I know you've let me rant and rave about all sorts of things but today's "rant" is definitely a widow problem! Let me re-cap a bit. Remember, before HC Baker died, I had never written a check, paid a bill, had no idea how much money we had or where it was or anything else about living except having a grand time (and I did)!
I have a PO Box and go to the Topinabee post office to collect the mail. I don't go every day but definitely visit there every other day. I went Friday and emptied the box, brought it home, and gave it a quick review...you know, save or toss! Two things caught my eye so I opened them. It is now about 5:15pm on Friday afternoon/evening.
The first envelop I opened was from the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission. Inside was a bill for a huge amount of money. The tax amount was enough but they had added a huge penalty and huge interest! Holy Cow! It also said if I paid by 1/18/12, I would owe this amount and if I paid by 2/1/12 I would owe this amount and after that penalty and interest would continue to accrue on a daily basis. I nearly fainted and of course the number listed to call was answered by a machine telling me to call back during regular business hours. Monday morning could not come soon enough!!!!!
Here's how that conversation went!!! The call was answered by a recording telling me to listen closely as the options had changed. Press 1 for something, press 2 for something, press 3 for...and on and on. Of course the final option was to hold to speak to a representative. And hold I did. Eight minutes later I spoke to a person who spelled her first name Minh (after I asked her 3 times to say it again). Let me tell you English was not her first language nor her second nor her third! I very slowly explained the reason for my call and her response was I would need to pay the bill before they would review it. My response was I want to speak to your supervisor NOW! Minh said I should give her my number and the supervisor would call me back. I said I'LL HOLD! Minh said her supervisor was on the phone and would be sure to call me when she was finished. I said I'LL HOLD! Minh said something else I could not understand and I said I'LL HOLD! So I did and 12 minutes later the supervisor answered the phone. She asked how she could help me and I said I wanted the name and number of the top person at the Revenue Commission. She said she did not know who that was because it was a board of commissioners. I said great. The more the merrier. Give me all their names. She told me she could not do that because she would help me. Did I have another question? Yes, I'd like the number to the mayor's office. She told me she did not know what it was!!!!!!!! I said let me speak to your supervisor. This woman told me she wouldn't be able to help me because it wasn't her job. I hung up. Next I went on-line to find the mayor's office number. I called it and spoke with a woman who gave me the number of the revenue commission. I told her there was no way I was going to call that office again because everyone who I had already spoken with there was stupid. SHE HUNG UP ON ME! FYI...I have sent a check to the revenue commission for the amount of the tax. I've included the ever-popular death certificate and a letter copied to the mayor that includes the dates, times and names of the idiots who should not be paid for any work they did today because they didn't do anything. My final sentence in the letter included my address, phone number, and a brief description of my home so they could come and find me to get the penalty and interest money. And please make sure the police have handcuffs!
And that was the first letter that caught my eye. Here's the second one. It was from a very well-known international investment firm who shall at this time remain nameless (at this time!!!). After HC Baker died I learned (don't remember how) he had money invested with these folks. I called them, they explained to me what to do, I did it, took that money and put it somewhere else. All signed, sealed and delivered. Done! NOT!!!! This letter is telling me they need to update my information. And why would that be? So the second call this morning was to them. Again, press 1 for this and press 2 for that and on and on. Finally got someone, very nice, very personable who said I needed to speak with the legal department. OK, so connect me. She did. Another very nice, very personable person who told me he would send papers to me to update my information. And I asked why? I thought I was done with you. I took the money you had and moved it somewhere else. He said somehow there's a little bit left and they would need to send me a check once I returned the updated information. I said OK, send me the papers. And if I might ask, how much is a little bit? He said it's a PENNY!!!!! I asked him to please repeat that, and he did. I said did you say a penny? You're going to write me a check for a penny? He said yes m'am! I HUNG UP!
I'm on my second bottle of wine. Don't call me tonight! Oh, I forgot to tell you...it's snowing!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The "Weathers" of Life
Monday morning around 4am we had a thunderstorm with lightening. That was really something. It had warmed up just enough and the rains came. It rained until mid-morning and I thought maybe the rain was going to wash away the snow. Schools were cancelled! The rain stopped around noon and the temperatures fell. Now we have some major ice! Not to be undone, the temperatures fought back and it has now been snowing since midnight last night. Oh boy...what a mess! No school again today. And the snow keeps falling. I must say that it is one of the most beautiful snow mornings I have seen. Everything is covered and as yet no footprints in the snow. (And I have my fingers crossed the floor guys will come today!)
The floor guys will "fix" 2 seams in the kitchen floor. My floor is a black and white diamond pattern and when it was installed, the seams were cut straight across. It looks terrible. So it's been decided the seam will need to be cut in the diamond shape so no seams will be noticed. (Interestingly enough, the flooring store has removed my "sample" from their selections.) It's been a challenge! Hopefully by this afternoon I will have a wonderful looking kitchen floor.
With that said, last night I received an e-mail from a high school friend telling me her twin sister was now in Hospice care in Vancouver, British Columbia. Lyn has fought several cancers in the past 4 years and now the end is near as bone cancer is devouring her brain and eyes. Who gives a crap about my floor?
In truth I tell you I have always hated death. I was never the wife who suggested we visit someone in the hospital or nursing home or pay our respects at the funeral home. And HC Baker was the best visitor to those who needed special care, conversations, and just plain love in their time of need. I hated every day he was in the hospital. I called Baptist Hospital East the big grey bunker and was so overwhelmed, I never re-named the Mayo Clinic. I think I was afraid to. I know death is a wonderful relief to many who are ill and those who love them but I always ask myself the age old question...why do good people die and bad people live? And I know all the answers to that question. I just have a difficult time accepting it. Lyn is a great person with so many gifts. Please include her in your prayers.
I don't normally do this but I'm telling you I will be in Louisville the last half of February. I NEED to see, talk to, and touch family and friends. Life is precious, life is short, life is a challenge. Our lives are what we give to others...to help them, to support them, to hold them close. I miss HC Baker so very much and think of all the time wasted in silly arguments or when I chose to read a book instead of talking to him or when I didn't want to do what he wanted to do (usually involving the out-of-doors) or any number of other things. Research studies can always tell us how much of our life is spent sleeping or eating or driving a car, but they never tell us how much time we spend sharing love. Why is that? If you knew would your life be different? Pretend you do know we only share our love 15% of our lives. (I just made that % up.) What are you going to do about that? Something today? You'll start tomorrow? Wait until next Monday to begin with the new week? Your choice!
The floor guys will "fix" 2 seams in the kitchen floor. My floor is a black and white diamond pattern and when it was installed, the seams were cut straight across. It looks terrible. So it's been decided the seam will need to be cut in the diamond shape so no seams will be noticed. (Interestingly enough, the flooring store has removed my "sample" from their selections.) It's been a challenge! Hopefully by this afternoon I will have a wonderful looking kitchen floor.
With that said, last night I received an e-mail from a high school friend telling me her twin sister was now in Hospice care in Vancouver, British Columbia. Lyn has fought several cancers in the past 4 years and now the end is near as bone cancer is devouring her brain and eyes. Who gives a crap about my floor?
In truth I tell you I have always hated death. I was never the wife who suggested we visit someone in the hospital or nursing home or pay our respects at the funeral home. And HC Baker was the best visitor to those who needed special care, conversations, and just plain love in their time of need. I hated every day he was in the hospital. I called Baptist Hospital East the big grey bunker and was so overwhelmed, I never re-named the Mayo Clinic. I think I was afraid to. I know death is a wonderful relief to many who are ill and those who love them but I always ask myself the age old question...why do good people die and bad people live? And I know all the answers to that question. I just have a difficult time accepting it. Lyn is a great person with so many gifts. Please include her in your prayers.
I don't normally do this but I'm telling you I will be in Louisville the last half of February. I NEED to see, talk to, and touch family and friends. Life is precious, life is short, life is a challenge. Our lives are what we give to others...to help them, to support them, to hold them close. I miss HC Baker so very much and think of all the time wasted in silly arguments or when I chose to read a book instead of talking to him or when I didn't want to do what he wanted to do (usually involving the out-of-doors) or any number of other things. Research studies can always tell us how much of our life is spent sleeping or eating or driving a car, but they never tell us how much time we spend sharing love. Why is that? If you knew would your life be different? Pretend you do know we only share our love 15% of our lives. (I just made that % up.) What are you going to do about that? Something today? You'll start tomorrow? Wait until next Monday to begin with the new week? Your choice!
Friday, January 20, 2012
What a week!
Don't know where to begin and when it will end!
My kitchen is NOT finished! The workers did not show up on Monday. I waited until 11am and then called the contractor. He said my cabinet doors were not ready and they would come Wednesday. I said thanks for the call!!!!! The worker (1) showed up on Wednesday. The other carpenter had a pulled muscle or something. The cabinet doors are all attached but he had to trim them down so they would close. He asked me if I thought they needed to be re-painted. DUH!!!! I spoke with the contractor and he said they would be here next Tuesday to paint. Also coming on Tuesday will be the floor guys to repair the last 2 ugly, done wrong, pitiful, no excuse kitchen floor seams. I know I've always had a reputation for speaking my mind but let me tell you I have taken it to a whole new level. So by Tuesday. We'll see.
Well, guess what? It has snowed every day this week. I have no idea how much snow is outside, but I can assure you it's a lot! On Tuesday, Thursday and today, it snowed all day and night. My joke with TR Baker every morning when he wakes up is I hollar at him and say guess what...it snowed last night! He loves it as you can well imagine. He is so like his father and loves the outdoors. He goes almost every day to a close by nature preserve and hikes. When he's ready to walk out the door I always remember when he was very young. I would wrap him up like an eskimo, point him toward the door and hope he could move. We've all been there, right? The snow outside it beautiful. It's on the evergreens, the trees, the house, and TR's little car is nearly buried (he did uncover it today and start it up). Thursday the schools were closed so now you know we have a lot of snow.
I read on the internet Louisville was hit with some very heavy winds. My sister Linda lost her electricity for a bit and she said the worst of the winds hit very close to her in Barbormeade. Hope everyone survived with yourself and home in tact! Now I read Louisville is expecting ice. Whoa! We all hate those ice storms. Please be careful!
I spend my time reading and cooking. It's so very peaceful, a wonderful time for meditation and reflection. I have personal prayer time twice a day but decided to add another time. This is a prayer time for all my friends, new and old (meaning length of time I've know them...not relating to age at all!!!!!) I have friends who have been fighting illness for a long time, friends who have longed for special happiness for themselves and their family, friends who are unhappy at their work but cannot leave, friends who are unemployed and under-employed, friends worried about their children, and the list goes on. I have been so blessed by this prayer time. I don't know what makes it so heart-filling, but it is. All of you are included in my prayers simply because you're YOU! YOU make my life a much better life and I am so grateful for and blessed by your friendship.
Take care of yourselves. xxoo
P.S. I am sick, sick, sick of the presidential debates and the candidates. I'm trying to make an intelligent, educated, serious decision and if I had to vote today, I'd write-in my own name!
My kitchen is NOT finished! The workers did not show up on Monday. I waited until 11am and then called the contractor. He said my cabinet doors were not ready and they would come Wednesday. I said thanks for the call!!!!! The worker (1) showed up on Wednesday. The other carpenter had a pulled muscle or something. The cabinet doors are all attached but he had to trim them down so they would close. He asked me if I thought they needed to be re-painted. DUH!!!! I spoke with the contractor and he said they would be here next Tuesday to paint. Also coming on Tuesday will be the floor guys to repair the last 2 ugly, done wrong, pitiful, no excuse kitchen floor seams. I know I've always had a reputation for speaking my mind but let me tell you I have taken it to a whole new level. So by Tuesday. We'll see.
Well, guess what? It has snowed every day this week. I have no idea how much snow is outside, but I can assure you it's a lot! On Tuesday, Thursday and today, it snowed all day and night. My joke with TR Baker every morning when he wakes up is I hollar at him and say guess what...it snowed last night! He loves it as you can well imagine. He is so like his father and loves the outdoors. He goes almost every day to a close by nature preserve and hikes. When he's ready to walk out the door I always remember when he was very young. I would wrap him up like an eskimo, point him toward the door and hope he could move. We've all been there, right? The snow outside it beautiful. It's on the evergreens, the trees, the house, and TR's little car is nearly buried (he did uncover it today and start it up). Thursday the schools were closed so now you know we have a lot of snow.
I read on the internet Louisville was hit with some very heavy winds. My sister Linda lost her electricity for a bit and she said the worst of the winds hit very close to her in Barbormeade. Hope everyone survived with yourself and home in tact! Now I read Louisville is expecting ice. Whoa! We all hate those ice storms. Please be careful!
I spend my time reading and cooking. It's so very peaceful, a wonderful time for meditation and reflection. I have personal prayer time twice a day but decided to add another time. This is a prayer time for all my friends, new and old (meaning length of time I've know them...not relating to age at all!!!!!) I have friends who have been fighting illness for a long time, friends who have longed for special happiness for themselves and their family, friends who are unhappy at their work but cannot leave, friends who are unemployed and under-employed, friends worried about their children, and the list goes on. I have been so blessed by this prayer time. I don't know what makes it so heart-filling, but it is. All of you are included in my prayers simply because you're YOU! YOU make my life a much better life and I am so grateful for and blessed by your friendship.
Take care of yourselves. xxoo
P.S. I am sick, sick, sick of the presidential debates and the candidates. I'm trying to make an intelligent, educated, serious decision and if I had to vote today, I'd write-in my own name!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
This weekend up north!
I have spent the weekend looking at the insides of my kitchen cupboards while the doors were taken to be painted. This is in preparation to have the last of the hinges replaced. They did a few on Friday and I have discovered 2 of the doors no longer close at all because the hinges were not replaced where they should have been. ERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
On Friday they also painted the 2nd floor railing and bannister and they must have used a different paint. When you climb the stairs and run your hand along the bannister, it's not smooth. It feels chalky and it's not shiny. What's with that?
They are due back in the morning so I'm excited!
Very cold up here with plenty of snow. The snowmobilers were out in full force this weekend. Grandson, Garrett (13) and son-in-law, Brett went to a snowmobile race this weekend in Gaylord, about 45 minutes away. Garrett won his first race, placed 3rd in the next race, and during his 3rd race something broke on the snowmobile. Brett and Garrett thought they fixed it and he went to race again only to have the same problem occur. They packed it up and came home. It was 13 degrees outside. (Only one of the reasons I didn't make this trip.)
I did go to my favorite grocery store this weekend, Glenn's Fresh Market in Petoskey. I usually hate to go to the grocery store but love Glenn's FM. The reason I don't go there very often is I love everything they have and spend too much money. Granddaughter Gracie was with me and we walked every aisle. She pointed out to me everything she loved that her mother wouldn't buy! Great! We did have wonderful conversations about all the food. We gave a quick look at all the markdown's from the holidays and decided we would look for things that reminded us of spring. In the produce section we first talked about the fresh cut flowers. Gracie said they weren't really spring flowers but flowers God made so you'd think it was spring. We did accept the "forced" tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils as legal spring flowers but you'd have to keep them inside according to Gracie. The most spring-like fruit was the sliced watermelon. Gracie said that it really reminds her more of summer. She doesn't like it but loves the color and the smell. You can imagine the rest of the grocery store tour. It was quite a surprise when we "checked out" for me to find in my cart then into my bags Better Cheddar crackers, Cadbury Easter eggs, some kind of chocolate cereal, orange sodas, individual peanut butter cups with pretzel stix (when did that come out?), and hot pink nail polish!!!! And all I wanted was a "good" tomato!
On Friday they also painted the 2nd floor railing and bannister and they must have used a different paint. When you climb the stairs and run your hand along the bannister, it's not smooth. It feels chalky and it's not shiny. What's with that?
They are due back in the morning so I'm excited!
Very cold up here with plenty of snow. The snowmobilers were out in full force this weekend. Grandson, Garrett (13) and son-in-law, Brett went to a snowmobile race this weekend in Gaylord, about 45 minutes away. Garrett won his first race, placed 3rd in the next race, and during his 3rd race something broke on the snowmobile. Brett and Garrett thought they fixed it and he went to race again only to have the same problem occur. They packed it up and came home. It was 13 degrees outside. (Only one of the reasons I didn't make this trip.)
I did go to my favorite grocery store this weekend, Glenn's Fresh Market in Petoskey. I usually hate to go to the grocery store but love Glenn's FM. The reason I don't go there very often is I love everything they have and spend too much money. Granddaughter Gracie was with me and we walked every aisle. She pointed out to me everything she loved that her mother wouldn't buy! Great! We did have wonderful conversations about all the food. We gave a quick look at all the markdown's from the holidays and decided we would look for things that reminded us of spring. In the produce section we first talked about the fresh cut flowers. Gracie said they weren't really spring flowers but flowers God made so you'd think it was spring. We did accept the "forced" tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils as legal spring flowers but you'd have to keep them inside according to Gracie. The most spring-like fruit was the sliced watermelon. Gracie said that it really reminds her more of summer. She doesn't like it but loves the color and the smell. You can imagine the rest of the grocery store tour. It was quite a surprise when we "checked out" for me to find in my cart then into my bags Better Cheddar crackers, Cadbury Easter eggs, some kind of chocolate cereal, orange sodas, individual peanut butter cups with pretzel stix (when did that come out?), and hot pink nail polish!!!! And all I wanted was a "good" tomato!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday the 13th!
I didn't realize the date until I turned on the TV this morning to see if schools were closed. It snows a little bit every day here just to make the old snow look fresh. However, it began snowing yesterday about 4pm and it's still snowing. We have about 10 new inches and schools were NOT closed. They tell us we should receive another 2-3 inches before it stops tonight. But it's a good thing because snowmobilers and skiers will be up here for the weekend making the motels, restaurants, etc., very happy!
Back to the TV in the morning. I just happened to land on the 60th anniversary of the Today Show. Oh my goodness...I remember all of these people being a part of the show. What great people and what a gift they have given to the world.
The painters arrived at 7:45am this morning. They want to finish as much as I want them to finish. We're down to minor things such as changing the hinges on the kitchen cupboards and painting the railing and bannister to the second floor. Then they'll do the "touch-ups" and I'll have my "punch" list. So my fingers are crossed that this time next week it's DONE!!!!! Then I'll have to start saving for the second floor!
All the Christmas decorations are put away except for the Christmas cards. After the holidays are over, I love to read the cards again, and the messages written inside, and those wonderful letters written with love about families and all that happened to them in the past year. I received cards from friends old and new, friends close and faraway, families who have welcomed precious new babies, families who have lost loved ones, families with dynamics that have changed, new jobs, loss of a job, and the list goes on. They are all so dear to me. One special card I received was from Dongyen "Billy Bob" Kang. He is now out of the Korean Army having fulfilled his military obligation and working for a bioinformatics company in Seoul. He plans to return to the US in August. He was one of HC Baker's favorite new friends. He's called "Billy Bob" because HC couldn't pronounce or remember his Korean name. So he became "Billy Bob" when he went on a disaster relief trip with HC after Katrina. They became fast friends. He wrote,
"Although I may be young, I've come to realize that memories are what keeps us going as we live our lives." How very true.
As I begin this new year, I have my lists of things I want to accomplish. Some will be completed soon and others will take several months of work to complete. Hopefully by 12/31/12, I can throw this list out and start a new one. And life goes on...
Hope your weekend is wonderful!
Back to the TV in the morning. I just happened to land on the 60th anniversary of the Today Show. Oh my goodness...I remember all of these people being a part of the show. What great people and what a gift they have given to the world.
The painters arrived at 7:45am this morning. They want to finish as much as I want them to finish. We're down to minor things such as changing the hinges on the kitchen cupboards and painting the railing and bannister to the second floor. Then they'll do the "touch-ups" and I'll have my "punch" list. So my fingers are crossed that this time next week it's DONE!!!!! Then I'll have to start saving for the second floor!
All the Christmas decorations are put away except for the Christmas cards. After the holidays are over, I love to read the cards again, and the messages written inside, and those wonderful letters written with love about families and all that happened to them in the past year. I received cards from friends old and new, friends close and faraway, families who have welcomed precious new babies, families who have lost loved ones, families with dynamics that have changed, new jobs, loss of a job, and the list goes on. They are all so dear to me. One special card I received was from Dongyen "Billy Bob" Kang. He is now out of the Korean Army having fulfilled his military obligation and working for a bioinformatics company in Seoul. He plans to return to the US in August. He was one of HC Baker's favorite new friends. He's called "Billy Bob" because HC couldn't pronounce or remember his Korean name. So he became "Billy Bob" when he went on a disaster relief trip with HC after Katrina. They became fast friends. He wrote,
"Although I may be young, I've come to realize that memories are what keeps us going as we live our lives." How very true.
As I begin this new year, I have my lists of things I want to accomplish. Some will be completed soon and others will take several months of work to complete. Hopefully by 12/31/12, I can throw this list out and start a new one. And life goes on...
Hope your weekend is wonderful!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
My Love of Books
It's a miracle!!! I figured out how to add something not of my doing to my blog. (I hope it works.) A FB friend posted this wonderful "book story" she found on YouTube. I've watched it a least a dozen times watching for things I'd missed. I hope you love it too! There's nothing better than a great bookstore!
All of you know I love books. All books. I love reading new books but also love re-reading ones I've enjoyed before. It's cold and snowy here so I've been reading a lot. I'm so grateful I am retired. I don't leave the house unless I have to. I went out today for the first time in 5 days. Love it!
I decided last week I was going to re-read 3 of my favorites, 2 relatively new and one I have had since 1984. I'd like to share a few of my favorite parts and you can decide if you'd like to read them too.
First Lady from Plains by Rosalynn Carter (and my copy is autographed!)
Whatever your politics might be, this is a love story about a man and a woman who fit perfectly together. From childhood to today they have a partnership to be envied by many of us. This is also a story about a strong woman who hates to lose. If you remember, their presidency ended with the release of the Iranian hostages just AFTER Reagan took his oath of office. After 4 years in the White House she writes, "I had been afraid we might be bored and restless without a major new goal in the works. What I felt instead was a growing sense of relief that there was no pressure to move on to the next big project as well as a certain satisfaction as I looked back that my childhood dreams had been fulfilled in ways beyond my wildest imagination."
*I hope all of us can say that.
Crossing Troublesome - 25 Years of the Appalachian Writers Workshop
This book is a compilation of many writers' works. Several years back HC Baker and I drove to Hindman, Kentucky, so I could see this place. It's wonderful. And so many writers have attended over the years. One of my favorite Kentucky authors is Silas House. If you haven't read any of his novels, get started now. You'll fall in love not only with him but with his mountains. He writes about attending the workshop, "When I am here, I am among not only friends, but family. It seems I can sing in harmony better with people here. We are able to have good conversations because we don't have to fill in the gaps - we know easily what the other means. We danced on the porch last night and we all knew how the other was going to move; it was as if we had rehearsed our steps for many years together."
*I am blessed by friends who are like family. I hope you are too.
A Pearl In The Storm by Tori Murden McClure (and once again my copy is autographed!)
I believe this is one of my all-time favorite reads. And Tori is now the President of Spalding University! What a woman with a heart full of love for all of humankind. She took a while to find her place in life but when she did, she committed herself to being the best. In writing about her first attempt to row alone across the ocean she said, "Reprimands will not bring the waves into line. Anger will not alter the wind. Sadness will not bring back the Gulf Stream. The greatest freedom allotted to any human being is the freedom to choose one's attitude. Whatever the weather, it is my weather, and I must do my best to enjoy it."
*I should print that and tape it to my bathroom mirror so I can say it to myself every morning. How 'bout you?
P.S. This time next week my kitchen should be complete! Can't wait!
Monday, January 9, 2012
January 9, 2012
Today HC Baker would have been 65 years old. I'm sure we would have laughed about this all day long. How many times in our lives did we think of 65 and say WOW, that's old. And now here we are. (I'll be 65 in June and cannot believe I just put that in print!!!) HC always referred to me as his much younger wife. I miss him so much.
Today I'm remembering how we "re-met". You know we went to high school together, then our separate ways to college, then married other people, then divorced, and that was that. Both of us were back living in Louisville and I had my girls, Libby and Emily, and was teaching ballet. HC was a manufacturer's rep selling sporting goods (what else?). It was the week before Christmas and I ran into what is now Target on Westport Road. (Then is was called Ayr-Way. Who remembers that?) Just outside the front door I literally ran into HC Baker as he was coming out of the store. We both laughed and resumed what had been a wonderful high school friendship. At the close of the conversation he said to me, "Tell your husband Merry Christmas" and I said "I don't have a husband anymore". Then I said, "Tell your wife Merry Christmas" and he said "I don't have a wife anymore". (I swear this is the truth!) Then we hugged and parted ways. It wasn't until much later that HC told me what happened next.
As soon as he got to his car he realized he didn't know what my last name was. He thought not a problem. He'd just go by my parents home and talk to them. My parents had moved! Then he was trying to remember what my father's first name was so he could call. No luck there either. He did remember a very dear friend of mine and went in search of her. (When HC Baker was just out of college, he worked at Shillito's - anyone remember that store? - It is now Macy's in Oxmoor!!!) My dear friend BWJ was the special events director there and HC went in search of her. He found her and she provided him my name and address. At that time, in addition to teaching ballet, I was also the choreographer for musicals at a local high school. So...one Sunday afternoon I was at the high school in rehearsal when I looked out to the audience and saw HC Baker sitting there. He had called my home, was told where I was and Surprise! - here he was. So began our "dating" relationship. That in itself was very strange...dating...again...with 2 daughters...Oh my! And that was nearly 40 years ago.
I wonder what kind of celebration he's having today? (I bet there's a celebration every day!)
Happy Birthday HC Baker!
Today I'm remembering how we "re-met". You know we went to high school together, then our separate ways to college, then married other people, then divorced, and that was that. Both of us were back living in Louisville and I had my girls, Libby and Emily, and was teaching ballet. HC was a manufacturer's rep selling sporting goods (what else?). It was the week before Christmas and I ran into what is now Target on Westport Road. (Then is was called Ayr-Way. Who remembers that?) Just outside the front door I literally ran into HC Baker as he was coming out of the store. We both laughed and resumed what had been a wonderful high school friendship. At the close of the conversation he said to me, "Tell your husband Merry Christmas" and I said "I don't have a husband anymore". Then I said, "Tell your wife Merry Christmas" and he said "I don't have a wife anymore". (I swear this is the truth!) Then we hugged and parted ways. It wasn't until much later that HC told me what happened next.
As soon as he got to his car he realized he didn't know what my last name was. He thought not a problem. He'd just go by my parents home and talk to them. My parents had moved! Then he was trying to remember what my father's first name was so he could call. No luck there either. He did remember a very dear friend of mine and went in search of her. (When HC Baker was just out of college, he worked at Shillito's - anyone remember that store? - It is now Macy's in Oxmoor!!!) My dear friend BWJ was the special events director there and HC went in search of her. He found her and she provided him my name and address. At that time, in addition to teaching ballet, I was also the choreographer for musicals at a local high school. So...one Sunday afternoon I was at the high school in rehearsal when I looked out to the audience and saw HC Baker sitting there. He had called my home, was told where I was and Surprise! - here he was. So began our "dating" relationship. That in itself was very strange...dating...again...with 2 daughters...Oh my! And that was nearly 40 years ago.
I wonder what kind of celebration he's having today? (I bet there's a celebration every day!)
Happy Birthday HC Baker!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Small Town Life!
Funny story - Happened today!
I bought this new home in September. It's in Mullet (Lake) Township. Up here (and maybe where you are too - wouldn't know as I never paid bills) we get a tax bill twice a year, winter and summer. The other day I got mine for winter. I put it aside until after the holidays. Today I organized 2011 for tax purposes and set up 2012. So I opened my tax bill. I had 3 of them!!!!! I wondered with the heck was goin' on. There's a different description of the property and property code number on each one. There's also the name of the Mullet Township Treasurer (will remain anonymous) and a phone number. After reading the 3 tax bills several times I called the number. A man answered the phone and I asked for the name on the paper. The man who answered shouted "It's a tax person". He told me she'd be with me in a minute. The good news is I wasn't put on hold. For some reason I don't think the phone had a hold button! The bad news is I could hear the two of them talking and sounding like they were clearing the table of dishes. He told me once again she'd be right with me.
She picks up the phone and says (I kid you not!!!!) "What do you want?" I was a bit flabbergasted and quickly gave her my name and told her I had received 3 tax bills on 3 different pieces of real estate. Could she explain this to me? She asked where I lived and I told her and she then said, "Oh, you live up by Susan (not real name). You're the lady from Kentucky." I told her I didn't know Susan but I did live on top of the hill. So we began by me giving her the property code number on the first bill. She says wait a minute as she is obviously entering this number on a computer. After a few minutes of no conversation, she says "Dang! I hate this computer. It did this yesterday too. Gimme that number again." And I did. She then says "Honey, bring me the book." I ask her if she's speaking to me. She says "No, I don't know you so I wouldn't call you honey." "Honey" is apparently her husband who answered the phone and her office is in their home. Wonderful!
Let me share with you that it took another 30 minutes to figure this out with lots of "Honey" this and "honey" that. She has a property deed book at home and while she is talking on the phone, he turns the pages of the book. It turns out all 3 bills are mine. One is for the house, one is for the boathouse across the road and the other one is for a separate lot below the hill before you cross the road! I asked if I couldn't consolidate all these bills into one and she said I would have to appear before the township at one of the monthly meetings to get approval. Dare I?????
Anyway, at the end of the conversation she said "That's it Honey." I couldn't resist and asked if she was calling me "Honey" now since we'd been on the phone for so long. She said no and then goodbye. As she was disconnecting the call I heard her say (to Honey), "That woman's crazy!"
If I had grown up in a small town I'm sure I wouldn't have appreciated it. I'm so glad this small town experience was saved for me until now!
I bought this new home in September. It's in Mullet (Lake) Township. Up here (and maybe where you are too - wouldn't know as I never paid bills) we get a tax bill twice a year, winter and summer. The other day I got mine for winter. I put it aside until after the holidays. Today I organized 2011 for tax purposes and set up 2012. So I opened my tax bill. I had 3 of them!!!!! I wondered with the heck was goin' on. There's a different description of the property and property code number on each one. There's also the name of the Mullet Township Treasurer (will remain anonymous) and a phone number. After reading the 3 tax bills several times I called the number. A man answered the phone and I asked for the name on the paper. The man who answered shouted "It's a tax person". He told me she'd be with me in a minute. The good news is I wasn't put on hold. For some reason I don't think the phone had a hold button! The bad news is I could hear the two of them talking and sounding like they were clearing the table of dishes. He told me once again she'd be right with me.
She picks up the phone and says (I kid you not!!!!) "What do you want?" I was a bit flabbergasted and quickly gave her my name and told her I had received 3 tax bills on 3 different pieces of real estate. Could she explain this to me? She asked where I lived and I told her and she then said, "Oh, you live up by Susan (not real name). You're the lady from Kentucky." I told her I didn't know Susan but I did live on top of the hill. So we began by me giving her the property code number on the first bill. She says wait a minute as she is obviously entering this number on a computer. After a few minutes of no conversation, she says "Dang! I hate this computer. It did this yesterday too. Gimme that number again." And I did. She then says "Honey, bring me the book." I ask her if she's speaking to me. She says "No, I don't know you so I wouldn't call you honey." "Honey" is apparently her husband who answered the phone and her office is in their home. Wonderful!
Let me share with you that it took another 30 minutes to figure this out with lots of "Honey" this and "honey" that. She has a property deed book at home and while she is talking on the phone, he turns the pages of the book. It turns out all 3 bills are mine. One is for the house, one is for the boathouse across the road and the other one is for a separate lot below the hill before you cross the road! I asked if I couldn't consolidate all these bills into one and she said I would have to appear before the township at one of the monthly meetings to get approval. Dare I?????
Anyway, at the end of the conversation she said "That's it Honey." I couldn't resist and asked if she was calling me "Honey" now since we'd been on the phone for so long. She said no and then goodbye. As she was disconnecting the call I heard her say (to Honey), "That woman's crazy!"
If I had grown up in a small town I'm sure I wouldn't have appreciated it. I'm so glad this small town experience was saved for me until now!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
- Day 3 -
Day 3 of the new year. I'm surrounded by snow, snow, and more snow. The sun was shining today and the snow sparkled like diamonds all over the ground. It was beautiful! I don't remember if I already told you but when I moved into the new house, I had 20 trees removed from the property (and I still have plenty). I now get lots of sunlight.
Spent the day taking down 2 Christmas trees. My favorite part of the "up and down" trees is to touch every ornament, remember where it came from and when it came to live with us. Don't you love your ornaments? Quite a few people have posted photos of some of their ornaments on FB. Ornaments all by themselves can tell the story of our lives.
Pots and pans can do the same thing. Think about it. How many pots and pans do you have that you've had since your first home? And are those your favorites? I have an iron skillet that belonged to my grandmother and I use it to make cornbread. I have baking pans that belonged to HC's mother. What about tools? My father worked for Belknap Hardware all of his life. When I was growing up, we had tools. Then I married HC Baker and he had tools that had belonged to his grandfather, PawPaw. Look in your jewelry box. What stories can you tell about your rings, earrings, and bracelets?
There is so much "stuff" in our lives that define who we are. And the more we touch the "stuff" the more it touches us. It's those memories that sustain us. This new year I want to go to that website advertised on TV, Ancestry.com. and work hard to write my families history. (Maybe I can convince my sisters to help!!) I want the pots and pans and tools and jewelry and quilts and ornaments to mean as much to my children and grandchildren as they do to me. Since HC Baker died, I've already given the children and grandchildren lots of "stuff". I hope they have it in a special place and when they see it or touch it, they have wonderful memories. Won't that be grand?
What are your plans for 2012?
P.S. - I saw a cardinal at my bird feeder box today. It made me happy!
Spent the day taking down 2 Christmas trees. My favorite part of the "up and down" trees is to touch every ornament, remember where it came from and when it came to live with us. Don't you love your ornaments? Quite a few people have posted photos of some of their ornaments on FB. Ornaments all by themselves can tell the story of our lives.
Pots and pans can do the same thing. Think about it. How many pots and pans do you have that you've had since your first home? And are those your favorites? I have an iron skillet that belonged to my grandmother and I use it to make cornbread. I have baking pans that belonged to HC's mother. What about tools? My father worked for Belknap Hardware all of his life. When I was growing up, we had tools. Then I married HC Baker and he had tools that had belonged to his grandfather, PawPaw. Look in your jewelry box. What stories can you tell about your rings, earrings, and bracelets?
There is so much "stuff" in our lives that define who we are. And the more we touch the "stuff" the more it touches us. It's those memories that sustain us. This new year I want to go to that website advertised on TV, Ancestry.com. and work hard to write my families history. (Maybe I can convince my sisters to help!!) I want the pots and pans and tools and jewelry and quilts and ornaments to mean as much to my children and grandchildren as they do to me. Since HC Baker died, I've already given the children and grandchildren lots of "stuff". I hope they have it in a special place and when they see it or touch it, they have wonderful memories. Won't that be grand?
What are your plans for 2012?
P.S. - I saw a cardinal at my bird feeder box today. It made me happy!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Jan 1, 2012
Snow started falling about 10:30 this morning and has continued all day long. It's supposed to snow all night and tomorrow too. The final accumulation is estimated at 10-12 inches. Today's high temperature was 18 and the lake is beginning to freeze. Right now it looks like a bunch of floating icebergs, but it won't take long for those icebergs to connect. Then the ice fishermen will haul their "shanty" (they look like an out-house) out on the lake, drill a hole and start ice fishing. Too scary for me! And some people ride their snowmobiles across the frozen lake. Also, too scary for me!
Had a great evening last night. TR and I entertained Emily, Brett, Garrett, and Gracie. We had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, dinner with hats and horns (nix to the horns next year!!), and a yummy dessert! Gracie and I dressed in what we call our "la-di-da" clothes! Might be that nothing matches but everything has either sequins, fur, feathers, ruffles or bows or any combination of the afore mentioned. We matched pretty well! Later in the evening they went home and TR went to a party. I was in bed reading and probably asleep before midnight!
This Christmas season has been easier than last year but I still "slump" from time to time. HC would so love to be with Daniel, Hannah, Isaac, Adam, Garrett and Gracie and see them growing. The older 4 are incredible young adults and the younger 2 are developing fabulous personalities. He would enjoy being with Libby, Emily and Brett and TR too. Oh how they miss him! We're all on our own with the cooking questions. I call Libby and Emily and I don't know who they call! But we've all made it. There are holes in my heart but I'm filling them with new adventures and the children and grand children are very much a part of that.
I read so many Happy New Year greetings in my e-mails and on FB and love to know how everyone is doing and the love and laughter in their homes. Some friends are having their first "married" Christmas. Some are enjoying Christmas with a child home from college for the first time. Some are smiling as one their children becomes engaged. Some have a new baby to add to the celebration. Some have had exceptional accomplishments in the past year. Some have had exceptional trips in the past year. Some have overcome huge obstacles and others have completed unexpected medical journeys. And some of you had the same old Christmas vacation you've experienced many times before. Aren't you blessed? Whatever your Christmas has been, it will be remembered for years to come.
Remember (for those who are old enough) when we were afraid of the year 1984 because of George Orwell's book? Your thoughts today about "Big Brother"????? Remember when we wondered "what" would happen when 1999 became 2000? And here we are at the beginning of 2012! WOW! A friend of mine told me she remembered when her father turned 70 and how old she thought that was. Guess what birthday she will have in 2012? And this is the first day of the second full year I am a widow. I'm not sure what 2012 has in store for me, but I do know I have so many beautiful memories in my heart and mind and no year will ever take that away.
Happy New Year to all and I pray each of you will have a blessed, healthy, safe, and happy 2012. Wipe the slate clean. Here we come again!
Had a great evening last night. TR and I entertained Emily, Brett, Garrett, and Gracie. We had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, dinner with hats and horns (nix to the horns next year!!), and a yummy dessert! Gracie and I dressed in what we call our "la-di-da" clothes! Might be that nothing matches but everything has either sequins, fur, feathers, ruffles or bows or any combination of the afore mentioned. We matched pretty well! Later in the evening they went home and TR went to a party. I was in bed reading and probably asleep before midnight!
This Christmas season has been easier than last year but I still "slump" from time to time. HC would so love to be with Daniel, Hannah, Isaac, Adam, Garrett and Gracie and see them growing. The older 4 are incredible young adults and the younger 2 are developing fabulous personalities. He would enjoy being with Libby, Emily and Brett and TR too. Oh how they miss him! We're all on our own with the cooking questions. I call Libby and Emily and I don't know who they call! But we've all made it. There are holes in my heart but I'm filling them with new adventures and the children and grand children are very much a part of that.
I read so many Happy New Year greetings in my e-mails and on FB and love to know how everyone is doing and the love and laughter in their homes. Some friends are having their first "married" Christmas. Some are enjoying Christmas with a child home from college for the first time. Some are smiling as one their children becomes engaged. Some have a new baby to add to the celebration. Some have had exceptional accomplishments in the past year. Some have had exceptional trips in the past year. Some have overcome huge obstacles and others have completed unexpected medical journeys. And some of you had the same old Christmas vacation you've experienced many times before. Aren't you blessed? Whatever your Christmas has been, it will be remembered for years to come.
Remember (for those who are old enough) when we were afraid of the year 1984 because of George Orwell's book? Your thoughts today about "Big Brother"????? Remember when we wondered "what" would happen when 1999 became 2000? And here we are at the beginning of 2012! WOW! A friend of mine told me she remembered when her father turned 70 and how old she thought that was. Guess what birthday she will have in 2012? And this is the first day of the second full year I am a widow. I'm not sure what 2012 has in store for me, but I do know I have so many beautiful memories in my heart and mind and no year will ever take that away.
Happy New Year to all and I pray each of you will have a blessed, healthy, safe, and happy 2012. Wipe the slate clean. Here we come again!
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