Sips and Strokes ... With a Few Guzzles

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail on this one. I've told my Sips and Strokes stories before.
Last night I decided to use my free year coupon to get out of the house and do something fun. Last night's project was called Funky Guitars.  https://www.sipsnstrokes.com/calendar.aspx?FacilityUID=al001 If you go to the link you will see what the picture is supposed to look like. Oh well ... I like mine anyway.

Fun to see how it starts and how it ends up.

OK, maybe I shouldn't hang it on my red wall. But I still like it!

Jeannie

Baby Sitting With Questionable Results

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I honestly don't know where to start with this blog. There are so many stories that are all intertwined. I was going to make it one blog, but it has so many facets that I have a week's worth of stories to tell. And I am southern. We like a good story.

Last week my niece asked if I was interested in coming to Athens (Alabama) and staying with two of my girlieques for a night, or a weekend ... I really didn't pay that much attention to the length of time. I just heard time with my girls and I was in.

These are the aforementioned girlieques, Grace, looking perfect and color cordinated, and Caroline, showing off her massive back pack. This picture was taken as they headed out for their first day of school this year. Aren't they adorable? Don't they look angelic? Yep ...

I left Birmingham in time to be early for the car pool line at school. I felt so grown up. (I know I'm 53-years-old but I have never really picked up kids in a car pool line. That's what grown ups do.) Turns out, car pool lines are really boring. I pulled up at 2:20 on the dot and was about twenty cars deep. A minute and a half later, that line was down the road, around the corner and out of sight. Good call on the timing.

A cute little boy came around asking for my "code". Turns out, he was the P.E. coach. Man, he must be a genius to have graduated from college and gotten a responsible job like that by the time he was twelve. I refuse to believe he was any older than that.

By the time I wound my car around the obstacle course to pull up in front of the school, a group of teachers were standing there holding on to two extremely excited, energetic blondes. Based on my experience, God Bless the kindergarten teacher who I am sure was told over and over and over and over ... and over all day that Aunt Jeannie was picking them up at school.

I wish I could describe the joy in my heart when those little girls dove into my backseat trying to hug me and kiss me and squealing "AUNT JEANNIE!!!" at the top of their lungs. I love them so much that I thought my heart would burst in my chest.

Our first adventure was a stop at Publix. I was pretty sure that wine was going to be needed before the night was over, and I wasn't sure that the available  supply at the Mallette house was going to be adequate for the occasion. When she heard that we were stopping at the grocery store, Caroline wanted to know if she could have a cookie and a drink. Please note, I have some hearing loss, but any request that Caroline has is at a decibel level that I have no trouble hearing. Understanding can be a different story. If I don't understand, it just moves up to the next decibel level.

I wish there were more pictures of this weekend, but alas ... the only time that taking pictures was possible was when they were still. That didn't happen often.

We made it into the entrance of Publix with only a minor scuffle over who was going to push the buggy. I'm not sure why I got a buggy. Maybe for defense? Anyway, ten feet into the store, they both spotted the cookie counter. Giving the buggy a shove, they sprinted for the counter, where the little boy working there apparently knew them by name and had their choices ready for them. (What is it about all of the children with jobs now ... aren't there child labor laws? I mean really, they are getting younger and younger!)

By the time I caught the buggy, apologized to the woman that it ran into, and got to the cookie counter and found out the cookies were free, the girls were gone.  Dodging shoppers and mostly missing them (sorry nice lady) they reached the fountain drink station. As I tried to catch the cups that came flying, they worked on keeping the ice in their cups and the soda from foaming over the edge. (Fail on both counts) I was finally able to grab both sticky cups (not the sticky girls) and get the tops and straws added.

At this point, I explained that now Aunt Jeannie needed to go get her drink. I almost made it. I was so close. But just as I turned down the aisle with the "WINE" sign, Gracie (the oldest) said "wait right here, Aunt Jeannie, I need to see something." Wait, I'm not supposed to let them out of my sight in a public place like that, right? By the time I got the buggy turned around and back to the main aisle, she was on her way back. Yeah ... she was carrying two small pillow pets. Knowing she couldn't get away with just one for herself, she had kindly picked out one for her little sister. And so the begging and pleading starts. She had REALLY been wanting that one. She only had two more at home. How could I possibly say no? They both loved me more that a bazillion!  Sigh ... My standard bottle of wine was replaced with a magnum. The woman at checkout wished me luck as we left.

The drive home went well. Of course, that took two minutes and seventeen seconds. As the car doors opened, the whining and tears started. That would be Caroline. I'm trying to get my bags and herd my dogs and find the key to get in the house. She does not want to carry her back pack. She doesn't know how it got open, she closed it at school. She is too little (a common problem she has when she doesn't want to do something). By the time I had everything and everyone in the house, she had was on her stomach in the middle of the hall crying and kicking her feet. I honestly cannot tell you why. I'm sure it was important, but I can't remember. After stepping over her a few times I finally explained that tears, whining and collapsing in the floor did not work on me. After all ... just ask my dear friend and former boss Terry Finley ... NO ONE can out whine me.

For about an hour we settled into a state of mostly peaceful co-existence. They plopped on top of me, in front of the TV, to get their second wind. That's Gracie tucked under my arm and Caroline lying on my stomach as she holds Roscoe. Sam had retreated to the foot of the couch.

When my niece originally called, she said that she would try to board her golden retrievers. These are sweet, beautiful dogs. But they are still puppies - fifty to sixty pound puppies - extremely high energy puppies. When I got to the house, I never heard them bark. (Of course that could have something to do with the cacophony of screams, whines, squeals and storming feet that came into the house with me,) I never saw them at any of the multitude of windows and glass doors surrounding the house. So I assumed that Kate and Daisy were elsewhere. Unfortunately for Roscoe, I was wrong. I opened the door for Roscoe and Sam to go out. Sam knew better and refused. Roscoe made it about ten steps out the door before being bombarded by one hundred plus pounds of golden slobbery fluff. These girls would never intentionally hurt anyone, including extremely pissed off little white dogs, but they just can't contain themselves. They are just SO HAPPY! They are just SO EXCITED! They are just SO!!!! One strategic rescue with minimal injuries and Roscoe was back in the house.

OK ... time to relax, right? Yeah ... right. We settled at the kitchen table to play Go Fish (now known as Gold Fish), Old Maid (who is apparently a very frightening character) and Crazy 8's. I went for the all time favorite babysitter backup plan for dinner and ordered pizza. For the next forty-five minutes, life was good. Then the door bell rang.

I had just let Roscoe and Sam out the side door for a potty break. The yard is so large, that they stood a good chance of doing their business without attracting the attention of the goldens. But when the door bell rang I totally lost control of everything. Girls started to screech that the pizza was there. Sam was already back in the house and charged the door while he alerted the world to an intruder. I took off to the door to grab girls and dog before the front door could be opened. In doing this, I left the side door open. Roscoe, hearing the alert, charged into the house letting everyone know he was in charge. I grabbed him and opened the door to a very bemused pizza delivery girl (another child who clearly was too young to be driving a car). From behind me I heard ... "NO, KATE!!! OH NO, DAISY!!!" Yep, you got it. Through the open side door, two excited, happy, wet, fifty-plus-pound golden retrievers joined the chaos at the door.

I did the only thing I could do. I slammed the door in the pizza delivery girl's face. I don't think I will ever forget her expression from the other side of the glass door. Shock and sympathy mixed with tears of laughter.

We were every slapstick comedy routine you have seen. The goldens could care less what the temperature is outside, they regularly go for a swim in the pool. My niece's house and most of its furnishings are brand new. Disaster! Daisy and Kate alternated between laps through the living room, dining room and entry; attempts to play with Roscoe, who was backed under a hall bench baring his last two teeth; and groveling in front of Sam who had already bitten their noses for getting too close. The girls were screaming and chasing them through the house. I was screaming NO and OUT and STOP and whatever other totally useless phrase went through my head.

Finally the girls herded the goldens out the door and I was able to threaten the little dogs into the kitchen.  I opened the door and apologized for the chaos and rudeness. I knew she understood when she sympathetically said "do you want to go deliver pizza with me?" Such a nice offer.

I won't go into detail about the kicking, pinching, hitting and teasing that I refereed for the rest of the night. No need to go into more detail on the whining of a five-year-old, the attitude of a nine-year-old, or the begging of both. At one point the nine-year-old looked me in the eye and said "You are really strict, Aunt Jeannie. You should work on that."

But don't be confused. This was a great weekend. We laughed. We played games. We watched TV. We cuddled. And they loved me, and I loved them.

I love those little girls with all my heart and cherish every moment. After a week's sleep, the dogs and I will be ready to do it again next weekend.  

Jeannie

For Those Who Are Sick

It is probably not a fact, but it feels like more people get really sick during the holidays. I used to hear my grandparents say that it was the stress of the season that brought it on. That doesn't make sense to me at all, but the holidays are closing in, and every time I turn around I hear about another person who is facing a difficult road.
I've written a couple of posts on prayer lists. I've never really had a prayer list before. But whether you believe in prayer or not, there are people that I love that are suffering and I can't do anything else to help. So I pray. If you pray, I know they would appreciate you praying for them. If you don't believe in prayer, I know that they would appreciate your thoughts and concern.
I have mentioned Martha before. Right now I am praying for Martha's family. Their hearts are breaking as they contemplate life without her. She is comfortable and surrounded by those who love her most. I hope the family remembers this as a time when they drew strength from one another and were filled with the love that she inspired in their lives.
I have also mentioned Tommy and his recent diagnosis of a very serious form of cancer. His mother is very precious to me. Saying that he is facing a difficult eight months is an understatement. I am glad that he has so many siblings with expertise in such a wide variety of areas of medicine. As bad as this is, he is sure to have the best medical attention that anyone could have.
My friend Chip sent me a message today telling me that his father was just diagnosed with stage four melanoma. He had a tumor removed from his left lung Tuesday. Chip and his dad have had some tough times. I'm so glad that they have found peace with one another.
Danny's trip to the cardiologist showed that everything is fine. They are doing one more test at the end of the month, but my cousin Susie can at least leave a few of her fingernails alone. Today they have been married for 32 years. I love them both dearly and am happy that she brought him into our family. But now Susie has to have two biopsies done on spots on her thyroid. She is having these done at the end of the month. So much for her fingernails. I know she will be ok. Nothing bad could happen to someone who is so good all of the way to her toes.
Yesterday I learned that a very dear friend has been diagnosed with five spots of squamous cell carcinoma. He is going to have to have surgeries five days in a row. I'm going to knit him a hat.
Kristen had ankle surgery today. All went well, but she has the post surgery pain to deal with and the joy of learning to use crutches. Two energetic little ones are sure to make that even more of a chore.
So for those I love who are going through scary times, this is one of my favorite songs. I will try to do whatever I can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrrdLO8fie0

Jeannie

Soup .. Almost By the Recipe!

I love soup. Vegetable soup, potato soup, butternut squash soup, tortilla soup I really love soup. There is just something comforting about a bowl of soup. It isn't just that it tastes good, there is an emotional component to is. When my mother was alive, if you were sick or sad, you got a bowl of vegetable soup. I miss my mom and I love soup.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

A couple of weeks ago I made my crazy version of vegetable soup. My friend Bill read my blog and sent me a link to a recipe for stuffed pepper soup. Who does not loved stuffed peppers? Certainly not me, so a recipe that combined the two was just too good to resist.
If you click on the caption below the image, it will take you to the link on the Taste of Home website.
As yummy as that looked, I've already told you that I'm not that great at sticking to directions. But I really just added a couple of things and changed a couple of things this time. Honest.






First I started with about 2 1/2 pounds of ground turkey. I put that in a pot to brown and added a medium chopped onion.

After those two items had browned, I added 2 quarts of water, a 29 ounce can of tomato sauce, and a 29 ounce can of diced tomatoes. I chopped two large bell peppers and threw those in. I added a quarter cup of packed brown sugar, (I probably didn't need that much) a large ground up beef bullion cube, a package of sliced baby bella mushrooms, salt, pepper, and two cups of uncooked brown Minute Rice.

I brought all of this to a boil and then covered it and turned it down to simmer (or as close to simmer as my stove does) for about 45 minutes.

Put it in a bowl, pour a glass of wine and eat. This was really, really good soup. To quote my friend Martin, mmmmmm soup! Thanks for the recipe Bill!



Jeannie

Lazy Hazy Weekend

I have great friends. I mean really .. I have great friends. They are funny and loving and talented and there for me through whatever crazy adventure I launch. They pick me up when I fall down. (literally and figuratively .... I'm very clumsy ... but that is another story)
This weekend two of my friends, Leigh Anne and her husband Steve, went with me to the lake home owned by some other friends.

Amy and her husband, Nap, have a beautiful home on Lake Martin. This is Amy and Nap. Aren't they a handsome couple? You can see for yourself! I'm not just saying that because they let me borrow their lake house. They are really a handsome couple.
This weekend the house was going to be empty, and they kindly offered it.
Now most people like going to the lake in the summer. Something about the boats and swimming and lying in the sun seems to have an appeal.
I don't swim so well. I hate getting water in my face. There is no need to talk about my panic if my head goes under the water. And I am pretty sure there are critters in that water. Boats are great, if they are moving and have tops on them so I don't get so hot. I don't like to get hot.
But lake houses in the fall and winter ... not that's for me. This weekend the evening temps were down in the 30's and the days were in the 60's. For me, that is just about perfect. The leaves are mostly off the trees so you can see the water.  It is cold enough to have a fire in the fireplace as soon as the sun goes down. Fewer people come down so it is amazingly quiet. The only time better is winter.
So when I found out the house was available, I asked Steve and Leigh Anne if they wanted to go down. They have two dogs that they love in the same crazy way that I love mine. They hate leaving the dogs behind, so they don't go away often. The lake is a great place to take well behaved dogs ... and Roscoe.

Thursday they loaded up Leigh Anne's new car with food and alcohol and dogs and followed me to Dadeville. Leigh Anne is very proud of her new car.
I've been to the lake quite a bit, but this was the longest trip down ever. First we stopped at Wal-Mart to get more food. (You can never have too much food.) Then the warning light came on in my car because my tires were too low. We stopped and Steve bought a tire gauge to check them. (Apparently people are supposed to have tire gauges in their car. Who knew?) Turns out my tires were not just a little low. We pooled all of our change to find enough quarters to buy air. Something is just wrong with that idea ... buying air. After putting our quarters in we found out the "air machine" was broken. So back on the road to the next gas station where luckily you didn't have to pay for air. Everyone in the area seemed to be aware that this station had "free air" and we had to wait in line at the air machine. Amazing.

Finally after getting stuck behind a giant RV for miles down a two lane road, we arrived here.
I said I liked going to the lake. I never said I liked roughing it. This is my kind of get away, four bedrooms, two and a half baths, central heat and air, Direct TV and wireless internet. I love this house.
We quickly unloaded the cars, shoved a pizza in the oven, and settled down in front of a fire.

Well, some settled in front of the fire.  Others preferred the couch. But we all settled in for the night.
Meet Bama and Bailey. Bailey and I are not related.
Now I love Leigh Anne and Steve dearly, and I will acknowledge that I have become somewhat of a night owl, but when I say they go to bed and get up early ... I am not exaggerating. They seriously get up at what I consider the middle of the night. They both talk about how they can't sleep any later. That makes sense to me since they go to bed just as the networks start their prime time broadcasting.

Because they get up so early, I found myself getting up earlier than normal - not their kind of early, but early for me. This is definitely not something that I want to do on a regular basis, but I have to admit, it was worth getting up early to see this.







Yeah, that is the lake under that layer of fog.

And this is the moon above the layer of fog above the lake. I love this place.
When I titled this a hazy weekend, I bet you thought that the hazy referred to our alcohol consumption. OK, so maybe it referred to that too. Saturday morning I looked at the clock and realized that we had eaten breakfast, downed two large bloody marys, played three games of Yahtzee and it still wasn't 8:30 AM. Are we wild and crazy folks or what?
After two days of comfy pajamas, fuzzy socks, good food, cocktails, wine, movies and Yahtzee, Leigh Anne and Steve were up early on Sunday morning (surprise) to head back to Birmingham. I couldn't resist one more day there, so the dogs and I settled in for a quiet Sunday on our own.

We took a little stroll and they enjoyed the back yard.

We sat on the back deck and watched the water roll by.
I read and knitted .
It was a great weekend.








I have great friends.

Jeannie

Prayer List - Updated

I spent a great weekend at the Gary Lake House, and will blog bout it later today, but several folks have asked me for an update on the people on my prayer list. I have some good news and some bad news.

Good news first ... Kim was able to deliver without having the c-section. Gracie Suellen was born with ten fingers and toes and all other parts exactly where they are supposed to be. Mom and baby and happy and healthy and loved.

Tommy has a long road of radiation ahead of him, but has a great attitude. He is using this life changing event to do just that ... change his life. He is a wonderful artist who was always too busy to focus on his paintings. Now he is going to take the time to do what he loves. Be prepared to see a lot of future posts on his works.

Martha is not doing so well. She came home for a little bit, but is now in UAB Hospital. She is confused and afraid and struggling to communicate. But she is a fighter, so never count her out. She is probably going to be moved to rehab soon. Her family is heartbroken to watch her struggle. They all need extra thoughts and prayers right now. I love them all, and my heart breaks to watch them deal with this.

Ma Bugs did not make it. But what a life she lived. She was married to Eddie Stanky (former pro baseball player and long time college baseball coach). She was matriarch to a brood of children and grandchildren, the like of which few have seen. She lived over nine decades and left a legacy and love and devotion to family. 

And I'm adding my cousin Susie and her husband Danny to the list today. She saw a doctor today about some lumps on her thyroid. Biopsy to come at the end of the month. He has a scary cardiologist appointment Wednesday. I'm sure Susie has bitten off all of the nails that she doesn't have.  They are on my mind and in my heart today.

So there. Who would have thought it? A prayer list from me, not once but twice. Thanks for taking the time to read it, and putting the families in your thoughts. 

Jeannie

Friends and Scrumbling - Not Scrumbling Friends

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One of the amazing things about growing older is when you realize, not the number of years that you have been alive, but the number of years that you have had certain friends in your life. This weekend I had a visit from one of those fabulous friends. This is Molly. Isn't she beautiful? Great smile, right?

Molly and I have been friends since high school. We knew each other in junior high, but our senior year, we became inseparable. If one stumped a toe, the other yelled ouch.










We were indeed an pair. Molly was beautiful, and popular. She was Homecoming Queen. She knew about clothes and hair and make-up and boys. (I wish I had better pictures of that time. I'm sure I do, somewhere.)

I, well ... let's just say we were an unlikely pair.

But over thirty-five years later, here we are. My mother used to say "It is only by the Grace of God that children survive to become adults." Molly and I put that Grace to the test. Daily. One would be hard pressed to find a stupid, careless, dangerous behavior that we did not attempt. I can even remember some of them.

But we aren't kids anymore. When Molly got here this weekend, and I asked what she wanted to do, she said that she wanted to learn to "scrumble". As a kid, I'm sure that would have meant something illegal. But when I googled, I got this. "A small piece of freeform crochet or knitting that can be joined to make a larger piece of freeform work." Crochet or knitting ... I can do that ... right?

Then I found these pictures. OK, maybe my mouth got ahead of my ability again.

Molly wanted to crochet. I've done that once. I taught myself how to do a chain stitch. It didn't turn out so well.  But of course I wouldn't admit that I didn't have any idea what I was doing. Sheesh.

Scrumbling Sample Prudence Mapstone

Scrumbling sample Prudence Mapstone

Now these are really pretty. But there is no pattern. There are no rules that tell me how many to cast on, or what kind of stitch to use, or how many rows to do. For someone who spent so many years breaking rules, I really like rules. No rules are for creative people. Rules are for the creative wanna be.

But Molly is creative. She always has been, so this felt like it could be a good mix.

I dug through my knitting yarns and came up with a a lot of left over pieces. There were more than I'm showing here, but you get the idea.  

I found a size 6 crochet needle in my bag (one should always have one) and set to work trying to be creative. 

As I said, I only know how to do a basic chain stitch, so that doesn't leave a lot of options. Reading comments about "scrumbling" it was clear that you mixed not only yarns but also stitches. Well, it turns out, if you don't know what you are doing, it can look like you have mixed stitches!

After a few fits and starts, we finally had kind of a knotted mess of crochet stitches. Sounds bad, but in this case it works. It gives you something to work off of. We came up with a pattern ... kind of. Crochet three chains stitches and then crochet them back into the main piece. As this happens, the main piece grows and you start making shapes. If you forget and do a long chain, no big deal, you just link it back in and it makes a new shape. 

It all sounds confusing, and at first it just looks like a mess. 

But as it goes on, it gets to be fun and interesting and impossible to mess up. That is the piece being displayed on the back of the adorable Diddy, Molly's fourteen-year-old long haired chihuahua. 

So Molly left with a nice start on what I think will be an beautiful afghan. And I may seriously plan on doing my own "scrumbling" soon.  

Wine glass from Designs by Lolita

Oh yeah, we also figured out that "scrumbling" works really well when accompanied by wine. We may not be kids, but aren't dead yet!

















Jeannie

Prayer List

I was working on a blog about my weekend, but so many things have happened these last few days that I felt that I had to create this post instead.

Today I am starting my own prayer list. I've prayed for people (and myself) during tough times before. But in the last few days, it just seems that every phone call, or email, or text message has brought a new concern for someone else. So whatever your beliefs, if you could, please take a moment for the people below.  Even if you don't believe in prayer, I know they will appreciate your care and concern.

Tommy has found out that he has cancer. It seems to be in it's early stages, which is good, but it is inoperable and he is going to have to endure a long period of intense radiation treatments.

Martha has endured a lot of health issues. She is older and has survived a broken hip and knee replacement in the past year. But now she is very sick and confused and no one is sure why.

Ma Bugs is older too, but has been so sharp and active, even with severe arthritis. Last night she had a stroke.

Kim is having her second baby. Tests are showing a problem with the baby's heart rate, so they are going to do a c-section today.

Amy has recently lost her father-in-law and is struggling with multiple issues with her mother-in-law.

It seems that once I started this, I could just go on and on.

So here is my list. If you have a moment, please put these people in your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to add to the list, please feel free to post in my comments, and I will add them to mine.

Jeannie

Quick update ... Gracie Suellen Gray was born at 4:16 PM today. Mom and baby are happy and healthy.

Saying Goodbye

Today a story made me cry. I won't do the story justice, but I feel the need to share it. I wish that I knew that nothing like this would ever happen again. I'm heart broken to know that it will.

The first of September, fourteen pit bulls were rescued. They were found in a wooded area, chained to trees, with fires intentionally set around them.  There were other signs that this was an area used to train dogs for fighting and that the fires were set to cover up the operation.

Somehow there was not enough evidence to prevent returning all but two of the dogs to the owner.  Perhaps I am wrong, and I pray that I am, but my fury over this is almost overwhelming. The article about the return states that the authorities are monitoring the living situation of the returned dogs. I truly hope they are.

One of the dogs who was not returned was Jefferson. Isn't he handsome? Who wouldn't want him? He looks you straight in the eye. He knows what his place is in the world.

After a few weeks in the shelter, Jefferson became very sick. He had trouble breathing and tests revealed kidney failure. Initial diagnosis was incurable cancer. Jefferson stopped eating. He knew.

There was a major push to find Jefferson a foster home. The goal was to let him know the joy of a home and a couch and a loving family before it was too late.

Today it became clear that he didn't have that time, and Jefferson was put to sleep.

I never met Jefferson, but he touched me today. His story hurt my heart. Today he went to sleep surrounded by people from Birmingham Jefferson County Animal Control who had fallen in love with him. They had fostered him in his last days. In the end, he knew security and love.

Tonight I am grateful for those who open their hearts in these situations. I cannot fathom the heartbreak that they face on a daily basis.

Rest in peace, Jefferson. You were a good dog.

Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.  - Mark Twain

Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.- Robert Heinlein

There are hours that are not supposed to be associated with getting up for the day. Going to bed, yes. Getting up, no. Today my day started at 3:30 AM. Now I do realize that there are people who get up at 5:00 AM, and a few that even get up at 4:00 AM. But 3:30 is just wrong. There was a time that 3:30 was a time that I came home after a really good night. But it is not a time that I want to get up.
So after a trip to the airport, a flight to NY, a drive to Parsippany and back to NY, and a flight back to Birmingham ... I am again home. It was a good day, but it was a long day. So I will say bonne nuit a tous.

Jeannie