Bath and Body Shower Glove Killer.... by Diane Ogden

I was shopping for cotton gloves yesterday and ran across some Body Benefits Bath and Shower gloves. I decided to buy them as winter in coming soon and exfoliating is a good idea so half your body isn't left on your socks and other clothing...eeww. As I was putting groceries away and toiletries I threw the gloves into the shower stall. Next day getting ready for a family birthday party, I turn on the shower, get in and see the gloves laying on the shower floor all wet. Humm, wonder how that will be trying to get wet gloves on. Actually that was not the hard part... the hard part is, they were wrapped, stapled, and sewed together like someone might try to steal just one. It was like opening and removing a Barbie Doll from its Super Max box at Christmas while taking a shower. Yes indeed. Actually I think a higher power was trying to stop me...if I could have heard any voices they would have said, "Stop, these are really "Killer Gloves" from Taiwan!! But no I never listen. I started scrubba dubbing when pain became present. I thought to myself, "What the hell?" Then I noticed more pain .... "These things should come in degree's of grit... like sandpaper. Did I buy the wrong grit?" As I continued, (I never know when to stop) I wouldn't have to shave under my arms, or legs! All moles were either damaged or disappeared... Then I decided to check Google when I got out of their without bloodshed to see if we were at war with this country that sent these Killer Gloves here. I also got a free pedicure and any varicose veins ran for hiding. There was no nail polish left on any of my extremities. My face looked like I'd been taking drugs for acne... the color of fire. Not what I intended for sure. I checked the label to see what the ingredients of the gloves were....nothin stated. I say bamboo shoots! O well, live and learn, it's a wonderful life, especially when you shop at Wal Mart..(which I try not to do) Only for doggie poddie pads! Sounds about right huh?

What a Wasted Life! by Diane Ogden

Last week was an unusually "shitty" week. Troubles were seeping out from under doorways, cracks in the cement, corners of the ceilings. Well maybe that's a bit a drama going on there, but it was somewhat extreme. Me, I need a day to get over even one incident so to gather my emotions properly but they were stacking up like hotcakes and they were hot indeed. Each with its own little and big issue. Might as well have been little pebbles inside each hot cake and when bitten into the sharp grind and blackened pain when a tooth hits an unsuspecting pebble with a force not contemplated...ouch! That was my week. So on Friday I said to whoever was lurking in the atmosphere of my world or home, "What a wasted life!" And to my shock and surprise, as I know it wasn't the dog or cat or even dead Grannie, well maybe her, a very strong, yet gentle voice delivered to me these words: "NO! Waste is feces, garbage...your life is not a waste! Get out of the garbage can, stay out of the toilet, you do not belong under doorways or up in the cobwebs in corners, or in the cracks of broken cement because you are not broken and you are not poop and you are not old garbage...get back on solid ground! Get up on the bridge and be only an observer of life's other side.. do not participate in such trash tales for then you become a part of them. That is what happened to you in such a short time. A stack of waste hit you and you participated. Your life is not a waste product, rather a glowing display of goodness and love and sharing and caring. You are an amazing Mother for anyone that allows you into their lives or homes."
Like I said I don't think it was the dog that spoke to my mind and heart. Nor was it Grannie this time...(I couldn't smell her.) So I figure it was the big guy not in the sky, but in my spirit firmly pulling me back to the flowers and beautiful blue sky. Or even back to the dirty carpet in my home and reality... I'll get it cleaned, hang on.....although the bathroom is due for a scrubbing. Too bad have a birthday party to go to today. Maybe tomorrow, I've had enough of "waste" for a while. I love my puns! One final little note here. Never say, "What a waste of time" either....for time is precious and a gift.

www.things4myspace.com/wp-content/uploads/200

Happy Birthday Cody Ogden....by Diane Ogden

The big 30! And you are on the road this week so you haven't even gotten your cards, video's, facebook doo da day's, etc. Sometimes birthdays are like any other day and then again some years are more special than others. I am very proud of the way you make each day a good day surrounding yourself with as much positive energy of life that you can. I am proud of you in every area of your life. Thanks for being born to me...or for choosing me to be your Mom. Love you forever. xxoo

Don't Waste Your Time.....by Diane Ogden

Don't waste your time responding to critics....

Sanballot and Geshem sent this message: "Come let us meet together..." But they were scheming to harm me, so I sent messengers to them with this reply. "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"
Nehemiah 6:2-3

Today I was at a clients home and read this passage from his desk calendar. It is from "Life's Little Instructions from the Bible. H. Jackson Brown Jr. I thought it to be brilliant. (Duh it was from the Bible)

Today, before leaving for work, someone called me and stuck a verbal knife into my life mind. I tried all the way to work to shake it off. I tried the advice of a friend who says to shake it off like a wet dog shakes off excess water. That nor was anything else working. The knife continually wedging away at the cells of my mind as it was anger not hurt. An hour of so passed and then I saw the reading for September 22nd on my clients desk and it was like it was put there for me indeed. Why should I stop and leave my life, my wonderful beating heart, my genuine caring and perfect job TO GO DOWN TO YOU! What a heck of a messenger I had today. I suspect "it" had wings, along with a job detail from above. The knife disappeared with all its hate as quickly as it had come. And with it went all the evil destruction it caused.
Reminded me of Jr. High, H.S., and even on out (girls) .....how some people treat others!

rainworks22.homestead.com/bbnm5.html

The Funny Farm .... by Diane Ogden

Oh naughty me...calling slash naming the old homestead "the funny farm" may not be nice huh?

But it is true. Mother has gotten to the place of talking to herself continually. Scares the hell out of me. That could be good. Every time I catch myself talking to myself I STOP! Big red stop sign... even tho I rather enjoy having someone to talk to when living alone. doi. Well anyway I went there today AGAIN.... self abuse ..... but today was better than usual...I came out with some goods of food. Clean unsprayed apples, tomatoes, carrots, pears, forgot the green beans....all from the funny farm. The place I was raised. The place.........never mind. Do the tomatoes make up for it? Nope. But it is what it is. And time passes, sometimes passes us by and then we die. Lighten Up....aint nothin goin on at the cemetery...not even anything bad ....ha

I Made Today Paradise....NOT! Diane Ogden

Every morning I get up, make my coffee, half decaf, half "real punch," and I don't mean red with fake fruit. Then I turn on my computer and check my emails in hopes someone, anyone, has sent me something, anything. Hey, it's all I've got. Not really.....but it is unfortunately what I look forward to each morning. My face book friends are playing Farm and gambling games and so on....sending each other roses and hugs and farm animals and just plain dumbass things. OK so they arent dumb, I could be slightly envious because they are all retired and I am still working hard every day. But I still check to see if I received any dumbass things. And then I check my mentors blog to see what inspirational wisdom she has for me and all the rest of the world. She is good! Today was, wait I forgot, I have to go check. Seriously. Hey not that it wasn't a wonderful message, just my brain screaming for a cat scanner and dye. Erase that bad thought. http://dearonelovegod.blogspot.com/ Be right back...OK it says.... "Make Today Paradise"...that was the name of it, I knew that. She went on to say its a new day, new ideas, new thoughts, new energy, new cells in your body, new successes, new prosperity (I could use new shoes, a car)....CASH FLOW COMING IN! Well prosperity also means other good things but for me CASH FLOW COMING IN! She said, "Let the old be old and stay in the past." I'm old, maybe that is why I stay in the past too much as my blog professes continually." I have some big old stuff from my old past that I need to speak on... which only means I will turn the old past lemons into new blog energy. I could start with the time in 19 doo day day year, when a drifter stopped by our home and held me captive as an infant until he was prepared a good meal. Then he gave me back and moved on. Story of my life! (By the way that picture is not the drifter that came across the field in the late night and held me captive, duh. No I found it online) More stories to come.... AND...keep thinking happy every day, even if someone runs over your mailbox!
http://www.folkartblues.com/SoldArt/tabid/1331/Default.aspx

Where Do I Belong? by Diane Ogden

Some say bloom where you are planted. Sure fine, OK, S H U T U P! I can do that bloom thing and I have by the by,

but.... I have always dreamed of living in New England most of my life...never been there. Odd huh? And no its not the Kennedy Royalty wannaby deal! Must be a yearning from one of my past lives. Really. Ever since I saw the movie "Baby Boom" with Diane Keaton.... I even have all her lines memorized if I ever get stopped by a policeman....yup I do. I cant remember a few minutes ago, but I got those lines down! She left the fast life, bought a beautiful Yellow (my fav house color) colonial with a pond and apple trees all about it. The small town nearby was totally Victorian. Right down to the ice skaters on pond and of course at Christmas time... She and the local veterinarian fell in love and married.. Of course, of course, a horse is a horse! Oh, and the best part is she had so many apples she didn't know what to do so she made organic baby applesauce and made millions of money's! Moral of this story is, Do not move to New England without a huge stash of money....organic applesauce is an old re-run these days. Dream on about this one!

Another lifelong dream was to move back to Austin, Texas where I have the happiest memories. Seven years of my life were lived in Austin. I have memories of great friends as well as it's a beautiful city. Sometimes I think about Benny....God I wonder what ever became of Benny? I don't know his last name. He was an usher at the Orpheum theatre downtown and it was love at first Jr. High site. We went to see South Pacific together and necked in the balcony. He could pull strings and get us up there alone! I don't neck in exotic royal balconies anymore, but if I do I will make sure I write down the last name for future blogs....back to..... The majestic red velvet covered divider ropes that always swooped down and hooked to the next elegant post...then the next and the next. Those were to either keep people out or keep them in line.. Reminds me of Tara, the plantation home of Rhett Butler and Scarlet OHara.... back to....."I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair, I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair, and send him on his way! The words to one of the songs in South Pacific.... I have let the dream of Austin go, as there is no one I know there...and none of my children there. Anyways I cant remember Benny's last name so whats the use? But as you see in the photo, The Orpheum is something to remember. But then so was Benny!

broadwayworld.com/article/Orpheum_Offers_Dinn

I need many more youthful years to finish my wanton life living area destinations... Tuscon is someplace I would like to live for a few years. I could visit my oldest son who resides in a Federal Penitentiary there. No one visits him ever. He cannot have any emotions for that is weakness and he would be harmed if any of the inmates saw such. A once a week visit would be wonderful. For any Mother and son. Well most anyway.

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Now my biggest dream or desire is to move to L.A. Well somewhere outside L.A. in a small suburb. I have thought of searching out a well paid Nanny position but I cant swim and not sure I can keep up with little ones anymore. I could sell PrePaid Legal policies. I could start another Green Cleaning business. My two sons live there. Just to have a Sunday dinner with them once a week or so would be "marvelous martha." I might even head down to Universal and be an extra in some movie. Just for kicks! Hey I can look just like Ruth Buzzi if I try hard and carry a cloth bag. Not sure there is any call for Ruth Buzzi look a likes. ha.

lifejustkeepsgettingweirder.blogspot.com/2009 (Great blog to visit!)

I have a son here but he doesn't come to visit, nor does he call. I have Grandchildren here but they don't come to visit and rarely ever call. It would seem to my mind, and my mind is very big indeed with many thoughts and much wisdom also....(back to my point.) It would seem to me by all things seen and unseen, that I do not belong here. Since the day I moved to Wisconsin, August, 1987, it has been one horrible struggle with no let up. Facts are facts.....One disaster after another. And I mean disasters. Some said I was cursed but that's silly isn't it? Before I moved here I was successful, happy, and much kinder, why "hell" I lived in the Bible belt! Not conservative Wisconsin and in a liberal College town! So whoever said Bloom where you are planted, can stick it up their ....... NOSE! There are different soils for different plants .... they also need food and water. Manna some call it.... Something to keep them going. Just like a car needs gas and oil.... or it dies.

ME......

I need money and a moving van! I wouldn't even look back. Nor would I ever move back!!

The plate on that little bug says L A WOMN

Mine in reality says ALSWELL....hummm. Told you I tried!

The Love of My Life.....Really Wasn't by Diane Ogden

All those self help books are in the trash! Either my mind has metal plates surrounding it or I was birthed a stupido! I carried a deep beyond words love for one man from the age of 27 until last month. I carried that love through two other marriages. Not that I didn't love my "hubbs" plural! I have heard we all have the "first love" or "soul mate" love in our lives. Personally I have come to learn we can love more than one person but in different ways. I could go into a long love story here that lasted "three years to life" (some call that a sentence)......ad to it all the ups and believe me the downs....add the children hurt.....the flights back and forth from Oklahoma to Wisconsin every week.....the heart pounding races to the airport with what seemed like movie star red carpet meetings at the entrance gates bounding into the warm passionate arms of one another then building further to gentle yet firm kisses for all to view. Never knowing anyone else was in the building. Carrying luggage, sharing meals, drinks, loving tenderly....dancing closely, laughing uncontrollably, and best of all looking into one an others eye's seeing the reflection of only one of two. We shared a Deep love indeed. I have heard that money is the root of all evil. Pain could be included in that circle of adjectives regarding pain. Grief too. The world says true and honest Love is all good and pure. So there you have my story, all "tied up," there I go with those wonderful puns again...I love my puns! Basically my story is tied up in two sentences or even two words. Love or Money. He chose the money and I was left with the grief and pain. I thought I should die. Long story again.... humm maybe some day I shall have more time for believe me this would be a great book. The tall dark and oh so handsome cowboy, and I shall add, rich cowboy too. He purchased for me a brand new 19 (never mind it would show my age totally) something burgundy and white Grand Prix. Asked me to marry him...... I hear it was something about his "Daddy" that stopped the gentle deep love, the travel, the red carpet meetings, the marriage, the everything, in our tracks. In a motel outisde a dusty small town in western Oklahoma, where he was instructed and sent to give me the family decision, we sat on the edge of the bed and sobbed together like two children. Daddy chose new tracks for my fiance, and I felt like a homeless bum left in a box car on those lonely tracks, alone to die. A lost Love can make a person feel like that. Yet as the years past he was always that little box of a dream I could go to when I needed. He was a photo in the second drawer of my jewel box and a chapter in my life book page 266. He was not my God but he was one of my earthly treasures I always hoped to meet again whether at age 80 on earth or in love in the heavens hereafter. Over the years we spoke by phone a few times, even met once. Oddly the man I did marry lived in a small town in Texas where my love built and opened a business one mile away from our home. Oddly?? I would say. He had moved from his lifelong home in Oklahoma to this city in Texas. One mile from me. I moved from Wisconsin to one mile from him. And by then he had more children and so had we. The next time we spoke he had 14 Grandchildren and I had 6..... I knew then heaven was about the only place we might ever be together at again. Yes I am laughing. On occasion during a boring evening at home I would Google his name. Yes I did! And finally one night I found pictures of he and his family...all six children, the Grands, his still living Mother.....and Jackpot, I found one of his daughters on a Face Book site. He is bald and I barely recognized him. Looking at his photo I could still feel the warmth and safety of his arms and the softness of his lips on mine. Whoa, hold it..STOP SIGN! They love GEORGE BUSH! My heart dropped at my computer desk...my dreams smashed, my hopes lost, my years of deep wanting and memories crushed like a mile wide tornado came onto my screen and into the furrows of my mind and left me empty. Crap, now that's twice I am left empty by this fellow. My fault...I could have kept my delusional dreams and fake security forever if I hadn't hit that keyboard or joined face book. Now I don't even have a fake memory of a deep love and all that shit! Why I wouldn't even want to be with him in heaven because he might be standing next to George Bush! He donates allot of $ to George Bush! See the money won out again in the end.... the money even took my fragile dreams. I say I deserve it all back a hundred fold but with real love this time! So the moral of this love story is that it really wasn't. Be careful what you pray for because they say you might just get it! Bye R.C. it was a "hell" of a ride. God I love my puns. (By the way, his wife is Really Really LARGE!) Too bad so sad....

I Drove into Hell Today, And Right Back Out....by Diane Ogden

Today was delivery day of the Sustainable Times so I headed on downtown with no knowledge of the University of Wisconsin Badger Game. And let me say people come from hundreds of miles away and as usual they did and I was in the middle of many of them. You see the Stadium was only a couple blocks from where I was. I was given hand gestures I haven't seen for years, or since yesterday during traffic. I was hollered at as well as almost run over. I delivered a few stops and took myself and my Buick right on outta there with speedy action. Or reaction. I'm old, where's the respect?

These folks were nice to me, they let me drive past them on a street...

At which time I got the hell out of hell....drove to my next area which was Regent Street Market! And this is what I found sitting outside the front door. Precious animal indeed...but very leery of what the heck I was doing kneeling down starring at him....so he kept looking away. You know the old "if I cant see you you cant see me" deal. What a typical guy.

Then I moved on down to Monroe Street and thought I would share this fellow with you. I see him once a month for the past several years. But today I really saw him, quite a nice display for a record/audio shop.


Then into a unique little floral shop where I found these little guys from Europe. They cost as much as the ship that brought them over here. And they have different clothes for different occasions. People put them on their Macys Porches. ha. I thought of putting them together on a small hanging swing or on a sled at Christmas. On the Macy's Porch than is.

Then I see this little yellow light that says LOW TIRE.

Disregard the empty gas bbecause that is broken so I use trip set. Off I went to find air. I tried to put air in the front tires but the LOW TIRE didn't go off. Finally I had to go get professional help. Turns out I had 45 lbs. of air the rear tires which only called for 32. Oh dear! The lite is still on.....

It was late in the day so I ran home, loaded more papers, and my dog Grace for the 45 minute drive to Prairie du Sac and Sauk City.... I ran into a wedding, got ethanol free gas, a McDonald's quarter pounder with no cheese or onions of which Grace and I shared. Just couldn't make it home for food. What a day....

Say Good Night Grace.....

Sputnik by Diane Ogden

Anyone old enough to remember Sputnik......Was that a Russian Space capsule deal or American? I cant recall.... Well it must have been American, because I found it in a clients basement. A frugal doctor client who lives with the past some...... uh obviously! All of the fancy new vacuums on the market and this little metal bug is still working! Sort of like the 1936 General Electric Refrigerator in one of my past posts as well as in my parents garage. It was my Great Grandmothers! Well now I have met two amazing pieces of equipment from the past. One from outer space and one from inner space. I love my puns. Beats meeting an old man .... well unless he is hot, marries me and has a forever health plan!

Working, Garage Sale, Shopping, Walking the Dog..by Diane Ogden.

I passed this on our walk....in a neighbors garden. Cool huh? I love reminders.

This is a field usually filled with wild flowers, baby rabbits, birds and such...then suddenly without telling the little critters, they cut them down! I found one flower left and a few beautiful purple clovers....This is behind my complex where Grace and I walk.

This wild looking monster is Lucy...a gentle lady who is caged inside the Macy's porch. Silly thing doesn't know she can jump over and out! Every time I take Gracie Allen dog for a walk Lucy cries like a monster as you see here. This is the view upon our return.....sad huh? Do not worry, I brush her daily and love her dearly... Hey I saved her sorry ars from certain death. She was emaciated and dying when I found her......so there. She is loved!

The lonely flower aside the chopped up field of God only knows what.... at least a bit of beauty left behind the blades..

Yes, I have to pass this emblem each and every time I leave the premises ....so why not call it in with a digital! BMW...Big Mama's Wish

I am really not big, but what other word would have worked?

L.A. WOMN by Diane Ogden

That's Mine......(sort of like my imaginary fairy)

That's ME!!! I hope that dream comes true ..........

Working, Garage Sale, Shopping....by Diane Ogden

Remember I said sometimes doing a bit of a garage sale will thwart the or any shopping bug. Well sometimes it can enhance it which it did today.... Look what I found. Oh and for any future gifts please note I LOVE FAIRIES! I also believe in them. When I was a child I played fantasy about a small man...(Lord I started way back when with the wrong idea) I always dreamed while awake about making him furniture, clothes, and how I would help him be safe. How to make him a soft bed and sheets and a bedspread.... See, I started out all wrong jeez. I could elaborate on the details of my fabricational fictional character but that will do. I will say I couldn't have been six or seven. I really got creative concerning my ideas regarding the care of this tiny human being. It was all mine and I really believed in myself and this imaginary endeavor. Back to shopping! I decided to make a stop at T.J. Max to get some linen spray and made a personal promise to myself before exiting my car...That promise was not to spend the $100.00 I usually spend at that particular store. And I didn't. I was so proud, why I only spent $78.00 and some cents. Once on a roll I couldn't stop. I have been planning on the Autumn redo of the Macy's Porch just a few feet from this computer. I try to make a pleasing appearance of my open porch as well as give my creative bug a "fix." So I came upon some Fall Foo Foo or is it Phoo Phoo, and bought it. Came home and unwrapped it all and took digitals of the "shopping feast."


Make note I did not forget my FACE.....And I need derma repair EVERYWHERE...I also purchased but did not photograph the all natural antibacterial hand sanitizer, the linen spray, and the all natural counter top cleaner..... And the beautiful very orange ceramic pumpkin! To match my lazy used scarecrow from the Gay-rage Sale! There will be more coming soon...

Notice the broken foot! I got a discount of $3 for that broken foot mind you....

He is so charming, this photo doesn't do him justice... Fairy Fred

I must have moved because she is blurry fairy.... Fairy Frieda

OK so I had some trouble making them stand up (I gave my Grands all my cutsie mini chairs... )

What a good time had by .........one......me!

Working and Passing a Garage Sale.... by Diane Ogden

The beautifully embroidered something....

This is the used resting Scarecrow....

I like this guys Happy Face!

I just had to have these little homemade dolls...

I didn't take any snapshots, oops, they are called digitals now.... of my workday. I don't want to re-look at that. On my way home I stopped at a "garage sale." I don't stop at those too often anymore because I don't need too many things. Ya right! I came out of there with $9.00 worth and $3.50 of items sitting in a chair waiting for me due to no cash left. I ran to a store a mile away, bought a water and got $10.00 cash back. Than I came home with more goodies. I got a steam floor cleaner, a Conair hair setter as mine looks like a rusty truck rolled over it and a dog at the same time. You try to pull all that icko hair off those rollers eeeww. Also I found a little bag of homemade cloth dolls I will post a picture of. And a beautifully embroidered "something." I will make a pillow out of it or frame it! The later I think. Surely I needed those items right? Sometime a little garage sale-ing wards off the big buys and satisfies the wanting desires for whatever.

Why is My Hat Backwards? by Diane Ogden

Now don't I look like I have a big head? That's because I have that hat on backwards! The front is all curled up like a big S....actually that looked silly-er, is there such a word as silly-er? Regardless....it looked worse on the right way. And when a person has lived as long as I have they say, eff-it, I am wearing this hat today because I feel like it, because I am not ready for the red hat club and western boots hurt my feet, so this was the closest I could get to rebellion of "the boring week" I was having. It was all I could come up with on short notice. I wore it to that doggie birthday party across the street. (can you believe I said that) That is the best place I could find to wear my hat backwards or even get out of the house to go!! doi And all it accomplished was making me look like I had a big head and not the confident kind of a big head either. in fact it looked like I wore my hat backwards and didn't know it. Does that mean I looked dumb.... And I thought I was so smart? nope....humm...well now that I look back, it seems that hat deal backfired on me didn't it? I went from my last blog of My French Life to ......"Does that mean I look dumb? OK I will work on this.

My French Life by Diane Ogden

I saw this marvelous book at one of my clients homes. I gently took it from it's quiet resting place leaning on another book named Bloom. Humm, maybe that was a set up secret code from beyond (for me!) I opened it and found my eyes tearing up. I thought to myself, "what? What?" In more words, what are you tearing up about? I answered myself calmly. "I never had a French Life and I felt like I was looking right into one. Such an appealing sight as I stood alone next to the old English brick fireplace it was as though I should have or could have and still wished to." The tears were from a life of struggle and survival and not in France. Not said to draw any form of pity whatsoever because I have found and created my own forms of Life in France. I have always gravitated toward French Country when decorating. I am a total romantic whether its a white French mantel or a black iron chopping table. When a creative person such as myself cannot travel to the real deal, she brings the real deal home. I have created much in my life ......sculpting, sewing, making jewelry, writing, woodworking, painting, and drawing, all while raising the five children, working two and three jobs to get them all the things necessary for a pleasant family home. Always balancing where to put any leftover finances. I wont laugh at that statement and no one except a single Mom with five children would understand.
None of this to say I wouldnt like to be walking on that rainy day wearing black tights, black dress, black trench, and black umbrella just as in the picture......
While holding this book by Vicki Archer I paused to read a paragraph that caught my eye, or was my eye sent to this perfect page, perfect paragraph just for me this day. To set this up I will tell you She and her husband purchased a small 50 acre farm unseen....Below are her thoughts as they come upon it for the first time......

"The farmhouse in view was not in line with the one in my imagination: What stood before us was derelict and in total disrepair. My excitement never faltered for a moment - these were mere hurdles to be jumped. My son, Paddy, whispered, "This is it, Mum. We've found it" My heart was hammering in my chest, tears filled my eyes, my ability to speak vanished and the momentous truth shook me like nothing before. If you believe there can be a moment in time when everything in your life changes, then for me, this moment had arrived.

I felt that way when each of my children were born.... And once when I was fifteen I spent some time on a ranch in Jacksonhole, Wyoming and in the Ski Resort town of Pinedale, Wyoming. I have never lost the desire to live there....not ever. Otherwise no moments such as this family experienced. Their experience came through the book like a spiritual awakening directly at me. Thus the tears. Of joy, sadness, loss, hope, or maybe I lived in France on that farm (Mas de Barnard, a Provencal mas, farmhouse) in a past life! Yeah, that is probably it.

The Buick Car.... by Diane Ogden

As you all might recall, Mummie Dearest gave me her beige Buick with white walls and mud flaps. And I have learned over the years to be grateful for gifts. They are free. But I wasn't quite ready for a Buick yet. Ever see a Buick on the road without a white haired little lady barely able to see over the steering wheel, or an elder man with a baseball cap or an Elliot Ness/Soprano/Italian hit man hat on!? Me either. And if you pass any local restaurant after 6:30 a.m. all the different colored Buick's are lined up out front. But again, it was free and in good condition. Too bad Mummie didn't like BMW's huh? No matter, she is running well. Haven't come up with a name for her yet. Only one that seems to fit is "Helen." I am laughing at my own joke. "Helen!" oi. That car does look like a Helen. Today I decided to get "her" washed at the "where they do it" car wash. I get anxiety if I go thru the cheap ones and I am stuck in the car with all that noise and water coming at me... ..eeeeeewww. I was walking thru the corridor to go pay when I spotted the spots. OMG! They had my name all over them..... I didn't think twice. I grabbed those floor mats and paid hard earned cash for them. If I have to drive a Buick with white walls and mud flaps, then its Leopard floor mats all the way. I might just get some leopard seat covers and throw pillows. Oh wait, the throw pillows might be going to far. Like stuffed animals in the back window. eeewww. I know, my life must be real boring to put leopard floor mats in my car! And to even consider seat covers. But I am considering it. Least there is no pole...it would only be for effect anyway...And at the least I am not wearing big red hats with feathers. Close though huh? Of maybe beyond!!

"THE" Garage Sale by Diane Ogden

This is Mother....Itook it the other day... she is 79!!

(photo not of our garage sale) I will work on getting a true pic of the funny farm garage sales.
As a family we always knew Mother wanted to have her own shop in our little town in Wisconsin. And as a family we all thwarted those efforts because we all also believed our Mother would own the town junk shop. She loved to garage sale and loved to shop and find deals at St. Vincent de Paul's. I think we should have let her have her dream.... because now we have to live with her being the town Garage Sale Queen. But I must add that she can set up a garage sale to look like a Macy's Window. No lie for sure! Dad cant get his truck in the garage for about three months out of the year, but then he

has a shed to use. My phone rings often with her inquiries as to if I have gotten her any more hangers. She hired a handy man to put up special racks for clothing...Yup Paid someone $20 an hour to fix the broken wheels on a trash can so she could re sell it, and put the clothing rack up! Does that make sense? Sure if you are 79 and need something to occupy your life with. She gave up on the computer as all they can get is dial up! I agree, dial up is nuts. And Mother is very impatient so you can only imagine how my phone rang on that deal...glad its gone. Now she is happy to just play solitaire.... She also wanted to turn the barn into an antique business....and restaurant...now that is a good idea. And I wanted to turn the old grainery into a cute bungalow! Even rent it out or have it there for family members if anyone is even in need. That went over like a lead balloon! Maybe they thought I would be the one in need. eeeww. The Grands become teens and it would be a great place for teens ...like a glorified tree house on the ground. Not sure where that came from. One of the famous garage sales is coming up Sept. 15th. Am I ready? Nope and the phone is ringing every couple days asking me where are my labels, where are the hangers, where am I? My dog loves to go to the garage sale so....off we go on Friday! What a week, Lil Bear's first dog birthday party, Mother's Macy's garage sale, blood work.... wow, I think I better go back to E-harmony. That was funnier! (But not really less work)

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