Wheew!

We have a running joke here that whenever Jack goes to have the oil changed in the car by himself he trades it off for a newer one.  I was a little scared today as he went alone again.  I sent Darla a text at work that said "Warning, warning, Jack is going to go have the oil changed in the car by himself today."  She sent back the girls at the credit union were all laughing.  Well he managed to get it done without a new car but he had them do a complete check, flush, tired rotation etc. to the tune of $400.  Yuck.

Watched a little of the big Wedding.  I thought they really looked so happy with each other.  I loved that dress.  She did look like a princess, didn't she. 

It's a beautiful day here.  I only wish it would stay, but they claim it will be back to wet and yucky tomorrow.  Hope they're wrong.  I'm so ready for grilling and swinging on the swing, picnics, etc. 

Well better get going.  Have a load of towels to fold and it will be time to go pick up Nicole from school and take her home.  As she is an open enrollment kid there is no bus transportation. With her Mom  now working in another school district and her Dad finally found work, there is no other way for her to get home.

You all have a good rest of the day. 

Minus 1 Granny

We had our usual Granny's Night Out, but minus 1 granny.  Sherry didn't show up.  Must have been busy or maybe just tired.  I know that a 3 year old can be fun but they can wear you down.  So, we didn't solve all the problems of world without her input.  Just wouldn't be fair.  Maybe next week.

Isn't just awful the devastation going on with the weather?  I feel so bad for all those people and cities and what there having to deal with.  I know we are all praying for them and for their families.  Hopefully the weather patterns will settle down real soon.  I'm happy and grateful that you are all safe and well.

Went out yesterday to pick up a few things, and of course forgot the one thing I went after.  This 'old-timers' thing is for the birds.  Now another trip is necessary and with these gas prices it nuts.  Time to start writing down need things EVERY time we head out on errands.

Well the washer just stopped so better go switch those to the dryer and reload.  Such a never -ending cycle. I'll leave you with this thought by the wonderful Erma Bombeck;

"My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you? "

 

Not feeling it.

 Haven't been up to doing much of anything the last few days but seeing an upturn here.  Sat. I started getting a sore throat and my ears were aching.  Stuffy head and all that stuff.  Great way to spend Easter wasn't it.  Still a little stuffy but the rest is gone. 

My poor Nicole hurt her ankle during softball practice, learning to slide.  Says she's never going to slide again, lol.  Aunt Darla told her if it's done right "it won't hurt, (as much)".  Big help she was.  Darla explained to her how she learned to slide when in school.  The coach sat up two chairs in the gym with a broom across them.  Put a towel down on the floor and you went down on the towel and slid under.  If you didn't hit the broom, success.  Nicole isn't buying and still says she isn't going to slide.

I keep telling Jack he needs to find some new areas to aid in his photograpy learning.  The river is getting to be old stuff.  Then he comes up with something like this, that his teacher really liked.  See how much I know.

Jared and Darla are going to the Brewer game tonight, as he is on vacation and she has a half day of work.  I don't think she has ever been to the new Miller Park and I know she will enjoy it.  I did tell her to take out a loan, lol.  The price at ballparks are a little to steep if you ask me.  It does have a retractable roof so I doubt the weather will have much effect on the game.

Yesterday a crew went through the neighborhood, filling in the cracks in the blacktop roads.  Was a bit noisy but it didn't take too long.  My sister called and wondered what the heck they were doing besides making a mess.  She thinks it looks ugly.

This blog has become quite a hodgepodge of things.  Oh Well.  That's what happens when your off a few days.  It's wet here

  Everyone have a good day.



Bad Terry

I'm ashamed to say I didn't plan one single thing for Easter Sunday.  For some reason it's upon me already and I have no idea where my mind has been. It's not like I've been locked away from the world.  Commercials, stores etc. have all given a heads up.   Usually we have a big meal and egg hunt for the kids.  I guess all this nasty weather just didn't get me motivated.  I have a roast in the freezer, so it looks like I will be making that, but haven't set up anything with the kids.  I got my wake up call when my d-i-l called to see if we were doing anything.  So they are having her dad over which is good.  Her parents are divorced and he would have been alone.   (Head hung low in shame)  

Off the subject.  As we went by a school the other day I was thinking it should soon be time for kindergarten screening.  You know, where they bring the darlings in to see how smart they are before they start school.  I remembered one that happened when I was working there.  How it worked here was stations were set up with teachers asking questions (supplied by the states of course) of the kids.  Now I have no idea who comes up with these questions but here's how it went at one station I was working near.

Teacher; what color is a banana?

Child;  White

Teacher;  No that's wrong, it's yellow. (that's what the testmakers answer says)

Child;  No, the peel is yellow, the banana is White.

Sometimes the kids are smarter. 

Happy Easter Everyone!

This was a new one

wedding invitation that is.  At first I couldn't believe what I was reading.  Then I laughed. 

Front;

OOOPS...

Forgot The Darn Wedding!

Inside;

We have been so busy shacking up and having a baby, we had forgotten about the wedding.  To make up for this mishap, we have finally set the date to say I do!

I think I've seen it all now.  I guess you have to give it to them for their honesty.  They sure aren't hiding anything.  They are a very nice couple and the parents have been friends of the family for years.  Have watched the boys grow up to be successful young men.  Darla practically raised them from birth to school. This is the last one to get married. 

Not much going on today  Schools only have half a day so we get to pick up Nicole and bring her here to have lunch with us and Darla.  She's happy about that, as are we.  Danielle has a meeting afet her job at another schools district and will pick her up later.  So she's ours for awhile, Whoopee!

Going to take a trip to Menards to check the price of a hot water heater.  Will be tearing apart the bathroom soon and trying to get a handle on the cost of the things we want.

That should just about cover our day.  You all have a good one.  Oh, and the sun is shining for a while.

A Self-made Man

Let me tell you about my husband and why I'm so proud to be his wife.  But first  a little background.  Jack's mother, to me anyway, is not the most self-assured person, though as a young girl she seemed to be.  She left home an went all the way to Calif. on her own where she met a Marine and they decided to get married.  We even have the papers they filled out, but he was shipped out before it took place.  Though a few letters were received from him, he couldn't tell his where abouts, then they stopped coming.  Home to her family she came, pregnant and I'm sure feeling shame.  In those days you didn't do such things.  She gave him, his fathers name and raised him with the help of family until he was four when she married.

Now to the step-father and possible more reason for her lack of confidence.  Raymond was a big man, 6'2" or better and over 200lbs.  He was hard man and definitely didn't believe in sparing the rod.  Jack is a natural left-hander which would set Raymond off immediately.  One of those who believed the left hand was the sign of the devil.  He would beat Jack everytime he caught him using it.  Now I should say Jack didn't always help matters by reminding him at these times that he was NOT his father.  He beat Jack so bad one time a neighbor finally stepped in (you didn't do that back then either) and threaten give twice what he handed out to the boy.  Raymond was a lazy guy who always looked dirty and greasy to me. One that didn't hold down a job and they moved constantly, causing Jack to change schools often. He had to repeat both 1st and 2nd grades.  To make matters worse all Raymonds and Dolly's kids were girls.  He was so bad even his girls told their mother that if she didn't get rid of them they were leaving too. 

The Thanksgiving when Darla was 2 weeks old when tried the family thing on his side.  Now you must know Raymond made my skin crawl so this was quite the chore for me.  He picked up and held Darla and I had all I could do to keep my mouth shut.  The poor child suffered for this, because as soon as we were home I stripped her down, scrubbed her good, and burned the clothes she wore.  That tells what I thought of him.

When Jack finished the ninth grade he left home for the summer to stay with his grandmother and told his mother we wasn't ever coming back.  He didn't and I think she may have taken a few beathings herself for not forcing him too. The school he was going to was more geared to a kid planning on college and Jack knew he didn't have the resoursces or grades for that.  Though he was, by no means, lacking in intelligence.  So he left and went to school where I did, where he could learn skill that would help him get a job.  He learned printing (which is a lost art now) and of course there was auto-mechanics. 

We married after he graduated (I graduated a year earlier) which was 2 years later than he should have if they hadn't moved so much.  He was make $45 a week at a local print shop and I was working at the Admiral corp.  He went to tech school to learn welding and then he left the print shop and went to work for Beloit Corp. which made printing machines.  He worked his way into better jobs like fixing them for customers if something went wrong. 

There was an opening on the local fire dept. and he applied and got the job.  It was the job he loved the most and the one that gave him the the shaft.  The man he was stationed with was (to my way of thinking) was a snob.  If you didn't live in the right place you didn't belong and this man became Chief.  The township had to cut back at that time, closed one station and laid off 2 men.  Both were from our neighborhood and, of course Jack was one.  Did he let that keep him away? No, he stayed as a volunteer (paid-on-call now), and that man had to see him at every call.  Jack went to more schooling and became an EMT. 

But what did he do for regular employment?  He took a job as a custodian for the local school district.  The boss there saw potential and made him the district maintenance man.  That added to his schooling as he went and learned, plumbing, electrical, boiler maintenance, abestos removal, floor care etc.  He has degrees in each and every one.  A 3-ring binder full of them.  He eventually move to another school district with a retirement plan from which he finally retired.

He loved clowns and decided one hobby would be one and joined 'Cousin's Otto's Clown Ally', even recuiting Darla who was a 8 yr. old.  They marched in the Circus Parade in Milwaukee and she being so little was the one the kids weren't afraid of. 

We had 2 boys so he became a scout leader learning and teaching the skills they need.  This helping in his yearly trips with the science schools he still does.

This became a little long, but you can see why I feel so proud to be his wife and why my kids are so quick to let people know who their dad is and how much they love him. 

SNOW

Darn!  Woke up to snow all over the place.  Enough already.  I want to go outside and play.  Picnic tables are waiting patiently for me as is the lawn swing.  The flowers are begging for some warmth to show their pretty faces.  To top it off, the weatherman here this morning says their will be more tomorrow.   This child in me wants to stomp and cry, but I will behave.  Welllllll maybe. 

Why is it there is always someone that feels the need to be a spoiler.  A friend yesterday said their anniversary is coming up and she would like to have a party.  The problem is there is one family member who is a royal pain and some family may not come if he does.  She so wants all her kids and grandkids there but worries trouble will brew.  This is the kind of person who is  very judgmental and also thinks picking at people is a funny joke.  Another couple is celebrating also and suggested a combined party and whoever comes comes.  So far she is okay with that and hoping for the best. 

Forgetfullness has set in.  I have been meaning to take the posters for Jimmy's benefit to the Moose to be put up and have forget them two weeks in a row.  I even made sure they were right where I would have to see them when I left yesterday, and here they still sit.  This 'old-timers' stuff is for the birds.

Have a good day everyone. 

Gloomy Looking Saturday

Well good morning everyone.  Cold, foggy, and wet here today.  Had some rain yesterday and a little more called for today, but suppose to be dry tomorrow.  Though the temps aren't going to rise much.

Went shopping with my sister Jodi, yesterday.  She wanted a new laptop and Staples was having a sale.  She found one for $599 and when they addes the soft that no longer comes standard and the warranty (laptop screen repair costs as much as the whole thing) her $599 laptop was a little over $1200.  I always wanted one of my own but just not ready to part with the money right now.  Besides, Danielle insists that when I jump in the water I absolutely must go IMac.  What I found interesting was the lady that we were dealing with said Microsoft software (for things like Office, Microsoft Word, etc) hadn't been standard for over three years and she had been there for 6.  Well maybe she had, but I informed her my husband bought one just shy of 2 years ago at this store and the only thing he had to add if he wanted it was the upgrade for Windows 7.  She still insisted that wasn't possible.  Well we have the receipt and it sure was.    So with getting the added software installed and the Norton installed her cost skyrocketed pretty good.  I think I'll wait.  We have Jack's and can use that when we go camping etc.  I don't need it to sit in front of the tv and play as my pc  sits directly in line with it.

Jack is off to photography class this morning.  He keeps going back to that one class to refresh his learnin's.
The teacher has asked if our granddaughter Allie would model for them.  She hasn't replied yet. 

Well I'm off to check out the morning paper, a crossword puzzle and fb.  Most important will also be around to check on all of you. Have a good day.

It Did It AGAIN!

Yes, the WiFi went out again.  After spending last Friday without it all day things were going along smoothly with the new plug.  Yesterday we got a double dose of trouble.  The monthly bill came with an added $35 for replacing one cord and the the internet was gone again.  It took 2 calls the first time to get results.  So back on the phone I went, spent over 45 minutes while they tried to fix it from there and no results.  A technician would be sent out and I informed them I had better not be charged again.  Well he came, put in a whole new router set everything up and had me bring up the internet and Hooray, there it was.  He left and Jack went to get on his laptop (which the guy used to set things up) and was locked out again.  Another phone call and another 30 to 40 minutes and finally we were back in business.  Honestly, it didn't take that long to install it when we first went that way.  I will be watching the bill closely and they will definitely get a call if there is another charge. I guess you would call that a Friday Rant.

Cold and windy here with rain expected this afternoon.  Guess we had better get whatever running we have to do early. 

I get some little catalogs that have some odd stuff in them and a bunch of t-shirts with sayings on them.  Have used a few on fb and they do get some fun conversations going.  Makes for some good laughs in this old world.  We sure need it now and again.

Well I guess I had better go find something to eat.  Was hoping hubby would suggest going out for breakfast but like always, it never crosses his mind.  He's munching away on cereal.

Travel

I always find it interesting how some people, like Sherry, love to travel all over while others are perfectly content (me) to pretty much stay in my own state.  What brought on this?  A question of fb about how many states have you visited, not just through.  I have been to Nev. Fla, N. Carlina, Tenn, Ind, and of course Ill, (hard not to living on the border).  Now Sherry has quite a few more on me. 

The thing is it made me think about what kind of trip I would like to take.  What I would like to see and do.   Well, I would like to meet each of you in a nice coffee shop and have a gab fest.  To be able to really meet some of the wonderful people I have met on here, I think it would be so cool.  As a secondary highlight,  just think of all the places I would see along the way.  I thought of that a few years ago when we went to Daytona and Memphis.  Wondering as we went through, what is Carole or Beth, or Toodie etc. doing right now.  I really think it would be a fun trip to plan and do, but alas, time and money etc. are definitely a hold back.  So I will settle for having my coffee with you all while I post and see you on fb.  

Have a good day all.  Hugs!  

Terrific Tuesday

It's absolutely beautiful out there.  Today and tomorrow are suppose to be like this and then it's back downhill.  UGH!

Went to the grocery store this morning.  $218 later and I won't have to go for the rest of the month.  Trouble is by then the same items will probably be double in price.  No wonder people are doing gardens again, and shopping at Farmers Markets.  Gas too.  Was $3.81 at one station and $3.77 at another. Of course we went for the later.  I just don't see why they can't get it through their heads, we will cut back and their greed doesn't help anyone.

While out, my sister texted me that a lady at her work gave her a $50 check for one of those rubber bracelets we're selling for Jimmy's benefit. We're only asking $2 each. That was just awesome.   Some people are so generous it just boggles the mind. 

Now that the errands are done, what to do with the rest of the day?  Whatever, I think it will be outside.  A nice walk or two maybe.  Who knows but you all have a good one.

We're Safe.

The storm did roar through Wisconsin, but went north of us by quite a bit.  I have a teacher friend who lives in Merrill and am waiting to see how she faired through it all.  She lives right on a lake.  Hardly noticed much more than winds here that didn't seem so bad to me.  I hope and pray for all those in the storm ravaged areas.

The weather day yesterday of 81 felt so good.  By the end of this week we're suppose to be back in the upper 30's or low 40's.  Come on, let's even out so we can get outside on a daily basis.  Cleaned all the protective leaves away from the rose bushes yesterday.  Hope it wasn't too soon.  Just had to do something on that beautiful day.

Have you ever lain awake thinking totally unnecessary thoughts?  Things to keep you awake that you can't do anything about, or are unimportant in the scheme of life.  Stupid things like how they could do the story on some soap, or why they have such useless shows on tv etc?  If you can't sleep, why can't you at least think about how to do something useful.  How to solve a problem that is important to your life.  Why your wasting your time when you have so many things to do?  How to help with some project that will help someone?  I guess it's one of those things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Starting to wonder.....When is it exactly that boys turn into men!

I won, I won, I won.

Yes, I did.  I went with $100 and came home with $103.  Now that's what I call a good trip.  Not a big win, but didn't lose any either.  Now my husband.  Well let's just say he spent some time just watching me.  Nuf said about that.  Two member of our bus did good.  One won $500 and another $600. 

I need lashes with a wet noodle for walking out the door without my camera.  We stopped at a little bar called Nixon's on the way back.  They have shirts they sell with the Bar logo on the front and the saying "we don't know Dick" on the back.  Guess they must have had a lot of questions like that, lol.  The couple that runs it are well into their years and the old gentlemen just granduated from high school.  Yes, I got it right.  He went back to school and got his high school diploma.  Here's where I should have had a picture of him.  His wife told him if he did it she would throw him a graduation party, but only if he walked across the stage with the rest of the class.  Well, he did it and received a standing ovation.  How wonderful.  She showed us the picture of him in his cap and gown.  He looked so happy. 

We had quite the bus driver.  He sure didn't let the tires grow any mold on the trip.  He even ran 2 red lights.  Of couse, in his defense, he wouldn't have had time to stop as the light changed so fast.  But then again, if he hadn't been flying low????  Fornately there was no cars waiting for the light change in either direction.  He was quite the gentleman, giving all the ladies a hand out at the stops.

Suppose to be 80 here today.  We'll see.  I never count on things like that, only it was was beautiful yesterday. They are saying rough weather ahead tonight.  Sure hope that doesn't develop.

The group of pelicans are back on our section of Rock River and seem to be hanging around longer than they did last time.  Here's a couple shots Jack took.

My son calls this one "The Pelican Briefing"

I'm still here

Sorry I've been gone a few days.  I posted Monday and for some reason Tues. & Wed. I had a case of the blah's.  You know, don't feel like doing a darn thing.  Wed. I did force myself to go to Granny's Night Out. We did some fine tuning on the benefit for Cousin Jim and had a good time too. Did check and comment on a some of you but that was all I felt like doing.  Thursday was really bad.  Could not get on the internet all day, and the Charter man couldn't get her until 5.  Then off to eat, back to do a quick check on those fb people (which took all of 30 minutes), a little tv time and early to bed as we must rise early for the bus trip to the casino.  Yes, we are going to do a little gambling.  Twice a year is my max, and I refuse to take more than $100 with me.  I very seldom spend even half of that.  I guess I don't ever have to worry about becoming addicted to those machines. 

Well you all have a great day.  Have to get going.  Will be around to check on you all when I get back.  TATA!

Wheew!

The wind and rain hit in the middle of the night and it sounded like it was coming right in the house.  The showed some really big hail stones on the news and I'm glad I didn't see any like that here.  It was so loud I thought for sur we would go out and find things all over the yard. My sister has a pile of tree branches from when a friend come and cut down a limb that was hanging over her house, and none of them blew away. 

Haven't updated for a couple of days here.  Slacking some would say.  Had a small benefit to help Mary and Jim for his bone marrow transplant in June Saturday.  Have a few more things planned followed by a Spagetti dinner in May.  Hopefully we can get enough to help them rent a place down there while he recuperates.  He has to stay for 3 months after the trasnplant, so that is an added expense.  Sunday was the monthly breakfast at the Moose.  I was hoping quick in and out but no such luck.  They were short handed and Jack ended up doing dishes all morning, followed by a meeting and we didn't get out of there until after 3.  Needless to say was tired.  Checked fb to see if my family was behaving.  No they weren't ;).  I don't know what I'm going to do with those girls.

A small miracle happened here. My husband actually put the twist tie back on the loaf of bread after he used it.  Must be thankful for the little things.

Today is the opening home game for the Brewers and my son Jared and grandson Aaron will be heading for Milwaukee.  Jared took a vacation day and Aaron's mom allowed him to take the day off from school this once.  He's an honor student and knowing him probably has his work done ahead of schedule anyway.  He's that kind of kid.  I pray the Brewers win one for them.  Especially after losing the first 3 games to the Reds.

Well I had better get going and get this placed in order.  UGH!  You all have a nice day.

A persons true nature is revealed by how they treat those they have no reason to be nice to.

Universal Laws

1. Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to pee.
2. Law of GravityAny tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
3. Law of ProbabilityThe probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act
4. Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.
5. Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the very next morning you will have a flat tire..
6. Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
7. Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
8. Law of Close EncountersThe probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
9. Law of the ResultWhen you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
11.. Law of the Theater and Hockey Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies, and stay to the bitter end of the performance. . The aisle people also are very surly folk.
12. The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
13. Murphy's Law of Lockers - If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
14. Law of Physical SurfacesThe chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.
15... Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
16. Brown's Law of Physical AppearanceIf the clothes fit, they're ugly.
17. Oliver's Law of Public SpeakingA closed mouth gathers no feet.
18. Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.
19. Doctors' LawIf you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.
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