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| it's so wonderful to know |
| 02.26.07 (9:08 pm) [edit] |
it's so wonderful to know that somewhere out there, somebody cares. xoxox |
| MY NOTE FROM ANDREA...I SHARE IT ONLY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ALL LOVE HER, TOO!!! |
| 02.24.07 (8:55 pm) [edit] |
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Oh Mimi! This week I'm back on email - and this is my first attempt to contact anyone at tBlog. I've received a couple of things from you, many thanks; many thanks for remembering me and for calling me back! Now I return, if a bit slowly, still I'm certain to return to utter the breath of one gone to look at death and turn back! For this I'm eternally grateful; and do believe somewhat changed. Watch for upcoming mail, Mimi - always growing lighter by the day! Love you!! |
| I GOT AN EMAIL FROM ANDREA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 02.24.07 (8:51 pm) [edit] |
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OH, MY GOD! PRAISE GOD! THANK GOD! I SENT A NOTE TO ANDREA TONITE AND I GOT AN EMAIL BACK FROM HER! TRULY, THERE IS A GOD, A KIND AND FORGIVING GOD! OH, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED, PLEASED AND TOUCHED! XOXOXO |
| no Nursing Home for me! |
| 02.24.07 (7:12 am) [edit] |
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| April's doing Great! |
| 02.21.07 (9:36 am) [edit] |
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Yesterday afternoon, I went to April and Dave’s with a turkey breast in hand, so to speak. When I arrived, I found April outside on the porch, filthy and sun-burned. She had been “gardening” again! She had a trash can filled with weeds and trimmings! She is so awesome!
I brought my little “Patches”, my male Boston terrier with me…he RACED across the yard when I let him out of the truck to get to April before I could drive in and park! He makes us both laugh and fills our hearts with gladness!
Anyway, I went in and threw the turkey breast into the oven. Then I went out to visit with my beautiful daughter. We had a wonderful time together. Just spending time with her makes me happy.
The big news is, while things were cooking in the oven, I asked her if she wanted to work on her “flash cards”…instead, she brought out a book! Granted, it was a child’s type of book, but a book, none the less! So many words “confuses” her poor little brain, but she is moving forward! As usual, when beginning a new exercise, she gets frustrated and cries, but then she gets busy! She amazes me. Her determination is incredible.
I told her that we have to continue to learn every day, but if she wants to yell about having to start over, that’s ok! Just so long as she keeps trying! : )
So, again I say, “Go!, April!!!!!” “I love you and I am PROUD of you!”
BTW, please say a prayer for Dave’s sister. She recently had a 1.5 ml tumor from her breast and 13 lymph nodes removed! When it rains, it pours, sometimes. She will have to have chemo and radiation. I guess we are waiting to find out how much and for how long! She is an incredible, kind and loving woman. We need her to be here and be well.
Thanks.
xoxox
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| It's been so COLD here |
| 02.19.07 (6:24 am) [edit] |
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I live in Florida because my mother wanted to be here...we arrived in 1968. Easter Sunday of '68, to be precise! Most of the time, the weather is glorious, albeit too hot, but the sky's are blue with fluffy white clouds, if any are present. Now, I don't like to complain, but I have realized that I stayed here for a reason or two...one of the more obvious reasons I have noticed is for the sunshine! They do call Florida the Sunshine State, after all. I don't seem to do as well during "daylight savings" and/or winter. I am cold, it is dark and I get like a fat, old bear! Sometimes, even when the sun comes out, I can't find the energy to get out and enjoy it! Saturday, here, was glorious, but I was so tired and so cold that I dragged out the electric blanket, plugged 'er in and lay in the bed with my 3 silly dogs watching movies and snoozin'. I do not envy any of you living "up north" and feeling the "winter blues". Mine last for a day or two, but if I couldn't have my necessary dose of sunshine, I don't think I could make it! I was born in the north, but I guess my brain has gotten addicted to this sunny place. Take away my sunshine and I get weirded out...combine that with working too much and the next day or two is just wasted. I need to work on this : ) So to all of you living where the sun hasn't shined in days and days, t-mail me, and as long as you love puppies, you can come down here and keep me company! : ) am i silly or what!??? |
| Mamie, mother of Rob |
| 02.15.07 (1:01 pm) [edit] |
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I met a woman when I first started working at the home improvement store. She was an employee, too. Her name was Mamie. She had an effervescent personality and was really nice to customers. She tried to be helpful to her co-worker’s, too. She left the store sometime around the beginning of summer, last year, so I didn’t get to know her too well, but well enough to know I liked her.
She told a tale, especially on her birthday last year, of her surviving cancer. She also told that “Rob Thomas”, the young singer/writer, was her son. She wore “Rob Thomas” t-shirts all the time. Some people did not believe her. I figured he was a local boy and why would she lie. People didn’t believe her because she worked at this place and lived in an older, mobile home park and was known for her drinking and partying. I guess they thought if she really were his mom that he would be “taking “better” care of” her. I don’t know.
Anyway, another co-worker told me that he had heard a radio announcer mention that Rob was in town for his mother’s funeral. He stated that he did not really “hear” the name, but it sounded like hers and did I remember her. I said I did, rather fondly, really …since her funeral had apparently already taken place, we deduced that I would “google” our local paper’s obits and find out.
I was sad when he told me last night, and I am even more sad now, because not only was it true, but I find that she is only a couple of years older than me, 55. She looked a lot older, to me. I guess when you have gone through cancer and whatever else life had dealt her, it can age you. I am sure that her “drinking” didn’t help. Anyway, it’s too bad some people thought she was “making up” stories…won’t they feel ashamed when they realize the truth.
I believe that she will be missed, terribly, by many. I envy her to be able to go to heaven and leave this place behind. Maybe that is why I am sad, really.
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| How to Cope with Being Alone on Valentine's Day |
| 02.13.07 (11:57 am) [edit] |
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Valentine's Day can be depressing if you don't have a valentine to share it with - it can also be lots of fun, if you focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives.
Do something nice for yourself like taking a long, hot bath by candlelight, or pull out your credit card and a catalog and have fun.
Rent or go to an action movie, preferably one in which at least one of the prospective love interests gets killed off near the beginning. (James Bond films are great for this.)
Avoid romantic "date" movies completely, unless you like feeling melancholy.
Buy yourself a bouquet of your favorite flowers or a box of your favorite chocolates - at least you get to choose exactly what you want this way!
Do something you've never done before. Go hang gliding or horseback riding, sign up for dance classes or singing lessons, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Go somewhere that isn't likely to be pushing the Valentine's Day theme. Sporting or theatrical events are good possibilities.
Have some fun with your other single friends. Rent movies and get take-out food, go to a nightclub, or have dinner together at a nice restaurant. Call it an "Un-Valentine" party if you like.
Get a head start on planning your St. Patrick's Day party or spring vacation.
Call or write to someone you've lost touch with - could be just a friend, or someone you once had a crush on.
Help brighten the day for someone else who may be spending it alone: Take some flowers to a local nursing home.
Tips & Warnings
A solo Valentine's Day can be a good time to sit down and write a detailed list of goals and dreams for your own bright future. Remember: Only you can make your life what you want it to be, with or without a significant other.
If you decide to take yourself out for dinner on Valentine's Day, bring a book or journal to keep yourself occupied; this will make it obvious to restaurant staff and patrons that you planned to eat alone, and haven't been stood up by a date.
Stay in touch with the world! Resist the temptation to turn off the ringer on your telephone and crawl into bed early.
Try not to snap if people ask you what your plans are for Valentine's Day - they probably mean well, and don't intend to hurt your feelings.
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| Living in the Past |
| 02.10.07 (9:16 am) [edit] |
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I'm not sure, but I think I try to live in the moment, yet, last evening I was having a phone conversation with my oldest son...I was relating to him an "adventure" I had with April. It's a cute little tale...but to sumise it, she, in her way, asked me to help her do something(blankets/covers )...I went over the next night after work to see what it was she wanted me to do. As you may know, April is quite active and she had dinner going in the kitchen and laundry in the machines...she pulled a load of sheets out of the dryer. Well, to make a long story short, what she wanted was help folding the fitted sheets...she likes the way I do it. But, she didn't want "help", she wanted me to teach her how I did it. How would one do it with only one hand? HMMMM! So, I tucked my right hand into the back of my jeans and started trying to figure out what to do with only my left hand. Finally, I took a kitchen chair, put the corners, one by one, on the back of the chair, took the corners in my hand and placed the sheet on a flat surface, patted it down to make it all neat, and folded it up the rest of the way....she was inspired, she gave it a try and VIOLA! she was happy.... back to my conversation... I made a statement to my son that "I think God is giving me a chance to learn to forgive myself by being able to be loving and patient and kind to April now" (because when she was little, she was angry and defiant (especially with me) and if my feelings get hurt, I react in anger, so it wasn't always "perfect" between us. I know that most mother's don't believe they were perfect parents, but I know that the tension between me and April was difficult, at best, a lot of the time. ) He told me that I need to "quit living in the past". I suppose that he means well, but I guess my question is "isn't my past what made me who I am today" and that ALL my memories equals ME right now. I am elated to see how good I am with April and not just try to do it because it is easier for me (or whoever) I am filled with love watching her do so much with so many difficulties....I am proud of the woman she had been and the one she is today! I know that I played an integral part in that as did she in who I have become! I also know that the many good years we've had negate the realtively few "tougher" years...so saying out loud that I hate the part of me that was too immature at the time to be so understanding isn't living in the past, is it? |
| Defining one's self |
| 02.05.07 (8:00 pm) [edit] |
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Defining one's self is like trying to eat your own teeth! Not an easy task. (I read this one somewhere...did not make it up, sad to say) How do you define yourself? You are not just the work you do...you are not just a wife/husband or parent, although I think it is an important part of who you are. You are talents, dreams, desires, passions. You are loving, caring, intelligent, artistic. You are part of a community, a family, a creed, a race, a nationality. So, you say, "ok, mimi, define your self!" Aha! I say, that is the reason for this question I pose...who exactly is this "mimi", anyway? Mimi is mother and wife...yet her children are not born of her and now they are grown adults...her husband is gone these many years, so is she still a "wife"? Mimi has become many things in these past few years... braver, yet still frightens easily, especially about money. lonely, although she has a few very loving friends. smarter, although she has still not passed Algebra but, is that who mimi is or is she, cute and funny strong and sensible a major part of an interesting family loving, empathetic and loyal confident and self assured (faking it lots of the time) trusting and trust-worthy bright sometimes creative (with directions) selfless in many cases generous to a fault spiritual not very political nor scientific nor logical...always emotional and loving and caring. and the list could go on and on..... This is to be part of my 10th speech for my Toastmaster's club, qualifying me to be considered "Competent Toastmaster"! The overall idea is living "authentically" , but before you can do that, you must recognize who you are, to begin with...so, this, dear friends, is where it starts. Can you define who you are? Go ahead, try it...but should you succeed on "eating your own teeth", please don't choke! xoxox
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| Protecting our Families |
| 02.03.07 (2:53 pm) [edit] |
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This website was created by John Walsh. www.FamilyWatchDog.us Pass this on |
| check this out! |
| 02.03.07 (10:24 am) [edit] |
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http://www.glumbert.com/media/cyril" title="http://www.glumbert.com/media/cyril" target="_blank"http://www.glumbert.com/media...
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| what a woman REALLY wants! |
| 02.02.07 (9:12 pm) [edit] |
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Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question?....What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged. The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first. The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend! Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table. Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus: What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life. Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half. Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night? Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments? What would YOU do? What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you scroll down below. OKAY? Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life. Now....what is the moral to this story? Scroll down The moral is..... If you don't let a woman have her own way.... Things are going to get ugly |
| a not so nice start to "Groundhog's Day" here in Central Florida. |
| 02.02.07 (9:14 am) [edit] |
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The weather here in Central Florida is dark, cloudy and overnight, treacherous! Many homes were damaged and/or destroyed by tornado activity and there have been lives lost. The morning show that I listen to had only talk of the devestation and phone calls from folks from the affected areas. One man called in hoping to hear from his wife who was working overnight at a donut shop that was reported severely damaged...they do not have cell phones, so perhaps someone will hear his plea and let him know of his wife's whereabouts. Prayers for her and for all of us here in this area go out, I know. So much for a simple "Groundhog's Day"!
I did read this tho, and thought it was interesting...
An Ancient Tradition
Print this section
The idea that animals can predict weather has a long history, probably associated with the sowing of crops. If seeds were sown too early and harsh weather followed, the crops would be poor. In Germany the badger was associated with weather predictions; in France and Britain, the bear. German and English immigrants probably brought these beliefs to the American colonies. Groundhogs were plentiful in the colonies, and replaced the European animals in American tradition.
"For Christians, February 2 is Candlemas Day, a festival that celebrates the presentation of Christ in the Temple. Candlemas replaced a pagan candlelight ceremony celebrating the return of light (longer days) and the reinvigoration of the fields. British rhymes incorporate the belief that the weather on Candlemas Day indicates the weather of coming weeks.
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight;
But if it be dark with clouds and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not come again."
If this is true, our winter should be done! I, for one, am grateful to not have suffered damages to my home and I arrived safely to work.
xoxox
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| April and Valerie |
| 02.01.07 (4:14 pm) [edit] |
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April, Dave, Big Sister and I, plus my dear friend, Ruth all met for dinner Tuesday evening. We had a lovely meal and then proceeded over to the place where Ruth and I go for our “guided meditation” classes. The instructor, Diane (www.dianeross.com) greeted us most warmly with hugs all around.
Soon after, a young woman entered the “classroom”. I knew by her wonderful smile that it was Valerie (www.thefirewithin.com). I greeted her right away.
We all took our seats and Diane began the class. I was very concerned that my family would not be pleased with the idea of guided meditatio. When I tried to explain to April what it was, she said, “Boring”, but as dear Dave explained to April, “it’s been good for your mom”. He is a lot like me in the ways of the heart. His heart feels but he is not necessarily the most informed about all the “technical” things in the world. He just feels and supports us.
Anyway, the class went fine and I have not heard anything negative, so we got by that…the wonderful part is that as soon as the class was over, Valerie had everyone bring their chairs close together and the talking began. Since others were chatting and putting the other chairs away, they moved into the lobby where it was quiet. The facility closes at 9p.m., so we then moved it out to the parking area where we chatted and laughed until almost 10!
April seemed to take to Valerie immediately! Valerie offered up praise and recognized Aprils efforts and gave us wonderful advice and suggestions. April listened to every word!
Come to find out, both April and Valerie are born in the month of April, only days apart, so that in itself gave them their first connection. The “Aries Woman” became the word of the moment!
It was wonderful watching April and Valerie together…April seemed to gain hope in her eyes as she listened to Valerie and Valerie seemed to gain strength, knowing she was helping someone so much like herself!
I wrote a note of thanks to Valerie for her time and her generosity and caring. I don’t see this as just a one- time investment. I see us having get-togethers and dinners and a new friend! I think we all felt that!
I am “gratitudin” all over the place!
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