Resolution? What's That!

Granny here, 

You know what time of year it is don't you? Resolution time. What in the world is a resolution anyway? My definition is a lie to yourself, that's what a resolution is. You know it's true and so do I that it is a waste of good time to even consider making one of those. We only lie to ourselves and then when others hear that we have made them they began to keep watch to see if we really keep them. Most are kept for approximately twenty four hours but I doubt any longer than that. 

So you see it's just a waste of time. Really when the new years rings in we need to pull ourselves up by our boot straps, the new ones we got for Christmas and say I'll do the best I can, I'll try to do better or find some good motive for doing whatever it is that we have set our heart on accomplishing in the new year. The new year is just a time to rethink things to turn over new leaves and see if there is something new under them that will encourage us to become better people. We all have room for improvement and areas in our lives that could use some overhauling so the new year seems a good time to get a grip on them and see what we can do to turn things around. Setting goals is always a good thing if they are kept in perspective and not so far out of reach that it becomes discouraging trying to reach them. 

So we need to be careful when making resolutions that we don't make it so absurd that it becomes a stumbling block to our success. So Dec. 31st when the New Year is hovering over your head be ready to step into it with a new determination not to keep resolutions but to become the best person you can be and if you keep true to yourself one year from now there will be a new you to welcome in the coming year. 

Happy New Year 

Granny here, just saying!

Christmas

Granny here, 

Does anyone out there really care what the reason for the season is anymore? You know when I watch those man on the street segments on the news where they go into the streets and ask people questions and you hear their answers one can't help but wonder where have you had your head all this time? People don't know anything anymore. They don't know who the president is, the vice president, Nelson Mandela or anyone else in the world of politics, world affairs etc. But ask them about Microsoft, Apple or the last hand held games that came out or the newest electronics and they will be able to answer every question. 

Sad isn't it that our world has come to this. Social skills have gone down the peverbial drain and no one under thirty wants their time infringed upon. So does anyone even want to know the real reason for the season? 

Well, I'm going to tell you whether you want to know or not! JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON and anyone who thinks you can celebrate CHRISTMAS without Him has another think coming. Without JESUS it would just be a day where someone gave you a gift so it would be no more than YOUR birthday but wait it's HIS birthday (not the actual date) but the celebration. It is because HE was born, He was given gifts that we celebrate in like manner of gift giving. The Spirit of Christmas is a wonderful thing when one takes time to consider that this is the one time of the year that everyone is thinking of someone else, what they would like? What is a good gift for them? 

So it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. But when you have JESUS all year round every day is wonderful. Everyday is grand because He is with you! But when JESUS is put on the shelf and only brought out one a time a year it can be a lonely year indeed! Isn't it wonderful that JESUS is so big that He fills the universe yet He is so small that He can live in the heart of man! Now who else can lay claim to such statistics. No one , there is no one like Him. So when you celebrate this year give credit where credit is due, without JESUS it would just be another day! 

Granny here, just saying!

Help! I'm Sick

Granny here, Haven't been too well lately I've been fighting some sort of infection but I'm about to win the battle. I had a marvel idea when I felt this thing coming on I thought I'll go to the doctor and get this knocked in the head before it gets a hold on me. Well, who was I kidding? The "doctor" took a look at my blood pressure we must know if you are still pumping and how much you weigh but who gives a hoot how you feel? Not him evidently, "so there, I'll call you in some cough syrup, anything else", why would there be you haven't handle the problem I came in here with. So I came home, that was last Wed. and continued to get worse as the days rolled by, Thurs, Friday, Sat,Sun.,Monday,Tues and now we're back to Wed. again. I've laid on the couch unable to do anything at all, snotting, coughing, sweating like a pig but a bottle of cough syrup was going to do the trick. Can someone tell me what do we have doctors for anymore? I can't see that much being done by them can you? Here they enter your examining room with their little Ipad taking down all the information that Obamacare wants them to transfer over and if they do anything it will come in the form of a pill or something from the legalized drug dealers on every corner in any town in the U.S. I've almost come to the conclusion that medicine has stepped back in time about 50 years and that's exactly what I heard one doctor say one day on television. If that's the way the medical world feels folks we are in deep do do. The number one thing missing in medicine these days is real concern on the part of the doctor for the condition of his patient. I can remember a time when the doctor felt almost like your dad because he showed some real concern in getting you better but not today, the patient is the least of his concern and I will admit that it is not 100% his fault. The medical world is in real trouble and that leaves us shifting for ourselves and folks things are only going to get worse so get use to suffering because I think we're going to be doing a lot more of it. Granny here, just saying!

Heavy Heart

Granny here, You know sometimes life just sucks! Granny here, just saying!

Life Goes On

Granny here, What is life that it should take time to teach me a few things, things that I can use for good, share with others (those who will listen) and things that will lead me on to bigger and better things. Life goes on whether we choose to take part in it or not, it doesn't wait for us, it doesn't delay for us, time marches on with us or without us so never feel that you are so important that time will wait because it won't so if you and I are to get the most out of the time we have been given we must be on our toes. We must always be looking for those opportunities that may be lurking in the shadows and I'll be the first to admit that I haven't always taken advantage of those moments, so I feel somewhat hypocritical here but good advice never hurt any of us and I say take advantage of every moment because life is way shorter that any of us want to admit. Live it, love it, share it, give it and be there in the moment, don't give in to despondancy it steals away your life and gives nothing in return. Self pity is a thief and will steal your happiness as though you never had it. The sooner we learner these facts the better life we will have but all too often by the time the lessons are realized it's late in life and little time is left for us to regain what we may have lost. So be on your guard and don't give up the life that God meant for you to have, live it to the fullest because life goes on with us or without us, the choice is ours. Granny here, just saying.

Whose Following?

Granny here, Just noticed that I have two followers, wow! Am I successful at blogging or what? Knowing this gives me the motivation to keeping writing knowing that they are depending on me. Lol I had high hopes of getting a book published of my wisdom but I can't see that on the horizon can you? But that doesn't give me reason to stop pumping out my gripes as long as I have two readers that take the time to read them. Looking forward to the holidays, love it when my family comes over, we see way too little of each other in my book but that's how life is these days. My how the times change from one generation to another, nothing stays the same, the old saying that the only thing we can be sure of is change is so true. I never did like change and can't say I'm fond of it now. Most change is not good and causes us to loose something that we hold dear altho there are changes that improve our lives greatly so I guess overall it can be a good thing. I see turkey in my future with all the trimmings and that definitely is a good thing. Love all those calories and my hips prove it but that is another story for another day. Granny here, just saying!

Warning: Aging Female Up Ahead

Granny here, Life is good, don't get me wrong, that is if you have the fortitude of a bulldozer and the attitude of a saint! But life can get harrowing at times when our strength gets weak and we let our guard down which we all do. But when you're getting on in years it happens a little more often than usual and then you find yourself feeling as if you were ungrateful for all the years the good Lord has blessed you with which isn't the case at all and I am thankful that He understands that. Getting old is no fun let me tell you right off the bat. It is a challenge that you face everyday when your eyes open and you want everyone around you to understand that but they don't not at least until they hit age 60 or 65 then it begins to dawn on them that yep it's just like they said. But the problem here is that very little is said about all the "problems" the elderly face as time marches on for them. The elderly (80 and up depending on health) have a way of camouflaging what is really going on in their world because the last thing they want to give up is their dignity and self respect and they feel that every time they let go of something they have fallen a little further behind. I'm not to the place that people call me elderly but I am far enough along to call me aged. I have a few years on me and that's why I know what a battle is lerking up ahead. Also I have an excellent teacher in the house with me, my 94 year old mother. She's a jewel and a very good teacher, if I can just grasp some of the fortitude that she posesses I will be well on my way to success with this old age thing. She is a trooper in every sense of the word, still trying to do all that she can for herself and is always looking for more to do. One of the greatest battles in aging is the rejection that the aged feel because youth and old people don't usually mix too well, one is full of energy and stamina thinking they know it all and the other has lost their energy and stamina and have experienced enough to know that they don't know it all but would like to share what they do know. The young seem to fear the elderly and I can understand that on one hand because when you are around the elderly you are around someone that more than likely could use your help and that puts the young in a position that most don't relish too much. No one wants to feel as if they are being used all the time and this is understood but on the other side of this aging thing is "that where you are they once were and were they are you will one day be." It's true that the older folks need more help than the younger and they hate to ask for it as much as the younger hate being bothered all the time. There could be no greater blessing for an older person than to be able to take care of themselves until the good Lord calls them out of this life. If they could have any one thing it would be good enough health to provide for themselves until it was all over but that's just not the way it is. Like it or lump it the elderly will always need the assistance of the younger. I have looked after my mother more or less most of her life, we have always been good friends, doing everything together and she has become very dependent on me through the years for those reasons. It's not that she doesn't have other children matter of fact she has 5 besides myself that would take as good a care of her as I do or maybe better but she is just so attached to me that she is more comfortable and secure living with me I guess. She teaches me something new almost everyday and she inspires me and others around her more than she will ever know. I have a daughter of my own and I keep warning her of the challenge she is facing in the future when I get to the place that my mother is if God so grants it. I can only hope and pray that we get along as good as my mother and I do. That is not to say that we don't have our moments because we do but they are few and far between. Of course my daughter is not me and I am not my mother so that is another story altogether so I'm sure it will be different for the two of us but I hope pleasant just the same. Oh, if we could only understand the plight of the elderly and find a little something that we would be willing to give them that would make their lives a little brighter, a little less lonely that would give them the feeling of worth that they loose as they age. Feeling worthless is an awful truth that goes along with the aging process, the older they get and the less they are able to do for themselves the more worthless they feel and after years of working for the family, caring for the children and being the rock of the home it is hard to give up their pride and admit they can't do it anymore no matter how badly they want to. That really hurts. You may say there is little I can do but it's only a little that they're asking, a half and hour visit, a hamburger from McDonald's, a five minute phone call, a card in the mail, a little gift on the holidays. These things are momumental in the life of the elderly, they have so little left that anything that is given to them is appreciated beyond words. Never feel that you don't have the time to do one gesture of kindness to someone who is aging in your family or in the family of your friends. The aging understand that the younger folks are busy living life to the fullest, busy getting and doing but don't get so busy that you don't have a moment to share with someone who has lived a long life and is waiting for that final breath to come when just one moment from you will add joy that you won't understand until it is your turn and believe me we all get our turn. Think about it the next time you meet someone with a few years on them, conversation is the best gift, so don't be afraid to share with one of them. They have a lot to say and you'll be glad that you listened. Granny here, just saying!

Crazy World

Granny here, Sorry this post didn't come through, computer went crazy as the world has and I don't know where my posting went, out in cyberspace somewhere i guess. Will try it again some other time. Not in the mood right now. Granny here, just saying.

Wondering?

Granny here,

Just sitting here thinking about life, what a trip and to think no want buys their own ticket. We are sent on this journey by someone else without being ask and then when we grow up and have children we send them on their journey. Funny isn't it? Or should I say perplexing.

Been learning some things lately that I didn't want to know although being alert as I am I had my suspicions a long time ago. Life has a way of doing that to us whatever we hope won't happen it usually does. Murphy's law is always in effect. Disappointments are always just around the corner.

Learning to deal with all these things is the secret to a successful life I think. It's not what life does to us it's what we do with what life hands us that counts. I must say I'm not the greatest at dealing with issues but I have been successful a time or too. With the help of Almighty God and his favor I have come through some pretty rough waters in my life but no rougher than anyone else and not near as rough as some.

God has been so good to me and my family although we have had some disappointments and although there will be others down the road He will be there to help pick up the pieces. Life is rough sometimes there's no denying that fact but there is a God that is bigger than any problem that we will face down here. He doesn't always come and swoop us up out of the miry clay but he does give us the strength to trudge through it.

Everyone has to face demons in this life but sometimes we don't have to go out and invite them into our lives and that's exactly what we do sometimes. Mankind always thinks "it won't happen to me, I can handle it" when in fact they are about to learn a lesson that will teach them far more than they want to know. Sometimes we better leave well enough alone and be thankful that our life is as smooth as it is without taking things into our own hands and complicating our life until it becomes as twisted as a pretzel.

God is gracious and good and He is constantly giving us information, examples etc. to guide us along if we will only pay heed to what He is trying to teach us. When we watch others around us destroy themselves by their choices in life and then we choose to follow in their footsteps we have not learned what God has been trying to teach us and we will pay the consequences you can be sure of that. For every action there is a reaction and that equation has never changed and it won't change for you either.

Life is a wonderment for sure, questions abound and most without answers but even with all it's disappointments it can be a fascinating journey if we watch our p's and q's. If we use our experiences as stepping stones and not drowning stones we will prove ourselves wise and life will hold many delights for us even in the mist of disappointments.

To God be the Glory!

Granny here just saying!

Society Disconnect

Granny Here,

Lately I have become disgusted with a lot of things and one of them is the social media that has eaten up our world until we have become a facsimile of our former selves.

We have become social zombies that have no intellect for conversing with one another without the aid of technological devices that have multiple choice buttons for us to entertain ourselves with while communicating with the zombie on the receiving end.

I shutter to think what this world would be like if electricity ever becomes the target of our adversaries. Within twenty four hours we would become confused, deranged, and unable to fend for ourselves with the aid of all our gadgets.

If you think this is silly talk just take a look around you one day and tell yourself what you see. Everyone or most of society under the age of 70 has at least one gadget but probably two or three that are their constant companions, it is their drug of choice.

They have the trusted cell phone "don't leave home without it", their ipad which stays by their side as if it held all the secrets of the known world and that's just the beginning. Then there are the laptops, the ipods, the bluetooths, hip style, ear style, what has this world turned into?

These technological wonders now have their own stores, only for them, full of the latest drug that will set your world on fire, that will eat up your hours faster than a clock can produce them. Why, without this marvelous laptop I wouldn't be able to complain in this fashion, how sad!

What's worse before you learn how to use your latest gadget they have produced another one that makes it look like a toy and we just keep saying "I want that one, no I want the new one coming out", when will it end? When we completely stop talking to each other, when we find ourselves feeling attacked when we're in the room with another human being asking ourselves what do I do now?

It's a sad day for our society when parents have given in to such nonsense and have to text their children to get them to the dinner table if they are so lucky to find them within the perimeter of the home. And the ludicrous practice of allowing these gadgets into the schools. What educational monster thought that was a good idea.

When I went to school (and I won't say how many years ago that was) writing a note to a fellow student was an offense that got you sent to the principals office. But not today when the students call the punches, when cell phones and ipads, laptops and all the other gadgetry is as welcome as any school child and most of the time furnished by the school system itself. When will society wake back up from this technologically induced coma that has be thrust upon us by some mastermind that has over accomplished what he set out to do. We are hooked!

I understand that with every era of time and invention some of us become intimidated by them but this time we have gone too far. When progress alienates us from one another, when it replaces affection with complacency and dissolves our concern for each other I must say I do become intimidated.

I have never nor will I ever come in contact with a gadget that makes me feel the warmth that I feel when my daughter or grand-daughter comes walking in my door, when they sit down at my table to eat food that I have prepared for them. When we sit for hours and talk over the things that bother us, when we have our therapy sessions without realizing that we are helping each other with our conversation. No gadget can do that!

No gadget with give me the contentment of feeling warm arms around my neck from someone that loves me and I love them. I'm afraid those days are slipping away from society and we are to the point that society doesn't want those moments anymore, people have become an intrusion on our time, our time that is spent immersed in screens, games, gossip, filth, porn and advertisements.

Remember the old saying "what goes in comes out"? Well we have become a social trash can! Our society has become the inner space trash station and we are bombarded with it from all sides. We cannot dart enough to avoid it but we can make the choice to be in control of it.

We no longer live in the infamous fish bowl but we have been thrown into the tank and it's a big one. Swim as we may this channel will be long and hard but don't despair there are lifeboats along the way if we "choose" to get in them.

We must take a good long look at ourselves and decide if we own the gadgets or do they own us, will we give in to the drug of technology or will we take our modern day drugs as the doctor prescribes in small doses?

As for myself, I'm kinda fed up with the scene. I'm sick of seeing everyone's petty comments of their everyday mundane activities as if they had nothing else to do except let the world know that their dog can jump through a hoop or that they washed their hair that day.

Have we become so wrapped up in ourselves to think that we are so important that other people are waiting for the news that we went to the beauty shop today or that our child got an A on their report card.

We have become a society that is so disconnected from each other that we feel threatened when we come face to face. Our space is being invaded and we don't like it. It's a sad day indeed and now I fully understand the old saying "back in the good old days."

Granny here, just saying!

The Highwaymen

Granny here,

Will somebody in Bradley County please teach the highway department how to use signs?

I have had two instances where I have gone down a street just to find out that it was blocked and no signs had been posted to inform the public. The other day I was going to across over Durkee Rd. from Benton Pike to 64 highway and  I turned down Durkee just to find out that the road was closed and the man was telling people to turn around and go back the way they came. Have they not heard of "Road Closed" signs in the highway department.

There was a sign that said road work but no where did it indicate that the road was closed so they were letting people just keep coming and then making them turn around and go the other way, go figure, has intelligence and common sense took a permanent vacation around here. I see more evidence that that could be the case everyday.

Several times I have see signs that say "one lane traffic" but they never tell you what lane is closed up ahead. Is this too much trouble or do they not care that traffic could hit them where it hurts and it could be avoided by informing the public a little better of the conditions on the road ahead. One can never be over prepared especially on the highway.

Seems that there are an abundance of signs where we need them least and a shortage of ones that could prove to be life savers.

But we do live in Bradley County, Tn. don't we!

Granny here, just saying!

Must Be An Contortionist to Use Bathrooms

Granny Here,

My grumble for today is becoming all too common, the placement of bathroom paper dispensers in public restrooms. What made the brilliant mind that designs public restrooms think that we like to stand on our heads to get a piece of toilet paper anyway? This is becoming very frustrating to more than just me I'm sure and I just have to take time to blow off steam about it.

Every bathroom in this city I'm sure I have frequented more than once since I hold the record for visiting public restrooms and I'm telling you that one of these days they are going to hear a blood curdling scream come from within those walls because I have fallen out the door trying to stand on my head so that i may have the privilege of obtaining a piece of that fluffy white stuff they call toilet paper.

Anyone in their right mind would know that the paper dispenser doesn't have to be three inches from the floor we are not all little people in this world and they are the only ones I can think of at this moment that will appreciate the placement of said dispenser. But for the rest of us our blood pressure can't take much more of standing on our heads and carrying a roll on our person is out of the question but I guess one could get away with some tissue.

I haven't found one bathroom in the city of Cleveland that has a paper dispenser located in a convenient, easy to reach place without twisting my body into some form of pretzel shape to get the necessary paper and pretzel shapes are not my thing let me tell you at my age it's a little difficult.

May the force that is suppose to be with us please get the message across that most contortionist are in the circus somewhere not holding up in the bathroom at Wal-Mart!

Granny here, just saying!

Scott, My Rock

Granny here,

Years ago and so far away or at least in time I met a young man that changed my life forever. He was so cute, a James Dean sort of guy, shy, obscure and gentle. That was the one word that described him best, gentle. He was also kind and considerate and very thoughtful of other people always thinking of others. His name was Scott Smith, to all his friends which were many he was just Scotty.

We were married 48 years and 12 days, he died just 12 days after our anniversary on this date Sept. 2, 2007. He is so absolutely, positively in every way missed each and every day of my life. There is not a day that he is not in my thoughts and memories, there is just so much to remember about him how could I ever forget him.

I was 13 years old when I met him and from that day on he was the Rock that I stood on, the Rope that i held too, the Link in the chain that held everything together. He was as stable as they come, not afraid of much although he did have a fear of facing situations that required reading, writing and arithmetic, seeing how education was not his forte.

He was handicapped when it came to education but that didn't stop Scotty, he faced anything in life that came before him, working a job in a factory to support his family although it placed him in situations sometimes that he thought he wouldn't get through but somehow he did. He faced every challenge he had to and managed to accomplish more than college educated people that we knew. A failure, never, he was as successful as any other achiever in his community.

Scotty never thought much of himself, he always felt inferior to everyone because of his handicap but he was never inferior, compared to some he was Superior. He loved everyone around him, his family most. His children were the air that kept him breathing, I was the keeper of his home and he respected me for that. Together our goal was to make a loving home for our family and I hope we accomplished that, to love one another and we certainly did that and to love our children with a love that would embrace them all the days of their lives.

Scott left us without warning, God gave him a gift that we may never know and that was a painless exit from this life into the next. He left us in good standing with much to remember him by, his love, his warmth, his tenderness, his caring, his sharing, his consideration, his gentleness. I could go on  and on about this gentle giant that made my life much easier by (along with my Savior Jesus Christ) being my Rock, my Fortress, my Strong and Mighty Tower, he was my Scotty and oh, how I miss you.

Granny here, just saying!

Looking for the N Word

Granny here,

Well now a days everyone is talking about the N word, well I'm talking about one too but it's the word No. Does any parent use it these days, I can't seem to find any that do.

I was in Wal-Mart the other day and this woman had two girls about 6 and 8 in a cart, not small for their age if you know what I mean. The younger one was making a scene by yelling and talking loud asking for things and trying to tell her mother what to do then she precedes to climb out of the cart and crawls around on the floor on all fours and crawls out the doors into the garden area and then back in while her mom is in the check out, not once did I hear her mother say don't do that, come in here, get back in the cart, you can't have that, no she just took all the order the little angel gave her and let the little BRAT do as she pleased.

What is wrong with people now a days, someone needs to open a school and teach people how to be parents. Having children does not make a you a parent it's doing the work that makes you a parent. Teaching, training, setting examples, making an impression on your children, that's what parenting is all about. It's a job! not a position of glamour, and jobs mean hard work but I don't see much of that going on today with these people who call themselves parents. Wow! Does the world have some suffering to do if things don't change, these little monsters will be running the world one day or the world will be running after them one.

Lord, give us good parents so that we can rear some good people that will in turn give us a good society to function in.

We cannot raise good kids on one word, yes, No have to be a companion to balance out the act or we will be in for a lot of headaches and some of them we will have no medication to take away the pain, it is permanent!

Granny here, just saying!

Good As It Gets

Granny here,

Well, life is just about as good as it gets, God has brought my only child back home after a safe tour of Europe. She has planned this vacation for months and I'm glad she got to go but I'm happier now that she is back home.

I'm sure she has lots to tell me and of course I will be more envious than I was already. I have longed all my life to go to Italy but have never been fortunate enough or rich enough to get that far away from the shores of the good old U.S.A. but I can't forget the wonderful trip she took me on last year to Nova Scotia, what a time we had, wonderful.

She is a gem, a real keeper and I love her very much. I'm so glad she had this nice vacation with her husband Don, who shares in her enthusiasm for life. They do everything together and that's the way it should be I wish more couples saw the benefit of doing things together. The couple that "lives" life together will more than likely stay together. Those that just share the same space will have difficulties I'm sure.

I'm glad she got to go and I'm glad she's home again, don't know what next year will bring but I think some saving is in order before the next excursion cause traveling don't come cheap. Around town, around the U.S. or around the world traveling cost dollars and lots of them.

Can't wait to hear all the details and see all the beautiful pictures, if I couldn't go in person at least she brought it back in pictures. Gotta love that girl and I do. Life is as good as it gets at least for the moment.

Granny here, just saying!

Anyone Seen Honesty?

Granny here,

Had an experience today that I didn't enjoy and don't want to ever again. Having just sold a home and moved I had left many things at the old house with the understanding with the new owner that I could come and get them at my convenience since I didn't have a home made for everything yet and it may take some time and he agreed that it was no problem.

Well, today we decided to go and get a silhouette of a man and a dog that my mother has had for over 20 yrs. and she always thought it looked like my dad so she wanted to keep it. When we arrived one of the ladies that is going to live there was just getting into the car and I walked up to ask her permission to take it down and she say it was fine and I told her the story of how mom always liked it because it reminded her of dad. She said fine go and take it down, so I got my screwdriver out of the car and took it down. Job done, we said our good byes and left.

Surprise! About an hour later a white truck drives into my driveway and a young man by the name of Chris gets out, I thought at first that he had come to ask about cutting my grass because we had talked about it before. But that wasn't what he had on his mind. He goes on to tell me that the lady whom he calls grandma (she isn't his) sent him to find out why I came out there and trespassed and took something that was attached to the building. He also says that she will probably call the police when he goes back out there and tells her that we are keeping the man and dog.

After he left I called the real owner of the property who happens to be in Fl. until he retires and told him what was going on and he just laughed it off as something silly that Chris had taken things into his own hands and that his mother in law hadn't said any such things. He couldn't believe that Chris had come over here and said those things to me or at least that's the way he made it sound.

If honesty is lurking in that family somewhere I would love for  it to come out because I can't seem to find it anywhere. I would never impose on someone's property and help myself without asking permission first which I thought had been worked out earlier in the transaction between the buyers and myself. I am a keeper of my word and what I promise I will try my best to do or at least explain why I can not.

I don't plan on going back out there for anything and there is plenty out there that belongs to us. We were nice enough to leave the water on for them until they got up here, left them two beds that he requested and loads of other things that could be used on the mini farm that I would be unable to use over here at the new place. It makes me feel bad to think that people can be so petty about a piece of plywood.

Honesty is one of the best virtues a person can possess and I intend to keep mine active as long as I live to the best of my ability. I'm not saying that I don't make mistakes from time to  time but I ask God to forgive me for my wrong and I certainly will try to do better the next time around.

I want to believe the family but there is foul play somewhere and honesty is hiding in the shadows but God knows all things and I want to be able to say that I have kept my end of the transaction because if a person can't keep their word what can they keep?

Granny here, just saying!

The View from 72

Granny here,

Well, this is a special week for me, Wed. is my 72 birthday and I must say the view from 72 isn't all that bad. First of all I never thought I would make it this far and the blessings bestowed upon me are too numerous to count. God has abundantly blessed me through the years and I am indeed grateful.

But you know now a days, the new 40 is 60 and the new 50 is 70 so I'm actually only 52 now isn't that just great. That means that I lose my senior discount (lol) and my mother will expect more from me than she already does but on the bright side maybe I can get a man around 55 to look my way, think I have a chance? I knew there was something great about this birthday and I never thought I would be 50 again but the world is full of surprises.

I'm enjoying myself at any rate but missing my birthday celebrator Sherri who has skipped the country and gone to Italy, France and Spain without permission I must say. Can't say as I blame her, she deserves every day of her vacation and a wonderful man to go with her. Hope they enjoy themselves to the fullest extent of foreign law.

Well, back to birthdays, they're wonderful no matter what the year because it is the greatest gift that you can receive that God has counted you worthy to receive one more. Thank you God from the birthday girl.

So when you're 72 don't forget to enjoy the view, I am!

Granny here, just saying!

Wide Eyed But Not Bushy Tailed

Granny here,

I hate to say this but I have been up since 2 am, not bragging, no siree, I'm really a grumbling granny right now. I am so sick of this routine that I am ready to try anything to get a good nights sleep which hasn't happened in many a moon.

I know they're are pills out there for such things but I hate pills, the whole world is on pills but don't get me started on that soapbox. I would just like to know why I don't sleep.

I might sleep through the night one night a week if I'm on a lucky streak but most of the time I don't. I sleep maybe 3-4 hours and then I am up for 3-4 hours. It seems that for every hour my brain allows my body to sleep I must pay a penalty of staying awake for that amount of hours. This is crazy but it has become my way of life and it's no fun let me tell you.

When everyone else (maybe not everyone, they're are more like me out there) is getting their day on the move I am getting sleepy again and ready for beddie by.

If I ever get this mystery solved I will quickly become a millionaire by selling the valuable information but don't look for my book anyway soon!

Good Night (5:45 am)

Granny here, just saying!

Read My Lips-Handicapped

Granny here,

Where do I start? Do businesses not understand the meaning of the word Handicapped? Shall I spell it out for them? The word indicates that a person may have some problems getting in and out of a business or restaurant. Monday we went for an outing with family and decided to stop at Cracker Barrel for lunch which for the most part is as good a place as any but when it comes to handicapped parking they are way down on the ladder of success. There parking is half way around the building while the front door parking is for customers picking up there carry outs. Go figure, where do they think a handicapped person gets the strength to walk that far to get into there restaurant? They barely have the strength to get out and try to go somewhere.

My mother is 94 years old and doesn't have all that energy that it takes to master that walk to the door. This is not the only restaurant that puts handicapped people at the bottom of the priority list. Handicap spaces should be as close to the door as possible, fit folks need to understand that a walk into a restaurant can be an Olympian challenge for a handicapped person. Yes, I agree they may need a challenge once in a while but not that kind.

Get real and get those parking places closer to the door and let the fit folks get the exercise.

Shame on you if you don't!

Granny here, just saying!

Dull Moments! Where?

Granny Here,

Another day, another mystery? I'm working out on the carport now that Habitat Restore came and relieved me of years of accumulation rearranging things getting ready for the new shed to be built (I hope). I go around the back of the house to hang up a ladder and sweep down some cobwebs and the electric meter starts going crazy, the hands act as if they don't know what to do, the numbers are going and going and going. First, its the water system and now the electric. I tried to call C U but of course on Saturday I got no one, no emergency number or anything so it will just have to be crazy until Monday.

I'm still looking at the 198.00 water bill they sent me and now I wonder what this will do to my electric bill, may have to sell the house, do you think so?

Wonder what tomorrow will bring, something out of the ordinary I'm sure.

Granny here, just saying!

Where's the Water?

Granny here,

When I first started house hunting I knew that the next home would not be perfect just as the one I was living in wasn't perfect but I did expect to have some water.

The first house I liked and was planning to buy had water issues on the abundant side and the one that I finally bought had big water issues, like major leaks which couldn't be found. Go figure, just my luck, huh?

Well, a knock on the door, one day before moving day, the meter reader says you have a major leak somewhere, you have used 27,000 gallons of water in a month. I said I haven't even moved in yet, he says well the water is going somewhere and it's your responsibility to find and repair it. Well, thanks a lot, welcome home!

Plumber, plumber, where's the plumber, well he's in the phone book but he's not here. We called and called and called 3, 4, 5, 6, plumbers , finally one said he would come and take a look and that's about all he did was look. Well I'll be back tomorrow to start the job, who did he think he was kidding, this went on for days, come and go , come and go. In the mean time we moved in , no water, no toilets, no cooking nothing. Talk about roughing it, boy were we ever. Hauling water from the neighbors, from my friend the next street over, from the old house, just anywhere we could get water and boy this was not easy on a 72 year old that had been going like fighting fire for the past month day after day without stopping.

My strength was running out, it was one problem after another, first this leak, then another leak, where's the leak they couldn't find it, finally they dug up the yard put in new lines, still didn't know where the leak was, hey, what's going on here, where's the leak. Then they decide it's under the hot water tank embedded in the concrete, well, what now, dig up the concrete, God forbid not that. We were lucky didn't have to do that after all, they ran new lines to the tank and guess what, now no water to the 1/2 bath or washing machine, now run new lines to those two and we're done! Water, Water everywhere and even some to drink. But wait, there's one thing missing, "the bill", any takers out there in bloggers land! Will keep you posted once it comes in or maybe you'll know when you hear me screaming!

Granny here, just saying!

Nightmare

Granny here,

Well, I know it's been quite a while since I've grumbled to you folks but there's plenty coming just hold on to your breeches!

This nightmare of moving is just about over and boy it can't come to soon for me. I've never worked so hard in my life and without the few friends that came to my rescue I would be dead by now from hard work but they were there for me and we've accomplished quite a feat.

Thanks to my daughter Sherri, who worked like a slave horse and never got paid. Thanks to Rodney and his sons, Jarrod and Dustin for offering to move me and did a great job. Thanks to my mom who at 94 did more than those in the family many years younger, matter of fact they didn't even offer her any help. She did 90% of her own packing and unpacking with a tiny bit of help from one her daughters.

I have learned a lot through this experience, that folks aren't what they use to be. They don't run to your aid as in years past, when you're on your own that's just where you are on your own. I learned to not expect "love thy neighbor as thyself" because those are just words to most people but thank God a chosen few came through and did lend a helping hand.

The sad part of today's world is the people who are young and strong enough to help you out don't want to and the people who would are like yourself, old and not able to do too much but would if they could. I miss that world where people helped each other out more than they do today, it was a common thing when I was young for folks to gather together and get a big job done.

The world doesn't know what it's missing by not being there for each other but I thank God for those angels that God sent to rescue me and my mom in our hour of need. Without them the job would have been much harder than it was (if that is possible) and would have taken much longer to accomplish on my own if I could have done it at all. Thanks again for walking through this nightmare with me and now we can all wake up.

Granny here, just saying!

Talk About Lowe Down

Granny here,

On my 100th trip to the King of home improvement, Lowes, I was looking for some electrical wire to hook up my new electric range so I go to the aisle where all that stuff is located and the salesperson is busy with another lady so I take my place and begin to wait. While waiting my turn, this redneck about 30 years old walks up takes the salesperson and goes to another aisle, I was so insulted by his rudeness to step in front of me that I followed him and told him about his self, how rude he was and to prove it even further he didn't apologize or even act as if he had done anything wrong. The salesman came with me and apologized but I told him it wasn't his fault that the man was so rude. While we were looking for wire this jerk returns and walks between us several times to compound his rudeness. Where do these people hide? Wherever it is I wish they wouldn't find their way out to annoy other members of society.

These kind of jerks need to stay wherever they come from until they prove themselves fit to walk among us and so far they haven't done it, not in my book anyway. Rudeness is a cancer taking over our society and I don't like it. If we don't watch it will spread all over the place and then we will have ugliness all over the place not just at Lowe's.

Granny here, just saying!

End in Sight

Granny here,

Who would have ever thunk it but I believe the end may be in sight, its been a long time coming but it has been worth it. Hard work, vision and the loving hands of my daughter has made a dream come true.

It has been my dream to have a Tuscan kitchen for a long time now and it looks like I may just be on the verge of accomplishing my goal. With the help of family over the last three weeks we have worked ourselves silly and are beginning to see the results of our labor, a beautiful Tuscan kitchen.

Kudos to my daughter Sherri for her untiring efforts to bring this about, without her I would have never been able to accomplish it in such a short time by myself. She will never know how much I appreciate her and all that she has done for me through this move although I am trying to tell her, words are just not enough.

I'm loving it, its just what I envisioned and I know I will have many enjoyable hours in my new kitchen and I will think of those that helped to bring it about.

The move is getting closer, if we aren't drowned by Sat. the plans are to start moving in the new house. I think I am going to really like it there. It's a large house and I think we will have plenty of room.

The end is indeed in view and I'm loving what I see. Thanks be to God for allowing me this opportunity, to Sherri for all her help, to those friends that are helping me move. The end is in sight and oh what a sight it is.

Granny here, just saying!

Making New Friends or Enemies?

Granny here,

I thought I had experienced any kind of ache and pain that one could feel after living 70 years but I've been introduced to some new friends in the last few weeks and boy I hope they're just passing through.

I have things hurting I didn't know I had and I Don't Like It one bit! Why does the old body have to rebel when we do something it doesn't like, can't it just accept what has to be done and keep it's feelings to itself?  I guess not.

I've never been ran over by a Mac truck but I've a pretty good notion what it might feel like and boy does it hurt. Every fiber of my being is saying hey, listen to me, rub me first, soak me long and hard or just get off of me for a while. So when bedtime comes which would be 7 pm if I let my body have its way but then I would be up at midnight so I try to wait until at least 10 or 11 before giving in.

Then I have to face the moment when my eyes open the next morning and face the stiff, sore, tired, aching, muscles and bones that have lain dormant all night and now I have the task of getting everything to work again. What a job, that first movement will get cha for sure and those first steps on those tired, sore feet. Wow! does that wake you up!

But you know what's great about the old body, it just bounces right back like a spring, oh, don't get me wrong, the aches and pains are still there to remind me of all I accomplished yesterday and what price I will pay for accomplishments today but I forge ahead with a goal in mind, looking back when it's all over and say Welcome Home!

Thanks to all who helped me get there!

Granny here, just saying!

Bad Business

Granny here,

Well, today was busy to say the least but can't really said that we accomplished a great deal at least I didn't. My brother in law did get the old kitchen out of the way with some help from my daughter and myself.

So we decided to go hunting for the new flooring to be put down in the kitchen before the new cabinets go in which are being delivered Tuesday. We looked here and we looked there but no one seemed to have enough on hand to do the job. Finally we went to a small independent place down on south Lee and lo and behold we found it.

I paid for it and the man said we will deliver it before six p.m. this evening so we went to the new house and waited, and waited and waited. For what? Nothing, it never arrived. Now I ask you is that good business?  I think not but it happens more often than not.

Would they like to be told I'll pay you at such and such a time and then they waited and waited and waited, no they wouldn't like it and I didn't like it either. Very poor business I'd say and how can I recommend them to my friends?

Where do these people get it that they have the right to treat customers in such a manner, he didn't have any trouble taking my money, that was pretty easy for him to do but it was harder for him to keep his word.

This is bad business indeed and not to be recommended if you own a business please keep your word or don't make promises you can't keep. We should all be keepers of our word as the old saying went our word is our bond, not much bonding going on these days!

Granny here, just saying!

Demolition Darlings

Granny here,

Just checking in with a progress report of the new kitchen going in at the new house. Today we finished up the painting and the demolition darlings got started tearing down the old kitchen cabinets. Wish you could have seen them, just give them a miniature electric screw driver and a old fashioned hand held one and boy they were off and running.

First, down came the doors, then they started figuring out what to do next, then my brother in law came in and he got in on the act but the demolition darlings didn't let that stop them they continued on their mission to destroy that kitchen.

After they had taken apart all they could they started on the built in flower boxes, first one and then the other, still filled with dirt they hoisted them up  and out the back door they went, they didn't take a deep breathe while doing it. Piece of cake for those two (my sister Debbie and my daughter Sherri) if you have demolition in mind you might want to call the demolition darlings they get the job done.

The kitchen is well on its way to new glory if we can only get the cabinet arrangement figured out and that will be a blog all it's own. Even the help of the "experts" at Lowe's didn't do the job justice, the configuration is still wrong. Just leave it to Lowe's and you can do the job over and over and maybe over again.

Remember call 555-444-3333 for the Demolition Darlings, they're patiently waiting with tools in hand and a smile on their face longing for that call that will give them the satisfaction that only demo can. Timberrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Granny here, just saying!

Be Careful Little Tongue

Granny here,

Just listening to the news this morning and poor old Paula Deen is still on the chop block. God have

mercy on us as a society, do we have a lot to ask forgiveness for. Not only do we hypocrite to make ourselves look better but we crucify others to do so. What a price we will pay!

Michelle Malkin (which I believe is part black) summed things up pretty good this morning when she was talking about someone I forget who the lady was that twitted about her support for Paula and then in private (well, not so private since Michelle knew) tore Paula to shreds.

This is what is going on in the big elite world of the goody two shoes. Well, I would like to remind them that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. So if you like those feet that your standing on (in other words,) that elite world that you've gotten use to I would change my attitude. God's word says what ever we expect of others will be expected (by Him) of us. And remember God never reneges on His word, what He says He will do.

It is shameless how we treat each other in this world, it's a wonder that God doesn't turn His back on us totally but He promised that He would be here always for us and He will be, but are we here for one another, I think not, I think we always have an alterative motive in mind. Sad isn't it?

I pray that God brings Paula through this fire that has been rained down upon her for something that most of society has done one time or another in their life and those that pretend that is isn't so are asking for a darker judgment to be handed to them. God's word says all liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone and He means it folks! He's not like us as a parent, He means what He says so get ready for it, it will come to pass.

God is the giver of all good things but on the other hand He is a judge that only hands out JUST judgment, not FAIR judgment, God doesn't deal in fair, only just and that can be harsh folks, really harsh.

I love Paula just as I love Oprah, and they both have been wrong I'm sure many times in their lives just as you and I have, being wrong is not the only sin here it is the failure to forgive others and recognize that they are no different than the rest of us. A holier than thou attitude will certainly bring you into judgment sooner rather than later. God have more mercy than you already have.

I hope all these people take a good look in the mirror and really see what is looking back at them. A hypocrite in the flesh, who will ask for mercy but show none.

Granny here, just saying!

Silver Sallies

Granny here,

Yesterday was eventful to say the least, had to get on the go early, had lots to do and little time to do it. Went to town, stopped at the utility company to get account put into my name, then a stopped at the Banner, our local newspaper to have my moving sale ad put in then I was off to the bank to get a cashiers check to pay for the house I was buying. Whew! I'm running out of breathe and I'm just getting started.

After the bank, I met a friend for lunch at Chic Filet, yummy! and it isn't even noon yet, boy this day is going to be full. I closed on my house at noon and it went smooth but I had to dish out more money for some odd reason, oh, well thank God I had it.

Then it was off to the insurance company to get the new house under protection, one never knows so we must be prepared. Well, that cost me some more bucks and next I was off to the tax office, whew, I'm beginning to feel the pressure. Good news here, received a refund, not bad it paid for the last insurance.

I have my keys finally, I've only been waiting eight years for this day. The house that I bought has always been one of my favorites, matter of fact, my late husband and I looked at it several years ago and I've admired it ever sense never dreaming that one day it would be mine. Well, today that admiration became a dream come true. Thank you God!

Checked in at home to see that the silver queen (my 94 year old mother) was doing ok. Didn't get to visit long I had too much still on my plate and wanted to get to it and accomplish as much as possible with the help of my trusty silver sallies.

My sisters Anne and Debbie, and my lovely daughter Sherri came with brush in hand to pull me out of the pit I had put myself in with all the painting that had to be done. Supplies, we had them, boy did we ever but that's a sign of people who know what they're doing. (LOL)

They immediately got to the task and before long the paint was going up and before we knew it (or should I say 4 hours later) it looked like a different place and with all the good conversation we hardly knew we were working until we tried to get up from the floor or come down from the ladder and then our bodies said, wait a minute I feel some cruel treatment going on here. Nothing like having eight hands instead of two, it really makes a difference. Thanks girls.

The silver sallies made a difference and boy am I appreciative, wouldn't have gotten as far without them. Nothing like having people step in and help you out in a pinch. But I always do the same for them so it's tit for tat.

Granny, one of the silver sallies doesn't have the stamina that she once had and she can tell it when it comes to this type of work, oh, boy do I suffer the next day or should I say the same day. LOL

Well, sorry to say that tomorrow will be a repeat of today but Granny won't have to worry, with the silver sallies it's always Hi Ho Silver!

Granny here, just saying!

Anyone Seen Common Sense?

Granny here,

You know since I have been dealing with different people during the sale of my home and the buying of another one I have found that there is indeed something missing in our society today. Matter of fact there are several things missing. Let's see, there's common sense, some degree of intelligence and just basic everyday knowledge that any 3rd grader should know. It seems to have been replaced by stupidity.

I had to go to the bank the other day to do some business and the lady was suppose to print out a copy of something for me and she warned me ahead of time that she would probably do it wrong and sure enough she kept her word. I wondered how long have you been working here? You haven't learned how to place your paper into your printer yet and you have a good paying job in a bank of all places. Is there something wrong with this picture or is it just me?

I have had several experiences where the employee didn't seem to know their job, they don't know how to make change, they don't know how to take an order if it isn't worded just as they have been programmed.
They seem to have no sense of working on their own or figuring out things a different way. In other words there is no plan B if the programmed way fails to work.

Listen folks! We need to know a little more than just one way of getting the job done. Things don't always work the way they should and without a backup plan one could find themselves in deep do do. What has happened to folks these days. I know I've been out of the old classroom for many moons but do they still teach readin', ritin', and rithmatic? I can't tell it if they do by what I'm seeing out there in the workplace.

Oh, I'll admit that there are some smarts out there as long as it has a button attached. If you have to click a button, look at a screen, plug it in or use a password the younger folk don't have a problem, they're all over it but put them in a situation where they have to figure it out for themselves and they draw a complete blank.
This can't be good for our society folks, we need a backup plan, we need some good old fashioned common sense, intelligence and basic knowledge.

What would happen if everything electric went on the blink and it will only take one hit on our power grids and it's all over folks. Then where would we be? Would we have to go to the nursing homes and bring out the brains that have been stuffed into ten by ten rooms to take over and pull us out of the mess that all the intelligent geniuses have gotten us into. Don't get me wrong, progress is a good thing but we had better hold on to that which has already been proven to hold it's own before we move too far into the future.

Don't put the knowledge that has gotten us this far into storage just yet but combine it with the new and we can go even farther but don't make the mistake of thinking it is no longer needed. That is a big mistake!

Every generation has much to learn from the one left behind so don't move too fast or else you will find that you can't find your way back to pick up some of that book learning that you thought you didn't need. So put down those gadgets for a while and learn how to do something on your own, you never know when you'll be caught without you I phones, I pads, I touches, etc. and you will have to depend on the real I. YOURSELF

Granny here, just saying!

When Will We Learn

Granny here,

My heart is heavy today as I watch the T.V. personalities crucify Paula Deen over something that I could almost be positive that everyone of them have done themselves and found justification in their own doing.

I am in no way condoning what was done in any way but I am not naïve enough to believe that this is a new occurrence. If everyone in our society that has ever said the "N" word as it is now referred to would drop dead we wouldn't have enough people left to carry on life as we know it.

Let's be grown up here and realize that offenses have always been among us and they aren't going anywhere so grow up and accept life as it really is. Mankind has always made mistakes and we will continue to do so as long as we are breathing. But we cannot continue to dwell on these mistakes or we will remain in the muck and mire of our own unforgiveness.

I am not saying that we should deliberately offend, we should work on having a deeper respect for our fellowman no matter where they come from or what their background. We all have two arms, two legs, a head and hopefully a brain within it to help us work on our problems together so why do we want to dwell on our differences instead of working together as humans.

We are teaching our children to be wimps and be offended at everything anyone says to them instead of teaching them to be strong and realize that it's not words that make you what your are but it's what you know you are inside. When the adult world makes everything bigger than it really is it becomes more than the children can handle but if they butt out the children will work it out themselves.

You know God sends us all here in good shape most of the time but when the adults get in on the act it doesn't take more than a few months until that sweet little human becomes a monster that no one can stand. Whose at fault here, the little baby, I think not. We need to take a good look at what parenting really means but that's a subject for another time, now back to the subject at hand.

As long as we have our past for dinner every night our future will be poisoned and we are unlikely to ever get anything worked out among ourselves.

God never intended that we all be the same if He had we would be. Each of us should take pride in who we are and realize the solution to our problem is a common RESPECT for one another. With RESPECT and FORGIVENESS we can repair some of the damage that has been done to our society.

When you think about it each of us is given (if God grants us mercy)around 80 years of life and if we go back and study any of those 80 year periods we will see that within each period the rules were different, things change, people change, laws change, society changes. We as a society cannot keep holding future generations responsible for the wrongs done by the people that lived before us.

Each period of time is going to make its mistakes and there will never be anything that we can do to change that. I agree that the mistakes made in the past should make any human hang their head in shame but it doesn't mean that we should pass this history on to future generations as ammunition to destroy the future. This is just as bad as what our forefathers have done and where is the justification in that.

If history is presented in all it's truth we will find that mankind has been abused all way down the line. All peoples not just a chosen few and it was wrong, my heart aches when I read or watch a documentary on TV about such things and I wonder how can human beings treat their own kind in such ways but they did, they do and they will.

I would love to say that I feel we are on our way to healing, forgiveness, and progress but I have lived many years now and can see no signs of this miracle taking place. Forgiveness must start in the hearts of men and women of every nationality around the world and then be the ingredient that we instill in our children and grandchildren. When we have them at our knee telling them of the horrible abuses done to their ancestors please don't forget that the soul to whom you speak will use your words to form their opinion and actions for the future, make sure that forgiveness is included in your history lesson.

How sad that we have been a society for over 200 years and we are still on the same threshold of a future where no forgiveness is welcome. God help us because if He doesn't we are doomed and God only helps those who help themselves.

Granny here, just saying!

Too Full (of yourself)

Granny here,

Living in Cleveland has been one of those teachers that I mentioned in one of my past posts. It has been a real eye opener in the area of how you treat others and being in the heart of scripture country can be very deceiving if you know what I mean.

One would think that living where the word of God is preached as much as it is here in Cleveland that

the people would eventually begin to get it but from my experience here, some of them don't have a clue, or should I say that most of them I've had dealings with haven't proved it to me that they get it. Maybe they get it but choose not to practice it.

Living God's word and hearing God's word are worlds apart, to live it brings in that ugly word that I mentioned earlier in one of my writings, sacrifice. In order to live the word of God we must put ourselves in the background, God tells us in His word to not think more of ourselves than we ought to but in spite of that it seems that here in Cleveland a lot of that kind of thinking is going on.

For instance, I have had several experiences with the resale stores where my items were just not "good" enough for their store although they were "name" brands which they always insist on. Think about this, someone's name is in your clothing, no one sees it, it's just a tag that you wish wasn't there anyways because they usually itch so bad and make you miserable but you want it there, does this make you feel that you are worthy to wear this person's brand although no one knows it but you. Do you pay mega bucks for "name" brand purses, shoes, etc. when no one cares what you are carrying or wearing on your feet but you pay the price and what for, pride, yes, pride.

Pride is when we think more of ourselves than we ought to think and yes, it happens more often than not. If we read God's word we find that He hates this and how can we please the Lord when we disobey and do things that He hates.

I had an experience the other day that made me pause and think. I am in the process of moving and have to thin myself out so that I will fit into the new house so I decided to take some of my "name" brand purses (bought at thrift stores) to a resale shop here in Cleveland, I knew they only dealt with name brands or nicer handbags so that's what I picked out to take. I had Stone Mountains, Aigners, Fossil, etc. so I thought I would be able to get rid of them, not so, they didn't measure up to the "higher" standards of the store personnel. I have a routine that I do before I take anything to a resale shop, I make a visit and look over their stock to make sure that mine measures up to what they are selling so I won't be embarrassed when I show up with "inferior" merchandise but so far that is what happens. I have been turned down several times because my items were inferior to their superior taste.

Granny says get over yourself, how do you get to decide what people will or will not buy as long as it is in good shape? And insulting your customers is certainly a no-no. I worked in the retail industry for many years and the customer pays your salary and don't forget it. At one resale shop here in town which I won't mention has insulted my sister several times by telling her that maybe she should shop at Target that maybe she could afford things there. Is this because they only want customers who have the prideful, heady, high minded attitude as themselves. Get real, how do they know that my sister isn't a millionaire. Some people refuse to wear their wealth but choose to keep it to themselves. But when pride becomes your favorite attire you will choose to make it as your outer apparel.

God help us to be more considerate of others feelings by treating them the way we would want to be treated, that is the only way that will pass God's inspection and we certainly want to pass that test.

Pride cometh before a fall and one thing about God, He always keeps His word, what He promises He will deliver.

So if we choose to be full of something let us be full of the love of God and not ourselves because the latter will definitely make us sick!

Granny here, just saying!

Pain and Agony on Me

Granny here,

Boy do I know what the guys on Hee Haw were singing about for all of you who remember that TV show. I have enough pain and agony to pass around to some of my enemies haha but I wouldn't do a thing like that now would I?

I've had them so long now that they have become friends because they're not going anywhere, I pretty sure of that. Right now they are more accentuated than usual, you know like taking over the whole body. Sorta like an invasion of the pain people with agony as a back up.

Did manage to get some sleep last night which is unusual but when you stay up for 24 hours falling asleep the next night comes pretty easy, I wasn't even aware of when it happened. Imagine that.

Packing is coming along and if I had someone to tape me up I'd probably jump in one of these boxes and do a disappearing act until this fiasco is over. But I don't think that is going to happen, no one to take my place, think about being so important that no one can take your place. Wow! now that's important. lol

Well, off to see the wizard of pain and agony, I think he's moved in for good.

Granny here, just saying!

Eye Glue Please

Granny here,

It's four twenty in the morning what am I doing up? Old people are suppose to sleep a lot. If that be the

case I must be 21. My body is trying to give up sleeping altogether I think and I hate it. This is just crazy, it's not normal, it's certainly not the ordinary for most people I hope because I wouldn't wish this kind of life on my worst enemy and I'm sure I have one out there somewhere.

I would do some trading if there was a soul out there somewhere who would be crazy enough to do some trading. I've done everything I can think of to put myself to sleep, listening to Pandora, did my dance routine, sweating like crazy but I'll be a monkey's uncle if I'm taking a shower at 4:30 in the morning, I'm not that crazy.

Well, thank God for Granny's Grumblins at least I can spout off through the written word and give my 2.5 readers something to feast their eyes upon, have to keep their interest you know or they won't come back and that wouldn't be nice now would it?

If anyone out there has a solution to this age old (pardon the pun) sleepless problem please don't keep it a secret you are sitting on a gold mine. Give it up and help out the millions that are sitting on their computers at this ungodly hour of the morning.

I've things to do tomorrow, important things and I can't afford to be staggering around like a drunk person with blurry vision, the eyes of deer and the look of someone with a hangover. Help! Do they make eye glue?

Granny here, just saying!

The School of Life

Granny here,

Well, I thought I was out of school many moons ago but I tell you I learn something new every single day.  Can't say I have a favorite teacher either here in the school of life, there are many to say the least. Some of them are gentle with their lesson and some just let me have it right out of left field with no warning.

But no matter how the lesson is handed to me I never fail to learn something that either makes me a better person or makes life a better teacher and sometimes both.

Lost an old acquaintance this week, killed in an automobile accident, I had not seen her in many years since time and space had separated us. She was only 65 and in today's standards that's not old at all. She was the mother of 5 children and I know they are heart broken tonight but I know one that will comfort them as no other can and that is God. He's always right on time with His comfort and mercy.

Lessons are all around us and I can see by the lost of a friend that life is not sure for any of us and our next breathe could be our last. The lesson of loss is a hard one to accept but it is one that comes to us all. But the real lesson here is that we should cherish those we have in our lives because giving of ourselves is a small price to pay for the friendship of another person or the love of our family. Oh, how short life is but the sad lesson learned here is that we learn this far too late in life. By the time that we realize how short life really is we are about to shut the door on our own.

As we have all learned life is shorter for some than others and what decides that is known only to Him who gave us life in the beginning. Some lives are cut short by their own doing and others never had a life to begin with and then some of us are blessed beyond what we deserve but that is all God's business and He is to be praised for whatever He chooses for each of us.

When we think about it we are in school everyday being taught by things we see, things we hear, people we talk to, books we read, movies we watch. We think that we are our own teacher, we learn what we want to but that is so far from the truth. Take a small baby, we think, oh, he's too young to understand but think again friend, he is learning with every smile you give him, with every bite you put in his mouth. He is learning from every word that you as his parents say either to him or to each other. He is learning that you love him or you don't, that you love each other or you don't, he is learning how he should act by what he sees you do or not do. He learns by watching how you treat others around you, he learns by what you allow him to listen too, to watch on television, the games you allow him to play, by the examples set before him. He learns from friends, neighbors, schoolmates, teachers, all of these people are his teachers giving him bits of wisdom, molding him into that person that will one day bloom into an adult.

Yes, we all are in school everyday of our lives, do we choose to learn those things that make us a better person so that will be an asset to our society or have we learned those things that will make us a burden on our fellowman. Think it over friend and you will see that there has been more teachers in your school of life than just the one standing in your classroom.

Life, what a classroom, bigger than anything contained in a building and with so many lessons to be learned no wonder life seems so short. But in this school God gives the report card and when it is handed to you no grade can be improved, it's too late so use your study time wisely.

Granny here, just saying!

Get Me Off This Roller Coaster

Granny here,

Well, received the counter offer on the house I 'thought' I was buying but it seems that the owner doesn't want to cooperate. What's wrong with him anyway, lol. I'm pretty good at haggling but I really just wanted to get this over with. This roller coaster ride is making me sick and I don't like being sick if you know what I mean.

With all the information I have on the owner and the house his profit margin is way out of line for what effort he has put into this house, virtually nothing other than buying it out of foreclosure and putting it back on the market. I think a $30,000 profit for that little bit of effort is asking a lot and I don't know if I'm his sucker or not. I may be old but I'm still a bargain hunter.

The house is fair, the neighborhood is not my desired neighborhood but it will do in a pinch and may improve with the coming years, who knows, it has been known to happen.

I think I could be happy there but God may have other plans and from the get go of this venture I have ask Him  to be in charge. But one thing about God, He doesn't let you in on it until it's all over, is that fair but if He did it any other way where would our faith kick in, if we see everything then where is the need for faith? No following God is like walking in the dark you just keep taking one step at a time until you see the light and sometimes it ain't easy my friends, no not easy at all.

I've been walking this way for over 50 years and it has proven to be the only way to go. God has never let me down, never forsaken me, never turned His back but He has let me fall on my face a time or two and He was always there to pick me up and brush me off. As I said before it isn't always easy but sometimes very necessary for our faith to get stronger and the more we use it the stronger it will get and right now I'm beginning to feel like Samson.

God has the answer to my dilemma and He will let me know what to do in due time. God doesn't do things on our time table but He is never late so I'll keep trusting, believing, praying but until that time somebody get me off this roller coaster!!!!!!!!!

Granny here, just saying

Cheating Ourselves

Granny here,

 I have a lot on my mind today I guess you can tell, huh? So I'm back to give you another dose of what's on my mind.

Just sittin' her thinking about how families cheat themselves out of the joy of sharing each others lives. I know it's not 100% true but it happens more than not. It seems today that families are too busy doing nothing that they forget to take the time to share in their own family. Busy doing little and accomplishing less and not involved enough in their own families to know what is going on and what's worse most are not even interested.

I can remember and yes, I am old enough to have memories when something good happened to a member of the family it was as if it had happen to everyone. Everyone was excited for the family member, sharing in the event with enthusiasm and joy but that type of family seems to have gone by the wayside.

Sad isn't it that everyone today seems to be wrapped up in themselves and what they are doing more than anything else. There is an old saying "someone wrapped up in themselves makes a very small package."

There are several things that happens when we choose to not be involved in other peoples lives. First, we loose the joy of sharing, we lose the chance to learn from others, we lose the chance to teach others something that might be beneficial but the thing we lose the most is the chance to become closer, a chance to become part of one another, to bond and become one.

There's nothing like feeling that you belong, that you have been validated by those you love. Just because you are a member of a family doesn't mean that you feel like you belong. I hope I have not left that impression on my own family, immediate and extended. Involvement is nourishment for the soul of mankind, we crave it, we need it and if we don't find it in our own family we will look elsewhere and that's good too but love begins at home and the more we are involved with each other the more the love will grow.

Some of us may or may not have a friend that becomes more involved in our life that members of our own family and that can be good too. A good friend can never come along to often or stay too long in my book. I have friends that have been in my life for over 50 years and they are dear to me. I wouldn't trade our years together but they don't substitute for my family.

We all can relate to the Waltons, The Duggers and us older folks can relate to Father Knows Best, Life with Momma, Father of the Bride. These portrayals are what real families should look like. One may say this is dreaming but really it isn't, it can be done but it will not be done without love and work. Work by all and that will require involvement and plenty of it.

Becoming involved means giving, sharing, working, sacrifice oh, that's an ugly word, sacrifice, yes, sacrifice and plenty of it. When we choose to become involved we will sacrifice but oh the reward that we will reap, nothing ventured nothing gained. Think about it, are you involved?

Granny here, just saying!

The Lord's Day

Granny here, down through time we have heard the term 'the Lord's day' I just got to thinking that every day is the Lord's day. He was kind enough to loan it to us but we should never forget that He can take it back any time He chooses. The days of all time belong to Him and He can share them with whomever He chooses, aren't you lucky?

What will you choose to do with your lucky day? Will you keep it to yourself? Will you share it with Him ? Will you share it with your wife, your husband, your children? What will you do? You only have twenty four hours and then it will be gone forever, you will never ever have this day back again, no other day in your lifetime will be the same as today.

A great number of humans choose Sunday as a day set aside to go to the church of their choice and give thanks to God for all His blessings which is good "but" is that the only time we give thanks, shouldn't the way we live our lives say thank you every day.

I was thinking the other day about the ten commandments and what an impact they would have on society if we done nothing but use them as the rules of our society. We would have no need for laws, policemen, jails, prisons, welfare or reform schools. We wouldn't have to lock our doors, spend lonely hours and days by ourselves, stores would have no need for guards or surveillance equipment. Children would have no need of new parents, parents would have no use for divorce, children would have their real parents forever and child abuse would have never been heard of.

As a society we think we are so intelligent but from where I'm standing we look pretty bad and after all this time since the beginning we have continually proven that we cannot make good decisions. It's true that we have managed in spite of ourselves to accomplish some amazing things but the one thing we have not been able to do is form a good society. One where our only goal is to make life better for ourselves and those around us with whom we share this world.

The reason for our failure is singular, "Me". Me manages to deter us from success in every area of society, Me seems to be the stumbling block that causes man to stumble all the way to the grave "but" if we would only look behind us and see that things can change if we would put "Me" where he or she belongs and that is at the beginning of Mercy and that is what God has extended to mankind, His unending mercy and how can we do less for each other.
 Wow! the more I think about it the more sense it makes that if we only did what we were told what a wonderful world it would be.

Granny here, just saying!

Final Decision

Granny here, sorry for not posting last night I was just to exhausted to think, honestly. Still looking for that perfect home, found one and think it is the one but can one ever be sure? Just saying, and knowing myself like I do that may be an understatement.

The house that I've chosen seems to have all that is needed for me and my mother to function without too many difficulties. It's not perfect by any means but it has what is needed to carry out daily living in somewhat of a normal way if anyone lives normally today, but then again, what is normal?

Making that final decision in any circumstance is a hard thing to do and one always seems to second guess themselves when making any kind of decisions. I am no different matter of fact I'm probably worst that the average Joe but the decision is made if the good Lord doesn't change my mind. I've made an offer and waiting for the response.

But the final decision that we make about our eternal home is far more important than the one Granny has just made. The decision about where to live in the here and now doesn't hold near the consequences as the final decision as to where we will spend eternity, better give it some serious thought! Just saying! Bye for now. Granny

Moving on Up

Granny here, tired, did someone say tired, wow! that's an understatement. Got a lot done today, had my yard sale with the daughter and grand-daughter, didn't get rich by any stretch of the imagination but did come out with a few bucks. Man is it hard to get people to buy things these days, we all just have way too much. Downsizing is not as easy as it looks because you need the cooperation of other people and one can't always get that.

After closing the sale which I will say I will be having again in a couple of weeks and try to get rid of some more I went next door to my mothers and began helping her pack her treasures that she is taking with her to our new house. She doesn't know the work downsize it just isn't in her vocabulary but I'm teaching her real quick. You're never too old to learn and she is 94 so she is proof of that old saying.

Anytime your moving up, out, down, or over there is lots to do and sometimes it's overwhelming and I do not like that feeling. I made an offer on our new dwelling today and if all goes well and we should be able to start moving by the first of July and that will give us a month to get out of here and get things cleaned up. Can two old women do it? I think we can with the help of a few good friends and family we will getter done.

Well, I'm so tired it's hard to think right now so I guess I'll get out of your hair and let you have some time to yourself. But remember I'm moving on up to the south side. Ole Granny is moving on!

Boxed In

Granny here, well, I packed my first box tonight getting ready for the big move. I hope there's a superman out there somewhere that will be able to lift these big suckers. If my sale goes like I hope maybe there won't be much left to pack except for the bedrooms and I'll have those done.

Where would we be without the good old corrugated box, well we'd be making a lot more trips to the truck I'm sure of that. My husband of 48 years worked in a corrugated box factory for years and he knew his boxes, I miss him so much, he was a keeper.

You know boxes are a lot like people, they come in all different shapes and sizes, colors and strength. Some thick, some thin, some sturdy, some weak, yep! just like people wouldn't ye say. That's the way we are different as daylight and dark but we all come in handy.

I just got to thinking where are these boxes going once I get them packed, haven't found a house yet, well, you might say I was homeless. Let's see which member of the family would love to have some company? I wonder if they have room for my boxes?

Well, time will tell, there's a new home out there just waiting for me and my boxes, will I be your new neighbor? Bye for now got to find my way out of this bedroom. Granny

Topsey Turvey

Granny here, well let me tell you that my life right now is topsey turvey to say the least. My house looks as if I just moved in instead of getting ready to move out. Having a huge moving sale this Sat. and boy is my house a mess. Things are everywhere, I mean everywhere  they shouldn't be.

I've cleaned out closets, drawers, and all my hiding places and brought out all the good stuff for you folks that are planning on paying me a visit Sat. You're going to kick yourself if you miss this one, it's a doozey. I have something for everyone but the babies, don't have any of the little folks stuff but for mom and dad I've got that covered so come and get it.

If topsey turvey means upside down then that's exactly where I'm at, almost standing on my head. Lots of things to get done in the next few weeks but God is faithful and He will see me through to the end, He's just like that. Trusting Him can be tricky sometimes but you have to do it, how else can He show us what He can do. Love Him for His faithfulness.

Well, bye for now and if you get your life in a topsey turvey position it will give you a different perspective. Granny

Bumpity, Bumpity, Bump

Hello Friends, It's me again, Granny, hope your life is going as smooth as it can but you know that life can get a little bumpy sometimes. You've heard the old saying "smooth sailing" well, sometimes there is nothing smooth on life's sea or her road either whichever you might be traveling at the time.

Right now my road has some bumps in it and I might have to jump a little higher to get over them but I think there's hope if I keep my eyes on the prize which right now happens to be a house for me and my mother.

Taking responsibility for ones self is par for the course but being the caretaker of an elderly parent when you're no spring chicken yourself can put some major bumps in your road, if you know what I mean. And when that old fellow arthritis comes to visit one can't jump too high and sometimes he overstays his welcome if you ask me.

My days lately have been pretty bumpy and they may get even more bumpy before this house hunting adventure is over but I think I'm up to the task but until I get it accomplished it's going to be bumpity, bumpity, bump.

Well, I've got to go look for some padding, have a great week! Granny

An Eye Opener

Granny here, well since I am just a babe at this blogging business I need to explain my Grumblins. G is for Granny's (surprise) R is for Realistic, U is for Understanding of, M is for many, B is for Baffling, L is for Lifelong, I is for Incidents that, N is for Never and S is for Stop.

 To sum it all up its Granny's Realistic Understanding of Many Baffling Lifelong Incidents that Never Stop.

Now for today's grumble- Well, I have been in the process of trying to buy myself a home and today was inspection day for the beauty I had picked out. Well, let me tell you beauty is not skin deep in this realm of reality. In a home inspection the layers of beauty are peeled away and nothing but reality is left, take it or leave it. I hate to say it but I'm going to have to leave this one no matter how much beauty she had on the surface, the layers beneath revealed far more than I was willing to deal with. You've heard the old saying you can't go on first impressions well today was an eye opener for me and let me tell you I didn't like what I saw. We don't always like what we see but God sees all and I'm sure He has a better plan and since He is my guide I choose to follow Him and while my eyes were opened to the hidden dangers of my chosen beauty I will wait a little longer.

Wait upon the Lord will be my battle song until victory is won!

Have a great one Granny

Ad it all up!

This is my first attempt at blogging so bare with me until I get the hang of it. Grumblin comes easy but writing it down so that someone will enjoy reading it might pose some difficulties.

My grumble for today is Ads as in advertisements I hate them, they are everywhere, on the radio, on the tv, on our fb pages, on our emails, is there nothing sacred these days. Can't we have at least one place where this junk isn't popping up in our faces. We are intelligent human beings and I think we are savvy enough to know what we want to buy without some company pushing there product down our throats. If they would save some of that advertising money then they wouldn't have to aggravate us so much about buying their products. Right! I understand we need a little prodding now and then but please give us a break! Ads don't need to attack us everywhere we turn, please stop invading our space.

Remember that old song, Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign, well that's more true today than ever before and now we have roadside television, that's a brilliant idea but I'll blog about that another day.

Thanks for reading, Enjoy!
Granny