Just when I have decided to blog again, my internet goes down!  It is just too hard to type my iPhone so I will have to wait until they fix my internet.  I will sure miss it since they won't come until Monday or Tuesday.  Have a nice weekend everyone.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Again not a lot to write about.

Went to school this morning and the kids are getting wilder and wilder.  Today was the day of the math test. 

Each student was given a folder to put up in front of them (so no one can look at another's paper)...then the test is handed out.  It was two pages with 4 problems on each page.  The first four were addition problems and the other page was subtraction.  The teacher reads the question and then gives the children time to answer.

But I forgot...before that happened there were pencils to be sharpened (by me) and erasers to be found.  It's the end of the school years so both are in short supply.  But somehow we manage to get everyone ready.

First question was something like this ....there were 5 birds on the fence...3 more birds landed there...how many birds in all. 
Well...two weeks ago this would have been easy for them....but since I haven't seen any math done in the last couple of weeks...it was like asking them to write the formula for an atomic bomb or something.  I was sitting at one table beside a girl that begged me to sit with her.  "Grandma" she whispered..."help me."   I said that I couldn't...it was a test.  She started crying.

I moved to another table.

Next question and the little boy sitting next to me said "I need help Grandma"   So again I whispered that I couldn't....It was heartbreaking.  More that half the class turned in papers that were incomplete...but there was some surprises too....some children that I thought wouldn't know seemed to have no trouble at all.

When I left school today I was worn out.  Six more days to go.  I stopped to think about that and realized then I wouldn't have anything to do to keep me busy.  I will really miss my days with the kids then.

Today I learned that there is a chance my daughter who lives in Florida might be moving to Alabama.  I don't know anything about Alabama....now I wish I would have gone to Florida with my friend tomorrow....I might not get to go again.  That is just sad.

Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone had a happy memorial day and was able to reflect on the people who have served in the armed forces to protect our freedom.   I had plenty of time to think about it today since I stayed home alone.  I can remember many memorial days when I didn't even give the true meaning a thought....it was just a day off and usually with a picnic.  Maybe it's because I am older now and tend to be more thoughtful of things but I am appreciative of all those who have served and especially overwhelmed that some gave their lives so I could have the freedom that I do.

I haven't blogged in almost a year.  No real reason just didn't have much to write about.  Life is about the same for me.  My knee is so much better.  I only have a little stiffness if I sit too long....but I am able to walk without pain!  (For someone reading this that didn't know I had a total knee replacement and was recovering when I last wrote. )

I am still doing the Foster Grandparent program.  This year I was in a kindergarten class and just loved it.   Last winter I realized one day that hardly any children had neck scarves....I felt bad for them because it was so cold so I asked if they wanted me to make them one.  Of course they all wanted on so I had quite a job to get them all done.  Here is a picture of them with their scarves

Altogether I made 19 scarves....several children were absent the day of the picture. 

We sure had a good time this year.  I can't believe that all these children now know how to read
and also some are great writers.  Just this last month I started teaching them how to play chess...some have caught on quite well.

If you notice I have a new profile picture.  My hair has changed....don't know for sure if I will keep it like this (blonde) but I will try it out for this summer.

I have also joined a fitness center and am trying to get in shape...it sure is difficult as we get older!

That's about all for now.  Be back soon.

I just read on the internet that Friday marked the 45th anniversary of the song "Let It Be" by the Beatles.  Hundreds flocked to Abbey Road to do the traditional walk across the street.

I did this walk in the 90's....so I thought I would share two pics...as you see I certainly looked different and was just recovering from a bad fractured arm. 

As you can tell I was hurrying...and traffic was bearing down on me....now I guess they are going to put a traffic warden there to aid people who want to walk across.

Until just recently I thought that I was one of the few who chose to do this but I guess it is quite the thing to do and many hundreds of people have done it.

Tomorrow I head out to Florida....so the only internet I will have is on my IPhone....hard to blog that way.  Not sure when I am returning....time will tell.

Have a great weekend!

Thinking Tuesday

I am calling today Thinking Tuesday.  Just for myself.  I am home today and going to do some thinking.  I have had a busy couple of weeks.  I went to the Ann Arbor Art Fairs....actually four of them were all going on at the same time.   It was crazy full of people and I actually got to have a conversation with the man who won best of show for painting.  I was walking by his booth and stopped to ask him some questions about his paintings.  He answered and we had a little conversation.  Later when I went by the Art Fair Booth I saw that he was the winner!  To me this was amazing because I just stumbled on his booth.  It seems like they place the best paintings in one area so I always make it a point to browse that area before I am too tired. 

I also went to the county fair.  It was at my daughter's insistence.  Lately she has been making sure that I do things.  Maybe it is the idea that I may be leaving to live in Florida...but whatever it is she has been keeping me busy.  This weekend we are going on a little trip up North....stopping first at Frankenmuth.  I haven't been there in ages...for those far away Frankenmuth is stuck in Christmas...there are quaint little shops selling Christmas items and of course, a store named Bronners...could possible be the biggest Christmas store ever.  I will try to take pictures.

Last night I brought in some more stuff from the trunk of my car.  I went to my storage and got stuff to go through.  I usually bring it in late night when the other residents are asleep....they always have questions like...."Are you moving?"   So I thought I had it made but when the elevator went up it stopped on the second floor and a lady got in with two books (our library is on the 2nd floor).  First thing she asks is...."Are you moving?"  lol.

Anyway I went through the box and it was mostly junk...some paint brushes...and some oil paints that are probably ruined by the cold winter....then I opened the bin and found more summer clothes...so I spent the next 1 1/2 hr trying on clothes.....I only found a few items that didn't fit....and the rest I really liked.  You see I never buy something unless I love it....so I just have so many things that I love.  It will be hard to whittle things down for a move.  That is one of the things that concerns me on moving.  I know I have to let go of things but it is so hard for me.  My daughter is no help....she really doesn't want me to go so I can't ask her to help me decide what stays and what goes....and I definitely can't take everything with me....heavens, I have just too much and to pack it and move it would be too costly for me. 

Sometimes the little voice in my head asks if I am doing the right thing.  My son and daughter who live here think I am not making a wise decision.  My son told me no one will hire someone my age.  I can't go there and not do some kind of work.  My daughter who lives in Florida says that getting a job won't be a problem...but it is here so why would it be different in Florida.  In two weeks I will
see what the job situation is in Florida...on the internet there seems to be lots of jobs advertised...but whether that is actually true remains to be seen.

Today I read about a woman called the woman in black.  She is seen along the highways between Georgia and Ohio....She only carries a little bag with her.  She dresses all in black.  How did she make the decision to give up all she had and just walk and live on the land?  Is she desperately sad or really more content.  Jesus tells us that we shouldn't lay up treasures on earth,

Matthew 6:19
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

Maybe I need to keep that thought in mind in my personal situation. 

Well, enough for now.....have a great Tuesday...it is cooler here in Michigan today...hope the sun is shining where you are and that blessings are raining on you.
 

Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Yesterday I had the day off from the Summer Reading Program so I decided that I had better do what I had planned from the beginning and head out to Toledo and go to my painting group. In the beginning I was volunteering 5 days a week and then realized that the artist club had painting times on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. So I asked to change my scheduled days to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so I could paint with others.  For lots of reasons. I had been putting off going.   I always have been a little bashful in new situations so that is one of the reasons.  Another is my preparations for the Florida start new idea.  So yesterday I had a talk with myself and kind of got after myself and headed out. 

It is about a thirty five mile trip to the Toledo Botanical Gardens (where the Toledo Art Club calls home).  I was still not certain that I should go so right away a little voice inside kept listing more reasons not to go. The main one that popped up was about my car.  My car is old. It was purchased for cash after I had to let my wonderful Prius go back. I had intended for it to be a temporary vehicle and to get a better one down the road.  Now it's going on 5 years and I still have it.  Lately it has developed a problem. When it gets to between 49 and 52 miles per hour, it flutters.  Acts like it might stall out.   Scary. Again I gave myself a little push and decided I would just have to have more faith that I would make it there and back. (I did, by the way.)  

I actually got there a little early (8:45am) so I checked facebook on my phone.  I waited and waited.  It was 9:15 then 9:30.  I tried the door it was locked tight.  At 9:35 I decided to leave.  I went across town to the large shopping mall.  I tried on a lot of clothes and vowed to go back on my diet.  I did find one dress on sale for half price and since it was sleeveless I had to buy a shrug to go with it. Then I went to chic filet for lunch and told myself that I would get serious about that diet tomorrow. Lol

After that I was pretty worn out but I wanted to go back to the artist club.   To get some answers about the painting group but also to see my paintings hung in their gallery.   I knew the club Secretary would be there at 1pm.  So I went back across town.  When I got there I saw a lot of cars in the lot.  This didn't surprise me as I knew that there was a different class in the afternoon.  I went in and asked the secretary and she told me yes that they did have people painting there in the morning.  ?????  I told her my situation and we surmised together that it must have had a really late start.  Probably the people who regularly attend this were aware of it..but not someone like me...a first timer.   So although disappointed I understand.  I went in to look at my paintings and to compare to the ones who won.  (I didn't).  I guess I took the theme wrong.  It was the road less traveled and mine were the only ones with roads in them.  Most of them were paintings of farms.  I guess farming is done less nowadays but I wasn't thinking like that.  If I was part of that morning group I might have known.

So I left and drove home.  No incidents.  Yeah!   When I got home I was beat.  I sat on my sofa for a moment and awoke with a start about an hour later.

I was contemplating watching some tv and putting my feet up when I remembered that I had promised someone to go to the local opera house to view a play.  So I freshened up just in time to leave.  The play was "Catch Me if You Can" .  It was a movie but I had only seen parts of it.  The interesting thing about it was how they handled the many changes of scene.  I think there must have been about 14 scene changes.  The disappointing thing was that it was mostly a musical.  I must say that most of their plays are.  I would like to see a drama sometime with maybe only one or two songs. 
 One gal (toward the end) was a really great singer....I would have liked to hear more from her.  The lead male was good but kind of a boring voice and persona.  I got home at 11:30pm....a busy day and late night....made getting up today a little difficult.

Today I did the reading program this morning and am heading out to get my prescription and any groceries and then the rest of the day I will take it easy....maybe paint a little, read a little, stare at the tube a little.  Tomorrow Ann Arbor Street Festival and Art Shows...4 in total.

Happiness

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
Abraham Lincoln

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

The world of those who are happy is different from the world of those who are not.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
Helen Keller

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
James Oppenheim

Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it.
Fyodor Dostoevsky

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
Frederick Keonig

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Buddha

If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.
Chinese Proverb

Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.
Bernard Meltzer

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.
Epicurus

You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make you happy.
Eric Hoffer

That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.
Henry David Thoreau

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action.
Benjamin Disraeli

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain