Drug are not for me

I don't take drugs.  I have prescriptions but nothing that would be called a drug, nothing that is recreational.  It's just not my thing.  Also, I'd be scared to death that I'd get caught and that just wouldn't work.  First, I'd have to admit it, then I'd have to take the punishment so I just don't go there.

I did take 2 muscle relaxers 5 years ago or so.  I'd hurt my back and took what was prescribed.  I had no idea I could be so funny.  I should have tried out for some comedy special because I had my family and friends in tears.

For a recent procedure I told the nurse my story and she skipped the semi-recreational drugs and went with the moderate sedation instead.  I can now say with full disclosure that I don't do well with anesthesia either.  Not only was I funny but strangely enough I was not able to make consecutive steps forward!  Where did that come from?  I understand I had to be pushed to the car because one step forward and two steps back just wasn't getting me there.

I tried to give directions to get home.  They were accurate though I pointed in the opposite direction.  Do you believe the finger or the words?  Also, I looked in the right direction.  Confusing.

Lastly, I learned I give all the information someone might like.  I regaled the nurse in some detail with stories of my dad's desire (or fear as the case may be) of having colon cancer, I had a lucid moment and turned to my daughter to say, Oh no, now I'm going to have to tell mom what I said.

Oh, and for those who don't know, I just love Welch's Apple Juice.  I know this because I told my family perhaps 300 times during a 30 minute drive home just how wonderful it was.

At the end of the day I may not be the poster child for drug use but I am the poster child for telling everything you know when you are under the influence.  If I could only remember what I said.

Long live Texas!

Don't

You just can't make stuff up like this!

While visiting with a doctor friend he related a story from his early years.  He was in the room during a colonoscopy when the patient, a 30 something female who was kind of bumpkin, reached back to swat at the wand, then said "Bobby, I told you we ain't doing that!"  My friend said it was several minutes before they could proceed since they were laughing so hard.  Then as everything calmed, someone in the room wondered what was Bobby trying to do?  Inquiring minds....  I wonder if that lady got a discount for entertainment?

My mom always told me in a tone that only mothers can command, "that's nasty.  Don't put your fingers back there."  I believed her and all these years later follow that same premise.  Now I wonder will I tell the doctor "that's nasty" when it's my time?

Mothers are founts of information and don'ts.  Don't pick your nose.  Don't eat it.  Don't wipe that on your arm!  Don't say that word.  Don't run in the street.  Don't play with that.  The don'ts are endless.

Looking back I think they are also on the money.  LOL  The wisdom of mothers is beyond explanation.  Thank goodness I've got one that taught me the don'ts and yes, I've passed them on to my children.

Long live Texas!

Permission

This morning I've considered this world of permissions.  You want permission, you have permission, you're allowed, you get what you want.  When did this come to be?

When I was a child I looked to my parents, perhaps my mom the most.  She was my example.  The person I most wanted to emulate.  As I grew I listened to friends and my siblings, but my mom still had a hold on me.  As I grew to adulthood (or I presumed adulthood) I thought I'd made it.  I could count on myself though now I realize I've never done it alone.  I've always had support, even the Highest support.

Truly I do try to count on myself but I always have that support system.  What I mean is, my mom is still there, my siblings have been with me through what was a very trying period in my life and my kids, my joy, are always there to support me.  I've got my very own cheering section.  I am one of the very luckiest ones.  Even more lucky because I've counted on the Lord always.  (I'll tell you sometime of the prayers He has answered that left no doubt in my mind of the giver.)

I saw kids growing up around me that didn't have my support system.  They were left to themselves more than they should have been.  They had permission to do things I would have never considered.  I read about those kids.  I saw them on television shows.  I see them now as adults and wonder why.  Why didn't they get support?  Why didn't someone care?  Why wasn't someone there to show them that sometimes the answer is no.  Sometimes you have to work for the prize.

Has our society started to lose sight of what is right by forcing an attitude of political correctness of permissions?  I think perhaps we have.  At this time in our country's life we are seeing hundreds of thousands of people without jobs, we see women having children because they can make money that way, we see people with their hands out for everything and I wonder why someone doesn't say NO.  I've interviewed people looking for jobs but I also think I've had a few that answered in such a way that would lead me not to consider them.  I think my question is: are they proud?  Are they proud that they can have what seems like everything without expending any energy, without leaving home?  There is a lot to be said for sweat equity.

I think it's time for a new ethic.  I think it's time for someone to say NO.  I think it's time to stop political correctness and return to a time of responsibility and ownership.  Life wasn't designed to be an existence of complete allowance and decadence. 

I try to remember my every choice has an impact on someone other than myself.  I am not an island.  I have a cheering section to help me through the daily tribulations and occasional permissions and at the end of the day I am not alone.  I am the compilation of all that is around me.  Mostly, I'm responsible.

Long Live Texas

George Armstrong Custer

I love history.  I love to read about the people in history but I'm not all that enamored with the dates.  My brother knows all the dates.  I cannot tell you how often we have gone somewhere or watched some movie on TV only for him to ask, "Now who was queen in England? or What was happening in America during this time?"   I don't know.  The movie is not about England or America.  If you ask me a question about individuals I can respond (though not as completely as he).  I know the little things are just as important but I like the living, breathing kind of history.

So you ask, what is living history?  My favorite thing!

The first I really knew of living history was about 20 years ago.  I went to an event at Fort Richardson in Texas.  I was in the commanding officer's home and was mesmerized by a man who talked in first person.  I could see the cocky young general, George Armstrong Custer, he spoke of in his custom made uniform.  I could feel the cloth and see the gleam of his sword!  That man made Custer a living person for me.  He could have been in the room with us and I would have easily recognized his arrogance.

Now I have the joy and privilege of participating myself.  To be honest I starting learning things right after that so I could play too. 

I taught my Girl Scouts to sew so they could make clothes and go with me to the Fort.  They taught kids how to play games of the period.  That was such fun.  I never chased a round hoop but I played with a hoola-hoop.  It's just not the same as pushing a large wooden hoop across the rough ground.  The girls learned to play jacks with a wooden ball.  I wonder how many young girls today can play jacks or have even tried.  We've lost many of the games children played in the past, including Graces.

This last weekend I went to the Fort.  We had school kids come on Friday and the public on Saturday.  About mid-day I had a 14 year old boy that challenged me.  He was honest when he blurted into the south ward of the hospital that he was "bored".  In my usual form I replied, "well let me see if I can change that for you."  I started telling the most disgusting story I knew about the hospital.  He perked up and by the time I'd told 3 or 4 we were best buds.  OK, not really but he stopped complaining for the rest of the tour.

Saturday I got the compliment I have sought for all my years volunteering.  One of the guys from the front office came to tell me they had received multiple compliments about the Fort but one particular compliment was for the woman in the red dress.  Those folks said I made history come alive!  I know those people from my tour will remember my little bit of history.  It was life in the Fort.  It wasn't about a battle; it was just life.  People remember life.

It's my hope we all remember our own "living" histories.  Nothing like sharing a story from your youth with kids to make you remember those good old days.  We sure had some, didn't we?

Long Live Texas

Just got the call that my car is ready.  Can I just say I find insurance people to be nearly as slimy as used car salesmen and attorneys!

I took my car to get it repaired after a recent fender bender.  The first repair guy I met was so friendly, even telling me to call on Monday to see if my car is ready.  OK, nice.  Then I call Monday.  The guy on the card says I didn't order parts for you.  Really, you told me you would.  Well it doesn't matter we can get them right away anyway.

I take my car in after work.  It's not the same guy.  He wants to know who was handing out his cards.  Obviously someone who didn't want to be bothered with a phone call on Monday?  This fellow is very nice though I'm palmed off again to someone else. 

Everyone tries to convince me that they are working for me and all will be new again.  So why don't I trust these people?  Maybe it's because they are all so nicey nice and ever helpful if you don't need to know their real name.

I'll go look at my car today.  I don't know if I can trust them or not.  Did they check everything?  Is the spare tire which was moved almost through the back door in the same spot?  I know they replaced the molding but does it have wind noise like it developed in the last week?  I guess I have to trust people who I already know don't identify themselves accurately.  Not a lot of confidence in my corner.

Even more bizarre is the woman who was the third in line of my accident.  She's admitted she's responsible for the kid who hit me but there is a caveat - a phantom 4th driver hit her.  Really?  When was that because there were only 2 impacts.  According to her story someone hit her so hard they knocked her into the kid that hit me and was busy texting!  Let's revisit this for just a second, the "phantom" hits her so hard it pushes her into the boy's car which then pushes into my car.  WOW!  I like phantom cars!  Wonder if it was a new model or something more classic.  She doesn't recall because of course being a "phantom" she didn't see it!

I will be totally gray headed before some of these folks learn to tell the truth.

PS We had some nasty storms yesterday and of course my luck has not changed.  The rental is covered in golf ball dimples!  I just can't win.

Long Live Texas

It's a new day and I'm back on the car accident or MVA as everyone seems to call it.  I know MVA, Moving Vehicle Accident but come on car accident is the same thing.

My righteous indignation is taking a hit here.  The kid hit me once, not twice.  In fact, the woman in the 3rd card got out and I heard her say, "I thought someone hit me." 

So here we go:  I was sitting north-bound at a stop light at the corner of Vista Ridge Mall and MacArthur in the left hand turn lane.  The traffic going south had gotten the green, including their turn lane.  Our light had just turned and the cars in the three lanes next to me had just started to move move when I glanced into my review mirror in time to see a kid's head looking down in his lap.  He hit me.  I put my car in gear and turned it off when I heard the second impact.  I sat in the car for a minute because I was sort of dazed.  Everyone got out and I walked to the kid in the car behind me.  Kristofer said we should exchange information and handed me his insurance card.  Then the woman came up and made her comment about someone hitting her.

Now the logistics of the cars makes you think something odd happened.  There were easily 4 or more feet between the boy's car and mine but his car and the woman's were close.  We easily walked between our cars to look for damage.  His hood was loose and when I went to use it for a table to write on it actually moved.  My guess is the hinges were broken.  Anyway, he admitted hitting me.

Traveler's Insurance represents Kristofer's dad so they called me and from the beginning until last night admitted the accident was Kristofer's fault.  Last night Claudia called to tell me my car would get fixed but they were not going to do it.  The third car is now responsible.

Here is my dilemma:  If I was only hit once, how does that make it the responsibility of the third vehicle? 

I do not understand why people are always trying to get something by, bend a rule, cheat an insurance company.  What has happened to the integrity of our public?  Sadly, it appears many share a brain and it's not one of the higher thinking brains!

Long live Texas!

Hey, the last several days have given me pause.  I went to the dentist a week ago today and he said I had a "small cavity".  Really?  I haven't had a cavity in over 10 years and that one was to replace an old filling!  I so wanted to ask for a second opinion.  All day I was dumbfounded.

Monday on the way home from work this kid, driving his dad's Chrysler Sebring convertible, hit me at a stop light.  I know it's hard to see when you are texting and that's exactly what he was doing.  He did not look up until he'd already hit me.  I think this was my second shock. 

I've lived a good while, yes, I'm close to 60 and never had an accident so why now.  It wasn't my fault but still it ruins my record.  Not to mention that was the only brand new car I'd ever had in my life.  I didn't expect to be hit.  His insurance guy expects there is more damage than is readily visible. 

My brothers are encouraging me to look at another car.  I just got this one paid off.  It wasn't in my plan to get a new car so I'm hoping things aren't as bad as they could be.

Anyway, the car goes in the shop on Monday.

I went to the hospital with a horrible headache and back/neck pain.  Now, have a seat 'cause this is funny.  The electronic equipment at the hospital was out of order so I couldn't get a x-ray or anything else.  I did get a shot of something but the hospital stock was low so they had to go from floor to floor to get enough for the injection.  Really?  This was a full-fledged hospital.

Yesterday I went to see my internist and remarkably she had her own stock of injectibles.  (LOL!)  Not only that, the x-ray machine worked. 

I feel better today but then it is almost 72 hours since the accident!

I almost forgot my cell phone died.  I had a great LG texting phone but it got a software issue and of course was no longer available so I had to get a new phone.  Wish it had been at upgrade time but no, that didn't happen so it cost me big!  This is where I learned an ugly fact too.  ATT "outlet"/private store can't upgrade a phone out of the area and I still have my number from years ago.  I had to go to the Corporate office to get it done.  The outlet would do it for $150 plus the phone.  The corporate office charged $250 plus the phone.  I asked why and they said because we can.  Ouch!  Doesn't build good customer feelings.

Today I'm getting my cavity fixed and the guy is coming to look at my floor.  My AC unit flooded my house and part of my wood floor had to be removed.  This guy is going to fix it.  I can't tell you how happy I will be to have it done.

Here's hoping your day is better today.  Mine is.  God bless.

Long live Texas!

Hi, here we are again.  I was thinking about church this morning. 

My mom taught us that you go to church and you will have a better week.  You may or may not agree.  Now I think she was right but as a kid I often wondered why my friends could get away without going every week.  I do feel better when I'm there.  I feel a sense of community, of strenth.  It just starts me week off positively.

Of course I feel I have the best pastor.  Dale knows everyone.  In fact that was something that struck me when I first visited.  I found my way to a seat and a smiling Dale walked toward me to introduce himself.  There were several other folks that spoke also.  I was so impressed the next week when he remembered my name.

I feel at home at Hackberry Church.  It's a community of Christians and we gain strength and understanding from sharing our walk.

I am battling a bad feeling for my mom's pastor.  This morning I prayed that I would stop judging him.  I wouldn't want to be judged by the same standard.  I guess I don't understand a pastor whose wife describes him by saying "being a pastor is his profession, not his calling".  It explains so many things.

Anyway, I'm praying going forward not to be concerned about my mom's pastor but instead that I would walk the walk that best leads me to fellowship and life everlasting.

I'm so excited.  This is my forum to see and share who I am.

Are you the kind of person who smiles, even to yourself?  I am.  I start to remember something that gave me pleasure, was poignant, gave me pause, anything, then I enjoy it again.

Last year I was lucky enough to get a trip to London for my birthday from my beautiful daughter.  (I know, crazy, huh!)  My brother Ray went me, then Crystal joined us when her school was over.  Crystal went on and on about pub food.  She was absolutely horrified when she learned Ray and I had McDonald's every day for lunch! 

It's just there is so little time and so much to see!  How do you waste time eating when you can be making a mad dash to see the American Embassy, the V&A, or even the Thames!

OK, I get it.  I should be enjoying every aspect of the country.  She's so much more adventurous than I.  I'm good with quick "known" lunches, clean restrooms and going to the next thing.  Am I going to change?  Probably not but I celebrate that Crystal can be so adventurous! 

Here I sit smiling again.  I am blessed.

Long live Texas!

Three Things

I've seen blogs written by several different friends and thought I might try my hand.  First, I need to thank those folks.  Brenda, Summer, Theresa, you've inspired me to try something new.  I don't know that I've got a great message, but I can share my thoughts.

So many things pass through my mind but two, well three, are very consistent.  One, I'm so lucky the Lord knows my name.  That's it in a nutshell.  How lucky I am!

Two and three sit well together.  Like most moms I'm proud of my kids but my kids truly are grand! 

My son, Nick, is having a birthday tomorrow.  How did he ever get to be 32 years old when in my heart he is still that young boy going to first grade, earning his first merit badge, catching his first fish, popping his first frog, riding Sam all over the farm and back, having his first date, earning his Eagle, there are just so many stunning memories for me.  Right now, I'm proud as can be that Nick has the job he describes as "the job I wanted all my life".  How many people can say that?  I'm glad Nick is happy with his job and hopefully his life as well.  I do love my son from the beginning to the end.

Three is Crystal.  She's beautiful and smart as a whip.  Truly.  My daughter, my little girl, has the confidence to move mountains.  She's brilliant and learned long, long ago that she can do whatever she wants in her life.  Crystal could hit a homer better than the coach's daughter when she was little and still plays ball, she loves camping, she likes cooking some funky foods with her mix and match ideas, she's good to try anything from crawling through caves to climbing.  She graduated from Texas A&M and wears the moniker of Aggie as only an Aggie can do.  The entire world is as her feet and she's earned her place.  Lucky young lady.  I believe she is happy in her life also.  She is always my sunshine.

People forget that "things" do not make them happy.  "Things" are things.  Love for your family, now that is the trick.  Your family knows you at your worst and  best.  Sometimes the two are close together and sometimes it seems a world apart.  Family supports you through the thick and thin, sunshine and rain.  They can give you heck from time to time but when the times get hard they are steadfast. 

I guess that's my thought for today.  I'll be back again before you know it.

Long live Texas!