Empty House

Well, Santa has come and gone and so have all the children and grandchildren. It is amazing how quiet and empty my house is now. It was so wonderful to have everyone home for the holidays and to hear the words "Gramma, I love you!", "Gramma sit here with me". It was such a wonderful time. I guess you never get used to hearing those little voices and seeing those eyes light up on Christmas morning. Needless to say it was great!

I am truly blessed to have such an awesome family. My children were all so great, even if Mark wasn't here in person, he called and that helped fill the void. As I think back over the past few days it is truly amazing just how fortuate I am. We all have our health, we all have jobs, or at least those of us who wish to be employed, and we all have each other. It is such a grand feeling to sit back and count the blessing we have. I may be old enough for social security now that I had the BIG birthday on the 22nd, but I certainly don't feel that old. As my mother always said you are only as old as you feel and I don't feel any other then 35!

I am spending a lot of time just wandering around the house recalling all the people, voices, and events that recently took place here. The mind and memory are wonderful tools. The certainly keep you young at heart.

I am so thankful for my family and friends and as I approach a new year 2009, I only hope it is filled with health and happiness for everyone.

Almost ready!

Well, the trees are decorated, the packages wrapped, the bed linens changed, some baking is done, and the house is totally decorated! Now, I just need to go to the grocery store and do a few odds and ends and I will be ready! Ready for what? The Grandchildren!! They will arrive Monday and I hardly wait! I want to have everything done so I can just play!! It will be a wonderful time and I am sure Santa will be by! I love Christmas. I always have and I guess the kid in me comes out every Christmas season. That's kind of bad for someone who could qualify for social security on Monday. Yep, it will be my birthday. I am not sure I want to reach this milestone, but when I consider the alternative, it does sound rather pleasing.
This is beginning to ramble so I guess I will just leave it at this....this grandma can hardly wait until Monday! Hopefully I will get some good pictures and will learn how to add them. Go to go....I want to bake some more cookies! :)

Looking for another miracle

Those of you who know me, understand how much I love my cat. You also know the story of how 10 years ago on December 22 she survived major cancer surgery and has been able to beat this terrible disease for a long time. However, much to my dismay the cancer has returned and she has had one tumor removed a year ago, and now she has 2 more large tumors near her spine. I am not ready to give up on her, so tomorrow we travel to Raleigh, NC to see the specialist there and see if they can perform another miracle on my 17 year old cat. Some people would say I am really crazy, but I have to try one more time to see if I can have a little more time with this wonderful animal. She is the most loving cat I have ever seen and I only hope that something can be done for her and that somehow I can afford to do it. I know I cannot spend thousands of dollars, but I will spend some. I also know her time is probably limited, but in my heart I know I must do all I can at this time. If it ends up that nothing can be done or that is just too expensive I pray she will not suffer. I can't help but think God loves animals and I hope and pray he is hearing my prayers for this animal that I love so much. So please dear friends please say a special prayer for us tomorrow.

Catching Up

I have been meaning to write a blog for sometime now, but when I sit down to compose my thoughts I haven't been able to write....I somehow think I have nothing to write about and yet I know I do. So, let's start with the fall beauty. I can't remember when I have seen such a beautiful fall. The color in the leaves has just been unbelieveable. I didn't think it would be a pretty fall since it has been so dry, but my goodness was I wrong. I guess the rain and frost came at just the right time and it has been beautiful. I think fall is my favorite season!

There has been so many good things happening. First Fred had his prostate cancer surgery and that went very well and all the test results show that everything is just as predicted before the surgery. The margins are clean and the cancer low grade and confined to the just the prostate. We are truly lucky and thankful. He is recovering very well and I am trying to be a good nurse, but I can tell you this I make a better teacher then a nurse. I went to the doctor with him to have his incision checked, and almost fainted...some nurse I am.

My friend Ann, who is fighting a rare form of lymphnoma and has undergone eight heavy chemo treatments got the good news that she is in remission. Now if she can hold it there for five years she will be declared cancer free. I just hope and pray that things continue to go well for her.

My friend Heather and her husband have a beautiful baby daughter and even though it was a difficult delivery, with Heather ending up with a C section they seem to be doing well and Zora is absolutely beautiful!

I am working on Christmas gifts and making a Christmas Countdown for my granddaugher Olivia. It has been a learning experience since this is somewhat different then what I had made for my own children when they were younger. It looks like it will turn out great and I can get it in the mail to her soon.

I promise I will try to learn how to include pictures on this blog, all my dear friends who blog know how to do that and I don't have anyone to teach me so......Holli, Shana, Heather teach me!

I can hardly believe it is so close to Thanksgiving . Where does the time go? I thought I would have all this extra time now that I am retired, but somehow I don't. I guess it could be that I am finding more and more projects to occupy my time...like my new sewing machine that I am really enjoying. Well I guess I have wandered on enough topics for today and I hear a project calling me before I go to teach my afternoon speech class.

Gotta love the internet

You know what folks, you gotta love the internet. I know it doesn't take the place of face to face communication, or getting a letter by snail mail, but it certainly does have its perks!! For those of you who know me know I was a teacher for 34 years. During those years I taught some really awesome students and so I often think about some of those wonderful people and wonder what on earth happened to them. Well, the internet and facebook have helped me reconnect with some of those folks. It is really great to hear from a student who is living in London and loving life or one who is in NY and is having her play presented in our home town this month. It is so rewarding to here from one who really had a difficult home and is now a successful lawyer in Philly. Yes, you have got to love the internet because it has given me some really great connections with some really great people and that makes me really, really happy!! I really love the word really!! Can you tell... really? Got to get back to my facebook page and see who else from my past has found me!!!

Learning every day.

I just finished reading a friend's blog about how she has learned some things this past week and I can relate to her thoughts. Although she is a young mother of three boys (yes Shanan I do mean you) I know where she is coming from. Every day I learn something about myself. I have learned that I can work as hard as I want for the day and if I finish the project ok and if I don't that too is ok. I have learned that I can handle difficult times and events if I just take a minute to stop and collect myself. I know that life is not always easy, but it isn't always difficult either. Some days I just want to have fun and other days I want to work and that's ok too. So folks, don't ever stop learning about yourself!! It is soooo much fun to discover new and exciting things!!

Texas -- Ike

This is just a quick update on my sister and her family in Seabrook, Texas. They were able to get to their home today and are very fortunate that the house substained little damage. They have lost their fence, the yard is a mess, as is the pool, and some minor damage to the roof, but at first check things weren't too bad! This is really amazing considering many places were totally destroyed. I am so thankful for those of you who have called about her. I appreciate you thinking of us. And friends could you take a few minutes to comment if you have read my blog, I hate to think I am writing and no one is reading. Take care and don't forget to count your blessings!!

Counting Blessings

This past weekend was one filled mixed emotions. While my husband and I were having a wonderful time in New Jersery with our daughter, her husband, and our two wonderful grandchildren my mind was filled with worry for my sister and her husband. You see, they live in Texas, about 2-3 miles from Galveston Bay, in a town called Seabrook. They had to leave their home and go further in-land in order to be safe from hurricane Ike. We have never had to experience anything like this before and this was the first time for them as well. As I watched the news my heart was aching for them. Thank goodness for cell phones. We were able to keep in touch and I knew they were all safe. If we couldn't talk we could at least text message and when it could be transmitted it was even if it was somewhat later. They have not been able to return to their home to see what damage they face, but a report from a neighbor who works for the electric company seems to indicate that the flooding did not reach their home. They have no idea about wind damage or if the windows on the upstairs held since they could not get them boarded in time. But the most important thing is they are all safe, my sister her husband, her oldest daughter and her husband and 2 children and her other 2 daughters and their significant others. My brother-in-law's parents are also safe. So, we are truly counting our blessings. They hope to be able to return to their home tomorrow and see what they have to face next, so please keep them in your prayers.
I will post again soon and tell you all about our visit in NJ and what fun we had!!

Bad Day :(

Have you ever had one of those days where everything that could go wrong does? Well, today was one of those for me. It started off with my hair appointment taking longer then usual and that made me almost late for my Weight Watchers Meeting. (Yes, I am trying to lose weight again!) When I weighed in I found to my surprise I had somehow managed to gain two pounds from the time I left my house at 8:30 am until I arrived at the 10:00 meeting!! Now, explain that one!! I think the scales were wrong, since when I finally got home I still weighted what I had that morning, which by the way was 1.6 pounds down from last week!! (Our scales usually agree with WW scales) Anywho, next stop was Sam's Club and by then it was starting to rain, now the rain was not the problem since we are so far below water levels, but crazy people and crazy drivers were! Long story short, I quickly finished at Sam's and I was on my way to my least favorite place in the world...Wal-Mart. I had to get some groceries, but it seemed as though every slow person in the universe was getting groceries too. Of course there only a few check out lines so......When I got home and unloaded the car I was not in a good mood! So, what does one do when not in a good mood, make a cup of tea, sit down in your favorite chair, with a good book, and cat on your lap and relax!! That is exactly what I did!! It sure does work wonders!
Now, that the day is drawing to an end I can't but help think as I look back on today, it could have been worse. Things sometimes seem so difficult,but later when we have a chance to relax we realize that they really weren't so bad. I guess it would be great if we could just understand that idea when things seem rough. Time does make a difference....in so many things. So, as I end the day I know that tomorrow will be better, no one has two bad days in a row!!

Relaxed!

Relaxed! That is just the word to express how I feel. After teaching for 34 years and raising 3 wonderful children it is certainly time to have some relaxation time. It is absolutely amazing how wonderful I feel! I don't have to rush to do anything or be any where. I can take my time doing whatever I choose to do. There is something to be said for being classified a senior citizen. Now, friends don't get me wrong I wouldn't have changed my life for anything. I love being a mom, and I loved being a teacher, but now I can do what I love most, being a wife and mother, and not feel like I have so many other pressing things to do. I can relate to my daughter with her two young children, I have been there and done that! I can relate to my friends who are still teaching, I have been there and done that! Now,I think I can begin to relate to my friends who are also retired, I am there and doing that. So, when life gets rough, take a few minutes to sit and remember, this is all part of the wonderful journey of living. Enjoy the travels and the adventures this journey of life has for you! As F.S. Fitzgearld said in his novel The Great Gatsy, "you can't repeat the past". So enjoy today, remember yesterday, and look forward to tomorrow!! RELAX!

New Life Style Continued!

Oops! I hit the wrong key and published that last blog before I was finished or had even proofed it....sorry about that.
So, what has happened since that eventful retirement day? My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary, and it certainly doesn't feel that long. Our children all came home, travelling from Arlington, VA, New Jersery, and Montana just to surprise us w/ a wonderful party. They certainly fooled us...we were so shocked! I will try to learn to post some pics. My dear friend Heather came by to see me when she was in town visiting friends...It was wonderful to see her. I had so much fun with my 2 grandchildren when they were here...I can't wait to see them again, Sept.13th I must admit I didn't miss the first day of school, I was sort of surprised as to how good it felt! I haven't given up teaching altogether, I am teaching 3 public speaking classes at the local community college. This I consider a hobby. I have cleaned closets, organized areas in the house that were long over-due for the task and I am still having fun doing it. I am actually enjoying cooking now! My husband, Fred, is thrilled with this. Well, I could go on with much more news, but this should bring you up to date with my life as a retired lady. Fred retires Oct. 1 and then we both will have lots of fun and free time. I can't wait. Life is full of adventures, no matter how old you are or how young you feel! Take time to experience each adventure to its fullest!!

New Life Style!

Gee, it has been so long sinced I blogged that I forgot my password and everything about signing on....could this be old age setting in? No, not on your life! My mother always said you are only as old as you feel and today I feel 30!! So much has happened since I last wrote...let's see, where shall I begin? My retirement was bittersweet as I said in my last blog, but it was wonderful. My dear friends in the English dept. were so kind w/ the parting gifts and words of gratitude. One thing they really touched me was a plaque made to honor the 3 of us who retired that will hang on the English hallway. The words written are beautiful and fill my heart with happiness!

Bittersweet retirement

Well, the day for my final days of teaching high school classes is about to come to an end. I must admit it is a bittersweet time, but not for the reasons one would expect. There are three of us retiring together and we have been friends for many years. We have endured many changes, many principals, and many students, but the change we are facing is not quite the same. We had expected this to be a very happy time, but it is bittersweet. One of my dear friends, Ann, who is also retiring is very sick. She is in the hospital and will not return to end the school year with us. The first indications are that she has lymphnoma. All of the tests are not completed, but she is not doing well at all. She has not felt well for two months, but finally just couldn't go any longer. We are all so concerned about her. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She, like the other 2 of the "Three Muskateers", or "Three Stoges", which ever fits, was looking so forward to retirement and now it seems she may be in the greatest battle of all....the battle for her life. Somehow it just doesn't seem fair that someone who has given so much to so many people all her life should have to face such obstacles. I don't understand how things like this happen. I am really questioning my faith at this time, but I am hanging on because what else can I do? Who else can I ask for help and support if not God? I don't mean for this to be a "lecture", but I am just so overwhelmed right now and I am turning from one idea to another in hopes of finding the answers. So as I cut and paste my final exams and cut and paste exams for Ann, I am trying to hold tight to hope that all will be fine and that we all will retire to face many days together as friend enjoying retirement. Pray for Ann.

Well, I finally did it!

It has been a long time since I blogged.....I have been rather busy and just not interested in writing my thoughts for others to read. I have been preparing to sign the last of the necessary papers to retire from my teaching career of 34 years. I have been a teacher since I was first married and that will be 40 years this June. That is more than half my life....so am I ready for a change? You bet I am! I think a person knows when he/she is ready for such a big change and I have reached that point in my life. Now, don't get me wrong I have loved what I have done as a career, I can't image doing anything else as a career. As long as I can remember I always wanted to be a teacher, and I have done just that. I have had a fantastic ride on the career path and I have worked with some wonderful students who have grown into wonderful adults. Some of these wonderful people have touched my lives in ways that I can't even begin to describe, and sadly some have left this world for a heavenly one, but the imprint of their short lives has made an impact on mine. I have had the honor of teaching people who have gone on to be doctors, lawyers, corporate presidents, teachers, dentists, mothers, fathers, actors, musicians, ministers and oh so many other wonderful professions. So, why am I giving up this wonderful aspect of my life? As Thoreau once said, "I have more lives to live". And I do....I want to travel, spend time with my wonderful husband, see more of my grandchildren, spend time with my children, family, and friends. I want to take some knitting classes, try some new crafts, read a good book without having to put it down to grade papers. I want each day to be a Saturday!! Will I miss teachng? I truly don't know, but I know I will miss seeing my friends and co-workers, I will miss the teenagers and the thrill of seeing a student finally get the idea, but on the other hand I will not miss the alarm ringing at 5:30am, grading papers, preparing lesson plans, giving students detentions, and only having 24 minutes to eat lunch! I will still keep my part-time job at the Community College and teaching public speaking I can do almost with my eyes closed so I will still get to interact with students, just on a little different leve. So as this chapter of my life closes, I must say I am ready to venture out in a different way! I am looking forward to RETIREMENT! Wish me luck on my new adventure!