All last year and this I had tried to figure out how I could get to Denver to visit my younger son. I have driven the six-hundred plus miles more than once, but that was before my breathing got so bad. The driving part wouldn't be a problem, but because of my emphysema having to gas the car, stop for restrooms, and check into motels with my air and luggage would be very hard. I was honestly afriad to try it. Then this week he moved back to Missouri. Right now he is living about thirty minutes away, and I have already seen him twice. Prayers are answered. Now if he can just find a decent job and a decent place to live I can relax.
My daughter is still missing her Texas home so much. She likes her new home and being close to family and old friends, but she is so homesick for her Texas friends and her church. She loved her home and her way of life there. As a parent, I feel so helpless as there is nothing I can do to make the sadness go away. I am proud of the way that she doesn't let this rule her life here, but I can feel the sadness in her heart.
My older son is still stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland, and is scheduled to go to Iraq next year, probably in March. He and his wife have made some short visits back here, and we are trying to figure out how we can manage to visit them in Baltimore. Our dogs and money are the only things stopping us from going.
Weather has cooled off and now feels like Fall. My favorite time of the year, or maybe second to Winter. I love being able to wear sweaters and sweatshirts.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
This past weekend was my high school fifty year reunion. The two classes following our class combined their reunion with us, so my husband celebrated his forty-eight year reunion.
This was the high school homecoming, so we had a truck in the parade on Friday afternoon. It was fun seeing all of us "old folks" climbing up to sit on the hay bales. There were pep songs sung, cheers chanted, and lots of waving to the crowds. The truck bed was full, so some of the men walked the entire parade route behind the truck. A couple of them looked as though they wished they hadn't been so quick to volunteer, but they all managed to smile and wave to the crowds and finish the parade. Way to go, guys!
The local Quarterback Club was sponsoring a chili supper before the football game Friday night, and a lot of our former classmates were planning to attend both the supper and the football game. After spending the afternoon in a sunny, eighty plus degree afternoon, I didn't think I could handle much more. Wayne was ready to get out of the heat, too, so we went home to take care of the dogs and get a cold drink of water for ourselves. Then we went out to eat where we could sit down and be waited on.
Saturday evening we attended the "meet and greet" and the dinner. We sat with my best friend from high school, Kitty, and her husband, Larry. There was lots of hugging, talking and laughing. Wayne and Kitty spent time walking around and talking to people, but Larry and I stayed at the table and let people come to us. I didn't want to carry my oxygen tank around, and Larry didn't know anyone but us, so that was fine with both of us. Class group pictures were taken, and I am looking forward to seeing them.
All in all, it was a a lot of fun. We saw a lot of people we hadn't seen for years and heard all about their kids and grandkids. I think we should do it again in another fifty years.
This was the high school homecoming, so we had a truck in the parade on Friday afternoon. It was fun seeing all of us "old folks" climbing up to sit on the hay bales. There were pep songs sung, cheers chanted, and lots of waving to the crowds. The truck bed was full, so some of the men walked the entire parade route behind the truck. A couple of them looked as though they wished they hadn't been so quick to volunteer, but they all managed to smile and wave to the crowds and finish the parade. Way to go, guys!
The local Quarterback Club was sponsoring a chili supper before the football game Friday night, and a lot of our former classmates were planning to attend both the supper and the football game. After spending the afternoon in a sunny, eighty plus degree afternoon, I didn't think I could handle much more. Wayne was ready to get out of the heat, too, so we went home to take care of the dogs and get a cold drink of water for ourselves. Then we went out to eat where we could sit down and be waited on.
Saturday evening we attended the "meet and greet" and the dinner. We sat with my best friend from high school, Kitty, and her husband, Larry. There was lots of hugging, talking and laughing. Wayne and Kitty spent time walking around and talking to people, but Larry and I stayed at the table and let people come to us. I didn't want to carry my oxygen tank around, and Larry didn't know anyone but us, so that was fine with both of us. Class group pictures were taken, and I am looking forward to seeing them.
All in all, it was a a lot of fun. We saw a lot of people we hadn't seen for years and heard all about their kids and grandkids. I think we should do it again in another fifty years.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dead Tree
When I was writing yesterday, I forgot to mention something that happened last week. Wayne was in the living room on our desktop, and I was in the kitchen on my laptop. I heard a loud noise, sounded like an explosion, but couldn't tell where it came from. When I looked out the back door, I saw a tree branch in the bed of Wayne's truck. I told him about it, but he didn't seem to be too concerned. A few minutes later, I looked out again and then saw a neighbor from over the hill taking pictures of our truck. I told Wayne, and he went out to see what was going on.
It turned out that more than a limb had fallen. A dead tree in a neighbor's yard had fallen across the road and partially onto our truck. The neighbor taking pictures was going to email the pictures to the property owner, who was at work at the time. Wayne got his camera and took several pictures, too.
Our neighbor's Homeowner's insurance covered the damage to our truck, and Wayne and the neighbor cleaned up the debris.
It was raining or storming at the time the tree fell, but we have had so much rain lately that we figure the ground got so wet it could no longer hold the tree. We've heard of other trees around falling the same way.
It turned out that more than a limb had fallen. A dead tree in a neighbor's yard had fallen across the road and partially onto our truck. The neighbor taking pictures was going to email the pictures to the property owner, who was at work at the time. Wayne got his camera and took several pictures, too.
It was raining or storming at the time the tree fell, but we have had so much rain lately that we figure the ground got so wet it could no longer hold the tree. We've heard of other trees around falling the same way.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Okay, its been six months since I last posted here. I've thought about doing so quite often, but couldn't decide what to post. The problem was that I had a lot of things on my mind, but I wasn't sure that I should post them.
The last six months have not been easy. There was a misunderstanding with a family member which left me in tears every time I thought of it. Things are better now, but I am overly careful about what I say in case I upset them. I really care about this person and wish I could just relax and be myself around them, but I'm afraid to even joke with them in case they take it wrong. Maybe our relationship will continue to improve; I certainly hope so.
A family member over six hundred miles away had serious health concerns, and I couldn't be with them. They were going throught some really rough times, with both their health and other problems, and I was unable to help them. I was feeling like I was letting them down, although they did not seem to feel that way.
My health has slipped somewhat over the last months, also. For the first time, I have had to go to oxygen full time; twenty-four seven. About the only places I go regularly are to restaurants. (That will be the last thing I give up. I love to eat out) Cooking is hard if I have to stand over the stove too much. Crock pot meals are the easiest for me to prepare. With all the dog hair and dirt and dust the dogs track in, cleaning is not easy for me. The dust really curtails my breathing. When I do go shopping, it has to be stores which have those electric shopping carts or wheelchairs for the cutomers. It is so embarassing when I think I am hiding my condition pretty well, and then have the clerks or other workers ask me if I am okay and if I need help. I went into a library near our favorite steak house recently, and when I started out one of the workers inquired if I were okay. I told her that I was fine, but she insisted on going ahead of me and opening the doors for me.
I am trying to make myself be more active, and trying to avoid as much stress as I can. Inactivity and stress both have very negative effects on my breathing. Weather also affects breathing, as anyone with COPD is well aware. We had a very hot and humid summer, so I am looking forward to a cooler fall.
Enough complaining.
My high school fifty year reunion is next month, and my daughter and I went shopping for a new outfit for me. The first store had a wheelchair Terri could push me in, and the second one had an electric cart. I got a blouse at one store and slacks at the second one. I found out that you can drive the electric cart into the handicap fitting room, but backing it out is not easy. At one point I almost had Terri pushed up against the wall, but we made it out of the room with no injuries. It was even good for a few laughs. I haven't shown the blouse to Wayne. It is so different from anything else I have, that I am a little nervous about it. Terri likes it, so I suppose it will be okay.
The last six months have not been all bad. One evening we met Terri and Don at Terri's dad's place to pick peaches. I sat on the tailgate and supervised. We all had a really fun time. I'm glad that Wayne and Jim get along so well.
Other good times were with Garret and Kalee when they made it home to visit. Of course, we never get to see them as much as we would like, but they always have so many friends and family members to visit, as well as other places the two of them want to go.
Garret will be going to Iraq, probably in March. I keep telling him that I am not going to sign the permission slip for him to go on the trip, but I don't think the Air Force will accept that. He seems to be looking forward to it, so I will just count the months he is gone and say prayers for him and the others.
It may not seem like it, but I have cut this way down from what it could have been. As usual, I will try to do better about keeping it up to date. And Anna, I may put in some more about our childhood.
The last six months have not been easy. There was a misunderstanding with a family member which left me in tears every time I thought of it. Things are better now, but I am overly careful about what I say in case I upset them. I really care about this person and wish I could just relax and be myself around them, but I'm afraid to even joke with them in case they take it wrong. Maybe our relationship will continue to improve; I certainly hope so.
A family member over six hundred miles away had serious health concerns, and I couldn't be with them. They were going throught some really rough times, with both their health and other problems, and I was unable to help them. I was feeling like I was letting them down, although they did not seem to feel that way.
My health has slipped somewhat over the last months, also. For the first time, I have had to go to oxygen full time; twenty-four seven. About the only places I go regularly are to restaurants. (That will be the last thing I give up. I love to eat out) Cooking is hard if I have to stand over the stove too much. Crock pot meals are the easiest for me to prepare. With all the dog hair and dirt and dust the dogs track in, cleaning is not easy for me. The dust really curtails my breathing. When I do go shopping, it has to be stores which have those electric shopping carts or wheelchairs for the cutomers. It is so embarassing when I think I am hiding my condition pretty well, and then have the clerks or other workers ask me if I am okay and if I need help. I went into a library near our favorite steak house recently, and when I started out one of the workers inquired if I were okay. I told her that I was fine, but she insisted on going ahead of me and opening the doors for me.
I am trying to make myself be more active, and trying to avoid as much stress as I can. Inactivity and stress both have very negative effects on my breathing. Weather also affects breathing, as anyone with COPD is well aware. We had a very hot and humid summer, so I am looking forward to a cooler fall.
Enough complaining.
My high school fifty year reunion is next month, and my daughter and I went shopping for a new outfit for me. The first store had a wheelchair Terri could push me in, and the second one had an electric cart. I got a blouse at one store and slacks at the second one. I found out that you can drive the electric cart into the handicap fitting room, but backing it out is not easy. At one point I almost had Terri pushed up against the wall, but we made it out of the room with no injuries. It was even good for a few laughs. I haven't shown the blouse to Wayne. It is so different from anything else I have, that I am a little nervous about it. Terri likes it, so I suppose it will be okay.
The last six months have not been all bad. One evening we met Terri and Don at Terri's dad's place to pick peaches. I sat on the tailgate and supervised. We all had a really fun time. I'm glad that Wayne and Jim get along so well.
Other good times were with Garret and Kalee when they made it home to visit. Of course, we never get to see them as much as we would like, but they always have so many friends and family members to visit, as well as other places the two of them want to go.
Garret will be going to Iraq, probably in March. I keep telling him that I am not going to sign the permission slip for him to go on the trip, but I don't think the Air Force will accept that. He seems to be looking forward to it, so I will just count the months he is gone and say prayers for him and the others.
It may not seem like it, but I have cut this way down from what it could have been. As usual, I will try to do better about keeping it up to date. And Anna, I may put in some more about our childhood.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND MEMORIES
A childhood friend reminded me of the fun we had together when we were young. We were next door neighbors, and I played with Anna and her sister Annette nearly every day. In the summer we usually played cowboys and Indians. There were some tall, thick plants that grew along the road on the north side of my yard, and we would break them off next to the ground and use them for horses. That was back in the days when kids used their immaginations a lot. We also sometimes played war, and of course we were the good guys, the Americans.
Back then milk and bread were brought to our homes in delivery trucks. I liked to meet the milk truck around the block near my aunt and uncle's house, and the milk man would let me ride in the open door as far as my house. Sometimes we would save up our change so we could buy a half pint of ice cream from him, and I would bring out spoons for everyone so we could sit on our back porch and share. Ice cream never tasted better.
I don't know if Anna remembers this, but one day I stole a doll from her and Annette. I don't remember if the girls wouldn't play with me that day, or if their mother wouldn't let them come over for some reason. But then my brother suggested that I take a doll they left lying in their front yard, and hold it for ramsom. I believe the idea was that I would give it back when they agreed to play. Anyway, their mother was standing at the kitchen window when I took the doll, so I was forced to give it back. Then she really wouldn't let them play with me. Thankfully, I was forgiven and we remained friends.
I was a real tomboy when I was young, and much preferred toy guns and such over girl toys. The Montgomery Ward and Sears Christmas catalogs were always nearly worn out before Christmas. One year I mentioned to my aunt that a doll in one of the catalogs was pretty. I was so disappointed on Christmas morning when my present from her and my uncle was that doll. It wasn't even a baby doll that you could feed and diaper. It was a "pretty doll" that I couldn't see much use for. So, for a month or so it lay on my bed during the day and on a chair at night. After a while it ended up in a toy box, ignored. After that I was careful what I mentioned around my aunt.
Thanks for the memories, Anna. Those were really fun times. Kids today have no idea the good times they missed.
Back then milk and bread were brought to our homes in delivery trucks. I liked to meet the milk truck around the block near my aunt and uncle's house, and the milk man would let me ride in the open door as far as my house. Sometimes we would save up our change so we could buy a half pint of ice cream from him, and I would bring out spoons for everyone so we could sit on our back porch and share. Ice cream never tasted better.
I don't know if Anna remembers this, but one day I stole a doll from her and Annette. I don't remember if the girls wouldn't play with me that day, or if their mother wouldn't let them come over for some reason. But then my brother suggested that I take a doll they left lying in their front yard, and hold it for ramsom. I believe the idea was that I would give it back when they agreed to play. Anyway, their mother was standing at the kitchen window when I took the doll, so I was forced to give it back. Then she really wouldn't let them play with me. Thankfully, I was forgiven and we remained friends.
I was a real tomboy when I was young, and much preferred toy guns and such over girl toys. The Montgomery Ward and Sears Christmas catalogs were always nearly worn out before Christmas. One year I mentioned to my aunt that a doll in one of the catalogs was pretty. I was so disappointed on Christmas morning when my present from her and my uncle was that doll. It wasn't even a baby doll that you could feed and diaper. It was a "pretty doll" that I couldn't see much use for. So, for a month or so it lay on my bed during the day and on a chair at night. After a while it ended up in a toy box, ignored. After that I was careful what I mentioned around my aunt.
Thanks for the memories, Anna. Those were really fun times. Kids today have no idea the good times they missed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)