Summing it Up...

Now, that I'm way on the wrong side of sixty, I feel that being true to self is important. "I yam, what I yam." Kindness and smiles are to be given away. Women are strong. Men are more vulnerable than we believe. Husbands may come and go...but one thing I know for sure is that I will NEVAH live without a corgi or coffee in my life if I can prevent it. Come piles of dog fur or hot water!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Like to Time Travel?

Lisa's

This is a fun site to visit! It's separated into interests and in decades; a lot of nostalgic fun with every click! I got lost in the 40's and 50's, but there is something for absolutely everyone to reflect upon and enjoy. Your decade is there to relive!

Dolly-world...


Lil' Emmy, my North Carolina grandbaby girl is a real doll. So much so, she's trying to take a nap in her doll baby bed that her momma fixed up for her Dora the Explorer doll. Emmy just turned two in February, so she sorta fits in it.
This dolly bed was given to me when I was four. I fixed it up for my babygirl, April, when she was Em's age. If it survives Emmy, maybe it will make it to another generation of apple-cheeked females in our family, who have a real hankering for cake!

More from the Farmer's Almanac...


April 1 — April Fools’ Day!

Although the origin of playing practical jokes and pranks on this day is hazy, many folklorists believe that it may go back to 16th-century France. At that time, New Year’s Day was March 25, with a full week of partying and exchanging gifts lasting until April 1. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day back to January 1. Those who forgot or refused to honor the new calendar were the butts of jokes and ridicule.

In honor of April 1, we remind you of some very foolish things that have happened within this month.

• Any fool knows that tax day is April 15, but, fittingly, April is also the month in which the U.S. Mint was established, in 1792.

• Alec Guinness was born April 2, 1914, later gaining his fame by publishing every foolish feat that ever set a record.

• On April 7, 1857, snow fell in every southern state in the United States, just to make fools of the weathermen, no doubt.

• And finally, to cap off the foolishness, on April 29, 1848, Niagara Falls stopped flowing for 30 hours. Now that’s foolish!

To be a fool at the right time is also an art.

Monday, March 30, 2009

In a strange mood...


Spring is extremely fickle. We had sunshine, wind, thunderstorms and lightening, and even snow over a 24-hour period this weekend. Very, very strange.
The corgi kids and I did go see the pinto ponies, white-faced sheep and the old draft horse. The horses came up to the fence, and were up on a hill, looking extremely oversized to Addie inside the Malibu. She barked her head off, and hurled herself around the confines of the car. Jake and I just shook our heads, and considered the source. (Crazy, female, stout little ol' corgi girl.) Jake, our male, is so easy going, just hangs out the window, stretching as far as he can to say hello to his equine friends. I think that most of the Midwest had some weather surprises over the weekend. By now....we sort of expect it here. It's a cuckoo place to live!
This time of year makes us itchy to get into the motorhome and plan a getaway.
Our first Winnebago club gathering is mid-April at a county park along the White River near Indianapolis. It's a favorite place of ours to go, and it's good to catch up with the Hoosier gang of RV'ers. This time of year makes me feel overwhelmed somewhat too, what with facing all the needed yard work, and cleaning out and preparing for a spring yard sale. Fulltiming, and paring down to only what can fit into 32-feet sounds pretty appealing. Sigh, come on stock market...raise your arms up and stretch!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Winner.....she's a real winner!


Well...the names were all put into a corgi cap, and dear hubby drew the name out.
This gal lives at the beach with her kitties and her computer in Ontario, Canada.
She has two lovely blogs that I enjoy. Tea and Photos shows her wonderful photography, and At the Cottage is about her life at her beach cottage. Sigh...I sigh often when I read them...her life sounds lovely, doesn't it? What could be better...tea, photos, and beach...are you sighing too by now?
Anyway, thank you everyone for signing up for this little ol' sweet nothing giveaway.
Congratulations Deb!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Why is this so....


Why~can't they find things in the cupboard, or the closet, but especially the refrig?
Is it due to some male hormone that we gals don't have...and don't want, obviously!
If it's a tool in their tool box, or in the garage, they are able to zero in, time and again. But...if it's in the kitchen, it's just not there, eventho....it is!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

200th Post Giveaway!

This is just a little "something" to commemorate my 200th post on this little blog of mine. It started out as a travel journal all about our experiences on the road. Now, it has morphed into a menopausal, maniacal outlet for me, with women's interests being the main theme.

I'm so thankful for the blog pals who have visited during this adventure into cyber space. It made a long, cold winter more fun. It's great visiting with gals with similar interests, worries, living in different states. This is very cheap therapy!

The giveaway items are: A bag of caramels, two packages of flower seeds, a rose scented Yankee Candle, a Homer Laughlin coffee mug, and a kooky card made by me.

To enter, just leave a comment. If you make an entry on your blog about the giveaway, enter your name again please. If you want to take the photo of giveaway items, please right click! I appreciate you all.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, March 28th.

Need some new Authors to read?


A few new names for you to check out on your next visit to the public library...
Alice Seybold, Karen Kingbury, Emily Giffen, Jane Green, Marian Keyes.





Five Ways to help Depression...
(We all need these reminders from time to time)

1. Eat more fish!
2. Walk for thirty minutes.
3. Keep your stress level down. (Good luck with that one!)
4. Practice positive thinking.
5. Practice Gratitude thinking.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

I thought you'd want to know...


Top 10 things Women shouldn't do in public

1. apply full make up ~
2. pull out your thong from butt crack ~
3. sit cross legged while wearing a skirt ~ (somebody tell the A.M. news shows!)
4. show off a midriff ~

5. talk on your cell in a public place ~ (restroom or dressing room)
6. ask your boyfriend if he loves you ~ (how 'bout your husband?)
7. tweeze errant hair or pop a pimple ~
8. criticize your boyfriend ~ (how 'bout your husband?)
9. adjust "the girls" ~
10. Pee all over a toilet seat without wiping it before leaving stall ~

Who knew these things were all on the don't do list?

list from "The Frisky"~

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday...


Hello again vintage lovers...it's time to blog hop via Coloradolady's site to see everyone's old stuff.

This little spoon holder is something Jim made way, way, back in his Cub Scout days. He was probably somewhere between age 8 or 9 at the time. The boys used coping saws to cut out the design and then used hand drills to cut the holes to hold the spoons. They sanded and stained the holders then over the course of several meetings.

I think he's still proud of his work of nearly 50 years ago. This little item is surely a vintage item by now! Sorta like us!


I do apologize for the dusty spoons, yikes, what Horrible housekeeping!

Get outta town!

Remember the 1954 movie called the Long,long trailer? That movie fits today's theme~

How did the men with drafting paper and pencil in hand, create a blueprint for camping and traveling in a wood or tin can on wheels without the benefit of CAD design and a computer?
That's what we kept asking ourselves today, time and again.

It was a perfect day in Indiana, with temps in the low 70's and plenty of sunshine. Jim had the day off. We loaded up the corgi kids, and headed north to Elkhart, to tour the RV Hall of Fame Museum.Tin Can Tourists were a group of folks who first organized in 1919, and traveled early roads to places beyond their town, city and state. Instead of following the yellow brick road through the land of Oz...we followed the highway through the land of days gone by of early road warriors, determined to see America, and live the RV life.
This museum showcases the preservation of vintage trailers and motor coaches from then to now. If you're an RV'er, you'll want to visit this place. Elkhart County in Indiana is home to the RV Industry. Today, many factories have shut down production due to the failed economy.
Toys, such as RVs, are put on the back burner, and the county is in sad shape. We couldn't believe how many plants, and dealers are shuttered, and empty!

This one looked like an upside down canoe, inside and out. It was tricked out like a boat, all wood ceiling and walls inside. It was made in the early 30's, and looked like a silver bullet. Airstream soon followed and ran away with this original idea.
As early as 1929, motor homes had toilets! Tiny, low, wooden seats. We even saw a deep blue motor coach used by Mae West, to lounge in, between takes while making films. It was luxurious and probably a den of fun (sin?)!

This looked like a Cadillac on the outside, and a makeshift camper inside. Very odd! It was amazing to see how trends evolved from humble canvas tents and camp kitchens in a box, to a wood-sided
box on wheels, vintage pop-ups, the famous 1950's Shasta's; to the huge 45-foot long half a million dollar mansions, now rolling down the interstates.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Wearin' of the Green...


From the Farmer's Almanac...

We celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. Was there really a St. Patrick? Definitely. Did he really drive the snakes out of Ireland? Probably not.

At age 16 (around A.D. 400), Patrick was kidnapped from his home on the west coast of England and carried off to Ireland. After 6 years, he escaped; upon returning home, he received his call (in a dream) to preach the Gospel. He spent the next 15 or so years in a monastery, preparing for his missionary work. Although some Christians lived in Ireland at the time, it was Patrick who spread Christianity throughout the land and brought an organized church into existence.

We wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Trinity. But, as far as we know, he never drank green beer. (Apparently, true Irish only drink black beer on St. Paddy’s Day!)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ides of March?

What a perfect day out there today! It's the nicest day in 2009 we've had yet.

Hoosiers go a little nuts when we have sunshine and a temp of 58. They dig out their summer wardrobe, and spend the day outside. I did a little raking in the flower beds, and with much joy, saw the tender, pale green tips of corn lilies, hollyhocks, tansy and tulips, hiding under the leaves.

Of course, a senior cup of coffee was in order, and the corgis wanted to have their lookey-loo at the various farm animals.
We went to see the ponies who were happily lying on the ground, on their sides, sunning. The horses did not want to rouse themselves just because the corgi kids came calling, so they'd snort and nicker in repose. It was laughable.

We moved on to the next farm on our daily jaunt, and found that farmer guy had brought back the flock of white faced sheep, and opened the door to the hen house! Oh what fun! The sheep, always in flock mentality, stared across the field wondering what the joyful yips were all about coming out of the Malibu.

The little lady hens were running in circles and pecking at the ground, while rooster guy slowly strutted his stuff in the sunshine, bleaching out his feathers I guess. When they stretched their wings out and flapped, it caught the corgis eye.

Sunshine makes everything, and everybody feel good....please, nice Mother Nature lady....may we have more?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

What have you learned today from blogs?

First of all, I must ask you...have you checked this book out at the library yet? I'm telling you...it's a wonderful read. Historical, funny, and heartwarming.





I've learned to cook something new today.

I've learned some signs to look for for Type 2 diabetes.

I've learned to use Listerine for toenail fungus.

I've learned to put a slice of bread into a ziplock bag of freshly baked cookies to keep them soft.

I've learned that some folks have temps between 80 to 90 degrees while we're experiencing a high of 29 today. One nation...different temps!

I've learned that there are lots of good women out there, sharing their talents, recipes, their passion for crafts, their thoughts, their family, and good wishes with their blog sisters.

I like knowing that there is a "community" out there, similar to me in spirit, who care enough to check in, to comment, and read what I write when they can.
I think this internet thing will catch on...don't you?

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Vintage Thingie Thursday...



Meet Muggsy. Muggsy is older than we are. This delightful cookie jar depicts a dog with a toothache, and his belly is empty. Muggsy was given to Jim's mother as a wedding shower gift, back in 1946!

His belly was always full of home-made chocolate chip cookies either by Jim's mom, or grandma. Later, when the kids were older, it was filled with store bought cookies. Jim's mom was an RN, and working.

The bottom of the jar says Muggsy, and we never noticed that before until Jim took these photos.
He's lived with us just about our entire marriage, nearly twelve years. We don't use him, Jim guards him closely. Muggsy lives above the refrigerator, looking down from his lofty perch. Muggsy was patented in the USA.


If you'd like to see more vintage items, at least 25 years old, visit our host Coloradolady for the entire listing of sites to visit.

Starvin' Marvin?

At certain times of the day, Starvin' Marvin visits. That's what my kids and I used to say when we were hungry, and hungry n-o-w!
Some quick ideas to satisfy that time of day when Marv hits...

Try some low-fat cottage cheese, a handful of fruit, whatever is handy, fresh/frozen/or canned and make yourself a little parfait. The more you can make it to delight your eye the better!
Or...how about a string cheese and a couple of triscuts?
A mini-bag of natural or light popcorn is filling too.
I try to cook up some edaname to have on hand. Just squeezing a few pods, and popping the soybean in your mouth is fun, and delicious.

Try putting 15 of the turkey pepperoni slices on a paper plate and nuke it for 25-30 seconds until it sizzles and curls, Jim likes these. It's only 2 points if you're doing WW. The ideas are endless really. The best way to survive the hungries, I have found, is to be prepared, and to have something light but tasty on hand.

I counseled Josh today on eating better so he can drop some pounds, and ended up counseling myself as well, sharing ideas with him!
Even an old girl, CAN learn new tricks!

Friday, March 06, 2009

How the thought of Spring affects us...

"Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"
~Robin Williams
"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face."
~Langston Hughes
"The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible."
~Edwin Way Teale
"An optimist is the human personification of spring."
~Susan J Bissonette
"A little madness in the spring Is wholesome even for the King."
~Emily Dickinson

Thursday, March 05, 2009

It's up, and this is the last time, I promise!

Jim had today off, so he got his drill, long screws, level, and anchors out.



He even took the photos, so no flailin' will be necessary from Penniwig...he has a steady hand, where mine wobbles. We have this on the wall across from the bed, so family is always with us...in our hearts always.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Trivia and Quoteable Quotes....

It's actually feeling like Spring today, and the corg's and their mama are feeling a little giddy! We're up to 40 whoppin' degrees, and it's a joy to be outside, okay, briefly....but at least we can absorb some Vitamin D today. In honor of our uplifted mood...here's some fun~


1. Who was the oldest member of the Beatles?
2. Which country is home to the original spa?
3. What is a natatorium?

"One does not have to be an angel in order to be a saint."
-Albert Schweitzer

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." -Audrey Hepburn




Answers: 1. Ringo, 2. Belguim, 3. A swimming pool

Sunday, March 01, 2009

5 fast ways to fight fatigue...


What the professionals say:
1. Open a window, take deep breaths.
2. Refresh yourself with a quick face wash.
3. Do simple stretches.
4. Laugh - lifts spirits.
5. Meditate - relieves anxiety


My personal favs:
1. Do lunch with a gal pal, mother or daughter, for therapy.
2. Visit little shops with handmade items, and things you don't need,
but love to look at.
3. Have coffee or tea, along with a good book and 2 corgis on my lap.
4. Drive out in the country, looking for farm animals.
5. Get lost in crafting, whether it be snipping photos, card making, scrappin'.

Y'all come back now...

Y'all come back now...

Everyone is special, and counts!