Tag Archives: sisters

Mom is dreaming again….Diggin’ Taters..

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This is a strange one, because mom used to tell us this story when we asked for a good scare. She was a live participant in the story this time. 

Mom grew up on a farm. She, her brothers and sisters, did a lot of the gardening to provide food for the family. To put it in mom’s words, she is not a stranger to ‘diggin taters’. 

Mom is the oldest of eleven children. So when she had the younger children, she was in charge. In her dream, mom and three of the older kids are in the potato patch digging potatoes for dinner.

To set the stage properly, it was a windy day. It felt like a storm was blowing up. The wind was whistling through the trees,  sounding like someone trying to talk to you. The air was thick and heavy, reminding everyone summer storms can be dangerous  and you do not want to get caught out in the field in one. Mom was trying to rush everyone, so they could get back to the house without getting caught in the weather. 

My Aunt Jo said to mom, ‘did you hear that?’ Mom told her she didn’t hear anything and keep working. Then, my other Aunt Bib asked mom the same question. She yelled at the two of them to quit playing games and get back to work.

My Uncle Owen decided to keep what he had heard to himself, because he didn’t want my mother yelling at him. Truth be told, it sounded like the wind was talking to them and he knew mom had heard exactly what the other three had.

There appeared to be a voice in the wind saying;

‘Who has my big toe? I want my big toe!’

The four kids kept working, wanting to make grandma happy with the amount of potatoes they brought back. The wind continued to whistle and all four kids were starting to hear the voice.

Who has my big toe? I want my big toe!’

By this time, they had enough potatoes for a couple of days, so they gathered their tools and tater sack and headed back to the house. No one said a word to anyone about the strange voice.

That night in bed, Aunt Jo and Uncle Owen woke mom up to tell her they were hearing the voice in the house. The difference was, it was followed by footsteps. She quickly told them it was their imagination and to get back to bed.

She tried to get back to sleep, but discovered sleep eluded her.

She heard someone say, ‘Who has my big toe?’

All she could do was think about what she had just heard.  She also heard every noise, bump and bang the house made in the night.  

The next day, mom and the other kids were outside playing when they heard Grandma Frank scream. They went running into the kitchen to see what the problem was.

Grandma Frank had dumped the bag of taters in the sink to clean them up and prepare them for storage. She was standing near the sink shaking from head to toe and pointing at the sink. She was mumbling incoherently. Mom went to the sink and peered inside. Laying there, among the potatoes they had dug up yesterday, was a big toe!

Monday Jitters

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Give, it to God, Jill.  Don’t let all of these crazy things worry you. Take one day at a time and one appointment at a time. That is all you can do, do not over think what is going on next week and let God work in your life. He is the one with the plan for your life. Let him work it. Be strong for yourself, Barry and you family. It is inside of you. Be strong. No matter what the outcome, be strong. She your strength in your actions. Barry needs to know you are OK and tough. Be strong for him. Be encouraging for Barry. He needs to see your strength.

Please forgive my nervous outbreak. A lot going on next week that I am not sure I’m prepared to deal with. But I’m in God’s hands and he’ll take care of me. I’m more worried about Barry than myself. Hospitals make him nervous, especially Emory, since the stroke. I’m sure it will all work out. Monday is the key. Just take it one day at a time. 

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Double Whammy…you have to love doctors!!!

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While at a checkup with the Allergist today, I received a phone call from the genetics counselor assigned to me. She had received the results of my genetics test. I apparently do have the rare genetic disorder all the doctors have been avoiding discussing with me. So I am one in 250,000 people in the United States blessed with this genetic nightmare.

Even though one sweet doctor had taken it upon himself to tell me that I could be considered diagnosed with the disease because of my medical history; I felt like a rock had been dropped in my lap. Reality smacked me in the face and now I had to discuss this with my family and get them to be tested. I hate being like this.

I would never wish this on my worst enemy, I certainly do not need to worry about my sisters, nieces and nephews having to deal with this. What about their children? This is just so much to deal with. I was coping fine, until I knew for sure. Now…I need to pray on this…

 

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Daily Prompt: Childhood Revisited

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Sure, you turned out pretty good, but is there anything you wish had been different about your childhood? If you have kids, is there anything you wish were different for them?

I am doing my best to decide how to put this in writing. I thought about this all day and have narrowed it down to two things I wish would have been different in my childhood. I’ll do my best not to ramble, please be patient.

My sisters and I had a traditional southern upbringing, dysfunctional family and all. Our parents encouraged us to study, we knew right from wrong, and we loved each other. Mom and dad worked all the time. Mom stayed home until we were old enough to be left home alone and then she started working, She was home when we needed her, or at lease close-by.

Dad left in the mornings before we ever got up and was not home until we were in bed. On the weekends, he worked his secondary business and was home only at night. We had our family nights when dad was home. We actually had breakfast and supper around the dining room table several times a week.

I grew up wanting for nothing.  If we ever wanted anything extravagant, we had to save our money up or wait for a sale. I believe that is where my frugal attitude comes from today!

During the summer months, mom and dad always made sure we stayed busy. I know my way around the Bible, a softball field, a basketball court, and a swimming pool. Mom and dad made it to the important events, but there were times we were on our own.

One of the things I wish could were different from my childhood is going to church as a family, instead of being dropped off at the door to attend services with my sisters. Don’t get me wrong, my sisters and I are close, due to the time we spent together. It would have been nice having mom and dad with us at church. I truly believe that they both believe the Jesus died to save us from our sins, but I cannot help feeling unsure of their salvation.

Mom lives with me now, and attends everything Barry and I attend at church. Dad is a different story. I do not remember the last time I saw him in church for something other than a funeral. His health is declining and he does not get out like he used to, but I know he grew-up in the church. It would have been joyous to have all five of us in church at the same time. Well, the past is the past. All we can do now is look forward.

My second thing I wish could have been different during my childhood is medical technology. From the time I entered kindergarten through high school, I was always sick.

Mom spoiled me rotten and my sisters still pick on me today, because of that.

I was part guinea pig when they thought they had figured out a treatment for allergies. They did all the testing and I suffered through the intramuscular injections for years, before they figured out it could be done with a subcutaneous needle, just under the skin. The nurse’s from the seventies, learned to give an intramuscular injection into the shoulder. There were several times I actually felt the needle hitting the bone. It was so painful. I took the injections without success for years and then refused to go.

In my teenage years I developed female troubles. We let the doctor do the known treatment for my problem at the time and it rendered me unable to have children.

If today’s medical technology had been around in the seventies, maybe I could have had a normal childhood and been able to have kids today. In my world, Claritin is the best invention of the twentieth century. When I was younger, Dristan was it. With today’s medical technology in the past, maybe brain tumor research would be further along today and I wouldn’t need a wheelchair when my legs do not work.

My life has been God‘s plan and it is not my place to question it. I read my Bible and try to stay upbeat and focused. I pray daily and ask for grace and wisdom to help me make it through the day. I exercise to stay strong and keep busy. My blog is my refuge for my feelings and such. It helps me not to hold things in. I write them down. It is very therapeutic to me. My counselor advised me to either do a journal or start a blog.

To summarize, my parents being more involved with my sisters and I at church; as well as, today’s medical technology being available in the seventies, would have made my childhood a better place to be. Honestly, I wouldn’t interfere with God’s plan for my life. I grew up loved and happy. Everything else is all good!

If, if, if, maybe, maybe, maybe…….

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! 

Crazy Thursday

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I would love to be home tomorrow for BrainTumorThursday. Since I cannot be there, I thought I’d share my itinerary with all ofMC900433230 you.

10:00am Barry, I and the girls are going for our first visit with the breast specialist. The girls are having some major issues that freaked my regular gynecologist out, so we get to add another doctor to our list! Yea!

I’m kinda freaked out about seeing a bombom specialist with Cowden’s Syndrome and Lhermitte’s Duclos Disease in the picture, I have to stay on top of health issues. I do not want anything creeping up on me without warning.

After the Bombom doc, we are off to discuss my screwed up genetics with a specialist. I am hoping she can elaborate on this genetic nightmare I am muddling through. I think if I just had a few answers, I’d feel a lot better.

I have been questioning relatives for weeks. I always saw my dad’s side of the family as the healthy side, little did I know they are just better at keeping secrets and keeping things to themselves. I felt so bad when I heard some of the things my cousins have been through.

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I can sum my mom’s side of the family up with a few words. They are heart attacks, strokes, factor five ledium, and arthritis. There have been a few cancers in the picture. My Uncle Bud was the worst. The heart attacks do not play around with us, either. One Uncle dropped dead at age 29 from a massive coronary. Three cousins, younger than me, have already suffered BAD heart attacks.

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It is really scary. Both families look incredible, BUT have survived numerous serious illnesses. I guess I get my will to fight from both mom and dad. I come from family of survivors!

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!

“Life is like a box of chocolates”………

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Watching ‘Forrest Gump’ at the theater, when I heard my title in the movie, I giggled. At the time I was a mere 28 years old and didn’t think past which movie I’d like to see next weekend, or what clothes I’ll wear to work tomorrow, or what to cook for supper that night. I didn’t think about the deep, complex meaning those few words can truly hold.

It wasn’t a good four years later that my marriage ended. I moved back to my hometown and back into the house I grew-up in. I had a second chance at life and I wanted to get it right this time.

There were many things about myself that I wanted to do differently, so I got busy and found myself. In that time, I felt like a piece of chocolate in that box that was different in so many ways, but at the same time you could interpret the meaning a a box full of choices. In that box, I found the changes I felt I needed to make and threw myself in head first.

My work ethic grew. I threw myself out there and made my job my number one priority. It kept me busy and kept my head in a good place. I also ventured away from positions I was familiar with and tried something new. The big suprise was I was good at it and found a new love in the nursing field. I job-jumped for a few months, until I settled into the field of geriatrics, where I stayed until my forced retirement.

*In high school, a couple of friends and I made a list of things we wanted to accomplish in life. My main thing on my list was owning my own business by the age of 40. I did it! It felt so good the day we opened our door to patients. We won an award for our service, but then it felt just as bad to close the doors, when we had to. But we had an incredible six years!*

At age 28, watching ‘Forrest Gump’ , I would have never dreamed I would actually meet my soul-mate and have him propose on my 38th birthday. He’s my soul-mate. My first husband was a good man, we just went in different directions. I’m the person I am today, partly because of my time with him, but Barry is the man I was meant to be with. I am the woman I am today, totally because the love and support of my sweet husband!

As I threw myself into my new job, I forgot about all the other important things in my life. I missed my oldest sisters kids grew up, the next thing I knew they were graduating high school and my baby sister was about to have a second baby and her oldest was starting school. It was time to slow down and make time for me.

I guess what I am trying to say in all this babble is that “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get” (movie quote: Forrest Gump, 1994)……but it’s your choice, the box is full. Life is too short, make your choices count!