New Year's Eve

Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve! REMEMBER FRIENDS DO NOT LET FRIENDS DRIVE DRUNK! DESIGNATE A DRIVER BEFORE THE PARTY STARTS! BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF ... AND YOUR PARTNER! HERE'S TO A WONDERFUL 2008!

Is this what you see now ...

... that the buying is over?

Or did you have the sense and the will power to refrain from over spending? I hope so. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we sometimes forget the true meaning of the Day.

Tax time is right around the corner. Are you ready? The I.R.S. is ready to help.

College age children ... FAFSA ... needs your attention.

Tired of turkey? Rachel Ray can help!

Just thought these tips/reminders might help.  :)

Y'all come back, ya' hear!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Toothaches are a pain in the ...

Well, from the title I am sure you guessed it ... tooth number 18 lost a crown and had to be pulled last Wednesday. It hurt. It still hurts. I am one of the lucky people with TMJ problems. I have had surgery twice, braces to correct bite, crowns to keep correct bite and hours of physical therapy to help with the pain associated with TMJ problems. I have been pain free for a while, until a gall bladder operation when being put to sleep did not work, stretched the joint  and bamm,  TMJ problems again. The first problems occurred in the late 80's, my oral surgeon does not want to go in again, the joint is to fragile. I guess ibuprofen will be my friend from now on! At least it helps with the pain and when I have an extra $1000 burning holes in my purse I will have a new splint made to wear to ease the stress on the joint. This is not what I wanted for Christmas! However, I am so grateful to have it out! In fact, I am so glad, this post is also on livingrural. On this Christmas Eve, may you be warm, safe, full of good food, and remembering the true meaning of Christmas ... the birth of a baby in a manger 2000 years ago. Merry Christmas! [tags]tooth, dentist, TMJ, pain, bite splints, Christmas, baby Jesus, gift of Christmas[/tags]

WINTER BREAK!

Finally! 

My readers(you) know I'm back in college at AIU Online working on a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration, this session ended Saturday, and the Christmas break officially started today - Hallelujah! Of course, I woke up wondering which paper was due today! It is true, habits are hard to break. The three weeks off will give time to regroup, enjoy family and have a Merry Christmas.

My youngest flies in tomorrow for the holidays. I am stoked! September 5th was last hug from her, I am really overdue. I hope she is, too! Of course, she loves the snow - we are not having any for Christmas. I cannot furnish everything ...

Hubby went to watch nature this afternoon (translates to - deer hunting), he did not see anything but tracks, wild hog tracks ... not what a hunter wants with his deer. oh, one thing I forgot to share with you about nature ... about a week ago, I looked out the door ... and a flock of wild turkey was strolling across my driveway! They took their time, turning and watching everything, all shapes and sizes ... it was so NEAT.

Have you realized, less than seven days until Christmas? I have, now. We will be decorating, as time allows, over the rest of the week. The opportunity to be with family is the best part, no special plans, but quality time together.

Dog tired ...

I have heard that expression throughout my life (live in rural SC), but until tonight I did not know what it meant. I know now. I am to tired to dig, sniff, or lick! I am "dog tired"! What was I thinking, or not thinking ... college, NaBloPoMo for two blogs! Mercy me! I am "dog tired"... and there are 22 more days! Thanks for sticking with me. The weekend is in sight and I hope to get some much needed rest ... and inspiration! So until tomorrow, keep smiling! :)

Is the writer's strike affecting you?

There certainly has been some rustling on the Internet! All the blog writer's are talking about it and speculating on how long it will last. The news media is bringing it to the forefront of their broadcasts. But is it really affecting YOU? My opinion is NO. The choices available on most televisions is ummmm ... astronomical ... some have 500 plus channels! The inconvenience will be missing new, current shows of your favorite selections. You know, the ones you will not miss each week, no matter what is going on. TIVO. How did we live without it? A wonderful toy for TV addicts. Yes, I said, "ADDICTS." We are addicted to sitting and watching life through the little or BIG box. This bothers me. I hope it bothers you. We spend to much time watching TV. We need to look for something to ease us away from this activity. I think (again, my opinion) this writer's strike might be a blessing in disguise and it might give us the opportunity to find other things to do. We could read. We could talk to one another. We could visit our neighbor. We could learn something new. We could find a hobby. The list goes on and on, so many possibilities. Let's all use this time to try something different. I hope the writer's strike will be short and that it will end with every one's needs met.

ME!

This is me! This is meeeeeee! We just have to be silly sometime! Come swing with ME everyday, OK?

Good Morning!

For each of you on this glorious Sunday morning. You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you have ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You do not know, but you want to know. Therefore, you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you are not the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. Moreover, what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen. As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky. North. South. East. West. Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy. Twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship follow the final flank of angels. Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy --Holy -- Holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You do not know why you say the words, but you know you must. Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angel’s turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is. Jesus. Through waves of light, you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: "I am the Alpha and the Omega." The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you, is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered matters no more ... for Christ has come. Please let me know the exact time you read this. It is mystical--honest. This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, he saw me, and he asked: My child, what is your greatest wish for today? I responded: "Lord please; take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much." The love of God is like the ocean; you can see its beginnings but not its end. Anonymous from the Web

Algebra ... is it NECCESSARY?

Those of you that read here regularly know that I am back in college at AIUonline. I love everything about being back in school ... except, Algebra! My professor is the best - a wonderful teacher - patient, will give as many examples as we need to understand the equation we are solving. I do understand ... as long as I am in the online classroom with the board in front of me and his voice explaining every step, as he writes the work on the board. When class ends, the screen goes gray and so does my brain ... at least the section responsible for understanding algebra! It is "down to the wire" as they say, all of our assignments are due on Saturday at 11:59:59 PM CT ... guess what, I am a little behind, only 6! So think of me as you enjoy the glorious fall weather we are finally having, as I sit here (inside) typing away while listening to the archived chats. I have faith that I can do this, but pray for me anyway, OK? Another day in my Life after SAHM ...

What is it with HUNTING?

The hunting season started in September, I think. If you asked my hubby, he could tell you to the second of the day it opened. It is the absolute love of his life! Am I jealous? I was. I now realize it is his form of seeking a space to relax, renew, and connect. I am not jealous. How could I be ... look at the photograph; There is no competition; There is peace, tranquility in that photograph. So, will someone explain to me how anyone can actually take the life of such wonderful specimens of nature? I find the relaxation of being in the outdoors and watching these animals to be completely true; however, I still struggle with the next step of watching and waiting for "the KILL". Our freezer is full. We have given meat away. We have taken the deer to others to have it processed for their freezers. Killing for food no longer applies. Has it now become for the JOY of the KILL? This bothers me. Does it bother you? Or are you able to justify the "sport"? Let me know what you think. I find it is pulling me in two different directions at the present time. Help me to figure out ... What is it with HUNTING?

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

Today is the DAY! NaBloPoMo ... National Blog Post Month begins. For those of us participating, this means a commitment to post every day during the month of November. I will be posting here (my personal blog) and here, My 451 PRESS blog. Am I ambitious or what? I heard that ... I am not crazy, yet! Since I wrote, Hubby turned sixty-one (61) and I will be there sooner than I would like to admit! He is happily hunting. He can not seem to get enough of it. It must be a man-thing. He wants to share with me all the wonderful things he sees, hears, hits, misses, tracks, smells ... I try to pay attention. It is hard ... it is all Greek to me! Sitting in a tree, holding a rifle, not moving, listening, watching, being bitten by bugs ... it does not sound like fun to me! My goal is to pay attention more and to be interested in something that means so much to him. This month will be the month I form this new habit, loving the hunter and the hunt! We live in an ideal area for the sport - South, farm, wooded land and lots of tender loving care of "food plots", etc. by "my Man". I will keep you posted on how I do, OK? The sun is up. I have been up all night. Another habit I seem to be acquiring. I have always been an insomniac, but the 'all-nighters' were few. And then I decided to return to college. Yikes, no one told me it would be so hard to do after a forty(40) year absence. Hehehe, every one told me it would be! I have always been a little headstrong. It is hard, time consuming, fun, and the best thing I have done for me in a long time. I love every minute! Yes, I know, I am fifty-seven, and what will I do with a degree? Probably, WORK! We, baby boomers, are living longer and need the knowledge to compete in the job market since we may have to work until seventy or longer. I will be prepared now for whatever my future may hold. That feels good just saying it. Be happy for me and remind me of this post when I complain.

A Busy Week

Wow, one more day until Friday ... this week has flown by! Lots of activity in school, at home, and among family members. For me, AIU, has kept my focus all week. Algebra for a 58 year old is either a joy or a curse ... for me a CURSE! This is week three(3) of a five(5) week course (online college moves quickly), and I am still working on the assignments for week ONE(1) ... this is NOT a good thing. I have a tutor lined up for the weekend - I hope it is not to late. Each course has a group project, also. My Algebra project is due during week four(4). PANIC has set in. Now, Algebra, is not my only course this session; I also have Computer Systems Management. Thank goodness, this is a course I understand. I am doing really well in this one, an A, and current with all assignments. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Child number four is busy working on her thesis for her senior year, taking care of her cat, Rowan, and working part time at Lens-Crafters. Child number two flew today to visit child number four for six days. She has decided to make a career change and is taking advantage of this time to visit her "little" sister. Should be a good time for both. I hope so. Child number three is in nursing school, recovering from thyroid surgery, works part time at the hospital, and celebrated her second wedding anniversary on the 22nd. Child number one is cheering on the Red Sox while running her company B G W E, which can be found h.e.r.e. Of course, Hubby, can be found in the woods hunting deer, enjoying the beauty, and the quiet! He is quite a hunter; I am very proud of him! BTW - Happy Birthday! Like I said; busy, busy, busy. I left time for all of you, though, did I not? Now, I am so glad all my ducks are in a row!

BLOG ACTION DAY ... Yesterday

Yes, for those of you that know me personally - you are not at all surprised that I am late posting this SPECIAL blog. I did write the post on time, forgot to save it! Once again you are not surprised, right? It was a good post, written from my head on information I researched on the web; no notes ... can't remember a word I wrote; however, I do have the URL addresses for the sites I researched. http://www.epa.gov/epanswer/education/pdfs/life-cell,pdf http://phones4life.org/pdfs/ecycle.pdf http://www.parents.com/parents/printableStory.jsp?storyid=/templatedate/parents/story/date/118643446850.xml I hope you will be lead to participate in helping our environment. Remember EVERY day should be spent saving our ENVIRONMENT! Keep smiling!

WTG GAMECOCKS!

My favorite team did it again today ... and on national TV, ESPN on ABC! How COOL is that? Just in case you are on an island in the middle of an ocean and have no idea what the heck I am talking about ... the VERY cool thing they did is WIN another game, against UNC, 21-15 ! It was not on my schedule to post today, but how could I not share the glory of a WIN? I could not. The guys are working extremely hard for each win and improving with every game. If you are a student, former student, alumni, or friend of someone who attended USC, be sure to support our team. Remember to wear their colors on game day - garnet and BLACK. Wave those USC flags, put a "GO GAMECOCKS" decal on your car, your notebooks ... heck, on yourself! ... show those colors! OK, I am through for this week, but seeing how they are playing, look out next week! Love each and every one of you! See ya' soon!

Blogger Buzz

I read this in Blogger Buzz and I thought you might want to participate. Check it out, then let me know if you are going to sign up!

Blogging for the Environment Bloggers Unite- Blog Action Day October 15, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it's important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you're into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, videoblog, or photoblog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible. If you're game for participating, go register your blog with the 7,000+ other blogs (with 5 million readers!) that are already signed up. Also, see the Blog Action Day blog for more on how bloggers can change the world.

Thanks Graham for the heads up!

USC (SC, of course!) Football

If you are from South Carolina, the mere mention of football will cause a "Go Cocks" to come uncontrollably from deep down in your gut and bring a smile to your face ... especially after the game Thursday night at Williams-Bryce Stadium in Columbia against 8th ranked Kentucky, the Gamecocks are ranked 11th. If you were forunate to be in the stadium cheering our boys to victory or simply watching on ESPN (not bad coverage!), you can still feel the tingle as each play was made and the team gave it their all ... straight to a victory of 38 to 23! Here it comes again, "WTG Gamecocks!" Thanks for bearing with me, but I've loved the school, football, the coaches, all of it since the sixties, and could not resist bragging a little ... OK, a lot!

Catching Up

What a month! September was spent traveling; to Maine; NMB, SC; Spartanburg, SC and now HOME! I am pooped. I am writing now, yawning after every word typed; must look funny to anyone watching me ... no one is watching. Thank goodness. Maine is such a beautiful state. Although my trip was an emergency to take care of my sick child, #4. She had such a terrible strep throat with tonsilitis and needed TLC from Mom. It worked (with antibiotics) and she made it to the first day of school at MECA . She is a senior this year (this is going to annoy her), but will be there next year to get a minor in Art History. Portland is a nice sized city with excellent art, museums, culture and a great transportation system. She is happy there ... there goes another daughter to the North! I do not mind because it is such a nice place to visit!

SCQC ... Celebrating Sisterhood in SC

Hi Y'all, Enjoying a wonderful convention in Spartanburg with tons of Red Hatters! Don't know what a Red Hatter is? Check it out:http://www.redhatsociety.com/ We're a crazy bunch of women over fifty having a ball living each day to the fullest. That is the only way to live ... laughing all the way. Tonight was a wonderful dinner in our purple and red PJ's (slumber party) and the funniest one girl comedy act from Down Under called, "The Big Purple Undies." I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Getting late, so tired ... will catch you up tomorrow. Night

Survived Second Session ...

Whew! I did it ... I completed my second class at AIU, Marketing 255, with Ms. H. What a fantastic instructor ... learned a lot, will miss her. Oh, did I forget to say that this is one thing I'm doing to fill the time I have since all of my girls have "flown the nest"? I do miss them, but what a joy to have time for ME. I do not have a final grade for this class, but I should have it by Wednesday. I would love to get an A, but will be thrilled with a B. The class was intense, but good. More writing than I have done in years. So far, I'm pleased with my college experience and really enjoy the learning process. My very favorite football team, USC GAMECOCKS, played LSU (#2 in Country) on Saturday and did very good, held their own and gave LSU a good game! Yeah, we lost (28-16), but damn good game! Go Cocks! I am at the beach relaxing and thankful for the R&R.

Welcome to My World

Hello to all of you, or none of you, I may be talking/writing to myself ... either way, here goes. I call myself a "retired stay-at-home-mom" because my daughters are all grown and have their own nests now. My husband and I have an empty nest! It's been a long time coming! Our oldest is 35, daughter # 2 is 28, daughter # 3 is 25, and daughter # 4 is 21. See a very lonnnnnng time! There are 'good things' and 'not-so-good things' about my retirement and our empty nest ... Good things: 1. time for one another 2. quiet 3. less laundry 4. lower food budget 5. can run around "naked", JK Bad things: 1. quiet 2. miss the "gang" 3. miss the laughter 4. miss the hugs 5. too much time together I'll be writing a weekly update on the happenings in my nest. Please come back ... until then, SMILE and be HAPPY!