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Twenty-nine years ago I gave birth to my first child. Amanda Mae. I’d been told in my early teens that I couldn’t have children because I had such severe endometriosis. I trusted all doctors back then. Heck, I was 17 so, what did I know?
Shortly after I got married I had to have a little female surgery. All went well, and I went back to life. Six weeks later I went back to the doctor because I wasn’t feeling well after the surgery. Everyone was shocked to find that I was indeed pregnant.
It wasn’t the easiest of pregnancies. I had to stay in bed a lot and off my feet. The baby was due around Thanksgiving, and I excitedly planned for the birth.
Of course back then they didn’t do ultrasounds, (did they have them?) so I didn’t know if it was a boy or a girl. We selected names for both Amanda Mae or Joshua Robert. Secretly, I wanted a girl!
Thanksgiving came and went. No baby. Talk about grumpy! Another week passed, no baby. Talk about really grumpy! Then I went to the doctor who did an amniocentesis to check on the actual due date for the baby. Sure enough, he pronounced, the baby is over due! 2 weeks!! Plans were made to induce labor a week later. Did I want to know the sex of the baby, the doctor asked? Nope, I wanted to be surprised.
I must say, that was the longest week of my life! No baby. The night before they were going to induce labor, my ex-husband came home, walked into our bedroom and said Happy Anniversary! And my water broke! I laughed so hard!!!
Eight hours later, I gave birth to the most beautiful, most perfect baby girl ever born! 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.

I couldn’t believe how I felt. I was hit instantly with the biggest case of complete love that I’d ever known! I held her in my arms and I knew that this was the best, the most amazing miracle in my life!
As she grew I was always amazed at her intelligence, her drive and her abilities. Her natural curiosity has taken her far in her life. I am in awe.

So today, on her 29th birthday I want to wish her The Happiest of Birthdays, and an even better year ahead!!

Isn’t it funny, how sadness affects you? Somehow you can get through the day. Do the things you need to do, and yet, your heart feels heavy. Like it will break.
Uncle Betty was so important to me, helping me to grow and become the woman I am. She taught we ways to cope with my parents. And she taught me to laugh! What a great sense of humor she had. A way of looking at even the hardest of things, and turning them into something you could laugh at.
Her life wasn’t the easiest. I saw her cry more than once. But she never gave up and she always came back with a joke, a smile and her very hearty laugh.
I like to think of Uncle Betty getting to Heaven and being greeted by my daughter Katie, my brother Dickie and all the other loved ones who have gone before. Ah, what a reunion that must have been!

Today would have been my 30th wedding anniversary with my first husband. He was my high school sweetheart and I married him as soon as I legally could. I turned 17 that November and we married a month later. Everyone thought I was pregnant. I wasn’t. I loved him and more than anything, I wanted to get away from my parents. We had two children, Mandy and Kate, but when Katie was killed our marriage died too. It ended after 11 years.

I skied yesterday and did several runs. I kept getting terrible pain in my left eye, (the one that’s had so many surgeries) so eventually I gave up and went in. Hubby skied a few more runs and then we left. Hubby knew I was feeling bad, so he took me to lunch at our favorite Chinese Restaurant in Plymouth, and we warmed up over Moo Goo Gai Pan and hot tea!
After lunch we stopped and bought Hubby’s Christmas present. A new Lazy Boy recliner. His old one is on it’s last legs and since the sale was a good one, we splurged and ordered it. It should be here this week.

It’s cold and gray here again today. Winter. Ah yes. Winter

My Aunt, “Uncle Betty” passed away last night. She’s been so sick and fought so long, but eventually she lost her battle and God called her home. I will miss her more than I can say.
I have cried, and I am grieving. But when I step back I see, that “Uncle Betty” will always be with me. She lives in my heart.

Do not stand by my grave and weep,
I am not there – I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am a diamond glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle Autumn rain
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the sweet uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft starshine at night
I am the kiss of angels’ wings
I am part of all these joyful things.

Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there – my soul did not die.

Author Unknown

Continue reading “Friday Quest-E-Oh-Nays”

The little tree in our front yard.

Fritz enjoying the falling snow.

Thirteen Things about Maribeth 1. My best Christmas present ever was my daughter Mandy. She was born 12/20/76!!! 2. I’ve decided my favorite pie is Pumpkin 3. It’s bad to make cookies when you are on a diet! It can drive you insane! 4. I love buying presents for other people. 5. I even buy presents and wrap them for the dogs. 6. I wrote my first fan letter to an artist I discovered in Germany. He draws dackels!! 7. I miss the Christmas’ I spent with my daughters. I would get all sorts of Barbie stuff and they loved it! I did too!! 8. I love Christmas lights. 9. I love writing a Christmas letter each year and putting in pictures. 10. My favorite holiday is actually Thanksgiving. Less stress. 11. The best gifts I give are to my elderly neighbors. I love to see their faces when they open the cookie tin and see the goodies! 12. I always cry on Christmas. Call me sentimental. 13. I love to get Christmas cards!!! Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!) 1.Janet

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Just 5???

5 Weird Habits about Myself

Rules: “The first player of this game starts with the topic “five weird habits of yourself,” and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.”

1.I talk to people while I’m in line at stores or just walking around. No one is safe.
2. I talk to my dogs and I know they understand.
3. I like to get into my pajamas right after I do the dishes in the evening.
4. I must always have socks on my feet
5. I worry about being late for things, so I am always chronically early.

Ok. There you have it. Now, to tag:

1. Casey
2. Loup
3. Amanda
4. GrannyZ
5. Janet
(the art of getting by)

You’re it!!!

Growing up was not always a happy time for me. My parents were good people, but really had no idea how to raise kids. My mom has suffered from severe depression ever since I was born. In fact, during the first year of my life, she attempted suicide. I never felt bonded with her, and any closeness we have is simply because we happen to share genes.
Dad was one of those removed types. He went to work, came home, ate dinner and went to bed. Or he would go out. There are very few times I can recall actually spending quality time alone with him, or my mom.

But, I was lucky. Besides having the worlds best sister, Mel, (who I have written about) I also had my Aunt Betty and Uncle George. Also known as Aunt George and Uncle Betty! (inside family joke) They came down to our home on Cape Cod several times a year and for 2 weeks every summer. They were the fun in my life. (They are my cousin Janet‘s parents)
Uncle Betty was never too busy to listen to me, or joke with me, or spend just a little time with me when I was growing up. She has a wicked quick wit and sharp tongue, and although I am not biologically related to her, I always tend to think of myself as being like her just a little.
Aunt George taught me to swim, to dive, to bowl, took us hiking and he really liked kids. Unlike my parents who always seemed to be surviving having them. Aunt George is quick with a smile and the gentlest, kindest person I know.
These two adults showed me that grown ups could be kind to kids.

Uncle Betty is pretty sick right now. She’s been in failing health for a while, but it’s gotten a lot worse lately, and she is back in the hospital. I didn’t sleep much last night, because I’m worried about her. I’m also worried about me, about my cousins, Aunt George and my sister. We all love her so much and I can’t imagine not having her in our lives anymore.
So please say a little prayer for her today.

Oh Christmas tree of Christmas tree…ooooops you all don’t need to hear me singing!

I got our tree up, lights on, including a flashing string, (Hubby loves blinking lights, I’m not a fan) and bubble lights, (also a Hubby favorite) and then decorated with all my ornaments, garlands and tinsel. I spent the entire afternoon doing it while listening to XM radios Holly station, presenting Christmas carols.
Shubi and Greta watched, and poor things, listened to my terrible singing. Usually I have a good voice, but with this lingering throat thing, I sound more like a frog croaking than an true singer.
I put candles in our windows, white bulbs, and today I’ll get the wreath on our door. Things are shaping up. Sometimes I feel like I will just get everything set up and it’ll be time to take it down. I love Christmastime, but it seems to just fly by.
This week, cookie making for my neighbor’s who are shut-ins, and skiing.