Random Thoughts and So on and So Forth 2

Just a few thoughts rumbling around in my mind I thought I'd write down. First, the title ~ So on and So forth ~ this was a phrase my Dad used all the time. I can't even think of an example to tell you, he just always would throw this phrase into anything he was taking about, so it's special to me and that's why I use it. I was going to use another title ~ Things that make you wanna say Hmmmm! This was a phrase that Arsenio Hall used to always use on his late night show years ago, and the things he talked about really made you go, Hmmm?!* So I might use that as a title sometime also, but my Dad is always lurking around in my mind going, and so on and so forth!

First, it was my Mom's birthday on June 23rd and I didn't write anything about her. I felt I had already done that when I wrote about her for Mother's Day BUT
my Mother is always with me, always in my heart and of course June 23rd is always a special day for us, my sisters and I, as we think especially about her on that day. I guess I do have a few things I want to say about her and her birthday. On her birthday, my cousin Judy wrote me and the title of her email was Happy Birthday Auntie! To my cousins Linda, Judy, Janet and Jimmy, my Mom was always "Auntie" to them. I assume their Mom called her Auntie to them and that's why they called her that but I'm pretty sure she was special to them. In our family, our daughter Tina is call "Auntie" by her Matty, Joe, Zach & Chloe. And to them I know it's a special name for her, although I, like my Aunt Edith, always called her that for the kids. Also, as I think of my Mom I remember she didn't really like the recognition of her birthday. She seemed uncomfortable with the recognition and especially opening presents in front of us. I think the best present I ever gave her was for her 43rd birthday, I brought Mike home from the hospital on her birthday and put him in her arms, she was a real "baby" person and of course her first grandson was pretty special ~ so that was a present she was okay with.

In the same thought pattern, just to continue on with that last thought, June 21st was our son Michael's birthday. Earlier in my blog process I wrote that our grandson Matty had changed my life. Well, he did change my life in one aspect, but the birth of each of my children changed my life in oh so many ways! But Mike, oh Michael, he was a test kitchen baby. I had no idea what I was doing with him. He knows all the stories, this is no secret to him. When I said before in a blog that my parents came over at night and were back in the morning to check on him, I wasn't kidding. Kent was working nights at Speedspace, my sister Connie, who was 15 would stay over night with us. I can remember piling Mike into the car and us going to 7/11 at 11:00 at night ~ what for I don't know but I remember doing it. I remember my Mom and Dad going to a funeral and my sister's Connie, Cathy, Susie and I staying at their house with Mike and before my Mom walked out the door she shook her finger at us and said "He'd better be alright when we get home!" Well, he sort of fell out of the bassinet that day. On his first birthday he sort of choked on an ice cube. He loved "oot boo" (root beer) and "ot ogs" (hot dogs) at A & W with his Aunt Susie. He has been from the moment his life began, a very loved child and still is, a very loved adult man. Although for me, he's the one that will listen to me, talk with me, watch me cry and try to be patient with me. I push that patience to the edge of the envelope though when I continue to have computer problems and ask Mike to "just come here for a minute!" I Love You Michael, Happy Birthday!!

Another thing I wanted to write about is the death recently of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. We were up camping when I talked to Mike on my cell and he told me the news that they had died. It was shocking to me that Michael Jackson had died, although I don't think he's been "well" for years and for Farrah Fawcett, I thanked God that she was with him now because she wouldn't be suffering anymore. Now, for Michael, I continue to be abundantly sad, this was a man that was a tortured soul. And now in death, they continue to haunt him and pick at him and won't leave him alone. How much info do we really need to know?? He has 3 children, to them he was their "Daddy" why do they have to be subjected to any of this. Although I found myself watching some of the stuff on tv when we got home, after I had lunch with my BFF, Sandi, and we were able to talk our feelings through, I came home, went on Youtube and watched several of his videos and got back to remembering why I cared about this person so much. First, he was immensely talented, from the time he was just a little boy. We watched him grow up and obviously be unhappy with his looks and continue to try and change himself, much as an anorexic can never be too thin, he could never get his face where it looked right to him. It was actually kind of painful to see pictures of him the last few years of his life but going back and watching his videos was comforting to me. Also, they are now showing a video of one of his last performances as he was getting ready for this new concert series. And he still had IT! He had the moves, the body that was so lithe and wonderful to watch. I will always feel sorry for the life that Michael Jackson had, although famous and at times rich beyond belief, he was a lonely little boy who just wanted to have a "normal" life. I hope he has found peace, tranquility and is singing and dancing his ass off with God!

I've been a little "off" lately. Haven't felt very good, have an awful cough, a knee that hurts with every step and the eternal always unhappy with my weight but as I said before I had lunch with my friend Sandi the other day and we just sat and talked for almost 4 hours at Round Table pizza. Outside, at a patio table, just talking and laughing and solving the problems of the world together ~ and it's just what I needed. I think she needed it too. We worked at Cook together for probably 20 years and our friendship grew into a loving, trusting, laughter, crying, hugs will solve any problem kind of friendship that has gone on after we have both left the school. She has listened to me and helped me too many times to count and I have tried to be the same kind of friend to her in times when a friend is a lifeline to hold onto. So, I think I'm coming out of my funk and will be back on track and writing these blog posts and expouding on life in general.

I have a new photo program that I hope to learn and make some slideshows of all the thousands of pictures that I have, hopefully I'll pick up another book and get going on reading again (you can tell I'm off when I haven't read), get back to working in my yard, do something fun with my constant companion and BEST sister ever, Connie (who also will listen to me and cry with me and most especially, laugh with me and more especially LAUGH AT ME!). My cousins have gotten me to sign up on Facebook, so that's a new thing to check on every day and a great way to just stay connected. So onward and upward ~ Thanks to all of you that take the time to read whatever it is I have to say and to let me know you've taken a look at this blog! I am BLESSED!!!

My thought to leave with you today is: When you're down and out, lift up your head and shout ~ It's Gonna be a GREAT DAY!

Until next time . . .