Saturday evening

Oh, my - TWO entries today - actually, three, if you count the one I just put in the Ladybug's place.

Here's a tickler for you:

Go on over to the Ladybug's place to see a few more pictures. There will be more later - there must have been 5 digital cameras clicking tonight. ;-)

Here's a favorite picture from today - my men in black. Ahhhh, sweet, huh?

Good night, friends. Have a peaceful and blessed Sunday.

Saturday musings

Wish I could figure out why I am so tired - Oh, I'm sure that there is a stress-related reason to it - overwork - etc. But, oh, my, oh, my . . . I had my regular Friday off yesterday. Sat to read and kept falling asleep - sat at the computer to do a bit of work - and nodded off. I pretty much snoozed the day away in my chair. Sigh.

I finally finished the book today - in between droopy eyelids - but the computer work has not gotten done. There will be time - she tells herself - there will be time. Sometime.

Went to the Ladybug's wedding rehearsal last night. My job is to take the youngest after they all go to the altar. I love my job, what can I say? I hope to have pictures later for you all to ooh and ahh over.

The wedding announcement lists the children inviting everyone to their parents' wedding. We even have our little lost love's name there - done in a shade of gray with a halo over his name. He will be here in spirit and love.

I've not been in the sanctuary of this church before - I've been to Habitat for Humanity dinners in the basement, but not upstairs. It is a very small room. They have a small congregation. This is their 50th anniversary year. The pastor and I work together on a coalition that is setting up a homeless shelter system.

The rehearsal was comical, as they mostly are. The bride runs the show and we all just did our best to follow instructions - and that includes the pastor. ;-) It remains to be seen how well the script is followed today.

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wrote of the upcoming appraisal awhile back. Gentleman arrived promptly at 8 and began asking questions as he walked in the door - used to have a wood stove, eh? crawl space? is there a closet in the bathroom? - did I miss it? etc. (Answers - Yes, Yes, No, No)

And, now we wait for the results to get to the right hands and then the approval or disapproval and onward we go . . . woo-hoo.

Received a call today from the life insurance part of the business - follow up questions on health history. She was to call hubby next (he is where he usually is - work - sigh) and get his answers. Then the results will go on to the underwriters and we will see if we are approved or if we are too old and decrepit to be covered. okie-dokie.

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tomorrow is MissJessi's turn to go shopping. She is something, that one is. To better understand our delight with her, check out this Baby Blues® comic - phooey, it won't let me link directly to it - sorry: go to www.babyblues.com and then to the pull down for the July 8th cartoon.

Yes, that's our little darlin' all right. ;-)

Okay, my friends. I am out of here until after the wedding festivities. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday. I will post pictures as available and with Ladybug's permission.

Thanks, we needed that

It has been raining for three days now. Finally! It is our Alaskan summer come home. Yay!

Seriously, we need the rain. Alaska has been burning this summer - temperatures have been extremely high . . . . for us. Yes, I know that many of you are suffering or have been suffering in 100+ degree heat. Trust me on this - THAT is how 75+ feels to an Alaskan. Our blood must be thicker - or thinner - or something. We just don't seem to tolerate the heat very well.

Which is going to be very, very interesting in 4 weeks from tonight . . . as I board a plane . . . and head back "home" to Ohio for a visit with family, friends, and O.L.D. classmates. I have not seen most of these people since 1968, for crying out loud. Hopefully, they will have the same short term memory problems that I have. Heh. I figure that after 36 years we are ALL older, fatter, grayer, balder, than we were in 1968. Well, there was that ONE guy - he was already kinda bald at 18.

But for the rest of us . . . bring on the short term memory loss, please. ;-)

Received our alumni/ae (they are oh, so proper these yearbook peopls) book a couple of weeks ago. My, oh, my . . . where we have all ended up . . . the things we are all doing . . . or not. Five of us have passed on to the next plane, and several are "location unknown."

There have been 40 graduating classes from my school (I was in the fourth class) and only THREE graduates have settled in Alaska. Most are still in Ohio - some of them still in the same neighborhoods in which they grew up.

And - trust a company putting together such a big undertaking as this book to get something wrong . . . my maiden name. LOL. Hubby looked at me when I spelled out THEIR spelling to him and asked (oh, so innocently) "hey, just WHO did I marry?" He's such a funny man.

And, what is it with these women who do NOT put their maiden names in the book???? Now how am I supposed to know who Sally dimples* is? I knew a sally maiden name once, but is that the same sally dimples??? Enquiring minds want to know - pass me the memory juice, will ya?

*erm, I probably don't have to say this - not her real name.

Anyway - four weeks from tonight, I will be heading to Anchorage and boarding a plane and flying across the country to visit with my former classmates. Headed into the heat of an Ohio August summer. How nuts am I? Why is it that they cannot hold these reunions in the winter, huh? Yeah, I don't have an answer, either. ;-))

I am blessed to be able to spend time with a school mate who has kept touch over the years. She and I went to school together. Her husband and my husband went to school together. She started dating her (now) hubby, and they decided that my hubby and I had to meet. We just celebrated our 35th anniversary and they have just had their 33rd - or 34th. And, people said it would never last.

Anyway, they purchased a home last year and this will be the first time I get to see it. They've invited me to stay with them while I am out there. I've been offered peace and quiet - or as much fun as I can handle. It is being left entirely up to me to call the shots. How very generous is that?

While in Ohio I will be visiting my aunt - the one who just had surgery. It has been several years since we've seen each other as they were living in TX until just recently. They visited Alaska in 1993 or 1994 and that was the last time we've visited together. We are both looking forward to it.

Hubby will be foot loose and fancy free while I am gone. Nah - he will be working hard. And, he'll be doing it in much more palatable weather than I. I will be ready to come back home to our fall weather. The fireweed will have all topped out by then, and the fireweed fluff will be flying around and bothering those of us who are allergic.

The fireweed tells us what kind of a winter we are going to have - did you know that? First - you know just about how much longer summer will be here, by how far the blooms are from the top - they bloom bottom to top. We still have a few weeks. (phew!) Second - you can tell how much snow you are going to have by how tall the fireweed grows. OHMYGOODNESS!!!! We are in for a boatload of snow this winter! I have fireweed outside my window that is every bit of 5 feet tall, I'm thinking. Gonna have to get the grandkiddos to stand next to it and take a photo for you to see.

But that is for another day. It is getting near time for me to hit the hay. You all have a wonderful Wednesday.

'night, friends

So THAT's where that went

The Appraisers are coming - the Appraisers are coming . . .
quick - clean, clean, clean. Phew!

We have appraisers coming to our home on Tuesday morning. While I have not really been doing any DEEP cleaning (although it is badly needed) I have been moving piles and tossing stuff no longer needed (gasp!) You know - the kind of stuff that just accumulates and NEVER gets gone through again and NEVER thrown away? Yup, that stuff.

Took five bags of clothes and shoes to a local clothes closet that gives the items away, not sells them. Took things to both girls' houses for their kiddos.

I have been finding treasures - and tossing junk since Friday. There were two rooms that had only pathways - this room and our "spare" bedroom. They are now in pretty decent shape - but nowhere near where they need to be to be called clean. Heh. Oh well, as Ladybug says, God made dirt so dirt can't hurt. I must say, He did a pretty good job of making it in my house. LOL

Tomorrow is the littlest miss' day to go shopping. Nana was sick last Sunday so we didn't go shopping. She is pretty sure that her turn should be any day now. She is right. We are looking forward to taking her. She is such a little pixie and everyone loves her. Especially us.

Thank you all for thinking of my aunt on Thursday during her surgery. I spoke with my uncle yesterday and he tells me that she tolerated the surgery very well. She was still quite doped up yesterday morning, but they are weaning her off the good stuff and she was coherent at lunchtime. They are moving her closer to the PT dept. tomorrow and she will begin therapy before her release. That should be Monday, he thought. Once the incision heals she should have a whole lot less pain. And, that is a good thing.

Well, back to the grind. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

At least - the sequel

At least . . .

You know, there is always a rhyme and a reason. Things will always work out. Sometimes we just have to step back . . . say "at least" . . . and appreciate what we have left . . . before we can go on and see what might be ahead.

I've been offered a part-time job with a small non-profit which will augment my salary with the larger non-profit. And, there is no conflict of interest, even! So, that is pretty cool in itself. I can pretty much write my own hours - 10-15 a week - and do things that I am good at doing; newsletter editing for one, building - or rebuilding - their web page, PR, etc.

Pretty cool, huh? (you may need to remind me later that I had this bout of enthusiasm. I'm sure you will all be up to that reminder - right? right.)

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A quick aside . . . CONGRATULATIONS to JadedJu for her new job! Woo-hoo, friend! Proud of you.
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On another note - I have made arrangements to travel to Ohio next month to visit with my aunt. She is having back surgery, btw, tomorrow - so if you can spare a thought for her, I would appreciate it. I was wondering a bit if my leave would be approved by the director - so was very pleased to get it back quickly from her with an OK. I think she knows that I need to take a bit of time off.
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We had our monthly staff meeting today - and the director gave us a lot of time to speak out on our feelings about the cutbacks and such that have just occurred. It was a bit slow going at first, but people did some sharing and that is cathartic. The amazing thing is that everyone is, while a bit stunned, so supportive of the mission of the agency. The underlying comment was - the clients come first. We are still able to serve the clients. And, that, my firends, is the bottom line. But how reassuring to the director to hear person after person say that today.

A few tears were shed, and hugs were shared. That, too, is cathartic.

A good day all the way around, I think. Have a great Thursday, everyone.

Sick day meanderings

Well, the meanderings took place a week ago when I was in Seward - but today is the sick day. As I did little today other than snooze in my chair, I have nothing to tell you of today's activities. (believe me, you don't wanna know) ;-)

So, I will go back to my trek through Seward on the 10th and a part of the story that I did not tell you yet.

A couple of my blogger friends (Hi Batty and Dan) like to wander through cemeteries. So, while I was snarfing about I noticed a series of cemeteries and thought of those friends. Parked the bike and began to wander through.

Actually, there are several cemeteries, all sort of attached to one another there. I started out in the Masonic cemetery, which appeared to have the oldest graves. Sorry, I was so caught up in thinking on lives that began and ended loooonnnnggg before my own, that I did not take any photos in that one.

There were graves there of folks born in the mid 1800s, some of whom lived to be in their 90's. Amazing longevity.

While seeking information online about one of the markers I will talk about in a moment, I came across this link by a man who likes to go into cemeteries and log who is buried within.

No information on this family, however:

Click for a larger view. Notice anything sad? Yup, all three died on the same date. Perhaps a grandmother and her two grandchildren? She was in her fifties, and the children were one and eight years old. I have no clue what happened - even though I lived in Alaska at that time, it just doesn't ring a bell. The epitaph on the stone reads "We lived together in happiness. We rest together in peace."

This is a shot of the entire memorial. It is very touching.

And, to put a smile on my face - was this memorial:

This fellow has gone fishing. Gotta love it.

To top off my day of riding, here is a shot of my transportation, the Moosetercycle, at a pull-out by Kenai Lake. What a gorgeous day!

Markeroni

I am updating all of the historical places I visited on my trip to Seward Saturday. Wanted to highlight one of the places here - in order to get in a couple of more photos than Markeroni* allows per entry.

Above is what is left of the Jesse Lee home. It is fenced off from vandals, but they still seem to be able to get a rock through the windows. This was a Methodist home run for orphans. It is on the National Historical Registry probably for a number of reasons, but mostly because of one young man . . .

Benny Benson.

This is the Benny Benson Memorial in Seward.

Above are closeups of the plaques on either side of the memorial. The one with the photo reads:

Benny was born in Chignik, a small settlement on the Alaska Peninsula, Oct. 12, 1913. He lost his mother when he was four years old after which his father sent him to the Methodis Jesse Lee Memorial Home, then located at Unalaska in the Aleutian Islands. Later the Home was moved to Seward where Benny stayed until he was 20 years old. Benny was in the seventh grade at the Jesse Lee Home when he designed the flag. Benny submitted the following text with his design: "The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-knot, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northern state in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear-symbolizing strength."

I hope you get the chance some day to visit Alaska and see some of her history. I had a wonderful time motoring through Seward last Saturday, taking in all of the sites.

*I now have snarfed over 10 and have received my first kudo at Markeroni!

a new day

today was a bit cooler than it has been. It has been an amazing couple of weeks, weather-wise, here in the great land. Temperatures have been breaking all records - Alaskans have been breaking all records of trying to shed enough clothes to get cool, and still stay decently attired. It's been a stretch for some - remaining decently attired, that is. ;-)

I was able to get in a good long walk at lunch today - it's been too hot to do too much lately. Sure felt good to stretch my legs and my lungs. The ankles held up pretty well, also. Walking is like that - it comes back and you can begin to get conditioned again pretty quickly. Yay.

My doctor's office called today - my mammogram came back "normal" and I won't have to do that again until next year. So, that is a relief. My "bosom buddy's" test came back normal as well. Yay! We had so much fun going to Anchorage together this year, we hope to do it again next year. Maybe we will reach out and see if someone else wants to join us and become a bosom buddy also.

Remember my ride to Seward on Saturday? Well, I have to share this picture with you - I stopped by the Chamber to pick up some maps and had to - well, use the facilities. I noticed a rock propping open the door and thought that was pretty funny. Just kicked it out of the way, closed and locked the door and did my duty. It wasn't until I was leaving that I looked up and saw the following notice taped to the door:

Hey! We live in Alaska - we make our own fun.

and, speaking of fun . . . here's the "Moosetercycle" at Kenai Lake on Saturday - what a gorgeous day!

'night, friends.

Another one gone

Breast cancer is an ugly foe. Breast cancer fights dirty. Breast cancer takes no prisoners. Breast cancer wins . . . sometimes.

Today I received a call from my aunt. Her daughter died today of breast cancer. My cousin was young - in her 40's. She leaves a husband and a son and daughter. She leaves a grieving mother and father.

I trust that she has gone on to a better place. I pray that it is so.

My aunt's last words to me tonight were "you know what to do - get to a doctor. Don't wait." Marsha waited, you see. She found a lump before Christmas - didn't want to ruin the holidays for her family - didn't see the doctor for a month or better. It was too late.

Her husband called my aunt and uncle this morning and said that Marsha was awake and wanted to talk to them - she could barely whisper - and they had a lovely chat. He later told them that after they hung up, Marsha smiled, and then she died. There is comfort in that, I am sure.

So, I'm out of here for now. Listen to my aunt, will you? Don't wait. See a doctor. Be on the safe side. Oh, and while you're at it, why don't you go on over and make a(nother) donation to Jenn's 3-Day Walk. She is nearing $7000 now - how cool would it be to see her go over her (latest) goal by $1000!! Pretty darned cool, I'm thinking.

'night, friends.

Bosom Buddies

Jen is looking forward towards her participation in the Avon 3-Day Walk for breast cancer research. Friday I drove to Anchorage for my umpteenth mammogram. I took a friend with me - she and I were "bosom buddies". It has been ten years since she has had one and going together made both of us feel better, I think.

Hers was a simple bilateral mammogram. Mine proved to be a bit more complicated, with multiple slides of the right breast - and then an ultrasound of the right breast. (the left breast just had the normal two slides done.)

There are lots of changes going on at Providence Hospital - lots of hammering and yelling of workmen while we were there. Imagine a group of women sitting around a small, nicely decorated, waiting room, each draped in a short cloth cape, bare from the waist up underneath, struggling to hold everything together (mind, cape, psyche) against any breath of air or workman's eyes. It was a cause for nervous chatter and giggles. The staff were all quite considerate of us - assuring us that we were okay and that the workmen were on the other side of the wall - assurances, even though not necessary on my part, that they ( the workmen) would not be popping their heads into an exam room unexpectedly.

Well, I think that Marn sums up the feelings we all go through quite well. She, by the way, is still waiting for her results (Canada must take a bit longer than we do here - I should have my results by next Friday at the latest.) so give a kind thought for her if you would.

In the meantime . . .

I've been checking out the changes on the .Susan G. Komen Foundation's website. Wow! They have a lot of interactive stuff there now. There are all kinds of interesting links on their main page. Why not check them out?

If you are unsure of how to do your monthly breast self exam be sure to check out the Online Breast Exam. Even if you have been doing your self exams for years, it wouldn't hurt to look at this.

Another presentation is the Anatomy of Breast Cancer. This not only goes through what breast cancer IS, but how it works, what it does to your body, what treatments are available, and other such information.

Very interesting stuff here. I don't think we can ever get TOO MUCH information.

My friend and I had a great time together. She was more comfortable knowing that I was there praying for her. The staff at that hospital (her previous mam had been done at a different place) are so professional and kind and empathetic. They are as gentle as they can be - in a no-nonsense manner - and get things accomplished in a quick and effecient manner.

And, I benefitted from her presence as well. As I told the tech when she left to check the films before doing the rest of them - it's all going to be just fine. My friend is in the other room praying for me, just as I am for her. The tech looked up and said - that's a great outlook. Some don't have that kind of faith.

Just about any situation can be made lighter with laughter. And, so I laughed, and laugh still. It's all going to be just fine - no matter WHAT they find - or don't find.

Well, my friends. You have a wonderful weekend. I am going to go out and saddle up the Virago and head off to Seward for a Snarfari. ;-)

At least

Today was a day of "at least" comments:

At least I still have my job.
This came after I was notified that my hours had been reduced from 30 to 24 effective August 1st.

At least I have inusrance.
This came after I was notified that our insurance co-pay had increased from $25/month to $100/month. effective July 31.

At least the doors to our non-profit are still open.
This came after the announcement that there had been unforseen funding cuts and programming cuts.

Our doors are still open - we are still serving the client base we represent - we can continue on, albeit with fewer staff hours (mine were not the only ones cut) and fewer staff benefits (no COLAs again this year - and no holiday bonus again this year).

At least . . . .

Varoom

Spent some time in the saddle yesterday - ahhhhhhh. I went on a "Snarfari". Yes, it really is a word. A friend of mine has set up a fun way to see the world around you - the town you live in - or even towns far away.

Visit Markeroni to see what I am blathering on about. Fellow "Markeroons" from all over the country are out "snarfing" up markers. We look for historical markers, take a photo of them, write a little blurb about them and post them on the Markeroni site. So far I have two snarfs.

One is a "wild card" marker I found on the way home from Anchorage on my last trip - it is a memorial to a man who lost his life while clearing up avalanches along the Seward Highway. The second I visited yesterday - the Russian Orthodox church.

I hope to ride to Seward on Saturday - there are 9 historical places on the national register there. And, there are a couple on the way, also.

Anyway, it is lots of fun. If it sounds like something you might like to do, drop by White Raven's site and check it out - then sign up (it's free) and have a ball. I look forward to seeing what is in your neck of the woods.

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As I rode up to my house, I saw hubby and a physician friend of ours - out in front of the house - with the other two bikes. They invited me to come along for a ride - didn't have to ask twice. No matter that I had already put in 65 miles. ;-) Nope, I was ready for another ride.

Stopped to catch our breath - grin a bit - check out the scenery - and then headed back to grab a cold drink and on towards home. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Tonight after dinner, hubby asked if I wanted to go for a ride - I beat him out of the door to get geared up. We rode over to a buddy's of his to visit for a bit - see his new boat (missed it - it's in for a tune up) and his new out buildings. Had a nice visit before heading back to Kenai.

It is gorgeous out - sunny and warm. Only one problem - it is D.R.Y! And, we understand that, in addition to the fires up around Fairbanks, that there is now one burning closer to us at Skilak Lake. That's not a good thing. The Kenai Peninsula is a tinderbox just waiting for a match - we have acres of beetle killed spruce that are going to act just like roman candles when a flame gets close to them.

But, we'll not borrow trouble - right? Right!

Have a great Wednesday - gonna be a short week. Yay!

Walking in Grandma Abbott's shoes.

Grandma Abbott was my mother's mother. Abbott was the name of her third husband - she outlived every one of them. She knew how to pick them.

When I was a girl, my sister and I would - from time to time - yell out "Mom, Grandma Abbott is coming." whereupon Mom would ask, "how many bags is she carrying?" Grandma Abbott carried her overnight case and her clothing in shopping bags from Lazarus, a downtown department store.

If she only had one or two, the stay was going to be short. If she had three or four . . . well, we were in for a long visit with her. As I grew into my teen years, those longer visits came more and more frequently, to my mixed emotions.

I loved her dearly, but she was quite opinionated and we would quarrel - because, of course, I was a teenager and, thus, quite opinionated on my own count. Yup. She had deeply ingrained emotions and opinions about, shall we say, "cultural" differences. Think on it, for a moment. This was the 60's. There was a revolution going on. Grandma was old school - AND - had been raised by her grandparents in Kentucky, on what was once a farm with slaves. Needless to say, we had many "healthy" discussions.

And, I was a brat - I would sometimes say things to get her goat. And, Mom would have to be the peacekeeper. ;-)

Today I reminded myself of Grandma Abbott (thus the title) as I walked over to the Ladybug's house a couple of blocks away, carrying today's version of the Lazarus shopping bag, a plastic bag. But, I wasn't going to stay for long. I was just taking over some things for the little miss. The shopping bag stayed when I left.

Yesterday I was reminded of Grandma Abbott in a different way. When I went to the dentist's office (yes, everything on my to-do list yesterday got checked off - yay) I noticed some wonderfully gorgeous flowers alongside his building. Oh, my - peonies. And, they smelled as gorgeous as they looked.

Why did that remind me of Grandma? Well, she, being from Kentucky and all, called them P-EYE-A-KNEES, not PEE-O-KNEES. And, so I grew up calling them the same. I know better, of course, but it just brings Grandma to my mind. And, I love to quiz people when we are talking about cultural differences . . . so, how would you pronounce P.E.O.N.I.E.S? I ask. And, then, when I tell them how Grandma prounounced it, they would look at me as if I were from another planet. Nah, just had a Grandma from Kentucky, thanks. ;-)

She also would get quite upset when someone would call her a hillbilly. I'm a Hill William, thank you. Okay, Grandma, okay. But we (my sister and I) would call her a hillbilly every once in awhile just to get her goat. Brats, I tell ya.

Grandma wrote "pottery" - poetry - and handed that talent down to my Mom, who passed it on to me. I have passed it on to Lessa, who has passed it on to her own daughter.

Some things have changed over the years - Grandma Abbott would not even think about wearing pants out in public - in fact I don't think I have ever seen her in pants. She wore dresses cut generously through the bust (she did NOT pass that on to Mom OR to me!) with a straight skirt. She always carried cotton handkerchiefs - one tucked under her sleeve at her wrist and others in her black patent leather purse. She wore chunky black laced shoes with block heels, and her stockings were sturdy cotton stockings rolled up over her knee and held in place with a garter.

Her makeup case was a treasure to my sister and myself. We never touched, but we loved to watch her each morning and evening. Cold cream was applied lavishly to cleanse her face in the morning and to take off her makeup in the evening. She had wrinkles, yes, but they were the softest wrinkles in the world.

Her favorite scent was Emeraude, which, oh my gosh!, you can still purchase! We bought her a new bottle every Christmas. I can still bring that scent to my mind.

Grandma brought up seven children, and buried all but three before she died herself. One of her sons died in France during The War, a daughter died of meningitis, another of breast cancer, my mother of a stroke. Grandma Abbott passed away when I was 26 years old of a stroke herself. (She was 83 years old.) Her two remaining sons each passed away of heart or drinking related problems. Her last, youngest, daughter is living, but has Parkinson's Disease.

Grandma Abbott was some kind of woman, I'll tell you. I wish I had listened to her stories better when she was around to tell them - but, oh, how she made my ears tired. ;-) Sadly, we are usually not ready to listen and really hear what our elders have to say - when they are here to say it. It is my loss - and my children's and their children's loss.

I'm going to have to see if I can find some pi-a-nies to plant under my window for next year. Yup, I'm going to have to do just that.

Have a wonderful Sunday, friends. And, God Bless America! Happy 4th of July.

Graduate!

Today was my last Physical Therapy day. Yay! I am a graduate. ::grin:: Went through my original evaluation and saw how much had improved. Still have some home-work to do - to keep strengthening the ankles so that this won't happen again.

I appreciate all the more folks who are going through physical therapy of some sort. That is just plain hard work! Oh, and I was told today that because I am in their system now, I can go back anytime for a free tune-up if needed. That is, I can go in and check to see how I am doing - make sure that everything is holding up - use the equipment, etc. That is, as long as a patient is not using it. I thought that was pretty cool.

In other places . . . weird search query on the blog . . . "layouts for blogs" . . . urm, wha??? Go look somewhere else - I am not a designer so I can't help you. Sorry.

I've been noticing such weirdness on the blog lately. Different searches that bring readers to the site, for one. Some are very different. But, hey, it's a big wwidew world out there, so welcome, one and all. Just play nice and make yourself at home.

Things to do today . . .
Physical Therapy . . . check
Shower . . . after publishing this
Reconcile hubby's checkbook . . . after the shower (sigh)
dental appt. (cleaning) . . . 2 p.m.

Wow! What a great day off I have lined up, huh? ;-) Hope your Friday is going well. May see you again tonight -