Bad Hair Day

It was a long day yesterday.  The monthly board meeting kept me at work until 9:00 pm.  Today should be a smooth day.  

I am once again on the search for the perfect haircut.  I go through this about every 2 years and somehow always end up with the same haircut I started with.  I'm a low maintenance kind of woman and I can't tolerate having to spend too much time blow drying, curling, flat ironing, etc.  In fact I pretty much don't know how to do any of those things.  I wish I had naturally curly hair that I could just wash and fluff!  But then don't we always want the opposite of what we have?  The last two times I've seen my stylist I have said "Do what you will" and her will involved letting my hair grow.  That wasn't so bad for about 2 months but now it has hit the stage where I will either have to learn how to do the above mentioned (curling) or I'm going to have to shave my head.  (Not a good look for me)  I think my real problem is lack of patience.  I rank picking the right haircut right up there with picking our glasses frames!  I have yet to find the perfect pair of glasses and I've worn them for 51 years!!!!! I've got some pictures from grade school that would just make the hair stand up on your head.  I can't imagine why my mother allowed me to look like that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But then she's the one who used to try and cut my bangs and they ended up as straight as a ski slope.   What amazes me is how we can think we are just the cutest thing on the block!!!!! I mean we must think we are at the time or why else would we go out in public with cat eyed rhinestone frames in the most hideous shade of green known to man?   Yep, I was a looker!  A true nine year old temptress!  My taste didn't improve in Jr. High either....that was my Ben Franklin period.  Those square shaped metal rim put me in a thunderstorm with a kite pair of glasses.  I still don't know what image I was trying to achieve.  Then there was my Sally Jessie Raphael period when I sported my own pair of HUGE red frames.  I even frosted my hair blonde for the total talk show host affect.

I do like her haircut!  Anyway.....change is not easy.  We long for it and resist it at the same time.  There is comfort in the familiar yet familiarity breeds contempt.  So I guess I'm doomed to more bad hair days and the continued quest for perfection.

http://www.kfor.com/community/greatstate/

If you go to the above link and select "diver amputee" you will hear a story about one of my co-workers.  She is the director of Occupational Therapy here in the hospital and she is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they have challenges.  Maria lost both her legs when she was 19 years old.  She was crushed between her car and a truck that hit her while she was standing outside of her vehicle after it had broken down on the side of the road. 

Monday

As Ron gets closer to his Dr. appointment Friday the more anxious he's becoming.  He will get the results of his recent CT scan and it is causing him some anxiety.  He isn't sleeping very well and I'm sure it is the anticipation.  I think he will be better once he gets his results.  I sure hope so.  He just came by the office and brought me the prettiest purple tulips.  I have an entire flower bed devoted to the Easter flowers he has given me over the years.  It's nice to go out and see all the lilies and tulips coming up each spring.  I also have an ornamental Christmas tree he gave me the first year we started dating and that tree is really getting big.

This weekend was the annual medieval fair at the university.  It has been an annual event since 1976.

The food is always one of the biggest attractions, Indian tacos, turkey legs, barbecue and on and on.  There are too many food vendors to count.  It's a fun event and lots of crafts and art works to see.  They also have a lot of music and jousting events to watch.  Fun way to spend a day.

Lots of people dress in costume for this event.  Here is a striking looking gentleman.

               
Good time had by all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you go out in the woods today.................

Today at lunch I was sitting with two other co-workers who also have twin daughters and we were sharing battle stories from potty training to teething.  In the course of the conversation I recalled a few stories about my own girls.  When they were about 3 they were lured into the bushes by the "older man" next door, four year old Paul.  Now, I had been searching for the kids in the back yard when I suddenly saw Paul coming out of the bushes followed by my two kiddos.  I had a sneaking suspicion that there was a little show n' tell going on but my suspicions were immediately confirmed when Paul looked up at me and said, "Yep, their twins alright"!    I told Paul that if any further confirmation was required he was to come to me!!!!!
 

Another time my neighbor and I took our children to the lake for a picnic.  My girls were about 4 at the time and my neighbor's son was only a week younger.  Now my kids were true city girls and a little confused by the whole nature experience.  When all 3 kids needed to go to the potty my neighbor immediately escorted them to the bushes.  My girls had no idea what they were supposed to do at that point and just looked at me with blank stares when they suddenly noticed Russel taking aim on a bush.  My daughter looked at him and then at me and said very matter of factly, "Now, that's a handy thing to take on a picnic"! 


A Healthcare Story
A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph’s Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it
possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient
is doing?"

The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number
of the patient?"

The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room
302."

The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with
the nurse's station for that room."


After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have
good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well.
Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her
physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow."

The grandmother said, "Thank you.  That's wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news."

The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?"

The grandmother said, "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me anything."

TRUE STORY

The Clock is Ticking

Ron is having his CT scan this morning and then we wait.......his appointment with the doctor is April 2nd to get the results.  I can't believe it has already been six months since his surgery and almost a year since my mother died.  I am anxious for April 3rd to be here and for Ron to have a clean bill of health and then move forward to the next 6 month scan.  We are planning a memorial weekend trip.  We can't go very far but we thought we'd just go somewhere close.  I only see Ron about 1 day a week because of his work schedule so it will be nice to have a couple of days to drive each other crazy!  We will have to declare a no politics free zone while we are together or one of us could end up walking.  Maybe if I practice holding my breath underwater for the next month or so I'll be able to keep my mouth shut on a road trip!  I know....I'll just provide commentary on the scenery!  That's a safe subject!  

How do you deal with someone who has Hypochondria?  The definition is that it is belief that real or imagined physical symptoms are signs of a serious illness, despite medical reassurance and other evidence to the contrary.  It seems that a lot of health care professionals have this disorder.  I have a friend who has this problem and the most common infection immediately becomes cancer or some obscure parasite known only to the Amazon River.  No symptom is ever a simple cold but immediately becomes lung cancer.  No amount of reasoning will deter her from fatal self diagnosing.  Sometimes I think that health care professionals just know too much so that is why they are prone to the problem.  I guess ignorance really can be bliss.

How to stay young

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

2. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

3. Enjoy the simple things.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

6. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

7. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

8. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

9. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!


Worry about nothing, pray about everything!

Well, we didn't get the snow amounts that were predicted but it is definitely cold! The wind has made it pretty miserable. I've stayed inside most of the weekend and decided to take the time to clean out the file cabinet and the hall closet. I need to get outside and clear the car windshield so I don't have to do it in the morning.

Other than that little report I have nothing new and no observations to comment on. I'm waiting for the vote to take place this afternoon.

The Trek To Calvary

My grandmother was a Sunday school teacher for over 40 years. She proudly wore her perfect attendance pins on her coat and challenged her Sunday school class to beat her perfect record. She taught the “boys” class, a mix of 5 to 8 year olds. My grandmother preferred to teach boys and the ornerier the better. If she had an especially unruly boy in her class she would sometimes suggest the other boys move away from him just in case of a thunder storm for you never knew when God might intervene.

One Easter Sunday around 1955 she was telling her class of disheveled little boys about the crucifixion of Christ. Now my grandmother was a very animated person and when she told a story she used her entire body for visual impact. Sometimes her stories included props just to make the story even more appealing.

On this particular Sunday she came prepared with a crown of grape vines and a toy plastic sword. Grandma stood on one of the child size chairs wearing her crown of thorns and began telling the boys the story of the crucifixion. She told them how the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ was a horrible affair. How He had been tortured, mocked and spat upon through the night and hours preceding His grueling trek to Calvary where nails were driven through His hands and feet. As she told the story her voice trembled and she waved the toy sword above her head. She told them how a crown of thorns was placed upon Christ’s head and how they pierced his side with swords and his flesh was opened. Then at an almost fever pitch she cried out how His back was placed against a wooden cross and the people mocked Him and told Him to come down if He were the Son of God. Just as her story was about to reach its climax one of her young students jumped up from his chair and with arms reaching to heaven yelled, “Well them sons of bitches” of which my grandmother replied without a moment’s hesitation, “Amen”!

Top of the Mornin to Ya!

This is how I feel today!  I forgot it was Saint Patrick's Day and didn't wear green.  I never seem to remember this particular holiday.

I am working tomorrow but I'm off at noon and the rest of the week.  I wasn't going to take any time off for Spring Break but thought why not....no one else is here.

I appreciate all the concern over my heartburn from yesterday but I actually know exactly what caused it.  They had nachos in the cafeteria yesterday and though I know better I ate some with jalepeno peppers and well, need I say more?  But all is well today.........

I saw on the news this morning that we are expecting snow on Saturday.....more SNOW....the first day of spring no less!  This has been one crazy winter!  I'm soooooo ready for it to warm up.  Remind me I said that in August!

Well, Happy Saint Patty's Day to all and I hope you only get pinched if you want to!

Heart Burn........what have I eaten that has decided it needs to continue cooking in my stomach?  I've eaten so many antacids today if I fall over dead I'll leave my own chalk outline!  ugh

Daylight Savings

Daylight Savings Time....Any problems so far?  I have to say I didn't even notice the change.  I'm one of the lucky ones that can just reset my internal clock with no problem.  I don't use an alarm clock to get up because I can just tell myself when I go to bed that I want to wake up at a certain time and for some reason it works.  My eyes just pop open at the designated time and I just go from there.   The time change plays no factor into the setting of my internal clock.  So, I was up and ready for work this morning same time as usual.

Now, the falling back gives me a little trouble.  My internal clock doesn't shift backwards as easily.  My normal work day ends at 4:00 p.m. but when we fall back my internal clock says it's time to shut down at 3:00.  In usually takes me a about a week to make that adjustment.

I was fascinated by the reason the government extended Daylight Savings Time to the 2nd Sunday in March.  They hoped it would have a positive impact on voter turnout and to help cut down on trick-or treating pedestrian accidents.  Now they haven't gathered enough data on the voter turnout yet to see if it does indeed increase but they already know it didn't have much impact on trick-or-treating.  It seems the little goblins just waited until it got dark before going out to trick-or-treat.

When my girls were little I do remember how hard it was to convince them it was time to go to bed when the sun was still shining outside.  They just weren't buying my story.

Now days it doesn't  matter what the reason for it is it is just nice to have more daylight hours in the summer.  I enjoy having time to come home and work in the yard or just to extend the day.

Anyone struggling to adjust to the time change?

Bella Boo

My daughter has a Maltese mix dog named Bella or Bella Boo.  Over the years my daughter has come to the conclusion that Bella is a copy of a copy of a copy kind of dog.  (Like in the movie Multiplicity with Michael Keaton) where the final copy isn't quite as say sharp as the original.  Anyway, lets just say Bella is quirky.  She has every kind of phobia known to canine psychology.  She's been afraid of her dog dish, terrified of storms and basically she just has issues.  Her list of medical problems is almost as fascinating as her many psychosis.  Her tear ducts never opened so eye infections are common.  In addition, she get infections around what my daughter refers to as her "who who".  The vet's recommendation was a butt lift.  (Now, if anyone is getting a butt lift it's gonna be grandma!)

           Bella La Grosey or "Old Fang"

Bella also has a huge problem with doggie halitosis and her crazy little crooked teeth and under bite led to the loss of her upper middle teeth.  Now she kind of has the look of a vampire with fangs.  Because of her constant wet eyes and extremely bad breath I have loving nicknamed her Bella La Grosey, a name unappreciated by my daughter.  But as interesting as all of her umm attributes are what really intrigues me is her fascination with one particular squirred that lived in my daughter's back yard.


Now, the squirrel was probably the same size as Bella and it would run the width of the back yard on top of the wooden privacy fence.  Bella would go crazy every time she saw him and would bark like a mad woman while running along the bottom of the fence.  Up and down the fence they would go until poor Bell was panting and exhausted.  It became increasingly obvious that the squirrel was having the time of his life teasing Bella.  He seemed to know just how to stay out of her reach but still close enough to taunt her. 


One day the squirrel got a little more daring and devilish than usual.  Bella was relaxing out by the pool just under the shade of a large oak tree when suddenly, there was her nemesis, the squirrel.  He was hanging upside down from a limb just above Bella's head and casually eating a nut.  As soon as Bella spotted him she started barking madly.  The squirrel just hung there almost nose to nose bouncing the limb just enough to torment the daylights out of Bella.  This went on for what seemed an etermity when all of a sudden the squirrel lost his hold and dropped down right in front of Bella.  They both froze in place.  Bella's dream had come true but now she had no idea what to do about it.  Simultaneously they each turned and ran in the opposite direction.  Poor Miss La Grosey! 

Sometimes the truth hurts!

I'm not a superstitious person by nature but sometimes (rarely) but sometimes a horoscope hits way too close to home to not be eerie.  I wasn't particularly flattered by this one but have to admit there is some truth in the darn thing.  This must be a week of mirrors for yet I am faced with another one.  Good thing I still have a sense of humor.  Oh.....don't you get tired of receiving emails that warn of impending doom if you don't forward it on to 12 of your unsuspecting friends?  Oh...my horoscope is Leo!  What's yours?

CAPRICORN  - The  Go-Getter (Dec 22 - Jan 19 )  Patient and  wise. Practical and rigid. Ambitious.. Tends to  be Good-looking. Humorous and funny. Can be a  bit shy and reserved. Often pessimistic.  Capricorn's tend to act before they think and  can be Unfriendly at times. Hold grudges. Like  competition. Get what they want. 20 years of  good luck if you forward.
AQUARIUS  - The  Sweetheart (Jan 20 - Feb 18 )  Optimistic and honest. Sweet personality.  Very independent. Inventive and intelligent.  Friendly and loyal. Can seem unemotional. Can be  a bit rebellious. Very stubborn, but original  and unique. Attractive on the inside and out..  Eccentric personality. 11 years of luck if you  forward.
PISCES - The  Dreamer (Feb 19 - Mar 20 )  Generous, kind, and  thoughtful. Very creative and  imaginative.  May  become secretive and vague. Sensitive. Don't  like details Dreamy and unrealistic.  Sympathetic and loving. Kind. Unselfish Good  kisser. Beautiful. 8 years of good luck if you  forward.
ARIES - The  Daredevil (Mar 21 - April 19 )  Energetic.  Adventurous and spontaneous. Confident and  enthusiastic Fun. Loves a challenge. EXTREMELY  impatient. Sometimes  selfish. Short fuse. (Easily  angered.) Lively, passionate, and sharp wit.  Outgoing. Lose interest quickly - easily bored.  Egotistic al.. Co urageous and assertive. Tends to  be physical and athletic.. 16 years of good luck  if you forward.
TAURUS - The  Enduring One (April 20 - May 20 )   Charming but aggressive. Can come off as  boring, but they are not. Hard workers.  Warm-hearted. Strong, has endurance. Solid  beings that are stable and secure in their ways.  No t looki ng for shortcuts. Patient and reliable.  Make great friends and give good advice. Loving  and kind. Loves hard - passionate. Express  themselves emotionally... Prone to ferocious  temper-tantrums. Determined. Indulge themselves  often. Very generous. 12 years of good Luck if  you forward
GEMINI - The  Chatterbox (May 21 - June 20 )  Smart and  witty. Outgoing, very chatty. Lively, energetic.  Adaptable but needs to  express them selves.  Argumentative and outspoken. Like change.  Versatile. Busy, sometimes nervous and tense..  Gossips. May seem superficial or inconsistent..  Beautiful physically and mentally. 5 years of  bad luck if you do not  forward.
CANCER - The  Protector (June 21 - July 22 )  Moody,  emotional. May be shy... Very loving and caring.  Pretty/handsome. Excellent partners for life..  Protective. Inventive and imaginative. Cautious.  Touchy-feely kind of person. Needs love from  others. Easily hurt, but sympathetic. 16 years  of bad luck if you do not  forward.
LEO - The Boss  (July 23 - Aug 22 )  Very organized. Need  order in their lives - like being in control.  Like boundaries. Tend to take over everything.  Bossy. Like to help Others. Social and outgoing.  Extroverted. Generous, warm-hearted. Sensitive.  Creative energy. Full of themselves. Loving.  Doing the right thing is important to Leos.  Attractive. 13 years of bad luck if you do not  forward.
VIRGO - The  Perfectionist (Aug 23 - Sept 22 )  Dominant In  relationshi ps.... Cons ervative. Always wants the  last word Argumentative. Worries. Very smart.  Dislikes noise and chaos. Eager.. Hardworking.  Loyal. Beautiful. Easy to talk to. Hard to  please. Harsh. Practical and very fussy. Often  shy. Pessimistic. 7 years of bad luck if you do  not forward.
LIBRA - The  Harmonizer (Sept 23 - Oct 22 )  Nice to  everyone they meet. Can't make up their mind..  Have own unique appeal. Creative, energetic, and  very social. Hates to be alone Peaceful,  generous.. Very loving and beautiful.  Flirtatious. Give in too easily.  Procrastinators. Very gullible. 9 years of bad  luck if you do not  forward.
SCORPIO - The  Intense One (Oct 23 - Nov 21 )  Very  energetic. Intelligent.. Can be jealous and/or  possessive. Hardworking.  Great kisser. Can become obsessive or secretive.  Holds grudges. Attractive. Determined. Loves  being in long Relationships.. Talkative.  Romantic. Can be self-centered at times.  Passionate and Emotional. 4 years of bad luck if  you do not forward.
SAGITTARIUS - The  Happy-Go-Lucky One (Nov 22 - Dec 21 )  Good-natured optimist. Doesn't  want to grow up (Peter Pan  Syndrome). Indulges  self. Boastful.  Likes luxuries and gambling. Social and  outgoing. Doesn't like responsibilities. Often  fantasizes Impatient. Fun to be around. Having  lots of friends. Flirtatious. Doesn't like  rules. Sometimes hypocritical.. Dislikes being  confined - tight spaces or even tight clothes.  Doesn't like being doubted. Beautiful ins ide and &n bsp;out. 6 years of bad luck if you do not  forward...



A friend shared this special song with me today.  My friend is the father of a special girl.  This song should be a tribute to all parents of special needs children.

  

Gads........I'm no better than Rush Limbaugh

WOW....I hate being forced to hold a mirror to myself.  I've always thought of myself as this very tolerant, open minded person but I'm discovering that I'm not as tolerant as I thought.  The one person in my life who is one of the kindest human beings I've had the pleasure to know absolutely drives me insane with his conservative views.  However, he shows great tolerance of my very liberal attitude which only amplifies my deficiencies in this area.  I'm NOT the open minded person I thought I was.  Try as I might I can't keep my big mouth shut when I hear some of the conservative remarks that come from this man.  My aghast is obvious by the look on my face even if I manage not to respond verbally.  I don't want to be the opposite of what I say I believe.  How can I say I'm tolerant of the views of others when I clearly do not return the favor.  I've tried staying away from any subject that we differ in opinion (which pretty much leaves hmmmmmmm nothing).   But..when we are avoiding all topics related to race, sexual orientation, politics, and religion we get along rather well.  I need to have a zipper surgically implanted on my big mouth.  Of course I'd probably get it caught on my lip sliding that sucker open and closed every time I hear him speak!  I just don't know when to keep my mouth shut!    Are there any support groups for people like me?

Rush...don't let the doorknob hit you in the !@#$

Oh, I was so disappointed.  When I heard Rush Limbaugh was going to leave the country if a healthcare plan was approved in this country I thought they meant he was going to move out of the US.  Alas, not so lucky....he's just going to go to Costa Rica for his healthcare which is ironic since Costa Rica has universal healthcare for all its citizens.  Oh Rush, you are one wild and crazy guy!

A bit of Déjà vu

On Saturday Ron and I made a trip to the local mall.  We were strolling through the mall doing a little window shopping when he nudged me to look straight ahead.  I looked and noticed two young women walking toward us who looked exactly alike.  It took me about 10 seconds to realize those young women were MY young women and I had not only not recognized them as such I didn't know who was who either.  Now that hasn't happened to me in a very long time!  As twins they have always gone through phases of looking alike to looking distinctively different but I have never not recognized them as my daughters. I decided right then and there that I haven't seen them together enough and immediately planned a Sunday dinner at my house for the next day.  So yesterday I had the whole family over including my brother for dinner.  Mmmmmmmm it was good if I say so myself.  I cooked 2 pot roasts, glazed carrots, fresh green beans, roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes and rolls.  We ate like pigs and I memorized my daughter's faces.  Julie's hair is about an inch longer than her sisters.  That's all I could come up with!  Hope she doesn't get a haircut or I'm stumped again.


A first grade girl handed in the drawing below for a homework assignment...
 

 

 

After it was graded and the child brought it home, she returned to school the next day with the following note:  
 
Dear Ms. Davis,
I want to be very clear on my child's illustration. It is NOT of me on a dance pole on a stage in a strip joint. I work at Home Depot and had commented to my daughter how much money we made in the recent snowstorm. This drawing is of me selling a shovel.
 
Mrs. Harrington 

Stupid is as stupid does!

You just can't fix Stupid. .. .

Did we elect these people???

Civil War planes??
Let me know how that works out.?

I'm saying GREAT paint job.?

'We had no idea anyone was buried there.'?

??
I didn't know we could choose.?

This one says it all.?

Please, anyone, if you've seen this man....

What are the odds of that??

I would have guessed 20.?

OK, that's just mean.??

And just think, they live among us and BREED!!??AND VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!

Taking Some Time Off

Too much going on and my well is dry.  I just don't have anything to write about right now.  I'll still be reading blogs but not posting for awhile.