A special day in our family

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the birth of my niece, Lisa. Growing up in a family with six girls plus my mom and having my grandma integrated into my life, I knew nothing of what it was like to not have females. When my older sister, Lynn, told us she was going to have a baby, my sister, Lori, and I were in the sewing room of our family's home, jumping up and down with glee. I was a senior in high school at this time. It quickly became a "we" situation because in our family, sharing was important! My memory about exact dates and times is vague but I do know that Lynn could not be at my cousin's wedding because she was in labor. BUT I do remember being among the very first people to hold that little monkey baby when she was born!

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Lisa was quite dark in color when she was born, hairy as could be, and the most beautiful thing I ever laid my eyes on! My former spouse was my boyfriend at this time and we just could not get enough of her. We went to Copp's the day she was born, when Copp's was still a department store, and bought her outfits and necessary baby items. We bought her a little sweater outfit which is what she wore home from the hospital. I think it was mint in color and with her coloring---gorgeous!

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Our lives would never be the same, the sun rose and set on that child. When Lynn's husband rejoined the service, going into the Navy, it tore our hearts from our chests to say good-bye to them as they left for Norfolk. They had stopped at my house in Milwaukee, as I was married at this time, on their way to Norfolk, and after they left, I threw myself across the bed and sobbed my heart out.

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Lori, my former spouse, and I drove out to see them at Easter, enjoying our time spent on the East Coast, seeing them and the sites around Williamsburg, VA, etc. That year at ThanksLiving we girls and Mom chipped together to fly Lynn and Lisa home, and surprised my dad. He was asleep in the chair and we put Lisa on his lap. He opened his eyes, and ta da!, there is our little dolly, Lisa. We had an airport in Manitowoc at the time, prop planes, but sadly, no more. The next January, Roger and Lori borrowed my brother-in-law's truck and drove out to pick up Lynn and Lisa, to bring them home for good. The husband did a Dear John thing, so the family to the rescue!

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We rallied to help Lynn out with Lisa, by this time I had moved back to Manty from MKE, and could pitch in where I could. Lynn got a job through a temporary service at the area technical school, working in the mail room. She did so well that she was hired permanently and is presently there at LTC about 33 years! Lynn is an administrative assistant and works in public safety training, etc. Lisa was cared for between her aunts and eventually went to day care. Still the most adorable child you would ever want to meet. My brother-in-law, David, asked Lisa once, "What is it like to have people hang on your every word?" I really don't think she had a problem with it!

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During the summers when Lisa was not in school, she would often spend her days with us where she was trained on office etiquette. Lisa loved to play with the typewriter, the big clunky type we used back in those days. Since our building business was run from our home, she had to learn the proper way to answer the phone, take messages, and so on, and did a good job at it. Later should thank me for the training as she would be complimented on her skills, both phone and people ones!

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Where I went, Lisa went and we spent good time together. Memorable for me, if not for her. And memorable for my sisters and Mom who also spent a good deal of time with Lisa. When we would go to the Mall, I would meet and chat with people, much to Lisa's chagrin. After years of enduring this, she asked me, in exasperation, "Do you have to talk to everyone????" Yes, I do! She would cringe when I sang along to the music in the grocery store and would duck down in the seat when I used the windshield cleaner when driving down the street. Yes, Lisa was quirky! And loved every minute of it!

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Fast forward through her dance recitals, Christmas programs, confirmation and the party (at our house), her cleaning and eventually babysitting for me...She visited us often when we moved to Florida and, then, she was getting married. Oh my! Here it gets tricky (sorry, sweetheart.....) because the same year she was getting married was the same year problems came to light in my marriage. She had always wanted my former spouse, who had been like a daddy to her, to walk her down the aisle, and it was touch and go there for a while whether he would be in the picture or not. He did "give the bride away" at her wedding while I had the privilege of singing for the service.

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Now Lisa is the mama of two darling boys and the wife of Noah, a wonderful husband and daddy to his boys. She was the only granddaughter/niece for a full twelve years, spoiled beyond measure and loved beyond measure. And today, we celebrate her birthday!!!

Tripping down memory lane.....

This is the reason why is it a bad idea to use the photo albums with the sticky pages, like were used in the "old days". Many of my photos have started to turn colors due to the acid in the pages and in the paper used for developing them. Take my advice and get your photos off those self-adhesive pages and into a scrapbook or pocket-style album. Preserve your memories! They are depending on you!

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Here is an action shot of Lisa, thinking she is going to get out of the sink during her bath at Mom's house. You can see the water swishing as she gets up, her hair still full of shampoo. She very closely resembles her son Manny, who is now four. No worries, someone was standing just out of camera shot to grab her....

Red is a good color for me but not for the entire photograph! This was taken in Williamsburg, VA when Lisa was about 18 months old. I am holding Lisa while Lori and my former spouse sit on the well. Lynn is the photographer.

Here is Lisa coming across the lawn at their home on the base in Norfolk. My favorite little picture of her, looking so cheerful and cute in her engineer bibs!

When my ancient grandmother, age 87 here, cradled Lisa in her arms, she made the yet-famous statement, "She looks like Aunt Martha Cornelius", which simply brought down the house! I do not know if any of us knew Aunt Martha, perhaps Mom did, but there was no way my sainted grandmother could have picked that out with her old eyes! Lisa is wearing the outfit she wore home from the hospital. These many years later, Gabriel, Lisa's firstborn, who will soon be six, wore the same outfit home from the hospital when he was born.

Lori is holding Lisa on her lap as I am sitting on the floor in the kitchen at my family's home. This may be the same day as Grandma Sickles famous comment. Now all babies look like Aunt Martha Cornelius!! Even the boys!

As morning breaks

Once again I was awake in the dark but Suzanne explained this all to me in her comment to Sunday's posting. She drives to work in downtown Jax before 7:00 a.m. and noticed that it is much darker than when she began her job a few weeks ago. What is going to happen when we "fall back" on November 1st? I will lose half the day waiting for the sunrise to wake me!

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I had such a fun night last night without leaving my house! All evening long, it seemed, I chatted with my sisters in WI, in two separate cities, via Facebook. My day began with a chat with Linda before she had to get ready for church, and ended in Oshkosh chatting with Kerry. She helped me find some folding chairs with footrests that Judy J. and I have been looking for. Target carries them, logo chairs, but the "tool" used to see if area stores have them in stock was not available last night. I must check today or even just go to the store to see. If I do go to Target I must also remember to look for a color cartridge for my printer because it is starting to fade. Color is used a lot in this household and that is why I am not shy about putting printer cartridges on my CHRISTmas list! (If you have my name, I need HP 56 and 57...)

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Sundays are slow TV nights normally, unless one of the teams I follow is playing football, that is. Fortunately my growing DVD library comes in handy plus I can watch about any program on hulu.com. The Family Channel was showing, back-to-back, "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding", which I thoroughly enjoy. Even though I own this movie, I like to watch it on TV when I can catch it. As I wrote to Linda this a.m., I still laugh at the same scenes, am moved at the same scenes, and laugh some more. "You don't eat no meat?? You don't eat no meat?? (dishes crash to the floor in horror...) Don't worry, I make lamb!" Opa!!!

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This weekend was a big one in the world of football (the Jaguars won!!!) and it continues tonight with a momentous game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, kick-off at 8:35 pm. Ladies' Group meeting must be wrapped up quickly so I can be on my way! Besides the rivalry (my sister, Lynn, is a world-class gambler---she has to make chocolate chip cookies for her co-worker if the Vikings win) the former quarterback for the Packers is now with the Vikings, unless he has retired again since last night. In my hometown, my alma mater of Manitowoc Lutheran High, plus the public high of Lincoln, celebrated their homecomings. Both teams won their big games, yippee! My niece, Alayna, who lives north of MLHS, reported seeing the cross country team from Lincoln go running by, carrying the game ball to the opposing team's field, or from it, not sure which. That night was their big dance after the game and I received a lovely "gift" via Facebook from that dance:

These are two of my nieces, Alayna and Allie, who posed for a picture together to send me!!!! I get choked up just thinking about it. Both girls attend the public high school. Alayna is my sister, Kerry's, daughter, and Allie is the daughter of John and Mona, bro and sis in-law, who took care of my father-in-law. Alayna is a senior and is a class officer and Allie is a junior and part of the cross country team who carried the game ball. And they had a ball at the homecoming dance! Thanks, girls, for thinking about me down here, missing all the fun!

The Garbage Truck Law

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

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We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy; and I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

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This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

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He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

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The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

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Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...... 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.'

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Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it.

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~Author Unknown~

Thanks for posting this great story! My name is Dawn, and I work with David J. Pollay, the author of The Law of the Garbage Truck™. I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you can read the original story on David’s blog, http://davidjpollay.typepad.com/david_j_pollay/lawofthegarbagetruck.html. It would mean a lot to us if you would let people know that David is the author of The Law of the Garbage Truck.

You can also find out more information about The Law of the Garbage Truck onwww.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com. Make sure to check out the video of people in New York City taking the No Garbage Trucks!™ Pledge: www.bewareofgarbagetrucks.com. It’s pretty cool.

Thanks again!

Dawn

dawn@themomentumproject.com

Did anyone notice?

Saturday there was no posting from me and so far, no one has mentioned it. My blogging friend, Jami, who has found herself posting on a weekly basis, reported yesterday that she is taking a Facebook sabbatical because she was neglecting her blog too much. Jami also mentioned that she did not like some of the "rules" about Facebook etiquette that were being directed her way, and feels that people can comment and update their status as much or as little as they want to! So there! A sabbatical from Facebook---good luck with that!

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It became obvious to me as well that there was competition between Facebook and the blog, some would choose one or the other, not usually both. Because I sit here in front of the machine most of the day and have no boss looking over my shoulder, I can do as little or as much as I wish. One of my favorite things is to look at the photos posted which really helps to get caught up on people's lives, if you've been separated or out of contact for a while. We like our "news" to be immediate and for our information to be regular, which is why I like my blog!

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Last night as I laid on my bed watching a movie, I heard my phone make that pathetic "chirp" like it did the day I was looking at real estate in extremely warm houses. Only one puny chirp and it was dead. At least the buttons were dead, I could not "dial" out or send text messages or retrieve anything. Yikes! Good thing I did not have to call the rescue squad or anything with no home phone to use anymore. Immediately following worship I dashed out to the Island to buy a new cell phone. After the mail-in rebate, the new phone, complete with a keyboard for typing text messages, will cost the same as my "old" phone would have. Because my phone model is discontinued, I had to upgrade for an additional $18 fee, which I objected. I also extended my contract, which is no big deal. They can save all my phone numbers stored in the phone, but not the photos. Good idea to e-mail the photos in case this happens to others.

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Is it just me or is it darker longer in the mornings? It seems as though it is taking longer for the sun to come up or I am finding myself awake before the sun usually comes up! Two days in a row I found myself awake prior to the sun peeking out so then I am unsure as to what time it is, since I have no clock in my room except on the computer, which also sleeps at night. If I wish to open my eyes all the way and check my cell phone, I can do that or change the TV station to the preview channel to see what time it is. Usually I can tell by the program on the TV when I wake up but weekends offer different shows which REALLY mess me up!

This is the sunrise as it progressed this morning. I told Linda about it via Facebook chat (no sabbatical for me!) and she wanted to see the pictures. The photo hardly does it justice, though. Come on down and see for yourselves!

The moon is barely there

But I can see it, hiding behind a thin veil of grey clouds. One lone sailboat is working its way down the river, barely visible against the trees. In my mind, it is far too dark to be out on the water like they are, but hopefully the captain knows what he or she is doing. For supper I had some of my leftover sloppy joes, the same thing I had for breakfast. The balance will have to go down the garbage disposal as it has reached the end of freshness. When I made the batch last Saturday, I froze half for another time, so when the mood for sloppy joes strikes again, the container will be within reach.

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What an incredible morning I had! Early on, I stripped the bed, an enormous task given the fact that I must first unload the books and papers, plus now a box which brought my NPH shipment Thursday. The washer was loaded with the bedclothes and I headed over to church. Ugh! I go on record as NOT being a fan of the Yard Sale, making no bones about my misery being there to help mark and sort the sale items. A good work crew arrived ahead of me, and I sort of roamed about, looking for a place to put down my one donated plaque. The church secretary came in search and rescued me, in fact, from working on the sale. Lynne asked me a favor----since she is leaving tomorrow for two weeks, could I help out in the church office? Um, talk about short notice!! Wow, well, of course I will, but certainly need some re-training on the programs and such.

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She had stuff all ready to show me, to fill in the blanks on various worship items, passwords, codes to get the messages, etc. Whew! I even have to count the stamps to make sure all are present and accounted for. I am a bit intimidated by the prospect of producing these service folders and inserts, etc. but Lynne assures me she will be available via telephone at all times. Let me do the math here----Hawaii is about 5 hours behind us so if I need help at 10:00 a.m., she promises to grab her phone at 5:00 a.m. to help me. Claims she is a light sleeper after being in the service all those years. Let us hope I do not have to have her prove it!

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As I had walked back to the church office to be re-trained, the preschool teacher nabbed me to ask a favor. It was my day for favors, my favorite day! She asked if I would have time before the preschool and kindergarten Open House to put together a booklet and/or a poster about the other "opportunities" of which the parents could avail themselves at Good Shepherd. Oh, yes, I like this idea! We already have an "Opportunities" booklet printed up but it is a couple years old. It will be useful to copy from and I look forward to doing this. Whew again!

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As I sat next to Lynne for instruction, people kept coming and going from the office. Julaine came in to fold and staple the service folders; Fausto was working on the hymn board set-up; Mike C. came in to do some work; Pastor came in to try to work in the midst of the chaos. Jackie saw my car out front so she in search of me to say "hi"; Ethel came in to tell Pastor something and chat a bit; and finally, Lonnie and Renee came in with my purse, which they reported as being emptied for the sale. Oh great! It was nice of them to bring it to me as I never expected to be gone so long or for them to finish the job of marking/sorting so quickly. I told them I will be sitting in their hot tub tomorrow night after the sale to rest my tired bones, and they said it was fired up and ready to go!

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Martie and I met for lunch at Longhorn today after she finished running errands with Ernie. We were able to sit in Patty's section where we got her usual first-class service. We would have liked to do dinner and movie night tonight but her little grandson, Mark, wants to come to his MeeMaw's house. Even if he has to go to work with her Saturday, he would rather be with her than at home all weekend. He loves his MeeMaw! I had arrived first at the restaurant and told Martie on the phone that I would get our table. Once inside, I told the hostess, who knows me from my near weekly visits, that a friend was joining me but first I had to use the restroom, having consumed a Route 44 Diet Coke, or most of it, before coming inside. When I came out, Martie was sitting there already. After our greetings, I asked how she knew which table was ours, since I left no evidence of myself at the seat. She told me that when she came in, she told the hostess she was meeting a friend, and the hostess asked her, "A lady with red spiky hair and an accent?" Martie said yes, and that is how I am identified at Longhorn. For the record, I do not have red hair!

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My friend, the classmate from high school who wrote a song about me, sent an e-mail to me this afternoon. He had a couple tragic events in his life recently and has been feeling out of sorts, "blue", as he put it. He said my letters "brightened his day" which is good to hear. He also said my letters are like having a conversation. What a nice thing to say! Thanks, Steve!

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Still no bright moon beams on the river, hiding yet behind the clouds. Time to make the bed for a good sleep on clean sheets. Life's simple pleasures......

An awesome day thus far

This morning I moved right along getting ready to go to Bible study at Victory as I did not wish to repeat last week's tardiness. After I had showered and dressed for the day, I sat at the computer to check my e-mail and Facebook. My friend, Cindy, asked for a rain check for our dinner tonight as she had some family obligations to take care of. Rats! I was looking forward to it but can readjust accordingly. As I was writing her a note, Justin sent me a text message to make sure I remembered about Bible study and made our plans to meet at church. Before I left the property, I made certain that Connie saw me up and about!

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We had fewer in class today as some were traveling or at work. Our study was about End Times, my favorite but highly emotional subject. (Afterward, Justin asked me if it is almost time to sing "Jerusalem, the Golden", and said he could not wait to hear Rachel play it at church. That will be in November when the church year recognizes the End Times.) As it was my turn to read today, as hard as I tried not to, the tears ran and I choked momentarily, reading about how Jesus assured His disciples about "my house has many mansion.....I go to prepare a place for you....." Gets me every time!! We went around the table, upon reading the 23rd Psalm, emphasizing first the pronoun of God, and then again emphasizing the pronoun of "me or I" as it is read aloud. This is something good to memorize and repeat each morning, remembering the things "God" does for "me", for us.

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We also took turns explaining about the spiritual things in life we enjoy or have. Some mentioned general blessings, Justin mentioned hope in the original sense of the word, and then it was my turn. I started out saying that Justin had taken my word, but Pastor said I had to come up with my own. As if I wasn't!?!? Anyway, I talked about the comfort and assurance we have, the inner joy.....and before I could finish, Pastor said, "THAT was the word I was waiting to hear from you!" Justin muttered, "I knew you were going to say 'joy'..." At the very start of the class, we had a list of five things from which we were to choose how we felt about the future, ours as well as the world's. It began with optimistic, excited, uncertain, I don't care, or frightened. The first two people chose "uncertain" but when it got to me, I picked "excited" and Pastor said, "That's what I expected you to say!" Not that any of the answers were wrong, but the lesson goes on to show the "reasons for the hope that we have." So, between the "excitement" and the "inner joy", tears were shed. Not only me, either, as the two other ladies, in considering our future in heaven, got a bit choked up, as well. The men did their fair share of "throat clearing" as well, but we know what that's all about, don't we?

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After class Justin and I dropped his car off in the student parking lot and then went to have lunch at the Town Center Mall. I chose Mimi's Cafe where we dined el fresco. Justin mentioned that he wanted jambalaya, which brought us to the "Soup Nazi" episode of "Seinfeld", which he has now fallen in love with. A later bloomer than I am!!! He was not thrilled that this is attributed to Newman, though. Justin asked me to help him find the Old Navy store in the Mall because it did show up on his iPhone map. Sure, why not? He had an idea where it was and we both spotted it at the same time. He needed some new flip flops, he goes through them quickly, and then he had to look at few more things. Since he has lost now 75 pounds, Justin is all about clothes and style, but fortunately his tastes are yet simple, like Old Navy and American Eagle, the lower end of fashionable! What comes after these stores? I hate to think about it!