Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians, 4. 8

Saturday, March 28, 2009

A longing...



I'm longing for a simpler life...my mom's life...not exactly...but let me explain. All I ever wanted was to be a housewife and mother. It sounds even more attractive now...when life has become so hard. I've even thought about selling everything and using the money to build a nice addition onto Robin's house, quitting my job...using my monthly retirement money for personal spending money and being the O'Donnell's housewife and "house mom". I could clean, do laundry,iron, watch my soap operas...cook dinner. Have everything sparkling and comfortable when Robin and Michael and the kids come home for the evening. I could act as "personal assistant" and keep their activity calendars...After cleaning up the dinner dishes, I could retreat through my french doors to my end of the house and plan the following day's menu, while watching Dancing with the Stars. I would wear an apron...I would pack lunches in neat little lunch boxes...I would always be home when the bus arrived after school. I would run errands, attend ALL the kids activities. I haven't figured out what I would do with Jason....LOL...but this idea is still in the planning stages,

Seriously, though, think about how the roles have changed in such a short amount of time. 1950's...Ozzie and Harriet, Mrs. Cleaver, Lucy Ricardo...the mom's were AT HOME. Who convinced us that was not enough? As a single parent, in earlier years, I understand the need to provide...but I got used to the role and then felt trapped in it. Don't completely misunderstand...I always loved my job and all the opportunities that it provided, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people I have met because of it. I have learned so much about myself and how to deal with people...but honestly, my dream was always to be a housewife and mother. That's it.

Yesterday I was driving around the airfield with one of the airport Safety Managers. We were looking at space that Delta will lease to store catering supplies for our new South Florida service that begins from Tallahassee to Ft Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa...anyway...we got on the subject of the Explorer he was driving. It has only one door with a key lock, it's the driver door. So..he said, " Well it makes it impossible to open the door for a lady." And I said, "No, it just means that you have to unlock the door on the driver side first and then walk around and open the door for the lady and then walk back and get in on the driver side". He said what about Women's Lib. And that's when I said.....I am NOT A WOMEN'S LIBBER...not in any sense of the word. NO NO NO. We laughed, but I was serious.

What about you?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Springtime in Tallahassee



This is my favorite time of year in Tallahassee. Azaleas blooming everywhere. Brilliant PINKS. The fragrance in town is delightful, all the birds are singing...the skies are bright blue...it's like a "do over" ...we get a fresh start.

Hope you northern readers are thawing out, too.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

29th Wedding Anniversary




Jason and I went to Harry's downtown for our Wedding Anniversary. Had a lovely evening. I finished off my dinner with a Cafe Amaretto topped with whipped cream. YUM. This is our 2nd visit to Harry's. LOVE THE GRIT CAKES! Can't believe it's been 29 years!


Menu:
Crabmeat and Eggplant Napoleon
Crisp, fried eggplant stacked with crabmeat napoleon style and finished with
Parmesan Basil Cream Sauce.
Caesar Salad
Grilled Mahi
Served with a light lemon cream sauce.
New York Strip
Aged, center cut 12 oz. strip steak topped with roasted garlic butter and crispy fried onions.

Fried Grit Cakes with Tasso Cream Sauce!! These are INCREDIBLE!!!!


We also bought a bottle of their Hot Sauce for Jason!!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

274 NE 5th Street



I can't believe so many memories...MOWED DOWN.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

One more time...



This post is "dedicated" to Robin's friend Kimberly...

I'm adopted! For as long as I can remember I have known that I was "chosen". I was always made to feel very special. I always understood that the woman who gave me life was the vessel God used but Lucile Schumacher was "my mom". When someone learns that I'm adopted, one of the first questions they ask...Do you know your real parents? I smile and without hesitation I say, Yep...Jim and Lucile Schumacher. What makes a parent "real"? So many thoughts about this...so many years to ponder...
Two women...both with extremely difficult circumstances...first...a young single woman...in the 1950's...pregnant...second...a young married woman who learns she is sterile and cannot ever give birth. Imagine...the first woman made a very brave decision. She decided to have the baby, and give the baby up for adoption. Don't know much about her....just that she was 18....unwed...and of Protestant faith. I was born in Maple Knoll Hospital, home for unwed mothers. Do they even have those anymore? I imagine she had wonderful loving supportive parents...given her situation. The second woman...married...wanting a family....and now devastated by the news that she can never have a child of her own. But God was weaving a beautiful story ...and before the foundation of the world, He knew...He chose the perfect family for me. He couldn't have picked better parents. I cannot imagine any other life than the one I have had. And He even chose a brother for me...the perfect brother for me.
When I first read the scripture ....Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Ephesians 1:4-6, I completely understood. I was adopted... TWICE!
Funny thing about being adopted...whenever I am asked for medical history...I put N/A....and I'm not really sure about my ancestry...people say I look like an American Indian...possible...the Miami Indian tribe was from around my hometown....some say I look Spanish...I could be...but what I know for certain...is that I am beloved, chosen and kept...I am a child of the King....And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans 8:16-18.

When people ask where I come from...I usually answer Cincinnati...but now you know "the rest of the story"....so ....where do you come from?