PLAY BALL!

I became a baseball fan during the 1972 World Series. The Oakland A's beat the Cincinnati Reds that year. I was bummed.

During the 1973 season, I quickly became a fan of my beloved Red Sox. We only got their weekend games on TV, and I watched every chance I got. I even remember the theme song that opened the telecasts:

Kick your shoes off,
Put your feet up.
It's time to meet up
With the Boston Red Sox,
Boston-born and Boston-bred Sox.
Relax, relax, relax....
And be a Sox watcher!

The 2014 Red Sox season began at 3:00 today.

I am watching.

GO SOX!

Grateful

I am grateful for...

God's provision.

Lew and our life together.

My parents.

My sisters and their families.

Matt, Emily, Eli, and Adam.

My kitties.

My church family.

Jesus.

I will keep this list going as I count my many blessings!

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD...." (Psalm 92:1a)

Hosting: The Post-Post

We had a great time with our two little charges! They are now visiting with some other friends, and that's where their parents will pick them up. So our hosting is officially over.

Lew and I have now succumbed to the busy-ness of the past couple days. We are sitting in our living room staring blankly at the television. (And, yes, the TV is on! We're getting caught up on American Idol.)

I'm tired. But it's a good tired. :)

I am grateful for relaxing weekend afternoons.

Hosting: The Midpoint-Post

I have some free time right now because the girls are on a play-date at another home.

All of the "official" activities (for example, school and dance class) are now over. From here on out it's play, eat, play, watch a movie, play, etc.

I just did quite a few things on my computer and dealt with my mail. Now I hope to sit quietly until the girls are delivered back to me.  :)

One more overnight!

I am grateful for a comfortable home.

Hosting: The Pre-Post

In about an hour I begin a 48-hour stint as hostess. Pastor Dave and Laura have entrusted their two young daughters to my and Lew's care.

Yesterday I put fresh linens on the bed in the guestroom.

Today I put a clean tablecloth on the dining room table. I then set up two "stations" -- one for eating, one for doing art projects.

Laura stopped by this morning with the girls' suitcases and a list of detailed instructions regarding the activities of the next couple days.

Lew is making grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner tonight and pancakes for Saturday's breakfast. The ice cream shop just down the street (not the Dairy Corner) opens tomorrow, so we are going to get ice cream! Yum!

I am grateful for my young friends.  Smile!

Dad 194: Oh, No Snow!

(I am grateful for the non-snow day and the yummy chicken pot pie I had for lunch. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Another cloudy, cold, windy day in the Northeast. We just dodged a blizzard by a few miles. "Down East" (northeastern Maine) is about to get clobbered by the storm as it passes northeast to Nova Scotia. You know what I say: Better them than us! Oh, yes!! I don't feel like plowing another 16 inches of snow. My plowing days are over for this winter season. I THINK! I HOPE! PLEASE!

I just finished vacuuming and I'm deciding what to write about today. Actually, I don't feel the creative juices giving me any topics. I have a strange feeling this will be a very short post.

I do have a couple of activities worth talking about. Last Friday we were able to get some fresh seafood across the street at Ken's Place. It was as good as ever. Probably try it out again later in the week.

By the time I write again for this blog, the World Champion Red Sox will have started their defense of their championship. I see no reason they cannot repeat. However, there are several other teams that might have other ideas. I say: Bring it on! Go Sox!

I told you it would be short and probably not worth reading. Well, I've accomplished that. Sooo....

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

An Adventure With Verlie: The Sequel

In November 2010 I wrote a post titled "An Adventure With Verlie." (Click HERE to check it out.)

Today we returned to the same ENT office so she could get her ears cleaned. We rode to the appointment in a transport van; this particular van had the wheelchair ramp in the back. It was all very exciting.

The best part about the trip: After the cleaning, Verlie's hearing is noticeably improved!

I am grateful for medical professionals.

Gratitude/Enough Log

God is love. 

God is good. 

The love of God endures forever. 

Give thanks.

This week our church family is keeping a log of what we are grateful for (at least one thing each day).

Today I went with my friend Luanne to visit a newborn baby. The baby has some surgery ahead, and our entire church family is praying her through this. Even with all of her tubes, the baby is beautiful. She is very precious and loved so much already!

I am grateful for God's gift of this new little life.  Smile!

Ouch!

You know those commercials that warn, "Do not attempt this at home"? There should be one of a child jumping off of furniture....

I say this because Eli broke his arm in two places! :(

He was jumping from their ottoman to the floor -- something that he usually performs successfully, so maybe the commercial isn't necessary. Just a freaky landing, I guess.

Poor little Eli!

 

And So It Begins

Yesterday I began my quest for the HTCI. (Find out what HTCI means here.)

I am not going to get this done quickly because I'm only doing a little bit each day.

But with only two daily sessions completed, I can already see some progress.

One section of our kitchen counter is decluttered.

One kitchen cabinet has been designated as "kitty central." (The cat treats, canned food, and various other cat accessories are now all in one place!)

One large box is full of yard sale items.

And the ideas I have.... Oh, the ideas!

Purr-fectly Relaxed

Kurt the Kitty... not a care in the world. Smile!

 

Marching Madly

Yesterday I had what will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience: I went to town hall to register Lew's vehicle and motorcycle, and there were NO other customers when I got there! I had three clerks all to myself -- although I only needed one, of course.

Today is the official first day of Spring. Ha! A little more warmth, Mr. Sun?

It is also the first "big" day of a certain basketball tournament... so I'm kind of busy!

Dad 193: Bands from Eureka to Scarborough

(When dictating Dad's posts, I usually end up getting "Dirt" instead of "Derf." Today I over-pronounced the "f" at the end and got "Darfur." Uh... not quite. At least "Toodle Pip!" now comes out right! Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Another sunny day in the Northeast. Still quite cold, however. Tomorrow spring will arrive. Yes, spring will be here with winter temperatures. I HATE WINTER WEATHER!! Can't wait for summer temps to arrive. Perhaps in July or August. Please!

I am quite excited, however, as Ken's Place opens this Friday for the season. Ken's is our neighboring seafood restaurant that we watch daily throughout the summer. The winter has been awful. The snow is still deep. The opening of Ken's brings us new hope. I'll have some scallops on opening day. Friday is the day. Fresh-baked haddock for Spouse is on the horizon!

Last evening Spouse and I attended a high school band concert. Also attending were Lew, Tracy, Glen and Debbie. Josh had a trumpet solo in one of the pieces. A fine job he did!

As I was looking at last night's program at the band concert, I noticed a name that was familiar to me. It was the name of the Eureka, Illinois high school band director. He had written a piece that was to be played in the concert. Spouse and I have seen many of his band competitions that were performed between 2005 and 2012. These were the years our granddaughters in Eureka attended high school. Mr. Todd Stalter is his name. I was excited to see his piece included in a concert performed in Scarborough, Maine.

I sent off the program to Mr. Stalter this morning. I told him of the many times we had the opportunity to observe the Eureka band competing for state championships at the University of Illinois and Illinois State University. Besides marching with her double-bell euphonium, granddaughter Kaelen was in the drum line. Granddaughter Kelsey, after marching with her saxophone, was a drum major for two years. It was fun recollecting the good times we had watching their performances. I might add they had their share of state championships. The concert was well done. Also enjoyed the memories.

Just heard the weather report. It seems that we will have a storm tonight. Along the coast not so bad. Maybe an inch of snow. Could get up to 6 inches in ski country. Good for late spring skiing. Might last into May. That's it. Sooo....

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

A Night On the Town

Lew and I ate dinner at an elegant establishment: Chicago Dogs. ("Elegant" is a relative term.)

I had the Chili Cheese Dog combo. Tasty!

 

After our fine dining experience, we went to a musical event.

The front page of tonight's program.

Our nephew Josh had a short trumpet solo in one of the Symphonic Band pieces, "Fantasy on Yankee Doodle" by Mark Williams. Great job, Josh!

We had a lovely evening. Smile!

 

Coming Soon to My House: HTCI System

I have almost finished reading a book by Mindy Starns Clark titled, "The House That Cleans Itself."

Lew is scared.

But once I finish this book and implement the system, I think Lew will be happy.

The basic thought behind the system is to change the house to fit your behavior.  That will help you keep your house "clean enough."

I will do most of the thinking and planning.  Lew may end up having to help with some manual labor.

Don't be scared, Lew!

Say What?

A couple comments by Lew:

"Sometimes I think I want to say more, but then I realize it's not necessary."

"You say what you say; but then you don't have to elaborate, because you just said it."

I think I understand what he's saying.... And that scares me a little! (LOL!)

A Poem by Jerry

Lady Bug, Lady Bug
Fly away home
Or I will eat you
(After I am done torturing you, of course)

MEOW!!!!!

Too Much E-Mail

I turned on my laptop this morning for the first time since Tuesday night. Sometimes I go an entire weekend without turning it on, but I haven't had a break like this during the week for a long time. It was nice.

When I opened my e-mail program, I watched as 97 e-mail messages downloaded. WHAT? It had been only two days!

Of those 97, I was able to delete 68 without opening them. A lot were Facebook notifications that I see on Facebook anyway. There were several "shopping" and "coupon" e-mails as well.

The e-mails that I opened consisted of Groupon offerings, LivingSocial offerings, blogs that I subscribe to, Amazon.com stuff, an update from my local state representative (which I didn't read), and the weekly informational e-mail from my church.

Not one of the 97 e-mails was a personal e-mail. (Granted, most of my online personal correspondence is now done through Facebook.)

Much of the e-mail that I receive is of my own choosing. But by clicking on the "unsubscribe" option at the bottom of the e-mail, I could eliminate a great deal of stuff that I don't look at anyway.

I am always trying to simplify my life. Less e-mail would help!

Fizzle

Although some other areas in Maine received significant snowfall, we did not. It snowed here, but it was a small amount.

The weather forecasters usually "over-anticipate" the severity of storms. These folks are often disappointed when the storm is more of a fizzle. (Although I will admit that their predictions were pretty accurate this winter.)

When I worked at the university, I was okay with lots of snow. Reason: SNOW DAY! Full pay for no work.

Now that I don't work at the university, I am happy when the snowfall is insignificant. My reason is not quite as selfish, but self-centered nonetheless: CLEAR ROADS. Maybe that's not totally self-centered: I don't know anyone who prefers driving on snow-covered roads!

Dad 192: Yesterday All My Phone Calls Seemed So Far Away

(Spring has been teasing us, but Old Man Winter is not leaving without a fight. I am not amused. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Just waiting for another winter storm to hit us here in the Northeast. If all goes according to plan, we'll get less than 6 inches along the coast (mixed with sleet and rain) while over 12 inches will cover the more northern areas. Must admit the last two days have had a hint of spring. Refreshing, to say the least.

Well, yesterday Spouse and I had our six month cleaning and checkup at our dentist's office. Spouse has teeth like granite so she always comes through the checkups with flying colors. I, on the other hand, always wonder what will be found to repair. Yesterday was a wonderful day. Our next appointment will be next September for both of us. Whew!

I mentioned here before that I have been a blood donor for many years. I donate in the Portland donor center, which is around 10 miles or less from home. For years I could call Portland and make arrangements to donate. A while back, they changed the process and now I must call the Red Cross. Yesterday I became eligible to give again. So I called the Red Cross and told them I'd like an appointment to give my usual donation of "double red." ("Double red" allows me to give 6 pints a year while only visiting the donor center three times a year. It cuts my donor dates in half while giving the same amount.) The man I talked to was surprised to see I had given over 20 gallons of blood. He arranged an appointment for me and then I asked him where he was located. He answered, "Arizona." To donate blood within 10 miles of my home I called the western U.S. (Sensible, I'm not sure.) I did tell him that we were expecting another storm. He told me he wouldn't hurt my feelings by mentioning his weather.

Busy day yesterday. I received a notice with the headline that this was my "final billing" notice for our long-term health care. I wondered if we were about to lose our insurance as we reached a certain age. (I know this is how term insurance works.) Well I was happy to find out that my latest payment was a week late in arriving. All seems to be well and our long-term care is intact. (Thanks!) I was talking to a man in Texas. I told him we were awaiting another storm. He told me it was 83° in Texas. I told him to get off my phone. We told each other to have a good day and then parted ways. Cordially, I might add.

Enough about my busy Tuesday.

Bring on the storm.

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

The 14th Anniversary of Our First Date

March 11, 2000.  My first date with Lew.  :-)

I wrote about it four years ago on this very blog in a post titled Our First Date.  (Check it out by clicking HERE.)

Quite a bit has happened in the last 14 years:  Two little grandsons.  Two little kitties.  Moving.  Three job changes for me; none for Lew.  Finding our wonderful church.  Some sadness.  Some gladness.  Many, many blessings....

Fourteen years ago today I began a great adventure....

Thank you, Sweetie, and Happy Anniversary!

You're Getting Very Sleepy....

I don't think that I would succumb to hypnosis. For one thing, I would not volunteer to undergo it. Plus I am very skeptical about stuff like that.

However, I do like the idea of sleeping. Especially right now.

My eyelids are drooping. My brain is ready to say "night-night" to any continued thinking.

I always have this issue with "springing forward." I do not adjust well to time changes. (I am a TERRIBLE traveler, too.)

I believe that I have come up with yet another reason for hermitation!

Equal Time

Kurt likes to walk in front of the monitor while I'm using my computer.

I finally figured out that this is his silent form of protest.

I admit that Jerry has gotten more exposure on my blog recently.

So sorry, Kurt! Here you go, sweet kitty....

Kurt enjoys sleeping on the SpongeBob blanket.

 

Adorable :)

An adorable photo of two adorable boys! (How can I NOT share it on my blog? Plus it gets me out of having to write something!)

My sweeties Eli and Adam.

 

Funning on Facebook

There are several things on Facebook that I find somewhat amusing (but also annoying):

Pictures of quotes with a typo. The typo takes away from the message.

The "I am most like the character ________ from _________" quizzes that people take. Fill in the second blank with a movie, TV Show, book, or cartoon.... Anyway, I don't care.

Incorrect usage of: You're, your. There, their, they're. To, too, two. (Need I go on?) The wrong usage appears in status updates but also in pictures of quotes.

Game requests.... Sorry, I'm not playing.

"If you love Jesus, you will post this as your status for an hour" and other such pleas. I never repost this stuff... but I do love Jesus!

Random

Still bleary-eyed from my late-night babysitting gig on Tuesday night. Had a wonderful time with my little friend!

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. I have three things that I am refraining from this year: two food items and one behavior.

Lew and I went to church last night. It was the first time either one of us ever received ashes on our foreheads!

Tonight is American Idol night for us. As I write this, we are watching last night's show. Then we will watch tonight's results show -- which hasn't aired yet but will soon. (How's that for instant gratification?)

I watched 42 today. Great movie.

Dad 191: TWC, I've Got Your Numbers

(I held out until 3:00 before reminding Dad about his post. And after all that bragging he did last week! Hahaha! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Still cold in the Northeast. About 1/2 inch of new snow on the ground. Temperature is supposed to rise above freezing in two days. Spring, please come to the Northeast.

I've decided what I'm giving up for Lent: Winter! I didn't come up with this. Another family member suggested it on Facebook. I'm all for it. How about you?

I totally forgot about writing Derf today. I wasted all morning doing nothing. However, Time Warner cable has completely changed our hundreds of channels to new numbers. 596 is now 202. 506 is now 1202. Do you get the idea? So after several years and finally learning the proper numbers, they changed. Supposedly for the good. All movie channels now start with the same number. All sports channels are now in the 300s. There are over 20 categories. Oh, joy! So I have been working on new channel numbers. So I have been doing something. Maybe!

Just got back from picking up my KFC order. Tracy asked if I was going to do Derf. I told her I forgot but would write something and be brief. Soooo....

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

I'm Babysitting!

Quick post....

Lew and I have a 3-year old little boy here at our house! He and his parents are part of our church family.

We are watching Lilo & Stitch, which neither Lew nor I have seen before. Our little guest has, though.

Our kitties have been a big hit. The best question of the night: "What is Jerry's name?" (LOL!)

I love my little friends!

How Now, Brown Towel?

On laundry day, I always put clean bath towels on our respective hooks. Lew's brown towel goes on the leftmost hook. My green towel goes on the rightmost.

On last week's "day after laundry day", I was puzzled when I looked at the hooks.  There was a brown towel on Lew's hook, just like always.  But there was also a brown towel on my hook!  My green towel was hanging on the middle hook.

I was confused.

I called Lew and asked, "What's up with the towels?"

He was confused.

I described the state of our towel hooks, and he remembered what had happened that morning: There was a green towel hanging on his hook. Knowing that he always uses a brown towel, he grabbed a clean brown towel out of the closet.  He moved the misplaced green towel to the middle hook.

Obviously, I had "mis-hooked" the towels the day before.

I also learned from our conversation that he did not know that my towels are green!

A Blessed Day

We had a baby dedication at our church gathering today.

The baby? Adam!

Pastor Dave, Emily, Eli, Matt, and Adam

 

Brrrrrr....

March has come in like a very cold lion.

That is all.