July 12th, 2010
Well, the battle of the wallet between my husband and myself is over. I’m still not sure who won this round, ladies. It was literally about a wallet — not money. Three Father’s Days ago, I gave him a new wallet. His old one was worn out, falling apart. The leather had lost much of it’s color, and there were strings hanging from it. No “recycler” of any type would have rescued it from a garbage can. I mean, I thought it was a nice gift. Certainly no evil intent. There it sat for two years, right next to where he puts his wallet at the end of the day. Looking pristine, and very lonely.
I tried pointing out how nice the new one was. For heaven’s sake, I even wore it for weeks in my own back pocket to “break it in” for him when he told me why he “hates new wallets”. (Is he spoiled or what?) Then I tried pouting and being hurt. Neither work well in long term relationships. For the last couple of months I told him repeatedly that I was getting the feeling something “awful” was going to happen to the old wallet. No reaction from the man. Time to pull out the big guns.
When we came back from visiting our Grand daughter for the first time, I told him that she confided in me that she’s very embarrassed by the wallet her Grandpa carries. Hey, what can I say? She was very advanced at two weeks old. That got a smirking smile from him, but that was it. So one night I got out the scissors, markers and stickers. In the morning he found it colorfully drawn upon, slashed and decorated with Disney’s Little Mermaid and friends. I kid you not, he carried it for another week and a half before FINALLY relenting. But in thinking back, I believe what got through to him ultimately was my threat to throw out the new wallet. I told him what I’d paid for it, you see.
So in the marital score keeping department, I’d have to call that one pretty close to a draw. Time to think about what to get him for next Father’s Day…
Posted in Family & Friends, Holidays, Life, Relationships | 3 Comments »
June 22nd, 2010
Well, back in the day (1974) they said that marriages in which one or both of the partners were in their teens had a “very poor prognosis”. I remember the article well, and may I say HA! to the author, if he’s still around. Because WE are. My husband and I, that is. It’s thirty six years today and neither divorce or marital bloodshed has come between us. Of course there have been times …
Lest anyone think I have any secrets, wisdom, or advice to impart, let me say I don’t. I’ve always just figured that we never were totally disgusted with one another at the same time. You know how it goes, sometimes you look at your partner and say to yourself, “what was I thinking?”. Other times, I’m certain my husband said the same. But I suppose there was always a measure of love there, and the kids to consider as well as numerous other factors. So we moved forward, and here we are!
I’ve also thought about it this way; How could I ever part with the only man on the planet that knows what I looked like naked when I was in my teens?
Nighty - night, all!
Posted in Family & Friends, Life, Relationships | 2 Comments »
June 19th, 2010
Well folks, I’m back north. Particularly thrilled to end up in the right location. Does anyone else out there get totally freaked out by airports and the thought of getting lost? The part of my brain that is supposed to house a sense of direction is filled with totally useless and random facts. (such as: the term for a collector of postcards is deltiologist, and Bart Simpson’s middle name on the series “The Simpson’s” is Jo-Jo)
At any rate, this was my first solo flight (no smirks now, I’m not talking masturbation here) and I was terrified. Silly I know, but there it is. Fortunately, on the check in line I met up with a couple of very nice people. A father and daughter, she was flying for the first time and a bit on the nervous side. So we teamed up after I pointed out to her that it’s always better for 2 people to be lost than to be lost on your own. Together we managed security, the airport tram, the food court and reaching the gate. Of course, it didn’t help that they changed the gate when we got there, the flight was delayed and one of the passengers was psychotic, and loudly so. The best part of it all? The plane actually took me home. You see, my ultimate fear in flying is that despite checking compulsively beforehand, that the flight I get on will land me somewhere I don’t want to be. Like Las Vegas or France.
However, all my anxieties kept my mind off my sorrows. Leaving my kids and new grand daughter Arielle was difficult. I know I’ll see them again soon, but it’s still difficult. Well, time to move on to errands, paper work, house work and those myriad tasks that pile up when one is away. Back to the real world!
Posted in Family & Friends, Life, Travel | 2 Comments »
June 15th, 2010
In this household there are late nights, early mornings and no down time. A very young girl named Arielle is running the show and we are all willing slaves. Mom and Dad (and Gramma) attend to her needs, dance to her tune and admire her every action. We’re newly in love, and floating on a cloud. Of course sleep deprivation is her parent’s constant companion, and Arrow the dog is still confused over the entire event. But slowly and surely adjustments are being made and growth is being tracked — both in parents and child!!
This Gramma is grateful and loving every moment of getting to know Arielle. I’ve even been able to come to better terms with my nemesis, the hot flash. Having decided it’s a small price to pay for the joy of grandparenthood makes it easier to handle. I head back north on Thursday, and will miss Arielle, her parents and her aunt very much. But there will be future visits to look forward to.
At home, Grandpa is working and holding down the home front. What I will return home to is anyone’s guess. He’s a wonderful guy in so many ways, but I’m anticipating the house will be in scary shape. Hopefully most of my plants will be alive and one or two surfaces will be visible if not free of tons of “stuff”. He wouldn’t admit it, but he does miss me when I’m away. And I, him.
Well, time to do some Gramma stuff. Good night to all!
Posted in Family & Friends, Gramma, Life, Relationships | No Comments »
