Meet My Family

Just as the life that pulses in our bodies goes back to the beginnings of the Earth, so too does that heartbeat carry the pulse of those that come after. By the power of our imagination we can sense the future generations breathing with the rhythm of our own breath or feel them hovering like a cloud of witnesses. Sometimes I fancy that if I were to turn my head suddenly, I would glimpse them over my shoulder. They and their claim to life have become that real to me.

Joanna Macy

My grandchildren amd mydaughter.

My great grandchildren.

Wednesday Quote

A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed... It feels an impulsion... this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.



Richard Bach

Tuesday Memories and Then Some

When you finally go back to your old hometown, you find it wasn't the old home you missed but your childhood. 

Sam Ewing 

Lisa as a little girl.

Me at the same age.  Can you see the resemblance?

We moved into this house when I was five years old.  The house used to be green, and the extension had not been built.  And the trees?  They were wee little things when we lived there. I remember the house to our left.  A young wife and mother lived there.  The husband came home one day and found her hanging in the basement.  Not only were we children and did not understand, but doctors didn't understand Post Partum Depresson at the time.  Today she may have been saved.  

My bedroom was in the back and Kathleen's house was right behind it.  I've found a few friends recently and we shared some fun memories over the weekend, but I've not found Kathleen.  Maybe one day.  As I learned this past couple weeks, miracles can happen.

 Approaching my house.  It is situated on the right just before the turn.

Not sure how old I was, but looks like maybe high school.

At grandma's house.

My dad is the one in the back.  Now tell me he isn't a dead ringer for Elvis Presley. 

My daughter and newest great granddaughter.

Well, that's about it for today.  Have a good one.

Happy Memorial Day

How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallow'd mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung,
There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there.

William Collins

I visited my dad's grave the other day.  It's the first time I was able to lay flowers in person.  I've always done so via 'Find a Grave."  I hadn't thought I would be so emotional.  Neither of my parents were meant to be parents.   A totally dysfunctional family.  But, he is my dad, and I love him no matter.  RIP dear father, and thank you for your service.

It was the first time I cried for him om years, and all the grief came once.  I am so grateful that I had this opportunity.

As for the meeting with my daughter, it went so beautifully.  She is so loving despite the fact that mom treated her just like she treated me.  She is so much stronger than was.  She promised mom that she would be there to take care of her, and she left her home, her job, and her husband to do so.  Yet still mom insults her.  Grrr!  My one wish is that woman finds the ability to love before it is too late.

Talk to you all tomorrow.  

Happy Memorial Day

Friday Roundup

I truly believe we can either see the connections, celebrate them, and
express gratitude for our blessings, or we can see life as a string of
coincidences that have no meaning or connection.
As for me, I’m going to believe in miracles, celebrate life, rejoice in the
views of eternity and hope my choices will create a positive ripple
effect in the lives of others. This is my choice.

Mike Ericksen

Look how tall my money tree is getting.  Time to transplant and set on the floor.

Good morning everyone.  This is my day.  A time for celebration. I'm off to see my daughter.  I feel so blessed with what's happened in my life.  A second chance.  Not all of us get that.  Speaking of second chances....

Gained .6 pounds, but it's something that I expected.  Sodium puts water weight on me right away, and I not only got into hubby's Jalapeno chips, but also  had some low sodium turnkey yesterday for lunch, and I've learned that even though it says low sodium, the level is still higher than what I should be eating.

Had quite a scare yesterday. After Weight Watchers I went to C Town to pick up a few items. They have a few items I can't get at my regular store. So, I went to the register and swiped my card and it said wrong pin...over and over again. Embarrassing and frightening. I was scared that someone had gotten hold of my information. Embarrassingly, I told the girl I had no cash so everything had to be put back. I then stopped at Met Food and bought a couple items just to see if maybe their machine had been at fault. Same response. 

I left Met Food so upset I was halfway down the block before I realized I was still pushing the shopping cart. LOL!!! Had to take it back. By the time I called Ralph I was almost in tears. All I could think of was that all my money was gone. He came immediately and drove me to the bank.

Turned out to be something very simple. No one had touched my money. It seems that the first time I typed my pin number I was one number off and a question mark went up. I don't quite understand. I've been wrong on the pin before but may TD bank is getting stricter. I don't know. All I do know is that I am very grateful and much relieved.

Well, that's about it for this week.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Talk to you all on Monday.

Thursday Photos

Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film, only time enough to expose our hearts.

Minor White

Couldn't resist getting a picture of the sun. This winter we didn't see it for days on end, and spring hasn't been so hot either.  Despite a lack of rain, we've had many cool and cloudy days

Took this picture on my way to art class Tuesday.  

Tried to get my little friend to stand still for a selfie with me but she kept pulling back.  Better luck next time.

This is my Japanese friend at art class.  She has got to be the most creative person I know--makes all her own jewelry, excellent artist, does origami, and crochets the loveliest hats and scarves.  

And finally, this is my art teacher.  I will forever be grateful to him for volunteering his time to teach us oldsters how to creative beautiful objects of art.

Wednesday Quote

Your life is like a balloon...if you never let yourself go, you will never know how far you can rise.

  Linda Poindexter

Tuesday Memories

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.

Martin Buber

Good morning, everyone.  How was your Monday?  Hope all went well.  It was cloudy and humid here so I went to class and came back home.  Didn't feel much like sitting in the park.  It was just one of those blah days.  Didn't sleep much the night before either so that didn't help.  I realize now it is time to make an appointment with my doctor.  This pain is interfering with my sleep way too much.  What's frustrating is that I went on this weight loss journey to alleviate the pain, and it seems that the more I lose, the more pain I am in. 
 

When I was a little girl every Easter I was dressed from head to toe in a new outfit.  Everything on me was new.  My parents were not church goers, but on Easter Sunday my mom made sure that I went.   I'm not sure how old I was in the following picture, but I am guessing probably about 10. 

Remember those crinolines we used to wear?  The wider the better.

This is me with my grandparents.  See the little purse that was a part of my outfit. I was such a brat.  Just look at the face I was making.

This is me and my dog, Susie.  Would you believe I still cry over her?  She was such a special little girl and remembering her life reminds me that one can overcome any adversity.  She never allowed the loss of her leg become a handicap.  No, she just gritted her teeth and learned how to live without it.  Miss you girl.

My girl used to love to laugh.  All you had to do was say, "Susie, give me a smile", and her face would light up.  I loved her so much.

Well, that's about it today.  Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Celebration is a kind of food we all need in our lives, and each individual brings a special recipe or offering, so that together we will make a great feast. Celebration is a human need that we must not, and can not, deny. It is richer and fuller when many work and then celebrate together.

Corita Kent and Jan Steward

 

Good morning, everyone.  Hope you all had a good weekend.  I know I did.  Spent a lot of time on hobbies and reading.  On Friday I went to the fruit stand and found broccoli on sale...2 bunches for a dollar.  Couldn't resist so I bought two huge bunches.  Would have bought more but hubby doesn't eat it.  Later I sprinkled it with garlic oil, sesame oil, and low sodium soy sauce and put it in the oven for roasting.  It tasted so good.

Practiced some with my art on Saturday.  I've come to the realization that the projects I have been taking on are far too advanced for me and have decided that simple projects are the way to go.  I tend to get discouraged quickly when I spend a lot of time on something, and then I mess it up because I don't know what I am doing.  I also have to start listening to my instructor and stop trying for perfection.  Instead I have to make it my own.   With that being said, I am going to start all over again, and this way learn the correct way, not trying to jump ahead of the instructor.  

I just didn't know where to stop.

And I never know when to leave well enough alone.  For example, I was painting some little plastic flowers I had in a vase, and it was looking very nice.   But. I wasn't content so I kept adding and adding and adding until I totally destroyed it.  All I can do is keep practicing.  Definitely not giving up.

On Sunday morn I went to church then headed back home.  Too warm and humid out there for me.  The weather has been so changeable this spring.  Hubby and I were talking about it last night.  I actually had to dig out one of my flannel gowns the other day.  It was so darn cold in the house.

Made a simple meal last night...spaghetti with meat sauce.  Sunday is always pasta day.  To begin with, I grew up with pasta Sunday.  At least two Sundays a month we had Italian food.  I also like to have pasta at least four days before weigh in because, I'm sorry, I can't eat half a cup.  Heck, I can't even eat one cup I love it so much.  So, having it on Sunday gives me 3 full days until weigh in.  And that, my friends, is my weekly cheat.  Better than cakes and candy.

Have a good one.  

Friday Roundup

Today I know that I cannot control the ocean tides. I can only go with the flow. . . . When I struggle and try to organize the Atlantic to my specifications, I sink. If I flail and thrash and growl and grumble, I go under. But, if I let go and float, I am borne aloft.

Marie Stilkind

Well, another Friday has arrived.  This week is over, and it has been a busy one for sure.  Went for my four month field test this past Tuesday.  Aced the glaucoma tests..  Pressure is still good and no signs of glaucoma, but because of some early markers, I remain glaucoma suspect.  Not all news was good though.  I've been diagnosed with Age Related Macular Degeneration.  There is no cure.  One can only try to slow down the process with healthy foods--especially lots of greens.  Already been doing that.  The doctor also suggested that I begin taking Occuvite.  He didn't have to tell me twice.  Stopped on the way home and bought it.  My sight is important to me, and I will do anything I can to keep it.

Lost another .4 pounds this week.  I'll take it.  Lost 35.2 pounds altogether.  Started out at 223.8 and am now down to 188.6.  

One week before I see my daughter.  Might as well say I am meeting her because she is a grown woman now with children and grandchildren of her own.  She''ll be 49 in July.  I'm feeling so anxious, but it helps that she understands that leaving her was a decision forced on me.  We've done a lot of chatting, and sadly, mom treated her pretty much the same way she treated me.  So what did she want to adopt her for?  To hurt me?  Not going to let it eat me up, though.  I've been given a second chance, and that is a blessing.

Made a new dish in my crockpot.  So yummy. Only the second time I used it since I got it for Christmas.  I have a fear of leaving food cooking while I'm out, and with a crockpot that only defeats the purpose.  

Chicken Provencal

2 chicken breasts (halved)
One onion (chopped)
1/2 cup pitted olives
About one tbs. white vinegar
McCormick's Lemon Pepper
McCormick's Herbes de Provence
1 Bay Leaf
1 can low sodium chicken broth
Minced parsley

Fry chicken until browned. Place onions in crock pot and layer chicken on top. Add olives and vinegar. Sprinkle chicken with spices. I don't measure. Slowly add broth and cook on low 5-6 hours. Top with parsley and cook about 15 minutes more.

And that's about it for this week.  See you on Monday.

The Coming of Spring: Four Weeks of Photos

The powerful potential behind change lies in the possibility that each
new beginning will bring us greater joy and freedom than we have ever
known. Whether or not that actually happens--whether or not we
continue to grow through the cycles of our lives--is largely up to us.
We play a part in what happens by choosing how we see our changes,
our beginnings, our endings. We can see each ending as a tragedy and
lament and resist it, or we can see each ending as a new beginning and
a new birth into greater opportunities. What the caterpillar sees as the
tragedy of death, the butterfly sees as the miracle of birth.

John Marks Templeton 

Good morning,everyone. It's time for my Thursday photo shoot. Please bear with me. I'm still in the learning process.  While waiting for the bus I took pictures of the same tree four weeks in a row   showing the changes that occurred as spring finally took hold in my little neighborhood. And, when the summer ends, the leaves will once again change color and fall, but the tree will still stand.  It accepts change.  Why is it so hard for us to accept the changes that come into our lives?

Wednesday Quote

Let us liberate ourselves from any form of control. Let us focus at the inner drum, where the rhythm aligns with that of our heart. The measure of responsibility, equals to the need for evolution. Just listen, the inner child, let it whisper in your ear.

Grigoris Deoudis

Tuesday Photo Shoot

Sometimes looking deep into the eyes of a child,
you are conscious of meeting a glance full
of wisdom. The child has known nothing yet
but love and beauty. All this piled-up world
knowledge you have acquired is unguessed at
by her. And yet you meet this wonderful look
that tells you in a moment more than all the
years of experience have seemed to teach.


Hildegarde Hawthorne 

Good morning everyone, and a wonderful morning it is.  For so many years I didn't know who I was.  I was so lost.  Oh, I had my loving hubby and sons, but I couldn't even remember what I looked like when I was growing up.  Everyone had their childhood photos, but I had none.  I had some memories, but they were sparse, few and far between.  Now that my daughter is back in my life, I am finally being given the closure that I need.

I am pretty sure this was my kindergarten picture.  If not, it is first grade.  We didn't attend kindergarten in the grammar school with the rest of the kids.  Our kindergarten was held in a house that had been revamped to hold our kindergarten class. 

I was a cute little girl if I do say so myself.

This is the year I had begun taking care of myself in the morning.  Got myself off to school because both parents were working. Notice the straggly hair.

Of all my pictures,  I remember this photo so clearly. Don't remember anything about it, but I do see it clearly in my mind.

Either 8th grade or freshman year of high school. Pin curls.  Remember them?

This was me sitting on the porch of our first home.  The friend I have been looking for for so many years lived two houses down. I fell down these steps onto my head.  It hit so hard the lady across the street heard it before I started screaming and came running.  I was blessed that day that all I got was a lump.  Could have been much worse.

This was me with my Susie.  My first dog.  She came to live with us when I was only five years old.  I remember coming home from school one day to discover that she'd been hit with an oil truck and was in pretty bad shape.  The vet was a miracle worker, however, and Susie lived, but he did have to amputate one of her legs.  That didn't deter my little girl though.  She got around with three legs just as well as a dog with four....and oh, how she loved me and I loved her.  She lived until I was 20 years old when she developed a brain tumor and had to be put to sleep.  I still think of her often and cry over her.  

Hope you don't mind all the photos, but posting them here and talking about them is helping me to remember.  I've more to follow, but I think this is enough for now. 

Monday Morning This and That

  The fantasy flower I painted.

The person who does not believe in miracles surely
makes it certain that he or she will never take part in one.

William Blake

Morning everyone, and a happy beginning of the week to all.  I had a quiet, but wonderful weekend.  Saturday was a stay-in day, always my day to play catch up.  Had homework to do and letters to write. Practiced some with my art and caught up with my housework.  On Sunday morning I went to Church and later had a nice visit from my boys.  How was your Mother's Day?  My Mother's Day was extra special this year.  But first, before I tell you my news, we must go back to the past.

As many of you know, I grew up in a dysfunctional family and had a very unhappy childhood.  My mom was cold, distant, and always seemed to resent me.  I realized many years later when I went into counseling that she may have blamed me for the fact that she couldn't leave my father and marry the love of her life. I came from a small town, and in those days women stayed with the man for the sake of the child.  They believed that was what was best for the child, but in reality, they were hurting the child more than they realized. The child feels the pain, and it lasts for a lifetime.  I know.

Fast forward to my teen years when rebellion set in, especially my late teens when I totally got involved with the wrong crowd and did things I am not proud of.   Suffice it to say, I ran around and got pregnant.  I had a baby girl, and my mom treated her like a little princess.  One day she gave me an ultimatum--give her permission to adopt or she'd take me to court, and it wouldn't be pretty.  I was young, saw how wonderfully she treated my daughter, so did what I thought was best.  I allowed my mom to adopt. I knew at that point in my life my mom could give her much more than a teenage girl who had dropped out of school.

Little did I know that my mom would push me out and move away with my child.  I am guessing that she saw the closeness developing between me and my little girl and resentment set in, so why not get rid of me? There were no computers back then, so, at first, all I had was the phone number.  I called many times throughout the years only to be told 'that my daughter hates me' and never to call back again.  Then she changed the number, and I was left out in the cold.  I tried to find them to no avail.  Eventually, as much as it hurt, I had to leave that part of my life behind because it was eating me up.  It was time for me to heal. 

Now, 40 odd  years later we have found each other again  through the website Classmates and Facebook.  We are meeting on May 22nd, and both of us are so excited.  I found out I have 3 grandchildren--two boys and a girl--and 6 great grandchildren.  As I write this tears of joy are flowing down my cheeks.  She lives in Colorado and will be flying back here in two weeks.  We are scheduled to meet on the 22nd.  This is a true miracle in many ways.  I am now able to piece together those pieces of my past that are missing.  

My boys are very excited and anxious to meet their sister and their nieces and nephews.  My daughter and I chat for hours at a time, and it is amazing how much we have in common.  She, too, was a substance abuse counselor.  She also goes to Weight Watchers.  We both like and dislike the same foods.  We even have our weigh in at the same hour on the same day.  How unreal is that?

I've not mentioned this on FB nor do I plan to.  Too much drama on there, but here is different.  I feel like all of you are family and that no one will condemn me.   I just don't know what else to say.  I am just so darn happy.  I even got pictures now of me as a little girl and my beautiful grandma and grandpa. For so many years I have longed for this, and here she is.  My little girl.

Yes, miracles do occur.  I'll never question that again.  

Friday Roundup

I have found in life that if you want
a miracle you first need to do
whatever it is you can do-- if that's
to plant, then plant; if it is to read,
then read; if it is to change, then
change; if it is to study, then study;
if it is to work, then work; whatever
you have to do. And then you will
be well on your way of doing the
labor that works miracles.


Jim Rohn

Saw this on my way to Pathmark the other day.  Look how this tree is leaning.  Hasn't been much rain this spring, so this has to stem from all the snows of this past winter.  So much has already been cut away.  Such a shame to see things like this.

Morning all.  Happy Friday.  It's a gorgeous day out there, and I am thinking of taking a trip to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  I hear the cherry blossoms are still in full array.  Had my weigh in yesterday and lost another .4 pounds.  That is 34.8 pounds so far.  Slow and steady.  I'll take it.

Started a new online college course this week.  I'd gotten my original degree totally online via college courses and exams.  So, as I am back in school taking a course, I figured let me gather some credits.  No plans on a second degree, but just in case, so I've been looking for fun courses.   The course I am taking is "Magic in the Middle Ages."  I am totally loving it already.  Lessons include Origins of Witchcraft, The Magical World of Celtic Culture, The Magic of Objects, Church versus Magic: The Early Middle Ages, Irish Women in Medieval Literature: Outsiders or Magicians?, to name a few. 

Been a very interesting week.  When I was a little girl I had another little friend.  Some memories are blurred but I think I started hanging out with her when we started school.  Kathleen had been my best friend to date, but her parents put her in private school while I went to public.  I am pretty sure I started hanging out with Mary Ann in the third grade. 

Mary Ann lived a few blocks from me, and my fondest memory is of her father's garden.  Her mom had passed, and she was raised by her dad.  He had planted tomatoes in the back yard, and she and I used to pick them, put gobs of mayo on bread, and slice these fresh tomatoes for lunches.  Can still remember how good they tasted.  Every once in awhile I still have a tomato sandwich for lunch. 

Well, when high school rolled around we were split up.  She went to one class, I to another.  She became one of the popular kids, and I was the shy one that no one wanted to hang around with.  For awhile she tried to include me, but as things go, we drifted apart.  And then, I was transferred to another school, and that was the end of it.  She did call me once before I moved to New York and spoke about how she envied me being free and how sad she was that she had gotten married so young.

Throughout the years I had searched for her and Kathleen, but had no hopes in finding either.  Then, my cousin Gary checked out my profile on Classmates which led me to search him out on FB.   I found him.  Figured it was time to let the past go, and sent him an Email on Classmates, but he hasn't read it yet.  He did made my childhood so miserable, but hey, we are both in our late 60's now and not children anymore.  I am ready to let go, find some closure. I think it is time one of us reaches out.  If he responds okay, if not, so be it. At least I tried.

So, on his page I see that my old high school is having a class reunion.  They have a FB site so I went to check it out.  I found a list of classmates on the site, and there she was, both her single and married name.  Found her on FB. I sent her a message, but I saw she hasn't been on FB since February.  I did find her address on Google, and I plan to send her a letter this weekend.

But that's not all my news.  Miracles do happen when we least expect them.   And this is a big one deserving of a page all it's own so I will have to keep you on edge for the weekend.  Suffice it to say, it has to do with my mother, but is not about her.

Have a wonderful weekend.  See you on Monday.

Wednesday Quote

There were many times in my life, until I was left alone, that I wished for solitude. I now find that I love solitude. I never had the blessed gift of being alone until the last of my loved ones was wrested from me. Now I can go sometimes for days and days without seeing anyone. I'm not entirely alone, because I listen to the radio and read the newspapers. I love to read. That is my greatest new luxury, having the time to read. And oh, the little things I find to do to make the days, as I say, much too short.

Solitude--walking alone, doing things alone--is the most blessed thing in the world. The mind relaxes and thoughts begin to flow and I think I am beginning to find myself a little bit.

Helen Hayes

Monday Morning This and That

The wisest person could ask no more of Fate
Than to be simple, modest, brave, true,
Safe from the many, honored by the few;
To count as naught in world, or church, or state;
But inwardly in secret to be great.

James Russell Lowel

Good morning, everyone.  And a wonderful day it is.  Going up to 80 today.  Fantastic.  Friday it felt more like winter.  Actually dug my flannel pajamas out again.  They had just turned off the heat last Tuesday, and my house was freezing.

I got something the other day I just had to share with you all.  I really have no pictures of my youth, but the other day I heard from a friend on Classmates, and they sent me two pictures that they had of me. 

This was me in high school.  Have no idea what boy they were talking about.  I wasn't allowed to date.

That's me.  Second from the left in front. Hard to believe I was ever that young. 

Yesterday we celebrated my son's birthday.  Actually, his birthday was on the 26th, but he couldn't make it.  His one wish was for my lasagne.  He got his wish.  

We had a real nice day.  My youngest smelled the lasagne from Queens, and he showed up.  And my eldest brought his girl friend.  Notice I separated the word.  They are not a twosome yet, but I can hope can't I?  

The lasagne turned out great.  Two days of cooking it, it better be good.  Made the sauce on Saturday and the lasagne on Sunday.  

I've been reading two books. 

Great book.  I am reading this when I am in the house.  I cannot get it for my Kindle and can't see the print outdoors. So, when I am in the park I have been re-reading...

Love this book.  I am not a Christian Witch, but I do consider myself a Christopagan and now that I attend a Catholic Church, I understand better what the author is saying.  It's an awesome book for everyone, including those who are wrestling with their Christian and Pagan faith.  The two can be combined.

Well, that's about it for now.  Talk to you all tomorrow.  Have a good one.

Friday Roundup

"What is so sweet and dear
As a prosperous morn in May,
The confident prime of the day,
And the dauntless youth of the year,
When nothing that asks for bliss,
Asking aright, is denied,
And half of the world a bridegroom is,
And half of the world a bride?"

  William Watson, 'Ode in May'

 Took this picture on my way to art class on Tuesday.  What a lovely sign of spring!

Beltane/May Day  greetings to all.  At this time, my Germanic ancestors celebrated Walpurgis Night. Either way it is cause for celebration.  Hard to believe that April is gone already.  Time sure does fly when you're having fun....compounded by the fact that the older you get the faster time passes.  Hate to think what it will be like in a year or two.

Went to Weight Watchers yesterday and finally moved passed that plateau.  Lost 1.8 pounds.  That means a loss of 34.4 pounds in all.  I seem to be losing it all up on top.  Blouses and tops are starting to hang on me, but pants are still fitting the same.  It's really hard to lose when you get older, but I'm proof that it can be done.

I take two buses to get to Weight Watchers.  Took this picture for the heck of it while waiting for the bus to arrive.  Not a very pretty neighborhood, but not a dangerous one.  And, of course, this was taken earlier in the morning before the stores open for the day.  If you look in the distance you can see the Verrazano  Bridge.  Actually, it's not as far as it looks in this picture. I used to be able to walk there.

Not much on the agenda this weekend.  Today I'm off to buy another phone.  Hubby checked them out for me yesterday and put half down for me.  I'm no good at it.  I can't even say that I got ripped off on the one I have now because the girl in the store told me the one I already had was a better model, but alas it was too small for my arthritic fingers and deteriorating eyesight.  I could have spent more and gotten a better one, but I thought I knew it all.  Turns out that this one has no memory or storage.  Just purchased some memory three weeks ago and that's already gone.

I almost didn't get those beach pictures posted because the phone wouldn't let me send them.  It kept saying I had not enough storage so I had to delete a bunch of apps just to get them into my email.  I don't have any games, any special apps...nothing on it.  Makes me laugh when a warning comes up that there is no room for anymore visual voice mails, that I must delete some.  Problem is there is none to begin with.  They've already been deleted.  So, you see, it's time.

Tomorrow is food shopping and on Sunday we will be celebrating my eldest's birthday.  Can't believe he turned 38.  Where has the time gone?  His birthday was actually last weekend, but he was unable to make it so we'll celebrate this weekend.  All he wants is my homemade lasagne, "the way you used to make it mommy" which means pre-Weight Watchers.  I use beef, ribs, and sausage for meats and all the cheeses are real and whole.  No one can top my lasagne if I say so myself, but it's not exactly a food that I make very often.  

So, that's about it for this roundup.  Hoping you all have a wonderful, joy-filled weekend.