The Cross Room

An oldie, but a goodie!


The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door, and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

10....9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1 Happy New Year!

May 2009 bring you blessings you never imagined!

Awesome

I just watched a 2 hour special on C-span (who I believe only runs specials) on the White House. The building of, the burning of, the remodeling of by Truman, the first bath tub installed, the cross country garage- sale- seeking by the Kennedy's to find and bring back alot of the presidential memorabilia sold off over the years, the security after the Oklahoma bombings to cut off the vehicle traffic - and the tighter security after 9-11 - to Prez Bush and Obama walking the portico from 'home' to work. The private quarters were shown and I envisioned Malia and Natasha running the hallways and listening to The Jonas Brothers on their Ipods in the solarium (built by the Coolidges).

An awesome special - it's on again at 6:00 tonight and I may have to watch it again - so much to see! And feel.

So much of our hard earned history- and our future.

Home for the holidays..............

Spent Christmas with my son and his family and my 2 grand sons. My Colorado daughter and her hubby- who turned 40 on Christmas day (I've know him half his life now!) and my 2 grand daughters checking in. What a Wonderful Christmas. I am blessed.

3 more days................

I got these dog photos in an e-mail today and it made me laugh out loud - which MY mutt liked alot- so I had to share them!

Christmas Version of 1 Corinthians 13

I found this on Joann's Blog Adventure this morning - and had to pass it on:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir but do not focus on Christ,I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decoratingto kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure. "And now these three remain:faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Author Unknown

Something's Gotta Give...............

I slept in the middle of the bed last night. I took this bold step from a line in the movie "Somethings Gotta Give." In the movie, Diane Keaton's response to missing being married was: "Sometimes, in the middle of the night. When I wake up alone. Sleep in the middle of the bed - it helps."

George Burns, after losing his wife of 40 years, Gracie, responded to Carol Channing: "When I miss her a great deal, I crawl in on her side of the bed, in the middle of the day even, I stay there until I feel warm and good, and then I go on about my business."

So, since I don't really miss the ex-hubby (anymore), just reacting to being alone for 6 years in January- I slept in the middle of the bed. Here's what I discovered:

1.) Not much of a difference. It is after all a very small bed and it's in the same room, with the same smells and sounds and feel of my room.

2.) You can't just 'roll outta bed' to hit the ladies room at 2:30 in the morning, on your fist roll, you are still in bed.

3.) I read at night before I fall asleep- and I can't reach the lamp to turn it off from the middle of the bed.

I could get a 'Clapper" I suppose (I'm sure about every other resident of this building has one) - but, I think randomly clapping in the middle of the night - might be a little harsh on the newly adjusting Bird Boyz.

Conclusion: I'll sleep where ever the hell I want - it's my apartment and I pay the rent. Which was pretty much my attitude before "The Big Sleep Experience." (And truth be told........long before I started paying the rent. Which may explain alot..........)

Say Good Night Gracie.

B & R Update

They are sitting, huddled together on the center branch. They are bonding. I forgot they didn't know each other either - Robert coming from the 'blue' cage and Bob from the 'green". I take this as a good step forward.

The Robert Report...................

Robert has moved about some, ate a little from the seed spray the day before yesterday.....but no sound as yet. Bob hasn't eaten and doesn't move unless I reach in and pet him. They both let me pet them and like it when I talk to them. Altho Robert is now sitting at the bottom of the cage- and I know that's no good.
I'm getting a little worried. I wonder if the incredibly ugly mutt in the house has them concerned. Altho Toby totally ignores them, he does walk by the cage, and he is at eye level for the birds when he sits on my bed.
If no improvement by tomorrow, I'll call the good folks from PetSmart and see if they have any suggestions.

Silence, very little movement, no chirping

Robert is eating and talking to Bob!

Bob however, is still in the same position on the lower perch, refusing to eat..................

Day two bird watch...........

Bob and Robert seem to be a little freaked out still. I left the T. V. on for them today, but they were still very high up in the cage and the seed and fruit offerings did not look disturbed.
I petted their bellies and backs and spoke to them for a while when I got home and Bob finally left his corner for a new perch lower in the cage - but, Robert is still hanging tough.
Maybe he's annoyed that I'm pronouncing his name 'Row-Bear'.
Maybe he's a Jon Stewart fan.

I am unreasonably Happy!

Last night was the first night I did not cover the empty bird cage vacated by Bob on Saturday,Nov 29, after her untimely death. The cage is still in my bedroom, and if I woke up in the middle of the night all sleepy and groggy I would think "I forgot to cover the cage!" So, I just covered it before I went to bed to save myself the night time hassle. I had cleaned it and was going to move it out on the back porch.....but, never really got around to it.
Today I had to venture into PetSmart to get the Science Diet my mutt eats - and the first thing I heard was the chirping and screeching and flapping of the parakeets. Music to my ears. My Mom always had 2 parakeets while I was growing up. A green one and a blue one. For many years she only had one- named "Love". For some reason one day, Love flew the coop and got outside in the tree by my Mom's apartment in Lemon Grove. My son happened to stop by for a visit while this drama was unfolding. When Gramma told him what was happening......my son, somehow, caught the little critter and returned Love to her cage. When I remarried in 1994 - I discovered, too late, that my soon to be ex-husband hated birds. After the Dear Boy left, the first thing my Mom and I did- was get a couple of birds. These 2 birds died an excruciatingly sad death during one of my various moves over the last 6 years. I buried them in the orange tree plant my daughter and her family gave me as a welcome to the neighborhood present. A few months later, I was given Bob and Not Bob. (Who were originally called Thunder and Lightning, then Salt and Pepper, Frick and Frack - but nothing stuck until I went back to the family tradition of naming our birds Bob. Except that I had 2. So, Not Bob was born.). The birds were already about 7 years old, and Bob out lived Not Bob by about 3 years. And so, today.........I picked up the mutt's dog food and oh my, it's right past the bird cages and another "OH MY - the little budgies WERE ON SALE- IT WAS MEANT TO BE !!!!!!!
And so, may I introduce:
Bob Greene and Robert (pronounced "Row-bear") Blu.
Yeah! Birds in da house !!!!!!!!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?' I asked without fear, 'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!' For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.' 'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,' Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.' My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'
' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.' 'But isn't there something I can do, at the least, 'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, 'Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

I wish you enough........

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate what you possess.
I wish you enough hellos - to get you through the final good bye.

That's trouble with a capital'T' that rhymes with:

I hate car trouble. That's why I bought a new one in July - so I wouldn't have to deal with it.

I came home early from my son's house yesterday - so excited! It was still light when I got home. Had a great visit with the grand boys - #4 had his very first birthday! I stopped on the way home and started my Christmas shopping for my Colorado grand daughters - and was all set to walk the dog and wrap the presents! But, when I pulled into my parking lot- there was a lady there about 4 spaces down with the hood of her SUV up. Now, I looked under my hood occasionally on my old car, so no alarms went off- might be a 'fluid top off' - but, when I got out of my car, the lady says to me: "Do you know anything about cars?" I replied "I can drive them to the mechanic's and the gas station, but, that's my limit."

Car lady: "O.K. Will you listen to this and tell me what is wrong please?"

Me: (??????????????)

Car Lady "Hear that? that noise wasn't there before."

Me: "O.K."

Car Lady: "And it smokes."

Me: - Sticking my foot firmly in to it. "Well, that's not good. I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen."

Car Lady: "Well, I washed it down. Maybe I wasn't supposed to do that?"

Me: "Wash the car?" (Now, I have owned my car since July 11 - and I have NEVER washed it, but, I'm fairly sure this is unusual)

Car Lady: "I washed the engine down. Do you think that was bad?"

Me: (Finally getting my wits about me - and knowing that yes, that can be a very bad thing - to various engine pieces parts - unless she had it steamed cleaned professionally) - said "I don't know."

There were extremely long pauses between each exchange, where the Car Lady just stood there very pleasantly staring at me. And the light was fading fast. So.................

Me: "Do you have anyone to call? Do you have AAA?"

Car Lady: "Yes, I have a sister - but she lives in Torrance and hates when I call her about my car. And I have AAA."

Me: "D you have a cell phone? Would you like to use mine?"

Car Lady: "I have a cell, I can call. I wonder if I should drive it."

Me: "Call AAA - that is what I would do- that is ALL I COULD do."

After another forever long pause, I started emptying the trunk of my car - and walked into the building. Feeling like a total jerk leaving her there. (I HATE putting strangers in my car.) So, I hook up the dog, get my cell and my AAA card and a jacket (OK, 2) - because the sun is going down and who knows how long we'll be out there. And I go outside with the mutt.

Wrong move. the Car Lady thinks I have gone inside, taken an on-line mechanic course and have come back to diagnose the problem.

Car Lady "Listen, the noise went away - oh, wait - there it is is again, and again."

Me: "Did you call your sister or AAA?"

C.L. "No"

Me: "OK, how far away do you live?"

C.L. : "Here.'

Me: "Here? You live here?"

C.L.: "Yes."

Me: "So, you have your keys to get in and you are not stranded? You are safe?"

C.L. "Yes. But, I need a ride to the doctors tomorrow if it's still making this sound."

Me: "Tell your sister you'll take her to lunch."

Every once in a while I have to stop-take a breath-

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

I saw a man in spats today..............

I saw a man in spats today.....(sounds the the opening line of a naughty limerick eh?- but, hey, this is a family blog). And, I did. I was stopped at a red light and a man in a dark, 3 piece suit - vest buttoned up and spats went riding by. The pièce de résistance? (An exotic enough term for a man in spats on a bike in Laguna at 7:30 in the morning.) The baseball cap- worn backwards of course.

Blessed be the Care Givers

My apartment shares a parking lot with a Senior Day Care. Every morning the buses pull up and drop the wheel chair lift or the walker ramp and deliver elderly men and women to the center for their day. Some of the folks are dropped off by women - about my age, dressed for work. I watch this every morning as I am out walking my mutt before work - and sometimes I get 'caught' in my parking space as the buses line up behind me. At times like these I get a chance to watch some incredible care givers in action. There are always one or 2 of the care givers waiting outside- in any weather. When the bus or car pulls up- they are off and running - smiling and calling the elderly person's name. Some of the men and women can navigate on their own and are standing upright when the greeters get to them. The other morning I watched as one women got out of her daughter's (?) car. Smiling, the caregivers immediately started touching her and calling her name. They touched her hair, they 'straightened' an already straight sweater at the woman's shoulder. One of the care givers bent all the way down and fussed with the cuff of the woman's pant leg. A button was closed, or opened - a piece of lint discarded. Hair was fluffed - contact was made. There was nothing wrong with the way this woman was dressed or groomed and I don't believe that was the point. By the time this woman made it to the front door with her care givers - her shoulders were straighter (that invisible piece of lint must have been a very heavy load), her head held higher (now that the hair was out of her eyes) and the foot that she had been favoring getting out of the car was weight bearing, now that she wasn't dragging her pant cuff. And she was smiling - now that these care givers had said her name several times and told her about her day to come. An amazing, visual transformation by the power of love and caring and giving of ourselves to others. The power of touch - from one human to another. I was in awe. It made my day- and I've thought about it ever since.

Over the weekend I baked a bunch of cakes for the ordination of a friend of mine. I made 3 extra loves (spice, vanilla and red velvet - which I don't get) and a few more chocolate covered strawberries and pineapples and cherries and Monday morning on the way to work I took the whole mess over to the Senior Care Center. Not for the folks who make it their home during the day (they seem to be well cared for!) but for the caregivers who make the home. They were a little taken aback (probably thought I was next on their resident list) - and nobody touched me - but, hey, maybe next time.

We love, because He first loved us. I John 4:19

First Day of Advent

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!

Bob R.I.P.

Bob passed away today while I was at work. It was obvious that she suffered. I hope it was quick. My heart hurts. It's going to be real quiet around here now without her chirping and bouncing around (and falling off her perch) in the her cage in my bedroom.

I am thankful for........

Going around the table today at our Thanksgiving feast - we, one by one, young and old - tried to express to our table mates and family members the things that make us thankful. (My son was rather eloquent in his praise of his wife and family and employment status.) My 3 year old grandson was sitting on my right - and was one of the last to express himself. As each family member spoke, NTM, was keeping up a running commentary to me: "Granma, I'm thankful for my Dad and my Mom." "Granma, I'm thankful for Grandpa - and for you." (Grandpa is not mine - he is "Other Grandma's.) And then, when it came time for my Sweet Baby Boy to express himself, he says: "I'm thankful for my shoes." When I mentioned all the other thanks he had told me before it was his turn, NTM said "Yes, Granma, but, I'm REALLY thankful for my shoes." Auntie told him it was a very good thing to be thankful for our shoes and we had a very pleased 3 year old turkey butt at our table reminding us all that it's the small things in life- like Spiderman shoes, that we can be thankful for, and find our joy.

Fruit Salad Anyone?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am in charge of the fruit salad. Well, I'm also in charge of the birthday cake for the hostess (I can say this because I know she doesn't read my blog) and I just retrieved the 3 layers of checkerboard cake from the oven. After it cools I will frost it in cookies and cream fashion with vanilla and chocolate frosting and crushed Oreo's. The most difficult thing about the cake is my kitchen - where anything more challenging than Top Ramen can be an ordeal. But it's the fruit salad. I admit, I just don't GET fruit salads. We didn't have them on the table when I was growing up, and I never made them for my kids. For one, I don't like my fruit touching. I don't see the appeal of a strawberry flavored piece of banana - or a banana flavored strawberry. And I never know how creative I can get with these things. (This isn't the first time I have been asked to bring one.) The first year, I carved a watermelon to look like a basket- and threw all the cut up pieces of fruit back into the watermelon shell. That was well received and disappeared quickly. But one year, for my grand son's first birthday I went berserk and made a fruit 'bouquet" - drove 100 miles with the thing in my car - placed it on the table, and nobody ate the damn thing. It was being treated like a non-edible center piece. Not wanting a few good hours of my time to go to waste I started dismantling it myself and handing out the fruit skewers. Yes, I did. I just said 'first birthday party' and skewers in the same breath. Two and a half years later and I have not sufficiently recovered from the sheer terror of little kids and sharp wooden objects with food on them.

So, this year, I'm just going to present the fruit in a nice bowl, bite size pieces, no raisins or coconut (or melons due to allergies) - and put it on the table somewhere (salad side? desserts?). Well, I didn't initiate this so quite probably the person who did - will know where to put it. (Or at least have some opinion about that - if she actually DOES read my blog.)

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring........

Well, this isn't going to work. Maybe if it HAD been an old man snoring, I probably could have slept easier.

Last night was my first rainstorm in this apartment. I've been here 11 months (already). And one of the - well, the ONLY big plus for this place is the covered back porch. With 2 archways (supporting the upper levels) I have room for a table and chairs, a wooden trunk, my craft table, a year round Christmas tree and a bazillion plants- with room to walk around. There are also 2 stamp size grassy areas for the dog- that are out from under the cover of the overhang. So, not surprisingly, ....the water drips. And not a Shirley- Temple- like pitter patter of "I love to walk in the rain- look for me when it's stormy on some cloudy lane and I'll be there..." ( I was a HUGE Shirley Temple fan growing up) - but the relentless ta-theump-drip drip- theump-drip reminiscent of Poe's Tale Tale Heart.

Woke me up about 2:00 in the morning. And - WHO - at that time of morning, can't find something to lie alone in the dark and feel guilty about? So, not being able to reroute the dripping - I got up and turned on all the fans and the wall mounted AC to try and white noise out the plat-plat-tha-thump of the rain. Eventually it worked, and I finally went back to sleep - but not until I added another blanket, socks and a long sleeve shirt and sent my most fervent apologies to any and all of the kind folks I may have offended in my life..........

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! --tear up the planks! here, here! --It is the beating of his hideous heart!"

Happy Turkey Day preparation!

So busy at the local A&P (I actually haven't seen an A&P since I was a kid- anyone remember Zody's? - but, it just sounded better - Thanksgiving is ALL about nostalgia for me!) when I went foraging for the week's food Sunday. Took me a minute to figure out what the deal was- until I saw all the Turkeys in the slowly moving grocery carts (this store is right across from 3 major retirement homes). In the last 5 years, I have cooked only one turkey dinner in my own home. It was awesome. My son and his wife and belly baby came as did the parents-in-law, my Sweet Baby Girl and her family - the grand daughter's spending the night. I cooked and baked and cleaned and offered and sorted for days. Just like ol' times. Loved it. Our Thanksgiving dinners growing up- and when my kids were growing up were ALL about the big meals and family. So Norman Rockwell. Right up to the minute (and beyond because my Dad had a great laugh) that my baby cousin threw mashed potatoes at my Mom's prized grand father clock (that was too big for the wall so, it stood 90 years on the floor............) And just a few years ago- my Grand daughters strapped on the roller skates, dressed in poodle skits - put up a colorful sign for "Darcy Lou's Diner" and served Mom and Dad and Granma a rockin' 50's Thanksgiving feast they had helped prepare.........ahhhhhhhhhhh, memories.......the BEST dessert! This year I'll be building more memories over the river and through the woods to Other Grandma's house- it's my youngest Grandson's first Thanksgiving, my 3 year old is a good eater and it looks like snow in Colorado!

A Thanksgiving Proclamation - October 3, 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, A.D. 1789.

Twlight

Tonight's the night. The movie Twilight is released at mid-night and for the very first time in my life I am going to a first showing midnight movie. (I've been to 2 other midnight movies- far from first showing - Rocky Horror and Ruling Class- both a kick to see in the middle of the night.) I read the Twilight series in one week in August during my vacation to Colorado to see My Sweet Baby Girl and her family. That's 4 books, all over 600 pages the last over 750. We were hooked and it was fun sharing it with my family. If I were going to be standing in line with my grand daughters tonight (I'm sure most of the other folks there will actually LOOK like my grand daughters!) - I probably wouldn't feel so....well, silly? about this. I mean, I'm a grand mother for Pete's sake. (I made brownies to pass around - a grandmother I tell ya!) And I'm meeting 10 or 11 other women all about my daughter's age to sit in chairs for a few hours in line - talk about the book (now, I go to a Book Club once a month with women my age, and don't feel..well........silly....... about it) - and then we are all off to breakfast afterwards to talk about it all. Maybe because the book is about teenagers. Well, 200 year old teenagers, but ......hey - wait! I'm a GRANDMOTHER - doesn't that make me a 56 year old teenager myself! Alright! This works for me!

I have a new gadget!

I have a new gadget! It is a gift from my friend, Veronica! Thank you Veronica! It is a blue tooth! Now, I can drive and appear to talk to myself all at the same time! This was an awesome surprise. I met Veronica and her family last night for the Ballet Folkloric - and of course, I called her on the way over from my phone- with a concern about driving towards the fires.....and I had her on speaker phone and there was alot of "What? Huh? and 'Hang up and talk to me when you get here's." Little did I know that lurking in the back seat of Veronica's car - after the Ballet- I would have a blue tooth all wrapped up in pink tissue and a matching gift bag. I got the cell and the head set to 'sync' - but, I'm not sure how to hang up the phone when I'm done talking. I may have to call Veronica and ask....................

A txt photo from my Sweet Baby Girl in Colorado

First snow came late this year........

It got me!

Exactly one week to the day that I turned down a flu shot at my annual check up smugly stating "Oh, I NEVER get the flu- and I've NEVER had a shot" - the nasty bug that went thru my son's family (in my 4 previous blogs) bit me on the butt and laid me out on the couch for the requisite 24 hours. Ick. Nasty. And yes, I'm a couch sickie. Have been ever since I was a kid when being sick was the ONLY reason we were allow to lay out on the couch - and then it was all pillows and blankets, soup form Mom and a new stuffed animal from my Dad. (Well, I think my brother s got a more 'manly' gift, but, I don't recall what it was- and anyway - this blog is about me.) Because when you are sick it is all about YOU. So there I was camped out on the couch, with my soda and my crackers and my T.V.

Now, the bathroom is closer to my bed (important consideration with the flu) - and my bed is more comfortable that the sofa- but old habits die hard and we regress to what is comfy when we don't feel well. I did notice however, that my preference for being alone when I'm sick is probably more of a "lay your offerings of warm soup and gifts at my feet and then go somewhere behind that wall where I can't see or hear you - but, know you are there" than actually alone. And it's stressful for my kids when I'm alone and sick - my son called to check on me, and sounded worried and sad that his munchkins germed me up (we work at the same company and it's hard to 'go missing' for a day without him knowing even though our offices are over 100 miles apart) - but, I only communicated with my daughter by txt that day- and as good as she is- she's not clairvoyant.

I kept up the stuffed animal thing with my grand daughters and my youngest still has a white cat I gave her- called 'Sickie Kitty". That darlin' girl lent her to me once to make me feel better. Maybe that's what I needed...Sickie Kitty.....or maybe my grand daughter. In any event I am better and back on my feet and back to work and blogging - and so is the rest of my California family! Hope it doesn't travel to Colorado!

God's 3 answers:

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today is my Mothers birthday- and I am wearing blue. I uploaded several pictures of my Mom from the 70th birthday party we threw for her. It was a surprise.......a real surprise.....with grand kids and great grand kids and matching t-shirts with pigs - and Mom in a tiera! But, for some reason this morning I can't get them to upload....so I'll work on it again later - and get the birthday wishes out now.

Mom would have been 82 today!

I love you Cherished Lady!

For all my sickies: Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me Jesus
You're all I need
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Big Brother and CA. Mommy are better - but....

Oh No! Now CA. Daddy has it!

Uh Oh!

CA. Mommy got it Saturday night and now

Big Brother is a sickie! Feel better soon Angel Voice and Sweet Baby Boy I! Granma Loves you!

All Better!

Sickie baby alert!

Oh no! My littlest Sweet Baby Boy is not feeling well! Granma loves you! Feel better!

Did I mention it was my favorite time of the year?

My favorite time of year.

Fall. I love it...................

I also love covered bridges. In fact, any kind of bridge appeals to me. I could travel the entire U.S. - the world - just to look at bridges. (Hey, some folks travel to baseball stadiums- so, it's not all THAT weird!)

Proposition 8

My heart hurts. I am not going to discuss gay marriage. I am going to tell you why my heart hurts.
Proposition 8 is a constitutional amendment to take away the rights of targeted American citizens.
Martin Luther King, in his “I Have a Dream’ speech paraphrased Thomas Jefferson when he said:
‘I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’
All men. Not all straight men. All men.
When I stand before My Maker and God brings out the book of my life - He will not be asking me about the bedroom antics of Bruce and Charles. That story will be in their book.
My God will ask me what did I do to make this a better world, to love my neighbor as I love myself.
I am going to bed tonight with ‘Yes on Proposition 8’ ahead in the polls.
And my heart hurts. And I am sad and disappointed. We are stripping away the very same liberties so many have died to protect. One vote at a time. And I'm sad I encouraged so many to vote.

“When first they came for the criminals I did not speak
Then they began to take the Jews
When they fetched the people who were members of trade unions
I did not speak
When they took the bible students
Rounded up the homosexuals
Then they gathered up the immigrants and Gypsies
I did not speak
Eventually they came for me
And there was no one left to speak."

Well, apparently, my vote DID count !!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: The 44th President of the United States.

Did you?

Not the only 2 running!

OK folks.........if you just can't bring yourself to vote for Obama or McCain.....there are other names on the ballot- take a look- and get out and cast that vote ! And don't forget - we have some Propositions that need your attention!

Early voting polls open in less than an hour!

'Toto, I have a feeling we are not in Alaska anymore.'

Find the time to vote! Just 2 days left!

2 days, 15:23:30 hours until polls close

Will your vote count?

The swearing-in of the President of the United States occurs upon the commencement of a new term of a President of the United States. The United States Constitution mandates that the President make the following oath or affirmation before he or she can "enter on the Execution" of the office of the presidency:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

3 more days!

A kiss and a prayer......

I voted last week by mail. I sat in my comfy home with my black pen and my election manual and I filled in all the appropriate (to my way of thinking) blanks. I pulled a stamp from my purse and stuck it on the envelope and I drove my new car to the Post Office on the way to my job. And, as I dropped the envelope into the mailbox – I gave it a kiss, put my right hand over my heart and said a prayer. No one saw me, and I wouldn’t have cared if they did. However, if someone had, they may have assumed it was a prayer-a-kiss-and-crossing-my-heart-and-hope-to-die so my candidate would win. And they would be wrong. It actually had nothing to do with the candidates. I’ll tell you what it was for: the kiss is for the men and women who are serving – or have served- in the armed forces, my heart - goes out to those who did not return- who ‘gave it their all’ – and my prayer is for the safety of those still out there – and for the families who grieve because their loved one came home in a flag draped box. A thank you, an atta girl/boy, a prayer and a vote. Small repayment for such a huge price paid for me. I told my grand daughter the other day that it would be disrespectful not to vote – so much has been offered by so many to protect this basic privilege. So, vote. And, if you have it in you – say a prayer while you do.

You are Mine.

You are mine. I will come to you in the silence; I will lift you from your fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, Be still and know I am here.

Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home: I Love you and you are mine.

I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see. In the shadows of the night, I will be your light, Come and rest in me.

I am strength for all the despairing, Healing for the ones who dwell in shame. All the blind will see, the lame will run free And all will know My Name.

I am The Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give. I will call your name Embracing your pain Stand up now, walk and live!

Seriously..........Vote