Unglued...

Ever feel like you are just plain overwhelmed...like you don't quite know where to start??

I must apologize to those of you who I haven't been able to visit lately.

My world is closing in on me and I feel like I'm going in about a zillion different directions all at once!!

Haven't been home very much lately as we have been running around picking up different bits and pieces to put the kitchen back in order...and thankfully...it is looking much better than it was.

Coupled with some family issues I am dealing with, I'm about ready to burst.

Reservations are confirmed and house-sitters have been lined up...cars have been reserved and golf carts too!!

Now, if the snow would just STOP so that we could get the RV uncovered and OUT of the backyard so that we could bring it to be inspected before we go, we'll be good!!

See that pic up there!!

I keep telling myself to BREATHE and I'll be there soon enough...

One step at a time...

Hope you are having a great day!!

A Different Sort of Post...Not Exactly a Rant...

My husband and I got in to a discussion this weekend about retirement. He has been retired for four years now, however, two of our close friends have been retired for less than a year. We were surprised to learn...from two separate conversations...that neither one of them is HAPPY with retirement!!

I must confess that when B was getting ready to retire, I was in full freak out mode!! I had been on my own here at home since 1998...and I had my own little routine...my own little business going. I spent six months of the year at the cottage and he came up on weekends. It worked for us. We were happy with our lives!!

Surprise, Surprise...retirement was such an easy transition for both of us...our lives just melted together. Like fine wine. Or perfect chocolate fondue. It STILL worked for us. We positively LOVE doing our own thing. The first couple of years we traveled a LOT!! We traveled all around the US. We had just bought the RV and were learning a whole new way of life. The dogs love the RV even more than our house...or the cottage. Knowing that we could not travel forever...we settled in to every day life. No problem! We painted and we cleaned stuff out...we did projects...woodworking, paper crafts, guitar playing...photography. We are always working on something. Not a day goes by that we can't find something to keep ourselves occupied.

There was never, EVER, a day when either one of us has been bored. BORED. That is like a totally foreign word in our vocabulary. We are shocked to learn that two of our very close friends are bored. Bored with retirement. A whole new concept for us. One of them is single and I think it would be more difficult to adjust to retirement as a single person...from the social aspect. I suggested he get a DOG! (OK...I admit...I have been trying to talk him in to that for quite a few years...I just thought that retirement would be the perfect opportunity!) He doesn't want to be tied down. He has never been married and has never had to "take care" of anything or anyone. So, I guess it would be difficult to get a dog. But, it certainly would take care of the boredom...wouldn't it???

Our other friend is married and both her and her husband retired on the same day. Her husband has not had any issues with adjusting to retirement and is quite busy tinkering around with "stuff". Little projects here and there. Not so for her. She has run out of things to clean. She likes some crafts and has apparently lost interest. I think it is sad. VERY sad. It is sad to think that people's lives are actually defined by their jobs??

The way B and I look at it...we are truly thankful and blessed to be able to do what we want to do (within reason...LOL!!). We have a friend that we meet for coffee. We actually met him at our local coffee shop. He is 88 years old. And he is so full of LIFE and love and he just radiates happiness! He is so very grateful to be ALIVE each day. It is refreshing to spend time with people like him and we truly hope we will be able to spend a lot more time with him.

So...the question I am asking is...if you ARE retired...did you ever get bored???

Both of these friends of ours are talking about going back to work. This is not a financial decision. It is simply...needing more "something" in their lives.

I have absolutely no idea WHAT.

Learned in the Sand Pile at Sunday School...

Pretty Basic Stuff:

If Only Today's kids would learn from these basic lessons...

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit or bite people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

 by Robert Fulghum

Kinda like Abileen:

You are Smart.

You are Kind.

You are Important. 

Such easy lessons.

Yet, I find myself sitting in a restaurant watching these totally out of control families around me and thinking...."Is it ME?" 

Why am I the only one that thinks it is the kids controlling the parents rather than the other way around.  My husband and I ponder this just about every time we are sitting in a restaurant waiting for a meal. 

It drives me nuts!!! 

 

Just a Quick Update

Yes, we are home.  We do NOT have my Jeep.  It has been towed to the Jeep Dealer about 150 miles from here.  HOPEFULLY it will be fixed before next weekend...I've rented a car for then...to go and pick it up.  In the meantime, we are looking at the 2012 Ford Fiesta...or the Focus...not sure yet.

I do believe the girlz will be happy with the smaller vehicle...they loved the Fiesta when we rented it before!

That's all I got for my Manic Monday....that's how I feel today!

The Saga Continues...

Here's an update...it is not good news.  We have been through two new alternators and the mechanic still has absolutely no clue as to what is wrong with my Jeep.  They are working on a process of elimination and have the Jeep Dealer involved.  It appears at the moment like it might be the power control module...or something like that.

The fact is...no car!!  So we had to unload all the crap that we had stuffed into the Jeep.  Ben took his little car (which is only a two seater) and filled it with a bunch of the small bags and drove back home.  Tomorrow he is driving the RV back so we can fill it up with all of the "stuff" that needs to be moved back home.  With the temperatures dipping close to freezing, we just can't put off closing the cottage any longer.  Too much chance of freezing pipes...Lord knows...we do not need any more water problems!!  The Jeep will be here for awhile we suspect.  So....we will probably end up renting a car that will fit all of us and do a one way Enterprise Rental when the Jeep is ready to be picked up.  The RV needs to be winterized also...we try to do that prior to November 1st.

So....while we are here...we decided to work on some more tree trimming!!  The girlz love exploring!!  If only I could keep LadyBug from rolling!

On a side note...LadyBug's ear seems to be feeling much better!!

Not Exactly What We Planned

Ever had one of those weekends that just didn't go the way you planned? Well..that's the kind of weekend we had!! We were supposed to be celebrating a HOLIDAY weekend.

Yeah right. THAT didn't happen.

My brother was supposed to come and visit but he had a visitor himself...by the name of IRENE! So, he had plans for the weekend with tree cutter guys and roof people!

We had not one, but TWO breaks in the water line...so it is a good thing that we didn't have anyone staying with us. Finally got that fixed...for now. Until the backhoe arrives on Thursday.

We run up to get vegetables at our local stand, and the brakes go out in the little car. ARGHHHHH!!! This is car Number THREE with problems. We are ready to throw them all out. They are getting old. The guy at the garage said and I quote, "It's TIME, Mrs. Pursell." "You need to take this car off the road". NOT what I wanted to hear!!

So, the girlz are supposed to be getting ready to celebrate somebody's birthday in just a couple of days....and instead they did alot of sitting around watching this weekend!

And to top it off...it was raining.

How was YOUR weekend?????

It is Official

I have officially decided that car salesman just suck.

Seriously.

Really ruined my day.

And I didn't get the really super cute loaded Jeep that I fell in love with.

I am drowning my sorrows in Strawberry Milkshake.

I Have HAD It!

There are some people who shall remain nameless...

that are driving me CRAZY!!!

Up the Wall ... NUTS!!

The thing that is making me the most crazy right now is that there is absolutely nothing I can do to remedy the "situation".  I cannot do or say one single solitary thing.  I must be QUIET.  Which, seriously, if you know me...is really HARD...if not impossible!!

I cannot even talk about it right now...

I will come back and post later when I have calmed down.

Off to a Slow Start...

Ever feel like you need a little PUSH to get going???  I feel like I need something! 

Trying to put all the Christmas things away and take down the tree and clean up the house and...and...and....

I apologize for not being a very good blogger lately!  Too much going on here with family "issues".  Haven't even taken my camera out lately.  I did visit my father the other day and finished delivering almost all holiday gifts.

Perhaps I am just going through post holiday slump.  Pre-occupied with learning new things and soothing the nerves of those close to me who are freaking out!

OK...all you blog buddies of mine who are learning the iPad right along with me...what program are you using as your external editor to post photos on your blog??  Thanks for any advice!!

The Race is ON!

Does anybody else feel like I do?

I feel like I am going about a thousand miles an hour...and not making any progress.

Spent the day washing tons of crystal glasses and cleaning out all of the Fall decorations to make way for my Christmas Extravaganza!  I usually decorate it up BIG. 

This year...I just don't feel like doing it up THAT big.

Maybe I'm just in a slump.

Not sure....but I apologize for the fact that my blog has not been all that interesting lately.

The upstairs is completely torn apart with the renovations going on!

I promise I will take pics though...soon!!

Also trying to finish up my online shopping!!

Computer RANT!

The new Dell has arrived and I am in computer HEAVEN!!

I am VERY Dissatisfied with Time Warner Cable's Roadrunner Service though...they do NOT provide virus protection for new computers running Windows 7 64 bit.

I have already chatted with their technical support people and told them exactly how dissatisfied I am.

With all of the money we pay Time Warner....between our TWO accounts...they could at least provide us with the Security Software that was promised to us when we signed up for the contract.

Lovely....their tech support representative told me to use the third party software that comes free with the computer.

UNACCEPTABLE!!

I am in a rage.

I apologize for the vent.

Spring....Bring It On!

Bring it on NOW!!! We need to see some GREEN growing in the garden!!! We need to see some color in the yard and off in the distance!!

I am soooo tired of the color brown....and mud....and snow.

Even though I just got back from a quick holiday...it wasn't colorful enough.

I'm talking FLIP FLOPS and PALM TREES People!!!

I am missing FLORIDA and the Caribbean!! Especially in the drab, dreary month of March here in Upstate NY.

Bring on S P R I N G!!!

Don't know why it seems so much longer this year....

Do you think it could be age??? (nah...shhhhhhhh!)

I have some pics of the girlz out running in the sunshine today. Yes, sunshine. We ACTUALLY saw it today!! Don't have the camera on me right now...will have to post later!!

Is Anyone In Charge?

I need to rant. I need to complain. I need to freak out!!!

Since my husband just retired, we have just found out that it is mandatory that we switch our medical insurance. Which also includes prescription coverage. We have absolutely NO choice in the matter. None. Since I am on a host of different maintenance medications, I am quite familiar with dealing with pharmacies and drug companies, insurance companies, and doctor's offices. It did not please us when we discovered that the insurance company that we are being made to go with is not a mainstream company.

To top it off, the pharmaceutical company that handles their prescriptions has a ton of complaints against them! They actually paid THIRTY million dollars to settle a lawsuit that they were switching drugs to make money for themselves!!

Medco is the name of this company. I did a google search on them.

Do I sound annoyed and pissed off??

That is because I AM.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

A Lesson That Should Not Be Taught

Since when did children's birthday parties turn into community events?? When my daughter was small, we invited a few of her friends and we got together either at home and had a pool party...or we went to the local roller skating rink and had a party there with maybe ten of us.

Today? Today it is different. Totally different!! NOW they are renting halls and having EVENTS.

Before I get any flack here. This is MY blog and I will state MY opinion.

I do not feel that this is a good lesson to be teaching kids today. Let's invite everyone we know and ask them to bring an expensive present to the party!

It's not a good lesson in my opinion.

Just sayin'.

Color to Brighten Up Your Day!

I've had nothing but crazy mixed up problems dealing with the insurance company this week and am ready to freakin' pull my hair out at this point!!

I leave you with some calming shots of Borglum's Irises!

I'm Just Pissed Off

And I really need to RANT. Several years ago, my husband gave me a Kodak Digital Camera....you know....when everyone was getting digital cameras. So, I loved the thing - of course - and downloaded the Kodak software and got rather used to uploading to the Kodak Gallery and now over the years I have grown out of my Kodak and into my Canon. I still have four gig of pics sitting out there on the Kodak Gallery. It was a FREE service to begin with. Has remained a free service. No Charge. Until recently. I received a mailnote from them telling me that I would have to PURCHASE $19.99 worth of products from them or they would DELETE my entire gallery! WHAT???????????????????????????????????? I freaked out.

I'm pissed off. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But I didn't have any time to react. I was gone for seven weeks on a roadtrip. Upon my return, I tried without success to remove MY VERY OWN pictures from their site and put them back on my computer. Well. Lo and behold. It can't be done. Easily.

Yes, I can copy a postage stamp size thumbnail WHICH WILL DO ME NO GOOD AT ALL!!!

I did some research and found that there is some things I could do with html to fiddle around with and possibly get them off of their site.

Bottom line. It's not worth my time and energy. So, I bought a Father's Day gift from the site.

And I will NEVER use the Kodak Gallery again.

EVER.

And I suggest that you pass the word.

Not a good business practice. In my mind.

So....what do you think??

Life Just Gets In The Way

Sometimes....life really does get in the way of .... blogging!! I just plain have not had the time or the energy lately to spend any time on my blog. We came back from being gone on the road for seven weeks and there is a freakin' ton of stuff to do here at the house. And to top it off I am in a serious amount of pain....it seems that my Rheumatoid has me in one hell of a flare. Which creates its own problems. Walking is difficult for me right now. Forget about stairs...can't bend my knees. Ever tried to get into and out of a Pontiac Fiero without bending.....not a chance!

Many things going on in my life. Doctor's appointments. Celebrating our anniversary this weekend and I haven't got my act together on that yet. The dogs needed to go to the vet and finally got that all done yesterday.

We will be opening the Cottage this weekend so much cleaning and prep work needs to go into that. And to top it off, am still in the midst of travel planning for our next venture to commence in August for another couple of months!

Meish just bought her very first brand new car and she is over the moon excited! And I'm THAT excited for her too!! I have some pictures I'd love to share, but they are not on this computer and my laptop is upstairs, so that'll have to wait.

So, that's my "excuse" as to where I've been! If this post is chaotic....it's because that's the story of my life right now!!

My Life Will Never Be The Same Again...

Can I just say that I am losing my sanity? Slowly, but surely, this day has been creeping up on me.

It is now official.

My husband is retiring.

I have been home for ten years now...me and my dogs.

And now....

My Life Will Never Be The Same Again.

I need assistance. Prayers. Karma. Energy. Whatever you believe in. Send it to me please.

I am Losing My Sanity.

Any Advice?

Gifts.....ARGHHHHHHH!

Is anyone else having the same problem as me this year??? I never have this much of a problem finding just the right gift. But for some reason. This year, I just can't think. Too much on my mind I guess. I pride myself on finding JUST the right gift. And this year my mojo is failing me.

Hope THIS is over soon...

Movie Night Resumes...

As some of you know, my sister and I "do" Movie Night each week...it is our way of catching up. We have a little theater here in our town that plays all the new releases, so we are going to go check out, "Nights in Rodanthe"

Coming back to the house from being gone for four months, there's alot to do. I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed. This is not a new feeling for me. In fact, it happens the same way each and every year. For some reason, this year I'm feeling much more overwhelmed than usual. So, I'm taking a time-out to go to the movies and hopefully that will "refresh" me....at least get me going in the right direction!!

I've also decided to go on my own personal crusade to avoid the news. I mean, not totally....I'll skim headlines online. But, I am not going to watch the local news. I am not going to watch the ABC Evening News. As much as I love Charlie Gibson. I have decided at this particular time in my life, it is WAY too depressing to watch that freakin' stuff night after night after night. I need some HAPPY stuff to happen. Usually I am like a freakin' maniac decorating my house up for fall.

Not this year.

I just don't have my groove on. Haven't even taken the box of Halloween / Fall stuff out of the basement. I. Just. Don't. Feel. Like. It.

And...

I am really, really hoping that a night out of girltalk and movies will cure me!!