Florida or Arizona? Such an easy decision for me. I want to go to Arizona, but my husband wants to go to Florida. He likes Arizona but he's been there a couple times and now wants to go somewhere new. I have been to both states and I personally like Arizona much better.
It has been a long time since I have been to Florida. I went there twice and both times it was so muggy I felt I may die. I hate the hot weather anywhere, but mugginess is the worst. Florida has a lot of theme parks and beaches. They can be fun, but they are so overcrowded. I am not a lover of crowds. I like the palm trees, but otherwise the landscape isn't all that appealing, except the beaches.
Arizona is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. I especially love Sedona. I so badly want to go back there. It is where I would like to live when I retire. The Grand Canyon, of course, is absolutely breathtaking too. The desert isn't much to look at but it is so cool at the same time. The heat in Arizona is dry, so even though the temperatures reach triple digits, it isn't as bad. Yes, I know, it is still hot. But no matter where we go on vacation, it will be in the spring. The weather in both places will be good at that time.
Ultimately I love Arizona. I love the landscape and the hot sunny days. If it were up to me, that is where we would take our vacation. Hopefully after my husband finally sees Florida he will understand that there really is no comparison, at least I don't think there is. A vacation is a vacation, I guess, no matter where we go. I should just be glad that I am able to get a vacation.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I remember the first time I heard about Facebook. I had told my daughter that I didn't think she should be on My Space. I had heard it was kind of bad, not censored. So she told me about Facebook. She told me that basically it was a censored My Space. So I guess I was okay with her being on Facebook. I had absolutely no desire to be on it. I thought it was just a place for teens to go on and talk about whatever was going on in their lives. I was not about to share my thoughts with the world.
About two years later my daughter was showing me some pictures that my sister-in-law had posted. I was so in awe that you could see all these pictures, that I decided I would like to be on Facebook. She helped me set up and account and showed me how to upload and tag pictures, request and confirm friends, and, make and read posts.
First of all, I found that I did not like the pictures people were tagging of me. There were several that I absolutely didn't want people to see. Nothing real bad, just me looking bad. But I still didn't want me tagged. I found out that I couldn't untag myself and that the only way to remove the tag was to have the person that tagged it remove it. I was so upset. I have since learned how to untag, so I am okay with being tagged, knowing that I can remove it. I do love to see pictures of distant and close relatives and their families. So there are the good and the bad to pictures on Facebook.
Second, I was requesting friends left and right. I would see that so and so was friends with several people I went to school with. Others were friends of just people I had heard of. I, of course, have to add all those people. Then there were all those people who requested me that I didn't even know. Most of them I confirmed. Needless to say, I really am not friends with the majority of them. Almost everyone on my friends list is just an aquaintance.
I love reading posts. I don't watch the news, so I love the fact that I can find out news through Facebook. I heard of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Whitney Houston's deaths all on Facebook. I like to hear results of dance competitions and other sports. I also like to hear of engagements, parties, and other events. I, however, don't like to say much in my posts. I use to post a lot, but I realized that I really didn't have too many important things to say.
Facebook is a wonderful place to keep in touch with friends and family. It is a great way to see them, through pictures, and to chat with them. I don't think that we need to be friends with so many people. If you don't know anything about a person except their name, delete them from your list. A lot of people like to stalk their friends and just read their profiles and posts, and look at their pictures. I realized I don't want people I barely know looking at my pictures and reading my posts to satisfy their curiosity. It has gotten to be just a public display of your whole life.
About two years later my daughter was showing me some pictures that my sister-in-law had posted. I was so in awe that you could see all these pictures, that I decided I would like to be on Facebook. She helped me set up and account and showed me how to upload and tag pictures, request and confirm friends, and, make and read posts.
First of all, I found that I did not like the pictures people were tagging of me. There were several that I absolutely didn't want people to see. Nothing real bad, just me looking bad. But I still didn't want me tagged. I found out that I couldn't untag myself and that the only way to remove the tag was to have the person that tagged it remove it. I was so upset. I have since learned how to untag, so I am okay with being tagged, knowing that I can remove it. I do love to see pictures of distant and close relatives and their families. So there are the good and the bad to pictures on Facebook.
Second, I was requesting friends left and right. I would see that so and so was friends with several people I went to school with. Others were friends of just people I had heard of. I, of course, have to add all those people. Then there were all those people who requested me that I didn't even know. Most of them I confirmed. Needless to say, I really am not friends with the majority of them. Almost everyone on my friends list is just an aquaintance.
I love reading posts. I don't watch the news, so I love the fact that I can find out news through Facebook. I heard of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Whitney Houston's deaths all on Facebook. I like to hear results of dance competitions and other sports. I also like to hear of engagements, parties, and other events. I, however, don't like to say much in my posts. I use to post a lot, but I realized that I really didn't have too many important things to say.
Facebook is a wonderful place to keep in touch with friends and family. It is a great way to see them, through pictures, and to chat with them. I don't think that we need to be friends with so many people. If you don't know anything about a person except their name, delete them from your list. A lot of people like to stalk their friends and just read their profiles and posts, and look at their pictures. I realized I don't want people I barely know looking at my pictures and reading my posts to satisfy their curiosity. It has gotten to be just a public display of your whole life.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
TIME
As I drive to work every morning, I make a mental note of what needs to get done for the day, week, or month. Even though I have a schedule in place, I feel like I don't even come close to following it. Sometimes I think that maybe I have a little too much on my plate. But what it comes down to is that I just need to manage my time a little better. But as the saying goes, "it is easier said than done". Time is what we all wish we had more of.
Now that I have started school, it has been really hard allowing enough time for my classes. I have been out for so long. I have forgotten how much work there is. I have been doing a lot of my work on my days off, which I used to use for cleaning my house. I have to say that I have fallen way behind on my housework. Getting up an hour earlier every morning would help a lot. I could at least do a couple loads of laundry. Which, of course, would give me an extra hour at night to do my homework. I could also work harder on getting my kids to help out a little more. There are other ways, too, that I could squeeze in homework, and get what needs to be done, done. That would also free up some time on my days off.
First, I haven't exercised at all, because I feel that I certainly don't have time for that. But as I write this right now, I am walking on my treadmill. So that is one problem solved. I think that I will be able to actually accomplish a lot more homework doing this. My mind is completely clear and I am not even thinking about the fact that I am getting exercise. I think that I am killing more than two birds with one stone, because I will also have more energy to get more of everything done. I won't be lazy and want to watch t.v.
Second, on the nights that I have to bring my son to basketball, I usually have to stay there for an hour and a half until he is done. There is no point driving home when I have to turn right back around and go get him. So while I am there, I might as well do some homework. Reading is probably going to be the easiest, or I could take notes. I have tried bringing my homework with to his games because sometimes there are several hours between games. That does not work. There is way to much noise, and action.
Finally, home cooked meals? Nonexistent. I let my family fend for themselves, or I pick up food on the way home from work. However, If I could take fifteen minutes out in the morning to throw something in the crock pot, they would have a good meal when they get home. I also also give my two kids at least one night to make a meal of their choice. They are 15 and almost 12, certainly capable of cooking. My oldest daughter is in college, so I don't have her to cook anymore. I had her cooking by the time she was 8 or 9. She is an excellent cook and loves to cook. I really miss her cooking. So, getting back to the subject, I can eat, not worry about cooking, and therefore have a clearer mind to do some homework, knowing that everyone ate well.
Time flies, and if I do not find a way to work all this in to my schedule, I will miss everything that is important to me. I have to save time for my family. I need to start visiting my mom, my grandma's, my dad, and my brother. I also need to make time for friends and other family. You never know when or if you may see them again. I know I can do this, IF I HAD MORE TIME, I know for sure I could. But unfortunately you only get the time that is allowed and you need to make the most of it. And so I will. From this day forward, I will.
Now that I have started school, it has been really hard allowing enough time for my classes. I have been out for so long. I have forgotten how much work there is. I have been doing a lot of my work on my days off, which I used to use for cleaning my house. I have to say that I have fallen way behind on my housework. Getting up an hour earlier every morning would help a lot. I could at least do a couple loads of laundry. Which, of course, would give me an extra hour at night to do my homework. I could also work harder on getting my kids to help out a little more. There are other ways, too, that I could squeeze in homework, and get what needs to be done, done. That would also free up some time on my days off.
First, I haven't exercised at all, because I feel that I certainly don't have time for that. But as I write this right now, I am walking on my treadmill. So that is one problem solved. I think that I will be able to actually accomplish a lot more homework doing this. My mind is completely clear and I am not even thinking about the fact that I am getting exercise. I think that I am killing more than two birds with one stone, because I will also have more energy to get more of everything done. I won't be lazy and want to watch t.v.
Second, on the nights that I have to bring my son to basketball, I usually have to stay there for an hour and a half until he is done. There is no point driving home when I have to turn right back around and go get him. So while I am there, I might as well do some homework. Reading is probably going to be the easiest, or I could take notes. I have tried bringing my homework with to his games because sometimes there are several hours between games. That does not work. There is way to much noise, and action.
Finally, home cooked meals? Nonexistent. I let my family fend for themselves, or I pick up food on the way home from work. However, If I could take fifteen minutes out in the morning to throw something in the crock pot, they would have a good meal when they get home. I also also give my two kids at least one night to make a meal of their choice. They are 15 and almost 12, certainly capable of cooking. My oldest daughter is in college, so I don't have her to cook anymore. I had her cooking by the time she was 8 or 9. She is an excellent cook and loves to cook. I really miss her cooking. So, getting back to the subject, I can eat, not worry about cooking, and therefore have a clearer mind to do some homework, knowing that everyone ate well.
Time flies, and if I do not find a way to work all this in to my schedule, I will miss everything that is important to me. I have to save time for my family. I need to start visiting my mom, my grandma's, my dad, and my brother. I also need to make time for friends and other family. You never know when or if you may see them again. I know I can do this, IF I HAD MORE TIME, I know for sure I could. But unfortunately you only get the time that is allowed and you need to make the most of it. And so I will. From this day forward, I will.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
GRANDPA MARV
My Grandpa Marv, short for Marvin, was the most important person in the world to me. He was tall, with dark hair, dark skin, probably from working on a farm, and pale blue eyes. He wore jeans, button down shirts, a ball cap, and rubber boots most days because he had to milk cows and other chores one his dairy farm. He chewed tobacco, so I actually love the smell of Copenhagen; it reminds me of him. He had rough hands from being a hardworking man. The tip of one of his fingers had been cut off by a piece of farm machinery.
I remember when he would have to go out into the fields to plow, or whatever it was he had to do, and I would go with him. He had a big blue tractor with a white cab that I was able to sit with him in. I remember being scared when we would be on the slope of a hill. I thought for sure we would tip over. He would also take me with to milk the cows and to feed them. I would walk down the aisle that was between the two rows of cows eating. I was scared that they might bite me. I also remember being with him when a vet came out to deliver a calf. It was not a pretty sight. I don't think I need to share the details of that.
My grandpa loved to go for long drives in his blue ford pickup. We would go visit friends of his or just drive around. He would almost always take me to the Wanamingo Creamery. I would get an ice cream sandwich every time. That is probably one of the best memories I have. He once brought me to the doctor with him, to get stitches taken out of his hand, I can almost here him chuckle, as I had to turn my head because I couldn't watch. I even remember him, a few times, stopping at a bar in Wanamingo, while we were out driving around. It didn't bother me to be there, I was just happy to be with him.
This is all that I remember before he got really sick. He had cancer, but did really well for several years. He and my grandma had to sell their farm because he wasn't able to do the work anymore. I was about 7. He moved to a trailer house out in the country. There was a two door garage and an old barn. It also had a big weeping willow tree that I would imagine was my house. There was also a corn crib that we would play in. I remember it always being cold and windy.
As my grandpa got sicker, I got more nervous. He had an oxygen tank so I was so scared he was going to stop breathing. He was tired a lot and would have to take naps. I would lie down with him and just stare at his chest. If it didn't rise and fall after so long, I would shake him to make sure he was still alive. I look back at that and feel bad; here he was trying to sleep and I was waking him up constantly. I did stuff for him, because I wouldn't want him getting up. If he needed something I would get, if I could. He called me his little nurse. He picked me up once from school, I was in third or fourth grade, and when we got out of his blue Ford truck, he fell. I remember being so scared. He assured me he was ok and that he just needed to rest before he started walking again. I just waited with him.
My grandpa's cancer had spread almost everywhere by the time I was 10. He and my grandma knew his time was short. I remember being there when a pastor came out to talk with them, I'm assuming about death. I was nervous and kept putting my feet up on the coffee table. My grandma, I think, was getting irritated. She kept putting my feet down. I just didn't want to hear what was being said.
My grandpa and grandma celebrated their 40th anniversary right before he died. There is a picture that I just love from that day. It is of him and my grandma by a picnic table that had all their anniversary gifts on it. He was sitting on a chair, wearing a black jacket with yellow and gold stripes around the bottom of the sleeves and collar. He also had his blue and white baseball cap on that said Cannon River Inn, which was the name of my dad's bar. My grandma was standing behind him. He looks ill in the picture, but he was smiling and it is exactly how I remember him.
On October 4th, 1985, my grandpa died at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester. He was 58 years old. He had gone into the hospital about 2 weeks before. I wasn't able to see him; my mom thought seeing him would upset me. I remember being mad because I had a distant cousin got to go see him. He was supposed to be released on Friday, October 4th, so my cousin and I had made him several welcome home cards. I was so excited. When I walked out of my classroom, after the dismissal bell rang. I rushed to get my coat and backpack, I passed my uncle who was there to pick up my cousin. I thought it was odd that he would be there and then I saw my mom. I had a feeling something was wrong because of the expressions on their faces. It was possibly a sad expression. I told my mom, very excitedly, how my cousin and I made these cards for my grandpa. She didn't say anything. I was scared. When we got out to our truck, she told me he wouldn't be coming home. He had died of a heart attack I instantly started crying, and I just couldn't figure out how he could have died the same day he was suppose to come home. I felt I lost everything that day.
I have so many other memories of grandpa, way too many to put into writing. He treated me so well. I was his girl. I am so glad that I got to spend so much time with him. I feel I spent more time with him in 10 years, than I have anyone else in my lifetime. My Grandpa Marv will always have a very special place in my heart. If there is a heaven, and which I believe there is, I can't wait to see him.
I remember when he would have to go out into the fields to plow, or whatever it was he had to do, and I would go with him. He had a big blue tractor with a white cab that I was able to sit with him in. I remember being scared when we would be on the slope of a hill. I thought for sure we would tip over. He would also take me with to milk the cows and to feed them. I would walk down the aisle that was between the two rows of cows eating. I was scared that they might bite me. I also remember being with him when a vet came out to deliver a calf. It was not a pretty sight. I don't think I need to share the details of that.
My grandpa loved to go for long drives in his blue ford pickup. We would go visit friends of his or just drive around. He would almost always take me to the Wanamingo Creamery. I would get an ice cream sandwich every time. That is probably one of the best memories I have. He once brought me to the doctor with him, to get stitches taken out of his hand, I can almost here him chuckle, as I had to turn my head because I couldn't watch. I even remember him, a few times, stopping at a bar in Wanamingo, while we were out driving around. It didn't bother me to be there, I was just happy to be with him.
This is all that I remember before he got really sick. He had cancer, but did really well for several years. He and my grandma had to sell their farm because he wasn't able to do the work anymore. I was about 7. He moved to a trailer house out in the country. There was a two door garage and an old barn. It also had a big weeping willow tree that I would imagine was my house. There was also a corn crib that we would play in. I remember it always being cold and windy.
As my grandpa got sicker, I got more nervous. He had an oxygen tank so I was so scared he was going to stop breathing. He was tired a lot and would have to take naps. I would lie down with him and just stare at his chest. If it didn't rise and fall after so long, I would shake him to make sure he was still alive. I look back at that and feel bad; here he was trying to sleep and I was waking him up constantly. I did stuff for him, because I wouldn't want him getting up. If he needed something I would get, if I could. He called me his little nurse. He picked me up once from school, I was in third or fourth grade, and when we got out of his blue Ford truck, he fell. I remember being so scared. He assured me he was ok and that he just needed to rest before he started walking again. I just waited with him.
My grandpa's cancer had spread almost everywhere by the time I was 10. He and my grandma knew his time was short. I remember being there when a pastor came out to talk with them, I'm assuming about death. I was nervous and kept putting my feet up on the coffee table. My grandma, I think, was getting irritated. She kept putting my feet down. I just didn't want to hear what was being said.
My grandpa and grandma celebrated their 40th anniversary right before he died. There is a picture that I just love from that day. It is of him and my grandma by a picnic table that had all their anniversary gifts on it. He was sitting on a chair, wearing a black jacket with yellow and gold stripes around the bottom of the sleeves and collar. He also had his blue and white baseball cap on that said Cannon River Inn, which was the name of my dad's bar. My grandma was standing behind him. He looks ill in the picture, but he was smiling and it is exactly how I remember him.
On October 4th, 1985, my grandpa died at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester. He was 58 years old. He had gone into the hospital about 2 weeks before. I wasn't able to see him; my mom thought seeing him would upset me. I remember being mad because I had a distant cousin got to go see him. He was supposed to be released on Friday, October 4th, so my cousin and I had made him several welcome home cards. I was so excited. When I walked out of my classroom, after the dismissal bell rang. I rushed to get my coat and backpack, I passed my uncle who was there to pick up my cousin. I thought it was odd that he would be there and then I saw my mom. I had a feeling something was wrong because of the expressions on their faces. It was possibly a sad expression. I told my mom, very excitedly, how my cousin and I made these cards for my grandpa. She didn't say anything. I was scared. When we got out to our truck, she told me he wouldn't be coming home. He had died of a heart attack I instantly started crying, and I just couldn't figure out how he could have died the same day he was suppose to come home. I felt I lost everything that day.
I have so many other memories of grandpa, way too many to put into writing. He treated me so well. I was his girl. I am so glad that I got to spend so much time with him. I feel I spent more time with him in 10 years, than I have anyone else in my lifetime. My Grandpa Marv will always have a very special place in my heart. If there is a heaven, and which I believe there is, I can't wait to see him.
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