Just a Mum.

Post 465 ~ ~ ~ Friday, 13th June, 2008.

Hello my friends ~~ Nice to be back with you again.
I have been busy making soup and cooking a pot
roast with roast veggies and corn and beans. So it
takes time to get it all prepared, cooked and served
up. Now no cooking for a few days at least.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your lives.
Another week is over in Australia, time flies when
you are having fun and even when you're not.

I am posting a basic recipe for Pavlova, although
there are sure to be some on the Internet.
PAVLOVA. Australian Dessert. Simple & reliable.

3 egg whites; 1 teas cornflour; 1 teas vanilla;
One & 1/2 cups castor sugar (superfine) and
4 tablespoons boiling water.

Place all together in a bowl & beat until very stiff.
Cover oven tray with foil. Spread the mixture
into a round shape about 10 " across.
Place in centre of oven and bake at 150C (300 F)
for half an hour. Turn oven off and do not open
oven until cool.

When cold, fill centre with whipped cream and
fruit of your choice. Good luck anyone who tries
this. It really is worth the effort.

Today is my Mother's birthday, and although she
died over 30 years ago I still miss her and so today's
story which was sent by my friend Linda is called
Just a Mum. My Mum was just a Mum and did it
well.
Just a Mum.
A woman renewing her driver's license at the Motor
Registration office, was asked by the counter clerk
to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the counter clerk,
"do you have a job or are you just a . . . .?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mum."

"We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation, housewife
covers it." said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our Medicare office.

The clerk was evidently a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed og a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar'.

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words
just popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the
field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid-air
and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most
significant words. Then I stared with wonder as
my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink
on the official questionaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, just
what do you do in your field?"

Coolly , without any trace of a fluster in my voice, I
heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program
of research, (what mother doesn't?) in the laboratory
and in the field. (normally I would have said indoors
and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then
the whole family) and already have four credits (all
daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the
humanities. (any mother care to disagree?) and I
often work 14 hours a day. (24 is more like it.) But
the job is more challenging from most run-of-the-mill
careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction
rather than just money.

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's
voice as she completed the form, stood up, and
personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my
glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab
assistants ages 13, 7, and 3, Upstairs I could hear
our new experimental model. (a 6 month old baby.)
in the child development program, testing out a new
vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy. And I
had gone on the official records as someone more
distinguished and indespensable to mankind than
'just another Mum.' Motherhood.

What a glorious career. Especially when ther's
a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research
associates in the field of Child Development?"
I think so !!!
I also think it makes Aunts, 'Associate Research
Assistants.'

May your troubles be less, your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness come through your door.
<><>

My friend Barbara sent me the next couple of jokes.

We all get heavier as we get older because there's
a lot more information in our heads. So I'm not fat,
I'm just really intelligent and my head couldn't hold
any more, so it started filling up the rest of me.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it !!
<><>

The pastor decided to do something a little different
One Sunday morning.

He said, "Today, in church, I am going to say a single
word and you are going to help me preach. Whatever
single word I say, I want you to sing whatever hymn
that comes to mind.

The pastor shouted 'CROSS."

Immediately the congregation started singing in
unison, "THAT OLD RUGGED CROSS."

The pastor hollered out 'GRACE.'
The congregation began to sing 'AMAZING GRACE
how sweet the sound.'

The pastor said 'POWER.' The congregation sang
'THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD.

The pastor said "SEX". The congregation fell into
total silence.' Everyone was in shock. They all
nervously began to look around at each other
afraid to say anything.

Then all of a sudden, from way back in the church
A little old 87 year old grandmother stood up and
began to sing "MEMORIES."

Gotta love little old ladies.
Laugh . . . . it burns calories.
<><>

John went to a psychiatrist : "Every time
I go to bed, I think there's somebody under it.
I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy."

"Just put yourself in my hands for one year,"
said the shrink, "Come talk to me three times
a week, and we should be able to get rid of those
fears."
"How much do you charge?" John asked warily.
"Each visit is $150," replied the doctor.

"Well, I'll sleep on it." says John.
Six months later, the doctor bumped into John
on the street. Why didn't you ever come to see
me about those fears you were having?"

"Well, one hundred and fifty bucks a visit three
times a week for one year is an awful lot of
money! A friend at work cured me for nothing,
I was so Happy to have saved all that money
that I went and bought myself a new pick-up,"

"Is that so? And how may I ask, did your friend
cure you?"

He told me to cut the legs off my bed !!"
<><>
One from my friend Patty. Thank you

A distinguished young woman on a flight
from Switzerland asked the priest beside her.
"Father, may I ask a favor?"
"Of course. What may I do for you?"

Well. I bought an expensive electronic hair
dryer that is well over the Customs limits
and I'm afraid they'll confiscate it. Is there
way you could carry it through Customs for
me? Under your robes perhaps?"

"I would love to help you dear, but I must
warn you : I will not lie."
"With your honest face, Father, no one
will question you."

When they got to Customs, she let the priest
go ahead of her.
The official asked, "Father, do you have
anything to declare?"

"From the top of my head down to my waist,
I have nothing to declare." The official
thought this answer strange, so asked, "And
what do you have to declare from your waist
to the floor?"

I have a marvellous little instrument designed to
be used on a woman, but which is, to date, unused."

Roaring with laughter, the official said, Go ahead,
Father . . . Next."
<><>

A 70 year old millionaire had just married a
beautiful 20 year old.
"You crafty old codger," said his friend, "How
did you get such a lovely young wife ?"

"Easy, " said the millionaire, "I told her I
was 95."
<><>
How many cups of coffee will this hold?" the
man asked as he placed a large thermos on
the counter.

"Six cups," advised the waitress.
"Fine," replied the man. "Give me two cups
of regular, two cups black, and two with extra
cream."
<><>
A few Quotes to finish with. . . . .

One enemy is too many and a hundred friends
too few. ~ ~ ~ Unknown.

Plan your life like you will live forever, and live
your life like you will die the next day.
~~Unknown.

The truly rich are those who enjoy what they have.
~ ~ ~ Yiddish.

The old one who is loved, is winter with flowers.
~ ~ ~ German.

United we stand; divided we fall. ~ ~ ~ Aesop.
<><>

That is it for tonight folks. Have a great weekend
and be kind to one another. I will get to replying
very soon. Love and best wishes to you all.
Cheers, Merle.

Post 465 ~ ~ ~ Friday, 13th June, 2008.
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