Ramblings...

I have eight pillows on my bed, and I sleep on ONE!  What's that about?  Yes, it looks beautiful, but why did I think it was necessary?  Every night I move them to a chaise next to the bed.  I stack them up, turn the covers back, crawl into bed and go to sleep using one.  The next morning I put them all back, arranged perfectly, and wait to move them again.  Thank you to my dear friend, Christy, for finding the most expensive "decorator" pillows available in the city, but I do love them.  Apparently, so does Nutty!  For the past week, when I wake up, I find her quite cozy in the midst of them sleeping soundly.  NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  These are not doggie pillows, they are not for lounging upon, they don't look good covered in brown dog hair, and the beading on two of them is not designed for her weight!

I'm back on the house hunting trail.  Six months ago I moved into a "rental" as a temporary location until I found the perfect home for me.  It's been quite some time since I "rented", 39 years ago actually.  Anyway, quite by accident (seems to be how things happen to me these days) I met a woman who is in town preparing to sell her recently deceased father's home.  I asked her about it and she invited me to see it.  Well, Saturday morning I looked at it.  Her parents had lived in this home since 1978 and not updated anything.  There's wallpaper, paneling, formica countertops, harvest gold appliances, totally outdated lighting, hunter green wall to wall carpeting, low vanities, rust colored ceramic tile, no fence and a neighborhood I have never lived in before .  There's also double front doors, a slate floored entry, formal living room, formal dining room, fabulous rock fireplace in a cozy family room, three bedrooms, two full baths, attached garage, a lovely back yard, neighborhood sidewalks, and a history of a loving family who enjoyed being together.  So here I am wondering if my home has found me.  Anxious to see if this home and I will come together.

Spent last Saturday night celebrating my brother-in-law's birthday.  Bill was 70 years old!!!!  We all said, "Holy Cow, Bill's seventy!!!!"  Then I realized I'm 67 and in three years will (hopefully) celebrate MY 70th birthday!  Why does the age of 70 sound about 20 years older than the age of 67??????  Or maybe the question is why does 67 sound young and 70 sound so old????????  Of course, as usual, sister Mary immediately informed everyone within hearing she was the youngest!!!!  Happy Birthday Bill!  We all love you!

Had a tutorial this morning on how to build a fire in my fireplace.  Thought of this as I listened to the weather forecast this morning.  Two maintenance men timidly knocked on my door.  (I don't have the best reputation in the complex for being easy to get along with!!  Surprise!!!)  They came in and checked the living room fireplace first.  When they opened the "damper" (not sure if that's spelled correctly), a bucket full of soot fell into my living room!  You were wondering about my reputation????  The handle for opening this damper thing would stick.  They worked it several times and then had me try.  Still sticking!  They told me not to push or pull so hard.  How am I supposed to know stuff like that?  Anyway, finally got it working.  Then we went upstairs to my bedroom.  The handle worked much easier up here.  They asked me if I had a log to test the "drawing"!  What?????  I told them I just decided to build a fire so why would I have any logs????????  I'm going to Lowe's to buy those logs wrapped in paper.  I think you just light the paper.  Anyway, once they were sure I could open and close the damper, they left.  They were looking for any retreat they could find!!!  Anyway, so now I know how to build a fire in the fireplace.  Really??????  For those of you living close to me, listen for the sounds of a fire engine Wednesday evening around 10pm and come on over.  It might be one of the biggest fireplace fires you've ever seen!  Fingers crossed!

Handsome Fella' has been out of town since Friday and will not return until mid-week.  That's a long time and I've missed him.  Let me remind each of you how wonderful and special it is to have someone to talk to, someone who listens to you, someone who makes you laugh, someone to have dinner with, someone who puts their arms around you or holds your hand.  Stop right now and touch or call or text (not if you are driving) someone you hold dear.  I was reminded yesterday during church that we all have gifts and those gifts come with a responsibility.  For those we care about, that responsibility is letting them know every day how important they are to us.  Please don't forget to do that.  You just never know...

And for heaven's sake, hug a Veteran this week!  (I plan to!)  It's the least we can do.  xxoo

*Madeline and Cinda doing well.  Keep them in your prayers as well as Rick and Barbara.  And there are others with silent prayer requests.  Add them too.  God is good!                  

                

"Re-Booting"

I have re-booted my laptop, my TV while talking to a recorded voice on the phone, and my bluetooth procedure in the car.  In October, I re-booted my life!  I decided not to wait until January, but to take action now.

I've told several people that if HC Baker hadn't been cremated and was buried in the ground, he would have rolled over in his grave so many times, he would have put himself on a rotisserie (always the efficiency expert)!

I started the month of October with a new job!!!!!  I'm working part-time at A Taste Of Kentucky in the Middletown store.  I have loved this store for years.  Anything and everything Kentucky!  It's the perfect place to find the perfect gift for yourself or others!  Please let me know when you'd like to come and visit, and I'll help you with ALL your Christmas shopping...one stop shopping for everyone on your list.  And we wrap!!!!!  I'm having a great time with happy people!  Hope to see you there!

I made a quick trip to northern Michigan.  Remember every year I buy the indoor space in the press box.  Three years ago I signed a five-year contract to do this.  My contract ends next year when grandson Garrett is a senior.  I love football and there's nothing like a small town high school football game on a dark, chilly Friday night!  This year I even bought a sponsorship on the local radio station that broadcasts the games.  When I'm not there, I can listen to the "live streaming" of the game at my townhome in Louisville!!!!  When I told them I would buy a sponsorship they asked what I wanted to advertise.  I told them they just have to mention #75, Garrett Lindgren, every time he was a part of a play!  They've done pretty well.  It's incredibly exciting to be in Louisville, Kentucky, listening to my laptop and hear my grandson's name called as he tackles someone or recovers a fumble!!!!  But I did get to be in attendance for the homecoming game!  They won 45-13!!!  Great game!

Saturday morning was soccer time!  Gracie played two games and lost both, but we soothed our wounded souls with a great lunch and SHOPPING!!!!!  Gracie and I love to shop and we did our best to add to the northern Michigan economy!  Saturday night was a special treat as we were all together for dinner.  TR Baker, Danielle (showing the baby bump), Natalie and Oliver joined Emily, Brett, Garrett, Gracie and Brianne (Garrett's date for the Homecoming dance) and me for dinner at the Dam Site Inn, a favorite restaurant of ours.  Lots of laughing and happy conversations!  The only thing missing was Libby and her gang!  Family...it's the best!

Saw a few of the dear friends I made during my four-year "residency"!  Thank you to Kathy and Beverly and Boots for welcoming me back and sorry to others I just did not have time to visit.  Maybe next time I can stay longer!  I did drive by the grey house and was pleased and surprised I did not feel any heart stirrings.  I made the right decision.  It was time to return to Louisville.  (Oh and by the way, they had snow yesterday with more to come today!!!!  Yes, the right decision!)  I miss them all so much, but it was time.

I should mention I was thrilled to have a traveling companion for six hours up and six hours back!  My dear friend Christy traveled with me to Saugatuck where I dropped her off for a weekend with wonderful friends Kristi and Tom.  Thanks to them for lunch on the way up and brunch on the way back.  Enjoyed my very short visit with them.  And especially enjoyed Christy being with me.  The drive was so much nicer with a friend!  

Since I returned I have been working and also enjoying the beautiful Kentucky autumn.  A northern Michigan friend, Karen, spent a night with me on her journey to Florida for the winter!  Last weekend Handsome Fella' and I drove to Madison, Indiana, and had many moments when our breath caught in our throats at the beautiful colors!  Handsome Fella' spent a few teenage years in the Hanover/Madison area so our drive included memory visits to places and the home of a beloved grandfather.  Emotional, "releasing" and relaxing.  And on the way back, we stopped at Bray's Orchard, a memory for me.

Which brings me to last Tuesday night.  Just an ordinary Tuesday night for many of you but for me...well...it was amazing!!!!  I saw Sir Paul McCartney, live and in person!!!!  Like some of you, I remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV quite a few years ago on a Sunday night watching the Ed Sullivan Show and seeing the Beatles for the first time.  When I think of all the life I have experienced since then, what fun to now, at this point in my life*, be able to say "I have seen Paul McCartney in person", well, that's just very cool!  Handsome Fella' and I had a great time. 

*Speaking of "at this point in my life", Handsome Fella' and I did discuss posting our concert photo on my FB page.  And it was a serious discussion.  We each have wonderful families and friends and our histories with them are very special to us.  Privacy is also important to us.  Never would we want our families and friends to be hurt in any way.  So that being said, thank you to all who "liked" and commented.  We enjoyed reading your words and feeling safe in your hearts.

Hope you can spend this first week of November beginning anew, counting your blessings.  And PRAY!!!  I should pray more because when I pray, I feel the closeness with the Lord I want to feel.  And He knows I know HE is the reason I have blessings to count!  Special prayers this week and counted as blessings to me are for dear friends.  First, Madeline, who has completed all her radiation treatments and can now move on to the next step.  Second, Cinda, who is doing well and recovering from her breast cancer surgery.  I saw them both this week and rejoiced at their smiles!  Many others I know are concerned with serious news they have received and are waiting for more information to help them with decisions that will need to be made.  The world is full of hurting people.  Please pray for them.  And don't forget to include our military and their families wherever they are serving.  The Lord loves us all.  Let us be worthy.  xxoo










  

My Walking Girls, the Ballet and Handsome Fella' at the Sundial!

What an awesome weekend!

It all began Friday morning with my walking girls, Cinda and Joyce!  Stop whatever you are doing right now and clap your hands...a lot!!!!!  That's applause for these two remarkable women who for the THIRD time walked 60 miles in three days, this time in Philadelphia!   Yes, there was a bit of rain but hey, the tents were indoors this year!!!!  No muddy footprints on the mattresses!  I am so proud of them and their knees and feet.  Think about it.  When was the last time you walked one mile?  They walked 60!  WOW!  They are such an inspiration to me, AND they do it for all of us.  That's just over-the-top awesome!  I love them so much!

Friday evening I made two new friends (I think).  I had a lovely dinner with Handsome Fella' and his best friend and his wife.  I must admit I was a bit nervous.  When you've been married for a ton of years and your spouse dies, all of a sudden you are one instead of two.  All of your friends are used to you and your spouse and the "couple" you are.  It's quite a "moment" when you appear with someone else. We arrived a bit late (not my fault) and his friends were already there.  So, introductions were made and the evening began.  How am I supposed to relax, talk, EAT, and be comfortable while I'm wondering what they think about this...and me?  They were so warm and friendly to me.  The conversation included children, grandchildren, the "old times" stories, and the history between Handsome Fella' and me.  (Remember, 40+ years ago, Handsome Fella' and I dated prior to me marrying HC Baker and Handsome Fella' marrying Miss Patti.)  Dinner was delicious, Handsome Fella' was right beside me and kept me included and the evening ended with hugs!  Sigh of relief and smiling!  (And Cinda and Joyce walked!)

Saturday was filled with the usual Saturday things.  However, I was looking forward to the evening with Handsome Fella and attending the Louisville Ballet's production of Giselle, my most favorite ballet.  Many, many years ago I performed with the Louisville Ballet and danced twice in Giselle.  Absolutely love it!  And Handsome Fella' had never been to the ballet!  (He's a sports guy, especially baseball as he nearly made a career in that profession.  More about that later.)  So, he picks me up and we head downtown.  Dinner on Main Street and then to the performance.  I did offer a very brief synopsis of the story of Giselle so he would hopefully be ready to see and feel the romance and heartbreak of "the dance".  So often the choreography of many of the original classic ballets is altered, but the new artistic director of the Louisville Ballet retained much of the original work.  My feet wanted to move with the music so many times, I was afraid I would jump up from my seat and dance in the aisle.  (Kept myself in check!)  It was beautiful.  Giselle and Albrecht (the prince) were fabulous!  She was graceful on pointe with beautiful extension.  He was a master of leaps - great height and precise beats.  And Handsome Fella' now has a new respect for the artistic ability of dancers.  He was impressed and enjoyed the performance, maybe would even go again!!!  We both agreed on one thing though.  Having not attended a Louisville Ballet performance in over five years, I was surprised the music was recorded, as was he.  Does the Louisville Orchestra no longer provide the music for the ballet?  What about the opera?  What happened?  My goodness, the orchestra would have so enhanced the performance!  But what an evening!  Perfect from beginning to end!  I was happy to see a few wonderful friends at the ballet too.  (And Cinda and Joyce walked!)

Sunday morning, Handsome Fella' invited me to breakfast.  The day was so beautiful, after breakfast he decided we would take a road trip!  We began to drive east on US 60, something I hadn't done in quite some time.  Interstate highways are wonderful when you're traveling long distances, but there's nothing like the "old" road to relax and surprise you!  And the day was gorgeous!  Perfect temperatures and wonderful sunshine were everywhere we went.  Our first real "slow down" was in Frankfort.  I love Frankfort.  We drove down (or up maybe?) Capitol Avenue, circled the capitol and saw the floral clock.  Good grief, I remember when it was brand new!  We drove past the Governor's mansion, and I remembered having dinner there twice in my life.  Handsome Fella' has had dinner there lots of times over the years.  Memories!!!!  We saw the sign for the Kentucky Viet Nam Veterans Memorial and he asked if I'd ever seen it.  I said yes, several times and he said he'd never seen it.  We agreed to go, and I took him right to it.  (If you've never seen it, shame on you.  It's very special in it's location and design.)
Here's a bit of history about Handsome Fella'.  He was an Airborne Ranger in the mid to late 60's and served in Viet Nam.  He is the recipient of two Purple Hearts.  With the design of the Memorial, he could stand on it just where his name would have been inscribed had he lost his life.  Fortunately, he did survive his injuries, but those injuries did cancel his baseball contract as a short stop with the St. Louis Cardinals.  Despite his incredible disappointment at not being able to play professional baseball, he has achieved business successes worthy of the true American hero he is!  I am so proud of him and am blessed to call him my friend.  

From the capitol, we traveled the back roads and found Woodford Reserve Distillery.  I had been there several times but he had not.  (All those business successes kept him pretty busy.  He is just beginning to learn to relax a bit.)  We decided to take the tour and what fun we had.  Again, the beautiful day added to the enjoyment!  It seemed every time our guide asked if there were any questions, I was the only one who had something to ask!!!  (Go figure!)  Well, most of you know how that tour ends and we enjoyed that too!  As the sun began to set, we headed back to Louisville.  What a glorious day!  (And Cinda and Joyce walked!)

Another beautiful day today (Monday), and I got to have lunch with my dear Harrodsburg friend who was in town for a morning seminar.  We shared about our families and laughed!  What's better than that?  (And Cinda and Joyce flew home!)

Life is short Friends!  Praise the Lord, do your best, laugh a lot and enjoy every moment!  xxoo



                        

WHEW!!!!!

I love wonderful, exciting, happy memories, and the last two weeks have provided so many, I just don't know where to begin!

I'd like to begin with Pastor Barr's sermon, Sunday, August 24th.  He has been sharing a few of the Parables Jesus told and this Sunday's was called "A Rude Awakening".  It's the Parable of the steward who stole money from his master (Luke 16:1-8), and it's always been a bit vague to me as I never knew where it "fit" me.  Now I have a new understanding of it and know exactly how it applies to me.  Dr. Barr began with the question, "Have you ever had a game-changer?"  WOW, have I, and that game-changer left me spinning in an unknown world.  Now I have a few possible avenues to pursue.

     I am the STEWARD of my own life.  There will be an accounting to the Lord and did I use
     all the gifts the Lord gave me?  Have I lost sight of who I am and who I am becoming?  What
     investment can I make today to affect my future and others' futures?  The hymn "I need Thee every  
     hour" was sung followed by this statement - Yes, we need Thee every hour but we don't always
     act like it!  LIVE WISELY!!!!!

The following week was incredible!  On Tuesday, my dear friend Christy moved into her new home.  It's beautiful and she is settling in!  Wednesday began the final wedding preparations for Libby and Tim's special day.  Most of you have seen a few of the photos and they are perfect!  It was a beautiful day of memories and fun, exciting times with family and friends.

With our arms around each other, Libby and I walked down the aisle which was between bales of hay covered in old quilts from the handwork of my grandmother, Mamaw, HC Baker's grandmother, Gandy, great Aunt Mary, and a few newer, purchased ones!  Surrounded by memories right there!!!  There was lawn Twister, giant Genga (made by Tim) and not sure of that spelling, 3 sets of corn hole, the HUGE pile of old trees, stumps, old fence posts, etc., ready for a wonderful bonfire, plenty to eat and drink and lots of laughter and a few tears!  What a day!  Missed having Emily, Brett, Garrett and Gracie there.  *Handsome Fella' missed the day too as he was in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his family enjoying his grandchildren for a final summer outing.  So it was a family holiday weekend for everyone!  Hearts are full!

Survived all that and spent the next week recuperating!  I did visit with dear friends Hub and Reenie.  Some of you might remember them from the years of the live Nativity - they supplied the lambs and Jamison, the donkey!  Hadn't seen them in some time and it was good to catch up!

Made it to church on Sunday for the first in a sermon series titled Just Walk Across the Room, a book by Bill Hybels.  Bought the book, starting to read it and already cried once!  Excited to learn how I can just walk across the room!  Wouldn't that be wonderful for ALL of us?

Spent Sunday afternoon with Handsome Fella' and dear friends, Rick and Barbara (you've been praying for them because they were BOTH diagnosed with cancer last fall) on their weekend farm in Washington County.  Barbara is doing well, Rick is still in treatment.  A large part of his problem is his heart cannot stay in the right rhythm and the meds he is taking keep him sick to his stomach most of the time.  Continued prayers please.  We did take a ride around the farm in his new "mule".  I asked my friend Christy if she knew what a mule was and she said yes.  Then I told her I rode in it around the farm and she gasped!!!!!  She thought I meant a real mule!!!!  After we both stopped laughing, I explained to her it was like a golf cart!!  She felt better!  (I was still totally out of my element but I did it!  Handsome Fella' took a photo if you need proof!)

There's so much else I could tell you but am running out of time.  I have 3 huge projects going on as I write and none of them are going very well!  For some reason, my power drill/screwdriver won't stay charged and I can't find the correct "bits" (???).  I am trying to hang a picture and cannot get the hooks to catch on the back of the frame!!!!!!!  Aggravating to say the least!  I'm trying to hang drapery rods and I think I'm trying to drill into metal and that's a problem!!!!  AND...I'm sewing and broke the machine needle and can't find another one in my sewing box!!!!!  Not my morning!

But let me close with a few prayer requests.  Tomorrow, dear friend Madeline will have her first radiation treatment.  Even though she is the best nurse many of us have ever had, she is now the patient!  Not an easy task for her.  PRAY!  Thursday, dear friends, Cinda and Joyce fly to Philadelphia for their THIRD 3-day 60 mile Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk.  I am so proud of these two women for their commitment and hard work!  PRAY!  Tomorrow a wonderful young woman and her patient and kind husband will be overjoyed at the arrival of their triplets.  She has been in the hospital on bed rest for over a week now waiting and tomorrow is the day!  PRAY!  There are lots of others needing prayers for all kinds of reasons, good and bad.  PRAY!  And always please remember our military and their families.  PRAY!

And to everyone, PRAY we will all find the strength and courage in our hearts to JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM!

Love you all, xxoo      

Dangnabbit but it got better!!!!

What do you want to know first?

The week started wonderfully because one of my BFF's, Kathy, came to spend the night with me!!!  She arrived early Sunday evening and left late Monday afternoon.  We talked and laughed, ate and laughed, and shopped and laughed!  What more could girlfriends want!  We did have one awkward experience at the Kroger store when (unbeknownst to us) Kathy stepped in front of a man attached to an oxygen tank.  He asked her if she always stepped in front of people waiting to shop.  Now let me tell you, he was not even close to what we were looking at and at first we thought he was joking with us.  Not so!  He was hateful and rude!  We apologized and stepped back (not before we grabbed what we wanted).  As we walked away I did suggest we go back to him and unplug his "link".  Kathy wouldn't let me!

Next, I got a letter from Anthem BCBS of KY.  Since I moved back to Louisville, I have switched my Medicare Part C (I think that's the one).  I thought I had it all worked out.  AND...they are deducting the payment from my checking account.  Well, I got a letter from them telling me they were canceling me due to lack of payment.  Seriously?????  Well, I called them.  First of all, there were so many "options" of what to press for help, the last choice was press "12"!!!!!  As usual, I Pressed "0" for operator.  I explained my situation to her and she told me I should have pressed "6"!  I beg your pardon!  So began my wait!  Finally, someone named Cheryl took my call.  I explained once again my problem and she said "Please hold"!  She came back on the line after three minutes and thirty-two seconds to tell me it was a misunderstanding and I could just disregard the letter.  Whoa Baby!!!!  Wait a dadgum minute.  I wanted a better explanation.  I told her I would expect another letter in the mail telling me THEY made a mistake.  She said they don't write correction letters and her confirmation via our telephone conversation would suffice.  (She didn't say "suffice", trust me on that!)  I then asked for her direct phone number and she said she was not at liberty to give me that number.  So here I am, fingers crossed, hoping I don't need medical attention before I see another payment deduction!  Who are these people?????  Do they really work in an area called CUSTOMER SERVICE?????

Another thing I've been working on since late April and my return to Louisville, is my license plate.  I had no problem getting a Kentucky driver's license.  A Kentucky tag proved a bit more difficult.  My car is leased through Toyota out of Michigan where I made the deal.  Well, it turns out Toyota holds the title on my car.  I had no idea.  How come I'm making the payments????  Anyway, the very helpful (????) ladies (????) at the license place gave me a stack of papers to complete and send to Toyota requesting they send the original title to them and then they would give me a Kentucky plate.  I came home, completed the forms post haste and sent them.  And the wait began.  Finally, last week I received a letter from the office of Bobbie Holsclaw, telling me the title had arrived and I should come to 6th and Jefferson to get my plate.  The letter also said DO NOT ASK FOR THE TITLE TO BE SENT TO A BRANCH.  This procedure could only be completed downtown.  So Thursday morning I went downtown.  The address was Court Avenue.  Let me tell you if there is a street sign reading Court Avenue, I am blind.  Fortunately, there was a number for the building and I finally found a building with that number.  I went in and approached the first open door I saw.  Before I even finished asking, the person I was speaking to, without looking up from his desk, said, "Across the hall".  So that's where I went.  Oh my!  Take a ticket, take a seat!  I felt like I was at the new Outlet Mall shops.  People everywhere, standing, sitting, yawning, coughing, asleep, all waiting!  I looked around and immediately noticed three of the employees standing up at their desks, laughing and obviously having a personal conversation.  My tax dollars at work!!!!  So I waited.  Why does everything in a government office look so dirty.  So I stood and waited.  Then after thirty-two minutes, my number was called.  The woman who was to help me greeted me with "What do you want?"  It took everything I had not to punch her in the face.  I gave her all the papers I was told to bring and I honestly believe she read every word (or at least pretended to).  She gets up from her desk, walks over to a file cabinet and retrieves a few papers.  On the way back to her desk, she stopped to have a conversation with one of her co-workers.  REALLY??????  Twenty-seven minutes later she asked me what kind of plate I wanted.  I looked at her and said a license plate for my car.  She rolled her eyes and gave a big sigh and said there a several choices.  I had no idea.  She began to drag out all kinds of plates.  Love the Louisville Cardinals, but no thanks.  Love the UK Wildcats, but thank you no!  And no to any other plate except a regular, plain old generic plate.  She gets one for me out of a cabinet, tells me what I owe, I write the check, and I'm out of there!  When I arrived I had found a great parking place at a meter, "fed" it for one hour and fifteen minutes and when I returned, a policeman was looking at my expired Michigan plate and expired meter!  I ran to him and showed him my new plate and told him if he wrote me a parking ticket, he should be prepared to see me cry.  He opened my car door for me and when he closed it, he said "Go back to the suburbs, Lady!"  Trust me, my Thursday only went further downhill from there!
Why are government workers and government offices so frustrating to me?  UGH!!!!!!!

I endure Friday and determine Saturday is gonna' be MY day!  After all, I'm medically insured and have a brand new Kentucky license plate!  What else could a girl want?  Well...after much thinking and strategizing, I have decided I need a job!  I haven't worked in four years so I'm thinking I need a "starter" job.  I begin by making a list of what I'd like to do and where I'd like to do it.  And then I begin an internet search.  The information you can find on the internet absolutely amazes me.  I found several possibilities and began the application process.  And I thought you could no longer ask for a person's birth date.  So even though there were spaces for month, day and year, I only supplied the month and day.  When I tried to submit it, the year "blanks" flashed red at me!!!!!  I was able to attach my resume so now they know I'm an old broad with lots of great experience.  Wonder what will be more important to them?  And they give you tests during the application process.  Whew!  So finally I complete everything and "submit"!  Got that done and decide I probably need to celebrate my accomplishment and how best to do that??????  Shopping!!!  Works for me.  I went to Lowe's and bought the drapery rods for my bedroom.  (The panels were special ordered and have arrived!)  Now if I just had a Handsome Fella' to help me mount those rods...oh wait...I do!  (Hasn't happened yet because of some golf match going on in the city but he has committed to the chore!)  Ended Saturday smiling!

Finally Sunday and The Prodigal Son, absolutely just what I needed.  And you know what?  I was able to share the story (not as well as the SMBC "Big Guy") twice before the day was done, and saw and hugged and talked with some wonderful friends.  Shared dinner last night with Handsome Fella' and dear friend CH as we watched Rory bring it home!!!!

A new week has started.  I'm getting a new bathtub today in my bedroom.  Plumbers and DUST throughout my house.  They'll finish tomorrow.  Then Thursday and Friday my parking lot is being resurfaced.  Can't park at my house.  What's a girl to do?  No, no, no!  Cannot shop again!

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!
Just got a call as a result of one of my applications, and I have an interview on Friday!  Wish me luck!

Happy new week to all!  xxoo                    



      

Conversations with Friends and other Good Stuff!

Because I was up north for four years, I really missed having long, wonderful conversations with my dear friends.  I was blessed during my "northern exposure" to have some great home visits and frequent phone visits with some of my friends, but many of us are so busy, we just couldn't fit those long distance sharing moments into our schedules.  I'm working hard to catch up on "catching up" and this week was a wonderful start.

Sadly, when you're alone you kinda' adjust to not talking and for me that was quite an adjustment!  That's probably why my dogs seem to listen so intently to me.  They were my conversation partners.  But here I am now, surrounded by my precious friends and family, and I get to see their faces as we discuss our lives - past, present, and future.  What a gift to ourselves to be able to talk with others about what's in our hearts and on our minds.  The age of the person, where they are in life, their state of mind, their heartaches and joys, all contribute to the memories you will always have of this person.    

Last Sunday at St Matthews Baptist Church, the "Magical" David G. reintroduced me to a few verses in Romans, (Chapter 14, 1-15-15:7).  He called this message "US and THEM".  As usual with David, humor played into the questions he asked each of us.  But for me, more importantly, these verses and the challenge he presented to all of us was about making the "me" into an "us".  After forty plus years of being married and being an "us", I have spent the past four years discovering what it means to be a "me".  He talked about walking into a room looking for the person to make "me" an "us".  WOW!  I have done this countless times in recent years.  There are just so many situations when you find yourself being the "one" person in the group.  Oh...everyone is very welcoming and friendly, but that doesn't change the feeling in your heart.  One of the things I'm thankful to my Handsome fella' for is when we're in group gatherings, he makes me an "us" instead of a "me", a "two" instead of a "one", a person who can laugh out loud instead of one who forces a quiet smile, someone who can look forward to events and not dread the future.  Thank you David for reminding me to avoid placing stumbling blocks in the way and to focus on what "joins" us all together.  Great Sunday morning even though we did have to say goodbye to one of my newest, best friends, Jeremy who, along with his family, is following a new calling from the Lord.  (Dang!!!)  Best wishes to him in his new church home!

The rest of the week included some very special conversations with exceptional people.
Lunch and talking with Madeline who had breast cancer surgery yesterday and the prognosis looks very promising.
A great evening with my wonderful friend CH and her friends celebrating...yes celebrating her recent divorce, selling of her home and the purchase of her new home.  What a journey she has nearly completed and now the hope and excitement for a new journey with a wonderful future filled with new experiences.  
Fun, entertaining and interesting (as usual) conversations with KVH who came from Michigan for the party.  CH and KVH came to see me every October I lived in northern Michigan.  What special times those were.
Sharing a few short conversations with my dear friends Joyce and Cinda.  They are training for their THIRD Susan G. Komen, 3-day, 60 mile walk, this year in Philadelphia!  My heart nearly bursts when I think of the commitment they have made to accomplish this.  I am so proud of them for this (and lots of other things too!).
Had so many great interactions with people I have missed, Ray, Werner, Sam, MB, and the list goes on.
And I have to mention the many conversations with Handsome fella'.  As he is on the same side of the "me" part of his life as I am, we can discuss our history with special spouses and feel comfortable sharing those memories.
TRUE FRIENDS understand where you've been, they listen to you, they laugh and cry with you, they share their hearts with you.

Sometimes the stumbling block is a pebble on the walk and other times that pebble is in your shoe!  Hold on to the arm of your friend, and they will help you remove it!  Hold your friends close and keep talking.

xxoo

Prayer requests - Friends Rick and Barbara still battling health issues, brother and sister-in-law of my friend ET, Madeline as she continues to recover from her surgery, Danielle still suffering the 24-hour variety of morning sickness, TRB as he begins his new job responsibilities, children grieving over the loss of a parent, and all of our military and their families.

P.S.  Today would have been my 41st wedding anniversary.  So thankful for those memories and looking forward to new conversations!

  

  
            

What a Week!!!!!

The only concern about writing a review of this week is where to start!  So I'll begin with last Sunday.

Had a great experience at church only made greater by having lunch with the Louisville Kirkland gang!  WOW!  Reed has grown so much and MH is so beautiful...and a runner!  She has just finished running her second 5K and finished in 43 minutes!!!!  And her running mate is her grandmother!!!!  Is that exciting or what????

First thing Monday morning, I went to a new dentist.  It's so hard to change doctors and since my former dentist was no longer practicing but teaching, I had to start over!  On the recommendation of Handsome fella', I met Dr. David Schaefer and his able Hygienist, Missy.  Great office and great people.  Mark that off my list!  

Monday I was also determined to complete my office area.  Found the perfect shelves and got them into my car then into the house!  Not an easy task.  They had to be assembled but the box said no tools needed!  (In the past four years I have discovered that anytime the assembly instructions are written in four languages there's probably gonna' be an error or two!  Yes, that applies to these shelves!)  The first giant task was getting them out of the box.  Now I'm a reasonably intelligent person with a reasonable amount of strength.  Good grief!  I finally got one set out of the box and completed the first step.  After that it was an uphill battle.  I finally gave up and decided to wait until tomorrow so I could mentally prepare for what appeared was going to be a super frustration for me.  Wait...someone's knocking on my front door.  Knight in shining armor arrives...AKA Handsome fella'!!!!!  So Monday ended much, much better than I expected.  Bookshelves assembled and placed in office!  My hero!!!

Tuesday began with organizing my office with the new shelves.  Got that done in short order and moved onto my next task, emptying and organizing 6 trunk/tubs of winter clothes, boots, coats and personal stuff!  Got all that hung in the guest room walk-in closet and moved the empty tubs to the garage.  Which brings me to my next task...organizing the garage.  You'd think if a person moved three times in four years they would be able to manage their personal belongings.  I swear that stuff reproduces during the night.  After downsizing, dividing (TR Baker into his own home), giving away, throwing away, and moving from 5 bedrooms to two, there was a huge amount of stuff I didn't even move.  And some of the stuff I did move was for my sisters and daughter Libby.  So how come, after moving into this town home did I still have too much stuff????  The garage was full of furniture and boxes I simply could not fit inside.  And I wanted to be able to put my car in the garage.  I did a pretty good job of labeling my boxes so I was primarily looking for a blender, two small lamps, a few more pots and pans, framed photos, book ends, and the ever-popular toaster.  I found it all, emptied several boxes and consolidated several more, moved a few things around and still not room for my car!  I took empty boxes to the dumpster/compactor and kept stacking until all I was left with was two dining room chairs (cannot fit them into the dining room!).  So I hammered a few nails into the garage wall and hung the chairs.  Also, since HC Baker died, I have moved financial/tax records from as far back as 2006 and I was tired of it.  I looked on-line and the IRS said keeping 4-5 years of "stuff" was sufficient.  BTW, the IRS keeps seven years so why should I?  Did you know you could take this kind of stuff to the FedEx (sorry TR Baker) store, pay them 79 cents a pound and they will shred it?  So I loaded the car with 2006/7/8/9 tax, etc. records, plus two additional boxes labeled HC's miscellaneous files and took them to the shredder.  I should tell you that was an incredible "freeing" experience for me.  I started to go through each box before I took them but decided NO!  I'm done with them.  The car is in the garage!!!!!  Go Me!  

Now, what should have taken me a few hours became two days.  I did not go through the tax and file boxes but I did come across two other boxes I have moved three times in the past four years.  Both boxes were not cardboard like the bankers boxes but leather and felt lined.  One box contained all the cards and memories of HC Baker's illnesses and surgeries and the other all the memories of his death.  After quite a few deep breaths, I decided I would read everything one more time then they would be discarded.  And I didn't call my children.  This is not their burden, it's mine.  So I began.  Oh my, what wonderful, fabulous, faithful friends HC Baker had and I have.  So many cards when he was ill...in Louisville and at the Mayo Clinic.  I was able to picture their faces as I read the messages from around the world.  Cards, letters, e-mails, the responses to the on-line updates while at Mayo, pizza boxes signed by all who were in attendance that day, the huge envelope of cards made by the youth.  I remember the day we received that envelope and how HC Baker and I both cried over each fun drawing and comment from those precious teenagers who meant so much to him for so many years.  And I remembered the phone calls to me while we were at Mayo.  So many times I could not talk but cried while those on the other end just held me in their hearts so many miles away.  And then the cards and conversations when we arrived back home.  We'd made it!  So I finished that box and dumped all of it in a bag to be discarded.  Box #2...A.D.  I didn't know if I could do this today but told myself YES I CAN!  It's one more box.  And interesting to note, both dogs sat right at my feet the whole time.  The cards and letters again from around the world from people I knew and loved and people I had no idea who they were.  People HC Baker had met along the way.  Such beautiful messages in cards and letters, dear friends who had Catholic masses said for him, donations made to the HC Baker Children and Youth Memorial fund and Kentucky Habitat for Humanity, and flowers.  I did keep the guest book from the visitation and memorial service, so grateful for all those who came.  Let me say again how grateful I was and continue to be for the staff at St. Matthews Baptist Church who held me and all the details together.  And to Mark at Clifton Pizza for his special gift of the lunch.  It could not have been more perfect.  So many of the cards and memories especially touched my heart as they were sent from dear friends who have since joined HC Baker on the streets paved in gold.  OK, I did it!  Hard work and the physical reminders are gone but the memories will last forever.

The last thing of note on Wednesday was a posting on FB from TR Baker.  Many of you saw it and have expressed to TR Baker and me your joy and support.  TR Baker has had a difficult time in the past four years but he has come through it all and is now seeing the sunshine of life.  About a year ago he met Danielle and when I announced to him I was selling our grey home and moving back to Louisville, he decided to stay up north and begin to share a home with Danielle and her two children, Natalie and Oliver.  I have been so proud of TR Baker and his efforts to make a home for himself and his new family.  He has worked for UPS for 14 years and has been offered a full time position of driving for them.  He leaves today for a week of training.  Please pray for him as "anxiety" is his other middle name!  And then the best news is he and Danielle are expecting a precious baby.  They are both thrilled and on Friday, he heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.  He said it was awesome!  So I gained two more grandchildren with Natalie and Oliver and now will add another!  That equals 9 grandchildren for me!!!!  How blessed am I?  Can't wait for another baby to hold!

*Note - Did I tell you Libby is getting married on August 30?  So I'm gaining a new son-in-law too and his name is Tim!  Blessings continue!

OK, it's Thursday now.  Spent most of the day completing the tasks I began earlier this week.  And then got ready to attend the St. Matthews Baptist Church Women's Summer Pot Luck Supper.  I love "pot luck" meals.  You can taste some amazing things!  Fabulous salads, delicious corn pudding, enchilada pie, CANDY BAR CAKE!!!!!, fresh blackberry cobbler and on and on!  YUMMY!  A cookbook is being prepared with all the recipes.  And the best part was seeing so many friends I had not had the opportunity to be with in some time.  I saw Madeline and her incredible daughter Sam.  Sat next to new friend Pat and a friend of many years, Debbie and her wonderful daughter Amanda!  Missed all of them so much!  Fabulous evening!  Thank you to Cinda and her great team!  I love you all!        

(I know this is long, but it was a very "releasing" and "revealing" week!)

Friday morning - Oh my!  Went downstairs and stepped on carpet that squished under my feet!  Not a good start!  Called the maintenance number immediately and 5 minutes later someone is knocking at my door.  (This happened once before right after I moved in and it was the furnace/ac unit with a clogged pipe.)  This squishy carpet is on the other side of the dining room, far away from the furnace/ac unit.  What now???????  BTW, I'm not happy!  It appears the townhouse next door had a water line break and it came over to my place.  Whatever...JUST FIX IT!!!!!  So it began with the removal of the carpet padding, mopping up, water extraction from carpet, and huge fan under the carpet to dry it all.  I hate messes and just when I was about to have everything in order!  And I have Handsome fella' coming for dinner.  It is what it is!  They will be back Monday morning to complete the task.  So, since I am not happy (that my friends is an understatement!), I asked if the "guys" could make time that day to hang my wall art.  Why yes, we can certainly do that!  (Funny how things happen!)  Anyway, I have this very tall and dimly lit stairwell.  Several weeks ago I asked them to move the dining room light fixture (a brushed nickel drop light that did not allow my dining room table and china cabinet to be placed as I wanted them in the dining room) to the stairwell and move the basic ceiling light from the stairwell to the dining room.  They did that and then I proceeded to create a wall hanging.  The center piece is old fabric from things I've made over the years, pieced together with other "things" that make me smile.  One of my favorite add-ons is two pink rubber breast cancer bracelets to remind me of my dear friends Joyce and Cinda as they prepare for their third 3-day, 60 mile walk this year in Philadelphia.  I think and pray for them each time I go up and down the stairs!  On each side of this fabric collage is a sari HC Baker brought me from India.  So the maintenance guys brought one of those very cool ladders that allow you to make the legs adjust to the height you need, and they proceeded to hang the rod to hold my wall art.  They got everything up and hanging and OH MY GOODNESS, it looks FABULOUS!  I wish all of you could see it!  I'm very happy and it made me forget my dining room looked like crap!  So my dinner was successful and Handsome fella' enjoyed it!  (Fresh tomato and cottage cheese, country ham, lima beans, new potatoes, fresh peach cobbler and peach ice cream!  Delicious!)

So now it's Saturday!  You're gonna' love this day!  Handsome fella' calls and asks what are my plans for the day.  I don't really have any so I'm open to suggestions.  He asks if I'd like to go to the Forecastle Music Festival.  I've heard so much about it over the years and never attended so yes, I'd like to go.  (He'd never been either.)  So off we went.  I'm smiling as I write this because I have NEVER in my life seen so many "sights".  There were very creative costumes, some really old hippies and really young teenagers, body parts that would have been better covered, clothes or lack thereof, tiny babies carried on daddys' backs, barefooted folks (oh my!), and anything else you could possibly imagine.  OH and I used a porta-potty and sat on the ground!  Quite something for me!  My list of the most viewed wardrobe pieces and accessories include boots - any kind from muck boots to combat boots, hair bands of ribbons, flowers, kerchiefs, etc., worn wrapped around the head "hippie" style, anything that could reveal too much skin, hats, and TATTOOS!  Lots of tattoos!  Huge tattoos!  Arms covered in tattoos, backs covered in tattoos, legs and ankles covered in tattoos, and the list goes on!  The "people watching" was worth the price of admission!  And it's VERY expensive to go (glad I wasn't paying!)  I'm still smiling because we had a great time!  Laughing is one of the things that makes your heart happy and Handsome fella' and I always laugh together.  And yesterday was full of laughs.  Oh, and the music was great too.  (Unfortunately, I was not familiar with many of the entertainers but liked the sounds, most of them.  The closing act last night was Jack White and I got excited because I thought it was Jack Black and I knew of him!!!  (My grandchildren just groaned!!!!)

So that was my week!  The good and the bad, the old and the new, the laughter and the tears, remembering the past and making new memories.  At least my life is never boring!

Love to you all for being a part of my life!  xxoo

Prayer requests - Friends Rick and Barbara still battling health issues, friend MG who will have surgery at the end of the month, TR Baker, Danielle, Natalie, Oliver and new baby - lots of new experiences for all of them, friend CH has sold her home and now faces the "where to go" decision, and pray for a great week for yourselves!