The day is over??

I've still got ants in my pants!  I still feel like there's so much to get done!  OH NO!

The morning started out with me having to fill up my meds container.  You know you're old when you do two weeks worth of medication in those daily dose containers.  I also have two weeks backups of just the meds and none of the supplements.  I try to keep a month's worth done up "just in case."  Just in case what?  I'm not sure.  I know that if we would get called somewhere and have to leave quickly and stay a few days, I've got it!  I also carry an older C-Pap with me in the van at all times.  I was a girl scout.  I'm prepared.  What else can I say?  lol

Kennedy started breakfast this morning.  She made up some scrambled eggs with peppers.  Smelled so good.  There wasn't enough left for all of us, so I cooked up some sausage and onions with it, added a few more eggs and we had tacos.  With cheese and salsa for good measure.  Should have added sour cream too but I didn't think about it.

After I picked up from breakfast, I started getting things ready for our stir fry supper.  We had a lot going on and I wanted to be able to walk in the door and start cooking when we got home from our running.

Soon as we got organized and had visited with Corry a little bit, we headed out to pick up Missy.  She wanted to go with us to my mother-in-law's.  She had leftover ice cream cake from Mike's birthday and some brownies to share with Gramma Sage.

After picking her and Melanie up we started towards Streetsboro.  We had to drop off some party things a friend of mine was borrowing for her daughter's baby shower.  We live about 30 minutes apart but she's close to Cliff's mom, so since we were out that way, I dropped them off.  LOVE her home, by the way.  Gorgeous oak interior.  Love, love, love it. 

Mom Sage really enjoyed her "treat" even though hers was a small piece.  We all know if we don't treat her now and again, she'll just make her own sugary goodies.  And sure enough, when Missy went into the kitchen to divide up what she'd brought, she found a pan of brownies Mom had made on the counter.  What I found was a little more...shocking?  lol  To her, it was perfect.  To me?  Disgusting!  She wanted to make really good pie crust and she had out a block of lard!  ewwwww!  Whatever she wants to do is fine though.  She's 90.  She should be allowed to live her life the way she wants.  

While we were there, I used the scanner on my phone, cam scan, to copy an article about our nephew.  His girlfriend saved his life, quite literally, recently.  They were eating at a restaurant, he had wings, and he started choking.  He used the choking sign and his girlfriend recognized he was in trouble.  She jumped to action, grabbed him and did the Heimlich maneuver on him.  Thank goodness her mom had taught her how.  And thank goodness she hadn't been a typical teen and she'd actually listened!!  He was 90 pounds bigger than her and she did just fine!  They still had to transport him to the hospital, but in the end, he's alive and well thanks to her.

Our trip home included a stop at the local Walgreen's, then dropping Missy and the baby off at home.  We were hungry but were good and didn't stop for any food.  I had that stir fry waiting to be made.  Lots of fresh veggies and marinated chicken.

~~~~~

TODAY'S STIR FRY

    chicken, drizzled a fresh squeezed lime over it

    zucchini

    yellow squash

    yellow and red sweet peppers

    bell pepper

    carrots

    mushrooms

    celery

    broccoli

I did one veggie addition at a time.  The pan had a dose of olive oil in the bottom and about halfway through, I put a couple slugs of soy sauce in.  We had teriyaki noodles from a package I got at Aldi's.  It was actually very good.  The sodium content wasn't good, but not too bad.  And the taste?  Fantastic!  If I could find a really good sauce recipe, or make one up, I'd do my own though with broken spaghetti for the noodles.

~~~~~

I was needing to clean up the kitchen, but wanted a little break.  I decided to get the table area ready to do my mending tomorrow.  I hope tomorrow.  I started out getting down on the floor and making some changes.  I had a big basket that had old music albums in it.  I took them out and moved them and also moved the music recorders and song books.  Those actually should go down the basement to my wreck of a rec room, but later.  Not today.  The basket then became my new home for the kids' puzzles.  Then I went through all the mending projects to see just what I have to do.  I moved my sewing machine into place.  I'll need to get my other sewing box out probably but for now, it's good. 

Once I had that done, I figured since I was on the floor, I'd start some of the "real" filing.  I started at the back of the double file drawer and did the left side up through "M."  That's enough.  I'm under no time restraint and every step toward the goal is great. 

Next came the kitchen clean-up.  Empty the clean dishes, load the dirty, clean what doesn't go in the dishwasher, clean the counter...  Normal drill. 

I went into the freezer and got out meats out for tomorrow.  One will actually be for a meal on Tuesday or Wednesday.  It's one of my multi-day make its. 

 When I walked through the livingroom, I remembered my one fall decoration that's stored in the house and not in totes in the garage.  My partylite candle holder with the magnetic seasonal sides.  I put it on the table/dresser and added the fall leaf sides to it.  I guess I should change the candle from rose to something more fall-ish.  But not today.  Today, I like rose. 

Did I mention I did get the coupons all purged, sorted and filed last night?  I thought I'd have new ones to file today, but for some reason there were no coupon flyers in today's paper.  Odd.

Remind me to put the little bow on the monkey's tail of Emmi's birth sampler.  I have all three for the littlest ones done now except for that bow.  Now I need to start gathering info for the other's I want to get done for Christmas.

I've been busy in between things working on a trip we intend to take in a couple months.  Another free stay.  This time in Pigeon Forge.  I love it there and think fall will be totally wonderful to be in the Smokies.  I can't wait!  I'm spending time now looking for free, big savings, etc.  My goal is to make it a very cheap trip.

 

I needed have something sweet so I made up some tapioca and some cherry jello.  Not the best stuff for you I guess, but not bad.  I could have used soy milk, but I did use skim.  One time I did use soy and it was fine. 

~~~~~

HEY FRIENDS!  I found another fun website!  A crafty site.  craftgawker  Check it out.  A little slower to move than pinterest but it had lots of ideas I hadn't seen anywhere.

~~~~~

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity;

an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

- Winston Churchill

~~~~~

Ta-ta for now....

Hugs,

~~Mama Sage

Day four hear me roar!

That would be a roar of victory.  What is it?  Thirty days makes a habit?  I'm already four days in so I'm smelling that rose wreath at the end of my thirty day victory!

The morning started out the usual way.  Got up, took my meds, organized for my day.  Got cleaned up and dressed.  And then downstairs for breakfast.  Nothing fancy most days and today was no exception.  I've been avoiding this cereal we got because I know it has way too much sugar, but today, I ate it anyway.  Blueberry toastie things.  Like cinnamon toast crunch only blueberry.

While piddling in the kitchen, I did a little frig and freezer food shifting.  I wanted to take a look at what I might want to be using up this week.  I took out some sausage, bulk, to make tacos tomorrow or Monday.  Depends on when it thaws.  Took out some marinated chicken to cook up and have on salad for lunch tomorrow.  Then I made sure things were on the right shelves.   

I had to go downstairs and bring up some party equipment that a friend wants to borrow so I figured I might as well start the laundry.  There's never a bad time to do laundry.  I ended up finishing it with all the trips up and down.  I couldn't bring everything up at once.  The doctor warned me not to do heavy lifting.  Not taking any chances. 

I also did a little freezer "shopping" while I was down there.  I had been debating on what I wanted to eat for supper and opening the meat freezer settled it.  A meatloaf.  I had one already mixed up and frozen.  All I had to do was put it in to bake.  Also brought up broccoli for broccoli and cheese sauce.  I thought about a potato too and I thought about heating up the leftover roasted cabbage.  In the end, the meat and broccoli proved to be enough for the meal.  That roasted cabbage is so good though it definitely is shouting for me to eat it. 

~~~~~

Roasted cabbage

2 heads of cabbage cut into wedges

Lay on baking baking sheet.

Mix ½ c. olive oil, ½ c. lemon juice, 2 T worcestershire sauce, sea salt, black pepper.  Drizzle over wedges.  Sprinkle bacon bits (only real) over wedges.  Cover pan with foil tightly and bake at 425 for about 45 min.  If aren’t soft enough at that point, cook longer. 

~~~~~

I inventoried two medium bags and a small bag for charity.  We'll drop it off somewhere one day this week.

Also did the bills.  I think I need a bigger calendar.  I bought school time calendars for babysitting and for bills and now that it's a brand new year, it calls for brand new calendars.  Well they aren't cheap!  But I am!!  So I went to the dollar store and got a pocket calendar.  It should serve the purpose I guess, but I really think I'd be happier with a regular calendar. 

We are being bothered with medical bills that aren't being paid so I had to find out what the heck is going on.  People.  KEEP YOUR MEDICAL E.O.B.'s forever!!!  This is the second time I remember having to dig and dig and prove something was paid, should have been paid, has already been billed for, etc.  Last time it had been 8 years!!!  If I hadn't had the required paperwork, we'd have owed that bill!!

In the evening, we had strawberry shortcake.  Yummy.  After rewarding myself with it, I started the dreaded filing.  I dug up what paperwork we need to fight our current battle and separated all the shredding.  Our shredder is broken so that's a job for another day.  Tomorrow's list says "filing."  Okay.  Maybe. 

I discovered I had three files with pictures from my childhood.  I got on the computer and reorganized the whole group of them.  It's going to make one of my projects, my secret projects, run a little more smoothly. 

Packed lunch, did the dishes, and finished up the samplers for the three youngest.  The it was coupon time.  Purged the old and filed the new. 

I'm whipped.  I've already made my way upstairs for the night.  First thing I did was put away the laundry.  Then it was time to sit and blog with my milk and my water. 

I'm planning another full day tomorrow.  We'll have to see how it goes.  For now, it's night night time. 

~~~~~

A friend is a hand that is always holding yours,

no matter how close or far apart you may be. 

A friend is someone who is always there

and will always, always care. 

A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart.

~~~~~

Hugs, my friends...

~~Mama Sage

Well happy day!

And good morning to me!  What an uncalled for awakening.  I had JUST fallen asleep and my phone rang.  Now I don't mind if it's someone who needs me for something but this one was just ridiculous!  My caller ID said "SUMMA registration."  I looked at the clock and it said it was 5:30am!  My mind raced.  Who in the?  What the?  Was someone?  Before I could react and get enough saliva in my mouth to talk (it was a bad night for dryness), it hit voice mail.  I shook my head a bit, raised up on my good elbow and called my voice mail.  "Hi.  I hate to wake you, but we need coverage on your floor from blah blah to blah blah and just wanted to know if you want to pick up a few hours.  Can you call me back at blah blah blah?"  NOOOOOOO!  BECAUSE YOU DIALED THE WRONG NUMBER!!!  Not happy.  And I bet they were still short staffed today!

I tried to go back to sleep and just ended up dozing mostly.  Never did fall totally asleep.  I knew we were having at least one of the little girls here today and I always want to be chipper when they're here.  Two year olds can really keep you busy!

I got up, got dressed and headed downstairs, let the dog out and got a little something to eat.  Can't take some of the morning meds without food.  I guess that's a good thing because it makes me eat breakfast even when I don't want to.  When Cliff and Missy both got here with the girls, they wanted to play outside.  I went out and sat on the picnic table with Missy while they jumped on the little trampoline and swang on the swings. 

Soon Cait came to pick up Emmi.  Cliff went on up to sleep a while and Missy and I headed out for some groceries.  We started out at the meat market Missy shops at, Pressler's.  I walked in and was totally sucked in with the wonderful smell of fresh homemade Polish sausage.  They sold me.  Left with a big bag of it along with some fresh ground beef. 

We had planned to go to Hartville for produce but were short on time.  Instead we stopped at the Aldi store on the way home.  Their produce was actually very good.  It's one of he newer, cleaner stores.  I picked up Romaine 3 heads for 1.99, big peppers for 2/$1, mushrooms, sweet peppers, strawberries, grape tomatoes...can't think what else right now.  Enough to get by. 

I had planned on getting in the pool today, but it was a tad cold.  Yep even with the temperature today at 92, the pool was chilly.  I was pretty disappointed.  I had so been looking forward to it.  I'm thinking about braving it tomorrow anyhow unless we get hit with storms from Isaac. 

When Cliff got up and we got Emmi back again, we headed up to North Olmsted to pick up Kennedy.  The trip was good, but the whole way up, I was antsy.  You know when you get a bug you want something and it just won't get away?  I wanted ice cream.  I rarely crave anything sweet but it just wouldn't quit!  lol  So after we got her in the car, I very quickly said we HAD TO stop at the ice cream store at the end of her street.  Mmmm good!  A hot fudge Sunday more than hit the spot.

When we got home, I made Tortellini.  Three cheese.  I made a sort of sauce with diced tomatoes, onion, pepper, mushrooms and spices.  A little Italian seasoning, fennel and pepper.  It was very good.  And not bad for me either.  Made me feel better about eating that ice cream to eat something semi-healthy!

Emmi wanted to watch her "princess movie" so we put Tangled in the DVR.  She loves that thing.  I guess all or most kids have their favorite movie.  My kids wore out Willy Wonka and Kennedy wore out Tom and Jerry.  She knew it by heart!  Now Emmi is doing the same with Tangled.  Hey.  At least it's a good movie!

I also headed downstairs to grab things a friend thought she might want for her daughter's baby shower and took pictures.  We'll be taking them to her on Sunday.  I'm so glad I have so many serving things to share.  When I got them, the cost was justified and seeing them used over and over just makes it even better. 

I've finished Melanie and Emmi's birth samplers (Christmas gifts) and am nearly done with CJ's.  Just wish I could find more patterns.  I'd like to make sure everyone in the family had one for Christmas but I don't want them all the same.  They shouldn't cost more than two or three, maybe four dollars.  If you see any anywhere, let me know!

I got to foolin' around on my computer a bit tonight, my laptop, and realized one of my files had duplicate pictures.  Now if I was the average person, that wouldn't be much of a problem.  But...I'm Mama Sage.  And Mama Sage likes her camera.  I like pictures, old and new.  THIS was a problem for me.  Storage.  I have to organize!  Caution:  big job ahead!

The weekend is here.  I supposedly have time to accomplish things.  I need to work on computer files, regular files, do laundry, and fill a few bags for charity.  We shall see.  Cross your fingers for me.

~~~~~

“You never know what's around the corner.

It could be everything.

Or it could be nothing.

You keep putting one foot in front of the other,

and then one day you look back and you've climbed a mountain.”

~~Tom Hiddleston

 

~~~~~

Hugs,

~~Mama Sage

Too pooped to pen

Last night wasn't a good one for sleeping.  I had the headache from hell all day long on and off and by night time it was HUGE.  I tried Aleve.  I tried my pain meds.  Finally, after about 6 hours of waiting for one of them to work, something struck me.  There used to be a guy at work when Cliff worked at Chrysler that they called Doc.  He had these ways of dealing with pain that were off the norm.  I remembered something about squeezing your hand between your thumb and finger being a headache cure.  Within a minute after doing it, the pain was gone.  Amazing.  Still not bad today either!

 

~~~~~

 

While I wasn't able to sleep last night, I turned on a movie I'd DVR'd not long ago.  I think the name of it was Notes From the Heart Healer.  Great show.  I probably recorded it because it had Jeanie Francis in it.  Whatever the reason, I enjoyed watching it last night.

 

~~~~~

 

My friends rock.  You made me feel so good being welcomed back.  Thank you.  I'm here to stay.  My plan is to first off get back in the habit of writing each night.  Once I'm successful at that, I will then start looking at ways to promote my blog.

 

~~~~~

 

Food should have been good tonight but the ribs were stupid.  Weird pieces.  They tasted good after being crocked all day but not much meat on them at all.  I was more like rib scraps.  With them, I made fresh green beans and a tossed salad. 

~~~~~

 

Please pray for my friend Jennifer whose mother is having major health issues.  Liver and heart.  She also had to put her dog down today and it couldn't have been easy.

 

~~~~~

 

I need to report on my dental visit today.  It is an ulcer where injection was and unhealed tissue on bottom that is sore.  He put me on augmenten now.  I'm pretty much able to eat real food now but limited chewing.

 

~~~~~

 

I'm so whipped.  Two hours of sleep last night didn't do it.  I'm a wreck...  And I'm falling asleep writing.  Guess I'll be working harder to make this a habit another day.

 

~~~~~

 

Night all!

 

~~Mama Sage 

Summer's over

Now what?   

The kids are all heading back to school and Mimi's house will slow down from the constant activity of summer.  I'm gonna miss it.  Having all the grandkids in and out and all the neighborhood kids around has been great.  I will miss all the noise when it's gone.

 

When our kids were growing up, we had a very full house.  Always.  Five kids means at least double that daily.  The activity buzz was pretty varied but the one thing that was constant was board games.  Even with Atari days and Nintendo days, board games remained a staple.  We had a shelving unit in the hallway in San Antonio and it was filled to the brim and overflowing with every sort of board game you can imagine.  I guess it actually started in Altus when Kris was little.  The kids would come choose a game or two and sit on the front porch playing all day long.

 

I didn't get the kids who filled my home and yard into doing this sort of thing this summer, but we did keep them busy.  I guess the fact that it took more than half the summer for me to even FIND the basement where the games are now stored had a little something to do with it.  Our collection has grown tremendously.  We now have several cupboards filled with games.  And some some of the cupboards have puzzles.  And we could always drag up the old VHS movies and treat the kids to real movies because the remainder of those white cupboards down there have movies in them.  We did a little of the movies this summer and it went over very good.

 

I think I'll work on movie times and craft times for winter.  And we don't have to give up the idea of board games and puzzles.  I do have some other things I need to accomplish this winter, but I won't let it take over all my time.  I still want time to spend with the kids.  And of course I'll still be babysitting.  I love being surrounded by all the younguns. 

 

~~~~~

 

This summer was also filled with getting ready for this past weekend.  I was on a hunt to find as many classmates as I could for our 40th class reunion.  I was determined to get them all but in the end, we still had 45 out of 315 that we just couldn't connect with.  I have hopes that they too will be found by our 60th birthday bash in 2014 and have and opportunity to attend. 

 

Of our 315 classmates, we've already lost 31.  10%.  That's a very sobering statistic.  And when we saw who some of the kids who had passed were, it was really a big wakeup call.  Life is precious.  Another whoa moment for me was that we also have some who are in nursing homes and/or are very ill.  You know, in my heart and mind, I'd not 58.  I'm young and able.  I can move and do and enjoy.  But the mirror tells a different story.  The mirror reminds me that my locks are greying and that youthful look is fading. 

 

This time of my life is the time to reconnect with old friends.  Old friends aren't necessarily those we thought they would be.  They may not be the people you actually spent the majority of your time with many moons ago when you got your driver's license.  They may not be who you hung out with or who you dated or who knew you so well (you thought) back then.  Old friends are the people that through the years remember who you are and care about you now.  At least the old friends who matter most.  I'm not saying your best friends you had then aren't old friends who matter now.  They matter.  Just in a different way.  They were there helping mold who you were and who you'd become.  But the friends who will sustain you in the autumn of your life are the old friends you have reconnected with and who are in your life now. We need to remember all our old friends from every path we've been on in our walk of life.

 

~~~~~

 

Friendship is the only cement

that will ever hold the world together.

 

~~~~~

 

This year my family wasn't totally filled with family.  I know.  I had lots of you out there tell me how it should be, but...we had done Kennedy's birthday bash on the Friday before it since that seemed the best day and it was grand.  Nearly everyone came and I think we all had a blast.  She chose Mexican for her foods and we had chocolate pie and ice cream cake.  All her faves.  So when my birthday rolled around the next day, I decided we'd do something I had been wanting to do all summer. 

 

It didn't work out that everyone I had hoped would participate was able to, so we added in the neighborhood kids and had a great time.  We made patio stones.  Yep.  And even though we didn't have the right kind of cement/concrete to put in them, they turned out fine.  I do however have to get out there with some kind of a strong glue and glue back the stones that didn't stay put.  I think the kids all enjoyed themselves.  Rusty and Caitlin came by with cake and flowers and balloons and we enjoyed it!  There was plenty had anyone else happened by but they didn't so we just ate it and didn't pay attention to how big the pieces were.  :-)  

 

~~~~~

 

Some of you follow me on facebook and already know what a mess things have been for me healthwise.  I'm a little worn out tonight and don't feel I can really go into a lot, but know that 1. I'm not giving up on weight loss by any means, 2. I don't have the $$$ to handle all my mouth so one day this blogger could be a toothless wonder, and 3. degenerative arthritis sucks and it's showing up all over the place.  Now it's in my left shoulder which is also nearly bone on bone.  Not yet, but it's getting there.  The doctor told me to continue to do the stretching and exercise with it I am and we'll just go one step at a time.

 

She also did give me a cortisone injection in that knee again.  The gel just doesn't seem to work long at all any more.  They re-xrayed it and the situation is worse and now we also add bone spurs to the list of knee woes.  I'm looking at surgery, soon, but need to handle anything that could be infection in my mouth first.  They don't want infection from my mouth to put me in a dangerous position.  Neither do I.  So...one day at a time.  

 

~~~~~

 

And now a word about America's Got Talent.  When we were in Branson recently, we wanted to see shows.  We looked into all the possibilities and there are PAGES to look through.  It's a city of shows.  One that caught our eye was Todd Oliver and Friends.  Yes.  The same Todd Oliver with the same friend (s) that's on America's Got Talent.  It's HIS SHOW!  Now I personally think that anyone who has their own show or stars in a show or is a co-star on a show is a professional and should not be able to compete on AGT.  When the show started, it excited me because it was a show of NON-professionals, people trying to get out there and be discovered.  I'm sorry, but if there is a huge marque or a building with your name and advertisement somewhere in this grand country of ours, YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL and shouldn't even be put through past the first stage of competition.  Okay.  Nuff said.  I'm done.

 

~~~~~

 

I've been working on getting back into the swing of blogging.  I have to get back into doing things like adding pictures and quotes and recipes, the daily grind, etc.  I'll just promise to get better.  I do want to share some of the things that I think have kept me on the weight loss trail.  It's a trail.  It's well worn, there are sometimes trees to dodge, sometimes it has ruts and sometimes there are puddles to jump.  I just try to stay on the seat of the jeep I'm in and not fall out.

 

The first thing I try to do now that I never did before is eat something when I get up.  I'm still working on making it mostly protein and veggies.  Cheerios just are so good sometimes.  :-)

 

Second, I don't drink pop often if at all.  Pretty much not at all.  I drink mainly water.  I have added milk too because the nutritionist said it's a must.

 

Third, I try to eat to satisfy not finish it all.  When it's something I really, really like or something I've been craving or if I'm just dadblasted hungry because time has slipped away, that is really a hard thing to do.

 

I'm working on slowing down.  It's not hard to do now and I'm hoping a habit forms.  With not much chewing power any more, eating slow is a must. 

 

Another thing that I need to work on is not drinking WITH meals, but drinking water only between meals.  I remember in one seminar I went to they stressed that drinking with your meal, you are washing things down and don't get that filled feeling.  Need to work on that.

 

~~~~~

 

And so we're back on this journey together.  If I can't do the bariatric surgery any time soon, I need to keep working to lose all by myself.  I can do this.  I had a boss one time that told me I was a strong young lady who can do anything I set my mind to.  I'm not so young any more, but that strong lady is lurking somewhere in the fat folds.  lol

 

More tomorrow.  I will MAKE myself write. 

 

~~Mama Sage

What a weekend it was!

I hope all of you enjoyed your 4th of July weekend as much as we did around here.  It was full of traditions and fun.  And of course when you do things with the Sage family, there's generally a crowd.  That makes it even more fun!

 

We started the day with the Stow Parade.  Our family has gathered in the same spot for years and years.  I thought it was probably for about 20 years, but go to thinking and it's been even longer.  And going to the parade has been a tradition for me since before we were even married I think.  We would go with my parents, big parade fans.  We'd take our lawn chairs and sit and watch many friends participating back then.  Times have changed.  Entrants have changed, but we always look forward to watching it. 

 

This year we had 19 with us.  Lots of kids and grandkids.  It's always a blast to watch the little ones.  The oldest kids walked across to Target and got a big box of sidewalk chalk.  Giant box.  All the kids took pieces and wrote on the street after the traffic was stopped.  They made a target and said "candy here please" and they drew pictures of candy.  Little Madison wrote all sorts of things.  None we could pronounce, but it was her special message using all her letters.  :-)

 

We had literally dozens of muffins for our breakfast.  Kennedy was a busy baker all evening on the 3rd.  She made blueberry, strawberry, chocolate chip and lemon poppyseed muffins.  We took blue raspberry and regular fruit punch and orange juice.  No coffee.  I don't have a good thermos.  And besides.  It was H O T !!  We had a big cooler of water with us too.  Always a must in the hot, hot temps.

 

When the parade started it was good to see that so many people really do still stand for the passing of the Red White and Blue.  I'm glad we've passed that tradition down to the younger generations.  All up and down the street people stood in reverence and respect to the flag and to the soldiers.  There seemed to be even more military units this year than usual.  Maybe not.  I don't know.

 

I missed clowns.  There were a few, but I'm such a clown lovin' gal, I miss having lots and lots of clowns.  And I miss the horses.  What happened to the Sheriff's mounted patrol?  And remember a-waaay back when we used to have all the local high school bands participating?  I miss that a lot.  But the parade was a solid two hours long in the intense heat.  So many characters in costume this year.  I'm amazed they didn't end up with several fainting!

 

After the parade was over, we made our way through the traffic and back to our house.  I had most of the food handled.  Just needed to grill the burgers and dogs.  I made the cole slaw the night before and sliced the tomatoes and lettuce and onions for the sandwiches.  I made three boxes of brownies (got them cheap enough to make the box cheaper than homemade) and Kennedy also had done plain cupcakes to use for shortcake.  I made two apples pies too.  We had bought the potato salad so I didn't need to make that. 

 

In the morning before we left for the parade, I put the beans and fixin's in to crock in one crockpot and the mac and cheese in the other.  They were done when we go home.  I cute up the watermelon when we got back and set all the food out while Kris got the grill going. 

 

Cliff opened the pool and then headed up to rest.  He'd worked the night before and had gotten no sleep.  If we were going to fireworks, he needed sleep.  The girls were first in the pool.  I wanted to go in but decided if I was going to fireworks I needed to keep the knee from getting bad.  Climbing in and out isn't always good.

 

We all ate, swam, played and chilled and the guys who are baseball people watched the Indians play.  I think all had a good time. 

 

We decided to head to Newton Falls for fireworks, our traditional place.  We went and picked up Missy and Melanie and headed down.  Our favorite parking place was available so we parked by Missy and then she and Melanie went on down to the carnival area with Kennedy and Casey.  Rusty, Cait and Emmi were already down there, Corry and his crew were on the way.  He'd stopped to meet a friend and his family who were joining us. 

 

When it was just about time for the festivities to begin, the sky started rockin'.  I was oh so glad to see Missy come walking up to the van to say they were ready to head out.  It looked really bad.  And it was.  Some of the others got hit with a hailstorm on their way home.  We left just a few minutes before and I guess we must have dodged a bullet.

 

I can say for certain that we all went to bed tired but happy last night.  It was a very fun family day.  I love when we get together. 

 

Today I spent my time cleaning and putting away things from yesterday.  Not until after I uploaded pictures from yesterday to my facebook.  I only did a couple at home at the picnic and none at the fireworks.  There are plenty of the parade though.  Have a look.  I'd put them on here but I'm using a desktop instead of my laptop and haven't put the pictures on this machine.

 

When I was done putting the pictures on (which took hours since it only lets me put five at a time) and cleaning and clearing the house and putting the patio cushions back on the furniture, I did the bills.  Then I started some mending.  Now, this mama is one tired mama who needs to hit the hay.  Think I'll start another Christmas book.  Finished one the other night.  I'm a little past half in my bathroom read (a Barbara Bush book) and about halfway in the one I'm reading via Kindle on my phone.  Yep.  I do have three books I'm reading at a time.  At least.  And no.  It's not confusing.  :-)

 

Time to say nighty night.  See you next time.

~~Mama Sage

off and running

Finally I was able to go for the first of my second set of three knee injections.  I let it go way, way too long before I called the doctor about needing them.  I should have called in April since I was eligible for another round in May.  BUT I also found out today that when they do begin to wear off, I can call for an appointment and they will give me cortisone in between.  She said she has no problems with helping keep the pain at bay but that I will definitely need knee replacement.  And...knee number two is beginning to give me problems.  Not bad yet.  Bearable.  But I know how this starts. 

 

I'm ever so thankful for the pool.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow being a warmer day.  We're planning the day to be in the pool.  I know this shot will help me, but it takes a while.  It can even take until after the third one before you really see improvement.  In the meantime, the pool.  We'll be spending the day in and out of the water.  Well after lunchtime.  And I'll take a break to make supper.  But...the pool.  Yep.  I did the math and 106 times around it is a mile.  If I swim it, if I walk it, it's a mile.  I'm working up to that.

 

~~~~~

 

Summer is the time when

one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes,

 and the right kind of day

is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. 

A few of those days

and you can become drunk with the belief

that all's right with the world. 

~~Ada Louise Huxtable

~~~~~

 

We're into the swing of the season for sure around here and I'm beginning to like this season.  Kennedy is with us for the summer and her zoo days have begun.  Today was her first day and she's in a super mood tonight.  She did volunteer throughout the whole year, but in the summer, she's back with more of the kids.  Not everyone does the whole year.  And she's already been invited to a party!  Our little social butterfly. :-)

 

We have our zoo passes too, so once this knee gets some relief, we'll be spending time there too.  I'd really like to make it to the Cleveland zoo this year.  I haven't been there since Kris, our oldest, who is going to be 39 this year, was in a stroller!  That's a long time!  I think it's time to visit and see just how much the place has changed!  And with the reciprocal part of the pass, we can visit so many other zoos for free or at least half price.  Many are close.  Our family loves animals and our kids were raised going to the zoo often.  We had membership at the San Antonio zoo all the years we were there. 

 

I'm getting back into the swing of meals too.  I'm trying hard to do more regular times and for sure three meals a day.  Getting nearer (I hope) to my bariatric surgery, this is necessary.  I'll have to become a little regimented I think once I have the surgery.  Meals won't be the same of course, but following a plan...schedule of sorts...is something I need to get used to doing again.  When the kids were growing up, it was easy.  I was so much into making sure they got their three meals and their food groups, I planned meals and shopping trips.  I couponed and refunded too.  Oh life was so different before I was humbled and slowed with physical woes. 

 

I remember I would get up and get the kids off to school and then have the house spit spot by 10AM.  I then had time to do so much.  I did lots of crafts.  I visited friends.  I was always on the go.  Now, eh.  Doesn't happen.  I can't.  So I do what I can when I can if I can.  If friends and family don't like it, I'll gladly share my dust rag and sweeper so they can pitch in and help. lol

 

~~~~~

 

Fatherhood is pretending

the present you love most

is soap-on-a-rope. 

~~Bill Cosby

~~~~~

 

It's getting close to Father's Day.  I'm trying hard to not get all sad and lonely missing my dad.  Instead, this year, I'd like to honor him by having a big BBQ for my hubby and boys.  All our kids are coming at least for a little bit I hope.  We're having brisket in the smoker for sure and the rest of the menu is in the process of being planned.  I have a few things I know Papa likes that I'd like to include plus things that the boys like.  I just don't know if I can do it all.  Some things I'll do Saturday, but it won't be easy.  We do have Emmi on Saturday.  Mommy and Daddy are "going fancy" for Mommy's end of the residency year dinner.  I love that.  Going fancy.  When they want to go out to a place little ones can't go, they're going fancy.  She understands that and accepts it.  lol

 

~~~~~

 

Don't be afraid to try those packets of dried soup beginnings.  I don't have a clue what the brand was, but I got one for minestrone at the R Store (local grocery outlet) one day.  I made it today and it was super!  I added meatballs and it called for a can of diced tomatoes.  Seven cups of water, the packet, those two ingredients and twenty minutes later we had an awesome lunch today.  Loved it.

 

~~~~~

 

I'm getting back into the swing of my food diary too.  Ugh.  When I first started that, a requirement for the surgery, it was no problem.  And then time wore on, and the game of it wore off.  Now it's just a pain in the batoot to do!  I have to though.  It makes me aware of what I'm eating.  Like today, I realized that four small meatballs and a meat patty were not the required 60+ grams of protein.  Soooo I added a big ol' glass of milk.  Couldn't stomach much else.  I got plenty of liquid.  I need more than 64oz. a day.  Not a problem for this gal who has a big ol' mug attached to her all day long.  It's filled with water and I drink at least that plus generally a bottle of G2 and some skim milk.  Plenty.  And when we're on the go, I drink water in the car too.  20oz. or more.  I'm trying.  Just lost the umph when the knee got so bad.  It's hard to concentrate when you're in horrible pain. 

 

~~~~~

 

Well enough for tonight.  I'll be back when I can be.  I wish I could make this part of my routine too.  I miss it.  One thing at a time and hopefully like will get back to a regular roar.  :-)

 

Hugs to all....

~~Mama Sage

I love my family!!

And the days I get to spend time with them, talk to them, do things for them? THOSE are the best days of my life!!

Today didn't disappoint me. We started the day off with Cliff picking up Emmi and Adam. They came by and swooped me up too and we headed to the airport to drop Adam off for his flight home. That road between us and the airport area is pretty familiar. Seems like we'd just driven it. OH we HAD! lol The route to take Kennedy back to her mother's is the same, just a few exits further. We'd done it Sunday.

On our way back, we stopped with Ms. Em at the two story McDonald's in Independence. I certainly hope whoever's phone I found in the restroom stall remembered they'd left it and came to claim it. Anyhow, a happy meal for Emmi and burgers for us, mine with only half the bun, and homebound we were again.

We got a call from Missy and decided we'd meet her at BJ's. She was ordering little Miss Melanie's birthday cake for her 2 year old birthday party. I love what she chose. Can't wait to see it done. We'll be picking up for her on Saturday so we'll be the first to see.

After we did a bit more shopping, we took our purchases home. And did weeeeee purchase! All good. I'm needing to exercise. Water exercise is best. We've priced all the places around that I could exercise. For about what we'd pay for someplace that we have to follow their times and rules, we now have our own pool that the whole family will be able to use. Since this week is on the cool side, it's good working weather to get it set up. Hopefully we can get it set up and filled by the weekend when the temps are once again rising, rising and getting too stinkin' hot for Mama.

Emmi and I had a snack of little half pretzel sticks and strawberries. I guess the couple giant ones I handed her weren't quite enough. She disappeared and when I went to investigate, she handed me the box and said, "Here! Want some?" lol She's just something else. I love her to pieces and have so much fun watching her. She wears me out, but it's a blast while we're doin it.

After Rusty came to pick up Emmi, Dusty and Shirley (Darlene's mom) came by to work on parts of the favors for Dusty and Leon's wedding.  Only 3 1/2 weeks left.  It took several tries but we finally managed to get it handled. I think her idea is a winner. When they're done I'll have to take a picture to post.

I have to make a confession.  I've been very lacking in keeping track of my food and my sugar.  Our food diary books from the bariatric center ran out, I got lazy and haven't been doing the fitness pal thing and haven't been on a very good schedule.  I'm starting over.  Whatever weight I possibly regained, I'll lose.  I'll get a new book at my appointment on Wednesday, and I'll try to get back to semi-regular eating times.  You guys have to get out the wet noodle and smack me now and then and give me that kick in the butt I may be needing.  Your encouragement always keeps me going.  I don't want to beg off by using excuses, but the stress of late hasn't been real helpful either and neither has the fact I very often can't move.  I'm handling the stress the best I can and the shots aren't that far off to bring me more relief.  I'm really hoping to be completely back with the program very, very soon.

I know this is another short one and it's been a long while since I wrote a blog, but I have to wrap this up already. The knee is giving me lots of pain again. I'm begining another round of gel injections on the 13th. It'll make me human for a while. And tonight, like last night, my sinuses are wrecked. I think I just need to take my meds and try to rest.

But before I do, I wanted to let you know that my AOL email was hacked. I hope you didn't open whatever it was that it sent out. Someone messaged me that their virus protection stopped it and said it had a trojan virus. Man, what thrill can it be to hack into someone's email like mine?? I mean I'm no one important and my address list isn't some big corporate list of tons and tons of people. Well whatever, if you need my current email, message me and I'll get back with you.

~~Mama Sage

Easter weekend was wonderful!

Happy Easter Monday!

 

For some, it's a holiday, so Happy Day to you all!!

 

Our weekend was packed with fun filled times. I honestly believe we all had a good time. The weather wasn't the greatest with the wind, but it was fine.

 

We dyed eggs on Saturday afternoon and had several of the grandkids in. When they tired of eggs, they played in the yard. Everything from tag to kickball to catch and blowing bubbles.

 

 

 

Sunday afternoon we had a good ol' Texas style BBQ. THAT is what makes Easter dinner to me. I did grow up with ham dinner for Easter, but when we were down south, nearly 20 years, we took on their traditions. Our meal this year consisted of smoked chicken breast, BBQ's chicken legs and BBQ'd brats. We had buns and tortillas for them to be eaten in. There was an array of cheeses and dips and appropriate dippers for munchers before the meal. It was hard not to stop and grab. Smelling the BBQing foods really got the taste buds goin'. And of course everyone had the special goodies I'd made. And then we had sides of zucchini casserole, potato casserole, macaroni salad, potato salad, cole slaw, chips, fruit salad, etc. And dessert. Missy made a Hoppy Easter cake, Dusty made a chocolate cake with peeps on top and I made orange fluff. Yummmmm.

 

Can't post pictures of Sunday. Oh how I wish I could. For a picture of the newest Sage rock band, message

me. :-)

 

~~~~~

 

Yes it was a lot different when we were kids, wasn't it? I remember waking up on Easter morning and having my own little egg hunt in the livingroom. There weren't any other kids so it was just me. I'd find my basket on the kitchen table and next to it would be the brand new purse from my grandmother. I'd be proudly carrying that to church after I put on my brand new Easter dress and hat. yep. Hat. Tradition. When we got home from church, we'd have dinner with my grandparents. Sometimes the meal was at our house and sometimes at Gramma's. Once grampa passed away, the tradition continued, but the place was always our house since gramma lived with us.

 

After cleanup time, we'd start getting ready to go to whichever aunt and uncle's turn it was. My dad's family rotated holiday get togethers. Easter was a fun one. I knew I'd be getting a giant egg. A genuine goose egg that my Aunt Dorothy had colored and painted our name on. My cousin and I would have fun playing while the adults played cards and laughed.

 

As a mom, I have a lot of memories that make me smile. Tying strings to the baskets and weaving them all over the house for each kid to find their basket. Hiding eggs and then hiding them again because someone had such a good time hunting. Making bunny prints on the floor so the kids would believe the bunny had come. Going to church as a family. And the food. Mmmmm eating a good meal with the best companions....family.

 

As a mimi, feelings are pretty mixed. Years like this year warm my heart. Even though we are now left out of much of the fun, at least this year we have memories of our family gathering at our home. These are memories that will take us on into the years where we sit on the porch rocking, wishing time had stood still a few years ago when the kids were young and active and we were madly dashing here and there after them all.

 

~~~~~

 

Before Easter we made a trip to a place called B A Sweetie. Great place!!

 

 

 

We didn't buy a lot since I was making our candy, but we did have a great time. If you ever want to theme a candy gift, buy nostalgic candies, or just enjoy the day in the land of sugar, head on in. It's on Brookpark. Off 480, coming from Akron, get off on Ridge Rd. Don't turn towards the Lowes, etc., turn under the highway. The first major light is Brookpark. Turn right. It will be on the right between Best Buy and K-mart.

 

~~~~~

 

And I'm also going to do a shout out about...

 

Dickey's BBQ Pit, 960 N. Court St., Medina, OH

 

Closest to what we consider REAL BBQ we've found. Awesome stuff! And a TON of food for the money!

 

~~~~~

 

Yay! I've missed playing! I got lottso on disc to play anytime. And if I choose, I can still play online. But I don't need to. :-)

 

~~~~~

 

Well folks, this mama is exhausted. I need to try and get some zz's. Later...

 

~~Mama Sage

Here I am! Did you miss me? lol

Once again I find myself wanting to apologize for not blogging.  I guess I don't have to any more though.  You that read my blog...regularly (???)...know that I'm here when I can be.  I still miss my daily blogging and am hoping that somehow my life and my body will cooperate one day in the future to be back to it. 

 

Unfortunately this isn't the only adventure in my life that's at a standstill.  And some aren't real convenient!  Take my basement.  Oh PLEASE take my basement!!  lol  I had all good intentions and have actually made a lot of progress, just not all I'd wanted to.  We started out really great!  I unloaded all the non-food things into the livingroom area of the basement.  The unwrecked rec is now the wrecked rec.  Then we put up the new shelving units next to the one we had, metal shelving that is capable of holding great weight.  I took all the canned, boxed and bagged pantry stuff and organized it and loaded it on the shelving.  We even made space for the microwave we keep down there on one of the shelves.

 

The next supposed task was to take all the kitchenware and partyware and condense it to fit into the old pantry shelving.  It's doored and I thought that would be a perfect way to keep it all handy.  Well it didn't work.  Just the items I'd shoved into the living area were too many.  I did put all my cake, cookie and candy making supplies in there.  I've got the punch bowls securely up on the tippy top shelf.  The cupcake stands are safe now.  And all the tablecloths, napkins, etc. are in where they'll stay cleaner.  I bagged or jarred the plastic cutlery.  Big jars of knives, forks and spoons.  Excess went into zippy bags and is stored in a "drawer" under the metal shelving.  But now I'm at a standstill.  I think we need one more of the new shelves and I'll dispose of another not real handy cupboard unit.  It's going to be hard to get rid of some of that Tupperware, but I think it may be time.  I'm going to keep all the party servers, cake and pie takers and all my modular mates.  Most everything else will likely go.  So sad.  I'm still a Tupperware lady at heart.  You don't sell it for as long as I did and not have it become a part of you.  I took it to heart when I told people that there are just a few things they needed to know about Tupperware.  And one of those was you should put it in your will.  lol

 

I still do have the plan going, it's just moving quite slow.  Once I get through all that stuff and crush the relationship between me and my crisp-its, I'll be well on my way to the next phase of the rooms down there.  The plastic shelving all the Tupperware was on will go away.  We'll put something as a riser of sorts to keep things off the actual cement floor and I'll be stacking Christmas totes where those shelves will have once stood.  Not before going through them, of course. 

 

Now breaking up with my Tupperware family will be hard enough!  I don't even want to think too much about going through all my Christmas stuff.  It's not a love / hate thing with me.  It's a love thing period.  Every thing I have has meaning.  To get rid of any of it will be like tearing off an arm.  But it's a must.  This is a big house but it's not big enough for all we have in it.  Time to thin down.

 

After I see the areas all clean and clear, I'm hoping that someone will have the heart to put down my red carpet.  We bought it over a year ago and I'm really, really wanting it in.  The stair carpet MUST be replaced.  The room just needs to be.  Badly!  And the red will look so cool in my Coca Cola room!!

 

The kitchen is looking better every day.  I'm gaining counter space by making decisions.  Got rid of the knife holder.  It was a dirt grabber.  And my little grabby-kins was getting too close to wanting to grab those nice silver "toys!"  No catastrophes please.  Won't be long before the drawers will need drawer locks.  The cabinet locks have done great. 

 

I still haven't filed things.  ~~sigh~~  I hate it with a passion!  I do have it sorted and ready.  It's just the physical part needing done.  I've even got the shredding gathered.  I'll do that mindless task one day when I have nothing to do.  hahahahaha  Now when would THAT be??  Not to worry.  I have until either Tuesday or Wednesday to get it all done.  Tax man day.  I've got things in there needing to go see him and they must be gathered.

 

Food food food.  Eh.  Nothing real thrilling.  Tonight we had reubens.  I had leftover corned beef that I shredded and heated in a skillet.  When I went to the R Store today they didn't have any rye bread but they had dark wheat bread.  Good dark bread!  Pepperidge Farm.  We took two slices and laid them out.  Shredded corned beef on one; sauerkraut on the other.  Slathered them with some fat free thousand islands dressing and put a slice of swiss cheese on each.  Put them together and cooked them in the toaster oven until the brown bread was "browned."  Tasted pretty darn good!

 

I'm still doing some of the little tricky things I've made habits.  Like today we went to Lake Varsity Diner to meet Missy and her friend Shelly.  Shelly had her granddaughter and we had Melanie and Emmi with us.  I got the cheddar topped burger they serve with apple butter.  I took the burger without the bun.  I also had them do the applebutter on the side.  I only used half the amount I would have had if I'd gotten it on the burger.  I didn't miss the bun at all.  I did eat the fries but didn't get seconds.  Yes seconds.  They have bottomless couch potatoes.  lol 

 

I kind of do the same thing with salad dressing.  I get it on the side and eat it weird.  I dip my fork into the dressing and THEN I grab a bite.  That little bit that sticks to the fork gives it plenty of flavor.  Again, I generally use half of what I'm given.  Way less than if they blop some on the salad.

 

I'm extremely sore and tired tonight but I have to add the funny thing I saw the other day.  My granddaughter Kennedy and I were headed to the bank and store.  Across the street we see one of THE ....  Well it was a butt.  And plasted across that butt were the letters P E A C E.  Now I'm sorry, but if my child E VER tried to walk out advertising peace OR piece, I'd have to lasso them back in and make them change!! 

 

Well enough for tonight.  I'm heading into the bedroom to get my aching body in a reclining position.  I hurt so bad I can't stand it.  Until next time..

 

~~Mama Sage

Wednesday....the 21st.

Today was a weird day for meals but tomorrow will be worse. Today I had to fast for bloodwork. Tomorrow I have my CT for the hernia and breakfast will be a no go again and after drinking that....stuff....I won't be much in the mood for food for a while.

 

Lunch:

After the bloodwork, on the way to the kids', we stopped at McD's for fish. Fast, easy and available. I ate two of the fish patties w/ the minute square of cheese and only the bread that stuck to the cheese. I did eat the fries while waiting for them to correct the order and give us the fish. I was doggone hungry!

 

Dinner:

I called it dinner when I grabbed some brisket, a cheese stick and a little apple. I called it dessert when I ate the 20 peanuts.

 

I also drank two cups of milk, a bottle of gatorade and lots of water.

 

Still hungry and tummy talking, I grabbed a banana before bed.

 

I always have juice or G2 with my miralax. Tonight it was G2.

 

My protien today was actually too high. My goal is no more than 65. (Changed by the dietician yesterday.)Calories were fine. Low. 1095. I need to have plenty of veggies daily and know I fell way short. I'll have to make up for it after this CT tomorrow. Why the CT?  They are pretty sure I have another hernia.

 

And then you take the next step

 

When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. 

Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. 

Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. 

The past cannot be changed. 

The future is yet in your power.

~~Hugh White

 

~~~~~

 

It's getting exciting finding more and more people for reunion every day.  Just yesterday I got in touch with two more of the "kids" by phone after a lengthy online search.  It's amazing what's on the internet about each of us.  With a little bit of thinking about what I find and adding the 2's to get 4, I'm coming up with connections.  I really wish I could get fellow classmates to brainstorm with me.  Sometimes it takes just a clue to get me in contact.  I may not remember who someone's close friends were or what they did for a living, but you might.  It could be the answer to getting more notified of this reunion and get us all back in touch again.

 

~~~~~

 

Did you know ...

 

~~ COUPONS ~~ 

 

AND the store in Stow and the one in Kent have separate specials too!  If you buy X amount you get product #1, X amount also #2 and sometimes X amount adds one more freebie.

 

~~~~~

 

Cliff and I are having such fun playing lottery tag.  We started out with $20 in winners I'd been hanging on to for a while.  We took them and got more scratch offs with them.  We played for two days and ended up with a hand full of entries so hopefully you Ohio friends and family will see our names as upcoming contestants on Cash Explosion.  Cross your fingers!  ...and your toes, your legs, your arms and anything else crossable!

 

~~~~~

  

I'm really loving American Idol this season.  So many awesome singers!  It's hard to decide who's my favorite.  I really don't think I'll chose one this year.  I'm going to just watch and enjoy each of the episodes. 

 

~~~~~

 

It's been so good to have windows open this last couple weeks.  I did break down and close the windows today.  Mostly because Cliff has to sleep in the evening and it doesn't mesh well with the parties next door.  We also blacked out our bedroom windows today.  It's necessary.  At night we have the street light shining in and in the day we have the sunlight blazing through.  I'm hoping on a not so noisy evening he'll be able to sleep easier.  No one else in the area lives our schedule and that does make it hard.

 

~~~~~

 

We sold the camper.  Yep.  Camp no more.  It's okay.  We didn't get what we wanted for it by any means, but at least we no longer have the responsibility of it. I'll miss it.  I know I will.  But we can still go out to visit Kris and Darlene and keep in touch with the people we met out there.  Countryside is still an awesome place especially if you're camping with family.

 

Once we gather some vacation time, we'll enjoy the time share more I think.  And it is something we can take the kids with us on too.  It's all good.

 

~~~~~ 

A fun website I found...

 

~~ CROCKIN GIRLS ~~

 

~~~~~

 

Emmi's mommy has been on vacation now for a week and I've been tackling some of the projects that can't be done when I'm babysitting daily.  I still have two major ones.  I've not even got a good start on the basement and in the next four days I want it done.  Plus I have the ... ugh ... filing to do.  It'll happen.  Somehow. 

 

I'm missing my girlie.  When you get used to having a little one in the house all the time you really miss it when they're gone.

 

~~~~~

 

We're getting ready for summer weddings.  Corry and Angel are tying the knot on May 26th and Dusty and Leon are strolling into wedded bliss on June 30th.  I'm not sure what I'm going to be needed for if anything but they know I'm available.  Actually I'm working on a couple projects for Angel.  Dusty hasn't enlisted my help yet.  And...Mimi says if she wants it, she'd better let me know!  >>big smile<< 

 

~~~~~

 

Our little CJ, Corry, Jr., is getting so big.  We've watched him a little while a couple days recently and he's pulling up on me and rocking on hands and knees when he's on the floor.  When he's rockin' away and flops down, the one leg bends and he scoots.  Pretty close to a crawl.  And his smile is beautiful!  His whole face smiles.  I love it!

 

~~~~~

 

I have done a lot in the kitchen and have it about to my liking for now.  I haven't done the deep clean, but I've done some purging and organizing.  I want to do a few other things but they're things I can do a bit at a time as time allows. 

 

~~~~~

 

While I've been going through my kitchen stuff, memories have invaded.  I started thinking about how we did school day breakfasts.  On the weekends, I'd cook up a mess of pancakes, waffles or muffins or whatever.  Then I'd bag them in portions in the freezer.  Each kid could choose their fancy and nuke them in the morning before heading out the door. 

 

I also make lots and lots of puddings and jellos.  When I could, I'd toss in sugar free.  No one cared.  It's was all good to them.  Those were mostly for school lunches.  When we got pizza, we'd get the deal of the day.  Then I'd freeze leftovers in portions and it was ready for a snack. 

 

When you can, cut corners I always say.  I liked the make it yourself stuff.  I felt it was part of my job description. 

 

~~~~~

 

I also started thinking about how much I genuinely used my Tupperware steamer.  Probably every meal!  I was the kind of mom who tried to make sure the kids got plenty of veggies and fruits.  Veggies in the steamer were fast, easy and better than drowning them in a pan on the stove.  "Baked" potatoes in the microwave were super and fast.  Lots of things to use it for.  I still use it, but with just the two of us most of the time, not as much.

 

~~~~~

 

Pretty ingenious.  We were driving down the road and passed a guy wheeling a port-a-crib down the sidewalk.  I thought, okay.  He's watching the little one and had something to do.  Not so.  When we got closer, the crib was filled with his laundry. 

 

~~~~~

 

Never noticed that before.  Hmm.  We pulled up to the post office and there was a sign in the lawn.  "Evacuation assembly area" for customers.  Hmm.

 

~~~~~

 

Really got a lot done on the basement today.  All the canned goods are moved onto the metal shelving.  The boxed and bagged, etc. is ready for the shelves I'm hoping Cliff gets together tomorrow.  All the non-food has been moved into the sitting area.  And...you can't sit!  lol  Soon.  Very soon. 

 

I found a few more things to get rid of too.  Put away all the games we brought home from camp.  Most.  Poop!  I forgot about the ones in the closet!  POOP!  Tomorrow.  I want all the games in the cabinets when you first come down the stairs.  Except card games.  Those are in the big drawer on the fireplace unit.  And the poker chips, card shuffler, holders, divided canasta dealie, etc.  Sifted through all the party stuff.  I haven't saved a whole lot.  So much had gotten fully used up and was tossed.  I do have the luau stuff and some flowery center piece thingies.  And a box of tableclothes and a box of napkins.  All kinds! 

 

While I was down there, I got the laundry done.  We did steak, loaded mashed potatoes and corn and peppers for dinner.  Also have corned beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, celery in the crock pots (yes with an s) that I'll turn on in about an hour.  I'm cooking it on low all night.  Mmmm.  The smell will be so good!  I know.  Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day.  But I didn't shop until yesterday and didn't get it ready to cook early enough for it today.  So.  Tomorrow we'll pretend it's the 17th while I do the bills and hope to find a pot of gold.

 

Hugs...

 

~~Mama Sage