Momentous Occasions

There are two very special things happening in my life right now. Last week my youngest son turned 21 and next Saturday my middle son will graduate from college. Where did the time go?

From this

















To this...all in the blink of an eye...or so it seems.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

I found this in one of our newsletters today. If only...

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less
I'd do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love

-Original author unknown

All good things must come to an end...

and so must the visit with Lost Love. He will be leaving tomorrow. Before returning home he's taking a little trip to Rio (as in de Janeiro) for some R & R. Hope he doesn't OD on the "dental floss" (inside joke)! I can't imagine what it would be like to just say, "I think I'll just fly down to Rio next week and stay for a week or so." It just boggles my mind that you could have that kind of freedom.
Anyway, I've really enjoyed seeing him during this visit. I can only hope this isn't the last time and that "Lost Love" doesn't become lost again. My days have been a little brighter and I've had a bit more spring in my step...something I'm not used to. It's been really nice. And so, Lost Love, I bid you adieu...until we meet again.

Sappy poetry alert #3

Lament
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

If I could turn back the hands of time
And have the love that once was mine
I’d hold it safe within my heart
And we’d never have been apart

This life of sorrow I’d not have known
No sad, long days spent alone
No lonely nights while tears did flow
I didn’t then, but now I know

I let true love slip through my hands
The hurt is deep. I cannot stand
To think of what my foolishness cost
And of the sweet love I have lost

Now in my dreams your face I see
I long for what now cannot be
There is no longer a place for us
Only for me in my loneliness

Saga of Lost Love Continues

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to again have dinner with my lost love last night. More roses (I do LOVE roses) and a huge GORGEOUS plush rabbit (I'm a fool for stuffed animals). Think I'll call him Herman. After dinner we talked for nearly 5 hours. He's had such an interesting life...traveling around the world and having so many experiences. If I hadn't had the responsibility of keeping a home and raising my children (not that I would trade my kids for ANYTHING on this earth) maybe my life could have been a little less boring. Guess I'll never know. All-in-all an absolutely lovely evening. Can't wait to do it again.

Sappy poetry alert #2

Your Eyes Called My Name
by Jamie Marie from Fly With Me

I thought I could keep myself out of love’s reach
With a wall built around me that love couldn’t breach
I’d never lose control of my heart. I was much too sane
So I never saw it coming when your eyes called my name

The first time we met the attraction was so strong
I should have sensed then what was going on
Though you never spoke; I heard just the same
Each time our gaze met, your eyes called my name

I tried to walk away from you, to leave you behind
I had too many plans; other things on my mind
I didn’t want the distraction or to play this game
But I stopped and turned around; your eyes called my name

My pulse began to quicken and my thoughts began to spin
My mind cried out to run; my heart would not give in
You put your arms around me; I knew there I’d remain
Each time I tried to turn away, your eyes called my name

You eyes, the color of umber, held my firmly in their grasp
Though I tried to fight it, love was here at last
Each night I lie beside you; my thoughts always the same
I’m so glad my heart listened when your eyes called my name

Sad day...

I just learned of the passing of one of my favorite singers, Gene Pitney. I was such a huge fan of his. In fact, I just recently purchased one of the albums he recorded with George Jones during the 60's. Such a great singer. What a terrible loss. This picture was taken at one of his concerts that I attended in 1967. May he rest in peace.

Sappy poetry alert #1

Alone…
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

My heart is like a windswept plain
Don’t know why or how I came here
To be so alone, to feel this pain
To have my heart filled with fear

There was a time I had it all
Love, youth and time
Now life’s gone from spring to fall
I'm no longer in my prime

I wasted time, I wasted youth
I threw away true love
Now in my twilight I see the truth
All the things that I let go of

I can’t go back, it’s too late for me now
My life has changed too much
Some things the fates will not allow
I weep for the loss of love’s touch

Did I mention I write sappy poetry?

Well, I do. It's just stuff that means something to me. I don't expect to win any awards or accolades (oh, that's funny). I could probably be the poet laureate of the local trailer park but that's about it. It's all pretty sappy but, hey, it rhymes! Well, most of the time! I have compiled the poems into 2 "books"...Fly With Me and A Beggar's Rose. Each poem will be credited to Jamie Marie who is, of course, my alter ego. The poems came about as a thought or word which my fevered little brain just couldn't quite let go of so, I built a poem around that thought. I can't imagine that anyone would want to, but if you should (you probably need to seek medical attention immediately), I ask that you don't use any of it without my permission. That would make me angry..."you wouldn't like me when I'm angry" to quote the Hulk. Anyway, I've made the momentous decision to offer myself up for ridicule and post some of it here on occasion. You've been warned!

Uh...excuse me?

This has to be one of, if not the most, strange things I have ever heard of. Men who willing traveled across the country to be castrated in a sadomasochistic "dungeon." What???!!! I never ceased to be amazed by the people who populate this world. I just don't understand.

It's been one of THOSE weeks

Need I say more?

Saltine crackers and juice?

I was stunned and appalled when I read the story about a South Carolina school district that is proposing serving a pack of saltine crackers and a box of juice to children whose parents have not paid their school lunch bills. How cold and heartless is that? Can you imagine the ridicule these children will be subjected to? What kind of people are running this place? I simply cannot fathom what kind of mind would come up with something as totally asinine as this. Turn the slackers in to the a collection agency or the credit bureau. Hell, file a civil suit. But don't punish the children for the sins of the parents.
According to the school district website they "are serious about providing an educational program of excellence. We are serious about preparing our students so that they will flourish in whatever they choose to do after they leave us. Simply put, we want our graduates- your children- to be wildly successful." They want children to flourish and be successful yet they are willing to hold them up to ridicule by their peers for something they can do nothing about?
These heartless cretins should hang their heads in shame.

Mom will KILL me...

but I just had to post these pictures of the Dynamic Duo that were taken about 40 years ago.
They are just the best EVER!!! That's me with them in the first one. Sure wish I looked like that now!

A few of my favorite things...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...nah, not THAT kind of favorite thing.

These are just a few things that I like. I don't expect anyone to agree/disagree with me. This is just me!

Bands:
Current band - Green Day (American Idiot was awesome)
Classic rock - The Eagles (of course)
Solo gigs - Don Henley (of course, again)
Newer Country - Garth Brooks
Classic Country - Johnny Cash
60's and beyond - The Beatles (greatest rock band of ALL time)

Songs:
Current band - Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Classic rock - The Eagles - Hotel California
Solo gigs - Don Henley - Heart of the Matter
Newer Country - Garth Brooks - What She's Doing Now
Classic Country - Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone
60's and beyond - The Beatles - In My Life

Food:
Mexican - Chicken Fajitas (Yum)
Italian - Baked Spaghetti
Chinese - Sesame Chicken
"American" - Cheeseburgers
My son's homemade chicken quesadillas

Restaurants:
Mexican - Chicken Fajitas (Yum) - Monterrey Mexican Restauante
Italian - Baked Spaghetti - Olive Tree
Chinese - Sesame Chicken - Lieu's Chinese Bistro
"American" - Cheeseburgers - McDonald's (yes, I know I'm a freak!)
McAlister's Deli - Bacon spud (AWESOME)

Colors - purple and red

Beverages - Coffee and Diet Sprite

Clothes - Jeans all the way, baby! I'm not much of a dress up kind of gal. I like to be comfortable and, as those who know me well will attest, I've never been a slave to fashion.

Books - Don't care much for biographies and such. I prefer works of fiction.

Authors:
John Grisham - The Runaway Jury
James Patterson - Kiss the Girls
Stephen King - The Dark Tower Series (love them all but if I had to pick a favorite, I guess it would be The Gunslinger)
Stephen White - Private Practices
Anne Rice - Interview with the Vampire
David Baldacci - Simple Truth
Dean Koontz - Intensity
John Sandford - Rules of Prey

Flowers:

Roses - all colors
Snapdragons
Purple Iris
Fuchsia

Activities:

Spending time with my kids
Blog surfing
Listening to music
Reading

Yes, yes, I know I have such a FULL life - full of what...we won't discuss! But, you know, it is the simple things in life that mean so much. I may not have much financially but I am rich in other ways.

Sixties Music

I've been listening to some 60's music today. I had forgotten how much I loved some of those old songs. They bring back so many wonderful memories. The Beatles, The Byrds, The Turtles, The Dave Clark 5, Gerry and the Pacemakers. Good stuff. Oh, I still love The Eagles but there were some great songs in the 60's. Ah, memories. A simpler time when all I had to worry about was what I was going to wear on a date. There were no bills, no job hassles. If I could go back in time, I would go back to that time in my life.

Learn to be still

I've been very introspective the past couple of days. Maybe it was because I finally had the opportunity to talk to my "lost love" or it may be because my oldest son turned 35 today (Happy Birthday, Dan-o). I've been thinking a lot about where my life is going and where I've been. Let's face it, the years are winding down and my time on this planet will someday come to an end. I'd like to do something with my life that will be remembered. Some kind of legacy that could be handed down to future generations. I really don't see that happening but it would be nice to think I'd left my mark on this world. I look at myself now and see a grey-haired, dumpy old lady who doesn't recognize the face she sees in the mirror. Where did that young girl go? Why must she remain trapped inside this aging vessel? She wants so desperately to get out.

This "soul searching" led me to think of a song by The Eagles (of course). They seem to have written a song that fits most every stage of my life. This one is "Learn To Be Still" - maybe someday I'll "learn to be still" and find my place in this world before it's too late.

Learn To Be Still (Don Henley/Stan Lynch)
It’s just another day in paradise
As you stumble to your bed
You’d give anything to silence
Those voices ringing in your head
You thought you could find happiness
Just over that green hill
You thought you would be satisfied
But you never will-
Learn to be still

We are like sheep without a shepherd
We don’t know how to be alone
So we wander ’round this desert
And wind up following the wrong gods home
But the flock cries out for another
And they keep answering that bell
And one more starry-eyed messiah
Meets a violent farewell-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

Now the flowers in your garden
They don’t smell, so sweet
Maybe you’ve forgotten
The heaven lying at your feet

There are so many contradictions
In all these messages we send
(we keep asking)
How do I get out of here?
Where do I fit in?
Though the world is torn and shaken
Even if your heart is breakin’
It’s waiting for you to awaken
And someday you will-
Learn to be still
Learn to be still

You just keep on runnin’
Keep on runnin’

Did you ever have one of those days...

when something finally went right?

If you've read my post about lost love (I know there's someone out there who has...helllloooo) you'll know that I had been searching for him for some time. Well, Saturday of last week he got in touch with me through Classmates.com (ya gotta love those folks!). Anyway, he came up from Florida and we went out to dinner last night (he's divorced..I'm not the kind to go out with a married man!!!). We talked a lot about what we've been doing for the past 38 years (he's led a very exciting life. I, on the other hand, have not!!!) and why we broke up all those years ago. All in all, it was a wonderful evening. He brought me roses (see below)! Good things do still happen!

Okay, this is weird.

It just gets weirder and weirder. A guy has been sent to prison for fathering a child with his 16-year-old daughter. He says he didn't think she was his daughter because she didn't look like his other children. WHAT????? I've heard some dumb things in my time but this takes the cake. Okay, let me get this straight. You've had this child in your home since she was born and have raised her like a daughter. But you think, "Hey, she doesn't favor my other children so I'll just have sex with her even though she's still just a child." WHAT????? That has to be the stupidest thing EVER! Fifteen years isn't long enough for this rube.
Okay, Einstein, out of the gene pool, you're polluting it!

The dynamic duo...

will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary on March 20!

My hero

After the previous post extolling the virtues of my mom, I realized I needed to post about my dad also. Pop turned 78 years old in January. He too is beautiful inside and out. Pop had a hard life growing up. He had to quit school at 15 and go to work to help support his family after his father left. Even with just an 8th grade education he managed to gain the experience to become a Class A machinist with General Electric where he worked for nearly 20 years. After his retirement he set up his woodworking shop (part of which can be seen in the photo) where he built furniture and various other items. He has had both knees replaced with stainless steel joints, 2 quadruple coronary by-pass surgeries and most recently he had a defibrillator implanted. His health won't let him do a lot of things now that he used to do and it is hard for him to realize that he needs to slow down. He's a real go-getter! There'e never been a time when I couldn't go to him with a problem. He's always been there for me. Here's to you Pop! I love you!!!