Friend

This is the inspiration for 12/31 on my "Celebrate Friends" calendar.   Thought I'd share it for my friends on New Year's Eve (day).  I hope that I am that friend that you value...because I value each and every one of you! 


A friend is a precious possession whose value increases with years.  Someone who doesn't forsake us when a difficult moment appears.  And our road will be smooth and untroubled no matter what care life may send; if we travel the pathway together, and walk side by side with a friend. ~Henry Van Dyke

Happy New Year, my friends!

New Year's Eve, Eve

Here I sit, on a day of vacation before my vacation.  I'm all packed for my vacation with two of my best friends.  I'm going to be heading in to town in a little bit to pick up those last minute things at the store - my natural antidepressant, mascara, hit the gym, go to the bank, search for a all inclusive wallet, and a cup of coffee.   

I'm excited for this trip to Las Vegas for more than one reason.   I get to spend time with two of my (five) best friends, I'll be experiencing new sights in a place I've not been to before, I'll get to see some sun (although it's only supposed to be 50 degrees).  

This trip came about as a result of  the death of our good friend, Char Schmitt.  We came home from her funeral and were sitting at  the IDK toasting her life - she passed away at age 56.  Far too young.  We got to talking about bucket lists and what we wanted to do before we died.  A bit morbid, I know.  But as we had just witnessed, tomorrow is never promised - it's a gift.

Well, needless to say, the topic turned to trips, trips together, and voila!  A trip to Las Vegas was born.  (Thank you Vickie K. for your bucket list!).  And....I'm sure that Char had a hand in it too!  (Miss you, Char!).

Dean

My long-time college friend, Dean, put out a veiled plea for help on Facebook last night.  It scared me.

Dean and I have been friends since 1981.  We actually dated for about 6 months before we decided we made better friends than a couple.  Throughout the years we've been there for each other even though we actually see each other once a year, if we're lucky.

So when I saw his words, "I'm Done with life"...I'm knew something was drastically wrong. I started calling and texting.  After several ignored attempts to both, he finally answered.

Without getting in to his personal life, it's safe to say he's in a depression and trying hard to figure out where he needs to be at age 52.

We shared some tears together.  I tried to relay some words of wisdom and to let him know he's not alone. 

Life, at best, is difficult. And if there is a chink in your armor that's weak, life can be hell.   But....if you're lucky to have friends to help share the burden, it can help.

Dean will be back in ND the end of January and I made him promise that we'll get together and maybe solve life's problems like we did in the old days....with a bottle of Jack out under the stars next to a fire.  (Not realistic for ND in January, I know, but a good memory )

You're not alone Dean.  You've got a friend to lean on.

Christmas 2015

It's a quiet day today, kicking back and catching up on sleep, doing some computer work, and just relaxing.  It's been a long time since I've had down time.

We went to my sister's house last night to spend Christmas Eve with her family; both girls are home with their guys.

It was so fun to see both of them again.  The family dynamics are hilarious and I  laugh at the chaos of gift opening.  I just sit back, watch the paper fly and smile.

I've been going to my sister's house for 41 years.  It's tradition and I won't allow myself to think of the day when that tradition is no more.

So, I enjoy what is and feel love for these beautiful three ladies.

Martin

I woke up with a cold in full onset mode.  The last thing I wanted to do was work out with Nick at 8 am, but that's just what I did.  I even did time on the elliptical machines.

I headed to Walmart and my mood was elevated when I got a huge hug from my Blaine. I admit, I shed a few tears.  He touches my heart!

As I was walking in to Hugo's to get a coffee at Caribou, a co-worker stopped her car and yelled, "Merry Christmas Sherry".  I hurried up and ran to give her a hug.  Once more, tears in my eyes.

But truly touching was my coffee partner.  I decided to sit at the high top table and watch the parking lot hustle and bustle.  An elderly man was sitting there cursing at his phone.  Apparently his son's phone calls were getting dropped.  He said, "all I want to know is if I'm supposed to go there tonight.  He never told me."

His name was Martin, he's a widower and 78 years old.  He has two sons, but one is an alcoholic and the other one has a wife who doesn't like him.  He said, "all I've ever done in life has been for my family".  We proceeded to talk about the current state of our country, religion and politics - which is weird because I make it a point to never discuss my views on those topics.  He was easy to talk to and readily shared his life story with me.  I lost an hour talking with him, but it was an hour well spent.

As I was leaving I reached out to shake his hand.  He took mine and said, "thank you, I as just wasting time."  I smiled and replied, "I was too...so thank YOU Martin"..then gave him a hug.  We both had tears in our eyes.

Merry Christmas, Martin

What next...

We had our holiday office lunch today.  I'm getting sick with a cold and a co-worker just came back from being on sick-leave for two days.  The atmosphere in our office is less than festive.  Moral issues, perhaps.  I don't know what it was, but we all sat there like bump on logs.  Sad.

 

I hope that whatever I'm coming down with doesn't last long.  I don't like being sick - especially in winter when my psyche and defenses are down.

 

I have one more yoga class then I'm off for a two weeks.  Thank goodness!  Yoga is my passion but I soooooo need a break.  It's hard to teach when your head is cluttered with thoughts and the body just wants to sleep. 

Monday, Monday

It's the Monday of Christmas.  It's going to be a busy week at work.  We have an all-staff meeting on Tuesday, and our department Christmas party on Wednesday.  (We're so busy in Admin that hardly any of us have been in a jolly mood.  That and drama has things a bit Scrooge-like.  Sadly.) 

 

 In between all of that, I have two yoga classes and my trainer on Tuesday night and Thursday morning, finishing up gift buying and wrapping.  I don't buy for a lot of people anymore, so it shouldn't take me all that long (I hope).   Not really feeling all that festive this year - but hopefully that will change on Christmas Eve when I'm around family. 

 

I found this quote today that I put on Facebook and liked it so much that I'm putting it on here.   

 

"Love is always bestowed as a gift - freely, willingly, and without expectation.  We don't love to be loved, we love to love."  (Author Unknown). 

 

 

Star Wars

We were invited to see Star Wars this afternoon with Robert, Dani and their girls Chance and Danika.   It was a great movie and I was mesmerized by the cinematography.  

I remember the first Stars Wars movie as if it were yesterday.   

It was 1977.  My niece, Shelly, and I were allowed to go to the movie on our own - unsupervised.  That was a BIG deal for us!   We were allowed to walk all the way from Claus Park, where we were having a family picnic,  to the (then) Jamestown Mall.   We were given money so that we could have ice cream at Haugen's Ice Cream Parlor (now the Depot Cafe).   It was our first time of having this type of parental "trust" and it was amazing.  We felt so adult-like.

But that dulled in comparison to the thrill of the movie starting.  The music started and the story started to roll across the story, "In a galaxy, far, far away.."    I don't think either of us blinked until the end of the movie.   

I felt the same excitement today ...but from the two little girls sitting on either side of me.   A whole new generation of Star Wars fans were born.   

I know girls, I know....it's going to be a long wait for the next Star Wars movie comes out, isn't it?!

BRRRRR

Winter has finally arrived in the northland and I'm not so sure I like it.   I guess we've been lucky as it is the end of December.  Normally we'd have a month or two of this stuff already.   Quit my complaining, right?

 

Today is Friday and very glad.  I'm looking forward to tonight.  I get to go out with my best friends for a little bit R & R.  Tonight we're going out for supper at Paradiso's then doing a painting party at Wild Plum at 7:00 pm.    My father painted (self taught) in his later years in life.   I, however, can't draw a stickman.   So this will be immensely entertaining.  I'll try to remember to post a picture of the finished product.

 

Today's words of wisdom:  You are the painter, and life is your canvas.  

Star Date 12172015

For some unknown reason I feel a bit unsettled today.  Perhaps it's the blustery weather that has my SAD in full gear and emotions high.  Been weepy eyed all morning. 

I've been hiding out in my corner of the world trying to get as much done as I can under the circumstances.   It helps to have Pandora turned up and  my essential oils applied frequently.

I wish it was Friday today.  Actually I just need to get to the gym and work this mood off. 

Wise Words

Some days are better than others.  Today is a so-so day.  Could be better, and could certainly be worse (I know, because I've had far too many days like those in 2015).  But the one thing I keep remembering is what my daddy used to say.  "If you can change it, then change it.  If you can't,  then move on and let it go.".  My daddy was a wise man.  Too many people want to Change things OR people that are not within their control.  Or, if it is...they'd rather whine about it than do the work to facilitate the change.  I have my days too...I'm not perfect (far from it!) But some days you just have to let crap go or you'll go crazy.  Or get off your a$$ and make a change.

Shop with a Cop

I'm bursting at the seams once more.  Today I had the good fortune of volunteering some time with the 2015 Law Enforcement Shop with a Cop.  It's coordinated through the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and local law enforcement agencies (Police, Sheriff and Corrections).   James River Correctional Center had 16 staff volunteering their time an 5 of the family members.  I'm so proud of our staff.  The officers work a thankless job.  So it was nice to see them giving back today and finding some "light" to all they do.

My child today was named Jocelyn, aka JoJo.   She's a precocious little 10-year girl that seemingly has gone through more than she should at such a tender age.  She said that she's the 3rd eldest in a family of 7 siblings, with an anticipated brother or sister on the way.  Her mother is on an oxygen tank due to cystic fibrosis.    

When I was talking to her, I quickly noticed that she liked order in her life.  I can't imagine what her home life is life.   My heart melted as she grabbed my hand when we went through WalMart.   She kept asking, "how much can I spend?"   I told her, "Don't worry, JoJo - I'll let you know when we're close."   

She picked out her gifts - things a little girl of 10 would like - and said, "I want to get some chocolate for my Mom.  Do I have enough?"     Yes, you do, sweet girl.  :)

I witnessed so much caring today that my heart overflowed through my eyes.  

Blaine

I had a conversation with my nephew Blaine tonight.  He always makes me smile, but tonight he had me crying.

He's had a few bad days at work and didn't say anything to me until tonight.  When I asked why, he said "because I wanted to handle it myself and bother anyone."

I told him that I admired him for wanting to handle things on his own but to never, ever feel like he was a bother.

I spoke to him about how dealing with issues alone can be difficult. .but sometimes just having someone in your corner to listen to you and be there for you can make even the most difficult days seem tolerable.

I also promised Blaine that no matter where I am, day or night, if he needed me all he needed to do was call and I'd be by his side to help him through whatever he was going through.

I've been a part of his life since his birth and it crushes me to know he's in pain or worried.

Blaine is my world...and I'll move heaven and earth to make sure everything is right in his world.

Strength

Today was one of those days.  Woke up with a raging headache that had me laying in bed contemplating calling in sick and staying home.   My damn work ethic prevented me from doing it. 

I popped some Excedrine Migraine with a coffee chaser and got up.

It didn't go away until the gym.  Nic had me doing supersets tonight.  No talking, just lifting.  I did lawnmowers 20 lbs 10 x 3.  It dawned on me on the first set that I've never done 20 lbs.  I said "I'm mildly impressed with myself right now." 

Nic asked why mildly.  "Because I won't let my mind be blown away until I make it through all the sets."

On set three, last rep he said, "Be prepared to be blown away..you did it.  But I knew you could,  you just need to Believe it yourself."

Point taken and noted, Nic.