Change of Plans

You know what they say, "the best laid plans of mice and (wo)men." I had two unprecedented days off in a row, the first since December, and was hoping to drive to the campground, set a tent and lay back in my camp chair with a good book. Had the tents, the sustenance, the books--only thing missing was the car. Is it fact overheating? And what is that crazy thunk when I turn left? So I am enjoying my fine day offs at home, while the car is being checked out at the shop. Sigh...

Memorial Day 2011

With heartfelt thankfulness to all the brave men and women who gave their lives for this country. And to their families who carry on in spite of their great loss.

We remember you
And give you thanks and honor
You answered the call.

A New Top

My son's convertible looks snazzy with her new top!

My batteries need recharging

I checked the forecast and it looks like it will be sunny from Sunday through Wednesday. So I was thinking that I could drive to a campground near home, put up the tent, take my lounge chair and some books and regroup. Run away from home for a while. It costs $20 a night. Pretty cheap for therapy. Wednesday will be tough--an appt with my mother's urologist in the early afternoon which leads right into my daughter's MRI for her jaw. Not my favorite way to spend the day.

The storm and afternath

The rain beating on the garage roof, and sheets of rain blowing in all directions making it necessary to close the windows, the drumming on the plastic tarp covering the broken window--it was so exciting! And now the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Just what I needed to break up the ho-hum existence of day-to-day living--work at the flower shop, laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, cooking. However, I derive comfort from writing my secret thoughts in my personal journal. And I am still hoping to get away for a few hours of therapy. Perhaps tomorrow?

After the storm

The sun shining on a rain washed world, the birds chirping.

The thunderstorm

Sheets of rain blowing in all directions, rain beating off the garage roof, drumming on the tarp covering the broken convertible window

Modern Technology

Today was the first day of work for my 16 year old daughter. She asked me to make sure she was awake, so I texted, "Are you up?" Turns out I sent the message to my boss, my three daughters, my son's apt. mate, my sister, brother, and 2 work colleagues. I asked my friend at work to explain how I did it. Apparently I DRAGGED something. The irony is that I sent all these messages completely by accident! It is very hard for me to pretend I feel one way, when I truly feel another. Even for the sake of a friendship, it doesn't bode well. I am not a good actor.

I'm waiting... probably futilely

I was talking to my daughter about waiting--waiting for someone else to initiate a conversation be it email or text. And she said, she tries waiting only to be the first one to break the silence and text. That will probably happen with my online friend. No word last night, none this morning, I wonder and wonder more as I go through the day. I check the blog site to find nothing new.

After a few months, I got the library notice that the DVD "Eat, Pray, Love," was ready for pick up. I drove over after work and picked it up and spent the afternoon watching Julia Roberts. I derive so much more from the movies, "Ella Enchanted," "Princess Diaries," "Eat, Pray, Love," because I read the books before watching the movie.

Off to zumba after a forced hiatus because of Easter, our anniversary and work. And then after dance, my son and I are meeting at Ichiban to enjoy some sushi.

A new window vs a new top and other considerations

The back window has become detached at the bottom from the convertible fabric. The window piece by itself costs $675, a whole new top $1300. I would also like to replace the deck, paint the house, and repair the front porch step, possibly do some repair work to the porch. I am weighing all my options. Still working on going away for a few days.

Trying to Get Away

Yesterday I tried to figure out how I could get away from home and family for a couple days. It didn't work out because I don't have access to a car nor to an inexpensive place to stay. You know my husband will holler if I spend money on a small "about me" trip. However, as soon as I can figure out the car and expense issues, I will be off. A time for me to relax and pamper myself and get away from it all.

"You Had Me at Woof" by Julie Klam

For Mother's Day, my daughter gave me Julie Klam's book, "You Had Me at Woof." This is the tale of Julie's experiences with her own Boston terrier and the Bostons that she either finds homes for or fosters. It is funny, not at all sad because she doesn't dwell on "Doggie Heaven." Yes, I know what it is like to lose beloved pets and didn't want to be reminded. She writes about Otto who sleeps stiff legged between her and her husband, Paul, paws sticking into Paul's back. She describes walking with 4 dogs. Yes, I know. I have 3. She describes life as either a tornado or flatlining. A wonderful, enjoyable Mother's Day gift. Thank you.

There's always something

I came home from work yesterday to discover that the back window in the convertible popped out at the bottom and the car won't start. I'm not quite sure why it won't start. It could be that the alarm is still engaged. Could be the starter altho that was replaced 3 months ago. The deck step needs to be repaired as does the concrete step. Special things that need to be addressed along with the daily living chores like cooking, cleaning, laundry. I am going through some changes at work, with the hiring of the new person, and all the training and instruction that entails to help her become a viable team member. And of course there is an upcoming MRI for my daughter's TMJ. Also, many hours at the softball field cheering for the team. There is no JV team this year. I wonder if there will be enough players to make a varsity team in a couple years.

I keep reminding myself

I keep reminding myself that it's no fun to be the newbie on the block. However, I can only stand so much "shadowing" at work, before I start feeling the constraint. Then I rush to the store to buy fruit for fruit baskets, and $33 worth of chocolate for my son, to help us get through the day. I discover in the process that my debit card is AWOL, that I had given it to my daughters to buy snacks for the softball team and that it is in a jeans pocket somewhere. When my boss reprimands me and tells me that "filling the cooler is part of the process," I make an excuse, a truthful one, that the new one was giving out a free rose. I remember my first days, how I bothered everyone, how ignorant I was, how afraid of people I appeared, and I try to have mercy, but it is difficult.

A Fine Day Off

After the Mom's Day Rush at the store, I am running on 1/2 cylinder. I called a topiary arrangement, a "potpourri" arrangement. One of our customers came in, revved up and larger than life, and I had to hide in the design room because she was more than I could take. I did manage to go to the softball games and HKD training, but I was exhausted and not much good for anything. So today, I slept in for a minute. My daughter invited me to a Mom's day lunch. So kind of her. I also have to accompany my other daughter to an appt, but aside from that, it is a "sitting on the deck and reading day." A day to rejuvenate, regroup, gather strength. Still trying to decide which improvements we can afford--painting and/or deck rebuilding. I would like to fly cross country to meet a friend, but my husband calls it "silly." Buying a bike trailer when the babies were little was silly., inviting my sister to a b'day lunch was silly, investing in the store was silly. It's silly because it involves spending money. Back to the trip, would have to take a miracle or two.

More spring

Spring

Happy Mother's Day! You are so loved and appreciated for all you do.

Mother's Day Challenges

As more and more floral shops struggle and close, it becomes quite a challenge to find a shop that will fill orders There can be problems in both rural and urban areas. Perhaps there are no shops to service a rural area, or a city shop cannot accept an order because it is not cost effective. We do not want our customers and their loved ones to be disappointed, so creative and "outside the box" thinking has to take place. I appreciate the owners of shops in other states that go "above and beyond," who take special care with the orders that we send. And of course our shop reciprocates by taking special care with the orders that are entrusted to our shop.

Today I am Celebrating Mother's Day

Today we are taking my Mother to a restaurant for a Mother's Day lunch. The restaurant is handicap friendly--large aisles to accommodate her walker. The waitstaff is patient with my mother, who has dementia. The last time we enjoyed a meal there, the waitress asked my mother what kind of bread she would like, and winked at me to let me know that my mother had time to think her decision over and decide. Such a gift. My sister, brother and I also are giving my mother a new outfit--shorts and a blouse. I will give her some carnations that she can look at as she sits in her chair. It seems everyone has someone that they would like to honor on Mother's Day--a friend, sister, aunt, wife, daughter, mother. Mother's Day is my favorite day to work at the flower shop. I delight in helping people choose something special for the special person or persons in their lives. Yesterday, a woman sent four different gifts to special people in her life.