And on the 83rd Day

And on the 83rd Day - she rests. I am 83 days into my work year and taking my first official 8 hours in a row off - tomorrow. That includes holidays (which I worked through).
I am going to the paint store to pick out a paint color for the front porch, and Home Depot to buy dirt bags (LOL) to fill in some ruts from this winter. I am putting away my winter clothes - I think warm weather is here for a bit. Someone is coming over tomorrow to fix the hot tub. And tomorrow evening we are celebrating Curt's 40th birthday. Sounds restful to me!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's Birthday. I was up at 5:30 so I could make 7:30 Mass. It was peaceful and just what I needed. Got a little weepy twice - but otherwise I'm good.
I had an 8:30 appointment for my annual exam. After some talking to the doc, she remarked that my life has been crap for the last year. True dat. I also got a little weepy with her, but she was cool - said it was better to get it out than leave it in. As the day rolled on, though, I got less weepy - as my mind focused on the tasks at hand.
As I think about poor me, I am reminded of my 40 something friend Amy what had open heart surgery yesterday. She is doing well, thank God. Just puts things in perspective, ya know?

Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is Dad's birthday. He would have been 84 today. Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you.

New Phones

Last Saturday we all got new phones. JR dropped his pone in a bucket of paint thinner and melted one. Our contract was up with Nextel, so we switched to Verizon. Much better service at home.
Joe and I each got a Palm Pre, JR and Les LG Chocolates. I guess I have finally reached the age where I can't work new electronic gadgets. The new phones have fixed my "talking on the phone while driving" habit - since I can't figure out how to call anyone - or how to find their number.
Yesterday I took a picture of a tree Joe and I planted last fall - I was able to upload it to facebook - so that was cool. Can't find where it resides on my phone though. I had to upload to facebook, and download to my PC.
The Palm Pre has lots of great features - if I can just figure out how to use them. And how to call someone.

On Good Friday, Honoring The Dead, Visiting Family

Yesterday was Good Friday. It was a beautiful day - 84 degrees and sunny. I left late morning to go to the cemetery to make a round of visits. I stopped first to buy flowers, and brought along a plastic Bengal cup as a vase. At old St. Joseph Cemetery I stopped first at Mom and Dad's place. I dropped off an Easter lily, and sat for a few moments, said some prayers. I actually didn't want to stay too long, I am still so sad that they are both gone. The next stop was Grandpa and Grandma Perzel - John and Mary Perzel. I dropped off some mums and said some more prayers.
My next stop was at the new St. Joseph Cemetery where I visited Joe's Mom and Dad, Bob and Ruth Kessen, dropped of more mums. Then I went on a search for Joe's brother Ron. In the past, I have not been able to locate him. But, following Joe's sister Donna's instructions, I found him this time. In the same section as Bob and Ruth, 2 1/2 trees up the hill, about 14 markers in from the road. Once I found him, I filled the Bengals cup with water and left some cut flowers for him. More prayers were said.
After my visit with the deceased family members, I stopped by Donna's house for a late lunch. My niece Kristin also came over, and a couple of Donna's friends. We ate fish from the Alabama Fish Market, sunned ourselves on the deck, and talked. For several hours. It was peaceful and relaxing.
I wondered if my actions dishonored the great sacrifice that Jesus made on that day, because I didn't spend the day in sorrowful prayer, contemplating His death. I think that I spent the day enjoying the life that Jesus died to give me, honoring the dead, and enjoying the living. It's all good.