Almost Wordless on Wednesday

How many people actually enjoy having their picture taken?  Apart from the odd one or two and those who make their living in front of cameras!  This would be one of the reasons I stay behind the camera!  That said, I absolutely LOVE this image photographed by my five (5) year old granddaughter.  I think the camera was set on Aperture mode...I think my granddarling captured something special...my relaxed and playful side.

"Smiling is my favorite"  Buddy, the Elf.  I use my smile often and most folks respond well to a smile.
Even if I feel like crying on the inside...I just fake it til I make it.  Usually I can talk myself out of a frowny mood.  I just smiled at you...Pass It On!!!

The Glad Game

Mama said there'd be days like this...(The Shirelles) Did you ever have one of those days...weeks, months even a year in which nothing "appears" to go just the way you hoped or planned? A daily goal for me is to see the glass as half full rather than half empty!

One of my favorite movies, "Pollyanna" has Hayley Mills as Pollyanna sharing "The Glad Game" with the staff of her aunt's home. For every negative or unhappy event...her Father taught her to find something in which to be glad. On my less than better days I find this to be an excellent idea!

I really enjoy cooking, however some days the kitchen accidents seem unbearable! To wit, while attempting to bake a strawberry-rhubarb crisp...anything the could and would go wrong occurred! Retrieving items from the fridge resulted in a container upending on the floor, breaking and the contents strewn, of course you guessed it, all OVER the floor. One mess cleaned up. My pantry is a complicated place and as I was reaching for one item I knocked over

an entire container of bread crumbs. Naturally the "crumbs" creeped into every crevice and surface available! Now for the "Glad Game"...after a very labor intensive effort...

The most delicious EVER Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (at least that was my husband's reaction)

Many of my best days and discoveries resulted from efforts that just didn't seem to work out quite the way I would have preferred! I am still learning that Plan A frequently goes awry and sometimes Plan B doesn't work either. Going with the flow of the river rather than against it and implementing the "Glad Game" seems to keep life in check and decreases the level of drama one must endure! Tell me, what is your favorite way of coping with the "little things" that can make or break you?

P.S. Did I mention that Moe Kitty was underfoot and tracking through each and every mess...

and for your viewing amusement...a craft project run amok!!!

Friday Flashback

Back by popular demand, you asked for it...you got it!!! A shimmery glimpse into the past



Not so happy school days...this is the school year that I still remember with shock and horror!
MISS D, evil tormentor of children's souls...may she roast in wherever it is really mean people get to congregate. Miss D was not particularly fond of any of us except for the matchy matchy girls on the front row and P standing directly behind her...the rest of us...well, we suffered.
I have racked my brain to determine what it was that I did or said to irritate her so much. I always talked too much doesn't seem like that was a cause for extreme loathing...Miss D would put your name on the board and each check that you received meant you stayed after school for 5 minutes...I never received just one check mark...with great flourish and bluster she would yell my name C*******(my honest to goodness given name to which I am not overly fond) and I would get the minimum of 4 checks...yep that equals 20 minutes and that was on a good day. The best part of this was the friendship that developed with B. She usually received a requisite four check marks as well. We walked home together. A united solidarity against the evil troll that was Miss D. B and Me. On the front row. Her Dad was Air Force, mine was Army. She was Jewish and I was Catholic. She, a graceful ballet dancer, me...rather clumsy. She, the brunette...Me, the blonde! We celebrated Christmas and Hanukkah. My dad was transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado...her hometown was Colorado Springs...we missed each other by a hair. By the time they arrived in Colorado we were en route to South Carolina. We wrote letters and exchanged pictures...she danced for a ballet troupe, I got married. We lost touch and I think of her with great fondness...Miss D, well I still think she was an ogre...what did she teach me that year...fear, dislike and distrust.

As aside, this was a time when teachers were never questioned...your parents trusted them implicitly.

Loose Lemon's New Addition or Best Laid Plans Part Deux

That's it folks...I heretofore give up on any plans I may make today or in the foreseeable future!
How many errands did I have to take care of after work on Wednesday? Where did I end up instead? This is the culprit...

This little "pest" was found near the warehouses in our shop yard. A shivering ball of wet fur. He spent a great part of the day under my desk and wrapped around my feet or Carl's feet. My husband looks at me, like, Honey, PLEASE...and I am emphatically shaking my head and saying NO, NO...NO...NO! After many sad looks from my son in law, he calls the animal shelters...well now you know the rest of the story. Before I could blink my eyes, the son in law is preparing a box with towels for me to take puppy home (also promising he will fix the gates at my house) and I am calling our vet. Puppy, who is still nameless, is ensconced in Villa Loose Lemons. Moe Kitty has been checking him out and he is not sure about the invader. Darling Husband and I had to reassure a needy Moe (what's up with that, cats are NOT needy)

Ball of fur is not yet named...suggestions welcomed (I am terrible at naming pets) I am thinking maybe Dugan or Duncan. I wanted to call him Satchmo, however I am afraid that would be shortened to Moe and confusion would reign. FYI, the vet thinks HE is about 6 weeks old, he still has a lot of blue in his eyes and that he is a lab maybe chow mix (his tail curls)

He slept in the laundry room under a blanket and a pile of "dirty" towels. He had a big day and was so tired last night. This morning he was frisky and ready to play!

How does this "stuff" keep happening to me? I am changing my name to push over!!!

So what do you think his name should be? The puppy not the husband!

P.S. The grand darlings were delighted that we have a puppy. Michelle, Kevin, the kids and Heather all came by the house to greet the newest member of the family.

Balancing Act

Life is such a huge balancing act. Time and time again I am hearing from friends of their frenetic, busy lives. Time to cut back on something...many say they spend too much time on-line and the first place they look to cut back is on their blog posts. In the beginning I posted three times a week. Currently, I am sporadic, posting anywhere from once a week to three times a week. I suspect that some of the social/networking sites are partially responsible...for others life is so full of things that MUST be done. In between the MUST BE DONES are we taking time to be nice to ourselves? Are we taking time to do the things we most enjoy?

(flock of blackbirds frantically taking off en masse - this was a pure frenzy!!!!)

I no longer have children at home...an empty nester I am...Am I less busy...NO...for now I work full time and have aging in laws with serious illness and a mother that does not drive. One of my blog buddies from across the Atlantic tells the tales of shopping with her elderly rellies and being the parent of a teenager with her hilarious British humor. Others tell of their exploits of moving, sick children and the myriad trials of everyday life with great aplomb. Everyone has a full life. Are we busy LIVING it or are we surviving day to day doing what is necessary to get to the next thing. How is your TO DO list stacking up? Do you consistently add way more than you can possibly do in one day, one week or one month. I DO!!! In an e-seminar given by Christine Kane, she suggested that I spend 15 minutes each morning and choose the three most important items that needed priority that day and focus on those three items. Also to plan the day in my mind before taking off running at top speed. It works. Instead of feeling frustrated by the items not checked off...I feel productive and less stressed. She also suggests being "bodaciously" nice to yourself. For example, buy yourself flowers (I have kept flowers on my desk since around 1979)

I had a little medical procedure on Monday, so naturally Tuesday was full steam ahead...catch up day, if you will. My friend, Jayne invited me to attend a Kershaw County Show Choir Concert on Tuesday evening. At one point I was feeling too tired to even think of going out that night. My daughter called and asked if I was going to the concert as well. I am so glad I took a deep breath, freshened up a bit, picked up Michelle and met Jayne. The concert was absolutely fabulous with singing and dancing performed by students of three schools in the county. Several of the choir members also attend our church and we felt it important to support them in this endeavor. Another bonus to a great evening... Jayne, Laresa, Michelle and I enjoyed ice cream sundaes and much laughter afterwards. Michelle announced on her blog that EVERYONE should have ice cream for supper at least once a week! I agree...it was decadent!!!

Yes, we have jobs. Yes, we have children or aging parents. Yes, we must shop, eat and cook.

Yes, we must maintain our homes. Between all the yesses we must strike a balance...say only YES to those things that are truly important, to those people that are truly special, to the events that give us joy...LIVE instead of SURVIVE.

P.S. The first picture is of Carl's daughter Brandi jumping out of an airplane in combat gear! The rest were taken in various places by me.

As the Days of Our Lives Turn Around the World

Natalie of CurlyWurlyGurly fame has thrown down a challenge for the rest of the mere mortals.

She has suggested a themed posting for our otherwise manic or marginal or magical Mondays. My title gives little hint as to the theme...give up...SOAP OPERAS!!! The Sassy Ladies of Blogdom are a clever, amusing and resourceful group with a dash of competitiveness thrown in for good measure. I am a good sport so I'll play along.

Yes, my name is Connie and I have watched soap operas. It began innocently enough with my SAHM (stay at home mom)...during my middle school and high school years I would come home, get a snack and watch General Hospital with Mom....during the Summer, I would watch Days of Our Lives too. Time to graduate, figure out what to do with your life etc. and soap operas are not thought of in a very long time. Fast forward to the 8th month of pregnancy with daughter #2 , yep while daughter #1 was napping I partook of the daily drama that is soap opera land.

Fast forward a bit more, between all nighters with a baby and chasing a toddler around I was feeling frazzled, frenzied and frumpy. Picture a light bulb above my head...I will dress up like they always do on my "soaps" As morning dawned, hot rollers were stuck in my head, make up applied and a lovely satinesque blouse with ruffles was donned. It was the eighties, after all so everything was a bit overdone. I put on large dangly earrings and affixed a giant rhinestone brooch to my blouse. Feeling good and ready to tackle the day. Daughter # 1 says I want pancakes for breakfast, yes dear. Mommy you look pretty...can we go play in the sandbox, want to go swing in the hammock, FINGER PAINT? Daughter # 2 (a mere babe) YAK!!! I don't think soap opera moms play outside or finger paint. Can you imagine the dry cleaning bills? Soap opera moms have someone else to change diapers and wipe up puke. Soap opera moms don't wear sweat pants not even to work out their glorious bodies. Soap opera moms have matchy matchy outfits to wear to the gym or tennis court. Soap opera moms aren't cleaning up after kittens, dogs and rabbits. Or picking green beans with their children in the 100 degree heat of the South. That time is so fleeting and days were filled with the more important function of teaching and entertaining my children.

In the days of "DVRing", Tivo etc. I could easily record soap operas...as an empty nester I have the time to watch them...what is lacking is desire...I'd rather be a participate in my somewhat frenzied, frazzled sometimes frumpy life than to watch the drama of a made up life. Real life is messy, disappointing...real life is REAL, beautiful, joyful and dramatic enough for this gal!

P.S. Besides after 20 years you can tune in and pick up the story line...Have fun...I am going to create something!!!

Sleepless in South Carolina

I have trouble sleeping or more to the point I have trouble staying asleep at night. I often joke

with my friends that I should start a 2:00 a.m. baby feeding business since I am awake anyway!

Mind you, if I sit down quietly to meditate or reflect on my day or even to read...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am a goner. A few things I do to entertain myself at 2:00 or 3:00 a.m:

clean house - except for vacuuming, do laundry, read, play on the computer, eat something (bad, bad) knit, stare out the windows, tease the cat, get mad because my husband can sleep through a hurricane, take a bath, paint my toenails, look at wrinkles and pluck facial hairs after said bath. Make grand and glorious plans. Read cookbooks. Look at magazines. Rummage through the pantry...clean out the pantry or refridgerator, make new lists of healthy foods to buy...channel surf

The channel surfing can be hazardous to your well being...pretty bizarre stuff going on at that time of morning or you can BUY stuff...shopping from your couch at 3 o clock in the morning...

did I mention I purchased a complete set of exercise dvds and a sewing machine? I haven't used either one yet and it has been quite sometime since ordering. The "Sham Wow" intrigues me as does any number of kitchen gadgets. I am a sucker for kitchen gadgetry and cleaning products.

My brain likes to play gymnastics during frequent bouts of insomnia which is probably what led to the insomnia in the first place. I cannot remember where I put my keys or what I wore yesterday, however I can remember every slight injustice from middle school. Or every silly mistake or bad decision I have ever made in my entire 50 years of living.

My best sleeping time is about 5:30 a.m. I am just getting some really good sleep...when the alarm clock goes off...

Do you sleep well? If not, what do you do to entertain yourself in the wee hours?

Gotta Go Right Now!!!

What does “sit” mean and what does “squat” mean?
To “sit” on a toilet bowl means users were generally comfortable enough to expose their bare bottoms to the cold porcelain seats beneath them. To “squat” over a toilet means that most users were not comfortable touching any part of the toilet seat and so they exercised the “squat”. This may take some extra thigh muscle support. We do not recommend squatting when carrying heavy objects, if you are tired or intoxicated, or if the toilet seat is much higher than average. However, we DO recommend squatting when the toilet is just plain nasty. In the end, it’s your decision entirely. We are not responsible for what happens behind closed bathroom doors.

Okay is it me or is this just plain hilarious??? I happened upon the "news you can use" section of our local paper this morning letting readers know that Procter & Gamble's Charmin brand toilet paper has a site that helps travelers find clean public restrooms. SitOrSquat.com guides families traveling with children, people with special needs, those with handicap access or those like me that need access pretty quickly!!! The article says that the site has logged more than 52,000 toilets in 10 countries. Actually, I find this information to be quite valuable, however, I still find it highly amusing.

Several of my blog friends (whom shall remain nameless) have written extensive posts regarding "potty" habits and one included a poll. Using the toilet is a necessary function and there is much humor in the habits of the masses. When I was younger I had "public restroom shyness" If someone was in the stalls I would wait and wait for them to leave. My 50 year old bladder DOES NOT CARE!!! (I know, I know TMI) Some of the funniest stories I've heard involve the extremes some people will go to...to ensure they can "potty in private" As we know, our brothers in this world can tinkle anywhere they desire...our anatomy is different and thus is not conducive to using the nearest tree...which leads me to the next point of interest...this company has created a cup and spout type gizmo for the ladies...Uh uh!!!

So, what do you think, interested? Personally, when in the wilds of Africa or wherever...I'll go with the time proven...find a bush and someone to keep guard!!! How about you?

3rd Annual Silly String War and Holiday Recap!

Ah, the Loose Lemons household does not have a Norman Rockwell or Hallmark Christmas...we have supreme and utter chaos with a heck of a LOT of fun...participants were threatened with a spanking if silly string was sprayed in house (Moi, had to clean that mess up for two hours last year) As you can see we take our silly string very seriously, Carl III "come and get me sucka"

McKinley evaluating the level of silly string coverage! Everyone must participate in silly string removal before re- entering the casa!!!!

Lovely Picture, thank you, in the midst of a hot flash, hair up and a mouth full of silly string...I was just here to take the pictures...thank you very much!

Enough already!!! The grown children and the children ran around and played and played....great grandma (MiMi) chased great grandchildren through the house and then she was chased...you can imagine the hilarity of that moment!

Meech and the "Charlie's Angels" pose. Do not mess with me!!!

No, no. no you can't make me laugh...

Engagement announcement, Carl III and the very lovely Kay with an October wedding coming up! Woohoo! We are sooooooooo excited and happy about this development and the ring is stunning!

Playing nicely together after many years of making each other cry. Thank goodness!!!

Taking a break from the chase! Notice MiMi coming SLOWLY around the corner! We had one of our best Christmas festivus ever!

I will be on the couch in my pjs ringing in the New Year as I am relapsing with the creeping crud respiratory infection...two painful injections (and I am no wimp) later and antibiotics has me throwing up the white flag in surrender. I am chillaxin until Monday!!!! I wish each of you a very safe and Happy New Year!!!! Peace and Love!

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL

Tick, tock as the clock winds itself down to the last minute preparations and I have scads to do...I am off the clock so to speak until Monday! Woohoo! I gifted myself with a teeny, tiny Canon Elph camera for those times when you want to take pictures and do not want to carry the big clunky camera around...so now I have to learn how to use it! Leaving you with these few simple offerings....I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, or anything else you celebrate!

How to amuse or irritate your cat...

I hope the "panoramic view" did not give you a headache! I obviously need more practice!

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!!!!!

Santa's Helpers

Mix together a lovely group of fun filled, life loving floozies, assorted hats, delicious treats, Kendall's annual "surprise" beverage, generous doses of laughter and kind, loving, giving hearts and an annual Flamingo Floozie Luncheon takes place with fun had by ALL!!!

Thanks to the Lauren that stood in for our errant photographer. Tom had errands to run...hmpf

He generally hides out until he is called for the photo ops.

The hostess with the mostess (the Diva) and her partner in crime (the princess of quite alot)!

Since the Floozies are an extraordinarily blessed group...in lieu of purchasing each other gifts we decided to purchase Christmas for a dear family... a single mom with two lovely very young daughters. Thanks to generous offerings of the Floozies and diligent shopping by the Princess of Quite Alot and the Diva, each child will receive a toy, several pairs of shoes, a winter coat and an extensive winter wardrobe. In addition, a gift certificate will be purchased for their Mother.

Woohooo!!!

Let the wrapping begin!!! Santa's helpers busy boxing and wrapping the gifts in the Flamingo room.

A Very Happy Birthday to Rhetta (far right) ! Can you put your thumb here for just a sec! I was taking pictures and making gift tags.

All enjoyed watching Rhetta open her birthday gifts! Ellie looks like she wants a set of those!

More birthday festivities! The Diva played the stereo this year instead of her beautiful piano!

Sometimes a picture is worth more than a thousand words! We all lead such busy, diverse lives but we come together in the spirit of fun, friendship and giving.

Our friend Bonnie had another committment and could not attend...we missed you!

A moment was shared by several of us remembering our dearly departed Dot Dot...she would have loved this party the best!!!

May each of you be blessed with gratitude, love, and friendship this holiday season.

Flamingos, Forks, Balloons and Shamrocks

Gather around children and I will tell you a tale of Flamingos, Forks, Balloons and Shamrocks.

If you are truly lucky and blessed, into your life will come fairies, princesses, divas and all manner of fey (magical, enchanting, whimsical, being in unnaturally high spirits) creatures.

Once upon a time there was in fact a rather pessimistic, worrying kind of lady in waiting. What she was waiting for she didn't know nor did she feel particularly positive that anything good would become of her. In her lowliest time, an edict was issued that she and her daughters were to attend to Heavenly Father's business in another vineyard. It was in the new vineyard that she met all manner of angels, princesses, goddesses, and divas. She was taught the meaning of Joy! and Friendship that extends into the eternities! The princess learned to love life and very much wanted her daughters to experience this same Joy! For you see the King of All has issued an invitation to surround yourself with lovely creatures of great faith, peace, love, kindness and compassion. The princess has become a princess of quite a lot...she still has many roads to travel, fey creatures to meet and Joy to Spread!

Flamingos are beautiful, elegant pink birds that can bend over backwards to provide food and assistance to those in need. Their likeness has been replicated in plastic and all manner of tchotchkes. In an effort to show much love and affection to one enduring a "big" birthday...her yard and home was inundated with pink flamingos of every size, streamers were hung from every tree and balloons adorned every room of her home. As a welcome home to yet another "floozie" her home was visited by a flock of flamingos. After which any floozie could come home to find herself visited by flamingos wearing all manner of dress.

One particular "floozie" had a particular disliking for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day and was thus secretly showered with hundreds of shamrocks as she attended her business that day. Attempting to pay for groceries, it was discovered that she had piles of confetti shamrocks in her purse. Ahhh...the floozies are a magical and sneaky bunch. Good hearted mischief abounds...

Divas too can be subject to the whims of unknown creatures...mystery still surrounds us as to the identity of the "forker" You must first understand that the Diva had some of the most beautiful flowers in the land and the neighborhood cats found her flowers particularly enticing and lovely to sit upon. In an effort to save the flowers, plastic forks were placed amongst the flowers to discourage the nocturnal visitors. No cats were harmed they were just unable to get comfortable among the flowers and sought out new yards to conquer. Divas and princesses are frequently seen together and attend many social functions in the land. As the companions arrived at the Diva's home...one of the princesses of quite a lot was peering through bleary eyes to see to her atonishment what she thought were hundreds of mushrooms growing in the yard...the Diva had been FORKED!!! Hundreds of Plastic forks were buried throughout the land. The Diva's footman was much annoyed when it became clear that he must rid the entire land of Forks! To this day the mystery has not been solved!

Beware the Flamingo Floozies! You have been warned...befriending one may cause strange, magical, fey occurances to happen in your life!

A most heartfelt thank you goes to Rosezilla and Dishy for their fabulous stories as they have inspired me to try something a little different in the telling of my "story"!!! They are truly "floozies" by proxy!

Floozie = fun-loving, spirited, kind, compassionate, magical, faithful, generous friends with a great sense of style!

Twenty Seven Years Ago!

Elizabeth Michelle - Born on October 5, 1981 - seven weeks early in a hurry then and still in a hurry! Happy Birthday Meech!

It is no telling what could happen when sisters get together! Woohoo! Aren't we cute.

Having a bad hair day!!!

Handprints taken at Montessori School around 1986.

Puts herself in the corner!

Church Girls Camp! Awesome Youth Leaders! Best time at Camp EVER!!!! High School Graduation! with Honors. and then some. Happy, Happy MOM!!!On trip with Grandma and Kathy. Washington D.C., Ohio and New York. Niagra Falls

One of the engagement pictures. Married seven years with two children. Wow, so young!
Easter...4 generations!


Here's to many more happy returns! Love MOM

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY!!!

"The look of wild happiness in his eyes was amazing. Many people live their whole lives without that look. The best people in our lives never last long enough, but we have to be grateful for each moment that they get under our skins and in our souls" unknown email from one of Papa Squat's trail buddies

"Papa and I drank beers and dreamed about climbing Mt. Ranier in Washington sometime" He was part mischief and part mentor to me. And I loved him. When I hike the PCT I'm going to have Papa in my heart. And in life, when I start taking myself too seriously I'm going to think, What would Papa do?" Krispie

"one helluva hiker with two tours of the A.T. under his belt and prospects of the PCT in 2004, how can I even begin to think about the pct without him...see ya in hiker heaven brother!" Greenman

"Papa was a ray of sunshine whenever you ran into him and he always made me feel good about myself." Birdman

"I consider myself very lucky to have known Papa and to have had him as a friend. Papa wrote the most beautiful letters, and he truly cared for his friends in a way that few people do."
Snotrocket

James Franklin LeCroy, Jr. - September 30, 1961 - November 27, 2003 Thinking about ya bro!
also know as Papa Squat - a name given to him on his first trek of the AT (Appalachian Trail)

To me, he was my little brother Jimmy (I am the only one on the planet that called him that!) Everyone else called him James. James worked as a kayak instructor/guide for a brief time.The "lemon squeezer" on the Appalachian Trail. "Papa Squat" had been on the trail awhile and lost some weight thus being able to squeeze thru.

SUCCESS! Completion of the Appalachian Trail (1st time) from Springer, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. James felt most alive when he was on a trail somewhere! He was so funny and entertaining and everyone loved him! We miss you James! Happy Birthday in Hiker Heaven!