Here we are at the end of the year again. I have been here 71 times and it never ceases to amaze me how many people are off and running to the party. Not me. I can not stay awake that long. I will put on a big pot of black eyed peas so I can eat them tomorrow because that will bring me good luck. Or so I hear and the way my luck runs, I do not want to take any chances! Actually, my life is pretty good. Few bumps here and there, but nothing insurmountable.
January started out with a bang. My dear friend Sherman was told his cancer had become active and invaded his spine. This would set my course for the rest of the year, if not the rest of my life. His friend, Libby, who was his office manager when he had his business in Denver, came to act as his liaison with the medical community. She and I became very close friends over the next few months and remain so today.
His very good friend, Mark, came from St. Louis and stayed for 3 weeks while he was in radiation. Mark and I became good friends and like Libby, it remains so.
I lost him on July 13, which just happened to be Friday the 13th. I think he might have done that on purpose. He just had that kind of sense of humor about him.
I met his family and keep in touch with them. I plan on going to St. Louis this next year. I have never been there. Bret has. The Babylock company is there so that is where he attends classes. Maybe I will take the train. That is my plan. Stop in Hutch. Stop in St. Louis. Finish in Dallas, and then reverse the whole thing. Sounds like a dream come true. I will probably sleep all the way through the trip.
I "self" published my novel Chapter One...Loose Ends and was able to place a copy in Sherman's hands before he passed away. That was a shining moment for both of us. And while I have not sold nearly enough copies to pay the publishing costs, it has been very gratifying. I am working on a story line now that he and his brother requested. It is purely fantasy and is what "could have been." That can be read here. Some of the descriptions will be real and the basic story line covers some of our time together and how we met. I think it will be fun.
I did remain active in SCAP through the year and we had luncheon every second Tuesday of the month and several cookouts in the park. Attended the movies once. Played miniature golf. You know, just fun stuff to escape the harsh realities of life. World AIDS Day was observed at the Hoag Library on December 1. Great turnout.
We had the Weavers Sale at the Vail Hotel, the craft show at church and the Jingle Bell boutique. All those were in November. I made enough money from those to pay the house insurance and part of the taxes. I missed my vacation this year.
I sold some stuff and managed to come up with almost enough money to rip out my carpet and put in wood laminate floors on the main level. I am busy now trying to empty those three rooms and paint. You got to remember that I have ceilings that are 14 feet high (at least on one end) so painting is a major undertaking. Old women and ladders are not conducive to anything good happening so I am looking for children who love me, or a windfall to pay a painter! Neither one has happened yet. My only hope, Dan, is busy moving his mother and brother up from Arkansas, so I am open to any suggestion that does not entail doing it myself!
As I reflect back on the past year, I think it was a good one. The part about Sherman was very sad, but for the most part it was a good year. I made lots of friends through Sherman and we had some good times. While I miss him I am keeping busy and carrying on just like I had good sense. And as for the painting thing...I started this blog early today and about 2 my friend Lyn showed up and now everything is painted except the tall wall, and that is coming tomorrow evening when I have her and her husband to supper. Life indeed is good!
January started out with a bang. My dear friend Sherman was told his cancer had become active and invaded his spine. This would set my course for the rest of the year, if not the rest of my life. His friend, Libby, who was his office manager when he had his business in Denver, came to act as his liaison with the medical community. She and I became very close friends over the next few months and remain so today.
His very good friend, Mark, came from St. Louis and stayed for 3 weeks while he was in radiation. Mark and I became good friends and like Libby, it remains so.
I lost him on July 13, which just happened to be Friday the 13th. I think he might have done that on purpose. He just had that kind of sense of humor about him.
I met his family and keep in touch with them. I plan on going to St. Louis this next year. I have never been there. Bret has. The Babylock company is there so that is where he attends classes. Maybe I will take the train. That is my plan. Stop in Hutch. Stop in St. Louis. Finish in Dallas, and then reverse the whole thing. Sounds like a dream come true. I will probably sleep all the way through the trip.
I "self" published my novel Chapter One...Loose Ends and was able to place a copy in Sherman's hands before he passed away. That was a shining moment for both of us. And while I have not sold nearly enough copies to pay the publishing costs, it has been very gratifying. I am working on a story line now that he and his brother requested. It is purely fantasy and is what "could have been." That can be read here. Some of the descriptions will be real and the basic story line covers some of our time together and how we met. I think it will be fun.
I did remain active in SCAP through the year and we had luncheon every second Tuesday of the month and several cookouts in the park. Attended the movies once. Played miniature golf. You know, just fun stuff to escape the harsh realities of life. World AIDS Day was observed at the Hoag Library on December 1. Great turnout.
We had the Weavers Sale at the Vail Hotel, the craft show at church and the Jingle Bell boutique. All those were in November. I made enough money from those to pay the house insurance and part of the taxes. I missed my vacation this year.
I sold some stuff and managed to come up with almost enough money to rip out my carpet and put in wood laminate floors on the main level. I am busy now trying to empty those three rooms and paint. You got to remember that I have ceilings that are 14 feet high (at least on one end) so painting is a major undertaking. Old women and ladders are not conducive to anything good happening so I am looking for children who love me, or a windfall to pay a painter! Neither one has happened yet. My only hope, Dan, is busy moving his mother and brother up from Arkansas, so I am open to any suggestion that does not entail doing it myself!
As I reflect back on the past year, I think it was a good one. The part about Sherman was very sad, but for the most part it was a good year. I made lots of friends through Sherman and we had some good times. While I miss him I am keeping busy and carrying on just like I had good sense. And as for the painting thing...I started this blog early today and about 2 my friend Lyn showed up and now everything is painted except the tall wall, and that is coming tomorrow evening when I have her and her husband to supper. Life indeed is good!
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
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