The Girl Behind The Mask

In  1971 I graduated from high school with a plan.  That plan was to work as a secretary...or as they call it today...office assistant.  I took all kinds of clerical studies and would have loved to get a position at the McDonald's Headquarters in my town of Oakbrook Terrace.  It's a suburb of Chicago and Ray Kroc, the found of McDonald's,  had the head offices located there.  They even had a "Think Tank" in the building for employees to go in and meditate and perhaps think of something wonderful to help the company.  Anyway, I thought that would be a cool place to work. But to get in you needed experience and that was something I lacked.  As I was trying to find a job Mom came home from work at the hospital one day and said the operating room had a position for a nurses aide to help put surgical packs together, put up instrument sets, transport patients and other duties.  I had been a candy stripper and knew the hospital well.  I needed a job, at least for the summer, so I went in for an interview.  I don't  remember a lot about that interview but I do remember  Miss Graves asking me if I would be able to stand the sight of  blood.  I remember saying that as long as it wasn't my own I think I would be fine.  Little did I know as an 18 year old kid that I would spend the next 49 years of my life in an operating room.   I learned a lot in that summer and I went back to school and learned a lot more and then worked as a surgical technologist and have learned even more!  It was interesting, time consuming, stressful, fun, scary, and tiring!  It provided insurance for my family along with a paycheck.  But more than that it became a part of me.  A part of my identity.  I took pride in my work and in my dedication to making sure our patients were safe, that the Docs had the correct tools and equipment for the case and everything was sterile and well organized.  I worked many different shifts over the years.  Part-time, full-time, and a lot of over time! I was a wife and a mom with 4 boys to raise.  They didn't like that beeper when it would go off and I had to run.  I didn't like it when I had to miss some of their activities because of work.  Jack was always there to fill in when I wasn't there and for that I will always be grateful.  I know I complained tons over the years too!  Sorry babe!  I will never regret the decision to be a surgical tech (many folks refer to that as a "scrub nurse").  I have had the privilege of working with some fabulous nurses, doctors, technicians, and other healthcare workers.  It takes a team to raise that village!  So when, at age 67, I decided it was time to retire I really had to pray about it and make that leap with faith.  How would I leave my "identity" after so many years?  Today I took that leap.  I said farewell to my coworkers and my boss said that after 4 months I would be permitted...by law...to be able to return to work if I wanted.  I could come back PRN (that means if they needed me they could call and if I was available I could come in...all up to me with no call and no weekends).  She said I would be welcomed back.  We will see how it goes in the next 4 months I guess but for now I'm going to find out about the girl behind that mask.  It's funny that I will have to wear one when I go out now in public so it might take a little longer to redefine me!  If anyone ever watched the old TV show, M.A.S.H, you might remember the scene where Radar goes home and before he leaves he takes one last look through the operating room window.  All the activity is going on and he's not a part of it.  That's how I felt today as I left.  The difference was that the operating rooms were done for the day and all was quiet.  There's a pulse to the rooms even when empty.

Dark but always ready.

Lights, camera, action!

Magic happens behind these doors...miracles too.

Or perhaps a silly coworker making me laugh at my farewell lunch carry in yesterday!

Instruments ready to go.

All done!

Time to go.  Night all.

I Want To Do This And More This

Every week I think of what I want to do on the weekend.  Friday rolls around and I'm excited to have the next 2 days off and figure I can accomplish my list of: This, This, This, and This.  Then it's Sunday night at 9 pm and I have accomplished....this.   Yep, most of the other "Thisis" have not even made it to the starting gate.   Did I sit around and do nothing? Heck no! Jack and I did get grocery shopping done and some gardening done, some canning done, and watering done and made it to Farmer's Market on Saturday morning.  Made it to Church for the first time since Covid threw up on the world.  BTW...Church was so not "normal" that I wish I had stayed home and done church with Jack like we've been doing.   But I digress...which is probably why my to do list gets sidetracked or maybe side swiped is a better word here!  Last Sunday I had to work on call and missed my BFF's 70th birthday so I decided I would make some of her favorite things and take them over today.  So Saturday I did bake bread, make baklava, baked a blueberry pie with the last of our berries from last year, then also made some zucchini bread this morning.  I know there were various other things that got accomplished but now I'm thinking of next weekend's to do list!  We're expecting company next weekend and that will add a few items to the list.  It's a week that will be a final work week for now. I'm retiring on Friday.  I guess then I will be able to get some of the other "Thisis" done?  As long as I don't digress!  Here's a few pics of the things I done did!

Picked our first tomato of the season! It was so yummy!

It made a wonderful lunch paired with mozzarella cheese, olive oil, and fresh basil from the herb garden.

Baklava anyone? I must say it turned out great and the house sure smelled lovely too!

Blueberry pie...pass me some vanilla icecream please!

The zucchini bread turned out good too.  Hopefully all the goodies were enjoyed by my friend.  I didn't get a pic of the other bread I made.  It was a no knead bread with only 4 ingredients.  I gave her some and I kept some and tried it out for toast this morning.  Not bad if I do say so myself...which is what I just did!  That sums up this "This" post.  One final thought...looking out my dining room window I spotted this hanging from a branch on the crabapple tree:

Yikes!  Jack sprayed it 3 or 4 times before the hornets got the message they weren't wanted here.  I do have to applaud their industrious nature.  I swear, that thing had to have been made in a day.  It was right in plain sight and something that we would have noticed before yesterday.  The beauty of it masks the nasty temperament of it's inhabitants.  At least that's something that's off the list for now!

The Life Of A Blogger

I've been blogging for 12 years.  I actually signed up to blog in 2007 but didn't do anything with it until the next year...on Leap Year Day of all days.  I was encouraged to do so by my Daughter-in-law, Amy, who was also blogging at that time. We thought it would be a good way to see what was happening in our families and share photos.  But blogging soon took a backseat to Facebook and Instagram by the younger crowd.  I continued in the blog sphere though because, frankly, I didn't really "get" Facebook and how that was going to work.  (I'm better with it now!...I still don't do Instagram).  Anyway, I felt like my blog was a good way to journal and to share photos.  What I didn't realize was the fact that other folks, who didn't even know me, would want to read my pages.  Not only read them, but comment  about the content.  I didn't know about things called: "Followers".....hmmm. You visit another blog, leave a comment, and sometimes they would then sign up to follow you.  Interesting.  As time went on I had some followers and I followed others.  Simple.  Another thing I didn't realize was how following other blogs would connect me with some really cool people.  I found out about life here in the USA, and other parts of the world that I never visited in real life.  The folks I came to know in blog land I considered "Blog Buddies".   We probably would never meet in real life.  Some of my followers are family and friends that I do know but most of the ones that comment here at Whispering Pines are folks I've never met.  One such follower and blog buddy  was Rick Watson from "Life 101".   I bought one of his books and a CD that he and his wife, Jilda, put together of their music that they wrote and sang.  He kept bees, and other critters on his 12 acre farm in Alabama.  He was a southern gentleman and fun to follow.  He blogged daily.  On Wednesday he blogged quickly about the heat and his dogs and about not feeling great and heading to the Doctor on Thursday.  I was saddened to read that he passed away early Thursday morning at his home.  He was 69.  He was so loved by others who followed his writings and by his close and loving family who will be in my prayers.  I know we never met but losing a blog buddy is hard.  I've lost a few in the past. They do leave a hole that is hard to fill but life does go on and I know Rick would want us to do good deeds in our community, be kind to others, and I think continue to write about our lives.  In that vein I will tell you about a short trip Jack and took yesterday.  Jack wanted to go down to the Boy Scout Camp for the Friday night final campfire.  It was the final night of scout camp this year.  Due to Covid it was shortened by a few weeks.  So we headed down to Coshocton and had dinner with the scouts and staff that Jack has come to know after serving there for 30yrs.

The dining hall hailing the motto..For Friendship

Due to Covid the dining experience had to be separated into units with some troops eating outdoors and some indoors.  Not sure if they rotated that schedule but it was a hot week and, indoors or out, you probably were about at the same comfort level!

A few minutes to chitchat with some staff friends.

We headed down to the final campfire of the week.

Totem Poles with their symbolic meaning for the scout reservation and the scouters.

The smell of a campfire, the flicker of the fireflies, the silly songs, and words of encouragement and claps of achievement rang out in the cove.  An enjoyable evening and a nice farewell till next year.  Lots of people tell me they could never blog because they would have nothing to write about. I say we all have a story.  Whether it's a simple post about your day, animals, the weather,  or whatever you want to put out there, it's still you saying what's on your mind.  Words in writing that others may have about you when you're not here to say them.  RIP Rick.  I know I'll continue this blog until it's not fun anymore or I'm not here to do it and I'll think of you and your life that we all will miss.

Till We Meet Again

Friday we headed out to Chicago for my Mom's celebration of life gathering.  It was what she wanted and planned for many years ago.  My sister had the instructions and funds to do this and so gather we did! I think Mom would give her seal of approval when it was all ready to go.  My sister and her kids did a fabulous job of getting everything prepared ahead of time.  When everyone was there it was all hands on deck and it turned out great. We started gathering in Friday evening as all the out-of-towners arrived.

All my boys were able to make it out and it was fun to see them having a good time with cousins and other family members and having their kids doing the same with cousins.

Something about sparklers just gets the kiddos excited.  I had brought quite a few and they had a lot of fun with them.   Pizza and salad and lots of liquid refreshment was had by all!  The next morning there was a special Catholic Mass memorial service for Mom and family and friends of hers from Church came.  It was lovely and even though most of us aren't Catholic, it was enjoyed by all.  We went back to the house where my family all pitched in and had food on the tables, ready for the celebrating.

On the deck we had tables with lots of photos and things that were all about Mom's life.

I liked these shutters that my niece Katie and my sister Midge put together with photos.

The appetizers were amazing!

My niece Athina (My brother Jim's daughter) and Amy (my sister's daughter) working in the kitchen.

The tent and tables ready to go.

The yard looked inviting and the weather had actually cooled off and was very pleasant...we had a quick rain shower just as we were getting ready to eat but it ended and the rest of the day was picture perfect and not stinkin' hot and humid!

Just a few of the desserts...the food was beyond awesome...and we had tons of it.  Hey, we're Greek and we know how to feed people! My Mom was the Queen of hospitality.  Nobody ever left her home or table hungry...whether it was food or company,  she made you welcome.  Thanks for that legacy Mommo! You would have been so proud of the kids and I think us older ones who learned from you how to celebrate life.  I know this is a long picture post but since my blog is my life journal it's my "thing" to capture the Kodak moment.  Here's to everyone who came...just a few of the faces I love:

Phil, Cameron and Jackie

 Midge and Jordan bonding!

 My niece Carly (my brother Jim's other daughter) with her daughter, Lennox.

 My brother Rick and his wife Jan

 My cousins, Michele and Steve.

Of course here's my hubby Jack..and standing is Garret, my niece Betsy's husband.

Midge had these plates made for my brothers and me.  She picked a couple of Mom's Greek cookie recipes written in Mom's handwriting and had them put on plates for us.  This is mine with my favorite Greek cookie.  It was such a thoughtful and touching thing to do.

All the flowers, decor and having family and friends there was priceless.  Mom, you are loved and missed but we will do our best to carry on the traditions, family love, and enjoying life as much as you did.  We were so lucky to have you for 94yrs.  Love you...till we meet again.

July 4th In Review

On July 3rd our Portland crew flew in to spend some time at the Pines! It was such a great weekend and we were so happy they could come back this summer to visit.  My son and his family had planned a May trip to Hawaii but thanks to you know who...or I should say, you know what, it was cancelled.  So we were happy when they used the plane tickets to fly out to see us first, then go up to Michigan, and then will meet us on Friday this week for our celebration of life for my Mom.  So in a nut shell...here's the pics of the 4th weekend.

The weekend temps were rising so on Saturday morning Craig and crew decided to head to Mohican State park and show the kids some of the places he played when he was young.  The river area was packed with campers and folks like us but we did find a nice spot to play in the water.

Addy and Sophie were happy to reconnect from last summer.

Granddaughter Katie and her Momma! They look like sisters!

Even Arnold enjoyed a cool walk in the river with Craig.  Afterwards we headed back home for a cookout in the afternoon with family.

The bow and arrows came out along with some gun shooting.  Also they enjoyed my little toy:

Everyone took a spin on the bike but I think Taylor enjoyed it the most!  I have 2 Granddaughters getting married next year and we got to talking about wedding dresses.  My Mom made my wedding dress and I mentioned that anyone is welcome to wear it.  We decided to let Katie model it even though she's NOT one of the future brides!

Some alterations and it could be hers one day! Craig would prefer that to be WAYYYYY in the future! Ha!  We watched fireworks from a distance on Saturday night.  The evening actually turned quite pleasant and cool.  On Sunday we traveled up to Kirtland to see the first Mormon Temple even though the historic sites were closed.  We walked around up there and enjoyed the day.  The Temple is so pretty.

We also had a nice picnic.

On Monday we all gathered the swim suits and sunblock and headed to our oldest son's home for some swimming.

It was great to see the kids and their Dads enjoying time together and just being goofy!

Looking at these two you would never guess they were brothers from the same Mother...and Dad! Jack the oldest on the left, and Craig #2 on the right.  It was a fun time that went way too fast. Yesterday morning the crew  headed out for a quick trip to upper Michigan. They lived in Michigan for 3 years and enjoyed their time there.  Looking forward to seeing them on Friday.

See you then kiddos!