Ah, Summertime is really here!

By the comments on my Facebook and other readings, I'm getting it - it's hot and dry out there! Even in London where my internet friend John lives - he's reporting it is hot and dry. Friend Mary in Kentucky says its hot and humid. When I got up this morning at 4:30 (yes, I don't know why!) it was already 85 degrees and heading up into the 110s again! When we went out Sunday it was 113 at the center of Las Vegas. I missed putting flowers on my dad's grave last Sunday, so we went to visit mom and dad Sunday and put flowers on their grave.

Dad always liked Red flowers and Mom gets Pink or Yellow. It's been over 20 years since they both passed away. They both are still very much apart of my life - they were good parents and gave me a good example to follow.

Bob and I have been swimming again - our old bodies just can't take the cold water and this is late in the season for us to start but the water just warmed up. We have hot dry desert air and it takes longer to heat up pool water unless you have solar heat and we don't.

Swimming has been my number one sport. Where I grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, we had a pool a few miles away from my home but there was a bus route right to the pool, or I would ride my bike. All the girls I went to school with from St. Ann's and Notre Dame HS would gather there. It's pretty neat because I have been able to get to know them again through my Facebook page. We also had a pretty nice YWCA where we could swim during the winter months.

Oh, by the way , the music playing is from my teenage years. Seems like yesterday. Jitterbug was popular then. I could really shake , but now my get up has gotten up and left! Oh, yeah!

Hope you are keeping cool. Take good care. God bless you and yours.

Music

Music of all kinds has been a part of my life seems like to me - forever. When I was a teenager I was able to purchase records with my allowance and at the time we had 45s and I had a regular 45 record player. My parents had a stereo player that played 78s which were all the really oldies but very goodies - before my time. My kids grew up listening to all types of music because I wanted them to appreciate what was offered. As they got older they did chose their own style but at least I gave them an opportunity, as I have also given my grandchildren. Bob and I reminisce when I would hold the babies and dance through the house to the beat of the song.

I have put a few of the modern artists that I like on the playlist that is playing now. There are so many more which I'll play later. Some artists songs were not available on the internet playlist website. Here are some photos - oh, I did leave George Strait out this time, but you can see how much I appreciate his style and songs in other posts. The photos are not necessarily in the order that I appreciate their style, but I do appreciate each and every one. Music for me is a mood choice.

By the way - if you haven't heard of Stanley Black and you like Bossa Nova or Easy Listening style, you must check out his music. He has quite a few albums on the market and I have about 10 of his CDs and each one is different. Oh, and I do have Cds of each of these artist and other that I'll play later or I wouldn't recommend.

TGIF

What's your plans for the weekend? Even though I am a retired grandma, that is not working a public job or really committed to anything in particular other than what my family dictates to me, I do get a tingle thinking of TGIF - but I can't figure out why.

We will be watching Alexandra today and tomorrow, Kevin got called into work which is a blessing. As I thought of him driving off this morning and we were watching the news, I wondered if the Las Vegas strip will be busy with Michael Jackson mourners. Our local news reporters were out bright and early interviewing tourists on the street. I don't know if there has been some sort of "shrine" developed there. I guess when Kevin comes home this evening, he'll fill us in. We do live way across the valley from the strip and gambling areas. We are in a rural area and we like it that way. I know it seems odd to have rural areas in a place like Las Vegas, but, you'd be surprise.

Bob and I are very much attached to British Mysteries. I don't know what it is that sets them apart from the American TV shows, but there's a difference. I purchased the complete series of one called "Rosemary and Thyme" which is about two middle aged women - one is a horticulturalist and the other is recently divorced after 25 years and had previously worked as a police officer. They are called to British estates to do over the lavish but old gardens of British estates and in the meantime there's always a murder to solve. The other show we really do like is "Midsummer's Murders" which is still in production. When there's nothing on the five million cable channels we have, then we resort to pulling out our British TV shows on DVDs and have a more fulfilling evening than watching reruns. The photo on the right is John Nettles who plays Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. He is an excellent actor as are the rest of the actors and actresses.

The selling price of homes continue to decline and we are in a woe-oh-no fit of life! What a time to decide to sell. We remain in the middle of confusion and are constantly debating between ourselves what, where, and when we are going to do anything. It seems that for the first time in our lives, we can't make up our minds. We will continue on with the chore of packing and getting ready for the painters. My next immediate chore now is to contact the painters on my list to come in and give us bids on the job, and ask the all important question how to do the job while we continue living in the house. This should prove to be very interesting indeed!

I began cleaning our our clothes closet yesterday and sorted out about ten pairs of excellent shoes to give to Suzanne. They are in perfect condition but unless they are Easy Spirit or a particular style of Skeechers - I can't walk any distance. She loves shoes as much as I do, so I know she will be delighted to receive them. Next on the list - today - is sorting through my clothes, oh yuck! Plus, our closet is very small and I am attempting to give the illusion of a larger size - that doesn't work when you have tons of clothes squashed in a small place. I did have things organized according to what it was and colors but I got off that - so now if people are going to look in my closets to buy my home I'd better get serious - Bob too. I'd love to have a huge walk in closet - on my list for my next place - that and a chef's kitchen, ooohhh yummy!

My get up and gotten up and left!

Oh whoa is me! I can't find my enthusiasm or energy pill! I have looked in all my drawers and hiding places. Bob has been no good at helping either, he's always napping! What is a gal to do? I wake up at 2 or 3 AM with wild dreams of ambitious energy of tasks for the next day. What a drag that is to wake wide awake by the thoughts of what could be done the next day but lo and behold, when awake then all the vim and vigor has disappeared.

I am weary of waking up in the wee hours of the morning. I don't even bother turning on the television, I just come back to the computer and play mahjong and I don't know why since I am a loser! I'm not sure what this is all about, maybe just old age, or perhaps if I really were more active during the day I wouldn't have wild cleaning dreams - how boring can that be!!!! Sorting out shoes, cleaning under the clothes in the closet and throwing away old tea bags. I think I need a new life!

Hallmark didn't make any money from us!

Father's Day! I hope all the Father's reading this post had a very nice day with great surprises and lots of time to relax.

Bob got his wish for peace and quiet - and that how it was here at our place. We did go out for dinner to one of our favorite restaurants - Claim Jumper. We went mid-afternoon, hoping to miss the big crowd. The place was very busy, but by the time we left there were people standing and waiting so our timing was perfect. One reason I like Claim Jumpers is because the menu is varied, the service is consistently great and the food is very dependably delicious. They gave both Kevin and Bob each a $10 coupon for a return visit which I thought was a good promotional tool and one which we will use. There were a lot of restaurants around Vegas having Father's Day specials.

I didn't do cards this year, I have to cut back on frivolous expenses so it was at Bob's suggestion I send an e-card, which I did. I have boxes of greeting cards I have received from everyone in the world and have stashed away those that Bob has received as well, and I don't know why. The best are the homemade. Alexandra made Bob a card that was more precious and had more meaning than anyone she could have picked out at the store. It is a treasure and a real keeper. She is very sensitive and expressive.

We have travel fever. It's been awhile since we took off for parts unknown. We had planned waiting until our anniversary in September and leaving for four days. We want to see the new additions to the Ronald Reagan library and visit Nixon's library as well and maybe go to Huntingbeach to visit friends. We may just do that early - Bob has the heebie jeebies and sometimes getting away takes care of that disease.

Hope you have a lovely day and hope all is well at your place.

Seems like Sunday

This has been a weird day - don't know why particularly, maybe waking up at 4 AM. You know with over a trillion channels on cable I can't find a thing on that's interesting. We've had a lot of clouds and very windy but no rain. I wish the east could pipe their rain back here - we really need it.

Noy much going on here. Bob's finally feeling better - the sinus infection or whatever he had has left and he's back up to speed. Soldier Tom and his unit have gone to Busch Gardens in Georgia - all paid for. I'm anxious to see how that went.

We're just kinda hanging around. Do you have a Facebook? I do and it is the craziest thing I ever started. I belong to Farmtown and I'm on the lowest level and my crops keep dying. I don't have enough coins to build a fence to put my donkey, sheep and chickens up, so I'm not sure if they are eating my crops. There are several friends and everyone is constantly sending gifts back and forth. It's good to read the news from families I haven't seen in years. Some went to school with Brian and the other kids. Seeing some of that which related to Brian's class has been difficult to read and sometimes they post photos of the class.

I have joined a couple of Twitter groups but haven't actually twitted or tweeted! I know there's lots of twits going around about the Iranian protests - I guess that tweets not twits - I know a couple of twits and they are not like tweeters at all!

I hope your day is going good and you have accomplished all that you've set out to do. We're taking Bob and Kevin out for Father's Day dinner to Claim Jumpers. It's only going to be us four I guess. Suz is under the weather and we haven't heard from Don in a while. I hope if you are a dad reading this post that you have a wonderful day and are treated like a king. Happy Father's Day!

God bless and take care!

School Photos

Don't you just love it when the kids bring home their school photos? If you have more than one in school, you just know one of the group is going to have a funky photo and that one will never let you show that photo in public, but we do it anyhow - humiliating them for the rest of their childhood.

But, there's the one child that always takes a great photo - how do they do it? Mine were always weird, especially the year when Bill Haley and the Comets were popular back in the 50s and I had a big Bill Haley curl in the middle of my forehead - oh my gosh!

Alex returned to school today after being on spring break, we have year round school here in Nevada. She brought home her school photos and its always a grand event and planning to send off her photo to relatives and friends.

Today was also a big event for her because as a reward for pulling one of her teeth last night, Grandma Fairy promised her Miley Cyrus most current music CD. It is beginning with the music, singing, dancing, make up and all the stuff girls do.

Al (my pet name for Alexandra) is full of bright spirits, cheerful, witty, and a cunning way of beating me at card games, even Old Maid but especially Hearts and 500 Rummy. She is rapidly becoming an expert on the Wii and can win over me without even taking a second breath - especially since I don't know what I'm doing on that Mario Wii anyhow.

We lucked out with Tom as far as the noise level was concerned, he was very unusually sensitive and thoughtful when he played music or his games on the computer - the only one in the group of our kids, so he sorta spoiled us. Alex loves to sing and dance. The CD from Grandma Fairy is her first CD - the first of many, although she does have an MP3 player.

Bob and I do enjoy our peace and quiet but you know what, it is exciting and certainly not boring when the grandkids are around.

La-La Land

This morning when I opened my window I heard the birds squawking loudly, in an almost emergency call, it was an oddly loud bird sound I had not heard before. Then in an almost instance I saw out of the corner of my eye our neighborhood white and grey cat scrambling out of the tree, then I understood why the birds were sounding their alarm. From my window I can't see any nests for the cat to get into, but this tree is a resting point for our resident birds.

We have lots of new baby birds around and a new herd of baby quail which Bob noticed as they scrambled across our street the other evening. We have four hummingbird feeders and Bob has had to keep extra busy keeping the feeders full up so he has come to the conclusion we have some new baby hummers. We are only guessing but those hummers we have noticed and thought to be the newcomers are not quite as ambitions as the adults, they lollygag around and enjoy the moment more than the zig zags of the momma and poppas . We get a big kick out of their zooming around and chirping at each other.

I read a wonderful blog this morning called Provident God (link here). I have been in a slow almost passive mood recently. I guess for one reason my body is saying to relax after all the preparation for our Soldier Tom's visit home. I almost feel neglectful that I'm not more energized but after all it is good to relax for a little while since having your family around we never know when the next round of events will hit the door running. Reading "Provident God" shook my inner soul, my guilt complex appeared for I realized I have been neglectful to give thanks to Our Father for my blessings. My relaxed spirit is a welcomed change but I should have added more daily reflection on the gifts of life and special ones who share this home. My mind is jumbled like a honeybees nest even though there is quiet here. I am grateful for Provident God to have shown up when it did, it is a spiritual moment I needed. I hope you will check it out too.

Another blog I visited this morning - see here - is one post by this very creative young mother. Her photos and ideas are wonderfully refreshing and very relaxingly. Her main blog is Fresh Fixins. She blogs on her garden and other aspects of her life. Her garden is gorgeous. I am envious because right now my yard has no garden not for lack of trying but the hot desert heat usually cooks our plants before they have a chance to mature. I know many people have gardens here in southern Nevada, but not us. We have had good luck with some flowers that finally took hold and have done quite well every year - it is a trial and error here in the desert where water is not abundant and we're on a watering rational schedule as well. So, I live my dreams of beautiful garden spots when I visit blogs like Fresh Fixins.

I am trying to catch up on my blog reading this week. It is amazing the vast amount of information and beauty that is shared through this blogging thingie. I am very content that I became a part of this world.

Do we have termites?

It's evening and quiet in the house. I didn't have time to open the mail this afternoon so I have the remnants of the second envelope that I opened to the left of the keyboard and those are the words I see - "now get the best against termites." I wonder to myself if those little boogers can live in the hot Nevada desert weather. I've never heard any of my friends say they've had problems with termites, hmmm, I think I'll ask....tomorrow. We've never had any - yet.

I came back to shut down my computer then I realized I left the Patriotic music on my two blogs and although the music was appropriate yesterday, the songs are best heard during that Patriotic Assigned Day. I know we could have left our Flag out the rest of the week, but we decided not to, this time anyhow.

Do you ever get really fed up with your computer and say really mean things to it? Yes, mine's at it, messing with my mind - I don't chose to give it a gender. My Sony was dying and I loved it, but Sony really messed up the manufacturing on that year's model. I had it long enough to know it was pretty much dead in the water if I wanted to add more software, so, I went out a couple weeks ago and bought a HP, with 750 gigs, not a big deal one, something to get me through until the new Windows programs comes out - the computer guru I read in the Wall Street Journal - Walter Mossberg - has tried the Beta on the new Windows operating system and he said it works better than the Vista and XP - anything has to work better than Vista. I do not like Vista. I have been using computers for a long time and I would think I could have started right up on this new machine, but no, it seems like I am back to almost ground Q with problems too.

So, I spend most of my free time trying to enter stuff and figure out how to use the photo programs, the main purpose of getting one with lots of memory. I think I'll pick up a Photoshop at CostCo and be done with it. I hate putting more money in software into this machine but if I don't get where I want to be playing with my computer and the photos, then I won't be a happy computer grandma. Bob backs me up and understands but I still get tired of pouring the dough into a stupid machine!!

Maybe my computer has termites? I know the Geek squad is great, they've already fixed the CD player problem I had yesterday - but Terminix is for termites. Aaaa, nah, I'll just deal with it and be thankful for what I have.

Rant over!

Happy Birthday United States Army

Today is the 234th Birthday of the United States Army - please check out this website!

FLAG DAY

Lazy hazy days of summer!

For the past week, Bob and I have enjoyed total solitude. It is in my wildest dreams I have finally achieved the real world status of what Retirement is all about. We did absolutely nothing except what had to be done. Since there were no children or adult children around, the house stayed clean and whatever dishes were dirtied it only took a matter of minutes to clean them up. Oh Glory Alleluia! We enjoyed the quiet solitude of our environment only listening to programs or music of our choice - no background Miley Cyrus or Hong Kong Fooie movie or the refrigerator door opening and closing 1000 times a day. I loved the escape. I have given my all to and for my family, and now it has been my pleasure to have experienced retirement freedom, however, it is only short lived.

Things will be pretty much be back to "normal" tomorrow when Kev and Alex return from their House sitting chore. Did I miss them? Would you think me cruel if I said No, I didn't miss them? Well, guess what - NO, I didn't miss them. I enjoyed my freedom so utterly completely!

The logical comment might be why not throw them out of the house, but now tell me, could you throw your beautiful eight year old granddaughter out - its not her fault her dad's job has cut his hours and for now he needs our assistance and too her mom fails to support her and lives on the east coast - yes, her mom is missing so much - this little girl is brilliant and beautiful.

So, as such is life - we do what we gotta do whether we like it or not. But, it sure is nice when there's a break to enjoy the freedoms of peace and quiet and no dirt and dishes.

I am hooked!!!!!

We've had an extremely relaxing week - except for one problem, Bob has been sick. He is a victim of the respiratory distress that Tom had while he was home

home. We were fortunate Bob was able to get an antibiotic so we're hoping with rest and lots of fluids he will be back to normal soon.

I am counting the days until "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" is out. Yes, I am a die heart Harry Potter fan. I had purchased the last two books as audio CDs and listened to the last book a while back. I noticed that I was still listening to the sixth book - which is the movie that is coming out in July. So, since this is designated as a slow recouperating week, I have picked up where I left off on the with Harry and the Half Blood Prince video CD - although I have forgotten all that I heard before. I am hooked and can't stop listening today. I had to stop to get some chores accomplished so I wouldn't feel so guilty at the end of the day. I only have a little while longer listening until the end of this CD and as always at the almost end of a great novel whether reading or listening, it is pure torment until I can get back to it and find out what's next in the story - so I'm biting at the bit right now, but I did want to say a few words here tonight.

A huge soiler problem I have is falling asleep whether I am reading or listening. I slept through a complete audio chapter and had to go back. Thank goodness my CD player is not complicated and I've figured out how to "reverse."

So that's where I've been and what I've been doing. Our life is pretty boring right now and its quiet. I love it!

Hope all is good with you and you and yours are all in good health. God bless!

Day to Day

When in our life haven't we had a time when we had to make difficult decisions - some seem relentlessly easy and others seem to take forever to mull over to come to the right feeling conclusion. Bob and I have been going through this "forever mulling" on a problem for a long time. Before I write another word, our mulling has nothing whatsoever to do with Brooks and Dunn, but they are great eye-candy, don't you think? And, their music ain't half bad either. Which plays into the problem no matter what conclusion we make life still goes on and we need to instill a little nice and pretty eye-candy every once in awhile into a ho-hum day.

I went through the Country Artist list on CMT because I couldn't remember who some of my favorite all time musicians have been and I needed some brain stimulation. The CMT website offers an alphabetical list and I only got through a forth of the names. I attempted to add some of my favorite artists songs to this playlist playing. Some of the artist I may not have purchased their music specifically but their songs seemed to fit the mood I am in today.

Tom and Tine have been gone for a week. Kev and Alex have spent time house sitting but are home when Kev works. Bob and I have been lazy as can be, but the house is clean, the dishes are done, clothes are clean and the lawn is mowed, so what else can be expected from an old retired tired couple. Right now I'm off to my electric powered chair (ha-ha), (yes, really) it's cool, NCIS is on the TV.

So, here's hoping you all are well and life has been good to you and yours. God bless. and take good care.

Morning

Sitting by the opened window and feeling the chilly breeze across my face, it reminds me of how it is near the ocean, ah, how wonderful that would be to be there right now. There is a cloudiness in the air similar to the environment of the early morning by the sea, but we are not there. Most of the view outside my window is captured by our mature trees and their branches swaying by the morning winds. The sun is sheltered by overcast. In the distant I can see a couple miles away the barren desert Black Mountain which is the reality of the place we live and prevents escape from the desolation of desert life. It is early morning, the dogs are barking in the neighborhood and there are many birds singing in the distance. It is peaceful.

Outside my window the hummingbird feeder is swaying in the breeze and a hummingbird feeding. We have noticed the hummers are busiest during the early morning and late evening before nightfall. It is our perception to discuss their activity like child's play. They guard their feeders and position on a slim tiny branch, chasing any other hummer away so as not to steal their precious sweet nectar from the feeders Bob provides for them. It's pretty amazing to watch these tiny creature performing their daily routine.

Our home has been unnaturally quiet the past several days. Tom and Tine left early Tuesday morning and Kevin and Alex also left to stay at a friend's place house sitting. Although my heart struggles with sadness and expresses the void in tears missing Tom, my body and soul has found the solitude and quiet to be most pleasurable. I realize now that I need a time out away from the youthful side of life to gather my life which has passed on to a more mature nature. My husband made what I thought at the time a very unusual comment to me that I haven't had time for myself to do what I have wanted to do. He said I have been so busy making preparation for visitors and caring for our family for so long that I haven't taken to accomplish my interests, my desires have been pushed aside. I was shocked because isn't that normal for a mother? I thought about what he said and realized how worn out I feel and how stressed this visit was. I thought of my mother and my aunts and knew at my age they were done with the tasks I was expected to do - the "invisible organizational head honcho of family get togethers" was passed to the next generation and they in their venerable age were and are able to enjoy as bystanders. I realized too as I sat with the "kids" how tired I was and how full of energy the kids were as they put on a full court press to encourage me to join in their games. While Bob can become a recluse and get away from the gang, they almost accept the fact he will be taking naps, they do not see the same in me. Tine asked me what I did on the day they were gone for a full days activities and I said I slept all day - and I did. I couldn't believe it anymore than she did - I know because her invisible response was evident by the expression on her face. But admittedly I did nap most of the day they were gone. I could not get enough out of one nap, there were many strung out together, very unusual for me.

I don't know where to begin to start with my freedom. The breeze blowing through my window is chilling but calming. I wait for answers to our question of where to go and where to live when we sell this house, and I know I want to hang on to this freedom and not be responsible for my children any longer. I want them to let go of my apron strings but my heart is too big to say no to their needy requests - I know that is my fault. I have used tough love in my younger days, but the fight has gone out of my spirit and I give in too easy. It is time to be free while I have some semblance of good health, albeit with lots of unusual problems, but none serious enough at this time to put me down.

When Tom was getting ready to leave Tuesday morning, I told him the rest of this year would bring a lot of changes and we don't know what they will be. He is serious about Tine so only our imagination can predict where that will take him, but reality is another life check. I worry for Alex and Kevin, but I don't want to raise another teenager. The symptoms of the girly age eight and a half personality changes are showing through on Alex now. The position of grandmother is removed and the discipline of mothering is evident. I don't want that. I've already given my heart and soul to one grandchild - and he needed it more than anyone. Alex has a mother and a father. Her mother needs to be there for her daughter, not me. It is difficult to admit these things because as a mother we are mentally everything to all but there is a limit. My limit has been met.

Strangely I am thinking and with humor I write, I want to be me - finally. I wonder............

All's Quiet on the Home Front - Too Quiet!

They've gone. Bright and early this morning - rise and shine at three AM and out the door at 4, suitcases and all, setting out on the route to the airport. An overwhelming mellow spirit wraps each of us as Tom and Tine are ready to set their destination across the country. We don't know when we'll see Tom again. He has one more year to serve with the Army, but he hasn't made up his mind whether he will reenlist. He is still fixed on his long time goal of being a Fireman. Time and Life can intercept many plans and many plan are changed because of life's surprises.


The house is quiet. Kev and Alex have gone to visit friends ----- there is a huge void in the air!