I’ve known this special person since I was just a child–probably five or six years old.

She came into my life as “the babysitter”.

I loved her because she showered me with attention.  She colored,  and played games with me.

It turns out I wasn’t the only one who loved her.

My older brother fell for her, as well.

They did make a lovely couple together back then, didn’t they?

They still make a  lovely couple today!

The two of them married when I was just nine years old–and that was a long, long time ago.

My former babysitter became my sister-in-law, and  my friend during the years that followed.

We raised our daughters at the same time, they’re less than two years apart in age.

Now we’re both grandmothers of three–two boys and a girl.

We share so many happy  memories between us from over the years. (including her husband’s/my brother’s ordination to become a pastor.)

Today is her birthday.

And though we are miles apart today, I’m thinking about her and wishing her a very happy birthday that’s filled with many (more) happy memories.

Happy birthday to the best babysitter/sister-in-law/ girlfriend a person could ever have!

I learned that “privacy” is dead because data bases never forget–and everything is stored in data bases these days.  There is a stored copy of every transaction, call, or whatever–in a data base somewhere!  We can be tracked and investigated through our electric bills, water bills, banking records, medical records, phone records, emails, social media accounts, etc.   “Someone” can look at these documents and determine pretty much anything  they want to know about us.

Think about how often we use “Google”.  Yesterday there was breaking news concerning Google’s Privacy Act.  The government and Google, now working together–now there’s a force to be reckoned with.  Our government is slowly, but surely, intent on gaining control over the internet.

We all know our computers are vulnerable if we’re connected to the internet, but did you know that technology is available which can read the hard drive of your computer when it isn’t even connected to the internet?  It can be done through AC current.  Mind boggling isn’t it?

These days there is a “digital trail” of us where ever we go.  Think of how many places where cameras are in use.  They’re virtually everywhere these days.  Houses, schools, buses, banks, stores, street corners…the list goes on and on.  For the most part, this is a good thing, but it’s also a scary thought…Somebody’s always watching!

Do you have any of those “store rewards” cards?  I sure do–several of them!  I learned that our buying habits are being tracked and stored through the use of these cards!  I’d never thought about this.  In the future, with so many changes in healthcare on the horizon, our buying habits could actually be used against us!  For instance, if we buy “junk food”, cigarettes, or alcohol…the evidence is all stored in a database!  The life continuity expert recommends getting store rewards cards only in a fake name if you choose to use them!

I learned that cell phones are a great way of spying on us–even when it’s not turned on!  I also learned that to have a cell phone in a truly “safe mode”, you have to remove the battery.   However,  Apple’s popular iPhones have non-removable batteries!  Did you know that?

I learned a lot more things, but that’s a post for another time.  I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my private life isn’t really private, and hasn’t been private for many years.  Of course, I knew this up to a point, since I choose to blog.  However,  it’s one thing to willingly share information with others, but it’s another to have your information taken and shared without your knowledge!

This week is officially half over, and the month is nearly gone already!  It’ll be spring before we know it.  In the meantime, let’s enjoy  Joyce’s weekly meme, “Wednesday Hodgepodge”.  Don’t forget to click on Joyce’s button at the top of my post,  to see the list of others participating, then pay some of them a visit, too.

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year’s Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define ‘patriot’?

I define a patriot as someone who loves, honors, and defends their country.

2. What’s something in your life right now that feels like a ‘giant’?

Trying to make wise financial decisions concerning our future.  Times are tough for everyone, but especially for us older folks with limited time left in the work force.  Our Social Security isn’t looking very “secure”, our retirement accounts aren’t  earning much money these days, and prices–well, they just keep on rising.

3. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

Being a newlywed!  On my eighteenth birthday I’d been married to Ed for only about 10 weeks.  We were “living on love, and buying on time”. (lyrics of an old Alan Jackson song which Ed says is “our song”)

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise…which white food would be the hardest to give up?

I’m not really a fan of coconut, I can take or leave mashed potatoes, and I prefer Miracle Whip over mayonnaise…so my answer would have to be good ole’ vanilla ice cream!  Wouldn’t you know?

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you’ve ever experienced?

I remember a time, many years ago, when the temperature here dropped down to 10 degrees.  That’s extremely cold for southeastern Georgia!  My goldfish pond froze over and didn’t thaw out for three days.  All of the fish survived–and we did, too, but it sure was COLD outside!

6. You’re hosting a brunch…what’s your favorite dish to prepare and serve?

I’d probably make a breakfast casserole, although I don’t often cook them.  I can’t find the recipe that I usually use, but this one is similar, and belonged to a friend who passed away.

Cheese Strata~Breakfast Casserole 

5 thick slices of white bread, cubed

10 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. salt

Grease  1 and 1/2 quart casserole dish, and place bread cubes in it.  Combine other ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Pour over bread cubes, then refrigerate casserole overnight–a must!  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, then serve while hot.  Note:  I like bacon, so I’d probably add 4 to 6 strips of crispy, crumbled bacon to my casserole.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?

I’m usually a “the glass is half full” type of person, but as time goes on I’m beginning to see the glass as “half empty” more and more often.  Perhaps getting older has something to do with this.  Whenever I begin having negative thoughts, I make myself look for the “positives” in the situation, then remind myself that “it could always be worse”.

Random:  In yesterday’s post, I mentioned making a chicken pot pie.  The recipe is so quick and easy, I decided to share it.  It’s one of Ed’s favorites.

Quick and Easy Chicken Pot Pie

3  chicken breasts (I use frozen, boneless breasts) boiled until tender

1  15oz. can of mixed vegetables, drained

1 can cream of celery soup

2 tablespoons dried onion flakes

1 and 1/2 cups of chicken broth (left over from boiling the chicken breasts)

Ingredients for crust:

1 stick melted margarine

1 cup milk

1 cup self rising flour (sifted)

Cut or shred chicken breasts into small pieces.  Put into a 9×13 or similar baking dish.  Add the chicken broth, drained vegetables, cream of celery soup, and onion flakes.  Stir to mix well.  In a separate bowl mix the ingredients for the crust, then pour over the chicken mixture.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.  I have also made individual pot pies by dividing the mix/crust into five small round baking dishes before baking.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it’s looking cloudy and dreary.  I hope the sun decides to shine later today!

I am thinking…this kind of weather is best for sleeping or reading a good book!

I am thankful…for where we live.  I love the quiet, peaceful atmosphere in which we live.  I can hear birds singing outside as I type this.  This farm has belonged to my husband’s parents for over 60 years.

In the kitchen…I made a chicken pot pie for supper last night, and it was delicious.  I used my usual recipe, but this one turned out better than most.  We also had warm gingerbread for dessert–something I never got around to baking at Christmas time.

I am wearing…my night shirt and a pair of  lounging socks.  I really need to get dressed!

I am creating…some new Valentine’s Day ornaments for my “year-round” tree.

I am going…to town to pick up my granddaughter from pre-school in a little while.  I help my daughter out by doing this on Tuesdays.

I am wondering…how bad the economy will get before it gets better.  How much more water can they add to a bottle of catsup?  How much smaller can they make a Tootsie Roll midget?

I am reading…nothing at the moment, but I’ve started three different books–and haven’t finished any of them.

I am hoping…I continue to feel well in the coming weeks.

I am looking forward to…springtime!  I love watching everything come to life after being dormant all winter.

I am learning…to listen more, and speak less.  A lesson I’ve sometimes learned the hard way.

Around the house…things are still pretty tidy.  I cleaned up for company several days ago, and the house hasn’t gotten messy again– yet.

I am pondering…what the future holds for Ed and me as we grow older.  Ed’s now 62, and could retire–if our economy wasn’t in such a mess…but it is, so he will continue to work for a while longer.

A favorite quote for today…“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”    Sarah Hughes (Olympic gold medalist, figure skating, 2002)

One of my favorite things...spending time relaxing on a warm, sandy beach.  Along with a gentle ocean breeze blowing, and oldies music playing in the background.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  not sure yet, but hoping to spend some time with the grandchildren, and perhaps visit an old friend.

A peek into my day…not much exciting happening around here, other than my trip to town.  Perhaps I’ll make a few ornaments for the “year-round” tree.

Many thanks to Peggy at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ for hosting the Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Ringling Bros. Circus 2012

On Friday, I joined my daughter and granddaughter on a school field trip to the circus!  The little pre-school my granddaughter attends doesn’t have access to a bus, so parents were responsible for transporting their own children to the circus.  Parents and children had to meet at 9:30 to pick up their tickets from the box office, which meant we had to leave home early in the morning!  It’s a 55 mile drive to the Savannah Civic Center.  Nothing like an early start to a fun day!

Love those elephants!

My daughter, Brandy, and I have been to the civic center on several occasions, but never without our husbands.  The men have always been the ones doing the driving on past trips.  On Friday morning, she and I left armed with traveling directions, and set out on our own to find downtown Savannah.   Fortunately, “Google Maps” gives great directions, and we drove straight there without any problems.  In fact, we had 20 minutes to spare!

Our seats at the circus turned out to be good ones.  We were seated front and center, so we had a great view of everything going on during the show.  I took my camera along, just in case we had a decent view.  I took photographs throughout the show–meanwhile,  a small child sitting directly behind me, on their parent’s lap,  kept his shoe in the middle of my shoulders for almost the entire show.  I was certain I would have a permanent shoe print on my back for the rest of the day!

Hanging by her heels!

I actually think Brandy and I enjoyed the show more than granddaughter, Madison, did.  The show kept us on the edge of our seats most of the time–from the ladies performing on hoops, to three motorcycles flying around the inside of a steel cage!  A fantastic comedy team kept us entertained in between the circus acts, so there was never a dull moment.   Although there were no lions or tigers this year, the other animal acts were very good–including two performing camels!

Believe it or not, Madison’s most memorable part of the entire circus was when one of the elephants “pooped” during the performance!  It probably wouldn’t have been so memorable, had it not been for that foul smell!  It was a bit unbelievable how the smell seemed to fill the entire civic center!  Oh my goodness!

One of my favorite acts.

Following the circus, we left the civic center armed with more directions to get us over to the “south side” of Savannah, where we planned to eat lunch.  The Google directions were great, but unfortunately I misread them and got us a bit lost!  We ended up in Garden City, and had to call Brandy’s husband for directions to get us back on track!

Within minutes, we were safely headed in the right direction once again.  That was our only mishap of the entire day–with the exception of me entering the men’s restroom at the civic center!  Oops!  I didn’t realize I could move so fast–until I spotted that man standing in front of a urinal!    In my defense, it was an honest mistake.  There was a sign on the wall, just outside the men’s restroom, that said “Ladies”.  However, barely noticeable was a tiny arrow below it pointing down the hall to the actual Ladies room!  (The door to the men’s room was actually propped open, so I didn’t notice the paper sign on the door either.)

Despite a couple of exciting mishaps, all’s well that ends well, right?  We all had a very nice time, it was a memorable day, and I discovered–you’re never too old to enjoy the circus, but I just may need a little help finding the ladies room next time!

I went to the doctor for my three months checkup on Tuesday afternoon.  Guess what?!  I had to have blood drawn again!  I don’t usually mind all that much, but I’d just had it done last week.  Unfortunately, they didn’t test my thyroid levels, so…I had to have that done.  Did I mention how much the nurse hurt me last week, as she gouged my vein?  Ugh!  Fortunately, I didn’t get the same nurse on Tuesday!

After weeks of feeling sort of lousy, I finally began feeling better last week.  Perhaps it was the visit from my brother and his wife!  Getting the hustle-bustle of the holidays behind didn’t hurt either.  Whatever the reason, it’s nice to be feeling better again.  I just hope and pray the feeling lasts for a while.

Since I’m feeling better, I volunteered to babysit two of our grandchildren for a while yesterday.  I hadn’t had much snuggle time with baby Chase, and I felt sure that my daughter-in-law must be in need of a break by now.  My suspicions were confirmed, and she brought the boys to me on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday turned out to be a bit of a “child fest” because my daughter, Brandy, also walked over and brought little Alex for his first visit to my house.  Little Alex is still trying to figure me out.  Brandy and I look a lot alike, and I think he gets a bit confused occasionally.  Alex cries every time Brandy leaves the room, and yesterday he cried whenever I left the room, too!  Anyway, granddaughter, Madison, came over for a bit, too, after she got home from pre-K.  I enjoyed all of my visitors.  Baby Chase slept through most of his visit, but the others sure had a great time.  After everyone went home, after lunch, this tired Mimi took herself a nap!

Alex, Madison, and Cade playing together

Today I plan to straighten up the house a bit, and pick up Madison from pre-K at noon because her mom has a doctor’s appointment at eleven.  Tomorrow I get to join Madison and her mom for a fun field trip–to the circus!  That should prove to be fun–and tiresome, but I’m looking forward to it.  Who doesn’t love the circus, no matter how old you are?!

That’s about all that’s going on in my neck of the woods, what have you been up to?

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for the weekly “Wednesday Hodgepodge”.  (Thanks, Joyce!)  Here are Joyce’s questions, along with my answers:

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

No, I didn’t watch it.  I stopped watching pageants years ago.  I hope I don’t offend anyone, but pageants are just about more than I can stand!  Everything looks so “fake”.  I would never be a contestant willingly, but if I was ever forced to be one, I’d be in trouble.  I can’t sing, dance, or play a musical instrument!

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

Neither!  No plants of any kind in this house, but I do like them!  I just can’t keep real ones alive, and I hate to dust the fake ones.  Of course, I do have a “year round” tree, if that counts as a fake houseplant!

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn’t call on you type of student?

I was the “hide your face, avoid eye contact, pray the teacher didn’t call on me” kind of girl!  It’s funny how I grew up and ended up being a “teacher” of sorts, aka “a paraprofessional”.  I don’t have a problem talking in front of children–just adults.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year…what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?  A fortune cookie!  It’s about the only Chinese food that I like.

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?

Well, first of all I had no idea how to define a miracle, so I googled the word.  (How did we ever function before google?)  Google says a miracle is an event attributed to “divine intervention” or an “act of God”.  I don’t think I can beat that definition.   As for what it takes to make me consider something a miracle…I consider the rising of the morning sun, each day, a miracle. Rain falling out of the sky is a miracle to me.   How about the way a newborn baby can go from living inside of its mother’s womb to living outside in the world with the cutting of its umbilical cord and one gulp of air?  Now there’s a miracle!

6. What’s your favorite Disney song? If you’re stuck you’ll find a list here.

It’s a Small World has always been a long-time favorite of mine.

7. I should have put my baby swing together yesterday.

Random:  You may be wondering why I said” I should have put the baby swing together yesterday”.

It’s because these two are coming to visit for a little while today.  I’m babysitting to give their mom a little break.  Oh happy day!  Grandchildren are my rewards for growing old…

Today I’ve got a hair appointment and a doctor’s appointment.  What was I thinking,  making two appointments in one day?  I’ll tell you what I was thinking!  I was thinking that I would get my hair done, then not have to worry about getting ready to go to the doctor’s office later in the day!  I was not thinking about having to run errands and pick up my granddaughter from pre-K in between appointments.

I’ve been away from my computer for almost four days, so I spent the greater part of  yesterday visiting other people’s blogs, and sorting through emails.   I noticed a twenty dollar off coupon to Shutterfly.com in my email–and it expires tomorrow!  I try never to let a good  great coupon expire!

So, pardon me while I head to my appointments, do errands, and try to find some time, in between and after,  to finish my Christmas photo book before my great coupon expires!  I’ll be back tomorrow to join in the Wednesday Hodgepodge and visit blogs.

In the meantime, here’s a photo from my Christmas collection!  I’m using  this one (and many more equally funny ones)  in my photobook.  Ponder on it, then leave me a suggestion for a good caption. ( Hopefully my daughter will be a good sport and not kill me for posting this…)

It seems like a lifetime ago, when you and I were young.  You were my big brother, and I looked up to you. Some things will never change…

me and my big brother

We’ve shared some hard times…and some great times. Thankfully, there have been more good times than bad!

It seems like a lifetime ago when you left home at the very young age of 17–and got married.

It seems like a lifetime ago when you took the photos at my wedding, nine years after your own.

It seems like a lifetime ago when we all took that trip to Walt Disney World together!

It seems like a lifetime ago when we were both blessed with baby girls, but in the blink of an eye they were both grown.

It seems like a lifetime ago when we were sitting at the hospital together, waiting as our daddy took his last breath.  Then six years later, we repeated the same scenario with our mama.

These days we are both enjoying retirement, and the fruits of growing older–our grandchildren!

Yes!  Growing older does have its rewards!

David, I wish you a very Happy Birthday today!

I also wish you many, many more happy, healthy,  birthdays in the future!

Ed and I really enjoyed our recent visit with you and Kay. I’m already looking forward to the next one!  Enjoy your special day!  

Love always,

Kathy

My brother and his wife are coming in today from Florida for a visit, although it looks like it may be a short visit due to some unforeseen circumstances.   It seems to get more and more difficult for us to get together as time goes on.  Either one or the other of us usually has something going on with one of us– or with our families.  I’d sort of hoped that we might be able to arrange a beach get-away for all of us on this visit, but it just didn’t work out.  I’ve never stayed on the beach in January, but I was more than willing to give it a try!  I don’t suppose it matters where we get together, the most important thing is that we are getting together.

Our daughter-in-law, Christina, went to the doctor yesterday (after running high fever the night before), and was diagnosed with “mastitis”.  Ouch!  That can be painful.  She says she’s uncomfortable, but not unbearable.  I told her she’s just tough!  She’s now taking antibiotics, and continuing  to breast feed baby Chase, which should take care of the problem.  She goes back to the doctor for a re-check on Friday.  Hopefully, after a few doses of antibiotics, she will be as good as new, and there won’t be anymore problems.  Thank you for all of the prayers sent up on her behalf.  I was really worried about her.  Baby Chase also had his two-week checkup yesterday, and is doing great.  He weighs about 8 pounds already!

Speaking of baby Chase, I had a great visit with him on Wednesday afternoon, following their doctor’s appointments.  He was awake and alert, and he and I had a nice talk while his mom walked next door to visit Brandy.  I recorded some of my conversation with Chase.  It will be a little something for Chase to look back at and laugh about one of these days…Forgive me– I just have to share part of our conversation.  Some of you may get a laugh out of my southern drawl and our “one-sided” conversation…

Speaking of babies, little Alex is doing good so far.  (He’s the special needs baby that my daughter began keeping last week.)  He and Brandy seem to have found their stride already.  Some days he eats better than others, but he seems to be settling in just fine–and he really loves Brandy’s daughter, Madison!  He  looks at her and just beams.  Alex also pulled up for the first time (at Brandy’s house) on Wednesday!  He’s so tiny to be on his feet!  He still wears a size 3-6 months clothing, and a size 1 diaper!  I have a feeling that will soon change if Brandy has her way!

On Tuesday I decided to spend the day doing something “fun”.  I ignored the housework and spent most of the day making ornaments for my year round tree!  I really enjoyed myself.  I used to love doing arts and crafts, but haven’t done much of that type of thing in quite a while.  I’ve had those ornament kits for over two years–just sitting there!  At the end of the day, I had several new little snowmen, snowflakes, and penguins on my tree–and a great feeling of satisfaction!  It was a day well spent.  I need to do that more often!

In a few days I’m looking forward to going to visit an old friend for the day.  She lives about an hour away.  Diane and I have remained friends since high school (way back in 1970), even though we have lived in different cities for nearly 35 years.  We dated, then married, best friends many years ago.  At one point in time, we were all next door neighbors, for several years.  Now that she’s retired, too, she and I get together three or four times a year, to just have lunch and talk–and we always have a lot to talk about.  Sometimes we talk about “the good old days”, or the “down side” of growing older…and we always talk about our grandchildren!

Did all of you enjoy yesterday’s “Hodgepodge” as much as I did?  I especially enjoyed reading everyone’s response to the “random acts of kindness” question!  It made me feel “warm and fuzzy” reading those.  Joyce, if you happen to read this, thank you again, for hosting this fun weekly meme.  I look forward to it each week, and have met so many nice people through it!

Well, my clock is telling me it’s time to go, so I’d better listen to it.   I will catch up with all of you later this weekend.  In the meantime, I’ll be catching up with family!