Why didn't anyone Tell me?

Mammogram Machine

The Squisher

                                                                                                              Today was my annual mammogram -Yuck- a modern age torture of my breasts -Ok so it is a life saving test but still it is VERY uncomfortable -a little funny -you have to step out of your body to get the humor - so it is necessary to be squeezed and handled by a woman stranger -BUT it is only once a year.

 

I also had a Pelvic Ultra sound. Last year when they were trying to find out why I was having pain in my right chest -I had a series of tests that started with a colonoscopy and ended with an ultra sound of my gall bladder that was filled with stones. Long story short I ran out of co-pay money and patience for tests and never had the last ultra sound. A pelvic ultra sound that was recommended as a result of the last test. 

So today over a year later, I had the test. First the Doctor never even hinted as to what this test entailed. I had had an ultra sound before -with the slimy stuff they smear on you and then the thing that sends sonar waves thru the layers of fat -and I have alot - it hurt because the technician pushed so hard into my fat. Now 22 lbs lighter I am back. I had to drink 32 oz of water and not use the bathroom until after the test was completed. Ha I would drink the water forget and use the bathroom then remember and have to drink all over again. 

I get to the Imaging office and wait about 15 min and they call me -a nice woman tech has me lie on the table -lower my pants and underwear to the pubic line and she slimes me to take picures of my kidneys etc. Then she says to empty my bladder /whipe off the slime and return for the internal test.

Did she say IN ternal? Why didnt I know this? Strange. I come back to be asked to remove my pants and underwear/ lay on a table with a square under my hips and cover myself with a sheet. 

Then she hands me a long -12 inches / about 1 &1/3 finger wide cylinder like probe -attached to a cord. She says insert this into the vaginal opening -HELLO? say WHAT?

How come no one told me what to expect. It is uncomfortable and hurts a bit -she the puts her hand under the sheet and takes control -very professional -very young female stranger.

I start to laugh -and say i am writting about this in my blog -no one will believe it. I asked her if women talk -she said usually older woman who give her TMI (to much info) like : "no one has stuck anything in me since my husband died";& " I am so dry" etc... 

I said they should at least buy you dinner first -but really both my GP and the GYN should have prepared me about what this test entailed -she smiled and shrugged -and said it is just a test-ok I was a little nervous. Then it was over and I then I had the mammogram.

Internal Ultra Sound Probe

Both Tech's said we would have the results in 5 days. I really dont care -it IS, what it is ..................I want an hour HOT shower -I have been slimmed.

Pudgy Pelican .Avalon NJ and Me -2010

Do I only Blog once a month now? I am trying to write my Christmas letter and re-reading my blog journals and trying to condense them. Two Family deaths; beloved Aunt and Uncle. Four new cousins -all Grandchildren to my first cousins. One girl and three boys (our first set of twins)/a new friend turned one/ My little sister turned 50, our Mother 80. ( I was with them for both celebrations)/ my BFF turned 40, without me/ My Writers Group published our second book, I learned how to re bind a book? or I took the class anyway/ I participated in the 2010 Historic Census -it was a eye opening experience -IRS taxpayers were angels compared to the citizens I met doing the Census and I include the Census administrators and neighbors. I also met some wonderful, interesting Census workers -all ages and backgrounds. Wrecked my car by allowing a deer to hit it/I am fine, she is not. Learned a dear friend lost her husband and two High School friends, each, a son. I continue to declutter my house/spoke with a Realtor / found time is not right to market house/ had some trees removed from the front and the back partially cleared and some work done on the house-spent all the Census money so still saving for the big 60 birthday Land /Sea cruise to Alaska/ Nutrisystem helped me loose 22 lbs and I am down to my college weight-feel pretty good off the Insulin -would like to loose about 50 more lbs and off the majority of my meds but that is for the next Christmas Letter...........

Oliver (1) and Robin (59)

So that is it 2010 include some pictures and we are ready to turn 60 in 2011 -WOW I can not wait!

Still Breathing

 Good friends : Carol. my sister Deb and Sandy -NOW all over 50 -jeeze

With Face  Book and emails I am not posting like I should or writing like I want to -sigh- but I am busy and NOT just with doctor appointments. I continue to gather info from travelers who have been to Alaska and sign up for emails on cruise/land tours to Alaska. I am getting so excited.  I think we had decided on Princess for our maiden voyage, They seem to offer the best cruise/land tours for our money and what alot of money.I just bought an all weather zip out lining coat that i needed but will also be good for the trip. Marian is in love again and hasnt quit smoking yet but is slowing down -she says- well ok -i can do this alone -but I would rather not.





I have been on a waiting list for a Bucket List wish -for a while and got a call that the next Book Binding Class had an opening -Was I still interested? OF COURSE. The Book Bindery is located in Atlantic City in the Older Jewish Services Building on Atlantic Ave. The free Course is taught by Emmy Todd for 6 weeks. In exchange for the free course you agree to volunteer your new skills to them, when they get books to repair from non profit community organizations. I like that. So far I have gone to two classes (once a week) and really really enjoy it. We have three in our class -all of us are over 55 /all have ALWAYS wanted to learn this skill and I am the only retired person. LOL I heard about this course from a man in my creative writing class and then from a newspaper article.It really is a lost art.

This past weekend I visited an old friend from work who taught me haw to crochet -well maybe she taught me -I havent done it on my own yet -I just have always wanted to learn . smile Thanks Fran. I had a wonderful time visiting her. She lives in a retirement community and I am so envious. I would love to be as active as she is.At 81; she still plays Tennis three times a week. 20 years ago when she moved there no one thought it was a good idea -now I am approaching the same age she was  and i can see the sense it makes.


I continue to downsize my stuff in the house and took 80 tops to the ARC thrift store that I have out grown. Wish I could say it made a difference but I have plenty -I am blessed. Wish the weight would come off faster -but I am doing well and steady loosing on Nutrisystem Diabetic meals. Yes it is VERY expensive -but so very Healthy -I am down 20 lbs and off the insulin needle completly. Soon the pills. I still have trouble with drinking enough  water =ie maybe the slowwww weight loss. Which has no one upset but me. sigh I am skipping any Thanksgiving visits -that day is not a dieters friend. I can NOT overeat /it is a sickness/ I will not put myself in situations where i will fail. My mantra smells like turkey and cranberry and stuffing and sweet potatoes. So I go to the gym every day now.


Stapling the plastic on my back porch -almost done -then I will take out my air conditioners and  hopefully my wildflower mixture will arrive and be ready to sow after the first killing frost. I am excited. I always wanted windflowers of RED poppys and sunflowers and wildfowers in the back of my yard. My house is on the hummingbird and butterfly migratory trail. Cape May County is a beautiful place to live. I shall miss living here.

My parents drove down to see me for the first time in a couple of years .it was nice but crowded in my little house. Took my Mother to see her sister and we had a lovely visit. My creative writing group published our second anthology "Writing From the Heart" my heart attack story was included. My friend Oliver was Christened and turned ONE. My little Sister turned 50?????
It has been a great couple of months. God is good. I am blessed.

Dad and Mother

Sisters

Book #2

 

Oliver and his Robin

Geni in a Scanner

My cousin Connie is doing her family and our Family on Geni -with pictures! Pictures she scans in from her parents collections -They are wonderful and bring back such memories. The one of my Grandmother Kate on her 80th Birthday is amazing. My parents are in their 80's and look much younger than Kate did. My Grandfather John, was 55 in this picture -I will be 59 in a week and I cant help but observe that time has treated me pretty well. I look back at the old time Photo's and see my Grandfather at 10 or 12 and immediately recognize his face as one of my cousins -my Grandfather's great -grandson.

 1955=;My Grandfather, John at 55,  looks on as his Mother, Kate cuts her 80th Birthday cake. Not until this moment did I realize she was 35 when she had her first child -my Grandfather- in 1900.

Fireworks

It is July 3rd -All around me I can hear the sounds of fireworks or rather feel the concussion of the ground. I can not see any explosions in the sky -but i can hear and feel them all around me. I know because I have been outside looking up at the dark sky. As I stand on my back step, I suddenly feel like I am in another time and place. I wonder if this is what the sound of war is like? Surrounded on all sides by the loud concussions of the ground but no explosions in the sky. I have never been to war or seen a war. I guess not many women have, but for an instant there in the darkness -surrounded by sound and echo of the earth, I was afraid , I was in awe, I stood alone. I said a prayer for my Nation and all the men and women who defend and have defended her. Long may my Flag Wave.

Snow White and the Eight Dwarfs by r.l.simpson

Another Homework assignment was to Rework a  Fairy tale and do research to add/ teach some new information -DAAA is a real organization. We are learning about children stories and writing for various ages.

This one is for my BFF+ Batman ( who helped me find the 8th Dward;s name ) and Daria G.


Snow White and the Eight Dwarfs


You all remember the tale of the 7 Dwarfs right. The 7 short hairy miners that found that pretty white girl lost in the woods and gave her a place to stay in exchange for cleaning up after them and cooking for them.?

That is called bartering. You offer one service in exchange for a service the other person offers –no money exchanged. Food and a place to sleep in exchange for cleaning the bathroom and making food for 7 little dirty men. Not such a good exchange for the white girl but then again better than being lost in the woods and sleeping on the ground and eating weird stuff. So Snowy took the deal –until she could find a better gig.



The reason the house was so messy was that the 8th brother was away at a D.A.A.A conference.  That is the Dwarf Athletic Association of America. They are into athletic competition for people of short stature. Dwarfism affects about a quarter of a million people in the US –that is a lot and the 8th dwarf  was really into healthy eating and exercise. The other brothers were cool with this and liked his cooking and bossy ways of making them clean up after themselves.  Also since they were miners and strong anyway they thought it was a good idea that their brother competed in the DAAA events. I mean the 2010 was coming to Nashville TN and they we all going. But when he went on the road –the rest of the brothers sort of forgot their good habits and chores and the brothers were terrible cooks.



Enter Snowy –pretty , young, ok cook and really, really cheerful. She filled the vacuum left by the missing brother -Healthy. Sort of like a white dwarf star. Which is like the sun –only half the energy.



Snowy did get distracted a lot with her singing and wandering in the woods. She didn’t have the energy for deep cleaning and cleaning up after the meals –so the brothers would pitch in and help out while she told them stories and sang to them.  In fact they were doing more work than when Healthy was there. They missed him but he didn’t sing very well when he worked.



The brothers were a little concerned over how Snowy and Healthy would get along. Snowy ,of course , would be fine she loved everyone. But Healthy tended to want to do things his own way and expected all the brothers to let him make all the decisions and do things his way. He was very smart and handsome and energetic and did I say smart. Snowy was smart too –but in a distracted way.



The day Healthy came home –Snowy had cooked a big meal with all the brother’s favorite foods. Meatloaf , French fries. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Macaroni and cheese, hamburger and potato salad  and,,,,–deep friend corn fritters. With Funnel Cake and all the apples in the kitchen for a hugh Apple PIE = for dessert. In fact a WORSE , UN HEALTHY (get it unhealthy) meal you could not have planned. NO vegetables or Fruit.



Healthy had a meltdown. He yelled and stomped around and yelled and stomped around and finally got silent.. Then he said: “ If you would please excuse us Miss Snowy, I would like to have a difficult conversation with the brothers. Perhaps you could take an after dinner stroll –not far but ah…… out of hearing? You know haw men are ….we tend to get a bit loud when we discuss things.”



 Snow White replied: ‘Why, of course Healthy, your Brothers are so excited you are home, they missed you very much.” And she smiled.  Healthy smiled back. And the Brothers all looked at each other and smiled.



When she left,  Healthy looked at the brothers. Silence. Then:



Dopey- Can she stay?

Sneezy- I don’t even mind the flowers she picks in the woods and brings home.

Happy –She sings better than anyone, even you Healthy.

Grumpy –Even I don’t mind doing the dishes when she sings to us.

Sleepy- She tucks us in to bed every night with a kiss on the cheek.

Bashful- She is the fairest of us all.

Doc – We cant send her back, the evil Queen is still looking for her.

Healthy : Of course we will not send her back –but no more bad food habits –we all have to eat healthy. You know drawfs have health problems. We need to be healthy and strong to work the mine.


The brothers all agreed –so they threw out all the food Snowy had made and had a healthy dinner made by the time she returned. She noticed but didn’t say a word and silently vowed to have more good food choices in the house to cook with. If fact the next day when  all the brother even Healthy were at the mine. An old peddler woman knocked on the door with a lovely basket of delicious looking apples. Snowy knew she had used all the apples for last nights meal so when the old woman offered her a bite of her juicy apple –Snowy accepted thinking how surprised and delighted the brothers and Healthy would be with fresh apples to snack on………………..



Well, You all know the rest.

The End

The Bike Tale

Creative Writing Group Homework 6/18/2010

Assignment:

Childhood event from your perspective as a child, and your perspective of the same event as a grown up.

**************************

I really don’t like this bike it is too big –my feet don’t touch the ground. But it was my Mothers bike when she was a girl and Tommy Boy still has to ride the tricycle.

Dad said it was a 28”.


It is a beautiful day –hot and we want to ride our bikes.

The street we live on is really neat and made of cool rocks that we like to find and put in the garden, but it is not so good for bikes.


Mother said we can ride on Fraleys driveway. They have a really big paved driveway the goes in a circle and then goes over to the work garage. Fraleys live behind us or we live behind them, They own the five little brick houses where we live. We are renters. Everyone is renters. Mr Fraley is a brick layer and he made the houses almost by himself. He also made the big house where his family lives –no little kids.- and a swimming pool the renters can use. Tommy and I are learning to swim by ourselves, but for now we swim in the children’s side. A tall fence is around the pool –no children allowed without parents. We look in on really hot days and make sad faces at SarahJean and Raymond and all their teenage friends. Sarah-jean is our babysitter at night time–but it is daytime now and she tells us to scram. She is 13 and almost a grownup.

It is ok we want to ride bikes.


Every house has kids and we all know the rules. We ride our bikes one way around the circle. It is against the rules to go both ways –to many bikes and to many kids –there could be accidents. That day Tommyboy decided to ride his bike the wrong way. We all yelled at him –but did he listen ? No way –so we kept avoiding him as best we could. No one hit him, and I think maybe he wanted to be crashed into.


Like when we were all in Mike’s treehouse and Tommy climbed way high and had his SAW from his Daddy’s helper tool box –then he sawed for a long time and we ignored him until we heard the branch crack and Tommy fell past us to the ground with the tree branch. The crazy boy sawed off the tree limb he was sitting on ! So we looked down and he was dead of course –with his eyes open and looking at us –and we yelled –Good job Tommy that was a really good cutting job –then he blinked and came back alive. Fool boy. Of course, Dad took the SAW away after that.


So we are all riding around the driveway circle and no one has hit Tommy. So, of course, he aims for the biggest wobbly target, the person whose life he makes crazy with fighting, the person whose name was in all our books first (and he crossed out that name and wrote his name in) –the oldest person in our room –yep he aims for me. I see him and I try, I really tried to avoid him –but the little tricycle with the crazy brother pedaling like mad; hit the front fat tire of my Mothers old 28’ blue bike.


I heard all the kids yelling before he hit me –then as I sailed over the front of the handlebars –silence. I hit the driveway on my head –it hurt when I hit –then nothing- he killed me.


I got dead for a little while. I remember a lot of dirty, sweaty, smelly, little kids faces all upside down looking at me. They asked if I was dead ? and my Mother was coming. Tommy was there but I couldn’t yell at him –then my Mother was there. My head hurt so badly I had to close my eyes again. Then she made me pick up the bike and walk down the hill and home. I think she stayed behind to Thank the children and capture Tommy. Manners are always important.


I just wanted to lay down and close my eyes. My nose was running. No blood , but my brain was swelling out a big bump on my forehead. My head hurt worse than it ever had in my whole -entire- life.


I guess someone called the Dr down the road and since Dad was at work with the car and Mother didn’t drive yet; Dad must have come home or a neighbor took us. I do not remember the drive there.


Tommy didn’t come with us. He was probably on a chair in a corner at some neighbors house,.until my parents made it uncomfortable for him to sit. He was in BIG trouble. It is against the law to kill your sister in Virginia. The prisoners worked in handcuff and chains on the storm ditches in front of our house. The guards had rifles. I think I whispered to Tommy that he was going to the chain gang. Then he got scared. Then !–NOT when he was killing me. Brothers –jeeze ! Truthfully –we never saw any little kids on the chain gang –but I don’t think he remembered that.


Mother and I get to the Dr office –it is very nice –maple furniture –BUT very hot. He had a nice brown rag rug with one circle that goes round and round and round and round like the driveway –I kept looking at it and following the circle as it got smaller and smaller towards the center –then I felt really sick in my stomach –and yep –that rug needed to be cleaned after we left.


I don’t remember anything else. The Dr said; I had a concussion of my brain and my Parents had to keep me awake all night. Which isnt as fun as you think -you have to keep moving -I think it was because my brain would get hard and I would die or I would turn into spinach or some other vegetable. My stomach and my head both hurt, all night.


The worst part was they made me ride that big bike again. The very worst part was I had to get glasses the next year. But Tommy did treat me extra nice for about a day. That was ok, but not worth getting glasses though.




########################## ###################################





From a Grown up pointy of view:


I just wrote about this experience because;


I just bought a used bike and am trying to reteach myself to ride, The bike is the right size but since my stroke I am wobbley, again. smile. My brother is not around while I am relearning but I have a helmet just in case. I asked my parents why they didnt buy me a smaller bike and they said because no one was using the 28” bike and so they gave it to me.
Hello? I was about 5 or 6./ Tommy was 4 or 5 and the parents were 26 and 29. You think they would know better.

But back in 1957; NO one got anything new if old /used /stuff could be cleaned up, mended , painted and passed on and little boys got SAWS that worked and lots of dangerous things.


Tom grew up to be a wonderful man and Dad –that can fix or repair anything and is an Inventor for his employer.


Me –well my brain never worked right so after 31 yrs - I retired from the Government. 

 

MY Random Life June 2010

My Random life -

The box of Nutra system D just came and I have to read the instructions and I am putting it off -no new matches on Match.com -I am still writing THAT story. LOL

I went to a retirement party for a friend I have known since 7th grade -she is ready to retire -I envy her -she has lots planned and a family that still keeps her involved, a wonderful husband  and great friends. I can not wait to see her more; she lives a couple of hours away. Now we can travel back and forth on non weekends. The retirement party was in a new NJ winery and her friends catered the food. The wine was there. Only music was missing. I gave her a girft from a new artist -I just discovered -a  mutual HS friend that started making jewelry when she retired. Jeeze all this talent. Woman who worked full time /married /raised a family all with the same man. I wonder if my path should have been different?

Website:	http://web.me.com/carolbea14k

I have turned in my badge for Census 2010-I think our crew is done -just a few revisits to people who refused to comply -mostly because they already filled out the info and Census never recorded or matched the completed form with their address. People also objected to the question on 'if they owned the house or renting or etc" -Only thing the Constitution says is to count the people at the address on April 1st. People should refuse to answer anything else they dont want to. That is it -NO drama- NO yelling -NO police for trespassing -just How many people including you -lived here on April 1st?
I had no trouble but my IRS collection training -hardened me. Not everyone was so lucky or sensitive to irate citizens. LOL


My Dad is doing well since the stroke -he isnt walking enough but that is his choice. Right now we are trying to make sure he goes to the family reunion -2 hours from his house. One day he says yes and he will stay overnight -the next day he forgets ( he said yes) and argues. My dear Mother is a saint.


I came in the house one visit and he says -"Your Mother is yelling at me all the time" I look at my Mother who throws up her hands. I can see He is really upset. So I touch him on the shoulder to get his attention and say"Everyone yells at you Dad -you are Deaf and will NOT get a hearing aide" Then he looks at my Mother and says "OH"


We all Laugh. jeeze.

Census Field Day

Hot high 80's and humidity almost 90% -LOL -So the addresses came over the weekend to our Crew Leader /she assigned areas closed to where we lived -at first I was unhappy with this but then I remembered I now work for Census -a HAPPY JOB. I can smile (when I remember) as I approach a house. We had a meeting late mid morning today, and went over the addresses and areas. I did not feel well so I went home after the meeting. Decided to go out late afternoon -early evening and meet up with people as they came home. Yea right. I was so excited to get out to start field contacts/ I forgot to spray myself with deep woods mosquito stuff. I must have 50 bites.

Just like my field contact job with IRS  -I still have my sixth sense about which house I was looking for -that had failed to return their Census form. So the third house and the one my Crew Leader was observing -said -"but I sent that back" and did not have time to fill it out a new one right then. Of course I had the paperwork all filled out with my name and number to leave it on her door -so I gave it to her and said call me -we can do it on the phone at a better time for her. She will never call, I will stop back in two days, another people sense I havent lost. smile

The last house was also deep woods and the man was home -outside -so I stood and filled out the form /got a hundred new bites and finished faster than the book said was average times.

I am sure the mosquitoes were happy with lots of SWEET Robin blood today.

I love working close to home/went home to  tinkle and Benzedril on the bites/ change and off to the gym before it closes. About an hour of paperwork and plan my day tomorrow when I get home. House should have cooled down by then. NICE

Note to self -SMILE MORE.

Fourth day of Class

Fourth and last day of Census Training. Now if we just get the address list delivered to us. Hello? If the stuff was not ready why did the classes start?

Another day -soon I hope

Day 2 Census Training

Well Census day is April 1,2010 -so wherever you were on that day is usually, where the Country want to count you. 

Basically it is for how many representatives your State gets for the House of Representatives. I have seen NO INCOME questions -but lots of Race questions. it is exactly the same as the questionnaire most of us all filled out.

If you havent sent your form back yet -a Census taker will be out to your door. Anyone who has ever done a genealogy project and found your Great Grand parents in the Census books only to have lost them when the Census taker misspelled the name or the ancestors did not answer the questions -knows how important this information is to future family.

Day 2 was mostly about filling out and understanding the forms and questionnaire. All done by hand and door to door. It is a hugh undertaking. Our Crew is pretty sharp and the leader is good and funny but the material is Dull Dull Dullllllll.   I can not wait for it to be over. 

I am still pretty tired by the end of the day and today I broke down and bought a can of stale Diet Coke -to stay awake. We have 45 min. unpaid lunch time -I was driving home -but that means 15 min there and 15 min back and 15 min to make and eat lunch -not enough time -so I guess I will try to bring or buy lunch for the next two days. I am just not use to working a full day, and miss my nap in the afternoon. LOL. 

We still dont know how much our case load will be. Once that is decided hopefully, I will be able to plan my part time day around Dr appointments, lunch, and ah.........naps?

Stay tuned....

My adventure as an Enumberator for the US Census

I thought I would start keeping a diary of sorts for my new temporary job as a Census Enumerator. of course I will NOT give any identifiable personal information about the citizens I encounter.Hopefully it will go well.

It started circa 2008 with my Best Friend telling me I had to much time on my hands in retirement and I needed to do more. He suggested Dept. of Commerce and the Census in 2010, but I couldnt find out where to apply on the web site. Ok , so I didnt really look that hard. Forward to 2010 and my little post office. My Postmistress handed me a pamphlet and said you need to apply -this is perfect for you. It was about working for the 2010 Census, and a phone number to call to schedule the test. It also had a web site. So I called and got registered for the next test offered ,in my County. The web site had a sample test and test questions.

I was surprised I only needed two forms of ID and not fingerprints. I showed up /took the test -which had a couple of unusual questions -but of course appropriate for a future enumerator with the Department of the Census. Also I taken the self test online and it was excellent preparation for the test itself. Census employees that administered the test,  also graded the tests by hand -right then -and anyone who wanted to, could stay for their grade. I left.

About a month later, I was called Did I still want the Job? and come to training. I said "Sure"/ wrote down the information and went to FL. for a week. I called when I got back to verify it was a real job offer. It was. A week later they called me to ask if I wanted to help them out with fingerprinting?. I said "Sure". So last Wednesday I was taught how to finger print the other newly hired enumerators. Dept of Commerce still uses ink on cards and sends them to the FBI.  I am not kidding.

Let me get this straight -most everyone has converted to quick Digital finger imaging that link directly to FBI or upload to the Agency. People have been allowed to take the test and started in the system without their finger prints or clearance/ at least 25 people were sent to finger print training and paid to learn ink printing. No computers were issued or did the Census contract out  the fingerprint job  to a private company that uses computers and digital printing. Census sends all the ink prints by FedEX. Does any of this make fiscal sense? I am not in charge, I am not in charge.

Finger print class also got alot of administrative paperwork out of the way. So far teaching is reading out of the book. Actually for the length of time these crew leaders have been on the job (a week longer than I ) they are doing ok. It is boring and more time was spent on paper work than learning. it was very very disorganized. I was told today I need to have my prints done again because they can NOT find them . I am not kidding.

Today was the first day of Enumeration training. Held in a large room in the local Fire Company Hall.very very nice and much better than the fingerprint class; a small Sunday School Room in a Church. Who picks these training sites? Do they have to be free? Today's class was repetition of last Wednesday's class, but our Crew leader is much more organized so far -and funny. Of about 15 people scheduled for her crew only 9 showed up and said they were available. We did the fingerprinting at the end . It went well but took a while. Our crew consists of  Two real young males -I dont know if they have voted yet. A few young women.. Five Young senior Women, I think three are retired. The Crew Leader is about 49 and not currently working but was /is in Real Estate related businesses.

Did you know ?

"Historic Snapshot of the Nation

The official U.S. Census is described in Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States. It calls for an actual enumeration of the people every ten years, to be used for apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives among the states. The first official Census was conducted in 1790 under Thomas Jefferson, who was the Secretary of State. That census, taken by U.S. marshals on horseback, counted 3.9 million inhabitants. Since that time, the decennial Census has been conducted every ten years, generally on April 1 in years ending in a zero.

Besides providing the basis for congressional redistricting, Census data are used in many other ways. Since 1975, the Census Bureau has had responsibility to produce small-area population data needed to redraw state legislative and congressional districts. Other important uses of Census data include the distribution of funds for government programs such as Medicaid; planning the right locations for schools, roads, and other public facilities; helping real estate agents and potential residents learn about a neighborhood; and identifying trends over time that can help predict future needs. Most Census data are available for many levels of geography, including states, counties, cities and towns, ZIP codes, census tracts and blocks, and much more."




I am glad I took the job -it seems like a good crew and a HECK of an Adventure ! :)))))

Flight to Florida

I recently went down to Florida for a week to visit my parents in Ft. Myers -it was my Mother;s 80th birthday. I also was able to visit with a retired snowbird friend from Penn State U, in Sarasota. It was a busy but nice visit.

                                      

I flew in a Southwest airline plane. It was nice but they offer no seat assignments. However, for $10.00 extra dollars each way, you can board after the wheelchair people and Kids between 6 and 12, that fly without their grownups. They wear these badges around their necks and usually have heavy back packs that fit under the seat filled with snacks and things to do. They dont need the leg room, their legs are short. So I was in the A boarding (or sort of first) #26 of 30. The first people have room in the overhead for their carry on luggage and a choice of seating. EVERYONE has carry-on luggage -so if you dont board early -space is tight. In fact, the last people to board had to take any available seat and had no idea where their luggage was stored. But they saved $10.00. If I ever fly SW again / they allow two check in bags at no additional cost/ I will try the small carry on and board last and save myself $10.00 -welllll maybe.:))))

 I really lucked out -I like the aisle seat -so when I boarded about three rows were filled -except one with two kids. The aisle seat was free.I sat there and put my carry on above. Two ten year old girls -not related -were in the window and middle seats. They were delightful. Having just met each other , they included me in their adventure. Seasoned travelers they were in constant motion. One with enough energy to power the plan and non stop talking. The other was a bit younger and shy , but non the less delightful. We shared stories and pictures of our families and pets from our cell phones. They offered me snacks and stories of their lives. The more outgoing one informed us she was studying to be an actress -told us her full name and urged us to remember our meeting when she became famous. I shared my frog story with them . They were very quiet and then with deep regret told me that Walt Disney had already made the story. WHAT? I , being childless had no idea. They were quite curious, I had no children or pets? The shy girl also said that she writes and I should work on the length of my stories and make them longer! I am still smiling as I write this. Thank you GOD, these young American women were just delightful.

Having had such a wonderful experience on my flight down to FL. I was looking forward to the adventure home. Once again I boarded early. A15 this time. Behind me were two young girls flying together with no tags, A16 and A17 boarding order. On the Jet tube , I asked them if they wanted to go in front of me so they could sit together. Yes, they did take the window and middle seats , leaving the aisle for me. I admit it, I planned it. Once again I had wonderful seat mates. Cousins, ages 9 and 12. The 12 year old was in charge, Sorry, I think that is to young to be flying without the attendants looking out for them. They could not even see over the seats for the Oxygen demonstration. So little did I realize , as the adult on the seat row, I was responsible for helping them with their mask's , if need be, AFTER I put on mine. But, that was fine I was looking out for them already  I had another wonderful experience into the lives of two young women. Again, we shared pictures from our cell phones and family information.

Warning to parents of children flying alone. I am a nice person, but these children had no -I mean NO FILTERS; when it came to telling me personal family information. I shutter to think if a NOT nice person sat next to them -what would have happened? I dont know if it was me or my attitude or because I spent my life's work interviewing people and finding out information -that put these children at ease -but I could not believe the information I was getting. 

I dont know the solution but I am glad GOD put me in that aisle seat. I had a amazing flight experience and feel I helped protect the innocence of four young women -at least for a couple of hours. 

A Frog Story

 Yesterday at 10:53pm 

This was supposed to be a Homework assignment on 5 min. in your life that was significant. My mind was blank and It was a night the lent itself to scary stories so this is the story of a significant 5 minutes.


A Frog Story by R. L Simpson 03/20/20ten .


I was closing up the gym. Well I was locking up –everyone had gone at closing time –I locked the doors and decided to do my workout routine Legs and arms and stretches and cardio Though Lord knows I did enough cardio just cleaning the bathrooms. We moved from a small gym in a busy shopping center where we parked in front. To a new gym four times the size and 4 extra bathrooms and urinals –(urinals are just weird). Extra shower stalls with no privacy and lots and lots of gym equipment. It was a pain to clean.


Anyway we now park in the back by the entrance, hidden from the busy street in front. It is a big back parking lot, Storage Units on one side and little kids dance studio on the other side. Tall security lights on timers that echoed the hours the businesses were opened. Behind us was a swamp or ‘environmentally friendly drainage; and Frogs sung a very loud chorus every night. I loved their songs.


By the time I left the gym, it was so foggy I could not see my hands in front of me. Security Lights were off. In fact I did a Three Stooges Eye Poke and missed my one eye and hit the other eye, with the wrong finger. I winced and laughed. Mostly to hear noise because the frogs were quiet and it felt like what I would hope an enchanted evening would feel like. Magical. I couldn’t find my car so I pressed the lock on my keys and could hear the beep sound but could not see the lights. Great, I thought, this would be a fun drive home.


I literally bumped into the back of my car. The alarm sound had echoed off to my right, the car was to my left. I hand walked slowly, along the side of the car to my door, opened only the driver’s door and got in. I locked the doors and rolled up all the windows, before I started the car. As the engine started, I looked down at the odometer reading –it was 7777.7 . WOW how cool it that –LUCKY 7’s! maybe I will stop at the grocery store and buy a Lottery ticket because it is to far and foggy to go to Atlantic City tonight.




I backed the car out and drove slowly out of the lot. I should have realized something was wrong when I didn’t hear the first speed bump, but I was so excited about seeing all lucky 7’s . I never heard the second speed bump either and my car speed increased.


I must have done a little air over the end of the lot, because I realized I had gone the wrong way in the parking lot, as my all wheel drive SUV started to sink into the environmentally friendly deep drainage swamp..




OH man, I thought, How am I going to get myself out of this one. It was 2 hours after closing. I was not on the schedule to work for 2 weeks. I lived alone, no one would even start looking for me for days. Of all the times to forget my cell phone.


I looked up and there on the window of my closed Moon Roof is the biggest frog I have ever seen. He is not singing. He is however moving his mouth. “WOW , A talking frog”, I think to myself.
I still have engine power but the car is sinking fast, I open the moon roof.


The frog yells down. “R U Nuts? -Cars aren’t allowed in the swamp”. The frog has an Old English accent.


I yell back “I am dead, right?’


Frog says: “No Princess. but when you get the bill for this little wrong turn , your gonna wish you were.”


“What do I do?” Oh dear, I am asking a talking frog with an English accent what to do. And I started to cry. Now I NEVER cry –well mostly never and never in front of people> or ah> Frogs


" Ok Drama Queen –Is it my turn to talk now? My friends and I can help but it will cost you." says the Frog


"What?" said I.


Frog: (yelling louder) "IT WILL COST YOU"


The car has now sunk to the window tops. I should have tried to get out earlier. I need to close the moon roof or try to crawl out quick. The opening is small and I am large –but I have nothing to loose. I did have lucky 7’s.today, right? I unbuckle my seat belt and start to stand.


"You will never make it thru the swamp without my help" says the English frog.


"Ok so help me". (Am I still talking to a frog? Did I hit my head?)


"The cost for help will be a kiss." the Frog drools " Do you accept?"


"What?" I said stalling for divine intervention.


"It will cost you A Kiss". he repeats with smirkie frogness


"Oh ok" I say with defeat," but no tongue."


He drawls himself up; indignant and says:" I am an English Frog NOT a French Frog."


I Grimaced and stuck my head out the moon roof.
He LIED !
The Frog planted one sloppy tongue french Kiss on me.
Jeeze, My arms and legs and pocketbook were still in the car.


Apparently English frogs like tongue kisses like most Males.


POOF !


Well to make a long story short. : All frogs can talk if they want to, Frogs don’t have lucky numbers and some males have magical tongues,


AND


I hopped right out of that car and joined in the chorus.


I just love frog songs.

Wanda's Husband

I belong to a Creative Writing Group -this was a recent story of growing old /the assignment was to write a story for AARP or an ageing population ;but it turned out a little depressing ........I never know until the end where a story will go:

He went into the hospital complaining of his toes. They hurt. They were turning black. The Doctors ordered a test. Results showed a funny blockage in his groin. It was causing the blood to flow somewhere other than his toes. So they operated. Guess what?  The old man was really hurting and this did the trick –pink piggy toes. Everyone was Happy, especially his 85 year old wife. His long suffering wife to this brilliant, devout Episcopalian, cruel alcoholic, mentally abusive misogynist.

But in his good days –ah those good days –he was deserving of God’s Grace and Wanda’s love.

Two weeks later he is taken back to the hospital in pain. They do another procedure thru the femoral artery to see if another blockage has occurred or can they widen his 85 year old veins to help the blood flow. Nothing was accomplished. They sent him home.  Unfortunately, he was hallucinating and it wasn’t the confusion of the anesthesia. It was a weird reaction to the pain medicine. His 85 year old wife was not able to talk with the Doctor since he was released to his #2 son. Getting him into the house he collapsed on the #2 son and cut his finger. #3 son finally arrives. Together get him into the house. It was chaos and bloody.

In the middle of the night he is awake on the phone with a telephone supervisor trying to get her to tell him where these people are holding him, he doesn’t know his bride and calls her the ‘face’. She calls the #2 son in the middle of the night and he drives the 20 min. back to their house. He talks sweet to him and gets some calm response. But the ‘face’ can no longer be within his sight. #3 son takes the next shift and reads out loud from a condensed story. The old man dozes. They have to watch him –two days and he is still hallucinating. They get him to use the urinal. He puts in his finger and pees on the floor. The old woman will have to clean it up but maybe she can finally get rid of the rug in that room. She laughs.

The discharge, follow up nurse calls from the hospital to see how he is doing. The old woman tells her and the nurse says; oh he must be having a reaction you should have brought him back. The old woman screams inside her head –Why did you send him home so soon?. The nurse continues to talk; this doesn’t happen with same day procedures. The old woman is tired. Her sons have heard the verbal abuse he has heaped on her for years and are in denial, blaming the vitriol tirade on the medicine. #1 son calls and the old Lady asked him to take turns with his brothers.

On a long distance phone call to the daughter of her heart, the old Lady says she is grateful to her sons The old man actually was able to use the walker to get to the bathroom –but his grown grandchildren, trying to help, got marching orders to leave him alone. I wonder if they are even thinking of leaving her alone with the old man. I worry. I tell her to make sure she sleeps with a knife under her pillow and call 911 if she needs help. He is still so strong and violent when he is not in control of himself and the world. She says she knows he hates her and maybe never EVER Loved her. I tell her NO –he did Love you –but he is tripping and sick.

I wonder how this will all end.

 So many grandchildren and great grandchildren the three sons have given the family. Does anyone just hold her? Is this what a lifetime of love mixed with abuse looks like? She cant remember the good times anymore. She just want to take her Prozac and tune him out. I want to rescue her , but she will not leave him. For better or worse ; In sickness or in Health. 

Their generation really take those words to heart.

Because in his good days –ah his good days –He is deserving of Wanda’s Grace and God’s Love.......... and .......I guess, mine too.