Monday, July 30
Inbetweens
Music
Sunday, July 29
Tips for Better Living and a Pic
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I can't vouch for all of these, but most of them sound plausible. If you can verify any of them, let me know.
Eliminate ear mites. All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear...Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
Kill fleas instantly...Dawn dishwashing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor ....Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Did You Know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers."
Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.
Honey remedy for skin blemishes ... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus. Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer ... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover. Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's tomato paste boil cure ....cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.
Vinegar to heal bruises .... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... It's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Saturday, July 28
Ms. Maxine, Plus a Confession
I'll admit to being in a sort of odd mood lately. Most of my clothes don't fit, and some of the ones that do are so old I should be ashamed to wear them out of the house. Whenever I look around the stores for clothes, I don't see much that is appealing, and if I like it, it doesn't look good on me or they lack my size. One of my mom's favorite sayings was "There goes mutton dressed like lamb." That's what she always said when she saw a woman who had on clothing befitting someone much younger. It drove home a point and nowadays I try very hard to dress with a youngish attitude - but not so trendy as to make a fool of myself. That's a fine line that's hard not to cross sometimes. Combine that with trying to minimize the negatives and maximize the positives - and you have a real dilemma. Sometimes, wearing all black is the easy way out. I still like black, but I'm tired of it. It's better than mauve crepe with a rose at the waist, though...
Today I got tired of caring whether I had a credit bill to pay next month or not. Today, I paid little attention to the cost of things (although everything was on sale, and some of it up to 70% off). I whipped out that credit card as if it were the most natural thing in the world and now I have something to wear to my high school reunion next month. I think. It may be too dressy, or too hot. I'm not sure I have shoes that go with it. Who knows? But at least it is new - not ten years old like most everything else in my closet.
My Paper Dolls
Friday, July 27
8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8
THE RULES:
1. Post these rules before you give the facts.
2. List eight (8) random facts about yourself.
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) eight people and list their names (linking to them).
4. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they’ve been tagged!
I'm only doing the first two. If you want to do the meme, you are welcome to it!
Eight Random Facts About Me
Thursday, July 26
You Just Can't Make This Stuff Up!
I have, as some of you know, a collection of funny and odd names that I have been amassing for almost 40 years. I have an announcement of a woman named Truly Gold, who married Cary S. Boring - so now she is Truly Boring!
Wednesday, July 25
I am PO'd with the PO!
I had to read the postmark on the letters (which ranged from December 6, 2006 to February 28, 2007), and then the dates on the yellow forwarding stickers, which were either March 5th or March 6th, 2007). Her explanation for the delays was that the mail had been mis-boxed, and the person(s) who had received them had delayed returning them to the P.O. Furthermore, she blamed the mis-deliveries on temporary workers hired for the Holiday season.
Now I can understand a few pieces of mail being mis-boxed by a harried temp, and I can also understand a person taking the mail out of the box and home without checking to see it if was all for them. I have done that too, but I always took the mis-delivered mail back to the P.O. by the next day. I hope others would do that too. I just don't think any other customer held my six pieces of mail for three months! That is a cop-out.
I guess the thing that bothers me the most about this is that I had no response from the local station manager, no response from the local postmaster and no personal response from the Postmaster General of the US. And the woman I spoke with offered no apologies for the poor service at all. She did admit that she had had other complaints about the physical appearance and parking-lot problems at that station, so she was going to report them to the local postmaster.
Tuesday, July 24
A Review, A Quote and A new Word
In Mrs. Palfrey, Rupert has risen to the challenge of playing a lead role - and when your co-star is someone as seasoned as Joan Plowright, that's saying something.
Definition: The morbid fear of running out of reading material.
Usage: It is quite interesting that this word has popped up on the Web, the greatest source of reading material the world has ever known. Irony will never cease.
Nothing produces such odd results as trying to get even.
Franklin P. Jones
Monday, July 23
True or False?
Here is a list of faux pas she discussed. We have all experienced a few of these, I am sure!
1. Chewing and popping gum in a business or a professional setting.
2. Continuing a personal conversation wih a colleague when approached by a client/customer.
3. Having soft-drink cans and snack wrappers in view of customers.
4. Responding to a request with "I don't know." Even if the information is unknown to you, the correct response is "Just a moment, please, and I'll get that information for you."
The printed handout concluded with this list of irrating things. Which of them bugs you the most?
1. Listening to a diner blow his nose at the table.
2. Enduring another's personal cell phone call.
3. Experiencing uncertainty about who is paying for a meal.
4. Sitting near a person who is smoking.
5. Watching a person "double-dip" at a reception.
6. Having a dinner partner who chews with his mouth open.
7. Realizing that someone doesn't remember your name, just after you've been introduced.
8. Seeing a driver use a cell phone while driving.
9. I added: a driver who plays his radio/CD so loudly that the bass rattles in your chest when you stop for a signal light.
Do you have any pet peeves to add to this list?
Sunday, July 22
Inbetweens - Laws you can't get away from
Bath Theorem: When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.
Law of Location : No matter where you go, there you are.
Brown's Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly.
Oliver's Law: A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Saturday, July 21
Serving Lunch
I know that some of us have mentioned this before in our posts, but how do you explain blogging to your friends and relatives, especially if they are leery of it? Or do you?
Addendum: I bought my copy of Harry Potter at 11:00 am and promptly read 30 pages in the car. It is sooooo good! I can't wait to get back to it!
Friday, July 20
Inbetweens
1. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he walked on water and I didn't.
2. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5. Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
6. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
7. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe. (ain't that the truth!?)
9. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the- room-spinning medicine.
12. God must love stupid people; He made so many. (here's another truism!)
13. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again? (too often!)
16. Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it!
17. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18. Procrastinate Now!
19. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
20. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance
22. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23. They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
28. The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
29. I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.
A Bit of Excitement
She has a lot of smoke damage, and she may not be able to live in her house until they get all that out. She said they might have to replace some sheet rock and flooring. I feel so sorry for her. I've never experienced anything like that, but my grandparent's home burned when my mom was young, so I know how harrowing it can be. I pray that neither you or I ever have to go through anything like that.
Thursday, July 19
You've heard of Indian rope tricks? How about this wiring, huh? Maybe this is why we have a hard time hearing and understanding the people in customer service or tech service when the calls are transferred over there? I suggest they tear it all down and start over, and maybe enact some laws and regulations for future wiring.....LOL
Wednesday, July 18
I've Been Awarded!
I got this email yesterday from Pat at PastImperfect :
"I've given you an award over at my site. If you like it you can pass it on to 5 others you think deserve it.”
It is the Blogger Reflection Award . According to the blurb, “This award should make an individual reflect upon five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, five dear bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy...of knowing them and being blessed by them."
I am honored to be selected for this, though I doubt I fill all those requirements!
Here are my five (plus one):
1. Naomi, of Here in the Hills, whom I hope to someday meet. I'd love to see her beautiful garden and hear her wonderful tales of Hollywood in person. I'd like to bring her flowers from me and share a cake from one of those incredible bakers she knows about and take pics all afternoon, and then share a Cobb salad for dinner, while reflecting on all her art works. It would be such fun!
2. Gene, otherwise known as OldHorsetailSnake who has been through a lot since I first started reading him, and has never lost his sense of humor. On those rare days when he permits a glimpse of the real Hoss, he reveals a warm and loving spirit, despite his daily persona. He's someone I'd like to meet as well.
3. Roxanne, or SRP, of Melange. Her photos and commentary never fail to make us stop and reflect on life, and reminds us to be thankful for whatever it brings. Her current series on the big move to a lovely new home is most interesting, as are all her photo posts. I also hope to meet her someday (and Max and all the kitties).
4. Anna, of Annapics. I have known her family since before she was born. Beside being an excellent photographer who sees things we might not otherwise notice, she is a warm, loving and giving person. She is a good wife, a good mother and a very good daughter. I am proud to call her friend.
5. Carmi, of Writteninc. What can I say about Carmi? He is a wonderful and intelligent writer, an excellent husband and father and photographer extraordinaire. He makes us think, and like Anna, he sees things we might not notice without him to point them out. He's thoughtful and he writes the most incredibly astute comments about the most mundane things. I'd love to meet him, Morah Mommy and their children.
Honorable Mention: Shephard, of Shubert Alley, who never fails to delight in some way, whether it is with photos of his incredibly cute cats or beautiful houses or the series, Medicine Monday. He is wise beyond his years. You owe it to yourself to meet Shephard on his blog (I also hope to meet him in person! He'd be the perfect tour guide for a trip to California!)
Many of you are already familiar with my choices, so I don't really have to explain why I selected them. I will say they all provide ongoing humor, beauty of spirit and an honest reflection of life's gifts. All of them are excellent photographers and writers.
Rest assured, I could easily name 10 or 15 more. If I left you out, it was only because I was limited to a small number. Now here are the instructions for the five (plus Shephard) whom I have awarded:
1. Copy this bit of the post.
2. Reflect on five bloggers and write a least a paragraph about each one.
Tuesday, July 17
Monday, July 16
A 'Quick' Trip
We might have chucked it all and gone back home, but we were delivering a small granddaughter (who had been with us for 3 days) to her cousin's home for a visit. Her parents are celebrating 3 years of marriage and my daughter's birthday, and will be away for 3-4 days. As much as I love that little girl, I was determined to leave her with her cousins! Having been under the weather for a week, I was exhausted by her very presence. So, we persevered, arriving later than we'd planned, tired and hungry.
I had no more than entered the door, when the clarion call came and I had to rush to the bathroom. I thought that my illness of the previous 8 days had abated, but nooooooooooo, it had roared back full force. I will not bore you nor embarrass myself further with the icky details, but suffice it to say I spent the better part of the next 2 hours in my daughter-in-law's bathroom. She was kind enough to prepare a pan of plain, white rice for me, in addition to the nice dinner she made for the family. After a while, my stomach settled down and I was able to sleep well.
Sunday, I didn't want to brave going to their swim club with them, so I stayed on the couch with the TV remote, a blanket and two chihuahuas to keep me company. Eventually, we drove back home, and luckily, the eastbound traffic was fast moving. We arrived without incident and were welcomed by two kitties who didn't know whether to act happy to see us - or be mad because we had left them alone for a night!
Edit: I have a story at Ronni's site today as well. See it here:
http://ronnibennett.typepad.com/elderstorytelling/2007/07/old-friends-cam.html
On a lighter note (pun intended) the scale shows I have lost seven pounds! There's a silver lining to every cloud - it you will but look for it!!Sunday, July 15
A Wedding Ring Legend
Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?
There is a convincing explanation given by the Chinese...
Thumb represents your Parents.
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings.
Middle finger represents you.
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner.
Last (Little) finger represents your children.
Second, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)..., they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.
Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers (representing your children).., they will open too, because the children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse). You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through thick and thin!!
(I don't know what this means for those who get divorced, especially if there was a compelling reason for it. But it makes a nice legend.)
Saturday, July 14
Friday, July 13
You May Be a Redneck......
I wonder if there's a pool on top?
Try this in the grocery. Old ladies with shopping carts parked in the middle of the aisle had better scurry!
Thursday, July 12
The Last Australia Photos
I am sure that viewing Sydney Harbour is best done in bright sunlight, but when these pics were taken, it was raining.
If you click and enlarge, you can see much more detail.
Wednesday, July 11
Quotes of Note ~ Plus
(Not you......of course!)
I knew there was a good reason I have always loved Charlie Gibson!
The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.
Madeleine L'Engle, writer (1918- )
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I Learned Something New this week!
Word of the Day: Digamy (Noun)
Definition: A second marriage after a divorce or the passing of a spouse, deuterogamy.
Language is more fashion than science, and matters of usage, spelling andpronunciation tend to wander around like hemlines. -Bill Bryson, author(1951- )
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Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life.
Jesse Lee Bennett
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The man who thinks he can do without the world is indeed mistaken; but the man who thinks the world cannot do without him is mistaken even worse.
Francois, duc de La Rochefoucauld, writer (1613-1680)
Tuesday, July 10
My son says driving down the road to the camp is like entering a time warp. A few of the same people are still there - as counselors or administrators, who were there as campers or counselors in the 70's. There have been a few improvements, of course, but it remains essentially the same as it was back then. One might expect a lot of changes over the years, but I think it is comforting to know that it is the same place. A tree house was built in the 70's. My son was instrumental in getting that started. I hear it fell down in the late 90's, but for many years it was a part of the camp that many kids looked forward to visiting, especially the boys. They have a campfire every night, and they all sit around it and sing and tell stories.
They grow a lot of the foods that are prepared for the campers, and the menus are healthy, no junk foods allowed. The children seem to carp about that for 2-3 days, but by the end of the 2 weeks they don't mind. One thing I noticed both in my children and in my grandson, is that at the end of the second week, they are different kids. They are calm, serene, and active but somehow quieter. They seem to focus on what is important in life - our relationships with each other - and forget about their video games and TV. Too bad we can't seem to foster those feelings on a year-round basis!
If you are interested in a summer camp for your children, check it out here.
Monday, July 9
This is my favorite silver piece. It is a Victorian container, which once held a glass insert. Click to enlarge and see the whimsical details on the base of it. You can't see it, but the handle, which is down, has a very detailed stag's head at its center.
Details from the buffet flowers. The purple fluff ball - allium - is always a big hit. The women of the altar guild at the church all flocked around the altar arrangements to see the allium. Would you believe it is in the onion family?
The acuba came from my yard.