#994 And Counting

Here we are, folks! We’re heading into 1,000 blogs published very soon. If you’ve a minute, please subscribe. I’d love to hit 1,000 followers just after the 1K blogs are published. It’s a goal, and one I’d be very proud to reach. I can’t do it without you, so please, help a girl out! Recommend me to your friends, share away!

Well, I had a topic all written, and my Chromebook decided to have an issue saving all those words of wisdom. It was stuck on Autosave forever. I exited. I was warned it might not save my work. It says that to me all the time, yet it still saves. CLICK. I was in the black hole of cyberspace. And I lost it all. About an hour and half of hard work, since the words didn’t come too easily.

My topic was addictions and how we can have our own opinions about the SCOTUS, I’m not landing one side or the other of that discussions. Now, we’ll punt, based on what happened about five minutes ago.

So here’s where a mostly positive person needs to practice what they preach. We can do one of two things:

ONE – you can let it ruin your entire day. You can focus on the hour and a half you just lost and you can lose the REST of the day by telling everyone you meet about your bad luck this morning. You can be angry, kick the cat, growl at your significant other and justify it by your bad luck this morning.

OR

TWO – you can get started on the work you lost, telling an entirely different story than you did first, laugh at yourself, your bad luck, and make it a great day in spite of your bad luck this morning. You can tell your friends about your bad luck, let them laugh with you, and know well, things happen. Even very experienced computer systems analysts have things happen. Not gonna ruin my day.

You’re perfectly free to choose ONE. I hope we don’t run into each other, though. I don’t need anyone to rain on my parade. One reason I’m choosing to be positive about it, is just by looking out my office/studio window, I can see things that cause wonder and happiness for me. Life is too good for us to waste it being crabby about everything.

I just was watching the little twin toddlers from across the street running through the sprinkler, laughing and having a fantastic time. Why don’t adults get to do that? Of course, my running days are over. I may stroll through the sprinkler. I would laugh and have a fantastic time, too. It’s fun. Why not have fun? There are no age limits on having fun.

Are you going to run/stroll through the sprinklers with me today? I hope so. We’ll have a marvelous time. And have ice cream. No one’s every grumpy when they have ice cream. At least, they shouldn’t be. I’ll meet you on Main Street. Noonish. How about that? Here we go. See you tomorrow!

VFW Post 2503/Car Show/And MORE!

Yes, I played hooky again yesterday. It was a busy day, with taking Mom to the doctor, and then getting her home so I could meet the fine folks from “Guitars for Vets, Omaha.” We met Daniel and David Mike (yes, they are guys with a first name for a last name). David is the Dad, Daniel the son.

It’s often said Omaha is just a big small town. And it’s true. Daniel went to Bellevue East High School, with our daughter- and son-in-law. He detoured via a career in the Military, taking him on four tours of Afghanistan. We know many of the same people, and they feel like familiar long-time friends already. The people we meet by volunteering! It’s enriched our life so much.

The VFW Post, at 90th & Military Road, in Omaha, Nebraska is sponsoring a Car Show on Sunday, May 2, 2021. Registration begins at 8 a.m. sharp! The actual show is free to the public and begins at NOON. We had over 110 cars last fall. We’re hoping to have as many this time. It’ll be perfect, out in the sunshine, people coming and going, raffles, and information for Veterans. There are so many who suffer from PTSD. It can be crippling. We want to raise awareness in the community of all the groups available to Veterans and their families. We will have representatives from:

Moving Veterans Forward

Guitars for Veterans, Omaha

Operation 22 til Freedom

Aside from getting to know these groups, we want to establish relationships and find out how we, as a VFW Post, can help them get their message out to those who need them and their services. Where there is great need, we can offer a hand. It’s what we’re here for. Local support. Veterans helping Veterans. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Now, this is my personal blog for today.

#600 Club? Already?

How time flies! Today, this is my official 600th blog post. I’m finally on a roll! Things are coming along with the writing I’m doing. Just wish there were more productive hours in the day, I’m working on that. As we’ve chatted before, Family First, then I split the rest of my time writing/volunteering/reading/learning/etc.

Nearly two years ago, when I started this blog, I never had a clue I’d need to spend so much time learning and reading to become an author. To get the writing every day habit started, I blogged. Most of what I read talked about marketing yourself (hard for an Irish Catholic girl from South Omaha to do) and get your brand out there.

My brand? Well, that’s a tough one. I’m first a survivor of a lot of things. Breast Cancer. An unhappy marriage (first one). A “pioneer” woman in the 80s in I/T (or MIS or coding, or whatever you want to call it). I think my life as the only girl with three brothers toughened me up for working with mostly men, typical of the workers in that era.

Survivor. Wife. Mom. Grandma of 5. Sister, Daughter, Cousin, Loyal Friend. Author. Yes, Author, who always wanted to write a children’s book. After starting there, I have three separate drafts. The first, “ROXIE! What Are You Doing?” is about our Grandson Gavin and his life with Roxie, our naughty rescue dog.

The second, “Bonus Grandmas,” is about a little boy confused at the number of women in his life he calls “Grandma.” No one believes he really has that many Grandmas! But he does.

The third, “Grandpa’s Gone,” is a book for families. It recounts my real-life story that changed our extended family and our memories of Christmas Eve. When I was 12 years old, our Grandpa died of a heart attack at 60. On Christmas Eve. Grieving was hard in 1964, people didn’t talk about loss like we can now. This story recalls my memories of the Christmases that followed. And upon hearing a very special song about that very event, I learned we weren’t the only kids who experienced that kind of loss on such an important day.

I also have a novel in progress, “The Freeing of Katie Fitzgibbons.” A young woman marries, leaving home in 1970. The novel follows her through several years of an unfortunate marriage, growing up, and gaining the knowledge and confidence she needs to make the break for freedom.

Yes, we’re very busy here at Raabe Ranch, the home office of Jewell Publishing, LLC. Thank’s for staying with us through 600 posts. More to come! We appreciate your time and are eager to share more with you. Be Kind. Be Safe. Be Thoughtful. We will see you tomorrow!

Saturday Fun Times!

So yesterday we went to the garden center and purchased some beauties. I planted a few things in pots earlier, and one in the ground in the front yard. A smaller hydrangea bush. It should look pretty good next to the butterfly bush that grew so huge last year. We’re planning to keep it trimmed up a bit as it grows, so it doesn’t encroach on the sidewalk to enter the house. Last year it needed to be trimmed a lot.

My back does cause considerable problems when I do work like this, so I sat down on the little front porch steps to rest it a minute. I untangled the wind chimes I purchased a few years ago at Shopko, when they were still open. It was tangled to badly, I was tempted to cut it apart and restring it. But then I started thinking about my dad. He could untangle necklaces that were twisted and tangled so bad you were tempted to throw them out. He was a man of incredible patience when it came to things like that.

I started thinking about him as I sat, trying to untangle the knots of all elements of this wind chime. The more I thought about him, the easier the tangle became. I was truly amazed at how the time passed, the tangles fell away, I thought of how my dad would work on things while working them out, I could smell the freshness in the air, I was aware of the coolness of the concrete, it was such a relaxing, enjoyable experience. And this was the result:

Late getting started, but the front is looking better.

I’m sure now I’ll have those heartwarming thoughts of my dad when I glance out the window while writing or sewing. I’m such a “just look out the window at this or that” kind of person. I hope to experience many more things like this when I’m looking away to let my eyes wander.

The Babe is mowing the yard in between working more on the birdhouse bench he’s building. It’s amazing how thick the grass in the back yard has become, despite the dogs being out and using it as dogs do. I used to think only retired people had nice lawns. I remember mowing our lawn on a big banked hill when my kids and I lived on Nicholas Street. My son Nicholas sure thought it was great to live on a street named after him. I do believe it was named long before he was thought of, but I didn’t want to burst his bubble. I have a bunch of plants to keep planting this afternoon, and I’d better get back to it.

There are a couple plants I need to plant in nicer containers, like the Hibiscus tree, and hope I can keep it alive this winter. Maybe remembering to water it will help, too. Since we have lost our great cleaning lady, we’ll be cleaning now and should be in a better position to be watering plants that need it. Yes, I’m sad to lose Lori, but she needs some benefits and to be more secure for her future. I wish her well, and am glad to have had her since we moved into this home. Good Luck!

Below is an overview of the flower garden the Babe fenced in for me. There are Columbine, a small Hydrangea, and a couple Asiatic Lilies down there. We’re going to lay down Landscaping Cloth and decide where the annuals go. I hope to get everything in and thriving by tomorrow afternoon.

Lots of Potential

There is something about this meme that I love. I do believe many of us have been doing this since social distancing and stay at home were introduced. I know it’s hard for the Babe to put into words how he feels, he just knows things are “off”. I feel the same way. It’s kind of like listening to someone talk, but you feel and hear like you’re underwater. Or you go somewhere and don’t think about driving there, but realize you are there. That’s the time to do like these two little guys do above. If you can’t or don’t want to talk about it, maybe you just need someone to sit with you. Quietly. Just feel the being together. It helps. Try it with someone you trust, love, and respect. It is the best medicine.

Thank you for reading today. I appreciate your time. Sit by someone you trust and love. Enjoy their quiet company. Or untangle your windchime from last summer. It will take your mind away from your troubles. So relaxing. I will be here again tomorrow, hope to see you then. It’s the Babe’s birthday. I’m off to bake a Red Velvet Cake. The store was out of German Chocolate. So the Babe bought our granddaughter’s favorite. Hope the others like it! Take Care. Drive Safely. Wash Your Hands!

Fun Friday

It’s been a funny day. Not haha funny, weird. Yesterday we did well straightening up the storage area in the lower level of our home. I finished detangling the lights today, now to separate the beaded garland and the icicle drapings from each other. What a thrill to be done with something I dreaded from the moment I took the tree down!

Went to the doc to get shots in my knees this morning. As long as they work, I am not a candidate for knee replacements. I want them to work as long as possible. After all the surgeries this old body has endured, surgery doesn’t bother me. Until I see a scar from knee surgery. I can’t see most of my scars, so it’s easier to take.

Thirteen strands of 100 lights each. All in a ball. The Babe said throw them out. I was up to the detangling challenge!

Seeing a knee scar gives me the willies. Not sure why, but it does. My hat if off to anyone who has knee replacement. Rarely will a doctor do a double replacement at the same time. I understand why.

The Babe went to Menards and got some Windex outdoor window cleaner. It works like a charm. We have two very dingy, dirty windows in the family room, along with the patio door. Winter is tough on them, lots of dirt, spider webs, etc. Using the outdoor window cleaner gets the windows and the screens clean. And it’s nice to see outside again from a clean window. I’ve always cleaned windows at least twice a year. I’m not doing much of that stuff anymore. Our cleaning girls do a great job on the insides of the windows and the blinds. This will just add to the spring fever I have right about now.

My next phase of Spring Fever will be watching which of my flowers will start to grow. We have to devise some sort of fence or something so Goldie will stop pulling dead stalks and sticks out of the flower bed. I can’t even find the beautiful Hydrangea’s I bought last year. I know where they’re planted, I hope the had a good root system. Sitting on the patio in the afternoons is such a relaxing experience for us. As soon as the weather permits, we are there! I usually read or do some hand sewing, maybe crochet. For us, it’s like being on vacation. So grateful to have this home.

This late blog makes the whole day feel “off”. I like writing it first thing in the morning, then we can go on to other things, like more writing and reading. The days go by so quickly! The cutest thing today, we received a text message from our daughter in law. Their son, Joell is twelve, and growing into a young man lately. He told his mother he needed a new deodorant. She asked him what kind. He told her, “Old Spice.” The Babe and I just cracked up. I’m glad he likes the classic, manly product, right?

So going to rest these knees and let the medicine work. Isn’t it miraculous what breakthroughs there are in medicine today? I am so in awe of the knowledge it takes to produce things like Orthovisc. In reading up about the drug, I was surprised to learn it is made from hyaluronan acid. It is found in the combs of roosters. That is the strangest thing I’ve heard today. Many, many medications are made from animal “parts”. My first husband worked at a place that processed many of the animal parts to make medications. Bile, for example, was freeze dried into a powder to make tablets or capsules from. Thyroids were used to make thyroid medication. It was pretty fascinating. It had a terrible odor, however. I was so glad the company provided uniforms, because the clothing picked up the odors.

Tomorrow, I hope the Babe can free my recumbent bike from the storage area and move it out to the family room near the patio doors. I can bike and watch the birds. Oh, and the dogs, too. The exercise is great for knee issues, it doesn’t make your sore knees bear any body weight at all to bike. My new plan. And more on the novel tomorrow. It’s coming along. I hope to be finished by April 15th. Tax day.

Thank you for reading today, and I hope you return tomorrow. I’ll be here, see you then.

Where Did Wednesday Go?

I ran out of hours in the day yesterday, and almost did today. Did the VFW Newsletter, mailed to the printer, emailed everyone on the electronic copy list, put it up on their website, then found out I left off a few days in February. Oops! Big Goof. It happens. It will be corrected. No lives were lost. Hope people are forgiving, if not, that’s a shame.

I saw a post yesterday that was delightful to read. An old high school friend, Tom Dolphens, was interviewed about his artwork. He has had a prolific career, and that is no surprise. Even as a young high schooler was above and beyond anyone else’s. He has a gift. He has shared it with the world, and I’m delighted for him. What a blessing he has been to people through his religious art icons. I tried to include a link, however, it would not work. I’ll investigate further and see if I can include it tomorrow.

How wonderful it must be to have been able to pursue your passion throughout your life. As I’ve said before, it’s never too late to follow a dream. That is exactly why I am writing. I hope to make a difference in someone’s life, to offer encouragement and support by sharing things I’ve experienced or witnessed in life. Life can be very hard. Sometimes it helps to have someone show you their way, so you can see others have survived hard things. I want to offer hope to people who may need it. I want to do it with words and perhaps some art, someday. And in between, I want to write some good stories. I have time. So do you, to follow your dreams.

It is almost the end of the month. I foolishly thought at the beginning of the month I could sit down and rewrite my whole novel by the end of January. If there were no other people or things to do in life, I could have. My arthritis and fibromyalgia keep me from being able to sit at the laptop for extended hours, so adjustments must be made. But every day, to be able to fit in a little work towards the goal, you will get there. Don’t give up. Don’t quit before you get started. I keep telling myself that, too.

Tomorrow morning is another class for Mom. No classes next week, she has some other appointments. She enjoys the Half Price Book Store when we are out. We go a few times a year. And lunch at IHOP. These events will make for a busy Monday. Hope she enjoys her day out tomorrow.

Thank you for reading today, I appreciate it. See you tomorrow, I’ll be here. No more Hooky for me!