Category Archives: Me stuff

Zipping along

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We’ve been having such nice weather this summer. The humidity is just starting to build over the last few days. It was overcast yesterday, so I retrieved the weed whacker from the shed and went on a mission to do away with that darn Creeping Charlie and grass that was invading my many gardens. An hour and a half later, I was done, though the string part was a nuisance to deal with at times. Today I am tired and have my right hand wrapped up as it was the one holding the piece of machinery up. My left trigger finger was asleep this morning. I’m pretty happy with the way the yard looks this year and using the weed whacker gives it a finished look and saves my back. We were trying to get rid of weeds and grass growing in the cracks of the sidewalk bricks- a never ending job!
That’s basically what I’ve been up to. Hopefully Sean and I will see a movie within the next few days. He’s at the dentist-again-getting a few fillings.
For Zoey-My Crocusmia!
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I need to take a photo of them open!

Show & Tell

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It’s been a few weeks since I participated in Show and Tell. Now I have something to show!
I set up my living room sofa table with a beachy theme for the summer months.
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I started with the metal ‘By The Sea’ sign that I laid out flat and added a vase of seashells, some art work (one by me and a card and an altered tin from friends); some vintage reproductions of local Delaware beaches; that neat terra cotta ball covered with seashells; the little blue life preserver over the blue Ball jar  and a scented candle called ‘Ocean Waters’. I also added a few gardening things as I am a gardener.
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And this is new, but looks vintage and sits on the windowsill behind the above table. I just found it in Home*Goods along with the little life preserver.
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Thursday Thunks

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1. Do you know anyone with heterochromia? Does it freak you out or do you think it’s interesting?
The neighbors’ dog had a brown and blue eye and actress Kate Bosworth does. I think it’s neat!
2. Should a 5th face be added to Mount Rushmore? If so, who?
Can they do that-like is there enough rock? I don’t think they should change it as it’s been around such a long time.
3. If you could live on any planet other than earth, which one would you choose and why?
Hmmm….I don’t think I want to live on another planet if there are not other people on them or extremes in temp.
4. We’re going to spend the night at a reportedly haunted location, are you going with us?
No thanks-I get ‘vibes’ anyway, like I’ve felt extreme cold, etc even in my own home on rare occasions.
If so, which reportedly haunted place are we going?
5. Did you play The Queen’s Meme this week? If so, was it fair of The Queen to put Berleen in the dungeon by association with Kimber? (We all know Kimber deserved it, but Berleen?!) Pass
6. What color is the towel(s) hanging in your bathroom?
The hand towel is pretty-pink florals on a black background. The bath towels are blue and white.
7. Tell us something funny that happened to you recently.
A bee thought that the floral top I was wearing had real flowers on it and buzzed at my chest a few times.
8. We just bought you a cow. Do you kill it & grill it, feed it & milk it, or sell it?
Sell it-too much work.
9. It’s 115 degrees outside (46 degrees Celsius), are you able to go without Air Conditioning?
No way-one condition of us staying in this house was to get central air and it’s been a God send.
10. When you visit the zoo do you wonder which animal tastes better with a bit of butter & spices?
No way! The smell of the place makes me lose my appetite for any kind of food.
11. Dog ate your homework/work papers. Does it crap out Shakespeare, quantum physics, or just crap?
Yeck-what the heck? Do I care after it’s been in one end and out the other?
12. We are taking you to a broadway show, what are we going to see?
Wicked maybe.
13. Gunshots in your neighborhood. Pop, pop, pop. Do you go out to take a look, or hide?
I would assume it’s my next door neighbor going after a groundhog or when it’s hunting season a deer. I’d stay in though just to be on the safe side.

Bulky

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I have one of those wholesale club cards and don’t use it very often. Yesterday Sean and I decided to go to the one near my mom and take her. I had a ‘limit’ to what I was spending, but with Mom and Sean along, I completely blew it! We hadn’t been there since December or January, so I should account for that! I really wanted the big box of Cas*cade, which I got. Sean likes the energy bars and a few other things. It really adds up. I shouldn’t need to buy shampoo, soft drinks and snack food for weeks or months now. We also went to the store next to the wholesale-For*man Mills. It’s mostly a clothing store. I think only 10-20% of it is worth looking at and you have to go up in the size as most of the clothes look shrunk up. BUT, I did find a ‘tiered’ dress in white, black and gray, a black and white patterned skirt, a double knit black top with some beading around the neck, a red and white stretchy top (I should have gone up a size) and a funky 1960s type handbag-the body of it is big white faux leather circles and it has beaded handles. All for under $50!! Also got a big bottle of Coconut/Vanilla shower soap. It was definitely a store to snoop in. Sean found a Eagles football watch for $7. I had to read the sizes to my mom as her eyes aren’t too good yet.
Sean’s off to Penn State for an Arts and Crafts fest. I think it’s an excuse to see old friends. I would have liked to go, but only one bed and no way am I letting him or me sleep on that inflatable mattress again. He said he’d buy me something!
I’m going to out to tie up some plants…so here are the ‘thunks’…

1. Do you tend to have a guilty conscious?
If I do it’s when I look in the mirror. I’m not happy with what’s going on, but sometimes when I exercise, I hurt myself-like when I pulled my right back shoulder blade, it hurt for almost 3 months. I try and do lots of outdoor gardening-digging, hauling stuff, etc this time of year to firm me up a bit.

2. Do you still have your wisdom teeth? No! Had them out when I was 19 and it was horrible. I had twilight sleep, so I knew what was going on a bit, but played dead for the dentist.

3. Peanut Butter – creamy or crunchy?
I like both-creamy on bread, chunky in cookies.

4. Get up off your butt. Take 5 steps. Which leg did you start out on?
My right one!

5. What color is your favorite kitchen utensil? Almost cabalt blue-my Kitchen*Aide mixer

6. Did you watch the Michael Jackson memorial/funeral? Yes! I even took photos for my Flickr account. Michael was only 14.5 month older than me, so I followed his entire career.

7. Do you know anyone who graduated from high school this year?
Were you invited to their graduation party? Did you go? No, not this year.

8. White with black stripes or black with white stripes?
I think black with white stripes looks better.
9. If we were to call your 6th grade teacher, what would they say about you?
You had to be pick 6th grade-didn’t like my teacher at all, an ex-nun with a case on herself. She’d probably say I didn’t speak up enough and had bathroom problems.
10. Can you draw a perfect circle?
I think I can draw a pretty good one!

11. What was your favorite scratch & sniff sticker scent?
Coconut!

12. What does your sibling do for a living?
I have 3 brothers-
the eldest is an electronic tech for a major news network in Philly; the next is a medical recruiter and the baby is a master mechanic.

13. How many light switches and electrical outlets are in the room that you are in right now?
2 light switches-and about 7 outlets.

14. Do you know sign language?
Only a few signs like ‘I love you’.

15. Do you step on cracks in the sidewalk?
Bad luck! I don’t want to fall down either.

16. And the sheets on your bed look like….?
Yes-I like sets.

17. What is something that everyone else has, but you don’t?
A job!

Thursday Thunks

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1. When you close a door, do you close it quick and just let it slam or do you hold the knob and slowly shut it tight?
I can’t stand anyone slamming doors, so I try not to let one slam if I can help it.

2.Train A is moving at 60 miles an hour. Train B is moving at 22 miles an hour. They will pass each other at X time. Now what color shoes are you wearing when train A derails?
Huh? Depends on my outfit and if I was out watching trains go by.

3. What if M&M’s grew on trees? What color M&M tree would you have?
I’d hope they come like they do in the package-multicolor! If I couldn’t have multicolor, then I would go with green for ‘obvious’ reasons (and not because trees are green!)

4. How many petals on a flower does it take to make it the perfect bloom?
As many as it takes to make it perfectly symmetrical. : )

5. I took you to spend $421.67 on you, what did we spend that money on?
Probably a mini vacation down at the beach.

6. If you were a squash, what type of squash would you be?
Zucchini because I like the name!

7. Have you ever gotten a wrong number call and ended up talking to the person for longer than 5 minutes?
Nope!

8. Why haven’t you joined Berleen & Kimber at Insanity Cafe yet? Do we stink?
I didn’t know about it. I’ll go look.

9. Now for one of Ber’s questions back when TT was brand new… Shampoo bottles say lather, rinse, repeat… do you?
Only if I think my hair had a lot of hair products in it like hairspray.

10. It’s July, the year is half over. Do you see it as “whew that part is over” or best is yet to come?
Definitely-whew that part is over as we had some health issues, etc.

11. Why do you do the Thursday Thunks meme?
For something different to entertain my readers with. I think they get sick of flower photos!

Thursday Thunks

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1. Someone knocks at your door. You answer it. It’s a kid from the local school selling candy bars for a fundraiser. Do you buy one?
Not to sound mean, I probably wouldn’t answer the door and I have a sign there that says no solicitors or salespeople. Now if they were sitting at a table outside the supermarket, etc. I usually do.

2. The end of the world is tomorrow and you are out of milk – do you go buy some? Don’t see a need to.

3. Have you ever picked up the phone and called someone that you hadn’t talked to in years? Let’s say I have emailed them. Facebook is a great place to meet long lost pals again. See my post below.

4. Whats on your computer desktop background? It’s the night sky a few weeks ago when it was an orangey-pink color.

5. What was the very first movie you saw in a movie theater? I’d have to ask my mom..one of the first ones that I remember was definitely ‘The Sound of Music’-a long movie for little kids. I’m thinking it was probably ‘Mary Poppins’? I remember the first movie I took my son to see was ‘The Little Mermaid’ and he was 3.

6. If you had to take a 10th grade science test, do you think you would pass?
I think I would now as I have gained more knowledge over the years about science related things. Plus helping my son with his work has helped me! If I remember correctly, 10th grade science involved frog dissection- I let my partner do the dirty work.

7. Describe heaven.
The ultimate peace. I hope God picks me to tend his gardens.

8. Has a place that you lived ever been infested with some sort of insect or rodent?
Our apartment had some cockroaches at one time-got it sprayed. Our basement here had a flea infestation-had to put off one of those bombs-same at mom’s house a few times.

9. When you were a youngin’, did you hide in the clothes racks at department stores?
Most definitely-many were not the cleanest of areas-dust bunnies galore!

10. Is there anything in your vehicle that is broken?
One side of my cup holder which is a pain. The other doesn’t work that well. To replace it is too expensive.

11. What is something in your house that people would be surprise to find?
I have some porcelain dolls around. I have cut back a bunch. Also have up a dollhouse that I built back in the early 90s.

12. Do you agree with the death penalty?
The punishment must fit the crime-so I guess if some serial killer has the death penalty, he/she sure doesn’t deserve to take up a cell’s space.

13. Whats your favorite type of bear?
I really think Polar bears are awesome! The Philly zoo has a unique display (I think they still do) and I could have stood there for hours watching them swim, etc.

14. Where was the last place you went? I went to my classmate’s house-see below!

15. What if that person knocking at your door earlier was an adult selling candy bars… would you buy one?
I stand by my 1st answer. Mama said never take candy from strangers too!
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It’s going to be a warm day today-high 80s. As I stated on Facebook-make sure your ceiling fans are spinning counter clockwise for the summertime. : )

Just plain hectic

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This last full week of June is proving to be a busy one. Yesterday, Sean took me to the grocery store (I needed him to lift the heavy stuff like 24 bottles of water and his help is great). That was 3 pm. I think I didn’t sit down again for an extended amount of time until close to 8! I made a quick and easy grilled chicken Caesar salad(love grilled chicken!) which called for fresh corn, which I used (I altered a recipe from a magazine I have). I then decided to plant three things in my soon to bloom lily garden. After I put the plants in, I started to edge the garden with my half moon edger. Brian came out and finished it, but he dug too deeply. I need to break up the dirt and get out the grass. Using that tool gives gardens a finished look.
Today is Brian’s Dad’s 86th birthday. Incidently, Ed McMahon passed away at age 86 today. He got his start in Philadelphia and just a few years ago was the guest of honor in a Memorial Day parade (I think) in my hometown. Ed and Dick Clark both lived in the same apartment complex (but in the 1950s of course!) that Brian and I started married life in-in Drexel Hill, PA.
Oh, I also went with Brian when he dropped his car off for inspection-there were about 30 other cars- some people (like us)waited until the last minute!
I was just watching ‘The View’ and I have the same measurements as Sherri*Shepherd before she started exercising! Oh well…hopefully I can get myself toned up a bit. I am sure she doesn’t do the gardening and cleaning I do. : )
Sad stuff:
There was a terrible train accident in Wash*ington, DC yesterday and now 7 have been confirmed dead. They said it’s the worse one in their history.
Update-spent the entire afternoon ripping out ornamental grass and planting other things here. That sick grape arbor behind this garden (the grapes are diseased) needs to come down!
Newly spruced up lily and grass bed
I added some bird statuary here.

Thursday Thunks

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1. Are your ears dirty?
Hmmm…don’t know (but I can usually tell)! I invested in an ear scope when my son was small- a good investment. If anyone’s ear looks red, I know they probably have an ear infection. Everyone should have one!
2. Would you rather be stung by a scorpion or bit by a snake? (Don’t say either…no one wants to be in pain, that’s the point. Pick one.)
My astrological sign is Scorpio-so…
3. Do loud noises make you snappish? (i.e. A loud restaurant, screaming child next to you, booming stereo from a neighbor’s house?)
They tend to get on my nerves if it goes on and on. I’m alone a lot and eat alone, so I find most family style restaurants are similar to school cafeterias.
4. PETA- thoughts on this org.?
Have good and bad viewpoints. I can’t believe they issued a statement about the President killing a fly-ugh-a fly-they eat poo! Come on!

5. Would you rather be the discoverer of the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot? (Imagination!)
I think the Loch Ness Monster-safely away from the water, on shore with a telescope.
6. When in a public toilet and it’s not flushed: do you flush & use or move on to a clean one?
Move to a clean one as I know germs can fly several feet when the toilet is flushed. If it’s the only stall, then I have to use my foot to flush.
7. Neighbors are having a noisy, party bonfire, what do you do?
If it’s way after midnight, I’d probably call the police to have them send a patrol car by.
8. Do you play Monopoly? If so which version of the game?
Haven’t played Monopoly for years!
9. Are you a remote hog?
No-my husband is the channel flipper.
10. Do you like the smell of paint?
No, it usually gives me tummy issues.
11. My questions obviously suck this week. {I’ve had a bad week.}
So do you think Kimber should have…
~smoked pot before doing these questions? No comment. ; )
~drank liquid courage? Maybe
~begged Berleen to do them (she’s better at them anyhow)? Why not!

The years seem to melt away

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I’m not talking about a new kind of vanishing cream-though, wouldn’t that be nice? ; )
What I’m referring to is spending time the other night with some former classmates from my high school! One lady was in my kindergarten class-45 yrs ago! Face*book has helped me and other classmates find each other! I started a group at FB just for my class, and I believe there are close to 70 of us in it!
Anyway, this past Friday night, Brian and I got together at a beachy like place and sat and chatted with 10 nice people, 7 former classmates and two of their spouses and a member of the class under us. Our pal Ron was back in town for his son’s graduation and asked ‘yours truly’ to post an event and round up some of the group. Ron has moved to Arizona-twice-the second time this April. I can tell you he had a great time! I ordered a Cosmopolitan-it was a bit heavy on the Vodka, so I asked Bri to have them put a splash more cranberry juice in it which helped.(I hardly ever drink). I was really happy to see Meg (I was suppose to go to her house a few weeks ago) and her three pals arrive. Ron said really nice things about me and calls me ‘The Queen of Face*book’. He mentioned my photos and gardening too. : )
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Ron and another Meg! So glad she came too!
Scott added photos and I grabbed a few:
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Thanks to Ron, Meg H-M, Scott, Linda, John, Darcy, Meg B-M, Janet, Karen and Barb for a nice evening.
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The garden is all planted-about 2-3 weeks late. We plant a lot of tomatoes to mainly share with the family. Over the last few years, our garden hasn’t been producing, so we added a few layers of new top soil. Crossing fingers for a bumper crop.
Sean and I are watching ‘Twilight’. We have another hour to go. I think it’s definitely for the younger crowd.
We are having our septic tank drained tomorrow-country living folks! It hasn’t been done for about 4 years which is a long time!
Sean said he will help me plant zinnia and cosmos tomorrow. I am having some back and tummy issues, so I’m glad he can do the bending. I think I’m overdoing it!
Sean’s graduation announcements went out today with their personalized stamps-even the lady at the post office was impressed! And Zoey, your DH should expect a package in a few days-finally. I put a little something in there too.

Thursday Thunks

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1. What is your least favorite candy bar?
If you can call them candy bars-l think they are Mary Janes- the gooey molasses based ones-no chocolate and sticks to your teeth!
2. If I were to call you, what would you say?
Hi, do you have fun answering silly questions too?
3. What is your favorite type of leaf?
I love all the various leaves on coleus plants.
4. When was the last time you….
– had sex?
wouldn’t you like to know!
– swam in a lake?
don’t think I have, just a pond or two.
– went barefoot outside?
last night!
– ate peas?
within the last few weeks.
5. Since Father’s Day is right around the corner, tell us about the person that you are celebrating.
He was estranged from us all and has been deceased since Feb. 08. My son does look a bit like him, I don’t hold that against him, I just tell him not to act like he did.
6. Were you dropped on your head as a child?
Not that I was ever told.
7. How often do you clean your toilet?
Several times a week as it’s old…pulling for a new one!
8. Have you ever been sunburned?
Tell us about it.
Oh yes…lobster red…hurt like heck.
We were staying for a week down in Wildwood, NJ and I got burnt on the only sunny day. I suffered the rest of the time and it rained-no fun!
9. On average, how many hours a sleep do you get a night?
I never sleep straight through. I try to lay there at least 7-8 hours.
10 How many hours did you get last night?
The above, but I got up a lot-dang ice tea.
11. Take a picture of something. Post it.
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This is an altered key I made for a swap group on Flickr. The rhinestones and piece at the top were my from grandmother’s old jewelry. A friend sent the wings. It’s hard to see that I rubbed the key with a plum colored alcohol ink.
12. Are the bottom of your feet dirty?
No, but this time of the year that’s a possibility.
13. Do you know the names of every member of the family who lives next door to you? Yes-only two, but I know their son and his family too.
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We had beach-like weather today meaning it would drizzle a bit and then the sun would peek out and go in again. I mainly went through catalogs and old papers for recycling.
Here’s a cool thing-Sean and I went down to T*D Bank with a big bag of coins. You get to guess how much you think you have-I said to put in $110, and he by mistake typed in $111. Didn’t we have $111.88 and won a neat eyeglass case! : )
Made a good sweet and sour chicken dinner by Wanchai. I added Maraschino Cherries and baby carrots. It was better than take-out!
Did some art after dinner, including the above key.