well....why the hell not?

Here I am, back again. And why the hell not? Feisty as ever and God knows, happier than ever. Has anything changed? No. But now I've got tools to handle what comes along. Been using the 12 steps, meetings, literature, my sponsor AND the Course in Miracles with my sweetie--Fuzz--AKA as Honey. It's so good to have a spiritual intimate relationship that is so much fun and so real. A door way to my own natural child self--who God made me to be.

My daughter will have her baby in 7 or so weeks and we just got the crib put up at my house--Fuzz and I--so when he's born I can help out a LOT.

This is all for today. But there'll be more. I promise. Gotta go buy lumber so Eugene the yard mad can repair the garage, go buy postage stamps, grill some chicken so I can start eating right, call the upholstery man about my couch getting redone (it's my grandmother's and was bought in 1899 or before and she wanted me to have it. She recovered it in dark red velvet in 1960 and the velvet is still good but the springs are shot so I'm determined that the same velvet can be used for lsentimental reasons--besides I love the color), and call the guy who promised that my moths would be exterminated and they've eaten another whole in my carpet. Then I'll go work out. Such is the life ofl a retired person. I LOVE it.

OOooooo Gurrl--I am back

It's good to be home. This'll be a quickie as I've got to go to Fiesta to restock my mango supply and also get milk for coffee in the AM. But wanted to check in as we got back Wednesday from Deutschland (which has its faults but in the airports the luggage carts go up the escalators automatically which I think is just nifty as can be). Mayhaps in the morning I'll write more--but til then, here's something to play with:
Think you can fly a helicopter? Click on the link and give it a whirl!

http://www.hurtwood.demon.co.uk/Fun/copter.swf

Afternoon gratitude...

Afternoon gratitude....
Got up, did our meditations and prayer, dressed and arrived at the periodontist's office at 9 for my quarterly visit--No fun to have my mouth worked on but it's a hell of a lot better than losing teeth --this guy is good and I trust him and his opinions.
Then I got a few more things done, came home and ate lunch, then started putting stuff in my suitcase. It's so good to be getting all this done. Tomorrow this time, we'll be in the air...on our way to Germany and grandkids....

Today I am grateful
--for my periodontist and my teeth
--that I'm chugging along getting my list done
--that Trudging mentioned Kel and her blog
--that when I come home I'll re-do my links
--for a relationship in which I am NOT losing myself

Don't know where this comes from in the Bible but I love it--it's gotten me through some difficult nights:

Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is Light.

Re:mangoes, etc

Today I am grateful:
--for mangoes, 2 for a dollar, at Fiesta (I got a bunch of them to ripen while I'm gone)
--for mango salsa (diced mangos, finely chopped jicama which has been soaked overnight in 1/2 C condensed OJ, finely diced jalapenos, a serrano(if you're a chili-head), some chopped cilantro, diced red onion, and a juice of one lime)--this stuff is GOOD on chips or grilled chicken or grilled salmon or on a spoon or licked off your fingers
--that I got most of my list done today (still gotta get that pedicure and hit Half-Price Books)
--for great house sitters who'll take care of my doglette and kitty and my house while I'm gone
--that in three more days, I'll have my arms around my grandchildren


Sell your cleverness and purchase amazement.-----Rumi

Who knows....?

Well, how 'bout THIS? Now I CAN sign on to Blogger but can't get my email. Been trying to get my browser to accept my password but it says its blocking cookies (I keep doing the 'accept' button but it ain't working). Next step is to call SBC/AT&T helpline. One good thing, I'll be out of town for two weeks and won't wonder about it. Another good thing, instead of emailing, I'm blogging.

We're almost ready to leave for Germany. Today I'll copy the first two pages of our passports and our tickets and continue to pack. We're doing casual so it's just getting everything clean and pressed and put in the suitcase. My kitty cat Zoe knows something is up and has started sleeping in my suitcase when I forget ot close it. Jackie Chan will be OK since I'm not taking him to the kennel. House sitters Millie and Otis will be sleeping here at night, will walk Jackie morning and evening, let him out at noon and keep him and Zoe fed. Jackie has taken to Otis (thank God) and lets Otis pick him up and hold him which is rare for the Jackster. Zoe gets plenty of petting by Millie. So now my usual separation anxiety is down to a 2 or 3 out of 10--10 being my usual raging panicky anxiety which I feel when I have to leave Jackie Chan at the kennel.

It'll be good to have Honey along while visiting my son and his family. Honey and I want to teach the girls and Lewis basic dance steps while we're there. Lots of young people show up at the ball-room dance lessons we've takenand learning a few basic steps never killed anybody so I hope the kids are receptive. I think some of the TV shows about dancing have made a big difference in attitudes toward ballroom dance. One thing for sure, it's fun and it's exercise. We'll also teach them how to play Bouree, a cajun card game that's lots of fun. We've got lists of all the English speaking AA and Al-anon meetings in the cities where we'll be visiting so we'll also work in a little fellowship along the way.

Honey has had his 19 year old grandson Dan with him for the past 3 weeks. Honey is tutoring him in college algebra which his grandson is taking at the community college where Honey teaches (Dan enters college this coming September and had major fears about his ability to handle college algebra). This summer school course crams a whole semester into one month so its been some intense learning esperiences--especially for Dan who loves history and language but never felt comfortable in algebra. But his last test grade was a 93 so I think he's getting the hang of it. We'll be in Germany when he takes his final so Honey and he are really cramming this weekend, even covering what he'll have next week--so when the exam comes, he's gonna be ready. It's been a great experience for both of them. Honey has been an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher and his grandson has been willing to work hard and keep working until he really understands. Plus they've had guy-time together, working in the garden, fishing, riding tractors, and just hanging out. Neither one of them will ever forget this time. It's made a huge difference to both of them.

Today is my old nanny's 83rd birthday. I'll call her in a little while and wish her many returns of this day. She is in a lovely assisted living home in SC and I always stop by to see her when I'm there. She's still has a clear mind and is (and always has been) the most loving person I've ever known. Happy Birthday, dear Zona. I love you. You are such a part of my life and helped shape me into who I am today. You demonstrated absolute unconditional love and I am forever grateful to you.

Today I'm grateful:
--to know I am powerless over my computer
--that because of the 12 Steps, I look forward to my visit with my son in Germany
--to understand that any grievance (no matter how small) I hold on to stands between me and God
--that I know that God can and will do for me what I cannot do for myself, if He is sought
--that at 3:30 pm Wednesday, we'll depart for Germany and 11 hours later, we'll arrive in Frankfurt--around 8:30am Frankfurt time

Boy O boy--am I ever grateful....

I'm grateful--
--that today is Thursday and my Jackson Hill Gang Al-anon meeting is in 45 minutes and only 7 minutes away
--to have had such a healing visit with my son in SC. My script was "I love you. I support whatever you do to heal and help yourself and I know this is up to you. Only you can help you. I can't. And the bottom line is--I love you"
--that my honey's and my relationship keeps getting healthier as we are willing to own our own stuff and as we tell our truth faster and faster--to ourselves and each other. Feeling safe in a relationship is a new one for me
--to be planning our trip to Germany from August 9- 24. We'll stay in Frankfort, Heidelburg, and Stuttgart--and ride the rails all over Germany. There'll be plenty of time with my grandkids and Honey will get to see Germany for the first time with sober eyes--says he always wondered what it would be like to see it sober since he was drunk the whole time he was there in the 50's in the Army
--to begin the day remembering 'This is the day the Lord hath made--I will rejoice and be glad in it'

A little Rumi for the second day of August

"The Guest House"
by Jelaluddin Rumi,
translated by Coleman Barks
in his book *Essential Rumi*

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

The picture is from the chapel of Chimayo, a place of healing in New Mexico. Thousands of people come each year to this place which is called by some the Lourdes of North America.