tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65387655156973287592024-03-05T01:35:11.693-05:00Mary Beth's Things I knowMary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-88199864361619181452015-05-18T14:52:00.000-04:002015-05-18T14:52:32.549-04:00I received a copy of<span style="color: yellow;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allykitchen"><span style="color: yellow;">Ally's Cookbook</span></a> </span>to read, cook from, and share my thoughts with my wonderful friends. This Southern cook was nervous with the worldly content of exotic flavors. How would I ever be able to create this enlightening look into recipes of magic from other countries?<br />
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I opened the book to first get a glimpse of the back story of this Artist creating culinary delights on a canvas of originality and staying with the integrity of the representation of the areas she chose. I wanted to know more about this Boho lady that just makes us all smile with her imagination.<br />
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From her background of the hills of Appalachia in the tiny kitchen with her Mother, to all the women who have influenced her and whom she gives a lot of credit for her zest of building a recipe to award winning accomplishment, one, when reading, begins to embrace the tale of this woman with heart and can share with her the educational success she's had, her world carpet ride to adventures that make us all feel we have been there with her. You will be so involved with her story line of life that the recipes will be a wonderful topping on an inspiring story.<br />
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My Collection of salt and pepper shakers are now filled with the spices that she put together that everyone can make. I love spices and with these combinations from pages 3,9,10,15,16 and Page 22, and combinations from Caribbean Seasoning Mix to Harissa, I have rubbed, sprinkled, dabbed and marinated more food in one week than I usually make in several weeks. I took all the spices out of my cupboard to see what ingredients I would be missing in making these. How delighted I was when I realized I had almost all the ingredients I needed for her recipes.<br />
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I made several of the spices, tasted them and then went back and doubled some of the recipes, put them in baggies in the freezer and will be gifting them as presents. The toasting was simple, the directions easy to follow and I started becoming very secure in being able to make Ally's dishes easily.<br />
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I loved the Kind David Buttermilk Cucumbers and did the cucumbers without the pomegranate. Funny thing happened while I was making these wonderful tasting cucumbers, it called for plain Greek yogurt and making the buttermilk sauce, in my eagerness, grabbed strawberry yogurt and not wanting to waste food, I kept those and refrigerated and then made another batch the right way. Both were delicious so I may make it with Strawberry Yogurt again.<br />
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Of course, being a down home Southern cook, I had to try her way of cooking Pinto Beans, Page 29. Her Bohemian Fresh Herb Pinto Ham Beans passed the tasted test. I now will make them Ally's way.<br />
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Included are pictures of my salad with her spices, the cucumbers, and Pinto Beans. My lunch guest loved the spices so much, I gifted her with some.<br />
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Over time, many more dishes will be made with<span style="color: yellow;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allykitchen">Ally's Kitchen Cookbook</a></span> and I will post my excited attempts of recreating with my own flair.<br />
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Thank you Dr. Alice Phillips.<br />
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<br />Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-30670133639753079702015-04-20T16:13:00.001-04:002015-04-21T14:54:15.423-04:00Dark Clouds Looming.I am taking another vacation from social media and hopefully only a week. Strange things have been occurring this week and I need to deal with them.<br />
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My sister, Linda Ellis, always had that extra sense of something happening, happened or will happen, and I only have a small inkling of it. My Grandmother always seem to know ahead of time the happenings coming so we think it rubbed off on us.<br />
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Linda left us in October after a horrific battle with Small Cell Lung Cancer and for some reason, this week, she has appeared many times in my dreams and my son even had a strange dream with her in it. He said every time he would look at his shed in the dark (In his dream), she would be in the door way. He turned on the lights and she was still there. She said, "The only way I will leave is if you delete me." Wow! Now to try to interpret that.<br />
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In my dream, she is very frail but really working at cleaning and when I told her to slow down, she said she had to get her house in order and so happy it was coming together. I told her she needed to get our Dad to help her. She laid down on the sofa to rest and My Mom from the bedroom told me not to fold her clothes that I had just started doing. The only people alive in my dream were my Dad and me. Now, to interpret those cryptic messages will be a task.<br />
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I had asked her before she passed if she had any messages for my son and me and she said, "Just be careful". I wanted her to elaborate but also skeptical about going into it any deeper.<br />
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For the craziest of reasons, this week has had such a gloom and doom feel and I am not sure what this is from. The weather, being so cloudy, could be a contributing factor. I, always trying to be one step ahead of the game, have started getting all my papers in order, trying to set some budgets so as to not stress, and just making sure that my daily mantra of, "I trust you, Jesus" is said every day.<br />
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Prayers for the well being of my family and me will be so appreciated and when this cloud moves on, I will be hopefully here to continue my family meetings with you.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-47104678305204516512015-03-09T21:12:00.002-04:002015-03-09T21:12:39.677-04:00So long, my sister and friend, till later.<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Today I look around and realizing that <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1541856475" href="https://www.facebook.com/linda.ellis.718" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Linda Ellis</a>'s birthday is here brings all kinds of feelings to the front. It's been 5 months and I still find myself starting to say things to her that only she would understand and then I realize she is not here. I say them anyway and hope no one hears me. I miss her and miss that she is missing all the things that are happening. I grinned today knowing that she would love how the house is looking but also knowing it would have been a fight everyday as to how, why, and who would be doing what. She had a very strong personality, was very, very frugal so I'm sure some of the expense would have caused her some moments and us as well. I lovingly remember a blog that I wrote a few years back when we tried to surprise her with some changes she had said she wanted. Wanting them and having them didn't always mean the same to her. She loved change after it was changed but didn't like while it was being changed.</div>
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Dad even said that the changes were great but it also said, "Even though these were some of the changes Linda suggested, I bet she would have fussed about it for a month and then you could have done it." He got Linda's personality as well. A pure heart of gold but very firm in what she felt and thought. I think after losing her husband and then losing her girls, her holding onto things around her was a point of knowing the things were hers and she didn't have to lose them and feel that hurt again. We all understood that and let her pretty much be and do as she wished. She helped us all, loved us through good and bad and would call us to task in a heartbeat if we weren't playing the role of life as she saw it. Sometimes it was hard to get, hard to understand and hard to be the bad guys but it was Linda's world and we,in order to be part of the world that she would allow, played our parts.</div>
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I miss her, I love her and she will always be that intelligent, silly, woman of conviction, take no prisoners, right is right, wrong is wrong, liars and thieves are despicable, gives her last dollar to a homeless person, yen and yang of a true Pisces with her fish not only sometimes swimming in opposite directions, but fighting for the way each was going, sister of mine. I respect her and know that she is the only one in the family that could have given cancer the fight that she did. She was strong in her faith, in her knowing her body and in her want to live a little longer and that she did.</div>
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An inspiration to many, a jester to us all and a friend that was never wavering if she loved you. May she rest in peace knowing she left a void that no one can fill. God bless you, Linda and thank God I had the opportunity to grow up and rise up to things I had no idea I was capable of.<i class="_4-k1 img sp_4m121pBIgs2 sx_e8c536" style="background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yj/r/3GLukfPA3Ry.png); background-position: 0px -7922px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"><u style="left: -999999px; position: absolute;">heart emoticon</u></i></div>
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This is the blog I wrote about remodeling for her a few years back. It makes me grin knowing that during this phase, she was probably shaking her head and now is grinning.<br />```````````````````````````````````````<br />2011<br />"My sister's birthday is coming soon and since she won't accept gifts, I figured out the perfect thing to give her. I called my son and asked if I made a list of all the things I heard her say that she wanted done in the house, would he be willing to do them? He does excellent work and does not charge family members.....yet.</div>
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When he said yes, I made a list of things I was sure would please her....my second mistake. The first was when I got my son involved.</div>
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Her Internet always runs slow so why not upgrade the modem. A little time in the attic, a few changed receptacles and within a few hours, better Internet service. I did not realize the withdrawal from the Internet would cause such chaos. As she stood blocking her computer, nailing up the door to the attic and rewiring, taking the old modem and hiding it for future use, Maybe that should have been an indication she wasn't happy.</div>
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As my son is trying to get around her, making another trip to the hardware store, gets aggravated and tell her that because of not letting him do it the easy way, he was out $75.00 more. This, of course, was not a smart move on his part as now he has gone from THAT person who has invaded her space, to THAT MAN that yelled at her.</div>
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Many hours later, everyone is back on the Internet, everything moving along at a better pace. She is now happy and cannot understand why everyone around her is agitated.</div>
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The second project was taking the nails from the wall that a mirror had hung from by a chain. He put a new latch on the back, removed the chain, made sure it was done correctly and lo and behold....how were we to know she loved that chain. She retrieved it and probably will put more nails in the wall and hang it.</div>
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New windows put in the front, new security lights in the trees,<br />porch being redone. She has now hid his ladder, hid all the light bulbs and said too much light would show everything.</div>
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A new faucet is going into the kitchen. She was asked as to which one she preferred. Her reply, "the old one". I explained that this was the identical model but that it just didn't leak. She called us disposable people with no care of quality things.</div>
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My son said that he would give her anything she wanted if he could just not have to do anything that required changing anything around her. So tomorrow, I'm sure the old modem will be back, the chain will be back and the satisfaction that she won a pissing contest with a man will make her birthday a very happy one.</div>
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..and the beat goes on.</div>
Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-13311377833793855102014-12-18T15:33:00.000-05:002014-12-18T15:33:00.910-05:00Coming Home Today...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squeeze our hand Lord</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRsNW9r4C5Y-LHGsmMLJNS44OHTOoCM5Kf-kKppNXdwvExWE4waxnPnkRkioW4epJZ1IbnvXOQUWAyNtvLFJQff_noyOOuGOv9fMsKTEfWbKGi1p4afHWDnfN5_qpmTw4IL956VYYuM0/s1600/Staci+grave+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRsNW9r4C5Y-LHGsmMLJNS44OHTOoCM5Kf-kKppNXdwvExWE4waxnPnkRkioW4epJZ1IbnvXOQUWAyNtvLFJQff_noyOOuGOv9fMsKTEfWbKGi1p4afHWDnfN5_qpmTw4IL956VYYuM0/s1600/Staci+grave+stone.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us know your're here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lights have gone out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We lost ones so dear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tell us the Reason</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make us understand why.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we're to rejoice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do we cry?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you need them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some special task?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don't mean to question,</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ic46TsT3hNNHYkJLUwWk9jzKn6p1UM1QhqwyOfTwYX8fEQujEDUPs0MOkqJSZ4vppTduJJzyiei1QoMrAzQ6jz-XQTwTvJje8FzJL75DU3Q1n5pEeJRmlWaBwKAoDoQMTEz17n0FSBg/s1600/StacI's%2BGrave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ic46TsT3hNNHYkJLUwWk9jzKn6p1UM1QhqwyOfTwYX8fEQujEDUPs0MOkqJSZ4vppTduJJzyiei1QoMrAzQ6jz-XQTwTvJje8FzJL75DU3Q1n5pEeJRmlWaBwKAoDoQMTEz17n0FSBg/s1600/StacI's%2BGrave.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We just had to ask.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are so young</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They lived a short life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Were you trying to spare them</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZn-ajmc4GInd1C8ewX8XthwsFDdsf8G6-dGXVlL_8gvdPRTkSGiaR8AUa2uqsLqem0zdvqHcGW16HkddxdWHzl132uRLGjwF3uMXu6auoe3-3P_cmUoJTHg-RLufN-h1EARrjw9GMkU/s1600/girl's%2Bgraves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZn-ajmc4GInd1C8ewX8XthwsFDdsf8G6-dGXVlL_8gvdPRTkSGiaR8AUa2uqsLqem0zdvqHcGW16HkddxdWHzl132uRLGjwF3uMXu6auoe3-3P_cmUoJTHg-RLufN-h1EARrjw9GMkU/s1600/girl's%2Bgraves.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From this turmoil and strife?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'd asked them please</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To take Life slow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Dear God, Understand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How could we know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give us a hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To bear this pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take away the anger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Help keep us Sane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we're to learn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some lesson from this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make it an easy one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave some happiness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We believe in you</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And You've had your way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for our time with them</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">......They're coming home today..<3</span>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-77610774612816067172014-08-25T15:51:00.001-04:002014-08-25T16:17:58.912-04:00Fighting the Devil-I got this one!!!I've been challenged by the Devil to a boxing match again. Our history in the ring has been one of tears, cheers, hate,and appreciate. I had very little training our first few matches but now that I have walked through his gates of fire, I am ready for this win.<br />
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Trash Talking is part of the secret of making the devil step aside. "Hey, Devil, hope you know who you are dealing with. I have let you tempt me in the past, accepted some of your evilness but enough is enough. The first time when you threw a right hook, you took my daughter and nieces and nephew from us but Angels stepped in and took that punch.<br />
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The second time you hit me with a left jab and took my Mother and dear Aunts and Uncles with your evil diseases but Angels stepped in and took that punch.<br />
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This time you aren't punching, you are pushing and trying to make my sister suffer from that horrid cancer you put upon her. Well, this time we are ready for you. Not only is she filled with the Grace of God, she is a much tougher opponent then I am so we tag teamed and Devil, you will not even see us coming.<br />
<br />
God is taking this punch."Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-7679616887222868972014-01-18T18:50:00.001-05:002014-01-18T18:50:29.683-05:00Washing Dishes by hand, hold-out!!!!I unwrapped the big box and between thrill and shock was a tear for a time I knew would be passing soon. A big, beautiful dishwasher stared at me from the wrapping paper and I oohed and ahhed as a small tear tried to make its way down my cheek.<br />
<br />
It took another week to get it installed and as the excitement mounted for my using it the first time, I made sure to dirty a lot of dishes for my final washing by hand.<br />
<br />
I'm probably the only human being in the world to absolutely love washing dishes. Over the years getting to the dirty dishes in the sink has given me that rare moment of time to think, to reminisce over wonderful and sad moments in my life, to be totally undisturbed by husbands, children or dogs because they were all afraid I'd make them do the dishes. The sink knows my every thought and has handled more problems than most psychiatrist get in a year. I kept it polished, bought beautiful fixtures to adorn it as it was my sanctuary in life. Running water would drown out my sobs or my laughter, steam would make me think of a spa, cold would make me feel cool in the hottest heat.<br />
<br />
I did one last wash and I told my friend I would still be there everyday but maybe not for as long. Changes have to come and I would still need the sink for vegetable washing, soakings, draining and so many things and it would now always be free of dishes to be used for other things.<br />
<br />
The big dishwasher has now gone through it's first cycle and it was so quiet. The dishes were sparkling clean and the smell was pleasant emanating from the opened door. I did notice while the dishwasher was doing the dishes, I had time to sweep and mop the floor after I had wiped down all the cabinets. This was a plus so far. I took the time I usually think my thoughts at the sink and used it to actually talk to others about what was bothering me. Interesting concept and maybe I won't have so much to think about.<br />
<br />
So, hello, new friend and sometimes when I am loading you, I may mutter under my breath until I feel comfortable enough in knowing you to let you in on my thoughts. We will work together to make this union work and this creature of habit will embrace this change with open arms.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-80071158158319742862013-11-04T20:37:00.001-05:002013-11-04T20:37:31.609-05:00Stay with me, Rose!A chill in the air and something seems not right. In this change of season, I see such a change in the lives of all the things I hold so dear.<br />
<br />
My beautiful Rose that has weathered so many storms and always stood so proudly in the center of the garden now has started to bend. The once thorny stem that warded off all intruders or anything to hurt was becoming softer to the touch.<br />
<br />
The petals of the Rose that were always perfectly formed and was admired by all is now not holding the heart of the rose as tight and one by one the petals are wilting and falling.<br />
<br />
Wanting so hard to keep the beauty of the rose through one more season, everything possible was done but no matter what, the Rose has started withering and the branch is slowly drying up. The Rose, being so proud, has allowed all the treatment given and has tried so valiantly to keep enough life as to bloom once again.<br />
<br />
I watch, I wait and I hope that the remaining petals stay intact and as I watch, a tear comes to my eye. I need that Rose to be intact because I am not the Gardener that I want to be if I lose that rose.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-8631199625599887282013-07-26T21:38:00.004-04:002013-07-26T21:38:59.144-04:00I MOVED INTO A NURSING HOME-CALL FIRST!!My dear Children,<br />
<br />
Today when you left me at the nursing home with a promise to visit, I saw the tear in your eye. I love you so much but I don't want you to be so sad. Life has brought us to this crossroad and whatever comes next is welcomed.<br />
<br />
The decision of my coming to this haven was one that was discussed way too long. You analyzed, agonized, over a decision that if you had just asked me, I would have been here last week.<br />
<br />
I need medical help you can't provide, and you can't afford. I need someone who will be stern with me and make me take my medicine, shower and move around. You always were too considerate of my feelings.<br />
<br />
You could never go anywhere as a family because it would be too exhausting for me and you had to have someone come stay and make sure I didn't forget where I was or turn the stove on and forget that. I cried inside every time I saw the want in your eyes and the denying of that want.<br />
<br />
I had a full life and believe me, I left you home quite a bit, because in my era, fun, food and frolic was the main activity. I have regrets now about leaving you home so much while I had my selfish desires to take care of. You still love me unconditionally so evidently the quality of time spent with you was refreshing.<br />
<br />
I see the anger in your face sometime when I overstep my bounds and get into your business. Yet, you were always kinder than I was when my Mother-in-law would interfere. I heard the clacking of your teeth and the constants sighs when you would suggest I do something out of what I usually do. I'm sorry for that and if I were truthful, a lot of times I knowingly did things to aggravate you because in my childish needs, I wanted more attention.<br />
<br />
How many times do I regret when I made you feel guilty or acted a little sicker than I was just because your world was no longer about me. I remember plotting to cough louder in the morning to wake you up before your family got up. That way it would be just me and you.<br />
<br />
You hated my smoking and loving my cocktail and I realize now, it wasn't the idea of me doing it, it was the needy way I was doing it. I didn't respect that other people needed to breathe or that the smell of smoke lingered until it was so foggy, the windows got opened. That was my life routine and I didn't want to change. I had forgotten one thing. There were people that cared about me, never asked me to change, just ask that maybe I could sit on the deck and maybe not put that extra shot of vodka that made me think you were still 15 years old and I was going to tell you what to do.<br />
<br />
Please sit down with your children and because you love them, tell them that as you get older and if things start happening to your mind or body that they can't take care of, to do the humane thing and let you go to where you can get the care you need. I know we were raised that family takes care of family but sometimes you have to know that the reality of the situation is totally different today.<br />
<br />
I can love you just as much from here as I could there and I think now without us together every waking hour, we will find so much too talk about, to laugh once again and I have a new place to fuss about. I love you, now let me go, smile and run to your life. Call and come by but do call first because you know the thing happening here.........<br />
THEY HAVE BINGO!!! later.....Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-91952388847382712272013-04-02T14:24:00.000-04:002013-04-02T14:24:24.392-04:00HUMAN RESOURCE-MAY WE HELP??? NO!!!!!!!!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Corporate world, nothing is done to correct, reprimand or just write up an employee without going thru the politically savvy Human Resource Department. When I say, politically correct, It sounds like the Step-ford family reunion..Everyone talks the same and if you need to report an incident, make sure your verbiage is correct or by the time you go through all the politically correct steps, the incident could be long forgotten or it's much too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boss asked me to please write the Department to voice my complaint about the employee she was writing up. To me, if you have a legitimate reason and you are the boss, no other explanation should be needed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I write the explanation and it was downhill from there. An employee spoke to me in a threatening (Not the correct word, so I was told) manner that was extremely hostile, (another incorrect word) and I submitted it to Human resources. Here is their response on the phone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good afternoon, I received your eloquent, well place paragraphs, voicing your response about a fellow employee. Perhaps, before we get into the reason for the write up, let's think about a few words we used. You used the word threatening as he was standing over you in the office. Was he standing to the left or right or right or in the middle? When you said ,'banging his fist into the palm of his hand, ' was it the left hand or the right?. And, when you said, banging,' was it a fist or an open hand?' You used the word hostile, do you know him well enough to know how his demeanor usually is? Perhaps he was just being loud because of an ear stoppage? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must really choose your words carefully as you know how it is today! Let's take a timeout to rethink the letter and get back to us with the changes."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same employee, on another day, starts acting, threatening, came toward me to hit me and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my boss is yelling ,"Call Human resource and tell them.!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made a call alright........"hello, 911, I need you now!!!!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I have since been fired for not following procedure! :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-43483017887287824762012-09-21T15:49:00.001-04:002012-09-21T15:57:07.693-04:00CONVERSATION IS 2 PEOPLE????<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conversation according to most dictionaries is the spoken exchange of thoughts, opinions, and feelings</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How fun is it when someone tells you how much they have just enjoyed a conversation with you and you smile to yourself. In the two hours that the two of you were seated across from one another, the only thing you can remember doing is nodding your head. The few times that you were able to speak a few words reminded the person across from you of an event in their life which took at least twenty minutes to tell.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">You can't be angry at this person because it's just not with you that this happens. You have seen them react with others in the exact same way. Perhaps they think their life is so much more interesting than yours, perhaps they are lonely and this is their way of being with someone. Maybe they never got the chance to actually learn how to exchange ideas because no one ever took them to task for this behavior.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Sometimes it's frustrating and then sometimes you just have to accept this is the way the person is and if you have a relationship with this person, this is the way it is going to be. You are hoping it is just a personality quirk and that they are possibly not that narcissistic. How sad would that be.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Of course my favorite things is to get the first drop, start a story and every time they want to interrupt, just talk over them. I did this to someone who was always talking about them and their life and I heard from my friends that this person could not believe what a big ego I had. I still laugh when I think about it.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Moral of the story is to remember a conversation is so much more pleasant when all parties involved get to finish a thought, idea or just a fun story without the having to one up, interrupt or just talk over them. Try it and all of a sudden everyone enjoys talking to you.</span></span></div>
Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-61795184689681376962012-08-03T23:50:00.001-04:002012-08-03T23:50:38.124-04:00BEWARE_THE VISITOR!!!!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What can I do?" This coming from me, the one who is never at a loss for what to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What can I say?" This coming from someone who hasn't shut up in more years than most have lived.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A new visitor has moved into our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This visitor has sucked the life out of a once happy place and moves from room to room to make sure no ounce of life is existing. The visitor has taken over what we eat, what we think, choices we make and just is a nuisance in everything that we had hoped for the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitor moves fast, doesn't apologize and always leaves the impression that no one is in control but it. Snarling, laughing, holding on tight are all the unwelcome gestures from the visitor. We want to punch, hit, hurt and maim but this visitor has an impenetrable skin and holds strong against all attacks by us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crying, hurting, lashing out has no bearing on the visitor's soul. The more we hurt, the more it intrudes. Hate is such a strong word but is the only clean adjective to describe this life altering force that has physically and mentally drained all the want of life out of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone gives different ideas about how to rid our lives of this beast but nothing seems to even move it anywhere near out of our life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch out for the visitor. Guard yourself with everything you can because once it comes, it doesn't want to leave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visitor's name is cancer.</span>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-41039185339965679232012-07-13T22:40:00.002-04:002012-07-13T22:41:28.104-04:00DON'T CALL ME A SALESPERSON!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Everyone says you are the best salesperson in this store." says a co-worker with a sincerity in his voice that was a little unnerving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I pondered that remark for hours and came to a realization that although it was a compliment he paid me, it was a misnomer. I'm not the best salesperson in the store, I am the best product placement person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When a customer is within eye contact, I smile or make a gesture as to the fact I am acknowledging their presence. This is the welcoming part of what my job entails. The next step is asking them, "What can I help you find?" This opens the dialogue for what my store can provide to fit their needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reason I look like I'm the best is because I know my products, what they do, and can give a reasonable explanation of why the product could be beneficial without crossing the line of diagnosing, offering a cure or trying to give them medical advice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Realizing that the person is in the store because they want to buy something is what a few of our representatives miss. Staying with the customer too long also creates a need on their part that is putting the representative in a position as to miss another customers need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Multitasking as a representative is an art and can only be accomplished if you look up, look around, and make a point to make everyone that is in your vicinity aware that you see them. Just a small indication that you will be with them soon, can make a big difference in the impression the store makes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want to be the best salesperson in the store. I want to be part of a team that follows the examples that I set, not wait for me to step in and do their job for them. I want customers to say of all of us, "Your store has the most knowledgeable and helpful representatives."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-22965951572451713632012-05-01T18:48:00.002-04:002012-05-02T18:33:21.406-04:00Thank God for unanswered Prayers.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In taking a moment to reflect the happenings of life, I found out one important thing. <i>"Thank God for unanswered prayers" </i>should be at the top of everyone's list.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Remember at times how you might have wanted to trade places with the prettiest girl in your class, marry that good looking quarterback, get that job that your friend scored out from under you? The nights you may have prayed for divine intervention to help you be the important child in the house, to look like your sister, have good grades like your brother? At times thinking no one heard your prayers, you would feel a pity party coming on?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Your prayers were heard but God could see the road ahead and had other, better plans for you. Now that you are older and much wiser and have run into some of the people you wanted to be, aren't you thankful your prayers weren't answered?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Some people have the <i>'elephant in the room'</i> that can't be shown to the public and no matter what color you paint it, it's still an elephant in the room.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That person you wanted to be may have turned out to have a bad drinking or drug problem and alienated everyone around them because the only way they could feel good about themselves was by hurting everyone that tried to help.You see this person and offer help and they throw up about all your past indiscretions which you and God had worked out a long time ago. You can do nothing but be there when they fall and help them back up if they will let you.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As we take each day at a time trying to become the best person we can be, then we also need to take a moment each day, relish where you are and what you have. Open the window, look outside, take a deep breath and thank God for where you are and for not letting you lead the life you thought you wanted.</b></span><br />
<br />Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-51064490255588793032012-03-20T10:46:00.000-04:002012-03-20T10:46:14.514-04:00Daylight saving time and sunshine were my gifts for trying to stay healthy another year. Every dreary Winter, I make the proclamation that healthy habits will be part of my life if I am just blessed with one more Spring and Summer. This may not be the most worthy goal to try to achieve but for me, it is one of the most valuable things I could be given.<br />
<br />
Slow, leisurely walks with Mya, my dog, birds dart diving into the bird feeder to make the water splash, the sounds of lawnmowers in the distant, people walking, weeding, sunning and just celebrating a great day to be outside, are just a few of the many things to smile about.<br />
<br />
I open my closets and anything I have that looks like a lot of maintenance is put into the recycle pile for anyone wanting to take the time to keep the garment intact. I check for my easy, pull on shorts, shirts, jeans, baggy dresses and sandals, tennis shoes and flip flops. Anything with an elastic waistband stays in my closet. It may seem like a waste to some but I always make sure somewhere else has the opportunity to wear anything I deem salvageable. Life is getting to where there is no time for clutter and my wardrobe is simplified enough that when I pass from this world, no one has to wade through all my things to see what to do with them.<br />
<br />
The first buds of flowers are opening and how majestic is the feeling of new life popping out of the ground. Nature has blessed me with a garden that is actually going to produce some vegetables this year.<br />
<br />
Little things in life should now be looked at, loved and appreciated. With no promises of another year, stop, take a deep breath and wow yourself with just what is serenity around you. If you have to put on rose color glasses to see the beauty, then do it. You only have this one time chance of a full life and it's up to you to make whatever and wherever you are in your life, work to YOUR advantage.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-6025693502611860772012-01-27T18:52:00.000-05:002012-01-27T18:52:06.333-05:00"AND THE BEAT GOES ON!!"My sister's birthday is coming soon and since she won't accept gifts, I figured out the perfect thing to give her. I called my son and asked if I made a list of all the things I heard her say that she wanted done in the house, would he be willing to do them? He does excellent work and does not charge family members.....yet.<br />
<br />
When he said yes, I made a list of things I was sure would please her....my second mistake. The first was when I got my son involved.<br />
<br />
Her Internet always runs slow so why not upgrade the modem. A little time in the attic, a few changed receptacles and within a few hours, better Internet service. I did not realize the withdrawal from the Internet would cause such chaos. As she stood blocking her computer, nailing up the door to the attic and rewiring, taking the old modem and hiding it for future use, Maybe that should have been an indication she wasn't happy.<br />
<br />
As my son is trying to get around her, making another trip to the hardware store, gets aggravated and tell her that because of not letting him do it the easy way, he was out $75.00 more. This, of course, was not a smart move on his part as now he has gone from THAT person who has invaded her space, to THAT MAN that yelled at her.<br />
<br />
Many hours later, everyone is back on the Internet, everything moving along at a better pace. She is now happy and cannot understand why everyone around her is agitated.<br />
<br />
The second project was taking the nails from the wall that a mirror had hung from by a chain. He put a new latch on the back, removed the chain, made sure it was done correctly and lo and behold....how were we to know she loved that chain. She retrieved it and probably will put more nails in the wall and hang it.<br />
<br />
New windows put in the front, new security lights in the trees,<br />
porch being redone. She has now hid his ladder, hid all the light bulbs and said too much light would show everything.<br />
<br />
A new faucet is going into the kitchen. She was asked as to which one she preferred. Her reply, "the old one". I explained that this was the identical model but that it just didn't leak. She called us disposable people with no care of quality things.<br />
<br />
My son said that he would give her anything she wanted if he could just not have to do anything that required changing anything around her. So tomorrow, I'm sure the old modem will be back, the chain will be back and the satisfaction that she won a pissing contest with a man will make her birthday a very happy one.<br />
<br />
..and the beat goes on.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-40104104697733343112011-12-26T01:45:00.000-05:002011-12-26T01:45:54.011-05:00BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT OR FREEDOM OF SPEECH?Being politically correct is going to be my biggest challenge in this world of today. I grew up in the era of having freedom of speech and sometimes it's hard for me to remember that everyone can be offended by a harmless remark if it's their day to be defensive.<br />
<br />
Working around young people keeps me on my toes and I tend to want to mentor and adopt all of them. I just realized you can no longer be friendly with the younger ones because if you call them young man or little girl, you are talking down to them. WHAT?? <br />
<br />
If you work around a sensitive man, and you lament to someone that you are so glad to be free of men in your life, you will offend the man because you included a disparaging remark about men. WHAT??? I have always used the routine of joking about my exes and their cheating ways. Now, 25 years later, I'm still telling the same tired jokes but they are now considered offensive.<br />
<br />
I'm all for not offending people and I realize that in this modern age that we think is so advanced, it is not acceptable of statements we could have made in time past. Personally, if a comment is made and not meant to be harmful, then what happened to just having a conversation?<br />
<br />
Watching my mouth will make me not be the total person I am, but I guess as long as I am politically correct, my freedom of speech will have to be put aside.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-31099734847540187252011-11-16T02:08:00.000-05:002011-11-16T02:08:32.847-05:00SMILE, SELL AND SUCCEED!!One week in and I am learning new things everyday. I have now entered the world of retail again. Customer service is an attribute that I take very personally and this is my forte of excellence to offer my company.<br />
<br />
Dealing with the public can be very taxing because each human is so totally different. Sometime the most aggravating customer or employee is the one that needs the attention the most. I'm sure many times I have walked away from a customer, exhaled and thought,"wow!"<br />
<br />
If my job only entailed just the customers, it would be a great thing but one of the things inherited with my job is dealing with employees. I'm lucky that most of the employees really care about their job. I also know that new employees coming into a Management job is never going to be met with open arms. Hopefully, thick skin has been developed after all these years.<br />
<br />
It's hard to understand how someone can hire people that just don't fit the job description and really come in only to want to become the manager. What I would love to have are some workers. There are enough Managers to supervise 100 more employees.<br />
<br />
This new adventure is not going to be a lifetime one. I am just in the job to help train one of the staff that want it to have enough sense to do it. I've had my fifteen minutes of fame and if I could have free range for a little while, production would go way up. Of course, a few employees might fall by the wayside.<br />
<br />
One day at a time, one customer at a time, one sale at a time and hopefully the individual time spent will bring much more time of gainful employment.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-20922816422210529902011-10-25T13:25:00.001-04:002011-10-25T13:32:28.829-04:00PISSING CONTEST WITH A POLE CAT!!!"Two or more parties simply attempting to out-do one another, not for the sake of truly believing in their cause, but just to win in order to gain some kind of power, honor, or reward of some kind." <br />
<br />
Thanks to the dictionary for finally giving me the knowledge of the actual meaning of a "'Pissing Contest" as used when two or more people are trying to one up each other.<br />
<br />
Lyndon Johnson always said something to the effect of not getting into a pissing contest with a polecat even though he didn't always follow his own advice.<br />
<br />
How sad it is when adults striving for the same results have to have a power struggle about the way to get to the finished job.<br />
<br />
Is it jealousy, the loss of a lifestyle, drinking, or the horrible green monster not wanting to accept that perhaps what they use to do, they can do no more?<br />
<br />
The knowing that someone can do a job as well or better than you does not mean that you can't do the job. It just means that there is help if needed and should graciously be accepted.<br />
<br />
The delay of having to prove the equality or the importance of a contributing partner, not only waste time but causes so much hostility that everyone gives up on the task and nothing gets accomplished. How much easier to swallow pride and note that perhaps something could be learned.<br />
<br />
Stressing the point of your accomplishments, of how you would do it takes away from the end result. A new approach might be to take notice of how someone else does something and maybe use it when you need to do something different than the way you have always done it.<br />
<br />
Working together does not always have to be competitive. Wanted a job well done is the end goal and no matter how it is reached and by whom, this is the way it should be approached.<br />
<br />
Reach out your hand to someone who wants to help without thinking it is the start of a competition. No one is judging and at least when you can look at the finished product and think it's a job well done, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you let the right people do the job.<br />
<br />
In the 'pissing contest' of life, at least you'll be a fair competitor.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-91970300681493659902011-10-13T14:34:00.000-04:002011-10-13T14:34:43.622-04:00TEXTING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS!!Thank you for this fun e-mail I received:<br />
<span style="color: #888888;"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-bottom: 2.25pt outset; border-right: 2.25pt outset; border-top: 2.25pt outset; rem_border-left: 2.25pt outset;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>ATD:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>At The Doctor's</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>BFF:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Best Friend Fainted</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>BTW:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Bring The Wheelchair</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>BYOT:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Bring Your Own Teeth</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>CBM:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Covered By Medicare</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>CGU:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Can't get up</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>CUATSC:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>See You At The Senior Center</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>DWI:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Driving While Incontinent</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>FWB:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Friend With Beta Blockers</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>FWIW:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Forgot Where I Was</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>FYI:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Found Your Insulin</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>GGPBL:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low!</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>GHA:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Got Heartburn Again</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>HGBM:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Had Good Bowel Movement</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>IMHO:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Is My Hearing-Aid On?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>LMDO:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Laughing My Dentures Out</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>LOL:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Living On Lipitor</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>LWO:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Lawrence Welk's On</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>OMMR:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>On My Massage Recliner</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>OMSG:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Oh My! Sorry Gas.</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>ROFL... CGU:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>TTYL:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Talk To You Louder</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>WAITT:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Who Am I Talking To?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>WTFA:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Wet The Furniture Again</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>WTP:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Where's The Prunes?</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>WWNO:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>Walker Wheels Need Oil</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="background: rgb(198,217,241); padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>GGLKI:</div></td><td style="background: mistyrose; padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;" valign="top"><div>(Gotta Go Laxative Kicking In)</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"> </div>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-67574532962864026432011-09-21T14:11:00.000-04:002011-09-21T14:11:15.422-04:00Mary Beth's Things I know: THIS MARRIAGE SUCKS, TOO!!!!<a href="http://mbthingsiknow.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-marriage-sucks-too.html?spref=bl">Mary Beth's Things I know: THIS MARRIAGE SUCKS, TOO!!!!</a>: You, with your promises of good times, new experiences, visiting old friends and making new ones, have now broken my heart. I left my spac...Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-30159995061486641492011-09-21T14:08:00.000-04:002011-09-21T14:08:47.586-04:00THIS MARRIAGE SUCKS, TOO!!!!You, with your promises of good times, new experiences, visiting old friends and making new ones, have now broken my heart.<br />
<br />
I left my space of friends, family, and fun because your all seeing attitude convinced me that I would never have any success with anything I was involved in. <br />
<br />
You tempted me with all your free gifts, your connections to everywhere and the idea that I could have my business flourish just by mentioning your name.<br />
<br />
A tear is making its way slowly down my cheek as I reach the conclusion that you and I might be over. How am I going to explain it to my friends and family that there might not be any more us?<br />
<br />
Do you feel any guilt or remorse or are you so isolated in your world of me, me, me that you forgot about one of the ones that put you in that Ivory tower?<br />
<br />
I loved you and gave you 100% of my time because I trusted you. After all this time, I now find you changing, manipulating, working things to as to cut me off from all the friends I have come to love and enjoy.<br />
<br />
When I push that final button, you won't even care because there will always be someone else to lure into your world of deceit.<br />
<br />
Thank you for all the times that were good and perhaps I'll keep in touch.<br />
<br />
Google me if you need to. I'll be here for a little longer but then, one of the best loves of my life, forget you!!!<br />
<br />
So Long Facebook...it was a good marriage while it was.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-66420406267974151722011-09-15T04:54:00.000-04:002011-09-15T04:54:38.648-04:00My Bedroom isn't just for sleep!As I glance around my bedroom, a sense of peace comes over me. A small room compared to some I've had in my life, but big enough to house my world that I've come to love.<br />
<br />
One wall is painted by me with Forest green swirled everywhere and stems painted in so if you are on the bed looking at the wall it's almost like being outside among the trees. One wall has leaves and flowers and the other wall has splatters of colored flowers very small as in an impressionist painting. The wall paper on the other wall is striped green with light traces of the flowers cascading down several rows. Stars that you find in children's rooms are splattered all over the ceiling so when I turn out the lights, the twinkling begins. It's such a peaceful way to end the evening.<br />
<br />
My computer faces the street and when I put the blinds and the drapes up, I can watch the cars go by, the people taking a stroll, children skipping down the road, skateboards in hand to find that perfect ride.<br />
<br />
I have been in and out of this room many times in my life. When the house was occupied by my Aunt and Uncle, I spent many nights visiting and enjoying the comfort of the room. When my Mother was very ill, I spent many nights in the room offering her comfort.<br />
<br />
My television is on the dresser and the remote never far from my hand. Pictures of my children and family everywhere give me comfort for their not being with me.<br />
<br />
People grin when I explain how much I love my room. When they've viewed it, I'm sure the same inspired feeling of awe didn't even come to their mind. But they don't know the memories that this room holds so all the feelings I have could never even be related to them.<br />
<br />
This house is small in size but big in heart. Strangers would see a cottage, I see a haven. Friends with their big homes in their gated communities can't even imagine living in a place so small. The difference is they still have their "stuff" and their mortgage and a few have houses that own them. I got rid of "stuff" and got a life. All I need is the comfort of comfort.<br />
<br />
When I close the door of my bedroom, I leave all the drama, the problems of the day and any aggravations that have come across during my day. I'm in my room and I'm happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
IMary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-1555078676845354292011-08-28T18:33:00.002-04:002011-08-29T10:27:00.913-04:00The Princess is the Ruler of this castle!!Once upon a time there was a princess who ruled as if she was a queen.<br />
<br />
Her bed had to be made and no wrinkles found or the nasty side of her disposition reared its ugly head.<br />
<br />
Her meals were served on dishes that resembled Silver. Once she was served her dinner on a paper plate. She immediately turned the plate over onto the floor. Ice cubes had to be put into her water or the pouting began.<br />
<br />
Every day at the same time, she expected her physical fitness workout to be started. Her head servant was to walk with her until she decided it was time to return to her castle. As per her daily routine, a snack had to be prepared upon coming back from all the physical exercise.<br />
<br />
Bath time was a triumph to any brave soul who wanted to draw the bath water. The temperature best be right, and dinner best be ready after her soak of which she despised.<br />
<br />
When one or more of her servants would get fed up with her holy attitude, then the punishment would begin. Everyone would change their attitude to soothe hers or the peace in the castle was a very unpleasant atmosphere.<br />
<br />
She did not like for the servants to have visitors because then time was taken from her. She would sit in the middle of the visitors, make weird sounds and tried to drown out the conversations.<br />
<br />
Her servants were asked one day why they felt she deserved all the special treatment. Their answer was very surprising.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jEmaTigTMVnzyJyRdH07u-vwP9yoGDkbJx1V6_AOWCj_EVoMsxxgaZrpVd2FWmhUIya4GhiTCReHEJde3nNfsExoM0uWD_VAvTDg7i2Oibi2ki2Y6FVBzIX07Uh-CP1HRUo6PUFX9fU/s1600/Mya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jEmaTigTMVnzyJyRdH07u-vwP9yoGDkbJx1V6_AOWCj_EVoMsxxgaZrpVd2FWmhUIya4GhiTCReHEJde3nNfsExoM0uWD_VAvTDg7i2Oibi2ki2Y6FVBzIX07Uh-CP1HRUo6PUFX9fU/s320/Mya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"For all the aggravation, all the constant catering, the good side of it is when you are ill, she never leaves your side, when you are sad, she always tries to comfort, when you are lonely, she always keeps you company."<br />
<br />
That's why Mya the dog continues to rule this castle.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-48215726255417841772011-08-15T16:24:00.000-04:002011-08-15T16:24:05.717-04:00CRYING IS NOT A BAD THING!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say that tears cleanse the soul. If that is the correct philosophy, then my soul should be immaculate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironic that at this older age of my life, I find myself shedding tears for days long gone. Mistakes I've made in the past make me cry, having to be the life of the party and leaving my kids with babysitters make me cry, not doing enough for my parents make me cry, realizing the different paths I could have taken in my life make me cry.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a joke it is on us as we get older and wiser to look back and worry about the events of the past, and we see the young </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">people around us making the same mistakes. When offering suggestions to them, they just shrug their shoulders because, after all, we are old so what do we know.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to scream at them to listen but instead, I cry again. Depression is not a factor in my crying. My life is blessed today with so many good things that I cherish. My crying is when I realize what I let slip by in my life. My crying is my way of dealing with the knowledge that the days are getting shorter so memories are to be made so I don't leave others crying.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When people hear my name, the first thing out of their mouth is about my being funny and how I am always laughing. That is a good legacy to leave but now I'll probably cry about them not knowing about my tears.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best way to sum up my moments of tears is that old song,"Tears of a Clown." I think that was written with me in mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point of this writing of mine is to let the young person reading it, realize the importance of cherishing each moment, to make their children the priority, to dance in the rain and bathe in the sun, to do the best you can everyday so when you are at my age, you won't look back and cry silent tears of where you made your mistakes.</span>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6538765515697328759.post-71677190853844810022011-08-11T01:33:00.001-04:002011-08-11T01:46:42.495-04:00Summer with Grandmother.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summertime not only brings the hot weather but also the memories of my youth and the end of the school term. The day after school was out and we knew Summer was upon us, my sister and I made the plans of what fun things we might get to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The first thing on the agenda was the visit from my Father. He always picked us up to spend the Summer with him and my Grandmother. I'm sure a sigh of relief was from my Mother as that meant she would only have my younger sister and brother for the three months that we would be gone. Mother and my stepfather would now have the time to devote to the two younger children because my sister and I were always having to be taken someplace, in some activity or just sometimes being the older siblings and demanding more of the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the way to my Father's house, we got to take turns steering the car and knew that we would get to stop to have a hamburger. It may not seem like a lot of excitement now, but the thought of getting to stop at that little drive-inn was the highlight of our trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We would always miss Mom, Dad and the children but we knew we would have a fun filled adventure with Grandmother and my Aunts and Uncles. My Father had it made because about a week after arriving at his house, we always got invited to my Aunt's house and we loved that. Her children were our best friends and getting to help her children make homemade cakes, can tomatoes,go swimming at the springs were some of the most fun a child could have. It was always sad to leave them and come back to Granny's but only for about an hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was named for my Grandmother, Elizabeth, and I am pretty sure some of my habits I got from her. Everyone was always expected to wash their hands and be at the dinner table when it was ready. One night would be the best Pinto Beans I have ever tasted, with fresh sliced tomatoes and of course corn bread. Father, my Uncles, my sister,Grandmother and myself would eat until we could hardly move. The only time anyone would get up from the table was for more ice for the sweet tea.We were the center of attention and the grownups acted like they really enjoyed our chatter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course after dinner, my sister and I were expected to clean off the table and do the dishes. It seemed overwhelming at times but when we were finished, not only could we watch television but usually with a big slice of chocolate cake. It was now Grandmother's time and everyone had their place to sit in the living room. As we had gotten to chat at the dinner table, it was now time to be silent so everyone could hear the television. After watching a few programs, it was time for a shower and off to bed on a feather bed set up in Granny's room. We would sit in front of her vanity table and brush our hair forever to keep from having to go to sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Every day when we would go outside to play or visit the close neighbors, Grandmother would be very stern and insist we put our shirts in. We always had a small tee shirt that she wanted us to wear under our shirts. I thought that was the worse thing but years later I realized that she was afraid our shirts would blow up in the wind and our bodies would be exposed. A little old fashion but one of the wonderful traits I remember about her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">During the day she had plenty of time to go about her daily fare because we roamed the neighborhood. All the kids on the block like to sit at this little old ladies house on the corner. She had a swing on the front porch and always had apples, pears or peaches. I laugh today at the thought of about five or six of us gathered on her porch. What a kind lady because I'm sure we must have driven her crazy. The lady on the other side of Granny's always made us take off our shoes and stick our feet in a pail of water before we entered her house. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well this small little neighborhood was our village for the Summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hope when I have Grandchildren that I can be as loving and kind as Grandmother was to us. We learned so many things, from crocheting, gardening, cooking, canning, cleaning, and all the things that go with running a home. </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">How proud I am , that not only am I her namesake, I have turned out to enjoy some of the same things that she did. </span>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291256994984598139noreply@blogger.com0