Deer hunting has probably been a part of my life since I was born. I remember ALWAYS going to WV the Sunday before Thanksgiving to be there the opening day of Deer hunting. Unlike WV, who gets off school for it, Ohio doesn't. I am sure my teachers were not impressed that I missed three days of school in a row to go deer hunting. I did go one time with my dad actually hunting. I don't get much out of walking and being quiet through the rough terrain. They used to have turkey shoots and cake walks the weekend before. I don't know if they still do. But they were fun. I had to stand on a wash tub at the turkey shoot to shoot the shot gun and the kickback was so much that I would be jerked backwards and my dad would catch me. I love to shoot guns. I would love to get my carry permit, but not sure I could pass the class. I seen last time in WV the class was $60 to get it down there. Up here in Ohio its $150. Why the huge difference?
This year with Kevin being retired, he has gotten the job of deer hunting with my dad. Since October that is all my dad would talk about, us taking him deer hunting in WV. So we plan to go down to our house for a week so he can get his deer. Knowing my dad he is always ready to come back in two days. So we figure we can be home by Wednesday.
We leave on Sunday to be ready for opening day. We get to our house and the one across the road from where we stay looks like a tornado had went through the land. We have about 10 trees that are blown down, toppled into each other. One huge mess that we were shocked to see. On the other side by my dad's cabin is yet another mess of trees broken and fallen. So we start by the cabin cleaning it up and the chain saw works great - for one evening. Bummer!!!! We burned for two evenings and still have so much more to clean up. It is just overwhelming. We had to leave the biggest mess since our chain saw wouldn't stay running. Going to take ours from here next time.
Kevin and my dad get up before day light. You know you need to be in the woods before daylight, so they say. Well I get up and see them off. I went back to bed for a few minutes, got up straightened and ate breakfast and they are back and guess what??? My dad is done deer hunting in WV. He is ready to come home and he isn't going again in WV ever. Now mind you, Kevin takes my dad in the woods and places him. Then Kevin goes to "run" the deer to him. Well this wears my dad out, he's so tired, and he's cold, and he's hungry, he's legs hurt, he's back hurts. Okay you got the picture.
So we come back to Ohio and before we get home he is talking about the first day of deer hunting in Ohio. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! But I just sit in the backseat and smile at Kevin. So Saturday we were over visiting my dad and he couldn't even find the gun he has to take hunting up here. Ohio you have to take a shot gun with a rifle barrel. (Or I think that is what they said). So we help him find the gun and then where are the shells. So Kevin finds the shells. Oh no he only has two boxes. I tell him he only needs one shell, so I think two boxes are plenty. Monday morning Kevin was to be at my dad's to take my dad and his friend hunting. The friend Carmen is 77, and my dad 80. Kevin had a few laughs with them. First off those two couldn't get their seat belts figured out. My dad was sitting in the middle of the truck and kept playing with the heater. Driving Kevin crazy. They finally arrive at the property and they tell Kevin where to go to run them a deer. Well it isn't long until my dad gets cold and goes to the truck. Then he goes back out, and they said they were staying till they got a deer. So Kevin is coming back around and sees them headed for the truck. They think he got lost cause it is taking so long to get to them. So now my dad is done hunting in Ohio, he is never going hunting in Ohio again. By the time they got back home, he asked Kevin when they are going again. Carmen said Wed and Sat is good for him.
They never went back that week, but deer hunting is coming back in up here for the weekend. Dec. 15 and 16. Now my dad is asking when are we going deer hunting. So we shall see how that goes.
My dad hasn't been feeling well. Having tests and of course one test leads to another test. I don't think he is able to go hunting, but he will drag himself out there to say he went. I am thankful that Kevin will take them, I worry about my dad being in the woods and wonder if he will find his way back to the truck without getting confused.
Our family picture after my mother's funeral.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Coupons = Thrifty or Cheap
I am a coupon user. Just because you use a coupon does not make you cheap. People are always making fun of me cause I use coupons to go out to eat, at the grocery store and at the mall. I by no means am cheap, I consider myself to be thrifty. Now this is not a bragging post, just trying to make a point.
First of all, I ran across this saying a while back and loved it. "We are to poor to buy junk". I always say you get what you pay for. And if I can get a little off - well I have more money for other things. But when you buy cheap junk, all you have is cheap junk. I love to shop at Dillards and Macy's during their huge clearance sales. I have $150.00 dresses that I got for $20 or $30 on sale with a coupon. If not for sales and coupons, I would have to wear Wal-Mart dresses. (Well maybe not that bad, but you get my point).
I always have a new car, we live in a nice house, we have a nice truck, we have two dumps, er I mean houses in WV. Everything we have is all ours. So I am not cheap. If I use a coupon then I have more money for other things. I want for nothing, but I want nothing. I am not a material girl.
Some people judge their wealth by how much stuff they have. I cannot stand to have clutter. And I cannot stand to have every space full of something. Every winter I purge every file, closet, drawer and cabinet in this house. I have even decided to donate some Christmas stuff this year. How much Christmas stuff does one person need. I have 7 huge totes of Christmas stuff plus wreaths and trees. My motto for decorating is: "What goes up must come down". And I don't put up Christmas till the first weekend in Dec. and it comes down Dec. 26th - every trip up the steps my arms are full of decorations. So its time to get rid of all them decorations that stay in the boxes year after year and let someone else enjoy them. My tree does stay up till New Years. My mother said its bad luck to take it down before, and she never had taken her's down before New Years Day, so that is a tradition I must follow now.
Back to couponing. I do not use a coupon just because I have it. I don't buy stuff I am not going to use just because I have a coupon. My mother was not a big couponer. Nor my dad, but I get something for him with a coupon and he is excited about it and the price. Kevin was in Texas in August for two weeks and I told my dad one day he was taking me out to dinner. He said, "Wait and let me see if I have a coupon". I about died laughing. A COUPON?!?! But you need to know my dad to know how funny that is.
You know if you don't plan along the way for your retirement, you might be working your whole life. As the country is today - you need all the help you can in saving for the future. Willpower to not need instant gratification is a good thing also. My girlfriend once told me I have allot of willpower, and I feel I do too. I think some people are ashamed to use a coupon or something. I feel that the business put out the coupon for me to use, so why not use it?
First of all, I ran across this saying a while back and loved it. "We are to poor to buy junk". I always say you get what you pay for. And if I can get a little off - well I have more money for other things. But when you buy cheap junk, all you have is cheap junk. I love to shop at Dillards and Macy's during their huge clearance sales. I have $150.00 dresses that I got for $20 or $30 on sale with a coupon. If not for sales and coupons, I would have to wear Wal-Mart dresses. (Well maybe not that bad, but you get my point).
I always have a new car, we live in a nice house, we have a nice truck, we have two dumps, er I mean houses in WV. Everything we have is all ours. So I am not cheap. If I use a coupon then I have more money for other things. I want for nothing, but I want nothing. I am not a material girl.
Some people judge their wealth by how much stuff they have. I cannot stand to have clutter. And I cannot stand to have every space full of something. Every winter I purge every file, closet, drawer and cabinet in this house. I have even decided to donate some Christmas stuff this year. How much Christmas stuff does one person need. I have 7 huge totes of Christmas stuff plus wreaths and trees. My motto for decorating is: "What goes up must come down". And I don't put up Christmas till the first weekend in Dec. and it comes down Dec. 26th - every trip up the steps my arms are full of decorations. So its time to get rid of all them decorations that stay in the boxes year after year and let someone else enjoy them. My tree does stay up till New Years. My mother said its bad luck to take it down before, and she never had taken her's down before New Years Day, so that is a tradition I must follow now.
Back to couponing. I do not use a coupon just because I have it. I don't buy stuff I am not going to use just because I have a coupon. My mother was not a big couponer. Nor my dad, but I get something for him with a coupon and he is excited about it and the price. Kevin was in Texas in August for two weeks and I told my dad one day he was taking me out to dinner. He said, "Wait and let me see if I have a coupon". I about died laughing. A COUPON?!?! But you need to know my dad to know how funny that is.
You know if you don't plan along the way for your retirement, you might be working your whole life. As the country is today - you need all the help you can in saving for the future. Willpower to not need instant gratification is a good thing also. My girlfriend once told me I have allot of willpower, and I feel I do too. I think some people are ashamed to use a coupon or something. I feel that the business put out the coupon for me to use, so why not use it?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Thankful
I have been out of the loop of my posting on the blog since the storm struck. We sometimes think, WHY ME??
During Frankenstorm, I was probably saying that at least once a day I'm sure to myself. It seems as if north Willoughby got hit the hardest and that is where we live. It just seemed a new issue arose everyday at our house. First our roof/siding/windows started leaking in the back bedroom. We had one leak, okay not bad for how much rain and wind we were having. A part of the ceiling was hanging down full of water. I got a bucket and busted the big bubble and let it all drain and then drip into the bucket. Yucky brown water. (THANKFUL IT WAS ONLY ONE LEAK) Then our electric went off at 11 pm. At 5 am I got up to see how the leak was doing. OOOPPPSSS it was now three leaks. (THANKFULL IT WAS ONLY THREE AND THE CEILING WAS STILL HANGING UP) Moved all the furniture now as one was right over the bed, but not leaking yet. Busted the other two, carpet soaked and bucket under them. Looked out front window - the big tree out front came down in all the wind. Laughing now. (BUT THANKFUL IT FELL THE OTHER DIRECTION AND NOT ON THE HOUSE). I had called my dad at 6:30 am to make sure he still had electric and he was surprised we didn't as he never lost it. (THANKFUL HE KEPT HIS ELECTRIC) So we get done cleaning up the mess and I am starting to make instant coffee. Someone is pounding on my door. My dad with Hardees Bacon, egg and cheese biscuits and three cups of coffee. (THANKFUL FOR BREAKFAST) We were checking things out and now the leaks started in the family room. (THANKFUL THE RAIN AND WIND WAS SLOWING, AND NO HANGING DOWN FULL OF WATER SPOTS, JUST BROWN WATER STAINS). My dad was determined we needed his generator. So I said make sure it would hook up the same way his does at his house or else we wouldn't have the stuff to plug it into the box. They found no main shut off. So he went home with the idea that if it stayed off to long just bring our perishables to his house. So 16 hours later, we had electric and heat. Our phones and internet were messed up and they actually came out the next day too. They are still messed up and I tried to call them today - their customer service is not what it should be - but customer service is a dying art - so I don't expect anymore than I get from them. (But that is another post).
It continued to rain a good bit until the next day and it slowed to the point that we could clean up the tree. I called the roofer and him and the siding guy were here within an hour asking why I hadn't called sooner. I didn't want people in the downpour rain up on my roof when my ceiling was ruined anyway. So that got fixed the next morning. The tree went through the chipper the next day. We even found the Main shutoff for electric in an odd place to us. So we figure its all over. NOPE!!!! On Sunday I wake up at 5:15 am and our furnace is blowing cold air. So Kevin was able to fix that - we actually had a ignition module in his stash of parts. His degree in Heating and AC did not go to waste that day. (THANKFUL KEVIN WENT TO COLLEGE AND LEARNED A VERY USEFUL TRADE).
Somewhere in all this drama in Ohio I learn that our electric is off at our house in WV. We have electric heat - weather said 20's every night. For this I must say I will be thankful if my pipes didn't freeze and bust.
Even though I might of posted on my Facebook wall posts that seemed like my world was falling apart - I was THANKFUL every step of the way.
During Frankenstorm, I was probably saying that at least once a day I'm sure to myself. It seems as if north Willoughby got hit the hardest and that is where we live. It just seemed a new issue arose everyday at our house. First our roof/siding/windows started leaking in the back bedroom. We had one leak, okay not bad for how much rain and wind we were having. A part of the ceiling was hanging down full of water. I got a bucket and busted the big bubble and let it all drain and then drip into the bucket. Yucky brown water. (THANKFUL IT WAS ONLY ONE LEAK) Then our electric went off at 11 pm. At 5 am I got up to see how the leak was doing. OOOPPPSSS it was now three leaks. (THANKFULL IT WAS ONLY THREE AND THE CEILING WAS STILL HANGING UP) Moved all the furniture now as one was right over the bed, but not leaking yet. Busted the other two, carpet soaked and bucket under them. Looked out front window - the big tree out front came down in all the wind. Laughing now. (BUT THANKFUL IT FELL THE OTHER DIRECTION AND NOT ON THE HOUSE). I had called my dad at 6:30 am to make sure he still had electric and he was surprised we didn't as he never lost it. (THANKFUL HE KEPT HIS ELECTRIC) So we get done cleaning up the mess and I am starting to make instant coffee. Someone is pounding on my door. My dad with Hardees Bacon, egg and cheese biscuits and three cups of coffee. (THANKFUL FOR BREAKFAST) We were checking things out and now the leaks started in the family room. (THANKFUL THE RAIN AND WIND WAS SLOWING, AND NO HANGING DOWN FULL OF WATER SPOTS, JUST BROWN WATER STAINS). My dad was determined we needed his generator. So I said make sure it would hook up the same way his does at his house or else we wouldn't have the stuff to plug it into the box. They found no main shut off. So he went home with the idea that if it stayed off to long just bring our perishables to his house. So 16 hours later, we had electric and heat. Our phones and internet were messed up and they actually came out the next day too. They are still messed up and I tried to call them today - their customer service is not what it should be - but customer service is a dying art - so I don't expect anymore than I get from them. (But that is another post).
It continued to rain a good bit until the next day and it slowed to the point that we could clean up the tree. I called the roofer and him and the siding guy were here within an hour asking why I hadn't called sooner. I didn't want people in the downpour rain up on my roof when my ceiling was ruined anyway. So that got fixed the next morning. The tree went through the chipper the next day. We even found the Main shutoff for electric in an odd place to us. So we figure its all over. NOPE!!!! On Sunday I wake up at 5:15 am and our furnace is blowing cold air. So Kevin was able to fix that - we actually had a ignition module in his stash of parts. His degree in Heating and AC did not go to waste that day. (THANKFUL KEVIN WENT TO COLLEGE AND LEARNED A VERY USEFUL TRADE).
Somewhere in all this drama in Ohio I learn that our electric is off at our house in WV. We have electric heat - weather said 20's every night. For this I must say I will be thankful if my pipes didn't freeze and bust.
Even though I might of posted on my Facebook wall posts that seemed like my world was falling apart - I was THANKFUL every step of the way.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friends
My niece said to me a few years back - I have 100 best friends. I thought REALLY???? 100 Besties???? Then I wondered if I even had 100 friends, counting best friends. LOL We have buds, peeps, neighbors, sistas, co-workers, classmates, acquaintances, buddies, and many others. Some pull double duty. A friend is "a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard". Okay I do have over 100 friends. Maybe even some I consider my friend and they have no idea I feel that way.
I got a surprise phone call from one of my best buds also a best friend, John, in Missouri last night that reminded me of how many people have touched my life and continue to touch it. I moved to Ohio 12 years ago and was hanging with my dad at Hardee's and one of the guys said they just met me but could talk to me like we've known each other our whole life. If you know me, you know I am a good listener. If you don't really know me, you think I talk allot. He called me gifted - and to this day my husband still does. LOL My mother always said, me and my dad have never met a stranger.
Being a military spouse, so many people come and go in your life. My best friend, Mary, I met when my daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - her daughter had Spina Bifida. We instantly became friends and since 1977 we have been best friends. I've gotten to see her about 4 or 5 times since I left IL, but not nearly enough. We talk on the phone and are trying to make plans to see each other again. There are many more best friends that I still keep in contact with from our military days. The military is a really special "family".
John I've known since the middle 80's. One time on my birthday, Kevin had to go to college (he was taking weekend classes to get his Master's Degree). So John took me to a Bison Ranch and they had a buffet of all bison and tours, but they had no running water. I guess this must of been an issue for me as John always laughs cause I made him stop and let me wash my hands on the way home.
Since Facebook has came into my life - I keep up with allot of friends and family. I do, however, cringe when I read something on Facebook that should of been told in person first to certain people. I have met a girl, Rae, playing my game. We instantly bonded, never met in person, but have allot in common, and we now feel like we are "chosen" sisters. Amazing how that happens, and you are touched by such a sweet person that you never met. She lives not to far from where I moved here from. So maybe when we go back to visit someday we will finally meet.
I got a surprise phone call from one of my best buds also a best friend, John, in Missouri last night that reminded me of how many people have touched my life and continue to touch it. I moved to Ohio 12 years ago and was hanging with my dad at Hardee's and one of the guys said they just met me but could talk to me like we've known each other our whole life. If you know me, you know I am a good listener. If you don't really know me, you think I talk allot. He called me gifted - and to this day my husband still does. LOL My mother always said, me and my dad have never met a stranger.
Being a military spouse, so many people come and go in your life. My best friend, Mary, I met when my daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy - her daughter had Spina Bifida. We instantly became friends and since 1977 we have been best friends. I've gotten to see her about 4 or 5 times since I left IL, but not nearly enough. We talk on the phone and are trying to make plans to see each other again. There are many more best friends that I still keep in contact with from our military days. The military is a really special "family".
John I've known since the middle 80's. One time on my birthday, Kevin had to go to college (he was taking weekend classes to get his Master's Degree). So John took me to a Bison Ranch and they had a buffet of all bison and tours, but they had no running water. I guess this must of been an issue for me as John always laughs cause I made him stop and let me wash my hands on the way home.
Since Facebook has came into my life - I keep up with allot of friends and family. I do, however, cringe when I read something on Facebook that should of been told in person first to certain people. I have met a girl, Rae, playing my game. We instantly bonded, never met in person, but have allot in common, and we now feel like we are "chosen" sisters. Amazing how that happens, and you are touched by such a sweet person that you never met. She lives not to far from where I moved here from. So maybe when we go back to visit someday we will finally meet.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Republican or Demorcrat
This is not a post about whether I am or am not a Republican, its a post about what I dislike about the election. I do not need about 10 phone calls a day from the Republicans telling me I can vote - where I can vote - and why I should vote for Mitt. I am already a registered Republican and I am voting.
Maybe I need a phone call from the Democrats telling me why I should vote for Obama. They don't have my vote and maybe they should try to sway me. (I ain't moving over - but just saying). I am so tired of answering the phone - hearing the same thing. Today being Sunday - I was so surprised no one even called about anything political. Maybe I should go make sure the phone is working. LOL
The mailings that come daily. My recycle bin is filling up quick. I mean really, about 10 a day of those. And I get some from the same person day after day. I guess they think some people are slow learners - but this is just getting out of hand. I don't remember it this bad in elections gone by.
I watched the debates. It seemed as if one would say what they wanted to do for the country if elected and one only harped on what the other supposedly said years ago and didn't say what he was going to do if elected. But then again we know what one did for the past four years, so he didn't have to.
So my closing words are, "vote early and vote often". LOL
Maybe I need a phone call from the Democrats telling me why I should vote for Obama. They don't have my vote and maybe they should try to sway me. (I ain't moving over - but just saying). I am so tired of answering the phone - hearing the same thing. Today being Sunday - I was so surprised no one even called about anything political. Maybe I should go make sure the phone is working. LOL
The mailings that come daily. My recycle bin is filling up quick. I mean really, about 10 a day of those. And I get some from the same person day after day. I guess they think some people are slow learners - but this is just getting out of hand. I don't remember it this bad in elections gone by.
I watched the debates. It seemed as if one would say what they wanted to do for the country if elected and one only harped on what the other supposedly said years ago and didn't say what he was going to do if elected. But then again we know what one did for the past four years, so he didn't have to.
So my closing words are, "vote early and vote often". LOL
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Best Friend, Love of my Life, Hubby
Today is Kevin's day to be the subject. We have been best friends since 1977. He has been the love of my life since 1982. He has been my hubby since Dec. 15, 1982. He is my second husband (first one HUGE, GIGANTIC mistake). I am his third wife. Third time is charm for sure for him. Well I'm sure that is the way he sees it. LOL
He spent 20 years in the US Air Force, and we neither one regretted a minute of it. He spent 18 of his 20 years at Scott AFB, IL. When we got married Jeff was 7 and Jenny was 5.
One thing I always say about him and his work, "he keeps me in the way I have become accustomed". Now since he was an aircraft mechanic (enlisted) I am not used to allot, so that isn't hard to do. I am low maintenance, and HATE shopping. My favorite store is Lowes first and Home Depot second. Mall about LAST on my list.
We love to do our own home remodeling and maintaining. We love to work outside and keep everything looking very manicured. Inside our house looks the same after we clean as before. He is a very hard worker, has been and always will be.
He loves to travel, me not so much. He loves to drive - I love to be the passenger. Now that my dad travels with us allot - we have two that loves to be the passenger. Kevin has taken me to many places thanks to Flight Options. He had to go to Las Vegas once for 10 days to work at that facility. I tagged along. He took me to the Hoover Dam, and I was not impressed. Told him we have a damn in WV less than a mile from our house. Seen one. He had to go work in New Jersey for 10 days and took me to see the Statue of Liberty. Was not impressed. But I said that was my parents fault for not taking me when I was little. LOL It just looks so grand on TV, and in person - kind of a small green thing.
We both love country music and bluegrass music. Conway Twitty has always been my favorite. He took me to Twitty City on our honeymoon. And thanks to my cousin Becky - her and Rick drove us around seeing stars homes, and William Lee Golden was coming down his drive after his girlfriend. Me and her are sitting there screaming.....it was so much fun. I will never forget that.
Kevin is very attentive to detail. He has an awesome hobby that I love the benefit of. He takes cement figures for outside, stepping stones, anything that needs to be painted and it looks awesome when he gets done. We display it out in front of our house.
Our friend, Sonny, had this in a pile of stuff to get thrown away when we went over to help him with his snow blower. It was a plain cement figure in need of some TLC and Kevin was just the one to give it.
I will post some more when I find them in the mess I have of pictures. Someday my goal is to organize those.
He spent 20 years in the US Air Force, and we neither one regretted a minute of it. He spent 18 of his 20 years at Scott AFB, IL. When we got married Jeff was 7 and Jenny was 5.
One thing I always say about him and his work, "he keeps me in the way I have become accustomed". Now since he was an aircraft mechanic (enlisted) I am not used to allot, so that isn't hard to do. I am low maintenance, and HATE shopping. My favorite store is Lowes first and Home Depot second. Mall about LAST on my list.
We love to do our own home remodeling and maintaining. We love to work outside and keep everything looking very manicured. Inside our house looks the same after we clean as before. He is a very hard worker, has been and always will be.
He loves to travel, me not so much. He loves to drive - I love to be the passenger. Now that my dad travels with us allot - we have two that loves to be the passenger. Kevin has taken me to many places thanks to Flight Options. He had to go to Las Vegas once for 10 days to work at that facility. I tagged along. He took me to the Hoover Dam, and I was not impressed. Told him we have a damn in WV less than a mile from our house. Seen one. He had to go work in New Jersey for 10 days and took me to see the Statue of Liberty. Was not impressed. But I said that was my parents fault for not taking me when I was little. LOL It just looks so grand on TV, and in person - kind of a small green thing.
We both love country music and bluegrass music. Conway Twitty has always been my favorite. He took me to Twitty City on our honeymoon. And thanks to my cousin Becky - her and Rick drove us around seeing stars homes, and William Lee Golden was coming down his drive after his girlfriend. Me and her are sitting there screaming.....it was so much fun. I will never forget that.
Kevin is very attentive to detail. He has an awesome hobby that I love the benefit of. He takes cement figures for outside, stepping stones, anything that needs to be painted and it looks awesome when he gets done. We display it out in front of our house.
Our friend, Sonny, had this in a pile of stuff to get thrown away when we went over to help him with his snow blower. It was a plain cement figure in need of some TLC and Kevin was just the one to give it.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Newspaper, Breakfast, and Coffee
I am an avid newspaper reader. My day starts out with breakfast, 1 1/2 cups of coffee (don't tell the Gastrologist) and the newspaper. If one is missing, it ruins my day. Today I read this, I will call it a little poem, and wanted to share it with you all. I have many of these that I will probably share along the way.
The Broken Chain
"We little knew that morning God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again."
-Author Unknown
I was looking through a folder the other day and found this. My dad had sent it to me in a letter when he was 57 years old (he is 80 now).
"Hypothetical Self-Epitaph"
"What if I just caved in, gave out, pulled over to the side of the road of life, expired like an old driver's license?"
"You might say he didn't get far in 57 years. But I'd say that's alright, it was the worlds longest trip on an empty tank."
Now my last one I want to share. Some know, some don't. I had a daughter born Oct. 27th, 1977. She was born with Cerebral Palsy. She died on Sept. 25, 1983. She was a very special girl. A teacher from her school gave this to me. This is also for my "sister" Rae.
Heaven's Very Special Child
By Enda Massimilla
A meeting was held quite far from earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
This Special Child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishment he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent.
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for You.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is Heaven's Very Special Child.
The Broken Chain
"We little knew that morning God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And although we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again."
-Author Unknown
I was looking through a folder the other day and found this. My dad had sent it to me in a letter when he was 57 years old (he is 80 now).
"Hypothetical Self-Epitaph"
"What if I just caved in, gave out, pulled over to the side of the road of life, expired like an old driver's license?"
"You might say he didn't get far in 57 years. But I'd say that's alright, it was the worlds longest trip on an empty tank."
Now my last one I want to share. Some know, some don't. I had a daughter born Oct. 27th, 1977. She was born with Cerebral Palsy. She died on Sept. 25, 1983. She was a very special girl. A teacher from her school gave this to me. This is also for my "sister" Rae.
Heaven's Very Special Child
By Enda Massimilla
A meeting was held quite far from earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
This Special Child will need much love.
His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishment he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.
He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent.
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for You.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is Heaven's Very Special Child.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Living without a mother.
I was watching the Kardashians one night and Kris said "I don't know how to live without my mother". That little sentence hit home with me. I still cry almost daily. I am very protective of her and her memory and of her belongings. My mother had a very hard life - and I hate that every day. The things she endured during her life and that came to light after her death is unspeakable. I am in the process of trying to do a DVD of her "family tree" of sorts. But it isn't going to be easy assembling the information. I have this grand idea - but not sure the total know-how to complete this project. Kevin said WE can do it. I will depend on him to get me through this project - he has patience - more than me.
I talked to my mom almost everyday. And after her death, I still found myself going to the phone to call and tell her something.
I was in WV last week and went to the cemetery. She has a beautiful headstone that I designed. I love it, and I am sure she does too. Kevin said I need to design ours, and even though I feel a little "young" to be doing it - I guess you never know. We are all going to be buried in a little cemetery on a hill in Valley Head, WV. Love that little cemetery, just disappointed in the theft of flowers off the headstones. We secure ours with fishing line four ways, knots and there is no way to get it off other than cut it. Sad someone feels the need to do that. My mothers they took were beautiful deep red roses and baby's breathe done on a saddle.
This picture of my mom's headstone does not do it justice. But you get the idea. The flash and background shows in the picture. On the right there is a little church in the picture. It is a church that my grandfather donated the land for and helped to build.
I talked to my mom almost everyday. And after her death, I still found myself going to the phone to call and tell her something.
I was in WV last week and went to the cemetery. She has a beautiful headstone that I designed. I love it, and I am sure she does too. Kevin said I need to design ours, and even though I feel a little "young" to be doing it - I guess you never know. We are all going to be buried in a little cemetery on a hill in Valley Head, WV. Love that little cemetery, just disappointed in the theft of flowers off the headstones. We secure ours with fishing line four ways, knots and there is no way to get it off other than cut it. Sad someone feels the need to do that. My mothers they took were beautiful deep red roses and baby's breathe done on a saddle.
This picture of my mom's headstone does not do it justice. But you get the idea. The flash and background shows in the picture. On the right there is a little church in the picture. It is a church that my grandfather donated the land for and helped to build.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Alzheimer's
My dad was diagnosed over a year an a half ago with Alzheimer's. I had been trying to tell the doctor for 3 years he had it. The first time we discussed it at his doctors appointment - my dad told the doctor - "I don't have to listen to what she says - so she thinks I have Alzheimer's". Of course my mom and Kevin totally agreed with me - but the doctor looked at me and said "there you have it". I was so upset with her. I let it go till it finally was so bad, and I took my dad back and told her it was time to listen to me. She did a little "memory test", and now she believes me. My dad is not a pill taker. So he took the Aricept half the time. I would count them and he would say the pharmacy gave him to many. Well, this has went on for over a year and a half now. His newest story (and he's sticking to it) is he quit taking those pills and he feels so much better. Sleeps so much better. He says to me all the time, his head is all messed up.
He is a mean Alzheimer's patient. He yells at you at the drop of a hat. He gets into arguments with neighbors, people turning around in his driveway, friends at Hardee's, ME. (Well he doesn't argue with me - he just YELLS at me). He imagines things that aren't true. He takes other peoples stories and makes them his own. We have asked him to move in with us - but he always says he is to hard to get along with. I tell him - all you do is go to Hardee's for breakfast and watch TV - how can that be hard to get along with. Wondering if he will ever realize he really does need to move in with us and let us take care of him. I think staying by yourself (especially during the dark winter months) just plays on your mind anyway.
Every time we go over to visit or help him - he has torn up something. He thinks every thing is broken and a piece of junk. My favorite is when he tears up the lawn equipment and gives it to Kevin in a 100 pieces and says "can you fix this". Of course Kevin has been lucky so far and is able to fix everything he thinks was broken and tore up. Weed eater, my mom's sewing machine, the lawn mower, the garage door opener, the Lazyboy chair, just to name a few. He even had me buy him a new Lazyboy chair - insisted I take the old one, and its fine - so now I have a "new" recliner in my den.
I am so blessed to have a husband that is tolerate of these "broken" things and fixes them happily. He will drop whatever he is doing to go to my dad's in a second. I think my dad has my phone number on speed dial (if he knew what that was) and I am happy that he does call me when he needs something. I moved here to take care of my parents, and I will continue to be at his beck and call as long as I am able.
My dad pretending to watch the Browns and read the paper - BUSTED!!!!!
He is a mean Alzheimer's patient. He yells at you at the drop of a hat. He gets into arguments with neighbors, people turning around in his driveway, friends at Hardee's, ME. (Well he doesn't argue with me - he just YELLS at me). He imagines things that aren't true. He takes other peoples stories and makes them his own. We have asked him to move in with us - but he always says he is to hard to get along with. I tell him - all you do is go to Hardee's for breakfast and watch TV - how can that be hard to get along with. Wondering if he will ever realize he really does need to move in with us and let us take care of him. I think staying by yourself (especially during the dark winter months) just plays on your mind anyway.
Every time we go over to visit or help him - he has torn up something. He thinks every thing is broken and a piece of junk. My favorite is when he tears up the lawn equipment and gives it to Kevin in a 100 pieces and says "can you fix this". Of course Kevin has been lucky so far and is able to fix everything he thinks was broken and tore up. Weed eater, my mom's sewing machine, the lawn mower, the garage door opener, the Lazyboy chair, just to name a few. He even had me buy him a new Lazyboy chair - insisted I take the old one, and its fine - so now I have a "new" recliner in my den.
I am so blessed to have a husband that is tolerate of these "broken" things and fixes them happily. He will drop whatever he is doing to go to my dad's in a second. I think my dad has my phone number on speed dial (if he knew what that was) and I am happy that he does call me when he needs something. I moved here to take care of my parents, and I will continue to be at his beck and call as long as I am able.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Karma
The grocery store was so crowded Saturday - you'd think it was Super Bowl weekend. I only stopped to pick up a few things since we were going right by there. I hate to make a special trip as expensive as gas is. We had 12 items just like the Express Sign said. But I have to wonder if people really know how to count. That would be all your fingers and two toes if that is your system for figuring out 12. Twelve is NOT 6 bags and $55 worth like the lady two in front of us. As if she thought no one behind her can count. I guess I am a "rules" person of sorts. And I'm also a Karma person.
I for some reason, am stuck on the word Karma. I try to treat people the way I like to be treated. And for me Karma is it. If I say something or do something out of line - Kevin will just say KARMA - and I automatically lose that thought. Some people just don't see it. But it is clear to me. Those that constantly are mean or say mean things and then something bad happens in their life they are always quick to blame someone else. I always think KARMA, what did I do or say to make this happen to me. I try to look at myself as the culprit, because I believe you control your destiny with what you believe in and how you do and react and act in general.
I have a great husband that mostly keeps me grounded. Sometimes we all could use some grounding. My goal had been when I started this blog to blog daily. I always have lots to say, but by the time I get to the laptop I forget the subject or ran out of time for the day.
Since I started this blog in January, Kevin has left Flight Options to live his dream of retirement. Not exactly the retirement we were hoping for. Now we take care to make sure my dad is okay - and I do not feel comfortable leaving the area without my dad. So we all go to WV and spend some time together and that is as far as we go for now. My dad says we all will be going deer hunting the week of Thanksgiving in WV. I sure hope that is true. I would love to go to WV for a week, deer hunting or otherwise. We have an awesome wood burning stove in the house we stay in. My dad says he misses his TV though when he is down there. I miss nothing about TV, computer, phone or shopping. I love the silence, peacefulness, how laid back everything and everyone is. My favorite spot is sitting on the back porch in the "Queen Chair". Kevin had worked on this glider lawn chair for many visits down there and when he finished it - he dubbed it the Queen Chair. How cute.
Kevin was lucky enough to be pursued by a company that appreciates his talent and hired him to work part time from home for them developing Aircraft Maintenance Training when he left Flight Options. He works for CAE - a Canadian Company. That gives us some "play" money and him the flexibility we need to be there for my dad 24/7, if need be.
I for some reason, am stuck on the word Karma. I try to treat people the way I like to be treated. And for me Karma is it. If I say something or do something out of line - Kevin will just say KARMA - and I automatically lose that thought. Some people just don't see it. But it is clear to me. Those that constantly are mean or say mean things and then something bad happens in their life they are always quick to blame someone else. I always think KARMA, what did I do or say to make this happen to me. I try to look at myself as the culprit, because I believe you control your destiny with what you believe in and how you do and react and act in general.
I have a great husband that mostly keeps me grounded. Sometimes we all could use some grounding. My goal had been when I started this blog to blog daily. I always have lots to say, but by the time I get to the laptop I forget the subject or ran out of time for the day.
Since I started this blog in January, Kevin has left Flight Options to live his dream of retirement. Not exactly the retirement we were hoping for. Now we take care to make sure my dad is okay - and I do not feel comfortable leaving the area without my dad. So we all go to WV and spend some time together and that is as far as we go for now. My dad says we all will be going deer hunting the week of Thanksgiving in WV. I sure hope that is true. I would love to go to WV for a week, deer hunting or otherwise. We have an awesome wood burning stove in the house we stay in. My dad says he misses his TV though when he is down there. I miss nothing about TV, computer, phone or shopping. I love the silence, peacefulness, how laid back everything and everyone is. My favorite spot is sitting on the back porch in the "Queen Chair". Kevin had worked on this glider lawn chair for many visits down there and when he finished it - he dubbed it the Queen Chair. How cute.
Kevin was lucky enough to be pursued by a company that appreciates his talent and hired him to work part time from home for them developing Aircraft Maintenance Training when he left Flight Options. He works for CAE - a Canadian Company. That gives us some "play" money and him the flexibility we need to be there for my dad 24/7, if need be.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A little about myself
So here we go, my first post. I have always wanted to start a blog. I always seem to have allot to say about allot of subjects. I do not work, but I seem to always be busy. I am a fanatic about keeping the house clean, laundry washed and ironed, and helping Kevin with his chores because he works a 40 hour a week job and I don't work outside the home. I am a homebody. We own two properties in WV that need allot of attention. Nice way to say DUMPS..... Our dream has always been to move to WV. Kevin spent 20 years in the USAF, most of it at Scott AFB, IL, near St. Louis, Mo. We always thought we would retire to WV after his 20 years, but we chose Ohio to be able to take care of my parents. My mother died in August 2011 and while that changed my life - we will still stay here to take care of my dad. My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's early last year. He is a very stubborn man - and its getting difficult with him. I am "addicted" to playing Cafe World on Facebook. LOL I always have many little projects going on in my life. I can't say "NO" when asked to do something. A trait I wish I could change, sometimes and only sometimes. We live in Willoughby, OH, one of the most awesomeness towns around here. It is a historic area, a busy little town, people always walking the streets and allot going on at night. Brightly lite.
Kevin works at Flight Options. Its a time share of airplanes for the rich that don't like flying commercial. He is a Project and Training Manager hoping to retire soon. His goal since my dad retired at 57 has been to retire at 55 years old. We have worked very hard to be able to make that happen. Now he just has to be ready to actually retire. I am sure it will be a big scary step - to do at age 55. No Social Security and no IRA or 401(K) payments for 5 years. But we are not high maintenance people - so hopefully it will work out for the best. I hope to post consistently as this has been something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Until next time............
Kevin works at Flight Options. Its a time share of airplanes for the rich that don't like flying commercial. He is a Project and Training Manager hoping to retire soon. His goal since my dad retired at 57 has been to retire at 55 years old. We have worked very hard to be able to make that happen. Now he just has to be ready to actually retire. I am sure it will be a big scary step - to do at age 55. No Social Security and no IRA or 401(K) payments for 5 years. But we are not high maintenance people - so hopefully it will work out for the best. I hope to post consistently as this has been something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Until next time............
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