10 tired thoughts on Tuesday

1. It's Tuesday already??
2. It's July 7th already??
3. Grandma Gert would have been 97 today!
4. Link is from last year's post.
5. Thinking of taking a nap, only had 4.5 hours sleep last night.
6. Not sure about nap, because city is out finishing our street... I think! (Long story.)
7. Still can't get over the fact it's July already!! GOOD GRIEF!!
8. Nope, didn't get to see any fireworks this year.
9. We did hear them going off all through the neighborhood every night (so far) since Friday night!
10. Poor Sunny, she scared to go out after dark now. The bottle rockets really scared her!

After thought... The picture is Grandma Gert & Grandpa from 1933. (Yeah, I know it's same as the one from last years post. Too tired to search for others & scan in... & well, you know. LOL. I'll share some more later.)

I did it again!

I swear, stairs and me just don't get along anymore.

Earlier today I was going UP the steps to get ready for Grammy's party when I slipped... Twisted my back. Oh no... OH YES!!! At least I didn't LAND on it! So, I called Mike & my sister... & made arrangements for her to get him. I didn't think I was going to make it.

Well, after talking to my mom, who basically said I needed to at least make an appearance. Even if I didn't stay long. Well, that was about 1:00p.m. ... & the party was over at 3... well... I made it by 2:50p!! (People were still there... & Grammy was too.)

I gave her, her gift from Dave & I... a pair of Christmas slippers. (they're cute!)

There were a TON of Red Roses in vases & they were giving them away. My mom made sure I took a few... I was only going to take one, but she hands me 4!

Oh... & sorry, no pictures... My battery died on my phone. I forgot all about it 'til I went to leave & then I saw it had died. Don't worry though... I'll try to get some outdoor shots of the place later... seeing how it's down the road from the farm & all.

Anyway, I just wanted you all to know that, if you don't see me around tomorrow... I may just be sleeping & trying to ward off the back pain. (At least I'm sitting up right now! But not to last much longer.) Going to check my messages & I'm going back to a fetal position... well, ok, just laying down! LOL! :)

Toodles all!

90 years young... NEED EVERYONE'S HELP, please...

Well, tomorrow (Sunday) we will be celebrating Grammy (as I will now refer to her from now on... My sister Gina has started that... & I rather like it!) 90th birthday. (Her official one is a few days away.)

I wasn't looking forward to going... with all the people & all... but now that it's snowed quite a bit today (couple inches) it's looking very Christmasy out there... & the place the party is going to be at is up in the "woods" sort of.

All I know is that it's going to be a beautiful site.

One draw back. Got to pick up Mike on my way. UGH! He's been a bit of a pistol lately. I mean non stop... & I don't mean interesting chatter either. (GEESH Dad... I was NOT that bad when I was growing up... & I know I was NOT that bad when I was 19!!!!)

So, anyway... this is my official request for birthday greetings for my Grammy (on the far left in above photo, btw)... HOWEVER... please... no graphics, for I am going to have to read them to her. She will not be able to see the screen that well.

Also, would you please put what state (or country) you're from. She will get a kick out of it all... that she's getting greetings from all around the world.

You do NOT have to give an exact location. Just an approximate area. :o)

Thanks a bunch... & I hope you all are able to see this & comment without any problems. I know Multiply has been having a little problem the past 24 hours... I hope that someone has finally kicked that server.

Toodles & HUGS!!

A break from writing to REMIND YOU....

Before I get to the reminder... Let me say I am THANKFUL for SLEEP!! Yes... I actually got to sleep last night... Yep, you heard me... AT NIGHT!! WOO HOO!! So, I'm raring to go! I have lots to do today, mainly here on the computer!

Also, this is the 1st of a couple (if not several blogs today!!)... that's a FAIR WARNING!! LOL

Anyway, the reminder is... IF you'd like to send my Grammy a (snail mail) birthday card for her 90th birthday... please be sure to send me a PM (as soon as possible!!) so I can give you an address! (FYI - It will NOT be her address!)

Also, I am thinking of doing a blog for her the day before the OPEN HOUSE we are having... so if you do not want to send a Snail Mail card... you can leave her a message. (Just a heads up... we will have to be reading these messages to her... so no graphics will be needed.) And I'll be doing it on Saturday Dec. 6th! (The party is Sunday Dec. 7th!)

Speaking of writing (as I did in the title)... Did you all see my word count on my front page?? Well, in case you missed it... I'm up to...... (DRUM ROLL......)

34162 words!!! WOO HOO!! I am 68.3% of the way done with 2 & 1/2 days left!!! I CAN MAKE IT!!! I KNOW I CAN!!!! (I'm going to try to get it done today!!!!)

So, that's my goal!! To have my 50,000 words by Midnight tonight (or whenever I go to bed!!) The novel may not end with that... so, we'll see what my final word count is on Sunday!!

Let's see... Oh, yeah... another thing I'm going to be doing today is changing my theme to a winter one... So, if you see bits & pieces of it... & it's clashing with the current one... that's just a heads up about it... but that will be later on!

Also, one of the other blogs today (or maybe a "review") I'll be doing will be to post the address to the Secret Angels / Santa Group!! If you're a part of that page... you may have seen a post... that it's going to be moving to it's own group page... (mainly to make it easier on me... so I don't have to sign out and back in and then back out again & so forth!) And so I can receive updates via my own inbox! ... I didn't know when I started that page.. that's how groups worked. So... I left it go... but it's grown & it's time to have it as a group now!!

So, this is another HEADS UP... Secret Santa (Angels) sign up with be starting MONDAY DECEMBER 1ST!!! (See other review shortly for location!!!)

Let's see... I have one more thing to mention before moving onto another blog... and it's just a little "preview" of the next one!

As you know, yesterday was Thanksgiving here in America... well, as tradition, I spent it with my family yesterday... It started off awful for me, for the fact I could not sleep the night before!! All that sleeping during the day & awake at night caught up with me... & through me off... and I didn't take my Ambien soon enough... & then it got so late that I did not want to take it in fear I would not wake in time!

So... I fought sleep from about 4:30 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon... when I finally dozed off upstairs ... but then it was only for about 10 minutes!!

Don't worry, it was not just a toss and turn all that time... I did get up several times to do stuff to try to get tired again... but each time I did & laid down to go to sleep... I could get my body to lie perfectly still & practically it all went to sleep... but my mind... GEESH.... IT WOULD NOT "TURN OFF!!!" ... Hence the reason I take Ambien CR to sleep!

It's nights (times) like that remind me that I will probably be stuck taking Ambien (or something like it) for the rest of my life!! Or until my mind gets so old it doesn't want to be in OverDrive all the time!! LOL.

I mean... at one point yesterday morning it got so bad... I decided to write down what I was thinking... and it went from one subject to the next to the next. Including a list of stuff I wanted to do for yesterday. (Which included making Harvest Loaf muffins, which I never ended up doing... because of the no sleep thing.)

Well, anyway... I just counted that list... 28 different ideas! And to think... that's just at one point... my mind was reeling all night long! ... I should have just started the computer back up & just typed away!!! I probably could have finished my novel then!! LOL.... NOW I THINK OF THAT!! LOL!!!



ANYWHOO... The reason I said all that was BECAUSE.... after dinner last night... we played Scrabble. It was my mom; Aloys (pronounced Aloe-weese) (my B.I.L.); a friend of the family, I'll call her P... and my hubby and I!! My hubby and I were teamed up together because well, we usually do... and because I wasn't sure I'd make it!

Well, not only did I make it... but WE WON!! And we won big time too!! So, in the next blog I'll tell you more about that!! (Because I have PICTURES!!!) Hee Hee!!

(Oh... sorry... no family pictures because I was too tired to think of it... It just now crossed my mind! Sorry about that.)

Anyway... it was a fantastic evening... there only 9 of us there... (which is the smallest Thanksgiving that my sister, Gina, has hosted in years!) It was so wonderful just the 9 of us!! Well, it would have been even better if we would have had my other sister Renee and her family... so it would have been 14 then... but they couldn't make it from Michigan. (Oh.. I wonder if Steve (my other B.I.L.) went to WV to go deer hunting?? That's HIS family's tradition!!)

Either way it was a great day after all!! OH & I didn't even take $hiba with me! For me... that's an IMPROVEMENT... well, actually it was just because I was so stinking tired I didn't want to bother... and it worked out for the best anyway!!

Then after I got home, I checked a few messages and then crashed sometime before 10:00 p.m.... & I didn't wake up until around... well, it was a little light out... & it was for only a moment as Coleman was wanting up on the couch at my feet. Then I fell back fast asleep again until shortly after 8:00 a.m. WOO HOO!!!! I slept through the night!! And I AM AWAKE DURING THE DAY!!

Sorry... you may just not know how happy that makes me feel!! I feel a bit more normal!! (Not that there really is a normal sleeping habits now a days!!)

Well, hubby is up and out of his shower... so, I best be getting up off this couch to put the Cinnamon Rolls in the oven like I promised I would do today! (That's my tradition for him & I... usually it's Thanksgiving morning or the day after!!!!) :)

See you all soon.. (This ride is NOT over yet!!) More stops coming up soon!!! :o)

Toodles for now!! :)

Help NEEDED -- Birthday Card Shower

UPDATES, 1st....
My novel writing took a back seat to.... sleep and just relaxation... I was burned out...

As you'll be able to tell by my front page... I am back to writing again... I'm at almost 17,000 words... which means I'm a little over 33% of the way done. However, since I started late and missed a few days, I'm not up to having to write almost 4800 words a day to make the deadline.

I'm not so worried about that as I am in my story is going to be finished before the goal of 50k is reached. I just thought it would be so cool to have that winning certificate that comes to those who reach that goal!

Had I started on the 1st like everyone else... I would not have had a problem making the goal. It may sound like I'm giving up... but I'm not!!! I'm still going to be plugging away.

Oh, why am I up so early? Well, I haven't been to sleep! For some reason I could not fall asleep this past night! GEEESH!!! I wish my body would make up it's mind... either let me sleep or not at all... that's nerve racking!

Well, I am going to try to catch a few ZZZ's before I have to do my other things today.

OH THAT REMINDS ME... We're going to be celebrating my Grandma's 90th birthday in just a couple weeks... We'd like to SHOWER HER WITH BIRTHDAY CARDS...

I think it would be really neat if she received some from all over the world.

SO, tell you what... send me a PM to let me know you want to send a card and I'll get you a US POSTAL Mail address!!!

If you're NOT on my contact list and wish to do this... that is fine... just know I'll be a little weary at first before I give any info.

Grandma's birthday is Dec 12th... HOWEVER we're going to be having an open house for her on the 7th...

Now, please... do NOT leave any birthday greetings here... for she will not be able to see them. Besides, I may do something else instead, we'll see.

Anyway... Would you like to help in the Birthday Card Shower?? Then send me a PM.... ASAP!!!! Thanks a bunch!!! :)

(Most cards should arrive on time if sent out by Tuesday... Not sure about the ones out of the US... but that's ok, if you still wish to do it, if you're from out of the US... that will just make it even extra special!!!)

Thanks for listening all! :) Night! :)

What's up with you

Let's see... I have been playing around with my group, The Last Word... We have been having a blast over there! (If your a Multiply member... come check it out!!)

Yes, I did get the new phone yesterday! YIPEE!! It's sweet! (In case you missed it... the LG Chocolate I had was having glitches & I was able to exchange it for the LG enV2!!!)

Grandma is doing ok... She gave us another scare the other day... her blood pressure was 90 over 30! Yeah... that's INCREDIBLY LOW!! I've had 80 over 50 before... but not any lower. However, I usually run a low reading. Grandma has / had HIGH blood pressure... so much they had her on medicine... but the Hospice nurse said don't give her anymore.

Her lungs sounded clear yesterday & she was getting the much needed sleep. She had kept my sister Gina up most of the night before... & during the day she was confused to what was going on. She even was going through everything & tried to give it away to the day nurse. Yes, she has Alzheimer's. Just keep her in your prayers.

On a different note... over the weekend one of hubby's buddy's was having a garage sale & had some stuff toys that didn't sell... They gave us our pick... For the dogs to tear up! So, I picked out the 10 that I thought would be best. Sunny already has one teddy bear torn apart. I will try to get some pictures up on their blog with a couple of the toys... A couple of them are a bit big & are funny to watch the dogs sniff & try to attack them!

Oh yeah... and the other day... when I had them out... Coleman tried to chase after a dog that was walking by... but since he was on a leash he didn't get far... however... the spring inside that winds the leash back up broke! So, now we have just been using the one we use for Sunny... She's good without it... only problem is the neighbors had "friends" over tonight... & they were out there goading her to run over there... Thankfully she just stood in our driveway & gave them a bark like, "Eh, you want a piece of me? Maybe tomorrow!" & with that she turned back to the door & was ready to go inside! LOL!

It's the last day of July... just means Fall is just that much closer! I can't wait! This heat & humidity is terrible... I stay indoors 99% of the time! I really don't know how hubby can stand to work in this! Ok... ok... I know, I know... it's not near as bad as some of you have it... just keep in mind... I CAN'T STAND THE HEAT!! What's strange though... I used to love Summer... NOT ANYMORE!!!

I think that does it for now. Have a GREAT weekend!!

I am a worried granddaughter

It's one of them feelings you hate having confirmed... Today when I tried to reach my mom for something... I had a feeling she was down at the other house because of Grandma... So, I called there & the Hospice nurse answered... She was there giving Grandma antibiotics for pneumonia. She then put mom on the phone who in turned said she believes it's the beginning... yeah... of the end.

She's even contemplating if she should call ex-step dad (it's HIS mom!!)... so, if she's thinking that... I know it's not good. So... please pray... she's 89 years old & we all were hoping she would make it, at least, to her 90th birthday on December 12th... but if she is sick... I don't & I'm sure the rest of the family, want her to suffer. It's a hard thing when they are this old...

What's even harder for us girls is that she is our last living grandparent. To no longer be called "granddaughter" is going to be a hard pill to swallow.

Oh... the picture above is when all us girls were at Bob Evans for breakfast (some time last year)... Left to right... Grandma, Gina, Mom, & Renee. (I'm the one who took the picture, that's why I am not in it... never dawned on me to have a waitress take it until days later!)

On a different note... don't forget about "The Last Word" game group... it's open to all! Just be sure to check out the rules on the home page (linked above). It's fun & there are virtual prizes to the winners!!!

You all know how I love Tigger... well, I almost forgot... I love Tweety Bird just as much!! So, that's why I am sharing this...

She would have been 96 today...

Just a very quick ride this time... in dedication to my Grandma Gert, my dad's mom. (She was 21 in this picture above .) She would have been 96 today. She passed when I was in 8th grade. We miss her dearly!

And yes, that is her in the wedding photo (below) with Grandpa Sam from 1933... he died when I was 2 years old... so I don't remember him. (Side note... when I took the picture out of the frame to scan it into the computer, I found their Certificate of Marriage, in very pristine condition... I thought at first it was the original because it had an emboss seal... however there was another date that said something about 1970... If I find out the reason behind it, I will post it in a comment below.)


Dad said Grandma was known as Gravel Gertie... I remember her buying me the "Penny Press" puzzle books (like word searches & etc)... & she would send me the cutest cards on holidays & birthdays.

Good ol' Grandma Gert... Miss & Luv ya!!

My tribute to Mom's Day...

This is not just for my wonderful mom... but also, my step mom; my mother-in-law & my Grandma.... AND all other MOTHERS!! :)

If it wasn't for our moms we would not be here! Love ya!!

glitter-graphics.com

CLICK HERE for a special Mother's Day card. (Since it's for all... I did not "personalize" it!)

(P.S. Keep looking at my "front" page... it changes more often than I have blogs!)

 Love you all, Lady Harley!!

All Aboard...

Hello, it's been a while since I've blogged much about nothing! Ok, it's not nothing to me... & some of you may just be interested in this ride aboard The Rambling Train...

Well, I won't keep you in suspense... CLICK HERE for the photos of my 1st tattoo! (It will open in a new window!) Click on each picture to see more info below the picture!
If someone reminds me in a few weeks, I'll take another picture & post it to show it after it's healed. Passion Wolf says the colors will really be better once it's completely healed. & Yes... I LOVE IT!!

It was a little rough at 1st... the outline is what hurt the worst, but it didn't last. That's pretty much about it for that...

Though my day started off with a bit of a startling phone call... I was 1/2 asleep when my mom called & asked if Gina (my sister) had called me yet.

After I said no... she said "Well we had a bizarre day here yesterday. Everything is fine now."

Of course, my mind started going all over the place as to what could have happened... So, Mom continued.

"Grandma died for about 20 minutes yesterday." With that the towel I use to cover my eyes came flying off. Then I was fully awake!!

She goes on to say how they & the nurse that stays with Grandma during the day were all just talking & Mom looks at Grandma & said, "Are you getting sleepy?"

Before they could get an answer, Grandma slouched over in her wheel chair. At this point my sister shot up out of her seat & tried to wake her. Then started singing & praying in her ear.

(Grandma is DNR (do not resuscitate) because her bones are so brittle now, that if they tried to, it would break many bones in her chest & would make it worse for her.)

Anyway, they said she was turning purple & getting cold. At that point Mom went to call her ex-husband (See, Grandma is HIS mom!!).

Then Mom told Jackie (the nurse) & Gina to take Grandma to her bed so that she appears to be more peaceful than being slouched over in her chair.

So, they get her back to her bed & at this point she's lost ALL her body functions (I won't go into details!)

Jackie keeps telling Mom & Gina, "Girls, she's gone. You're just going to have to accept it."

Gina then called the Hospice & requested someone to come out to confirm & to call it, I guess.

During this, (about 20 minutes later) my ex-step dad is driving down the lane.

While on the phone with Hospice, Grandma's legs started to twitch... They said that's normal. But then her eyes fluttered. Being startled Gina drops the phone & it dropped on Grandma's face.

Here's the bizarre part...

Then Grandma opens her eyes, looks around & says "Oh what's going on?" Gina asks her, "Grammy, you ok?"

She replied: "Oh, yes. How are you?"

From what Mom & Gina told me, they started laughing so hard that when my ex-step dad came in the door he asked "Are you laughing or crying?"

Needless to say, they were shocked & so they looked up on the net all those symptoms... it's called a "pre-cursor to death". I guess this happens among the elderly (She's 89 years old.) & that it may happen several more times before she actually dies... Which could be 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 month or even 2 years.

Mom joked they'll have to wait several days to be sure she is gone before they call the funeral home!

Another joke was made by one of the neighbors... "She just got up there & saw her bed wasn't ready & said... 'Heh. Call me back when you're ready!'" LOL!!

In all seriousness, she's fine... & in some points Gina said she's better than she was before.

As not to frighten her, they're calling it her "fainting spell"... Oh, Gina did say that for about 10 minutes or so, she could hear a faint heart beat through the stethoscope, but she was not breathing. Then for more than 5 minutes was nothing ... & that's when all the rest happened.

So, my comment was... were you smacking her (gently, of course) to snap her out... & Gina said she was doing everything they could. I guess when she lost all the functions & etc... is when they were sure she was gone.

My other thought is... I sure hope it doesn't happen again. I really would hate to hear any of us going through that again. For I am sure it was traumatic on Mom & Gina... Not to mention my ex-step dad, having to race from work over to the farm.

I told my hubby about all this & he's like "So." I'm like... "You're not surprised?" "Nope, that's your family... you'll probably do the same thing!"

I'm laughing... "Just remember Grandma is not blood related!"

"Yeah, but you act just like her!"

"I guess that's just from growing up with her!" I replied.

One final thought about this all... Mom & Gina said they're glad Jackie was there, because they had a "witness"... someone who's not family! LOL

Well, that does it for this trip... Hope you enjoyed your ride aboard, "The Rambling Train"! :)