"WHY MOTHERS CRY"

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?"
'Because I'm a woman,' she told him

'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom
just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.

Later the little boy asked his father,

'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed.

This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.

"You see my son, said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

"Nothing of Substance"

Nothing important to say here just some rumblings from the cave. We have been extraordinarily busy these past few days. The Alien is putting in overtime at work due to a massive remodeling project. Our small group (from Church) has also been pretty active. Tonight, we serve chili dogs, frito pie, dessert and drinks at the Compassion Outreach Clinic. This is their regular night to dispense medication, provide a light meal and just visit with members of our community to see if we can be of service in anyway. Our Cub and her youth group cleaned the yard of one of our elderly members last Sunday afternoon. She should have been a blond. When we took her to meet her group, she mentioned that her gloves were both for her right hand. No problem she said, she would just wear one backwards.

Last Saturday, the Alien was working outside and I was excited when I saw him till up the flower bed in the front of the house. (Not my critter one) When I went out to check to see if it was ready for me to plant flowers, I noticed there was a rock right in the middle separating it. I was then told that the other half already had radishes planted in it. It seems one of the furry boys likes to garden and that prevented the radishes being planted in the back.

My older sibling and her spouse continue to be a source of entertainment. She gets up in the mornings and dispenses his pills, of which there are many, and he just takes them. She starts out with the fluid pill. The other day after she had not given it to him, he inquired about it and she said, "I gave it to you". Well you guessed it, she got it out and then mistakenly took it herself. Her spouse always the entrepreneur says well since you have lost 15 lbs today I could just market that as a diet pill and we could make lots of money. She failed to find the humor in that after spending most of the day in the bathroom.

I am so totally disgusted at some people's nerve. For years now, my Panacea was sitting on the patio, drinking my coffee and watching the cows in the pasture on the hill. As luck would have it, some nut decided to build a house there. Now if they were building there for a wonderful view it would be different. But no, they don't even have windows to see the view (well maybe a little one or two) but not enough to compensate me losing my view. I can't for the life of me figure out why someone would build on a hill and then not put in windows. This house literally has no windows on either side or the back. Just four little ones in the front.

We are sooooo looking forward to our vacation. Our reservations are all made and now all I have left is getting my van ready. You know, new tires, etc etc

Casper had blood work done in OK City last week to find out what he is allergic to. We don't have the results back yet. We took him to a vet dermatologist. Don't know if there is a medication to give him if he is allergic to the frustration from his younger furry sibling, hee hee

Well its on to Walmart for me (my least favorite place). The Alien is out of tea, need wieners, we are furnishing 60 hot dogs tonight plus I have to buy a wedding gift for some friends' son. God Bless

"Divine Intervention"

For all those nay sayers, just don't read this blog! Or maybe, you should read it and then you might see a higher power.

This is a weird story. Since 2004, I have suffered with stomach/digestion problems. In 2004, I had a scope done by a surgeon to check for Gerd. After the procedure, he came into the recovery room and told my husband and me that everything went well and I didn't have any problem.

Well, a few weeks ago I ask the Alien to get my medical records from the local hospital for the period from 1/2007 through 12/2007 so I could take them to the cardiologist with me for my checkup. Hospital personnel put them in a brown envelope and for some reason, I took them out and was looking through them.

Now this is where the intervention comes in. Mixed in with the 2007 reports was one sheet of paper that was my post operative report on the scope done in 2004. There was just the one sheet of paper from 2004 reports. When I read this report, I was absolutely stunned. The report revealed that not only did I have Gerd, but I also had a hiatal hernia with a supradiaphragmatic component along with my esophagitis.

Now, I admit that I didn't know how to process this information. I had begun to think all my problems were in my "head" and it was a relief to find that there was a reason for them. Next, I became angry that I had suffered for four years with this after being told nothing was wrong.

I guess the moral of this story is doctors are not infallible and as patients we have the right to our medical records. This is an encouragement to all to occasionally check their records to make sure nothing has been missed.

I totally believe divine intervention caused this one lone page to be included with my reports. There is just no other logical explanation. Had it just been done in the year prior, it might have been close but four years?????

I am constantly awed at God's presence in my life.

"Comings and Goings"

Is the title grammatically correct? Probably not. Oh well, I am just writing to give an update on things at the home front. It is hard to believe that the weekend is already almost over. We have sure had some enjoyable times over the last few days and well yes, maybe, some not so enjoyable.

On Friday, I snuggled down in my easy chair about 1 pm for my usual daily nap. Now all the cubs have learned this is Mama Bear's naptime and she gets real cranky if awakened. Well as luck would have it, the Alien got so excited that he was getting off a couple of hours early to start our fun night planned that he called me and sure enough he woke me up. I tried to remember that I was not really in hibernation so it was okay not to get to finish my nap.

Anyway, the Alien came home and we loaded our cub in the van and started to the University to pick up a cubette that was going to attend the baseball game with us. We got him and started on our way. We got to the ballpark and decided to eat at Zios. They told us it would be a 20 minute wait unless we sat at the counter. We all really wanted to sit at the counter. How fun!! I had forgotten just how nice it was to be able to wiggle around on your stool, watch everything going on where the food was prepared and man the service is phenomenal . Our server was such a delightful energetic young lady. Anyway, we all ate until we "hurt".

Then on to the ballpark. Our Texas Rangers were playing the Chicago White Socks at our farm team park. As we are all avid baseball fans, this was better than Xmas (almost). We didn't let the cold weather bother us. So what if the wind was blowing really hard and the temperature had dropped "way down" we were determined to watch our team. Our cub discovered that when it is cold, it is not real wise to eat dip and dots. The cubette decided that he could still pack in the infamous "ballpark hotdog".

Well we made it to the middle of the 7th inning and finally admitted that we were not as determined as we thought!!! It still was fun and we had a blast.

Well, all the bunnies are back in the shed. For the cub that thought we had gone over the edge and got more live animals, I had to confess to him that these were not the eating and feeding kind. Frosty tried to help us and he managed to "eat two bunnies" at least he succeeded in tearing them into little pieces. I guess he didn't want me to have so much packing to do.

The furry ones are doing fine. Casper has to go to Tulsa to a vet dermatologist on the 22nd for his allergies. Hopefully, we can find out what gives him rashes. I hope to go to my cardiologist the same day.

B is doing quite well considering he had a person "posing" as a surgeon doing his pacemaker implants (the first two times). Then B fired him and got a really good one to do the job and so far he is doing well.

Well until next time.

The shocking video Barack Obama does not want you to see!!

I found this very interesting. I was about ready to vote for him.

"Why Go To Church"

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're Spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope. A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. 'I've gone for 30 years now,' he wrote, 'and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.'

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: 'I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!'

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!' 'When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, 'Jesus, could you get that for me?'

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.

"Easter"

Easter this year is Sunday, March 23, 2008. As you may know, Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. Here are a couple of things in which you might be interested: Based on the above, Easter actually can be one day earlier (March 22), but that is rare. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives.

Only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). None of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier. More facts: The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones who were around for that). The next time it will be a day earlier (March 22) will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year.

So, enjoy the uniqueness of this special day and this little piece of history. Oh, and when we get together for that day-early Easter in 2285, I still want a solid chocolate bunny and as usual we will be dying eggs the Saturday before!!!!!!!!!

"Barbara"

Did you ever wonder what the name Barbara's meaning and origin is?

English, German, and Polish: from Latin, meaning “foreign woman” (a feminine form of barbarus foreign, from Greek, referring originally to the unintelligible chatter of foreigners, which sounded to the Greek ear like no more than bar-bar).

St Barbara has always been one of the most popular saints in the calendar, although there is some doubt whether she ever existed. According to legend, she was imprisoned in a tower and later murdered by her father, who was then struck down by a bolt of lightning; accordingly, she is the patron of architects, stonemasons, and fortifications, and of firework makers, artillerymen, and gunpowder magazines.

The name is now occasionally modishly spelled Barbra, notably in the case of the actress and singer Barbra Streisand (b. 1942). Cognates: Irish Gaelic: Bairbre. Scottish Gaelic: Barabal. Swedish: Barbro. Czech: Barbora. Russian: Varvara. Hungarian: Borbála.
Short forms: English: Barb (mainly U.S. informal). French: Barbe.

I wonder if my grandfather knew all this when he gave me the name.

Al Capone and Water Front Property

About now, my cubs are wondering if the time has come to have their Mom evaluated for mental stability. This could be due to the weird content of some of her blogs. If you are wondering what Al Capone and water front property have in common just keep reading.

As some of you know, I am prone to some pretty strange dreams. The other night was one such dream. Believe it or not, I had not eaten a large fat-laden dinner and was not medicated when I went to bed. Matter of fact the dream occurred just before I awakened and I know this for a fact since Frosty woke me from the dream with his barking.

I had gone to visit a friend in Texas. She had put in a bed and breakfast (news to me) so we were to spend the night there. It was pretty chaotic and when I got ready to take my medication (unfortunately this consists of about 9 vials) the next morning, it was strewn all over the place and some was totally gone. Without my medication, we had to come home and that is when the next segment begins.

My friend arrived here the next day. She had gotten a bid to redo U-Turn. For those of you not familiar with our town, U-Turn is a large facility that can be rented for kids' parties, reunions, etc. I took her out to meet with the Deacons of the Church that had bought U-Turn. She went over the figures with them and we got in my van to leave. They called her back and she found out someone had underbid her so she had to work up new figures. Again, we started to leave and when we went to my van it was gone. Finally, Call-A-Ride (our version of taxis)appeared so we got in and told him to take us to our van. This seemed a little strange since we had no idea where that was. However, he said, "Sure" and away we went. He proceded to give us a scenic tour of our city. We ended up stopping at the "waterfront" and as we were looking out over the vast body of water, he pointed out some apartments over on one side and told us that these were owned by Al Capone. I then asked him if he knew that Al Capone was actually born here. He did not know that and before the conversation could go further Frosty woke me!!

As I said in the beginning, I have some pretty weird dreams.

Letter from a Pet

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject.

I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room.

A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry."

She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

May our "furry" boys, Casper and Frosty never have to write a letter like this.

Sad Day - Chocolate Pie vs Humpty Dumpty

There are some things that can be fixed easily. For instance, there was a grandson that was about to experience a "sad day" because someone had eaten the last piece of Grammy's chocolate pie that he had anticipated would be his. Grammy could fix that and did simply by just making another chocolate pie. Wouldn't it be wonderful if broken lives could be fixed so simply.

If you are familiar with the poem "Humpty Dumpty", then you can relate when I say that I can visualize just hundreds and hundreds of tiny pieces laying strewn all around. About now you are asking what does chocolate pie and Humpty Dumpty have in common? Well, one can be fixed and the other can't. Maybe it was Humpty's choice to fall off the wall and maybe it wasn't, however, he was still broken.

Please tolerate my rambling and maybe all of this will tie together in the end or maybe not.

One passage of scripture that keeps ringing in my ears is "Judge not that you not be judged". I am really struggling with that statement in dealing with the concept of addiction. Again, Humpty comes into play as you watch a loved one's life break into hundreds of pieces and blow into the wind. Please don't say "It is their choice", I am not sure that is true but even if it is, remember the judging part! You know to fully understand the depths an addiction can affect families you just have to remember Humpty. Nobody is spared. Spouses, siblings, parents, children , the person addicted, absolutely nobody.

Compassion without enabling is a monumental task. I for one don't claim to know just how to do this. I do know that when I drove out from a pasture yesterday after seeing a loved one alone, drunk, sad and with as tender a heart as a person could have, my heart felt like Humpty Dumpty. Judge not lest I be judged!

Mythbusters

Mythbusters is one of my favorite TV shows. There are several things I wish they would explore. Yep, thinking I will send some of these in for their consideration:

I always heard that we should look forward to the aging process and they compare it to fine wine and cheese. However, doesn't wine go sour after too long a period? Doesn't cheese mold if kept too long?

What goes around comes around. This could be true unless you have dementia. Then would you know if you are going or coming?

Have you ever heard of old age referred to as the "Golden Years"? Hmnnn, maybe they meant fools' gold.

Could they convince a teenager that "now is the best years of your life" when they are fighting acne, puberty and all the other things connected with that age.

However, lest we be too negative there are some perks to aging. For instance, you get your driver's license free over the age of 65. That is if you can still drive. You also get a senior's discount when you go out to eat. Of course, you might now have any teeth left to eat with.

Yup, going to be a bear!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Gonna Be a Bear"

GONNA BE A BEAR

In this life, I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!

"Crying Wolf"

I am sure all of you are very familiar with the story about the little boy that "cried wolf". If you are not, then don't read this blog as it probably won't make sense to you.

While you may have heard that story about the little boy, have you ever heard of a dog that "cried wolf"? I didn't think so. Well, it was a first for me too. I have to admit that I wouldn't have believed it either if I had not been a witness to this fiasco.

Our little Frosty is notorious for getting under our feet when we are trying to walk. Our daughter swears he is possessed and I am about to become a believer. Anyway, yesterday I came in from shopping with an arm load of bags. I could not see that he was under my feet so I stepped on his foot (did not put all my weight on him thank goodness). After I sat the bags on the table, I came into the living to sit down to rest a minute. He chose this minute to get right in the floor in front of me and began to cry. Then he rolled onto his back and wailed and wailed all the while holding the little paw in the air. He acted like he was about to go into a convulsion. I thought I had broken his leg for sure. I called the Alien and had him meet me at the Vets. They were waiting for us. When we got there, the doctor took Frosty and held him and carried him around a little then she got a leash and put him down to see if he could walk. About this time, a cat came out into the room. Frosty ran over to play and was walking on the paw as if nothing was wrong. After about five minutes of being the center of attention and playing with the cat, I brought him home. $56 poorer and totally humiliated by the dog that "cried wolf".

Run Turkey Run

Do you suppose the unsuspecting turkey is aware that their time may be limited. Do you suppose they would change anything if they knew? I often wonder that about people. Would we change anything if we had warning that our days were almost up? I bet there are not many "thanks" being circulated at the turkey farm. Hopefully there will be many at the people places.

All these morbid thoughts are caused by my persistent dreams lately that involve people close to me that are deceased. The weird thing is that memories come with the dreams that I had not thought about in many years. For instance, last night, I was visiting with my Pa and Granny Mc and for some reason Pa sent me into the house to get Granny's shoes. On the way in I kept thinking how will I know which shoes are hers since there was a house full of people. When I got inside, I went to this pile of shoes and immediately spotted Granny's shoes. You see, she ran over her shoes on her right foot badly and the first shoes I saw were in this condition. Now I had not thought of what her shoes looked like in 50 years at least. That is just too weird.

I have decided that all this medication for this respiratory infection is affecting my mind more than my body, lol.

Speaking of turkeys, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving. Don't know for sure how many will be here but it doesn't matter as we will have plenty of food.

Sending much love and good wishes to all the cubs, spouses and cubettes for the holiday.

Commercialism or Spiritualism

Can we have one and not the other? Can we have both? Do some have neither? Thank goodness I don't have to judge!

It is amazing the transitions that take place both in the mind and physical body as we add to our experiences, knowledge base, and just plain old "living". Hopefully, these transitions result in the growth of wisdom. It is these transitions that inspired me to share this blog with you.

I am not going to try to address anything except how MY concept and the the part that I have played in making Christmas a commercial or spiritual experience. I could try to justify my actions but they are what they are. Right or Wrong, well intended or not, they are what they are. All I am doing here is simply writing down my thought process in doing what I have done and am preparing to do.

At this point, I want to share a memory about my youngest boy cub. He and I were alone one Christmas as his siblings were either in the service or out of state. There was a Vietnam vet with a wife and two children and he had experienced Agent Orange and was in bad shape but they had no financial help at that time from the government. Cub and I went to the grocery store and bought food for Xmas dinner, Cub had two "almost" new toys still in the box and he wrapped them for the two children. We delivered that to the family and chose not to give our names to them but just that we came as Christians. Later at Xmas time, the Cub said, "I think this is the most meaningful Xmas I have ever had".

I love Christmas with all my heart and at the core is because I love Jesus and it is his birthday. However, over the years, I have allowed myself to get caught up in the commercial aspect and therefore, have pushed the spiritual aspect to a second place level. This year is my attempt to try to put it back in the prospective that my heart tells me it should be in. I sometimes wonder if my physical limitations have finally made me realize what is truly important. If so, I am truly thankful for them.

Maybe to help clarify my thought process, I should share these feelings with you. First, I love my Jesus and without him I would never have made it this far. Second, I love my children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchild more than live itself. That love has often encouraged me to want to make them have the best Xmas that I could. The big problem was that I so focused on the commercial aspect, the physical aspect (cooking, etc etc) that often there was not enough energy left over to truly enjoy the celebration of Christ's birth and the wonderful special time with family. I did that with the best of intentions, however, that does not alter the fact that that energy could have been spent in a much better way. Please don't think this is a "pity party" I would not change one iota of my life since it has brought me to where I am today and with the most wonderful family anyone could hope for. Its just my way of explaining why I am suggesting making the changes we have talked about. One thing I have not mentioned to this point is financial as to me it is the least important in the three priorities. Nonetheless, it is a realistic part. As we prepare for the Alien's retirement, we are trying to get our house prepared for the reduced income that will come. Last but not least, my stubbornness doesn't override my physical limitations anymore. Having said all of this, it is my heart felt belief that spiritual and family are going to be my main focus.

I think the changing of the seasons has caused me to recognize how fleeting time really is. It seems we just opened the pool and now we are closing it. I remember my Dad saying, "Boy time goes so much faster now" - does it really or do we just slow down as our physical bodies go through lots of changing of the seasons?

In closing, we are looking forward to this Xmas season more than ever and truly treasure all the effort the cubs make in sharing it with us. We do realize it is sometimes a hardship for them.

Where has the summer gone?

Is time speeding up or is it that I am slowing down? I cannot remember a summer going by so quickly. Even though Autumn is a beautiful time, I am not ready to give up the warmth that long summer days bring. It is sad to see the Alien closing the pool for the season.

I am sure that all of you remember the story of me taking my Mom and her friends to Arkansas a few years ago to see the color of the leaves in their magnificant splendor. This time of year always brings back that precious memory of those three special little ladies, my Mom and two of her best friends. Little did I know that this would be Mom's last chance to see this awesome sight. They kept thanking me for the trip and I could never convince them that I was the lucky one. From their utter delight at the foliage to the laughter we all shared as we played cards until 2:oo a.m. in the morning. The Lodge where we stayed furnished us with a card table and chairs and I had just sneaked in the cards in case we got the chance to play.

We are looking forward to tomorrow. We are going to the state fair. We are taking our cub and Gerbean"s littlest cub. We plan to get there around 10 a.m. in the morning and take in the rides, and of course, all of the food booths. Then around 4 p.m. we will go to our motel (Hampton Inn) where we will surprise the granddaughter cub with her princess birthday cake complete with candles. After a brief rest, we will all go back to the ice capades to see "Disney on Ice". I think the Alien and I are more excited than the cubs.

Well, for an update on the Alien's cardiologist's visit today. I think I have told most of you about the "not so good" report on his recent calcium scan. If not, here goes. With 2,000 being the worse score, he scored 1800. His doctor has ordered an EKG and carotid artery scan while he waits for a copy of the bypass surgery done in 2000. When he gets that, he will do a cardiac cath to see the extent of the blockage and then based on what it shows, we will go from there.

Also, an update on my youngest sibling's son and family. The son's wife just had a kidney transplant. She has had problems for several years and has been on dialysis for a while. Her mother donated one of her kidneys. My sibling called today to tell me her daughter-in-law was home from the hospital and doing pretty well. S & M have a little boy that is just three years old. He is adorable and he and our great granddaughter are in the same class at daycare and know each other. Our little one gets frustrated because he is shy and believe me she is not!!

The little furry boys are busy as usual. Frosty is quite a trip. He is so totally different from Casper. We didn't know there could be such a difference, lol.

Be safe and happy -

Sit, Stand or Lay?

That is the question!! In case that doesn't make sense to any of you that is okay. It sure makes sense to me. Without going into the gory details, I will just share with you that I had a certain procedure Wednesday that makes any one of these three options a challenge. I had jokingly boasted that I had no spare parts left but the colonoscopy found a couple that I didn't know about so onto the surgeon for more whacking. All will be great (in a few days) and in the mean time believe it or not I am popping pain pills. Too heck with the bravado act of being tough. Anyway, I have a good book to read. It was referred to my by #2 Cub and is entitled "Manhunt" about the 12 day hunt for John Wilkes Boothe after Lincoln's assassination. Now if I can just decide whether to SS or L.

I took the Cub to get her hair streaked yesterday. Her school starts next week. It is sure an interesting experience to shop for clothes with a teenage girl. I have mellowed considerably. As long as it meets the dress code at school, I can stand to look at it I guess!! Speaking of this Cub, she just cracked her Dad and I up the other day. We got a bushel of fresh corn and was cleaning it for the freezer and she helped. Corn on the cob has always been one of her favorite veggies. So a few days later, I took some of the corn out and cooked it and when I offered her a piece she stated, "No thank you, I never eat corn that has touched the stalk". Dad and I were both rolling in the floor laughing.

This is a very interesting group that I live with. The other day I started to town to get dog food. The Alien said, "I will drive you, where do you want to go?" I stated, "Orschleins" they carry Science Diet. He said okay so off we went. When we started down main street I kind of wondered why we were taking this route but didn't say anything. Then he turned to me and said, "Oh, you wanted to go to Orschleins". Again, I said yes. This time we headed a different direction. I figured he had a new route to try so I kept quiet. We drove up in front of Tractor Supply, he parked the truck and we got out. (Again, I am quiet). Just as we got to the door, he turned to me and said, "Oh no, I am at the wrong store aren't I?" I grinned and said yeah but they probably have the right kind here. Sure enough they did.

Life is always an adventure around here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Until next time.

FREEDOM

The other day, a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let him know.

Growing older, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the cellulite. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror, but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family, for less gray hair or a flatter belly.


As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avant-garde on my patio. I am entitled to be messy, to be extravagant, to smell the flowers. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and then sleep until -- ? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s and 60s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the bikini set. They, too, will get old (if they're lucky). I know I am sometimes forgetful. But then again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when a beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no," and mean it. I can say "yes" and mean it.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being older. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day... (if I want).

Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles. Love simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

LIVE WELL -- LAUGH OFTEN -- LOVE MUCH. "And remember, my sentimental friend, that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."

Have a great day!

GOOD MORNING

Ayla is sending lots of love to all those of the clan. She realizes just how blessed she is on a daily basis. What a diversified group in this clan with each one having their own attributes to contribute.

Activities around the cave are very busy. The Cub just had her dental appt (no cavities), has her school physical this next week, enrolls for school, shopping for school clothes, etc etc

The Alien and I are cleaning out the attic, storage room and closets of all unused items (covering the last five years) and getting them ready for the garage sale the Valley View employees are having this next weekend. It will be held in an air conditioned building. We will each have a booth with tables, can take our stuff the night before and set up as the bldg will be locked. I had said I would never have another garage sale, guess that just teaches me to never say "never".

Yesterday, I helped the Alien make the last batch (I hope) of peach jam this season. For some reason he has got the bug this year and we have enough jam and jelly to last for a while (probably a long while).

Well, our oldest "furry boy" is in the dog house, so far back it may take a while to see daylight. Last week he and R were playing in the other room and he bit her. Regardless of what she did or didn't do, he will not be allowed to bite. His only excuse might be he has severe allergies and doesn't feel well at all. He has to get allergy shots about every five weeks.

The youngest furry one stays in lots of trouble. He does things Casper never dreamed of doing such as chewing the wall paper off the wall in the foyer, chewing up the area rugs, chewing up shoes, and on and on. He is so adorable though it is hard to get to upset!! Our golden years have turned into white fur ball years.

My youngest sibling's daughter is getting married this October. She and her new husband will live in Kansas City. The Alien had told her years ago that she had to wait until she was 25 and she was 25 in May so she told him he couldn't complain. Her brother's wife has a kidney transplant in September. M's Mom is donating one of her kidneys.

Our Cub went with our Church group to Texas this last week. They went to watch the Ranger's play on Monday night then spent the night and went to Six Flags on Tuesday. They got home around midnight on Tuesday. She had a good time.

It just occurred to me that we have traded in our knitting and checkers for dog shows and softball games. Time will tell what kind of trade we made!!!

Oh by the way, on my tombstone, I want to be able to say "She was to simplistic to please anyone but God".