History

Something just occurred to me, and occasionally you all "ramble"...so here goes. It just occurred to me that once you have lived 50 plus years...you know a lot of HISTORY. Stop laughing. As a young girl I never enjoyed HISTORY. I remember classes...American History, The History of Ancient Civilization, Art History, anyway....I am becoming an Historian. I never would have thought so.
I dreaded those classes and now I know so many Jeopardy answers.

Why did you choose your china pattern?

Emily's post got me thinking about my everyday china pattern. I was a junior in high school and I was invited to Chicago to visit my Aunt Leora ( my mom's older sister - see photo...
L to R ...Lois, youngest, Leora, eldest and "the twins"...my mother, Lucile and my Aunt Louise. Affectionately known as the 4 L's. Anyway...I took my first flight on American Airlines, FIRST CLASS, and flew nonstop from Cincinnati to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Many happy memories of that trip...

• They gave cigarettes in F/C in those days. I got a little package of 3 Winstons on my tray and thought I was "something else"....LOL
• I was taken to the Premier of Thoroughly Modern Millie, and saw Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing in person. Everyone was very dressed up, it was a "red carpet Hollywood like affair".
• I rode on the L
• I bought a beautiful Pendleton Wool KILT at Marshall Fields
• AND I fell in love with my Aunt Leora's CHINA.

I made a decision that year that when I got married, I would register for Blue Danube. I was never sorry, never changed my mind. It's been 37 years and I still love it everytime I set the table. I have posted a blurb from their website...

If nobility ever had to claim a pattern for its own, then Blue Danube china is surely the one. Indeed, royal families of distinction have reverently chosen Blue Danube china's exquisite design for centuries. The design of Blue Danube china was first attributed to the German artist, Kandler, and is based on the most beautiful symbols of ancient Chinese and Far Eastern art. Blue Danube china depicts the flowers of good fortune and happiness, no wonder it's become the world's most famous pattern of all.

so....what story can you share about the choice you made?

The earlier years...

I have always loved being on the water. My father and I sailed on Lake Cowan. I just loved floating on the water. It was just me and my Dad mostly. That, too, makes it a nice memory. When I first moved to New England, I found myself drawn to the sea. I would walk along the beach, find a rocky spot and sit for hours watching the huge waves crash against the rocks. I love the smell of the sea, the rhythm of the waves. The house we rented on Thatcher Road was on the ocean....right on the ocean. There was a marsh between the house and the beach, and a short wooden walkway...but we were so close you could hear the waves touch the sand when you left the windows open at night. Such a calming effect. that soothing noise helped me fall asleep many a night. I love the tastes of the sea. The first time I boiled a live lobster, I wasn't sure I could do it. Putting that guy head first into a boiling pot of water seemed so..."harsh"...but one bite of that meat in clarified butter and I knew this was something I could do...again and again and again. Fresh Maine Lobster. Nothing like it. Nothing in the world. Gloucester has been in the news lately and it has brought back so many memories. I moved to Rockport, Mass in 1971. I lived in Rockport, Lanes Cove and then moved to Waterville, Maine - where Robin was born until 1977. In 1980, I made the move south to Boca Raton....but my heart stayed in New England for a long time. I learned to knit and crochet in Rockport. I went to my first "Fiesta" in Gloucester. It is an annual Italian Festival. If you care to know more...you can google it...but what I remember is the Greasy Pole. A huge telephone pole parallel to the water and out over the water...and loaded with GREASE...thick thick grease...and the goal was to walk out on the pole and get the flag without falling in. Google it...really....I know there are photos out there. One of my favorite "tastes" of the sea are CLAMS. You cannot live in New England and not love clam rolls. I love them steamed...called "steamahs" ( that's with the accent) and I love them fried. This weekend is the Memorial Service for Larry. I am sorry I can't be there. I think I will find a quiet spot ....grab a Narragansett and toast the good times.

Memories

This week I learned that someone very dear to me, in years gone by, has died. Only 59 years old. So many thoughts pouring through my mind, it is overflowing with fond memories. Over time the hurts heal and you remember only the good, the positive. God in his infinite grace does that for you. I was floating in the pool the other day, after I heard the news, and I closed my eyes and tried really really hard to see his face. I couldn't. But I could think back to the first time we met...and how much I FELL for this guy. I tried to remember all the FUN times and I even laughed out loud a few times. The neighbors already think we are strange, I'm convinced of that, so I just kept up my float down memory lane. I no longer have regrets. I have made peace about all of my decisions and know that I made mistakes - we all do, but I will always be thankful for the time God gave us and for the extended family I gained through this relationship. I wouldn't trade the experiences or the friends that I made because of this man. I might never have lived in New England. Isn't it curious the path that God prepares for us? Isn't is so curious the way He weaves it all together? God used this man to give me a precious gift...the gift of life....Robin. Through the tears, I was reminded of my dear husband, Jason. God brought him to me when I needed him most and his steadfast, unconditional love has seen me through so much. He introduced me to the most precious gift, the gift of our Lord and Savior, Messiah Jesus. God truly does work all things together for good...I added HEY JUDE to my playlist in memory of Larry. It was always one of his favorites.

Time for a change?

I was so excited the first time I realized that Hannah might have inherited something from me. I am always looking for clues...her big toes look like mine...she gets up early and is always on time...let's see...how about " SHE LOVES TO REARRANGE FURNITURE". I have always done a lot of rearranging in my mind. As a child, I used to imagine - because I probably wasn't allowed to really do it - our house completely rearranged. I would imagine the living room was the dining room (and vice versa) and picture the couch over here and the dining room table over there....you get the idea. All kinds of changes. I would imagine our unfinished attic as a fully completed suite....I had it all figured out. The closet in the hall would have to go and in it's place would be a beautiful winding staircase...then I would imagine all of my furniture up there and some new pieces to fill up the space. I WAS allowed to rearrange the furniture in my room, as long as I was extra careful and didn't scratch my wood floors. I tried every arrangement imaginable. I was very creative. I am 56 years old and I STILL rearrange furniture. I always have an idea....it drives Jason crazy...but after all of these years, he is no longer surprised to find furniture in a different location. I usually leave HIS CHAIR in the same spot if I am in the tv room and rearrange everything else. Some days I just feel it's Time for a change.
Now, Hannah, has definitely inherited that from me. Can we all just admit that one? Every time I visit, her room is in a different order....she is STRONG. She moves her bed, her chest of drawers, her dresser , her night stand, her doll house and a rocking chair. I just love that about her.
I was just thinking the other day that it's time for a change...I may have to stop this blog and go move something. See ya later...

1946

The new photo header is one of my mother. Taken, I am guessing in 1946. She would have been a newlywed and about 25 years old. This was my parent's and my 1st home. My mother was such a "Martha". Check out the wallpaper and the couch. My Dad loved photography and probably took this posed photo.
With all the Blog redesigning going on, I decided to change my look, too.
More later....

Sharing Knowledge

Next week my friend and co-worker, Sharett, will be leaving Delta and beginning a new career with the State of Florida. She is an incredible Administrative Assistant, and I am learning just how much she has done for Delta while in Tallahassee. You see....in 7 days, I will be handling her responsibilities AND MINE until a new AA is hired. For the past few days, Sharett has been "sharing knowledge" with me. I have always wondered why people hoard knowledge. In our line of work, sharing knowledge, makes everyone's job easier....makes everyone's job better. The more I show you, the more you know, the more you know, the more you share....pretty soon....we all know more about what needs to be done and we are "sharing" the workload. I am sorry Sharett is leaving...sorry I didn't take advantage of this tremendous resource that was available to me. We always think there will be another day. I am not sorry for the time we have had...I will be forever thankful for all that I have learned and look forward to continuing our friendship outside of Delta. I truly believe, as I have blogged before...God allows certain people to cross our path in life...no coincidence....always with a purpose...sometimes for just a season...but with a plan for each one. Just in case you are reading this, Sharett, thank you! I really appreciate all that you have shared and wish you the very best!!!

Delta Decision

Thank you for your continued prayer as I have been praying also for my decision about Delta. As you know, my deadline for deciding is Thursday, May 15. In November of 2001, I was faced with a similar decision. With my CTO closing after 9/11, I had to decide if I were going to stay with Delta and drive 120 miles per day to a Reservations office ( which is now closed, too) or find alternate employment. Friends that I had worked with for 20 years were faced with the same difficult decision. 3 of us stayed, 3 took the "voluntary packages" that were being offered. This time around, the circumstances are different and yet painfully the same.This time around, I have made the same decision to stay. Some say I am loyal and trust in a company that no longer exists, but I am not trusting in Delta...I have placed my trust in Jesus and the verse that has seen me through is Proverbs 3:5 and 6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. I believe with all my heart, that the Lord has directed me to stay and He will see me through. Thank you again for lifting me up in prayer.

Pool's Open!

This has been the easiest year to open the pool. Mark and I always trade horror stories...when you cover a pool for the season, you never know what you will find when you pull off the cover. Jason and I are getting better at this. Each year we learn more about the process. Sometimes we think it would be easier to let all the water out, make a bigger deck and get a nice new HOT TUB! Less hassles. But then when I get off work and I am floating in my pool, I think...This is the life! Worth all the work. I can't wait to have Hannah and Jacob over. Spending time with them is always a good time. Guess I will need to get new goggles and floats or noodles. Also want to get a GAS GRILL. Cookouts, poolside...what could be better?

Peter Pan

This afternoon Robin, Hannah and I flew to Neverland with the Tallahassee Ballet. We enjoyed the performance. Then dinner at Cracker Barrel. Doesn't matter what we do, I always enjoy time spent with Robin and Hannah. I am so thankful that God blessed me so richly. I love you girls.