I'M BACK

I haven't written in such a long time--just didn't have the urge and maybe that is because nothing much is happening, esp. anything funny. Most everyone is experiencing financial difficulties in the current economy and those of us on fixed incomes are feeling the crunch. Fortunately there is more to life than money--although sometimes you wouldn't think so.

The reason I got inspired to write is over a very simple thing really. I had a birthday last month and one of my gifts was a money card for Wal-Mart. I had been wanting a cordless mouse (computer) ever since I rearranged my tiny work space. I used my gift card to get one and luck would have it that it was more reasonably priced than I figured--$20. Even I could figure out how to install it on the first try and I've been enjoying it ever since. It is one of those items without which you wonder how you got along. One less cord at a computer is always helpful. I just hope that the mouse doesn't wander away since it is cordless. I guess I should give it a name--maybe Jerry although we already have 2 in the family--Maybe Felix would be good or if I decide it is a girl she could be Phelixia.

I've been trying to improve my personal behavior with a better diet and exercise. It is such a challenge and at this point is claiming a lot more of my thought and attention than I like. Maybe with time I will get more comfortable and feel less consumed by it all.

This week I had an email from a friend from our days in Utah that I hadn't heard from in, probably, 10 years. How nice to get caught up a little on her and her family's life. Our children were young kids together. At this point in life it is nice to know that a friend is still alive. As my niece's now 9 year old son said a few years ago to my mother, "Mimi, most people are dead by your age." We have gotten many laughs from that. At age 90 she is going strong. The little 3 year old likes to play with the skin hanging from her upper arms. He says, "Mimi, when I get old I'll have that," as though it were a trait to want. Little does he know.

We have had a most wonderful winter in Florida this year. Our weather has been nice and cool much of the time although very dry. Our grass is showing very little green with no rain in sight. The only blot on our weather is knowing that in a short time it will be hotter than I care to think about and the power bill will shoot up more than $100 from the use of air conditioning. So it goes. Yesterday the power company promised a reduction in our charges--$4 per household per month. Big Whoop!

I must get on with the day (a sink full of dirty dishes for one) and try to make some sense of it all. Maybe I will get inspired to continue writing here. Later.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I set my alarm for earlier than my usual getting up time this morning so that I could get a head start on chores for the day. I usually only use the alarm on Sunday. Today I wanted to get my errands run early to avoid the rush and also so that I could then come home and do some housework. So the turkey is in the refrigerator and most everything else is on hand for the big meal that I am preparing on Sunday for family. I will spend the holiday and Friday with my son and wife in Clearwater. We have the big dinner with her family and do they ever put on a feed. I look forward to the food and the fun.

It has started raining softly since I cam in and that is a welcome sound since things are so dry here. We are having wonderfully cool weather and how I wish it would stay that way until spring but, alas, 'tis Florida. What can I say. I'm really enjoying being able to wear a sweater or a jacket and feeling dressed.

I wish for all of you a peaceful and joy filled Thanksgiving with lots of love and a plate full of turkey.

I Can Hardly Believe...

I can hardly believe that I haven't blogged since June. I guess I didn't have much to say. The election seemed to take over our lives and I became very weary of it all. Thank God that is over for another 4 years. Our economy is in such a mess that 4 years from now is really hard to imagine. "Will I be pretty, will I be rich?" as the song goes. I think I already know the answer to that one.

At a more personal level, yesterday was the 37th birthday of the twins, one of the most awesome things that ever happened to me--the second most being the birth of Amanda nearly 6 years later. How utterly life changing. I cannot imagine my life had those events not occured. As I often have remarked, "They are the very air that I breathe." They are my life. Thank you God for such beautiful creatures.

At a utilitarian level, I had to have the house determited this week--long overdue I might add. It is a given when you live in this climate that you WILL have termites. I opted for a newer treatment method which is easier for the homeowner. I hope it works and I have a good guarantee just in case.

We have been having cooler and very lovely weather. My airconditioning hasn't run for about a week but I turned it on today because the humidity is rising and I have housework to do. I can't work when it is overly hot and humid so I am getting set to dig into some household tasks.

On a lighter note, my brother is in a one night dinner theater production at his church tonight so I am going to go for his performance. That should be fun. We will have a whole table of family members to share the event. It is a fun raiser and the tickets sold out completely so that is good.

I guess my fellow bloggers have nothing to say since the election but I keep tuning in just in case. You have probably given up on me. Hope springs eternal. Somebody please blog.

MOVIE PS

A note about the new Indy Jones movie: I was glad when it was over--it seemed to go on and on with endless military vehicle chases and swinging on jungle vines. Noticeably, Indy was breathy in some action scenes which I never noticed before leading me to believe that not unlike the rest of us Harrison Ford is showing his age too. You have to hand it to the man though for continuing to do his own stunt work.

MOVIE UPDATE

Last night I went to see the movie GET SMART and it was a total laughin. I highly recommend it for when nothing but comedy will do--one of those times when you want to be entertained and you don't want to have to think about anything that requires an IQ above your age. I have come to really appreciate Steve Carell, who plays Smart, in things like LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and DAN IN REAL LIFE. I never watched THE OFFICE so I didn't know his work until I saw him on the big screen.

Now on video--I bought it for $5 at Blockbuster as I do most of my movies--is REIGN OVER ME with Adam Sandler. I was not aware of this movie until I was browsing the 4/$20 stack at BB and found it. I think it is Sandler's most amazing role yet, a husband and father who lost his family on 9/11 and who is suffering from PTSD. This is a good watch.

Movies are my savior since TV is so awful. I wish I could just not turn it on at all but sometimes it is company when I'm here alone.

It is hot and humid in sunny Florida and the old AC is cranking and racking up the $$$ on the electric bill. I hope that you are enjoying comfortable weather wherever you are today. I hope you can view some of these movies.

TAKING A REST

While I take a rest from house chores ,which will not get completely done, I will try to update a little. I have not been blog motivated lately as, apparently, is the case with most of you as well.

Tomorrow morning both of my girls arrive from Chicago--they never get here both at the same time--to celebrate my Mother's 90th birthday. I've tried to load in some vegetarian food which means that my refrigerator is running over.

It is very hot and dry here but my garden looks good including a "Secret Garden" that I have developed and am eager for my girls to see. You can't see it until you step onto my patio and then voila, there it is under the tree among the ferns. It is such a joy to me but requires daily attention because of the dryness.

I continue my recovery with the new hip and am going to be seen at a pain clinic next week to explore getting a steroid injection in the other hip to extend my tolerance of the pain in that hip. I am not eager for more surgery at this time. I have decided that my body is like an old car, repair one thing and something else breaks down. About 10 days ago I seem to have sustained some soft tissue damage in my right hand which requires having my index and 3rd fingers splinted together for 4 weeks in hopes that it will heal without surgery. I hope! I can't play the piano and washing the dishes isn't easy but I'm making it. I also appear to have--or did have--a kidney stone which I suffered pretty badly from last week so am getting that checked out too. Oh, did I mention depression. Is it any wonder?

Life in general is o.k. at least for today. Hope all is well with you and that wherever you are you will have a great weekend.

TIME FOR AN UPDATE

I seem not to be able to think of much to write about these days but guess it is time for an update for those of you who happen to check out this blog now and then. Florida is having about as nice a spring as I have seen since I have lived here--moderate days, low humidity, lots of sun.

These would be lovely beach days if one could afford the gasoline to go. Now I hear on the news that rice is being rationed. I suppose at long last the world shortage of food is going to have its affect on us but will probably only hurt us in the wallet because we will continue to buy regardless of the price--that is how we have treated gasoline. And so life will go on and only the very poor will go hungry and on foot.

I'm feeling better and stronger as the days pass. I still have limitations and can't bend very far yet but I manage to get the necessary done. When I get tired I just have to quit and rest. I have never been very good at that but I am improving.