Reflections by AquaLady

It seems like you just don't know who to trust anymore. She says he said... and he says she said & neither story matches. So...what's a person to believe? How does one know the truth if neither side is being completely honest.

The other thing that really bugs me is when she says one thing to him about this other person & he says another thing to her about this other person but neither one says that to the other person. It's all done behind the other person's back & then what's actually said to this other person is not at all what was orginally said. Some people can be so inconsiderate & mean & ruthless & conniving & cruel. So...what's a person to do?

Today's gospel reading is a tough one to digest. Its the one about the workers who get hired at different times in the day, some working all day, some just a few hours & the others just an hour or so...but they ALL get paid the same amount.

Our priest made a comment in his homily today that if a company operated in this fashion, they probably wouldn't be in business very long. True, it would hurt the company if not financially, definitely in other ways. For one thing, I believe it would affect the employees' morale. Isn't it true that some people get paid to goof off & others work their butts off & get the same amount. Yeah! Yeah! Life is NOT fair. But still - it isn't right!

So...what's a person to do about it? Is it something we can control? Probably not. Like I said...this is a tough one!

Two steps forward - one step behind. That's how its going but overall, it's been a good week & that's all that matters.

Mushy called me & she's alive & doing well at her new job in VA. Way to go, Mushy! Mike had a successful 1st day at soccer pre-season practice & ran the 2-mile in 14:14. Way to go, Mike! Jim mowed the lawn. Way to go, Jim! I did a 27-fling boogie. Way to go, Aqualady!

Today is 'Anti-Proscrastination Day!' so time to get moving & bless my heart.

"You are not behind. Don't try to catch up. Just jump in where you are. OK?"
-Flylady

I just came across this quote from one of my daily meditations & thought I'd reflect on it for a moment. "Love must sometimes bear a stern countenance for the sake of ultimate good."

Being a parent is no easy matter. Just ask any parent. I can't tell you how many times I've wanted to quit the job & run away but its something that you're stuck with for the rest of your life. How you handle it, is an entirely different matter. And there are probably as many styles of parenting as there are parents. It's not like there's one all-purpose book, "How to be a Successful Parent in 10 Easy Steps" & that's probably why what is sometimes seen as unfairness & uncaring in the eyes of our children is really a matter of a deep love that abides within our hearts along with a style of parenting that we adapted along the way, perhaps from the way we were raised. We just do the best we can...with ultimate good behind our every decision. We really do love you & care about you so very very much...even if we don't agree.

Which brings me to this further reflection....how very much I miss my Mom. Saturday, August 14th , marked the 10th anniversary since my Mom passed away in 1994. Has it really been that long? Being an only child, not having any other relatives living close by & being without a Mom is no easy matter, especially in an area where family seems to be a pretty big deal. I get to feeling sad sometimes when I see families hanging out together, at sporting events & carnivals & family picnics & reunions. I want some of that, too...all of that, as a matter of fact! But I guess the bottom line is...we can't have everything we want. So, we're left with the next best thing...to appreciate what we DO have & be grateful for the times when we were able to be together. And there were good times...

My advice is to make every moment count NOW. Create those HAPPY moments, those precious memories that will last a life-time. Forgive & forget... Live in the moment & be thankful, really & truly thankful for what you DO have NOW!

I miss my Mom so very very much inspite of our conflicts & disagreements. I tried to be a strict Mom whereas she spoiled her grandkids. I guess that's what Grandmothers are all about. I hope I get my chance someday too...! And if not, oh well.... I'll figure something else out. I also realize that I sometimes resented the love that she poured out upon her Grandkids, mainly because that's what I missed so much growing up. Later I realized that this was her way of making amends...I just wished I had taken notice sooner.

Thanks, Mom! for being there for me & for caring for me, even when I didn't notice. Hope you're having a good time now & in all eternity. I wish you the very best... Until we meet again...!

Saying NO has to be one of the most difficult things I have ever done in regards to my work. After Mushy announced her resignation, I just had this gnawing feeling inside me that every nerve & every fiber of my being that I've worked so hard to strengthen would be put to the ultimate test. And that's just what happened...

So, being as this is a public journal, I need to hold back on the details but let's just say that after many many years of hard labor, I finally learned to stick up for myself & I just said, "NO...!" For weeks now I've been struggling with the after-effects, questioning my decision with every breath... asking myself over & over - "Did I do the right thing?"

And today, for the first time in a long while, I finally felt some of that peace & serenity that I'd been searching for. I knew that I had my family's support which played a big part in my decision but as it always is with me, I wanted more...I needed some other confirmation that this is definitely in everyone's best interest. I believe I found that 'extra' support today in talking over the matter with some people whom I trust & admire.

I don't know what it is about me but I seem to have an incredible amount of patience or something & I seem to be able to endure hardships for long periods of time whereas others may just pick themselves up & move on. I just can't give up, or at least, that's how it seems to me.

At one point in my life I always felt as if I were a doormat, where people could just walk all over me & I realize today that I allowed this to be the case. But something has changed. Could it be the fact that I've finally gotten the lesson...about loving yourself.

To love oneself is not grounded in selfishness or conceit. It's something deep down inside...a true realization that we are all made in the image & likeness of God, our creator. "God does NOT make junk" & so it stands, neither should we treat ourselves as junk where others can use us for their own interests. Another analogy is the realization that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, God residing in us & working in us & through us. Could that be the answer...where the strength comes from when we allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us, using our hands, our feet, our minds, our lips, our very beings to proclaim that God is love. So, in loving ourselves & standing up for our rights, we give witness to God's grace working in us. We wouldn't allow our neighbor to be wronged; why allow others to take advantage of us?

I've prayed & prayed & have asked others to pray for me as well for peace of mind about this decision I made...to be free of the heavy burden of guilt that has weighed me down so very much since I uttered the word, 'NO' & today I believe my prayers were answered. I realized , too, that others may try to pin their problems on us but we must not allow it. Also, when I think about "What would Jesus do?" my spirit tells me that He would stand up for justice & truth, no matter what the cost. There comes a time when we, too, must stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do.

None of us knows what the future holds. We can learn from our past mistakes, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me". All we really have to work with is what's right in front of us...the present! Nothing is impossible with God! And if Plan A doesn't work out, God always has a Plan B...!

We had a storm the other day with pea-size hail falling from the sky in buckets. The storm was quite intense. Yesterday there was a praying mantis hanging out on our deck. Today we're supposed to see the final results of Hurricane Bonnie & then Charlie is due to arrive Saturday evening. This has been one incredibly wet & soggy summer.

Mike is off camping in the Gettysburg area with the Boy Scouts this weekend. Matt & Sara went to Musicfest in Bethlehem. I'm not sure what Mark is up to. Jim & I are home alone...doing our thing! I think we're still trying to figure out exactly what our thing really is. There for a while it seemed as though golf would be our special pasttime but when I injured my hip, I wasn't so sure that I'd ever swing another club for the rest of my days. But now that I'm on the recovered list, I'm willing to try again...but with a certain degree of caution. Jim bought a putter that we both can use...& maybe that's a safe way to get back into it. I mean...gee whiz! how much muscle damage can I possibly cause while in a putting stance? Please don't answer that ... OK?!

We all suffer in some way, shape or form...there's no denying it. How we handle our suffering is probably the biggest challenge any of us can face.

My hip pain is finally a part of my past & I can't say that I'll miss it. For a little less than a week I've experienced the feeling of what its like to cry out to God, "Just say the word & I shall be healed..." And he answered... Today I can move & bend with a deeper appreciation & gratitude of what a blessing it is to be mobile once again. Thanks be to God...!

Whoever said "No pain, no gain" oughta be shot! The pain in my hip area is still present & I really don't feel like I'm gaining anything by this experience. Well, ok! So maybe that isn't exactly true but never-the-less, I wish this pain would just go away. It feels as though someone or something has fashioned my left hip into a tightly molded, twisted pretzel & everytime I move in a particualar way, someone or something takes a bite out of the pretzel with a sharp ripping motion. Oooouch!!!

I moved around from chair to chair yesterday, mostly doing paperwork. With Mike's help, we also got the kitchen cleaned up from the weekend's activities & managed to do 2 loads of laundry. Thanks, Mike! & I really do mean that... I couldn't have managed without you.

The heating pad came in handy as I'd give myself doses of warmth & comfort in between paper projects. That's about all I got accomplished yesterday, but at least it wasn't a total waste of time. I also went back on the regiment of meds that the doctor prescribed on Friday when I realized that I wasn't having the miraculous cure that I had prayed for.

By about 9 PM I decided that I had had enough of Monday, took a muscle relaxer & headed to bed. Two hours later, I finally turned out the lights & fell asleep with the TV still on, I suppose. I slept like a baby...until this morning.

I couldn’t get comfortable plus the pain returned, right where I left it the night before. Darn! So…I started off the morning with the other pill, as prescribed. Yes! Following doctor’s orders…like as if I know any better. A friend from work gave me a suggestion that helped her quite a bit when she had some back problems...a restful soak in a tub of hot water. I was desparate for some relief this morning so I accepted her advice. Ah…that felt good. I only wish I could carry it around with me all day long. So, with the hot bath & the meds in my system, here goes a new day, a new beginning…

Today I‘m going off the meds & getting back in the swing of things (except no Chubby Checker dancing just yet & definitely no golfing until further notice) -- continuing on the road to recovery. I thanked God this morning for His healing touch & He answered. When I arrived at church, I got drafted to be a Eucharistic Minister, which to me was God’s way of saying, “You’re welcome!” It was indeed a great honor & privilege. I could tell that my head was still a little fuzzy but at Ieast I was able to bend & move without the pain & for that I truly am grateful.

Aug. 7 / Sat.

The meds really knocked me out. Found out that the kids had a poker party in the basement last night & Sara baked cupcakes!!! I slept like a baby.

Now, I just have to get myself back in gear, slowly, of course. I feel like a missed a chunk of my life by being so out of it yesterday. The sleep helped, A LOT but I'm so sore today, I need to get limber again but I don't want to force the issue.

What this whole experience has done is make me better appreciate the good life & good health that God gives to us. Never take anyone or anything for granted...

Aug. 6 / Friday (continued...)

I get the feeling that sports & me just don’t mix. I went to the doctor's today to get some relief for my aching back. The doc told me to lay face down on the table so he could stretch out my muscles. I wanted to kick him (only it hurt too much to move...). Anyway, he prescribed a muscle relaxer & an anti-inflammatory drug. I’m not supposed to take the muscle relaxer until bedtime. Great! So what am I supposed to do in the meantime…??? I have a feeling that I’m going to be in bed VERY early tonight.

I’m missing Michelle’s last day working at SU. Maybe this is way it was supposed to end. Who knows???

Aug. 6 / Friday

Today Michelle Chan (my supervisor in the Multimedia Center for the past 20 months) worked her last day at SU. Bye, Michelle! We wish you the very best in all your future plans.

What a crazy mixed up life I lead… As you probably know by now, I wasn't able to go into work today only because I can barely move & it hurts alot if I even try. My back is still very much OUT OF ORDER. I’m waiting until the doctor’s office opens up so I can make an appointment. At one point in the middle of the night I tried to sit up & felt like I was going to pass out. Then when I laid back down a wave of heat flooded my head. I’m definitely OUT OF ORDER. To make matters worse, I just had a cup of coffee & potato chips for breakfast. Now do you believe me???

Aug. 5 / Thurs.

I’m on the sick list. I musta pulled my back out or something because when I move a certain way, I get these extreme SHARP pains in my lower back. OUCH! The trick is not to move that certain way… Yeah! Right!

Mike left for work & I’m home alone. Before he left, heset me up on the sofa with a hot pad & the cordless phone. Thanks Mike!

Muffin is absolutely no help. She just wants to be fed. I told her to get it herself. Moms never get to rest. ARGHHHHHH!

Aug. 4 / Wed.
Jim went for his echocardiogram today. I called him at work to ask if he wanted me to go along. He teased that he needed me to hold his hand. NOT really. Oh well... So I stayed home & made pork chops for supper. They were REALLY GOOD!!!

Aug. 4 / Wed.

I was planning a big supper yesterday when Jim called to say that he was coming home late & not to bother. I had a golf lesson at 6 so he suggested I go to Mikey D's for supper. Well, actually, I absolutely HAVE TO shed some poundage so... I decided to just eat in & picked up this recipe on the one of the morning TV talk shows. It SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO yummy...!!!

GRILLED CHEESE
2 slices white bread
2 tbsp coleslaw dressing
2 slices American cheese
1 slice of tomato
3 dill pickle slices
2 tbsp
margarine

Spread the coleslaw dressing on both sides of the bread; add the cheese with the tomato slice & pickles slices in between the cheese. Spread margarine on the outside of the bread & grill until cheese is melted & bread is lightly browned.

Aug. 3 / Tues.

I fixed the dryer today! Not that it was broken in the first place but things have a way of happening never-the-less... ARGHHHHHHHH

It all started when I pulled the dryer out to sweep behind it. Well, anyway, the aluminum thingie came loose from the dryer hose & I practically filled a bucket full of sweat trying to get the darn thing back together. Finally, I remembered seeing a new alum thingie in a brand new bag down there & found this other type of connecter thingie that you screw together instead of squeezing. AH!!!!!!!!! Much much better! To make an already long story short, I finally got the dryer hose back together & finished sweeping behind it.

And all I really wanted to do today was to move the clothes out of the family room back into the basement. I don't know how I do it but one simple thing always leads to something far more complicated. ARGHHHHHH!

Ok…that does it! I’m officially on the "Just Do It" diet plan!!! I just gotta lose some weight or I won't have any clothes left to wear. I have my supply of sugarless gum ready (when I get the urge to eat ) & of course I'll include plenty of WATER…until I float down the Susquehanna River. If that doesn't work, I'll just duct tape my mouth shut so I can't eat.

I had a new revelation…calorie counting instead of point counting. There are calorie counters on line but some of these places also want you to join up…like Weight Watchers.

I guess the bottom line is eating less (even what you like) AND exercise too but don’t go overboard. Balance…!

If we decrease our calories by 3500 a week, we could loose a pound a week. That idea doesn’t psyche me out much…but crash diets aren’t good either. I had a banana for lunch (105 calories). Maybe I’ll just try the calorie counting this week anyway…its free & it can’t hurt. Well...here goes...

Aug. 1 / Sunday

Where did the month of July go…? Kreamer Pioneer Days is officially over for another year & now we’re getting down to the home stretch now.

Jim took Mike to the soccer tournament in Lewistown Friday, Saturday & Sunday. I was planning to go today but the heat & humidity or something really got to me & so I decided to stay home instead.

Matt built a poker table this weekend & just about everything in the basement was covered in sawdust. Well, OK, so maybe not quite everything. I did hear him running the vac just a few minutes ago. He hauled the clothes out of the basement yesterday, after I mentioned it to him, but I’m sure they were already ‘dusted’ but at least they missed the final sanding.

I don't know where Matt gets his ambition & motivation for doing the things he does. I must say one thing about him...when he sets his mind down to doing something, he keeps focused & gets the job done. I really admire that about him. Way to go, Matt! The table he built is pretty awesome, too, by the way, even though I really didn't think we NEEDED another poker table. Oh well...that's how it goes sometimes. At least he'll have something of his own that he can say he built with his very own hands.

July 28 / Wed.

Jim was taken to the emergency room by ambulance this evening. He was in route to pick up Mike at work when he felt his heart beating irregularly. This happened to him before & the doctor told him to go right to the doctor's office which is what he decided to do. He called me on his cell phone & asked me to pick up Mike.

By the time I got home, there was a message on our answering machine to telephone the doctor's office. I called their number but got the answering machine instead. I told the lady that I absolutely needed to get through to the office so she made the connection. The nurse told me that Jim had been taken to the the Evangelical Hospital's Emergency Room by ambulance & that the doctor was trying to call me. I wrote down the information & hung up. Shortly the doctor phoned & told me pretty much the same thing.

Mike was home so I told him what was happening & got in the car & drove to Lewisburg. I also told Mike to let the folks down at Pioneer Days know that I wouldn't be coming down to work at the Funnel Cake stand. When I arrived at the reception desk & asked to see Jim, the nurse told me that he was not there. For a minute I wondered if I had the wrong hospital. She told me to wait...that maybe I beat the emergency vehicle there. I waited for about 15-20 minutes & still no sign of an emergency van so I got up to go to the rest room & the nurse said that she would check into the matter again.

When I came back to the desk, she told me that they had found Jim & she took me back to the emergency area. Jim was laying there hooked up to various machines that were checking his heart & pulse. I could tell that he was doing fine because he told me to sit down & read my book (in other words, stop asking so many questions & just shut up...).

I stayed there with him while they wheeled him away for X-rays & then we waited some more. Finally, a doctor appeared & gave us the scoop. They gave Jim the choice of staying overnight so they could monitor his heart OR send him home provided that he sees his family doctor the very next day. Jim chose the second option.

I drove him to Middleburg to get his truck which he left parked at the doctor's office & then he followed me home to Kreamer.

July 22 / Thurs.

Jim went out golfing by himself yesterday...well, just to the driving range. I stayed home this time. Actually, come to think of it...he didn't invite me. I was going to ask him to drop me off at church but by the time I thought of it, he was long gone. Oh well...

July 18th (continuted...)

Work is still in limbo. ...still no word about who's doing what. I talked to the Director of Human Resources & she just said to plan you're life as is. So, I guess I won't anticipate anything & just go about my duties as usual.

July 18 / Wed.

Yesterday was Mike’s 17th birthday, & if I’m not mistaken, I think we ‘ruined his life’ again. I was out & about pretty much all day & so he got to spend it home alone. He asked me to wake him before I left for work, which I did. I also left some treats in the frig for him…& hung some signs around wishing him a Happy… Later I learned that he slept in which is fine with me.

He had plans to go golfing with some friends when I got home from work, which we agreed on well in advance. So, when I came home with the car, he left to go golfing. Tuesdays are scout days & Mike said that if he got back in time that he’d be at the meeting. I was planning to go anyway, had some Relay patches to give to the boys, so I decided to bake some cupcakes & have a little ‘surprise’ party for Mike at the scout meeting.

The guys really liked my cupcakes. They asked what the occasion was & I said that we were celebrating Mike’s birthday. Robin, the scout leader, shared some of the troop’s soda which was leftover from their week at camp so we really did have ourselves a nice little social event. The only thing is…Mike never showed up for the meeting so we partied without him.

I guess it was close to 8 PM or so when Mike got home from golfing. He said that the guys also went out to eat & that was cool. Earlier, I had asked Mike to think about where he wanted to go out to eat for his birthday (meaning with Jim & me) but we hadn’t counted on him eating out with the guys so I didn’t make any supper & so Jim & I ate leftovers in the frig. Not a bad thing because we needed to slack off especially after eating all that food over the weekend (we went to a buffet & you know how filling they can be…especially when it’s one of those ALL you can eat deals).

Anyway, we sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mike & gave him his gifts. He’d been bugging me for months that he wanted to set up his OWN aquarium so…that’s what I got him, a starter 10-gal. deluxe kit with light included. No sooner did he finish opening gifts when the words shot out of his mouth like a high-speed bullet… “Can I go to Doug’s”? It was already 9 PM when this occurred & Jim & I were on the same track...thinking it was kinda late & so Jim spoke up first & said, "No".

Sulk-ville USA from then on in. I happened to go down the basement to throw in some laundry & I guess I’m just an easy target because that’s when Mike unloaded on me & complained about how this was all so unfair. This occurred around 10 PM.

Parenting! ARGHHH...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!!!

July 16 / Monday

Jim came home from work today & practically swept me off my feet...out to the golfing range. But this time...I warmed up my arm muscles ahead of time swinging them around & it musta worked because no injuries. Not only that...but I also signed up for a lesson next week. I figured if this is going to be our new thing, I might as well learn to do it the right way so maybe I can actually golf instead of just hitting balls on the driving range. Well..we'll see...

July 15 / Thursday PM

I almost wish I wasn’t going to this workshop tomorrow although you could also look at it another way. If I weren’t going to the workshop, I wouldn’t be already packed & ready to go (almost…). I’m just kinda nervous or anxious or something. I packed light (Jim laughs…ha!) but really, I did. Ok…so I just might take the bigger suitcase & give Jim the smaller one. We’re only going for a weekend. It’s a love / hate thing. I like to go BUT I also dislike the fact that I don’t have everything (including the kitchen sink) at my fingertips. Are you with me?

I'm going to a workshop in Bloomsburg on Friday to learn about being a First Time Manager/Supervisor. The Library is paying for me to go so I can't complain & I'm hopeful that it'll be worth my time & their money. After the workshop, we're heading to Niagara Falls for Mike's soccer tournament in Wilson, New York. Jim is the designated driver; I'm the navigator & Mike will probably just be asleep most of the time.

The last time we went to Niagara Falls was when Matt was about 9 months old & Mark was about 5. We took my Mom along & stayed on the Canadian side of the Falls. I'm glad for this opportunity to take Mike to see the Falls & hope he enjoys himself. Jim is most excited to visit the Seneca Casino. I just want to see the Falls again & take in the sights.

In the midst of packing (I was looking for a book to take along (which I probably won’t read anyway…but that’s how it goes) well, anyway, I found this other book from a previous workshop. I started to read it getting sidetracked as I usually do & then caught myself in the act. How silly of me! OK! Enough of that..

Mike went to soccer practice after work tonight & when he came home he made a VERY SERIOUS request. Jim & I both sat down with open ears & offered our full attention. Mike asked us to MAKE him run EVERYDAY (even if he puts up a fuss), provide NO soda or powdery drink mixes…only water & juice; & provide NO junk food. I do believe that he realized after tonight’s practice that he REALLY needs to start getting in shape for soccer season. This just might be what we ALL need around here.

July 15 / Thursday

Jim came to get me at the library after work today. He finally got to meet Michelle. It was a good meeting & I'm glad that they finally had a chance to talk.

Then the most amazing thing happened. Jim & I went golfing. Well, sort of... Actually we just got 2 buckets of balls for the driving range. I've been practicing in our backyard...hitting plastic balls around the lawn but well, I just learned a great lesson today. It just ain't the same as the real thing. On my first swing with a real HARD ball , I think I pulled a muscle. Well, I'm not sure but my arm really felt sore. I kept hitting away, anyway, though, but I think I need to work on my arm strength if I'm really going to take up golf for a hobby.

Jim seems really excited about us golfing together. But you know how it is with me...whenver I try a new sport, I usually injure myself, & this time was no different. Usually, too, I just give up but this is one sport I'm going to stick with, at least as long as he's interested. First, though, I have to heal & then we'll give it another go...

July 13 / Tuesday

Paperwork! Paperwork! and still more Paperwork!!! Trying to keep my piles of papers in one place has never been easy but somehow I always (or almost always) manage to find just what it is I need. Go figure... One of today's projects was ordering the Relay for Life Incentive Prizes. Done!

Its also soccer meeting night. It's a good thing I already had the "Friends of the Mustangs' letter prepared. I just needed a due date. I didn't lose it because I saved it on the computer. Ah ha! Now I need to print out about 50 copies of the letter. Not a good time to run out of ink.

July 12 / Monday

No golfing today... It's coming down by the bucketfuls.

I really didn't do a whole lot today. Rather, I played computer games & then fell asleep on the floor next to the cat. The cat walked away but I stayed put & slept til Jim came home from work. Maybe I needed the rest but I also felt so guilty…like as if I was wasting my life away. Gosh! It was just a nap.

I sprang to life when I heard the truck pulling into the driveway & started making meatballs from scratch. A new recipe... but I’m sorry I can’t give it out cause I don’t remember what all I put in it. It was one of those --add a little of this & a little of that kind of recipes. I don’t think I ever make meatballs quite the same way twice. We also had spaghetti for supper, just Jim & me (Mike was at work & later went out to eat with some of his friends anyway).

But I did finally do something worthwhile later on which I confess I sadly neglected. I cleaned one of my fish tanks. Poor Goldie! She survived the crud…! & forgave me for abandoning her (I hope…).

Muffin is playing mouse, hiding her little furry playtoy under my umbrella which I have opened up for her & then she attacks it. If life could only be that simple...& fun!She cracks me up…!

Still no word about what’s to happen at work. We continue to wait... Patience is a virtue. God, please grant me more...!!!

July 11 / Sunday

On a quiet Sunday afternnon, in mid-July, the golfing craze pretty much began... It all started with a simple game of "INNER TUBE GOLF"! The object of the game was to land the golf ball in the inner tube or to land your ball closest to it. Let's just say that I was there more for the exercise & family bonding than anything. Then, after Matt went back to Penn State, Jim drove Mike & me out to a driving range to practice some real golfing. Well, anyway, at least that was the plan...

One of our neighbors operates a Par 3 course not too far away from our house. For years & years, he tried to get Jim interested in golfing, even gave him a free pass to this other course where he used to work but with no luck. Jim just wasn't into gofling back then. Then Dick & his wife retired & started this par 3 course & our whole world as we know it is beginning to change right before our very eyes...

Unfortunately, by the time we got there, the driving range had already closed. Jim promised that we'd go out again some other time during the week. We weren't ready to go home just yet so we stopped for an ice cream & then went to WalMart. I looked for a new top & pair of slacks (ones with a little elastic around the middle, if you know what I mean...) but I settled for a golf glove instead. Go figure... When we came home, Mike & I hit a bunch of plastic balls around in the back yard.

I don't know how long this golfing phase will last but I might as well enjoy it while I can. The last time Jim took me to a driving range was about 30 years ago & I couldn't even hit the ball. I'm convinced that I need to find something to do...some hobby, something that Jim & I can share together in our old age...otherwise we'll waste away here in Kreamer for sure. Well...enough said.

Tomorrow is another day... & the Associate Library Director returns from vacation so I'm sure they'll discuss the future of the Multimedia Center so we'll know what's going to happen before Michelle leaves. I just need to be patient... & remember, "God's will be done, not necessarily mine..."

July 10th / Saturday

In case you haven't heard, the Dalius Family has taken on the sport of golf. "If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!" , is what they say. I broke 4 tees practicing my golf swing in our backyard. Actually I was supposed to be taking the bedclothes off the line but, uh, well, one thing lead to another & before I knew it I was swinging away. I think I found my thing! If you watched Joan of Arcadia, you'd know what I mean. Last night's episode was a rerun but the message fits all the same. Joan joined the yearbook staff as a photographer even though it only lasted a day (she really wasn't that good...) & kept saying that she found her thing! Well, my thing may only last a day, too, but for now, at least, it’s kinda fun. I’m more of a mini-golf type person, though. On our honeymoon, Jim & I won a trophy; we were the mini-golf champs at Paradise Stream in the Poconos. Jim says I’m too competitive though. Well, let's just see how it goes…

// posted by Aqua @ 12:45 PM (0) comments