The end of 2009 approaches.

Approaching the end of another year! This has been an eventful year to say the least. My mother's death in April followed by Ron's diagnosis of cancer in August and his surgery in September. It was hard to see another empty chair at the Thanksgiving table this year. I remember when we had a table full of cousins and aunts and uncles. Every Thanksgiving meal was followed by a touch football game in the back yard.

So much has happened this year and yet life goes on. It doesn't necessary go on the same way as before but we try to keep smiling and appreciate every moment we have. I heard something yesterday that kind of struck me. It was something like "Remember, in the game of life, no one comes out alive." That makes it even more reason to live the life you have while you have it. It's worth asking yourself just how you want to be remembered. I want to be remembered as someone who liked to laugh, knew how to love and was generous in spirit. Now I'll keep striving to be that person.

Last night Ron and I took a drive around town. We drove over to our old grade school where we first met when we were six. We talked about how some things appeared smaller than we remembered but then again we were smaller too. I saw the house I lived in until I was 12 years old and noted how different the neighborhood looks today. I can’t help but yearn to go back in time when I see the old neighborhood and can almost hear the voices of family and friends like the cute little boy from the next block over…with his brown hair and eyes to match. He was our paperboy and always commented on the light illuminating from my bedroom window on his early morning paper route. I was afraid of the dark and my overhead light was left on to counteract my fear of the boogie man.

I don’t know that I would necessarily wish to live my entire life over again. I have wonderful memories but to relive the pain of loss again would not be for me. Instead I choose to keep the good memories and have long since let go of the bad. We shouldn’t spend too much time looking back when there is life ahead yet to live.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile..

A little something for breast cancer awareness! Enjoy!

Yesterday Ron and I skipped Black Friday and went to the movies instead. We saw The Blind Side. The theater was packed and we unfortunately had to sit on the front row. Not easy for two people wearing bifocals but it was still worth it. The movie was really good. Amazing what that young man was able to accomplish and it really shows you the power of a simple act of kindness. What an example to follow. I think we all have the ability to touch lives each an every day but I'm not always sure we recognize the opportunity when we see it. The real test is whether we take those opportunities when we do.

The next movie on my list of must see....is The Road. I am curious if they are able to do the book justice. That won't be a small task. On Ron's list is the Jim Carey movie Scrooge. He wants to see it in 3-D. I've never been to a 3-D movie so that might be fun. We are still wanting to check out the new Warren theater and sit in the balcony where you can have dinner served to you and drinks. Talk about comfortable seating......I have actually been to a movie there (and it was great) but Ron hasn't experienced it yet. It is a little pricey for a movie but the experience was worth trying.

My dog sitting ends today. The "girls" have been pretty good. Lucy is still limping around on her back leg but doesn't yelp or anything. It comes and goes...like my aches and pains. Guess she's feeling her age too! All in all it has been a good holiday. Time now to get ready for Christmas! Tuesday night is our golf cart parade at work so I'll hit the ground running on Monday. Last minute details etc. I sure hope the weather cooperates.

Black Friday

The magical shopping day....the day after Thanksgiving. It was reported that there were people camping outside the Best Buy beginning Wednesday just waiting for the doors to open this morning. What a sneaky ploy by retailers....lure em in with a limited supply of the advertised item. My son-in-law told me that Best Buy only had a total of 6 of the advertised televisions available. There sure are going to be a lot of disappointed early birds!

I don't like shopping enough to fight the crowds today. I'd rather pay more to be less stressed. I guess it is just a matter of priority. Basically, I'm too lazy for the mob scene.

We had a relaxing Thanksgiving yesterday. My brother was full as a tick and very happy. Jamie and I didn't go into diabetic comas...managed to keep the blood sugar under control, which is a pretty good feet considering the occasion. We even took a long walk after dinner.

I'm dog sitting for twin #1 but as usual one of the dogs seems to have injured her leg. It seems to be her hip and she is favoring her back foot. She puts weight on it at times but seems to be avoiding it when possible. She hasn't whimpered or acted like she is in constant pain so I think she'll be ok until her mommy and daddy get back. I suppose it could be arthritis. She is getting a little long in the tooth.

I don't have any plans for today but I think I'll get Ron to go to the movies. There are 2 that I'm wanting to see. I want to see "The Road" and "Blindside". I guess I'll see which one is showing here.

I took the day off today. I've got a list of errands to run including a trip to the salon for a haircut! Then it is off to Walmart to fight the turkey shoppers. I have spent a lot less time this year planning the Thanksgiving dinner than years past. Maybe it seems like less of a challenge since this year I'm not cooking a turkey. A change my brother will not notice but I'm afraid Ron won't be too happy since he is a traditional sort of guy. I hate to disappoint anyone but this year I just don't feel like cooking a ton of food when there will only be 4 of us eating.

The weather couldn't be better and I'm off to take a bike ride. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Eat lots of pumpkin pie......

Thankful

For the past 30 years I have been cooking Thanksgiving dinner for my entire family. My mother passed on the duty to me when she turned 60 years old. For the past 30 years my brother Mike has stressed and worried that he wouldn't get fed. Every year he starts calling me about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving to check and make sure I'm going to cook. Every year I assure him that he won't go hungry. I remind him he ate last year and the year before and the year before that and he has yet to go hungry on Thanksgiving. His next question after "are you still cooking" is "will there be something for me to eat"? Mike has a phobia about chickens and to him a turkey is just a chicken on steroids. He won't go near one let alone eat one. So, for every holiday I make sure there is a ham or roast or something cooked specifically for him. And..every year I assure him that this year will be no exception. For about two weeks prior to a holiday he gets very concerned that I will get mad at him and won't cook. I tell him I may get mad at him but I'll still feed him. We have some very interesting conversations my brother and I. One of the side-affects of his medication is that he repeats what you say. I'm used to it but sometimes it does get a little annoying. I feel like I'm hearing an echo. The other thing he does is when you answer the phone he is already have way through the conversation. No hello, no this is your brother, he's just in mid thought and you have to catch up.

But I love him! I love his wonderful heart and his kind spirit. He never talks to anyone without "blessing their heart". Those aren't just words to him either he is deeply sincere. In spite of all his health problems and his personal struggle with mental illness he cares more for others than himself. He loves deeply and his loyalty knows no boundaries.

So of all the things I am thankful for today he is on my top 5 list! He teaches me every day!

A picture is worth a thousand words!

THE HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A SEEING EYE DOG!


'Mass suicides...Cows going over the edge...tonight on Channel 3 News...'


A little too much McLogic?


Still dead huh?


Load the kids up with burritos and come on!


Must have been McNaughty!

Dorothy & Edna

Dorothy: ''That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date. I know you went out with him last week, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer.''

Edna: ''Well, I'll tell you. He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 P.M., dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car...A limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all. Then he takes me out for dinner... A marvelous dinner... Lobster, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner drinks.Then we go see a show.. Let me tell you, Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL. Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way With me two times!''

Dorothy: ''Goodness gracious!... So you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?''

Edna: ''No, no, no... I'm just saying, wear an old dress.''