was dessert...You can't leave a dessert at the table..and why bother taking it home...I'm sure it's illegal...lol... We were so full all afternoon, I didn't have to prepare a dinner...YIPPY!

I have the day off...so I need to get busy with cleaning, shopping, packing...bookkeeping...maybe, maybe pool time can fit in...(DOUBTFUL).....

Put your penny thought into my "Wishing" well....Here's to "Wishing for your turn"........

 

Sunday Sayings.....

Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.   Karl Barth 1886 - 1968

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.      Oswald Chambers 1874 - 1917

 

Serve a little Florida tonight for dinner.....try this recipe...yummy!

Shrimp Tacos with Citrus avocado salsa...Back to the Basics Key West blend

I'm starting to "tear" up again....Cboy has started to drrrrrag his stuff out of his room..he's preparing for his "road trip" back to college...blah....he has to report early for football camp...He has mixed emotions about that....2 a days are not fun....One of my main gripes about college life...is the PAPERWORK....mounds of the stuff...it never ends....

I'm looking forward to "regaining" some sq footage back...It seems as tho when "Cboy" arrives home, he takes up the entire house....lol

I've added a couple of new "gadgets" on my side bar...

I love looking at the animals so check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Web cam...all kinds of critters you can look at.. "Gatorland" fun eh?....Check out "Mingo" too...this site takes you to the Smithsonian Zoo...

now time to enjoy the Fl sun....

I've got saddle sores....

It was tough gettin' into the swing of things at work.....tho my buddies kept me humble, saying...You were gone????  I got caught up on the gossip, who's staying and surprising whom is leaving...

My administrative manager made a rather large boo boo on some paperwork...made my giggle cuz he showed he is human after all...he blamed me of course...heck, he had to blame (shame) someone....it was all in good fun...and they know I blow things at least 2 or 3 times a week...lol  As a matter of fact anytime someone errors we start calling it my name....too funny...I'm the one that started that trend...

Cloudy & overcast today not much of a chance I'll get to the pool...

We're counting down the days..."C-boy" going back to school...I'm NOT happy at all...I weep all the time ...sniff sniff, I'm starting to now...jeez!  I don't want to talk about it....

Hubby & his new job, keeps him away from us...drats...he's so sweet to stay awake for me when I arrive home, after my shift...(the only time we see each other)...the house is a wreck...I'll get it back together when "C-boy" leave...sniff, sniff...I dont want to talk about that I said....sniff, sniff....

I have to run down to the bank...I have a bill for .67 can you believe that...I called to have them waive it...and they said my name is not on our account.....AGAIN... I have got to change banks..... we have put my name on our account at least 4 times...they are driving me nuts...so I'm going to make the big move over to another bank...I hate running into this .... too frequent for me... I'm the one in our family that does all the bookkeeping ....grrr..

so, pretty boring stuff...guess I should finish my java, get my rear in gear....

Ahhh, the untamed West.....

 

We're back from our trip....Whew!....traveling by air is getting harder.  I'm not "bouncing" back like I use to...for that matter I'm not "bouncing" back from a lot of things....lol

If you ever fly into Dallas & change terminals & gates...use Skylink....that was our saving grace....as a matter of fact one family saw us pick up our speed after departing from our previous flight, we were heading for the escalators...once inside the tram, the "mom" gave me a wink, then when the tram announce our gate...the mom said a silent here? I gave a nod in reply....by the time we approached our gate, it was boarding...whew!.....I did get to use the "lav" before taking our seats tho, we were the last group to board...whew!....

As most of you know I traveled to Colorado....30 yr high school reunion....had a blast...missing my voice, by the way if you find it please return it to me....it's been missing for several days now... I have not seen most of these folks in 10 years, (since the last reunion)...what made it hysterical for me was the fact everyone kept commenting how "Everyone looks great".....I held my tongue...thinking, this is what we have become .....OLDER.....pat00wy!

We all know how the harmonies have been effecting my life....so the 1st night as I walked across the threshold, my eyes start to welt up...I was the "cryer"....I couldn't help it either....dang it....where's a hot flash when you need one....The room was full of "buddies"...the men looked better than the women (my opinion)...The women looked like they have been busy the last 10 years....raising a family, managing a spouse, "attending" work does seem to show a bit on us gals.....maybe by the next one, we'll improve....

I had not "planned" on closing a bar 2 nights in a row either....2am (4 my time) was late...Sat morn I had to awake early, because of an  "prearrange" (nothing to do with a high school reunion)...appointment....alas...I survived...barely...by the time Sun rolled around I had made camp on my folks couch,  I looked, felt, and seemed as if I was on a 3 day drinking binge...funny thing is I do not drink....just keeping up was the effort...lol...Sat night we hit the dance floor like teenagers....now that was hysterical...

I'll be FB'ing most of my buds....only a select few know I do this blog thing....not sure I want the "whole" world to know...lol

The vaca was great....seeing family, was wonderful, sharing with friends, amazing....the Colorado Mountains....BEAUTIFUL!

SSSSOOOO Much

So much to talk about...post, stories...pics....but know this 30 HS reunions are not for the weak....lol...had a blast, good to be home with Hubby...but now I have to "restock" the frig....

More later