Old Mantel Clock

Brian has a darn good memory. He came by the house the other night and for some reason thought about a clock that used to sit on our mantel. I thought this clock was a figment of his imagination and was sure he was thinking of a clock that was at Dot's house. He remembered that it was square with Roman Numerals. Still didn't ring a bell with me. He said it was on the mantel, except at Christmas when I'd move it to place decorations on the mantel, and then it would sit on the Oak dresser. Okay...but I don't think so.....

So here it is. All it took was getting the old pictures out and presto! Now I remember that clock. And I don't know what happened to it. Maybe it stopped working. Or maybe I just got tired of it. Who knows. The important thing is...I never got tired of my sons, I remember all of them, and I know where they are. So There!

Feast of St. Nicholas

Dec. 6 is the Feast of St. Nicholas, always celebrated in our house by placing our stockings out for St. Nicholas to fill. I was talking to Mark on the phone this morning, and he reminded me that ours were always placed on the front porch, and St. Nick always seemed to come right after Daddy took the trash out. My, but that's mysterious. He would always come during dinner hour, and not over night, I'm sure because of daddy's work schedule. And if Daddy was off on the 5th, he came on the 5th, and if he was off on the 6th, he came on the 6th. Daddy worked 24 hr, off 24 hours. We never questioned it. It was just the way St. Nicholas did things.

We also never questioned the fact that some of our friends didn't get things from St. Nicholas, the fact that they didn't celebrate this feast day. It just depended on the tradition of the family. I guess the kids more likely to question it would be the kids hearing about it who did not get anything. Who were we to question it...we had our goodies. Anyway, if you observe this tradition, then Happy Feast of St. Nicholas.

Now, Which Cafe Was That???

City Cafe, Mayan Cafe, North End Cafe, Cafe 360, Corner Cafe, 3rd Avenue Cafe - it's easy to get them mixed up. Friday evening the McCulloughs, Norrenbrocks and Bobby and I had dinner plans and I made reservations. I told everyone we'd be meeting at 7 p.m. at the North End Cafe. I then made our reservations, only I thought I made the reservations at the Corner Cafe on LaGrange Road, because in my mind, that's the restaurant I'd been thinking of. At 5:30 Friday Chris called and canceled because she was sick, so I decided to call the restaurant and let them know we would only be a table of four. Funny, but why was the North End Cafe that I called previously now on Frankfort Avenue and not on LaGrange Road? Oh, that's right, we're going to the Corner Cafe. I called the Corner Cafe - no reservations. I'd made the reservations at North End Cafe, a restaurant Bobby & I don't care for, too pricey, especially for someone like me who is going to sit and pick at the food. I canceled the reservations at North End, and Corner Cafe wouldn't take reservations for only 4 people, but I was assured we'd have no trouble getting a table, which we didn't. I called Jerry & Kathy because I didn't know if I'd told them North End or Corner Cafe, and to let them know we'd be meeting them at Corner Cafe and not the North End Cafe, which turns out is what I'd told them. If Chris hadn't canceled out, they'd have been at the North End Cafe on Frankfort Ave. and Bobby & I would have been at the Corner Cafe on LaGrange Road, until we hooked up by cell phone and found out what had happened. Did you follow all this?

Mr. Hip Replacement

Here's Mr. Hip Replacement himself, being where he shouldn't be, putting caulking around a pipe. He "had" to do it today, couldn't wait for anyone else to do it. I had the camera ready in case he fell; always ready for that action shot.

2 favorites and a not so favorite

Two of my favorite phone calls lately came from Mark & Kevin - Mark telling me he'd seen the first snow of the season, Kevin telling me he'd seen the first Christmas decorations of the season. I love that snow and Christmas decorations reminded them of their mom. My not so favorite is the word "folks." President Bush used it all the time, and so does President Obama. Why do they never use "people?" It's always folks this, folks that. That word is just so....I don't know....folksy.

weekend with E & J, plus....

Well, I need to fill you in on all the fun we had with Erin & Jill. Just the cute little things that happen when they're around, you know? I was getting dinner on the table Friday evening when Erin went into her routine for the upcoming Kentucky Show at Chance. She's quite a performer, and her spontaneous songs and movements were well received, believe me. She enlisted Jill's and my help later in the evening for another performance.

When they were playing flashlight tag in bed later that night, Jill used the phrase "oh phooey," which I found so funny, because that's what daddy always said, except he said awwww phooey, frequently. Mark said he thinks he uses that phrase sometimes, and maybe I do, too. I'm not sure.
But I like hearing daddy's phrase being used. Speaking of which, I can't remember even once in my life hearing daddy use a four letter word in anger. But of course, I can't remember ever seeing him angry. Honestly.

And it's no surprise that Jill named her art work on the computer "Jilly's A Genius!" Can you say...confidence? When she saw the picture in the hallway of Ben, Mark, Julie & me, she pointed to Ben, & said "he and Mark are brothers, and you & O.J. are sisters." I guess Julie is now officially O.J. Funny. And then there was when Bobby said he had breakfast ready, and Jill told me she wanted her breakfast in bed.... come on now. She had her breakfast in the dining room.
And I've never heard so much giggling as Erin & Jill did in bed Friday evening. Apparently EVERYTHING was funny for awhile.

We played a different version of rock school - we played spell this word correctly and you can move up a step. It's hard to stump either Erin or Jill. Anyway, when concluded our sleepover by going to the awards at Chance. Erin received the Shining Star award and her trophy, and now for the plus...

Bobby and I saw the movie Contagion last night. I'd give it a 6 on a scale of 1-10. You follow one couple through the movie to see what happens to them in a world wide epidemic, but mostly it's just a chance to see how any kind of infection or virus can start & spread world wide in today's world, and how quickly it could happen. It definitely wasn't a chick flick. I also want to see Margin Call soon, about the corruption on Wall Street.
Today I'm doing a little Christmas shopping, and I'm not going to check this blog for errors. So.....

October chitchat

Not that much going on...Brian stopped by last night and helped Bobby move the worn out chair out of our living room, and they carried the rocker from the upstairs bedroom into the living room. It makes the room look bigger, and I've wanted that worn chair out of there for weeks and weeks - it had a big hole in the seat of it. Thank you for your help, Brian!

I took George to the doctor Monday, and am doing the same this afternoon. I'm going to remind him AGAIN that he should use Twinbrook more often for his rides, and see where that gets us. But I think I know where it will get us. And June is still in the hospital, having a very slow recovery. The doctors said that her brain trouble right now is definitely a result of her having been attacked and mugged.

Tomorrow is lunch with Judi, Chris and Kathy - always a fun time, and Friday a hair appointment; Good bye gray roots. And I got some Christmas shopping done this week, the latest start I've had in years to my Christmas shopping. Discovered a little boutique, Mary Katherine's and Me, that was fun to shop in. Have to get back in there sometime.

I'm also wondering where Kevin has disappeared to - on his blogging, I mean. KEVIN- WHERE ARE YOU? Have you forgotten how to type?

Our power was off for about an hour last night - don't know what the problem was, and our t.v. was out for about 45 minutes this morning. Wierd!

There are 2 movies out that I think would be good - Margin Call and Contagion. We're supposed to see Contagion with Dub & Linda sometime soon. Anybody seen either of these movies?

Well, I can't write as long as Beth did on her blog. But I tried.

Pumpkin Roof

Riding down Lexington Road, this house caught my eye. Lots of carved pumpkins stacked on the roof of their porch is sort of unique, and I like it, so I decided to take a picture and put it on my blog. I wonder if one person put them all out there, climbing continuously out the window, or up and down a ladder, or if it was a two person job. It's very cute.

The Bunny Went Home

Habits are quickly formed, with me anyway. When Mr. Tuppence went home, it was a few days before I stopped looking for him. I'd come in the front door thinking I'd talk to him, or sitting on the couch, in the back of my mind, I'd catch myself thinking it was time to check on the bunny or that I'd go pet him. He was such a cute little ball of fur, I can't help but miss him. But I did find out I don't want another rabbit of my own. Probably because we really don't have a good space in the house to keep one permanently. But I would like to watch this little fellow again sometime. And When Helga and Anna picked him up to take him home, Anna couldn't get her hands on him quickly enough - she missed her bunny sooooo much. I'm sure he's glad to be back home.

920 Clarks Lane

Every time I pass Dot's & Daddy's old house I think I need to take a picture and blog. They never would have let it look like this. The grass was always cut, the shubbery always trimmed, and never would have had all this junk piled on their porch. The curtains in the windows now look like some old sheets hanging there.

I'm fairly sure the house has had two owners since Daddy lived there, and the first buyer built a new garage, and the house looked well maintained for awhile. But I just thought this might be interesting for those of you who knew the house well, played golf in the backyard and sat on that porch with Dot.

Roller Skating

Yesterday afternoon, Thursday, Judy and I took Erin and Jill skating at Champs. This picture was taken before we got our skates on. Erin only needs a little support on her skates, more or less just holding her hand, and she stays up pretty well. Jill, on the other hand, pretty much needs to be held up. Her little feet are everywhere. She told me once I was holding her hand too tightly, but I needed a good grip to hold her up. In the middle of the skating session, everyone goes to the middle of the rink to do the ball & the jack and the cha cha slide, and it's a challenge on skates, believe me. I know Erin & Jill enjoyed it, because Jill was asking to go again tomorrow. It was a good was to pass a very hot afternoon.

This past weekend we celebrated three birthdays - Mark, Kevin & Julie. It was fun having everyone over to the house, and in this picture you can't see Kim. She was standing over by Bobby when he took this picture. Jill helped Julie blow out her candle. Erin didn't want to help blow out anyone's candles this year. I suppose she's just waiting for her own candles in August. We had the traditional baked alaska. Brian tried to convince everyone that all the important birthdays were in March, but I don't think anyone was falling for that propaganda.

My shoes For The Wedding

I found just the shoes I was looking for at the Zappo Outlet. The heel is not too high, but high enough, and these are dressier in person than they look in the picture because of the fabric of the shoe. They're comfortable enough to wear the entire evening. I love them. Yaaaaay! Shoes found!

A Dollar Regular

A dollar regular used to be the standard purchase for me at the gas station - but of course, this was years ago. A commercial on t.v. tonight reminded me of the way it "used to be." Pull into the gas station, two attendants came out, one to pump the gas, the other to clean the windshield, both front and back. When the windshields were clean, the customer would be asked if he or she wanted to have the oil and/or water checked, and then the air pressure on the tires would be checked and taken care of. (now you have to pay for that air at the pump) If by chance enough gas was bought to "fill the tank," then sometimes a gift would be given to the customer, for instance, a glass. You never had to get out of the car, just paid the guy, he'd give you change if needed. Such luxury! Gosh, how times have changed. And I've always hated pumping gas - especially when it's cold. Give me a dollar regular - and pump it, please.

Excitement wasn't on the ballfield

Everytime we try to see Kevin, or Kevin and Brian play softball, the game gets rained out. We thought last night that we'd finally have a rainfree night. Things were going pretty well until the sirens sounded, and everybody looked around like what in the heck are those sirens for. There were some ominous clouds in the distance, but hey, "play ball," okay? Natalie pulled up the weather on facebook and reported there was a tornado warning, called her dad, and he said it was for the westend of Louisville, and the game went on. We watched as the black clouds passed by, and the sirens continued to sound, but the game went on, so we sat and watched, just like the rest of the dummies in the stand. And the dummies on the field continued to play. Until finally lightning ended the game and Bobby & I headed for home. Sure enough, A tornado reported on the ground from U of L, Churchill Downs area, then not necessarily on the ground, but being followed through the Audubon Park area, Newburg Road, Cherokee Road, Bowman Field, area. We could see the funnel cloud on the way home, but not touching the ground and could see we were in the clear, and saw no evidence of damage all the way home. Mostly what we saw were people standing in their yards looking up at the sky. Just what they're supposed to do during a tornado warning, right? Just like we did, sitting at a ballgame, right? But all's well that ended well. Kevin called to make sure we got home okay, and I'm glad his apartment was untouched. There's damage throughout the city, and now I'm going on facebook to see if anyone has anything to report. Maybe we'll get in a ballgame yet this season - an entire ballgame.

Chit Chat

Absolutely nothing to blog about, but here goes, just for the heck of it. Walking in the morning is great this time of the year. It makes me think of Daddy, when he said, "I'm sweating just a little bit, so I'm just right." That's how my walks are, not cool at all, but not too hot. Just right.

And I love looking at the houses around here. Some are pristine in their upkeep. Absolutely immaculate. A few - exactly the opposite. Lots show promise with renovation. Some in the process of being renovated. And I pass people who make me wonder what his or her story would be if interviewed. I'd probably rather not hear a lot of them.

Then there's that Weiner guy. Wouldn't you have to love a guy really really beyond belief to change your last name to Weiner, especially if your first name was already Uma. Something tells me Uma fell for the wrong guy. And it is fun to see Sarah Palin providing fresh material for SNL.

It's hot, hot, hot, but on the mornings Bobby plays golf, I still continue to turn off the air, if I'm at home. A chance to warm the feet and take off my sweatshirt.

Linda Jansing and I have been talking about going to a Bats game, but it's too hot to enjoy sitting there when the temp's up in the 90's. Maybe we'll do a movie and dinner instead. I've had a few pinochle "lessons" with Kathy and Jerry, and Bobby, but I'm not a natural card player. I'm learning SLOWLY. Poker seems easier to me; maybe because I played for so many years. I've never had that knack for knowing what my partner has, or the other players have, or remembering what's been played. But it's fun.

And I get to spend the afternoon with Erin and Jill. Can't beat that.

Chance Derby Hat Parade

Today after muffins with Mom - and Nana and Mimi - we got to attend the Hat Parade. Hats, Hats and more hats, but not all hand made like Erin's and Jill's. However, they were all pretty, or cute, and great fun to see. Bobby, knowing his fashions, immediately commented when seeing Erin's hat - Erin's is more of a fascinator. She's sooooo trendy. Such a fun morning.

Easter Sunday photos

Farewell to my old Pharmacy

Starting May 1, when I'm on Medicare, I'll no longer be using Express Scripts, the mail-in pharmacy that I've been using the past few years. Oh, how I "won't" miss them and their friendly calls umpteen times a month while we're eating dinner.
"Hello. Is this the....Tabler household? yes or no?"
Yes.
"And just to verify....is this Mary? yes or no?"
Yes.
"And just to verify...please give us your date of birth. For instance, if your date of birth is May 1, 1876, please state, 05/01/1876.
I give my date of birth.
"We have important information for you. Your prescription for such and such will need to be refilled soon."
And then they go on with instructions.

Then they call to let me know for this same prescription when they're filling it, they call when they're getting ready to mail it, and when it's been mailed. I have 5 prescription drugs and they do this for each one. You get the picture. When I told them I wanted the automatic refill process, I thought they'd just put them in the mail when necessary, end of story. I didn't know I'd get endless calls from them letting me know their every move.

Beth's Bridal Shower

A few photos from Beth's Shower on Saturday, April 2. We had such a good time.

Repair work

Because Bobby was doing his favorite thing, I couldn't resist taking his picture. He's always loved plumbing. The faucet was leaking so much that he finally tackled the job, successfully. And while he was doing that project I asked him to take off the knobs that turn the water off and on so I could clean all the grime out of them - they were disgraceful. Much better now.

Hopscotch

Okay, when did Hopscotch get so hard? Whew!!! Erin & Jill have a Rug hopscotch that they can play indoors that they got for a gift. I see it frequently at their house and Kim says they play it all the time. But when we took the girls home from school today was the first time I tried my hand at it. And I swear that game was a lot easier when I was a kid. Although Erin didn't seem to be having any trouble with it. Why is that!! Trying to hop on one foot was bad enough, but I managed...sort of. Then, being out of breath, standing on one foot and having to bend over and pick up a bean bag...well, that little Erin is a showoff is all I've got to say.

An Evening With Erin & Jill

Bobby and I stayed with Erin and Jill last night, and as we've come to expect, they were delightful. We've been told that the two of them go through skotch tape like you wouldn't believe, working on their various craft projects. So last night Erin was telling me the reason they were using the glue stick was that the tape was gone. I asked, "gosh, I wonder who used up all the tape?" Erin subtly rolled her eyes and nodded her head towards Jill. So I just nodded like I caught on, that the little sister was the lone culprit.

Then when tucking Jill into bed, she turned on her CD player, but told me she wasn't sure how to get the 'repeat' part of it working. I was leaving the room and I assured her that if she wanted to hear the CD again, "all you have to do is call me." Jill, replied while laughing..."On the phone?" No, silly. Not on the phone.

We got to hear Jill sing Over the Rainbow in horse language, and Erin sang Tommorow for us, while we were playing school. Spinning a fork on the dining room table, asking a question, and seeing who the fork pointed to when it stopped! That was a popular game for the dinner table. Thanks Grampy. Who can run the fastest? Spin the fork! Points to..... Who likes cinnamon roles the most? Spin the fork! points to.... Who can build the best snowman? Spin the fork! You get the picture. They loved it. Anyway..fun, fun, fun.

Old As The Hills

Nice Warm Scarf, or a rag? Yep, it's still a nice warm, cozy scarf, keeping me warm in this weather that just won't go away. I've had this scarf for either 43 or 44 years. I bought it at Kaufman-Straus Department Store on 4th Street on my way to work at the Royal Globe Insurance Company. I used to transfer from the Market street bus to the Broadway bus, and somtimes walked from Market to Broadway for the connection. And that was before it was TARC, Transit Authority of River City - it was just plain - the bus. So I was making my little journey out 4th street in temps like we're having today, and it was snowing like you wouldn't believe. The buses were running behind because the streets were in bad shape because of the weather; consequently, it was late enough that Kaufman's was open and I dashed in there for this scarf - I was FREEZING. I have no idea what I paid for it, but it must have been a pretty good buy, because I'm still wearing it today.

Out of Cookies

After sleigh riding and the pie kitchen yesterday, Kim, Erin and Jill came here for awhile. Later Mark came by also. It's now "tradition" that Erin and Jill take a snack with them when they leave, a little something to munch on their drive home. We usually go to the kitchen cabinet and they pick out what they want. Yesterday their choices consisted of goldfish crackers, pretzels, or Townhouse crackers. I figured I might as well let them know we didn't have any cookies so they wouldn't be searching the cabinet. While she was still looking in the cabinet, Erin asked didn't we have any vanilla wafers? No, we have No cookies At All. She looked at me and said, But you Always have cookies!

They had to settle for crackers. There's a first time for everything.