Drivin' 55

I have great news to share with you. No, fabulous news. In just over the last week and a half, I have managed to win not one lottery, not two lotteries, not ever three lotteries, but a total of FIVE LOTTERIES! Yes! Can you believe it? One notification arrived via email from the UK. Another notification arrived from Ireland! The others are all from the US! If I can properly calculate Euros to Dollars, I have won approximately $12,000,000. I’m off to Bali now…see ya later alligators! PS...no, I didn't really win! And YES, those are big time scams!

gram lets me have a cookie if I eat all of my lunch cookies are really good sometimes i get a little messy i like to get dirty my gram is my paparazzi she takes so many pictures of me i say…yum to cookies and sometimes i like to scream really really loud and gram cleans me up and then my gram has peace and quiet

Sorry my friends, but the last few days I have been seriously in a void.  Not depressed or sad, just overwhelmed with everything.  Most people who know me tell me I build walls to protect myself.  Most people would be right.  I am guilty of doing just that very thing and for very good reasons.  Which if I disclosed those reasons, than I would be breaking down a wall and well, that is just ineluctable. Perhaps sunshine for more than 20 minutes in 2 weeks would be beneficial.  Tomorrow is a new day.

Jack, Grace and Will Sometimes, there is rebellion. Sometimes, there is mutiny. But most times, there is just the over powering aroma of treats that cannot be undone. When they join forces , the majority rules. And you better feed the cats! ______________________ “Never let yesterday use up too much of today.” Will Rogers

Thanks to my blog friend, Kate, over at Chronicles of a Country Girl, she told me about Windows Live Writer.  Ladies, let me tell you if you like fancy fonts, this is for you.  Are you like me and struggle with adding hyperlinks?  Windows Live Writer Download allows you to easily create the hyper links you want without all of the errors.    And adding photos in Blogger can be a nightmare!  Am I right?  Your intention is to place your photos in order, but ends up in reverse order.   Let’s face it, some of us can be a bit challenged when it comes to picking up new skills, '’cause, we are not as young as we used to be.  :) OK, there are a few things I have to learn, like how to change the font in my title, but so far…. I am loving it.  

For Today Outside my window the sun is hiding, yet again. I am thinking that I need to do more than entertain the idea of going to the gym three days a week. I am thankful for having a roof over my head. From the kitchen I am drinking a hot cup of coffee with my favorite creamer. I am wearing my pink plaid drawstring pants with a pale pink camisole. I am creating a present for my mother's upcoming birthday. I am going to start my diet today! Really! I am reading the Sunday newspaper. I am hoping to be able to visit my mom for her 76th birthday in March. I am hearing my tummy rumble…not a good way to start the week. Around the house , I’ve been thinking of getting window treatments for my bedroom and the proper rod for my dining room. One of my favorite things is when the house is still and quite. A few plans for the rest of the week include actually going to the gym and take more photos of the surrounding areas. Here is picture thought I am sharing . . Last year, we ...

Blessed with another sunny afternoon, I found myself back to Founder's Cemetery yesterday. I cannot explain what the draw is for me, but I can tell you that I haven't been able to forget the unmarked grave sites. I knew that this time, I needed to say a prayer for those souls that had no one to grieve over their resting place. This head stone was badly worn and I was unable to read the markings other than "In Memory of". Notice at the bottom of the photo are a trio of little trinkets. The addition of the trio of trinkets tells me that someone of this generation placed them there as a tribute to their family member. This monument was placed in honor of Roswell King's family members. Roswell King went into business with a man named James Stephens Bulloch . Bulloch was the grandfather of Theodore Roosevelt and great-grandfather of Eleanor Roosevelt . A fact that I was surprised to read about. A side note: Not many people know that Franklin D. Roosevelt considered...

With the sun shining brightly, I ventured out to do a little sightseeing right in my own backyard. This new neighborhood is loaded with Pre-Civil War history. Being somewhat of a history buff, I can now cross off my list The Founders Cemetery. Driving north on Highway 9, just after crossing the Chattahoochee, the history of Roswell, Georgia begins to unfold. The founder, Roswell King , was originally from Windsor, Connecticut before staking his claim to this area. I find reading up on local history to be quite interesting. If you are interested at all, click on the link to Roswell King above. Click on the photo to enlarge the photo for better reading. I happen to have old eyes and need everything and anything enlarged! In the lower right portion of the photo, you see graves marked with a mere rock. It was in 1985 that these graves were found during a historic dig. More than likely, these were the unmarked graves of slaves buried with their then owners. Mr. Roswell King owned as man...

This morning as I pulled on my favorite pair of worn jeans from the closet, I looked for a top that would be perfect for the day. Not too warm, but not too cold. The weather is warming up a bit so I must allow for those heat surges that I get occasionally. Flipping through the hangers, I discovered my pink cashmere sweater folded over the hanger. Any women would cherish owning anything cashmere, but this sweater was a gift from a co-worker. A women, who was a shrewed business woman disguised as the epitome of a lady in every sense of the word. Every Christmas we exchanged presents. The pressure to find the perfect gift was overwhelming. She had everything money could buy. Yet, what she lacked in her life was a true sense of family. Her only child died an untimely death. Her second marriage was burdensome at best. Tragedy leaves people hardened, but my friend was not hard at all. Being an up and coming woman in the company, I choose her as my mentor. Everyday, I spoke to her on the phon...

My lovely blogging friend, Jeannelle over at Jeannelle's Midlife By Farm Light , kindly included me recently in a list of recipients of a blogging award. This is my second award and I am very honored. And by the way, it took me a little bit but I did not forget!! The following explanatory paragraph is to be included when you post about this award, so remember that, recipients! * "The Friends Award isn't about being the most popular blogger or having the most read blog. It is just because you are a friend. "Here's the cleverly written text of the award: " These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award....

Lost has finally returned! Do you have any unanswered questions that may be revealed in the new season? Will Kate agree to go back to the Island? Is John Locke really dead? Did Jinn survive the explosion and make his way back to the island? What about Claire? Who, really, was supposed to raise her baby if not for her? And then there is Jack. Will he sober up and become the person he once was? We will just have to wait until the season unfolds. So how do you feel about Lost? Do you have any probing questions or theories you want to share? P.S. There is a give a way on one of my craft sites. I gain brownie points if I post about the give-away and link back to the AccuCut blog .

To our 44 th President of the United States, May God bless You and inspire You to lead our nation to better times, prosperity, peace and above all, may He keep You safe from harm.

Thanks to Maui Girl's Meandering I've been tagged with the meme that is making the rounds in recent days: The Six Random Things Meme. Here are the rules: The Rules 1. Link to the person who tagged you. That would be Me! 2. Post the rules on your blog. 3. Write six random things about yourself. 4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them. 5. Let each person know that they were been tagged and leave a comment on their blog. 6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up. 1. Not many people know this about me but deep down inside I long to para sail and sing karaoke one day. The latter would require great amounts of alcohol. In years past at a company business meeting on Long Island, everyone was singing karaoke, even the president of the company. I felt it could be a career ending move if I took the mike, but better judgement prevailed. During our many vacations in Panama City, Florida, I would stare off of our 9th floor balcony and lust after the sheer bravery of t...

My friend, Kate, is having a Give A Way over on her blog site Chronicles of a Country Girl . The prize is an adorable little sheep who desperately wants a new home to live. Go check out her blog and maybe you could win! But I want to win...so why am I sending you over there?

No one was happier then me to learn that The Cutest Little Blog on the Block was back up and running again. Oh, how I missed the opportunity to rearrange my blog's appearance! Welcome back! I am so glad your server is up and running! And be prepared to be surprised when you visit my blog....I love to change things around!

Yesterday, as I was reading my favorite blogs, The Majority of Two and I was struck by Jo's posting about the mystifying experience of last fall. If you haven't read it, please go there now. Jo's post reminded me of a true story that occurred very close to me, in fact, my own mother experienced something that cannot be explained. Almost 55 years ago this April 21st, my mother was in labor with her very first child. Labor was long and a difficult one. In those days, it was nothing out of the ordinary for the mother to be totally unconscious during the delivery. In my mother's case, she experienced complications. These complications caused her to go into a coma for almost two weeks. My mother tells stories of how spoiled a baby I was because the nurses had ample time to get to know me. Feeling sorry for this little baby in the nursery, I was rocked and held almost all the time. On the two week mark of Mom's coma, she finally woke. Weak, but brimming with motherly lo...

Is it me or is there anyone else out there that is disturbed at the digitial converion commercials? My Uggs are 6 years old but I refuse to retire them. If you have a continuous headache does that mean you have a giant foot growing in your brain? When will I really be ready to go on a diet? How many of you are planning to go to Disney on your birthday and get in free? I love the socks from The Gap. I confess, I am addicted to this seasons' The Bachelor. I would like to try yoga again. Can you believe the size of this cactus? I can't wait to watch the Inauguration. (that is a difficult word to say) I pray that our new President will be safe from harm. My best tool in the kitchen is the Onion Slicer. I will blog about this. Can you go a day without blogging? Nah, me neither. I don't get the phrase "My bad". I cannot believe I will be 55 this year.

We are embarking on some of the coldest weather to hit the South in six years. As I watch the TV weather wander around the country, it reminds me why we moved away from -25 actual temperatures and wind chills from Chicago. If you are dealing with such cold weather, and we all are to some degree, close your eyes and think of warm weather. Tropic breezes. This fruit tree grew naturally in the yard of a home we visited in Maui. Our friends let us pick one. Little mini bananas about the size of your palm. We found these were much sweeter than the Chiquita variety we are all used to. Trees are abundant in Hawaii. This one in particular is located on Maui in Up Country section of the island. The agapanthas in the foreground impressed me a lot because I made a feeble attempt to grow such flower in my own garden. The Islands are full of natural God's beauty. Honestly, I don't need to schedule every minute of the day when in Hawaii. I love to drink in the beauty and then think of ways ...

The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference. ...and just in case the above doesn't do it for ya... Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

A couple of days ago, I opened an Etsy account due to a multitude of remarks from my blogging friends. My mind is rushing with all of the projects I could create to sell. There are so many great things I have created for gifts and of course, I never keep any of them for myself. Here is a question I have to ask of you, my purchasing public. What would you be willing to pay for the Chirstmas box either for yourself or a gift? Don't be shy. Tell me like it is.

Stay warm and hug someone you love today. Lassie Lockwood....OUT!

If I believed in reincarnation.... I would love to come back as a house cat... As their needs are few.... and often satisfied with a belly rub and a little snack!

New Year's is officially over in my book, but alas, the blog site Cutest Blog On The Block is under construction for two days. I've attempted to change the glittery "Happy New Year" background (it is making me sick) but can't do it. Is this a conspiracy? And I am so glad it is Friday...means I can sleep in tomorrow and that is a happy thought! Is there anything more delicious than having Special K for breakfast? The sun is finally out in Atlanta. When can I find time to read my books? Today, I am going to get on the treadmill...I'm shooting for 30 minutes. My husband wants to know if every 40 - 50ish woman blogs all day . What color dress do you think Michelle Obama will wear? I have opened an Esty account, but am having trouble finding the right category. It is time for a pedicure. All my nails broke because I'm sure I have a nail disease. What level of hypochondriac are you? For inspiration, I moved my smaller jeans to the front of my closet. I am a nea...

My hubby and I took our very first cruise for our 25Th anniversary. Hubby tried many attempts to go on a cruise, but I always thought of one hundred fifty two reasons not to go. Secretly, I was a little uncertain, well, I'll confess, the word was scared. I was scared to step foot on a ship. He finally broke me and I succumbed to his wishes. In November of 1997, we sailed on The Splendor of the Seas. There was much preparation for this trip. Lots of shopping. Dieting. Yet, more shopping. The most important aspect of this new life experience was that we decided to jump in with both feet and have the best time humanly possible. We planned on being the life of the party. We both agreed, after all, we would never see these people again so why not? Or so we thought... And party we did! We danced the night away. Gambled for the very first time. Took wild and crazy excursions. Experienced Carlos and Charlies' in Cozumel. Made friends with every bartender on the ship. In the midst of al...

Yesterday, I read my blogging friend Tammy's I'm a Stripper post. After a giggle or two, I knew she's been redecorating her home at a manic pace and has not installed a stripper post in her home. Well, honestly, I don't know that! This post triggered my old memory banks into recalling a story someone told me years ago. It goes like this.... If you were to become a stripper, how would you choose your name? Start by recalling the name of your very first pet. What was the name of the very first street you lived on? Simple, right? My would be stripper name is Lassie Lockwood I swear...I didn't make this stuff up! Do tell...what would your stripper name be? I am dying to hear

Most nights, I can definitely say that I have a dream or two. Some mornings, I remember them for a fleeting moment, yet other mornings, the dreams are vivid with details galore. Why do we dream? One theory that doctors have is when you are at school, home, or somewhere, there are so many things that are going on that you don't think about during the day, night, etc. When you sleep, in other words dream, you think about all of the things that have happened. Also, during the day or night, if you are worried or upset, or feeling something about someone, something, etc., it all comes out. You think/ dream about it when asleep. There are a number of people who claim they do not dream. I guess that is possible but I would like to believe that they just do not remember what occurs. Some people skip the 1st stage of sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Scientists and/or doctors don't really know why some people can do this. My crazy dream last night involved the Obama girls, our Pre...

For today, January 5, 2009 Outside my window I see the night fog roll in as we experience abnormally warm temperatures I am thinking about why I am not asleep when everyone else is I am thankful for my life as it unfolds day by day From the kitchen there is not one sound nor aroma I am wearing my blue plaid pajama bottom with my sleeveless blue shirt because it is still 60 degrees I am creating absolutely nothing at this moment and I don't feel guilty about it I am going to continue to pray that hubby gets hired soon I am reading the same old book I posted last week...but I did manage to read the Atlanta Constitution Journal I am hoping to get a good night's sleep but it's not looking too good at the moment I am hearing the sounds of a siren in the distance and hoping no one is hurt Around the house not a creature is stirring. Not even a mouse One of my favorite things is seeing my grandson Jack's sweet smile when he sees my face A few plans for the rest of ...

A few photos from the holidays with no particular rhyme or reason... Miss Grace Kitty seldom gets her picture posted. Most of the time, her beautiful golden eyes blink and we don't get a very good shot. Since we moved, this once little shy lady has become the alpha cat, claiming the couch "hers" and off limit to the boys. She also has an exclusive on my lap. No boys allowed. Jack is modeling his new much needed plastic bib . With the acquisition of the plastic bib, we managed to use only one cloth bib all day. Since my blogging friends were all celebrating the New Year with a mimosa or two, I retrieved my bottle of Asti and beloved Waterford crystal flutes.