4/29/04 garage sale-ing

Thursday, April 29, 2004

garage sale-ing

" target=_top>Here we are on a early thursday morning, and just what I'm wanting, another weekend of garage sales! I do thank God that I'm not out there selling the stuff ... what is it that makes some person come up to you with a still new, in the sealed box coffee maker that is marked 5.00 and ask "will you take 2.50?" My response: No I won't take 2.50. I would rather donate it to Goodwill than give it to you for 2.50. Talk to the hand! MNL

I hate garage sales, I don't like to go to them, and I don't like to have them. The way I look at it, if you have it marked at a certain price then that is what you want for it. Unless something is so overpriced that it is outright laughable, I wouldn't dream of asking for a lower price. My niece has a wedding dress out there from a previous marriage, I think she needs to do what that guy did on e-bay, I can't believe how much he ended up with for his dress! If you haven't seen it yet (what rock are you living under?), click on the e-bay and check it out. Looking out the window as I type this, business is brisk so far. Family promises that this is the end of it all, and come Sunday, it will all be hauled to local shelters and charities. Then some serious cleaning of the garage will take place, sure I believe that one.

S will be 85 tomorrow, I plan on taking her a shrimp dinner and a few personal items. She is not wanting any fuss, so will honor her wishes. She is doing well so far, having a harder time with the vision than in recent past. Always when I leave her I ask if there is anything I can bring her when I come back, her reply is 2 good eyes and legs.

If only I had that power...

lab2401 at 10:07:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own) Hi: Just found you again. The way I got around garage sale prices is to ask a little more then I wanted then they can talk your price down and feel like they got a bargain. They seem to need that feeling. Paula
Comment from plieck30 - 4/29/04 11:36 PM

4/25/04 oddly enough

Sunday, April 25, 2004

oddly enough

The family stayed home today, no garage sale! It is still far from over, but at least they are promising only one more week. Plans are for Thursday, Friday and Saturday this next week. Then the promise is for everyone to get with me and help me clean the garage out, top to bottom ... hope they mean this one! I haven't been by to see S this weekend at all. Saw her on Friday, and plan to see her tomorrow. I haven't heard anything, so am assuming she has done well. The latest thing is her thyroid is way out of whack, and the attending phys wants to send her to an endocrinologist. S doesn't really want to do this, as this is how her problems began in the first place. We discussed it and will do whatever they think needs to be done. They have upped her thyroid in the meantime, and that should help her out.

I've been a little on edge for the past few days. Not exactly sure of what is going on. Bob has been in my thoughts so much more than normal. I know that his birthday is coming up on the 8th of May, but I don't normally get this uptight this soon. There have been some strange things happening around the house, like ... some books falling off a built in cabinet in the back bedroom; waking up in the middle of the night with the tv still on, but on a different channel than what I was watching; my out going message on my voice mail starting with out the phone ringing; a slight smell of cigarette smoke when I am sitting at the computer or watching tv. I am not a believer in ghosts, but I do believe that I want to feel Bob's presence so strongly that these things happen to give me that sense of connection. I haven't had any vivid dreams recently, at least none that I can remember. I have had dreams/visits in the past where I was with Bob, and could feel his presence even when I woke. I haven't had one of those in more than a year now. It is so strange how the mind can play tricks on you at times. Things are not always what they seem. [this little stickman cartoon only plays twice. To reset it, use your refresh button]

Well, I need to get this closed and go to bed. I hope that I dream tonight. I will keep the tv off, and go to sleep to some music. Sometimes that helps to soothe the spirit.

lab2401 at 11:06:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 3 comments: (Add your own)

Have you seen that show "Crossing Over"? I believe it.

My mom's b-day is also May 8th. I'll think of you.
Comment from ckays1967 - 4/28/04 9:16 PM

love that little animation! (stolen! zap! thanks!) love, love your haiku--they are always lovely.
hope your dreams were sweet, if not vivid!

hugs,
hai'leigh
Comment from merelyp - 4/27/04 10:39 AM

I am not convinced that it is all about the mind playing tricks on us...I believe they have a way of letting us know when they visit. Spirit is energy...
Comment from gbgoglo - 4/26/04 12:51 AM

4/21/04 drumming fingers

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

drumming fingers

I am sitting here waiting for the computer repairman to get here. Don't you just love it, when they give you such a vague time frame of: sometime after 1 pm, and before 4:30 pm. Makes the whole day a waste, as I can't make definite plans for the afternoon.

I got this comic out of an old recipe box that my mom brought over today. Thought is was cute and wanted to share it. It is out of a newspaper dated October, 1966. It's hard to imagine that back in 1966 this was our concept of what computer life would be like. Here we are in 2004, some 38 years later and we operate from something as small as a credit card and can comunicate with someone in a blink of an eye. Repair man arrived at 2:15, and 10 mins later he was out the door. Had to replace one of my CD drives, as it had quit working.

I had stopped this entry whe the computer was being repaired. Decided to get back to it tonight. Went to see S this afternoon after the repair man left. She is doing really well the past week. I took her a fish sandwich from Micky D's with a vanilla shake. She ate every last morsel of it. S is calm, collected and together tonight. Such a nice visit. Her hand is healing slowly, not as black and blue, and less swelling. She is also able to open and close her fingers better with less pain. The doctors office never got back to me with an appointment, but I'm not too concerned really, knowing that there is nothing that they would do for it anyway. She and I got to talking about her past, and she had some hard times and crying spells, which she hates. I stressed to her how important it is to get those tears out to the surface. S is questioning her beliefs and her own mortality since becoming so ill. She was apparently raised without a sense of a higher power or God, and feels that her time here on this earth is limited. She fears the nothingness of death, not having faith to lean on. Yet she related a story of her brothers passing that should end her fears. She stated that she was with her brother when he drew his last breath, and just moments before he died, he said "Oh my God, dad, isn't it beautiful?" She asked me, do you think he was in my dads presence? My answer, of course he was...in the presence of his Father, and his dad.

lab2401 at 11:36:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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Well said, though I still cling to Agnosticism... maybe not for long.
Comment from haikulike - 4/22/04 8:02 PM

4/19/04 a step in the right direction

Monday, April 19, 2004

a step in the right direction

There is now slightly more room in my garage this morning. The garage sale went off Saturday and Sunday as scheduled?, so says my niece D. First off, I thought this thing was scheduled before Christmas last year, at least that was the plan when they started loading up the extra bay in the garage just before Thanksgiving. But, I can't complain I guess. They did clear out just enough stuff to make a dent ... and judging by the stuff that is left, there should only be about 4 more weekends involved!

D, C and the kids stayed over on Saturday night, as there was no sense going home. They had brought their 2 dogs with them, so decided it would be easier to get an earlier start if they were already here. Thus, I ended up having a sleep over with two of my sweetie pies. I have a crib set up in one bedroom, so M was there, and mommy and daddy slept in the other bed in that room. And CJ slept with me. (My other bedroom is a catch all, and the only way you can sleep in there is if you can clear a path.)

CJ is a good bed partner, doesn't hog the bed or the covers, only a foot in the back once or twice, and boy, what a neat way to wake up in the early morning hours ... and I mean the REALLY early morning hours. To set the scene, I didn't get my shower and into bed myself until after 2am on Sunday morning. At 6 or somewhere around there later that morning (needless to say it was hard to focus on the clock), I hear this little voice beside me saying...

CJ: Auntie Lyn? Auntie Lyn the sun is almost coming up! Won't be long now, will it?
Me: No it wont CJ, be quiet, we don't want to wake M or your mom and dad.
CJ: I didn't know we was spending the night. Is my mom and dad here?
Me: Yes, they're in M's room sleeping, shhhhh! now be quiet.
CJ: ok, is Bikini and Ero here? we will rest here until the sun is up, OK?
Me: yes, Bikini and Ero are here too, they're outside sleeping in the garage. Now be quiet and don't wake anybody up.

About a minute later I hear a little giggle and snort from my bed partner.

Me: what are you laughing at?
CJ: Kelly just licked me. (as I listen to Kelly's tail thumping on the bed)
Me: in my most convincing whispered voice, Kelly, go back to bed...NOW!
CJ: giggling , she loves me Auntie Lyn,
Me: shhhhhh! We don't want to wake the others up.

Up he pops and looks out the window. All excited now he says...look Auntie Lyn, see that yellow line over there. That's the sun, its here now so we can get up. Will you go out and watch me jump?

As I roll my eyes and shake my head trying to clear it for the day I roll out of bed. But what a way to start a day.

lab2401 at 9:31:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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4/18/04 25 little known facts

Sunday, April 18, 2004

25 little known facts

I was sent a link to J. Scalzi's homework asingment today and thought I would give it a shot. 25 little known facts about me, one of which no one living has any idea about.

1) I have had gray hair since I was in my early 30's, and now am almost all silver on top (at 53?). I don't even bother to color my hair any longer, as there is just too much gray!

2) I been working as a physical therapist for 31 years this August, except for 9 months when Bob and I owned and operated our pizza/sandwich shop and was just getting it started. Even then I did some work as a PT for fill in at a private practice and weekend coverage at a nursing home.

3) I still love my job, and almost feel lost when I have too much time off.

4) I am one of two daughters, the baby by 6 years. My sister was not very pleased to have me come along, she was very jealous of me, and we didn't become close until she married and moved out of the house.

5) I was painfully shy as a child, and used the technique of making fun of myself first as a way of laughing at myself before others would have a chance to.

6) I married my best friend, and with his death, mourned that loss of friendship as much as losing my lover and husband.

7) I have a hard time making friends, but I have many aquaintances. Many of those aquaintances would say that they are my very dear friends.

8) I used to babysit for a family near my home from the age of 13 until 18. The father exposed himself to me once by asking me to bring him a towel and he was standing at the bedroom door naked. It didn't take me long to catch on, and the next time he called for me to come to the back of the house I sent one of his daughters instead. He quit needless to say.

9) I don't confide much of my inner thoughts or feelings to others. I tend to listen more than speak.

10) When Bob died I couldn't stand to be touched by anyone. My mom tried to put her arms around me as I was being told that he was gone, but I couldn't stand the weight of her arms. Now, I can't get enough hugs from the grand nieces and nephews.

11) I used to love to read, but haven't really done any serious reading in years. I hate self help books, someone elses opinion of what they think is best. My life experiences are my lessons in how to treat others and in turn be treated.

12) I love to drive, anywhere, most anytime.

13) I hate to clean house, and usually do just what is needed when it is needed. Dust bunnies are another form of wildlife in my home, they are nurtured and cared for carefully.

14) I love the color green, and the number 3.

15) My favorite time of year is early spring, and then fall.

16) My fantasy home is a place on the ocean off the coast of Maine.

17) I just got my house paid for this past year, and now the things that need fixin are rearing their ugly little heads.

18) I live with Kelly (golden retriever) and Serena (long hair black and white domestic cat).

19) My first dog was a black cocker spaniel (he was actually my sisters dog, but I thought he was mine, so that must count for something).

20) I love most any kind of music, and prefer light comedies to heavy movies.

21) When I was younger, I used to eat mustard on my scrambled eggs.

22) I seldom dream, and if I do, I don't remember them.

23) I still enjoy getting a meal together, but most of the time don't bother. Too easy to get the junk food.

24) I am finding my way spiritually, day by day. I am really pleased with my progress.

25) All in all, I think I'm doing pretty well. I sing my lullaby which gives me comfort, and know that I have come a long way.

lab2401 at 1:17:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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We have a Gsd/rottie mix named,Sasha,4 birds,some fish and rabbit,named Smudge. Your list was wonderful. http://journals.aol.com/lilrazcal79/ConfessionofanOridinaryMind
Comment from lilrazcal79 - 4/20/04 1:06 PM

#8 Great Job!! Thanks!
Vince
Comment from deabvt - 4/18/04 11:44 AM

I had said if any one figured out the one thing that no one living has ever known, that I would have to shoot them.

Mumsy, do you have any last requests before I give you your last cigarette and a blindfold?
Auntie Lynda
Comment from lab2401 - 4/18/04 10:43 AM

Was it #10?
Comment from haikulike - 4/18/04 10:27 AM

4/17/04

Saturday, April 17, 2004

Well, spent a good part of yesterday trying to make an appointment with an orthopaedist for S. Her hand is better as of last evening. I again instructed the n.home staff in applying ice to the hand. If it takes much longer to get the appointment, there is really no point in taking her. The fracture that showed up is of othe long bone in the palm, for the little finger. Right up where the little finger sprouts off the hand. It is less swollen, but still quite black and blue. She is able to open and close her fingers with less pain. Only problem is she tends to interlace her fingers and that causes pain. S= "ouch, that hurts when I do that" me= "don't do that"

Looks like this garage sale might get started after all. Just had the niece and family drive up. Will close this for now, and get back to the puter later.

lab2401 at 9:10:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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What a simple entry, but so fun to look at and read! thank you for doing the list!
Comment from haikulike - 4/18/04 10:28 AM

4/15/04 this can't be me?

Thursday, April 15, 2004

this can't be me?

Well, got out on the trampoline yesterday ... managed to last about 5 straight mins, and then took a full 20 mins to get my breath. I would say that means I am wickedly out of shape, and it's time to start a life style change. I hate to even think of this, but when you grunt just leaning down to tie your shoes so you can walk back into the house, it's time to make a move.

I didn't make it by to see S last night as I had planned. I had forgotten a meeting at work, and by the time that was done, I had done all the interacting I could muster. A call to the n.home revealed that S had crashed into a wall earlier in the day, no serious injury, but they were going to arrange for a portable x-ray of her hand as it was swollen and bruised. S has her days when she is totally there, and then there are the days when she becomes so nervous and fidgity, can't sit still and becomes easily agitated. She calms down when I get there, but I can't be there all the time. She is beginning to get closer to some of the staff, and is responding to them by getting calmer. She went to the eye doctor last week, there is no vision now in the (L) eye, and very minimal (can't see the big E, but can see things within 12 inches of her face) in the (R) eye. The pressure in the eye is extremely high, and he stressed that the drops must be given every 8 hours to prevent the loss of what little vision she has left in the (R). I relayed the information to the n.home, and can only hope that they are following the instructions.

Garage sale going on this weekend, or so they say. I will believe that one when I see it. The garage has reached the breaking point at this time. My niece, D, brought in even more stuff yesterday, and filled what little room that was left with more baby stuff. Looking at all this you would have thought she had 6 kids, not just 2. This picture was just taken this morning and this is only a portion of the stuff. I barely have room for the car.

Time to close this and think about getting out there to work. A little haiku that I have been playing with for the past 24 hours, thanks so much to Mumsy. I like the short descriptive meanings and messages.

my garage is full
no room at the inn for me...
filled with sweet goodies.

lab2401 at 8:25:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

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a colorful mess
treasures for someone
to pick thru...

I like the short haiku messages...they are fun...I'm trying to get the hang of it.
Love the trampoline...how much for that? LOL. Seriously, I'm looking for a sturdy trampoline one that's sturdy and can hold a lot of weight. Enjoy your weekend!
Comment from gbgoglo - 4/17/04 2:43 AM

4/12/04 this morning, I'm the rabbit

Monday, April 12, 2004

this morning, I'm the rabbit

Like this poor bunny, the basket has taken a bite out of me. The Easter family celebration is done, and this old Auntie is on her last leg ... or least it feels like it! The garage sale did not take place this past weekend as I had thought it was going to. I still cooked the chicken and rice on Saturday thinking that they would all be here for the sale. Then yesterday the gang all landed at Auntie Lyn's because "it's so much fun here", and "the kids have all kinds of room to play". We were missing one family group, my nephew and his wife and 2 daughters. They have all been bit by some sort of stomach bug, and have been sick on and off since last Wed. It started with the baby and has moved up the ranks. My other nephew, his wife and 4 year old son was here, and my niece, her husband and her 4 year old son, and 2 year old daughter were here. Along with that was my sister and brother in law and my mom and dad.

I had my nephew and brother in law go out and pick up a 13 foot trampoline for me. They got it together in the afternoon, and the kids loved it. After everyone left I got on it, and tried to jump, could barely get my feet to leave the canvas. Not an easy thing to do with this 53 yo, way too overweight body, which hurts when it doesn't get enough rest, and hurts when it gets too much rest. How did I get to feeling this old and decrepit?? Hopefully with daily practice, I will loose some of this weight, and get back to being in better shape. Although today is not going to be one of those days. Went to sleep and awoke to rain and thundershowers this morning. Not sure if it is supposed to rain all day or not. As long as it's just rain, we need it, but I don't want the thunder and lightning.

Well, hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go.............

lab2401 at 8:53:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own) Auntie Lyn-- have you got children? Don't ya just love "Watching My Sister Disappear"? Her analogies are the best I've ever seen. You have a cool journal here. I'm going to have to come back and delve deeper.
Comment from haikulike - 4/14/04 10:48 AM

4/10/04 email humor

Saturday, April 10, 2004

email humor

I was running thru my AOL communicator and deleting several thousand emails and ran across this one that said

"How to know if your cat has seen you naked!" with a link to this page. http://www.code16.com/cat/

Hope someone else out there enjoys it as much as me...

lab2401 at 9:42:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own) Yes I did! Hope you'll become a daily visitor to

http://journals.aol.com/haikulike/IllustratedHaikus

because I much enjoyed your haiku there, and your sweet compliment!

I've added a link to your journal under favorite sites (I'm almost at my 50 quota!)

You can also find my 4 other journals linked at the top of "other journals"
Comment from haikulike - 4/14/04 10:45 AM

4/9/04 good friday

Friday, April 9, 2004

good friday

Today is Good Friday, a day of reflection and dedication. It's a good time to take stock of myself and my actions, to reflect on my spirituality.

John 16:31-33
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1John 4:10
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I know that God is where I am,
encircling me in Love.
Today, tomorrow and everyday,
He guards me from above.

lab2401 at 10:40:00 AM EDT Link to this entry

This entry has 1 comments: (Add your own) This is beautiful...the picture and the verse. Welcome back, you've been missed. I was wondering how S and you were doing.
Comment from gbgoglo - 4/16/04 1:55 AM

4/6/04 trying to get in the swing of it again...

Tuesday, April 6, 2004

trying to get in the swing of it again...

It has been so long since I updated my journal. I'm not sure where to I start.

S is doing pretty well, she was back in the hospital since my last entry, was in for 6 days, and it's a wonder we made it out of there. Since getting back to the nursing home, she is doing better mentally, eating soft foods (no longer pureed), and still on the honey thick liquids. She was admitted to the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure, fluid in her lungs. Thank God it wasn't aspiration pneumonia again. The hospital more or less neglected her, kept her tied down hands, feet and chest... kept her on IV's and were trying to feed her a regular diet. They did not appreciate my telling them that the feeding tube was there for a reason. I have left orders that S will never go back to that particular hosp again. This is the same one that had sent her home with an IV line still in her arm, and didn't even let the nursing home know. But, enough of that, she is doing better, in good spirits, and I have made the decision to cut my visits back to 3-4 times a week. Every night was slowly killing me after working all day.

I have been reading the journals, but haven't taken the time on my own, or even to leave comments on others. I have been in that dark dreary hole of self pity, and finally began pulling myself up out of it this weekend. I have so many things that have blessed me, I need to keep them in my mind and let go of the rest.

I am so very blessed to feel God's love and care of me and to recognize that all my blessings come from Him.

I am blessed with a loving family that understands my need to help S and be there for me when I get so low I don't think I can take another step.

I am blessed with having a job that I still enjoy doing even after 30 years, looking forward to getting out there to work.

I am blessed to have my companion pets to cuddle when I need the cuddle, and to listen when I need to rant.

I am blessed to have this journal space to come to and sing my lullaby...

lab2401 at 7:06:00 PM EDT Link to this entry

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You *sound* tired, but solid like you've made the necessary decisions on what you are going to do & the how's. I'm glad to see you posting again.

Comment from aiibrat - 4/8/04 8:59 PM

WHere do you get your graphics from? They are so nice! ~Sara
Comment from crystalviolet5 - 4/7/04 4:53 PM