Here we go AGAIN!

Every month, Grandy has pledged to raise awareness about Cancer. I have posted about it once a month for the last few months now.

Here I am, faced with the 30th of the month, and I haven't posted about Cancer. I have had a lot on my plate and I'm sorry.

As I started to feel guilty about this I said to myself "Self, this is YOUR site to do what you want! No one is going to make you feel bad about this...but you!!"

So, maybe by at least talking about cancer, AND POINTING YOU HERE it will be enough?

It will have to be this time I'm afraid.

I might even change it up and pick a mission for the month.

I have had diabetes on my mind a lot this month. Not only because I struggle with the disease every day, but because April's new Hubby has been recently diagnosed with it. I have said many prayers, and even sent some ideas their way to try an help them in this transition. I hope I helped.

When you are afflicted with an illness that requires constant control, you tend to lose sight of how it can affect your precious loved ones. Seeing April struggle with how to work in meals around what D can eat was what reminded me.

Nothing has been more of a reminder than in the last 2 weeks. You see, Grandy has learned she has to have yet another surgery on Thursday. This Thursday.

When the surgeon calls you at 6:30, on your cell phone, you know he's not calling to see about the weather. But when he calls and says we need to do this right away, how does Tuesday sound? Grandy says...Tuesday doesn't work for me, what else do you have?

What would you have done? I had commitments already.

So what they had was (and is) coming on Thursday. I tell Ty about it after his big science test. He asks me, "Is this one life threatening?" "Pishaw!" I tell him. "This is so simple the doctor can practically fix everything with a crazy straw."

The other night, while talking to Hubby, he sat there quietly for a moment. "I'm sorry you have to do this again," he says. "I really am." His realization of what I am preparing for touched me in a way I can't explain. If you knew my Hubby you would know that he is rarely serious. With my surgery in March, he kept making jokes that he could do the surgery with his pocket knife and some crazy glue.

I have been trying to make light of this. If it comes up in conversation I poo-poo it (I said poo-poo) as nothing. Is Grandy worried? Not terribly. There are bigger things that people face in their lives, and I'm a pro at these things. I can take it.

Besides, it's not the surgery I'm worried about. It's the boys, and how my recovery will affect them. Whenever I hiccup Ty wants to know if I'm ok. Hubby notices when I look tired, where he never did before. These boys are used to me keeping up and now realize that I can't always. Mom needs rest sometimes. To me, it's alright if the Hubby finally gets this, but not my 12 year old. He's seen me go through too much and doesn't need to see it any more.

The truth is, I truly don't know what all is entailed with this surgery. I'm not trying to have my head in the sand about this (although I think that this theme is more and more who I am) but the doctors won't even know it all until they're in there.

So...I go in at the butt-crack of dawn on Thursday, Hubby drives me to hospital, the doctors do their thing, and when I wake up I will know how long I get to be a guest at the chateau.

I better get busy on some pre-posting duties. This is a HUGE week for me in my blogging world. I hope you all come back to visit and see. Make it a point to come see me on Friday, k?? I promise...you won't be sorry!!

PROMISE!!!

Farewell to a Classy Guy

I have always been a big fan of Mr. Newman.

He was truly a class act and deserved the respect of everyone.

He will be sorely missed in the movie world, but thank goodness for DVD's. The first movie I really noticed him was Cool Hand Luke. Our English teacher made us watch it, and I was HOOKED.

My heart goes out to his family.

In honor of Mr. Newman's legacy, why don't you share what your favorite movie was with him? Cars? Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? The Color of Money?

The list is plentiful. Pick one and share it with the group.

Daydreamah Believah

So Grandy has posted several different type quizes from Blogthings.

While I visited Vixen's Den earlier this week, I stumbled across this different kind of test (not Blogthings). I don't think it's really a suprise at all. I typically fall into this category whenever I take these personality tests.

Have you ever heard of those quadrant personality tests? Grandy is always in the right top corner. They are called different things. I've heard it by color (I'm a Yellow) or Logistics (Top-Right) and frankly I forget the others.

Check out this test and see what you are, if you have a minute. It takes a few but it's interesting. The whole thing with NO ATTENTION TO DETAIL? I'm SO that! No wonder my checkbook is balanced by rough estimate. :)

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPC - The Daydreamer

Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Color

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

A Grandy-ose Contest

Hear Ye Hear Ye!!!!!

Come one!! Come All!!!

Grandy is having her first CONTEST EVER!!!

Why???

Grandy has posted 185 posts (well technically this one is 186 but Grandy is always flippin' late fore everything).

So...what does this mean??

It means I am holding a contest for your ideas. Yep...YOUR ideas.

Do any of you remember my 100th Post with 100 Linky Lovin craziness? I found and commented on 100 blog posts and linked back to all 100 here. That was a tough one but I was introduced to a lot of pretty good blogs.

Grandy has a lot of lofty ideas but I tend to struggle a bit with my focus. What...you're surprised?

I am holding a contest for what you all think Grandy should do for her 200th post.

200 POSTS!!

Oh yeah, this is coming up here soon and I'm trying to plan ahead.

And Grandy wants all her readers and followers (do I have any stalkers out there?) to be a part of it. I want this to be a bloggy event that you all can enjoy.

So...what should Grandy do with her 200th post?

Post your ideas in the comment section and I will pick my favorite. You didn't think this would be random did you?? Heck no!!

The prize??

You will have a choice of...

500 EntreCard Credits. No, you don't have to subscribe, or post my link on your blog, or go write about it on your blog...unless you want to.

...OR...(because so few of my commenters are members of EntreCard)

...AND...

Some linky love...

...AND...

My UNDYING gratitude and affection.

What more could a blogging friend ask for??

Because Earth Has No Marbles

My beautiful friend has a beautiful little 8 year old girl. She is such a smart thing.

She wrote this rather profound note to her mother, and it caught my attention. Yes, for some reason she calls her mom Pamela.

What I first thought when I read this note was that Heaven was wonderful...because it has marbles.

Then I realized what she truly meant...and how nice to see the world through the eyes of an 8 year old fairy princess.

Have you found your marvels marbles in the world??

Feeling a Bit Inadequate

First of all, if ever you considered the following equation, I caution you not to. Obviously, Grandy was NOT thinking when she did so.

Shaving...

Beautiful and nice smelling salt scrub
Stupid pain

I do the dumbest things sometimes.

I know...we all do...or at least some of us are big enough to admit it. But sometimes even I tire of my own inabilities to function like a normal human being.

Now you know why I call this place Functional Shmunctional.

Here's a quick example.

You all can tell Grandy has been working on trying to get this place looking top rate. Goofy Girl Design did an awesome job with the new digs, and I'm trying to clean some other things up. I even put an RSS Feed link on the site. I stumbled across a wonderfully talented girl, Emila Yusof, who makes these great dollies for your RSS Feed.

It only cost a few hundred Entrecard Credits, and my RSS Feed link will look like this...

How awesome is that? She's got my curly hair...my glasses... and even my baseball cap. It's GRANDY!! This girl has got some cute Illustration skillz.

The problem?

Grandy can't make the darn thing work on her page. She gave me the code, and I can't make it work. I can only ask so many stupid questions, before I sink away with my tail between my legs, humbled that I'm an idiot.

If you like this dolly, she can customize one for you too. Emila Yusof has made many many for others, and don't worry, they work just fine for them.

It's just Grandy that can't make it happen.

UGH!!

Thanks Emila!!

Sending Some Love Back!!

Readers;

I dedicate today's post to Mrs. G., of Derfwad Manor. She is a beautifully talented blogger who gets more comments than I will ever get hits on this site in a day.

Mrs. G. does her weekly "Slow Cook Thursday" and this week she featured yours truly. Can you believe it? You can check it out HERE.


And never mind the big blazon pic of me up there. UGH!!


Mrs. G. was one of my FIRST commenters when I first started. She found me in the blogosphere when I was still trying to "find myself". No really...I don't mean in the metaphysical way. I mean I was struggling to find my way back to my own blog. Remember that technically challenged thing I've mentioned before? Are you starting to get that there's a theme??


My first comment from her was from A Week Already:

Mrs. G. said...
Welcome to the blogging world Mary. You seem like you are going to be good at it!
October 12, 2007 11:42 AM

WOW!! This kicka$$ blogger was a fortune teller too? ;)


Well...throughout this past year, I've followed Mrs. G., and the remainder of the G family. (Hey, what can I say? We G's have gotta stick together!) Now, when I say follow, I don't mean in a weird stalking way... well... not exactly in a weird stalking way. That was only a "temporary" restraining order. We worked it all out after the police arrived.

...digressing again... back to the point...


Mrs. G. usually closes comments on her Thursday posts because she says it's all about her guest. Well, this week...I'm making it all about her and she doesn't even know it. I don't have nearly the following she has, but I have a WONDERFUL group of readers who I know will embrace her wit.


Mrs. G.'s daughter is leaving this week for college. I feel like I'm saying goodbye too, although I've only read everything there is to know stories about her. As a stalker follower, I've watched the G family go through the college selection process, been part of job challenges, and watched this family grow. They are an awesome bunch, and when I drove through Washington after my grandmother passed I considered stalking trying to meet.

In her blog, Mrs. G. asked for advice from her readers to her daughter. "What advice do you wish someone would have given you when you went off to college?" Well...what I wanted to put was, "True friends WILL hold your hair back." But then, I get the feeling this young lady knows what true friendship is. I think she has that with her mother.


So, Grandy is a little bit more worried about Mrs. G. hitting the bottle hard taking it a little hard. The lovely Miss G is going to be just fine conquering the world. But...Mrs. G.?

Yeah...she's going to be just fine.

After all, she has all of us stalkers followers to keep her warm and fuzzy. Maybe we could all go to her for advice...and with attitude...and she'll feel a little more comfy?

HERE'S TO YOU DERFWAD!!!!

The Prettiest Dump EVER

A few weeks back (alright maybe it was a couple months back already) Grandy and her family took a trip along the coast with some friends. I thought it was time to finally load some pics from my camera and show you one of our stops.

We stopped at Glass Beach.

Glass Beach used to be a landfill. I don't recall what happened or how it happened (it was a blah blah blah thing) but the glass was broken down and the entire beach is made of glass.

People come from all over come and pick out beautiful pieces of glass of all shapes and sizes. It's not good to keep the glass, although some people were filling JARS. Really? If everyone did that, then there truly would be none left eventually.

Some people come to see the local creatures. They come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the McCracken.


Oh stop...Really, that's the Grandy Hubby's rear...He never reads my blog so he doesn't know that I just posted his cute hiney on my blog. Scroll down now...nothing to see here.... really.

Actually, there will be a special place for me in Hell for me someday, simply based on the fact that I was trying to catch a picture of a real McCracken. It was B.A.D. and so was I. He showed crack even before he bent over.

Wait...what's this? A native exhibiting signs of lunacy by donning the tribal glass beads.

There's a rare picture of Grandy, sitting next to her dear friend "E". Dang it girl...you need to look at the camera next time. She was also enthralled with all the glass around.

For the record, we didn't keep any of the glass...we just enjoyed finding all the colors. It's kind of like a different kind of treasure hunt. It truly was a treasure hunt day because the small town nearby even had a Starbucks. See my little java there?

GOOD TIMES!!!

WHY??

He was 17.

Honor roll student in his senior year.

Captain of the water polo team.

The middle child of three, he was a star in his own right.

A well liked, "grounded" boy, who had his future ahead of him.

He never exhibited any "signs".

There were no cries for help.

This lovely boy took his life at such an early age.

No one saw it coming.

No one could have known.

Now the family is left wondering.

Not how...but WHY?

Not when...but WHY??

Not where...but WHY???

WHY?!?

The question will stay with them, as they work through the tears.

I see your family misses you.

They loved you very much.

I'm sorry for the pain.

I'm sorry for the loss.

I vow to hug my boy a little more now.

He will wonder WHY.

But I'd rather he ask me that now

than me having to ask WHY later.

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

This post is dedicated to our dear friends who lost their nephew this week. No parent should have to bury their child. But when they lose their child at his own hand, they are left looking for answers inside. These parents are top notch. But now they are left wondering where they went wrong.

I pray for this family.

Readers, please hug your children. Remember to talk to them. Appreciate them for who they are, and why they're here. They are part of you. They still need you. Remember that...and cherish that.

Thank you.

Do You Like??

Remember how Grandy mentioned she struggles with most things technical?

Well, Grandy found Goofy Girl Design while playing over at dear Michele Tune's place, Writing the Cyber Highway.

Then it hit me like a ton...I bet she could do something with MY site.

Well, this girl was awesome!!

I think she may have gotten to see a more ignorant side of Grandy that I would normally let on with you readers. But I tried. My banner I had before was "home-made". Now I just say, "heck with it!" Outsourcing works for companies, right?

So...before you run off and have a good weekend. Tell me what you think of the new look?

Oh, and if you are thinking of shaking your cage a little yourself, you can find her here:



Template by
Goofy Girl Designs

No Words Needed

**photo courtesy of Google Images**

Grandy Meets a Buddy

For several months I have watched many of you brag talk about your visit with Bossy, gloat gush about your excitement and adventures at BlogHer, and even watched some of you just share your sweet bloggy friendships as I quietly gag myself on my envy.

Grandy, on the other hand, has been in this on her own. I am an anonymous schlep that has ventured her technically challenged a$$ into this large world wide web all alone. I have a couple of friends, who are quietly, slowly, trying to make their way in the bloggy world. But they are not quite as obsessed focused on their pet project as I am.

Each time someone's talking about the latest gadget, or widget, or new techno blingy thingy, I am always amazed at how little I know about technology. But none of you have ever been concerned about that. Why? Because you ROCK that way.

I so have wanted to meet some of you blogging peeps...live...and in person. I think I've even come across as a stalker with all a select few of you. If that's the case...well...Woops! Sometimes my enthusiasm can be misinterpreted as an over zealous fan. Although I will admit some of it is not an interpretation, and I'm sorry.

I have finally met my first...live and in person...bloggy friend.

Paloma (aka Mrs. F) over at PollyWaddleDoodlesAllDay and I finally hooked up and went to lunch. We're both within the Sacramento area, and I begged, pleaded, and threatened to hurt myself finally won her over.

What a HOOT she is indeed!! Her daughter IS as cute as she looks in those pics. I only hope, I wasn't too goofy, or silly, or lame for her. But then again, she does follow this blog, doesn't she? I think it's safe to assume she might agree that what you see with Grandy is what you get.

Right girlie?

So...who's up for lunch?? Who's next???

**Picture courtesy of my camera...dang arms aren't quite long enough. Look...isn't she cute??

Bald Men with Back Hair

Ok... so before I get started... can I show you what pic came up when I Googled images for "back hair"?

WHAT??? Gregory Harrison? Honey, you are cute and I don't want to know that you have Back Hair, really.

Alright...I've started out digressing already!! I really can't be trusted!!

Tonight Grandy was standing in line, waiting to order some food, when she noticed a particularly interesting man standing in front of her.

He didn't appear to be very old, was completely bald, but had a hairy back (I mean real hairy). How do I know this? It could have been parted from under the tank top he was wearing.

My first thought, "Hmmm...How does that happen?" How is a man blessed with so much hair everywhere BUT his head? He seemed pleasant enough...until he spoke.

Then I realized...there's something to that My Name is Earl show after all.

What is it he says? Karma?

This man had every bit of karma coming his way. He was NASTY to the people that worked there.

Then, as I stood there further, watching him speak down to the poor lady at the register, I notice something else.

The man was off his Chord!!

What chord, you ask? You must know...don't you??

You've seen the Matrix Movies, right? Well this guy looked like he was all ready to be hooked up to the chord. He had the perfect "bump" for it.

Do you think he's unhappy with the fact that he just can't comb-over that far? Is that what makes him a cranky man?

Well...my hubby has back hair...and I love him and frankly think he's HOT.

And quite frankly, there are many hot bald men out there.

OR...

So...what do I say to you bald men with back hair?

Let it go!!

There's no fault to place, it's just the way it is. And there are women out there who will think you are HOT!!

So...GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!

I expect such attitude from short men, but I won't even tolerate it from you.

If you continue with your crappy attitude...You will never GET ANY.

***All images courtesy of Googled images***

Black River of Death

We've all done this, right?

Driving along the road...

Day Dreaming Minding your own business...

Driving the speed limit...kinda...

And then...

A family of baby birds is crossing the black river of death.

Sure, because that's what you would expect in the mountains. A family of baby crows walking in the dang road.

Birds can be dumb and hang out in the road until the last minute. Then just as you get to them, the dang things fly away. They do it all the time, and scare me sometimes.

Driving at 55 (really, that's the speed limit there) you don't have much reaction time to get out of the way. I didn't even realize what they were at first.

GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!

FLY DANGIT!!

They're crossed over both lanes of my direction.

Crap!!

::Thump:: ::Thump::

Speed Bumps!!

**Image courtesy of photobucket.com

Picture Day...the SCIENCE

Remember the days when taking school pictures meant you get in line, a teacher pulls out a comb and quickly fixes your hair, and one by one you sit in the stool, smile, click, you're done??

This morning, as I'm sprinting out the door I stop and realize that today is picture day. I pull out the order manual form and start to select my package. When did we start to require an advanced degree to select a stinking picture?

First, you select your colored background.

Grey (standard)... Blue... Red... Purple... Green...

Then, you select your pose.

Pose 1) Standard close-up with head tilt
Pose 2) 1/3 full body shot with arms crossed and head tilt
Pose 3) Seated with elbows on knees, leaning forward
Pose 4) Seated with elbows on knees, leaning forward, close-up

Now, you must select the package.

Ah...the package.

A12 has 1 8x10, 4 5x7's, 6 3x5's, 20,000 wallets, and 18 1 1/2 x 3's. Cost = $56
A1 gets you all that less 2 5x7's, 1 3x5, 1,200 wallets and 3 1 1/2 x 3's. Cost = $49
A will get you A1 less 3 3x5's, 5,722 wallets and all ity bitty ones. Cost = $36

Whawhohuh??? I WANT a simple package... 1 8x10, 2 5x7's for 2 Grandma's and a few wallets for aunts & uncles. Don't even get me started on the fact that we had packages for B, C, D, E AND F, for all three levels too.

Next...and this is a real kicker...You can pick the extras.

Extras you might ask yourselves?

Oh, yeah, because we have to go for more with everything.

$5 extra to "retouch" your child's photo (i.e. remove all zits).
$5 extra for black & white (should you do that without the retouch?)
$5 extra for "sephia"

Really people?? Seriously??

For once, I appreciated my dang comb overs that the teacher always gave me as a kid because this was just too much flippin' work. It's 5:30 am and I'm trying to figure out the theory of evolution.

So, what did the young Grandy end up with?
Color: Grey
Pose: #3
Extras: None
Package: I have NO IDEA

Photo courtesy of Photobucket.com

What did you want to be?

Lately Grandy has been expressing some verbal vomit frustration in the work category, and it's caused some reflection into my past and think about all my aspirations as a kid.

I remember I was 8 when I wanted to be one of these:

I remember telling Mom that I could be an Angel because they were cute and got all the cool gigs. I even had an explanation for how I would be able to shoot. "Don't worry, Mom, the Angels only get shot in the arm and are fine after that."

What the heck did I know? Kelly was always my favorite because she was most like me (minus the 2 piece hot bod).

When I hit 6th grade, I thought that I had found the High School that I just had to get into.

What? A High School for the artistic? PERFECT!!

Of course I knew that this was a "pretend" high school and the T.V. show rocked my world every week. I wanted to be ON THAT SHOW. I even sent off a picture of myself, with a letter to the casting agents, saying how perfect I would be for the show.

Now...looking back...I fully understand why I never got the call. You will never get to see my 6th grade pic, but you understand.

Later I had lofty ideas of being a teacher. I'm not sure I would have the energy, or the patience for that anymore (how did I get so jaded?).

Some days, I wish I could go back to the days when things were so much simpler. The days when the bullets only grazed the arms, and there was dancing in the high school hallways.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?? Are you doing it now??

(All images provided by Google Images and Photobucket.com)