I just had the best time yesterday!

I had an appointment to get my hair cut and had my $$ saved up in the envelope for it. I had to get cat food and milk and water and some food for me.

I just got a new Meijer card. $10.00 off the 1st order and I had my $16.00 for food on my Bridge card.

As I was getting ready to leave, my sister and Chuck stopped in with bags of groceries for me, including ground beef! YAY.

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So I took off and after my hair cut as I was paying, a lady walked up to me and smiled. I didn't recognize her, but she did look familiar and I thought, "Oh no! She knows Karen, or her kids danced with Maddie, or were in the band......I'm suppose to know her."

So I stuttered, "You look so familiar, but I don't remember your name."

She replied, "No, we don't know each other, but I wanted to tell you. I was watching your reflection in the mirror while you were getting your hair cut and you have the most radiant smile!"

I was flustered and ready for a sarcastic remark like, "You must be mistaken...are you sure it wasn't a grimace?" BUT thank God, He kept my mouth shut and I just thanked her. and kinda floated out to my car. It's been a long time since I've received the gift of a compliment.

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Up to Meijers and up and down the aisles, helping short women or people in the electric carts with reaching stuff they needed off the tall shelves.

Up to the check-out line and got behind an old guy with not too many items. He must not have realized I was behind him because he backed into my cart. He turned with kind of a grouchy look and I said, "Hey watch it. I'm old and I'm cranky."

He said, "You aren't as old as I am."

I said, "Wanna bet?"

"Can you top 80?" he says.

"Depends on the month. When is your birthday."

"October 16th--I will be 80."

"Hah! I was 80 on June 21. Got you beat by almost 4 months. Now pay up the bet."

"Damn! You women are always right!"

"And don't you forget it," I said.

By now we both had our stuff loaded on the belt and I notice an older women behind me...holding a birthday card.

"Please go ahead of me," I said.

"Oh thank you. I just hoped I'd find a nice person today. I have to get this card to the post office before the five o'clock pick up." (It was 4:20.)

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Something was happening with the old guy. He was arguing with the cashier. "But why do they all look alike?" he asked.

I whispered to the clerk, "I'll help him if you can take this lady right now."

So I went up to him and said, "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes. I got all these jugs of water and I thought they were all the same, but some cost more than the others."

I checked the water jugs and asked him, "What kind of water did you want?"

"I want spring water."

"You have two spring water and four drinking water."

"I don't want drinking water! How can you tell?"

"Well, the spring water jugs have a green cap and the drinking water jugs have a blue cap."

"I don't want no drinking water. I want spring water."

Meanwhile the cashier is ringing up the rest of his order.

The aisle next to us was closed so I suggested, "Put the jugs with the blue caps over here. Someone will take them back for you. Just get the jugs with the green caps."

Which he did and was soon gone.

I stepped up to the cashier and said, "Don't you just love checking out old and cranky people all day?"

She said, "I can tell you aren't one of them. Thanks for your help."

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I'm here to tell you, every time I go to the store, I have so much fun.

To top it off, when I got home, my neighbor was outside and came over and carried in all my groceries for me.

I had a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a quiet week.  Most of my weeks are, but this one has been particularly boring quiet.

On Wednesday, I went to the Cardiologist for my yearly check in.  It is such a waste of time because there is nothing wrong with my heart, but I suppose it is a good thing, at my age, to have a Cardiologist on "reserve.

Besides, this one was the man who saved Fred's life--after two other Cardiologists told us, there was nothing they could do for Fred.  This doc and I have a mutual admiration for each other.  He really liked Fred and every year, he tells me, that he still thinks about Fred and what a nice guy he was.

I got tears when this doc told me he won't be coming out to the Brighton office anymore, but he added, "When you start having heart problems in twenty years, come down to St. Joe's and ask for me.  I might still be practicing."  Then he hugged me and out the door he went.

When the nurse came back in, I had tears on my face and trying hard not to lose it completely  She said doctor had assigned me to another "really wonderful" Cardiologist, but like I told her, "It won't be the same!"

I guess it was the connection to Fred that he and I shared that made him so special to me and now another connection to Fred is gone.

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The rest of the week, I spent a lot of time sitting in my recliner, watching the Little League Baseball World Series and the Championship Golf Tournament.  They both ended today.  No more watching golf until next spring.  BUT---

College football begins next weekend, so..............

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Next month is my month to go to my primary care doc for my 6th month blood work and check-up, prescription renewal.  Also my 6th month dental cleaning and my 6th month check-up at the Pulmonologist.  I also have another appointment with the joint/spinal doc, which is another waste of time.

He insists the only help he can give me is injections in my back.  I insist that I tried that 4 years ago, it did no good and I'm not going to do it again.  Especially when it would have to be done in his primary office, 30 miles away and someone would have to drive me there and back.  I just wish he'd give me a Prednisone taper pack to use when my back gets really bad.  That works the best for me.

When last I visited him in June, he prescribed one for me.  I didn't use it until July 18th, when my back was so bad I could barely walk.  Well, the effects from that have lasted six weeks.  My back doesn't hurt continually anymore and doesn't hurt very often.

If I do something strenuous and it starts to hurt, I just sit and rest for about 15 minutes, than go back and finish the job, or lay down on the couch and do some back exercises.

I know people that take 20 mg of Prednisone on a daily basis.  While I don't want to do that, I don't see why he couldn't prescribed the taper pack when/if I need it.  Maybe I would only need it every 3 months and the effect would last 3 months.

Oh well, I will ask him.  Without that, I am not going back to him.  It begins to feel like he wants a visit from me every two months so he can get a nice payment from Medicare.

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I have to get to work now figuring out my September budget.  I thought it was a good idea if I posted to this blog first.  You know after trying to spread out my money and ending up in the hole--LIKE I DO EVERY MONTH, I would not be very good company.

We are enjoying nice cool 70's with low humidity.  At least that helps my overall mood.

Thanks for listening.

I did an adventurous thing, at least for me, Saturday evening.

My daughter Karen's high school class of 1979, were having their 40th class reunion.  Up in Durand.  Just 31 miles away.

This group of "kids" were my favorites.  Of all my children, I was closest with this class.  A small town school, they graduated around 60 people and I knew more than half.

I was their "room mother" for 5 years, attending their school parties and going with them on field trips.  In high school, many of the boys played 4-H softball for my Dad and I was the scorekeeper for the team.  Many more of them took Gun Safety classes, taught by my Dad, out at our farm.  They built their homecoming floats in our barn.  We chaperoned their high school dances.

A bunch of them would show up at our house after a school dance or the last night of their Senior play--all wanting a snack and then sitting around in the living room, talking until the wee hours.

At times, half a dozen girls running around upstairs, laughing and giggling at a pajama party.

Some are friends on Face Book.  Most of them, I haven't seen since their graduation day.

I wanted to see and talk to these kids one more time!

But....maybe it wouldn't be cool to crash their reunion?  Then I saw on their on-line notice of the reunion, "all alumni are welcome".

AHA--I am an Alumni of that school and besides--it might be fun. I was shaking the last few miles, still wondering if I should just turn around and go back home.

I didn't tell Karen and Mark that I was going.  I just drove up to the Eagles Club near Durand and walked into their banquet room.

Two of the girls that organized the party and are FB friends and would recognize me after 40 years, yelled, "Momma Miller"! and rushed up to me for hugs.  Hey--I figured I was in like Flynn!

Karen and Mark looked a little surprised when they walked in and saw me, so I went up to them and reached out to shake Mark's hand and said, "Hi.  I'm Judy Miller, Karen Miller's Mom.  I didn't know if you'd recognize me or not."

Mark replied, "Hi.  I think I remember you."

Of course I had just been to their house last Sunday.

Digress--Karen and Mark knew each other all their life, at school.  He was the smartest boy in the class and Karen was always trying to beat him in grades.  They got together on their Senior Trip and married two years later.  I remember well the day she came home from school and announced, "I beat that Rivard kid!  I am the class Valedictorian and he is second place!"  She had beat him by one-tenth of a point on their GPA.

Most everyone recognized me.  There were 3 guys that I didn't even recognize their names, but in talking, found out they took Gun Safety and they said, "Wasn't that out at your farm?"  Of course, they all knew Karen, when I mentioned I was her Mom.  They also all mentioned what a nice, kind person she was to everyone--which made this Mom proud.

I only stayed about an hour and a half and as they were getting ready to sit down to eat, I knew it was time to leave so I could get home before dark.  

They encouraged me to stay and eat, but I told them all, "You kids don't need a chaperone and I gotta get home before dark.  It was a wonderful treat for me to see you again.  I'll see you at your 50th reunion," and I turned to leave.

"Bye Momma Miller.  Thank you for coming. Be careful driving home.  See ya later."

Karen and Leslie--one of Karen's friends.  She spent a lot of time at our house when they were growing up.

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As I was coming home and got near Byron, I stopped at the Dollar General to get a cold Diet Pepsi.  I saw Pammie's truck in the parking lot, so I knew she was working the check-out.

I thought I'd sneak in, get my Pepsi, get in line and surprise her when I got up to the cash register.

She was checking out a guy and his little girl and I thought totally engaged with them, but she must keep one eye on the entry door because she nonchalantly said, like it happened all the time, "Hello Mother."

I went and got the Pepsi and stood in line, watching her as she checked people out.  

She is wonderful with people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had heard that some people have written to the management of that store that Pam is the best clerk ever, but Saturday evening, I got to see it in person.

She engages each person in a bit of conversation, while she works the till.  Always chats it up with the little kids.  Smiles and laughs for everyone, thanks them and sends them off with well wishes.

Now, I know how painful this job is for her.  With her severe back problems, she is in constant pain, but you'd never know it by the way she interacts with the customers.

I paid for my Pepsi quickly because I didn't want to hold up the people behind me, but she put her hand up high, pointed at me and said, "This is my Momma!"  People clapped.

Then she leaned over and kissed me good-bye.  I whispered, "I'll bet sales would soar if you kissed every customer good-bye."

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I got home just as it was getting dark.  I was so high on happy that I didn't get relaxed enough to go to bed until well after 1:00am.

What a great time I had.

My kids go up to Karen and Mark's cottage for a few days every August.
Jennifer is in town for a two week business conference, so they got to go this past week.
The cottage is near where their Dad lives so they got to visit him too.
I am so blessed that my kids love each other enough to want to spend time together.  I know so many families where siblings don't speak to each other for years and years.
I'm glad they lined up in chronological age order--a lesson I always nagged them about.  LOL

     Mark 61 and a half-Pam 60-Karen almost 58-Jennifer almost 48.

I don't care how old my children get, as a mother, when I look at them, I still see my little kids.

4 generations.

Karen invited me down to their house Sunday to celebrate the August birthdays in their family.
Aug. 1:  Maddie's 24th and Harrison's real birth day.
Aug. 12:  My son-in-law Mark and new grand daughter Morgan (married to Marcus)
Aug. 16:  My new grandson Stefan (married to Maddie).
Aug. 21:  Helene and Mike's 3rd anniversary
Aug. 29:  Karen and Mark's 38th anniversary.

I gave Helene the blanket I had made.

 ...and Della's pillow, because she is a big sister now.

...and got to hold this little peanut for hours........

...and, not that I want to say "I told you so", but Maddie is 10 weeks pregnant.  A Honeymoon baby, expected March 1st, 2020.

One week old and I haven't met him.

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Today I woke to cool weather and low humidity, which caused me to react in a frenzy of opening windows and the front door.  I do so hate the hot and muggy.

Lunch today with the Old School Gal Pals.  For some reason, they decided to drive down here to Howell.  I checked the menu prices and I'm not liking the $10.00 price for a sandwich!

I like to have our lunches in Durand, which is about a 35 minute drive from here and close to my sister, so that I can swing by for a visit after lunch.  Saves time and gas.

I don't know who suggested Howell--it will an hour drive for those coming from Owosso (north of Durand).  I guess they thought it would be more convenient for Beth and me?

I don't even know where the place is so had to do a Map Quest.  LOL and, Bethie is off on vacation so she won't be there.  I am curious to see how many of the 11 of us show up.

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A Dear Friend just diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is taking it better than I am.  She's just about the age of my daughter Pammie, and it feels like one of my own kids had to go through this.  It just makes me sad for her.  I know she will be all right, but still.......

People keep telling her what a strong woman she is and I think.....    people always say that, like there is any other choice?

We aren't all that strong, but what can we do when we are faced with the death of a husband, or a malignancy, or other life threatening disease?  

We have to walk through it or stumble through it or just make it through however we can.  It is as it is.  There are only two choices--get through or give up, and we rarely give up.

People have told me, that for all I have gone through, what a strong woman I am.  It just makes me laugh inside.

I certainly am not.  I'm scared most of the time.  Sometimes I get so anxious, my whole body shakes.  I wake up each morning with a lot of depression.

I just put one foot in front of the other and keep stumbling along.  If I have any strength, it comes in my faith that God will get me through anything I have to face.  He has for 80 years, why would He quit on me now?

It's a beautiful day today.  I will take it with no expectations and tonight, during my prayers, I will thank God for this day.