Eucerin Aquaphor

When I went to the drugstore (Walgreens) the other day for Visine, I also ended up buying "Aquaphor" healing ointment to use on the rash on my face. This rash appears on either side of my nose and on my chin whenever I'm under stress and, believe me, I'm under stress these days. I don't normally use face makeup but the rash was so red that it was embarrassing me and I'd used an old makeup to cover it up. Thinking I should at least buy a fresh new makeup, I stood in front of the cosmetics wondering just which one I should buy.

Along came a very nice and helpful saleslady who offered to help me and, when I told her why I wanted the makeup, she led me to Eucerin "Aquaphor" healing ointment. We both knew I shouldn't cover irritated skin with makeup but I'd tried lots of different creams with not good results. She didn't sound like someone who is just trying to sell a product but someone who really cared about my problem and was doing her best to get me the best product for the job. In any case, I took her advice and bought it.

Honest to heavens, soon after the first application I saw a reduction in the reddening. By the following night, both the reddening and the rough skin was almost gone. "Aquaphor" looks like Vaseline and the ingredients say that it is 41% Petroleum but not what the other 59% is. I've been using Valseline with some success but nothing like what I got with the "Aquaphor".

If the saleslady hadn't recommended it, I never would have thought to buy it but I'm so glad I did. These recurring rashes are terribly bothersome to me and the prescription ointment I accidently left at home doesn't work near as well as the "Aquaphor".

I don't know why it works so well or what the 59% ingredient is but I don't care. It works for me.

Anybody Got A Gun?

Well, on top of all my bloody problems, now I've got "pink eye". This is the first year I've come to Florida without having 100% health coverage (this year I have $1000 deductible) and it cost me $120 to see a doctor this morning.

I noticed yesterday that the whites of my eyes were terribly bloodshot so I paid $7 to buy Visine. This morning they were still awfully red so I hiked myself over to a clinic, not daring to wait until after the new year, and saw a very nice doctor who gave me a prescription and told me I needed to lose weight. He could have omitted the last part because it has nothing to do with my eyes, damn it.

Off I went to Walmart to fill the prescription and was delighted and amazed to find it only cost me a total of $4. What kind of antibiotic costs $4?? Did the pharmacist think I was a welfare patient? I know I look like a rummy with these red eyes but gosh darn!

I'm staying away from my buddies for the rest of the weekend because "pink eye" can be contageous. Barb braved the germs and did come over to my place for a coffee but I kept my distance.

Now for some interesting news. Joann bought a shabby lazy susan a few years ago for us to use when we play cards. Sometimes there are so many of us we have to use the big round table and most of us can't reach into the middle. Therefore, we put the cards on the lazy susan and move it around from player to player. Last night someone noticed a distinct image of Jesus on the tray. It's in imitation woodgrain but unbelievably real so I bugged Joann to let me put it on Ebay. If someone will pay good money to buy a potato chip with the image of Jesus, our lazy susan might be a big hit. Anyway, we will gain a week of fun out of this even if it never sells. Take fun wherever you find it!

Now, this potentially contageous woman is going to stay home for a few days and play on the computer.

Seahorse Fountain

This is the cute fountain that Shelley and John got me for Christmas. There was no trouble putting it together and getting it working, either. A seahorse is perfect for my Florida patio!

Also notice the gorgeous flowers growing right next to it! I love Florida...in the winter.

Weeki Wachee

Shelley and I went to Walmart and, since I finished my shopping first, I sat on the bench by the checkout to wait for her. Before I sat down I noticed an elderly lady sitting there with a wild acting younger man sitting next to her but I sat down anyway. I knew he was on some sort of drugs because he couldn't keep his arms and legs still...they were in constant motion as he leaned close to the lady and told her the same story over and over and over again. I was a little worried for her so I paid close attention, occasionally thinking that maybe I should call for security.

It was apparent that the man was a stranger to her as he explained what a great time he'd had at a girlfriend's house the day before in Weeki Wachee. Unfortunately for him, she had a boyfriend that showed up, too. The guy would ask the old lady if she'd ever heard of Weeki Wachee and she replied no a few times but, after the third or fourth telling of his story, she started to reply that she had heard of it. She might have been senile or she might have been polite.

I'll bet he told her the same story 50 times while I sat there eavesdropping, all the while flailing his arms and legs uncontrollably. He also told her that he liked to come to Walmart so that he could help people. Oh, oh! Then I was worried that he might attach himself to her when she left the store but she had said that she was waiting for her husband so maybe her husband would be more wary of this character.

Shelley finally showed up and we left but I still felt there was something I should have done for that lady. Maybe I was just sticking my nose in where it wasn't wanted but I was worried for her safety. Anyway, I walked away and did nothing.

I told Shelley that she never had to worry about me in a situation like that because I'm naturally suspicious and careful of people I don't know. The elderly are often easy targets because most of us can be too trusting, enjoying the "kindness" of strangers without question. You can't do that in this world.

Anyway, little old lady from Walmart, I hope your husband showed up and sent that druggie packing.

Christmas With Shelley & Hers

This is an especially lovely Christmas for me this year because I'm spending it at Shelley's house. Lisette and Nicole are home from school and Jake and John are here, of course. It warms myt heart to see the interaction between these people...they are the closest of families, having learned from their families on both sides. Family is of utmost importance to all of us.

I brought my Swedish weaving, Tyson's afghan, to work on when I have time. This sweet family likes to sleep in late and I'm an early riser who doesn't like to disturb them with the T.V. so weaving is necessary. Tyson's afghan is starting to shape up and I really do like the effect of the rather gaudy colors of his favorite football team, the Minnesota Vikings. Purple, gold, and white look happy together!

The temperature is in the 80's but the house is filled with Xmas spirit. Shelley and the kids did some baking this afternoon so the house also smells really nice, too. They've already decorated the inside and outside of the house with lights so the warm weather can't stop us from enjoying one of the loveliest and joyful of seasons. Who needs snow??

I taught Jake to play "65" yesterday and he seemed to actually like it once we got started. I think he only played at first out of courtesy for his Gramma. I actually was the only one to screw up by passing him 2 wild cards by mistake. I also brought them a "Rummicubes" game which I believe they'll love once they learn how to play it. It requires a degree of intelligence whereas "65" is mainly luck and memory.

John bought a Xmas jig-saw puzzle to be put out tomorrow. Shelley wants to keep up with her father's traditions of always having a jig-saw puzzle to work on every Xmas day. I remember how none of my grandsons were interested in helping until the year I bought a puzzle consisting of nothing but women's butts in thongs. All of a sudden you couldn't pry them away from it. Wonder why? Anyway, having family traditions make for good memories, no matter what they are.

I love this house. Not only is it beautiful but the family who lives here fills it with love that makes me feel so darned lucky to be here. The only thing more that I could wish for would be for my whole family to be here. I really hate being away from Nolan and Nash because I know they'll be the life of Xmas back home. I sure hope someone posts a lot of pictures!!

Oh well, this will still be a dream Xmas for me and one I'll always remember...what I don't understand is how the heck I managed to change the printing style!!!! Hope it's not permanent because this is Shelley's computer. Sigh!

Toes & Hair Done

Sylvia and I went out to get our toes done yesterday but I convinced her to wait for me while I had my haircut first. She's such a good soul and so easy to get along with...the best kind of friend. I got the haircut pretty fast and am sort of happy with it but it's a little shorter than I'd prefer. I seem to have that problem with haircuts most of the time.

Then we went for our pedicures and luxuriated in the treatment, feeling very privileged to be able to do this. My pedicurist was a young man who did a very nice job and I commented that when he was married his wife would be a very lucky woman. It got me thinking about how easy it is to please a woman. Just have a job and bring home your pay, smile a lot and agree with her, and give her the occasional backrub or pedicure. We women don't ask for much, really. I could add a few more things to that list but every woman is different and it's up to the man to discover her likes and dislikes. I'm joking, of course, but there is a grain of truth in my words!

I decided to stay away from my friends one more night because I still have a tiny bit of the cold and it would be nasty to pass on any germs. There is so little worth watching on T.V. but I vegetated in front of it for the evening anyway.

Today I have to go out and get the 2 important things I forgot to get yesterday...gas and Tylenol PM. Then it's Bingo with friends tonight.

Christmas Bouquet

This is the beautiful Christmas bouquet that Kim, Cindy, and Don sent me. I was so pleased to see that they remembered how much I love carnations, too. This will make me happy every time I look at it! Thank you, my darlin's!

New Movies Losing Money

I heard on the news this morning about how much money some of the new, highly hyped movies are losing due to uninterested patrons. Barb and I watched (me for the umpteenth time) "The Wizard of Oz" yesterday and were completely enthralled once more in the beauty of the old movie made, I think, in 1939. So, why haven't today's movie makers learned to make movies like that?

It seems as though modern movies are geared to titillate by providing more and more sex and mayhem because it's so easy for them. Throw in 2 or 3 people engaged in loveless sex and then have one of them hack the others to pieces and the movie is done. No expertise in making a good movie needed...stupid people will pay big bucks to see it, then go home and forget about it because the appeal was short-lived.

I just bought a new, larger T.V. for the trailer so we got to watch "The Wizard of Oz" in all it's glory. I mentally dissect any movie I watch and did so with this one again. But the bountiful color and fascinating story line faithfully amazed me once again, making me admire all who had a part in making this beautiful movie. I'll watch it many more times, I'm sure, and enjoy it every time. I'm looking forward to watching it with Nolan and Nash and seeing it through their sweet, young eyes. It was a timeless movie, made for young and old, and it will be around when porn is long forgotten.

My New T.V.

I know I've been saying how much I hate having to do so much for myself since Dennis passed away but, when I do accomplish something new, it makes me feel awfully good about myself. Today, I purchased a new T.V. for the trailer (26"), removed the old one (19") which was very heavy and installed the new one. This may sound like idiot's work but I've never done this before and wasn't sure exactly how to do it. It was simple but I'm most proud of myself for even attempting it. I still hate having to deal with everything by myself, though.

Teaching Them How To Wash

I'm still steaming from the latest excuse for a pedophile to be naked in the shower with a child....teaching them how to wash themselves!!! I think back to when I was teaching my own children and grandchildren how to bathe and it never involved me touching them. I pointed things out that needed doing. How can anyone believe that Sandusky was only naked in the shower with a 10 year old boy so that he could teach him how to wash himself? If this creature goes free because a juror buys his lies, he'll continue to molest children. How do people like this live with themselves?

I also have a hard time understanding how a lawyer can defend him. How can anyone try to convince a jury to set this pedophile free to continue abusing children? It's a mystery to me how and why Sandusky has been allowed to do this for so many years without someone...his wife, for one...stopping him. Maybe crimes like this will become rare now that the victims feel freer about confronting and charging pedophiles for the abuse they suffered. We can only hope.

Good News on the "Lip"

Even though the lip has been gradually healing, it's been sort of a slow process. For the last while, the scab would come off leaving a reasonable facsimile of a normal lip underneath but it just didn't quite look or feel right. By the next day it would be covered once again by a thinner scab or scaling. But today, for the first time, the scab or scaling didn't return to a large section of my lip and it feels wonderful. I'm assuming, maybe prematurely, that the rest of the lip will follow suit in short order.

It's been 64 days since the last radiation treatment so much longet than I'd been led to believe before the scabbing would be gone but right now I don't care. My lip is beginning to feel normal for the first time since more than 2 years ago when the first tiny sore appeared. It was then I should have told the dermatologist to treat it but I chose to ignore it and the end result was skin cancer that required serious treatment.

In any case, all that I went through with the treatments was worth it in the long run. I suppose I knew this during and after treatments but it's nice to see the beginning of the end after all this time. When I look back on photos when my lip was at it's worst, I can't believe I held myself together mentally without cracking up. It wasn't easy but it wasn't a disaster. Maybe it even made me a stronger person being able to deal with the whole damn thing.

I guess it's true that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Cell Phones & Driving

I'm a long time hater of using the telephone so there was no way I'd become tied to a cell phone. I did recently buy one but that was because of problems with my car and I might need a phone to call for help if it broke down.

It used to be that, if you saw a car weaving from the center line to the shoulder of the road, you could honestly assume the driver was drunk but not these days. At least I hope not because I see a lot of this kind of erratic driving every single time I'm on the road. No, the culprit now is the dreaded cell phone. People just don't seem to realize or care that they can't concentrate on their driving while carrying on a conversation on their phone. I even notice that my concentration isn't as good if I'm talking to a passenger.

The other day I was driving down the highway behind a car that continually rolled onto the shoulder before over-correcting and then driving over the center line. I don't pass these drivers without taking caution to make sure they aren't hitting that center line the same time as I pass them so I had enough time to notice a baby car seat in their car. Was there actually a baby in there while it's mother thought more of her telephone call than the safety of her child? It was a young woman driver so it well could have been.

Drivers who talk on their cell phones are self-centered individuals who really have no concern for the dangers they put other drivers in. It's been a proven fact that talking on cell phones while driving has caused many accidents that resulted in death of the driver or innocent people. So why do people continue this dangerous habit? Inconsideration is the only answer.

I've seen women curling their hair while driving. I've seen men reading a map while driving. I know of a person who will remain unnamed who put in her contacts while driving. People have told me they saw men using their computer while driving. What is wrong with these people?

I just hope some of them will see the light and mend their ways. If they do, the roads will be safer for all of us.

Shelley, RN,BSN

I hope I did that right. Shelley graduated last night with a Batchelor of Science in Nursing degree to go along with her Registered Nurse degree. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude (3.9 average), Nursing Honors, and Nursing Home Society Candidate. I know she's very proud of her accomplishments and so are we, her family and friends. Shelley worked awfully darned hard to achieve what she did.

Along to watch the ceremony was husband, John, daughters Lisette and Nicole, son Jake, friends Rachelle and Janice, brother-in-law George, and sister-in-law Rosie. We sat in awe and respect for the 200 graduates who were receiving various medical degrees, knowing that it hadn't come easy for any of them. They were all to be admired for their dedication to advancing their knowledge which would benefit every patient who passed their way in the future. Many, like Shelley, plan to further their aspirations by returning for even higher degrees. There was a lot to admire last night.

It was a magical evening and I knew that somewhere Shelley's father was taking note and feeling pride in his daughter. I could almost see his smile.

Growing

It used to be that we only had a few friends at our card table before the new year but this year we've filled it almost to beyond capacity. I really do love this because it shows over and over how well we all get along and enjoy each other's company. I am a little sad that in the new year more of our friends will arrive and that will mean we will have to use separate tables for our games. I hate to lose any of my buddies even to a table right next to mine because I have so much fun with them. When you hear laughter coming from another card table, you feel as though you're missing out on some of the fun.

Spending my winters in Florida has completely changed my life for the better. It isn't just escaping the cold Canadian winter climate but it's given me the opportunity to meet so many nice people. Most of the people come to this park for the same reasons. They just aren't ready to hibernate in the cold and want to take advantage of living in a close community with neighbors who are in similar circumstances. There are a lot of activities available to us that usually aren't at home and we don't have to shovel snow to get to them. No-one here, even singles, have to sit at home alone every day and night because there is group activity every night and most days. You only have to choose which one to participate in.

Growing up I always had close female friends and just took for granted that this would continue forever but my adult years were different. My husband frowned on me having any relationships outside the family so I sort of drifted away from friends of my own. In my senior years I began to balk at being isolated and became good friends with Faye and Mary who are like sisters to me today. Then, coming to this park for the winter where friendships thrive like Florida sunshine, I made many new friendships that I treasure. I honestly don't think I've ever laughed as much in my life as I have since coming here. We're a happy bunch of people, living a darned good life in our golden years.

I do miss my family back home but Shelley lives in Tampa now so I'll get to see her often during the winter. And when I head back home in April, it will be with a happy heart to see the people I love there. I know my winters in Florida are numbered because of age and funds so each one I have is a bonus. Looking ahead to the time when I can't come here anymore, I've already decided that I'll get deeply involved with the senior center. I'm going to enjoy every moment that I can while I can. I think that's a healthy attitude.

Aloe

For most of my adult years, whenever I was upset, my face would break out in rashes on various locations. Lately, not only have I been plagued with this darned scab on my lip but my face broke out pretty severely, too. I do have a prescription cream from the dermatologist that I use when this happens but it's back home so I was at a loss as to what to do about the rashes. Then I remembered that the juices inside the leaves of the aloe plant is supposed to work miracles on skin conditions and even sores. I happen to have aloe plants growing wild outside my trailer.

I went out and cut off one leaf and brought it in the house, placed it in a baggie to keep in the fridge. First I cut off a small piece and peeled the outer layer back to expose the sort of slimy innards, this is what I applied to the areas that were reddened by rashes...they really looked awful, by the way. Immediately, I noticed the redness fading away and by morning the rashes were almost completely cleared up. I had no idea that aloe was this powerful but I plan on using it all winter and even bringing home one of the baby plants that spring out beside the mother plant.

Isn't nature fascinating?

Winter in Florida

This has got to be the cutest flower planter that I've ever had. I got it at a yard sale for $1 and knew I'd love it forever. The Christmas cactus that I've set inside it is another story. It cost $5 and seems awfully darned small for that price. Whatever, the planter makes me smile every time I look at it!

Speak Up

Evil flourishes in secrecy. It is up to all of us to speak up when we've been victimized, whether it be by a powerful individual or a corrupt corporation.

When it was brought to light that Sandusky was sexually abusing young boys under his control, I knew that these episodes weren't restricted to just recent years. Pedophiles are not born that way but they do start experimenting when they are quite young. Most marry and even have children but once they've crossed that invisible line between normal and deviant sexual interest they rarely stop offending.

I very much admire the young men who have stepped forward into the glaring spotlight to tell how he abused them. It can't be easy for them and I'm sure their reasons for exposing Sandusky is to save any children in the future from going through what they did. They are very brave and strong individuals.

How many young lives wouldn't have been messed up by this evil man if people who knew what he was doing had stopped him years ago. I'm not referring to the victims but to the bystanders who turned a blind eye to his horrible behaviour. This is a good example of why we need to speak out against what we know is wrong, regardless of the possibility of being attacked for speaking out ourselves.

Why Penn State University officials didn't put a stop to this years ago can be interpreted as their unwillingness to alienate a man who was useful to them and their school. If so, none of those knowledgable officials should be able to look at their own children and grandchildren without shame ever again.

I, for one, would rip the heart out of any person who sexually abused my babies. Creatures like Sandusky who prey on young children have no right to be part of our society and it's way past time that we jail abusers for the rest of their lives.

From Slavery to the Good Life

There is a T.V. ad for a website to trace your ancestry and the spokesman claims he found his ancestor who had been a slave who became a businessman before he died. Now, whether or not this spokesman is telling the truth or just acting out a part, the fact is that many slaves did prosper during their lifetimes.

If I was the great granddaughter of someone who had doggedly dragged themselves up from slavery to prosperity, I would be so darned proud of them. And, if I had the misfortune to be enslaved, I would be so proud of any of my progeny who prospered.

Slavery has always been a shameful part of our history because it completely goes against the concept of how human beings should behave. The fact that it has remained shameful tells us just how unacceptable it was to the vast majority of the people. And I'm referring to the white population! If the white population as a whole had agreed with enslaving blacks, it would still be occurring. It was by far the intervention of decent white people that black slaves were freed and allowed to rise or fall by their own hand.

I can't help but admire the tenacity of the freed slaves who did go on to educate themselves and live better lives. They elevated their own status and then provided for their children and grandchildren with the fruits of their labor. They, and the white population which stood behind them, offered a better life for their offspring than they probably would have had in Africa. Many fell by the wayside and continued to lead downtrodden lives but many took advantage of what was offered and went on to be successful in whatever they chose.

When I think of what the strongest impetus was for either failing or succeeding, it had to be pride. Without pride, you can't believe in yourself and those slaves who did succeed are living proof that it doesn't matter what you came from, if your have pride in yourself, you will succeed in life.

Succeeding doesn't mean gaining riches, it means gaining satisfaction with the way your life is turning out. It means being happy and content with your status quo.

I'm thinking right now of the children who committed suicide because bullies beat down their self esteem and made them lose pride and confidence in themselves. If only someone had been able to instill confidence in those poor souls, no bully could have affected them. We need to remind our children that the bullies are really the weak and pitiful ones because they can only feel good about themselves if they make someone else miserable.

Pride is a catalyst to success, whether in business or lifestyle. Pride means that you will never give up making a good life for yourself. Pride gives you strength to persevere.

So be proud of yourself! And, to the bullies, if you had any pride in yourselves you wouldn't be bullying.

Murderers

There are some wicked stories in the news these days about people who take it upon themselves to end the lives of another person or persons. Something inside the minds of these people allows them to viciously murder someone because that person angered them in some way.

Wives who decide they don't want to be married anymore have lost their lives because of husbands who believe they have the right to kill them. Mothers who decide they don't want the burden of raising their child believe they have the right to murder the child. Where do these people get off thinking they have the right to murder someone who offends them or disrupts their lives?

I understand that we all justify any and every decision we make, whether it be for the good or not, but how do these husbands and mothers justify playing god and deciding who will live and who will die? What is even more frightening is that some murderers carry on with their own lives as though they have done nothing wrong. It's as though they are capable of leaving the past in the past and don't let any sins or crimes they've committed interfere with their future. Are they all so selfish that they can fool themselves this easily?

I saw on a T.V. interview how some high school students bullied a young girl so badly that she couldn't cope and ended up committing suicide. One of the bullies whined to her interviewers how hard it was for her to be judged badly by other students now. She just wished all could be forgiven and forgotten so she could go on her merry way without any consequences for her actions. How can she be so blind?

There's also much in the news about pedophiles in high ranking positions taking sexual advantage of children under their control. I can only imagine that they view themselves as more important than anyone else and their pleasures more important than the ruination of the children they prey on. Again, what is worse than a sick pedophile is how many so-called "normal" people know that the abuse is occurring but choose to ignore it and allow it to go on for years. Not only the pedophile needs to be imprisoned but also anyone who aided and abetted the abuse.

I'm at the point right now where I'm so sick of the ugliness I see on the news that maybe I should stop watching for a while.

Cold in Florida

The great cold north sent down some darned cold winds yesterday that made our southern temperatures plummet. I had to put the furnace on last night, for heaven's sake. Of course, this sort of up and down weather will go on until March so it's no surprise and we'll be up in the 80's by Monday. I'm just happy that the sky is clear and blue and I'm still able to wear my capris. My cold toes made me give up sandals until tomorrow, though. I couldn't stand the humid Florida heat in the summer but whatever we get here during the winter is lovely.

We had a small group this morning for Swedish weaving but I couldn't start mine...I'd thought I had a piece of white fabric here for Tyson's afghan but it's beige and won't do. Barb and I went shopping and I bought 2 pieces, one white for Tyson and one a strong sage for someone else some day. Tyson's will be done this winter.

Then Barb and I went for lunch. It seems that no-one leaves the park for any reason that doesn't end in a restaurant. The Swedish weaving ladies suggested we make a field trip to a fabric store in another town and my first thought was, "And we can have lunch there.". Everyone agreed.

By the way, my car ran beautifully smooth the whole trip until I stupidly mentioned that fact to Barb on the way home. Within a few seconds it gave a sputter. Just one, though. It doesn't pay to tempt the fates.

Tonight a gang of us are playing cards at the clubhouse and you can bet we'll have a good time.