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!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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
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
Saturday, September 14, 2013
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.
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!!!
Monday, September 9, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, August 26, 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
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!
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!
Friday, August 16, 2013
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.
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.
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