Decision: Pride 'Wenteth' Right Smach-Dab Before This Fall......Will I Ever Learn!

I don't think I even know where to start with this one.....but here goes!
I am OnCall this weekend (and this whole week past, for that matter). Anyway, I make the schedule so you would think that could have found a way to get out of it when we had two weeks in a row that those originally scheduled have left the company. But, I couldn't get any volunteers, so here I am.
Now the pride part: when I went in to bed, as I placed the OnCall phone on the chair, I remember thinking (with pride) how incredibly lucky I had been given all the time I spent without my laptop handy this weekend not to get a call….huge, gigantic, enormous mistake….. First call came at 3:51 AM from Vikranth in India; he was trying to work on instance ASCP (whatever that is) and it was down. All the other instances were up but that one. Even though it was nearly 4 AM in the States, he wanted me to wake somebody up and find out when it would be fixed…..couldn't’wait. OK, so I asked him for his phone number, which he gave to me at the ‘speed of light’. I asked for it slowly, and he obliged….after all, my brain never functions at the ‘speed of light’ even when I am awake.
So, I know how to reach him....all I have to do is find somebody who can fix the thing. We have a list of Oracle OnCall people (that's the software he was referring to) but the person who is supposed to be called for this particular issue, does not have a phone number listed. (Sometimes the information we are given is just to 'appease' and isn't really of value when you actually try to use it.) So, I pick another person and number that I think will do and call him. Now there are at least two if us in Michigan awaken at 4 AM.....oh joy!

These pictures I took show me 'waiting' for the third call from Vikranth and on the phone with him on the fourth call....he called about every half an hour. But, when 6 AM rolled around, I put the phone on forward (to the CSD....6 AM guy was there) and TURNED IT OFF!

Maybe I can get some sleep now......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Decision: Raising the Roof...(correction).. Roofs

Finally! The entire house has a roof, and another roof, and still another ......... somebody loves his 'pitches'. We'll see if he still loves them when it's time to shingle, and of course, pay the taxes.
The second picture is in the back above the 'magic snow door'. The picture I took of the entire back was through the trees and I really couldn't get the detail because the roof color (snow) is the same as the sky (snowy). I'll either have to wait until the shingles are on, or maybe next weekend I will get there while the sun is still shining.....LOL!
Inside there is a plethora of work being done too. Here Angelica has just finished 'stuffing' one of the outside walls in Ethan's room. She continued on to the bathroom (behind and to her left). Currently, these are the only two defined rooms....defined, insulated and slated to be drywalled for living in as soon as the real electricity is turned back on. Currently when occupied, the house is powered by generator.....gas operated generator. Aaron says he might as well be burning dollar bills -- $100 bills.

Decision: Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head?

Actually, no, I am not at Aaron's 'cause, yes, that has happen a lot at his house. I am asleep on the couch in the apartment. I feel 'raindrops' on my forehead and I remember thinking for a brief moment that Aaron's ceiling was leaking. Then I remembered that I am not at MC (Michigan Center) I am in Adrian. I turn my head to see 'the cat' on the fish tank. I slap the arm of the couch and yell "hey". The cat goes up the wall, pushes off, flips threw the air, and takes off like a shot. It was worth being woke up sprinkled with water to see that! (giggles)

Let's go back to a couple days ago when I returned to Adrian from my weekend in MC and rural Onsted. There was a note: We have a cat now, so don't be 'freaked out' if you see it. Then yesterday I did see him....sitting on the floor looking at me like 'Who are you?' My thoughts exactly...who are you, too? 'I am Aunt Marlys' I offer...then he went from looking curious to puzzled. So, I still didn't know the name but at least now I had a face.

So now, back to the 'raindrops': without knowing his name I have to call him 'hey'. It turns out I was on the right track. His nickname is "H" and his full name is Horatio Cane. Ok, so that could be why he likes water, and asks probing questions, and is skittish?.....well that part I am not sure about. But, taking his picture, I learned a bit about the real Horatio Cane and why he wears those sun glasses.....I took 5 pictures of this cat and could only get one (no matter how many settings I changed on my camera).....could only get one that didn't show his eyes as glowing and that was because he turned his head. So now we know that the famous "H" is really an alien (and not the kind that comes up from Cuba)!

Decision: Gotta Get That Snow Out of There Somehow!

Aaron spent Thanksgiving Day sleeping to try to get well enough to visit Grandma and work on his house next week. This is the latest picture of the back of the house. Notice the second story has a 'door' now. Aaron's explanation: 'I had to have some way to get rid of that four inches of snow!......easily' His hope is to get the roof on next week so he won't have to shovel anymore snow from the second story. Notice that 'snowy Michigan sky'.

Decision: The 'Other' White Meat

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here we are at the 'abbreviated' Thanksgiving Day Dinner table. Phil and Mary are home waiting for Joshua to arrive and Ruth and Terry are having dinner for their family at their new 'digs'. Aaron is sick and trying to get well enough to come see Grandma.

Our menu: Roast Pork Loin, homemade mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli. For dessert: Pretzel Salad, Key Lime Pie (the five minute kind), and Pumpkin Pie (Mary made it from scratch....the proof.....just look in her laundry at the pumpkin spattered on her white Tee shirt! Thanks for the sacrifice Mary). YUM, YUM!

Decision: You've Come A Long Way Baby Boy!

Can you believe it! This picture was taken two years ago today:

Scroll down and look what's happened since then:
This picture was taken June 1, 2008 and then..........

This picture was taken October 4, 2008 and then.......
This picture was taken October 13, 2008...just keeps getting better and better! However, some things do remain the same.....the fir tree, the big rock....the 'footprint' of the original house.....! Now tell me again Aaron, which room is mine? The kitchen? HA!.....that's very funny, 'boy' ! Well, happy anniversary on a fine looking place. Can't wait to see what's gonna happen next...there is still another whole story to go (not to mention windows, doors, inside walls, heat and electricity....just minor stuff like that)!

Decision: Put Them Out and See IF Anybody Bites

Know what's the best thing ever about this picture? (Well, besides after I took it I ate them ALL!) ......they are chewy! Know why they are chewy? Because I have had them since forever. I remember I used to keep that bag of mini Tootsie Roll Pops on top of my refrigerator when I lived on COMPANY STREET. That's right, two moves ago!

So I ran across this bag a couple days ago and thought....I wonder if those 'boys' at work would notice they are 'old'? No matter, I don't think they even care as long as it hits-the-spot when they eat it.....giggles. I was right; even my boss, Ed, was thrilled after he had the first one and found out they were chewy!

Don't have to worry about 'softening' the outside 'candy shell' on these pops.....I did that for you! Yum Yum!

Decision: Sequel to Holes Filmed Here?

Aaron is making progress on his new house? That is the sixty-four thousand dollar question! This weekend it looked like the stage of the filming of the next sequel of 'Holes' (for those of you who have seen the movie, you will know what I mean).

Decision: Look to the Horizon?

Today I took this awesome picture of Ethan.
First of all, I was weak-in-the-knees preparing to take it because I had to watch him climbing to the tippy-top of the pile of rocks and, despite his teetering to get there, he looks remarkably calm. Then, I was overcome at how breathing this shot turned out.
Ethan reminds me of his Daddy more and more every day.....gotta love both 'them boys'!

Decision: Is Scurrying Considered Exercise?

It is if you've been staying at 'Richardson Retreat' and the proprietor is expected home the next day!
Left work ON TIME again last night so I could get a good start on 'putting things back in order' at Mom's before the next time I leave for work. Was going to do my five laps, but it was raining (at last) and I was more concerned about getting everything in order than putting one foot in front of the other around the tear-drop track.......so I scurried in order to make up for it.
The cat was confused by my actions and finally just left the room. I made every motion exaggerated and my shoulders and arms began to 'feel the burn' (giggles....not really, but it makes a good story)!
This morning I have neatly made the bed, taken care of the hand washed dishes, and am doing a load of laundry. I will load my 'invasion' stuff back in my car, take a shower, and be ready to leave my 10:30 AM to head back to Adrian so I can run some errands before work!
Wish me luck!

Decision: Good Point, Gov'ner

And I guess she made more than one!

I didn't get to see the speech tonight.....working you know. But I have been watching the recap and I don't know what the rest of you think (though I probably have a good idea about you, Molly) but I rather enjoyed her humor. If nothing else, the next 50 days ought to prove extremely entertaining!

Decision: A Fragrant Drive And Then.....Five Around the Tear-Drop Track

Somewhere in between, I threw my hair in a pony tail, changed my clothes, and put on comfy shoes! So, let me tell you what it's all about:
I left work ON TIME tonight.....that's an amazing feat in itself! From the parking lot I took a left on to Corporate Drive. At the stop sign, after a complete stop of course, I took a right on to US223 South. Then, immediately into the left turn lane to make my turn on to Hamilton. At the next stop sign I turned left on to Forester, curved at right angles a couple times and then turned right on to Pfister for the "straight shot" down Pentecost.....you know the drill: first you are on Pfister, then (after a couple stop signs) you are on Wolf Creek twisting and winding past the church and all those other landmarks until it veers left at the top of the hill and you are on Pentecost! It never ceases to amaze me how you never actually leave the 'same' pavement and can end up on so many different roads. They throw in all those curves to try and fool you but paying attention to the signs tells the whole story.
Speaking of story, where was I....oh ya....so I am idling down 'these' country road (cruise control set at 45, for the most part), all four windows down a couple inches and I realize that there has been this wonderful fragrance in the air since shortly after I left the second stop sign at Pfister/Wolf Creek. I thought, 'that smells like fresh mowed hay'; a little further down the road I thought, 'no, maybe it's shelled corn, fodder, or grasses'. By this time I am approaching Reed (on the left) and I smell: milk cows, hay, and silage (within 4 car links of each other). Then, without missing a beat, my curiosity switches to: 'I wonder how Alaska smells?' I'm having this wonderful, fragrant drive, but I wonder 'what will it smell like walking around Juneau and Douglas'? What does Alaskan snow smell like? And glaciers? And....bears! I imagine in town there are 'city smells' like food (popcorn when you approach the theater), diesel from the public transportation and some pickup trucks; or gasoline from cars and other pick-up trucks. But, what about 'off the beaten path'.....I wonder.
Soon my wondering turned to practical things like stopping at M50 and turning left to head for Mom's. Only vehicle I saw on the road (well except for the State Trooper stopping at Shepherd as I approached - no mistaken that symbol!) was the yahoo, in the big pickup with his headlights blinding me in my rear view and both side mirrors, on my bumper as I got in front of Bill Ross's. So, to help him out, I turned on my right signal; oh ya, he backed off!
Well, now I am in the driveway at the mail and paper boxes....almost there!
So, where does the 'five around the tear-drop track' come in? Earlier today I was trying to figure out how (and where) to get some walking time in and I came up with this: before I shut down my car for the night I 'measured' the distance around the "Island". Twice around is one-tenth of a mile. That means I only have to walk around ten times to go half a mile. If I stage my things on the steps before I start, I can get in some stair work too! Sometimes I am so brilliant I can't believe I am me! Needless to say, it being the first time and all, I went 5 times around with three trips up the steps and called it good! Well, as another enhancement to my stair work, I did go right to the basement and fill the cats dish so she would shut up! (And no, she didn't eat the food I put in her dish. She just does not like to see the bottom of the bowl! Quirky cat!!!) What a fun night it has been. Now, off to bed....nighty-night....zzzzzzz

Decision: Another Generation of 'Cat Talkers'?

Well, I supposed I will have to yield to him.....Ethan, that is!
I had the pleasure of spending many hours (to days) alone with Ethan this weekend at Great Grandma's (Mom's). Ethan and I spent Saturday and Sunday night at 'Richardson Retreat' while Great Grandma was away with the rest of the family (save Amanda, Devin, and Denver as mentioned yesterday). Anyway, this morning Ethan insisted that Great Grandma was 'here'; after all he had seen her car on Friday when I came to pick him up. Never mind that he hadn't seen her, not even on Friday.....he insisted she was here. Such a silly boy; I wonder where he thought she was hiding all this time.........(giggles)!
But what really got to me was yesterday when I realized that he too can carry on a conversation with the cat, Fuzzy. Only, much to his credit, he 'speaks in cat'....mimicking her meow perfectly. I felt completely out of it as I did not understand a single utterance! It went on about 6 minutes or so and both seemed satisfied with the result of their interaction......what a remarkable little fellow our Ethan is!

Decision: One Ringie-Dingie or Yo yo Mama

This has been one of those days. I woke up to Amanda leaving for the ball park and three little boys lined up on the loveseat watching TV. A rather typical Labor Day weekend.
We started the day with pancakes, syrup, and orange drink. They ate it all up and went back to watching TV.....Disney's Saturday morning educational channel. (That was my choice - no discussion). I cleared up the table and kitchen and got dressed. The idea was to keep them enjoying each other's company and not destroying the house too much.....Amanda and Scott have worked so hard this past week to make sure it is presentable for this weekend. Scott is playing ball; Amanda is keeping score. I am trying to get some studying in and make sure the three boys (Devin, Ethan, and Denver) have a nice time too.....(mostly being watched by Aunt Marlys is the ultimate threat, while being watched by Grandma Marlys is almost a treat.....personally, I don't see the difference but some do....LOL!).
So, one ringie-dingie or yo yo Mama? This is how it happened: along about quarter after 10 AM my phone rang. Some of my calls are set to regular ring tones, but most are set to Aaron's voice repeating 'Yo yo Mama, yo yo Mama', over and over. This morning when my phone rang, three little boys jumped up and started running around trying to find my phone while repeating, in unison, 'Yo yo Mama, yo yo Mama'....it was the cutest most spontaneous act I have ever seen out of all three of them at once! It might be a dread to have me be the adult in-charge for them but stuff like this is a pure joy for me!
I have been thinking seriously of changing the majority of incoming calls to 'regular' ring tones but this morning has made me see that whatever strange looks I get from the adult world when my phone rings in public are well worth it to see these three enjoying themselves so much over such a singular act of folly!

Decision: Well, That's A Bummer! Only Missed it by Five Hours and 22 Minutes?

Well, that's more like what I am used to...or is it? Woke up at 11:22 AM to the sounds of Grandkids playing the PlayStation2. Thought that getting up at 6 AM two days in a row finally caught up with me....then closed my eyes. Few minutes later, the noise from the 'parlor' got louder and I figured it was time for me to get up. Looked at the clock again.....11:22 AM.....that can't be right. (Windup clock wasn't wound up!) Turned to the other side of the bed....8:33 AM. That's better....after all, Mom kept me up until 1:01 AM watching TV so I had to expect to sleep in a 'little' longer.

As the day progressed: Breakfast is over and Ethan has had his midmorning class of milk. Angelica asked me to bring her scrapbooking along this time ('I feel like scrapbooking', she told me) and she scrapbooked last night and this morning. Ethan is doing a little scrapbooking too but taking a break now to watch "The Fox and the Hound" (One, he has Two but not One). 'You will like this Grandma Marlys; it has a baby fox in it'.....how can you turn down a recommendation like that! Now Angelica is watching too; how cute!

Lunch is over, A & E have settled in to games on the PlayStation2, Mom is reading the newspaper, and I am re-capping!
Just before lunch I decided to go get milk from the corner. Mom gave me her 'milk card' (buy so many half-gallons of milk and get one free) to get it 'punched'. Between the (less than 20 minutes), I managed to lose it......still can't find it. All I remember is that I put it in a safe place where I couldn't possible lose it. Ever have days like that? (I know, if I don't watch out, I will end up on Dr. Phil or Oprah being accused by my family and friends of 'needing more brains than I'm working with' and not doing anything about it to get help for myself.)

It's now evening and we have returned from spending a couple hours at Port to Port, just in time for a little rain. We really need it but are glad it held off until we had finished our outing....good timing! Here are a couple pictures from the 'course' and the arcade too. I decided since Aaron will not be joining us I would take some pictures for him to have....a couple might even end up in his wallet....well, at least the ones of his kids.

The day is coming to an abrupt end as my 'portable Internet' was blind sided about half an hour ago, parts flew off, and I don't know how long it will continue to work. I am so glad I had a really nice day to counteract this bump in the road!

Pictures from top to bottom: On the very first hole, with his very first swing of the club, Ethan got a hole-in-one! (He got another hole-in-one later in the game on the seventh hole...HOWEVER, the ball went into the cup on the sixth hole and not the seventh...it was a 'pinball sort of a shot' and totally good for a ROGL!). Next, Angelica has quite a time trying to put the ball in the cup and on one of the later holes got to within 4 inches, the closest she came to a hole-in-one. Third is a great picture of them with the great old Salty. From there we entered the arcade where Angelica shot baskets and Ethan drove a space ship ('How high will it go Grandma', he asked me before he got in!). Then, after they had spent all of my quarters, we got our picture taken by an obliging 'post' (because the picnic table we too low!) Ethan's 'strained' smile....we had to take two pictures and he didn't even want to take one....this one was taken second. We really had a good time!

Enjoy the pictures and I will keep you posted on my potential

physical separation from the www!

Decision: The Couch.....a Transformer?

It's day two of my vacation. Up again at 6 AM to make my rounds before I go pick up Angelica from Cathy Nana's house. I am also waiting for Brooke to call with news of Ethan......the boy can be illusive when he wants to be. Once I get my grand 'ducks' in a row, I will be off to the Bed and Breakfast - Richardson style, to spend some days and wait for Aaron (he's working).
Ok, that was earlier today. Ethan, after Angelica bribed him with a dollar and the promise he could play her DS, showed up at Great Grandma's. He has been a scream, too, watching the Olympics tonight. He likes the synchronized diving and has been showing me how two of them, right 'along each side of the other' just do their 'twistest-eding' and 'then splash right down' (for those of you who don't know how synchronized diving is done.....LOL).
Sometime after all that he was sitting on one end of the couch and suddenly visualized the couch made up as a bed......he wanted to know if we were going to make it into a 'Transformer".....when I told him 'yes' he was not thrilled. Then he remembered that he wanted to sleep with Great Grandma anyway.....so much for getting his help with the transformation!
Now he's sitting on Great Grandma's lap trying to fall asleep. We told him that nobody can carry him up to her bed and he better go up there on his own. He wants to watch a movie but the TV upstairs doesn't support that media and the 'spare' TV that does is in the basement....he doesn't want to sleep on the floor down there. So, they are at a stale-mate. Now Great Grandma has promised him that if he falls asleep on her lap, she will roll him on the floor and leave him there....this is really good stuff!
It's now later and Great Grandma won (was there any doubt).....Ethan is on his way up to bed and I'm sure he won't last long enough to know that he is not going to be watching a movie! Looks like now I'll have to talk Angelica in to making a 'Transformer' out of the couch!

Decision: Vacation at LAST!

It's Tuesday and I am on vacation.....what a joy to see the clock approach Noon and I'm still on the couch not even moving toward the shower to get ready for work.
> I was up at 6 AM to study a couple hours before the 'kids' (Amanda, Devin, and Denver) got up. They don't know that I am on vacation....it's a surprise.....giggles!
> I called around 8 AM to check on getting the other 'kids' (Aaron, Angelica, and Ethan)....well, actually, I called Aaron to see if he had made arrangements to get them the rest of the week. We talked a little bit and he said he would call the Moms and get back to me. That worked for me because my plan is to 'hold down this couch' for the rest of the day!
So, Amanda has asked me if I know what time it is. 'Yes, I do'....'they are going to have to work without me today,' I tell her. (She doesn't seem to have a clue......giggles!)
We have been watching the Olympics this morning and it is a scream to see Devin and Denver doing gymnastics with the Olympians......such contortions! Devin is really in to that, with little brother 'monkey see, monkey do' right along beside him. Denver is a fan of the 'water' sports, especially watching Phelps with the water splashing in his face.....he giggles at it. It has been a fun way to start the day....and my vacation! Aaaaah, three and a half more days of this....heaven!

Decision: So, What IS Your Profession?

Yesterday while I was walking to my car to leave for work, a woman approached me, smiling and told me that each day she has seen me leave for work she has wondered what is my profession. I giggled and told her what I do. She seemed unimpressed but satisfied with herself that she had asked. Now I wonder what it is she thought I do....LOL! I am thinking it was probably more interesting than what I told her of my work.

Picture that I always pull my laptop bag around, both coming and going....even on the weekends. That's because I carry both laptops in there and all the rest of my electronics too. Sometimes even a change of clothing.......LOL. Maybe one day I will see her again and I have decided this time I will ask her what she thought it is that I do!

Decision: Dial 'M' for Molly (and Mothers)!

Molly had a 'double Mother morning'....LOL Both Pam, Bob's Mom, and I called her BEFORE it was time for her to be up! Pam mistakenly called Bob and Molly's number when she was trying to reach daughter, Beth. That of itself isn't so bad, but at 5 AM for Molly it was a bit early. Then I turned around and called her, on purpose, at quater to 8 AM. Needless to say, that was the end of sleeping in on her ONLY day off!

Sorry Molly! I'll try to remember what day it is next time....Love you!

Decision: Family First

Third Sunday in July: Heimerdinger Reunion

This year we were at Audra and Jason's new home just East of Barry and Martha's on Pennington Road. The location is beautiful and the weather cooperated with no rain and a nice breeze. Canopies and Hickory shade trees contributed to the comfortable atmosphere. I don't recall the exact count, but at least 72 Heimerdinger descendants attended. Nice turnout!

Representing our immediate family were Mom, Ruth and Terry, Amanda, Devin and Denver, Ashley, Aaron, Karen (a close friend), Ethan, and me. Attending in spirit were Kim, Sherry Lynn, Dan, Jen and kids, Erica sending best wishes from Colorado, Phil and Mary, Jerry, Maureen, and kids (they are all together in Idaho for a few days), Joshua and Michelle, who are engaged, Jordan, soaking up the sun in Florida. Molly and Bob trying to find the sun in Alaska (the Sun, not just daylight)! Well, I didn't talk to or hear from any of the rest of them but I am sure they are all wishing they were here with us too!

More later after I sort through the pictures!

Decision: Secret Pocket? Aim Straight Down?

Ya, that should have done it! When I was looking for something 'different' to drink I saw this Cooler....that looks pretty good. I take it out of the refrigerator, pull off the straw, but can't find the "hole" to put the straw in. There are instructions: Stick straw into secret pocket above. Aim straight down!
I believe my 'straight down' and what was intended ran amok! As Aaron is always telling me: 'Ma, I think you need more brains than you're working with!' How do little kids do this........worse part about it is that I started drinking and couldn't figure out why nothing was coming up through the straw!
I don't know if Aaron is right or if I just need to leave preparing to drink out of one of these drink packs to the little kids! (Rolls eyes and walks away shaking head........)

Decision: Zoo Day? But, Isn't Every Day A Zoo Around Here .............LOL!

Yes, it is...but today they are going 'to the zoo' instead of 'being the zoo'...LOL. So, with backpack and cooler packed, camera charged and card inserted, Grandma Calhoun in the driver's seat, and Amanda and two little boys in tow, they are off to Toledo. News about their day and pictures later!

Well, it's later and here are some pics! The traditional one taken at the entrance: here are Denver, Ruth (Grandma Calhoun) and Devin.

Next, 'turtle races'. Denver is looking a little competitive...big brother Devin....not concerned.

Then there is a walk with a 'graceful giant' (actually, this was taken from the African train ride ).

And finally, the two-headed Zebra? Well, maybe not, but it sure looks like it!

Decision: Is it REAL or is it Memorex?

For which my 'puzzler' has been working over time! It started up again when I was thinking about Denver and how he says 'I stuck' when he gets in a situation where either he is stuck or something he wants is stuck.

My questions is 'how does he know to say 'I'?. When I have heard anybody try to assist him, they always say 'are you stuck?' or 'you're not stuck!' or some other pronoun, but never 'I'. Where did he learn to say 'I'? And, we've all heard him say 'me, me, me' when he first started talking and wanted something; so why doesn't he say 'me' stuck?.

Another example of my puzzlement, several years older than Denver, is when I was teaching Denise to say 'thank you'. She was great at learning by repeating anything else I tried to teach her...'you're welcome'; 'I'd like a drink, please'; 'may I go outside', and all those things you try to teach them as needed when they are young. But, every time I would try to get her to say 'thank you' she would say 'thank me' and then get this concerned look on her face when my face became, shall we say, animated! Poor girl, I couldn't understand why she would repeat everything else I would say, but couldn't get 'thank you' correct! It seems comical now. (By-the-way, she did learn to say it correctly, as we all know! That was probably after I decided to stop bugging her about it!)

Decision: Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Assume You Are One-Of-A-Kind...

I was just sending out a couple of email when I saw something down in the right hand corner of my screen....it said 'Marlys Barnes'. I had seen Jordan was on Gmail and thought it might be him trying to get my attention, so I decided to click it. I opened an invitation of sorts from Yahoo to search for 'me'. I wondered where I might be, other than where I am, and this is what I found:

http://www.thisweek-online.com/2005/july/15barnes.html

Click on it and see where else in this big universe I am.......mind boggling! This person even sounds like me.......so she must be really nice....LOL!

Decision: What's WRONG With This Picture?

I guess you could look at this picture like one of those 'I Spy' pictures. There is a 'rock' in the planter with the most leafless three sprigs of philodendron I have ever seen. (Actually, I think I might have planted two of them upside down....but that is for another time.) The 'jolly dancer' (Holiday Cactus) is thriving and certainly there is nothing wrong with my 'retirement calendar' in the background. That portion of the unframed oil painting is pretty good looking too! (Terry C.'s sister painted it.). Aha! Take a gander to the left....do you see that yellow thing? It's supposed to be green; and it was when I left the office last weekend. However, when I arrived on Monday, it was all yellow and I am not sure why. I've tried talking to it but it will have nothing to do with me. Do you supposed it was something I previously said? Now we might be getting somewhere.

I am taking a proactive approach to getting ready to change my lifestyle come end of May, 2011. Because I am so attached to the things around me, I have begun thinking about how to wean myself from the 'rescued' plants on my desk at work. My very first thought was getting good homes for them....I must have said it out loud because they have begun to react in adverse ways....'plants, pay attention; did you hear the part about where I said finding good homes for you'..... The 'Pirate' started getting 'black spot rot' (I don't know what it is really called; that's just what i call it) on it's leaves and stems causing the leaves to fall off. One of the Wandering Jew plants began to droop (and it's growing in a bowl of water), and this plant....maybe a dumb cane? turned yellow. Now, how am I going to find them good homes when they act like that! Only plants behaving right now are "Grampy" and the Asparagus Fern that Bob tried to kill just before they left for Alaska.

Decision: One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest?

Well, something flew. I was sitting on the loveseat (alone, by the way); the blinds were up and out of the corner of my eye I saw something. I hoped it would be something cool, but thought it was probably a startling. It flew up again; this time I turned. Perched on the handle bars of Devin's bicycle was a big-ol'-fat Cardinal....huge and brilliant! Did I have my camera ready....NOT! So you will just have to take my word for it.

But, I did get a picture of the bicycle and the Shasta Daisies growing there (they did not move so quickly out of my camera range). I decided next time, maybe, I'll be ready for that bird!

Decision: Bilingual - does speaking 'cat' qualify?

Fuzzy comes down from upstairs....'me-rowl' she growls a couple times. I am in the kitchen and respond to her with 'she's gone to church and then to a Wedding Shower and won't be back until late'....'it's you and me'. 'Me-rowl' again she says; 'I don't know what to tell you....I'm sorry Mom didn't ask your permission'. She proceeds to the basement door and again 'me-rowl''. 'So, what's up with you now?' I ask. 'Ok, I'll go to the basement with you but if you have food and water, you and I are going to tangle!'. She scurries down the stairs and I peg-leg it. When we get down there she is out of food and her water is down to that chokes-you-when-you-try-to-drink-level. I put some food in the bowl (enough for the cat but not enough for the mice, should they be so inclined to want to steal it), rinse out the water bowl, and fill it with fresh water.
Later, back on the main floor, again 'me-rowl'....this time she is complaining about not getting her head scratched! 'I know, you miss Philip...come here and I will scratch it for you'. She gets to just about fingertip distance from me, but no closer. So I lean over and give her head a good scratch.....'I know it's not the same but it will have to do for now. He's only halfway done with his trip'. She sprawls out on the floor afterwards and I just shake my head having realized that I carried on an either conversation with a cat! Perhaps I need to think about some other sort of social life.......

Decision: Can We Call Angelica?

I take it you have read how we spent some of Saturday, Mom, Ethan, and me. But let me tell you the rest of the story......
When I arrived, Ethan was standing four feet in front of Mom's big TV playing his PlayStation games. I don't get a 'Hi', or even acknowledged and when I ask him 'Where's Great Grandma'?...without changing his gaze at the TV, he shrugs his shoulders indicating 'I don't know'. I say, 'Oh Lord, what has he done with Great Grandma'?, then proceed to the kitchen. There I find her cleaning out the drawer to the roll top and mumbling how she should be doing something else!
Back to Ethan, when I ask him about helping me carry things in from the car, I get ignored....sound like anybody else closely related to him?.....LOL So I get everything in from the car, unpack the food and get busy fixing 'E' his lunch...which he has mentioned I need to do at least a couple times while he wasn't helping me carry stuff in....LOL.
So, after he eats lunch he's back to his games until Great Grandma is ready for her TV......then he is yakking at me and trying to convince me to convince Great Grandma she doesn't want to watch TV. I laugh him and tell him he's 'a work of art'.....he, of course, denies it! LOL Then, sometime after blogging on my laptop and setting favorites on Mom's computer, I was playing Spider Solitaire and Ethan wanted me to let him play a game on my computer.....the 'cake building game like Angelica plays on your computer, Grandma'. Huh? 'Do you know where that game is on your computer or how to play it'? he asks me. 'I have no clue' I reply to which he replies......'let's call Angelica'. I am sure he misses her, but this motivation to call her leaves a lot to be desired! What a kid......!

Decision: Hey Grandma, Take My Picture

After Ethan had played his PlayStation games nearly all day Saturday, Great Grandma was ready to watch the Tigers and get control of her TV back....LOL! Needless to say, that bored him and to entertain himself he started moving around on the couch, watching the game in different positions (I guess to make it more exciting!). Here are a few of his antics....unfortunately it didn't help the Tigers win :(

Most of the rest of the time he was awake he was hungry practically eating Great Grandma out of house and home. Of course, he also kept hinting that he wanted to resume playing his games but GG stuck to her guns and we watched TV the rest of the night. Then, along about 9 o'clock, Ethan went upstairs to bed. Mom and I had been discussing, off and on throughout the day, what she was going to take to Jacob and Nicole's Wedding Shower. What she really had wanted to take was an afghan she had knit, an extra long afghan. But it needed fringe and a tag and it was getting late AND the shower was tomorrow after church. No mind. She came down stairs, from putting Ethan to bed, with the afghan and a couple skeins of yarn.....one of which was the wrong color. So back up stairs to find the correct yarn. After a couple more trips she had everything ready for me to cut the fringe and her to attach it to the afghan. We laughed and teased about how much easier it would have been to have started earlier in the day....er night (it's was 10:20 PM EST by now) but then how much easier it was now without Ethan's "help". I cut, oh I don't know, about 288 eighteen inch pieces of the two yarn colors and Mom attached the fringe! After I was finished with the cutting, I went in pursuit of her tags (From the Needles of....if you have one of her afghans you have seen them...) she lead me astray as to which plastic drawer they were in but I found them anyway! Next, I tried to thread the sewing needle....'there was a needle threader, wasn't there'...she said. 'Ya, but you have to be able to actually see the eye of the needle to insert the threader'....by now it is 20 to twelve, or some such hour....we are still laughing, to keep from crying of course! Fringe is done, tag is sewn on....now to wrap it. Mom goes back up stairs to get what is needed and comes down with a bag that is like "a wash cloth when you need a bath sheet to dry off when getting out of the shower"....we laugh again. 'I know it won't fit in the bag but I thought we could use the colored tissue paper to line that box', she said....'what box'? I ask. 'The one over there in that chair' she is pointing to the left of the parlor room (living room to those who don't know what a parlor is) door. I am looking, straining my eyes to see the box but all I see is my computer bag and a couple other bags I have staged at the door. 'Well I thought it was out there'....Mom looks, it's in the rocking chair to the right....we laugh again! So, she doesn't find any wrapping paper but a roll of shinny silver and we decide that won't do. In the bottom of the wrapping paper container there are about 450 sheets of white tissue paper and I chose several sheets of it held together to wrap the box (by the way, did I tell you that the box was too small and I had to go to my car to get a bigger box to wrap it in.....see, it pays to carry all that stuff around in my car now doesn't it!) Back to wrapping, so here is this plain white box and only a couple pieces of curling ribbon in the container...they are both a shade of blue, but not the same shade and one is corrugated, the other smooth....I know, sounds beautiful doesn't it. So, I use the ribbon to make a very simple blue statement on the white box and call it good! Mom is delighted and I am ready for bed! You guessed it, too tired to sleep; Mom too but we gave it a valiant effort!

So that is how we spent last night.....and you wonder where I get 'procrastinating' from! Oh, the comedy continues as we forgot to take a picture of the finished afghan and/or the wrapped box. When Mom left for church and then on to the shower, she forgot the gift and had to come back to get it.......does anything like that ever happen to you!

Decision: Going Green When You Can't Carpool!

I have asked, but nobody I work with wants to carpool with me.....the idea of working 1PM to 10PM makes them shutter.
Though I don't do enough 'going green' I do make the effort. It's easy when I visit Mom, she's organized her whole house to be green and as long as you can remember which container is for what.... wait, if she catches you putting something in the wrong container, she 'helps' you remember....LOL!
My efforts to 'go green' at home consist of recycling plastic grocery bags and using real plates, glasses, forks, knives, and spoons (we have a dishwasher). But, the area where I feel I am making the most progress is in gasoline. I started out by packing my lunch to limit the number of trips I make with my car. Then I decided to limit the number of errands I run, which also helped with how much money I spend. My bank is across town, so to eliminate driving there to make withdrawals, I started banking on line and/or not spending money (again a two-fold money saving effort). I had already been setting my cruise control to keep from speeding on my way to work and so I drive a consistent speed.
As I began to increase my MPGs, I wanted to do more. Drive under 50 mph, I read somewhere, would make a difference. Since I live in town and only go to my Mom's or Aaron's on the weekend, 80% of the time I do drive under 50. But I thought 'wonder if it makes a difference'? so I started driving 45mph when I leave work. My MPG improved a little more and I began to realize that if I wait until 11PM to leave work, the light at Wolf Creek/Sand Creek and 223 and at Industrial Drive and 223 are flashing and I don't have to change my speed. I chose 45 MPH because that is the speed posted as you approach the light at M52 and US223, so I am able to maintain a consistent speed for three of the four miles I drive home.
At last fill-up, all of this effort had changed my MPG from 26 to almost 32 AND I'm filling up only every two weeks!
Another benefit from traveling slower....I actually get to notice some cool stuff and I'm not nearly as stressed when I arrive at my destination! This all works for me because I do not have to deal with 'rush hour' traffic!

PS: I don't know what happened with this last tank of gasoline (maybe expensive Regular Gas is better for the car.....giggles) but, I will make it three weeks on this one tank! And that is awesome in my book! (Not as good as Ashley Marie though. She goes four weeks on one tank of gas....I think she pushes her car some of the time ... just kidding Ashley....that would be Jordan!)

Decision: The Best of Twenty-Five Years

Today is Ruth and Terry's 25th Wedding Anniversary. Call them, email them, text them, buy them Silver, or post a comment here congratulating them and wishing them well.

Amanda and Ashley framed pictures as a gift commemorating the occasion. How cool!

(Here are a couple of the pictures. The vintage ones will take a little longer to post!)

Decision: Google 'door-yard'

While I was proving myself to Erica and Jordan, I ran across this blogsite. It was worth every minute I spent finding the definition of 'dooryard or door-yard'.
Thank you Erica, for wanting an explanation, and Jordan, for being pretty sure I made it up! (LOL)
Read on and enjoy. (This link takes you right Gloria Wendroff's blogsite. To get to Mr. Walt Whitman's poem, scroll down the right side of the page until you find the Search box; type Walt Whitman in the box and click the search button below it. This action will take you to When Lilacs Last In The Door-yard Bloom'd. When those words highlight, click them and it will open up the post. Gloria has included beautiful pictures of her door-yard...and even my favorite....the dandelion!)

http://www.godwriting.org/

Decision: The Lesser of Two Evils?

On the way to my car today to head off to work I noticed a guy on a bicycle. Immediately I think, 'how cool, he is out exercising; it's a beautiful day for it; I really need to do that'. As we moved closer, I noticed he was lighting a cigarette. My delight immediately changes, I rolled my eyes and shrugged in disgust. Then I think, 'who am I to judge', get in my car and headed for work.
But, I couldn't stop thinking about that scenario. What was his motivation? Then I realized that he might be riding the bicycle to save on gas...that's good, 'green' too. Or could it be that he is on the bicycle so he can afford to buy cigarettes....I chuckled and think, it's really not funny that he is doing good for the environment and humanity as a whole by riding a bicycle rather than driving and buying gasoline, but smoking? .....is it the lesser of two evils? Do I go with the philosophical or with this: I wonder if cycling while smoking really is a way to stay healthy...LOL! Doesn't one cancel out the other; is it truly the lesser of two evils? Cycling while smoking.......it leaves so much room for doubt! LOL

Decision: Cut Down in it's Prime

This Spring it was discovered that the 'mighty oak' standing in the front yard at Mom's is dead. Just prior to when I received this news, I was googling "How do I determine the age of an oak tree without cutting it down?' . Guess I won't have to worry about that scenario anymore. Mom has spoken with a man who saw the dead tree and stopped to give an estimate. He estimates the tree is around 200 years old, and gave a reasonable $ estimate to take it down too. However, he would need to fall the tree.....on the Lilac bush.....woooo that doesn't set well with Mom. And rightfully so, that bush is really old too. What about the English Walnut? If the limbs aren't stripped off the oak first, they might take out the English Walnut on the way down....that wouldn't be good either.

The oak was damaged when the pine tree was struck by lightning and that top broke limbs off the oak....now the Lilac might be smushed too, and the English Walnut damaged? Sounds like somebody has lined them up and the dominoes are toppling. All from one lightning strike!

It will make great firewood; but hopefully, another estimate of how to get it down (like 'taking it down' instead of 'falling it') will leave the rest of the 'scenery' unharmed.

Decision: Gooseberry Pickin' Time

It's time to get those berries picked and Terry is right here ready to go! He got enough for two pies Phil, so get out your fork! I heard the plan is that Ruth will bake them, keep them away from me (evil grin), and have one ready for you when you get home. Yum, yum, yummy!

Decision: I'll Wear Red, White, and Blue

Happy Fourth of July from the Richardson Homestead. Here is Mom, in front of the Smoke Tree. She is in awe at how full it is, just like all the other bushes around the door yard. We have had a nice day and MISS YOU ALL!!!!!

Decision: Avoid Ford Taurus at All Costs

This could well turn out to be Aaron's new motto, or should be. I get a call today from Aaron; cool, I haven't talked to him in almost a week. He was out of town on the weekend and I am always delighted when he initiates the call.....sometimes it's even good news (giggles). This is what I remember of how the conversation went:

Ma, I thought I'd better call you before somebody else tells you. (Oh Lord, I think) Do I need to sit down for this? Well, if you mean am I hurt, no, I'm alright. (What now, I think.) You know how there isn't much that doesn't go wrong with my stuff...cars, trucks, house.......Ya ?? Well a lady just ran into the back of my motorcycle....How bad, did she push you in to on coming traffic or cross traffic. No, I was making a right turn in one of those Michigan turnarounds at Wagner and Jackson. Guess what she was driving.... A SUV? No, you remember when I ran up on the back of Brooke's car with the Sunbird on Slee, and when that car hit my pickup from behind when I was turning left on to Hallenbeck...? Ya. Those were all Ford Taurus and she was driving one too, just like those other two times! She got a ticket, a guy stopped and helped me pull out the fender, and the cop followed me to a safe place because I didn't have any lights on the back. Guess what else...(Oh Lord, not more). I can hardly wait Aaron. The cop wondered how come I have a CDL but not a Motorcycle Endorsement for my license? I knew that was coming. I can give you a bunch of excuses but I really don't have a good reason. So I got a ticket that, when I get the endorsement, will be waived. Wonder how I am supposed to get the Motorcycle endorsement when I can't drive my bike? !!!

Not sure how that is all going to work out but as for now I have decided to just be grateful Aaron's not hurt!

Decision: Grandma, come quick! ANIMALS

That was Ethan! He was in the kitchen at Great Grandma's and saw these out the French doors to the East. 'Look, it's a daddy, mommy, and baby'. I was in the entry room and told him to be quiet and not scare them away while I got my camera. It turned out I needed a long lens to get a very good picture but if you look really close you can make them out. Anyway, Ethan was excited and that's all that matters.
They aren't the only 'amimals' he saw at Great Grandma's this weekend. In addition to these sandhill cranes, there were deer and bunnies too. Ethan decided that was pretty cool!!!!

Decision: Walk Across Michigan

This is a cool story, the best part of which is that Phil, while on his way to Hubbard's back in May, saw this guy walking up Main Street (Onsted Highway in front of the Medical Center).

It's a worthy cause and a good story. Read on!



http://stiltstory.org/home

Decision: Remembering Isabel Jody Barnes

Even in death there is hope.

Today I called Shanon. It was no small feat and days in the planning. First, I had to get her new phone number; then determine I had the right date, and finally, pick the best time for both of us. (I was a little off on the time because I forgot she is an hour behind us!). But, no mind, she was at least awake and thinking about getting up. We chatted a few minutes to catch up, and then we got the business at hand: sharing our thoughts and feelings about Isabel.

We are of like mind when we talk about the earthly symbols that remind us of her presence: a butterfly. It seems to take on different shapes and colors, but it is always a butterfly. It started the day Shannon left the hospital 'escorted' by a butterfly that seemed to say 'I'm here, I'm here......when you see a butterfly, think of me'.

More resent, a blue one landed on the foot of her niece, Ashlynn. It appeared to be playing as it tickled her toes. Whether you believe or not, it's a comfort to us all. Aaron and Shannon have also talked about the 'angels' watching after Isabel and agree that her name sake, Jody James Pawson, would definitely be looking in to make sure she knows she is loved and missed by us all.

I think Ashlynn said it best for me when she told Aunt Shannon that to celebrate Isabel's birthdate they should write her notes, attach them to balloons, go down to the waterfall, and let them go so they would raise up to Heaven where Isabel would find them. This is such a sweet idea.....from the heart of a 9 year old.

My message to you Isabel.....though I never held you in my arms, I will always hold you in my heart. Love, Grandma Marlys