Enter 2010, Thank God!

Happy New Year and Hallelujah! It was with great pleasure I threw away the 2009 calendars.

Last year was so sucky, I couldn’t wait to get rid of it. We were all affected by the economic climate, the lousy weather (all last spring and summer), and the political climate of lying, back biting, Senatorial hostage taking (I’ll vote for this bill if my state can get this mega financial perk). Frankly I’m sick of the whole thing!

On top of all of that, last year started out with my mother back in the hospital, facing a 4th major surgery in 3 months. The year progressed with her going back to the nursing home to recoup. She was released on March 31st and right back in on April 2nd. This time there was no coming home. Her health status has put a lot of pressure on me.

After a terrible spring and summer, weather-wise, I had to get the house ready to sell. The sorting and tossing and giving of my mother’s possessions was very difficult. Making the house presentable and attractive for prospective buyers took a lot of energy and I can’t thank my 4 kids enough for all the help they gave me.

Now the house is for sale and there is tension every time someone looks at it. Everything has to be pristine which means I have to go through the house room by room putting away all those little things I use every day, and making sure the trash is taken out and I leave the house, too.

That is a lot of pressure for me. Someone else might think nothing of it.

However, as bad as all that was (for me) it also had an up side. The entire year forced me to deal with things I had no control over. I learned (by dealing with my mother's issues) what it's like to be really old—she's 97. I learned how to relax and have patience. I am not a patient person by nature, but I learned. And I continue to learn.

I know that I have always had what I needed, and not a second sooner than I needed it. I know I don’t have to worry about selling the house or finding the perfect condo. It will all happen on schedule and all I have to do is stay out of the way.

As bad as 2009 was, it was a teaching year. It taught me (again) to accept that which I cannot change and have patience. I seem to be a slow learner! ☺☺☺

Family Christmas

No pictures. They didn't come out too good so I'm not going to post them.

Sunday, the 27th, was our family Christmas party. Every one was here except Anne and the boys. Anne had been in Chicago for a week due to her father-in-law’s death. The storms in Chicago and the upper mid west for that matter were epic! No chance of her getting home before the party and, further, she’d be in no mood to drive up from Maryland after a long plane ride home.

The party was in full swing when I saw a strange van pull into the driveway. I asked everyone if they know anyone who drove a large Toyota van. Someone said it must be Anne and that’s when I screamed for Kathy. ANNE AND THE BOYS ARE HERE!!!!!!! I wasn’t too excited.

We hadn’t seen them for about a year and a half and I really missed them. What a great surprise. It was great to have my Maryland grandsons and their mother in my house for a couple of days. I had converted the den into a guest bedroom and FINALLY I had the guest I made the room for.

They went back today and got home around 7 this evening. Anne fought the wind all the way down. She said the Jersey Turnpike was closed to cars pulling trailers and motorcycles. Who in their right mind would be riding a motorcycle on a day like today? Wind chills in the single digits. Windsor Locks had a wind gust today of 56 mph.

Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. Now back to normal.

My Christmas Ah-Ha Moment

Peace on Earth to men of good will

These words came to me as I was contemplating my desire to avoid all controversy, especially political. This has been a recurring theme in e-mails received over the last couple of years, especially. I have been guilty of it myself in the past but I will no longer take that path.

Why don’t we have peace on earth? I guess it’s because we don’t have enough men of good will.

Is there any country in the world today that is not engaged in war? If it isn’t war with another country it’s a war with its own people…genocide.

I keep hearing about left wing and right wing and, honestly, I can never keep it straight which is which. But I do know that there is nothing that can fly on just one wing. No bird, no plane, no politician. If only one wing is operating, what is the other one doing? To not help with flight is to crash that which is trying to fly. Does that make sense? To be deliberately debilitating does not speak well for the reluctant wing.

So let’s cut to the chase: why do politicians do this? They have an agenda, which is based on greed and fear of lack. It becomes very personal. Where do their constituents come in? From what I can see, we don’t. Where has honesty and acting for the good of the whole gone?

Now lets talk about a governing body that is referred to as sitting on one side of the aisle or the other. Apparently someone drew a line that is never supposed to be crossed, and when it is all hell breaks lose. No wonder nothing gets done in our states’ and nation’s capitol. Everyone is too damned focused on “What’s In It For Me?”

And in the political process, there are lies about the other “side” from both sides. To the point where someone like me, doesn’t know who to believe any more and so I shut down completely. Is that the way politics is supposed to work?

And when you add in…two senators will not vote for a bill unless their state gets more funding for something than any of the other states and this is called compromise! That’s a bunch of bull. In the final analysis I hope that chunk of pork is withdrawn from the pot. How dare they?

What about me? Was anyone concerned about what I thought when I was still willing to think? Probably not and that’s why I’m the way I am today when it comes to politics and all the horrors going on around the world.

What will it take to get both wings working together?
What will it take to get rid of the aisle?
What will it take for me to stop turning my back on all the bad politics, war, genocide, and all the other horrors going on in the world today?

Enough men of good will to bring about peace on earth.

The “Ben Johnson” Upgrade

Back on Dec. 5th, I gave you the recipe for the Ben Johnson hot sandwich. It is a delicious sandwich, but I thought it could be better.

First I replaced the crusty French bread with Portuguese rolls, because I have a hard time chewing crusty breads. That goes for bagels, too. I slice the rolls in half lengthwise and use only one half for my meal...so I get two meals per roll.

Then I increased the amount of deli turkey. I still use 2 slices, but I have it cut a little thicker. You can play with that according to your taste.

I also increased the Swiss cheese to three slices.

But, the biggest upgrade of all is the addition of cooked bacon between the turkey and the cheese.

I cook the bacon in the microwave (3 min. on high) then break each slice in half and lay on top of the turkey before placing the cheese on top.

I have also started putting the half roll in the toaster oven as it heats up to 350°. (I don’t broil it any more.) This starts warming up the roll before the French dressing goes on.

So there it is in recipe form:
Start heating toaster oven to 350°
Put 3 slices of bacon in microwave to cook
Slice Portuguese roll in half, lengthwise and place in oven
When roll is warm, spread with French dressing
Put slices of turkey on warmed roll
Put slices of bacon on turkey
Put Swiss cheese on top of bacon
Put into toaster oven for 6 minutes at 350°
Enjoy

The method and ingredients leave a lot of room for experimentation. It’s the type of open faced sandwich that you can cut into 1” wide pieces and serve as finger food. Be sure to make enough!

This Year's Christmas Tree

My Weighty Problem

I started working out (at home) on December 2nd. The first two weeks I was able to work out only two days each…this body just was not recovering fast enough. This past week I was able to work out three days. So, it’s been a total of 7 workouts.

Progress report
I have lost 1.2 lbs
Reduced my waist by ½ inch
Hips stayed the same

The fact that I have seen positive results (though small) in only 3 weeks will keep me going. It may be a while before the weather will be conducive to walking on “off” days, but I will add walking to the regimen.

I look forward to spring when I can dust off my bike and start riding again. By that time I’ll be in my new home…wherever that will be!

Diet?
No. I eat as I always have (in recent years) which is sensible and balanced. I’ve never been one to keep junk food in the house so my snacks are apples and bananas until next summer when peaches will replace apples.

The Blizzard Is Coming! The Blizzard Is Coming!

That’s all we heard for days. Meteorologists from Atlanta to Augusta (and beyond) were warning us of the possible snow depths to come, accompanied by high winds, and the likelihood that the shopping Super Saturday would be a big bust.

Yesterday was “D” Day (D for dumped on). The snow started over Connecticut around noon. And I mean “over”. It was snowing in the upper atmosphere but the air was so dry, it couldn’t make it to the ground. I was ready…fridge and cupboards stocked. The snow started at 10:30 p.m. I wondered if the delay in “touch down” would greatly affect the total snowfall.

When I awoke this morning it was sort of a disappointment to see only 4” of the white stuff on the ground. I guess the delay did affect the totals.

I got out there with Big Red and blew the snow away in no time. It was very light and fluffy. Then I shoveled off the deck and headed for the hot chocolate and a hot shower.

I lookout out around 4:45 this afternoon and the southwest horizon was glowing red like hot coals in the fireplace. I predict tomorrow will be spectacular!