Monsters Under The House and Messengers of Spring

Today's high temperature was: 62 degrees

Sunny all weekend

===============================

I heard a weird sound that woke me up Saturday morning.  I couldn't figure it out for a minute.  I got up and went into the bathroom--where the noise was coming from.  Something inside the cupboard under the sink.

Maggie likes to claw that door open and go in there.  GEEZ!! 

Just as I was about to open the door and let her out, she and Buddy walked into the bathroom.  

WHAT?

If Maggie isn't in the cupboard--what in the heck is?

I closed the bathroom door and told the kids, "You kids, get ready for whatever comes out!"  I figured if it was a squirrel, chipmunk or mouse the kids would get it and I could bash it on the head.  I had the toilet plunger ready!

The Kids were waiting--they had heard the noise too.  It sounded like a really big animal....I stepped over to the side of the cupboard, reached down and opened the door real quick.

Nothing.

Maggie ran into the cupboard, Buddy stayed way over by the door.

Nothing.

The digging and gnawing sound started up again.  

Remember when I had the frozen pipe this winter?  The plumber told me that something had dug between the skirting and the foundation and left a hole for the bitter cold wind to go under the house and freeze up the pipe.  He said he packed the hole really good with snow so nothing could get in there.  Well, my Friends, the snow is gone and...something got in there.

8:30 a.m.--33 degrees--I pulled on my jeans and sweatshirt and went out and around the house.  I pulled back the sticks and leaves that were piled up there and saw the hole very clearly.  Not big enough for a Wood Chuck or a Skunk (thank you God), but big enough for a small animal.  

I opened it up as wide as I could get it, then came back inside and when the noise started up again, I picked up an aerosol can of room spray and started pounding on the floor of the cupboard.  Pounded and pounded and yelled and pounded some more.  The noise stopped and I figured the critter had left.

Got in the car, ran up to the Mid-Town Market and got two big boxes of D-Con , 6 chocolate covered cherries and came back home.  

I pounded some more and then went out and opened both boxes of D-Con and slipped them under and onto the cement slab.  Then I filled the hole with rocks and broken pieces of cement and lastly, a long 2 x 2 piece of timber (like used for raised garden beds) and covered it all with dirt.

Then, I came inside and ate 3 of the chocolate covered cherries.

So far, so good.

=============================

Then I checked out my gardens.  They need the leaves raked off, but I think it is too soon.  We have to wait until there is no chance of snow.  I have a lot of Tulips and Daffodils coming up and...these little messengers of spring.

Crocus

I honestly don't know where these Crocus bulbs

came from.  I didn't plant them.  I would never

just plant 2 Crocus.

 The Gold Finch are turning bright yellow really quickly

Two weeks ago, they were a greenish color

I watched the Final Four last night--end of the NCAA Basketball tournament.  I was rooting for Wisconsin to win--they were ahead and then--DANGGIT--they lost in the last few seconds.  Tomorrow night Kentucky and Connecticut play for the Championship--I don't care who wins, but it will be a good game.

Then, when I was brushing my teeth before bed--half a back tooth fell out!!!

Number 18 tooth--farthest back left, bottom molar.  That filling has held for a year, which is some kind of record.  This is the one my dentist has repaired for me FREE for the last five years and we talked that "next time it falls out, you should get a crown, before all the tooth breaks away."

Oh Goody!!!

============================

By Gosh--I actually woke up before the alarm this morning so I made it to church.  As I was driving in and thinking to myself about how I've had 3 costly things I have had to contend with since February and now--an $800.00 crown?  "God, I know you will get me through all of this, but...could you throw down some money to help?"  and then I laughed.

Parked the car and got out to walk into church and there, laying on the cement driveway, was a penny.  I bent down and picked it up--it was heads facing up--looked skyward and said, "Thanks God--it's a start."

Today's sermon was about Angels.  How the Angel of God came to Gethsemane to be with Jesus and how we have Angels watching over us.  Now--I've never been too much into Angels.  Sure, Angels were out when Jesus was born and after He rose and before that with Daniel and Jacob and others, but...I never figured Angels would care much about a measly human like me.  

We sang mostly songs about Angels this morning and then at the end of the sermon, the pastor had us sing, "All Night, All Day, Angels Watching Over Me Oh Lord."  Then, he'd put in a verse and we'd sing that chorus.  I just about cracked up when he sang, "My car is broke and left me in the lurch," (Angels watching over me Oh Lord)  "I guess I'll have to walk to church," (Angles watching over me.)

So, when I got to him in the "hand shake" line, I had to tell him my tale of woe and also finding the penny,"

"See...God does answer prayer," he said.  "You just need to be more specific on the amount you need,"

===================

Wanted to buy gas on the way home--I am down to 1/4 tank, but it is back up in price...again!

I took my first walk this afternoon.  I walked quite briskly for 100 steps and my back was hurting like crazy.  So I walked another 50 steps and then pushed myself for another 50--I have to at least get down to the Heart Tree--200 steps.  I made it, but on the way back, I stopped in at Merle and Pearl's, to give them the bulletin from church and to rest--my hips were burning!!!  

So--I will keep it up, each day it is nice, and eventually make it down to the lake--400 steps.  I wish I could walk farther and enjoy it---maybe if I didn't walk so fast, I could?  I know I could with my Walker, because I can walk all over the store with a cart to sort of lean on, BUT--I am too proud to get the walker out of the shed and use it.  

This is the tree Fred told me about.  

He said it always reminded him of me.

So I call it my Heart Tree

I so love this weather!!!!  Love these spring days.  Not hot and humid--not chilly--just perfect!!!

Tonight, when I go to bed and pray for all my family and friends and thank God for all He has given me, I will have a"talk" with God, I will be more specific.    "Thank you for the penny and the help from the State, God.  Now, could you perhaps drop about ten grand on me so I can become debt free?  Thank you, God."

I can hear the chuckle now..."Not just yet.  We need to keep you humble."

We'll see what tomorrow brings.  Okay?

Noah, Rain, Darlene.

Today's temperature was: 41 degrees

Cold rain all day

=========================

I had a visitor from BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND?  YOU GUYS--THAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD!!!  How did you find me?  Please, let me know!  This is a big deal to me.

I had agreed to go to the "Cinema" with Dar on Thursday.  I fretted about it all day Wednesday because I didn't really want to go see "Noah".  Pearl and Merle had gone to see it and Pearl said, "It was just bad.  So bad!"

Then I had heard a couple of people talking about it on Face Book.  It sounded to me like it was going to take too much "creative liberty" with the story that I began to think, if I went to see it, it would be almost like a sin.

I woke up Thursday morning and felt really rough.  I was nauseous, I had a headache and I was shaky.  I really am not fond of going to movies.  All the action on the screen makes me dizzy and they always have the volume turned up way too loud.  I just couldn't make myself go.  So, I called Dar at 10:00 and told her I couldn't go.

Come to find out, she had invited two other women to go with us, so she wouldn't have to stay home just because I wasn't going.

Of course, the minute I told her I wasn't going, I started to feel better.

She called me at 7:00 last night and said, "It was awful!!  Probably one of the worst movies I have ever seen!  I'm so glad you didn't waste your money."

I quizzed her on why she thought it was awful and she said, "There were rocks that were filled with spirits and talked.  There was a stowaway on the boat, and when he gathered all the animals, he then put them to sleep.  Then he was going to kill his grand babies."

"What?"

"The only thing real about the whole movie was...an Ark was involved and there was a lot of rain."

"I suppose that might have been the way it happened...we really don't know for sure...just what we've read in the Bible...but...I either would have laughed at the talking rocks and disturbed the other movie goers or I would have got mad and walked out."

"You wouldn't have liked all the violence either..and...we all thought there were underlying, liberal political things in it too."

Then I saw this posted on FB.

Hollywood is suppose to be putting out a lot of religious films this year.  I don't think I will bother to see many if they are like this one!!  It seems that most of the movies coming from Hollywood have a liberal political agenda insinuated in them.  But then--of course, Hollywood and most actors ARE liberal in their politics.  I remember when they tried to tell us that Jesus and Mary Magdalena probably had a daughter. 

Pearl and I are going to see "Heaven Is For Real" when it comes out in a couple of weeks.  We both have read the book and I have researched the family AND the movie.  It is a true story and they have kept the movie in line with the book.

====================

I felt great when I got up this morning.  I have been in almost constant pain since I left the Chiropractor's on Monday.  Last night I took half a Percocet and felt the pain melt away as I fell asleep.  Today, it hasn't hurt at all!!

Dar came over early on and asked if I would create, type and print out a letter for her to give to the new management of the park.  They are taking letters from park residents to comment on what we think the park needs.  Dar needs trees trimmed or taken down that lean over her home.  

I think we need a FEMA paid for tornado/severe storm shelters.  They are made of concrete dome-like structures, bolted into a concrete slab, that will withstand up to 300mph winds.  FEMA is giving grants that pay for 75% of the cost.  Each one would house 200 people--so we probably need two in this park.  I researched it--got all the info--and have also written a letter to new management asking that they just "consider" the issue as it is already in the Michigan Legislature that ALL mobile home parks HAVE to have this kind of tornado shelter by year 2018 and, "this might be a good economic and financial move to get them built before the Law passes, construction costs go up and a good way to advertise that...we are the safest manufactured home park in the county." and...if the structure is used ONLY as a storm shelter, it is not taxed!!

They won't build one, but I want to be on record, LOL

====================

Tuesday, I filled all my bird feeders with Sunflower seeds and...I have very few birds coming in.  Either, they don't like Black Oil Sunflower seeds or they are busy building nests.  I thought all birds liked sunflower seeds?

=========================

So--it rained all day today!!  All day!!  Sometimes the rain was quite thick--like snow mixed in.  It was cold and dreary and around 5:00 this afternoon, the wind kicked up and we now have a wind advisory...so...I put my loop of string on the storm door and tied it inside to the inner door handle.

"Tie me outer door down, Sport,

Tie me outer door down....."

(sung to the tune of, Tie Me Kangaroo Down)

========================

I watched a bit of Detroit Tiger baseball today--we are having a great start to the season.  They have so many new players.  It seems every time I get a favorite player, he either gets hurt and can't play or they trade him.  So...this year, I have decided to just watch as much of the new manager as I can.

Brad Ausmus

BE STILL MY HEART!!!

Karen called tonight--Madeleine is in Disney World with her marching band.  The whole band won the trip--240 kids!!!  Then Maddie comes back on Sunday for a week of school and then she goes back to Siesta Key with a friends family for Easter Break.  Sure is a different life than I ever lived!!!  

While she is gone, Karen and Mark are going out to visit Helene (their oldest) in Los Angeles, CA.  I told Karen I wanted them to persuade Helene that there are a lot of NON-EARTHQUAKE States that have colleges where she can get her MBS!!!

She wanted to come back home and either go to U of M or State to get her degree, but...because she had lived out of state for a few years, they won't allow her to go attend at the rate of State Resident tuition!  

WHAT A SCAM!!!

Now--Karen and Mark have paid tuition for two college students--one at U of M and one, currently, at State.  Karen and Mark are alumni of State.  Our family has lived in this State for over 150 years and yet.............I may write another letter...to both colleges!!!  RIDICULOUS!!!

I asked Karen if Susanna (their 2nd child) is going to drive on down from Oregon to visit with them and Helene and she reminded me...Susie and her hubby are running in the Boston Marathon that week--Patriots Day.

EGADS!!!  Now--I have worry about Helene in the State that is about to break off and float out into the Pacific Ocean AND Karen and Mark flying out there AND Susie and Derek flying too and running in Boston--although I suppose, after last year, the Boston Marathon will be the safest place to be in the U.S.A.

Of course, then there's Andrew and Elise flying down to Belize with their stupid grandfather and father--the same week.  No--wait--not Belize.  Antigua?  Oh some place out in the midst of the Atlantic--I've forgotten.  Aruba--that's it--Aruba.  Just hope Grandpa and Dad don't get to sitting in the sun, drinking and smoking cigars and not watching the children--who may get into the undertow, or bitten by a shark or KIDNAPPED!!!

Now--where did I put that bottle of Ativan.......and do I have enough to get through April....

  

Throw Back Thursday

1958

Four Generations

Maternal side of the family

My mother's father(the minister), my mother, 

me (18) and my first born

Mark--6 months

Paternal side of the family (sort of)

Me, Mark, my Daddy's mother, and mother, 

who had to stand in because 

Daddy was out in the barn milking cows

and wouldn't stop long enough to get a picture.

Which was okay because my Daddy was an only child

and his mother always thought of my mother 

as her  daughter

A Warm Wednesday

Today's high temperature was:  59 degrees

Sunny all day--so pleasant

=================================

I know our friends in the south think we are nuts talking about 59 degrees being warm, but...oh it is delightful.  I was running out and about with just a light shirt on--no jacket.  I imagine Ms. Sally down in Florida would be digging out her winter jacket, with weather like we had today.  :-)

===============================

Well--I had one hellava night last night!  I went to the Chiropractor on Monday--he never makes me hurt, but his massage girl just about kills me every time.  Yesterday, I had pain in my neck, shoulder, upper arm, collar bone and coming down into the left upper part of my chest.  Now--this is not  unusual, but it is very annoying.

I guess I could go back to the doc and get the pain injections like I had in my back (which never worked very well), but the Depo-Medrol/Cortisone they use in those injections are steroids and I don't like putting steroids in my blood stream!!!

I rubbed down really good with my horse liniment before I went to bed, but I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with such a horrible pain in my chest and left arm--and my left arm was numb.  It was almost like a throbbing pain--pulsating, but at 3:00 a.m., coming out of a bad dream, I would have bet you a hundred dollars that I was having a heart attack.

My pulse was going fast, I felt nauseous, I was sweating, but the whole trunk of my body was icy cold inside.  Scared me good.

I got up and went potty, then walked around a bit.  I remembered that I had left a twenty dollar bill laying on my desk in here.  So, I came in and got it and put it in my wallet--then I unlocked the front door so the EMT's could get in and not have to break down the door.  I walked around and looked outside--completely dark and of course, all neighbors/friends/family members would be sleeping. 

I sat in my rocker/recliner and realized that the pain was receding a bit.   My pulse rate had quieted down a bit too.  I went into the bathroom and got one of my teeny Ativan tabs and swallowed it down.  Then I sat some more and finally crawled back into bed at around 4:00.

I woke up at 10:00 this morning feeling great!

I think perhaps I had a panic attack--I have had them in the middle of the night before and woke up with pulse racing, sweating, but feeling cold and scared to pieces.  Of course, this is all complicated by the fact that I am all alone.  I might have awakened in the same condition, but if Fred were here, even though I wouldn't have awakened him, at least I would know that if I needed help or died, someone would be here to lend me aid or at least call the EMT's.   There is nothing more lonely and scary then a pitch black world at 3:00 a.m.

======================

Pearl came down today and I told her of my night.  She thinks I am silly to get so scared.

"I get up in the middle of the night almost every night.  Sometimes I am in a lot of pain, but I'm never scared."

"But...you have Merle there."

"Yeah--but he sleeps like he's dead."

"But...you could wake him, if you had too!"

She just doesn't get it and never will unless or until she is all alone.  

==========================

It was so gorgeous out and I had to run to the bank--again.  I got home from there yesterday, picked up my mail and there was the refund check from the gas company for my new furnace.

I have been thinking that I want some plants in my house again.  Maggie shredded and ate my big Peace Lily AND a new Philodendron AND a little ivy I had.  I decided to make a Terrarium--I love them and have had many.  I remembered that I had a really large glass drink dispenser stored out in the shed.  It was fancy--had it since I lived in Saginaw and use to entertain from time to time in the summer.  So, after my Soap, I went out and dug around and found it.  I had purchased it at Pier One Imports (love that store).  I cleaned it up and took off the spigot, plugged the hole with a cork and then decided to go look for something to put in it.

On the way home, I stopped at the Tractor Supply place and got 80# of bird seed to put in my big metal bin.  I had help loading it into the cart and then into my car trunk and Merle got it out when I got home and we dumped it into the metal container with two pouches of my Squirrel deterrent, mixed it up good and then I filled up all my feeders.  I think hope this seed will last through most of summer.  

Then--I came in a started playing around the the terrarium.  No way Maggie can get at these to eat them, unless she tips it over--and I really wouldn't put it past her!!!

Only one problem--I have a couple of succulents in there and...

they do NOT like moisture.  

I don't know if it is going to say in this spot on the floor--it is

rather too large to put up on an end table--we shall see

All I know, it makes me feel good to see something growing.

I was outside checking on my spring bulbs--all coming up quite nicely--after being buried under 5 feet of hard packed snow and ice.  I even have some Snow Glories coming up.  I have them planted all over my front lawn.

They are a lovely carpet when they bloom and

will be gone before it is time to mow the front lawn.

I think I will sleep well tonight.  Nothing is hurting and if I can keep my sub-conscious from trying to figure out life's struggles--maybe...just maybe...................I'll let you know for sure.

No April Fool's Around Here

Today's high temperature was: 55 degrees

A bit of rain, then sun, then clouds, ending with sun.

========================================

This morning at 9:00 a.m.  Jackie has a lot of snow.

Her grandson is going out to chop it up into smaller pieces

I have very little

There is no green anywhere!

By six o'clock this evening, my snow was all gone

Jackie's was looking less too 

That's all I did today. 

Watch the snow melt.

Similar to watching paint dry.

A New Week--Catching Up

Today's high temperature was:  57 degrees

Sunny and beautiful

===============================

Saturday morning, I was sitting here, minding my own business and the phone rang.  It was Pammie!!!  She has the Turbo Tax software and she had her taxes all done, but in order to do her Michigan ones, she had to connect to the Internet and...she doesn't have Internet...so...she wanted to know if she could come here and use my computer!!  I was so happy.

She came and worked in my nice clean computer room, while I watched the DVD of "Hitler's Last Ten Days".  I could hear her in here, muttering to herself, an occasional "damn"--it was great.  Then, when she went to print out the forms, the black ink jet died--luckily, I had a new one.  Then the printer ran out of paper--luckily, I had a whole ream of printer paper.  

We yakked for awhile after she was done and I sent her home with the Hitler DVD and a bunch of other movies she has never seen.

I felt all warm and smiley the rest of the day.

She and I ought to live together in that big house of hers--I could take over the 3 rooms upstairs and she could have the 1st floor and we probably wouldn't see each other, BUT--she enjoys living alone as much as I do, so-----even though it would be financially smart for both of us................

=====================

I got up Sunday morning and felt just awful.  I have no idea why, but at one point I thought it might save time if I just drove to the funeral home parking lot and sat and waited until I died.  I was real shaky, I felt like I couldn't walk in a straight line, I was dizzy and I just wanted to go to bed.

I missed church, which I didn't want to do.  At 2:20 I started watching my Spartan's play in the tournament.  After the first half, I had to leave to drive on over to the high school to watch a ballet production of "Peter Pan'", which grand daughter Madeleine was dancing in.  Luckily, I missed the second half and my Spartan's lost.  I'm glad I didn't have to watch that close finish.  They turned the ball over too many times to come back for a win.

I got home in time to watch the last half of the Michigan game, they lost too, which made me feel a bit better.  I did start feeling a little better Sunday evening.

Susanna--Maddie's best friend, danced the part of Tiger Lily and Maddie was one of the Indians.

You've seen the two of them before in ballet costumes.  Susanna is my pseudo grand daughter. :-)

It was a very good production.

I would have gone to the Saturday night ballet, but I thought Jennifer was going then.  I asked Karen Sunday and she said that "no" Jen didn't come Saturday night, but that about 10 minutes before the performance started on Sunday, she called to see if there were tickets at the door and Karen told her, I was at that performance--so Jen didn't come.  

How stupid can this continue to be?  There were a whole empty section from about 10 rows back and the balcony was completely empty.  Jennifer could have attended and I never would have even known she was there!!!  That girl is as stubborn and unforgiving as her Father!!!

He and I could have a minor disagreement that would soon turn into a real argument because he'd bring up something that had happened a decade earlier--which had nothing to do with this disagreement, but....oh--I have no idea why he did that, but............

Nice to live along and not have to worry about any of these kinds of things!!!

===================

I must have slept wrong last night because I woke up this morning with a terrific pain in my neck and shoulder--luckily I already had an afternoon appointment at the Chiropractor's.  I was also out of food, milk, Diet Pepsi--everything it seems.

Dar came over, just as I was getting ready to leave.  We are planning on going to the Cinema (as she call it) on Thursday to see "Noah".  I'm not really "into" seeing it, because I hear it is full of controversy, but I need to see it and judge for myself.

I got worked over really good by the deep tissue massage.  I hurt more when I came out then I did before I went in...but tomorrow I should be much better.

Stopped at Meijer and...THEY HAD DIET PEPSI LITERS ON SALE!!!  10 for $10 with an 11th one free.  YOWSER!!

Then I stopped at JoAnn's to get some embroidery floss for the baby quilt I am working on.  All I needed was three shades of grey (not 50) and---they had none!  I could not believe it, so I walked down to the Michael's store and found it there.

You know how JoAnn's and Michael's stores are?  You can't just walk up to the cashier.  You have to get in a line and walk up to a certain point and wait until they call "Next".  Michael's was not busy at all.  There was one lady at the cashier, and I proceeded to walk along the "trail".  Well--there was a woman following me, but when we got up to the exit line, she just pushed her cart under the rope and stood in back of the lady at the counter.  There I was, waiting patiently to be called and she just walked right up there.  So--I was "first in line", but she managed to get ahead of me.  No big deal, but, sometimes I wonder how people can be so rude and impolite and it doesn't seem to bother them at all.

I headed home and one car in front of me wanted to turn left, but when she tried to get over into the turn lane, she left the back end of her car sticking out in my lane.  A quick brake, wait and then proceed.  Once again, I wondered about people who don't really give a rat's patootie about others around them.

It seems it is always an adventure when I have to drive in traffic and go to stores.

The traffic gets out onto the four lane road, the speed limit is 50mph.  I was in the right hand lane.  The cars in the left lane were going about 60-65, all I wanted to do was go the speed limit, BUT--the lady in front of me was on her phone and going 45.  The longer she talked, the slower she drove.  I couldn't pass her because the traffic on my left was continual and going fast!

I was at 35mph by the time I made it to Subway to stop and get my supper--still kind of fuming and wondering about STUPID people and walked in and there was a grandma, with 3 young children ahead of me.  I just smiled to myself.  Each kid wanted a different sub.  Each kid wanted a small plastic cup with pickles or cucumbers or olives.  Each kid wanted to sit by grandma and they were yelling, "You sat by her last time!"

The clerk looked up at me and said, "I'll be with you in just a minute."

I said, "That's all right.  Just take your time."

He finally got grandma and the kids food and off they went to the tables.  You could see she was tired and she told the kids, "You sit over there.  I'm going to sit at this table...by myself.  I'm sick and tired of your fighting!"

"I''m sorry for your wait," said the clerk.

"That's okay.  I'd like a foot long, on herb and cheese bread, Spicy Italian with Pepper Jack cheese, not toasted.  Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions."

We got done pretty quick and after I paid with my gift card, he said, "I am so glad every time I see you.  No matter how long you have to wait, no matter what, you are always smiling and....every time you come in here, it just makes my day better."

Well.

Some people are rude and impolite and then....there are some like that clerk who just made me feel appreciated the rest of today.

=================  

I forgot to tell you, I found out last Friday that I am getting food assistance of $55.00 a month AND they are going to pay my Medicare payment of $104.91 a month.  

I also found out that IF my furnace had waited until next month to die, DHS would have given me a one-time cash assistance of up to $4000.00.

Story of my life, LOL.  So now, instead of being $300 short each month, I will only be about $150 short and I think--if nothing else breaks--I can shuffle, juggle and tap dance enough around so I won't have to worry so much. 

Well--let's see what tomorrow brings.  Okay?

Later--Jude

   

Through The Years--A Pictorial

We started out finding each other in Kindergarten/First grade.  

Arlene, Beth, Judy B. me, Sally



First grade: Here we are in our Dutch costumes--I don't remember why the whole class dressed like Dutch Dancers, but we did.

By the fifth grade, we were the typical girls--some cute, some pretty, some just...whatever.

              Arlene has such a sweet face                                                        and Sally is already beautiful

You will notice in all of our pictures--we are always touching each other in some way.

Here we are in the 10th grade.  Emma had joined us by now.

Emma, Judy B. Sally, Arlene

Of course we went to Proms and the Winter Formal Dances

Arlene made her formal--beautiful

..and the last month of our Senior year, we went on a trip to D.C. and Virginia

Taking the long journey in a school bus

Sally, Arlene, Emma, Me, Beth

...and we were goofy

Me, Emma, Arlene, Judy B.

...and we all graduated--some with higher GPA's than others

(actually, theirs were all higher than mine)

...and we got married

Arlene was my maid of honor

We played together when we were little, and when we were big

Arlene and I did a whole lot of this

Then, she went to work and

Emma and I did a whole lot of this

(I taught them both how to play and 

they both ended up much better golfer's than me.)

We had class reunions along the way.

This is our 30th--1987-Judy B. is missing

We are still looking good

On December 9, 1995, Emma had an aortic aneurysm and passed away. That kind of shook us up because we were still young--56 years

Our 47th class reunion, at Bethie's house

Sally, Beth, Arlene--two Judy's in the back

We spent a weekend at Arlene's cottage,'

every summer for 3 years.

Then--we had our 50th class reunion--back to the original five

that started school together

August 2007

Shortly after our 50th reunion, October 2007,Judy B. went into the hospital to have hernia surgery and...she never woke up.  Shook us up really bad.  So unexpected.

Then, in 2008, I got a phone call from Arlene and she told me she had Ovarian Cancer.  She said she was too upset to call the others and asked if I would send "the girls" an e-mail telling them.  That really shook us up. 

You'd never know there was a thing wrong with Arlene, except for the hair and weight loss.  She kept coming to the luncheons--always cracking a joke, always smiling.  Her lifetime motto, "If I can't put my two hands around it (a problem) and fix it, I'm not going to worry myself sick about it."

March 2012

The last time Bethie and I saw Arlene.

She was in Hospice Care at the hospital

We talked and laughed and hugged and kissed her

goodbye with a "See you later".

but we all knew.........

Arlene died a few days later--March 28, 2012

...and I will never get over it.

 ...now, there is just Bethie, Sally and me.

Sure, we still have classmates that we get together for lunch every month, but I sure feel the absence of Arlene, Judy B. and Emma.  They would still be cracking jokes and keeping the luncheon jumping.  Bethie, Sally and I try, but....it's just not the same.