To my husband, who is also a Dad, on Father's Day

His name? Leon. His game? DAD! Of course, he has many games, but the one he gets noticed for today is father of our children!

Leon has been such a great provider for our family. I never have needed to worry about whether or not we were going to have enough money to pay for the necessities of life, while I got to stay home and take care of our kids.

He is well known around here for his analogies. He has taught our children to look for those in life! (Sometimes they laugh at him because sometimes they don't exactly fit, but it's the thought that counts!!!) He has taught them to be wise with their money. He has taught them how to work. He has taught them how to communicate effectively. He is a coach for job success and resume building. He has been there when they needed him.

I am so thankful for him and for the Dad that he has been to our kids. I appreciate and value his efforts and will always be grateful for what he has done for our family!

Thank you Leon! I love you so much and know that our children love you too!!

A thing or two I learned from my Dad

My Dad taught me some things... He taught me to respect my elders. He taught me to have manners. He taught me that idleness was not acceptable. He taught me that cleanliness is next to Godliness (I hope he doesn't come over very soon!!!) He taught me that reading is a great way to have adventures while never having to leave your house. He taught me how to put on panty hose correctly. (Are they still called that? Do women even wear them anymore??) I will explain...My Dad was a truck driver and in order to stay warm (I am letting out some top-secret info here!) they wear panty hose under their pants!!! Don't tell anyone this secret came from me!! And I think one of the most important things that my Dad taught me was to never talk bad about anyone. I never heard him say a bad word about anybody while growing up. I have to say, and not with pride, that I have not been a very good example of that for my own children...but I am trying to do better!!
He provided for 7 children and worked hard to make sure that we had a roof over our heads and shoes on our feet!!
Happy Father's Day, Andrew Daniel Rhode King McInnes, because your Mom thought you would be the last child and so she gave you all the names!!!
I love you! And thank you for all that you have done for me!

Lucy and I

I scored myself a pretty sweet little job. And it is sweet in more ways than one. I only work 2 days a week, Tues and Fri. each day for 2 hours!!

I work for an OLDer lady named Lucy, she won't disclose her age but says she is an octogenarian, so, somewhere in her 80's. If I were to guess I would say 85 or so. And she is a real sweetie!

Lucy is very well known in this community. She is a concert pianist, specializing in Chopin. She and her husband organized the Chopin festivals here for many years. She still gives concerts all over the city. Her sweet companion passed away 3 years ago and I have the privilege of hearing all about their relationship and what a "saint" he was.

Normally, I clean for her. Light cleaning. But Friday was not an ordinary day for Lucy and I. When I arrived at 9 a.m. she was dressed and ready to go. We went grocery shopping and gassed up her car. (I even have my own key to her car, she showed me where it is stored). I didn't have time to do anything with her house that day except run a quick vacuum over her most used room. She was most happy that I went with her to the store. I have a feeling it will become a regular activity for us.

While we were at the grocery store, the man in the produce aisle was very helpful to us and very friendly. She commented as we walked away from him how he was a nice guy!

At the gas station, a man who was gassing up next to us was chatting with me. I got back in the car and Lucy said "flirting with the men I see". I was a little mortified at first, and then I giggled. I told her about how Leon calls me the "giant ear" because everyone talks to me. I talk to everyone, too! I like people.

She made me sad when she replied that no one talks to her. It reminded me that today our society suffers with a real problem...ageism. We do not respect the elderly anymore. They are thought of as burdensome, a drag on our system, a menace on our roads, a life already lived. What we tend to forget is that they have had years of experiences that have shaped their characters, no matter how that character happens to be. They are wise . I am sure that they look at the younger generation and sometimes cringe. How things have changed.

Next week she wants me to drive her car to the East side for service. I have a feeling that her house isn't going to get much of a cleaning!

I am enjoying Lucy and our time together! She plays the piano while I am there and I love to work while doubling as her audience!

Sweet, don't ya think?

A hole in my heart...

I am not usually so dramatic but this truly expresses the way that I felt yesterday as I watched my little family of Lauren, Derek and Titan drive away. I could hardly stand to watch as they honked and waved good-bye. My heart hurt. Physically it hurt. It felt heavy. And now, there is a hole.

I am going to miss them so very much. I am so grateful for the time that they lived here and we were able to spend lots of time together. I am so thankful for the wonderful parents that Lauren and Derek are to baby Titan. I am so in love with that little boy. Well, I am in love with all of them, but there is something about that little guy that I can't resist! He knows how to brighten the day! He laughs and makes funny faces and makes me turn on Sesame Street. I am really going to miss him.

Being positive, (something I am trying HARD to do!!) I am excited for their adventures and for the new life that they are beginning. I am happy that they get to have experiences to help them grow. They get to see new and wonderful places and meet new and wonderful people!

So, I am going to patch up the hole in my heart with memories!! AND with the fact that I am going to visit in July!! (I hope that I remember to come home!!!)

I am so thankful for a loving and close family! I am so blessed.