GOOD BYE AUGUST

Today, Monday, is the last day of August.  I say good!!!  Maybe September will be better weather wise.  I would love to see an all day rain.  I would love that.  Since I usually don't have to get out in it, it is real comforting to see just a slow rain and dark clouds. 

We are getting spoiled by M. G. and Ryan fixing Sunday lunch for us.  Yesterday they had ribs.  They were so tender and good.  She makes a mean potato salad and baked beans too.  They do it together so I am not sure who gets the credit, but they are so sweet and nice to do this.  They make me feel at home and so welcome. 

I have started my Christmas project.  Little presents for my SCV friends.  I realize I am never happier than when I have a project in the works.  Paint and glue and creating something even though it is totally useless, is satisfying.  Go figure.

Betty Boop

SAD SATURDAY

Sad because Jan is out of town again.  Let me see if I can turn that around.  I am glad she has friends that need her.  How wonderful to have so many.  To have a friend-you have to be one and that says a lot for her.  So I had breakfast at the Cyber.  With blood sugar under control. I again broke down and had one pancake and a scrambled egg.  I am weak about pancakes.  Hope for the best.  Another thing I have a weakness for is watermelon.  Of course that is a good thing if I don't eat too much at a time.  My Daddy loved it too.  I have had it on my mind since the season is almost over, and a poem is running around in my brain.  I am going to try to coral it today.  First I must pay my bills.  I hate that but am glad for the training Truman gave me.  I used to pay all the bills and we would reconcile the bank statement together.  Another task I tried to put off, but he would not hear of that.  Thank you my love for teaching me what I know about all that stuff.  He got a kick out of having me write the BIG checks like when we would buy something big like a car or appliances.  I thought he was being nice to me but he really was impressing on me what things cost.  I know  that now.  It hurts to part with my resources.  Glad I have them, every day. 

I realize I go on and on sometimes, but this blog is like a journal --full of my thoughts.  Hope you don't mind reading them.

Betty Boop

DIFFERENT LUNCH LADIES.!!!! Better

I was headed down to the Cyber to eat lunch, and on a whim I decided to take another chance at tablemates.  Had a delightful time this time.  I vaguely knew two of them and  they were nice.  But I knew the fourth one.  Joy is just like her name.  She was going to be one of the Andrew Sisters with me, but on checking the time of the play she had to cancel.  I was so disappointed.  She sings in the Choir and does solos.  But I was happy for her because she is going to Hawaii.  Not only that, but her two daughters are going with her.  They are taking a ship out and going to four Islands on the ship.  Nice sounding tour.  We talked about our trip there and why Truman loved it.  The only thing she did not like about it was the tour did not include a trip to the Arizona memorial.  That was a highlight of our trip.  Such a moving memory.  Anyway we kept the conversation going.  We both agreed when I told her how wonderful she could go with two daughters.  I told her I was happy to say that how much I enjoyed the friendship I have with my daughters and not just a mother-daughter thing.  She agreed and said she was looking forward to being with them.  So lucky.
Well while "Willie" is singing to me, I think I will go read  a while.

Betty (Lucky) Boop

LITTLE OF THIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT

In other words, she has little to say, but here goes anyway.  As you know Tuesday usually is a bore.  Change sheets, put up delivered laundry, wash personal clothes, wash hair, listen to sentimental music as I work, sometime not a good idea.  I think I told you about the time I had my CD set to play Tennessee Waltz as Truman came home from work?  I grabbed him as he walked in and turned the CD on and we waltzed.  To say he was surprised was an understatement, to say the least, but being who he was, he went along with it.  It is such a vivid memory.  I sometime wonder if he remembered it.  I like to think he did.  O. K. shut the door to the Memory Bank. 

I am having dinner with Midge Salvo.  She invited me and although I like her a lot, I would rather have lunch than dinner.  "But I rarely turn an invitation down.  It fills my time and sometime fills it nicely. "  Bet you thought that  was a wise old saying?  Sure was--mine.

Betty Boop

SUNNY SUNDAY

Always a sunny day when I get to be with my Sunday buddies.  We were invited to Ryan and M. G.'s home to lunch.  My favorite Gyros.Mmmmmm  so good.  I love to be quiet and listen.  My stuff is not near as interesting as theirs, so I keep most to myself. 

I called T. this morning and spilled my worry about the stock market falling.  It was devastating to Truman when we lost a substantial amount of money during the last big fall.  This one seems  to be as bad.  Yet I must be still and wait.  I told him I guess I needed to cut back and not be so easy to spent and yet that is not going to happen.  It would only be a drop in the bucket, yet I feel like I could be more conservative. As always he made me feel better.  I don't know what I would do with out his support.  Truman was right when he told me to "Always ask Tommy."

I am having lunch with my usual "night ladies".  I like to eat a main meal at lunch time anyway.  So off I go.  Better tomorrow{I hope)

Betty Boop 

FAVORITE FRIDAY

What a lovely start to Friday.  Jan usually comes on Saturday, but since she was going out of town later Friday. she hatched a way for us to have our visit anyway.  She came for breakfast at 7:30 instead.  At that time of day it was perfect on the Terrace and since I have made such good friends with the cook, she took good care of us.  It was truly fun and we intend to do it this way again.

Now for a Lame Lunch!!  I took my chances and did not arrange for anyone to eat with.  Sometime that is great--sometime not.  Why is it that some people can not leave Ole Miss and Oxford in the past.  I get it that they think highly of themselves, but wait till the table is full of your kind.  I was completely left out.  I skipped dessert and (that was a good thing) and excused myself, since I could not take it anymore.  I was nice about it but I felt sorry for them.  Now I  feel better!!!!  not really, disregard my snippy comments.



Betty  Boop

HI HO

                                                         hi ho, hi ho, hi ho,

it's off to wa=lmart I go

bought stuff=then a little more

my, my what a big store.

 

 

Yes the time comes when I can't put it off.  Needed some things I could not do without.  So this was a good "cool" morning and off I went.  The remodeling of the store has relocated almost everything, so it takes a little long to find what I want.  But I managed to buy plenty.  I may not have to go back for a while.  And then maybe I will be right there again soon. 

 

I have enjoyed the sunflowers Amy gave me from the church on Sunday.  Everyone who passes them in the hall and that I see, has told me how pretty they are.  Finally I thought they had done their best=all but one beautiful one left and I brought it to  my apartment and put it in a blue bud vase.  Looks so pretty.  I put artificial sunflowers in the hall. I put them in an old grey and blue pot my Mother used in her kitchen.  I believe she whipped cream in it.  In fact I know she did because that was one job she let me do.  An old crank turned whip was not a lot of fun.  You might can tell why she did not want me in the kitchen too much.  I am sure I was a "pill." so to speak.

 

Enough of this chatter.

 

Betty Boop

WONDERING WEDNESDAY??????

I just got back from play tryouts.  And I am wondering just what I have gotten into NOW?  I think I mentioned it is called RADIO SHOW.  Thank goodness all my parts are lip sync.  However that is going to take a lot of practice too.  Can I be one of the Andrew Sisters, singing BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY?  and RUM AND COCA COLA?  And also a slew of commercials?  It sounds like a challenge.  But I plan to try, because I have such a good time, just like everyone else.  At least it will be different.  And nostalgic.  We all love that part.  We have some new people to try out and that is good.  I will be at practice every Wednesday morning till September 30.  I think I got the date right.  Actually we are going to do it three times.  Hope you can come to one performance. 

Now for a little lunch and nap.

Betty Boop

TYPICAL TUESDAY? NO

Amy is the Queen of Surprises.  We had a plan to go to North Park Mall this morning;  In she walks with Ivy in tow.  A very nice surprise.  We had not been to the Mall in a while, so we were excited.  I was in need of some essentials.  We all looked and bought and got tired.  Amy had been wanting Chick-Filet and we justified it by finding out they served whole-wheat buns now.  It was soooo good.  They make the best coleslaw of anybody.  A diet Dr. Pepper finished it off.  It was fun to be with Ivy.  She seemed to enjoy being with us.  There we were ==three generations having fun together. 

Hey  I just looked out the window and we are having one of those rare scattered showers.  Wonderful.

Betty Boop

MOMDAY MONDAY

Doesn't seem like it should be-but it is.  My lunch was a tad different today than Sunday.  I had actually one of my favorites.  I used to eat this when Truman was not at home for lunch.  A small can of pork and beans with a hot dog sliced up in it with ketchup.  A salad of just lettuce and mayo.  A slice of whole wheat bread buttered and a diet coke.  How about  that.  Simple but good.

I just finished going through all the sympathy cards I have saved since Truman died.  I thought it was time to let them go.  Not a good idea in a way because it caused me pain to remember those first days after.  But I made it through and I know it will be o.k.  I realized that I have come a long way. 

Now to dinner with my "girl" friends.  We have a good time.

Betty Boop

SPLENDID SUNDAY

Splendid indeed.  I am so lucky every Sunday to go to church with Amy and then to have lunch with some of my grandchildren.  Today it was M. G. and Ryan.  They chose Anjous and that was good by me.  I had the best Quiche Lorraine I have ever tasted.  So perfect that I can not even describe it.  The service was very good and the company made it perfect.

Amy brought a huge bunch of sunflowers for the Alter at church.  So simple and beautiful  Everyone loved them.  I got to bring 5 home with me.  Now everyone who passes my spot in the hall will get a thrill from them.  It is something special about sunflowers.  I remember in traveling going through Indiana or Iowa, can't remember exactly, and seeing fields of them blooming.  They grow them for the seeds.  But what a sight.  Brought to mind us driving through Michigan and lucking up on where they grow tulips for the bulbs.  They were having s festival and every yard of Holland Michigan was planted with tulips.  We saw fields of tulips, all kinds and colors.  I will never forget how beautiful they were.  In our RV traveling, we often were surprised at the things unexpected that we discovered.  That is one good thing about traveling that way.  I am glad I got to travel many different ways.  From POSH to ordinary. T, and I loved it all.  More memories from the Memory Bank or better named-Bank of Memories. 

Betty Boop

END OF FRIDAY

The end of Friday was so good that I needed to tell you about it.  Amy called and said she was stopping by for a visit and a surprise.  What on earth, I wondered.  Soon a loud knocking at my door and in burst Amy, M. G. and the surprise--Sophie!!  The girl who does not get to visit much because she is always working.  How nice to see her.  Amy had arranged a day for her with lost of fun things,  It was her last day before school started and she had a vacation day off.  Getting back into the routine is stressful at the first of the semester. New students and new parents.  I bet it can be hard.  Anyway they made my day with their visit.

SATURDAY:

I just got back from breakfast.  I enjoyed it alone.  I tried a pancake again, but just one with a scrambled egg.  Maybe I will get by since my sugar was way under control this morning.  The temperature being nice and it was early. so I took my coffee down to the  gazebo and watched to Canada geese come in.  I don't know where they sleep.  I have read they roost in trees, but they seem so big for that.  A lot I don't know.  It was so nice close to the water.  With Jan out of town, I am floundering and wondering what to do with myself this morning.  So I will follow my own advice.  "Be still, and wait."  I know something will appear.

Betty Boop

BEAUTY and the BEAST

First the beauty.  I sat in the Bubble after Exercise class to eat a snack of a half a banana spread with a bit of peanut butter,  YUMMM.  The lake was almost like glass, not much breeze, no ducks in sight,  All of a sudden a beautiful blue heron flew right over my sight.  So graceful, yet so big.  He soared away leaving me in a thankful place for having been blessed to see such a beautiful sight.   Oh the sights of SCV.

Now the Beast side.  I took lemon poppy seed muffins that I made.  Someone else brought three berry cake.  One guy who is really not a beast  enjoys the treats.  He is more like a gentle giant. He is   really a bit - no- a lot overweight.  Loves sweets.  He finished 4 pieces of cake and a muffin.  He reached for another and my friend Betty said "No you have already had enough!!"  His brother who also lives here just quietly picked up another portion of sweets and calmly laid it on his napkin.  I guess that is brotherly love?  or not?  Any way, he may weigh 300 pounds but he is happy. 

Oh the scenes of St. Catherine.
Betty Boop

CLEANSING but NOSTALGIC

Do you ever have a day when you are free of appointments, meetings, household duties, and more?  Today I wondered what to do  that I could tell you about.  The drawers to my little antique whatever it is, was over flowing with cards.  I love them and hate to throw them away.  But there comes a time when you must clean out.  I went through a zillion of them.  Saved just since Truman died.  I did not yet go through the sympathy cards. I will save that for another day as they are in a basket by themselves.  These were Birthday cards and others too.  I enjoyed them over again,  Spent the entire morning doing this.  I have a big bag to take to the trash.  They are not trash exactly but treasures.  Oh me, I am  hard to handle.  I just could not part with some from my family.  So I saved a few and put them in piles of who they came from.  I even found three Valentines from Truman.  Don't know how they found their way in with the more up to date ones.  So even though I am discarding a lot, I still have a lot I saved.  I do feel productive but yet it was something I really did not have to do. But  I feel better either way. 

I just warmed up spaghetti and meatballs from the freezer that Amy brought.  With a salad and my home made applesauce with sugar-free ice cream, I am set for that ever loving nap.  Betty Boop

GUEST TODAY

Tommy and I enjoyed the morning.  He came to the History Club here yesterday.  We listened to a lecture on Harry Truman and the beginning of the end of WWII.  There will be a part 2 in October.  The speaker, who is a resident, will be traveling during September so we will have to wait for the rest of the story till October.  We had lunch in the Cyber and enjoyed a nice visit. 

As I told Tommy, the rest of my day would consist of a nap and a little light ironing.  And that is just all that happened the rest of the day.  The last part sounds boring maybe, but it was just as most people's is--just ordinary.  Nothing wrong with that. 

Betty Boop
P. S.  I like reading in Proverbs.  Here is one for today:  Proverbs 14: 23  "Work and you will earn a living:  If you sit around talking you will be poor."  TRUE  Dot

HISTORY CLASS TODAY

Tommy is coming to the History Club today.  A topic of interest:  President Harry Truman.  Should be interesting.  As a late teen at the time, I was not too interested in the WW11 except for the sailor boy I liked a lot.  No not Truman, he came later and also was a sailor just out of the Navy when I met him.  But I digress.  Tommy is interested in the history and I hope he enjoys it. 

I did not see many people as I went to the Cyber for breakfast.  Could be because it was just 7:30.  I like it that way.  The ones I saw were mostly employees and they all had a spring in their step because on the way to work a few sprinkles were falling.  It does change your mood to think maybe this streak of no rain and high, high temps may let up.

Have you ever been aware of "Angels"?  I   have.  There is this one cook who works in the dinning room  that I run into almost every morning if I go down early .She always checks in the Cyber.  She seeks me out for a hug and a good word about how God made this beautiful day or something like that.  She always gives me a hug and wishes me a "Blessed Day."  How wonderful to be on the receiving end.  I give a lot of hugs and good wishes to certain people every day and always receive a blessing from them, but I have a feeling she is special for me.  Have s blessed day and give out a few hugs.  Who knows ---  You may be some ones "Angel" for today.

Betty Boop

90th Ellis Reunion

Yes the Reunion has been going on 90 years with very little breaks.  Maybe two time when it did not meet.  Although it is good and enjoyed by all. it is a little sad also.  I realized I was the oldest one there and the last in this generation except for one in Texas who is in a nursing home.  Mike did a good job of remembering the past and I realized over again what a wonderful family they  are.  I should say, we, because I am a part even though I had to marry one to be one.  I am sure there are many families like us, who have been friends for all these years, and every one is dear to me.  I realize the love and patience it takes to achieve such harmony.  I am sure over these years, not everything was or is perfect but I am glad for the respect and love we show to each other.  Not as many there as usual. but the food was just as good as it always is.  I missed Cecil's chicken and dumplings.  I  of course missed Truman.  I don't know who loved the reunion the most,  Truman or his Mother.  There were two things Truman expected of his children and there was no excuse.  We always went to Church and the Ellis Reunion.  I don't think our children thought of it any other way..  Hope to be there next year.  How about you all?

Betty Boop

BIG CLOSET SALE

Instead of telling you about the sale--I wrote a poem about it.  From my point of view. 

I rush down the crowded Hall.
With my pocket full of money.
Clear the way you'all
It is also very funny.

Just look at all the stuff!!!
Things from peoples past.
Of this I have enough.
Clearing out is indeed tough.

Oh! I need that blue angel for my collection.
And paper cocktail napkins too.
A picture for reflection,
Make me happy-how about you.

The proceeds go for a good cause,
I keep telling myself.
The thought makes me pause,
As I put treasures on my shelf.

Dot Ellis   August 2015

And another quote,  I am better at this than my own words.

Robert Fulghum has written:  The grass is not, in fact, greener on the other side of the fence .  Fences have nothing to do with it.  The grass is greenest where it is watered."

So I say, try to bloom where you are, but keep on the sunny side when possible.  Here I go preaching again.  This time it is more to me.

Betty Boop

CLOSET SALE

Yes, I went, just because it is fun.  I did not see much that I could not do without.  I spent the grand total of $1.00.  But here you get a  LOT FOR A BUCK.    I bought a package of unopened Christmas cocktail paper napkins.  Just like I am having a cocktail party.  Also a little 4 inch clay angel to add to my collection.  She is singing with the others just now, so I guess that is going to work out.  Also two ceramic raccoons.  Don't laugh.  I bought them to use on the table at the entrance to my hall.  You know the one I keep up.  I have about run out of things like that to display.  I like to accent the flowers or whatever I put there.  So 25 cents for each item, and I did not break the bank.  The fun is to watch the people, who will quickly tell you that they should be selling or giving away instead of collecting more stuff.  I agree but it is still fun to get a bargain.  Right Sophie?  Of course your mother takes pictures of her finds, which is the smart thing to do. 

Lunch with three dear friends was good. Nap.  Did a little ironing and now a little reading.  I tell you all these mundane things so you will know I am staying busy, entertained and out of trouble.

Betty Boop

GETTING READY

I mean we are getting ready for a giant closet sale.  We have one two times a year.  I had nothing to contribute, but it looks like some people did.  It takes two days and many helpers to get it ready.  Everything is canceled that usually is in the Activity Room. They wont let anyone in that is not working.  We can see through the glass doors and the anticipation is building.  Like anyone here has room for anything else in their apartment!!  I love to go and see and buy maybe $2.00's worth.  Everything is so cheap and you get a lot for your buck.  It is just fun to me. 

The early coffee club(not mine) usually meet in the Activity room --so they , some of them, were in the Cyber when I went to breakfast.  You know why I like breakfast there.  Because it is a very quiet,not many people, not much conversation sort of thing.  This morning it was too noisy and I had to be a part of too many conversations.  Oh well, I guess I should eat in my room if I want quiet and no conversation.  I learned more than I wanted to know about this one lady's life and it was not very good.  Oh well. she talked till I got on the elevator and I was glad when the door closed.  How nice is that?  Not very. 

Sweetly Be,
Betty Boop

SUNNY SUNDAY

And I really mean "sunny."  100 degrees and no help in sight.  August is starting out like July.  HOT!!  Stay inside is my advice, if you can.  I can.  Of course there are exceptions.  Church and lunch with whatever bunch I can.  Yesterday it was to Mr. Chen"s  for us.  I like the food there.  They have such good shrimp and veggies.  Amy, Paul, Sophia, M. G. and Ryan and me.  I have trouble hearing it all and keeping up, but I still enjoy just being with them.

Jan came in the afternoon and even though
 she claims to be computer illiterate, I think she is computer savvy. She has the determination and patience to get it right. She reads directions well.  She spent a whole afternoon with me trying to get books from the Madison Library on my Nook.  I now have three to read.  How wonderful, I did not go there to get them and I don't have to take them back.  All done electronically .  How about that for progress.  There is still something good to say about the "old" way, but I will move into the new age with grace and be thankful. 

Quote for the day: "Hey I did not know you are 88.  You pass me in the hall going so fast that you almost blow me over.  I am 87 and I can't move that way."  Needless to say, it made my day.

Betty (speedy" Boop

SUPER SATURDAY

I had lunch at Jan and Tommy's house.  Guess who else was there?  Yes Brody had spent the night with them and I got to go over for a visit and lunch.  Cary and David's anniversary was being celebrated by them.  Brody was playing in the carport and he had a broom sweeping the leaves away.  A broom just his size was being used with great care.  Of course he brought out the big box of sand and did all sorts of things there,  Life is so simple when you are that size.  He is such a good and calm child, due to the way they are brings him up.  I have always thought you do not have to scream and be rough with a child to make it work.  They certainly prove that point to me. 

Reunion coming up.  I am not really looking forward to it.  It has gotten so sad with so many gone.  But time marches on and we must keep up.

Betty Boop