A long ago memory

I was reading Vodkamom's latest blog post  about her class making thank you cards and sending them to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It brought back a vivid memory from 19 years ago.

My oldest daughter, Gina was in first grade, and she told her teacher that her Uncle Jimmy was in the war (the First Gulf War aka Operation Desert Storm).  My brother, Jimmy was a Marine (well, you know, once a Marine, always a Marine!) and his unit was sent over to Saudi Arabia.  Jimmy was one of the guys who drove the supplies to the front in Kuwait.  He did not see combat... at least I don't think he did.

Gina's teacher, Mrs. E (who looked just like Snow White!) thought it would be fun for the kids to make cards and letters and send them to him in a big manila envelope.  Jimmy LOVED getting the cards and all his buddies enjoyed them immensely!

When Jimmy came home from the Gulf, he went to visit Gina's class.  I brought him to school just after 1st and 2nd grade lunch.  Jimmy was in his desert fatigues (now they call them BDUs... battle dress uniforms).  We pulled into the parking lot/ kids' school yard while the 1st and 2nd grades were having their after lunch recess.

We got out of the car, and the entire school yard stopped dead and there was instant silence!!  Then, this one little boy, Michael B came charging up to Jimmy and flung his arms around Jimmy's legs and would not let go for anything! (gosh!  I still get teary-eyed just thinking about it!)

We finally got Michael unattached from Jimmy's legs and we went into the classroom.  Jimmy brought his gas mask with him along with a few other momentos and all the kids got to try the gas mask on.  Of course, a lot of the boys were asking if Jimmy ever killed anyone or shot his gun.

All in all, it was  really good day!  Jimmy was the hero of St. Aloysius School that day (too bad the local newspaper didn't know we were coming.  I'm sure they would have sent a photographer over)  The kids were so impressed that a real live soldier had come to visit them!  And Jimmy thought Mrs. E was totally hot!  LOL

Dear So and So: Welcome Home Edition

Dear Self,

So you must think you're a doctor or something.   When your kids caught a cold, you took them to the doctor right away for medication, but when it comes to you, you think you can treat that cold yourself.  And every time, it turns into bronchitis.  Then you end up at the doctor's office and you get weighted down with all kinds of medication that you probably wouldn't have needed had you gone as soon as you felt sick.  It's one hell of a way to get a one week's vacation. You think you'd learn by now.  Sheesh.

Smacking herself in the head,

Joanie

Dear Dr. Z,

Thanks for coming to my rescue again.  And yes, I'll be good and stay on my meds and get my blood sugar under control, and my blood pressure too.  You could help with that BP by lowering your fees by about $100.  Just think about it, da? (she's Russian)

Grateful but broke,

Joanie

Dear Tim,

Welcome home and thank you for knowing how to wash a dish and a pot and where they go when you're finished with them.  Living on your own for 2 years has worked beautifully!!  Now can you teach your sister how to put away her crap?

Thinks this co-habitating just might work out ok,

Mom

Dear Dani,

Welcome home from college!  By the time you get all your crap out of my living room and put away it will be time for you to pack to go back to school.  I have a feeling when your boyfriend comes to visit you'll be getting rid of all the crap because it's obvious that it's all your stuff all over the house.

Didn't miss this side of you this past year,

Mom

Dear Gina,

Welcome home from Ireland!  Weren't you a lucky stiff to be caught there for 3 extra days!!  That ash cloud really worked in your favor!  You got to spend all that extra time with Colleen and her friends. I'm still jealous you got to go to Ireland before I did!

Loves her nice warm socks from Donegal,

Mom 

Dear John's niece, Mary,

Thanks SO SO much for the heads up about prescriptions!  I didn't know if you google the name of your Rx, you might find valuable coupons that can take lots of bucks off your bill!  Thanks to you, my Rx bill went from $87 to $60, which allowed me to pay for all the extra crap Dani bought while waiting at Wal-mart for my Rx to be ready.

Your Uncle John's Significant Other,

Joanie

Dear Maleficent,

You know, I thought I'd be freaked out and really nervous about meeting you at Tim's graduation.  But when I woke that Saturday morning, I was surprisingly calm.  All the way to the school I had no anxiety whatsoever.  When we finally got to the school, I was glad I got to see what you looked like before you saw me.  I realized at that time, that I didn't care any more!  In the end, I won!  One word of advice?  I'd really do something about those terrible bags under your eyes.  It looks like you haven't slept in years.  I remember when I had bags like that.  It was when I found out about you.  Hmmm....

Winner, and still Champion,

Joanie Mack, NOT Poletti

Dear Readers,

Why not pop over the pond to Kat's Place in the UK, grab the button and get some stuff off your chest?  Trust me, it feels good to release it all!  Don't forget to Link your Dear So and So and lots of others will be able to read them too!  Go on!  You know you want to!

Love,

Joanie

Random Tuesday Thoughts: coughs, cars, volcanic ash

I've had an unexpected week off from work, one that I can ill (haha) afford.  My nephew, Marty had a graduation party this past Saturday and I decided not to attend because I took off for Tim's graduation and another day for something I can t remember, and really couldn't ask for yet another Saturday..  Then last Tuesday I start in with a cold or flu or something that I just couldn't shake!  I've been home from work since Thursday (Wednesday is my day off) and won't be back to work until This Thursday.  

I FINALLY broke down and went to the doctor.  Every time I get a cold I think I can treat it myself.  Why see a doc when all I need is Dayquil, Nyquil, hot tea, some rest, throat lozenges.. right?  For most people, that's true.  Me?  Not so much.  Every time I end up with bronchitis and am wheezing so bad, I can barely breathe.  And I wait until it's this bad before calling the doctor.  So now I'm on an antibiotic, steroids, an inhaler med and a decongestant.  And Wal-mart is a little bit richer for it.  You think I'd learn.

To top it all off, I lost my voice!!!  Ever try to make a phone call with laryngitis and not sound like a prank call?  I woke up yesterday with no voice whatsoever.  Throughout the day, it went from a whisper to a croak and back again.  I just tried it and I'm back to the croak.  I'm waiting for frogs to camp outside my door.  

So I think my daughter will be able to fly home tomorrow from Ireland.  She's been "stuck" there since Sunday.  Poor kid.  Stuck on the Emerald Isle, the land of my ancestors, with her best friend from college.  Actually, she's having the time of her life!   

My younger daughter's boyfriend is supposed to come here for a visit this weekend.  He lives in Pittsburgh, we live outside of Philly.  It's a 5 to 6 hour drive.  His parents are afraid to let him drive here, alone.  sigh.  Dani makes the trip, alone, several times a year, going back and forth to school.  Maybe I'm a more lenient mom (well, I know for a fact that I am), but I don't see what the big deal is.  

Tim's moving home today.  He and his dad rented a truck last Friday and brought his bed and other junk belongings home.  Today he's here permanently until he can find a job and get on his feet to get a place of his own. 

Today is the 15th Anniversary of my brother's wife death.  She left us at the early age of 37 from a cerebral hemorrhage.  It's hard to believe that 15 years have gone by so quickly.   We still miss you, Pammy.  Rest in peace.

Tomorrow oops... next Wednesday actually, we're supposed to pick up Dani's newest vehicle.  Her dad finally got smart and purchased a car NOT on Ebay.   She's getting a 2008 Hyundai Elantra.    This one better make it to graduation in 3 years, at least!  So far, she's had a Honda Accord (that lasted 2 years, not sure how), a Saturn (engine seized on the PA Turnpike, coming home for Christmas break), her brother's Bronco (inherited when he got a newer used car for graduation... it was leaking transmission fluid like mad) and now the Elantra.

Now that I think about it, my kids have had a shitload of cars!  Gina's had 6 cars, Tim's had 4 cars and Dani's getting her 4th car.  I've been driving for 27 years ( I was just shy of my 28th birthday when I got my license) and I've had  8 cars in all.  I used to get a new car every 3 or 4 years (we leased a few times).  I've had my Vibe for 7 1/2 years now.  I love my little Vibe, but I do miss that perk my marriage allowed... getting a new car every few years.  Do you think he'd...?  never mind.

**Sue Ann in NM didn't know what a Vibe was, so here is a photo of exactly what my little 2003 Pontiac Vibe looks like (minus the dings and scratches)!  The color is SALSA!!  I love it!

Ah, well... that's enough randomness for now.   

Go see Keely at The Un Mom, read some of the randomness from other folks.  You can even give it a try yourself!  Go over, grab the button, link your random stuff to Keely's blog and you might even find some new friends!

Luck O'The Irish

My oldest daughter, Gina left last Sunday, May 9 for a trip to Ireland to visit her college roommate, who is attending graduate school in County Kildare.  They've had a grand time, touring the Guinness Brewery, touring Dublin and other fun stuff.  I asked her to kiss the Blarney Stone for me if she gets the chance.  Apparently, they weren't anywhere near the Blarney Stone, and besides, the Irish piss on it (her words, not mine)  Just a word of warning if anyone of you plan to visit the Emerald Isle and fancy kissing the Blarney Stone for luck... or should I say yuck?  You might want to pass on that.

Gina was scheduled to fly home on Sunday, May 16.  We get an email in the middle of the night (Saturday, going into Sunday) that her flight has been cancelled, due to "weather".  Then 3 hours later one that reads success!  She had a flight leaving Monday. 

Several hours after that, Gina's boyfriend calls me with the news that basically Ireland is closed until further notice.  That unpronunceable volcano in Iceland (Eyjafjallajokull) is spewing forth lots and lots of ash again and the ash has virtually covered the entire British Isles.  Nothing going in, nothing coming out.  

Gina has a flight scheduled for Wednesday morning... maybe.  If they're letting planes fly she'll be home.  If not, then she's stuck there until the sky clears and they can fly again.

This is her latest Facebook status message (the only way we can communicate right now):

"gets to spend a few more days in the Emerald Isle with Galla-her... my second flight is cancelled, and now I'm supposedly coming home on Wednesday. We'll see!!! hahahaha"

 Do you think she's upset by this problem?  Yeah, me either.

Six Word Saturday: pissing and moaning

I really really hate this cold!

This darn cold has really gotten me hung up this week.  I could feel it coming on Tuesday.  Wednesday was my day off and it really hit me.  I called out of work Thursday, Friday and today.  My fever comes and goes.  Coughing like crazy.  Blowing my nose so much, the poor little thing is really sore.  Who knew a head could hold this much fluid?  The one good thing is my appetite ain't so great.  I just don't feel like eating.

And no, I haven't gone to the doctor.  My insurance isn't so great and I won't have the funds to go until at least Monday.  If I still feel bad on Monday, I'll call, I promise.  The only time I went out was yesterday to take my support check to the bank (priorities, people!)  I didn't even comb my hair.. actually I haven't combed my hair since Tuesday.

It's amazing how wiped out I am by this!  For the past 4 days, I've basically sat on my sofa recliner with my tissues, water, tea and the remote, dozing on and off and catching up on NCIS and CSI and a few other shows. 

Thursday night, I started with a headache that only be described as a migraine.  This morning, it might be going away.  I'm not really sure yet.  It seems to come in waves.  

To top it all off, I went to bed early last night and then tossed and turned until 8 am.  I may have gotten a total of 2 hours of sleep.  I finally gave up, got up, got a shower (THANK GOD!!) and came downstairs.  I do feel a bit better after the shower.  I made it as hot as I could stand it.  I just hope I don't get the sweats again today.  

And where did I get this cold, you ask?  Why, from John, of course!  He started with it on Friday and I picked it up from him. So he's been sick at home at his place, I'm sick at home at my place.  And neither one of us feels well enough to drive to the other. Just as well.  I feel too crappy to take care of him and I know he'd sleep his life away, so I'd be on my own anyway!  hahaha   Ah well.... absence makes the heart grow fonder.  

Want to try your own Six Word Saturday? Go see Cate at Show My Face and link up!

AH-CHOO!!!

I haven't been around much because John gave me his cold over the weekend and I really feel like crap.  I am coughing so much, my ribs hurt, I ache all over, I have a fever and some sneezing.  I can't even concentrate long enough to catch up on my blog reading.   I think it's time for a nap.  I've been up for an hour.

Two Down, One To Go!

This was quite an interesting weekend!  My son, Tim Graduated from East Stroudsburg University!  It was a very nice and not long ceremony.  The trip to the college took longer than the actual graduation.  This is Tim processing back up the aisle, after graduation.

The other thing that happened that day was I got to meet the woman who stole my husband and freed me to meet the love of my life!  I was surprised how calm I was all day.  I thought I'd be a wreck (I hope she was!), but I wasn't!  Actually, a few days before I considered taking Ativan, just in case, but forgot to pack it.  

John and I got to the college, went into the Fieldhouse and found seats.  A few minutes later, I was looking for Tim's girlfriend, Casey because she was going to sit with us.  I turned around and here comes my ex (aka Greg), and he was alone!  I thought Maleficent had chickened out.  To be honest, for a few seconds, I was hoping that was the case.  Then I realized they had gotten there before us and were seated about 20 rows in front of us.  Greg didn't see us, so I was able to get a look at where they were sitting.  Then, Maleficent got up to go to the bathroom.  My daughter has it all wrong.  This bitch is SKINNY!!! Gina says she's pear-shaped, that for her size, she has a fat ass.  sigh.  She can't be more than 110 pounds.  dammit!!!  I wanted her to have a pedunkadunk!!  Some major junk in the trunk!  Maybe her dress hid it well.  

OK, are you all sitting down?  I was nice.  I shook Maleficent's hand.  I hugged her.  I hugged Daddy Dearest (first time in 3 years  he touched me.  whenever he tries to give me a hug, I step away.. clear message.. hands off.)   I came to the realization at that moment that I didn't care!!  Their marriage didn't bother me. I'm very very happy without him and she's welcome to him.  That was huge!!!  Huge huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  Maybe now my Karma will improve.  I doubt I can ever forgive them, but I can tolerant their existence.  I can even be in their company for a time.  My therapist would be so proud of me!

I do have a picture of Maleficent and Daddy Dearest with Tim and Casey.  Now, maybe I'm over-analyzing (who?? ME????)  You tell me.  This is what I see.  Going right to left (I know, backwards but bear with me)  Here are Casey and Tim, arms around each other, all snuggly.  Beside them, bodies touching is Daddy Dearest with his arm around Tim.  Then there's a gap and Maleficent is standing there, slightly away from the others, as if to say "I'm not part of this family."  See for yourself and tell me what you think. (by the way, and I know I'm being picky, but hey!  this is my blog, my ex husband and I can say whatever I want!)  Maleficent has MAJOR bags under her eyes!!  I wish I could get the picture clear enough so you can see them, but I was surprised how large the bags were.  I also took some pictures of the back of Greg's bald head but they turned out too dark.  For someone who's fighting so hard to stay young, he sure is getting gray  and bald!

 Maleficent, Daddy Dearest (check out the belly), Tim and Casey

Here are a few more pictures.  

 

 John and I clean up pretty good, huh!(speaking of bellies.. holy shit! look at mine!)

 

Proud Mama with her grown-up boy.

Tim and Casey.

Anyway, after graduation, John and I took Tim and Casey to dinner.  There was a Hibachi restaurant that Tim always wanted to go to, so we went.  It was really good! The name of the place is Desaki  in Swiftwater, PA  I forgot to bring my camera inside, so there are no pictures from dinner.  Here is the Menu.  Tim was so cute!  This place is not inexpensive.  Tim opened the menu, saw the price list and said, "I'm sorry, Mom!"  I told him not to worry about it.  It was more than I expected to pay but it was very good and so, worth it in the end.  And besides, my son only gets his degree once in a lifetime.  John and I shared the filet mignon for 2, which turned out to cost less than if we had ordered separate meals.  Tim got the salmon and Casey, who is a vegetarian (but she eats some seafood sometimes) got the vegetable hibachi.

I wanted to pick up the sugar-free cheesecake at the Pocono Cheesecake Factory (this is not a restaurant but a bakery)  When we stopped by, it was already closed for the evening.  Tim is supposed to bring one home for me when he comes home this weekend with his stuff.

The evening of Tim's graduation, I put a status message up on Facebook that read:
I'm astounded! I hugged Maleficent! Hell will now freeze over! 

My brother-in-law commented the next morning:  
Weather Advisory from Hell - temperatures dropped into the low 20s last night setting a record, that none of the "global warming" experts in residence down here can explain! ;-)

Gone Fishing, or something like that

Actually, the only fishing I've ever done was fishing for compliments.

I'm probably not going to be anywhere near a computer all weekend, unless I count my Blackberry.  I'm heading to John's for the weekend, and he's very 20th Century... no cable, no internet.  He does have running water and electricity though.  

Tomorrow morning, we're heading East Stroudsburg University to attend my son's graduation (did I mention he's graduating Summa Cum Laude?  yeah, I'm bragging again)   Maleficent WILL be there (oh joy!  I get to meet the trophy wife), and I promise to try to get a picture of her abnormally fat ass so I can put it on my blog.  Maybe even a shot or two of John and me all cleaned up!

On Sunday morning, we'll be driving to Wilmington, DE to take Gina, my oldest child, to the Newark, NJ airport, so she can fly off (without me!  hmph!) to Ireland to visit her best friend, Colleen who is going to grad school there.  Know what a terrific mom I am?  (feel free to jump in and verify, Gina)  Gina lives about an hour or so from me, and the airport is 2 hours from her!  Well, I like to drive and Daddy Dearest (who lives a LOT closer to Newark than either of us) has to go visit his Monster-in-law (who lives even closer to the Newark airport!) And why Newark airport instead of Philadelphia?  Gina is saving several hundred dollars on her plane ticket, so it's well worth the extra time!

Then it's back to John's for the night and I leave on Monday for work.  Man, I'm tired just thinking about that!

So have a terrific weekend, everyone and Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there!

A really good read

I have been on a reading frenzy this year.  I even have a list of books that I'm currently reading on my sidebar (yes I'm reading 3 books at a time).  I also have a list of all the books I've completed this year.  I've been downloading audio books from my library to my computer.  Then I transfer the books to my Blackberry.  Some people have a lot of music on their Blackberries, I have audio books.  I'm working my way through James Patterson's Alex Cross Series.  I'm alternating those with Lisa Scottoline's Rosato and Associates Series.  I listen to my books, mostly while driving back and forth to John's place.   

John gave me a Kindle for Christmas this past year and I have about 17 books on there right now.  I read my Kindle when I'm home or at John's.  I keep it in my purse, so I always have it when I need it.  I normally don't bring the Kindle into work (but I did this week because I couldn't put the current book down!  I NEEDED to finish it!)

I also have a stack of 30+ books in my bedroom that are waiting to be read.  So those books I keep in my work bag and I read on my breaks or when it slows down.

I read a really really good book this week!  As a matter of fact, I read it in 3 days.  I haven't read a book that quickly in a long time.  The name of the book is The Opposite Of Me: A Novel by Sarah Pekkanen.  Sarah is a first time novelist and she hit a home run out of the ball park! 

Here's the link to her website where you can find out all about the book.   

http://www.sarahpekkanen.com/

She also has a Facebook page and I found her to be very friendly.  

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1053792703#!/profile.php?id=1001393390&ref=ts

My next series of books I plan to read are Janet Evanovich's, Stephanie Plum Series.  In print version, I am reading #5 (High Five) and I have #6 (Hot six) in the wings. Some of the later books I can download to my Blackberry, but I have to read the first 10.

So what's on everyone's reading list these days?

Six Word Saturday

Goodbye Empty Nest.  I'll miss you.

Ah, yes.  My empty nest is closing (or is it opening?)  My son, Tim is graduating on Saturday, May 8th (Summa Cum Laude!  brag brag brag!)  He will be moving home the following week until he finds a job in his career choice and can afford a place of his own.   Tim hopes to be out on his own within a year. 

My daughter, Dani will be coming home for the summer and will return to her college in August.

I really did enjoy my empty nest.  I liked being able to come and go as I pleased.  To go to John's for the night whenever I felt like without having to let anybody know I wasn't going to be home. 

I hope I get my empty nest back soon!!!

Want to try your own Six Word Saturday? Go see Cate at Show My Face and link up!