No words...

I started the day with a job that I wasn't happy with...but at least it was a job. I ended the day...without a job. I was supposed to be trained to be the compliance assistant...a process that takes 6 months to a year to complete...as it turns out...they have decided that they don't have time to train...they want someone who has experience in compliance, is fully trained, has taken all of the tests, and can step in and take it over now. So...Monday begins a new job search.

I'm tired...and I am all out of words.

Be Well

Slide on the ice...

Tomorrow is Friday!! Thank you Lord! We're in the home stretch now guys!! Pull down your pants and slide on the ice!!!

Be Well!

Nostalgia...

Today was long. My mind kept wandering...back through the years. As hard as just 'being' was when we were children...I always thought that the bonds that kept us going through it all...would last forever. Somehow, along the way, my brother and sister have drifted off...I miss them.

For Ran and Toby…

Reminiscing softly…the past we didn’t have
Childhood lost to monsters in the night…
Fending off the demons, hand in hand,
Protecting each the other…fought the fight.

Much has come and gone with years
Love brought down the ugly walls…
Banished are those dark and lonely fears
Time worked its magic on us all.

To the darkness…I gladly bid farewell
With a joy my soul cannot contain…
But your voices and your presence
In my heart…forever will remain.

I miss the bond of love
Shared…all through those years
I miss your closeness,
Though I do not miss the tears.

If someday…again you need me...
Just know that this is true
I’ll be right here waiting…
It’s all that I can do.

Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.

Be Well!

Sedgwick County Zoo...

We spent the afternoon and evening at Marvin’s company picnic, a good time was had by all! The temperatures were in the mid 70’s all afternoon, and it was perfect for wandering around watching the animals! I had heard so much about the elephants and their paintings, but I had never been privileged to see them do it before! Today, we watched Stephanie, a 35 year old elephant, actually paint! It was very cool! Both of the elephants were in fine form and were absolutely endearing!! I have always had a soft spot for elephants though…so perhaps endearing is in the eye of the beholder. We saw everything…and walked forever!

Around 5:30, the company served Bar B Q for dinner. I normally have a difficult time getting to know people, but a very nice couple (the wife works closely with Marvin in the office) sat down at our table and struck up a conversation with us! Before we knew it, we were chatting and laughing and really enjoying their company!

Shortly before dinner, the temperature had begun to drop, and by the time we were finished eating, we had begun to shiver! People began to disburse quickly! I think it could have gone on for another hour or so…if there had been coffee and hot chocolate! We got some nice shots of things that we saw today, and I have posted them above!

Be Well!

I found this poem this morning...it is beautiful! I just wanted to share!!

To Daffadills

Faire Daffadills, we weep to see
You haste away so soone:
As yet the early-rising Sun
Has not attain'd his Noone.
Stay, stay,
Untill the hasting day
Has run

But to the Even-song;
And, having pray'd together, we
Will goe with you along.
We have short time to stay, as you,
We have as short a Spring;
As quick a growth to meet Decay,
As you, or any thing
We die,
As your hours doe, and drie
Away,
Like to the Summeres raine;
Or as the pearles of Mornings dew,
Ne'er to be found again.

Robert Herrick.

Catch ya on the flip side!

Be Well!

Looooooong day.....

After the longest day ever…it was thankfully time to go home!! Eggs, pancakes, and bacon for supper, then chores!

Marvin closed the pool for the season while I gave my bamboo plant a clean vase and fresh rocks, emptied all of the trashes, pulled the cart to the curb, and swept the kitchen!
A productive evening all around!

About 7:30, I headed out for my evening walk. Determined to stay the course tonight, I cranked up the tunes and, for the first time since my bathtub acrobatics, went the entire distance! I was limping by the last couple of blocks…but this too shall pass! I feel really good that I didn’t wienie out on the last third of my usual route (like I have been), but I am pooped out!

A summary of the week thus far…work sucks…but the time after work has been great! Fabulous temperatures…sunshine…lots of fresh air dancing through the house…those things combined always energize me!! I love this time of year! I am so looking forward to the fall colors, as summer says goodbye. I am so NOT looking forward to the gray…blustery…frigid days ahead…when winter says hello. Although, I must admit, the thought of that first glittering snowfall…is nice.

Be Well!


Would you…

If you could..
In the course of a day…
Influence a child
In a positive way…

Make someone’s life
Seem better somehow…
Help them to see
Beyond here and now…

Rid your own soul
Of idiot fray…
Squash every moron
Who gets in your way…

Would you in fact
Effect all these things…
Or is there contentment
That imagining brings?

Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved

Slow down...

Here it is...blue Monday again. Mercifully, it's over. However, not before I was yelled at by the president of our clearing house...and not before I hurled a nasty (though tactful) remark about him in the direction of one of the partners...and then found out that they are personal friends. I have a knack for inopportune moments...I'm remembering the Bobby Love incident...!

Don’t run so fast...

Sometimes, in the blur of the day
We lose our will to find the way…
If indeed, it matters at all,
It’s in the handwriting…on the wall.

Lost in the swirl of do’s and don’ts,
Straddling the fence of will’s and won’ts…
Anxiety reigns, have we lost or won,
In the master plan, it’s already done.

So why do we bother to shed these tears
To fret, and panic, and struggle for years…
The decision is made…the dye is cast
Slow down…don’t run so fast.

Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.

A great weekend!!

We arrived in Kansas City Friday evening around 9:30! On the way there, we decided to play with my new GPS…who I had nicknamed Lydia. As we entered the KC area…she told us where to turn and how far to go…every few minutes. Shane began to turn the opposite direction deliberately to see what it would do! It was hilarious…and a bit scary!
She knew EXACTLY where we were, each time we turned…even after a hasty ‘U’ turn in the middle of a street!!

Saturday was spent shopping and eating! We enjoyed both tremendously! We found a new outdoor mall called “Legends” that we had never been to, and by the time we left, I had a sweater, Chas had several kitchen items, Shane had a shirt, and Candy had TWO pairs of shoes (you go girl)!! We ate lunch at a place called “Cheeseburger Paradise” apparently somehow affiliated with Jimmy Buffet (not a football player). The food was great, and the entertainment was awesome! A strolling balloon aficionado stopped by our table and made a huge pair of lips with a large pink balloon tongue coming out between them (all fastened on to a balloon ‘hat’, for the birthday boy (Shane), and then we watched him manufacture a parrot, several monkeys, a jayhawk, a ‘Dr Seuss’ like hat, a brain sucking alien, and a host of other things…for other patrons! He was amazing!

The rest of the afternoon consisted of more shopping (at an indoor mall). Then, Birthday dinner at Cheesecake Factory, and back to the hotel. It was about 8:00 when we arrived back at the hotel, and we were all pretty tired. Chas went on up to the room to shower and rest a bit, but the rest of us (having gotten a second wind on the ride back) went for a walk on the plaza! What a great place! Lots of great shops, street performers, and freaks!! We wound down around 9:15, went back to the room and watched a bit of TV, ate some of the best birthday cake in the world, then hit the sack late.

We headed out for breakfast and the ride home around 10:00 this morning. The ride home was a lot longer than the ride there…as we were all tired and not looking forward to the chores that awaited us at home.

That brings us to now…5:58 P.M. Sunday evening. Upon our arrival, we dug right in, and in 2 ½ hours, we had dusted, vacuumed, shampooed the living room, hallway and upstairs carpets, unpacked, cleaned out the fridge, done laundry, and put dinner in the oven!

It was a really nice weekend! I thoroughly enjoyed it all! We needed some fun, ‘down time’ and we got it! The rest of the month is booked…office picnic, Michael W Smith Concert, Rolling Stones Concert…then October begins…already half full as well, culminating with Arkalalah on October 26th! The next few weeks/months will pass in a flurry of activity!

I have to end this post with an observation…from the heart. Every time we are privileged to spend time with our kids…I am reminded again of how blessed we are! As our kids were growing up, they were great! Kind, sweet, intelligent, wonderful kids! They have become adults…in what seems to have been ‘the blink of an eye’. They have both grown into the most responsible, sweet, kind, thoughtful, successful, fun loving, and ‘fabulous to be with’ adults that I have ever known! We are blessed beyond belief!

Be Well!

Downs...and Ups.....

This has been a long, tired, but productive week! Here are the highlights and lowlights!

-Low light-The cable guy came to Shane’s house this evening to install cable at the other end of his newly renovated bedroom…and broke a water pipe under the house.

+High light - Shane’s bedroom looks fantastic! After two days of work (that’s with all three of us…he actually worked on it for a couple more days before we got there), it is an amazing transformation! I have always thought it was a really cute house! But it’s even better now!

-Low light – I had a ‘set back’ that I honestly thought might land me in the hospital by Thursday afternoon. The pain was severe.

+High light - After two doses of meds…I am good to go again. Moral: Don’t stop taking your meds because you feel better…take them until they are gone.

-Low light – I had an interview for a possible position as a copy writer. Unfortunately, the company looks very ‘temporary’. It would not surprise me if they disappeared in the night sometime. Probably not a good place to risk our financial future.

+High light – I had an interview for a possible position as a copy writer. They said that they thought the sample that I wrote for them was excellent! Maybe there is hope yet, that I will someday make a living doing what I love to do!

Tomorrow is Friday!! Yea!!! By this time tomorrow evening, we will be almost in Kansas City for the weekend! We all need some down time…some FUN down time!!

Be well!

More whining...

Today was my first day at work after the fateful shower. It was a looooong day! By the time I got home...my entire leg was cramping. I ran a hot bath, grabbed a couple of magazines and some cherry juice...and relaxed for quite a while, in the tub! I feel much better now!!

I seem to be experiencing an odd phenomena though..it started a few minutes ago...my leg muscles are twitching like there is no tomorrow. I do believe they have a mind of their own! Or perhaps they are just tense from the day. At any rate...I think I had better sign off and take a muscle relaxer...and put my feet up for a bit!

Celebrate Friday!!!!

Be Well!

A bit better...

After 2 days of meds...I do feel a bit better. Tomorrow will be a rough day though. It still hurts to sit, and it hurts a LOT to stand after sitting for very long. So, I will stand frequently, and get through it.

Today has been a more productive day. I still have not taken the pain meds, I just see no sense in taking them if I don't need them. The pain that I feel is not good, but it is not so bad that I can't bear it. I am so susceptible to meds that it has taken all day for the last muscle relaxant to wear off enough that I don't feel 'hazy'. I cannot go in to work tomorrow...dealing with other people's money...in a fog.

I have been able to accomplish some writing today! It has been a while since I was able to just sit down and take the time to get in the proper frame of mind to work on the book. I have finished about three more chapters! I feel very good about that! I very much want to finish it, and every time I successfully complete any portion...it is extremely satisfying. At the end of the day...I doubt very much that I will ever find a publisher who is willing to take it on, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I've often wondered, why my brother and sister and I went through the things that we did as we were growing up. We were only children...all we wanted was to be loved, to be cared for, and to feel secure. The things that everyone wants. We were denied those things, often suffering brutality, and hostility that still haunts us. Over the years, I have had several opportunities to help people who have lingering pain from their own childhoods. Most of the time, the only help that I can give is to let them know that I have been where they are, and I understand, and can listen with compassion. I could not do those things, if not for my own experiences.

The season's of our lives are unpredictable at best. Just remember that without the storms, and clouds...the sunshine and rainbows would seem mundane.

Be Well!

Muscle relaxers...

I got up this morning intending to go to work...then get in to the doctor as soon as possible. By the time I was almost there...I realized just how much I was hurting. The parking lot may as well have been a billion miles across. I called and let them know that I was heading on over to the doctor instead.

After three exrays, the doctor pronounced me injured...but not broken! That was a relief! Although she said that a break would heal a good deal faster. She gave me a muscle relaxer, an anti-inflammatory, and a pain med.

Around 11:00, I took the muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory, then laid back down on the heating pad. Marvin came in for lunch about 11:45, and by 12:30, I was fast asleep...and didn't wake up until after 4:00. I feel like I lost the day entirely. I had intended to get in some reading and perhaps some writing...neither happened.

My leg is already a bit better, so maybe tomorrow I won't need the muscle relaxer. I don't think I will take the pain med...I'm afraid I would sleep for the rest of the week.

It sounds like both Shane and Chas are a bit under the weather today as well. Both with stomach trouble...although not presenting in the same way. Hopefully...everyone will heal quickly and we will all be back on track in a day or two!

I think it would be unwise to sit much longer...so here's to better days!!

Be Well!

Becky...

In her eyes, confusion, bewilderment, lost memories. Her voice quivers a bit. She no longer walks alone. She shows no fear. A good life behind her, no regrets. The time is drawing nigh. Somewhere deep inside…she is secure in the hereafter…she longs for release from pain, humiliation, and frustration. Her heart won’t let go…of so much. Darkness comes more often now. The terrifying monster of obscurity threatens to overtake her mind…but she fights the good fight…a valiant warrior. With all eighty pounds of her being…she struggles…minute by minute. Keenly aware of life…she laughs, and talks of the ‘future’ in terms of ‘when’…not ‘if’. She is the epitome of selflessness...clothing already given to the needy…birthday calendars left for him to use…pictures distributed…finances in order. She awaits her unfuture, with unbelievable grace.

Weekend wrap up...

It's been a good weekend overall! I needed the time away from work...but it has gone sooooo quickly! The visit on Friday/Saturday with my dad and step mom was good...although sad. The doctor says 4 - 5 months...I will be surprised if we have her that long. She is deteriorating rapidly now. Although my dad is physically healthy...he is an emotional wreck...as we all would be (and sometimes are). I wish we lived closer, so that I could run over in the evenings and help out, or just spend time with them...but, that isn't the case.

Those of you who know me...know that I am the queen of klutzville. I had an accident Saturday morning that reminded me just how coordinated I'm not! Suffice it to say that showers are slick! I had no idea that my leg could twist so far backwards without coming off! I have also become painfully aware that shoulders/arms/ hips...do not provide sufficient buffering for slamming against porcelain! I am doing better this morning...I can sit almost flat in the chair...but I still have a definite 'hitch in my git along'!

I missed church on Sunday due to the inability to sit/stand/walk without gasping. I did a bit of hobbling while I waited for Marvin and the kids to get home for lunch though...and baked a chocolate cake and ordered pizza. Good food and lots of laughter brightened the day!

Bringing us to the here and now! The last day of a long weekend! I so dread going back to work tomorrow...but that is the way of life. I have been writing more lately than I had been for a couple of months, and I am enjoying that...sometimes it takes the edge off of an otherwise excruciating week. I still have one poem out from my last round of submissions...as soon as that comes back, I will send out more. I know...I am a glutton for punishment! My file of rejections is growing exponentially! I guess there are two ways to look at that: (1) I am a total failure, or (2) as long as I am receiving rejections...I am at least trying! I prefer the later! Although...I am fully aware of the probability that at some point I shall have to concede to the former. I shall not go quietly into the night!!

I guess I will sign off now...my hiney hurts! I think I need to walk around a bit.

Be Well!!