Category Archives: Life as we know it

Black Friday Jitters

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I think Barry has a mild case of the Black Friday Jitters or just the shopping jitters. We had a few errands to run today, nothing involving any Christmas shopping, just general items we needed  around the house. I think between the overly dramatic commercials and my tussle over a handbag, he was a little fearful of taking me into ANY retail establishment today. Every place we stopped, he was quick to say I could stay in the car…..always if “I wanted too!” Honestly, I was exhausted and didn’t want to go in, it was just too cute to see him stress over me going in. He even stated he wasn’t sure he could back me up if someone started another argument with me over a purchase. I believe he is a little pooped from our company, yesterday. Even the puppy dog didn’t move off the couch last night.

We had a wonderful holiday. We had good food (too much), good company and good conversation.I also managed to get a few pictures that no one will appreciate, but me. My family knows I love to get pictures of those moments no one wants a picture of. (sleepers, fork headed to mouth, a bite headed to the mouth that should never be considered one bite…..that kind of thing) I’ll post a few of those later. Great Holiday! Thank you, God for providing us with the beautiful day to enjoy each other and all the fixins to make a wonderful day!

PRE-Black Friday Rumble

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I have a little story to tell:

I was in need of a new purse, most women understand that need. Guys, if you do not get it please don’t worry about it. It’s a woman thing! While at a local retail store today, not Black Friday, I reached for a purse from the back of a rack. As I am pulling the purse from the rack, a lady next to me grabs hold of the purse and  refuses to let go. She starts claiming she had it first and I need to let go.

When she realized I wasn’t letting go, she decided she’d try to jerk it out of  my hand. All this managed to do was land me flat on my tail! (What she didn’t realize was that I now had a good reason to press charges if I wanted to) At this point, I asked another customer to get an employee for me. The salesperson that came over, attempted to reason with the lady and helped me up, but my new best buddy continued to refuse to let the purse go. I kept my cool and never raised my voice to the lady. I have a very weak voice at times and I have never managed conflict well.

You see, we are not talking about an expensive  designer bag, just a  bigger cross-body purse for all of  my junk. I can no longer carry anything in my left hand and stay on my feet. It doesn’t take much to throw me off-balance. The cross-body bag allows me to carry my bag and doesn’t throw my balance off. Although I may prefer a certain brand of purse, I have to go with what works now.

Barry is a doll for helping carry my purse, when I need help. He doesn’t need to be walking around carrying my bag. I feel so bad every time I see him with it. That is the only reason I was out looking today. I own enough purses to be honest. I truly do not need something else to add to our closet.

As the woman continued to refuse to let go, the salesperson informed her that if we couldn’t resolve this issue ourselves, she’d have to call the local police. The police were called, they arrived and heard our story. They started talking to the other lady about letting the purse go. The minute she let go, I grabbed my buggy and headed for checkout. I was exhausted from the stress and aggravation of it all.

I have no clue what went on after I left, I was just glad to be out of the store with the object I went shopping for!

The Magic Door…….another “New” Barry moment…….I love that man……

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Okie Dokie, here goes…….While out running a few errands, we ended up at a local Jewelry store. An extremely nice,  older blonde salesperson was assisting us. She headed into a door into the back  of the store. A few seconds later, a very attractive, 20+ year younger lady emerged…….Barry looked at me and said ” Hurry, let’s get through that door, maybe it will work on us!”  A  few seconds later, the other salesperson re-emerged, bursting his bubble.

Would it not be wonderful if life were only that easy. He is just so cute with that filter-less head of his at times. Wouldn’t we all love to erase 20 years, by merely walking through a door? With everything we have been through since 2009, I’m not sure I’d want to erase any of the last  10 years. Of course, there are parts of it I’d love to forget, but I wouldn’t want to lose a moment.

In that period of time, along with the bad stuff, there have been several incredible changes in both of our lives. Barry and I met, we were getting to know one another, Barry proposed, we got married, we built our home, we started a successful business, I turned 40 and Barry turned 50 and we found our fabulous puppy dog (unfortunately, after losing another sweet dog).

If the past 20 years were gone, would any of that have happened? Back then, we’d both be newly divorced, or close to it and life was kinda miserable. We hadn’t found each other yet or at that time I’m not sure either of us was interested in another serious relationship.

Even though this post started with a ‘New” Barry moment, it really made me think about a few things. Even when life isn’t going so well, stop and think, “Would you really change a thing?” When all you appear to be getting out of life is lemons, take a closer look. Along with the bad, there is always something good.Don’t let the temptation get in your way, step back and take a look at the big picture. You might like what you see, more than you think…….

God has a plan for all of us, are you sure you want to mess with it?

Alert….Alert….Mom has lost her muffin…..

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We were up, getting ready to go to church. Mom calls me to the back. She is so distressed and doesn’t know what to do. I asked, “Mom, what is wrong?”  She proceeded to tell me that she got up,  took her medication she needs before breakfast and proceeded to get her breakfast ready. At the same time she started preparing for church. Well………when she got ready for her breakfast, it was no where to be found. She looked around for a few minutes and got a bowl out for cereal. She was so worried about where the muffin was, so Barry and I went on a muffin hunt in mom’s kitchen. Maggie thought we were nuts.  We told her just to focus on getting ready and not to worry. That muffin was NOT in her kitchen anywhere. I found it, after church in the clothes dryer. Maggie thoroughly enjoyed mom’s breakfast, for lunch.

I’m not even going to make an attempt to figure it out. After all, I lost my keys for a month once upon a time. A month later, when taking a pot roast out of the freezer, there they were. Safe and sound, frozen to the freezer. Oh well….I can’t say a thing to mom when I do the same thing at times………….

Backseat Betty……..Will I ever learn????

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I am totally aware that my mom is the worst backseat driver, yet I continue to allow her in the front seat when I am driving. We have had the talk about my need for quiet and focus while behind the wheel, then we get in the car and my mind goes blank with her beside me in the front. I truly appreciate her willingness to go out with me when I am not comfy going alone. She needs to get out of the house as much as I do and we both love to SHOP!

If I hadn’t had the shopping diversions this morning, I would have arrived home bald. Ok, my morning out with mom, here goes…..

Distraction number:

1. She started talking the minute she sat down in the car. I honestly believe that mom doesn’t know what quiet means.

2. All the chatter, got me distracted and I headed in the wrong direction 2 times, the third time  I headed the wrong way down a one-way street. She screeched so loud,  it’s a wonder any wildlife close-by didn’t come running. We were in no danger whatsoever,  she was reacting to the situation.

3. After 3 previous stops, mom insisted on going to 3 different grocery stores looking for the right pie shell. This is after I told her I was wearing out quick and needed to head home.

We had been out for over 3 hours, my stamina does good to last 2. I sat in the car while she went pie-shell hunting. Kind of reminded me of snipe hunting the first 2 stops. She was looking for something that wasn’t there.

4. Pie-shells acquired and we are headed home. Before we can get out of the parking lot comes screech number 2. Again there was no danger whatsoever. I was in the correct lane to turn, nothing was coming as I went to make a right turn. As I turned a minivan was getting in the line to make a right turn onto another highway. Out came the screech (louder than the first one), she scared me so bad that I jerked the steering wheel. It swerved us into some, thank goodness, empty parking places. If I had jerked just a little harder, I could have turned the car over. Can you imagine having to explain flipping your car in the Publix parking lot to the local police? Momma can drive anyone nuts in the car!” I need my sanity a few more years……….

I love and cherish my mother dearly. I will be there for her when she needs me as she has been for me, i just can’t handle her backseat driving, nor will I let her drive me anywhere. That is for a later post………

Time

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******This is a re-blog. I felt it was appropriate to post it again, cuz that old dislike is the word ‘Time’ is coming out again. I have something go wrong and I feel like crap-ola. All the doctor’s office can say is give it time, they will come in. I truly do not like being in this position. One thing has changed since I wrote this, I have been reminded that I am not supposed to worry about things. I need to put it in God’s hands, he is in control. So much has gone on since 2009, I had kinda forgotten that huge fact. I am actually beginning to feel more at ease about my illness. I do not like getting worse, but I have to remember, I’m just getting closer to him. Honestly, being able to give a little of this worry up is wonderful! I’m loving the peace!*****************************************

I learned to hate that word several years ago. When you are healing after anything to do with the brain, everyone’s favorite thing to say is ” Time, just give it time.”. I do not know about anyone else, but both Barry and I can be a tad impatient. Time is a word impatient people can’t stand.

I have to admit that I enjoyed paying Barry back with a few time comments. You have to undestand my husband’s quirky sense of humor. I know he thouroughly enjoyed telling me “Give it time.”. He smiled and giggled a little too much after saying it. I turned it around and now use it on him just a little. I tried to hide my snickering.

Ok, well down to the news I need to share. My visit to neuro-oncologist was quite informative. He gave us more information than we have ever received from other doctors. He confirmed that I do have Cowden’s Syndrome. With my medical history, he doesn’t feel the blood test is neceessary. He is scheduling an MRI of the brain and a full body PET Scan. He says he hopes they are both negative, but to be prepared for the possibility. Said it could be as simple as the thyroid cancer not being totally removed or something else manifesting in the neurological symptoms that have been poppng up. Here we go again with that word, TIME! Barry and I are praying and giving it to God. If it’s meant to be……….