Goldfish

          A little blob of orange. I have a grandfish named Bulls Eye (he has one red eye). I want to give my grandfish, Bulls Eye, a shout out! When I press my face against the glass, oohing and ahhing as I watch Bulls Eye, he swims to the front of his bowl as if to say, “Oh, hey Nana!” For two years this little poop machine has swam circles around his bowl. My daughter told me she is already concerned about the day that Bulls Eye dies; she actually caught her husband talking baby talk to him/her this week. This little blob of orange was won at a school event; however, his accessories cost far more, yet the smiles on the faces of family members definitely make up for it. It is sad to think that one day little Bulls Eye will end up in a commode. In the meantime, I guess we need to work on goldfish funeral etiquette.

Stinky Feet in the Classroom

      Stinky Feet. As I finished my attendance, I glanced up only to discover that one of my students had taken off his shoes and thrown his socks right on the floor. His left foot was perched right up by his nose as he smelled away! I could actually smell this stale Dorito odor wafting up towards the front of the class as his peers began to snicker. To be honest, I was a little jealous that he could get his foot so high with such ease!

Say Cheese

Sweet Memories! My four year old grandson wanted to take a picture of his older brother and me! So, I now have about 12 pictures just like the one you see here!

Ventriloquist

My Shoplifting Experience!

     My shoplifting experience!  I know you are probably shocked, but yes, I actually shoplifted a bathing suit bottom from TJ Maxx on a recent visit to Ft. Myers.  In my defense, I was in a big hurry as it was almost time to pick up my grandsons from school.   Hopefully you are not judging me, but imagine my surprise when I got home and realized I had left the store with a bathing suit bottom (ON).   In an effort to “do the right thing”, I decided I would take the bathing suit back to my local TJ Maxx.  In a quiet voice, I explained to the clerk that I had accidentally ended up with a bathing suit bottom that I did not purchase.  Now I might have left a little part of the story out because I did not want the her to know that I actually wore it out of the store under my clothes. Eyeing me suspiciously, she calls over a store manager who looked young enough to be my son.  I swallowed hard thinking, “Oh Lord, I might end up in jail yet!”  Once again I repeat my story. The store manager told me that they could not accept it, and I would need to return it to the store it came from.  I explained, in my sweetest voice, that I might not be back in Fort Myers for a long time.   Unbending, he responded, “Ma’am, you will need to return this to the TJ Maxx in Ft. Myers!”  I responded, “Oh great, my face is probably posted on billboards all over Ft. Myers at this point!”   Who knows, I might getting one of those bracelets yet!  Signed, Sticky Fingers

Selfies - Taken by the Older Generation

     Say Cheese! This is what happens when my generation takes selfies! In the first picture, Dee takes the “I’m at an event selfie” of Mary, herself, and me. Well actually, Mary’s face is blocked by Dee’s hand.                                                                                      And in the second picture, you have the “I’m on a cruise selfie” of Dee, Bob and me. I promise Dee is on the far left! Hmmmmm….should we buy a selfie stick?

Romantic Evening

     My romantic evening with Bill.  I am sure Cupid is rolling his eyes, but I named my Roomba Bill!  My grandkids think it is a motorized pet.  My granddog is petrified of it…..he thinks it is some kind of living creature or the Terminator.  Bill has magically enhanced my life as he moves about my house without emotion, cleaning my floors.  Granted, Bill is not excited to see me when I get home, but he will vacuum for me until he dies…..what dedication.   I love my Roomba!

Online Dating Woes

        Several years ago, at the encouragement of friends, I decided to dabble in on-line dating. I wanted to make sure that I had a RECENT picture to ensure that my date would not feel like the walk from the door to the table was a scene out of the movie "Dead Man Walking". 

        A good friend offered to take photos of me for my online dating profile. She encouraged me to perch on the railing of her deck overlooking a gorgeous lake. With the sun setting in the background, I prissily perched on the railing. I was concentrating on tilting my head slightly and smiling while waiting for the click. All of a sudden it felt like my body was on fire! Who knew I was perched above a wasp nest! The little critters had flown up my shirt and pant legs. Suddenly I was yelling and running for the house while simultaneously stripping. Not exactly the photo opp I wanted for my online dating profile!

The Trixter got Tricked!

           Walking past the desk, I suddenly did a double take; a student was sitting at his desk wearing a camouflage jacket with the hood up.  Since camouflage is the art of disguising yourself to blend in with your surroundings, it was NOT working.   As I approached the student, I realized that there was nobody inside this uncamouflaged outfit.  Somebody had created a “fake student” for my benefit by pulling the handle up on their backpack and dressing it in their camo  jacket (they even stuffed the face area with some paper).  If you ever need a second passenger for the “dummy in the passenger seat scam”, this character would be great (not that I am promoting it). Hmmmmm….I wish I could clone this kid as he did not let out a peep all period!

Stilettos

     Scoot out of the way because Nana is trying out the grandkids motorized Christmas scooter. Supposedly, one of the key features of this scooter is a handy twist grip throttle which makes the motor start immediately. It was like driving a very fast car wearing a pair of stilettos….hence my scream! Needless to say, I won’t be scootering around town!

One Word

No New Year’s resolutions for me.  According to statistics, nine out of ten people will fail with their new year’s resolutions; half of those will fail by the end of January. This is my second year to pick “One Word” to lay over my life for my New Year’s Resolution.  My one word to focus on this year is “purposeful”.  The definition of purposeful is: having a purpose, full of determination.

I have focused on choosing a word that reflects on:  my passion for life; my values, provides guidance; gives me strength; challenges me, brings frustration; brings joy.  As we all know, life passes by at an alarming rate.  My one word goal for 365 days will be to strive to be more purposeful about noticing possibilities.  As I walk through 2015, I want to consider five key areas of my life…..my spiritual life, relationships, health, work, and finances.  I need to remember to ask myself, “In what ways can I be more purposeful this year?” 

“Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people)”.  Ephesians 5: 15 Amplified Bible

Have you thought about dropping the list of resolutions and choosing one word to impact your life this year?  Ask God to give you one word to lay over your life; embrace your one word, reflect on it, and share it.  What is your one word?