Shopping for New Years Eve

Today we went shopping for all the goodies for New Years Eve. By we, I mean almost the entire family. Hubby, both daughters, one son-in-law, both babies and me. Sound a little strange? It was. You see our New Years Eve is a little different from most people. It has nothing to do with being Jewish. We just don't care for the whole going out and getting drunk thing. So, we do a Shabu Shabu dinner. Depending on who you talk to, this is either a Chinese or Japanese celebration meal. It is sometimes called Hot Pot. Anyway, it consists of a very large pot of simmering broth which each person adds to. Sea food, very thinly sliced beef, (or pork) vegetables and a bunch of other things are all added to the spicy broth at the table. You eat what you put into the broth. It's a really good time with great food. But the foods needed can't all be found at your local market. So off we went to the Asian market. Son-in law had a great time looking at all the foods he had never seen/ tried before. (He bought some) Miss Mim enjoyed looking at all the fish, lots and lots of different kinds. Most of them were whole so they really looked like fish. Daughter #1 was busy finding all the ingredients and keeping track of her two little ones. Daughter #2 was busy trying to keep her hubby from buying everything that caught his eye and helping daughter #1. Hubby was having fun WALKING around the store. Yup he walked it. And of course he was buying what looked interesting to him too. Me, I had a great time watching everyone. I helped shop, played with the kids, pointed out things to both hubby and son-in-law. A good time was had by all. Now Friday night we get to have our Shabu Shabu Dinner and enjoy all the wonderful things we bought to go into it. (I am fond of the fish balls.)

Jewish Christmas eve

Well here it is Christmas Eve. Or Erev Christmas. Not really a Jewish holiday. So tonight instead of our normal Shabbat family dinner we are going to do what Jews all over America do, Chinese takeout! Now that may seem strange to my Non Jewish friends, so let me explain. Christmas and Christmas eve are big deals in the U.S. Everything closes. On Christmas eve stores and restaurants close early and then are closed on Christmas Day. The point is to let families celebrate the Holiday together. However, it you don't celebrate Christmas what ya going to do? Everything is closed. But wait!
Many Chinese people aren't christian. So, they don't close their restaurants. So, we Jews, order in or go out for Chinese food. Many of us also have a tradition of watching (some crappy, some not) movies. If you can find a theater open it's always fun to go out or as we do rent the movies to watch at home. There will be now wonder of Christmas morning destruction of gifts. No screaming kids waking you up to open presents. Just a very quiet day at home or with family.

Museum of Science and Industry

I spent my day at MSI (Museum of Science and Industry). I had a blast. I got to explain how refraction of light effects how we see color. People don't get the concept so it was fun to explain. Kids catch on before their Parents do sometimes. A group of mentally challenged women came up. I went through the whole thing with them. The chaperoned with them was thrilled because I let them change the colors of the light.
This museum is a hands on museum. Of course they could change the lights. Everyone can. I'm just there to help them understand why the colors change. Come see the museum!!!!!

Happy Bithday Miss Mim

Today is Miss Mim's 3rd birthday. For reasons to complex to get into, I was the second person to wish her a happy birthday in person today! When I left she was all smiles and a very happy birthday girl. However, she is growing up really fast. Today she said:
"Bubbie, you're silly." I guess she is getting too big for tummy kisses. Nah not yet!

Rib Dinner

I can't believe how long it has been since I posted. I guess I have been busy or didn't have much to say. I thought I would share a few pics of the grandchildren. Miss Mim turns 3 tomorrow. It's hard to believe but true. So here are Miss Mim and "The Dude" in rare form.



Just look at those blue eyes. She wasn't very happy with the rib dinner to start with. The ribs made her "hands sticky". She was unhappy at least at first. She would only chew on a bone with most of the meat and sauce taken off.



The dude however had no problem at all. There was meat on that bone and he was going to get every drop. There really was other food to eat too. But he only wanted MEAT. (The rib bones on Daddy's plate were the best.)



This last picture is of the two of them playing on the organ I inherited from my Aunt. She left it to me because the Mommy of these two darlings used to play with it when she smaller than they are now. I know seeing these two play her organ would make my Aunt very happy.

Grab a cup of coffee

Either I have too much time on my hands or I am becoming my Grandmother. I had two wonderful Grandmothers. One was very old world and would cook until she dropped.
The other was a proper New York society lady, raised to have all of the proper manners.
It is the second one I seem to be channeling today. Not the manners or even her class.(which I wish I had) But, something more memorable for me.
I was the generation that first met the legend that is now simply know as Barbie. Yup, that's how old I am. My New York proper Grandmother bought me the very first rendition of Barbie. Bobbed, bouffant blond hair and striped swimsuit. I was in heaven. Barbie had a wardrobe even back then. But, my folks would not buy me any Barbie clothes. So,as the story goes, my Grandmother saw just how cheaply made the clothes for the dolls were. She set out to make clothes for my Barbie. Oh my, how that woman could sew. I had all of the latest fashions for my doll. If Grandma saw it, she made it for me. Everything in the Barbie collection in better fabrics and nicer colors. Even what was in the magazines. I had it all. She even taught me how to sew. At the time I'm not sure I appreciated what I was taught. But, she and I spent many wonderful afternoons together sewing. As I grew older she promised to make my wedding dress for me. I was thrilled. More years passed and I became engaged. Grandma was dying. She was not able to make my dress, so in keeping with her promise I made it myself. She passed away one week after my wedding. I guess she waited for me to really get married.

So, back to my channeling her. My Granddaughter, Miss M, received a tea set for Hanukkah from her other Grandmother. It is really cute. She loves to play with it. But the other day, as we were playing, Miss M wanted place mats for her table just like Mommy uses. So, today I sat down at my old sewing machine and just like my own Grandmother, made her what she wanted. Miss M has 4 place-mats for her table



I hope my Grandma would be proud.

Life is funny

Things are finally starting to slow down. Thanksgiving is over. Our annual Hanukkah party has come and gone. So things are getting back to this new normal of ours. Froebe Fibers has had a very busy day. Banking, new colorways, lost reservations and the like have only tested us. The web site is acting up and balking at working. But everything should be back to normal (what ever that is) by the first of the year.

Should I be reflecting on the past year? I hope not. For the most part I would rather forget most of this year. I would love things to improve. So, at least for the time being I plan to focus on the new year. I am hopeful it will bring good things for all of us.

It's Hanukkah. The third night to be exact. So, I have been kind of busy. Tomorrow night is the big bash. Today I found myself with a few spare minutes (Shhh don't tell on me) and decided to clear out my old emails. I found one from a craft site that I visit from time to time. They had a video on how to make your own Hanukkah Menorah. A crafty one. So, now I am thinking about making crafty Menorahs. I'll keep you posted if I do make any. Yes, I will include pictures.

Technology and me.

I signed up for a new program. It's post cars sent to people from my phone. Great idea I thought.I can send people real snail mail post cards with pictures I took. And, the first 10 are FREE. So yesterday, Thanksgiving, I took some great pics of hubby playing horse with the Grand kids. What a wonderful picture to show the world hubby is doing better.
Guess who can't get the bloody thing to work. You guessed it....me! I know I am not a techno whiz. I get that. But the directions seemed simple. Attach a photo to a text. Send the whole thing to this company and they send it out for you. NBD right? Now there is just one problem. How do you attach a picture to a text????????

The strangest thing

On facebook the past couple of day I have been receiving invitations to a 35th class reunion. Not my class reunion, but the class of a friend who grew up in Philly. I do not know any other people there. I have gotten at least one invite every day for a week now. Some days I get more than one. They all have a choice about attendance; yes, no, maybe. Trying to be a nice person, I click no. A few hours later I get another request to attend this reunion.

Now you must bear in mind that I graduated from high school dare I say more than 35 years ago. I have received information about 2 reunions. The first was the 5 year. I found out about it 3 days before it happened and I was 400 miles away. Needless to say I could not make it. I also heard about the 10 year reunion a couple of days before it happened. School had just started and now I was 2000 miles away. I have not heard about any of my reunions since. Yet I get invited to my friends more than once.

This I think is very odd.

[No the picture at the top of the page has nothing to do with the post. It was taken at MSI and is part of the storm exhibit. Just thought you might want to know]

Well I did it.

I have finally done it. I went to my old blog, ramblings of a mad woman, and gave everyone the address for this blog. It has been so very long since I posted there I am not sure anyone still checks. But, on the off chance they do, They now have my new blog address.

I have been "surfing around on the internet". I found something I thought was interesting. People, it seems , judge you by your email address. Not your part, but who hosts you like aol.com or yahoo.com or even gmail.com. According to the site, gmail users are second only to people who have their own domain name. Those are followed by yahoo, hotmail and aol at the bottom of the internet social order.

Can you believe people are that interested in who hosts your email account? Perhaps this is some sort of gag or joke. Does it really matter. Well, if it does then I am at the bottom half of the ladder sort of. I have two yahoo accounts. But I also have a domain name thanks to my daughter and son-in-law. So I guess people can take their pick. Either I am at the top of the internet social ladder, or near the bottom. Choose for yourself.

I am just happy to be able to communicate in the 21st century!

We are having a very lazy day. Brunch at home followed by watching a net flicks movie from our gift, given to us by one daughter and son-in-law. We are able to do this because our other son-in-law hooked up the system he and our other daughter gave us as a gift. Are you confused yet? You ought to see me trying to get three remote controls all to work so I can turn everything on and watch the movie I want. But, I did it. I even chose a movie hubby liked. All in all a good day.



I know, there isn't anything written here about Miss Mim. But as the Bubbie I get to post pictures just because I want to!

How I spent my Thursday

Yesterday I went to MSI(Museum of Science and Industry). I thought I'd share some pics.



This is Miss Mim driving a full sized tractor.



This is Miss Mim sitting in the wheel of the same tractor.

They also had an exhibit of"Jim Henson's Muppetts".

I have finished my dog sitting assignment. It was fun. My daughter's dogs are very well behaved.I had no problems at all. I forgot to take pics to share.

I have been busy knitting too. I am almost 3/4 done with the vest I am knitting for the Dude. Also, a friend of mine has three boys. I knit a snake for the youngest (4yrs) as a n xmas present. (no, they are not Jewish) Then I thought, what do I get for the older boys ( 6 and 9). Then it dawned on me. Harry Potter scarves! I am about half way done with the first one. It's forest green and cream, Slythern colors. I think that will be for the 6 year old. The other will be Gryphindor colors, rust/gold and red, for the older boy. I hope they like them. I will post pics when they are all finished.

Asparagus Soup with cream

I am puppy sitting my Grand dogs. They are wonderful! I have been over to their house twice today. They are happy to see me and do just what I want them to do. (I did get a tongue bath from the big one thought)

I also have appetizers in the oven. Very large mushroom, caps removed, stuffed with cheese.

Asparagus soup is started. With that we will have rosemary bread "croutons" with Parmesan cheese.

Croutons:
1 loaf of rosemary bread
olive oil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Slice the bread as thick as you prefer. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Toast them in the oven @ 350 degrees until golden. When toasted remove from oven and sprinkle with grated cheese.



Asparagus Soup with cream:

3 lbs of fresh asparagus
8 cups of chicken stock
4T butter
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
pinch of salt
1/4 tsp.white pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream

Wash and trim the asparagus. Save the woody ends. (They will add flavor)
In a stock/soup pot bring the stock to a boil.
Add the woody ends of the asparagus. Let that simmer for about 20 minutes.
Trim about an inch off the tops of each asparagus stalk. ( The pretty tips)set that aside.

Cut the remainder of the stalks into 1 inch pieces.
After 20 minutes remove the woody stalks from the stock and throw them away.
Add the pretty tips to the stock and cook for 1 minute.
Remove the pretty tip and put them in a bowl of ice cold water to stop them fro cooking any more and lock in their color.
In another pan saute the onion, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
To that add the sliced asparagus, salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes

Pour all of this into the simmering stock, cover and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat.
Using an immersion blender or food processor (small batches here)puree the soup until smooth.
Add seasonings if needed.
Add the heavy cream and pretty tips. Heat until everything is warm.

Serve with Parmesan Croutons

Progress?

I am working on getting the yarn company moving forward. Yesterday a friend volunteered to knit up a new sock yarn pattern. We will see how it looks. I (we) need to decide on: 1.how many months/ patterns we will do. 2. what to charge. 3.Contact all the people who signed up for information. 4. figure out the new color ways. And then get everything going. Sounds simple, but getting started isn't so easy.

I have also been asked by my DH to print out pictures of the babies for his mother. She complains about not having current pictures. Not a problem. I have pictures to print. Can I find my photo paper? NO!!!!! I have looked everywhere. I can't find it. So, today after I purchase her birthday present, card, wrapping paper and wrap her gift I have to either find the photo paper or go buy more. All for a woman who doesn't think I should have married my DH. Yeah!!!!!!!

Halloween 2010

As you can see, Minnie Mouse came to visit for Halloween. She brought with her the cutest Giraffe I have ever seen.



They were just too cute. They went door to door with their Mommy and Daddy in tow. Miss Mim had been practicing to say "Trick or treat" for several days. I don't think she ever really got to say it though. The Dude did manage to say something like it the Mommy says.




Every one had a really good time. The babies took in quite load of goodies. Mommy, Daddy, Zadie and Bubbie all enjoyed the candy Mommy and Daddy were giving out.


Aunt Megan came by and took lots of pictures too. (Don' know if she ate any candy)

All in all I had a very good time.

Pre- Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween. I am so excited. Almost as excited as when I was a kid. You see I get to go over to the grandchildren's house and give out candy there. It's not so much that I get to give out candy, it's that I get to see them (the babies) all excited as they leave the house to go trick or treating. There is nothing as exciting to me as seeing them all excited about something new. And, if I am giving out candy at their house, the Mommy and Daddy both can go out with them and enjoy seeing them in action. It is a win win situation. ( I have been working with Miss Mim on saying "trick or treat") I am going to try to take lots of pics. We will see how it goes.

I applied for another job today. I keep doing that in the hope that I will indeed get a job. Everyone tells me that I should just relax and be "retired". I should work on my business and take the unemployment. So why can't I do that? I really wish I knew. I wake up every morning, look at the clock and figure out where my daughter is. On her way to school? At school? How are her classes going? Why does she have a job and I don't? Does this mean she is a better teacher than I am?

I even saw a job I am qualified for at her school. I am not going to apply for it. I worked in the same building as she did and even worked with her once. It was very strange. I don't want to put either of us in that position again. At this point I really am torn as to what to do.

The Jewelry Party went well. I forgot to take pictures though. Sorry. I really enjoyed seeing the people I don't get to see often. I think I have neglected my friends. I am also discovering who my friends are.

Every year my family has a Hanukkah Party. We invite lots and lots of people. But, we never get invited to any parties. Well, That's not quite true. We did get invited to one party this year and declined. I guess I made that decision because I was worried about fitting in with the group. I was wrong. That is my normal negative thinking.
I am trying to change that.

I just need to say yes to invitations. I need to take chances. The worst thing that can really happen is that I don't have a good time.

So, I am going to accept invitations and get out there.

Spiders

Most people know I hate spiders. The real ones. They creep up on you silently out of nowhere. They scare the hell out of me. The fact that I am allergic to their bite might have something to do with it.

But, this time of year I find myself making them. I make them out of paper and hang them around the house. This year I am having some friends over for an evening. So I am making spiders out of chocolate. I haven't done this in years.


They are very easy to make.

2 cups chocolate chips
1 butterscotch chips
1 cup salted peanuts
2 cups chow mein noodles






1. Using a double boiler,. melt the chocolate chips
2. Add the butterscotch chips to the chocolate chips and melt them together
3. Add the peanuts and mix well
4. Add the chow mein noodles
5. Mix everything together until everything is well coated in the chocolate mixture
6. Drop well rounded spoonfuls on to wax paper lined cookie sheets
7. Cool until firm, then refrigerate

That's it. They are easy and fun to make. So enjoy the Halloween season and make some of these goodies with your family.

"No good deed goes un- punished"

Sometimes, it's hard to understand what is going on in my life. I try to be a good friend. I don't always do what others want. But then they don't always do what I want either.

I am throwing a jewelery party. I am doing this because the woman selling the jewelery is the wife of a very good client of my husbands. So, I thought I would combine a "Girls Night" with this party. I sent out a lot of invites. All with an RSVP request. Most people have not RSVP'd. Most of the people who did respond declined.

If I am lucky there may be seven women there. I am trying not to get down about the lack of interest. But, the last one... she said "her neighbor might be throwing a get together that night."

I just have to wonder.

BBQ ribs cooking in the crock pot. Artichokes cooking in he steamer. Dinner should be ready in about half an hour.
I have tried to keep busy today. Waiting to hear about a job. Waiting has never been my strong suit. I am one of those people who wants to know NOW!!!!

There are good points and bad points to getting this job. Getting up every morning and going to work again doesn't sound like fun. But, the money will help. If I don't get the job I will have all the time in the world to get the business going full speed. But no money to back it up with.



I feel a little like these chickens in a cage, always dancing to someone else's tune.

I haven't been posting the last few days because my head has been somewhere else. I have applied for a job teaching in Chicago. Tomorrow I have to teach a sample lesson. I have been a little concerned about it. I have all of my stuff together. But, my nerves are still on edge. There are so many things to worry about.
I would love to just stay home and have someone pay me. Oh wait that's unemployment isn't it.

With starting up the yarn business again there are too many things to do.So, I am hanging on here to see where this leads.

For what ever reason part of my last post did not post. So here is the rest of it.


This is Miss Mim picking out a pumpkin of a different color (and shape).

A good time was had by all.

We all went to the Pumpkin farm yesterday. There were 7 adults and 2 very tired children. It was well past nap time.
Little man had a hard time picking out his pumpkin. It was really hot and he was really tired.

But, like the little trooper he is, he made his choice.

Miss M looked at lots and lots of pumpkins before she chose just the right one.

There were lots of people. Lots of pumpkins. Dancing skeletons,piggies, goats and all sorts of other things to do and see. The kid's other Grandma and her two sisters were with us. They came down from Canada for a visit.

That's the back of Grandma's head, Daddy, Mommy and the Dude.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Odd Week

I have had an interesting week.
I interviewed for a teaching job. I should here about it sometime this week.

I did my first sales call at a knitting store. They ordered 15 skeins of yarn to be delivered on the first.

I have been trying to stay away from my daughter and grandchildren the last few days. The other Grandmother is in town. I want the kids to get to know her and for her to have them to herself. But, daughter keeps inviting me to do stuff with them. I should add that the other Grandmother also brought two of her sisters with her. They all went into the city yesterday. They went to the Field Museum of Natural History. Hubby and I were invited to go with them. We declined for the above stated reason. They asked us to join them for dinner. We did and had a lovely time. (Who knew two over tired toddlers, who did not have a nap, could be so well behaved at a restaurant?)

Today the entire group is going to a pumpkin farm. They have asked me to join them. Hubby has to work. I am going to go. I will be taking LOTS of pictures. Just give me a day or two to get them posted.

Have you ever noticed how things seem to happen all at one time? In my life that always seems to be the case.
Our yarn business seems to be starting off well. This Fri. I am going to visit a new yarn store in a town not far from here. I hope they will want to carry our yarns.

I also may have a lead on a teaching job. We will have to see where that goes. I am NOT giving up the yarn business I have put too much into it to back off now. It is full speed ahead. I will work it after school if I need to. Since most of the stuff is at my house I can do that. I am not putting all my hopes on the teaching job, but it would give me some extra money to put into the yarn business.

It is all so mixed up in my head. Here I was retired sort of with lots of time for the grand-babies. Well, lets not put the horse before the cart.



Lets just enjoy a too cute picture of the little guy while he will still dress up and smile for Bubbie.

Yarn Con

Yarn Con went well. We sold some yarn. It was a rainy day so there weren't as many people as in past years. But we more than covered our costs. Here you see Becca and our friend Jen who makes our "Needle Bling".




We met some interesting people and have have had some wonderful conversations. I would have to say a great time was had by everyone who was there.

There was the lady who was buying yarn for her daughter. She had no idea what she was buying. As to weight, fiber content or any other info, she had no idea. Her daughter gave her a list of things like "Hand dyed yarn" but this lady was in way over her head. Becca helped her out.

There was another lady who wandered in because her son's football team was practicing in the rain and she didn't want to get wet.She had tried knitting once before. She said she didn't get it. So, I took her to another booth to buy needles and she came back to buy yarn. I got her connected with a knitting group in her area. I hope she stays in touch.

Just about everything is ready for Yarn Con. All our yarn is done and packed up. Baskets are in the car already as well as lots of things we need like our sign and I am getting cash for change. Becca still needs to find the camp chairs. We found everything else we had put into storage. I am getting excited.Starting our business back up is a little scary. But, now that I have the time... what the heck.

Hubby will be home tonight. So, I had better get my a** moving or I will run out of time to get everything done.



Here is a good pic of Hubby wishing everyone a good time.

All knitting today

I am so excited. My (our) company will be selling our yarn at the "Sheep in the City" yarn festival.

We have been working really hard to get everything ready for the festival this weekend, Yarn Con. We have over 80 skeins of yarn dyed and ready to go. That is for only a one day festival here in Chicago. Since each skein is dyed by hand one at a time it takes a while to get them done.

Sheep in the City is a three day event!!!!!

We have added three new color ways for Yarn Con. They are solid color yarns. Hopefully they will sell well. We are also going to try to set up a sock club. Where people sign up and pay, then every month they are sent a different new yarn and a new sock pattern.
We are going to take names and email addresses to see if there is interest.

I am also going to work on writing patterns for knitted games that we can sell as a kit. The pattern and yarn together.

I hope this will keep me busy.



This is a little something I knit for Mim mim. It is not our yarn, but the top is knitted.



This is the other one from the same pattern.

I noticed that I have knitted a few things for Mim mim but, only a snake for the dude. So I am working on a vest for him. I will post pics when it is finished.

 
This blast was taken by Magnolia, who walked with me for a big part of the Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer walk. She is an amazing woman raising four children on her own. She chose to do the walk because she wants to give back to the community and wants to set an example for her children. If you didn't know, that is Mim mim I am holding.

Too Cute

I received an interesting phone call yesterday. It seems my identity has been stolen.
Don't panic! It wasn't someone wanting to steal my money. Mim mim decided that she was Zadie (her grandfather) and The Dude was Bubbie. The way I hear it they wouldn't answer to their own names. They wanted to be Hubby and me.

Now that's cute!

I woke up this morning listening to the sound of the wind and rain. There is nothing quite like an early morning storm, when you don't have to get out of bed.

My plan for the day is to skein the last of the yarn and put labels on everything.
Yarn Con is only a week away. So there are last minute things to do.

Re-inventing myself is taking some odd turns, but all in all not so bad.
I find I am making more lists when I have several things to do. I also have "ideas" for new things too. But, getting to sleep as long as I like is nice. It's like an extended summer vacation. I may decide to stay "retired" and just work on the yarn business.

Wonder

Sometimes people tell you (me) things and I wonder what they really mean. For example; tonight someone told me that I should write a novel. I have been told this before. I have never really thought about it. But, a few people have said I should.

Do I take them seriously? Are they just being nice? How do you know.I am not sure I have anything to say that people would read. I have been writing this blog on and off now for a few months. I will admit it's not regular. But, I have a grand total of 7 readers. Most of the time they don't even respond to what I have written. They consist of both of my daughters, my husband, one son-in-law, son- in- law's mother, a friend through my daughter and a daughter's friend. That's not a lot of readership.

So how do yo know when someone is being nice or they really mean what they say?
Sometimes when I ask people if they meant what they have said they tell me they were making a joke. But this idea of me writing a novel seems to keep popping up.

If you are reading this please let me know how you tell when someone means what they say. I just don't know any more.

I have been working very hard to get all of our yarn dyed for the upcoming festival "Yarn Con". It has been a while since Froebe Fibers did much of anything. So I have been very busy. We still need to update our website. But, you can find it at k2p2.net/store if you would like to see what we have. We also have some new solid colored yarns. Since I still do not have a teaching job I have time to work on this. If you like to knit or know someone who does please share our web site with them. You may not be able to order on line because we are working on the site, but contact me here and I will take care of everything.

Yarn

I am working on dyeing yarn. My daughter and I have started up our business again. We hand dye yarn. Not a big deal to most people but a really big deal in the knitting world.
We did this about 3 years ago, before the babies were born. Now that I am unemployed it just seemed to me a great time to start things up again. What does one do with all this time on ones hands. So wish us well and keep an eye out for our updated website.
The old one is at k2p2.net/store

Sometimes the cosmos like to play games. I had a tough day today trying to get the state of Illinois to do what it is supposed to do. I stood in line for over two hours after having driven around to get the paper work they said I needed. Then I found out that I did not need that paperwork but something else. So I drove back to where I started to get the new paper work and when back to the state office to do everything over again.
After spending my entire day doing all of this, I was feeling very put-upon. I felt I needed some pampering. Hubby agreed. So he offered to take me out to dinner.
While driving to dinner we got a call. A good friend had had a heart attack. He had surgery and is going to be alright.
But, my world was brought up short.Here I was feeling sorry for myself. Compared to what my friend and his family was going through I had had a minor inconvenience.

How full of ourselves we can be, I can be.

After my cancer I had a continuum I used to measure how important things really were. I guess I had forgotten. Is the problem a broken fingernail or a death in the family. (---|---------------------) My day was more of a fingernail thing.

Hug those you love. They are only with us for a short while.

Warning #2 Heavy reading ahead

September 11 seems to stop everyone in their tracks. Not just the year it happened, even today. People are remembering where they were when they heard about the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. Then they talk about the second plane hitting, the attack on the Pentagon,the twin towers falling and the plane that went down in Penn.
We remember where we were and what we were doing, just like the day Pres. Kennedy was killed. Or if you are old enough to remember, when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

So, today we think about how things used to be. How are lives are different today. We remember those who lost their lives in the attack and those who lost their lives trying to help/ save others.

Today, we must each of us look to ourselves and ask "Is what we are doing really going to create a better world? Or do we have an agenda of our own that we are trying to promote?" Religions seem to take the "us against them" approach. Countries do the same.

Killing does not create a better world.

So, I challenge everyone who reads this. Let's come up with a better way. Send me your ideas. Let's see if we can do better.

Starting the New Year

The Jewish Holidays are here. Today is Erev Rosh Hashana, or The evening of the Jewish new year. All Jewish Holidays start at sundown. So we start tonight. Tomorrow we spend the day in services. Then we have the 10 Days of Awe followed by Yom Kipper. The Day of Atonement.

I have just finished making the creamed herring for our break the fast 10 days from now. The sour cream and onions and herring need to sit in the fridge for 10 days so the flavors can blend. I tried using store bought creamed herring one year. But, my family would have none of it. It was home made or nothing. This is very funny to me. Because I really don't make it from scratch. Here is what I do:

One jar of herring in wine sauce
one or two onions
sour cream (how much depends on the amount of herring)

1.Take a jar of herring in wine sauce, drain most of the liquid off. Put it in a large bowl.
2. Thinly slice an onion or two, depending on how much you are making and how you like onions. Put that in the same bowl.
3. To that same bowl add sour cream. How much depends on taste. Mix it all up. Cover with plastic wrap and put the whole thing in the fridge for up to 10 days or how ever long you can leave it there without eating it.

When my girls were younger I would have to hide the creamed herring or threaten them with their lives if they didn't leave it alone.

This year most of my family is involved in the services. Reading, saying blessings and blowing shofar. I will be sitting with the babies. ;)

I am wishing everyone a healthy and happy New Year. L' Shana Tova to you all.

It's Labor Day. Here in the U.S. that means a day off. With the Jewish Holidays so close (Wed. night) it also means cleaning. Hubby and I went to the cemetery to trim the bushes at his Dad's grave. It is traditional to visit family graves between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper, the Jewish New Year and the day of Atonement. So Hubby will be taking his Mom there. We wanted it to look nice. We then came home and did work around the house. Cleaning and putting stuff away. The normal stuff.

I am still looking for work. The school year has started but, there may be a few jobs still out there. I have also started looking for jobs as a corporate trainer. My son-in-law and daughter think I might be good at that.


Thought it was time for a pic. That's daughter Becca and me before the 60 mile Komen walk. I am the tired looking one. Yes, I walked a little over 20 miles that day and the next and then one more time. 3 days in all. It was worth it.
I try to remind myself that if I can do the Komen walk 3 different years I can do anything. The last mile or so I kept hearing Mim mim's little voice in my head. She kept telling me " 'Most done, 'most done" She was right.

We had a wonderful trip to the Boston area. Of course 6 days in the car was a little hard on the babies. Here are a couple of pieces of advice for anyone traveling with very little little ones.

1. Stopping every two hours to let them stretch may be a good idea. But they will not want to get back in the car after a while.
2. Disposable diapers do not hold everything the say they will. We had major blow out problems.
3. Little ones who are potty trained do not want to use the potty just because you want them too.
4. Fruit snacks are crack for little ones.
5. Practice up on your kid songs and finger games. They really do help when the crankiest set in.
6. Yes that neck position looks uncomfortable. But if they are asleep, LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!!!
7. Remember the little ones are having a good time. You should too.

Pictures to follow.

Yesterday I went to the zoo with my daughter, grandchildren, a friend and her children.
We had a great time.

The friends boys were great. They painted themselves like animals. The eldest made himself a tiger. The youngest made himself look like a lion. The middle boy, when asked said he painted himself "black". here is the gang.



The Dude didn't want his face painted.