School Spirit

They kids are in a great school this year. They had their school fair day a while back and they are received custom T-shirts. Each T-shirt had the school name on the front and on the back had the year and their teachers name. Each grade in the school had a different color. I though it was a really neat idea and now they have a t-shirt that they can wear all summer. They absolutely love them. Everybody loves having a shirt that is special to them and these definitely are special to the kids.

New Grandchildren

We have two new additions to the family. We have two 3 year old cats. They actually belong to Jill and Joy but they pretty much run the house. If I were a cat their size I would run the house too.

Here is Joy's Cat. Her name is Snickers.

As you can see she is pretty big but she only weighs in at about 18 pounds.

Now there is Jill's cat and her name is Carmela.

Now she weighs in at about 20 pounds. All I can say is that they guy who has raised these girls since they were babies sure must have done something right.

They are very friendly. Snickers is more outgoing that Carmela. She tends to hide out more. The kids say she is the bestest hidder they have ever seen and trust me they are right. It took a couple of hours last evening to find her.

Bing Bong

Something I have never had in my life would be any kinds of Gongs. Although I worked at a restaurant that had one and they had reasons to hit the gong. It was actually kind of cool. I just learned about something that I had never heard of. They are crystal sing bowls. They are made from almost pure quartz crystal, which is a naturally element. The crystal is placed in a mold and then it is heated to like 4,000 degrees. Then because we are also made of a crystalline structure you can use the Crystal Singing Bowls for healing and for meditation. They say this would help us with sound as a type of therapy. Which is then why crystals are a major factor in many of the different holistic medicine healing practices.

Water

I have recently started trying to drink more water and less Soft Drinks. I have a stainless steal drinking bottle made by Klean Kanteen. I love it. Like I said I am trying to not only drink more water but not use a ton of plastic water bottles which do not suit well in the landfill. I am not a tree hugger but I do believe that there are some things no matter how small they are they help. I got smaller stainless steel bottles for my grandchildren to take to school. Not only is it a landfill issue but they are more sanitary than the plastic water bottles.

Stuffed

I made homemade Chicken and Dumplings for supper. Well I should say dumplings and chicken. Since I didn't use very much chicken. I actually fed 7 people with two leg and thigh quarters. Not bad if you ask me. Then I made dumplings and potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, corn, tomatoes, cucumber slices. Everybody left the table stuffed and there is still leftovers. Sure makes for a reasonable priced meal for 7 people.

Felines

We are in the process of looking for a new pet for the family. My vote would be for a cat. We haven't had a cat for a long time and for some reason it is more fun watching a cat with its cat toys playing. They are more fun to watch than a dog. About the only thing I never bought for any of our cats were mouse cat toys guess I have never really been fond of mice as toys. I love though watching a cat with anything that consists of catnip. We have even let a cat once play in a paper grocery sack and he had a blast with it. But after looking around I can't believe how many kinds of toys there out there for cats. I actually saw something that is a laser light that you shine on the floor and across the furniture and the cat would try to chase down the little red dot. Now that would really be fun to watch I think. I think I really must work on getting a cat as the new pet of the house. Cats just don't seem to be needy pets. They pretty much come to you if they want to and play if they want to. That seems to be my mood too.

Run for the Border

Well the girls made a run for the border. N000000000000000 I don't mean Mexico. I mean Taco Bell for food for supper. We were going to go last night late but had vehicle issues so did not make it there. Well as is pretty usual for our family. They messed up our order. We got just a little over half of what we ordered. Plus everything was pretty much wrapped in the same paper so there was no way of telling what was in each wrapper without opening them to check it out. But now the girls have gone back there to get the remainder of our dinner. I think they missed something out of everybody's order. So this will be sort of a progressive dinner of sorts.

Snoopy

I have a dog that friends gave me in Pennsylvania and he could definitely use some serious Dog training if you ask me. He doesn't do anything when you tell him. If you say come he goes, if you say stay he goes, if you say don't pee he goes... I have never used dog training but I am a firm believer that if I don't know something about a business or product I will not every have anything bad to say about it. I am reading a lot of good things about Don Sullivan’s Perfect Dog DVDs and kit. So I think it might be something that I would be really interested in trying for my dog Snoopy. They have some Dog Myths listed and the one that I like is that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. My dog is about 5 and I was worried that he was too old to actually train. That is good news to me and I also learned that it doesn't cause a problem if you get an adult dog and you decide to change their name. It is not the name that matters but it is all about how you treat the dog that matters. I am seriously thinking about changing my dog's name. I don't associate a Mexican Chihuahua with the name Snoopy. I associate that with a beagle. So this gives me something to think about. So with the use of the DVD program and the command collar their just might be some hope still for my dog.

Lunch

We just got back home the girls and Randy and I went to run a couple of errands and then we went to Longhorn Steak Restaurant for lunch. I had the most delicious Rib Eye Steak I have had in a long time. It was so good and I am absolutely stuffed. Everybody had something different and I don't see the adults in the house wanting anything for supper. If I get hungry I have some honey roasted peanuts to nibble on this evening.

I am?

You Are Observant in Life

You are serious and stable. You are a bit of a perfectionist, and you like structure. You are happiest when you are inspired and creative. You like to live in the moment. You are sensitive and considerate. You are always putting other people's needs before your own. You have found what you want in life and are quite content. You know a lot about yourself.

The Stripping Down Test

Guess this does short of describe me. I am somewhat of a perfectionist I guess and I do like structure. I don't know about the sensitive part. Plus I am not sure I have found what I want in life and that I am content. I don't know when I am ever content.

It's a wreck

Joy used to have a car that she really could have used the website I just ran across. The web site is called auto body shop anaheim. Not that she lives in Anaheim but, she and Jill were going down the road one evening with the kids in the car and a dear ran out and right into the left front quarter panel of her car. Oh did I mention that the car she was driving was made of fiberglass? So needless to say it put a major hole in the side of her car. But this website makes repairs that are guaranteed for life. They do such quality work that it will protect the value of your car. They are also approved by something called the Insurance company autobody network. I didn't know there was such a network but it is good to know that there is.

Music

When I was I was in High School our director had a saying and it was "Music is sound that is pleasing to the ear". Well tonight we are going to a music program at the school of my grand children. Only one of the kids will be performing. That will be Nate. He will be singing in the choir and also playing his violin. So for our sake I hope the sounds that we hear will be pleasing to our ears.

Its a Crime

I could not believe Criminal Minds last night. They do this to us every year. I mean what is it with this last second cliff hanger. Does anybody know who that guy in the Ugly mask was that shot Hodges? I don't have a clue. But one thing the show did was make me hungry for pork. Think we have some pork steak in the freezer we just might fix tonight.

Host with the Most

Today is just another day in my life and as days go it is pretty much just like any other day. But Jill has been looking for someone to host her web site. So I have been trying to help her find what she needs. One of the things that tells you if the company you have found is be their web hosting awards they have received. When you use this site I found for your web hosting you get Free Domain Names from them. Some of the web hosting providers actually offer up to 5 free domain names or even a free domain name forever when you sign up for the web hosting service. I really believe that this is where Jill needs to go to take care of her needs for the web site she is wanting to launch for herself. They even have what they call "Green Web Hosting" which should be obvious to anyone what they mean by that. With a trust worthy green web host you would feel good about doing your part in saving the earth. They way this works is that these web host actually use alternative or renewable energy, they plant trees, and recycle waste to power their data centers. This is something that I have been trying to do my little part in keeping the earth green by drinking my water out of a Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Hey, every little bit helps. So if you are interested in a Web Host Provider hop on over there and check them out they have something for everybody.

Saying goodnight

I said something yesterday evening to all of my grandchildren that they had not been coming downstairs at bedtime to tell us goodnight and that I missed them doing that. So last night Zach came down before bedtime and told me he was going to tell me good night early. So I hugged and kissed him and told him to have sweet dreams. Well about 45 minutes later his twin brother Nate came in and kissed me and told me goodnight so we went through that routine with him. Then my granddaughter came in and I went through the routine with her as well. I noticed Zach standing by my bedroom door with a sour look on his face I asked him what was wrong. He said I already told you goodnight but Mom said I had to come down again. So I told him we could do it again and he did but as he hugged and kissed me his words were no as sweet as the first time. He said "this is such a waste of time. I already did this once" Oh I just felt the love flowing out of him.

Rain Rain

Yes it is a rainy day here today and it was a rainy day here yesterday. I am not complaining mind you. We needed the rain so much as things here were so very dry it was unreal. Yesterday was one of those days where I just pretty much read a book all day long. I usually never have the chance to do that on a rainy day. I usually have to get out and go to work but since I am not working right now I could just lay around and read a book I got from the library. Now today is a different story. We have a couple of errands we have to run today so hopefully we can do that between the raindrops and not get soaking wet today. But oh well guess I won't melt if I do get wet.

Manage it

When you live in a Housing Development you need a very good Real Property Management. Where we live so far we seem to have a very good one. I know all of them are not the greatest but there are many that are absolutely fabulous to say the least. The really good ones can actually win awards such as Franchise of the Year Awards. The really good ones are members of the National Association of residential Property Managers and this will ensure you that you will receive the highest standard in property management services. Be sure to check out the property management group that will be involved in your home purchase it may be the best thing you could ever do for yourself.

Celebration

The Birthday Celebration is now officially over. We had meatloaf and all the trimmings for supper. Then we had the birthday presents. I got lots of things I just love and then we had the official Birthday Cake. It was delicious to say the least. To my family I say a big THANK YOU!

Baking

Last night I was laying here watching some of my favorite TV shows and my granddaughter came into the room and said "Hey Nannie" I said what Baby and she said I made you something. I asked her what she had made and she said well you have to come and see. So I got up off my bed and that is no easy feat for me since I sleep on an air mattress on the floor. But I got up and went to the kitchen. Where she very proudly gave me a lemon bar that she had baked with the help of her Aunt Sue Sue. They had also made some brownies and I had some of each. They very very good I must say. But I paid for it most of the night as I had indigestion. It had nothing to do with the lemon bars or brownies it is just something I go through from time to time. But they were so very good.

Hot Hot Hot

Jill is going to need before long to do something with her Ford Radiator she has a leak in the radiator. She has temporarily taken care of it with some stop leak but I don't know how long those things work for you. But at least for right now it seems to be doing the trick for her. But if the day comes that it stops the leak then I am sure she will have to do some serious searching to get it fixed at the best price she can fine. With the way the economy is now we all have to search for the best deals that we can find out there no matter what it is we are needing to have done.

The Day

Well, today is the BIG day Whoopee Do Da Day! I have come to the conclusion that Birthdays are not a good thing anymore. I don't know when I quit being excited about them I think it was a long time ago. But I really wish that I could just wake up tomorrow morning and today would be over. I mean come on so I am another year older. The only good thing about it is that it means I am still alive. (I think) But when you actually think about it I am only another day older than I was yesterday. But the older I get the less I like it. This getting old is not what it is chracked up to be. I have aches and pains that I never thought I would have and well lately I have just felt well.... OLD. I don't like old. Never thought I would be old but here I am at old. Might be here but don't have to like it.

Gnomes and things

My daughter for some reason loves Gnomes. I got one several years ago where I worked that happened to be broken somewhat and gave it to her she loved it. Well it finally broke completely and is now gone. Here is a place where she can actually win herself one and she can Learn more about Startlike at the same time. This is a start page which would cover a topic you would be interested in. Every day you get a new photo and some hot links for you to check out. There are all sorts of channels on different topics like Golf, Exotic Destinations, Scuba Diving, The Outdoors, Skiing and lots more. I really like the outdoors channel. I love the outdoors but I have to admit I love my Air Conditioning in the house a lot more. So I guess I am a indoor/outdoor type person. So this way I can have the outdoors - indoors. Don't know if that makes sense but hey that is just the way I am. They have a 90 second video tutorial which you absolutely have to checkout. It answers all of the questions much better than I ever could do. Last but certainly not least for those of you who use facebook and twitter there is a sweepstakes where you can win a Gnome and $100 by posting an update and following startlikeon facebook and/or twitter. Here are the links for the contest for both Facebook and for Twitter you absolutely have to check them out.

Sunset

I found this picture on the internet. I is a sunset at the north pole. I just thought it was pretty and actually pretty peaceful. I have never been to the north pole I have never been farther North than North Dakota. We lived there for a couple of years. I used to say that it was not the end of the world but that you could see it from my kitchen window. I actually loved living in North Dakota while we were there.

Reading books

We went to the local library last Saturday and I checked out sever books by my favorite author who is Patricia Cornwell. I love reading her books and just don't have the money to purchase them since I am still unemployed at the present time. But I am reading my last book which happens to be 500 pages in length. Right now I am just about halfway through it. I don't know if I will have this one finished in time to take back tomorrow. But I am finished with the rest of them. So I will probably keep it and go check out some other ones. I may actually check out some DVD's this week to bring home to view on my laptop. I have a small TV in the bedroom but I don't have a DVD player except in the laptop. So I will just have to see if I can find anything there that I am interested in viewing.

Muse

If you are a Christian out there and you are looking for a good clean place to visit while you are online I might suggest you check out The Baptist Muse. It is a good Christian site where you can read the blog entries as well as chat with other Christians. Trust me there are a lot of sites out there where you just know you will find some good people with like interests as you to chat with. There are several options for you once you register as a user of the site. They have a forum and they also have Chat which is something I am interested in. I used to chat on some of the "Chat" sites but you always seem to get those offline messages sent to you which trust me you do not want to respond to. If you do you only seem to encourage them. But if you are on a Christian Chat you should be able to feel pretty safe. I would say in any case always be careful what personal information you give out no matter who you are talking to. But hey get on over there and check it out for yourself. I am sure you will find it a lot of fun.

Beating Drums

I am about to lose my mind right about NOW!! You see my grandchildren are in the loft which is right above my bedroom. That in itself is not a great problem. The problem would be that they are playing with their Wii. But what they are playing is what is driving me over the edge and trust me I am close to the edge as we speak. They are up there playing their drum things and the guitar hero. It sounds like I am next door to a bad rock concert. You know what I mean the kind where the drummer has no sense of timing and their drumming is just all over the place. That is what I am hearing.

Birthday

You Are a Philosopher

You're incredibly introverted and introspective. You live inside your head. You spend a lot of alone time meditating and thinking. People see you as withdrawn, and at times they are right. You are caring and deep, but it may be difficult for you to show this side of yourself. Your strength: Your original approach to thinking Your weakness: You tend to shy away from others Your power color: Pale blue Your power symbol: Wavy line Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

This Saturday is going to be my Birthday. I have to say it does not excite me at all. For one thing it only means I am another year older. To be honest I don't remember the last time I was excited waiting for my birthday. To me it is just another day of the year. You are another day older not actually another year older. Just take life one day at a time that is hard enough who wants to take life a year at a time.

In over your head

Right now I know that things are really tough for people financially. Me for example I do not have a job right now. We moved and I have to find a job because well like everybody else we need money. You know the saying money is not the most important thing in the world but it is way ahead of whatever is in second place. But one thing I don't have to actually worry about is searching out any kind of Credit Card Debt Settlement and for that I am thankful. We have pretty much lived with the fact that if we don't have money for something we don't get it. But I know people out there do need help with the credit cards. Some of these people have just gotten in over their heads. I believe it can actually just sneak up on a person. One day you have a good job and you use your credit card just like you have a thousand times before and wham!!!! The next day or week or month you lose your job due to the stupid economy situation our country is in right now. So now you are left with the decision to pay off the credit cards or to purchase crazy things like food, rent, and electric. That is when you really need to get some sort of professional help. You may have options that you don't even realize you have. You can put a couple of debts together and actually maybe have a smaller payment that the two original debts were when they were separate.

Grumpy Me

Your Emoticon is Grumpy

Maybe you're having a bad day... or maybe something just upset you. Either way, you're definitely seeing red!

What Emoticon Best Represents You Right Now?

That is probably my nickname "Grumpy" I am just in one of those moods doesn't seem like I can do anything right sometimes. I am sure somebody out there knows what I mean when I say that. No matter what you do or what you say it is always wrong and you tend to tick someone off. So there are days you are just better off not seeing or talking to anyone at all even yourself.

Smile

I am one of those people who hate and I mean hate going to a dentist. To me it doesn't make any difference who or where the dentist is located. I mean it could be a Sacramento Dentist or a Dentist here in Florida. I just have a dread about going to the dentist. Thankfully my grandchildren are nothing like me. They love going to the dentist. My daughter had to reschedule their dentist appointments because of her work schedule and my granddaughter was really upset. I am glad for them they do don't mind going to see a dentist. They are going to need braces especially the boys more than my granddaughter. But at least for the going to the dentist is not something that they are afraid of. Maybe if I had had a good dentist when I was a child things might be different for me. But I don't have real good memories of him. But then that was back in the dark ages. I know that there are great dentists out there now and that their technology has really come a long way. So I just might look for a dentist in the near future. Who knows?

Spring has sprung Fall has fell

Hopefully you know the rest but if you don't it has something to do with summer is here and it is hot as _ _ _ _. It has been so hot here for the last few days and it is only May. Well welcome back to the state of Florida. I don't know why we always end back up living in Florida. Except for the fact that our girls and grandchildren live here. So that is reason enough but to tell the truth living in Florida is not all it is cracked up to be. Unless you have the lifestyle of the rich and famous and live on the coast in a luxury condo Florida is not that great of a place to live. Oh well I will just have to learn to live with the fact that I might not have a lot of money but I am rich in Family.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to all of the Mothers out there. Hope you all have a very good day with your families.

Behind the mask

I remember when I was a kid picking out Halloween Costumes usually meant in my case I went as the following. I usually put on my cowboy hat and my Roy Rogers guns. Yes I was a Roy Rogers fan. But in this day and age kids absolutely have to have the latest and greatest Halloween Costumes if it is something to do with the latest Movie character or whatever is the hot thing with kids. I remember the year my youngest daughter went as Casper the Ghost. She was only about 3 years old and was the cutest thing. I think I have a picture of her somewhere I really must look it up and show it to her kids. They will get a big kick out of it.

Homework Time

This is probably the only excuse that my grandchildren have not come up with yet as to why they did not, can not or will not do their respective homework assignments. They have used just about every other reason imaginable to man. They frequently use the excuse that they have homework in a certain subject but they forgot to bring that book home from school. They will also say they don't have paper, can't find a pencil or they just plain don't want to do homework. I can't say that between you and me I don't understand their feeling. I as a student in grade and high school hated homework. I mean come on you are in school all day long and then you come home only to do homework. Give me a break and let kids be kids so that they can play outside when they get home from school.

Our Gator

Although this is not our actual alligator that we have in the lake behind us. He or she whatever the case may be will not cooperate with me when I try to take a picture. The gator in our lake always seems to just slip back into the water. But we do have one there and I am very careful to keep my little dog away from the lake. I have a Chihuahua that is probably just a snack for the gator that we have out back. I mean I could just see the gator eating my doggie and then licking his or her lips waiting for the main course. So we are just very careful and even tell the kids to stay away from the lake too. They are saying that this is gator mating season. So this is the time of the year that they gators are on the move to find that mate. So now come the stories where people go out to take a swim in their backyard pool only to find it is already occupied by a gator. So my suggestion to them is to look before you leap.

Higher Education

I know that my grandchildren are not ready to go to college quite yet. But, at the rate they are growing up on us my daughter will be checking out student loans before she knows it. I really believe that she should start way before the kids are actually ready to begin applying for college to make sure she has things in place for them. This way when they are ready there will not be all of the last minute preparations that seem to go on now with the kids. I mean right now they are ready to go out the door and at least one of them is still looking for a shoe or something of that nature. So to them I say get prepared and start looking to your future and your college education.