Birthday!

Today my sweet grandson turns one. It’s been quite a year....  both moms had maternity leaves, then the pandemic, then summer break and here we are. It was a small gathering but I think I prefer it that way. He stand unassisted but doesn’t try to walk.  He says Ut-oh.  He laughs if you tickle his arm pits, or if you say BONK.  He hardly ever cries. What a pleasure and joy to have him in our lives, 

Ventura Highway

A few years back I was really into finding blogs to read. When I found a good one, I would scroll all the way back to the beginning.  I read some fascinating stuff! Now I am Facebook friends with some of these people ... which is great, especially since some don’t blog anymore. 

But one blog that I really miss was written by a woman in Nebraska. She was a social worker, married to her wife who was a teacher. They had a daughter who was in her teens. Their song was Ventura Highway. Ow, I’ve always loved that song...  I’m a sucker for great guitar parts, and harmonic singing. 

Anyway, the blogger never ever used her real name.  And she had a blog stalker that she wrote about...  it upset her very much. I’m sure that’s why she stopped but I wonder sometimes what happened to them. 

She told a story about their next door neighbors, a single mom and her son. The son was like a big brother to the blogger’s daughter. There were tearful goodbyes when he left for college. But he fell apart while away, and lost touch with everyone.  One day he showed up and they were ridiculously happy... but soon realized he had an addiction. He disappeared again, after stealing from his mother. They were all Heartbroken. The blog was so well written and her stories would unfold day after day. With some editing this easily could have been a book! 

Anyway, Ventura Highway. Go listen to it. 

Hot hot hot

Today was crazy hot. Len played gold and I stayed in the house. 

I’m working on making birthday cards. I started a new series on Netflix called Indian MatchMaking. 

And that’s about it. 

Friday

Well, although most days it feels like time is creeeeeeeping along here it is Friday already.  

The kids are headed to South Dakota. They saw The Bean in Chicago, and I just heard they are laying on a beach at a lake in Iowa. Hopefully they will be able to reach Mt. Rushmore by nightfall, which is their goal for the day.  I found a photo of my dad's Aunt, Uncle, and cousins at Mt Rushmore in 1954. I will try to share it here.  I"m so glad they are still having fun. 

Yesterday hubby and I had lunch at one of our favorite places, Riverwinds.  It's along the Delaware River, and although it's expensive I justified it be remembering how often we used to go out - that has really changed.  I have a Caesar Salad with a crab cake and OMG the crab cakes are sooo good. Definitely a great spot for crab cakes. 

Then I went to Wilmington to hang out with my buddy grandson.  He reaches for me when he sees me.  He says Ut-Oh.  That's really his only word, if we can call it a word.  He says MomMomMom too when he sees Ashlee. I very much enjoy playing with him, and I"m so glad we decided to be "safe" for each other. I could play with him all day.  Unfortunately he doesn't live with me.  

Mr. E will be one next Saturday, and his moms want to do his party here.  Great Grand mom, two grandpops, two Moms, and me. That's it for birthdays during a pandemic. 

I've been working on my church job.  Working on Sunday stuff.  My plan is to do one Sunday every day until I have thru September 6 done. Not much changes in the worship guide week to week except for the prayer of the day, the hymns, the readings, and the prayer of intercession. It's so easy to cut and paste.  Each week the prayer list needs to be updated and it's good to go.  I've also completed the sheet of announcements, and the weekly email word doc. When I go on my vacation I will submit two weeks worth of documents, so I have a week off from worrying about it. 

Let's see... what else.  The collision center called.  They were able to repair the back panel and won't have to replace it.  That reduces the estimate by $700.  I hope it looks new when I get it or I will fuss!

Looks like I have figured out how to place photos on here.  The girls have encouraged me to upload my photos from my phone to Google photos. This creates space in my phone, and the photos are accessible on Google.... so essentially, anywhere. I need to work on the albums in Google photos but so far its been pretty easy to find what I want. 

Ok.  Gotta move laundry.  That's enough for today anyway. 

Stay safe!

Smooches, 

Karen

On the road

Yeah, it’s Wednesday. My apologies. 

I wanted to share this with you. I’m not posting on Facebook about it 

Lenessa, Tyler, and Cassie left yesterday for a cross country camping trip. Yesterday they visited Luray Caverns, and camped last night in West Virginia. 
The pic in front of the car is From yesterday before they left. 
Other group pics are from throughout the years. They’ve been friends all thru high school, and even tho they went to different colleges they are still very close. 

Just keep them in your prayers, please? 

They wear masks and stay away from groups and wash their hands. They have GPS and a road atlas and a well thought out itinerary. 

But I still worry. 

Today I did notary job. Went to CVS for a car phone charger, coffee, and a prescription for Len. Then I went to the church in Oaklyn. Had a nice two hours with Pastor talking about all our projects. 

Stopped at Duffields on the way home. Their corn is so good. Got half a watermelon, and a hoagie for our lunch. The corn and watermelon was for dinner. 

I’ve been working on church stuff. I’d like to get the next eight weeks done. Then all I have to do is email each week. 

I constantly have the fight the thought that I’m bored. I’m only bored when I laying on the couch. If I get up there’s plenty to do. Weird monkey brain. 

That’s enough. 

Wash your hands! 

Karen. 

Sunday July 12

I am not ignoring this project! Not at all.  

Yesterday we took the MIL and drove to Baltimore to see $#2 and her family. They have a new house... much like her old house, but with some incredible ceiling detail, two extra bathrooms, and a much larger floor plan. Still a row home but wow what a difference.  

We sat around and talked.  I brought a dolly stroller that was a big hit and I have a Sandra Boy tin book on the iPad.  That got me some what closer to the baby.  

Today we got up and hubby asked about using the jacuzzi tub. But something went wrong and water was shooting all over the bathrooms and dripping then the floor and everybody freaked out for about twenty minutes. Whew. 

So now we are home. DIL made her Sunday dinner and it was delicious.  Chicken kabobs, roasted potatoes, and corn salad. D#4 is home from her weekend but asleep upstairs. 

I’m going to run some errands. 

Enough for now! 

Smooches!

Karen

Wait.. what Day is it?

Thoroughly confused about if it is Friday or Saturday.  Sure feels like a Saturday. 

D#4 left for a weekend with friends in the Poconos. It downpoured all day, and she says it rained all the way there. But they all made it, and she called to ask about microwaving corn on the cob, so all is well.  

D#3 called to get info about the insurance man she needs to talk to. He is looking for photos and a statement from her. His client says she hit him! Which if you saw my car you would know is ridiculous. 

D#2 sent a text and asked us to come for the weekend.  She has a new house we haven’t seen yet. We will bring MIL along. I have a baby doll stroller for G#4. Nothing for g#2.  And I feel bad about that. Maybe I’ll think of something before we go.  

What a day. The rain was ridiculous. There’s water in the basement that we soaked up with towels THREE times plus used the wet vac. Hubby moved everything out of the way so hopefully nothing gets ruined. 

We had Red Lobster for dinner. It was delicious. 

I so feel like this blog is a waste of time. But I will keep going, just in case....

Karen 

Seven Things About Me

 

• gs#5

I wrote this for a Facebook post, and it came up in my memories today.  

1. I'm adopted.  I believe this makes me very sensitive about my relationships.  I am friends, well, at least Facebook friends, with seven people I went to kindergarten with 47 years ago.  Marg and I have been friends since elementary school.  I'm even friends with my ex husband and his friends.  It’s very hard for me to let go (although if you treat me badly you’re gone forever!)

2. I'm adopted part two.  I met my bio mom once.  Met some of her family at a funeral for my half brother. I have a half sister, whose name is also Karen.  I found my bio dad with God's help, but a stoke rendered his long term memory useless, and he has no recollection of me or my mother.  That half brother and I have talked a few times, but he never told his sister.  

* Update: through DNA testing I have discovered that the man my mother fingered as my father is not my father. Her designated sperm donor is 100% German. According to my DNA I am Sicilian on my father’s side. So now I’m on a quest to figure out who he could be. More about that in another post.

3.  I love my family.  I love visiting them, where ever they are living.  Hubby and I don't just go somewhere on vacation; instead we visit children and grands, or aunts and uncles and cousins.  We've been to Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Connecticut,  Massachusetts, California, and Oregon.

 

4. I'm always thinking of plans for projects after retirement. Today's plan: sandwich/salad/smoothie cafe, with live music at night, story time in the morning, and craft time in the afternoon.  And a play area for kids.

Update #2: funny how retirement has taken a turn. I’m a part time church secretary, I have my Notary license, and a real estate license. 

5.  I can play the flute.  Even tho I never practice anymore, I'm still pretty good at it.  I have some piano skills, and I can sing. 

6. Sara's singing makes me cry tears of joy. Every time.  

7. My mantra is “Just relax”.  If I ever get up the nerve to get a tattoo, that's what it will say. I also tell myself Calm. kind. Cheerful.  

Wilmington

Today is Ringo's birthday.  He asks everyone to stop what they  re doing at noon and say out loud, Peace & Love.  

I really like that.  

Can you believe I was with GS#5 today and didn't take any photos?  Weird. 

He likes to play this game.  He scoots over to the end of the couch, and leans waaaay over.  I grab his ankle and say in a growly voice, "What are you doing?" He chuckles and scoots back over to me. 

If I don't say anything he gives me a look to say he is waiting...  So funny.  And he's not even a year old yet.  What a wonderful blessing.  

D#3 had an appointment to get their cat shaved.  That's why I went today. She showed up and the place had moved out.  So she came back home. 

D#4 is going to the Poconos with friends this weekend... then Tuesday she and T & C are starting a three week long,  cross country sightseeing drive.  I will not worry.  I will not worry.  I will not worry. 

Hubby has pulled something in his back.  He loves golf, but it does not love him back.  He is always hurting from it. 

In person church will resume July 19.  A PowerPoint of the service will be required again.  I enjoyed the four month break from that.  I am hoping to get ahead so when I am in Rehoboth I won't have anything to worry about.  The service guide is easy, and the announcements are, too.  Just editing the PowerPoint each week is tedious.  Doable, but tedious. 

Of course, whether the Rehoboth trip is really happening is questionable.  We arrive August 7, which is four weeks from this Friday. I asked Barbara when the cut off is for getting out of the rental but she hasn't answered me yet. 

Haven't heard from Susan.  I don' t have anything to report to her, so I'm not going to call. 

I have decided to take a break from checking my blood sugar.  The meter reads high but I don't have another one. It stresses me out when it's high.  I will be good for a few days then try again. 

Tuesday

Caption: Bingo in the hallway at Trinity Oaks. 

This is gonna be short. 

Stayed up way late watching Mrs.Maisel.  Didn’t get up til 8:30 when the dog insisted. 

Breakfast- two over easy eggs, sausages, bagel thin and cream cheese.

Office hours. Typing mailing labels. 

Took a ride with Hu by. Headed to Palmyra but rained buckets so we turned around. McDonalds for lunch.

More office hours. 

Insurance company called. Repairs were approved. Called Caliber. Made appointment for Monday.  They say it will take at least a week.  

FaceTimeD with Elliot and his mom. 

Talked to mom&Dad. 

Junk for dinner. 

T&C here to talk to D#4 about their upcoming cross country trip.  I will not worry. I will not. 

Monday, again

Hi there.  

According to Facebook, I started work at St. mark’s three years ago today. Strange how the job as evolved. I don’t see myself ever really going back to sitting for hours in that office. I can do just about all of it while home.  If only I had a large office style copier. LoL.  

Yesterday we went to husband’s church. They are doing an outside service and an inside service. The outside service is on the parking lot, where there is plenty of room since the church is in what used to be a strip mall.  Some people were sitting in lawn chairs. Some were in their cars. The service was broadcast over the radio.  We stayed for about twenty minutes- that’s about how long hubby lasts at anything he does.  LoL. 

We came home and got the Beetle and went thru the car wash. We really like this new one. $12 to drive thru the car wash, then there are multiple stations for vacuuming.  There’s even a machine that beats the dirt out of the floor mats. 

Then we went to Target. MiL says she needs slippers ‘with heels’. I was perplexed at this. She wants heels? Turns out she meant closed back. But Target doesn’t carry slippers in the summer. I got some Bisquick and sausage, to make sausage balls like Tony Pope. And some things for grandson’s birthday which is coming up soon! 

Found some slippers on Amazon. 

Chicken wraps again for lunch. Folded a load of laundry. 

I worked on church stuff. Updated the directory and made three copies. Did the July birthday cards. 

Pork tenderloin, zucchini/ squash/red bell pepper with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese, and mac&cheese for dinner.  

Then I did more office work- made new address labels, and finished up all the cards.  

Then the cousins did Zoom. I’m impressed that they all show up.  Looking forward to August 7. Think it will happen? 

Hubby and I have been watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It’s really great. 

And here we are at Monday. 

I have three things on my list today. 1. Gotta get the dog’s nails cut.  2. Stop at the post office to mail some cards and some books to Alex. And I need stamps.  3. Finish the worship guide for July 19, so I can do the PowerPoint. 

I think tomorrow I’ll go to Wilmington, and maybe Wednesday Pastor and I can meet. 

And I need to make some birthday cards! 

Ok.  Enough for now. 

Stay safe at home! 

Smooches! 

Karen. 

July 4

The strangest Fourth of July ever. No parade. No family. No fireworks. 

#4 and I watched Hamilton. Then Husband and I watched it. I like it but I need to see it again. It helps to read the synopsis in IMDB and have the captions on the screen. 

Got some groceries. Did some laundry. Made chicken and bacon wraps for lunch. Burgers, corn, and watermelon for dinner. The laundry is all out away, the kitchen clean.  

I used to cry for days like today. Now I’m just bored out of my mind. 

Yesterday we took a ride and ended up at C&J’s. They seemed glad to see us. Big hugs. We stayed on the driveway. It was hot! It’s been more than a year. Do friends really just drop off the face of the earth like that? Lots of unanswered questions. 

Then I FaceTimed with BFF and cleaned up my desk. I wrote out some birthday cards, too.  

Tomorrow I need to do the church birthday cards, and work on the PowerPoint for the 19th. And I need to make some birthday cards for August. 

Sorry this is boring. 

Stay safe at home.  

Smooches! 

Karen. 

It’s Hot and Miserable. Welcome to July in New Jersey.

Whew I don't like the heat.  Makes me woozy.  So just like extremely cold days, I'm happy to stay in my house where the temperature is 75* - just perfect.  

The estimate for the car repair is more than $4k.  Got the estimate Wednesday morning.  The guy asked me if I want to schedule the appointment.  NO SIR.  I'm not paying for it!  Waited all day to hear from the insurance company but nothing. So I called at 4:30 and got the voicemail.  And with the holiday I probably won’t hear until next week. At least the car is drive-able. 

My Blood sugar has been way high. This all started because I bought more test strips. I was sooo good about testing but as with most things, I got out of the habit.  Just thought I should start again but I was almost out of strips. So I ordered more, but for whatever reason with insurance and a coupon it was still $76 for a three month supply. So I returned them because....

I have a second meter.  It was free and the supplies are free.  But it tests higher than my previous machine. That’s why I wasn’t using it. It connects to an app and keeps track of everything. Ugh. So yesterday morning the reading was Over 200... and a prompt came up with a list of reasons...  stressed? Ate too much? 

Well ..... YES stressed. My car needs $4000 worth of repairs. There’s a pandemic.  Daughter #4 hates her job.  Wants to do a cross country trip.  Yes. Stressed. Haven’t been eating that well either. Ate bad stuff because I was stressed about the number being high...  and today it’s high again. Grrr. 

I hate blood sugar. Testing is stressful.  Stress makes it high.  

I haven't heard from Glassboro Public Schools yet.  Emailed and found out the super has been on vacation.  Maybe next week.  Of course no one knows what will be happening in September, so it sort of doesn't matter.  

Church. More stress. 

Someone got the idea we should be having services again.  There's been meetings, new procedures, blah blah blah.  People: it's not safe.  But they're going on with it.  From what I can tell about four people will be in the congregation.  That's a lot of work, plus it puts Pastor in danger. The service is broadcast on Facebook, and three web pages. But some of our older people can't see it.  The older people that shouldn't be out and about.  But they are the ones who will show up. 

So I finished the July newsletter.  Copied it and mailed it today. 

Funeral tomorrow.  Made the program and copied it. 

Sunday services online only.  Made the worship guide and announcements and emailed it off. 

Next Thursday Communion at the parsonage. Made the program and copied it. 

Next Sunday's worship guide is done. 

The following Sunday is in person worship again.  I've started the PowerPoint but realized it would make more sense to make the worship guide first, then just copy/Paste it in to the PowerPoint.

And I emailed Liberty Tech.  My laptop doesn't connect to the copier in  my office, and my phone app isn't working.  

I"m reading a book called the Oyesterville Sewing Club.  Light reading but I like it. 

It's Ringo's birthday on the seventh of July.  For his birthday, at noon, whereever we are, he asks us to stop and say Peace & Love three times.   DO IT. 

Enough for now. 

Stay safe at home. 

Smooches! 

And Peace & Love, 

Karen