Category Archives: Love

Daily Prompt: Musical

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What role does music play in your life?

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In school, music was all I thought about. As I grew older, music became rather miniscule in my life. Church, Marriage, Family, Home-making, and Career kicked in and took over my life.

I have always loved to sing. I have always been part of our church choir. I sang in the chorus through middle and high school. Loved every minute of it. I would sing anything, even theme songs to television shows. Music took a backseat in my life and about the only time I had to listen to music was in the car or on an elevator.In the car, I’d roll the windows down, turn the radio up and sing my fool head off. I was a wonderful feeling. I continue to do so today, but it is not as pleasant as it used to be.

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Since the craniotomy in 2009, my vocal cords have twitched. this makes it difficult to even talk some days. Barry and I found a church home last April and I have begun to sing when the congregation does. My vocal cords are actually letting me sing at times. Although, I’m sure every cat within range is screeching with me, but I give it my all. It feels wonderful to have a small piece of something back I thought I had lost.

I’m not ready to solo, but who knows……..

Georgia Snow, Not!

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Jared's Grocery Store Theory

Jared’s Grocery Store Theory (Photo credit: redjar)

In the past 47 years, or at least as long ad I can remember, people have panicked, raided the grocery stores, and driving like idiots at the mere mention of SNOW/ICE, in this area. Well, I am honestly shocked and surprised. They were talking like we would at least have s little ice. Guess what? No one nutted-up and bought every slice of bread in the southeast. Are we finally listening or is everyone just that broke? Either way, the sun will be out tomorrow and this mess will be forgotten.(till the next storm slides slightly south and the reporters want to get everyone all riled up!

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Find your Voice

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Today has been a bit of an eye opener for me. I had a fairly decent day. Some so so news from the doctor and got to do my favorite thing, SHOP! I love to shop and window shop. They both relax me. If I can’t buy anything, I get the extra exercise.

Today, my shopping trip involved my mother. While out with mom for shopping and lunch, I finally realized why she can make me mad at the drop of a hat. Since the brain surgery, my voice has not been the same. Talking is a struggle at times. I had a good singing voice and I can no longer sing without scaring the neighborhood cats. It’s like my attempts at running, you do not want to see it. My singing, well, you really do not want to hear it. For years, I couldn’t sing a note, but since attending church and singing regularly. my voice is slowly returning. Still not good, but better.

Well, while mom and I were out today, she attempted to finish every sentence I started and talked over me every time I tried to start speaking. She is just attempting to be helpful and not let anything cause me further stress, but what I need to do is talk to her and the rest of my family about letting me speak. I may speak slowly, but give me a chance. Take the time to listen. The old me is still in this body and I have a voice I want to use.

Mom even took a pen out of my hand today to put the cap on for me. I couldn’t believe it. When I left rehab, they told me a few things to keep in mind; keep moving and if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. The ground rules about me will be coming out in a few days. The time has come to get everyone on the same page!

 

 

Daily Prompt: Breaking the Law

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Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows). Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

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Backseat Betty made me do it! My stepson graduated from basic training and we took a road trip to Kentucky to watch the ceremony. My mom (Backseat Betty) went with us. 

After the ceremony there was a problem with his orders, so he could not leave. Barry stayed with him waiting for his orders and mom, I and Frank’s then girlfriend headed back to Georgia in the dark. We had an eight-hour ride ahead of us with my mother at my side. 

By the time we hit the Georgia State line, I was ready to get out of the car. Fortunately, we were now only three hours from home. The closer we got to home, the faster I drove and mom kept telling me I was speeding every thirty seconds. By the time we got to the Tucker, Ga. City Limits, the police stopped ignoring me. I was pulled over almost immediately. 

I tried to explain the situation to the officer, with my mother chattering to him behind me telling him I’d been speeding since Kentucky. I got the largest speeding ticket, I had ever received, from this officer. I said ‘Thank you’, slowed down and headed home with mom in my ear lecturing me on the dangers of driving fast.

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We were at my house within 30 minutes. I got her bag out of the car, put it in hers and said ‘Go Home Now!’ She didn’t argue, she left quickly.

I definitely felt burned by mom, not the cop. If Backseat could have kept her mouth shut, it might not have been so bad. Today, I flat-out refuse to be in a car with my mother longer than one hour! Let my sisters take her on long trips! 

Daily Prompt: In a Crisis

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Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

After 26 years of nursing, I react the same way to any emotion evoking situation. No matter what the situation, crisis or otherwise, I am always cool as a cucumber.

There are only a few exceptions to which I will lose my cool, the main one is when the crisis involves a close family member. When Barry had the stroke, I was on top of the situation until help arrived and then I lost it. I couldn’t drive myself to the hospital.

The second is if the “Chipmunks’ are on the movie screen, I have a tendency to burst into tears. I do not understand this one at all, but hey…..it happens!

As a trained professional, am I extremely happy with my reaction to a crisis. I think my reaction over a close family member is perfectly normal and I cannot say I should act any other way.

As far as the ‘Chipmunks’ thingy, I haven’t got a clue…..other than they are just so incredibly sweet and absolutely cute as buttons. How can you not get emotional over something soooooo sweet……???? 🙂 🙂

Daily Prompt: Toot Your Horn

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Most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, and are not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself.

I can give you numerous incidences of my many mishaps in life, but writing down what I have done right, is a different ballgame.

I think if we all took 5 minutes out of our day to write something good about ourselves, self-confidence everywhere would improve. Mental Health Clinics everywhere would lose business.

Now give me a sec to figure out how to toot my horn. This first one will sound a little strange, but it’s true. Those of you who know my blog, know my story.

  • I drive better than I walk.
  • I say what is on my mind, I do not play games.
  • If you tell me I can’t do something, only makes me want to do it more.
  • I love the Lord, studying the Bible and learning more about the Gospel of Christ.
  • I’m good with plants.
  • Improve the springtime.
  • I believe in love, marriage and the whole fairy tale.
  • I have a brain tumor that is a symptom of a generic disorder, called Cowden’s Syndrome. I do not let this effect my life. I live a happy, full life and intend to keep it that way until I can’t do it anymore!
  • I’m good with kids
  • I’m good with animals
  • I’m a great cook, without a recipe
  • I’m crafty and creative
  • I consider myself intelligent, but my brain tumor can get in the way
  • My husband knows I love him because I show him
  • My family knows they can count on me for whatever they need no matter what. Even though I have screwed things up with my older sister, I’d be there in a heartbeat if she needed me. 
  • I adore, Maggie, my dog-child.
  • I am good with geriatric patients
  • I’m an excellent nurse
  • I know my way around a computer and I love learning new things.
  • I love studying birds
  • I love to sing, but I only sing in church and the car for now. I don’t want to scare anyone with what the brain tumor has done to my voice. 
  • I still blush at the drop of a hat.

My favorite thing about myself, is that I love elderly people. I have spent 25 years as a nurse and have always gravitated back to the geriatrics field. My husband says this is where ‘I shine’.

The elderly are a fascinating group of people. I have worked with a stewardess that was on the first plane to ever land in Figi, a woman that was one of the first law enforcement officers in our state, an author, an artist, a woman who helped pioneer one of the largest charity organizations in our state,a comedian and many others that wrote just hardworking people that watched this country grow into the force it is today.

OK, ok , OK enough about me. I hope this is what the daily prompt was referring to. Otherwise, I’m just ranting again. I hope you enjoy reading this yourself!

Stuck between a rock and a hard place!

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Let’s just say, I was stuck I’m my very own metaphor this afternoon. With the exception of a rock, my dilemma involved my favorite chair in the living room.

Barry was on a grocery store run, while I did a little reading. It was nice and quiet in the house, so I started to fall asleep. As my snooze was getting good, I started to slip down in the chair and the ottoman started to roll away from my chair. A few moments later, I was wide awake and realized I could not move. 

The ottoman was stuck where the rug started. The rug had started to push up and the ottoman was hung. I was positioned with my weak side up, I’m strong on my left side, but it is pretty useless trying to push or pull up.  

I struggled with it for a bit and gave up. Mom was home, but she was behind two closed doors and could not hear my call, soooooooo….I got comfy and waited for Barry to get back. Not sure how long I was in that position, cuz I fell asleep.

Barry came in, laughing as he helped me up. He wanted to take a picture, but I threatened his life. Maggie thought we were playing a game. She was squirming all over the place and licking everything she could get too! What an afternoon!

Raising Mom

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At this point in my life, I never thought I would be taking care of my mother. It is what God has led Barry and I to do, so here we are……raising mom.

She was in a situation, at her new home, that was not a safe. James, her new husband, I say new…..I should have said her husband of four years.

The home he provided was not the best place for her to be. I will not go into details about the situation, but let’s just say mom needs to be with us, than her husband.

Having mom move in has been an experience. She acts like she is afraid of Barry and is trying to raise me again. She treats me like I am ten years old, not 47. 

Having her around, has been amusing, as well as a huge challenge. Mom is a breed of her own. She believes in being treated right and will quickly let you know if she feels if she has been wronged.

I’ve written several posts about mom’s exploits, but believe me….I have only written about the tame ones.

One of my many lessons, since she moved in, was on how to freeze pork chops. Needless to say I have had my kitchen for over 20 years. Guess what? I was doing it the right way! As Gomer Pyle would say, ‘Surprise, surprise’!

Mom and I share a love for gardening and houseplants. I discovered my plants were not looking well and I could not figure out the problem. I found out, Mom trying to helpful, had been watering my plants too! I know, I know…she was just trying to help. There are certain things I am totally capable of doing is handling my plants. After throwing out the plants that were not going to survive and re-potting the others, I am now the only person watering them!

Mom and I sat down and went through the household chores and I have asked for her assistance with a few things and she knows that I will let her know if I need more help!

I have to admit, I love having help with the laundry. I hated laundry before becoming disabled, but I simply adore finding cleans clothes in the closet when I need them. So does Barry.

Mom’s memory is declining, ask her she’ll tell you there isn’t a thing wrong with her or her memory. She is overall in better shape than most people we know.

She doesn’t drive after dark any longer and I set her medications up for her by the week. She wasn’t handling them well. Mom can think at times that she is a doctor and will decide which pills she needs and the ones she doesn’t. I settled that issue and just started doing them for her, hint, hint….

If she needs directions, we get them for her. If I need to go with her to an appointment, I go. Our biggest problem has been her adjustment to living with Barry and I, as well as our adjusting to her.

Mom does not know what the word quiet means, nor does she know how to be that way. I am beginning to think she likes to hear herself talk, because she never STOPS! There is always this constant chatter.

I have a huge family and mom always seems to go on for hours about relatives, never heard of in my lifetime. She can’t find her keys, but she remembers all of these people. After numerous head butts, she is starting to understand that she needs to be a little quieter and not to talk as much in the car.

I enjoy the time I have with her in the mornings, when we first get up. She does all the talking while we watch the news. I’m starting to believe she corners me in the living room on purpose at that time of day. It takes an hour of waking up for my voice to wake up, so I get the pleasure of hearing about her crazy dreams. There are times that it is hard to distinguish whether she is describing a dream or a hallucination.

This morning was a little strange. The first thing she asked this morning was if ‘we had seen it?’. When questioned further, she was talking about a little girl in a rocker floating around house. How so you respond to such?

If I can get mom and Barry on the same page, things would be copacetic in the house. Barry doesn’t like her un-nerving me and questioning everything we do. She is also having to adjust to the ‘New Barry’. My life would more stability  if those two could figure each other out. It’s in God’s hands, I’ve been praying…..