Random 5 Friday

I have gone back to the first of the year in blog posts and realized that I was doing a Random 5 Friday and linked it to a particular blog that is no longer there.  Well, think I will Random 5 Friday anyway.  

1.  I hate winter, especially this winter as this month we have had a total of 3 partial days of sunshine.  I don't live in Seattle and this is going on way too long.  I am so wanting spring to arrive but I know we have to wait.  Waiting, waiting, waiting...

2.  Coffee, do you like coffee.  It's funny that I was never a coffee drinker until I turned 23 years old.  I loved the smell of it and when my grandmother had coffee candy in one of her many candy bowls I loved the candy but I just could NOT get the desire real coffee.  At 23 years of age I was pregnant with my first child and we had our business in our home.  That meant that the employees were in our living room every morning and the coffee pot was a gurgling.  The smell drove me crazy and I tried it.  In fact I became obsessed with coffee, I craved it.  Back then we didn't know to stay away from stuff like coffee, diet pop, etc... but I kind of knew real coffee would not be good for the baby.  SO when The Hubby wasn't aware I would pour decaf coffee grounds in the real coffee can and we had decaf coffee every morning.  The guys and The Hubby never knew and I got to have COFFEE and I never looked back.

3.  What was you favorite childhood movie?  Mine was Bambi.  I think I only saw the movie once but we also had the record, the soundtrack from it.  It was narrated by Shirley Temple.  Everyday at nap time Momma would put the record on the record player in the living room and put Bro, Sis and I down for naps.  I didn't want to nap but she told me that I had to at least lay down because Bro and Sis had to nap.  I almost always ended up asleep before them.  Smart play Momma.  Anyway, the record would play everyday and I could almost recite the entire movie, line for line at one time.  So loved that movie, uh, soundtrack.  I still have that record somewhere with a HUGE chunk out of the side of it.  Years later I was able to find another copy for my girls.  

4.  What's the plan for New Years Eve?  My plan is to watch Rio while her parents host a party.  We haven't had an all-nighter in months.  The Hubby is going dancing!  Maybe Rio and I will watch Bambi!  

5.  Finally, getting better.  I've had a sinus infection for the past two weeks and yesterday was the first day I felt back to normal.  Still crappy in the head a bit and the voice is still wonky but better.  I haven't been sick in a very long time and this kind of whooped my butt.  I have to get better because I am gearing up to do another 30 day painting challenge so get ready for a painting a day.  

Random 5 Friday

I'm Baaaccck...yes it is that time and Nancy from A Rural Journal is hosting Random 5 Friday.

Here's mine:  

  

1.  Life has been good this week, and tiring.  Watching the kiddo a few times is great fun and tiring.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.  When she says "UP" in the cute way and gives hugs and kisses...Oh man, heaven.

2.  Had dinner with our first neighbors from 37 years ago last night.  It's wonderful we are still friends.  We're also still friends with our neighbors from our second house and on Saturday I saw our neighbors from the third house and we hugged and hugged.  This house, our fourth is no exception.  We've made great friends with all of our neighbors and as of this week one household has moved but we are already having drinks at their new house next week.  Friends are just grand and it does take work to keep the connections together but SOOOO worth it for a lifetime of friends.

3.  Been a reading fool lately.  I've discovered an author I really like.  Julie Hyzy who writes the White House Chef Mysteries which I've read every one.  She has also written the Manor House Mysteries and I've already gone through the first one and nearly done with the second.  They are very light reading without any bad words or sex or ICK!  They are wonderful for vacation and taking a break reads.

4.  I just saw that Doris Day is 90 years old.  Really, I didn't know she was still with us but glad.  I so love her movies and one of my favorites is "Please Don't Eat the Daisies." In fact, I went to Amazon almost immediately and purchased a few of her movies, that one in particular.  I love, LOVE, LOVE old movies and they just don't make them like that anymore.  I have to admit that I'm a kid still too when it comes to movies, watching animated ones all the time.  Goonies is my favorite!

5.  Had the gray hidden again yesterday and I'm not sure I'm happy.  It's a new guy and I'm not sure I'm just real happy with him at all.  First, this is our second appointment and the first one he was 30 minutes late.  Yesterday I arrived on time, in fact 10 minutes early, 9 a.m.  The doors were locked until five till but soon I was inside, waiting again.  Finally, at nearly 9:20 he arrives in a rush, without nary an apology for being late, AGAIN!  Okay, I'll give this to him.  He foils me up and then trims up some, which I love the cut but the blonde.  Well, I'm really blonde, kind of white blonde instead of golden blonde.  Not sure I like that but I will live with it until the next appointment of which I'm sure he will be late, AGAIN!

Random 5 Friday

Random 5 Friday.  I'm seem to only be able to do this lately as far as writing goes, but that is okay.

1.  Missing a lot of exercise days with my trainer and I'm not sure exactly why.  There are several reasons:  sickness, allergies, sleeping, work, just getting bored with it.  I don't know if I need to add more or less or what but I do know that the sleep thing is getting more priority.

2.  Spring is kind dragging it's feet getting here because on Tuesday I was FREEZING and Wednesday when I dressed for the chilly I was BURNING up.  It's time to layer I guess.  Spring storms have been threatening all week so we now go into tornado watching season.

3.  Getting excited to spend a whole week at the cabin, all by myself.  I did it a couple of years ago and it was THE BEST!  I'm not sure when it will happen yet because I have to wait for Bri's classes to end because I watch Rio.  Soon, very soon!

4.  Farmer's Markets start up around here this weekend and since we're staying in town, think I may have to venture to one.  Maybe Bri and Rio and I will go.  I have a cute little shopping cart and will bring my camera for possible painting shots.  Bring on the veggies!

5.  Do they still make "Paint-By-Number" projects?  I was just looking at the one my momma did as a child and the thought occurred to me.

Random 5 Friday

Random 5 Friday is at hand.  If you would like to join in then please our host, Nancy at A Rural Journal to see how it's done!

• I read the local paper every single day and the most interesting section for me are the obits.  Not that I'm morbid but I read to make sure I DON'T know anyone listed.  I'm also struck by the fear that I will someday grace these lists of the dearly departed and as time passes the time gets nearer and nearer.  The ages of a lot of them are at least 58 -70 years old and I realize that I will soon be 58!  EGADS!!!
• Insurance, we all have some sort of insurance don't we.  We have life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, fire and casuality insurance, liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, general liability insurance...oh I could go on forever.  We met with our "insurance" guy yesterday for the business insurance and I am struck by the absurdity of just having to have insurance.  Really it is for the "What If" in your life, be it home or in business.  Frankly, we have had a couple of instances in our business to use the "What If" factor in insurance.  I think the only one benefiting in the industry are the insurance companies on our "What If" fear.  
• The wind lately blowing around is just about to drive me crazy.  I am hoping it is helping to blow away this stupid never-ending winter that just keeps hanging on.  It is almost April and we are still having below freezing temperatures!  Enough already.  My hammock is calling my name please.
  
• This random stuff is kind of hard.  When I think of something that is random enough to write about I'm usually in my car with no paper or pen and no place to write it down.  
• Anyone want some zebra finches.  About 3 years ago a friend called me, since she knew I already had birds, to ask if I wanted some zebra finches.  The story was that a lady friend of hers daughters had given her 4 zebra finches for Mother's Day and she absolutely, under no uncertain terms, HATED them and was going to let them out the front door.  Well, for one thing the little guys are African and not meant for Oklahoma, maybe the summer but not the winter.  Especially the winter we've had here.  I fell for the story and took the little fluttery things in and quickly discovered that there were two males and two females.  Thank goodness I had lots of cages to separate them.  I love birds but I'm really ready to find them some new homes.  I'm tired of taking care of them but will continue because that is what I signed on for but I really would like to find them another home.  Have to get hard at work at that be it the zoo or Craig's List or maybe an assisted living center!  

Random 5 Friday

Again it's Random 5 Friday hosted by A Rural Journal...

1.  My how time flies when LIFE gets in the way!

2.  Aging sucks, especially when it's your parents.

3.  There is just not enough time in my day to paint lately.

4.  Rio cuteness!

5.  I made this baby blanket that Rio uses when I was in high school in the hopes of having children.  It is 40 years old! 

Random 5 Friday

Friday has rolled around yet again and so I have to contribute to the Random 5 Friday hosted by Nancy at A Rural Journal.

1.  I was kind in the news a bit this week, not only in printed material (Tulsa Lifestyle Magazine) but on Wednesday, The Hubby and I were out to lunch at a new deli called Lassalles.  We were enjoying some New Orleans type food  when I noticed a news crew from a local station.  They were filming a quick bit for the noon show about it being Fat Tuesday and guess what, I was caught stuffing my face and licking my fingers...mmm good!  I totally forgot that there was a film crew there, obviously.  A friend saw it and sent me a message so there you go!

2.   Spent all day in an art workshop and today will be day two.  It was so fun and definitely out of my comfort zone of painting techniques.

3.  Thinking a lot about putting in my garden.  I actually got it tilled and ready.  The Burpee seed catalog arrived, I ordered, they delivered and now I wait.  Next week I HAVE to get potatoes and onions to put in.  Oh come on spring!

4. Listening to Wally Lamb's book We Are Water in the car.  Have you read it.  Oh my, it's good and I can't wait to get in my car and just drive around to listen to it.  Very, very long.

5.  Daylight Savings Time starts again this weekend.  Wow, seems to have popped up way soon.  Don't forget to SPRING FOWARD!

Random 5 Friday

Times flies when you're having fun...

Random 5 Friday is here again!

1.  Sleep can be overrated, yet I NEED it! This week I had another of those sleepless nights.  Is it because I'm older, much older.  I see those commercials and magazine articles saying that it's a real problem for OLD women!  Hey, I'm not OLD!

2.  Had a neat experience while in art class this week.  I was painting away on my 4'x 6' project "Sunrise" when some guy walked through and came around my easel saying he just had to see what was on the other side.  He gasped and started saying how much he loved it and the colors and that it would look perfect on his wall in his home in Dallas.  I had to to tell him that it was sold and he wanted to see some of my impressionist flowers I do.  He gave me his card and wants to possibly paint him another HUGE painting like this...(this is not finished yet).  The whole room, including my instructor became quiet listening to our exchange of cost and stuff.  WHAT!

3.  Think my tiller is going to get a workout tomorrow afternoon.  Paint in the morning and till in the afternoon!  

4.  Cuteness = Rio

5.  Thinking of finding a spa to go to again.  The Hubby is going to Australia in a few months and the last time he took a big trip (Africa) I went to Lake Austin Spa!  Spa time!

Random 5 Friday

It's that time again for the Random 5 Friday at A Rural Journal this fine Friday.  

1.  Happy Valentine's Day!

1.  Shirley Temple passed away...awwww, I so loved her.

3.  I'm not fond of chocolate...now caramel...would die for caramel!

4.  I love sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Yeah, the sun is shining and I have a happy smile on my face!  Bring on the spring.

5.  Finally have gotten the reading bug back...FINALLY!  It happens every year that all of a sudden I can barely read a paragraph or even the newspaper then...WHAM...it's back and I read, read, read.  When that time strikes it's not good if I'm reading something I'm already having trouble getting through, which is why I have a few books with markers in them for years.  Can't seem to pick them up again.  

Random 5 Friday

It's that time again...Random 5 Friday!

1.  Wednesday I made a delicious and low cal dinner.  It really started out as a marinade for a Spicy Roasted Cauliflower but it was suggested in the recipe that the marinade could be used for other veggies or meats...chicken!

EUREKA!  

So I marinated chicken breast in the left over marinade from the cauliflower dish and then grilled the chicken.  SO yummy!

1 Tbls veg oil

1-1/2 cups plain Greek Yogurt

1 lime, zested & juiced

2 Tbls Chili powder

1 Tbls Cumin

1 Tbls garlic powder

1 tsp curry powder (my new FAV!)

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

2.  Finally, FINALLY I got some personal time in front of MY easel at home and finished this beauty.  It's called "Stained Glass." I've been watching some online art classes and am so ready to be creative. 

3.  Massage is good!  Facial is good!  Reflexology is good!  Mani-pedi is good!  Yes, Thursday was the day of me, Queen for the day!  Painting in the morning and then being pampered all day long, now that is what I'm talking about.  Actually, massage is good for you and I do all of these things every 4 weeks!  

4.  While laying around Thursday I began to think about the young me.  Yes, must have been wishful thinking that I could stop time while being pampered.  Anyway, I am in the middle of helping to plan for my 40th class reunion and as usual I start thinking about days past.  I thought about the kind of person I was back in the day.  I think everyone liked me.  I was a likable person and have been told that I was one of the sweetest people they knew back then...awwww.   My question that has crossed my mind many times over the years, especially in the tender-age-years is, why didn't I get asked out more.  Did I give the impression that I was stuck up, was I not popular enough, not cute enough...oh, sometimes it just makes me crazy...have to stop it!  NOW!

5.  I HATE snow...did I say that already.  

Random 5 Friday

It's that time yet again for the Random 5 Friday:

1.  Do you ever take time off from something, like exercise.  I have done just that.  Getting up at 4:45 AM, every single morning with three of those mornings leaving the house, in the cold and dark at 5:30 to workout has become something of a chore.  I've always really enjoyed exercise but I am hitting a brick wall with it and just needed a break.  The Hubby kind of looked at me weird when I told him I was taking 2 weeks off, and I know what those squeaky wheels are thinking in his brain.  He's thinking I will quit altogether and get FAT or at least FATTER!  Slow down cowboy, I have been on this workout agenda for many, many years now and in the past 7 months have lost 25 pounds, I don't think I am giving it up.  It's just this dang cold, dreary weather.  I just need a break.  We all need a break sometime, don't you agree.  I'll be back in the saddle soon enough.

2.  Solitude.  This time of year I kind of crave it and I think it's because of the cold and hibernation thing going on.  I'm perfectly happy sitting in my chair reading or just sleeping.  Spring can not come too soon for me right now.  Sleeping in till 7 right now and reading and reading.

3.  Speaking of books, my book club is reading "The Light in the Ruins" by Chris Bohjalian.  Donna, who recommended the book said it started out kind of slow, but I don't think so.  It's very good and I'm enjoying it tremendously.  I'm also listening to "We Are Water" by Wally Lamb in my car.  My goodness that is 19 CD's long but I am already liking it as there is art stuff in it and it makes me think about why I do art.  Who am I trying to impress if at all.  There was one part about isn't art about making a statement, to kind of incite.  I don't agree, because I paint to make me HAPPY!  That's why I paint with bold and vivid colors and serene pictures.  I paint for enjoyment, no inciting anything!  It's funny that both books have art topics in them.

4.   Sunshine is glorious.

5.  Super Bowl Sunday...do I care, not really.  I don't even know who is playing.  I will probably watch some of it, maybe.  Now if I was invited to a party I might care and actually we have been invited to our neighbors, but probably we won't go.  Mainly because I do NOT want to be faced with the piles of food that will probably be around.

Random 5 Friday

It's that time again for the Random 5 Friday.

1.  Yesterday was an awesome 38th wedding anniversary except for a hitch in one of my best friends lives...but still we enjoyed a wonderful dinner, cards and a dozen red roses!  SCORE!

2.  Who still reads a real newspaper.  I do, at least I sort of do.  I have always been fanatical about an actual newspaper in my hands but lately it seems that they are a bit behind in the news.  I usually already know what is going on from the Internet or television.  Thinking of ending a 38 year subscription!

3.  When do I get to retire.  I'm so ready to be done with work but when you are self employed that is kind of hard to do.  Seems we will be doing this work thing for a while longer, at least till we are able to pay for the NEW BUILDING!

4.  Potatoes are overrated.  Since The Hubby and I have been on the no pasta, no rice, no potatoes, no bread diet we've done pretty well.  Occasionally we will have them but not very often at all.  Last night while out to dinner I was really wanting potatoes so we got potatoes, and you know what, they really weren't very good.  We both ate a couple of bites and then were done.  I guess we've lost the taste for them.  Oh don't get me wrong, I do love mashed potatoes but I just have the desire anymore.  Amazing, don't you think.

5.  Favorite colors...do you have a favorite color.  Mine are green, pink and yellow, in that order and usually together.  It's the colors of SPRING and I so ready for the spring.  Just a few more weeks until the tiny soft green sprouts of new stuff start popping up and I am ready for it.  

Random 5 Friday

It's that time yet again for the Random 5 Friday...

1.  Project Runway, Top Chef, American Idol, Survivor, Amazing Race, America's Next Top Model...Do you watch reality TV.  I think 99% of the population does watch reality TV now.  When it started so many years ago it more of an option but now it's everywhere and there are some kind of competition show on nearly every single channel.  I am addicted I have to admit!

2.  My art adventure has taken a turn for the good as of late.  I was approached online by an outfit out of Houston about a project here in Tulsa.  They somehow found my art from my art blog (Artist In Training) and liked my Sunset on Grand River painting.  They wanted me to produce something like it for a HUGE project here in Tulsa, a 4' x 6' painting!!!!!  Well, after a year of nothing but emails and promises that things were happening and me seeing nothing happening I received a check yesterday for half of the project, FINALLY!  It is a very big deal and I will let you know where it will hang after it happens.  Needless to say I am now flush with a bit of dough and need to purchase a very large canvas and large tubes of paint and get to painting!!!!!  Plus I have a show this weekend at The Garden Trug.  I will be there from 1-3 on Saturday!

3.  To go gray or not to go gray!  Do you color your hair?  I certainly do.  You know I got to thinking that I have been coloring or bleaching my hair since I turned 18 years old.  I come from a long line of hairdressers, my grandmother and two of her daughters (my aunts) and two cousins.  They even had their own beauty shop which I had my hair done a lot.  When I was just out of high school my very, very long hair was kind of dishwasher blonde and my Aunt Sharon wanted to do this new technique called "painting", well, I had such a huge head of hair that she opted to to go the easy route and brush it through my hair...

It was totally bleached and I never turned back!

After that we frosted it for years...

and since then it's been foiled and the gray has never had a chance to show it's silvery face... 

Sometimes it's darker but I really prefer the blonder shades... 

one of these days I may let the silver show, one of these days, not today!

4.  Small world...yes it is!

5.  Don't ignore an open door...take a chance and walk through it!

Random 5 Friday

Random 5 Friday

1.  I am in the midst of helping with the planning of my 40th high school reunion.  I am not that old, am I.  We had a meeting last night and it was actually great fun.  I'm kind of getting excited about this one.  It's not like I haven't seen anyone since high school, cause we have had a reunion every 5 years since 1974, except the 35th!  Here's to making NEW friends!

2.  I hate bananas.  Yes I do.  Well, I guess hate is a very strong word.  I can eat them and then all of a sudden I want to hurl.  It's the texture I think because I do like the smell and the taste, well sometimes.  

3.  I have a standing pedicure/manicure appointment every 5 weeks and a massage, facial, reflexology, and hair appointment every 4 weeks.  I have earned this, trust me!

4.  I have been out of high school 40 years; married 38 years this month; have an almost 35 year old and almost 29 year old daughters; 15 month old granddaughter;  an almost 79 year old father; and almost 87 year old mother-in-law.  I am almost 58 years old!!!!  EEK!  It's all just numbers.

5.  This random thing is kind of hard and taxes the brain.  It's good to tax the brain.  It makes it fire and sputter and work and keeps it all oiled up!  I do Sudoku all the time, in fact I'm obsessed with it at times.  I have it downloaded on my KindleFire and work the puzzles for hours sometimes.  I used to do the newspaper crossword and Sudoku but quit a few years ago.  My daddy does his every single morning.  

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Random 5 Friday

I think I may have done this yesterday but here we go again!  It's another Random 5 Friday.  Why not join in!

1. Oatmeal...yum it is good!  I'm adding it back to the diet along with the bacon I eat in the mornings.  Not at the same time.  I plan on adding it every other day.  
2. Why can't I sleep past 5 am in the mornings anymore.  It's kind of frustrating really.  I want to sleep in but my body starts giving me problems and so I'm up.  The carpel tunnel in both of my hands, my bladder and then the mind starts firing up and I'm awake!  I can't even stay up late at night, the majority of the time.  It's all I can do to stay awake for the 10 o'clock news and weather.  That is probably why I am up early huh!  Oh well, I will go with the flow.  At least I can get stuff done in the mornings, my most productive time of the day.
3. Coffee, do you drink it.  It's funny that when I was in my teens I just detested the taste of it but loved to smell it.  My parents would drink it at all times of the day and in the evenings they would have a cup while watching TV.  We kids knew how to fix it for them and it was great fun to prepare and take it to them.  Daddy liked two sugars and Momma liked it black.  Aww, the smell was delicious but YUCK!  Grandma used to have coffee candies that I loved and wished coffee tasted like it.  Then, in 1979, I was pregnant with our first child, daughter, and The Hubby would fix his coffee and the smell again tempted me.  I again tasted it and wow, YUM!  Oh my goodness, I craved the stuff but knew that it was probably not good for me.  So to protect the baby I would buy decaffeinated coffee and replace the regular coffee, he never knew and I got to have my cup of coffee a day.  After that I loved it and still love it.  
4. Cold weather, snow, sleet, ice, I HATE IT ALL!  No I will never, EVER live in Colorado or go snow skiing.  I am an beach baby!  I love the sun and hot and blue and green and COLOR!
5. Lost in my car.  I have a necklace that I have worn for YEARS and everything is very special on it.  
   
   Over the years I have added a few things there.  The first (in the center) is a sapphire with a diamond on top.  The diamond was from my first wedding ring, not first marriage, same marriage, it was just that we kind of upgraded my wedding ring especially after I wore the band completely in two.  Then The Hubby gave me an amethyst with a diamond for my birthday and another with an emerald with a diamond.  I couldn't decide which to wear so they all reside around my neck.  Several years ago, before Mom died I found a tiny baby ring in one of her jewelry boxes and she informed me it was my baby ring from my favorite aunt and uncle, my great aunt and uncle to be exact.  So the ring was added.  I've replaced the chains many times and recently had to have it repaired when Rio accidentally caught it and it went flying.  It has broken many times but I have always found the jewels and ring.  Yesterday I was in my car and the seat belt had shifted up and I reached up to pull it down and caught the chain and "PLING" everything went flying.  I have found all except the most important one, the sapphire and my wedding diamond.  Oh, I am very upset about it and I will continue to look but sad for sure.  

Random 5 Friday

I'm trying something new here from A Rural Journal, it's a Random 5 Friday. 

1.  I like routine.  I was not like that in my early years yet here I am approaching my 58th year and I am a routine person.  Does that come with age?  I think it kind of does for all of us.  It's just how things roll.  I am up the same time.  I have breakfast the same time.  I do the same things every morning the SAME!  The evening rituals are the same way too.  Not sure how I feel about this.  Hated it when my mother started doing it.

2.  I love books, I mean I LOVE books!  I love to own books.  When we were children my mother made sure we all had library cards and we were constant visitors to the library.  I could sit in there for hours and look at books.  Even though I love the library what is even better is to OWN books.  Oh gosh I hated it when Borders went out of business.  I would walk in the door to their tables of new releases and my arms would be full of books.  I could not walk out of that store without spending a couple hundred dollars on books.  The smell, the sound, the feel of the paper...I LOVE owning books as is evident by the piles that are in various places in my house.  Have I read all of them...not yet!

3.   I always wanted to be a writer, a fiction writer.  I found a few years ago that I am not very good at writing, or at least fiction.  Probably because I use "I" a lot!!!  It happens a lot when you write a blog as you usually are writing a lot about yourself.  I may not be a fiction writer but I am a writer!  I am a blog writer and I think I'm okay at it.  (My girls are fantastic writers.)  

It's fun and I've been doing in nearly 8 years now, here!  Did you know I print off every blog post I write.  I keep them in three-ring binders and dated.  One of these days my girls (they already to) or granddaughter or great-grandkiddos will read them and understand me more.  I recently found a site that I printed 2012 in a hardbound book!  There you go, I'm a writer and I am hardbound!

(This random 5 thing is kind of tough!)

4.  I hate winter.  Did I tell you that already!  I HATE WINTER!  It's just not pretty and it is dang cold.  It's hard on people financially and physically.  At least the physical for me.  I get chilled and I will not really get warm until spring.  I have to work very hard to not get depressed and eat myself into oblivion.  Snow is pretty, as long as I don't have to get out in it.  I get through the winter knowing that spring is just a few months away and I will see green again!

5.  I am a crafter at heart.  I crochet, I knit (a bit), I love little counted cross-stitch ornaments and oh yeah, I'm an artist.  I love that I have found my creative side.  It's always been there but this oil painting thing has give me a whole new dimension to ME!  I may never sell stuff for thousands of dollars but I do sell and that has done more for my confidence than you can imagine.  I think we grow as human beings until the day we die, and I don't me physically, I mean mentally.  We become more well-rounded, at least I have.  I hope to be an inspiration to my girls and granddaughter!