Phone Call

My husband calls me today. Here is the conversation:

Husband: "Do you have a mastercard or Visa with Excalibur (can't remember the name of the company he said)? They keep calling me on my cell phone about an account."
Me: "No, my Visa is with Lancelot (made that name up)."
Husband: "Well, do your check your balance daily?"
Me: "No, I don't. And, I've never heard of the company you are talking about."
Husband: "Well, you need to check. I'm getting bad vibes from these people. I think it's a scam. You better check your account ."
Me: "I don't have a VISA with those people."
Husband: "Yeah, well, you need to check everyday. I think this is a scam."
Me: "Well, tell them not to call you anymore and do not give them any information."
Husband: "Check your balance. I know this is a scam."

So, just to shut him up, I go online, check my balance with MY VISA company. There is no problem. I call him back.

Me: "I checked, there is no activity on my account. If they call again, tell them to take your number off of their list and to not call you anymore."
Husband: "I think it's a scam. You need to check everyday."
JMe: "Ok, fine, I'll check 6 times a day, but I still don't have an account with that damn company!!!!"
Husband: "I think it's a scam."

Holy Crap! Somebody help me out here! The man is going crazy because of these phone calls. And, what part of 'I don't have an account with these people', can't he understand?????

As I said earlier today, the worse thing about getting old is being married to an old person.

WWMD

I visited some of my old co-workers on campus this morning and some of them told me that they wished I was back because I was good at handling things and getting things under control. One of them said he was going to get some bracelets made that had 'WWMD' on them for 'What Would Marie Do'. Apparently, there are and have been some things that happen that they feel I wouldn't have put up with. Yeah, I had a reputation for not putting up with much crap. I told some friends yesterday that I worked with years ago, that I am and never have been a team player. They laughed and agreed. I really work best when I am in charge and can boss people around. It's a gift!

Today I was sealing some envelopes and thought to myself, 'I used to have people who did this stuff for me'.

Anyway, it was good for my ego to hear that they still miss me and wish I was back.

Temporary

Usually when you start a new job you clean off the desk,dust it off, clean out the drawers and organize in a way that is logical to you. As a temp, especially if the incumbent is returning, you pretty much have to leave things the way you found them. I'm finding this very difficult. But, I have no choice but to keep my hands off.

Working again is ok, there really hasn't been very much to do and I would rather be busy. The days are just dragging by. Hopefully, things will pick up.

I got to see Eamon on Sunday and we even took our nap together, just like old times. Ed cooked shish-kabobs and ribs, Amy made brownies (a Guess household staple) and we just sort of lounged around. Kim came over right after church and stayed a little while. Alan and Ely had to work, so they weren't around.

Amy took some pictures of Eamon eating ribs, hope she posts them soon.

Transitions

I read once that the only thing certain about life is that things will change. Since Amy has lost her job and doesn't need me to watch Eamon for a while, I've taken a temporary job at Samford. I'll work 1/2 day tomorrow and then all day Friday through July 14. It's hard to describe my feelings about this whole thing. Anger and sadness that my precious child lost her job. Happiness that Amy will have some time to spend with Eamon. Sadness at not seeing Eamon almost every day, he grows so fast and learns so many new things everyday. Pleased that I was able to get a temp job so quickly and that everyone I know at Samford seems to be genuinely happy that I will be back for a while.

Today, lunch with my good friend, Pat.

Nap Time

I found some neat fabric in my sewing room that I've had for about 5 years. I started to make a quilt for Eamon and then Amy suggested I make a sleeping bag. Well, I couldn't find a pattern for a sleeping bag but did find one for a nap map. Eamon liked it so much and I had so much fabric left over that I made another one so he can have one here and at his house. Here's some pictures, don't have any with him in it yet.

Here's a close up of the fabric.

This is the mat ready for use.


It rolls up and buttons and has a shoulder strap on top for easy carrying.



And, yes, it has his name on it.

Anonymous Matrimony

So, we attended two wedding on Saturday. It amazed me, as it has in the past, how impersonal some weddings are. I know it would be impossible for all ministers, priests, etc. to personally know all the couples they marry. But, how hard would it be to ask a few questions beforehand to find out a few things about the couple? For one of the weddings, the couple has asked the chaplain from their university to come to town to officiate. When I found that out, I thought, good, this will be good, he knows them. Well, maybe he knew them, but he sure didn't act like it. He told a story about a couple who always repeated their vows on their anniversaries, it was very touching. However, he never made any personal reference to the two young people pledging their love that day. Those types of weddings leave me feeling empty.

When Amy and Ed married, Father McDade made it his business to get to know them and, at the rehearsal dinner, asked people questions, so during the wedding he gave a very personal and touching sermon.

Ok, I guess I've preached about that enough. I'm going to the zoo with Amy and Eamon and a friend of Amy's and her baby and mother. Should be fun.

Let me tell you aout my grandkids...

No pictures today. Sorry. Nick has spent a lot of time with us this week and it has been so nice to have him with us. He went with me to take Eamon to 'swim' in the baby pool at the 'Y' yesterday but the pool wasn't cleaned yet. So, we came home and Nick got Eamon's plastic pool out of the garage and turned the hose and filled up the pool. Eamon got in and out of the pool and had a grand time.
Last night, Ely, Nick and I went to the dollar show and saw 'Taken'. Wow, I don't think I breathed from the time she was taken until the end of the movie. It was truly action packed. Enjoyed it so much, I'm checking to see what else is playing.
Nick went home this afternoon. Eamon went to visit his Auntie Rae with Amy for a couple of days. It's very quiet here. Thought I might get a lot done, but besides mopping the kitchen floor it didn't happen. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Heartache

I have to keep reminding myself of all the blessings that I have. I have three smart, hard-working, healthy children and two beautiful grandchildren. I do not live in an appliance box. I have a refrigerator door connected to a refrigerator that I can put notes on. Even though my 401K took a big hit, there is still some left. I've had two long term, great jobs in my life. I have some wonderful friends. My husband loves me.
My heart breaks when something bad happens to any of my children. I wanted so badly for them to have easy and happy lives, an impossible idea, I know. Some of you know that the nasty recession has claimed another victim in our family, which makes me very sad.
An old friend sent me some words of wisdom, out of the blue today. Here are some things I need to remember:

Life is not fair, but it is always good.
It's ok to get angry with God, he can take it.
Don't compare your life to others, you have no idea what their journey is all about.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.
Whatever doesn't kill you really makes you stronger.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so called 'disaster' with these words, 'In five years, will this matter?
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don't take yourself too seriously, no one else does.
Believe in miracles.
If we all threw all of our troubles in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
The best is yet to come.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Life isn't tied up with a bow, but it's still a 'gift'.

Dinner with a Friend

Last Thursday night I met my good friend, Pat, for dinner at Jackson's in Soho Sqare in Homewood. The weather was delightful and we were able to sit outside and have a leisurely dinner. It was good to just sit and visit for a while.