Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

What are you doing for New Years Night you may ask. My dad came over for dinner and we watched Toy Story 3. Now I am waiting for Shorty to set up her skpye so I can talk to her face to face. It is already her birthday because she lives on the east coast.


While I am waiting I am listing to the police scanner. Things are really hopping around town.

A New Years wish to you: Good health spiritually and physically, and may 2011 be the best year for you ever!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

How much is the Quilt in the Window

Yesterday I went out to lunch with Mrs. Neighborhood Hero. We went to a pizza and pasta joint that has been in town as long as I can remember. Mrs. Neighborhood Hero (MNH) is a crafter. She quilts, knits, scrapbooks, makes jewelry and everything else.

After lunch MNH wanted to stop at the thrift store. I told her about this thrift store that I went to this summer. I got a steamer trunk for a very good deal. I told MHN about this old log cabin quilt that I had seen the day I bought the trunk. The quilt was all beat up, but you could see that someone had spent many hours of work on it. I am not sure how old it is, but it looks like it was made by hand. I didn't buy it that day I bought the trunk.

It was about 1 o'clock in the afternoon. The first sunny day we have had in a long time. We drove up to the thrift store, there in the sunny front window was that old quilt. My heart dropped. Everyone knows you can't put a quilt where the direct sun will hit it. Surely the sun will finish off that poor old quilt. 

MNH said OH my, look they have that old quilt in the direct sun. So we go in the store and are browsing around. MNH says to me, you should tell the owners that quilt should not be in the window. I said you tell the owner. After sometime MNH convinced me to go talk to the owner of the thrift store about the quilt.

I did not want to TELL the owner what to do, maybe she knew that the sun would destroy the quilt. I asked for the owner. The owner came out from the back of the store. I said, I saw this quilt when it came in this summer... maybe you know this already but just in case the sun is going to disintegrate that old quilt. The owner said "there is no sun in that window." What, I said surprised. The owner repeated herself that the sun does not come in that window. I said I just walked in your store and the sun was blazing brightly in that window. MNH mouth was hitting the floor about this time. The owner said the quilt was much better off being in the window then people handling it all day.  The owner of the store says, well if your so worried about that raggedy old quilt why don't you buy it. I said how much do you want for it. She proceeded with her cocky attitude and said how much will you give me. I walked out of the store, MNH right behind me saying she could not believe the store owners attitude. 

So at 9 o'clock this morning I thought I would drive by and see if the sun was in the front window that early in the morning.

Sure enough. The sun must hit that window all day. So I took this photo. Maybe the owner of the store thought I said moon. Who knows. The quilt looks like a reckless quilter made it. Maybe that is why I have some sort of personal attachment to it. 

So I told my gig a low about that poor abandon quilt that the store owner is abusing. He said why don't you just go buy it. Maybe I will.  I am not sure.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

The Difference between Romantic and Sentimental

"I'm a romantic; a sentimental person thinks things will last, a romantic person hopes against hope that they won't."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald  I just heard this quote last night. I love it!

 Are you a romantic ? Or are you a sentimentalist? 

I have worked my entire life not to be sentimental about to many things. Ok I am going to admit right here, right now that I am a sentimentalist according to the definition above.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Yesterday Was Fun!!

My day really did not get started until around 11:30 AM when we went over to my sisters house. It was fun because The Mt. Family was there, The Raider Family was there, and the old standbys. Anyways Mt. Son brought his girlfriend. They were homecoming King and Queen at their school this year. Young love is so sweet. Raider baby was the sunshine in the room, with her cute toddler ways. Raider brother is in the "oven" jumping around like crazy. He is still baking.  No way I was going to put my hand on Raider Mom's belly. It is kind of nauseating just watching Raider Mom's belly moving around "by its self." 

For lunch we had Carnitas. It has been a tradition to have Mexican food for Christmas lunch since my 2 mom died.  A good time was had by all. 

I got an email from Miss Sunshine that her FiancĂ©e was going to be playing at this little whole in the wall grunge bar in Starboard. Later I found out that it was "Jam" night and GG-GP and his band would be playing there too. So at the very last moment me and my gig a low decided to go to Starboard. 

The Grunge Bar was packed full of men in flannel shirts and casually dressed women. I wore white tube socks with my clogs and jeans. Yes, I am saying neon white. I just don't care.  I like flannel shirts, seems like my kind of bar. 

It was Blues night. The house band started playing. Oh did I want a beer. It just seemed like a really good place to drink. When the band would change, people would fight their way to the bar. It was a do it yourself bar. YOU go to the counter and order a drink, they do not come to you.  I resisted extreme temptation. YEY. GG-GP's band went on, everyone jumped to their feet. GG-GP's band took authority over the stage, and they pumped out the jams. They slaughter all the other bands musically and vocally. They were great. I am not just saying that because my brother in law is in the band. Next Miss Sunshine's fiancee went on. He plays saxophone. He had a cool swagger going on as he was playing. He was awesome. It was fun seeing Miss Sunshine so happy. She really is Miss Sunshine now.  I really had a terrific time at the grunge bar, even without the alcohol.

Here is the funny part. We were home by 10:00 pm. Do you remember when 10:00 pm was the time you go out, not come home? :)



Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Sky Is The Limit

The other day me and my sweet friend along with Allalian went out for a bite to eat. We where talking about work and our jobs not being very secure. Allalian said I work for a major corporation, you could get a job in my corporation. She said you have to pass a test. I said what kind of test? Math mostly. I said most likely I cannot pass a math test. Allalian said well RQ if "you expect to fail a test you will."

Oh how I hate those words.

When I was younger, I was a victim of "learned helplessness" during my k-12 years. After you fail test after test year after year, you do expect to fail. I stopped trying. After I graduated from High School and could not read or write, I found out I had dyslexia. I did not understand my diagnosis.

That all changed for me while I was in college.

First of all they tested me for a learning disability. It was confirmed that I have visual AND audio processing disorders. After all these years of being beat down by myself and other people who would say "if you would just try harder, your lazy, study more, IF YOU EXPECT TO FAIL YOU WILL," I was validated. There is a reason I fail test, even if I studied hard and expected to pass.

In college they tought me how to work with my brain malfunction and build new neurons. They gave me tools to check in with my dyslexia. They showed me modern technology that helps people like me. Like talking spelling check and a screen reader. They showed me text to voice scanning programs.  Is my dyslexia better? no. Can I work with it now? yes.

Sidebar: my gig a low helped me pass tests. He was there for me when I would cry and want to give up because it was all just to hard. Building neurons is painful. When I would hit the wall, and my brain just would not work, my gig a low was standing by with a warm hug. How lucky am I to have a man who understands my disability and who does not use my being disabled against me. I know you all have read the story about how my gig a low has helped me over the years.(see my funny and charming blog)


Let me remind you Allalian, I got a 3.75 in college. That is mostly an "A" average. I know about taking test. At the college when I had to take a test they accommodated my severe learning disability by giving me extra time and a scribe when I needed it. They never gave me a modified test. Not only that I spent hours and hours, months and months, years and years with tutoring. Just ask Dahlia. God bless her, it was no easy chore to tutor me.

I do not expect to fail a test.

I recently took a math test and failed. Was I surprised that I failed? no. Why, because now I know how my visual processing disorder limits me.

Do you think there is a difference between expecting to fail and knowing limits? Do you know what your limits are? Are you going to tell me there are no limits? Is it wrong for me to know and except my limits? Is that the same as expecting to fail? Do you think if I tried harder my brain would change magically?

Most people who say things like you did, really don't understand how learning disability's work. 

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

Hark the herald angels sing 
Glory to the newborn King! 
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled 
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! The herald angels sing 
Glory to the newborn King!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The C word (Not Christmas)

Shorty's Birthday is coming up. Jan 1. Usually she is always late with her Christmas cards. Me I am more then late, I never send them at all. I got a card from her today. BEFORE Christmas. She always sends a photo of her two kids. Both are teenagers, good looking and smart! I called her up to thank her for the Christmas card, Anyways I am going to repeat this story Shorty told me. 


A couple of weeks ago one of  the students called Shorty and the other staff members a slang term about female anatomy that rhymes with bunt and starts with "C." Shorty says students call the staff all kinds of bad names, but they draw the line with that word. I am thankful I don't have students like that.

So the teacher called the mother in to discuss the students foul mouth. The mother said she was so sorry that the student called the staff the "C" word. The mother went on to say it must of been her fault, and she apologized. Apparently, the mother had been talking to the grandmother of the student on the phone. The mother called the grandmother a "C" and the student over heard the conversation, therefore, the student learned to use that word from the mom, and the mom was sorry that the student repeated it at school.

Wow, that is quite a story Shorty.

I will be talking to you again in just a few days, I hope you will have time to tell me more stories I can write on my blog!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Update 12/20

Update on what you may be asking? My life. Friday as you know was the annual work Christmas party.

On Saturday I went up to see MaMajane and my foster family. Mamajane looked very outstanding considering she just got out of the hosptial. My Foster Sister and Sis where there. I was so happy to see Sis because it had been such a very long time.

When I was young and troubled ( now I am old and troubled) Sis was always there for me, giving me cigarettes and booze. (Just kidding, not the booze) Sis was a very cool hippy with white go go boots when I first met her. She like to listen to the Rolling Stones and Led zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix. That's where my love affair with good ole rock and roll started, with Sis. Sis looked very good. My Foster Sister looked great too. My Foster Sisters kids are all grown up now. Jude and Lannie where there. My Foster Brother and Hasting and Hasting's son, Lock and his sister CL and both of their kids.  I love my foster family.

Me and My Foster sister used to go skinny dipping in the built in pool at MaMajanes house.  In the middle of the night me and My Foster Sister would creep out of the house, get in our birthday suits and jump in the pool. My Foster Brother would love to sneak outside and turn the swimming pool lights on. He thought that was great fun. Me and My Foster Sister would scream and run for cover and a towel. MaMajane had a sign that read "I don't swim in your toilet, so don't pee in my pool"


On Sunday, went to church. Me and my gig a low ran all over town. At 7 pm my dad came over to watch the final episode of Survivor. We were happy that Fabio won, although Jane was my favorite.


Today I had to go grocery shopping. I was feeling very anxious and jumpy. No I did not have 7 cups of coffee. Only 2 1/2 cups. Anyways I was putting my grocery away when my phone rang. It was Phoebe. We were suppose to meet up at the Starbucks and I completely forgot. I told Phoebe to stay put. Phoebe is a very wonderful sister who is so FUNNY. She bought me a Alice (Alice in Wonderland) necklace. I LOVE, LOVE IT! After spending just a few minutes with her my nerves where calm. God bless her!


I came home and cooked a beautiful dinner for my gig a low and his oldest friend. His oldest friend looks like a homeless Santa Clause (HSC). He has a taste for good food and gambling. At first I was going to make spaghetti, but the holy spirit told me, nope don't make spaghetti. I did not know why, but I did know I needed to make something else. At dinner during conversation he brought up the fact that he was a chef for 15 years... SEE the holy spirit was right. That's why I fixed Salmon Wellington. Yep, it was a good choice.  Here was our menu:

Appetizers: Green olives - Greek country pitted, Italian pitted and garlic stuffed. Cheese slices-smoked cheddar and extra sharp cheddar from Canada. Crab Wantons that HSC sister made
Main Coarse: Salmon Welliton
Side Dishes: Rice- brown, red and white. Homemade applesauce, dill tarter sauce and fresh lemon off my tree.

After dinner we played poker. I lost 5 bucks. There was no way me and my gig a low were going to win against HSC.  I have never seen a professional poker player up close. It was kind of fun just to watch how he held the cards, counted the chips and cut the deck. Really not so much fun as it was intimidating in a fun kind of way. HSC was nice and let me and my gig a low win at first, next thing I knew I was out of chips.

Now I am writing my blog. MaMa Jane says she cant keep up with all my fooling around. I told her sometimes I can't keep up either.

I hope you have sweet sleep!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Our Annual Work Christmas Party

Last night I went to our annual work Christmas Party. I had made up my mind I was NOT going to get emotionally attached to any "White elephant" gift this year. My date is always- my gay friend Jamie and his partner.

There was bout 25 people there. My X Mormon friend remodeled her house and it looked beautiful. I was asking Jamie and his partner (AHP) - if you think someone in your family is gay should you just point blank ask them are you gay? AHP said no, you should never do that. He said he hates it when people ask him if he is gay. Jamie had mixed feelings about it.

The door opened and in walked FT. My blood turned to ice. The blow up Santa grabber is here.
She did not have her perfect snow white children or her very handsome husband with her this year. FT was alone. She walked right over to me and told me she was "sorry" for taking all the great gifts I have "won" the years. I had to look at her twice and make sure it was really FT.  I started to wonder if this was some space alien who had invaded FTs body?  FT patted me on the knee and plopped down right in front of me on the floor. I was thinking what is she doing? Has FT lost her mind?

The "White Elephant" game started. We picked numbers. I had 4 and FT had 10. FT said to me, get what ever you want and I will make sure you keep it. What ever they put in the sparkling cider was freaking me out. When it was my turn I picked a beautiful snowflake candle holder with 2 candles. I made an announcement that I was NOT going to get emotionally attached to any gift this year. FT turned around again and said don't you worry, you will get to keep the snowflake candle holder. Ok... A few turns later someone stole my snowflake candle holder. FT says do you really want that candle holder, I said yes, FT said ok then get me that cookie jar. When its my turn I will get the candle holder back. I started thinking what kind of manipulation is this? Ok I got the cookie jar. FT got the snowflake candle holder. FT said ok we will trade. BTW-This year there was no drunken intimations by unruly co workers kids.

Ok,, well, someone stole "my" cookie jar. FT told me to get the movie tickets, someone else just opened. I thought heck with this, I am going to get what I want. I am still being manipulated.  So I took  AHP's gift, different candle holders that I really liked. Someone stole AHP's gift from me. I had to take another turn. FT started to whisper get that kids game. I could tell that the lady who got the kids game did not like it, so I stole the kids game. When it was all said and done, I had the kids game and FT had the snow flake candle holder. FT turned to me and said ok lets trade.

FT was so proud of herself. She clinched her hands and proclaimed "I DID THE RIGHT THING, I am so happy." Wow. This was a monumental moment for FT. She patted me on the knee again and told me to enjoy the snowflake candle holder.

I drove home very happy last night.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Lemon Curd and Jesus

My sweet friend called to say I have not been blogging enough. So I guess I will tell you about our Christmas Party at church.

Yes, I was back in the kitchen for 2 full days.  Yes, I had food slung all over the kitchen again. When the pastors wife would walk in she would say " That's my RQ" then she would giggle. Someone else handled the salad.

This year we had a tea. We had a tea that looked like it was out of the St. Francis Hotel. I must say we did a good job on the food. We had chicken cranberry salad sandwiches, pinwheel sandwiches, cucumber appetizer, salad, 3 different flavor scones, lemon curd  and a million tiny desserts.

73 women showed up for our tea.

I made up this fun game, even though it took way to long. I filled 12 tea cups with a different kind of tea in each cup. I took the label off the tea bag.  Each table had 2 representative come up, they could look and smell the tea but not drink it. I these teas:
  1. Perfect Peach
  2. Liptons black
  3. Carmel Vanilla
  4. Ginger snap
  5. White tea
  6. Camiemal 
  7. Black tea
  8. Green tea
  9. Pomegranate
  10. Raspberry
  11. Mint
  12. Sugar Cookie
I could not believe it one lady got 9 out of 12.  The people who participated in this game seemed to really think it was fun. I think the others were board.

This young lady spoke at our tea. Her name is London. She is only 19. London did a great job at speaking. She talked about the hustle and bussle of Christmas, and how for Christians  Jesus is the reason for the season.( I hate that saying but it sums up what she said quite well)

The pastors wife did an "alter call" and people excepted Jesus into their life. It was all very exciting.

I was walking around talking to people after the party was over. Many were telling me they had never eaten scones or lemon curd. Gunpoint had never seen such happiness. Lemon Curd and Jesus. What a great combination! The party was a great success!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Today at Safeway

I went to Safeway this morning before church to pick up a few things. I was looking at the apples when the produce guy asked me if I would like a sample. I told him no I was finicky about those kinds of things, I have to wash my hands and the fruit. He said come over here you can wash your hands, and I will wash the fruit. Hmmmm. This young 30ish produce guy is flirting with me. I said no thank you. He said are you sure? I said yes I am sure. So I said how are the grapes? His eyes widen, oh they are very tasty, especially the green ones.  Ok I will take your word for it I said. He said I hope you don't mind me harassing you.. (ARE YOU KIDDING, I am flattered) I said oh its ok. As I walked to the cash register on cloud nine, I couldn't help but have a big smile on my face...

After I got home from church I realized I had forgotten black beans, corn, salad dressing and dog food. I guess I was to busy trying to figure out why this young guy was flirting with me.  Oh man I have to go back to Safeway. I had completely forgotten about my morning amusement. I was back in the produce section looking at the blue cheese salad dressing. I hear the produce guy saying OH your back. I said yes I forgot a few things. The produce guy said I could come back to "his" store anytime.  He said what did you forget? I named the list. He said what are you making, something south west? I said I guess you could say that. He said how about if I come over for dinner. (WHAT!!!!) I said (I am sorry to break your heart) my husband doesn't like me to bring guys home. Oh I see, the produce guy said. I left Safeway once again very happy.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

In Memory

Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so:
Little ones to him belong,—
They are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me-
The Bible tells me so!

Jesus loves me,—he who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let his little child come in.

Jesus loves me—loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill;
From his shining throne on high
Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me,—he will stay
Close beside me all the way.
Then his little child will take
Up to heaven for his dear sake.

You all died in December.

Rest in Peace,
MP 12/3
EM 12/1
AM 12/24
SSJ 12/11

No More Pain, No More Suffering, No more Tears.


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

I am so Sad

Now MaMajane is very sick. She has all kinds of pulmonary problems. She has been in the hospital and  now is in a nursing facility. I hope I can go to see her soon. I just talked to my foster sister. It is so hard when parents get ill. My foster sister has healthy boundaries. Maybe I could learn from them. MaMajane is the best MaMa anyone can have.

Everyone has a different opinion on how much time should I spend with my ill parent, should they move in? Should you see them every day? Should they go in a assisted living home? How much time do I spend away from my own home and my family?

My father in law has cancer did I tell you? Yes, I think I did. I don't have to worry about him, he has a large family that will take good care of him. My responsibility with him is go over to his house once a week to play cards.

My dad is hanging in there. He is amazing. He is coming over for dinner tonight. We are having corn beef, potatoes and carrots. Miss Sunshine said I can't have corn beef because it is not St. Patrick's day. I love corned beef. It smells soooo good right now. I always use real pickling spice instead of the little packet of pickling spice.Tonight I am going to glaze the corn beef with honey mustard. Tonight is Survivor night on TV. So dad brings his score card and we guess who will be voted off.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Opera Today

Proverbs 31
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;  but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.


Did anyone watch Opera today? (That is what my gig a low calls Oprah.) The truth is I don't watch Opera that much. Not that I think she is the devil or something, I am usually busy doing something else at 4 pm.


I thought it would be good for me to ride my bike, so I watched Opera to help pass the time, as riding your bike in the house is very boring. Today subject was fleeting beauty. So Opera had 3 "older" beautiful women on stage. Cybil Shepard apparently still thinks she is the most beautiful woman on earth. She was trying to give the camera a sexy look. I had to feel sorry for her. Cybil Shepard did not look in the mirror for years.

Opera made an interesting point during the show, that super beautiful women have all their self worth wrap up in their looks, therefor ugly women age better.  That may not be enlightening to you, but it was to me.


I was most impressed with Linda Evens from the tv show Dallas. She let her hair go gray, she is not putting on a show for anyone. I had forgotten that her husband left her for a 15 year old when she was in her prime. That must of been very hard on the ego. Her beauty did not hold a man or make her happy. It did make her lots of money.


Another funny thing that Opera said is her "blond" dog gets more attention. That part is true. I have noticed that with my own dogs.