Wow, this is taking forever!

This story is really yesterday's news, I want to get you caught up to the present, so I'm about to venture into the Cliff's Notes version of the past year...ready?

I said YOU BET YOUR BIPPY to the question he asked (while on one knee) and he slipped this little gem on my finger...

 

 

I know!  It's a beauty, isn't it?  I liked it so much, and it sparkled so beautifully, that while I was driving, I kept staring at it with my hand on the wheel.  Trust me, diamonds are much more dangerous than texting...at least in my case!

 It was November and even though it was short notice, we began to make arrangements for late February.  We talked about clothes, food, the who-what-how stuff...It was kinda cool!

Enter those joy stealers:  Health and Kids...

We were told in October that Ron needed to have his left knee replaced.  He looked frantic and I assured him I'd help him, that he had lots of support...

The surgery date was set for December 9.  We figured that would give him time to heal before the big day.  It would also give us time to find a new place to live.  I was living in my house with Tony, he was living in an apartment 40 miles away.  We wanted to be closer....

The announcement of our engagement was not taken well by his family, from his former in laws to two of his kids.  They were real joy stealers, absolute poop heads, so what was supposed to be a joyous occasion, joining the two families, ended up being a very private (as in NO family) ceremony only a few days before the knee replacement surgery.  A honeymoon was planned for a few weeks after that.

Again, long story short, the surgeon (who was adorably cute AND younger than the socks I was wearing) told us that roughly 1% of the people who had knee replacements experienced complications.  My husband, the over achiever, had not one, not two but THREE complications!  I tell people we spent our honeymoon on the 10th floor of Allegheny General Hospital. 

After two separate hospitalizations and three surgeries, I'm thrilled to say he's fine...even better than fine. 

We  bought a huge house in a wonderful plan of homes about 2 miles from Andy and Tony (who bought the house we were living in).  Linda is here with us, Winnie, the Basset Hound, is with Tony and with sadness, I'll tell you that we lost Bill about six weeks ago from Osteosarcoma. 

My kids are happy that we are close by, we have room to have everyone get together, including room for the ping pong table in the basement.  Just last Sunday we celebrated Taco Night here with a house full of friends and family. 

Is ANY of this making sense?  Can you, as the boys say, pick up what I'm putting down?  If you are more confused than ever now, please shoot me an email ( redsockmama at g mail dot com) and tell me I'm babbling.  I want to get you caught up to today 'cause I have so much to tell you, and I can't wait!

Soooooooo, without further fuss and fidgets, I'm going to bed, to dream of all kinds of silly things (Ron says I sometimes giggle in my sleep).  I'll mention all of you in my prayers...and will see you soon.

Now, get yourself to sleep.
God bless you,
Jan

Part two?

He seemed concerned that I would have to drive far to meet him.  He lived 40 miles from me.  He chose a restaurant close to my house.

Mind you..I haven't dated since 1985.  I was so nervous!  Times have changed, I didn't even know if I should plan on paying for my own lunch, so I stopped at the ATM on the way to meet him for cash!

All that worry for nothing!  He turned out to be a perfect gentleman, so easy to talk to, we spent two hours over lunch.  I remember thinking at some point, "I hope he asks me to go out again!"

He did!

We found lots to do, from plays to trips to the casino for dinner...he had a list of restaurants to try, things to see. 

I knew that he had long before we met, planned to go to Vegas for a week with his son, daughter-in-law and grand children.  They had a condo, plane tickets, and plans. I was thrilled when they invited me to go too!

It was my first trip to Vegas (all I can say is WOW!), and we even squeezed a trip to the Grand Canyon, which I had only seen from an airplane (Double wow!). 

Through it all, we always found things to talk about...

It was during a trip through West Virginia on a train excursion, that we first talked about getting married.  I thought that when you were old (like us) and had been married before (like us), you talked about it, and then you got married.

Not so.  The next day he asked about my preference in engagement rings(!) and a few days later, we walked into a jewelry store to look at settings.  I had a ball trying on all the rings in the show case, but there were details...DETAILS! 

First he had to ask my family (my kids and MY MOM) then he had to choose a diamond to put in the setting I had chosen...finally all the details came together...and YES!!! he got down on one knee and...

Wow!

Hey. gotta run, more later?
God bless YOU
Jan

So here's how it happened...

Guess you're waiting for the rest of the story, right?  Without mixing in any of the other family details, here's the scoop...

About a year after Mark died, my BFF in all the world, came to me and said, "When you are ready, I know a GREAT guy.  He's handsome, charming and all alone.  Let me know if and when I can give him your number."

About a month later, my BFF, Nancy, came to me and said, "When you are ready, I know a GREAT guy.  He's handsome, charming and all alone.  Let me know if and when I can give him your number."

The following week...and the week after that...you get the picture?

One day, I said...okay!

A few weeks go by, I hear nothing.  Then I dreamed he married Nancy's cousin, Connie.  I woke up and  thought it was a sign.  Who cares?  I'm perfectly okay alone, I have a full and good life, I have friends and family, I have faith, dogs, memories and plans.  Who needs a stinkin' date.  Right?

One Tuesday night, I'm on my way to the mall when my phone rings.  I don't recognize the number, so I let it go to voice mail.  Later I listen.  It's HIM!  He asks me to call him back. 

I drink three cups of coffee and eat chocolate.  I'm ready.  I call him. 

One ringy dingy.
Two ringy dingy.
Three ringy dingy...

He answers!  I hear lots of noise in the background.  He says, "Let me turn down the hockey game."

Hockey game?  He likes hockey?  HE LIKES HOCKEY!  Of course I'll meet him for lunch on Saturday!

(to be continued)

But first...

 

Ten years ago, I held my dad's hand and said good bye. He left behind many to miss him, but also some wonderful memories...like this one...

Me, my sister Carol, who died in 1999, and my dad, who has been gone for ten years now.  I have wonderful memories, but I miss them something fierce! 

I'll see you both again, before too long.  In the mean time, I know Daddy is repairing those pearly gates with duct tape and staples.

 

You ain't gonna believe this...

I don't know how to break the news gently...

 

Meet the new Mr.

 



It's beginning to look a lot like...

I'd better get my buns out and get shopping!

I remember those days, when the kids were little, when the shopping started early and ended late. 

I remember those days when the decorating and wrapping seemed to go on forever!

This year seems so different...the wreath is not on the door yet.  Not one gift bought, no tree in the living room yet...

But my heart is singing!  The festivities are in my heart, not my living room!

I am blessed!

Celebrate!

Tonight, we're getting together for one of Mark's favorite desserts, apple pie and cinnamon ice cream.  I'm sure we'll share a Mark story or two and celebrate his life.  We'll hug because we have one thing in common:  we miss him.   It's been two years.  Hard to believe.

 

Mark and Arnie

We miss you but will see you again!

River time!

Not too long ago, Andy, Tony, Morgan and I hit the road for a very exciting destination...

THE KISKI!

We raked, swept, polished and planned.  We made lists, plugged things in, drained the rest.  

We sold the boat (!), after one last cruise.  

 

We also got to try out our newest toy:

 

We hit golf balls...

 

We smiled because we were at the river!

~happy sigh~

Now go out and be a blessing to someone.  I'm right behind ya!

Love,

Jan

Take me out…

Tonight I'm going with friends to watch the Pirates play. I'm not a baseball fan, but I love to go to the park.  I'm a people watcher, a boat spotter, a river rat and I love Pittsburgh's skyline!  

It should be a fun night, With food and friends. 

It's starting to green up around here, the weeds in my yard are taking over, you can hear the grass grow, and flowers are showing up every day.

I've been getting out to run most mornings, new orange running shoes are such an incentive!  I love my camera phone or is it phone camera?

 

 

Guess what really matters is that if I vary my route every day I see something fun to photograph. Sure wouldn't be able to do that it wasn't for my phone. I can't imagine carrying my SLR around with me.

This morning I passed a house that had more stuff outside than any house on the block. The kitchen sink wasn't there but everything else was including a flower basket hanging from the railing.

No flowers planted in it, but the cat thought it made an excellent cat bed. 

I'll leave you with this photo. Soon as I shower off the sweat, I'm going out and share a smile with someone. Why don't you try it?

Remember, I love you.

God bless you!

Jan

 

While running this morning...

I saw this:

it's a good thing!

Love you guys!

God bless you,

Jan

Running in the right direction...

This morning I thought I'd change things up a bit. Instead of heading for the Industrial park where I like to run, I ran through a new (to me) neighborhood.  I love to check out gardens, flower beds, porches and even sheds.  This morning I was running through an alley and saw this...

 

Made me smile, how about you?

Love ya!

Jan

Running a what?

As all y'all know, Sunday the toned, trained and terrific athletes flocked to Pittsburgh to run the Pittsburgh marathon.

The very special got to run on Saturday.  That's when they held the children's marathon:  1.5 miles, from the North Shore, across the Sixth Street Bridge, through town.  

For security, to encourage family physical activity, to add to the masses, each child running had to be accompanied by an adult wearing a matching bib.

I was asked to accompany Tyler and Ryan, Morgan's step brothers.  

I ran steady, cherishing the cow bells, cheering, whistles and shouts ( something I don't usually have when I run on local city streets).  Ty and Ry sprinted, lagged, walked, skipped and jogged but somehow we all crossed the finish line together.

All kids finishing got medals.  They wore them with pride!  

What fun!

Here's Team Jan:

---

 

So, where have I been?

I keep thinking that I'll have tons of time to sit and post a long, chatty update like I used to do...

Kids, it just ain't gonna happen, but GOOD THINGS have been  going on in my life that I want to share.

Today, I'll share one:  ten days ago I got to spend a few days n Atlantic City, NJ.  It was the first time I was ever there.  

Of course, being near the water inspires me.  I did a no-no (for me) and ran three consecutive days.

Why did I do that?  Running on the board walk provided me with this view:

 

Takes my breath away just thinking about it!

I'm outta here for now!  Now go out and bless someone with a smile.

God loves you and so do I!

Jan

Just wanna remind you...

Hey, I've been away for a few days, just getting back into the routine but wanted to share this with you, as a reminder:

You guys already know I love ya, don't you?

God bless you,

Jan

 

My dryer isn't heating!

Good thing I have sons I can call for help:

Well, at least it started out that way...as usual, they decided to YOU TUBE it, 

now they are watching stupid videos and giggling like a couple of teen age girls!

I should be impatient, but the sound is music to my ears...

What music are you hearing these days?

Gotta run, big plans for today!

Your visit here is such a blessing to me!

Love ya!

Jan

With great pride and love...

May I present:

My middle son, Andy, and Ashley, his beautiful bride!

Just get me to the church on time....

Oh heck no, I'm not getting married, who would have moi?

A long time friend/co-worker of Andy is getting married today. The wedding is in a few hours and at my age, it takes that long to become stunning...

Stunning? Stunning. Me. Stunning.

We'll see.

Hey, what are you doing this weekend? From what I hear, you should be queuing up to buy bread, milk and toilet paper-there's snow on the way.

Stay safe,
God bless you!

Jan

Yesterday was...

National single parent day.  I was a single parent to my oldest two children for a long time.  Although those years are far behind me now, I remember being so busy the memories are a blur...

My hats are off to those single parents!

I never thought it would happen again, but I find myself a single parent once again.  I think I am too old.  I KNOW I am.

A word to all those who think single parenting is a breeze at age 61:

This is what you might get...

Andy, dressed to attend a wedding rehearsal dinner. What a joker, just like his dad!

~sigh~

I am blessed. Hope you are counting your blessings too!

God loves you and so do I!

Jan

Sometimes I forget

Really, sometimes I forget to blog! I get going in 300 different directions at once and I forget I left all y'all back here, wondering where in the heck I went.

Another thing I forget is how blessed I am, I sit in a tub of bubbles and think about boo-hooing (but I don't because we all know I am a butt ugly crier) Until I remember that I am so blessed that I have blessings to share...and then I jump out of the tub, get dressed and share my wealth!

So here I am, ready to go out and be a blessing to someone. Why don't you do it too?

Seriously, my God is awesome!

See you soon!
God bless you,
Jan

PS, can't do much more than give you a peek, but THIS is what I'm working on!

Taking it easy...

I am fine, thanks for asking. Just tweaking my life a bit...it's all for the good. See you later this week!

For now, Winnie, Bill and Linda are offering free chillin' lessons!