December 31, 2011-Happy New Year!

I want to wish you all a very happy new year. I hope it's a happy and healthy one. I have been very lucky to have reached this far. I hope to get through this year also. Stay safe everyone, if you are going out to party tonight. Do NOT drive if you've been drinking!
It's warmer today and raining a bit today. I am thinking about getting out to go to Aubuchon Hardware to stock up on outdoor critter food. And to Walmart. I know I said I wouldn't be going out again for a while but I forgot about the critter food and I never want to run out. I can't get out when it's snowing and cold. And I think my car is having a hard time in the cold. It didn't start too good last time.
Tomorrow it's going to be warmer but the stores will be closed so I have to go today. I didn't want to. It might start snowing tomorrow night and into Monday. If it does then I might not get to Uncle Bill's wake. It's too hard for me to walk on snow. I am so , so afraid I'll fall. My legs are way too weak to attempt it these days. But I'm going to wait and see what the weather is like. It's going to be much colder and windier on Monday.
Take care everyone. Happy New Year's Eve!

Update: I did go out. I got to Aubuchon Hardware for my critter food. Then I went to Walmart. That place was so crowded. Never saw the parking lot that packed before. I did manage to get a parking spot not too far away and it was close to the cart bin so I was able to grab one.
I ran into my cousin, Diana, whose dad just passed. She said that he was in real bad shape the last couple days before he died and she was up a lot during the night with him. His lungs were so bad. She said she thinks he knew he was ready to go. I think most people do.
I told her I was going to go to the wake but early so I could get in and out. She said if I needed a wheelchair she'd bring her fathers but I don't want to be using one of those yet. I know they'd like me to come to the service at 4 pm and to the VFW afterwards but I just can't be in that kind of crowd and all the seats are too low there for me to sit in. And by Monday morning the snow and wind will be starting so I'm just going to wait and see how the weather is at 1 pm. If I don't want to drive then someone can pick me up. The funeral home will come and get people also.
I'll be back Monday night to tell you what I did or did not do.
R.I.P. Uncle Bill

December 28, 2011-Christmas Day And Uncle Bill Died

This is Gavin and Cortney with Xander, who is six months old now. This would have been my sister, Chris's, first Grandbaby if she had lived.

We all had a wonderful time at Jane and Savey's. Finally got to see their new kitchen. it's beautiful! All granite and new stainless appliances. My brother, Jim, did a great job of cutting a hole between the kitchen and living room. That counter is all granite also. She had three stools there so it was a nice place for me to sit for a while. I could take pictures from that vantage point, looking into the living room or in the kitchen.
Gavin came with his wife, Cortney and their six month old baby, Xander, that we hadn't seen yet. He's a real good baby. Never cried and laughed all the time. They brought their year old female husky dog with them too. She's a beautiful dog and Jane is an animal lover so she didn't mind it running around. Not my cup of tea though. Then of all things, I was sitting on the stool in the kitchen. Went to get off and it's a good thing I had both crutches all ready in place because my left foot slipped. I thought that was odd because I had non-slip slippers on. Well I looked down and there was this big puddle of dog puke and I had stepped right into it. No one saw the dog do it. It's a damn good thing I didn''t fall into it or I would have been so pissed. And not being able to get up I would have been one hell of a mess. When my foot started sliding I grabbed onto the stool too and then looked down. Jane thought it was no big deal. She and Savey wiped it up and Cortney just stood there not offering to help or anything. I couldn't believe that. She never said a word either. That was strange. Here I was so careful when I came to Jane's. I had washed the bottoms of my slippers real good so as not to get anything on Jane's floors. If that had been a human that puked she would have not liked it at all. Ha! But that wasn't the only incident even though it was the worst.
I went to use the small bathroom by the living room and I was waiting for Debby's granddaughter to come out. I didn't see a light under the door so thought she had but when I opened the door she was standing there and the toilet was running. I turned the light on and could tell that the toilet was going to overflow if it wasn't plunged right away so I told Savey and he came and did it. I did not use that one. I went to their other bathroom. She had used way too much toilet paper I guess. One year my brother, Mike, overflowed the other toilet and it ran all the way down the hall. Jane did have a fit about that of course and about Savey having to plunge the other one this time . When she called the next day she said there was a drop of blood on her floor near her office and she said it was Gavin's dog. She's in heat. Gavin has never had it fixed and they tie it outside where the neighborhood dogs can get at it. They said a beagle bit it's neck the other day. Jane said she'd pay to have it fixed but when they are in heat the vet can't do it for a couple months now.
My brother, Mike, was there and his two daughters came also. I haven't seen Mike in about four years and I haven't seen his daughters in six. They are beautiful girls. They live with their grandmother in Rome. That's because their parents are divorced and their mother started dating a jerk and moved him in the house then she married him. the girls hated him so went to live with their grandmother. It's really a sad situation. Now the guy is in prison for beating up a postman in Sherrill, NY. He got three years but that's because he's been in prison before for burglary I guess. Mike's wife was such a nice girl too and has a very good job with the state. That guy drained her and she sold the house and now she's living with HIS parents..
I didn't leave Jane's till ten pm that night. Never planned on staying that long but I wasn't feeling bad and everyone else was still there. My birds were quiet when I walked in. I covered them up and they went right back to sleep.
Debby is doing a lot better and walking a bit on that foot but keeps the boot and brace on it. Her daughter, Crystal came with her two daughters. They stayed over with Deb that night.
My daughter, Nina, couldn't come because she and Jessi got sick. She did drive over so Salena and Jordan could run in and say Hi and leave some stuff off for me. I've talked to her since and she is still sick. Jessi is a little better. The older two weren't sick but Salena said she thought she might be coming down with it. I was disappointed that they couldn't come and see everyone. Now Nina will have to wait till they all are feeling good before she can come over to my house to get the kid's gifts. The kids had wanted to leave mine that day in my car because they all got me chocolates and knew I'd want some..Ha! Ha!
This was the first Christmas in ages that we didn't have any snow on the ground. But today it is snowing and bitter cold and windy. We aren't getting much snow though. Maybe an inch.
I'm glad I went out yesterday. I knew the rest of the week would be cold. I went out around 1:30 pm and it started to rain and rained the rest of the day. At least it stayed warm into the night or we could have had a lot of snow.
My last original uncle has died. My Uncle Bill Paslak died yesterday morning. (27th) He was 81 and his daughter had just brought him home from the Folts Home, where he'd been for a couple months. I am so glad he got to spend one more Christmas with the family. I'm waiting to read the obit but it wasn't online yet this afternoon. He has a son in TX and one in CA that has to come home. The older daughter lived with them so she could watch over her father and mother. There is one more daughter who lives in Miller's Mills. They were a close family. They always went camping together and Uncle Bill wanted to go this year. Not sure if he ever did. Diana, the daughter that lives with them left her home in Florida to be here. She took them to Florida every year. They enjoyed that.
I went through all the pics I had of Uncle Bill and put them in an album on Facebook. Then I got some of Diana's off Webshots to make another album. Diana is probably making a slide show for the funeral. Unless the funeral home does that. Not sure.
Well, it's almost the new year! I hope I live through this year. I want to see if all the prophecies are true about this being the last year. All that talk about the Mayan Calendar and how the earth is going to change in the year 2012 scares people. Doesn't scare me of course. I'm living on borrowed time as it is. But then isn't everyone?? No one knows when their time is up.
Well. I guess that is all for now. I hate writing these days. Or should I say typing? Ha!
Take care everyone and I hope you all get through the new year's eve celebrations okay. I never stay up to watch the ball but maybe I will this year. If I can't sleep.
I'll be back when I can. Happy New Year!

This is my Uncle Bill and Aunt Betty with their 50th anniversary cake. This was in 2004.

Had A Great Christmas Day!

I'll write in here tomorrow. Too tired today but will leave a pic of us.

I and my siblings and family in 2005

December 22, 2011-Update On Debby

Debby had to have more x-rays on her foot and the Orthopedic doctors determined that she did not have a fracture but bad contusions. She doesn't have to wear a cast and they took the air cast off and told her to start walking on it as best she can. So that is good news. She will heal up much faster. She has to go to therapy also. But she's happy that she can drive. She hadn't tried yet but today she was supposed to.
It was in the 40's today and damp. More like a mist at times. I went out at 6 pm but only to Aubuchon Hardware to get critter food. Got gas for my car too. dumb me. I pulled up next to the pumps. Got my credit card in and got the nozzle off and it wouldn't fit in the hole. Then I looked at the pump and I was at the diesel pump! Ha! Ha! They all look alike. So I had to put the gas cap back on and cancel the transaction and move to another pump. I guess I am getting old..ha!
My oldest daughter, Ginny, called me this afternoon. She didn't talk long. just wanted to know how I was feeling. She said she's doing okay and everything is fine. But she still won't say where she's at. I did ask her if she's talked to Vanessa and she said no. When I wished her a Merry Christmas she didn't even want to say it herself and didn't. She gets so weird. So that was it. Not much said.
I guess I'm all ready for Christmas. I hope I have a top that fits me. I have bought some bigger tops. nothing fancy though. I'm so fat now that I don't have many clothes. I have to buy size 18 XXL now!! Yikes! I've never gone over a size 14 in my life. I guess I better get serious about this after the new year. Get back to eating good and not eating so many sweets like I have.
We are going to wake up to some snow on the ground I think. Not much. Christmas day will be near 40 so I guess what we do get will be all melted by then.
Merry Christmas everyone!!

December 20, 2011-Happenings

To start off, I have to tell you that my sister, Debby, fractured her ankle at work in The Remington Arms on Sunday. She will be in a cast and on crutches for a while. It's going to be real hard for her. She won't be able to drive or get her own groceries or anything. I feel so bad for her. It was before 8 am that day and she was moving a heavy piece of equipment into an elevator. Instead of being behind it and pushing it, she was pulling it towards her and was in the elevator first. well the thing rolled and it pinned her against the wall and crushed her foot. She has to yell real loud for anyone to hear her. There aren't many people working on a Sunday. She got taken to the hospital ER in Little Falls. Jane picked her up and brought her home. I don't know any more yet.
Yesterday it was in the low 40's. I went out last evening to get some groceries and now I'm all set for Christmas. When I cam out of Walmart it was sprinkling a little. I'm glad I went because it got real cold overnight and today it wasn't very warm. I was lucky and got a parking spot right by the door in one of my usual spots. It didn't seem too crowded in there. The parking lot seemed worse..
My Granddaughter, Sarah, sent me a goody box from Whole Foods. Some nice snacks and some chocolates that I will enjoy! That was so nice of her. She's the one over near Afghanistan. She ordered my gifts from Amazon.com. I hope she gets the card I sent her. Not sure how long it takes to get over there.
Pam says she has to work from 2 till 10 on Christmas day so won't be at Jane's. Not sure if Gavin is coming. I haven't heard from him again. My brother, Mike, might be down from Vermont. Jane might have a full house this year. I've got to make sure my batteries are all charged up for my camera. I really should have bought another set. But I didn't think of it. I have three sets but they go dead fast when I'm taking video.
If I hear more about Deb I'll let you know. Take care everyone. Got to go. It's late. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!

December 17, 2011-Catching Up

Yikes! The days are going by so fast. Seems I can't ever get caught up.
 I watched the girls Thursday night. We had a few snowflakes coming down this morning but nothing stuck. I love seeing the snow. Have to wait till next Wed. or Friday now to see some snow maybe.

My brother, Jim, called to chat on Thursday evening also. I'll be seeing them all at Jane's on Christmas.
Not much else going on. I'm just trying to get little things done.
That strange vibrating noise is louder again. It sure does seem like it's within this building. I stuck my head outside and I can't hear anything. It's driving me nuts today and it's bothering Jasper too. She's very agitated today. Poor thing. It hasn't been loud like this very often. And it was still there all summer and fall but not as loud as it is now. It's back to the level it was all last winter. I sure wish I knew what was causing it. It still seems to be coming from someone's apartment downstairs. But how the hell can they stand it? If I wasn't sick and weak I'd move out of here.
Oh well. I'm not going to dwell on it. I'm trying to be in a good mood. Have a nice weekend everyone.

The Magic Of Christmas Day-Celine Dion-Slide Show

One of my old slide shows that I made for the Christmas season. I bring them out every year now. But they are always on my Youtube site.

December 13, 2011-Went Out Last Night

I went out last night to get groceries. My knee was feeling okay but that damn foot had a pain in the Achilles tendon area on my left foot. Always something! But I only stayed in the grocery area and did not walk the whole length of the store this time. It was about 29 degrees and the windshield was a bit frosty so had to wait for a few minutes to clear it. I can really smell exhaust inside my car so I know something was not hooked up right when they changed that pipe. It hasn't been quiet since they did it. Unless I have a hole in something else that they didn't catch. I suppose I should get that checked out. It might be a good way to go if I start getting pain some day.. Ha! I have thought about doing that when the time gets so bad that I am in a lot of pain. I won't know till the time comes. And I could end up in a damn nursing home first. I'd be so pissed.
My Uncle Bill is finally going home from the Folts Home. He's been there for rehab a few months now. He still can't walk very well but I know he'd rather be at home. And my Aunt Betty will have company. She's not that good either. My cousin, Diana, has to live there and take care of them.
I just about got all the Christmas cards out. Just have to make two more I think. One for the maintenance man here and one for Sarah, my Granddaughter, who is overseas with the Air Force. She just gave me her address. And it doesn't matter if she gets it late. I want to send her letters or cards all the time so she will get mail. She said they all look forward to mail. At least her boyfriend is over there with her.
I don't think we will have any snow here for Christmas by the sounds of the weather man. But you never know. It makes it easier for me to walk outside when there is no snow but I like snow for Christmas. Makes everything look so much prettier.
Twelve more days till Christmas!! That song gets in my head sometimes and I can't get it out..
I am trying to get my bird to sing Jingle Bells but he won't. It would be so cute if he did. He has his certain sounds and whistles and that's it.
I have been awake since 5 am again. That's when that woman upstairs got up and started making noise. I heard she was in the laundry all day long. But right now she's trying to sleep so I keep making noise. I don't want her sleeping. She sure doesn't care if I don't.
Gavin said he might be coming to Jane's for Christmas. That will be nice. Then we can see the baby. He's growing fast. They just put some pictures of him with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus on Facebook.
I'm all done making Jibjab videos for everyone too. I spent about $60 on those since Thanksgiving. But everyone gets a laugh out of them. I've got to put Nina and the kid's onto a DVD for them. Then they will always have them. When Salena was here I opened up an account on there for her and showed her how to do it so she can make them now. But she has to be a paying member to make the good ones and to download them. Maybe after I'm gone her mom will let her do that. It costs $12 a year and $1.99 per download. Otherwise it's $4.99 per download. I have ordered 30 of those things since Thanksgiving..LOL
It wasn't a bad day but I could feel the dampness in the air. It was only in the low 20's this morning. Not sure if it got to 40 today or not. But the sun did come out for a while. Now it's real cloudy. Going to rain Thursday and be in the 40's.
Today I've had a back ache. That's from hauling groceries and walking Walmart probably.. I'll just pop another Ibuprofen before I go to bed.
Take care everyone. I'll be back soon.

Here's Gavin and Cortney's little boy, Xander. He's 6 months old now. This would have been my sister, Chris's grandchild.

December 10, 2011-Time is Sure Going fast

Wow! It's been a few days since I've been here but I really haven't had much to write about I guess. I've been staying inside, babying my knee so when it's time to go out again it might feel better. I got some of my cards mailed out today. Will mail the rest on Monday. I made some money holders for the kids. Got them all cut out. Just got to glue them now.
There was a Christmas party here at the building today but I didn't go. I can't stand being in that community room any more. I don't know half the people any more. And I'm just too uncomfortable. No chairs to sit in that I can get out of in there either. I don't want to be catching anyone's colds either. You never know this time of year.
I'm sure the food was delicious though. The lady on the hill next door did the catering. She's been through a lot this year also with breast cancer and chemo treatments. Radiation also. I'm really surprised she did it. I hope she doesn't volunteer for next year. But that's her business. I think it's way too much work for the little money she charges. She and her husband are real nice people. They have always gone out of their way to help people here.
The palm of my right hand has been peeling for the past two weeks. It's from all the pressure I put on it when I get up off my chair and I'm not sure how the skin started ripping. Tonight I was pulling on a piece of skin and I felt it sting and knew it had ripped too deep. That's a weird place because the skin is thick in that spot. Right near my wrist below my little finger. I think the arms on my glider chair did it. It feels like it's wearing out and might have rough spots on it. Maybe I should sand the arms down or put some covers on them. Hope this heals over fast. I have to use my hands way too much. And I will have to wear rubber gloves now so I don't get any germs in it.
I've been making these little Jibjab pictures for people. This is my daughter, Nina, with her kids and her boyfriend. I've made a lot of the Jibjab videos also for the family. They love them.
Well, I was hoping to see some snow this morning or today but it never came here. It was all up North. The sun was out here today but it was quite cold and is going down in the 20's tonight. And there's a full moon tonight. Not sure if I'll take any pictures of it. It's always behind trees till the wee hours.
I saw one fox out here tonight and I saw an opossum for the first time in two years I think. I was happy to see one. But I couldn't take a picture. I'd have to open the window and he ran away anyway after I shined the flashlight on him. Hopefully I'll get a pic one of these days. I like Opossums.
So that's about it for now. Take care everyone.

December 7, 2011

I watched Jessi Tuesday evening. She was real good without her sister here with her. Seems they argue a lot when together. It was more fun with just her. I printed off some pages for her to color. She was showing me her dances that she will be doing in the school play. I was taking videos of her.
Nina took Salena with her to her class. It was her last night to teach up there at the base. In the spring she will be teaching a class again. I will be watching both girls next Thursday while Nina and Jason go to a Christmas party. It's her college party for the faculty I think and is at Frencesca's in Ilion. From 4 till 7. So that won't be bad. But I'm figuring on another hour or so. As long as it's not too late or I'll be too tired.
I felt pretty good today. My knee wasn't hurting as much and my back ache was gone.
I've been trying to get a few things done on the computer. Had to make a few Christmas tags for the kids presents. And a few cards.
It rained all day today but no snow yet. I'm hoping there will be some on the ground tomorrow morning. It won't stay if there is. I just want things to look prettier.
Not much else going on. I'm sticking this pic of Jessi here from last evening. Take care everyone.

December 5, 2011-Went Out Today

It was in the low 50's today and partly sunny. I went out earlier than I usually do because it was supposed to rain. And the weather will be getting colder now. I had to go get some critter food at Aubuchon Hardware. Then I went to Walmart for a few items. And lots of candy in case I get snowed in..Ha! Ha! My knee was feeling a little better with help from the Ibuprofen so it wasn't too bad walking around. I was real careful though. Any little twist of that knee will start some real bad pain again..
I had to make another trip out to the car after dark to bring in the bags of bird chow. I don't dare leave it in the trunk now because it gets real damp in there in the winter and I didn't want the mouse to get into them. he can go elsewhere to eat now. I don't know if it's a mouse or a chipmunk really. Lots of chipmunks run under the cars out front. But of course most are in their dens now for the winter except for one lone little guy who is outside my window every day.
It was my sister, Jane's 58th birthday today. And my sister, Pam's was on the 3rd. She turned 50. Only Mike is under 50 now. He will be 50 in 2013. Amazing to think all the little kids, as I call them, are that age. Of course they don't look their ages like I do..ha!
I'm hoping I can get some sleep tonight. That damn woman upstairs was up at 5 am and flushed the toilet about six times in an hour and stomping around. I never got back to sleep. Yesterday morning she was vacuuming at 7:30 am. And she has the noisiest vacuum cleaner too. That pissed me off, even though I was awake. She left after all the noise and was gone all day. I'll never get used to the noise.
I'll be watching my youngest granddaughter tomorrow evening. Salena is going with her mom where she teaches in Rome. It's her last day up there till spring.
That's all for today I guess. Take care everyone.

December 4, 2011-Sunny Day Here

It is a beautiful day and in the low 40's, after being in the 20's overnight. It might be our last sunny day for a few. But I don't think we will get any snow. A few flurries are called for this week but then it's warming up to 50 again. What a weird December.
Yesterday my knee felt a little better but today it's back to hurting again. Even when I'm sitting I have to be careful how I have my leg. I can feel little pains shooting through the outside of it all the time. Sometimes it feels like the bones or ligaments are caught on each other. I have to bend it a few times before I can walk. What a pain this is going to be. When I start to feel good in other areas then this has to happen all the time, keeping me tied down so I can't do anything. But it could be worse. I could be laid up in a bed. Thank God I'm not yet.
I keep thinking I have so much to do but then I think to myself, why bother. I really don't have to be making any more picture Cd's or DVD's. I think I've did enough for the family these past few years, as far as getting pictures together so they will have memories.. I've got everything I need for the kid's Christmas. I might print out a couple 8x10's for my sisters but that's about it. I'm waiting for a couple items to come in the mail. it sure is a lot easier ordering things online. If I want to send a package I even do my own click and ship labels. I have to make it as convenient as possible when I can't get out to places like I used to. I'd never be able to even carry a package into the Post office now. Not when I have to use both crutches. So I do like shipping them from home.
I'm watching Christmas movies on TV when I see a good one. Trying to stay off my feet as much as possible but It's hard. I hate sitting for very long.
Have a nice Sunday everyone.

December 2, 2011-Bones Are Hurting Today

I can hardly walk today. My left leg and knee hurts real bad. I tried using the scooter around here but it's not too handy at getting at things and I have to keep getting up anyway. It's better to use the walker. And my legs don't sit on the scooter that well. They keep wanting to fall to the sides and that's not good. I might hit them on the door jam..
The reason why I'm hurting so bad is that I went out last night to get some groceries. I walked real slow but it did a job on my knee. I know I should use one of those riding carts and I guess soon I will have to. But they are a pain too. I'd have to keep getting up to get things and then when I got to the door I'd have to transfer everything into a regular cart to get it to the car. So what's the use? I guess when I can't walk any more I will just have to ask for help.
The pain in my upper back and belly area on the right side is still bothering me also. I'm always wondering how long I have. I have little goals now. To make it till Christmas first. Then to New Years. I'm not going to think too far ahead at this time.
My sister, Pam, turns 50 tomorrow. She's next to the last kid in the family. I can't believe all the little kids are all 50 years old now. Yikes! Just Mike is left and he will turn 50 on June 10th, 2003. That's the day our mother died. Sure doesn't seem that long ago.
I'm not buying any gifts for the kids. I just give them money and an ornament. I bought little bags to put them in so no wrapping either. I will just make special gift cards for each of them. I only give Nina's kids something. I can't afford the rest. I would give Ginny's small boys something but now she's in hiding again so I won't be making them any more DVD's. I haven't heard from her again. Only that one time for my birthday. So I have no idea where she is.
Heather drove to NY for Thanksgiving to be with her dad and brothers. She was supposed to come and visit me but she didn't. She wrote a note to me on Facebook and said she didn't have enough money to drive down. So I guess she never did see anyone down this way. But at least she got to her brothers and father. That's more important.
I haven't heard anything more from Sarah. I hope she's doing okay way over there in Kyrgyzstan. I know she will miss being home for Christmas. But at least she has Leo there too. That's her boyfriend. I made them a couple Jibjab movies. That will make them smile anyway..
It was a frosty morning and we might get a few flurries of snow but I haven't seen anything yet. just a cloudy day and cool. In the 30's.
So that's all for now. I'll be back soon. Have a nice day everyone.