THE END OF SUMMER & A GIVEAWAY

Here it is the last day of August.  Where did the time go?  What happened to summer?  Why didn't I get to take lots of trips to the shore?  Where are my cookouts?  Summer, why are you leaving me so quickly?

Even though technically summer lasts until September 21st or so I always feel that August 31st is the end.  OK, call me strange, but that's me.  September is always a fall month to me.  So even though I really got married in the summer (9/16) I always say I had a fall wedding.

The only thing that helps me along with this time of year when the days start getting shorter and the air starts getting cooler is that I LOVE fall.  I  love the colors, the smells,  the tastes.  I feel invigorated.  I love tramping through fallen leaves.  I love pumpkins, apples, squash.  Well, the list could go on and on.




And so on that note I have decided to do a fall giveaway.  Look at what I have for you....

There is a cute wooden pumpkin, an apple cider candle, an autumn leaf potholder and a journal where you can write down your favorite recipes, make lists, journal, whatever your little heart desires.  All this by just commenting on this post and telling me you'd like to enter.  If you are the lucky winner, I will contact you for your address and send the prize off to you.  You have until midnight on Monday, so be sure to enter.  Tuesday morning I will randomly choose a winner.  Good luck!

In other news, I saw my oncologist yesterday and I am doing really well.  Blood looks good.  I will be getting off the cancer medicine in six weeks -- for good!  And I will be seeing him much less -- probably every six months instead of every three months.  Such good news!

WHAT I'M READING

A STOLEN LIFE: A MEMOIR by Jaycee Dugard (2011)

About the book:

In the summer of 1991 I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother who loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen.

For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse. For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.

On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don't think of myself as a victim. I survived.

A Stolen Life is my story -- in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.

My thoughts:

What a book! I cannot say enough good about this. I was hesitant to read it because I thought it would be sad, depressing, victimizing. It is not at all. This is a story of strength. It is a story of surviving the worst possible things that life can hand you. It is inspirational. So glad I read it. But the story stayed with me for days and days. I could not get it out of my head. Still can't some days although I think of it less often. Imagine having your whole life stolen by a madman. I'm so glad her life has had the ending thus far that it has. Despite this I highly recommend you read this book.

MY DAY OFF

I took today off from work in order to take Joe to see a new neurologist.  This is a doctor that he saw at the Veteran's Hospital and who did a great deal of good for him.  I have never seen a doctor give him such a thorough examination.  Every question he could think of, he asked.  Did all kinds of tests on him.  And has ordered diagnostic tests that haven't been done in over 10 years.  I like him and think he is going to do Joe a lot of good.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could get his seizures down to a manageable level?

This new doctor is at Holy Redeemer Hospital.  It is a huge place with lots of buildings.  We got so lost.  I guess after we've been going there awhile we will get used to it.

The hospital is also near the cemetery where Joe's mom and twin brother, John, are buried.  So while we were up that way, we stopped.  I always let Joe have time alone and I wander around.  The grounds are beautiful.

 

Joe and I have a plot right near his brother and mother (who are across from each other).  When I looked at our plot someone had left a cross on it.  Strange, but nice.

After we left the cemetery we went to lunch at the Country Club and then came home.  We were both so tired we took naps.  I didn't mean to, but I ended up sleeping the whole afternoon (about four hours).

I made lemon chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner.  It came out good.  I made a peach cake for dessert out of my new cookbook.  Yum.  It tastes a lot like my grandmother's steamed pudding that she used to make.  I thought I'd post it for anyone who wanted to try it.  It's easy to make.

PEACH LONG CAKE (makes 10 servings)
4 cups peaches, sliced (I used a large can of sliced peaches)
1/2 cup sugar

Dough:
2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
6 tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening (I used margarine)
1 large egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk

1.  Sprinkle sugar over sliced peaches.  Set aside.
2.  Sift flour.  Add baking powder, sugar, and salt.  Cut in shortening.  Add egg and milk and stir until moistened.  Spread dough into a well-greased 9"x13" pan.  Arrange peach slices over dough.

Topping:
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp. flour

1.  Cream together all ingredients.  Drop by spoonfuls over peaches.
2.  Bake at 375* for 30 minutes.  Serve warm with milk or whipped cream.

Enjoy folks!

BACK TO NORMAL (WHATEVER THAT IS)

Today I finished up all the reports I had to submit for Harvest America and I feel as if a weight has been taken off of my shoulders.  What a relief that it is all over and the follow up letters have been sent out.  The only thing I have left to do is have one of my phone committee call the two adults who came forward and talk with them sometime in the next two weeks.

I woke up late this morning.  I wonder why.  I was a little late for work.  But everything worked out.

I was feeling pretty good and it wasn't busy when we first opened so I got most of my shelving done and was able to straighten up three bookcases before my back and legs gave out.  That's the most I've been able to do in a couple of weeks.  Of course the two hours I was on the front desk were very busy and I didn't get to sit down at all.  The pain has been pretty bad ever since.

I forgot to take anything out of the freezer for dinner.  So while trying to figure out what to do I came across an unused gift card for Boston Market.  Our friends Walt and Carole had given it to us last Christmas.  So Joe said that was where we were going.  Thank you Walt and Carole for our free dinner tonight.  It was good.



I haven't been feeling good tonight, though.  I fell asleep while watching TV and Joe has gone to bed without me.  I am very tired so I think I am going to join him.  Good night.

HARVEST AMERICA

Tonight was the big night I've been working so hard for.  It was the nationwide broadcast of Harvest America.  There were over 2000 sites nationwide that broadcast a live streaming of Pastor Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusade from Anaheim, CA.  Can you imagine about 5 million people were simultaneously watching this broadcast in every state in the nation?  It just boggles the mind.

I was the Event Coordinator for the church I attend.  This means that for months I have been promoting it, making sure deadlines for certain things were met, producing prayer lists each week, attending webinars (seminars on the web) and a million other little things.  Lots of prayer went into this event from everyone in the congregation.

I picked up my girlfriend and her husband to go with Joe and me.  We didn't get there as early as I would have liked, but we were in plenty of time.  I was a little disappointed because there were just a few people there.

Here is Dottie who acted as our greeter.

But as time went on more and more people came.  By the time the message started there were 23 people there.

 The music was fantastic.  It was the Harvest Worship Band, Jeremy Camp and Mercy Me.  And Pastor Greg's message was right on target.  At the end when the invitation was given 4 people went forward.  It was worth everything I went through for that.

Now I'm very tired.  I am starting to wind down, but there are some things that still need to be done.  Some reports to send in to Harvest this week and I will be done.  Then on to the next thing.  I guess that will be the Tuesday morning Bible study Joe and I teach.

I am so thankful to God for His goodness and protection during this time and for the four people who went forward.

THE SATURDAY GARDEN

It's been a long time since I gave you any garden pictures.  That's because this summer has been awful -- too hot and dry -- and my plants have not done well at all.

Our lawn guy, Frank, came over today and cut the grass for us.  He is coming back on Friday to do the weeding.  I am just too banged up to do it right now.

My herbs are gone.  They all died except for the chives.  I am going to have to start all over again next year.  But some of my flowers survived.

Pink rose.  Yes, I still have roses.

My miniature rose bush.  Remember it from earlier in the year?  It's still going strong.

The old-fashioned red rose.

The impatiens I bought at the library.  It's the only thing that did well.

 I got only about 10 cherry tomatoes all summer long.  They were good, but I was looking forward to some big tomatoes.  My poor plants just dried all up.  But I have one tomato starting up.

There's still a lot to do, but the yard looks so much better than it did this morning.

FRIDAY VIEWS

Queen Elizabeth II had her annus horrendous and I have had a septimana horrendous (horrible week).  All week if it could go wrong, it did.  And today was no exception.

Today I was running late for work. I put on my knee brace, but not the back one.  The water department and the gas department have been digging up a lot of the streets in my neighborhood and the one in which I work.  Every street I tried to turn down was blocked off and torn up.  My usual 10 minute drive took me over 25 minutes.

When I got out of the car I hurried up the marble steps into the building.  But my brace would not lift high enough and I tripped and fell flat on my face.  I pulled my shoulder, my back, and banged up my good knee.  It is terribly swollen, hurts horribly and is starting to turn black and blue.  I can hardly walk between the two knees.  I ended up going home at lunch time and removing the brace.  I put on an ace bandage and it was much better.

Diane and Marquita were off today, so we were very shorthanded.  Bob and I had to get on every other hour.  It was rough.  Especially not feeling well.

I made a great dinner tonight -- salmon cooked with lemons and oranges, zucchini and sliced tomatoes.  However, I was putting ice on my leg and I burned the zucchini.  The fish was raw in the middle, so I put it back in the oven.  It came out perfect.  And then I dropped it on the floor.  I just can't seem to win.

This Sunday the church I attend is hosting the Harvest America Crusade with Pastor Greg Laurie.  I am the Event Coordinator.  It is my job to make sure all the various things come together -- the greeters, ushers, music, follow-up team, literature, technology, site, etc.  I have been working very hard for several months on this.  Not for me, but for God's glory and to see people come to Christ.  The closer I get to the day, the more things are happening to me.  I told my pastor that I feel as if I am being attacked.  So if you are a praying person, please be praying for me.  And for the event.  I am excited about it and will tell you all about it on Sunday night.

Well, for your Friday view today I have a neat picture to show you.  Even though it's still August each evening I hear honking and I look up to see this sight.

 

It makes me think that autumn isn't far away.

Hope you all have had a better week than I've had.

BONES

This morning Joe and I went to see the orthopedic specialist.  I was expecting to wait a long time, but got in rather quickly.  We waited awhile in the exam room, but not too long.  The doctor came in, asked me some questions, examined me, said, "wait here" and walked out of the room.  That was the last we saw of him.  He said I have arthritis in my right knee and there was some problem with my back, but he didn't say what the problem was.
 
We waited a few more minutes and a nurse came in.  She gave me a prescription to get an x-ray of both knees, an MRI of my back and knees and a 6 week course at physical therapy.  She also handed me two prescriptions for a knee brace and a back brace and told me to go to another office to get those.

At the second place we waited and waited and WAITED.  Over an hour we waited.  Then the doctor came out, called me in, looked at the prescriptions, measured me, and went to another room and got the braces.  Let me tell you, this is not going to work out.  The knee brace was great.  The minute I put it on, the pain started going away.  The back brace, however, was not good.  First of all, the brace was up here -- and my pain was down here __.  Secondly, it was really tight around my stomach where I had surgery a couple of years ago.  Almost right away I started getting really bad pains in my stomach where the incisions were and felt like I was going to throw up and I couldn't breathe.  When the brace was loosened to where it was bearable, it was totally useless.  I couldn't sit down in it and had to take it off in order to drive home. There was no way I could go to work in it, so I just used the knee brace.

I was two hours late getting to work.  At first I was doing really good with the brace, but as the day wore on, my knee started swelling so the brace got tighter and tighter.  Then the pain started again and it was worse than before I put the brace on.  When I got home it took both me and Joe pulling on it to get it off of me because my leg had swollen up that much.  The metal part had dug into my skin.

I'm sure things will get better as I get used to things and the braces loosen up some.  But right now I am not a happy camper.
 

FEELING LESS STRESSED

SO much better today.  It was more of a normal day at work.  Less people, less fines, less cards.  Whew!  And feeling less sick -- more like myself.

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and prayers.  They are very much appreciated.  It always amazes me that people I have never met care that much about me.  Blogging really does bring you good friends.

Hey, just heard about Boston Market removing the salt shakers from the tables at their restaurants.  You have to go to the beverage station to get any salt.  Hooray for them.  I hate it when I make a good meal and then without even tasting the food people grab the salt shaker and shake away.  I like salt as much as anyone, but try the food first, folks.

Went food shopping after work today.  It's my least favorite thing to do because it always takes me so long.  But I love getting bargains and I sure did today.  I got chicken legs and thighs on sale.  I cut them apart and put them in storage bags.  So for $3 I got three meals.  Cool!  The same with the pork chops.  I thought $12!  But when I separated it out I got three meals so $4 a meal isn't bad.

All of the great blogs I've been reading have really inspired me.  I am going to start buying the fresh veggies while they are on sale and freeze them.  Then when winter comes I will have some of the summer to enjoy.  Let's see if I can follow through with my good intentions.

Tomorrow morning I go to see the orthopedic specialist.  I am more than a little nervous about it.  I am hoping that the doctor will examine me, know exactly what to do to help me, and in a few weeks I will be back to my old self.  I am not liking my new self with all the pain I am experiencing.  But I am not complaining because so many people are so much worse off than I am.  At least I am still walking even if I do have a lot of pain doing so.

Joe went to Prayer Group at church tonight.  I drove him over there, but didn't stay because I wanted to go home and put my leg up.  When he is done, he will call me and I will go pick him up.  Church is only 4 minutes from home, so it isn't bad at all.

I'm going to try to rest until it's time to go get Joe.  Have a great night folks.  Thanks for reading my ramblings.

FEELING BETTER

What a difference a day makes.  I am not 100% but much, much better than yesterday.  A bowl of chicken soup and a good night's sleep does wonders.

Today was another wild day at work.  We usually do around 8 new cards a day.  Today we have done 35.  Yes, 35!  Lots of people.  Lots of problems.  Lots of work.  Job security, folks.

I was in a sort of grouchy mood when I got to work.  Ever have one of those days?  I was grumbling at everyone.  But as the day wore on I felt better.  I just keep thinking of all the good stuff coming up for me.

Joe and I think we have finally decided what to do for our anniversary this year.  Last year we spent so much money going to Williamsburg that this year is going to be very low key. We are going to save up some money for the next couple of years and then take a big trip again.  We want to go to either Canada, Charleston, or Mystic and any of the three is going to cost us.  So a couple of years not doing much will make the next trip all that more enjoyable.  What are we doing for our anniversary?  Well, I'm not going to jinx it and tell you.  But it does involve a nice dinner.

I ran home at dinner time and on the way back I passed Campbell Park.  It's 3 acres in the middle of Port Richmond and really pretty.  There were a lot of people out.  Some were sitting on benches reading.  Some were at the picnic tables eating.  Kids were riding their bikes and roller skating.  It was such a nice scene.  I wish I could have pulled over and taken a picture of it.  I considered doing just that, but I was in heavy traffic and I was afraid I would be late getting back if I did.  I've been looking for a picture on Google that would show something like what I saw, but I haven't been successful.  You will just have to imagine it.

Joe bought me dinner tonight.  He had a California Wrap and I had a Gyro.  Yum!  I didn't complain (much) about not cooking.

I've got to get off of here and get some things done before bedtime.  Early day at work tomorrow.  I can only hope things calm down sometime this week.

FEELING SICK

Monday is always a hard day.  Today was especially so.  I woke up feeling sick.  As I started to get ready for work I felt sicker and sicker.  I told Joe I was going to stay home from work and got onto the computer to look at my email.  As I was sitting there, I started to feel better.  So I decided to go into work late.

Wrong idea!  By the time I got to work I was feeling like my breakfast was going to come right up on my desk.  However, two people were off today so in order for us to have enough people to open, I had to stay.

At noon time the other Library Assistant and the Librarian went to lunch.  I was the only one there.  I was still feeling sick and ended up having long lines both sides of the desk.  Everyone wanted a new card, wanted to find a book, want to check out LOTS of stuff, and the phone was ringing off the hook.  There were books from the book drop to check in, a delivery to route in and here was little me with no help.  Somehow I made it through.

At 2:00 p.m. our part-timer came in.  I wanted to leave, but it was so busy three of us were on the desk.  I finally got out of there at 3:30 p.m.  The pains in my stomach were so bad I thought I wouldn't make it home, but I did.

So that's where I am now.  I hate using time at work, but what was I going to do?

Sorry this is such a downer of a post.  I'm feeling better, but still sick.  At least tomorrow is my late day so I don't go in until 11:30 a.m.  Hopefully by then I will be better.

THE REST OF THE WEEK

This has been such a strange and disjointed week for me.  It seems as if I'm missing days.  And I haven't even blogged the way I usually do.  So I decided I needed a post to get myself and everyone else back on track.

First of all, the safe at work is now safe.  Jerry came into work the next day, got the key out of his desk (he knew where it was, no one else did) and within 15 minutes had fixed the lock.  He then yelled at me because I had called for help the day before.  Some days I can't do anything right for him.

Work was very busy and very hard this week.  Every day my back and leg hurts more and more which makes it difficult to work.  I am so glad to be seeing a doctor on Thursday morning.

I did get a lot of cleaning up around work done this week though.  So much more to do, but it's a start.  And a big one at that.  Now if I could only do the same at home.  How come it's always harder to clean up your house than your office?

We're still struggling with the smoke alarm problem at work.  We had some maintenance people in yesterday, so hopefully everything is OK now. 

Last night Carole, Walt, Joe and I went to Cracker Barrel for dinner.  Joe got the fish fry but he was a little disappointed because he thought there would be more fish in it than there was.  I got the hamburger and it was so large that I couldn't finish it.  It was huge.  And very good.

I saw a top in their store that I wanted, but didn't have the money to get it right now.  Hopefully it will be on the clearance rack next month and I will get it then.

This morning I went to Mane Connection and got my hair trimmed.  The girl I see, Jamie, is so good.  I told her I wanted it a little bit longer for winter and she said she knew just what to do.  She did.  It looks great.  Plus I got my eyebrows waxed.  Looking good.  I'm feeling so bad in other ways I thought I would treat myself in this way.  Everyone needs a pick-me-up now and then.

We went to the farm this morning too.  We haven't been there all summer what with one thing and another.  It was so good to go and see all the fruit and veggies they had.  I got some great things.

Eggplant, corn, peaches, tomatoes, red potatoes, summer squash and zucchini.  All of this for $21.  Can't wait to start cooking with them.  I want to do a peach cobbler for dinner tonight.  And the eggplant is for tomorrow night's dinner.

I'm going to rest my leg and back for awhile until dinner time.  Then after dinner we are going food shopping.  My least favorite thing to do, but if I want to eat it has to be done.

So nice to have a day off where I can do things a little at a time.

DOCTOR & ALARMS

This morning I went to see the doctor before I went to work.  He was very happy with the report from the cardiologist.  But very concerned with my back and leg problem.  He thinks I may have a herniated or ruptured disk in my spine.  He has given me a referral to the Muscle, Bone and Joint Clinic to see what is going on.  They are supposedly one of the best places in Philly to go for orthopedic doctors.  I went there many years ago when I first had the car accident that started all my back problems.  So let's see what they say this time.  He also gave me stronger pain medication which seems to be helping to take the edge off of it.

I got out of the doctor's office in time to make it to work before we opened.  It was a slow day which was good for me.  I got some more cleaning up done in the workroom.  It's starting to look very good.  My main question is:  why are we keeping route slips that are completely used up?  I mean, if all the spaces are full and you can't use them anymore, why are they thrown in a pile to be used again?  I threw out so much stuff.  I know it's not me keeping them.  I have to have a little meeting with my staff.

I was on the front desk at the 5:00 p.m. hour, Bob was shelving and Sheila, Diane and Marquita were at lunch.  It was quiet.  There were a few people milling around, but it was slow enough that I was able to sit there and read my book.  Suddenly, the fire alarm went off.  Lights! Sirens!! Phones ringing because it automatically calls the security alarm company!!!  Fire trucks rolling up to the front door!!!!  We had to get all the people out without them taking any library material with them.  People were mad that they had to leave.  People outside were mad that they couldn't come in.  I got my staff to leave and Jerry, Sheila and I being the management team stayed inside to try to find out what set it off.  It turns out that the toilet in the men's room overflowed.  The water ran through the floor into the smoke detector below it and set it off.  The smoke detector set off the fire alarm.  And so it went.  We had to wait about 15 minutes until the Fire Department gave us the OK to go back in.  By this time all the patrons had left.  But people slowly straggled back in and by closing time we were full again.

Joe is doing better today.  When I came home at 8:30 p.m. he had put some chicken thighs in the oven, put some barbecue sauce on them, and they were almost done.  I made some lima beans and we had dinner at a "decent" time.  That was so good that he was able to do that.  He could not have done it a couple of days ago.  But now his hands are shaking badly again.  So it comes and goes.

One more day of work and then the weekend.  I hope I can just lay around a lot and feel better.

DENTIST

It wasn't so busy at work today which was quite a relief.  I was able to take it easy some and catch up on some work that has been sitting on my desk for several days.  We also found out that our rugs are going to be cleaned on September 10th so everything has to be picked up off of the floor.  I am enlisting my staff to help with that one.  Bob and I got one box of labels emptied and shelved today.  One down and 5,000,000 more to go.  Ha, ha!

After work I had a dentist appointment to have the last of my scaling done.  It doesn't hurt, but I still hate getting those needles and being numb for four hours.  I can't eat until 9 p.m. when I go after work.  But that is the only time I have to do it.  I made an appointment for Joe for next week to start his scaling.  We will have dazzling smiles when we are done.

Tomorrow I go to the doctor and I am so glad.  Every day my leg hurts more and more.  I hope he can send me to an orthopedic doctor who can help me.  I've always said that I didn't want the nerve in my leg destroyed because then I wouldn't be able to feel anything.  It would constantly be numb.  Now the pain is so bad that I would even do that.  Well, I am not going to second guess anything.  We'll see what happens.

I found this cartoon on the internet and thought I would end with this tonight.  I would want chocolate too.
 
Good night, folks!

MY WEEK SO FAR

I didn't want you to think I fell off of the face of the earth.  It's just been a not-so-good week.  But I'm still here and still fighting on.

On Sunday Joe made it to church for the first time in 5 weeks.  It was his turn to lead the prayer and read the scripture.  He had a hard time getting to the front of the church.  His hands were shaking pretty hard and he lost his place several times.  I felt bad for him and proud of him at the same time.  He's a real trooper.  I can't wait till he sees this new neurologist on August 29.

I had to work overtime on Sunday afternoon.  It turned out to be a pretty easy day and I can sure use the extra money.  Bills, bills and more bills keep arriving in my mailbox.  Can anyone else relate to that?

My right leg and lower back are bothering me a great deal.  I'm having a lot of pain and finding it hard to stand and walk.  But I'm heading to work every day and finding ways to work around it.  I see the doctor on Thursday morning for a follow-up on my heart condition which seems to be under control for now.  I guess my leg is the next thing to tackle.  This new doctor is going to be sick of seeing me.

Yesterday when I came into work my staff came to greet me with the news that the safe was broken.  It was open, but couldn't be closed.  We called Buildings and they sent a couple of guys out, but they couldn't fix it.  We need a key to get into a part of the lock to reset it.  We don't know where the key is.  Sheila and I searched the whole building.  No luck.  Jerry was on vacation.  I have an emergency number for him, called it and left a message, but he never called back.  So we don't know if he has the key with him or has put it somewhere, or if it is just lost.  Fortunately we have another place to lock up the money, but it looks like we are going to need a new safe.  This should be fun.

So, folks, that has been my week so far.  I'm almost afraid to see what today is going to bring.
 

THE TABERNACLE

Today I made a return trip to Lancaster County with my pastor, Justin, his wife, Cherie, and my friend Donna.  Joe wanted to go with us, but had three seizures this morning.  (He just had another one a couple of minutes ago.  This has got to end!)

I had promised the three of them to take them to the Mennonite Information Center and Biblical Tabernacle Reproduction.  This is the 8th time I have been there.  Last time was a couple of years ago when Joe's son and daughter-in-law were visiting from Tennessee.  I was talking with one of the women who work there and told them I keep bringing different people to see the tabernacle because I was so impressed with it.  She gave me a life-time pass so that I never have to pay an entrance fee again.  Wasn't that nice?  So this was the first time I used it and wasn't sure how it worked.  I handed it in and the lady gave me a white ticket and handed the pass back to me.  I paid for Pastor Justin, Cherie and Donna.

The tabernacle is an exact reproduction of the tabernacle that the Israelites carried around in the wilderness from the book of Exodus.  It is fascinating and all three of my guests were impressed and loved it.

We were not allowed to take pictures of the tabernacle itself, but here is the website


We could, however, take pictures of the outside courtyard.  This shows a sacrifice of animals by the priests.

 
There were a lot of people there today including a couple busloads of tourists.  Coming out of the exhibit area a group asked us to take their picture in front of the mural of the Israelite camp.  We did and then had one of the ladies take our picture.

 
 Next we went to get gas and then I took them to Bird-in-Hand Restaurant for lunch.  We all got the smorgasbord which was wonderful.  After that we headed for home.  I've been looking forward to this day all week and I wasn't disappointed.  It's been a great day.

FRIDAY VIEWS

Hello, friends.  I wasn't going to post anything because it really has been a nothing day again today.  But looking through my pictures I found this.  We have a new exhibit at work called "I'm Really Not a Hoarder -- Interesting Things Found in My Attic".  My boss has brought in some things he has had laying around and put them in our display case.  I even loaned him a pin I had for "Ross Perot for President".  Remember him?  So anyway, I figured I'd show you a couple of pictures now and in the next few weeks so you can share it.  I think you will find it very interesting and maybe you can remember some of the things.

These signs were all over the place when I was growing up in the 1950s.  Remember how they made us have fallout drills in school?  The things they had us do would never have saved us from a bomb.

I got a lot of reflection from the glass in this picture, but hope you can see this old camera.  It's amazing just how far cameras have come over the years.

If you grew up in Philly, you knew Steve Carlton.  He was the hero of many Phillies fans.  And how cool to have a Steve Carlton bobble-head doll.

 Hope you enjoyed these.  Like I said much more to come.  And Jerry keeps adding to it all the time so there's a lot more stuff to show.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY

Those of you old enough know where the title came from.  And, in fact, that's exactly what it was -- just another day.  Nothing special.

I overslept this morning and was a few minutes late for work.  It was my late day where I went in at 11:30.  I woke up 11:15.  Yikes!  Fortunately I had been up earlier and eaten breakfast.  Otherwise I would have been in BIG trouble.

A boring day.  Nothing special.  The highlight was when this woman said Sheila and Diane had yelled at her because she kept walking into the staff areas.  Didn't we know who she was?  Her son volunteered with us and she should have privileges.  Yeah.  Right.  By the way, neither of them yelled at her.

I went to Rite Aid tonight to get something to eat since I didn't have time to pack anything this morning.  While I was there I saw this pretty dish towel with apples and pears on it.  My kitchen is all apples, so I decided to get it.  It was only $1 so I splurged.

One more day and it's the weekend.  I can't wait.  I'm so looking forward to this weekend because I am heading for Lancaster on Saturday.  Of course I have to work on Sunday, but I'm having a good time at least part of the weekend.

I'm tired and I'm heading for bed so I'll say goodnight.  Have a good one, folks.

WHAT I'M READING

AGATHA RAISIN AND THE QUICHE OF DEATH by M.C. Beaton (1992)

 

About the book:

Ah-h-h...

    The cloudless peace of the beautiful Cotswolds....

     After Agatha's years of slaving to promote other people to success, her new life in a picture-book English village is a dream come true.  And how better to make friends than by entering the village quiche-making competition?  To ensure first prize, Agatha buys her entry at London's renowned Quicherie.

     Alas, Agatha's impeccable product is soon exposed -- as not only store-bought but poisoned.  The contest judge, Mr. Cummings-Browne, rumored to be a connoisseur of women as well as food, succumbs after eating it, and with him go Agatha's chances for bucolic bliss -- unless she can nab the poisoner.

     In a reckless game of village quiche-and-tell, Agatha rushes in where angels might fear to tread, infuriating and entertaining her neighbors, but shrewdly gaining on her prey -- all unaware that she's become the prey herself....

My thoughts:

This book was really good, but took a lot longer to read than I anticipated.  It was slow going but worth it.  This is the first Agatha Raisin book.  I want to read them all and I like reading series in order.  But finding it was difficult.  So glad I did.  The character of Agatha seems a little stiff in the beginning, but fleshes out as the book goes on.  Her crazy friends and neighbors only add to the story.  I had figured out about half-way through "who dunnit" but for the life of me couldn't figure out the "how."  A very clever ending.

FUR, FEATHERS, SCALES

We had a real cool program today to end up the Summer Reading Game.

First the curator talked about mammals -- animals with hair or fur, are warm blooded, and give birth to live young.  As an example she brought an opossum.  It was so cute!

Then she talked about birds -- animals with feathers, are warm blooded and lay eggs with hard shells.  The bird she brought was a burrowing owl.

 

Finally she spoke about reptiles -- animals with scales, cold-blooded and lays leathery eggs.  For this she brought a bearded comoro dragon .

 

 It was a lot of fun and just what we needed to end the summer.

BACK TO WORK

Vacation is over and it's back to work.  Jerry (the branch head) was on vacation today.  And surprise -- Sheila (the children's librarian) called in sick.  Oops!  So that made me in charge.  I called the extensions division and told them we had no librarian.  I talked to the Area Administrator (my boss' boss) and she said we could close and go somewhere else, or we could stay open and I could be librarian for the day (an out of class job with more pay).  I asked the other library assistants and the guard what they wanted to do and they all said stay and open.  Can you tell we all hate going to other branches?  So I said we would open and I would be the librarian.

Guess what -- I loved it.  This is what I really wanted to do, what I went to college for.  I just never got the chance.  *Sigh*  

I got a call later on that a librarian from the Rodriguez Branch could come for the afternoon (1-5).   She did.  Her name is Liz and she has been with the library for 4 months.  But it was so good having her there to help out.  When I got in this morning there was literally 24 inches of paperwork on my desk waiting for my attention.  By not having to sit at the librarian's desk all day I was able to whittle most of it down.  It is now a manageable level that I can finish up tomorrow.

When we were leaving tonight Walt, the guard, said it was a good day.  I said that I am a calm person and if you don't overreact to everything (the way some of my co-workers do), people don't overreact to you.  Diane told me it was very lonely without me last week and that I was the heart of the library.  How nice!

I'm going to go get dinner ready.  Joe was feeling better today and actually went food shopping while I was getting ready for work this morning.  So I am having baked chicken thighs with the new hickory smoke barbeque sauce I got in Lancaster last week, corn on the cob and the rest of the green beans I got in New Jersey on Saturday.  Yum.

SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY NINE (SUNDAY)

So hard to believe that just a week ago my vacation was just beginning and now it's almost time to go back to work.  It seemed such a short time to be off.

I didn't do much of anything today.  Besides church, I just laid around the house and napped.  Won't be able to do that after today.  I have a long busy next three weeks in front of me.

Today I thought I would take pictures of the things I told you I would show you and end up the vacation with that.

This is the laser cut oak cross that I got at the State Fair.  The bottom of it shows the Nativity, then there is the Star of Bethlehem, the Crucifixion, the angels by the open tomb, and the top is Christ's ascension into heaven.  It's beautiful.

I almost didn't get this, but couldn't resist when I was at the Christmas Shop in Lancaster.  Too cute!

And here is my ornament for this year.  It is carved out of olive wood from Bethlehem.  You can't see it, but the word "Bethlehem" is painted on the bottom.

This isn't a very good picture, but these are the earrings I bought at Hershey Farm.  The crescent moons have little stars carved in them.

Finally, this is the cookbook I bought yesterday at Barnes and Noble.  Next weekend I will start making recipes out of it.  If they turn out, I'll share some with you.

So back to work tomorrow.  In some ways I'm glad to go back, but in others I'm sad.  Don't miss the nasty people at all!  But miss my friends.  Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode in my trip through life.

SISTERS' WEEK VACATION -- DAY EIGHT (SATURDAY)

I slept really good last night at my sister's house.  I slept so good that I woke up later than I expected to.  That was nice.

We had muffins for breakfast -- blueberry for me and chocolate chip for Elaine.  So good.  They were BIG muffins.

Elaine had heard that the Elks Lodge was having a Farmer's Market so we decided to head over there and see what they had.

We were pleasantly surprised.  There was a real farmer there and the produce was so fresh and good looking!  I got potatoes, shallots, garlic, zucchini and green beans.  I had the potatoes and green beans for dinner and they were good!!

We then went over to Barnes and Noble.  I was just going to look around, but I found a cookbook I had to have.  It is all Amish and Mennonite recipes -- the kind of food I grew up eating.  I am going to be using this book a lot!

We also went back to Cracker Barrel.  Joe and I saw a lamp awhile back that we both loved.  I saw it again last night.  We talked it over and decided that we would give it to each other for our anniversary.  By splitting the cost it wasn't too much for either of us.  I know, folks, I will be getting pictures of everything for you, just not tonight.

People tend to think of New Jersey as being flat and sandy.  But where Elaine lives is in the hills on the side of a lake with lots of trees.  I took these pictures to show New Jersey isn't all beaches.

 

When we got home we went out in her yard for awhile.  Her plants are beautiful.

Hibiscus

Rose of Sharon

Another Rose of Sharon

And still another

 Her dog, Cody, is so cute and such a good boy.

 

 It was so nice just sitting out and talking.  It's so peaceful at Elaine's house.  Just what I needed this week.

Unfortunately after we had lunch I had to leave for home.  It's back to real life for me.  But what a great week off I had.


On the way home a sensor light on the dashboard went on telling me I had a flat tire.  I was really upset.  I pulled into a parking lot to check on it.  I couldn't see anything wrong with any of them.  But while I was there I heard a noise and looked up and saw a blimp advertising some insurance company.  Fortunately I was able to get a shot of it.

 

I was able to get to a gas station where the guy there checked the tires and there was nothing wrong.  He thinks there is something wrong with the sensor.  But after he checked things the light went off and I drove the whole way home with no more problems.  Go figure.

As I said, back to reality tomorrow.  Church and getting things ready to go to work on Monday.  It was fun while it lasted.