Just Simple

Well, While in the shower this morning I had a big laugh on myself at the end. I threw the washcloth to the sink so I could rinse it out and hang to dry in the living room for extra humidity. This is what is done here! Wouldn't you know that my aim was off and it landed on the new mega roll of TP. We cannot have that! The incident prompted me to write this. Silly me.

Anyway, it made me think of how and why I live like this. By that I mean that sometimes it's a big compromise. Yet....

Who the heck writes about their shower stall? I DO. This old tin thing was installed here in the early 60's and it most likely was a used-before item. That's how my dad got deals and steals. To this day it is functional, but has had repairs and caulking around the interior floor edges as the enameled tin rusts. The shower head might be the one installed in the 60's as well - I don't know that. What I do know is that it is about 1.5" in diameter and the holes are clogging more and more every day with minerals. We have well water here - not filtered. The Mister used to fill a shot glass with CLR and hold it up, submerging the head for several minutes. Then he would poke the holes in the head with a straightened paper clip and it would spray nicer for a few months. He tried many times to twist it off of the pipe but it is frozen there. I simply cannot keep my balance and use my good arm to reach it. A plumber would be needed for that process!

Anyway, more here... My showers last as long as the hot water does. Who cares? I do! I love hot showers especially on my damaged shoulder. I am able - without supports, rails, bench or helpers get the job done and let me tell you I am VERY careful not to fall. Nope! Not gonna! I've figured out how to hang on to the doorway edges without getting water on the floor. I do bring the landline phone in and place it on the hamper within easy reach IF I should need it, but I don't answer calls. I have had visions of falling, not being able to get up, and the hot water running out and the cold water freezing me —you know what would be next. Not gonna fall!

I am thankful to have a shower stall, hot water, and an electric wall heater for the time I use them; also clean towels, clothes, shampoo, and more.  I have a toilet lid to sit on when drying and getting dressed. Just think of people who don't have a home or water or warmth, or a bathroom.  Think HARD! 

New Experience

My trip to NJ went fine. On one section of the highway we did hit a very hard shower for about 1/2 hour and had to slow down like everyone else. Caution lights were flashing for miles ahead and behind us. The rains were torrential and it was a little stressful but my daughter is a very good driver.

On the return trip the traffic coming out of Pennsylvania heading back to NJ after a weekend of who knows what, was backed up for many miles, double lanes completely stopped. No accidents just not enough road for the multitude of cars.

As for the baby shower, it was quite an experience for this "backwoods" country lady. Today showers are over the top. I wonder if it stems from being too busy or even too lazy to have a shower in the home. I suspect it is a case of "Can You Top This?" Or maybe it's just the way things are done now and I have a huge gap between then and now. Some of us old school types would be just as happy with an in-home shower and light refreshments. OOPS! How would you sit forty five chattering ladies in your living room and serve them an entire authentic Italian meal with all the trimmings? Plus wine! There was an entire room at the venue filled to the brim with gifts, books and packages of diapers. (Each guest was asked to bring a package of them to be included in a raffle.) There was a 3 1/2 hour use of the venue scheduled as it opened to the public when this event ended.  I never heard of grandmothers-to-be giving the baby shower for the mother-to-be and including her in the planning of the event either.  Wow have things changed! I must be getting old. I am not at all understanding of such change. It seems to be a lot of hullabaloo to me. A grinch I must be.

Then there is the waste that blows my mind. We always used to save pretty papers and bows to be reused. These were all just stuffed in a trash bag. There were a good number of gift bags used and that seemed to be better for me to understand. The mommy to be received not just one but several gifts from a single guest. That too was surprising. All in all it was a wonderful, well planned event and I must change my attitude if I can. Things are different now - VERY different and hard for me, who is set in my ways to understand.

I did get to see my grandson and my great grandson, Dominic, age 2.  He calls me Uncle Grandma. OK - A cutie for sure. My 12 year old granddaughter attended the baby shower and is becoming a sleek and trim beauty who is full of know how, elegance and polish at her young age. I saw several friends from the past years and that connection was wonderful as well. It was a successful hen party and I'm glad I was able to have the experience. Now I have a goal to change my outlook on today's way of doing things and try just go with the flow. I guess it's somewhat like parting your hair on the wrong side. Uncomfortable.

Photos may follow. I didn't bring my camera on purpose and depended on photos from others being sent my way - soon! I eagerly await the news of the arrival a baby girl in Mid-September! The parents have picked out her name already but won't tell a soul until she's born.

The Weekend

My daughter who lives nearby will be picking me up shortly today to travel with her to another daughter's home out of state for the weekend. There is a baby shower planned there for tomorrow and we'll stay over. I'll get a chance to see other relatives and friends plus the Bengal Cat, "Snow" and Boxer dog, "Massimo."  Her other dogs are gone... "Guiseppe" and "Pasquale" were great pets.

I may also get to visit with my great grandson, Dominic who is almost age two. I hear he is a very busy little boy and a special "piece of work."

please click on image to view larger

The baby shower is in anticipation of my 8th great grandchild, and we already hear it will be a beautiful daughter to loving parents and grandparents. My family sure is growing! From my six children there are now ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild! 

Early Morning Shower

This shower came down hard - for 10 minutes at 7:30 AM.