Category Archives: Me stuff

Nov19

Not quite the big 5-0

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Dianne as a baby, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Another year already! I thought you’d enjoy seeing a child of the 60s. I was almost born in 1960. I didn’t know my maternal grandfather as he passed away when I was only 6-7 weeks old, which is my age in the very yellowed photo. That’s my Uncle Don holding me who I talk about now. He’s 85 and living alone (though his wife is in a nursing home). The large photo is me when I’m 1 day old. I do have my mouth open in the photo, not surprising as mom loves to tell everyone I was the loudest baby in the nursery. : )

The next few shots-I’m about 3 when we were living in Florida, my 7th birthday and brother #2’s 6th birthday (or was in 7th and 8th?-lol) and my 21st birthday with my mom. Those Polaroids tend to crack. The big onion was a cookie jar-dirt cheap at the pottery factory in Williamsburg, VA.

Little me about age 3

I can still name most of the kids: Stevie, Donnie, Dianne, Gary, Donnie B.,Valerie, Betsy (the little girl behind me, my BFF as the time), Laurie, Julie, Julie, Caroline (my cousin). The ones I don’t remember were the siblings of our friends.
Our combined birthday party about 1965

Only remembrance of 21st birthday
We’re going out to dinner today. I have some gifts to open from mom and Brian. Mom always gives me too many things which frustrates my husband.

Many thanks to Barbara, Angela, Terri and Kay for your cards and/or gifts. I did thank you in an email too.

Update-About 7:38 the front door slammed shut and woke me up! I had mentioned wanting a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast. Bri went to Dunkin Donuts (also getting ripped off on how much they were) and bought 4 bagels and 6 donuts. I did tell him he woke me up and that all nice measures should be followed all the way through. I do appreciate him going out in the bitter cold to make me happy.

Zoey-not sure if I’ll bring the camera in the restaurant as it may be a bit snooty. I do have a camera phone-well mine needs a new battery, but Bri has his too. We’ll see. : )

Heard my sister-in-law got Pink eye from my niece who was getting over it yesterday. Col fixed both my mom’s hair and my hair then. I have antibiotic drops I’ll use a few times today just as a precautionary measure.

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Nov18

Darn Premonitions!

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I do this all the time. I’m sure you do too. Like the other day I said to myself-‘I sure hope my teeth hold out for the next few months until the new year rolls around’. Did I get my wish-no! A large gum filling came lose after trying to eat meat from ‘that’ grocery store I complained about a few weeks back. I think the dentist will cut me a break if I get in there before the 3 months is up-of course that is around Thanksgiving. Now do I want to go to the dentist tomorrow or Wednesday-no! I don’t have pain and I have a hair appointment as I want to look younger on my birthday. : )
I have on a cute night gown I got at Wally World for $8. It’s watermelon pink with ‘Shine’ in silver letters surrounded my glittery stars. I got some slacks which are a little big. I need to take the waist in a little.
I was telling Bri I think the belly buster thingie helped my right shoulder blade (that bothered me off and on for 3 months) along with the muscle spasms in my stomach area. I try to wear it everyday as does he. He’s doing sit-ups and I think there is a difference in his tummy-it looks tighter!
So I’ll be going to my sister-in-law’s and then out with mom for a bit. I hope my tooth is good.

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Nov17

Almost a carbon copy

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Saturday Night Live was a bit raunchy the other night, but a certain sketch had us rolling on the floor because of the theme of the sketch (how a family kissed each other a zillion times), but the dad in the sketch looked just like brother #2 who I don’t see that often:

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This is comic actor Fred Armisen (I think he’s still a ‘friend’ of mine on MySpace)

And this is my brotherdon

I got the capture of Fred by using the ‘print screen’ button when we were viewing the sketch on the SNL archives. It’s like Fred used a photo of my brother to create his character! Bri and I almost fell of the sofa and chair when we saw this.

Speaking of the sketch, Bri’s family is the kissing family. Kiss, kiss, kiss! We aren’t as much, more huggers I think. I do kiss my mom on the cheek when I say good bye.

Not too much going on this weekend. Had a nice little shopping trip Sunday night at Walmart as I hadn’t been shopping for a while. I told Bri I would save him from going shopping for me. We are probably going to go to the Mendenhall Inn on Wednesday. They have a prime rib special that night. I’ve lived here for over 22 yrs and never have been there. My high school would have their proms there (and I didn’t go to the proms).

Just made the reservation online using Open Table. com (from the Inn’s website)

  • Address:
    323 Kennett Pike
    Rte 52 South
    Mendenhall, PA 19357
  • Cross Street: Hillendale
  • Phone: (610)
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Message from the Restaurant: Thank you for reserving at Mendenhall Inn. We look forward to serving you.

I did take a new self-portrait (meaning ‘I’ took it. Bri tried, but he couldn’t get it the way I wanted:

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These were photoshopped in Adobe for the heck of it.

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Anyway, I think I’ll be finished a cross stitch project that has a 1988 date on the bottom of it soon. That will make 4 projects I have to finish into something!

Also need to get my free turkey and plan my Thanksgiving menu. I may try a few things from the latest issue of Martha Stewart’s Everyday food.

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Nov14

Show & Tell

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Sandy Bank School, Upper Providence, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

This is one of the two elementary schools that I attended. The other school was called Rose Tree and was within walking distance of this school. When I was in grade school, we walked to school. I remember kindergarten in the basement and trying to drink milk (out of the little cartons) that I didn’t care for. The basement was also used for the cafeteria. I fondly remember the see- saws and singing ‘Mockingbird’ which turned into a hit for James Taylor and Carly Simon a few years later. Speaking of James and Carly, their daughter Sally Taylor must have known a teacher at Walden School, as she has a photo of herself with students doing the ‘Ring around the Rosie’ in the yard there (it use to be labeled, so that’s how I knew).

Suddenly music became a serious option in Taylor’s life, if not the only one. And this week she will make two area appearances — at the Painted Bride on Sunday, September 12, and at the Walden School in Media on Monday, Sept. 13 (1999).

Her response to my question “why the Walden School?” was most illuminating. “This is actually my second visit to the school. And I’m really looking forward to it this time. When my booking agent first suggested it, since the school really seemed to want me to perform there, I said I’d have to think about it. I was never more nervous about an appearance in my life! What was I going to sing or say to these children?

Here is the beginning of the year sample of my cursive writing for 3rd grade. I struggled with handwriting as I am left-handed. When I knew we were doing these, I cringed and couldn’t hardly stand to do this. We did it until 4th or 5th grade too. I’m lucky I had one sample of this. Maybe I ripped up the other ones. 3rd grade writing practice 3rd grade writing practice & Sandy Bank
Here’s a sample of my ‘now’ cursive. My husband bought me a tablet to use with the computer (last year) and I just tried it. It’s not that easy to use!
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Nov12

What a Bull’s eye looks like

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Bull’s eye marker from tick bite, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I’ve been scanning old photos into my Flickr account lately and ran across this. I had asked Brian to take this of the bull’s eye mark I got from the tick bite back in 1998 (it’s about 2″ below my right armpit-the tick had gotten up under my sports bra when I left it on at a time when we didn’t have power for a few days).  You can see the affected area is almost as long as my pinkie. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years (past June) since I lay in bed with a 104 temperature and was so sick. I talk about aches and pains on my blog-well that’s what you usually are left with if you are lucky. It can be much worse.
So today I was sitting at the dining room table about to take a bite of my sandwich and I see something crawling under the clear tablecloth cover. It was a tick! I think somehow it got on Brian as he came in the house, crawled off him when he was eating his lunch, and ended up under the plastic. Tell me that wasn’t freaky to see a tick when I just uploaded this photo! It was a bigger tick, the pinpoint size ones are worse to have on you as they seem to carry the disease.
I’m waiting on my mom to come out for a visit. She needed to get away for a few days. I was about to hop in the car and see her!

Nov3

Grandmoms are gems

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I wanted to post a little comment to say how sorry I was to read that Barack Obama’s grandmom Madelyn Dunham had passed away the day before the election. She had helped to raise him, like my maternal grandmom helped to raise the 4 of us. As I said before, she could have gone off to Florida to live with her sister, but she stayed and helped my divorced mom physically, emotionally and financially. I think I am a lot like her as I’ll try and figure out how to put things together before reading the instructions (which drives Bri batty) and I can cook many meals without recipes and have my favorites. Grandmoms are so unselfish and loving.

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Yesterday, I almost fell down the few carpeted steps that lead down to my father-in-law’s rec room and I pulled a muscle in my left arm. My f-in-l was right behind me like a little kid and I grabbed the railing after my one shoe got stuck in my wide leg pants leg-freaky! I just had a little ice on it. Later, Bri suggested using his knee brace on my upper arm and it helped a lot. My good friend tripped over a cord at work and down she went and she fractured her tailbone and hit her head on the floor. I have to see how she made out going back to the job today.

Nov3

One final day of campaigning

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Thank goodness.  We are so sick of ‘robocalls’, people knocking on our door, and the endless stream of campaign commercials. So very sick of it all. The person I was behind isn’t in the running, so I have to go with who I think is second best. I won’t be going to the polls after dinner tomorrow, as I’m not in the mood to stand in a long line. I’m going to try around 2 pm when people are at work. Bri said he isn’t going to wait forever, so that may be a wise thing for me to do.

I learned not to start up memes without some advertising. I have one friend who said she’ll do it next week (thanks Carole) and she has a huge following of bloggers. I think it will be fun to recommend books, movies, food, restaurants, etc. I have an archive tab above if you want to play today or whenever. Just link your blog in Mister Linky.

I went with Bri to see his dad yesterday. He seems so much better, yet a little more feeble. He’s still feisty and wants things his way in his house. That’s how my Uncle Don is too (they are the same age). I do think he should get someone in to clean a few times a month. Uncle Don at least has that and through an agency it isn’t that pricey. We got Bri’s dad a Boston Market dinner and then left to stop in our favorite big book store and go to Carrabba’s for dinner. They must have given me enough pasta for 3 people! I have some grilled chicken and pasta for lunch today!

Waiting on the mamm report. This time last year I heard about this many days later that I had to come back. I hope I just get something in the mail.

Update~ My mamm report came in the mail today and it was normal! Thank goodness. I hope this encourages you all to get checked out.

I’m also going to a new GI doctor on Friday just to discuss things with him. He’s suppose to be one of the best on the main line (of Philly). I feel I have hormonal imbalance (age related?)and food allergies. I don’t know what they do-I’m thinking more blood tests or that allergy patch test. Crossing fingers it won’t be anything more complex. I want to feel more like my old self as I’m sure I’ll have to get a job one of these days to help out. Our heating oil monthly payment went from $144 to $236! Isn’t that terrible?

Have a good week ahead. I’m anxious to hear about how you all make out at the polls.

I have to add a video link to this hysterical Saturday Night skit about a self help ‘video’ about putting more fire in your marriage. It’s a bit risque, but we never laughed so hard in a while! I figure people my age will get a kick out of it.

Oct30

Name Game-come on play!

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Only one person played so far… Thanks Carole–it made an excellent post for you on the 30th. Please go see!

It’s funny what you think about when you are either falling asleep or waking up. I thought of this a few days ago, in the a.m.

What you do:

Think of 5 celebrities who share your first, middle or last name with you (even nickname). Tell us who they are and if you have anything in common with them and/or what you admire about them. Also, find a photo of  your favorite same named celebrity to share with us!

I hope you play along and tag me if you do.

1. Diane Von Furstenberg-designer-I admire her style and styles! She was really popular in the 70s-80s, with her wrap dress being popular. In the last few months, I have seen her on Project Runway and in an American Express commercial. I like how she takes inspiration for her designs from nature.

2. Diane Sawyer-tv news woman-I like her smarts, her news stories and that she travels a lot. She was once a Junior Miss! I think knowledge is power too!

3. Diane Lane-So far she is the closest in age to me than the other Dianes. She’s been a great dramatic actress since she’s been a teen. She only has one child too.

4. Diane Keaton (favorite alert!)


Diane is  consistently wonderful in her acting roles. She has her own style and emulates it to this day. I remember loving ‘Annie Hall’ and her ‘La Dee Dahs’ with Woody Allen- but her clothes! I did wear a tie and vest a few times in the 70s because of Diane. I also am known to wear a few berets too.
5.Dian Fossey-zoologist-What she did to bring awareness to gorillas was amazing. She gave her life for them.

Honorable mentions:Dianne Wiest,  Diane Kruger and Diahann Carroll!

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From Oct. 22nd-

Got some stash in the mail today! I was so excited to get it, it took me forever to get around to opening it. When I sat down to admire it, the cat decided to take a nap on my lap!

Can you see why I was excited! Like an early birthday or Christmas present. I ordered from 1-2-3 Stitch and it arrived in less than a week. I wanted the 2008 JCS ornament issue, but got a few charts too. Enlarge to see what the smaller charts are. I rarely buy charts anymore, but I do collect The Prairie Schooler designs.

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Oct28

Ah, sweet technology

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I was a bit nervous this morning, but I was home in one hour following my mammogram. They have a new digital machine, so it was faster (though still uncomfortable and you don’t have to hold your breath). I had a nice 50 something lady tech that was the spitting image of my grandmom Ruth’s sister Edna. Now what’s weird, I just had a dream about Aunt Edna within the last few days. (I had been looking at a lot of family photos lately too). She was in my living room plain as day, and I said to her ‘I thought you were deceased?’ She had plenty of breast issues in her long life. Maybe she was confirming to me that I would be fine. I got to see the images on the computer screen. I didn’t realize how much is going on in your breasts. The digital images are really crisp and clear. Crossing fingers.

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They just said on the news that the suspended game last night was the first ever for a World Series. I doubt they will play tonight as it is still really lousy. We are still hoping for a win. I think it would be nice for a new generation of fans to see a championship. I loved it back in 1980 and still have an entire container of memorabilia from that Series plus an autographed photo of Tug McGraw.

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I’m helping Sean edit some summaries for a Geography course that he was struggling with. This last article was a doozie and took me 2 hours to read and then to edit his paper. So far ‘we’ have gotten a ‘C’ ‘B-‘ and ‘C+’. Not bad for an Early Childhood Ed major who isn’t into such dry material. I did read in the last article that overtilling is bad for soil, which makes sense. They suggest planting a winter cover-like alfalfa (I guess) or just to poke the seeds in the ground without tilling it. As I had said in a previous post, our vegatable garden failed miserably this year. We need to do something if we want to continue to grow things. I like learning how to help the environment too!

Oct24

Happy 22nd Birthday Sean!

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Sean playing in the leaves, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Today Sean is home for his birthday. He’s a bit sick with a sinus cold, but he made the trip down to be with his dad and I, so that is a gift to us. I don’t know where 22 yrs went. I remember I got tired of my mom saying how time flies and kids grow up too fast and now I am saying it! My once little pumpkin baby is a responsible and caring young man now. And I call him my friend, which is important to me. The birthday card I got him mentions that, and I tear up when I read it, every time. I don’t know why, I guess I’m just glad he is and I hope he always will be.

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I shared my little ‘foodie’ figurines last week. This week I am sharing my ‘stitching’ figurines. They are on an antique hutch that belonged to my great aunt. I painted it pink.

Incidently, the little sampler behind the pig and cow was one of the first cross stitched pieces I made back in 1980. : )

The little stitcher’s John Deere piece reminded me that he was suppose to be some relative of ours as my maternal great grandmother’s maiden name was the same but pronounced ‘Deer-ree’. I looked up info about him and couldn’t see where he had a brother by the name of my gr-gr-uncle.