Notes From The Prairie

Today was my Mom's birthday, she is 87 years old! Happy birthday Mom! I think she had a good day too. Lots of people called her to wish her a happy birthday. Two of us, my aunt and I called her on the phone...and actually sang Happy Birthday to her! She is so proud of all the cards she received, and visits:) Thanks to all of you! My girls and I have talked about getting older. I told them, that whatever you feel now, is what you feel when you get older. In other words, in your mind...you are the same now, as when you get to be 87 or whatever. I used to think that when you got older, you changed! HA! I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up! I struggle with the same problems as I did when I was their age. The only difference is, some of those things I have conquered. Others I'm still working on. I find that things that used to bother me, however, no longer do. For instance, what people think of me. I remember when I was younger, if someone was cross with me, or ...

I just looked at the date that I was so sick, I couldn't post. That was February 20Th! My temperature ran aound 101 or so. I had been sick for a few days before that even! Now it's the 27Th, and I'm still sick! My temperature is not over 100 though, but still coughing, sneezing, and using tons of Kleenex! Mom's birthday is tomorrow, and I don't want to go out and buy her anything....otherwise I would infect other people. Plus I just don't feel like going anywhere, but to bed! Family came today to visit with my Mom. I can't even go see them! Hope I'm over this by Sunday! That's my youngest grand daughter's birthday party:) So today I took action. I opened my windows, to let fresh air in. I sprayed Lysol on the computer (and it still works!), the kitchen counters, in all the bathrooms, in the air, on the phones, on the TV remotes, and almost got Zeke as well! Poor guy! I changed the sheets on the bed, and as I'm doing all this, all I want to do...

Amidst the tangled web of lies, lies the truth. How does one find what is true, and what is false? Very good question. We simple human beings, will fall for the lie...many times, thinking it is the "truth". There was a book many years ago that I read, "People of the Lies". A lot of it was over my head, and some of it I didn't agree with. But there was some truth in it, and that's what you have to gleam not only from books that you read...but from every situation in life. I saw in that book, many things that I had seen in my own lifetime. Some of it sickened me....but that's what evil does, it makes you feel ill. We are given a Helper, the Holy Spirit. Have you ever met someone, and right off the bat, there is just something about them that you don't trust? I have many times in my life....and I disregarded that "feeling". Ended up "trusting" them, and later found a zillion holes in my back, that they had inflicted on me. Will I do...

At the age of 6, I contracted a bone disease, Which left me crippled for several years. My upper left leg bone, had literally rotted away. It was a hard time, because I had so looked forward to going to school...then as soon as I got there, I was pulled out and had to have a tutor teacher come to our home, to be taught. The tutor teacher, was very strict...and rather mean. That is another story. However, one good thing that the tutor teacher did for me, was introduce me to another girl that she tutored at home. Her name was Janet. Janet was 5-6 years older than I. She was in a wheelchair, and I was on crutches. I looked up to her, since she was older than I. She and I would play games together. I remember playing Go Fish, Sorry, Chinese Checkers, Parcheesi, and Old Maid with Janet for hours on end. Janet was always happy, smiling, and joking around. She had a regular "school room" set up in her home, which is where we played the games. Then in her room, she had a stereo and ...

Still under the weather, but laughter is the best medicine! So here's a joke for you and me:) A man absolutely hated his wife's cat and decided to get rid of him one day by driving him 20 blocks from his home and leaving him at the park. As he arrived home, the cat was walking up the driveway. The next day he decided to drive the cat 40 blocks away. He put the beast out and headed home. Driving back up his driveway, there was the cat! He kept taking the cat further and further, and the cat would always beat him home. At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left, past the bridge, then right again and another right until he reached what he thought was a safe distance from his home and left the cat there. Hours later the man calls home to his wife: "Jen, is the cat there?" "Yes", the wife answers, "why do you ask?" Frustrated, the man answered, "Put him on the phone, I'm lost and need directions." ...

I have had a virus....so I may not be posting for a few days! I can't even think! But for most of you who know me, I couldn't think before:) So you can imagine how bad it is! hahaha! Will try to get back at posting when I'm feeling better! Love you all!

Just a reminder to all, the deer have multiplied quite a bit! We see herds of them EVERYWHERE! It's not uncommon to see herds of 20 or more, grazing along the road. Deer are very skiddish , and when scared, instead of running away from your car....they may just run AT YOUR CAR. I had that happen to me a few years ago. Luckily I was able to slow down, and by the time he ran into my car...it was just a small tap. No damage to him, or my car! We have a forest preserve near us, so they have a "hunter free" place to live and multiply. I just love the deer, and still can't imagine anyone shooting Bambi:)

A few years ago, a plain police car stopped me for speeding. I was on a country road at the time. He came up behind me, with a "flashing light" on the dash board of his car. My first instinct was not to stop, so I didn't (since it was a "plain" car). When he saw I wasn't going to stop, he sped up and got on my bumper...which scared me. So then I put on my blinkers and pulled over. When he came up to my car, I told him I almost didn't stop, since he had a plain car. I didn't want to get a ticket for not pulling over, which was why I did eventually. He explained to me that his car was in the shop being serviced, and this was all they had for him to drive. He then apologised for scaring me. I told him I had my insurance card in the glove box, but he said since I had a newer car, he didn't doubt that it was insured. He told me I was speeding, and asked for my license. He took my license back to his car, and got in....supposedly calling it in. I calle...

These two stories happened many years ago. My husband had just bought me a new sweeper. This one was the bagless kind. The front of it was clear, where all the dirt goes. It was kind of fun seeing the dirt swirling around as you swept...that way you knew it was actually working. About the second time I used it, I was sweeping away. All of a sudden, it sounded like I had swept up something I shouldn't have. Without turning off the sweeper, I stopped and looked into the front to see if I could see anything in the clear cup. There swirling around in the bagless cup...was a little bit of dust and a mouse! I screamed, then turned off the sweeper. I didn't want to take the cup off, because I'm afraid of mice. But the little guy was just laying there...half dead. I felt so sorry for him. He was panting, very heavily...with his little eyes shut. So my concern for him, overcame my fear. I took the cup off the sweeper, and went outside in the front yard, and gently laid the little ...

There are two brands of peanut butter, that are tainted with salmonella. The brands are "Peter Pan" and "Great Value". Great Value brand, I believe is Walmart's brand. On top of the lid, there is a code printed. If the code starts out with the numbers "2111"...that's the tainted batch. I found this out, 10 minutes after eating the "Great Value" brand...with the code numbers starting out "2111"! So far, I'm not sick. But please check your peanut butter! Here is the CNN web site that talks about it. Just copy and paste into your browser: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/02/14/salmonella.outbreak.ap/index.html I have added a new link to this post: http://www.about-salmonella.com/page3.htm

Have you ever had people who annoy you? I have had many. One time, a gal that I worked with...was always annoying me. I liked her too! But she always had a way, of cutting me continually. One day, we were sitting outside on a sunny day...waiting to go to work. She started asking me about what hair color I used on my hair. I told her, no secrets here! I use a permanent dye, because I'm starting to get gray hair. Some people like gray hair, I don't. Later I may let the gray show, but for now...I don't want to. She began running her fingers through her hair, and told me to look how shiny and healthy her hair looked. (I guess she didn't think my hair was shiny and healthy looking?) She then began to tell me that I should use the dye she uses, for my hair. She used one of those, that doesn't cover the gray, it's not permanent. I told her I didn't like that kind. She took offense, and went on to flipping her hair around, running her fingers through it...and told m...

Today on Valentines Day, people in the midwest are TRYING to dig out of the 12 inches of snow, or more. Underneath the snow is at least 3 inches of ice, or more. I know it sleeted here for 12 hours or more, before the snow came. Then when it did, it was a blizzard. Very dangerous conditions on the roads, even for those that were plowed. Most interstates have been plowed, but secondary roads may not be. Today I worked a long time just trying to uncover our small porch. I hammered at it with a shovel, and couldn't get the ice to break. It still is ice and snow covered. No way will I tackle the side walk. The snow is so hard, you can walk on it in places in the yard. When you fall through it, it comes halfway to your knees, or to your knees in places. While out with Zeke today, he fell through the snow, and it came half way up to his chest. That's deep! Today the sun is shining, but the frigid temperatures do not allow any of this to melt. While out today, the sun shining on the b...

What is it about guys and bad weather conditions? I already told you how my husband JUST HAD TO TRY TO GO TO WORK. My sister just called, and said her county was completely shut down (she lives an hour northeast of us). I bet ours is too...but our county is so backwards, no one thinks to tell you not to venture out. Then my daughter Kimberly said that their roads were hazardous (two hours north west of us), and where she worked didn't open until much later. Kathy, my sister in law, said they were getting sleet...she is a couple hours south of us. Keep this all in mind........ Kristie, my youngest daughter called me and said that her husband Josh...whose work was called off due to the bad roads (he drives a double semi)....was out pulling stranded motorists out of ditches on the highway. He has a big suburban, that can go through anything! He said there were tons of cars in the ditches...but only one had a person still in the car. He pulled him out, and got him on his way. He was d...

IF I EVER SAY I LIKE SNOW AGAIN....JUST SHOOT ME! Last night we got another 3-5 inches (on the existing 3-4 inches we already had), then it rained on top of that. When you look out the window, you see beautiful snow, with leaves, limbs from the trees, and other debris all over the top. Looks like someone dumped "natures garbage can" on top of the snow. When I took Zeke out today, he was able to walk on top of the snow....because the snow is hard enough to support a 90 pound dog! Now, that's hard snow! He looked at me as if to say, "What the heck is this?" The limbs of the trees are covered in ice....so walking under them is extremely dangerous. I don't even see wild animal tracks in the snow today. Is it because the snow is so hard, or is it because they are smarter than Zeke and I? I bet both! My husband didn't go to work today, he tried. He did that "guy thing". I told him the news said for no one to get out, because the roads were so danger...

Well, it's SNOWING again! Yes, and it's still Monday! Some of our snow melted today...maybe a couple of inches! Leaving a couple more on the ground, maybe three inches. Now it looks like a blizzard out there! Any more snow, and I may have to look into buying snow shoes. Thanks Akina for the comment! I posted a comment back to you, but was afraid you wouldn't see it, so I thought I would mention it here too! You have to hit the comment button to see what I wrote you back. I wish it would post comments directly on the page. Had a nice visit with my sister and her husband today. Thanks sis for the card magazines! I love them! Now I want to make cards for everyone! I'm terrible at remembering birthdays....as my family and friends already know. (May I just say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of you early! Because you know I will forget to mail that card, that took me two hours to make) I actually forget my own birthday. But when you're getting as old as me, that's a plus! If...

Mondays...what is it about Mondays? I have never liked them. Is it because it notes that the weekend is done? Or is it because it's the beginning of a work week? But since I'm not working right now, and every day is the same...I still hate Mondays! I can't for the life of me, understand why! Does anyone else, besides me hate Mondays? If so...please comment if you do, and tell me why you hate them. Then maybe I will understand why I do. As you can see, I can't even think of anything to write about today! Sheesh!

There is nothing as precious as grandchildren. Seems like all the mistakes, that you made with your children, you can correct and "get something" right with your grandchildren! It's your second chance. Plus, you have more time...and seem to be far more patient. One reason for this may be that you're not the one having to run around and do this or that for the daily needs of the little tikes :) I have empathy for my daughter. I remember those days, of running around...giving baths, picking up toys, making meals, doing dishes, also the tons of laundry that comes with kids, wiping noses, taking to the doctors...and waiting forever, running here to pick up the daily things needed, breaking up fights, wiping away the tears of hurt feelings, cleaning food off the wall...that the budding artist mistook for paint, giving another bath to get the food out of the hair, trying to figure out how to repair that window before night...that their ball went through, and getting them r...

My daughter, Kristie, just told me about a news story she heard.... about a man in a city not too far from us. This incident happened last night, I believe. He had a 23 month old daughter, who just wouldn't go to sleep. So to "teach her a lesson" he placed her outside in her jammies, and gave her a blanket. Now if you have read my other posts, you know how cold it has been here. Below zero with the wind shield factor at times. He left her outside, until she froze to death. The police said they saw her little tracks, wandering around in the yard. This makes me so angry! What kind of a monster would do such a thing to a little baby? As far as I'm concerned, the death penalty would be too kind for him. Instead, place him outside, in his jammies...with nothing but a blanket. Hopefully he will get right with God, before he freezes to death. Do I forgive him? I choose to forgive him. But it may be awhile before my emotions line up and I "feel" like I forgive him. ...

Darkness surrounds you, as if it were night. No lights to be found. You grope in the darkness trying to find anything, that might shed light. You stumble, and find yourself face to face with the ground. Even this is somewhat comforting, because it is something that exists with you... in the darkness. You are not alone... as it seemed before. Standing in an upright position, you take comfort that there is a floor to stand on. Things could be worse. Author: Susie Even in bad times, take comfort in the things that you have been given... and be grateful. A friend of mine, Jim was going through quite a bit with his job. He had worked there for MANY years as "full time temporary". All of a sudden, people were getting fired, some of which had been there as long as him. The city was trying to cut costs. He just KNEW he was next. During that whole time, all I heard from him was how he was grateful for this or that. If it had been me, I would have been complaining, non stop! He was tha...

Have you ever wondered, why sometimes life seems so hard? Trial after trial, at times. Some days, it starts out on a wrong note....and it seems to continue. Don't you just hate days like that? You talk to God at times, and it seems like your prayers don't even rise above you 12 inches...let alone to the throne room of God. I'm just a human, and don't understand a lot of things. But I do know this, even when it FEELS like God is not there, HE is. Hard at times to believe. But true. So many occasions, I didn't think God was even tuning into me, and later found out HE was working behind the scenes, doing things to help...and I didn't even know it until much later. I hold onto those thoughts. Holding onto those...is called faith. This can be a difficult thing to do, when all around you all that you see is gloom and doom. But hold onto it, no matter what! Faith at times, seems like this: God tells you to step off a cliff. It's not really a cliff, but in all othe...

It's 8 degrees! Feels like 5 below they say. Far better than the other day, when it was zero, and felt like 10-15 below! No wonder Zeke (my Golden) could only walk for 3 minutes! Poor lil guy, sat down and started licking his feet, in the snow. Which I knew wet feet in the snow, would not be a good idea! Quickly I got him up, and ran for the door! If he couldn't walk, there was no way I could carry him back. He weighs probably around 90 pounds or so. Still a puppy too! I feel sorry for all the wild life, trying to keep warm, and foraging for food. Not much food to be found, since there is so much snow. When it's cold like this, I see much more wild life. The deer come in herds, trying to lick up the few seeds left in the bird feeders. They always come around dusk. Coyotes lurk around, trying to catch the deer...or anything else for that matter! The opossum, rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons...I never see, but see their paw prints in the snow. The other day I actually saw a s...

Today we received at least 5 inches of snow! I cleared off 4 porches, mine and the neighbors. Fifteen minutes later, you couldn't even tell I had done anything! I love the snow:) But absolutely hate driving in it! Taking Zeke out for his walks, was cold, to say the least. Don't you just hate it when the snow goes over your boots...and falls all the way down to your feet? BRRRRRR! What do you do? You have to walk quite a distance to get back home, feet freezing and wet. By the time I got back in, my toes were numb! Ahhh....the great mid west! Where's that global warming when you need it? Talking about global warming...do you think that's for real? Or is it just an idea that politicians came up with, to get our minds off of other things? Or to use it to get their agenda's passed for whatever company is giving them money? Don't get me started! I truly don't think that we or our grand children will have to worry about it..I trust God, and know...that wasn't ...

We bought a Golden Retriever less than a year ago. He is such a joy to us! He is a year old now, and still in that puppy stage. He still likes to chew on all the things he shouldn't. Does anyone know how to break him of this? He is very good, otherwise. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

I want to create a place to share ideas, and to pray for one another. I hope to discuss many different topics as well. Your comments I look forward to. Please feel free to start a new discussion, by hitting the comment button. If you have a prayer request, please just state it. I know there is someone who knows your every need, and will fulfill His mission to finish the work He has begun in you:) God bless!