Category Archives: Me stuff

Sep11

One down…

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…and one to go!

My mom did fairly well with her cataract surgery today. She thought it would have been an easier experience though. Said she was really aware of the surgeon’s work. Now if that was the case, I think she would have been hitting the ceiling in pain! It must have been an anesthesia that didn’t knock her out all the way. The cataract was so hard, he had to do it without the use of an ultrasound procedure and do it the old-fashioned way.  She had to go to a seminar last night and the nurse (also the doctor’s wife!) gave it and was there today. Mom said she was so kind to her too. Mom called me a little while ago a bit weepy and needing some TLC. She should have come home with me and then I’d have to take her to the doctor for the follow-up, but it’s a little trip out here, not sure if she was up for it. I was hoping my brother’s would take her some dinner. I got her lunch and she only took a few nibbles of it. She has to put 4 kinds of drops in her eye 4 times a day. I watched her do it the first time and when she called, she was an hour behind with it. Keep her in your thoughts-maybe she’ll see like a 20 yr old again. : )

This was a weird day with it being the 7th anniversary of the attacks. I was at my SIL’s first, she does my hair, and hearing planes going over was making me think back and how close the planes were that horrible day.

A really cool gift to me was being featured on Sherry’s blog- If I could set my soul free. I was so flattered and it really lifted my spirits! Thanks again g/f!

Sep8

I have Scrambilitis!

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I had one of those nights where I was looking at the clock every hour and getting up. I couldn’t figure out if it was something I ate or drank-I did have that McD’s sweet tea earlier in the day and green tea for dinner. Then it dawned on me that I sat on the floor after dinner for about 45 minutes sorting out my paper goods. I can’t do this anymore, I did it anyway and I’m sure that’s why I felt funky-that and PMS. And it doesn’t get better as you get closer to 50, it gets really strange and you wonder what is inhabited in your body sometime. Anyway, all night, thanks to Facebook’s Scramble (I have a word IQ of between 99 and 101) I was doing words in my head-ten-tent-taint-faint far-fare….you get the picture. Ugha! That was awful. So I couldn’t turn my brain off. Maybe walking around the Mushroom Festival would have helped, but I decided not to go.

I’m thinking a lot about my mom and FIL too. Mom’s a little snippy. I was coming down tomorrow so Colleen can do my hair, but my brother’s friend lost his mom last week and they are going to the funeral. (the lady felt like she had heartburn for 3 days, but she also weighed over 250, but none the less, that is scary stuff). I said to mom that while she was having her eye surgery, I’d run to get my hair done first. She’s only 5 miles away at the hospital and she said she’ll be there 3-4 hours anyway from 9:30 (when the surgery is suppose to take place). I know they are never on time from my experience with the biopsy last November. So mom said I’d have to call the short procedure to see if she was ready to go home, in a snippy way. I think it will work out.

Not sure what I’m doing today-need to wake up!

Here’s what I did on Saturday, inside during all the rain:

I added some fall garland, leaf candles and some aluminum pieces I had. My mom gave me the little Holly Hobbie recently. I also had bought the candle in front of the mantel clock and was trying to figure out where it would look nice. I love those mosaic pieces I found on deep discount at Value City a few years ago. There’s a string of 5 flickering lanterns that don’t show up well here.

Thanks for everyone who offered help with chosing a tv. It sure isn’t an easy task!

And Jennifer and whoever may have signed up for the J. Holdsworthy meeting at the SS, I signed up too! Yeah!

Sep7

TV went poof!

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Yes, it’s true! The picture tube (it’s over 10 yrs old I believe), has been going. We had it fixed a few years ago too. There were lines running across the top of the screen for months. Just a few days ago, the lines were creeping into the people on the tv. Very annoying. What Bri thinks went is the switch. We heard a noise and then there was an electrical smell-phew! The tv is now out on the back patio waiting for disposal. We are using Sean’s 20″-we are use to the 27″. My question-we want to get a flat screen now (I think that’s mainly what are sold) and can anyone suggest a brand that you own and works well that doesn’t cost a fortune? (like under $600?) Bri thinks that Walmart makes won’t be any good. And there is a definition factor too. I believe that the ‘big electronics’ companies sells to Walmart under a less known name, just like the food companies do in the grocery stores. Secretly I’ve been wanting a new tv for a few years. ; )

The annual Mushroom Festival is in full swing today after the torrential rain we had yesterday. Bri said that it was still on yesterday-hmmm. Wonder who ventured out in that? I may go up at the tail end of it, maybe around 4. That’s maybe. Not a big fan of crowds. It would be nice to get dinner up there though. Last year I wanted to see the chefs who were from the Bravo show ‘Top Chef’. This year the featured chef is a local guy.

Bri just took a huge bag of food over to his dad’s house. His dad still is very weak, maybe a smudgeon better. His sister-in-law wants to come over tomorrow to help with laundry, so he was up tiding the bathrooms. He’s not eating well at all. This is very stressful for Bri and that rubs off on me. I’m going to call the hospital to see if they have a medical alert device (thanks to Tammy for mentioning this). My FIL leaves the house locked up like Fort Knox though. I guess he’ll have to take his chances during the day as my uncle does. Speaking of my uncle, he couldn’t get up out of his chair a few days ago, and it took three of his neighbors (all older men) to get him up. My mom says he is sitting too much and this was the proof of it. Geez-old guys!

Sep3

Opps, I did it again…

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A few months ago, I drove into a water filled crater and put a bubble in my left rear tire. This happened as I was putting a package in the correct mailbox down the road to save the mailman from doing it. Bri had to jack up the car, take off the damaged tire and put on the ‘donut’-spare tire and reverse the process.  Well today, I was stopping at the bank to tap the MAC machine and misjudged a curb that is at the left as you turn in. The bank is off a busy road going through Kennett, and I am always afraid someone is going to rear end me there. Well I went over the curb like I was in the General Lee on the old Dukes of Hazzard show! Repeat above with Bri, but it’s the front left tire with the big bubble in it. My neck is complaining a little, but I managed to do the week’s food shopping, so think I’m ok-it wasn’t like I flew 10 feet in the air, just came down with a bump. The seat belt really went tight on the left side, where it happens to bother me anyway. And I was in that area to mail off all goodies for people too. Darnit!  So that’s my story, and I’m sticking with it.

Hoping for a peaceful night.

Sep2

Small Talk

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Since I joined Sherry’s party(see link————–>)
I don’t want to be a rude guest and only talk about daytrippin’ and eggplants. Here are a few questions that Sherry would like us to answer.
Questions:
What type of job do you have? Domestic Goddess, online sales for pocket change and hopefully a paid artist someday soon.
Where do you live? I’m about 35 miles outside of Philadelphia. I grew up about 12 miles from Philly.
Where do you do your crafts/art work? In the dining room at a desk I just set up.
What is your favorite daytime beverage? Water, green tea, any tea!
What is your favorite dessert? Brownies!
Do you watch soap opera’s and if you do what’s your favorite? No way! Can’t stand them. I use to watch ‘All My Children’ years ago. I decided that when my son was little, napping was better than watching tv in the afternoon.
What’s the last movie you saw in a movie theatre? ‘The Dark Knight’ with my son Sean.

I see a few of the Wizard of Oz swap gals are posing a sneak peek of projects. Mine is all finished and ready to mail to Irma. Here’s a tease:

Aug28

Blogging anniversary #4 coming up!

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I can’t believe it’s been 4 years already. The funny thing is we are doing almost the exact thing we did 4 years ago-going to Atlantic City and taking my mom. She is still bothered by sciatica, but takes meds for it.

Here’s my first post. : )

I’m gathering some goodies for you my faithful pals, who kept coming back and those who are also new to my rambling too! I hope you come back to say ‘hello’ now and then.

The goodies-two soft sculpture pumpkins (the larger one has sparkles);

Items I bought from my recent vacation which include: A box of James’ Salt Water taffy; a pumpkin tapestry style placement; a little Lucy look-alike figurine from the Lucy the Elephant attraction in Margate, NJ and a Lucy postcard and a nice bottle of tangerine and olive flower hair condition from Caesars Hotel (ok, the last one was free, but it is really nice).

Added some adorable mini Longwood Gardens cards to the booty!

Also made a special Atlantic City Art Trading Card! My mom gave me the jokers from her new set of playing cards and I used one as it has an Atlantic City scene on the back. You can take a ‘sneak peek’ on Flickr.

August 29th is the last day to try and win the goodies, so please leave a comment HERE. (Don’t be shy now). I must have a way to contact you, if I don’t, I’ll have to pick another winner.

I appreciate your patronage!!! : ) (sounds like a car commercial-doesn’t it?) I appreciate YOU!!!

Aug27

What a coincidence

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I’m working on the sleeping kitty xs design as I’ve shown you. A few days ago, I brought up a bag of old children’s books that were put and left in the basement-a no no to me. I found this one on cats from the 1960s-70s and look how much this kitty looks like the one I am stitching! Maybe the designer was inspired by this particular book? I just thought of all the books I own, I decided to thumb through this one.


Also made a few cards from the squashed flower blossoms. Here is one of them-I’ll call it ‘Serenity’

I’m killing some time before the dentist appt. Of course I had to get a bill in the mail from them today too-grrrrrgh. I hope whoever becomes President, makes healthcare more affordable. I think we spend close to 10% of our income on the dentist-after what the insurance pays and not counting what they take out of Bri’s pay each month.

Aug26

Late Summer Longwood Gardens 2008

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Late Summer Longwood Gardens 2008, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I did get over to LG for about 1 hour. It’s a little hike to the Italian Water Gardens, my focus here. I didn’t even go to the Idea Garden or Conservatory. I’m going to try and go once a week for the exercise. A week ago, I was at the top of the lighthouse in Atlantic City! Even though I’m hurting some, I think continuing this will be worthwhile and I’ll have more energy.
I saw lots of bees, not one big butterfly. I had to come home to see them. Saw a bride and groom when I was leaving. I think they were just putting on their wedding outfits to get their photos taken.
Came home and made a almost from scratch roast beef dinner (used instant potatoes).

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I want to give a shout out to local young lady Amanda McGrory who will be going for the gold medal in racing at the US ParaOlympics. She was featured on the local news station last night as someone who has made a difference in sports-a ‘game changer’-video here. Amanda use to go to school with Sean (elementary) and was in the CCD class Bri and I helped with many years ago. She is a lovely, bubbly person.

Just got finished watching Hillary Clinton’s speech at the convention. I still wish it was her, but that’s the way it goes. She is so articulate and shows how intelligent she is. Funny to see Bill getting all misty-eyed. Her experience really showed. I like Michelle Obama, but Hillary is the seasoned politician. I know that Michelle isn’t a policitian, but she can surely learn a thing or two from Hillary.

Off to the dentist tomorrow-again. Am getting fed up. They did x-rays on Brian a few weeks ago knowing that he was on his 2nd visit of the year and that he had had a filling-so no insurance money left and us in the hole again. I purposely didn’t have x-rays my second time, nor did Sean. I’m surprised Bri did.

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Aug25

A little snow!

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Surprise! Gotcha!!! I got a prize in the mail today from Flora of Bonehead Studios! I won her door prize and it’s simply adorable. Flora, you are so talented and I am honored to own a piece of your work. Isn’t he something? He’s a snowman on a wand with pretty ribbons. I got a lovely handmade card too.

Here’s the link to the Spooky Times Jingles blog for shopping.

Not too much is new, I just worked on some ATCs with the crushed flower backgrounds-after I went food shopping and making dinner.

My mom is having cataract surgery in the beginning of September. I’ll pick her up from that. Then she is having another eye procedure a few days after her birthday-probably a glaucoma thing. She should have had this done ages ago. Please keep her in your thoughts.

I’m getting itchy to go to Longwood Gardens again, so maybe tomorrow. I want to try to get down to the Italian water gardens this time as I seem to miss it or forget about it.

Aug24

It’s all about Joe

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Since Senator Biden is fairly a ‘local boy’ (born in Scranton, PA), close to both Philly and Wilmington, the news is all about him and the people camping out at his home in Greenville, New Castle County, DE (there is also a Greenville in Kent Co., DE). I like to hear that people sit next to him in church, and see him out and about. He’s been teaching at Widener U law school p.t. since 1991. (My mom worked at the Widener campus in Chester, PA and I attended there a few months-hard school).

Here’s a map of how close the ‘maybe’ next VP lives from me. How cool (his birthday is the day after mine-Nov. 20th)!

Makes me want to take a drive down there to see where he lives! It’s not a very big town and you definitely would not miss it (you know the expression of if you sneeze, you’d miss it) as it has some lovely homes and scenery.

I think a lot of us locals feel we know Biden personally as he’s been a senator so long. He’s had some really down moments in his life-

His 1st wife and infant daughter died in a car accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. Biden was sworn into office from their bedside. Persuaded not to resign in order to care for them, Biden began the practice of commuting an hour and a half each day on the train from his home in the Wilmington suburbs to Washington, DC, which he continues to do.

In February 1988, after suffering from neck pains, Biden was hospitalized and underwent lifesaving surgery to correct two brain aneurysms, one of which began leaking.[6] The hospitalization and recovery kept him from the Senate for seven months.

From Wikipedia

Biden is a politician through and through!

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Sean is doing well, getting use to living in an apartment and buying his own groceries. Seems the only thing he forgot was a trash can and bags. He can walk a 20 minute walk to the campus or take a bus. Today he took his car to go to church. He’s been visiting with some old pals. Tomorrow classes start.

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I was a cleaning fool yesterday. I think it helped me not to think about Sean driving 160 miles. I even got Bri in the act! He got out the Murphy’s Oil soap and did some of the floors in the living room. Men have such great upper arm strength, that the floor shone! He failed to lift a few area rugs to get the dirt from under them. I worked so hard in the living room, I neglected the family room. Mom and friend dropped by to bring back my tote bag with my latest read and cross stitch project in it and they sat in the messy family room. You want to see my latest XS?

It sure doesn’t look clear here-rats! I think the camera focused on the chart. It’s called ‘Sleeping Kitty’ by Ellen Maurer Stroh. I’m doing it on fabric I think I bought from Carol S. I usually don’t start in the middle (at the top) and I’m finding it harder to keep my place, thus the pencil marks. I don’t think it will take long to finish.

Need to do some art one of these days. I’m stalling working on a Wizard of Oz swap. I have 3 weeks, but I really want to think of something neat for my partner. I have the main piece I will collage and most of the materials gathered. It’s just to sit down and get cracking!

Oh! I’ve been using the back massage chair cushion (Shiatsu by Homedics-my mom has one we bought her too) we have and I think it’s helping! Yeah! When the chiropractor made me lay on a table with the same principle of ‘faux’ massage, the lightbulb went off to start using mine again. Even Bri’s been using it.

Monday will be the first day I’ve been alone since the 15th!