51

Wow, I am 51 years old today.

I find that shocking, since I don't feel 51 years old.

But I am.

51 years ago today my mother, who was only 17, gave birth to me. My father, who was only 19, was thousands of miles away on a Navy ship and wouldn't see me in person until I was 5 months old. Even when I almost died when I was 3 months old, they couldn't get him home to see me.

My wonderful Aunt Mary likes to tell the story of being at the hospital with my Mom while she was in labor and being relegated to the waiting room with the other "Dads". She was able to go in with my Mom for a while and didn't think Mom was getting enough attention because Mom wasn't making any noise or complaining. Aunt Mary told her she needed to yell out to get the nurses to come and check on her. Mom said "Mary, I didn't yell when I got this way and I am not going to yell now". That's my mom for you. Aunt Mary was who the nurse came out and told " you have a little girl". I love her very much.

I am missing my Mom so much today. We were at the cemetery yesterday for Uncle Don's funeral, the same one she is buried in. In fact he is just a few spots away from Mom. It is just so hard to believe she has been gone almost 7 years now. 7 years ago today I came to Arkansas for the first time to see my new home. Ed closed on our house by himself on Friday the 13th and I came here with Kaci on Sunday the 15th to see it. I had only seen it once before we bought it. My Aunt Phyllis stayed at the hospital with Mom so I could come here for one night. While this house isn't what I originally was looking for, as it turns out, it is exactly what I needed.

Happy Birthday to me! My wish is for many, many more.

It's my Birthday Week!

I have started getting birthday cards. Not as many as I received last year, that was a record number. So far I have three and my gift from Alissa. She remembered the book I found while we were in California and ordered it for me. It's called The Heirloom Tomato. Beautiful book, all about tomatoes! I know, doesn't sound interesting, but it really is a gorgeous book with some wonderful recipes and photography.

We spent the afternoon looking at refrigerators. Too many choices, think I will just get the old one repaired and hope it lasts a while longer. Maybe by the time I am ready for a new one, they will have something new and cool out.

We had dinner with friends after shopping. Of course they told the wait staff it was my birthday, which meant singing and cake. Oh well, it is that time of year.

Tomorrow is Uncle Don's funeral. Not looking forward to that, but I will go.

Loved the rainy day we had today, I think it is supposed to last through tomorrow.

Can't wait for the mail to run tomorrow, more cards for me!! So hard to believe I will be 51 years old. Just doesn't seem possible....

Catching up

Wow, it has been a long time since I last wrote. Too much going on I guess. Let's see if I can remember everything.

We drove to Tennessee. Packed, loaded and sent Daddy on his way back to Oklahoma.

We drove to Virginia Beach, laughed, cried, watched Kari run a half marathon (2 hrs. 28 min.)

We drove home,

to a broken refrigerator, fun times, don't you know.

I drove to Lake Eufaula, finally saw my sweet friend Cindy for the first time since our East Coast adventure,

then on to my Dad's new home to help him get organized and settled in a bit more.

I drove home and found out on the way that my Uncle Don had passed away. He has fought for the last 2 weeks and his heart finally gave out. Rest in Peace Uncle Don and please give my Mom a big hug from me when you see her in Heaven.

Much more happened, but these highlights will have to do for now. Today will be filled with errands and tomorrow a trip to Tulsa to get Ed's motorcycle for the Alaska trip and see his parents for the first time in 6 weeks.

I am tired of driving........

Favorite kind of day

I know I have said it here many times before, but it just bears repeating. I LOVE RAINY DAYS!! And this one has been exceptional. Woke up very early 6:30ish to thunder and it has been raining, thundering and lightning ever since. I am currently sitting on the deck, listening to the wind as it blows over the mountain and through my trees and the rain as it continues to fall. Everything is this beautiful shade of green which is such a treat considering it is August and things are usually a drab brown, having burned up from the heat and lack of rain.

The birds are finally hungry enough to venture to the feeders, bless their hearts, they are all so waterlogged. But the cardinals are still beautiful and I never get tired of watching them along with all the other types who feed regularly on the sunflower seeds I provide.

Miss Kitty is rubbing against my legs, she is glad to have some company. For a cat that came with the house when we bought it, she is a pretty good one. A little stubborn, but very low maintenance. I just wish I could convince her to come indoors when it gets really cold. She just won't leave the deck, it is her domain and she guards it well.

We had Jerrod and Lyndsay over last night for dinner. Her tummy is getting so big! I saw the nursery a couple of days ago. Her bedding is absolutely beautiful! A woman here in Greenwood made it all, including the sheets which are so amazingly soft, I want a set!! It will be fun to have a new little one so close and get to play with. I think I will consider it is an internship for when we get grandchildren. Someday.....

There is a white throated hummingbird at the feeder right now, drinking away and chirping. I love to watch them and there are so many different varieties! Some have yellow necks, some red and they are so territorial!! I should probably put up another feeder, just so they don't fight over the one so much.

Now Miss Kitty has jumped onto the table and is rubbing against the laptop, guess she is wanting a little more attention than I am giving her. So, as the thunder continues to roll and the rain to fall, I will end this, sit quietly with her on my lap and be thankful. It is after all, a beautiful day.

Movie night and sad news...

Saturday night and where was I? Sitting in a dark theater with a big drink, big popcorn and my big date. It has been almost 38 years since I first sat in a theater with this guy. We were only 12 (him) and 13 (me) when we first started "going together". Yes, I robbed the cradle so to speak. And now here we are, 32 years married, 3 wonderful daughters and still going out to movies. He was a trooper and saw Julie and Julia with me. I didn't tell him anything about it, didn't want to scare him and I think he actually enjoyed it. But as I heard him tell someone, he has lived with 4 women for the biggest part of his life. Guess we have rubbed off on him a little...

The movie was very good and I think it will be added to my collection. I do love just about anything Nora Ephron does. Her movies are usually on my "gotta see again" list. This one didn't disappoint. I came home and immediately found Julie's blog and have begun reading it. She is very colorful and I think I will enjoy reading it.

Mr. Ed is off on a ride today. I chose not to go. Having a hard time dealing with news we got yesterday morning. My good friend Cindy's nephew and his wife were involved in a motorcycle accident Friday night. Unfortunately, his wife did not survive. Her nephew had a badly broken leg, required surgery, but it looks as tho he will be released from the hospital in time for the funeral service on Wednesday. So very sad, they have a 14 month old who will never remember his Moma. Cindy is with the family, caring for the children so the brothers and parents can be with her nephew. This family will be in my prayers.

I am taking this as yet one more sign that I am not supposed to be on the back of that bike. I know I got back on the other day, but I wasn't comfortable and this just confirms some of my fears. I have always told Ed he has something to hang on to, but I don't and this accident makes me believe that even more. The husband is driving, he has injuries, but stays with the bike. The wife is thrown and suffers massive injuries and doesn't survive. Granted she wasn't wearing a helmet, not sure if it would have helped, but it probably wouldn't have hurt. Regardless, she died. End of story. Whether it means anything or not, I don't think I will be riding any time soon. One step forward, two steps back.....

August = YUCK

I don't like August, there I said it! It's hot and has been hot for too long. It also means we have at the very least another month of much of the same. Around here, it doesn't really start to get cool until October and that is if you are lucky. Just one more reason I should be living in the North East. I need fall! It is my very favorite season. I love cool crisp mornings, the beautiful colors of the trees and most of all, knowing summer's heat is a very long way away. So, yes, I hate August.

I have had a few days to myself. Ed has been in Alabama since Monday and is due back tonight. He isn't traveling very much anymore and while it is nice to have him home, I have to admit I miss having some time to myself. He has traveled quite a bit during our marriage and I think we both became accustomed to some alone time. Of course, I wasn't really alone during his early travels. I had my girls with me. But at least it gave us a break and made us appreciate the time we did have together. The last seven years I have had quite a bit of "me" time. And I have really grown to appreciate it. So it was a little disappointing when his travel was cut way back and he is home most of the time. Don't get me wrong, I like the routine of him being here, but sometimes it is nice to break out of your routine. So, I have really enjoyed the past couple of days. Didn't really do anything, just hung out at the house. Me and the kitties. But back to reality, he will be home soon.

Home, a wonderful 4 letter word!

Actually returned home Wednesday night, but spent yesterday unloading the Tahoe, doing a mountain of laundry, grocery shopping (nothing in the house to eat) and managing to pull a muscle in my back. Darn that Diet Dr. Pepper!! Our local Dollar Store has 2 liter bottles for $1.25 with a 55cent coupon on each bottle. So of course I stocked up. They had cases with 8 bottles in each, so I got two cases in my cart, no problem. But then the checker wanted me to lift them out and that was my downfall. I lifted the first one out and felt it immediately. It was in my ribcage area on the left side of my back. I managed to finish up, get home, unload the groceries, put away the refrigerated stuff and collapsed!!

I had great plans for a home cooked meal, well, that didn't happen! Ed brought dinner home, bless his heart. I had stripped the bed and washed the sheets and yes, Ed had to put them back on for me. But after some very good muscle relaxers, it is a little better today. At least I can take a deep breath today. Won't be doing any heavy lifting, but better than yesterday for sure.

We had a wonderful time in Santa Fe, celebrating the marriage of Somer and Ryan. It was so good to see old friends and meet some new ones. We really enjoyed spending time with Alissa and Brek as well. And the food....

OH MY GOSH, THE FOOD!! We had so many wonderful meals. Ed should be green after all the green chile's he ate!! I don't think we had a bad meal the entire time we were there. And then we got to go to Dallas and have some of our favorite Texas meals. I was really afraid to step on the scale yesterday, but lo and behold, did not gain a pound!! Of course I am still not happy with what it had to say, but that's my life.....

Had a great visit with the Poynors and Copes while I was in Waxahachie. Ran out of time and didn't get to see everyone I had hoped to see. Maybe next trip...

My spa day at the Speedway Club was so fun. An hour and a half massage, mani and pedi. Almost did a facial, but my skin is so sensitive, I was a little leery. Probably made a good decision.

The kitties were very happy to see us. Puddy is laying on my feet as I write. He is such a sweetheart. I woke up the last two mornings to him curled up in the small of my back and MomaKat in the bend of my knees! Funny how they are always next to me and never Ed. Guess they know who loves the the most!!

I am going to try and add some pictures on here, still haven't figured out how to put them in the body of my posts and not just at the beginning. Need to spend some more time with this I guess and find out how to do that.

Hoping to see Julie and Julia this weekend, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams were just on the View, promoting it. It looks like a really good movie. We have dinner with the Martins and Hales to celebrate the 46th anniversary of Donna and Gary. Haven't seen them in a while, so it will be good to catch up with everyone.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!