Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to everyone...who ever you are...where ever you are...may this year be the best year ever, and just the beginning of a wonderful 'rest of your life'!

Be Happy!!

Dangling my feet from a dime...

I'm in a melancholy mood today...I've felt it trying to grab me for a while now. This poem has been in my head since yesterday. So...here it is. This too shall pass.

A Million Tears

Silent teardrops
Flood my soul…
For those departed
Long ago…

Some I held
In warm embrace…
Bestowing kisses
On each face.

Some…
I only longed to hold.
To love and shelter…
From the cold.

Death came swiftly
Stealing them…
That deep, dark presence
On the wind.

It whispers
These are mine…
Now we seek
But cannot find.

Voices lost
In swirling years
In vain…
We shed a million tears.

Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved

Backward Glance...

As I look back over 2006…I realize how anxious I am to see it become a part of the distant past. This year…as a whole…has been one of the worst on record, for us. Notice that I said “one” of the worst…there were a couple even worse than this. Unfortunately, that doesn’t negate the ‘hideosity’ (I made that up) of this one. Following is a list of just a few of the ‘low lights’ of the year…however, it is in no way an ‘all inclusive’ list;

-Shane’s car was robbed (twice)

-Shane’s home was robbed (quite thoroughly)

-Our truck was robbed

-I spent a night in hospital…and narrowly avoided surgery

-Shane had another hernia repair, and a recurrence of an old heart problem

-Marvin’s job was eliminated…he was unemployed for 11 weeks

-My job was…ended…and I was unemployed for 8 weeks

-We both found new jobs…finally…unfortunately…each of us took a sizable cut in pay

-The homes of both of our kids were damaged by baseball sized hailstones

-Shane was privileged to pay to have his entire house replumbed…after the cable guy broke a pipe…which led to further problems

-Chas discovered that putting starch down her disposal…in mass quantities…is a bad idea

-Marvin discovered that just because the plumbing ‘snake’ isn’t coming out where you think it should…doesn’t mean it isn’t coming out anywhere

-Three weeks before Christmas…we had an $800.00 repair bill on the truck…after making the observation that “we haven’t had a large, unexpected expense in a while” (I won’t say that again)

-I tried off and on for the majority of the year…to have some much needed dental work completed…and due to both stints of unemployment…the inability of the dentist to deaden my mouth (a family trait)…and now, the uncontrollable panic that wells up in me at the thought of going back to the dentist…I have yet to be able to finish it

-Marvin’s mom was rushed to hospital at least twice this year…once for a fall…once for heart irregularities

-My step dad has been at the very brink of death’s door…a couple of times this year…and it looks as though he is headed back that way again

-My step mom…is dying…inch by inch…while we watch…unable to do anything to help her

I realize that in the overall scheme of the world…even this partial list…probably seems petty. To us…it has been miserable.

Many of the things on this list have been resolved…many have not. We have been sustained throughout all of this, by the Grace of God, the prayers of friends…and especially… the love that we share as a family (which I thank God for). The countless times that we have comforted each other…laughed together…cried together…helped each other…prayed for each other…and supported each other…have brought us through the valleys.

It is my fervent hope and prayer…that the coming year…will be a bright one…full of hope, love, laughter, prosperity, good health, and happiness...not just for us...but for everyone!

Take time...to laugh, love, and live!

364 shopping days...

Christmas was wonderful!! I couldn’t have asked for it to be any better! We have some traditions in our family that define Christmas…and this year it took some squeezing of the old time table…but we managed to get them all in! Making candy as a family…before Christmas, Christmas eve together, playing games and laughing, sneaking out to fill stockings and place all of those ‘hidden’ gifts under the tree while everyone sleeps, rising early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought, then Christmas breakfast…are just a few of the things that make Christmas special for us!

I got a mountain of great gifts…and I thank everyone…for everything…but the greatest gift of all…was being together! Everyone under one roof for Christmas eve…waking up together…is a very special part of all of it for me! I treasure all of these things more than I can describe with mere words…and I am so very thankful for the love that we share as a family!

I hope your Christmas was fabulous too! Only 364 shopping days…until we get to do it again!!

Be Well!!

You gotta see this...

Copy and paste the following link...it's amazing! Be patient during the intro...it's worth the wait!

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/jerome%20murat/video/xf9oo_jerome-murat

No net...

Tomorrow will be my first attempt at working without a net (my trainer will be out on vacation). I pity them all. The mail is a major event at work, it must be sorted…among over a dozen departments, some opened…SOME NOT OPENED…some date stamped…SOME NOT DATE STAMPED…some logged in…SOME NOT LOGGED IN. The rules are extremely flexible and depend entirely upon the opener knowing individual things about departments and people. Unfortunately…in my zeal to “get the mail done quickly”…today I opened three pieces of “CONFIDENTIAL” mail. Not a happy thing. I am terrified that I will make an error (out of ignorance) that will cause someone to lose their utility service…or not to get it in the first place. Or that I will make an incorrect entry and it will appear that someone who HAS paid their court fine…has not.

In the final analysis…all I can do is my best…I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof!

Be Happy!

Coffeyville...

It’s a dreary Sunday…cloudy, cold, and windy. Hard to believe it is almost Christmas! We went to Coffeyville yesterday to visit my dad and step mom. It was the saddest trip yet. I knew that she was getting worse…but I had no idea how bad she was. There really aren’t words to describe the feelings that we all experienced…and are still experiencing. It is very difficult to see such a lively, vibrant person, reduced to a shadow. As difficult as it was for us…I can’t begin to imagine how painful…emotionally…and how frustrating it was for her. Unable to stand, or even shift positions without assistance…I watched as my dad took care of her every need. They worked together…as one…to move her from the recliner to the wheelchair. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as he wrapped his arms around her, and lifted…telling her softly what their next move would be. He was patient, kind, and so gentle…but in his eyes I saw exhaustion…physical and emotional. As he talked quietly to me…about how she has gone downhill during the past week…his voice quivered almost imperceptibly with fear, worry, and heartbreak.

It has been a long, hard, horrible road for her. She has fought a good fight…better than most of us could. She is undoubtedly, one of the bravest people I have ever known. As we prepare for the inevitable…some human truths become evident. Even though I have known for many months now…that she was terminal…deep inside…I have not accepted it. As long as she was smiling, and walking, and laughing…as long as her outer self belied her inner illness…I have been able to avoid the reality of her mortality. That isn’t possible now. Very soon…we will be without her. Even as I type those words “we will be without her”…I realize that I am still avoiding the stark truth…she will die.

This has been a hard, emotional day. The image of her, so tiny and vulnerable…swallowed up by the enormous recliner, is imbedded firmly in my mind. The hot tears on my cheeks…are confirmation…that my brain and my heart…are now in one accord.

Please keep her, my dad and all of our family in your prayers. I would ask a special prayer for my husband…who will officiate at her funeral. He is feeling the weight of this responsibility.

That night...

Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The government mandated that all should be counted, in order to be taxed. Joseph and Mary began a long journey to the town of Bethleham to register. Mary, heavy with child, sat atop the donkey, her mind full of thoughts about the miracle of her life.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

Tired, and hungry, the two weary travelers arrived only to find that there was no place for them to sleep. The owner of a local inn…took pity on them and offered them his stable for the night.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

Mary and Joseph gave thanks to God for a warm, dry place to sleep. They snuggled down in the fresh straw, covering themselves with their cloaks. They fell fast asleep, exhausted from the long day behind them.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

Mary woke Joseph, excitement filled her soul as she told him that the baby would be born that night. His soft voice comforted her as she brought forth a son. The Son of God.

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

Mary wrapped her son in swaddling cloths, while Joseph filled the manger with fresh, clean straw. The rest of the night, they held each other and watched as the Savior of mankind slept peacefully.

And then, in a twinkling,
I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

Shepherds traveling in the night, were startled by the appearance of a bright star…as they watched over their sheep. An angel came to them and began to speak…

His eyes-how they twinkled!
his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

The angel told the shepherds not to be afraid. “I am here to bring you good news for all people. This night in Bethlehem a baby has been born. He is the one that will save the world. You will know Him because He will be wrapped in cloths, and will be laying in a manger.”

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

The angel was joined by a choir of angels. “Glory to God, and peace to all people on earth.” they sang. Then…as suddenly as they had appeared…they were gone.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Following the star, the shepherds soon found the stable…and the baby in the manger…just as the angels had said. They fell to their knees and gave thanks to God for this child…who would save even them.

The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

Christmas Story retold by jschoonover

An old friend...

I received word yesterday that an old friend…had died. Actually…that isn’t true. He did not ‘die’…he drove himself to a local hospital…parked his car in front of it…and blew his brains out. I hadn’t seen him in several years…but he was a friend to my brother and me. I remember him as a warm, fun loving person…a very ‘laid back’ kind of guy…who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who might need it. He never worried about anything really…just accepted life and moved on down the road.

As I pondered the events that precipitated his death…the inequity of life really hit me. He had apparently been in an accident (at work) several years ago, and had injured his back to the point that he was disabled. I don’t know the financial intricacies of his family…but I do know that his wife was employed at a local nursing home, and that they routinely took in foster children. They had no health insurance. A few months ago, he had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance…a 14 mile trip. The charge for that 12 minute ride…was $600.00. That comes to about $50.00 per mile. Being unemployed and uninsured, they were having trouble paying the bill. Apparently, the weight of the debt, and the constant hounding by the hospital, coupled with other financial concerns…was too much.

He parked in front of the hospital, which had been hounding them for the money, wrote them a note, and then shot himself. I’m sure that in some confused way…he felt as though he would be ‘getting even’ with them. Probably not only for hounding him…but for charging such a ridiculous amount of money for the service as well. Unfortunately, they won’t give a crap. Hospitals routinely overcharge for every freaking thing they do/provide…from $50.00 for a Tylenol…to $120.00 for a $10.00 Ace bandage. I understand marking something up…to make a profit and pay the bills…but please. Regardless of his death…they will continue to overcharge…to hound those who can’t pay because they are truly not able to pay…all the while…ripping off the insurance companies of those who are insured…! NOTHING WILL CHANGE.

Meanwhile, his wife, two children, grandchildren…and extended family are left with wounds that will never heal. Not only will they deal with never seeing him, or hearing his voice, or feeling his touch again…but, they will forever wonder if they should have seen the ‘signs’ of his depression. If somehow they did or said something that helped drive him to that last desperate act. They will wonder if they should have, or could have said or done something to keep him alive. They will feel responsible for his death…and the guilt will eat away at them for the rest of their lives. It will affect every aspect of their lives from this point on.

I’m at a loss for words…or even feelings…except supreme sadness for his family. I won’t publish their name here…but I would ask you to pray for them….God knows who they are.

Second day on the job...

It is 58 degrees outside today…with lots of sunshine! I can’t believe it is mid December! While I totally love the warm weather…it isn’t very conducive to Christmas spirit!

I just got home from the second day of my new job. Day one was scary…confusing…and stressful. Day two was fun! I was plunged into several new things…head first! The pace was quick and filled with a multitude of interruptions! Time passed so quickly that it was awesome! I only hope that I remember how to do the things that I ‘learned’ today…tomorrow.

An interesting thing happened just before I left. The mayor called. For just a moment…after she said “Good afternoon! This is Mayor_______”, I froze. I had no idea how to address her. I put her through to her party…then asked the woman who is training me…how to address the Mayor in the future. I was surprised to find out that we are to simply address her by her first name…?! Isn’t that odd?! I’m not sure that I feel comfortable doing that…but I guess I will. When in Rome…!

I have to relate an experience that I had a few days ago…in my job search. Have you ever seen the movie “Mean Girls”? Well, I arrived at an interview…and was told that the woman who was supposed to interview me was out sick…however, the receptionist said that two of her co-workers would see me in her stead. After about 10 minutes…I was called in to a conference room…where I swear to you…I was interviewed by two of the ‘plastics’ from ‘Mean Girls”! While they were not mean to me…I got the distinct impression that they could be! It was hilarious! The job turned out not to be one that I could accept…even if they did call me…it was too temporary…but the interview was interesting! At one point they asked me how I would respond to criticism…for instance…”If you had been doing something a certain way…for a long time…and we told you that it was wrong and we wanted you to do it in a different way! What would you do?” They seemed pleased with my response. Then, they leaned in toward me a bit…as if to confide…and the one with Tammy Faye’s make-up said…”We’ve had a problem in the past with people who just get mad (pause as she rolled her eyes alllll the way back) when you tell them they’re wrong!” The other one bobbed her head up and down…in agreement. I wanted to say “That seems about right!”, instead…I shook my head slightly…and rolled my eyes too. Every time I think about it…I giggle again.

I have a bit of Christmas shopping left to do…so, I’m going to slip on some jeans and hit the mall!! Catch ya on the flip side!

Be Happy!

Jody's Christmas Answers...

Stolen from Shane

Here are my answers to some Christmas questions - what are yours?

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?? Hot Chocolate…followed by Egg Nog …and lots of Lactaid!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps them.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights on the tree, house, garage, and in the yard

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Sometimes.

5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as I can get away with it!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Mashed potatoes (with lots of that yummy meat gravy) and stuffing!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Christmas at grandma and grandpa’s…One tree for the people, and always a separate one for the pets, homemade candy, people sleeping everywhere on pallets, eggnog, hot chocolate, a beautiful Christmas table (willow ware china, white porcelain gravy boat, jelly in small crystal bowls, Silverware polished and gleaming), Christmas music in the background (Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Wayne Newton), grandpa’s booming voice and laughter as he ‘played Santa’ passing out gifts, lots of flashbulbs going off, Polaroid pictures drying on the mantel.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? The first Christmas after my parents divorced…dad drove 150 miles, in a snowstorm to see us for a couple of hours (at grandma and grandpa’s house) on Christmas Eve. After he left, I lay awake all night…determined to see Santa. He never showed. It was then that I realized that Santa had delivered our gifts in a broken down, backfiring old Chevy, then drove home in a bizzard to spend Christmas day alone.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Different every year! This year…white lights, red and gold balls, red garland, gold tinsel…and lots of ornaments…many with sentimental attachments!

11. Snow, like it or dread it? Love the snow…hate the cold!

12. Can you ice skate? Love to ice skate!

13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with my family!

14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Fudge!

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Family time on Christmas Eve, then waking in the wee hours of Christmas morning to open gifts!

16. What tops your tree? More lights and garland!

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving

18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love them all!! My favorite spoof on Christmas music is “Walkin Round In Women’s Underwear”!

19. Candy Canes! yuck or yummy? Yummy! I always thought they should be dipped in chocolate though!

20. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life – Miracle on 34th Street – Elf!

Be Happy!

Christmas Magic...

She smiled in the dark
As she pulled up the quilt,
It was all she could do
Not to let out a squeal!

Aromas of Christmas
Tickled her nose,
The thought of sweet goodies
Curled up her toes!

The fragrance of cinnamon,
and cookies, and fudge…
And bon bons, and candy canes,
All the things that she loved…

The smell was so full,
and so rich…and so good…
In a matter of minutes…
On the landing she stood.

Clutching Hairy Bear
Under one arm…
She crept down the stairs
Intending no harm.

As her foot touched the carpet
She breathed a deep sigh,
She looked down at Hairy
Who looked back with one eye.

“We made it”…she whispered,
Her heart pounding hard…
As she tiptoed to the kitchen
Hairy hanging by his arm!

It was then that she noticed
The mud in the hall…
As she slid straight through it,
Right into the wall!

Struggling to stand,
She grabbed at the tree
A morbid mistake,
For
The
Holy Family…

Next to the fireplace, they stood so serene
In the shelter of the stable
Under the Angels spread wings…
Their sheep, and their goats…
All their nice Holy things.

The tree shuddered and shook,
As she danced all around
Her feet coated with mud
Still… she made not a sound…

Losing her grip
On the tall sturdy pine
She slid headlong
Into the divine…

Joseph maintained
A serious aire…
As he crashed halo first
Into the stair.

Mary and Jesus remaining intact…
Came to rest in the umbrella rack…
The sheep, and the goats, and a camel or two,
Plunged into the fish tank…
The Angel askew.

Her eyes wide with wonder
Her appetite gone…
She thought and she pondered…
Where had she gone wrong??

Just then, from the chimney…
She heard a big Whoosh…
A fat man in red…
Plopped out on his tush!!

Her eyes wide with wonder
At what she could see
She crawled away quickly
Neath’ the half fallen tree.

He turned his head slowly
Surveying the room…
The joy in his eyes
Turned quickly to gloom…

“Oh my…” he said softly,
“What a mess we have here…
Mayhem and mischief,
That looks pretty clear…”

“All I wanted”..she sighed,
“Was something to eat…
Some warm apple pie,
Or candy, or…anything sweet!”

With the raise of his hands,
The room came alive…
He turned and he waved,
Bushy brows lifted high.

A mystical breeze…
Ever so slight,
Tousled her hair…
As all…was made right.

Order restored…
The old man grinned wide,
Walking straight to her…
He took her aside.

“Cookies and candy,
In your stocking will be,
Leave the late night carousing…
Only to me!”

With that he escorted her
Up the stairs, straight away…
As he tucked in the covers,
He had this to say…

Merry Christmas my dear one,
And Yes, it is true…
Christmas is magic…
This magic’s…for you!

Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.

I'm an idiot...again...

I've spent the evening agonizing over whether or not to accept a job that I was offered...because the money stinks. In my manic stew...with psycho broth...I did not stop even one time to consider...that last night, and again before the interview this morning...I prayed a very distinct prayer. I asked God to make it absolutely clear to me what to do...should I be offered this job. In fact...my specific verbiage was "If it is Your will, then please let them offer me the job...if it is not...please keep them from offering me the job at all! Please be in complete control God...Don't let them even offer it...if it isn't your will for me!" Then...I went to the interview...and within hours...they offered it to me. I didn't even calm down enough from what my brain was saying...to remember what my heart had requested.

As I was preparing for bed a few minutes ago...the request that I made of God this morning...flashed back to me. I am such an idiot...again. I don't know why I am supposed to take this job...but at least now...I know that I AM supposed to take it!

Be Well!

Blogger block...

It’s been a few days…I just haven’t had the…heart for blog. I have sat down several times, intending to write…but just went blank. It’s been a chaotic few days. But finally, things seem to be leveling out a bit…I hope. During the snowstorm last week, Marvin’s truck quit running…while he was at work downtown. On Friday, it started just long enough to get him up onto the elevated road coming home…and Shane right behind him. After heroic efforts…everything but ‘mouth to mouth’ on the engine…they called a tow truck and had it taken to the shop. By Monday evening, the truck was fixed…although the cost was extremely high…thank heavens for Visa. During the time the truck was down…Marvin finally conceded that my heater was indeed broken (it hasn’t worked properly for two years). The bad news is that we drove around all weekend with no heater…the good news is that it turned out to be a simple problem…and very inexpensive to fix! It is now warm and toasty!

I had an interview today…for a job that won’t pay much…but at least it’s a job. I heard this afternoon that they were already checking my references. We’ll see how that goes…I’m really torn.

Shane’s been very sick for two days, and Marvin is on the verge of illness. ‘Tis’ the season for colds and flu! I hope they heal quickly and the rest of us escape it!

I just reread all of this…I seem to be a bit more melancholy than I thought…I think I will sign off for now and go find some chocolate.

Be Well!

To CJ...

I don’t know whether you will see this or not…but just in case you drop by my blog (and I hope that you do), I just want to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog. A glimpse of daily life in a place so far from my own…different customs, different holidays, even different vernacular…has been so interesting! Most of all, it has taught me how alike people are…no matter where they live! We all have the same concerns…and the same joys…and the same need to express ourselves! Even though I regret not being able to access your blog now, and I will miss sharing a tiny corner of your life, I totally understand the changes that you have made….and I applaud you! You have found a way to continue to write and to use your blog as YOU see fit! It makes me smile to know that they did not keep you down…that you had the spunk, tenacity, and rebel spirit…to triumph! YOU GO GIRL!! I wish you the best always!!

Be Happy!