Timing Is Everything

 On Monday morning this past week I handed in my resignation.  If you remember, I had retired in 2020.  In 2022 my former boss asked if I would be interested in returning PRN.   If they needed help they would contact me and I could say yes or no.  I received no benefits except for a paycheck.  That was fine with me and I went back.  I ended up working at the endoscopy unit at our facility on Mifflin ave, off of the hospital campus.  It turned out to be a learning experience as I had not done colonoscopies or EGDs much before that.  I really enjoyed the time and learned so much.  I loved the staff I worked with and the doctors were great.  I worked a pretty steady schedule of 2-3 days a week.  However, this past year we had some big doctor players that left our facility.  You can't do surgery without surgeons.  As the work slowed down, so did their need for my services as the regular OR staff would have to go to Mifflin endo if they wanted to work.  They didn't like it much but they liked having their paychecks!  I was down to only working 2-3 days a month.  After not standing for an 8-10hr shift except once in a while, I felt it was too hard physically.  I had a hard time making up my mind to actually hand it that resignation.  When I retired in 2020 the timing was right and I had no qualms about it.  This time was different and I realized it was because I enjoyed it so much more this time around.  But timing is everything and the time was right.  On that Monday I headed over to the hospital, said goodbye to staff and doctors, and handed my boss the resignation, and my badge.  I walked to the discharge elevator to head to the parking lot. The doors opened, I started to go in, and then I dropped my car keys.....RIGHT DOWN THE ELEVATOR SHAFT!  After working there for over 40 years and coming and going at all times of the day and night, that had never happened!  I felt pretty stupid but had to think: "Was God telling me something?"  Well, maintenance got the keys for me and I asked if I was the first one to have this happen.  They said, no, it happens about twice a month! Well, I felt slightly better after that. Then I got in my car and one of my tires was low and we ended up having to get a new one.  Then I decided to mow my yard and the mower broke. Now I was seriously thinking I had a black cloud hanging over my head!  Well, the mower got fixed by Jack and my son Phil.  The tire replaced.  I thought burning some sage in the house might help get any negativity out of my life.  So I did it!  The next day we got a letter from the bank that said we had overpaid on our mortgage we had paid off. I was excited to see a check! I thought, "The sage worked!"  Yep, 3 whole cents were over paid! They actually sent me a check for 3 cents with the admonition to cash it before 90 days or it would be void.  Well, at least it wasn't a bill!  I did tear it up and toss it in the trash.  They can't fool me, there are no pennies!  Yep, timing is everything!

25 Years

 I'm sure today many are remembering the events of September 11th, 2001.  I know I'll watch memorials on TV and the internet.  The stories of lives lost, lives changed forever, heroes made.  Sadness for such a senseless act.  Yet at that moment in history our country was united in a way we haven't seen since. Certainly not seeing it today in our political craziness.  Can we again take a moment to remember and maybe do something good or kind or just take a moment for quiet reflection and even for prayer?  Yes, prayer was a big part of that day.  Some prayers were answered, some were sent up with no intent for an answer but maybe for a hope for the future.  There's a generation now that wasn't born then but have the visuals and words to let them know all about it.  Jack and I describe it like it was for our parents who lived through the Pearl Harbor attack and WWII.  We weren't born then but sure know about it today.  25 years ago I wasn't a blogger.  But the time frame has been burned into my brain like a super blog post. September 8th, 2001, had us moving into our home here at Whispering Pines.  We were 48 yrs old with just one of our boys still at home.  Jordan was a junior in high school.  That Tuesday morning of 9/ll was the most beautiful day.  The temps had been really hot over the weekend we moved in, but that Tuesday was a lovely, cool, crystal clear blue sky morning.  I was sitting in my kitchen with a friend and got a phone call about what was happening in New York.  We did have a TV hooked up in our family room and my friend and I watched in horror as all of this unfolded. After the shock of seeing the planes and sadness for the people in them and the buildings, my second thoughts were about the first responders.  I watched them run to the scene, jump on the firetrucks, be in the police cruisers, and I knew they would put their lives in danger for the ones that were hurt or needed them.  I also knew the outcome for them would not be good.  A lot has happened in these past 25yrs.  We've grown older, maybe just a bit wiser, but I'm still amazed at how fast this time has gone.  I started blogging in 2008.  So my photos today are just a glimpse at how things have changed in our lives: They are kind of wonky since I just clicked the pics from my computer screen!

This little squirt, Addy Rae, will graduate in May.

Cameron in now a freshman at Kent State University.

Lexi works at the hospital as a PCA.

Anthony is now 24yrs old

This little cheerleader, Driana, just had our first great grandson, Roman, in April.

Her little sister, Summer, just had our second great grandson, Gabriel, in August. Just a few examples of how time has flown but our memories are precious and on this day of remembrance I hope everyone can  never forget what happened this day that changed, not only children growing up, but how much our country, our modes of travel, our security, our every day lives, and so many other things over these past 25 years.  

What We Collect

 First, welcome to the beginning of the "BER" months!  If you love the summer you may be bummed out because in a few weeks the official start of fall will be here.  But I love fall and I'm slowly going to be doing the fall decorating.  We're having our family reunion in October so I'll be a little ahead of when I normally get into the pumpkin spice, fall wreaths, and such as I get ready to host 50 or more here at the Pines.  So in that vein, I've been cleaning out "stuff" and realized I have collected too much paperwork, photos, nick nacks, and general things that I was sure I would use one day.  Two big garbage bags later, I'm getting it down to a manageable pile. I'm really a neat, like a clean house person but I sure can put something in a drawer for "later".  You know, the "later" than never comes!  I did reread some cards that my kids gave me and Jack, some sweet messages from my late mother, some poetry from dad, some photos of people I don't even remember their names even though they are relatives! Sh

Here's the engagement announcement from our local paper when Jack and I got engaged.  Monday was our anniversary.  52yrs and counting! So it's amazing this little piece of history is still around although not in very good shape....sort of like me! Ha!

A photo of my mom and dad under the apple tree on the side of the house I grew up in.  Yes, mom and dad are both in heaven and even the tree is gone. I always enjoyed it's blossoms every spring. Miss my folks and even the silly tree.

This hand print was from #2 son when he was in first grade. Look at how huge his hands were at that age. This really made me laugh!  He's was tall for his age and hits around 6'3 now and we would joke about his arm span with those long arms.  I just never thought about his hands. Not so little! I'm glad I'm almost over going through "stuff" for now.  All the dust has my allergies kicking in.  Here's someone who really is little:

My great grandson, Gabriel, who's one month old today.  I babysat for a bit while his momma was at the dentist. He's a cutie!  Here's a little thing we did last week on Friday.  The Greek Orthodox church had it's annual Greek festival in Mansfield.  Some of Jack's classmates were meeting there for lunch so we went over and had some really yummy Greek delights.

Gyros anyone? How about some dolmades and spanakopita?  There was lamb, Greek chicken, green beans the way my Greek momma used to make them and of course all the pastries.  It was a fun afternoon and since I'd never been there before we took a quick tour of the church.

Very beautiful.  The stain glass windows were amazing and I just wish my Mom could have been able to come here for church when she visited us.  We were always busy doing other things together but I know she would have enjoyed the festival and seeing this beautiful church.  So now my focus will be finishing up projects to get the house company ready..to my standards anyway!  Today the heat and humidity have us hunkering down inside and I'm looking forward to the cool front that will eventually head this way.  Labor Day is this weekend and the Ashland county fair will be this month too.  When the fair is over I really feel summer is too.  The other night I was walking Annabelle and the sun was going down and hitting the pine trees in a way that made it look very fallish!

I clicked this pic and thought the pine trees didn't even look like pines.  A few minutes later, after the sun set some more, they were back to green. Hope you have a good first week of the "BER" months!