| Your Home is Lively |
 You are likely to have water boiling for tea or a fire burning in the fireplace. You live in every area of your home, and you really savor your time there. You could never feel at home in an empty or quiet house. A home should be enjoyed to the fullest. |
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Just for Fun
Monday, August 9, 2010
Another Week Ahead
I didn't really want to get up today. I wanted to lie in bed with my shoulders and hands hurting. I helped Mike in the yard on Saturday and I moved some stones out of the yard. They're landscape kind of stones, heavy and awkward to move. They have lined the drive and flower beds for 20 years, being moved as the need arose. I'm done. I'm not moving them anymore. I'm getting rid of them. My friend at work asked me if she could have some and I said all you want.
Mike went to Connie's to meet her folks. She said she is going to teach Mike to sign. Her parents are totally deaf and it is their only way to communicate. It will be good for Mike to learn to sign. We thought about it when he was young but with all the other learning problems and no way to get help with the hearing issue we never did it. It might have helped him if we had done it.
He seems so happy and relaxed around her. Very quiet and calm but she seems to be a quiet person. I have several concerns. Mike's not just hearing impaired, he's learning disabled. He had very real issues with it. My biggest concern is Connie has never been to church in her life. Well, think about it. Her parents were totally deaf. If there is no ministry to reach out to them, they wouldn't understand anyway. Mike's whole life has been filled with it. I do not want him to lose that. I don't think she'd deliberately keep him out but it is easy to fall away. We really like her a lot and it is always good to see Mike happy.
Of course, Dave, Becca and I are all walking on eggshells in fear he will be hurt again. Dave, who is very macho and never shows any concern seems to be worried about it this time. But then that last crazy person really did a number on all of us. I don't really think I can handle that anymore. I'm tired of seeing him hurt and I keep asking how much someone like Mike has to suffer before something good happens to them.
I'm really tired this morning. And wishing I had the time to take off. If all goes well, I will try again to go somewhere for the weekend. I really wanted to go this weekend but I felt like I should stay home and see how Mike was doing and learn something about this woman he's seeing. I'm glad I did.
As I said, we like her a lot and I do think she is a very grounded and positive person. She divorced her husband after 18 years of marriage. He had an affair with his boss. She told me that she would have tried to work it out but he said he was bored with her. They have three daughters and he doesn't bother to see the two youngest. The oldest one has gone to live with Connie's parents because she's angry with her mother for divorcing her dad. Mike told me yesterday that as a result of the affair, the guy lost his job and was now employed at Wal-mart (for those who don't know a huge discount department store in the US -- low prices, low wages). I guess what goes around comes around. Connie got the house and car.
So, my plan is to try for this coming week. I really want to find a good hotel and relax. I've told Kat to think about coming down one weekend and we can do something together or just sit around an talk. Maybe when it cools off some. The patio is nice then. And my other friend here, Just Cassandra (who is only about two or three hours from me) and I are planning to meet in Vincennes once the weather cools a bit. Too hot to sight see at this point. I've never been to Vincennes so don't know what there is to do there. Nina is around Nashville. I should try and pop down there, too. She mentioned it. It is only about three hours to Nashville from here. I know nothing about Nashville but I suspect she could point me to something interesting. And a good hotel. You know that is the hardest part. Some places are nasty and smelly. But you don't know till you get there. Some are in really bad areas but if you don't know the area you won't know it's dangerous.
So, I got some places to run away to and friends there to meet. If they keep the invites open. And if I get really adventurous, Grammy and Nancy are the next distant. And of course, I am still planning to go to England next year. I've told everyone that is my treat to myself. Over there is Jilly, Cass, Katey, and Wendy! I hope I didn't leave anyone out? These are the ones who've issued invitations.
I got to meet Lisa and Cheryl earlier in the summer and that was so nice. We had a nice picnic in the park and got to visit. Both are fairly close by. I should make plans to visit them, too. I love the fall and spring because that is the best time to do weekend trips. I just have used up so much of my vacation and all my sick time. I've got to stop getting sick!
Did I mention I spent Sunday afternoon at Doug's house. He invited me on Friday and I said I'd go. So that got me out for a few hours, too. This is the second time I've had a chance to talk with Sharon and she is just so sweet. Both of them are just so very nice to me. Doug has been a really good friend this past year and a half, going to lunch now and then and having him as a part of the writer's group, letting me use him as a sounding board for my story knots, emailing to check on me. So it was really nice to sit and talk with both of them about the writing and what had been going on with all of us. I really enjoyed it.
I've spent most of the day writing this in hit or miss fashion. It is rather long but is the summation of the weekend. I got to bed about midnight.
Oh, my mother fell and has a severe head injury. They've put her in the hospital but I don't know how bad it really is. Apparently, bleeding on the brain. She is always falling you may recall if you have been reading the blog long. This appears to have been at church and she may have hit her head on the pew. I'm just not sure at this point. Keep her in your prayers. I think my sister, Stuck in the Middle, has posted it on her blog, too.
Hope you all have a good week. I'll be around here somewhere.
Mike went to Connie's to meet her folks. She said she is going to teach Mike to sign. Her parents are totally deaf and it is their only way to communicate. It will be good for Mike to learn to sign. We thought about it when he was young but with all the other learning problems and no way to get help with the hearing issue we never did it. It might have helped him if we had done it.
He seems so happy and relaxed around her. Very quiet and calm but she seems to be a quiet person. I have several concerns. Mike's not just hearing impaired, he's learning disabled. He had very real issues with it. My biggest concern is Connie has never been to church in her life. Well, think about it. Her parents were totally deaf. If there is no ministry to reach out to them, they wouldn't understand anyway. Mike's whole life has been filled with it. I do not want him to lose that. I don't think she'd deliberately keep him out but it is easy to fall away. We really like her a lot and it is always good to see Mike happy.
Of course, Dave, Becca and I are all walking on eggshells in fear he will be hurt again. Dave, who is very macho and never shows any concern seems to be worried about it this time. But then that last crazy person really did a number on all of us. I don't really think I can handle that anymore. I'm tired of seeing him hurt and I keep asking how much someone like Mike has to suffer before something good happens to them.
I'm really tired this morning. And wishing I had the time to take off. If all goes well, I will try again to go somewhere for the weekend. I really wanted to go this weekend but I felt like I should stay home and see how Mike was doing and learn something about this woman he's seeing. I'm glad I did.
As I said, we like her a lot and I do think she is a very grounded and positive person. She divorced her husband after 18 years of marriage. He had an affair with his boss. She told me that she would have tried to work it out but he said he was bored with her. They have three daughters and he doesn't bother to see the two youngest. The oldest one has gone to live with Connie's parents because she's angry with her mother for divorcing her dad. Mike told me yesterday that as a result of the affair, the guy lost his job and was now employed at Wal-mart (for those who don't know a huge discount department store in the US -- low prices, low wages). I guess what goes around comes around. Connie got the house and car.
So, my plan is to try for this coming week. I really want to find a good hotel and relax. I've told Kat to think about coming down one weekend and we can do something together or just sit around an talk. Maybe when it cools off some. The patio is nice then. And my other friend here, Just Cassandra (who is only about two or three hours from me) and I are planning to meet in Vincennes once the weather cools a bit. Too hot to sight see at this point. I've never been to Vincennes so don't know what there is to do there. Nina is around Nashville. I should try and pop down there, too. She mentioned it. It is only about three hours to Nashville from here. I know nothing about Nashville but I suspect she could point me to something interesting. And a good hotel. You know that is the hardest part. Some places are nasty and smelly. But you don't know till you get there. Some are in really bad areas but if you don't know the area you won't know it's dangerous.
So, I got some places to run away to and friends there to meet. If they keep the invites open. And if I get really adventurous, Grammy and Nancy are the next distant. And of course, I am still planning to go to England next year. I've told everyone that is my treat to myself. Over there is Jilly, Cass, Katey, and Wendy! I hope I didn't leave anyone out? These are the ones who've issued invitations.
I got to meet Lisa and Cheryl earlier in the summer and that was so nice. We had a nice picnic in the park and got to visit. Both are fairly close by. I should make plans to visit them, too. I love the fall and spring because that is the best time to do weekend trips. I just have used up so much of my vacation and all my sick time. I've got to stop getting sick!
Did I mention I spent Sunday afternoon at Doug's house. He invited me on Friday and I said I'd go. So that got me out for a few hours, too. This is the second time I've had a chance to talk with Sharon and she is just so sweet. Both of them are just so very nice to me. Doug has been a really good friend this past year and a half, going to lunch now and then and having him as a part of the writer's group, letting me use him as a sounding board for my story knots, emailing to check on me. So it was really nice to sit and talk with both of them about the writing and what had been going on with all of us. I really enjoyed it.
I've spent most of the day writing this in hit or miss fashion. It is rather long but is the summation of the weekend. I got to bed about midnight.
Oh, my mother fell and has a severe head injury. They've put her in the hospital but I don't know how bad it really is. Apparently, bleeding on the brain. She is always falling you may recall if you have been reading the blog long. This appears to have been at church and she may have hit her head on the pew. I'm just not sure at this point. Keep her in your prayers. I think my sister, Stuck in the Middle, has posted it on her blog, too.
Hope you all have a good week. I'll be around here somewhere.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A Saturday Starts Early
Six-thirty! That is just sinful!
I woke up at 6:30 a.m. Pain in my hands and feet stabbed at me. I tried to go back to sleep but it wasn't happening. I got up and got some java in my veins and grabbed the laptop. I read a bit, had some breakfast. All before 8:30! For several hours now I've been writing, working on The Dream Stealer. I'm stumped in some areas. I don't really know what I'm doing. I have never written about psychic spies before so I suppose anything goes but you can't have limitless power and abilities or you just have another comic book superhero. I'm not looking for that.
I also am writing from multiple viewpoints. I've never done that but it seems that there are some scenes that have to be written from specific people's view. I think it will be fine but who knows!!! I just get annoyed at the thought of putting a lot of work in something that is not going to work at all. Toss me the title of well known books with multiple view points please.
I read a lot of Carla Neggers and Iris Johansen and both write from multiple viewpoints but usually one a couple. Although, Johansen has three major characters she switches between. I have my villain, however, and I have to show some things through his eyes. So, a quandary.
I really don't want to do anything today but I promised to take Becca to have Sarah's portrait done but she called and said it would be Monday evening before they can do it. They are having car problems and I am probably going to have to help them get a car. He has to have a way to work. A car is cheaper than my having to pay their bills.
I got sleepy and lay down here on the sofa to take a nap and just as I got to sleep, of course, the phone rang. So now, with not enough nap, I'm awake again. As I started back on this, it rang again. My aunt called from Atlanta. My sister and niece are there today. I know they'll all have a good time.
Currently the temperature is 81 degrees at 11:29. I may go out and finish the yard. Mike didn't finish it and it really needs cutting. If I don't get it done soon, it will be impossible. I have my sister's mower and so I could have it done in an hour or so.
Since I've been in this spot now for over four hours and have little to show for it, I'm leaving now. I don't really want to do anything but I have this ethic that says sitting doing nothing is wasteful.
I woke up at 6:30 a.m. Pain in my hands and feet stabbed at me. I tried to go back to sleep but it wasn't happening. I got up and got some java in my veins and grabbed the laptop. I read a bit, had some breakfast. All before 8:30! For several hours now I've been writing, working on The Dream Stealer. I'm stumped in some areas. I don't really know what I'm doing. I have never written about psychic spies before so I suppose anything goes but you can't have limitless power and abilities or you just have another comic book superhero. I'm not looking for that.
I also am writing from multiple viewpoints. I've never done that but it seems that there are some scenes that have to be written from specific people's view. I think it will be fine but who knows!!! I just get annoyed at the thought of putting a lot of work in something that is not going to work at all. Toss me the title of well known books with multiple view points please.
I read a lot of Carla Neggers and Iris Johansen and both write from multiple viewpoints but usually one a couple. Although, Johansen has three major characters she switches between. I have my villain, however, and I have to show some things through his eyes. So, a quandary.
I really don't want to do anything today but I promised to take Becca to have Sarah's portrait done but she called and said it would be Monday evening before they can do it. They are having car problems and I am probably going to have to help them get a car. He has to have a way to work. A car is cheaper than my having to pay their bills.
I got sleepy and lay down here on the sofa to take a nap and just as I got to sleep, of course, the phone rang. So now, with not enough nap, I'm awake again. As I started back on this, it rang again. My aunt called from Atlanta. My sister and niece are there today. I know they'll all have a good time.
Currently the temperature is 81 degrees at 11:29. I may go out and finish the yard. Mike didn't finish it and it really needs cutting. If I don't get it done soon, it will be impossible. I have my sister's mower and so I could have it done in an hour or so.
Since I've been in this spot now for over four hours and have little to show for it, I'm leaving now. I don't really want to do anything but I have this ethic that says sitting doing nothing is wasteful.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Cook Out, Eat In
Dave grilled burgers and we sat in the dinning room and ate them. I've got to get the house sorted out. It was all very casual, even when Connie had the mayo explode in her face. It was a squeeze bottle and when she opened it for some reason it just blew back on her. She laughed it off and so did the rest of us.
It was a pleasant evening and we got to chat with her while Mike cut grass and Dave grilled. She's quite down to earth and friendly. Both parents are deaf and so she seems to "get" Mike and some of his behavior. Amazingly, Michael was calmer than I've ever seen him. Didn't act as if he was on pins and needles all evening. She has a very calming influence.
And yes, they met at the library, of all places. Being a book person, I find that a bit more acceptable than meeting on FB or in a chat room.
We're all quite impressed with her. I'm not sure how she took us. Becca and David both seem to like her.
We'll see how it goes. I really can't stand seeing Mike hurt again. It is devastating every time. He's so unhappy with his life and feels so unworthy of anything good happening to him. It is why he gets involved with such terrible people. He doesn't think he deserves any better and settles for whatever he can scrape up. He always wants to "help" them.
Anyway, keep him in your prayers. I know virtually nothing about her as a person. She seems very nice, well spoken, clean, and has a sense of humor. And she understands him in a way few people do.
I'm off to bed now.
It was a pleasant evening and we got to chat with her while Mike cut grass and Dave grilled. She's quite down to earth and friendly. Both parents are deaf and so she seems to "get" Mike and some of his behavior. Amazingly, Michael was calmer than I've ever seen him. Didn't act as if he was on pins and needles all evening. She has a very calming influence.
And yes, they met at the library, of all places. Being a book person, I find that a bit more acceptable than meeting on FB or in a chat room.
We're all quite impressed with her. I'm not sure how she took us. Becca and David both seem to like her.
We'll see how it goes. I really can't stand seeing Mike hurt again. It is devastating every time. He's so unhappy with his life and feels so unworthy of anything good happening to him. It is why he gets involved with such terrible people. He doesn't think he deserves any better and settles for whatever he can scrape up. He always wants to "help" them.
Anyway, keep him in your prayers. I know virtually nothing about her as a person. She seems very nice, well spoken, clean, and has a sense of humor. And she understands him in a way few people do.
I'm off to bed now.
Friday Rolled In
Wow, I thought yesterday was Friday all day long! And this morning when I got up I sat for several minutes on the bed asking what day it was. No one answered and I had to get up and walk around a minute before I realized I had to be a work in an hour. I do this more often in recent years and it bothers me. I need to get a calendar and hang near by and mark the days off. I suppose it is a product of the disruption of my life. I don't know which end is up either.
I was invited out to dinner last night with Mike and his new girl friend. I know! What new girlfriend? You know he was going to get married a month ago. But God is very good and that came to an end. I'm sorry but I won't go into details, just know that I've had the most awful month with this flack. For those knowledgeable in Biblical things you can refer to Genesis 26:34 & 35. The last three weeks have been a nightmare and had Michael married that girl it would have been even more so. I tried telling him when he brought her to meet us that he was rushing things and that something wasn't right. It wasn't. She was CRAZY! I mean it. She was seriously disturbed. So last weekend he just ended it. And she has harassed him and Becca and Dave for a week with nasty text messages and messages left on their Facebook pages. I really hate Facebook. Too much information is out there and any freak can just waltz in and you can't hardly get rid of them. It took us two weeks of changing Mike's passwords on every account, blocking numerous people and even then she was texting people who were his friends and his messenger and phone books. She'd apparently gotten the numbers of his friends when he used her phone to call some of them and send text messages.
She had been taking 40 mg of Prozac and it wasn't working and they changed her to Zoloft. I learned later that she was drinking. HELLO! Not crazy, INSANE. You can't take antidepressants and drink. Alcohol is a depressant. No wonder she was off the charts.
Anyway, Mike is seeing a friend he met recently . . . at the library! Where he hang a lot! She is older than he by about 6 years. They invited me to dinner last night and SHE paid! If you knew my family you'd know why that is such a shock. Most of the women Mike has dated could barely support themselves. This last one said she needed a man to support her so she could quit work because she was too sick to work. When she said it I thought "who're you? I work every day sick! Ain't nobody going to be taking care of me!" I know why she was so sick now!
Anyway, Mike said that the new girl, Connie invited me along on their "date". I about passed out. She is pretty and she has a good job, she was smart and OMG, she was NORMAL! I have to tell you when Mike was telling me he was seeing someone else he said, "Mom, she isn't fat, she has all her teeth and she's stable." And he was right. (The teeth thing is because the last couple of women he's dated had very bad teeth. Rachael has "meth" teeth and if you haven't see that you haven't missed anything.) We went to a nice restaurant and had a nice dinner and she paid! Over my protest but she paid.
The girl is a district manager over 3 restaurants and apparently loves her job. Her parents are both deaf and so I think she sees some of their problems in Mike. I fear she is not really aware of just how many other problems Mike has but if they like one another and she treats him with respect, I'm ok with it. I just hope she's not in any rush to marry.
As for me, well, I'm glad the week is over. I do not know if I'll go away this weekend. I haven't even decided on where. I'm so exhausted by all that has been going on I just want to sit in the quiet and not think about it. But a part of me wants to go somewhere and see fresh things. I could just get in the car and drive somewhere. LOL, that is how Jerry and I used to do it. We'd get up and say, "Let's go to...." and we'd go. Pack the kids up and a lunch and go. I suppose if the weather is nice I could do that tomorrow. Get up early and just go. I could go to the caves at Marengo... but they're about the same distance away as Mammoth. It's a thought.
My yard is a disaster. Mower still not fixed. Mike is getting my sister's mower and cutting it this evening so I'll have company while he does that. If it is nice we can sit on the patio. Tomorrow night Becca and Connie have decided to cook supper!
I'm so ready to go home now that I can't sit still. I have an hour and 15 minutes to go. IT is driving me nuts. I'm going end here. I'll let you know how the evening goes.
I was invited out to dinner last night with Mike and his new girl friend. I know! What new girlfriend? You know he was going to get married a month ago. But God is very good and that came to an end. I'm sorry but I won't go into details, just know that I've had the most awful month with this flack. For those knowledgeable in Biblical things you can refer to Genesis 26:34 & 35. The last three weeks have been a nightmare and had Michael married that girl it would have been even more so. I tried telling him when he brought her to meet us that he was rushing things and that something wasn't right. It wasn't. She was CRAZY! I mean it. She was seriously disturbed. So last weekend he just ended it. And she has harassed him and Becca and Dave for a week with nasty text messages and messages left on their Facebook pages. I really hate Facebook. Too much information is out there and any freak can just waltz in and you can't hardly get rid of them. It took us two weeks of changing Mike's passwords on every account, blocking numerous people and even then she was texting people who were his friends and his messenger and phone books. She'd apparently gotten the numbers of his friends when he used her phone to call some of them and send text messages.
She had been taking 40 mg of Prozac and it wasn't working and they changed her to Zoloft. I learned later that she was drinking. HELLO! Not crazy, INSANE. You can't take antidepressants and drink. Alcohol is a depressant. No wonder she was off the charts.
Anyway, Mike is seeing a friend he met recently . . . at the library! Where he hang a lot! She is older than he by about 6 years. They invited me to dinner last night and SHE paid! If you knew my family you'd know why that is such a shock. Most of the women Mike has dated could barely support themselves. This last one said she needed a man to support her so she could quit work because she was too sick to work. When she said it I thought "who're you? I work every day sick! Ain't nobody going to be taking care of me!" I know why she was so sick now!
Anyway, Mike said that the new girl, Connie invited me along on their "date". I about passed out. She is pretty and she has a good job, she was smart and OMG, she was NORMAL! I have to tell you when Mike was telling me he was seeing someone else he said, "Mom, she isn't fat, she has all her teeth and she's stable." And he was right. (The teeth thing is because the last couple of women he's dated had very bad teeth. Rachael has "meth" teeth and if you haven't see that you haven't missed anything.) We went to a nice restaurant and had a nice dinner and she paid! Over my protest but she paid.
The girl is a district manager over 3 restaurants and apparently loves her job. Her parents are both deaf and so I think she sees some of their problems in Mike. I fear she is not really aware of just how many other problems Mike has but if they like one another and she treats him with respect, I'm ok with it. I just hope she's not in any rush to marry.
As for me, well, I'm glad the week is over. I do not know if I'll go away this weekend. I haven't even decided on where. I'm so exhausted by all that has been going on I just want to sit in the quiet and not think about it. But a part of me wants to go somewhere and see fresh things. I could just get in the car and drive somewhere. LOL, that is how Jerry and I used to do it. We'd get up and say, "Let's go to...." and we'd go. Pack the kids up and a lunch and go. I suppose if the weather is nice I could do that tomorrow. Get up early and just go. I could go to the caves at Marengo... but they're about the same distance away as Mammoth. It's a thought.
My yard is a disaster. Mower still not fixed. Mike is getting my sister's mower and cutting it this evening so I'll have company while he does that. If it is nice we can sit on the patio. Tomorrow night Becca and Connie have decided to cook supper!
I'm so ready to go home now that I can't sit still. I have an hour and 15 minutes to go. IT is driving me nuts. I'm going end here. I'll let you know how the evening goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)