VEGAS BOUND 2023

 

We visited Las Vegas in 2019. My father, Hubby and I had planned to trip. Plane Tickets and lodging was all set for a 2019 Christmas Vacation. Then my father had a fatal stroke and passed away in September 2019. We decided to go anyway without Dad. It was very hard and I was so upset that the enjoyment was tainted. Walking around in a daze most of the time.  However we did have some enjoyment looking at a the decorations. As well as eating at some of the off the beat track places.

This year we are planning to rent a car and do some traveling to other sites and enjoy the holiday fare off the strip. Hubby is still having some difficult walking. Driving to places is a better choice. Will still visit some of the hotels for a look at their Holiday displays. 

I will post some activities we do on my Auntie E's on the Go Site. Hop over there to get notify when those post.

Here Again. New Beginnings

 New Beginnings  what can I say?  Yeah it has been a while since I posted here. Life has been rough and  sometimes challenging. To start off with, all the family issues. Then there was the House Woes. Covid on top of that. Just trying to stay on top of small business matters has been a struggle. I have lost many followers since 2020. So the need to post has been not a priority.

 First things Family issues.. Since death is a big thing now that we are in own golden years  we had had many.  Dealing with deaths can be stressful. Each person handle it differently. My Family tends to want someone to blame or can not handle seeing folks who reminds them of the lost one.   What ever their reasons are they remove themself from us. Which in turns changes the family bond. I thought is would get better as time goes by...... It did not.. Now it is only the two of us and an Ex Sister In Law family that we have become close to.  She has been there for me during my Husbands many surgeries and for holidays. I am very thankful for that friendship.

It seems like of friends after COVID isolation period, have become afraid to come back out. Fear is a  crippling  thing. We have been  going out ever since the COVID lift. Working at fairgrounds, vacationing and traveling when we can. 

 We have been updating are house. New Bathrooms, Floors and paints the outside. and doing some landscaping. We have had some damages de to some storms and mother natures events. Repair Roof and yards. Taking care of the might trees so that the will survive  Her Waft this winter.

 Hubby has had to have  a Total Hip replacement, Kidney function surgeries, test for other medical issues. Plus he is  going to have the other Hip replaced soon. Walking has been very hard on him. Of course that limits the traveling we can do. Even though he want to go badly. I had some eye issues. Doing better now.

 Many folks have now moved to TICKTOCK platform.. I am not there yet. Not sure I ever will be since there is some  issues with the info safety of it. So for now I will follow the progress with it. All this AI new issues is another platform I will be playing close attention to. I use AI a lot  and have for many years.

Well that s my update for now. Promise I will write more often and post.

Family Life after Death of Love Ones.

 

 

I have not posted in a long time. My life has been in turmoil. First off My Mother die some years ago, changing my life forever. Then my Brother died, which change the dynamics of the family.  My Father died in 2019. This was the most difficult time for me. After his death I lost another Brother not in death but as to his decision not to being there for me. Unfortunately he also convinced some family member not to have any more connect with me. Some awful and hurting words from them were said to me. So these last two years have been very hard on me.

First off  My Mothers wishes. Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. Began Chemo treatment then. At her request she wanted me to come and help out. For her and my dad, they need help with household things,treatment transportation and financial help. I Spent a lot of time with her. Needless to say there was a child at my home, which my husband was attending. My Husband was great. loosing his parents in the 80's and 90's my parents became his. That is the way they wanted it. Later in 2007 my parents moved in with us as she had another bout of Chemo and radiation treatments in Philly. I took her there stayed with them there and supported them. Plus learned how to  administrate the new treatments they offered her. During this time Mom asked me to do several things upon her death. She had told me some things that she had in place for me to complete her wishes. How my Father and older brother would need my help. I learned things that I really didn't know and my eyes were opened to the family dynamics.  After her death Dad told me their plans they discussed. This included Dads needs for financial and household assistance. He knew he would not be able to stay by his self.

We went back and force to his house and ours for months. I cleaned, cooked him meals and froze them. Made doctor appointments and took him to them. Managed his medicine and later his diabetes needs. Managed his bills  and paid them for him. It come time for him to move in with us. He was getting sicker and wasn't able to manage his diabetes. During the time he was at his house my middle Brother would call me and tell me to go help dad. He had no clue I was doing that. Also during the time Mom was sick with cancer he would tell me to stop helping them that they did not  need me help. Claiming that I was gold digging. Which was the furthest from the truth. I loved my parents very much and everything I did was out of Love for them. Even when my Mom asked me to continue to do things for her I told her of course I would she didn't even have to ask. I talked to Dad about selling the house he said no. When we asked him why he told me what Mom wanted for the house. That she wanted me to have it. They had decided before her death that would be done. So Dad asked how to do it. He got a lawyer and they  discussed his options . He decided on one and set it up. I tell you this cause that is what started the family breakup. Dad had a massive stoke in 2019 and with in 3 months was gone.

In 2015 My Middle brother was diagnosed with ALS. They  gave him 2 years. During that time he became a different person. I believe his thinking was infected. He began doing things uncommon for him. My Father said my brother was jealous of me. I really didn't understand that.  However, during a time after mom death he became different. In the beginning he was his old self, as I remember in my youth and younger adulthood. Sometime in the  late nineties, after we adopted our daughter he changed. Not sure why, Dad thought it was the competition with the grand kids.  Thinking back I think he might have been right. We did spend a lot of time with Mom and Dad. going on vacations together and  spending a lot of time. One thing that he didn't understand was that I had lost 4 children  in miscarriages and one in the tube. Lost the ability to have any biological children. Then had 3 adoptions fall through. One of them my parents went through with us. Right up to the day of birth, we all were ready to go to the hospital! When they called to say the birth father did not want the adoption to go through. it was hard on all of. My Mom took it very hard. We having gone through this before were able to understand the birth parents decision. It is hard to give up something that you carry in you for 9 months. This brought us closer to together. So when we finally adopted my parents were so attached to our child in so many ways. My Dad thought that my brother was jealous of that bond. I believe he could not understand it since he had never gone through anything like that. Having  5 biological kids of his own. He really did not believe in adoption. That became clear to us when he watched my daughter, even in his comments about her to the family. I just let it go and didn't ask him to help out anymore. Later he would tell us we were not invited to his house and not to have anything to do with he family, no gifts, letter or cards. Even then I respected his decisions. We did talk after Moms death but it was short lived.

My Brothers influence on his family hit once he died. Someone asked me to speak at the Funeral . I was not sure I should, being the view of some of the family on us. However my other brothers and Dad told me I should. So i did. Later it stabbed me in the back.  Then after my Dads death most of the family decided as my brother did in his life they wanted nothing to do with me , words repeated from their Dad, You are not part of our family. 

Now to tell you what happened during the last year of my brothers life. He apologized  to me and ask us to help his wife out with all she will need to do after his death. Told us he was worried about her. Wanted her to move on with life. Didn't think she would get the help she needed from others. We agreed to help her. My husband worked in the government just as he did and knew how to guide her through the process. We helped as much as we could and as much as she wanted. I Loved my brother very much and I do miss him. Even though we had moments in life we still were family in my eyes.

After my Father death it was hard on the family, maybe dealing with should haves. Whatever the reasons there was a lot of pain and things were said by family members. Not understanding the wishes of my parents was a big deal. Feelings of lost and what did they leave me came to a head. My living brothers got money from an insurance policy as well as items from the house, furniture and items. Steve and I gave them some money from our accounts and we paid for Dads funeral. Even with us doing that there was still problems. My baby brother disowned me a family. My Brothers wife and most of the family disowned us and told us not to come to their family gathering. We lost a lot.

My oldest Brother and I are great. We are talking a lot and seeing each other when we can.  I am living in the family home and feeling the presence of my parents all the time. I love that feeling. Hoping to be able to see the Folks on my Moms side more. Everyone on my Dads side are gone. My Mother has a brother.

Thinking back to my childhood, we had some hard times. No matter how you look at things our lives were good. We had great Parents who were young but saw that we had all we needed. Learned a lot in my life. How to manage disappointments and changes as we grew up. Finding our own way to live. In my thirties and fourtes  I learn to respect and love my parents. Learned that they went through a lot in their life. Even through it all they were givers and helpers. I choose to be that in life. As teenagers we tend to not understand things and feel everything is about us. When we age we start to see things differently. Maybe even understanding some things we didn't earlier. Wisdom is produced and becomes clearer in the mind. Understanding about decisions made in the past.

I Love my family, all of my family!! it makes no difference how they are feeling towards me. I am always their family and would be glad to return to be back in their lives. With all Forgiven. Death and lost of love ones gives way to all kinds of feelings. One day those feelings will correct themselves and all will be restored in the world or the next, if there is an after life.

 

My Fall Update - Life Happens

Good Day! Well It's been a while Since I have Written. As with everyone in the world. We have had to Curtailed our traveling. For  six months we stayed at home.  So.... what did we do?

First off we had new floors put in our entire first floor. Hickory Hardwood flooring. We included the stairs to the second floor also. Hubby has been saving up to do this for some time. Since we were stuck at home Now was  the time to do it. So glad we did. I do like them.

 I had been saving up for an Updated Master bathroom. Looked around at different companies and decided  on one of them. Had that done and I did put in a  bluetooth speaker. Love the new look.

Our Lower deck in the back  needed repair. Decided on just updating it  to match the one we had put in a couple years ago. Went with the same company. It really looks good. All the photos will be on the Yard and  Garden Blog.

Hubby retired as I stated in the last post in January. We were saving up to take a long vacation mimicking our 70's Honeymoon. Traveling through  several states. Because of Covid we could not do that. Took those funds and did the updates on the house. It was well worth it!! Have enjoyed just staying home all that time.

In October and Early November we took a small vacation to The Carolina's. Visited Family and had a great time. Hope to do some more traveling in the near future. Have to wait until all this Covid thing is fixed. Our lives and times will be forever changed. Things will not go back to as we knew it. Change is not a bad thing, just an adjustment. Being in the military has taught us to  deal with Changes. That is a Good thing for us. I look forward to the changes as well as this new Retirement life!!

Grinding with Auntie E: In this time of Covid 19.

This is a most Trying Time for us. In February went went to Tennessee for a vacation. Plus we were celebrating Hubby's retirement. Had a great time. Then we traveled to Virginia to the Beach House. We stayed there worked with the FOP Aux on a St Patti's Party. That was a lot of fun. We spent time with our Daughter in Virginia, did some work around the House. We were just enjoying our time of retirement. Planing our across the states Tour Vacation for May through July. Looking forward to spending the 4th of July in Colorado! Then a Screeching halt!!!!

End of March Covid 19 entered.  House Bound, We are in our mid 60's and they say that age is vulnerable!! Okay Now we are at a house with two folks how a working in a Public venue.  So, What to do. We can not travel back to Maryland. Due to the Virus. The decision was made in end of March. Did some calling to see how it was in our town. Decided to  drive straight through, no stopping to get home. All our shopping was done for TP,  and all the things we would need at the main house to last 14 days. Quarantined for 14 days  Since we were in areas of Covid 19 cases.

We arrived to the Main house and there we stayed til today. Travel plans put on  hold for now. I try to stay outside in the yard as much as possible. We have Online concerts and live music for our Dinner time. Trying to make the best of Living this way. We have ventured out a few times. It is always I little uncomfortable. Mostly because not all folks are wearing masks. We ate out two times and decided not a good idea right now. Although the tent dining was nice.

Hubby has had some Medical issues. Most of his appointment have been Video and Tellie appointments. He has had a couple office visits. I took him and waited in the Car  for him.  Meds are sent to the House for him and Doctors call to follow up. Not a bad thing. What a change this Covid Pandemic has made.

 

Let's STOP!!!!!

I am so upset with our Americans and society. What are they thinking? Our police force is our protectors!. If you remove them because of a few bad apples and see everything as a bad thing... How can they do their job? When a person grabs an officers weapon and runs with it, Turning to shot the officer... What do you think will happen???? How can the media say the officer did wrong??? We have a big problem with Media and folks. On top of everything This Black Lives Matter and Now Blue Lives Matter is not helping at all. I support all our Police officers. We should not have to fight back as if we are two separate groups. All Lives Matter!!! However if a person breaks the law of the land.. They will be punished and it could lead to Death. Many Officers die in the line of duty. Everyday leaving their home to protect the People. Many people die in Gang warfare, innocent kills in the line of everyday fire, by Civilians, criminals, or someone hunting, cleaning a weapon. Do we hear the things about them as we are being told in the news about Officers. Please let's just stop this Race card. Which is only being caused by a few folks. Most Americans do not play the Race card. However, if this card is continue to be played... It may Cause a reverse in some folks mind. Sending us back into the 50's and 60's. Cause unnecessary divisions.

Grinding with Auntie E: How's it Going, You asked ???

 Going to tell you a secret...... I am having a Moonshine Java coffee this morning! Yeah you heard it right. We are on Quarantine  here. It is driving me crazy not being able to travel.

We just retired in January and was looking forward to traveling for 6 months. However now we  have had to cut our trip short. We were in Tennessee When all of this hit. Went to Virginia Beach and then every thing shut down. We were able to go to a Saint Patti's party. after that we had to go in quarantine for 14 days. once that was done. We traveled back home to quarantine for another 15 days According to our town We are now to stay home  for a long time. The amount of corona-virus 19  victims  has increased in our area.

Our plans was to travel our Wedding Honeymoon route. Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Nevada and Colorado.  However you know now why we can not do that. We are all in our late 60's. It would be a risk for us to do that. For now it has been postponed. We will do the trip once this  virus has a cure.

We do have a lot of things around the house and yard to keep us busy. We have a Wi  plus other tools to help with exercising. Plus I can do some more online writing on a book. Still learning Chinese and Farsi, will be able to spend more time with those. also practicing on my Piano.   As you can  see there is a lot to keep us busy.

How are you fairing the quarantine?

COFFEE TIME: What are you drinking?

What is your morning  drink?  I like Coffee, tea , milk or water. Read that an 8oz cup of water should be the first drink of the day. Our bodies need that water after a long fast through the night. It is said it wakes up the body.

One thing my household has been during is drinking that cup of water before any thing else. Have noticed a difference for sure. Still like the cup of coffee in the morning. However with High blood pressure, it is not a good choice to have the  caffeine in the morning. Thinking of trying some decaf coffees. Not a fan of them but I will give it a try for a while.

Green teas have been the drink of choice for the past couple years. Been trying to cut back on Coffee. The green tea mixes are getting better. It seems like the grocery stores are carrying more of a choice in the Green teas. Still like plain Green tea, once in a while I will try a new one with added flavors. Just tend to return to the plain Green tea. Do you have a favorite Green tea in your life?

Started drinking Whole Organic Milk this year. One cup in the morning. This was a suggestion to help control my Morning Blood Sugar Spikes.  Surprisingly it seems to be helping.  Who would have known. Supposedly  it is the fat that is the factor. The Milk fat help control the insulin spikes.

This is a New Year of first for us. What a wonderful time to be learning new things. Both for the health and lifestyle of us all.

What do you Drink in the mornings?

Coffee time: It's a Family Affair!

Death in Families can be hard to handle. It can change the way family think about people. Also bring out painful emotional responses in them. There are feelings that one is trying to understand. Most to all sometimes folks just try to find a blame are cause and put it on someone else.

Miss understanding of the love ones life. Trying to deal with the death by excluding Folks in their lives. Perhaps they are reminders of the love one. Or maybe it is because they feel that it is too hard to see them at this time.

The worst thing is to be told that they just do not think you are family. Or that the person is not Family worthy for them. Whatever this reasoning, it comes back to how one is dealing with the Death.

In my Family in the pass two years we have lost two family members. One a Brother and a Father. My brother had several children and a Wife. It is hard on them, the children, to loose a parent. I know this cause I have lost both my Parents. We often think back on them and wonder why or what impact they had. About their lives, Were they right in their thinking, the things they did  was it for the right reason. Parents are humans and make  good and not so good decisions.

When I was a teenager my parent and I were at odds. This is part of growing independent. Year passed and all was forgiven and a new relationship forged.They were wonderful years spent with my parents. The same goes for Sibling. We grow apart, from being separated by the service or miles. Each family member start a family and decided how they want to raise the family. Words are said, relationships change. However there comes a time when wisdom kicks in and family is reunited. Forgiveness is given and Family life is restored.

This is a circle of life, It happens to every family no matter what. All these things are growing pain for a family unity. We all want to find ourselves and decided how we should live. The one thing that is a certain is the influence of our upbringing  by our love ones impact on our lives.

I have learned a lot from my Parents and Grandparents. This is called Wisdom from the elders. We all receive this gift. It is how we use it that molds us.

When did Life become Lonley?

So Much going on here. At times I feel so overwhelmed. Even when there is unforeseen events, Regular normal life goes on. Seldom does ones Normal everyday things halt, so one can just take care of one thing at a time.During these times we really see folks concerns. Knowing life is really busy for folks however, this really shows how much we have lost in these generations. Folks have no time to help their friends.Thinking It is time to Move on, seen it more and more in the last year. Feeling like it is easier for one to pass away in their home and no one would know.

We have had In our household Ambulances come, Stokes, Falls, Storm  damages and no one came to see what was going on. Oh yeah weeks later it was mentioned  to neighbors and they said yeah we saw and wondered. So what happened to calling or coming over and supporting the family in crisis. Spent time trying to be two places at one time. Calling folks and getting answering machines. No return calls. Use social media to reach out. Received a lot of I'll Prayer for you!  As if prayer can make two of me!

Recently We had a Massive Maple tree come down  and destroy our fences and sheds. Of course it is up to us to get the help to remove it. But what about the help with emptying the sheds? With a husband sick and handicapped, An aging Father that needs full time assistance and being ,hate to admit this , in my mid 60's it is hard to do some things by myself. 

Just starting to realize how aging folks have had a hard time. If one comes from a large family there might be family help. If one is actively involved with a church there might be church help. However is life causes one to fall away from the church family. Or Move away from family. They are on their own. Hopefully they have a boatload of Money to hire help! Otherwise too bad.

Read a book about a lady, True story, who just could not get help. She prayed to God for help. Asking in full faith for assistance, None came. Oh folks talk to her and shared their concern, but no help for her. Her Trust in the Lord made it a little bearable. Most of the thought was this will get better. Later in life she attending a conference and met up with some of the same folks from her earlier life struggles. She shared her stories of how her faith in God was a struggle. One thing common in their response to her was, They thought she had the means to take care of it by herself. Yes  the thought came in their head to help, but their mind response was she can handle it herself.  I will always remember that book cause that is how it has been with me these past few years.

My believe is that folks miss read people. Thinking just because they appear to be strong and mighty. Able to leap tall building in a single bound, superman or superwoman. When in reality we all are weak and need each other to lift us up and support them,and help in  times of  despair.  Today perception is masked with Darkness, failure to see the real picture. Folks do not  listen to the peoples voices. Too busy with their own lives too see others needs.

 We have lost the outward compassion for people.Turning the compassion inwardly. Making it easier to live with ourselves when something really bad happens.  That way one can live with themselves later.

Always have been an outward compassionate person. Through out  life have helped folks in need. Still do as much as I can. Sometimes it is just by providing the means for assistance. Sometimes it is sitting a listening. sometimes it is a call and visit to that person. Harder for me Now a days due to my father and husbands needs. Both are not in good health. Death is waiting at their door. Trying to lift them up from the darkness is sometimes so hard. When Unforeseen event show up the burden becomes heavier. Tend to just want to runaway more and more.  To just have a time  not think about that 24/7 care or that never ending task. 

Learning  that unless one really scream, try to find the time to serve in a church, and call my friends out. There will be no Help.  Have stopped calling and asking cause can not take anymore excuses, whether legit or not. 

Decided to just voice feelings in this blog in hopes that one day someone will read it and change the way they look at things.

Grinding with Auntie E: Life as I See it!

I am seeing the difference between Close friends and Just friends. Close friend are very hard to come by in this time of life. In the Military Family it is even harder, cause of the moving around. I have lived in this area for 25 years! Longer then anywhere in my life. I feel more Alone here than anywhere else I have lived. This is a busy area for folks. As I grow Older I have seen how more folks are introverts. Hubby wants to relocate after retirement, I was not onboard with it. However these last few years have been an eye opening for me. So Now I can see a Move might be good.

Vacation Time: We fell in Love...

This year Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Virginia and Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

We have a house in the Hampton Roads area. Therefore we go there a lot. Working on it and updating the electric as well as some of the insides. flooring, Kitchen, Bathrooms,  and fireplace. Evey time we go we have a project to do.
I have a gardener that works on the yard and a group of contractors that work on the insides.

This year I met my daughter there and we visited a few places, As well as went to an Escape Room. I really loved that experience. Plan on going to more at some point.

 this a bomb room, We did great defused it in about 30 minutes. We had an hour to do it.!

Next we went to Myrtle Beach, Met my sister in law there. Had a great time. She took me out to get a pedi and manicure.  I loved the time together.

this gel change color in the heat and cold. I really Loved it.

We did some swimming in the pool. saw King Kong and fell in Love with the fireplace in our condo! so much that we are thinking about putting one in the VB house .

Hubby and me, Chars' Feet

King Kong!

the fireplace in our condo!

Hubby and Sister.

We had so much fun this trip. We were gone longer than we thought but, did  a lot with my daughter.

Grinding With AuntieE: Talking coffee and Morning Chatting

Well, good day folks! So much going on in the household and family now.  My daughter just got a new job at a resort in Virginia. She is now  getting ready to move. We are so happy for her.

We are getting Ready to go to the Beach for vacation in the next week. Looking forward to spending some time with family at the beach. We also have some thing going on at the Virginia house. Repairing some fences and  spring clean up.

My dad is still having Physical therapy done. We are getting him ready for the vacation trip.

I have been working on transferring and downloading Photos from G+. since they are going away. Do not forget to follow me through Twitter or by email. So you will not miss out on my Posts. see the link up on the right hand sidebar.

We purchase some Coffee from Costco, Costa Rica. I am in love with it. So good! Love a stronger coffee, this one is strong and has a good flavor. Do not need much sweetener since it has a smooth taste. This  Costa Rica Coffee is a keeper for us. We get it in Beans so, grind is on Medium with about 3 tablespoons per 12 oz cup. What is you  favorite Coffee? Or are you a Tea drinker.

Let's Gab, Coffee Time: My Love Of Cooking

It's time for Morning Gab Over Coffee. Coffee time is one of my Favorite Posting Times. We gab about various things. Today I am enjoying a cup of Hazelnut coffee.  One of my favorite coffees is Tim Hortons Dark Roast. First time I had it was in Niagara Falls, Canada. So Of course I will drink it in my Niagara Fall Canada Coffee Mug!  With an oz of Torani Hazelnut Syrup and a splash of Half and Half.. Kitchen Gadgets are my favorite things to buy. We have several one them. A keurig coffee machine is used every morning in the house. so now that I have my coffee, let's talk Cooking.

I love to Cook! One thing that has aways been a passion is learning to Cook different Foods. Year ago I took Cooking classes in High school. Did some cooking at home as a little girl. Burnt a few things, If you asked my Brothers I wasn't good at it. After I left home, I started to learn how to make things from a can! You know that time when everything was good pre-made in the can. Chef Boyardee the 60's go to meals. Oh boy that was so convenient for us in that time of Mothers working and kids eating on their own. The after school snack/ meal. It wasn't until I got married in the late 70's that I started to think Cooking was a necessity. When you have no Money to eat out and Can food just does not cut it anymore. One has to make changes.

Decided to take some classes in college on Cooking.  Started to cook more at home. found out that  we could save money by cooking at home. Bless my hubby he had to put up with my Cooking. Try and error. He was a sport. When we moved to California I continue to  take classes on cooking on the post or anywhere I could. Took electives in College on Healthy, then called Organic Eating, the California Way of life. We started buying things from health food stores. Like Raw milk and Grain fed eggs.  I was determined to eat healthier. Learned about the amount of Salt in pre-made Food especially Can goods.  We eat too much Salt in those 60,70 and early 80's. the nutrition classes were a good thing for us. It changed out thought on Food we eat and how it affect our bodies.

We moved to Europe in the 80's.  There I continued taking classes on Cooking. European Cooking was fun! I love the flavors and the food was very wholesome. There was also a few neighbors who were great cooks. I learn a lot from them. From Baking pastries, cake and other international Foods. The learning bug was now in my mind make up.  Could not get enough of the classes and the learning bug was set in my mind. Oh yeah in case you where wondering, I gained a lot of weight! So, I understand the Chefs and their battle with weight.

We moved back to the states in the 90's. Continue to take cooking classes. Some in Asia, where we were stationed for a while. Where ever we went I signed up for local cooking classes. Also started to teach some classes on  Healthier cooking  at community centers. By this time I had figured out how to enjoy the foods and lose weight. Not only losing over 60 pounds, but enjoying the foods and keeping the pounds off!  In the 90's I also had recipes published in Southern Living Magazine as well as some community papers. My cooking had become good by then. Hubby loved all my recipes. I was hired to make food and sell it to folks. Specialty Cakes as well as some cooking for Large Crowds. I took a break for nursing and embraced cooking. I did have other hands in fires, but cooking was a passion.
 
In the 2000's I continue to take classes on regional dishes. Took classes in New Orleans, La., Baltimore Maryland,  and Still learning from International friends.

Today, I continue to learn and search for  new ways to  created recipes. My favorite thing to do is to crated a recipe from old to be more in Today's tastes. Diabetes has hit this home in that my 87 year old  Father lives here. He loves his sweets. I have had to find ways for him to enjoys them and not effect his A1C.  Hubby also wants a Low Carb diet. His has health issues with his Liver and Thyroid. therefore I have had to revamp some recipes to make them healthier for them.

Recently I made a Banana Bread that is low in sugars with no artificial sweeteners in them. Those are really bad for you. Instead I use Low Gylcemic choices and Natural Plant Base ones.  I have a cooking blog site,  Auntie E's Kitchen. there is a link on the side bar. There you can find Recipes  created for a healthier life styles. The joy of cooking is in me. I continue to love to eat different Foods and learn how to make them.

Now you know I little more of me. I love these Talks with you, comment as to your experiences with Cooking. Til next time.... "Enjoy a new dish every week."

Tuesday Morning Show: New Products and Family updates.

Yeah, it is winter in my Neck of the woods. Winter sports, Winter Driving and Winter Yard work. we haven't had a lot of Snow yet and the ice is just starting. My Dad Had a fall last September, He is doing good now. However we have Therapist coming to the house for him. So, I have to make sure  the walkway and steps are safe for them.  Clearing them off has been a priority. appointment to Doctors, have been trying also during the winter. Cold and Rain make slick roads. For some reason Folks around this Tri State area, do not know how to drive in this weather. A lot of accidents. Watching out for the other guys came be stressful driving. Being from NewYork State ,living in Colorado, and living in the BlackForest in Germany I have learned how to drive in this stuff.

Hubby is doing okay now. We have some Medical issues in 2018. However seems to be make a good recovery.  He is getting ready to retire next year. That means we a looking at our Financial portfolio Looking pretty good at this time.

I am doing good. trying to change some things to live a healthier life. Recently I received a Ninja Foodi Pot. It is so good. Besides being a great way to cook, It save us money on electricity. Not having to heat the oven up for just the three of us. You can see some recipes and find out more about this on my Kitchen Blog and Review blog. My Blood pressure was getting high! So, I started this new regiment. I take 120 Life. It is a drink that help in lowering the BP. so far it has worked. another thing I am doing is taking some supplements from our Business Melaluca. I have a 3 month trail to see if it help with Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure.  Been Walking which has help a lot with the Blood Sugar. I will be posting my progress on my fitness blog.

We have been doing well with our Green impact. Cleaning out the house and making sure our decision are based on the impact on Green Living. You can check out of progress on the Healthy Living blog.

Now that things have slow down some at home I am back to blogging. The past 3 years have been very trying. Between my Dad moving in and Weddings, deaths, illness and life changes, It has occupied my life.

Stay tune for more post in this new year 2019. This will be a great year for us!!

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Thursday Tell All : Update, long time awaiting

Long time since I have given an update. Life has been so busy and a lot has been happening. The Holidays were rough last year.Sometimes things do not go as one wishes.

My Daughter Husband left her in October. It was hard on everyone. Seeing these thing happening and not being able to help your child is hard. Children  Grow up and have to  search their own  self to find out how they are to live. As a Parent letting Go is Hard. We have had to do that. It is a process, we are  learning as we go. Moved her out of the apartment this past week. Another Chapter is starting for her and us.

My Brother who had ALS was on Vacation in Virginia  in December. The Lord decided to take him home while they were there. It was  hard  on the family. We knew his Days were numbered.  Never thought he would leave us so fast. The family decided to  get through Christmas and then have the  final good bye. I had my Older brother come here for the funeral. He is  living in Ohio.  Of course it was during the snow season. So the trip was rough getting him here.  He stayed through the New Year due to the weather. We could not get him back. Airports where closed due to snow storms.

My Dad had a Doctors appointment in February. So we heading to Virginia for a few weeks. Yes we had snow storms even then. Once we got at the Virginia house  we learned that the Geothermal unit had caught fire. Causing it to not be working.  The house was 54 degrees. We had to use electric heater to stay warm. It took a few day to repair it. We were able to  get some more work done in the attic and some cleaning done.  My  other brother help repair a  roof that needed support. Dad got a  Good report from the Doctor. He is doing well  with the diabetes, numbers our looking good. His kidneys are showing improvement also.

I Got back to Maryland in March. Just in time for my daughter Birthday. We were able to celebrate the weekend of her birthday. Then we had to start cleaning and moving out the  apartment stuff in West Virginia.  Rented a storage facility and a truck to move her. Days of cleaning and fighting the weather. She was living  one and a half hours from us. Finally out of the place. Today I just  finished  having things  turned off. So much to do when moving out of a place.

 It is April now and we are getting ready for tax season for business  and home. Plus I do my Fathers. So I am still busy. We did get to spend Easter with the  Family. Went to the Fort for Easter Brunch and got to  attend church together. Was a nice time.

Like I said it has been a busy time  since I last wrote here. We are planning a trip in the Next  Few months to Virginia and North Carolina. So the summer traveling will be starting soon. Plus I will be doing some yard work preparing for the summer months.  I am looking forward to sitting out and enjoying the summer time.

October Child!

These are the Colorado Aspens  in the 1970's

There is something about when you are born. I love the fall! The smells: Bonfires, fire places burning,  and the smell of the crisp air. Cool weather: love the cooler evenings, the fall rain and the fall winds. The colors of the seasons: Burnt orange, purple, reds, browns, yellows and golds. The foods: Pumpkin stuff, Onion Pies, Chili, Pears, Wild Boar, Making s'mores, hot cocoa, Apple Cider, Gluwine  and Stews. The Festivals: Autumn fest, October fest, and Fall hayrides.  It is the time of year that excites me most.

Maybe it is because I was born in that time frame. Everywhere I have lived I loved this season. In Europe the Fall comes with all sorts of fun and activities. The food was so seasonably good. In Asia that time of year produce a different view. However, I love that also. In the USA the West coast had it's cooler time and it was  different. I loved the ocean and the smells there also. The south was warmer however it also had Fall type activities. The east coast has the changing of the leaves and the air. Beautiful! The Mid West also a very beautiful place. Weather and Festivals, and changing of the colors, gorgeous!!  Every where I have lived and visited has WOW me with their Fall.

I will be going up to Sheperdstown West Virginia soon  for some great Fall German food. Wild Boar Is my favorite item. We had a place here in Old Ellicott City that  will fly in Wild Boar for their fall  Wild Boar Stew, My favorite. Need to check to see if they are still open after the Great Flood. A trip there today would be great!

I am a October Child and Love the Fall!!

Hard Times

Marriage  in the first year is  so hard. So many things comes out. It is amazing  how one can live with a person for a year and date them for  years, then still not be able to commit to a marriage. What is it about that process?

 My thoughts are that some folks think things will get better after they marry. When in Fact they do not! If a person is not monogamous before the wedding they will not be after. However after a marriage it is called Cheating. Before it is just an affair.

There are other things also. Sometimes folks feel they can  change a person after the union. A big misnomer is  the thought that a person will become a better wife or husband. Following the Head of the house rule.  To discuss these points I will need to number them.

 Number one Changing a person. This is one that I feel is the biggest misnomer. Most people do not change in the first year. There are adjustments that each will need to decide if they want to do.  Give and take is not a  inbreed trait. Most of the time there needs to be good communication in the relationship to set some goals. Might I say these are Goals and not Set in Stone Rules or Demands. These can be stressful in the first year.

Number two the roles of Husband and Wife. Oh  these words! Not common in this decade of marriage. They refer to it as " Partners". Even though it is still an inbreed thought pattern. We all have that thought of what  married life should be. The problem is it is not always the same  in the two persons minds. Depending on how one Grows up and their family life will determined  their view on this matter. It is so important to do that premarital counseling. It is here that those  expectations are realized.  That is also the time to discuss how to handle your difference. This is important so that the first year will go better. Not that things or ideas will not change the following years. Most of the time they do change and adapt. It just takes time.

Number three The Head of the House. It use to be decades ago the the Man was the head of the house. He made all the decisions, handle the funds and Paid the bills. Around the 70's that changed, it might have even started in the late 60's. However with are changing times the Woman  have become more  vocal and the main income person. Even having two separate bank account have become the norm.  If a person was raised in  a "Head of the House" home. It will be harder for that person to adapt to the new Marriage structure. Sometime in the 70's I took the  lead in paying the bill and managing the money. It was agreed upon by my husband and I.  My thoughts are this it a subject that need to be decided upon early in the marriage,if not before the marriage vows. Money is the number one cause for separations in the first year. Deciding who will pay the bills and how the household will run financially is  an essential piece in a marriage.

Marriage can be a wonderful thing. I have been married for over 40 years. We have had our ups and downs. However we were able to get through them with some help from counseling and an open communication between the two of us. Our thoughts of marriage has changed since we first were married. We have evolved to a different realtionship in the marriage. We are still in love with each other and look forward to our retirement. As I tried to show, change does come it is just not in the first year.  Also that some things are very important to look at before  the vows. These are things that will save the marriage and make the first few years easier.

 Learning about each other is an ongoing  process and just when you think you know, something new  shows up.  I have always said " You must like the person very much, respect them and Love them with all your heart" . Everything you do must be with that persons feeling in your mind. How will it effect him or her. Is it glorifing  your mate. Once you are married it is no longer just you that matters.

So fed up with our Football Teams!

I do not get it! what is wrong with these folks. Football and Apple pie/ American traditions. No place for politics voicing, like previous point. What if folks just stopped buying apples to make pies? Who Is that really hurting( the growers)! I agree that The Fields are no place for protest. and besides it is not our flag that is the problem. One Man does no own the flag, it is our nation Icon.. A Representative of our of our 50 states, not just a man in office , He changes every 4 year. If the players do not like America, then move out. They will quickly learn, how great we are even with our Political differences. I am so fed up with all this stuff. I really think the Coaches and Managers should put a stop to it. Love how the other team just did not go out on the field during that time. But wish they would have gone and stood up for our country and Flag. What a statement that would have made. I served in the military ( Vietnam era) and I am proud of our flag and colors. Serving in the military gives one a different view of America and a better appreciation of our Country and Freedoms.

 Fed up with the NFL leaders , not stopping this Political voicing on the fields. My family is now having nothing to do with the NFL and if the other sports start it we will not have anything to do with them either. Time to get the Games back to just Games!

Political change can be made through your Senators and Congressman. Voice your opinions to them. They are the ones that can change things. Not a President, who can not speak in a more tactical way. Presidents have their own way of talking. Although we would like a perfect one, That is no possible. There will always be something they said are do they rubs folks wrong. Just think of the things you do that break up friendships or marriages  or  separate Family. I am sure you just do no t get it sometimes, how folks react to something that is said. Even if there is some truth in it, how it comes out can be harsh. 

It is not just the disrespect of the flag, or how many souls where damaged or lost for freedom. It is the  Tradition of our 200 years of Freedom that is represented. Each country has their flags that represent their country. Ask them what it represents.  

Baseball, Football and Apple Pie are all American traditions. A part of what brings all of us together for a short time to enjoy each other.  all fighting, or Political preferences set aside. Just to enjoy the games and take us away from the problems and trials of life. I hope we can get back to the  enjoyment of the game.

MONDAY NEWS : "MY HOW TIME FLIES BY"

                                                             Heather and Lydia

                                                                   Alex and Lydia

                                                             Critter and Lydia

                                                                  Me and Lydia


These are the photos of my Daughter and her long time friends and family. Each one is  going to be in her wedding. From the Maid of Honor,  Bridesmaid and Groomsman.  It is hard to  believe she just had her 23rd Birthday and is getting married in a few months!

They grow up so Fast! sometimes I long for that time when she sat on my lap and I read books to her. Now that she is all grown up, graduated from college with her bachelors, starting her own married life and working in her field of study. Plus she is continuing on for her Masters. My how time flies by!!

This weekend we celebrated her birthday. Her fiance was with us and we had one of her favorite meals, Lemon Chicken and Rice. Plus I made a German Blackforest Pound Cake. We had a good time. Talking wedding stuff  and planning some things. I am looking forward to more wonderful times with her.