THE THING

Well, I went out and looked for The Thing, and I found it and another one, to boot. The second on was stuck to the inside of my door to the storage under the house, so I'm guessing that is where I picked up the one yesterday. Gnarly looking little things, aren't they?

If you click on it, you will be able to see how vile they look up close and personal"!

And get a load of the one I pulled off the door! There is something insidious growing in there!!!

I didn't realize that as I took this, Jazi brushed by me and it is a bit fuzzy. But not so fuzzy that you can't see the ick inside that cocoon!

BLECH.

Itching and organizing

Yesterday while I was in the yard, I found something stuck to the back of my hand. It resembled a cocoon, black or dark grey, and I didn’t think much of it. I just shook it off, completed my task and started in the house. When my focus was off the task, I discovered my hand was irritated where the thing had been. I looked at it, saw nothing, brushed it, and it hurt! When I looked more closely, the area was covered with teeny-tiny little black hairs that were imbedded in my skin! The descriptive word that hit my mind was “nettles,” although I have not idea where that came from. I have no experience with nettles.

Since they weren’t brushing off, I came in the house, washed the area with soap and water [ouch, ouch, ouch!] then took a soapy fingernail brush and began brushing the area under running water. I was hoping I wasn’t driving them further in, but couldn’t think of a better way to try to remove them, short of using the mega magnifiers I use for crafting and a pair of tweezers. Anyway, it seemed to work. I could find no trace of them, and the area, while tender, didn’t seem to have the remains of whatever-they-were still attached to the skin.

I went about my business the rest of the day, occasionally noticing the tenderness or irritation. It wasn’t terrible, and I honestly didn’t notice it much. But it was still there. The desire to scratch at it was almost overwhelming at times. I read about nettles, and while I’m still not sure what the cocoon-like thing was, I’m believing it might have been some sort of relative to a stinging nettle, although I can’t find a reference to the nettle hairs coming off and balling up as this was.

I live in an area that has stinging nettles, however, so I guess it is possible. Stinging nettles deliver toxins via hairs that grow on the stems. Most of the references I found were about contacting them by touching the plant. Could it be that some animal brushed by a nettle, picked up some of the nettle hairs in their own coat, then shed it? Who knows?

This morning, the area is still itchy and irritated. It is also slightly puffy. I looked again on the internet, and still don’t find anything like that cocoon, but I found some of the remedies to contact with nettles. They include, (1) putting vinegar on it, although that was confusing as one reference said the nettles toxin was acid and the vinegar would neutralize it. So that means I would need to use cider vinegar which is alkaline to neutralize it. However, another source stated that the acid in the vinegar neutralizes the toxin, so that would be white vinegar!!; or (2) using aloe vera juice on it. That took very little thought. I have aloe vera gel, the kind with a little pain relief added to it, so I put that on the spot a little while ago. It seems to be relieving the irritation and itch.

What is it with me? I seem to contact the oddest situations! I wasn’t even out tromping through the woods, but storing some of the tubs I’ve emptied while doing my organizing!  Oh, this makes me think .... perhaps I should go see if I can find that thing and carefully put it in the trash. If there are seeds in it, I don’t want it growing here!

Speaking of the work I’m doing on the house, I would say I’m about 2/3 done with my tasks. The problem is that the remaining 1/3-ish is the hardest part. Most of the organizing is done, with everything now moved into the room it belongs and much of it in place. But I still have to make decisions about what to keep and what to let go. If I keep it, it must have a place. If it goes, is it trash or donation to thrift shops in the area?

I’ve already done a lot of getting-rid-of [three large bags to the dumpster and two tubs of things for “relocation”], but there is much more to do. I am just amazed at what has been accumulated. After moving here, I had the big sale and cleared out a lot. I kept very little that didn’t have a purpose or place at the time [mostly sentimental stuff], yet my belongings have grown. A cute skirt, a fun little picture, a sweet piece of pottery, one at a time. And now .... gah! Over four years, make that cute skirt times 10, and the pottery times 14, etc.! Really, what I have brought into the house has been 90% useful items, but they are extra, nonetheless. Even knowing I’m doing this, I brought home a couple pieces of pottery for the kitchen on Thursday!

I’ve made an agreement with myself. I will keep a Rubbermaid tub on the deck and if I buy anything new, some item must go into the tub to be donated. It is fun to make these wonderful finds! My kitchen is a delight! When friends come, they always say what fun it is to set a table at my house because of the eclectic mix I have. And my wardrobe.... I get so many compliments on the wonderful clothing I’ve accumulated. But I have to keep some sense about it. The dishes have to fit on the shelves and the clothes in the closet! Therefore, the remainder of the summer will be spent going through closets and drawers and cabinets .... and the tubs of things I took down during this room change. If I find enough for a good rummage sale I will consider that, but since I’m working, my time is limited. Probably best that things be passed on in other ways that don’t consume my precious free moments.

I’m not a minimalist. I’m a collector or fascinating things. But I shudder at the thought of looking like a hoarder!! No, I’m not near that, but still it is time to shake free of a lot of stuff. Hey, here’s an offer .... come help me and you can have what you want of the overflow!! LOL! Hey! Wait!!! You are all running away! I don’t get it!!!

Loooong weekend

It has been a looooong time since a loooong weekend meant much to me. I have to tell you, I'm so glad to have a looooong weekend! No, nothing wrong with the job. Nothing wrong anywhere. I'm just appreciative of the extra day off.

I have absolutely zero plans, at least of the type that most of you are planning. My plan for the three days is to try to have my house back in order again. I know I may not finish, because I have a lot of culling to do, but by Monday, I plan to have the house in "company ready" shape again. I'll put things to be sorted into tubs and go through them over the few couple weeks. If something doesn't fit, if I can't put it away, I don't plan to keep it. If I want to keep something, and there is no place for it, something else has to go. Tough love, baby!  This is going to mean many trips to the dumpster, the thrift stores, etc. It feels good to be ready to let surplus go. Surplus = clutter. Clutter = baggage. Baggage = a load too heavy to carry around. I've already thinned the stuff quite a lot in the last three weeks, but I've had many interruptions, most of the fun kind, but still slowing down my progress. This weekend, many of my friends are engaged in similar activities, so I don't see distractions in my path.

The one thing standing in my path of being completely "in order" is the fact that I don't have a desk for my office yet. I have been looking around for what I want, a small table desk. I've found a couple, affordable but they aren't quite what I want. If they were $50, I'd take them till I found the right thing, but they're both around $200. Too much for the wrong thing. I've also found one at a furniture store that is exactly what I want, but it is $400. That's not a lot, but my budget it tight, and I hate to spend that much for something that I will actually use perhaps once a month. It's a catch-22, of sorts. I figure if I wait long enough and look around, I will find one at a yard sale this summer. In fact, if I do anything this weekend, it will be making the round of sales. This is usually a good weekend for them.

So how and I entering this working weekend? Still in bed at almost 9:00, drinking coffee and playing on the internet!! Well, duh! I'll be using all my self-discipline on minimizing the house this weekend!  LOL!!!

I miss my sis

I do. I miss her a lot.

The last couple days she has been on my mind a lot. Perhaps it is because I'm not feeling up to par, and I would love to have someone to lean on, to empathize with me. Even though her health would have limited her abilities to "help" me, it would be nice to have someone here to talk to who gets me at most levels. I'd even settle for being able to call her and whine a little.

I actually wrote that several weeks ago, but I couldn't take it any farther. It has sat in my "drafts" and reminded me every day.  And today, I'm not up to par, either. I think I need to process this and get it out.

When I say I'm not up to par, it doesn't mean I'm sick. In fact, I'm physically better than I've been in a while. Ive been dealing with health issues since shortly after I started to work. Nothing that stopped me from working, but just kept my system off kilter. I have had diverticulosis (meaning it was inactive) for many years, then it became diverticulitis (the active state) in February. It was triggered by stress, I'm sure. Learning a new job, concerns about my two girls going through divorces, the mess in the house which I lived with for two months after the water heater saturated everything, and a number of other small things that alone aren't important, but together make for a messy undercurrent.

And this morning I woke with just a blech feeling. My body is actually back on a good, normal track in the last few days. Everything is functioning as it should again. My appetite, which has been way off for all these weeks, is back and I'm enjoying food, and even enjoying cooking again. I've eaten a lot of crap meals because I didn't feel like cooking and nothing appealed to me. I would guess it will take a little longer for my internal balance to be restored. (You can't have 3 months of diarrhea without electrolytes and other balances being whacked.) No, it's not just my body, but I think I'm having a mild depression. It is possibly just a physiological reaction to restoring my strength and internal health that has bled over to the psychological.

It seems like many things are hovering over me and causing concern. Most of it is not big, but the combined effect is overwhelming. So much so that I'm still in bed at 8:45, on a day that I need to be up and at 'em. I have so much to do in the next week, getting ready for the trip to Mexico. But I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with it all, and my response, as usual, is to hide my head like an ostrich. Oh, yeah that's gonna help, isn't it???

This is another of those things about being alone. And being old. When you're alone, there is not someone to lean on when you're sick or just feeling "blue." I'm reluctant to bother others with my stuff. I know, I know!! If you're thinking about saying to me that I could have called you or dropped a note and you'd be happy to  .... etc etc. etc. Save it! You know you're much the same way. We stalwart Americans don't like to "air our dirty linen." Blah, blah, blah. But it is true most of the time.

• I really do miss Sis. It has been heavy on me of late. I'm not sure why, but that's how it is.
• I'm tired of having the full worry of my life on my own shoulders, no one to share that burden. Every decision is fully mine. Every financial crunch is fully mine. I go to work and there is no one home with my pups if something goes wrong. It just stinks to have no one to share the load, to talk it over with, to feel some lightening of the burden of making life work.
• I've realized that I'm an invisible citizen nowadays. Seriously, older people are looked over, looked past, looked right through. I remember my dad getting snitty about being ignored except when they asked if he wanted the senior discount. I get that. I meet people 2-3 times and they introduce themselves to me yet again! Perhaps I was "the pretty one" for too long; people remembered me. Now I'm "greying" right into the background, and it is depressing.
• I'm sad about many things: divorces; the economy; the inane weather conditions all over; that I don't have the strength and stamina I used to; having many little home tasks that I can't complete (either ability or cost); friends dying (far too often at this age); and on and on.  And on.

So I'm having a "poor me" day. I hope that getting this out will clear the air for me, help me to refocus. My life is actually very good by most standards. I think as much as anything, it irks me that I can't put my finger on why I'm in this state. Something can't be "fixed" until it is understood where, how, what is broken!  I understand the general situation of it all, but the why of it eludes me, or the how to fix it certainly does.

So there you are. I'm in a state. It will pass. Been here before, and it always does pass. I just hate that my typically positive state is just beyond my finger tips at this time. Guess I'd better get up and feed the dogs. After all no one else will!  [grin] Yes, the sense of humor is still here, just has to be ferreted out of hiding. 

Have a good weekend, everyone.  And thanks for listening.

Grins and giggles (as opposed to giggles and grins, of course)

A few fun things for this morning to kick off your day .....

Apparently phone zombies are everywhere!! And most of them are in their teens.

It's important to select your words carefully.

Tell me 'bout it!

I need that!

Yeah, been there, heard that.

giggle!!

Yes, I certainly am, and proud of it!!!

I remember thinking the same thing!!

  chuckle!

I think I managed to accomplish that a time or two when the kids were small!

oh, lawdy. I remember those days!

Now get out there and have a fabulously funny day, everyone!

Letting go

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves at crossroads and have to make decisions we'd rather not make. I'm there. It's not exactly a huge, life shattering one, but I've been standing in this place for too long as I try to avoid making the decision I have.

I've had a friend for a while now, but she has backed away. We were very close for a long time, doing many things together. We have a lot of friends in common, and often show up at the same events, planned or not. Then a few months ago, there was a sudden change in our relationship. She seemed cool and distant.  I've asked about it, but she smiles, then her voice goes up about an octave (a certain sign of an untruth) and she says nothing is wrong. She was the same on the surface, yet several noticed a subtle undercurrent. At first, I thought it was just me, then realized it was generalized. Others noticed it, too, and it seemed it wasn't just me who felt the shift in her.

So I didn't take it personally once I realized that. I figured, as others did, that she was struggling with something. I've back off to give space.  I've given supportive comments during a difficult time in her life while being very careful to not encroach.  Her mother's health recently too a bad turn and after a few weeks, she passed away. Several of us have tried to gently support her fro a distance, but she hasn't communicated with us. We call her; she doesn't call us. And I've finally decided to just give it up. As I've stood at the crossroads trying to discern what is going on with her, the rest of my life has moved on. When I realized that a few days ago, I decided it is time to get on with life, and if she happens to make overtures in the future, play it by ear then. It is so odd that someone protests that all is well while seeming to be anything but. Oh well. Time to let go.

Have you noticed how some parts of your life continue to move along while others grind to a halt? For instance, some one dear to you dies, and that part of your life seems to stand still; yet, you go to work and do your job as usual, and you parent your children without much change, and you keep your dental appointments or haircuts. I've noticed things I've be unable to make a decision over, so I figuratively put them on a shelf, while the rest of my life progresses. That's what has happened with this friend. My relationship with her is "on hold" for the past few months while the rest of my life has gone on. Time to cut the line to that anchor.

All things in life have purpose. We don't always know why things happen. Sometimes a vacancy comes about to make room for a new tenant. Let's hope for the best for all!

Proof of the pudding

For those people (TL) who keep telling me (Caroline) that I have things sticking out of my head (TL) or it looks like I have horns (Caroline) when I take pictures sitting on my couch, here is proof of what I've told you.

These are two little figures from South Africa, made with banana leaves. I got them in a fair trade store in Santa Fe a few years ago.

The girl in on top. You can see she is skipping rope. The boy is playing with a stick.

Close up.

And before some wise acre says something, NO, THAT IS NOT HIS PERSONAL APPENDAGE (I started to use the anatomical word, but that would lead every pervert on google right here!) sticking out there! It is merely where the leaves are tied off, and it's actually on his hip.

And close up.

So, there you have it. I rest my case! I have nothing sticking out of my hear or growing from my head. Hell, it's unlikely that there is anything IN my head!!  LOL!

Graduation

I went to a high school graduation today. I think this was the first one since my own kids graduated more years ago than I care to remember. It was quite an interesting experience, and I'm not sure if it was because it has been so long that I've forgotten what they are like or if things have changed a great deal.

First of all, let me say, it was sweet. There were just 31 graduates (Wonder Boy was one, of course!), the smallest graduating class I've ever observed. My class and my kids classes were all upwards of 200, so this was very different. As is usual in places where the weather is generally good (does NM immediately spring to mind?), it was outside in the football field. I was very impressed that probably 3/4 of the class got some sort of scholarship! Cool! And most of the kids had completed between 4 and 14 credits in a program to give the kids double credit for each class, one to meet the high school requirements and another toward their college degrees.

It has been a long time since I sat in a high school stadium on the bleachers. I hope it's a long time before I do again! They are not comfortable. No back support, hard bare metal seats, and insufficient room between rows to allow even me to sit with my legs straight ahead. Not comfortable for an hour and a half ceremony! But I could have endured it better without ....

• The Woman in Red behind me who fidgeted and fiddled with stuff throughout the whole ceremony. She took some pictures, then sat there scrolling through what she had taken .... beep.. beep..  beep.. beep.. beep.. beep.. beep.. beep.. beep ........  I think she scrolled through about 30 pictures, and it was going right up my spine!! Then she got out the camcorder. That wasn't too bad, but she put it away, then took it out, then put it away, every time zipping, unzipping, scrunching the nylon case, moving other things around in the case and making more noise than you can imagine. At one point the digital camera tumbled out of the bag as she juggled everything around, and it hit me in the back. I wasn't injured, but it didn't feel good either. Several times, as she shifted around with all that, she kneed me in the back, again, not hard, but irritating and with no apology.
  
  Next she sat the camera case down in the aisle with the strap causing an obstacle. When another woman tried to walk down the aisle, she tiptoed through it, and even being careful, caught her toe. No, she didn't fall, but Woman in Red didn't do a thing, didn't even say "Sorry," or move the strap. So I reached out and moved the strap out of the path for safety.
  
  Then her cell phone went off! C'mon! It may be outside, but it is rude to leave your cell on during such an event! It was a text message, and she spent the next few minutes click-click-clicking.
  
•  Speaking of cell phones, there was constant texting going on all around me. Most was teenagers, but still I found it annoying. Most phones were silent, but the clicking was often audible, and I have a hearing loss, so it must have been quite audible to normally-hearing folks! The other thing about cell phones .... at least eight cell phones were dropped, rattling loudly when they fell on the metal bleachers. Put the damn things away already!!
  
• There was a constant stream of people in and out of the bleachers. The ones with small children, I could understand. Little ones have to go to the bathroom or have their diapers changed. But many were adults who went out to smoke or just to stand around and talk away from the ceremony. Perhaps some were as uncomfortable (or more so) as I and needed to move around. But it seemed disrespectful to do so, especially those who walked in front of me more than once. What's with that?
  
• Both going in and leaving, people stood in the paved path chatting. Rather than moving to the side of the path to allow people to walk more safely, they stood planted, making it necessary for others to walk around them in the gravel.

I donno. Maybe I'm just getting old and crotchety.  It just seemed to me that there were so many breeches of etiquette. This isn't the only event I've thought that about. Cell phones in movies and concerts and restaurants. Talking (not whispering) during movies or concerts. Blocking walkways, smoking near entrances to buildings (BTW, in NM it is illegal to smoke within something like 20 feet of a doorway).

But on a positive note, I was so refreshed to see those sweet young faces today. It makes me feel good about our future to see the hope and eagerness.  I told Wonder Boy that watching him grow and mature over the past four years has been an absolute pleasure. It truly has been.  He was such an immature, insecure child that he seemed more like an eleven year old than fourteen when I met him. He was afraid of his shadow, quite literally, when he came here to live with his father and step mother. Now he is much more sure of who he is, and he is looking forward to a future of acting in the theaters/movies. He has come out of his shell with thespian endeavors, and is currently up for bit parts in a couple movies for the summer. He's already done a couple extras/walkons. He plans to major in film technology in college. I'm so proud of him, like an "adopted" grandmother. I will greatly miss him, although he reminds me that he isn't going to be far away and that he will still be here to house/puppy sit much of the time!

It was a good day, including the barbeque at his parents' home after the ceremony. I got to meet his mother and much of the extended family, and we had tons of excellent food while we chatted. Life is good with food, friends, and a glimpse into the future via those young eyes.  :)  Yeah, life really is good.

Dos, Don'ts .... make that "damn I wish I hadn'ts" .... and winds and fires

Today was a little crazy at work. And it was my own fault. I described it to a friend as having several little threads loose, and watching them be pulled and the fabric unraveling. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were very uneventful, and I got a lot of minor catch-up done. Then today, I discovered something I hadn't caught earlier in the week, and I played scramble the rest of the day.  I hate that! I have only myself to blame, as I missed the detail myself, but it drives me crazy when that happens and then I spent the rest of the day playing telephone tag and trying to connect with people to mend the hole. I still have a couple things to do in the morning because the woman at the hospital left without returning my call to her. Three o'clock rolls around and she is outta there, regardless of details like unreturned phone calls. And her part is very important in the big picture. Sigh.

Tomorrow I'm going to the funeral of one of our patients. He and his wife are the first among people I met right after moving here, very nice people. He's been sick for a long time, and I was glad he got into hospice for his comfort in the last days. A friend of mine volunteered a therapeutic massage for the widow and his daughter a couple days ago. What a cool thing for her to do. Anyway, the memorial service is in the morning, so I'll be there. In a small community like this, this is going to happen from time to time. It's one of those "everybody knows everybody" kind of places.

There is another wildfire nearby. It broke out this morning, not far from here and Capitan. It's also near the historic site of Ft. Stanton, and I hope that isn't damaged. The fort was once the home of the Buffalo Soldiers, and while it is not a really impressive place, the history gives me chills of awe. The infernal winds are not helping, again. But this time it is a rather small fire, and hopefully it will be contained quickly.

Remember that I've talked a couple times recently about the hairstylist problem? Today was the first appointment with a new one. She cuts my bosses hair. Boss has curly hair, too, and I like how it looks, very natural and feminine without being too fussy. I figured it was worth a try.

I took her a picture of one of my favorite styles, but told her that I was very open to anything new, as long as it wasn't something that took me a half hour every morning. So she started the typical stylist stuff, fluffing, twirling, etc., then asked if I wanted it short. I told her that I was alright with letting it grow out some. She suggested something slightly longer than what I have now, saying she would not be taking of much length today, but texturizing and shaping to lead to a new "do." My hair wasn't in bad shape, but was getting out of form since that last, awful, very short cut.  She described a little more of what she had in mind, and it sounded good to me. She even explained how it would differ from Bosses hair, because of our different curl and other attributes, and I was getting really excited. This was a woman, I knew, who "gets" curly hair!

We chatted throughout the haircut time. Well, of course we did! This is me I'm talking about, and she was a stylist in a salon!! Duh! What an interesting woman she is! I learned a lot about her without feeling like I knew too much! I've had that happen, too! It was a pleasant conversation, and it was made even better by  a wonderful scalp massage, especially across the base of my skull. Ahhhhh. N.I.C.E.

As she was cutting, I had my glasses off, of course, but I've learned over the years (an advantage to growing old, perhaps??) the feel of a good cut. I knew I was in good hands and really relaxed. When she finished, I slipped my glasses on and was delighted!! To be honest, it isn't a lot different in appearance at this time, but the difference that matters is that it is a really good cut! There are things that don't show up a lot now, but I know the difference, and I'm thrilled!

Over the next few cuts, it will become longer, the length depending on what I am comfortable with when we get there. I'm really eager to see what happens by, say, fall!

OK, OK, here is a photo. It's not really good, and this is after running around between our buildings at work in the horrible winds today, but it'll give an idea.


I think I'm "home"!! I have a doctor that I really like and a hair stylist who really knows her stuff!

Life is good!!!

Bone and groans

After work today I ran over to the hospital and had a couple tests done, a mammogram and a bone density test.

The booby squeeze was unremarkable. Nothing of note, but the official report will come later. They are sending for the previous report from Albuquerque, and then, of course, the radiologist has to do the official read. I'm not worried. I am very glad it is done. It wasn't as awful as some previous ones, but those blasted things can never be called "comfortable," can they, girls? gah. Double gah. Again, I'm glad it's over, and I don't have to worry about this for a long time now.

The bone density was uneventful as well. They read three areas, hip, spine and wrist. All three read a little low, but not dangerously. My hip and wrist were actually in the low range of normal. My spine was in the range that is called "osteopenia," meaning the bones are lower density, but not osteoporosis. I figured the spine would be worst, because I have scoliosis (curvature) and I know it has been getting gradually more pronounced. Even so, the tech indicated that the report will be fully read and interpreted and results to me and my doctor in a few weeks. She said that for my age, it seemed "OK."

The most surprising thing was that I'm shorter than I thought, by nearly two inches! At first, it kinda panicked me, as I thought of osteoporosis. Then, within a few seconds I realized that since the scoliosis is progressing, that will make me shorter over time. I'm guessing that the lessened height is probably a combination of scoliosis and osteopenia. The really concerning thing to me about the height loss is that it make my weight seem that much more psi! Damn! I can't catch a break, I lose a few pounds, and I find out the weight distribution over my frame is no better than before! Ratzerfratzers!

Still, altogether, things are not bad with my body, my health. I still need to have lab work done, but I need to remember to fast and stop at the hospital on my way to work one day. This week is not a good one for that, but I think I can get it done next week. I'm not overly concerned about that, either.

All in all, everything is about as expected for my age. Of course, the other side of that coin is .... growing old is not for the faint of heart, but if you keep a smile on your face, it confuses the hell out of everyone!!

Giggles and grins

I need a laugh today, so I thought I'd share these with you. No, nothing's wrong except I can't wake up, so I figure a chuckle will help!

Me, too!

I like broccoli, but this would be even better!

Trust me, this is not just a kid thing .... it's a guy thing.

Another guy thing!

This is what The Kids keep telling me, too!

Ohhhh! My guys would LOVE this!!

This is my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

Ahhhhh! Those chuckles woke me just as planned!  I'm ready to face the day! How 'bout you??

Cars

I read a blog post over at Froggi Donna's place, Hopping Through Life, and it made me remember my own cars of past years. My cars were not as scary interesting as some of Donna's, but I had some fun ones, too. Be sure to read Donna's post to appreciate what I say!

When I was in high school I often drove my folks' big ol' Ford van. At first I hated it. What teenager wants to be drive a huge box-like van. Well, at least we didn't like it back then; it wasn't cool yet in the early 60s. However, my friends quickly dispelled that aversion for me, because I could take more people with me than anyone else!

I personally preferred to drive the Buick, the car I'd learned to drive in from the time I was 11. It was push and comfy. It had electric windows and seat, something not too many people could brag about, and I loved it.

When I neared my 18th birthday (April) and graduation (May), my parents made me an offer. They would buy be a good used car as a gift for both events. Back then less than $1000 would buy a good, solid used set of wheels. Or I could choose to have them put a down payment and make the first two payments on a brand new Volkswagen bug. The two payments would allow me to graduate and get started in a job before taking on the remainder of the mortgage. My mom was working at the VW dealership and could get it at cost, $1750.  It took me perhaps three seconds to decide for the new VW! I had decided to forego college at the time, knowing I had no idea what direction I was going yet. I was planning to get a job, and I could afford the $75 per month payments. Can you believe that car payment??

I got a sunroof. The sunroof in that day was B.I.G. It was big enough that at least two people could stand up and put their bodies waist up through the top of the car. More than once four of us did so, and several times I drove while leaning my butt on the back of the driver's seat and having head and shoulders out the top! And to answer your question, yes, it is probably my fault that the sunroof in your car today doesn't allow even your hand to be out! Sorry!

The VW was a mighty little car back then. We used to take it into the country much like a Jeep or an ATV. It would go just about anywhere! I remember one time when my boyfriend (1st husband to be) went across the state line into Southern Colorado and took off up a mountain trail in the snow. We passed two Jeeps that were stuck in the snow or slid off the path in the deep snow at the side, and I will admit that I gloated smiled as we put-putted right past them!

Years later I was driving a Ford station wagon which I hated. It was too big for my taste, as I was used to driving various VWs, the bug, a Karmen Ghia, a Fastback. But with two kids now, the room was nice, even if that was the only redeeming feature about it for me. A friend was marrying a woman with two kids. He thought he needed a bigger car than his Fiat Spyder 124, and I jokingly suggested a trade. He took me up on it!! OMG!! What fun that car was! I was a looker back then, and driving around in that little white sports car with the top down was a major trip!

BTW, the friend's engagement broke off, and he dearly regretted the trade! He was a cop, and one day I was pulled to the curb by him. I didn't know it was him till he walked to the side of my car, so I was upset, because I knew I'd not broken any laws. He stopped me to have me validate to his partner that he used to own the car! I suspect he wanted to show off his sexy friend to the partner, too!  LOL!

Through the ensuing years I drove more vehicles than I can recount. I had a Thunderbird for a while, back when TBirds were da bomb. But I didn't keep it long, as it had problems with the electrical system and I didn't want to put up with the nuisance. A favorite was the Grand Prix that I drove for several years before moving to NM. It was such a nice, sporty and yet comfortable little car. I miss it. And of course my Blue Bird, the big electric blue Dodge Ram I drive now. I love this thing.

So what vehicles did you drive through the years that you loved/hated and what are the stories behind them? Be sure to let me know when you post the stories!

My life is reflected .... in the funnies???

Isn't it funny how sometimes the  comics you read seem to fit your life? Wel,l it does for me, at least.


Afetr my recent post about "losing it," I got a chuckle out of seeing this in my funnies this morning:
(If you have trouble reading these, click to enlarge them)

And then, there is this one:

There are some things that are almost too close for comfort:

And things like this don't help:

I figure it's about like this:

But thre are fixes for anything:

Please drop by and pat me on the head today, OK?