This Kickstarter project has met its goal, so this is NOT about asking you for money. I just want to give those of you who are curious about my illness a little peek into what it’s about.
Category Archives: Family & Friends
Canary Housing Cooperative
Dearest and I are deeply involved with this non-profit, which was founded by a very old and dear friend who has the same physical problems I do because of Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.
Housing for folks like us is very, very limited. A lot of us become ill because of toxic housing and end up not only sick, but also homeless. Hence, the project.
As a volunteer architect, Dearest helped find the right house, then designed renovations to turn it into three chemical and electrical sensitivity-safe units.
As a volunteer contractor, he now donates one day a week to physical work on the site. At the moment, they’re mostly doing cleaning (the oil tank HAD to go!) and demolition.
As a volunteer computer nerd, I have obtained the sales tax exemption number (what a pile of paperwork THAT was!) and designed and printed our stationery, which is über cute, even if I say so. 🙂
My chief task at the moment is to monitor local freecycle and online garage sale sites for building materials we’re going to need.
At the moment, we have zero bucks. With $5,000, we could do the improvements the bank requires to get a construction mortgage to finance the rest of the renovations. After the work is done, the units will be sold or rented, providing money to repay the mortgage.
We have a web site now! It explains things and has pics of the house.
If any of you are looking to maybe transfer your tithe to a new organization, this is a good one! NOBODY takes a salary. Every single penny will be squeezed until it screams to move us toward our goal of providing housing for three EI-ers.
Filed under Family & Friends, Workers of Mercy
How Fragile Life Is
They say death is the final stage of living. Sometimes a terrible illness like cancer will drain the life from someone a little every day until there is nothing left. I watched my stepdad go from a healthy 180# to about 60# when the Lord finally released him from his pain. I have an 8-year-old grandson who has waged a battle with this killer for 2 years and is holding his own. Other times it comes in the blink of an eye. In the duration of a moment it can end.
In the last week not one but two personalities from Fox News have passed away. First was Bulls and Bears host Brenda Buttner.
Fox News Host Brenda Buttner Dies at 55
Before joining Fox in 2000, Buttner hosted CNBC’s “The Money Club” and served as a Washington correspondent for the cabler in the early ’90s. A graduate of Harvard, Buttner began her TV career at NBC affiliate KCRL in Reno, NV. She is survived by her two daughters.
Today came word that Alan Colmes, who was the foil to Sean Hannity for years, has passed away.
Fox News’ Alan Colmes Dies at 66 After ‘Brief Illness’
The segment then aired a tribute package from Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity, Colmes’ former co-host on Hannity & Colmes, a nightly political debate show that ran on the Fox News Channel from 1996 to 2009.
My grandmother, the wizened old matriarch of the family, always said
- “One day you ain’t gonna wake up. Then it’s too late to worry, so stay right with God.”
- “All the money in the world won’t buy you another second when the time comes.”
- “I ain’t never seen a Brinks truck in a funeral procession. You ain’t takin’ nothin’ with you.”
There are many times I’d give all I own just to talk to her again for an hour. She always seemed to know what to say in times of crisis.
REGULAR BUSINESS BELOW
Filed under Family & Friends, News Media
I Got the Fever
Cabin fever is a serious but not often fatal disease whose beginning coincides with winter freeze over on lakes and rivers. Long months of cold, dreary nothingness, the only comfort being the promise of a renewal with the coming of Spring. This winter has been something of an oddity. This weekend the highs will be in the 60’s in my part of the country, with ample sunshine. The lakes are still frozen, but the ice is getting dangerously thin.
There is an annual Boat and Fishing Show being held this weekend at the Sports Center in our town. I’m taking my beloved grandson, R.J., for his first show. I’ve looked forward to this for months. I’ve found out that the father of his best friend is dating my cousin! Small world. They’re coming with us and I’m planning a trip to SE Wisconsin in June with a professional guide for the 4 of us. My longtime fishing partner suffered a stroke last year and can’t/won’t travel as far as we used to. So I’m planning a number of guided trips to different waters to show my grandson some new experiences.
I wasn’t exactly Ward Cleaver when my girls were growing up. Truth is I was hardly there at all. Everything was always about me. I had no sons and RJ is my only grandson. (Tyler is also, but his mother doesn’t want much to do with me. She has her hands full with him and his battles with cancer.)
I love my granddaughters but there’s always been a special bond between boys and their grandpas. It’s the only time I get him to myself and I cherish every minute. The way he watches and listens to everything I try to teach him, it’s like I’m special to somebody. It’s the happiest time for me, since my daily routine never changes much. Hopefully, someday when he has sons and grandsons of his own, he can tell them about the times he went fishin’ with his grandpa. Maybe even tell a few fish stories. There’s not a better feeling in the world than being a shining light for someone else.
Dangerously thin ice
SORRY SO MANY….I’VE BEEN SAVING UP
Filed under Family & Friends, Funny Stuff
Have a beautiful day!
One blessing of the digital age is that a distant daughter can share a gorgeous sunrise and wish her loved ones a beautiful day. 🙂
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Filed under Family & Friends
Mascot Update: Cleaning
Bunny helped clear away the mountains of snow that fell on their home.
And Buzz helped clean up the abominable and expensive mess he made in the kitchen when certain parties of the husbandly persuasion did not put the Shakeology powder back in the cupboard. Buzz likes to throw stuff. I dunno if it’s a Buzz thing or an autism thing.
Mama Buzz can always be counted on to find the silver lining … eventually.
“While I was initially pissed, I am now just annoyed. I decided to find positives while I was cleaning instead of stewing. For example, my kitchen is getting a thorough cleaning. Have you ever vacuumed a stove or oven? I have! Also, it was only half a bag Shakeology and not a whole bag. And, I didn’t beat the crap out of my son.”
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Filed under Family & Friends, Little Sprouts
R.I.P. Dewey Lewis
Dewey came to us at Christmas time and he has left us at Christmas time. He died in my arms this morning at 1 a.m. He’s waiting in his little bed for the vet to open, so we can call about cremation.
I really missed him when I made Daisey her breakfast this morning. Daisey always goes quietly to her “wait for food” spot, then when I give her the “OK” command, she goes quietly to her dish and eats in a tidy, feminine way. Dewey … he was like a race horse waiting for the gate to open! LOL He waited for the command because he knew he had to, but as soon as I gave it, he raced to his dish and started scarfing down his food.
The real fun was while I was making up their gravy and kibble. Dewey had this funny way of walking that I can only describe as “bustling.” When I picked up their dishes, he would bustle to his “wait for food” spot, then as I mixed and stirred, he’d tippy toe into the kitchen again and again.
Each time he crossed the “You’re in the kitchen … AGAIN” line, I’d drop my spoon and give him The Look, point to his “wait for food” spot just outside the kitchen, wait until he skulked back over, plunked his sullen little butt down, and gave me his very best sarcastic glare. Then I’d go back to mixing up their food.
Sometimes, if he was really sick of waiting for me to Get the Food on the Floor, I’d also get his sarcastic snort. Then, I’d give him the hairy eyeball and tell him, “I heard that!” He’d turn his eyes to the side and give an extra, really small, quiet snort, then I’d laugh and say, “I heard that too”, and he’d sigh. He really had a lot of personality!
He was always trying to convince me that it was time for me to turn the Alpha reins over to him. In your dreams, pal! LOL Breakfast was an excellent time to reinforce that I was The Boss Of Him. Some days, his breakfast antics annoyed me, but … sigh … today, I really, really missed them.
We were so blessed to have him all these years. And I’m very grateful that, although he was having more and more bad days from his heart murmur, he felt well enough yesterday to take one last walk. Oh Lord … I’m gonna miss him. I hope there really are dogs in Heaven and that we’ll be together again some day.
Filed under Family & Friends
Pioneer Times at the Bunkhouse
Water heater stopped working a couple days ago. Had to wait until today to call the landlord. Having DW call, because I might say the wrong thing and get us evicted from Casa Pistol. The driveway didn’t get shoveled after the last snow, so SS went out and shoveled by hand yesterday. We’re heating water on the stove to wash with, so we don’t go near anybody who isn’t family. All in all, a wonderful day. Today eldest is coming with her family. She had a houseful yesterday so we’re getting together today, when we can spend more time together.
In other news, Christmas was better for millions of Christians than it has been for years. What makes the mood brighter is that soon we’ll be rid of the hateful creature that’s been ruining the country for the last eight years.
Free Of ISIS, Christians In Qaraqosh And Bartella, Iraq Are Finally Able To Celebrate Christmas
The Iraqi Christian town of Bartella was liberated in October by Iraqi forces after two years of ISIS control. After ISIS took over the town, its residents were forced to flee to camps, and various Christian religious symbols at their church were destroyed. Shortly after the town was finally freed, a video of residents making a cross for their church and ringing the church bells for the first time in years went viral.
THE FAKE NEWS DOESN’T STOP, EVEN ON CHRISTMAS
Dem ‘Fake News’ Even On Christmas: RNC “Refers To Trump As ‘King’, Compares To Jesus”
Matt McDermott is a Democrat pollster and his own words pusher of ‘propaganda’. I think this qualifies:
What Matt McDermott apparently doesn’t understand is that Christians say this each year, welcoming the new King, Jesus. What it reveals is not that RNC is trying to pitch Trump as King, but that McDermott and other Democrats don’t understand this simple concept.
The response to the statement was swift. Jonathan Chait, a liberal writer for New York magazine, said, “The distinction between a president and a king is not trivial.” Kyle Griffin, a producer for MSNBC’s “The Last Word,” tweeted, “No joke—This line is actually in the RNC’s Christmas message.” And Politico reporter Glenn Thrush quoted the statement and wrote “#KEOTUS,” meaning “King-elect of the United States.”
The Trumps Celebrate Christmas Services at Church Where They Married
The Trumps received communion at the service and returned back to their beachside resort around 12:30 AM., reported the New York Post.
THE LEFT MADE SUCH A HUGE DEAL OUT OF CLAIMING OBAMA WAS A CHRISTIAN. DID HE ATTEND CHURCH EVEN ONCE IN 8 YEARS?
IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF HE PRAYED 5 TIMES A DAY WITH HIS HEAD ON THE FLOOR AND HIS ASS IN THE AIR….EXCEPT WHEN HE WAS GOLFING. IT WOULD HAVE MADE PUTTING DIFFICULT.
Christmas Day Blizzard Blast Could Put End To Anti-DAPL Campsites
The National Weather Service reported Saturday that a massive blizzard is expected to dump more than a foot of snow on the protester’s encampment. The storm could bring with it 45 to 55 mph winds throughout Monday.
THINK THESE MORONS MIGHT GET A CLUE IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON?
43 shot, 11 fatally, in Christmas weekend shootings in Chicago
Eleven men were killed and at least 32 others have been wounded in shootings across the city since Friday evening, according to Chicago Police.
US Should Not Only Defund UN But Withdraw From It
Let’s take our $3 billion and go.
The United States pays 22% of the total UN budget. What we get for our $3 billion a year is a corrupt organization whose dysfunctional and hostile agencies are united in opposing us around the world.
The United Nations does only two things consistently and effectively: waste money and bash Israel. Sometimes it manages to do both at the same time.
No wonder the UN Security Council just condemned them. Who wouldn’t rightfully be upset that Jews living in Jerusalem somehow causes poor Mohammed to batter his wife?
Jonah Goldberg: Obama Going Out the Door ‘Flipping The Middle Finger’ At Israel
He points out that this is where Obama’s heart has been all along, “Screwing Israel”
Supporter Of Samantha Power: She Watched Half a Million Arabs Die, Then Slammed Israel
For the duration of the seemingly endless Syrian civil war, she has figuratively fiddled while that country burns. Now, with one foot out the door from a tenure that has all but obliterated her once formidable reputation as an anti-genocide activist, she’s decided to kick Israel in the teeth.
Report: Obama To Have Kerry Lay Out Plan For ‘Peace’, Get UN Approval To Impose On Israel
ONE THING IS CERTAIN: MANY, MANY PEOPLE OF THE JEWISH FAITH ARE GIVING THANKS THAT THEY WILL SOON HAVE A POWERFUL FRIEND AND NOT A SWORN ENEMY IN AMERICA.
Hillary’s Horribles
Yes, Clinton won the popular vote. Who cares? That was never, nor should it ever be, the measure that determines who is elected president. She knew it. Her supporters knew it. Her campaign knew it. They just chose not to campaign that way.
Call it arrogance or ignorance, but Hillary spent more time in California, a state she’d have won comfortably no matter what, than Wisconsin and Michigan in the final days of the election. She and her team made that choice, consciously. Just like she chose to call half of Trump’s supporters “a basket of deplorables” who, even worse, were “irredeemable.”
Imprisoned Blagojevich awaits Obama decision on commutation
One of the last chances for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to win early release from federal prison rests on a pending decision by the man whose Senate seat Blagojevich was convicted of trying to sell — President Barack Obama.
D.A. PATRICK FITZGERALD INDICTED POOR ROD BEFORE THE CORRUPTION COULD REACH THE BLACK PRINCE. BLAGO DIDN’T DO ANYTHING THAT ISN’T DONE EVERY DAY IN THE CESSPOOL OF A STATE I LIVE IN.
Household Uses for Cream of Tartar
I recently dug some pretty brass tea candle holders out of my cupboard. They got pushed to the back in there because I’m allergic to hot wax. But Mama Buzz introduced me to battery powered tea candles last year, when she and the kids made me a few pretty holders for Christmas with glue, old glass jars, and colored tissue. I’ve found them very handy during power outages. It’s not a lot of light, but enough to help me orient and navigate until the power comes back. So, anyway, I thought I’d order a case of the tea lights and use my pretty brass holders as well … except they’re SO tarnished. Enter google and a simple, inexpensive brass cleaner!
CLEAN METAL and PORCELAIN: Mix with an acidic liquid such as lemon juice or white vinegar to make a paste-like cleaning agent for metals such as brass, aluminum or copper. Mix with water for other cleaning applications such as removing light stains from porcelain.
CLEAN RUST: Mix into a paste with hydrogen peroxide to clean rust from some hand tools, notably hand files. The paste is applied and allowed to set for a few hours and then washed off with a baking soda/water solution. Another rinse with water, a thorough drying and a thin application of oil will protect the file from further rusting.
CRAFTING: Mix with plaster of Paris to slow the set time. Use with flour, water, salt, and oil for homemade play dough.
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Filed under Family & Friends
Mama Buzz: Usborne Book Dealer
Mama Buzz just became a dealer for the high quality line of Usborne books that you can’t buy in stores. The company is very supportive of moms like her who LOVE books and wouldn’t mind making a few bucks with a little effort squeezed in around child care, hubby care, making meals, chauffeuring, folding laundry, etc. etc. etc.
I just attended her first Facebook party, which was my first Facebook party also. I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be a lot like any message board with posts and comments. Fun!
And then there’s the BOOKS. So many really good quality books!! Washable, sturdy, lots of age levels and subjects.
If you buy gifts for the kids in your life, check out her Usborne book store! She has raved about the high quality of the construction of the books, so I was very pleasantly surprised by how LOW cost they are!
I especially like the drop down menu on the left for books by age groups, so I can shop for my grandkids. I made a Wish List by clicking the heart at the top. Saw so many titles I want to revisit when I have money to spend or a holiday to shop for.
https://shop.bydesign.com/UsborneBooksAndMore/#/shop/from/1110331?categoryName=New%20Titles
Filed under Books, Family & Friends
polination.blog 