Frannie and the Snow!

After some wonderful, wonderful warm days last week (60 degrees plus) -- we are now back to more normal winter weather -- snow and 5 degrees! However, there is almost always a bright side -- having Frannie run around in the snow and wear herself out!

A tired dog is a good dog! I think this dog will be a puppy for many, many years! She hates wearing a sweater -- heck, she hates wearing a collar and putting on a leash for a walk! However, she kind of loved the snow.

Run Frannie Run -- her ears are flying behind her -- not sure how Maddie got this photo -- probably had a cookie (treat) for her.

Hope your December is going well. Are you like me and breathing a little sign of relief that the election is over and the vaccine is being distributed. Next year -- all good things coming up - right!!

Friday Memories - Mom Fails

Hello Friends -- it's time once again for another installment of my "Here's What I've Been Thinking About" series - this one about Mom Fails! For your viewing enjoyment (and mine) - here are some photos that are from this same time of year (Thanksgiving) from 2008 on to 2014 (i think). Photos have nothing to do with text -- I know, I'm weird that way.

1. Killing the stinking gecko . . . by accident! My sons had the stinkiest gecko when they were growing up that somehow fell to me for care for most of the time. I did draw the line at hand feeding it live crickets, so they did that, but the yucky crickets lived in the refrigerator next to the milk. GROSS! One bright, sunny warm spring day, I figured the gecko would LOVE to be outside in the sun. After all, I had to buy a warm rock for it to sit on in the house, so a bright sunny day sounded perfect. So, I put it on a little table on a deck in its glass container. The deck was black and I suppose reflected the sun back up into its glass home. Guess what was a crispy critter when we got home from work!! Yep -- that disgusting gecko! It looked worse than an extra crispy burned piece of bacon. Bye bye stinky gecko. Truly was an accidental killing as I figured that geckos like the heat in Arizona, why wouldn't it enjoy it on my porch in a glass container on a black deck???

2. Fireworks! Aren't there always fireworks incidents/accidents with kids? Who could forget the time that I allowed them to have some fireworks when I was at work. Who knew they would chase each other around with a lit punk and a paper bag full of fireworks with 2 neighbor boys?? You can guess where this is going, can't you? Of course, the punk lit something in the bag and loads of fireworks exploded in advance of July 4th - burning a hole through a table umbrella AND a huge burn mark on the patio table! I dreaded the 4th of July for many reasons after that year!

3. Magnifying Glass Incident. So proud the year one of the instructors at the tennis shack called me and Rickster over to say the boys had started a fire! WHAT??? Well, they were doing an experiment to see if using a magnifying glass with the sun focused on old dead leaves would result in a fire -- yep it did. It was quickly put out - but my face stayed red for a long time!

4. Sending kid to doctor on his own. You know how there is so much talk now about adulting and having your kids learn to be adults and do things on their own??? Guess I started early as my oldest was probably 12 or 13. We did not live far from the doctor's office and I had to work. I instructed him to ride his bicycle and go on his own and show them the rash on his legs. I figured they'd give him some lotion or creme and that would be it. Nope -- they got some needles out, dug in and cut into the abrasions on his legs! Who knew?? He rode home for the doc with his legs bleeding. BAD mom!

5. Ear Issues. Another one for the oldest. He had loads of ear infections and problems with his ears when he was young. After finally feeling like his ears were in good shape, I didn't want him getting a lot of water in them when he was swimming one summer. Every time he went swimming, I'd put some drying drops in each ear. Lo and behold, he complained his ears hurt. Took him to the pediatrician who said --"I don't know what's going on, but his eardrums are so dry, they are about to burst!!!!!!!!!" Oooops! Oh dear -- another fail! I threw those drying drops away and never admitted they might have contributed to the dry eardrums . . . until now!

FYI - That's my little sister Amy in that photo with a couple of her coworkers. We both went to parties that weekend (hers in Florida; mine in Nebraska) and I think she may have had more fun then me! :) Wasn't that a fun trip down memory lane? :) Have a good weekend!

It's Election Day - Let's Focus on Something Else!

Oh my word - are you like me and so ready for the election to be done and over with??? Yes! I'm not sure it will be over with after tomorrow, but I hope the constant focus will shift. Let's relax, breathe in and take in the beauty around us - isn't this flower gorgeous!

Just in case you need something else to look at and read about -- I've been wanting to tell you about Maddie's photography. She took up photography a few years ago after she got a little weary of me taking her pictures! So, she's been taking some friend photos, some senior photos, engagement photos and family photos! The family ones are probably the trickiest as there are so many people to focus on, have looking at the camera and eyes open. I, myself, have irritated photographers over the years with closing my eyes when everyone else looks perfect. This was a favorite photo shoot of Maddie's during the summer with Kamree and horse Tommy! Oh my word -- aren't they so pretty together!

One of Maddie's very good friends, Mia, never takes a bad picture. That girl is so pretty and SO sweet! I wish the pandemic was over and would allow the girls to get together more. They both are going to Southeast Community College, but in different classes, so don't see each other much. The college experience with the pandemic is a bit sad if you ask me. No sock hops (I kind of doubt there were sock hops anyway), but no get-togethers like bonfires, hayrack rides, etc. It's a different time. But let's think positive and get through this together. As my son says, we can do hard things!

Taking photos is not as easy as it looks. And she works so hard at editing and making the photos and the people in them look so good. She's also enjoyed taking photos of blooming trees and flowers. At first, she pooh-poohed my suggestion at flowers, but then later decided she liked those too. And flowers are not required to smile or keep eyes open! Anywho, I wanted to show you a few she's taken this year. My good friend's daughter was in town from Denver and asked Maddie to do some engagement photos! It was a very hot day, but they turned out sooooooo good. Best wishes to the happy couple who rescheduled their wedding from June 2020 to June 2021. Isn't she so beautiful! He looks good too, of course, but she is stunning!

The Big Red Jeep Had a Big Red Wreck

Oh no -- the big red jeep had a bit of a wreck recently! No one was injured and no one was even in the jeep. Some lowlife creep hit the front end of the jeep when it was in a parking lot -- somewhere. I didn't notice it at first! I took it in for some brake work and asked the mechanic about it and he said -- "hey lady -- it was hit - probably by some big truck or something!" Poor, poor jeep! The front grill and passenger side front light were all broken and something inside too - obviously, I have a lot of knowledge about vehicles! :)

Luckily, I still have my collision insurance for it and insurance did agree that it could be repaired and I could just pay the $1,000 deductible. So, it now feels like a new Big Red Jeep -- well, new with almost 125,000 miles. It's a 2005 and I've had it since 2005, though I didn't buy it new. I'm not sure why Jeep discontinued the Liberty style as I think it is the best looking jeep they've ever had and it is the best vehicle we've had for driving in the snow. I'm now being very careful where I park! Last week I even took a photo of a big truck that was near the jeep just in case!! Here it is . . . the new and improved Big Red Jeep!

Riding With the Top Down

 

Riding with the Top Down

Mr. Tennis a/k/a the Rickster has a convertible!  

Yes, he bought it a number of years ago without consulting me -- generally his MO when buying vehicles.  

One year, he and two salesmen showed up at the house -- he had bought an old used pickup and needed to get a check!!  Yes, I was surprised! I didn't know he was in the market for a small pickup! 

 It was a great little pickup and everyone in our neighborhood borrowed it to get mulch for their yard each spring.  

Sadly, most who borrowed it brought it back with the gas tank empty. 

One neighbor even told him when he brought it back that it needed gas!  

Hey, thanks dude and you're welcome!  :0 

Walt (age 9) and Rickster

Anyway, I digress - back to the convertible.  

As you might guess, it has a limited season of use and it's 2020 time is nearly up as the temps get cooler. 

 So, he decided to take each of the Little Grands for outings the last two weekends,

 except the baby - she's only 1-1/2.

Jane (now 10) was first and somehow missed the photo op!

Harry (age 7) and Rickster

They had so much fun riding in the convertible with him.  

They each went to some different places including to the zoo, to see a horse and each got lunch or a candy bar!  Those were 4 very successful outings with Poppa and they were only gone for 2 hours.

They are all requesting repeats already.

Dorothy (age 4) and Rickster

  He also gave each one some foreign currency!  

One received Canadian dollars; one got some Filipino cash, one some Chinese Yuan and

 Dorothy got some money from the Bahamas -- 

probably none of it worth more than $1 -- but very, very cool!  

I'm not sure what the next adventures with Poppa will be next time.

Of course, we're now having a warmup in temps so riding

with the top down can continue for a couple more weeks!

Dear Fall 2020 - Things I like About You!

Dear Fall 2020 -   

I thought by now "things" would be different -- better -  but we're not there yet, are we?

However, there are still a number of things to like/love about fall including:

Orange Pumpkins!   

While I kind of love the gnarly ones, I  really like the orange ones too!  

So perfect, so orange, so fallish!

Squirrels!  

Truthfully -- I have a hate/hate relationship with squirrels.  

The squirrels in our hood are doing some damage!  

Our yard probably has 50,000 acorns lying about, even though I sweep the 

sidewalk and street every other day.  Yes, I am that weird lady who sweeps the street.

  A couple years ago, when it was icy, I chopped the ice and attempted to sweep the ice away.  

My neighbors thought I was cray-crazy! ;)

Back to squirrels - the squirrels are throwing acorns at our vehicles - with a lot of force!

  Frannie thinks that maybe someday she'll be able to catch a squirrel - doubtful.  

Until then, she drags acorns to the backyard and munches on them as appetizers! 

 I'm constantly saying - "drop it Frannie -- acorns are not kibble!"

Cooler Temps!  

Who doesn't love the lower humidity and cooler morning temps!

  It's making  me feel so happy and relieved that I don't have to fight my hair and frizz 

quite so much every day.

Sweaters and Throws.  

Going along with those cooler temps means having some throws on the sofa -- 

we love cuddling up and watching some lame tv!  

What about you?

What do you like best about fall?

5 on Friday!

Greetings Al!  

 It's time for 5 ON FRIDAY -
provided on Thursday for your reading enjoyment!

 5 things I've been thinking about lately and may or may not interest you.

1.  New Senior Photos.  I thought I really liked Maddie's senior photos from last summer -- until we did a "redo" of  senior photos that I'm calling - Part 2 - the Graduate. The new ones really look more like her and capture her beautiful smile and spirit, so I'm including a few spread through this post!  Maddie had a change in plans and is attending our local community college now. 

2.  Traffic Around Here Lately.   I think I got used to very little traffic during the big shutdown.  You know,  I've always been a bit of a nervous driver, but now I find myself going out of my way to avoid making left-turns at certain intersections!  

Yes, it's true -- I'm that little old lady who goes slow and stops at yellow lights. 

 Hey people behind me - - deal with it!

3.  The Littles.  Oh my goodness, the littles are getting so big!  Jane is 10!!  

What the heck??  The baby, Gloria, is 1-1/2 and I believe she inherited my curly hair.
Well, both her mom and dad  have kinda curly hair too,
but let's say it's from me.

 Of course, it looks adorable on her. 

4.  Flamingo.  Have you heard of that Flamingo product for self-waxing???  

I bought some ages ago (before the pandemic) and  was afraid to use it. 

 Don't be afraid if you have some too and haven't tried it. 

 It doesn't hurt and it also doesn't do a very good job.  

Note to self - make real waxing appointment soon!

5.  The New Blogger.  What the heck is going on with Blogger?  

Makes me sad that it is tricky to do blog posts.  

Thanks to Laurie L for pointing out how to "Revert to Legacy Blogger" but it appears

 that  we will continue to have to revert until they take the legacy blogger away entirely.  

Happy Friday Friends!!

Happy Birthday to Frannie!

 Little Frannie Doodle had a birthday this month!  She turned 1 on August 8!   

Now that she's 1, I'm sure all those naughty puppy behaviors will be a thing of the past, right!??? 

 Let's hope so.  Fingers crossed!

Her birthday look!

Like most pups, she has her good days and her extremely naughty days.  Perhaps turning 1 has freaked her out a little and she is determined to remind us that she need and WANTS more attention!

Recently, she tore into a couch cushion from the sofa that is "hers."  Guess since she is allowed on it, she figured she could tear into it.  I did not appreciate all that stuffing on the floor.  Why, oh why, did she think she could eat the stuffing!  One thing I've gotten past is my disgust at having to dig things out of her mouth! 

Just the other day, she decided Rickster wasn't paying enough attention to her.  He is her favorite, by the way!  Frannie has already chewed up a number of pairs of reading glasses.  She crossed the line the other day when she found and starting chewing his new prescription glasses!  She popped out a lens and chewed the frame.  He immediately forgave her and said it was his fault!  What?  Who is he?  Do I even know him??   He took the glasses back to Lenscrafters hoping they could help him.  It was 12 days beyond the one-month timeline - but yay for Lenscrafters, they said they'd take care of it and sent the glasses in for repair!

Maddie and I recently enrolled her in another training class.  First class she was the number 1 student!  Guess we gave her too many treats though as she barfed those up for all to see.  Ewww!  I'm not sure how she'll ever learn to not jump on people.  Go figure - we've learned - Doodles jump and bark!

Her very best attribute is her ability to put herself to bed in the evening.  Every night between 8 and 8:30 pm, she runs into her kennel for bedtime!  

She's gets a few Bacon Bits and sleeps through the night til 7:30.  Good dog! 

We do love her to pieces and take her on lots of walks.  She loves the walk, but hates her leash on-- not sure how we can fix that as we have to chase her around the house to grab her and buckle on the leash.  Any suggestions?

Photo from last fall when she was agreeable to wearing sweaters!

Even though she's getting big, we are still planning on having her wear her turtlenecks for winter -- though we will definitely have to buy a bigger size.

Happy Birthday to Frannie Doodle!

Graduation . . . Finally!

Well, Finally!

It was time for Maddie's graduation from high school!

Only a little more than two months later than originally scheduled.

We were happy that a graduation could and did happen!

It was held at the Pinnacle Bank Arena so that there was plenty

of space for social distancing.  

Of course, we all wore masks.

Maddie and her brothers, Philip and Connor after graduation!

It was really a special celebration of the 2020 Senior Class of

Pius X High School.  

What a crazy, hectic, stressful final semester it was for these amazing students!

Maddie and her friend Hannah.

                        

Oh look -- I got in a photo!  

Hmmm - need higher heels as I am the shortest there!

Catherine and the Littles stayed home because tickets were restricted and

 seating was limited and it was naptime!

We celebrated with them later in the day!

In other news, in a couple weeks, Maddie is starting college at

our community college.  

Exciting things ahead for my girl! 

Another Twin Blast from the Past!

My twin found this news clipping a few months ago and posted it on FB

so I thought you all might enjoy it too!

I know I loved seeing us so young and in the school stairway.

How many times did we go up and down those stairs from 

kindergarten through 8th grade? A lot!

Look at how many sets of twins there were that

year at St. Cecilia's.

Can you find me and Judy?

I remember how much I loved that dress -

it was pink and white!

I just noticed my name was listed first - probably alphabetical!

Otherwise, since Judy was born first, 

we were always referred to as Judy and Janet.

Every single year, the birthday cake said . . . 

HB Judy and Janet!  :)

Did You Know???

Hello Friends!

We are not doing a whole lot or going many places

due to the pandemic and for that reason, I haven't had a whole lot to post about.

Guess it's been a pandemic-influenced blogger's block.

Since I hate a post without photos, I'm putting in a random one.

So, how about some little tidbits of info about me?

Judy and I having a laugh at Tom's expense!

Did you know that I helped my brother deliver Sunday

newspapers when I was a little girl?
Yes - I did!  We got up at 4 AM and my Dad drove us 

to the newspaper joint where Tom put together the Sunday papers.

Then, my Dad drove us along Tom's route and we'd run the

papers to the doors. 

Tom amassed a small fortune from his paper-route!

He paid me Fifty Cents (yes $0.50) to help him.

If it was really cold out, he increased my pay to $0.75 or even $1.00!

He made the decision if it was cold enough for an increase

in wages.

. . . 

It was never cold enough! 

I may have already mentioned this one -- I won a bicycle-safety-riding

contest when I was 8.  I came in second the first year I competed

and then won first prize (an awesome trophy) the next year.

We headed to get ice cream to celebrate.  

Tom climbed over the front seat to the back, 

kicking my trophy and breaking the bicycle right off the top.

Many tears ensued.

It was a huge trophy and my claim to fame!

One day, Tom and my twin sister were in a battle over
something important, I'm sure!

My twin hid under the bed.

Tom figured that's where she was and he jumped on the bed.

It broke -  falling on top of her

and breaking her nose!
My parents were not home.  They were not pleased.

Tom allowed us to go with him to an outside ice-skating rink one time.

We walked (yes, we did) and it was about a mile from home.

I couldn't get my shoes back on after skating, so walked 

home in my socks.  Ouch - I swear a couple toes froze!

And that is why I'm not a huge fan of outdoor winter sports.

One year, I got a Jack-in-the-Box for Christmas.

Tom took it! 

 The photos from that Christmas are

hilarious! 

He's gleefully playing with my Jack-in-the-Box and I'm

sitting there looking very, very sad.

Why, oh why, didn't I punch him and get it back??

 When Maddie was just a little girl, I'd tell her

stories at bedtime of my growing-up years.

She always wanted to hear more about Naughty Tom!

Stay tuned for more installments!

Happy July, Happy Weekend, Happy Independence Day!

Are you all ready for some fireworks??

Bee Balm or Bee Bomb? 
Whatever -- it always blooms around the 4th of July
and reminds me of firecrackers!

The 4th of July weekend has scared me for 

a very long time!

When my sons were young, they were always blowing up

something! 

Every single year, I worried it would be some body part!
Lucked out and all fingers and toes remained intact.

They did start a smallish fire with some

fireworks exploding and torching a table umbrella and

leaving a burn mark on the table one year!

Recycled photo from July 2011!

We've been having super hot and humid weather

in Nebraska and that is a little unusual for so early.

I'm just happy that it's not snowing!

However, you know how I am about my hair!

The humidity is doing a number on it

and I have a frizzy crown of hair when

I get home from my morning walks! 

OY!  Thank God for flatirons!

From 2017!

We're not sure how our puppy Frannie will do with the 

4th of July noise.  So far, it hasn't bothered her.

No worries, I have doggie tranquilizers on hand just in case.

Hmmm - I wonder how those work on humans!!!

Kidding . . . maybe?!?!

From 2013 - maybe?

Hope you all have a safe and Happy 4th
and some yummy S'mores Dip!
These are definitely on my list!

The Grad Walk!

Since the 2020 Graduates 

all had their graduations postponed 

(most likely to late July or August),

our City had a Grad Walk on the 

weekend that the public schools would

have had graduations.

Pius X Colors - Green and Gold

All graduates were invited to wear their caps and gowns and

parade around their neighborhood at  8:20 PM (military time 2020)

so neighbors could hoot and howl and celebrate them

in a totally unexpected way.

Maddie and Mia

Does that sound a little corny?

I believe our Mayor came up with the idea because her

daughter was graduating from high school.

The Mayor got all choked up and teary when she announced

the 2020 Grad Walk!

It was SO. MUCH. FUN!

I got balloons and noise-makers.  Maddie's friend, Mia,

came over to join our block.  There were about 4 other graduates

on Stratford Avenue and it was a blast to see them 

being cheered by all the neighbors!

Maddie and our neighbor, Harrison

Thanks Mayor - that was much

appreciated!

She definitely gets my vote when she runs again! :)

This and That and Whatever

Hello Friends!

Oh my word -- how did it get to be the end of May already?

Sorry to be sooooo slow to update.

Happy to report Mr. Tennis is recovering well from his ailments 

and hospital stay.

Online learning during this covid time

of life and final semester of senior year has been challenging
to put it mildly.
Imagine your final high school semester and all the fun stuff
cancelled all of a sudden!
Meanwhile, teachers loaded on the homework assignments!
Not fun!
But, Maddie focused and finished strong even
with the challenges of at-home learning.
One of the hardest parts (besides the excessive classwork)
was not being able to see classmates and friends.



She really enjoyed the TCA learning which involved half-days at her
home high school (Pius X) and half days at the
community college. She would highly recommend that to any
students who have the opportunity.  Great chance to get out of your
home high school and expand horizons and learning!
Graduation is currently scheduled for early August.
We wish they would have it sooner - like in the football field?
That would allow for ample social distancing!

Our city had a fun neighborhood grad walk last weekend
and I will tell you about that next!

Oh . .. and our pup Frannie has been growing fast!
More about her later too!

A Perfect Storm of a Week!

Hello dear friends!

Hope you are all doing well and healthy during 

this incredibly difficult time.

So  many things came together last week to make it a "perfect storm" when
 a rare combination of circumstances joined together and resulted in a semi-disaster,
 and caused lots of worry, stress and aggravation.
It was a week to remember . . . or maybe someday forget?

Last Friday evening, April 24, Mr. Tennis

a/k/a The Rickster collapsed at the barn where 

he was taking care of his horse.

Luckily, there were others nearby who were 

able to call 911.  He was whisked off to the hospital 

where I met the doctors caring for him in the ER.

He was admitted, sedated and intubated while they tried to determine
what the heck happened???

No, he did not have Corona virus and was tested for

every other potential medical event known.

Without going in to too much medical detail, turns out

that his electrolytes bottomed out and crashed impacted by his Crohn's disease

and other auto-immune ailments.  He was one very sick guy.

So happy to report that he is getting better everyday and

is now doing rehab to gain his strength back.

In addition, since there are covid restrictions in place, we have not seen

him since April 24th - - no visitors at all. 
We are able to talk to him on the 

telephone and he sounds good!  He's working hard 

at rehab and we hope he will be home in the coming days.
Maybe even today!

It was a bit of deja vu all over again from 22 years ago
in April when he had a sudden heart attack!  That was a Friday night spent
waiting in the ER then too.

In other news, Maddie's second semester of senior year

has resulted in more homework than during regularly held classes.

 More stress! And now finals are approaching.  UGH.

Let the seniors go already! :)

And our stinker puppy Frannie has found a space to get out of the backyard

fence and visit the neighbors and their three little boys!

Trying to figure out how to barricade that area.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed around here.
Yep - a perfect storm!

Good thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Looking forward to a better week.

xoxo