Miscellaneous Thoughts

I have a new diet. It is called " I can't afford the gas for the car to go to the grocery store and even if I could, groceries are to high to buy, therefore I lose weight". Seriously, every day I go by the service station, I almost have a heart attack. The prices just keep rising. Some days, they change two times. Our vehicle has to use premium gas and in town it gets about 13 miles per gallon if we are lucky and 19 miles per gallon on the road. It is a 1997 model, in excellent shape, other than is sucks the gas up like a thirsty person. If we could afford to, it would be traded in for a car that gets better gas mileage, but being on a limited income, a car payment right now is out of the question. Needless to say, I do not drive much in town. I try to plan my trips and make as many stops in a day as I can rather than spreading them out over several days. We are on Social Security and the "WONDERFUL COST OF LIVING RAISE" (if you can call it that) is so small each year that by the time Medicare and the supplemental insurance increases, we net about 5.00 per month. Our two combined payments are higher than most people on Social Security, so I am thankful for that. A word of advice to any young people that might read this, SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Even though you may be young, it is never to early to plan for the day when you will be in the situation that many older Americans find themselves today. Believe it or not, one day you will be an "older American". Well it is time for me to decide if I drive to the grocery store or walk or go hungry today. Just kidding. Until next time, so long.

Other Things

I have been up since 4:30 AM and catching up on my favorite blogs. So much has happened since the last time I visited them. Some of my favorites are no longer there and it makes me wonder what has happened to those people and makes me sad that I was away so long and lost touch with so many good people. I have become a recluse (lol), well not really, just lazy I think. There is so much I want to write about but don't know where to start so I will let this short paragraph suffice for today. See you soon.

Quotes I found today on Worry. I have been taking a long break from posting and reading my favorite blogs. I am about ready to join the human race again and not hide away anymore. I am back in Indiana and during the time I have been not writing, my brain has accumulated tons of things to write about. So in a few days, I will start to clear my mind of these mundane things.

Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weights you down. ~Toni Morrison

We experience moments absolutely free from worry. These brief respites are called panic. ~Cullen Hightower

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe. ~Author Unknown

Somehow our devils are never quite what we expect when we meet them face to face. ~Nelson DeMille

I've developed a new philosophy... I only dread one day at a time. ~Charlie Brown (Charles Schulz)

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy. ~Leo Buscaglia

If things go wrong, don't go with them. ~Roger Babson

Transition

I will be in a transition period moving from one city to another as of February 1, 2008. I will not have an internet connection for about 1 month so needless to say I won't be posting. I hope that everything is going well for all the blogger friends I have made and I will miss each and everyone of you.

Love

Greetings

The holiday season is almost over and a new year is about to arrive. I truly hope this new year brings better things for each and everyone. I have been taking some time off from writing and visiting my favorite blogs. I needed some down time and I will get back to my writing and favorite blogs in the new year. I do not intend to make any resolutions for 2008 because I never keep them anyway, so why make them. lol

I only have one more thing to say today and that is:

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!:

Sounds of Rain

It is raining right now which is an oddity in Phoenix. The higher elevations in the state are expecting heavy snow and some flash flood warnings have been issued for the area. It reminds me of Indiana and winter storm warnings. You might think it is just rain for heavens sake but you have to know the area to understand why panic sets in when it does rain. When it rains very hard for a period of time, the run off has no place to go and all the "washes" fill with water and flood homes, etc. When you look for a place to live, one of the most important things to look for is there a "wash" close by and does it flood. There are canal systems in and around Phoenix but sometimes even those do not work when the rain is heavy.

Anyway, I am sort of enjoying the sound of rain. The rain is coming straight down so I can have my windows open. Makes me want to take a nap. The rain is forecast to continue overnight so maybe I will be able to hear that wonderful sound. On second thought, do I want to nap because of the rain or is it because I am getting older and need more rest. lol

A Prayer

This was sent to me by a very good friend.

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.

This is my prayer. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

My New Life

I am getting settled in my new place. Thursday we moved a couch and coffee table into my apartment. I am using the couch for a bed until I can get one. I got my computer moved. My son setup a wireless network in his apartment (right downstairs from me) and I get Internet connection in mine. Thank you God for that. I will not have to pay for the connection. Frank loaned me a television and I will get cable as soon as I can. Right now I have the local channels and that has been good. I may decide not to get cable because I hardly ever watched those channels anyway. We'll see. We went shopping Friday afternoon. Went to the 99 cent store and boy does a dollar go a long way. Nothing in the store cost more than 99 cents. I got supplies for the kitchen. We went to Tuesday Morning and I bought a coat (we need them at night now) and a mixer there. Hit the Family Dollar Store for a shower curtain, some snacks and condiments.

This morning, I got up, had coffee and toast, got dressed and walked to Walgreens, McDonalds and the grocery store. Came back home and turned on the TV, parked myself on the couch and watched football and snacked all afternoon. I managed to get in a nap. I just got dressed for bed and guess what, there is another football game and I am ready to lay back, cover up, get nice and toasty and watch the game. Probably will fall asleep but I can do that if I want. As you can see I am enjoying my new place and the freedom to do what I want, the way I want it. I am thankful for the things that I do have and for the new beginning. Thank you God.

Thanksgiving and New Apartment

I officially got my keys to my new home (condo/apt) yesterday. Moving was really quick since I do not have furniture right now. I have my clothes and some things for the kitchen and I have list a mile long. Thank goodness for the 99 cent store, Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul and Family Attic Thrift Store. I am big on saving money and these stores here have really good things plus half price days, senior days and some make deals with you. My son is going to move their couch upstairs (it makes a bed) while they do some remodeling on their unit. The first major problem occurred this morning about 4am when I discovered the refrigerator was not working, neither is the washer and a couple of outlets in the dining area. We checked the breakers and they were tripped. I can live without the washer for a few days but the refrigerator is a must. We resorted to using a heavy duty extension cord and plugging into an outlet in the living room until the electric issue can be resolved. I slept there last night on the floor. It wasn't too bad but will be glad to get the couch up there and best of all a bed.

We have not eaten Thanksgiving dinner. There are guests driving up from Tuscon (they are on the way, thank you very much because I am starving). The menu is turkey, dressing, smoked brisket, mashed potatoes, gravy, potato salad, deviled eggs, rice with apples and cranberries, passion fruit cranberry sauce (homemade - will give the recipe at the end), rolls, pies, red velvet cake. I know I missed something and have made myself even hungrier than I was.

Recipe - Passion Fruit Cranberry Sauce

1 lb Fresh/Frozen Cranberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup Passion Fruit pulp
3/4 cup water

Simmer 20 minutes

Passion Fruit

Yummy Yummy!!!!

I wrote this to Jeni but decided to use it as a post about dinner last night. I am including three receipes that are Yummy Yummy!!!!

We had turkey, dressing with chestnuts, gravy, mashed potatoes, yams with pecans and pineapple, green beans, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, rolls, apple and pumpkin pie, fudge pie (my mother use to make this), pina colada cake. The other things were pretty much standard items. Needless to say, I ate too much.

Today my son is smoking a turkey infused with Cajun season, red beans and rice, dirty rice, greens and we still have a pina colada cake and fudge pie (made extra yesterday). I am so hungry I could eat a horse right now. lol Thursday they are cooking the typical Thanksgiving dinner and having a couple of people over to eat.

I met 5 new people last night and all of them were "normal". I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and fellowship for a change. Frank (he had the dinner last night) has things he is going to give me for the apartment ( I have a new place and will be moving shortly). A set of flatware, wine glasses, electric jar opener, Windex cleaner and he is going to let me use a TV he has in his bedroom that he does not watch. So it seems that things are beginning to come together.

Receipes You Might Like

FUDGE PIE

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Unfold pie crust; fit into 9 inch pie pan. Prebake crust according to package directions. Remove from oven.
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Beat together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, butter or margarine, eggs and vanilla in a medium-size bowl. Spoon into pie shell.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until set. Allow to cool to room temperature. Serve with whipped topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can add some fresh fruit (strawberries, yum) on top with the other stuff.


Piña Colada Cake and Frosting

Ingredients:
Cake:
1 (approx. 18.25 ounces) box white cake mix
1 small package (4 serving size) coconut instant pudding mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup dark rum
4 eggs
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 cup flaked coconut

Drizzle:
2 tablespoons dark rum
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups confectioners sugar


Frosting:
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained
1/3 cup dark rum
1 small package (4 serving size) coconut instant pudding mix
1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip
coconut to taste, toast* if desired

PREPARATION:
Cake:
Grease and flour a 13 x 9-inch pan or two round 8-inch layer cake pans. Preheat oven to 350°. Mix cake mix, pudding, oil, water and rum. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each
addition. Stir in pineapple then fold in coconut. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.


Drizzle:
While cake is still warm, combine drizzle ingredients. Use a spoon and soak the layers with the mixture twice. May be extra drizzle. Just make sure the cake layers are wet.

Frosting:
Mix crushed pineapple, rum, and coconut instant pudding. Beat until it thickens. Fold in 1 container of Cool Whip. Frost cake and sprinkle top with coconut or toasted coconut.
To toast coconut: Spread coconut in shallow pan. Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned.

Yams with Pecans and Pineapple
Use canned yams and mash them up. Add pecans and pineapple to taste and heat as usual. His were not topped but you could put cool whip on top or melted marshmallows.

Weekend

Here's hoping every one has a good weekend. We are going to the next door neighbor's house for dinner tonight. He is having Thanksgiving dinner early because he is going to visit his sister next week. He is a good cook and I can hardly wait until it is time to eat. I cannot decide if I should eat any lunch (diiner will not be served until 7:30 PM) so I can have plenty of room for good food. lol I am so hungry right now thinking and writing about food, that the question has been answered, it is time for some lunch.

View From My Window

As of December 1st, this will be the view from my dining room window. Squaw Peak at its best. I am planning on getting a recliner so I can sit and enjoy the view. I may have to get a recliner that swivels since the view from the living room window is almost as good.

Aging Quotes

There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take the time to look. For example, I'm sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt. ~Author Unknown

Youth is a disease from which we all recover. ~Dorothy Fulheim

There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for age - I missed it coming and going. ~J.B. Priestly

I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now. ~Author Unknown

Age is a high price to pay for maturity. ~Tom Stoppard