HAPPY EASTER

GROW FASTER

On the side of the shed in the back yard, my lilies are coming up now that all the snow has melted.


Under the back bedroom window, more lilies are poking their heads out of the ground.


Under the kitchen window, more lilies are growing due to the few brief warm days and some sunshine.

Originally, all these lilies were in one area next to the back fence, but last year my neighbor apparently didn't want them growing through to his side of the yard, so all the flowers were sprayed with some plant killer substance. I went outside one day after he had mowed his yard and found all my flowers dead along the fence line.

Near the end of the summer, I had a gardener dig up all the lily bulbs and replant them along the side of the shed, along the house under the kitchen window, and along the house under the back bedroom window. That way I would have them spread out and get more of an area of 'flower power.'

I'm looking forward to seeing what colors come from these bulbs, because I remember a mixture when they were clumped together along the fence. At least signs of spring are now showing in my back yard and the warmer weather today was enough to get me outside surveying the yard. Even the daffodils are about six inches tall and growing. Spring is trying so hard to show itself. Next I'll be watching for my peonies to show signs of life in the front yard. GROW GROW GROW

A DOUBLE "C" DAY

My first "C" is for COOKIES.

No girl scouts came door-to-door this year to take cookie orders on my street. I looked for them to be set up at a local business selling their various goodies, but none were found. I decided to go on Facebook and ask if anyone knew a girl scout with cookies for sale. I got a reply and we exchanged a couple messages. Today the mother of the scout came to deliver the three boxes of cookies I ordered and we recognized each other right away. We worked together in 1989 at the same location here in town. Talk about bringing back old memories!!! I'm now on her list to be contacted next year, because her daughter will still be a girl scout. LOVE those Thin Mints!!



My second "C" is for CARRY.

After my concealed carry class last November, I applied for my license in December and have been waiting and waiting. I called the toll-free number a few times only to be told that the wait time had changed from six weeks to eight to twelve weeks due to a large backlog of new applications being submitted. Today I talked to an actual person (instead of listening to the automated phone system) and learned that my application had been approved and I should be getting my license in the mail by April 9th. Finally, what a relief, just to hear the results. Being a former state corrections officer, I have been weapons trained. It's not that I want to CARRY, I just wanted the satisfaction that I could OBTAIN a license by passing all the qualifications and tests to do so. I felt it was more of an accomplishment than an actual NEED. At least I can now say that I DID IT!

DOUBLE "C" DAY!

CROOKS

A man lying on his deathbed called to him, his lawyer, his doctor, and his pastor. "I am going to die tonight," and I want to prove that when you go to heaven you can take it all with you. So to my three most trusted friends, you three of course, I am leaving 50,000 dollars in these envelopes. When I die you must come to my funeral and put the envelopes in my coffin with me." The man handed the three men identical envelopes.

A day later they each received news that, that night the old man had died . So each knew they must go to his funeral and fulfill his death wish.

Standing over the coffin one week later the pastor confessed, " I can't hide what I've done. I took 10,000 dollars from the envelope because the church needed to be painted."

Then as he did so the doctor also started to fidget then finally confessed “I took 30,000 dollars from my envelope because the hospital needed a new wing."

Ten the lawyer said plainly “You bunch of crooks! I wrote him a check for the full amount!"

HATING SPRING WINTERS

COLD DEAD HANDS

THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNNIEST VIDEOS I'VE SEEN FOR A WHILE. WATCH IT TO THE END - THE BEST PART!

Cold Dead Hand with Jim Carrey from Jim Carrey

LET THE SALE BEGIN

I spent six weeks sorting through drawers, cupboards, closets, rooms, every nook and cranny in this house to prepare for my auction sale. Last week Friday, the guys came to pick up all the boxes, totes and miscellaneous items.

The pickup truck was loaded, with totes stacked 3-high and boxes and other items filling all the areas possible. The flatbed trailer he brought was also filled by the time he headed for his business location. I was so surprised how much I really was able to get rid of, without touching the garage, attic or back yard shed yet. That will be my summer project, so I can have a fall sale too.


My kitchen was filled with boxes and my living room was filled also. It sure was nice to get it all out of the house and have the room back to move around easily. Unfortunately, I wanted to help so I carried small items out to them after I slid some totes out onto the front porch. By the evening, I was flat on my back on the couch. On Saturday, I still had a tremendous backache, but the headache had eased up somewhat. Doing any lifting like that puts me down for two days with my bad back. My mind thinks I can still do things like ten years ago.

I know I have well over 700 items in the sale and I find that downsizing is a liberating experience. Starting in June, I will explore the many boxes in my attic and see what treasures I can find that have been put away for the last four to seven years. I found a few surprises in the past few weeks, which I will write about in another blog.

With the sale of my gold and diamonds in Columbus, and my silver in Cincinnati, and my household goods at an auction here, I will be able to pay off the two main bills for this year (taxes and insurance). After my recent loss, I have no one to leave little things to, so I might as well enjoy using the money to live on. Specific items of family significance are being saved for certain family members, but I have lightened my load considerably. As I look around my house, I still have enough for another sale next year, if necessary. We seem to collect so much over the years, as well as inherit it from those before us.

I have set my next goal, but until this snow is gone and the warmer weather is upon us for the spring and summer, I will wait until I can explore more boxes and thin my load once more.

RIGHT OR NOT?

Store Manager: I saw you arguing with that customer who just left. I told you before that the customer is always right. Do you understand me?

Sales clerk: Yes, sir. The customer is always right.

Store Manager: That's better. Now what were you arguing with the customer about?

Sales clerk: Well, sir, he said you were an idiot.

WHY ARGUE INDEED!

SOLDIER'S DEAR JOHN

A soldier was stationed abroad and received a "Dear John" letter from his girlfriend back home. It read: "Dear Dave, I can no longer continue our relationship. The distance between us is just too great. I must admit that I have cheated twice, since you've been gone, and it's not fair to either of us. I'm sorry. Please return the picture of me that I sent you. Love, Kim."

The soldier, with hurt feelings, asked his fellow soldiers for any snapshots they could spare of their girlfriends, sisters, ex-girlfriends, aunts, cousins, etc. In addition to the picture of Kim, Dave included all the other pictures of pretty girls he had collected from his buddies. There were 43 photos in the envelope along with a note that read: "Dear Kim, I'm so sorry but I can't remember who you are. Please take your picture from the pile, and send the rest back to me. Take care, Dave."

TICKLING THE IVORYS

Fresh off the plane from Atlanta, Georgia, concert pianist Mac Frampton performed solo at the Washington Middle School today giving the crowd a touch of the Irish, classical, oldies, and show tunes. He started his show off with the William Tell Overture and ended the show with God Bless America.

Frampton started playing piano at the age of six in his minister father's church and knew that's what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He studied music at the Cincinnati Conservatory and has played over 4,000 concerts in his 40 years of touring after college.

The first half of the concert went a bit slow as he played MacArthur Park, Rhapsody in Blue, and the Phantom of the Opera, and talking a lot to the audience between songs. The second half was more lively and less talking - more playing. For his finale, he had a legal pad and pen and took requests from the audience. Once he filled all the lines on the paper, he told the crowd to listen carefully, because some tunes might be brief. He played a seamless medley of about 30 tunes such as Sentimental Journey (that I had suggested), When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Danny Boy, Battle Hymn of the Republic, music from Bach, something from Sousa, and many more.

I found the following YouTube video of a similar medley Frampton performed for an audience by taking requests and transitioning one song after another. He can play religious music, rhythm and blues, rock, and every song requested in all genres.

DRAGONS VS DAWGS

Having fun and raising money for the Fayette County Special Olympics was the goal for the night last Wednesday at the Washington High School gymnasium. Fayette County Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said they expected between 100-200 people to attend and watch the game. However, he said he learned that around 400 people were in attendance to support the cause and root for their favorite team.

The Fayette County Dragons (special olympics team) took on a team composed of various members of the sheriff's office, along with Fayette County Prosecutor Jess Weade.

I only knew or recognized one of the referees, Wayne Arnold (seen on the right). It was an active game and reminded me of watching a tennis match as the teams ran back and forth from one end of the court to the other in a fast-paced game.

The sheriff was on hand to watch the game from the sidelines. I only stayed for the first half of the game, because I found the bleacher seats too hard and with no back support, I could only sit for so long that way. But I did enjoy the half that I saw with the final half score of 22-6 when I left. I later learned that the Deputy Dawgs got beat 46-35 by the Dragons.


I believe the kids had a good time and even the cheerleaders got into the action being introduced at half-time. With the sale of special tee-shirts, in addition to the small admission charge, I know they raised a lot of money for special olympics that night.

THE BIRTH OF A CANDY BAR

One Payday, Mr. Goodbar wanted a Bit-O-Honey, so he took his Miss Hershey behind the Powerhouse on the corner of 5th Avenue & Clark, where he then began to feel her Mounds and that was an Almond Joy which definitely made his Tootsie Roll.




He let out a Snicker as he slipped his Butterfinger up her Kit-Kat which, of course, caused a Milky Way. She screamed O'Henry as she squeezed his Peter Paul & Zagnuts and said you're better than the Three Musketeer's. She soon became a bit Chunky and some nine months later gave birth to a Baby Ruth.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

TAKE THINGS ONE DAY AT A TIME

As you begin your journey to recovery,
know that there are people with you
every step of the way.
Take just one day at a time.
Don't expect more from yourself
than you do from others.
Conquer any anger or frustration
with hope and determination.
Believe in yourself.
Believe you will win this battle
and emerge better and stronger than ever.
Fight pain and self-doubt
with prayer and humor.
Reach out and accept the love and support
of your family and friends.
Know that you will overcome this obstacle
as you have all others.

A poem I read by Ronnie M. Janney
In a book entitled One Step At A Time

I found this book as I cleaned and thinned out two bookcases today in my quest to prepare for my auction sale of a lot of personal property. I am now working on filing a second box since one box is already full and heavy. I put this book back on the shelf, because it had many short poems like this that give encouragement to healing after a traumatic event. I read about half the book today as part of my new journey toward healing.

BE THERE

MOVING ON

I am starting the healing process and slowly letting go of the extreme stress I've been through the last six weeks. As unbearable and unfair as it was, I have learned a lot about honesty (when you don't get it from others) and trust (when you put your faith and trust in hollow promises). I've learned to demand respect and honesty from others, and trust no one for a long time.

I've learned that others can be jealous of you, maybe the time you share with someone else who is part of your life; but in the end, the one who loves the most is always the one who gets hurt the deepest.

At my age, I've learned that those younger and busier in their lives will never feel true love of family or stop and smell the roses; instead they will rush from one place to another, one person to another, without knowing the true meaning of love and compassion.

LOSS AND CLOSURE

I share this candle now for a lost loved one.

To those who I've talked to and those who have emailed me about my recent torturous last six weeks, I thank you all for your care and concern. I want you to know that today I got a sort of closure to my dilemma.

I felt like I was hanging by a thread, strung along, disrespected, and treated badly as a Mother and a woman. A woman gives of herself, sacrifices everything she can, financially, emotionally, spiritually, and timewise, but sometimes a person can get hurt more than words can express. The heartbreak is a killer; the stab in the back is emotionally draining; and I felt it all.

Today I learned that a person I formally knew to be kind, caring and compassionate is no longer those things to me. I have expressed my extreme pain and suffering to no avail, no compassion, no empathy for my feelings. When a person no longer cares and moves on, so must I. Letting go of the pain, praying for healing and peace in my soul is now beginning. The pain cuts deep and is long-lasting as I found out emotionally about four years ago, but when I fell, there was someone there to help me up and encourage me to go on. Now that person has just walked out of my life, rearranging his life priorities which no longer include family-types, unconditional love and support and being there for someone.

I have gone through the normal stages of grief, and now must finish the "acceptance" phase and start the healing. I must do this for myself. No one is going to take care of me, except ME. I must now stand up for myself and do what is best for ME. This is hard for a loving and giving person like myself, but I will do my best.

I will miss my former relationship, but at least closure came in the form of actual WORDS today, not just silence and distance. We all go through hard times in life, and I've sure had more than my share in the past ten or fifteen years, but like Kelly Clarkson's song says, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

Trust is a virtue that is earned and I have now learned not to trust; it will be a LONG time before I will be able to trust anyone like I trusted someone for the past four years. I now have major life decisions to make and decide where to go from here. Most of my family is deceased or living out of town or out of state. I will take my time and decide carefully what to do or where to go next. My lesson of trust and acceptance, loving-caring-giving will be highly re-evaluated.

I want to especially thank my minister/friend for the counsel and advice he gave me recently. I listened carefully and understood his words. I could no longer continue to be put through the mental anguish and suffering that I was subjected to for the past six weeks. Another friend of mine sent me a message today that said, "It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful." So I will release the painful feelings, close one special chapter in my life, and look forward to what may come in the future. I can only hope and pray. To start the healing process, I've been told I must start by wishing him well. Forgiveness is hard when major pain is inflicted, but I am going to work on it. I will take control and no longer let anyone disrespect me, or hurt me as deeply as I have been hurt.

Another item that I saw on Facebook recently was "If someone treats you like crap, just remember, there is something wrong with them, not you. Normal people don't go around destroying other human beings." (Especially human beings who've given everything to help and support someone.) I have learned and I will eventually heal. Time heals all wounds is not always true; some stay a long time in the heart, but the heart can continue to beat and we just learn to take one day at a time. My new goal - take one day at a time and don't expect anything.

TODAY IS NATIONAL GRAMMAR DAY

Language is something to celebrate, and March 4 is the perfect day to do it. It's not only a date, it's an imperative: March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well, and help others do the same!

Ten Grammar Myths Exposed:

1. A run-on sentence is a really long sentence.
2. You shouldn't start a sentence with the word "however."
3. "Irregardless" is not a word.
4. There is only one way to write the possessive form of a word that ends in "s."
5. Passive voice is always wrong.
6. "I.e." and "e.g." mean the same thing.
7. You use "a" before words that start with consonants and "an" before words that start with vowels.
8. It's incorrect to answer the question "How are you?" with the statement "I'm good."
9. You shouldn't split infinitives.
10. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition.

HAPPY WRITING!

ADVENTURE COMPLETE

I finished cleaning my guest room closet today by tackling the overstuffed shelf and organizing the contents. It was an afternoon project. My constant companion during my task was my ever-observant Miss Kitty who likes to watch me work.







I had three containers of old family photos saved by my mother, grandmother, and myself. They were in an old small suitcase, a large shoebox, and a file box. After sorting and putting them in Ziploc bags, all the items are now in one small tote box for easy access. The file box and old suitcase can now go to the auction sale.



I also had two sewing boxes on the shelf, and I really only need one; thus, another consolidation effort and the round one gets sold and the square one contains all the thread neatly in a Ziploc bags, and needles were stored in an old pill bottle. (Sometimes the smallest things are reusable.)






My treasured find of the day was my old original baby blanket my mother saved for many years and gave to me. It will find it a new, secure place to reside, in a sealed bag, safe in a dresser drawer.





I was able to empty and throw away some cartons and put more items in the auction totes I'm filling up. The closet is unrecognizable and so neat now. This was a project worth doing and an adventure with a great outcome. I'd better make a note to clean out my bedroom closet next and get it more organized.

MY CLOSET ADVENTURE

In preparation for my auction sale next month, I started cleaning out my guest room closet today. It was so full, it really needed weeding out. I sorted out all the clothes first; separating them into like items and repacked the dress bags to keep my few dress clothes clean.

I took out over 20 hangars of items to donate to Goodwill. I also went through my sweater box and will donate two I don't wear anymore. The tote of old purses has been emptied and the majority of 'never used' items added to the throw-away pile. The sweater box and the box with the old family Bible and family photos is all that's left on the closet floor now.

My adventure was not without a couple surprise finds. In the back corner of the closet, I found an old sheet wrapped over a couple framed items my mother put away years ago. I had to investigate these forgotten items. I looked over an old collage photograph of ancestors from my grandmother's side of the family, and my grandmother's original framed wedding certificate from 1912. In a large plastic bag next to the sheet, I found my father's engineering t-square from when he was a draftsman. I hope these family heirlooms can be kept for the future, despite not knowing who to leave them to right now. That decision will come in time I hope.

Since the bottom half of the closet is now neat and organized, and much less crowded, tomorrow I will tackle the shelf, which is packed full to the ceiling. I'm sure I will find more items to sell or donate. The only thing I remember seeing above the clothes was another box of old family photos that my grandmother had saved.

I'll stroll down memory lane and see what treasures I find tomorrow. I feel good about my productive day today and hope for the best to finish the room this weekend.

The kitchen has already been cleaned out and I now have 18 totes filled with auction items to sell. My quest to declutter and downsize is going well so far, but I have 20 more days to search for unwanted items and free myself of my extra STUFF.