Thursday, June 29, 2006

Look What I Can Do

My #1 Son (aka mikinoel) looks like his Father but has inherited a lot his talents and non-talents from me. He is a creative soul, imaginative, a dreamer, has an acute (finely tuned but cute, too!)memory, ingenious procrastination skills, is mathematically dysfunctional, and has weird elbows!

I must have known this. It isn't something one can hide or ignore. Or maybe because it is normal for me, I just never noticed it as being something out of the ordinary on him. I know! I got it! It is because up until yesterday, I didn't know he had gone through some of the same trials and tribulations (more trials than tribulations... most people don't look at it as an attribute... usually they look at it and say "Eeuuew!") I went through as a kid and young adult.

The discussion was Vacation Bible School and songs. I remember my VBS as a kid, young adult and adult. An attendee, a helper and a teacher. Leading songs was part of the package. I was always requested to lead "In the Lord's Army". The audience laughed when I 'flew' the plane. My wings were drastically bent in the middle. The laughter was at me but with love (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

Son came up with similar experiences. We spent 10 minutes comparing notes on what other people thought of our unique ability.

I was cheerleader (hard to believe looking at me now) and keeping the arms straight was a big deal. L.C. (aka BMB...Big Mouth Bitch) kept yelling at me to straighten my arms. "I am!" "No you're not! They're bent." Son had a similar experience in the Army. "What the #%$* is wrong with your arms!" So we had to learn to relax the arms a little to keep them looking straight. What the morons didn't understand was for us it caused undue stress on the arm muscles.

In 8th grade I had got into trouble. A group in the back of the room were freaked out by my backward elbows and called me "retarded" (popular derogatory remark of the era).

Both Son and I can 'lock' our elbows which can be handy or extremely painful. His was handy, mine was painful. I would lean back on my arms, thus locking the elbows. Some thought it was funny to karate chop (equivalent of kneeing someone from behind) the inside of my elbows which were on the outside when in the locked position. OWWW! Damn! that hurt!

Since I was obviously unaware of this inherited condition in #1 Son, I wonder is Only Daughter had this trait? I am sure Baby Son has it but he has suffered through it like Mother & Brother have.

Hmmm... just thought of something. Has #1 Son also inherited the weird knees from his Father? I should know this. Like our elbows, the Father's knees snap back in a locked position making the legs look 'bent'. If Son has this... oooh, I am sorry... to be plagued with weird elbows AND weird knees...well, blame it on your gene pool!

Just talked to Baby Son... yes, he has the weird elbows and he says we discussed all of the above before. I think they as brothers discussed it without me.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Monster Butterflies

I have butterflies in my stomach...Monster Butterflies! We signed the papers for the new house so there is no turning back now!

I know in my heart it is the right thing to do. We just couldn't pass up the opportunity to get this house. It is what we both want. I have faith that this house will sell in the near future. Although my faith waivers at times. Then the most amazing thing happens...My Man tells me to have faith and believe that God will see us through this. Why is this so amazing? Twenty-five years ago he wouldn't have said something like that. He wasn't against God, it was the church he was against. He had some bad experiences with the people of various churches over the years. I made it clear from the beginning that he was entitled to his opinions, but I would prefer it if he kept them to himself. Nothing he said or did was going to affect my faith in God or my beliefs. He respected my wishes most of the time.

Of course, on the other hand, I didn't keep my opinions to myself. If something good happened, I thanked God. If something didn't turn out the way we expected it to, I said God must have another plan for us. My intuitions I attributed to God speaking to me. I always told him when I was praying for someone or something. I never hid my faith or beliefs from him. It has spilled over to him. He is subtle and quiet with his faith, but it is there and he offers me support to boost my faith when I need it. Like now...with the new house...with selling this house...with making ends meet until it does sell.

I am really excited about getting started on the new house... cleaning, painting, moving stuff in... it is going to be quite an adventure!

Monday, June 26, 2006

Ain't Life Funny

The Fourth of July is just around the corner. This year marks the 25th anniversary of meeting my #1 Man. A Blind Date. One that was set up in the most unusual of circumstances. One that proves that God works in mysterious ways!

My sister in law called a 'friend', Woody, in April of 1981 to chat. While she was on the phone, I was sitting nearby but I could only hear her end of the conversation and even then I was only half listening. Somehow, the subject of available men was brought up. He must have gone into a lengthy description of someone he knew, her silence as she listened is what actually got my attention. She sighed and said he was too young for her. I sat up, raised my hand and said, "What about me? Me, me, me! I want to meet him!" Woody knew me so he agreed to try to set up a date for the 4th of July picnic planned at his best friend's home (who was the cousin of this mystery man).

Several days before the big day, he calls me and we talk for awhile about trivial stuff. There must have been a spark of interest on both our parts because we agreed to make it a date.

I can't say it was Love at First Sight... actually he scared the be-jeebies out of me. I had been reading a romance novel which involved a mountain man kidnapping a woman, raping her, and keeping her a captive slave. My first sight of my date was him arriving on a big ass motorcycle, wearing a leather jacket, helmet, sunglasses and sporting a full beard. My overactive imagination brought to mind the story I had been reading and I thought, "This mountain of a man is my date?" A lump of fear rose in my throat... or was it anticipation? or excitement?

The day progressed with lots of fun and laughter with this boisterous group of people (mostly men). An abundance of family and friends... the Man's 4 brothers (5 if you include Fred as a brother) 3 cousins and lots of friends. I felt comfortable and at ease with all of them until the infamous MCP debate. I firmly believed most men were Male Chauvinistic PIGS! Cousin Joe and I got into a heated debate which set the stage for 25 years of antagonism, hostility and negativity which will probably continue for the next 25 years (or more like... to infinity and beyond!).

Trying to cool the atmosphere, my 'date' offered to take me for a motorcycle ride. Ho Boy! I hadn't been on a motorcycle in more than 10 years and tried desperately to get out of riding one that day. I came up with every excuse I could think of. I had no shoes...Whoosh! Ten pairs of shoes landed at my feet. I had no jacket...Voila! Cousin Phil handed me his leather jacket. Mmmmm... it was buttery soft and smelled oh so expensive. I had no helmet... Plunk! One was pushed onto my head from behind.

I had run out of excuses so I found myself on the back of a black GoldWing, hanging onto the grip bars until my knuckles were white and turning numb. We rode through Johnson Park, gliding over the winding roads. I began to relax and actually enjoyed myself (although my grip didn't loosen much!) so much so that I agreed to take a road trip to Harrison the next day.

The 100 mile ride up there wasn't too bad with frequent stops to stretch the butt muscles. We visited their Aunt and Uncle who lived up there and spent the afternoon swimming at the local beach. Okay... I swam... and a few of the West Side cousins swam but the East Siders either waded or floundered in the water! Early evening we had dinner... the whole fam damily at one table... what a sight (and sound)!

A day of fresh air, swimming and a full belly made for a long ride home. I could hardly stay awake so they threatened to super glue me to the seat! They all took turns riding up alongside us to check on me. My arse was soooo sore I could barely swing my legs over the seat to get off!

My date walked me to my apartment door and with reluctance I asked him to come in. He had been the perfect gentleman all weekend! We sat on the sofa, he leaned towards me, reached out.... I thought, "Here it comes... the real guy will show himself now." He pulled my boots off, stood up, grabbed my hands to help me up and then walked me to the door. He told me he had a wonderful time, kissed my cheek, walked out the door, got on his motorcycle and rode off into the night. I stood there with my mouth open, my hand touching the spot where his lips had gently placed a whisper of a kiss on my cheek, and stared out the window as he drove off. I stood there for a good 5 minutes that way, hardly breathing and when I finally came out of the shock... I sighed a long, drawn out "Wow!"

Right then and there is when I fell in love with My Man! Twenty-five years later... he still takes my breath away! He makes my heart do flip-flops, my insides tingle, and my heart swell with adoration and love! And it all started with a BLIND DATE!

Sunday, June 25, 2006

An Elephant Never Forgets

My best friend's mother has Alzheimer's and had to be put in a nursing home. My kid's Grandmother has dementia and is in a nursing home.

I took care of my mother for 4 months after she was diagnosed with cancer. Physically, she was in a lot of pain but her mind was sharp until the last three days. She retreated to a time when she was the happiest. She was a teenager staying with her aunts; Lillian (Lill) and Lula. She saw me as Lula and my sister as Lill. It hurt that she didn't know who I was, that it was me taking care of her, or that I was the one with her at the end.

So I can imagine how loved ones of Alzheimer patients must feel. I use to say it must be terrible for the person going through it but actually they don't know what they are going through most of the time. It is the family members who suffer the heartbreak of losing a loved one right before their eyes.

Physically...I am a mess. I am overweight (let's call a spade a spade... I am FAT...OBESE!), I have had a heart attack, my hips/legs/ankles/feet hurt like hell 90% of the time and to top it off... I have ACNE! But my mind is sharp and my memory is good... too good at times.

Still, when I lose something I know I should know exactly where it is... I worry. When I see an actor/actress on TV that I recognize but can't think of their name... I worry. When my sister tells me something that happened in the past that she insists I was there or should know the details... I don't worry about me, I worry about her!

Seriously, I am the one everyone asks for past history from... birthdates, marriages, certain incidents... I always have the answer. I am like an elephant - I don't forget. Unfortunately, I remember the unpleasant along with the pleasant. Fortunately, at this stage of my life, the pleasant is far outweighing the unpleasant.

Right now I can remember a half dozen things that happened when I was 4 or 5 years old. I can keep it going through each year of my life. I can remember a lot of good memories of my brother Tim (he was killed in a car accident on June 16, 1968) and I can close my eyes and see his face as clearly as if he was standing before me. I can do the same with my mother. A lot of times I can even hear her talking to me (I know that's not a sign of a good mind...).

I went to my 25 year High School Reunion. Actually, I was one of the main organizers of it and acted as hostess for it. So I went around the room talking to everyone and of course, said on numerous occasions, "Remember when...". Some did, some didn't. Some asked me how I remembered all that stuff! I told them honestly that I didn't know how... I just did.

Seriously, I cherish each and every memory I have. It's like photographs or even a movie in my mind. But then I wonder... am I really remembering it as it happened? Am I remembering what I want to remember? Who cares? For the most part they are enjoyable to revisit and if those others who are involved can't remember it, then who can say if they are real or imagined.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Kudos to My Kids

I have 3 kids... one of each. They are my gifts from God. I consider them my greatest achievements in life.

My oldest is married to a wonderful Christian woman. They have given me two beautiful grandchildren. They are such unique, funny and precocious little people! I love them beyond words!

My son is a talented, imaginative and creative person who has been stifled in a factory environment (his words... paraphrased) for too many years. That factory closed it's doors and he is without a job BUT instead of looking at it as a devastating blow, he is accepting it as an opportunity from God to follow his dreams of writing. I am so proud of him! I am also proud of his wife for working with him so he can accomplish his life goals!

My daughter is a strong, independent, self-sufficient individual. She is a beautiful woman with a warm, funny personality and a heart of gold. I am proud to call her not only my daughter, but my friend. We share a mother/daughter bond that only mothers and their daughters can understand and relate to.

When she was 12 or 13 (I think) she decided she wanted to be an airplane pilot. She geared all her schooling towards that goal, went to college, got her pilot's license, graduated with a Bachelor's degree (omigosh... I can't believe I forgot what the degree is called!) and even though she didn't continue flying planes, she works in the field of aviation as a dispatcher for a charter plane company. She tells me about her work, but it is beyond my ability to comprehend. It is an awesome responsibility, but she handles it with the ease of a trained professional.

She has been in a relationship for over a year now with a fantastic guy! She met him on a blind date (a common bond between us... my husband and I met 25 years ago on a blind date!). I could not have asked for a better guy... even if I had hand-picked him myself! He has fulfilled his dreams this year... he graduated from the Policy Academy (with many honors!) and is now a full fledged COP!... I mean Police Officer! I just know he is her soul-mate and she is his. I am hoping that eventually they will make it a life-time committment and then give me some more grandbabies!!! (I'm sorry... I couldn't resist!)

My youngest is the reason my hair has soooooooooooo many gray hairs! He a smart kid who does some of the dumbest things! I couldn't (and wouldn't) even begin to list all his antics. His brother used to tell him, "Your proctologist called. He found your head." Unfortunately, it was true... but the important thing is that in the last six months or so, he has turned his life around. He lost his job but didn't let it get him down... he got two jobs! He is living out on his own and taking care of himself for a change. He is finally maturing and accepting responsibility. I am so proud of him. It was a long, hard struggle but I think he is going to make it!

I am a very lucky mother!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Pity Party

Once in awhile I have a Pity Party. It is a party of two... me and a guest! No one else is invited. No one else would want to come. I wallow in the mire of my own misery. Woe is me! Ho hum... life's a bitch! Yada, yada, yada. The guest of honor at my party today was House Not Selling. It has been almost a year since we first listed the house. We have had a lot of lookers but no takers. I have been praying and praying for the house to sell. I know God always answers prays with one of three responses: (1) Yes (2) Not yet or (3) I have a better plan. Knowing and accepting are two different things. My prayers are insignificant compared to a lot of other people's prayers in this world. There are a lot more serious, life-threatening situations which need His attention, but I get selfish and self-centered at times and want my prayers answered NOW! I try hard to have the faith He will see us through this but once in awhile it just gets me down. Today it is getting me down...down...down...

Tomorrow will be a better day. I can only take so much self-pity. Life is too short to waste it on worrying about things that are out of our control. Let go and let God! Another saying I have become fond of..."Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things". Love it! Absolutely love it! My glass is half-full and I know soon it will be overflowing! See... the party's over! Life is SWEET!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

This Old House

Selling a house isn't what it used to be. There is one buyer for every 12 houses on the market. What makes it even worse is that they are building houses all over the place. Subdivisions (they call them Estates), huge monstrosities, and condos are popping up all over. People would rather buy a new home instead of a good solid old home like ours. Of course, we need to find that special buyer who wants an indoor pool. It is getting to be a real drag though... it has been 11 months since we listed with a realtor. We had it sold once, or almost I should say. But the ones that were buying our house... their buyers backed out and then the domino effect occurred. So we lost out on a buyer and a house that we wanted to buy. So.... this time we took a huge risk and decided to buy the house we wanted before this house sold. We sure are doing a lot of praying, wishing and hoping a buyer comes along soon. Tomorrow we have a showing and I have a 'good feeling' about it. This is the ONE... the buyer!

Hopefully this next place we're buying will be our last home. I have said that about our last 3 homes but for one reason or another we decided to move. This house 'feels' like home... I call it homely! We both really love this house so I think it will be the one for us! I don't know if anyone else will see the charm of it like we do, but I guess it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks of it. No close neighbors and black angus roaming in the back... don't get much better than that!

Friday, June 16, 2006

Can You Hear Me Now?

Not since the line "Where's the Beef?" has a commercial catch-phrase been heard so often and in so many places. "Can you hear me now?" has been heard on television, in the movies, friends, families and anyone who uses a cell phone.

Many commerical catch-phrases, slogans - whatever you want to call them - show up in everyday language but I'll bet the person who says it doesn't even know what product it represents.

I love the one where the little fairy flies around and zaps stuff but when she zaps the car she is thrown against a wall and falls to the ground. A guy walking a dog points at her and says, "Silly little fairy" and she zaps him into a yuppie. I use the line on anyone who does something really stupid. No... I do not know what product is being advertised.

My #1 Man likes the commercial where the guy meets these thugs down by the docks with his network lined up behind him. The line he likes is, "Really. You get service out here?" I can't count the number of times I hear that line come out of my man's mouth. Sometimes it is just "Really" and other times he follows the line through to the end. I think the commercial is for Verizon but not sure... although it is for a cell phone.

What commercials have tickled your funny bone? Which ones stick in your mind like velcro? Which ones do you just hate to hear/see? Past or Present?

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Almost But Not Quite

Tonight #1 Son came over and enhanced the look of my blog. I feel like such a Newbie! I will probably need to call on his blogging expertise for awhile. When I get the time (if that day ever comes), I will try to master some of the tricks of the trade. For right now, I just wanted a place to voice my opinions and well, just talk about nothing in particular, to no one in particular. My #1 Man says I am a "Cornucopia of useless information". Now I have a place to share my wealth of knowledge.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

I am a Blah Blah Blogger!

I never thought I would join the ranks and become a Blogger, but here I am! I have no idea what to write about or how often I'll be writing.

Serendipity
According to Marcus Bach, "The World of Serendipity" in 1754 Horace Walpole coined the word serendipity. He based it on a Persian fairy tale about the three princes of Serendip (an ancient name for Ceylon) who traveled in search of treasure but rarely found what they were looking for. Instead, they kept happening onto things that turned out to be even greater treasures than those they were seeking. Although their goals eluded them, they were richly rewarded with exciting discoveries along the way. Eventually they realized that they were being guided by an unseen power that knew better than they did what was best for them. Walpole himself found that, when he learned to "dip into life with serenity" each day resulted in thrilling, unexpected experiences. (taken from the book God's Best For You... Today, Tomorrow and Always by Marilyn Morgan Helleberg)
We plan our lives and try to take control of our destiny. We make goals and strive towards them but life's bumps and grinds cause detours and delays. We cannot control our destiny because it is not ours to control. I don't believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason - both good and bad. My motto has become, "Sometimes the worst thing that happens to you, turns out to be the best thing to happen to you". In other words, if life gives you lemons...make lemonade! There is a higher power that has bigger and better plans as long as you "Let Go and Let God".