A Tale of Two Bras!

Sometimes I miss HC Baker so much I think it might kill me.  Trips back to Louisville always make me remember the little things.  Eating at WW Cousins, early church, Hub and Reenie, time spent with Jack and Lou, sister-in-law Jenna, songs on the radio, and the list goes on.  On the trip back yesterday, I always take deep breaths as mile marker 262 approaches.  Then I pass it and then pass the turn-around where the ambulance turned and took me to the emergency room in Grayling...alone.

After I have my "moment", I can usually count on getting angry at him.  For cryin' out loud, he was the insurance man!!!!!  He knew better!

But yesterday, when I would normally get angry, I had to laugh.  If he weren't already dead, he would have died yesterday at my purchase.  I've always said HC Baker would have had the first dollar he made if he hadn't married me.  I always worked as hard as I could to spend his money!  And yesterday I won the prize!

Two weeks ago, my sister Mary was in Washington, DC.  When I saw her in Louisville, she was telling me about the most wonderful store in Tysons Corner (and if you've been to Tysons Corner you know what an absolutely fabulous mall it is).  She went to Intimacy and purchased two bras.  She was wearing one and showed it to me and it was beautiful.  The lovely ladies at Intimacy "fit" you for a bra.  When she arrived, they talked first about her concerns with bras.  She then tried on several until she found the perfect one...two.  And while you're there, they offer you coffee, tea, bottled water, sodas. champagne, and/or chocolates.  Having always been frustrated with bras, I said I had to go there.  I went to the internet, found their web sight and locations.  The closest to Louisville would be Chicago or Atlanta or DETROIT!!!!!  I immediately made an appointment and listed my "bra" frustrations and said champagne and chocolates were very important to me too!

Yesterday at 2pm I arrived at the Somerset Collection Mall in Troy, Michigan.  It has a north and south and I needed the south where the anchors were Neiman's and Saks!  And valet parking!  I was in heaven.  I was met at the door by Catherine who asked me if I wanted to start with the champagne and chocolates (It's true!!!) or wait until later.  I said I would wait.  We began the fitting process and I'm here to tell you I now own 2 of the most fabulous bras ever made in the history of the world!  AND...they are beautiful.  I had a wonderful time while I was there.  Beautiful store, beautiful things, excellent sales associates, excellent customer service, and I felt like a queen!

Now, back to not feeling the anger after my "moment" on the road yesterday.  I had to laugh because if HC Baker was buried in a grave, he would be rolling over at what I spent on 2 bras.  However, the good news is he's in a black box on the book shelf in the den and I plan to show him exactly how I spent his money.  Even in death, there are ways a wife can still irritate the livin' daylights out of her husband!  Life is good!  

Headed Home!

The car is all packed except for the overnight essentials and I plan to be on the road by 7am tomorrow morning.  I have had the best time loving my family and friends, visiting with friends, meeting new friends, and of course...shopping!  Shopped a few of the locally owned small businesses in town and found wonderful things to complement my new home's first floor.  (Was concerned I would need a
u-haul to get back!)

Thank you to Christy and Mary Beth - laughed so hard my sides hurt the next day.  Delighted to see Erin and Katy and all the babies!  My dear friends John, Sherry and Lois at Taste of Kentucky - can't wait for my Derby party!  Pat and Ashley had a delicious lunch for me and shared their new home with me.

Sunday morning early service at SMBC was exceptional.  Saw so many I had not seen in some time.  And saw precious Francie Lou who just celebrated her 2nd birthday.  How time flies!  Brunch with the Wilson's and lunch (I know!!!!) with my dear friends, the Kirklands.  I ended yesterday with daughter Libby and the "big" grandkiddos!  Today, sisters Linda and Mary helped me spend the last two pennies I had!  Dinner tonight at Mitchell's Fish Market - delicious!

I want to let you know Sarah and the RODEO were incredible!  If you want a Saturday night full of fun head to Loretto, Kentucky.  You won't be sorry!

I have the most wonderful friends in the world.  I'm always excited to arrive and sad to leave.  TR flew home Sunday, the 19th, and has called several times.  He has been to the grocery and cleaned the house.  I miss him.  Son-in-law Brett called today to check my schedule for tomorrow and to let me know snow is expected tomorrow night with a BIG snow storm hitting Thursday and Friday.  Oh my!  While I have enjoyed the beautiful spring-like weather today, it's still freezing cold up north.

This time tomorrow night I will be home.  Grand-daughter Grace requested I return before March 1st because that is the 1-year anniversary of her mother (Emily) falling and breaking her leg in 2 million places!!!  I am to bake a cake and Grace will cut it in the shape of a leg and decorate it as a surprise for her Mother!  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I miss them all when I'm not with them.

OK friends - I have one reservation for a visit to my home in October.  What dates are the rest of you selecting?

Yesterday's sermon was about the Lord as my Shepherd.  He has be so faithful to me.  But I want all of you to know you have been faithful to me too.  Each of you are also my shepherd.  What would I do without you?

Until we meet again...      



    

Family, Friends and a Rodeo!

The past week I have experienced a wild and crazy ride!  I'm still in Louisville spending time with terrific family, friends who are like family, and eating, drinking and being all-around merry!

I have laughed.  I have learned new things (like there's a hospital Lebanon, KY - who knew?  I didn't need the hospital but a super friend did and weren't we glad it was there!).  I have hugged and been hugged and that's a really, really important thing.  I have talked and listened - one of the wonders of life.

I went to the "Game Dinner" (not board game but wild game).  One of my oldest friend's (not age but length of time we've been friends) husband has a tradition of the game dinner.  Everyone who comes brings something prepared to eat they have killed or caught.  HC and Rick were two of a kind.  They loved the outdoors, loved to fish and loved to hunt.  HC always prepared something and off we'd go to Frankfort.  One particularly bad year HC Baker had nothing to take.  We drove to the general store in Boredom...oops I mean Borden, Indiana, and he bought buffalo meat (oh my goodness) and prepared a buffalo stew.  This year I took corn pudding!  But the food is fabulous.  I had smoked salmon, dove breast stuffed with feta cheese and wrapped in bacon, plenty of venison, crispy cornmeal fried catfish, pheasant pot pie (delicious), and terrific salads and vegetables and desserts!  What a night!

Sunday, my sisters and I enjoyed "cousin day"!  Our two cousins from Nashville, Tennessee, Mike and Mark drove up and our cousin David from Lexington drove over and brought Kathy.  We laughed all day remembering crazy things that happened growing up.  If you are blessed by this kind of family you know how much fun we had.

Monday night was a gift.  My dear, dear friend Kathy and her sister Janis came to town for a get-together.  A terrific local bookstore (Carmichael's) hosted one of our favorite authors - Kentuckian Silas House.  He was reading from his newest book - Same Sun Here.  Just listening to him read is a treat.  If you're not familiar with Silas or his books, you have missed something wonderful.

Today was spent shopping (again) at all the fabulous local shops.  I might have to rent a u-haul to get me back home!  Tomorrow I have three more shops to visit because they sell very special, make-you-happy things.  Can't wait.

I'm especially looking forward to Saturday night.  I will travel to Loretto, Kentucky, for a rodeo.  My young friend Sara H-V is an aspiring bull rider.  I have seen her pictures posted on FB and been totally amazed at this.  So Saturday night I'm going with her.  Wish both of us luck!

Thank you to the Kirkland's, Matt and Shannon and Devin, Erin, Kelly, DB, Jack and Lou, Barbara and Rick, Hub and Reenie, Kathy (Happy Birthday) and Janis, and some of my favorite local restaurants (Corner Cafe, Cafe Lou Lou's - twice, Home Made Pie Kitchen, Compfy Cow - WOW!, a wonderful restaurant in Anchorage, and The Cheddar Box to name a few!  Love the food in Louisville!

Coming back to the scene of my life has had its' ups and downs.  So many places HC and I enjoyed together, so much conversation about him, me and my crazy questions to myself about what I'm doing, and the special love I feel from all those I have been fortunate to spend some time with.  And it's not over yet!

Up-coming attractions...on the trip back home I will be stopping in Troy, MI, at the Somerset Collection, an incredible mall I have yet to experience with anchors that include Neiman's and Saks!!!!!
They also have one of my favorite things...valet parking!  I'm going there to a special store my sister Mary found at Tysons Corner when she was in Washington DC last week.  I'll tell you more about it once I get home.  It should be quite something!  Until then, don't miss a moment of your life!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I't been a while since I have given you a report on my doings, comings and goings.

TR Baker and I made it to Louisville late Saturday afternoon.  The trip was quite something as it snowed from our home in Topinabee to Dayton!  Sometimes we were going 25 mph on I-75!  Saw lots of cars and trucks spinning out and hitting things.  We were very careful.  Finally made it and I dropped TR Baker off at his friends Matt and Shannon and Devin's home and I haven't seen or heard from him since.  I know he was so glad to see them.  I came to my sister, Linda's, even though she and her husband Bill are in Florida...freezing to death!  They'll be back home this weekend.

I quickly changed and headed to Libby's because she was having the twins (Hannah and Isaac) birthday dinner and I definitely wanted to be a part of that.  Had a wonderful time, laughing and talking and hugging, and ate a delicious dinner.  Libby is a wonderful cook (as is my daughter Emily).  Finally got to bed about 11:30 and was immediately out like a light!

Sunday morning - I made it to church on time.  Getting to church is always a challenge since living in Topinabee.  I forget there are more than 4 cars on the road!  Loved the service and of course saw so many precious friends.  I miss Sunday morning services.  I have not found a church in my area yet and when I do it will not be the "big" church.  All of the churches around me are very small.  Quite honestly, I have not been going to church.  Tried a couple and it didn't happen for me.  I know it's not the church building or the order of service or the hymns that are sung or the "preacher", but I need to feel some kind of connection.  Being at SMBC on Sunday provided sweet memories.  After church, lunch with the Kirklands!!!!!  And Uncle Dave joined us too.  Great time.

Sunday night I had dinner with my delightful high school friends - Janet, Heidi, Honi, Trish and Debbie.  We toasted Lyn who passed away earlier in the month.  We'll miss her as will many others.  It was a laugh a minute...literally!  The great thing about being with your high school friends is we all know how old the others are!!!!!  And this is a big year for all of us...65!  WOW!!!!!!!

Monday included a very special lunch with Joyce and Cinda.  I had not seen them in person since they walked the Susan G. Komen 60 mile/3-day event last September.  I'm still bursting with pride for their incredible accomplishment.  And catching up on all the scoops is always fun.  Monday evening I was able to have dinner with my sister Mary.  She has just returned from Washington DC and a Habitat for Humanity national conference.  I love listening to her carry on!

Tuesday - today - Valentine's Day - I hope each of you had a very special day being appreciated by someone you care about.  I had two special treats.  Lunch with my dear friend Christy.  After I moved north and was living at my blue cottage, Christy was my first friend brave enough to drive up and visit.  She brought her friend Kristi with her and we had one of the most special visits anyone would wish for.    And she and Kristi came back again in 2011 after I had just moved to the new house in Topinabee.  The remodeling had not begun, everything was incredibly UGLY, furniture was everywhere but we sat outside under trees with golden leaves falling all around us.  Another very special visit.  Oh and we solved the problems of the world.  Lunch was wonderful but didn't hold a candle to being with a wonderful friend.  And after lunch I got a hug from Jeffrey!!!!

Tonight I spent in the home of the Kirklands.  Great meal but the sharing of time and lives was the perfect part (not to mention the after dinner entertainment provided by the future American Idol winner, Miss Mary Helen Kirkland while big brother Reed read a book and shook his head).  He has a tough road ahead being the big brother to Miss Mary Helen!  Unforgettable Valentine evening I will remember always.

Looking forward to tomorrow when I will see more of my special friends who are so kind and generous to me.  All of them have supported me throughout my new journey.  They are true friends.  They listen with love.  I am blessed.          

I see the moon...

Have you seen the moon tonight?  It's incredible.  Go and look right now if you haven't already.  I so hope your sky is clear.  The moon is so peaceful don't you think?  Outside here tonight it's very cold and of course snow is on the ground, but the beautiful, gigantic moon is creating such a quiet, soft night.  You can close your eyes and imagine you are anywhere you want to be.  It's a "Be still and know that I am God" night.  Please enjoy it.

Tomorrow TR Baker will be 34 years old.  He requested a turtle cheesecake for his birthday cake.  I had no idea it would be so labor intensive.  It's cooling now and then I will top it with chocolate ganache and more pecans.  Smells delicious!  I'll try and not sneak a bite.

Saturday morning TR and I will head south.  The weather forecast is cooperating so our trip should be smooth sailing.  All day I have been pretty "weepy" and have wondered why.  I think it's a combination of several things.

First, TR's birthday...all my children's birthdays squeeze my heart.   Of course I remember their births, I was there!!!!  TR Baker was my third actual birthing experience but because HC Baker adopted my daughters, this was his first actual birthing experience.  If you knew HC Baker at all, you knew he took charge of every situation.  We arrived at Baptist East early in the morning.  (When the girls were born, fathers were NOT involved in the birth.)  HC and I were sent to labor and delivery and we got ready.  I had been blessed in the past with very short labors and this one was no exception.  Before we knew it we were headed to the delivery room.  This was before you had ultrasounds and knew the sex of your baby.  However, you need to know that from the moment we knew I was pregnant, we called this baby TR.  I wanted to call him Chip but HC wanted initials, wonder why?  HC was taken away to get dressed in his "scrubs" and when I arrived in the delivery room, HC was there.  In a very few short minutes, TR Baker was born.  The doctor and HC hid the baby's sex from me and asked me to guess.  I said it's a boy and everyone applauded.  All of a sudden HC ran out of the room.  I thought maybe the medical part was more than he was ready for, but the student nurse assigned to him followed him out so I knew she'd take care of him.  In a few moments he was back saying he had forgotten something.  He came right to me and put the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring on my finger, kissed me and told me he loved me - a precious moment in my memories.  There are two other notable stories about TR's birth but I'll save those for another day.

Secondly, I'm anxious to see my daughter Libby.  I haven't seen her since last summer and I've missed her.  Both of my daughters are my best friends.  We didn't always see "eye to eye" but all three of us survived my first marriage and divorce.  It's was just the three of us for a while and we have very special bonds.  My dream trip would be the three of us hidden away somewhere for a week doing absolutely only the things we wanted to do.  Wouldn't that be fun?

And lastly, I'm going back to the scene of my life.  I'll see so many people and places that were important parts of who I used to be.  And I'm not that person anymore.  The parts are all there but they've been rearranged, changed forever.  I'm the new Jo Ann Baker whether I want to be or not.  I'm still not sure who that new person is but she's OK, just sad sometimes.  

Today's Thoughts!

Today was the second day of a very nice warming trend that's not supposed to last very long but was  much enjoyed by me!  The high today was 44 and the sun was brilliantly shining!  There's still plenty of snow around in big heaps where it's been plowed out of the way.  I actually saw a circle of my driveway today where the ice had melted.  And just a few minutes ago I heard and watched a snowmobiler cross the lake.  That's a very brave thing to do with the warming we've had the last 2 days.  The lake is very interesting to see.  Since it is frozen, the fishermen have moved their  "shanties" out on the lake where they saw (with a saw or something) a hole to drop their line to ice fish.  Really boggles my mind!  And scares me to death too!

Last week my Louisville grandson Adam celebrated his 17th birthday.  Today I mailed Hannah and Isaac (twins) birthday cards for their 20th birthday on Sunday.  Now that's hard to believe!  Where does the time go?  I'm so proud of all of them.  Daniel will be 21 in April.  It's also a very melancholy time for me.  They are adults.  The older 3 will vote in their first presidential election.  I wish they had better choices.  (Sorry, I shouldn't make a political statement but...)  I had to stop and take a deep breath.  And TR Baker has a birthday Thursday...he'll be 34...and he's the baby???

Well, the contractor sent me my final bill so I guess that means he's done with his part.  I'm not sure what to think of this.  Having never worked with a contractor before I admit I was so excited to watch the work get done.  Now that it's done, I'm afraid my expectations might have been too great.  I'll have to think about this before I mail that check.  HC Baker, where are you?????

I've started clearing the front porch.  Unfortunately, it ended up being the dumping place for the leftover boxes and bins that have not found a home yet.  TR Baker has organized the garage and we have 1 car parking there!!!  Hooray!  I did find 2 Belle of Louisville framed photos that HC Baker took many years ago and hung them in our den.  Also uncrated my stained glass window HC Baker gave me quite a few Christmases ago and TR Baker nailed it to a window in the dining room.  It looks fabulous!  Who knows what else I'll find out there?

OK, I have spent the last two weeks thinking, praying, and researching websites to decide if I want to start a new business.  A thought came to me several months ago and I forced it out of my head.  It keeps coming back.  So I decided I'd at least "run some numbers".  And I'm still running those numbers.  I'll tell you more as the decision making process moves forward.  This is something I'll not start until late 2013 or early 2014.  Quite honestly, after working outside the home for 40 years I'm bored.  I love being retired so I have no interest in working for someone else and that leaves working for me!  Another decision to make!  I hate making decisions.  Never did until HC Baker died.  The only decisions I made were what shoes to buy and where to eat lunch!  HC Baker, where are you?????

TR Baker and I plan to drive to Louisville on Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather.  I have several appointments so will be there for a couple of weeks.  TR will fly back after one week and hold down the fort!  I'm looking forward to seeing Louisville daughter/Libby and her 4, both of my sisters, and many friends.  Sister Linda still has a few problems with her back since her bout with cancer and has been trying to paint her bedroom.  I told her to stay off the ladder and I would help her when I got there.  (What was I thinking???)  Just kidding - glad to help her.

I do have the TV on in the other room and can hear U of L beating UConn and that's a good thing!  Go Cards!  Survived the Super Bowl as all of you did.  It's over and that's about all I can say.  Just glad I didn't have to clean all that confetti off the field!

My life as I know it now is made up of lots of little moments.  Can you tell?  I love thinking about all of you.  Madeline is about to leave for Iceland...for pleasure!!!!!  Randy is moving from Lexington, KY, to Florida.  Many of you are struggling in school and college - not necessarily with grades but just life as it happens every day.  Some of you will welcome new little babies and special "chosen" big girls!  Some will celebrate with weddings.  Some are ill and still fighting the good fight successfully.  It's the little moments that make life so grand!  Blessings to you all!