Sixteenth Saturday of 2011 is all but gone

Shen called me yesterday to see if I wanted to go with her and her two children to DPAC to see the musical Shrek. Her husband's boss gave him his season's tickets (4) and a free parking pass for today's showing. Well -YES - I would love to go.  Our parking was in the American Tobacco Complex which now houses offices, shops, and apartments. It was nice to walk right across the street to the theater. I'll have to admit that when I was parking, bittersweet memories of when my Dad worked at the American Tobacco Factory back when I was young flooded in. The American

bought Lucky Strike back in the 30's. My Mom worked at Liggett & Myers until she retired. Mom loved her job - it wasn't stressful, she had good benefits and a wonderful pension and retirement. Mom smoked Pall Malls which were made by Dad’s company and Dad smoked Chesterfields which were made by Mom's company. As a result, they were able to provide each other with free cigarettes. Mom also provided me with free Larks; which were the cigarettes I smoked from the time I was a little over 17 until I quit when I was around 21. I am so glad I quit at such a young age because my dear hubby is still "hooked" on Tareytons which were made by my Dad's and his Aunt's company. Our seats were way up in the last balcony but Roseanne had assured me once that there were no bad seats in this theater and I have seen first-hand that she is correct. In spite of the fact that we were up so high, we could see the entire stage, the orchestra pit and everything that was going on. Before the first act, I saw a little boy that I recognized immediately from his pictures on FB.

It was Wyatt and his Dad- Dave. I know Wyatt must have wondered who in the world that old lady was who said "Hey Wyatt". Of course his Dad recognized me. I bought us all candied nuts and waters. On my way home, I had a nice long chat with a younger friend who has been having a hard time lately. I always pray that I will find the correct words to help young women who are struggling with things that I have finally left behind. I don't want to ever forget those times if it means I can use those experiences to help others.  Life gets hard sometimes and even though we recognize that, it can still take a lot out of us when things start piling up and we find it hard to breath for an extended period of time. I received a picture via text message from Leah of Page at the KH waiting for the wedding to start. Evidently they had a great time.

Done and Done and Done and Done ----

Been working on taxes most of the day - I know - "Last Minute Annie". Was happy to hear from Tax Lady telling me she was running late so I was all but finished when she walked in the back door. I even had time to clean the bathroom a little before she got here.  I know - I'm pathetic. It was good to see her since she is also a friend. We went for a ride in my new car so she could hear how good she sounds when you open her up a little. While she got started, I pulled out some of BigD's home made pimento cheese with Carr Crackers and a glass of wine for us followed by some of my fresh fruit salad with Greek Yogurt that had honey mixed in with it. YUM!  She also downloaded the new QB program to my desktop - updated both computers and got me started on having a personal QB account so I can keep up with things better.  She was laughing about how I used to be a Vice President of a company and managed three branches and four divisions and now I have just quit.  It is true - since I don't "have" to do it every day - it totally slips my mind.  When she first started doing our taxes, I was still working part-time so I was still in the "work" mode.  Oh well - I'm trying. BigD had fish over at Boyd's for dinner tonight.  I wish I loved it as much as he does.  Page and Bentley called right after Tax Lady left and she put me on the speaker phone so I could give them both the results of the Pet/CT scan I had last week.  I actually enjoyed going over every thing with them. Especially how the doctor took the time to show me pictures and we compared the results to the pictures.  Then I told them how I went on-line looking at pictures and that didn't turn out to be a very good idea but I did find a link to a support group I may visit. I don't know that I will  necessarily participate but might kind of "listen in". I also spoke with Kurt and Leah - Kurt cautioned me about looking at too much on the computer but I've already learned that the hard way.  All of a sudden you see or hear some horror story and realize it could become yours. Page was so heartbroken over losing her little dwarf hamster that Leah finally went and bought another one.  This one is a little different and is not quite as hyper as Boo was. Page named her "Sweetie" and according to Leah she is one. I know they are going to enjoy her because she is so much calmer. They have to close Hiro up in Page's room before they let Sweetie out. That is okay though because Leah also bought an extra strong top for the cage for Sweetie that has latches on it.  Since Hiro likes to sit on
top of the cage, this will prevent him from "accidentally" causing it to open.  Oh yeah - he is really worried about doing that that isn't he? NOT!  It was nice to be able to talk to all the kids tonight. I can't wait to see all of them (except for Bentley who is starting in a new position with his company Monday) for a few days week after next and having Page2 with me for the whole week.  I'm hoping to have most of my time in before they get here so Page2 and I can do some fun things together. I missed being out today but am so relieved to have the taxes completed on my end and now we just have to wait for the verdict.  Kurt was talking about how nice it was when we all gathered up at their house for a long weekend and we are both hoping that maybe we will be able to do that again in the not too distant future.  Page1 has all but a few days of her vacation booked for the rest of this year so we will have to talk about maybe early next year.  At least we will all be together at the coast again in August.   It has been a gorgeous day today - had the back door open (and yes Page, I had the screens locked) for part of the day.  Now the wind is blowing and it is raining but they are calling for more beautiful weather later tomorrow and through the first of next week.

Started out dark and wet but ended up bright and sunny....

Another great day for the campaign. We were privileged to have a two year old little girl with us this morning. Wish I had gotten a picture to share here. Was raining like mad and cold when we first got started but as soon as the rain stopped, we headed over to a large apartment complex that is seeing hard times.

Most of the units are empty and 38 units have been auctioned off. I'm not sure what will happen to this property but we were remembering when it was new and how nice they were then. In one section of about 4 connecting buildings with 4 units each - there were only two that were occupied. I would find that very depressing.

Rie took this picture from under the branches. I guess you

could say it is a reminder of how man-made objects go back to nature and how much beauty there is in all of nature. We had a friend working with us from Pittsburgh, PA today who noticed the vines on the trees. She was surprised to find that these large vines are more than likely poison ivy vines. Some of the really large vines we see are from old grape vines. There was a tree beside this one that had several vines winding up around the tree that were intertwined and looked like they were braided. She was also enthralled by the wisteria we are enjoying seeing everywhere these days. If you plan to have wisteria as part of your garden, you need to be sure it is the non-invasive kind which will

take over everything. We see it deep in the woods winding around everything including pine trees. The bright purple is gorgeous against the dark bark and dark greens of the forest.

 Looking forward to another full day tomorrow with lots of walking. I noticed a few minutes ago as I looked out the living room window that we have a Chesire Cat Moon tonight or a Wet Moon. I'll have to admit - I smiled when I saw it.

Another great day with sunshine, strong breezes and good friends....

Another beautiful day today. I bragged to Page about how much I walked today but by later this afternoon - Eileen and I were slowing down significantly. I received

another text message with another picture of Page's Dr. Seuss "do" from yesterday early this morning. It does feel good to laugh a lot again. One funny thing that happened today was when Eileen got her keys hung in Yvonne's

braids. We didn't think she would ever get them out while she kept saying how sorry she was. Eileen was also a little disturbed today because her daughter's business was broken into for the second time in a few days. Since the safe is bolted to the floor, this time they brought bolt cutters but they didn't get anything. What a nuisance. Get a job!!!!

Just a few of our pretty flowers that are coming up. I'm not sure if the Tulips will hold up until April 17th but a lot of the others will be coming in by then so I think it will be beautiful for our special evening.

Another gorgeous day.....

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood today. Before I left for the meeting, BigD and I both got a picture from Kurt with the text -

"the squirrels have taken up residence". Since we are both senior citizens and blind as bats, we didn't see the text right away and immediately we both responded. BigD said - "what did you say?" and I said "something about the squirrels" and I said, "what did you say?" and he said, "Page". I hope Kurt sent Page the picture too. While I was at the meeting, I heard my phone vibrate and leaned down to look at it - it was another picture of Page2 from Kurt after her Mom used the flat iron on her hair

with the text "very Dr. Seuss". Awww, Page is growing up too fast for me. I'm not getting to see it gradually since they live so far away and it is shocking me every time I see a picture lately. Where is my baby girl? I know, she will always be my baby girl. After the meeting I called Rose and asked her if she and Wayne wanted to meet me for lunch somewhere. We hooked up at the Golden Corral over near where they live. After lunch, I asked them if they wanted to go for a ride in my new car. After riding for a bit, we decided to go see a dear old friend who lives out that way. We had a great time with them - especially once her hubby came home and everyone started talking at once. After I dropped them off to get their car, I stopped by one of my favorite places -

I used to stop in here on my way to work several mornings a week to get a fresh scone and some delicious coffee. YUM. I also used to grab lunch when I could and even though I seldom get on that side of town, when I do; I take advantage of it. I bought some of their famous tarragon chicken salad, a scrumptious veggie-veggie pasta, key lime pie and pecan pie.

One of the best things about this market is the variety of furniture she uses both

inside and out. No matter what the weather, you will usually see people eating outside - and when the weather is as nice as it was today -lingering after their meals if they have time.  As I said, I very seldom get on that side of town anymore and like everywhere else in our growing city, things have changed.  It was nice to see this place hasn't changed - if anything it is better.  So if you ever get to our neck of the woods, head on over there and try their coffee, everything from their deli and kitchen, and the unique items they have on the shelves you can't buy in the everyday supermarket including some candies and even little toys from by-gone days.

Okay - March is over but April is roaring like a lion today...

Beautiful day today with bright sunshine and blue skies. Every so often the wind would blow but it just made it a little nicer until later this afternoon when it started getting pretty strong. Now the wind is blowing so hard it is making me think of that saying - "March came in like a lion" but it is April! We started our campaign today and everyone was excited and eager to go. We worked in an old neighborhood where my sister Rose and her hubby lived with their little girl Dee. Their son was born while they lived there too. I was a young teenager so I spent a lot of time there - at times baby sitting and at times just visiting.

Eileen and I had fun remembering how much we enjoyed visiting Rose and her little family. They were helpful in giving us a little more social life (skating rink, bowling, etc) than we might have had without them.

I'm 99.9% sure their mailbox was attached to the house but you seldom see mailmen walking beats anymore.

This pretty azalea is right below the window to the dining room. It really was a cute house and I was disappointed no one was home as I was thinking I might ask if I could at least come in and see the living room.

Got this picture of Page on my phone from Leah - it had a caption saying, "I'm an Apple". Sweet. Hope she got some apple and pear butter for when they come down. Yum. So, got BigD's bills done, plan to get the last of the tax information down on paper for the accountant, going to pick up dinner (BigD has gone over to Boyd's to cook/eat steaks and watch the game with Steve), take a shower, study for the meeting and hopefully get to bed before too late. Talked with Page about her week last week and when I told her about the bakery closing, she already knew because she had lunch there today. :( I had to brag a little about how much walking I did today and will be doing for the next two weeks. Hopefully this extra activity will "jump-start" me into better habits. Hope springs eternal.

First day of Fourth month of 2011.....

It was a gorgeous day today. Got to spend all day in service with Eileen and the other friends. Everyone had a wonderful day and we are all uber excited about the special activity this month.

After service, I led Gail to the location of our natural phenomenom - the "boob" tree! I got my telephone out and got a better side view. I told Gail that I had thought about calling the local TV station but decided that would be so unfair to that little neighborhood. I'm thinking that pretty soon "she" will have her leaves and all the trees around her will give her a little "cover".

I also wanted to share a picture my niece shared of her daughter's new house. I know they must be so excited - she is pregnant with her second child and they will need the extra space for their growing family. She already has the cutest little boy and knows she is having a little girl. Such an exciting time in life isn't it? I was happy to get a voice mail from Page letting me know she was back in town and on her way home (her home). Hopefully we will find time tomorrow afternoon to get caught up. I DVR'd American Idol so I could watch and talk about it with Page. She kind of got me a "little bit" hooked on it. I really don't like when people are voted off the show because they work so hard and yet - they have all gotten some wonderful exposure and suggestions from many professionals which will help them along the way.

I snatched this picture of Travis and Peyton from FB to share with the kids. Travis lives in another city with his wife and two babies which still blows my mind. Wasn't it just yesterday he was a baby?

This is a picture of Travis with his lovely wife. I know Brenda is proud of him and she adores her grandbabies as much as she does her own children. I had a part on the meeting last night - Ray interviewed me even though I begged him to get someone else. I do fine in demonstrations (as long as I'm role playing as someone else) and talks but have a hard time talking about my own experiences. His part was cut very short so I didn't have to say too much but my voice still quavered (yes - that is a real word) and I hate that. I don't know how the brothers do it week after week.

And last but not least, I had to post this picture Da-niece sent me. I know - it's really Denise but there is a joke about her name we still laugh about after all these years. Isn't she cute? This was taken a l o n g time ago. :)