This and That and a Career Test

My posts will be short for the next few days. I don't have a computer readily available to me.

1. I can't thank you all enough for your responses to yesterday's post. Maybe I'll have to have some kind of anniversary every week!

2. Wanted to let you know that I'm doing as well as can be expected. My leg aches, and having this big brace on all the time is a pain, but I've made it to the 2 week point. I started minimal PT yesterday, and I will get stronger every day. The ace bandages make my leg itch all the time, but I am know able to take them (and the brace) off each day. I must stay in bed when they are off, but oh boy, does it ever feel good. I massage my leg, rub it down with witch hazel, and do some stretching.
In another couple of weeks, I will be able to sleep with the brace off, but it will probably be 6 more weeks, before I'm allowed to have it off when I'm up.

3. Two more weeks and I get to go HOME!!!

Here is one of those simple quizes, for you to try.
I'm not sure if this is really me, but it was fun to do.

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

Your Career Personality: Brainy, Logical, and Efficient
Your Ideal Careers: Archaeologist, Astronomer, Book editor, Business manager, Civil engineer, Designer, Economist, Inventor Judge Scientist

Hip Hip Hooray - My Blog is One today!

I really can't believe that I've been blogging for a year now. On the other hand, I'm wondering why the heck it took me so long to get started.

Blogging has opened up a whole new world to me. Through "the web" I have traveled to new places, made new friends, and learned a lot about myself, and those around me.

I had planned to have a giveaway in honor of this incredible year that I've had,

but alas...the giveaway will have to wait until I get back home and back on me feet (literally;) but in the mean time:

Thank-you, thank-you, thank you.

For coming by, and listening to what I have to say.

For laughing with me.

For Praying for me.

For being my friends.

Today I leave you with three quotes from Dr. Seuss, that seem to "sum up" my blogging experiences.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive, that is Youer than You.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

Love and Kisses and my Very Best Wishes

Mitt Romney and LDS Humor

Yesterday I bared my soul to any and all who dropped by...

...and I brought up a hefty ( hefty, hee hee, sometimes I just

crack myself up) subject, so I've decided to let you in on

another little tid-bit about myself.

Not only am I overweight ( is this word okay Jientje - You know

that I love you), and white...

....and I've been married to the same wonderful man for 36

years...

...I have a pot load of kids (10 - 9 biological and 1 adopted - with

red hair, blond hair, bald heads, and a wanna be afro) and

grandkids (number 14 due in a month), and I'm

politically conservative...

...yep - I'm a real oddity...

and to top it all off...

I'm LDS!

I came across this blog a few weeks back, and decided that

today is the perfect day to pass it on!

Yes the elections are over, but if you want a good laugh today,

head on over

HERE

Carpe Crustulum! - Seize the Pastry!

This is sooooooooooo funny. If you aren't LDS (Mormon),

you'll still probably get a kick out of this post,

but you just might need to Google a few terms,

as we tend to sometimes have our own little vocabulary.

By-the-way, I love you guy's and all your comments over the last few days, have really touched my heart!

WHY? WHY? WHY?

In response to my post yesterday

I was asked why followers were really important to me.

It really made me stop and think!

At first...having followers gave me a real rush. Wow - people were coming by and reading what I had to say, and they were publicly acknowledging it. Me...a stay at home mom, with only a high school education. Me...an individual, with something to say. Who would have "thunk" it?

ME!

Not my husbands wife, or my kids mother.

ME!

Gosh it stills makes me marvel.

I've always known (deep down) that I had abilities beyond diapering, cooking, and cleaning. I've known that I'm reasonably intelligent, and sometimes funny, and have a few talents here and there. But somehow, I let that part of me get hid under a really big bushel.

After a lot of soul searching (and reading back over a couple of blog posts - thanks Queenie and Robynn and CindyDianne) I think that I've come up with what the really big bushel is...

...I'm FAT.

I've always been overweight...even as a baby!

Let me lay down some ground work here. I was adopted. So was my younger sister (no biological relation). I didn't look anything like my parents, but my sister did. She was darker in complexion. Had dark hair too. AND she was skinny.

Me -I was lilly white, with blond blond hair, and lots of baby fat. Then I was a chubby kid. Then I was a plump (and only plump because I practically starved myself to death in Jr. High and High School) teenager.

Now, I knew that I wasn't ugly, but darn it - I felt ugly.

I married right after high school (bless his heart, my husband has always loved me, no matter what my weight has been), and started having babies...

...and more babies...

...and more babies!

With each and every pregnancy, I got bigger, and bigger, and bigger.

Heaven's, I've been a mess ever since.

No sleep - between the birth of my first child, to the time that our last was 3 years old (19 years)- there was only about a three month period when I had all the kids sleeping through the night.

No exercise - cause I was always so dang tired, and in pain.

Poor eating habits - due to being poor - for a very long time.

The bigger I got, the less I thought of myself.

Okay - back to the issue of followers...

...having them made me feel like I had a voice (and nobody would see that I was fat)!

Then it became a challenge...how many could I get?

And then...ding, ding, ding...A light bulb went off in my head. Could I get enough followers (in my mind this meant readers), so that I could possibly, maybe, do I even dare think it...start advertising on my site and make some spending money?

You see, my earning possiblities outside the home, are pretty slim. Some of my medical issues (like vestibular intolerance = vertego) make me a liability in the work place. And then there's, the lack of work experience, and education- to think of.

I don't HAVE to work. My husband makes a good living...

BUT

...he works so hard, and we are still helping out a lot of the kids/grand kids, and our savings and investments have been wiped out (that's another story all together), and I would like to be able to contribute financially...to help ease the burden.

So - there you have it!

Now, should I just deleate my followers section?

Should I plea for more?

Should I feel bad that others, (who have been blogging less time than I have), have a lot more followers than I do?

I thinking no, to all of the ?'s above.

BUT

I would like to find a way to earn some money through blogging.

AND I would also like to be THIN

But...that's fodder for another post!

What about all of you? How do you feel about followers and following? Any suggestions for improving my site. How about the advertising? I'd really like to hear from you!

Hugs and Kisses...

and The Very Best Wishes

Where Did You Go?

After checking all the newest posts on my dashboard, I headed back to me home page...and horror of horrors...I noticed that I've lost two followers. One is someone that I hold dear. Please, if I've done something to offend, let me know. Okay?

Having Fun With The Boys

Hey look - Percy's playing Rock Band.

You go Percy!!!

Take Dr. Phils Test & See How You Score?

Dr. Phil's Test - I scored 35.5

I received this from Sherri over at Painting is just another form of keeping a Diary, who got it for a former coworker. Because she used to work for a company that did more extensive personality testing on potential new hires, she found the simple questions below very revealing.

Dr. Phil scored 55 and Oprah scored 38.

The following is pretty accurate and it only takes a few minutes.

Take this test for yourself and post your score in a comment.

Get a sheet of scratch paper and so you can write your answer to each of 10 questions. You'll then be given a point score for each of your answers. Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.. Answers are for who you are now and not who you were in the past.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees.

Ready?

Begin.

1.. When do you feel your best?
A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night

2. You usually walk...
A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly

3. When talking to people you...
A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with...
A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most...
A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...
A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6

2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1

3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e ) 6

4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1

5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2

6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2

7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4

8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1

9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1

10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care'. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and someone who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once, someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you aren't.

Okay, now leave a comment with your total and how you feel about it.

Credit Where Credit is Due

I failed to mention that it was COREY, who made me the pancakes! Since I have 8 grandsons, it was pretty lame of me not to mention the dear boy by name! Sorry Corey!

PS - I noticed that I got a couple new followers during my down time. Please don't tell me that all I had to do was shut up, to gain readers?
Any hoo - thanks Nani and Heather, for joining my crew!

Percy Pancakes

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes. I've really missed being able to "see you all" each day. While staying with Susan this week, I wasn't able to get to the computer. It was just too far from my bedroom, and I couldn't prop my leg up, once I managed to hobble across the house, to the computer room. BUT, I'm back at Steph's for a long weekend, and looking forward to catching up with all of you!!!

I went to the doctor's yesterday, and had all the stitches out. He thinks that I'm doing well, but is worried about the chance of a blood clot, so I've been asked to stay in Florida for 3 more weeks. I have never been away from my husband this long, and three weeks seems like FOREVER. Once I get back home, I'm not going to let that man out of my site, for a VERY LONG TIME!!!!

I start some very minimal PT next week. Just slightly bending the knee, e-stim and ice. The real killer stuff can't start for another 3 to 5 weeks. Believe me, I'm not looking forward to that!

My leg aches a lot, but the pain meds make me too groggy, so I've been taking some big doses of Ibuprofin, to get me through it. I have been able to sleep pretty well, so that's a blessing.

(I got a good picture of my leg before the stitches came out, so I'll see if Steph can get them up for me this weekend! - I know that you all can't wait!!!!!!)

There was more damage than expected, this time around, so I'm glad that I went ahead and got this over with. I can't sing the praises of my doctor enough. So if any of you out there need knee or shoulder surgery, I would highly recommend a visit to Florida to have the work done

HERE!

On to something cute...

I was missing Percy, while he was galavanting around up in New York State, so my grandson surprised me with some Pancakes. The Y is there, it's just small. Isn't this just the sweetest thing that a little boy could do for his Nonnie!

I love you all! I REALLY DO!

Taking a Little Rest

Suzanne, Libby's daughter, here. Mom's a little under the weather today. As she put it, she's "hit a wall." It's day four after the surgery, which is supposed to be one of the hardest days. She's okay, just really tired and uncomfortable. She wants all her faithful readers/friends to know that she'll be taking a short break from the blogosphere until she's got some energy back. So, hold your horses for a few days, if you can!

Gone To The Dogs

Percy and I went to Visit my grand dog, Sooner, and my dog-in-law, Jamie.

Percy wasn't on his best behavior...Here he is with one of Sooner's toys.
He didn't even ask if he could play with it.

OOOOOOOOOH YUM...A BIG 'OLE BOWL OF DOG FOOD!

I didn't make this mess...HONEST!

o c rap I fooogrgot the otherssssss

thems here Percy , Doofus, Dorcuss, and Cudzsu Becky says thaa Dorcus is like a liee==ttle Chukie like...i need anotheeeeeee pill plluseeeee

Proximal and Distal Open Petellar Realignment

Rep, that's what I'm told that I have

This cool thing is a cooler, which recirculates cool water through those hoses into the blue packs on my leg. It is very nice, and I an very sleepy, so I must stop for now. I' seeing doubles of everything and my mouse keeps running away.

Drain got emptied just for you..It kind makes mwe whant to gag. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeennow

I Got Me Something Shiny!

The dear boy listened!!!

Remember when Steph and Cliff got engaged, and I told Cliff that it was a southern tradition for the new son- in-law to present his new mother-in-law with a piece of jewelry that was at least the same size as the engagement ring?

HERE THEY ARE!!!!

Stephanie, Cliff (aka Mr. Lovely), Caleb and Corey!
Don't they make a beautiful family.
I can hardly wait, to see them as they grow and adjust to spending their new life together.
No matter what they do, I will be a very proud mama!!!

Happy Valentines Day

I got the nicest surprise in my yogurt today... Do you see it?
A perfect little
heart!

I've Been Screwed !

Hi everybody - I've surface for a few minutes (I've been awake, but am having a hard time keeping my eyes open) and wanted to let you know that I'm doing great. Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers!!! They did the trick, and I'm back at my daughter's home, and feeling no pain - and no, I'll not drugged up - I've only had some Motrin.

I had such good care this morning, from all the staff at the surgical center, and from my wonderful, very attentive husband. The pre-op nurse who put in my IV hit a vein on the first try, HOO- RAY, and the anesthesiologist was so sweet, as was his assistant. I was very alert shortly before the appointed hour, so the dear man gave me "seconds", so I was actually quite calm when they wheeled me in th the OR.

I now have matching legs. The photo above, is not mine, but it does depict the same type, size, and location of the screws, that I have in both legs. The doctor made a DVD of my operation, but I will not be viewing it, and I WILL NOT post it - so you can all take a deep breath and relax!

Guess what? Since Steve is here for a couple of days, he has promised to upload a bunch of the pictures that I have taken, so that you can all finally "meet" Doofus, Dorcas, and Cudzu. Make sure that you drop by tomorrow.

Hugs * Kisses* and Thanks, from the bottom of my heart!

Thursday Is The Day Before Friday

Okay - now that I've seen this, I think that I'm going to be sick!!!

My leg is a lot bigger that this one, but it gives you the basic idea. My doctor will go in with a camera, and then I don't know how he gets in there to cut and move stuff and then sew stuff back on in different places, and grind stuff down, etc. etc. I'm just very glad that I will be in dream land when it all happens.

I'm scheduled to show up at 6 tomorrow morning. I'll be shaken down, for the cash up front, and then the really fun stuff starts. The worst part for me, I think, is getting the IV started. I have REALLY BAD veins. Last week, at the lab, it took 5 trys before she struck oil. Then yesterday, the nurse didn't even make an attempt at sticking me. She tried valiantly to find a good vein in both arms and both hands. My doctor (now this is my dear friend who has been my OB-GYN for over 20 years now) came in and said he would do it. (By the way - I'm not pregnant, and I didn't go in for my yearly, as that was taken care of last June. He was checking my TSH level for me, since I've just recently started taking Synthroid.) Sure enough, he found a good vein on my left hand, and got it on the first stick using a "butterfly" - I didn't even bruise. I love that man!

Oh - I gotta change my mind...the worst thing is getting weighed!

After I get weighed, put in a ridiculous gown, have the IV started...I WAIT, and wait, and wait some more. At some point a nurse will give me something that's supposed to make me sleepy. FAT CHANCE. The stuff never works on me. I'll be wired for sound until they knock me out in the OR.

NOW - for those of you who have never had surgery, I"ll es'plain something to you. They put you in a teeny tiny little gown, that is so thin, you could read the newspaper through it. Then they take you into a room that's lit up like a football stadium, and as cold as a meat locker. They have you slide over onto a skinny little slab of stainless steel that is approximately half as wide as your body is. No blanket - just your bare backside sticking to that cold metal. All the while people are just chatting away, as your love handles flop out over the sides of the table and ice is forming on your butt. You look up, and you see your reflection in this HUGE lamp that looks like a satellite dish. No makeup, a greenish pallor to your skin, and fear in your eyes...and then some fool says "how are we doing". "Well we're just great thank you. We haven't enjoyed anything this much, since we pushed out a 10 pound 15 ounce child through a 4 inch slot ( with no drugs) and then got said slot stitched up, while having a sadistic woman smashing on our stomach with unbridled passion. That was so much fun, we think that we'll just try that again, so why don't we put on a robe, and get the heck out of here!" Next they strap a mask over your face, and it's so tight that the fat under your eyes is squished up over your forehead. Now they try having a conversation with you about the weather and the economy and they'll ask you silly questions, like "are you comfortable"? Right about now, you are ready to deck anybody within reach, but you can't, cause your arms are tied down. Thankfully, this is when you go bye-bye until you wake up in recovery. And I'm paying them to do this to me!

Somebody give me as aspirin please? Shoot, no aspirin allowed.

I'll check in with you as soon as I can.

Over and out good buddies.

They Need Prayers and MORE

If you would like to help out the people who have been affected by the disastrous bush fires/firestorms, in Australia, please go:

HERE

This will take you to the Australian Red Cross.

Please keep praying. Not only for the victims of the bush fires, but also for those in the north, who are experiencing flooding.

Thank-You

Prayers Requested

Please be sure to say some prayers for all those who have been affected by the horrific brush fires in Victoria, Australia. My sweet friend Tatersmama, is not in danger at this time, as far as I can tell - BUT - she is devastated by what is happening to those who have been in harms way. At last count, close to 200 people have perished, and entire towns have been totally wiped out by bush fires/firestorms

You can go HERE to see a map with bushfire updates.

It's Blue Monday sponsered by Smiling Sally

Thanks Sal!

My heart is the little blue one, cause that's what I am today...BLUE.
I miss my husband, and my dogs and my Percy ( There is still time to put in a plea for his return. Please go HERE and leave a comment. they've put up new pics, to assure me that he is doing okay!).
I miss my bed, and my spa tub, and my own little "working space and computer".
I miss being able to relax in my recliner, with a good book and some hot cocoa.
I miss home.

But I won't be blue for long, as I have far too many things to do this week...
Spending time with dear friends.
Strawberry Shortcake at Parksdale Farms.
Lunches at Sonic and Olive Garden - maybe more strawberry shortcake:)
Dinner with friends, and family ( I'll be making Bulgogi this week This is a Korean dish. It is kind of like meatloaf in America, in that everybody has their own recipe. I make mine with beef [London broil],onions, green bell peppers, carrots, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sesame seeds, salt pepper and Sprite).

Nope - won't be blue for long at all!

Again a big thank you to Sal for hosting Blue Monday each week.

Set My Percy Free...and bring Cheesecake!

Look at my poor baby...Blindfolded and paw tied:( To those of you who have left comments, pleading for Percy's return...

I thank you!

For those of you:

Tatersmama

NeaBear

Robynn

Who have posted pleading for help...Thank you, Thank you...

Thank you!!!

For those of you who haven't...please do.

Click

HERE

to leave comments asking the dognappers

to bring my baby home!

I just got this text message on my cell phone:

if u want to find your little dog, just take a little jog, and check out this blog and drink some egg nog

Oh no...this can't be true...but it is...what shall I do?

Percy has been DOGNAPPED!



I don't know how I can go on, knowing the my dear sweet little "boy" is at the mercy of some crazed fools.



Please help...go HERE, and plead with his captors...set my doggie free!

Giveaway Alert & TGIF

I had to share this giveaway from 5 Minutes For Giveaways. Up for grabs is a Roku Player & 6 Months of Netflix! The contest is open until February 12th. For details, and to enter, please go

HERE

So here it is, another Friday...but what do I care? I'm on "vacation" so for me...EVERYDAY is FRIDAY!!!

I got to daughter, Stephanie's, house last night. My sweet daughter-in-law, Mindi, picked me up after she got off from work. We met up with Steph and the boys, at a co-workers house. A frolicking purse party was going on when we arrived, but the three of us made the wise decision, to refrain from making any purchases:( Actually all three of us were broke, so we couldn't have bought anything anyway, but it sure was fun to look! I'm told that the purse guy is coming back tonight with shoes and watches...I have his card, and I'm tempted to call and place an order, but common sense will probably prevail.)

I'm staying with a couple of my grand sons for the weekend. Their mother has gone to visit, the fiancee, Mr. Lovely. I imagine that there will be all kinds of requests when they arrive home from school today. Requests will lead to begging, and then pouting when I say NO. They will plead, and try to convince me that their mother always lets them do this or that, but I'm prepared. Steph left a list last night of everything and everyone that they can or can't see, or do. Her John Hancock is at the bottom...and I do know how to read!!!

I have started laundry (my gosh, I raised ten kids and these 2 boys dirty more clothes than my whole herd ever did) and picked up and matched about 87 pairs of shoes. I'll move on to the kitchen shortly and then I'll clean the bathrooms. When the boys get home, we are going to clean their rooms and organize their closets. Don't you think that they will have fun doing this with me? Yeah right! Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth...the cries of utter dismay...

"...Oh Nonnie, our mom never makes us clean our rooms. She lets us eat candy and cookies and drink sodas all afternoon and evening. We have sugar coated cereal with more sugar on top, for dinner every night. She never makes up eat vegetables. She lets us stay up til 3 in the morning, playing video games and watching inappropriate movies. Oh dearest confused and misinformed Nonnie...Please don't burden yourself with trying to figure everything out, we know what we are allowed to do. Just go into mom's room, prop up your feed, and read a good book. We won't bother you at all. Oh we love you so very much...and by-the-way, can we have a credit card please? We want to order pizza and invite a few dozen friends over for the evening. Mom lets us do this every Friday night!"

The pleading will go on for quite some time, their mother will be called repeatedly, until her batteries run low, or she turns off her cell. Pouting and whining, will be done with the rolling of eyes and deep sighs.

When all is said and done, we will end up with clean and neat closets, and then spend an evening playing Scrabble, and eating chocolate covered donuts washed down with big glasses of milk!(After all, I am the NONNIE, and I think that you've got to skip the veggies now and then.)

No pictures yet...as I can't figure out how to make them smaller, on this computer...

...and sorry about the pics yesterday. They showed up on my monitor, but not on any of your's. Hopefully when I get back to Susan's next week, her son will be able to use the card reader, that dear hubby sent, and I'll be able to finally get some photo's up.

From me, Percy, Dorcus, Doofus, and Cudzu...over and out!

I received this from a dear friend - HI BECKY. I decided to post it instead of emailing it. The advice from Erma is priceless.

Passing the Purple Hat to You






IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

WEDNESDAY

I'm going to be out and about with friends today. The first order of business is a "crop" with my scrap booking buddies. Then Becky and I plan to take Percy to Lake Morton to feed the ducks and swans. I plan to get some good photo's to share. I'll try to get one of the ugly (interesting, strange, colorful) sculpture, that the city had erected, in honor of volunteerism, several years ago.

Percy, Doofus, Dorcus, and Cudzu came along yesterday, and had a great time meeting some of my dear friends. We had chicken salad croissant sammies, chicken and yellow rice, cookies, fresh fruit salad, and key lime pie - yum yum! A good time was had by all. We spent three lovely hours "catching up" with the goings on of each other's lives. Then Becky and I headed over to the Book Bazaar, where we traded in two big bags full of books, and then 20 or 30 minutes later walked out with a big bag of "new to us" books. I started reading Strangers in Death last night, and can't wait to finish, so that I can move on to Inkheart!

My card reader may show up in the mail today, and if it does, I'll have someone help me to get some pictures up in future posts. I'm sure that there has to be someone that can help me with the technical stuff. I'm spoiled, cause when I'm home Steve takes care of all this kind of stuff for me. Wow - do I ever miss him. He hopes to be able to come down and be with me for the surgery, but if he can't make it, I have a daughter who will be there to take care of me!

Better go now... people to see, places to go.

Tuesday

I'm off to my friends house. A bunch of us are getting together to eat, and chat, and eat some more. I haven't been with this group of ladies for two whole years, and I am sooooooooooo looking forward to it.

For many who have asked - yes I am having my surgery on Friday the 13th. This does no bother me a bit. My surgeon is one of the top orthopedic doctors in the country, and he specializes in knees and shoulders. I trust him completely. I will be having my left knee re-aligned. I believe that this is called a lateral release. ( I was born with the tendons- that attach to the top of the knee cap- off to the side of my leg, as opposed to the center. My knee caps pop off to the outside. OUCH!) He will also smooth out the patella, and if necessary...break my leg below my knee to reposition it. This is what he did with my right knee. I was rolled into the OR at about ten in the morning, and I left the surgical center shortly after twelve. The man is GOOD!

I better go, I need a shower. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures over the next few days, and get them posted as soon as the card reader shows up in the mail.

Percy in the Pine Needles

Percy sitting in the pine needles, by palmettos.

Most people think of White Sandy Beaches, and Palm Trees, when they think about Florida - Not ME - I think about scrub pine and palmettos!
We stopped at a rest area just over the Georgia/Florida border, and took this pic of Percy, enjoying having his feet planted on Florida Soil. He really had fun on the trip down, and has been doing all kinds of things here. He's such a happy, goofy boy. He just loves playing with his brother, sister, nieces' and nephew's. To keep him from getting too lonely (He sooooooo misses George and Gracie) - I've had him over to his brother's (Simon) house
and to his sister's (Stephanie) place. At Simon and Mindi's, he got to play with 4 legged neice and nephew - Jamie and Sooner. At Steph's, he has nephews - Christian, Caleb and Corey.

For some reason, a lot of people have made comments about Percy lately. For those of you who have asked about him, you can see his "posts" on December 1st and 15th of 2008.

My husband is sending a new card reader to me, and it should arrive on Wednesday. When I get it, hopefully I'll be able to upload some new pictures. Yep, ya'll are going to get to see the newest additions to our family. Doofus, Dorcas, and Cudzu have joined the clan!

My surgery is scheduled for Friday February the 13th. My lab results haven't come back yet, buy I'm sure that everything will be okay with them. As I will be "laid up" for a while, after my left knee is operated on, I'm going to "pack in" as much as possible this week and next. I'll be sure to let you all in on the fun!

Talk at ya later.

Ahem, Psssssssst, Yes You There!

It is I - Percival Pugnacious Mandrake the 4th. For the love of all that's furry, would some one please get me the heck out of here? The women who insists on calling me Percy, and who has the absurd notion that she is my mother, is driving me out of my mind. It's bad enough that I have to be posed for photographs, in ridiculous situations (like with that stupid, garbage breath, farting, shedding excuse for a dog...George, or having my derriere plopped down on pine needles at Rest Stops along the Interstate Highway system, or in front of plates of food, that no reasonable canine would dream of eating), but now... she's gone too far!

She (with the help of her crazed friend, Becky) has decided to make additions "to the family". Now, I not only have to deal with my "siblings", George and Gracie, and I've lost count of how many "nieces and nephew's" ( and I use all those terms loosely) - but this is the last straw...she brought home the most ridiculous trio of misfits that anyone could ever imagine! My life has now gone from a bad dream, to a nightmare.

Oh dear readers, take mercy on me, and rescue me from this...

...Oh no, she's coming...SOS