" Weekend Flashbacks "

Do you recognize the cute couple above ?

Sure Ya do !

It's my husband Jake and myself.
Just wee little tots.

I think we would have made a cute couple
even back then !

" My New Bike "

Well not yet. And maybe not ever. But this is the bike that I've been dreaming of.
I am hoping that I get it for my birthday!

Isn't she a beauty?

" These Hands "

These hands have played, they have thrown balls galore.
These hands have changed diapers, and so much more.

These hands have cooked, and held many a book.
These hands have crocheted, with many a hook.

These hands have washed many a dish.
These hands have caught quite a few fish.

These hands have picked up so many things.
These hands have worn diamond rings.

These hands have sewed so many a dress.
These hands have been in so much distress.

These hands have written quite a few lines.
These hands have touched so many times.

These hands have planted so many a seed.
These hands have done so many a deed.

These hands have typed so many a word.
These hands have often folded for the Lord.

These hands have ached and pained.
These hands have given me so much gain.

These hands have touched and loved so many.
These hands are full of love aplenty.

These hands are stiffening now I know.
Yet somehow I know they will find more love to grow.

These hands they are mine and they have served me well.
These hands God gave me , I will live and dwell.

" As Time Goes By "

Good evening everyone !
Katie and I just returned home from another driving adventure. Only there isn't too much to report this evening as she did a fine job this time out. You may or may not know that I had commented on my facebook page that she was having troubles understanding what the word STOP means.

Well I am happy to report that she did much better this time and I only had to correct her three times on her stopping too fast. Not bad, not bad. We had to drive to church first so that I could check on something there. She does very good on that road now. It is a very curvy country road with lots of deer.

We than headed back to town where I told her to go to the mall. We were going to be having dinner at a Chinese restaurant there. She did well getting there, through the stop lights, left turn lanes and right turn lanes. Then we pulled into the mall. Fortunately it wasn't very crowded and I noticed the perfect parking spot BETWEEN two cars. Plenty of room.

When I told her that that's where she should park she told me that she didn't feel comfortable doing that. O.K. I understand this. So we found several empty spots right across from there and she put the car in perfectly!We had a nice dinner and then it was right back to driving. This time she wanted to choose which way to go and off we went. Again she did very well and truly required very little instruction. It wasn't a very long drive, maybe an hour tops. But I wanted to get home before dark so we started to head home. Oh I forgot, I had also for the first time, let her back out of the garage. It is very old and narrow. But she did what I instructed her to do and didn't scrape the mirrors!
So since she did that, I also let her pull in the garage which has to be done fairly slowly. There is only about a two inch clearance on each side of the mirrors. Again she did very well!

It was a successful drive.
So here is my question. How do we go from this.....



To this......



In such a small amount of time ?

A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh,
The fundamental things apply,
As time goes by.

Testing

I received a new printer/scanner for Valentines day. Romantic isn't it? Not to worry, my husband also bought me a bracelet. Anyway the scanner is something that I have wanted for a long time but didn't purchase for myself because it quite frankly, intimidates me! So I guess my husband in his infinite male wisdom, thought that if I sat and stared at it long enough, I might figure it out.

So this morning I tried and I don't know if I got it right but we shall see. I scanned a photo of my son Frank who is now 31, when he was just toddling around, so let see if it posts for me, o.k. here goes!

O.K. that seemed to work. I do believe that this photo was taken in 1979, boy photo quality has come a long way for sure. Now lets see if I can get a comparable photo of his son Jack toddling around. Here goes!

Well there you have it. Never underestimate the power of a woman when she wants to do something really badly!

I am off to Wal-mart to exchange my new glasses. I didn't notice that the frames blocked my peripheral vision when I tried them on. They are cute but I need to see who is sneaking up on me!

A Good Evening to All

This photo was taken last summer. The Easter Lilly's in my yard along with the weeds of coarse!

Not much has been going on in my world lately, however I felt the need to let everyone know what a gorgeous day we had today here in Southern Illinois. It was a beautiful, sunny 53 degree day.
It was refreshing to see people walking around with no jackets on!

As I was walking one of my dogs today I noticed that my Maple tree has buds on it as well as the Forsythia and Lilac bushes. Also I noticed that the daffodils are poking through. So what did my husband and I do to celebrate the beautiful day? Nothing. We pretty much did nothing.

We had plans to work on the house but they didn't manage to come to fruition. It's all good though as we both really needed a day to sit and do nothing. Even our Katie decided to grace us with her presence all day. Oh by the way, Katie has lost her voice. It made me think of my mother, not only because she used to lose her voice once or twice a year, but also because today she would have been 73 years young.

I thought that I would feel so sad today because of it, but for some reason I have been very happy all day. I think part of the reason for that was that I got away from the house for a few hours yesterday. My husband had to get his fingerprints taken so that he could renew his Hazardous Materials Endorsement.

In order to do this we had to drive about sixty-five miles out of town to the place where they do the fingerprinting. It was a beautiful sunny day and I totally enjoyed the time alone with my husband as we drove there. We talked all the way there and stopped and had lunch after the fingerprinting. It was fun for me, and I think Jake enjoyed it too even though it involved more driving for him. I offered to drive but it's a control thing for him. I don't mind as I like to watch the scenery anyway.

I was a little frustrated with myself however for forgetting to bring my camera, again. Where is Jackie when I need her? My husband tried to calm my frustration by telling me that there was nothing to see between here and there. He was wrong. There was this huge cross on the highway that I would have loved to show you. And then there was a coyote that ran across the road.
I know I sound like a little kid. But the truth is that I am easy to please.

Unfortunately my husband has to leave early tomorrow morning. It's never enough time. If you are wondering what the heck I am doing writing this when I could be sitting contentedly at his feet (yes I have done that) it's because he also loves to play video games and rarely gets the chance. He always asks me if it's o.k. Isn't that sweet? So I thought that I would visit with all of my blogger friends while he is playing.

My son and my granddaughter are at the Girl Scouts father/daughter dance tonight. It seems like just yesterday when Jake and Katie went to the very same dance. My how fast they change and grow. I am hoping for a photo from the dance but I will have to wait and see.

My older daughter Ginny will be on a flight tomorrow for Palm Springs, California. It's a business trip for her but I am sure she will find a little time to enjoy herself at the Hyatt there.
One of the perks of her job is travel. I am so happy that she is able to do these things. I was always so shy when I was younger and couldn't have dreamed of doing presentations in front of so many people. I think she is awesome and inspiring.

Well that's it for tonight. Like I said nothing too exciting, just life! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

"For Missy, With Love"

Today is a sad day for my family. My dear cousin and her husband had to lay their daughter to rest. She was only 25 years old and a beautiful young woman. My heart breaks for my cousin and my thoughts have been with her since her daughters passing on February 14th.

I have prayed for my family especially for my cousin and her husband. I love them so much and feel helpless. I know that this is something that they must go through and all I can think of to do is pray for them.

The following is something I found on another blog, "Sincerely Yours".
I wanted to post it for everyone to read and keep in mind.

Life can change in an instant. Please don't pass up the opportunity to let the people that you love,know it. It may be your last chance.

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate?

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less,buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems,more medicines, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. angry, stay up too late, get up too early. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there
is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leaves your side because they are not going to be around forever.Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Thank You Anu from"Sincerely Yours". This just seemed so appropriate to me today.
Please pray for my cousins family today.

Love Di

" One Million Miles "

Well here he is. My husband Jake. We have been married for twenty years. We have had our trying times but we always have worked our way through them.

My husband is an over the road truck driver. He got his commercial drivers license shortly after we met. Most of our marriage has been spent apart. We figured it out recently. Counting days off, vacation days and sick days, we have been together for approximately seven years out of our twenty.

Most of our time spent together is over the phone. We spend a lot of time on the phone. We talk at least six times a day to each other. Being a truck driver is a very difficult job. There are the obvious everyday situations that he has to deal with such as weather conditions and crazy drivers. But there are many additional aspects that one may not readily think of.

For example, imagine what it would be like to live in a small van. There is no bathroom. there is no kitchen. My husband does have a small refrigerator that he keeps lunch meats and milk for his cereal in but that's it. He doesn't eat at truck stops very often and some weeks not at all. They are very expensive. Can you imagine how much it would cost to eat in a truck stop restaurant or even a McDonald's, twice a day everyday. Keep in mind that these places off of the interstates charge more than others.

Also, you can't just pull a big rig into any parking lot that you choose. He is very limited. Most of the companies that he delivers for, won't let the drivers use the bathrooms so if they are there getting unloaded for hours that's just too bad.

Being on time. Oh this is a big one. If he is late on a load he will get fired. So allowing for the traffic and the weather and any other road hazards that may come his way he must be on time. Just a little stress there.

My husband is a professional driver through and through. He has been working for the same company for almost eight years now. No customer has ever complained about him and he has never been late. One time he broke his foot coming down off of a loading dock.

No one at the company that he delivered at would help him. So he got back in his truck and drove himself to the hospital. After he got his cast on, he drove himself home. I couldn't even imagine doing something like that. Did I mention that he is very stubborn as well?

My husband has had to miss many milestones in our childrens lives. Especially Katie's. Think about it. How do you know when your child will sit up, crawl or take their first step? Sure he would get to see it when he would be home but it's not quite the same as seeing it for the first time. We have a lot of video's!

Most of the time his company can get him home for major family events or emergency's. Still it's not always quick enough. When I had my stroke it took him hours to get home. When my mom passed away recently, it wasn't until the next day. Imagine wanting to be with the one you love knowing that you are hours or days away.

Holidays are always interesting. We never know until that very week if he will be home or not. It makes things hard to plan. Sometimes we don't even know until the day before. I could go on and on.

Growing up, my husband dreamed of being a truck driver. I dreamed of being a housewife and mother. It seems that we both got what we dreamed for. We just didn't realize that our dreams would keep us apart. This weekend will be another Valentine's Day spent apart. We've only been together for it once or twice. It used to really make me sad. It still does but I've adapted.

So my reason for posting about my husbands job tonight is that he just reached his own milestone recently. In the past seven years at this company alone, he has hit his One Million Mile mark. That's One Million Miles driven without a ticket or an accident!

I'll never even drive a million miles in my lifetime.

I am very proud of him. He is a professional driver. He is a good husband and father.
He is a good man. And even though it will be yet another Valentine's Day spent apart,
we will be together in our hearts and on the phone of coarse!

" Not Enough Snow To Blow "

I am up far too early this morning. 4:50 a.m. This is way too early for me.
What is it with getting older and sleep. It seems to become more and more elusive.
I can take a nap in the afternoon and sleep so well then come evening, just toss and turn.

Well anyway I have lots to do around the house so I will take advantage of the extra hour and a half.

It is currently still snowing here. We have only gotten about an inch so far but it is still coming down. I was really counting on a snow day for Katie today but so far school is still in session. We live close enough for her to walk to school but since her surgery, she wants me to take her. Under the circumstances I do agree with her.

Yet I hate driving in the slippery stuff. And listen to this, Katie's drivers ed. instructor told the class that if we have a snow day, it would be a good idea to let them drive around in the snow!

Now normally I wouldn't have a problem with this as I grew up driving in Chicago and I know how to drive in winter weather. I don't like it but I can do it. I have two issues with this. The first one is very simple. She is NOT ready. This I know for sure.

When I do take her driving in the snow, it will be in a parking lot first. An empty one at that!

The second issue that I have with this suggestion is that if we did get enough snow for a snow day, someone would have to shovel my one hundred plus foot driveway.
The husband is not here. Katie can't bend over or lift over ten pounds for three weeks.
I used to shovel it myself. I like to shovel snow! But for some reason, no one will let me do it anymore!

My son will come and do it if necessary. But he works long hours and has a family of his own to care for. So I say that the driving instructor come and shovel it for me! I love this idea. Better yet, he could shovel my drive and than take the inexperienced Katie cruising around in the drivers ed. car! Yes that's a great idea!

Or perhaps the school could purchase a nice, lightweight snow-blower for me!

" No Superbowl Here "

After being home all week for Katie's surgery, my husband finally had to leave this morning. If he had been home we would have the game on but I'm just not that into it.

I am so grateful that he was here this week as it turned out to be a very long and very stress filled week. As most of you know, Katie came through the surgery fine but we quickly discovered that anesthesia makes Katie very cranky!

We came home from the hospital seven hours later and she did a lot of sleeping. The next day however she had a severe migraine. Talk about feeling helpless and worried to no end. This is when I was grateful that my husband was home to help out. The pain meds did nothing for her. Friday morning we had to take her to get the packing removed from her sinuses while she still had a migraine.

The nurses seemed to think this was normal and said that it would fade. Poor kid, all she could do was lay in her room in the dark with a cool cloth over her head. I had to from time to time, make her eat a little as she had no appetite for almost four days.

I fixed her light foods. Applesauce, toast, soup and the like. I told her that not eating wouldn't help the headache! Finally by Saturday morning her headache faded to just an average headache. She still has it, but she is much, much better.

Jake and I were so worried Friday night that we didn't get much sleep. He did some research that gave us a little relief. He found out that if you suffered previous to the sinus surgery with headaches (which she did) that you would likely have a bad headache after the surgery.

I knew this morning that she felt so much better when she woke up and said that she wanted to practice driving today as there is an approaching snowstorm! So as tired as I was, I let her drive to the cable company so that we could drop off our payment. That made her happy and she looked much better.

I did almost have a small heart attack when she took the turn onto the road where the cable company was, very, very fast. She did this on purpose to scare me! And it worked!
I then told her that if she did that again she will never drive my car again. I did suggest however that if she did want to do that again, to make sure it was when dad takes her driving!

After that we drove to the market to pick up a few staples just like everyone else in town was doing! I was doing the driving through town. She's not ready for that much traffic yet. Walking around in the store was making her feel lousy again, so we made it quick so that we could get back home and she could lay down.

We aren't too sure about school tomorrow. I told her to wait and see how she felt then. And she could go for awhile and come home if it was too much for her. But she is most definitely improving each day.

Jake is in North Carolina tonight and he and I are both totally and completely exhaustively tired!! But after seeing how Katie was today, I know that we will both sleep much better tonight!

Enjoy the game!

" Hi Everyone!"

Well it certainly was a long day for all of us!
We arrived at the hospital ant 7:30a.m. and were brought back to the prep room about 7:50a.m.

Of coarse you probably know the drill, she had to change clothes ( which she absolutely hated!).
She was allowed to wear a lovely green hospital gown! Her mood changed quickly at this point. It was the gown that set her off!
They only let me back there with her at this time. It was only after she was changed and the I.V. was put in, that they dad come back.

The hospital gown pissed her off. Sorry ladies but it was her first time wearing one and my Kate is a very stubborn girl! But once they got the I.V. in her, which didn't bother her at all, and gave her some medicine to relax her, she was fine!

Our charming French Canadian doctor came in to say hello, he really is charming! And it wasn't long after that when they swooped our girl away.

She was fine. I was a horrible nervous wreak. Both my husband and Katie made me take a Xanax! They insisted. Not such a good mom I guess. But the way I looked at it was that God gave me all of the anxiety so that Kate wouldn't worry.

Jake and I went to the cafeteria for breakfast while the surgery was going on. It took about one hour. Then she was in recovery for about another hour and then we were finally able to go and be with our girl. She was awake. She has never been anesthetized before and I discovered that she is very, very cranking after it!

But she looked good. Barely swollen and said that she could already breath better. She has little straws in her nose which enable her to breath as well as packing in her sinuses. She had one cyst, a large one in her sinuses that was causing all of the trouble.

She slept a little in recovery. She did not want Jake and I to look at her, or talk to her, yet she wouldn't let us leave the room together! Only one at a time. She ate and went to the bathroom. That was the defining moment that they would let her go home!

So about seven hours hours later we were able to go home! Katie , cranky still, was happy to go home, as were we. She has been hungry, good sign. Not nauseous, good sign.
And just went to bed about three hours earlier than usual. To be expected I think!

Friday morning at 8:30a.m. we go to get the packing taken out, and then she should be good to go!

I am guessing that she will still have her teenager attitude. But it's all good, as long as she is my teenager that can breath again!

" A Thank You To all "

This is just a quick post this evening to let everyone know that we are ready for Kate's surgery tomorrow. We are to report to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. Katie is doing fine and doesn't appear to be nervous at all.

My husband Jake got home last night and will be home until Thursday, possibly Friday. I haven't had much time to visit everyone and for this I apologize. I will visit after Katie gets home and I have time to relax.

The main reason for this post tonight is to thank you all so much for your prayers. I am so grateful for each and every prayer.
I will do another post as soon as I can letting everyone know how my girl is doing.

Thank you all again.