Friday, July 28, 2006
Thank Yous Left Unsaid!
My daughter’s other mother passed away today after six weeks of fighting to get better. Marguerite was born on the same day as I but in the afternoon. If someone asked me when Cindy had the measles I couldn’t tell you but Marguerite could. When I cut Cindy’s long hair Marguerite didn’t speak to me directly for a month. She knew what needed stitches and what would heal without them. She loved Cindy almost as much as her own children. She was as much her Mom as I was because I had a living to make and couldn’t always be there.
Her absence will be felt for a long time to come. I have never said enough thank yous for all her help. But she is no longer in pain. Rest in Peace dear Friend
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
The Second One!
Some times the second haircut is harder to get over than the first.
Just go away and let me rest!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
There Are Times!
There are times when this is all you need to set things right again. (Plus a lot of help from the off springs)
Saturday Les, Anne, and Courtney came up to spend the day with us. They brought a card and some chocolates for the 32nd Anniversary. Les took time to program the new portable phones for us and answer a couple of blog questions for me. A pleasant time to visit a little.
The week before David and Cindy were up and David worked hard to get a few major things moved and completed for us. He moved all the garden barrels out by the shed to clear the space around the deck area. Mowed yard area, pulled up the path to the deck, storing the stepping stones, and moving the the wood chips back out to the pile. The deck is cleared on and under it.
Yesterday he and Cindy were back up to help me with the freezers. What is a bigger pain in the butt than defrosting a freezer in July? It is defrosting two freezers which is what we did. Jamming as much as we could into one of the freezers and putting the rest into foam ice chests and picnic chests. Cindy and I managed to empty one and David pulled it out onto the lower driveway where we let it melt away all the excess frost (ice). I washed it out there which saved a whole lot of floor mopping inside the house.
In the meantime David started mowing again and Cindy and I went to the store to find a few items to round out lunch.
After lunch David hauled the first one back in . Plugged in and ready to go Cindy and I filled it from the second freezer so it could get the same going over.
While that one was melting Cindy took her first turn at driving a lawnmower tractor. A little sunburned but really having a good time behind the wheel she finished off the yard for me.
Freezer # 2 was not as frosted over so the melting went fast. We even had time for a bite of supper and a short game of rummy.
So the old homestead is getting ready for it’s new deck, some much needed extra stuff is getting done. All we need is to see the builder in the yard to make our day.
By the way the two Grand-daughters are coming up on the 30th for about a week. So we plan on picking and jamming a little, helping Grandpa cook a little, and maybe some swimming. That is going to be fun!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Back On The Street Again!
Where once there was this
and this. Now you see this
and this
Not near as beautiful and calm but shit happens and progress will not be slowed!
I’ll Take 32 More Please!
‘For richer, for poorer, in sickness or health’ were only words to be uttered during the ceremony. The meaning of these words begins to become clear after 32 years together.
The adjustments to another individuals lifestyle in the beginning was the first challenge we faced.
To turn two people into a family when children already exist was the next challenge.
We both had other spouses to forget as we dealt with each other. The mistakes made before had to be avoided this time.
Anger and pride were sometimes a problem to deal with but we knew that deal with them we must to survive.
Other things worked well, like I hate to cook and he loves it. We traveled well together enjoyed seeing new things and places.
We shared raising the kids, working for a living, and reaching to accomplish our dreams.
We know firsthand about the sickness part of marriage. When one is down the other stands tall.
Taking good care of each other is part of our job and we do it well.
Trying to make each other smile, even laugh out loud is another challenge when things aren’t going as well as they should. But we try anyway!
So as the years roll on here we sit fat, dumb, and happy. But what else can you ask for except another 32 years of it.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
I Deserve It!
The Plumber man came today to put two faucets for well water on the outside of the dome. They were needed to water plants and flowers. He placed one right under the kitchen window for watering the main level gardens in the area between the extensions. The other is under the deck on the outside of the mudroom to allow watering in the backyard. So while he was here I had him clean up the kitchen sink area.
He removed an old water filter unit, changed the faucet, and added a spray unit. This is something I have wanted for a long time.
I call this my Happy Anniversary present to me. 32 years tomorrow --I deserve it!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The Fun Begins!
Today the Lake road project began. This morning this was the entrance to our driveway.
A tree on either side and our mailbox pole in place next to them. But as of 5:30 pm this was the scene. They placed a temporary mailbox post until the grating and road work are done then we will get one of those polyethylene mailboxes with the paper box underneath it. Ooh fancy-smancy!!!
And this is just the beginning. The first row of trees along the roadside is due to go. That will certainly open up the view from the road. It will be interesting watching the work for a few days anyway.
Yep, these are apricots. We called Spicer’s today near Hartland, Michigan, found out they had them. We drove out this afternoon and got two pecks. With Jay out of commission (except for being able to pit them) it falls to me to make the jam this time. So I made two batches this evening (19 cups) and will get up early tomorrow to make some more before it gets warm outside. The fruit isn’t quite as big as last year but the flavor is pretty good. That is important because daughter-in-law Deb and I have a passion for apricot jam!
Dave and Cindy were up yesterday and David got a lot of outside work out of the way to be ready for the deck construction. My thank you to him for the help.
A visit to Dr. Schuster’s office today and the second operation on Jay’s arm is set for 8/8/06. Then maybe I can have the granddaughters up again for a week. (And the grandson if he wants to come.)
That is all for tonight . I hope all is well with you!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Ramblings of a Retired Mind
Thanks to friend Pam ---
- some thoughts - some old - some new.
I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped onto their
belt or purse. I can’t afford one. So, I’m wearing my garage door opener.
You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that people didn’t like me anyway.
I was thinking that women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans!
I was thinking about old age and decided that old age is ‘when you still have something on the ball, but you
are just too tired to bounce it.’
I thought about making a fitness movie, for folks my age, and call it “Pumping Rust.”
I have gotten that dreaded furniture disease. That’s when your chest is falling into your drawers!
I know, when people see a cat’s litter box, they always say, “Oh, have you got a cat?” Just once I want to say,
“No, it’s for company!”
Employment application blanks always ask ‘who is to be notified in case of an emergency.’ I think you should
write, “A Good Doctor!”
Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do—write to these men? Why don’t they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen could look for them while they
deliver the mail? Or better yet, arrest them while they are taking their pictures!
I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older. Then, it dawned on
me, they were cramming for their finals.
As for me, I’m just hoping God grades on the curve.
“Enjoy Your Days-----Love Your Life”
“Life is a journey to be savored.”
Friday, July 14, 2006
Yes, Good Girl!
Tonight was Brandy’s last class in puppy training and we wanted to introduce some her classmates.
This is Cooper a big loving boy who started out being dragged into class. But he did well after a while.
Buster was a little scary at first but he also was a sweet dog. Being a puppy he had problems being still but was much improved as the class proceeded.
The other classmate, for assorted reasons were not present tonight .
This was the miracle worker, Instructor Lois, who gave us the tools that enabled puppy and person to understand each other.
And finally our Brandy with her certificate of Completion of Beginning Puppy Training. This means that if Momma doesn’t work with her then Intermediate is next. We will see how we do!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Daddy’s Home And We Are Glad!
Brought Jay in today --he is on the mend. The rescue from that 62 mile round trip every day is a relief. Brandy is delighted because she won’t be left alone for a while.
Brandy’s last lesson is Friday night. She is supposed to sit and stay off leash, wait for my signal after I get 10 or so feet away. then come to to me on signal.
But she is pissed at me for leaving her everyday so I don’t think her performance will be too good. But hey we will keep working with her after classes are finished.
So smile with us and keep healthy yourself.