Happy Hour Chatter

My nephew, Travis Schutt, ended up in the hospital last weekend due to complications from alcoholism.  First in Jamestown where we visited him Saturday night.  He was detoxing and could hardly breathe.  We talked to him as much as we could but he was pretty out of it.   Sunday he transferred to Sanford in Fargo to the ICU.  His brother, Robert, kept us informed and said they drained 2.5 liters of fluid from the sac around his heart.  Not good.  I was planning a trip to Fargo with one of my best friends Becky on Sunday afternoon and Monday, so was able to visit with Travis on Monday morning.  Thank goodness Becky was understanding when her shopping was cut to just a few hours due to the time that I spent at the hospital with Travis. The visit started out alright but didn't end well. I turned in to the aunt from hell when he made light of the situation he was in and refused to accept that alcohol played a role in his hospitalization. ...

I remember the days of yesteryear when I used to spend weeks designing my Valentine's box.  I'd consult with my father on size and materials and what I should say on it.  He had the patience of a Saint when I would coerce him in to helping me build the masterpiece.   We could be found forehead to forehead with the Elmers Glue, duct tape, wrapping paper or brown bags..whatever was handy.  Mom would stay in the background but was always quick at hand when we needed another opinion.   She'd put her two cents in, usually accompanied with popcorn and a cup of hot cocoa, then head back to the kitchen to finish the cupcakes or cookies I'd carry with pride to school the next day. Mom would sit with me for hours and help me pick out just the right valentine for each of my classmates.  She always affirm my decision with a nod of the head or "that would be perfect for her/him".  And she was always so interested to see the ones I received in return. I...

A very dear friend of mine sent this to me the other day and I absolutely loved it.  So much so that I wanted to share it with you. “ Promise Yourself ” to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence o...

I was invited to a wine party last night at my friend Sarena Ebel's home.   It was a wine tasting party put on by Jan of Traveling Vinyards.   It was my third party.   Apparently everyone knows that I like wine. It was a small group of ladies; seven of us.   We shared some wonderful food that Sarena prepared with the sole purpose of complimenting the wine.  It was scrumptious!   The food was good too!  :) What was even better was time spent with friends.  I got to see Ginny Kleven again and gave her a big hug.  She's a wonderful lady who has had some heartache recently in her life.  She just lost her sister-in-law to cancer.  As she was leaving she told me  that her brother Mark isn't doing well.  He's down in Texas at the Cancer Center and is to the point of being put in a nursing home as he isn't strong enough to make the trip back home to ND.  She cried.  All I could do w...

Today was Saturday and mother-in-law day.  I picked her up after my yoga class and instantly because concerned.   She looked rough and instantly told me she didn't want to go for lunch after grocery shopping. We did go shopping and I made sure to keep an eye on her in the store; I was never very far away from her.  When we got home, I sat with her and we talked for a little while.   The truth came out.  My mother-in-law, for the first time ever in my presence, broke down and cried.  She is so worried about her sons Bill, Leroy and Doug, as well as her granddaughter Pennie.  She worries continually and today it was too much for her.   She cried; I cried.   I gave her a hug and she just sobbed, "I feel so helpless. I cannot help any one of them." I felt helpless because I couldn't  help her.   I held her and shed tears right along with her.   I tried to comfort her and tell her that she has to ...

I had the great fortune of spending time with my sisters Pat, Judy and Peggy and Thursday night.  We haven't had the chance to get together in quite some time.  We used to get together more often but these days, not so much. and I don't know why really.   Pat and Judy are retired but busy with their families, home and Church.  Peggy and  I work and are equally busy with our lives.   I guess it doesn't matter as long we continue to get together.   I smiled when I walked in saw the three of them sitting at the table, eating popcorn and chicken wings.  After the day I had on Thursday, they were exactly what I needed. We had so much to discuss and so much ground to cover!  I don't think any of us came up for air until we were ready to leave!   We had good food and drink and covered all the important topics - family, health, weather, family, what we do with our days, family, family, family. Our mother passed away 2...