Spring is here!
We have tadpoles in the pond and tree frog eggs in the mud puddles! I think our last ice storm thinned out the toads and tree frogs -- that would explain why I had so much trouble finding eggs. I found tadpoles in our pond 2 weeks before I found eggs in the puddles -- pond frogs can dig down and get away from the cold a lot better than tree frogs or toads can, so they have a better chance at surviving ice storms. My old-fashioned purple irises are in full bloom and everything is very green. I think today's high was 86. I drove to my daughter's house with the windows rolled down --- it was WONDERFUL........ Made me wish I had a convertible. I am so ready for summer!
So far, I've lost 41.5 pounds. I can fit into a couple of size 8 pants and shirts. Maybe I'll box up my "fat" clothes when I feel better. I've got to figure out how to get some muscle back (I used to have muscles, no LOL, really, I did!). I did 5 push-ups last night, and I was so tired I was shaking afterwards. I've been fighting this crash and it's not working ..... I know better, but ....... You know how it is. Maybe I just need to take it easy for a few days.
On top of the other sewing I need to do, my mom brought over 2 pairs of her capris for me to put new elastic waist bands in them. That's what I get for knowing how to sew. My grandmother taught me to sew, I took a sewing class in high school, and before I went to college, I worked at the same sewing factory that my mom did. I put elastic waistbands on bluejeans for Walmart's Faded Glory line, and I was the only bander that banded zip-fly Dockers for the Sears contract. My mom did the inseams, and her line was the next one past the banding machines where I worked. The banding machine that I used was a temperamental monster -- it would run 8 spools of thread at once and the needles could have been used for weapons! If the zipper girls set the zippers too high, my needles would break and bits of metal would fly through the air! Sometimes I miss that job, but at least when I sew at home, I'm not on a company time clock.
Last week, we went to a fish fry at the home of some friends at our new church home. Tim loved the chess pie that our hostess made, so now I have acquired a new recipe to try out. The hostess also made Red Lobster biscuits and several other yummy things, so we had belly aches the next day. I'm going to have to get that lady's recipe for the biscuits, too!
Our tax refund came last week and we used it to buy a new refrigerator Saturday. We got one with French doors on top and a freezer on the bottom. Our old fridge still worked, but it was making funny noises and it was 23 years old. (I hope the new one lasts as long!!!!) I'm still trying to recover from emptying out the old fridge and figuring out where to put the stuff in the new one.
My daughter is doing great with her college classes. Because of her grades and attendance, she has been awarded another grant for $1500. She has also been selected to take a certain mathematics class this fall. She doesn't need this particular class, but she is strong in math and certain staff members want her to take this class, not only as a student, but also to work in study groups to assist the students who are weak in math. (That news makes her math teacher momma mighty proud.) She will have the same teacher that I had when I took College Algebra and Trigonometry so many years ago ---- the same teacher who really turned me on to math and, unknowingly, caused me to change my major. The schools in our county are notoriously weak in the math department, and if it had not been for this teacher, I would have struggled just to get passing grades for the math core requirements in college. I never would have been able to teach math to my daughter when her teachers in public schools were so lacking in the subject area. I'd told my daughter, months ago, that this teacher was the best math teacher I'd ever had and, if he was still there, to take her math courses under him, if she could. Isn't it amazing how one person can have such a positive effect on two generations, just by doing his job to the best of his ability????? Hmmmmmm ....... I wish we could find a CFS doctor with comparable talent like that.
Hugs to everyone!
So far, I've lost 41.5 pounds. I can fit into a couple of size 8 pants and shirts. Maybe I'll box up my "fat" clothes when I feel better. I've got to figure out how to get some muscle back (I used to have muscles, no LOL, really, I did!). I did 5 push-ups last night, and I was so tired I was shaking afterwards. I've been fighting this crash and it's not working ..... I know better, but ....... You know how it is. Maybe I just need to take it easy for a few days.
On top of the other sewing I need to do, my mom brought over 2 pairs of her capris for me to put new elastic waist bands in them. That's what I get for knowing how to sew. My grandmother taught me to sew, I took a sewing class in high school, and before I went to college, I worked at the same sewing factory that my mom did. I put elastic waistbands on bluejeans for Walmart's Faded Glory line, and I was the only bander that banded zip-fly Dockers for the Sears contract. My mom did the inseams, and her line was the next one past the banding machines where I worked. The banding machine that I used was a temperamental monster -- it would run 8 spools of thread at once and the needles could have been used for weapons! If the zipper girls set the zippers too high, my needles would break and bits of metal would fly through the air! Sometimes I miss that job, but at least when I sew at home, I'm not on a company time clock.
Last week, we went to a fish fry at the home of some friends at our new church home. Tim loved the chess pie that our hostess made, so now I have acquired a new recipe to try out. The hostess also made Red Lobster biscuits and several other yummy things, so we had belly aches the next day. I'm going to have to get that lady's recipe for the biscuits, too!
Our tax refund came last week and we used it to buy a new refrigerator Saturday. We got one with French doors on top and a freezer on the bottom. Our old fridge still worked, but it was making funny noises and it was 23 years old. (I hope the new one lasts as long!!!!) I'm still trying to recover from emptying out the old fridge and figuring out where to put the stuff in the new one.
My daughter is doing great with her college classes. Because of her grades and attendance, she has been awarded another grant for $1500. She has also been selected to take a certain mathematics class this fall. She doesn't need this particular class, but she is strong in math and certain staff members want her to take this class, not only as a student, but also to work in study groups to assist the students who are weak in math. (That news makes her math teacher momma mighty proud.) She will have the same teacher that I had when I took College Algebra and Trigonometry so many years ago ---- the same teacher who really turned me on to math and, unknowingly, caused me to change my major. The schools in our county are notoriously weak in the math department, and if it had not been for this teacher, I would have struggled just to get passing grades for the math core requirements in college. I never would have been able to teach math to my daughter when her teachers in public schools were so lacking in the subject area. I'd told my daughter, months ago, that this teacher was the best math teacher I'd ever had and, if he was still there, to take her math courses under him, if she could. Isn't it amazing how one person can have such a positive effect on two generations, just by doing his job to the best of his ability????? Hmmmmmm ....... I wish we could find a CFS doctor with comparable talent like that.
Hugs to everyone!
Replies
OHMYGOSH! Your entire journal is in Arabic. I kid you not. It\'s a bunch of squares and syllables. I\'ve seen this happen before. Do you see written script?? OHMYGOSH! I hope this corrects itself. Just know that I was here early this morning, ok? I\'ll come back later and check again.
Also, it\'s possible that in MONKY the language has changed. I dunno. Brainsmog!
I too enjoy the frogs in the spring. This year their chorus was louder than it has been the last few years.
You sound like a fighter, with your pushups. I enjoyed hearing about the odds and ends of your life too. Now I wonder what \'chess pie\' is.
I agree about the positive effect individuals can have. As a fledgling writer it is my goal to write a book that others will cherish and hopefully be a help to others in some way. We all do what we can. I\'m very glad for the help we have.
FIrst of all, CONTRATS ON THE WEIGHT LOSS! That was no easy feat I\'m sure. Keep a pair of those ole fat pants to remind you of what you have accomplished! YOU GO GIRL!! Bet are more gorgeouser than you were before!!!
I just know how proud you are of your daughter. I didn\'t realize you were a math teacher. Wish I would have known you going through High School. LOL...made it through Algebra one and two by the seat of my pants. I think the teacher felt sorry for me. In this case, if I was getting D\'s in Algebra one, I don\'t think they should have put me into A. two! Ya know? Even though I went to summer school, I never really \"got it\", and had two horrible years in High School, in math. I think your daughter is really a smart cookie and I\'m so glad she\'s teaching, like her mama!!
I don\'t sew. NOPE. My grandma did. But my mom never picked up a needle in her life. Not once! Honest. Therefore, like mother, like daughter. I can\'t believe my husband puts up with me. His daughters sew for him. I don\'t like it. I stick myself with sharp objects and am not to be trusted. That\'s my story, and I\'m stickin to it!!
LOVED IT, that I could finally read this journal. You sound better!! Atta girl!!
what a wonderful journal............i wanna join u in that summer convertible!!!! go day trippin\'.........
really enjoy hearing about how spring comes to life in your part of the world.....adds another layer .....hugs!
my son has always told me that i\'m too smart not to enjoy or get math.......i had a teacher who transferred me out of algebra into general math in my freshman year, the rest of the time i was given lots of extra writing/english courses and not one more speck of math. they would never allow that today........i was such a good student........sigh, we need great math teachers, i surely could have used one, mine gave up on me.......i would sit there every day after class asking for help and she turned me loose. my daughter and son both love math.....excelled at it. .......nice to think about stuff.........what is chess pie? is it sweet or savory.........enquiring minds want to know!!! lol.......loved this journal........it\'s so nice getting to know more about you and your life in ky............hugssssssss!
It was great reading your journal update. I\'m glad spring has finally arrived in KY. I always learn new things from you. In KY, frog eggs are a sign of spring. In the Chicago area, the sound of the neighbors mowing their lawn is a sign of spring- LOL. Congrats to your daughter on her college success. I\'m glad you passed on your math skills to her - that can be a tough subject to tackle. I only made it through Calculus in college. And, I can\'t remember a single thing about it! Hope you start feeling strong enough to start enjoying your beautiful weather.
Loved reading your journal. Isn\'t it fun watching the changes of the season?!?! I love all the little creatures. I think frogs are cute. I grew up in Louisiana and was always trying to bring home \"pets\". ;) I\'m incredibly impressed with your sewing skills! I\'m happy when I can sew a button back on. Lol. And you must be SO proud of your daughter!!!