I dont remember not knowing her

My best friend Tracy is an amazing person.  I just stumbled across an e-mail from her a while ago.  She had me in tears, first with laughter, then tears of loss for her with her memory of our lives as little girls, her soft underbelly showing.  Something she rarely shows.  She is a complicated person.  Yet to me she is comfortable and knows she is in a safe place.  Not many people are as blessed as I am to be able to call  someone friend who has known me since the beginning of my memories.  Tracy is funny, thoughtful, compassionate and fun to be around.  It is too bad our paths do not cross more.  She too has a house on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Who would have thought we both would have a second home to go to on the weekends!?

I've found this photo of us and my Dad.  It has to be the summer of 1970.  Dad had a new camera and was learning how to use the timer.  Tracy and I must have been willing participants in the learning!
Dad took a wonderful series of photos that fall of the 3 sisters, my brother Mike and his new bride and their new son David.  Alas there are few of him. 

Here are Tracy's thoughts on our childhood....Just a few... She lets me in a little at a time....

 

Was looking at your blog last night.  Really like it.  You are so in tune with your family and others around you.  What an honor to know someone even reads my thoughts!  Of all people my Tracy.

 Found the entry re: your dad’s recent birthday interesting.  The whole bluebird troop was there?  I had probably quit by then.  But must say I was very surprised/disappointed when I woke up that morning and discovered that I wasn’t going to your dad’s funeral, but to school. You were a best friend.  I did feel that I was supposed to be there. I think my parents didn’t want me to experience funerals. They weren’t good at it either.  My mom told me recently how she got dressed up to go to Roseanne’s brother Joseph’s funeral and then just couldn’t bring herself to go. The first funeral I ever went to was for Betina’s sister, not that it was ever something I “wanted” to experience. Would prefer people just go on living.

I do remember Mrs. Kunz asking me about you at school that day and telling her that your dad had died, then going to the bathroom to cry.

Remember dropping off a shoebox of valentines for you after school. My valentine box full of cards.  I remember that so well.  All the love poured into that box I had made with so much hope....Alas it would be decades until I found my true love. 

Your house was dark and quiet and there was an overwhelming feeling of sorrow.  I really have very little memory of the time after my Dad died.  I do know I could not leave my Mom's side...my Dad was gone and my life was so unsure.

Can’t remember when Tiger Lilly (who plopped down and ate one of your white patent leather shoes with red lace ribbons . . . after racing around your dining room table playing keep away with us) moved away -- when your dad first became ill or later.

I don’t ever remember seeing your dad smoke and always had this story in my head that he worked in the coal mines in Pennsylvania for a brief period in his youth.  I have lots of false memories like this. I don’t know where they come from.  Sometimes they scare me.

I remember you coming to our house in the mornings for breakfast before school for awhile.  I had the room next to the living room with a bed that folded up into the wall and was held up with pegs.  I remember that bed.  It was so cool.  Hoover just whipped it up...it seemed like in a weekend.  It may have taken longer.  He was quite handy with wood.  He made  your kitchen cabinets too.

I remember you calling your mom when you got home from school each day.  I had a code to talk to her.  If I didn't want to do something after school the code was "how about".  IF I said how about I do whatever.  She knew the answer was no!  Amazing Mom.

I remember you reconciling your mom’s checkbook at your dining room table (that must have been junior high or high school?).  It was my job in 11th and 12th grade to balance her checkbook, write the checks and mail the bills in a timely fashion.  Taught me about money like no one else I knew at the time.  A redeeming quality Tim really liked in me.  My ability to balance a checkbook, save and not spend money like water!

I remember looking all over the neighborhood on a very windy day, for Richard Segar’s knit hat “that his grandmother made for him” which you plucked from his head and tossed up into a tree, since he was not in the mood to play keep away with us that day.  Some people have no sense of humor.  I think that was 7^th grade? That is one of Roseanne's favorite childhood stories!  Ricky Segar!  Mr. Military!

 . . . Turned out he had come back to the tree earlier and retrieved his hat and took great delight in our having to scour the neighborhood for several hours looking for it.

 

Thank you for the memories Tracy.  Thank you for being the best friend a girl could hope for.

101 things to do in 1001 days

Well, the end of the year is upon us.  Christmas is just about past. The world has not come to an end, but rather this is a new beginning for a new era.  So, recently I saw Andrea's sisters post (don't ask me how I got there!) of 101 things to do in 1001 days.  I like this.  It is better than a new years resolution list, that gets put aside after a week or two.  This way I will have a long time to accomplish all that I hope to do.  So, my list is not complete, but here is a start:

1. Organize office
2. Send birthday cards to everyone on my birthday calender for 1001 days!
3. Finish started projects...maybe I should list a few to make them count toward the 101!
4. Make 2 more blankets for presents
5. Find second blanket....from #4!
6. get pattern from Aunt Janet for baby blanket
7. figure out pattern for Erica bead scarf
8. finish purple  knit scarf
9. finish Karen wedding present
10. organize craft room closet
11. Learn how to cross things off this list with a------------that you can read through!
12. Work on Mom's party
13. Work on Mom's invitation
14. Send Save the Date letter for Mom's 90th!
15. Work on Mom's present
16. Make Alaska book for Tim, Mom and Kate
17. Sort my bedroom closet
18. Call about conover bed
19. Get house keeper set up 2-2013
20. walk around the block once a week
21. Water plants weekly
22. Do yard work once a week:
23. zoisha to front yard...the grass
24. cut "s" stick in back yard, rid up sticks on fence
25. weed front bed under bedroom window
26. weed by shed
27. get electricity to shed again
28. clean shed after electricity goes in!
29. get bird seed!
30. feed the finches
31. set up new bird feeder
32. move birdseed to shed....after electricity goes in!
33. Write 52 letters of appreciation:  WP, PB, Dr. A, RH
34. Make Christmas cards
35. Clean gift closet
36. Remodel basement bathroom  done! 3-2013
37. Clean up basement after bathroom remodel  done 5-2013
38. Clean guest room closet
39. Loose weight
40. Keep my car clean to Tim standards
41. Use recycle bags at grocery
42. Get new couch in TV room-conover
43. Sell bissell carpet cleaner
44. sell table in Mom's basement
45. Sell table in Dove Knoll garage
46. Sell metal bin at Dove Knoll
47. help Mom get rid of other stuff in basement
48. get bridge for TV
49. frame mom cross stitch
50. frame turtle
51. get queen bed for guest room by wedding 9-2013 1/1/2013!
52. plant tomatoes and peppers 2013
53. hang cross stitch x 2
54. get trio back into frame
55. organize recipes!
56. organize photos!
57. Get "Nathan" project complete
58. blog monthly!
59. Replace light in Tim's office
60. Clean hall medicine cabinet
61. clean guest room medicine cabinet
62. re caulk guest room bathroom floor
63. get Mom's quilt to hand quilters in Delaware
64. finish turtle lap quilt
65. refinish foot stool at dove knoll
66. repair closet door in guest room
67. take review course for PANCE
68. pass recertification
69. move hosta at dove knoll
70. make a birth announcement for Autumn
71. make a birth announcement for Benjamin Oppenheim
72. sort through shoes
73. clean closet under stairs at Conover
74. Have furnace doors redone
75. Mail Marta baby present
76. Alexander graduation gift
77. Dallin graduation gift
78. Michael Kuchta graduation gift
79. Paint hall bath at Dove Knoll

Oh my gosh!  I discovered how to do #12 on here.  Now to figure it out in word!
So, I am up to 53, I have a lot more to go.  If anyone even reads this anymore you are welcome to make suggestions!
Happy 2013!

Friday, September 18, 2015 that is the date I should have all this done.  Seems very "do" able to me. HA!

12-28-12  Getting there.  These come to me at the strangest times.  I am liking just getting this list together.

1-1-2013 Bought the bed yesterday!  Tim is getting it now.  Up to 65 things.  Who knew it would be so hard to think of 101 things to do.  See, even making this list makes me realize life is not that complicated after all!

5-25-2013  Slowly crossing things off, but still only at 74!

5-7-2013  Still working on getting to 101...and crossing some things off the list!  I like this one very much!

Mending!

How many people still mend?  (the art of sewing clothes or items that need repair!)
I do and I love it.
Perhaps that comes from my Mom who instilled in me to not throw anything away before it's time and to be able to "fix" something to good as new.

I brought my Mom to her home from a 3 day stay in the ICU today.  She had a low sodium...116.  It needs to be 140 and she landed herself right in the ICU.  She was fine really, mostly her complaint was weakness which for the earlier part of the week she had chalked up to being 89!  And the fact that her muscles were not working well without enough sodium.  I'd go visit her and bring, of all things, potato chips!  To someone in the ICU that is not the usual.  But it did the trick for her, and a Saline IV and salt on her food.  Home she came with a sodium of 132!  Pink, strong and much more spry.

While she showered and settled in after her jaunt in the ICU I mended towels!  The sides were coming undone and I love these 2 red towels.  I felt good in doing so, but realized I may be the only person in the universe who mends...much less a towel!

I felt good, spent time with Mom and saved the land fill for awhile from my discarded things!

That's one big frog!

Wowza! While getting ready to leave Rehoboth Sunday I zoomed around back to pick some flowers to bring home. The lilies, daises, and (a flower who's name escapes me, that Tim planted and are so pretty in pink) are in full bloom and look so pretty together. Well there he was! Right in the lilies! I looked him up, an American bull frog. Gotta love him, and no I will not be eating his legs! Although I have in Canada. And that was a long time ago and I don't think I could do that again!  And Not in Delaware! Have the flower photos on my phone....not sure how to get those in here. That posses a problem. Maybe Bethany can help me with that one!

41 years old, 41 years gone

Hard to imagine him 82. My Dad forever 41.

The day was a usual Friday for me today. Busy day at work, after an unexpected 4 day work week.

I had Wednesday off and puttered around the house in the morning and picked Mom up by 11:30. She and I rode to Columbia Mall. I had gifts to exchange there and she patiently waited in the car reading, her knee was bothering her and she did not want to walk a lot. I found an Aveda store and picked up a few things for me and a treat for Tim for Valentine's day. I exchanged my gifts and we rode home. A lovely day with Mom.

Then Friday the 10th came. It seems to always sneak up on me. I remember the day well. It was a warm sunny afternoon and Dad was waiting for me to get home from school. It was Valentine's week and I was excited making my Valentine box. He was in the bed in the downstairs bedroom, he could not go up a flight of steps anymore, he got to winded. He kissed me and told me he loved me, the rest is a bit of a blur. I know Mom had our rocks out that we had finished tumbling from a Christmas present. Kate came over with a catalog for the summer classes at the University of Maryland. Dad was always bettering himself. The ambulance was in the driveway. Dad was so quiet, I remember him there on the stretcher in the living room, he seemed so still. Then he was in the ambulance.... Mom drove away following the ambulance. Kate and I did the laundry from his bed. He never came home that time. The funeral is a blur except for all my camp fire girl troop there in their uniforms and Ken Crowley. He had just played the scare crow in an Einstein Theater production of the Wizard of Oz and I was so impressed with him. I made a pipe cleaner pink heart to put in his coat pocket in the casket with him. Mom had a hard time deciding about weather to keep his wedding ring or not. She did and I am eternally grateful.

I really have no recollections about life from then until well into Junior High school.

My heart was broken, I was lost and lonely. Thank heaven for Mom, she for me and me for her. We became inseparable. I was the first latch key kid in my world. Everyone else had a Mom at home. I did not, she was at work. We did fine, my Mom and I.

And now, 41 years later, I am blessed to still have my Mom, to spend an unexpected day off with. To giggle with, spend time with and do the things together that we have always loved to do.

I miss you do much Dad. As usual, I'd love to sit and have a meal with you. I know you are with me often... I've sent many people to see you. Most recently Tim's Mom, Aunt Lois, Darlene, Mike, even Emily Blanche!

I have my Tim who is a constant companion and comfort to me. Thank you for sending him my way.

I love you Dad.
I love you too Momma.

Life and blessings

It seems in life no matter what I do there is always someone who takes things the wrong way. No matter who I have spoken to, everyone has the same problem. Why do people get upset and not talk to the person they are upset with? How can someone fix a wrong or explain their thoughts if no one lets them know there is something wrong.
I shall go on living the best life I can and know that I deal with others the way I want to be dealt with. Like it or not. That is how I am.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A good model to live by
I try to be willing to say anything to someones face that I say to another about them to others. But sometimes that is not the best thing to do.

I have a wonderful, thoughtful, considerate husband who I am blessed to have in my life.
I am lucky to have my Mom still, she is an inspiration for me to be like when I am 88!
My sisters are my best friends and will always be. They can make me mad, but we get over it and always have each others back.
My brother blessed this family with 6 children who keep me on my toes. As adults they have each grown into individuals who I love and am proud of each of them in their own way.
My other niece and nephew hold a special place in my heart as well, each of them I have been blessed to live near in their youth.
I am blessed with many friends, and count many of them as family.

Perhaps this is a lesson to make me appreciate all that I do have and know I am indeed blessed.

Count your blessings, name them one by one. You'll be amazed at the glory in your life.

Hello February 2012

This will be just my thoughts:

• Where did January go? This seems to be a recurring theme with me. I cannot believe it is Feb. 1! Hardly any snow this winter and today it was 72 degrees!
• I have a new fangled computer. Mine died about 2 weeks before Christmas which gave Santa Tim the opportunity he had been waiting for to give me my gift early. He almost absolutely cannot wait till Christmas morning to open presents. My hard drive fried, and he could hardly wait to give me this wonderful new fangled laptop with all kinds of bells and whistles that I am still learning. If anyone wants "facetime" with me, I now have a camera and I will be here at the appointed time to talk....once I figure out this "easy application!"
• I had been having difficulty opening my own blog, but I seem to have overcome that issue. Now I just don't have any one's address. SO, if you want to e-mail me them I'd appreciate it, though no one seems to be "blogging" these days as facebook has taken over the world.
• Tim has been at his new job the appointed 90 days, so I guess he will be there a while.
• Mom has had a tough winter. She had a pacemaker placed December 20, 2011! Doing just fine from that. Now last Thursday she chipped off half her front tooth opening a creamer....now has a new tooth too! Has to be tough to be 88. But she is working busily away on her new stained glass project for Kate. A beautiful entry door panel with 5 iris. It will be breathtaking like all her other work.
• Tim and I are back to our weekly weekend trips to Rehoboth Beach. It is so nice to get away to our "other" house. We seem to putter and relax quite well out there. It is nice Eileen and Joe are in Lewes now and Pat is out much more often.
• My office is still ahead of me, but I am winning the race. Tim also bought me a neat desk to scan all my papers. Now to learn how to use that too.

That seems to be all for now. Time for bed and another day at work.