These photos are Humbling! Thank you Marines for your sacrifices and service!

These are a couple of photos presented on the MilitaryNewsNetwork website - link here. The troops are the U. S. Marines at Patrol Base Jaker in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Please check out the link above for more information on our brave men and women in the Marines.

Caps lock

Time marched on and waited for no man. Retirement isn't all it's suppose to be, in my thoughts and deeds anyhow. As I was going through some of my FaceBook friends.I discovered a lady who I worked for many moons ago. We have now become Face Book friends and have exchanged several notes and she has sent photos of her now adult children and photos of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. However, after sending the photos, I failed to responded as appropriately as I should have and I felt badly for that lack of attention. I realized today that it's my husband's fault.

Now, don't laugh - although, I can just hear him giving out a huge "gaff fall" or laugh after reading that sentence. He and I are tied at the hip since he's retired. I am grateful he is a workaholic and enjoys working around our home - - - especially outside. I do have to have a plan and let him know when I will be washing the kitchen floor so he won't be coming in for water - I never seem to get it timed correctly so its better to prepare. The tall and short of it is it is great to have a solid relationship and know you can depend on one person entirely. But, as I realized not just an hour ago, I have neglected my blogs and email notes to friends, and unfortunately - my household budget! Yikes!!

Yes, we are involved with Farm Town, you'd think we didn't have a life off that "farm" and for awhile that's all we did because we shared harvesting each others crops to make more coins to buy more property to buy more animals and for me buildings and things. But, I was going nuts and complaining as I clicked with vehemently unintentional disdain for those little booger crops and that avatar that is representative of me - she is an aggravating little thing - - - - sometimes!! I have finally gotten control of the mouse pointer and know how to get around her silly movements. I know, it sounds beyond reality, and it is, I agree. Right now my life is in limbo and Farm Town is on some days fun planning. For my husband, hearing the "cockadoodle-doo" from all his chicks and roosters are music to his ears. He actually isn't from the farm life but he did spend a lot of his life growing up around farms with his grandparents and aunts and uncles and he worked during the summer with a good friend of the family. So it was inevitable that when we first met, he shared his dream of one day wanting to own a farm, and I knew we would - and we did. He had plenty of baby chicks, chickens and roosters and all of the rest of the farming necessities. We left the farm back in 84 but now in 2009, he is playing farm on his computer. Now, how funny is that!!!!

The painters have been here and gone, but have to come back tomorrow to fix a room that turned out lousy. The rest of the place looks fantastic! Bob and I are tired and very slow at getting things back to normal. This ole grey mane ain't what she use to be and I just can't move it like I use to. My mother-in-law told me once back in 1993 that I moved through my duties like I was the Duracell Bunny - now I think my Duracell Bunny is in a coma.

What day is this?

Gosh dawg, I can't keep track of the days. Oh me how I yearn for the sound of the highway under the rubber of the tires of my RV! We've been so busy seens like for years I wonder if I'll ever feel really retired.

The painters are here, this is their second day. They are doing the back bedrooms and bath. They have done a beautiful job and are good workers. Isn't it marvelous when you do pick a good contractor on whatever house project you need accomplished. It is expensive too as I am sure you are very aware. Bob use to do all this stuff but he's old now and can do some. He would have done the painting but I said no because I wanted it done this year. He's a workaholic on slow down pills. I don't expect anything more of him. He's put in his 2 cents and then some during our marriage. Bob is a jack of all trades and a master of many skills. He has built a one may plane, a boat, canoe, summer swing, build an addition onto our home by himself, and on and on - he is a very dependable worker if I may say so.

Here is a recent photo of my farm on Farm town. I've been putting a cross outline with my crops. It's amazing what others have made with flowers and crops. Many very creative people out there in cyper land.

While the painters were here yesterday, Bob and I hibernated in my office all day. There's a day bed in there so he caught up on his sleep and there's a TV and we had both our computers, also plenty of juice and fruit cups and water. Today, we've moved to the kitchen area with our computers. Bob is anxious and biting at the bit ready to get to work putting this end of the house back in order. I've got windows to wash and other things to clean. Things were sure dusty - seems to be very common for the desert.

Hope you are doing well and life is good for you. Take good care and have a great day!

Another day older and deeper in dept!

Yesterday was my 65th birthday, I don't really feel older. Actually, my body does and that seemed to happen about eight years ago when things started falling apart, maybe a little before that. Thanks to the computer world, my mind is sharp as a tack - ha ha!

I think some of us have this vision of what we hope our birth-day will be like. For me it's all a fantasy. There were no clowns or balloons or strippers or anything fun like that - actually once I got a balloon but never clowns except for those regular family members in attendance and I have never ever seen a stripper. Maybe after 65 years I should think I am missing something - or not! My husband is very conservative and I doubt that he would approve even at this age.

It was a beautiful day and there's always lots to be thankful for whether the day goes as you had hoped or not. Just being alive and have comforts are blessings enough. My husband and I have reached the time in our life where it would be unusual if we actually gave gifts on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas. I know that may seem odd or unloving, but it's our choice and is working out well. For example, I have wanted forever a Canon SLR/Digital camera and when one came up on sale with good payment no interest deal, that was my early birthday present. I am so grateful to have the camera whether it was early or not. It is the thought that counts after all, isn't it?

Our 45th wedding anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks. We had hoped to go somewhere but the costs of having the interior of our house painted and having the jacuzzi repaired sort of knocked that idea in the head to kingdom come! We have one more job in the house to do before we put the For Sale sign up and that is to replace the rug in what was Brian's room and is now the grandkid's TV/Computer room. It was and still is a very active room. I've also decided to get a new stove top - the really cool ones in glass, but I know they aren't "real" glass. My stove top is very old and has been wonderful to cook on with a grill in the center, but the burners wires have played out, and only in fairness to the new lady of the house, she'll need a working stove when she moves in. So there you are, there's always something. Hopefully, we can get out and do something special. Looking forward to a cruise one of these anniversaries.

We all have our priorities, don't we! God brings tasks into our lives and the attitude we handle them with determines the outcome of the situation. We can mumble and groan or just do it and pray for help and change for the better. Some of us may seem to have more burdens than others but I believe God doesn't give us more to handle than we can take care of - although there have been times I've argued that point vigorously. We are here to serve and take care of one another and some of our duties are more dependant than others and those individuals need more help. But sometimes I wonder when will that dependency ends and our freedom begins.

Sunday - Thank You to our solders at Vehicle Patrol Base Badel, Afghanistan

Sunday morning at the Sullivan's has progressed as normal. TV and coffee first thing, breakfast, then computer stuff, and just lounging around. We will make a drive up to visit son Brian's grave at the Veteran's Cemetery and put flowers at his grave. But, besides that, it is quiet and we are keeping cool in our nice air conditioned home - the temp being 102 out right now.

It is with deep teary eyed emotion that I think of the contrast between my world and the soldiers that are fighting the war in Afghanistan. We are so grateful for their service to defeat the enemy and their courage of conviction and perseverance. They have no air conditioners in the 120+ temperatures and protections from the sand storms.

Please click on this link to see more photos of the Solders at Vehicle Patrol Base Badel, Afghanistan. Thanks to the Military News Network for these photos and stories.

The soldiers are in our daily prayers. May God bless each and every one of them and keep them safe.

Military Video: Combat Outpost Apache, Afganistan

MilitaryNewsNetwork says to check out this video that shows daily life for Soldiers at Combat Outpost Apache in Afghanistan where they go toe-to-toe with Taliban fighters.

Twittering and Tweets

I cannot hear the birds twittering this morning although right now there is a hummingbird on the feeder outside my window. I cannot open my window though because the wind is blowing almost fiercely. It is amazing though how the hummers still manage to plant themselves squarely in place to feed at the hummingbird feeders.

Bob had to purchase new feeders a couple of weeks ago because the little finches managed to hang on to the feeders and they were draining the sweet juice from a couple of the hummers feeders. The new feeders are move difficult for the finches to position themselves to drink. This saves Bob some time in between days to fill up. He keeps a bottle of hummer juice made up all the time. He puts the juice in a Margarita bottle which sometimes confuses me. When my brain is dull and I think I need a drink of something stronger than a cup of coffee and I see that bottle of Margarita in the frig, I am caught off guard and for that split second I do get a thrill and think "yum, a glass of margarita that would be perfect right now!" But, then reality creeps back to my lethargic brain and I remember, and think, dang it, it's not the real thing!!!!

The reason I can't hear the birds singing or the whiz of the several hummers zooming by my window back and forth to the feeder is the wind is blowing, not quite full force, but annoyingly enough to be disruptive and too airy to open the window. Also, it is too warm outside and the air conditioner would turn on which would defeat my purpose of opening the window for fresh air. I love it when I can enjoy natures full sound by an open window and feel confined when I can only see to imagine how lovely it might be. Although, I must admit there is something joyous in the movement of the branches and leaves on the trees and magical how the little hummers and other birds seem to hang on for their dear lives as the tree limbs dance vigorously as the wind jostles each branch to and fro.

I have been engrossed in my Twitter twittering twits and tweets lately. The FarmTown has also taken me away - although please don't compare it to a Calgon "Take me away" moment. I've also attempted to pretend to be very busy packing up stuff some permanently and some just put away only to have to bring back out and arrange once again. The painters will be here next Wednesday to paint the walls and ceilings. I'm not having them paint my office where I am now, or the room Kevin and Alex are in - too much stuff to move out, and we need a nesting room while they work - I don't want to leave.

I've taken the family photos off the walls. So many memories in all those photos. I had walls and walls of photos dating back to my grandma's wedding in the early 1900s. I've packed them away permanently, awaiting the day when we do find the real retirement home Bob and I yearn to have - we are feeling so very empty because we cannot come to terms with this. No place seems to fill what we are looking for - yet! Maybe we are not trusting in God enough, maybe our faith has gotten shallow and we're not feeling the depth of His love and protection. I dunno!

But, there you are. I am loving to Twitter, 90% of the Twits are political. I have added Dr. Henry Kissinger and I even have Martha Stewart and M C Hammer too - it is very interesting, exciting and fun, too. I love it! My FarmTown/Facebook is fun too. Bob enjoys the Farm but I have cut back on my time on it since I was getting nothing done for packing or cleaning. My Blogging has been neglected, so that's why I'm here this morning - sort of to bring you up to date on my stuff.

I do hope you are well and healthy. I hope your life has been filled with many blessings and great joy. Take good care and God bless.

I suddenly went crazy!

Yesterday, I lost my mind and deleted everything I dearly love and hold close to my heart on the computer. I had a major "fit" as a result of a "situation" which occurred here in my home. I thought my reactions to my actions were fitting at the time, but as time passed, I realized I did a stupid thing. There are things I do which may seem a waste of time to a few but when it comes down to computer stuff for me it's a past time and hobby. There are plenty of other things I could do, but this is what I want to do.

My girlfriend across the street won't do anything on the computer except for her associations and she does data input at her job. She does some searches and purchases, but to do fun stuff, never. But, she does work, and when at home she has a husband who requires her attention and she has all that other stuff like housework to do. But she was adamant about not joining any computer social thing of any sort so now I never ask nor do I share the fun I have.

I don't hold it against her for not liking to get involved or to sign up with me on Face Book or whatever, I'm just pointing out, we all have our thing and I almost messed up what I hold near and dear and that is my Blogs, Twitter, and Face Book when I was outragiously wicked and deleted with a vengence.

Thousands of Mea Copas, - I am so sorry. I may not have many followers here or readers, but this is a source of evacuation of my daily thoughts and sharing with a friend or two (Ann, Hello!) or a family member, they may stop by occasionally, so like stopping to smell a rose or enjoying the hummingbirds outside my window and the song of a little bird singing this morning, my blogs will go on, be that as it may.

Time keeps on slipping

Have you ever fallen asleep while sitting at the keyboard? I did just a few minutes ago -the reason being I am very tired. I read a blog yesterday about a young woman who was loosing sleep because she missed her dog who had to be put to sleep. I responded because I understood. But, last night my loss of sleep is related to organization. Don't you just hate it when you take your "work" to bed with you!!!!

Yesterday the painter man came to finalize our plans to paint the interior of the house. I haven't yet heard from the painter scheduler man to know exactly when the painting crew will converge into our home, but I was told maybe in two weeks. We have a big home with lots of pictures and lots of nik naks and stuff that has to be packed out of the way. So, last night, my brain decided to do some planning and organizing.

But wait! that wasn't all. Then I decided to worry about Tom. Don't ask! It's a "mother" thing - life, love, happiness, future, and all that jazz. And, that's not all - I got the heebie jeebies and heard noises in the house. Forget it now - they'll be no sleeping tonight!!!! And there pretty much wasn't any sound sleeping. Maybe catnaps, I'd wake up and look at the clock and think, aw heck, I don't want a cup of coffee this early and I'd doze off for a few more minutes. Finally, I couldn't take it and was up at 5, which isn't too bad, considering.

My brain is filled with organization this morning and I've attempted to pass all that information on to Bob, to rejuvenate him, motivate him, but, no way - he slept very well last night. The lessons I learned when I was in business will be put on hold until my office staff consisting of one - Bob, and I can sit down and put the daily dish of to-dos on paper. We have way too many things to do in a short period of time and unless it's written, we will forget then we will panic!

Right now, I am going to take a nap.

Four & a half months plus a few days until Christmas

Geez, its hot outside, must be humidity in the air too, temp not as high as last week, thank goodness. Nothing exciting happening here - same ole stuff. I did realize today the heat really affects Bob's attitude. Generally, he is a very polite and calm individual but today at the Wal-Mart check out lane, he was snappy at the clerk. I was asking the clerk about a price and Bob as usual wasn't wearing his hearing aids and was concentrating on the ATM machine which usually doesn't want to recognize his number - its a very used card - so his frustration showed up in his responses. I do have empathy for him, knowing that when you can't understand or hear what is going on around you, it can be confusing. The clerk was a nice guy. He had an old timey Peace symbol around his neck. I would have commented but then its becomes an even bigger distraction for Bob although Bob is accustomed to me talking a lot but I shouldn't be distracting the clerk at check out time.

Getting old is really for the birds. Literally! When you lose your hearing it is disturbing not understanding what is going on around you. Also, our knees and other parts of our body have decided to shut down at various times. Although, I will say, as we were going into the store this afternoon there was a couple going in along side us - this lady was much older than I and man-oh-man she was moving! Her husband was trailing along behind a few feet so I backed off to let him catch up to her.

I've gotten lazy this year but I've made a pact with Bob to get active. Things have been despondent not knowing what to do about this house and dealing with our adult children's problems, and a bunch of other stuff, but hey you know what? Life is too darn short to let those things mess up a good day!!!!!

So, here's hoping you are well and are having a great day! May God bless you abundantly with your everyday needs and then a little extra. Take care!

Now I'm feeling Old

August First - eligible for Medicare, the card is now in effect. What is 65 suppose to feel like? If it weren't for the arthritis, other elder pains, and getting more forgetful, I could say I don't feel like I'm ready for medicare. I'm not 65 YET and don't claim it until my birthday in a couple of weeks.

I'm a true Leo. I've just found out several other acquaintances are Leos too and I can see those traits in them. Bob, my husband, is Virgo, and a good Virgo too. I'm not really into the sign business seriously, it is just sorta interesting how it is the traits they place on a sign seems to fit the birthday personality.

I'd love to go to Disneyland but I'm sure we won't at least not now - really it's too hot, in the fall would be better. Hopefully, we'll have the painters in during that time. We've decided on a business that has a crew rather than a one man job. The business has all the insurance and coverage should something go wrong.

I am split into two personalities - one that cries and one that is excited. The one that cries is crying because she has to sell a home that has so many memories - but forgets the real reason for selling to downsize both for room size and expense. The excited one can't wait to sell and get settled somewhere then travel, travel, and more travel.

It's been hotter than hades here - we've stayed in the house except to go shopping or swimming. One day trip to Wal-Mart resulted in a dead truck battery after returning from shopping and it was a miserably hot, hot, hot day. Both Bob and I felt awful to start out - the heat is rough on respiratory problems to begin with. But, it did all end out good, we called triple A, forgetting that Wal-Mart has batteries, but they probably would take time to install it, but AAA carries batteries for sale, they install it, so Bob was very thankful for that task completion. I am too.

A beautiful yellow bird just came by my window. I've never seen one like it before and I didn' t have my camera. We sat out on the porch this morning and I hear a bird singing and the sound was similar to a canary, so I am wondering if this yellow bird was, in fact, the one that was singing such a beautiful melody.

Hope you all are well and life is good at your place. God bless.