** Tidbits on a Tuesday Night **

Hey Everyone! I'm a happy mama tonight, because Scott is coming home tomorrow night!!  I heard about it from my daughter-in-law earlier today, and then he called me this evening. We talked for 19 whole minutes this time! Woo-hoo!
His plane is scheduled to arrive here at 6:15pm. I wanted to go to the airport, but will stay with Scotty instead. After he walks into his house, and I can hug him, I think I'll be able to breathe again......heavy sigh...

Have you noticed the "She Writes" button thingy on the right side of my blog? I haven't really gotten into it that much, being busy with all this blogging, you know, but they do have a lot of things going on that look well worth looking into. All you have to do is "join", but there is No Fee. It is nationwide. In fact, I was invited to a local get together this evening, celebrating the First Anniversary of She Writes. (I wasn't able to attend, but I hope to meet up with the local ladies sometime soon.) So, you can see it's a new organization, geared toward women writers. I'm particularly mentioning this tonight because they have a fantastic contest, beginning today and ending sometime in August. You do have to be a member, so jump on over there and sign up.The contest is called the Passion Project.  (*disclaimer: I'm not getting paid or anything for this. I just think it looks like a good place and great contest for us writer-gals!)

My last tidbit of the evening: One of my friends' husband was the lucky recipient of a colonoscopy yesterday. When I replied to her e-mail, stating that "everything went great".....my response was, "So glad the invasion of his private parts went well!! :)
Hey, I like to do all I can to spread cheer and laughter around the world. Maybe someone would like to use that as a title to their book or screenplay....You have my permission. Although, you could mention my name, too.

Labels: appendix, emergency, England, Scott, Stonehenge, Summer Solstic
"My feet are completely flat, but for most of my life they were still shaped like feet. Now, thanks to bunions, they're shaped more like states, wide boring ones that nobody wants to drive through." — David Sedaris (When You Are Engulfed in Flames)

** It's Tea Cup Tuesday **

Happy Tea Cup Tuesday, hosted by Martha and Terri. I'm also joining Lady Katherine for her Tea Time Tuesday. Although Katherine's posts are more about elegant table settings, I like to join her because she invited me!

My tea cup today is a darling, demitasse size cup. I think it's just adorable and has a beautiful pink floral pattern. I chose to show it, not only is it pretty, but it's special to me because it was given to me by my friend Lynn over at Present Letters. It was one of those "for no particular reason" gifts that don't come along that often. Lynn knows about my joy of tea cups and when she was antiquing and saw this adorable set, she said she just had to buy it for me! AND, she even got me 2 sets that same day! The other one is a miniature and it is darling, too. Thank you, Lynn, so much....for your friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness. I hope you can begin to blog again soon. I really miss your letters.

The bottom stamp says: Made in Liling China, with Chinese lettering.

* I'd also like to add another huge Thank-You to everyone who's been so thoughtful and kind about my son, Scott. I won't be able to truly breathe until he's safely back home. *

 * Oh, and one more thing. A friend from high school is having a kidney transplant today at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Please keep Dee in your thoughts and/or prayers. *

"Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet, than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years." -- Richard Bach

* MY 12-HOUR SLEEP MARATHON *

As the quote at the end of my previous post says, ""A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work"...And, I've had almost a week's worth of worry, due to Scott's situation, then I must be... truly exhausted!

I mentioned to a couple of friends today, plus my husband this evening, that I think I need one of my 12-Hour Sleep Marathons, and I do believe tonight is the night!

I'm crawling into bed, with a book in hand...and hope to sleep for many, many hours. If not, and it turns out to be one of my long naps, then I'll most likely be back on my blog tonight.....but I honestly hope that won't be happening.

And to Estrella.....It took me forever to type this short blog post, due to my tiredness!!!

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book". ~ Irish Proverb

** Another Day In The Life....**

I was able to talk with Scott this morning… for over 12 minutes!! He sounded sooo much better than when we spoke last week. He sounded like the Scott I know and love! He said he's feeling much better, too! I don't remember when he said he might be released, but some of his stats still had to improve...and his flight is this Thursday.


He said his company has been wonderful through all this. They've had guys from Global Rescue visiting him and seeing how everything is going. They also upgraded his flight home to first class, and a Global Rescue team member will accompany him!

We had such a nice talk and I can't wait to see him in person!!

Thanks again to all of you who have e-mailed me and/or left comments concerning Scott. I truly, truly appreciate it.


Labels: appendix, emergency, England, Scott, Stonehenge, Summer Solstic

"A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work". -- John Lubbock

* Intentions & Actual Follow Through.....NOT! *

I just read the newest Searchlights & Signal Flares on Tiny Lights - A Journal of Personal Narrative, and boy, do I feel foolish!! I wrote about "my intentions" of finishing my book by July 16th....uh, that's like 2 weeks from now. I also proudly wrote about my Countdown Widget....."Although seeing it makes me a bit nervous and wary of my ability, it also makes me strive even more to meet it." Uh, yeah! It made me more than "a bit" nervous. It made me crazy. It made me feel silly. It made me feel like a fraud. I knew I wasn't going to meet that deadline, but I also wouldn't allow myself to actually face my failure. I removed it sometime ago, obviously after I sent in that piece.

So, this particular post is mainly for anyone who happens to jump over to  my blog from the Tiny Lights site. I apologize if you wanted to see my cool widget. The fact is, it really was cool....but all it did was make me perspire!

"I love deadlines. I like the whoosing sound they make as they fly by." -- Douglas Adams

* Several Thoughts On a Very Early Saturday AM *

Still no "new" news about Scott. I hope I'll be able to talk with or text with him sometime today.

Had lunch with Tammy and Teri Friday at a favorite "Girly" Tea Room, Miss Aimee B's. Besides the yummy food, being with them was so therapuetic. We talked about our writing, we laughed, we giggled....I might have snorted once or twice. It was wonderful! For those two hours, I didn't dwell on any worries. And I was pumped up and ready to work on my book, so that's exactly what I did when I got home. I got some good stuff written today!

Speaking of writing, I'm looking forward to attending the Saturday Writers monthly meeting today! Many times the day consists of an after-meeting lunch, where....you guessed it!....More great food and talk about writing!

I had a really fun afternoon with Scott's youngest son, Scotty, on Thursday. A week or so ago, I also gave him a "journal" that I put together for him. Believe me, it is nothing fancy! More about that another time.

I've been meaning to point out the new photo I posted at the top right corner....the stack of books, a pair of glasses, a tiny vase of flowers and a beautiful tea cup! After blog buddy and follower, Carmelina, commented on how much she loved a similar picture I posted a while back, I wanted to post one of my own belongings, not one I found on the internet.

One more thing.....The ever famous striped tents have popped up in our area again. The ones that sell fireworks. Every year I dread seeing them for a couple of reason. First, I think they are unsightly. And, second, seeing them makes me a bit sad, because I know it means summer is practically half-over already!

"If I did not wear torn pants, orthopedic shoes, frantic disheveled hair, that is to say, if I did not tone down my beauty, people would go mad. Married men would run amok."-Brenda Ueland

Labels: appendix, emergency, England, Scott, Stonehenge, Summer Solstic

(Frantic Mommy blog recently posted the above quote, and I just had to borrow it! Hilarious!!)

** Friday Bunny Wabbits **

I don't have any news to share about Scott. I guess I'll stick with the old saying, "No news is good news". I still feel myself barely breathing from time to time, and can only seem to perform mindless tasks around the house. Thus, dishes are getting washed (by hand!) and laundry is getting washed (by machine!)

I have lots of different things I've jotted down over the past week or so that I wanted to post on my blog. I decided to begin with some adorable Bunny Wabbit pictures!


Labels: appendix, emergency, England, Scott, Stonehenge, Summer Solstic

This first picture is one of our back-yard bunnies, stretched out and enjoying himself in a little patch of dirt, among the grass. This part of the yard is right next to our deck.

This little bunny is standing on our front door mat, right next to the front door! The glass is part of our storm door and I took pictures while hiding behind the front door. I took the pictures sideways, looking through the crack where the hinges are. (Hope that makes sense.)

This picture is of the bunny biting at and trying to get pieces of the mat! I don't know if he was eating them, or wanted to take some "home". He was jumping and pouncing on the mat and really pulling at it with his teeth. It was hilarious! I also managed to get a short video of it, on the same camera, which I've been wanting to post, also. BUT, I took the pictures and video sideways, and for some reason, my photo program won't allow me to flip/turn a video, like it will a photo! Anyone have any ideas??

Animals never cease to amaze me and bring me such joy...even the squirrels who steal a lot of the bird seed we put out for our fine-feathered friends!

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

** A Cautious Sigh of Relief **

Thanks to all of you that left heartfelt comments and/or sent e-mails of prayers and well wishes.

The family member who had emergency surgery is my oldest son, Scott, who I'd just wrote about on Monday, the 21st. He is in England for business and I posted the photo of him visiting Stonehenge.

(Scott and me the day before he flew to England)

I'm not exactly sure of the time of events, but sometime soon after that tour at Stonehenge, he was rushed to a hospital for emergency removal of his burst appendix, which also resulted in having some gangrene.

That was all I knew for many hours, which was the reason for my intense fear. And obviously, with him being a zillion miles from home, made it all the worse.

This afternoon, Scott called me from his cell phone and we were able to talk for quite a few minutes. His voice was weak, but oh how wonderful it was to hear it and to talk with him! He wasn't sure when he was going to be released from the hospital, but thought it would be at least a couple of days from now. After that, he said he'll stay at his hotel and rest up until his already scheduled flight home, which is on July 1st.

His British supervisor has been so wonderful through all this, keeping in touch with Cindy, Scott's wife, and notifying her whenever he knew anything.

I titled this post "A Cautious Sigh of Relief" because although it appears that Scott's surgery was successful and all the gangrene was removed, I won't be able to actually sigh with relief and/or breathe properly until he is safely back at home.

(*Note to Chatty Crone. Yes, I am indeed Scott's mom. I was a mere child when I was married the first time, so I was a very young mom!)

"Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that suppose to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing." ~ Toni Morrison, Beloved, 1987

** Please Keep Me in Your Thoughts **

We've all heard sayings about not taking life for granted, take time to smell the roses, and we don't know what tomorrow may bring.

The past 24 hours or so have been difficult for me. A very close family member had emergency surgery, and I don't know much else than that. It's something that can be quite serious, though, and I've been really worried and fearful.

I'm sorry if I seem secretive, but I don't want to divulge anything else at this time.

If you'd like, please send good thoughts and wishes my way.
I'll also accept prayers, good karma, peace....whatever you'd care to send....including virtual hugs....(thank you, Karrie!)

Hopefully, I'll have some good news to post sometime tomorrow.

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion". ~Author Unknown

** Tuesday: Time For Tea Cups and Tea Parties **

Hello! It's another Tea Cup and Tea Time Tuesday. I'm participating in both this week. One is hosted by Martha at Martha's Favorites

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And by Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

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The first picture below is part of a complete set.......

I actually had forgotten about it.......

Until I was searching for something else today.............

And discovered the box ...............

hiding in a drawer............

and then I saw it......and remembered!!

.....................Drum Roll Please..................

Ta Dah........!!  Did you guess it was a miniature set?!

I bought this set on E-bay about a year ago. I have a project in mind that I needed it for, but somehow that little project, like so many others, got put on the back burner.

I wrote to a blogger friend recently that I had some things that were so far back, on the back burner, that they wound up in my neighbor's kitchen and on her stove top! ☺

"American-style iced tea is the perfect drink for a hot, sunny day. It's never really caught on in the UK, probably because the last time we had a hot, sunny day was back in 1957". -- Tom Holt

Happy Summer Solstice 2010!

This is my oldest son, Scott, who is in England on a business trip. He just sent this photo to us yesterday, and I was thrilled to see that he was able to visit one of the most extraordinary monuments in the world.

It's also one of those Twilight Zone moments I seem to experience more and more lately. While doing a little research online just now about Summer Solstice, I discovered that thousands of people flock to Stonehenge every year to witness this event. It looks like Scott was a day or so early, but all the better, otherwise he would've just been lost in a sea of Druids, hippies, pagans and other curious folk!

find out more about Stonehenge

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." -- John Lubbock

* Microfiction Monday*

Welcome to Microfiction Monday, where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.


Susan at Stony River hosts Microfiction Monday. Susan posts pictures every week and writers take on the challenge to write 140 character (Twitter-sized) stories about the picture.

Here's this week's picture .....and my take on it:
 
Others question the flying fish. I question what else Lazy Dog offers. What can it be that the words had to be hidden behind the trees?   (135 characters)

** Father's Day 2010 **

Remember when we were kids and daydreamed about our ideas of what the 21st Century would be like? Didn't we think we'd be traveling in flying cars, like on The Jetson's?!

We have seen, and are living in, an age of such advanced technology...yet still driving along highways, streets, avenues and sometimes very bumpy roads of life.

Two days ago, another memory involving my childhood summer vacations in Iowa, came to me. Since it involves my dad, I thought it'd be appropriate to post today.

The majority of our car trip in those days was spent on 2-lane highways. Sometimes I liked to scoot up to the edge of the back seat and rest my arms on the upholstery between my mom and dad (no seat belts back then!) Many times I would see what looked like water on the road, up in the near distance, but every time we would get to that particular spot, there was nothing wet on the road. I asked my dad about it and he explained to me that it was a mirage....that it just looked like water and that it had something to do with the heat. To this day, every time I see areas on roads like that, I think of my dad and how he always took the time to explain things to me. He was such a great dad....for a few short years....and then he left us. I can only dream of how different my life may have been, had he stayed around and continued to be the dad his little girl loved so much.

* Tragic News From Miz Mollye *

I'm sure some of you have visited Miz Mollye's blog. Mollye is such a neat lady who I've only known a short while. I don't even remember exactly how we ran into each other in Blog Land, but I'm so glad we did.

A few minutes ago, I began trying to catch up on all the blogs I attempt to keep up with....and read a short post on Mollye's. She said her youngest son, Jake, had been shot and killed Thursday. That's all she knew at the time. She also said she or someone in her family would post more information when they can.

Can you even imagine? I had to read that short paragraph about three times before I realized and believed exactly what I was reading.

If you are a prayerful person, please say prayers for Mollye and her family.
If you aren't, please send your good thoughts and wishes her way.

I cannot even begin to comprehend it......

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." -- Helen Keller

* Tea Cup Tuesday - Part 3 *

I'm feeling extremely grateful tonight.....for various reasons. Since it's almost midnight, though, and I'm not in one of my Night Owl modes, I'll have to write about it tomorrow.

For those of you who might check back here for my comments in the last 4 or 5 posts, I've finally managed to leave some for you. I have some reading and commenting to catch up on, too, at other blogs!

Knowing that all of you are "out there" and sometimes thinking of your numerous blog friends, hopefully including me, is one of those things that makes me happy, joyful, & blissful.

I"ll say good night and send you over to Robert Brault's blog. He is an amazing, inspiring man and I love his quotes! (That's why I'm not posting a quote here tonight. You can go to his blog and read so many beautiful quotes!)

* Tea Cup Tuesday - Part 2 *

Well, I finally finished making all the birthday cards for June, took them to the post office and hope they will arrive in time! I swear, I keep saying I won't let the due dates sneak up on me anymore...but this time, I mean it! I need to begin tomorrow making the ones for July!

Enough of that.....

Before I forget, I took photos to show the bottom stamps on the cup & saucer, that are shown in the post immediately following this one. (Thus the name, Part 2!)

This is the bottom of the plate/saucer. It has the crossing arrows or whatever they are called, plus an indentation of the number 53, which kind of looks like a 33 here, but it's definitely a 53. Also, to the left of the arrows, there is another indentation that looks kind of a like a capital D in cursive, plus something else I couldn't make out.

This is the bottom of the cup and if it looks strange it's because I had to take the picture kind of upside down and backwards to get that number 4 to show up clearly! (I really gotta get a better camera!)

* Thanks to Terri  at Artful Afirmations and her comment below, asking about the stamps on the bottom of these. I had forgotten to take those photos!

Okay.......Gotta pry myself away from this laptop for awhile, but I'll be back sometime later.......As usual, I have lots to say!

“A perfect method for adding drama to life is to wait until the deadline looms large.” -- Unknown

* It's Tea Cup Tuesday *

* Because I wanted to participate in today's Tea Cup Tuesday, I'm repeating a blog post from June 2010 *

Okay, although I have 10 million things going on right now, I just have to participate in Terri's and Martha's Tea Cup Tuesday today! Below are photos of one of my newest antiquing finds!

Isn't this pretty? When it comes to tea cups and tea pots, I really love pink flowers.
Notice the top of the handle. It's a serpent's head, with its mouth clamping onto the cup. Isn't that unusual?

The "back" side of the cup has these tiny flowers......

While the "front" side has the larger flower.

That's it for today. Hope y'all enjoyed my little treasure (which cost less than $3.00...it has a tiny chip!)

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." - Robert Brault

* Eeeek! It's Almost the Middle of June! *

I really do hope to get something posted before the night is over. There's so much going on right now!

I see a lot of my blog buddies are having contests because they have reached different milestones in the number of their Followers. Congrats to everyone concerned!

I'd love to post something for Tea Cup Tuesday, since I actually already took some photos and all I have to do is upload them and write a little something.

I had hoped to participate in Micro Fiction Monday, but I haven't even had a chance to see what the prompt is for today!

I have submissions I'm working on that need to be sent sometime soon.

PLUS, I'm still finishing up my birthday card project for June. They have to be there by this Wednesday, the 16th, so I'm determined to finish them tonight, and mail them first thing tomorrow! If not, I'll be hand-delivering them on Wednesday!

Oh, and I have an adorable video of a bunny that I hope to get posted sometime soon!

Ooohhh, I know it's bad to start every sentence with "I"....but I couldn't figure out any other way to do it!

"Calendars are for careful people, not passionate ones." -- Chuck Sigars

** If It's Past Midnight....It Must Be Sunday **

Happy Sunday Morning! Ever since I woke up Saturday morning at 6:00am, I've been planning to write on my blog. I managed to read my newest comments and respond to those. Thank you all so much! I browsed through a few blogs here and there and read my new e-mail.

One of those e-mails was from She Writes, congratulating me on being approved for membership! It looks like a wonderful site for writers in all genres, in all cities and countries. I haven't had much time to check it out completely, but it looks like a place I'd suggest to all my Writer-Gal-Pals! Just click on the button on the right, or on the link above.

Have any of you tried out Bloggers new "Template-Background" thingy?! All I can say is: BEWARE! There doesn't seem to be a "Trial" button, or a "Go back, I don't like this one!" button. It doesn't come with very clear instructions, either, in my mind. I found a really cute one I wanted to try out. It didn't do what it was supposed to do and it looked terrible. The more I tried to "fix" it, the worse it got. I don't know how I got back to my most recent (and present) one, but thank goodness I did! I also saw quite a few comments saying the same things on another blog...so again: Beware!

I have other things I want to write about, but those can wait until later Sunday, or maybe even Monday.
For now, I have a mahhhhhvelous poem by one of my newest writer-blogger-buddies: Susan Noyes Anderson.  Sue has both a blog and a website and she is happy to share her poetry, provided the copyright information is clearly visible, which I'm very happy to do! I'm also including the links to both her blog and her website.

I chose this particular poem because it pretty much "Tells It Like It Is" concerning my relationship with my "current" body these days!


Renewing the Vows

©1996 by Susan Noyes Anderson, Poetpourri

I almost divorced my body

a couple of years ago.

Certainly, we were separated.

Irreconcilable differences.

Growing in different directions.

It, wider and older.

I, wiser and bolder.

(there was no consensus on this)

We got down to dividing

community property

and hit a snag.

Several, actually.

Limbs, lungs, kidneys,

ovaries, breasts––

Matched sets, all of them.

Not recommended for removal.

To be separated only in case

of medical emergency.

So we worked it out.

Cut each other some slack.

Rebonded. Rebounded.

Reached an understanding.

Made a commitment.

I take this body.

To have and to hold.

From this day forward.

As long as we both shall

Live.

It’s not perfect, but

consider the alternative.

"You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older." -- Anouk Aimee

** IT'S MY 300th POST **

I just noticed earlier this evening that I had 299 posts on my blog, which I began November 10, 2008. At that time, I didn't think I needed or wanted a blog, but a few writer friends encouraged me, especially Karrie McAllister! Thank you, Karrie! When I accept my Blogger Award (someday) I'll say in my acceptance speech, that I owe it all to you!!

Karrie received the Number One Thank You because she told me about blogspot in the first place, gave some suggestions, and promptly answered any questions I had.....all by e-mail. That's because Karrie lives in Ohio and she and I have never met (in person, that is!) If I remember correctly, I first contacted Karrie by e-mail when I came across her fabulous writing online somewhere.....don't know where or when that was, but what a wonderful writer/person/friend I met!!

I have more to say....as usual....but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

"Authentic female friendship is when we allow another woman to see our core, go to our core, and risk sharing our souls." -- Sue Monk Kidd

Remember just two days ago when I wrote about the awesome deal for address labels going on at Vista Prints? I received my order already today! And I didn't pay for express shipping. They are adorable! I even took a picture to show them off! They are 2-1/2" x 3/4", pale yellow striped background, with a stack of books!! (I cut off my address, just for privacy reasons.) Aren't they cute?? If y'all e-mail your addresses to me, I'll send you a hand-written note! *Update: I just checked the website and it appears this particular special is over, but they do have other special pricing, so if you're interested, give it a look!

I forgot to mention that last Wednesday, June 2nd, I participated in a Career Day at one of my grandsons' schools. He is in the 3rd Grade and I spoke to three different 3rd grade classes about being a writer. Each presentation was only 20 minutes and everything went as planned. The kids had good questions and comments and grandson, Scotty, seemed pretty proud of his grandma! I love talking to kids about "going for their dreams", at any age, etc. I always take one or two of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books that I have stories in, a couple newspaper columns, a literary magazine that I have an article in, etc. I also took some "school papers" that I thought they might like. I handed them out toward the end of each session and hopefully at least some of them took them home! I have fun typing them up....I feel like a real teacher! ☺

This paper asks what they learned from me. What kinds of books do they like to read. Do they write in a journal, or would they like to. It also says to ask their parents or grandparents or adult relative to tell them some things about their lives when they were young, and maybe have them write down their memories for them, etc. I told them how I wished I had something like that now, because people didn't really think about those things when I was young. Anyway, it was great fun and they were so well behaved.

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One more thing. Pal Donna at Donna's Book Pub posted some time ago about an upcoming Call for Submissions for a contest by Mozark Press. The deadline had been May 30th, but has been extended to June 15th, which is next Tuesday. This sounds really neat and I hope to get something sent in. The name of the contest is: A Shaker of Margaritas: Hot Flash Mommas. Fiction, Fun, and Forties Writing Contest.

Hmmm....I haven't read the small print. I hope it's okay to be older than "forties"!

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Oh! One more thing!! I came across a pretty fabulous looking site earlier today. Do you ever "Google" yourself? It's good to do from time to time, to see if there's any incorrect or bad information "out there" about you. I found out that my blog is on this site called NewPages.com! This link will take you directly to the blogs listed. There must be hundreds of them....and I'm one of them! I swear I've never heard of this site before, so I don't know how I wound up there. They have Contest Magazines, Contests Books, Calls For Submissions, etc. Tons of places that were new to me! Give it a look....you just might find The Perfect Place to submit your work!!

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence." -- Helen Keller

Tid Bit Tuesday - Part 2 - My Sister, Jo Ann

When I wrote the first part of Tid Bit Tuesday, my deceased sister Jo Ann was also on my mind, due to a couple of reasons. Obviously when I saw the huge sign on the old Circuit City building that read Jo-Ann's Fabrics, I thought of her. There's various ways to spell Jo Ann, and most of the time they aren't spelled like hers.

The other reason was because she died in the month of June, 1984. I never remember the date of someone's death. I only remember their birth dates. Conscious decision or not? I'm not sure. Anyway, after seeing the Jo-Ann's Fabrics sign, I decided I really needed to know. I needed and wanted to know the date she lost her battle with cancer.

I e-mailed my other sister, my brother and sister-in-law, etc. My sister replied first, that she too didn't know the exact date. (Well, I guess I'm not so weird after all.) After I read her reply, I went downstairs to our basement, walked directly over to a junky dresser where old birthday cards, photographs, kids' school work, etc. are kept and found what I was looking for. After only 5 minutes or less, I uncovered Jo Ann's obituary, in perfect condition. It had been clipped from a newspaper, was folded nicely and obviously quite yellow with age.

I scanned over it quickly.....yes, she was born on such and such a date.....Then there it was, ..."passed away June 8, 1984.."

Oh my gosh! Today! Today is the 8th of June. HOW did I seem to know that? WHY did I become so determined to find out? WHAT or WHO led me to the exact place I must've looked numerous times before?

Y'all know I like to talk about my Twilight Zone moments. This is one for the books, as the saying goes. Help me, though. I'd really like to give a better, more meaningful name to what I've experienced over the past 24 Hours or so.

"My god, you've lost your mother." -- what a therapist said when I told her about my relationship with Jo Ann.
(I was devastated when she died. She was 16 years older than me. She was my sister, my friend, my mother)

** Tid Bit Tuesday **

Since I didn't get around to taking any pictures of my newest tea cup finds, I won't be participating in today's Tea Cup Tuesday. Instead, my title is: Tid Bit Tuesday....because that's exactly what this is.

Have you ever been listening to your car radio, and the time and the station numbers are the same? And for a minute, you click the button a couple of times, thinking something's wrong with it. Then you figure it out! That happened to me again the other day. It's so weird! It was exactly 10:33 and the radio station was 103.3.  Other times, it's been 10:25, and I'm listening to 102.5....Wacky!!

For those of you that live in my area, did you notice that a business is moving into the Circuit City store that was vacated last year....the one next to Best Buy and Mid Rivers Mall?? It's Jo-Ann's Fabrics! I hardly ever think to shop at Jo-Ann's, and I guess I'm not on their mailing list anymore. They usually do have some great bargains in their craft and decor items. That's what I go there for. Unfortunately, I cannot sew, or quilt, or crochet, or knit. (those things all require talent AND counting) I used to enjoy doing the old-fashioned cross stitch...the kind where the X's were stamped onto the fabric. I don't want to have to COUNT to figure out where my next stitches go.....thank you very much! Most of you know I have a problem with COUNTING. Math and I do not get along!

(borrowed from Ms. Sparkle-Farkle)

 

"The greatest unsolved theorem in mathematics is why some people are better at it than others." -- Adrian Mathesis

** This 'n That on a Happy Monday **

Most people probably wouldn't choose a Monday as a particularly happy day. I certainly didn't, during those years I worked at stressful jobs. But now I have the luxury of staying home....and I do mean luxury. I know how very fortunate I am and whenever I'm feeling stressed about all the things I have to do.......sheesh, I remind myself how it used to be, and how it could be, and that usually stops my whining!

I'm happy today for various reasons, which is typical for me. So many things contribute to my happiness: my home, my family, my dog, nature, writing, reading, thinking, observing, creating, helping, etc. And, today, as in most days, I have been, or will do....all of them. Some days, washing the dishes makes me happy! Yeah, I know....I'm a freak!

Okay.....Here's my Monday News:

1) I have declared that it is officially summer (at least on my blog) and that's why I've changed my Play List to summer time songs. Hope you enjoy them. If you have any other favorites to suggest, let me know and maybe I can add them.

2)  Since I'm feeling quite happy today, my favorite songs on this list would be: #22 Life is Wonderful by Jason Mraz, and #24 Oh Happy Day by the Edwin Hawkin Singers.

3)  There's a mistake on song #47 Summertime. That is definitely NOT Aretha Franklin singing with Louis Armstrong. I'm not sure WHO it is, but it isn't Ms. Franklin! (anybody can add songs to the main play list, and I run into mistakes fairly often.)

4)  I am thrilled to say that my followers have now reached 61. When the number reaches 100, I will have a Big-Give-Away-Contest! Woo-Hoo!

5)  I hope to be participating in Tea Cup Tuesday tomorrow. I have a couple of new goodies to show off, recently purchased at a nearby Antique Mall, for fabulous prices!

6)  One more thing. Somewhere in Blog Land, I came across a site that is all about coupons and freebies. Talk about spending a lot of time on the old computer! I had to get away from that one really fast, or I would've been there for hours. I do have one really cool thing to share. Vista Prints is giving away FREE return address labels! If you click on the link I've provided, it will take you right there. You can get 140 labels FREE and just pay the shipping. I went ahead and doubled mine because the price for another 140 is only $1.49, plus shipping. So, I ordered a total of 280 lables and paid $6.14, including shipping! They're not just plain labels, either. There are 100's to choose from. I got mine with a stack of books on them Hhhmmm, wonder why?! (I think this is a Limited Time Offer, so get thee over to their site.)

Even if you don't snail-mail many things anymore, they can be used for all types of things. You could use them in your books, in your kids' books, DVD's, for identifying purposes, etc.

**And NO, I'm not getting paid anything, from anybody, for sharing this information. **

And thanks to a friend who started off my Happy Monday with a sweet and thoughtful gift. We had coffee and conversation, both vowing to "get some work done today".  (so far, I haven't crossed off a single thing on my Things To Do List! Eeek!)

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Happiness pulses with every beat of my heart. ~ Terri Guillemets

There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction. ~ Salvador Dali
 (and just because I'm so happy today, I'm leaving you with THREE....count 'em.....THREE quotes!)

* Saturday Centus Week 5 *

Welcome to the fifth week of Saturday Centus. (This is my 2nd time to participate.)

This is a themed writing meme. Come on and join the fun!!

Each Saturday Jenny Matlock will be giving a new "prompt" for the week and you have the entire week to link your work to the meme and you can link more than one story if you like.

Each linked essay must be 100 words or less, not including the "prompt" words. No pictures should be used. No profanity. The prompt words can be used in any place within your story but must be left intact.

Please display link button or just a hyper-link back to Saturday Centus. Be careful to link your SC URL to the Linky and not just link to your main blog.

Jenny would suggest that since these are so short, if you can't think of a title just use your blog name as the title in the Linky.

Jenny also says it would be great if you would try and visit the rest of the links. Actually, it will be fun for you because they were wonderful last week for sure!

This link will be live until next Saturday morning around 7 am. And please, remember to link to your SC URL...not your main blog.

Here's mine for this week's prompt.....(coming in at exactly 100 words) Prompt is in italics.

I settled into the comfortable movie theater seat with awkward 3D glasses perched on my nose, a small tub of popcorn on my lap, and a bottle of water lodged into the seat holder. Then anxiety kicked in. Why did I come here? Being alone in a theater always makes you look…lonely. Oh well. I can't help that.


A few people strolled in and sat down. Another thing I didn't like….a bunch of empty seats, especially during a comedy. My laughter would echo as if in a cave!

I snorted, cackled, and hooted, all through the movie, and seemed to be the only one doing so.

As the lights came up, I realized why no one else appreciated the hilarious movie. Those few people were members of the PWNSOH Club. Ah, that explained it!

** Time To Be Realistic **

Time is flying by......and I'm having a heck of a time holding on! Thus, the title of this post. I've decided to be realistic in terms of my book deadline. It was a self-imposed one, anyway, and I was kind of worried from the beginning that I wouldn't pay much attention to it! I hoped, though, by posting the Countdown Gadget on my blog, it would motivate me and scare away the old Writer's Sabotage. Hmmm...that didn't seem to work.

So, I have removed that bad old clock that ticked away and made me nervous and stressed, therefore causing more writer's block and angst!

My decision was based on the fact that I want my book to be FABULOUS, rather than mediocre!  Duh!

Ahhhhh....Freedom! I felt better the moment the clock was gone.

This also gives me permission to blog more, enter more contests, send more submissions, keep in better touch with my friends......and basically keep my sanity.

I have a feeling I'll get a lot accomplished this weekend.....in all the areas of my home and life that need to be worked on!

“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”-- Amanda Bradley

** You've Got a Friend **

Hey Everyone! Thank you all SO much for all your wonderful comments!

Gosh, You Like Me! You Really, Really Like Me!   << said in my best Sally Field voice!!

I'll be back later today.......but just know that all is well!! I'm not wearing myself out, etc!


"Nothing is worth more than this day". -- Goethe

* It Can't Be Almost Wednesday Already *

My apologies to friends I owe e-mails to.....

To friends I owe comments to....

My day began around 4:30am and hasn't stopped yet......no time wasting, and no nap, either!

And it appears the rest of the week will be very similar.

But it's all good. No problems. Just Busy!

I'm sure I'll be back to post something tomorrow. You know I can't stay away!

Somewhere during those precious 24 Hours I'm given each and every new day.....I must get going on the June birthday cards, and devote much more time to my book!! Please send me good vibes, good karma, cosmic encouragement, well wishes, whatever!

I cut this headline out of the newspaper some time ago. Although I think the situation in the Gulf is very tragic and sad, I couldn't help but use this for my blog.

See. I'm BP. Get it?? And I really need to be urged to work harder on those cards and on my book!

"I am definitely going to take a course on time management...just as soon as I can work it into my schedule" -- Louis E. Boone