Category: Life

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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On Friday I got up very early and left for my sister’s house. The drive was long, and I was exhausted when I got there. But my mother wanted to go out to lunch, so a bit later, we went and picked her up and we took her out for a nice lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It was a huge buffet and I felt so full when we left!
After lunch Mom came back to Mel’s house and while Melodie cooked, I worked on fixing her wireless router. It took me three hours, but I finally got it working for her home! I was so happy and very proud of myself!
My brother in-law came home and he took my mother back to her house for the night. Mel and I sat down, exhausted and talked with the Bride to be, who had come in from her job as a teacher. She is so excited, and is walking on the clouds! Young love!
About 8 o’clock Mel and I made peanut butter sandwiches with jelly or marshmallow fluff. They were delicious! Then we watched “The Big Bang Theory” on TV until about 9:30, when I went to bed. I fell instantly asleep!
The next morning I woke and Mel had already made me coffee! I was so happy. I had some cereal, and toast and then showered and got ready for the Bridal Shower.
We drove over early so we could help the Bride’s Maid of Honor set up for the shower. She has a beautiful house that her husband built, and they have decorated it in a very fine manner.
The guests began to arrive at noon and by 12:30 all the ladies were there. Then I looked out and saw Mandy, Janet and Savannah come. I went out to the car and Savannah saw me and beamed at me! I picked her up and carried her into the house and took off her jacket. Then I brought her in and surprised my mother with Savannah!

This was the first time she has ever seen her. Wonderful!

Savannah and my grand-niece Abby!

The Bride opened her presents and everyone enjoyed the event. Jinny smiled all afternoon and it made my heart full to see her so very happy.

Finally, about 3 o’clock, Mandy and I each left. Mandy and Janet in one car with Savannah, and me in my car. I knew I would get home after dark, but I also knew Hubby really wanted me home. It was still good weather and so off I went.
I was driving along when my cell phone rang. It was Nataliya from the hair salon. I knew before she said it that my dear Margarita had passed away. I started to cry, but I knew I had to remain under control so I could drive.
I am so deeply saddened. Margarita was such a wonderful and good friend. As much as I am happy that her pain is over, I am grieving her loss.
I called Hubby after and told him, crying once again. He said to be careful driving, and call him again along the way.
I did, and after it got dark I could not see well. I was so upset, and scared, but I eventually got home and collapsed in the house. Hubby made me dinner of spaghetti and meatballs. And a nice brandy!
I slept very well last night with the dogs, it was so great to be home.

I love to watch sporting events. I love to watch ones that I know I could never in a million year succeed at. So, when Lyndsey Vonn was skiing the Super G, I could hardly wait to watch her. She has all the style and grace on skis, that I do not!

Lyndsey always skis harder than most all of her competitors. Sometimes to her own peril! But how proud we all were at the last Winter Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver, she got the Gold Medal in the Downhill and the Silver in the Super G.

Disciplines Downhill, Super-G,
Giant slalom, Slalom,
Combined
Club Vail SSC
Born October 18, 1984 (age 28)
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
World Cup debut November 18, 2000 (age 16)
She is pretty and shows a fierce determination when she is out on the course. That was why it was so painful to watch her fall the other day and end her season, and perhaps her career.
I really hope she will mend fast. She has a broken leg, and tendon damage. You can watch the video below and understand just how bad the fall was. She still hopes to make the Winter Games next year in Russia. I hope so too.

Today I am off to see my doctor about my nose. Before anyone starts to worry that I may go for a Michael Jackson type surgery, let me assure you that this is not the case.

July 10 2008 I had surgery to remove a Squamous cell carcinoma on my nose. All has gone well, until about 6 months ago, when the area got bright red. I kept rubbing moisturizer in and then it dawned on me, perhaps the cells have grown back?

Hubby is trying to keep me calm, but I’m really worried about it. Actually, I would like to go to a specialist, strip out of all my clothes, and have them check me from head to toe.

I know, dramatic, right? Well, it just seems like everyone I know has had some sort of cancer, and I am scared to death mine has come back.

In any case, I will go and see if anything further needs to be done.

I’m so happy my team won the Super Bowl. So happy for Michael Oher!

I am happy the little boy in Alabama, that has been rescued after being kidnapped! What a blessing for him and his parents.

Monday was shower day for the dackels. They all got a nice bath and smell so clean! We have also removed a ton of fur from them. Their winter coats!

Hubby and I have become fans of No Reservations: Anthony Bourdain. It’s on at 2 PM here and Hubby and I try to catch it when we can. I swear, that man is crazy! But in a very good way! I can see Hubby doing what Tony has been doing. He has always had a travel bug inside of him.

In his youth, Hubby traveled the world and did, and saw almost everything. There are two trip left on his Bucket List. I sure hope we can get them in some time.

I woke on Saturday to slightly warmer temperatures and lots and lots of fog! Looking out toward the lake I couldn’t see a thing, but the white wall of the fog. I did my housework, got dressed and went out, and the fog continued to follow me.

It was very strange up town. There was a man standing on ‘water’ or what looked like ‘water’, but was in fact ice. He wasn’t too far off the shore and he had a small seat and was ice fishing. I looked around him and I could see open water pretty close by, and I decided that I wouldn’t be out there fishing for anything!

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be even warmer, and this would mean even more fog. It’s a funny thing. Thick rolling fog like this always reminds me of the movie “Gaslight”. What a fantastic movie. If you have never seen it sit down and watch it.

I’ve been amazed at the attitude of a few people this Christmas. This year, for the first time in many years, I am sort of shocked at man’s inhumanity to man.

At the grocery store a few days ago, a man went ballistic on me and a woman I was speaking to. I mean really ballistic! I tried to calm him, telling him to chill out, and then wishing him a Merry Christmas. I was then flipped off and told to F*** Off! The Dairy Man threw the guy out of the store and my friend and I sort of stood there with our mouths hanging open.

Undeterred, I started the next day with a smile on my face. I was not going to let this man get me down. It’s the joyous season of Christmas. I went about my day, smiling and wishing everyone I saw a Merry Christmas. The day was a good one!

The next day, Hubby and I went to the big city to shop. Usually shopping in the larger areas is frustrating. A lot of pushing and shoving and frustration. But no, it was wonderful! The best part is, we kept running into people we knew from our little town, it made the big city seem a little smaller.

Today we went out to finish up the last bit of shopping, and as I waited in a long line to check out, a woman came barreling past us and cut  about 12 people in line. I was a little shocked by this. I stood talking with the woman next to me, and I realized that sometimes you have to let it go. Maybe this woman was late to pick up her grand kids. Maybe she was late going to work. I don’t know, but she sure was not happy and in a hurry.

So I got home and sat down with the dackels and relaxed for a bit. People are stressed this year. People aren’t really all that happy.

There are more people in my area getting food at the food pantry and Toy’s for Tots for their kids. So, it’s not a very Merry Christmas for some.

If my letting someone cut ahead of me in line, or just not come to blows in the grocery store, well that’s a good thing.

I can pray for my country. For my people, and hope that by this time next year, things will be better.

Amen

I went down to Trader Joe’s and was able to get the German Marzipan Stollen that I so love this time of year. Sadly, they were out of Lebkuchen (ginger cookies), but I figure I can forgo those this year.

I stopped for lunch and had a lovely broiled salmon, when news came across of the Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. All those little children, babies really, whose lives were ended by that madman. Twenty families, whose children will not open their Christmas gifts. It is beyond sad. I am personally devastated  for all those families.

After that my ride home seemed even longer, as I listened to the reports on satellite radio. In the heavy Friday traffic all I really wanted was to get home.

The sun set quickly, I suppose it does at this time of year, and I was driving in the dark. I managed the last few miles, but felt a wave of relief wash over me when I pulled in.

Tonight is pajama time, and sitting with my dackels. Thankful to be cuddled up, quiet and safe in my own little home.

Life

1. I weighed in at Weight Watchers and lost 3 and a half pounds! Yay!
2. I’m feeling like I have the new plan down and working for me!
3. Poor Hubby is still sick.
4. I tried to call him on my way home from class and he was still sleeping!
5. I was worried about that.
6. If he isn’t better by Monday, he will be going to the doctor.
7. He doesn’t want to go, nor does he think he needs to.
8. Tomorrow I go to get my hair dipped in the fountain of youth, and shaped!
9. I really need this as right now I look like a dust mop!
10. After a nice dinner tonight I was doing the dishes when my drainer side of the sink completely clogged up!
11. I could not use my sure fire unclogging method in still water.
12. Hubby plunged the drain free.
13. Then I used the baking soda and vinegar and boiling water to clean it up afterward.

I’ll be 54 years old next month. I have known the biggest joys in life, as well as the deepest woes. My life has always kind of reminded me of a Soap Opera. People used to say that nothing like the things that happened on “All My Children” could possibly happen in “real” life, but I’m here to tell you that it’s true. Life is as crazy and unexpected, and busy, just like “All My Children” used to be.

I miss  my Soap Opera. “All My Children” helped me believe that I wasn’t in this world alone. No matter how crazy my life got, I could always escape it for one hour a day, with that wonderful Soap.

Life is a funny thing. I have called it the great equalizer. You see, as good and true as you try to be in your life, bad things will happen, to good people.

My friend, the one I mentioned last week is very ill. She has cancer and will need chemo or radiation or both. Her type of cancer is a really bad one. I know. Last summer I lost a High School Classmate to this same disease.

I was 19 when my brother died of Cancer. He was not quite 27. He was quite literally filled with Cancer.

Over the years far more friends and relatives have been diagnosed with cancer. Most recently my cousin Janet, who showed the world just how to kick Cancer’s Butt!

I have lost people in my life to untimely death. Like my daughter, Katie who was only 6 years old. I have seen them suffer, and I ask myself, why?

But then, I have also known the greatest joy!

I have watched my own daughters born, I have just become a grandmother! Life is so good, when all is well, and my people are happy and healthy.

I’ve run on the beach, body surfed in the waves and felt the wind blow in my hair. I have been married twice and had 2 beautiful weddings. I have believed in love and I still do.

I have known the gentleness of a dogs love, and watched puppies come to life and grow.

Yet, I have also seen how things can all change on a moments notice. Just like on the Soap Operas. I really don’t like this at all.

So now, as I watch yet another young, beautiful, person struggle with Cancer, I need to catch my breath and get ready to help her through this time.

Life isn’t a bed of roses. However if we are lucky enough, we will be able to know the great loves and joys to compensate for the sadness.

On Sunday, Hubby and I went to a local festival called “The Chowder Fest”. It was held at a local Arcade, with every sort of fun machine to play on, and also has a bowling ally.

It was interesting to go from table to table and try different recipes of chowder. Some was thick and creamy and a couple others were thin and vegetabley. Not exactly my favorite. One restaurant even had a butternut squash and apple chowder, which in my opinion, isn’t a chowder at all, but just a thick soup.

But I digress…

At the Arcade after the Chowder Fest, I played “Ski Ball” for a while, until my 53 year old back started to give out, then I sat down, and let Hubby play, and did what I do best…people watch.

It was during the time, when I was sitting there watching these humans, that I realized something quite profound.

Love really does make the world go round. You see, be it that love between a man and woman, or parent’s with their child, love was all around me.

These people, these children, were all average humans. None of them were Marilyn Monroe, or Elizabeth Taylor, or Richard Burton or George Clooney. And yet, the people exchanged looks of love, laughed together, and loved.

I think how lucky we are that if we open our hearts, quite often we will find love filling it. I know it is not all storybook love, but what I saw today, made me realize how blessed you are in life, if you can begin the day or end the day, with someone who thinks the sun rises and sets on you.

And our children, that we hold in our arms and teach to smile, to talk, to walk, well, today I saw a lot of that kind of love too! The most profound was watching a mother with her handicapped daughter. The little girl had Cerebral Palsy, and walked with crutches, but her Mom smiled broadly at her while she played “Ski-Ball” and laughed and giggled when she did well, and even when she didn’t.

Savannah has brought such joy to me and to Mandy and her father and the other grandparents too. That wonderful, happy, little smile, reminds us again of the important things in life.

Yes, if we just open our hearts and our eyes, we will see that love is all around us. It’s ours for the taking…and the giving.