Bet you're wondering why I'm writing about handicap helps, aren't you? Well, I have used them in the past like when I had my knee replacement. And they were a pretty good help at that time.
I have suffered from bad knees since High School. I have no cartilege in my joints. So my joints hurt and artritis in the joints doesn't help. It is what is it - you just live with it and go on. However, there comes a point in time where although you think you can do everything you used to you are strongly reminded that you can't. You are getting OLD!
I came to this conclusion a few years ago when a friend and I made a cardboard maze at church for the Fall Festival. It was fun to make: cardboard boxes, duct tape, creepy things to crawl over, things hanging down to crawl through, dead ends. All fun, and whoever is making the tunnel (maze) has to go through to check it out. Still all good.
Now, I don't think I mentioned that our maze was in the Upper Roomm of our Family Life Center at church. There are a set of stairs at each end. Our thought was climb up one flight, go through the maze and go down the other side. Now doesn't it sound much more fun to go down on a cardboard slide? I thought so
Now, to be certain it was safe for the kids someone had to try it out, right? And I was careful, I thought. I knew my knee might not do so well at the bottom so I tried to keep it up out of the way. Well, I went down a lot faster than I thought I would and let's just say that I hit the bottom kind of hard and jammed the knee. No problem, we fixed that up so the kids wouldn't get hurt. We put some bean bags at the bottom. I limped around for the duration of the Festival and realized that perhaps I had hurt myself when I was unable to put any weight on my knee.
Four hours later I am at Urgent Care where I receive a brace and a recommendation to go see orothopedic doctor the next week. Nice guy, that doctor. Nice enough to tell me that my knees were bad and I needed to have a total knee replacement. Well, that was a few years ago, I recovered; but now my knees don't bend as well as they did. Again, you just deal with it.
Now, fast forward to the current year. Gary and I just took a mini vacation. We checked into a hotel for a few days and just hung out, rested, swam in the pool, read. Nothing major just relaxed. But the pool brings about another handicap help.
This pool had a chair lift to assist people in and out of the pool. It was just us in the pool and Gary wanted to try it. Oh my!! I don't know how they can consider this chair left a help. Gary used the controls and got himself out of the pool and almost went flying out of the chair. Why I let him convince me to give it a try I don't know.
Have you ever used one of those things? It comes with a seat belt - and trust me - it is there for a reason. You need it. You strap yourself onto the chair and start lifting. As it lifts it kinda swings itself towards the side of the pool until WHAM! You hit the side of the pool. It adjusts itself and slowly goes up and out a little at a time - until it clears the edge of the pool. Then all of a sudden that chair swings to the left faster than a bullet out of a gun. If you are not belted in it will swing you out because it just jerks itself to a stop! It's scary!! I won't be using one again I'm sure. I don't know how anyone would use it. Unless, there is more control than I'm aware of. Maybe Gary got carried away with the control just for fun. Surely, they would not put a severly handicapped person through that torture to swim.
So handicap helps - what works: grabbers that let you reach things up high or down low, hand-held shower heads (these are wonderful), shower chairs - love, love, love them, rails - great for pulling yourself up, swimming pool chair lifts -- at the very bottom of the list of helps.
And if you are wondering would I do the cardboard slide again? The answer is YES!! It was fun! My body may think it's old but my mind says have fun!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Animal Thoughts
Ok - be honest. How many of you saw the title and came to my blog spot thinking you were going to read about my psychotic cat? While I could do a blog on her, that is not what this post is about.
Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of those kamikaze squirrels or suicidal rabbits? You know what I'm talking about. The squirrel that just sits there on the side of the road until the very last minute when you are inches away then it just darts out in front of you? You know that he has a friend on the other side of the road who did a double dog dare you to run in front of the next car that comes along. Or the rabbit who is sitting in the middle of the road and waits until you are right on top of them and you swerve to miss the rabbit and the stupid rabbit sprints the same way you swerve. This causes you to swerve the other way and it's like that rabbit is connected to your car because it does the exact same thing!
Now, I'm used to seeing rabbits and squirrels and opossoms and raccoons even then occassional fox while I'm driving. Heck, I grew up in a small town and drove lots of country roads. Even here in Tulsa it's not uncommon to see the above-mentioned animals in the neighborhood. We have raccoons that live in our drainage ditch - and man those suckers are huge! Animals are encroaching on our territory. Or more likely we are encroaching on theirs as cities and towns expand. So animals and humans are learning to co-habitat to a degree.
Now, as I said, you have come to maybe not expect to see these animals but you certainly aren't surprised when you come across them in the neighborhood. But there are times when you see a dead squirrel or rabbit in the unexpected place. Like the on-ramp of the expressway. There aren't really any trees around there that they would be living in or gathering nuts from. Did that squirrel think it was gonna get on the expressway and just see what was going on clear on the other side of the 6 lanes of traffic and the median? Did he have a family that he was trying to get to? Who knows, but he didn't make it. Stupid squirrel -- he should not have taken the shortcut across the expressway.
Well, if you know me very well you know that I like to write poetry. Some of it is serious and some of it is just for fun. Just about anything can start the wheels in my head turning and before you know it a new poem is written. Such is the case the day I saw the dead squirrel as I was going up the on-ramp to the BA. So, here's a just for fun sampling of poetry.
DEAD SQUIRREL
Poor little squirrel, flat as can be
What beckoned you so enticingly?
Were you looking for a special treat
Something really good to eat?
Maybe it was a double dog dare
That caused you to be out there.
You tempted fate and made a run
Surely you would be a lucky one.
Cross the street and back again
Back to play with all your friends.
Then you saw the car, it was red
You froze in place and now you're dead.
The car tried to make a swerve
But it was coming up a curve.
You made a bolt and turned to flee
Hoping to make it back to safety.
But your flight was an ill attempt
As under the tire your body went.
Nothing left but a flat pile of fur
Showing people just where you were.
Written by: Kathie Marrs
10/11/09
Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of those kamikaze squirrels or suicidal rabbits? You know what I'm talking about. The squirrel that just sits there on the side of the road until the very last minute when you are inches away then it just darts out in front of you? You know that he has a friend on the other side of the road who did a double dog dare you to run in front of the next car that comes along. Or the rabbit who is sitting in the middle of the road and waits until you are right on top of them and you swerve to miss the rabbit and the stupid rabbit sprints the same way you swerve. This causes you to swerve the other way and it's like that rabbit is connected to your car because it does the exact same thing!
Now, I'm used to seeing rabbits and squirrels and opossoms and raccoons even then occassional fox while I'm driving. Heck, I grew up in a small town and drove lots of country roads. Even here in Tulsa it's not uncommon to see the above-mentioned animals in the neighborhood. We have raccoons that live in our drainage ditch - and man those suckers are huge! Animals are encroaching on our territory. Or more likely we are encroaching on theirs as cities and towns expand. So animals and humans are learning to co-habitat to a degree.
Now, as I said, you have come to maybe not expect to see these animals but you certainly aren't surprised when you come across them in the neighborhood. But there are times when you see a dead squirrel or rabbit in the unexpected place. Like the on-ramp of the expressway. There aren't really any trees around there that they would be living in or gathering nuts from. Did that squirrel think it was gonna get on the expressway and just see what was going on clear on the other side of the 6 lanes of traffic and the median? Did he have a family that he was trying to get to? Who knows, but he didn't make it. Stupid squirrel -- he should not have taken the shortcut across the expressway.
Well, if you know me very well you know that I like to write poetry. Some of it is serious and some of it is just for fun. Just about anything can start the wheels in my head turning and before you know it a new poem is written. Such is the case the day I saw the dead squirrel as I was going up the on-ramp to the BA. So, here's a just for fun sampling of poetry.
DEAD SQUIRREL
Poor little squirrel, flat as can be
What beckoned you so enticingly?
Were you looking for a special treat
Something really good to eat?
Maybe it was a double dog dare
That caused you to be out there.
You tempted fate and made a run
Surely you would be a lucky one.
Cross the street and back again
Back to play with all your friends.
Then you saw the car, it was red
You froze in place and now you're dead.
The car tried to make a swerve
But it was coming up a curve.
You made a bolt and turned to flee
Hoping to make it back to safety.
But your flight was an ill attempt
As under the tire your body went.
Nothing left but a flat pile of fur
Showing people just where you were.
Written by: Kathie Marrs
10/11/09
Monday, February 4, 2013
Just Venting
Ok - I'm going to use my blog to vent for a while. This will accomplish two things. 1) I will get it out my system and 2) you will have something to read. So here goes and I hope you get some enjoyment out of this. I know that I will be amusing myself as I write it.
To the instructor who cannot remember your College Wide ID (CWID). It is for your saftey and protection that we are required to verify answers to questions that you yourself have set up. I realize it may be a stretch of the imagination to actually remember the answers but the only other option would be for you to remember your CWID. So if the first question you have reads: The first seven numbers of my phone number. The correct response probably will not be, "I don't know your phone number." I'm going to go out on a limb here and presume that you actually meant the first seven numbers of your own phone number. Kinda wild I know but give it a try.
To the student who cannot remember your CWID. Again, the questions are set up for your safety and security. If the question is what school did you attend for 6th grade and you cannot answer it, I'm sorry. I will ask if you are able to go to campus to show your photo ID so you can get you CWID. When I ask, "Are you able to go to a campus?" I really don't expect you to tell me, "Well, I'm in Oklahoma and that school was in California. I can't get to California for the school name." Ma'am - perhaps you should not be taking classes after all. Especially when I have to explain to you 3 times that I only want you to go to one of our campuses with your photo ID so someone can verify who you are.
To the student just generally confused as to how to do anything. I am so sorry that you find it "overwhelming having to remember log in information." We require only 2 passwords - one for the computer/email and one for TED/Blackboard. We required 2 login names - one is your CWID and one is your name. I can see how this can be overly confusing. Perhaps you should reconsider if you are at a stage in life where you need to be attending college.
To the student who cannot remember the answers to your security questions and says: "huh, I wonder what I put in there. I was trying to be funny that day." Guess it's not so funny now is it?
To the parent who wants to "help Johnny (or Suzy) because he's taking a nap and needs to know how to log into his email." Please, wake up your child who is old enough to be attending college and give them the phone. Require them to ask the question they are needing asked. They can then be certain they know how to access anything they need access too. This is part of college -- this is part of being an adult -- this is part of being responsible. Please - make your child be responsible. Trust me - you do not want them at the age of 32 or so not knowing how to be responsible. Let them take responsibilty for themselves and their classes.
To the student who needs to take a test but does not have time because you are at the airport trying to catch a plane. No, we cannot log in as you and take the test for you. And, even if we could are you certain that you really want someone you do not know taking a test for you? Perhaps it would be wiser for you yourself to take the test. You should have some knowledge of the subject.
To the student who calls because they cannot remember their CWID or PIN. Again, we will have to verify your security question answers. When I advise you of this and your response is, "this is where it gets tricky." This doesn't sound very promising - I recommend going to campus and showing your photo ID then logging in and changing your questions and answers.
To the student and parent of said student who has allowed their parent to have access to all their information. Surprise! Mom forgot your password and decided to answer the security questions herself. She then changed your password for you but forgot to tell you. I realize you have to log into Blackboard and take a test today. However, Mom just changed that password this morning so you may not be able to access Blackboard for up to 24 hours. Hope you don't miss out on the time frame allowed for the test.
To the student who slept in and missed class today and called to ask who they needed to tell. Well, I would recommend contacting the instructor of that class to see if you needed to know anything. You also might want to advise your parent who is paying for this class that you overslept and missed the class. But quite frankly, I'm not taking attendance for the college and don't have to report said attendance to anyone so it doesn't matter to me if you missed class or not.
To the student who called in to have their PIN reset and is able to answer their security quetions one of which, "what is my boyfriend's name?" I really don't need to know that he is an SOB that you cannot stand and you have dumped him although the same SOB still lives in your house because he won't move out a year later.
Well, that's probably enough for now. Just wanted to throw this out there for those of you who do read my blog. Didn't want to let so much time go by before posting again. And, if it seems I am taking to long to post just send me a message and I'll try to come up with something. Or you can always give me a topic and I can expoound on it.
To the instructor who cannot remember your College Wide ID (CWID). It is for your saftey and protection that we are required to verify answers to questions that you yourself have set up. I realize it may be a stretch of the imagination to actually remember the answers but the only other option would be for you to remember your CWID. So if the first question you have reads: The first seven numbers of my phone number. The correct response probably will not be, "I don't know your phone number." I'm going to go out on a limb here and presume that you actually meant the first seven numbers of your own phone number. Kinda wild I know but give it a try.
To the student who cannot remember your CWID. Again, the questions are set up for your safety and security. If the question is what school did you attend for 6th grade and you cannot answer it, I'm sorry. I will ask if you are able to go to campus to show your photo ID so you can get you CWID. When I ask, "Are you able to go to a campus?" I really don't expect you to tell me, "Well, I'm in Oklahoma and that school was in California. I can't get to California for the school name." Ma'am - perhaps you should not be taking classes after all. Especially when I have to explain to you 3 times that I only want you to go to one of our campuses with your photo ID so someone can verify who you are.
To the student just generally confused as to how to do anything. I am so sorry that you find it "overwhelming having to remember log in information." We require only 2 passwords - one for the computer/email and one for TED/Blackboard. We required 2 login names - one is your CWID and one is your name. I can see how this can be overly confusing. Perhaps you should reconsider if you are at a stage in life where you need to be attending college.
To the student who cannot remember the answers to your security questions and says: "huh, I wonder what I put in there. I was trying to be funny that day." Guess it's not so funny now is it?
To the parent who wants to "help Johnny (or Suzy) because he's taking a nap and needs to know how to log into his email." Please, wake up your child who is old enough to be attending college and give them the phone. Require them to ask the question they are needing asked. They can then be certain they know how to access anything they need access too. This is part of college -- this is part of being an adult -- this is part of being responsible. Please - make your child be responsible. Trust me - you do not want them at the age of 32 or so not knowing how to be responsible. Let them take responsibilty for themselves and their classes.
To the student who needs to take a test but does not have time because you are at the airport trying to catch a plane. No, we cannot log in as you and take the test for you. And, even if we could are you certain that you really want someone you do not know taking a test for you? Perhaps it would be wiser for you yourself to take the test. You should have some knowledge of the subject.
To the student who calls because they cannot remember their CWID or PIN. Again, we will have to verify your security question answers. When I advise you of this and your response is, "this is where it gets tricky." This doesn't sound very promising - I recommend going to campus and showing your photo ID then logging in and changing your questions and answers.
To the student and parent of said student who has allowed their parent to have access to all their information. Surprise! Mom forgot your password and decided to answer the security questions herself. She then changed your password for you but forgot to tell you. I realize you have to log into Blackboard and take a test today. However, Mom just changed that password this morning so you may not be able to access Blackboard for up to 24 hours. Hope you don't miss out on the time frame allowed for the test.
To the student who slept in and missed class today and called to ask who they needed to tell. Well, I would recommend contacting the instructor of that class to see if you needed to know anything. You also might want to advise your parent who is paying for this class that you overslept and missed the class. But quite frankly, I'm not taking attendance for the college and don't have to report said attendance to anyone so it doesn't matter to me if you missed class or not.
To the student who called in to have their PIN reset and is able to answer their security quetions one of which, "what is my boyfriend's name?" I really don't need to know that he is an SOB that you cannot stand and you have dumped him although the same SOB still lives in your house because he won't move out a year later.
Well, that's probably enough for now. Just wanted to throw this out there for those of you who do read my blog. Didn't want to let so much time go by before posting again. And, if it seems I am taking to long to post just send me a message and I'll try to come up with something. Or you can always give me a topic and I can expoound on it.
Friday, February 1, 2013
GIRL SCOUT MAFIA
Ok - I am sure you are looking at this title and wondering what in the world is going on with the Girl Scouts and Mafia?
If you live in the Oklahoma area you know that it's Girl Scout cookie time!! This has to be a very much anticipated time ranking almost as close if not closer than Christmas to some people. And if you have ever been a Scout leader or sold Girl Scout cookies you will know exactly what I am talking about when I say Girl Scout Mafia.
A few years ago my daughter became the leader of her daughter's Daisy Troop. What a wonderful mom she is! Her daughter wanted to be a Daisy and no one wanted to be a leader so they could not have a troop. So she embraced the call and became the leader of the troop. This troop has 6-8 of the cutest little girls you have ever seen. I have hosted them to a sleepover in my backyard and even pressented a Kitchen Safety lesson to them for part of a badge requirement. Gotta love those Girl Scouts.
But, I digress..... back to the cookie sales. Each troop is required to order their cookies ahead of time. This means you have to try and guess how many cookies your little cuties will be selling. And if you happen to over-order....to bad -- you are responsible for every box of cookies and payment of each one!!!!
So you place your order and then you are advised that cookies are in!!! This is where the Girl Scout Mafia comes into play.
Cookies for the area are stored in a huge warehouse. You are given a date and time that you are to pick up the cookies you have ordered for your troop. You must not miss your time that you are allotted and you may not bring anyone with you to pick up the cookies. You must come by yourself.
Wow - sounds wild, huh? Well, wait until you get there to pick up your cookies. You are told you have to back in to the warehouse and you MUST stay within these lines. If you are not a good backer-upper you are in serious trouble. They will stop you and make you start over. And it's not just a stop -- they make a production out of stopping you, whistles blow - arms waving. They mean business when they say "you must back up into the building and stay within these lines." They will do this until they are satisfied that you are backing up properly within the designated lines.
Ok, now that you are in place comes the mafia part. You give them your name and troop number and action begins! They hustle around and start filling your car. The trunk, the floor, every available seat you have is filled with cookies.
Now, as I said a few years ago my daughter started and I went along to help pick up the cookies for the troop. As any good person would do; after I eventually got backed up in a close proxmity of where they wanted me I got out of my car to assist (and be certain that I was getting the cookies I was supposed to). Seems this is a big no-no. I was told in no un-certain terms that I needed to remain in the car. I was told this more than once I believe - and they weren't exactly polite about it either.
It was precision the way they brought cases of cookies over, loaded them up in your car and sent you on your way. They don't like anyone putting them behind schedule because they dont' know how to back up and stay between the lines assigned and they do not want anyone to get out of their car for any reason! YOU MUST REMAIN IN YOUR CAR AT ALL TIMES
Whew! I tell you I went to Israel once and I don't think the security there was tight as it is when you are picking up Girl Scout cookies! And, that was the only time I ever helped pick up cookies. LOL - don't know if that was a request from the Mafia or not but it's possible.
Now, I really cannot end this post about Girl Scout cookies without mentioning my daughter in Arizona. She too is a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's troop. She has been since the beginning and my granddughter is now 13. So she also has done a trememdous job. Because of distance involved I am not active in that troop but I do know several of the girls.
So hats off to my daughters for leading the Girl Scout troops! Also, if you are in the Tulsa area and would like to purchase some Girl Scout cookies I can help you out.
If you live in the Oklahoma area you know that it's Girl Scout cookie time!! This has to be a very much anticipated time ranking almost as close if not closer than Christmas to some people. And if you have ever been a Scout leader or sold Girl Scout cookies you will know exactly what I am talking about when I say Girl Scout Mafia.
A few years ago my daughter became the leader of her daughter's Daisy Troop. What a wonderful mom she is! Her daughter wanted to be a Daisy and no one wanted to be a leader so they could not have a troop. So she embraced the call and became the leader of the troop. This troop has 6-8 of the cutest little girls you have ever seen. I have hosted them to a sleepover in my backyard and even pressented a Kitchen Safety lesson to them for part of a badge requirement. Gotta love those Girl Scouts.
But, I digress..... back to the cookie sales. Each troop is required to order their cookies ahead of time. This means you have to try and guess how many cookies your little cuties will be selling. And if you happen to over-order....to bad -- you are responsible for every box of cookies and payment of each one!!!!
So you place your order and then you are advised that cookies are in!!! This is where the Girl Scout Mafia comes into play.
Cookies for the area are stored in a huge warehouse. You are given a date and time that you are to pick up the cookies you have ordered for your troop. You must not miss your time that you are allotted and you may not bring anyone with you to pick up the cookies. You must come by yourself.
Wow - sounds wild, huh? Well, wait until you get there to pick up your cookies. You are told you have to back in to the warehouse and you MUST stay within these lines. If you are not a good backer-upper you are in serious trouble. They will stop you and make you start over. And it's not just a stop -- they make a production out of stopping you, whistles blow - arms waving. They mean business when they say "you must back up into the building and stay within these lines." They will do this until they are satisfied that you are backing up properly within the designated lines.
Ok, now that you are in place comes the mafia part. You give them your name and troop number and action begins! They hustle around and start filling your car. The trunk, the floor, every available seat you have is filled with cookies.
Now, as I said a few years ago my daughter started and I went along to help pick up the cookies for the troop. As any good person would do; after I eventually got backed up in a close proxmity of where they wanted me I got out of my car to assist (and be certain that I was getting the cookies I was supposed to). Seems this is a big no-no. I was told in no un-certain terms that I needed to remain in the car. I was told this more than once I believe - and they weren't exactly polite about it either.
It was precision the way they brought cases of cookies over, loaded them up in your car and sent you on your way. They don't like anyone putting them behind schedule because they dont' know how to back up and stay between the lines assigned and they do not want anyone to get out of their car for any reason! YOU MUST REMAIN IN YOUR CAR AT ALL TIMES
Whew! I tell you I went to Israel once and I don't think the security there was tight as it is when you are picking up Girl Scout cookies! And, that was the only time I ever helped pick up cookies. LOL - don't know if that was a request from the Mafia or not but it's possible.
Now, I really cannot end this post about Girl Scout cookies without mentioning my daughter in Arizona. She too is a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's troop. She has been since the beginning and my granddughter is now 13. So she also has done a trememdous job. Because of distance involved I am not active in that troop but I do know several of the girls.
So hats off to my daughters for leading the Girl Scout troops! Also, if you are in the Tulsa area and would like to purchase some Girl Scout cookies I can help you out.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Chaotic Christmas
It's Christmas Season!! I absolutely love the Christmas season - chaotic and all. I love Christmas lights, Christmas music, church service, the true meaning of CHRISTmas. I say chaotic because my house is kinda chaotic when I first get my Christmas stuff down out of the attic. I start the Sunday after Thanksgiving by gathering up my Thanksgiving decorations and any and all other decorations I may have out in the house. I undecorate so I can decorate! Gary has always found this amusing.
After putting away everything the process then begins. I climb up into the attic - I'm the only one who has been up there until recently. Gary is claustrophic and can't go up there and Chris... well, Chris just couldn't manhandle things around in the attic. My son-in-law Michael has ventured up there. And this year I did not have to manhandle my boxes and boxes and boxes of Christmas stuff down from the attic. My grandson Richard was here and he took care of that little (well actually big) chore for me.
I have 3 large size trees I put up. I have a 9 foot tree in my living room - this is contained in 3 boxes. I have a 6 1/2 foot tree in my dining room - 1 box. Lastly a 5 foot tree in the kitchen - 1 box. Then I have multiple totes of decorations. 2 very large ginormus green tubs, then I think 2 large blue tubs and 2 smaller sized tubs. Plus probably more I am not thinking of at this time.
I love Christmas trees and in addtion to my 3 large trees I have 2 small 2 foot urn trees on my front porch (I actually say these are Gary's as I bought them for him last year). In addition I have mutiple decorative trees in assorted sizes that I put throughout my house. I have at least 1 tree in each room - even the bathrooms. I believe I counted a total of 35 decoartive trees last night. They range in size from 6 inches to 2 feet.
I have some decorations from my childhood -- the angel on top of my tree is the one my mom put on top of her tree. Her wings are starting to look kinda bad (the angel's not my mom's) but I still put her up every year. I also have some Santa mugs and a set of 4 little porcelain bells that I set out (don't put these on the tree as I don't want them to break).
It takes a while to decorate 3 large trees and put all these deocrations out. Hence the chaotic part of Christmas. I don't have a whole day to devote to decorating so I work it in of an evening after work around errands, etc. So for anywhere from 3-5 days my house looks like a total disaster. But it is so worth it when I am finished and those empty boxes and crates go back up into the attic.
Now a few years ago we had inherited a little orphan kitten. Her name is Bandit because she reminds us of a racoon. I call her Psycho for good reason. Any child who comes to my house has heard tales of this cat from my grandchildren and they immediately ask "is that the bad cat?" I call her Psycho because we had only had her a couple of months before putting our Christmas decorations up the first year. The following poem describes Bandit's first Christmas and her nickname of Psycho.
PSYCHO CHRISTMAS!
It was December and we did agree
It was time to put up the Christmas tree.
Gary helped me to string the lights
Making sure it looked just right.
Chris and I then hung each decoration
Our hearts filled with anticipation.
We finished the big tree it was a sight
Our work is still not finished that night.
Trees, nativities and Santas galore
There is not space to put one more.
The candles are placed and burning too
Now we know our work is through.
We stood back and admired our work
We didn’t mind the hours that it took.
Someone else admired our work too
Looked at all the things brand new.
With anticipation and great joy
Our new little kitten now has a new toy!!
It only took one single day
For Psycho Kitty to come and stay.
Now Psycho Kitty thinks the tree
Was put up just for her you see.
It started out simple while we were away
She took a few ornaments just for play.
I sighed when I saw them there on the floor
Hung them up higher and told her NO MORE!
I must have been talking to a deaf cat
Because she wasn’t having any of that.
Every day a few more appear on the floor
And we put them up higher just like before.
She didn’t stop with just the ornaments
Also for the lights she has went.
Sitting early one morning admiring the tree
I heard a tinkling; what could it be?
The tree was shaking – how can that be
The stupid cat was climbing the tree!
One day Psycho Kitty had lots of fun
36 ornaments were down when she was done!
A string of lights completed the mess
I came home said “What’s up with this!??”
I counted each one as I put them back
All the time making threats at the cat.
Warning her what it is like outside
She didn’t even bother to hide.
Psycho Kitty thinks every treasure
Was put there just for her pleasure.
A Santa cup knocked from up high
I picked up the pieces and let out a sigh.
In the kitchen one night a loud clatter
I went to see just what was the matter.
Psycho Kitty has struck once again
Knocking over my Christmas tins!!
They were out of reach or so I thought
But Psycho Kitty has havoc wrought!
What started out a beautiful tree
Has undergone a transformation you see.
The bottom third now is bare
Not a single ornament hangs there.
There are gaps in the lights on our tree
And all because of Psycho Kitty.
The angel on top holding her light
Is leaning a little bit to the right.
The branches that I arranged with detail
Now look like they have been derailed.
Christmas is still days away
Lots of time left for Psycho Kitty to play!
Written by: Kathie Marrs
December 23, 2008
I hope you enjoy your Christmas season - even if you also have a Psycho Cat. Piece of advise if you do have a Psycho cat; put up a second large tree. It confuses them and they don't know which one to attack so tend to wander between them leaving ornaments alone.
After putting away everything the process then begins. I climb up into the attic - I'm the only one who has been up there until recently. Gary is claustrophic and can't go up there and Chris... well, Chris just couldn't manhandle things around in the attic. My son-in-law Michael has ventured up there. And this year I did not have to manhandle my boxes and boxes and boxes of Christmas stuff down from the attic. My grandson Richard was here and he took care of that little (well actually big) chore for me.
I have 3 large size trees I put up. I have a 9 foot tree in my living room - this is contained in 3 boxes. I have a 6 1/2 foot tree in my dining room - 1 box. Lastly a 5 foot tree in the kitchen - 1 box. Then I have multiple totes of decorations. 2 very large ginormus green tubs, then I think 2 large blue tubs and 2 smaller sized tubs. Plus probably more I am not thinking of at this time.
I love Christmas trees and in addtion to my 3 large trees I have 2 small 2 foot urn trees on my front porch (I actually say these are Gary's as I bought them for him last year). In addition I have mutiple decorative trees in assorted sizes that I put throughout my house. I have at least 1 tree in each room - even the bathrooms. I believe I counted a total of 35 decoartive trees last night. They range in size from 6 inches to 2 feet.
I have some decorations from my childhood -- the angel on top of my tree is the one my mom put on top of her tree. Her wings are starting to look kinda bad (the angel's not my mom's) but I still put her up every year. I also have some Santa mugs and a set of 4 little porcelain bells that I set out (don't put these on the tree as I don't want them to break).
It takes a while to decorate 3 large trees and put all these deocrations out. Hence the chaotic part of Christmas. I don't have a whole day to devote to decorating so I work it in of an evening after work around errands, etc. So for anywhere from 3-5 days my house looks like a total disaster. But it is so worth it when I am finished and those empty boxes and crates go back up into the attic.
Now a few years ago we had inherited a little orphan kitten. Her name is Bandit because she reminds us of a racoon. I call her Psycho for good reason. Any child who comes to my house has heard tales of this cat from my grandchildren and they immediately ask "is that the bad cat?" I call her Psycho because we had only had her a couple of months before putting our Christmas decorations up the first year. The following poem describes Bandit's first Christmas and her nickname of Psycho.
PSYCHO CHRISTMAS!
It was December and we did agree
It was time to put up the Christmas tree.
Gary helped me to string the lights
Making sure it looked just right.
Chris and I then hung each decoration
Our hearts filled with anticipation.
We finished the big tree it was a sight
Our work is still not finished that night.
Trees, nativities and Santas galore
There is not space to put one more.
The candles are placed and burning too
Now we know our work is through.
We stood back and admired our work
We didn’t mind the hours that it took.
Someone else admired our work too
Looked at all the things brand new.
With anticipation and great joy
Our new little kitten now has a new toy!!
It only took one single day
For Psycho Kitty to come and stay.
Now Psycho Kitty thinks the tree
Was put up just for her you see.
It started out simple while we were away
She took a few ornaments just for play.
I sighed when I saw them there on the floor
Hung them up higher and told her NO MORE!
I must have been talking to a deaf cat
Because she wasn’t having any of that.
Every day a few more appear on the floor
And we put them up higher just like before.
She didn’t stop with just the ornaments
Also for the lights she has went.
Sitting early one morning admiring the tree
I heard a tinkling; what could it be?
The tree was shaking – how can that be
The stupid cat was climbing the tree!
One day Psycho Kitty had lots of fun
36 ornaments were down when she was done!
A string of lights completed the mess
I came home said “What’s up with this!??”
I counted each one as I put them back
All the time making threats at the cat.
Warning her what it is like outside
She didn’t even bother to hide.
Psycho Kitty thinks every treasure
Was put there just for her pleasure.
A Santa cup knocked from up high
I picked up the pieces and let out a sigh.
In the kitchen one night a loud clatter
I went to see just what was the matter.
Psycho Kitty has struck once again
Knocking over my Christmas tins!!
They were out of reach or so I thought
But Psycho Kitty has havoc wrought!
What started out a beautiful tree
Has undergone a transformation you see.
The bottom third now is bare
Not a single ornament hangs there.
There are gaps in the lights on our tree
And all because of Psycho Kitty.
The angel on top holding her light
Is leaning a little bit to the right.
The branches that I arranged with detail
Now look like they have been derailed.
Christmas is still days away
Lots of time left for Psycho Kitty to play!
Written by: Kathie Marrs
December 23, 2008
I hope you enjoy your Christmas season - even if you also have a Psycho Cat. Piece of advise if you do have a Psycho cat; put up a second large tree. It confuses them and they don't know which one to attack so tend to wander between them leaving ornaments alone.
Monday, November 19, 2012
SAYING GOODBYE
Saying goodbye is a part of life. Something we do every day. You end a phone conversation with goodbye or some version of it. You leave a person's house you tell them goodbye.
I've said a lot of goodbyes in my lifetime. It's not easy. When my older girls were younger we moved frequently - like every 18 months. Make friends, invest part of yourself, say goodbye. I've had to leave a lot of friends. You stay in touch for a while. If you haven't moved to far away it's easier. If you move any distance it's harder to keep in touch. I quit making friends - it hurt to much to leave them.
Then the girls came along and grew up and moved. Oh man - those goodbyes were hard. When they moved a thousand miles away you didn't know when you would be seeing them again. Very, very difficult those goodbyes.
Nine years ago we moved to Tulsa. We love it here. We found a church - actually God put us in a church at the very beginning and we stayed there. Never visited another church. Skelly Drive became our second home. The people were not just friends but family.
God has another plan for us and we are leaving Skelly Drive. This has been a hard decision for us but we are at peace with it and know that God has something else in store for us. We are not leaving Tulsa. We are however, leaving friends and family. This is one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever had to say. We have plans in the works already for staying in touch with friends. This we should be able to do as we are not moving away - just on.
Last night at church we had our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. I love this time. As I was standing at the back of the room listening to the entertainment I looked around the room at all the people that we will not be gathering with on a regular basis any longer. Each one of these people hold a special place in my heart and it hurts to leave them. Some of them more special than others. I will not be able to stay in touch with every single one of them; but, I will be able to keep in touch with some. Through them I will be able to keep tabs on the rest of my extended family.
After we made our decision to leave, I called one of my dear friends to let her know that we would be leaving the church. After talking to her I wrote the following poem. While I specifically wrote it for her it applies to all my friends at Skelly Drive.
NOT GOODBYE
Goodbye is never easy – leaving is hard to do.
Know that wherever I am – I take a piece of you.
God placed you in my life and thus within my heart
So no matter where I go – we will never be apart.
A piece of you goes with me – wherever I may go
A piece of me I leave behind – know that this is so.
I count you as not just a friend but also family
You will never know how much you mean to me.
You helped me to become the person I am today
Because you walked beside me and never let me stray.
Whenever I was down, you did encourage me
You exemplify the person that I strive to be.
Your wisdom and your love I treasure in my heart
As long as I have those we are never far apart.
I count it a blessing to call you my dear friend
Know that this is not goodbye nor is it the end.
Written by: Kathie Marrs
November 6, 2012
I've said a lot of goodbyes in my lifetime. It's not easy. When my older girls were younger we moved frequently - like every 18 months. Make friends, invest part of yourself, say goodbye. I've had to leave a lot of friends. You stay in touch for a while. If you haven't moved to far away it's easier. If you move any distance it's harder to keep in touch. I quit making friends - it hurt to much to leave them.
Then the girls came along and grew up and moved. Oh man - those goodbyes were hard. When they moved a thousand miles away you didn't know when you would be seeing them again. Very, very difficult those goodbyes.
Nine years ago we moved to Tulsa. We love it here. We found a church - actually God put us in a church at the very beginning and we stayed there. Never visited another church. Skelly Drive became our second home. The people were not just friends but family.
God has another plan for us and we are leaving Skelly Drive. This has been a hard decision for us but we are at peace with it and know that God has something else in store for us. We are not leaving Tulsa. We are however, leaving friends and family. This is one of the hardest goodbyes I've ever had to say. We have plans in the works already for staying in touch with friends. This we should be able to do as we are not moving away - just on.
Last night at church we had our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. I love this time. As I was standing at the back of the room listening to the entertainment I looked around the room at all the people that we will not be gathering with on a regular basis any longer. Each one of these people hold a special place in my heart and it hurts to leave them. Some of them more special than others. I will not be able to stay in touch with every single one of them; but, I will be able to keep in touch with some. Through them I will be able to keep tabs on the rest of my extended family.
After we made our decision to leave, I called one of my dear friends to let her know that we would be leaving the church. After talking to her I wrote the following poem. While I specifically wrote it for her it applies to all my friends at Skelly Drive.
NOT GOODBYE
Goodbye is never easy – leaving is hard to do.
Know that wherever I am – I take a piece of you.
God placed you in my life and thus within my heart
So no matter where I go – we will never be apart.
A piece of you goes with me – wherever I may go
A piece of me I leave behind – know that this is so.
I count you as not just a friend but also family
You will never know how much you mean to me.
You helped me to become the person I am today
Because you walked beside me and never let me stray.
Whenever I was down, you did encourage me
You exemplify the person that I strive to be.
Your wisdom and your love I treasure in my heart
As long as I have those we are never far apart.
I count it a blessing to call you my dear friend
Know that this is not goodbye nor is it the end.
Written by: Kathie Marrs
November 6, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Wanted - One Sister
I had to debate over how to title this post. It is about sisters - but it's also about how I feel cheated. That's right! I feel cheated - I don't have a sister.
You might think "big deal - I don't either." Let me explain.
I feel cheated because I don't have a sister. It wasn't an issue when I was younger. I have three brothers whom I love dearly. We had so much fun growing up. I never misssed having a sister. We were there for each other even as we got older and grew into teenagers and adults. We had times when we didn't talk but we are past that. I never realized though what I was missing.
I have four girls. The three older girls are close in age (I had the 3 girls in 4 years). They had the typical childhood - fighting, playing, loving-hating each other depending on the moment. But ALWAYS there for each other. Don't be mean to one of them because you would have the ohter two to contend with. As they grew into teenagers and adults their relationships with each other grew too.
I see my girls and the relationship they have and started to realize I was missing out on something. I saw my friends who also had sisters. They too had something I didn't. Oh, don't get me wrong. My friends are there for me - always have been. But they aren't my sister.
There is just something about the relationship between sisters. They share everything - clothing, views, opionion, makeup. They support you in a way that your friend, parent or brother doesn't. They know the deep down you and they still love you and support you. They can be your fiercest defender, your strongest supporter, your most critical critic. They will hold you when you cry and not make a judgement on the reason. They will laugh for no reason at all until you do cry from laughing so hard. And no one but you and your sisters will know what is so funny.
Your sister will tell you in no uncertain terms how you really look - even if you don't want to hear what she is saying. No way will you be leaving the house in an outfit that makes your tookus look huge unless that's what you are really wanting. And if something you wear doesn't fit quite right and you look like you "might be" pregnant - they will tell you. If your makeup is on so thick that you look slutty - they are going to comment on it believe me! But they do it because they know you want to know. And they also want you to tell them the same thing. Your sister will call you up and talk for 2 hours about nothing at all and you might spend that entire 2 hours crying or laughing.
They can share their fears, sorrows, joys, hopes, dreams. And I know you are thinking that you can share the same thing with friends, husband and you are right. However, a sister knows and feels exactly what you mean when you share this with her. This is what I see with my three older girls. And I realized - I want that. I was cheated - I don't have a sister.
Now don't get me wrong. As I said my brothers are there for me. Well, except for that one time when Steve, Wayne and I were together. I called Bub and asked for bail money. He stuttered and stammered and got very upset. Wanted to know what was going on. I explained to him that I was with Wayne and Steve and we had gone out and he knew how they were. He was very upset and told me no. Wouldn't even get money just to bail me out! He was even angrier when I told him we were just joking and missed him. I don't think he found it as amusing as we did.
So whether you want to think of this as a post for sisters or a post for being cheated you can. It boils down to the fact that I feel cheated because I don't have a sister.
You might think "big deal - I don't either." Let me explain.
I feel cheated because I don't have a sister. It wasn't an issue when I was younger. I have three brothers whom I love dearly. We had so much fun growing up. I never misssed having a sister. We were there for each other even as we got older and grew into teenagers and adults. We had times when we didn't talk but we are past that. I never realized though what I was missing.
I have four girls. The three older girls are close in age (I had the 3 girls in 4 years). They had the typical childhood - fighting, playing, loving-hating each other depending on the moment. But ALWAYS there for each other. Don't be mean to one of them because you would have the ohter two to contend with. As they grew into teenagers and adults their relationships with each other grew too.
I see my girls and the relationship they have and started to realize I was missing out on something. I saw my friends who also had sisters. They too had something I didn't. Oh, don't get me wrong. My friends are there for me - always have been. But they aren't my sister.
There is just something about the relationship between sisters. They share everything - clothing, views, opionion, makeup. They support you in a way that your friend, parent or brother doesn't. They know the deep down you and they still love you and support you. They can be your fiercest defender, your strongest supporter, your most critical critic. They will hold you when you cry and not make a judgement on the reason. They will laugh for no reason at all until you do cry from laughing so hard. And no one but you and your sisters will know what is so funny.
Your sister will tell you in no uncertain terms how you really look - even if you don't want to hear what she is saying. No way will you be leaving the house in an outfit that makes your tookus look huge unless that's what you are really wanting. And if something you wear doesn't fit quite right and you look like you "might be" pregnant - they will tell you. If your makeup is on so thick that you look slutty - they are going to comment on it believe me! But they do it because they know you want to know. And they also want you to tell them the same thing. Your sister will call you up and talk for 2 hours about nothing at all and you might spend that entire 2 hours crying or laughing.
They can share their fears, sorrows, joys, hopes, dreams. And I know you are thinking that you can share the same thing with friends, husband and you are right. However, a sister knows and feels exactly what you mean when you share this with her. This is what I see with my three older girls. And I realized - I want that. I was cheated - I don't have a sister.
Now don't get me wrong. As I said my brothers are there for me. Well, except for that one time when Steve, Wayne and I were together. I called Bub and asked for bail money. He stuttered and stammered and got very upset. Wanted to know what was going on. I explained to him that I was with Wayne and Steve and we had gone out and he knew how they were. He was very upset and told me no. Wouldn't even get money just to bail me out! He was even angrier when I told him we were just joking and missed him. I don't think he found it as amusing as we did.
So whether you want to think of this as a post for sisters or a post for being cheated you can. It boils down to the fact that I feel cheated because I don't have a sister.
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