October 2015

Wow it has been a while since I posted on here and many things have happened and life has been good.  I think my last post was Feb, so why don't I start with April.  That is when we did our "sister road"trip to Florida. And this year we invited our sister-in-law, Shirley to join us.  As Penny was having eye issues, Shirley and I did most of the driving until Jan joined us, then she drove.

Here is Jan and Shirley at Siesta Keys, We had so much fun here.  Now, folks, we ain't buying souvenirs or people, we are buying drinks and having laughs and picking up a few trinkets to keep people happy.  But mostly we just like being together and swap stories and laugh like mad woman

Siesta Key is a lovely place and getting a hotel room close by the beach is perfect and we also can walk everywhere, so no additional driving is needed unless we wan to visit the surround area and check things out. Which we did  as we wanted to do the air boat on the Everglades. Again, we did this but the water was very low and we never saw any wild life, no alligators, birds or even a damn frog. Noisy ride but fun nonetheless.





Here we are toasting our first drink at the local watering hole.

WE were happy to learn happy hour began at 11 and ended around 7 pm. Needless to say, we took full advantage of the happy hour prices.

I hate to admit it but we have many photos of us drinking and toasting our fun, but make no mistake we did not get drunk, slightly tipsy at times but we are lots of seafood too.

Shirley on the beach at sunset. She doesn't swim but she loves to walk the beach and pick up sea shells and of course the warm weather was a real treat to us who just endured a very cold winter in NY.

And then you have me on the beach at sunset. I am a water baby and prefer being in the water vs walking the beach. I usually snorkel about and have a blast.  I can't seem to get my sisters to join me in this snorkeling business tho.  However, last summer I taught my now 6 year old grandson not to swim and snorkel and he and I snorkel about like fools.

Below are photos of Keenan and I at the Norwood beach, we are not big fans of brown water but hey, we had a good time.  And then, the hotty of the day, Mister Clint, handsome as ever that boy.

I could continue to post photos and drive my self nuts figuring out how I can write next to or under them but screw it, enough photos all ready.

One of my favorite things to do while in Florida and I have many, is catching up with my Vietnam roommate, aka Tank.  It always amazing me that 47 years later she still sings that damn song, word for word and I love hearing it and she has a lovely voice. Sadly this time we never took one photo of us, how bad is that?  It was also great to see Justine as well and she is look great too.

I was recently back in Florida this month but it was not for fun and games.  My sister lost her husband on Oct 10th and I went down to be with her and so glad I did.  She is doing better each day and after nearly 58 years together, it will take some time to adjust and accept that he is gone.

Now I am back home and waiting to learn why my younger sister will have her cataract surgery and if possible, I will try to be with her. You understand, at this time of year, snow makes any and all travel difficult and she lives 3 hours away.

As for me, I am fine. Dealing with plantar fasciitis (aka bone spur) which is a bitch and I'm doing all the exercisers, have the power step inserts in my shoes, etc.  the heel is getting better and I see the podiatrist this week. Hey, I'll do whatever I can to avoid that damn cortisone shot in the heel, that is one shot I cannot see me taking - no flippin way.

I remain cancer free, which is great and getting my eye surgery nine month check up later next month too.  All in all I am doing good and now my goal is to drop a few pounds and stay active. Toning is happening but I'm not noticing any weight loss but hey,pants are fitting a bit looser so something is working.  I have sworn off sweets until Turkey day, then watch out.

Have a great Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year...in case I don't get back on here to update.  I know you read this Justine so keep in touch and stay happy.   

February Almost over

It just does not seem possible that Feb is almost over and we shall roll into March.  We have had such brutal temps and weather shifts, I can hardly imagine what March can offer us.

  Now this snow man makes more sense than those normal looking ones!  And it speaks volumes for how we all feel about all this snow.


You know what is really awkward? No guesses, bullshit, you had a million run thru your mind.  Anyway, our problem or awkwardness comes in the form of what in hell do we do with all this snow?

We can toss it in the river (it has salt in it) and no farmer wants it on his field.  So we stack it as high as we can and make damn sure nobody can see to back out of driveways or onto to streets, until they are in the middle of the damn road.

This was taken in my yard  Feb 24th, the pile at the end, by the Library just keeps getting higher and higher.  

Nice for sledding now if we could get outside to enjoy it but -34 wind chills and below zero temps keeps up inside.

Of course when this melts, I'll have a river in the back yard. And yes, the roof needs to scraped off before this stuff does more damage. We already decided we are replacing the roof this summer.

Here is Clint trying his level best to feed his brother. Keenan seems to be saying; "hey Dad, come save me!"

He loves his brother and this feeding is new to both as Keenan is a breast fed baby, so getting him to take the bottle is great fun.

So this is my winter so far and while I normal like winter, this year not so much.  To damn cold and I mean COLD!

Can hardly wait for April when I head to Florida. Road trip sure sounds great right now. Have friends who have already headed south to escape the cold and ran into snow and ice storms in PA, NC and got to Florida only to learn it was a tad chilly there too.  I figure by April everything should be much nicer.  

The one state that cause so many close calls and near accidents is Pennsylvania, I don't understand why those people can't look before they switch lanes or assume everyone else should just let them hog the roads and drive anyway they wants.  I was actually told by a guy who nearly crashed into me three years ago, caught up with him at a rest stop, that he reason he switched lanes was because he wants to drive in the fast lane all the time.  The right hand lane is too damn slow and people don't go fast enough. Oh, they go the speed limit or a little over and you still must pass them?  This jerks pulls out in from of anyone, trucks, police cars, ambulances, etc.  Like I said, he nearly caused an accident and had us in a serious accident but he could have cared less, he was in such a hurry to get to a rest stop, he didn't care about anyone else. Shit your pants and let us all live, asshole!

Ok,enough of my rant.  The drive is usually fun and relaxing.  Normally its just my sister and I, we pick up the third sister in Florida.  However this year, our sister-in-law is coming with us and she plan to visit her sister who lives in Florida.  Whether she plans to stay with her sister or tag along with us is unknown but either way it will be fun.

So hope you are having a lovely February.  More later. Hugs to all

No Cards

I know this title has you baffled, right? Well, keep reading, it will become clear in a minute.

I have given up sending Christmas and New Year Cards,its way too costly and really doesn't serve a purpose.  I can wish folks a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year via email, Facebook, even a phone call and enjoy it more than some stamped out card that a million other people have bought and used too.  

No offense intended folks but don't look for a card from me, it ain't gonna happen. Now if I see ya somewhere, I may be inclined to buy ya a drink, give ya a hug or slap on the ass.

This week, the 3rd week in December has seen me with doctor appointment every damn day. That makes for a fun life,eh?

I would give you results but I don't have any to give at the moment. 

So far all has gone good, so that is wonderful.

Gonna try a few recipes and get ready for family and friends to chow down and enjoy the treats.

Actually its much easier to just fix a big ole pitcher of drinks, join everyone and sing carols or whatever songs we can recall.

So you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year

Almost Christmas

I cannot believe it, Christmas is just a few weeks away and while I have most of my shopping done, I dread the wrapping process.  Hey, if I could put gifts in a gift-bag, I'm golden, but no,folks expect wrapping paper - ye gads

  Oh ya Elf is making the rounds too.  I love having something here for Clint to find and its fun hiding Elf and having him look.

Mostly we find games or something simple which is great fun.

This was yesterday, we got hammered with lots of white stuff, so Clint and Kel went outside to go sledding and make snow angels.

I stayed inside to watch Keenan and stay warm.  Mama didn't raise no fools. 

Actually I like outside winter activities too.

So we have lots of snow and definitely having a white Christmas.  My sister sent me a text two nights ago and asked if she and her daughter could spend Christmas with us?  OMG I am thrilled and so excited. Of course, we both know this is all dependent on the damn weather.  I cannot recall how many years it has been since we had Christmas together, not since we were kids for damn sure, so this will be fun.

Oh good news, my son's Mayo Clinic check-up was great and he's now in the 9 month club for check ups vs 3 or 6, so that is good. Also our daughter-in-law got good news on her vanculities progress too.  So it's looking good for them as well.

I got a clean bill of health after my colonoscopy -- hurrah.  Getting a dexa scan next week, seeing the eye doctor to get my eyes measured for cataract surgery in January, seeing the oncologist just for a check up and dermatologist (got a toe fungus I want him to check out).  But I am feeling great and so looking forward to a great winter, lots of snow shoeing and then, come April,heading to Florida and hanging out with both my sisters while I soak up the warmth and down some cool drinks.

Hey, you all have a wonderful Christmas and a healthy New Year.  Keep smiling!!!

New baby and Deer season

 Look who finally decided to make an appearance.  Keenan Crosbie: 8 lbs, 19.5 inches, Oct 30, 2014.

He looks alot like his brother, lots of hair and so sweet.

Yes, Mommy is doing good too.

Does this look like a proud Grandma?  I was just beaming.

He will be coming to my house alot after maternity leave is done.  His brother comes to my house after school each day too.  

I got two boys to keep me young and busy.

However, in April someone else will need to watch them, as us gals (actually sisters) plan to get together in Florida and who knows where we'll go or what we'll do but its been almost three years since we had a sister get-together so we are ready.  Plus I get to connect up with my Vietnam buddy too.

According to his mother, he likes to sleep all day and party all night.

This photo was texted to me at 4 a.m., and wanted to know if I wanted to party!!

He is one sweet little boy and his brother just loves him.

Clint is an amazing big brother.

Now my 14 year old grandson got a spike horn deer on his deer hunt this past week, good job Alex.  He hopes to get back to deer camp with his grandpa this weekend.

As for me, I have a few doctor appointments coming up.  Like today its a phone interview to go over medical records and set up date for a colonoscopy.  It's been three years and time for another one.  Hopefully this will be clear and I can join the 10 year club.

Wednesday a consult with the dentist as I have a cavity and whether it needs a crown or a patch will be determined and if he has time, do it tomorrow too, if not schedule an appointment for that number.

Thursday is the VA check up, every six months.  I foresee nothing but we need to coordinate blood work, EKG work and so on so I am not repeating this shit over and over. Having eye surgery in January.  Dexa scan in December and the list goes on,just normal crap, nothing to get nervous about.

I'm back working out, taking things slow and steady after pulling a shoulder muscle and feel good.  Losing weight slowly and that is good.  I like to be active and moving but at my age, I also know slowing down is fine too. For example, I don't run these days but I will walk 2 or 3 miles, which is just fine with me. Plus I am watching what I eat and being more nutritionally aware, which means reducing sugar intake, etc.

Oh hell, life is good.