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!