Not a fan of paying full price, unless I must..

Most of the time Jane and I do our shopping in stores or on-line together, I always have a stack of coupons, for the things we eat or use. Keeping track of what we have has always been my job. Because I hate running out and after being a Battalion supply Sargent, keeping track of our inventory is easy even with M.S. so far. Jane draws the line on only one thing Toilet paper no more than 120 rolls in the house at anytime. Why? Because at the end of 2011 we had 192 rolls. Now in my defense I paid 3 to 4 dollars off each 12 pack we had, I only got it if on sale and could use a coupon, in 2012 we didn't buy any, last weekend was the first time we needed to buy T.P. yes on sale with a coupon of course. When I'm not able to go with her, I'll give her a list and the coupons, Jane really doesn't like shopping, so I keep it as short as I can. The part Jane loves is figuring how much we saved, the highest was 84% most of the time it between 5~20% we both get a kick out saving money.

Jane and I went out to dinner, with my brother Brian and Mary his wife my sister in-law on Saturday night. To Red Lobster for dinner we all like eating there, being lobster fest was a bonus. Brian & Mary gave us a gift card for Christmas and I had a two coupons one for $4. off the other a free appetizer. The appetizer lobster stuffed mushrooms, Jane loves mushrooms I love the stuffed part. The dinners are huge so each split a dinner and ordered a side salad, worked great only leftovers were rolls we took them home mum.  With the gift cards and the coupons all we paid was the tip having been a waitress, I tip for good service as does Brian and it was great, Jane told them I figure out the tip, Mary said that's Brian's job too. We all had a great time, I think this was the first time the four have ever gone out to eat together. Jane and I don't eat often, in the winter with the snow and ice it's not worth the work.

The original cast of character's.

Have been a big part of my life, mostly from the stories my Mom has shared about her family when she was growing up, I Never knew my grandmother or my grandfather, both died before I was born. Yet through all the stories, I heard from her sisters, brother and the in-laws who knew them it is easy to see how each of Mayme’s children became independent and different from each other. However, the love they shared for each other and Mayme was a bond of respect and love. From her own children’s stories of her Mayme was a character. Buying “2932” on her own the first time her husband saw it was the day they moved in. The job she had chosen after her husband passed away, becoming an arch welder her reasoning was sound, it paid better than most jobs.
Last week my Uncle Bill and Auntie Nan passed away. It brought back memories, of all the stories she and her family had told, is the reason why I call them a cast of characters. The stories they told made them laugh, do not remember any that were hurtful or mean spirited. Memories when Mom talked about her brother and sisters as a family, she said, we are all Mayme’s own! Having so many great memories of my Aunties, Uncles and all of my cousins, growing up along with all of Mayme’s own with all coming and going through “2932” from Mayme on down, that house held more than history and memories made there. The love shared to and with all who passed through the door was never forced or faked, all were welcome to visit or stay always had room for more. Saturday’s morning’s I remember waking up hearing Mom talking to one of her sister’s on the phone, not long after our cores were done. One or more of our Auntie showed up with our cousins. The oldest was Auntie Jo and Uncle Bill they had 5, Uncle Ervin and Auntie Nan had 3 those cousin’s lived with us at that time, thought Molly was my big sister and David, Peter my brothers no one told me that, learned they were not when Molly moved out, didn't change how I felt about them. Auntie Carol and Uncle Ole had five all boy’s, Auntie Alice had two. What I remember is when we were all together we could play kickball or baseball in the back yard. As everyone got older, we always were together on the holidays.
The memories of Uncle Bill as a kid, he came over shortly after dark, to get night crawlers for their yard; we had a ton of them. Allowed to help him was great fun he told me; I was one of the best night crawler hunters around. For me getting to be outside after dark, with a flashlight Mom being okay with it was fun. With Uncle Bill it was always about fun he always had a very small pocketknife, he would pull it out and say let me have a piece of that ear or something like that I would run and hide under the piano he would put the pocketknife away pick me up and give me a hug and say go play. Saw Uncle Bill at Uncle Ole’s wake, told Jane this is my uncle with the pocketknife as said it he pulled it out and yes, I jumped a little.
My Auntie Nan getting to know her better after my Mom fell out of bed breaking her arm. Mom had a hard time talking on the phone it was the arm she held the phone with, I starting calling Auntie Nan with updates. After Mom went back home between the three of us we worked out a time for Auntie Nan to call Mom once a week so they could visit. Mom’s vision was going she could see dirt on the carpet but not the buttons on the phone or the T.V. remote. The last time Mom got sick then moved into hospice care. Auntie Nan and I talked a lot, her sharing her side of Mayme and Mom’s history with me was fun for both of us. Auntie Nan remarked how having talked to all three of us Mayme, Mom and me how much we all sounded alike, yet saying the same things in different ways.

The Fourth of July

Thankfully things in this country have changed a lot since it's first Birthday! For me having been around for fifty of them, with age so much has changed. As a kid the whole family went to a lake for fun in the sun, food, swimming and a sunburn or two for about everyone! In my teens it was floating on an inner tube down a river with my Mom and her sisters and us kids. Good food, swimming and not as many sunburns. In my twenty's alcohol and partying with friends, getting out of town and far away from my family. Swimming including skinny dipping food was munches, more alcohol was consumed then food. Few slept alone that night, trying to remember the person's name the next today, to say good bye wasn't easy. When the light of day was burning into my head! After those wild years passed into history. It became what it once was all about family friends and firework's.

Now I work at finding my balance, between fun and a little sun, staying cool maybe a small fire, watching the fireworks show on T.V. Before I float off to sleep with my memories of the Fourth of July when I was a kid with my family, I say a little prayer thanking God for this day and asking if I could have one more day, if not that's okay either way I'll see You when I wake, Amen!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4 of July!!     

Dislike when it starts out with...

... And I was doing so good! Of course we all have days like this.  I'm slowly getting over being sick, trying to take it easy not something I'm very good at. With many things I want to do but none are things I need to do! Not yet on solid food however, I will be soon if I keep doing the things I should and not the things I want to. It's nothing I did caught a bug putting my body into to a tailspin. Now that I'm able to sit up longer at the computer, it won't be long until I'll be playing in the garden dirt a bit late but that's okay. So Haven't been posting much anywhere until Friday. I've had a scanner for over a year finally learned how to use.

Here are a few old pictures of my Mom, and our home in Amery, WI. been missing the open sky's of home. After being stuck in the house so long!

Picture was taken in 1977 

This is Tony he fell for his nest, his eyes weren't even open when he decided, I was his Mommy. Did my best to teach him how to be a squirrel, he was never a pet. Once he was strong enough he moved and spent the rest of his life living in our backyard trees. Only squirrel our dog Rusty nerve chased, and he hated squirrels as much if not more then the mailman. 

This was taken at our family reunion in 2009

With Granddaughter Katie, Mom-Grandma and Nick

Everyone who could come had a great time! 

Taken on her visit to our house in Wisconsin 1997

Next to her is Peggy Hart, in white is my Auntie Alice.

That were affectionately called the snoop sisters by many

family and friends

Our house in Amery, Wisconsin.

View from Lake Beautiful 

The wild life.

Moved back to Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the fall of 2007 so I would be closer to V.A. Hospital. Miss it the most when I stuck in the house for too long. Now we live in a place that works great for me, and no one needs to worry about me, being so far away from a Doctors care. Jane loves the 10 to 15 minute commute instead of an hour and a half to and from her work in Minneapolis. 

   

Pennsylvania was a great trip!

Jane's Sister Char and her Son Steve were wonderful, Gold star's for each the best meal was at Char's house. As tour guilds we saw everything that we wanted to see and then some. The Amish Village was fun, the animals 

Had some fun taking pictures of Jane, Char and Steve and yes I'm the one behind the pictures, just the way I like it! Now if Jane learn how to use this camera Oh boy I'll be in trouble.tee hee 

It was a bit chilly for them, meaning it was perfect for me.

It rained every day except the day we arrived, 

with all the sightseeing we did, really didn't get rain out. 

The Amish don't like their picture taken so I tried to respect that. 

Wanted one of the mode of transportation they use

I think I did that with this picture.

Can't really see the horse he was beautiful.

Staying at Char's was nice, not having to pay for a hotel room was great! Being able to spend more time visiting with them was the best part of the trip. The garden was the inspiration for Walking through a garden the post before this post. 

Meet more of the family Ann, grand daughter Valerie, great grand son Makai and Denny the dog is Char's Tommy. Not pictured is Willie. Had dinner with them the night before very nice people. Stopped by to say goodbye the last night we were there.  

The hostess with the mostess

Char, with Tommy and Jane 

 Tommy loves his toys

almost as much as he loves Char

  

Thank's in part to Char, Jane and my not trying to do much.

Turned out to be a great trip.

For the first time M.S. took a back seat for most of this trip. 

 Next post Gettysburg and my 50th Birthday!

Time and the ought to do.

It seems: Time we either have too much or not enough. Even though each hour holds the same amount of minutes and seconds! Who decides when something is a waste of time or does it matter? Having been asked "why are you wasting time doing this or that?" Trying to tell people because it's important to me, for some unknown reason, I'm told no body will notice! Sorry but I will, are they saying I'm nobody I don't think so. Time is a funny thing, how it can fly when your having fun. How it can drag on like doing anything you have to do that you would rather not do but, it's one of those things you ought to do!

About the ought to do's, I understand some ought to do, I've got to do like: seeing the doctor, having blood tests, basic stuff that needs checking on because of having m.s. and age has also become a factor.

When it comes to family and friends at times it feels like I'm the ought to do thing! Of course I love them and I know they love me that's a given. It seems at times to be a bit forced. Calling me which I have told them is hard for me. Having asked to just send me an E-mail because, it easier for me to write than to talk on the phone because, I'm so easily sidetracked that after I hang up I don't remember half of the conversion it's so frustrating! Knowing I kept them on the phone much longer then they or I had intended. Not wanting anyone to feel they should or have to visit or call, if that's the reason I would rather they not come or call at all. With my family and friends the bond I feel we share is love, no matter if we see each but once or maybe twice a year or if only by Facebook or g+ and or e-mail. Love is always present between us no matter what. It's a matter of trust and don't trying reading between the lines for I haven't written anything there! No matter how far apart we are there is always a line of love that keeps us connected.

As for my blogger, g+ and m.s. friends. That I have only met profile to profile and shared somethings I know 98% of those things I've chosen to share, I wouldn't want to be shared with people who aren't going through this crap we go through each day as we work through the punches M.S. lands seemly everyday.To find and keep our new normal's as long as we can. The one thing I do know about M.S. if I'm not careful, it will stand up and kick my anal-orifice or butt or my
a-double-s! Please pick the one your most comfortable with. 

Weather

It's still hard to believe all the weather records, that have stood for so many years, have been broken within the last 365 day's. Including a few new all time highs and lows temperature, reaching dew point temperature never seen here before. Being aware this is happening all over the world, maybe I'm being small minded for thinking more about my little postage stamp than the kind of shape the whole planet is in.

Now that fall has come I think, having eight days of temperatures in the 80's in October isn't something I've seen here before. My garden is finally done and put to rest until next spring, all the flower, rock and shade and perennial gardens are ready for a long winters sleep. All are very small and not much work at all. Still watering everything it's been a dry hot and windy fall so far, the herb's aren't ready to come into the house just yet. The potted plants and flowers have been cut back and heavily watered, covered and just waiting for the snow. That this year I hope will not fall and stay for a month or so.

There is still much to do before the long cold winter sets in, now we go from keeping the heat out to keeping it in, which is much harder to do when we don't get above 32 degrees for six to eight weeks and when the cold winds of January and February start blowing in, stealing the heat in the house away. Making winterizing now a must. It's next on the to do list for us also doing the last window washing until spring, that is only important to me. So I can watch and feed the birds and squirrels all winter long, maybe I'll even get to see a hawk stop by for a snack, as long as it's willing to take it to go, it's not entertaining to watch them eat. It's what I call my equal opportunity feeder winter is hard on all the animals up here, keeping the balance of nature isn't easy to watch it is however necessary. It's been a while since my last post, now that much of the work outside is done, I'll be doing more writing once again.

So far this month has been too much about saying goodbye then saying hello. I'll be glad to see this month end, it's been an emotional one in many different ways for both Jane and I, it will all work out the way it should in the end, because it always does. It's the transition that's hard on everyone, going from what once was to what it will be. Not knowing what that may end up being or if that too will also end is harder still. The unknown is a troubling place to be.       

The question's of life and death!

A dear friend Karen who is also my caregiver Jane big sister passed away on Oct. 4th 2011 of stage four colon cancer. Karen was a fighter and battled it every step of the way when the cancer moved into the spine soon after that her battle ended. Until the end she stayed true to who she has always been.

Karen will be missed by "her Boy's" as she called her husband Bill her son's Billy and Matt, and her family and many friends I'm so glad she counted me as one, she was one of the kindness people I've known. Jane and Karen have always been close, Jane has taken Karen's death hard, Karen never tried to change her or knock her down or made her feel small. Karen and Jane relationship was build from love Karen was more than a sister she was also Jane's best friend throughout Jane's life, no one stood up for Jane the way that Karen did, or loved her without condition. Their bond has stood up through the good and bad times in each other's life, they always had each other's best interest at heart. I may not be the best judge for this because, I have no sister's of my own but if I did I would want a relationship like the two of them have shared. The closest I've come to the kind of relationship they shared, was with my Mom and that's not the same at all.

Back from my family reunion.

Oh my! I had forgotten how much fun my family is. A good time was had by all, of course as always there was more than enough food with the leftovers we could have feed a small Army! Not to worry we don't waste food leftovers are a stable in the Kjenaas family and having some very good cooks doesn't hurt either so no one went hunger. Those of us watching our BMI didn't. This was about catching up having fun together as a family, there was a bit of drinking, involved of course just enough to loosen folks up a bit. It was a blast that will not be forgotten any time soon, I'm sure. In two years we'll do it again, spending time with family is great, I love all of my family.

I had the best time, I did all the things I wanted to do. My family understand that I do the best I can within the limits that m.s. has put on me. One look at me seemed to show them I'm okay and no need to worry about me. Not seeing one look of pity was great, not once did I feel I in the way. Having  a wonderful family helps a great deal, I also try not too stress them out by doing more than I should. The first day I came close I know, my limit was reached so Jane and I went back to the cabin so I could rest. That night people stopped by to visit, remarking that we had the smallest and cutest unit. The railing on the deck was just the right height to server as a bar rail, I made one more trip out to visit with family at my cousin Peter's was two cabins down from mine.

Cute little place.

Just the right height for visiting!

On Saturday my brother Brian pointed out that he had seen I was over doing it and he was concerned I put his fears to rest because Jane and I had dealt with that, so I didn't let it happen again. The rest of the family went to the amusement park, and or played golf and took the booze cruse on the lake, neither Jane or I wanted to do any of that. So we stayed at our cabin doing what we love doing cooking, relaxing and after our burgers the night before on the grill more flame then grill. There was no way I was going to have Jane cook her marinade mesquite chicken wings on that very dirty grill so I cleaned it, and was rewarded with her telling me it looked brand new! Not one flame up as Jane cooked 3 lbs. of her wings, while she was cooking I cut up veg's and making dip, and snacks for us. the reunion dinner was suppose to start at 6 pm, like anyone was going to hold this group to a time table that why I made us a snack okay lunch! I also needed to taste those wings 4 did the trick, same as always great! Jane makes great wings, some time after 7 O'clock the dinner got started after everyone seemed done eating and with only 8 wings left it was time for me to take a break and get the wings in the refrig, yep that will be for breakfast. Going back to the party after a rest, it was time for a dance, the gal's did a great job visited more, long day and I didn't over do it once, gave myself  a pat on the back for that one!

Sunday was cold 70 degrees and then it started to rain got the heat going so Jane could warm up. Going and getting my last visiting in and we checked out at noon and headed for home.

I've been a bit off as of late

Sometimes when this happens I don't understand, why it takes me so long to realize, I've got some kind of a chip on my shoulder. No wait that's not it, it's more of annoyed feeling I can't figure out why would I feel this way. Learning at last I was trying to figure out, my heart with my head! Rarely does that have a worthwhile out come. So until I allowed myself to feel what it was, I was afraid of feeling. Now that I've written it out, it seems kind of funny being afraid of  something I know is within my control. Oh my goodness fear is a thief that can sneak in, making mountains out of the smallest of sand piles. It's amazing once I faced my fear it turned out to be about the silliest of things. It's about my family reunion weekend this Saturday! It's the first time in Oh I can't remember when, I don't know what every one's been doing and realizing that the same is also true for them about me. Sharing with each other first hand what we feel is worth sharing, I really think this will be fun and nothing I need to be afraid of.

This time Mom will be there in spirit, at the last reunion two years ago. Mom didn't want me to share any of her health problems, all that could be done had already been done. For her this was about her spending time with her whole family. What she needed the was for everyone to remember her, as she had always been, good old Auntie Adele and friend. Not that this would be the last time they would see her. This meant she wanted bit of help at first, by letting her know who was coming in to visit, without them knowing I was doing it. Because she couldn't see far or well at all, the way she recognized everyone was by the sound of their voices. Another piece of information she hadn't wanted me to share so I didn't. As people walked by  she would ask me if that was one of our group or not, as people started coming to visit her, she wanted to visit with all of them, just not all at once. Mom had wanted me to bring my written reflection's she was proud of them and she had been my editor, but I knew that wasn't the only reason she wanted them, it didn't take long to understand it was meant as tool for me to  run interference for her. Of course it worked like a charm, when too many conversation were going on all at once she would bring up my writings. The first time she said; "Mary show (so and so) your written reflection the one about, which ever one she thought the person would be interested in". It was my cue to distract some conversation away from her to me, with all the voices and more coming in all the time. She didn't want to miss her chance to talk with each and everyone of them. As she began  bringing all the conversation back together. Gathering up the discarded copies of my reflection knowing they had done what she had needed them to do, I took my spot sitting just behind her. Watching as she directed all of us that had come, getting everyone talking to and with each other without her having to talk about herself. She just took it all in, adding in her stories of each of us and filling in the gapes of memories and adding in the reaction of their parents, had told her about what the kids had done. It was she told later, so nice having her whole family back together again, reminding her of all the great gathering we have had with her whole family all together once more.

It will be interesting to see how and who will bring all of us together as a family. Already knowing it will not be me, I'm still considered as the baby by some and with my M.S. forget it! We all say some of the same thing she did. Being afraid of the unknown isn't me, as I told Mom many years ago. It is what it is until it isn't what it once was. Making this reunion brand new, where it goes if it's the start of something new or the last of it's kind? Only time and each member of the whole family knows the answer. As for me, I'm no longer able to plan that far ahead. With M.S. I just don't know that the future may hold. 

#29 The steps you've taken together today

For Katie & Nick

On their wedding day

By Katie's Auntie Mary K. Mennenga

The steps you've taken together today

Isn't as big as the step you took

A few years ago

When you opened your hearts

To each other

So today we join with you

In celebrating the love

You share with and for each other

Knowing the love you two share

Has already stood up to

A test of time

And is even stronger now because

As two strong independent, unique, individuals

By your choosing to become partners

In whatever life has in store

for each of you

Realizing you're stronger together

There isn't an obstacle

That by working together you can't handle

I know this because you are both

Too tenacious to allow that to happen 

#28 A thunderstorm brings peace

A thunderstorm brings peace

By Mary K. Mennenga

The hardest day in my life was the day my Mom died

I wasn't sad, more relieved her life had become so complicated

She has always been my rock and her love never wavered

She always had a positive attitude and whenever obstacle's littered her path; she didn't walk around them, instead she worked her way though them all.

She wasn't one to make mountains out of molehills

She preferred to live and let live

She didn't want anyone to worry or fuss over her

Living her life in control of her choices, when attempting to accept that she needed help, wasn't a role she was familiar with or cared for much!

She knew it was essential and handled it the best she could

As her night came a thunderstorm rolled in

She went to see what the ruckus was all about

As she did an Angel went home to heaven.

The mirror

Is a funny thing when we look at the reflection. We see every flaw the pain, stress and fatigue. So why is it that so few people can see it when we know it's written all over our face? Because that's not face we let many people see. Instead we smile and put on that brave face, you know it's the one  you learned to use right after, seeing that first look of pity directed at you! Think back to the reflection you saw in the mirror what was your first thought? For me most of the time it's " I look horrible or like shit, death warmed over twice! My personal favorite is, like something the cat tried to drag in but ended up leaving  out on the door step! This is a few from  a long list I've said to myself. As I turn away from the mirror  leaving that reflection behind me and putting on the face I wish I could see in the mirror. No it's not a fake face, I'm putting my best face forward so conversations aren't about how I look. When I'm asked how I'm doing I just say I'm fine that way no one needs to worry about me, it's not a lie I'm just limiting the amount of information that could be used against me. Thankfully none of my family and only a few friends read my blog anyway. That way I can enjoy the conversations, visit and have some fun. Without being told what I can or should and can't or shouldn't do.      

Reflection # 24 It's odd, but really not so much.

It's odd, but really not so much

By Mary K. Mennenga

That the same Mother raised, my brother's and me

We each had a unique, independent, relationship with her

She raised us to be: independent, unique, individuals

We are that for sure! We do share a few similarities

One look at us will leave no doubt we are her children

In the words we say what we do and the way we treat others

It's easy to see how much we love her
Being raised to be independent our similarities do end

Each of us see, react and deal with life differently
She didn't raise us to be like her or anyone else
She didn't give each of us all the same tools
Rarely did she give us the answer for a question
Instead she gave us the tools to find our own answers
The answers she gave seemed to come with more questions  
By giving each one the tools she felt we needed
So we could be who we were meant to be
Her peals of wisdom were just that
We don't talk or get to together often
Much of what we did do was because we loved her
We are who she raised us to be
Independent and self-sufficient
She was proud of us
For staying true to ourselves
And for finding our own path to happiness
I was and will always be my Mom's baby girl
One day I hope to be known's as my Brother's Sister  

HAND-ME-DOWNS

     As a kid 4~11 years old my family consisted of my Mom,Dad and my 2 brother's and me, our Aunt's,Uncle's and cousin's, as well as friend's and their children. My mom was affectionately called Auntie by many. Our house never seemed to be empty, people came and went all the time. To me it was always filled with love and mom could always find room, for one or more. At times some had the floor for a bed but no one seemed to mind. With one bathroom, learning to share was the first lesson we all learned. Everyone shared what they had and no one did without. Anything that was no longer used was offered to anyone who needed or wanted it or knew someone who could use it. 
     I don't think any of us thought of each other as an extended family we have always been family, so growing up I really did have a big family. Having that many kid's in the hand-me-down pool was great and being the youngest girl did have it's advantages.
     I know some people don't care for hand-me-downs but I loved them as a kid and still do. We had more boy's then girl's. Lucky for me, one of my Auntie had two daughter's and both had great taste in clothes throughout my life that's where most of my hand-me-downs came from. Across the ally from our house was a wonderful older woman who was a seamstress and did the alterations to most of my hand-me-downs and make some of my dresses and clothes too they all fit great. One day I was over to pick up and pay her for the alternations she had finished, as she was doing some final touches to a pair of pants. She told me about a disagreement she once had with her husband, he had told her she owned him. She went into her sewing room, pulled out her little note pad that was her record, of what she earned from the seamstress's work she did. Totaled it up walked back into the room he was in, put it in front of him and informed him "no mister you own me 10,000.00 dollars." To say she was a strong woman would be an understatement she was fierce, in the best of way's. Now this happened long before I was born. As she finished the pants she reached over and pick up a small note book and said that will be $3.50 after I handed her the money she marked it paid.
     The two of them were so sweet to all of us kids. Her husband always had wonderful stories and didn't seem to mind my always asking him questions. My favorite question was and still is why? 
     Many years later when my mom got hand-me-downs from family and friends she give me the first pick at what she had, before she took them to church for the rummage sale. For most of my life the majority of my clothes have been hand-me-downs. After I started high school, every year for Christmas I knew my Auntie would give pajamas and from my mom she gave me underwear and sock's and on my birthday I got a tee shirt from my Auntie.
     The hand-me-downs I've gotten over the year's, most were like brand new. The last hand-me-down jacket I was given was from my cousin's daughter that she had used for years. I've used it now for 13 years it's still in good shape, so I've pass it on this year. I can't remember the last time I purchased a winter coat. I don't think I'm cheap, all I've looked for was something to keep me warm, if it looked nice it's was a bonus. Now that I've paid for one, I know I never did thank her enough for it! My new one was 50% off and from last year, I really hope this one lasts as long as my hand-me down did. The last few years I've been getting my mom's hand-me-downs. Mom passed away in April now she's with all of her family and smiling down on all of us from heaven.
     I've been wearing other people's clothes for such a long time. It's about time I start wearing and buying my own clothes that are my style. Thank goodness for sales even on sale WOW! it's all good. I'll still wear hand-me-downs for around the house and out in the yard until I cut them up for rag's.
     A few are just a comfort, because who's hand-me-down it was. It's like getting a hug the whole time I have it on. Hand-me-downs will always be apart of my wardrobe just not as big as it used to be.
     I do have a favorite hand-me-down it's a pair of pajamas hand-me-downed to my mom and then to me. They are over 18 years old and very dear to me, letting go of them someday will not be easy.