It's Halloween! BOO!!

Trick or Treat!
Smell my feet!
Give me something good to eat!

The most trick-or-treaters I ever had was when I lived on Main Street in Sterling, Kansas (mid-1990's).  I believe that I had between 110 and 120 kids.  Some of these "kids" were college students, but I counted them anyway because they wore costumes and I did give them some candy.

I didn't want to keep a manual count that night, so I came up with a counting mechanism.  I purchased those little lollipops that are packaged in a long strip.  I counted the lollipops ahead of time, and then I gave one lollipop to each trick-or-treater (in addition to the candy that I really wanted to give out).  And, voila!  At the end of the night, I just had to count the remaining lollipops to determine how many kids had come knocking at my door.  (Brilliant, I know.)

When Lew and I lived in Portland, we experienced a decreasing trick-or-treating crowd as the neighborhood kids got older.  Still, I think we had at least 40 the last Halloween that we lived there.

And the number of trick-or-treaters we received tonight?  Take your pick:

Zero.
Nada.
Zilch.
None.

But this was expected.  We purchased one bag of candy -- little boxes of Junior Mints -- and I had to practically force Zack to take some this afternoon when he, Debbie, and Glen stopped by the house for a completely different reason.  (I gave them some for Josh, too.)

My parents purchased four bags of candy.  I will probably end up eating most of it.

Full House

The world-travelers (i.e., my parents) arrived home today around 5:00 p.m.

They didn't actually travel around the world -- they just went to Illinois and back.

Mom and Dad left my sister Kim's house in Illinois yesterday morning.  My mother says that she got out of the RV only twice on the whole trip back.  (Pretty impressive, Mom!)

Dad says the RV was great to travel in.  There is one slight drawback to the RV...and that drawback is called "gas mileage."  (I guess that wasn't too much of a surprise.)

My father bought some chocolate milk on the trip home.  He and I both drank a glass tonight.  It was pretty good.  I hadn't had chocolate milk in a while.

So the household is intact again, and the "nite-nite" routine with the cat is now back to normal.

Life is good.

This Is My 300th Post!

When I signed on to my blog tonight, I saw that I had 299 posts to-date.  Granted, some of them have been written by my father.  And Pepper, that sneaky cat, managed to take over my blog last night!

But still, this marks the 300th post on "Mainely Tracy."  I believe that I have only missed two days since I started.  One day was because I was vomiting.  The other was because I was away at a conference that was being held in a cyberspace dead zone.

Some posts have been interesting (even to me), and some have been not so interesting at all -- not even a little bit.  That's the peril of writing a daily blog, I guess.

There are 63 days left in 2010 -- 2 days in October, 30 in November, and 31 in December.  (So, how many shopping days until Christmas?)  I will attempt to post on each and every one of those days, whether I have something interesting to say...or not!

Thank you for reading "Mainely Tracy!"

(Postscript:  For those of you wondering how I'm doing on my goal for the week....Pepper still has some matted hair.  I'm trying to trick her by giving her goodies, and then using the brush on her while she's eating them.  But she's catching on....)

Pepper's Sneaky Post

I sit on Tracy's lap a lot when she uses her computer.  She hasn't figured out that I have been watching and learning.  I guess the cat will be out of the bag after tonight, but in the meantime, "Shhhhh"...let's keep this between us....

I am a member of this household, yet that dog from Illinois keeps getting mentioned!  When he was here this past summer, I had to hide under the bed.  You should have heard me "hiss!" at him.

And now I see that his picture has been posted for you to see!  That's why I am sneaking in a post of my own, complete with a photo.

Aren't I Purr-ty?!!  (And I want some goodies!)

Dad: Unedited XVI

(I have enjoyed receiving my father's posts via e-mail while he and Mom have been in Illinois.  Perhaps my mother will agree to continue e-mailing them to me after they have returned to Maine.  She can type them on her computer downstairs, and then she can e-mail them to me for retrieval on my computer upstairs.  Yes, I think this is a splendid plan....Enjoy!  --  Tracy)

Derf here!

Spouse and I will be on our way back to Maine in a couple days--so this is my last "Hi" from the Midwest until our next trip to IL.

Since last post we've taken part in a country church 'Gospel Sing'. Watched Kelsey (a top notch Drum Major) help lead her Eureka High School Band to a state title. First place in their class--they won all awards in class except for 2nd and 3rd place trophies, including high achievement in music performance; visual performance; effect; and best crowd appeal. We saw a superb performance by Joe's college choir in their debut in a local church, especially a brilliant performance by a Soprano I, Kaelen Henry. To relax we watched the Patriots sneak to a not-so-well-deserved victory. On Monday Kim, spouse and I visited my sister Jean and niece Wendy in Indy and that evening watched the Celtics win their home opener. Quite a time--now it's time for the trip home!!!

Last summer we were 'doggie day care' for the Henry family dog, Cocoa. We thought we had successfully trained Cocoa for society. It seems that this cockapoo has a need to chew, chew, chew and chew some more.

Destruction of shoes, slippers, clothes, socks, doors and a variety of other items are part of Cocoa's daily duties. I must say he takes his work seriously. He occasionally will do a "no-no" on a rug, even though we take him out in the clean air on the hour. He makes a fine statue figure in the leaves as he stoically stands without moving a muscle. As I'm writing this he is on the floor beside me behaving quite well actually. This behavior is slightly abnormal for Cocoa. It was only a couple days ago that he chewed the thumb off Kim's glove. I suggested sewing up the thumb hole and removing her thumb but was resisted by all. Destroyed items are too many to name but you get the idea. Don't you?

As I read the above to Kim she welled up with tears. She threatened to take Cocoa to work with her.

I will admit a cuter, more loving dog could not be found! I know that all Cocoa's problems could be solved with a muzzle and a diaper.

I must hurry now and take the small cute, cunning, conniving beast for a walk because it is on the hour....

....Back in house and must announce success was achieved!! Cocoa was so proud.

Until next week from Maine.

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

(Postscript:  Tracy here.  Kim texted the following picture to me so that I could include it with Dad's....I mean, Derf's....post for today.  This is the "fine statue figure in the leaves!")

The Deserted Island: Books (Non-Fiction)

If you haven't read the Introduction to my Deserted Island posts yet, be sure to do so!

I'm going to allow myself 10 books -- 5 non-fiction and 5 fiction.  (It's my blog, remember!)  I'll list my non-fiction choices tonight and will save the fiction for another post.

My 5 non-fiction books all happen to have a spiritual element.  But if I'm stuck on a deserted island, that's the type of book I would want.

The Holy Bible.  No brainer.  I've already stated in an earlier post that the Bible is my favorite book.  (And I'm only counting it as one book for this exercise, even though there are 66 books within it.)  I'd probably want my NIV Study Bible.

A really good Hymn book.  By "good" I mean that it must contain all of the great, old standard Hymns of the church.  I have several Hymn books, but have yet to decide which one is the best.

Streams in the Desert.  This is a devotional book compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman -- she compiled thoughts, quotations, and spiritual writings that encouraged her during her years of missionary work in Japan and China.  The first edition of this book came out in 1925.  (If you're looking for a daily devotional book, I highly recommend this one to you!)

American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster, 1828.  This is an old dictionary that is written from a Biblical, Christian worldview.  I thought it would be fun to have a book like this to learn from while awaiting rescue.  (And....no...our copy of this book is not from 1828!  It's a facsimile edition which we purchased through Amazon.com.)

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  I read this once many years ago, and I'd like to read it again.  (I should have plenty of time on the island.)  What I remember most about my initial reading was my own reaction to it, which was, "How come I didn't think of that?!"  Great, great book.

And that's a wrap!

Cookies and Cat Hair

Because I am not employed at the moment, I am setting goals on what I need to accomplish.  Otherwise, I would sit around watching TV and eating chocolate all day.  Or perhaps I should say Newman-O's.  They are the Paul Newman brand of what we would say is an Oreo cookie.  We bought a package for Lew a week ago and they are already gone.  He only ate 5 of the cookies.  When we went shopping a couple days ago, we bought another package for him.  I pledged to not eat any of them this time.  As far as I am concerned, we are now calling them "N-O's."

Back to my goals....

Amongst other things, one of my goals for this week is to get rid of the matted hair that is on the upper-right side of Pepper's belly.  She's had it for a while.  When I try to use the brush near it, she tries to bite me.  Today I decided to go after it with the God-given tools known as my fingers.  Pepper was sitting on my lap in an appropriate sprawl for me to try to work some of it out.  And she actually put up with it!  I think she knew I was trying to help her.  I made some progress, but she eventually tired of it.

I will keep trying.

It is really good to have goals.

Late Blooming

Have you ever experienced something long after you should have?

I collapsed on my bed after arriving home from church today.  Pepper decided to join me and sat right on top of me.  She was one happy kitty, which brought me back to my junior year in college....

A friend and I were house-sitting one weekend for one of my professors, who had several cats.  One of the cats was sitting on my lap, and it started to make a really strange noise.  I became quite alarmed and said to my friend, "What is he about to do?"  My friend answered, "Probably kiss you!"

OK, so I had never heard a cat purr before that.  But hey, it only took 20 years.

(Postscript:  Another college friend knew a gal who had never seen a cow until she was in her 20's.  And that cow was in a zoo.)

The Next Best

During the Major League Baseball season each year, my hope is that the Boston Red Sox will win the World Series come October (or early November).  That has happened twice in my lifetime -- in 2004 and 2007.

I have lamented in earlier posts that 2010 has not been the Red Sox' year.  They did not even make the playoffs, which is...uh...kind of a prerequisite for winning the World Series.

But, for this Red Sox fan, the next best thing is that the New York Yankees do NOT win the World Series.

And last night, the Texas Rangers defeated the Yankees to wrap up the American League Championship.  Yahoo!  There was much dancing going on when I was telling my mother-in-law about this today.  (I was doing the dancing.  Grammy's not a baseball fan.)

So, even though the World Series has not even been played yet, the season has already ended on a high note for me.

I usually don't like to settle for less than the best, but in this case the next best will do!

The Deserted Island: Introduction

You have probably heard the popular question, "If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five books would you want with you?  Five songs?  Five movies?  Etcetera......"  This is actually an interesting way to learn about people, and I've been thinking that it might be a fun blog idea.

I don't know how many parts I will have to my "Deserted Island" series. And this series may not run on consecutive days. When the wind blows me in this particular direction...well, that's when I'll write about it.

In keeping with the spirit of this exercise (which is for you to learn more about me), I will not list anything cutesy like a book on "How to Get off a Deserted Island."  I'm going to assume health and safety while stranded....as well as an ultimate rescue!
 
Now sit right back and you'll hear a tale.......

I Suffer An Injury

I am not known for being graceful.

Yesterday morning I was walking up the stairs, holding Pepper, when I sort of slipped.  I began to fall forward.  My first thought was, "I'm going to land on and kill the cat."  Pepper somehow managed to escape from my arms unscathed.  I, however, ended up jamming my left foot pretty hard as I tried to catch myself.  I didn't actually fall, which I guess is a good thing.

I assessed the bodily damage.  The "little piggy" that "had none" was really the only thing that hurt.  Another good thing.

I proceeded on with my day.

When I took my shoes and socks off last night, I beheld the following lovely sight:

It looked worse this morning.  I happened to have a doctor appointment scheduled for today, so I showed him my toe while I was there.  He thinks that it can be saved!  :)

There's really nothing to do for it, other than wait it out.

The nurse commented on my long toes.  I told her that my mother says it's a sign of royalty.

See!  I really am a princess!

Dad: Unedited XV

(Because of the technological wonders of our day, Derf's post once again arrived via e-mail.  "Copy and Paste" -- gotta love it.  I first retrieved the e-mail on my iPhone, so I was able to read it to Grammy while I visited her today.  We were both impressed with the activity schedule.  Enjoy!  --  Tracy)

Once again from Eureka, IL! Derf Here!

With our trip half over we have done much and have much to do. We have attended band competition at the University of Illinois (watching the superb drum major Kelsey Henry with her two other drum majors as they won their class again). We were happy to have Kaelen along with us for the band show. Attended church on Sunday and enjoyed hearing Kim sing with a ladies group. Observed Kelsey in her choral concert on Monday evening. The highlights of the evening were hearing Kelsey play the 'tom-toms' for the freshmen group and hearing her sing a beautiful solo in her own choral performance.

We have the following left on our casual schedule. Friday evening we will be singing at a small country church which has a 'gospel sing' the fourth Friday of every month. The next morning we'll leave the house at 6:00 a.m. to attend another 'band competition' at Illinois State University. The weather predicting rain--yucky! Sunday we will attend a local church to hear Joe's college choir sing (Kaelen has a solo harmony part we are anticipating). Monday, Kim, spouse and I will travel to Indiana to see my sister Jean and niece Wendy. Arriving back at Kim and Joe's Monday evening we will cool it until we head home in the 'GowenMobile', probably on Friday, October 29.

We are dog sitting daily while all are at work or school. If you saw the movie 'Marley' you witnessed a dog that doesn't even compare to Cocoa. A cuter dog you'll not find. However, he is a sneak thief. The rule is: place anything you own out of reach of this menace or you'll be purchasing another one. He is very cute and cunning.

So long for now.

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

Kimmee's Potato

My friend Kim ("Kimmee") and I video-chatted using Skype last Thursday.  Kim is a Skype veteran, but I am still very much a novice.  It was only my second time using it -- both times with Kim.

Her little daughter, Jun, was involved in our chat for a bit.  And our husbands also popped in for a few seconds.

Jun was quite excited that my husband's name is Lew, as her Daddy's name is pronounced the same way (although spelled "Ryu").  Jun really is an adorable little girl, and she has a sweet personality.  Lew was quite smitten after meeting her!

I took a picture of Kim while we were on Skype.  She had to talk me through how to do it, but hey, I still did it!  Maybe I can do it without coaching next time.

And wouldn't you like to see the photo?

Here is Kim, holding up the potato that she plans to feed her family with for the next 20 years or so.....OK, so I'm exaggerating a bit.  But that sure is one big potato!

Update on Grammy

Lew's mother, Verlie (a.k.a. Grammy) was diagnosed with vertigo during her recent hospital stay.

Last Friday afternoon -- right before leaving for our choir trip -- the hospital called to tell us that they were moving Grammy to a rehab facility.  And, wouldn't you know it, the facility is only about a mile from our house.  (Thank you, God!)

She's still suffering from the vertigo, but she has not lost her feisty spirit.

When I stopped to see Verlie today, she told me about her breakfast.  They served her pancakes, and she said that they were actually quite good!  She also said that a young worker there (who looked to be about 13 years old, in her opinion) spilled some orange juice on her.  I wish I could write the story as humorously as she told it to me.

Verlie is a Dallas Cowboys fan.  She was able to watch their game yesterday on the TV in her room.  The Cowboys lost.....again.

When I visited her yesterday, there was no remote for her TV.  Gasp!  But when I arrived today, I noticed that she had one on her table.  She said the staff was able to find it for her.  She's probably getting ready to watch a little of the Monday Night Football game.....if she's not asleep already.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Grammy.

The Unblog

Sunday....the day of rest.

I left for church around 8:45 this morning and didn't return home until around 3:45 this afternoon.  Lew and I had to run around in separate vehicles today due to differing obligations.

When I got home I did the kitty chores (including pooperia duty), collected the household trash, and did the laundry.  I just finished up the laundry a little bit ago.  For only two people, Lew and I sure did create a lot of laundry this past week.

My creative juices aren't flowing right now, so I have titled this post "The Unblog."  I guess technically I'm still blogging, but my tiredness is not allowing me to attain my usual high standard.  (Ha ha ha!)

But tomorrow is a new day....Monday.

Shout to the North

Lew and I just returned home from our church choir's "Shout to the North" two-night concert tour.

Our church sends short-term mission teams to Guatemala several times a year, and "Shout to the North" helps raise money for those trips.  It is really great to have other church's partner with us in this effort!

We stayed overnight at a hunting camp last night.  The guys were all in one cabin, and the gals had two cabins.  (For those of you who are wondering.....YES, there was electricity and indoor plumbing!)  The folks that own the camp definitely have the gift of hospitality.  They fed us a late meal after last night's concert, breakfast this morning, and then lunch before our afternoon concert today.  The food was SO delicious, and there was plenty of it.  For today's concert, I had to loosen the belt on my dress slacks by one notch.

It was fun to spend some time with our choir friends.  We laughed a lot.  About what?  Well....what happens at "Shout to the North" stays at "Shout to the North."  (OK, that last line was just an attempt to include more levity in my post.)

We had a great time.

And we are tuckered out.  So, g'nite!

Stuck on Me

While my parents are visiting my sister in Illinois, I am in charge of taking care of five things: Pepper and four plants.

I decided this morning that I would water the plants, as I had not done so since my folks left on Monday.  (Pepper usually watches me while I do the watering chore.)

I was on the last plant -- a hanging one -- when something fell down on my left hand.  What in the world?  It was sticky, sticky, sticky, and as I tried to get it off of me, it just got worse.

It turned out to be a strip of flypaper.  There were no flies on it, so I felt that it was safe to throw out.  It was all tangled in on itself anyway.

In case this ever happens to you, and you need to wash the incredibly sticky goo off of your hands, please note:

-- Liquid hand-soap is useless.
-- Bar soap is mildly better, but still not very effective.
-- A hand-scrub product will work -- the kind that is akin to sandpaper in its feel.  But you must rub it into your hands much more vigorously than it was meant to be rubbed in.

Before I threw out the flypaper, I read the little capsule that it was attached to.  My parents had disregarded the warning:  "Keep out of the reach of children."

The World Rejoices

Riveted....that's what I was for most of the day yesterday.  I did leave the house for a few hours to do some errands and meet a friend for lunch.

But when I was home, the television was on and I prayed throughout the day for the 33 Chilean miners as they were being rescued.

And when the last of the six rescuers finally left the mine (after he waved and bowed to the camera that was underground), I actually was the most nervous that I had been all day.  So I kept on praying until the very end.

Shortly after midnight last night (Eastern time), I updated my Facebook status to the following:

As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over 'til it's over." I can go to sleep now that the last rescue worker has surfaced.

Lew and I were just talking about how this whole thing has been a miracle from start to finish -- even since the initial collapse, when all of the miners happened to be eating lunch in an area of the mine where they could survive.

I heard that around 1.2 billion people watched the rescue at some point yesterday.  Please don't quote me on the actual number (!); the point is that a LOT of people witnessed what was truly a miracle.
 
A miracle.
 
¡Gracias Señor! (Thank you, Lord!)

Dad: Unedited XIV

(This is the fastest I have ever entered my father's post!  "Copy and Paste" is a wonderful thing.  Enjoy! -- Tracy)

A big Midwestern Hellooo. Derf Here!

Here we (spouse & I) are in Eureka, Illinois after traveling a couple days in our old new motor home. We made it here - now we hope to make it home in a couple of weeks. It was kind of fun sleeping in the MH between two semis.

If you have read my exciting past posts you are aware of the fact that all our licensed vehicles have "Bantam" as a license plate. Included are a cah, pickup, Motah Home, trailah, and the 1939 Bantam. I also mentioned that if you ever see a vehicle from Maine with a 'BANTAM' license plate give a wave and a toot.

Well, while travelling in Ohio on route 480 headed to the Ohio turnpike a red vehicle passed us and driver waved out the window. Then the car let us pass and continued on beside us with a toot while lady with a big grin waved at Mary Lou. Was this a coincidence or had she somehow seen my blog and was responding to it? Spouse thinkin' 'yes'--I think 'no'.

Spouse thinks lady is known to my sister, Jean and has been told to read the blog. I have a couple theories that make much more sense.Our wheel cover has our name on it as well as all of our daughter's married names (Gowen, Reed, Henry, Tibbetts). One may have been her last name and she responded. Another possibility was that she saw the Maine plate and is originally from the Pine Tree State. Perhaps she was travelling with another vehicle and was waving and tooting as they went separate ways. It was an interesting event to us which is probably quite boring to you. Such is life.

We hope to attend Eureka band events at University of Illinois and Illinois State University the next couple weeks as granddaughter Kelsey is a drum major (a very good Drum Major). Also we have a choral concert to attend for Kelsey, and have a chance to see granddaughter Kaelen sing with the Eureka College choir at a local church on October 24.

I am now done writing for today. I must now get someone to type this and send to Tracy via e-mail so she can post it on her blog or I won't get paid.

I will keep you posted the next couple weeks while visiting here in the mid-west.

Toodle Pip! Derf!

The Wheel "Covah" on the back of the "Motah" Home

One for the Road

After I visited Lew's mom in the hospital today, I met a friend for lunch.  We went to a food market that I had never been to before.  I could get lost in there!  My friend joked that she and her husband can make a day trip out of going to this place.

We both finally decided on getting something from the pizza counter.  She got a calzone and I got a piece of pizza.  The pizza was named "Pine Point" so I just HAD to get it!

If you've ever been to our house or mailed us anything via snail-mail, then you'll know why I was committed to eating this pizza.

It was quite delicious.  And there were many veggies on it, so it was healthy, too!

An Attempt at a Productive Day

Today marked the beginning of my first full week of unemployment.

With Grammy's hospitalization, we decided it really, really is time to look into a long-term solution for her living situation.  She currently lives by herself, albeit next-door to Lew's brother.  So, my charge for today was to start making some phone calls and get some information.

Today was not a good day to start this venture, due to the Columbus Day Holiday.  Places were closed.

Dad had a piece of outgoing mail that I put in the mailbox this morning.  When the mail had not come by 5:30 p.m., I realized that it would not be coming.  Again, due to the Columbus Day Holiday.

Pepper and I ended up taking a nap this afternoon.  We were both sleepy.  I think it was due to the Columbus Day Holiday!

(Postscript:  My parents left at 4:30 a.m. this morning for their trip to see Kim and her family.  They are riding in style in their new-to-them RV.  Mom and I texted quite a bit.  We have unlimited texting now, you know, as we are very hip!)

Grammy's Night Out

I love today's date -- 10/10/10!  I have a fond appreciation for numbers, and I enjoy fun combinations.

Lew and I spent most of this intriguing date in the emergency room at Mercy Hospital.  Lew's mom experienced severe dizziness this morning, so Wayne (Lew's brother) took her in.

The preliminary feeling is that she has vertigo, but more tests need to be done.  We are relieved that she was admitted to stay in the hospital tonight so that they can figure it out.

Please pray for Grammy.  Thanks!

Lew Gets a Haircut

Before we left for breakfast this morning, Lew commented that he needed a haircut.  I suggested that we stop at his favorite haircut place after breakfast, so that's what we did.

Lew has a little cowlick-type spot right in the center of his hair.  You know, toward the back part of the top of the head.....

When we were walking toward the car after the haircut, I noticed that this cowlick was still sticking up a bit and needed to be trimmed.

We got home and Lew found his electric trimmer.  He called me in to help him.  He flipped the trimmer on and off real quick to show me....well.... how to turn it on and off.  Then he leaned over so that I could clean up the cowlick.

One thing Lew neglected to teach me was how to use the trimmer.  I bore down a little bit, which I apparently was not supposed to do.

Lew's little bald spot is barely noticeable, especially if you aren't looking for it.  Really, it doesn't stick out at all....

(Postscript:  Lew claims that how to use the trimmer should have been obvious.  When Matt and Emily came over for dinner tonight, Emily said that she would have done exactly what I did.  Thank you, Emily!  We need to stick together on these things!)

Party!

This will be a short post.  Just got home and baseball is on TV!

Carole, my breakfast buddy, hosted a Thirty-One Gifts party tonight.  Her daughter Donna just became a consultant, and tonight was her very first party!  It was a very fun time, and the products are quite nice.

I like the fact that the name of the company -- "Thirty-One Gifts" -- is inspired by Proverbs 31.  A great chapter, ladies!  It's worth a read and a re-read.  (While at the party, I offered the suggestion "And after reading it, go out and buy a field!")

Oh, and guys, you can read Proverbs 31, too.

Regrouping

Lew and I are truly blessed.  We are fortunate that I will be able to take some time to determine what my next step will be career-wise.  "Career" may be too strong a word!  Perhaps I should say "income-generating venture."

I was busy doing some necessary errands yesterday.  Today I took the opportunity to relax.  I may have even dozed off a little bit this afternoon.  I am rarely able to do that, as I'm not very good at napping!  So I must have really needed the rest.

Tomorrow will be "Day 1" of my new adventure.  Or at least it will represent the beginning of the planning phase.

Stay tuned!

Dad: Unedited XIII

(As I type in my Dad's post, I try to think of a good introduction.  For this one, I was going to address the number of phone calls and neighbors.  But now I've got nothing!  Enjoy.  -- Tracy)

Hi Ho Folks!  Derf here!

I'm sitting here watching the Texas Rangers beat up on the Tampa Bay Rays and listening to the wind and heavy rain as the weather pattern seems to have certainly changed to a fall-ish fiasco.  I'm not fond of what the weather is currently and especially what lies before us in the next few months.  Yuck!  Time to put the plow on.

Since "Mainely Tracy" posted Monday, my phone has been ringing off the hook as people are asking me about the "bloody sock."  Well, it happened this way....

Every Monday is trash day and I have my routine.  I must get a trash bag from the back stairs that lead to the second floor.  I opened the door and placed my foot on the bottom step.  My foot slipped.  I then banged against the opened door, slamming it into the door jamb of the bedroom.  Unfortunately on the door was a framed "Riding High" poster with a glass front.  A loud crash occurred causing the frame to crash to the floor.

In a moment several neighbors came running to see what had happened.  That's when I noticed my slipper had come off and my left foot was bloody on the outside of the ankle bone.  I still can't figure out how the cut was there as this was the furthest place from the crash.  I guess glass pieces travel in strange ways.

Subsequently I cleared the house of all the neighbors and cleared up the area, using the vacuum.

Then to the foot.  After getting blood all over the floor, we (spouse and Tracy) managed to get a bandage on the cut.  I had several comments that it needed stitches.  Being stubborn I didn't listen and toughed it out.

Upon putting on a sock, the blood seeped through and reminded us of the "Curt Schilling incident."  At that time I realized I'd never pitch in the World Series!

I now have a double band-aid on the cut with a neosporin base.  It looks as though survival is certain.

Before closing I must 'fess us.  I only received one phone call and the only neighbor that showed up was Tracy (same building).

We (spouse and I) are planning on a trip to Illinois next week and I hope to get my usual Wednesday blog done via e-mail.  This will require extensive help from others.

Until then.

Toodle Pip!  Derf.

Happy Days Are Here Again!

If you've read between the lines of some of my blog posts, you may have figured out that my job is not what makes me tick.  But I did enjoy it for the most part.

Yes...that is did.

Things have been unsettling for me at work recently. So, the resignation letter has been written and printed.  All 5 copies.  Make that 6 copies -- one for my own files.

And although I did shed some (well, quite a few) tears, I know that God has a plan for me.  Even at my age!

So, I am actually quite happy tonight.

Thanks, God.  I really like the day you made today.

(Postscript:  Super Model career, here I come!)

Another Bloody Sock

In the 2004 American League Championship series, Curt Schilling basically had his ankle stapled together in order to pitch in game 6 against the New York Yankees.  The blood seeped through his sock, and the TV cameras LOVED it.

The Red Sox went on to win that series in seven games.  They then won the World Series in four straight.  Curt Schilling pitched game 2......once again wearing a bloody sock.

While I was eating my breakfast this morning, I heard noises from my parents' apartment that I should not have been hearing.  Without going into great detail, I will tell you that the result of all the commotion was another bloody sock.

Dad likened himself to Curt Schilling.

I told Dad not to expect to pitch in the World Series!

Where? What? How?

For the first point of his sermon this morning, PD (our pastor) encouraged us to ask God the following three questions:

Where are YOU?
What are YOU doing?
How can I help?

I've wondered many times over the years if I'm where I'm "supposed" to be.  Then I remember that God is always present, so He's with me wherever I am.  As is often said, God does work in mysterious ways.  He presents opportunities in what may appear (to us) to be the craziest of places!  (PD mentioned an occasion where he shared the truth of God's faithfulness while he was standing around at a hockey rink.)

For a truly inspiring account of what can happen when we are willing to ask God the above questions (and follow where the answers lead us), please click on the link that I've called "suzy's testimony" on the right-hand side of my blog.  I "lifted" it from the blog that Suzy and her husband use to keep the world updated on her cancer.  So, perhaps you have read it already.

Read it again!

Pumpkin Muffins -- YUM!

Each fall our Saturday breakfast joint adds "pumpkin" to its list of muffin choices.

About a week and a half ago, our waitress announced (via Facebook) that pumpkin muffin season had finally arrived!  I was SO excited that I made it my Facebook status, and I wrote to her that my muffin choice will be PUMPKIN until further notice.  (She knew it would be!)

So, imagine my horror when I arrived last Saturday only to learn that the pumpkin muffins had gone fast that day.  I then found out, however, that my INCREDIBLE waitress had set one aside......for ME!

I love her.

Today there seemed to be plenty of pumpkin muffins to go around.  But I will always remember the one that was saved just for me.  (Smile.....)

Gearing Up

Yikes!  It's October 1st, so we are now in the last quarter of 2010.  And I have a lot to try to accomplish before the end of the year.

I have a pretty extensive "To Do" list for my position as church treasurer.

Our choir is going away in a couple weekends to do two concerts "up North."

Lew and I are going to participate in the ABBA walk.  (More about that in a later post.)

We usually host the family Thanksgiving Dinner.  (I coordinate who is bringing what.)

And before you know it, Christmas will be here.  (More lists!)

Not to mention working full time.....

This is all very do-able.  It's good to be busy -- although sometimes I do need to yell "Yikes!"