Thank You, Jack!

Here comes the next polar vortex to the middle of nowhere Ohio. Eh, well, it is winter after all.  Sometimes I think these young meteorologists have never seen real snowfall; like the blizzard of '78.  Now that was snow.  And cold.  But today we have fancy terminology like, "polar vortex", as if winter should be a balmy 57 degrees here in Ohio.

I was out shoveling the snow from the driveway and feeling mighty confident when I was sweetly reminded of a phrase that has never been forgotten..."Confidence is so very sexy, don't ya think?" Yes, Jack, you got that right.

Three Cars Wide Driveway - Feeling Confident...and Sexy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ5spLy22mg

I was not about to be shown up by the retired police officer with his fancy snow blower, nor by the grumpy retired pastor with his bright orange parka and shovel.  If they can get their driveways cleared, you better believe I'm going to push that shovel and tote that barge, too.  I cleared it in record time and I have to say enjoyed it, while chuckling and remembering Jack Palance with his one-armed push-ups!  What an inspiration...and so confident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGxL5AFzzMY

You know, I really enjoy snowball fights.  But all the neighbors were already tucked inside their homes by the fire with hot cocoa.  Next time...but in lieu of a good snowball fight, I put together this little guy.

My Little Snow MAN

Taking It All For Granted

Why is it when we're sick we suddenly notice that we've taken our health for granted?  They say you cannot appreciate something until it is gone.  It's true.  I never appreciate my good health until I'm sick.

Gratefully I am feeling fantastic today!  

This week brought the move of my grandpups.  I cannot believe how it broke my heart.  That is until they saw my son, their daddy, and they jumped for joy...on top of me....in my car.  It's so quiet here once again with just the little 4.5lb Chihuahua, but we're good. 

This rowdy pair, Reno and Sister, would run upstairs, downstairs for a couple of hours every night.  Until they wore each other out and then would try to rest on top of me. They are truly companion dogs. I'm glad for the time I had with them.  Now if I can just get the smell of them out of the carpet!         

Reno is the most loving, loyal dog but he is also the leader of the pack.  Here he is on the deck after having eaten lots of snowballs, just surveying the neighborhood.  Crazy pup!  Such a sweetheart, though.

During the moving of these pups my son told me it was time to turn the computer off and get out there and live my life.  I think I'm feeling up to that - here's to a great weekend!

Love J.C.'s Smile

Why is it that when we humans are sick we just want someone to take care of us, to hold us, and assure us that, "this too shall pass"?  

It all started the first Monday night in December, the very same day that the Pirate Husband came home.  He took me to dinner at our hometown favorite diner and I felt it coming on before we'd finished our meal.  This progressed until I spent the last two weeks of December in bed trying to get well.

I would have loved to have had the pleasure of spending the month with my husband and I lost that.  He left for Mobile, Alabama where Sixteen Tons was waiting for him on December 31st.  He planned that I would spend the first week of 2014 with him on his boat.  

Today I began the second round of antibiotics - and I don't even take antibiotics.  But something's gotta kill this super bug.   The Pirate Husband took the flu shot; I don't take the flu shot.  He's perfectly fine.  I'm fighting some strain that the first round of antibiotics failed to kill with its half-hearted fight.

Tonight I could use a hand to hold or to pass a tissue, a strong voice to assure me that I'm going to be alright.  

Hold me tight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iol0B-clFFM

Oh, the weather outside is frightful!

I love winter; I love it!  For a time everything looks so white, pristine, clean.  I love the crisp, clean air when it hits the lungs sharply, I love the taste of the snow; I love winter!

Being bundled up in a warm coat, gloves, and hat, marching through the powdery or even wet and sloshy snow - this is my favorite time of year!

But it's much more fun having someone to snuggle with by the fire with a cup of hot coffee, watching the snow plaster itself to all things living and non- not this year, though.

The Pirate Husband left Monday to head back to Sixteen Tons, waiting for him in Mobile, Alabama.  Mobile.  Alabama.  Not a lot going on in Mobile, Alabama...but my fella is there.  And I am missing him here.