''WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS??

January 4, 2008

I had just finished the breakfast dishes and was sitting down to watch the news with my DH, when everything went black! Since we live in an area with a lot of trees, the sun doesn't penetrate our living room until about 8:00 a.m. Thank goodness we have a wood stove and it gives off quite a bit of light, plus keeps us toasty warm. DH and I scrambled to find candles and lanterns. You may have read about the wild wind, rain and snow storms that slammed into California. We were very lucky as our power was only off 34 hours. Many in this area are just now getting their power restored.

While we were in the dark, so to speak, I cooked meals on the top of the woodstove . And, since we have a propane water heater, we were able to take showers, etc. Thank goodness!!

It's at times like this that we realize just how much we depend on our electricity. We are really a spoiled generation when it comes to luxury living. I have so much more appreciation for my grandparents who made do with so much less...

I thank God each day for all I have and pray that He will continue to remind me of all of my blessings. The main brunt of the storm in our area (we are at an altitude of 2700 ft.) and in the valley below was in the wind and rain. Many trees crashed into homes and power polls snapped like twigs. Several days after the initial storm we did get some snow, but not enough to do any real damage.

I had this blog ready to send quite a few days ago, but for some reason the computer wouldn't take my username or password. I even had Mrs. Mac trying to help me. Evidently, they started a new program at the beginning of the year and I had to create a new password, etc. Hopefully, this time I'm doing it correctly. By the time this gets out, it will be old news.....Just wanted you to know I'm still alive and kicking.

That's all for this time - may you be blessed with health and happiness in this new year.

Tiffy

CHRISTMAS MELTDOWN

Well the prime rib leftovers are put away, the boxes and paper from gifts are burning in the wood stove and DH and I are taking a little breather. Our youngest son arrived the week before Christmas and did all of the cooking! Gee, I'm so glad I raised three children who are excellent cooks.....Both of our sons were here for the "big dinner" - the only thing missing was Mrs. Mac and her brood. But, she was experiencing her first Christmas in her new home, complete with snow and all her family gathered around. The biggest thrill for her was having her new grandson there to share it with.



The snow picture at the right was taken last year from our garage looking down our driveway after a snow storm hit. If you look closely, you can see DH using his snow thrower down on the road. We haven't had any of the white stuff yet this winter, so had to use an old picture!



I feel very remiss at taking such a long time getting back to blogging, but with two vacations, totalling 5 weeks, and both of us having eye surgeries, not to mention the approaching holidays, just couldn't get myself going. I will try and do better in 2008.



I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year and hope to hear from some of you......



God bless you one and all.....



Tiffy

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

When I was trying to decide what to title my blog, it suddenly occurred to me that using my nickname "Tiffy" might work. My daughter and I have had nicknames for each other for some time now. We use them mainly when speaking to each other on the phone. Oh yes, she's "Buffy", as well as Mrs. Mac.

It all started years ago when I would call her, disguising my voice and stating it was Mrs. Bufforfington calling. I believe that was a name used on the old Jack Benny show when a certain snooty woman would supposedly drive up in her limo and talk to Jack. Anyway, Mrs. Mac shortened it to Buffy and started calling me Tiffy. Thinking about names brought to my mind a couple of others - namely Pauline from The Perils of Pauline. I remember seeing that movie in the late forties; I believe Betty Hutton played the part. Another name I thought of was Tillie the Toiler who was evidently a secretary in the funnies in the 1920's. Perhaps I should have called myself Tillie, as I was a secretary all the years I worked outside of the home. But, that's another story for another time.

Of course, DH has had a few nicknames for me over the years. The longest lasting one was Whistle Britches!!! Where he ever got that one I don't know. I have to remember that DH was a real country boy when I met him and I was a city girl. So, some of his terminology was "Greek" to me. After almost 40 years of marriage though I'm finally able to decipher some of his slang and word combinations. As an example: one day while looking out our dining room window he stated, "I've got to fill that beeder". I knew right away he meant the bird feeder. He has a habit of putting two words together or shortening sentences and the scary part is that I understand him.....But, that's what happens when two people live together for a long time. You can almost finish each others sentences.


With blessings to you and yours until we meet again.

Tiffy B

ADVENTURES OF A TEENAGE ELEVATOR OPERATOR

The following story was suggested by my daughter who found the experience of my first job rather funny, so here goes.......

It was the summer I turned 14 and we were living in a small tourist town in Colorado. Someone mentioned there was a job opening at the local hotel/spa, so I went in and applied. It was for an elevator operator for their small, French cage-like elevator. Throwing caution to the wind, I accepted the position.

I was told by the manager that I would need a uniform (black dirndl skirt and white peasant blouse). About 3 or 4 days into the job, I was coming down from the top floor when quite an updraft occurred. There were no inside doors on the elevator, only the individual doors at each floor. My skirt began to billow and snagged on something jutting out from the wall area of one of the floors. Before I realized what was happening, my skirt started to rip at the hemline and continued to do so up to the waistband. When the doors opened on the lobby level, there I stood holding my skirt together and hoping there weren't too many visitors waiting to board my car.

The manager had explained to me during my training that all but the top floor had to be judged where exactly to stop (using a hand lever). He said the elevator would automatically stop at the top floor, but suggested I judge that floor also. After about two weeks on the job, with a car load of people, I decided to let the auto-stop do its work. We arrived at the top floor and continued going up until we crashed into the roof! We were about 2 -1/2 feet past the floor, so I pried open the door, jumped down and got help for my passengers. Needless to say, there were some tense moments until they were rescued.

It was shortly thereafter that I was let go, as the manager explained state law prohibited anyone under 16 from operating mechanical equipment. Thus ended my exciting, but short lived occupation as an elevator operator!!!

Thanks to any and all of you who have left comments on my posts. I really appreciate hearing from you. Until next time, have a good week and my God bless you and yours.....

Tiffy

Granddaughters - One of God's Gifts to Grandparents

It was 7:30 A.M. one recent morning and I was just about to step in the tub when the phone rang. It was Elizabeth, my daughter's oldest girl, and she was anxious to fill me in on all her news. She and her hubby are buying a new home and she wanted to share all the details with me. She was all aglow describing the house and trying to pin me down on when we would be visiting again so she could show the house to us. They are the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy and wanted a home of their own so he could have a backyard to play in. It was so sweet of her to want to share her joy with me. It had a lasting effect on me all day....

The Lord has truly blessed me with three wonderful granddaughters and four handsome grandsons. Being able to share things with them either by phone, computer or in person makes being a grandparent a true gift from God.

Until tomorrow or whenever may you be blessed.

Tiffy

The Family That Blogs Together Stays Together

Dh (I learned that term from Mrs. Mac) took me shopping yesterday for a speaker phone so I could have my hands free for typing, etc., when my daughter or son is giving me a computer lesson. When my son heard that I was going to try blogging, he immediately wanted to set up his own blog. It's a pretty neat way for a mother and her children to stay in touch.

I'm sure my blogs will become more interesting when I learn how to include pictures or other art work to go along with the story. Until then, I hope you will stay with me and give me your feedback.......

Tiffy

What Have I Gotten Myself Into??

Here I sit at my laptop wondering why at 71, and a great grandmother to boot, I decided to learn to use a computer. I'm doing ok at sending e-mails and checking on my daughter's blog, but setting up my own blog is another matter all together!! My daughter, who lives out of state, has been on the phone with me leading me through this confusing process. I'm hoping down the road I might be in contact with other seniors who are on the same page as I am when it comes to computer knowledge.