Martha

It is too early to be awake.  The sun light isn't creeping through the kitchen window, yet.  The two children are still snug in their beds.  The thermostat is still below 65 degrees.  So, it is nippy in the house.  Just the way she likes it; cold.  The coffee smells good and she finishes her cup and pours another one.  Coffee is her life saver some times.  It is warm and soothing going down.  Even holding the cup in both hands is soothing when she feels lonely.

The cards she plays solitaire with are warn.  She needs another deck.  But, there are groceries to buy instead of playing cards.  Besides, if anything happens to her car or the house, where will that money come from.  She cannot ask her Father for anything for a while.  He just paid the plumber to fix the bathroom sink in her bedroom.

She just shuffles the warn deck of cards and deals another game of solitaire.  She could play this game without looking.  It passes the time for her in a way that television cannot fill for her.  She must be quiet as not to disturb the children.  She has been taught by the two previous husbands to be quiet in the mornings.  When she can't sleep, instead of turning on the television, she plays solitaire.  And, she plays solitaire, this morning, with her worn cards.  Dealing seven stacks face down, one on top of the other, without even thinking about them.

What she does think about is how this Friday will turn out.  The children have their last day of school before the Christmas holiday.  They have to have something in their stomachs before they leave for the short walk to the Elementary School.  And, they each need some lunch money.  It is only $.53, each.  But, it needs to be there every time they leave for school or they will not have anything for lunch.

It is easier to put the coins out for them than it is to make a lunch and have them complain about what is between the bread.  She doesn't like to be judged on the sandwiches she prepares for them in their lunches.  Usually, bologna with lettuce and some mustard on bread.  That is the standby sandwich the gets packed into the lunch bag.  The other problem is to decide what else to put into the bag to fill their stomachs at lunch time.

It is very difficult for her to make the lunches.  She doesn't like to be judged on the contents of the lunch bag by the children.  This becomes a daily struggle for her.  She makes sure there is $.53 there for them to purchase a lunch, everyday, at school.  It is less pressure for her.

She sips her second cup of coffee and deals another game of solitaire.  And, she notices the sunlight coming through the kitchen window.  It is time to wake the children for school.

Here is the deal.  
And, it's no big deal.


Christmas is approaching.  The tree isn't out of the storage.  The gifts are purchased and remain unwrapped on the guest room bed.  There are a few decorations around the house.  And, everyone is busy working their jobs and making plans for the Holidays.


Since, James, Brittany, Sara and David came over for Thanksgiving, my expectation for a Christmas get together is slim.  It will be hard to organize everyone's schedule into a time when our visits will overlap.  


So, come visit when you can.  We'll hug each other and laugh and eat.  


I love my family and will always welcome them, home.


Merry Christmas! 

Pumpkin

This morning, I left out in the cold car headed to the bank to deposit a check.  It was really chilly out there.  The bank was not open, yet.  So, I dropped my deposit in the over night box.  Checking to make sure the clunking sound was my deposit making its way to the bottom of the box.

Then, when I got back in my warm house, I started a pumpkin pancake with banana in it.  Man, it was scrumptious.  I put the pan on the stove, heated it and warmed some butter in the bottom.  When the pan was hot, I added the pumpkin pancake mix.  Then, sliced a banana into the batter.  I even created a smiley face with the bananas.  At my house, it is always fun playing with the food.  Turning the seven-inch pancake was a slight problem, but it didn't change the taste of the food.

I am still working on the large pancake.  I have a third of it left.  So, I better get back to it.

Love ya, and
Merry Christmas.

Life Changes

Tomorrow, my life changes, again. I will be back at work on a steady schedule at H&R Block. It is a fun job because I get to help people with their taxes. The clients are varied and interesting who visit our office. I am finally getting to know the regulars after five years. I recognize faces and names but rarely put them together. Remembering all those details is not my strongest suit.

The cold weather is headed this way and my schedule will be get up, shower, dress, drive, work, drive, eat dinner, shower, sleep, repeat. I am not looking forward to the routine.

As the days shorten and it gets colder, I snuggle inside my little house and watch the boob-tube for entertainment. It is a good thing to have the television with infinite channels to surf from the comfort of the Lazy-Boy recliner.

I will keep you posted on the cold weather.

My Cactus is blooming.

I bought a Christmas cactus a couple of years ago. They seem to be the easiest plants in the world to grow. I keep it close the a sunny window and water every week. This is the beauty I get for the little bit of care I give to the cactus.

Aimless Wonderz: Song of the Day

Aimless Wonderz: Song of the Day: "Two of Us, The Beatles. Love this song! Two of us riding nowhere Spending someone's Hard earned pay You and me Sunday driving Not arrivin..."

Sara always posts the best songs on her Blog. I love this one by the Beatles. It is great.

Aimless Wonderz: Song of the day

Aimless Wonderz: Song of the day: "Today, I chose, I Will by The Beatles. What a pretty song... Who knows how long I've loved you You know I love you still Will I wait a lonel..."

Greatest song, ever. I love the Beatles.

Hot Summer

So far, this has been a really hot summer.

Texas saw some storms in June with lots of rain. The trees, grass, and potted plants were very happy for the rain. But, this month has really been dry and hot. I thought Texas would be flushed off the map because of all the water. My house survived and my trees were grateful.

The grass is begging me to mow at least once a week. The lawn mower has been to the shop, twice. Once, to have a new mower blade and the oil changed. And, the second time, to have a new gasket placed between the carburetor and the head. The fix-it-guy said it was an old machine but he thought I could use it another year. Maybe, Sears will give me a good trade.

Aunt Mable has been gracious with her swimming pool. As a matter of fact, she has organized a swim/exercise session for us 'old people' at least three times a week. She says it is good exercise for her and I support that because, gosh, it is good for me, too. We have a lot of fun and you don't even realize you are exercising.

My job the second half of this month is to water the plants in downtown Trenton for the Trenton Garden Club. The club has been here for over 75 years. They have a proud tradition in Trenton with their semi-annual bake sales and scholarships to the Seniors from Trenton High School. It is a good organization of ladies who care about their environment. I have learned a lot about planting and growing flowers and vegetables from them since being a member. And, we have good food at our monthly meetings!

So, this morning, I am headed out to water the plants on the Town Square in Trenton. I have to access the water from the bank building so I have to be there before the bank closes. They are our water source. Otherwise, I'll have to carry the water from my home; not a good idea.

I can always tell when it is the weekend because of the planes overhead. Sky Dive Dallas is located about two miles from the back of my house. So, when I hear the plane over head and I can tell it is high up in the clouds, that means I will have my own private air show of sky divers kiting back down to earth. It is my own show and if you can stand the heat you can watch all weekend long.

See ya!