Rain,Rain,Another Gain

Here in NJ we have been having ALOT of rain this spring/summer. Now I could look at it in a very pessimistic way(as I have been doing( Or I could choose to look at it in a very opptimistic way..Which is what I am going to try to do TODAY! I figure that I do not like to go outside and do all kinds of errands on a rainy day,so most of the time I lose the whole day to a great book or some other self indulgent way wo whittle it away.) But for Today I am going to TRY to be quite productive(as I did whenever I was at my real job years ago).I am going to tackle a few of those many endless tasks which I tend to put off now that I am retired and seem to "Have all the time in the world".HA HA!!!!
1st. thing,I am going to go back to sleep for just 1 more hour...to muster up some more energy
2.nd I am going to dust with my new microfiber cloths all of my knic knacs or chatcha's in the living rooom.(believe me,I am a collector when it comes to small little collectibles!)
So many times when I clean I find myself working around them and just never seem to get back to them!
3. then I am going to tackle hand washing all of the displayed dishes in my rather large pine hutch in the dining/kitchen combo room! I just love to stand back and see and smell it sparkle when I am finished with that task!
4. I am going to attempt to get to my dresser perfume tray and washed and rearrange it!
5.I figure by then,the time must be about ready to start dinner.Tonight my hubby is getting homeade spaghetti sauce and sausage.(Me I am still watching my diet and sugars and salt,so I will be having a large salad and a no salt soup!(just yummy).
6. My goal for today is to be so exhausted by tonight that I finally can get a good night's sleep..all night long,not just waking up every few hours and then not being able to get back to sleep which seems like forever.(of course I am on medicines again with an asthmatic attack and a bout of bronchitis which tend to make me hyper a bit,so that is probably why I am up most of the night..so maybe if I tire myself out today..It will swithch things around.
Well..here's to a plan and I am stickin to it!!(hopefully..I will update you tomorrow as to how much I actually accomplished today)!!!!!!!!!! "That is why today's header is cvalled Rain,Rain,
Anothr Gain"

FOURTH OF JULY

Here's wishing you all a safe and wonderful July 4th. Please remember with a pray our troops who are fighting for our Independance as you CELEBRATE it!

MEETING OLE FRIENDS

Late this afternoon I went with my husband,Nick, to his fishing tournament celebration party that was at one of the Fire Houses,which was nice enough to accomadate all of us. They had to quickly set up at another location as the weather here did not cooperate at all.We had rain all day long!(the Party was weather permitting to have been in a local park owned by the town which has swings and all kind of stuff for the kids,picnic tables and is on the water). Anyway all went very well,I will tell you that the women and young girls(all related to the fisherman who fished in this tournament today in the rain) did a magnificent job of making the best barbecue set up that I have been to in years. They did not miss a thing and the fire house even had lots of games and toys available Or brought by the parents in a seperate room to keep the children very busy!
Everything was homemade salads,etc and the desserts were the best,nothing beats homemade chocolate and oatmeal raisin cookies and a two flavored blondie/choc type brownie and more. The hamburgers were donated by one the most expensive meat markets in town,so they were out of this world! However the very BEST part of the afternoon and into the early evening for ME was seeing ole friends that I grew up with in my early 20's!!!! Many of them I had not run into over the years,yet as we chatted we felt like we just were together yesterday.It sure felt wonderful to not only see them,but to have the time to sit and visit awhile. The atmosphere was so comfortable that you felt as if we were teens again..yet we realized that our journeys thru life has included many ups and downs..but were are the fortunate ones to be here still and able to have this special time together! I was surprised that so many of them,both male and females remembered me right away..but then I recognized them right away also! I now realize that you never really change completely on the outside..your eyes remain the same, your smile is the same, the inflection in your voice is the same,your laughter sounds the same as it always did. We may change the color of our hair,our weight may change, we may now wear glasses etc..but on the INSIDE our HEART has never changed..WE ARE THE SAME PERSON that we were when we were friends way back then. Life is amazing! So I really the day if you can't tell by now and my ole friends. Some say they will call and that since we all live so nearby each other that we should plan to get together..we will see if that ever comes to be...but rather it does or not..I enjoyed my special time today..Also it was great to see my husband 's face when the boat that he and his friend(only the two of them) came in second place in the tournament! So I know that he had a really great day also,even fishing in the rain!

I'M Back

Boy,have I been gone for a long time. I just checked in on myself and I noticed that I have not been chatting since April. Well I guess I really must have not had anything inspiring to say or at least I felt that way. Alot has changed in my life since then. The most important is that I have learned how to handle the STRESS in my life in a more mannerly fashion and to NOT let it rule me as it so often did. In fact it even put me into the hospital this past May into early June.
That was a REAL WAKE UP CALL for me again! Now I have been in the hospital before for many ailments that I have...but never because I could not control my thinking. I felt as tho I wanted to get out of my own brain.Sounds weird..I know..But unless you have experienced it yourself..it will not mean anything to you..don't worry..that part is not what is important. It is the learning how to handle STRESS and each day I am getting better at it and I am so very proud of myself! I thank our Lord,GOD, for helping to pull me thru my very darkest hours AGAIN! I prayed so very hard each day to HIM asking for His help and guidance. I always remember that He is always there,however He will answer in His time,not always yours! I now remember to THANK HIM each and everyday for His help and Guidance to get me thru this
past experience! Stress can become a physical and medical problem very quickly if not understood and placed under control. Now that I am happier with myself and where I am at in my life,my next post will be to update you all on how our family has grown...two new great-nephews to brag about and how the other great-nephews are doing.YEAH!

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

I feel really good tonight after spending the day getting ready for the warm weather we are expecting this weekend. They are predicting in the 80's.So I spent most of today working on what I call my "weights and measures"! To me this is working on my clothes closet and measuring out those clothes which do not fit the weight that I am at now....Thus weights and measures!!!!
So I made quite a nice dent in the pile and have a hefty size bag all ready for the church donation rummage sale.
My husband even FINALLY decided that he does not need all of those suits and sport jackets that have been stored for years now in plastic garment bags. So someone at the church is going to be lucky if they are his size.
So now that my clothes are happy and have more room to breathe in that closet..I have to work on my body for spring!! Winter left a few lbs behind on me that I need also to give away quickly!!! Happy weights and measure to you all!

EASTER BLESSINGS

I had such a wonderful Easter and so many things to be thankful for that I had to share them.
First,my husband for once said that he really enjoyed spending the day with ALL of my family.He does not say this very often as large gatherings and the noise of children and babies crying bother his tintunitis of the ear. Also he says that all of us talk at once and he can't seem to understand a what we are all chatting about(he is very hard of hearing also).
Anyway we had a really delightful day. First my niece's,Jaime, home is a log cabin and so quaint and sweet and she has it decorated just so special!
I finally got to meet my newest great-nephew,Andrew, who is just adorable. He is my sister's second oldest daughter,Tracey's first son(their first baby girl is in heaven with the angels,she was born stillborn two yrs ago).So I am so happy that Andrew,born in January is a healthy young baby.Also my oldest niece's two sons,Jackson age 3and 1/2 and Reid age 1 and 1/2 were so well behaved. We had a great time on the deck blowing bubbles.I felt like a kid again. To watch each bubble just form and then float away and to hear the giggles from the boys was like music to the ears! My mother at age 85 was doing quite well and always so enjoys being with all of our family(she lives with my sister). The appetizers and dinner was YUMMY and quite plentiful. I thank God that we have such a wonderful family and had such a good meal. For many have no homes to celebrate and maybe just a food pantry if any to eat at.Now i look forward to the arrival in about 18 days of my oldest niece,Jaime,the mother of the two sons,birth of her new baby on April 30th or maybe even before! Our family keeps growing!
Hope all of you had a day to be thankful for something in your lives also.

HAPPY EASTER

I am all ready for Easter now. I have the Easter presents for my grand-nephews.
I shopped for all of the ingredients for the appetizers that i am making. My hubby is going to buy the chocolate cake tomorrow(I do not enjoy baking and it sure does not enjoy me..)

So now I just wanted to take a moment and to wish all of you a Blessed and enjoyable Easter.

EASTER

Hello. I have another dilema which some of you may be able to help me out with. I do not do much entertaining anymore due to my health . However we are going to my nieces on Easter and I am to bring an appetizer and a dessert. Do any of you have any easy recipes that also will travel for two hours well. I would appreciate any help I can get! Thanks
And to all of you have a BLESSED EASTER.

A BAD HAIR DAY

I feel like such a bad mom.No I do not have any children. But I am a mom to a wonderful cocker spaniel whose picture is on the bottom of my blog page. I adopted,baggage and all when she was just one year and a half from a private home.She had been living in a cage from 6am till 6pm.So the owner decided that their family just had no time for her. She came with purebred paper,was housrbroken and well behaved. A real Sweetie! Sheis such a sweetie. Well she was free,however she cost us about $1000 the first year. As she had Lyme and none of her shots were updated also as a puppy she had injgested something which was not biodegrageable and it got stuck in her stomach and would not pass,so the vets kept her 3 days overnight and gave her meds to empty her out and she is now just fine. She does have a thyroid problem,so she takes meds everyday. But she has more energy then I do and runs around the house freely and our yard.
Now as to why I feel like a bad mom. I took her to the groomer on Tuesday as she needs to be bathed and get her fancy haircut grommed every several months. Well this time I was ashamed at how tangled and messy she looked(I had been sick and I did not give her coat the attention that it really needs).She should be brushed every other day! So when I walked her in I told my groomer that I aplogize for the mess that her coat looked like...And I left her to their wizardry skills. THEN about 1 hour later after her bath I get a call that she has to be shaved all down.. that the groomer cannot get out all of her tangles and the it would not be fair to pull and tug on the dog that much anyway.So I reluctantly agreed.I knew that her beautiful coat would be gone and that she would look like a dog that has cocker spaniel ears and a shaved coat like a labrador retriever. I FELT LIKE THE WORST MOM IN THE WORLD! of course the dog does not know how she looks and we are going into the warmer months..so she will not chill.So in the future I am making a vow that whatever happens SHE WILL GET BRUSHED!!! A dog is a wonderful companion and they ask so little of their owners..so the least I can do is make her look as pretty as she always dod before! If you are a dog owner you will be able to sympathize with my...I have to learn to forgive myself now..as she is prancing around and playing and happy as she was with a full coat of hair!!! It will grow back probably by August!

Racing Thoughts

Hi,I have not been here for such a long time.Sorry.But I have had several major things going on in my life that have taken up much of my time. The one that is taking up the most time is that we may have to move and that thought really has me upset. We own a condo on the water in the next town over from where we are in a two bedroom home now. It is a much smaller one bedroom,upstairs condo on a private beach(we lived there when we first were married and have rented it out for many,many years). But now the market is so slow that no tenants are showing up for the new lease which is all ready for June 1st. Neither Nick nor I want to make this move.So my mind has been racing with thoughts of what to take with us and what to give away.I will have a garage sale I guess over Memorial Day weekend to unload whatever. Then what is left I will call the Lupus foundation to come pick up!My biggest worry is that this condo is an upstairs unit and with my breathing problems,I am going to have some real issues with those stairs(20 steps to be exact..two flights). I will probably have to contact Medicare and see if they can help pay for a chair to glide up at least one flight. Also I feel so sorry for our dog as she has always had a yard to run free in and now she have to learn to be a dog on a leash!(I feel that is so very unfair to her..but I do not want to give her up).So I lie awake at night and try to put all of my thoughts in a worry basket for God to help me out with..but it is not easy!
I find that I need a very special time to just sit and really plan out all of the things I need to do before our move July 1st!( I pray each night that my realtor finds a tenant for us and then this will not have to happen). But I guess a house is really just a place to put your hat down and Nick and I will make it work to become a HOME and as comfortable as possible for us and our dear dog!

WE"RE MOVING ON UP !

I am so excited because my new Dell custom built computer and large flat widescreen monitor and printer has arrived(a late Valentine Gift from my hubby)!Wow, the screen is so much larger than before and the graphics are just great and it is FAST(cause I do not have any virus or junk loaded up as yet). Now maybe my next week I can upload my pics from my cd's and post some on my site here!
It is amazing to think of how we all communicated before this whole new world of techno...
my telephone bill has been cut in about half! I still do snail mail alot for birthday,synpathy,hello, ,thank you and thinking of you cards. I want to keep some things a bit more personnal.But by utilizing the tools available on in the computer world I have found so many of my friends with whom I had lost touch over many, many years. I have even made many new friends thru other friends!We now are getting to know each other as our lives and families have grown.We share emails ,recipes and pictures of important things in our lives(just as we did when we were mere tykes in school or wherever our friendship roots began).Now we have all developed new buds and are just waiting for some of them to bloom so we can share more of our lives together AGAIN! I even joined Facebook and some of their groups.I found one lost friend from college who I have been trying to track down forever.It is such fun when on Facebook yesterday,I receive a video from my niece and it has the newest family member,Andrew at 2 months,just chatting away and trying to do different movements.I feel as tho I am right there beside the little tyke.Well time to try to get a short nap in because I am sick with bronchitis again and the meds are making me want to sleep. So I must force myself to hit the off button on my new toy here for awhile.See you all for a chat again soon. I look forward to reading yours each day. Keep them coming,from your friend,JACKIE

THE WONDER OF DREAMS

Good afternoon. Boy am I spoiled today I awoke very early 5am,let the dog out and then curled back into my bed to snooze until11 am! Then the sun came brightly shining thru my window.WOW !! Wow how powerful the sun is..to be able to wake me up and bring me out of a DREAM!!! Do you ever dream???.I find it fun to have a dream..if only you could sleep thru till the endings. I always seem to awake before the dream is finished..or maybe then again it shoild never have an ending! Just a thought to ponder. I am the one who watches a movie on TV and after it is over I continue(as my husband always tells me)to write more of the script for that show!!!I really would have liked to edit or rewrite COMPLETELY the recent BATCHELOR SHOW!(But did anyone get a chance to see MELISSA on DANCING WITH THE STARS last night. She did a beautiful waltz with Max! I loved it.
Well back to my dreams..there are specialists who can interpret your dreams..but sorry I would feel like my privacy was invaded..after all it is MY dream!Just to be able to let your mind go into that wonderful state of deep sleep and let your thoughts go wherever they want(instead of where you put them many times usually into a state of worry over something that is bothering you..Where in a dream you lose control and let it just wonder. I am talking just about dreams,no nightmares!!! I also find myself daydreaming ever so often..now those are Great!
Like this afternoon just before this post I took my cup of decaf coffee unto the porch and looked out over the water and had a fun time just daydreaming as I let myself travel to a warm island(remember I am in NJ where it is a bit cold this time of year). Well I had better let myself come back into the world of reality today and get a load of laundry in( can't seem to dream that chore away!( LOL).HAppy dreams to you all!

I am waiting for my dinner to heat up(Spaghetti Squash).My husband has a meeting tonight,so I can indulge myself in doing and eating whatever I want. AND I have CONTROL of the remote all evening!!!
So here I am again and I was browsing thru some pics of my dear Lady Jane and found her all decked out last Fourth of July. (She can only tolerate those girly bows for a very short while after her groomer works on her,so I have to be camera ready for her!
OOPs..there goes the dinner bell.soooooo enough for today! Bye and have a great night!

MY SHINING STARS

HELLO,I am Jackie. This is a whole new adventure in my life and at age 62 I am so looking forward to it.I am a very friendly kinda woman who enjoys chatting with and meeting new friends. I have been reading some wonderful blogs and I feel as tho I would like to be a friend to many of these wonderful young woman already.I am married to the man of my dreams now for 37 glorious years. We were never blessed with any children,but I have one sister who has 3 daughters and 1 son..So I enjoy alot of my life thru the eyes of my loving nieces and nephews,who I will introduce to you at a later time with photos.I also have 3 quite handsome great-nephews.(And another baby due in the family in May). But the PRIDE AND JOY of my LIFE is my furry adopted BEST FRIEND...my cocker spaniel"LADY JANE". Her story and how she came to live with us will take up and entire page so I will save that for another day and of course I have to get a great picture of her to include.

In choosing names for my blog I spent alot of time ponderering on what I am made up of?

And I came to realize that I am so very thankful for so many things and family in my life,that make me just who I am...thus the name them "MY SHINING STARS"