We'll be gone on Saturday...

We're heading up near Round Top, Texas on Saturday. It's time once again for the Round Top Antique Show, but I don't go to that one. I prefer to traipse through the free ones held in the surrounding area in empty cow pastures. Lots of good junk. Way too much to see in one day. I would have gone up for a day earlier this week, but my eyes no longer cooperate and I just can't drive on the freeways in the dark anymore. In order to have a full day I'd have to either leave in the dark or come home in the dark. So, my husband will drive tomorrow while it's dark and I'll take over when it's light enough for me to see (that way they'll be no arguments about where to stop...I'll be making the decisions). :)

We usually take I-10 out of Houston and get off at Sealy so we can stop at the bakery in Bellville, Texas. The only bakeries we have near us here are in the grocery stores, so stopping in Bellville is a must for us. Besides, by Bellville we need a pit stop. Then we head towards Shelby and make a couple of stops there and then over to SH 237. I've got all my favorite stops marked on the map.

I try and go dehydrated since I hate those Port-a-Potties. If we're lucky we'll find a place for lunch that has restrooms...primitive as they may be.

Anyway, for me it's always a fun trip down memory lane even if I don't buy much. And I'll probably be very selective since I've been on a mission lately to declutter this house. Wish me luck!

Pictures to follow in the next few days.

SEE WHY I WORRY?

Do you think I should worry? Yesterday, I read my E-mail and then tried to shut down AOL by pointing the TV remote control at the monitor and clicking. After three or four clicks I regained my sanity and put down the remote. I went back to doing it the old fashion way with the mouse. I hope someone will leave a comment saying they do this all the time.





I've been busy the last couple of weeks. My Dad's brother, sister, and nephew came for a visit. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling well while they were here and had to stay away most of the time so no one else would get sick. My Dad lives nearby in assisted living with round the clock aides. Unfortunately, his Alzheimer's is getting worse and at times he doesn't know us. It's very sad and depressing. My Dad was a very smart man who loved politics and the Chicago White Sox. I showed him a picture of the President wearing a Chicago White Sox cap. A year or so ago he would have been thrilled beyond belief. Now I get no reaction. I miss the conversations we used to have, but speaking is very difficult for him now.





Here's a picture taken last week.

My dad is seated at the table and his brother is next to him. In the second row is Cindy (my cousin's friend), my dad's sister and me. My cousin is in the back. My Dad is 90, his brother is 87 and his sister is 84. My Dad is actually smiling in this picture. He used to smile all the time, but now he usually has a blank look on his face. It's good to see him smiling.

HAPPY SPRING!

I thought I'd share this picture with you today. I took it a couple of weeks ago on one of my walks around town. It kind of says, "Happy Spring!"

OH DEAR...

Oh dear, I feel bad that I didn't visit but a few blogs last Saturday on Pink Saturday. I do enjoy the opportunity to see all the pretty pink things and visit some new blogs, but I haven't felt well since the weekend. I'll have to skip Pink Saturday this week, but I'll be back next week.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER PINK SATURDAY!

Gosh...it's been a busy week. My Dad's brother and sister came in on Wednesday to visit. Dad is 90 and has Alzheimer's, but his face lit up when he saw them. They're 84 and 87, so it's really nice that the three siblings can get together.

I had to quickly come up with something for this week's Pink Saturday and decided to share this little bear with you that I bought at Tuesday Morning a month or so ago. I thought she was sweet in her pink hat and glasses and I liked what was written on the pink heart she was holding. I just had to buy her and bring her home.

And then as I was looking around the house for something else to share I spotted this gourd. I used to weave baskets and during a basket swap I was given this gourd. The top of the gourd is decorated with some cording that is sewn on. Yes, I know it's not a basket, but some basket weavers also enjoying decorating gourds. I was thrilled to receive it since I didn't work with gourds myself. She painted magnolias on the sides and they have a pink tint. I wish I could remember the lady's name, but I've long since forgotten. I wish I could tell her how much I've enjoyed her work over the years.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Pink Saturday!

A PINK RECIPE FOR PINK SATURDAY

I thought I'd post a pink recipe for today's Pink Saturday.

While living in Virginia Beach, Virginia in the 1970's my friend, Elaine Monn gave me this recipe for Congealed Salad. I've always used raspberry Jello and my family has always called this Pink Salad. We love this stuff! When my kids were little I omitted the nuts because they didn't care for them, but now I use chopped pecans all the time. I also use sugar free Jello and fat free Cool Whip.

I've been watching too many cooking shows on TV lately and garnished the Pink Salad with strawberries and blueberries for the picture. (My family won't recognize it.)

It's actually much pinker than it appears in this photo. I used my trusty old Tupperware mold that I've had since the 1970's. This makes quite a bit, so the overflow is in a small bowl.

Congealed Salad (Our family calls it Pink Salad)

1 small can crushed pineapple
1 6 oz. Jello (any flavor…I like raspberry)
1 12 oz. Carton Cool Whip
2 c. buttermilk
½ - 1 cup chopped nuts

Combine undrained pineapple and Jello in small saucepan. Heat until Jello dissolves. Mix Cool Whip and buttermilk; add nuts. Stir in gelatin mixture, mixing thoroughly. Put in mold or long rectangular pan. Let set for 4 hours. (I do it overnight.) I find it helpful to spray the mold lightly with Pam…it comes out of the mold a lot easier. Serves: 12.

I always use a wire whip for mixing the ingredients together.

I hope you'll enjoy Pink Salad as much as we do!

If you'd like more information on Beverly's Pink Saturday just head over to her blog to see a list of this week's participants and information on joining in the fun. Just click on the Pink Saturday logo on my sidebar. Thank you Beverly for organizing this event each week.

Have a Happy Pink Saturday!

IT'S TIME

It's hard to believe, but my friend Annette has been gone six years today. I first met Annette in 1991 when I began walking at the mall early in the morning. She was also a new walker and we quickly became friends. We joined in with a group of other mall walkers that met daily in the food court for coffee and conversation after walking.

Another one of the walkers we met was Jean. Annette and I lived in the same town and Jean lived close by in the next town. Jean mostly walked outside, but about once or twice a week she'd come to the mall. I would occasionally walk outside in the afternoon at a local park with Jean. Soon Annette, Jean, and I started meeting for coffee or frozen yogurt about one afternoon a week. We'd have a good time solving all the world's problems and exchanging stories about our husbands and kids.

Sadly, in a really bizarre coincidence my two friends were both diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as ALS) within a few weeks of each other. Both had started exhibiting problems with walking and muscle weakness. I think most people probably go their entire lives and never know anyone with this horrible disease. It is relatively rare and there is no treatment or cure. In fact, they still don't even know what causes it. A diagnosis of ALS is a death sentence.

ALS is a cruel disease. Muscles become weaker and walking becomes extremely difficult. Eventually a wheel chair becomes a necessity. Swallowing becomes difficult and after a while eating is almost impossible. Drooling is a problem too. Many lose the ability to speak. You wouldn't wish this disease on your worst enemy.

The last time Annette, Jean, and I met for coffee we went to a new Starbucks that had just opened. At that time Annette was using a walker and Jean had a leg brace. I believe that might have been one of the last times Jean drove. I helped them both into the store and then went up and ordered their drinks and brought them to the table. I was the waitress that day since my friends could no longer easily get up.

To this day I have trouble going into that particular Starbucks. I've done it a few times over the years, but I've had trouble every time. I order my drink and then leave as quickly as possible before I make a fool of myself by bursting into tears.

I think it's time I focused on the good times we had together. All the times we shared stories and laughed. I need to focus on all the good years my friends had and not the time after their ALS diagnosis. After all, there were many, many good years.

This week I'm going to pay a visit to that Starbucks. I'm going to remember my friends and smile. It's time.

Annette

Jean