We received word Sunday night that my Uncle Bob (dad's brother) passed away. Of course after hearing the news planning the 3 hour trip to Henderson, KY began. When is the funeral, whose riding with who and when are we leaving? Were all questions that kept the telephones hot.
In the recent past his home had been transformed from a quaint cozy little cabin tucked away in the woods to a cold stark room in a rest home where his daily attire was a gray pajama top with matching bottoms. This became his new address roughly 4 1/2 years ago after the diagnoses of Alzheimer's became too much for his wife of (then) 53 years could handle.
During the sermon the minister made reference to how my Uncle wouldn't pass because he felt as though some loved ones wouldn't allow him to go, they weren't ready to say goodbye. But as you could tell by the look on their worn faces they had fault the battle just as long and hard as he had and they simply had no fight left and ultimately had given up and were ready to send him home.
My mother's son, not as smart as he would have you believe, made a statement that was actually right on the money when he said "Uncle Bob has been dead for 2 years, he just didn't know it." That was about as true as true could get. However, I will never let him know that he has ever said anything that had any insight or an intelligent reference to it what so ever. I simply followed up the remark with "you're stupid!"
The one part of my trip I feel everyone should experience at least once, and I don't mean via movies, is a funeral with full military honors. Uncle Bob was a retired Army Corporal and a retired Sargeant for the Nat'l Guard. The visual of seven armed soldiers standing along side the grave as though they were guarding him from an unseen enemy was a sight to behold. But when they were given orders and sounded 21 shots for the 21 gun salute followed by the playing of taps was a very emotional, gut wrenching experience. A folded American flag was then given to my Aunt by a white gloved soldier who then saluted and thanked her for Uncle Bob's military duty. If you have never felt the pride of being an American, trust me; You will!
It was actually really nice to see everyone again. I wish it had been under better circumstances but it was really nice to see how everyone has changed. Unfortunately, the last time we got together was when another of dad's brother passed away 6 years ago.
We ended this visit just as we ended the visit 6 years ago - protesting and declaring that we promise to get together more often, plan a family reunion and not loose touch. When in reality we all knew it was a big fat lie. Not intentionally of course, but it just seems we simply don't make or take the time and put EVERYTHING else at the top of our priority list. And before you know it you are being notified that another has passed away. The really sad part about the whole thing is my dad had 5 siblings, my dad being the youngest. Four of them have passed away, leaving him and only one other brother. It just makes me feel time with my dad is becoming less and less as each day passes. That's why I will (I promise-It's in writing which means it's official) make more time for him. Although he lives in the same town as I do I don't visit and spend as much time with him as I need to because something always more "important" seems to come up.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Dumber than I thought!!!
OK - I realize I don't have an IT degree but I have been around computers for a little while and I can generally figure small stuff out. However, as you can tell by the looks of my blog page I am struggling just a wee tiny bit. I mean what the hell??? I don't know why I can't get it all prettied up and it is really starting to irritate me. Especially after looking at the other cutie petutie blogs (Meggie, Ms. Pooh & Ames). Boo Hoo. Just when I think I get it the Boss Man hollars and wants me to work. Good Lord!
Last night I began to hang some things on my walls. Well, not really I started giving instructions of where I wanted things hung and where. Well, what a mess that turned out to be. BB apparently doesn't use a tape measure and level either.
I have decided to decorate the living room with corpses of all the animals BB has claimed over there years. I figured I needed to feel one with nature and said what the heck. Sure, I would love to surround myself with dead animals looking at me.
The first hanging of BB's biggest and prettiest deer didn't go so well. He proudly displayed it above the mantle and then stood back in amazement and briefly relived the hunt. As he turned to walk away the Deer Gods appeared, provided the deer with special powers and it literally jumped off the wall and onto the hard wood floor. The antlers poked 2 small holes into my newly laid floor. OOOOHHHH, OOOOHHHH, OOOOOHHHH. But I held my tongue especially since it broke one of the brow tines (spelling?). BB had to go outside, take in some fresh air and regain his composure. I wasn't worried about the brow tines I was worried about the new holes in my floor and the hole the incident left in my wall. After a shotty operation with a glue gun the deer is now complete once again. However, I did hear little hoof prints pitter patter up and down the hall all night long with an occasional grunt off in the distance. I think we are being haunted by deer. I See Dead Deer!
Last night I began to hang some things on my walls. Well, not really I started giving instructions of where I wanted things hung and where. Well, what a mess that turned out to be. BB apparently doesn't use a tape measure and level either.
I have decided to decorate the living room with corpses of all the animals BB has claimed over there years. I figured I needed to feel one with nature and said what the heck. Sure, I would love to surround myself with dead animals looking at me.
The first hanging of BB's biggest and prettiest deer didn't go so well. He proudly displayed it above the mantle and then stood back in amazement and briefly relived the hunt. As he turned to walk away the Deer Gods appeared, provided the deer with special powers and it literally jumped off the wall and onto the hard wood floor. The antlers poked 2 small holes into my newly laid floor. OOOOHHHH, OOOOHHHH, OOOOOHHHH. But I held my tongue especially since it broke one of the brow tines (spelling?). BB had to go outside, take in some fresh air and regain his composure. I wasn't worried about the brow tines I was worried about the new holes in my floor and the hole the incident left in my wall. After a shotty operation with a glue gun the deer is now complete once again. However, I did hear little hoof prints pitter patter up and down the hall all night long with an occasional grunt off in the distance. I think we are being haunted by deer. I See Dead Deer!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Happy Day....Sad Day
Happy Day - Today is Lou's big day. The Kentucky Kennel Club (KKC) surprised her with a stuffed dog and an gift card from Wal-Mart. Don't worry that's not all she got. She had a party this past Saturday. She will also have another party this evening at her dad's house.
I took her to McDonald's for breakfast and my dad took her to school in tow with 36 cupcakes and Capri Sun for her B-day party. Of course dad had her a b-day card with $25 big ones in it. Which she was all about. I was running a bit late this morning b/c I had to try to explain to daddy why Lou had to take her OWN cupcakes for HER party. He just didn't understand that. I think I will send my self roses today. Hee Hee
Lou forgot my Valentines Day present at her dad's and wasn't able to give it to me on V-day so she surprised me with it last night. She gave me a homemade card and a pair of birthstone studded earrings. She has such a big heart and is such a good kid. I just love 'er to death.
Sad Day - Well, we received the unfortunate news that Bb didn't make the middle school baseball team :( . I don't know who was more upset - BB or Bb. Maybe he got confused on the whole "shine" thing and shined the crazy shine instead of the good shine. All in all it was probably for the best considering he is also playing little league (independent of the school system). I mean really.....how much baseball can one endure in a 2 1/2 - 3 month period?
I took her to McDonald's for breakfast and my dad took her to school in tow with 36 cupcakes and Capri Sun for her B-day party. Of course dad had her a b-day card with $25 big ones in it. Which she was all about. I was running a bit late this morning b/c I had to try to explain to daddy why Lou had to take her OWN cupcakes for HER party. He just didn't understand that. I think I will send my self roses today. Hee Hee
Lou forgot my Valentines Day present at her dad's and wasn't able to give it to me on V-day so she surprised me with it last night. She gave me a homemade card and a pair of birthstone studded earrings. She has such a big heart and is such a good kid. I just love 'er to death.
Sad Day - Well, we received the unfortunate news that Bb didn't make the middle school baseball team :( . I don't know who was more upset - BB or Bb. Maybe he got confused on the whole "shine" thing and shined the crazy shine instead of the good shine. All in all it was probably for the best considering he is also playing little league (independent of the school system). I mean really.....how much baseball can one endure in a 2 1/2 - 3 month period?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
About Me (and us)
Me - Since BB and I have moved into our current abode 6 years ago we have done quite a bit to the place. Some that turned out good and some well, not so good.
Hardwood and tile flooring - Good
Painting Lou's room lavendar purple - Bad
Screened in back porch - Good
BB painting my dining room and kitchen Barney Purple as a suprise - BAD (It was the disfunctional thought that counted)
Since the Kentucky Kennel Club (Rodney, Johnson, Spanky and Millie) has come on scene I felt the carpet needed to be tossed into a pit of engulfed flames and removed from this earth. I can't even find the words to describe what I think should happen to my walls. Anyway, as a Valentines Day suprise present BB had J&M come over and paint my house. It looks so AWESOME. They also laid hard wood flooring in the living room. The flooring is parque. Keep in mind this probably would not have been my first pick or probably a pick at all but considering it was only .97 a square foot I thought it looked Marvelous. Beggers can't be choosers. It actually turned out nice. I think he's a keeper, I'm pretty lucky!
I'm still trying to put my house back together but I am so afraid to hang anything b/c the walls are too pretty to inflict them with nail holes. Especially since I eye ball everything. Tape measure and level?! Who needs 'em? Oh well, hopefully by this weekend it will be put back together agian. Makes you think of Humpty Dumpty doesn't it?
I know all of you out there are wondering what and when I'm going to take care of my passion pink counter tops. I first have to find some more pennies and believe me you will be the first to know.
BB - 55 Days. That's how long it will be before he leaves for Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA. I don't know how I feel about that exactly. Doesn't really matter how I feel since he is at the point of no return. I mean, I am proud of him and support his decision to join but I have no emotion about him being gone. It doesn't seem real. Which is kind of freaking me out b/c I'm not preparing myself which generally means a minor mental break down. A while back he went on a small fishing trip while Bb was at his mom's and Lou was at her dad's which left me alone. Well, not all alone I did have the Kentucky Kennel Club there with me. But, it just wasn't the same. I missed him terribly and I guess it's becuase it was a cursory look into the very near future. He will be gone right at 6 month. While in Basic for 9+ weeks we are only allowed to communication through letters. After he graduates Basic he will then go to Ft. Lee, VA for AIT (Advanced Individuatl Training). Once he is in AIT I believe they lighten up and me and the kids can visit on the weekends.
Bb - Had middle school baseball try outs last night for 2 gruelling hours. They will make their first cut and then have call backs throughout the week and continue to cut until they dwindle down to the super star team. It's almost like American Idol. Ooooh the anticipation! Although it is unlikely he will make the team simply b/c he is a 6th grader. There was an army of eager, nervous 6th graders trying out along with the returning 7th & 8th graders. Since the upper classman (oh lord, I'm referring to 7th & 8th graders as upper classman) have the advantage since the coaches are already aware of them and their talents and potentials. A 6th grader really needs to shine. Not shine like crazy shine like on The Shining but shine as in - Oh hell you know what I mean.
Lou - She is getting ready to turn the big 11 on 2/18. There isn't much to tell about good ole Lou. She is the most even keel person I have ever known. She shows very little emotion or excitement about too much. However, she was ecstatic about her L.L. Bean lime green back pack with embroidered initials. Aah, the simple things in life. That was the main thing she wanted for her birthday. Oh well!
Lou loves horses. She has been wanting one "all her life" as she says. She actually said that when she was only 7. Kids are so funny and say the funniest things. There is a lady down the road from us that has a very large nice horse farm. She offers lessons and of course they are kind of pricey so we'll see how all of that turns out. Good thing is she doesn't want to start until the spring so at least she won't be out there freezing her butt off.
Hardwood and tile flooring - Good
Painting Lou's room lavendar purple - Bad
Screened in back porch - Good
BB painting my dining room and kitchen Barney Purple as a suprise - BAD (It was the disfunctional thought that counted)
Since the Kentucky Kennel Club (Rodney, Johnson, Spanky and Millie) has come on scene I felt the carpet needed to be tossed into a pit of engulfed flames and removed from this earth. I can't even find the words to describe what I think should happen to my walls. Anyway, as a Valentines Day suprise present BB had J&M come over and paint my house. It looks so AWESOME. They also laid hard wood flooring in the living room. The flooring is parque. Keep in mind this probably would not have been my first pick or probably a pick at all but considering it was only .97 a square foot I thought it looked Marvelous. Beggers can't be choosers. It actually turned out nice. I think he's a keeper, I'm pretty lucky!
I'm still trying to put my house back together but I am so afraid to hang anything b/c the walls are too pretty to inflict them with nail holes. Especially since I eye ball everything. Tape measure and level?! Who needs 'em? Oh well, hopefully by this weekend it will be put back together agian. Makes you think of Humpty Dumpty doesn't it?
I know all of you out there are wondering what and when I'm going to take care of my passion pink counter tops. I first have to find some more pennies and believe me you will be the first to know.
BB - 55 Days. That's how long it will be before he leaves for Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA. I don't know how I feel about that exactly. Doesn't really matter how I feel since he is at the point of no return. I mean, I am proud of him and support his decision to join but I have no emotion about him being gone. It doesn't seem real. Which is kind of freaking me out b/c I'm not preparing myself which generally means a minor mental break down. A while back he went on a small fishing trip while Bb was at his mom's and Lou was at her dad's which left me alone. Well, not all alone I did have the Kentucky Kennel Club there with me. But, it just wasn't the same. I missed him terribly and I guess it's becuase it was a cursory look into the very near future. He will be gone right at 6 month. While in Basic for 9+ weeks we are only allowed to communication through letters. After he graduates Basic he will then go to Ft. Lee, VA for AIT (Advanced Individuatl Training). Once he is in AIT I believe they lighten up and me and the kids can visit on the weekends.
Bb - Had middle school baseball try outs last night for 2 gruelling hours. They will make their first cut and then have call backs throughout the week and continue to cut until they dwindle down to the super star team. It's almost like American Idol. Ooooh the anticipation! Although it is unlikely he will make the team simply b/c he is a 6th grader. There was an army of eager, nervous 6th graders trying out along with the returning 7th & 8th graders. Since the upper classman (oh lord, I'm referring to 7th & 8th graders as upper classman) have the advantage since the coaches are already aware of them and their talents and potentials. A 6th grader really needs to shine. Not shine like crazy shine like on The Shining but shine as in - Oh hell you know what I mean.
Lou - She is getting ready to turn the big 11 on 2/18. There isn't much to tell about good ole Lou. She is the most even keel person I have ever known. She shows very little emotion or excitement about too much. However, she was ecstatic about her L.L. Bean lime green back pack with embroidered initials. Aah, the simple things in life. That was the main thing she wanted for her birthday. Oh well!
Lou loves horses. She has been wanting one "all her life" as she says. She actually said that when she was only 7. Kids are so funny and say the funniest things. There is a lady down the road from us that has a very large nice horse farm. She offers lessons and of course they are kind of pricey so we'll see how all of that turns out. Good thing is she doesn't want to start until the spring so at least she won't be out there freezing her butt off.
New Blogger
OK - I'm new to the world of communicating via bloggs, myface or spacebook (or whatever their called) but it seems to be the norm for everyone but me. And apparently I'm not normal since I don't utilize one of these modes of communication. Soooooo, in order to maintain my coolness it is imperative that I jump on the electronic band wagon and join the fun.
Now - from what I understand this is an electronic diary in which you invite others to read. Read my diary??? Ooooh, heelll no. Well, Ok! Since you insist. Apparently (due to internet pervs) it is suggested that I not use real names. Therefore, it may take you a few moments to figure out whose who but you'll catch on (that statement wasn't for you old school bloggers but mainly my parents so stop poking fun).
Now - from what I understand this is an electronic diary in which you invite others to read. Read my diary??? Ooooh, heelll no. Well, Ok! Since you insist. Apparently (due to internet pervs) it is suggested that I not use real names. Therefore, it may take you a few moments to figure out whose who but you'll catch on (that statement wasn't for you old school bloggers but mainly my parents so stop poking fun).
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