History Repeats Itself

I'm beginning to think Marisa can't see over the steering wheel! I thought something was fishy when she backed into the driveway last night. Danny and I were suspicious, but in the dark, we didn't see anything out of the ordinary...other than the car being backed into the inclined slope of our driveway at night. Hmmm!

As I was walking to the mailbox, something on the passenger side front corner caught my eye. Low and behold, there was another scrape! Same place as the last time, only BIGGER! In fact, the first scrape is covered up completely by the second scrape. It looks as though she was pulling into a parking spot or out of a parking spot and couldn't see over that side of the car to clear whatever was in the path.

I know where she was both times this occurred. She swears she didn't hit anything! I don't know what to make of this yet. No depth perception? Carelessness? Night time driving? Not paying attention? Just can't see over the steering wheel?

True confession...I ran into a fire hydrant one night while diggin' in a bag of Jack-in-the-box french fries. Knocked the bumper loose. Next morning my dad asked what happened. I told him I didn't know. History repeats itself and I'm definitely payin' for my raisin'.

AHS Class of '81

I've had to come to the realization that many have passed since I graduated high school. Thirty (30) years ago I graduated from Arlington High School. Yep, I was part of the AHS Class of '81! That would make me in the 46 to 48 age group. Cough, choke, gasp...really?

I ask myself these questions:
1) Where did the time go?
2) What have I done?
3) Do I make a difference?
4) Have I've done things in my life that's worthy?
5) Am I happy?
6) Where do I go from here?

I answer these questions:
1) I have wonderful memories and not so wonderful memories from over the years. Time flies, 30 years is a long time to reflect upon.
2) I've gone to college, worked several jobs, married, raised kids, volunteered, and moved out of state. I'm still looking for me, growing and becoming, never ending.
3) Yes, and will continue to do so!
4) YES!
5) Yes, unless my kids act up.
6) Onward...

Marisa & Ralph

After weeks of cleaning up Dad's house, Marisa is agreeable to cleaning up her room. In honor of my cousin's wife, Wendy, here are 'before and after' photos. But honestly, I cant' tell the difference! At least Ralph isn't sitting on layers of dust and junk.

This is Marisa's desk BEFORE the clean up.

This is the AFTER shot! I know, right!?
But, she is a teenager and this is HER space.

She got a hermit crab for Christmas from her friend.
The crab's name is Ralph.

Marisa loves to take him out of his house and let him crawl around.
At least Risa's room is cleaner for Ralph...I guess.

Love you, Risa...you did good!

Tony's World

Tony is in a band. They came to the house to practice. Marisa took pictures for me.

Party time!

Excellent!

Tony quit texting! Your at band practice...

Party on, Garth!

Party on, Wayne!

I know, right!? Message to my husband...please have the Tonster clean up after the session! PLEASE!!!

Grandest Century in The World's History, circa 1900

For a history buff and book geek, this treasure was a find! I was cleaning out a bookcase and came across this old, old leather-bound book with a threaded/woven binding. It was old! I showed it to my dad. He told me that this book I found called "Grandest Century in The World's History" was my maternal grandmother's history book. The publish date is 1900. That would make it 111 years ago! My granny gave it to my dad when she learned he was interested in the Civil War and genealogical history. This text book was published less than 40 years post-Civil War. Imagine the 'take' this book has to offer!

This is the inside cover. The photos are "famous Inventors of the Century": Thomas Edison, Robert Fulton, George Stephenson, James Watt, and S.F.B. Morse.

This page contains photos of Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

This one is my favorites (so far). We know this lady as the Statue of Liberty. However, the caption under the photo reads:

BARTHOLDI STATUE OF LIBERTY

Erected on Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor. Height from ground, 220 feet; stone pedestal 82 feet high; forefinger 8 feet long; head 14 feet high and 40 persons can stand in it.

I'm looking forward to perusing this book! I know that it can 'googled' now, but there is something about holding this literal history in my hands.

Happy New Year

This has been one 'New Year' that I did not expect. I've taken care of a sick parent before. Just a couple years ago, I was helping with my mom. Now, here I am taking care of my second ill (and recovering) parent, my dad. I left many important parts of my life behind to take on this mission. I left my kids, husband, job, home, friends, all that is 'comfortable' to me.

While my brother and I have achieved tremendous strides getting Dad home and accomplished all the legal aspects of protecting him and his corner of the empire he built in this world, it's the little things that are humbling. Day in and day out, I do 'little' things for my dad. I make breakfast, retrieve the newspaper from the front yard, straighten the pillows, drive him to appointments, lay out his clothes. I think the most humbling for me is helping Dad shave. As a small child, watching your dad shave is interesting. As an adult-child caregiver, watching your dad shave is humbling. So if it's breakfast he wants, a ride to get a haircut, help dialing the phone so he can talk to a friend, I'll do it. No question.

In doing these 'little' things for my dad, I think of my favorite saint, Therese of Lisieux. She is the patron saint of illnesses and missions. She practiced little vitures to achieve great deeds. Her theme was of littleness: 'The Little Way'.

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."

There will come a time when the tables will turn and I will be returning to Colorado, leaving yet another important part of my life behind. But knowing that I did everything possible to make Dad happy and help him restore his health, independence, and dignity makes the return easier. I don't mind doing the little things for my dad. He's my dad!