Category: NaBloPoMo 2012

clutter · Day 20 · family · Finds · NaBloPoMo 2012 · remembrance · treasures

Great Finds

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 20
I cleaned a corner of the garage the other day.  Yes, just a corner.  I will post the before and after later (much later at the rate as I am taking forever on it.) But in this corner of the garage was a shelf.  And on the shelf, lots of junk.  I threw away most of it (old gardening gloves, old craft paint and brushes, etc).  But then I found this:

It really doesn’t look like much.  And to anyone else looking at these items, I am sure that they would dispose of them just as quickly as I did the other items on the shelf.  But, if you look closely, you will find a measuring tape, two crocheting needles, a crocheted bag, and a cup made of tin and old clothespins.

What you don’t know is that these are my Mom’s crocheting needles that I have looked everywhere for after she passed.  So 6 years now, lost and now found.  Joy. Leaping joy!   The bag is from Germany, and is used for shopping at the bakery or butcher shop.  You have to carry your own bag (Germany has a handle on the re-use bags—we in the US should take note), or purchase one and they can be expensive.  My mom used this one all the time.  Measuring tape was from my Dad.  He would keep this in his pocket just to measure whatever, because you never know when you come across something you need to know how long it is. ha.  The cup.  That cup was a Father’s Day gift to my Dad that I made when I was in the Brownies.  Yes, Brownies.  So I had to be 5 to 7 years of age.  Crazy.  It is made from a soup can with a top cut away, clothes pins that have been taken apart, glued, and secured with copper wire.  It used to set by the land line telephone (remember before cell phones?) in the kitchen with lots of pencils that were sharpened by a pocket knife.

Now it sets by my moms coffee cup, right where I can see it daily.  Treasures found.  Really.  I had no idea that my mother kept this after all those years.  As I am going through rooms, buckets and bins, I am discovering more of these things.  Many things I am disposing.  But these items today, brought back a smile, giggle, and tears.

What do you treasure?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Day 19 · future · grown up · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Professions

Grown Up

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NaBloPoMo 2012 -Day 19

When did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up?  I wanted to be a Home Economics Teacher, until I went to college.  Algebra got me, and hard.

Decisions are hard.  Lifetime decisions are even harder.  Trying to decide on what would be a good job in 4 to 5 years after college is even harder.

I am 46 years old, and I still don’t know what I really want to do.  I like being a wife and a mom.  It is a difficult job, but comes naturally to me.  At least the mothering does. Ha.  In fact, I have been told to write a blog for Mom’s.  I’m not sure about that, but I may include some new mommy helps here.

But, I wandered again.  So, my beautiful, smart daughter is at Auburn in the Pre-Nursing program.  She may not get in to the nursing program.  She doesn’t know what else to she wants to do with her life.  She would be a wonderful nurse.  Not sure about the economy in the years ahead, but any profession is going to hurt in some way or another.

So…what does the future hold?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Day 18 · Disney · family · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Remembering

Disney 2008

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 18
Do you feel the magic? What? The magic of Disney!  
Carmen and I love Walt Disney World in Orlando.  We want to go again.  I don’t think Stephen wants to go again.  He wants to do Universal (and so does Carmen).  I think there is something to do with Harry Potter there.  But David is in Bagram and it will be a while before we go again.  And we have gone since these photos were taken, but I thought I would go down memory lane and take you with me.  All of these photos are from our July 2008 trip.
 David and I at the Boardwalk.
 David, Carmen and Stephen with their carnival wins.
 At Cinderella’s Castle breakfast.  I love this photo.
 Not strong enough. 
 Nope, David can’t do it either.  
Love them.
The rest are our attempts at making fish faces.
David’s blow fish.
 Mom! 
 Carmen kept making herself giggle.  
 
 Finally.
I love this part of vacations. Just being silly.  Happy memories.  Although, I am ready to feel the magic again – very soon!

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Day 17 · Mom · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Pioneer · US Citizen

Pioneer

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 17

My Uncle Jake called my Mom a pioneer.  This took place in a conversation almost 3 years ago at Thanksgiving.  I never thought of her like that before he said it.  Pioneer.
My Mom, Lore.  I love this picture of her.  Young, scared, but happy. She came to the United States in 1956.  This was the picture used for her visa.  She had to be sponsored to enter the U.S. at that time.  Her Uncle Max (who lived in Chicago, IL) sponsored her.  She wanted something different than what was offered in West Germany.  
I just saw her as my Mom.  All of my friends heard her accent.  I did with some words, like video.  She pronounced the v like a w.  It was always very funny to me to hear her say it.  
With the days of the election just a week ago, I have been thinking about my Mom and the move she made.  Going to a world where she didn’t speak the language, had very little money, and schooled as a seamstress must have been terrifying.  
I can’t imagine moving to another country.  Visiting countries are hard enough with the transit systems, and laws.  She did it.  Not by anyones else’s standards but her own.  She conquered, and achieved a life in US.  She became a U.S. Citizen in 1963, after becoming a Nanny for a family in Connecticut. She went to Kindergarten with the child she watched so that she could learn the language.  
Who does that now?  Immigrants want us to speak their language (but that is an entire blog in itself).  She learned.  We expect so much from our country.  People want hand outs, and help out with things we used to work three jobs to achieve.  
Maybe we should think more like my Mom, and become a pioneer.  Conquer. 
Just a thought.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
children · Day 16 · family · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Time Flies

Time Flies

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 16

Wow. Time really does go by quickly.  Years are flying by.  Faster as we get older.

I have been looking at my digital photos trying to find specific photograph.  When I find it you will be the first to know. But in the mean time, another trip down memory lane.  This one goes back a little further in time, all the way to November 2000.  Carmen is about to turn 8, and Stephen is about to turn 4.  I love the beaches here on the Emerald Coast.  No matter the time of year, sunsets are always beautiful.

 Playing in the sand. 
 Carmen.
Stephen.  I get this look more often now that he is 
almost 16 than when he was 4. 
Love your children.  Hug them. They grow up in a blink of an eye.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
Day 15 · Dexter · Dogs · family · NaBloPoMo 2012

Dexter

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NaBloPoMo 2012 -Day 15

Dexter is the name of our dog.  We have had him now for almost 5 years.  He is a great dog, very loving, friendly (most of the time), and playful.  He is some sort of rat terrier, and is about 25 pounds.

We have taught him some tricks to do for treats such as: speak, sit, lay down, roll over, stand up, twirl (stand up spin), and bang-bang (play dead).  He knows what the difference is with his ball (tennis ball), bone (chew bone), and rope (play rope).  He is very smart.  I believe that he has trained us well. ha.

He likes to go for car rides.  He is like most dogs when riding in the automobiles of their owners, sticking his nose out to capture every smell.

Please excuse the photo quality (taken with my phone and backwards at that, but being safe -at stops).  Here he is nose out the window, acting like a regular dog.
And no more than 5 minutes later, he is sitting in his seat.  He acts like he needs a car seat.  I swear, he is a person sometimes, well most of the time.  He certainly acts like it, especially riding in the car.  He will get bored with the smells and sit for a while.  He will lay down and nap if he is tired, or we are going farther than he expected.
He is family.  We love him.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Christmas · Day 14 · Holy Family · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Random Thoughts · Religions · USPS Stamps

Holy Family Stamp

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 14

I was completely taken back with this stamp this year.

USPS Holy Family Stamp

I had to go to the US Post Office today to mail two packages to David.  He needed a pair of gloves, and a treat or two.  While I was there, I asked if they had their Christmas stamps yet?  They did.

I purchased three sets of these Holy Family books.  I love that they are using the wording Holy Family.  It was a comforting sight especially after the last couple of weeks.

I have always said that it seems that those of us who worship Jesus Christ are not allowed to say anything aloud in public because we may offend someone.  We (believers) aren’t supposed to say anything for those who choose not to worship Christ, and sometimes a “holiday” break just doesn’t cut it.  I want to say “Christmas” break because that is what it is.  If you want call it “winter” break fine, but I am a Christmas break girl.

School programs are asked to showcase Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but Christians aren’t supposed to show Jesus.  In fact, Stephen participated in a Holiday Showcase (in Kindergarten) that showed all things winter including Father Winter (I don’t know really who he is), but not Christ.  I am completely for others being able to showcase their beliefs, but then allow us (Christians) to do the same.  We need to learn about other cultures and religions.  I try to keep an open mind, but everyone should get the same piece of the pie and then everyone is happy (I know, but).

I went off…and I am sorry if I have offended anyone.  Wait, I am not sorry.  I am sorry if you are offended by equal time.  I don’t shove my beliefs down your throat, please don’t shove yours down mine.

So all of my cards will have this Holy Family proudly placed on each and every mailing I do this Christmas.  I am feeling quite blessed by being able to do this, this year.  I think I need to purchase enough for the next several years, especially since they are “forever” stamps.  Isn’t that appropriate? The Holy Family Stamp is a Forever Stamp.  I love it.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Day 13 · NaBloPoMo 2012 · small town · smile

Smile

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 13

Do you smile when you pass someone?  Growing up in a small town, we waved to everyone driving by, or even walking.  It was what we did.  Never really thought about it.  We smiled at people we liked and didn’t like.

Living in a larger city, people look at you funny if you wave at them passing in a car.  With walking, people are friendlier, but always look uncomfortable doing it like it is forced.

I love to smile.  It is an automatic hello, welcome, and acknowledgement.  It doesn’t hurt to smile.  It is the same in all languages. Yes.  Smiling in some countries people look at me funny as well.  Must not be a small town.

Smile at people today.  Make them wonder what you have been up to.  Make them feel comfortable when they walk into the room.

Smile.  It may even make you happy.

Blessings.
Jerry Ann

aspartame · Day 12 · diet coke · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Prism Diet

Soda, Pop or Coke

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 12 

Soda, Pop or Coke – whatever you call it, it was hurting me.

I stopped drinking Diet Coke three years ago in August.  I accidentally tried it when David had one, and it tasted like poison to me.  I used to be able to drink as many as twelve cans a day.  I read some where that the aspartame used to sweeten could cause inflammation of joints.  I was swollen all the time it seemed, so I thought I would give it a try.  It has helped.  

I have had gum, and yogurt sweetened with aspartame.  It doesn’t seem to do the damage that the sodas were doing, mainly due to the amount of soda I was drinking. 

I miss coke. I do.  I drink tea some now, but mainly water with lemon slices.  I sweeten my drinks with Splenda or Truvia, if I do it at all.  We still don’t know all of the effects of these as well, but I do try to stay away from aspartame.  Doctors won’t know the long term effects as well, unless all of us document what we eat and drink.  Like that is going to happen. 

I am not saying that you should give up soda/pop/coke.  Just look at what you are putting in your body.  Read the ingredients. I try to stay with pure food products, and avoid additives and ingredients that I can’t pronounce, let alone know what they are.  Prism (diet program, lifestyle change) has made me very aware of supplements and preservatives, and it has been an eye opening realization. But it isn’t always easy.

Happy Monday.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Day 11 · NaBloPoMo 2012 · Veterans Day

Veterans Day

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NaBloPoMo 2012 – Day 11

Happy Veterans Day!

First and foremost, to our men and women in uniform…past, present and future…God bless you…thank you.

I have been surrounded by military.  My father, who died 3 months before I was born, was in the Army, active duty.  When I was almost 4, my mom married the man I called Daddy, who was also in the Army.  He retired when I was 7, so technically I didn’t grow up in the military.

I married a man who was in the Air Force, and was married 13 years.  I am grateful to the people who helped us along the way.

I now live in a community that has two bases nearby.  I understand their ranks, and their sacrifices.

I am grateful for my upbringing, and for my past.  It has made me who I am today.

So, thank you again for you —-anyone who has ever served in any branch of military, and to their families.

Happy Veterans Day.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann