Bring it on.

As  the year 2018 dwindles from hours to minutes and 2019 arrives with many uncertainties, I wish you all a blessed New Year, prosperity, and good health. God bless each of you, those of faith who believe and those who don't. To look into a newborn baby's face is to witness God's handiwork. 

This quote spoke to me. Looking back over 2018, I would agree...


"There are years that ask questions and years that answer."

I was in the doctor's office last week and came across this quote by Zora Neale Hurston from
one of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God . 

This book brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Out of print for almost thirty years—due largely to initial audiences’ rejection of its strong black female protagonist—Hurston’s classic has since its 1978 reissue become perhaps the most widely read and highly acclaimed novel in the canon of African-American literature. It is 99 cents on Kindle. I have not read it yet, but hope to soon.

I am thankful for my followers and friends near and far. Happy New year 2019! May this be a year that provides opportunity and answers for you.

There is no Minnesota Fats in our family, but we did play billiards with our feet!

 Looking for a little fun in the new year? Participants from Scouts, school groups, corporate team building events, fraternities, friends and family members all agree  

greatamericanhumanfoosball.com. is WHERE THE FUN IS. 

Located in South St. Louis on Morganford Road a couple blocks south of Arsenal near Tower Grove Park,  housed in a store front, this family-owned small business offers personal fitness workshops and drop in rates for organized Human Foos Ball. They also have league play. 

In addition to the physical activity and great work out, there are a dozen or more life size games on tables, floors, and walls, such as Connect Four, Yahtzee, Checkers, Scrabble, Chess, but one of the most appealing games is FOOT POOL. 

Grand kids were in from college and both George and Morgan are sports enthusiasts who play league volleyball. Can you imagine how much fun it is to sink stripes or solids without scratching, by using your foot as a cue? There was a group of college kids competing with one another. Laughter galore.

Clayton, the coach and referee, offers encouragement and hugs; calls foul, signals yellow cards and you sure don't want him to hold up a red card when you mess up playing...

HUMAN FOOS BALL. Oh my gosh this was such a work out. Wish I could say Bill and I were participants, but we were actually spectators. We cheered family and friends as they kicked that ball up and down the court. Goalies used knees, legs and feet. Did I say sweaty-hot work out?

That's Bill's daughter Robin cheering a goal point, before she did the floss dance. LOL. We are planning an encore. If you live locally, check this place out. It is affordable and you won't be disappointed. 

Where have I been? Or have you forgotten me already?

It has been one minor disaster after another here. Bill developed bronchitis which nearly went into pneumonia a couple weeks ago, so I took care of him. Then he had cataract surgery on his left eye. I am designated driver. Doctor visits required driving across town, and then next day follow up visit to the other end of town, all in rush hour traffic.

 Today he had a dense cataract removed from his right eye, and will have a follow up visit early in the morning. A physical the next day. Did I say in rush hour traffic?

He has also been going to physical therapy for a seriously painful knee, but it hasn't alleviated the pain. So he saw an orthopedist, who gave him a cortisone shot and removed 10 times the fluid that was supposed to be on his knee. He is still in pain and is going to request an MRI, but does not want knee replacement. YIKES!

We used to be avid dancers, and we both miss dancing. We wish you a happy holiday. We are grateful for family and friends, and especially each other. We can at least strike a dance pose.

Last week was my turn for boo-boos. I was scooping frozen cookie dough when the plastic measuring spoon snapped and sliced my thumb to the bone. Using my thumb is something I take for granted, so the wound was forever reopening, but it's finally healing.

Then we were visiting a friend when I stepped on his dog's toy. When I screamed,  the mutt nipped me in the butt. I have a bruised cheek. Yeah that one!

And my left facial cheek looks like I have been tortured. I pulled a cookie tray from the oven at eye level, and turned suddenly to see what the cat was yowling about and burned my own cheek!  

Last night after a wonderful family Christmas, with much laughter and joy, from our babies young and old, I fell asleep on the couch, exhausted. I vaguely remember my honey calling my name, but I was too far gone and did not hear about his latest episode until we were sitting in the eye surgeon's office this morning. When he told me, I laughed so hard I cried.

Bill said he couldn't see out of his bad eye, and his good eye had no lens in his glasses last night. So he was having trouble seeing how badly he'd injured the toe next to his big toe when he conked it on the dresser. He placed his foot on the toilet seat and poured alcohol and peroxide over his toes, which colored the water bright red with blood. He couldn't rouse me from sleep, so with limited visibility, he proceeded to doctor his foot. He put triple antibiotic and a Bandaid on his toe. He hobbled into the living room and collapsed in his recliner. He propped up his feet, and THAT is when his vision cleared under direct lamp light. His toe was oozing blood through the ointment. He had bandaged the wrong toe!

I am also battling the bulge. Doctor has me on probation. She said, my cholesterol number hadn't changed in a year. I think that's a good thing (201), but I have three months to lower my LDLs or go on meds. I'm gobbling the last of the peanut butter cookies. In a few days I will be reforming my ways. Or Liam's dinosaur will get me!

Your words can be a gift

My sweet Liam did not have to share me with his brothers last Friday. They had to go to the pediatrician, so he spent the day with us, much to his delight. Papa Bill took us to McDonald's so Liam could play at the Play Place. 

Then it was home for a nap and afterwards some pre-reading activities, story telling, and phonics  using inventive spelling (writing the letters he hears.) 

This is Liam's precious story. Four and five year old children should be able to stay on topic using 4-5 related sentences.

I used to do these with my students, and some were so funny! I displayed them at our holiday program and explained why it is important to ask kids questions, such as who? what? why? where? when? what else? and can you tell me more?

There are many people who don't realize they are writers. You do not have to be published to say you are a writer.

 Liam loves books, alphabet, sounding out letters, and of course the praise I heap on him for being so eager to learn. He was in rare form being silly as we played Jenga.  As I was video taping him, I asked him his name. He replied, "LEO." Then he laughed and laughed, which resulted in bear hugs and tickles. I love the age he is!

Let this be a reminder to you if you are a writer, don't wait until you know all the rules of writing to get started. Look at an interesting picture and tell a story. That's a beginning.

This is a busy time, and it is easy to procrastinate, so be sure to get your words down, even if it is to complain about the hectic pace, the crazies you encountered, or the things that made you smile or say, Oh dear!" Don't let December slip by without your words. They may be a gift to someone. 

Sweetness Overload

Liam at 6 months old.

And now at 4 1/2 years old.

Alex loved their noses!

I told the boys to stand by the snow people. Liam stood in front of Frosty, and Alex screamed in resistance until he saw the ball on the hat. Failed photo.

Alex, 15 1/2 months enjoys ripping his shoes open; he likes the sound of the Velcro. I made him a Christmas tree with Velcro attached ornaments.  He loves peeling them off. Liam can read the names on the ornaments.

Charlie has stolen my heart. He loves when Frosty sings to him.

Charlie loves when frosty 

sings This lit four-month-old baby boy has stolen my heart, as his big brothers did.

 And Charlie is right, who needs Santa when your Nana is...
keep scrolling...

a gingerbread grandma with a narrow waist.

If you really want a good laugh, check out my latest holiday publication at 
http://sasee.com/2018/12/01/leaving-a-lasting-impression/




Happy holidays!