OH, 2024 WHERE DID YOU GO?

OH, 2024   WHERE DID YOU GO?

THIS IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR… THAT LAST OF 2024… AND TO BE HONEST..   I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU GO,  2024..  

As the old saying went..   “ANOTHER YEAR DOWN THE TOILET, AND HERE IS ANOTHER TO TRY TO LOUSE UP”

So as you walk thru this last day of the year…  Have you learn any thing about yourself?  Or just learn anything in general?

What do you plan on taking into 2025 and what are you going to leave in 2024?

Do you have a list or agenda of what you want to get done in 2025? Any plans…  anything you have put off for way too long? And this year of 2025 it needs to be done? 

I am not talking about NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS.. that people promise themselves.. and goes to the way side by January 10^th..

Do you have traits that you want to strengthen?  Like to be kinder to those you who you deal with?  You know where it is irritating to deal with certain ones..  and how you can be kinder, even though they are not..  and probably never will be?   Are you going to take the high road..  and  let go of the bad side of things..  just because people don’t follow the rules.. your thought of the rules.. doesn’t mean we are not to be kind..  Just because they are asses..   we still can be kind…  Just because their road is not travel like ours..  doesn’t mean we should not be kind..   because you see.. you should not be kind for others sake only..  you should be kind.. for YOUR sake ..it is easier on your nerves. 

Is there things you want to do, so you are going drop the usual things?...   I have threaten and thought about it, over and over.. and yet… went back to what I should give up..  And I think this year of 2025 is the year to stop..  Like I said.. I have threaten to stop before.  Thinking I had nothing else to say..  at least of interest to others…   I have done it so that I have always an open soap box to spout off…  But this is the year to say..  Thank you for being there over the years.. those who stuck it out for that long.. and even for those who only joined the past year or so.. THANK YOU… I see the numbers .. so I know there are  several..  8 to about 12 on an average day..  once in a while hit the 19 to 20..  but not the 30 or 40 in the beginning.   So I am releasing you as of this March.. March 5 will be the last day of the FROM A SIMPLE MIND.. it will mark the 20^th anniversary when I started this blog.. 

I don’t do this lightly..  and it isn’t because I think I have so much great things to write about… because I don’t… I am almost scared to quit…   Why is that?  Because I am 84 now..  and doing this twice a week.. puts me on the line to do something..  a deadline so to speak…   and without its… is the part that scares me..   When you are elderly.. and you don’t keep your mind active… you slowly lose it..  Not just the mind, the activity.. the power to do SOMETHING.   So if I quit and I am sure I will… At least on a weekly routine…  what will I fill that space up with.. that will keep the mind thinking?    Will dementia slowly take over?  I have senior moments as it is..  (who doesn’t at 84?)   Surely hope I have something up my sleeve to fill the void..

Well, we still have 60 days … before that happens..  so 16+ pages to fill with nonsense of Cis… 

So again.. what are you leaving in 2024….  And what are you opening up 2025 with?

As we unwind the last of 2024….

As we unwind the last of 2024….

We have had blessings..  we have had heartache… 2024 Definitely has tried us…  and great joy… as the roller coast of 2024 had taken us thru the time of life.

We have had the lost of good friends.. But that is what happens, when you get old.. meaning over 70… 

We have heart aches as we watch a family member go off the beaten track.. and no we are not sharing that one.. 

We have had great joy…   that spread across several areas…..   an insurance company that stood by us..  even when the faulted insurance did not..   the family that stepped up and said. No problem..  bring her own down (our truck that was smash because of another person)….   And the side effect for the King who got to see new born great grandchildren… as well as son’s and daughter in laws.. and grandchildren galore.. 

And then the news flash that we will be come GREAT GREAT GRANDPARENTS in 2025!!    How can you beat all of that..  even with the roller coaster of life..

 

 

Found in my Document file... and the answer is no.. not yet

 

I was looking for something in my Document File and I found this..  just for the record.. 

NO I HAVE NOT LEFT YET..  Just figured I would put it out there, in case some of you don't make it after me..  or the kids forget to put it in the paper, the way I want..  a controller over my own life to the end..

 

Cis's Obituary

 

Well, if you are reading this Obituary, it must mean that I have grabbed

my last cup of coffee and maybe a strawberry, and my ashes are blowing

with the wind, as I say WOO, HOO, that was a hell of a ride...

So I guess we better get on with the serious stuff.

 

I was born in Newport, R.I. and raised by my parents, Gilbert and Mary

Richardson, along with a kid brother Roy.  I cleaned stalls, weeded gardens and

help put up hay, as I trolloped thru school, graduating from Rogers High School in Newport.  Later in life, learning of a half sister, Sandra Cooper in South Carolina.

 

I worked at the Naval Exchange after high school.  First in general office and then

in ordering and shipping.  Having the experience of going out on strike one lunch

time, because the supervisors wouldn't let us go out and see the arrival of Dwight

Eisenhower, who was our President at the time. This is before protesting was cool.

But was fired from there and sent home to look up the word ...insubordination...

as at the age of 18, I had an inquisitive mind and wanted to know why things were

done the way there were, questioning things that didn't seem right at the time.

 

I was shipped off after high school/job to spend some time with my grandfather,

Leroy Kaull, who had lost his wife. Then jumped across country to San Diego, California. To join friends of my mother, and  my favorite Aunt Harriet's family.

Holding down varies jobs, of sales person, payroll in a men's suits factory, and

also a bit of short cook. 

 

It was there I met my first husband William Worel, and we moved to Washington

State. After a short marriage of 8 years and 7 children, we divorced and I met

Marvin Hughes, who became my second husband.  After 17 years of marriage, and

one daughter, he passed away in 1986.  

Palled around with a friend for about 13 years and then made an honest man

out of him and married him, Kenneth Gors in 1999.

 

After Marvin passed away, the Johnson's, who owned Sandpoint Manor, decided

I was worthy of a job there after taking some certified nurses aide classes in 1986.

I worked there for 17+ years, retiring in 2003.  Taking care of the elderly was an

enjoyable job most of the time. It was a great generation to take care of.

 

After 2003, I dabbled a little in some home health care, when friends had a need

with their parents. But by 2011, I was done.. after all I was getting closer to their ages.

People would ask me what I did in retirement. Told them I did nothing, and found out

that I was very good at it, and it was a very busy time doing it.  Actually I did small

things here and there, yard work in the summer that was fun.  Spend weekends going

to yard sales with my daughter, buying up what I called yard art. Which could be

anything from a weird statue, to lights that lit at night by solar, and wind socks and

flags.  Seem to always have a project to do. And a side line of writing a blog for over

10 years.... called From a Simple Mind.

In 2010, my children surprised us with a trip to Hawaii, for 10 days.. To celebrate my 70’th birthday…What a wonderful time with great people.  There was 12 of us. 

In 2015, There was a joyous gathering in Seaside Oregon, called MEET ME AT

THE BEACH… where my family joined me to celebrate my 75^th birthday. Over

35 join us.  A truly joyous time.

 

So here I leave you, leaving behind a wonderful fun time husband, Ken Gors, who

made me laugh, even when I threaten to kill him, because of his practical jokes. He

still treated me like a queen, when another word that rhymes with witch would have

been a better description.

 

Also leaving behind some the kids, who live in the Longview area... A daughter,  who beat me to the pearly gate… Julie Cook   with her husband Miles in Vancouver, Wa. A son William Worel II, and his wonderful wife Elaine, who live in Castle Rock, Wa. . Gilbert Worel and his lovely wife, Terra, who live in Kelso , Wa. ...Bradley Worel and his loving wife Patty, who live in Castle Rock, Wa. Stan (the man) better know to me as Daryl Worel, and his new wife Terry, who lives in Yelm, Wa. And last but not least.. my daughter and best friend, Jeanette Haines and her wonderful husband, who also beat me the pearly gate…Tim  who live in Sandpoint, Idaho. And two daughters, Patricia Harriet Worel and Sally J.Worel in the Longview area.

Also in this tribe of many, too many to list... is 20 grandchildren, and at last count 36 great grandchildren... spread out from, Washington, Idaho and California.  Throw in a few cousins in Ca.,  Virginia, Wa. and nieces and nephews in R.I., Fla., SC. Minn. ... And some pretty darn good friends..partner in crime over the years, Cherie, and most recently Lorraine Allen.  Art and another who beat me to the pearly gate is wife, Betty and Austin and his wonderful wife, Lynn  ..So please,  take good care of the old man.

 

and  a special one..  my grandchild from another mother, who has gotten me out of more computer trouble than I want to admit... Lexi and her sweet boys..         

A life well lived.. I have no real regrets..  

And all of you left behind... live well, love lots, and keep the faith.

 

 

   

 

 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE 

to you all... 

wishing a great day with your family..  and for those who are alone..  may you find peace and even joy to not be part of the hoopla... but to enjoy  one's self . 

I know there are a lot of lonely people.. so if you know one in your neighborhood, then an invite or take a plate of food over to them..  especially the elderly.. 

and may the kindness of today..  be shared the rest of the year and into 2025

LOOKING BACK (to my Brother Roy)

LOOKING BACK (to my Brother Roy)

See today would have been my brother’s  80^th birthday.. 

Knowing him, he would have had it full of laughter.  He and his buddies would be downtown Jamestown, R.I.  (even tho he moved to Portsmouth in his later life, when he inherited our folks farm)

Having coffee and laughing up the place.. then His kids would have had a Hell of a party.  And by now a great granddaughter running around..  to the gee of Grandpa’s antics.. .. 

But sadly God had other plans

10 1/2 years ago, God decided he needed Roy more than his friends and family did. Just 6 months before his 70^th birthday.

In 2011, I bought a birthday card that you will see here. And he decided to send it back to me on my  birthday and said we should just sent it back and forth to each other.. just adding a few words..   And we did.. as you can see…  but in 2014… after my birthday,  he passed..  so he had the last word. I take it out every year on his birthday and then in April to read what we wrote.   I use to tell him each year in our phone calls, what to look forward to when he arrived at each 5 years..  and I had a doozy ready for his 70^th.. of all the good things that happen in your 70 and not to fear it but embrace it..and passed on my questionable words of wisdom, of things he would face that year.  But I  never got to write it. Looking back, maybe when I got it out, I should have added to it.  See I am 4 years older than he.

See, Roy, as you would have turn 80 this year.. all the good times of 70 .. well, they are gone and you had fun, right?.  WELL, 80 is starting of the pits.  That is when the legs let you know you can’t walk a mile anymore..  that walking around the grocery store can be marathon.  And aches, pains, you blew off before.. well, they nag the hell out of you… letting you know you are not macho man anymore.. But the sense of humor gets even more sharper.. And YOU can rass the heck out of the younger generation..  And teach your great grandkid all kinds of stuff..    But guess you are going to have to sit up there in heaven and watch..  but at least you aren’t lonely anymore.. with your wife joining you,   with Mom and Dad there too. 

God Bless…. Kid..  happy 80th

 

 

 

 

The best that money can buy….

The best that money can buy….

We have all heard the old saying… “he is the best congressman that money can buy”…  that was back in the 40’s or so..  Well, that saying should come back.. because Trump is for sale..  and he has gladly accept all fees coming in. Mostly from Computer company's…  Like Facebook.. then there is Twitter now call X ..  both have given Millions and more..  to Trump’s organization…  it is public knowledge.  Meta president has donated 1 million dollars to Trump’s Inaugural party.  You can find the story .. with these kinds of reports from the Wall Street. and etc..

The Wall Street Journal, which broke both stories and revealed the Meta donation late Wednesday night, said the corporate handout was a departure for the Zuckerberg-run company, which had previously refused to endorse a candidate in this year's presidential race. Zuckerberg had met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago compound in Florida last week, speculatively the precursor for the million-dollar gift.  Coming up right behind him is Amazon’s CEO..  Jeff Bezo…

And we know how much MUSK  has gave already.. and more to come..And this is ok?  There isn’t a law against that..  Influencing and buying the  President office?   Some where I thought that was illegal.. but who am I to know such things..   And the Republican party .. Senators and Representative seem to be ok with that..  I can just imagine what would be splashed across FOX NEWS if it was  Democrat President … say like Obama, or even more so Biden.. 

The winds are changing.. it isn’t for the good.   But I am sure that the Trump group is ok with this..  Maybe this is normal.. after all who has paid for the inaugural parties in the past.. I thought it was the party themselves..  Meaning the Republican’s for a Republican's President and Democrats for the Democrats Presidents..   maybe I should go Google it. 

 https://www.marketplace.org/2017/01/18/let-s-do-numbers-cost-inauguration/

I tried to find out how much Kennedy’s cost.. but guess there were more closed mouth in those days about it..  So I guess the bragging rights goes to Donald. 

 

Words on sorrow.. when they say.. LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

Words on sorrow..  when they say.. LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

 This is a rough time of the year for many.. some hide.. some take a way out that is so mind blowing for the rest of us.  Some of us don’t see it coming..  some of us worry about our love ones.. be they a friend or family..  and yet can’t find the magic words to say..  to keep the person thinking that their lives are such a black hole, they can’t take it anymore. 

We had a family member.. who did on the 7^th of December. Don’t know if she was thinking about how she could not face Christmas, even tho it was one of her favorites in the past years..  We knew she was fragile.  She had been fragile before.  She had a wonderful boyfriend, who was by her side 99% of the time.   Yet, she found a way to divert him, and did the deed…  to our horror..   And she left a note…  with the words above…  LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH..  How can you fight that?

So even those were her words, I pray that your love one.. that Love IS enough..  and you can help..

If the worse happens.. there are groups to help you..  Find them..  because you will never understand and they can help you try.   Google the suicide line.. in your area.

LONG DAY IN THE KITCHEN…

LONG DAY IN THE KITCHEN…

Up and at them.. early 0 hour… well for me.. at least. See in the winter I sleep in..  because I am a daylight person..  So when the sun is up at 5am. in the summer… I am up at 5am.  When it is up at 7:15am in the winter…  I am .. yep, up at 7:15 or so.. some times 7:30 if it is overcast and the sun is not coming thru my window.. The bed is too warm to leave before that.. and nothing is hurting on my body.

So to be up at 6am.. yesterday morning… quick breakfast.. and I was ready to go.. Had all the bowls out, and all the measuring cups from 1 cup to 8 cups..  I had the cookie sheets and the wire racks.. All out the night before..  I got the bowls in a row..  and started to put ingredient in them… and then to my HORROR… I saw I did NOT have enough brown sugar.   So called the King (he is up at 5am and with his cronies at the HOOT OWL.)….I asked him to pick up 4 bags..  he got me 5.. that is ok..  Any way.. got the ingredient in each of the bowls.  Not enough nuts for all 3.. which is fine.. as I try not to put nuts in all of my cookies. For those who are allergic.

So with breakfast and ingredient ready to go..  I was spoon  in hand at 8am.. Spooning dough out on to the cookie sheets.  I have 6 cookie sheets..  and by 8:30… first one in..

By 1pm I was all done with all of the sheets and cooked and cookies on the wire racks.

By 3pm all were cool enough to bag. 10 to a bag. Well, I started out with 12.. but when I noticed one of them was 2 short because my tester husband took 2..  so figured… ok. 10 is a good number.

Had them all bagged by 4. And out in the refrigerator in the garage. (a little out of range for my tester husband to get) As  there were a few tinged at the edges.. which became the Testers..  lol..

At 5pm..I was fixing dinner and eating..  by 6.. I had the breads back in the house from the garage.. and wrapped them in wrapping… as I didn’t like how the foil fit around them..  By 7pm, I had the pans all washed, and placed outside in the cupboards in the garage.  And the kitchen back to normal..  what ever normal is..   That is the longest I have been in a kitchen.. since.. well, I don’t remember.. Since retiring… and then the King retired.. and he loves to cook, I don’t do much but prep work for him.  BUT I AM DONE..

I use to do breads, cookies, candy and one time did jalapeno jam.   And we gave it all away in baskets for gifts..  But we don’t do that anymore.. for one thing.. a lot of the receivers have passed away..

But at least I got it done.. until next year..

Wizard of Oz

Wizard of Oz

My thoughts of late have been on the song in Wizard of Oz.

It is the one where the scarecrow sings..  I WISH I HAD A BRAIN…   Because mine seems to go on vacation from time to time..  use to say..  a  SENIOR MOMENT.. but that is too short of a time for this.  

But I got to admit.. I pass what I have now called Dementia Test..  that is where you sit so nice in your house, writing out a list of stuff you need from the store…   and THEN YOU FORGET IT ON THE COUNTER…   and you don’t discovery this … until you are entering the store.  No, you don’t want to drive home and get it..  So you trudge thru and try to remember what it was on the list.  Closing your eyes and trying to imagine what you see of what you wrote, does not help at all.     And I hate going up and down the aisle trying to see what seems familiar of what you are missing at home.    But I went to the store .. and I searched all of my pockets.. (vest has 4 and jacket has two) NO LIST..   I remember the main thing I wanted as I had just wrote it down before I left.  The others were from a day or two before..   But I AM SOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF MYSELF… I aced it.  I got all 5 items.. (what did you think I was a genius and remember 20? Come on .) At 84.. 5 is good. 

Well, heading in the kitchen to make cookies this am.. Christmas cookies that the King loves..  when I make a big batch.. I have to freeze ¾ of them .. or we will binge eat them..   that is why I only make them once a year..  ok. I am off..  humming  Oh, if only I had a brain……

My heart just doesn’t seem to be in it…

My heart just doesn’t seem to be in it…

Each year, for years..  this is the time I start making my Choc. Zucchini Bread..   Last year I did maybe about 8 of them…. usually to about 20..  And this year.. I really don’t have my heart into it..  Hoping when I start, I will get into the mood.. But it is the getting started.. 

Actually I am having a hard time getting my heart into anything…  Got the Christmas stuff out..  looked thru it..  hung the King’s flat tree on the wall next to his chair.. put the rest of it back in the tote and put it in the back room with the other one.. I have got it down to 2 totes.  We don’t do a regular tree.. no room.. Found the flat wall tree a few years ago.. It serves the purpose..  when it is over, just roll it up and put it away until next year.

Anyway, figured I would give the chore to the GGboys.. when they come over Wed.  Did it with one last year.. he did a pretty good job. So hoping they will do well, and not fight over it..  There is no such thing about it not going any particular place.. Just let his ideas flow..  So God only knows where the stuff will end up at..   Will show pictures next week.

 

 

This and That…

This and That…

Well, here we go… closing in on 2025.. ending another year…  or as I use to say..  Another year shot to hell..  lets see how we do with the next one. 

Already told you, I thought this year was on maxi speed. 

While we are about 4 weeks to 2025..  we still have time for things to happen in this world..

There are many changes over seas..  Lets hope peace on earth is one of them.

I have decided ..  I don’t like going for drives any more.  Over the weekend we traveled to Spokane.  Now normally that isn’t a big deal. We went what we would think is the back way.. thru Newport, WA.. down highway 2.. to Spokane.   We have done this many times, just not in the past 4 or 5 years.  It seem like it was FOREVER.. We had traveled for at least an hour… and I finally said.. Boy, I don’t remember this road being so long…  And the King replied… I was just thinking the same thing..  I was thinking how I was beginning to think like a kid.  ARE WE THERE YET?  ARE WE THERE YET?   When we left for home we took one of the other routes we normally take. And it did seem faster..  but it still was a long time.. So about 2 hours each way… with dinner on the way home.  So we were going for over 4 hours.. And the dog was not happy..  I think she thought we deserted her.  As this is the longest we have been gone. Guess I am just getting old.

Oh, and it was for nothing..  We found out the chair the King was thinking about getting.. was really nice.. but the price sure wasn’t..  so we came home empty handed.. Oh well, it was a ride with my sweet guy, who gets very upset with Washington drivers… lol.. and we got lost.. so had to stop for directions.. and of course we had traveled about 18 miles the wrong way…  Oh, road trips… I think I will pass.