Monthly Archives: June 2013

Street Names

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I recently bought a house. It was half built when I went under contract so I got to choose a few things–wall color, tile, etc.– to finish it. One of the things I did not get to choose was the street name. When I started my house hunt, my friend, Judy, told me a couple of times to be sure and choose a good street name. And while I did take notice of the names, I was much more interested in floor plans.

Now, I knew to avoid any home on roads such as Scumbag Street or Barf Boulevard. But others had problems, too. One house I was interested in was on General Eisenhower Lane. A noble name to be sure, but it’s so long! Plus, if I misspelled it occasionally, I would feel so stupid! Another was on Bumblebee Drive. Hmmm, not sure about that one. Would bees flock to the area and make it impossible to enjoy my yard? Another was on Patience Drive. Maybe living there required a lot??? I looked at one on Wright Haven Lane. That sounded a little like the name of a cemetery to me.

My friend, Ginny, lives on Henricks Hill Drive. I wonder if a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Henricks one day bought that land and declared it their hill? Judy lives on Shasta Way. While that sounds refreshing in a way, it also reminds me of my brother’s beloved late dog, Shasta. She was an obese Cocker Spaniel. He and his wife now have an obese Golden Retriever. And my sister-in-law, Kathy, is 5’7″ and probably wears a size four. Come to think of it, my very thin daughter-in-law had a chubby cat. I wonder if they give their food to their pets? Just for the record, Krystal and Casey are both nice and thin. Nuff said…..

My new house is on Pebble Creek Lane. I like that. As long as the little creek behind the houses across the street doesn’t ever make us want to rename our street Raging Rock River Road, I am satisfied.

Senior Citizens

Have you spent much time around old people?  I absolutely love being with the elderly.  They have so much wisdom and insights into this world of ours.  I most enjoy being with those with a great sense of humor.  I think I inherited my love of laughter from my mom.  She is 84 years old, and is in relatively good shape.  I talk to her every day on the phone, and we usually spend most of the conversation laughing about one thing or another.  I remember my grandmother and her sisters giving my great-grandmother, Nana, a yearly birthday party starting at her 80th.  Every year, I would ask why, and every year I got the same reply.  “Well Honey, you never know when it will be her last.”  She lived to be 96 years old.  Nana had such interesting stories to tell.  Her real name was Mable, and she wasn’t thrilled when I named my Basset Hound puppy Mable.  She also took advantage of her age.  She was stubborn and pretty much got her way almost all of the time.

 
Remember when I said that Krystal was almost deaf?  Last night, something scraped the wall in the apartment next door.  It wasn’t too loud, just different.  Well Krystal sat straight up, ears alert, trying to figure out what the sound was.  I immediately thought ‘Nana‘!  Could it be that, in her old age, she is choosing not to hear me?!  She is stubborn, and she does get her own way most of the time.  I should have named her Mable!

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Priorities of Life

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This sign hangs over my door leading out of my little apartment.  It hung over the door of my last home, and I anticipate hanging it over the door I most use in my new home.  It’s always crooked.  I guess every time I walk out the door, it wiggles a bit.  I am forever straightening it. But it has yet to fall off the wall.

 
That reminds me of my life these days.  I suppose I must admit that at times in my life, I have fallen off the wall, forgetting almost all of my priorities.  These days, I try and try, but I miss the mark often, always a little crooked.  But God still blesses me over and over!  I mean, who but God would lead me to a house that has TWO doggy door spots?!  Closing is supposed to take place July 8th.  I really wouldn’t mind if it took a little longer…..my apartment lease isn’t up until the end of September.  When we move, I wonder if Krystal will begin with the lectures again about going home?!

Big Days

On October 19, 2004, my dad died very unexpectedly.  His birthday was October 10th.  So every October, I think about him a lot more than other months.  And I think about my mom, knowing that she still misses him very much.  But you know what?  She told me that the hardest day for her is not in October.  It’s May 16th, the anniversary of their marriage.  

 

I’ve discovered that experiencing divorce is a lot like experiencing a death of a loved one.  Today would have been my 39th wedding anniversary.  I can’t help but think back to that day, being 18 years old, nervous, excited, happy.  But while I occasionally look back with sadness at what could have been, I truly look forward to what God has in store for me!  I admit, I occasionally get scared thinking about traversing this world alone.  One of my dearest friends, Nan, shared a cute email the other day.  Towards the end of it, there was a little saying that stuck with me.  Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.  I choose to look up!

 

As a tiny little side note, I guess yesterday was a big day for me, too.  I bought a house.  And guess what?  There are TWO spots for doggy doors!  YESSSSS!!!  Thank you, Lord!