The Joy of Six...

Snow Kidding?

I'm waiting!!!!

Everyone says we were suppose to get a bunch of snow today....or maybe tonight.  My brother who lives in Wisconsin, and keeps an eye on our weather conditions, told me he heard it too.  He hates snow and winter.  Someone please tell me why he lives in frigid, blizzard-stricken Wisconsin.  It makes no sense.  But I digress....

After talking with my good friend earlier today who lived here in the midwest all of her life...and now resides in Arkansas; I was told she heard about the snow we're suppose to be getting from watching tv.  Where the heck have I been?  I told her it's been cold, gloomy and dark....but not a hint of snow did I see.

Ten minutes after hanging up with her....I saw the most humongous snow flakes falling from the sky that I can remember in many years.  They were huge...and almost looked fake.  But they fell gently to the ground and melted right away.  This must have gone on for about half an hour or so.  Nothing accumulated.  Then just as quickly as those giant flakes fell....it turned into a light, normal-sized flow.  Lasted maybe another half hour....then NOTHING.  The ground was wet, but you'd never know it was from any snow.  It looked like we had a little rain shower.  How crazy was that?  

My daughter tells me we may get some snow tonight.  Thanks...but no thanks.  I'm doing very well without that extra added headache.  I think we're all getting a little spoiled this winter....and we deserve it.

My blogging pal, Tee...who lives in Texas, sent me some fun cartoons.....so, I'm sharing.  There were a few more, but for some reason I was unable to transfer them to my post....sorry.  Thanks Tee...(click on pics to enlarge)

A Texas Limo...

 

 

 

 Have a great snow-less day...and weekend everyone!  ~Joy  xo

 

 *Update....we got that snow!  It came during the night...and is still falling.  Things look pretty wet and slushy out there. #%$*!&%*#$@!!!

Jots from Joy

Jen and I went and had our taxes done today.  She left with the prospect of being a little richer in the near future…I left knowing I’ll be a little poorer.  So what’s new?  I don’t know if it was some kind of fluke, but last year I actually got a couple of bucks back from the state and had to pay just a small amount to the Feds.  I still don’t entirely understand what the big difference was this year; but I had to pay a fair amount more for each.  It’s not like our tax lady, Mary, wasn’t looking for every possible break for both of us….hey, it is what it is.  With that said, I’m always so glad to get them out of the way.  Since Joel died over six years ago, it’s a different stress I feel around tax time now.  I’m pretty organized when it comes to having everything ready; but then again, I was when Joel was around.  My stress always came from waiting for Joel to get serious about actually doing our taxes in time.  He could be a great procrastinator, which drove me crazy.  It all basically came down to him hating to part with our money and wanting to wait until the last minute to do so.  Ugh, at least now I would have no one to blame but myself.  But, I know me….I’ll NEVER be late filing my taxes….I’m too anal.

 

I’m still in a state of shock over the weather we’ve been having her in the Midwest.  I guess everyone is feeling the same way.  Sunny and in the 40’s is just not what we ‘winter warriors’ have been conditioned to in January and February.  Shhhh....I’m not going to say this too loud, but I’m terrified that we’re going to get hit hard one of these days with one of those disasterous storms that we normally experience at this time, and it will knock us all off of the clouds we’ve been floating on.  Shhhh....you never heard me say that.

 

Looks like the trips to the chiropractor have done me some good so far….at least in my neck area.  Ha, I didn’t even go there for any neck issues, because I didn’t really know I had any; but that's not what the x-rays said.  Apparently I have made good progress with my range of motion in my neck and shoulders from the adjustments so far.  I’m thrilled that there's progress somewhere.  Apparently my sore lower back, pinched nerve and surrounding tenderness in a couple of areas will take a little longer since the degeneration in a couple of the discs there is somewhat worse than in my neck.  I have a feeling this will take a little longer than originally planned.  Well, I like the doctors, the place, and the relaxed atmosphere; and it’s not like I don’t have the time.  I remind myself….patience is a virtue….

 Happy, happy weekend everyone….Cheers!  ~xo

Happy Valentine's Day!

If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?  ~Lily Tomlin

Love is sharing your popcorn.  ~Charles Schultz

Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia.  ~Judith Viorst

Love doesn't drop on you unexpectedly; you have to give off signals, sort of like an amateur radio operator.  ~Helen Gurley Brown

Gravitation can't be held responsible for people falling in love.  ~Albert Einstein

When you're in love, it's the most glorious two-and-a-half days of your life.  ~Richard Lewis

Romantic love is mental illness.  But it's a pleasurable one.  ~Fran Lebowitz

I wasn't kissing her, I was whispering in her mouth!  ~Chico Marx

I kissed my first girl and smoked my first cigarette on the same day.  I haven't had time for tobacco ever since.  ~Arturo Toscanini

I love you no matter what you do, but do you have to do so much of it?      ~Jean Illsley Clarke

Romance is the icing, but love is the cake.  ~Anonymous

Love is the same as like except you feel sexier.  ~Judith Viorst

Love doesn't make the world go round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.  ~Franklin P. Jones

Lots of love to you all.... ~Joy  xo

 

Spine-tingling....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I’m going to a chiropractor now.  I have been for about a week.  It only took me over a year and a half of ridiculous pain and discomfort to finally make the move.  You can go just so long with your heating pad and Aleve as your BFF’s.  Now it looks like Dr. Stevens will be my best friend three times a week for the next couple of months.  To be fair, there were times when I wasn’t feeling too horribly….you know, just bad, but not ‘staying in bed with the covers over my head’ bad.  I always seemed to justify my procrastination….insurance costs, things came up, holidays, etc.   Maybe I needed something else to fall into place besides enduring the pain to push me into taking action...like the fact that I started on Medicare last month; though I hardly expected to take advantage of it quite this soon.  It’s amazing what one can endure to get out of going to doctors of any kind and the ensuing barrage of appointments it can all lead to.

 

I haven’t been so lucky lately when it comes to having to go through some of those medical tests and such.  I guess it catches up to us all some time or another.  I’m like my dad…bless his soul.  I’m not the best preventative person around, and usually wind up at the doctor’s office if something doesn’t feel right.  Even then, I take my time before actually going.  I think I made this my modus operandi all my life because my mom always seemed to be at one doctor or another when I was growing up….and she got worse as she got older.  I shouldn’t say ‘worse’ because maybe she was doing the right thing for herself.  I just always thought she went overboard when it came to doctors….not at all what I intended to do as an adult.  Best laid plans….

 

I pretty much followed the course of my plan, veering off every so often; but getting right back on track.  Surprisingly, I have managed to stay pretty healthy….all things considered.  Lately however, my plan seems to have a mind of its own.  I’ve been trying to take things as they come without getting too bent out of shape; but I have to admit that these latest issues with my back have stressed me out more than they ever use to.  Couldn’t be that I have gobs more time on my hands and not enough of ‘other things’ to keep me busy…stopping me from letting some of this stuff roll off my back as I use to….could it?  It helps when you are your own psychiatrist, doesn’t it?

 

Getting back to MY BACK….

Seems I’ve got a moderate amount of degeneration going on; which is no surprise really.  Some showed up in my last CAT scan, and the doctor said it’s normal for people as they get older.  I guess NORMAL is relative; and depends on a lot of factors surrounding each person and their lifestyle.  I’m told my situation can be fixed; or at the very least slowed down.  I have a couple of discs in my neck and at the bottom of my spine that are compressed with little cushioning between them.  So the doctor is adjusting those vertebrae each time in the hopes that when the cushioning between them is built back up, much of my back problems will subside.  For someone who has never really had back problems until now, I’m hoping right along with Doctor Stevens….that he’s right.  It will be interesting to see if ALL of my niggly problems get taken care of.  My achy back has gone on to produce a pinched nerve in my right leg and some very tender and sore areas at the base of my butt.  So sitting too long at the computer…or anywhere else tends to aggravate that area….and going up and down stairs KILLS.

Time will tell if it all will be healed….I have to have faith that even delinquent ‘ol me can be saved.  Can I hear an AMEN?   ~Joy xo

 

               

And She Replied....

I told you I'd be back to give us gals equal time.  Never let it be said we ladies don't have our share of witty things to say about you men.  No comments from the 'peanut gallery' guys....and remember to laugh...fair is fair.

 

"THE PROBLEM WITH WOMEN IS THAT THEY GET ALL WORRIED AND CRAZY ABOUT NOTHING AND THEN THEY MARRY HIM." ~CHER

"IF MEN CAN RUN THE WORLD, WHY CAN'T THEY STOP WEARING NECKTIES? "HOW INTELLIGENT IS IT TO START THE DAY BY TYING A NOOSE AROUND YOUR NECK?"   ~LINDA ELLERBEE

"I THINK...THEREFORE I'M SINGLE."         ~LIZ WINSTON



"I NEVER MARRIED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO NEED. I HAVE THREE PETS AT HOME WHICH ANSWER THE SAME PURPOSE AS A HUSBAND. I HAVE A DOG WHICH GROWLS EVERY MORNING, A PARROT WHICH SWEARS ALL AFTERNOON AND A CAT THAT COMES HOME LATE AT NIGHT."      ~MARIE CORELLI 

The Three Wise Women

Three wise women would have...
Asked directions
Arrived on time
Helped deliver the baby
Cleaned the stable
Made a casserole
Brought practical gifts
And there would be peace on Earth
~Unknown 

 

"WHATEVER WOMEN DO, THEY MUST DO TWICE AS WELL AS MEN TO BE "HALF AS GOOD. LUCKILY, THIS IS NOT DIFFICULT."      ~CHARLOTTE WHITTON

"THE BEST WAY TO GET MOST HUSBANDS TO DO SOMETHING IS TO SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS THEY'RE TOO OLD TO DO IT."       ~ ANN BANCROFT

"MEN ARE LIKE A FINE WINE. THEY ALL START OUT LIKE GRAPES, AND IT'S OUR JOB TO STOMP ON THEM AND KEEP THEM IN THE DARK UNTIL THEY MATURE INTO SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH."  ~AUTHOR UNNAMED

"I THINK MEN WHO HAVE PIERCED EARS ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR MARRIAGE. THEY'VE EXPERIENCED PAIN AND BOUGHT JEWELRY."   ~RITA RUDNER

"PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS ASKING COUPLES WHOSE MARRIAGES HAVE ENDURED AT LEAST A QUARTER OF A CENTURY FOR THEIR SECRET FOR SUCCESS. ACTUALLY, IT IS NO SECRET AT ALL. I AM A FORGIVING WOMAN. LONG AGO, I FORGAVE MY HUSBAND FOR NOT BEING PAUL NEWMAN."   ~ERMA BOMBECK

A Woman's Perfect Breakfast

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.  ~Unknown

 

In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.  ~Margaret Thatcher

Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry.  ~Gloria Steinem

 

Before marriage, a man will go home and lie awake all night thinking about something you said; after marriage, he'll go to sleep before you finish saying it.  ~Helen Rowland

 

"MY MOTHER BURIED THREE HUSBANDS, AND TWO OF THEM WERE JUST NAPPING."   ~RITA RUDNER

 

What Did He Say?

Okay ladies...exercise your funny bone and keep your humor in tact when you read these.  They are amusing....haha.  I'm hoping to post a rebuttal for us women in the very near future.

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her.  ~David Bissonette

After marriage, husband and wife become two sides of a coin; they just can't face each other, but still they stay together.  ~Sacha Guitry


 
By all means marry. If you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.  ~Socrates

 

Women inspire us to great things, and then prevent us from achieving them.
~Anonymous

 

The great question... which I have not been able to answer... is, "What does a woman want?"   ~Dumas


 
I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me. ~Sigmund Freud


 
'Some people ask the secret of our long marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight, dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.'  ~Anonymous

 

'There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking.   It's called marriage.'  ~Sam Kinison

 

'I've had bad luck with both my wives.
The first one left me, and the second one didn't.'   ~James Holt McGavra

 

Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming:
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it,
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
~Patrick Murra


 
The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once....  ~Nash


 
You know what I did before I married?
Anything I wanted to.     ~Anonymous

 

My wife and I were happy for twenty years.
Then we met.  ~Henny Youngman

 

A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.              ~Rodney Dangerfield

 

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'. Next day he received a hundred letters.  They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.' ~Anonymous

 

First Guy (proudly): 'My wife's an angel!'
Second Guy: 'You're lucky, mine's still alive.'
~Anonymous

(Thanks to my cousin, Pat, for sending these.  Now I have to go find some juicy tidbits for us ladies.)  Have a good week everyone...  ~Joy  xo 

A little of this and that...

I hope 2012 gets better than it started out for me.  Besides getting a year older and achier and going through the last couple of weeks feeling kind of yucky and blah, January has just been oodles of fun so far.  Okay, my birthday was nice...even though I was in the middle of  that 'blah' period....that seems to be lingering here and there.  All the snow we got over last weekend has melted substantially...yay!  I still have to find and thank the incredibly kind and thoughtful neighbor that shoveled my entire walkway early Saturday morning while I was sleeping.  I didn't hear a thing....which is pretty unusual for me.  I'm afraid to listen to any weather reports that might say we could get more....DENIAL!  As much as I love seeing snow-covered trees, etc...noone has figured out a way to experience the beauty of it without the nuisance and danger of trying to get around in it.  I think I'm becoming an old grump.

Just watched the President give the State of the Union address....wasn't sure I even wanted to watch it this time around; but I'm glad I did; I'm always glad I do.  I don't know why I always seem to watch how many times John Boehner (Speaker of the House) does or doesn't applaud when the President speaks.  He always looks mad... like he's pissed to even be there.  That man kind of irks me in general.

Thought I'd share these with you....

How Things Have Changed (Click on image to enlarge.)

 

 

 

Some of those are actually a little disturbing to me because they're so frighteningly true.  I hope you're all having a good week.  Stay well....and take care.  ~Joy xo

'There's No Crying in Poker...'

Sorry if I've been a little remiss in my posting lately; since last Thursday I've been a 'little off.'  Some would say....'a little?'  I'm still not feeling myself, but I'm realizing more and more as I get older that I really don't know what 'myself' is anymore.  If I were to guess, I think I might be going through another one of my kidney stone episodes....without the actual appearance of a kidney stone.  I do have two or three of the little guys lurking around according to my last CAT scan.  I've had similar episodes before and don't know why they STILL baffle me.  I always get confused trying to decipher what I'm actually feeling.  Maybe it's because these matters are not always consistent even in the same victimized body.

Anyhoooo, I refused to let it ruin my birthday celebration with Jen, Dan and Joe.  Poker night was fun...and I actually was feeling pretty 'normal' that day.  Yeah, I lost $3.00....but I made up for it in laughter.  No one ever loses very much money in our little games....and none of us would really care if we did.  It's all about the fun of spending time together 'raking each other over the coals' that we most look forward to.  I'd say I'm the major 'rakee.'  It seems I'm just too hilarious for words and my kids can't wait to jab me to see what reaction they get.  I say, 'bring it on you nasty, monster children...I can take whatever you throw at me.'

Had a really nice birthday in general...lots of calls, cards, e-mails and some presents from those very same terrible children.  I even had a surprise visit from Denise and TW on Saturday....with a little box from the bakery to help celebrate the day.  I sliced that little treat up after dinner for the four of us....YUM.  Thank you ladies.

We did some 'face time' too...calling Bella, Bastian and Liv from Jenna's new IPad.  Now that was fun.  I loved to be able to actually see the kids...and vice versa....rather than only hearing them.

Watched a lot of football on Sat. and Sun. too.  What in the world happened to the Packers?  I guess those couple of weeks off after their last game of the season may have done them more harm than good.  My brother, who lives in Wisconsin and is a Packer-Backer....because it's the law if you live there, must be in a deep depression along with the rest of the state.  Sorry Ken.

Have a good week everyone.... ~Joy xo

Shakespeare wrote about the 7 ages of man...Now Maxine uses the number 7 to refer to another facet of our being human.....(thanks to my cousin Donna for this)

Research shows that there are 7 kinds of sex.

The 1st kind of sex is called: Smurf Sex. * This kind of sex happens when you first meet someone, and you both have sex until you are blue in the face.

The 2nd kind of sex is called: Kitchen Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for a short time, and you are so needy you will have sex anywhere, even in the kitchen.

The 3rd kind of sex is called: Bedroom Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for a long time, your sex has gotten routine, and you usually have sex only in your bedroom.

The 4th kind of sex is called: Hallway Sex * This is when you have been with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in the hallway you both say 'Screw you.'

The 5th kind of sex is called: Religious Sex. * This means you get Nun in the morning, Nun in the afternoon, and Nun at night. (Very Popular)

The 6th kind is called Courtroom Sex.      * This is when you cannot stand your wife any more.  She takes you to court and screws you in front of everyone.

And; Last, but not least, The 7th kind of sex is called: Social Security Sex. You get a little each month, but not enough to enjoy yourself.

 

Happy Birthday...'Welcome to the party' Medicare

                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         I started Medicare on the first day of the year....I guess I'm 'officially' old.  Even though my mind and spirit kept telling me differently...my body was not going along for the ride.  Yep, Medicare and Me....BFF here on out.

Hey, it is what it is....imperfections and all.  One thing I know.... dear 'ol Medicare is going to be a lot kinder to me and my pocketbook.  I won't miss those monthly horrendous insurance premiums.  I won't miss that ridiculous yearly deductible.  I won't miss seeing red every time I had to watch my $$$ fly out the window and into thin air.  Talk about painful.  Now I'll only have to deal with about a third of the pain....I say that's bad enough.

I officially turn 65 on January 14th.  Grateful that I made it this far with some semblance of sanity...and hopeful to continue the journey with my sense of humor in tact.  Ideally, when my time DOES come, I'd like the last thing that comes sputtering from my mouth to be hysterically funny.  My kids would appreciate that.

Speaking of birthdays....

My amazing and beautiful mother-in-law will be celebrating her 95th in a few days....the 11th.  She's thirty years older than me....and what a special person she is....in every way.  'Nana,' as we lovingly call her, has been through more than her share of life's challenges....and continues to inspire us all.  She's just a little bitty thing, but she's feisty and resilient....with a strength and spirit that is remarkable.  Happy Birthday Nana....I love you so much.

Also celebrating a birthday on the 11th is my son-in-law, Jesse.  Oodles of love to a terrific guy and member of our family....and without a doubt one of the best dads a kid could ever be blessed with.  Hope he does something special to celebrate....he deserves it.  Happy Birthday Jess...

As for me....looks like the kids and I will be having a dinner and poker night.  My choice.   Well, you know, when you get to be 'up there'....blah, blah, blah.    Have a wonderful weekend everyone....

~Joy  xo 

   

Places I've been…

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.  Apparently, you can't go alone.  You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito.  I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane.  They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there.  I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt.  That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense!  It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!  At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in.  It's an age thing.

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching."

Happy 2012

I'll be having a quiet New Year's Eve again this year.  It's how I've spent it for the last umpteen years...and I really don't mind.  Jenna will be with her boyfriend, Dan; and Joe will hang out and be silly with me for most of the day. 

Years ago it became a tradition for Joel and I to attend the NYE party of a couple who had an apartment right on Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago.  They were part of a group of friends that we played bridge with on a regular basis.  It was always kind of a formal thing, and Carol, the hostess, was a gourmet cook who made the most wonderful hors d'oeuvres...not to mention a beautiful sit-down dinner.  We had the best time, great conversation, lots of laughs; and the view overlooking Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan was stunning.

One year we spent the evening at a fancy restaurant in Chicago where Joel was hired to go around to all the tables and do card tricks. (He use to dabble in magic and card tricks for many years when he was younger.)  I didn't really know many people there, outside of recognizing some local tv newscasters, etc.....but it was a lot of fun.

Then of course there were the years when the kids were small when we'd have a few friends over for the evening.  Times sure do change.  I can't remember the last time I actually went out for New Year's Eve; now I watch some of the festivities on tv if I can even make it to midnight.

Since I'm not making any resolutions....again; because I'm so horrible at keeping them....I'm posting some messages...inspirational and funny... that I thought I'd share with all of you to start out the new year.

Happy New Year to all of my dear blogging buddies, family and friends.  May you all be blessed with an abundance of love, good health, happiness and peace throughout this new year; and may we all find many moments of laughter and joy in our lives.  Love, Joy  xo



















































However you're celebrating the New Year....enjoy!  Cheers to all of you...  ~Joy