In the overall scheme of things...

How many times do we allow ourselves to get upset and frustrated over things that can be resolved?

Because it is so cold up here and with a foot and a half of snow on the ground, I do not make it to the post office every day.  I finally went Monday and brought home what looked like an exciting assortment of Christmas cards plus a few other pieces of mail.  Once home, I sorted it all and opened the cards first.  Love Christmas cards.  They're another way to keep in touch with those you love.  I always touch the signature believing I am touching that friend's hand.  Then I go through the other mail. I saw a piece from Lincoln Financial Group and opened it.  I have TWO life insurance policies with them and figured it was a notice to tell me my premiums were going up again.  (I have this set up as a monthly automatic withdrawal from my checking account.)  This, of course, is insurance crap and HC Baker always took care of this.  In a nutshell, here's what the letter said.

First of all, the salutation read "Dear Policyholder".  (I've been paying you money for years and you can't even use my name?)  The letter told me they had not received payments for this particular policy since January 26, 2012.  That's almost TWO years ago!  I should tell you now that I don't balance my checkbook each month.  I go on-line every 3 or 4 days to check my balance, scroll through to see what's been paid, see what's yet to be paid and make sure there's enough money to cover it all.  I see Lincoln Financial every month so I don't give it another thought.  Well...remember when I told you in the last paragraph I have TWO life policies with them.  It seems only one was "drafting" from my account.  The letter went on to tell me during this nearly TWO year "lapse", the policy has been in force with no break in coverage (I wonder what the story would have been had I died during this time!!!)  Continuing with the letter...They want me to send "back" payment by January 2, 2014, or the policy will lapse for non-payment of premiums.  If I have any questions, I'm to call the person who sent me the letter at the number which is listed below.

OK - I NEED OXYGEN NOW!!!!!!!!!!  I'm not even close to being any kind of genius, but do you mean to tell me a company as large as this one is just now, after TWO years, discovering I have not paid a premium?  Who are these people?  I check the envelop and the letterhead to make sure it's not from some prince in Africa and then dial the number.

I'll give you the abbreviated version of this because you won't believe most of it anyway.  The following is all true I swear!

Letter sender call - She's not "in" today but if I need immediate assistance call back and ask for could not understand the name and press could not understand the extension number.

Called back and listened to press one for this and press two for that and I pressed 3 for idiots!

Connected to Sharon - explained my situation and she connected (wanted to get rid of me fast!!!) me to Robert.  Get ready because here's where the fun begins.  Robert sounded 12 but assured me he could help.  Robert also called me Jo Ann.  DEEP BREATHS!!!!  He could not help me and I asked to speak with his supervisor.  Robert told me his supervisor was not in.  I asked for his supervisor's supervisor.  He's not in either.  I asked if they had their office Christmas party over the weekend and everyone had stayed home to get sober.  Robert told me there was no reason for me to be rude.  DEEPER BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked Robert who the president of the company was and he told me Dennis Glass was the President, but he wouldn't be interested in talking to me.  DEEPEST BREATHS HERE!!!!  I asked for Mr. Glass's number.  Robert didn't know it.  As I'm talking to Robert, I "google" Dennis Glass and discover his office is in Radnor, PA, his address and phone number.  I give the phone number to Robert and hang up.

I call back using the corporate number to reach the main "switchboard" (if that word is even used anymore) and a lovely woman answers.  I quickly explain my situation and frustration with all those who words have proceeded this call and ask to speak to the highest ranking person at this address.  She told me that would be Mr. Perez who is the Director of this office that houses over 3000 employees.  I asked her if she would connect me to him and she said "certainly"!  (Good Girl!)  Lo and behold, Mr. John Perez answered his own phone.  I was shocked and told him so!  I also told him I could tell we were on speaker phone and if he had any others in his office, he might want to turn that off.  I began my re-cap of conversations.  He was incredibly polite, listened without interruption, and apologized for all of the unacceptable responses I had so far received.  I gave him names and key words like policyholder and being called Jo Ann and everybody off today and un-understandable messages and the list goes on.  He promised me he would get back to me within 24 hours and gave me his direct phone number.  So ends Monday!

Tuesday, 2:35pm!  I answer my phone and meet April.  She says she wants to help me.  So as not to waste her time or mine, I ask her if she has talked to Mr. Perez and she says YES.  Ok, let the conversation begin.  I repeat Monday's conversations and ask her if she is amazed by all this and she replies YES.  I also told her my insurance husband is dead and I am continuing to learn how to do all this stuff, and I tell her I do not do a very good job with my checkbook.  She tells me she is so glad I called because she has been made aware they have a few training issues.  She apologizes repeatedly and assures me she will personally deal with all of this.  She also tells me the company will make whatever arrangements are necessary for me to make the "lapsed" payments.  She's actually listening and understanding my issues.  We really had a lovely conversation and actually laughed together a few times.

I don't know if y'all do the same thing but whenever I have this kind of experience, I have to tell someone about it just to say it again.  Stupid I know but necessary.  So my next call is to a very dear friend, and I ask him to just listen to my story.  I tell him not to offer any help or explanations, just listen to me.  I repeat all of this and then get all "weepy" and tell him I have to end this conversation and I hang up.   What's wrong with me???????  So I spend the next two hours attending my very own "pitty" party by myself (of course) and then fix myself a bowl of grits!  Later, my dear friend is brave enough to call me back.  

So this morning I call the money man and tell him to unload something so I can write a check to this company.  I won't be buyin' that airplane I wanted!  (That was a joke!)  And now I've written it all down for you to read.  I won't blame you or think less of you if you don't read it.  It's a pretty long story and all about me...again!  I will believe that you love me so in the overall scheme of things what else matters?  I have wonderful FRIENDS!

P.S.  I now cannot afford stamps for my Christmas cards so here's your greeting.

I LOVE YOU ALL!  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2014!  XXOO                     
 

Sunday's prayer...

Dear Lord, this morning I'm struggling with the focus of my thoughts.

As I look out my window, I see plenty of snow on the ground and more blowing through the frigid air.  Thank you Lord for the seasons.  You blessed me with eyes to see and witness Your wonders.  I am also blessed with a warm home (though some would disagree!).  Thank You for the many kindnesses You have sent my way!  

Only ten days until we will celebrate your birth.  I am blessed with the knowledge of Your amazing gift to me.  There is no way I can ever repay this except to always work hard and do Your will.  Let others see You in me.  That thought alone brings an overwhelming desire to go outside and run up and down the street (cautiously) shouting Your name.  Thank You for Your patience with me!

This will be the fourth Christmas celebration without HC Baker.  I must admit from time to time I still pause and question why.  That's when my heart jumps and forces me to remember Your will, not mine.   I am blessed as I totally and completely understand and accept this, but my heart still has an empty corner (better than a gaping hole).  Thank You for Your steadfastness!

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend yesterday with Gracie.  Those times are irreplaceable...priceless as the commercial says.  How true.  We shopped until we dropped.  I am so blessed by my family.  Not one of them ever questioned the life-changing decisions I have made since my "widowhood", and they have supported me in every way.  Being with one or some or all of them will always make me smile and know the strength and power of love.  Thank You for my earthly interpretation of Your love!

On many days, I'm not sure I would have survived if not for my "heavy lifter" - TR Baker.  Through all that happened in 2010, both of us survived and pretty much in tact!  My survival is due in a huge part to  TR Baker.  He made my loneliness not so lonely.  I have been blessed by him.  He listens without making judgments, he has a keen insight into other people and situations and he's been my "heavy lifter" and yard man and snow shoveler and furniture mover (he hates to hear me say I want to re-arrange!) and pizza maker and...!  Thank You for knowing best!  

Daily I am blessed in untold ways by my friends, old and new and re-newed!  When I see Frank in FL is improving daily, I know Your hands are on his shoulders.  When I know EE is home safely and in the loving arms of his family, I know Your hands are on his shoulders.  When I talk with B & R J and they are laughing, I know Your hands are on their shoulders.  When all my friends are smiling, I  know You are with them in their lives and keeping them in Your arms.  Thank You for guiding our paths!

In sixteen days it will be 2014.  I laugh when I remember reading the novel 1984.  I thought that was a million years away.  And remember how all us earthly idiots thought the year 2000 would "cause" everything "computerized" to crash and burn.  Well, we've made it to 2014.  I wonder what it will bring!  I'm happy feeling absolutely no regrets about the decisions I've made in the past three and a half years.  I am amazed at all I've learned and been able to achieve.  And my journey is not over yet.  I've made a few decisions about 2014 and am looking forward to seeing how You will guide me.  Thank You for walking with me.

And in closing, please Lord, be with all of our soldiers and their families this Christmas season and every day where ever they are.  Protect them.  Bring them home as quickly as possible.  Thank You for guiding them!

To all who read this MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Be thankful for every breath you take!  Enjoy your life, whatever it holds.  Make the decision every day to be the best person you can be in every situation you encounter.  I love this thought...there is always someone who will trade places with you.

Happy Sunday!  xxoo    

              



 

Here's what's happenin' plus some of my other interesting observations...

I'm not much for TV and when you watch TV with TR Baker, it's always an adventure.  As we watch something, he is scrolling through to see what else is on.  And then we check to see if it's available in HD, and if so, we switch to that.  Then, when commercials come on, we fast forward through them.  And sometimes, I think more often than not, we must record a program for later viewing.  So this evening I sat down to watch the national news alone.  I like Scott Pelly, don't know what station that is, but on my TV it's 10.  If any of you don't like him for whatever reason, keep it to yourself.  I like his looks, his delivery, and the sound of his voice.  He is able to show just the right amount of caution and/or concern.  And a plus to watching him is a rerun of the Big Bang Theory immediately follows his newscast.  I love the Big Bang Theory.  I love all the actors and the roles they play.  I believe the writers to be some of the best in the business.  The show always makes me laugh.  (I might add it's followed by Two and a Half Men and I always turn the TV off just as it begins.  I hate that show and don't get me started on why!)  Anyway...during Big Bang Theory I saw a commercial and had to laugh.  I recognized Adam Levine who I understand, a few weeks ago People Magazine selected as the "Sexiest Man Alive"!  (People Magazine must be loosing it!)  So here's Adam Levine waking up in a bed next to a woman.  IS HE MARRIED?  THIS IS PRIME TIME FOLKS!  He jumps out of bed and begins searching for clothes.  He finds pants, a shirt, a jacket and heads out the door.  As he begins to run down the stairs he realizes he has forgotten his car keys and turns back.  As he approaches the door, it opens and the woman who was in bed with him hands him the keys.  And then it happens...the voice-over tells me to shop the Adam Levine Collection exclusively at KMart!  So this is what it's come to!  The sexiest man alive has a clothing collection and it's sold exclusively at KMart.  There are just no words I can put together to explain what I think of this.  'Nuff said!

In another commercial I did discover some good news.  If I ever have a legal problem that seems too big to handle, all I have to do is dial 1-800-Call-Sam.  Sam's gonna' fix my problem.  Good to know!  And now you know it too!  We're all lucky!  End of my TV watching for tonight.

I've got plenty to do.  This Sunday is the Topinabee Holiday Home Tour and my home is one of the homes that will be visited by anyone who buys a ticket.  (They're $15 in case you want to join the tour! If you should actually come for a visit, I'll buy your ticket!)  I've been decorating for two weeks now and have everything in place.  I've put up three Christmas trees, put tiny white lights on two grapefruit trees (HC Baker grew them from a seed 35 years ago and since his death, I have been able to keep them alive - that's amazing!), 5 wreaths, 4 Nativities, various stand alone decorations including 2 light-up cardinals in honor of U of L, and today picked up my 4 huge live poinsettias for use around the house.  The only thing I haven't done is cut a bunch of evergreens to put in the (non-working) fireplace and outside in a copper tub.  I have until Saturday afternoon to do that and hopefully sometime between now and then, it will not be snowing and I can get out into the front yard to the trees I need.  I'm now working on cleaning!  I hate cleaning "around" the Christmas decorations.  The first guests should arrive around 1pm Sunday afternoon and surely by then I can make the dust disappear!  Keep your fingers crossed.

I still would like to ask all of you to continue praying for several friends.  Frank in Florida spent Thanksgiving in the ICU after having his 3rd heart attack.  CH is still in the middle of a mess, EE is almost home, and R had surgery and needs a quick recovery.  There are so many others in need of our prayers - our soldiers and their families wherever they are, those who are fighting health and personal battles, the children of the world, families displaced by poverty or disasters, and I must add our politicians who need brains and to realize they are serving us...YOU and ME.

Best wishes of the season to each of you.  Merry Christmas!  xxoo      



  

The Sounds of Winter

I has snowed continuously all day.  Don't know what the total for the weekend is, but we have several inches on the ground.  It's also freezing cold!  This is the time of year when the dogs get confused trying to find a place to use the bathroom.  All of their fall "markings" have been concealed by the snow, and they sniff all over looking for a familiar place.  That dog's life ain't so easy in the winter!

I was thinking today about the sounds of the seasons.  It's easy to recognize spring because you wake up in the morning to the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers getting the yards uncovered from the winter.  Summer sounds are all about boats and jet skis on the water.  Fall doesn't have a sound so much as it has a smell...leaves burning.  And now it's winter.  When you wake up in the morning, you can hear the highway department trucks plowing and salting or sanding the roads.  The other distinctive sound comes from the snowmobiles on the trail.  It must be easier and faster to get a snowmobile ready than it is to get a boat ready.  Everyone seems to be out today enjoying the snow.

It's Thanksgiving week and once the turkey and all the trimmings have been digested (hopefully) on Thursday, Friday is the day for the "lighting" of Indian River.  There's a huge craft show at the high school, all kinds of sporting events, and in the evening, the Christmas parade ending with the arrival of Santa.  If the weather permits, he will arrive on a dog sled.  It's all very festive.  Wish all of you could be here.  I do have plenty of room and looking at my calendar, do no have any guests scheduled.  The vacancy sign says YES!

Last night Gracie and I went to the Cheboygan Opera House for the Northland Players performance of "White Christmas".  My wonderful neighbor was one of the stars - actually she was THE star!  During the final singing of the title song, the audience was invited to join in the singing.  What fun we had!

So the season has begun!  I wish each of you a Thanksgiving to remember.  As one of the songs in "White Christmas" reminds us, count your blessings.  We all have so much to be thankful for and yet there are others who are struggling at this time of the year.  Their hearts may be heavy, their finances depleted, their homes cold or maybe destroyed during last week's tornado, or maybe they have health issues.  Several weeks ago one of my oldest, dearest friends told me her husband had been diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma.  We both cried and prayed his treatment would be successful.  I spoke with her last Thursday to check on her and her husband and as soon as she answered the phone, she began to cry.  Once she recovered she told me she had been to the doctor for help with fatigue, thinking it was due to taking care of her husband.  After lots of blood work and tests, she has been diagnosed with another form of cancer.  So on Tuesday's and Wednesday's, she drives her husband to chemo treatments and on Friday, he drives her to her treatments.  I ask your prayers for both of them and for all those suffering whatever pain is in their hearts.

Love to all of you and remember to count your blessings.  xxoo                

Mad as a wet hen!

Not sure how mad a wet hen is, but I am sure I can top it!  OK, I admit I am 66 years old and probably not as tech savvy as I should be, but gimme a break!  My story begins 5 months ago.

HISTORY -
I saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a writer.  The company "looking" was the local newspaper, The Cheboygan Tribune.  Having been thinking about finding something to do, I thought this could be a great opportunity.  The ad requested a resume and samples of my writing.  Not a problem.  However, I did not have a current resume and was pretty sure my old resume did not present an updated approach.  I went on-line to find a "FREE" service to help me.  I found Live Career - Home of America's #1 Resume Builder.  I read through the website and saw "FREE" everywhere.  The website also promised to promote my resume to thousands of employers around the world.  I worked on my resume and put together one that had all the 2013 appropriate buzzwords and phrases used in today's workplace.  When I completed it, I tried to post it to my own computer so I could forward it to the newspaper along with my writing samples.  It wouldn't post.  So, I saw the link for a live chat, and believing my tech skills sufficient, I clicked it.  Someone immediately answered my "call".  I explained I didn't want my resume posted for 1000's to see, I only wanted to post it to my own personal computer.  Well, it turns out I am apparently selfish with my resume and consequently that would cost me $2.95.  I asked about the "free" part and it's only "free" if you allow Live Career to do what they want with it.  I decided I would exclude Live Career from my job hunting experience and spend the $2.95.  GET READY - HERE COMES THE REALLY BIG MISTAKE I MADE!  I put the $2.95 on my credit card.  It's a major credit card and linked to my personal checking account.  Believing all was right with the world, I clicked the "fine print" request (without reading it) agreeing to the terms of the website and went on with my life.  By the way...I sent the resume and writing samples to the newspaper and NEVER heard a word from them.  I even e-mailed the contact information listed in the ad and still didn't get a response.  I cancelled my subscription to the paper!  What's wrong with these people?  Idiots, that's what's wrong with them!

UPDATE -
I do all my banking on-line (wondering about that now) and as I was reviewing charges, I saw a $34.95 charge from Live Career.  WHAT?????  As I continued to look, I saw they had been charging me $34.95 for months!  What for and how did they gain access to my checking account?  I called them immediately.  "Gabe" answered my call.  I don't know if Gabe was a man or a woman but I do know English was not his/her first language.  Needless to say that added more fuel to my fire!  After calmly (I promise) explaining the situation to Gabe, he/she checked my account (ACCOUNT??????) and told me after I completed my resume writing, I had 14 days to cancel my subscription!!!!  "Subscription to what" I asked.  The "service" he/she responded!  You need to know I'm still not screaming into the telephone, but the top of my head is about to blow off!  "What service?  I payed $2.95 to not use your service"!  Gabe said "I checked the box agreeing to their terms"!  Dammit to hell!!!!!!!!  I took a couple of deep breaths and then asked how they were able to access my checking account.  Gabe said my credit card was linked to it and that was something else I had agreed to.  Oh my!  So I asked how I could cancel this right now.  He/she said he/she could do that for me while I was on the telephone with him/her.  I then asked what the possibilities were for me to receive a credit for the previous months charges.  He/she said he/she would speak with their supervisor and find out.  Surprise - I'm put on hold.  A few minutes later Gabe came back on the line and said "Good News" (I swear!).  He/she would be able to credit my checking account with $25.80!  I said thank you and hung up.

FINDINGS -
I am clearly not as smart as I believe I am.
I will NEVER again not read the fine print.
I will stop using my checking account linked credit card on-line.
I will continue to use my HUGE influence to let the world know how awful I think Live Career is.  I
    did the same thing to Home Depot and everyone knows how effective that was!
I will continue to use all of you as my sounding board for my life as a poor retired widow woman on a
     fixed income.

I love all of you and thanks for listening.  The wet hen has dried off a bit!

xxoo                  

First Dates!

Well, I have begun dating for the third time, and it's not like riding a bike!

EARLY 1960'S:
I remember when I was a teenager and had my first date.  I was so curious about the wonder of it all.  (I should add young and thin and unwrinkled too!)  It was fun and exciting.  I spent days wondering what to wear.  The "date" day arrived and butterflies filled my stomach.  Waiting for the doorbell to ring, I wondered how my mother and father would act.  Were they going to embarrass me?  Yes, I survived all that and much more.  WOW, the lessons I learned.  My father had always told me to call if I ever felt I was in a bad situation.  He said he would come and get me where ever I was.  I did that one time.  At a party, it appeared I was the only one not drinking beer.  I found the phone in the home (pre-cell phone) and called Dad.  He came right away, and I never had a date with that young man again.  Dad thanked me for calling him.  I'll never forget that.  

MID 1970'S:
After a failed marriage (not sure exactly what failed but it's safe to say "it" did), I was the mother of two precious little girls.  I was working several part-time jobs and loved them all.  I began to receive invitations from MEN to go out to dinner or a movie or dancing.  I found it interesting that some men seemed to think a divorced woman's morals might have been left behind with the marriage contract.  Oh how I loved to disappoint them.  There were a few wonderful gentlemen who's company I certainly enjoyed.  HC Baker was one of them, and we all know how that ended!

LATE 2013:
I am blessed with wonderful friends both female and male.  And I enjoy being with all of them in casual and elegant situations.  But there's something about being asked to dinner by one man knowing it will be just the two of you that made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up!!!!!  OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!  And those feelings are compounded 1000 times when this is a man (one of those wonderful gentlemen from years ago) you haven't seen in over 35 years!  I did spend the "morning of" searching the web for a diet guaranteed to relieve me of 50 pounds in one day!  You'd think with all the diets out there, one could have filled my request!  To no avail!  So off I went.  I told the gentleman I would meet him as opposed to him picking me up.  I wanted to have some kind of control since everything else about me was so out of control!  He hadn't changed one bit (dammit!) and I knew him immediately.  There was an embrace and a kiss on my cheek!  I had forgotten what it felt like to have a man's arms around me.  The dinner was delicious, the conversation entertaining, and the evening was delightful.  I survived and now my next date will not be a "first date"!  Be still my heart!

Put your arms around someone you love right now.  xxoo                  


            

The "Firsts" and the "Lasts"

Dear, dear friends just left and as usual I'm sad.  Christy and Kristi arrived Monday and for the next two and a half days we laughed and cried and talked and had a beverage or two!  Christy and Kristi have been coming to visit me ever since HC Baker died.  So we celebrated the fourth annual visit!  Their first visit was at the blue cottage and then the next year they saw the house before it was my home, then last year they saw my home, and this year Kristi got to sleep in "her" bedroom, the last room I finished.  And she loved it as was evidenced by the fact that Tuesday morning she didn't get up until 11AM!!!!!!  Christy and I went to check on her to make sure she hadn't "slept her life away" (did your mother ever say that to you?).  So these two very special people are my last visitors of the year.

But let me tell you about the "firsts"!

1.  Christy started a fire in the fire pit (her first ever and who knew she could remember Girl Scout procedures?)!  It only required a bunch of sticks, a few logs, a cardboard box, and a full roll of paper towels.  The girl got it goin'!  And so began our talks.  Isn't that the best thing about friends?  No matter how many or how few times you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off.  And every year there's always new "stuff" to contemplate.  This year we had several new subjects to review!

2.  We ran out of wood to burn around 7pm Monday night.  We even burned the best fire poking stick you'd ever want.  (TR Baker had been keeping it for over a year because he builds and starts a lot of fires!)  Anyway...what to do?  Just prior to jumping in the car to begin our search, Kristi noticed logs from a tree that was cut down right across my street.  This property belongs to my neighbors (have no idea who they are) but they are summer visitors only so, it was nearly dark and we ran across the street and became log poachers!!!  Those logs burned for a while and guess what?  We're out of wood again.  So we made a quick trip to the Topinabee Market and bought a 5-piece bundle.  We kept that fire going until we went to bed.  I was afraid it would burn the house down during the night so I took two large pitchers of water out to the fire and poured them on top.  Lots of sizzle and white smoke later, the fire was out.  Guess what?  When I got up the next morning and took the dogs out, that fire was still goin'!!!!  I immediately put another log on and we had that fire all day long!!!  (Of course, there were several more trips to the market for more wood!)  Does that girl Christy make a good fire or what????

3.  Except to poach a few logs and drive to the market, we never left the yard!  No shopping or sightseeing at all!

Love my family and friends...especially when I can reach out and touch them.

Tonight is Garrett's last home football game.  (I thought last week was!)  Next year when he takes the field he will be a junior in high school on the varsity team!  Holy Cow!  Really - where does the time go?  Does anyone have an answer to that question?

The weather forecast says Saturday night could be our first snowfall of the season!  (What season is that?  I thought it was autumn but apparently it's nearly winter!)  Oh my - not ready for this!

As I write, I'm seeing two tomatoes I have sitting on the windowsill.  Isn't that where everyone keeps them?  I bought them at the Farmer's Market.  Farmer Brown (his real name) told me they are probably his last of the year.    

So there's my "firsts" and "lasts" of this week!  Hope your week has provided some special moments for you too!  xxoo

Great quote this morning from sweet friend Leesa, the Derby City Diva!
          Someone else is happy with less than what you have.
          Thank you Leesa!

Grateful all my traveling family and friends have returned home safely.
Prayers still requested for EE, CH, Trish, and add LT.  Please and thank you!
         

Medi(no)care!!!!

Well, I've been been trying to avoid my soapbox for a while, but I couldn't let this one go by without comment!  It's tough to write because you know HC Baker was the insurance man and he was as honest as the day is long.  But I have to keep in mind he was the insurance MAN, not the insurance COMPANY!  Yes, this is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God!

I've talked before about my up north doctor.  He's wonderful and I love him!  Remember, his grandparents were from eastern Kentucky and he would spend his summers not far from Lynch running all over their farm.  This is NOT about him.

Today - October 10, 2013 - I received a bill in the mail for $25 from the McLaren Medical Group, the company that owns the 2 closest hospitals and my doctor's office.  I thought to myself...I haven't been to the doctor in months.  I looked the bill over very carefully and see this is a bill for a visit on - June 25, 2012 - 15 months ago.  Here it goes...I dialed the number!

The phone rings and I am told the caller volume is exceptionally high today so please leave a message and they will call me right back or if I choose to hold, the wait could be longer than expected.  Two questions - How can they call me right back when they're so busy and how long is longer than expected?  I "hold" and put the timer on!  The phone music is so loud I'm tempted to put the phone in the other room!  (It's apparent they never call themselves or they would turn that music down!)  Not a long wait 'cause in a minute and 22 seconds Marian (not her real name) asks how she can help me!  I'm very pleasant (really, I promise) and tell her about the bill.  I also questioned her as to why an office visit made over 15 months ago was just now coming to my bank account's attention.  She says many times it might take MEDICARE that long to make the payment.  (Next time I owe money on my income taxes, I'm going to take 15 months to pay it!  Think that'll work?)  Anyway, back to my $25 debt.  I told her it sounds like a co-payment wasn't recorded because $25 is my co-payment and how many times do you get to see the doctor before you give them your money?  I look at the bill and give her what is called the "Plus Acct #", and she asks for my address and birthdate.  She says let me look at this.  She says she thinks I'm right.  She said it looks like they charged me a co-payment twice.  She says she will send this down to the coding office and they will review it and call me with any questions.  I asked her if she had my phone number and she said yes.  (Knew I should have left that blank!)  Anyway, she said don't pay the bill.  I'm very happy.  I am right and I am $25 richer!!!

Get ready...the other shoe is about to drop!

About 20 minutes later my phone rings.  I almost don't answer it because it says "No caller ID", a label I'm always wary of, but what the hey?????  My day is going great, the sun is shining, and I have $25 in my pocket!  After I say "Hello, this is Jo Ann Baker" the voice on the other end asked "is this Jo Ann Baker?"  Seriously?????  This "voice" needs to work on her listening skills!  She is Susan (not her real name), and she says she is calling to explain the bill in question.  I'm not liking the sound of her voice.  She proceeds to explain to me that yes, she sees I made the $25 co-pay but I had a procedure done and the insurance company determined that required another co-pay.  (The procedure involved Dr. Everett spraying that cold burning stuff in the stainless steel canister on a mole on my forearm.  It happened while I was there for an office visit for something else and the procedure took all of 5 seconds.  Dr. Everett turned his upper body toward the counter, lifted the canister, pointed it toward my arm and sprayed.  5 seconds at most!)  Now keep in mind, I drove to the doctor's office, went in, signed the sheet, gave them $25, and sat down to wait.  The wait is never long there.  Once I am called back to see the doctor (for what I don't even remember - probably a refill on my allergy meds) and we talk and I ask him if he can get rid of a mole, he looks at it, made the upper body turn, lifted the canister, etc, etc, etc!

Somebody H E L P!!!!!!!!!!!  And in this government shut down, please include the medicare workers because all they do is sit in their offices and think up crap to "piss-off" (sorry!) those of us who have reached the "golden years"!  I said it once and I'll say it again...getting older ain't for sissies!!

By the way, I told Susan (not her real name) to make a note in my file.  I'M NOT PAYING THAT $25!  I told her to have the head of Medicare to call me.   Who is that anyway?????  I am now on a personal mission to find out and give them a call!

Happy Trials to YOU!   (Miss Terri - I meant to use that word!)

Love to everyone!!!!  xxoo

Prayers needed for...
EE and CH
Friend Trish
Safe travels for...
C and G returning from Rome
T returning from London
J traveling to Dublin
C and K traveling to Topinabee to see ME!!!!!!!

Just so you know I am now officially off my soap box but also just so you know...my insides are still on a roller coaster!  DANG!        

 

October - Already?

How can it be October already?  Wasn't is just Easter and summer vacation?  I'm really not ready for what's coming next.  I've heard that the number of acorns falling to the ground is an accurate indication of how hard the winter will be.  Well, let me tell you that my yard is covered in acorns...tons more than last fall.  Oh no!  And last winter went on F O R E V E R!  Will this one be worse?  And why am I worrying about this?  There's not a thing I can do...except worry!

I've been "footballing" every chance I can.  This Thursday, Garrett and the JV team will play Alpena at Alpena.  Last week Cheboygan JV lost to Petoskey.  It was a rough game.  One Cheboygan player received a broken arm and another a concussion.  This football stuff ain't for sissies!  Friday night is Homecoming at Cheboygan High School.  There'll be a parade before the game (taking on Alpena) and then the half time crowning of the Homecoming Queen!  Remember those days?  The weather forecast says rain but remember, I'm in my press box!  Go Chiefs!!!!!

New dog Maggie is doing very well.  She and Nutty are getting along great and I'm beginning to see less of Maggie's bones!  Her arthritis seems to be a bit better.  I guess those joint pills are helping.  I do have my favorite store, Lowe's, coming in the next few weeks (before the ground freezes!!!) to install a fence.  Maggie's "pointer" instincts are either gonna' pull my shoulder out of socket or give her whiplash, so I decided a fence was in order!

The fall colors are beautiful up here, and we have had wonderful sunshine the past few days.  Hope it lasts a while longer.

OK...I'm stalling for time because I've got a mess on my hands of my own creation.  Let's just say my brain is working overtime on a few decisions.  Just when I think I've got it resolved, something happens and I need to begin again.  And the more I worry about it, the more upset/concerned/frustrated/over-wrought I become!  I was reading a book this week and loved a particular paragraph that kind of describes what I'd like.  I'll paraphrase..The paragraph talks about how in a movie, when it's time for bad things to happen, the music changes.  I've always thought it would be really neat if real life came with a sound track.  It probably wouldn't change anything, but it would be nice.  Your thoughts?

TR Baker suffered a work-related injury on Monday night.  His finger was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the end of his left hand middle finger was ripped away.  He was taken to the ER where they said it was not good!  Yesterday he went to the doctor who said it was a worst case scenario and Friday he will see an orthopedic hand guy.  Oh my!

The good news is my friend Ray had a second procedure for a kidney stone and is doing well.  My friend Hub had a heart procedure and is now home concentrating on getting better.  I saw a picture of sweet Miss Roberta at church and she looked wonderful.  My sister Linda fell while on vacation in Telluride and now has a staple in the back of her head but home safe and (sort of) sound!

Hope you're enjoying the beautiful colors of fall!

Continued prayers for EE and CH, my friend Trish, and TR Baker's finger!  Please and thank you!

xxoo            

The downside of F O O T B A L L and other stuff!

Yesterday presented all the perfect parts of a great high school football day!  It was Friday, the sun was shining, the temperature hovered around 55, and with my Cheboygan High School Athletic Fund donation comes my own reserved parking place and my personal section of the press box!  Perfect!  That is until the Escanaba Eskimos ran onto the field!  First of all who would name a team the Eskimos????  Nothing personal toward any authentic Eskimos but really?????  And I know it gets cold with lots of snow but really?????  (After watching them play for a bit, Emily decided they were a "prison" team!  And I agree!)  Then to make matters worse...I think the referees came from Escanaba too!  They were ALL blind to the rules like roughing the kicker, personal fouls, illegal motion, false starts, and trust me, I could go on!  But the big one that got my attention and my concern and my over the top anger was a face mask penalty by #62, UNCALLED, that pulled the helmet off of Garrett Lindgren!  That's enough!  Emily gets very upset when I scream and "hollar" because she's a teacher and has an image to project, but yesterday I told her I was a grandmother and of an age when I didn't care what anyone thought of my image (like I ever did)!  So the shouting began!  And keep in mind I'm up in the press box with the window open, right next to the announcers.  Do you think I could be heard?  My favorite two word "shout-out" was "KILL 'EM"!  Well, enough said.  You get the picture.  Garrett has a concussion and will be on the sidelines until the doctor releases him.  He's not happy at all because that boy just really loves to play football!  And I came home and created a #62 "voodoo" doll out of aluminum foil, and I called the penalties!  Years ago when the children were young I adopted the ever popular mindset that when you hurt my children, you hurt me and you have stepped over the line!  That feeling pales in comparison when you hurt my grandchildren.  With my grandchildren, there is no line!  Back off and leave 'em alone!  Cheboygan JV football lost to the Eskimos 21 - 0.
OK, it's Saturday morning now, and Garrett feels fine but is still upset about the "sidelining"!  Thank you Lord for watching out for him!

I do want to tell you about two good things that happened last week.
The first one is I hired a company to come and wash all my windows inside and out, and they came Wednesday!  Oh my gosh!  I am so happy!  I love clean windows I didn't have to clean!  I have 53 windows in my home!  A team of six arrived at 8am and were gone by 10am!  I would have still been cleaning windows (if I had started)!  Thank you Lord for people who know what they're doing!
Secondly, ever since I moved to Topinabee (and several years before I got here), there has been a little victorian cottage for sale right in the middle of beautiful downtown Topinabee.  I finally asked my son-in-law Brett (the candy man but also a real estate agent) to show it to me.  He kind of ignored me so after summer was over I asked him if he thought ignoring my request would make me forget it.  He smiled.  I promised him if he showed it to me and it was horrible, I would remove it from my mind and never say another word about it.  Well, he showed it to me.  It was worse than horrible!  Black mold on the walls, the hardwood floors were so warped, doors would not open inside the house, the smell was overwhelming, and Brett and I both thought we would be sick if we didn't leave immediately.  We saw what we could and trust me when I say...I'll never say another word about it.  It does hurt my heart though that people would let a beautiful home become so neglected.  It was very nearly falling in on itself.  Thank you Brett and thank you Lord!

Well, as I have been writing this, I have been baking a pineapple upside-down cake.  It's done and looks beautiful.  Taking it to dinner with friends this evening.  And now I must close as it's 11:44am.

GO CARDS!!!

               

F O O T B A L L!!!!!!

As many of you know, I L O V E football!  Michigan grandson Garrett has already begun playing JV football for his high school, and I have already made my annual donation to the Cheboygan High School Athletic Fund so I can sit in my warm and dry press box for each game.  Yea Me!!!!  At the beginning of each game, they play our National Anthem.  Tears always come to my eyes.  Is it because I'm old and my emotional nerves are closer to the top of my skin or is it that as well as being older, I am much better informed about life and the situations our country finds itself in?  (I'm sure that's a run-on, complex, or just plain poor sentence, but you get my drift!)  Anyway, I do love to hear the band play it and the crowd give its' best effort to sing it!

Since I live in northern Michigan, it's not often I can watch U of L play football on our local TV stations.  The first game of the season was broadcast on ESPN so we did see that one, but last week's game was on ESPN3 so we were gathered around the laptop for the "streaming" thing!  It was a small screen but great playing.  One thing I miss about watching the games on TV is you miss the pre-game and half-time shows.  Well, MISS THEM NO MORE!!!!!  My amazing friend, Ray Kirkland, is videoing (word ??) the band performances, and you can find them on YouTube!  Go to YouTube, enter Ray Kirkland and search for the game date and watch and listen as Steve Kirkland, the Official Voice of the University of Louisville Cardinal Marching Band hosts these performances.  It's wonderful!  I'm sorry last week's half-time show didn't include EKU's performance so I could have watched for my friend, Kelsay!  That would have been awesome!  But I know his mom and dad were there and enjoyed his performance...not so much the heat!!! I love watching the band perform.  Talented friend Amy is also on the field as she is the marching band director.  Amy, Steve and Kelsay are only 3 of the inspirational young people who are making a huge difference in our world.  I'm sure each of you know many more, so always give them a big "shout out" when thanking God for role models!  And as always, Ray is there to add his expertise to any and all events!

I've spent the last three weeks with guests from Kentucky visiting.  It's been a blast!  Tomorrow Rick and Barbara and Julie and Phillip head south, and I am left wishing their stay had been longer.  In mid-October I'll have my last visitors for the year (unless any of you out there want to head this way).  I love having company and when they leave I anxiously await the next group.

The leaves are beginning to turn here.  I've spotted them in the trees.  The temperatures are definitely cooler and there's that "fall" smell in the air!  What is that smell?  You know, when the gentle breeze or mighty wind passes by your nose and leaves behind that crisp (cool), tangy (apples), smokey (camp fires burning), musty (dried leaves), and burnt sugar (toasted marshmallows) smell!  (It's that memory smell thing again!)  Don't you love it?

Peace be with all of you!  xxoo

Prayers still needed for EE and CH and Trish.  Please and thank you!

OH MY GOSH - I completely forgot to tell you something.  The Preacher called me!!!!!!!!  That's a story for another time!          

Memory Smells

The children up here do not start school until the Tuesday after Labor Day so this is officially the last week of summer for them!  And it's pouring down rain!  It started this morning about 5:30am with a thunder storm that nearly lifted the house off the foundation!  Nutty hates thunder and lightning so guess what time I got up today?  (It was either get up or invite Nutty onto my bed!  I got up!)

It's damp and chilly so I decided to cook a turkey!  It's in the oven right now and already the house smells like Thanksgiving!  Aren't those memory smells wonderful?  It wasn't until after HC Baker died that I ever cooked a turkey.  He was always the turkey cooker.  And he wouldn't be pleased with my method.  Actually when I was remodeling this house, one of my painters told me to use a cooking bag and I did.  It works perfectly.  The good news this morning is I had a turkey in the freezer and a cooking bag!  Life is good!

So as I sit here and write, I'm thinking about all those memory smells that make me smile.  A baking turkey is definitely one of them.  Here's another one - What about that musty smell when you open the Christmas decoration boxes?  For me, that's goes all the way back to my childhood.  I think nowadays, our home storage areas are more "damp free" and we box things in plastic tubs, but I still love that musty smell.  It reminds me of my Dad who was always the person to carry the boxes up from the basement.

I sent a note to Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Cherry the other day who are living in Columbia, South Carolina.  I told them when I was growing up, we always spent some vacation time in Columbia and close-by, Lake Murray.  My sisters and I would play under the pine trees.  I love the smell of those pine trees and the pine needles.  I do have quite a few pine trees up here and occasionally that pine fragrance drifts across my front yard and into my windows.  Love it!  It reminds me of family vacations and my sisters.

Pipe smoke - my Dad
Baby Magic lotion - my children when they were babies
Fried apples and cobblers baking - my grandmother, Mamaw
Wet dog - lots of pets and my Mother hollaring at us to get that dog out of the house!!!!
Burning leaves - I do believe it's against the law in Louisville to burn leaves in the city but boy up here, everyone burns their leaves.  And lots of people (including me) have a fit pit and have a fire every night (not me).  Love the smell of burning leaves - a sure sign of autumn, back to school and football games.

They (not sure who "they" are, but...) say smell is the strongest one of our "senses" and I believe it.  A very strange, startling, "wondering" thing happened the other night.  I was sound asleep and was immediately awakened by the smell of HC Baker.  (For many, many years, he wore the fragrance Brut...he was such a trendsetter!!)  I turned on the light and just knew he would be standing right next to the bed.  I don't remember if I was dreaming or not, but it was so very real to me.  Now that's a memory smell!

What are your favorite memory smells?

Oh, gotta go and check the turkey!  xxoo

Continued prayers requests for EE, CH, and friend BC who is again fighting the cancer battle.  And just want you to know, Lesley's mother is doing so much better!  Thank you!      


      

Guess what arrived today?

SUMMER!!!!!  Finally on August 20!  And it's not because the kiddos started school today.  They do not start until the Tuesday after Labor Day.  I guess the weather was just tired of being cold!  Lots and lots of boats out on the lake today.  I heard the water temperature is 64.  And as strange as that may seem, that's warm!  Maybe if it stays warm for a few more days, the water will warm up even more!

Spent the morning with Gracie at a soccer practice.  Garrett was at football practice.  Fall sports seem to be in full swing.  Gracie's first soccer game is Saturday in Traverse City.  Garrett's first football game is next Wednesday.  He's on the JV team this year and there are only 16 young men on the team.  It's gonna' be a wild season!  I made my annual donation to the Cheboygan High School Athletic Association so I can sit in the press box for every game, JV and varsity.  That's a good thing when it's rainy and cold and snowing!  Can't wait for the kick-off!

I forgot to mention a few things in my last L O N G blog that I think are worthy of comment.
1.  Emily and Brett celebrated 19 years of marriage this summer!
2.  When school starts, Emily will begin her 20th year of teaching middle school math.
3.  Louisville grandson Adam who just graduated high school got a full time job!  He should have been starting college this fall but forgot to mail all his paperwork in time!!!!  Libby was very upset and said - GET A JOB!  And he did.
4.  All of Libby's children are gainfully employed!  She says PRAISE THE LORD!
5.  My sister Linda got another wonderful report at her quarterly doctor's visit.  Her visits have changed to every six months now!  I said PRAISE THE LORD!
6.  My sister Mary made it to Ireland and back without too many dead bodies in her wake.  American Airlines caused her to miss her connecting flight in Chicago and she had to stay in a hotel for the night - big expense!  Then upon arrival she discovered they had lost her luggage!  I said PRAISE THE LORD I wasn't there to witness the carnage!
7.  Some of you might already know my sister Mary got a new dog, Henry.  He is a collie puppy and full of energy.  Next, my sister Linda (after the death of Charlie at 14 years) got a new dog.  They rescued Pearl, a 3-year old beagle/terrier/hound mix.  Linda, Bill and Pearl are very excited to be a family!  So...our 3 new family members are Nutty, Henry and Pearl!  Life is good!

Now I think you are all caught up!

I loved seeing all the photos on FB this morning of all the precious children and young men and young ladies ready for their first day of school!  I hope and pray everyone had a great day.  OH, and by the way, you have to go back tomorrow!!!!

Another thing I've seen a lot of on FB is the Kentucky State Fair food!  The photos are very interesting.  Who thinks up all that stuff?  HC Baker and I did try a deep-fried snickers one time at a county fair.  A snickers bar is my favorite candy bar.  Well, it appeared to be wrapped in a kind of wonton wrapper, looked like it was going to be delicious, and one bite into it, everything inside had melted and then dripped down the front of my blouse!  In the trash it went and to the ladies room I went.  OOPS!!!!!!  I remember that county fair and the bathrooms were my all-time favorite...porta potties!  Didn't work for me and we left in search of a proper restroom!  HC Baker never did understand my "moments"!

Enough for today!  I know you're tired after the first day of school.  I'm praying for all the teachers, administrators, staff and the children.  May God's richest blessings shine on all of you and keep you safe.

Happy Summer!  xxoo

Continued prayers for EE, CH, Lesley's mother, and all the children and teachers.  It's not too late to hug someone TODAY and tell them you're proud of them!      

    

Where have I been?

Yes, it's definitely been too long since I last posted.  I'm afraid I fell into a slump.  Ya' know, HC Baker has been dead three years now, and it is easier to get up every day and know he won't be there.  I accept that and move on.  However in all the books, etc., I've read about being the surviving spouse, not one of them mentions the third anniversary.  (I guess it's covered in the part about everyone moving on at their own speed!)  Well, on July 1st, I realized on August 1st (our wedding anniversary) I would be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary alone.  And that's when my slump began.  I actually worried about what I was going to do on that day, how would I celebrate, should I have a party, should I stay in bed all day with the covers pulled over my head, what to do, what to do???  I hate this part of my life.  Not knowing!!!!!  I'm not good at not knowing.  So here I am, on August 16, and the good news is I survived my slump.  I'm not quite sure how, but I did.  So let me fill you in on what's happened since July 1.

On July 2, my sister Linda and her husband Bill arrived for a visit.  Bill had never been here before and quite honestly, I was so worried he wouldn't enjoy his visit, and he'd never want to come back.  Bill hates being cold and our summer's up here never really warm up.  We have beautiful summer days, but for the most part the "high's" never reach the 90's.  We're lucky if they reach the 80's.  And this summer has been quite chilly.  (Tuesday of this week, the high was 59 and that night the low was 37!!!!)  So I had to make sure Bill didn't get cold.  And the weather did cooperate.  He did wear a jacket a couple of times but for the most part, he had no complaints.  HOORAY!  And he did have a great time...all of us did.  We celebrated the 4th of July with the Indian River 4th of July parade, a cook-out and sparklers when darkness fell.  Plus we had Gracie for entertainment!

Once Linda and Bill left, I went to work on several unfinished projects to keep my mind occupied.  I was looking for something new to do and found watercolor classes being offered at Blooming Ideas, a wonderful gallery and boutique in Indian River.  I signed up and ordered the supplies!  July 18 began the Indian River Summerfest.  It was at last year's Summerfest that I adopted Nutty, so I decided to have a birthday party for Nutty.  And I did.  It was great fun!  Several friends came bearing doggie gifts and Nutty loved every crumb!  The next week I attended my watercolor classes and discovered I enjoyed it.  I am now in the process of painting a picture of my home.  My toughest critic, TR Baker, looked at it and asked if I painted it.  I said yes and he said that's really good!  It's not finished yet, but I'll get back to it soon.

Next, Gracie and I worked on table decorations for a luncheon benefit for the Women's Resource Center.  I had agreed to decorate and host a table for the event.  We decided on a Derby theme (as I had the stuff).  We painted little straw hats bright colors and then Gracie decorated them with flowers, feathers, sequins, bows, and ribbons.  She did a great job.  Then we glued each one to a straw, put the straw in a Derby glass filled with small bottles of Julep "fixins", and we were done.  I also found a large birdhouse with twin spires so we used that for our centerpiece.  It looked great!  OK, by now it's July 25 and August 1st is fast approaching.

Emily and Gracie stopped by the house to ask if I could help with something.  It seems on August 1st, Emily had meetings and Brett would be very busy at the candy store and Gracie had to be in Gaylord, MI, (about 35 minutes south of us) and could I possibly take her, wait for her and then bring her back home?  YES!  YES!  YES!  So on August 1st at 9am I picked up Gracie and drove her to Gaylord.  Once her lesson was over, we went to lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon shopping.  She loves to go to Hobby Lobby, Bath and Body Works, and one of our favorites, TJ Maxx (we had a gift card!!!).
That evening, several friends (having no idea the significance of the day to me) suggested we go out to dinner at a terrific place up here, the DLB (Douglass Lake Bar).  When I arrive back home, Nutty was there to greet me.  I've thought about HC Baker all day and the life we had together.  I miss him and every second we shared and would do it all over again.  "If God takes you to it, He'll get you through it" could not be more true for me.  And I know this journey is not over yet, and I know there will, in all probability, be more difficult moments, but I also know I will survive.  I survived August 1, 2013, and I will survive each and every day that is in my future.

(Hang on for a few more paragraphs...I'm almost done!)

Last weekend TR Baker and I went to Chicago.  We went for several reasons but the most important one was to be at the finish line when my dear, wonderful friends, Joyce and Cinda, crossed the finish line at the Susan G. Komen, 3-day, 60 mile walk to benefit breast cancer research.  60 miles - did you hear that?  And it's the second time they've made this walk.  Two years ago they walked in Washington, DC.  I couldn't make that trip but I could get to Chicago.  Once I decided to go to Chicago, I contacted several special friends to see if they had time to connect with TR Baker and me.  With one exception, they said they could.  (Missed seeing you Lorri!)  When we arrived in Chicago, while waiting to check in to our hotel, TR Baker and I met two lovely ladies from Oklahoma City.  They were sisters and one of the sisters was in Chicago on business and she had convinced her sister to join her for a fun weekend.  We had a great time getting to know each other.  I told them I really wanted to visit Oklahoma City to see the memorial.  They said I must and they would be happy to welcome me.  I think I will!  And if I get that far, I think I'll go on over to Arkansas and force myself on my great friends, Tim and Pat!!!!  OK, there it is - your warning!  I'm heading your way in the near future!  While in Chicago, we were able to see Bonnie and Liz, daughters of an up-north friend and Ryan and Michelle, young friends with Louisville contacts who are expecting their first child in October!  How lucky we were to share some time with these special friends.  We got a late start for our drive back and didn't arrive home until 1:30am Monday morning.  When we got out of the car and I looked up to the heavens to thank God for our safe journey, I was awestruck by the stars in the sky.  I felt as if I was seeing the entire galaxy.  God is good!

Wednesday evening I had the pleasure of visiting with another dear friend, Mary Beth, from Louisville with ties to my past many, many years ago.  I was Mary Beth's first ballet teacher and have known her since she was a child!!!!!  She is the daughter of Si who is the Costumer for the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY.  Si was up for a visit.  She has shared her creative art with "the story" for 50 years and is still as lovely as ever.  What a treat!

OK, that about brings you up to date with my life.  I conquered my slump!  But let me take you back to Ryan for one more moment.  Being with Ryan has always been a joy to me.  He is a smart, caring, creative person with incredible concern for the people of the world.  He is also a poet.  I encouraged him to pursue his creative side and after reading some of his work was reminded of one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver.  A line from one of my favorite poems of hers says, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  As I told Ryan, ask yourself that question several times a day.  I am and I hope you do too.  xxoo

*Continued prayer request for EE, CH, and Lesley's mother!  Thank you.                                 

Stars and Stripes FOREVER!!!

Second round of summer guests have come and gone.  My nephew Trey, his wife and youngest son came to the cool, cool weather of Topinabee and brought the hot, hot weather of Louisville.  And as soon as they left, the temperatures returned to the mid-70's!  How did they do that?  I know I spent years enduring that Louisville heat and humidity but once you get out of the habit and realize there are summer temperatures you can enjoy...well, 'nuf said!

We had a great time visiting and gossiping about the rest of the family.  (If any family is a part of my FB network, they'll just have to wonder what was said!)  They also went to the island.  One of Trey's all-time favorite movies is "Somewhere in Time" that was filmed on the island at the Grand Hotel.  He had a "grand" time seeing the history of the movie and the hotel on display throughout.  We had plenty of ice cream and candy at the candy store and I do believe a good time was had by all!  I was sad to see them leave.  Hopefully they will be back.

So I'm in the "strip the beds, vacuum the floors, go to the grocery" mode to get ready for the next visitors, my sister Linda and her husband Bill.  They arrive Tuesday.  Linda has been here several times, at the "new" house as well as the blue cottage, but this will be Bill's first time.  I'm so looking forward to seeing them.

So...Stars and Stripes FOREVER!!!

My garden seems to be doing pretty well.  Most of my perennials from last year have reappeared and that's quite exciting for a non-gardener like myself.  I have planted a few more this year plus a few annuals for a splash of color.  I do believe my STARgazer lilies are about to bloom.  They are my favorite flower and their fragrance is fabulous.  Also just about to bloom are my tiger STRIPED lilies!  I think I planted 50 bulbs and it looks like all of them survived the winter!

Can't believe I'm going to comment on this situation but you know me.  I just cannot keep my mouth shut when my heart feels so strongly.  I have and will continue to love Paula Deen FOREVER!!!!!!
She is an incredible woman who has overcome amazing obstacles, raised two wonderful sons, loves her family with all her heart, built an awesome business from nothin' and, most importantly, loves her Lord!  And I am so glad no one was recording what I said or did 30 years ago.  (I'm off my soapbox for today!)  Thanks for listening!

Happy 4th of July!  God Bless the USA!

Please continue to remember E and C in your prayers.  Thank you.  xxoo    

Annual Exams!

A couple of weeks ago on the same day I received 2 postcards in the mail for annual physical exams.  One was for Nutty, my dog, and the other was for me.  (It appears Medicare requires an annual physical!  Who knew?)  So I made the requested appointments.  Yesterday was Nutty's annual exam and today was mine.

Overview...
Dr. Heidi said Nutty is doing great.  She and I will celebrate our one year adoption anniversary in a few weeks.  She has gained a little weight but needed to.  She has been diagnosed with allergies which I suspected.  I left her appointment with 2 prescriptions for two different pills twice a day, a year's supply of heart worm meds, a years supply of flea and tick meds, a "mousse" to apply to any itching areas, and she received two shots.
The bill was $432.47!

Dr. Everett said I am doing great too!  Blood pressure and cholesterol perfect, pulse nice and even, no heart issues, eye and hearing tests passed with flying colors, and I also received two shots - one for pneumonia and the other was a tetanus booster (go figure!).
The bill was "0"!!!!!

The moral of this story - Nutty's gotta' get a job!

The last few days have been beautiful!  The temperatures are right around 70 and the sun is outstanding!  Today I even saw a few boats on the lake.  No swimmers yet though because the water temperature is right around 56.  Chilly!!!!!!

I am excited and looking forward to welcoming my nephew, Trey and his family, Michelle and Christian, for a visit.  They arrive Friday evening and have never been here before.  One of Trey's all-time favorite movies is, guess what?, "Somewhere in Time".  So guess where we'll be going during their visit?  The island!  (My second time this summer already!)  And they do plan to swim...and catch pneumonia!  Hope they bring their sweatshirts!  TR Baker has built us a fire pit in the front yard so I guess we'll be warming up by the fire!  And I have the three very special summer snack ingredients, graham crackers, marshmallows, and hershey bars!!!!  I'm ready.  Safe travels to them as they head north Friday morning.

And safe travels to all of you as you eagerly head toward your perfect summer destination!  Make plenty of memories!

xxoo

Please continue to pray for my friend "C" and her grandson "E" and his family.  Tough weekend ahead.  


    

Beautiful Flag Day!

Today the temperature is hovering right around 70, the sun is brilliant and a breeze (well, slightly stronger than a breeze) is "waving" the flags all around town.  It's truly a wonderful sight!

I've watered all the flowers and plants, moved a few to the sunshine, written letters and now am painting on the front porch.  Wonderful friends in town are having a Flag Day party this evening and I'm looking forward it.  Last night I had dinner with up north friends and guess what?  They celebrated my birthday!  It was great fun to get to celebrate twice this year.  Also received some wonderful gifts...an extra added plus!

Well, just back in from out of doors where I helped/supervised/watched over TR Baker as he replaced a cedar shingle that appears to have just fallen off the house.  He used a ladder that came with the house.  It's a wooded extension ladder and weighs about a million pounds.  TR Baker is one strong guy, and he was struggling.  And then there's the placement of the ladder.  Lean it against the rooftop or against the house?  He decided the rooftop.  Up he climbed with shingle, hammer and nail and got it done.  While placing the ladder he was trying to avoid a funky kind of tree that grows right where the ladder needed to be.  He said he'd cut it down but we don't have a hatchet.  I said there's one right in the garage in the tool chest.  He told me to "find it!"  About 60 seconds later I came out of the garage with the hatchet!!!!  He said "where'd you find that?"  I ignored him.  Score one for me!!!!

I have a big "ball" jar sitting on the windowsill in the kitchen.  It's my grateful jar.  When I think of something I'm grateful for, I put a note in it.  At the end of this year I will open all the notes and read them and remember.  Today I had to empty the jar because it was full.  That was fun.  (The last note I put in the jar said "I found the hatchet"!!!!!)

Please have something in your life to be grateful for today!  How about the American flag?

Enjoy life!  xxoo

        

All better today!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...  The sun is shining and the temperature must be in the mid 70's.  I actually have a few windows open!  And I survived the third anniversary day.  Thank you to so many of you who sent thoughts and prayers my way!  As I tell myself quite regularly, I can do this!    

So today I spent the morning washing and ironing the bed linens.  I can't wait to go to bed tonight because I love to get into a clean, crisp bed!!!

I have my paints out and am painting an old window.  Earlier this spring (when was that?), I had a few windows replaced and kept one of the old ones.  It was a window in the back shower room that wasn't meant to open.  It's a square with one vertical divider.  I'm painting the view out my front window with a "winterscape" on one half and a spring/"summerscape" on the other half.  So far it looks really cool!  I plan to hang it in the back guest room.

Right now I'm on a "break" and drinking a diet coke!  There was a time in my life (the last few years of my professional life) when I do believe I was addicted to them.  So now they serve as a treat to me.  I still love them but rarely have one.  People who know me also know I only drink diet coke out of a can.  And if I have to actually drink it out of the can, I must have a straw.  Weird, I know, but today I'm enjoying my diet coke in a glass with ice.

Finally got through the mail that accumulated while I was in Louisville.  When TR Baker went to the post office to collect it, he brought it home in a mail crate!  Boy was there a lot of junk!  Most of it was a huge waste of paper and postage.  Most of us have ourselves on a "no call" list for our phones so how can we get on a "no mail" list?  Is there a "no mail" list?  There should be!

For my birthday, TR Baker gave me an AM/FM radio/CD player (exactly what I asked for).  I brought it back from Louisville, put it in the closet and for the first time today finally had the time to open the box and get it out.  I also went in search of my CD's.  Found them!  Now all I have to do is put them together.  TR Baker also fixed my printer today.  I explained to him what the issue was and he sat down, hit the print button, and BINGO! out came the copy.  He just looked at me and I looked at him and told him to do it again!  And guess what?  It didn't work!  Hooray!!!!!  Now I didn't feel like a super idiot, just a regular idiot!  Well, it's fixed now.  Thank you TR Baker.  (He's not only my heavy lifter, he's my fixer!)

So yes, I'm all better today.  I hope you are too!  xxoo

If you can, keep in your prayers my friend C and her grandson E and his family.  Please and Thank you!                

Three Years -

Well, this is the day.  Three years ago this morning I was sitting in Emily's kitchen almost numb with a million thoughts running through my mind.  Gracie walked down the stairs, saw me and smiled as she walked up to me.  She looked around and said "Where's Gran?".  Emily looked at me, and I realized this was the beginning of telling others HC Baker was dead.  I told Gracie about the accident and that Gran had died.  She climbed up in my lap, put her arms around me and her head on my shoulder and told me she loved me.  We stayed that way for some time until Garrett came down the stairs.  Oh no, I have to say it again.  And I did again and again and again and again...

So, three years later, here I am.  I've made it this far - physically, mentally, emotionally, and geographically.  How did I do it?  Two reasons.

                          1.  I would not be here today if the Lord had not walked this walk with me!  I have
                               felt His presence every step of the way.  He has held me in his arms.  He has guided
                               my decisions (two not so good ones).  He has opened my eyes that I might see!!!

                          2.  Incredible family and friends have been the lights of my life.  They appear in
                               person, on the phone, via an e-mail, or a card in my mail box.  Their support
                               has been strong and steadfast!

And time and events put my loss in perspective.  The hurt is healing.  Oh it's still there, but it's like those little grains of sand the oyster uses to create a beautiful pearl.  The wonderful memories are growing inside me.  A quiet peace is healing the pain.  What I know now with certainty is that I'm gonna' be OK, different, but OK.  HC Baker is still on the shelf in the den and I still talk to him and yes, sometimes I hollar at him.  The good news is he keeps his mouth shut!  He's become a very good listener!

xxoo    

  

Rainy days and Mondays...

My dear friends, Jack, Lou and Anita, left yesterday morning and arrived safely back in Louisville.  I absolutely love to have guests but the moment they leave, I miss them!  We had a wonderful visit with lots of talking and laughing and talking some more!  For all of you out there in Louisville-land, I've been "caught up" on all your doings.  Some of you need to slow down and others of you need to speed up!  But most of you are just right!

Today is a hard one for me.  I know all the paperwork says HC Baker died on June 11th but our accident occurred near midnight on this date and I know he was dead instantly.  So today begins my week of memory.

On June 10, 2010, I went to work just like any other day but had excitement in my heart because I knew we'd be leaving later for a much needed get-away at our cottage in Indian River.  For most of 2009 and early 2010, we had been involved in a life challenge like no other I'd ever experienced.  Although HC Baker was continuing to recover from the heart surgeries, he knew he would never again be able to work on a disaster relief mission or a youth mission trip.  We talked about this often trying to discover new ways for HC's gifts to be utilized.  (I did most of the talking in my effort to lift his spirits.  He remained pretty glum.)  But our blue cottage was just hours away and I had incredible faith this trip was going to reveal to him his future.  And then it happened, in a blinding thunderstorm, in the dark of night, spinning and rolling, he found his future.  I never cried hysterically, sobbed uncontrollably, or ranted and raved "why"!  I knew he was exactly where he'd wanted to be, where he'd prayed to be, where he could be whole again and be re-united with so many who had gone before, especially his Lord and Savior.  He was happy.

Jack, Lou, Anita and I talked a lot about him this weekend.  Jack told stories (imagine that!) and we laughed and laughed.  I had forgotten about the time HC Baker found a "peel and stick" kotex (yes, kotex) and peeled it and stuck it to his forehead!  And this was in public!!!!!  (That's a story for another time!)  Memories are what life is about.  They remind us of the moments in our life that made a difference.  Good or bad, they put their arms around us and keep us warm.

Blessings to each of you today for being a part of my memories and keeping me warm.  xxoo

Update!

Get ready...drum roll please...Yesterday I went to the island for the first time in 2013!!!!!  Lou, Anita and I got on the boat and spent the day walking and eating our way around Mackinack Island!  It was a beautiful day and the temperature made it to the low 70's!  Anita made the trip all the more enjoyable because she has wanted to see the Grand Hotel for years.  Her excitement poured over into Lou and me and off we went up the hill.  FYI...you cannot just walk into the Grand Hotel and look around.  You pay a $10 fee.  And if you decide to eat the lunch buffet in the hotel dining room, they will subtract the $10 from your lunch tab.  We walked through the hotel and took pictures of Anita seated on round sofas, colorful settees, and front porch rockers!  We saw the Esther Williams swimming pool, the impressionist painting exhibit in the gallery, and the Grand Hotel horse and carriage with the top-hatted driver.  We decided to check out the lunch buffet which began by speaking with the hostess and asking her how much the lunch buffet was.  You ready?  $41.00 - minus the $10 fee we paid to enter the hotel and that leaves the cost for lunch at $31.00 plus beverage, plus tip!  No thank you!  So we left the Grand Hotel behind and headed back down the hill to my favorite place to "lunch", the Hotel Iroquois.  Lou and I ate there 2 years before.  You can dine right on the water and watch the shipping traffic pass by.  Well, yesterday the outdoor dining area was overrun with small flying bugs.  They were everywhere so we opted to dine inside.  And it was delicious!  From there we walked the main "drag" and watched people, always a fun thing to do.  We stopped by the Butterfly Shop owned by my friend Mary Ann, and visited with her for a few minutes.  Lots to see and lots to do and we enjoyed every moment.  Around 4pm we headed back to the boat dock to await our ride back to the mainland.  A "grand" time was had by all!

The evening ended with a trip to the candy store (remember - my son-in-law Brett makes all the chocolates by hand).  Just walking in the door assails your senses, especially your sense of smell!
CHOCOLATE!  And then of course there's the ice cream - YUM!  So early in the ice cream season and I've already become addicted to Peanut Butter Moose Tracks!

Talk, talk, talk and laugh, laugh, laugh!  What a life!

Praise the Lord for friends!  I am blessed!

Prayers today for Terri traveling to Georgia on a sentimental journey and don't forget my friend C and E and his family.

I wonder what today will bring?  More exciting news to follow!

Happy Saturday!  xxoo        

Quick Trip!

Last Thursday, TR Baker and I headed to Louisville for my grandson, Adam's, high school graduation.    He is my youngest Louisville grandson and my daughter Libby's youngest.  All of hers are now through high school, all graduated with honors, all headed toward the rest of their lives.  I was able to be with them more than usual and that was wonderful.  We had 2 parties, 2 dinners, one afternoon graduation, and lots of prep time for all of that!!!  What fun!

Adam graduated from Floyd Central High School where 413 shining faces received their diplomas.  Did you hear me...413!  Adam's last name is Tuma, so not only at the last of the alphabet, but the second letter being a "u", at the end of the "T's"!!!!  And all the families and friends sitting on wooden bleachers!  Oh my achin' you know what!  He was of course the most handsome graduate!  The program was wonderful.  The band played pre-program music.  What a sharp looking and sounding group of young people.  The men were in their tuxedos and the ladies in long black gowns.  The last song before 'Pomp & Circumstance' was Amazing Grace.  I noticed two young men standing in the rear holding bagpipes.  Midway through the performance they began to play.  Oh my goodness, it was beautiful.  And they were really puffin'!  At the end of the song, they looked at each other and immediately threw their arms around each other as if to say we did it!  It was so beautiful to see!  The story is these two young men decided to learn to play the bagpipes about 3 months ago and were so nervous to perform not really sure they could do it.  Well, they did.  During the graduation program, another musical group, the a cappella choir, performed two selections.  The first being "I Believe I Can Fly" and the second was a song that included an Irish blessing.  (The band had also played a medley of Irish tunes.)  I finally turned to Libby and asked why all the Irish stuff?  She looked at me and said, "Well Mom, they are the Floyd Central Highlanders!"  Oops, at least now it made sense.  The school colors and the color of the graduates gowns was, of course, green!  Beautiful program from the beginning to the (very welcome) end!

It was an exciting weekend.  My heart was filled!  Do you sometimes just look around you and wonder how in the world did I get here?  I do and did this weekend.  My daughter Libby has raised/reared/whatever four smart, caring, helpful, compassionate, handsome and beautiful people.  Congratulations to HER!  I missed all of them before I crossed the bridge.

I had a birthday while in Louisville and was able to celebrate with wonderful family and friends.   (I missed having Emily, Brett, Garrett and Gracie there.)  Another year...Jeeze Louise!  Thank you to all of you who sent birthday greetings.  That alone makes me love facebook!

I'm back home and yesterday evening welcomed my first summer guests, Jack and Lou and Miss Anita!  We've already talked for hours, and I'm so excited we have lots more hours and lots more to say.  The sun is shining this morning and the temperature is supposed to climb to 70 today.  Maybe this is spring!  I hope today is a spring day for you too!

(When you say your prayers today, say a special prayer for a dear friend "C" and her precious grandson "E" and his family.  They are in a bad place right now.  Please and thank you!)

Happy Friday and Safe Travels for so many of you on the road!  xxoo            

Don't know where to begin...

Spring -
Well, I guess it's here!  The only thing growing in my yard is dandelions!  TR Baker did spray them one day but along came a big thunderstorm and washed all the killer stuff away!  He'll try again.  Just so you know, I'm still wearing wool socks, turtlenecks, sweaters, and jackets.  I do have 3 pots of geraniums but bring them inside at night when the TV weatherperson says possible frost tonight!  I'm hoping one day soon summer will arrive and I'll recognize it!

Derby -
The "second-timers" were excited to be back and the "newbies" had a ball!  No one ever wants to try a mint julep because they say they don't like bourbon (who are these people?).  Then I tell them it's like a bourbon snow cone, they try it, and then wonder why they said they didn't like bourbon!!!  All the Kentucky Derby food favorites were very well-received, roasted pork loin with Henry Bain sauce, Hot Brown casserole, shrimp and grits, strawberries with powdered sugar, Derby pie, and my special cut-out sugar cookies (horse heads iced the colors of the Derby horses and the state of Kentucky iced, of course, as bluegrass and Louisville marked with a chocolate chip).  Already looking forward to next year!

Carhartt Red Neck Festival -
Two weekends ago, TR Baker and I went to Levering, MI, about 30 minutes away.  Levering is a little bit larger than Topinabee (that's really not saying much).  There's a family in Levering who have a Carhartt store in their basement.  I really have no words to describe it.  People come from all over to buy their Carhartt's from them.  (Carhartt is a brand of work clothes.  I'm sure you've seen them but had no idea they were so valuable.  This store also sells Red Wing shoes/boots, another big seller up north.)  Anyway, this family has a bar-b-que cook-off, and this year there were 5 entrants.  The family gives each participant pounds of beef, pork and chicken for them to cook on-site and serve to those attending the festival.  The "eaters" then vote who has the best bar-b-que and the winner has the bragging rights until next year.  The family provides side items and all the local churches, schools, clubs/organizations have baked goods for you to purchase.  It was quite something!  And the winner this year was Mr Oxley.  (He is my electrician and now you know why we were there and who we voted for!  Electrical work "don't come cheap" up here!)  A more colorful picture of the event can be had in a personal conversation with me!  Loved it!

On-line chats -
Have you ever had one of these?  I hadn't until recently.
First chat - I was having lunch with a group of women.  We were talking about a "lifestyle lift".  Have you seen the TV commercial with spokesperson Debbie Boone, Pat Boone's daughter (that "name-drop" is for my friend Madeline!)?  I volunteered to find out the cost of the lifestyle lift for our next lunch gathering.  I didn't want to call the toll-free number, so I went on-line.  In the top corner there was a box that asked if I would like to chat with someone about this.  I said yes and so it began.  My chat partner was Celeste.  I began by telling Celeste that all I really wanted to know was the cost.  She replied with about a million comments regarding the options, procedure, locations, etc.  I replied with "how much does it cost?"  She replied with questions about what part of my body I wanted to "lift"(there's a book I could write)!  Now I'm over this!  I responded, "Look Celeste.  Let's not waste any more of each others time.  Are you going to tell me the cost or not?"  She said "no" and I said "good-bye"!
Second chat - This chat was the result of me deciding I wanted to apply for a job.  I saw a classified ad in the Cheboygan Daily Tribune for "writers".  I thought this might be interesting.  The ad asked for me to apply by sending my resume, application letter and sample of my writing.  Well...I had no idea where my resume was as it has been many years since I needed one.  So I went on-line.  There are at least a hundred sites to help you write your resume.  I chose one and began.  It was pretty cool and it was FREE.  You could select your field of interest and the site would suggest words and phrases to use.  Needless to say, words and phrases I remembered using in the past are no longer the best choices.  So I put together a pretty good-looking resume and application letter.  I was satisfied and then chose to save it to my desktop to ponder for a while.  Know what I mean?  Well, when I hit save and chose my desktop as the location, the screen asked for my credit card to charge the $2.95 for this service.  WAIT A MINUTE!  Now I know $2.95 is a very nominal fee, but I chose this service because it was FREE!  Many of the services were not free and told you from the beginning there would be a charge.  Now that I'm a professional "on-line chatter" I looked for the box at the site!  Low and behold, there it was!  I immediately clicked on it and met Sarah.  "Hello Jo Ann!  How may I help you?"  Already I didn't like the sound of her voice!  Ha! Ha!  So I explained to Sarah why I had chosen this website (FREE), and I didn't understand why I was now being asked to pay $2.95 to download it to my desktop.  Sarah said the "FREE" part was if I left my resume on her website, it would be located where thousands of potential employers could see it at no cost to me.  I told her I didn't want thousands of potential employers to see my resume, I only wanted to use it for my purposes.  Sarah then said that would cost me $2.95.  I gave her my credit card number!
The good news is I have not heard a word from the life-style lift folks and the bad news is I am now receiving a ton of e-mails from the resume website!  I did give a moment's thought to contacting the resume website again for a chat and telling them what I thought of them, but I decided against it!  Also, I have not heard from the one potential employer I was hoping for!

Community Service -
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Topinabee Library had their annual book sale.  Since I am a member of the Friends of the Library, I volunteered for the set-up on Thursday and selling on Friday.  The sale was under a tent right on the lake.  On Thursday, during the set-up, it was pouring down rain.  I nearly froze to death.  I had on my winter boots, shirt, sweater, jacket, corduroy pants, wool socks, and gloves and still was cold!  But the sale went well.  I did not work the book sale on Saturday because I was a chairperson for the Annual Topinabee Rummage Sale held under the pavilion by the lake!  Oh my!  TR Baker and I arrived at 6:15am as folks donating "rummage" began their drop-offs at 6:30am.  I was seriously bundled up again.  The sale continued until 2pm when the boy scouts from Pellston (where the airport is) came to haul away the remains.  The Pellston boy scouts have a HUGE yard sale on Labor Day weekend each year to support the troop.  They collect any yard sale left-overs all year long in preparation for their event.  It works out perfectly.  They do your clean-up!  It was a beautiful day but cold.  In order to warm up, I would stand in the sun.  Well, my nose and forehead got sunburned!  Can you believe it?  It still hurts this morning.  And those that know me are laughing because they know I avoid any sun contact with my skin!  The life of a volunteer can be quite costly!

Family news -
TR Baker - Continues to be my heavy lifter!!!!  Don't know what I'd do without him.  He's getting ready to put in a new lake wall down at the boat house.  It won't be an easy job, but the estimate from a professional was more than we wanted to pay.  Brett will help him.    
The Lindgren's
Gracie - Two weeks ago, Gracie had her dance recital.  She performed in five different dances and it was wonderful!  I kept telling her all year long I wanted to see have hip level arabesques, and I did!  She is a wonderful performer.  She smiles from the first second to her curtsey!
Brett - The following Friday, my phone rang at 8am and it was Brett.  I could tell by his first word, something was wrong.  He asked if I would come and get him and take him to the hospital.  He also needed TR Baker to come and get the keys to open the store.  I got TR Baker and we went immediately to get Brett.  TR got the keys, etc, ready to head to the candy store.  We got Brett in the car and I headed to the ER in Cheboygan.  He was in such pain, I was afraid he was going to pass out.  As soon as the ER people saw him they took him back.  Did the usual blood work, CAT scan and finally gave him some very good pain meds and he calmed down.  Turns out, kidney stones!  Oh boy, I've been there, done that!  The stones were already in his bladder and they told him he just needed to pass them and he said OK, no problem.  I kept my mouth shut!  Took him back home, he changed clothes, I dropped him off at the store, got his prescription filled (more pain meds), made him eat some lunch, and left him.  He was told not to drive so I told him I would come and get him as needed.  And he couldn't have a pain pill until 2:30pm.  I called him around 2:15pm to see how he was doing and tell him he could have a pain pill at 2:30pm.  He said he wasn't going to take it until after I came and got him and took him home to get his truck.  I reminded him he was told not to drive, and he said if I wouldn't come and get him, he would walk home (about 7 miles) and get his truck.  What is it about guys and their trucks?  I drove to the candy store and took him home for his truck.  He was happy!
Garrett - We are so proud of Garrett.  He created a metal magazine rack in his industrial arts class and it won first prize for the state of Michigan competition!  He has a beautiful plaque and a blue ribbon!  You may remember he also plays high school football (last year on the freshman team), is on the high school golf team doing very well, won this statewide creative award and last Thursday was the only high school freshman called to the stage to be awarded a "letter" for his scholastic achievement.  I'm proud!
Emily - In addition to being the wife, mother, math teacher, accountant, payroll person and employee at the candy store (not to mention the chief cook and bottle washer), she has been on a fitness plan and diet for the past 3 months and has lost 34 pounds!!!!!  WOOHOO!
The Tuma's
Adam - On Sunday, June 2, Adam will graduate from high school.  He is the youngest of Libby's kiddos.  He's not quite sure what the next step in his life will be but is looking forward to whatever it is.
Hannah - I think her summer job is at a day care.  She's not sure about that but is grateful for the job.
Isaac - I think he's taking one of those short term courses this summer in June and continues to work at UPS.  He did change his major this winter to some sort of engineering program and is applying to the Speed School.   All of his credits will transfer as he has had a ton of math courses.
Daniel - Dan is working full time at that new Amazon Distribution Center in southern Indiana.  Loves his job and has great benefits.
Libby - Hardworking, single mom to these four great kiddos.  Has no idea what she will do as all her children leave her nest!  She says she's gonna' have a party!  For Mother's Day, her kids gave her a new electric skillet and a new lawnmower and she was excited!!!!  (She didn't get that from me!)  God bless her!  So proud of her!

TR Baker and I are going to make a very quick trip to Louisville for Adam's graduation.  I'm looking forward to seeing Libby and kiddos and my sisters and their families.  I'll be meeting my sister Mary's newest addition, Henry, while we're there.  Henry is a collie puppy and is more interested in meeting Nutty than me!  We'll only be in town for four days.  Got to get back to welcome my first summer (fingers crossed) guests and can't wait.  There's still room on the calendar for YOU!  Just let me know.  We'd love to see you!

I've been very remiss in writing and I've missed it.  I'll do better especially since the next two weeks will mark the third anniversary of the accident.  Happy Summer to all!  JB