They say it happens in "3s"

It is an absolutely beautiful day before Thanksgiving. It's quiet in the house for the time being - I am grateful for the quiet times and too, for the times when the family's all here laughing and talking about whatever is on their mind. I know that life is short and we never know what tomorrow will bring.

However, today was the day of two bad announcements - one was sort of expected, and the other was inevitable, I think! The first, my son who is not working came in and said his car was being repossessed. The truck was here to pick it up, but some legal matters gave him the opportunity to wait a day or two - - don't ask me, I've never had this problem and I'd rather not know anymore than that! We are not in a position to help him financially - he knew this was possible, and today was the day. It is very alarming to me although I am quiet about it but maybe he will get off his butt and do something. As a retired person on limited income, adult children can't depend on parents to rescue them every time they get in a mess. Living in my home and helping with a grandchild is plenty help, in my humble opinion.

The second shoe to hit the floor was also expected - Bob got the call this morning from the Skin Cancer doctor's office - and yes, the sore on his face he had checked and biopsied last week, is cancerous. I know it is a simple procedure to go in and cut the cancer out as an outpatient in the doctor's office. Bob's grandfather had the same problem. He did later develop more serious cancer in another area, but I don't think it was linked.

So, needless to say, what started out as a very pleasant day, has Bob very upset - probably more upset about our son than his own condition. I'm trying to be as up beat as can be, not being upset so that we can have a nice family get together over turkey tomorrow.

Such is life, sometimes we are the source and reason for our problems and sometimes, it just is what it is. I don't know what my son will do - but it is up to him to deal with it. As far as Bob, we will do what we have to do. His appointment is in two weeks to see the surgeon.

Tom and Tine will be home on the 23rd and I can't wait to see them. Christmas decorations will go up soon and Christmas cards will soon be in the mail - no! I haven't started writing them yet, but I do intend to get them out early this year and not at the last minute like I usually have the past couple of years.

Hope you are having a good day and all is well at your place. Please keep our family in your prayers, I would really appreciate it! God bless!

The turkey's thawing

I had Bob pull the big bird out of the freezer this morning and leave him (the turkey not Bob) on top of the freezer - its very cold in that room. I'm never really sure where and how long to thaw that bird, but we've never gotten sick in all the years I've cooked a turkey. Don will be in town tomorrow and Suz will come over Thursday morning. It will be strange without Tom, but he's got Tine and they are going to an Army friend's home for dinner.

I sent them a box of goodies on Saturday - priority and they received it today. Imagine that - all the way to North Carolina, great mail service. Tom said it seemed like he did when he got a box of stuff in Iraq. He has a girlfriend now, so I know he is taken care of and I don't think of sending him stuff now. She is a good cook too and has gotten him involved in the kitchen as well, but I think he is enjoying it too. I am glad! He's very independent which is a good thing. They will be home for Christmas with Peanut the dog too - can't wait to see all three.

Too many difficult health thingies going on around here between Bob and I all totaled together - too many things!!! All you youngins out there reading this who are healthy, be thankful, enjoy life, and take good care of yourself. As you get older stuff happens like arthritis and other weird things that slow you down and believe it - it can get ugly. Bob and I get so aggravated we have slowed down. He's still got a lot of spunk and keeps really busy, I can't keep up with him.

I've been in the cooking mood which isn't good for the diet we set out on. One thing strange happened today - I forgot how to make my mom's vegetable soup. I've been making it for over 45 years. I forgot to buy the most important ingredient - a soup bone - and rather than go back to the store I decided to just use beef broth - well, it ain't the same thing. Bob loved the soup. It was thick and he likes his soup that way, but I didn't care for it at all, I know it was because I didn't make the broth from scratch.....I've decided I need to write down the recipes I've made from memory before I really get forgetful. Tom asked for my chili recipe and I forgot how I made it. Ooo no - senility is setting in!!!!! I'm the type of cook that has a basics foundation then adds what I want as I go along.

Well, gotta go - we've been watching "Dancing with the Stars" - and it's on now - the finale!!! I can't believe Bob has gotten interest in this show, but I'm really glad. He's a SyFy guy. I really do think Donny Osmond should have left last week - I thought that tall blond beautiful model was a better dancer, but I guess Donny had more votes because of his star power.

Hope you and your family are well. Take good care.

Some things do happen for a reason

Maybe I'm repeating myself and perhaps said this in a previous posting, but you know, it does happen sometimes. When you can't figure out why plans aren't working out appropriately, maybe there's a reason. I guess when it's all said and done we have to follow our "gut" and go with the flow where it's leading ya!

I was so disappointed I couldn't make a trip to Ohio to see my very favorite Aunt who is very ill. She is my mom's sister and we have been buddies since I was a really little kid. When my mom died back in 1986, my Aunt and I seemed to become even closer and became really good friends. Even as sick as she is, we always have a big laugh about something silly when we talk on the telephone - every time.

As it has happened, my hubby went to a skin doctor yesterday and he may have skin cancer. We should have taken care of this long ago, but we've been trying to heal it with methods that have worked before, but not with this spot. The skin doc's opinion was it was cancer, but it will take two weeks for the biopsy to come back. My hubby's grandfather had skin cancer and it was taken care of without anything serious resulting. Bob isn't worried but we are concerned. I hope we haven't waited too long.

So, had we gone on the trip, this is one appointment we wouldn't have made.

The week has been successful and we've gotten a lot done around the place getting the house in order for the holidays. I have all the stuff purchased for Thanksgiving dinner except for the pumpkin pie and we'll get that next week from Costco. Bob and I worked downstairs and straightened up the rooms - sorted out the boxes which were stacked all in the center of the room so the painters could do the walls and ceiling. We moved the ping pong table to a more appropriate space and I'll rearrange the other boxes and furniture to a comfortable arrangement so the kids can have fun downstairs. I love to play ping pong, but the table has been put up for a couple months as we are so slow getting to our projects. With Tom and Tine coming for Christmas and Don will be here too, and Suz, the kids will enjoy playing. So glad we got that done.

My total knee replacement surgery is totally on the back burner. Don't know where I'll get to it now. Bob's knees are hurting him worse than mine - but he works harder than me as he is a self-appointed workaholic. Me, I take it easier than he does, although he does take more naps than I do. Our dieting started out fabulous for two months, then we fell off the wagon for a few days. Holy cow, it's been tough getting back on that baby!!!! We're trying hard together to follow the routine we did at first because it worked.

Well, I'd better get in the living room with Bob. We bought Star Trek, the new movie, today. There doesn't seem to be anything worth watching on TV tonight, so we'll watch that.

Hope you and your family are all well. Take good care. God bless.

Choices

When does it stop, if ever? Responsibility and common sense. Is there ever a time when one can just be free and have no responsibility or worries? I remember a time when I was young, first married, and we moved so many times from one part of the U. S. to the other - just because. My husband had no fear and he could do anything, a jack of all trades sort of guy. This is not anything I wanted, but it was what my spouse wanted and I was raised by "old school" and did what my man wanted (as long as it was legal, of course). I am at a time in my life of being an old lady and some days feel as though I have lost some of my "marbles." There are challenges and choices. I am having difficulties making up my mind. I wonder if it's because for such a long period of time the choice and decision of so many things were not really up to me - the bottom last word was his, my main man. Ah, never thought of that! Could that be the answer to my struggle, could that be the reason I wain and can't make a choice? Oh, that's too easy.

Being responsible verses throwing caution to the wind and doing what I would really like to do is compared to having one of my wisdom teeth pulled. It's a painful struggle. I am tempted to do exactly what I want, but I've made promises. My heart and tears are pulling me in one direction, and a promise made is the silent argument against and there are other obsticles - like money. Why is that sometimes the bottom line - the principle of being stawart and sticking to the pencils edge of the budget and commitment to oneself. Why can't I just let it go and do what my heart really wants to do - - am I a coward for not stepping out and jumping off the hill - there will be no clifts because I know I wouldn't survive. I know I can finaggle the budget and get back on track, that's not a viable argument, not a solid one in my mind right now. At my age, sometimes it is important to look beyond the pencils edge of numbers because fortunately for me, I can make it up down the line although I know it's not that easy for others.

So, here I sit, it's not too late, well, it almost is, if only I had started sooner, if only!!! Timing is not always on target and its not always that simple, or is it? It is procrastination? I complain our grandson, Soldier Tom - the beautiful child we raised, is the worse procrastinator I've met, but could he get some of that from me? I don't think so, usually I am right on point. But, I've been down this road before and the same decision was before me - this is the second time, maybe I won't get another chance. I don't like being boxed in, I really don't - which prodding voice in my head do I listen to - the clock is ticking, not much time to decide, can't wait too much longer, then it will be too late again. Like the domino effect, once the clock has ticked past that one bronze hours, it will be too late, and the decision will have been made. I hate getting old, I hate that I am put into this corner - which comes first this time - - - family or my heart! Will I have regrets? Regrets will make me miserable especially if the outcome is devistating for my reason to go.

I have been given a path to follow, I know, by the Almighty God. He has given me and my partner unselfish love for caring for each other and the family and children He has given us regardless of their problems or needs. Commitment can be a dirty word to me because it has kept me from doing what I really want to do and I won't sin again commitment. It is my personality and standard. Today I am again faced with that but this choice is not because of a fun event, but a sad one. My heart strings are again being pulled to their painful end. I cry, cry and cry but to no avail. The pain is deep and won't be eased through tears.

I know the decision will be regretted. I've prayed for a miracle so I could go, but life isn't that easy. I only hope and pray that I do have time. I pray because it's out of my hands and He knows the volume of love I have and the need to be filled. I know He will take care of things, even if I don't SEE His actions. I pray another day will come. Please Lord, I ask you to please take care of her, please let me have the chance to be with her before you take her. In Jesus name I pray.