To Make a Short Story Long...

PSST! Yes, you. Is it safe to come out? Hmmm...(looking around to make sure I don't get mobbed) It looks ok. Nobody but us here. WHEW! I really thought everyone would come jumping out & screaming "What took you so long?", "Why haven't you written anything?". Oh, I'm sure I'll hear it anyway...lol! Yes,I know. It's the last day of February & the last hour in eastern time. I really did plan on posting sooner. (likely story, I know!) But what matters is that I am here & ready to bore amaze you with my lengthy never-ending sitting-on-the-edge-of-your-seat, fantabulous writing! So, without further ado...

February is done! THE END

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Oh I just kill myself sometimes! LMAO!!!
And no, the men in the white coats did not come to take me away & I don't expect them to (unless one of you lets the cat out of the bag that I escaped)
But seriously folks, (ok, c'mon now, I have to get serious here. Deep breath! ) I think I'm ok now. OM...OM...OM...AH! Done cracking up for now. I think I am in silly mode. It's either due to not enough sleep or the fact that it's back to hell work in the morning. That place is enough to drive anyone nuts! In fact, I believe it's a prerequesite to be at least a little crazy. If you don't go in that way, you will leave that way!

So, I'm happy to announce that the curse, jinx, bad luck, evil eye, etc., that had been following me around is gone (knock wood) at least for now. I am ready to take in all the good luck I can get! Money can start rolling in any time! MONEY? HEL-LO? Hmm...I'm waiting! AHEM! So, anyway, things haven't gotten worse & maybe sort of evened out. Life is pretty much back to- normal.

I don't know what it is about that word-normal. I just don't think it has ever fit me at all. I have never cared much for the word. In fact, I shudder at the very thought that I could ever be...ACK!...normal. And judging by this post, I don't think I am in any danger of that! LOL!

So, life goes on & I am really looking forward to spring. The temps here are supposed to be near 40 pretty much all week so it should melt some of this snow. Although I can't really complain too much about this winter. The most snow we have had was this month. It's been about 6 inches here, 4 inches there. And quite a few nights with an inch or so to wake up to. I do not envy those of you who have had all that snow or those of you who don't usually get snow & did.

Something is up with Mother Nature this year for sure. I hope she gets on some medication soon! I don't think our world can take too much more of her antics.

I pray for all those who have been affected by the devastation around the world.

God Bless every one of you & your families! We can all use some blessings now & then.

So till next time, I remain...

Your friend & certified nut job

Babushka Waving in the Wind

Collette (((HUGS)))

Not Looking Ahead

Image by Dalboz17 via Flickr

Not too much going on around here lately. I've just been working, reading a lot, (mostly blogs, of course) & enjoying the few nice days we have had with 60 degree temps, when it's not raining.

Today was gorgeous outside. It was pretty cloudy & gloomy in the morning, but by 3 pm it was mostly sunny & in the low 60's. I really needed that sunshine. I am not looking forward to the dismal gloom of winter.

The leaves are almost completely changed & falling off the trees at a rapid pace. I remember the spring, when the sun was starting to get a touch warmer day by day & the buds were beginning to sprout on the tree limbs. It was a time of promise of new life to come & warmer days to chase away the gnawing cold of winter. (Yes, gnawing-Winter BITES!)

So now with these last teasing days of soothing sunshine, I find myself dreading the long, cold winter. Hanging on to the warming rays that stream through my windows, I close my eyes, taking in the life-giving energy that seems to be for me alone. To remember this, in the depths of the frozen season swiftly on its way, will give me the strength, I hope, to endure another seemingly endless winter season.

With my babushka, as always,

Collette

XOXOX

Psst...Hey, don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom & check it out! Pretty cool stuff! MUAH!

Is It Really Spring?!?!?

So, did ya miss me? Didn't even notice I was gone did you? Or perhaps another new blogger falls because of the pressure?

NOPE! None of the above! Actually, I've been a bit under the weather due to our lovely Michigan weather. Warm, sunny, & gorgeous one minute & the next-BLAH-cold, wet, & ugh, snowflakes. Of course, it may be that I'm allergic to work. Seems that I come down with something right as a school break is coming to an end. (yes, it probably is mind over matter. I'm out of my mind, so it doesn't matter!)

Well, I am feeling a bit better & figured I better get back in my babushka & to you.

It has been chilly & raining here for a few days. For tonight & tomorrow morning, they're calling for some snowflakes with no accumulation (whew). Then we should finally get some clearing with a high of about 50. After that, the rest of the week & weekend looks like spring has finally sprung. Possible temp near 80 for Saturday. WOOHOO! My kind of weather.

There are signs of spring popping up all over, finally! Driving today, I noticed the trees are starting to bud & bushes are starting to get their leaves. And, of course, the kids are blaring their radios more so than usual as they fly down the streets.

My Babcia & I planted some tomato & pepper seeds in cups over a week ago & the tomatoes are sprouting the seedlings! It really is amazing to watch them grow from the very beginning to the end when you get that first tomato. YUM! I finally started my small garden a couple of years ago at my own house, but Babcia has been growing hers for years. I have had to help quite a bit over the last years, as she is 92 & she can't do it alone.

Usually, we plant tomatoes, peppers, & cucumbers. Last years cuke crop was sadly lacking, but the year before, we made pickles galore! I'm hoping for that kind of growth this year.

My neighbors on either side also grow many things. On one side, there are tomatoes (several kinds), peppers, flowers, & grapes. On the other side, they grow a vine spinach, some sort of bean in pods & various other things. These neighbors are from Bangladesh and the others are Bosnian, I believe, from Germany. So, we have all kinds of things growing all over! LOL!

During the summer months, I'll take some pics & show all the gardens & how little space we have between our houses here.

So, that's the story for today. I guess it's long enough already & it's getting late so I need to get to sleep. I do have work in the morning (Hmm, I still feel ok...lol). I will say goodnight for now & I will be back soon (OK, I see you all running away...lol!)

Putting on my babushka to keep the snow away,

Collette XOXOX

Easter Vacation

I am so glad that it's Easter vacation, or Spring Break-whatever you want to call it. It's a break for me from work at the high school cafeteria. WOOHOO! (Sorry, I had to get that in!) No matter how many days I get off, I always need more. Less than 2 months left till summer vacation. It can't come fast enough.

Maybe you can tell that I don't like my job much. It has its good & bad points. I've been working there for over 5 years & have been trying to work from home for longer than that. But, I do believe that I am there for a reason. I think that no matter where we are in our lives, we are there for a reason, a learning experience, for ourselves & others. When our "job" is finished there, we are brought to the next lesson. We never cease to learn, to teach, or to grow. I guess my point is that until the need that brought me there has been filled, it's where I will be.

OK, or until I can make at least as much working from home that I make there (which isn't much). So, I just have to get busy & find something online quick! And although taking surveys doesn't sound bad, I just couldn't do too many at once. I just like to work on the computer & at my own pace for maybe an hour or 2 a day. Then get to all the manual labor I do here at home that I don't get paid for (housework!) LOL. If the government would pay us according to all the work we actually do during a week, we would be rich! (until after taxes)

Well, I guess I have bounced around enough subjects for today. Just a little bit of this & that to think about. Back to my online money search & more laundry. If you have any comments or just want to say "HI", leave a comment or message & I'll be back again. Have a great day!

Peace & Laundered Babushkas,
Collette

It Never Fails...

So, here it is, early April, temps still a little cool, ready for the "April Showers". I've seen the robins, which is a sign that spring is really here. I bought dh, dd & myself nice, comfortable outfits for Easter, which is this coming Sunday. Even the air has that unmistakeable smell/feel of newness, growth...Spring.

Well. it did, until last night.

The news had been reporting possible snow for a few days already, but with the warmer air here in Michigan, I didn't really expect much of anything. Then the snow reports turned to a winter storm warning! No way! I am so tired of & done with snow from this past winter. It has to be finished snowing for the season, doesn't it? Well, I guess Mother Nature decided on a belated "April Fool's" joke. Sure enough, it started snowing heavily around 11 pm & kept on going through today. Being that the temps were above freezing most of the time & the ground had warmed up a little, most of the snow melted or was heavy slush. Right now, there is snow on the grass but on little else in our area near Detroit. Weather reports are still predicting some flurries through tomorrow, I believe.

As the saying goes in Michigan, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes"! I am hoping that this will be the end of the snow & we can finally celebrate the earth coming back to life.

Besides, I just bought a coral handbag with shoes to match. That explains why I picked up the outfits for Easter. I had nothing to match my new accessories! Then, I felt guilty about buying for just myself & purchased outfits for my dh & dd.

So far, the weather for Sunday is looking to be sunny & about 56 degrees. I may get to wear my new shoes after all. But, as Murphy's law says, if anything can go wrong, it will. IT NEVER FAILS!!!

Wondering if they make thermal babushkas,

Collette