Drivin' 55

Excuse me while I get lost in this Chihuly masterpiece which I photographed in Las Vegas at the Bellagio.

This is the third post regarding our situation, Living with Alzheimer’s.  My MIL was diagnosed 6 years ago and during that time, she has lived with us for 4 years.  Let me tell you, it is no easy task.  My common sense tells me that she cannot be responsible for her actions, but I ask myself, “Why didn’t we get one that was nice?”  I am embarrassed that I even wrote that.  My recent findings on the Internet lead me to an article about the disease that, like anything, there are certain stages in the progression of such disease.  A statement that affected me the most was this “Alzheimer’s can be described as the death of the mind before the body…”.  This statement in it self is devastating to read, yet imagine living 24/7 watching a loved one.  Though Alzheimer’s is considered a fatal disease, the usual cause of death is normally another illness, which develops as a complication in a body already weakened by Alzheimer’s. Check out the link...

Good morning, Saturday, how are you today?  I always love your entrance to the weekend.  From college football to enjoying time to myself, you are a good friend.  You allow me to work on my craft projects, catch up with my blogging friends and may even find some time to hit the treadmill today. I look forward to sitting on the bench in this photo and reveling in God’s beautiful work of art. Happy Saturday, my friends!

Good bye, Summer. It's been a lovely season. You provided us with so much sunshine and warmth. But now get the hell out of the way because I want some cool autumn evenings to enjoy the porch and dine alfresco by twinkling candlelight. My Internet connection has been very temperamental these days. Me thinks all of the rain has somehow soaked the wires somewhere in the earth and messing with every one's feed. Thank goodness my ATT tech is coming today.

This photo was taken by Peter Jackson of Shropshire, England garden.

If things weren't crazy enough, I am babysitting for another toddler, Katherine, who is 19 months. Her day care was closed because of the flooding. When asked if I would care for her for a few days, of course, I said yes. Katherine is the daughter of my daughter's co-worker. She's a very bright, talkative little doll who gives Jack a run for his money. Both are down for naps now and I am cherishing the time. The flooding here is terrible. Many people needed to be rescued from their homes or cars. The Chattahoochee river is 15 feet above normal. Other rivers have swelled and hundreds of people didn't sleep in their own beds last night. The Red Cross jumped on the scene and offered assistance to thousands of people. Sorry I haven't been posting very much, but with all of the rain, our Internet connection has been very unstable. I'll be back full force in a couple of days.

It's rained so very much these past 10 days that the ground is soaked and the rivers are budging. Trees are falling due to the over saturated ground. The rain is interfering with Internet connections. Our provider has an abnormally long wait for support. If there is any satisfaction, I know we are not alone. Perhaps it is the rain that is causing my MIL's temperament to go completely off the walls. Now that she's feeling better after her hospital stay, her overall attitude is less than downright nasty. Deep down, I know it's not her but the disease, but honestly, she is more than 2 people can handle. This post may be short and not at all sweet, I write fast as I race the Internet! Tomorrow will be another day. God willing!

I have been so careful. Washing my hands 50 times a day. Coughing into my arm. Using Clorex wipes like they are tissues. But I still smother this baby with kisses... Little people are germ incubators!

Yesterday, I had to honor my sister's 50th!

Born in 1959 on the 16th of September in Oak Lawn, Illinois, my sister, Gerianne, celebrates her 50th birthday. Geri is the most wonderful sister any woman could ask for. She is kind, gentle, funny, most loving, intelligent and caring. To celebrate her birthday today, I created 50 individual birthday cards, each one unique, just like my sister. Happy Birthday, Baby Sister!!! I love you so much!

Sunday was a great day filled with family, friends, good food and fabulous football.  My daughter made turkey chili.  My friend made Poor Man’s Caviar.  My favorite red pepper relish from Harry and David’s over cream cheese adorned the table.  My contribution was Onion Bacon Cheddar Biscuits   from Pioneer Woman.  There were two kinds of brownies.  Biscuits before they dove into the warm, cozy oven.  Cheddar and Bacon and Onions…Oh my! Warm from the oven and real butter waiting to be slipped into the middle of the biscuits.   Harry and David’s roasted red pepper relish over cream cheese with just a hint of heat in the relish and the cooling smoothness of the cream cheese. Poor Man’s Caviar…be still my heart~  Pinto beans, black beans, cilantro, white corn, chopped red pepper and a sauce that marries the whole thing together so well that you will definitely go off of your diet! Turkey Chili to die for made in my mot...

Update:  22 pounds less 4 inches off my waist 6 inches off my bust 4 inches off my hips and by the way…this outfit hung in my closet for several years!

For some reason only known to Windows Live and my blog, I have not been able to upload my posts. Will try to fix this...as soon as humanly possible...or perhaps as soon as artificial intelligence is concerned!

In 2004, Dale Chihuly brought his magnificent masterpieces of colorful glass to the Atlantic Botanical Society for what was a truly amazing exhibit.  First recognizing his work while in Atlantis resort in the Bahamas', I quickly took it upon myself to get my hands on more material about this gifted artist. What really blows my socks off is the fact that I took these photos with my very first digital camera, a Panasonic 1.5 Megapixel camera.  The camera was the size of a breadbox!  If this camera was one thing, it was very sturdy.  Just ask my husband as I dropped this camera on the concrete several times in hopes to get a new camera quite by accident!     Next year, I may just have to become a Chihuly groupie and see his work once again.

“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” Bob Dillon Absent from the skyline… but never forgotten.

Here’s how today is shaking out.  There is this one photo from 7 years ago that I am desperately trying to find in my collection of photos.  It is not on my hard drive, that I know.    In checking my disks, which at least I labeled, I still cannot find it.  Meaning, it is either a figment of my imagination or this disk is off with Dusty, The Saw, from Handy Manny toolbox.  As I reviewed the photos from the past 7 years, I have relived some special family moments and those fun and crazy times.  But most of all, I have this overwhelming feeling of sadness of a time that will never be replayed.  There’s nothing else I can to in this respect, but look forward to all of the todays and tomorrows yet to be. For today, I will just gaze from the top of the mountain on Maui and hope to find some peace.

Grace and Jack

Over the last two weeks, I have turned the toy boxes upside down.  Searched behind furniture.  Moved the sofa.  Checked the drawers of the end tables.  Between the cushions of the sofa, check.  Turned the recliners upside down.  Behind the fireplace screen, nope.  Checked all drawers and cabinets that are eye level to Jack.  Nothing. And then, I started all over again.  Checked and rechecked until my knees were sore.  Philippe was gone!    For those of you who are unfamiliar with these tools above, let me introduce you to Handy Manny , a Disney Channel cartoon for little ones.  Manny is bi-lingual and owns a fix it shop.  He lives in Sheetrock Hills and has lots of friends.  Let me introduce you to the tools.  First on the left, is Philippe, Rusty, Tap, Squeeze, Turner, Dusty and Stretch.  Philippe was missing for several weeks now.  Yet this morning, Jack opened his toy box and pulled ...

…brings so much happiness into our lives…

It’s Friday.  And this makes me happy.  Why, you may ask?  Well, on Saturday, college football begins!!  This household plus my children are all Georgia Bulldog fans!  Neither attended Georgia, but does it count if they have partied there??  In several different SEC polls, Georgia ranks anywhere between 13th and 15th.  Considering our star quarterback, Matthew Stanford, was number one in the NFL draft (he went to Detroit) and the excellent Knowshon Moreno Georgia’s running back, went number 12 in the draft to Denver, I think this ranking is acceptable.  The secret factor in regards to Georgia’s success, is their famous coach, Mark Richt.  Since coaching Georgia for eight seasons, his record is 82-22.  Secret weapon?  I think so. Don’t call.  Don’t text.  Don’t tweet tomorrow.  I’ll be wearing my red and black for my boys.  Georgia vs. Oklahoma Go Dawgs! photo from www.georgiadogs.com  

…see the light…

As of late, I’ve been a little lax in the photography department.  I promised myself that I will break out the camera and snap away tomorrow because I recognized that time passes too fast.  For without photos to freeze that moment in time, that memory may be gone forever.  How often do we look at a photo from 10, 20 or even 30 years ago and say to yourself, “I remember that day as if it was yesterday.” On this perfect day, my BIL stopped at this lovely park his parents took him to when he was just  a boy.  How special I thought that he wanted to share it with his family.  For this day will forever be frozen in my memory, thanks to my need to travel with camera in hand.   As evidence in this photo, I love people shots.  Over the years, I’ve taken my share of landscapes as evident in my Disney photos from years past.  If I have 1,000 shots of the EPCOT geodesic dome is probably a conservative number.  Recently, thanks to Jack, I...