Spin Cycle: Then and Now

Then.. I wore make-up, LOTS and LOTS of make-up. Must hide and pretend to be someone else!
Now.. Maybe twice a year, I dig out that fake face (that now weighs a fourth of what it used to).

Then.. I colored my hair. I spent sooo much money and time and worry for something so trivial.
Now.. I'm enjoying my grays, they are coming in nicely.

Then.. I bejeweled myself up. It was the thing to do, necklaces, earrings (more than one pair), rings, bracelets, broaches.
Now.. Two rings is all. I prefer to be seen instead of hiding behind the ornamental glow! Today folks have earrings in places I don't even want to know about!

Then.. I spent hours getting my hair perfectly curled and sprayed into place. Sleeping on bulky curlers, burning myself with a curling iron, sweating to the heat of a blow dryer, choking on the cloud of hair spray.
Now.. A ponytail will do. Wash and go!

Then.. I did everything I could to try to look in fashion (Thank goodness fashions were nothing like they are today). Dresses went down to the mid-calves or just above the knee, jeans actually covered ones butt and the wait lines were at the belly button. Shirts covered the essentials!
Now.. I have no clue what happened to the rest of the material in today's fashions. I bought a new shirt and had to give it away cause I was constantly trying to re-adjust it to fit properly, you know..COVER!

Then.. I thought I knew all there was to know.
Now.. I laugh at that thinking!

Then.. I watched cartoons.
Now.. I watch the news. (When the frack did that happen?)

Then.. I loved Freddie!
Now.. What the heck was wrong with me? I can't even hardly watch any of the new horror movies out nowadays. (Sorry Spot) Blood and guts has lost its appeal.

Then.. I could have cared less what was going on in the world unless it messed with MY world.
Now.. well lets not get into that, it's chaos in there (pointing to my head)!

Then.. I would turn the light off and run and jump on my bed so the monsters couldn't grab my feet and drag me under to eat me.
Now.. I sleep with a night light and three dogs as my protectors!

Then.. I lived in a house of filth. Cleaning was high on the list of things I got in trouble for NOT doing.
Now.. I love a clean house and strive everyday to keep that way!

Then.. I wanted, wanted, wanted! Material items, that is. I always felt like we didn't have anything.
Now.. I realise I had all that was important. Family, health and.. well yes, even love.

Then.. Life without music was unthinkable, a crime actually.
Now.. I find that the only music I am exposed to is from the tv in shows or commercials. (My old classmate aka Orchestra conductor would definitely call that a crime!)

Then.. I slept peacefully and at least 8-10 hours.
Now.. Well..crap, I miss that!

Then.. The idea of a computer was sience fiction.
Now.. Well look at us NOW!

I could go on, but I wont. So if you want more on the then and nows, go visit Sprite's Keeper.

Spin Cycle: Religion

Soooo..the Spin Cycle's assignment this week is religion. Yeah I know...really? Do you really want to go there? Wellllll..no actually, but I thought I might try my hand at it. PLEASE for the love of...don't leave me or think me a nut case (even if it might be true).

My faith. sigh.
Well lets try to start at the beginning. My earliest memory of church was in my own front yard. When I was little, I lived with a babysitter through the week and spent the weekends with my dad. The baby sitter's house was directly behind a small baptist church. We didn't go but her youngest daughter and I would sit on the porch and listen to the singing. That was our favorite part. When I spent the weekends with dad we would go to church on Sunday morning. I was all dressed up in my best dress, pearls and gloves. The hardest part was that I had to sit there with my knees and feet together, my hands lain in my lap and eyes forward. It was torture! BUT I always loved the singing part.

When dad remarried and I was yanked from the babysitter, suddenly we were going to church alot more often during the week. We was going every time the doors were open. I immersed myself in the choir and for a while that was good. I got baptized at the tender age of 7. As if I really knew what I was doing.

I watched my grandmothers go to church every Sunday. I believe they were both Methodist, but that doesn't really matter. Labels aren't necessary, they both believed in Christ and had faith. With all the adults in my life going to church, I knew it had to be something I MUST do.

We moved and changed churches, no make that denominations. It was the scariest thing I had ever seen, experienced and heard. These people were having seizures all in the name of the lord! I wanted NO part of that! So, instead I found another muse to keep me busy during church services. Friends or more accurately..boys. I really did try to not pay attention to the goings on. People throwing their arms all over the place, dancing in the isles and falling to the floor. I saw people being injured by the folks so enraptured in the throws of rejoice. I always wrapped my feet around the legs of the chair, just to keep them from getting stepped on. I would come home from church frustrated and at times angry. The somewhat fun time I had in Sunday school with my friends was long forgotten by time I got home. I remember even begging to just go to Sunday school and skipping the service. That never happened.

I was baptized once more, but didn't find it to be a glorious moment. So I soon forgot about it.

THEN we moved to Texas so my parents could attend the Christian collage. Our lives were all about the collage and learning the bible and of course church. I was now a pre-teen and starting to learn more than maybe I should, so some would say. I started analyzing the history of the bible and other faiths. Dad was going to be a missionary, so it was important to learn about other cultures. I don't think that my parents had any clue what was going through my brain and how it was affecting me.

Of course living in Texas and of course growing up, I was exposed to all types of religions and was learning the differences and the commonalities. It was all very confusing, so I was what some would consider a problem child.

There was another side to the church process that had me in near tears all the time. We were a poor family and as a teenager I struggled with this. The church that we were currently going to (our third so far in Texas), were mostly configured of middle class folks. The laughing joke of the church is what we became, the charity case. The other teenagers were cruel and never let me forget that we was poor. They would show up in the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen. Well after some time of being exposed to their cruelty, I begun to lose faith in the church going process.
I was baptized yet again and again it had no profound affect on me like I saw it do in others. That was the final straw! I knew it wasn't that I was bad, crazy or hopeless. It was the folks around me that made me feel that way.

I have been to church maybe a dozen times since I left home at 17. Not because I have anything against going to church, I have just known for along time that it is something that wasn't for me. The fashion contest, the damnation of other religions and the hypocrisy is too rampant and I don't want or feel the need to subject myself to that stuff. I'm a live and let live kinda girl. I would never try to tell someone what they must believe or do and I hope to get the same respect for my decisions. I don't take my decision lightly, I have spent nearly half my life in church and learning the bible or I should say forced to learn the bible. I know most religious folks wouldn't agree with my decision, they would say "If you don't get right with god then you are going to go to hell". Well, my response is always the same...We are good! We know where we stand with each other and we are good.

I have always disliked the separate denominations or even the label of Christianity. To me putting a label on oneself like that is like allowing folks to peek into your bedroom. It's my heart, soul, spirit or what have you. As long as I am at peace with myself and try to live a good life with no harm to others, then we are good! IF I was to put a label on myself..then it would have to be...ha! Thought I was going to tell, didn't ya!!
I had best stop here, before I alienate all my friends and have them running for the hills just to get away from the heathen. Go ahead and laugh mom, I know you want to!

This post is in NO way a mean spirited post. Just the ramblings of a woman who dug too deep for answers and didn't like what she found.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Luke 6:31
Yes, I dug my bible out for that one!


For more great spins, go visit Sprite's Keeper.

Spin Cycle: Great Outdoors

I love the great outdoors!
From the sun drenched blooms

To the rain soaked petals.


From the dried up creek beds

To the flowing canals.


From the plowed fields

To the one horse pasture.


From the sunset making the clouds look silky

To watching it set.


From the cotton ball clouds over a green field

To the sun peeking through and making beautiful rays.


From the new spring leaves

To the autumn decay.


From the creatures big

To the creatures small.

Nothing better than getting out in the great outdoors and admiring it all!

For more great spins, head on over and visit Sprite's Keeper!

Writing Prompts Trouble

Soo...I'm sure you all have heard of writing prompts such as Writer's Workshop (hosted by Mama's Losin It) and The Spin Cycle (hosted by Sprite's Keeper). I know I haven't participated in awhile. Well actually that really isn't true, I have participated but nothing seems good enough or coherent enough to publish.

This last week for example. The prompt I chose from the Writer's Workshop was #3.

3.) "It was as if an invisible thread hooked her to her boy. The thread could go taut or slack but it could never come undone, it could never reach the end of its spool because there was no end; it bound them forever." What does unconditional love mean to you?(inspired when a mother is forced to give her baby up in The Seamstress by Frances De Pontas Peebles)

What does unconditional love mean to you?

I received this on Monday and it took me all day to figure out which prompt i was going to try. It was due to be turned in by Thursday! I wrote and rewrote it, struggled with it, called my mother about it. Discussed it with friends and hubby and got nowhere. Thought about changing the direction of the content and even maybe from a different viewpoint, nothing, it was a mess.

My mother and bf said I need to scrap the idea of writing it cause I am too hardcore and haven't experienced it, to know anything about it. I tried to disagree but two against one is never good.

Final consensus on Unconditional Love is that it is something that only exists with a parent to their child and even sometimes that isn't true. I never received that kind of love from my birth mother and longed for it for way too long. I also never had any children therefore I know nothing about that side of it. Soo, long story short I have no business trying my hand at something I am clueless about, so I missed the deadline.

Then there is this weeks Spin Cycle. Prompt is Respect.

Aye, aye, aye. Once again I turned to all the usual folks to give me their take on the subject, anything that might trigger a memory or create something in this (what seems like) dead brain. The only thing I was left with is just how different folks perceive respect to be.

I find it a little funny that this word came up cause it has to be one of the most difficult words for me. What is respect? How do you even define it? The word itself as been used many many times throughout my life and every time I question it, I get all different types of answers. My mom throws it around as a warning to straighten up or back down. Aretha uses it as a "no appreciation".

When I was young I thought I pretty much knew what was expected of me as far as showing respect, but after one particular boyfriend I suddenly was in a whole new world of what respect meant and felt clueless.

Heck I'm not really sure I have ever been shown "respect" cause I probably wouldn't recognize it if I had. I know there is the whole Ma'am and Sir thing, which I totally hate by the way! (when it is thrown MY way)

So, my friends I will bore you no further on my inability to comprehend either of these subjects, other than to say...my take on it all...

Unconditional love comes from the respect you have built through a substantial bond and/or relationship.

AND yeah that probably doesn't make any sense to most, but for some reason it does to me.

I am a contradictory person. LOL!

Spin Cycle: First Time

The very first time I was allowed behind the wheel of a car (with the engine on), I was 16 and staying with my Aunt. Growing up and watching other kids learn to get their driver's license, drove me crazy. My father would try to throw his logic on the situation, by telling me there was no reason for me to have one till I was 18 and no longer living with them. At the time the issue just flared up the usual "I hate you" or "that is not fair" or even "you are just being mean to me" or old faithful "you're ruining my life". My dad waited till he was 40 to get his, sister still doesn't have hers and brother just got his. So I guess it could have been worse!

Soo where was I..
Aunty and I were going down a dirt road from Lancaster, Ca to the next town Rosamond, Ca where she lived. She suddenly stopped right in the middle of the road, she turned and looked at me and said "get over here". We switched places. My first time driving, just the thought of it was thrilling. I slide in under the wheel and I am all smiles. Little did my aunt know that I was smiling cause that is also something I do when I am nervous. I was excited, but scared crazy too!

She drilled me on the things to do, it was an automatic; so that made it a little (I guess) easier. I proceeded to take off and boy did we ever! I hit the gas with a gusto (how was I to know you were supposed to go gently), I slammed on the brakes (as soon as I found them). We were off again but this time I was crawling, scared to give too much gas. Now in all of this, I was trying extremely hard to keep it on the little dirt road. There was ditches on both sides that aunty was screaming about. To tell you the truth I can't remember all that aunty screamed about in that short ten minutes (that might be a stretch of the time).

Lets just say it was over almost as soon as it started. I do recall another car coming at us and aunty was yelling something and I panicked. We switched places super fast and we lived to see another day! I scared aunty and myself, so bad that we were shaking all the way home. Honestly I don't think aunty ever did stop shaking! I bet every time she recalls it, she was nightmares for a week (or more)!

I didn't get behind the wheel of a car for at least another year, I was traumatized!! I eventually did get my license nearly two years later. I bet aunty would have never imagined in that moment, that I was going to end up a truck driver!

Love you, Aunty!!


For more spins, go visit Sprite's Keeper

Spin Cycle: Drama

(Written to a certain person in my life)

Drama Drama Drama!
We are sick to death of all of your friggin drama!

You are drama, you feed off it and thrive on it.
If there was no drama in your life you would just create it.

You lie or fib to make the drama bigger and worse than what it is.
You put your thoughts in, as if they were facts.

You reach out your tentacles to whom ever you can.
Or those willing to listen to your made up version of the drama.

We know there really is drama, but we are getting weary of hearing it.
You try and try to get us to see things your way and bleed us for compassion.

The group is split and the gap is getting wider.
More and more are pulling away from you.

You are nearly the last on that side.
Your tactic for attention has left you scrambling to create bigger and better drama.

You hope this will draw us back to you with apologies for leaving you.
We are at times sucked back in, only to be bombarded with even more drama.

Your quest is not to fix the drama, but to further it along.
The drama is fixable ya know!

You fight, argue, scream and cry.
The group is tired of holding your hand.

If you disagree with this evaluation,
THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Stop being the victim and rise above the drama.

But I am sorry to say, the consensus it out.
It says you are addicted to drama and the attention it gets you!

The drama gets worse and worse as the years go by.
Yet you have shown no desire to step away from it.

We have all had our time with drama and have moved on from it.
No one can help you out of the drama you have created, except for yourself!

We have all tried over and over to be there for you and give of ourselves to you.
We are weary, worn out and drained.

Your drama has seeped into our souls and made them heavy.
We can't endure nor enable anymore.

And the Lord said...It is finished!




For more spins on Drama or to make your own, go visit Sprite's Keeper.

Spin Cycle: Time

Jen at Sprite's Keeper, gave me the assignment of Time. Okay I requested it, but at the Time I had words already going through my head. I tried writing those words down, the next day and it just wouldn't come together right. That's what I get for not writing them down at the Time. Just in writing this little paragraph, I have written the word Time 4 times.

This got me and hubby playing the word game. How may times can you come up with a phrase or sentence that uses the word Time or any variation of the word. Here are some of the better ones that we came up with:


What time is it? 11:30 pm

I don’t have enough time…I’ll have to get to it later.

Where does all the time go? No clue.

You still have time…to catch that movie.

Are you going to be home any time soon? In about two hours.

It’s about time…you took the trash out!

Do you watch the time? It doesn’t move any faster, now does it?!

Time just flies by…when your having fun.

2x1…A couple.

You do that all the time! Now stop it!

I melt every time…you look at me like that.

Sometimes I just feel like…laughing.

Once upon a time…far far away.

Some where in time…

That time period in history…when men wore tights.

I loved those times…when we were trucking across the nation.

Is it time yet? I’m getting really hungry.

It’s time…to go now.

How many times do I have to tell you?! Geeezzzz!

If I could turn back time. Great song!

Can you tell time? Little boy says YES!

Remember the time when you…wore bell bottoms?

Just give me a little more time! I’m not ready yet!

I’ve got so little time as it is...and you want to add more to my list?

When is it going to be my time? For a bubble bath!

Time after time…Another great song.

Can I have a moment of your time? Sure you can, if you make it quick.

When your time is up, it’s up. The End.

In time you will understand. I’m still waiting MOM!

Are you timing me? Gawd I hope not!

Set the timer…to thirty minutes.

Your timing is awful/ perfect. Happens all the TIME!

I can’t wait for the time when…we get to go on VACATION!

At this time…we present you…our featured presentation.

Try it again, but this time…STAY IN THE LINES!

Every time…You move that chair, I bust my toes on it!

Spin Cycle: Prom

I really don’t know what to say on this subject. I didn’t get far enough in high school to go myself and never had any kids to send off to the prom, maybe I’ll just have to wait till one of the grandkids get old enough. Then again that won’t work either, because 7 out of 8 grandkids are home schooled. Do they even have home schooled proms?

By time I got to my second go-around with the 9th grade, I got fed up with it all and quit. I had already done two rounds in the 7th grade and had been on probationary status since the 5th grade. Yeah school and I didn’t get along very well!

I was supposed to have been a junior in high school but instead I was still a freshman. All my friends had moved on and I was still stuck, making it to the prom was the last thing on my priority level.

Now to be fair, I wasn’t a bad student. I did great on tests and in class work, but as far as homework went…well lets just say it never made it out of my locker! I really do and did enjoy learning new things, but I knew taking homework home was a waste of energy. I never had the time to do it, not with three kids to take care of and a house to clean. No, not my kids, nor my house. My parent’s kids and house. My parents always claimed it was my chores and my responsibility as the oldest to help with the kids. So…needless to say homework was futile.

I guess this post just changed topics from the prom to my education. I mean, really you can’t have the prom without the education. Right? Anyway, sorry about that.

The word "Prom" evokes such emotions for me:
Longing
Wonderment
Celebration
Lost opportunity
Disappointment
Anger
Joy (for others)
Plus many more...

To me it marks such a special event, that one has made it through the best and most difficult time in their lives. You all can’t tell me high school was a breeze!
It also marks friendship and boyfriends. I would imagine one would be so thrilled and get all giddy with their friends. Then there is the boy that asked to be your date or going with the boyfriend you are dating. Both of these things will be remembered for a life time.

There would also be the dress and stress factor too. What to wear, what to wear!
Oh and of course the dancing too. Now that I think about it, I’m glad I didn’t go! Just kidding! Although really, who would want to be subjected to my moves?! LOL!

I asked my mother if she had gone to her prom. She said yes, BUT she was the guy's second date! This kid thought for sure one of the two was going to say NO, neither did. I'm sorry to say I laughed my fool head off when she told me this. Okay fine, I'm not sorry. It is still funny!

My best thing that reminds me that kids really do go to prom, is the two pics I have. One of my step son and another of my step daughter at their proms.

I would have to say that if I had gone to the prom I would have been the oldest kid there! Cause who knows how long it would have taken me to get to the 12th grade! LOL!


Now for much better spins and more authentic experiences, go to Sprite's Keeper!

Spin Cycle: Roles

When I first read what the assignment was, I was brain dead to come up with anything. After giving it a weeks thought, I figured I'd better hurry up and come up with something or move on to next weeks assignment. Like I have for the past 3 weeks. Sorry, I didn't realize I had been so neglectful for so long.

Roles.

When hubby and I got together 19 yrs ago, it took us no time to fall into our roles.
It was so easy and comfortable, we had never even discussed what our roles where going to be. Well over time we have evolved, but only a little bit.

I was going to say that I am just your typical 50's housewife, but now that I think about that, I find it to be not quite accurate. Well not accurate to what my perceptions of what a 50's housewife is.

My brain conjours up images of women who are controlled by there husbands and have no voice. Women whos only place was to be at home raising the children and serving their husbands every whim. Believe me when I say I am sooo not that woman!

I don't know if yall remember the style quiz I took awhile back, but the results was Vintage-Modern. I find that to be the case in my role as housewife too. I do all the duties as a housewife does, but I am the boss around here. (shhh, forget I said that! Hubby is the boss! Just in case he reads this)

Hubbies role is (Bread winner) to work and make the money that I use to keep this fine tuned engine going. I do all of the finances of everything, if money is to be spent it must be weighed and measured through me. I am in charge of making sure everything is paid and on time so he doesn't have to worry about it at all. Just so long as he gets some money for his hard work. I can't have him working like a sled dog and not get some compensation from it.

Hubbies only other roles in this house is (mechanic) to do all things automotive and (Trash man) to take the trash cans to the dumpster. Basically when he gets home the night is his to do with as he pleases, which generally means remote control king.

My roles other than general housewife duties are:
Accountant: manager of all moneys down to the last penny.
Minor repairman: Build a house from the floor up hubby did the actual floor and maintain all problems..from replacing toilet guts to replacing a screen on the window.
Gardener (which I really don't like): Mowing, trimming trees, weed eating, planting and baking in the sun to get it all done.

I got real lucky that my hubby:
is not messy and doesn't go spending money with out checking with me first (to be sure there is any money).
He doesn't boss me around or demand things to be done (I demand those things of myself).
Although he has gotten into the habit of letting me know when its going to rain, his subtle way of saying I need to mow. LOL!

Well I can't think anymore and hubby is up and I need to get The Money Maker out the door!

For more great spins, visit Sprite's Keeper.

Spin Cycle: Tipping The Scales

This weeks assignment is to give our spin on Appearances.

Okay, so I'm not one to pay much attention to the labels on the products that I buy. Were talking food here. My mother is always talking calories and fat and blah blah blah....Drives me CRAZY!

My body shows I don't read them.

Well my highest weight ever was 220 and I guess I was proud that I have always managed to keep it under that. Well...for sometime now, I have noticed my jeans are getting pretty snug. I decided to get one new pair.

AYE AYE AYE!!!

I went up in a whole size! I know most of you are fairly small compared to me, so you can leave now if you are uncomfortable or are feeling your belly's grow as I speak.

I just don't get how the sizes go. I was wearing pants in a 16/18, well now I am wearing a 20/22. The 16/18 was getting snug and now the 20/22 feels too big. Where the heck are the 19'sssss or should I say the 18/20? Okay maybe there are an 18/20's out there, but they were sold out.

I know I am just babbling on, so what ever, I will move on (in my baggy pants).

I decided it was time to get a handle on this weight thing. You know just drop a few or a hundred pounds.

I step on the scales...222 lbs!!! I was very sad I had went over my limit. Most of you are probably thinking that is a high limit and yes you are right. I should have a limit of 150, but that is just not realistic for me.

I was 155 at 17,
220 at 20,
175 at 22,
218 at 27,
190 at 29,
137 at 32, (don't ask, friends thought I was dying)
180 at 39,
and steadily going uphill ever since, to this whooping 222!

So as you can see, I have been struggling with my weight all my life.

Heck, if I could get my weight at a comfortable 175, I would be most happy.

I was hungry for lunch and I pulled out a can of pears. I looked at the label! I was standing there doing the calculations in my head and said out loud..WTF! The can had 4 half pieces in it. The equivalent of two small pears. The amount of servings for the whole can was one half and one bite of another half! WTHeck! Who eats just a little over a half of a pear? NOT ME!

Point is I don't want to lose weight because I'm fat. I have always been fat! I want to lose some weight cause I went over my body limit. When I get up here in the numbers, I can feel the strain it puts on my day life. At the weight of 160 to 180 I could mow the yard in under two hours, now it takes me all friggin day with many many breaks. I don't like how it affects my ability to do things.

I don't have money to join a gym or go buy equipment, so I am first going to start with my food intake. NO not 1 and a quarter of a pear, but at least monitor and adjust what I consume. I will be taking short rides on my bike to try to get a little more exercise into my life. My biggest downfall is sitting right here at the computer at night. Munchies!!

My goal is:
To get back into my size 16 jeans.
To mow the yard in one sweep.
Sit in my chair with the dogs and not feel crowded (like we used to).

I guess this is a little bit about appearances, sorta.

Spin Cycle: Blogging

What makes my blog breathe? I'm not really sure that it breathes, but it definitely helps me keep breathing, thinking, remembering and it really helps having followers who think my words and life are worth reading.

I have always lived in rural areas as an adult and I like it like that. I like being removed from the city and all its noise. Living in rural areas and not having the latest technology always available or sometimes affordable, I was forced to have a phone with no long distance. Most all calls were long distance, like to family and even some of my friends. I would go months on end (sometimes years) without talking to certain people cause of the cost.

Getting a computer changed all that! Sister J had a myspace and so that was the first place I went. I ran across the blog page and from that moment on I was hooked. I began blogging so my friends and those long distance family members could get a glimpse of my world and of me. (I also found it to be a great way to deal with my spelling issues and to get my typing skills a boost from one finger to four, plus it forced me to remember things) They were also a way to let my long lost brother (that is another post) to get to know me.

My Step daughter #1 (who I call daughter, I hate the word step) had a blogger page, that is how I was introduced to it. After myspace started changing things and became more about games and music, lots of my friends and family switched over to Facebook. I followed suit but didn't like the blogging area on facebook and so I decided to start my own blog here on blogger.

Welch Happenings was born! While exploring my new surroundings, I went to the Blog of Note and found Kathryn (From the inside out) and Nancy (f8hasit). I was looking for some bloggers I could possible relate to and who weren't over or under my head. I know that sounds bad, so here's the thing...they do sometimes go over my head, but not bad enough that I can't follow what they are saying. Like you all know..the dictionary is within arms reach and gets used A LOT! But I like that, it challenges me to learn new words and even sometimes how to spell it.

Anyway..I found and received some very dear friends just from starting with those two amazing gals.

Am I staying on topic, probably not. Another one of my issues! LOL!

I have run across a lot of folks who write because:
It is their passion in life.
They just want to be heard.
They need an outlet from their daily lives.
They want to pursue a career as a writer.
Many, many other reasons.

I write cause..I am afraid that when I am older I wont be able to remember a darn thing! Dementia runs in my family and grammie had it real bad. She couldn't hardy remember anything and now all those fabulous stories are lost forever. I don't want that to happen to me or my family. I want a chronicle (or Journal, if you will) of my life.

Having my wonderful new blogging friend enjoy my stories and daily junk, makes it even better! Love and Hugs to you all!



For more great spins go visit Sprite's Keeper.

Spin Cycle: Confessions..I Love Architecture and Here Are Some Reasons Why.

All of these pics are actually Historic postcards of Waxahachie, Tx.

Ahh, the building that changed my life. Mom and Dad were looking at pamphlets of colleges to go to. They picked this one and we were off to the giant state of Texas.
Southwestern Assembly of God University located in the little tiny town of Waxahachie, Texas. Waxahachie with its population of about 8000, was like a dot compared to the bustling city of Bangor, Maine.


The first house we moved into was actually right where this person (who is taking this picture) is standing. The angled view is almost precisely correct as to the view from our front porch. I got to look at this building every day and I truly believe it played a huge part in my love for old buildings.

This (at the time) was the only elementary school in town. My sister and brother went there and we played in the school yard all the time after school hours.


Ahh, the church that changed my perspective of religion. The building was gorgeous and had fascinated me from the beginning. The arched windows were like no other building in the town.


My favorite place! The public library! If you think the outside looks great, the inside would have floored you. Wood and stone all over, just gorgeous, then add in the smell of books...Heaven!!


A great place to explore. The old Train Depot. That place was great! First you had the depot itself, old run down and abandoned. Next to that you get the tracks, always fun to try to keep your balance on the track. After that is the creek with an old steel and wooden beams bridge (I was always a little afraid of that bridge). Is it strange to have fond memories of a bridge you were afraid off?


This pic looks strange to me. It is Chautauqua Auditorium located in the park. By time I laid eyes on it, the back portion of it was gone. To me it was just a very large gazebo. I never knew it had a name.

The park. Such a huge word. Most every event in our lives was celebrated at the park. The place to go for hikes, parties, get-to-gethers, meetings, exercise, explore nature, meet lovers, on and on.. Such a happening place, tucked back in the woods.


At last we come to the famous Ellis County court house. What you didn't know it was famous? Well let me tell you. It wasn't famous for a history making event, NO it was famous for what the stone carver put all around the building.


(Click to enlarge, you really need to check out those faces)
The many faces surrounding the court house. There is a story that goes with it. A little bit of fact and a little bit of urban legend. It goes like this...

The brick layer/stone carver fell in love with the landlady's daughter Mable and began carving faces of angels. The landlady didn't like it and forced the two to break up. The angrier the stone carver got the uglier the faces became.

For a better rendition of this story, go here.. Really! This guy did an awesome job telling the story.

These buildings were the seeds to my love for architecture. I have been know to stop walking and just stand in awe of a building.

I had so much fun in this website, getting these pics and learning a little more about the town I grew up in and the buildings that surrounded me.

Sorry it took so long, I got lost in the pages of history!

Spin Cycle - I can't Live without..

I guess it is my turn to be sick. I have read all about everyone else being sick or having sick kids in the house. I was thinking that maybe I would escape it this year, NOPE its here.

My regular body temp is .9 of a degree lower the the quote normal temp. So my 99.1 temp is like 100 for the average person. Why does a fever make you feel like a semi is pushing you down to the floor. It feels like gravity has gotten heavier, it is all I can do to get my fingers to move.

My brain has turned to mush which is making its way out my nose.
Whoops, excuse me!
Had to take my moon boots over to get more tissues.
Where was I?
I have no idea.
Typing with one hand is really difficult, I'm going to have to confirm all of this with spell check.

hey, is I'm supposed to be spelt with lower case or upper? After spell check, it says upper.
Whatever. Really who cares..I don't, you don't. Sorry got distracted yelling at my self.

What am I doing..

Oh Yeah...Something I can't live with out.

Hubby say Toilet Paper and yes he is right. I say right now.. Tissues.

Either way..it is the lovely (sometimes white) soft paper, that we all use to wipe. Wipe meaning..you know..That or noses and even my eyes during a great movie.

I have also been known to use tissue for packing breakables, makeup removal, bra filling (when I was 10), pet messes, female emergencies and even blister padding. I'm sure I have used it for more, but hey I can't think straight!

Seriously, How did people live without this stuff? I am glad to be living in the age of Toilet paper and tissues. A little sorry for the trees, but when your nose is trying to turn into a faucet..GIVE ME a box full of mushed and dried up tree!

Okay I don't like this post, but it is all I can muster. Sorry!

For much better spins, Please save yourselves and go to Sprite's Keeper's page.

Spin Cycle: Love and Valentines Day

In my drunken days love meant a lot of physical affection..hugs, kisses, cuddling and of course sex. Trinkets of affection were the norm and were expected. With the lack of all this..I felt used, neglected and unloved.

I truly thought if my hubby didn't give me a passionate kiss or an extra long big hug or wanted to have sex with me at any moments notice or buy the trinkets to prove his love. That there was something wrong with our relationship. That he didn't love me.

It took a lot of years and getting off the bottle for me to realize these things are not necessary to know I am loved.

Hubby and I had a huge bump in the road of our relationship and that bump was me. My perception of what a relationship should have been was whacked out and soo far off of hubby's ideals. Mine was passion and sex and trinkets of affection, hubby's was friendship, companionship and being a team through this thing called life. Mine were short term and hubby's was long term.

Getting off the bottle helped my eyes to open, that my hubby tells me all the time that he loves me, not just with words but with the little things.
He's not a slob.
He's not abusive.
He's not a drunkard.
He helps me keep the house clean.
He does dishes on the weekends.
He works his tired old butt off to provide.
He doesn't go out spending money on trivial things.
We don't argue. In 18 years, he has only lost it 3 times.
He doesn't demand anything from me.
He makes me laugh all the time.
He takes care of all the auto stuff.
And he even takes out the trash.
There is more, but really we don't want to give him a huge head.

He of course, has his issues. NO, he is not a total saint.
When he is home the remote is under his control.
He wont go to the store for anything, not even a loaf of bread.
When he is on his way home, that is his only destination. He will not stop for any reason. This also applies to going anywhere, he must be told the agenda for the day. If it wasn't on the agenda, then it is not going to happen.
He hates doing the yard soo much, he would like to kill all the grass and pave the whole place over.
He is VERY slow about doing projects. At our old place, we designed and planned a nice porch, fifteen years later it still hadn't happened.
The list could go on and on...

We don't sleep in the same rooms anymore and cuddling is far and in between. We kiss, but I think we have forgotten what a french kiss is. The occasional hug is even more special than it ever was before. Sex is no longer a part of our lives and to tell you the truth, not having to deal with the old age effort, is one pressure we are happy to do without.

He has never bought'en me anything for Valentine's day, Anniversary or even my Birthday. It is not that he doesn't care, he just can't bring himself to going to the store (he has phobias). I do always get told Happy this or that, with a hug and a kiss and I love you.

I bought some flowers Saturday, came home and thanked him for them. If he had gone and got them..they would be no different, they would still be just as pretty. He (I) has excellent taste!!


Through all of his goods and bads, he never forgets to tell me he loves me before he goes to work (if I'm awake) or before he goes to bed.

Valentine's day has a different meaning in this house. For most all couples this is a time for love, romance and trinkets of affection. For us, it is his birthday! We almost always go to his mother's house to either..pick up his birthday cake and presents or to be at his birthday party.

I know we are a strange old couple, but we still love each other.

Happy Valentine's day everybody!!

For more great spins, go to Sprite's Keeper

Pet Peeve - Texting And Driving!

My first Spin Cycle..hmmm what to do?
Get pic..check
Link to Sprite's Keeper..I think that might be a check.

Now on to..What are my pet peeves?

Hold on to your hats, gents and your skirts, ladies!
It might just get a little gusty in here!

Well, here's one that has been on our (mine and hubby's) minds lately:

People who are driving down the road with their little phones or blackberries or whatever new device and are texting. To me that would be like me trying to write a letter while driving!

It's bad enough when there are soo many other things to distract us from keeping our eyes on the road. Kids, a cool antique car, phones, navigators (real or computerized), growling tummies looking for food, gas light blinking at you, What was that road kill?

Hubby comes home from work and recants these narrowing escapes from the driver that wasn't looking. Here lately (last few years), those stories have mostly come from people texting.

Just this last Monday, hubby brings home a notice from work. It was a print out of CNN's story on the new rules for drivers of Buses and Big Rigs...NO TEXTING!

I can see that for some folks this is a serious matter and Yes if I was to see a driver texting, you can bet your bum I would turn them in! That would be a serious matter indeed!

Taken directly from CNN's story:
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds while texting. This research shows drivers who text are more than 20 times more likely to get in an accident than nondistracted drivers.

If that is the case...Then, WHY only for Truck Drivers and Bus Drivers? Shouldn't it be for ALL drivers?

I'm beginning to wonder if this qualifies for a pet peeve or maybe it is leaning more towards a rant. I don't know! I just figured since it has been an aggervation in our lives for sooo long, it would be a pet peeve.

Please for the sake of yourselves and those you carry with you...Don't Text and Drive!! It can be dangerous not only for you and the ones you love, but for my hubby and his coworkers.

There is one funny part about all this...Hubby has had two cell phones over the last seven years and still hasn't learnt to text! Most of his older coworkers (his group) don't even have cell phones!! LOL!

If this post didn't qualify, I will have to work on that. I tried!
Head on over to Sprite's Keeper..for more spins!