Closing

In an slight attempt at reducing some of my committments, I am not going to be writing at this blog in the future. I am leaving it open for awhile if anyone wants to read what is already here but from today, I will be posting stories and photos and, of course, artwork, over at on Life and Creating. That was my original intention when I started blogging and somehow I ended up with a few too many blogs. I hope you'll join me there (where you will also find links to my other blogs)!

Thank you for visiting!

What else can I fit into this week?

I know I have been away from the blog for a bit but I have a good excuse - my husband is on vacation and I have had a lot going on this week. To start, we spent three days in Chicago - one and a half at a friends' daughter's wedding and the other day and a half at my sister-in-law's (she lives in the heart of Chicago). The trip was nice and even a bit relaxing as we didn't try to get to any touristy things in Chicago. Been there, done that.

Got home Monday and I worked on Tuesday. Nothing too excited there. But I did do some shopping at Lowe's and was preparing for yard work sometime during the week. Like starting the very next day.

Wednesday - my normal day off - had me running more errands including a stop at the lab for my yearly blood tests. A little grocery shopping, that sort of thing and then home to a plumber repairing replacing my garbage disposal and hubby priming my garage (paiting will wait till Fall, I think). Wednesday evening hubby went out of town to a ball game with our daughter, son-in-law and his Dad. I spent the evening hanging out with my friend Kathy at Beaner's where we caught up on all sorts of odds and ends.

Thursday, I was back to work. Got home just in time to write the check for the painter who painted my bathroom. So glad I didn't have to do that job. But the trim (and some wallpaper) is all me. Sometime. When I get to it. Spent the rest of Thursday taking care of this and that around the house and yard. And taking son to his evening class.

Friday, I started out early and worked on the yard, weeding and mulching. Then on to cleaning the newly painted bathroom. The shower met Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and WOW, were my arms killing me when I was done scrubbing! Then I took a break and went to check out the new Hollywood Casino with hubby and son. That was fun. Fun like I could go there once a month. But that wouldn't be good for my wallet. So I will abstain. Came home and continued with some cleaning.

Saturday, early again, finish up the yard work (still haven't touched the back!), finished up the cleaning in the house - didn't think I would ever get to the end of that! - cooked dinner, finished reading a book, watered plants, helped hubby replace my dryer vent, got homework ready for son, and blogging. Yes, I did that too.

Now I need a nap. And a vacation of my own. In a clean house. Where nothing needs to be done. Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen!

Hope you had a good week!

Left Over Pie post

I am a contributing writer at a new blog, Left Over Pie. Started when one of my favorite bloggers, June Gardens of Bye, Bye, Pie almost quit blogging. And the community of commentors couldn't - wouldn't - just go quietly into the night. So we started a little blog ourselves. And tonight I posted about my husband making a decision about what to wear to a wedding tomorrow. Click on over and read my post there. And if you really want to read some funny, join us at Bye, Bye, Pie. June is a hoot!

Sometimes Mom just can't help

As most of you know, my son is a physically disabled 23 year old college student. He is intelligent, funny, polite and usually a joy to be around. Occasionally he gets in a bad mood, but don't we all? He has very definite likes and dislikes and he's a self-proclaimed geek. Here's the thing - he struggles to make friends. It has nothing to do with him not being friendly but he's a little shy and people simply don't want to make friends with the disabled guy. It sucks. A lot for him. A lot for his Mom, too.

Handsome son with Leia the Lovable

Since he's somewhat of a homebody, he has to "force" himself to get out and go places but where's a young man, who doesn't drink and has limited ability, going to go by himself and make friends? Think about it. It's not like an able-bodied person could even go to the mall and make a new friend while hanging out. It doesn't work that way. Unless he has a buddy along to start with. And the university he attends is untraditional enough that the majority of students are older, or married. Or, since they all commute, they are eager to go to class and go home - not stick around and make friends. Because undoubtedly, they already have friends.

He had a terrific high school experience and lots of "friends" there - not kids that came to the house but people he could talk to, eat lunch and share fun stories with. But after graduation, they all went their separate ways as young adults tend to do. He stays connected through Facebook and although his old friends claim they miss him, they don't make an attempt to visit him. He's even having problems making friends in an online game that he plays. The reasons seem to be that he types too slow, or doesn't roleplay "well enough". So what can a guy do?

I'll tell you what he does. He cries about it. Not all the time but enough to be miserable. And more than enough to break his Mother's heart. Because, while there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him, I can't make friends for him. Only he can do that. But I will always be there to take him places, to encourage him to reach out to others and show them what a great guy he really is, and to give him a hug when he is feeling especially lonely. And pray for a better day tomorrow for my precious kiddo.

If you're reading this, encourage your children and others to give a disabled person a chance. Most of them are just like you and me and want to be appreciated, respected and befriended. Imagine not having a single person to call a friend. You may just be the one person to make all the difference in someone's world.

Wondering why

Sometimes, things happen to people we know and we have to stop and wonder why. For instance, I heard today from my brother that his old girlfriend was in ICU and not expected to live. Over the past 20+ years since they dated, she had been married, had 2 children, got divorced and was in an abusive relationship. That ended a few months ago when the abuser beat the crap out of her. He ended up in prison, where he belongs. She started reaching out to old friends, my brother included. And he talked to her a couple of times but nothing more. He's happily married. But she was his first love. It's hard to ignore people we have had relationships with, even those that ended 20 years ago.

And then last week, her mother found her almost unconscious at her home. She slipped into a coma after arriving at the hospital. Her lungs were full of fluid. Her organs were shutting down. And the cause wasn't apparent. Everything was being done to help this 39 year old mother of 2 get better but late this afternoon, she lost the fight. What caused her condition is still unknown.

Could it have been the result of the few years she endured with an abusive partner and the injuries she had sustained during that time? Was there an addiction problem that contributed? Where were the people in her life who should have noticed when things went wrong and gotten her help? Why would she allow herself to get to this point? How could anyone allow themselves to be a victim, whether it be a victim of drugs, alcohol or another person? I remember this girl as beautiful, intelligent, full of promise and now her children have no mother. My brother is saddened and feeling a little guilty that he didn't see that she needed help. It's not his fault. She reached out after it was already too late. If only she had searched for a way out sooner. A way to surround herself with people that cared, not hurt. Then she might still be alive today.

I personally don't know anyone in a situation like this but if you're reading this and you're relating to any part of it, do yourself a life-changing favor and talk to someone. Get help. Don't be a victim. Life is already too short. Don't waste what little of it you have.

Peace be with you, N!

Through my lens

I have been so busy with this and that and naps and such, that I haven't posted her in awhile. I know there are at least two of you that might have missed me. That really isn't much to report - yet - but I have been on a couple of photo walks with my friend Kathy so I thought I would share a few of my photos here. Critique always welcome.

From the Toledo Zoo (which I have reviewed at Are You on the Fence - check it out):

And from a walk around Lourdes University campus:

I still have a lot to learn about photography but I'm having fun! Do you have photos to share? Leave me a link and I'll check them out.

Be back soon - or not.

The plant that was - and then wasn't

My Mom wanted a peony as part of her Mother's Day gift so Friday evening (nothing like waiting till the last day as we celebrated on Saturday!) I took a trip to Lowe's. I found not only the perfect peony but also found a pretty bleeding heart plant for myself. Bought both and brought them home and set them outside by the back door.

On Saturday, I picked my Mom up and brought her to my house for the afternoon and a cook-out. Thought I'd be sneaky so I moved the plants to the back yard so she wouldn't see it as soon as she arrived. Got her to the house and let the dog in the yard.

Now, normally this is no big deal. The dog goes in the yard all the time. Never bothers a single thing. But company was over and she, people dog that she is, was in the back yard where she couldn't get to the people. She was ignored. Shunned, even. And maybe a little bored.

Eventually, we start hearing a noise coming from the yard. My daughter went to investigate first and by the tone of her voice, I knew trouble was afoot. I headed outside to find my dog, my darling, well-behaved dog, running like crazy around the yard with the pot from my plant (or what was left of the pot from my plant) in her teeth, the plant itself obliterated into nothing but dirt and flower shreds.

The one on the left is what remains from the dog's destruction. The one on the right is the new plant i purchased today to replace the demolished one.

Let's just say that if she had a doghouse, she would have spent the remainder of the day in it. Thankfully, the peony was unscathed.

For more new from Leia, check out Are You on the Fence where Leia reviews the neighbor's new puppy.

Losing Leia

No, we didn't actually lose Leia, our ridiculous lab. She's still here. But my darling husband almost lost her. Here's what happened:
Hubby is the grill master in our house. His trusty sidekick is the pooch. She loves to be with her Dad while he's grilling. Probably because he often takes treats with him to give her while they're outside. So the other evening, he heads out to start the grill and the daog goes with him. They grill on the driveway, which is not fenced in. No problem. She's a good dog and stays either right near him or she wanders into the back yard. You know, in case Mother Nature calls.

So they're outside, doing their thing (I'm guessing as I'm inside preparing the rest of the meal). I had a few minutes to spare so I head outdoors to chat with the husband. Pull up a chair and we're talking. And I haven't seen the dog yet but I'm not thinking anything of it. Outside about 10 minutes and now I'm thinking it's odd that I haven't laid eyes on her. So the conversation goes like this:

Me to husband: Where's the dog?
Husband: In the backyard
Me (yells): Leia??  (no answer)   Leia??? (no answer)
Me: Are you sure she's in the backyard?
Husband: Yeah, I can hear her tags clicking together
Me (I don't hear any clicking tags)
Husband, walking into the backyard: Leia?? (no answer)

He looks around the yard. No dog. Now he's starting to look a little panicked and I'm on my feet, hollering for her. He's calling and heading down the driveway toward the street. And then I hear:

Husband: Get over here!!
Me: Where was she?
Husband: In the neighbor's backyard

She's not prone to walk off  - ever - but she decided to be daring and go exploring so she knocked a piece of split rail fence down at the neighbors' and was checking out their yard. How did she get past my darling husband who is supposed to keep an eye on her while he's out grilling? Let's just say that someone is obsessed with his iPhone!!

Luckily no harm done and she is just fine but they were both in the doghouse for awhile for giving me a mild heart attack.