In the Presence of Princesses

I got to spend today with a couple princesses. The Children's Theater performed "Beauty and the Beast Jr." at The Taft today, and my almost 3-yr-old Claire and 4-1/2 (NOT 4!) year old Sylvia were my guests. These girls are all about princesses and were more than a little excited to get to wear their princess attire outside of Grammy's house or their own homes. They got to go OUT as princesses, and no boys allowed, and what could be better! Some think this is silly and just too "girly" and teaches them to wait for their knight in shining armor to sweep them away to a wonderful world of castles and kingdoms -- and I say let them be princesses while they can. They live in castles and the grammyvan is their carriage and we drove through the "forest" on our way to the show. These are princesses with imaginations and giggles and twirls and all that is good in little girl world. They will learn soon enough that the world doesn't work like that, but when you are almost 3 and 4-1/2 (NOT 4!), the world is all nice and pretty and full of wonder and joy. Let them imagine and dream and play make-believe all they want. There is a whole life time to face the real world, but not this day, not while in the presence of Princesses, riding in Grammy's carriage through the enchanted forest on our way to the castle to see Beauty and the Beast. Soak up the enchantment while you can, and enjoy every minute of it. I sure did.

Kind and Gentle

Eunice Humbert was kind and gentle, and she died today. She was 92, in a nursing home and pretty much out of it for well over a year. So her passing is a blessing, as she is now with her God and with the love of her life, Jack. But all day I've been thinking of her and the years I had with her. She was my first mother-in-law, and I loved her dearly. I was 19 when I met her, and she was truly my second mother. I grew up with her. I think back on all the times I did stupid stuff as a young wife, and then a new mom, and she never, ever criticized, ever. Because that was Eunice. Kind and gentle. I remember I always wanted to be like her; I always hoped that some day when we had kids, I would be a mom like her. But I wasn't. Because Eunice was quiet and calm, and that's not in my genes. My family is loud, and opinionated, and laughs loud and yells loud. So I could never hold a candle to sweet, calm, gentle Eunice. But even though I couldn't BE like her, I learned so much from her. I used to relish our conversations over doing the dishes. She was just so easy to talk to, and I felt like I could confide in her about anything. She just had a way of making you feel better. Going to see Eunice was like going to a spa -- her home just had a calm aura about it. If you were stressed walking in, by the time you left you felt like everything would be okay. I used to love just sitting in her calm surroundings. She adored her husband, and loved her kids and grandkids. I think back and remember when she'd get mad at my then husband over stupid stuff he did, all she'd say was "Oh, Mike!", and that was it. She'd be giggling again in a matter of minutes, because she just couldn't stay mad, at anyone. She found good in everyone, and she never, ever spoke badly of anyone. She was a devout Christian and watched PTL and Oral Roberts (the Joel Osteen of the 70s); we think she probably built Oral Roberts University with all the money she sent him. I was so lucky that even after the divorce, Eunice was my support. She never abandoned me, and I knew she loved me as much as I loved her. And she loved her son fiercely, and she loved his new wife. And it was all okay because she had plenty of love to go around. And all of us over all these years were truly blessed that we all got to be in her world. I will never, ever forget her and the kind of person she was and the kind of life she led. Kind and gentle.

Been a little busy....

Well, maybe lazy. I was just reading my old posts and can't believe it's been 3 years since I've written anything. I really wanted this to be something I'd do at least occasionally, so I'm going to give it another try, and maybe find something to write about at least monthly. For now, I just want to do a quick catch up on what's been going on. When I left off, we had 2 grandkids, and now we have 6! We simply adore Charlie (5), Sylvia (4), Claire (almost 3), Margot (2) Alex (7 months), and little Albert (3 months). We love spending time with them and are so lucky that their parents let us have that time. Jenny is still at FlipDaddy's and recently got a dog. Matt is now a Financial Planner and father of 3. Jenn is a nurse working part time. Rachael has been teaching for ten years already, and Sylvain lost his teaching job over a year ago and now works for Google at home and stays with the kids. Jordan is still in Louisville, and just this week starting working for Amazon. We've been on a couple nice trips in the past few years; an Alaskan Cruise with friends, Nancy and Denny Goebel 2 years ago. And last year we took all the kids and grandkids to Hilton Head. Jay lost his job in April 2013, worked a couple part time jobs, then after a year landed another sales job with WestMed. It's nice having our "normal" income back and leading the life we were used to. I'm going to try to put a few pictures on here and just leave it at that... Happy Fall!!

Laughter through the tears

My heart is so full tonight, in thanks for the blessing of having my daughter and her family back in Northern Ky after more than 10 years. After all this time, as of tonight, she lives just 8 miles from me -- 8 short miles!!! So why is my heart breaking when she walked out the door ealier this evening with that sweet little toddler of hers to spend their first night in their new home? Because for the past 4 months she and her husband and sweet Sylvia have lived with me and Jay, and I have loved every minute of it. What I thought was going to be something we'd "tolerate" turned out to be a joy. Waking up every morning to those little footsteps running down the hall calling "Me-me" (Grammy), and coming to my room to put on necklaces and blush on her cheeks was such a gift. A gift I would not have gotten if their house had sold sooner, or they found a new home sooner. These hassles for them turned out to be a true blessing; 4 months of day-to-day life with my sweet Sylvia. And "paw-paw" was just as smitten with her as I was.

So, while we are happy Rachael, Sylvain and Sylvia are sleeping in their own home tonight, and after 4 months are settling back into a normal life as a family 3 (and one on the way), I can't help but miss them already. I'm incredibly happy and sad at the same time, and I thank God for having this family that brings me so much joy, and laughter through the tears!

Here's my baby on our last day together sharing a home; while we baked cookies, her mom and dad and many family and friends moved everything to their new home. I'll miss her so much, but I'm so very thrilled to have her so close by.

Later in the day, Good Time Charlie came over. Sylvia ADORES her cousin Charlie, and he is so, so good with her. They sqealed and played and didn't even fight over Woody. I'm so glad he's spending the night with us tonight, so it won't seem so quiet here in the morning with the Fasciottos gone. Here's a picture of our cutie pies.

And while we're at it, I'm posting a family picture. Now, I have no idea how other families get those great shots, with kids and babies and everything. Poor little Claire can't even be seen! This is the best we could do with our motley crew at Thanksgiving -- God bless us everyone!

Spring Training

A couple weeks ago we went to Reds spring training in Phoenix with friends Karen and Mike Chalfant, and what a ball (pardon the pun). One of the highlights was visiting the practice facility/complex/offices. It afforded us up close and "too" personal glimpes of not only the brain trust (Castellini and his group having a big meeting) but got to see their offices, weight rooms, etc. A bonus was walking by Dusty Baker's office, and seeing him taking a pee; his bathroom is off of his office and I guess they don't get many "outsiders" as he didn't bother closing the bathroom door. So, as we went by and the girl pointed out his office, we glanced in and beyond the office, there he stood in what appeared to be a bathroom in the "urinal" position. I wasn't sure I really saw what I thought, and then I heard the flush. Yep, he was taking a leak! Beyond that little gem, we got many autographs (Joey Votto is very hot, but I LOVE Brandon Phillips -- what a friendly guy).

In addition to seeing 3 games, we took a day and drove to Sedona and spent a night in Flagstaff. Sedona is just beyond words, natural beauty beyond belief. We had a wonderful time in 80-90 degree weather, and now we are back, opening day is tomorrow, and the forecast is 46 degree high. It sure was nice to have a little taste of summer.

A Nice Getaway

French Lick, Indiana. I'd never been there, but thought it was some golf place, at least I know my friend's husband used to go with his buddies there to golf. When Jay and I were trying to come up with a not-too-far getaway spot, we decided to check out French Lick. (Bonus, you go through Louisville to get there, so an excuse to stop and see the most beautiful grandbaby in the world!)

So, Friday night we took off for Louisville and stopped at the Fasciottos to have dinner with Rach/Sylvain/Jordan (I made vegetable lasagne and took it along, and it was pretty pretty darn good, thank you.) We got to spend time with the Nugget and got to do the "bedtime thing" with her since mommy and daddy took off to see a movie. We spent the night at the Hampton Inn near by, then headed to French Lick Saturday morning, about an hour away. The town of French Lick is the pits, but the resort, which sits right along the main road (not up on a hill away from the ugly city) was simply beautiful. It's made up of 2 hotels, French Lick Hotel and West Baden Hotel. Since F-L hotel has a casino, we opted to stay at West Baden thinking it would be more quiet. Good idea! West Baden was simply gorgeous! By far the prettiest hotel and room I'd ever stayed in.

Since we got there early, we started out by walking around F-L hotel and cruised through the shops (where I bought an awesome coat - 60% off!). This hotel was built in 1845, and all the great old time stars visited there over the years. Back then, they came by train and horse and buggy, coming for the mineral spring water. Ten years later they built the West Baden, connected by a trolley. There are wonderful pictures in the lobby of the shambles WB had become by the 1990s. It was bought by a wealthy family and $500 million renovation took place and restored it to it's glory around 1997. It really is something to see.

Then we went to the casino (added about 5 years ago) and low and behold, they had video roulette!! It was so much fun! Only $2 minimum, and no one shoving you or smoking in your face. We had a ball and even won a little money. There's also a spa, bowling ally, indoor and outdoor pools, hiking trails, horseback riding, and in the summer all kinds of kidsfest things. And there's golf, but $350 to play, according to the shuttle driver.

Then we headed to the other hotel to check in and it was spectacular. The rotunda in the main lobby was so impressive. We had dinner at their restaurant, Sinclairs', and I had the best salmon of my life. We went back and gambled a bit more, as shuttles take you back and forth all night. Won a little more money, then called it a night.

Sunday morning we checked out and went to Mass at a tiny little Catholic church right down the road. The priest was the best! The parish was obviously very poor, but what a dynamic priest at the helm. It was a great ending to such a great weekend. If it weren't so expensive, it would be a wonderful place to take the whole family.

A Dear Friend, Gone too Soon

On Sunday, my friend Renotta King, passed away after almost 2 years of fighting cancer.  She was only 49, and a recent grandmother of 2 babies.  She was one of the most God-fearing women I've ever known, and I will miss her so much.

Even though she had to quit work more than a year ago, I looked forward to our visits, emails and calls.  She was one of the first people to befriend me when I started at Children's Hospital, and it was obvious from the start that her faith was huge.  She and her family (she had 4 children) spent 3 years in Peru doing missionary work, and only came back when she had a heart condition that needed to be kept in check.  Her husband, a minister, was committed to serving the Lord, and they lived a modest life.  They had nothing, and wanted nothing.  Even though they owned next to nothing, she told me once that it was so freeing to have no real possessions, and to owe nothing to anyone.  They lived above a funeral home, helping out when there were services there to offset the rent. 

When I worry about worldy possessions, how will we affort this or that, how will we ever retire, I stop and think of Renotta and try to put it all in perspective.  She had total trust in God, and I want more of that.  When she was diagnosed with cancer, she would often come in after doctor visits, and with a big smile on her face say "well, we didn't get good news"; she never, ever complained, ever.  She was in so much pain and suffering, but never let it change her attitude about life.  We are here as a gift from God, and we leave when God sees fit.  Her huge church congregation, friends and family all are a testiment to the lives she touched.  There are tons of postings on facebook about how remarkable she was, and she truly was.  Memorials are being requested to build a church in Peru in her honor, which is so fitting. 

I will always, always strive to be even a little bit like Renotta.  She was truly an angel walking among us, and will be so, so missed.  I'll never forget her.