Grandaddy

(Look at those blue Paul Newman eyes.  This was his high school picture.  He met Granny driving her school bus.  He was her age.)

Last Friday I wrote about Saturday night in a small town and it got me to remembering my life as a whole in that small town.  It was great actually.  My family are long time residents and I am very proud that they are part of the history that makes up Broken Arrow, Oklahoma!  My mother's father, Grandaddy was an awesome man.  He was my mother's best friend and confident as her relationship with her mother was always on the edge.  Grandaddy was an incredible man whose laugh or snicker-laugh will always be a happy memory.  He was gifted at making money, being an awesome salesman.  The Hubby so loved and respected him and learned tons from his experiences.

(This picture was on his turkey farm.  He's the one in front with the cigarette in his hand.)

When I was little he had the Purnia Feed Store in town.  I remember going into the store and smelling the sweet smells of chicken, cow and rabbit chow throughout the store.  At Easter time, and I know it is not a good thing, he would have all the little baby chicks and ducks and the chicks were dyed easter colors.  The peeps and soft cuddly babies were almost overwhelming to a child.  I wanted to own everyone of them.  Later, when the feed store was no longer he got into used car sales.  He did quite well at that and then it was real estate.  Actually, he and granny got their real estate license but he couldn't pass the broker test, but granny did, and they used her license to run the business.  He dealt mainly with rural farm land and was very successful in that endeavor too.  He was a smart man who was kind and an awesome granddaddy.  Sadly he died 3 months before his first great grandchild was born, our oldest.  I think he would have been so proud of our lives and our girls today.  I miss him terribly.  He was a smoker, like mother but was exposed to asbestos many year ago.  He had lung cancer and emphysema, like mother.  His life was taken much too soon.

Think I'm Back

I had a glitch in my blogging but I think I'm back.  If I offend anyone in any way I'm sorry, but that is just how I roll.  I say what I wish to say and be damned with what you may think of me.  I am an honest person who choses to speak her mind but I will for now on be careful about who I talk about, again on this blog.  Really it is kind of crappy but I will try, at least.  Now on to a topic that hopefully I will be able to link to the Oklahoma Bloggers Club successfully.



Small Town, Saturday Night

I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, Broken Arrow.  In 2010, this is not a small town anymore but in my day and in my parents day it was very small town.  We walked all over town without the fear there is today of even stepping out the front door.  It was an awesome place to grow up and I will never forget the quaintness it once held.  It is a big city now, at least in my eyes and doesn't hold the allure that it once had.  I grew up on Main Street and my father still lives in the house.  In fact, my mother moved there when she was in high school and when we three kids were young my parents bought the house from Granny and Granddaddy.  In good ole' BA there was not a lot to do on a Saturday night, at least for me.  I didn't run with popular crowds that went to parties or even to Tulsa to drag Peoria but we did drag Main.  I was lucky because I didn't even have to have a car to be in the hot spot of the town.  I would sit on my front step and wave at some who passed and yearn for the popular guys to notice me sitting there and stop by, it never happened.  If I was in the car, my friends and I would drive down Main from north to south to where the old bowling alley was (it is now the board of ed) and then turn in the parking lot and go south to north till we had to turn west.  The next turn was the Tastee-Freeze for the next turnaround and then the process would start over and over.  We would spend hours driving with occasional  stops at the local Git-N-Go, Tastee-Freeze, Ken's Pizza or even a taco at the local taco restaurant and to visit with other draggers.  If you were lucky a date might be on the agenda for the evening.  That would usually mean a trip to the big town of Tulsa which had a movie or maybe dinner in the offering.  Most usually I spent my Saturday nights either on the front stoop or watching TV with the family and playing solitaire.  My life was pretty quiet.  I have to say again that this my experience and others had much different experiences.  Mine was low key because I was a low key kind of gal.  I loved it and would not trade it for nothing, even though I was a bit lonely. 

(Linked this to The Prarie Maid.  I'm not sure if this is right but I'm trying.)

Check out the new do...I'm a brunette...never have been and I LOVE it!

Rethinking

A quick note to say I'm taking a break here.  Rethinking the focus of this blog. 

First Day of Spring my **^**$#%%

Okay, Mother Nature, I've just about had it with you.  Snow on the first day of spring, that is quite enough.  The only good thing that happened for me is a day of painting.  Even though I worked on four paintings I didn't finish a one of them and I don't feel I accomplished anything, really I did but.  I think today I will paint again and that is a good thing but I really like sunshine.  When summer comes I'm going to kick someone's ass if I hear them complain about the heat of the summer.  I'm so ready to be warmed by the sun I can't stand it.  I'm just angry at this point, no more depression, just anger!

Poor little Clayton is sick yet again.  Friday evening a little after 5 I was preparing to have company for dinner when I noticed his little manhood and some inflammation and pus again.  Oh my goodness.  I called the vet and asked for some more antibiotics and they told me that if this did not clear up with this round that we need to x-ray him for kidney stones!  Egads!  That really worries me about him.  Poor little guy.  This snow doesn't help that he DOES NOT want to go out to relieve himself.  We have to force him.  He seems to feel better today but we will see. 

Now on to a more pressing subject.  This week it is time to change my age again, cover the gray.  I have been thinking of doing something different, but still hiding the gray.  I have been a blond all my life but I'm having a yearning to go dark.  Don't know why except that I am very bored with the blond.  I'm toying with the idea of darker shades but I also know that the problem with that is the gray will come back sooner and I am a total gray headed gal.  I will not "go gray" for a good many years so I plan on having fun with this stuff but I'm torn.  I usually don't mind playing with this but it will be a drastic change if I attempt it.  We'll just have to see if I'm brave enough to attempt. 

wait a minute......................................................I hear The Hubby yelling at me from the shower...............

Well, we are out of Dove soap and he is not happy.  He takes a shower at the shop every morning, never here and I use ladies body soap so I forgot to replenish his addiction for Dove soap.  I'm a bad wife.  At least that is what I feel like when I fall down on the "job" and forget to keep him happy.  Tuesday when he went to fix his usual oatmeal for breakfast he realized that the cupboard was bare of oatmeal.  He was not happy.  He gets all bent out of shape when the milk is gone too but I don't drink the stuff so I don't keep up with it much.  I'm just a bad wife I guess.  Hey, why should I feel this way.  I'm not his mother.  He's quite capable of caring for himself, uh wait, he could do without me...better watch out.   LOL, really, I don't mind much.  I'm lying, I do mind.  When I said wedding vows I did not say that I would keep the pantry stocked, the Dove soap in the shower and keep the toilet roll in the right position.  I did not say I would do laundry or iron, and I don't.  I gave that job up many years ago.  I do my own laundry and ironing and I'm not very good at that either.  Let's face it, my sister used to call me "Little Miss Suzy-Homemaker" but it was a ruse.  I can do it and pretty well, but it is not really me.  I hate it.  I hate laundry, I hate doing dishes, I hate cleaning house and making beds.  I do like cooking, most of the time.  I am not "Little Miss Suzy-Homemaker", I'm me who has an independant life, or least as independant as I can get it being married for 34 years.  LOL!  I think I've been rebelling for most of our 34 years of marriage.  I was a good mother and wife along with working WITH The Hubby and going to school and just all of it.  I really want to do what I want to do now and that does not include keeping Dove soap and oatmeal at the ready.  It has just evolved to be my "job".  Oh God, I'm on a tail spin of complaining about stuff that is just not important.  What is important is I love.  I love The Hubby.  I love my home.  I love my kids.  I love my life.  I love my family. 

Figured out something.

I have figured out something as of late.  I have figured out why my fingers have ceased to speak here.  I have pushed to get my blog read by people but that is a two-edged sword because it causes me to put a muzzle on myself.  I'm afraid of speaking my mind truthfully for fear of inflicting injury to family and friends.  It can be a wonderful thing to have readers but can really cause a hinderence to "freedom of speech", so to speak.  It can also hurt our business, so I zip it...

I've also been doing a little soul-searching about my life and my life with The Hubby.  First of all I have to say, I love my life, I love The Hubby.  I would not change a thing about it but I have questioned a few things and have yet come to a realization.  I have to think about where I came from and the time era of when I have lived and what society expected of me and my life and what my family and I have expected of me.  That said, I am accepting my life as it is.  Really my issues are minor and really petty and I need to grow up....HAHA, funny that is for a 53 year old woman don't you think. 

Today we are getting a hot tub.  I'm so happy and The Hubby is ecstatic.  We had a brand new one at the other house four years ago but the lady that bought our house wanted it.  We have missed having one for our aching mucsles and now, we will have one again.  Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Just thought I would have time off!

This week has not gone according to plan and so my supposed time off didn't happen as planned.  It couldn't be helped as B has been sick and home so her spring break time off didn't happen like planned either.  I did go to workout this AM and then headed over to Daddy's, early to take him some more mail that keeps coming to my house.  It was still so early when I arrived, sun not up, that I sat in the driveway for about 10 minutes till I could tell if he was up.  Really that was silly as he gets up early to read the paper which if I had been paying attention would notice was not there, DUH!  It was a nice visit in which he then informed me he thinks he has a girlfriend!  WHAT!  Okay, okay, I'm pretty much fine with that idea but he's only been home for not quite two weeks.  Actually, he talked to her on the phone last night and talked about having dinner but he thinks he has a girlfriend.  Gosh, sounds like junior high thinking but if you think about it the last time he had a "date" was in high school, with Momma.  He really looks good and sounds good so I'm happy for him to try to move on. 

After the visit with him I headed back to Tulsa to the grocery for oatmeal for The Hubby who discovered that he was out this morning.  Puts a real kink in his day without his oatmeal.  Then to Walgreen's and to the post office before heading home for a day of painting and time AT home!  I was no sooner home and checking emails when I had one from B at the office.  I have to say that if I didn't mention it before we let a guy go a couple of weeks ago, I won't go into details.  Anyway, back to the story, I opened my email from B and found out that The Hubby was letting another go, actually fired.  The guy has been with us for about 17 years but lately he has been late consistently, doesn't call or even come in at all and then we can't contact him (company supplied phone).  There is a lot more but it apparantly came to a head this morning and of course I wasn't there and I probably need to be there to do a check or something so I'm now waiting for a call to come in.  ARGHHHHHH!  It really stinks and we have not had to do anything like that for many years.  Our guys like us and stay forever but when someone takes advantage sometimes you have to draw a line.  Sad thing but it is life as an employer.  Sucks!

Killarney, Ireland 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my dear friends!

A Little Good News

A little good news today.  My dear friend, going through chemo and radiation for a few weeks now got a report that the tumor is shrinking.  Very good to hear.  Hope it continues.

The Hamster Wheel Spinning in My Head...

Today is nothing but hamster wheel spinning around in my head.  Hope you can keep up. 

The weekend was gloomy yet again but was full of some fun stuff with friends at the lake.  There was a birthday party for one of our friends that turned 72.  She is an absolute inspiration to everyone.  A few years ago she had cancer, actually I think a couple of times, different kinds, and then she had a stroke that affected her speech.  The speech thing is kind of cute, especially when she will ask about my wife, meaning my husband, cat for dog,etc.  She is an inspiration because she has survived with a smile on her face and a laugh that is healing.  The party was really enjoyable to celebrate her zest for life and beating a lot of odds.  I also got to visit with another friend who lost his partner very suddenly a couple of weeks ago after many, many years together.  He got pnemonia while on vacation and was just gone.  Just broke my heart.  It was nice to see A out and trying to move on with his life after such a tragedy.  That makes me think about my friend who is battling cervical cancer.  I feel so bad that I have not been able to be there for her when she has called to be her driver to her treatments but she has called at the last minute and I just couldn't make it happen.  That doesn't mean that I don't feel terribly guilty for not helping.  I decided that I would go buy a ton of cards and bombarde her with a card nearly every day for a month, so that is what I did.  I have a stack of cards ready to go out.  I have to do something but not sure what to do.  I would do food but she is doing complete organic everything and wierd stuff vitamin wise, etc.  Food might be an issue for her.  (Thinking out loud here....) I might send flowers later in the month.  I just feel worthless right now. 

Interruption.....

I knew this would happen when Daddy came home.  The constant phone calls about stuff he can't find is about to drive me crazy.  He can't find his riding lawn mower manuel, he can't find his last bank statement, he can't find his blender that he never used, he can't find the extra mini-chopper....EGADS!!!!!  Again, I thought I was ready for this but NOT!  We will get through this, we will get through this, we will get through this....

Art Show

I have my first art show under my belt now and sadly I didn't win anything.  See in the upper left side, my Cigar and Flowers and underneath is my friend Sheila's wonderful piece.

In this window is the fan, next to a 1st place win in the pastel category.  Sheila and another lady couldn't understand the win and told me that my fan should have gotten something, but alas that was not to be.  I was a bit sad but after all it is my first time out, I couldn't expect to win anything, could I...yes I could.  Oh well, it was an experience and on to the next show and next painting.

Nothing to say

I'm just here to say nothing.  For some reason I'm pulling a blank for words here lately.  Actually, I do have to say that I'm a little anxious today.  Today is the reception for the art show and find out if I possibly got a ribbon.  Excited but anxious...

Robin

I have been trying to find online a poem that I memorized when I was a child about a robin and a secret.  I think I have it in a three-ring binder that I used to keep poetry in....let me take a look...oh, there it is.  I was about 10 years old when I had to memorize this for school.  The other day, when the warm up started, I looked out in the backyard around the bird bath and there were no less than six robins drinking out of it.  That whole day I never saw so many robin's around town.  Truly spring has sprung.  Today I believe it is supposed to be around 70 degrees and I am so amped for it.  As I type this I am sitting in the living room and behind me sits my lone canary, Trinity.  She is talking to me and hears the birds outside that trigger her to chatter.  She is a female canary and they usually don't sing but I have music on too and she is trilling to it too.  Awww, spring is here.  As I drove home this AM, a little before seven I noticed all of a sudden that the grass is beginning to turn green.  Not only do we have the sounds of spring, the warmth of spring, but now the colors of spring beginning to brighten our lives.  I love it.  Enjoy the poem and have a great day all.  (Amazing how a little sunshine and green can brighten my attitude!)

The Secret by Anonymous


We have a secret, just we three,
The robin, and I, and the sweet cherry-tree;
The bird told the tree, and the tree told me,
And nobody knows it but just us three.

But of course the robin knows it best,
Because she built the--I shan't tell the rest;
And laid the four little--something in it--
I'm afraid I shall tell it every minute.

But if the tree and the robin don't peep,
I'll try my best the secret to keep;
Though I know when the little birds fly about
Then the whole secret will be out.

Onward

Onward we go with life.  Daddy is home and the house project done.  He is happy and I'm content with the outcome.  Now I guess I have to move on to something else, I guess.  It has been so much on my mind that there has not been room for much else.  Yesterday we had a little open house/house warming for Daddy and his niece, just cookies and punch/coffee.  It was simple and just what was needed to welcome him home.  His sisters and another niece came along with Bro and his family and Sis.  It really made him feel like everyone really cared and loved him.  I'm not worried that when his niece leaves that he may not do well.  She has been so wonderful caring for him and just doesn't take any guff from him.  He needs that but he needs to take care of himself.  She worries and I do too that she may not feed himself when he needs too.  He's still a young man, 74 and very capable of caring for himself if he will quit acting like he's 90.  Worry, worry, worry!  I've got to quit.  He will be fine.  We will just have take turns calling him and checking up to make sure he's okay.  We also have to read between the lines a bit and he is a downer sometimes. 

I have to get back to work and my art.  Today I take my paintings to my first art show.  It's exciting and I'm a little nervous as it is a juried show with ribbons and all. 

He's Home

Daddy is finally home and he was emotional the minute he stepped out of the car.   I almost missed when they (his niece V) pulled into the driveway.  I wanted to greet him at the car and then run inside to snap pictures of his reaction...

The first thing he noticed was that his house was white again as The Hubby had it power washed then...

His reaction was total shock as he walked through out the house and saw all the different things.

New kitchen floors...

Here he is discussing with B the arrowheads that she cleaned and reframed for him.

It has been a huge undertaking for Daddy but so well worth the effort for him and to have a wonderful place for him to live the rest of his life.  I'm content.

The day has been full I can tell you.  I went to workout early this AM and did 3 miles on the treadmill before the day even got started.  Then it was off to the doc about my hand.  X-ray's done I was then told that I had arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome both hands, (knew that) and I will need to go back in 4 weeks.  Oh, and I got matching set of beautiful wrist accessory...

Tomorrow is another day...taking Daddy and V to the cabin for the afternoon then Sunday an open house to show off the work and welcome Daddy home. 

Side note...Little Clayton posing for me...Ain't he just adorable...

Scooting by

I'm just scooting by to let everyone know I'm still around.  Kind of busy with the anticipated homecoming of Daddy tomorrow.  Some final steps like food, new bar stools, door mats, bouquets of flowers and we are ready for the big reveal.  I just can't seem to settle down I'm so wired.  Also, Monday is the day I deliver three of my paintings for my first show to enter.  It is a juried show so I'm extra excited.  I won't find out anything, like ribbons till next Thursday but will keep posted.  Hopefully next week I should have a full week of pictures and info to share.  Toodles all and I LOVE sunshine! 

Another painting done

Yet another one done...

"The Kid"

Forwarding some info

I am forwarding this info from the oldest in her latest fun endeavor:



Greetings Family & Friends! I write you today to give you a little update and some news! As you know, I love to create things, have fun in life and stay connected within my community! As a result of this, and as a result of me thinking I don't already have enough to do, I've embarked upon the world of producing an arts and crafts show this summer! That's right, I must be insane! ;)


While the OKC area has multiple enjoyable and successful handmade fairs a year, Tulsa has only a couple, which are wonderful shows yet, I yearn for something more! Instead of waiting for more shows like this to pop up, I decided to take one on myself!

The show is being hosted by SheezKrafty, mine and April's jewelry business, and is called The Alliday Show! Our belief is that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday, as all days are special days, and that if you're going to shop, you should do it handmade! We are holding our fair at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall on Saturday, June 26th from 9-5. This event will be FREE to the public and quite affordable for the artists as well! This will not be your typical potpourri and wreath fair but rather, offbeat, hip and an event not to be missed! I only anticipate that this event will grow and will become a permanent fixture in Tulsa!

So, why do I tell you all of this in a rambling e-mail? Well, for one, to spread the word! And two, to ask for your support! Perhaps you have a friend who has been wanting to give a show a try - let them know that they can apply now! Or perhaps you've been wanting to plan a shopping day with your loved ones - put this on your calendar for one-of-a-kind finds! Please feel free to spread the word by telling your friends and family, forwarding this e-mail, tweeting, status-updating, blogging or whatever it is you do!

Links can be found within the text above or right here:
The Alliday Show - http://www.allidayeveryday.com/
The Alliday Show Blog - http://www.allidayeveryday.blogspot.com/
The Alliday Show Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/allidayeveryday
SheezKrafty Etsy - http://www.sheezkrafty.etsy.com/
SheezKrafty Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/sheezkrafty

Goodness, lots of links! Please know that we appreciate your support over the years and can't wait for many more! Thank YOU for believing in us and in our new endeavor!

Cheers! B

Quiet Time

We shuffled away to the cabin this weekend and it was just what we needed to just relax.  We've had a trying time at work lately as the economy has finally hit our business.  Of course it is always slow this time of year and doesn't pick up till around April 15, tax day.  People will decide they can spend again.  I enjoyed spending the weekend just visiting with friends and taking in the wonderful fresh air.  The sun finally made an appearance and it truly lifted my disposition this weekend.  I so needed that.  This is going to be a big week as Daddy will be home and I'm really anxious.  We have a few more tweeking things to do but it is basically finished and ready to go.  Here are a few pic's I took to just play with the camera...enjoy...

Finished, I Think

Yesterday I went to Daddy's and did cleanup and some final touches to the house. Basically it is done except for some paint cans and putting some cookbooks on a shelf. Whew! He will be home next weekend.

Before - Living Room

After

Before..............Kitchen

After

Before - (Daddy's)

After...

Before - Guest Bedroom (Mine & Sis)

After

Before - Back Porch - (Bro's Bedroom)

After (sort of)

Before - Laundry Room/Pantry

After

It's pretty exciting and I hope he loves it.  The next pic's should be of his amazed face and the tears.

Sick One

He is a sick little boy.  Yesterday I came home from lunch and was not greeted at the door like usual.  Little Clayton was still in his bed looking at me, not budging.  I went over to pet him, his ears were back and I could see his business.  ICK, sorry but this is gross, it was pussy and looked bad.  I knew he had been shaking the night before so I immediately called the vet.  I took him in and the vet washed out his um, thing, took his temp and got a sample.  He has a UTI, urinary tract infection.  What in the world would cause this but the vet said sometimes they just get them.  Oh, poor little guy.  After one dose of antibiotic last night he was feeling so much better.  Thank goodness. 

I also got a call from my dear friend asking if I could possibly take her for her radiation treatment.  I felt so bad that I couldn't be of service but it was the same time as the vet appointment and The Hubby had to go to the funeral of the friend that I was supposed to go too.  I just couldn't do it.  Still feel bad but what do you do. 

I'm also torn as tomorrow I'm supposed to go to the orthopedic hand specialist at 2:40 pm.  Well, I was supposed to take off to the lake after working at Daddy's and doing payroll.  I think I will reschedule for next week and besides it is much better.  I have got to get some time to get the house ready as Daddy will be home the next weekend.  We have to finish tweeking it, like vacuum, dust, restocking his food shelves, you know tweeking.  The back of my car is full of family pictures that I have cleaned and re-framed and need to be re-set.  My aunt, Daddy's sister emailed me about having a welcome home family get-together there on Sunday (Mar 7) and said go ahead and plan it.  Well, I think she took offense to that.  I'm sorry but I'm kind of tired of the whole thing and doing it all and I want someone else to take the lead there.  I think I'm also not wanting anyone to eat in the house.  I know I'm being a poop.  I guess I'll do the chicken-in-a-bucket thing and just get it done.  Crap.  I really can't wait till I get to see his face.  It's very exciting.  Today I am off to see the final room done, the laundry room.  I haven't had a look yet and it was probably the worst.  The Hubby replaced all his hoses on the gas dryer and washing machine and he said the lines were leaking gas.  That is where that smell was from.  It's so exciting when you walk in the door and smell fresh.  I will post a big one sometime when he comes home all the new and old. 

I know I'm rambling but that is what is going on in my head and I just spill on the keyboard here.  Hope you can follow the chaos from my brain today.  I've not even included stuff going on at the office...EGADS!!!  (Bring on the sunshine and the work please.)

Ouchy!

Do you see anything here that should or would hurt?  Well it does, trust me.  I am a right handed person and this is my left hand.  I can do a multitude of things fairly well with my left hand like writing and painting sometimes but it is not my primary appendage at all.  For a few days now I have had a pain around the wrist area straight down from the pinkie finger and a little swelling like a ganglion cyst kind of thing.  In fact, I do have carpel tunnel syndrome in the right hand and probably in the left as I have have been having a lot of numbness at night when I sleep lately.  A few days ago I felt a kind of bulging on the wrist and pushed very hard to sort of pop it.  Probably not a good idea.  When I was a kid I used to get the ganglion cyst on my right wrist and mother would take a butter knife and hit it really hard with the handle end of the knife to pop it.  OUCH!!!!!!  It would work though.  She was kind of old school and, well, old school worked but look at me now.  Yesterday the left hand was in so much pain that I couldn't even toss my hair back over my shoulder without nearly blacking out from the pain, I'm not kidding.  I can't believe how much it hurts but it is very sporadic.  Sometimes it doesn't hurt at and then EGADS!!!!!  Well, I had to finally call the doc and go in.  Of course I knew he was an internist and would have to refer and that is exactly what is happening now.  I am now waiting to get a call to set up an appointment with a hand guy and then we'll see.  I may get a splint (have had one before), a steriod shot or even surgery.  Daddy's has had surgery and I've had the steriod shots in my feet before for plantar fasciitis and let me tell you steriod shots in the feet!!!!!!  I scraped paint off the podiatrist wall with those!  Again, OUCHY!  So we'll see what happens.  It is better and I bet by the time I finally get into the "specialist" it will heal all by itself and it will be a mute point!

Losses

This week has been a week of losses.  Not close people to me but people I know and like very much.  First is the loss of a friend and neighbor at the cabin retreat area.  He had gone on a vacation with his partner and came down with pnemonia suddenly about 8 or 9 days ago in Costa Rica.  They flew home and he spent several days on a ventilator (know how that is) but never recovered.  So very sad.  He was 61 years old and as I fast approach that age I find it very young.  Today I got the news on facebook that a guy, my age passed away.  He was much loved in his community and I was very fond of him.  His parents were friends of my parents and my mother used to watch his little girl.  He had lymphoma several years ago and had been in remission but it came back suddenly and took him too soon.  He was also in my father's Boy Scout troop and was good friends of my brother.  Just not good.  I also lost a classmate last week from cancer.  GOOD GRIEF!  I don't like this.  I actually bought a large fistfull of sympathy cards today.  That is just not right but I fear that is probably going to happen more often as I get older, AND I'M A YOUNG PERSON!!!!!  I know that my mother-in-law goes to funerals nearly every day, she's 81 years old.  I don't look forward to adding this part to my life you know!  Come on now lets have some good news now.  Bad, dreary weather and now this...Sun where are you.  Make me happy please. 

Just gotta

I just gotta post something today even if I don't have a thing to say.  I am just dry as a bone with thoughts lately, although I'm hoping that the sun that has been peeking through yesterday and today will help my mood.  I'm just not happy lately and I know it is the dark and dreary cold days.  I got the results from blood tests from my physical and wouldn't it figure that the only low levels in my entire body is Vitamin D.  Could have guessed that.  So yesterday I rode around in my car with the sun roof open and the heat on and today I will probably do the same.  I need to soak up all the Vitamin D I can get. 

Last night was yet another boring night of dance class.  That has me down too.  I don't know if I can tolerate doing this every Wednesday night with The Hubby.  It's kind of fun but an hour and a half into the two hour evening and I'm just done.  The Hubby made fun of me who works out and then poops out but he just doesn't get it.  It's not so much my body, well it is, but it is mental too.  I'm just tired.  Up at 5 am and hard workout then I'm ready to wind down after a long day, not two hours of dance.  Sometimes I just want to cry because I don't want to go and I can get a tad testy with him.  I'm sorry but it is just how I feel.  I am being forced into feeding his obscession and it is not mine.  He then brought up the Spring Swing Fling thingy and I flat out told him NO!  I'm not going!  I said one night a week and that is it!  He wants to go to workshops but I DO NOT!  I hopefully will be able to stand my ground on this!  Do I sound mean?  I mean I've been there for him for 34 years in work and play and I'm kind of done.  I want to feed my oscession and that is painting, for which I have not had time to pick up a brush, except for class for two weeks.  I am not happy about that. 

Sorry this is a ramble but that is just how I roll lately so go with it.  Toodles all...off to lunch with an old friend!  Remember, I'm over 50 (53) and it's all about me now! 

What's That in My Mail Bag

Friday afternoon I heard the mailman drop the mail through the mail slot and clunk in the basket.  I waited a bit before I went in and gathered it up to give it a look see.  Sorting through my mail and some of Daddy's, I found a selection of catalogs that were rubber-banded together.  At the bottom of the stack was this.  Looks interesting and since I don't take or read Sports Illustrated my curosity was peaked.  The name on the label was a previous owner, I think a son,

 but what caught my attention...

was the date at the to of the magazine...February 7, 1966!  What in the world.  Right time of year to be delivered, just a few years late...43 years to be exact...

Where was this thing.  Did the post office move a machine and find this or something.  What a perplexing thing to find in your mail.  It purposely was put with my catalogs because it was in the rubber band.  Just makes you scratch your head.

Overload

Yes I feel a bit of overload, mentally I think.  This weekend we hightailed it to the cabin for some nice R&R and the annual board meeting of the homeowners association (yuck).  The usual running crowd was on a cruise (I'm jealous) so the social life was very low key.  Friday evening we settled in for a nice sleep after The Hubby took Clayton on a run to wear him out.  Unfortunatly that did work out as well as usual.  Clayton was antsy and just couldn't get comfortable in bed.  I laid in bed myself trying to nod off and cursing the jittery dog when I rolled over and realized that the wiggling was not Clayton, who was fast asleep by my backside, but The Hubby who was twitching.  His muscles were just jumping all over the place trying to relax.  I know he does this most nights but Friday was the worst he's been in awhile.  That is usually a sign of stress and tensness for him which made sense because work has been horrible.  We are usually slow this time of year but this year, with the slow down in the economy it is even slower than usual.  It's odd though as he usually shows his stress in different ways and I really didn't notice this time.  Anyway, back to the night of uneasy rest.  We finally all drifted off quietly when I was awakened about 2 a.m. to The Hubby sitting on the end of the bed on my side rifling through my purse with his little LED flashlight.  I said, "What are you doing?"  He replied, "Your phone battery is dying and it's beeping."  I reminded him that I turned the thing off when we got off the main road when we arrived so it could not be that.  He put my purse back and climbed back into bed mumbling he thought he heard beeping.  Yes dear, just go back to sleep.  Strange night. 

I have to back up a bit to Friday.  I finally was able to meet with my dear friend that is dealing with cancer to exchange our Christmas.  We are usually late in this endeavor.  I had painted her the picture of the wine glasses and strawberries and was anxious to give it to her.  She was supposed to start Chemo on Monday (today) and I wanted her to have a happy place to look at and remember.  She was very pleased with it.  It is so hard seeing her go through this stuff.  I'm very worried and really don't know what all is happening with her.  Just all so out there as I've not had anyone close to me with cancer before (I lie, my grandfather had lung cancer but I was very young), and this is not the only person I know lately.  There are two people at our cabin area dealing with different kinds of cancer.  This is a whole new place for me to be and it weighs on my mind a lot. 

Yesterday morning it turned bitter cold again and I was surprised to see all the beautiful snow.  Huge, HUGE flakes and thankfully they didn't stick.  I was not going to be happy if the snow yet again canceled a family dinner.  I don't know if you can tell but there were gigantic flakes here.

We came back to town and hurridly cleaned up the house because I called for an impromtu dinner with The Hubby's family.  One of the nephews and his family were finally going to be in town since they missed Christmas and I wanted us all to finally have a family time.  I called to Olive Garden and ordered lasagna and spaghetti for 15, picked it up and had a great meal.  It is very easy when you don't have time to cook.  I was a bit terse with The Hubby's older brother who wanted to pay for part of the dinner but I and insisted No.  He said that he wanted to because it was mostly his family there.  I guess I took it wrong and spouted off, "Hey, I've been Mrs. The Hubby for more years than I was maiden name."  He just kind of laughed and asked if I was sure.  I guess I took it wrong because I've been ticked off at him for a bit.  I love him dearly but may not ever forgive him for not rushing to be here when his brother, my husband was in the hospital and on a vent for 3 days.  I know The Hubby was going to be fine but I needed the support and he was not there.  Okay, I will calm down now. 

This morning the old Jazzercise girls met for coffee and I gave up my cardio to meet, besides I woke up with a horrible headache and just now have made it disappear.  I hate that.  Tonight I go out with another group of girls we call The Birthday Club for dinner and friendship.  Yes, I think I am blessed with very good friends. 

This week will also be full of work, dental work, nails, hair and more work on Daddy's.  The Hubby could not stand it and decided to pull the washer and dryer, paint and patch the laundry room, the last room that needed work.  It was nasty.  The concrete floor will have to be painted too.  It has been in the past and looks awful.  So the whole house is going to be done just in time for Daddy to come home.  They begin the drive home on March 4.  Can't wait.  So Friday and/or Saturday will be yet another work day. 

I guess that is a lot of info but I feel that I've been missing a bit and I apologize if I have not commented on my fellow bloggers but my reader is messed up and I'm slowly trying to find a read.  Take care all and I will keep posted!

In My Head

I finished the fishing pic of Daddy.  Enjoy


I'm sorry if the posts are slim lately but I've been a bit in my head.  A few posts ago I mentioned cancer and friend in the same post and it has been weighing heavy on my mind.  My dear friend has had a terrifying diagnosis of cervical cancer and it is bad.  She has had problems for awhile and finally went to the doctor.  On Monday she starts chemo then I believe radiation then I guess the next step would be a hysterectomy or partial.  I'm really not too sure of the whole thing as I'm only getting tidbits of info from her.  She has pulled even more so than usual within herself and her family.  I hope she can feel that I will be there for her whenever she calls.  I want to help her all I can.  All of this has put me into a funk and depression and the stupid weather doesn't help all of it.  I'm worried but will be there to support her whenever she needs me. 

Not What We Thought

Thursday night while at the Tulsa Blogger Meetup B and I received a call from The Hubby that A had taken a spill at her rock climbing place and hurt her foot.  She was told it was a severe sprain but she was concerned that it was worse.

Unfortunately she was in the process of changing her health insurance over and had canceled one but not started the other...(Slap head here!)

The Hubby told her NOT to take the ambulance but have someone else take here to the emergency room. 

Yesterday she went to some kind of a foot/orthopedic doc and they did another x-ray.  Low and behold there was a break.

This is her right foot, her driving foot.  This will put a a hamper on her work as she drives to students homes and teaches piano.  I think she will, after a couple of weeks, be able to take the boot off and drive to and fro.  She is terrified that the Tears For Fears tour to Austrialia and other may be out of the question for her but since it is April I think she will be able to go.  Poor kiddo.  Now we are in the process of beginning the new health insurance.  Too bad this won't be covered but we will get by.  It is an expensive lesson I must say but it is life, live and learn.  Frankly I'm tired of The Hubby saying things like "I told you so."  He is driving me crazy with this stuff but it is what it is and can't be changed.  Life goes on, day by day.  She will heal and in 6 months will be back on to life as she knows it and so will I.