Life Gets In the Way

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since November when our neighbor, "Wild Bill" died.  But, as people always tell me, life gets in the way.  Sure does. 

I'm still writing for Cape Fear Voices and Leland Magazine.  I stopped writing for Costal Buzz as they went to a quarterly publication and it just didn't work with my schedule.  I am also still working at the Senior Living facility, 3 days a week.   It is a sad place, but I have made many friends and count myself lucky to have known them when they are gone.  

We are in our early part of the year cycle.  Donna and Bob  are down and we shared Tony's birthday at a favorite restaurant.  David came up to celebrate Tony's birthday and play golf with  Bob and Tony.  Tony Jr., was travelling for work, but Tony did get to talk to him and got a facetime call from the kids and Marie on his birthday.  Jenna's kids sent him letters and cards which he really enjoyed. 

We had another death in the neighborhood--our friend Ken Rogers died in January.  He was in his backyard and had a heart attack.  Very sad.  He was a nice man.  We (the neighbors)  are all of the opinion, however, that death needs to stay away from Palm Point for quite a while. 

Once again, I am working on the Writer's Banquet for Cape Fear Voices and Teen Scene.  We will have more than 90 people attending and it promises to be quite an event.  

Tony went for his cardiac appointment on Friday.  Everything is good for right now.  His doctor is still of the opinion that Tony will need a pace maker soon, but it is still a ways down the road.  His BP was a bit high, but not terrible.   Overall, for a 76 year old guy, he's in OK shape. 

Today, he and David played corn hole.  David leaves tomorrow. It was a nice visit for Tony and I am so glad David could arrange to be here.  I think David got some much needed rest as well. 

Speaking of health, interestingly enough, my sister, Fritz, is experiencing some of the same health issues as I am.  We take some of the same meds and have similar symptoms.  And, funny as well, her doctor can't seem to find a diagnosis--just like mine!  Guess we are "sista's!!"

I am very concerned that something has happened to my friend, Arthur.  I sent him some things that I wrote and he was supposed to get back to me, but it has been several months now and I haven't heard anything.  His cell phone has  been turned off and his landline goes right to voicemail.  I worry about him being all alone and hope he is OK.

Looks like Tony is calling David and I to dinner.  I will wrap up for now and continue to try to do better about posting updates.  I hope all are well and enjoying the year. 

Cycles: Part 2--Wild Bill

 

Once again, I can't believe I haven't posted since October.  Last month my post was called "Cycles" and I feel that is an appropriate title again. 

As I may have mentioned, Tony's cousin, Alan, died a few weeks ago.  He was 74 and a real health nut.  Not an ounce of fat on him.  And, of course, he died jogging.  I felt bad, because Alan was a very nice man, but then, our neighbor, Bill or "Wild Bill" as he was known, died on November 4.  That really hit me.  He was in his early '60's and yes, had health issues, but was doing so much better.  Just a few weeks ago, he was walking around the Compass Pointe Craft Fair and driving his truck.  He was always the life of the party and made everyone laugh.  

Maybe it hit me harder because he lived two doors down from us.  Or, maybe because of his age.  Maybe it was seeing him recently looking so good.  I don't know, but I do know that we lost a wonderful person who will be missed by many,  many people.  

I'm sorry you are gone, Wild Bill.  I'm sorry that Colleen is alone now.  I will listen for you on windy days and in the cool of the evening because I know you will be looking down on us saying hello and smiling.  I will smile back. You always made me smile. 

Cycles

 

I guess life really does move in cycles.  I'm planning the 3rd annual Awards Dinner for the newspaper and once again, it's taking a ton of time to put together.  The event is in April, 2023, but if you don't line up your venue and food vendor right away, you might end up with nothing. It seems like I just finished up doing the last one.  

I've started working at the Arbor Landing Senior Living facility.  If it kills me, we're going to get the house paid off while we can still enjoy it!   I work 3 days a week from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. as the receptionist.  

As I have told many people, by 7:30, everyone is in bed, so it's not a tough job.  I have met many "characters" there and really like what I am doing.  Today is Wine Wednesday--they meet in the bar in the facility and sing and drink.  I always say they are "boozin" again and they laugh.  Last night, one of my favorite residents, came in with her son.  He will be out of town for a while so he took her to dinner.  I was teasing and asked how she always managed to have good looking dates.  As her son was leaving, he said, "I'll be back soon.  Just try and have a good time and don't get into trouble."  She just rolled her eyes at him.  He continued, "maybe you and Jan can sit down one night and play a board game or cards."  Again, she rolls her eyes.  I said, "hey, that's a great idea--do you play poker?  We could sit at the bar and play strip poker and see if we can draw a crowd."  Well, she just cracked up at the idea and he said, "MOTHER!" Just the way Jenna used to say it to me.  There was an older gentleman in the area--he just visited his 14th great grandchild.  He laughed at what I said and asked if I had heard of the 3 "H's."  I said no.  He said, that's what a man gets when he gets old--horney, hopeful and harmless!!"  Somehow I think my friend's son is going to worry the whole time he is gone. 

It is sad though, to see the shell of people they once were.  This is not a nursing home, but I think that some of the residents should be in a place where they get more care.  We have nurses on staff, and each resident has their own one or two bedroom apartment, but some of the people just can't handle living alone.  

The weather is finally getting to be tolerable.  It's 73 and sunny today.  We got rain and wind after Ian, but nothing like Florida got.  I know people who have their Christmas tree up already and I just laugh.  Nothing like pushing the year to an end.

Health wise, we are OK.  Tony is good.  He had his labs and doctor visit today and his numbers look great.  He still gets light headed, but overall, he's healthy.  I am OK, my skin is still a problem and so are my legs.  Being on my feet at the facility makes them swell and then I walk funny.   How many times this year have I said that it's hell to get old?

David and Brenda are coming up for Thanksgiving and then we will be travelling to attend her investiture as a judge in January.  David and the girls actually get to help her into her robe as she is being sworn in.  

And with all of that said, it's time for me to get to work.  I wonder if I will ever truly retire?

God Bless The Queen

 

Many of you know that Ruth Bader Ginsburg was my hero.   I had the same feelings about Queen Elizabeth.  She was one of a kind.  She was strong, unwavering in her commitments and still an approachable human being.  

We will probably never see another woman in power liker her.  She will be missed, not only be her country, but by people all over the world. 

God Bless the Queen. 

The Stick and the Fire Plug

I guess I didn't realize that I haven't posted since June.  Lots of stuff has been going on and it's sometimes hard to keep up.

We have Coleton and Anthony with us this week and I am quickly realizing that I am way too old to do this!!

They are in constant motion with their voices on high alert.  I took them to Walmart with me today and told each of them they could buy one thing.  I went there because I needed some supplies for the paper.  As soon as I told them they could buy something I kept losing them.  I'd find one in a toy isle and then go looking for the other one.  I'd find him in the game isle and then lose the first one.  By the time we picked out their stuff and got home, I realized I had forgotten to get the supplies I went in for.   

They eat like linebackers and quote sports statistics like they are the pledge of allegiance.  I made scrambled eggs for breakfast this morning with sausage and toast.  I used 6 eggs and Coleton asked if they were all for him.  Yesterday, we went to lunch and Coleton ordered off of the adult menu--steak.  He ate his and part of Tony's and then helped himself to Anthony's french fries.  The funny part is, he is so thin.  Anthony weighs more than Coleton does.  Coleton is just a stick.  Anthony is a fire plug.  Go figure. 

On Saturday, Tony Jr., and Marie are picking the kids up.  Owen has had them all to himself since we've had the "big boys."  

Marie made a birthday box for me.  She wrapped up 4 presents and I'm supposed to open one each day the kids are here.  We have fun deciding which one is the prettiest and what might be in it.  I don't know how she had the time to do all of that, but it was a very nice thing and we are having fun with it. 

On Labor Day weekend, we are going to Carolina Beach to babysit Coleton, Anthony, Owen, Alexandra and Elizabeth.  I think I'll take Owen and Elizabeth, they are by far the easiest to manage!!  Tony Jr., Marie, David and Brenda are going out for dinner.  I hope they plan on McDonald's drive thru!!

At any rate, it's wonderful to have the kids here.  This is something we always wanted to do with Ben and Sam and it just never happened.  They are funny, smelly, messy and loud and I wouldn't have them any other way.

The "Kids"

 

Well, it looks like no Cleveland trip for us this year.  Jenna, Jon and the kids rented a place in Myrtle Beach, SC., so we were able to meet up for breakfast.  Time flies quickly by--the "kids" are huge.  Ben is over 6 feet tall, has a job, a girlfriend and is driving.  He showed me a picture of his girlfriend, she is really cute.   I still remember holding him for the first time in the NIC unit when he was born.  He is looking at colleges for Astronomy or Chemistry.  Wow.  

Sam is starting public school this year .  He has guitar lessons now and he says he is improving a lot over trying to self teach.  He is doing very well.  He laughed and I could see Jenna's face.  Of all of them, he looks the most like her.  

Ellie was a bit sad.  Jon said she woke up grumpy, but she was coloring and starting talking.  I sat with each one outside after breakfast just to make sure I spent some one on one time with them.  She is excited about school and seeing her friends soon.  

Zach is so funny.  He "cut" his hand on a pancake.  Go figure!  But he was talkative and entertaining.  He will be the only one left in home schooling so he is not happy about that, but since Jon is working from home, he promised Zach that they would do some fun things together. 

Jon looks well.  Hard to believe he is in his 40's.  They are loving the beach and they all got sunburned.  Later this summer, they are going camping with some friends and the kids are all looking forward to that. 

Tony are I are still busy.  I got a bonus from Leland Magazine that was unexpected, but appreciated.   I am starting to plan the next Writer's Dinner for Cape Fear Voices in April, 2023 and have a Zoom call coming up for Coastal Buzz writing topics.  Tony is still working at the golf course.  This is the time of the year when he spends time in the yard.  We got a green pepper plant and a tomato plant growing in large pots from a neighbor that are doing very well (11 tomatoes and counting + 2 peppers and counting), despite having a heat index of between 102 and 110.  We had a bird's nest (Carolina Wren's) in our flowering plant on the front porch and Tony found a dead baby bird below the nest a few days ago.  He gave it a nice burial.  We think there were 2 other babies, so I hope they are OK. The Humming Birds are starting to arrive in our yard and taking advantage of Tony's special concoction of sugar water.

Dixie is well.  She went to her spa today and came home looking 10 pounds lighter.  She is still barking when I try to read in bed and have the light on.  It keeps her awake so she let's me know it's time to stop reading.  It's a good thing I can call her a little bitch and be correct!!  

Our old TV bit the dust, so we got a new one.  It's bigger and "smart."  All we have to do is tell Alexa to turn it on and what we want.  I swear, we won't need arms at some point in the future.  Isn't that like the song, 2525?  

Well, I am waiting for our new lead designer to send me his first draft of Cape Fear Voices for the July issue.  Check out our new website, www.cfvts.org.  It's changing every day and we're excited about what it can do.  

Here are my babies.  I sent some of you these already, but I just enjoy looking at them!

Elizabeth

Zach

Ben

Ben, Sam, Tony, Me, Zach, Ellie

Sam, the mini Jenna!

Enjoy summer!

News

 

It's been a while since I posted.    

Our big news is that our daughter-in-law, Brenda Ramirez,  is now (as of January, 2023) a Circuit County judge in Polk County Florida.   This has been  dream for her for quite a while and I believe that she be will a wonderful addition to the bench.  She is dedicated to the law and has a good sense for people.  She has been a community activist for many years and we are very proud of her. 

Second, Coleton got hit in the face, and had 2 fractures in his left jaw, by a baseball a few weeks ago.  I don't think he has played since but we do hope he goes back to the game.  He is on a travel team and plays well.  Tony and Marie took him to an oral surgeon as there is some concern about one of his 12 year molars.  It's never boring with kids!

I have been busy writing for Leland Magazine, Coastal Buzz and Cape Fear Voices.  I am also working with Gerald on many Teen Scene and Cape Fear Voices initiatives.  We are going to be switching to a different website shortly so there is much to learn.  We met with a member of the Brunswick County School Board yesterday and it went well.  He was enthusiastic about our mission and will be meeting with some of the other board members for us and helping us get in to more schools in the county.  

From there, we went to Early College High School.  This may be a program that has been around for awhile, but is new to me.  High school aged kids go to Brunswick Community College for both high school and college courses.  They graduate with both their high school diploma and an Associates Degree.  The kids in their journalism club were amazing.  Many are following a medical course of study yet they still find time to write for us.  We are also using them to speak to various organizations about our goals and how our program  is helping them.  One of them will be our new webmaster.  Many of them have jobs and they are so different from our kids in Leland Middle School.  This group actually listened and were respectful when we were speaking to them.  At Leland, you have to fight just to get them to shut up and and listen.  

We are going to the Outer Banks for our 33rd anniversary.   We just love it up there.  Dixie will be staying with her Godparents so it will be fun for all of us.  It will be nice to get away and just relax.  I love being busy, but sometimes it gets to be too much.  

We had our first corn hole tournament last week.   Tony is still undefeated!  But I will keep trying.  It was nice to get out in the beautiful weather.  I also did some more sketching and enjoyed sitting quietly in the breeze.  

School will be out soon and I hope we can get up to Cleveland and see the Purdum kids.   

So, I am off to the Post Office to mail the Cape Fear Voices subscriptions.  Another day in paradise!