Good-bye!

Last night before going to sleep I made a "date" for my next birthday...sometime during the year!  FUN!

Tonight I leave you and we get on with our lives.  You may email me at ohappyday815@aol.com.  I'd love to hear from you.  If you have a different email address, continue to use the one you had.

I am truly blessed!  I thank God for having brought you and yours into my life.  nj

Baffled!

The month is ending, and the current situation at my house is just what I have been saying..."I am baffled!"  11:23 p.m., and the doorbell just rang.  Who was at the door?  A resident of the home who was told at 7:22 p.m., "No, you can't ride your bicycle to your friend's house, go to the basketball game, bicycle to the city park around the library, and then come home by 11:00 p.m.  You may be driven to the basketball game and even have your friend ride with you, via automobile.  And, you may call for a ride or walk home before 11:00 p.m."  

Child said, "That's alright."  And went downstairs...not to be seen again until 11:23 p.m.--ringing front doorbell!  Grandparents are out of town.  Grandfather has been gone all week.  Grandmother left this morning, after children left for school.  Mother is to be taking care of the children.  

Mother?  Yes, she has been here for a few days.  I can't recall, but blogs know, her coming and going this week.  She arrived one minute before five year older got off of school bus this afternoon and left with two younger children thirty minutes after nine year older was off the bus.  She not here and her babies ain't neither!  

Baffled!  Of course I am BAFFLED!  I hope you think I am insane for allowing such nonsense in my home.  Well, I thank you for reading me this month. 

Oh, 11:35 p.m. and doorbell rings again.  Nine year older.  "We couldn't get in the garage door."  [ The "we" is Mother and two babies.]  Why of course they couldn't...The alarms were on.  It is LATE!  

Aren't YOU SCREAMING..."What?"  My reply, "Baffled!"

Teenager is on phone with grandmother...long distance.  Mother was stunned when I told her a 30 second bit about the evening.  She KNOWS standards of acceptability for children's actions--in my house.  (Of course, we won't even start to explore where was Mother with babies.  Seriously, I won't go there.)  Baffled!

...for a moment I was knocked off of the internet!  Teenager still engaged in "the story" long distance with grandmother.  And, she is NOT innocent, even for the specifics of the evening.  There is some conversation that teenager talked with grandmother again after the "No!"  Let's just go with "Neither my older sister or I knew that he was not in the home.  And, we still don't know where he went tonight."  (Truth is:  I don't know HOW he left the home.)  Baffled...

Well, I didn't dial 9-1-1!  But, the grandmother phoned the local police--long distance?  She called me to tell me they might be over to the house???  I not certain WHY.  I not need police.  I need to prepare for bed so that my sister, nephew, and I can attend a workshop in the morning.

Really, I do have a couple of things to do for myself, and I need to check to see that my sister is in bed comfortably.  There is humor around me, even at times like this.  I really am calm...

OOPS!  My niece lost her wallet somewhere in her travels...and she is unglued.  But, is she putting her babies to bed?  I really do need to check on my sister and get on with the things I need to do before sleeping.  [Yesterday my sister, the grandmother, lost her house/car keys.  I don't know IF she located them prior to leaving town.]

I heard a strange noise...back to explaining something humorous.  Part of me was ready to race to another floor of the house to check out the unusual sound.  Turns out NJ left laminator running some time ago--earlier in the evening.  (Humor is...not everything that is out of order is beyond ME!  I need to remember to check myself and my actions, too!)

One person has offered me a solution to my being Baffled.  (Have family members leave home.)  Any other suggestions?  

I thank those of you who have told me of websites that I could share with others.  I thank those of you who have emailed words of wisdom.  I have a request...please pray for my household!

I am ending the blogging tomorrow!  I don't know what my special project will be for March, but for some reason I do think it will be really good...even grand!

Thank you so much for reading me this month...and there is still tomorrow!  God bless you.  Love, nj

P.S.  I phoned my sister and asked that she and her family move out of my house by the end of March!

Job Opportunities with FAA

For 18-31 year olders...

faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/

Pass it on!  nj

Cooperation, Sincerity, Purpose, Beauty...

Essential Mission...You have to have a longer view than the present moment.  You need to have a PLAN.  Not just a dictatorship, but collaboration is absolutely necessary in order to have success!

What the heck am I writing about?  I don't really know.  I lifted a few words from TV that is in the background and strung them into sentences.  I'd continue the process, but I don't think that is fair.

What would YOU do if you saw a woman with a child on the street, and she asked for money so that she could get some food to feed herself and her child?  They are hungry--right now.  This really happened to a friend of mine a long time ago.  Let's say she gave the woman $20.  Then she continued and did her errands.  When she returned, the woman was still there and had the same story.  My girlfriend told her she was going to "whip her ***" IF she didn't stop requesting monies at that location at that time.

A friend, another friend, interpreted the above scenario by saying "Your giving has nothing to do with the recipient and everything to do with YOU, at that moment.  When giving it is a matter of your desire to give, your personal need for what you give, and nothing much to do with whether or not the person needs the money or what they will do with the money."  It has everything to do with YOU.

A third person traditionally would take that person on the streets to a neighboring restaurant and get them some food.    This person would give the asking person FOOD.

Questions:  How would you have reacted many years ago?  What would you do today?  Baffled!

Suggest Recovery/Stimulus Projects for Your State

In Illinois look at...

recovery.illinois.gov/projectideas.cfm

Your state probably has a similar thing going on.  THIS is your opportunity to make suggestions for using the stimulus money that is coming to your state.  I have submitted two suggestions for my city/county.  The first is to have a Basic Carpentry Training Program for 50 Men, Women, and Young Adults.  The purpose would be to train them to do home repairs and home improvements.  Several homes would be done to aid in neighborhood stabilization.  20-50% of participants would be capable of getting jobs in the building trades within the year.  I think the future employment could be 20-100 people with jobs.  Cost--$1,000,000.  Partners would be local community college and high school.

The second project was a partnership between the state, biology department of the university, and local boy scouts.  What would be done?  Planting trees along the natural creek beds in our community and surrounding towns within the county.  My observation is that there are many mature trees in the woods that have fallen.  (I think ice storms last year might have caused the trees to fall down.)   For $800,000 I think 50 people can clean up the inorganic materials around the creek beds and plant new trees.  The estimate includes enough money to do some sampling of waters, soil, etc.  Also, there could be some identification of plants that haven't been seen since I was a child.  A bonus might be the finding of a few arrowheads.

Free Prescription Drugs

A friend said that IF your income is less than $40,000, you are probably eligible for FREE prescription drugs from monies set aside by the pharmaceutical companies.  What you are to do is look at the drug manufacturer's website and find out what their program/policy is.  You will then need to contact your doctor who probably already has the form for applying for the free medications.  If your medical bills are very high, your income could be $100,000 and you still be eligible for the free drugs.  

My niece came in today.  Baffled!

A Recipe for Banana Bread, Really!

White Banana Nut Bread

1 cup sugar 3 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup oil 3 cups flour

2 T. soft butter 1 cup mashed bananas

1 egg 3/4 cup chopped nuts

1 tsp. salt

Mix together all of the above.  Pour into a greased pan and bake in a 350-degree oven for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Yield:  2 loaves.

I want you to have this recipe because...while out west I shared cookbooks with a few people.  Someone phoned me after receiving the book to tell me that they had made the white banana nut bread, and it was absolutely perfect.  This person bakes a lot, had not found a "best" recipe until this one for banana nut bread, and has a son who was going to win the national rib barbecue contest soon.

I haven't tried it.  I'm getting my banana nut bread these days from the local grocery store for $3.99 per loaf.

My sweet treat at this precise moment is the Best Actress salutes...right now!  How incredible to see the five past winners!  Wow.  Baffled!

Some Assembly Required

I started assembling two Sauder lateral file cabinets today.  I'm guessing that I shall complete at most ONE of the two in my life time.  Why did I purchase another Sauder product neatly packed in a very heavy box?  We once purchased a computer cart from them for about $80.  It cost $125 to have it assembled.  (I should say...We are still using it today, and it has moved from one household to another...and from room-to-room!)

"Some assembly required..."  As I prepare for bed, I feel that so much is undone...still in need of assembling!

I saw previews tonight for a movie, based on a true story, a scary movie.  I saw more than I am willing to sit through in the previews.  I won't be attending that movie, but I am heading for the Oscars tomorrow night.

"Good night and pleasant dreams.  I love you."  baffled

Keep Praying until You Get an Answer

Tavis Smiley is on, and his guest (female) is speaking about Dr. King.  She said of MLK that he would keep praying until he got an answer.  I say to you, and I listen myself...KEEP PRAYING UNTIL YOU GET AN ANSWER!  baffled

Changes, Twists, Shortages, Unavailable...What?

My niece's science fair starts in 30 minutes!  I'm going so I can take pictures, but I think I have about fifteen minutes before I need to head to her school.  My car is loaded--file cabinets to be assembled, purchases from area Sam's Club, and dirty laundry.  (I shouldn't have any passengers.)  Here's the deal...

I phoned in prescription refills today.  One of blood pressure medications triggered an automated response that there was a problem with the prescription, and the pharmacy would phone my doctor.  At the drugstore I was told that there was a recall by the manufacturer of the drug, and the doctor had approved a different medication.  [Doctor's office later told me that the sustained release, which I have been taking for several years, is back ordered nationally; therefore, the doctor prescribed my taking the med twice each day versus once a day.]

Other problem with prescriptions--far more significant:  I left pharmacy without the medicine.  Pharmacy was getting rejection from my insurance company.  Drug is no longer available to persons of my "age" without physician's approval.  My doctor, in addition to writing the prescription, has to complete a form/interview with the insurance company in order for me to get the medication since I am over 19!  [Well!  Yes!  I am...by a few years!  Of course I have been taking the medication for 8-9 years, and it is the only drug developed for my chronic medical condition.]  The hoop to be jumped through--and to pose extra work for my doctor--is a huge financial one for me.  IF my doctor does not complete the new approval process, which is strictly an insurance company deal, I can still buy the medication.  However, the insurance company would not cover the drug's costs--variance would be $650/month that I would need to pay!

No longer stocked--my favorite photo paper from Sam's Club.  Sure they have several other photo papers, but lesser quality than what I use.  I had not been to Sam's Club for some time, and I think that is why I could notice changes that would have a shareholder questioning what the business is doing.  Who is their perceived customer today?  How are they servicing that customer in the stores?  Maybe I have seen too much of Costco's in recent years?

Blogging changes--as I tried to sign in to do today's blog, I was faced with a Google management screen that says that in order to do this blog, I need to have a Google email account.  I realize that a number of you have not commented on my blogs because you would need to register, in some manner.  But, now I am telling you that my continuing this blog (to the end of the month, when I had thought I would quit) is at risk.  I don't know that I want to set up another email address...just to continue blogging at this site.

Change of weekend plans, maybe...not my choice but the weather man just said something about weekend SNOW!  Just what do I have control of?  What can I expect to be available, known to me, THERE?

JESUS CHRIST!  He is the same--yesterday, today, and tomorrow!  Unquestionably...He loves me, and He never will forsake me!  I go forth confidently, knowing that Jesus leads me!

Moving on, Baffled

59.5 Annos NoJo

I thank God for waking me this morning and for having a plan for my day.  Let me plan to give Him time all the days of my life.  Love, nj

9-1-1 Oh, Hell!

I dialed 9-1-1 tonight, and it was not a physical medical emergency.  Tomorrow when my cleaning lady arrives, she'll probably be too shy to ask me about the phone call.  She and other people in this community, I have learned, have police radios that they listen to around the clock.

What happened?  My niece, who "returned" Saturday night, let me know her mind.  Ohhhhhhh!  Apparently, according to her, I separated her from her children eight years ago...broke up her family by sending her and her daughter away on vacation--and then not letting her return to my home...and not letting her son join them...and her son was unhappy...cried every time they talked, but I often wouldn't let her talk with him when she phoned the house.

I'm not good at arguments or defending something that occurred eight years ago or responding to loud talk in my world or getting off track when I am working on science project for tomorrow or desiring to figure out what teenager is going to do in terms of school work at home to alter failing grades or...

My sister just entered, and I had her read what is above this paragraph.  She thinks my 9-1-1 call was abusive.  I decided some time ago that I would dial 9-1-1 IF three people are involved in something and the situation "seems" uncomfortable--even though it is not physical.  I'd rather prevent anything happening by having the police come than to have something happen and there be a need to phone the police!  Please be prayerful!

I think I am going to bed and will get up in the morning to work on the science fair display boards.  We did more experiments tonight.  My new printer would not work wireless or with USB connection to computer.  I had to plug my notebook's printer into the iMAC.  Thank God it worked immediately.  What I am forced to do for tomorrow's project is use any photos from the internet in the size that they come off of the computer, generally.  (I could photocopy and reduce or enlarge after printing?)

I did ask my niece IF she wanted to leave tonight or in the morning.  She said she would leave in the morning.  I don't WANT her to be gone, away from her children.  And, I'll tell her so before I go to bed.  Yet, I know I don't have to and I am not willing to put up with any and everything at home.  Lord will need to guide my steps, my words.

Truly Baffled!

Pre-Spring Headache

Two days until the science fair project needs to be set up in the school gymnasium.  I have 17 print files that are "stuck" in wireless land.  I went to my one-to-one iMAC class today, and tomorrow I'll try to get at the print files.  The primary clue/key is to plug the printer to the computer so that the computer recognizes the physical printer before going with the wireless setup.  (This is not written down in iMAC materials or in printer setup information.)  I first heard it at the beauty shop, and it was restated today by my consultant.

"Joy" is a phone conversation with grandchildren and their parents.  I'm going away this weekend, but I haven't decided "where".  Then, I'll be gone in mid-March.  I did look at little houses (new construction) today, but they were in the wrong town.  I saw that I could live in something other than a ranch--a little two-story or whatever.

My current house needs to be put in order--equipped with things that I admire in the new construction I saw.  Do I have a problem with having a big house that looks exactly the way I want it to look versus a little house that costs as much as the improved big house--and in a less favorable location?  Suze Orman says spend like there is a depression.  Save enough cash so that you can carry on IF there is an interruption in monthly, expected income.  Loss of income could result in creditors reducing or eliminating credit lines.

I have a headache, but I talked with several people today who also had headaches.  Does it make me feel better to know that others have headaches too?  I don't think so.  I picked up Judith Sill's new book tonight.  I don't have the energy to start reading beyond the book blurbs.  I do have someone in mind that I want to share the book with IF I find it acceptable reading material.  I'm really pre-reading the book for this other person.

I need to paint.  I need to create.  I need to get beyond getting my basic house in order so that I can begin to do what I want.  I am eager to travel, and that is nothing new for later February.  I fondly recall the "getting out of town" for Pulaski weekend when our son was growing up.  Winter, no matter what the conditions, takes a toll on me.  I want to be in warm sunshine come this time of year.  I want to walk around without a coat.  I want to experience a different place.  I have to go...baffled!  

Valentine's Day Greetings!

You are supposed to believe that I was engaged in Valentine's Day sweeties yesterday!  Not the case.  In this Land of Baffled, it was just a no internet connection on my wireless system.  But, what did connect around 8:30 p.m. was the eighth person of the household.  My niece returned!  I missed the reentry.  I was napping, and I think her parents were out to dinner at the time.

I had a long, long night of trying to encourage, supervise, direct, provide resources, and more for teenager and third grader.  He is to complete a travel brochure for Spanish.  Third grader was being drilled on 7s in multiplication.  She had napped earlier, and was watching TV when I awakened after my nap.  (It was past bedtime.) 

What would I have posted yesterday IF I had internet service?  My thoughts were to write the Word:  I Corinthians 13 and John 14.  My personal thoughts were of LOVE and the HEART!  Love, nj (AKA baffled!)

Be Happy! I've Got HELP!

I am the owner of the revised and updated version of the "mesmerizing bestseller" that had sold over a million copies before I purchased my copy.  That book by  Barbara Ann Kipfer is 14,000 things to be happy about.  (Title on book cover has no capital letter.)

I am going to share some things that I think one might be happy about.  I'm using the lists in the book to jog my memories

stopping an ant march into the house

talking heart to heart on a shared pillow 

watching my passport being stamped

growing 401Ks

pole beans

Hungarian butter horns

picnic quilts

shower with six shower heads

eating barbecue at midnight with friends

full body massage (give or receive)

John Philip Sousa marches

marching bands in parades or drum and bugle competition

sharing popcorn in movie

clean sheets

morning viewing of birds outside

doing something nice for someone

praying

soda fountain outing

cozy brunches

gas for under $1/gal.

piano music in restaurant

tongue over teeth after getting teeth cleaned

end of school term

banana most things

Museum of Modern Art

Grand Canyon

sleeping

deep dish peach cobbler

living, loving, laughing

sending Valentine's greetings to all

Love, nj

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln!

This was a trailer on a recent email from one who could sing "Natural Woman" as well as Aretha...

"The dictionary is the only place where you'll find success before work."

After doing housework inside with cleaning lady, I spent four hours doing yard work yesterday.  The weather reminded me of Seattle's winter.  I relocated bushes, mud, stone, and some pretty interesting rocks.  There is much to be done before summer's hot, dry days.  baffled!

Race Films DVD Set

Almost a year ago I ran across an ad for "Race Films DVD Set" which I had removed from a magazine a few years before.  I took a chance and mailed a  check for $99, hoping I would receive the DVD set that has 75 full feature length Race films, plus 23 short Race films!

I'm copying from the article/ad:  "Watch actors like Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Ethel Waters, Louise Beavers, Moms Mabley, Spencer Williams, Ralph Cooper, Noble Johnson, Herb Jeffries, Eddie Anderson, Cab Calloway and many other Black actors and actresses from the Race films era!"

"This is a unique opportunity to take a look at Black life in America during the first half of the 20th century!"

Here's where I sent my $99 check: DVCM Direct; P. O. Box 3135; Northbrook, IL  60065

There are so many movies that I haven't had a chance to view all of them yet.  Emphatically, YES!   I think you might want to order the DVD set for your enjoyment!

Baffled?

Thirteenth Blog.

We have two sick children in the house today and probably through the night and all day tomorrow!  They played outside over the weekend in unseasonably warm weather.  Both of them home--and NO TV while I was in the house.  It wasn't much of a problem because the children were sick for real.  There was much sleeping going on.

I had to do laundry--at laundromat; my choice.  It cost less than $10 to do all of my laundry today.  I had no quilts, which would have added at least $4/quilt.  The first time I went to the laundromat (about a month ago), the cost was about $20-$25.  I have taken steps to reduce the cost since then.  What is my secret?  An occasional load of laundry at home.  [I can do that.  After all, my going to the laundromat is merely a "savings game" I am playing with my money and my time.]

I don't think I am interested in the house on my sister's street.  Thought: check with bank for foreclosure list.  A grander consideration:  Why not check on tax sale properties, if I am willing to live in something other than new construction?  Also, I saw my sister's artist neighbor outside, and I stopped to talk with him.  Of course I did ask IF he plans to move.  He said, "No.  The wind had blown some siding off of his house, and he was having it repaired."  [We had a nice (short) conversation about art creation and studios.  When I talked with my sister, I kept repeating, "He is really a nice man!"]

  At the laundromat a woman was pouring over two thick books with house plans.  She spends time studying aspects of smaller--ranch--homes that she likes.  "Someday" she wants to downsize; she absolutely has to have a laundry room!  (I told her about the limited space for processing laundry in my two apartments in Seattle.  I had stacked washer/dryer closet laundry centers.)

I phoned a number of painters to get estimates for painting/staining my deck and balcony.  All had advertised in the local newspaper.  What I am finding is they are primarily moonlighters/downsized from other jobs.  

Five year older wrote his name on his valentines after school yesterday--before he got sick.  The nine year older wrote her name on large mailing labels today.  We still haven't decided what her valentines will be.  She wants to create her own valentines out of scrapbook paper that her grandmother has.

Blogging is not as easy as I thought it could be.  I shall probably stop blogging at the end of the month.  In the meantime, would YOU invite others to read my blog.  You (and others) can email me at ohappyday815@aol.com.  Something that would jumpstart my desires to blog beyond this month...my learning how to use my iMac iPhotos.  I have over 18,000 images on this system.  They are just about everything I have scanned and about 70% of digital photos that I have taken with three digital cameras.

In November 2008 (and also November 2006) I wrote...50,000 new words each time.  I participated in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month)...loosely.  I did the 50,000 words, but I didn't write a novel.  I wrote anything I could get on paper.  Mostly it was an accounting of what I was doing or what I was thinking.  I mention Nanowrimo here because...in March 2008 I did something I am pretty pleased with.  I painted about 40 new Urban Sisters, each 5X7.  I really like the collection.  The challenge of completing so many pieces was memorable, too.  March is when I began traveling (as related to my sister).  All painting was done in Seattle, but I was in Illinois for a portion of the month! 

I might have a bit of what the children have.  I don't know that I feel like myself--not 100%.  I feel a bit BLAH!  A bit of the BLUES...'cause I don't think I am going to be mailing out valentines this year; because I really had expected my personal life to be on a very different course/partnership path by mid-February than it is or is going to be; because I saw Q's Listen Up!/Quincy Jones (2008) AND Jimmy Carter, both--not together--on TV tonight.  Quincy Jones's accomplishments and President Carter's life make me think "I am NOT!"  Besides.  I miss my grandchildren! 

Baffled!

Dr. Love's Niece...A Story

Dr. Love, now deceased, was a professor/chairperson of her department at the local university--many years ago.  (My girlfriend told me this story eight years ago.)

Dr. Love, speaking of her teenage niece, said, "My niece is going to be somebody!"  (Isn't that what we all have said about our children or our own nieces and nephews?)  Dr. Love, I am told, was most emphatic, "Wait!  You'll see!"

I was told that Dr. Love has been dead for a number of years, so I don't know if Dr. Love lived to see her niece become a "household name" in America and possibly throughout the globe.

Dr. Love's niece is Dr. Condaleezza Rice, outgoing US Secretary of State under President George W. Bush!

A couple of weeks ago I saw Dr. Rice on The View.  She spoke about her parents, and said she plans to write a book about her parents.  What did her parents give her--if only one word is to be used?  Dr. Rice said, "Encouragement!"

In my Baffled world, I see the need for Encouragement, High Expectations, Adult Preparations (running interference for children to be successful), and Reinforcement/Follow-thru.

Yesterday a friend told me that her eight year old granddaughter scored in the 99-percentile last year.  In recent weeks, this year's scores are back and the child got everything correct.  The grandmother said she is familiar with the courtships and offers that come to National Merit Scholars, but she is amazed at what is being offered to the THIRD GRADER and her family in terms of opportunities for today's education AND free college tuition down the road!

Brussel Sprouts, Grammy Awards, Wireless Printing...

"JOY!"--Jesus First; Others next; Yourself last!  

Happy Birthday "Daddy DI", GMWM, SKW, FF, JACS, JSG, GAJB...and Smokey Robinson!  Jesus Loves You, and so do I!

Abraham Lincoln was born 200 years ago this week!

I'm having brussel sprouts sometime today.  I hope to watch the Grammy Awards tonight.  And, thank God, my wireless printer and wireless internet BOTH worked yesterday--for the first time.

Suzie Orman (I didn't confirm spelling) says we need to live (personally) as if the nation is in a Depression.  I restate that I think we (you and I) need to plant a vegetable garden.  I think we need to store water,  and more.

I'm praying for those who lead our nation, our churches, our families, our places of employment, our local and state governments, our businesses and banks...and I'm praying especially for you!  nj

Baffled when it comes to Valentines for school this week and the completion of science fair project on Volcanoes by middle of next week.  Kids had great fun at sock hop, and I see no books opened by high schooler!  

Collection of 100, due tomorrow, is almost finished.  One problem:  cancelled postage stamps are creatively displayed on poster board, and no one seeking a truly accurate count can move across the board in a pattern to make certain all stamps are counted.  The project is definitely going to be displayed as fine art once it gets back home.  My "save family face" effort was to put 100 stamps on back (in an orderly fashion...with artistic licenses, for the effort).  I added the neon orange, die-cut birds--100 AND 100 yellow circles (from a hole punch).  Because I have a heart hole punch, I might add 100 pink hearts...IF I get bored today and think there is room on the back of the board.  (I think there are 90 stamps on front.  We'll have five year older add ten more stamps...if he agrees that there are already 90!)

Graduation Is Right around the Corner

IF mothers make certain that graduation announcements are ordered in January or February, and IF mothers see that graduation photographs have been taken, THEN I am likely to receive treasured graduation announcements in late April through May.  I like to know that the children have grown to a certain age and are moving on to the next step.  And, I like to see photographs of how they have changed over time.  (I don't think that means I am getting old.  It means that I care about the children, and I want to pray for them by name, including their desired plans as part of my prayers.)

This week was the first week to sign up for summer school, Girl Scouts' camp, Little League, and more things that are a part of summer.  I don't think any registration was done from this address.

Thanks to those of you who are asking me about my plans to travel in the next few months.  I'd like to be at Men's Day on March 15, 2009, at DuPage A.M.E. Church in Lisle.  Bishop John R. Bryant is the guest preacher.  I continue to be a Bishop Bryant groupie!  It has been several months since I last heard "Bishop John" preach.  Although there was a power outage (and that includes the microphone), the bishop eloquently spoke to a packed church on Chicago's south side!  [Will I get there?  I've wanted to be at DuPage each year for Men's Day, and I have made it a couple of times.  Reality is...March 15 is still winter in Chicago!

I'm sleepy!  I need to go to bed.  Baffled!

Pink Panther 2 and Maybe a House?

Right now I am between movies (or is it "moves")?  I just saw "The Pink Panther 2", and I loved it.  I needed the laughs.  Steve Martin was superb.  I didn't leave home to see PP2.  I'm off, soon, to see the movie version of the book and a "slice of recent life"--HJNTIYTM.  In fact, when I went to get my hair done yesterday, it didn't take JK (woman who does my hair) long to say, "I see YOUR movie is coming out tomorrow."  She wasn't referencing my life.  She was referring to my having read the book when it came out several years ago.  Okay!  More than enough said.  Movie starts in 30 minutes, and it is expected to be crowded.  [I've never done it before, but I am going to get a refill on my popcorn and drink.  I haven't had dinner tonight.]

The five year older isn't home yet--with family--from school sock hop that was this evening.  We were able to get him to work on a collection of items to represent 100--100 days of kindergarten which is late next week--displayed on deep blue tag board.  Today I die cut 100+ neon orange birds as a possibility.  Teacher's note stressed need to use lots of glue so that boards could be displayed on walls outside of classroom.  My thinking was "KIS,S".  By midday I had shared my second idea with my oldest sister.  I had cut about 130 cancelled postage stamps from cards and letters that I saved over the past few years.

Oldest sister liked the idea and agreed to supervise project when five year older got home from school.  I would use the time to work with nine year older on science fair project.  We had little one paint before the trimming of stamps and gluing began.  He liked the idea of painting--light blue background for stamps.  He mostly made filled-in circles and painted "100" in the center of the board.  By 5:30 p.m., time to get ready for the sock hop, he had eaten his snack, painted the tag board, and trimmed and glued 34 stamps.  Right now I'd say 75 of the 100 stamps have been glued.  (It is a "family" project--due on Monday.)

Nine year older did have an opportunity to show her class the volcano experiment today!  She says she still wants to do a science fair project.  She wasn't too eager to take notes on volcanoes from the internet this evening.  However, she did bring a book home from the school library.  She is an artist--for real--and has her ideas as to HOW she would like her three-panel display board to look.  I think I agree with her thoughts.  We just have to get some substance to the whole thing.  She is increasing her understanding of volcanoes, but collapses easily into "I don't know what it says!" once the pictures disappear from the information on volcanoes.

I need to get to the movies.  They expect to have a real crowd--and I don't think they do previews for the last movie.  My sister told me that there is a house for sale on her street--went on market yesterday.  I looked it up on Zillow.  It is 70-80 years old versus new construction.  It has only one bathroom, detached garage, is close to community college--less than a block, and is CHEAP--less than $100,000 before starting to negotiate on prices.  I didn't call to see it today...because the house two doors down was being worked on.  The man who lives there has been ill, and his house is about 30-40 years newer.  He is an artist and has an attached studio.  Plus, we know his "friend" well.  I would not like to have the first home and then see his house go on the market.  And, neither has a palladium window or is new construction.  Question remains:  What do I want?  Baffled 

Nojotalks by Urbansisterwriter

Today I "Googled" and saw both "urbansisterwriter" and "nojotalks". 

It is nearly 9:00 p.m., and the young people at my house are not getting ready for bed.  The five year older just ran out of my bathroom/dressing area.  I said, "What were you doing in there?"  His response with just a hint of hesitancy was, "I was checking to see if you had enough electricity."  My comment, "What?"  Before darting off to 'not going to bed', he said, "'Cause it has been on a long time."  Oh, I did have him turn off the light, which I had left on while getting an extension cord--since one in great room 'seemed' not to be working, all of a sudden.  (I had the thought, but had not commented to anyone that 'It wasn't 'getting enough electricity'.)  I do continue to hear the quick movement of his young feet outside of my bedroom and beyond.  What I don't hear are grandparents suggesting that bedtime is upon him and his sister.  Baffled

I just heard on TV that there is to be a sequel to "Sex and the City".  Last year my niece and I attended the opening of the movie--in Seattle, with prescreening views of the red carpet in NYC.  (I think it was NYC and not Hollywood.)  Significant thing is...I had never seen the TV program...that is NEVER!  I liked the movie.  I loved watching it with a theater of followers of the TV series.  Feedback I got was that the movie was everything the fans wanted.

I still haven't seen the TV programs, but I did return to the movie theater in downtown Seattle two or three times to sit in the lobby and watch people go in and out of the theater--before and after viewing the movie!  That was as much fun as the movie.  The attendees were primarily girlfriends, girlfriends all dressed up--heels, purses, makeup, and DRESSES!  There were a few smiling men--dating their dressed up girlfriend or a different sort of man (artsy, I'll say) just hanging out with his girl friends.

So, I look forward to a sequel to the movie...and an urban locale for viewing the movie and the crowds.

Oh, I need to share a couple of "sex and the city" digital photos that I took last year on my many trips to Chicago.  The first one--I was near Midway Airport, gassing up my rental car before entering the airport.  After getting back in the car, after paying for the gasoline, I drove around the gas station to get back on the road to continue my drive into the airport.  At the corner of the building I saw a portable toilet (kind used for events or at a construction site).  Leaning against the structure was a discarded, horrible looking bed mattress.  I call that site--"cheap hotel room"?

The second "sex and the city" scene that I photographed...I arrive in the neighborhood I was going and open my car door.  I look down at the street and what I see is a used, discarded condom and single, well-worn shoe.  There might have been a third item.  (I'd need to check the photograph to say "I'm telling the whole truth!")  So, yes, I'll look forward to hear about the boost in the economy that comes from having a sequel to the movie "Sex and the City"! 

A Short, Scary Story

In junior high school my English teacher would close the blinds and start the recording of Basil Rathbone's reading of works by Edgar Allan Poe to our delight of a scary story in the afternoon.

Last fall I was listening to National Public Radio, I think, on a Saturday morning near Halloween.  The announcer said, "We've invited writers to submit 45 seconds, scary stories.  We are going to share three of them with you."  I was glued to the radio.  I didn't want to miss the stories.  How could someone write a scary story in only 45 seconds.

Well, I only heard one of the three stories, but I'd like to share it with you.  Of course, I am paraphrasing and probably modifying the story--unable to recall exactly what I heard in that less than a minute timeframe.  Here is the story...

Lying in the hospital bed, Bob was afraid, really scared, but the drugs the doctors had administered were taking effect.  He could feel very little, and tension was dissipating as his body began to relax.  He thought to himself, "I guess I am ready for my appendix to be removed."

Just then, although nearly asleep, he felt someone touch him.  The person said, "Don't worry, Jess, your leg will be gone in no time at all."

Baffled!  

(I get to laugh at this story because...I am a survivor!  Years ago I went into the hospital  for what was considered a minor surgical procedure.  An artery was severed and my entire abdomen had to be cut open.  I was hospitalized for nine days!  I have the scar to prove it.)

Denny's Grand Slam Breakfast

Yes!  I ate breakfast at Denny's this morning.  Why did they have "free" Grand Slams to all who came out?  Employees were saying that they heard about the event while watching the SuperBowl!

I need to drive to my computer class.  Yesterday I drove around looking for that one new house.  I am beginning to think it might exist.  I saw one story homes with palladium windows.  (I want at least one palladium window.)  I wasn't considering price or really even "Do I want this particular location?"  What I SAW was that the LOOK I want has been built--in this area, by someone.  That is important...because I am making up in my head WHAT I want in my cute, little house.

Today we sent the model volcano (plaster of paris strips over a cone; then painted), simple eruption experiment (baking soda, red food coloring, and vinegar), and a "Ring of Fire" puzzle to school with our third grader.  The two volcanic eruptions yesterday in Japan and the waiting for Redoubt in Alaska to erupt are just too much seismic activity to wait two weeks until the school science fair for sharing the information with others.  Plus, we have a couple more volcano experiment kits that are fancier, etc. than what went to school.  And, I think everyone else in the house is more interested in volcanoes at the moment than Miss Volcano.  

Her interests are probably going to be a lifelong thing.  Right now she is turned on to Black History Month--particularly Black Inventors!  They were given a list of about twenty or so African American Inventors.  Each morning there is a school assembly.  In the assembly they will have a daily quiz over the list.  She was excited (she is always excited, thank God) when she came in from Brownies yesterday.  She wanted to know about "our cousin" who was an inventor, in recent times.

Have you heard about him?  Well, he is a young man who lives in central Illinois, and you can read all about him on the internet.  He invented...the hampster workout wheel.  That is all I am going to say about the invention.  Please do look up "our cousin" Kevin Woolfolk.  I did spell the name correctly!  Kevin grew up here--in E'ville.  His dad's grandfather was my mother's grandmother's brother--or something like that.  I think my mother's first name came from her Woolfolk (maiden name) grandmother.  That, I hope, completes my Black History Month sharing!  Cheers and baffled!

Y8, Zillow, and Free 411 from Google...

Everything I know about websites, etc. (very little) I learned from someone else.  Here are a few that you probably will look at:

Y8.com offers thousands of games for children, even the youngest.  If you don't look, then your kids miss out on this site that is okay, with supervision!  Around here the little ones get on without supervision; therefore, we don't have computers on first floor (in my immediate eyesight) that the children can use without my being present.

Zillow.com or Zillow.net ultimately take you to the same place.  You can look at any residential property in the country and see what Zillow determines the value to be.  Then you can look at ariel views or other types of maps of the property and surrounding community.  I use the ariels to try to convince residents of my house that the yard must be maintained (and look "pretty") at all times.  We never know when the pictures will be updated.  

Paul Allen (Bill Gates's Microsoft co-founder) is behind the Zillow project.  I find it unsettling to zoom in on various views of my house.  I think, if I wanted to, I could look inside the windows and see what is going on inside of the house.  But, I also look at my entire roof to see if anything is out of order on the roof.  I think several of my girlfriends have gone through their entire address books looking at Zillow's estimates for properties owned by everyone they know.

Google's FREE 411 Service 

Dial 1-800-4664-411 for Cell Phone 

FREE Directory Assistance

http://www.google.com/goog411/

You might want to GOOGLE just to look at the video that explains the service.  It is certainly a very easy, friendly and FREE way to get the wanted phone number...and other information.

Incidentally, the "4664" portion is "goog".

I have TWO MORE WEBSITES to share...

Blackpast.org 

   

Quintard Taylor at University of Washington (Seattle) has a fabulous site with one category of materials focusing on Western USA.  Global sources are also cited.

COGICmuseum.org

 This is a Black History Month special.  You can download, for a donation to the museum, 8-10 photographs from the church's historical archives and/or from President Obama's Inauguration.  The Obama materials are available to view from your computer in a very nice slide show.

I'd say the groundhog saw its shadow today, and there is more wintery weather instore for us this year!  So, look at these sites and use them to your benefit.  

I'm off to do my laundry!  Baffled

Remembering My Friend, My Sister...

A little more than a year before I met my same-age friend DPB she had her first child, her son, on my birthday!  In January her son's twins turned two.  Also, last weekend DPB's daughter joined our sisterhood, became a member of our sorority.  DPB and I had both joined our sisterhood in the late 60s, in central region, when we were in different midwestern colleges.  Years later we could talk about having attended our first regional conference in St. Louis, MO, in the spring of 1969.  We didn't meet each other until seven or eight years later at a sorority meeting in the Chicago suburbs. 

On February 18, 2000, DPB became an Ivy Beyond the Wall...and because DPB is no longer here in the flesh, her family/friends and I weren't on the train with The Obamas as they went from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., before the Inauguration!  (DPB would have made arrangements for us to be on that historic train ride.)  I do believe she telephoned me while she was at The Million Woman March in Philadelphia.  She and I were working an event for my sister in New York while my sister and brother-in-law were in Washington for one of the Clinton inaugural events in the 90s.

Although her family lived in Illinois for a brief time, we spent time together, literally, from coast-to-coast (and beyond) during our nearly 25 year friendship of sharing and loving.  Her family joined my family for a couple of days while we were vacationing in Hawaii (and her family lived in California).  I think her children have been in more states in the USA than anyone I know.  (They probably take it for granted.)  She was already ill when I accompanied her to do some running around to make certain a friend's child's medical school application was complete.  (The young doctor was one of the young people at the funeral.) 

DPB introduced me to Toni Morrison's writing years before anyone knew who Toni Morrison was.  DPB and friends organized a first of its kind book club that had a format and events that preceded and rivaled Oprah's ventures in grandeur.  DPB was an avid reader!  (And that is an understatement.)  

Her brown, leather organizer was rich and well-worn by the final years.  I don't think she had it when we first met, but she probably got it shortly afterwards.  She was organized and organized others and events--even if she was not part of the group trying to accomplish something.  I know she assisted me with some personal challenges that I can't even write about.  I'd say she did the same for countless others!

A gift I received through DPB is quite unusual:  Her mother-in-law, BB!  For about twenty years I watched the relationship between BB and her son's family and decided that BB is the kind of mother-in-law I want to be.  I love the way BB interacted with her daughter-in-law through the years.  I look forward to continually developing my relationship with my son's family and my precious daughter-in-law...using the BB/DPB relationship as my model.

Love, feasts, and hospitality...all with CLASS!  I miss my friend, but rejoice in having known her and the additional family and friends I have...all because DPB and I crossed paths through our shared sisterhood!  What I am going to strive to do this February is not be sorrowful because she is not with us.  I am going to be glad because she lives on in my treasured memories, through her family that I love, and within my heart that knows a broader definition of LOVE.  Thanks DPB, my sister, my friend!    

Nojotalks Recommends Site for Black History Month and Beyond

Keeping It Simple...

You gotta check out this website.  Please share it with others!

http://www.ls.cc.al.us/blackhistory/blackhistory.html

nj 

Nojo on Passion

Yes, the topic is "passion".  I'm reading a book that I heard about on Today Show.  Hoda told author, "Your book is really good!"  I listened and went to Border's that day and ordered the book--THE KOSHER SUTRA, by Shmuley Boteach.  He is new to me, but he has been around in print with other titles, radio, and TV--Oprah!  [Subtitle for book is "8 Sacred Secrets for Reigniting Desire and Restoring Passion for Life".]

Volcanoes--science project for our third grade girl.  She gets excited about volcanoes--Mt. Rainier in Washington.  Mt. Vesuvius's in Pompeii.  This weekend, if I can get her attention, she will build a few models and do some experiments.  Third graders cannot participate in the regional science fair (new rule this year); therefore, models and an understanding of the topic are what we are aiming for.  Each participant gets either Outstanding or First Place.  Students are not required to do a science project.

I've been following Redoubt, a volcano in Alaska that is about to erupt.  It changed from yellow to orange about a week ago.  I'm learning much.  Look at "Ring of Fire" (if available On Demand).  It is an 18-minute movie that makes me think the kids need to move from Seattle!  A tsunami is what we have to be concerned about...if there is a volcanic eruption or an earthquake in the area.

I bought a Mac computer.  I started taking one-to-one weekly classes, but I still haven't done much on the computer.  Good thing:  All pictures and "whatever" I have scanned or taken with digital cameras over the past six or seven years are now in one place.  I wish I were further along and had my many photo albums from 1969 onward on the computer instead of the albums taking up far too much space in closets and on shelves in several rooms.

I think I should plant a vegetable garden in the spring.  I think that we probably want to grow some of our own food.  ("We" is YOU and I and OTHERS!)  I also want a "new, little house", but WHERE?  Any suggestions.  

As January ends, I do have to tell you that I am not getting married in May!  The last couple of months--December and January--have been such that I can say definitively that "It isn't going to happen!"  Sorry, if you were saving the weekend.  Someone suggested I take a really nice vacation during time that honeymoon would have occurred.  I won't rule that out.  Anyone free to travel someplace exotic in May-June?

Be blessed!  Baffled

Nojotalks Opens up to You

Three kids at home today.  I am told it is because of SNOW!  I agree with President Obama...Children need to be in school on a school day.  This could be the fifth or sixth day of "No School" since mid-December.  I use the word "wimpy" to describe the school district's decision to not have school.

I am told that too many children need to walk distances to catch their buses; buses have trouble negotiating the snow; children are screaming on the buses.  I think that parents would take many children to their buses or even to school if school would have been held today.  I think that streets should be plowed on bus routes and bus drivers should be better drivers.  I think children screaming on the bus would not be an issue IF the other two suggestions were followed.

I need the children to be at school on school days.  There isn't much studying done at our house, and the kids here don't need to be at home on a school day.  Today's big event was the breaking of a 70 year old doll crib that just sits in the great room.  The five year older did it.

Additionally he wrote on a piece of wood furniture with pink or red chalk.   The fifteen year older was sent to clean off his grandfather's Cadillac.  I drove up and saw him shoveling the vehicle--snow shovel on the Cadillac.  Can you believe it?  That is why I am Baffled!

And it goes on and on...We can't find the remote control to my oldest sister's TV.  Things get lost in our world.  

I went outside with the five and nine year old children.  They had played alone yesterday.  They were "slurfing"--something they made up last year when eight and four.  What is it?  Standing up on the sled and going down the hill on the side of our house.  That is the same hill that my mother broke her wrist on years ago when she got out of the car and walked around the house as the caregiver came to ring the front doorbell.  Grandmother saw slurfing yesterday while viewing children from kitchen window.  She put a halt on the really fun (and disastrous) sport!  So, I spent an hour plus (until my feet got cold) building a snow fort--while shoveling the garage driveway apron.  I had already shoveled to get my little car out and to allow caregiver and cleaning lady to access house easily this morning.

Only thing tonight of consequence was fifteen year older's attempting to prepare frozen pizzas with cardboard still under pizza.  When questioned by his grandfather, he said that his mother does it that way.  Well, Mom is ABSENT...dropping in periodically since September, but gone for a week...with no one knowing anything.  Baffled