Grumbleeze

Today i blogged a bunch of not so fun stuff. I just unblogged it! Was not feeling very good this morning but am a little better now. That fall i took a week or so ago gave me some 'after effects' - causing pain and overall making me feel sorry for myself. It doesn't hurt so much right now but for some reason it gets worse when i'm trying to sleep at night. I don't handle pain well and without a good night's sleep i'm a bear!

Some of my kids used to tell me they didn't phone much whenever they didn't have 'good' news. Well now i can relate. Today is not a good day for me to blog. Have a nice weekend.

...a fun little quiz I found at Shirl's! I was hoping for Peter Pan but well... here's the cartoon character I most resemble.
Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego?
created with QuizFarm.com
Hmmm! Wonder why I'm feeling a bit goofy today.

Gloomiest Day of the Year? What's that all about anyway? Something new... some say January 23, some say January 24... supposedly most depressing day of the year. Who dreams this stuff up anyway? My most depressing day of the year will probably always be August 29. A recent post by Tan Lucy Pez is all about what is probably her most depressing day of the year.

Blogging... gotta love it! You get to know some really great people that you otherwise wouldn't meet. Today I stopped by to see what's up at Ruthlace and discovered she mentioned Grumbleeze on her site. I feel truly honored. Ruth & I have lots in common. She lives in Georgia and has five daughters... she lost her husband several years ago. I didn't tell Ruth that Frank & I considered buying a place in Georgia - near Statesville - a few years back when our youngest daughter, Jan, was still living there. It's a beautiful state. We considered it because there is more weather variety than Florida but it's not as beastly cold as Michigan.

Photos: I took 140 photos last Saturday... and never left my doorstep - front or back. Yesterday I was informed of an updated version of Web Album Generator, so I downloaded it. Of course I had to try it. It is easier and better than their old version! I used 22 of my favorites from last Saturday's photo shoot and call the album Snowy Day. I uploaded it to my domain but if you don't have your own domain it's still a nice easy way to create a photo album for sharing with family and friends on a CD.

Monday Madness: Can you believe I forgot it this week? Forgive me Natalie... I made up for forgetting by using my real name, Shirley Ann and my most used alias, granni39.

Nat says 'I thought I'd ask you to use the letters in your name (first, last, middle, or other) to list words that describe you!'

Silly
Happy
Impulsive
Ready to go
Laughing
Empathetic
Young at heart

Able to do most anything
Never afraid to try something new, but
Not if it's wrong


Good
Ripe??? more like over-ripe!
Amiable
Nice
Nimble
Informative
39 years old in my own mind
9 times a lady

Today I guess I'm a bit

Oh yeah... here's a view from my kitchen window this morning! Had to share it because this is really how the snow looked today... all fresh and new and very very white!

This is why I haven't been feeding the birds this winter. Don't really think it's right to risk falling. For some reason these new knees have made me stronger in many ways... I can get lots more done because they don't hurt anymore. In other ways they've made me into a big wimp! I don't want to risk damaging them and going back to all that old pain. Now I know why Frank had the feeders on the back deck. It may be messier for the deck but it's much more user friendly for the person doing the feeding.

I took 140 photos today and had to show you this one first! These little paw prints were seen going down my front step this morning. Count the toes - front & back... Does the little critter have a spare one in the back pair?

What got me outdoors in the most gigunda snowstorm in mid-Michigan to date? I wanted to have enough photos in my flickr photo site to make a badge. I saw one on Ottosite first and wanted one! Found out you have to join Flickr to get one so I joined and found out that Shirl is a flickr member too.

Looked like at least 6 inches of thick heavy wet snow out there this morning, probably more. Not all the photos are snow. Took some flower photos and some really cute pics of my furry family. Then went out to shovel snow.

Shoveled half of the back deck and all the way down the stairs... then did the path in front. By then I was ready for a break, so after venturing all the way across the road to get my paper and mail first. Decided not to get the snow blower going... actually I've never done it myself but at least know how now. Didn't feel like fiddling around with a gas can and having to yank away at that line to get it started. Besides... isn't that why my little Ford Ranger is 4-wheel drive?

Feeling a bit 'off' this evening. Got out Frank's old heating pad, put it on my back and I'm watching the Saturday night movie on the Hallmark channel... a cute little murder mystery... really! It's light and not too sappy either.

BTW, could those be kitty paws? There's been a poor little grey tiger cat hanging out here lately. It bothers my furry five because they're not allowed outdoors... and Daisy Mae especially still wants to get out and wander. It's kind of tough for me because the desire is here to feed the poor thing but I'm hanging tough! Don't need to become the 'crazy ol' cat lady' now, do I?

'Take time to smell the flowers...' sounds good but who lives it? Ideally I would blog a bit every day, if only a few words or a photo. Do I? No. Why? Somewhere I learned a work ethic to get the job at hand done... then relax. Frank & I were such good parents that all six or our daughters have this work ethic too. Trouble is, some of them don't seem to find time for the 'smelling flowers' part of life.

Earlier in my retirement years one daughter gave me a book, written by a couple of young people as a guide for their own parents to write a book about their lives. The idea was for me to write a book. Sounds impressive, eh?

Because I'm me... because I like results now... because of my interest in computers and the internet, I just figured blogging is better. Because I might be a bit flakey, or maybe I just like to be organized, there ended up being a whole flotilla of blogs by sherle!!! There's a reason. There are different purposes and some were just experimental. Anyway, Grumbleeze is my original idea for a blog, even though it's actually based on a website I started before Blogger... on Lycos/Tripod, meant as an online diary.

This afternoon I have an SVCA board meeting. I still have to put together the agenda and print out enough copies for the board. Might even have to learn how to change a cartridge in my Epson printer in order to get this done. It's something Frank always did for me. The agenda will be easy... I already know what it is; just have to put it in words. If I don't they will forgive me. My SVCA friends are loving people.

I had this blog in my head and knew I would not do it if I don't do it now. Remember fireplaces? I have three of them in my house - good old-fashioned wood-burning fireplaces. For lots of reasons... environmental, safety, and even the hard work involved in carrying the wood in..... we stopped using those fireplaces. We planned on closing one up tight and converting the other two to gas burning. We didn't have time. Frank is gone and I can't do that myself.

Yesterday I decided to turn down my thermostat and start using my little electric heater. I hope it truly does help cut down on the gas/electric bill like the experts say it will. Anyway... that's what reminded me of the fireplaces. Since I plugged in that little heater there is always at least one cat lying on the floor in front of it... just like the old days when our old Gato would lie on the hearth until we thought he would bake his brain.

Maybe I'll think about replacing the wood-burning fireplaces with electric instead of gas! I'm sure one or more of my wonderful sons-in-law would be happy to help me with such a project... and it would probably be easier than the natural gas installation. Maybe next year... or after.

By the way, the daughter who gave me the book on how to write a book... does she read my blog? Rarely. She is much too busy with her job and her family. It doesn't matter. She loves me and I love her and she does phone me at least once or twice a week.

My kids are 'chips off the ol' blocks' - every single one of them! I'm proud of them - every single one of them! Would I change any one of them? NEVER!!!

Today I'm feeling warm and cozy! Now I'd better put together this afternoon's agenda.

Addendum: All ready for my board meeting, agenda, shower and all. Was blogjogging and found this little gem... in a round-about way from Wanda's Just Breathe blog. My Life Path number is 6 but since I'm not in tune with 1 question analyses I finally found this one:

Your Heart Is Blue

Love is a doing word for you. You know it's love when you treat each other well. You are a giving lover, but you don't give too much. You expect something in return. Your flirting style: Friendly Your lucky first date: Lunch at an outdoor cafe Your dream lover: Is both generous and selfish What you bring to relationships: Loyalty

I just heard that one way to save on heating costs is to turn the heat down and use an electric space heater. Funny I was thinking about that last week, but didn't get a round tuit. Even though my new boiler is more efficient than the old one, I'm gonna try it starting right now. It feels better because hot water heat doesn't have forced air and that little fan blowing warm air at me is definitely a plus!!! AmyLou Mae likes it too! She gets between the fan and me.

Can you believe I almost forgot Monday Madness this week?
1. Before I walk out the door, I always check to make sure I have my keys and my cellphone.
2. I can't seem to catch up on my housekeeping.
3. The one surface in my house that always seems to get cluttered fast is the dining table.
4. If I sleep past 8:00 am, I feel that I've slept in too late.
5. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to keep off any weight I'm lucky enough to lose.
6. I hope to have my income taxes done by March 6.
7. This year I'd like to make more time for reading and relaxation.

This morning I went downstairs to get something and distracted myself in The Room (where Frank was working the day he died). It's the first time I even attempted to do anything down there. I turned on his downstairs computer... updated the AVG anti-virus and got all the Microsoft updates - 6 or 7 of them since August 29.

While that was going on I started to sort through all the stuff on his desk... LOTS of stuff... much of it computer parts he was working with/on at the time... some things still in the bubble packs - putting computer-related things in box for Nat, Pat, Pam, Kev (all or whoever) to help make identification and decisions. Putting tools & 'guy-stuff' in other boxes for the sons-in-law to ditto! Working at that desk for over an hour, you might not know I did anything - to look at it!

As I scooted back to get something the d*** chair slid out from under me and I landed on the floor. Now you've got to know that if I broke or damaged those wonderful new knees I got last year, Frank would come back & take me with him!!! I'm not ready to go so I've been walking very carefully... especially in this nasty winter weather. The good news is - I didn't hurt anything and was able to get up without turning onto my knees. Not supposed to kneel because that cushion between upper and lower knee joints was replaced in both knees. I guess I could damage some bone that was ground down during that procedure. Not gonna USE that chair again. Want it anybody?

Today I'm feeling ... guess I'll take it easy for a while.

sometimes you know you are! ...and sometimes, when you're 'mommy' to five cats, if you're not scooping up what they already ate and processed you have to go out and buy more catfood so they can do it all over again. That's what I went shopping for today so why did my bill come to $99.00???? Good thing I didn't really need any groceries, isn't it?

Three of us have posted urls to our favorite five photos for the past month. I finally posted mine a few minutes ago. You can find them at my sherle's photos website. Sorry you had a tough time finding it Shirl - the Favorite 5 Photos, that is! I just put a link here on this page to make it easier to find. Feel free to grab the button and put it on your own website so you can add a link to the Fave 5. See the pretty purple button? I made it at typoGenerator, one of the places recommended by Meg at Mandarin Design. It sure messes up my green theme, doesn't it? Guess it's getting time for a color change here, eh?

Remember the shoes I ordered from Teva? Did I ever tell you - after they finally arrived, I had a hard time getting them on my feet? Seems my high arch is a problem. Was able to force them on but it didn't seem worth it. They were too tight - right across the top! These ol' feet aren't just wide, they are high too!

Had a discussion last week wondering what ever happened to the old-fashioned shoe repair guy. We used to know a guy. He had his own little shop in the parking lot of a grocery store. The store is still there. The little shop isn't! Otto's hubby to the rescue! He knows a guy from their church. Morgan has a shop. He stretched my shoes. They are perfect! Thank you Emilio, for taking them to Morgan & bringing them back in perfect shape for me. I wore them for several hours today. Was like gloves for the feet! I took a picture but it's still in my camera.

I just put my 26 Things for November up. The easiest way was to make an album with Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2 so you will find it here: November 26 Things in January 2006. Now it will be easier to get my Favorite 5 Photos for January!

Finally - this week's Monday Madness
1. Name 1 type of supplement that you take. Calcium 600+D - twice a day

2. List 2 books that you would like to read in 2006. 'State of Fear' by Michael Crichton and any one of a pile of unread books currently on my shelf.

3. List 3 hobbies that you have. blogging, photography, scrapbooking (neglected lately)

4. List 4 gifts that you have received. custom made bracelet, gift certificate, coupon to have my truck detailed inside & out, carbon monoxide detector

5. Share 5 (instant & inexpensive) ways to spruce up a room. add a couple of fresh new throw pillows, rearrange the furniture, pick or buy a bouquet of flowers, add a splash of color with a new furniture throw, wash the windows!

Been putting away Christmas decorations and felt need for a break. Just went blog-jogging and found this 'intellectual' quiz at Shirl's blog::

You're a scientific intellectual.


What Sort of Intellectual Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I like Shirl's description better! Can I be Shirl for a little while? Oh! That's right! My name is Shirley too! Hey! While we're talking about her, why not pop over to her website and wish Shirl a Happy Birthday!

This man was my inspiration and my support system. That day he commented that he was having a '...strange kind of vertigo.' I had been treated for 'vertigo' in the past year; so had a couple of our daughters. Vertigo, treated or not, will go away - usually - right? We urged him to see the doctor; he assured us he would be okay.

A week after his memorial service I received an updated list of heart attack symptoms in my mailbox - part of a mass mailing from a local hospital. On that list, alongside the symptoms we all know about, was dizziness! If only we had known....

I keep remembering. He wants me to be strong. He was always proud of my strength and my abilities. Life goes on. Life is good. But THEY won't let me forget. THEY keep throwing out new things to think about and new things to dwell on! THEY are the media. I always keep a news station going on the tv. We always kept a news station going. Don't want to live in a vacuum, do we?

Sharon in Israel - McCloy in W. Virginia: Both of these men are being kept alive by abnormal means, hoping against hope they will wake up and lead 'normal' lives. What will happen if they wake up and are little more than vegetables? The news media will not let me relax and get on with life.

What do these men have in common with my Frank? They are (or were?) obviously strong-willed people. Frank always said life with a non-functioning brain is not an option. When he arrived at the hospital I was told he had been without a pulse for an hour. Nobody identified him/her self as a doctor. I only saw a bunch of people (watching with tears in their eyes as I tried to talk him into staying in this world), an overly solicitous minister and the original rescue team that showed up at my house when I dialed 911.

I went home, surrounded by loving family and friends. I received a phone call from the organ donation people. It took at least an hour to answer all their questions because we said yes to their request. Fortunately somebody else took over the phone after I answered a multitude of questions.

We planned the cremation and memorial service... then received a phone call. The burden was placed on us, Frank's family, to get the death certificate signed. The hospital ER doctor would not sign it! Was the doctor even there? I don't know. He/she never talked to me! I suppose if we had kept him in an unnatural state of suspension for a couple of days, somebody from the hospital would have signed off when he finally died...?

I just thank God every day for allowing my husband to die with dignity... without man-made interference and prolonging the inevitable. I just turned off the television. They are still discussing Sharon on the news channel - as though he is already gone. As for McCloy in W. Virginia - I'm sure his family is hoping and praying for a complete recovery but chances appear slim for him as well.

Enough! I've had to say this for a long time. Now I can take down my Christmas decorations and get going into 2006 and a whole new life style. I will always love you Frank!

Hello! I finished my 26 Things for November 2005... but don't have them posted yet. Went to Tracy's website to see how she was doing, since the deadline was December 1 and after. It was all messed up! Looked like maybe 40 entries but only 2 or 3 had names. I'll get mine up in the next couple of days and tell you where to find them. Meanwhile, I hope Tracy is working on her website. She has a fun thing going. I hate to see somebody mess it up for her.

If you have a new camera and/or a New Year's resolution to take more photos, try my new Favorite 5 Photos challenge. Take lots of photos every month. With digital cameras the 'film' is unlimited! On or after the 15th of each month, post your five favorites for the month on your website or favorite photo place. Visit Favorite 5 Photos and post a comment telling us where to view your pictures. I have to find my old list for PhotoTime and send out notices about this new photo challenge. Meantime, be among the first to be there!

Happy New Year! Today I'm feeling - not really but this little bear OttO made is SO darned CUTE!!!

This one is a favorite photo from the Christmas season. It's the centerpiece I used this year on the table.

Otto, Windy and I were discussing how we worked on the 26 Things photo scavenger hunt but weren't quite finished for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was that we didn't really like all of the topics - a woman's prerogative, right? Anyway, we decided we would change up to five of the topics and finish ours by the fifteenth of January.

Got me to thinking. Remember my old PhotoTime Tuesday? We know more people have digital cameras than when I started it... including Windy. We like posting our photos to share, but it seems the existing photo memes are so huge our pictures just seem to get buried in the hundreds who post to those websites, with only a select few always featured. Thus a new photo meme was born.

How do you like Favorite Five... on the Fifteenth? It starts officially in February (that's when I'll send out emails to the old PhotoTime mailing list) but if you want a head start, get your five favorites ready by January 15 and tell us where to see them! Meanwhile I'll be developing the website including a list of places where you can store your photos.

Now for a bit of Monday Madness from OttO:

Otto said, 'Happy New Year to you all! This week we're going to try something a little different.
Using the letters in the words HAPPY NEW YEAR, give yourself 2 minutes to list all the words you can make.'

Hairy
Animal
Pee
peed
Yowling
Not
Even
Wondering
Yet
Ever
Acting
Rebellious
I think I got them in less than two minutes!!!

Today I'm feeling just a wee bit