Friday Roundup

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them.

John Shirley

Good morning everyone. It's Friday. Used to be my most favorite day of the week. Now it's just another day. In fact, I always think Thursday is Friday now. Don't know why. I just find myself looking for Bluebloods at 10 pm and then it hits me that it's only Thursday. Oh, the freedom of retirement!!!!

I had a good night's rest last night. Went to be at 10 pm, fell right out, bathroom run at 1am, another one at 5am, but this time I didn't lie awake after the 5 o'clock run waiting for the noise to begin. I was able to fall back asleep until 6:30. Wonder how long this peace will last. Who will be upstairs next?  I'm expecting Leadfoot at some time today.  It's rent time, and he has to pick up the bill and clean up after his 'guests' left.  Grrr!!!!!  But, little does he know that the wheels are already in motion to get him out of there.

Stayed the same on the scale yesterday.  Cannot break through this plateau. Not giving up though. I'll get there. Just have to tweak a few things to get my metabolism re-started.  It's been months now.  -.2, stay the same, +.2, stay the same, and then the same sequence is repeated over and over again.  And I remain 3.6 pounds away from the 50 pound loss mark.

It's going to be a cool day out today with some showers on the way. I'm off to do my monthly banking today. Can't believe that bill time is here already. Seems to come quicker every month.  Wouldn't it be nice if everyone gave us a one month's grace period on our bills?  Oh, what I could do with that extra money.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday This and That

What greater blessing to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering.

Robert Brault

Good morning friends and family. Temps are on the way down again today, but not enough to make me start digging out winter clothes.  I'll be warm enough if I layer my clothes.  Just don't want to see those winter clothes anymore.  Most of them are too big on me now, but I refused to buy any new winter clothes as I still have about 30 pounds to go.  I did give away three coats that I just bought last year.  They hung on me.   

So I found out that I DO have dental insurance, and it's pretty good.  I've been suffering for awhile now with this permanent bridge, and I know it and sadly, the rest of my teeth have to come out.  Major work.  I kept putting it off because I was afraid of the cost but lately I've not been able to eat what I want and have been through two infections in the past 3 months.  Most of the time I feel pretty darn uncomfortable.  I found out that the extractions will be free and the top and bottom bridges are $150 each.  Not bad.  I was thinking thousands.

Why have I put it off you may ask.  I wanted to finish out this semester at school.  This week we are on Spring Break and my last classes are next week.  I'd been planning to do it then, but now my daughter is flying in on the 17th, my granddaughter on the 20th, and we're planning a big family get together.  It will be the first time I meet my grandchildren, and I don't want to do so toothless.  I am so looking forward to this.  Tears of joy.  A few family pics.

Today I am off to Weight Watchers.  Hopefully I will have gotten over this plateau.  It's really frustrating when you do everything right and don't see the results you were hoping for; instead, you either see a gain or remain the same.  I am so close to that 50 mark, yet I have stayed 3 pounds away for months now.  Not giving up though.  I came too far for that. 

Have a good one.

Tuesday This and That

"There's a world of wisdom in our personal stories. Your life is a legacy, a gift that only you can give. Why waste something so precious?"

"Too many Americans have ignored their ancestors and family history and not bothered to examine their own life stories, much less share them with others. They too rarely share much of their past lives with friends, or pass them on to their progeny. And yet we desperately need to do all that..."

 Dolly Berthelot

Good morning from Brooklyn, New York.  It's a rainy one here, so I'm planning on spending it indoors.  It's Spring Break so I have the whole week off from school. I really do need this rest.  I've a new alarm clock upstairs.  Oh, wait til you hear the latest.

It seems Mr. Leadfoot is renting out his apartment.  Lately I've been hearing a toddler running around at all hours of the night, and the other day I confronted a pregnant woman carrying a toddler in the lobby.  I asked her if she was new and what apartment she was in. I already knew because I had followed her footsteps to the door and knew she was on her way out.  It seems as if she and her husband are from Israel.  I didn't push about Mr. Leadfoot but I did make them aware that their bedroom is right over mine, and they have been quite loud at night.  She apologized and said they were still trying to adjust to the new time zone.  That I understand, but is it fair that I should have to adjust with them?  Well, lately now it's been a 5 am wake up for me, every morning.  What is it about that bedroom that fascinates everyone?  Why does everyone have to hang out in there?  

Now I am sure the Asian people who partied so wildly last week had also paid him, probably just for the weekend.  My intuition tells me he has an ad in Craig's List or something similar renting out the rooms for a few days or weeks at a time.  Needless to say, the office is not too happy about it and are planning to take action.  Like the super's wife said, we don't know WHO he is going to rent to.  

On a happy note, I received a letter from a lost cousin on Saturday. I'd been doing some work on my genealogy and discovered that my mom's brother had two sons so I set out to find them. Well, I did find the address of one of them and sent out a letter. Heard from him yesterday and phone numbers have been exchanged. I haven't called him yet because frankly, I don't know how to begin the conversation.  What do you say to someone you either never met  or met and haven't seen for 60 years?  It seems Mom alienated her own family as well as dads.  And in the process I have also met a wonderful new friend and 2nd cousin, his ex wife and their son.. And who said genealogy is only about the past.

Wishing my son, Jerry, a very very happy birthday.  The years have passed so quickly. 

Have a good one.

In Honor of Earth Day

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

Native American Proverb

Good morning everyone, and a happy Friday to all.   Not much happening here.  Stayed the same at Weight Watchers.  I am totally surprised.  I've had a mouth sore and have not been eating much; plus I have been getting in a lot of walking.  Should have been a loss.  Oh well, guess you can say I've hit an official plateau.

In honor of Earth Day, some pictures I took at school the other day.  Spring has officially arrived, and it is gorgeous.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tuesday Ramble

Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off.

Author Unknown

Good morning everyone. It's going to be a lovely spring day here in Brooklyn. Wish I could enjoy it. I have a sore in my mouth that is really paining me. All soft foods since yesterday. Even had to grind my carrots last night.

Well, Mr. Leadfoot came home and is at it again. Within a half hour he was stomping feet and moving furniture. Then, he started again at 4:30 am, this time right over my bedroom. I banged on the pipes but he just doesn't care. He's evil. About 5 it quieted down and I dozed but a minute later he started again. So, I've been up since 4:30. Now he is up there and at it again. What he doesn't know is the office has already been alerted about his behavior and all they are waiting for is my call.  9am can't come soon enough.

Today I am off to Weight Watchers. Keeping fingers crossed for weight loss.

Have a good one.

I have seen a flower blooming in beauty in a secluded vale, and, ere I had a chance to look again, a chilly breath of air had scattered its petals and left it a ruin.

Charles Lanman

 Good morning friends and family. Well, it's going to be a bit cooler out today but still comfortable in my book. I was telling Ralph last night I think it's time to pack away the winter coats. I don't think I am going to need them anymore this season, and frankly, I am tired of looking at them.

On Monday I went to the park and had such a lovely peaceful . After the stressful weekend I had, I really needed it. Came home feeling like a new person. No noise upstairs. Mr. Leadfoot did come home yesterday and walked in his old normal way but no furniture moving about and he was gone quickly. I think he is scared of Ralph.

A few photos I took the other day.

 Up the hill I go.  Was a time I couldn't do it.

 Dandelion trail.

 So beautiful as I near the top/

A special little visitor.

My favorite spot

 

It's going to be a bit cooler out today but still comfortable in my book. I was telling Ralph last night I think it's time to pack away the winter coats. I don't think I am going to need them anymore this season, and frankly, I am tired of looking at them.

Today I am off to lunch and Spanish class. The class afterward is finished so now we have been having double classes--from 12:10 to 2:30. By the last half hour I am totally out of it. My brain is scrambled. 

Have a good one.

Noisy Neighbors

Action is the antidote to despair. 

Joan Baez 

Good morning friends and family. It's going to be a beautiful day here in Brooklyn. Sunny and temps are going up close to 80. I'm off today for the park. Been waiting awhile for this. Have my bag packed and ready to go. It is just so peaceful sitting up on that hill looking over the water. And since I read the history of the park and discovered that my ancestors once owned the land.  I get the feeling that they are still there.

Had a rough weekend. Mr. Leadfoot again. I've never had to deal with such a noisy neighbor. This time he had some visitors. I hate to call it a party because they were out on the fire escape, and he was pacing in the bedroom. Strange guy he is!!! I'm thinking he is on cocaine most of the time. On Friday, this went on until almost two in the morning.  Heck, they even went out on the fire escape and carried on just above my bedroom window.

Saturday night was a repeat...even worse. Thankfully it did not go on as late, but it started earlier and went on for hours.  At one point I was in tears and had to go stand in the lobby for some relief. I knew my BP was rising. Especially when I banged on the pipes and heard the little bitch laughing at me. Music was blasting and it sounded like they were jumping off furniture and wrestling. It's hard to explain the noise, but for sure it's not something anyone wants to live with so I did some research last night and saw that my hands aren't tied. There ARE things I can do.

First step is a contact. If this doesn't work I will be calling the super again....but Leadfoot doesn't listen to him either. But, I do owe him the respect of telling him before I call the building management. I don't think they will be too happy to hear they were out on the fire escape. Calling the police won't work because they won't come, but I need the call on record. So, the final step will be Civil Court. Hey, maybe I can make a couple bucks out of this. At any rate the noise issue will be on record and peace and quiet in my own home is all I really want. This is a quality of life issue.

Then on Sunday it happened. While I was at church, Mr. Leadfoot and pals started in again. Hubby has been working nights on weekends because they get more calls. So, he hasn't really had to put up with any of their nonsense. And because he is working until about 2 am in the morning, he was sleeping when they started. So he went upstairs and didn't knock, he said he banged on the door with the side of his hand. Leadfoot's little female friend poked her head out. Here's the conversation as per Ralph.

Ralph: And not very politely) Are you the owner of this apartment?
Girl: No.
Ralph: Get him.
Girl: Okay. (She leaves and comes back without Leadfoot). He's not home. (Yeah right, I say to myself. You'd know he wasn't home and wouldn't have to go check. Mr. Leadfoot, it turns out, is a real chicken sh.... and wimp)
Ralph: (yelling) Then I'll tell you. YOU ARE 'NOT' THE ONLY TENANTS IN THIS BUILDING. THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING DOWNSTAIRS AND WE ARE TIRED OF YOUR NONSENSE. WE CAN'T SLEEP. STOP THE DAMN JUMPING AROUND AND ACT LIKE NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS.
(At this point she gives him a nervous smile).
Ralph: DO I LOOK LIKE I'M SMILING???? THIS IS NOT A JOKE AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR NONSENSE ANY LONGER.

There was more said, but this is the gist of it. Hasn't been a peep out of them since I got home. Guess they needed to be put in their place. Ralph said they probably either thought I was living alone or that we were an older couple and that they could get away with it.  Meanwhile, I had already put a letter in their door and notified the super. He sent an email to the office and urged me to call the first thing today. All I can say is, they messed with the wrong people. You can only push us so far.

Ever since he is  up there tiptoeing around so quietly. He did move a little furniture yesterday but did so very, very slowly and only a wee bit at a time. I'd like to say he is just finally being respectful, but I believe the truth is he is afraid of Ralph and doesn't want him to know he is up there. Whatever it takes. At least I finally have some peace and quiet.

Have a good one.

Friday Thoughts

Hark! the hours are softly calling
Bidding Spring arise
To listen to the rain-drops falling
From the cloudy skies
To listen to Earth’s weary voices
Louder every day
Bidding her no longer linger
On her charm’d way
But hasten to her task of beauty
Scarcely yet begun.
Adelaide Anne Procter

Good morning family and friends. It's going to continue to warm up here in Brooklyn. Today is an in the kitchen day for me. With 75 degree temps forecast for Monday, I'm already planning on heading to the park on Monday, planning the library on Tuesday, and class on Wednesday so I'll do all my cooking today.

On the menu next week are Korean Beef, Cajun Pork Chops, Salsa Peppered Steak, and Smothered Chicken. Since retirement I'm just loving trying new recipes. 

Well, yesterday at weigh in I put on another .2,  and at first was a bit upset because I seemed to be on an upward spiral. (I never gain two weeks in a row). But, when I checked my weigh in book, I was only .2 over what I was 3 weeks ago. Last week the computers were down and weights were written in so it turns out that they must made a mistake last week, and I had most likely remained the same. So now I'm feeling better. 

 

My weight loss journey is very important to me so even the smallest gain, especially when it appears to be two weeks in a row bothers me.   I think back to where I was--dangerously high blood pressure, unable to walk a block without losing my breath or finding myself in unbearable pain. unable to find clothes to fit--and I really don't want to be that person again.  

Have a fantastic weekend.

 

A Wee Note on a Gorgeous Thursday Morn

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
L.H. Bailey

 

Good and morning friends and family. As the weather continues to warm up I find myself making plans for a possible day in the park. I just love sitting up on the hill watching the water below. Gives me such a sense of peace and serenity.

As for today, I'm off to Weight Watchers this morning. I've gotten very lazy, and I am afraid it is going to show again. Instead of walking to church on Sunday, I hopped on the bus. Then I stayed in and worked on my genealogy project for three days. A sitting down job. Have to get myself moving again. Exercise is a big part of this weight loss journey. So, I'm going to walk it to the second bus today. Have to start somewhere.

 

My journey hasn't been easy.  In fact, at times it has been downright frustrating.  I've been sitting here for months trying to hit that 50 pound mark.  I put on .2, take of .2, stay the same, then put on .2.  But, disappointing as it might be, it has shown me a lot about my stamina.  I don't give up.  When I want something bad enough, I'll jump through hoops to get it.  Here's hoping for a loss today.  Put on my .2 last week.

Have a good one.

Happy Hump Day

Her fairies climb the bare, brown trees, 

And set green caps on every stalk; 

Her primroses peep bashfully From borders of the garden walk, 

And in the reddened maple tops Her blackbird gossips sit and talk.

Hannah R. Hudson, "April," The Atlantic Monthly, April 1868 

Good morning everyone. Looks like the temps are going to start warming up. Hope it stays that way. Yesterday when last year's Facebook memories popped up, I found that last year at this time I was heading out for a day in the park. Haven't had any park weather here yet. The only two days it was warm enough I was sitting in class.

I can't believe I haven't been out in two days.  Been so busy working on my family tree book for my daughter.  Have 3  families done so far, and as I go through, I jot down other families that must be done.  It's so hard to remember everyone.  When you look at it, I start out with me I branch out to over 5,000 people.  That's how many it took to make me who I am today.

Today I am headed out to Spanish class. Lunch first in the school cafeteria and, of course, purchasing my pudding parfait for tomorrow night's after weigh in dessert. Last week I was a bit disappointed. Usually there are only two kinds of parfait, chocolate and vanilla, so I picked up the chocolate without reading the top. Turns out it was a chocolate brownie parfait, chocolate pudding with huge chunks of brownies mixed in. A chocolate lover would have loved it, but it was a bit too sweet for me.

I was just talking to Ralph the other day how my taste buds have changed since I started Weight Watchers. I no longer crave sweets. Instead I find myself craving fruits. It's mandarin season here, and I just can't seem to get enough of them. Weight Watchers really does promise what they preach....a change in lifestyle.

Have a good one.

Monday Greetings

We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies. 

Shirley Abbott

Good morning everyone....and a gloomy one it is. The skies are gray and preparing for two days of rain. I'll be doing indoor stuff for sure. By the end of the week it's really going to warm up, they say, and maybe I'll try for a day in the park. As for today, just planning on doing some work on my laptop, trying out a new recipe, perhaps a little reading, and spending some time on my online poetry class. No one can say I am not determined.  

I have some awesome news.  Was working on my genealogy book this weekend, and decided to try googling an estranged cousin to see if I could find him.  He was the son of my mom's brother.  I have pictures of his mom and dad holding me as a baby and vaguely remember his parents visiting my grandparents while I was there, but have no memory of him or his brother.  I also have no memory of visiting their home or theirs visiting hours.  At first I just thought it was poor memory on my part, but then I went through my picture album again and no pictures of them beyond my babyhood.  And then, upon talking to my cousins wife, I discovered that it wasn't my memory.  It was true.  According to her, "The family was very secretive and one day she will tell me all."  Maybe we will finally find out what made mom tick.  It seems now that she not only alienated dad's family, but also her own.

On another note, several months ago I found a childhood friend via classmates and Facebook.  Yesterday she messaged me that she had heard from another of our childhood friends and that she would love to hear from me.  She has no computer but left her address should I decide to write.  Of course I will.

It's hard to describe how I am feeling.  A little over a year ago I had felt so alone.  I wasn't, of course, but when one is missing so much of their past, one begins to lose perspective on who they are.  I  feel now as if I am finally getting some closure.  I am finally learning what makes me tick.  And I am overjoyed.  In such a short time and with much thanks to Facebook, I have found a cousin and aunt on my paternal side, a cousin on my maternal side, two other cousins on my mom's side that I messaged yesterday, a nephew, two close childhood friends, and I've gotten my children back into my life.  How can one not rejoice? My angels have definitely been watching out for me.  Speaking of angels, my two newest....

And because I couldn't find a statue of Brighid who I adore, I got this.  

Have a good one.

Happy Friday

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

Proverb

Good morning friends and family. It's still pretty chilly out there. I'm off this morning to do my big monthly shopping. Spent yesterday afternoon planning menus and a shopping list. Have some new things to try this month. 

Then I went on my laptop to do some work on my project--my family tree, a gift for my daughter--and pressed some button and lost my Word 365. For the life of me I couldn't get it back. Had to contact Microsoft support and altogether it took an hour or so to get it back. After that I just didn't feel like working on it anymore. Still haven't figured out how to sync my email to the laptop. Told you I was a computer nerd.

Well, that's about it for today. Going to get out early so I can get back. 

Wanted to share with you some photos I took at school the other day.  Felt like winter but looked like spring.  Had to tear the closet apart looking for something to wear.  It's supposed to be spring.

Have a good one. 

Thursday Greetings

Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour. With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life.

Charles Dickens

Good morning friends and family. We are in for a warm but wet day today. I'm off to Weight Watchers this morning. Kind of nervous about getting on that scale. Because of being sick, I just didn't get my walking in this week. Didn't even do much in the house because I felt so miserable.

And I am just the opposite of everyone else when I am sick. I EAT. In fact, I cannot stop eating. My tummy becomes a bottomless pit.

Yes, I did eat a lot more of everything, but one thing that helped cure my cold was a whole bag of mandarins that I finished off in three days. Lots of vitamin C. So now I am anxious about the damage I may have done. Oh well, all one can do is get back up on that horse and start again. Not going to beat myself up. That doesn't do any good. I'll just go to the meeting and talk about it.

Yesterday I went to Spanish class.  I dare say I might finally be getting it.  Yay!!!!  They say it's so much harder to learn a new language when you  get older.  So true.  Did I tell you?  I turned 69 on the 23rd.  Can't believe it.  When I was young 70 sounded so far away.  No it is right around the corner.  And I am not going to lie.  Although I now embrace my age and no longer lie about my year of birth, there are still times when I sit back and mourn my youth of yesterday.  There are times I want it back.  But those times don't last.   And throughout my years I've always appeared younger than I really was.  Here's two recent pics.

Maybe it's me and wishful thinking, but I don't think I look like I'm heading for 70.  I fortunately have my mom's genes.

Have a good one.

I Have no Words

In some families, please is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was sorry. Margaret Laurence

Hi everyone.  Right about now I am feeling pretty bad.  So sorry if I worried you.  I'm so sorry I didn't keep in touch.  I really wanted to and each day planned on a post, but by the end of the day, I'd go to bed and remember that I hadn't been here.  Just got so busy that things kept slipping my mind.  Time to get back on track.  So, here is what has been happening.

The spring semester began and the classes I took this year actually gave me homework.  I took some great classes this semester and let some others go.  No more Tai Chi for me.  I just cannot do it.  Perhaps it was that the gym was just so hot that I couldn't concentrate, but that's just an excuse.  I also let the nutrition class go.  Just didn't have any faith in the instructor.  I did sign up for "A Parting of the Ways", a course of Judaism and Christianity and how they branched out so many years back as well as things they still have in common.  We're talking the true Judaism and Christianity that is.

I also took a poetry course which consumed much of my time and I didn't learn anything.  I wanted to learn how to write poetry, but this class was more of a workshop for people who already knew, and try as I might, for hours at a time, I just couldn't get a poem written that I liked.  Once again I'm taking Spanish and this year we have homework in it.  Also taking a course on Aging and Society, a sociology course with essays to write.  Also have a few online courses going on.  Poetry as Art. I'm determined and to be honest I'm enjoying that a lot better than the one in school.  Just finished a course on Dinosaurs, another on nutrition, and a reading club. 

On top of all that, my darn computer keeps crashing.  I know it's on its way out.  Didn't expect it to last this long.  After all, who knows what parts the guy put in it when he built it, but when you are desperate for a computer and he only charges $250 for one he builds himself, you go ahead and take the chance.  So, now I just purchased a laptop with Windows 10 and talk about being confused.  I'm a nerd when it comes to computers.  Right now I'm on my old PC with Windows 7.

I also decided that the best gift I can give my daughter for Christmas is a book of our family tree which is another reason I wanted a laptop.  I can take it to the library and print whatever I write or other things that will need printing.  Having a hard time with Word, though, because the darn thing has auto correct.  I'll get there.

Healthwise, I've been okay.  Lost 46. 6 pounds although I think this week will be a gain.  I've been nursing a nasty cold, and I am just the opposite of most people when I am sick.  I get an appetite.  In fact, I've been a bottomless pit and without my walking exercise, I don't even want to see the scare.  I am also having some problems with my teeth and am hoping they hold out until school is out and I can get some kind of insurance.  Medicare and Emblem Health doesn't pay much in the way of dental insurance.

I've been up and down emotionally.  I still cry over my little girl and the loss of my mom.  It just hurts that I couldn't say good bye.  Now my daughter is saying that she might have been wrong telling me not to come and explained to me how she found my album on my mom's bed.  Mom had kept it hidden all these years and then when she knew she was going to make her transition, she brought it out for all to see.  I have it now.  But I told my daughter that the guilt lies with me.  I should have insisted on going.  Not only that, but I should have insisted on going home sooner despite what mom said.  I shouldn't have taken her word for it when she told me that my children hated me and it would hurt them if I showed up.  I thought I was doing the right thing, but I found out that mom hadn't been honest with me.  But, I'm not going to ruminate on that.  She's my mom and I love her no matter what, and I'm blessed to have a second chance with my children.  In fact, my sons and I are going out to my daughter's home in Colorado in December for a family reunion.  All my grands will be there.

Well, guess I'd best cut this off now.  I could go on and on.  Promise I'll be here more often from now on.