Another Nephew Funny

My youngest nephew's birthday was last Thursday. It was a nice day. I was visiting his family for a few days and our mother had come over also. Everyone had dinner together. Momma had fried chicken and it was wonderful! I can't tell you how long it's been since I had someone fry chicken for me, even though it was technically for my nephew, since I didn't have to fry it, it felt like it was for me. Extra special.

So, we've finished dinner and and it's time for the birthday boy to open his gifts. He started with a card from his gramma, who is known to the younger grandkids as Mollie. That is a story, in and of itself, that I'll have to share soon. My son (the older grandkid) may even be calling her Mollie at this point. So, he reads the front of the card aloud to us all and then opens it and says something like "Wow! Forty dollars!". At which point Mollie exclaims "FORTY DOLLARS!!!?" We all laugh and everyone checks out the money together. Nephew says he looked at it wrong and that it's thirty dollars. Mollie calms. Everyone chuckles. Nephew gets up to bring the cake to the table and as soon as he gets up, Mollie picks up that money and has a good look at it to make sure it is only thirty dollars. We all got so tickled! I think the birthday boy had a good birthday and we all had a good day. It was fun.

Monday Question #3

From The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D. "What is your most treasured memory".

My answer: I wanted to stay away from the most obvious answers, which are true and in order -- my son's birth and then my wedding. This is my next most treasured memory. Usually momma got the birthday gifts (who am kidding? all the gifts period) from both of my parents, I'm sure, but for some reason, when I was probably 6 my daddy asked me what I wanted. I told him that I wanted my own jar of Vick's salve and my own bottle of Mr. Bubble. I know that may sound like an odd thing for a 6 year old to request, but I was probably tired of sharing my bubble baths with my little sister. It was crummy enough to have a birthday so close to Christmas and getting "combination" gifts from relatives, but there were even those who gave her something when they gave me something for my birthday (sailor dresses from Aunt Dorothy!) and I don't think I was too keen on sharing on that particular day. So, by golly, I wanted my own bubble bath that I didn't have to share if I didn't want to!

As for the Vick's salve, well I had a perpetually stuffy nose. I was always waking up in the middle of the night and I couldn't breathe. So, I wanted my own jar so I wouldn't have to hunt for it or call for my momma to help. It always seemed that someone else had the Vick's jar when I needed it. I liked to move the box springs of my bed over a bit and keep the little jar right there in the metal frame beside the box springs. That way, I always knew where it was and it was within easy reach in the middle of the night in the dark.

When my birthday came, that's exactly what he got me -- Vick's and bubble bath! (OK, let me rephrase, that's the gift I had from my daddy, although in all likelihood, my momma probably is the one who went out and bought it.) That and nothing else. Just from him. I was thrilled! I think it's the only time in my life that someone has actually listened to me and got me what I wanted when I wanted it. That is, in itself, a precious gift and something to be treasured. No matter who actually bought it.

Inspirational Quote

I don't know about you, but I'm finding myself in need of inspiration. Here is a favorite quote. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." I don't know who said this. If you happen to know, please leave me a comment so that I can properly give them credit.

Cape Cod Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips with Sea Salt and Vinegar

I'm exhausted. I feel head achy and somewhat crummy. I'm eating my favorite chips, for medicinal purposes, of course. If you find these in the store, give them a try. You'll either love them or hate them. I don't believe there is an in between. If you love them, watch out. I've never been that fond of chips, I could take them or leave them. These -- I can't leave once I start them. I'll eat them until my tongue is sore. Until I'm so full of salt that I can't button my jeans with ease. Until I can smell vinegar when I've left the closed bag in one room and I've gone into another! I'm a lost cause when it comes to these.

You're Got to Check This Out!

Artful Blogging magazine is something I've fallen for in a time when I'm trying to cut down and cut out magazines. The one pictured here is the Aug/Sept/Oct. 2009 issue. Because of it, I've found at least three blogs that sing to my soul and I'm not even half way through the magazine yet. I've purchased other issues and found at least as many blogs in each one, each time. They are a feast for the eyes also.

One of the blogs that sang to me was Superhero Journal. Especially the post "Written On the Body". With all that I've been through in the last week, lovable is a word I would pick also. Then I started reading the comments on that post. There was a comment that gave me THE WORD. The final word. One that I may have to go get tattooed actually.

Enough.

I want enough.

I need enough.

Just enough.

I've had enough.

I am enough.

Or I should be.

Photo of the Week 22 of 39 -- Abandoned

I'm reaching into the archives for these folks.

This first one is granddaughter #1 in a pair of abandoned glasses (frames only) that she found and was playing with. I don't remember who took this photo.

This second photo is of my grandson on his first birthday. I was not there for the party (in Italy), so I know I didn't take this one. His mother is handing him the stuffed elephant that his grampa and I sent him for his birthday. He loved it and slept on top of for a year or so, I do believe. He has since abandoned it.

This third photo is one my hubby took of one of my fiber post cards. I didn't have my "no shaky" digital camera yet. I have, at least for the time being, abandoned making fiber postcards. The sewing machine I use for them needs a new light bulb and I keep forgetting to take it to Dallas with me to get one.

This last photo was taken the Feb. of '04 after my grandson was born the previous Oct. That would make him 4 months old, granddaughter #2 would be 19 months old, granddaughter #1 would be 3 years and 1 month old. Can you imagine having three children in diapers? Yikes! I can't. My son and daughter-in-law abandoned the idea of possibly having more children sometime after this. And this is the one photo in this grouping that I actually took.

Next week's theme is "A Movie Title". Gee whiz. I'm going to have trouble with that one!

The Late Monday Question

I was out of town last Monday and couldn't ask the Monday question because I forgot to bring The Book Of Questions by Gregory Stock, Ph.D with me. It was a spur of the moment trip and I didn't plan well. Hopefully, it won't happen again. So, here is the question for this week:

If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the body or the mind of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

My answer: I would want the mind. The thought of a 90 year old with a 30 year old body just sounds sick to me, but a sharp mind works at any age. Just my humble opinion.

Photo of the Week 21 of 39 -- Temperature

This photo was taken during the "Crossroads" week. The temperature is very close to the same now as it was then, so I kept it and used it for today. I would have used it on Friday, when it was due, if my computer had been working. It was down due to a really bad virus.

I haven't figured out how to load photos onto my computer again since it's been repaired. Nothing is the same as it was before. I'm not all that computer literate, so I really need it to be the same. So, I'm not sure if I'll be able to post tomorrow's photo on time or not. The theme for tomorrow is "abandoned".

Happy Birthday Dear Son!

You are my pride and joy. You are a good dad, husband and son. You are a good person and a good man. I'm so very proud of you.

The Mouse Lives On

I found evidence of a mouse living in my car yet again! When you live in a rural area, you have to deal with mice on a regular basis, in one way or another. Unfortunately, they have found a way through my heating and air conditioning system and into my PT Cruiser. I've owned the PT, for several years and over those years, I've had many mice get into my car and make a mess of first one thing and then another. They chew up the things that are left inside and they even make a nest and attempt to raise their young. Fortunately, I haven't found any mouse babies in my car yet.

The mice hide and only come out when it's cool and dark or maybe it's just when I'm not in the car. For some reason, once they find their way in, they don't seem to be able find their way out. So, I've had to resort to mouse traps in my car. You should see the look on the faces of the people who bring my groceries to the car when they see the mouse traps!

So, I've got to load up the mouse traps again. For the first time this summer. I thought I had seen the last of the little buggers.