Wee Hours

What am I doing awake at 3:15 a.m.? I have actually been awake since who knows when. This is what happens when one goes to bed at 9:00 p.m. Normally, I would still be asleep for a few more hours, but...under the covers it is too hot, but I can't throw them off because Earl is next to me and he probably isn't too warm. Susie and Lizzie were exhausted from their very early start to the day so they needed to go to sleep.

It is fun having them here. Our silliness seems to kick in immediately when we get together. I picked them up at 9:00 a.m. and we didn't get home until 4:00 p.m. after going to Swansboro, Ft. Macon, Beaufort and a few thrift shops in between. Then we went out to the Chicken Wing cookoff in Havelock to kill off a few taste buds. Wow, some of those wings were way too hot for me. I bet you would have liked them Diane, but probably not as good as Barbecuing Bob's.

We looked at pictures for an hour or so and laughed some more at all of our youngness in some of those pictures. Where did it all go?

Well, Diane, you are missed and I do hope you will be able to come next month.

I think I am going to try to find someone on line to play Scrabble with.

I hope you are having sweet dreams next to your snoring honey.

Much love,

Sleepless in Havelock

Yearly Exam

YIKES!! I shrunk an inch and gained 5 lbs since last year. No wonder my clothes are super snug. Since I shrunk an inch it was like I gained 10 lbs. Mumus and sweat pants are my next daily wear clothing apparel. I will wear the mumus on Sunday and sweat pants or maybe just knits with elastic waistbands during the week.

That is not the way it is going to be! First, I will enjoy a fun eating frenzy with my sisters next weekend and then I will get serious about growing taller (can you do that???) and getting rid of the 5 lbs or if I can't grow taller shoot for 10 lbs. I am just going to cut out so many of the bad eating choices and back to the regular exercise.

That is all I have to say. Just wanted to vent for a few minutes. I am looking forward to the upcoming visit.

Love you sisters,

Large sister Lori

Additional Seating

Hello Sisters,

I wanted you to see our new additional seating in preparation for Lizzie and Susie's upcoming visit. I will make sure the toilet seat is in place before you come so you don't sink if you happen to be the last to find a seat.

Of course you know I am joking....don't you?? I know at times I am pretty bizarre, but I haven't quite gotten that crazy - yet. By the time we finish the bathroom project I might be there.

For months Earl has talked about remodeling the bathroom in the hall. I don't know if it was the email with flight information or he thought it was time, but off to Lowe's we went yesterdat and purchased a new toilet and tiles for the floor.

The project officially started today with removing the vanity and old toilet. This stuff has been there for 35 + years so there were some glitches in removal. What a mess it is now. Let's hope the rest of it will go better than ripping it out.

I was going to show you what the bathroom looks like, but for some reason the pictures won't come up and I am too tired to try to figure it out.

Will keep you informed of the progress.

Good night sisters.

Lizzie's New Ride

Ok - here's my new ride! Susie and I are going to come to NC on it and if Diane can make the same dates, we'll add a side car! Of course it will only take about 2 weeks to get there. I haven't even been on it yet - just once to sit on it and see how it fits. It'll be fun, I know - but I am just a tiny bit nervous. I'm going to find some very bright scooter attire - something that makes everyone see me.

Well, I do believe the dates that we are aiming for are Oct 16 and return on Monday Oct 19. Check your calendar Di. Hope you can come but I know your life is much busier than ours right now - well, maybe I shouldn't speak for Susie. And now that I say that, maybe I shouldn't speak for me either! HAHAHAHA.

Dan is so close to being finished with the deck. He has worked his behind off all summer and it finally is usable again. We hope to have a New Deck/Halloween party in October to celebrate. When it gets cold and he has to come indoors, he'll start on the new floor - another H U G E project. He really loves doing this stuff. For me, I'm really tired of it but as each project gets finished I get a little more excited about what's it going to look like - then when it's all said and done I hope we will sell it and buy a cute little bungalow that reqiures no work - then we can travel to keep him from getting too bored!


Diane - I would love to meet for lunch when you go to the doc - we'll play it by ear since you aren't sure what all you have to do there. I can really go any time I wish so if it's later, that's ok too.

Talk to me sisters.

Later,

Lizzie

Road Trip

Really, I should say "Air Trip" but that wouldn't be as cool! I'm thinking about coming to see you Lori - some time in October. Thought I'd fly in Friday late afternoon and come home on Monday afternoon. Susie and Diane - flights are really cheap right now on Southwest, if you want to join me. When would be good Lori?? I can't do it on the 3rd or 17th. Let me know. If October doesn't work, then I could come early November (when it is still warm).

Life just keeps plugging along - work, house projects, etc.

Lori - people (especially older people) just don't get jokes about dead people, their ashes, their cemetery plot, etc. It's just not proper - most are so darn uptight, don't you think? We'll just have to keep them amongst us 'unproper' girls!

Gotta get my big butt in gear - work is calling. Speaking of work, my boss is a little needy right now - he's super busy, super stressed so he picks on me in little annoying ways. Men!

Love to one and all!
Lizzie

Strange Sisters

When I went to Mah Jongg today I told my friends about the box that I thought was Mom. Well, a few of them looked at me like I had two heads. I guess they would have to know Mom and us sisters to know I meant no disrespect to Mom. I didn't even try to explain the twisted sisters relationship. I doubt they would have gotten it.

Yesterday I volunteered at the Tryon Palace and it was extremely busy with tourists from all over the country. I always ask everyone who comes upstairs where I walk them through the servants quarters and make my feeble attempt at spinning, where they are from. There was one old fella (93) who was from Warren Ohio. I told him I was from Columbus and that got him started. Very interesting and spry too. Those steps are pretty darn steep for me, let alone someone his age.

Well, I have been on Facebook playing Scrabble with a few people. My favorite so far is my sister Susie. Thanks for playing with me little sister. I am trying to limit myself to Scrabble playing just a little time in the morning and at night before I go to bed. There is one guy that invited me to play and I don't know how he found me because I only invite people who are on Facebook, but I agreed to play him. I won the first game, but the current one he is at least 100 points ahead of me and using words I have never heard of. He must have found his dictionary. I have not and will not look words up. I am only as smart as I am. Wasn't that an intelligent statement?

Barb and I's story is going nowhere and it is my fault - sort of. She introduced these names that have turned me off. But....I am going to close and at least add a couple made up paragraphs to appease her. It is one more thing I can cross off.

Love you girls and hope to hear something from youse girls.

The Power of Suggestion

Well, Sisters, it is a rainy day here in the Carolinas and since I haven't added much to the blog recently I thought I would jabber about what little I can think about.

The other day Earl went to the Post Office and came home with a square box from Diane and he said "I think maybe Diane sent you Agnes to take care of for awhile". Without even thinking it through I thought "Oh my gosh, maybe she did". It was the same size box Mom's ashes reside in and it had a little weight to it like Mom's box probably does. And....one time Diane ask me if I wanted to take Mom home with me when Earl and I had driven up. So I had my mind going and I carefully opened the box. Well, of course she didn't send me Mom. It was something I had neglected to bring home the last time I visited. Earl and I laughed and laughed at me thinking Mom was sent through the mail even though it was Priority Mail. Just one more thing Earl can hold up against my fuzzy thinking and tell others about with some embellishment.

How weird to be writing this blog and you called, Lizzie. It was so good talking to you. It sounds as if you have been are a wild whirlwind with all the activity.

Susie, that is an awful, awful, scary picture of the smoker. I bet you threw your cigarettes away after posting that picture. That one, or one very similar to that one, was taped to the ceiling over the examination table at my gynecologist where I used to go with the saying "Isn't she attractive?""Quit smoking before this happens to you".

That is about it for me right now. Take care girlies and write soon.

I'm Here!

I'm here...

just the same as usual!

Where are you girlies?

Interesting Day.........

Missing our momma today. This is the only picture I have here at work and I know I posted it before - maybe on Flickr. She looks so sweet here - as does my little guy. My friend, Nancy, has been in Iowa all week because her momma is very close to death - hospice is there and they are just waiting. Brings back memories - good and bad.

The other interesting thing about today is that this would have been mine and Buddy's 42nd wedding anniversary. Hmmmmmmmmm.

It's also Dan's daughter and son-in-law's wedding anniversary.

Anyone have anything to add to the interesting day?

Love you sisters!

Lizzie

Dreams and Such

I actually had a nightmare just before waking this morning. In my dream I had gone to the doctor for my yearly check up. When I was measured I had shrunk to 5'2", I weighed 160 lbs and my blood pressure was 250/100. No wonder I woke up with a headache. The dream was so real I thought about checking my blood pressure and weighing myself, but why ruin a day before getting started. I checked my posture all day, walked on the treadmill (UGH, UGH, UGH) for an hour and was careful what I ate. I don't have to go for my exam until October so I guess I have time to work on lowering my blood pressure. The weight, I don't know. Now that I have bought some larger pants it doesn't seem so important. Know what I mean??

We are heading back your way on Thursday. We are going to stay in Parkersburg at a historical place downtown and go to the Fenton Art Glass place for a tour Friday morning before driving the rest of the way to Columbus. He said he would like to go down to the market place downtown and see if Gordon would like to meet us for lunch and any of the rest of you that might like to come down. I am afraid that is the only time I will get to see any of you till next time I come. The reunion is Friday and Saturday night and we are leaving early Sunday. Too short a time for me.

Well, I am going to bed. Will chat another time soon.

Unexpected Trip

Randy and I headed for Greenville SC Friday afternoon to visit one of his very good friends. He called Randy Thursday with bad news that he has stage 4 cancer in his bile duct and there is not much the docs can do for him at this point. Randy was devastated and wanted to see him immmediately. He is in good spirits for all that is going on, but very confused as to what to do now.

We did try to make the trip somewhat pleasant and I took some beautiful mountain pics that are on Flickr. The pic above is in Greenville SC (verrry nice city) at the River Park downtown.

Hope all is well.

Love ya's!

All Together

Gee I wish we could do this more often. I love you all so much, Sissies!

Here I come

I have a few minutes before I need to leave for Mah Jongg so thought I would share my excitement about seeing youse girls. Everything is packed and ready to roll out the door tomorrow morning at 5:45 or so. The flights look good on the way and on the way home unless a soccer team or some large last minute vacation group decides to travel to DC and mess things up.

I always try to make sure everything is in order here for Earl before I go away - like laundry, grocery shopping, paying the bills, making sure there is cash on hand for him and any other thing that he probably doesn't even give a hoot about. I guess I should pretend every week I am going somewhere and I would truly be organized. I doubt it though. I have been aspiring (sort of) to be that for years.

Now that I have started this I realize I don't have a darn thing to say so I will see you tomorrow.

Love you all bunches

This Might Be Me

Catching UP

Hey sisters - about time to catch up, I'm thinking.
I just looked at the last few posts with comments and realized I haven't been very active lately - at least not active on here. Believe me, I've been active.
Right now I am so very sleepy and tired. I went to my very first bachelorette party last night with Dan's future DIL and Dan's ex and his daughters and a bunch of very very very young looking girls. I did not want to go - absolutely DID NOT want to go - but felt I needed to at least show up. It started at 5 at one of Ericka's friends house for a shower (about the 3rd one I think) where we had light dinner and drinks - which we all drank using beautiful pink penis straws! Then we got on the "Party Bus" along with our penises, cooler of beer and boozes and headed to some restaurant at Easton Town Center. The bride-to-be carried this HUGE inflated penis, which we all autographed (yes, me too). My plan was to drive myself and then go home. I should never have gotten on that darn party bus - just followed the crowd - and then I was stuck. I did get home at a decent time - 11:30, which is decent if you are young. Dan, on the other hand, was with Adam and the guys on another party bus - they went to several bars, most of them got blasted and Dan really got stuck by not driving and didn't get dropped off until 2:45! He didn't drink hardly at all - and wanted to come home about 10:00 am. I hope I never ever get sucked into one of those things again.
Well, Lori, you must be all packed and ready to head to our big city, right? Hopefully, you won't have any glitches along the way. We should be able to catch up on the weekend, at the homecoming I'm hoping.
Our little garden has served us well this year - green beans, cukes, zucchini, etc. I have one pepper plant with one lonely pepper that seems to be taking forever to grow but it's beautiful just the same. The tomotoes have been slow to ripen but I'm eyeing them every day - we've had a couple of them so far. I am so tired of working in the yard - way too many flower beds and I just get one all nice and weeded and another one springs out of control. I'm also tired of working on this house - and Dan really gets his jollies working on every stinking project! The deck is really starting to look great - it's just such a slow process. I want a little simple place with 2x2 space for a garden - that's it. Really, I would truly like a very little house - all up to date with no needed repairs - with some time to just do whatever in the world I wanted to on the weekend. And Lori, the 'me' day sounded ideal!
Diane, I really liked the Ingrid M song - I might have to get her CD. You also mentioned your boss filing bankruptcy. Has the business caused this - I know you said it was a personal bankruptcy but I thought he was a pretty well to do guy.
Now about Facebook. For the life of me, I just don't get it! For one thing, I spend about 7 hrs a day on the computer at work so this looks like another big time consumer. Flickr sucks up enough time as it is so why make myself crazy with this also. It is sort of interesting to go in and look at other people - nosey, I know. Since I signed up, no one has tried to find me. And, what's this 'writing on the wall' crap? I noticed that Dan's youngest daughter talks in some sort of cultic gibberish that is hard to understand. Yikes, that statement sure made me sound like a very old woman!
We still have a couple of big events for the rest of this summer. Adam and Ericka will get married on the first Sunday in September (big big wedding) and then a couple of weeks later, Tracey will turn 30 and there will be a big party here at our house. I'm desperating trying to hold on to some vacation days for just that - vacation! Wow, what a concept.
Dan is still collecting unemployment and doing the stock market. He's doing well enough to pay the bills and seems very content and hopes he NEVER has to go back to work! I really am ok with that since he was able to get on my insurance and he is the chief housekeeper. I have to admit though that I'm pretty jealous - I would LOVE to be able to stay home for a while. I really don't see that ever happening though - not until retirement, which, if things don't improve with the economy, may not be until I'm about 85!
Sarah and Paul are doing well. Someone gave them 3 nights in a cabin in Hocking Hills as a wedding gift. They had never seen it and I guess when they got there they were a little surprised/disappointed. It was sort of like a hunting cabin - something out of the 60s, complete with bunk beds! They spent one night and came home and then went to Cedar Point for the day and night. Kids.
Well, I must go to the grocery store. That is one thing that I need to convince Dan that he should be doing. I have always hated that chore. I think I'll stock up big time so I don't have to go for about a month or two. Wouldn't that be great.
I love you sisters. Please add some comments.
Lizzie

Funky Town

I have been wondering about the silence also. I figured it was because of me. I let Lizzie and Sarah down by missing the wedding. I have been in a funk for the last few days and need to wash it away. I am sorry I missed it. When I think of all the nagging little roadblocks that popped up all day Saturday and Sunday, I now feel I should have barrelled through them and come to the wedding, even if I were whiplashed and bruised up a little. So sorry.

The wedding photos were beautiful. I cried. Sarah is so beautiful and Paul is so handsome and they are truly in love. I wish them the best life ever.

I am looking so forward to your visit, Lori. It looks like I may have Pandora and Winter, so we may spend the night at their house. If you prefer to sleep here in the comfy bed, that is cool too. I might work things out where we can all stay here, but it would be chaotic and crowded. Dozer and Peanut will probably be here. Dozer is the PITA in that whole scenario. It sounds like you have quite a busy schedule lined up. Sounds fun though.

I have been busy with my boss's (sp?) financial situation. It is like I am working a real job. I think I worked overtime week. He is getting ready to file personal bankruptcy. We are shutting down one checking account and opening another, stopping automatic payments (that is like pulling big ol rotten teeth with strong roots. All kinds of crap.

We are going to have a salsa making marathon this weekend. Hopefully, I will be done with all this work stuff, getting all up my personal time.

Other than that, right here, right now, things are kind of quiet.

Silence

Why is the blog silent? Nothing new to talk about? Now I know Sarah got married so that is something to talk about. I saw the pictures on Flickr and they are beautiful. You took some great pictures Susie. I loved them. Sarah looked beautiful. I wish I could have been there. It was good though to see the pictures of everyone. OMG Aiden looked too handsome in his suit. Paul looked pretty handsome too.

Not much different going on here in NC. Just the normal every day things, but gosh it has been hot and humid. I wonder if hell is hotter. I think I will try to stay on the straight and narrow as much as possible so I won't find out. The heat has triggered thunderstorms most afternoons.

I am looking forward to my 50th class reunion. I am coming to Ohio next Wednesday, the 12th and leaving Monday the 17th. I hope there will be a vacancy at the Shyrigh villa Wednesday and Thursday night. If so Barb Rowe will pick me up for the reunion at the Shyrighs and then I will spend the night with Barb McSweeney that night. The next day our class is supposed to go to Mass as a group at 4:00 p.m. then St. Mary's Festival is going on in the evening. Gordon is going to come over to the festival and it would be fun if all of you would come to the festival too. I will spend the night with Gordon on Saturday night, head back to the Shyrighs on Sunday afternoon if they will have me and then go home on Monday. Rather a whirlwind kind of trip. Not as long as I would like, but hopefully I will get to spend a little time with each of you if it will work out with you. I apologize for asking you to cart me around while I am there.

Bob Weber, our class president called me and ask if I would open the dinner with a prayer on Friday night and later in the evening lead the cheerleaders with our school song. I hope I remember the words.

I am still working on #2 quilt square of the Christmas quilt. I am afraid my enthusiasm for this project is going to wane. It is a lot of tedious cutting and turning tiny little pieces. I am actually nearly finished with this square.

That's it for me other than some really weird dreams I am having lately. I won't bore you with them. Just wonder why I would dream some of that nonsense.

Love you all.

Earl the Pearl

I never thought he would do it, but since Troy has a tattoo and Gordon has one and is contemplating another he wanted to better them and boy did he. The next step is the gym to get bulked up and do something about his sagging body bag, pierce his ear and maybe even his tongue. Then he can really strut. I am sooo proud.

On another note...I am thinking of Sarah and looking forward to some pictures. Please give her a hug for me.

Time for bed again. Love you sisters.

Be OK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sQz5w5JEmc&feature=related

We can all appreciate this one.

Here kitty kitty...

Yep, we got a cat!

I even picked him out myself. I know you must be in shock right now Liz. I found him on craigslit, his name is Zeus he's about 1 year old neutered and declawed. I do kinda like him. Randy wanted to get another cat so I did some research and came up with Zeus.

Not a whole lot else going on here. Everyone is doing good.

Love ya's!

Yikes! A snake

It is HOT and HUMID. When it is 75 degrees at 6:00 a.m. you know you are in for a hot one. The humidity must be off the chart. I just got back from my walk and turned the a/c 5 degrees cooler and ripped off my t-shirt, shorts and shoes and socks. I know you don't like ugly mental pictures so early in the morning, but I am sitting here in my underwear with perspiration running down my whole body.



Well, enough of that description and on to the snake. I especially wanted to remember to tell you about the snake because I know how you love snakes, Lizzie. I was walking along lost in the story I am listening to on my iPod and happened to look down and nearly stepped on a small copperhead snake. I generally walk fast, but when I saw the snake, I hopped over it and I believe I REALLY walked fast. It was part way on the road and part in the grass. I am not terrified by snakes, but I do steer clear of them when I see them. On my way back I was very vigilant in the area I had seen the snake, but I saw a car had run over it when it got slithered further in the road.

Hope you all have a great day. Love you my little sisters.

Man Dog

I use this picture (which I enlarged and put on a stick to use as a mask) to scare my cube partner, Paula. Freaks her out every time!

Sarah just called and she is spasing out about the wedding. Everything is going ok but she says she can't sleep for continually waking up worrying about getting this or that accomplished. Now she has Aiden with her until the wedding - he talks nonstop so, for his protection, I'll probably have him spend the night with me Saturday and Sunday nights. Everything is really coming together and I think it will be a very nice affair - kind of low keyed sort of thing. I went shopping with Paul's mom yesterday for the food for the reception. She used to do catering so she is coordinating a lot of stuff. I'm suppose to help her on Friday get stuff made - potato salad, veggie trays, etc. It will be good when it's all said and done though.

Talk to you all later.

I Love Love Love Summer Tomatoes

We had our first sandwich size tomato today - Boxcar Willie.

Egg sandwich with tomato on wheat bread. It was so darn yummy I can't stand my good fortune.

Computers and their components

Can you hear me screaming all the way up there in Ohio???? I get so frustrated when things don't work like I think they should and I can't figure them out. Oh, I know, it is me, but I guess "me" frustrates me by being so thick headed. I have spent over half an hour trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with the printer. Now I can hear the ice cream in the freezer whispering "come here, I will make you feel better with my sweet cool soothing homemade vanilla taste". I will not give in. My belly is resting on my cottage cheese thighs as I sit here screaming.

Dan, Dan the Handy Man

We're working on the deck today! WOW, has this been a project - and a long, long way to go. I promise to chat more later - Dan the Handy Man awaits my arrival!

Stand By Your Man

Especially when he fixes steak for brunch on Sunday morning. Disregard the message on the shirt. He is a sweetie. lol

We had steak, green beans, peppers and potatoes from the garden, corn from the neighbor, cantelope from the farm market. I am glad I got small steaks, I could hardly finish it.

To justify all those calories, I am going out to do battle with the weeds.

Searcher's New Glasses

Do you like these or my big eyes better? Dan actually was wearing these glasses when we met 8 years ago!

Rainy Saturday

Hello Sisters,

Here is a picture of me in my new glasses. Seems like I had a pair something like this in the 60's. I am not quite sure if I really like them or not, but they were so expensive I better like them. I was just looking at my eyebrows Diane, and they do not match - never have. I was just born that way. Can't you just imagine what I will do with them in another 10 years?

Ok, ok, I am not going to get on this age thing again. Seems that I do entirely too much whining about it, but you will see in a few weeks just how much I have aged since last visit. Maybe I will dye my hair that dark maroon looking red before the class reunion. I wonder what other people will be doing to get ready for this milestone reunion. I was going to lose 10 lbs, but that never happened.

Earl and I went to Lowe's today looking at vanities for the bathroom. What a chore it seems to come to some sort of agreement on what we need, blah, blah, blah. I would just like to pick it out, have a plumber come and install it and an electrician to put in new lights and a painter to do the painting, but......Earl has agreed on the electrician, but he is going to do the other work. Oh happy days are coming.

We have had a couple days of storms. I guess you have too, though haven't you? It has been so hot and humid you can almost see the grass and weeds growing.

I really have nothing newsy to talk about. Guess you could tell when I start talking about the weather.

Gordon has been telling me about a tattoo he has been designing as a tribute to me. He has to be joking. I hope.

I have been playing a little more golf lately or you could say I have been whacking at the little white ball. I am truly terrible, but it is fun.

We just had an electrical storm and the computer shut down and I thought I lost this, but alas , I found it. Not really much to lose though.

I did look at flicker. You girls are so good about putting things on flicker. I love seeing the pictures.

If this picture of me shows up anywhere besides here you will pay dearly. Ya hear.

I am waiting for the next installment from Barb of our story and I will post it when she sends it. I know you are all on the edge of your seats.

Love you.

The Cool Just Ran Out Of Me

When I downloaded this picture, I realized I have finally become our mother. I can't count the many times I rounded the corner into Mom's room to find her sitting there all smling with her pretty eyebrows that she had just drawn on.

Beet Farmers

Our house smells devine. We are pickling and canning beets today.

Good News via Excessive Blather

Warning: After typing this post, I realized I was merely downloading or brainstorming with myself. It is not intended to cause extreme weariness. Skip this one if you are at work or about to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. Maybe you should just skip it anyway. lol

I have been given another reprieve. The scans were stable. The thyroid biopsy was negative for cancer. I am happy, yet there is a small nagging squeaky voice in the back of my mind challenging me as to what I am going to do with this information. My previous posts and comments got me to wondering if I have not been too passive.

You would think that a person in my situation would not be so passive about my health. You would think that I would raise the gauntlet and make my mark in the sand and dare cancer to cross it. In my own manner, I have. I do not openly declare war with my enemies. I am passive aggressive.

I really do not live in La La Land, and I don't wear rose colored glasses. And I certainly don't have the most positive and wonderful attitude that people seem to think that I have. I am an optimist, for sure. At times I wish I could raise my fist and curse cancer and then become obsessed with its obliteration. I wish I could wage a terrible war against it. Cancer cells are like snipers that don't play fair. You think you are healthy and immortal because you have to be. It catches you off guard and makes you realize just how vulnerable you are. If middle age doesn't diminish you, cancer will take a stab at it.

Well, I have this trait that I don't know how to describe and I don't know how to analyze it, but for the most part I think it is good. It might cause me to miss some important issues and make some bad judgment calls, but I may not know it because by then I have moved on.

I have often thought that I am missing a chunk of my brain, or perhaps I fell on the part of my brain that causes worry and fretting. When presented with an important bit of information that must be dealt with, I immediately process it into something I can do something about, or something beyond my control. It has to be pressing information with a pretty definite deadline for me to truly kick in and make these decisions. Otherwise they get put on the back burner and more important things move to the top. That could mean that Bob's birthday dinner might be more important than a thyroid biopsy or something like that. Eventually everything important moves to the top so I know I will deal with it when I have to.

I think what I am trying to say to myself in this post is that it is time to move my gripe with cancer to the top of the list. I know there is plenty I can do to improve my health and there are things I can do to tune up my immune system. It will be a challenge since the good scan results could make me complacent and mellow in the short run. However, I am in it for the long run.

If you read all of this, you are a saint.

Well, I guess I will resign to the fact that I AM SEARCHER!

This is a test

from the anonymous searcher.

Busy Sunday

Well, I came in this evening to see that there was alot of activity going on with my sisters today! WOW! I have been outside all day tending to yard work and then enjoying a small campfire with Randy.





Loved the photos from Bob's B-day! Those little girlies are sooo cute! Oh and Bobby too! I too am impressed with your attitude towards life and and all that goes on with you Diane. You are the most down to earth and anti-drama person I have ever known.





I was about to post some pics of Sarah's shower when I looked at Flickr and seen your photos Liz. I have alot of the same ones. Almost thought I'd already posted! I do have some different ones and will post them soon. Here is one of my favorite pics...





... ain't she cute!


The shower was a real nice turn-out. Paul has a great family, I'm very happy for Sarah, I think this will be a very big change in her life.

You are a good mommy Lori. I probably would not have had the patience to hand applique all of that. I have been wanting to go to St. Mary's Homecoming for a long time. Maybe I can talk Randy into going.

We have taken a couple weeks off from playing and have been working around the house. We will be going camping on the Mohican next weekend though with my friends Jim & Linda. They camped out on the 4th of July with us this year and brought their canoe. Well, they had only canoed twice before and they capsized when we all went out on the water. I thought they were just farting around, Randy and I just laughed and laughed then I seen the look on Linda's face half laughing and half terror. We felt really bad. They got stuck in muddy stinky muck which was almost impossible to get out of. Jim was under the canoe for a few minutes and their dog was hanging on to Linda for his life. A nice man named "Bob Barker" helped them to shore while Randy towed the canoe with his kayak and I went back where they capsized to retrieve some of their belongings. Thank god we had a portable shower because the campground didn't and whew did they stink! I guess they had an issue with who is in contol of the canoe. The person in front rowing or the person in the rear. That was their downfall. The next weekend Linda called and let me know that they just bought 2 kayaks. Hopefully this will be a nice outing as we will be kayaking down the Mohican River.

Well enough of my nonsense... signing out til next time.

I love you sisters!

(you too Searcher)

Lazy Sunday

Hello Sisters,

This is a picture from my iPhone I took of the hand appliqued quilt panel I did for Bobbie's Christmas quilt. It took a month to cut all those little pieces and turn them and do the embroidery and add the embellishments. Since "they", meaning Bobbie and Troy, sent me the rest of the instructions and fabric I guess they mean for me to do ALL of them. I worked diligently on completing this one, but I am not in such a big hurry to do the next 11. Troy probably sent it to me so he didn't have to help Bobbie do it.


It certainly is good to see some posts from you Diane and Searcher. LOL. I had gotten an email alert that Searcher had added a comment and I thought "who the hell has busted into our private blog?" I like the name. I may have to refer to you as the Searcher for awhile. Know what I mean.....?


The weather is hot, muggy, gloomy with occasional rain. Aren't you happy for that weather update? Well, the weather has contributed to my laziness today. About the only thing I have done is cook breakfast, clean up the kitchen and plop myself on the couch and watch golf with Earl. I suppose I could still accomplish things if I wanted, but...... I am not even in the mood to be doing this. Am I depressed? Lacking sleep? Or just plain old? Well, I didn't sleep well last night and I might be depressed about being old. Why have I been dwelling on this so much lately - the old part? Help me out sisters. Psychoanalyze my condition, but be gentle about it. I don't want to turn into a bitter, fat old lady that says mean things to people, kicks dogs, has regrets and lets herself go.

The pictures of the shower were great, even though I only knew a few of those people. I wish I could have been there so I could have met them and got the story on all of them. You know me. I think I should have been an investigative reporter. Maybe in my next life.


I will be coming to Ohio in about three and a half weeks for my 50TH CLASS reunion. I told you I was old. Anyway, I am planning on coming Wednesday, June 12th and staying until Monday or Tuesday - 17th or 18th. Barb Rowe will pick me up at Diane's on Friday for the reunion and I will spend the night with Barb and Tim and then Saturday our class will go to Mass in the afternoon and the festival in the evening. Maybe all of you could come to St. Mary's Festival on Saturday evening. Barb said so far over half of our graduates are coming. It should be fun. I hope they all look as old as me. LOL


Diane, you have the best attitude about your illness and things that are going on inside your body. No fuss, no muss seems to be your attitude. I am so proud of you as I am of Liz and Susie.

Glad to hear your leg is getting better Lizzie. Is it all scabby? Post another picture so we can see the progress of your healing.


This is it for me right now. I have to iron my kitchen servant costume as I am volunteering tomorrow. Do you think they ironed their clothes?

Love you sisters

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Another post from Neb. Your lucky day!!

I saw the pics of Sarah's shower on Flickr. Looks like a lot of fun. The church is beautiful and so is Sarah's dress.

Hmm, I wonder why it says you are the Searcher?? Are you really Lizzie?

I didn't realize there were thyroid issues in the family. I have undocumented long term and short term memory issues though. I do remember now that one of Mom's medications was synthroid or something like that.

I also honestly didn't think to get anxious or wonder what was going on. I guess since it took two months to get in to see Dr. Sipos, I forgot about it. I so live in the moment, kind of like a chicken. I didn't worry about it at all really. There are so many things that show up on my scans that Dr. Mrozek says people "my age" are running around with and don't even know about it.

I just don't think about things that are going on with my body much. If I have pain, I deal with that. If Dr. Mrozek isn't worried about something, then I sure the heck am not going to.
Anyway, it is good that she is into my survival and does her due diligence to check out the things that throw up a red flag to her because I am more inclined to deal with the things that hurt, but might be insignificant to my overall mortality. A few months ago I did fret over the fact that my fingernails were kind of lifting and causing me discomfort and hanging me up when I wanted to pry things or dig weeds or sew. I worked around all of that and they are all better now, but in the whole scheme of things, it was a minor side effect of chemo and not not life threatening. I guess I see the little picture - like my backyard, not the whole world crisis.

Again, I ramble.

I am NOT the Searcher!

I forgot to sign in for the last comment I made and, after doing a bunch of crap to get it to post, they call me the SEARCHER. I am not the Searcher - never have been - never will be! Just wanted to clear that up.

Oh Happy Day

Once again, I wrote a lovely long post and then lost it after I previewed it and tried to go back in the browser. Don't ever do that.


I am really tired and loopy and I don't have much to say but I wanted to be the first to post in ten days. If someone posts before me, I am going to be really mad. You can be more witty and interesting, but I want to be first. Tomorrow I will probably get up and read this and wonder what the heck was I thinking!



We had Bob's birthday dinner today with Ben, ChrissyA., Pandora, Winter, Jimmy and Chrissy, Ally and Maddy. Angie and Duane will come tomorrow. Sometimes we have to spread things out around here.

Don't know what kind of face Bob was making here.

Bob asked me to take a picture of him and the granddaughters to update his "World's Best Grandpa" picture frame. I took a bunch and could not get everyone looking forward at the same time. These are a few of the outtakes. Actually they were all outtakes but I posted three on Flickr that I have to choose from. Photography is not my strong point. I know I am stating the obvious, but I want you to know that I know it too. lol

Bob would not let us wash Maddy's face because that is the way she looks most of the time, even a few minutes after her bath. What can I say?

Anyway, enough of that. The scans I had three months ago showed some "nodules" on my thyroid. Dr. Mrozek referred me to a thyroid specialist, Dr. Sipos. I saw her yesterday and she did an ultrasound and needle biopsy on two nodules that were questionable. She said there is no indication to her that they are cancerous, but she wanted to do the biopsy to rule that possibility out. She is inclined to believe that they are benign nodules brought on as a result of the radiation therapy I had ten years ago. She said it is about the right time frame for that. Oh, and also I got the "women getting to be your age" speel. She is going to call me in a couple weeks when the lab results come in.

I also had bone scans and CT scans yesterday. It was a most delightful day for me. Well, really it was a beautiful day outside and I had a pleasant evening with the birthday boy, so I will stick with calling it a delightful day. I will get those results Monday when I see Dr. Mrozek. I will keep you posted on the results. I guess that is what sisters do, eh?

Enough about me. What about you guys? What is new and exciting? How's your scabby shin, Lizzie?

Sorry I missed Sarah's shower. Please email me her address so I can send her a gift card.

I better get to bed. Pandora and Winter are spending the night. I will have them all week, and we have lots of activities planned.

Love you all!

The Art of Ignoring

For myself I have High Hopes of NOT being ignored and if I have become expert in the art of ignoring I must apologize because I would not intentionally disregard, snub, refuse to acknowledge or brush aside any one of my dear sisters. You do understand that - DON'T YOU???

It is probably my ig-nor-ance that has brought middle sister to inquire as to why her older and 2 younger sisters are ignoring her. Perhaps she isn't being ignored. Does she have any inkling of just how many thoughts are thought of her? Goodness, if each time a thought of her would initiate a phone call or e-mail she would have to send out another e-mail to say STOP IT. Where is the middle ground here for the middle sister? If no one answers these questions I will begin wondering why everyone is ignoring me!

Like everyone else my days have been full of lots of different activities. I am too lazy at the moment to tell you all the very important things I have been doing. Besides it is late and I am going to try to add to this silly story Barb and I are sending back and forth. Barb has added a screwy descriptive part to my thinking and I am so tempted to change some of the wording, but that would be rude so I will just add something to it and send it on. I will share the next installment soon if you would like to read our nonsense.

In the meantime let's keep in touch. From my point of view ignorance isn't really bliss.

Love you girls

Where are you Sisters???

Lizzie and Gordo - hanging out at the local pub!!

Well, I know Susie is camping somewhere in the wilderness and probably doesn't have any kind of coverage - cell or whatever.

We had a pretty wild and busy weekend. Dan's daughter and son-in-law were here for more than a week. That was fun but nice that they've gone home.

On Sunday we went to the HeyHey and I got to hang out with Gordon for a while - picture attached! We did something Saturday but can't remember what!

My injuries are getting somewhat better. The scrape/sore on my shin became infected - cellulistis, they say, so I'm on antibiotics. Should heal some time pretty soon - I hope.

My friend, Jackie, is having trouble with sores in her mouth and on her lips - fever blister kind of things. She looks terrible but her attitude is still good. Poor thing.

I rented the condo to a really nice young couple! Yeah for me.

Sarah's bridal shower is July 18. I have mixed feelings about inviting people to a shower and then in a couple of weeks inviting them to a wedding. But I was outnumbered.

I know I've been in a whiney, complaining and very negative lately - for that I apologize - hope it hasn't been uncomfortable for any of you listening to me complain. Boy, my life could be a whole lot worse so I need to put on my big girl panties and deal with whatever life throws this way.

I wish we could hang out a bit this weekend - just us girls - and do a lot a giggling and silliness. Can we?!

I love you girls!

Back Atcha

I was going to blog this morning, but as usual ran out of time. I don't know where the time goes.

I loved the quote at the beginning of your blog, Lizzie. Now when I am old and senile will you all still be my old sisters or new sisters??? Sometimes I feel like I am about there. Gosh, today I volunteered at the TP in the kitchen and of course I was the old person - real old compared to those 19 and 20 year old people. Geez. That is when I begin to feel my age. One of the women was 50 something and Michael ask me how old I was. I nearly told him 78 just for the shock reaction, but it seemed 68 was enough of a shock for a 19 year old. He ask me how old my children were and when I told him he said his dad was 42. Good for him. LOL

Somehow the girl that does the scheduling must have accidentally put me down for cooking instead of spinning so I cooked for the first time today with Carolyn that is usually in the kitchen. She showed me how to build the fire to get the coals to cook the fried potatoes. Next time I see my name on the cooking list I think I will research some recipes from the 1700's and bring the ingredients because you never know what is available. I am enjoying volunteering. Most of the people that work there like working in the kitchen building because it is much more relaxed than in the palace.


I know you are not looking for sympathy, but I am sorry your legs still hurt. How are you doing with them at work? Do you have to do a lot of walking with your job? Are you getting more used to the new surroundings and stresses of the job?


Where are you little sister, Susan? How was the primitive camping? Are you even reading these blogs? Huh?


Now that you are having a little vacation from chemo are you working yourself crazy, Diane? I am sure there is plenty to do. How is the salsa this year? Hot? Make a little mild so when I come I won't kill all my taste buds. Joking!


I am still trying to recover from my trip from hell. The older I get the more tired I get from sitting in the airports wondering if I am going to get on the plane I listed for. I thought I would never ever get home. I finally drove in our driveway at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night. I am hoping when I come home in August for my reunion I won't have as much trouble.

Being at Troy and Bobbie's was pleasant though. Troy was gone a few of those days and I enjoyed getting to know Bobbie a little bit better. She was probably glad I was gone though.

There are probably other things I overlooked that were in your blog, Lizzie, but I need to do a few things around here before it gets too late.

Oh, I was talking to Gordon a little while ago and he said he might stop by the Hey Hey on Sunday.

When is the date again for Sarah and Paul's wedding? I would like to send them something.

That is it for now. Love you all.

Lori

Hello sisters

Just taking a little lunch break and wondering about each of you. Anything new and exciting going on with you-uns? Not much here.

Dan's daughter from Colorado - along with her boyfriend Sean, the BIG dog Stella and the sweet sweet baby Reilley have been with us since last Thursday. They really haven't been at the house much so it's not so bad. The dog is a pain in the butt - just because she's so big, not used to being on a leash - still a puppy (1-1/2 yrs) and weighs 120 pounds. They went to NYC for a few days and good old Dan volunteered to take care of the dog. He's had his hands full with both dogs. I think he 'might' have learned a lesson or two about dog sitting! I know, Diane, sounds like something right up your alley!

Sarah and Paul's wedding plans are coming along pretty well. You each should have gotten an invitiation by now - but knowing the two of them (2 peas in a pod) they can be a bit ditzy - and they haven't even been mailed! The wedding is going to be in this old restored theater in Mt. Veron and the reception will be on someone's farm near there (or maybe in Centerburg). Paul's mom used to do catering so she's doing the food - which will be mostly picnic kinds of stuff. I'm going out the day before and help chop and prep stuff with her.

I'm still incredibly sore and achy from my fall down the steps. I'm sitting here at work with both legs propped up and ice on the left one. The bruises are quite ugly. The only good thing is that they are in soft pastel colors - lilac, green, pink, etc. I went to the WC doc yesterday and he said it would take quite a while to mend. By the end of the day my feet - especially the left one - look like cute little sausages - not much of an approvement over the fat ankle syndrome of a while back! I really am getting better - no pity needed since I'm doing that well enough on my own!!! Hahahah - not really. It just darn is what it darn is!

Saturday Dan and I are taking Riley the dog to a reunion that's put on my the rescue group where we adopted him from. It's on someone's big piece of property - everyone brings their dogs and we all have lunch. They have a big pond, which all the dogs like to play in, and an area to give them a bath if we wish. We've not gone so it will be interesting to see how this works. Should be fun, I guess.

Sunday we are going to a cook out at the HeyHey in German Village - I think I'll call Gordo and see if he will meet us there. The menu will be Yak burgers and other more traditional sides. I think I told you but Sean, Ashley's boyfriend/husband type, parents own the HeyHey and they are quite the interesting pair - kind of stuck in the 60s. I'm sure a great time will be had by all!

Well, tell me some good things - or even bad things - just tell me some things.

Love to all,

Lizzie

Father's Day Thoughts

Here is the way I remember Dad, mostly.
Smiling for the camera and hugging Mom.

He grumbled and griped some, but mostly I remember him making jokes and being congenial. I do remember when he was worked up about something he would go on and on for what seemed like forever. I would give up trying to plead my case and just wait for it to be over. He would go to bed and I knew it wasn't over. I would hear him get out of bed and come back down the creaky stairs and yell, "And another thing, blah blah blah." He would be in his boxer shorts and white tank top undershirt. Patiently, I would wait for it to be over. The next morning, he would be back to his old self.



I miss Dad and I wish he could have seen how his grandkids have turned out. He would probably have a cow at having a granddaughter climb 1,000 foot towers. He would have been proud of all his grandkids.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had a nice Fathers Day today. Angie and Duane stopped by and visited a little bit before they went on a road trip and some geocaching for their anniversary. They got Bob some kind of a special bee house for Fathers Day. Ben, Pandora, Winter, Jim, Chrissy, Ally and Maddy came over for dinner. Then we went to the creek and the girls played in the water while Chrissy and I picked up trash and broken glass that got washed down after the storm. Then we came home and they played on the Slip & Slide. Kind of a layed back day.

I'm proud of Ben and Jim for the kind of fathers they turned out to be. I am proud of Bob for being the kind of man that instilled the kind of traits and attitudes that helped our sons become the men they are today.

Happy Father's Day

Thoughts?

Banged and Bruised but still Bouncy Beautiful (not)!

Here's the latest in "The Life of Lizzie" saga. Yesterday at about 2pm I decided I wanted some M&Ms so I - along with my friend Gay - went to the cafeteria to buy some. As we were going down the stairs - holding onto the rail - I came to a part that had something really slippery on it causing my hand to fly down the rail and lost my balance. I was about 5-6 steps from the bottom and remember consciously holding on for dear life to the railing. I must have gone down on my knees first - yes, going down the steps - then somehow banged and scraped my shins on the way down - stretching lots of 'things' in my legs, arms and wrists. Thank goodness there was a man at the bottom of the stairs getting ready to come up and he ran to my rescue. I think he caught me (poor man - he, too will probably have a Workers' Comp claim!) and got me situated so I could sit down on the steps. It all happened so fast - but like it was in slow motion - that I'm not sure exactly what happened. After a trip to the ER - a 3-hr visit with them - nothing is broken, which they say is a miracle. My left leg had the top layer of skin scrapped off along the shin and both legs have these huge swollen bruises and I must have even stretched my arm pits a couple of inches because I can hardlylife my arms. I feel like maybe I was hit by a Mack truck. The only good thing is that I get to have 2 days off from work and probably won't have to use my vacation/sick days. When I was talking to our HR safety advocate about what to do she actually told me that quite a few people have fallen on those stairs! They are in the new building where everything is ultra modern - and slick, especially the stairs which do not have treads and have this narrow little aluminum/metal type handrail.

So, here I sit on the sofa with legs propped up - ice packs on both shins and the trusty remote, computer and cell phone within reaching distance! Could be worse but I'm not liking this. Absolutely I know how lucky/fortunate I am not to have broken anything.

Geeeeeshhhhhhhhhhh

Love ya sisters!

Two Tons of Fun

That is what I look like in the photos from Aiden's party. What the heck kind of settings did you have on your camera, Susie? Seriously I cannot be that huge.

Anyway, the party was so much fun and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. Aiden is such a sweet guy. It was fun seeing all the kids together. I swiped this picture off of Susie's Flickr page to show Lori what a sweetie Aiden is.

Liz, your house is georgeous and I love your yard. You guys are really adding your personality and good taste to the property. I love the walking path through your lovely neighborhood. Can Bob and I move in with you?

I wish you could have been there Lori. That was the only thing missing.

Silly Us...

Okay, I know it was Aiden's birthday party yesterday and he should be the focus here, but thought all my sisters would get a kick out of these stupid pics.

Sure wish you could have been there Lori, we MISS YOU.
It really was a nice party and I was so glad to see everyone. I posted lots more photos (w/Aiden) on my Flickr.

I've been on this computer all morning playing with pics now and have tons of chores to do.

Love youin's

Birthday Fun

Just a few bloggish notes....

What a great time I had hanging out with a good portion of my family yesterday for Aiden's birthday. Yes, as usual, there was lots of laughs and silliness. The Birthday Boy had a great time. Thank you Susie and Di for coming and hanging out and for his presents! And Susan, I DO NOT want to see any of those BAD pictures on Flickr - just the ones that portray us as the sweet, proper girls that we are. I'm happy no one snapped a shot of Dan flipping us out of the hammock (for which I am feeling the pain today)!

I love these get togethers and we certainly need to make a stronger effort to do it again and again. Maybe everyone can come to Sarah and Paul's wedding - or at least the reception, which is to be at a farm in Centerburg - about a 40 minute drive, I guess - according where you are coming from. Might be longer from NC! If not the wedding - then another time at Diane's! HaHaHa - like how I just volunteered you?

I love you Sisters!

Just Two More Days

I am getting excited about going to Reno. My bag is packed and I am hoping I won't have to break any one's leg or harm them to keep them from checking in to insure a place for me on the flights. For Economy Class I won't be too vicious, but First Class, who knows what I am capable of.

I am driving to Raleigh tomorrow evening and spend the night in a motel. I hate that, but my friend Amy is out of town. I tried talking a couple of my friends into coming up with me and spending the night, but their plane doesn't leave until 3:30 in the afternoon and one of them has children and stuff to do with them tomorrow night before going.

As far as the story goes, it is in Barb's court now. I have no idea what James did or was up to while he was gone. Anyone have any suggestions? I am sure one of you could come up with something bizarre. It has been fun just writing a few paragraphs or lines at a time. Might not be finished till Barb and I are in the "home".

Speaking of the home, one of the ladies I take communion to could be Mom reincarnated. She reminds me so much of Mom it is almost like her spirit has been infused into Dot. She is 85 and mentally sharp. No nonsense kind of woman. Up on current events. Nothing fussy about her. She is who she is and is comfortable with it.

Next year, if the women's tournament doesn't fall too close to the tournament I will be there. Sign me up. I watched as much of it as I could when it was on. I kept looking for you and Dan, Lizzie. You should have called me to tell me where you were sitting so I could have honed in on where you were. I imagine it was very exciting. I love watching Tiger Woods play. Not bad to look at either.

It is a shame you are not liking your new work area. Egos can be a detriment to smooth running companies. I sure hope it gets better for you.

Also, I hope you get some good tenants. Especially after wearing your butt out getting it spruced up.

Well, I haven't made a reservation for a room yet, so I better try to do that now before there won't be any rooms.

Love you all.

Sunday Morning Wonderings....

about what my sisters have been doing. Oh, I can imagine some things. Like Susie and Randy out camping somewhere in their retro camper which looks like great fun, Diane typing away to get those pages of work in before the gang of children, grandchildren and dogs arrive and Lizzie perhaps walking the golf course with Dan to watch the amazing golfers that are there. How close am I in my thoughts of what you are all doing?

There isn't much new to report from N.C. I am doing the same circuit of Church, Tryon Palace, Mah Jongg mania, nursing home and shut in rounds, bowling and whatever else might pop up.

I have been on a mission to really get my house clean. The nooks and crannies, washing windows, etc. I have heard cleanliness is next to Godliness. Well, by the state some of the places in my house I am rather ungodly. As you know from some of my other unfinished projects and "I have decided..." deals I go quite strongly toward my goal for a short time until something more interesting pops up and I am off and running toward that goal. The fresh paint in the livingroom and foyer and new furniture started me off on this path. It is one I would like to see through because the areas I have completed feel wonderful to walk through. Know what I mean....?

I am getting a little excited about going to Reno on Saturday. Just hoping I don't have too many hitches in getting there. The flights look pretty full. I don't wish any one bad luck (well, not too bad) but am hoping some of those people will oversleep and miss their 6:15 a.m. flight. I am going to Raleigh Friday night so I don't have to leave here at 2:30 in the morning. I think my friend, Amy, who lives in Raleigh is out of town so I will probably stay at a motel. I hate staying by myself at a motel.

Barb and I are doing a fun project. We are writing a story (?). She started it and sent it to me and I added something to it, sent it back and she sent it back to me. It is just something silly, but fun. I don't know why we are mailing it instead of doing it by email, but it is fun. We have only gotten a page written so far. Any body else up for something like that? We could have a separate blog space for a fun sister project and just add to it as the mood struck. No pressure, just fun. Give me some feedback. OK? If I can I will copy what Barb and I have written so far so you can see how silly we are.

.................................................................

I was astonished by Rhonda’s reaction to James’ return. What had she expected? That he would stay away forever because of what had happened years ago? Silly woman. I myself was thrilled to think that he would return and that he wanted to settle matters after all of this time.

True there are so many questions to be answered. Why didn’t James face the consequences years ago instead of running away and where has he been all this time with no contact with his family and those who loved him?

When James walked through the door of our family restaurant it was nearly closing time. I was adding up the receipts for the day when the bell on the door jangled. I was speechless when I looked up and James smiled shyly and said “Hello Louise”. Oh my, how my heart leaped. He was even more handsome than I remembered.

Trying to be cool around James was always an impossibility for me. Being the “ugly duckling” of the family, and the baby, to boot, gave me lots of liberty, which I have always gladly taken advantage of. It was not a shock to James, then, that I ran madly into his arms. Although he looked good, something was very different. The lines around his eyes and his mouth brought an edge to his always perfect, All American Boy, appearance. His clothes too were not what our James would ever be seen in. Certainly, there had been some major changes in his life. Maybe the changes had nothing to do with what occurred before he left.

“Louise, I’m so glad you’re working today. I was afraid the restaurant might have been sold and your family was no longer here. And look at you. You are so grown up! How could this be?!”, James exclaimed. For the first time I can ever remember, I fell quiet. If only he knew.

Eight years ago I was only 11 years old when James disappeared from our lives. So much had happened in those years. How could I ever tell him all that had changed at Morgan’s Restaurant and to the Morgan family?

Rhonda came out of the kitchen and saw James. “What are you doing here? To cause us more pain? Get out, now”, she yelled.

“Rhonda, please, let me explain”, James pleaded.

“No explanations are needed. You did enough damage years ago and I refuse to allow you to put us through the same hurt and humiliation again”, she said through clenched teeth.
.....................................

Guess this is enough words for a week. Hoping to see some words from "ya'll".

Love you girls!

Kind of sad

Hey sisters - I've been kind of down for a few days. Jackie, my friend with the cancer has had a major set back. Seems when she was going to her prior doc, they misread the results of her last tests and didn't seem to think there was much change and also said her cancer was estrogen fed - which, in fact, it is not. Dr. Shapiro and the pathologist at the James discovered this after their initial testing and he (Shapiro) was out of town at some sort of conference so he delivered the bad news by telephone - she has stage 4 and the treatment needs to be agressive. I had lunch with her yesterday and she is just so conflicted by everything. She was going today for all those tests/scans - liver, lungs, bones, etc. She has strong faith and is pretty upbeat usually. She asked me, Diane, what makes you not give up and do you ever feel helpless and lost in all this. I really urged her to email you so you could share. I told her you have a special strength and determination and that I'm sure it's not always so easy. I shared with her about treating this as an ongoing condition and one that she will and can deal with the rest of her life. She just seemed so fragile and afraid that it broke my heart.

Speaking of broken hearts, yesterday was Aiden's birthday and I was so saddened by the fact that Sarah doesn't have custody of him, that we were not doing a big celebration on the actual day and that there is not much I can do about it. I look at the Flickr pics and see the kids and grandkids and all the family stuff and, although I am so happy for you all and pleased that you have that, I have to figure out how to make this situation of ours fit/feel better for me. In the meantime, Sarah doesn't get a job, doesn't seem to work at making things better so she can spend more time with Aiden - have a car to visit with him more. Last weekend when she had him just overnight I thought for sure she would bring him over but when I called they were getting ready to go out to dinner with Paul's mom and dad. I tried so hard not to show my hurt but could hardly carry on the conversation because I was crying like a baby. I should know very well that this is what it is - tears, hurt feelings, wishing - none of it can change things. I'm a big girl and I should just darn understand that. Thanks for letting me vent on this one - like you've never heard it before.

It seems to hard of a transition to go into newsy silly things so I'll save that for tomorrow's blog.

I love you Sisters!

Gone, Just Plain Gone

My mind, that is. I believe I told you about the oven incident. Each day since then I have just done one stupid and odd thing after another. Yesterday I prepared a crock pot meal and forgot to plug it in. When I got home Earl said he looked around trying to find a note telling him when to plug it in. I thought he was teasing me about the other day, but he wasn't.

This morning when I walked I put in my left contact, but didn't realize I didn't take it out when I came home and got ready for Church. Wednesdays is my day to take communion to the shut ins. Well, while I was in Church I kept thinking something was wrong with my glasses or my cataracts were growing. Everything seemed out of focus with my left eye. So, I took my glasses off and gosh I could see pretty darn good. Then my feeble mind thought "maybe by some miracle without having gone to Fatima my eyesight is healed". As you can tell my rational thoughts just ain't so rational anymore.

Then tonight I cheated and made some instant mashed potatoes to go with our meatloaf meal. I thought they were never stiff like that before. I was finishing up the meal, looked over on the counter and saw the 2/3 cup of milk I forgot to add to the potatoes. Geez. When will it end? In the home? Earl said he will shoot me first so he doesn't have to visit that place that smells like old people.

What am I to do Sissies? I am scared. The horrible dreams I have continued to have each nightMight be contributing to this rash of oddities. The dreams are sooooo bad and stupid I am afraid to repeat them. Be assured Lizzie, they don't include Dan and his tool belt.

Destroy this blog after reading. It could be used against me if it got into the wrong hands. Know what I mean.....???

New Beginnings

Well here we are sitting in front of our new retro truck camper which we bought last weekend and camped out in our back yard. Yeah... we're rednecks. The 1973 camper is in extremely good shape for it's age. A little wild looking on the inside, but nothing we can't fix with a little material. It is self contained and has everything we need for our home away from home (plus everything works). We'll be going to Hargus Lake (our favorite spot) this weekend and probably camping most weekends this summer. Going to Mammoth caves for a week at the end of this month.

It's been pretty crazy here and I personally am ready for a break. The big grandkids are anticipating summer break and the babies are all growing and being too damn cute. I sure will miss watching Georgie. Of course, he's only a phone call away.

Mel & Larry are thinking about moving this summer. They want to get the girls in a better school district. I wish them the best with that. I'd love to see them move close to here. The school that Megan is attending is a very good school.

John & Kelly are doing great! His barber shop has really taken off and he has alot of customers now.

Randy's kids are doing good too. His daughter Corinne is staying with her in-laws. They're house caught fire some time ago and is being restored. His other daughter Seanne is working on her masters degree here at the Ohio State College in Lancaster but she may transfer to Athens.

I've had alot of fun and giggles reading all the blogs, as soon as things settle down here I will be in jumping in for all the silliness. Just haven't felt too silly lately.

Have another busy day with Rick and all. Doctors and such...

I love and miss you sissies!

Dementia??

Oh Lordy, this old age if gettin ahold of me. I don't even have chemo brain to blame it on. Yesterday, I decided on baby back ribs for supper, so while Earl was playing golf, I made potato salad and put the ribs in the oven at 1 p.m. on 300 to cook slow and good for 3 hours. Earl is always hungry early when he plays golf. Only thing is I never turned on the oven. I didn't notice it until Earl came home at 3:00 p.m. and ask what was for supper. I turned around to look at the stove and realized my goof up. So we had sandwiches and potato salad. I have done numerous other forgetful things lately. It is getting scary.

When do you go to Executive Row? Soon? I think you should get a clothing allowance to shop at the better thrift stores, don't you? I imagine it will be a bit more stressful for you too. You will be able to pull it off. As far as the bunion I think if you cut holes in your shoes and then bought some paint to match the shoes you could paint the bunion and hardly anyone would notice it protruding out the hole in your shoe.

I volunteered at the Tryon Palace today. It was rather a slow day so I sat upstairs in the kitchen office and read most of the time. Sometimes I hang out in the hearth room where the cooking is going on, but there were two very young people who just talked and talked. Michael is 19 and Nikita is 22. I did taste their potatoes and leeks that they cooked. Very tasty. Next Monday I am volunteering in the boring gallery. Another good reading day, I guess.

Next Saturday I am going to Reno and am getting kind of excited about that. It isn't going to work out to go to Denver because of Troy's work schedule.

Take a picture of your weekend project Diane. Are these railings by the front door?
What did you sew this weekend?

I don't have anything much interesting to talk about, but you know me. Never stopped me from talking before.

Love you all

Blogger Blues

I will blog tomorrow...

Monday Monday

I am so glad I didn't read your post last night, or I would have dreamed of Dan in his carpenter's belt. Yikes!

Executives's Row would have been a dealbreaker for me. I could not handle it. I thought you dressed way too fancy as it was on Mahogany Row. My boss is the owner and CEO and I sit here in my jammies and eat bologna sandwiches at my desk. I am ruined for the outside world of commerce and co-mingling. I hope I don't lose my job. I will have to start gathering aluminum cans for a living.

We had such a beautiful weekend. I worked my butt off (I wish). We finished the porch railing, worked in the garden, I sewed, and all the kids came over yesterday. By the end of the day, I was pretty tired. But it was a good tired. They all went home and took their kids and most of the dogs. We are left with Dozer and Peanut as Ben and Angie are going out of town for a few days beginning today.

Bob went on a job with Angie the other day. It was a 200' pole that needed measured. Bob is an official tower dog now. I might mention that the pole was laying on the ground. He just had to hold the tape measure.

Not much news to report here. You all have a great week!