HALLOWEEN

Why oh why did I ever pick this holiday to start with. Must have been a senior moment (brain fart).
We didn't celebrate or even observe Halloween when I was a kid. In Milwaukee, this observance took
two days. On the 30th we had beggar's night. The night kids dressed up and went trick or treating
and to those who didn't give treats, these kids would go back on the 31st and trick them. My parents
would not let us go out to beg. We had sufficient and didn't need to go begging. Playing tricks on
people was not a christian way of life. It was the night of the devil and we just really didn't need to be
a part of it.

One Halloween, tho, we broke that rule. I was in the 8th grade and belonged to a girl's group from my
class. We called ourselves the "lucky six". I remember 5 of those girls, but I can't remember the 6th.
Shirley, Ries, Dorothy Zamow, myself and Dianne Sieber. I guess I only remember 4. Anyhow this
particular Oct 30th we got together and wore costumes and went out begging. I remember I did have
"permission" because Dianne's parents were some of the upper class members at our church and if
it was OK with them, then that was the word. It was fun. I don't remember how I was dressed, but
gypsy keeps popping up in my head. We went door-to-door. One lady gave us rotten apples and
the next night we went back and did the unthinkable----right we played a trick on her. She had a
closed in front porch, so we did the unthinkable dirty trick--we took those rotten apples and smeared
them all over her windows. Then we went back to Diannne's house and had a party. We played the
game where someone (her dad) read a spooky story and all the lights were out (he read by the light
of a flashlight) and we had to put our hands into creepy stuff. Peeled grapes for eyeballs, cooked
cold pasta for intestines, jello for brains, pretzel sticks for the backbone. You get the picture.
That is the only childhood memory I have of Halloween.

I know we bought candy for beggar's night, so when we moved to Californian and we lived on
Whiteknoll Dr Grandpa and I bought lots of candy. Imagine our feelings when NOONE showed
up. California does not do "beggar's night". Never fear they all came the next night.

One Halloween I really remember is when we lived on Shipman. Of course, we celebrated the
All Saints Night every year. I would make a pot of chili, that way people could eat when they wanted
to, and it stayed hot. Thus started that family tradition. Grandpa really got into the spirit of things
and loved decorating the yard, and helping the kids get together a costume. It was usually my
job to go with the kids trick or treating and he would give out the candy at home. My favorite stop
(and my kids) was at Harold and Eloise's across the street. They gave out regular size candy bars
and I got a bottle of Milwaukee's best in a paper sack. God help the kids who tried to come back
for seconds, Eloise had a mind like a steel trap and read those kids the riot act. Usually we would
all come back to our house and the kids had hot dogs and hot chocolate, and their parents would
have some adult beverages.

One year, tho grandpa really outdid himself. He took a pair of his jeans and a flannel shirt and
stuffed them with newspaper. Made a head with a cap on it, hung it from the tree right by the
front gate and rigged up a speaker system. This "person" hung over a graveyard mad complete
with tombstones and dead pine needle mounds. Whenever a child came up to the gate the hanging
man spoke to the unsuspecting person, saying things like "would you scratch my foot" Please help
me get down" "I don't know why I am up here" It was great. Word s pread and people were dropping
kids off by the carloads. Mike even gave up trick or treating and he hid in the house and took over
the microphone. Only bad things some kids got so scared they wouldn't come to the door for their
treat.
Then the grandkids came along and it was their turn. We usually went over to Dawn and Chip's for
chili and s pent Halloween with them.

Today, I just turn off the porch light and watch tv. I was prepared the first year her in Las Vegas,
but we had two teenagers show up at 7:30 and that was it. I believe Halloween is a fun night and
should be for kids. I love seeing the costumes and love getting pictures of the greatgrandbabies
all dressed up. I am eager to see "kenna and kyla" as bad witches, Luke as Darth Vader, Gavin
as a trash truck (good job Brian) Maggie and Katie in whatever they are, Carter will be a surprise
too. I never dressed up and if the kids asked I just said I will be a "mean old mom" who will not
take the kids trick or treating if they ask again.

Next Holiday NEVADA DAY, oh no that's the same as Halloween in this state, so I guess Armistice
Day now known as Veteran's day is next on the calendar.

Love you guys

WHO YOU GONNA BELIEVE?

I suppose you think this is going to be a political blog, well, it's not. Not that I wouldn't like to get on my
soapbox, but I am so undecided that I don't feel qualified to express my views, seeing as they are all
pretty negative. No this blog is more of a cyber-electronic-21st century type of thing.

First of all I had a bad Saturday night last night. At first I couldn't fall asleep and then when I finally
did I woke up at 1:30 am and tossed and turned until about 3 am. Knowing I had to get up early for
church, when 5 am came around, I hopped out of bed, wanting to stay there so much. Booted up
my computer, switched on the coffee pot, made my bed and then looked at my computer and it had
a note on it, saying we updated the time on your computer in compliance with daylight saving time
ending on 10/25. Caught me off guard, hadn't heard a word on the news, hmm, well, now it is 4am
instead of 5, bed is made, no sneaking back in. Strange I usually hear someone talking about this.
Let me check my cell phone. Nope, cell phone still says 5 am. Oh my gosh, if I believe my computer
and it's wrong I will be 1 hr late to church. If I believe my cell phone and its right oh what the heck.
Call time. I guess we got no such thing in Nevada, so I called 411 and the operator said it was just
after 5 am and dst would be discontinued next week. Any other Sunday, I would have said screw it
jumped back into bed and stayed home, but I was scheduled to usher this Sunday and I take that
responsibility very seriously (mostly because I bitch about those who couldn't care less)

My poor computer, first the little man who lives inside (you know the one who says "you got mail"
"good-bye" "not that key you dummy" died and he took my screen saver with him and now my
computer silently lies to me.

During my awake time last night I had tuned to TCM and they had a couple of short films on starring
Artie Shaw and his orchestra. Took me back to my teen years and early adulthood when the bands
and singers were the craze. So much good dancing music and all live too. The Eagles Ballroom on
24th and Wisconsin with the mirrored ball casting lights on the dance floor and the dancing couples.
You didn't have to be a contortionist to dance to that music, but you almost had to at least like the
person you were dancing with, because it really was romantic. So romantic in fact our church
banned dancing for unmarried couples as it was very suggestive. My feeling was that going to a
drive in movie was just as suggestive if you were inclined that way yet that was ok. Makes you wonder
what kind of minds those pastors had. Oh well.

I am kind of running out of ideas about what to blog, so thought I would do a bit on Holidays as
they come along and tell you about holidays in the "olden days" as opposed to modern times.

So later this week I will comment on Halloween, but now, just a moment of silence please for the little
man who no longer lives in my computer, and a plea to the stinker who jumped in his space and
thinks it is fun to tell me lies.

Until next time, Love you guys.

IS EVERYBODY ELSE

as friggin sick and tired as I am at all these negative campaign ads. It's your fault, no, it's
yours, is not, is too,--------------man what a bunch of little kids we are being asked to
vote for this year. BUT, it brought a smile, yes I could say a laugh, out of me, because
it took me back a few years when Shannon and Bryan were little, and were at our house
on Shipman Ave. Both kids, maybe 3 & 4 yrs of age, came in crying and all of a sudden
Bryan said Grandma, it's not my fault, she hit me back first!. He gets MY vote

JUST BECAUSE----------------------------

I cant answer the e mail about 50 things about me, I decided to answer that in this blog.
Oh yes, I can hear you saying OHFORPETE'SSAKE MOM/GRANDMA, all you have to
do is cut and paste. Yeah, sure I can do the math of that too. Doesn't take a rocket
scientist you just add cut to paste and you get LOST! So anyhow here goes..

l Yes I like Bleu cheese, the more I put on the better I like it.
2, Never smoked heroin
3 Do not own a gun
4 Sonic has great ice tea, never added flavor to it
5 Nervous before a dr's appointment, yes, I know he is going to hurt me
6 Hot dogs have their place. I love them at a ball game (bratz are more my style)
7 Favorite Christmas movie "Miracle on 34th street)
8 Coffee, and lots of it
9 Push ups, push up what??????????
10 Favorite piece of jewelry anything with black hills gold
11 favorite hobby my plastic canvas
12 ADD, selective
13 Trait I hate about myself--hmm not being able to say no when I want to. getting
better at that tho, the older I get
14 Middle name Marie
15 3 thoughts at this moment, What a great time I had yesterday (Miss Mags party)
How much I love my family I wish it would rain Hard
16 Breakfast and that was it, spent most of the day in the car traveling back and forth
from California
17 3 drinks, ICed tea, water, MGD light
18 Current hate, peopleo who jump to conclusions (sometimes even me)
19 OOps, that was 19, now #18 (sorry) Worry I try not to because I think God allotted
so many worries in a lifetime and I dont want to run out ahead of time
20 favorite place to be at the beach at sunrise, alone with God and all his majestic
handiwork
21 again to the beach
22 Not sending it out
23
24 my nightgown
25 Couldnt just pick one too blessed all my life
26 whistle, not very well
27 color earth tones
28 pirate,, couldn't stand that damn bird sitting on my shoulder, Parrot soup anyone?
29 favorite girl's name--dumb question
30 boy's name ditto
31 dreams, always dream about travelling only have difficulty getting to the boat train
plane, etc.
32 No pockets, but probably kleenex or a hankie
33 kids sayings
34 halloween constume dressing up like an old lady=
35 worst injury, ha that's an easy one, when I fell and broke both my elbows and then
two weeks later fell and broke my leg
36 where I live, hell no, I hate this apartment but I love Nv and all the friends I made
here.
37 how many tv's 2
38 Fred, it's the only way he can hear himself (I love it when Char yells "you're talking
too loud.
39 No dogs
40 A crush on me, not anymore
41 any books with words in them. If I don't have at least 5 unread books at home I
feel deprived
42 Favorite candy, malted milk balls
43 favorite sports team football Packers, baseball Braves
44 favorite sport, I guess I understand baseball best
45 12 am last night, sleeping or peeing, not exactly sure didn't check the clock
46 thoughts when I woke up--gotta pee
47 sneakers Mckenna and Luke
48 favorite adult beverage, take a guess
49 first thing I notice about the opposite sex, sense of humor and hands.
50 Yeah, we got along, I was the oldest and need I say more

Well, until next time luv'nhugs to all

HOW DO THEY DO THAT

Being a staunch Democrat it really was not a well known fact that I would be watching the REPUBLICAN convention, but I
was. After it was over all I could say was WOW!, that governor of Alaska blew me away. Not to mention Mayor Giuliani. Man
if someone had come to me last night and said Rudy and Sarah are on the ballot and you can vote now, well, for the first time
in my life I would have voted for a republican for President.

Mayor G has always been a favorite of mine and he did not let me down last night. I believe he would just jump in and handle
any situation that would arise, maybe not the way I would want him too, but at least he would do something, even if it was
wrong.
I mainly tuned in because I wanted to hear more from the VP soon-to-be-nominated candidate. I really liked her. I loved her
sense of humor, that look she gets on her face when she is going to say something sassy, her messy hair (she certainly didn't
look like she just got out of the beauty salon), the funny names she named her kids (must be a story there somewhere) and
the love she shows her family. Did you see that little girl (don't have the names straight yet). She was holding her baby
brother and I guess decided he needed a "do", so she licked her entire palm and tried to give him a hairstyle. I loved it.

I went to bed feeling upbeat and thinking maybe the country isn't as big a mess as I thought it was. Ha! Woke up this morning
to the news about scandal at the executive level in Alaska, and then to my amazement an e mail from the Democratic Party
telling me what a bunch of lies I listened to last night. How did they know what I was watching, what I was thinking and
what I was considering doing. When I am thru here I a going to sail my computer out the window, cut all my telephone lines
and let my cell phone go dead and throw away the charger. I will cover all the outlets, seal the bathroom keyhole, play
loud music on my CD and maybe they wont know what I am going to do next. How do they do it. I don't know, heck I don't
even know what I am going to do next. Oh well, I guess BIG BROTHER is watching and listening.

Help--------------I* need some privacy

MY LATEST ADVENTURE

I am still trying to make the print smaller. It looks smaller, but then when I hit the "post" sign Yup you
guessed it same old big type that makes it look like I am yelling at everyone. Trust me I'm not.

Anyways, A while back my favorite change girl at the Emerald Island asked me if I liked Dr. Phil. I said
I did and she said good, we sent for tickets to see his show. Sounded like fun, and then promptly
forgot about it. Then a couple of weeks ago she e-mailed me all the information and it seemed like we
would be expected there on Tues. Aug 26 (yesterday)

Shelley (my friend) and her 25 yr old daughter Tiffany and I were going to see Dr. Phil. We decided
to take my car. Shelley has a truck and Tiff's car is being worked on. Tiff has two little girls 7 and 4.
Monday was the older girls first day of school, so we waited until school started and then would be
on our way to HOLLYWEIRD scuz me HOLLYWOOD. We were supposed to be at Paramount Studio
at 7 am on Tues. Shelley made the arrangements for our overnight stay. Seeing as both my traveling
companions smoke, I wanted my own personal room. No one smoked in the car, but I said I was
willing to stop anytime they needed a smoke break. Shelley did the driving. All went well. We
made it into LA in about 4 1/2 hrs, stopping in Barstow for lunch.

We would be staying at the Hollywood Downtowner motel, which Shelley said had high ratings for
a motel in that price range ($95 a night) We would be close to places to sight see. Grauman's
Chinese Theater, the Hollywood "walk of Fame" and not far from where they would be filming
Dr. Phil.

We arrived at the Opium Den, I mean the Downtowner, and I had this feeling I don't like this one
bit. The homeless people hanging around outside , the sleazy neighborhood and the 98cent store.
the bars on the windows of the surrounding buildings--well you get the picture. Anyhow the
"madam" who checked us in was Pakistanian or Indian or something with a ruby in the middle of
her forehead and incense burning in the office. She had only reserved one room for the three of
us, but needless to say she had another room available. The room I had was not bad. Seemed
clean enough. But I knew once I got in there, no way was I going out at night. Shelley and Tiff
said they would do some sightseeing, but would be home before dark. They walked some and
then took a bus to Graumans and walked back down the walk of fame. They called when they
were just a couple of blocks from the motel and picked me up a cheeseburger from Tommy's.
We had picked up beer earlier. There was a small frig in the room as well as a microwave and
a coffee pot.

the bathroom was brand new. The door wasn't even painted or varnished yet. they had nice
tile and a walk in shower. the only thing wrong was the toilet was on the north wall while the
tp was on the south wall. Makes sense to me. I watched the convention for a while and then
fell asleep. About 1 am I woke up, the damn smoke alarm was chirping--every 16 seconds--
until 2:30 am and then it stopped. Hard to get back to sleep after that. Got up at 4:30, showered
and was ready to go at 6 pm so we could grab some breakfast and off to see Dr. Phil.

Went back to Tommy's for brkfst and no one there spoke English. A truck full of Chollos (spelling)
were just leaving and they really gave me the creeps. We finally got our breakfast. Took forever
we were the only people in there and there were 3 people working there-you figure. Oops, forgot
to tell you the coffee pot in the room did not work. Finally arrived at Paramount and S & T dropped
me off to stand in line while they parked. Ended up parking in the Jewish Cemetary (I think it is
called "Hollywood, Forever) where they had you park along the curbs just like for a real funeral
and charged you $10 per car.

Stood and sat in line for almost two hours. If you don't read the rules they e mail you and bring
your camera and/or cell phone, they confiscate yours and you can retrieve them after the taping.
Takes forever to get thru that part, and then you walk thru this thing like at the airport and you
are finally allowed into the lot. They do have benches and everyonce in a while they let a bunch
of people in and everyone moves up. That's the upper level. Then they say "last call for the rest
room" and the Exodus begins., Thank God I didn't need to use it. Then it's down to the lower
level, more benches, but no restroom calls. Finally into the studio. Every seat is a good one
unless the cameraman decides to stand in front of you. I am sorry, but I was not impressed. The
subject for the day was its ok for and older man to date a younger woman but taboo for an older
woman to date a much younger man. Who would want to do that anyhow, man you'd have to
train him. Anyway this first womand who was 58 but said she was 48 dated over 300 men on
the internet and would have them send her an airline ticket and go to visit them She traveled
all over the world oveer 250 thousand miles and even dated the Prince of Monaco once. Her
daughter was concerned because she thought it was dangerous. Dr P said she should stop dating
for a while and look at her life. She was coming across as desperate. He never did convince her.
very boring and no free gifts for the audience.

they asked if we wanted to stay for the 2nd taping and Tiff and I said No. We went back to the
den of Iniquity, checked out and headed home. Lots of road construction but we got to my
place about 4:30 AND I was sure glad to get home. Tired and looking to sleep in my own bed,
no chain on the door and the smoke alarm has new batteries.

I did forget to mention that on the way down we ran into a horrendous thunder storm and
hard rain. Thru that I could see smoke (we were in the Cajon Pass heading into LA) and
when the sun came out the side of the mountain was on fire, on our left near the summit and
a borate bomber flew over dropping the borate on the fire. I think it was probably started by
Lightning. One the way home the next day we could see where it had burned right down to
the highway. There were still some emergency vehicles on the site checking it out. Alls
well that ends well.

Until my next adventure.....................

A TRIP TO THE RETIREMENT MANSION

OR DINING WITH THE RICH AND FAMOUS

Yesterday we had a board meeting and we were invited to have our meeting and lunch at the home of Sandy
and Bob Miller, the former governor of the state of Nevada. Sandy is one of our board members and a really
gracious lady. We had done this once before but I do believe I was so intimidated I barely noticed my
surroundings. Sandy takes great care to make you feel at home so I really got a chance to look around.

Sandy and Bob have a beautiful home in Sun City Anthem, the Country Club Estates. As you approach
you have to be cleared at the gate house and given a pass. We were expected so, no problems there.

As you approach their home, there is a beautiful driveway, creative design of different colored rocks and
pebbles tiled off leading to the steps to the front door, which. except for the frame is made entirely of
beveled glass (crystal?, who knows) On either side of the driveway. facing each other., are two, two
car garages. Upon entering the house we were greeted by the aroma of food cooking. We entered
the kitchen, which has two dishwashers, two fridges, all paneled so they just look like walls. A long
curved counter (bar) (granite in a speckled brown color) A container with a few potted miniature rose
bushes, and a vase of georgous summer flowers. (more about the flowers later) Drinks, you name it
and it was there., Copper buckets with ice and cold drinks. Pitchers of iced tea, lemonade, water,
and a bucket of exotic Lunch beers. I don't remember all the names but one was a peach beer. It
was not yet 11 am and I chose water. adjacent to the kitchen is the family room. One whole wall
is and aquarium (built in), a lounge chair big enough for two, great for cuddling and a sofa (giant)
Another wall has a large screen televison with two smaller sets above it. I guess so you can watch
all the channels for election results. The other wall is all glass facing out to the huge patio, high on a
hill overlooking the Las Vegas skyline. One section of this wall just out forming a glassed in breakfast
nook.

Going into the dining room, with another view of the skyline was a formal dining table, set for 14, would
have extended for possibly another 10 if needed, witha damask gold table cloth embossed with white.
Down the center were at least 12 small vases with fresh flowers interspursed with glass (crystal) containers
holding florist clay with small purple flowers surrounding off white roses. real napkins and glasses with
ice and lemon already in them. Lunch was served buffet style, we helped ourselves to a salad made
with spinach leaves, fresh as paragus and walnuts with an italian styled dressing a cold pasta salad,
hot vegetable dish, marinated shrimp and skewered beef, and chicken (tempura coated) with a sauce
for the beef and a sauce for the chicken. What a feast. 3 forks, ohmygosh everyone started with a
different one. I started with the one on the outside. The silverware was, of course real silver with pure
gold trimming) Did anyone drip on the tablecloth, Sandy did and when she served dessert, Strawberry
shortcake with real whipped cream, she dripped on the carpen and also on her skirt. Did she Care. NOPE

The dining room was adjacent to the living room, with another huge couch in it. The whole on wall from the
family room, breakfast nook, dining room and living room, and master bedroom, is glace overlooking the
patio, swimming pool and the city of Las Vegas in the distance. For those of you who do now know,
Sun City Anthem is in Henderson, near Eastern Avenue and lake Mead Parkway. It would be shortly
after you get off the I 15 at the Henderson turnoff.

I had occasion to use the bathroom. A simple room with only the potty and a sink. Beautiful fixtures,
good sized room and beautifully decorated BUT the only towels were personal ones, use it and then
throw it in the hamper. Wow the only time I ever did this was with PAPER towels, not real turkish one.
I looked in the hamper which stood open, very decorative, and sure enough those before me had discarded
the towels. OMG at home I use one towel and then when that corner gets ugly I refold it so a clean corner
showes up. You get the picture. I know I used the restroom the last time I was here, but I did not remember
this part. Maybe I just used my shirt tail, or waved my hands in the air til they dried. I'm not sure but
this time I felt, When in Rome do as the Romans do. So i dried my hands and put my nose up in the air
and tossed that dirty towel in the hamper with nary a backward look.

We had a DVD which we planned to watch, but ther tv in the family room wouldn't accept it, so Sandy said
oh, we can go down to the basement and use that tv, but please don't look at my dirty carpet in the
basement. Will I ever have a basement, probably not, Will I ever have a basement with a carpet, No
Will I ever say Pardon my dirty carpet in the basement. LOL

We did go down to the basement, which not only was carpeted, it too had an L shaped couch. One
section was probably 8 feet long and the second one was 6 feet long and that only took up half the room.
the other half was a built in bar, fridge, pin ball machines and games. the kind of room you could really
enjoy during a tornado. BUT, that tv would not accept the dvd either so on to the computer room.
Off the computer room was the laundry room and I could see three of the largest washer and dryers I have
ever seen. Not your ordinary run of the mill white enamel kind either, these were bronze with lots of
chrome. I guess if you can only dry your hands once on a towel, you would have a lot of laundry.

Did I mention Rosa? Rosa helped get the lunch ready and while Sandy cleared the table, Rosa silently
cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. Sandy introduced her to all of us. Sandy is truly a lady
with lots of class and a great sense of humor. She is very active in community efforts and sometimes
her efforts have an adverse affect on her husband. Not in a bad way but he is more straight laced and
sometimes gets roped into things. One time they participated in the opening of something and she
agreed that she and Bob would serve the people. SoBob was serving pastries, and some unsuspecting
customer came in and said "didn"t you used to be the governor and he said Yes" Sort of like "oh how
the mighty have falllen:

I did say I would tell you about the flowers. Sandy had bought all these flowers for our lunch and when
Bob saw them He figured he'd better send flowers too, just in case he forgot something.

It was a delightful day. thank you Sandy.