The other Shoe

I have started this blog entry three times today. Why is it when things are seemingly going pretty good, they take a set back.
I used to classify it to Sherry as waiting for the other shoe to fall. Sherry and I have fought through two sons who got deep into drugs. Months of personal anguish. Not knowing whether they would be in jail or the morgue. I have waited at the back door of the police station while the duty Sgt. Brings my son out, the one you remember who was as cute as could be. The one you thought you would never get potty trained. The one who made you proud with good grades. The one who was good at athletics. The one who had a wonderful sense of humor. That kid who could smile and melt your heart. The boy who could ride a motorcycle like the wind and win races. The boys who filled their rooms with family bowling trophies. The boys that sang in church and made you proud. You remember the first fish they caught and you helped bring it in. Yes that is the boy.
Now some Sergeant, who is working late, has worked with drunks and drug addicts all evening, and put up with all kinds of abuse, brings your lovely son out and hands him over to you, not saying it, but you can see it in his eyes, ‘Here, take this piece of $hit out of here’.
The boys over came that, became successful men, raising families. Everything is beautiful. Grand children to love and spoil. Little leagues games to go to again. School plays and soccer games. All is well with the world.
THEN THE OTHER SHOE FALLS….
Now you can suffer through their hurt in a different way. DIVORCE. You feel their hurt, but you cannot fix it. You see them broken but you cannot make the repair the break. You just cry with them and hold them. That was one divorce. Then the next……. Now all is right with the world again.
THEN THE OTHER SHOE FALLS……
Accusations, etc.. Another divorce, late in the boys life. They have everything, but the family is torn apart again….. You know, it doesn’t matter who is at fault, it hurts!
Then you wonder when will the hurt end? When will things settle down? When will you have peace of mind? Because your children are always your children. You still see the bright eyed youth, facing the world, ready and willing to attack.
We decided years ago, we will enjoy the good times as much as we can, because sure as heaven’s above another shoe will drop.
That is the way life is. We climb one mountain after another. This week a good friend climbed her last mountain. Tomorrow we will say good bye to her. The funeral is not for her, she is gone. It is for we that are left. Louise will rest in peace. Life will go on and we will try to live with peace.
Thanks for reading this true confession. I have learned that there are many lives much worse than ours, so I am glad to be alive. Here to share the good and the bad.
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Lets dance like no one is looking.
Live like we don’t have much time.
Love while we are alive.
Hope while we still have health.

Clean cars

This is the little Smart Car. Have you seen any around? I have seen four or five.

I slept in again today. I have no problem doing that. Of course I am usually up until 1 or 2 AM. I took a copy of ‘Rags’ down to the Chief of Police today. I also dropped one off for the Mayor. Took my news release to two of the local papers and mailed the other. ‘Gracefully Grasping for Dignity’ is doing well by word of mouth locally.

It is supposed to be cooler here for a few days, but nothing like you Big BoysUp north and mid west. We get cold when it switches from short sleeves to long sleeves. Hahaha! I did wash the van today, maybe tomorrow I will clean the inside, then maybe not. Cars and I get along as long as they are mechanically sound. I can handle a dirty car. On the other hand, once I wash the car and clean it up, I like it much better and declare up and down, I will keep it clean, but I do a lot of backsliding. When we were in Guantanamo Bay, I could get by with a dirty car because we weren’t allowed to wash cars from the local water source which is a huge desalinization plant. Some of the very gung ho folks saved their A/C condensation water and kept their vehicles clean. I could do that every once in a while, but not on a regular basis.

Some folks are neat-nics. Shirl’s car always looks like it was just hand polished and it is pretty. She drives a Black Honda (super duper). Black is one of the best colors for a vehicle, if you keep it clean. (And the worst if you don’t).

I think the very small ugly cars are the best for the country, no matter the color. The problem is accidents and speed. Driving a Smart Car, I would hate to challenge a Chrysler 500, Expedition or Suburban to a head on collision at any speed. Have you seen the little smart car? They are cute.

Thanks for coming by the Shipslog.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
INFLATION: Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.

MOSQUITO: An insect that makes you like flies better.

TOOTHACHE: The pain that drives you to extraction.

TOMORROW: One of the greatest labor saving devices of today.

YAWN: An honest opinion openly expressed. < /span>

Post Script to Bittersweet days

These are in no order. Above is Shirl's place after the party. Smokey and I solving the worlds problems.

Janet in Shirl's living room

A picture of OUR cd's from Smokey

Dance while you Can, book from Vernon & Janet

Our Waiter for the night, with Shirl

The infamous bottle of Goo Gone.

Dining room table, I am the only one still eating, I ordered a half steer to celebrat Shirls 37th Birthday.

Smokey, Shirl and I outside the The WoodShed.

I have tried to upload pictures for 45 minutes now. If I get them up they belong with the last post. I bet your Dashboard looks like a wreck with all the Shipslog entries, it they all took.

Bitter Sweet DAys

Today Louise Waters won her battle to get out of this veil of tears (as my mama used to call this life). She is doing whatever good folks do when they break through that final curtain. I could speculate because she was a Christian Lady, in every sense of the word. She knew how to hold a confidence. Not many folks are like that anymore. I am reminded of Sherry’s mom. She had a reputation, ‘Whatever you tell Susie, stays with Susie.’ That was Louise. A great sense of humor and a lovely lady; She leaves two sons. Ray and Sammy her brothers are left behind also. Louise was to be 86 this month. We will all miss her. Shirl may mention more on her Blog, they had become very good friends since Shirl moved back to Belmont.

These have been bitter sweet days. Again to a lighter note. We went to the Woodshed last night. Vernon & Janet (Sherry’s Bro & wife, yeah the guy that fell out of the tree), Sherry & I, Shirl and her good friend Smokey. (Smokey Coe, the singer, of South East fame.) Shirl got some nice cards. Vernon & Janet gave her a book, 'Dance while You Can'.

Smokey brought ‘some’ nice gifts. Not the least of which was a bottle of ‘Goo Gone’. I thought it was a new deodorant, but the reason was explained. (If Shirl does not explain, I will give my version later). A necklace, and two of his CD’s (One of them was for Sherry and I). Then there was a yaller purse (I am corrected, a beautiful purse).

WE had a great time at dinner. We headed back to Shirls. Sherry got a cake and Balloons, they were on Shirl’s dining room table when she opened the door. I think she was surprised. Shirl made coffee, we had ice cream and cake and visited for a few minutes.
Sherry & I took off to the hospital to spend the night. WE all had a great time.

Nite Shipslog
PS:

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.


And When you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And When depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.

Shirl's Day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHIRL!!!!!!! Well today is the big day. Trash pick up day on our side of town. Oh yeah and Shirl’s BD.Fortunately we have a small bank and nice friendly folk. I dropped by to see Denise. I told her Shirl said it was all right if I got a little of the inheritance. She said, “Jack I would be afraid to give you more than a couple thousand without hearing it from her.”I asked if she could stretch he faith in me to four, and she said all right, as long as it is in the family. So tonight she can order what she wants!!!! LOL She doesn’t know it yet, but her Birthday present is her garden. I mulched the leaves and turned it, then raked the leaves I had mulched nest door and added them to the dirt. She has gone somewhere to dance and sing and cut a rug, whatever it takes to entertain Old Folk. We will go to the hospital and spend the night with Sonny. He has perked up some. I think I will take the lap top back tonight may do a little writing if Sonny is not real restless. Timing is terrible in hospitals. Sometimes when he is restless and finally calms down in a light sleep, the bright lights come on and a cheery voice says, “How are you doing Mr. Helms, time to check your blood pressure!” I know it is their job, but it is like getting mad at the weather man when he is wrong. We are looking forward to the great meal tonight. Thanks for all the Happy Birthdays to her, but some of you don’t have to mention I should help with the yard work. LOL I did trim the grass and cut the wild onions. And give the drive a blow dry. Thanks for coming this way.Nite ShipslogPS:COMMITTEE: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours. DUST: Mud with the juice squeezed out. EGOTIST: Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation. HANDKERCHIEF: Cold Storage.

WE ARE JUST HERE!

Yard work in North Carolina.Shirl has started yard work. It is about time for us to hit the road. Yard work scares me.

WE were at the hospital today. When Sonny came back from dialysis he was just not with us. He was not responsive to our voice. The Doctor came in and talked about his heart. It had run away and they had to slow it down. He was talking a lot of ‘Doctoreze’, and I asked him what are you saying? He said, “you can call his daughter and tell her he has taken a turn for the worse, not critical at this time.”

Now when you are family, and you get that message, you leave work and come immediately to find out. Both Sonny’s children were there within forty minutes. His Sister, her daughter and a grand son. There was a crowd for a hospital room, so we took our leave and are now staying by the phone.

Notice on a lighter note ...DO NOT TELL SHIRL….. We are taking her out for her Birthday tomorrow night. I am not sure what her age is. I remember as a kid she was my older sister. Since I am now a little over forty-two, I know she must be older than that. LOL LOL. We are going to the Wood Shed. It is a very good restaurant in the small town of Stanley.

Sherry’s brother and his wife, Vernon & Janet, came down to see Shirl today and came outback and visited. I was telling them about Ora’s journal. And her story, especially the part about her trip with Gary to Okinawa. They got the biggest kick out of Ora handing the baby and a diaper to the unsuspecting Airman, and WALKING OFF, heading to the bathroom, after all the hours of delay and waiting for a flight. Having made the trip on her own with four kids, Janet could relate. I am not concentrating right now. Gonna stop.

Nite Shipslog

PS:
THINGS YOU might KNOW BUT PROBABLY FORGOT.

The glue on Israeli postage stamps is certified kosher..

Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most
often stolen from Public Libraries.

Astronauts are not allowed to eat beans before they go into space because
passing wind in a space suit damages it. I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS.

'Be who you are and say what you feel....Because those that
matter....don't mind....And those that mind....don't matter.

Our thoughts return to the Appalachian trail. We enjoy the serenity and beauty. But sometimes the weight of the pack overshadows the beauty for a little while.

Looking down on my girl as she climbs the rocks behind me. Sometimes I am in front. We are seldom together on the hike. WE are alone with our thoughts, except as some outstanding Vista, where we hold eachother and thank God for a chance to see this beauty.

Here she is ahead of me on another mountain, looking down and laughing, saying, " you have a long ways to climb big boy!'

Here she is way out on Mchaffey Knob in Virginia, supposed to be one of the most beautiful views on the AT, we happened to hit when the clouds were low.

Hello out there! WE are dreaming of a trip already. We are ready to head to the North East. We will have to do some checking first though. There is what they call the black fly season in the North East. I have read reports where they cover you like the no-see’em and dig into the flesh, don’t want to face that. Hahaha!
Vickie bought some of the new book and gave it to her friends. Now they are in demand that is good. I cannot find time to set up appointments and marketing areas yet. I did not expect too, Sonny was our main reason for coming home. We are not helping full time but are filling in where we can.
Hopefully in the next week he will be in an area with more intense care. And the family will not feel the need for an all night watch, that will wear them down. Such as Vickie did a 16 hour stretch one day and Steve did a 20 hour stretch yesterday/today. WE all know how that can wear you DOWN.
What is it about a hospital that drains you? Something does.
When I am gone like this I come in to answer from 20 to 43 e-mails. I enjoy the personal ones and delete the large down loads because it takes forever to download something. I have to draw the line at around 2MB, or I will be on thirty minutes down loading much larger.
I may drag out the laptop and take it to the hospital tomorrow, or just take my Tami Hoag, ‘The thin Dark Line’. I am about ¾ thru it. IT takes place in Cajun country, I love the accent, I can’t read it as it is spoken though. I also do not like crawfish. Gumbo is good. In reference to the Cajun food that is discussed in the book.
Anyway Sonny is not doing great, which is disappointing. He was alert enough for me to kid him about his sex change operation, etc. If you talk to the Lord, remember Sonny! Thanks to you who have offered sympathy and prayers.
Nite Shipslog
PS:"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no
Happiness without action."Benjamin Disraeli

Politics or Just Silly Reporting

I did not vote for President Obama, but for the good of our country I hope he succeeds. I was not for a 'stimulus plan' but President Bush started it before he left office, not President Obama. I will not blame him for the Stimulus plan, it was not his idea, he is just following through.

Now. I wish they would drop the plan and let our business sink or swim on their own bad judgements.

But this latest Gaffe, is unforgiveable. I am horrified mabe mortified. I may never recover from such insensitivity.

Okay today I will venture to the realm of politics. Or maybe it is the realm of what I will call Political Crap. Or as my friend Debbie would say Flap Doodle. I am told from the best of sources Flap Doodle is nice words for Bull-$%$#.
Now To give society its dues, I guess it is nice to know which fork to use. I don’t know why you have two forks and two spoons, when at our house me made out with a fork and a spoon (Using the edge of the fork to cut something to size to eat.). I did learn something from the movies of officers training (that some sailor misplaced in our compartment for our entertainment on long cruises). I learned that you are expected you dip your spoon into your soup with a motion away from you. We weren’t supposed to view these movies because the Navy knew it would be a waste of time to teach the animals etiquette. You are also supposed to use all that hardware you are given ten forks and five spoons from the outside in, or is it inboard out. Shoot I failed that one. I usually look at the host and use whatever they use.
Okay now that you know I am cool. I can ID a soup spoon. You also know that I know how to eat soup without embarrassing anyone. I want to talk about the worst thing that could have happened. I expect a war between Great Britain and the USA. Someone says Our President and his Wife gave the ‘wrong’ gifts to the visiting dignitaries from the United Kingdom. Now Let me make this clear, the Prime Minister NOR his lovely wife have not said a blessed thing about the gifts. It is the media. What a gaffe, wow!
I’ll bet the children of these families have so many ‘things’ they do not need, ONE more thing, right or wrong. They should not care less. I saw an entry the other day where the reporters were crying because they were losing their jobs. “There won’t be enough reporters for the important news.” Well there are still enough to bring up this sort of STUPID headlines. Now the president will need a ‘GIFT ADVISOR’ so he won’t mess the next one up. Wow, the world is falling apart, and someone makes headlines by saying the Obama’s do not know how to give gifts to their guests children.
Don’t you love trivial CRAP!
Nite Shipslog
PS:
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.