When We Are Absent From Each Other

Genesis 31:49 

...“May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other."

Thanksgiving and House Guests

Over the last month I've thought many times of Loretta Lynn's words as she stood on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and said, "My life's running me..."

"Doo?  Where's Doo?"

Thanksgiving was fine; it wasn't the same without my Pirate Husband but we had a good evening with our family gathered around the table, everyone stating what they were most thankful for this year, and thanking the LORD for bringing us together.  (Which is no small miracle this year!)  

The turkey was a fresh, young bird from Bowman and Landes, where we've gotten our turkey for the last quarter of a century: http://www.bowmanlandes.com/ .  It was juicy and brushed with butter, herbs, and white wine every thirty minutes according to the same Martha Stewart recipe I have always used.  

And then....the "House Guests" arrived.  

Reno at/on the dining room table.

Our son, Michael, is in the middle of a big move and requested, begged, cajoled us into allowing his two pit bulls to stay here with me for a month (or so) while he gets settled.

Reno and Zero (I call her Sister)

Now, I am a dog lover, I really am.  Since my big pooch, Sadie Girl, has gone on to Heaven, I have missed having a big, slobbery, loving pup around.  Or so I thought.  These two grandpups of mine are just about more than I can manage. 

 

Sweet Sadie Girl - beloved friend.

At first things seemed to go well.  Reno is a good boy, good on the leash, halts, heels, and listens pretty well.  Sister (Zero), well, not so much.  The girl is ill mannered, fat, hyper, and because she is a mixed pit bull, her nose is not made for her face and she snorts like a pot-bellied pig all around the yard. But she is just about the cutest thing!  She's loving and sweet but ornery; she's quite the pig stealing every treat from Reno! 

I made a big mistake one night; you know how we can get comfortable and that pride comes before a fall.  I had been out and returned wearing high heeled boots and didn't change to walk Reno.  Well, he saw the neighbor's trash sitting out and took off down the hill of our front yard...with me in tow....in the high heeled boots and a very odd European ski cap...right into the street in front of an SUV.  Humiliated, bleeding, and crawling out of the middle of the street, I cried for him to come back so he didn't get lost.  What a sight for my neighbors!  I called my son as I chased him from house to house - almost had him as he pressed his big red nose against one neighbor's glass door, looking in on them!  Michael ordered me to sit down - just sit down on the ground and Reno would come to me.  That's just what he did.  

I know this slope doesn't look
like much but with snow and being
dragged 30 mph by a pit bull....well.

Now, the SUV drivers, a nice couple from Ireland, must have thought I was drunk or that a pit bull was on the loose in the neighborhood, and called the police.  Here came the police cruiser slowing to a crawl, watching me as I held my head high in that ridiculous ski cap, high heeled boots, torn pants, torn knee, bleeding hand, and pit bull on a leash, marching him home. I smiled and waved hoping he didn't see the tears streaking down my face.  

The Pirate Husband is home now.  He recently told me that if I wanted to get a German Shepherd Dog or an Irish Wolfhound, to go ahead.  That's what I thought I wanted.  Maybe I can make it with the 4.5 lb Chihuahua.  Little dog, little mess.  Big dog, big mess.  As our youngest son said, "No dog, no mess!"  

Please, Reno, go into your kennel
 for Poppi....nope.

What wouldn't you do to help your family, though?  Messes can be cleaned, carpets replaced (I was looking to replace with wood flooring any way, right?), etc., etc.  We love our son and yes, we do love his pups.  He will get them as soon as he can. Prayers would be appreciated!

Michael & his loving pups!

  

Popcorn by Phone

 It's those bittersweet chats that really make me miss that man.  Tonight he called to ask me how to make popcorn.  Such a sweet call.  He lit his tiny alcohol stove, put olive oil in the bottom of his tiny kettle, added the popcorn, and within forty-five seconds he had a nice evening treat.  He added a drizzle of olive oil, dash of salt, and sprinkled it with Parmesan cheese...just like I did today.   

Just made me miss him all the more.  One week and one day since I kissed him goodbye.  Most days I'm good; tonight I'm sad.

He's Gone Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ85n_eyIXo

What wouldn't I do for this man that I love?

My Pirate Husband is Gone Again

November 4, 2013 - prettiest fall day 

to leave Pier 99 in Warsaw, KY on the Ohio River

Goodbye, my Love.

What's a lady to do?  

Shopping and lunch with her sister!

The Pirate Husband Heads Out Again

It's That Time Again

The last six weeks have been great - unlike the previous six weeks.  While Sixteen Tons has been on the Ohio River having repairs made, that Pirate Husband of mine has popped in here at home every couple of days.  

  

  

Meatballs and Spaghetti Sauce

Friday afternoon he completely surprised me!  I was so filled with joy to see him come through the door unexpectedly.  

We spent this weekend getting the provisions for the next leg of his journey.  This will be months longer than the first trip from Toledo to the Ohio River.  My heart can't take it.  It's not so much that I don't want him to make this adventure, nor that I want to participate in his adventure; it's that I miss his body and soul, his hand to hold, his blue eyes....well, I could go on.  I don't want him to see me as some wimpy lady so it's time to get my tough exterior back on, or as I refer to it, get my "Angelina Jolie" back on.  (Getting my "Sarah Conner" on is for shooting any intruders!)

Today I'll drive him to the boat, we'll pack her back up, spend the night, then he'll be off again.  

Is there any doubt?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_raVBtLYnM

Grandbabies

3 

Psalm 127: 3 "Children too are a gift from YHWH..."

What wonderful days we have enjoyed in our family this last week.

Thursday we were blessed with another new Little Princess in our family.  Her name has not been chosen yet but she is beautiful and loved already!  

Little Princess #5

Saturday was Family Day aboard Sixteen Tons and this is our grandson at the helm:

Ivan wants to be a pirate like Poppi!

What is more romantic....

It has been a great weekend.  Rain pouring from steel-grey skies, wind blowing the first of the fall leaves from the trees, and having my Pirate Husband around.

While his boat is only a little more than an hour away from our home, he pops in every few days.  This weekend, even though he is making his plans for the next leg of his journey, he came home for a special day with me.  This was the weekend we've waited for five long months.  The library book sale!

It's true.  We waited in line in the rain to be some of the first folks through the door and we scoured tables for audio books and children's books.  

Yes, I find this extremely romantic!  We're in a battle to get the best books we can and we're fighting the crowds -our mission together!  Quite interestingly, he decided to help me out getting books for the preschool I own and operate instead of searching for audio books for his trip.  Little did he know that I decided to first search for audio books for him!  When we met up he had huge stacks of children's books and I had as many audio books waiting for him!  You know....who does that for each other? That's what I find romantic.  All in all I think we have dozens and dozens of audio books and about 100 children's books...we spent a whopping $8 for all of it  - wooooo hoooooo!

One of Those Days

http://movieclips.com/sCNm-baby-boom-movie-jcs-breakdown/

....And so....we went shopping.....feeling better already!

Sometimes it feels like the only salve for a rough week is to head to the mall with my best friend, my daughter-in-law, Marah, and just fight the good fight on the sales racks.  Aahhhhh....something for everyone and my work here is done!

Love to Hear Him Singing

Whistling and singing - he is a wonderful man and it is a blessing to hear him and all his noise in this house, which is silent without him.

Too bad we didn't have someone snap a picture of us during last night's wedding.  Well, he was the one with the camera and folks were busy capturing pictures of the bride and her creative dancing with her father...hilarious good show.

Our grandson was the ring bearer; no one knew if he'd actually carry through with his duties but he did a fine job after all. Afterwards we had so much fun blowing bubbles at "Poppi"(a.k.a.my Pirate Husband).

The Pirate Husband Comes Home!

Wednesday evening I drove to Warsaw, KY to pick him up - it was great to see my Pirate Husband once again after five weeks and three days!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmKtrSEJIh8

With his kisses he stole my heart!

He trucked along at top speed, 7 knots for his trawler, to make it home to be my date for a wedding this weekend.  I can say he still pulled it off in suit, tie, cuff links, and sexy smile. All the ladies at our table were quite charmed...of course!

Apparently he'll be within an hour's drive as there is a not quite minor but not major repair for Sixteen Tons.  All I can say is, "WOOO HOOOOOOO!"  

Am I Busy? Yeah, I'm Busy!

I don't feel like doing a darn thing tonight. What's wrong with slipping on my sexy slippers, finding something hilarious to read, and sipping a glass of wine?  Not a darn thing.  This is how to really enjoy an evening alone:

Oh, I could ponder the news, believe me, I have done that; personally I could hardly find another soul to converse with who has any broader spectrum than their own backyard.  But ... well, what do you expect from a society that went from watching "Jeopardy" to "Deal or No Deal"?  And what's wrong with that?  Not a darn thing.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls0htF_-o_k

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/03/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 

This is Where I Draw the Line!

I will put air in the tires, sell the car, unclog the drains but I most definitely draw the line at slaying my own dragons.  There are times when a lady NEEDS her knight in shining armor. 

Where is my knight in shining armor to slay all dragons?!

When he is off living the life of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, then just what am I supposed to do when this creature enters the kitchen late at night?!

The dragon that entered my kitchen!

Well, I am sorry to say this poor cicada got more than he bargained for when entering my home.  I am not a lover of all things great and small - especially giant buzzing bugs!  

I had just finished making a pot of oatmeal for my grandson and we decided to look at the stars while it cooled.  (Just like the Three Bears.)  I opened the door and this beast flew over our heads and landed on the stove!  I started screaming and hollering but had to bring it down a notch as not to display such hysterics in front of a two-year old that I wish to be brave.  

The cicada was making a horrible noise, I was making a horrible noise, and inside I was fuming.  My Pirate Husband is supposed to be the dragon slayer in this family.  Not me!

I grabbed a colander and threw it over the poor bug; it accidentally landed on the hot burner so I scooted it towards the cooler end of the stove.  The smell of burnt bug was not aromatic.

There he stayed all night, while we went on lockdown in the bedroom.  In the morning when my daughter-in-law came over (since her husband refused to help!) we came up with a plan.  She would scoop him out the door with the colander and a charger plate while the two-year old and I batted him with charger plates should he get off course.  It worked. 

What happened to my charming life?! 

But there was a time when I would not have had to deliver myself from these types of situations.  Time to get my "Sarah Connor" on, I guess.

Original Sarah Connor

Hot

SUV For Sale

Well, that wasn't as tough as it seemed.  Craigslist turned out to be a pretty simple affair....I do keep the "Craigslist Killers" in the forefront of my mind, though.  What if some creepy guy or worse - creepy guys show up?!  

The scurvy didn't get him
so he's looking for some wheels!
Nice teeth.

Fantastic.  Well, I can manage.  I always have.  But maybe as a good precaution I should take the car to a public parking lot for any interested viewers.  It's only sensible that I don't have unknown guests arrive at my home when I'm alone.  Of course, what is alone really?  I have a 4.5 lb Chihuahua who thinks she is a Doberman and I know how to use a handgun.  

My Rootin'-Tootin'-Shootin' Picture

Well, let's sell a car already....

A Very Good Salesman

When I met this Pirate Husband of mine, he was wearing cuff links.  He had impeccable table manners.  His personality was abrasive but he was good in the boardroom. (I said, "boardroom".)

This was years after I met him!

He's a real salesman; he should get an award for his sales panache.  I have seen that man go into a major fire department who had the intention of suing our mother company and come out with a fricking purchase order.  Oh, my goodness, he's good, he's really good.  

We sold communication equipment.

They only wanted to sue us for awhile. Thankfully
one lady fire fighter was so charmed by him, she said,
"You sexy...and you know it, too." He actually blushed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2cfA45mUI

All of this comes to mind when I think of the sales job he's done for his grand adventure.  It was supposed to be win win while I wait at home... ... ...bon voyage.

Where haven't I been lately?

Time for some fun.

Anna Stolfo

Every once in a while you meet someone who triggers a comfortableness that feels like an old friendship.

I met Anna this past Friday.  We started chatting and I could have stayed with her for hours, maybe shared coffee, and perhaps one of her famous freshly made cannolis.  

Yum.

It has been more than fifteen years since I was once in Rinaldo's Bake Shoppe in Dayton, Ohio.  I was there to pick up a strawberry filled cake for a party at Lion Apparel, where I used to work. Something about their bakery stood out in my mind and Friday I just had to get there.  

Anna was behind the counter and she buzzed me in; the store has been around for decades and unfortunately the neighborhood has been in deep decline for at least the last two decades.  The door stays locked and the windows barred.  Who can blame them? All those delicious made from scratch pastries would tempt even a saint.

So, I said to Anna that I needed some baked goods and was eeny-meeny-miney-mowing over which ones looked best.  Then I announced that I needed something special for my daughter-in-law.  Anna's eyebrows went up and in her adorable Italian accent she asked, "Is she a good one?"  "She's the best!" I answered.  "Then she needs the best; I'll be right back."  With that Anna headed to the back of the bakery and came back with her filled-on-the-spot homemade cannoli.  Well, for heaven's sake - that was special treatment!  Or really good sales!

We began chatting about good daughters-in-law and such when around the corner came Rinaldo.  Oh my goodness, how cute they were together!  

As we talked together I began sharing about my Pirate Husband off on his grand adventure.  Anna was shocked I wasn't with him. As Rinaldo came over and put his arm around Anna, resting his hand on her hip, I asked, "Is he bossy, Anna?" She looked perturbed and said that he was bossy and impatient.  He just smiled.  I imagine she has to swat him away throughout the day. I just grinned!  

Anna gave Rinaldo "a look" when she said they had retired twenty-two years ago and are still working every day.I shared how we have worked together every day, side by side, for more than a decade and it's a big adjustment. 

Anna nodded when I said he made me so angry when I couldn't reach him and imagined fifty ways he could have died, crying all night long until he called twelve hours later.  She knew.  She understood.  She asked if I had a good life insurance policy on him!  Now that was the best piece of advice I've had in a long while and I mulled over it while I sat in the car devouring my Boston cream pie doughnut.  

Rinaldo nodded and smiled, told me I had definitely better come back...all the while having his arm around Anna's waist and his hand on her hip.  I loved it.  

http://www.rinaldosbakeshoppe.com/History.asp

Sell His Car, He Said

Sell his car, he said.  Oh, really?  Yep.  Just wash it, clean it out, and put it up for sale.  Okay.  

Today I had time to take the thing to the car wash but when I pulled it out, it had a flat tire.  But, thankfully, my Pirate Husband had given me instructions on how to put air back into it.Fantastic. Did I say that already?

Nuts!

Double Darn It

Apparatus called the air compressor....fine.

Wrong Attachment

Proper Attachment

I managed.

Had to pull his car closer.

Took the little cap off & put it in my pocket.

Figuring out how to attach these two items was a bit tricky;
who knew you could use either side of the attachment?

Must have been enough air.  I made it to the car wash and
back without any trouble.

Now, how am I gonna sell this thing?!