FEET

Let me begin by stating, "I hate feet!" Very few people have great feet. It has taken me years to show my feet in public. It all started when I was very young. My mother bought me a pair of blue sandals. I remember them to this day. She loved them. Thought they were cute. I wore them. Well, you know, kinda felt like I had to. I believe I may have been around 5 years old.

I went to play with my best friend. Needless to say, I had on my new blue sandals. We were in the bathroom (I remember this also to this very day.) She was sitting on the toilet when she alerted me to the fact that she hated my sandals. WHAT? I couldn't believe she hated them when my mom loved them. The she proceeded to share with me that I had the world's ugliest feet. That was the beginning of me not showing my feet for years to the public. I may have had to wear those blue sandals a time or two after that, but probably I despised every darn minute of it.

Through the years I would see people wearing cute shoes. Feet, toes showing and all. Some of them shouldn't...

Only within the past 8 years have I begun to show my feet, not minding what people think. Yes they swell. No they are not pretty. But I have learned there are so many more feet out there that are so much uglier than mine. To my best friend from many moons ago who taught me how to loathe my feet, I bet her perfect little toes are really no better than mine. So what if my second toe is a smidge longer than my big toe. Doesn't that just mean shoes will fit me better? I see little skinny women with the fattest little sausage toes. I wonder how that happens. Really? Can they fit those little box feet in cute shoes? Maybe. Maybe it just doesn't matter.

All of this leads to 42 years of my life and I finally got my very first spa pedicure yesterday. WOW!! Really. WOW!!! My favorite part was the paraffin soak and massage of that warm wax on my arches. Holy cow...I...am...hooked!

So now I dare to show the world my feet. They aren't perfect, but they are mine. They say a lot about me. Cause you know the old saying, "if you don't take care of your feet, you probably aren't taking care of other things either!"

Yes I bought these shoes this spring. I could not wait to wear them. My hubby laughed because he remembered a time not so long ago when I would try on shoes and say, "they show too much toe." He thought that was crazy. I guess I am too. The one thing I have learned in 2011 for those who take care of their feet, but have never gotten a pedicure. Now is the time. I promise from the bottom of my feet, you will not regret it!!!

YUCK

So tonight on my walk I see this yucky snake as I approach. It made me sick and I had to do some check, from a distance, to make sure he was really dead. This is the second dead snake I've seen on this route. I hope NOT to see any alive. Since my hubby loves this kinda stuff I was brave and took a picture of this ugly thing and sent it to him via cell phone. He had to ask me all about it when I got home. Yeah right...like I could possibly pick him up, look at him long, or even know what his name is...

Funny thing is, I saw him on my first trip. The second trip I must have forgotten about him. I thought my heart was gonna explode. I thanked my lucky stars that I did not meet any traffic to where I would have stepped off the asphalt. My heart would have really exploded, dead or not...

Annie Peanut, I Will Miss You Always & Forever

Dearest Annie,

I will never forget that day I called your future daddy telling him I saw you at Wal-Mart and asked if it would be a good idea to bring you home. Both of us fell in love the minute we held you in our arms. You were such a meek, quiet little puppy who loved to run as fast as your little legs could go. It didn't take long for you to get used to Big Boy Frankie and his monstrous stride. How you loved to run and play together. When we got Kia you tried so hard not to be jealous. But that little female venom got the best of you at times. You learned to love her sharing car rides and walks. Jumping in the lake and swimming to my raft so you could be by my side still tickles me. I've never seen a little do swim so far just to share a raft and soak up the sun. My biggest regret was not letting you be a mommy. You were such a caregiver and had a big concern for others. You understood grief, happiness and wanted to console those emotions for us. Even today on the way to the vet, I tried so very hard not to shed a tear on the way there. And, what did you do? You crawled to me to tell me you loved me with those big chocolate eyes. Annie, you've seen me through so many ups and downs over the past 7 years I cannot thank you enough for being there. You have always made me happy. (Minus the time you ran your little tail onto Sunset in front a huge Ford pickup, just missing you by inches. But I quickly forgave you for scaring me.) My biggest memory was the night I took you to Grandma and Grandpa's. You sat between me and mom almost hidden from view. Dad walked in and was so surprised to see you. I'll never forget what he said when you sat on his lap. Those words rang in my ears everyday, especially since he passed away. He said, "Annie, you are going to be such a joy." That my dearest Annie has echoed for you each day of your life. You have been such a joy. I love you my little friend. A spot in my heart has Annie emblazoned forever.

Always,

Your Mama

Oh Dear!

This is me and my co-worker Dennis. What a sad little photo, but I love it. We had quite a time yesterday visiting parts of the institution we normally don't get to see. It looks like we had quite a day doesn't it?

Meet Our Newest Family Member

This is Kenny Scruffs. Fortunately for him and us, our neighbors found him starving to death at the local lake. He could hardly walk and his ribs were sticking out. They brought him home, picked off tons of ticks and cleaned him up. We watched him for one night while they went out of town. We fell in love. Keep in mind my hubby and I are both animal lovers. He spent the night and the very next morning we got up early to go garage sailing. I took him back to the neighbors how thinking I would return from our morning run in time to bring him back to our house for the last little fun we could have with him. Hubby and I found a couple of toys for him. I couldn't wait to give them to him. Everything was so new to him since he'd been dumped.

To my disappointment, the neighbors had returned from their overnight trip by the time we got home. I told hubby I thought I was gonna cry. He giggled cause he knows me as well as anyone. He told me take the dogs toys to him so he could have something to play with. Then I dropped my big question: If the other people don't want him, do you care if I tell Tracy and Terry that we want him??? Of course hubby said he didn't care. So away I went.

I told the neighbors the puppy had been on a car ride, visited with my mom, spent the night with us and was really, really a good puppy. Then I told them if the other people they had found to take him, didn't want him, then, we would take him. Got that? They looked at each other kinda funny and my first thought was they didn't want us to have him. But then Terry said, "we'd rather you take him than the other people." I snatched my boy up and took him home, waving goodbye to Tracy and Terry, the foster parents, all the way.

We named him Kenny. Not that hubby wanted him to have that name, but he couldn't come up with something better. He's named after my second favorite bald guy, Kenny Chesney. At an Easter dinner with my Aunt and Uncle it occurred to me that he looked more like Ozzie Osbourne or Alice Cooper. Then hubby said he liked the name Ozzie, but Kenny had already stuck. Kenny Scruffs has added so much delight to our little home in just a few weeks he's been here.

I believe things happen for a reason. Annie Peanut has been ill for quite some time. Very soon we will have to make the last decision about her. If Kenny gives us as much joy as Annie has, we will be so very lucky he came into our lives when he did!! Welcome home Kenny!!

Suicide

Last weekend, after encountering some comments about people who commit suicide, I decided to tell my story. Suicide is not something you can hide, ignore, or brag about. At some point in your life you have to deal with it ---whether it be a family member, friend or even friend of a friend. It's not a topic to share with someone who doesn't understand. For those that are left behind, we deal with so much gossip and senselessness. We bite our lip and hide our insecurities. If there is anything I can accomplish from this post, it is just to advise and educate people about those left behind and how we feel.


For me, it was my dear ole dad. It happened on July 17th, 2006. It was a super hot day, and I had a tremendous headache unlike any I have experienced since. Every time I get a headache, anytime it is super hot and humid outside, and anytime I hear the word suicide, I think of my father. He helped create me. I am a part of him. Therefore, when I hear people make rude and uncaring remarks, I feel violated and hurt --- especially when those remarks come from family, close friends, and co-workers.

My dad had been physically ill for quite some time and emotionally drained. He did not commit suicide to punish those he loved. He did not commit suicide because he was crazy. He did not commit suicide because he did not love us. My dad committed suicide because he saw no other choice than to end his suffering. It may not have been the right thing to do. It may have hurt a lot of people. However, he is my father. Do not judge him.

Last weekend I spent some time with my husband's family. After Easter dinner the conversation somehow turned to suicide. It made my heart race and my stomach jerk. I could not believe some of the things being said --- especially in light of knowing my dad did this almost 5 years ago. I listened to comments that described people who commit suicide are crazy or they would never do such a thing, how they are not in their right minds when they do it, how it must be like for people to have to pick up body parts that have been blown all over the place. Those are just some of the comments I remember. I chose to sit in the living room by myself and started texting my best friend for distraction.

After 5 years one would think I could finally just ignore comments like that, but considering it was "family," I was more inclined to be furious at myself. Furious for allowing myself to get so angry for not speaking up to them and ask them why they were talking about my dad. Furious that my husband wouldn't tell them, "Hey, let's talk about something else." Furious because he rolled his eyes when I asked him for truck keys so I could leave. Furious for not educating them on my feelings.

Two weeks after I returned from funeral leave from work, I got to sit and wait on a daily morning meeting we have at work. My boss, along with another co-worker, said some things very, very similar to what my husband's family said although knowing full well what I had gone through. I chalked it up to their being complete jerks for hurting me like that. It's something I will never ever forget. Thank goodness, the Superintendent came in, asked what they were talking about, looked directly at me and changed their conversation. Later my boss even told me, "You know your dad was out of his mind to do something like that." Really? I'm so glad she informed me of her opinion. Interestingly enough, I believe in Karma.

I'm sure I can speak for any person who is left behind. We take those comments personally. We feel like we have failed. Failed for not telling them we love them before they walked out the door for the last time. Failed for not telling them all sorts of things good, bad, and indifferent. Failed mostly because we couldn't save them.

So please keep these things in mind when you encounter someone left behind from a suicide. We don't want to be ignored when some else commits suicide. Don't be afraid to tell us about it. If you do say something completely stupid, just apologize to us. We know those things happen. Just don't keep talking about it.

As I reread this post I realize it didn't turn out quite like I had planned. However, I do believe I got my point across. I love my dad and miss him like crazy. Sometimes I think about having one last conversation with him. Sometimes I think about all the people he's missed in his lifetime and visiting with in Heaven right now. That makes me happy!

A Very Special Easter Bunny

When I was home from college for Easter many, many years ago...there came a knock on our door very early Easter morning. Mom came into my room and said there was someone at the door for me. I knew, but I didn't know. I knew Aunt Sadie had to be up to something because her son-in-law, my cousin Pete, was in town. Sure enough, it wasn't Pete. It was the Easter Bunny. There was no missing his big ole head and fuzzy white ears with huge eyes looking right at me through the door as I approached. He waved. Never thinking that bunnies really don't speak, he continued to wave until I opened the door. He handed me a bottle of bright pink nail polish and blew me a kiss. Around the corner he disappeared. Around that same corner were those sparkling blue eyes of Aunt Sadie dancing and laughing watching the expression on my face. Come on. How many 21 year olds actually get a real live visit from the Easter Bunny? I remember that day like it was yesterday.

However, for that Sweet ole Easter Bunny, the day continued. He made a trip south of Bevier to visit some very special little ones. His chauffeur, better known as cousin Jackie, parked the car at the end of the drive way for an easy getaway.

Easter Bunny knocked on the door and gave Tristan and Calvin some Easter goodies. Like me, he waved goodbye to them and skipped on down the drive way to his chauffeur driven car. The best part of this whole story is, Tristan and Calvin watched the Easter Bunny from the front window of their home. It had been a nasty rainy weekend. So to watch the Bunny in action was a dream come true. They kept their eyes on him.

They kept their eyes on him as he opened the car door, trying to slide as gracefully into the car as he could with his big ole head and ears. Tristan and Calvin's eyes were shining in complete amazement. Who knew? Who knew the Easter Bunny had a Chauffeur driven car? We never thought about that. We just knew he appeared at night while we were sleeping. Kinda like Santa. Only now, Tristan and Calvin actually knew he was driven around in his own private automobile by a beautiful blonde lady.

They kept their eyes on him as Jackie, the beautiful chauffeur put the car in drive.

And went no where.

Her wheels were spinning.

The Easter Bunny's chauffeur driven car was stuck in the mud. Tristan and Calvin continued to watch in amazement. Who would have ever thought. What would happen next.

The Easter Bunny got out of the car driven by that beautiful blonde. His big floppy ears hanging from his wobbly big head. His huge bunny paws and huge, I mean HUGE bunny feet walked slowly to the back of the car. The Bunny was hoping the children did not have to watch. But they did.

Tristan and Calvin watched with HUGE eyes as the Easter Bunny pushed his chauffeur driven car out of the mud. The beautiful chauffeur smiled lovingly. After a few pushes, the Bunny carefully, gracefully with his mud barren huge feet, hopped back into the car.

Tristan and Calvin watched as he drove out of sight...

Cousin Pete 2011

This is the Easter Bunny today. Some 20 years later. I miss him. He must've gotten a new outfit that is travel friendly. May the people of Schaumburg love you as much as the folks in Bevier. I love you Easter Bunny, BAWK BAWK!!

#8 A Pic That Makes Me Laugh

This was our first Opening Day at a Cardinals game 2 years ago. It was snowing and very, very cold. So of course they had these 3 young studs dance a hoochy dance. The winner earned the most applause. The skinny guy in the middle sat behind us. He didn't win. But the other skinny guy with his hands on his head did...it was a great day!!!

#7 My Most Treasured Item

SURPRISE!! My most treasured item is my Ipod. I LOVE it. Hubby gave me my first Ipod almost 5 years ago. I have to admit, my first thought was, "what the hell am I gonna do with this?" But I didn't say that. It took me over a month before I would finally sit down and learn how to use it. And, I haven't looked back. He gave me my second Ipod 2 Christmas' ago. This one holds a lot more songs, has a pedometer, a camera and much, much more. This dear item of mine has gotten me thru a lot of great to rotten moods over the past several years. I don't know what I'd do without it!!

#6

A Picture of a Person I Would Trade Places with for a Day

I had to really think about this one. Numerous people ran through my head. My favorite thing in the world to do is laugh and be happy. When I watch Paula Deen on the Food Network or any talk show for that matter, I love her energy and upbeat personality. She is one person that seems to be who she is no matter where she is, if that makes sense. I have a feeling the Paula you see on TV is the same Paula you would have a Diet Coke with sitting on the patio. Looking at her today and knowing what she has done to get this far is pretty darn amazing. She must be proud. Her guests are unique and fun. Just one day in her shoes and her kitchen with her oolala sons, would just be pretty darn memorable!!

60 Snapshots of Me

A Picture of A Favorite Memory

Anyone that knows me knows that I am indecisive and cannot pick just one. So, I've picked just a few of my favorite memories. There are more, but here are some that stand out in my head.

Mt. Baldy in Indiana. Such a creature of nature. Very steep and absolutely beautiful! That's me in the dark blue. I believe it was the summer after the 4th grade. Seeing Lake Michigan at the top was well worth the exercise to get there. Mom said I claimed that I wanted to build a house at the top. My guess is I still would...

My "Surprise" 16th Birthday Party. Who knows what is going on there but I have a feeling that is my friend Debbie standing on Katy's back. My best friend Erica is pointing at the action.

My first adult vacation to Las Vegas. This was 1993. Renee, a college friend, and I went to Vegas. She puked all the way there. I wondered what on earth I got myself into.

Any memory of high school involves basketball. We were a small team, but did we have fun. This was my sophomore year. Surely there are some girls missing or maybe they quit and I just can't remember.

Just a note, I have a lot of memories that do not have pictures. Some of those are the best!!

Snapshot #4

A Picture of My Night

Tonight I took some pictures of Annie Peanut. She is sick and won't be with us a whole lot longer. We are enjoying her as much as we can while she still feels frisky.

Snapshot #3

Snapshot #3 - A Picture of the Cast of Your Favorite Show.

I loved each and everyone of these characters. This show came on a few years after I graduated from college. Every Thursday evening I had my place in front of the TV. Television hasn't been the same for me since the series ended. I miss my Friends!

60 Snapshots of Me

#2 A Picture of Me and the Person I've Been Closest to the Longest.

This is my mom Linda. This pic was taken last fall during a money making event for a friend who had a heart transplant. There was no question to who should be in this snapshot. Mom has been with me since Day 1!

60 Snapshots of Me

A friend of mine recently started 60 Snapshots of Me on her facebook/blog pages. Lauren is very young, energetic and a very wonderful, wonderful person. I'm not young. I am not energetic. And, I am not even close to being half as wonderful as Lauren. However, since she is such a great person I thought I would copy from her and do this on my own blog. Unlike Lauren, I cannot promise this will get done everyday, but I promise to try my hardest.

Today's Snapshot is a snapshot of me with 15 things about me. I'll start with one of my favorite pictures of me taken when I was in college. My crazy friend Denise talked me into getting this picture taken. Even though I really like this picture, Denise said she really didn't like it. She said I wasn't smiling. "Lisa, your smile is upside down and your eyes aren't sparkling," Miss Know It All told me. Hmmm, looking at this picture now, she was exactly right. In fact she was so right, I would say I looked like this because I really didn't want my picture taken. Keep in mind this was in 1990. Wow, I'm old.

Fifteen Things About Me

1. Getting to a Kenny Chesney concert is about all I have on my mind right now. That's not completely true, but close.

2. With my left hand, I can reach around and grab my left shoulder blade. I never thought that was weird until someone at work saw me scratching my shoulder blade.

3. Music absolutely motivates me.

4. I wish I could write for a living. That means making money off of what I write.

5. I am completely unorganized, I like to blame it on my creative side.

6. There isn't a day go by that I do not laugh.

7. Since I'm living in the moment, I'd love to have a VW Convertible Bug. This moment has lasted almost 2 weeks.

8. I really dislike lazy people. Really.

9. I believe they should make a Snickers candy bar without the chocolate. I think that would be awesome!

10. My sense of humor is very dry.

11. I have never smoked pot, but for some reason, my friends don't believe me.

12. I'm extremely opinionated, but I will tell you I'm not.

13. When I laugh too hard I puke.

14. I reconnected with my best friend from grade school last summer. We picked right up where we left off. She will always be the sister I never had.

15. I have something to tell you, but if I did, you'd never believe me.

A Doug Story

This is Doug. Doug works for me. Doug knows a lot about people. Doug knows a lot about a lot of things. However, Doug does not know his boss has a blog. So I'm going to tell you a Doug story. This story made me laugh so hard yesterday morning I cried. I will never be able to tell it like Doug, but I'm gonna try. Doug is a free spirit who lived in California for many years. He has a passion for music and plays the guitar and sings with his band. He's been in several bands over the years and has lots of stories to tell. Like being ornery during gigs and changing the words to songs and noticing that know one notices. But I think this one had to be one of my favorites.

This takes place when Doug was living in San Diego. His band was playing in a bar. He said it was crowded and went on to explain how close the front row was to the stage. Doug described about 7, yes 7 absolutely beautiful women walked in and he couldn't stop looking at them. "These girls were hot and dressed to the nines. Lo and behold, they sat in the front row just a very short way from the stage." Doug was happy. He knew it was his night and was gonna give this show all he had because he just knew he was gonna get lucky with one of those girls that night. He described the music he was playing. Standing on that stage, "throwing everything in but the kitchen sink." Doug was front and center. The girls just arms length away.

Doug told me he was kicked back playing that guitar like heck with his eyes closed looking cool. Hoping one of those hot chicks would be impressed, he wanted to peak at them. So, he opened his right eye just a little to get a gander. Guess what he saw? He could not focus on those sweet girls because all he could focus on was a long string of drool coming from his mouth all the way to his guitar strap in front of him.

Needless to say, Doug didn't get lucky that night.

What's Good for the Goose Is...

This morning the toilet paper holder fell off the wall. This continues to be a series of things that have fallen apart at my home. A series of things that are added to my THIS WILL NEVER GET REPAIRED LIST. So I have a mini meltdown on the toilet. Yes I did. I dropped the F bomb. Hubby was not concerned when he heard the nickel wall piece fall on the tile. However when the F bomb exploded I heard him wrestle himself out of the computer chair. "What happened?" he quizzed. I quickly contemplated telling him, "something else that I HAVE to add to my THISWILLNEVERGETREPAIREDLIST", but I did not. Instead I said, "this F bombing thing fell off the wall." He watched as I pulled up my capris and replied, "you used to never say the F bomb, but you say it all the time now you need to quit!" I simply state, "okay." Again, he repeated himself stating, "you never used that word, now it's all you say, you really need to quit." Again, I simply state, "okay." Fearful that he may have made me mad he did these goofy things to try to make me laugh. I didn't. Gave him a quick peck on the kisser at his request and left the bathroom. Yes, I left the bathroom thinking, "THE TOILET PAPER HOLDER FELL OFF THE WALL. I TRIED TO FIX IT BUT COULDN'T, NOW I WILL ADD IT TO MY F BOMBING THISWILLNEVERGETREPAIREDLIST!" He returned to his computer chair and I returned to the kitchen vowing to never voice the F bomb in his presence ever again. As long as he's happy to NOT to have to listen to the F bomb, I guess I will learn to be happy adding things to my never repair list. HOWEVER, I will listen patiently for the F bomb to drop from his mumbling tongue. And, keep a silent tally. I have never fully understood rulemakers. I guess I never will.

Tragedy

This morning I got up early to let Annie out when I turned on the television and found that Japan had a major earthquake. I couldn't stop watching. The footage of the devastation in progress made me speechless. Those poor people. My heart goes out to all of them and the others who are anticipating tsunamis. What I always think of in times like this is when a tragedy happens, the world just keeps going on. No stopping for 20 minutes to catch up. Life continues...may God be with these people.

Give A Girl...

"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." Marilyn Monroe

These old pinups are so much more sexier and feminine than the stuff we see today. And who can resist and old Marilyn pose? I "borrowed" this from Fredericks of Hollywood facebook page. Not sure if I need to get the right shoes, right bikini or an anti-gravity chair...

Rest