Surviving a visit from a teenager Justa barely

Whew!!!!!

This is an older picture. But you get the idea.

 

I survived another weekend with the Lime Green Drama Queen. I think it's more likely that she survived another weekend with me. She is 13 going on 24 and I am 55 going on 13, so you can imagine the interactions we must have had. We went to a Red Box and got a movie last night. Am I cheap or what? $1.00 for a video. That beats the $29.00 bucks Momma and I spent last week. We watched the Movie "Eagle Eye". It was pretty good, Albeit fast paced. It was  a story about how Big Brother can see everything your doing just about everywhere. It was pretty far fetched however I think some of the things Big Brother can do as it relates to tracking cell phone usage, Atm usage and stuff like that is pretty amazing. In fact I think that Big Brother might be reading this blog. In fact maybe Stan is big brother.

We finally heard from Precious Rock yesterday. I sent her an email calling her a liar liar for not getting in touch with me. HINT! Don't ever call Precious a liar!She called me here at home Fulton, Ny From her home Somewhere in Arizona and chewed me out.{Laughing} Good thing I don't live closer I think she might have found me and beat me up. Seriously though. It was good to hear from her. She is coming out of the depths of a pretty good{bad} depression and just doesn't quite feel ready to post again yet. I can relate to that. I was bound determined that I wouldn't post again but here I am. She is feeling much better and hopefully will start posting soon.

Here is a Money fun fact that was on my sidebar yesterday.

Money Fun Fact
Virgin Atlantic Airways discovered that it takes in an average of 18 cents per passenger per flight in loose change found in the plane's seats. If that figure holds for the approximate 320 million people who fly from one country to another worldwide each year, the total is about $58 million. Source: absolutetrivia.com
Save Money at SavingAdvice.com

Speaking of loose change Stan has been riding me pretty good lately. He is getting the upper hand. He has more practice at rambling on aimlessly. I'll have to practice on his blog  more. So as not to be accused of that practice myself, I'm Out!!

The Lime Green Drama Queen Justa Rises from the Dead!

Yes folks I the Lime Green Drama Queen hath returned. I don't know what I did wrong but for some unforeseen reason I am stuck with my Uncle Mark {aka "the Grump"} this weekend. I must have really made my dad mad when I made that magazine cover of him.

Swimming is one of the best sports you can do for your body. I like swimming because it's one of the sports I can do without failing. The fact that I haven't drowned yet must indicate that I have some skills hidden in there somewhere.I've tried Gymnastics (not), I've tried Karate (not so much), I've tried dancing(watch for me on Dancing with the stars) are you still watching?, I've played Soccer(chased butterflies ),I'm in Ski club(ok but slow learner),I've played and enjoyed softball( but I'm no Dereck Jeter), I enjoy playing basketball (I'm no Michael Jordan) so I'm left with swimming.I'm on my school swim team and have a very good time. I mostly do Freestyle and breaststroke. My best time in Freestyle has been 42.09 seconds for 50 yards and 48.32 seconds for the same distance in breaststroke. Watch out Michael Phelps. Even though he just got in trouble for smoking the wacky tobackie I would still like to be able to swim like him. I can be wacky without the tobackie!

I get to help watch the Brandonmiester this weekend. I'm going to teach him everything I know. That should take care of the first 10 minutes.But then uncle Mark will teach him everything he knows(That shouldn't take to long)I'm justa kidding!! I'm looking forward to holding the little guy. I get to do everything to fix what Uncle Mark messes up.

I first did a guest post when I was 12 years old. Now at the ripe ole age of 13 I'm finally getting to post again. I shall return.

Justa Truckin!

 

This would be a really fun truck to drive. I'd love to see inside the back of it. Speaking of the inside of the back of a nice truck, check out this site.The Daily Rant   Scroll down to January 31. This is a pretty cool truck. I would like to congratulate one of our trucking blogging buddies on the 500th post on their blog. If you want to see what it is like on the road as a husband and wife you got to check in and follow Craig & Diane on their trips up and down the West Coast.Diane takes some awesome pictures that I sneak onto this site once in a while.

I would be remiss if I didn't talk about the Magna(New Process Gear) debacle here in Syracuse. We have a relative(Cindy's brother) that works there and has for quite a few years. It is so easy to just read news stories everyday and say to ourselves "that's terrible, good thing it doesn't effect us" Well this time it does sort of. Tom and Sherry are a very giving couple and would probably give you the shirt off of their  backs. Unfortunately they are caught up in things out of their control.  I hate to see them going through this.

I'm not going to pretend to know the ins and outs of the situation as it relates to contracts and such. All I know is that this is another example of how we all have been affected by allowing our good manufacturing jobs to just sort of sneak out of the country.We have sat around and watched while it happens to other people. Well the other people is "Us" now. When it comes close to home it comes off of the news on TV into your own family. I checked out the Magna web site and they are a huge company. Closing this plant won't even be a blip in their radar. It will be "Syracuse who?"

I'm afraid the only way we are going to get back to having control of our lives is to work for yourself. If you have a skill or a talent try to use it. Years ago a large percentage of Americans had their own businesses now overwhelmingly we depend on someone else for our lively hood.

Justa hanging on a Monday

Photo courtesy of Likecool.com

 

I'm thinking of getting one of these to replace my John Deere this summer. What do you think. Hey it's green still.

 

Cindy has gone back to work from her one weeks vacation. I don't have anyone to play with anymore. I don't think she had much fun playing with me anyway. I'm heading down into a little funk. I'm hoping it isn't Depression rearing it's ugly head again. That last bout almost did me in.{It took two times in the county looney bin} For those of you that have ever been in one you know what I'm talking about being looney. If you aren't looney when you go in you for sure are once you have been there a while. I've told Cindy that no matter how bad I get I'm not going back in again. Your treated like just another number that has to be watched and reported on. The staff seemed more interested in the task of filing out the reports on behavior than anything else.

Stan from Is there something not quite right with Stan and I have been accused of being anti-Woman by our blogging buddy Stephany from Soulful Sepulcher. Now where would she get that Idea? Just because I have a Man basket on the kitchen counter to hold my wallet and keys and such. Behind every good man is a better woman. In my case Cindy is definitely "The better Half".

I'm adding another site to my blogroll Sensetosave  Is a neat blog to check out. It is about frugal living. A pretty good idea in these tough times.

In closing today I want to reveal to you a sure fire way to get a Dumocrat to pay their taxes. Just appoint them a spot in the NOBAMA administration! Seems to work every time.

Justa simple post!

Post !

 

I was going to just leave it at that. But that didn't seem fair to my legions of fans. Ha Ha. After all you took the time to click on your mouse to come over here to read my words of wisdom didn't you? I read somewhere {on another blog} that you shouldn't talk about what you ate on your blog because no body cares.

Well the hell with that guy. What the heck could he know about blogging he only has thousands of subscribers , 6 or 7 books... Momma and I went out for lunch today on our way to the movie.(More on that later) I had a Cheeseburger Deluxe with fries and a soda. Now there, aren't you glad you came over to read that? It was at Marianne's Diner in Phoenix, Ny at the jct of 481 and 264 if your going to drive all the way out here to try it. It was a pretty good Cheeseburger. I might as well tell you what Mamma had. 2 eggs(scrabbled well), Bacon, Homefries and home made bread. The total bill came to about $15.00. This is a diner that Momma and I meet up with the Mayor of Baldwinsville and his wife for breakfast a lot.

After that we let Badger out then went to the movies. We saw the one I've wanted to see since seeing the trailers. Gran Torino. It wasn't to shabby. Clint Eastwood directed,produced and starred in it. It's done pretty good at the box office so he'll make another gazillion dollars.(I didn't sound bitter did I?) It wasn't too bad of a movie but wait till it comes out in DVD. We spent $15.00 on tickets,$10.25 on a medium bag of popcorn and a box of Goobers {can't watch a movie without goobers} another $4.50 on a medium diet soda. So add it up.$15.00 + at the diner and another $29.50 to go to the movies {Damn) and it was a matinee. Momma sure is expensive to take out on a date. Now if we were still dating I would expect a little somethin somethin if you know what I mean. Now that we have been together for 24 years(who's counting) getting lucky for me is if momma falls a sleep before I do.

Justa digging out

I got this picture off of one of the blogs I read on a regular basis. Innfromthenight. He isn't exactly a fan of the Messiah either. In fact he doesn't like him at all. I like him(Obama) a little bit. He can at least string 3 or 4 words together. Can't stand his Liberal leanings however.

I had to dig the snow blower out of the shed this morning. We had some drifts on the side of the house that were 4 feet high. I like to keep a path all the way around the house so that momma can roof rake.{ She likes to do it so don't go all feminist on me}.

 

THIS IS FOR MEN TIRED OF RECEIVING
MALE BASHING JOKES

  1.

How many men does it take to open a beer? None. It should be opened by the time she brings it.

  2..

Why do women have smaller feet than men? It's one of those "evolutionary things" that allows them to stand closer to the kitchen sink.

  3.

How do you know when a woman is about to say something smart? When she starts her sentence with "A man once told me."

  4.

If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first? The dog of course. He'll shut up once you let him in.

  5.

All wives are alike. They just have different faces so you can tell them apart.

  6.

I haven't spoken to my wife for 18 months: I don't like to interrupt her.

  7.

What do you call a woman who has lost 95% of her intelligence? Divorced.

  8.

Bigamy is having one wife too many. Many say monogamy is the same.

  9.

Scientists have discovered a food that diminishes a woman's sex drive by 90%. It is called Wedding Cake.

10.

Marriage is a 3 ring circus: Engagement Ring, Wedding Ring, Suffering.

11.

Our last fight was my fault: My wife asked me "What's on the TV?" I said,"Dust!"

12.

In the beginning, God created the earth and rested. Then God created Man and rested. Then God created Woman. Since then, neither God nor Man has rested.

13.

Do you know the punishment for bigamy? Two Mothers-in-law.

14.

Young Son: "Is it true, Dad, I heard that in some parts of Africa a man doesn't know his wife until he marries her?" Dad: That happens in every country, son.

15.

A man inserted an advertisement in the classified: "Wife Wanted." The next day he received a hundred lettrs. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine

These jokes and the Obma {I mean Osma} picture are from Madeyoulaugh.com

Sorry for the long post I just wanted to get some of this important information out! Cindy and I have a little running around to do today. We're going to go let Badger out, Cindy has to go move her cubicle at work then we're going to go see Gran Torino at the movies. We haven't been to the movies in forever. Is it still 35 cents to get in. I hope so because I'll have 20 cents left for snacks.

Justa running for President someday

Are we proud Grandparents or what? Just think he could grow up to be the President of the United States. Brandon is looking more and more like his dad everyday. {Poor kid}

Tax Time

Now remember when you file your taxes this year. You don't have to pay them. Just tell them you forgot. It seemed to work for our new Treasury Secretary. See this blog isn't all useless and mundane. I now give free tax advise. Just remember "you get what you pay for."

New Blogroll member

I added a new blog on my blogroll on the right Trailerparkbarbie be prepared to laugh your butt off.(Well at least lose a few pounds) She is very funny.

Guy walked into the local welfare office to pick up his check. He marched straight up to the counter and said, ‘Hi. You know, I just HATE drawing welfare. I’d really rather have a job.’

The social worker behind the counter said, ‘Your timing is excellent. We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You’ll have to drive around in his Mercedes, and he’ll supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You’ll be expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips and you will have to satisfy her sexual urges. You’ll be provided a two-bedroom apartment above the garage. The salary is $200,000 a year.’ The guy, wide-eyed, said, ‘You’re bullshittin’ me!’

The social worker said, ‘Yeah, well . . . you started it. 

See I told you she was funny. I stole{borrowed} this from her blog. I've got to be more careful about giving credit where I get my pictures from online. I noticed some of the ones I used {stole} lately checking up on this site. I've been lazy I will work on that. On another note. As far as blog rolls go I notice I'm on some blogs under Mental Health blogs. I don't think I've talked about my "Mental Health" in a long time. Wellllllll..... That is what I feel like right now. Most of the time I am well. Feeling pretty good. My Psych doc doesn't think I am Bi-Polar. He just thinks it was situational depression. He hasn't been there for my two major Manic episodes. They come about 5 years apart so I have about 5 more years until my next one.

I'm starting to ramble. So I'll stop right here. Hope your feeling better Donna.

Justa changing

   Yes change is here. Now don't waste it. Don't spend it all in one place.

My Syracuse Orangemen Basketball team are going into their January swoon in the Big East. There is a point in every game that they have lost this year where the game seems to turn. It just blows my mind that Coach can't call a time out and stem the tide. We got beat by 10 pts last night and at one time towards the end of the game we were up by two with the ball. Ugggggggly!!!

This is our Secretary of State practicing for her meeting with Iran. Hey it worked in New Hampshire. This is pretty much what the new administration is going to be using as a tactic to extract information from the meanies in the Middle East. I mean God forbid that we would hurt a prisoner to get information. {It's ok to kill babies in the womb} But you'd better not torture someone that had something to do with 9/11. And don't tell me that John Mccain doesn't support torture.{did you see his campaign, that was really torture}

We just bought another computer for momma to use here at the house. She was using a lap top and it wasn't practical for working from home. We got her a used Compaq with an ACER monitor and a key board for $299.00 at a used computer store. Not to shabby huh? She has it all set up already. So we can be in the office here at the same time. Doing our own thing. It's kind of nice. Now we don't have to wait for each other to get done to get on line. I think we spent a total of $700.00 for two complete set ups.

I went to the Chiropractor today. My left leg was shorter then my right one again. So he did his little yank and twist and I'm ok for a few days again till I walk on it or stand to long in one spot. The report from the Independent Medical exam I had on Thursday should be back soon. It will be interesting to see what he says.

Cindy is on vacation all this week. We aren't going to go any where. Unless you want to call going to the Movie go somewhere. We have some money in savings but it isn't anything we want to spend so we will just enjoy each others company here at the ole homestead. She'll probably be begging to go back to work by Wednesday. Lol!

BuzzNet Tags: Billary,loose change,Middle East,Syracuse Oranagemen

Justa sharing my Saturday musings

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was reading the scriptures the other day and found out that Satan is a woman. "be ye not deceived, for Satan is abroad in the land" Hmmmm. Speaking of women.

The Lime Green Drama Queen has left the building. We didn't get a chance to get her to do a guest post. We ended up playing "are you smarter than a fifth grader" on DVD. It was a lot of fun and we sort of got caught up with the game and didn't have time. She owes us a post. By the way. We were indeed smarter than a fifth grader.

 

 

We went out to breakfast with the Lime Green Drama Queen and my Buddy Shawn. He was minus Pat again. I think she is getting ready to dump his sorry butt. We're getting some lake effect snow right now. They are calling for anywhere from 1" to 4". We already have about 130" for the season so far. You far left loons that live in California {I'm Justa kidding Stan} that still think we are having Global warming should come out to New York for a while.

 

Tom and Sherri. You guys should start getting this size cup when you go to Fastrac! I've checked out all my blogging buddies and they seemed to have climbed into their cocoons. Nobody is posting this weekend yet.{maybe you didn't want to put mindless drivel on a post like I have today} These are just some of my discoveries from my look around the Internet. 

I'm justa in a kneedy mood

I'm still on Workmen's comp for my knee injury. It will be two years in February.That blows my mind. It was supposed to be a simple arthroscopic surgery then back to work in a few weeks. I'm not going to go over the whole sequence of events as it is covered in other post. But in this two year period, I've gone to the Emergency Room because I had the tip of my nose bitten off by our dog Carmel,and two stints in the looney bin after a couple deep depressions. So I'm not laid off, But I believe that soon Workmen's comp will want to settle and I will need to go back to work. I can't return to Truck driving which is somewhat of a disappointment as I made pretty good money doing that. So as I look at the economy tanking is does give me some pause as to my blight. I know others have it far worse that me, at least Cindy has a decent job. My self worth is tied into my not working though. When you've done something for almost 30 years it's kind of hard to wake up every day and not go to work.(Aren't those some awesome looking legs).

There are a couple of pieces of good news for those of us that live in the fine state of New York. First of all. Ding Dong the witch is dead, ding dong the witch is dead... Billary Clinton has left the building. She will no longer clog up a Senate seat. She was a do nothing Senator. We can only hope she will take those same skills to the state department. The second piece of good news is that Carolyn(I'll use my Kennedy name) will not becoming to further waste the seat. I'm sick and tired of all the games they play in politics. I think I'll buy an Island somewhere and start my own country. Is anybody with me? No. I didn't think so. Oh well.

The rumor is true. The Lime Green Drama Queen will be coming over this weekend. Watch for her upcoming post.

I'm Justa getting ready!

I'm ready for the next four years. Are you? I'm one of 47 million people that voted the other way. That being said, good luck to President Obama. Did you hear that it is George Bush's fault that Syracuse lost to Pittsburgh last night in Basketball?  Ok let's make that the last thing we blame George for. From now on as things happen remember who is to blame. Surprise it's not Obama!!! We have to return to personal responsibility. Take the bull by the horns and hang on.

Justa fun day with the Badgemiester and Brandon!

43 Things Tags: Brandon,Badger

Can you tell what we did on Saturday? Badger seems a little perturbed  at me. Brandon on the other hand was cheering on the Syracuse Orangemen as they were beating Nortre Dame.

Lazy day today. Just checking out other blogs. I had a long winded whine session I was going to put on here. Instead I decided to Post these pictures and say. See ya later

Your justa sore winner!

I like this cartoon. I think that guy standing here voted for Obama. I liked you Dumocrats better when you were in the minority. You guys are like Boston Red Sox fans. "You forgot where you came from". The Messiah(Obama) isn't even in office yet and you have him walking on water. I'm willing to give the guy a chance but don't put him on that pedestal just yet. His stimulus package is just smoke and mirrors. What jobs will it really create. Sounds like to me the Union boys in the construction trades will be making out pretty good. (Pay back for the votes) When they get their hands on health care watch out. You have invited the Fox into the hen house. Billary is back, Daschle is back hell the whole set up looks like a Clinton family reunion. Of Course Vince Foster won't be there will he Billary. Some one keep an eye out for some girl named Monica. I guess they could bring her into the administration. She could be in charge of "pubic affairs" I mean "Public affairs" sorry.

Ladies Stan from Is Something not quite right with Stan Claims not to have a "Man Basket" and claims to still be a virgin. It is scientifically impossible to have that combination of things and still be bipolar. Because things that have happened to Stan lately tells me he has really been screwed by the system.(Sorry Stan that counts, Just because you didn't smile while it was happening, doesn't mean anything). Also the security camera we all pitched into buy to keep an eye on Stan, clearly shows a man bowl on his dresser.

Cindy and I went to breakfast with my Buddy Shawn and his wife today. It has become our every Saturday thingy that we do. I had a to die for Greek Omlet. We also got to watch Brandon again to day. I got to feed him. (No Stan I didn't breast feed him) We're getting ready to eat then go get groceries so I'll cut it off here. Precious if you read this I hope your feeling better. Hi Donna and Steve. Oh and hi to you President Elect Obama I know you are reading my blog. Thanks for that.

43 Things Tags: Dumocrats,Brandon,friends

The cat and dog are Justa glad to be home

 

And you thought you took a lot of medicine

This picture is from Flickr user Chuckumentary. It is the picture of all the medicines that KK Fores from Minnesota has taken for back pain. Apparently he is going to lobby the Minnesota Legislature to legalize Marijuana. I took a toke of Mary Jane back in the early 70's maybe I ought to try it again. Only kidding! So far the only medicine I'm taking for my Psych stuff is Welbutrin.  (I hope I spelled it right Precious, I'm to lazy to get up and look)

I notice My sister is stalking me again.

How is everything going in stump jump country Donna. How is Steve doing? I talked to your Mother and mine the other day. Same conversation, just a different day.

Momma and I just got back from taking the cat(Imus) and dog(Indy) to the vet for their yearly check up. They are both  in great shape. Indy weighed 29lbs and the Iman was 10lbs.They got 2 shots,stool samples and it came to  $130.00 total. Needless to say they were both pretty happy to get home. They get along just like brothers. They even fight.

Tonight is Pot Pie night. Every Wednesday night we have Beef Pot pies and a vegetable of some sort. For some reason I never get tired of Pot Pie night. Do you guys have a special night where you eat a particular food?

Rumor has it that The Lime Green Drama Queen  maybe coming over for a weekend coming up soon. I let you know if that happens. Maybe she will even do a post again.

justa Blathering

See I knew it would happen! I didn't want to start blogging again. What do you do when you don't have anything to say? That's where I am right now. I don't have anything of any real importance to talk about. I don't feel like whinnying  about politics today. (Believe me I could, After all Billary is on the hill today) Now that is "Change we can believe  in" yeah right. See I'm just not going to go there. For all of you that voted for "Change" what that really meant is, that that is all you will have left when the "chosen one" gets done with you. See there I go again.

I could talk about the weather. It is snowing again outside. 1 to 4 inches tonight possible.

If you get some time and want to watch a lady truck driver drive live go to JustinTv.com go to the social network and Look for Mother Trucker. She has her camera on while she is driving it's kind of neat to watch. I usually go on a few times a day and watch. (It reminds me of why I'm glad I'm not on the road anymore). I have a bunch of trucking sites I visit everyday too. I'll put them on my blog roll on the side bar soon.

Momma's home getting dinner ready. She said it was a pretty rough ride home it was the first really "white knuckle" day she's had. The wind is really whipping up out there. A couple of pretty powerful clippers are set up to come across our area the rest of the week.  Precious, if you read this I hope your feeling better soon.

Lets Justa blame George for something else

George Bush and his wife robbed a Valero convenience store Friday night in LIverpool, Ny.

I feel much better now that I got that out of the way. You wacko's out there that have blamed Bush for everything might as well put that one on your list of things that George has done.

There is one thing you can blame George for and that is, because of his inability to frame things properly Barock ( I promise you anything and everything)Osama is now with his band of nit wits in the Congress, getting the chance to really screw things up. And don't even try the " Well Bush was the president when this all happened bull" The Dumocrats have controlled congress for two years. It takes two to tango.

Ok that is it for now with the politics. After all it is Sunday!

We went to our nieces(Gretchen) 21st birthday last night. That was fun. I drank my two cokes(minus the rum I used to add) I don't drink much any more. For one the meds I'm on don't mix with alcohol and the roads were pretty bad last night. Tom and Sherry had some awesome snacks set up. You guys definitely know how to party.

Cindy and I got to be Grandpa and Grandma today. That was fun. The kids keep thinking that they are taking advantage of us when we watch Brandon. We have them fooled we are taking advantage of them! He is starting to giggle now that is way cool. He definitely is a ladies man though. He cry's when I hold him a lot. I wonder if it could be because I'm pinching him so I don't have to hold him any longer. Oop's . That's ok Grand ma doesn't read my blog anyway.

Justa rising from the dead

I'm Black,I mean I'm back. Scared ya huh! I bet you thought I'd want to go and be in the Barrack Osma administration? (Not so much) I can't say for sure but I'm going to try to start posting again. We'll see how long I can go before I crash and burn again. Cindy has kept this going for me and I am thankful for that. It's time for me to get back on the horse. What a picture? a Jackass riding on a horse! Cindy will keep up the other blog still over on Wordpress. So continue to look for her there. She is of the candy coated Polly Anna way of looking at things. I tend to be a realist.

I have a lot of bent up comments about the election and the way things are going with the economy. I'll let them spill out some in coming post. Suffice it to say that I have bought new jeans that open in the back. With the Dumocrats running things we are in deep do do. Just think we won't have to carry a wallet anymore. With Barney (I prefer Peckers)Frank and his good buddies running things there will be nothing left to put in them but family pictures. For you small minded people that want to say I must be prejudice. Get over it. I don't care what color the idiot is. Anybody looking to take us into Socialism would get my attention in a negative way. As crooked as this guy is it won't take long for him to get his.  This is just a small taste of my return to the blogesphere. I'll calm down some as I get back into the swing of things.

Mrs Justa and fire

This is all that is left of a home where 8 people died and one in the basement survived. There were 4 children and 4 adults who lost their lives in this tragic fire. As the cold weather is upon us, there are so many things that need attending to . First, ALWAYS have smoke detectors in your home. This past July we had our home inspected for the building permit to be turned into a certificate of occupancy. We had to have working smoke detectors in the living room, each bed room and a CO2 detector. No choice, that is the rules.

We added a smoke detector to the area where the furnace is and one in the kitchen. I fear fire, a person looses everything, all photos, all belongings, all memorabilia, even life.

I read that in 1995 the odds of having a house fire with damages of $3,400 — one in 200. I am sure that number has increased with the energy costs and people trying to save with wood burners, pellet stoves, kerosene heaters.

Here are some staggering statistics:

"Facts

• 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home (U.S. Fire Administration)
• The leading cause of fire deaths is careless smoking (U.S. Fire Administration)
• Having a working smoke detector more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire (U.S. Fire Administration)
• 3,675 people died in fires in the United States in 2005 – one person every 143 minutes. While the number of fires increased in 2005 over 2004, the number of deaths decreased 5.8 percent. (National Fire Protection Association).
• In 2005, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States – down from 117 in 2004 (U.S. Fire Administration)
• Adults 65 and older are more than twice as likely to die in fires as the overall population. (U.S. Fire Administration study)
• People born in 2003 have a 1-in-1,100 lifetime odds of dying due to exposure to smoke, fire or flame. Odds in any given year are 1:86,000. (National Safety Council) " from http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/fires.htm

We need to be respectful of fire, and the hazards that can cause it. Just because there are plugs that will turn your 2 outlet into an 8 outlet, it is probably not a good idea to use all 8 things at once.

If you are using a space heater and your lights dim, it is too much strain on the electric wiring. Check with an electrician. Check the electric cords, look for dings in the coating, make sure plugs are plugged in all the way. Have emergency plans for what to do in case of a fire, ladders for second levels. Have a professional clean your chimney / stove pipes. Please take the extra time to be careful.

Some helpful information:also from http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/fires.htm

"Smoke Detectors

• One is definitely NOT enough! Every home should be equipped with smoke detectors on every level, particularly outside of sleeping areas.
• Ensure that your smoke detectors are tested monthly and batteries are replaced twice a year. Change batteries when you change your clocks.
• Encourage children to help test the smoke detectors. Familiarize them with the sounds of the alarm(s).

Fire Extinguishers

• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen (one rated for grease fires and electrical fires.)
• It's a good idea to keep fire extinguishers near the furnace, garage, and anywhere else a fire may start. These extinguishers are affordable, life-saving equipment for your home.
• Make sure every able-bodied member of the family is trained and familiar with the proper way to use the fire extinguishers.
• If you must use an extinguisher, make sure you have a clear way out in the event you can't put out the fire. "

When you are visiting a friend, or family, look and see if they have smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, hazards. It is better to say something to protect them, then to bite your tongue, and have to regret never trying to help .

Love and prayer, Mrs Justa .

43 Things Tags: fire,careful,safety,death,smoker detectors

Mrs Justa and a day in the medical offices

Today was  a day off of work, but not a day of fun and pleasure, instead a day of doctor appointments and walking like a penguin everywhere I went. I started this morning at the Eye Specialists. I had an issue with flashing lights in my vision 6 wks ago, and saw my eye doctor for it, so while I was at his office, he had a retina specialist make sure the retina looked okay. That led to the retina doc wanting to see me in 6 wks, which was this morning.

We woke up to about 1/4 of ice on the cars, slippery roads, schools closed.Which meant Mark could accompany me on the adventure through doctor offices. The eye appointment was an 1 1/2 appointment. The next one was at my OB office, we were 45 minutes early for that one, so we went to Dunkin Donuts ( just across from doc #2) for a coffee, muffin and Mark got a croissant sand with coffee. Now that was an adventure too!. 

As we were walking in , one of the female employees was stomping, flailing her arms and telling a co-worker she did not have to take that ( whatever that was) , she was throwing out "F" bombs, and pacing quickly, as a  customer at the counter was just standing there waiting for someone to take his order. This employee did not stop, she marched into what was the back area, and we could hear her screaming on the top or her lungs, a high pitched, whining , complaining squeal.
We stood behind this customer waiting to order, it was rather amusing, unbelievable, and uncomfortable at the same time. Eventually, the employee we think got this chick going went in the back area too, and there was more yelling,

A different employee who was in the back, decided to come and wait on us, since psycho chick was in his area, Eventually they still were all working there, and came back out to their posts. ( If I had been the manager, someone would no longer be on the payroll there.) The episode was unacceptable, and we were thankful neither had a gun or switchblade on their possession, it could have gotten really ugly.

So we left there, unharmed, and went to doctor visit 2, this took an hour, and we had 1 1/2 hrs till appnt number 3 which was in the same complex, just the other end of the building. So we took off and got lunch at Denny's.

Now, $45.00 less in our checking account due to co-pays, all the docs have seen me and told me I am fine, come back in a year ( doc 1) , 6 wks  ( doc 2) and Friday morning at 7:30 for fasting blood work ( doc 3)

I appreciate these folks looking out to make sure I am okay, and I appreciate their pleasantness. But today was really a sucky way to spend a vacation day.  Have you ever had a day like this?  ( Hey at least I am healthy, I know I can stand to loose more weight and be more active, but that is at least fixable! Although none of the docs advised me of that, I know it already.) Have a good day, night, whatever, Love, Cindy

 

43 Things Tags: doctors,health,tests,money

Mrs Justa and depression

43 Things Tags: depression,lost,lonely,scared,frightened,real

I saw this on google image and it spoke to me. Depression, it is real, it can consume your every breath. It makes the sun exist but not be seen. It makes everyone in your life disappear, even if they are right there.

I have faced depression in my life, at various times. My depression I think has always been situational, but some of us are born with a major depressive disorder that is always there, gnawing in the background, sometimes able to be controlled by medication, but what happens if you can not afford the medication, or a situation makes the depression rear its ugly face.

People who have never been depressed, they think a person can snap out of it. It is not that easy. It is consuming, it is suffocating, it is controlling, it is numbing, it is  lonely. 

In my life I have been around people with various degrees of depression. Treatment is essential to conquer or control the depression.

Fortunately for me, in my most horrible times in life, I sought counsel, and talking helped me get through it.Once the counsel was a priest at a church where I lived, once a school counselor, once a counselor through the county who saw me on a sliding scale.  I had been given valium once for a terrible event in my life, and another time librium. These were for short periods of time , to get me over the hump.Life was never guaranteed to be easy, and I think most of us can testify to that. My wish is that if you know someone who is going through a time of depression, be there for them, listen, do not judge, be patient, sit next to them, try to talk, try to encourage them to talk with a counselor.

If they feel suicidal, stop and help them get immediate assistance through an ER or psychiatric emergency center.  The worse you can do, is go on your way, and say they will be better in a day or two.

As the depression lifted, it was like slowly watching color come back into a black and white world. I could see the sun did not forget to come up. I would analyze myself as being so low I had to pull my socks down to see. How I felt inner strength as I unfolded the sock top and saw colors in the world.
Not one of us has a guarantee we will not face depression in our lifetime. And if and when you do, you will want to have a someone at your doorstep, whether from afar on an e mail, or in the same room. I know of some who are suffering at this very moment, to them I say, I am here, as I know you would be , if I needed you too. Love and prayers, Mrs Justa

Mrs Justa and being different

43 Things Tags: different,personalities,snowmen,uniqueness,individuals

Okay, I had to share this photo. I saw it on line, no one to credit it to, it was just there. I am looking at this and wondering 1) how many snowmen are there? 2) Where is the beginning? 3) How many people worked on this project? 4) How long did it take? 5) Did snow have to get brought in for this challenge? 6) Why and 7) Are they all still standing, or did the temp go up?

Then I look at it and think about people, and now snowmen. There are no 2 alike. When I have driven by one snowman, and ways down another, in my mind they were the same. But they are not. Even with a snowman kit, no 2 would look the same. We are all different, we may have similar likes, but we have uniqueness to each of us.

The pets , they are very similar in how they appear, but they also have uniqueness that makes them different.

I need to be reminded often to look for the qualities that make each living being different. What made us the way we are? Is it environment, or genetics? Is it the uniqueness of the individual from conception. Or is it a hodgepodge of factors, like family, life style, financial, parents, did we have brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,grandparents, cousins.

I grew up with a grandmother till I was 4, never knew a  grandfather, a dad till I was 10, only a great aunt and uncle until maybe 5 years old, no cousins, 4 brothers and sisters. How different would I be if I had the other relatives?

What makes these snowmen different. There is one on front row that looks like he is scowling, the one next looks happy, some just look like they are tolerating this place in their snowflake life. We are all different, we all give first impressions, and sometimes those impressions are not at all what we are all about. I am off now to sing a few songs, and make some supper. Enjoy the person you are, Love, Mrs Justa

Mrs Justa and enabling...or doing good.

Abe Lincoln once was quoted " You can not help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." Well that statement speaks to me in many ways.

I have been accused of, and will for the rest of my life, of being an "enabler". I do not think I am , but others have accused me of it. I offer a helping hand in times that maybe others think I should not.

I have a compassion for people and sometimes they are in need of help. But other times , I have to almost sit on my hand and freeze my actions, because if I do for them, they will not learn for themselves.

I see that at work, if I am training someone on the computer system, and how we analyze and search for criteria to use for our requests we get in, it is so much easier to speak what the trainee should be thinking, or to reach the key board of their computer and just hit the dang key. But I do restrain from that , for I know they need to think and learn with guidance, not with me doing.

But in my personal life, maybe I have been an

enabler in some peoples mind, but I think I have been a good mom and wife. When Jeff lived home and Mark was gone for the week driving, I would do everything around the house. Jeff would get annoyed if he woke up and I have shoveled the driveway, ..I did it because Jeff was working full time and a full time student, so I knew his rest was important. Someone else might say I was enabling him not to do stuff around the house.

Same thing with Mark, I felt bad he was gone from Monday morning till Saturday morning, so I would have him just come home, help him bring his stuff in, the shower would be ready for him to jump in, a fresh towel, fresh sheets on the bed, and he would shower and take a nap. I would get his clothes laundered, get the groceries, and he could recharge for the next grueling week.  I felt I was doing him a favor, others might say I was enabling him.

I find myself in situations all the time when I do things to be nice, and others may think I am enabling . I like who I am, and what I believe in, so I really do not think I will ever change. So I hope I am not disappointing Abe by my actions. Have a great weekend, Love Mrs Justa

43 Things Tags: helping,enabling,compassion,teaching

Mrs Justa and goodbye 2008

Okay, call me a fool, call me old fashion, call me whatever....but to me, this does not look like any sort of fun ! So I would drive with Mark 5 hours away, to buck traffic, pay out of the nose for parking, and shuttle or shuffle with over a million other folks to be crammed behind barriers to watch a ball drop for 6o seconds.

Question 1 : why??

Question 2 : Where do you go to the bathroom? 

Question 3:   why??

Question 4:  What would possess anyone to want to stand in sub freezing temperatures for at least 5 hours to watch this?

Now the other way to see 2008 go is in a quiet living room , TV on, sitting in a recliner or on the couch, having some rye boat , cheese and crackers and sparkling grape juice, and getting up off the chair at 11:59, holding onto the hand of a loved one, and in the other hand a quarter for good fortune, and watch the ball drop in the comfort of our home.

Hmm, which will I choose......betcha can guess.

2008, it brought us many emotions, many ups and downs, we came out in the end I think better then we maybe thought we would end up, but we do have a new 30 yr mortgage, uncertainty of what Mark will be able to do, and a scary economy, a newly elected, not quite in office yet democratic president and house, and it feels like the world is full of anger and unsettledness. So for 2009--I hope for health, wisdom, strength, guidance that we do the right thing, for all the troubled souls to find something safe to hang onto, to be a better me, for Jeff , Amanda and Brandon to sell their existing home and find peace in their new home, for Mark to improve health wise, and Adrianne and Josh to continue to prosper, to cherish family and friends, to write a book, for the financial and emotional instability in the world to calm down, and to win the lottery. ( just the mega lottery- once- that is not being greedy is it? Happy New year to all, see ya next year ! ( I just love saying that when I leave work!) Mrs Justa

43 Things Tags: New Year,wishes,reflections,comfort,friends,family

Mrs Justa and we only live once

Isabell Moore once wrote, " Life is a one way street. No matter how many detours we take , none of them lead back. Once we know and accept that, then life becomes much simpler. Because then we know we must do the best we can with what we have and what we are and what we have become. "

I can remember my mom always saying to me that a scratch gets better and is easily forgotten, but words do not ever leave the persons mind and heart. If words are said in anger or jealously, the moment may be gone, but the words stay to keep the ugliness fresh.

Once we say or do something, we can not retract it. We give up ownership of a word or action once it leaves us. 

We can't go back. Have you ever tried to go back to a place, or a part of your life, and only find out you can not.

So my thought for today is to remember that this moment is gone, and the next is in your control. The thought in your mind is yours , until you speak it or write it, then it is gone, no longer yours only. Your life is limited, there are only x number of days you are on this earth. How are you going to spend them? When footprints in the sand do you want to be remembered by?   Tick, tick , tick... seconds of your life are gone, never to come back, make the best of the next ones.

Love Mrs Justa

43 Things Tags: one way street,life,moments,living once,giving up,memory,words of wisdom,love

Mrs Justa and tennis balls of life

To some

this may look like "justa" tennis ball. But to others it is more then that.

Indi lives and breathes for this tennis ball, he greets it first thing in the morning, throughout the day it is with him, and at night before bed time the ball is still in action.

When he tires of playing with it, he has been known to take a little nap with it between his paws or touching his nose.

This simple round rubber is what Indi lives for, it is almost like a part of him. He longs to share it's special value and meaning with others.

This made me ponder

about what is so important to us? Each of us? What do we live for? What can we not do without? And whatever it is, do others know the importance it has to us?

Hmmm, my tennis balls in life are probably God, church, my family, my job, friends, music, food, my morning cup of coffee, keeping this blog up, singing, taking photos, laughter. I think I need all these to live, to feel fulfilled.

What are your tennis balls in life?

This then led to a phrase from a song that was written by Ray Stevens " There is none so blind as he who will not see. We must not close our minds, we must let our thoughts be free. "

With that, my mind goes to the fact that I need to be more cognizant of others "tennis balls". What is important to others may not be important to me, but I need to still treat it as important, because it is to them.

How many times has someone come to you,

or to me , and said something that was taken lightly, instead of with the importance it was given in.

To all those , whose "tennis balls" I did not appreciate, I apologize. I am sure there are people I have run across, that I heard but did not absorb the message, the emotion.

As I end this for today,

I will make a commitment to be a better listener, a better observer, and to look beyond .

Ray Stevens also wrote " Don't worry about what shows from without, but the love that lies within. "  Good night to all,

Mrs Justa.... alias Cindy

43 Things Tags: tennis ball,importance,life,choices,special,things,listening

Mrs Justa and Squeaky

Meet Squeaky

, she was a cat we had that was , I swear , my grandmother reincarnated. She was part cat part human. She would jump up on the bar stool and sit on it like a person, and look at the paper, my coffee, whatever was there. She did not make a mess, she just was like she was better then just a cat.

I bring her up as I am thinking about how we perceive people

and things to be. I think we are sometimes guilty of not taking the time to really meet the living souls of the people or things we are around.

Many probably looked a Squeaky in a quick glance and only saw a cat, but there was so much more.

She would wash each morsel of her food before she ate it.

  She would squeak as she jumped, and she would do this thing in flight that was so funny. If the dog was napping, and she wanted his attention, she would bound back and forth in mid air, as if she was a person, head up, back legs down, and as she boinged back and forth she would glance at the dog to see if she was annoying him. She loved women and girls. She had a fascination for my earrings and necklaces. She was more then a cat.

Who or what are you accustomed to seeing,

and you look at them as; only a poor person, or a disabled person, or just that person next door, or just a dog, just a cat, just a person at work, just a cashier, etc.. The person holding the cardboard sign on the street corner has a history, a personality, and could be me or you. Each living being is on this earth for a reason. We are blessed with a gift of life. We are blessed with the freedom of choice, and unfortunately some living beings makes poor choices, and commit crimes, or choose to act in ways that are not as if they are blessed. But , I believe, each living being is here for a reason.

So as each day is lived, I believe we all need to look for beyond the surface of those we come across, and remember that we all have personalities, feelings, memories, hurt, joys.

Squeaky, I miss you

, cancer took you after 9 short years of life, but I am forever grateful for the times I was home recovering from a few surgeries, because of those times, I got to know you more then just being a cat. The recovery time, was not a curse, but a blessing, because it made me aware that I was too busy to take the time to really get to know those people and pets in my life. Bless you all, Mrs Justa.

43 Things Tags: acceptance,people,pets,know them,meet them

Mrs Justa and children

43 Things Tags: children,growing up,wonders,innocence,magic

Merry Christmas time is a time of wonder, but nothing is as marvelous as the laughter of a child. Here is Brandon in his Christmas vest, white shirt and tie laughing at his dad. He was cooing and chatting in his little baby  sounds and just filling my heart with pleasure. The children are what Christmas is all about.

Next year he will be 1 yr and 4 months, he will probably have the giggles down to a science by then. They will be in their new home by then and  he will have different wonders to experience.

I remember when Jeff was able to absorb the magic of the lights,he was a year and 9 months old, and we decorated a 10 foot tree while he was in bed, the next night when it was dark, we took him into the living room and turned on the lights . The magic filled the room and his face lit up with wonder and the room echoed with his chuckle. 

As Mark and I packed up the decorations yesterday, and I wrapped the ornaments, I witnessed again the different phases of wonder in Jeff's years gone by. 
From the time I was pregnant on Christmas 1981 through the time Jeff was 18, there was a photo ornament I had made up for each year. As I carefully wrapped them and put them away, I realized how precious time is, and love is and our children are.
Live each moment in the wonder of Christmas, and make memories for those you come across. Love, Cindy

Mrs Justa and Christmas

43 Things Tags: Christmas,thankful,sharing,caring,memories,magic

Christmas time, a time for reflection, a time for magic, a time for family , a time for rest,a time for giving, a time to be thankful, a time for memories of years gone by, and memories you are creating for the future.

For to me, even though I feel the swarming of commercialism at the holiday season, I try to stay out of the trend of charging for gifts, and dreading the credit card bill that will hit in January. Instead I remind myself of Jesus being born to lead us bless us and guide us.

Mark and I did not go nuts for Christmas, we set a limit of $50.00 for each of us, and for our kids and grandson. We did mostly stay at that level.  I love to decorate at Christmas time, the tree, the santas and snowmen, the ornaments that hold memories, Christmas carols.

Christmas is not about the gifts, they do go along with the holiday, but it is more the fact that we have a warm home, a family to share special moments with, and now a grandson who has yet to feel all the magic in his innocence of Christmas and Santa Claus and all the decorations.

I held Brandon for quite a bit last night at my brother's home, and I swayed back and forth to the lights on the Christmas tree. He was mesmerized by the sparkle and twinkle.

One tradition in our family to to gather on Christmas eve, my brother and his wife put on a buffet supper which includes a stroganoff that is to die for. We have time together, and we recently started a new tradition that each adult buys one 20.00 gift- unisex, and we draw numbers, we pick a gift, open it, and we can choose to keep it, of take someone else's already opened gift, and they get what you opened. Last year I was maybe # 4 of 14 , and before the dust settled, people kept taking my gift in exchange for what they opened, I think I had 6 different gifts before I ended up with a really neat thermometer that has 2 remote sensors. It is suppose to be for indoor outdoor, but I put the second sensor in the babies room, so I know the temperature is okay for Brandon. This year I have come home with a $20.00 gift card to an Italian restaurant in town.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season, and a very Happy New Year. Mrs and Mr Justa Krusen

Mrs Justa and a terrible drive

Can't you feel  the chill in the air. Today was white knuckle day number 3. ( Well really number 4, but since I did not go out in the blowing and poor visibility yesterday, I do not think it counts towards a white knuckle day. Now if my theory is correct and history repeats itself, then there are only 4 more left for the season.

Somehow I think history will not repeat itself and we may end up with more.

This morning the roads in general were not bad, ( I think). The snow was whipping around and falling so hard I had to stop 4 times to de-ice the clumps from my windshield wipers so I could see the road. And the visibility poor enough that driving in the dark was a blessing, because the headlights shone on the banks of snow on the side of the road and on the tire tracks from the previous winter warrior who was trekking into wherever they were headed.Once the sun came up, it reflected on all the white and made it hard to determine anything.

This morning I left home at 6:10 and arrived at my 8:20 dentist appointment at 8:21, the odometer showed 34 miles for the total trip, and 2 hours to get there. I was averaging between 20-40 mph, and no one was on my bumper, I was feeling like others were having more trouble then me, for they kept their distance behind me. The traffic lines at some of the lights were long and slow going through.

It amazes me how well the plows take care of all the roads at the same time! The snow was really coming down, and not one road ( and I do not go on the expressways), not one had deep snow on it. Thanks to all who do, or know someone who does take care of America's highways. Thanks for keeping it as clear as possible, even when the snow is trying to beat your effort up.

Also Thanks to AutoZone, my wipers were ripped, happened on the way in, and the tears were helping to chuck huge amounts of frozen slush onto the blades and not clear the windshield. So at lunch, during white out conditions, at 13 degrees, I went to AutoZone and bought new blades. They came out in the parking lot, in the bitter cold, and replaced them for me . Thanks , what a great service. And finally thanks to al who stayed in their lane as we trudged through the slippery roads, I appreciate your careful driving. Love to all, and remember , one day closer to spring, Mrs Justa, ( alias) Cindy 

43 Things Tags: driving,winter,white outs,cold,bitter,winds,slippery

Mrs justa and the beginning of winter

Today is 12-21-08, the first day of Winter, Winter's solstice. We had lake effect snow last night and it was pretty intense till this afternoon. We got enough for the plow dude to come back today, at $20.00 a plowing, if this keeps up, he may end up being our most expensive bill each month. This is the 5th plow of December, and he did one in November too. And all that was before winter started !

I look at 12-21 as the beginning of the road to Spring. The days are now getting lighter more, and I can almost smell Spring in the air. I know I am a sick unit, but that is how I look at it. One more day closer to Spring.
Mark is listening to the weather on the news as I am intensely typing to you, and they are saying up to another 12 inches before tomorrow is over. The wind gusts are up to 40mph, which can be good for the snow that is built up on the roof, as long as it does not blow to the driveway!

I have a 8:20 AM dental appnt tomorrow, so I am planning to leave here early, settle in at work and then leave from there to the dentist. The dentist has a 48 hour cancellation policy, which stinks when the weather is bad! So I will go and conquer the world early tomorrow .

Tonight there is the smell or chicken in the crock pot, it has been roasting in there since 12:30, and it is smelling pretty good. I put in a cup of water and a bouillon cube and then covered the outside with a butter, thyme, sage and poultry season paste I made up, can't wait to have it. We are drinking coffee and tea right now as the chill from the wind seems to permeate through our pores, even though the windows are tight, the glass has a tendency make it feel cooler.

So, as we go an prepare for a chicken dinner, and sip our warm beverages, we hope you are warm and safe, hang onto the wheel on the slippery roads, and enjoy the first day of Winter. Love to all, Cindy

43 Things Tags: winter,Spring,weather,chicken dinner

Mrs Justa and the white knuckle day

43 Things Tags: snow,storm,bad roads,slippery,prayer,God,Jesus,driving

Two down, 5 more to go. White knuckle days , as I kindly refer to them. The snow came down fast and hard today, and the roads were treacherous for many. Some businesses chose to close early,( not where I work) , schools sent kids home by 11:00. It was the 2nd of my normal 7 white knuckle days in a winter season.

Mark was leery of me driving, and felt he would rather drive the 38 miles each way this morning and this evening, then be sitting home worrying about me driving them alone.

So he was the one with the white knuckles. He does it better then me as far as the stress of it. I am  a good driver , I think, but on the old white knuckle days, I find comfort in belting out the Lord's prayer all the way to and from work. Jesus does take the wheel. For there are times, when I can not see the road in front of me, or there is ice on the pavement that causes the cars to find a deep attraction to ditches, and I swear that Jesus drove the car.

I pray every day, but it is the intense sessions that keep me calm when I am solo on the drive to and from work.

Here I am now, it is 7:40 on Friday night, in the comfort of my home with my husband,dog, cat and bird. There is about 12 inches of hard packed snow in the walkway, it is too cold and the snow too deep for the dog to take his time and try to totally relieve himself, so we will shovel him an area to do that. I will help, as Mark's leg is limiting to what he can do.

I am about to go and start paying some bills, doing some housework, and just chilling for a weekend.

I hope you who dealt with the north east storm, and anyone that had it before it hit here, are all safe.

I will be back later, Love Cindy

Mrs Justa and fear

Gerry Goffin and Carol King had lyrics to a song that said " I love to wander thru the forest , Where the trees have leaves of prisms." It brings me back to many wanderings through the forest and I find myself chuckling at some times in my past too.

There is a nature center about 8 miles from here , with various paths through the woods. There are times one can go there and be alone on the path with the life that lives within the forest. I have stood real still listening for the hustling of animals scurrying here and there. But being it is a nature center, it brings a safety net to being in the woods.

In my first marriage, back in 1979, my husband had a place where he owned 103 acres and had built a home on it. The safety net of knowing there are people around was not there, as my husband worked 95 minutes away from where we lived, and we were out in the sticks. It was me and these 103 acres. I by nature had been a fairly strong willed person, but when I first moved into this house, I was a frightened, paranoid woman. I had had some very bad experiences in the past 7 years from people that were cruel and mentally abusive, so that led me to be this frail scared person. It was paralyzing to feel that way, and it literally took me weeks to get the nerve to venture into the woods. I was assured by my husband that there was nothing to be afraid of, and that every path he had made in the woods eventually led back to the house. My fear had no rational side to it, it was from being shot down for everything I had done and being told I was nothing for years.

I would go out into the mouth of a path and walk maybe 10 feet, and then turn back and run in the house, locking all the doors. Then I would venture out maybe 15 feet, and again turn around and run back in. Eventually, I talked myself into going in the woods, I remember my heart pounding in my ears, shallow breath, but I was going to conquer this fear of living. So I am in the woods and I hear da-lop, da lop louder and louder, I am thinking it is in my mind, but the noise became so loud I felt it deafening, so an abrupt about face, and I boogied towards the house. Only to find behind me a horse from up the road about 3 miles that had gotten loose and was running through the path I was on.

Well, let me tell you, it took me about a year to get the nerve up to venture out again, that horse scared the be-jeepers out of me. But I am proud to say I did conquer that fear, and many others that I had. And now I love the sounds of the woods, the birds singing in the distance, the occasional chipmunk or squirrel as the hurry to their destination.

I did my own therapy, my own reassuring of myself , through thought and prayer, and I reminded myself in time that life is beautiful, not always happy, but every moment a blessing. If you have fears, oh I understand. it is hard not to have them swallow you up, but if you can conquer them, bit by bit, you too will see how precious every moment we are on this earth is. Love, Cindy ( Photo from adobe sample prints)

43 Things Tags: abuse,fear,conquering,overcoming emotions,strength,prayers,God,belief,woods,blessing

Mrs Justa and the ocean

43 Things Tags: ocean,nature,wonders,peace,insignificance,thankful,meditate

The ocean is a place where I can go, where I realize how insignificant I am in the whole scheme of things. The power of the waves crashing on the rocks, the breeze that comes whipping the sand in my face, the majestic never ending sunrise and sunsets along the horizon.

I find peace at the ocean though, whether it is calm or forceful, there is peace in the waves slapping along the shore.

As a child, I grew up in Bridgeport Conn, and I can remember being brought down to the ocean often. We would bring pails and a sifter. We would play in the sand, building sand castles and sifting handfuls of sand looking for that special shell. The waves would come and splash and our sand castle would erode, would tumble.

I was 4 1/2 when we moved from there, but we would return a few times after. It was an colonial early American town when I lived there, I went back as an adult and it's characteristics had changed. It seemed more run down, more unsettling.

I have gone to the ocean in Virginia, in Maine , on the cape, and in Massachusetts. No matter where I have gone, I find the solitude of the water, the insignificance of me, and time seems to stop there. I get swallowed up in the wonder, as the water goes on forever, and I realize I am just a drop of water in the sea of life. It shapes me up, it puts me down to where I need to think, meditate, pray and be thankful. It helps my mental health, as I feel my mind emptying all the ugliness and soaking in pure. I hope each of you have a special part of the world that can be an escape. Love, Cindy

Mrs Justa and "Old Dogs , children and watermelon wine"

There is an old song that I happened to hear the a part of it this morning and it was titled "Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine". by Tom T. Hall . It is about a man who is drinking at a bar and an older man is cleaning the bar, he spikes up a conversation with the man having a drink....

There were a few  lines that hit me .

"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

 "He said, "Women think about themselves, when men-folk ain't around. "

( I do not totally agree with the women part, but I may be in denial LOL)

And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."

I am agreeing to an extent on this one, Mark and I do have a few good friends, who will not ever let you down, no matter what. But in the road of life I have found, for myself and for others, that there have been friends and family that turn away when things are not going well. Have I turned away on others?
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime, Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

I do not know if you have every had a dog, but I am reminded of the various dogs we have had. And it is so accurate. A dog will stay with you whether you are well or ill, wealthy or poor, angry or happy. This little guy has been with us for a year now, we got him from the SPCA. I can not imagine the pain the owners must have had letting him go. They have unconditional love.

And a child,  how can the innocence and love of a child not be worth every penny in the world. Children do not come into the world hating, nor being nasty, they do not know revenge, the world helps to characterize the child into an adult. I know that some of us have biological disorders which destine us to have physical or emotional qualities. But at the time a child is young, there is a feeling of total innocence, total trust.

I heard this song and wanted to share it, as it touched a part of my heart, and made me soul search to see what kind of friend and family I have been. Love to all, Cindy

43 Things Tags: life,lessons,let down,rough times