Bullying (Part 4)

The bullying and torment continued on through the rest of grade school. In 7th grade, my teacher (who was also the Mother Superior of that particular convent) decided that I had "the calling" and started talking to my parents about sending me to an all-girls Catholic High School, and then go on to become a Nun myself. Well, I did NOT want that, and told my parents so. But, she kept pushing and pushing, to the point where I was so miserable that they decided to pull me from the Catholic grade school and send me to the public Junior High for my 8th Grade year.

This? Made the Mother Superior livid. LIVID. She became very hateful toward me, and made the rest of the school year nearly unbearable; ridiculing me in front of the other students, condemning my parent's decision in front of the whole class, and more. The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that I would soon be out of there and would never, EVER, have to see her again. (And? I didn't!) That school year could not come soon enough.

Then it was on to the Junior High, and a whole new set of issues....I did not know anyone there, and felt totally alone. I was already a very shy young girl, and I missed my friends, and I was so angry with my former teacher for making life so miserable that I had to leave them! So I was fair game for any school bullies in those halls, and they found me, with no problem.

There was one girl in particular (we will refer to her as "J") who decided that I was her target, and kept threatening me. She would torment, and threaten to "beat me up" and even went so far as to tell me I was to meet her after school so we could take care of things in a fight, which, of course, I did not show up for, hoping she would then realize that it was not going to happen. But this only fueled the situation; she kept on, saying that I was "chicken" and ridiculing me in front of others. I did my best to avoid her, but wasn't very successful.

Somehow I made it through that 8th grade year at Junior High, and on into my 9th grade (Freshman) year. This year also marked my Catholic School friends coming there. It was great to be there with them again! Also, it felt like now I had some "backup" and would not feel so along and "out there" by myself. It seemed to work; J stopped tormenting me so much. I hoped that it had ended, and for the rest of Junior High, it did. But, that was to change in Senior High.

During Sophomore year, there was still quite a bit of torment, but I just basically ignored it. This made some of them stop and leave me alone, but it seemed to make it a challenge for others.....

My Junior year, I had to share a locker with another student (we will call her "B") who was best friends with J. Believe me, neither of us was happy about it, but I was determined to make it work out, and show B that I was a decent person. I was also hopeful that this would, in turn, have her tell J this, and maybe I would finally get some peace. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case - -

My parents had bought me a really nice suede fringe jacket (those were SO "in" at that time). I wore it to school all the time, and just loved it! Well - - one day at the end of school, I went to my locker to get my jacket and head on home.....the jacket was gone. It was nowhere to be found. And, with it being wintertime, I had no coat to wear for the walk home. I went to the office, but no one had turned in my jacket. I went out to the parking lot to see if I could catch a ride home with someone, and the lot was basically empty. So I started walking home, as fast as I could, in the cold weather. Fortunately, we only lived a few blocks from the school, but it was a difficult walk home! I finally made it, and as soon as I got in the house (and thawed out), I told my Mom what had happened. I also told her what I thought the situation was - - I was sure B had taken the jacket, and probably was in it with J.

My parents talked to the principal, who basically said there was nothing we could do, since we had no "proof" that was what happened. Well - -considering that the only people who would know the combination would be me and B, who else could it have been? The one thing the principal did do for me, however, was move me to my own locker, at the other end of the building. That helped, but I was still pretty despondent - - I loved my fringe jacket, and no longer had it.

A few days later, I was walking downtown, and saw B and J coming around the corner. Just as I suspected, J had on my jacket! They saw me, turned around and ran back around the corner. As soon as I got home, I told my parents about it. I wanted them to talk to their parents, or the principal, or SOMEBODY, but they didn't want to make waves.....so J had my jacket, and I had a lot of anger that I had to swallow and try to deal with. For Christmas, my parents bought me another jacket, which while I did appreciate it, it did nothing to appease my anger. B and J were allowed to get away with doing that to me, with NO consequences! I did NOT understand that, and still don't to this day.

How did this all affect me? That comes next.....

To be continued

Bullying (part 3)

After the "talking wrong" incident, I became pretty withdrawn, but something inside me also became determined to prove myself in some way. Therefore, I basically threw myself into my schoolwork, determined to be good at something; to be able to do something "right." I basically excelled in my classwork, and became one of the top students in my class. Did I brag on it? No. I just still kept pretty quiet, still pretty scared to say much of anything. But I did do extremely well in class, and that was the basis for my second experience with ridicule...

There was another girl in my class who was an excellent student. In fact, she and I were pretty much tied for who was the top student in our second grade class. I didn't think much about it, but just kept on studying my little heart out and working hard to do the best I could. I wanted to be good at something, and schoolwork seemed to be the thing.

Our teacher had a practice that whenever we did written papers or quizzes in class, we would trade papers with the person behind us or beside us for grading. That girl sat behind me, and one day got my grammar and spelling paper for grading. Once they were all graded, they were handed in for the Nun to record our grades. And that is when it happened.....

The teacher - - the same teacher who had ridiculed the way I talked, mind you - - suddenly started telling the class about the horrible paper she had in her hands; it was my paper! She stated that everything was spelled wrong, and the grammar was terrible! She then started reading all the mistakes on the paper, and just tearing it - - and me - - totally apart.

I was in total shock. Everything she read - - every spelling error, every grammar mistake - - was NOT what I had written down! I was completely confused and embarrassed, and just sat there in tears while many of my classmates giggled at the whole situation. I tried to defend myself by saying those were not the answers I had put down, but she just got angrier at me and told me the proof was right there in her hands, and I should stop lying about it.

Right after that, we were dismissed for recess, but I was too upset to go out an play. I sat in the coat room and just hid out from everybody. I was just so confused - - I did not know what had happened, or what to think.

After recess, the teacher told the class that during the time we were gone she had taken a closer look at my paper, and had noticed something strange. She then had gotten the other girl and showed her what she had seen - - erasures on the paper. She told the class the other girl had admitted to erasing my answers and putting in wrong ones. Apparently she did this because she didn't want me getting a better grade than her.

The teacher asked both of us to come up to the front of the room, and made her apologize to me, which she did, and I said okay. But did I ever forget it? No way! And it made me even less want to be around anybody.

You may not think this qualifies as a case of bullying, but I say it is. This teacher seemed to take great pleasure in tearing into me, and I did nothing to deserve it. When you are small and feel helpless, and someone of authority is doing you wrong - - and you have no way of defending yourself - - yes, that definitely is bullying.

This situation made me realize at that very young age that I could not let my guard down and trust anyone. Other situations as I grew up and became an adult fortified that early lesson. And to this day, all these years later, those trust issues remain strong.

To be continued...

Bullying (part 2)

When you're a little kid, especially if you are as quiet and shy as I was back then (and anyone who knows me now would have a lot of trouble believing that I ever was), you tend to get picked on unmercifully. Yes, other kids can be really cruel. But what you usually do NOT expect is for a grown-up, one that you admire and look up to, to do it to you.

Let me preface this by saying that my Mom was born and raised in New York City. She lived there until she was 20, then married my Dad and moved to a small town in Central Illinois. Culture shock? You bet - - but that is a story for another time.

Admittedly, New Yorkers have quite an accent. I grew up hearing it. And, as little kids do, I really soaked it up. I talked just like them. And that was the basis for my first experience with ridicule.....

I went to a Catholic grade school. Back then, all the teachers were Nuns; the ones in the the full black and white garb. I was in awe of them, and more than a little scared. But they were my teachers, so I had to get used to them. And eventually, I did. And did pretty well, until one day.....

As I said, I talked the same way my Mom and her family did. I had heard it all my life, and I didn't know that anything was "wrong" or "different" about it. I just didn't notice those kinds of things. One day in class, I responded to a question the teacher had asked, and that's when it happened. I was made to come up to the front of the room, and stand there while the Nun took me to task and ridiculed me for the way I pronounced things. She did that to me, in front of everyone, while they all laughed and giggled at me. In fact, she even turned to the other students and asked them - - didn't they think I sounded funny? Then she made me go back to my desk. I had to sit there the rest of the day, with the other students turning around and looking at me, laughing and pointing at me. I was totally mortified, trying to figure out what I had done wrong; but more importantly, why it was wrong. My Mom talked that way, so how could it be wrong?

What this incident did was turn a very shy little girl, who was just trying to do her best in school and fit in, into an even more shy, timid, and scared little girl, who was afraid to ever speak up for any reason, for fear of being ridiculed again. It made me feel like something was wrong with ME; that for some reason, I was just not good enough - - not as good as the other kids, who were born and raised there and talked "right."

Looking back on it now, I can honestly say I consider this to definitely be a case of bullying. It's not just other "kids" that bully kids; it is even worse when it comes from an adult. Unfortunately, while that may have been the first case, it definitely wasn't the last...

To be continued....

Bullying (part 1)

Found this on Facebook....
(Thanks, Princess Free Zone)

A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stamp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty is was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bully’s another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.

When you were growing up, were you ever bullied? I was an extremely shy, awkward little girl, and got bullied unmercifully, by the nuns in the Catholic school I attended, the other kids - - you name it. After entering Junior High and High School, it just continued on. I got SO tired of being picked on and made the butt of practical jokes.

And what the above says is so true....now that I am "all grown up" and living a very good life, there are still times when something might happen, and it brings back those feelings I had when I was young. Yes, the scars still remain.

That teacher was right. And I sure wish she had been around when I was growing up.

(To be continued...)

Danger!

This is just SO Lil Dude.......



I'm just trying to figure out how they got into my house to take his picture?

Random

Ever laughed so hard you cried? Until your stomach hurt?

That was me this weekend.

We had friends come up from the St. Louis area to visit; hadn't seen them in a LONG time. These are the "warped, off-the-wall crazy" kind of friends that we all need to have in our life.

I laughed. The tears streaming down my face. The deep belly laughs that come from just letting go and having FUN.

I so needed that!

So a BIG "Thank You!" goes out to Dave, Pam and Joey for coming up and providing me that opportunity. I love you guys!

Hill Climbin'

No, we did not get on our hiking boots and head out into the open countryside. But we DID do a lot of walking. And sitting. And people watching.

Last Sunday we went to the Newport Hill Climb in Newport, Indiana. Newport is a small town, not too far from the Illinois/Indiana border. It's 2010 Census population was 515 residents. But during their 3-day Hill Climb event? The entire town is PACKED. The entire town is one giant flea market/vendor set-up/food trailers everywhere kind of place.

And a car show. A very big, very nice car show. And that's where Mr. Dizzy and I were mainly there for.

We brought over THIS beauty:


That is a 1965 Pontiac Tempest. Mr. Dizzy's father bought it brand new and drove it off the showroom floor on September 30, 1964. It was one of the first 1965 Pontiac's produced. His father has had it all these years, and has taken excellent care of it. It is ALL original. Nothing has been restored on the car - - NOTHING. Original paint even! The interior is immaculate. Everything about the car is in amazing condition. And, only 76,000 original miles.

Isn't it a beauty?

Newport is about a 2 hour drive from our house. Sunday morning we got up extremely early (3:45 AM? NOT fun) and trailered the car over for the show. I was looking forward to a fun day - - looking at the other cars in the show, meeting some nice new people, walking through the vendors, and of course watching the Hill Climb competition.....

We got over there, and it was FREEZING cold. I mean, seeing your breath/shivering uncontrollably/where the hell is my winter coat kind of freezing. And we were outside. At a car show. With no vendors open yet. And I could NOT stop shivering.......

I was ready to start walking back home. At least I would have worked up a sweat and gotten warm!

Finally, some of the vendors started opening up, and I was on a mission. Find a warm sweatshirt to put on over all my other clothes and add another layer under my coat, and some gloves. Found a sweatshirt vendor, and all he had left was either too small or way too large. Went for the too large (so now Mr. Dizzy has a new shirt to wear!) and finally found some lightweight gloves.

That helped considerably!

The day finally started warming up close to the Noon hour, to the point where I could unzip my coat and be halfway comfortable. But I could not get warm enough, even in the direct sun - - I had been chilled through to my bones! But in spite of this, it was a fun day.

Now, for the "Hill Climb" part of the day - -

Newport has one main attraction in it's small town borders - - a BIG FREAKIN' HILL:

(The photo does NOT do the Hill justice - - it is extremely steep!)

All these antique cars register to climb the hill. It's a class competition, and even though by today's standards the hill doesn't look that intimidating, you should try climbing it in a car that is only pulling 7 horsepower!

According to the Newport Hill Climb Website, the Climb has been going on yearly since 1909. It's a big 3-day event for the town. This is the third year we have gone, and we always have a great time.

If you ever get a chance, you should check out this event. It's really a lot of fun, and with it being so close to where we live, it's a nice little day trip to take.

It felt good to actually be able to get away from home and just spend a day doing something fun. I just hope next time it's just a tad bit warmer!

Back Into the Swing of Things

I need to start blogging again on a more consistent basis. Seriously.

I love to write. It's an outlet for me - - from the stresses of the daily routine. However, I have had NO desire to write lately, due mostly to things going on in life that have just knocked the energy out of me.......

~ Major abdominal surgery in June - I had VERY good intentions of blogging during the 8-week recovery at home, both on this blog and my recipe blog. How much did I write? Nothing. Zilch. Zero. No energy? Partly. No desire? Absolutely. (Same thing for reading. The stack of magazines? Still sitting there. My Kindle? Barely touched.)

~ Losing Squeak. Yes, she was a cat. Just an animal. Or so some people may think. But in reality? She was a FAMILY MEMBER. Daddy's little girl. And her passing left a great big hole in our lives. Hard to shake something like that. Still haven't. Not sure if, or when, we will. She was a pretty special kitty.

~ Work. My office is usually a frantic place. This semester it is doubly so, since my co-worker is going through a high-risk pregnancy and is on total bedrest in hospital for the duration. She is still able to work via online, so anything that can be done on the computer gets sent her way, and I handle all the face-to-face things here in the office. Considering this happened the first week I came back to work and was attempting full days, it's been draining to say the least. Going home and doing anything but collapsing in a heap on the couch the first few weeks was not an option. It's a bit better now, as the semester is well underway AND my energy level has gotten better. Still a ways to go yet though.....

ANYWAY.

All this has conspired against me. It's been rough.

However - - the past week or so I have been feeling the itch to do some writing again. I'm hoping by posting this, it will fan that little flame and get me going again. I have LOTS of things to write about. And I have a lot of recipes to post on my recipe blog. I need to get on it!

I am determined to finish out this year writing more. My stress level needs this as an outlet. Badly.

So you all have been warned. I'm back, and going to do my damndest to stay here.

Daddy's Little Girl

We are heartbroken.


Squeak
2004-2011

Rest in peace, our little Squeaky girl. You will be missed terribly. But, you will always be alive in our hearts.

Celebration Time Again!

It's Decatur Celebration time again this weekend! We are pumped, and ready to go!

I was very concerned that my recent surgery would prevent me from getting down there and working stage this year, and was not looking forward to breaking my 25-year run. However! I definitely AM going to be down there! Not doing as much as in previous years, but still! I will be there!

This year our stage has Fastball on Friday night, Patty Smythe and Scandal on Saturday night, and Night Ranger Sunday night.

Other bands on other stages this year include Here Come the Mummies, Tiffany, Digital Underground, Rose Royce, and many, many more.....it will be a GREAT year. And the forecast sounds like it will be a good weekend.

You can find out everything about the festival at www.decaturcelebration.com. Check it out.

Come on down to downtown Decatur and party with us!

Good Report!

My second post-op at the Doctor yesterday went very well! She is pleased with my healing progress, and thinks everything is looking good. We adjusted my estrogen dosage up a bit to help combat the mood swings (I mostly get "the tears" and will cry at everything, or nothing at all), but there are also times when I will get aggravated at something and just "snap" - - and that is NOT a good thing.

The Doctor has released me to go back to work on August 8th, part-time that first week. That will give my new medicine dosage a chance to start getting leveled out before diving back into the office scene. Fortunately, I have been able to do part-time work hours from my home computer, so it won't be like trying to get re-acclimated after a two month absence!

Am I looking forward to going back to work? Yes and no.

Yes, because I love the work that I do, and my officemates are the best you could ever find anywhere.

No, because - - well, it's been really nice being able to work from home, and spend more time here. I love my home. It's our dream house, and I spend so many work hours away from it that I miss it. And, I have been able to spend more time with my furry kitty-kids, and with Dear Mr. Dizzy also.

This time being home has made me realize that when it comes time for retirement, I will be able to handle it just fine. The problem with that? Well, that time is NOT going to be any time soon, unfortunately - - but someday, it will be our turn. Mr. Dizzy and I are BOTH looking forward to that day!

But, until then, it's back to the office on August 8th, and things will be just fine.

Road Trippin'

OKAY.....yesterday was my Maiden Voyage (or "Virgin Voyage" as my cousin Echo calls it), driving out of town by myself, for the first time since surgery. It consisted of a 35 mile trip to my home town to meet Dad for lunch and spend a little time with family. Mr. Dizzy had to work, so I decided it was time to try venturing out by myself, a little further than the short local trips to the Post Office and Walmart.

The day started out nice and cool, a bit of sun, and a nice breeze. I left the house around 9 AM and headed down. Stopping at a friend's house a few miles outside of my home town gave me a nice little break and a chance to visit, then it was on the rest of the way to Dad's. So far, so good.

Lunch was at my cousin's cafe downtown. I had never had the chance to eat there, since they are only open for lunch during the week, and I'm never down there at that time (too damn busy working all the time!). Lunch was fantastic, and all homemade. Other family members also work there, so it was a nice chance to have a good meal, and also get in a bit of a visit with family.

With our tummies happy, we headed back to Dad's house to spend a little time together. But, I was starting to feel my energy level diminish, so decided to cut the visit short and head back towards home. I made it with no problem, but was starting to feel extremely tired, so leaving early was definitely the right decision!

Mr. Dizzy and I decided that today we would head to the Farmer's Market at the College early, and then on to Tuscola to our booth at the antique shop to check things out, since I had not been able to get there since before surgery. I figured that since we were making it an early night, I would get plenty of sleep and be nice and recuperated for the trip.

I was wrong.....

Even though I slept hard, and slept all night, getting up this morning was a major chore.....I was exhausted! Fortunately, Mr. Dizzy was doing the driving. We stopped at the Farmer's Market and I sleepwalked through that, and then on the way over to the antique shop I kind of dozed. We made a quick pass through our booth, cleaning, rearranging items, and visiting a bit with the shop owner. By that time I was getting pretty tired, so we decided to cut it short and head back towards home.

Once we made it back to town, it was a quick stop for quick bite of lunch, and then - - thankfully - - home.

Is my energy level EVER going to come back? Yes, I know, it takes time. And, it's only been just under 5 weeks since the surgery. But, as anyone who knows me will tell you, I am NOT a patient person. And this is really getting to me. I am a high-energy person who is always having to do something to keep busy. This? Is driving me CRAZY.

*sigh*

Oh well.....it will come, all in good time.

Unfortunately, not soon enough for me!

Four Weeks Ago Today.....

My hysterectomy surgery was four weeks ago today. FOUR WEEKS! My, how times flies when you are having fun - - or even when you are not!

So far, the healing process has been going well. I have good days and bad, but the good days are becoming more the norm and the bad days are getting fewer and farther between.

I had high hopes of getting lots of things done while sitting in the recliner or sprawled out on my couch - - there are lots of books to read, a scarf to knit, recipes to be typed into my recipe blog. HIGH HOPES, I has them! But instead of all this, what has been happening instead?

Naps. Lots and lots of naps. And you know what I have discovered? I absolutely LOVE naps! Why we fight them as little kids, I don't understand. They are magical!

My first post-op checkup went well. The Doctor was pleased with my progress, and released me to be able to do some work hours on computer from home. And, I believe this has helped my healing process, because it has allowed me to start feeling like a real part of the team again.

I was also given permission to drive, but am still a bit hesitant about going out of town by myself, and have had to be content with just some short trips aroung town - - the bank, drugstore, grocery store, etc. Hopefully soon I will get my courage up and try an out-of-town trip.My next post-op checkup is July 27th. I am hoping for a return to work on August 1st, possibly half-days that first week. Looking forward to getting back to the office and back in the swing of things.

Wonder if there can be a cot put in my office for my daily nap?

Recovering.......

Surgery was two weeks ago today. Everything went great, and I am home for six weeks recovering. It's slow, but each day I feel a little bit stronger and a little bit better.

The Doctor did have to do a total hysterectomy, because once she got in there, there were many things to deal with, and it was best to just take it all out and get it over with. I am so glad she did.

The best news of all? The final pathology report, stating that EVERYTHING was benign. 100% benign. Thank you, God!

My post-op checkup is this Wednesday, and I think the Doctor will be pleased with my progress!

Surgery

This is like "Deja Vu all over again" - - didn't I just go through surgery last Fall? Well yes, I did, to have my right foot worked on.

But this time? It's a bit more serious.....it's surgery of the "female persuasion".....

Tomorrow morning, I am scheduled for a hysterectomy at 7:30 AM. Hopefully all will go smoothly, and I will be home in a few days. I am off work on Medical Leave for 4-6 weeks.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, please, and I will post once I am back home and feeling up to it.

Tomorrow's gonna be a L-O-O-O-N-G day......

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Today is our 25th Wedding Anniversary! Yes, 25 years ago today, I was fortunate enough to become the wife to the most wonderful husband in the world.

Photo courtesy of Alida Duff Sullivan

Happy Anniversary, Babe. I would marry you all over again.

Here's to the next 25 years!

Finally - - Spring!

There are signs of Spring all over at the Dizzy household.....

The trees are blooming:


Violets are starting to pop up in the grass, which is getting so green:


And INSIDE the house? It's just as apparent:


LOVES me some Spring.

The Reason for My Absence

See? I really HAVE been busy!

It is such a good feeling to have this process finished! And now I might actually have a little time to do something other than homework!

Back Soon.....

I have been working on a MAJOR educational deal, which has basically taken up the majority of any "spare" time I might otherwise have. This has been going on for a good part of last year, and also since January of this year.

I completed it yesterday.

*DEEP BREATH*

I will have more to report on it once I get my papers from the school, and will share once I do.

Thanks for your patience!

~ Dizzy

Yes, I Took A Break.....

A special "Thank you!" to Eileen Cook for linking to me in her blog. Appreciate it, Eileen! :-)
(And yes, I definitely AM a fan!)

It's been awhile since I posted, but it's been quite hectic at Chez Dizzy! Work, home, cats, family.....*whew*

But I haven't been totally offline; I have been busy posting in my recipe blog, "Cooking In the Kitchen With Dizzy," which is where I have been typing in my favorite family recipes. This way my recipes will be stored electronically and I don't have to worry about misplacing one. And, with the way they are categorized, it will be much easier to find a particular recipe when I need it.

Please check it out sometime!

What a Beautiful Sight

Looked out the window the other evening, and this is what I saw:



Absolutely beautiful.

New Year Cats!

Having been home for just over a week, we have had a lot of good "quality time" to spend with our furbabies.....

Squeak and Lil Dude decided to "help" me changing sheets on the Guest Room bed:


Mr. Dizzy, the "Cat Whisperer" - - no matter where he sits, he always has one or two cats on him:




Carmichael, hamming it up for the camera:


One little slug-a-bug asleep in the sun:


One more little slug-a-bug asleep on the arm of the loveseat:


And one more (not so) little slug-a-bug who WAS asleep on the cat tree, until Mommy woke him up with the camera:


And all is well in the cat's sunroom (we only think it's ours; they know better!):


Can't think of a nicer way to start off the new year than with lovin' furbabies!

2011: Resolutions?

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? I usually don't. But this year, there are some things that I would like to see happen....no, make that things that MUST happen.

• Financial security - - work out some "issues" brought about in 2010 that MUST be resolved.
• Career - - work out a couple of "issues" there as well.....not sure which way this will go, but am hoping for the best.
• Good health - - including maintain a good weight, eat well and have a proper diet, and keep hitting the Gym.
• Love and happiness - - take care of Mr. Dizzy and my furbabies to the best of my ability.
• GET MY SENSE OF HUMOR BACK. With everything that has been going on, I've lost it somewhere.

I think keeping them more "general" and less "specific" (except for the last one) will help me be able to see any progress made during the coming year.

What about you? Any resolutions for the new year?

2010: A Reflection

Wow....2010 is basically over. This year has flown by! And as every other year, there have been good things and bad things.....

The early part of the year saw us spending a lot of time helping out our daughter-in-law in the aftermath of the divorce - - with banking, child support, getting everything switched over to her name. It had been so many years since my first marriage ended, I had forgotten how much there was to do! It took quite a while, but we finally helped her get all squared away.

Things were pretty quiet over the summer, but once September arrived, everything started happening! I had foot surgery on September 7th, and spent the next 2 months using a kneewalker scooter to get around. I was also off work on Medical Leave for 4 weeks, which would have been nice if I could have gotten up and done something! Also, Dear Mr. Dizzy's building construction started September 8th, so he was home on vacation not only for that, but to help me the first 2 weeks following my surgery.

September also found us fighting with the bank over the construction loan, thanks to an incompetent appraiser the bank used to evaluate our property. What a total bastard he was. And still is. And more than likely always will be. This whole deal has turned out much harder to deal with than it had to be, thanks to him. And has caused us more than our share of sleepless nights. If you ever want to know who NOT to hire for an appraisal, just contact me. I will be more than happy to share his name with you! Anything I can to do lose the SOB some business.

In November, I was finally released by the Doctor to be able to do some things - - so I went to Fairview Heights for a weekend of shopping and "girl time" with my Classmates ladies group. St. Claire's Square Mall, Joe's Crab Shack for dinner, an overnight at the Drury Inn....and my foot took it all in stride (no pun intended).

Christmas found us hosting Mr. Dizzy's family for dinner, with my Father coming up and spending the weekend with us as well. There were so many people in the house, and so much laughter and raucous noise, the cats all hid in closets! In fact, after everyone left, we could not find Lil Dude at all - - we were worried that one of the kids had accidently let him slip out of the house. But after turning the whole house upside-down, Mr. Dizzy found him, hiding all scrunched up in the back of my closet. Once it quieted down, he eventually screwed up his courage and came out, but was pretty jumpy the rest of the evening.

And now here it is New Year's Eve. It will be a fairly quiet one for us again this year - - we don't like to go out and do much this evening - - leave the hard partying to the kids, and we will stay home and pray they don't hurt themselves. Mr. Dizzy and I will just go out for a nice meal, get home early, and spend the rest of the evening at home, enjoying each other's company. I don't think it can get any better than that.

So in closing, I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year, and that 2011 is a very good year for you and yours!

Just a "Heads-Up"....

Did I mention that I started up a recipe blog a couple of months ago? If not, well - - I started up a recipe blog a couple of months ago!

I decided that I was tired of always trying to find a particular recipe in all of my cookbooks, my scraps of paper in my recipe "file", etc. So, I decided it was time to get all my recipes into electronic form, and what better way than a blog?

So far I have over 40 of my tried-and-true recipes loaded, and there are many, many more to go. Since Campus is closed for Winter Break and I am off all week, there will be a lot more updating going on.

So if you are in the mood to find a new recipe, or just like to browse food blogs, feel free to check it out. Here is the blog address: http://dizzyskitchen.blogspot.com.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. AND, be sure to check back at the blog often, because I will be continually adding to it!

Grace In Small Things: 51/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Christmas with my Dad!
• Visiting with my crazy aunt, uncle and cousins
• Quiet, quality time with Dear Mr. Dizzy
• Winter Break - - I don't go back to work until January 3rd!
• Getting to see my son for Christmas! He lives in Oklahoma, and came up to Illinois to spend time with family.

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Merry Christmas To One and All!

From our household to yours - - from Dizzy Ms. Lizzy, Mr. Dizzy, Carmichael, Squeak, and Lil Dude.

Grace In Small Things: 50/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Squeaky girl kitty still on the mend and doing well
• My foot still on the mend and doing extremely well
• Christmas party with a great group of friends Saturday night - - good food, good times, good people
• Dear Mr. Dizzy's family Christmas gathering at our house on Sunday - - more good Holiday times
• Last week of work before Winter Break, then off work until January!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 49/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A nice warm home when the wind chill temps dip below zero.
• Squeaky-girl kitty getting better now.
• Roast pork and dressing for Sunday dinner....the whole house smells great.
• Making some of the cutest Christmas presents ever.
• Getting released by the Doctor, and finally able to do more of what I want.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 48/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Finding out my home computer crash isn't as drastic as first thought, and shouldn't cost me an arm and leg to get it fixed - - it should be repaired and back at my home office desk soon (thank goodness I bought this laptop as a spare!)
• Taking Friday off and making myself a long three-day weekend
• Little Squeak Kitty sleeping on my shoulder early in the morning (like 5 AM early!)
• The heavy snow going North of us - - they got 4-5 inches, we just got a light dusting....*whew*.....dodged a bullet on that one
• Homemade Lasagna - - my Mother's recipe - - cooking in the oven for Sunday Dinner

And one more - - the last post-op checkup on my foot went extremely well! The Doctor has now released me, and told me to be careful, use common sense, but I can basically do whatever my foot will allow me to do. So now it's back to the Gym full-time! Yay!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 47/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A short work week and a LONG Holiday weekend!
• Thanksgiving dinner with my Dad
• Dessert and conversation with my aunt, uncle and a whole mess of cousins after dinner
• Time at home to work on Christmas gifts - - love those extra days holiday weekends give me!
• An NCIS Marathon on the telly all day Sunday.

**I go for my next foot surgery post-op checkup on Wednesday, Dec. 1st. Wish me luck for a good report!


Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

'Tis the Season To Be Snotty

After last year's Black Friday incident (I posted about it here: http://dizzymslizzy.blogspot.com/2009/11/black-friday-incident-and-other-stuff.html, I have sworn off day after Thanksgiving shopping. Forever. I don't care how much something is on sale for - - I don't care how badly I may want it - - I don't care if they are GIVING IT AWAY - - you couldn't pay me enough to put myself through that again.

Besides, why go there, freeze my ass off waiting for a store to open, get pushed and shoved and practically beaten black and blue by rude, inconsiderate people on Black Friday, when I can get that any day in the week?

Yes, it's true, unfortunately....the closer it gets to the Holiday season, and all during said season, people get more rude, more inconsiderate, and just plain, downright mean.

Case in point: Yesterday evening Dear Mr. Dizzy and I decided to get our grocery shopping done before the crazy holiday sales madness hit the following day. It was good timing - - Walmart was almost deserted. We happened to see someone I work with, and pulled over to the side of the wide main aisle to chat for a minute. As we are standing there, a young lady walked by, and as she passed us, she rammed into my friend's cart, actually pushing it, and just kept on walking without saying a word. My friend was shocked, and I said to the girl's back (she was about an aisle away by that point), "You could at least say excuse me." Well, she turned around and gave us a "look" (and not a nice one at that), and then just tossed an "Excuse me" over her shoulder at us, and kept walking.

Gee, we were all the way over at the side of the aisle, to make sure we were out of people's way. And then you come along and decide that is the EXACT SPOT in that whole, wide aisle you wanted - - you NEEDED - - to be. What a sense of entitlement.

Amazing.

A bit later, as Mr. Dizzy and I are checking out, I'm paying the cashier, and happen to look over at the checkout lane next to us. There is the same young lady, who just finished checking out and is gathering her bags, standing there just GLARING at me. I ignored her. She continued to stand there, glaring at me. I finally looked over and gave her "the look" (if you know me, you know exactly what I'm talking about!). She faltered a bit, but continued to stare....but finally looked away and walked off.

Lucky for her. I don't put up with people who feel they are entitled to treat people as rudely as they wish and just get away with it. Push me too far and find out what happens next. Bring it, bitch.

*sigh*

It's going to be a LONG Holiday season.....

Thanksgiving

Easter Graphics

Grace In Small Things: 46/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Warm kitties on cool nights
• Gooey Butter Cookies!
• A weekend out of town shopping with my Ladies group
• Coming home after a weekend shopping!
• Dear Mr. Dizzy walking in the door after a long hunting weekend....feels so good having his arms wrapped around me - - where they belong!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 45/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A SHORT work week - - only 3 days, followed by a 4 day weekend.
• A long weekend spent with good friends in Brownsville, Tennessee. Southern hospitality at its best.
• Southern cooking - - nothing like good hot grits for breakfast!
• Being home - - no matter how good it is to get away, it's even better getting back home where we belong.
• Three fuzzy cat-creatures greeting us as we walk in the door, SO happy to see us.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Moving Forward....Finally!

Progress is being made!

For the first time in three months, I am able to go back to the Gym! The Doctor has cleared me to work on upper body and core, but no machines that would put stress on my foot (such as treadmill, elliptical, bike, etc.)...my Doctor and I have a good trust built up between us. He knows he can trust me to NOT do something I'm not supposed to do, and to protect my foot.

So Tuesday I went and worked out on the upper body and core machines, did some crunches on an exercise ball; only did about 1/2 hour workout, because that was my first time in three months. Wednesday, I made it back for my favorite Body Toning class. This morning I made it in for more work on the upper body/core machines. I was going to go back tomorrow morning, but.....

Tonight, the pain has hit. *sigh* Tomorrow morning, it may be all I can do to get out of bed without assistance! So - - tomorrow's workout may have to be put on "hold" until next week.

But you know, it's all worth it....it just feels so damn good to be back!

Now if my muscles will stop being mad at me.....

New Blog.....

I have been looking for a way to put all my recipes in electronic form, not only to keep from losing them someday, but in a form that allows me to find one easily, or share them easily with friends or family members that may want a copy.

So, I decided the best way would be to start keeping a recipe blog.

The new blog is called "Cooking In the Kitchen With Dizzy" and can be found at http://dizzyskitchen.blogspot.com.

So far, I have quite a few of our favorite recipes in there, complete with a picture of each. And? Each recipe is categorized with a label for each in searching.

I hope you get a chance to check it out sometime!

Grace In Small Things: 44/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A good report from my most recent post-op checkup....my foot is healing well.
  
• Actually able to wear a real SHOE periodically on my surgery foot!
• Spending a couple of evenings with my grandsons...pizza one night, Crescent Dogs the next. And lots of fun.
  
• Seeing my son for the first time in months - - it had been WAY too long.
• Bacon-Corn Chowder in the crockpot....so good!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Well - - Good News, and Not So Good News.....

My latest post-op checkup with the Doctor was some good, and some not so good.

The GOOD news is that:

• I am healing well.
• I can start sleeping without the surgical shoe on (HALLELUJIA!).
• I have been cleared to take my "road trip" to Fairview Heights on Nov. 20th, including driving myself all that way.
• I can start going back to the Gym to do some light working out, such as upper body weight machines, recumbent bike, etc. NOT the elliptical, stairmaster, or treadmills yet, but that's fine. Baby steps.

The NOT-so-good news is that I'm still having to wear the surgical shoe quite a bit. I was hoping to be able to put on a REAL shoe this afternoon, but my foot was swollen just enough that it was not possible. I got the shoe about halfway on, and there was no getting it any further.

BUMMER.

I know - - it's only been 2 months tomorrow that I had surgery. I'm trying very hard to be patient. But anyone who knows me, even a little bit, knows that PATIENCE is NOT a strong point of mine.....

I have some good, supportive lace-up shoes I can wear, that will probably fit just fine, and those will definitely be getting worn a lot. But, they are not the kind of shoes I can wear and look okay with my work clothes. And as for going shoe shopping? Out of the question, for quite a few more months.

I'm really not complaining. I'm healing well, and things are looking pretty good. But it was disheartening to not be able to fit that shoe on my foot. I know it's because my foot will be swelling as the day goes on, and that will continue for a few more months as the healing process continues.

I REALLY DO KNOW ALL THIS.

And tomorrow? I will feel much better about everything.

Tonight, I just want to be able to be bummed out, and get it out of my system.

Grace In Small Things: 43/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• I survived a horrendous work week!
• Hot tea to warm me up on chilly Autumn mornings
• Lap robes to snuggle under while watching an NCIS Marathon
• Finding a new Holiday outfit at JC Penney....it fits perfectly, and it was on sale!
• Tater Tot Casserole for Supper - - one of the ultimate comfort foods!

Tomorrow I go back to the foot doctor for my 4th post-op checkup. If all goes well, I may be able to start wearing regular shoes on that foot again. Keep your fingers crossed!


Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 42/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Homemade chili simmering in the crockpot
• Walking without crutches or a cane!
• DRIVING again! (Missed driving SO much)
• Going to the Animal Protective League fundraiser on Sunday....they do such good work for homeless animals, and we always support them.
• Lil Dude sleeping on my computer desk in front of my monitors as I type this....what a sweetie.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 41/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Got an EXCELLENT report from the Doctor Monday, and got to start walking on my right foot again, for the first time in almost 6 weeks
• On Saturday, I was released to be able to drive again! (Just short trips, but the freedom feels great!)
• Fresh produce from the Produce Market - - the last one this season, unfortunately.....
• A big pot of homemade Chili simmering on the stove....the whole house smells SO good!
• A new purse from Payless - - beautiful, on sale, AND a coupon for additional 20% off! Yes, I am "super shopper"!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Driving!!

I am now able to drive again! Yay!

Yesterday was my first attempt at it after six weeks of not being able to be in the Driver's Seat. My first little short trip was to the Farmer's Market at the College; I wanted to go because it was the last one of the season. And, since the College is only 5 minutes away from home, Mr. Dizzy and I figured it would be a safe little trek for me to try for my first outing.

It went fine, except I noticed that I was being overly cautious, mainly because my foot still has that big clumsy surgical shoe on (my friend Adam, who saw it for the first time yesterday, called it a "Jesus Sandal"....never thought of it that way before, but ya know? He's right.).

Once I got back home, I decided to run a few errands......

HOURS later, I got back home.

Poor Mr. Dizzy - - now that I'm back in the saddle, he can't keep me home!

Believe me, I appreciate everything Dear Mr. Dizzy did for me the past six weeks - - nursing me back to health, getting me drinks, snacks, my computer, books ..... even cooking supper almost every evening! Getting my "sea legs" back doesn't mean he's no longer needed. He is. And hopefully he believe me when I tell him that.

But - - oh my, does it ever feel good to get some independence back!

Well, THIS Isn't Fun.....

I started walking, for the first time in FIVE WEEKS, Monday evening.

It feels weird, like having to learn how to walk all over again. I was a bit shaky at first, and a little off-balance. (I know, I've always been a bit "off-balance. Hush. I'm being serious here!)

You know when you start working out, or step up your workout to a higher level, how your muscles get mad at you? How the next day, you are a bit sore, but the day after THAT, you are in so much pain you just want to crawl in a hole and cover up?

Tuesday, my ankle and legs were a little bit achy and tired. I figured "hey, not too bad; I'm going to be okay." Right? RIGHT?

Wrong. So, so wrong.

Tuesday was the "day after." Yesterday was the "day after THAT."

Last night was a trip back to Vicodin land.....my back, hips, legs, ankles, feet - - hell, my whole BODY - - was one giant ball of pain. It was Vicodin, or no sleep. The Vicodin won. Even then, I woke up in the middle of the night, stiff and sore from laying so still, and had to take another one.

But today? MUCH better. I was not about to take any Vicodin at work, so carried a bottle of aspirin with me; but, didn't have to take any until about 2:00 this afternoon.

MUCH better.

And, I am walking much better today....actually starting to get the hang of it again!

I'm going to get through this. Really I am.

Post-Op Checkup: Good News!

I had GREAT news from the Doctor yesterday....everything is healing up well, and I am able to do some walking now! I still have the kneewalker stroller until the end of the month, as it will need to be used for long stretches that would be too much for me to walk just yet. But he wants me to try walking for short little treks, around the house, down the hall at work, etc.

But the nerves in my foot? Are NOT happy with me - - when I first start taking a few steps, they flare up and give me hell.....for about 30 seconds, then it calms down and I'm able to amble on down the hall.

I have also been cleared to try some driving this weekend - - just short little trips at first so that I don't tire out my foot and have it start swelling on me. But this means I can drive myself to work starting next week, and can go back to my normal work hours!

My next checkup is in 3 weeks. If all is still looking well, I will be able to get out of the surgical shoe and start wearing real shoes again. That will feel SO good!

All in all, this makes me a very happy lady!

Grace In Small Things: 40/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• After a month off on Medical Leave, I was FINALLY able to go back to work this week (with Doctor's restrictions, of course)
• MAKING IT through the whole work week - - some days were tougher than others
• A Chocolate/Heath Bits/Cool Whip topped cake brought by my Director as a "Welcome Back" to work
• Cool nights and warm kittycats - - makes for good sleeping
• Chicken Tetrazzini for supper last night - - the whole house smelled wonderful

This afternoon I go back to the Doctor for my third post-op checkup. Hopefully the stitches will be taken out, and I also hope to get some news on when I might be able to try some walking. I will admit to being impatient, but - - I also know that following Doctor's orders to the letter is an absolute must. Baby steps, people, baby steps....

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 39/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My knitting project is going extremely well
• Dinner out with "The Ladies" at Firewater Cafe - Broiled Salmon on Garlic Spinach....yum!**
• Cooler weather....good for snuggling!
• Warm, cuddly kitty-kids sharing my lap robe with me
• Going back to work after a month of Medical Leave!

Tomorrow is my first day back to work (with Doctor-ordered restrictions). Wish me luck!

**Side Note: If Travis Erwin reads about this, I'm sure he will have something to say....I know you may not believe this, Travis, but I really DO like steak also! (But sometimes I stray to the "Dark Side" of fish and veggies.....)

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Courtesy and Compassion (Or Lack Thereof)

I have always tried to be courteous to people with disabilities. I will hold doors, help someone reach an item on a higher shelf if needed, not shown impatience if I'm slowed down walking behind them in a crowded store. It's not their fault. They have a disability; they are doing the best they can. I figure nothing in my life is so damn urgent that I can't wait a couple of extra minutes....no reason to be impatient or rude.

It's the way I was raised - - be kind, be courteous, and show compassion. It's too bad that there are so many people out there who do NOT practice this.

For the past month, since my foot surgery, I have had to use a kneewalker to get around, since I am not allowed to put any weight on my right foot at all. When grocery shopping, I have been using the battery-operated carts; if one is not available, I have to use the kneewalker. During the time so far, I have run into the best and worst of people out there - - the kind, courteous ones, and the jerks. I have had doors help open for me (thank you!), and I have had people literally push in front of me, to the point where I almost fell off the kneewalker (idiots!).

But one of the worst things? Is at the checkout. I use my Debit Card to pay, and the little machine that you swipe your card through and then have to punch in you PIN? And also answer some stupid questions (cash back? donate? etc., etc., etc.)?

It does not tilt down.

So here I am, in a narrow checkout lane, sitting in a battery-operated cart, because hey - - I am not able to put any weight on my foot - - and I am having to try to stand up in the damn cart to swipe my card, punch in my PIN, and answer all their nosy-ass questions.

It's not easy, people. Not easy at all.

So hey, Walmart! Kroger! County Market! How about a little compassion here! Okay?

This time off my feet is a real eye-opener. If anything, it's made me even more aware of how much farther we need to go to make things more accessible for persons with disabilities - - better sidewalk access from parking lots, automatic doors, displays in grocery store aisles (THOSE things are a freakin' menace!) and more.

I don't know what it will take - - writing letters, talking with store managers - - but I intend to at least try.

Grace In Small Things: 38/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• A knitting "play date" with my dear friend Judy, who taught me to knit a couple of years ago....I was going stir-crazy and needed the company - - thanks, Judy!
• Wendy's BLT Cobb Salad for supper...yum!
• Squeaky-girl kitty cuddling up with me in the early morning, keeping me nice and warm
• Sachima (a Chinese snack cake) from my dear friend Lily....she knows how much I love it!
• As usual, my Dear Mr. Dizzy, for taking such good care of me during my surgery recovery. Yes, blessed I am.....
  

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Grace In Small Things: 37/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My new Kindle! :-)
• A good post-op checkup report from my foot surgery
• Pot Roast and roasted veggies for dinner
• Mr. Dizzy, the MOST WONDERFUL husband in the world, for all the help and caring he has provided me the past 2 weeks following my surgery
• Andee, the best hair stylist EVER, for actually coming to the house to cut my hair, to make it easier for me

I am SO blessed!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

My New Toy!

Guess what I got??





I have wanted one of these since they came out....and I am madly in love with it!

I'm having so much fun with this.....

Post-Surgery Update

I went for my second post-op checkup this morning. The Doctor is VERY pleased with my foot's healing progress! But, I am still going to be off work for at least another 2 weeks (oh, DARN....LOL).

I am also fighting a sinus infection....*sigh*....we stopped at our Family Doctor's office on the way home and talked to the nurse. She spoke to the Doctor and got me a prescription for an antibiotic, so I'm on meds for another 10 days. Hope this kicks it, it's making me miserable!

Grace In Small Things: 36/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My foot surgery went EXTREMELY well!
• I have virtually NO pain from the surgery, which means the Vicodin is doing its job
• Dear Mr. Dizzy is home on vacation for 2 weeks, so has been here to help me out when I need it (which is A LOT)
• My first post-op checkup went very well....the Doctor thinks things are looking good
• My friend Connie dropped by with homemade brownies....she makes the BEST brownies ever!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Surgery Update

Foot surgery went well! I am now in and out of "Vicodin Land"....which is a strange feeling. But it helps keep the pain at bay, so it's a good place to be!

Yesterday we got to the Hospital at 6 AM, and they took me back right away. Got the IV put in (which was a NIGHTMARE) (thanks to the tech who messed it up) (TWICE!). I was in surgery by 8 AM and out around 9 AM, in recovery. Since they used an ankle block and Twilight, I was alert and "with it" very quickly, and was discharged and home by Noon.

So now it's all a healing process....my foot is uncomfortable, but the pain is managed by the Vicodin pretty well. I have my first post-op appointment with the Doctor this Friday morning, so we will see what he has to say. Hopefully he will have good news for me!

I'll keep ya posted.....

Grace In Small Things: 35/2010

This week, I am going to change things up a bit....

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 7th) I am having surgery on my right foot. The Doctor has already told me that I will be off work for 3-4 weeks, will be using crutches or a kneewalker for 6-8 weeks, will not be able to drive for 2 months, and cannot return to the Gym for 3 months.

Therefore - - I am grateful that I have a job with people who are considerate and understanding, that I have health insurance benefits that allow me to take care of a medical problem when it arises, and that I have people in my life who truly love and care about me. This is being shown as follows:

• My employer has granted me Medical Leave so that I can be off without worrying about losing my position.
• My husband has scheduled his two weeks vacation to coincide with my first two weeks off, so that I will have someone here 24/7 in case I need something....I am SO blessed to have that man in my life.
• My Medical Benefits is allowing me to rent a kneewalker to use instead of crutches, which is SUCH a blessing; I tried crutches, and my wrists hurt so bad I could hardly do anything.
• When I am finally able to come back to work, my supervisor is allowing me to flex my work schedule to match my husband's, so that I don't have to worry about how to get there and back home again.
• My friend Connie has given me many magazines to read, lent me her pair of crutches to keep around in case they are needed, and has offered to stop by every week and pick up my timesheets/time off forms to turn into my supervisor for me. She has also offered to stop at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and pick up some fresh produce for me.

Wish me luck, and please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Lil Dude and His Posse

Updated: I have added a past picture of Lil Dude from back in January, when he first joined our family, to use as a reference:

Remember this little guy?

Well - - Lil Dude isn't so "LITTLE" anymore!

He's such a sweetie! And such a Brat! And.....well, he's a kitten; what do you expect?

AAAAANNNNNDDDDD of course there are the other two sleepyheads.....

Yes, Dude is my "Baby", but.....Those two will ALWAYS be my loves!

Grace In Small Things: 34/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• Actually making it through the first week of classes without any major meltdowns!
• Cooler weather
• Curling up with Lil Dude and the other Kitty-Kids
• Finding a treasure trove of my Grandmother's books- - she's been gone 20 years, and we just found out about these!
• Fresh dug carrots from the Produce Market - - SO sweet and tender!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

This Is What Work Has Been....

It's been INSANE.....

Grace In Small Things: 33/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• FINALLY some rain to brighten up my flowers and green up my lawn
• My Student Worker's wife coming through emergency surgery with flying colors
• Weekends - - 'nuff said
• A day of fun at the State Fair with Dear Mr. Dizzy and friends from Chicago
• Breakfast at Panera with Mr. Dizzy - - and it was FREE!

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

State Fair Time!

Saturday Mr. Dizzy and I took a road trip to Springfield to the Illinois State Fair. We were meeting friends of ours who were coming down from Chicago to spend the day at the Fair as well. Here are some of the "highlights" that we saw while we were there.....

When we first walked in the gate of the Fairgrounds, we saw this guy:

Guess you should never go anywhere without your goat.....

And, I guess this guy was jonesin' for some breakfast - - Mini-dounts, breakfast of champions:


I had heard of this stuff, but never experienced it before now:

Never thought I would say this, but chocolate covered bacon really isn't half bad!

Went into the Artisan's Building, and saw this guy:

Yes, that is Mountain Dew bottles....

We also saw this little fellow:

He is made totally out of milk jugs and staples.

Heh. I can't make this stuff up.....

This Is SO Funny....

Have you seen the "Simon's Cat" videos? They are hilarious, and this new one reminds us SO much of Lil Dude.....enjoy!

Happy Birthday To Me.....

And hopefully many, many more.....

Grace In Small Things: 32/2010

What I am grateful for this week:

• My feet have finally stopped hurting from Decatur Celebration
• FINALLY, some rain, after a long, HOT dry spell (unfortunately, it's STILL hot, but at least my yard and flowers got a drink)
• Fresh tomatoes from the Produce Market (great on a hamburger)
• Little Squeaky-girl Kitty curling up with me sleeping at night
• My grandson's Birthday....he is now 11.....Happy Birthday, Alex! (*sigh* Where did the time go?)

Count your blessings - - join Grace In Small Things.

Decatur Celebration Pictures!

Here are a few shots we got from this year's Celebration:

Ryan Cabrera on our stage Friday night:


The Parade Saturday morning:




Lou Gramm performing Saturday night:


Georgia Satellites Saturday afternoon:


Charlie Daniels!!





All in all, an EXTREMELY good Festival this year!