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Monday, October 31, 2011

I Did It

At the beginning of the month, I made a commitment to join NaBloPoMo to write a blog post every day for the month of October.

Just let me say it was a struggle.

Some days were easy, some day were difficult. Some post were good and some were not so good. But now it's October 31 and all I can say is...
And I will see you tomorrow.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween...A Retrospective

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought I would  take a trip down memory lane and look at Baby Susan's Halloween costumes over the years. I hope these are in the correct order because the apparently the approximately two seconds that it would take to write the year on the back of these photos would be W-A-Y too much. So here's hoping for the best.

Let's start when Baby Susan was about 10 months old.
She left the witch's hat on just long enough to take the picture.

And then the next year we went with classic fairy tales.  Presenting Little Red Riding Hood.
Isn't she just too cute?


The next year Baby Susan rocked the princess look, aluminum foil crown and all.
I think she has developed a relationship with that jack-o-lantern,
The next year was the witch again,  And there seems to be a very large clown in the photo.
That clown would scare small children!
The next year was fairy princess time.  Please notice the wand. Danny Dearest made it for her. It is a dowel rod with a star carved out of a 1" by 4" piece of wood.  When this fairy princess hit you with her wand, you knew it!
And that is quite the pumpkin family!
The next year, I think Baby Susan's mother has started her studies at the university and was feeling a little overwhelmed because the costume was a little lacking in originality.
The basic cut and glue jack-o-lantern from the fabric shop.  But she rocked it with a smile.
The next year Baby Susan's mother got a little bit back in the groove.  This is an adult gown  we purchased at a Goodwill type store and cut up to make a princess.

Looks like a princess to me.
Then we have the gypsy look.
Let's go in for a close-up of that makeup job, shall we?
How clever is that?

And what was the point of all this dressing up, you ask?
We don't believe in cavities around here!
Why CANDY of course!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Another Saturday in Paradise

I slept in late this morning, if 8:00 is late on Saturday.  During my college days you didn't see me on Saturday until 10:00 unless I had to drag myself to work.  But, now that I am older 8:00  is the new sleeping in. What can I say?

After I finally got out of bed, I went shopping!  What else could a late sleeping princess do?  After purchasing a just "too cute for words" top and jeans, I went to watch the New Mexico State Aggie basketball team do some preseason practice.
It looks like a good basketball season!

Later tonight Danny Dearest and I will go see the Aggie Football team.  We are supposed to lose by two touchdowns but hope springs eternal in the breast of a Aggie fan.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Alabama Has Jobs

In general I steer away from all things political on this little blog but recent events in Alabama have had me chuckling.

Many people think that immigration issues are simple.  Stop the illegal immigration and all those jobs that are being taken by illegal immigrants will open up for the jobless Americans. Alabama enacted a tough immigration law that has had unexpected results.  Or should they have been foreseen.

Well, maybe.  Stephen Colbert says it better than I can in this video.



While Stephen Colbert says it with a good deal of humor the basic fact is still there.

Americans want jobs, but jobs that don't involve the backbreaking work that illegal immigrants perform.

Illegal immigration from Mexico is a complex issue that I do not have the intellectual abilities to solve.  But I do know that if I were living in Mexico with the excessive violence that exists there today, I would take my children and cross that Rio Grande and go to America.

And picking tomatoes in the sun would be a small price to pay for the safety of my children.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Zombies!!!

Zombies are all the rage now.  From television to movies to books.  You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a zombie. So I found this video from Dermablend and Zombie Boy very interesting.
Zombie Boy is a model who has tattooed himself to look like a zombie.  He has appeared in some fashion shows and a Lady GaGa video. 

I couldn't help but be a little sad when he was fully covered and looked in the mirror and said,"I think I'm ready to go get a job now."

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

ALARM!!!

so, as most of you reading my little blog know, I have been teaching preschool at my church two days a week and it has been a blast! I am loving every minute of it! Nothing like 4 year old preschoolers to remind you of why you went into education.

But there is a side of the preschool that fills me with fear and trepidation every day.

The church alarm system.

You see, on the days that I teach I am the first person at the church building so the responsibility of turning off the alarm falls on me. Can anyone see a flaw in this plan?

Well, one glaring flaw is that I have ZERO experience with alarm systems. My idea of a home alarm system is a small, loud dog.
He would scare me! 


So you can see the whole idea of punching in a code was beyond me.  But I thought I had mastered the fine art of code punching...until...yesterday.

I walked into the building and punched in the code.  Nothing.  I entered it again.  Nothing.

And then an ear-splitting alarm sounded and sounded and sounded!
This isn't me.  I am much, MUCH older.

 I ran outside, naturally, and the alarm was still ear deafening outside. And what is the least productive thing you can do in a situation like this?

That's right.  I resorted to panic.

I could just see every police car in Las Cruces squealing into the parking lot of our church with weapons drawn to catch the desperado who was breaking into a church.  I would probably wind up on Cops.
Bad boys! Bad Boys watch ya going to do?
I attempted to call Mr. In-Charge-of-the-Alarm.  I couldn't reach him. Panic is growing.  So I tried to call him again.  Still couldn't reach him. Panic completely took over and I resigned myself to my life behind bars.

It turns out the alarm company was calling him to tell him, guess what?  That's right, the alarm at the church was going off. Mr. In-Charge-of-the-Alarm assured them that it was not a church burglar but probably just a preschool teacher and not too send in Las Cruces' finest Boys in Blue.  I was spared a life in the slammer.

Eventually Mr. In-Charge-of-the-Alarm and I connected and he very patiently walked me through turning the alarm off.  We managed to have a very nice preschool class that day.

And I will be practicing my code punching skills.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

A Star Is Born!

As you may or may not know, Baby Susan teaches high school in Taylor, Texas. Recently a local news station was there to do a story on the Taylor Ducks.

Home Team Friday: Taylor High School: MyFoxAUSTIN.com



If you look at the 1.40 mark, you can see Mr. Jacob's face over Waddles shoulder. Again at the 2.09 you can see looking over the reporter's shoulder.

My boy is atar!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

BIG Announcement!

So if you have been reading my little blog, you know that I have been trying to increase my running mileage while keeping  my blood sugar consistent. 

It has not been an easy task.

Some days went better than others.  I have had blood sugar crashes and rises (?) from the exercise.  Long distance running while dealing with Type 2 Diabetes is a daunting task.

Well, now I am ready to make my big announcement as to why I have been doing this.
I hope to run the Las Cruces Half Marathon on December 4.  That is, if I can stay injury and sickness free (not an easy thing for a 57 year old memaw). 

My goal for this run is simple...finish.  I just want to finish while still standing upright. 

Of course, I may crawl across the finish line.

It could happen. But I would much more rather RUN across that finish line.

I think I need you prayers.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Penguin in Sweaters, Who Would Have Thought?

Several years ago, Danny Dearest, Baby Susan, and I made a trip to Australia.  And while I have many wonderful memories of our trip there, the one that stands out is the Fairy Penguins.
Apparently, every night the Fairy Penguins, or Blue Penguins as they are called in New Zealand, would waddle ashore to return to their burrows for the night.  Wave after wave of the little creatures would come ashore as the oceans crashed on the beach.  I remember sitting on the beach with the penguins waddled within a couple of feet of me.  It was a delightful experience!

And then I read this story about Blue Penguins.  These are the same penguins that I had seen in Australia.  According to the story, the penguins were in danger from an oil spill.  The oil covered the little darlings and they were unable to preen and keep warm.  A call was put out for knitters to create little sweaters for the penguins and this was the result.

These are actually from a knitting call in 2005 but the result is the same.

As cute as those Fairy Penguins had been on the bench, these have them beat!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Just a sort post to let everyone know that diabetes took one on the chin today!

I ran 8 miles this morning...
and my blood sugars remained consistent.  No Crashing!

Take that diabetes!

Current score...Pam 1: Diabetes 0.

Can i get an Amen?

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Happy Birthday...To Me!

So today I am 57 years old. 

That's a lot of years.  Some of them have been good and some not so good.  But as I look back, I don't think I would trade anything that has happened in my life.  All the stuff that has made up my life, both good and bad, have shaped me into the person I am today and I feel like I am just coming into my own as a woman and a human being.

And what would I trade out of my life?  I had a husband who loves me, warts and all.  A daughter that a successful educator, mother, and wife.  A son-in-law who strives to make himself better everyday.  Two sweet, sweet grandbabies who fill my eyes with tears every time I think about them.  A father who continues to beat the medical odds and keeps on kicking.  And a sweet mother who helps him fight that fight everyday.

What would I trade ...nothing.  It is all absolutely perfect.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Diabetes...Bring It On

On the running with diabetes front, there has been a breakthrough!  A major breakthrough!

As you may or may not remember, I have been having problems with my blood sugar levels either crashing or going through the roof when I am running.  I had tried cutting back mileage, added gel blocks, and improving my hydration.  Still had problems.

I was feeling defeated.

Could diabetes be beating me?

But then Danny Dearest reminded me of something that a nurse friend told us about when were in Nicaragua.  She had suggested Extend Bars for Danny Dearest  for his long distance bicycle rides.  But she also said that might help me when my glucose is spiking. Danny Dearest suggested that I give them a try. That's why I keep him around.

So I drove in my little yellow car to Walgreens and picked up a box.
I am currently eating one abut an hour before my runs and my blood sugar levels are remaining consistent during my runs.  I still check my levels every 2 miles to be sure and carry glucose tablets with me in case of a crash, but for now, this is working.

So maybe that half-marathon is in my future after all.

And to my enemy diabetes...eat my dust.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Why Nicaragua?

As most of you know, Danny Dearest go on a medical mission in Nicaragua.  People ask us why Nicaragua when we live only about 50 miles from the Mexican border and could easily go into Mexico to do missions.  The current violence in Mexico notwithstanding, this video explains "Why Nicaragua?".
The gentleman speaking is Benny Baker.  Benny and Donna are the missionaries that oversee Mision Para Cristo in Jinotega, Nicaragua.

Can I sign you up to go with us on our next trip?

Monday, October 17, 2011

We Akways Treat You Right

Danny Dearest and I met, in all places, a Burger Chef  in Mayfield, Kentucky where we both worked.  His Burger Chef was much more successful than mine.  When he was made manager, I quit. 

That action sort of set the tone for our whole relationship. 

But he can never say he wasn't aware of what he was getting.

But this commercial is from about the time Danny Dearest and I were sparking back in Kentucky.
You've got to love the girl sitting on the roof of the local Burger Chef singing away.  One couple who apparently rode their horse to get the burger fix.  And where was OSHA when those kids were riding piggyback on a bicycle?

And you have to wonder how many of those lovely young children happily eating their fast food burgers and fries or now suffering from obesity, heart disease, and diabetes?

We always treat you right.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

It's Time to Play the Music

When Baby Susan wasn't quite a baby but not quite grown, we loved to watch The Muppet Show on Saturday afternoons.  She liked it and it had enough "grown-up" jokes that Danny Dearest and I could enjoy it also.


We loved the dancing chickens...

The Swedish chef...
And, a particular favorite of mine, the old men.
We were a sad little family when production was halted on The Muppet Show.  And, while we enjoyed the various muppet movies that were produced, none of them seem to have the charm and humor of The Muppet Show.

So I was extremely excited to read that at Thanksgiving an new The Muppets is being released!

And by looking at the trailer it looks as if they are bringing the old muppets back. 

It's time to play the music.

It's time to light the lights.

It's time to meet the muppets...

I can't wait.


Saturday, October 15, 2011

Jacob and Biscuit

For the grandparents in Kentucky who aren't on Facebook.
Courtesy of Baby Susan.

A boy and his dog. His VERY BIG dog!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Fight Like a Girl

If you are a regular reader of my little blog you know that a few days ago I had an experience in which my diabetes got the better of me while I was running. 

It knocked my down.

But if you know me, you know that I didn't stay down. I have spent countless hours with Dr. Google and Nurse Internet and have patched together a plan of attack.  It consists of more rigorous checking of blood sugar, hydration while running, and glucose tablets.  I have had two 5 mile runs since last Tuesday with no problems.

Well there is one problem.  When I pack up my meter, strips, glucose tablets, etc. for my runs, I feel a little like a pack mule instead of a swift gazelle.  But I am working on my efficient methods of lugging all my diabetic junk along on my runs.

So, in the meantime, this is my mantra.
I have fought diabetes for 14 years and it will NOT get the best of me now.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Maybe a Band-Aid Would Help

You help your little baby onto their first riding toy when they are one. You follow them, looking out for every danger as they ride out into the world.
Yes, that is Baby Susan and me.  She is riding her giraffe.


Later, they graduate to a tricycle.
Not everyone can rock an oversize Binn's hat like Baby Susan.
They will ride anything to get that feeling of speed. Even a carnival train in the desert.
Choo!  Choo!




Sometimes they can talk a grandparent into helping them keep moving.
Baby Susan and DaddyGran hit the road.

But there comes a time when they are about 16 that nothing will do but a car.  So the parents buy her one and hope for the best.

And they have their first automotive boo-boo!

Do you think a band-aid will help this fender!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Good and the Bad

So I weighed in today at Weight Watchers and I lost 3.2 pounds.

Can I get a Hallelujah!

But on the running front I am having some difficulty.  I was attempting to run 5 miles yesterday but at the 4 mile mark I hit a wall.

(A metaphorical wall.  Not a literal wall.  That would have entailed a trip to the ER to patch me up.)
Kinda glad it wasn't this wall!


At the 4 mile mark I ran out of gas.  I got dizzy, nauseated, and had vision problems.  Since I am diabetic and I had went straight from teaching preschool to running without lunch, I assumed I was having a hypoglycemic episode.  For those of you not familiar with diabetic terminology, that means that I thought my blood sugar was dropping.  Since I am never prepared enough to have glucose tablets  with me, I stopped running and walked to my car and drove home.

When I got home I checked my glucose levels and, surprise, my levels were not low but high.  So what did I do?  I checked with Dr. Google (in other words, the Internet).  And I found out that while exercise in general will lower glucose levels in diabetics, strenuous exercise has exactly the opposite effect.  Without getting all medical and technical, basically your body has to work harder and glucose is released in the system, your levels go up, and if you are running you can hit a wall!

What to do according to Dr. Google?  Stop the exercise.  Not an option for me.

So now it looks like I am going to have to find an endocrinologist who will help an over 55 memaw diabetic wannabe athlete who wants to run.  
Maybe this Doc would understand.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Run, Run , As Fast as I Can...

So my right foot has sufficiently healed that I have started running again. And just let me say, Sweet Jesus I lost some of my leg muscles during my forced separation from running.

And I am S-L-O-W.

I never have been exactly a speed demon on the old track but now I seem to running through molasses, corn syrup, and honey all mixed up together.

But on those days when it seems my legs weigh at least a ton each I remember...
Well, ALLLRIGHTY THEN.

Monday, October 10, 2011

And the Fun Just Keeps on Coming

So Danny Dearest and I are at the end of a three day weekend (for him, not me.  Since he is still employed and I am like RETIRED) and we have hit a new high (or low, depending on how you look at it) in boredom.  But let's start at the beginning and work to the end.

(Do you think I am using to many parentheses?)

Actually, the weekend starting Friday morning because Danny Dearest was off from work because at White Sands Missile Range they work a compressed work week and he works extra time every day and gets every other Friday off.  It supposed to save energy.

Whatever. He was home instead of being at work.

Highlight of the day, we went to a movie.

Saturday, Danny Dearest got up and rode 50+ miles on his bike and I ran 4 miles.  Danny Dearest did have a rather spectacular fall on his bike.  Apparently his riding buddy fell and Danny Dearest decided to also fall in a show of solidarity with his biking brother.  Actually, I think Danny Dearest just couldn't stop and fell.  Both biking buddies walked, or rode, away with minor scrapes and bruises.  And a better understanding for the perils of biking when you are over 50.
Danny Dearest on his bike.


Sunday we went to church and then went to Wendy's for lunch.  I do highly recommend the Apple Walnut Salad at Wendy's.  It has apples, walnuts, (figures, hence the name) chicken, and a pomegranate dressing.  If you are watching what you eat, this is a good one.
YUM!!!

Then we came home and read. And went to bed.

Now it is Monday morning and I don't foresee anything very exciting to celebrate Columbus Day.  Danny Dearest will probably go on a bike ride and I will run.  We are just too exciting for words.

And I love every minute of it.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Just to Sum It Up

I know I have already shared this on Facebook.
But I wanted my non-Facebook friends  to see it also.

This sort of sums up my view of Christianity.  Live your life so that you are a pain in the copucas (a highly technical term) to the devil.  If I can frustrate the devil, it IS a good day.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Romeo and Juliet Meet the Grandparents

Love comes on a young person hot and heavy.  You think about that person day and night.  All you want is to be with that person all the time.  It's roses, candy, and romantic thoughts.

But real love brings in the newspaper on winter mornings.  Real love balances your checkbook.  Real love worries about the money because you stink at money.  Real love brings you a burrito on Sunday morning while you read the paper.  Real love fixes your computer.  Real loves sits through all those reality shows you love.  Real love turns the bed down every night and turns on the heated mattress pad in the winter so that it has time to warm up. Real love accepts your obsession with shoes.

Real love makes all the hotel reservations, accommodations for a rental car, and hunted out the good restaurants. Real love has google earthed all the roads to see which ones are best.  Real love has researched all the fun attractions.  Real love does all this so that you can trip-trap through your vacation like a wood nymph with no cares. 

So let the young'uns chase after that romantic, Romeo and Juliet love.  I'll take real love every day.

But, just so you know, we do have a little Romeo and Juliet in  us also.
Smack-a-roo!!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Song Remains the Same

Several weeks I wrote a post about my father and I used this picture.
This is, of course, me and my dad. But after writing that post I got to looking around the house and that seems to a favorite pose in my family.

Exhibit A:
Baby Susan and with what appears to a drug dealer.  No, no, no that's Danny sporting his long hair, beard, and transitions glasses so popular in the 70"s.  Makes you wonder how he EVER got hired out at White Sands Missile Range.  Oh wait, he was hired while he was still in the Army and sported the short hair that made every military type in the world stand out during the long hair hippie days of the 70's.  As soon as he was discharged, the beard started and the hair got long.


Exhibit B:

A much more cleaned up version Danny with Miss Emily about 20 years later than the above picture. In those 20 years, Danny seemed yo find a pair of clippers for his beard.  Fortunately he also managed to trim his hair.

Exhibit C:
Although the pose is a little different, the sentiment remains the same.  This is Joshua and Miss Emily.

In all these pictures, if it is father and daughter or Pepaw and granddaughter, the love shines through.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

And Now For the Rest of the Story

Several years ago, I had an epiphany. 

I had a weight program.  A severe weight problem. It was not going away.  So, on January 2, I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting.  And that began a journey that led to a 70 pound weight loss.

I increased my activity level and started walking.  And walking.  And walking.  Eventually I began to run  short distances.  And I ran.  And I ran.  And soon I could run a 5K race.

With the weight loss and running my health began to get better.  My diabetes was completely under control.  I was able to stop many of my blood pressure medications.  Life was good.

And I got a little cocky.  I began to feel that I could do it all on my own.  I knew how to manage my weight and fitness levels.  So I quit going to Weight Watchers.

Mistake.

The weight began to creep back on.  I first I denied it.  It was, after all only a few pounds.  After a long, hard look at myself, I realized that if I didn't get control of this RIGHT NOW, I would gain every pound back and lose all the health gains that I had made.

So yesterday I joined Weight Watchers again.  On this blog I will be honest about my progress, both the highs and lows. I want you, oh bloggysphere, to be one more person to whom I am accountable.  Accountable for the chili cheese fries at a ballgame.  Accountable for the chips and salsa.  Accountable for the late night TV snacks.

I'm not trying to look like I did at twenty (talk about impossible) but I want to maintain the gains in health that I have made in the last couple of years. 

So, here we go on that old roller coaster ride again!  Hang On!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

In my career as a teacher I have had a hermit crab or two and while I have paid attention to the actual crab I really never gave his shell much mind. But someone else did. And they created Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.
Marcel with Alan

Marcel the Shell is a shell that wears shoes.  His hat is a lentil and he gets his adventure from hang gliding on a Dorito.

Guess what he uses for a beanbag? A raisin.

One time he nibbled on some cheese and his cholesterol went up to 900.

Guess what he uses to tie his skis to a car?  A hair.

Guess what his skis are?  The toenails from a man.

His one regret in life is that he never had a dog.  But sometimes he ties a hair to a piece of lint and drags it around.  The lint is named Alan.

Here is a little more about Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.



How cute is that?!  And rumor has it (according to the very reliable internet) a book deal is in the works.

I can't wait.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

When It Rains...

Sometimes life gives you more than you think you can handle.  The storm clouds of life gather and lighting flashes and the cares and worries come raining down.  There is no where to hide from the storm of life.  You search for cover and can't find any. There is nowhere to turn from  the despair.

Baby Susan and friend.

But if you have God as your umbrella, you can laugh in the face of any storm.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Slither Like a Snake

On Friday, I regaled all of you with my shopping skills concerning a Fossil purse and a this snakeskin skirt.

So this Sunday I wore my snazzy snakeskin skirt to church.

I know, I know, my eyes are closed.  But this was the best picture of the bunch.
So I paired the snazzy, snakeskin skirt with a brown shell, cardigan, and brown tights.  I felt rather sharp in this outfit.

And while I while pleased with my snazzy, snakeskin skirt, this is the actual look for which I was striving.

Can't quite put my finger on it, but something doesn't look the same.