Grandma's little world

This ones for you sis!

2012-02-13T08:33:00.000-06:00

Super doggie!

2012-02-05T05:21:00.000-06:00

Hey sis I think we might do this on Sunday if you do not mind! I think that with her red service dog coat Coco should go as a super hero! I think I will make some decorations for my wheelchair about all service dogs being heros. The registration fee goes for animal rescue and she might help set a world record! http://www.beggintime.com/parade.aspx
Be thinking what we can add to her vest to make her more 'dressed up' and I will call you this week. Whish we could bring Kadi!

adult birthday gifts

2012-02-03T02:28:00.000-06:00

I can post one of the two I have done because I knows he is not on the internet. For "little" Gene.

Annabelle's is done!

2012-01-31T17:41:00.000-06:00

Here it is:

Adam's is done!

2012-01-26T22:17:00.000-06:00

here is number two in the year of the blanket:

How much to download that app?

2012-01-26T03:17:00.000-06:00

Google now offers a translation app. It automatically translates, in to english, any site that is in a language I have previously told it to translate.

Now I am due for new hearing aids, I wonder....could they include that app in my new ones too?

It would make traveling dead easy.

My hooks are smokin'!

2012-01-18T18:19:00.000-06:00

I had to put aside Adam's blanket until I can get to Hobby Lobby next week. (BTW sissy I am getting our t's there too, lots of color choices)
So today I did the first two of 24 blocks for Annabelle's blanket.
Here they are:

the colors are a bit washed out in these photos. They are turquoise, peach, ivory and dusky purple. one more color combo of purple flower, turquoise middle square and peach accent round.

for your amusement

2012-01-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

two pictures and a cartoon I think you might enjoy

first coco deciding that if momma is on the computer she will cuddle!

Mallory's blanket

My sister.

2012-01-09T21:40:00.000-06:00

I talk to my sister at leat 3 times a week and I always come away from the call feeling better. We laugh so hard at ourselves and we solve all the world's problems and we make silly/fun plans.

In the middle of February I will head up toKC and pick her up for a trip to St. Louis and the Missouri Wine Fest.

We will have new shirts that say Grandma's sippy cup, we are staying just 1/2 a mile away from the convention site and each of us already has goodies that we saw and just knew we had to buy for the other one!

Life is good!

oops

2012-01-01T04:36:00.000-06:00

I made the mistake of teaching this song to the grandchildren, now the grandson sings it to his sister every chance he gets

changes, yet some how the same.

2011-12-28T19:04:00.000-06:00

As much as you would like them to stay little for a bit longer children have the tendency to grow up. The Grand-daughter is 12 as tall as her mother and exploring what it is to be her own self.
Lately she has been quiet when she would have normally been chattering away, now don't get me wrong there are still times when my mind wants to explode from the information overload but more and more she is in her bed or curled up on the love seat downstairs, deep into her own self.

She is very good at talking to us about what she is feeling, her mom and dad never ever stop either of their kids from expressing their feelings and both of them come to each of us when they need to talk, but lately it;s been a bit harder to get the gd started.

Today in the car, (Karma, the place I would spring things on my mom and sister, also where her momma spring them on me),she told me that she feels so tired, not physically, but emotionally. I did my best to explain that at this age it is normal, the ways she is growing is taxing both her body and mind.

There are still the pre-teen girl thoughts going on, things we all look back on and wonder why we ever thought they were so important but this carbon copy of her mom is already trying to figure out when she can begin working, how much she needs to save to have a car at 16, the maintenance and gas costs and the insurance.

I hope what I had to say helped. I did hedge my bet and told her daddy too. I know he will let momma know and those two really fantastic parents will find a way to help.

cheap date

2011-12-26T03:39:00.000-06:00

I'm afraid I owe apologies to my sister and mother-in-law. We did not get calls made to them today as I fell victim to the double whammy of turkey and wine. The sil made a complete turkey extravaganza of a dinner and we had the wine sissy bought for the dd. I only had one serving of turkey, one of stuffing and two glasses of wine, but the combo put me out for 6 hours after! LOL

Love soup

2011-12-23T18:42:00.000-06:00

Mom’s potato soup was born of necessity and loved by our family for decades. It was the early 1940’s; mom, dad and her sister all lived in a small apartment in Kansas City. Daddy worked for his uncle a crony of the local boss Tom Pendergrass, he dug graves at the cemetery and did mechanic and body work on the side.

They had very little but could afford potatoes, onions and whole milk. Mom would cube the potatoes, leaving the skin on, dice the onion and put it all on to simmer all day in a pot of whole milk. It fed them through the hard times then and when WWII broke out it fed their growing family through the rationing.

Many years later Mike and I had our hard times, living with our daughter in a one bedroom walk up, the building, in downtown Eldon Missouri, held two other families as well. Myself and two the two newlyweds all worked and we had one single mom who watched Brennan for when Mike was out every day, hustling for work, anything that would bring in more money that cold winter and stormy spring.

He would follow the commodities truck down to the local office and help unload it every two weeks and receive canned beef, powdered milk, beans and rice as payment.

We gave our sitter a small amount of money and she got enough child support to pay for their rent and utilities, but not much else. The three apartments had a shared closet in the hall that those of us with money filled with things such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, shampoo etc. It was for everyone in the building.

Almost every night we cooked dinner together, by pooling our resources we felt we were eating like royalty. Mike heard of a local farmer that needed help unloading a semi full of 100 hundred pound bags of potatoes at the local fairground for that work he brought home one of the bags, we made room in the hall closet and those spuds fed us for almost 6 months.

Mom’s soup was a hit then too.

Today I made a crockpot full for the holiday weekend. Tonight the grandchildren are at Grandpa Pauley’s helping to get ready for our party tomorrow evening, the parental units are out finishing Christmas shopping and getting the wood chips to smoke the turkey Christmas day so it is myself, Coco and the two grand-doggies in a house that smells like love and memories of times that were sometimes tough but always fun.

Lots of food, family gifts and fun

2011-12-19T01:16:00.000-06:00

Two of my favorite guys in interesting Christmas themed head wear.

Rolling through the wine trail in Herman Missouri

2011-12-12T13:51:00.000-06:00

This past weekend my sister and I followed one of the many wine trails in Missouri, this one in and around the picteristic town of Herman.

Herman was established in 1837, as such quite a bit of the small unique shops and wineries in historic locations are not accessible for anyone in a chair. But it is still worth the trip. Here are some of my thoughts and observations on accessibility for the wineries.

Adam Puchta is a newer, more modern setting, their tasting and special events area is completely accessible, but the only part of their gift shop accessible is the wine room. You could get to one of the rooms if you can “pop a wheelie” up over the step in to the building, but the center room would require the ability to master a standard height step. Their picnic area is inaccessible, being raised off the ground.

This is a friendly winery, very welcoming to my service dog. I have the ability to walk short distances so I was able to enjoy their wine-centric gift store.

It is set in a lovely tree shaded area outside of town, the owner greeted our arrival and watching the winery cats while I sat outside in the crisp, sunny air was part of the fun.

Bias, while in a newer building has some accessibility issues, mainly a higher step to enter the building; if you get in the building it is totally accessible. But the reception my service dog got was far less than pleasant. The entire time we were there at least one, but mostly two of the staff stared, boldly at us. I am not certain what they expected Coco to do; she ignored them, as she is trained. The only warm person in this “chilly” winery was the very nice young man at the tasting bar.

It is out of town in a very beautiful setting and has an outdoor area set on a hill that boasts music when the weather is warmer. That area is accessible. Restrooms would be a problem there though, so you would have to limit your consumption of wine.

Dierberg Star Lane and, Hermannhof, These two are sister wineries, Dierberg Star Lane, shows off California wines and Hermannhof is one of the longer running wineries in Herman. The tasting room for Dierberg is up many uneven stone steps, not at all possible in a chair. Which is too bad, the staff here is warm, welcoming and knowledgeable. Their special events area in the winter is down more steps and very beautifully set in an old cellar.

Hermannhof is next door and the top floor is accessible through a well designated door. The staff here is warm and inviting also. In warmer weather there is an outside terrace that overlooks a creek and the rail line. A good lunch can be had here of local meats and cheeses, with juice and soda for the non-wine drinkers.

Unfortunately their events area in the winter is located in another beautiful cellar; no way is a chair going there.

OakGlenn, Some of this winery is accessible, and the staff is warm and inviting. I feel this would be a better bet in the warmer months when almost everything is held outdoors on their patio with a knock your socks off view.

Their winter time special events area is up a huge flight of stairs and half of their store is inaccessible due to the landing for those stairs, which is too bad because that half held items we did not see at the other wineries.

Röbller, Hands down the winner here. Everywhere I wanted to go was accessible and my service dog was greeted warmly and welcomed. Their small, but well stocked store has wide aisles and leads to their tasting/events room that has killer views.

It was the only winery that I heard “would you like some help with that?” when people were trying to balance a glass of wine and a bowl of very tasty soup.

Every staff member here was personable and knowledgeable. Also an added treat, their tasting is free, somehow the German in me finds it a bit steep to be paying $5 for little communion cups of wine. As a consequence of the free tasting, this is the only winery we bought wine from, in fact we went back the second day for my sister to buy another two bottles as gifts.

Stone Hill. The most well-known of the Herman wineries is very accessible, other than you do have to get a run at the thresholds inside. Their huge gift store has everything you didn’t know you wanted relating to wine. Their staff was warm but a bit mechanical; it was, after all, Sunday of a busy weekend.

It is less of an authentic experience and more streamlined and a bit “plastic”. Still I would recommend you go. The summer months are a bit more fun. With this being the winery that has more events.

Please note: I did not take any of the tours, nor did I visit Stone Hill's restaurant.

By and large I would encourage you to visit Herman, especially the weekends in December. There is a large Krist Kindle market held in three accessible buildings with lots of handmade gifts. I recommend the goulash at the market for a hearty, warming lunch.

We will be revisiting Herman this July and I can better report what the accessibility is like when most of the events are held outdoors.

some pictures

2011-12-11T21:09:00.000-06:00

Robbler

Want to find this in a sweatshirt for Sissy

Adam Putka

Hermanhoff

Stone Hill

Wine and Cheese trail

2011-12-11T21:00:00.000-06:00

Had a wonderful weekend with my sister on the Herman Missouri Wine and Cheese trail. General recommendations, Robbler Winery is the friendliest and I enjoyed their wine the best. Bias Winery's staff except their person at the tasting bar, had something up their buts. Cold to the point of rude, will not be buying their wines, even though I liked their apple and raspberry.
Adam Putka was the next best for friendly and relaxed. Hermanhoff, which for a long time has been my favorite was disappointing, their staff was friendly but their selection of meats and cheeses at their deli is way down from in the past.
Stone Hill was as usual, way too commercial, reminds me of the beer tasting at Grant's farm. Beautiful setting but their wine is too blended for my taste and too geared toward the tourist. IMO
I found the smaller, out of Herman wineries more appreciative of our time and money. The charging for tasting in town was ridiculous!
Dierberg, next to Hermanhoff is California wines and I enjoyed the one wine of theirs I had, very friendly too.
Every weekend in December is Kris Kindle mart and the crafts for sale were fantastic, could have spent a LOT more than I did.
Herman Motel was very clean, quiet and a good price, just wish their hot water heater had not gone out this morning, had a refreshing SHORT shower'
Stopped by the town of Swiss on my way home and the Swiss meat company, I will definitely be returning there.
All in all it was a great weekend and one we will repeat. It and the Berries and BBQ in July are going to be my annual birthday gift to sissy.

On to the scarfs!

2011-12-08T09:10:00.000-06:00

Soo the boy blanket is on the next to the last color. I will put it to one side as I have 5 scarfs to get done this week.

The year o blankets

2011-12-01T17:22:00.000-06:00

So looking at the yarn stash that was 13 Rubbermaid tubs 5 years ago and had gotten down to two small duffel's I realized I had enough "girly colors" to make one blanket and a good start on a boyish blanket, so I started just after the first of November. The girly one is done and marked with a certain little preschool Miss's name that adores pink and princesses. The second one has almost all the squares ready for the boarder color, joining then washing and blocking and it is destined for her kindergarten boy cousin.
They, along with all the other under 18 set, except my great niece and great nephew in Germany, will get them next Christmas.
My two special ones that far away will get theirs for their birthdays, as I have decided that my new tradition for their family is dirty old money at Christmas...lol.
So my young German miss is next up as her birthday comes first. I will actually have to buy yarn from now on and I saw the most beautiful woven blanket the other day that was chocolate brown and Tiffany blue. I am hoping to get close to that combo for her.
That will only leave me with Her Brother, the two siblings of my little princess and my two grandchildren.
If my wrist does not fall off after that I may do a year of blankets for certain over 18 year olds.

We are celebrating Sissy's Birthday late

2011-11-18T06:45:00.000-06:00

With a trip down the Missouri wine trail on Dec 10th and 11th

Here is what we get to nosh on:

Say Cheese Wine Trail • December 10-11, 2011

Saturday, 10:00 to 5:00
Sunday, 11:00 to 5:00
Sip and sample classic pairings of wine and cheese at seven stops on the Hermann Wine Trail.

Adam Puchta Winery Four Cheese Smoke Macaroni and Cheese, paired with Hunter’s Red
Bias Winery Cheesy Potato Soup, paired with Sunset Red
Dierberg Star Lane Fromage Bisque with Gruyere Crouton, paired with Sauvignon Blanc
Hermannhof Winery Stilton Cheesecake, paired with Vignoles
OakGlenn Winery Parmesan Cheese Puffs, paired with Chambourcin
Röbller Winery White Cheddar Chowder, paired with Vidal Blanc
Stone Hill Winery Juusto Baked Cheese Tarts, paired with Vidal Blanc

I get a horible headache from wine, insert sad face, so will just sip at my glass then hand it over to sissy who should be well lubracated by the time we check in to the hotel saturday night, lol!

It's party time!

2011-11-11T16:19:00.000-06:00

The parental units have left for a night in Branson! The granddaughter goes to her great-aunts's to help display the Santa collection in the am. We have pizza and ice cream....Party!
Also today the granddaughter recived 4 awards, perfect attendence, social studies, awesome artist and academic achivement award for 3.75 gpa or higher.

Thank You!

2011-11-10T23:54:00.000-06:00

To all the Veterans it has been my pleasure to know - Thank you!

Happy birthday sissy

2011-11-07T21:30:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was the birthday of this remarkable woman, my sister Margie (Mar as in bar, gee, as in the clothing item worn by samari warriors).

I was born when she was 13 and I am told that from the begining we had a more than sisters relationship. I know that for all of my memorie she has been my rock, my constant, my biggest supporter and my place of peace when times are tough.

Life has not always been kind to her, but watching her handle the unfairness of life taught me how to live as an honorable woman.

Never will words be enough to describe how much I love her and how comfortable it is to know how much she loves me.

All I can say is Happy birthday Sissy, and thank you God, you did good.

yum!

2011-11-03T13:10:00.000-05:00

I just popped macadamia nut/white chocolate chunck cookies in the oven for the sil's birthday dinner tonight in lieu of a birthday cake. With the frozen cookie dough I made just two each, that keeps all 5 of us from falling off the eating right wagon! LOL Although we will be stuffed! Daniel taught the granddaughter the secrets to his marinades for smokeing meats yesterday and pork steak, chicken and hambergers have been happily soaking up the joy since yesterday in the fridge.
Unfortunatly he will have a cold, wet, blustery day to man the smoker this afternoon! : (

I understand that he is making lemon pepper potatoes too...YUM! I think I'll heat up some peas, (for Daniel and I) and corn to round it off.

We all should waddle to bed tonight! LOL

Happy Birthday Daniel!

2011-11-03T12:30:00.000-05:00

Today is the birthday of the best son-in-law in the whole world! (OK so my sister would argue that point as her's is fantastic too!)

The perks of Grandmotherhood

2011-10-20T04:43:00.000-05:00

Had a blast yesterday as it was grandparents and special friends day at the granddaughter's middle school. Treated to a nummy breakfast that included our public schools famous cinnamon rolls........NUM! Then a concert by the orchestra, band and choir. Then I got to go to two classes with the granddaughter and see her locker, trust me for a 6th grander that is a big deal.

Algebra left me clueless but social studies was cool. They are studying the difference between the paleolithic and neolithic periods and we got to see a short film on the iceman mummy. Was too cool! (OOO Bad unintentional pun!)

Two funny dog stories

2011-10-16T08:44:00.000-05:00

Just over a week ago I was in the backyard with the doggies. Buddy and I were playing catch and nature called his name. He put the ball down and began to seek relief, unfortunately our backyard is a steep slope. The ball began rolling down the hill and he ran after it, peeing all the way. After he had caught the ball he looked so comically at his now wet rear legs, like: "How did that happen?"

Friday Coco was sniffing away under the bush in the front yard, nose to the ground and intent on following the scent. I noticed a squirrel making it's way down the bush, intent on the red berries in front of it, about a foot from the bottom the squirrel and Coco noticed each other, both jumped about 6 inches. The squirrel ran up the bush, across the porch and up the tree, off on to the tree highway, chattering the whole way. Coco ran to the edge of the yard, as far away from the squirrel as she could get and barked for a good minute.

I laughed so hard nature called my name and we had to go inside.

I have become the color of my salad

2011-10-11T04:29:00.000-05:00

Apparently a lovely salad I had this weekend had a hidden extra. I am, hopefully, at the end of a bout of ick. Still have a low grade fever and my sugar is having trouble stabilizing. Not how I wanted to spend these glorious fall days!

Bring on the dancing boys!

2011-10-08T10:18:00.000-05:00

I have the house to myself for most of the day! OK so it's not as glamorous as it may sound, goin' to do laundry and try to coax the muse out. I have a fan fic stuck. The plot bunny has hopped away. Oh and for my baseball loving readers:

Happy birthday sissy!

2011-10-08T00:58:00.002-05:00

December 10-11, 2011
Saturday 10:00 to 5:00 • Sunday 11:00 to 5:00

some more pictures

2011-10-08T00:33:00.000-05:00

Sissy outside the libary in Springfield. They had a couple of pretty great exhibits that were free.

Lincoln's home

Sissy really liked the loose meat sandwiches here.

The cozy dog has the lightest corn dog coating and all beef franks, it was super good!

Our hotel in Springfield Il.

Shay gas station, well worth the stop! I could have just stayed in the station and breathed in the memories. It smelled like every garage space our daddy ever had and the Sinclair stuff reminded me of Uncle Vernon and his gas station in Dixon.

Alaska baby!

2011-10-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

OK so Alaska is on my sister and I's bucket lists. I just talked to the nicest young man, Edward, at Alaska cruise experts, Seems that in April or May of next year we can book for September of 2013. We will get a w/c room, which is bigger on all the ships and all have balconies! They can also get us deals on flights and motel rooms, transportation at the ports and all of the cruise lines now have land tours I can do! WOOT!

The best news is we only need 20% to book and can make payments!

12 hours of daylight, 50 to 60 deg during the day and fall foliage!

Sissy we be doin this!

Whole foods and Ikea

2011-10-05T21:02:00.000-05:00

So in Schaumberg Il., right by the hotel we stayed at was a Whole foods and an Ikea. I got to show my sister Whole foods and she got to show me Ikea, which I have admired from the Internet.

Whole foods had on their hot bar a tasty Italian number made with tofu instead of meat and I wish I had gotten more, but the salad I got from the bar was enough for two dinners. My big regret was I did not get the portabello mushroom Philly sandwich. It just sounded so good, I mean how smart to replace the meat with portabellos! Right?!

At Ikea I got to see and operate the electrified adjustable slats I want for my bed and lay on the mattress that is recommended with them.

It will cost an additional $400 to have them shipped to me when it is time to buy. I got to thinking that Ikea is just 8 hours away from my front door, The gas, motel room and food would be just a tiny bit over that....if only I can figure out how to get the slats and mattress in to the minivan with the chair and my sister I might just see a road trip in our future! LOL

breast cancer awareness month

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000-05:00

It's October! My hands down favorite month of the year. My ideal weather, the colorful trees and that warm nesting feeling I get this time of the year. There is also another, more recent reason, breast cancer awareness.

People I love have died of various cancers and one of the first patients I ever watched go gently in to that goodnight was a lady in her mid fifties who died of metastatic breast cancer.

Women if you love yourself and your family, get that mammogram and do the monthly checks. Don't be embarrassed to talk to your daughters, granddaughters and girlfriends about this.

Men tell the women you love you want them around for a long time and encourage them to get their mammograms and do their monthly checks.

I'm baaack!

2011-10-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

almost a year ago my lap top blew it's last microchip. I'll be posting regularly again. to whet your appitite here is me at the cozydog on vacation

please approach with caution

2010-12-09T07:42:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite cheeky knitting sayings is 'I knit so I do not kill people' What does that mean to me? I means that I have never been one to do just one thing when two or even three are possible. Idleness brings boredom and ,as my freinds can tell you, a bored Beth is a dangerous Beth.

Tonight we women of the clan Gladden have a surprise for the granddaughter, her Aunt Janice, the woman who is my son-in-law's mom in every way but birth, and consequentially thought of by A. as her grandmother more than her aunt, discovered that a local theater company was putting on 'A little house Christmas.'

We are meeting the female members of the clan Gladden for dinner and letting Aunt Janice spring part of her Christmas on A. with her very own ticket.

Now this will be enjoyable! But fraught with danger, alas I can not knit. Last night I decided it was my grandmotherly duty to tickle the granddaughter in to submission. While doing so I managed to get my right wrist under her at an odd angle, just as she fell back on to the bed.

Audible pop, instant pain under the thumb and loss of feeling in the fingers and palm. Yup from the swelling it looks as if I have possibly popped a blood vessel or a ligament.

Luckily my arthritis gloves that i use when knitting were at bedside and I slipped one on immediately and it has most definitely helped to contain the swelling, but not so good at immobilizing it.

My doctor is on a well deserved vacation, his partner, a dear friend, has a tendency to over-react, over x-ray and over prescribe, so I will be taking myself to the local Walgreens to get either a wrist brace or ace wrap.

Just have a kind thought for those who will have to put up with me as I can not knit after I have ate the wee bit that is my usual and would normally pull out a sock in progress as they finish.

Also for the inevitable wait for the play to begin, not to mention if the production turns out to be a bore.

I do not wish to find coal in my stocking this Christmas so I will attempt to control the urge to make mischief and will not maim boring people I might be seated next to......I promise. I might heckle if the play is ill done.............

Until the wrist feels better, (or until I can immobilize it enough to stick a knitting needle between my fingers) I will gaze sadly and longingly at the sock halfway done on my needles.............

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...........

2010-12-02T22:36:00.000-06:00

The grandson was so cute as a mouse soldier tonight! The quality of this 4th grade version of the nutcracker was outstanding. We took up a whole row! Tomorrow morning one of the adopted granddaughters gets her first academic award, tomorrow night the granddaughter is ringing bells and collecting food during downtown's living windows. Saturday is the christmas parade and sunday Cheryl has her santa open house. At some point this weekend we need to make candy............

woo hoo

2010-12-02T06:36:00.000-06:00

Sissy's christmas present is to be delivered today!

Counting my blessings one by one........

2010-11-25T07:17:00.000-06:00

1. That there once was a man named Ernest Otto Brandt who married a woman named Mary and raised 4 children.
2. James Leroy Brandt, my oldest brother and first crush, James taught me to never give up.
3. Ernest EuGene Brandt, second in line, EuGene and his first wife gave me a refuge when I needed one.
4. Mary Margeret Roberds, (Margie or Sissy) my best friend, mom and role model. how blessed am I to have a sister like her.
5. There once was a man named Donald Lee Griffith who was the best father-in law a woman could have.
6. Rowena Conklin, the best mother-in-law in the world! Who also gave me two more wonderful father-in-laws.
7. Their son, Michael Lee Griffith Trevor, I was blessed to have him for over 30 years, he knew how to be a husband and taught me how to love with all your heart.
8. Our daughter, Brennan Michelle Pauley, best friend, loving daughter, the biggest blessing I have ever received.
9. Daniel Joe Pauley, the son God promised me. Poster person for son=in=laws, wonderful husband to my daughter and Daddy to my grandchildren.
10. Ariana Elizabeth Pauley, the connection I have had with this remarkable young lady has been there since her birth. How lucky am I to share this earth with her and her brother:
11. Trevor Griffith Pauley, the answer to a prayer when his mom was 4. God's voice clearly told me: "I will send you a little boy to love." He is funny, warm, loving and incredibly likes spending time with his ol grandma.
12. Rose, my bestest friend who stood by me through it all. I love you my friend!
13. The Gladden clan, Daniel's family whom I am proud to call my own.
I love you all!

Sister Sister's socks

2010-11-22T05:11:00.000-06:00

WOOT! I am on the toe of the first sock! Will put the chicken in to the crock pot this morning, start the oven to self clean and work finidsh up the first sock and start the second in between sinks full of dishes. (Kids were gone overnight to grandpa's and the adults had a lazy bone! LOL

Mister Mister's socks

2010-11-15T19:05:00.000-06:00

You can't tell from the picture but the blue runs through the body of the sock too.

I cast on for Sister Sister's sock this afternoon.

elf time

2010-11-15T01:12:00.002-06:00

I made my first Knitted Pattern for socks! Woot!

2010-11-04T17:30:00.008-05:00

Beth’s knitted tube sock

Size 2 24” circular needles, for magic loop plus 2 Size 2 dpns or 4 Size 2 dpns

50 (50, 100, 100, 100) gm of MC (main color) fingering weight yarn

50 gm of CC (contrast color) fingering weight yarn)

Sizes toddler, (child’s large, adult small, adult medium, adult large)

Cuff – with CC cast on 36 st (42, 54, 60, 66, 72)

Rnd 1 – P 1 K 4 P1, repeat around - 36sts (42, 54, 60, 66, 72)

Rnd 2 - P1 K1 P2 K1 P1, repeat around – 36sts (42, 54, 60, 66, 72)

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until cuff is 1 1/2” (1 ½”, 1 ½”, 2”, 2”, 2 ½”) long

Leg and foot – join MC

Rnd 1 – K around – 36sts (42, 54, 60, 66, 72)

Repeat until sock is 10” (12”, 14”, 16”, 18”, 20”) long, not including the cuff)

Toe – join CC – divide evenly on to two dpns -18sts each (21, 27, 30, 33, 36)

Rnd 1 – Needle 1 - K 1, K2 tog, K to last 3 sts, SSK, K 1. Needle 2 – K 1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2 tog, K 1.

Rnd 2 – K

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 until 16sts (18,26,28,34,36) remain.

Repeat only Rnd 1 until 8sts (10, 10, 12, 10, 12) remain.

Finishing

Cut yarn leave a 18” tail. Use Kitchener stitch to close, weave in ends.

Where did my motivation go?

2010-11-04T13:05:00.000-05:00

For the past week my motivation has taken a vacation! Hope it went somewhere nice........ I have been a sloth. Need to get the daughter's socks done, fix
Stephan's stocking, make Annabelle and Noah's socks and have everything ready to whip out Carrie's as soon as Sissy tells me what needs to be changed for her.
Somebody startle my energizer bunny for me OK?

BOO!

2010-10-31T22:43:00.001-05:00

What fun we had! Sent pics to sissy and carrie of our two. Too tired to write more now......night!

Sometimes it sucks to be number two

2010-10-26T11:37:00.000-05:00

Parent teacher conferences yesterday. Arianan straight A's, darling of the teaching staff. Trevor, not failing anything , in fact darn smart, just not the superstar his sister is, a bit prone to lose focus and take offense easy. Poor kid welcome to the rest of his K through 12.

Mom and Dad trying real hard to make the educators see he is his own person and trying to get him to see that concentration is a good thing, sometimes people are sucky and most times sucky people should just be ignored, cause it drives them crazy and keeps you out of trouble.

I havent spoken of the grandchildren lately

2010-10-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

This school year is a bit different. Trevor and Arianan both gave up scouts, to a wee bit of sadness on their folks part I belive.
Both are in drama club this year. Arianan is a member of safety patrol and Trevor is in this years christmas play.
It is the Nutcracker and he is a mouse, ("we lose").
The tween angst is easeing a bit with Ariana, (in my opinion, but not her folks), last night momma. pappa and Ariana had a LONG discussion and it seems she understands where they are coming from a bit better. Poor kid she is a person of stong convictions, who speaks her mind, no matter who it is and needs to learn when to think those things and keep her mouth shut. We all had to learn. It is the price you pay for raising your child to think for themselves, resist the easy way and survive in this crazy world, but this is a much cheeper payment than the heartbreak of watching your child become addicted to drugs or aimlessly wander through life.
Daniel and Brennan are outstanding parents who admit to their children that they don't always get this parenting thing right. Just yesterday Brennan spent 4 hours shopping with and helping Arianan and her friends prepare for a party next weekend at a friends house. This is what stays with a person. Long after she is grown Ariana will remember and reflect how much her momma loved her.
Trevor is, unfortunatly, entering his tween angst. The eyes are rolling and the sighs are prevelent, but, unlike his sister who is blazeing the way, he can observe how his parents react to those things. He checks himself, I wish I could hear his thoughts though! LOL!
Yesterday as momma, pappa and Ariana talked, we cleaned the table together and he did dishes. At one point I said to him; "Bet your glad it's not you out there!" (they had moved to the porch to talk), he shook his head emphaticly. Just a bit later daddy asked him to join them, as he walked past me he gave me this funny look that said, 'holy cow!'.
That's my latest observations on the people growing up in our house.

tick toc

2010-10-25T00:22:00.000-05:00

Need to put aside the daughter's socks tomorrow and crochet Joesph's lion hat for halloween. Hopefully Aunt Cheryl has some used pantyhose that Arianan and I can pick up tomorrow night after we drop Joesph's hat off to his grandma;

Then I belive I will finish Stephan's christmas stocking. Then back to the socks. Looks like my candy corn socks will be for thanksgiving, not haloween...LOL.

I need to order new fixed knit-pics circular needles anyway, theese double pointed needles are sooooooo slow! switching every 17 or so stitches. Want ot just mindlessly knit!

A black and gold tornado ran over OU

2010-10-23T22:53:00.002-05:00

Missouri Tigers

Author: Fight Song Lyrics

Author's Website: http://www.fightsonglyrics.com

Added: July 8, 2006

"Every True Son"

Every true son, so happy hearted,

Skies above us are blue,

There's a spirit so deep within us,

Old Missouri here's to you (rah rah!);

When the band plays the Tiger war song,

And when the fray is through,

We will tramp, tramp, tramp, around the columns,

With a cheer, for Old Mizzou!

Hit it, Hooray, Hurrah,

Mizzou, Mizzou,

Hooray, Hurrah,

Mizzou, Mizzou,

Hooray, Hurrah,

And a "Bully" for Ol' Mizzou,

Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah,

Mizzou-rah, Mizzou-rah, Mizzou-rah,

Tigers!

"Fight Tigers"

Fight, Tigers, fight for Old Mizzou,

Right behind you, everyone is with you,

Break the line and follow down the field,

And you'll be, on the top, upon the top;

Fight, Tigers, you will always win,

Proudly keep the colors flying skyward,

In the end we'll win the victory,

So Tigers, fight for Old Mizzou!

Call Care Bear!

2010-10-21T20:40:00.000-05:00

Darling I need you to pick one of these color combinations for your socks. Your Mom is going to let you try on her socks so I know how to adjust the pattern for you. The Multi colored yarn is the majority of the socks, the solid is the cuff, heel and toe.
The yarn was taken with the plastic on so it changes the color slightly, the plum is a duskier color than it reads on the computer.

1st choice

2nd choice

Picture

2010-10-21T17:32:00.000-05:00

The colors are a bit off

answers

2010-10-21T12:07:00.002-05:00

My new fantasy t-shirt

Answers:

1. Knitting
2. Socks
3. Sometimes
4. $50
5. That's why I don't knit for Wal-Mart.

Questions:
1. What are you doing?
2. What are you makeing?
3. Ever think about selling them?
4. How much would it cost to make me a pair?
5. Good Lord! You do know they sell socks at Wal-Mart for $1.99?

Explains why I only knit for those I know will appreciate the love and work put in to it.
LOL

BTW Sissy your second sock should be done today!

Sound the trumpets!

2010-10-17T13:45:00.002-05:00

It is a sock! I cast on for the second one. Happy dance!

Passing it on

2010-10-16T05:07:00.000-05:00

So both of the grandchildren are learning how to cook from Daddy and me. Daddy foir the 'this is how we do it and why we do it', me for if we have this and this and this we can put it together and feed everyone.
Daniel is the solid font of culinary knowledge, like the drums, laying the base and keeping all on track and I'm like the trilling woodwinds that add the spice.

Tonight we had pork steaks and chicken with potato salad. Margie had sent Daniel a bottle of Gates rub. Well let me tell you those steaks were a little bit of heaven! He taught the children how to massage the rub into the meat and it tasted just like Gates resturants smell!

Sissy, Daniel wants me to thank you again!

pageing didi's momma

2010-10-14T00:26:00.000-05:00

Hey sis, look at the witch in this one:
Do you think Didi would like it? The hat furls out like her rabbit.
I have searched for a witchy poo like coco's and they do not make them anymore.....sad face.
I have a lead on a soft witch for her but want to see it first to make sure she can grab it by the brim.
BTW coco and rosie LOVE the chicken bisquits!
I'm bringing didi some of the ginger bears she likes, will you please see the princess gets them? wink lol

LOL

2010-10-13T04:19:00.001-05:00

Coco was so proud that she went pee pee outside at 4 am that she presented me with a selection of toys to play with. She played hard for about 10 min and is now sleeping!

Bless me I'm a schoolgirl again!

2010-10-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

I opened my e-mail tonight to recive this:

Thank you for watching the Emmy Award winning A Taste of History. Chef Staib would like to send his personal thanks for your kind comment. If you would reply back with your mailing address Chef Staib would be happy to send you an autographed picture. You may also be interested to know our gift shop at www.citytavern.com, we have DVD's of both the Monticello episodes & the complete first season. (The second season will be available within the next two to three weeks, so that's 13 hours of Chef Staib!) All of the recipes are also available in the City Tavern Cookbook.

Thank you again for watching & we hope you can join us at the restaurant if you make a trip to Philadelphia.

Don't miss Chef Walter Staib on A Taste of History winner of Two Emmy Awards airing every Saturday on PBS NJN at 5:30 pm & WHYY at 4:00 pm (Check your local PBS channel for times in your area. )

If you missed them, we are now offering the entire first season on DVD, see our gift shop at www.citytavern.com

Sincerely,

Tom Lamb

Director of Operations

City Tavern

A Triumph of Tradition

138 South 2nd Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: 215-413-1443

Fax: 215-413-3043

Email: tlamb@citytavern.com

www.citytavern.com

www.staib.com

www.atasteofhistory.org

http://www.blackforestcuisine.com/

I had been so enjoying 'A taste of History' on PBS, and it's enthusiastic host Chef Staib, that I had sent off an e-mail confessing my giggley schoolgril crush on the chef and my thourough adult enjoyment of the history and recipies in the show.

Now I get an autographed picture! Shades of Bobby Sherman! (pop star circa 1968, a serious crush of mine)

I had already added Philly, and the whole historical east coast to my birthday bucket list. I'd like to tour the area with sissy, who never would take a wide camper down historical streets! LOL

Road Trip!

2010-10-11T00:13:00.000-05:00

Sissy! want to go with me and the kiddos to Lawerence KS over the christmas break? Yarn barn has cascade fixation yarn, you know what I am knitting your socks out of> And they have this new colorway Tequelia sunrise that I am in LOVE with.

It even looks like a sock!

2010-10-10T17:56:00.000-05:00

I am around the heel and heading toward the toes! Yeah Sissy's first sock is almost done!

duh

2010-10-07T11:21:00.000-05:00

Coco can tell you when it comes to my body i am slow on the uptake. LOL Tuesday night around 11, about an hour after my 10 pm meal, I began, what has now been a two day saga of general gi ickieness. Kept thinking this feels just like an allergic reaction, but I've not ate anything new.
It took my head filling and a heck of an allergy headache early this morning before I figured out I had opened the second bag of egg rolls from the kids fundraiser tuesday night. I now think they, somehow got cross contaminated.
I sent Coca-cola with lime juice through the system and then took 2 Benadryl. Going to call the daughter so Daniel knows why I do not respond when he gets home, then go in to the prescribed allergic reaction mode. (Because yours truly kept eating the egg rolls "to keep my sugar stabil" during the system purge) Doc has me take 1 benadryl every 15 min if there are hives and every 30 min if there are no hives until I fall asleep.
Aparently the loud complaints my gut is making bothers the wee one, she keeps popping her head out of the covers and stareing at my tummy! LOL

Where oh where is my money tree, the end of the rainbow or a winning lottery ticket?

2010-10-06T20:29:00.000-05:00

LOL if i just happened to have 10 dollars laying around this would so be coming home with me! My two loves, tea pots and sock knitting! http://www.etsy.com/shop/stuckinillinois?section_id=5528363

Just a normal american family

2010-10-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

well at least I knew it was for charity!

2010-10-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

Paws for the cause raised over 6,000 for SG Koman foundation. My confusion, the person who organized it is our shelter's vet.
I scored a way cool t-shirt, as did Ariana, Trevor a neat bubber bracelet, coco a pink bandana her size, plus mega doggie treats, toys and lots of pets and nose sniffs.
There were so many door prizes donated we all got one. We brought home a new manmade granet cutting board, a water bottle and even more doggie treats, plus a cloth bag big enough for Brennan's scroll emb. hoop.

slip knit slip knit.........

2010-10-02T21:07:00.000-05:00

Almost done with the heel flap on the first of sissy's socks!

ding dong dand it!

2010-10-01T07:42:00.000-05:00

Well grace should be my middle name. I got up to use the facilities last night and triped over the bad foot, messing up my back. No roots and blues and bbq for me. I am in bed with drugs so coco and i can do paws for a cause on sunday.

Roots blues bbq and little doggie feet

2010-09-30T18:54:00.000-05:00

YEE Haw! Tomorrow coco and i head to columbia for an 8:30 am to 11 am vol.shift for the roots and blues and bbq festival. 2 hours of sitting on my duff directing traffic and I get the rest of the day listening to folk, rythum and blues. Saturday our shift is 5pm to 7pm so up there early to pig out on bbq, listen to a few bands and then repeat the same job. Home early that night as sunday coco is walking in paws for the cause to benifit our area animal shelter.

Busy weekend!

Steamboats and tacos and dogs, oh my!

2010-09-28T14:41:00.000-05:00

I'm back! I have been pampered, spoilt and all around shown a good time! I traveled up to Independence Missouri to my sisters on my birthday. She and her hubby have a beautiful house where they have lived since shortly after their marriage, so of course I've been there thousands of times.
Coco and I settled in to their guest room, sissy had tons of new toys waiting for the coco girl. Caddi (pronounced Katie), their Yorkie is a little love sponge! She welcomed both of us with open paws and a quick tongue. The girls got along soooo well, by the end of our stay they were exchanging kisses!
The first night I was taken to 'On the Border' for dinner, I had the best fish tacos I have had since LA, last year. It's now been established as a tradition for sissy and i to have fish tacos on my birthday! LOL
The next day sissy and i headed to US toy so i could stock up on all things Halloween for the grandchildren 'fall' parties. In addition i found the meat cleaver Trevor needs for his costume, plus new devil horns and halo for Brennan to wear to work.
We took home Gates BBQ, (IMHO the BEST KC BBQ ever!), for dinner. I had the burnt ends and they so totally rocked! Sissy ordered onion rings for me instead of fries and we all ate off them and still had a ton left. If you are in KC visit one of their locations you will not be disappointed!
Friday we went to the Arabia steamboat museum, http://www.1856.com/ , if you are in KC go, do not pass go do not collect $200. It is the most fascinating collection of 1800 everyday articles you will ever be privileged to see. Talking to the scientists who are preserving and restoring the collection is worth the admission price, which, by the way, goes to keep restoring more of the articles left, including two complete ready to build houses. The museum is looking for a new home with taller ceilings so they can remove the homes form storage, restore them, and put them on display. Visitors and donations will help with this.
It was all VERY wheelchair friendly, even at my lower level i had excellent views of the displays. Children will find it friendly to them also.
We were lucky enough to have one of the ordinary men who dug this treasure up there. He answered questions for a good 15 min. I am taking the grandchildren there the next time we are in KC.
We also shopped in a couple of the city market shops, they, unfortunately are not as wheelchair friendly. But my thought is if I can't get to their merchandise, they do not need my money!
We then went down to the Plaza for 'Three dog bakery' , 'Better chedar' and 'Topsy's'. Frankly three dog bakery was a disappointment. the store is very narrow and i had to back out of the store after shopping. the displays were difficult for a person in a wheelchair to see, the personnel, on the other hand were fantastic! We got a peanut based treat to take home to Caddi and the sales person carefully packed it separately from coco's so it would not cross contaminate it, and for Rosie's treat, which had to travel all the way to JC, she put it in a cardboard box and in to a very sturdy paper sack with handles.
Better cheddar is a treat! A bit difficult to maneuver in some of the places but I could have gone home with the back of the van packed with goodies!
The mustard's, pickles, relishes, preserves and spices rival there extensive selection of cheeses. A fine, if a bit limited wine selection is available too. I can see getting a bottle of wine, some good cheese and a relish there, picking up crusty breads at one of the area bakeries and heading out to one of KC's magnificent parks for a romantic and relaxing picnic.
If you are going on the picnic hit Topsy's for desert. We were too early for their famous covered apples but the fresh popped popcorn, plain or cover with your choice of cinnamon, (my favorite), caramel or cheese is heaven!
While there nI also hit a couple of their thrift stores. Ariana collects plates from all over the US, but not while she is visiting the area, she won't pay retail, LOL. Sunday Sissy and I found a glass fluted plate, circa 1960, from Disneyland, to add to her collection. We payed a $1, it's worth at least ten times that, score!
A trip to one of the many Halloween themed stores was fruitful and I was introduced to one of my sisters favorite stores, Mardel.
Monday I visited with my mother-in-law before heading home and was blessed to bring home items that her great aunt crocheted and knitted, my hubbie's baby items and her mom's wedding dress.
Ariana is over the moon! I am in the process of carefully cleaning them, and will store theme for her.
It was a wonderful trip and I am contented and tired! Now I must tackle my e-mail and facebook messages....wish me luck!

2010-09-21T13:03:00.000-05:00

common sense has prevailed, I culled the sock yarn by 3/4. half of the dog toys are now out of the bag and have been played with, the side mirror has been epoxied and is re taped to cure, the seat cover for the w/c is in place. The wee doggy's service harness has been repaired.

I have 2 hours of freedom so I belive a nap is in order!

Just so the rest of you will feel as old as I do.....

2010-09-21T07:46:00.000-05:00

Here is Ariana and her Uncle Tony at Tony and Roger's commitment ceremony:

Hello my name is Beth and I am a sock yarn hoarder.......

2010-09-21T05:21:00.000-05:00

So went through my sock yarn stash to pack a selection for sissy to choose from......yup it's all going. LOL
Coco is one bright little k-9, watching me pack up the yarn and putting my duffle on the floor next to the pile of clothes to pack she began dropping her toys in the bag. Guess they are all going too! LOL Think we are obsesive much?

One's life can be measured by those he leaves behind.

2010-09-21T00:39:00.000-05:00

In Memory

© Kimberly N. Chastain

A thousand times we needed you

A thousand times we cried

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died

A heart of gold stopped beating

two twinkling eyes closed to rest

God broke our hearts to prove he only took the best

never a day goes by that you’re not in my heart and my soul.

Source: In Memory, Family Death Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/death/poetry.asp?poem=2055#ixzz108hMRJtx

(I like all of this poem except the bit about God breaking our hearts, don't belive bad comes from God.....BT)

Potato wagons or bowling?

2010-09-19T09:20:00.000-05:00

It's rumbling and pouring rain. When I was little daddy used to tell me it was potato wagond rumbling along in heaven when it thundered. Mike used to tell Brennan that it was God bowling. From the sound of it either the ange,s have a sunday moring league or spuds are on the menu in heaven today! LOL

New cool site

2010-09-15T01:30:00.000-05:00

So it's new to me...LOL http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio It's the BBC's I player. They have the most wonderful shows, radio plays, books by the chapter, history and all sorts of good stuff. Last week it was all about the blitz, as it was the aniversary week. There are good mysteries each week, the first two weeks after i discovered it, the mysteries were brother cadfael, the series that firmly placed me in the time I re-create in the sca. The past week and this it is Hercule Peroit. On the weekends thay have an afternoon play, Saturday and Sunday this weekend were two Miss Marple plays.
I wish I could use the tv part too, but it's only for people in the UK. I could watch my time team just after it was broadcast, but VEOH does have masses of them, back to the first season, it;s sort of fun watching Tony Robinson's hair get greyer, shorter and thiner. http://www.veoh.com/
I find I listen to the BBC and my old time radio more than watch tv, and I watch most of my tv on my computer.
My dream set up would be a big screen hooked to a pc with a wireless keyboard. LOL Dream on! Where is that money tree?
My other favorite player for tv is Hulu, http://www.hulu.com/ which Trevor teased me mercilessly about, (because of thier very funny ads about it being run by aliens wanting to turn our brians in to mush.).
That is until he discovered the ghosty shows he loves happen after his bedtime in the winter, and Hulu has them anytime he wants to watch.
Nice to cuddle and watch them together. Hulu also has shows from DIY network, which our cable company does not carry. I'm hoping they have the O network shows when it goes online as it looks as if we won't get that network either.
I watch a fair bit of Youtube also, maily for breaking news stuff and promos, must admit I do love me some Potter Puppet Pals too.
I've seen some very good BBC documentarys on YOUTUBE when I could not get them anywhere else.
I might would watch more cable if we got decent reception, between us being at the end of the line and all the outlets someone put in the house it sucks.
I wish america had radio channels like BBC 7 & 4. Oh well at least our's are free from the government.
Oh if you get a chance check out Horrible Histories on Youtube, it's brittish and will make you spit tea out your nose! LOL

Hey Sissy!

2010-09-14T20:55:00.000-05:00

How about 3 dog bakery on the plaza? We could window shop and have a topsy treat, get russle stovers for Daniel and get treats for our puppies!

8 days!

2010-09-14T20:12:00.000-05:00

As promised: http://www.visitkc.com/special-offers/33-for-free/index.aspx

Maybe I do need a bigger bed.......

2010-09-10T08:03:00.000-05:00

For some reason we are having a review of the dog toys this morning. Around half of them have been played with and then piled in to her little round bed, which by the way is under the covers on my bed, She now wants on to my lap, I think she has been crowded out of her space! LOL

In case one was not enough

2010-09-09T13:49:00.002-05:00

No no its rape pilliage burn!

2010-09-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

Throw me some beads mister!

2010-09-09T10:01:00.000-05:00

The children and I made our masks for the wedding reception saturday. Ariana's is a very pretty confection of white, pink and black feathers, with a few artfully place sequins. Trevor's is a simple overlay of tiedyed felt. Mine is turquoise and green feathers and silver sequins.
This moringing I put the rest of the vegie soup in to freeze and vacume sealed three of the pea soup. I made me a big ol mug of pea soup and sipped it out of my chihuahua mug for breakfast. YUM!
Brennan fixed the dryer last night so I can finnally get busy with washing and packing. 11 days til I see my sissy! (BTW yes my daughter is da bomb)

Badge ordered!

2010-09-07T17:12:00.000-05:00

I went with the full body shot. Had to run to the post office today and took both dogs for the ride. Then we drove through downtown. The weather was perfect so I had the windows down, Rosie has a blast running from side to side looking at all the people!

Juat 4 days to the wedding! 15 days until I am celebrating the b-day with Sissy and Carl!

Some time this week the puppy and I will go by Mike's tree. You know this year is easier. In fact the bit of the blues I've been having has just mostly made me po'ed at myself.

Met a lovely lady the other day who used to work with mike, msp has started taking dogs from the pound and training them as service dogs. We had a wonderful talk, both agreeing that mike would have transfered to that unit in a heart beat!

Please help me decide

2010-09-06T02:14:00.000-05:00

Coco needs a new id badge and I can't decide on the picture. Please comment about which one you like best. Thanks!

Objects in the mirror may be closer than they look

2010-09-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

You all know that sign on the left hand mirror? Well it's right. I took the mirror off backing out of my side of the garage today....oops. 'sok cause I got the epoxy that I need to glue it back on.

On a brighter note, the pea soup is yum num nummy! I have 6 servings freezing and will vacume seal them this pm, after big brother.

In the crockpot, to cook on low all night, are lentils, onion powder, baby carrots, potatoes and pearl onions. Even had some baby carrots and potatos left over to donate to the family menu!

It's on high right now and after dinner I'll taste the broth and see how much ham concentrate I want to add. Not looking for the ham to stand out, just gonna use it to ballence the flavors.

Taste buds doing the happy dance!

2010-08-31T22:33:00.000-05:00

Woot! Schnuks had a sale on split peas and lentils. Tomorrow I am preparing a lovely batch of split pea soup and on Friday I intend to stew up an equally lovely lentil and potato soup. Yum! I will freeze individual servings and then vacuum bag them and anytime I want nummy goodness I can pop a bag in to boiling water and viola! It's soup!

I make mine with ham base but roasted veggie base is equally good. To keep both smooth I use onion powder instead of chopped onions.

I love good crusty bread with both but a couple of slices of white bread toasted is equally good. The lentil soup was mentioned in the bible and has been nourishing the body and soul for milenia.

So much better than the canned stuff and easier to heat. No pan to wash and quick. Love it!

Caution political rant.....

2010-08-31T19:11:00.000-05:00

Both of my choices to send to washington, or back as the case may be, belive in throwing money, (which the country does not have), at problems. I want the federal government, and us, to suck it up stop spending money we do not have, and get responsible.
Somebody PLEASE get a clue! A set % income tax on everybody, no tax breaks for anyone, and a moritorium on borrowing to ballence the budget and we would be out of this mess and back on our feet.
You know who should run the government? People like Daniel and Brennan. They get it, we have so much money and that's it. No borrowing no bull.
Yup it would suck for a while. But in the end all of us would be in a much better place.
Just my rant, now back to happier things.

from Speilel online

2010-08-30T11:47:00.000-05:00

PrintE-MailFeedback08/27/2010

'Sensational' Discovery

Oh I would LOVE to see this!

Archeologists Find Gateway to the Viking Empire

By Matthias Schulz

Photo Gallery: 8 Photos

Ben Behnke For a century, archeologists have been looking for a gate through a wall built by the Vikings in northern Europe. This summer, it was found. Researchers now believe the extensive barrier was built to protect an important trading route.

Their attacks out of nowhere in rapid longboats have led many to call Vikings the inventors of the Blitzkrieg. "Like wild hornets," reads an ancient description, the Vikings would plunder monasteries and entire cities from Ireland to Spain. The fact that the Vikings, who have since found their place as droll comic book characters, were also avid masons is slightly less well known.

The proof can be seen in northern Germany, not far from the North Sea-Baltic Canal. There, one can marvel at a giant, 30-kilometer (19-mile) wall which runs through the entire state of Schleswig-Holstein. The massive construction, called the Danevirke -- "work of the Danes" -- is considered the largest earthwork in northern Europe.

Archeologists have now taken a closer look at part of the construction -- a three-meter-thick (10 feet) wall from the 8th century near Hedeby (known as Haithabu in German). It is constructed entirely out of stones collected from the surrounding region. Some of them are only as big as a fist, while others weigh as much as 100 kilograms (220 pounds). "The Vikings collected millions of rocks," says archeologist Astrid Tummuscheit, who works for the state archeology office of Schleswig-Holstein.

A Customs Station, an Inn and a Bordello

At a press conference Friday, Tummuscheit's team announced a further find -- one that they are calling a "sensation." The researchers have discovered the only gate leading through the Danevirke, a five-meter (16 feet) wide portal. According to old writings, "horsemen and carts" used to stream through the gate, called "Wiglesdor." Next to it was a customs station and an inn that included a bordello.

For a century, archeologists have been dreaming of finding this gate between Denmark and Charlemagne's empire. Experts knew its approximate location, but archeologists were not allowed to dig: an old roadhouse was in the way. "Café Truberg put the brakes on everything," says Claus von Carnap-Bornheim, head of the Schleswig Holstein archeology office.

Things only began moving forward when the café went broke and could be purchased in 2008 with help from the AP Møller-Fonds, a fund belonging to Arnold Maersk, the 97-year-old Danish owner of the world's biggest container shipping fleet. The energy company E.on Hanse, the E.on subsidiary responsible for northern Germany, paid for the building to be demolished and the archeologists could move in. The new find is certain to attract significant attention above Germany's northern border as well -- the Danevirke is seen as a national treasure in Denmark. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has visited the site, as has Prince Frederik.

New calculations as to the age of the construction indicate, however, that the earliest parts of the wall might have been built by the Frisians and not by the Danes. Archeologists now think the foundation stone might have been laid as early as the 7th century.

Known for their Pillaging Ways

The Frisians, who lived on the west coast of what is now Denmark and on a number of islands in the North Sea, were fighting for supremacy in the region with three other peoples: the Danes, the Slavs and the Saxons (see graphic). "It was the Kosovo of the early middle ages," says Carnap-Bornheim. In the end, however, it was the Danes who emerged victorious. According to contemporary records, King Göttrik of Denmark ordered in 808 that the border of his empire with that of the Saxons be fortified.

But why make such an effort? To what end did the Vikings pile up millions of tons of rocks on their border? Comparative structures like border fortifications built by the Romans or the Great Wall of China were built to protect them from marauding hordes. But in the case of the Danevirke, the builders themselves were the ones known for their pillaging ways. In the 8th century, Denmark had neither cobblestone roads nor houses made of stone. The pagan king was guarded by fanatic warriors wearing animal costumes -- so-called "berserkers."

Only their long boats were state-of-the-art -- fast and light but easily navigable. They allowed the Danes to develop a formidable network of trading routes. They plied Russian rivers all the way to Byzantium and sailed the North Atlantic to far-away Iceland, Greenland and even the northern reaches of North America.

Overland Trade

But there was an Achilles heel in this far-flung trading empire, and that was at Hedeby. In order for goods from the east to be shipped to the west, they had to cross the narrow strip of land at the base of present-day Denmark. Traders would sail inland on the Schlei Inlet, but when they got to Hedeby, their wares were offloaded and carted overland to the Treene River, 18 kilometers away. Only there could the goods be reloaded onto boats and sailed into the North Sea.

For the duration of this short overland trek, the valuable goods -- including gold from Byzantium, bear pelts from Novgorod and even statues of Buddha from India -- were open to attack from the mainland. In order to protect this important trade artery, archeologists now believe, a bulwark of earth, stone and bricks was constructed. The Danevirke, in other words, was little more than a protective shield for commerce.

In the coming weeks, archeologists hope to excavate the newly discovered gate right down to the old street level. They are hoping to find old paving stones, hinges or postholes -- the remains, perhaps, of the erstwhile gate into the land of the Vikings.

Family

2010-08-30T11:39:00.000-05:00

Anybody Who reads this blog will realize that I am very close to my sister and her family. I'd like to comment on how wonderful unselfish love is. Sissy's son and daughter are older than mine. They are and have always been close to Brennan, defining her concept of cousin.
Sissy's grandchildren came later than mine and she has always treated mine as her own. One of Ariana's great joys is to talk to Aunt Margie on the phone and during the summer our monthly meetings include my two and they adore the time she spends with them.
When Annabelle and then Noah came along and made sissy a grandma she willingly and utterly shared them with me, just has she has always shared her children.
Her first, Mary Beth, was named for me and the light of my young life. She left us too soon to become our guardian angel, I'm certain she's responsible for my still being here! Poor girl, I bet she has to soak her wings sometimes from trying to save me from myself! LOL
I loved my other nieces and nephew but Mary Beth had me from the first time I held her and we shared a special bond.
After we lost her Matt came along and I fell HARD! Red hair, chocolate chip eyes and a loving disposition, what's not to love? His hugs can still make this old woman feel wonderful. He loves his 'little' cousin Brennan and shows it to this day when both of them are starting to show a little grey. I know when it's my time to go she will have him to lean on.
Then came Carrie, so different from her sister in looks but with a open, loving soul that melted your heart immediately. She fell hard for Mike when we first started dating. (I find it interesting that both girls married dark haired men with loving giving dispositions so like their dads)
She was my girly girl, the one to play dolls with and dress up. I can remember being late to work because Macy's had a sale and I was determined to buy her a new dress with part of my first nursing paycheck!
We share a love of cooking and royals baseball.
Carrie and Brennan treat each other's children more as niece and nephew than second cousins. Annabelle and Noah feel more like Grandchildren that great niece and nephew.
Unselfishly sharing of people and love multiplies the love in return. Try sharing your joys you will find it well worth it.

All better

2010-08-30T11:04:00.001-05:00

I feel much better today!

I at least want serving boys in short togas!

2010-08-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

Ragweed (Ambrosia)

am•bro•sia ( m-br zh , -zh - )

n.

1. Greek & Roman Mythology The food of the gods, thought to confer immortality.

2. Something with an especially delicious flavor or fragrance.

3. A dessert containing primarily oranges and flaked coconut.

________________________________________

[Latin, from Greek ambrosi , from ambrotos, immortal, immortalizing; see mer- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

When I woke up this morning I definitely did not see a banquet hall full of Greek Gods, nor did I smell oranges and coconut.

Instead I found I have one of my Twice-yearly migraines. As migraines go this one is restively easy, no debilitating pain, just the overwhelming feeling of a bicycle tire being inflated around your head while a balloon is being inflated inside it and the need to close one or the other eye in order to focus.

I was going to clean out my car and work on a couple of w/c accessories, but a foray outside with the doggies convinced me that, for today, the sun is evil!

I did a quick check to see which of the little buggers was tormenting me and found that Ragweed is highest the other name for ragweed just struck me as amusing.

Well off to lala land. Benedryl, tylenol and a muscle relaxant to ease the cramps down my spine and I should wake up sometime tomorrow!

BTW may God bless the person who invented that handy tab on the computer that ups the %, so I could check to see if I really hit the buttons I was aiming at! LOL

Oh goody the neighbors are mowing............somebody just shoot me now!

Audible dot com

2010-08-29T02:45:00.000-05:00

I do so love my little extravagance, audible.com. I have now had it for a year and am on the 11th brother cadfael book.

My wish list alone will see me throughat least another 2 years.

Fish Tacos, Yummy Yummy!

2010-08-28T16:25:00.000-05:00

So for dinner last night I made fish tacos, along with the ground beef tacos. Arianan and Daniel were the only ones to try the fish tacos and were not fond of them so I ended up with a container of leftovers. I had 4 more for lunch and there is enough for 4 more for lunch tomorrow.

The taste is close to what we had at dowtown disney, I used pineapple salsa instead of the mango salsa they used. I did use "fresh cilantro" (My deffination of fresh and fresh at our local grocery is a bit different) but they would have tasted closer to the CA version if 1. I had used the juice of Two limes, instead of just one and 2. if I had taken the time to make fresh salsa. I used the fake crab because it is as close to the white fish availible in L.A. as I could get.

I deffinatly will make this again for myself. Sissy has already promised me "Mom" style tacos while I am visiting, maybe she would like some fish tacos to go with them.......

BTW, Carrie next time you are here I am making the pineapple salsa, bean dip to share with you. Also i am sending you a couple of vegetarian and vegan links I love for recipies. If I am out to eat and they have a vegan menu that's what I order from because I know there is no chance I'll get cross contaminated.

as requested by my sissy....

2010-08-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Since mommy already posted this to facebook, I'll forgo my usual reluctance to post pics of the grandchildren to the net.

Ariana is almost as tall as her daddy, Trevor has the widest shoulders! She is a combination of both sides of the family in looks, most resembling her great aunt Cheryl on her daddy's side. Trevor is a Pauley man through and through when it comes to looks. She is a go-getter and tilter at windmills type A. He's quiet and a bit timid, with a heart the size of Texas. She wants to spread her wings and see the world, live in exotic places and have multiple exciting jobs. If he moves further than 20 miles from family it will be a shock. He wants a nice quiet life, filled with family and children and spending time with mom and dad, and grandma.

She wants to take me to see all the wonders we have read about, he wants me to live with him when he grows up. She'd like to get married 'one day' but it is not he primary goal. He wants children and a settled life. She will most likely be our gypsy, starting with college. She wants to be a marine biologist and live near the sea. He, like me, draws his strength from the Ozark hills. Give him a fishing pole and a day spent in the canoe with his great uncle Tom and he is content. He wants to go to Lincoln, right here in town, but might be persuaded to go to MU, if he can live at home, or I move with him! LOL

I'm enjoying it for the moment, this wanting granny around, I hope it does not change as he ages. His daddy is the same way about family.

Ah chemestry

2010-08-22T16:13:00.000-05:00

As an almost 54 year old I can no longer indulge in a favorite summer snack late at night, green onion sandwich. My tummy is mad at me! LOL

Of laundry and life

2010-08-20T14:44:00.000-05:00

Cue the spooky music....It got all dark green so I went out and got the blankets drying in the sun, now, 5 min later, it's bright sunny but I can hear thunder.........

I'm using tide with fabreez and downey with fabreez, the house smells yummy!

Calling your sister when you feel blue is better than therapy sessions and medication.

Grandsons generate a lot more dirty towels than granddaughters.

Granddaughters generate a lot more dirty dishes than grandsons.

A sink of dirty dishes can make me feel guilty about being on the computer...........................

where does the time go?

2010-08-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

The gd is cleaning and rearrainging her room. There is a shocking pink shoe box destined for Germany and the secound cousin that loves the disney princesses, treasure is in that box! LOL
Retrived from the bottom of her closet and now side by side on a display shelf are two mickey mouse ears. The smalest is gold and from Disneyland's 50th birthday. I have a mental snapshot of Michael and her playing with them waiting for a parade. Off of her head and on to his and back again, over and over, a deep bass laugh miked with a twinkling belly laugh. We were in the shade of the Materhorn and it was one of those magical July days that southern california and disney produce.
The other is from Disneyworld, larger, pink and has the princesses on it. It's from the summer after Mike died, the trip when his little princess got to dress like one and eat with her fellow royalty, the same trip, where one late night she and I cried together because her grandpa wasn't there in a way we could see him.
Our next disney trip is at least two years away, but it makes my heart warm to know yet another set of mickey ears will join theese two.

Nummy ole!

2010-08-18T22:11:00.000-05:00

Had pineapple salsa mixed with refried beans on corn tortilla chips for dinner tonight. Sweet, salty and spicey! YUMMMMMM!

first day of school

2010-08-17T20:54:00.000-05:00

Apparently the first day of school went real well for both of the grandchildren. The oldest already had spelling words but no other homework. The youngest no homework.

It's the little things

2010-08-11T22:32:00.000-05:00

Life is good. Coco has taken to sleeping part of the night curled up in my arms with her head on my shoulder. Waking to puppy kisses rocks!

Found microwave popcorn I forgot I bought, currently munching while lying in bed and watching HGTV. The doggie is looking adoringly at me because I let have 5 or so kernels.

Saturday is the gd's fun bday bash for her friends, sunday is the family birthdays and, in the evening it's hot dippity dog at the pool.

Today the gs taught his older sister how to make scrambled eggs.

It's the little things that make up my contentment now.

I love the mail!

2010-08-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

Two packages came today. The first is my sweater that goes with my dress for Cheryl and Mike's wedding, the kind e-bayer even included matching earrings!
The second was from Germany. The niece bought the first Harry Potter book for me to give the gd for her birthday. It is a bloomsbury english addition. In the box also was the second as a bd present form her family to the gd, socks, with the union jack, for us sock crazy girls, (the females in our family like crazy socks, go figure, toy taxi and bus and a beefeater for the boy, an additional bobby for the girl, and a telephone box bottle opener for the sil.

Much sqeeinbg was had! Thank you Carrie!

Tony and Roger's wedding

2010-08-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

Well it was today. Yesterday a bunch of us decorated the ceremony site. The chapel was just the right size and the guy's color scheme of pink and black was very pretty. Although everyone running errands and leaving 5 type a's to futz with the bridal arch was probably why it took just a bit long! LOL

We got there early today and had family pictures, yeah I actually stood still long enough for two, one with everyone, (I hid behind the sil's grandpa) and one with our little family.

Then the rest of the friends and family came and the ceremony was just the right length, with heartfelt vows.

The guys were snazzy in their black tux's and white vests. The female attendants wore pale pink dresses that looked stunning on, the male attendants had black tuxs with pink vests and ties.

The flower girl was a princess in pink and her brother was the cutest ring bearer!

After the service we headed to the park, the caterer was "everyday gourmand" the food rocked! Fresh made salsa and other really good Mexican foods.

It was such a good day! I love having been adopted by this family.

wally world

2010-07-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

I got some of the wedding prep done today at wal-mart. Yeah!