Guy is Home

Guy came home on Friday night. We been eating out nearly every meal. It has been nice. No cooking. I haven't cooked one meal at home. Everyone says I must not be a good cook.  Probably not an excellent one but fair. He says I never eat out which is true and that is why we go a lot.


I went to a few places I had never been. Cattleman's Steak House. That is down at the Stockyard's. Guy had Calf Fries which sounds really gross. They had the best rolls I had ever eaten though. Then last night we went to Outback . I had never been there either. I don't eat meat much but I had a baked potato. Some weird Tostato that had tuna and guacamole on it. Not too bad but just five of them for $5.99. It was different at least.


Today we went to church and afterwards we went to SpringCreek to eat. After that we relaxed around the house and watched TV. Then tonight we went to Jason's Deli. I been going there about 16 years for at least once a month. I love the huge potatoes with brisket. That will make me  a couple of meals.We finished that off with vanilla ice cream cones.


Tomorrow we are going over to Jana's since it is Labor Day and cook out. That will be nice to be around the grandkids. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Chicken and Ribs . And of course watermelon. And lots of sides.


I will be sad to see Tuesday come because Guy will be having to go back to work. I have really enjoyed him being here. The time goes fast when he is here. Slow when he is gone. Maybe one day he can change jobs where he is not gone all the time. Maybe.....

Shopaholics That We Are

Jana might have a sprained ankle but that doesn't stop her from shopping! I ask her if she wanted to go to Wal Mart with me to pick up more antibiotic for me and my anxiety medicine. She said she had to pick up Kaiden's medicine too so I went over and picked her up. She only lives 5 blocks from me.

We picked up the medicine and then of course we had to go down a lot of aisles at Wal Mart. She was looking for a car seat for Kaylee since all of us have to pick her up or take her sometimes. After that we went thru the small girls clothes. Such cute little clothes for girls! They didn't have these kind of clothes when my girls were little. Then over to the boys clothes. Next adult women's. I found a Coca cola shirt I could not live without. It was so pretty and anyone that knows me knows I can't pass up Coca Cola  stuff! Top that off with a People magazine.

As we left Wal Mart I ask Jana if she needed to go anywhere else. She said she would like to go to this other store that is a flea market. Still looking for a car seat. I bought a Coca Cola opener that was real cute. Then we proceeded on down Cherry Lane to this other store that has some unique stuff in it. They had a Coca Cola clock like I used to have back in Sweetwater. They had a canvas picture of Elvis announcing back in 1956 when he was going to perform in Louisiana. Some really nice stuff but I resisted the urge to spend more money. I am trying to save money for the house in Sweetwater.

Then back up Cherry Lane and we stopped at Goodwill. I found a Nancy Drew Reporter DVD I just had to get . It said it was from 1939. I loved Nancy Drew as a child and she still fascinates me. I can't wait to watch it. Vasile called while we were in there and we went to Taco Bueno to get him something to eat.

After that we went back to my house and ate our lunch. Jana said she wanted to go to the library after that. We did and they had some books for 50 cents. Being the bookaholic I am I bought two of those. One was of Danielle Steele and I thought I had all of  her books. The other was an author I had never heard of but a mystery. I will see what kind of writer she is.

Then we went home and I rested. Very tired after all that shopping.......

Bad Day for Jana

Today was my daughter, Jana's first day of college. It was the three boys first day of school too. She had one in kindergarten, one in 3rd and one in 5th. Kaylee, the only girl started Head Start the day before . She is three .She is going to have her hands full with all the kids in school and herself in college. Anyway as she was trying to get the kids ready for there first day of school she was in Kaylee's room and tripped on a toy and fell down and hit the door too. She was stunned at first and just sat there. Her husband, Vasile came running when he heard the thud. He helped her up . Her foot was hurting bad and starting to swell.

Vasile took Kaylee to her school since it was the other  direction from the boys school. Jana took the boys and then she had to stop by Kaylee's doctors and get her shot records. By this time her foot was really throbbing and hurting. She text me and said she might need to go to ER. I told her she might as well go. It would probably get well a lot quicker. So she did.

She came by the house after she had got through at the hospital. She barely had enough time to get to the college she goes too by 12. They had X-Rayed it and said they thought it was just badly sprained. They gave her a boot to put on it for two weeks. At least it wasn't broken. only sprained. But it had to happen the first day of college. At her college she has to walk a long ways from the parking lot to the room.

I picked up Kaylee for her this afternoon and then she came by after she picked up the boys at school. I took her to Sam's to get her medicine for her foot. She has to pull the boot off to drive so makes it kind of hard. She has a pain medication and then one for the swelling. Maybe it will be lots better by the  time she goes back to college.

Jana only goes two days a week to college so that is not too bad. She is taking radiology. With Kaylee in school this year she will have lots more time to study. It is a pretty hard class to take .My grand daughter is a radiologist just fresh out of college and now working.

First day didn't start out too good but maybe it will get better. I certainly hope so for all their sakes.

Last Time to Clean For Mae

I went and cleaned a house today for the last time  that I had done for twelve years. I don't like change even when it is work.  I had a cleaning business for years. Jana helped me from the time she was 13. I hired other people when my business was going good but most were not very good. I could never find good help. When the economy went down a few years back I lost a lot of my work and didn't really try to get more. I was getting older and cleaning was getting harder and I was trying to get into writing more so I just kept houses I already had .  And today I lost one more. And I am okay with that. Mae is moving to a bigger house in Arlington and I could have kept cleaning for her but I will pass on that.

It is certainly a lot easier sitting here with my laptop with my glass of ice water with a slice of lemon in it.. Writing. So much easier.  Soon I will be studying though. I am taking a course in writing and by the time I finish it I should be able to write two articles. I would love to do that!

I started on a how to book two years ago. It is about cleaning of course. I figured in fifteen years I have had a little experience and know a lot of shortcuts and ways to get more work. So I wrote about it and maybe that will help someone . It was really hard at first getting my cleaning business started and I struggled a lot. I wrote about the ups and downs of it . I wrote all my chapters but I just needed to add to them. I still haven't done that but I am fixing to start working on that very day.

I think to keep doing something you got to pace yourself and make sure you do  a certain amount of whatever it is your doing every day. I can make myself work because I have always been motivated to work on my own. When I was cleaning I took college online. I done that at night. Got my Associate of Business Degree. It helped me in running a business. Just like now to get better in writing I plan on taking writing courses to help that. Best way to learn is to keep practicing everyday or  night. And that is what I am doing.

One of these days you will see my name on a mystery book. The Case of the Lady in White By Elaine Gray. When you see it please buy it, read it and see what you think. But for now I am plodding along. Doing a little cleaning. Writing my blog. Whatever I can....

Anothere Boring Sarurday

Weekends are so boring to me when Guy is gone. I don't know why it is more boring than any other day.On Saturday the mail runs. They have lotto tonight. It just feels like I should go somewhere or do something. When Guy is here all my days go  fast.

I did go shopping a little with Jana this morning. We went to Tuesday Morning. I forget about that store and  they have some really nice things there. That store is actually in the back of a small strip mall. I forget it is there sometimes . I got Coca Cola dishes there a long time ago. They had a Juke Box that lights up that was nice but kind of small.  Someday I hope to own a big one. I really like retro things like Jukeboxes or Coke machines and old cars.

I found these glasses that are really cute. They say "Water" on them. I got those and then I really like glass things too. I bought a picture frame that is made out of thick glass. I can hardly hold it in one hand. I wonder what makes us like certain things. For me it is glass stuff and I like movie room stuff like pictures of Elvis or Marilyn Monroe. Lots of others too but that is my main ones. I also like shows from long  ago like " Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and "Hart to Hart". I have always loved mysteries. In reading, mysteries have always been my favorite kind of books too.

After leaving that place we stopped at Mc Donalds and I got a Big Mac with fries to eat. I haven't had that in a long time. I went home and ate and then Kaylee came to spend some time with me. Jana and Vasile were taking the boys to the movies to see"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie .Last time they took Kaylee they had to leave. So we had a nice time playing on the phone and the Kindle and watching Sponge Bob.

When they got back they came in for awhile. I had to get Vasile to help me with the new laptop I had just gotten. I could not figure out how to make the thing work but I am writing this blog  on it so  guess it is working okay now. Vasile is a whiz on computers.

Had French Bread Pizza for dinner with Pecan Pie for dessert.

And now I am watching the Cowboys play Miami. Pretty good game too
But they lost anyway but good start.  And after this I will get in my PJ's and start on a new book since I just finished Judy Alter's new book. Which I might add was a good book. Blue Plate Cafe` mystery. Murder At the Tremont House. Now I am going to start a non mystery which is "First Sight" By Danielle Steele. I do love her books and lately she writes four or five a year.

Not a bad day all in all. I will see what tomorrow holds for me.

Kaylee is Going to School

Today I went with Jana to meet the teacher for Kaylee since she will be going to Head Start.  She is much to young to go to school it seems to me but she just turned three. In  Head Start they play mostly and read books but they do learn things too. It will help her I am sure but I just think kids go to school a lot of years. Once they start they don't get to finish until they are out of college.


Jana really had to put her in there as she goes to college. She has two more years to go. The last two years I have kept Kaylee while she was in college. I can't do it this year because I plan on spending some time in Sweetwater. I told Jana I can pick her up in the afternoon when she gets out until I leave in November. I will miss watching her like I did last year. We watched SpongeBob so much and had such a good time.


I really feel sad thinking about her being a big girl and going to Head Start . She is not the baby anymore. She thinks it will be fun and it might be fun for her. And then again she might not like being away from everyone familiar. She has never stayed with anyone but family. It is an all day class. Her teacher seemed like a real nice lady.


I have been around Kaylee almost every day since she was born except  when I was gone to Sweetwater last year for a couple of months. I kept her when Jana had to have gall bladder surgery when Kaylee was only a month old. That wasn't easy keeping a new born baby plus three rowdy boys for a few days. The first two years of her life I kept her when they went on vacation for a few days. This was the first year they took her.


It is going to be hard letting go . I know she will learn a lot though and get prepared for when she does go to school. Jana will have more time to study and do homework in college too. It will be easier for everyone that is involved in her life I guess.


She will do good. You just got to let her get a start in her life. It is almost like when my kids left home and I had a empty nest. I am still getting over that empty nest. And I will get over this too. You just have to let them grow up.

Another Oil Field Accident

Tonight when I got on facebook I saw a title I didn't like . Oil Field Accident Killed 2, 1 Injured. I read on to hear that it happened in Westbrook. A crew moving a pumpjack to a new location when a cable from a winch truck hit a power line. The two were electrocuted and a third was injured. The crew was out of Midland.


My fiancé` works out of Midland on a well so that always kind of scares me to hear anything about oil field accidents. So many dangers are out there. On the Flow Back work he does there can be poisonous gas to come out of the wells and when that happenes it can kill you instantly. He has seen it happen several times.


Back when I was with my ex husband Johnny who worked on a drilling rig his brother at age 26 was out at a drilling site by himself and he was putting something way up in the sky and it hit a power line and electrocuted him. They found him the next day. So many accidents can happen out on the wells. Or on the way to the wells.


It pays good money but what good is that money if you lose your life? I don't think it is worth the risk.  Guy and I have had this conversation several times. He has worked on wells for eight years now. And most of his work is easy. A lot of sitting and waiting but it can be hard and it can be dangerous.


I also have heard of so many couples  that can't handle the long distance relationships too. I read tonight about Meg Ryan and John Mellencamp breaking up. He liked Indiana and she liked New York. It said the distance broke them up. That is kind of scary to hear about all the people that broke up because of distance when you are in a new relationship and you want things to work out.


Is it really worth maybe breaking up because of long distance  or maybe getting killed on the job? Or taking a cut in pay but being home every night? Money is not everything. But of course it is nice having enough money to do what you want or need to do. Without money life is not too great sometimes. I guess you just got to decide which is more important .

People Magazine-Robin Williams

I read People magazine every week. They are not like Enquirer where everything they say is false. You can usually depend on what they say to be true. I got one today and Robin Williams was on the cover. I haven't read it yet but looking forward to it when I go to bed. That is one of my luxuries I do every week. Another is I always do a few lotto's because I really believe if you don't play you are not going to win. Those two things may cost a little bit but I don't drink or smoke and I do learn things and take a chance on winning some money. Don't hurt a soul but maybe my checking account a little. It's only money and you can't take it with you.


It has really upset me about Robin Williams. He would have been the last person I would have thought might kill themselves one day. He made everybody laugh. But I guess inside he was not laughing. When Jana was small we watched Mrs. Doubtfire I don't know how many times. I loved that show.


I would have never thought of him as being the kind of person that would leave his family and not think about what his death would do to them. Or maybe he was in so much pain mentally and physically he just couldn't handle life anymore. No one will ever know the answer to that because he is not here and he was the only one who knows the answer.


My nephew killed himself at 40 years old. I always wondered why he did that. And again of course nobody knows why . He was living in Iowa and had just got married. He called me about two weeks before it happened and told me he was happily married and doing fine. I wished him well. That was the last I ever heard from him.


He left two boys without a daddy and a wife. Did he think about what this was going to do to them or was he in such pain he just wanted to end it all? No one knows.


I have always said if people that commit suicide would just stop and think about it for a  few days maybe they would change there minds. Things look a lot different after awhile and things have a way of working themselves out. I don't know if it is a brave thing to kill oneself or a coward's way out. I have heard both ways. I just know I would never have the courage to do that because I like me.

And He is Gone Again

Guy and I had a great time while he was here. We went to Sweetwater and had a fantastic time. Got back on Saturday and went to Kaylee and Delayne's birthday party. Then yesterday we went and bought groceries and went shopping at the mall. Got me a couple of nice shirts . I got to remember to keep my lip zipped because anything I say he will go get. While I was in a store buying a shirt he goes to a previous store and gets a picture I mentioned I wanted of Buddy Holly and Elvis and some other great singers.


We had just got back home yesterday and then he got a call from work saying he had to be in Midland today. Just like that. They don't give you any notice. We did have 12 marvelous days. Now it is the waiting game again for 26 days.


I had just about gotten used to Guy being gone when he got to come home early last time. Then after 12 days of going and eating out and having fun I got to get used to him being gone again. About the time I get used to it he will be here again. Maybe....


At least he didn't have to go to Ohio this time. It is right outside of Midland and he does have phone service. I am so grateful for small favors. I will be more grateful when we can move to Sweetwater part time and that will be  a lot closer to Midland.


Meantime I got a lot to do. Watched Dallas tonight. That was so good. I got lots of books to read too. I got an office that needs a lot of organization. That would take a full day. I got closets that need cleaning out. And there are lots of things I need to buy for the new place in Sweetwater. Being the shopper I am that should be fun. I got two and  a half months to do it in.


One day at a time and before you know it he will be coming back and we will be getting ready to get the house in Sweetwater. Lots to look forward too and lots of things to get ready for. And meanwhile I can enjoy my nice house here and my grandkids.

Our visit to Sweetwater

Guy and I went on a 3 day trip to Sweetwater. We just got back in time for Kaylee's third birthday party. We had a very nice time. First of all a lady I had met a few years before that told me any time I came down just for a few nights I could stay in one of her rent houses free of charge. Now how many people would offer that? She has lots of rent houses completely furnished with flat screen TV's and washer and dryer and all bills paid. Even Wi Fi. You can't beat that.


The first time I met Beverly we had moved into one of her rent houses. It was a hot day in August and we were unloading the moving truck. She brings over a silver tray with three glasses of tea in fancy glasses. A sprig of mint in the glasses. Beautiful serving tray with glasses. I had seen things like this on TV but never in real life.


Anyway this trip we were getting settled in the house and a young girl brings over towels for us . A little later she bring s pillow. Then zipper bags of ice. Beverly does make people know how to feel at home.


First night there we went to Mrs. Allen's who is famous for her fried chicken. I love the potato salad. We were sitting there eating and in walked Joie. She waved at me . Came over and looked at my ring. So very nice to see a friendly face. In Fort Worth I never seen anyone I know at a store.


The next day we were coming out of Wal Mart and I seen Christy that I have known for a long time. We took Debra to the BBQ place to eat with us at lunch the next day. That last night we went to Mrs. Allen's and ate again and Tami and Terry were there. It was so nice to be back in Sweetwater and see people I knew. I can't wait to come back in November and stay part time.


Like the old saying goes, "There is no place like home." Fort Worth has never felt like home to me even though I have been here for twenty five years.

Zoo with the Grandkids

Yesterday I went to the Zoo with Jana and the grand kids. It was 104 degrees. We have went almost every year but this year it wore me out more than it ever had. Maybe because it is August . It is not as hot as it usually is this year though. Plus I have had a sore foot all summer. The doctors had told me one year it was the flip flops. It is always the same foot. I still will not quit wearing flip flops.


We went about ten to the Zoo. We walked about a fourth of it and I was already tired. I was thinking to myself I don't know if I will get thru all of this. Kaylee is only two and short so I had to lift her up to see the animals over the fence. She would try to climb the fence.


At least she didn't want to get lost. She would grab my hand every little bit. She really enjoyed seeing the animals. She had never been before. The boys had been several times. I think Kaylee liked the gorillas the best. Kaiden wanted to see the insects he said.


About halfway thru there was a place with tables and chairs with umbrellas so we sat at a table and ate. Maybe after we ate we would feel better I was thinking. I had bought lunchables for the kids and Jana with chips and juice. Brownies for dessert. I had got me tuna with crackers and bottle of water. I was thinking I might just sit there while they went thru the other half. That was only for a minute. I knew Jana would have a hard time with all the kids. It would just be more fun with me along too. I wouldn't want to go with just kids. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is my motto.


Off we went to see the birds and fish then to the place where they show the short show. They let it rain on everybody so that cooled us all off a little. Lost Jana and Connor and Colton for a short while. I went across the street where Kaiden was and had Kaylee with me. She text me in little while. They had went to see the alligators. She finally came back. Took a picture of the kids in the stagecoach. I have always gotten pictures every year of that.


Then we started back. Went in the shop to get something for the kids. They all picked out something then we walked to the car. I was so relieved to get in the car. I had never been so tired. It was 4 pm. Six hours of walking.  Soon as we left the Zoo Colton and Kaylee were asleep. Very tired.


We stopped at Dairy Queen and got ice cream cones. Then on to the house. After I got home that night I didn't leave the sofa except to get water. Charles made me corn dogs and that is what I had for dinner. I don't want to go back for a long time. Getting too old for that!

That Feeling of Love

Is falling in love instantly possible? I have heard that people do but when I fell in love it kind of grew on me. The first few times I seen that person I didn't know if I would like the person that well. But after a few weeks things changed a lot. I think it takes time to know if that connection is really real.


Is there really such a thing as love at first sight? Many people claim it has happened to them. Is it sometimes sexual attraction instead of love? How does anyone know the difference? I guess if it lasts you might know but that takes time. And how do people fall out of love with someone when at one time they were so in love?


Love is described as a deep tender feeling of affection toward a person. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one can make an extension of sex and romance.


I know when you fall in love it is the best feeling anyone can have. You want to see that person all the time. You want to hear there voice. You are happy when that person is around. You think things will never change but they do.


There are different kinds of love too. Some are very intense. Some is gentle. Then there is the love you feel for a child or a pet. Or even friends. Or family.


Then there is the old saying, "It's better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all. "Do you think that is true? It is a wonderful feeling when you are in love. But when you are hurt by love you wish you had never been in love at all.

I Love Old Houses

I really do love old houses more than new ones. They have more character. The rooms are bigger. Some have front porches. My house I got brand new twelve years ago has no porch. Just a small patio. The bedrooms except for the master bedroom are very small. It had plain white walls and cheap faucets and door knobs but I changed most of that . Now it has color. I like wallpaper and bright colors.


The house we got in Sweetwater that we are moving too the end of October was built in 1950 I believe. It has big rooms and lots of windows. I think it has about 20 windows and is 1800 square feet. House in Fort Worth had a total of  8 windows until I put in four sets of French doors and two more windows. There was not one window in the living room. We made a movie room out of the garage with lots of windows.


I can't wait until we get that house. We plan on redoing it all. I been watching a lot of shows on HGTV about remodeling houses. When they get thru with the houses they  look fantastic. The only thing wrong with that house is they added on to the back. When you go thru the kitchen there is the laundry room and then the door is on the right to go to another bedroom and then sunroom and then half a bath. That is not a good layout. Somehow we have to change all that. There has got to be a way to get to the sunroom and half bath without going thru the bedroom.


I can't wait to decorate the rooms different from the way I have these in Fort Worth decorated. Here I have a sunflower room, a coke room, pink and black room and a lime green room.  I plan on buying new stuff for the walls. A little bit at a time during these three months I am waiting. I guess I should have been an interior decorator because I love doing this sort of thing. It will be so fun to decorate the walls and get new furniture and remodel.


One thing I don't like  about old houses is most don't have master baths. You have to share and I am not too good at that. We wont have anyone there though unless someone comes to visit so I guess that will be okay.


We will build a deck and a wrap around porch. I have a son that lives in Sweetwater that is good at remodeling and promises to help . I want to put in a pond and wildflowers too. Lots of yard work. It has lots of stickers which I never have in Fort Worth but Sweetwater seems to have them everywhere. Just like dust.  That house will be so nice when we get thru with it. I got lots of good ideas.


The good thing about all of this is I get to be both places. If I get tired of the small town life I can go to the city for a few days. See my kids and grandkids and do some major shopping . I got lots of friends in Sweetwater so when Guy is out of town I can eat lunch and go shopping with friends. The best of both worlds!

My Friend Kim

My friend Kim is coming down tomorrow to visit. I sure will welcome the company since I been missing Guy very much lately. It gets kind of boring sitting here alone night after night. I got plenty to keep me busy but still bored sometimes.


I met Kim when I was about 43 I think in Sweetwater.. She was a lot younger but she was married to a friend of mine whom I had known since I was 25. Shady was how I met my second husband and my next two  boyfriends. Anyway I met this guy thru Shady and went over to there house one night and then I met her. Back in those days she was a little wild. But she was young. I was the driver for everyone that was drinking in those partying days. I done some drinking but not too much.


 I met the second boyfriend that just happened to be at their house one night when I went over there. I ended up moving down to Fort Worth with him . And lo and behold she just happened to show up too. It was nice getting to see a friendly face as I didn't know many people here. I had lived in Sweetwater all my life too. A town of 12,000. Very hard to get used to the big city. It took me about a year to adjust to the big city life.


After awhile we lost touch. I often wondered what happened to her then one day about four or five years ago I seen her picture on facebook. I immediately ask her to be my friend and she accepted. We have kept in touch every since. She has came down three different times and stayed a few days with me.


I am really looking forward to it tomorrow.   I can't wait to have some girl talk. I haven't had much of that lately. It sure will make the time I am waiting for Guy to go by more quickly. Facebook has helped me to find a lot of people I would never have found again in my lifetime.

Shopping for a Good Computer

I started looking for a new computer yesterday . Never thought it would be so hard to find one. I wanted a laptop where I can do my writing somewhere besides just in my office. I wanted one that goes fast and I know nothing about them. I had help with my hunt though. My son in law Vasile knows a lot about computers.


I looked at some at Wal Mart. They were okay but nothing special. Later I went to Target and then Sam's. Nothing. Then yesterday afternoon I went to Best Buy. They were a little too costly  for me. Then to Office max. Same thing. Another Wal Mart. Nothing there either.


I always forget that you can shop online. No traffic, no waiting in line and walking all over the place. Jana told me to go to QVC.com. I thought that was just on TV. I went and with their help found a great one. And you can pay it out in 6 monthly payments. It is 17"Intel Core i7 8 GB Ram 1TB HD with Microsoft Office. I don't know what half of that means except I know I need Office.  Vasile said it was one of the fastest ones there are. It was blue and it was a Dell. I am excited about it.


The only thing I didn't like about it was I have to wait. Expected delivery August 28th. I hate waiting!I guess it will be worth it in the end though. I plan on working on writing a lot more than I have been doing. I can use it in bed or on the sofa or anywhere I please. I got no excuse now. Write, write, write.