Happy Birthday Mollie

This is the card I got Mollie for her birthday I figured with a new cat and a new boyfriend it was good advice.

 Inside it said, "Be careful who you kiss on your birthday!"

A Little LJ News

I’ve been posting a lot about Mollie lately so today I’ll get into some LJ news. LJ calls me once a week, usually on Sunday evenings as he gets off work. We talk as he walks to the subway. So when he call me at lunchtime on a Tuesday a couple of weeks ago I knew it had to be something very bad (like when he call to tell me Collin had broken his leg) or something very good. Thankfully this time it was good.

 

The boys have been living in NYC for over twelve years now. Although acting was the dream for both of them, that dream was soon abandoned for a steady paycheck to allow them to live there. He began working where most new arrivals do, in a coffee shop. To supplement his income, he also worked part time at The High Line, a raised park in the city. He handed out survey cards and made ten dollars an hour. Eventually he worked his way up the ladder to a ranger and eventually the director of all the rangers there. 

 

He really enjoyed his time at the High Line but when the ‘Little Island’ project opened he wanted to get in on the ground floor. Little Island combined a raised park (LJ’s expertise) with theater, his first love. He began literally days before Covid shut everything down, so he spent the next eighteen months working from home, writing manuals, park protocol, and various things of that nature. Eventually he began hiring those who would be rangers. 

Once the park opened, I could tell he wasn’t extremely happy there. Although they had hired him because he knew how to run a raised park, they wouldn’t take his advice on many things. Eventually he was fired for insisting that his rangers be given regular breaks as was mandated in the parks policies as well as the law. 

 

This was the time his husband, Collin fell and broke his leg – while they had no insurance and as LJ had taken a pay cut to go to Little Island things got tight money-wise. LJ was soon hired on at the Whitney Museum as director of guest services. He liked the people there, he liked the fact that he was working indoor in the heat of summer and the cold of winter, but I could tell he wasn't really happy. Partly because he’d had to take another pay cut.

 

Back to the phone call. After quickly assuring me nothing was wrong he said, “I have a new job!”

Not knowing he was really looking I was very surprised, but I was thrilled with the rest of his news. He’s going back to The High Line! He still has many friends there as soon as this position was posted LJ began getting text after text telling him to apply at once. He did and he got it! It’s a higher position that he had when he left, and it’s actually the same position the guy that fired him from Little Island held over there.

 

He sounded so happy and as a mother that sound was music to my ears. I asked him if the money was better and he laughed. His increase in salary is just under fifty thousand a year. This bump in salary is way more than Mollie makes each year teaching. Between that and the fact that he and Collin pay no rent, (long story, you can read it here) I think he’s doing pretty well now. After doing the math I can tell you it's better than the ten dollars an hour he was making when he first went to the High Line.

 

When I commented that now that he was a big muckity-muck he wouldn’t have to be out this winter shoveling the snow, he told me I was wrong on that.

He said, “I’ve had five bosses when I worked as a ranger, two sat on their asses when it snowed and three were out there shoveling with us. I’ll definitely be shoveling this winter and I won’t mind a bit.” 

 

I like this boy.

He has a name!

Here are the questions I ask Mollie for October:

 

Okay baby, here I am back with my October questions. I didn’t email on October 1st, because I didn’t want to appear too eager (but I am.)

 

Here goes: Is he from around these parts? This is a multi-part question. It means like, where does he live, house, apartment, castle, what town? Did he grow up around here? Do his parent’s live in this area? That kinda stuff.

 

Next question: How would you describe this affiliation? Are you friends that go out occasionally. Would you say you’re in a dating relationship? Or are you secretly married and don’t want to tell me. 

 

Now that it’s coming up on birthday and Christmas season –  might I have a bonus?

 

What’s his name and age?

 

Any extra information and details will add to more generous thoughts about gifts. Not that I would try to bribe my own child or anything like that.

 

Mom

 

 

And her answer:

 

Oh my gosh you’re so annoying. His name isn’t good. It’s D_______. It’s a German name. He lives in the next town up the mountain. He grew up in Florida and his mom and stepdad live the same town that he does. His dad passed away a few years ago. He lives in an apartment / townhouse. 

 

Idk what you call it, but we go out about once a week.  I think he’s 30 or 31 about the same as me. Is that enough? 

M 

Thank you, baby, I won't bug you (too much) until November. But feel free to share anything you'd like to.

Boys' trip

I had an interesting weekend Thirty some years ago I would have called this one of my favorite weekends of the year, but this one was different. Nick headed off for a golf weekend with his friends. As much as I love my husband, I always loved his weekend away. Thirty or more years ago as soon as he picked the weekend I made plans for the kids. I’d quickly farm them out to friends or family so I could have the weekend all to myself. I always loved it.

This was his weekend away. They took off Thursday and got home Sunday afternoon. I was fine, I got a little writing done. But it’s different now. In the old days when I had two kids to look after, when I was responsible for teaching a classroom full of eleven-year-old’s, back when I actually cook dinner every night, and helped look after my parents… well, a weekend alone was wonderful! Now not so much. Now it was just kind of lonely. Not bad, but a little lonely. I was mighty glad to see him Sunday afternoon.

I wondered if Mollie was still seeing ‘that guy.’ Because I knew she didn’t see him Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. But Sunday she texted to tell me she was going hiking. She usually hikes with some girlfriends, but she didn’t mention them. When she called later, I asked if she took the dogs with her and she said yes. Then I asked if she went with the girls or if she went  with ‘that guy’ and she answered brightly, “That guy.” I think she’s enjoying tormenting me.

I’m still working on my questions for October.

 

A mother's questions

Okay, I couldn’t take it anymore. I broke down and sent Mollie an email. Trust me I didn’t ask all the questions that I wanted to, but I asked some. Here’s what I send. 

 

Hey baby,

 

I’ve decided that as a really good mother (in my own opinion) that I should be allowed to ask two question a month about ‘that guy.’ I realize you night disagree and if so you can complete ignore this email and I will not bring it up in person.

 

But if you’re willing to play along here are my two questions for September.

 

1)How did you meet? Give as much information as you’re comfortable with. Something along the lines of…

 

An online dating service?

Mutual friends?

A bar?

He’s a Nigerian prince who asked for your help?

 

A little more elaborations would be appreciated.

 

 

2) What does he do for a living?

 

Veterinary? (Considering the costs of vet care, this would be a really good idea)

Teacher ?

Drug dealer?

Professional snake wrangler?

 

Come on, I’m your mom and I have a right to be curious. But seriously if you ignore this I will too. And remember even if you answer I can’t ask any more about him until October – though stray bits of information will be welcome anytime.

 

Mom

 

Next I waited and waited… for four days. Then Saturday night I got the following answer. My girl is just a fountain of information. Here’s her answer.

 

Met on a dating app, works in (a nearby town) manages the deli bakery section of Harris Teeter. 

 

I responded,

 

Thanks baby. A vet would be more useful, but I like anything associated with a bakery.

 

Well, there you go. I know so much more now. But bless her heart, she did answer – very brief answers, but she answered. I’ll take suggestion for my two questions for next month. 

Mollie’s dating

 

I have no idea for how long, what his name is, how old he is or what he does for a living. I know that she has gone out with ‘that guy’ several times. So now you all know as much as I do. It’s frustrating as hell, but she chooses not to discuss it with me I’ve now switched from wondering if she will ever find someone to date to wondering if he’s good enough for her.

 

As usual around here there is very little interesting to report. I’m happy to say that my health is doing well these days. My sugar is well controlled on the Ozempic. My A1C was 5.6 on my last visit and I was thrilled. I’m still losing weight, not fast, but it’s in the right direction. It’s hard to find Ozempic these days. It seems everyone has it on back order. But I live in a small town and am close friends with everyone who works at my private owned drugstore, so they always seem to find me some when I need it. My blood pressure is doing well too.

 

I had a wonderful lunch with friends this past Friday. It was with the vet I used to work for forty years ago. He and his wife were there as well as we three vet tech that used to work there. We had such a great visit. We told funny stories of things that happened at the hospital back then as well as some sad and tragic times. Doc’s oldest son was hit and killed by a drunk driver a month after he was married. I remember he was buried on Christmas Eve – one of the coldest days in my memory. Then just a few years ago Doc’s grandson, from his second son, committed suicide. One of the vet techs lost her twenty-year-old son to a drug overdose (she had married Nick’s brother, so this was my nephew. He and LJ were the same age.) But strangely enough we were all able to talk about these extremely sad times mixed in with the funny happy times. We’ve all known and trusted one another for so long discussing our lives with one another just seemed safe.

 

Today is the first day for students at Mollie’s school. She took a quick trip to Disneyworld last week while we watched the dogs. I know she told me that they walked fifteen miles one day. I don’t think I could keep up with them. This begins her nineth year teaching and I see such changed from her first few years. Mostly I see her confidence as a teacher grow by leaps and bounds. She’s good and I’m so proud of her.

 

Mollie has also presented me with a new furry grandchild. Her friends saw the kitten thrown from a car and rescued it. But since both of them are extremely allergic to cats they asked her to keep it overnight so that they could search for it a home. I didn’t buy that plan for a minute and when Mollie sent me a picture of the kitten curled up on Mollie’s cheek, I knew for sure. Here is her newest baby, Betty.

I hope ‘that guy’ isn’t allergic and like cats and dogs.

Fantastic reunion!

I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed a reunion anymore. Everything was perfect. The accommodations, the food and mostly the people could not have been better. I’ve written about my cousin’s house many times and posted pictures before, but the house is so wonderful. I got my favorite room again.

Eight cousins were there. There were thirteen of us with the spouses that came. It was one of those rare gathering where it really didn’t matter who you happen to sit beside you were happy. I enjoyed talking and visiting with everyone there.

 

The food was really amazing this time. The past few visits different cousins fixed the meals on different night, and it seemed to me they were trying to ‘out healthy’ each other and to be honest, their food tasted like crap! The owner of the house is an excellent cook, and this year took back the role, thank goodness. She assigned different couples to the kitchen as helpers and clean-up crew, and it seemed to work well.

 

One night we had London broil, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and salad. The next we had shrimp, wild rice, Caprese salad and grilled pineapple. 

The next night was her home-made lasagna with salad and garlic bread. Trust me no one went hungry. But in addition to all this, there was ‘the Wall of Sugar.’ Everyone brought some type of dessert, so much that she cleared off some shelves by the fireplace and we put them all there – cakes, pies, brownies, Danish, bags of cookies. It was truly a sugar lover’s dream.

 

In between eating we went out in the boat every afternoon, Nick rode the jet ski and I read and napped in the hammock. It just couldn’t have been a better weekend.

But in spite of all this opulence, they all said they would like to come here again next year. Several said that their children wanted to come back to see everyone. These kids are grown with kids of their own and I guess the memories stuck. The lake house is large but still limited in space so everyone couldn’t be included. At my house we’re out on the carport and anyone and everyone can come. I was flattered and I’m happy to have it here again – I really do need a reason for a complete cleaning.

I've been here a while

It’s good to be here. I’ve been busy lately. I missed my blogiversary. Last weekend marked seventeen years I’ve been her. Not so much lately, I admit, but I still like to wander by. Blogging was really a hoot in its heyday, and I’ve met so many wonderful people out here. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

 

Once I got my husband back on the ground, I left him. Not for long though. But I took my few days in the mountains for some writing time. I was able to get a real start on the last Cassie book. The next to last book is ready to be published, as soon as I can get my publisher to speak to me again. That mess is still going on. I got some of my pay (I have no idea if the money they sent was for one month, one quarter or for the whole nine months they have been ignoring me. They sent no statement with it. This is all very frustrating. But for those of you who have read my books please know that two more are coming – I have NO idea when, but they are coming!!

My time in the mountains was wonderful! I stayed at the same little Inn and it’s so pretty. It’s been sold and the flowers weren’t as specular as normal, but they were pretty and I’m sure it will take the new owners a while to get themselves up to speed. The whole little town is as pretty as can be and It’s fun walking around. Here was the view out my bedroom window and then the sights around the Inn and around town.

Next weekend we are having the cousin’s reunion. Not here this year, we’re having it at my cousin’s lake house. I’ve written about being there several time and for me it’s just a magical place. There will be thirteen of us and I can’t wait for us all to get together. 

This is the place we will all gather! It doesn't get much better than this.

Glad that's over!

He did it! He jumped! And I’m thankful to say he landed gently back on earth. Arriving at the jump site did not inspire me with tons of confidence. There was one tiny building and then several tents set up for shade – it was HOT! The people running the place, you know the ones who would have my husband’s life in their hands were a bunch of scraggy, bearded, tattooed kids. Really, I’m not opposed to scraggy, beards, tattoos, or even kids but … like I said. They did not inspire confidence.

Gratefully there was nothing to worry about. After minimal instructions they were off on a bus to head to the plane. Thirty minutes later the jumpers were making their soft landing and as Nick floated down, he seemed very happy. I took him to lunch and his birthday was officially celebrated. But I really hope he plans to stay on the Earth’s surface on his next birthday.

 

We’re back to living the peaceful life. Dog sitting as Mollie heads to the beach. Much more my speed and next week I’m heading to my spot in the mountains to try to begin on the last Cassie book. We shall see if I can get back in the groove.

 

Thank you to all who held a good thoughts for Nick.

Nick's Birthday Plans

Nick and I had a great week last week and I pray it continues into this week. We had our annual family picnic in the mountains last Tuesday. There were twenty of us ranging from nine months to mid-70’s. We always go up and fix breakfast, the kids play in the creek and we all sit around visiting.

 

When we left there, we headed up the Parkway to a wonderful inn in the Pisgah National Forest. It has the best views, the most amazing breezes and the best food ever! We’ve stayed there before and when the friends we often travel with said there were two rooms available for the fourth, we all grabbed them. Here’s the view from our balcony and from the dinning room.

We came home and Friday Nick went golfing – shot a 70! So, he was happy. Now let’s just hope his luck is as good this coming Wednesday. Two years ago, Nick had my heart racing when he decided to go hang gliding.

This year, in order to give my heart another good work out he’s decided to go skydiving. Yes, Ronnie guessed right – but then, she’s known us the longest. That is the plan for Wednesday – weather permitting. I’m going along, not sure why. I’m not exactly moral support since I’m against it, but support or not I’ll be there. This isn’t Nick’s first time, he jumped several times back in his college days and now jumps are all tandem jumps so I’m not too worried, but I still feel the only reason to jump out of a plane in flight is that it’s about to crash or it’s on fire.

 

I hope you all will cross your fingers, squeeze your rabbits foot or better yet say a prayer that Nick lands safely and the my heart can take watching.

 

 

The trip continued

You can click back here to read the first of our vacation. I thought I was safe enough letting Nick pick an activity for the morning, but I really need to remember to put some restrictions on that. There are thousands of things to do in this area – so many I have no idea where they get all the people to staff these places. There was a Hollywood wax museum, many scenic rides up the mountain, tons of small amusement parks, an ‘upside down’ house, loads of shopping places and so much more.

On other vacations, you might remember, Nick has tried to kill me. Once on a mo-ped, a couple of time on hikes in the mountains. There have been others, but I think I’ve blocked them from my mind. But this time the magnanimous man is giving me a choice. Mudding in an ATV or horseback riding. Is he kidding? I don’t like ATV, I’m not even wild about golf carts. I like vehicles with doors, windows, seat belts and airbags. Not to mention the fact that it’s been raining in this area for four straight days (before we came, we had great weather) but where you didn’t have pavement you had MUD! And horseback? I probably haven’t been on a horse more than once or twice in the past forty-some years. Where does he come up with these ideas?

 

I had only brought vacation clothes with me, nothing I really wanted to get muddy. But only protesting slightly we headed out to the Jaylee Ranch. I had picked horseback riding because I trust a horse way more that Nick’s driving of an ATV through four inches of mud. It was a little cool and breezy that morning, so I had on my only sweater, a white one. And I’d also only brought two pair of shoes, my sandals and my canvas/mesh tennis shoes. This was the area around the horses.

 

But to give the stables credit they had us up on a platform and we could just step onto our horse and avoid the muck. I have to admit that despite the mud our ride was pleasant, and it turned out to be a lovely day. So maybe this wasn’t another murder attempt, but I’m always on the lookout these days. And despite all the mud even my white sweater came through unscathed.

That afternoon we went back out to The Island and went in a Crime Museum – I’m big on watching true crime shows and I found this very interesting. Since we were planning on a big diner Nick decided he’d get an ice cream cone for lunch. I didn’t want one, I was still full from breakfast and I wanted to eat dinner. I told him to get his favorite, butter pecan, but he got black cherry (my favorite) and I had a little.

 

I love the food at Dolly’s Stampede! The soup was fantastic, then they give you a whole little chicken, a slice of pork tenderloin, half a roast potato, an ear of corn a biscuit and an apple turnover for dessert! And I sat there feeling like I’d had a huge lunch as well as several cones of ice cream. Honestly, I sipped at the soup and had about four bites of chicken and I couldn’t eat another thing. But thankfully they give you handfuls of take-out bags so eventually, like a day after we got home, I got to finish that delicious chicken. No one is going to accuse me of overeating these days.

 

We had a great little get away. But I was still glad to get home to do my relaxing. All has been peaceful here until Nick told me what he wanted to do for his birthday this month – heaven help me! More later.

 

 

Traveling

We took a trip. It was a short one but it was fun. If you read here much you know I’m a home body. I was before the pandemic and that only sealed it. Nick likes to travel more than I do so I decided it was time to put on my big girl panties and make plans. Unfortunately, I took that way too literally.

 

We went to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in TN, and there were tons of people. I don’t like crowds. But that’s life when you go to a tourist attraction. 

We stopped first at the big aquarium. We saw many beautiful fish, sting rays, sharks, penguins and much more. But as we walked through all the displays, I noticed something else happening. Those big girl panties I’d put on decided to put on began to slide off. 

 

I just hadn’t noticed it that much at home, but the thirty-pound weight loss is real. The panties were sliding fast and the jeans I had on weren’t far behind. It was, take two steps and hike up my jeans, take two more and give them another tug. Forget the panties – they kept creeping down and I couldn’t very well reach in and give them a tug. Do they make suspenders for undies? It was on the funny side I guess, but it wasn’t the most comfortable tour I’ve ever taken.

 

Once we left there we went to a place called ‘The Island’ and it was fun. We ate a late lunch at Paula Deen’s – fried chicken, ribs, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, salad and dessert! 

Problem is I can’t eat much these days but what I did eat was delicious. There was a large fountain in the center of this place with dozens of rocking chair around it. The perfect place to rest and recover after a meal. There were tons of little shops and rides also. I don’t ride rides any more, but the shops were interesting. Here is my one souvenir.

 

The hotel was amazing! Our room had a sofa in addition to the two queen beds, a very large TV and even a fireplace. The balcony had a view to impress for sure!

After breakfast the next morning I jumped in the shower telling Nick to pick something for us to do that morning. Please remind me to never do that again. I’ll tell you about his choice soon.

Still here

I'm alive and well but I just haven't been on the computer lately. I'm having eighteen of Nick's family over for lunch tomorrow. You all know how much I love cooking and cleaning and getting ready for company. In addition we're babysitting for Mollie's dogs this weekend too. 

But if you're interested I have a new post up at PK Corey's Reading room today, a snippet from Cassie on the Move if you're willing to go over for a quick read.

Nothing has change with my publisher. They still aren't paying me or answering any of my emails. So I have no idea when  a new book will be out. But it's ready to go when I can get it all figured out.

Special Day

 

Today is a special day. As of today, Nick and I have been married forty years. And I have to say that sounds utterly ridiculous! How could a couple as young as we are possible have been married for forty years. Twenty maybe, but forty? When we did get married all those years ago, we had several people say something to me that struck me as odd. These people said, “You guy will make a great little old couple.” I wasn’t really thinking about that at the time, and I wasn’t sure what they meant. I guess it was there way of saying they knew we were in for the long haul and wouldn’t be divorcing. Apparently, they were right. According to many of Mollie’s friends we’re ‘precious.’ I guess that officially makes us a ‘great little old couple.’

We're not really doing gifts for our anniversary but there is something I’d like. I won’t get it, but I can’t help wishing. I think it would be nice for Nick to propose, you know, ask me to marry him. He never has. Now it’s become a running joke so I don’t suppose he ever will. But it would be a nice surprise. 

Nick and I are neither one big party people. Instead, we’re going out to our favorite restaurant with the three couples whom we credit/blame (whatever) for getting us together all those years ago. I guess I won’t be bragging too much about out forty years with these guys since all of them have already passed their fiftieth anniversary. But they were instrumental for us dating. 

 

One couple kept trying to set me up with dates. They set me up with a drug dealer, a young man from India who spoke no English and a man recently released from prison after he’d murdered his wife. No, they didn’t hate me, but this particular lady, Theresa, only sees the good in people and thought they were all fine men. Of course she also knew Nick, but never mentioned him.

 

About forty-two years ago one of the other couples threw a birthday party for Theresa’s birthday.  Nick and I were both invited. We talked a lot that night getting to know one another, and Nick’s best friend was there too and later encouraged Nick to call and ask me out. We’re going out with Theresa and her husband, the couple who threw the party and Nick’s best friend (best man at our wedding) and his wife. It seems we’ve all known each other for a lifetime now.

Secrets to a long marriage: 

·       Plan from the beginning for it to last forever. You’ll be making a promise to the person you love. If you’re not ready to promise, then don’t get married.

·      Marry someone who has lived on their own for at least two years. I’d lived alone for six years and Nick for thirteen years. We could take care of ourselves, we wanted to be together.

·      Make sure you like the person you’re marrying. Blazing love may not last for long. A deep like is much better.

·      Remember to be polite to one another. Keep saying please and thank-you throughout the years.

And most important,

·      Keep talking, tell each other what you want. Don’t demand it, but let the other person know. No one reads minds well no matter how much we wish that they could.