Simple Woman's Daybook

 Thank you all for the kind comments yesterday. It just warms my heart, and I am falling behind yet again, as my nose is stuck in a book, grin. I am going to link back to Monica for the Daybook.

Today is Saturday and the last day of the month, how is that possible? 

Outside...looks like it wants to rain; cloudy and 68* and very muggy. 65% chance of rain this afternoon.

Thankful...got through the day yesterday and Kim as soon as she walked in asked if I was alright and commented it must have been tough to be myself and no men around/ no one to talk too etc...yes, yes it was.

Thinking...will be meeting up with fellow bloggers and friends Barbara and Terri in a couple of hours for lunch? Wait, Brunch? lol. I simply can't wait, grin.

Wearing...blue skort, blue/white v neck paisley t shirt, pink flip flops.  Yes, I know, I don't normally wear blue. But the stores are limited at this moment, LOL.

Creating...nothing...does a "game plan" count? I mean, I have to go to the Post Office to check mail, Dollar Store sometime today. LOL---AND I am in no hurry.

Going...see above, meeting up with friends and eventually the rest of the stuff...again, no hurry...no rush.

Reading...ha, aren't you glad you asked? LOL

Praying...for my husband and Bob to have a safe trip. AND to answer a question-they are delivering a Harley Davidson to Cleveland. We (meaning me and Kim) did speak to them last night and this morning. They stopped and spent the night in NC.

Looking forward to...

Seeing Barbara and Terri

Getting the land cleared

Getting a place to live

Starting a job

Next weekend when the hubby comes back

In the Kitchen...nothing. Kim just cleaned out the fridge---since the guys are gone and neither of us eat what they eat (garbage!) grin

Around the Homestead...I suppose I forgot to post this--it's my FB link if you like to look at the video of the tree falling on our property. I can't figure out to get it off my phone. AND that would be my husband in the blue shirt standing around. LOL

Scripture for the Day:

Yeah, let's just keep it real...

 Yeah, let's just keep it real...

I decided to change my morning location to the living room of our friend's place since it is so hot. And I decided to have a pity party of sorts. The guys (My husband and Bob) have taken off to Ohio (much to my dismay--I shall not go there--let's just say my thoughts were known). And Kim is at work...so I am by myself.

My intentions are good, honest. I bought these lovely cards and have a stack of snail mail to answer and thank you cards to send out. Then it dawned on me, if I started writing the snail mail, then I would have to acknowledge our son is gone. Get a grip Linda, its going on 5 months. Nope, not ready...keeping it real. So, my deepest apologies. I.M.NOT.SURE.WHEN.I.CAN.GET.THROUGH.IT.

SO, yesterday I made my way over to the Ocala Public Library.  I had to make copies for our claim of damages from the moving company and I asked the kind young lady what I had to do get a library card. She went through a list of things (Oh...so sorry etc. on my part I don't have those items). OH wait, will a PO receipt with our box number and our land contract/deed work? Why, yes it sure did...unfort. my old library card had been long deleted.

The library even has a lovely Book Market inside where you can find cheap books for sale. I didn't buy anything. Just keeping real but I am afraid to spend much money right now--which lead me to words with my husband in regard to Ohio.

This lovely thing sits in the lobby. Ocala is after all the horse capitol of the world (ok, I can argue that point, but Ocala has the largest population of horses and farms, so that is why it's named that). While I was leaving, they were bringing in this monstrous beautiful dollhouse. I did not get a photo, the man said it would be there all summer. Ok...

 I came home with 2 books. I figured I loitered enough...they have a police officer who patrols the library at all times, and she asked me if I found everything ok, lol. We got to talking---do you know it has been like 35 years since I had my hometown library card. Amazing, I can remember when the library was downtown and we road our bikes there. The old library is still there but is now something else. Speaking of Libraries...

Although, I was hired on at the State job, my paperwork/fingerprints/background approval is sitting on someone's desk--and presumably lost...so until they can find it and set up a start date, I will start working at the Villages library down in Wildwood (a near hour drive) starting Tuesday. They do have nice benefits etc. I am glad I did not turn it down--I hmm'ed and hawed over it...but I need to work. I just can't keep doing this all day...and somehow, I heard this voice to go ahead with it and it will be all ok. All the background check and fingerprints for the library/county job came back less than a week...so I'll just start there. I received a very nice welcome package etc. and the folks have been so kind etc.

P.S. Ok, this is my diluted thinking...I am going to work at a library, why did I get a Marion County card then? Who knows? It goes to show you I am not thinking rational.

I am sure it will...once I face reality, one day. Have a beautiful day friend's. I am looking forward to tomorrow when I meet up with fellow bloggers and friends Barbara, Terri and hopefully Pamela and Cindy.

Thankful Thursday...

 So many things to be thankful for...

I am thankful for so many friends...and to answer Vee's question from yesterday: The tornado was part of it. When Liam was accepted to Alfred State in NY at the age of 16--and we found out he couldn't live by himself, so we all decided we had had enough of the weather in Alabama. So, we moved. 10 yrs later, here we are Liam passed on to Heaven and we are back in our homeland of Florida. NOT the way I imagined things. It's been hard to come to grip with things. JUST KEEPING IT REAL.

I am thankful for Fat Daddy who is NOT my husband (lololol). Fat Daddy is an old friend who used to own Fat Daddy's Tires here in Ocala. He is supposed to be retired, nope, hard to keep a 70-year-old down. OH, Fat Daddy aka Roger looks just like Kenny Rogers, and he has this amazing Booming voice.

I haven't been back up there this morning--but I am assured it will be cleared today and leveled out.

I am thankful for...memories...and for each of you...

I am off shortly to the Ocala Public Library; need to make copies and print out the Claim form against the moving company. 

A second post...

 A second post on this Wednesday...one I have been avoiding...today is an anniversary that has scarred us for life. And we are living back in the land of hurricanes, sink holes and such.

An EF 5 tornado hit Tuscaloosa, AL...I will always remember this fateful day...there was just something that told us to get home---remember so much crossing the Black Warrior Bridge and wondering if we were going to make it home. As soon as we did, Dave shoved Liam into the shelter and told him to shut the door and never look back and wham-everything went black...can never forget that day...never. The look on that kid's face will aways hunt me--the screaming him and his dad were having back and forth; his dad & I weren't going to make getting in the shelter...a good friend messaged me and said, "Bless it." Bless it indeed...and to be honest, I think we all suffer (who survived) from sort of PSTD.

Valuing into the Hodgepodge...

 Joining in with the Hodgepodge.

1. What does the word values mean to you personally? 

NOT in any particular order just some that come to mind

--Balance

--Awareness

--Honestly

--Trustworthiness

--Adaptability

--Calmness

--Compassion

--Empathy/Humility

--Discipline

--Freedom

--Gratitude/Love

--Health and Happiness

--Knowledge

--Leadership

--Peace/Responsibility

Where did your values come from? 

Started off with family...then friends...and I grew/matured through the years, I realized its ok to change/values changes.

What are some of the values that have guided you throughout your life?

All the above. Being honest is the first most...and it's hard to do...just saying. 

2. Your favorite vanilla flavored something?

Ice cream or Frozen Yogurt 

3. What's something you've seen/done recently that you found to be 

very difficult: Letting go

very confusing: Moving

very helpful: friends

 very interesting: Some folks just don't share my values or morals.

 very special: friends who have really helped us; online and in life

4. Something you own and love that is violet in color?

Hmm...several new blouses I bought for work. 

5. Do you have vacation plans on the calendar this summer? Tell us more. 

HA VACATION? Can't afford a vacation...THE HOUSE HAS TO COME FIRST Y'ALL. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Indeed...meeting up with friends Barbara, Terri, Pamela and hopefully Cindy can join in---meeting up Saturday.

Tuesday Memeing it; Blast from the Past

 Joining in on the Tuesday Meme with Ann and friends. Thank you all for the kind comments yesterday. I think we will take it easy today; hot, hot, hot...and the central ac was finally put back on (Kim doesn't like the ac so she keeps it off when Bob is away-the last 2 weeks it has been near 90 with humidity, so you can imagine. Bob will be home sometime today.). I'M NOT COMPLAINING, it's not my house that's all I'm saying. ANYWAYS, onwards...

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4..We are glad to have you here!

1. If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?

Build a small cottage/house, pay it off, pay off bills etc. and help friends. And put some away. 

2. You can do it again. What decade are you going back to and why? What's the attraction?

Nope. Not willing to go back...I like the modern convivences way to much thank you very much, LOL. Although the 40's-50's look nice and wholesome.

3. What's the last song that got stuck in your head? Alternatively, what's your current favorite song?

Sweet Home Alabama is always stuck in my head. Even before our son passed away, now more so. grin

4. What items do you miss from the past and wish they were still around?

My own home...I know it's not an item and what your asking. Amazingly, we found RC Cola and Squirt Cola here and some other items that up north never had. So, RC and Squirt it is.

LAST THOUGHT

I am not complaining...because I quite enjoy having the sun and the weather here...only my blood pressure doesn't. Or should I say the medicine. I think I need a major overhaul...and I also think the dr.'s up north really haven't a clue...there I said it. Plus, with dropping so much weight, I think adjustments need to be made. Need to find a dr. here. ANYWAYS, hope y'all have a great day...

Monday Thoughts...

 Monday Thoughts...thank you all for the kind comments yesterday. Saturday was a bit rough around here...and I am afraid it probably will remain so until things can get sorted out legally. I don't have much else news. My husband is over at our piece of property...oh speaking of property...

Land before hubby started clearing

It's a slow process...our friends have friends who have a bulldozer so they will be coming over in the near future. Hubby has made it into the back and tagged trees that have to go. You probably can't see it in these photos, but there is an Orange Tree.

trust me, it's an orange tree. I'll try to get back over there---lately he likes to take the golf cart over in the evenings to show me the progress, lol.

I didn't dare get out of the car yesterday; way too many thickets and I am deathly afraid of snakes, just saying. There are also blackberry bushes, blueberry bushes and a huge Sable Palm growing in there. Anyways, it's just raw land right now. Hopefully things will pick up soon.

So.... a very late Sunday Post...an Update

Please excuse the late post...I will give you the news on the moving truck within in this post...sigh. I'm joining in with the Front Porch Meme from Monica's blog. I know a lot of you commented on my FB post(s)...

Time: 2:50 pm

Scene: Bright, sunny 85* and very warm.

Today's Plan:

We went at the crack of dawn and fixed what the movers did which was; they did NOT fill up either or storage units and left much space etc. So, we spent 5 hours today and we almost got everything into one storage unit. There are 13 pieces of furniture that will be bought back here and put in our friends RV garage. He wants us to save money and put all of it in there...we shall see...Bob comes home tomorrow after being gone for 2 weeks for his job. Thankfully his son (our Godson) was there yesterday...he kept me somewhat calm until I blew up. see below

I shall finish this by saying; about 90 boxes are damaged or torn open or up (nothing seems broken PTL) and every single piece of furniture is damaged. EVERY.SINGLE.PIECE. Including the washer and dryer that has huge dents. EVERYSINGLE BOX OR TOTE HAD BEEN OPENED AND THE SHRINK WRAP TORN AWAY. Below is our sleigh bed headboard. Yes, I have photos of single every item.

This was the reason why I blew up out late son bought a brand-new daybed with his very first paycheck and it came off the truck WITHOUT the blanket and shrink wrap and all the pieces looked like this--I lost it, I sure did:

it took my husband and our Godson to stop me killing that pompous jack rabbit (forgive me Lord). I said to him, "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR DEAD SONS' THINGS OR YOUR THINGS TO SHOW UP LIKE THIS?" He was cursing in Russian. YEP, RUSSIAN. I have to admit, my temper was flaring---and this...this just took that proverbial piece of cake to tip it over the top. 

Drinking: A Twist Up (Walmart Sprite)

Listening to: Complete silence. My husband is sitting across from me at the dining room table on his own laptop listening to something on YouTube and he has his ear buds.

Watching: Because my blood pressure was up yesterday (thanks to the movers) I decided to lay in bed last night and watch a new comedy series on CBS called Ghosts on my laptop. I laughed myself silly and it felt good to laugh.

Pondering: HA, what kind of ticket the movers got...our Godson called something in... want to know what? Look closely:

All 4 tires were BALD. BALD NO TRED WHATSOEVER. grin...YEP.

I'll discuss more about what will be done in regard to the moving company and the trucking company who delivered our things --that were hired out of Miami, YEP...until then...have a beautiful day.

Saturday Meme...

 Joining in with the Saturday Meme and thank you for the kind thoughts...more on the moving company issue in my answers below. OH, I am going to link back to Terri because frankly, I am just too lazy to go look up the link and since Terri was the first blog, I clicked on...

 The lyrics tell us the moon is big and bright. Do you often take the time to watch the sunset or look at the moon?

Actually, yes...since we have been in Florida now for 3 weeks.

The lead singer of King Harvest, Dave "Doc" Robinson, tells us that everyone feels "warm and right." How would you describe your mood as you answer these 9 questions? 

Happy. We received a call late yesterday afternoon that our things will be delivered between 10 am-2pm today. We are taking bets what time, how much damage, what is missing and how much more money they will try to shake us down for. BTW, our Godson, who is a Sheriff's Deputy, will be accompanying us. grin--of course, they don't know that LOL.

He sings that his friends don't bark or bite. What about you? Is your bark worse than your bite?

It depends really. We are taking bets if my temper comes out today or not. grin---the drivers who called were Russian and I am Croatian --we don't mix period. I couldn't understand a lick what they were saying, and they were quite rude. Something about paying this or that and I told him NO as payment already has been made. Let the games begin, LOLOLOLOLOL.

 He believes you be unhappy when you dance. Do you agree?

I think folks will be unhappy with me when they see me dancing, LOLOL.

King Harvest was not the only name the band used. They once performed as E. Rodney Jones and the Prairie Dogs. If you ever played in a band, tell us what it was called. If you haven't, make up a band name. I have never played in a band. What would I name it? Hmmm...well...I have a name for a boat if I ever get a boat, Rum Runner. I always wanted to be a pirate and run rum to Bermuda and back, LOLOLOL. {{gasp, she said what? She wants to do what? Isn't that illegal?}}lolololol

Even though this was a major hit, King Harvest's record label, Perception, went bankrupt in 1974. This decade has been hard on many businesses -- especially restaurants -- and many closed their doors due to covid. Tell us about a shop or restaurant that closed recently, and that you miss.

NY had plenty...here in Florida, honestly, everything is open and free here.

This very upbeat song came from pain. While vacationing in St. Croix, songwriter Sherman Kelly was the victim of a vicious gang attack and was left for dead. He wrote this song during his long recuperation, and it helped him envision joy. Is there a song that reliably lifts your mood? (Yes, you can say this song. Mr. Kelly is right, it IS joyful!)

Our favorite song and in tribute to our son SWEET HOME ALABAMA:

Just listening to it makes us smile (and sad at times)--our son was born in Tuscaloosa, AL and spent 16 years there and always said he would return...and we briefly did when we were moving down here. We briefly crossed over with his ashes and played this song and let me tell you, we know he was happy and at peace.

In 1972, when this song topped the charts, Wrangler jeans were America's best-selling blue jeans. Do you often wear denim? I wear

Lee shorts every single day. I even have Lee clam diggers and dressier type jeans/clam diggers.

Random question: Which of these is completely, 100% UNTRUE of you: Greedy, lazy, or jealous?

They are all untrue...oh wait, I can be lazy, and I often say I am jealous, but I am not jealous nor am I greedy.

ETA?

 I was wondering how folks defined the three letters ETA.

According to the dictionary: Estimated time of arrival (ETA) literally means estimated time of arrival. ETA is therefore an indication of the time that a vehicle is expected at its destination.

According to the moving/trucking company I am a very rude and threatening customer, and that ETA means sometime between this weekend and next week. I promptly emailed them back and asked for clarification because according to whomever an ETA has a date and day, and you folks clearly did not give me one. They are ignoring me now. Fine, you can ignore me all you want, I am not going away. I even mentioned in my email that once again, payment has been made and you said in your reply email that you had to wait until the Banks Cashier Check cleared. Want to know why the bank sent a cashier check? They clearly thought it was fraud. YEP. Whose committing fraud? Not I. Because in order to get a cashier's check, one has to have the money. Now they are holding said check for upwards of 7 days so said the trucking company. Around and around we go. 

I have places to go this weekend like meeting up with Terri and friends. Nope, got to sit around and wait for the Schmuck's to get here.

Simple Woman's Daybook

 I'm going to join in with the Simple Woman's Daybook and link it back to Monica. thank you all for the kind thoughts and comments yesterday.

For Today -

Outside my window/door...

Where I sit every single morning and look out its worth mentioning, the birds are just a chirping away and I swear they are saying Jim Carey, Jim Carey, LOLOLOL.

Thankful...for so many things...friends, family, good health, our Lord and Savior etc.

Thinking... I need to find a hairdresser and soon.

 

Wearing: Blue jean Bermuda shorts, lilac colored t shirt and pink flip flops. 

Creating...Nothing...sitting by cell phone waiting for the movers. HA! What a joke, on that one. Rolling eyes.

Going: STILL awaiting the movers...but I might just make a trip over to the storage unit(s)---my batteries for my laptop mouse are in my empty suitcase...and my mouse is dead (the suitcases are in the storage unit).

Wondering: If this moving issue/company is all a scam, just saying.

Reading...not anything really. Does looking at online furniture count? 

Praying: for a peaceful resolution in regard to the moving company. 

Looking forward to:

1. Getting our property cleared

2. Moving some sort of home on there

3. Getting our things here

4. Getting moved in 

Learning: To never have trust a moving company to move our things...lesson learned. Sadly 

In the kitchen: Nothing right now...last night, I did make this

Took a box of Zatarain's Yellow Rice mixed in Tomatoes, Corn and cooked 3 chicken breasts mixed it all together and then made homemade Cornbread (Martha White recipe on the bag--I did add more sugar than called for, as we all like our corn bread sweet). And baked it for 25 minutes in a iron skillet. Zatarain's called for chili's, but I did not add them as my husband nor Kim like chili's.  It was really good. As you can see we do have left overs.

Around the homestead: Ha, wanna' see some tidy whiteys? LOL

My husband, "I can't believe your airing our dirty laundry." It took me a minute to realize he made a joke, LOL.

I am quite enjoying having a cloths line and again my husband, "I turned you into a country girl. I suppose you want a cloths line now once we get settled?" Why, yes, thank you very much.

Scripture of the week

Have a beautiful day all!

Is it time for another Hodgepodge?

 Is it Wednesday? Time for another Hodgepodge? Already?

1. What's something you wish you had spent more time doing when you were younger? Explain. 

So many things...but recently it has come to my attention (only because I have had time to think about things) I should have never allowed myself to be bullied, nor allowed myself to care what others thought...life is short, do what you want (in boundary).

2. Who inspires you to be better. Tell us how.

The Gospel. Again, way too much time to think about things. You know, I know of folks who have lost their way / Faith after a loved one passes away. My Faith has only gotten stronger. 

3. Share a money saving tip with us. 

I don't have any money saving tips. I was speaking to my folks on Easter and they were asking about the land and what were we going to put on it (what kind of home). And my mom, much to my aghast, said to put a mobile home on there because simply put, we are not getting any younger, so why not do that and don't spend $300,000-400,000 on a new house because that is being wasteful and the very fact the market is way overblown right now. Blew my mind. So, I guess my cost saving tip is; Don't waste your money on an overpriced market right now.

4. It's National Garlic Day...are you a fan? Your favorite dish that includes garlic?

Pasta; Spaghetti, Lasagna, Penne etc. 

5. Would you describe yourself as decisive or indecisive. Elaborate. 

Decisive...I know what I want. However, I am married to an indecisive person case in point yesterday: we stopped at Gilberts (a local hardware store out on 225A) on the way back to the house yesterday and he found that the chainsaw he bought from Home Depot was $200 more. Ok, I told him we go and return it and then head back over to Home Depot. He hemmed and hawed over it...we eventually made our back over to Home Depot on State Road 200 (where all the main stores/ shopping malls are) and returned to Gilberts. Where he not only bought the chainsaw, but he also bought a bush Wacker to clear the land and everything was on sale --it pays to be a Senior Citizen and a Veteran, just saying. We paid exactly what he spent at Home Depot--so we didn't spend anymore money.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

So, here is my thought; Don't bully a bully. I had it out yesterday with the rudest person on my orbit at the moment. The moving and trucking company that is delivering our things. Both were very rude and belligerent, so much so I told the trucking company manager, "Hey, Jay, you can't bully a bully! (Excuse me-his words) Again, Jay, you can't bully a bully. If you would shut up and listen, I sent both of you a copy of the bank confirmation of said payment on April 12 and what is today? The 19th, so what's the hold up? It seems to me you are holding our things hostage for more money." One excuse after another, one belligerent after another. Then he goes, "We received your payment this morning (oh really? So what's the hold up, Jay?) and we have to wait until it clears and that will take 1-7 business days. (clear Jay? It was a wire transfer, Jay). Belligerent. (Again Jay, don't bully a bully. I gather you don't understand that thought process, right Jay?) Are you threatening me? I think your threatening me, Ms. Conley." (ha, if only you knew---you have 48 hrs to deliver our things or I will contact the BBB, Consumer Claims and the State Attorney's Office, Jay.) He hung up. BTW, I already did all that--and that is why he called because he said I already threatened his livelihood and I had to remind him once again, the payment was already made, so who is threatening whom? No threats, just deliver our items, plain and simple and that is what I told the State Attorney's Office. I am sure he is wondering how I know such a person, lol. 

DON'T EVER BULLY A BULLY and I rightly own up to being one---NOT that I ever bullied anyone I just stand up to bullies ---I had 2 brothers who bullied and suckered punched me every chance they got, you just simply can't bully someone who was bullied because that person will eventually fight back, just saying...ask my brothers the butt whipping they got from me and you want to know what my dad said? "I told you boys she was going to do that. And Linda, don't you ever let anyone walk over you, you hear me?" Yes sir. I was 10 yrs. old. I remember that day like it was yesterday. So, yeah, Jay, don't ever bully a bully...there is more than one way to deal with you or people like you. I got the distinct feeling he didn't like being talked too by a girl.

Late Tuesday 4

 Sorry forks...late as usual. Had so much running around; I had to do fingerprints for both jobs (now I have to choose). Nonetheless, here is the late Tuesday 4.

1. When did you learn to cook?

I was probably around 4...at least that is the earliest I can remember.

2. How often in the week do you cook?

Since Kim works (and I will be soon) she doesn't cook during the week and Bob is gone during the week, so I have been doing the cooking. Tonight, it's leftover ham, loaded potato casserole and green beans.

 Order in? Go out?

Order out? Way out here? Nope. Go out, we have known to go out during the weekend. Ocala has many many many restaurants to choose from. And since we all are considered senior citizens, we do get discounts.

3. Which foods are absolutely necessary at a cookout?

Chicken, steak, ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs.

4.  Do you have a meal you are especially good at making? or that people often request for you to make?

Potato salad, lasagna, spaghetti and Sarma.

I see Stephen the Sloth (excuse me, he thinks he is French, so its S-T-E-P-H-A-N) and the George family have been corresponding with Ms. Lily Grace...If you don't know, Stephen and the George Family were my son's, and they sit in the Lego Box with Liam's marble Urn/Cremains (don't worry, the Urn is sitting up straight --my husband had a dream that Liam wished to be carried around in the box when it came time to move and we haven't had the heart to do settle his remains yet, hope y'all don't think were like morbid.). My husband said Ms. Pamela and I have lost our ever-loving minds. LOLOLOL

Monday...

 Do you know, I did not take one photo yesterday? Kim made a delicious ham with pineapples, homemade bread and baked carrots and I made potato salad.

So, I'll just link back to Monica. Smiles

Time: 9:46 am

Scene: 74*, partly sunny. Looks like it wants to rain.

Drinking: My second cup of Keurig Publix Breakfast Coffee with Italian Cream.

Today's Plan: Have to run into town;

Prescriptions etc.

Pondering: My husband is thinking he has bit off more than he can chew with the land etc...finances etc.

Random thoughts...I did not sleep well last night...no reason...just didn't.  Hubby says he is ready to get going...will check in later. Have a beautiful day, friends. Thank you for the continuing support....smiles