WOW! (And I Have No Freaking Idea)

So the title totally expresses my feelings right now. 

It's been over a year & I get an inkling to write a blog post.  What do I see when I get here?  Anyone?  Well I'll tell you.  The last post I wrote over a year ago was NOT posted!  It says draft next to it.  Lovely!  So I sent it & decided to really post.  Unless, of course, I forget to publish this one too.  I suppose I'll have to check something more than spelling from now on.

So, on with the post...

Not really too much difference from a year ago.  I had a spinal fusion a year ago in November.  It really didn't help anything but now I have a beautiful scar.  I could get a tramp stamp over it & have a textured tattoo. Sounds awesome,huh?  LOL. I've wanted a dragonfly for a long time & no idea where I wanted it. Could be a plan...  So feel free to let me know what you think.  Feedback is welcomed.  Now I just wonder if I should add a pic of the scar so you have an idea of what the body texture of the dragonfly will look like.  I think that'll be up to you also.  If I get an overwhelming response of "Yes, I love seeing gross things like scars", then a pic shall be posted in the next blog.  (And it won't be a year from now either).  If not, & your response is  "Ew, I think I'm gonna puke!", then I can respect that.  I'll leave it for the medical journals.  

To continue on...my back & leg problems are worse but it's degenerative so I can do specific exercises to keep the motion but it will never be gone.  I am going to start getting injections again in my back to see if I can get a little relief.  I've had it done before but it never helped much, so we will see.  Radiology is supposed  to do the injection this time instead of the pain clinic and the back surgeon seems to think this will make a difference.  O-Kay!  We'll see.

Otherwise, I've been taking my dad to doctor appointments & to do other errands.  I'm trying to get  more reading done, like I used to do & with winter knocking at our door, it looks like I'll be doing that sooner than later.  (sigh)  Spring & Summer were pretty much nonexistent here because of the severity of last winter.  Also, after just having back surgery, walking in snow & on ice was NOT a wise idea.  This year is supposed to be cold but we're not supposed to have the record snowfall of 94 inches but rather the norm of 44 inches.  I can only hope.

Happy Veterans Day to all our Vets out there and...THANK YOU!!!!!
Collette

OOPS!!! (Correction and Turning 50 Shades of Red)

Moment's Melodic Muse:
"Oops! I Did It Again"
Britney Spears

I have made a huge boo-boo.  This would definitely classify as a Polish, Blonde, & Female moment.  Apologies to anyone offended by me calling myself out on this, but I had to use all 3 in this instance.

So, in the last post, I was all excited because I had reached an important milestone in my bloggy life.  Or so I thought. 

The past few posts were written on my smart phone & pictures were added from my laptop. (still trying to figure out how to post pics from my phone)  So, I had counted my posts from 2009 not realizing that there was another page.  Well, imagine my surprise (& shame) when I got on my laptop & looked at the total of posts on my blog page & it says 35.

 WHAT???  Are you kidding me?  No Way!  Let me recheck that (again & again)!

Yes, it was correct.  I actually had 35 posts in 2009.  I wrote them all.  Every last one of 35.

Now, with this post, I have 10 so far.   It's been awhile since I had that many,  right?   So let's just strike that last post from memory.   Pretty please?

Oh yeah,  I'm keeping all the gifts.  (Those are all imaginary just like the previous post).

Hiding My Face In My Babushka,

Collette

No Applause, Please, Just Throw Money

Melodic Muse of the Moment:
"Celebration"
Kool and the Gang

Well,  I've finally done it.  Yes,  I have. I've gone & done it!

What have I done,  you ask?  Well,  I'll tell you what I've done.  But first I want you to make me a promise.  Ok?  No fanfare.  I don't want you to go to any trouble about this.  There's no need for balloons,  streamers or confetti.  Absolutely no marching band or parade.  No award ceremony.  Not even a teeny weeny surprise party.  I will have none of it!  Do you understand me?  None!

All right.  Now that we have that out of the way I shall tell you my big announcement.  A small drum roll will suffice. ..
     bum bum bum ba da da da dum

With this post,  I have already surpassed my highest number of blog postings ever in a one year period.  Since I began blogging in March of 2009, I've had a smattering of posts.  Last year,  it numbered eight.  This year,  with this post,  the number is nine.  So far. 

I figured a milestone as this shouldn't go by without a small mention.  And a great big thanks to all who have stopped by over the years.  I wouldn't be here without you!

Hey!   Where are the voices?????

Bowing my Babushka to you,
Collette

You've Got to Be Kidding. ..

Moment's Musical Muse:
In the Summertime by
Mungo Jerry

Is it really August already?  Where in the hell does the time go?  Wasn't it just the beginning of summer?  
WHY AM I ASKING SO MANY QUESTIONS? ????

WHEW!!!  Sorry about that.   I'm just full of wonder (hmmm)  and awe (Aw, I feel soooo sorry for you. ..NOT). 

So we're starting that again,  are we? (What?)  You know all too well what I'm talking about. (Me?)  Yes,  you.   Now cut it out.   I'm trying to blog here. (Oh,  I thought you were just babbling on to yourself again)  All right.  That is quite enough out of you! (Yeah,  yeah,  yeah)  I-AM-SERIOUS!  (Ok, ok)  Thank you. (Hey,  anytime.  For you,  not a problem.  All you have to do is ask.  You know I would. ..)  STOP!!!! (k)

Ok, looks like the coast is clear.  Let's try this again.

My tomatoes,cucumbers & marigolds

I can't believe that summer is almost over.  School will start soon & I'll be dreading the cold weather once again.  It's not that summer has been that warm to start with.  I think we had one week that was 90 degree temps.   And we've had more than our share of rain.  

My little garden is growing pretty well but I need more heat for my tiny tomatoes & puny pickles to grow.  I want MY summer!!!  My summer is 80-85 degrees for at the very least 3 months.  And night temps no lower than 65 degrees.  This high of 70 & low of 50 can kiss my butt!!! 

What happened to global warming?  Did it take a vacation from Michigan this year?  There I go with the questions again.  I don't care what happened.  Give me back my summer! !!@!!

Covering myself with my babushka,
Collette

Itsy Bitsy Garden

Moment's Melodic Muse:
"Blame It On the Rain"
Milli Vanilli

I finally decided to grow a small garden again this year.   I haven't really grown one since my Babcia passed away, just over 2 years ago.  

I've been thinking about it for a while now.

My Babcia

So finally when my heart is ready,  my body has decided it is not.   Well,  you know what?  That's too bad,  body.   We're doing it!  Suffer in silence (or not).   

I got out the throw rug,  small garden tools & cigarettes & got to work on my little piece of earth.  Pulling the weeds didn't seem to be working too well, so I started digging & cutting into the ground till I got a good-sized piece.  I pulled it out, shook off the dirt & continued until I had a cleared area about 4ft by 2ft.  

Time to plant the tomatoes!   I grabbed the little planter that came with the kit to start the tomatoes in & separated them.   Babcia & I used to go to this great produce place to get tomato & pepper plants that were already on their way to being strong,  sturdy specimens.   She would buy too many tomato plants for herself so she would "have to" give some to me to grow in my limited gardening space.   I always seemed to find just enough room for them.   The cucumbers were always grown right in the garden from seeds.  And they had to be pickling cucumbers.  How else are you supposed to make pickles?   (You're probably wondering if I'm ever going to make it back from Memory Lane?   Or am I lost forever?   Seriously,  when have I ever been completely here? )

So the tomatoes & cukes are planted.   The dill is growing around the yard on its own.   And Babcia is watching over me & my itsy bitsy garden. 

Forever waving my Babcia's babushka,

Collette

Pondering. ..

Moment's Melodic Muse
"Don't Stand So Close To Me"
The Police

Is money seriously no object to some people that they would risk damage to their expensive vehicle just to get somewhere faster?  

Case in point:   I am usually parked right here

This is from inside my car. There is a sign to my right that says "Parking this side of sign"

Now, most cars leave a reasonable amount of room when they are turning, as any normal person would. A couple of feet, I think, is a good, safe distance. But no. .. As luck would have it, any time an expensive sports or luxury vehicle goes to turn past me, EEEEK! They leave merely inches! This, of course, leaves me screaming obscenities- to myself.

 What else can I do? Oh I know I can park somewhere else but this is the closest spot to the door my daughter has to walk out when she closes up at work. In the summer, it's no problem for her to walk a little further, but if it's dark or the weather is bad, I'd prefer to be as close as possible.

So, besides cussing out drivers every five minutes, I have tried a couple of tactics. One was sticking my arm out the window so maybe people would stay out far enough to avoid my arm.   This seemed to work even if my arm hurt from keeping it out of the window too long.  

Is that my arm?

The second one I tried because it was raining.   I couldn't have the window rolled down, so if I saw a vehicle coming up close,  I started to open the door.   Ok!  I know, I know!  Not the smartest or safest thing to do,  but it did do the trick.   It's not like I threw the door open as they drove up.   I just slowly began to open it as if I was getting ready to exit my car, but watching traffic so the door didn't get torn off.  

The idiots did tend to stay a bit further away.   I'm sure I scared some & probably pissed some off.  Anyway,  I did save my car from any damage & saved my voice by not yelling too many obscenities in the process. 

Directing Traffic With My Babushka, 

Collette

A Discussion-with myself?

Momentary Melodic  Muse:
"Take This Job and Shove It"
By Johnny Paycheck

So it's been almost two months since my last post.   I started to write a couple of times & then got distracted with life & other such blog-disrupting affairs.   (procrastinator)  Hey!  Shit happens!   (Oh really? )  Yes,  I've been sick.  (for over a month)  Well,  no, but for a couple of weeks. (And before that?)  Ummm...I can't seem to remember. (fever burn your brain cells or did they drip out of your nose)  No,  I guess I've just been busy.  (doing what? )  Trying to make some money online. (so how's that working for ya?)  Not very well,  I'm afraid.  If I'm lucky,  it's a couple of cents per site a day & it's only a few sites.  At that,  it takes most of my day.  Clicking,  verifying the click. ..argh!  And doing surveys & tasks just gets mind-numbing.  

For anything they say makes money,  you have to pay money.   I am not paying for some program for someone else to make money off of me!  If somebody else does it & makes money,  I'm happy for them but it's not for me.

I will find something but I have to be comfortable with what I'm doing & be totally ok with it.  There are way too many people out there trying to take advantage of others with some "system" or another.   If these "humanitarians" had a way for everyone to make tons of money in "only a few minutes a day", they wouldn't need you to pay them for their program. 

Unfortunately,  many believe this & go broke trying to strike it rich.  It's really sad that these jerks prey on anyone who will believe their spiel.  There are some very well done sites out there that look so professional.  But when more people buy your "product", you can afford to pay more for  advertising.

 

So I'll just keep doing what I'm doing & maybe pick up some ideas along the way.

Ummm...Now what was the question?
(never mind,  never mind)

My Babushka ever-waving,

Collette

An Executive Decision

Melodic Muse of the Moment:
Mad World by Adam Lambert

Me-Pulling my hair out

Why is it that when I get pissed off, most of the time the only person I bitch to is myself?

 I'm watching tv, our goalie is so far out of the net that they could drive the zamboni behind him, & the other team scores.  I scream at...the tv.

I'm in the car, listening to some great '80's hair bands & some idiot decides NOT to stop at his (or her) stop sign at a four-way stop when I have the right-of-way.  I start flailing my hands & yelling...to myself.  (they can't hear me with the windows closed & by that time,  they've already flown right past me & don't care)

I finish reading a blog post & before I comment, I like to read some of the of the other comments. (Everyone does this, right?)  I see a comment that really pisses me off.  This doesn't happen often. But,  I don't hijack the comments (or the comment writer's blog).  I sit & bitch & complain...to myself.

So, this has brought about an executive decision.
 

By jove, I think I've got it!

When I was young, I wrote in a diary.  When I got older,  I journaled & still do every so often when I feel like putting a pen to paper, literally.  To me, there is still something magical about the written word on paper. (Note to self:  Blog Post)  Where is my Evernote widget???  
Now, I have a blog.  This is my diary, my journal, my Outlet!!!  I have somewhere to let loose my ramblings & ventings.  (now spell check is starting to piss me off...lol)

My Executive Decision is to bring some of my complaints here.  My posts won't all be about how awful something is & I won't be on here every five minutes because so & so just got on my nerves, but I am giving myself somewhere to leave unleashed feelings of frustration.  Much better than bottling it up & having it explode when I least expect it.

So join me in the exploration as I release my inner rantings & possibly some raves as well.

Unfurling my knotted babushka,

Collette

A Positive Message? ??

Musical Muse of the Moment:

"Thrift Shop" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

I Love Samples!   Whether it's tasting food samples at Costco (the best free Saturday lunch) or getting freebies in the mail (I subscribe to so many freebie sites), free stuff is awesome!

Now my hubby might not agree with me (unless it's the edible type of freebie) because I have a tendency to keep things way longer than needed.    I wouldn't be considered your typical tv show hoarder, but I have a hard time throwing things away that I "might" be able to use one day. 

So I get this freebie the other day that I sent for from one of the many sites I subscribe to.  (after awhile you start to notice that they all have pretty much the same stuff,  but won't dare unsubscribe just in case they have something different :) It's two full size protein bars from Quest.  There were chocolate chip cookie dough & hot cinnamon roll flavors.  They were very tasty & not at all crumbly.   I do have to say I am partial to the chocolate chip cookie dough though.

Now the reason for this post is not to review the product.   The reason is because of the box they came in.  (Yes,  I saved it.  Like I have room for more stuff. ..lol) 

As I'm reading,  I'm finding such a powerful & positive statement.   Then I get to the last three statements & I know... This box was the sample that was meant for me!  Here it is,  cut & flattened.

Intensely waving the babushka that I am obsessed with,  your abnormal friend,  
Collette

Sharing---Is It Really A Good Thing?

 Melodic Musing of the Moment:
"Rock & Roll All Night" by Kiss

Missing the blogosphere,  I've spent the better part of the evening reading through blogs.  Some old, some new, some renamed, & some are gone that I once knew.  It makes me rather nostalgic.  I get that way sometimes...

"Memories..."  AHEM!  Sorry, I got a little lost there for a moment.

 Ah, the wonders of the mind.  I sure don't want to get lost in my thoughts.  I never know what I'll find there.  I don't know if I'd make it back alive.  Or would I find it a place I would never want to leave?  Hmm...

SNAP OUT OF IT!

Well, I guess I have been spending way too much time away from here.  I have been listening to '70's music quite a lot lately.  And even without burning the incense (I do have some. Real incense. That was NOT a metaphor for something else) I'm really enjoying it, man.  Or should I say I'm diggin' it.

Ok, I was born in 1967, so I do feel a special connection with the hippie thing.  I've never been one to follow the crowd or wear the latest fashions.  But, I haven't burned any of my bras either (as much as I'd like to. I hate them!)

But, being born then, I was a teen in the '80's.  And, I LOVED it!  For a little while, I did the Madonna thing with the lace half gloves & all.  But when I got to high school, all bets were off!  It was heavy metal, big hair, spandex & tight leather pants heaven.  Guys with long hair & tight jeans...MMMMMM.  I so miss that!

Gilby Clarke(fanpix.net)

Jani Lane(from internet)

The bands:  Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison, Warrant (R.I.P. Jani Lane) & so many more.   In our senior class of 1985.......Whew,  I almost went all cheerleader on you there for a minute, but I stopped myself.  Ok?  (looking around)  The moment has passed, you're safe for now.  As I was saying, we had mock elections for our yearbook & I was elected Class Rock-n-Roller!!!!!  Screw Valedictorian...I ROCK!!!   (Grade-wise, I did come in 10th of a class of 85 students, so I didn't get killed by my parents)

As for music from the '90's till now...I've liked some stuff & some I can live without.  (like that damn speaker-thumping, window-rattling, nerve-wracking hip-hop that these kids blare nowadays-even as I speak/type at 3:30 am)  ARGH!!!!!  I tell you these kids have no respect!  (Do I sound old? Cranky?  Like the 2 unmarried sisters that lived together a couple of doors down from me & screamed everytime you so much as touched their grass?  No?  Good!)

So, if you check out my Spotify, you might be very shocked at what you find there.  Then again, knowing me, maybe not.

Babushka's Rock!

Collette

I Resolve-NOT

Melodic Muse of the Moment:
"Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees

From the Gospel Music Channel

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope your holidays were memorable & that Santa brought you more than coal in your stocking.


My holidays were fairly quiet & uneventful.  Christmas eve was spent at my sister's, eating our traditional Polish meal.  The first part is always meatless; consisting of fish, pierogi, kapusta (our special sauerkraut with Polish mushrooms & lima beans), warm prunes & apricots, & sledzie (herring).  We also break oplatek (thin wafer) before the meal to wish everyone health & happiness in the coming year.

After a dessert of cheesecake, we open gifts.  Usually, koledy (Polish Christmas carols) are sung & those who go to Midnight Mass leave for church.  Our Midnight Mass is at 10 pm because of the area it's in. Plus, we have a lot of older parishioners.

Our Homemade Kielbasa

While the others are at mass, we cook the meat-full part of the meal.  Ham & kielbasa, both smoked & our homemade fresh, are put in the oven in anticipation of the church-goers return.
As the delicious smell of juicy pork wafts through the house, the church-goers arrive & we are ready to eat.  The meats are served & we dig in.  Eaten by itself or between two pieces of fresh rye or pumpernickel bread, the feast is almost heavenly.  And the horseradish is so fresh that it clears the stuffiest of noses. 

When everyone has had their fill, it's time to start packing up to go home & get some much needed rest.
This year was a little different, however.  No one was coming back after church.  My aunt & uncle & cousins were just going home.  So, we packed up our doggie bags & were headed home earlier than usual.

Smoked Kielbasa & Ham

Christmas day is spent at my hubby's mom's home.  We eat turkey, ham & kielbasa, green bean casserole (my favorite), sweet potatoes, corn & rutabaga.  And I can't forget the cookies...So many cookies...

After we eat, my hubby plays Santa & passes out all the gifts.  The house is packed with people & gifts!  And cookies...So many cookies...

When all the gifts are given out & opened, everyone is exhausted & ready to go home.  But you know we can't leave unless we take...Cookies...oh, so many cookies...


For New Year's Eve, my hubby & I just went to a local bar & rang in the new year with my dad & a few regulars from the bar.  We dropped my dad off at home since he only lives a couple of blocks away from me & were home before 1 am. On New Year's day, we stayed home and enjoyed some much needed relaxation.


I make no resolutions this year for two reasons:
1) I never can keep them
And
2) I just want to have a great year of Happy, Healthy, & (hopefully) Wealthy with my family & friends.

My wish to you is the same;  May 2013 give you all the Happy, Healthy & Wealthy you need.

And Cookies...Oh...So...Many...Cookies


Happily Waving My Babushka,


Collette

P.S.  Sorry for no pictures of cookies, but they were taunting me so I had to eat them ;)

Merry Christmas from My Home to Yours

Musical Musing for Today:  Silent Night (Cicha Noc)
I picked this today because it was my Babcia's favorite
Christmas song. Polish translation above.


I just wanted to write this short note to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  God has blessed me with two wonderful families to spend it with.  I would like to share my love & blessings with you on this day.  (I won't even charge the usual rental rate for my family...lol)


May you be blessed & loved today and all through the year!


Merry Babushkas,
Collette

2012 Yule Log from my tv

The Wonderful World of Genetics

*Melodic Muse of the Day*
"Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw


HELLO!  And welcome back to the asylum.  (heehee)

As usual, I have been a busy bee.  I always said, when I'm not working, I seem to have more to do.  Yes, I have more stuff to do & No, I am not working.  Not in the normal (gasp, can't believe I used that word) sense, that is.  So, have a seat, put your feet up, & lend me your ears (ok, your eyes, but who's keeping track ;)

So, where to start...Hmmm.  We'll start with "Why I'm not working".

I've had arthritis since I was about 30, so when I started getting bad pains from my back down my right hip & thigh, that's what I thought it was until it started getting progressively worse.  The pain began about the end of December 2011 & continued to worsen.  By my last day of work for the school year, I had been in severe pain & limping around for months.  I had an MRI done in May that showed four bulging discs, some narrowing of the spine, at least one pinched nerve, & quite a bit of arthritis.  It also showed some disc degeneration.  I guess that would explain the pain I've been having, right?

Needless to say, I've been to my doctor, a back specialist, a neurosurgeon, & our pain clinic.  The back specialist basically gravitated right toward surgery.  I figured that would be the last resort.  So, I've been going to the pain clinic, have gotten 12 shots in my back since July, & am having radio frequency
thermal coagulation on December 21st.  That just means they are burning the nerves in my back that have been giving me the problems.  I'm sure I'll eventually have to have surgery.  My neurosurgeon, though, decided to send me for an MRI on my neck first because it seems I may have problems there, as well.  He said the neck should be fixed first as the nerves go to the arms & legs, whereas the nerves in the back just go to the legs.  And no, they can't both be done at once because rehab would be impossible.  Wonderful, huh?

So, that's pretty much the story of my year so far.  Except for the fact that I did have to have a biopsy on my left breast because of something not looking quite right.  It was, thank goodness, benign, but it was a bit scary.  Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer, so I definitely have to be watchful.  I have been getting yearly mammograms for quite a few years already.  That is one thing I make sure to have done even if I don't take the best care of myself.  It is a pain, literally, but a very important test to have.  That's my PSA for today!

I have been keeping busy, however.  Unfortunately, I do not have an income now, so I've been trying to find ways to work from home on my computer.  I used to do PartyLite shows, but that's a no-go because of all the lifting & carrying products.  If only they would drop-ship their orders, I would love to get back into that.  I love their candles, accessories & etc.  Of course, they are very heavy into the "home party" aspect part of the business.  They do have "book parties" but the product goes to the hostess' home,  to be delivered by her.  So, if I'm the one having the "party", I get the products to sort & deliver. (sigh)

A lot of work-at-home businesses charge a fee to get started & I refuse to pay to work for someone.  I've been doing a few pay-per-click sites, but the money is very slow to add up.  I am signed up with an internet marketing site, but people don't want to bother trying to recruit others or sell anything.  I don't blame them as I don't care for it myself, but it is free sign-up & tons of training info.  You get access to a "store" & can sell your own stuff there for very little.  I've been with the company almost a year & know if I do put some time & effort into it, it will work.  But right now I just don't have the motivation for it.  I am hoping that I can get a few ads on my blog & make a little that way.

Whatever I do, I want to enjoy doing it.  It's time for me to be happy with what I do in my life.

Peace, Love, and Babushkas,
Collette

My cane-that I barely ever use

Gobble Gobble

Hey everybody!  I am in the process of writing a post, but keep getting sidetracked. (So, what's new, right?)    But, I did want to wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
I give thanks for family & friends, life & love, and being sober 11 years today.  I couldn't have done it without you guys!  You never know where you can get strength from & I have found it here many times.
Thanks to all of you, whether this is your first time here or if you've been here many times.  I appreciate you!

Love & Green Bean Casserole,
Waving my Babushka high,

Collette

Live Well. Be Well.

Hello My Friends!

I didn't even realize that it's been over two months since I last posted.  Time just goes by way too fast!

I haven't been really busy, just a lot going on, but I'll get to that another day.  I saw something a few minutes ago and had to share it with you.

I don't know how many of you have read the book "The Secret" or have seen the movie.  I, myself, have not done either; although I do intend to read the book one day soon.  Here is an excerpt from the book called "The Optimist's Creed".  It is very empowering, so I had to share it!  Love to all of you!  Collette

To be strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me

Christian D. Larson

Danielle LaPorte - A Credo for Making it Happen

The Worst Place I Visit Way Too Often

The Procrasti-Nation

A place everyone visits at one time or another.  Unfortunately, I find myself firmly planted there more often than not.
For example, I actually started this post a couple of weeks ago, but I just couldn't seem to get motivated enough to finish (or really get started).  I found a few quotes on procrastination, saved them and eventually copied them to this page.  And there they sat.  Accusing me of the very thing they spoke of.
 
"Even if you’re on the right track-you’ll get run over if you just sit there." ~Will Rogers
     Is that a train?
"If and When were planted, and Nothing grew." ~Proverb
     Don't need a green thumb for this one.

"Do or do not do. There is no try." ~ Master Yoda
     Used the Force, I should have.
You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."-Jack London,American writer
     Or is that a light saber?  

I don't know if I just get bored or distracted.  And, if it feels like work, then I will put it off till the last minute.

Or maybe it's just my rebellious side.  When I'm told I HAVE TO do something (or my head sends the same message), I tend to push away and do the opposite.
           
Well, whatever it is, it was temporarily deterred, just enough to let me finish this post.

Unfurling my Babcia's Babushka,
Collette

Happy February, Etc.

Happy Groundhog's, Valentine's, & Presidents' Day!  WHEW!  I think I covered them all for this month. Well, the major ones anyway.  And, a very Happy Birthday to whomever celebrates theirs this month.

Another "Holiday" I will be celebrating is Paczki Day on February 21st.  The easiest pronunciation I can give you is-"punchki", but it sounds like the "pu" in pudding.  Polish has some weird diacritical marks that really change the sounds of letters.

New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck

Paczki Day is the Polish version of Fat Tuesday;  the Tuesday right before Ash Wednesday.  Traditionally it was a day to get rid of all the goodies in the house that you weren't allowed to have during Lent.  Such "goodies" as sugar & lard were mixed with flour & other ingredients to make the dough.  When the pastries were done, they were filled with all different kinds of jelly, cream, or custard.  

Martha Washington Bakery in Hamtramck

Today's typical "jelly donut" is not a "real" paczki.  The "real" paczki are only made just prior to Ash Wednesday & usually have more fattening ingredients added to them.  I believe each one has about 1000 calories in it.  It doesn't really matter though, because Ash Wednesday is a day of fast anyway.

On Paczki Day in Hamtramck, a lot of bars open early (about 7 am) & people party all day long to celebrate before Lent begins.  Bands play all day & radio stations broadcast from some of the bars.  The bakeries have lines that go around the block starting at 6 am or earlier.  The local news stations usually do interviews from a bakery or two.  Our 2.2 square mile city is wild & crazy & EVERYONE IS POLISH for a day!!!

For the first time in my working life, I have Paczki Day off!  I don't drink, but I'm sure I'll be out to get a paczki or two!

I wish you all a Happy February & I wave my Babcia's babushka in salute!  Nasdrowie!  (to your health)

Collette

A Toast to 2011

Well, here I am, months later & not sure how I'm really doing.  This year has truly thrown me for a loop. 
This was the first Christmas without my Babcia.  Christmas Eve was her holiday.  It was a very small crowd this year, compared to years past.  Great food & warm memories, but there was a hole that can't be refilled.  She will remain in our hearts always.  (pic above is from 2009 while making our Christmas pierogi. Babcia is the little lady in the front with the white hair :)
I have spent more days at funeral homes this year than any other.  More family & friends have left this world. I am still here.  But I remember, I am not alone. 

I wrote the previous paragraphs from my phone before the new year & have finally decided to finish this post.

New Year's eve was spent with hubby & my dad at a local watering hole with a few regulars that I have pretty much known all my life.  It was nice to just relax & enjoy friendly conversation.  We headed home about 1:00 am & I stayed up playing my favorite game "Mahjongg Dimensions" on the computer for a little while.
School started again yesterday, so I am back to hell work in the cafeteria.  My daughter graduated high school in June & I am STILL there...UGH!  As I always say, it's not the kids that bother me, it's some of the people (and certain situations) I work with.  But, since we have not yet hit the lottery, I am hanging in (holding my tongue, most of the time) until the day comes when I can leave with a celebratory air.
My daughter is starting her 2nd semester of college next week & is working at the on campus bookstore.  She got the job this past summer after helping a dear family friend with a cleaning job there.  She is enjoying it even if she rarely has time for hanging out with friends due to homework & getting much needed rest.  I hope she looks back on these years fondly.
Well, I'm going to end here as my daughter & I watch my nephew on Thursdays so my sis & brother-in-law can go bowling.  My nephew, who has cerebral palsy, is now 16 y/o!  Even though he isn't mobile or can't talk, he still makes his presence known vocally & smiles quite a bit as well.  I know in my heart he does recognize & understand us.  He is a precious gift!
So, till next time...(I make no promises of when it will be ;)
Happy New Year to all of you!
I Remain, Waving My Babcia's Babushka,
Collette

Happy Independence Day!

Image via WikipediaI hope you're all having a wonderful holiday!  We went to a family BBQ early this afternoon & have been at home relaxing for a while.

Well actually, I've been lurking visiting some blogs & commenting on some, too.  Your blogs have inspired me to  post!  (Truthfully, I felt guilty because I looked at my visit page at the bottom & saw how many people stopped by to see if I wrote another post ;)  So, it was a little of both.

Since I was last here, I've been a little busy.  My daughter graduated from high school on June 10th.  She was in National Honor Society, D.E.C.A., played tennis, & wrote for the school paper.  She received a scholarship for almost half of what she will need for the first 4 years of college tuition.  (It will definitely help!)  Last week Wednesday, she went for her orientation, picked out her classes &  starts college on August 31st.  My baby will be living at home because the college is about 10 minutes away.  She has decided she wants to be a forensic pathologist, which means about 12-13 more years of school.  This, of course, includes medical school.  She better make great money when she's through because she will be paying the loans back. (I'd have to be a lunch lady until I'm 200 to try to pay that back...lol...UGH!)

Cover via AmazonAs for this lunch lady, my summer vacation started June 14.  I've been trying to get some reading in.  I finally finished reading "Gone With the Wind" & the sequel (written by a different author years later) called "Scarlett".  My uncle sent a book for Sarah to read called "Stiff:  The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary Roach.  (related to her future career & because we like to read & watch gory, horror stuff)  The book is more documentary with added author humor.  It's a very interesting, but sometimes graphic, read.  The book I'm reading now is "Annie's Ghosts" by Steve Luxenberg.  It's a true story about a family member that no one knew about until his mother died.  His story covers his grandparents coming to Detroit from Russia in the early 1900's until his modern day search for the unmentioned family member.  I like this book because of all the references to the Detroit area.  Living here, I can pretty much picture where & what he is writing about.  I don't usually care much for historical facts but this talks about Poland, the Hitler regime & the holocaust.  Of course, my great-grandparents were already in the U.S. but I'm sure we still had family in Poland during the war. (something I really want to start looking into)
Cover via Amazon
And the noise of fireworks begins...

AHEM!  Sorry for the interruption.  I am going to get this post done if I have to strangle ignore the noise-making people.  I know it's the 4th of July but they've been at it every night for a couple of weeks already & they are ILLEGAL!  Anything that explodes or leaves the ground is illegal in Michigan.  So that leaves the only legal fireworks-SPARKLERS!  Those they can play with every day of the year.

We now return to our post, already in progress...

The next book I will read is the new Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) book called "Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?".  Sarah is getting it for me for my birthday (July 17-no gifts, just send money-please...lol).  I love reading the Rock-N-Roll stories.  I have a Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) memoir-type book & "The Heroin Diaries" written by Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue.  It really makes you wonder how they are still alive (excluding, of course, Kurt Cobain who committed suicide).  I am also waiting for the next book of Charlaine Harris' "Dead" series (also known as the "True Blood" books) to come out in paperback.  I read the first 10 so I am eagerly awaiting the next one.  And, I'm glad that the new season of "True Blood"  has started on HBO! LOVE IT!!!!

Well, I meant to get into some other things but I guess you can see that reading is definitely a passion of mine (& Sarah's, too. Hubby used to read more before he got his laptop & smart phone ;)  I will just have to post sooner & more often. (Yes, I have said that before.  I will try harder because I miss it & all of you)

God Bless You, your families, & our United States of America on this Independence Day 2011! (OK-The World!)
Waving the flag like my babushka,
Collette