GOOD BY 2019… GOOD BY 20TEENS..

GOOD BY 2019… GOOD BY 20TEENS..

Good by 2019, we hardly knew ya…. 

For some reason this year flew by… I think it has to do with age.

The older we get, the faster time goes. Knowing we don’t have a lot left… the toilet paper roll is unwinding…

That remark comes from a very old joke… The joke went as this..

I had a dream… and I was riding a bicycle as fast as I could.. and I looked down and saw that the front wheel was a roll called LIFE and it was a toilet paper roll, unwinding as I went…the faster I went.. the faster the roll unwind…   

Now to me that isn’t a joke.. but maybe it was to me then, about 40 years ago.. as I found it funny then…  not anymore…. As it seems to predict out lives… Guess the moral of the story would be to slow down and enjoy the ride… 

Early 2019, had for the most part been unrememberable start.. at least I don’t remember much happening…  seem like spring came on fast and then summer followed it.. Easter flew by, then 4^th of July whisked by as well… But as the summer was ending… so were so many in our lives were ending as well… First up was my sister.   Then there was my cousin.. then the King’s cousin and another one.. and then to end that series… his younger brother… as we headed into late fall.

So here we are, at the end of 2019, and grateful for others who got sick and came back to good health.  Grateful for those in our lives, and grateful for our lives…   So we will bide you good bye 2019.

In fact we are glad to bide good bye to as well…20TEENS.. meaning since 2011… We lost a lot in these years…  More siblings… my brother, the Kings sister, and so many friends… that it still hurts… We are praying that 2020 is going to be kinder… 

HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends and fellow bloggers….I am grateful for all of you who have stuck with me these years.. all two of you.. lol..  as you read me off and on..  Thank you to those of you who just started to read, and maybe  have checked back to read some of the old one..  

I happen to go back there myself this past weekend..  and was surprised at how well I use to rewrite.. Some funny, some were interesting… and thoughtful…   surprised me, as I don’t think I am that good..  but if you like to.. I went back to 2011… October..  looking up and down thru the whole month.. I read several and was “wow… I wrote that?” Damn I was good.  lol…

https://wordtosser.blogspot.com/2011/10/disorganized-organization.html     as well as   

http://wordtosser.blogspot.com/2011/10/slippery-slope-they-slide-down.html

AND FOR YOUR HUMOR ENJOYMENT…..HERE IS TWO MORE.. http://wordtosser.blogspot.com/2011/10/salesmen-can-be-fooled-just-as-taxi.html

http://wordtosser.blogspot.com/2011/10/working-in-nursing-home.html

 also there is a reference to the toilet paper roll as well.   

HAPPY NEW YEAR.. HELLO 2020!!!

At no ones beck and call….

At no ones beck and call….

I repeat.. I am at no ones beck and call…  it does sound  like a snarky remark… and I don’t mean it to be..  but I do not want someone to be electronically attached to me.

I gave up my cell phone…years ago.. right after I retired.  We originally got ours in 1992 … it was one of those suitcase type.. which by the way, I still have.  We had a motor home.. and we had a belt rip apart on it… luckily we had a friend  following us, so we got help.  He took the King to the parts store and got a new belt.. and in an hour we were back on the road.   It was then we decided if we were going to travel in the motor home.. we needed a way to get help.  Cell phones were just coming, and reasonable.  I think we paid $79 for it.. and had Air phone (I think was the name) for the server, that charged $10 a month.  We used is a couple of times, so it was worth it.  Then we got a small Ford pickup and towed that.. But kept the cell phone..  A couple years later they sold out to GTE, and smaller phones.. The King was hooked. Then they came out with the flip phones..  So if you signed up for a 2 year contract.. you got the phone for free.. And at the time, you could get two of them.. As they were in a big push to get people to sign up for 2 year contracts.  So I got one as well.. The King was really hooked by now.. I think it is a man thing,  umbilical cord effect…. but now days I think it is a woman’s thing as I see far more woman with phones attached to their ears… some of them literally.

The only time I miss having one.. and I do have one of the old flip phones in our rig that is not connect to a service… just for the reason why I miss mine.  That is when I am on the road by myself… any length of time.. meaning miles away from home.  In case I break down. But the old one should they say, content me to 911…

When I first got rid of mine, friends told me I would have one back asap…  but I haven’t .. as that is 16 years ago.  See I remember before cell phones.. when you drove down the road and paid attention to your driving..  maybe the only diversion was your radio.  Also I remember not having people calling you everywhere. You are at the park for a walk.. the silence is wonderful.. I guess it would be helpful… if you are at the store, incase you forgot something.. or your other half has, and you can call..  But we live only a mile and half away, I can go back.  And anything that happens, can wait until I get home… I do own an answering machine, so you can leave me a message to call.. but other than that.. I am good…Now the King HAS to have his.. but he does shut it off at about 6pm. And so far he is staying with the flip phone.. smart phone is too complicated for him.. which is good as it is cheaper.. And he doesn’t do internet.    

Nope, don’t need to be at anyone’s beck and call..

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL… 

As you all gather tomorrow around the tree or what have you.. to open the surprises that others got for you…. Remember, even if it is just for a second.. the reason why you are celebrating… 

And then after, many of you will leave home… or will have others join you for the feast of the day…  May it be full of cheer, and good times… great memories with those who you love, family and friends who are like family

I truly wish you all a wonderful day together… and for those who can’t be with their families because of working, or troops overseas… may God be with you… and hopefully you can join your family soon..  God Bless….… 

Waiting for the other foot to drop….

We have been teased with a little snow here and there.

Nothing over 4 inches.. most of it 2 inches or less…

But they say, that is over and come Friday will start

our White Christmas weather…

We are suppose to get 3 inches tonight.. but come Friday

They are talking serious stuff… 8 inches and talking feet

in the higher levels.. 

So it is back to winter exercise… me shoveling and the King

with his 4 x 4  pushing snow… he does our driveway…and our neighbors as she lets him push snow on to her property in the back area, so he has room to push it later, as it gets deeper.  Then there

Is the snowblower.. to make Misty track for going pee…  I really don’t mind going out and shoveling off the deck.. it is refreshing .. with the cold air..  Then there is the car shuffle… me moving them, him plowing that area.. and me putting it back, then moving the truck.. same thing..  But mid February or March we aren’t as happy doing it.. but we know Spring is coming.. 

So the question is.. will we be shoveling and plowing or will it go around us, like it has the past 4 storms..   Just glad we don’t live on the East coast where the snow storms have been horrible and the tornados are worse.  At least our ground and homes stay in one place.   Saw pictures of last year on this date and we had over a foot..  so thankful for small favors.

But it doesn’t feel like Christmas…..

But it doesn’t feel like Christmas…..

I am not, as you probably already know, from past blog stories..very good a Christmas..  Really, I am a bah humbug type…

Way too much gifts for so few, way too much money spent on something no one will remember they got.  Way too much and expensive gifts for kids..  When I was a kid we got about 5 gifts. And when raising my kids.. they got about 3 real presents.. the rest of the presents were clothes to replenish their school clothes that got too small..

I have seen piles of gifts.. a round circle that goes around the tree, at least 10 feet circle… and at least 3 to 4 feet high. For a family of 4. That is obese .. in gifts.  And it takes the parents 6 months or more to pay for them.

My husbands and I did not go into debt for the kids gifts.   Now we might have had a large circle around the tree..but there were 8 kids..  Then 5, then down to 3 and then 1…  No gift was over $25 .

And at the end of the day… none of them were disappointed.  Yes, they went to school to see some of their friends with the latest hand game, or radio and etc..  but never voiced a disappointment. 

So here I am 79 year later… and it has gotten to be another day.. The only thing that I take away from it…. Is watching kids ..the light in their eyes.. the smiles.. and etc.   The rest of it is.. enjoying a dinner with family..   We go to our daughter’s house for Christmas.  And I am happiest at the end of the day…

But even with all the Christmas decorations, ads and etc.. since Oct..and maybe that is the reason why it doesn’t feel like Christmas..  it has been going on and on and on…   maybe that is why..  Hate to say it.. but I am looking forward to January… no that isn’t right either… I am looking forward to May…..

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE…

LIAR,  LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE…

Those of us over the age of 40, have heard that childhood phase, many times… It was funny, but it sure wasn’t funny if you got caught lying by your parents. 

I know it might have taken me a couple of times to catch on, that lying  meant a butt whipping..  And I do mean a butt whip.. either by hand or by strap..  the kind of whipping that had you dancing on the end of a hand that held you, so you couldn’t  get away… I was a fairly quick learner in that.. telling the truth might hurt some…but nothing as bad as the lie. 

I also instill that into my own kids.. A little less violent but the message was the same… A swat on the butt a few times… or something dearly with held… standing with their nose is the corner for a while..  But the message was the same.. DO NOT LIE… the punishment was far less for the truth.

Also had the talk of how some day, they will need me to stand up for them.. if they are accused of doing or saying something.. And if they are liars to me.. then I will not stand up for them.  Might stand beside them…but not stand up for them..   And that turn out to be a true story many years later, when one of my teens was accused of stealing a purse on his paper route… I did go down the to the police station and talked to my son..  and when he told me, he didn’t do it.. I believe him, because of such a talk, and he always told the truth..  I told the police officer that if my son said he didn’t do it.. he didn’t do it.. and that I realized that he hears that from all the parents.. but it was true with my son..  He said he had to interview him, and he would do so without me there..  I told him, I had no fear that he would find out the truth from my son… After 20 minutes he came out… and said… as a police officer he has to have doubts, it goes with the job, but he also thought my son was telling the truth…  And sure enough a week later, it came out that the son of the woman who accused my son… had done it.. and hid it in the back yard… which she found him going out there to get something else out of it.   This whole thing really set my kids in how things can go wrong, but if you tell the truth.. it will work out.  TRUTH was golden in our household…  to ever fail, would break the trust for us.  Trust is big, and to lose truth is hard to get back.

My own children, have followed thru with the same notion..  In fact  one time, one of them sent their child to talk to me.. (the poor kid).  So the next generation was.. TRUTH is golden.   One of my grandchildren, was asked by a police officer, if he had done something.. and he told the truth.. even when I sat there, listening to him.. and thought I think I would have told the truth but on a softer side of it.. He told it just as it was.. and how he felt..  I am going WOW…but was and still so proud of him..  He is an adult now.. and still the same way… in fact you might not like it.. as he tells it as it is..  Sometimes that can be a little rough on the receiving end.  Ha ha…. 

But what status do parents have now .. in order to teach their kids the same lesson?  With lies being told daily, hourly, by people of high places.. Even reading in the paper or watching the news.. There is a good share of it.. you can’t take for the truth…

They have even come up with a new phase… ALTERNATE TRUTH… WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?  It is either the truth or it isn’t…

Brings to my mind … the line from the movie FROM A FEW GOOD MEN…. The Jack Nickleson line… THE TRUTH? THE TRUTH? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH.!!!!...   

I guess the media and the government have decided we can’t handle the truth… as they go to great lengths to tell lies.. This goes against every grain in my body and soul…

THROW OUT THE GARBAGE…

THROW OUT THE GARBAGE…

We talk about throwing out the garbage… usually talking about what is in the trash can…. But sometimes we need to remember to throw out the garage in life too…

Don’t forget trends for your age , but keep your own sense of style . Be you… you know what looks good on you..  So throw out what you thought might be good and isn’t.  Throw out the garbage.. 

Don’t stress over the little things . You’ve already gone over a lot in your life..  learn from it.. don’t dwell on it..  ,. Don’t let the past drag you down  Throw out the garbage.

Life is too short to waste your days on negative . Spend your time with positive , fun  people , you will find yourself laughing with them..   Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder … throw out the garbage.. .

. Laugh at everything . Laughter is the greatest sound on earth.. it is ageless.. and it is everywhere.. Africa, Asia, Europe… everywhere..  the is the universal language.  A lot of people don’t  get to this age , get a full life . But you did . So what’s not to laugh about ? Find the humor not matter what the situation….   Throw out the garbage..

Don’t care what others say about you….. they don’t know you… They’ll say it anyway ,Those who know you, will know it is lies….  and you know what you’ve achieved . Let them talk and don’t worry . They have no idea about your history , your memories and the life you’ve lived so far . there is  much more life to live.. , so get busy and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think . Now is the time to be at rest , at peace and as happy as you can be !   throw out the garbage..

DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT....

 Day late and a dollar short…

Got so busy yesterday, forgot to blog..

Can’t tell you what I was doing, but I was busy

doing it.

Oh, I know.. I was making zucchini bread.  Same thing I was doing the day before… Made 8 smalls pans and 2 large..   both days..

Got to do something with all that shredded

zucchini that we have from our summer crop.  Besides we

don’t give gifts to our friends.. but we do give bread.  Use to do

a lot more in the years past.. but got out of the mood, have less to

give to.. But we use to do about 3 kinds of cookies and the breads and even dappled in the candies…  Did orange rind sugar candy.. fudge of course..  Which that could be frustrating.. as you can end

up with fudge syrup.  

As I was waiting for the bread to bake, and had another batch ready to go..  I made myself a sandwich.   Had not really thought about how I made my sandwiches…over the years..  Just make it and then cut it..  So how do you cut yours?  Most of the time, mine are in quarters.. once in a while if I am creative... I will do diagonal quarters.. but most of the time.. it is the standard one … like this one…

As I was cutting them.. without thought, just doing what I have done for years.. I thought of why?  And the answer is.. my mother use to cut them that way.. and that was what I got in my lunch box. Why I never changed, I don’t know… And the surprising part is.. when I do sandwiches for others I ask them.. do they want them cut…. And if they say yes, I just cut in half.  What is with that?

Kind of on the slow side this am…

Kind of on the slow side this am…

Spend two weeks getting ready for Thanksgiving.. and now

spending a weekend putting things back that I decluttered

last week..

Got all my Christmas cards out…for some reason years ago.. about 4 or 5 … I sat down and did all the cards two or three days before Thanksgiving..  just to get it over with…and had some down time.. Ever since, it seems like a good idea..   Don’t know why.. and this year was kind of frustrating… See each year I have a list from the year before.. I use that to send out the cards for the present year. So if you didn’t send us one last year.. you won’t get one this year.  I have this list printed out and on the computer.. plus I have two sheets of paper with the return addresses taped to it.. so I will have the currant address.   So when I placed the cards on the table.. I went to get that list.. It was NOT on my computer..I search under every wording I could think of.. even just the numbers of 2018.  Nothing..  Not in file cabinet.. Not on the desk in a folder of Misc. Nothing..  So had to wing it.   In the process I did clean up my address book and file.. and got all of them all up to date..   Spend the next two hours of addressing the envelopes and putting the card of my choice in the card after signing it.   The great thing about Facebook, is every friend knows what is going on in your life.. so you don’t have to write up a funny newsletter or write a note in each. I think I wrote in about 4 of non computer friends..  So they are all done and mailed.. Now just got the family ones to do..

So after all that.. and shoveling the new snow..  the blog kind of slipped my mind until this morning… hope the rest of December is better prepared.  Seems like I am always a day late and a dollar short.