Two friends left to join the Lord within the last few days. MaryAnn Rude (Swan) on June 7th and Sandi Weber (Burns). Just read Sandi's orbit today via the internet and the Billings Gazette.
How did it happen! We were kids just yesterday. We laughed and drove wildly around town "burning the point". We snuck into bars and picked up boys and made out. We had firm bodies and wide bright eyes and our whole world ahead of us. Time, time and time; how fast it travels. Those bucket lists that we started hearing about from Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman should never be for old people. Young people, if you are reading this take heed. Don't use your money to buy more stuff, use it to enjoy. Put some in savings and support some of those less fortunate but take time for you and the ones you love. It doesn't take a lot of money to go to the park, swimming in the lake and a game of catch or Frisbee. You daddy, mommies, aunts and uncles can even have a tea party with the little ones. Mostly though love God and each other as though it is the last day of the rest of your life.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
That's what friends are for
What a shock! Judy, long time friend, called last evening with news that our mutual friend passed away at 8:00am June 7th. I had spent the day cleaning as I remembered my sister-in-law, Lisha's birthday. That's a whole other blog; Lisha taught me the virtues of cleaning. I smiled and actually laughed out loud a couple of times.
That "good time feeling" left me suddenly when I heard the news that MaryAnn had died. MaryAnn was diagnosed with cancer I think about 5 years ago. At that time her husband, Denny was told it was fast growing and could take her is 4 years. Because I know people who have been told that and have been in remission for 10, I didn't take that as the gospel. MaryAnn lived in Bellingham, Washington so couldn't see her regularly. I traveled to Bellingham 3 years ago and had a delightful time with her and Denny. She had slowed down some but her fun personality and her good looks were very much intact. Last year I met with MaryAnn, Denny, Judy and Don in Billings. We went to dinner and had a great visit. Again, she was tired but not what I would have thought to be life threatening. Her diagnosis did come to pass and I lost a wonderful friend of 53 years. I pray there will be joy at her funeral as people recall her loyalty and positive attitude in all things.
As the old saying goes, "the only thing certain in life is death and taxes" None of us will live on this earth forever. My prayer is that I take the time to recognize friends often and tell them how much they mean to me.
That "good time feeling" left me suddenly when I heard the news that MaryAnn had died. MaryAnn was diagnosed with cancer I think about 5 years ago. At that time her husband, Denny was told it was fast growing and could take her is 4 years. Because I know people who have been told that and have been in remission for 10, I didn't take that as the gospel. MaryAnn lived in Bellingham, Washington so couldn't see her regularly. I traveled to Bellingham 3 years ago and had a delightful time with her and Denny. She had slowed down some but her fun personality and her good looks were very much intact. Last year I met with MaryAnn, Denny, Judy and Don in Billings. We went to dinner and had a great visit. Again, she was tired but not what I would have thought to be life threatening. Her diagnosis did come to pass and I lost a wonderful friend of 53 years. I pray there will be joy at her funeral as people recall her loyalty and positive attitude in all things.
As the old saying goes, "the only thing certain in life is death and taxes" None of us will live on this earth forever. My prayer is that I take the time to recognize friends often and tell them how much they mean to me
Dizzy Dame
That title is coining an old, old name from the past. My mom used it frequently when describing a buxom blonde having a bit more fun than she felt was necessary. Fortunately she never saw her daughter in action back in the day. Always best behavior when mom is present, right?
Funny after reaching 71 I still vividly remember being my younger me. Sometimes I feel ashamed of my behavior but other times, particularly since truly accepting our Lord Jesus, I'm grateful for the experience and wisdom it has given me. My prayer now is that I will be able to give some guidance to young people. They too will have to struggle with hard decisions but possibly they will remember how precious they are in God's sight and view their bodies as temples of beauty.
Sometimes I guess I get a little too preachy. Sometimes I think what I say is going to turn people off . Sometimes I know that I'm not going to live in this world forever. Sometimes I wonder what the future holds. "Sometime" can boggle our minds. God never changes. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. Believing that forces the "sometime" to vanish into the world and keeps us safe in his arms. I found him. Amen.
Funny after reaching 71 I still vividly remember being my younger me. Sometimes I feel ashamed of my behavior but other times, particularly since truly accepting our Lord Jesus, I'm grateful for the experience and wisdom it has given me. My prayer now is that I will be able to give some guidance to young people. They too will have to struggle with hard decisions but possibly they will remember how precious they are in God's sight and view their bodies as temples of beauty.
Sometimes I guess I get a little too preachy. Sometimes I think what I say is going to turn people off . Sometimes I know that I'm not going to live in this world forever. Sometimes I wonder what the future holds. "Sometime" can boggle our minds. God never changes. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. Believing that forces the "sometime" to vanish into the world and keeps us safe in his arms. I found him. Amen.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Christmas like weather
At first the title was going to read Weather like Christmas. Hmmm, whether to like Christmas or not. That opens a whole lot of positives and negatives so decided on the safe, "Christmas like weather."
The first Christmas spent in Arizona was weird; weather wise and many other whys. Oh, the confusion of the English language. Anyway, I'm in shorts and a tank top and Arizonians are bundled up nothing short of the Pacific Northwest. Why? How can that be? The sun is shining and it is 70 degrees. Come on, folks. Let's go tree shopping. Tradition points to a Douglas Fir so we, my son, daughter-in-law and two grands, hit some of the corner tree markets. No doubt these trees were cut a month ago and if they last a week without dropping all their needles it would truly be a Christmas miracle. Checking the price tags caused my son who is 6' 3" to suddenly grow another inch as his hair stood on end. My hand immediately slid to my purse to protect it from impulse buying. I really was ready to shell out $80.00 but was out voted. Fry's supermarket was having a special on imitation Fica trees and, with a few lights brought from Washington, Christmas was officially dubbed Arizona. This was a lesson in Christmas love not decorations. The 5 of us had one of the best Christmas I can remember. Lots of love and laughs.
The first Christmas spent in Arizona was weird; weather wise and many other whys. Oh, the confusion of the English language. Anyway, I'm in shorts and a tank top and Arizonians are bundled up nothing short of the Pacific Northwest. Why? How can that be? The sun is shining and it is 70 degrees. Come on, folks. Let's go tree shopping. Tradition points to a Douglas Fir so we, my son, daughter-in-law and two grands, hit some of the corner tree markets. No doubt these trees were cut a month ago and if they last a week without dropping all their needles it would truly be a Christmas miracle. Checking the price tags caused my son who is 6' 3" to suddenly grow another inch as his hair stood on end. My hand immediately slid to my purse to protect it from impulse buying. I really was ready to shell out $80.00 but was out voted. Fry's supermarket was having a special on imitation Fica trees and, with a few lights brought from Washington, Christmas was officially dubbed Arizona. This was a lesson in Christmas love not decorations. The 5 of us had one of the best Christmas I can remember. Lots of love and laughs.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Life moves with the speed of light
How could 7 days have passed so quickly since I last blogged. Youth seems to be fading slowly but my ability to acquire wisdom is fading rapidly. There has to be some very deep psychology in that sentence. Today is my grandson, Taylor's 13th birthday. He is a sweet boy and I love him dearly. He is one of the reasons I want to live to be 90. In 20 more years he will come to me as he did when he was 8 and want to play. It's that youth thing again. My mom was taken for granted by me because of her unconditional love. Even now I know I did not give her the recognition she so deserved for being the best mom ever. Side note for me to remember: God is all and more of my mom. How often do I give Him the credit He deserves. May I begin today.
Back again so soon, it is only the 13th of November, my daughter's 42nd birthday. How well I remember that time of my life running hither and yon keeping up with two boys, a girl and the pastor of a church. Trying to be everything to everyone and selfishly taking credit. If someone, including my daughter, who are in their 40's and trying to understand their role in life, let me just say, "Please take each day one at a time and don't get overly excited about things you can't control." Do the best you can raising your kids but don't go into overdrive blaming yourself if some things don't go according to plan. It will work out. God is there all day everyday in control. He only asks that we do our best. Do we not tell our own children the very same thing?
Back again so soon, it is only the 13th of November, my daughter's 42nd birthday. How well I remember that time of my life running hither and yon keeping up with two boys, a girl and the pastor of a church. Trying to be everything to everyone and selfishly taking credit. If someone, including my daughter, who are in their 40's and trying to understand their role in life, let me just say, "Please take each day one at a time and don't get overly excited about things you can't control." Do the best you can raising your kids but don't go into overdrive blaming yourself if some things don't go according to plan. It will work out. God is there all day everyday in control. He only asks that we do our best. Do we not tell our own children the very same thing?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Shot in the Gludius Maximus
Not directly into that area but I sure could feel it. This is the first time that one of these epidurals hurt me. I've had several over the course of 10 years. They do help. As I get older and the pain more severe, they are not as effective. This one was more for my foot than my back. I have been having pain in the bottom of my right foot. After my shot on October 9, the pain is mostly gone but the numbness is still with me. Maybe this one will help the numbness. Medicare will only pay every 12 months for the vicets (sp) in my discs so the left side of my back will have to wait until next year. Not sure what to do about golf. My better judgement tells me to give it up. It's one of those age things again. I want to be young and healthy but have to be satisfied with old and wise.
Walked out into the backyard this morning to enjoy the cool weather and found mushy gravel over about a third of the area. Called the landscaper and came home to 2 holes dug in the backyard and 1 in the front. Ken is a great guy but as forgetful and a confronted unfaithful husband. If he doesn't come back tonight as he promised (it's 5:00 now) I will be on the phone in the morning. Lots of us who have been in these homes since they were constructed in 2005 are having trouble with drip system leaks. May have to have the all the lines replaced.
Well, it is the 2nd of November and I didn't call Ken this morning. I will give him the benefit of the doubt since the holes he dug are not really dried out enough for him to work on. If he hasn't contacted me by Monday, maybe it is time to look for another landscaper.
Been doing some cleaning today also and may have to hire a cleaning service to give the house a totally good cleaning. There is just too much. Windows, shades, mopboards and cupboards all need deep cleaning. I could do a little at a time but that is frustrating because it seems it is never done. By the time I finish it is time to start over. Alice has a woman living with her now that does housecleaning and needs the money.
This has been a crazy day but I've also accomplished a lot. Now my dilema at 3:00pm is, do I put on makeup to go to the store. I only want a few things so won't be spending a whole lot of time there. Rarely do I see someone I know and that shouldn't be a factor anyway. Okay, I talked myself right out of putting on makeup.
Walked out into the backyard this morning to enjoy the cool weather and found mushy gravel over about a third of the area. Called the landscaper and came home to 2 holes dug in the backyard and 1 in the front. Ken is a great guy but as forgetful and a confronted unfaithful husband. If he doesn't come back tonight as he promised (it's 5:00 now) I will be on the phone in the morning. Lots of us who have been in these homes since they were constructed in 2005 are having trouble with drip system leaks. May have to have the all the lines replaced.
Well, it is the 2nd of November and I didn't call Ken this morning. I will give him the benefit of the doubt since the holes he dug are not really dried out enough for him to work on. If he hasn't contacted me by Monday, maybe it is time to look for another landscaper.
Been doing some cleaning today also and may have to hire a cleaning service to give the house a totally good cleaning. There is just too much. Windows, shades, mopboards and cupboards all need deep cleaning. I could do a little at a time but that is frustrating because it seems it is never done. By the time I finish it is time to start over. Alice has a woman living with her now that does housecleaning and needs the money.
This has been a crazy day but I've also accomplished a lot. Now my dilema at 3:00pm is, do I put on makeup to go to the store. I only want a few things so won't be spending a whole lot of time there. Rarely do I see someone I know and that shouldn't be a factor anyway. Okay, I talked myself right out of putting on makeup.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Bringing Life up to date
Nearly the end of another year. Because I am neglectful in keeping this blog, it is hard to remember the events that have occurred to bring it up to date. Today a friend, using Logitech, talked with me about computers and I mentioned that I have written a blog. She was interested and asked how to access it. I told her and now I'm embarrassed because I haven't written for so long.
So many good things happened this year it seems a shame to not record those that I can remember. (Did you catch that, the remembering part) Age seems to have a way of clearing the mind whether I want it cleared or not.
My 70th birthday celebration was definitely a highlight. Kristi Newman planned and provided their home. She only asked me to make up the invite list. Kristi is my ray of sunshine here in Arizona, not that we need more sunshine, but when my skies are gray, she makes me happy. There were pictures of me on the door, streamers and chalk messages from the kids all over the driveway. My brother Jerry, his wife, Bobby and my deceased brother's wife Lisha were here visiting from Montana which made the party that much more special. Alice, Deanna, Deric, Kelly and Kathy from SunLakes, Karen, Aubrey, Miles and Debbie from Auwatukee, Perry and Barbara, Aline and Clint and Kelly from Maricopa plus the Newman clan. Wishing my children could have been there but work schedules and plane tickets prevented that but the gift of a super first class bicycle somewhat made up for it.
My daughter, Michelle called the dealer and made all the financial arrangements. She is such a super kid; told me to just pick out whatever I wanted including assessories and she and her brothers would take care of it.
I ride my bike a lot and have only fallen off twice. The first time on my head but the second was just a little bump. Have Kristi to thank for helping me pick out the bike and transporting it home.
Okay!! I can't seem to navigate this blog as well as I use to. It has taken me 10 minutes to find the right button allowing me to edit or add to this.
Had an interesting thought this morning as I read in the newspaper. Gas prices are dropping. Article also commented that prices will continue to drop during the winter months. Alright, back to my interesting thought. Living on the farm about 54 years ago had very distinct advantages for a sneaky teenager. We had a 100 gallon gas tank that dad kept for refueling farm equipment and cars. If my friends and I were a bit short of money, we'd steal gas from the tank. We thought we were pretty clever but thinking back, dad probably knew exactly when thieves were pilfering from him.
Wouldn't it be great if we all had one of those tanks so when gas prices drop we fill it up and avoid the rise in price later on. As I scan what I just wrote, I can see lots of holes in the plan but it brought back some fun memories.
Golfed 9 holes today with a lady's group. Paid for 18 but my back couldn't take it after 9. The Duke doesn't have 9 hole rates so had to forfiet my green fees. Doesn't seem fair but, as I've been told many times before, life isn't fair. It was a beautiful morning and I played better than I did a couple weeks ago. More injections on Thursday so maybe I'll be back on the course playing 18 and recording a good score.
So many good things happened this year it seems a shame to not record those that I can remember. (Did you catch that, the remembering part) Age seems to have a way of clearing the mind whether I want it cleared or not.
My 70th birthday celebration was definitely a highlight. Kristi Newman planned and provided their home. She only asked me to make up the invite list. Kristi is my ray of sunshine here in Arizona, not that we need more sunshine, but when my skies are gray, she makes me happy. There were pictures of me on the door, streamers and chalk messages from the kids all over the driveway. My brother Jerry, his wife, Bobby and my deceased brother's wife Lisha were here visiting from Montana which made the party that much more special. Alice, Deanna, Deric, Kelly and Kathy from SunLakes, Karen, Aubrey, Miles and Debbie from Auwatukee, Perry and Barbara, Aline and Clint and Kelly from Maricopa plus the Newman clan. Wishing my children could have been there but work schedules and plane tickets prevented that but the gift of a super first class bicycle somewhat made up for it.
My daughter, Michelle called the dealer and made all the financial arrangements. She is such a super kid; told me to just pick out whatever I wanted including assessories and she and her brothers would take care of it.
I ride my bike a lot and have only fallen off twice. The first time on my head but the second was just a little bump. Have Kristi to thank for helping me pick out the bike and transporting it home.
Okay!! I can't seem to navigate this blog as well as I use to. It has taken me 10 minutes to find the right button allowing me to edit or add to this.
Had an interesting thought this morning as I read in the newspaper. Gas prices are dropping. Article also commented that prices will continue to drop during the winter months. Alright, back to my interesting thought. Living on the farm about 54 years ago had very distinct advantages for a sneaky teenager. We had a 100 gallon gas tank that dad kept for refueling farm equipment and cars. If my friends and I were a bit short of money, we'd steal gas from the tank. We thought we were pretty clever but thinking back, dad probably knew exactly when thieves were pilfering from him.
Wouldn't it be great if we all had one of those tanks so when gas prices drop we fill it up and avoid the rise in price later on. As I scan what I just wrote, I can see lots of holes in the plan but it brought back some fun memories.
Golfed 9 holes today with a lady's group. Paid for 18 but my back couldn't take it after 9. The Duke doesn't have 9 hole rates so had to forfiet my green fees. Doesn't seem fair but, as I've been told many times before, life isn't fair. It was a beautiful morning and I played better than I did a couple weeks ago. More injections on Thursday so maybe I'll be back on the course playing 18 and recording a good score.
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