2Homes*2Lives

I was feeling blue today because I take a med. to soften my nerves (Lexapro) and have not taken it the last few nights...they were in the bedroom and I didn't want to turn on the light to hunt for them and wake my husband. After 9-11 I was stunned by fear. At night I walked out into the barnyard where we live in the country and prayed to God, while searching the heavens and constellations for a flaw in the patterns that might be ominous.. We live close to an airport and every plane seemed a threat. Then I decided that fear was what the terrorists wanted and it dissipated. Likewise, not that life wants us to fear, but the devil does. I trust in God to direct my life and know that worry, fear, and depression are not productive for the years I have on earth. I have literally made myself get into life. It's a choice, you know. God Bless to all those suffering with a similar malady. Marilyn

There are two little boys who mean everything in the world to me. Jake is my oldest grandson...he is full of energy, bright and funny. I love to watch how his little mind works. He is not always good, but that is because he has such a strong character that he wants to do everything his way. But when he calls me GaGa and curls up in my lap, there is nothing in this world sweeter...reminds me of his Dad when he was a boy...they look so much alike. Jake turns 6 this weekend. Happy Birthday and I hope to be around to see many more. Our second grandson Evan is still a little bit of a mystery to me. Jake was around us since he was born and because he was difficult at times he really wore all of us out. Then comes beautiful little Evan who steals everyone's hearts and is such an easy baby to take care of...I am so glad he was not the first born as the first one put us through the hoops! Evan is now 1 yr. and starting to walk and talk. He has his Mommy's eyes and dimples and his Daddy...

Once a principal of ours wanted to take away our coffee. History teacher and coach, Mark, spoke up at the staff meeting saying, "We don't get many perks (pun?) around here...Don't take away our coffee!!!" -- He won our battle that day...Thank you Mark!!!!! It is one of the last vestiges of freedom that we all embrace. My first cup of coffee for the day is Cafe Francais which tastes like a cup of cocoa. Then I drink two large cups of hot chai tea from my favorite coffee house and that keeps me going all day. From the time I wake to the last moment before sleep I have lists in my head. A retired friend Kathy sent me this... Question: "What is the best way to describe retirement?" Answer: " A never ending Coffee Break" Sounds good, but feel I need to get more done in the next couple of years to be ready. Have a good weekend... Marilyn

When we first bought our cottage 13 yrs. ago it was like our neighbor Floyd had always been in our lives. He ran around with my husband Bob to the casino or in town to eat or run errands. Floyd was up early every morning mowing, working in his toy shop to produce wooden toys, working at the local golf course pro shop, calling square dancing at the local schools, or just visiting with neighbors. I would call him once a week to write down his schedule on our calendar and have him over for dinner the nights he was home. If he had a bad opinion he knew to not burn bridges and kept them to himself. In the winter months he was like the caretake of our place and others on the point. He was a regular at the local restaurant and helped with school sports by doing the links at football games and attending kids graduation parties and other events. All we had to do when we first moved there was to say we lived next door to Floyd and a check would be ok'd or at the very least they knew where we...

Our first dog Wally was bought to be a buddy and responsibility for our son who was about 7 at the time. I contacted the breeders assoc. and they put me in touch with Melanie. I thought I was interviewing her about the pups, but I soon realized that I was the one being interviewed. She made an appointment for us to go down to meet with her and see the pups, but informed me, "I don't sell my dogs to people I don't feel have the right motives for owning a dog." It felt like we were adopting a baby! We adored Melanie and she even found my husband Bob amusing, so we clicked. Wally's official name was Rosebud's Great Wally Bear and he came from a line of showdogs. He had a square back to the skull on his head that made him quite distinctive. His grandfather was sold to a Japanese breeder for mega bucks. When Wally passed away two years ago I felt as though I had been kicked in the stomach as he was so loyal and asked for so little in life, but to be loved. He'...

Below are photos from our perennial garden at home. Friend Linda planted it for me several years ago (more on her in a later post). The only thing I do is run the hand cultivator through it ...I discovered the cultivator sitting outside a local antique shop and leave it in the garden as a bit of sculpture reminiscent of years gone by... Will post pictures of the cottage garden when up north for the summer months. Time to get outdoors!!! Marilyn

Niece Errin (sister Martha's daughter) wrote for permission to use an old photo of me for some of her scrapbooking brochures. She works for a company near Ann Arbor, Michigan working on kits they sell on QVC. I was flattered. The photo was one I had never seen before but taken of me at age 29, the month and year that Bob and I were married (above) Errin just graduated from Western Michigan Univ.in graphic arts. She designs with an oriental flair that I think makes her very current, appealing to nature, the environment, and the senses. Her BF Chris is also an artist, though he is trying to design computer games. It's great to see a young couple trying to work their way up in their careers. My hope in this generation taking over is that they are not shy about what they do and don't want in life. If they are to survive in this world of ugly international politics, thank God they will be able to hold their own. Our generation was taught to be hard-working and slowly go up the l...

Jude and I are the Supreme Goddesses of email venting. No subject is safe from our discussion. I especially like it when Jude has naughty thoughts and adds . Jude's husband loves politics and world news events, but Jude says she prefers to live a shallow existence...she hides her intellect. She is very emotional and loving in regard to her concern for her students and others in need. Her gorgeous daughter Amy is in college and I believe Jude is totally devoted to her happiness in life. The funniest story of Jude and Amy was on the way to school one day, Jude was wearing her cow costume for Halloween and they were having a "difference of opinions". Amy started to laugh and Jude asked why. "Mother," Amy said, "I am arguing with a cow!" - Jude introduced our latest adjective...skank...love it! When we first met as teachers in the same building, I gave Jude a notepad thinking it had her name on it...she still has the pad that has the name "Jean"...

An email update arrived from friend Peg. She's an adorable teacher friend approx. 20 yrs. younger than me. Peg reminds me of the actress Meg Ryan. Petite and always so cute. She is the wife of Alan, who builds homes and mother to four of my very favorite kids...Isaac, Shelby, Nathan and Mariah. I remember when each of them were born and though Peg works in another school district have managed to stay in touch from time to time. Peg has gone through two medical scares with her health and is such a survivor. She does not wallow in self-pity but counts her blessings and gets on with life. I like to remind her of the days that she danced on tables in bars (!) when like the rest of us life was all new. My prayers are always in place for her family and I feel Peg and I will be friends for life. She's an inspiration to me and I feel we just pick up where we left off any time we email or meet. Every so often, someone special enters your life, and she is definitely one of them. Marilyn

This day started out with the gas tank on empty, after hunting all morning for things I could not find. Left the house feeling the day might not go right. Then I drove over a bridge on the river down the road and saw two ducks swimming upstream and thought it was an omen to just get through the day. They were so calming, making ripples fan out in the water, that a slow smile came to my face and I drove on feeling this might be a good day after all, if I just retain the calm that I saw in them. Have a great weekend. Marilyn

Guess I went in to work with too little sleep today... First a couple of girls showed up from the high school to job shadow. I didn't know they were coming as they left a message on voice mail that I rarely check. The kids were all loud and required monitoring their talking. Am thinking of grouping achieving with the nonachieving students. Usually you mix them but can tell that those doing their work are irritated by the obnoxious behavior of others. So have decided it makes more sense to put those not achieving at one table (slacker table...talk about a label) and keep track of their progress and behavior to the side of working with those who want to be in the class. Came home exhausted and decided it's time to answer the call of bills. Geez, it's only been about 20 some years that I have been chasing after them, one by one, with no system other than being at deadline and having to pay them. I am always late, even when the money is in the bank. Two things I seem to procra...

In the summer months I live the life of a retired person, forgetting which day of the week it is. Now, during the school year, I am trying to destress evenings. Work harder during the day in the classroom and leave it (though I do carry the students in my head!) behind and come home to relax. The grandson was here tonight as his parents were buying a car. I told him he could not stay the night as he wouldn't listen to me and I was tired of noise, but grandpa took him with he and buddy Denny running around so he got his way and I get the quiet of the house. Laundry to catch up. pay a couple of bills and then American Idol. I adore Taylor, the gray-haired 29 yr. old from Alabama as he is totally into his music. There are several this season that I think will record whether they win or not. He and Paris are two I am certain will, though Paris seems such a baby in comparison. I don't call to vote but do watch to the end. Anyway, I smiled tonight when I realized I had to think what ...

It's around midnight on Sunday. The schoolweek starts again in 7 hrs. Am ready for spring break as much as my students are... Teachers are not liked by the public in the U.S. as we dare to tell parents when their kids are bad and dare to discipline them (as long as we don't touch them or deny them their rights!)..What they don't know is that every student, even those with poor behavior get to us and cause us stress. I actually worry about many of my students in the off hours or take joy in the funny things they do. But by the end of the 9 mo. we are like grandparents eager to send the kids home. I love to hear parents at the meat market in August talking about how they can't wait to get their kids back in school after only 3 mo. --- We are glorified babysitters most of the time and don't I know it! I have been feeling frustrated in general over my lack of progress in the muddles in my life, then I stumbled over a blog out of Singapore tonight called A Penny for My T...

Nothin you could do, could make me untrue To My Guy No handsome face, could ever take the place Of My Guy... As a matter of opinion, I think he's tops My opinion is, he's the king of the hop... I'm tellin ya from the start, I can't be torn apart From my guy.... Love you Jake. GaGa.

Denny, a high school friend, e'd that his brother died at age 61 (so sorry you are having to deal with the loss, Denny). I told my husband, as I often do when someone is close to our age to try and make him see that we could be next if we don't tend to health issues. I asked Bob if he went to a doctor what percentage of health does he think he would rate. He said 85%. I told him more like 60% because his gut is so large...he agreed, which surprised me. Sometimes I wonder how we became senior citizens, when it was just yesterday we were in our 40's. That thing about going over the hill is true...well, at least with the body. If you gain weight and don't get exercise, you can run around with your head cut off keeping up with life and it won't help one iota. How much you eat, what you eat, and lack of sleep and exercise are what causes weight problems. Oprah can drop her big bucks my way as I see the solution, but have not the willpower...yet, of course. I always think...

THE SCHOOL YEARBOOK IS DONE!! Heading out of state in the morning for the funeral of my father's only sib...his brother. He lived to be 90 and was a gentleman of great character. After serving in the war he graduated from the Univ. of Michigan in Architecture and formed a partnership in a firm that built most of the schools in part of our home state. His wife died many years ago and he remarried mostly for friendship. He has left behind a terrific daughter, son and daughter in law. I never heard he or my Dad say a mean word to each other. They died 5 days and 12 yrs. apart. I have one from my uncle that explains our family Scottish heritage as he remembered it and maybe a few handwritten holiday cards. He was a generous, soft-spoken man and I will remember him with great respect. Post when I return. Marilyn

Woke to the sound of my cell phone ringing..it was Bob's phone calling me from his pocket. He and buddy Denny run around together and could hear some of their conversation though they were not aware the phone had triggered. Spent yesterday out of state seeing my mother Audra. She's 86 and in a resthome. I used to be more of a Daddy's girl and have missed him every day in the 12 yrs. since he has been gone. But watching my mother go through the wrenching caregiving of her husband, financial loss, then the decline of her own health...and eventually her smoking and catching herself on fire, the strength she showed recovering from her skin-grafting...well, it was just plain horrible but she seldom complained. During the years of growing up Mom made all four of us feel as if we were only children. She would be up until 2 a.m. ironing mountains of clothing and sneak into our rooms at night to put them away as we slept. Her kitchen was spotless, with a hot meal on the table every ...

The photos are of our daughter's room. She has moved in. It's a soft and pretty room, though not entirely done. It's girly and mature. The picture on the wall was a photo I put in oil-painting mode and ordered as a stretched canvas through Kodakgallery.com : Shop : Specialty . Curtains and paint came from Lowe's. Hoping to be done with the yearbook by the end of the week and after a brief weekend out of state, work on wallpapering that tiny bedroom with the horrible white walls for the boys bedroom/den. Be back by the end of the week. Enjoy yours, Marilyn

On my second night working on the yearbook at school I took a dinner break with Jude. She had a Vera bag which made me laugh...I do too, but of course two of them and they are knockoffs that cost a mere $20 ea. at the local variety store. Actually, I have three as I have a backup for the red one which I am wearing out sooner than the blue. There are pockets inside all the way around like a diaper bag....maybe that is really what they are...when I lose things, instead of hunting at the bottom of my purse I go from pocket to pocket. I use the blue one to carry my digital camera and charger as it makes a better carrier than most digital camera bags. I may need to go back and buy a second blue bag also. You never know when you need another. And by then I probably could have bought one Vera bag. Designer is no longer me, just the look is enough. A former student waited on Jude and me for dinner. He had to be the worst I have ever encounterd. He apologized when he came to the table saying ...

Sometimes keeping an eye on the prize helps. When the yearbook is done I plan to buy another Chico's watch just like the one I have. It was Oprah's favorite watch a while back and I don't want them to stop making it without having a backup...I wear it every day and feel naked without it. Working on the yearbook into the night, tonight. My students are restless and needing more supervision so can't concentrate on doing anything on the book during the daytime. Hoping to start into wallpapering the small boys room on Saturday as it lacks warmth with paint and the walls being so imperfect. Even after all the work I put into it, it just needs more work. Will post pictures of the two bedrooms, then will start our bedroom which is my favorite room in the house...soft green, king size bed with a beautiful metal frame...working on it being a retreat and can't wait to post more on it. Be back on the weekend. Enjoy the day! Marilyn