Cat Meets Car

While we were in Indianapolis the cat also had a vacation. She went to the Moster house and is now so happy to be home. She spends time sleeping and walking around meowing.

However, the car ride was something special. Lita gave her to Jay and as we drove out the driveway she began to yowell (I am not sure how to spell that.) People who have cats though know the sound. Jay would stroke her fur and tell her she was a good kitty, but that did not help. Finally she struggled loose and climbed up behind my head on the drivers side and rode quietly from there. nice kitty, poor mommy. Paddington Bear was a great help.

Christmas 2012

What is Christmas like when you are 60? Well, to begin with you remember that Christmas is about Jesus and not so much about gifts. So this year when I decorated I did not put up a tree, I put out 3 nativity sets.
Secondly you remember not go go overboard and spend too much money and instead you make things:  Cookies, scarves, afghans, cookies and chex mix.
Thirdly you remember that you have adult children and buy accordingly. Every girl gets jewelry. And don't forget to get new socks!
Fourth you send Christmas cards but not too many.
 And fifth you wrap gifts to mail to  California. That is just preparation.
Christmas officially began with a trip to Indianapolis and dinner on Christmas Eve at Joe's house.
No Church this year.

Christmas morning we opened gifts at Katie's. Then over Christmas week we had snow, snowmen, sledding, shopping and Mario on the wii.
Our last day was Saturday, and it snowed again! We went wedding dress shopping. Soup and salad  lunch at Panara's, and  we drove home.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Life is like that!

Today is Thursday December 20. My plan was to go to exercise and then get my hair done. Instead, I am waiting for Mary to get out of the shower so she can come with me.  Yesterday the plan was to go shopping and out to lunch and come home. Instead I picked up Mary, went to the hospital and went to a different mall with "shoddy merchandise."
It all started on Monday night. My friend Barb called me and asked if her mother in law could come here while She and the rest of her family went to a funeral in St. Louis.  So I said sure. Joyce left for New York City on Tuesday and Mary came on Wednesday.
 Early Wednesday morning Lita called me and said,  "My back hurts."   I told her that she should drive over in her car with the heated seats.When I came back from picking up Mary. there was a message that she had fallen and couldn't get up. So Mary, Monica and I went to The Moster's farm to see what we could do. Well, it ended up we could do nothing except call for an ambulance to take her to Oxford and the hospital. There they gave her 3 shots and soon she was able to move slightly.
What about the shopping? Well Mary, Monica, and I went to Richmond Square Mall and tried to get somethings but had no real luck.

Christmas on December 16, 2012 with Joyce

Today is the first of several Christmas or the next in a series of birthday celebrations! Joyce and I fixed dinner together. She made spinach soup and I made fried chicken. Then we opened gifts and decorated cupcakes. A fun evening- I also read her a children's book by my favorite author Jan Brett.

December

Well, tis the season to make Gifts. I almost have finished the afghan that I started two winters and project lists ago.  It is looking good and feels warm on my lap. This week I have been crocheting madly with only a day out in shopping and getting some needles and yarn  for a different project. Lita has my  camera and I haven't figured out how to use the new one Jonathan gave me for my birthday. But I have 5 rows to finish which is 45 more squares and trim. I am also working on scarves and reading a new series of books by Anne Perry . All of these are good activites for today a cold rainy December Saturday.

60

60 years!

       Sixty years is a long time, but as Jonathan reminded me it is just a number, all be it a big number. This week I have been celebrating with parties and special events. They began with a big celebration on Sunday. This inclulded church, soup, Peffer Park, Wii, Uptown and Phan Shin with presents lots of presents 60 of them and 60 cards. One card even had 60 dollars!

            Monday the real day began with a challenge, my car wouldn’t start. The battery was dead. So I called AAA and they came and charged the car and sold me a battery. IN the evening, I went out to dinner with Karen and celebrated by inventing my own meal a BLT and vegetable soup that wasn’t even on the menu! And for dessert ice cream, a hot fudge  sundae.

Tuesday I celebrated with Earth Club. I saw some old friends and neighbors and reconnected with  them and enjoyed some fifth graders I once knew as third graders.  We went to the bird blind and we saw a few birds. God gave us the Best gift that day- a flock of geese flying overhead just as we went out the back door.

Wednesday, after tutoring in Hamilton, I went to Applebee’s with Karen and then to Hobby Lobby followed by the movie, Breaking Dawn part 2. All was good. But by the end of the day I was tired.

On Thursday I tutored in French and Spanish at TMS and learned a bit about some of the 8^th graders. It was fun and an experience but not a celebration. No party so makes me all partied out.

TGIF a party  or a Ladies night at Tonua’s (Faith Baptist’s pastor’s wife) house included knitting and conversation about having babies. Main question, does it hurt? Can you do it without a lot of medicine? My answer, exercise all the time you are pregnant. It will hurt, but you can do it. All is good and all is well. So now there are only  55 more parties to go!

My 60th Birthday part one the morning.

Hello World! Look out! I am now known as a classic and retro!
At least that is what my sister Rachel's birthday card said when I opened it.  So far today I have had to replace my car battery. And cleaned. Happy Birthday to me and thank goodness for AAA auto club.
This is what happened.
I got up read the Bible and prayed then went to go to curves and my car sounded like a machine gun. Ratatatatatat! That means the battery is dead. The sound used to be a click but not any more. Soooo....I called Triple A. They sent a car out to charge and start my car and I bought a battery for my birthday.
While I waited for the truck I opened up the front curtain and saw the dirt and dust in the living room and cleaned. Sorry, Katie Jones, I should have done this yesterday so the cat fur wouldn't get to you.
Anyway now on my 60th birthday I have a new car battery and a clean living room. I also opened 23 of my birthday cards, but I will save that for another day.
So the morning is over and for lunch I am having left overs.The mystery is what does the rest of the day hold?

A Kentucky Thanksgiving!

Here I am in Kentucky with Jo Ann and Sam and Mom-law for Thanksgiving. It is warm and partly sunny.  The trees have no leaves and the house is the same. Yesterday as I drove across  across the Ohio/Indiana Kentucky bridge I saw smoke from the electirc plant and wondered what this river looked like about 250 years ago. Definately not the same as today. The trip was uneventful until along I- 65 I saw lots of cows just grazing in the fields. And that was basically uneventful too!

As I studied the book of Genesis this morning in the quiet of the house, I learned a few things about Abram and his wife Sarai  and the city of Ur that I never knew before. I wondered where God is taking me and guiding me now?

Other than that all is the same here.

Mom

 I can never get the photos to do what I want them to do but here are some photos and memories of Mom

Mom died two years ago and then we heard that Dick had died right afterward.  So sad and so odd.

The Beach photo was taken when I was in 7th grade and we were taking a vacation in April and went to Bethany beach.

This is a doll that mom made for Katie when Katie was little, At least I think She did!

 This photo was taken when I was  graduating from Miami in 1974. It is at Dessie and Howard's house on Oak Street.

                                      This picture was taken at the Deshlers house on  44th street in University Park, before they moved. Ila is still alive and busy in Silver Spring in the home where she and Walter now live. After so many years of living in a house I wonder if it is odd to find yourself back in an apartment. I am glad I got to go and visit with her last summer when I made a mad dash to D.C. for JJ and Chris.

A COLD

I used to be able to do things even if I had a cold, like could go to work or school and even clean house. Now that I am 59 and have a cold, all I want to do is sleep and lay around in bed. Even with Niquil or Alkaseltzer for colds, I still can't get going. So I missed a party last night and a big get together today at TMS for international students. I hope to go to a party tomorrow night. But it depends on if I am better.

I took these photos from Katie's site because I am too lazy to find and download my own. These are from the weekend we went to Indy in October. Love the Dancing in the rain!

Halloween!

           I know. I know. Halloween was so several weeks ago. ON  October 28 a Sunday evening I had the opportunity to go with Jiangmei and he father Dr. He trick or treating. We went to the dorms and Jiangmei had a terrific time. She collected candy, decorated a pumpkin cookie and got some coloring sheets.  We also saw her friends from class and enjoyed the costumes of the other children. More than anything Jiangmei wanted a pretty princess dress. I couldn't find one of  Lita's that she could borrow,  so instead I painted her fingernails in princess colors. "The Trick or Treat" adventure was so much fun! I was exhausted when it was over. I was also left with a gratefulness of living in a country where kids can go begging for fun not for real.
         My memories of  Halloween are good with costumes made by my mother and later of making them for my own children. One thing that we used to do that I don't see much of now is Trick or Treat for UNICEF. I wonder if that organization still has the program to collect money for children of the poor countries of the world. To collect money so that children don't have to walk miles with buckets to gather water in buckets for their drinking washing and other places.
       I am continually reminded that as Americans we are so blessed  to live in this country. America is where even those who have so little have so much in comparison to those living in other parts of the world.

Once is not enough

Once a month is not enough. but I am working and spending time with friends from other countries and in general being busy and so it is hard to get the writing act together.
Last month a friend of a friend said can you take in a homeless college girl and I said yes. And so for a while I have a roommate or at least I will have until she moves out or gets sent back to China. Joyce is her name her major was Educational Psychology and we are getting along fine. I say was because she was a student and now is looking for a job. She has been looking in Chicago, looking in Washington D.C. and even in Cincinnati. Perhaps she will soon find one.
I also joined up with Global neighbors and have been matched with two Chinese students, Kevin and Monica,. For fun activities we carved pumpkins and made applesauce. We also went to Indy and spent time with Katie and Jonathan and Dustin and Loren. While there we visited the Raceway and the Art Museum
In addition to mentoring students I also have been doing some tutoring. One boy is a high school senior and one a fifth grader. Then I have Jiangmei and Rithin. Preparation takes time and thought. Last night I taught Kevin and Monica and Amy about making pies. We did a meat pie and a pumpkin pie and an apple one. All were yummy.
I also have been out with Tutu and Ayo to a multicultural event at Hall Auditorium. Music from many different cultures. Interesting. My favorite was the violin music by the young children.
yesterday November 3 Michelle Obama was here. I heard her speak at Withrow Court and I was sad that we didn't give her a better or bigger venue.

And that is what has been keeping me busy.
Wondering now~what is next.

Scary Or What?

Halloween is the time for candy,  trick or treat,  bats, witches, 

and you guessed it ~PUMPKINS!

One Saturday I took my global neighbors and Jonathan and Lauren to an Apple Butter Festival,

 not so festive. 

This was followed by a trip to the Farmer's Market. This was an excellent place with lots of pumpkins and fall produce. 

 We came home and 

carved pumpkins.

They found the face ideas on line and I love that the top has hearts on the pretty one!

Thanks, Monica.

This is the scary one and it is really scary now lots of mold and stuff growing inside, eeww!!

Remembering

Today I got an e-mail from Sharon Sullivan Starling that her father had passed away. He had been battling blood cancer for many months and there wasn't anything more they could do after Wednesday. I remember lots of fun barbecues at the Sullivan's house and how well he and Patsy managed in a three bedroom house with 6 children (4 girls just two boys.)  But thing I will always remember Don and Patsy for was how they introduced me to a person called Jesus. For them Jesus wasn't just a name in the Bible or an obligation it was a following and a way of life. Don was a very caring husband, father, grandfather and  great grandfather. He will be missed. RIP

Friends

Gosh, I am tired! I spent the weekend (23 hours). Friday night and Saturday morning with some of the ladies from OBF church. We drove down to a lovely area near Cincinnati and stayed in hotel style rooms with rather hard beds. The ride down was good with Kathy, Tutu, and Barb. At the retreat location we had three meals, one was fried chicken, a hay ride and marshmellow/hershey s'mores. This was the first retreat I had been on since Jonathan was a baby. It was also the first one that was girls only since 8th grade.  I loved that the place was the same location where Lita had 4-H camp.
After this trip I feel I know Barb and Tutu much better and cemented my relationship with Kathy even more. Not only did we have my favorite food, but we did each other's nail.  And we wrote letters of encouragement. When was the last time that ever happened? Well, Katie, Kathleen and I did that once this summer.
Terry led a prayer and discussion over materials presented by the speaker, Angela Thomas, no relation to the famous Danny Thomas daughter.

My reaction: thank God I know the God who changes ashes into Beauty. Kathy felt it was very good and useful. Barb,Tutu, and I not so much, but maybe we were just tired from staying up and talking? Sometimes the barbecue sauce needs to soak in a bit before we taste the flavor.

2 New Things

Today Karen and I went out to dinner. Most of the time we go to Bob Evans or Phan Shin. If we are really trying to have an adventure we go to Applebees or Panera. But today we walked on the wild side and tried two new places here in Oxford. We went to TGD and got Turkey dinners.  Then afterwards we went to a soft serve ice cream place.  Love that orange swirl!

Remembering

So today was September 12, the day after September 11. Things have changed here in the USA security wise. People seem more fearful of strangers, but there are still places where you feel safe at night to walk on the street. People are more aware of bullies and now have a way to handle that sort of situation. The hate crimes are not just shoved under the carpet any more. It also has taught us how we are proud to be American and we won't give up. So I think that September 11 has opened up the eyes of Americans in many ways.

I am posting this picture of yellow roses because they make me think of  love and of hope. They symbolize strength for today and  a bright hope for a better tomorrow.

This Cat again

When I get up early or in the middle of the night this cat attacks me. She bites my ankles gently and loves to play with my shoe strings. When I take off my shoes she sticks here head where my stinky feet were.  Today and several weeks in a row now she has a favorite spot in which to sleep. I have even caught her picture on occasion. Notice how she has grown.

This Cat

Rustle rustle! Crackle crackle! She bats her paws at the skirt around the blue hassock.Then she dives underneath and grabs at something. There it is: a bag of cat treats that she carries around the house in her mouth. Actually she zooms around with it in her mouth. Quicker than a flash she puts this bag into her mouth and runs through the house with the fish shaped treats still zip locked into the bag. Photos coming soon.

Real retirement

With the paying off of the federal government, I have begun my real retirement.  This fall I am trying to decide how to spend my time. I have different subjects I can study: Bible study, crocheting, literature, Spanish, writing, service learning, and my very favorite phys.ed.Notice there is no mathematics maybe computer time will have to cover that!  So now I just have to decide when to study them.  I also have to decide with whom to spend time.  Ah decisions.

Encouragement

Today I taught Sunday school for the second time in 20+ years. It is not the same. But the kids were great and loads of fun and energy. If I do it again I will take them outside for some exercise between first and third service. The lesson was on encouragement. But the Bible story didn't really talk about encouragement. It was about a silversmith named Demetrius. I really needed pictures to go along with the story too, but there weren't any. However we all got the idea about how to encourage others though I didn't get to all the activities, talked too much. After Sunday school, I received encouragement from two friends. One gave me a rose from Equador, and another gave me a refrigerator magnet with my name in French. I believe the Bible verse says "Build one another up, " which you can do with words cards prayers and even gifts.
Yep here it is:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
and now you know what first and second graders are studying in Sunday school.

Another Birthday

What is it about August birthdays? I remember it was way too hot to have a baby. I remember swimming a lot before my youngest son, Jono was born. Not so much when Lita was born. Anyway, Jonathan's birthday is Monday and he is going to be 27. Oh my  I can't believe that he is that old! Where does time go? David Geyer is also going to be 27 and a whole bunch of other babies that were born that year will be or already are, too. Like Hannah, and Andy and Joel and Jamie, and I know there were more born that summer. I  just can't remember their names. There were 11 in the nursery and only two were girls; we all said well there will be a war. Strange how that came to pass.
So now Monday is Jonathan's birthday and I am so glad that he is my youngest son. He has been a blessing to me. From him I have learned perseverance, patience, unconditional love, and how to do Algebra II .(sorry Mr. Greene.)again.  May he live a long and happy life and have many sons and daughters. Happy birthday Jonathan  Keith Jones.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is August 16. This year it is the first day of school. And it is Lita's 20th birthday. Happy Birthday to my youngest daughter. She is so special.  Tomorrow I am fixing a birthday breakfast for anyone who wants to come. Of all my children she is the only one who wants to teach school. Though the others are teachers in their own ways they do not work for the public schools. I hope that Lita makes it and gets to live her dream. I am so glad that I do NOT have to go in to work in the hot building, though lately the weather has been cooler, 78 instead of 98.      Hooray for retirement!
AND, Hooray for Lita!

Wild and Crazy

Today, after seeing the movie Hope Springs,  I was talking a with a friend and we were trying to see if we were really wild and crazy women. What kind of wild things did I ever do?
Thinking back:
1.  I roller skated around an open man hole cover.
2 I walked along the top of a fence that had rose bushes growing on the other side.
3. I swung on a neighbors rope swing out over a dusty dirty root covered cliff  (It possibly was a hill.)
4. At some point in elementary school I walked home from school on the side of the apartments closest to the woods.
5. Hmm can't think of anything else except riding behind strange ( well they were from Calumet and Laurium Michigan) teenage boys on their motorcycles.
6. Ah yes, My boyfriend used to climb the wall into my bedroom at night. But that was him climbing I just threw out the sheet.
7.  Once I went 100 mph on the Beltway just to see if my Mustang would do it.
8. Last year I rode the Lazy River in Kings Island during a thunder storm because I couldn't get out until we reached the stairs.
9. A couple of years ago I went swimming off the rocks at the light house in Eagle Harbor.
10. Three times I had unprotected sex and got pregnant. ( You would think that after the first time I would figure out something from this lesson.)

Lets face  it, I am not a wild or crazy  woman. I mean I don't ride roller coasters, much less rides that go upside down or spin around. I have never jumped out of a plane, or skied a mountain side.  I have never hiked the Appalachian trail nor have I sailed around the world.  Though once I went boating on the Chesapeake Bay and sun bathed in a two piece bathing suit. I am just a plain happy person who likes to have a mildly good time and loves to play with kids!

I love to roast marshmallows over a campfire, play cards, do crafts, pick a thimble berry or two, and every now and then go crazy up the down the escalator.  That my friends is good enough for me.

Georgetown Kentucky or the bird has flown the cage!

And here I am in Georgetown, Kentucky taking care of Lara Gano for the second time in one year.  This time I brought some needlepoint but I have changed my mind and I can't see to do Aida cross stitch very well so I will embroider  some pilllow cases instead,. You see being an adult sitter to someone who can't hear and can't see and doesn't hardly talk is a challange. What do you do at someone elses house besides get on their computer? Well Lara and I play cards. One hand takes an hour and a half.  You also get stiff joints and sore backs and bored out of your skull unless you plan for the time. I have spent a lot of time in prayer and reading the Bible. I have also had some messages especially for me. So it has been good time. I took pictures and still need to get the cord to put them onto the computer but soon you can see me and Aunt Jo and Lara.
The caged bird  line? Oh, one day I was took Lara into town to get her bff Thelma. As we turned out of the driveway she said, "The caged bird has flown!"  Yes, I can imagine that she does feel like a caged bird.

2011

I was rereading this blog for an idea of what to write about and I came upon my resolution for 2011. Find the silver lining in every cloud. When I checked out my documents I also found the whole month of January was about silver linings. I guess I didn't find that constructive for a resolution because I only did it for the month of January in 2011. I guess I could find the good in every day.  Today was a good day. I slept in and went to Curves late and visited with some other friends. I saw Mary and I saw Nora!
Cloud? Pain meds that make you sleep late. Silver lining? Exercising and seeing some friends I have been missing.
Update on the camera problem~I found the charger for the battery and now I can take pictures and post them! Correction I could if the camera was working. What is with me and cameras? A new cloud~tomorrow I will find the silver lining.

Dating at 59

Yesterday I had my second date courtesy of Match.com. This was a very nice man from Springboro, Ohio outside of Dayton. He is a Vietnam vet and a nurse. His father was a Southern Baptist preacher. Larry sounds like he is from Kentucky! He got his nursing degree from Miami. He is also very chatty and has told me a lot about his life already. It is just like when I go out for a walk. I meet people and they tell me their whole life stories. He told me so much about himself. I could hardly get a word in edgewise. I think I prefere someone who asks me questions about me and then listens really listens you talking. According to him people always talk to him, too!
And here is some other random information. As a widower he has dated many other woman, but I am the only one from Oxford. He wondered why I would want to live in Oxford, as opposed to near a large city. He was surprised that I have a tattoo. We went to dinner and then for a short walk. It was nice to have someone walk as slowly as I do. Interestingly we both have some of the same illnesses/ take medicines for the same problems only different medicines.
So now I wonder, I will have a second date. I think I actually already have a second one. On Tuesday night he had originally invited me to go to a Bible study with him. I couldn't though as I had other plans. Then he said well I could come to Centerville any Tuesday for the Bible study. So I planned to come up on Tuesday next week. That was that. When on Wednesday  I didn't have to work in the afternoon, he invited me out for dinner. It wasn't amazing, but it was nice to have someone else pay for dinner- only I had to get there first!  It felt so good to get to Middletown by myself and actually be able to follow directions without getting lost. And now you know about dating in the year 2012 at the age of 59.

Yes I Know

Yes, I know.
Yes, I know I need a camera. Well I have the camera. I just lost the cords to download pictures and now I have lost the charger.
Yes, I know I do not need a cat.  Well, one is living here anyway. She is cute and fuzzy and called Emma. She likes to sleep by my head on my left shoulder. She likes to chase her tail and attack the broom. She also likes to meow when she can't find me.
Yes, I know I do not need a certain friend. And that is all I am going to say about that.
Yes, I know I retired so why am I always working? And why am I always tired? Well that one I know the answer to. I owe taxes still. Thank you very much Uncle Sam for sending me another bill as If I could forget. I remember how much I owe.
Yes, I know I should exercise every day. That is why I go to curves. And hooray I made a new friends who just happens to live right down the street from me!!!
Yes, I know that I hate to drive to Harrison. That is why I have asked NOT to tutor that young man any more.
Yes I know I need to have more of a life. That is why I planned to go to the Wine Tasting Party at Krogers but I fell asleep and Lita didn't come home and wake me up. So there is next Friday night!

Blessings

 Flowers along the walk

Johnson Grass the evil weed that lives no matter how much drought

I am thankful that I have two great neighbors who come over and help. I am thankful for John across the street who came over and dug in the mulch with his shovel so I could plant some more flowers. He also brought me some iris from his yard for next spring and some lettuce from his garden.  I am thankful for Fred Schlichter who comes down with his really big lawn mower and cuts the grass for cookies, $10.00, and a chance to play with his kids Lauren and Conner. If I had a camera I would take a picture of the flower beds, but alas I do not.

Random Posting

Today I was slightly late for both tutoring appointments because the Armco steel plant in Middletown was having an extra wide and tall thingy delivered to the plant. IN the morning I had to wait while it turned a corner onto Stahlhaber Road. And then in the afternoon I saw where they were going to block off ST.Rt. 73 to get it closer to Middletown. Sheriff and state patrols every where. There were also all kinds of power line people and cherry picker trucks every where. People were standing around holding up wires on very long aluminum poles. It must really be heavy and all to go such a short distance in such a long time. Of course you don't know about these distances and roads but take my word for it they are all in this county where I live, Butler. And driving 45 it doesn't take but 35 minutes at the longest. Driving home I actually saw it where I guess it is stopping for the night at the corner of 127 and 73 before you get to the hill where Howard flipped a car in the snow. The thingy is as tall as a house and as long a the house I lived in on Elm Drive. It is a prism shaped white block like thing and is towed by a ridiculously large truck cab and on an extra wide bed.

OK so that was a random story

Remember

Today is Memorial Day and on this day we remember those who served our country in all the wars. So today I remember Uncle Keith, Uncle Dick,  Big Grampa and Howard and well as Paul Wagner, Jr.. Thank you for helping to keep our country one where you can walk down the sidewalk or ride up the street and go into the fields and woods and not fear for your life. Thank you that we can express our thoughts and ideas and not be afraid. Thank you that we can choose to read books and articles and watch news reports. thank you that we have elections and discussions about politics. Thank you that we can have leadership.

Important things

The most important thing about shoes is to wear the right kind when you hike, or mow, or bike or walk or dance or swim. But the most important thing is to wear them.

The most important thing about buying a car is to know what you want. When you are 59 and can't get easily out of a low slung car, look for ease in getting out of the front and back seat.  YOU also need to consider price and dealerships and new verses slightly used and mileage and gas to miles  ratio. But the most ismportant thing is to know what you want.

The most important thing about crocheting an afghan is to have a date to finish. It is good to know what stitch you want and it is good to know the colors you want and it is even good to know the number on your hook. But the most important thing to know is by when you need it finished.

The most important thing to know about baking cookies is to set the timer. It is good to know what ingredients you need and it is good to know how to mix and the proportions. It is even good to know if you grease the pan or not and at which temperature to cook them. But the most important thing is to set the timer.

The most important thing about planting flowers is to use gloves. It is good to consider sun light and color and to dig up mulch. It is helpful to have miracle grow and  a hose to use when you need to water. But the most important thing is to wear the gloves so dirt does not get under your newly polished nails.

I cannot believe it!

Well, Lita went to see her Dad on Wednesday and take him to the store. He has a new girl friend. That seems really fast to me, but I am glad if it keeps grandma from having to deal with his weirdness.
I on the other had seem to attract strange men only on these dating sites. The other day I got a match with someone named James. He seemed nice and honest. However as we communicated on line, I realized that something did not add up. The chat sentences were not as thoughtful as the e-mail ones ones. So I took one of the sentences about his job and Googled it. Low and behold the sentence came up as a scam line. So I confronted the man and he never chatted or wrote back to me again. So you know you can't be to careful in any thing in this world. It is especially true for on line dating where anyone can truly say anything.

Mother's Day 2012

 Opened a disguise!   And hid in a circle after the lack of game.

Secret Agent Mother's Day
Beginning last night we had a secret agent mothers day. I had random phone calls from random people all day long. I recognized J J's voice and Kathleen's voice.  Each message led us on a treasure hunt with crazy fun activities.  what kind of activites? Oh, like a baseball game in the rain, wild lips and glasses, and squirt gun fights. Some like the chalk and the squirt guns will have to be used on Mother's Day part two. It was too rainy for them and for the Reds game so we came home. Then we jetted to Miami 
 (on Jono's company jet) and watched  the Pacers loose to the Heat and LeBRon James (Boo hiss). Let's just hope that Tyler Hainesboro is in better form next time. For our Mother's Day dinner we had Chinese from Phan Shin. Then every one left and I watched the Time Traveler's Wife--very sad, I cried.

A Fiddler on the Roof

Tonight I saw a production of Fiddler on The Roof done by the home schooled children from Oxford. It was marvelous. Sure some of the singing was pitchy but the kids were great.. They built all the scenery and it was very professional.There were even a few marvelous dance numbers. I liked it better than the little plays by the Cincinnati Children's theater that come to Kramer or at least on the same caliber.






I was thinking about the messages in the play and came to realize that the theme was: Life is about changes. Nothing remains the same. The end of one thing is the beginning of another. So true dat! 
Wish the computer could play music because I would download a version of Sunrise sunset here! Mozel tov!

These Shoes aren't Made for Hikin!

Hello fellow hikers. I went on the first real hike of the 2012 year, and was it a doozy? Yes it was. I never knew that Miami University  had such great hiking trails. I knew there were some but not ones like this. Up, down, and through some lovely woods, I hiked with 22 elementary school students members of the Earth Club and 6 adult women. My shoes were awful, and I fell 5 times but I did get up and persevered. I felt an enormous sense of accomplishment at finishing the hike.

We walked across this swinging bridge at about the middle of the hike and it had a delightful

rushing stream/creek called 4 Mile creek running  under it. Originally we were going to wade across it but the water was too muddy and swift so we didn't.

Another high spot was the pond were we saw and caught frogs and snails and dragonflies and a black snake. At this point I realized that most of the children had never been on a hike like this before. How could that be?

But the most challenging place for me was the steps up the side of the hill. We climbed several of these and I found a stick to use as a third leg. that helped. Though this particular set had a rail. most of the ones we climbed did not!

So another piece of the adventures of the yearly goals has been done. Katie could not join me as she was in Raleigh, but I did have company. Thank you to Gail and Allison who helped me up when I fell. And thank you to the others who loaned me a shoulder to lean on as I struggled to place each step carefully.

One day soon I am going to go out and buy some good hiking boots. I should have done that first!