ok, I'll admit it. I was having a small "pity Party" one day. It's really been a weird winter and lot s of drama going on in the world and also in my own personal world, so I crawled under the covers one afternoon last week and turned on Dr. Phil. Of course, it was a rerun, but why should this day be any different that any other. It was three couples, the wives complaining about their husbands never doing anything around the house. Two wives had outside jobs, one was a stay at home wife. Dr P made me laugh right at the onset when he said something to the effect that he saw no problem here and what did they want from him. Robin laughed too. It went on from there and he sent the husbands to the 'kitchen' to clean it and make their wives lunch. They also threw in three mechanical babies.
This got me t hinking. Help--just a word, but what a word. What help do you want, must it always be successful, who should give it, who should get it--lots to consider here. Wayne and I had a good marriage, way too short , but good. It gets better the longer he has been gone. I think that 's because we choose the remember the good and fun things, and not the tough times. Oh yes, back to the word help. I guess we never drew lines, He helped me and I helped him.
One of the first things I remember is him holding a screaming Dawn on his lap from 6 to 7 each night with his headphones on listening to the tv. I think we only goti 3 channels at that time. I was busy sterilizing the bottles and making formula for the next day. Tha t was help. There were times when He was unable to find a job, having lost his due to downsizing, and I was working. He called me one day to ask how I made my pork chops, I told him. We had pork chops for dinner the next 7 nights in a row. I think the same happened with meat loaf. I also remember when he decided to make bread for a school project--7 lbs of flour later he produced two loaves of bread. Had I been so inclined either one could have been used as a lethal weapon. And i helped him too. I crawled under many a car to help "fix" it. He used to call me his "rear end expert" After I had the mastectomy, the dr said to remove the bandage in 10 to 14 days. I didn't want to know what I looked like, so day 10 went by, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and Wayne came in and ripped off the bandage. Another kind of help.
So, I guess what I was trying to say was THANKS DR PHIL for letting me focus on memories too often pushed aside to struggle thru every day living. Yes, I did fall into the toilet several times.l He did think some days i just ate bon bons and watched tv (which was true) I'll admit it, I hated cleaning house. It was so nice to let it get really messed up and then clean, and it got noticed. One time I cleaned up everything but his mess, so when he got home, he got the message.
There was a time when I took all 4 kids to Milwaukee by train. Prior to t hat I had gotten the lecture on "every ligh t in the house was on and there was jelly all over the table" We were gone about 10 days when I got THE phone call, saying he missed us and all the lights were on and there was jelly all over the table.
thru good times and bad help each other, like the time I was folding laundry and the kids all lined up to put their own clean laundry away, and Wayne stood in line, too. Even Eileen, who was barely walking. I gave her about 4 diapers (not disposable) and she promply threw them in the toilet. HAVE A GREAT DAY LOVE YOU ALL
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, June 16, 2011
OMG
This was definitely NOT my day. Probably one of the most frustrating, humiliating, embarassing days of my life
There was a board meeting for the mine scheduled for noon today. It's hot and windy out and I am really not in the mood for a meeting, but it's the first one in several months, and an important one, to boot.
We lost power for about 30 seconds this morning, our power company changed our meters to digital ones and while that was successful, it was off long enough to shut everything down, clocks computors, coffee pots etc.
I could not get my tv back on and had to call cable to walk me thru it. I have a different tv than I had last time and did not know I had to use t hat remote as well. OOps, let's back up a little.. Before the power went off I had taken a shower. I had put on a housecoat and was just letting my hair dry. It took a while for Cox and I to solve the tv/cable problem so time is getting close.
I also had been reading a book this morning and was withing 30 pages of finishing it, watching the clock and juggling my time. I was sitting at the dining room table, reading and the phone range. I reached for it and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. The casters on the chair slipped and tipped me over. I ever so gently headed for the floor. Now anyone who knows me, knows that once I am down, I cannot get to my knees and get up on my own. I have had that problem for years. OK now what do I do? "help, I've fallen and can't get up takes on a whole new meaning. Can't reach the phone either and the screen door is locked. I can reach my cell phone tho, so I try scooting on my bottom to find a place that I can pull myself up on. Nothing. Now, remember all I have on is a housecoat, no teeth, no underwear and wet hair.
My cell phone rings, it was Clyde from the mine. Let me know when you get here and i will come down and open the gate for you. Not coming Clyde, I fell, am on the floor and can't get up. I am fine tho. Ok Jim and I will come rescue you. Thank you. 10 minutes later the cell phone rings Clyde--what is your address. I figure Jim needs it and give it to him. 5 minutes later, knock, knock, hello, this is the fire department Expletive (mine, but it was silent) NHow remember the screen door is still locked.l FD do you have a key ME yes, but I can't get to it. More bottom scooting. I told the fd that I would scoot to the door and unlock it. FD how close are you, as I threw the door open and said I'M HERE. He is squatting down trying to see in a nd there I was in all my glory. They came in, made sure I wasn't hurt and lifted me up to my feet.
I was soooooooooooooooo embarrassed and they were so nice. Just one of those flukey things. First thing after I peed, I got dressed, then finished my book. All's well that ends well. See you at my next adventure
There was a board meeting for the mine scheduled for noon today. It's hot and windy out and I am really not in the mood for a meeting, but it's the first one in several months, and an important one, to boot.
We lost power for about 30 seconds this morning, our power company changed our meters to digital ones and while that was successful, it was off long enough to shut everything down, clocks computors, coffee pots etc.
I could not get my tv back on and had to call cable to walk me thru it. I have a different tv than I had last time and did not know I had to use t hat remote as well. OOps, let's back up a little.. Before the power went off I had taken a shower. I had put on a housecoat and was just letting my hair dry. It took a while for Cox and I to solve the tv/cable problem so time is getting close.
I also had been reading a book this morning and was withing 30 pages of finishing it, watching the clock and juggling my time. I was sitting at the dining room table, reading and the phone range. I reached for it and the next thing I knew I was on the floor. The casters on the chair slipped and tipped me over. I ever so gently headed for the floor. Now anyone who knows me, knows that once I am down, I cannot get to my knees and get up on my own. I have had that problem for years. OK now what do I do? "help, I've fallen and can't get up takes on a whole new meaning. Can't reach the phone either and the screen door is locked. I can reach my cell phone tho, so I try scooting on my bottom to find a place that I can pull myself up on. Nothing. Now, remember all I have on is a housecoat, no teeth, no underwear and wet hair.
My cell phone rings, it was Clyde from the mine. Let me know when you get here and i will come down and open the gate for you. Not coming Clyde, I fell, am on the floor and can't get up. I am fine tho. Ok Jim and I will come rescue you. Thank you. 10 minutes later the cell phone rings Clyde--what is your address. I figure Jim needs it and give it to him. 5 minutes later, knock, knock, hello, this is the fire department Expletive (mine, but it was silent) NHow remember the screen door is still locked.l FD do you have a key ME yes, but I can't get to it. More bottom scooting. I told the fd that I would scoot to the door and unlock it. FD how close are you, as I threw the door open and said I'M HERE. He is squatting down trying to see in a nd there I was in all my glory. They came in, made sure I wasn't hurt and lifted me up to my feet.
I was soooooooooooooooo embarrassed and they were so nice. Just one of those flukey things. First thing after I peed, I got dressed, then finished my book. All's well that ends well. See you at my next adventure
Sunday, December 5, 2010
HE'S GONNA FIND OUT WHO'S NAUGHTY OR NICE
DECEMBER 5th, an important date in my childhood.
I don't know if this is still celebrated in Milwaukee anymore, but when I was growing up, it was just part of the Christmas season. St. Nicholas nite. All the dime stores advertised it, you could find children all over the area being very well behaved. I don't know the whole tradition of it, just what happened in our home.
I don't know if this is still celebrated in Milwaukee anymore, but when I was growing up, it was just part of the Christmas season. St. Nicholas nite. All the dime stores advertised it, you could find children all over the area being very well behaved. I don't know the whole tradition of it, just what happened in our home.
On the evening of Dec. 5th, we would all hang our stockings up. We had no fireplace, so ours were thumbtacked to the window sill. Not Christmas stockings, mind you, just one of your stockings you wore on a daily basis. Ours were long (hated) white ribbed stockings. (side note: not sure how we kept them up, but pinning them to our underwear seems like a safe bet) anyhow, sometime after we were asleep, St Nick would sneak into our homes and fill our stockings. In the toe there was always a tangerine or an orange, followed by nuts (still in the shell) some Christmas hard candy, and a small toy, or maybe barettes for our hair. Then we knew we were on his "nice" list. I remember one year when my Dad had to have been very, very naughty, he found his sock (a regular man's white sock) hanging from the chandelier filled with COAL, the real stuff like we had in the basement.
Then back to the North Pole lickety-split to get all the toys and reindeer ready for Christmas.
Now begins the nightly radio shows (15 minutes each) starting with Billie the Brownie from Schusters (local dept. store) led by Captain Larry. Santa also had Metik the eskimo who took care of his reindeer. He kind of looked like the guy in Dawn's photo of Snow, Las Vegas style. No, not Chip, the other photo. Following that was The Gimbie and Ellie show sponsored by Gimbels dept store. Ending with Santa's big night of leaving the North Pole and visiting all the good boys and girls.
HAPPY ST. NICHOLAS DAY
Friday, November 19, 2010
NOVEMBER, A TIME OF SADNESS AND THANKSGIVING
As most of you know, November is not my favorite month. 23 years ago today I said goodbye to my best friend, my husband of 35 years, my kid's daddy and my grandbabies "haha". Bittersweet, because we had a good marriage. (altho, I do believe it gets better as years go by) you seem to forget the lows and really remember the highs. November, we celebrate Thanksgiving and get ready for Christmas, probably one of the busiest times of the year.
My dad died on Nov. 30th, just a few days after Thanksgiving. We had turkey day at our house and as usual my folks thanked us and gave me a kiss. Unusual tho, my dad also gave me a hug and said it was the best thanksgiving he had ever had. Those were the last words I would ever hear from him, as the next Tuesday morning when my mom went to get him, he had slipped off to meet Jesus sometime during the night. They even had reservations to go to Las Vegas later that week.
My sister died on the way to a hospital on Oct. 30th, (close enough to November for me) Numerous other family members also left us in November.
Yesterday, two of my grandchildren lost the only Grandpa they ever knew. Jack Dukes, Robert Sahinbas' stepdad. My thoughts and prayers are with you Wayne and Alyssa. Our very good friend, Sherri (my adopted daughter) flew to Boston last night along with her granddaughters and Nichoel to be at the bedside of her daught Penny who is losing her battle with cancer. When Penny goes to meet her Savior, she will leave behind two daughters who are in their late teens and who really need their Mom, but God has other plans for them.
Several years ago I mentioned to my friend Sandy about hating November (she too does not like it much). Any how on Nov. 1st she called me and said meet me at the curb, I'm on my way to a meeting, so I walked outside and there she was with a basket of flowers "to make my November better" They survived about two weeks and then they too were gone. How thoughtful is that .
I had forgotten I had even mentioned this to her.
Yes, Nov is a tough month in the Webb household, but it also has it's bright spots. Erick and Shannon are in New York (so I can relive memories of my trip to the big apple thru their visit)
Alyson and Mike and the boys will be here for the holiday and we will celibrate Bennett's 2nd birthday while they are here and Beth is planning to come for his birthday.
To all my family and friends who have gone before me to be with their heavenly father know that I know GOD IS IN HIS HEAVEN AND ALL'S WELL WITH THE WORLD. I miss you all and am grateful to have had you in my life.
My dad died on Nov. 30th, just a few days after Thanksgiving. We had turkey day at our house and as usual my folks thanked us and gave me a kiss. Unusual tho, my dad also gave me a hug and said it was the best thanksgiving he had ever had. Those were the last words I would ever hear from him, as the next Tuesday morning when my mom went to get him, he had slipped off to meet Jesus sometime during the night. They even had reservations to go to Las Vegas later that week.
My sister died on the way to a hospital on Oct. 30th, (close enough to November for me) Numerous other family members also left us in November.
Yesterday, two of my grandchildren lost the only Grandpa they ever knew. Jack Dukes, Robert Sahinbas' stepdad. My thoughts and prayers are with you Wayne and Alyssa. Our very good friend, Sherri (my adopted daughter) flew to Boston last night along with her granddaughters and Nichoel to be at the bedside of her daught Penny who is losing her battle with cancer. When Penny goes to meet her Savior, she will leave behind two daughters who are in their late teens and who really need their Mom, but God has other plans for them.
Several years ago I mentioned to my friend Sandy about hating November (she too does not like it much). Any how on Nov. 1st she called me and said meet me at the curb, I'm on my way to a meeting, so I walked outside and there she was with a basket of flowers "to make my November better" They survived about two weeks and then they too were gone. How thoughtful is that .
I had forgotten I had even mentioned this to her.
Yes, Nov is a tough month in the Webb household, but it also has it's bright spots. Erick and Shannon are in New York (so I can relive memories of my trip to the big apple thru their visit)
Alyson and Mike and the boys will be here for the holiday and we will celibrate Bennett's 2nd birthday while they are here and Beth is planning to come for his birthday.
To all my family and friends who have gone before me to be with their heavenly father know that I know GOD IS IN HIS HEAVEN AND ALL'S WELL WITH THE WORLD. I miss you all and am grateful to have had you in my life.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A NOTE TO WAYNE AND ALYSSA
DISCLAIMER: This is not my usual blog. It is meant for two of my grandchildren who are very young and have a lot to learn about life.
Alyssa, Words cannot express how disappointed I am about the way you choose to image yourself on facebook. I am not sure if the disgusting status was aimed in my direction, or not, but it really doesn't matter. It was out there for the whole world to see--and knowing t he world I know--the world will judge. No, they wont be judging me or whoever that post was referring to, but they will be judging YOU. As I told you before, you are a beautiful young lady until you open your mouth, or set your fingers to the keyboard. That certainly changes the image. It is obvious that you have little or no respect of others, but I would hope and pray that you have some respect for yourself, and once you do tha t you might find others respecting you more. I love you very much. I know I have not played a big role in your life once your parents separated. I regret that. I never had any living grandparents in my life, but once t hey split, I thought it best not to interfere. I am sorry for that. But, you and they , have never ceased to be in my prayers and I want only what is best for you. Please think about these things. We all love you but are unhappy with your life choices.
Wayne, I have been talking with your mom and reading bits and pieces in facebook about the upcoming events in your life. I strongly commend you for wanting to stand up to your responsibilities. The only thing I ask is that you make sure they are YOUR responsibilities. While I know that it is possible to conceive a child after only one night in bed, that and the length of time between hearing from your girlfriend, tend to make me suspicious. For your sake and for the sake of the child, please make sure. That little one deserves to know who his daddy is if only for medical
history.
Know that I love you both very much and will be there for you. Are you the first grandchildren to turn my hair gray.
No, but perhaps the most public.
Alyssa, Words cannot express how disappointed I am about the way you choose to image yourself on facebook. I am not sure if the disgusting status was aimed in my direction, or not, but it really doesn't matter. It was out there for the whole world to see--and knowing t he world I know--the world will judge. No, they wont be judging me or whoever that post was referring to, but they will be judging YOU. As I told you before, you are a beautiful young lady until you open your mouth, or set your fingers to the keyboard. That certainly changes the image. It is obvious that you have little or no respect of others, but I would hope and pray that you have some respect for yourself, and once you do tha t you might find others respecting you more. I love you very much. I know I have not played a big role in your life once your parents separated. I regret that. I never had any living grandparents in my life, but once t hey split, I thought it best not to interfere. I am sorry for that. But, you and they , have never ceased to be in my prayers and I want only what is best for you. Please think about these things. We all love you but are unhappy with your life choices.
Wayne, I have been talking with your mom and reading bits and pieces in facebook about the upcoming events in your life. I strongly commend you for wanting to stand up to your responsibilities. The only thing I ask is that you make sure they are YOUR responsibilities. While I know that it is possible to conceive a child after only one night in bed, that and the length of time between hearing from your girlfriend, tend to make me suspicious. For your sake and for the sake of the child, please make sure. That little one deserves to know who his daddy is if only for medical
history.
Know that I love you both very much and will be there for you. Are you the first grandchildren to turn my hair gray.
No, but perhaps the most public.
Monday, May 31, 2010
AN EMPTY PLACE AT THE TABLE
MEMORIAL DAY brings back lots of memories--back to OUR days in the service of our country. Yes, I said OUR, and that was brought back so vividly yesterday.
Sunday, the day before Memorial day--Got up in the morning (a beautiful Nevada day, no wind) got ready, made sure my Memorial Day poppy was securely fastened to the zipper on my purse and went to church. We celebrated Trinity Sunday with a rousing version of Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty and ended the service with America the Beautiful.
Later that afternoon I was invited to a bar b q at Amanda's. Reality is about to strike. We had a great dinner with the American menu of Hot Dogs, hamburgers, chips and dips, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob
and 4 desserts as only Amanda can make them. there were about twelve of us there, all good friends, but something (or should I say someone) was missing.
James should have been there. He is Amanda's husband, and Brianna's daddy. James was deployed in January and has spent these past months on Okinawa. He should be coming home sometime in July and then he will probably be deployed to Afghanistan or some other choice spot. You see, James is a United States Marine. Yep, one of those guys who has devoted his life to seeing tha t we keep our freedom.
We were somewhere between dinner and dessert when we heard a funny noise. Brianna, age 2, heard it too and ran running to the lap top yelling DADDY, DADDY DADDY. It brought tears to my eyes, she was talking to her daddy via skype, showing him her latest dance, telling him she loved him, and saying Daddy come home. You see our servicemen aren't the only ones who serve our country, their families and their friends who wait at home also serve. I know how I felt when my husband of 2 months spent the next 18 months in Okinawa. We didn't have Skype then and a phone call on our first anniversary cost $12 a minute so let me say
THANK YOU TO JAMES AND ALL THE JAMES'S EVERYWHERE AND TO THEIR FAMILIES WHO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT AND WORRY. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FALLEN HEROES. YOU ARE ALL HEROES TO ME AND BECAUSE OF YOU I CAN SAY MY PRAYERS AND SLEEP PEACEFULLY TONIGHT
GOD BLESS YOU EVERYONE
Sunday, the day before Memorial day--Got up in the morning (a beautiful Nevada day, no wind) got ready, made sure my Memorial Day poppy was securely fastened to the zipper on my purse and went to church. We celebrated Trinity Sunday with a rousing version of Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty and ended the service with America the Beautiful.
Later that afternoon I was invited to a bar b q at Amanda's. Reality is about to strike. We had a great dinner with the American menu of Hot Dogs, hamburgers, chips and dips, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob
and 4 desserts as only Amanda can make them. there were about twelve of us there, all good friends, but something (or should I say someone) was missing.
James should have been there. He is Amanda's husband, and Brianna's daddy. James was deployed in January and has spent these past months on Okinawa. He should be coming home sometime in July and then he will probably be deployed to Afghanistan or some other choice spot. You see, James is a United States Marine. Yep, one of those guys who has devoted his life to seeing tha t we keep our freedom.
We were somewhere between dinner and dessert when we heard a funny noise. Brianna, age 2, heard it too and ran running to the lap top yelling DADDY, DADDY DADDY. It brought tears to my eyes, she was talking to her daddy via skype, showing him her latest dance, telling him she loved him, and saying Daddy come home. You see our servicemen aren't the only ones who serve our country, their families and their friends who wait at home also serve. I know how I felt when my husband of 2 months spent the next 18 months in Okinawa. We didn't have Skype then and a phone call on our first anniversary cost $12 a minute so let me say
THANK YOU TO JAMES AND ALL THE JAMES'S EVERYWHERE AND TO THEIR FAMILIES WHO STAY AT HOME AND WAIT AND WORRY. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FALLEN HEROES. YOU ARE ALL HEROES TO ME AND BECAUSE OF YOU I CAN SAY MY PRAYERS AND SLEEP PEACEFULLY TONIGHT
GOD BLESS YOU EVERYONE
Monday, April 26, 2010
SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS
Hmmm, not exactly sure I want to write this blog today. I am so afraid I disappointed so many people this weekend,maybe disappointed isn't the word, maybe p o'd decribes it better, but I will tell my story and when I am done, I will decided whether to post it or not.
This weekend was "Women of Faith" weekend here in Las Vegas, also Saturday night was t he night of our annual fund raiser for the mine. Having never attended WOF I was eager to go. I knew it would be a very busy week-end, preceded by a rather busy week(for me, anyhow) of Dr''s appts as well as a bone density t est and mamogram. Just
routine tests done annually, but none the less time consuming.
This weekend was "Women of Faith" weekend here in Las Vegas, also Saturday night was t he night of our annual fund raiser for the mine. Having never attended WOF I was eager to go. I knew it would be a very busy week-end, preceded by a rather busy week(for me, anyhow) of Dr''s appts as well as a bone density t est and mamogram. Just
routine tests done annually, but none the less time consuming.
The Friday session of WOF started at 10 am and ending at 9:30 pm, followed by Sat session at 9 am ending at 5:30 pm, with the gala starting at 6 pm. Sound busy yet? While my mind said " you can do it" my almost 80 yr old body was laughing so hard. Kind of sounded like God laughing when I tell Him my plans for my life.
We arrived at the Thomas and Mack stadium with time to spare. Those of you who have visited the T & M know that you take the escalator or stairs to the concourse at the top and find your aisle and enter there and find your seats.
Praise the Lord, our aisle #118 was just across the concourse from the front doors. I just knew we would have to walk completely around the arena, but no we were right there. The aisle starts at row Z and goes straight down, and I do mean straight down. Those of you who know me well, know that I don't do that straight down thing well Oh, did I mention our seats were in the A row? Yup, you guessed it AwwwwwwwwwwwwwL the way down. Grasping tight to the railing, I was prepared. The railing lasted for about 3 steps and then a break before the next railing started. Oh trust me I was not the only one not liking this. I finally got down to A and decided neither hell nor high water was going to induce me to make that trip again.
The morning was inspirational. The worship team was great, speakers Sheila Walsh and Marcus Buckingham were motivational, had a great sense of humor and inspiring. Lunch, which several members of our group went and picked up was OK. We had a great dinner planned, so lunch was just something to tide us over.
Now it was time for the afternoon session. Of course, right POTTY TIME. Can I hold out for 3 more hours, be reasonable, I AM almost 80, sometimes it's hard to hold out from the bedroom to the bathroom, 10 steps. Of course my friends from church told me about the tunnel out of the arena to the elevator, which would take me back up to the concourse for the bathrooms. I dont understand why row A is NOT at the floor level, but there are at least 10 more rows below A. No, sorry I don't know what they are called. I walked down the rest of the stairs In my aisle they had a railing, in other aisles they did not and I understand on Saturday someone (not from our group) actully did fall down some of those last stairs and was ambulanced out of there. Fortunately I had a rail and used it wisely. A very looooooooooong walk thru the tunnel and winding around the hallowed halls I did find the elevator, manned by a character who was a cross between Rip Torn and Captain Kangaroo. He told me he was a 70 year old going on 39 and i countered with I was a 79 year old going on 40 and as I left the elevator he said "I love an older woman with a sense of humor"
Ok back for the end of the session. Now it was time to climb up those stairs so when you get to the top you can go down to street level again. Make sense? Yeah, sure!
Our group had decided to go to the Hofbrau House for dinner Did I mention there were about 60 of us. The HH had reserved tables for us and we had our own menu. Delicious. But during the course of the meal I knew I could not to the steps at the Thomas and Mack again that day, and decided to save my energy for Saturday.. We had lots of time between sessions, so Wendy drove me back to my car (parked at church) and I went home which was a good thing because I hate driving at night.
getting up t he next morning was a real project, every bone, every muscle told me I am not a kid anymore. I called my friend and said I was not going. I absolutely could not do that again. Besides, I had the gala that night.
Well, to make a long story short (a short pause for a long laugh) About half an hour before my friends were coming to pick me up the that event, I called them and begged off.
So my friends, if you are disappointed or even mad at me, please at least applaud the fact that i know my own limitations. I love you all an d I am thrilled when people tell me I don't look my age, but please understand that sometimes even tho the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. I think someone much wiser that me said that once.
Love you and God bless!
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