Two weeks ago today the temperature rose to the highest of the summer...95! And it was my moving day! This time then, the movers were gone and I sat down on my new living room floor and cried. Not sure why, but I did. Maybe it was because I was overheated, confused, concerned, overwhelmed, or just plain tired. And my dogs looked at me as if to say, "Where have you taken us now?". Well, this is our home for the next 12 months (at least that's the plan!).
We are in a town home in the Hurstbourne Lane and Plainview neighborhood, a new neighborhood to me. Haven't been a "renter" in quite some time. A few of my worst moments in the first few days included water all over the laundry room floor coming from my brand new washer on it's "test" run, very early one morning barefooted, I stepped down the bottom step to the living room and my feet "squished" on the carpet, the alarm pushed it's own panic button while I was in the shower (what a sound that was!), cannot, repeat, cannot get the upstairs TV to work and the workman was here as well as the salesman who sold me the service (???????), and all by myself I, Jo Ann Baker, killed a gigantic spider AND picked its' remains up from the floor using nearly an entire roll of paper towels!!!!!!
Now for a few of my better moments! I have been to the grocery store twice (Kroger and Lucky's), prepared two delicious dinners for a very appreciative and hungry handsome fella', decorated a fabulous bedroom for myself (first time to create a bedroom with only ME in mind), have my furniture reasonably situated and pictures hanging on the walls, started on a huge wall hanging for the stairwell, preparing to paint a pretty large painting for the dining room, had a few family and friends over to "see" my nearly finished place, been out to dinner at some wonderful, local restaurants in the Nulu area courtesy of handsome fella', hugged and been hugged by lots of friends I had not seen in some time, and last Saturday night, sang My Old Kentucky Home on the stage of the Stephen Foster Story with the cast!!!! I've had two very exciting weeks.
And the excitement is not over yet! Libby is getting married!!!!!! She and Tim have been together for some time and live on a farm in Georgetown, IN. They will be married on the farm Labor Day weekend...with the horses, pigmy donkeys, and dogs! It will be interesting to see how many of the animals will be wearing flowers!
Tomorrow is July 1st! Hard to believe June is very nearly over. If you're still trying to decide what to do this summer, you'd better hurry up!!!! By the way, Larnelle Harris is performing tomorrow night (July 1) at St. Matthews Baptist Church! Tickets are still available. It's sure to be a wonderful evening.
Happy Summer and much love to all of you! xxoo
Just learned today, a sweet friend of mine lost her husband today after he suffered a stroke several weeks ago. Please pray for Jeanine. And thank you for your prayers for my dear friend Barbara and her husband Rick. Rick is in remission but having a few heart rhythm problems. Barbara is working toward the end of her 100 days (Aug 8) and doing well. And my wonderful friend Christy...SOLD HER HOUSE!!!!!!
Always pray! God always listens!
And yes, I want to spend the rest of my life laughing!!!!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
A letter to HC Baker...
Dear HC Baker,
I hate this day. It's been four years. When I remember this day I struggle with everything that came before the storm. I remember I worked that day. I was trying to get ten hours of work crammed into five so I could leave and get home and we could drive to Michigan. I knew you were probably already home, packed and waiting patiently for me. You always had to wait for me. You also knew there was a good chance I hadn't packed yet. So that would be another delay to our departure.
I do remember we were excited to get away. The preceding year had been a rough one and even though we had actually spent more time together than normal, those hours were spent in hospitals. As difficult as that time was, the rejoicing moments as well as the frustrating, frightening, and heartbreaking moments were finally tender memories.
I finally made it home, packed, straightened the house, left directions for those who would come and attend the house in our absence (TR Baker), and then off we went. Who knew?
What did we talk about during the drive? Did I tell you I loved you? Did we laugh (probably)? Did I reach over and touch you? After the accident and the car had come to rest, were you already gone from me? Did you hear me shouting your name? I do remember I did touch your leg, actually shook it, trying to get you to look at me even though I couldn't see your face. Did you hurt for me knowing you were leaving me alone? Did any of it make any difference to you anymore? Had you already seen the face of God? I wonder these things.
I miss your smile. I miss your hugs, you were famous for them. Hey, by the way, there's a new kid at church and his name is Jeremy. You'd like him and he gives an HC Baker kind of hug. I saw him last night and got one. It reminded me of you.
I want you to know my faith is much stronger. Can't imagine how I would have survived this without it. This time four years ago we were just about to leave Louisville, together, the two of us. And I came back alone. I'll be up all night tonight. I haven't slept this night in four years. It'd be nice if you could let me know you're happy and also, I'd like to know you think I'm doing OK.
I miss you. Forever loved,
JB
I hate this day. It's been four years. When I remember this day I struggle with everything that came before the storm. I remember I worked that day. I was trying to get ten hours of work crammed into five so I could leave and get home and we could drive to Michigan. I knew you were probably already home, packed and waiting patiently for me. You always had to wait for me. You also knew there was a good chance I hadn't packed yet. So that would be another delay to our departure.
I do remember we were excited to get away. The preceding year had been a rough one and even though we had actually spent more time together than normal, those hours were spent in hospitals. As difficult as that time was, the rejoicing moments as well as the frustrating, frightening, and heartbreaking moments were finally tender memories.
I finally made it home, packed, straightened the house, left directions for those who would come and attend the house in our absence (TR Baker), and then off we went. Who knew?
What did we talk about during the drive? Did I tell you I loved you? Did we laugh (probably)? Did I reach over and touch you? After the accident and the car had come to rest, were you already gone from me? Did you hear me shouting your name? I do remember I did touch your leg, actually shook it, trying to get you to look at me even though I couldn't see your face. Did you hurt for me knowing you were leaving me alone? Did any of it make any difference to you anymore? Had you already seen the face of God? I wonder these things.
I miss your smile. I miss your hugs, you were famous for them. Hey, by the way, there's a new kid at church and his name is Jeremy. You'd like him and he gives an HC Baker kind of hug. I saw him last night and got one. It reminded me of you.
I want you to know my faith is much stronger. Can't imagine how I would have survived this without it. This time four years ago we were just about to leave Louisville, together, the two of us. And I came back alone. I'll be up all night tonight. I haven't slept this night in four years. It'd be nice if you could let me know you're happy and also, I'd like to know you think I'm doing OK.
I miss you. Forever loved,
JB
Monday, June 2, 2014
Another Birthday!
I have a friend I call DB and she celebrates her birthday for a month! I've always enjoyed celebrating my birthday every day of the week preceding. Each day or evening HC Baker presented me with something wonderful to do. Maybe it was a meal at a special restaurant, an event we would attend, or being with friends and family! Since he died my birthday has always been a struggle. I've tried to entertain myself, get my "social" calendar filled, have my own party (often ended up being the "pity" type), go to dinner at wonderful places or more often, buy shoes.
So here I am waiting to move into my own home. My "stuff" is stored and I have my personal belongings thrown everywhere. My wonderful sister Linda and dear friend CH have opened their homes to me and been so gracious. I am so blessed by my friends and family. And so many of you sent me birthday greetings. As I read each one, I could see your face and remember times we have laughed together. Thank you to all of you who thought of me today. Friends and family are the two most important things we have. A very dear friend of mine reminds me that all we'll leave behind is memories so we need to be making the best ones we can.
I can definitely say this year's birthday was the best one I've had in many years. Something exciting and wonderful happened every day. I met with friends, talked with friends, had dinner with friends and totally enjoyed life. I had never been to the U of L Patterson baseball stadium so I went to all the regional games, Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!!!! And to make things interesting we had to evacuate the stadium several times due to weather, quite a few rain delays, and clear the stadium after each game even though we had tickets for the next game in the same seats! And I had the privilege of sitting next to my wonderful friend RB, a former baseball star! I was kept very well-informed about all the actions on the field. And tonight pitching in the game for U of L was Josh Rogers, the freshman grandson of a great friend! How much more exciting could it get?
This morning I went to church!!!! It's been on my "to do" list since I came back to Louisville but I must admit, I was struggling with it. So today, on Youth Sunday, I went. My dear friend Christy went with me. (I needed support!) What a service, and how wonderful it was to see so many friends, young and not so young!!!!!! And I love looking at those young faces and seeing such bright futures written in their smiles. The message was brought to us by two seniors, Hannah and William! WOW! And if you see any of it on TV, I'm sure I'm in the "selfie" William captured! Inspiring message, beautiful music, and the message of HOPE! Exactly what each of us needed to hear!
I've had lots of questions about my dear friend RB. Here's what you need to know. RB and I dated forty plus years ago. Then I married and so did he. As you all know, nearly four years ago, HC Baker died. Nearly two year ago, RB's wife died. Quite by accident, we re-connected and here's what I've discovered. This "widow/widower" thing sucks. And it's hard for many to be able to relate to the feelings of the heart when you've lost your best friend. But what is a blessing is to find someone who understands exactly what you're feeling. Everyone grieves at their own pace, in their own way. Being able to share those feelings eases your burden. And RB and I can talk freely about our spouses. We each spent quite a few years living with someone we loved unconditionally. So now we each have found someone else we can talk to about all those emotions. And boy, it can get very emotional. We're not afraid to enjoy our memories with each other. We can cry with each other. We can understand what the other person feels. And we can laugh! That's what we spend a lot of time doing and laughing is so very good for you. We each have 3 adult children, two daughters and one son, and incredible grandchildren. We talk about them a lot! (If they read this, I can hear a very loud groan from each of them. Then the phone will ring and they will want to know what we said about them! Neither of us will ever tell!) His friendship is very dear to me. So here it is...We're friends writing the next chapter of our lives.
My 67th birthday has been nearly perfect. The only thing I would have wished for was to have all my children and grandchildren with me. And we could have made more wonderful memories!
Today I thank all of you who embraced me, shared your hearts with me and sent your smiles. xxoo
So here I am waiting to move into my own home. My "stuff" is stored and I have my personal belongings thrown everywhere. My wonderful sister Linda and dear friend CH have opened their homes to me and been so gracious. I am so blessed by my friends and family. And so many of you sent me birthday greetings. As I read each one, I could see your face and remember times we have laughed together. Thank you to all of you who thought of me today. Friends and family are the two most important things we have. A very dear friend of mine reminds me that all we'll leave behind is memories so we need to be making the best ones we can.
I can definitely say this year's birthday was the best one I've had in many years. Something exciting and wonderful happened every day. I met with friends, talked with friends, had dinner with friends and totally enjoyed life. I had never been to the U of L Patterson baseball stadium so I went to all the regional games, Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!!!! And to make things interesting we had to evacuate the stadium several times due to weather, quite a few rain delays, and clear the stadium after each game even though we had tickets for the next game in the same seats! And I had the privilege of sitting next to my wonderful friend RB, a former baseball star! I was kept very well-informed about all the actions on the field. And tonight pitching in the game for U of L was Josh Rogers, the freshman grandson of a great friend! How much more exciting could it get?
This morning I went to church!!!! It's been on my "to do" list since I came back to Louisville but I must admit, I was struggling with it. So today, on Youth Sunday, I went. My dear friend Christy went with me. (I needed support!) What a service, and how wonderful it was to see so many friends, young and not so young!!!!!! And I love looking at those young faces and seeing such bright futures written in their smiles. The message was brought to us by two seniors, Hannah and William! WOW! And if you see any of it on TV, I'm sure I'm in the "selfie" William captured! Inspiring message, beautiful music, and the message of HOPE! Exactly what each of us needed to hear!
I've had lots of questions about my dear friend RB. Here's what you need to know. RB and I dated forty plus years ago. Then I married and so did he. As you all know, nearly four years ago, HC Baker died. Nearly two year ago, RB's wife died. Quite by accident, we re-connected and here's what I've discovered. This "widow/widower" thing sucks. And it's hard for many to be able to relate to the feelings of the heart when you've lost your best friend. But what is a blessing is to find someone who understands exactly what you're feeling. Everyone grieves at their own pace, in their own way. Being able to share those feelings eases your burden. And RB and I can talk freely about our spouses. We each spent quite a few years living with someone we loved unconditionally. So now we each have found someone else we can talk to about all those emotions. And boy, it can get very emotional. We're not afraid to enjoy our memories with each other. We can cry with each other. We can understand what the other person feels. And we can laugh! That's what we spend a lot of time doing and laughing is so very good for you. We each have 3 adult children, two daughters and one son, and incredible grandchildren. We talk about them a lot! (If they read this, I can hear a very loud groan from each of them. Then the phone will ring and they will want to know what we said about them! Neither of us will ever tell!) His friendship is very dear to me. So here it is...We're friends writing the next chapter of our lives.
My 67th birthday has been nearly perfect. The only thing I would have wished for was to have all my children and grandchildren with me. And we could have made more wonderful memories!
Today I thank all of you who embraced me, shared your hearts with me and sent your smiles. xxoo
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