tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31938469759757515512024-02-18T20:38:04.975-05:00Being JudyMewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-15133211655745410092010-10-21T08:18:00.012-04:002011-03-29T19:13:26.236-04:00Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-5192794437247354972010-10-16T23:20:00.002-04:002010-10-16T23:33:15.699-04:00The Party's Over<span style="font-size:130%;">It was great. It was different. In NJ when I threw a party most of the people were in one room. Here in Madison they were all over the house, upstairs and downstairs and outside. It's hard to play the hostess role with people that spread out.<br /><br />And did they eat! I guess it's a tribute to my cooking, but I think I should have made more. Everything turned out the way I'd planned except the potatoes could have been a little crunchier. But there wasn't one chunk left so I guess they were all right. <br /><br />All in all, it was a perfect housewarming party. The house was filled with family and friends, all seemed to be having a good time, all of our hard work was appreciated, and it's all a blur to me. That's usually a sign of a good party. If I don't have time to focus on "what's wrong", then usually nothing is. After so much planning, it just all seems to go by so fast. My head is spinning.<br /><br />I was especially moved by all my family who traveled two hours to be here. How great that they made that effort. I've simply got to get to Sheboygan to see them more often. <br /><br />But for now, exhaustion is settling in fast and my bed is beckoning louder and louder.<br />ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ</span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-26720264797859785662010-10-13T23:22:00.007-04:002010-10-13T23:54:35.692-04:00What I Did Instead<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">I imagine it happens to most people who live long enough. This feeling Peggy Lee sang about so morosely--"Is That All There Is?" The idea that the life you are leading, the activities you are involved in, and the people you spend your time with are pretty much set. </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">You drive the same old roads, shop in the same old stores, go to the same old church, same post office, same doctor, mall, theater, etc.<br /><br />I suppose for some people this feeling can be weathered to some extent. Maybe an exotic vacation or two. Many decide to split their year between two different climates. </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">It was very early this morning when I realized what may have happened to me had I NOT moved from Oak Ridge, New Jersey to Madison, Wisconsin.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMJZ_-aM8wVdQ824TkTT_tEPSRLkQTF-ne7-xJiUJEAqW_ZhB4vgti1ZJ3XN-p3SxdOr_Ok56-zQ9NtofAmWyXXu-GeSb9gYNDaaPlxdT5eAFAUA80HF_fMVjFCX6vKH7dhqsm3jUjek/s1600/Psycho_mom.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMJZ_-aM8wVdQ824TkTT_tEPSRLkQTF-ne7-xJiUJEAqW_ZhB4vgti1ZJ3XN-p3SxdOr_Ok56-zQ9NtofAmWyXXu-GeSb9gYNDaaPlxdT5eAFAUA80HF_fMVjFCX6vKH7dhqsm3jUjek/s200/Psycho_mom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527742972086769698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I mean there were a lot of things I didn't like about NJ, but I had a pretty good life there, lots of friends and activities. Except for all the necessary driving, life was not bad. And everything isn't so rosy in Madison either. I mean no place is perfect this side of heaven.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But this morning I had a sudden insight into the mindset of women who leave their husbands and children and just go off and start a new life. They just can't take the mundane any longer. Sure, it's irresponsible, inconsiderate. Maybe even callous and hateful. But I think I now understand their mindset a little better. </span> <span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm not sure I could have done that, but I really needed a change.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I did instead</span> was to pack up my family and furniture, sell our house, leave all my friends and move to Wisconsin. My husband was luke warm about the idea. He'd have been happy staying in NJ. My daughter went beyond hostile and is only now inching her way back to a degree of normalcy. I don't think some of our friends at church can still believe we're gone for good--even seven months later.<br /><br />It hasn't been easy in a lot of ways, but I know it was the right thing to do. I'm absolutely exhausted from all the unpacking, renovations, rearranging, cleaning, etc. But underneath all the fatigue, I feel good. I see hope for so, so many new things in my future.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">So I guess this old dog is going to share a psyche with her inner puppy for a while. It'll be a little like growing up all over again only this time I will know more and worry less.</span></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-69637931162381706382010-10-13T08:33:00.009-04:002010-10-16T23:46:19.737-04:00Throwing a Party<span style="font-size:130%;">I'm planning a party. It's intended to be a housewarming and I'm excited to have my family and friends here. My kitchen will get a real workout and I'm happy about that. It's a little short notice so I'm not sure how many will be able to attend.<br /><br />Parties are such a lot of work. Planning the menu, shopping, cooking, cleaning the house--getting yourself ready (I tend to forget that one). It seems like it's frantic work up till the first guest arrives. Then it all becomes a blur and all of a sudden they're all gone! Still it's fun and a nice challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbqmAvS9RlnYoij6mgJGcBVNvLkOaU6ZfENMvCTbXzbPrGRZHvTFtkgSz-HodNaP2Jv2sYhyphenhyphenrvyXBe_gUHr6jJSFUlxM4tHQPI9hseEX8QlGoPhGs1O5KoHJ3fk0oxle0Lv1it1ofeZU/s1600/Singing+4.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbqmAvS9RlnYoij6mgJGcBVNvLkOaU6ZfENMvCTbXzbPrGRZHvTFtkgSz-HodNaP2Jv2sYhyphenhyphenrvyXBe_gUHr6jJSFUlxM4tHQPI9hseEX8QlGoPhGs1O5KoHJ3fk0oxle0Lv1it1ofeZU/s320/Singing+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527512345765295042" border="0" /></a>The photo I've included is from one of my more successful Christmas Parties. Always lots of work and lots of fun. We always sing Christmas Carols (everybody does) and almost raise the roof. Tons of food, beautiful decorations, roaring fire, great company and music to boot. A perfect way to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.</span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-67558638426511780162010-10-12T23:48:00.005-04:002010-10-13T00:20:19.376-04:00October 12th, Any Year<span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >We celebrate Columbus Day. Well, a little bit anyway. In our family we celebrated my parents wedding anniversary. It was always, somehow, an easy day to remember. Maybe Columbus and his travels had something to do with that--when I was young I didn't think too much about it. One year my sister and I saved up our allowance and were very proud to give them four little orange juice glasses with oranges painted on them. They're long gone now, but I still remember them--I bet my sister does too.<br /><br />One particular October 12th, I did something I'm sorry for---more and more each year. It was the day (must have been a good reason it had to be this day, but I can't remember what it is) that I moved out of the house en route for Lincoln, Nebraska with my girl friend. Unlike so, so many of today's youth, I never returned, at least to live. Lincoln was a huge disappointment and my friends an I ultimately wound up in Washington, D.C. (well, Oxon Hill, MD). It's a very long story, but we eventually found jobs and an apartment there. I met my first husband, a marine, we had a daughter, we divorced 7 years later. But I digress.<br /><br />As I now have grown children of my own, I realize how painful it would be if one of them were<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PpSwY5j-5aLaWX2N09ey_LEXM0oeZHOmb1wmHgnzy9HH586eJUhY3Tp4v7RcrDZu0p4xLFhtxAVL5kwAuWqzr34l4FYxKpi1_nudSt7XRbYl8QCxj_57wGG4zzsyIptBRcgXZVXMlA4/s1600/weddingkiss.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PpSwY5j-5aLaWX2N09ey_LEXM0oeZHOmb1wmHgnzy9HH586eJUhY3Tp4v7RcrDZu0p4xLFhtxAVL5kwAuWqzr34l4FYxKpi1_nudSt7XRbYl8QCxj_57wGG4zzsyIptBRcgXZVXMlA4/s320/weddingkiss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527379723397625074" border="0" /></a> to choose to leave the house on an important date. Of course, I would probably say something that would prevent that happening. My parents just let it happen. I don't actually remember there being any mention of it being their anniversary. They were like that. Self-sacrificing. I wonder if I've ever apologized to my mom for that. Next time I see her I will for sure.<br /><br />When the movie, "Born On The 4th of July" came out that date popped up again. When "Ron Kovic" decides to visit the parents of his buddy who was killed in battle, he stops first at a cemetery to visit his grave. Right there on his buddy's gravestone was the date, October 12th, . . . .it almost knocked me out of my seat. Weird, I know, but true. The day haunts me.<br /><br />One Columbus Day (not sure it was exactly the 12th) I spent chaperoning my daughter's marching band as they traveled to New York City to march in the big parade they have every year. Ugh!!!!! Never again. They had all the groups lined up in the side streets which, in NYC, are like huge amphitheaters with great acoustics. These kids would NOT stop blowing their horns. I thought I'd go crazy when, in fact, I couldn't actually GO anywhere. I was responsible. I did my best to shut them all up, but once I got one group quiet, another would start up. This went on for about 3 hours before we were actually ushered into the official parade lineup. That was okay fun. I think we were even on TV for a very brief moment.<br /><br />Today, an ordinary day. Except, of course, it's the 12th of October. It wasn't until I sat down at the computer that I realized I'd missed the anniversary. You see, even though my Dad has passed away, I still try to give Mom a call on this day. I know </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" >she</span><span style="font-family: times new roman;font-size:100%;" > never forgets. It's like that with old lovers. I'll give her a call tomorrow and at least let her know I thought about her (them) even though it was very late in the day. </span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-16655342797205306962010-10-10T21:45:00.006-04:002010-10-10T22:01:18.337-04:00Sunday Dinner<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It started out so nice and quiet.<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then it got louder . . .<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >and LOUDER!<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">We were in an upscale restaurant connected to Hilton in downtown Madison. It was almost empty; charming unpretentious decor. We were allowed to select our own table. We ordered drinks and our meal --- all the food was fantastic, but very fattening.<br /><br />About halfway through dinner Tim and Molly started talking about politics/religion/and other super intellectual stuff. While I'm intelligent enough to follow their conversation, I don't fancy myself informed enough to participate. It seemed the longer they talked, the louder they got. Of course by this time, there were a few other people in the room and I was concerned about the volume. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">I was happy they were enjoying their conversation, but also happy to finally leave. Besides that I ate too much butter and garlic so I needed to walk a bit. So that's our Sunday dinner. It was all I'd hoped -- if only we'd had the restaurant ALL to ourselves.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-3318276871882256402010-10-09T19:48:00.015-04:002010-10-09T21:37:59.585-04:00The Madison House<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We arrived in Madison, WI on February 28, 2010. Our furniture arrived on March 1. It was about 40 degrees outside that day. The first thing the movers did was to open all the doors (well, two of them) and lay down cardboard and other stuff to protect the floor. Why do I mention this?</span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qrCAkZNX3h_ES5EddnmTXjf9kG3F4UtjqnlUPfuQjmNmPsbp6n4xaB9h3PXTolqgLmfclxTrCOyl2WCV_BM-_eeylwU4lB0vm8TUcra5Jrbh0Y9-vrW8sbT3OF-1Rj-sbBIKMA0ClG0/s1600/Kitchen+Before+1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qrCAkZNX3h_ES5EddnmTXjf9kG3F4UtjqnlUPfuQjmNmPsbp6n4xaB9h3PXTolqgLmfclxTrCOyl2WCV_BM-_eeylwU4lB0vm8TUcra5Jrbh0Y9-vrW8sbT3OF-1Rj-sbBIKMA0ClG0/s200/Kitchen+Before+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526218355673407538" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Because with all that stuff on the floors, the doors did not close<br />and, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">therefore, stayed open for the whole 6-7 hours it took to unload. By the time they were finally done and the doors were closed, the thermostat read about 45 degrees inside the house. It was so cold and WE were so cold. There was simply no place to go to get warm. Some of the bedrooms were a little warmer if we kept the doors closed and that helped.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgTj-DEy3eK3bbViFU7o6S5CPG9S414YMSxLcG9Qz8_qWa_fCVrz2VEbDA2B-RSLXCrWW5Fgb_VH0OzJ5mfn2SlQAxSc8BWWyAW0U60aCLLNSy8db1PeQH8hJZXgPKR9Mtq-pfNT-S40/s1600/New+Kitchen+2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgTj-DEy3eK3bbViFU7o6S5CPG9S414YMSxLcG9Qz8_qWa_fCVrz2VEbDA2B-RSLXCrWW5Fgb_VH0OzJ5mfn2SlQAxSc8BWWyAW0U60aCLLNSy8db1PeQH8hJZXgPKR9Mtq-pfNT-S40/s200/New+Kitchen+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526220538785581314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So as you may have surmised from reading between the lines of the last </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">paragraph, we had a LOT of stuff. I'm proud to emphasize "had".</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> We had a very successful garage sale, some success on "Craig's List" and several fully loaded trips to Goodwill. And there's STILL more</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">to cull, but we're getting close now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We've got new hardwood floors, new paint everywhere, a completely</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">brand new kitchen, a new family room, office and powder room in the basement,</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">new paint on the front of the house,</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y2f8qtb-4JmyQxTO28R9VmOijjMKTLuXJm6jl-Ts9PJQyXJDs3HPz-gwYkQeemStocMaNWTxPRxOyhweWxkBzCW0NY63m41byMpx0xu7kJRdPbEXOhhczQzEjY5s6d-td3uvjKzTAaI/s1600/Basement+Project+006.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y2f8qtb-4JmyQxTO28R9VmOijjMKTLuXJm6jl-Ts9PJQyXJDs3HPz-gwYkQeemStocMaNWTxPRxOyhweWxkBzCW0NY63m41byMpx0xu7kJRdPbEXOhhczQzEjY5s6d-td3uvjKzTAaI/s200/Basement+Project+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526222641960611330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> new windows and door, new furniture,</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">and that's all I<br />can remember right now.</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" m="" exhausted="" by="" all="" there="" much="" work="" waiting="" i="" thought="" the="" basement="" would="" never="" get="" that="" project="" just="" went="" on="" and="" but="" looks="" great="" so="" it="" was="" worth=""><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've included some "before and after" pics which I think are</span></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" m="" exhausted="" by="" all="" there="" much="" work="" waiting="" i="" thought="" the="" basement="" would="" never="" get="" that="" project="" just="" went="" on="" and="" but="" looks="" great="" so="" it="" was="" worth=""><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">self-explanatory.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So I guess it's time to start living now.<br />We've gotten involved in a few social things which I'll expound</span></a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" m="" exhausted="" by="" all="" there="" much="" work="" waiting="" i="" thought="" the="" basement="" would="" never="" get="" that="" project="" just="" went="" on="" and="" but="" looks="" great="" so="" it="" was="" worth=""><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">further on in future blogs.<br /><br /><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmGBjPuUTEt0I5YYU39jLMog6nngWuvur-6zLFS5mdOlmNes4NKA71oBSrhgzlhvkWQ7goLCECsb9UfvkJ6DlGGC0RjqbbMJQnVK_ROQcQSy0CtsXBrJFKvWy-yy8cyPlyYzaCzEL22g/s1600/Basement+Project+019.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmGBjPuUTEt0I5YYU39jLMog6nngWuvur-6zLFS5mdOlmNes4NKA71oBSrhgzlhvkWQ7goLCECsb9UfvkJ6DlGGC0RjqbbMJQnVK_ROQcQSy0CtsXBrJFKvWy-yy8cyPlyYzaCzEL22g/s200/Basement+Project+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526223197296375394" border="0" /></a>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-5037196634778298452010-02-16T11:46:00.005-05:002010-02-16T12:24:39.563-05:00Our Weird, Wild, Wonderful Adventure<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Well, that's one way of looking at it. You could also call it fearsome, frantic, foolishness. Monumental mess of memories. My life right now is all of those.<br /><br />It's because my family and I are embarking on a brand new chapter of our lives. We're undertaking one of those "major lifestyle stresses" you read about.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In one week a crew of people will take over our home and pack everything into boxes (that I haven't already packed). The next day everything will be loaded on a truck and taken to Madison, Wisconsin.<br /><br />I am very much looking forward to living in Madison. Hubby is pretty much just "going along", but fairly positive about it all. Our grown daughter will be moving with us, but it will be quite a wrenching experience for</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > her. She's a born and bred New Jerseyan. This home is the only one she's known, so it'll be a tough move for her. That will also make it harder for me. I can feel her pain because I did what she's doing.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Almost 30 years ago I remarried and left all my friends and family to come live in this strange land called Oak Ridge, NJ. It was possibly the hardest thing I ever did. Facing every holiday, birthday, anniversary without family around was tough. There were tears (and I'm not a cryer). I made friends, but most friends spend all those special days with their own families. I was miserable for so many years and just could not find any peace with life in New Jersey. Ultimately, I resigned myself to making the best of it. </span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >So, not to make light of my daughter's pain, but I am still very much looking forward to the move.<br /><br />However, nothing EVER goes as smoothly as we'd like. We have a buyer for our house. But they wo</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >n't set a closing date until we install a new septic system. We're currently waiting on the permit approval. So we will be making this move before we actually have the closing on the house. Therefore, we will be somewhat short-funded. There will be enough to manage it all, but here's the kicker.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We have no kitchen in our Madison house. Last October I had it removed to install hardwood floors throughout the house. I have the new one all ready to go---all I need is mo</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ney to pay for it. After the closing on the NJ house, that won't be a problem, but until then</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >, we'll be "camping" in our kitchen area.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > I'm sure it'll all work out, but it's pretty frustr</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQ6XggfkT6gBbU4nhjqt86JgddYt4aOpQy3-VmmGXkihWGKcoAWWW1ofPuZ9qqXBMw5d9MeuLE6oG7Vsfysj2m24mFHtAWblXKpocITg0peFA6vlo1-S2lxdS_RWdKUTCDb3tU6oe5U/s1600-h/Jan+16,+2010+051+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQ6XggfkT6gBbU4nhjqt86JgddYt4aOpQy3-VmmGXkihWGKcoAWWW1ofPuZ9qqXBMw5d9MeuLE6oG7Vsfysj2m24mFHtAWblXKpocITg0peFA6vlo1-S2lxdS_RWdKUTCDb3tU6oe5U/s200/Jan+16,+2010+051+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438891982257431186" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ating--this not knowing when the closing will occur. It's like feasting on nails every day.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I don't know when I'll ever get back to this blog again, but </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >hopefully I'll be able to r</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >eport that we're happily settled in our new home with our new kitchen.</span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-12194267869485256012009-09-09T22:10:00.003-04:002009-09-09T22:37:33.227-04:00Washing Dishes!Consider this a study if you'd like. My sister and I have an ongoing disagreement about the necessity of an automatic dishwasher. She insists it's a "must have" and I don't. So here goes with the comparison.<br /><br />First her way: THE AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BUMWIqMXuHQ/RzfNiqKH8wI/AAAAAAAAC9c/Cb0ffpjTN2U/s400/dishwasher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 217px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BUMWIqMXuHQ/RzfNiqKH8wI/AAAAAAAAC9c/Cb0ffpjTN2U/s400/dishwasher.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You scrape, wipe and stack the dishes. If necessary you rinse them. You bend down several times in order to carefully arrange them in the dishwasher so that they are angled just right. You add detergent and possible a "crystal drying agent", close the door and set it to run. You wipe down the countertops and stove and hand wash anything either too big or two encrusted for the dishwasher. Approximately 2 hours later, you can go and empty the dishwasher, bending down for each dish or so and then placing them in the cupboard--after checking if they're actually clean. [This is an important step when using the only dishwasher I have experience with.]<br /><br />Okay, now my way: WASH AND DRY THE DISHES BY HAND<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/images/2008-12/wash-dishes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 182px;" src="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/images/2008-12/wash-dishes.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>You scrape, wipe and stack the dishes. Rinse the juicier ones if necessary. Put detergent in the sink (which is at waist level) and run hot water while washing silverware. Rinse and place in drainer. Then wash the glasses, bowls, plates, serving pieces. Scrub or scour pots and pans. On a typical day this all takes about 10 minutes. With a crowd to clean up after, it has taken up to 30 minutes. Once they're all stacked to dry, wipe down counters and stove. Empty sink and rinse suds down drain. Grab a towel and dry those dishes that haven't sufficiently air dried by this time then place them in the cupboard. Hang up the dishtowel and you're done. Again, on a typical day this entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. And then I'm done--no reason to come back two hours later and finish.<br /><br />So that's it. The comparison. I do feel that a family of four or more would definitely put a dishwasher to good use. But for my small family of 2 or 3, it's just not necessary. And actually, I like doing dishes--the feel of the hot water is soothing, the work is easy and the finished job is very satisfying.Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-4535167298997513342009-09-08T10:59:00.005-04:002009-09-08T11:35:36.614-04:00On Giving Up<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I seriously considered NOT blogging anymore. I felt, and still feel, that I'm just writing down words that no one ever reads. And, frankly, I feel too much like this already. I talk and few people, if any, listen---that is really listen to what I have to say.<br /><br />I just watched "The Jane Austen Book Club" for the first time. I've been wanting to see it. It was okay--not great. But it made me jealous for that group of people who were willing to make the time to get together regularly and talk about books. Well, talk about anything. Really care about each other. I don't have that and I want it.<br /><br />At church on Sunday morning is about the only time I actually see my friends and then I'm just limited to only a few abstract sentences that don't really mean much. I like these people, my friends, and sometimes there's time for a little more gut-spilling, but mostly it's all surface chatter. They all have active lives and no time for such silliness as discussion groups. It's sad really. Am I the only one out there who would like this?<br /><br />I have a husband. My husband is very intelligent and talks on a much higher plain than I am either able or willing. So we do speak, but it's usually about business-type stuff dealing with the house, car or some other uninteresting thing. If he brings up the physics he's studying, I'm sure he notices my eyes glaze over. Same with him if I start talking about feelings.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">And I have a live-in daughter. She's really great to talk to. She offers great insight--sometimes I don't like it, but she's usually right. I get the feeling more often than not that she really does care about me. But she's at work all day and tired after battling traffic on the way home. She wants quiet and not to be bothered by a clingy, lonely, pitiful mother. And I don't want to drag her down. I don't think it's a child's place to keep a parent happy. Still it's nice to feel her love.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I miss conversation. I don't mean I want to be talking all the time, but once in a while an intelligent discussion about something interesting would be nice. So to blog and have it not read by anyone, or at least not commented on, is just very unrewarding. But, yet I have decided to persist. If nobody reads, than I'll consider it a bit of a diary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.arrukero.com/blogdeclase/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/ken_follett.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 171px;" src="http://www.arrukero.com/blogdeclase/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/ken_follett.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.dublintourist.com/images/lit/portraits/Maeve_Binchy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 211px;" src="http://www.dublintourist.com/images/lit/portraits/Maeve_Binchy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Maybe I'll start a book club if we ever sell the house and actually move to Madison.<br /><br />Maybe it'll be a Ken Follett Book Club. Or maybe Maeve Binchy?</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></span></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-35923981817569641762009-08-29T13:31:00.006-04:002009-08-29T13:44:20.239-04:00Factory Outlet Stores<span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Their a sham. Yes, I said it. Generally the only people who truly save money at these places are those who already have plenty of money.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.brigersecurity.com/files/woodbury_commons_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 256px;" src="http://www.brigersecurity.com/files/woodbury_commons_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;" >It's a lot like gambling. Don't even start if you're not loaded to begin with. You've simply GOT to have money to lose if you expect to gamble on winning. Otherwise it's no fun and there's no point.<br /><br />Such is the same at the outlets. Sure there are some great bargains. But who can afford them. I mean I'd REALLY like to see these people who can afford to pay a mere $1000 for a $2000 bag. Or ONLY $3500 for a $7000 gown. Even a wallet---yes a wallet---goes for around $200, down from $400!!!<br /><br />If you walk your legs off enough and visit some of the non-clothing stores, you can actually find a few good bargains. But for clothing, shoes, and accessories there are NO great buys to be found for the common working class person.<br /><br />So BUYER BEWARE! They're out to get you one way or another.</span><br /></span></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-51977947517017838332009-08-27T03:04:00.004-04:002009-08-27T03:18:43.785-04:00Early Riser<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.manousso.us/MM_EarlyBirdSpecial.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 143px;" src="http://www.manousso.us/MM_EarlyBirdSpecial.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's 3:00 A.M.</span> Just me and the bugs here. I woke up at 2:30. I got up at 2:38. Put on the computer and while it booted up put yesterday's clean dishes away.<br /><br />I generally like being up early in the day. It's a much quieter world, although the cicadas are active right now. The birds will wake soon and join the chorus. Soon after that it's time for people. The first sign is a car or truck driving through the neighborhood. Then the household begins to waken. First Tim is up making coffee and bagel. Usually I'm next, but it seems today I'm already up. Next is Molly who may actually be up fairly early today as she went to bed at about 7:00 last night.<br /><br />I wouldn't want to have to be up at this time every day--to have to dress, eat and be out of the house very early. But once in a while this early can be nice. I will probably go back to bed and read some more, taking advantage of the extreme quiet. But first perhaps a visit to Polyvore. Ta tah! : )))Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-90720428408167856282009-08-26T20:14:00.004-04:002009-08-26T20:37:24.053-04:00Hot, Ornery and Frustrated<span style="font-family: verdana;">Grrrrrrrrrrrr! I am just NOT happy with myself. It's hot sitting at this computer and that doesn't help.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I want to be watching our movie (War and Remembrance), but one of us wanted to sleep so we put that on hold. There's just so little on TV that interests me. The "King and I" is on right now, but that's a pretty big investment of time (2.15 hours).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Our house still shows NO signs of selling. Now I'm beginning to think </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.moveout.com/_art/moving-kits-snwk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.moveout.com/_art/moving-kits-snwk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">we should just move anyway. And that opens up a whole new can of worms. I tell myself every day I should start packing--at least the basement. But I don't. I've been gathering boxes so there's lots of those. No excuse there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I tell myself also every day to take a walk. I need to exercise. But I don't! I get a little at P.T. three times a week. But not much aerobically.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bookclubcompanion.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/loving_frank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 108px; height: 164px;" src="http://bookclubcompanion.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/loving_frank.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm supposed to be working on my church newsletter, but articles are very slow in coming this month. Geez, you'd think I was asking for blood! I enjoy doing the newsletter. I do NOT enjoy the lackadaisical attitude of many of the contributors. Very frustrating.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Okay, done complaining. Gonna take myself to bed and read. I'm currently reading "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan about Frank Lloyd Wright. It's pretty good, but looks to be fairly long and can't imagine where it's going to go. Pretty much just getting started on it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Signing off,</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">JUDY</span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-75793416023230937512009-08-25T07:41:00.006-04:002009-08-25T08:30:07.792-04:00War and Romance<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >Our family is currently watching the huge mini-series "War and Remembrance" by Herman Wouk. We've already completed the first series, "Winds of War". These are magnificent and should be shown to every U.S. History class in this country. Yes, the history is tainted a bit, but <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hotmoviesale.com/dvds/21310/1/The-Winds-Of-War.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 348px;" src="http://www.hotmoviesale.com/dvds/21310/1/The-Winds-Of-War.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">only a bit, by romantic interludes involving various members of the "Henry" family. I can think of at least three triangles going on. But does that distract from this history? Or is it PART of the history.<br /><br />On looking back at this period of time, now 60 years ago, I notice a distinct and almost shocking difference in the way our current culture perceives romance. In this movie it's beautiful, painful, heart-rending, and mostly understated. When Rhoda and Palmer are "having tea" it's pretty clear what's really going on. But as adults, we know that. We don't need the whole affair graphically shoved in our faces on a large</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> screen. So while we know it's not right, it's still allowed some beauty in our minds.<br /><br />Nobody would argue that the years of World War II are possibly the most romantic in the history of our country. Beautiful movies were </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics/news3/War+Remembrance_Complete.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 340px;" src="http://www.tvshowsondvd.net/graphics/news3/War+Remembrance_Complete.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">produced, songs just d</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">ripping with love, heartache and incredible melody were written by the thousands, letters were written, by hand and frequently. And all of this with the backdrop of a truly horrible war. Fighting everywhere so that it seems there will never be peace again. Unspeakable atrocities occurring in Germany that defy </span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">human reason are actually kept secret to the rest of the world for too long. So many families broken as men are shipped overseas and women move in to take over the jobs they left.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So WHY did romance thrive as it did? I don't know, but as I think about it my thoughts go back to a kinder time in general--a slower time when people took time to talk to each other, to visit, help, support--even before the war began. But then, what's happening now?<br /><br />We are currently fighting a war. It's in some faraway place just like WWII, but much stranger to us. It's also not a "popular" war. People seem more concerned with placing blame, saving lives, ending it. I don't know enough to talk intelligently about this current war, but I know there is NO romance involved. It's just not part of it. The songs are not pretty. Movies about the war are ugly and unsettling--with little or no love.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm not proposing that WAR is a beautiful thing. It's decidedly not that. Too many people die or are debilitated. Society is torn apart. It's just interesting to note the incredible differences between then and now.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thezeal.com/photography/2005/09/romance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 125px;" src="http://www.thezeal.com/photography/2005/09/romance.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So getting back to the idea of showing this movie in history classes, I think seeing this sort of romance would do today's young people as much good as the detailed historical facts presented in this series. Perhaps more romance would encourage better feelings in general. Who knows?<br /><br /></span></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-76903089234150612009-08-22T10:18:00.003-04:002009-08-22T10:26:06.140-04:00Composer Trivia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hsart.com/images/Composer1-lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 361px;" src="http://www.hsart.com/images/Composer1-lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Just a a quick post. I want to mention the new link I've added, Composers Datebook. This is an interesting site. There's an option to have a daily post sent to your email with interesting information about an incredible variety of composers. It may sound like, "oh, no--not another junky email". But it's not. And it's short. One page with usually only 4 or 5 paragraphs. An some of this stuff is pretty interesting. And there's an option to click so you can hear the music while the article is read to you! Almost effortless knowledge!Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-33351730685129792182009-08-22T06:49:00.003-04:002009-08-22T07:25:42.405-04:00Old Dog, New TrickA few years ago the choir director at our church retired after a service of 41 years. I decided to volunteer for the job. Having played in orchestras most of my life, I figured I was on pretty safe footing. I mean, I know musicality, ensemble, and the general music stuff like rhythm and pitch. What I was lacking was specific knowledge of the human voice.<br /><br />So I asked my daughter, who trained with an excellent (and expensive) teacher for about 5 years to help me out. She did. Not always willingly, but once I managed to drag her to a rehearsal, she was able to miraculously transform that group of mousy, lifeless singers into a beautiful sounding choir. It was magical to watch her work.<br /><br />At first, I was pretty insecure in this new position. I had never, ever done any conducting. But as the weeks and years passed, I came to love it. These people were all my friends so that was fun. And after the right kind of training and molding, they created the most beautiful sounds. And with the right motivation, they could produce some pretty good volume as well. There were only 10 so they had their work cut out for them.<br /><br />A couple years ago I found a cantata, "Let Heaven and Nature Sing Gloria!" by Mark Hayes <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.lorenz.com/med/cover_new/65_1977L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.lorenz.com/med/cover_new/65_1977L.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>in my box at church. Usually I just toss these things in the recycling with the thought that we can barely learn the Sunday morning worship and had no time for such a grand undertaking as a cantata. But something moved me to open this one up and have a glance. The music was so grand, light, modern and almost attainable that I gave the accompanying CD a listen. It was glorious and I wanted to do it. This was September and it was a Christmas cantata. It wasn't going to happen that year so we planned to present it the following year.<br /><br />So I asked our praise team at church if they'd join us for this. That gave me a whole bunch of instrumental musicians which were crucial to the performance. It also provided me with 4 more singers. Then I put out a special plea to the congregation for anyone who'd like to sing with us only for this giant undertaking. I acquired a tenor, three basses, an alto and 2 great sopranos. All in all, our ranks swelled to about 20 + singers and 5 instrumentalists.<br /><br />We began practicing early in spring and worked throughout the summer learning one song at a time. The devotion of this whole group was touching and amazing. Most of us were learning from "the ground up". I had little experience conducting. Most of the singers had no idea how musical they could sound. Some of the instrumentalists surprised themselves. Later on we added two narrators, had some final all-inclusive rehearsals and it was time for performance.<br /><br />Now would we get an audience? I had sent out notices/flyers to all the congregations in our area to let them know what we were doing and to suggest this might be a great way to kick off their holiday celebrations. In the end, we were very blessed to perform to a full house! Of all the concerts I've done, that was the most satisfying. So MUCH work culminated in a wonderful payoff. A truly great experience for all.<br /><br />We made a CD, but it's not available online. However, I do have a link which shows our choir joining our praise team at one of their early concerts. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JQftBLiBnM.</span><br /><br />I learned so much from this experience--about my own ability and about human nature. And about singleness of purpose. Everyone dedicated to one goal. It was unforgettable. Praise be to God!Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-55866298623217515802009-08-21T12:40:00.012-04:002009-08-22T06:45:40.961-04:00The Excitement of Music!!!!!<span style="font-size:130%;">I couldn't live without music! That's it. I simply don't think I'd survive for very long if I couldn't hear those familiar melodies I've learned to love--and sometimes hate. (We're talking ear worms here.) I've even been known to utter the statement, "If I had to lose one of my senses, eyesight or hearing, I'd select eyesight hands down." I feel I've seen a lot of things and will carry the visual of it all forever. But music is a constantly renewing sense of joy and exhilaration that simply doesn't lend itself easily to memory. There's something in the "nowness" of it that I love.<br /><br />Yesterday I heard the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. There aren't words to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.oxfordinspires.org/Programmes/images/Beethoven2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 165px;" src="http://www.oxfordinspires.org/Programmes/images/Beethoven2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">describe the magnificence of that piece. I'm usually hearing it in the car and turn up the volume almost all the way so I can recreate the experience of actually being in the orchestra amidst all the instruments. What a rush!!! And it's just unbelievable that the composer, himself, never heard a performance of this work. It is one of my biggest hopes that he will hear it in heaven.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.celebritywonder.com/picture/Liza_Minnelli/LizaMinnelli_DeGuire_7987609.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 134px;" src="http://www.celebritywonder.com/picture/Liza_Minnelli/LizaMinnelli_DeGuire_7987609.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Okay, so that was Beethoven. Today I heard Liza singing "Cabaret". Wow! She feels that song down to the center of her soul. I love her and truly feel that if I met her I actually would love her. She's not had an easy time in life. One thing I admire most about her is that she was brave enough to follow in her mother's wake and make it. And make it big!<br /><br />If you know of Nancy LaMott, you are very lucky. If you don't, look her up and get her CD's. She sings every single song as though her life depended on it. My husband and I always say that once Nancy sings a song, there's simply nothing else to be done with it. It's fully complete and utterly satisfying. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/n/nancy-lamott/album-listen-to-my-heart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 147px;" src="http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/n/nancy-lamott/album-listen-to-my-heart.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The very first time I heard one of her CD's, "Listen To My Heart", I was drained and reduced to tears by the end. Besides the beautiful music, I had in the back of my mind the knowledge that this was the last CD she would ever make. She died right before it's release. This knowledge made the final song on the album, "I'll Be Here With You" even more poignant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.afterhours.co.kr/upfile/f04b_7%2827%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 186px;" src="http://www.afterhours.co.kr/upfile/f04b_7%2827%29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Later, and I don't even remember how or where, I discovered Michael Feinstein. I listen to Jonathan Schwartz's show and he probably mentioned him a lot. Michael has become my new best friend. He never fails me. No matter what "state" I'm in, Michael smooths me out. I love him and the way he sings a song. Oh, and I'm pretty sure he and Nancy were good friends. It figures.<br /><br />The featured album here is "Only One Life" and it includes only songs by Jimmy Webb. This albums is mesmerizing and gets moreso with each listening. Try it, you'll like (love) it. Also very good is his Broadway/Movies album which has Michael singing "The Way You Look Tonight" that I feel with every fiber of my being each time I hear it. It's almost as though I can taste it. Crossover senses?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bkforrest.com/songs/shadow/tony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 192px;" src="http://bkforrest.com/songs/shadow/tony.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I grew up loving Tony Bennett. My mom loved him and we listened to him more often than I'd like to admit. I still love him. What a performer. I think my favorite of his (and this is really saying something when you consider his repertoire) is "The Shadow of Your Smile". But only the version that includes the introduction. So lovely, you can imagine yourself walking along the beach with the sandpipers.<br /><br />Music, music, music! I could write forever. I love so many different kinds. To name a few of my favorites I haven't yet mentioned, with apologies to those I forget: Patsy Cline, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Vladimir Horowitz, Claudio Arrau, Itzhak Perlmann, The Moody Blues, The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Mac Davis, Dan Fogelberg, Adam Lambert, Bobby Darin.<br /><br />And, good grief, I haven't even mentioned Broadway! As I was growing up, I had only a few LP's. "The Music Man", "South Pacific", and a Bobby Vinton album. I played them so much I'm surprised there were still grooves.<br /><br />But enough. You get the point. I love music!!!<br /><br /></span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-71977811861543738232009-08-20T06:48:00.010-04:002009-08-20T15:16:41.741-04:00Homemade ApplesauceI'm making applesauce today. Last time I needed applesauce I bought it. I thought if I bought a high-quality brand, it might be good. It wasn't. Well...it wasn't bad. I mean, it was edible. But bland! So yesterday I bought 12 Granny Smith apples and today is applesauce day. It's a lot of peeling and cleaning, but the result is so-o-o-o worth the effort.<br /><br />I usually like to go to an orchard in the fall and select a variety of apples---lots of them. Then I spend a day making lots of applesauce and put it in the freezer. What a great treat to have all winter long. If you have never made your own applesauce, here's my recipe, or procedure:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://harrisonfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/apples.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 239px;" src="http://harrisonfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/apples.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">CHUNKY APPLESAUCE<br /><br />Apples (your choice and you can mix them up)<br />water<br />sugar (very little)<br />cinnamon<br /></div><br /><blockquote>Peel the apples. Core them to remove seeds. An apple sectioner works great for this. Put in a large pot and add a little water. For a whole dutch oven type pot, I use only about 1/2 cup of water. The apples create their own juice so you only need enough water to prevent burning at the start.<br /><br />Cook on low heat for about a half hour more or less. Stir them every 10 minutes. They will break down and get mushy. When they're almost all mush, turn off the heat. There will be some chunks which add to the yumminess. Add sugar to taste. With some apples you don't need any at all. Then mix in some cinnamon. Probably about 1 or 2 teaspoons, but this is also to your taste. Let it all cool. Place in containers to store in fridge or freezer. Enjoy at will!</blockquote><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://recipemashups.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/applesauce.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 168px;" src="http://recipemashups.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/applesauce.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-57360230988228379552009-08-18T20:32:00.021-04:002009-08-19T10:46:20.640-04:00New Jersey vs. Wisconsin<span style="font-size:130%;">For the past 28 years New Jersey has been my home. It's been good. I made lots of good friends at my church. I played viola with a fairly good local orchestra. I've seen over 25 Broadway shows. I've traveled extensively up and down the Eastern coast. Yes, it's been good.<br /><br />And yet, I can't wait to move back to Wisconsin. My friends at church are sick of hearing me say this. I don't mean to belittle my friendship with them. I will miss them horribly. But I have missed my family for the past 28 years. I've seen my favorite uncles and aunts way, way too little. And I hardly even know my cousins anymore. I have other good friends in Wisconsin I've even stopped writing to whom I'm hoping to become friendly with again. And I'm looking forward to exploring more of our country west of the Mississippi.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So I thought I'd include some pictures here from both NJ and WI.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />First New Jersey</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXEHkG5msckvh3ves1Z8W2-tsrGsZnSx1NIgRi9SjworIJhL1lU0otLt3goSIqg86ymsn2j3H7jIzEUX2qovRFatczkIcscRBZumHLVwULCSklNB0NAvLXFVwYOlZ_4Y5MhMQK-nFl4E/s1600-h/Deer+in+Yard+002+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 263px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXEHkG5msckvh3ves1Z8W2-tsrGsZnSx1NIgRi9SjworIJhL1lU0otLt3goSIqg86ymsn2j3H7jIzEUX2qovRFatczkIcscRBZumHLVwULCSklNB0NAvLXFVwYOlZ_4Y5MhMQK-nFl4E/s200/Deer+in+Yard+002+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371468740453927378" border="0" /></a>NJ - This deer just spent a couple of days laying in our backyard.<br />She wasn't hurt, but we think she may have been pregnant.<br />She was laying about 10 feet from our back deck.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBzU5biKdZZW9gdTFrSaEH39TBbtQkQ0Zp0YSzDpyamkUtMhVv-T2I1mAj5iNHWs9tsJWOwBCzKYsvLGHnCAVZS1yZDKCit0WhGpKCdhZFSN3S4gcAEU-2wLPC7ovrf5vHJvoq1pZ39w/s1600-h/Shore+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 426px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBzU5biKdZZW9gdTFrSaEH39TBbtQkQ0Zp0YSzDpyamkUtMhVv-T2I1mAj5iNHWs9tsJWOwBCzKYsvLGHnCAVZS1yZDKCit0WhGpKCdhZFSN3S4gcAEU-2wLPC7ovrf5vHJvoq1pZ39w/s200/Shore+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371469753594609890" border="0" /></a>The Jersey Shore. People flock to it every weekend all summer long.<br />I like it best in the off-season. The sound of crashing waves<br />always soothes and strengthens me.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FKNazncQSXKR1zNVaVN9Duo3yuN5qXgyF9V7Y84_3t9X-7Rt3QW9QeQ3JArW3QZaViwdB6-ZjxcKJF_MdbNPs2GF-swwYn02pqOPi3IjWrCHM5SPnHAVWxAxAYBQbetNZErG8vruoa8/s1600-h/Clinton+Mill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FKNazncQSXKR1zNVaVN9Duo3yuN5qXgyF9V7Y84_3t9X-7Rt3QW9QeQ3JArW3QZaViwdB6-ZjxcKJF_MdbNPs2GF-swwYn02pqOPi3IjWrCHM5SPnHAVWxAxAYBQbetNZErG8vruoa8/s400/Clinton+Mill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371471368115726354" border="0" /></a>Clinton, NJ. This barn and waterfall scene is one of the most photographed and painted in NJ.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq77YpRIy8QAnbZHlIbzf4jhh_iiVAA2nTBww0aI1QpBM7ZmZDEOqyxkYMzYD5bpvKb3_-fevtDwQFNi-nkVt2L6EnSqBO0XGyHRpvRcESL39pJbrV2yP571ujrZn1spQ0PtZjVrAT2qM/s1600-h/Christmas+2008+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq77YpRIy8QAnbZHlIbzf4jhh_iiVAA2nTBww0aI1QpBM7ZmZDEOqyxkYMzYD5bpvKb3_-fevtDwQFNi-nkVt2L6EnSqBO0XGyHRpvRcESL39pJbrV2yP571ujrZn1spQ0PtZjVrAT2qM/s400/Christmas+2008+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371472934202503074" border="0" /></a>We live in a modern log cabin. The logs are vertical<br />and the whole interior is the inside of the outside log...so it's all wood.<br />We decorate the day after Thanksgiving and leave it up<br />until New Year's Day.<br /><br /><br />Now Wisconsin<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuWtWDBMuagLjQxDZoSZkDVgGXxuGPce1MvD0oJDli3vu3MJo5zu_j1b70MCrlmoX9lFCbDswRhe0f-tjYBJ5cK4AjOj5imDYtPbpEIHJMkiz9pTwxQvIH1PbKOfhJ-qCcmAQ47iZOG8/s1600-h/Sheboygan+Harbor+Nets+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuWtWDBMuagLjQxDZoSZkDVgGXxuGPce1MvD0oJDli3vu3MJo5zu_j1b70MCrlmoX9lFCbDswRhe0f-tjYBJ5cK4AjOj5imDYtPbpEIHJMkiz9pTwxQvIH1PbKOfhJ-qCcmAQ47iZOG8/s400/Sheboygan+Harbor+Nets+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371475354612001058" border="0" /></a>Sheboygan, WI harbor in October. I love being here.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4Z3dvKTBfPKfENMb1m_90E7l-trauhXYwvTHhgIHMbj9AJleO6IA-TLujGKdW7xDcLf01sdVuacb_zevt26aYHSRxfvg3nHwbSJLgXFqtVAMTGqsyKqHtJ6BGNiJiDsovyQPG2QLxVA/s1600-h/Terre+Andrae+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4Z3dvKTBfPKfENMb1m_90E7l-trauhXYwvTHhgIHMbj9AJleO6IA-TLujGKdW7xDcLf01sdVuacb_zevt26aYHSRxfvg3nHwbSJLgXFqtVAMTGqsyKqHtJ6BGNiJiDsovyQPG2QLxVA/s400/Terre+Andrae+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371476038240492978" border="0" /></a>I love Terre Andrae State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan.<br />I "grew up" here. It was only a half mile from my grandparent's farm.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFbetT4Og8qCV_la4fEvLZAGxOPnfxYGK9x3Ghe0B_NEirpOJa4ceOisBHmVw_vFNQQ-WIx_6WnQBcHeeuHjiHAkE_HMILNq6_qnKRUFCO1Y6tQfDhUjUzRU1et2U9fGMHXJv8NMnLM0/s1600-h/Wisconsin+Trip+May,+2006+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFbetT4Og8qCV_la4fEvLZAGxOPnfxYGK9x3Ghe0B_NEirpOJa4ceOisBHmVw_vFNQQ-WIx_6WnQBcHeeuHjiHAkE_HMILNq6_qnKRUFCO1Y6tQfDhUjUzRU1et2U9fGMHXJv8NMnLM0/s400/Wisconsin+Trip+May,+2006+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371476998628613810" border="0" /></a>This is one of the prettiest art museum's I've seen.<br />It sits on the shore of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee.<br />The roof has huge wings that open and close. This shows it closed.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK70lRaPMLBy-8UN_j8NspTSB7znFhMNRYl2okZ9NwD0O75ICMPQWhOn5McJ6NCbpB9L6kl1Md5SKIzb9itHJtRIgWKZoxPfylitROcIS5aYUiaiXTzwgAFBsj7gZxEYOkxi-JBXYG1Q/s1600-h/Garden+Wall.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK70lRaPMLBy-8UN_j8NspTSB7znFhMNRYl2okZ9NwD0O75ICMPQWhOn5McJ6NCbpB9L6kl1Md5SKIzb9itHJtRIgWKZoxPfylitROcIS5aYUiaiXTzwgAFBsj7gZxEYOkxi-JBXYG1Q/s400/Garden+Wall.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371478032611247314" border="0" /></a>This is Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI.<br />It's one of my favorite places to visit--and it's free!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">That's it for now. One day I'll post some pictures from my favorite vacations.</span><br /></div></div>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-26596246870354335832009-08-18T05:40:00.033-04:002009-08-19T10:48:14.730-04:00Seriously Intimidated<span style="font-size:130%;">This happens to me a lot. I get an idea. Then while pursuing it further, I check out what others are doing only to discover others are doing it in such a tremendously grander way. Since I'm just "getting my feet wet" in the blogger world, I did a little looking around at some of the featured blogs.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >WOW!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">There is some truly fantastic stuff out there. I feel like a big, old baby just beginning to walk! But...I will persist. As noted in an earlier blog, I'm in waiting mode right now and my life offers nothing more than inactivity. So I WILL actively pursue this blogging thing.<br />Therefore, I have decided to add some pictures. Some I photographed--well, there will be many of those. Some I "built" on a site called <a href="http://polyvore.com/">polyvore.com</a> and some are paintings/drawings done by my daughter who uses the pseudonym, <a href="http://imprisonedwhimsy.blogspot.com/">imprisoned whimsy</a>.<br /><br />Let's start with Polyvore. This is a site wherein you can build fashion and interior design pages similar to a catalog or magazine spread. The site provides items for use, but also offers a way to import other items from the web. It's great fun if you are a fashionista or, as in my case, a closet interior designer. It can also be a great morale booster as people can have the option of leaving comments or "liking" your set. So now some of my more popular sets:</span><br /><center><div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/southern_comfort/set?.mid=embed&id=5949920"><img alt="Southern Comfort" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFnhzdU80a1VpM2hHbzFnNmE1dEMxdXcAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Southern Comfort" width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/southern_comfort/set?.mid=embed&id=5949920">Southern Comfort</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=2104">Mewsmom</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></small></div><center><br />I call this one "Southern Comfort". Using this odd assortment of colors, fabric<br />and texture, I was surprised when 105 polyvorers liked it!<br /><br /><center><div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/feeling_blue/set?.mid=embed&id=6932291"><img alt="Feeling Blue?" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFlpDTjFic0VsM2hHZk5IbTRLQjd0MEEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Feeling Blue?" width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/feeling_blue/set?.mid=embed&id=6932291">Feeling Blue?</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=2104">Mewsmom</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></small></div>"Feeling Blue?" got 91 hits.</center><br /><center><div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/polyvore_roundtable/set?.mid=embed&id=3149239"><img alt="Polyvore Roundtable " src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFmJJemNBZGZDM1JHZWtqMGhheUhlTkEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Polyvore Roundtable " width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/polyvore_roundtable/set?.mid=embed&id=3149239">Polyvore Roundtable </a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=2104">Mewsmom</a> on <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a></small></div> Polyvore Roundtable. This was created for a contest Polyvore ran when<br />they were looking to design their new office space.<br />I took 1st Place!!!<div><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/yves_remembered/set?.mid=embed&id=1783205"><img alt="Yves Remembered" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFnJNdzQ4VUF6M1JHV3VZUXg0eGkxMmcAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Yves Remembered" width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/yves_remembered/set?.mid=embed&id=1783205">Yves Remembered</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.mid=embed&id=2104">Mewsmom</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/yves_saint_laurent/shop?brand=Yves+Saint+Laurent">Yves Saint Laurent</a></small></div>This fashion set was entered in a tribute contest featuring the designs of Yves St. Laurent.<br />It took 2nd place, but has over 1100 hits!!! It's been very popular.</center></center></center>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3193846975975751551.post-46372529857624156272009-08-17T12:40:00.001-04:002009-08-19T10:51:44.531-04:00Social Security<span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >12:26 P.M.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> I'm sitting on hold with the Social Security Office. My wait is "greater than 10 minutes". It took forever to get to this "holding" position. All I want to know is why my husband's check hasn't arrived yet.<br /><br />Since my last post, I've been to physical therapy (for my shoulders) and feel good after that. Then I went to brunch at Panera and spent a lot of time reading my book. It's a good one, "Mayday" by Nelson DeMille--a real page turner. After brunch I stopped at the grocery store for some meat for the week. I came home to pay some bills, but now I find the SS check has not been deposited. More waiting. Oh, and my realtor called and left a message that she'd call later.. I don't want to talk to her--it's just too depressing. All I want to hear from her is "We have a buyer for your house!"<br /><br />Now it's 12:38 and I'm still on hold. So I'll post more later.</span>Mewsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06400721095709323251noreply@blogger.com0