It’s been A MONTH. One might would think somethin drastic happened to keep me away from blogland for a month, but umm, no. Lots of things have happened, but very little in the drastic category. We’ll start with the unfortunate bits and wrap up with the happiness.
My husband’s Great Aunt Barb passed away. She had been my Aunt Barb for a long, long time. When I was a teen, she was Mean Aunt Barb, cause she took no guff. She was wise, and teenagers don’t care about wisdom. By the time I had babies, her wisdom was a blessing to me. She was part of my village. Aunt Barb had a moral courage, a strength of character that will inspire me for the rest of my life. She practiced random acts of kindness and demonstrated incredible generosity of spirit, of service, to her family, to her church, to all who knew her. What I, and everyone else who loved her cherished, was her love of life. She would have been 80 in August but I tell ya, had you met her, you woulda never thunk it. My memories of Aunt Barb are the best — her food and her laughter.
And although it sounds odd, maybe even gauche, I had a really, really good time at her celebration of life service.
I made a terrible mistake at work and thought I would have to walk away with graceful shame. Mentor comforted me by saying I am reliable and conscientious. Yes, I am. Tis true. Which is why I’ll prolly only mentally torture myself with my mistake for weeks and then in slightly smaller increments for the rest of my life, but hey, they didn’t tell me to take my yogurt and get the fuck out, so that’s nice.
I saw the die doctor which is a bit of a toss-up, because I absolutely hate every single part of the exam, but I cannot deny that I like Nice Lady Eye Doctor, and have for 14 years. Also, everyone there said only flattering and kindly things to me. I should go as often as insurance allows, because I left feeling marvelous. Drawbacks being I am so old and pale and light-eyed, I now have to take two extra vitamins for my eyes. My SMTWTFS pill box thingy is pretty well crammed, and if I am prescribed anything bigger than a baby aspirin moving forward, I will have to upsize my organizer. However, my night driving may improve and maybe I won’t even develop macular degeneration. Also, it’s exciting to get new specs, but I hate how I get all excited and pay a lot of money and don’t get to wear them for weeks because they have to be forged by faeries or whatever.
Another toss-up — Receptionist left. We had her for a whole year. She’s bright and capable and if you’ve ever been dependent on someone bright and capable, you surely understand my loss. A replacement is not possible, but hopefully someone competent will come along and do the job.
She came by the office before she left town, brought her Fluffs cat, the one I enjoy seeing photos of. He weighs more than 15 lbs and most of it must be fluff. Holding him was like holding a living stuffed animal. He hung out in my office for a while, just being cute and fluffy.
Then later, Receptionist and her fella came to our home and took all the boxes we had (since 2013) and ended up visiting for hours. I wish them all the best with their move, but I’ll miss her.
The girls are learning to drive. I spend a lot of time in the passenger seat of my car. (This is my job. Agreed to early in our marriage. Everyone likes it this way.) In case you didn’t know, I’ll tell you what the girls have discovered — brace yourselves —
1. driving a car is harder than it looks
2. everyone is in too much of a hurry
3. people be crazy
I know. I was as surprised as you are.
I got highlights. Bright sunshine-y highlights. I dunno how much silver and white hair it will take to light up my face, but I ain’t there yet. I don’t have a picture for you. Only for my husband and my mother.
Swimming is over. Now the musical.
The boy and my big nephew came for a visit. They’re men now. So weird. You know what occurred to me today? My kindergartners are old enough to have kindergartners of their own. Whoa.
March is awesome so far. I mean, I had the best week, despite bad bits — no one gets to live without bad bits. I EVEN HAD A NICE TUESDAY. The Mister is also having a good start to the month. We think it may be all the daylight. We don’t know. We don’t care. It’s just good. On Thursday he stopped by my work on the way home, helped me with a thing, and when I went to get him, the sky was sprinkling and lookin like this:
I said Oh How Unusual.
Then I walked a bit and looked across the street and the sky was doin this:
No filter. Seriously, that’s what it was doin. The Mister was right there with me. Those are birch trees, all lit up from the sunset. With a rainbow. Isn’t that nifty?
I think I’m ready for spring.
Okay, you write stuff now.
joeyfullystated 
JOEY!!
I missed thee! Been thinkin about you guys for a while, glad youre doing well.
I too have been ok. The usual ups & downs..thats about it.
Happy weekend!
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I have been missing you a long time and lately I’ve missed me too! I’m glad you’re doin alright x
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Sometimes Life happens and blogging has to give way. Glad you’re back and the month has been mostly okay if occasionally challenging. Losing a bright and capable person is a tragedy. I got my first reading glasses last month. The Eldest Son grew a beard over the summer (thankfully now shaved), I still have occasional nightmares about a work mistake I made in 1995.
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Thanks!
My son now has a beard as big as his head. He spoke of trimming it back, and LAWD I hope he does!
I’m sorry you relate to my self-torture about work mistakes.
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Sorry for the loss of such a special person in your life but glad for all the great memories you’ll hold tight to. Learning to drive is certainly a good and bad experience that is definitely impacted by the number and craziness of people today. Visits from the boy and special nephew will always put you in a good mood to enjoy nature around you. You were awake worry about something you did, and I was awake worrying about something I have to do. Hmm. If we lived closer, we could have shared a coffee or some ice cream. 🙂 Welcome back.
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I wish I could teach these girls to drive on a military installation, where most people really do drive prudently.
My work error was discovered around 10am, and I didn’t get the opportunity to inform my bosses until well after lunch. Twice since, I have awakened from sleep in a panic about it. I would welcome worry share over ice cream any time of day with you! Thanks!
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It’s good to hear from you. For the record, I think a month is a little too long. 3 weeks might be ok, but I was already thinking, “oh, Joey’s gone.” Don’t leave us without warning, a public meeting and time for rebuttal. Sammy left us, and I still haven’t recovered.
Sorry about Aunt Barb. People like her can’t be replaced. They leave a hole you have to fill with memories. New glasses, kids driving, a nice Tuesday, longer days, it’s all good. Topped off with a rainbow…ahhhhhh.
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Thank you very much, Dan. I really didn’t want to miss so much, but I couldn’t find my balance.
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Well look at you, all here I am and blogging again like it’s no big deal that you disappeared for a month. We worry, you know. Oh yes, we do. 😉 But we also adore seeing you back whenever you have the inclination.
You had a good Tuesday. I am in awe of that line alone, knowing your dislike of that day. I hope that as March goes along and you ingest all those eye vitamins you’ll have many more good Tuesdays. There is always hope.
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Thank you, Ally Bean 🙂 I feel like this month might just be the uptick I’ve been longing for. I really think it might be the sunshine. Soon, you’ll have more time on your sunporch and I’ll have more time in the dirt!
I must admit, I feel the vitamins give me a boost about a half hour after I take em. Bumps up the omegas and zinc, and my brain likes those.
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Both girls learning to drive at the same time? Oh boy…but then I am thinking of my experience with Baby Girl…She was one of those who drove too fast, and was I thought crazy! It was my job to teach the kids how to drive too, but He-Man helped out a lot especially with Baby Girl who scare me! We kept Baby Girl on her permit a whole year because of her lead foot. She’s a stubborn, cute little shit. Thankfully, she finally figured out she better slow down or never get her license to drive. 😀
Oooh, the light and rainbow over those golden trees is so pretty! I want to see your hair! I quit coloring mine just over 7 years ago. I’m almost 50/50 gray and mousy brown. I’m hoping I’m like my mom who still had a lot of dark brown on her head well into her 70’s. We’ll see.
Oh, yes I want to look up eye vitamins. Thanks for reminding me! I hope next week is a good one too!
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The eye vitamins — I’ll send you some pics on those, too. I know they include zinc and omegas, but I’ll send you some shots.
My mother has beee-ooo-tilful silver hair and she’s 70. Her mother had the same hair. I am hopeful, but I know I got my father’s hair, so I wonder…
When learning to drive, the boy one was crazy like your daughter! He still drives too fast for my comfort. He’s not crashed anything, but dang he’s fast!
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I got the images thank you! xx
Baby Girl has slowed it down now that she’s a Mum. Thankfully! 😀
I love your cut and color! You’re hair looks so full and healthy! Mine is fine. I wish it was thicker, but…sigh.
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Of course she slowed down now that she’s mummy! Hehe!
Thank you! The “thickness” of my hair is a LIE, Deborah 😉 I work against the cowlicks to hide weird parts.
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Oh, I have one in the back that wins everyday! I can’t tell by the look of you cut. It looks terrific!
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😀 THANK YOU!!!
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Welcome back!
I’m seriously loving the Fluff cat. Every office should have one.
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Thanks! Good mercy, he was sooooo fluffy and cute and sweet!
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Glad to have you back kid. Missed you. So sorry for your loss. Enjoying the celebration of life is far from being gauche. That is what it is for. It is a time for remembrance and a time to enjoy the memories. I plan on having some food and a keg of IPA. That way I am sure to get some folks to come. That is one fine looking cat. Gallery Pastry is opening a place at 16th and New Jersey in addition to the one downtown in the new hotel across from Conseco Fieldhouse. Brunch will be calling soon.
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Thank you! I thought similarly about the celebration of life service, but her children were clearly struggling with their grief and it made me feel a bit guilty even though I know she didn’t want a “funeral”. I would also prefer a party upon my demise. I hope I’ll be there in spirit, cause it’s a damn shame we can’t get all the people we love together without having to fucking die.
We should totally have brunch one sunny Sunday like this one here. It’s been a year? Two? Time flies.
Soon as we get a new receptionist, let’s you and I have lunch again, too!
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I am always ready for food with a friend.
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Happy Sunday! Good to catch up with what all you’ve been up to lately. Love the kitty, and the rainbow & trees are so pretty! 🙂
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It’s nice to see you, too 🙂
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I miss you when you’re away, Joey! I think of you and pretend you’re eatin’ tacos and ice cream and loafing on the Mister in your sweats and socks. I do not pretend you’re teaching infants to drive cars and such like. Your sky pictures are made of awesome and full of win, especially the sunny rainbow. HUGS
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(((HUGS))) Thank you, Marian ❤ I promise I have spent more time loafing on The Mister than providing driving lessons. I have also eaten at least four tacos, four bowls of sorbet, more than a dozen Dreamsicles, and two pints of coconut ice cream in the last month.
I am jammy clad and socked up today 🙂
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Wow, a month! I know how that goes. I’ve only posted once so far in March. Thankful I only had to teach one kid at a time to drive. Don’t know if the passenger side floor would have made it through all the slamming on the imaginary brakes! Sorry for your loss. Aunts are the best. That rainbow and that cat. Marvelous. Welcome back. Hope we see more of you — but no pressure!
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Thank you, Janet. I appreciate your welcome 🙂
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Call me contrary, but I think a celebration of life should be fun dammit. Your post gives me hope that I may one day post again too. Lots going on here, mostly related to soon to be retired – more to come.
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I always enjoy your posts. I wonder if I’ll find you in my email… 693 of them, you could be there.
I also prefer a party. I can be happy in company, but I prefer to be alone for sad.
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I was beginning to wonder if everything was ok. Sorry about your loss but happy to see that everything else is going well. We miss you around blog-land but hey, time waits for no blog.
Life is short and it’s meant for living, so keep smiling and marveling at rainbows 🙂
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Thank you, Norm, I couldn’t agree more! I do prefer blogland in my happiness 🙂
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Boy, you have had a rough month. I used to get the vision migraines from reflected lights. The sunglasses help but I’ve found if I pop a couple of aspirins when they start to come on then they are not as severe. I learned to drive on a stick shift! Kids today have it easy – except, as you say, people drive too damn fast. Hope this month is a good one for you.
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I like to wear my specs when I drive, even though I’m not reading, they have anti-glare coating and it does help me. I sure hope these vitamins improve my night vision.
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Joey–I have missed you! So many things: I am sorry about your Aunt Barb. Losing people is hard, but especially the good ones. Only the good die young. Yay for mentor. Being well-liked at work means a lot. Good job, Joey. Of course you are staying–everyone makes mistakes. Little fluffball is adorable. Fifteen pounds–yikes! Driving….such a blessing and a curse. In the long run, such a good thing, though. You sound happy, Joey. I am happy for you. Don’t be a stranger. I don’t usually comment this much……
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You DON’T usually comment this much, but I LIKE it! It feels enthusiastic and makes me smile 😀
I feel like if Aunt Barb didn’t make it to 110, I won’t either. She accomplished enough though, I tell ya. Left quite a mark ❤
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Hai ya! Glad you’re still around. Sorry for the losses. But super happy you are okay. Great pucs! 💙
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Welcome back, Joey! So sorry about Great Aunt Barb. She was an inspiring woman. It’s wonderful when you have someone like that in life and in memories.
Of all the things from this past month that made me chuckle was your SMTWTFS pill box. I’ve had one since my forties when I decided to add vitamins and supplements to my daily routine. Someone told me that was a sign of being old, having a pill box. Fortunately, that person is still living and breathing today.
As for your mistake at work, I’ve always felt that the sign of a good boss and company is forgiveness. We’re all imperfect, Joey, and I don’t think you should continue to beat yourself up over something that was unintentional. Remember the Kelly Clarkson song, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” and keep moving forward. You are awesome.
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Welcome back to the blogosphere, Joey! As you know I recently returned myself. Sometimes we need a break to focus on other things and recharge (so says the introvert in me). We still have winter here in the northern highlands of Washington State. Snow fell this morning, then rain, now sunny but will all freeze tonight 🥶 I love it though! Life is good😊
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I’m sorry for your loss Joey. Good for you to have fond memories.
The Spring does something special for many of us and good to read, that you are in the way of getting your sunny vitamins 😀
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A totally filled up month! Aunt Barb sounds like someone I would have liked to meet. She will surely be missed. Driving with kids is fun. Been there myself. They wouldn’t drive with the hubby, he gives too much instruction whereas I just sit and clutch the door handle. I am loving this month too since there was enough daylight for hubby and I to start taking our after dinner walks again tonight. Spring must be on the horizon!
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Hi Nancy 🙂 I am really enjoying the warmer weather with all the sunlight and I look forward to more walks in the parks as the spring springs!
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I’m sorry Aunt Barb is gone in body, but glad her wisdom lives on forever. You are so lucky and blessed to have known her well. She sounds like my Aunt Ruth who’s 97 but has always lived far away in Wisconsin. Your thing about this: “mentally torture myself with my mistake for weeks and then in slightly smaller increments for the rest of my life,” reminds me of my work life. It’s the curse of being conscientious and anxious. But you know what? I never even came close to getting fired in the whole 30 something years. All that worrying for nothing. Maybe I can learn something from that about my retirement worrying which is less, but still unfounded. Have fun with the driving adventures!
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Thanks!
One really can’t be fired from retirement — you could quit retirement and work, but that rather defeats the point 🙂 I am glad you’ve relaxed more. There is hope for me yet!
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Plenty of hope!
🙂
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I can relate to all of this, except maybe the highlights. I’ve lost special people. My assistant for 19 years left in December, but her replacement is competent and very good. Taught my kids to drive, because Mom wasn’t nice when she tried. My sons even wear beards. Glad to have you back, we’ve missed you around here.
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Thanks! My son has a beard that rivals yours! Gah! You could highlight your beard? Thank you for the encouraging words on your new assistant.
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No highlight in my beard, but thanks.
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Haha!
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Yes, Joey, good to see you back here with new words. Good ones. Loss is that part of life I would have passed over had I been given the option. I hope y’all have a wonderful March, one day at a time.
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Thank you — you too!
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Joeyyy, never forgotten and always good to see! We are not having a nice March AT ALL. There is the quarantine between our home and my country of origin, where I’m supposed to go next month, spreading over one quarter of Italy. We live in the middle of nothing, so that helps, but amore still goes to work to Rome by train. Everything is cancelled or empty. Italians don’t kiss any more. They have had the same habits since ancient Rome and now they stopped. End of the world, if I ever saw one. Also, a friend from Pennsylvania should be coming over for ten days last Thursday. She postponed her visit but the question is when Italy will ever by okay again. Really really ugly, the lot.
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While I’m glad you’re glad to see me, I cannot like your comment, because it’s too sad. I hope Italy returns to kisses and travel resumes heartily x
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Thank you, I hope too. If anybody will, Italy will.
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Glad you’re back, Joey! I see from the other comments that it’s not unusual for any of us WP folks to need to take a break every now and again. I know I have.
I’m so sorry you lost your wonderful Aunt Barb, God bless and rest her soul. I bet she was doing a heavenly dance during the celebration of her life.
It’s great that you can balance beating up on yourself for the work mistake with appreciating natural beauty. Very healthy. I ain’t worried about you, girl.
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I believe she truly enjoyed her wake 🙂 Thank you so much!
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I’ve often considered renaming my blog People Be Crazy, ’cause you know what?
People be crazy.
Glad to see you back here!
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It’s good to be back, thanks!
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Oh, how I’ve missed you!!
I’m sorry for the loss of Aunt Barb. She sounds like she was an amazing lady! I’m glad you had many years to make memories and that the celebration of life was a good time.
Eye vitamins? Intriguing. I really need to take Vitamin D, but after a lifetime of it being an unnecessary thing in Florida, I struggle to remember. Actually, I struggle to remember to take all vitamins.
Miss Sunshine is officially driving on her own. No interstates yet, but to school and soccer practice and local places. I think she’s enjoying the freedom. And I’m enjoying not being a constant chauffeur. 😉
That lit up sky looks marvelous!
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Congratulations on the wheels for Miss Sunshine!
I also struggle to take my vitamins. The thing is, I have to take the eye vitamins with fatty food for better absorption, so I get to pick my fatty food time, and it’s usually cheese and olives around 11, so I take all my medicine then and it works.
I’m glad to be back, Amy 🙂 Thank you!
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I certainly know the feeling of disappearing from the blogging world for a while, so I understand why you’ve been missing. Sorry to hear about the bad bits, but glad to hear that so far March is treating you well. Let’s hope this month continues to delight. Spring is coming, I can feel it 🙂
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Cheers to the life and times of great Aunt Barb, Joey. May you forever live better from her examples.
Thanks for the always interesting catch-up. Get through the downs, cherish the ups, and I hope you don’t have to grab the oh-crap handle too much while passengering the driving lessons.
Happy here-comes-spring!
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Thanks, Mark! Happy spring’s a springin to you!
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I am yes – YES INDEED – ready for the spring. We had an almost-70 degree day yesterday which in NC means the end times will pop up around sometime next week because it’s against the law here to go directly from one season to another. I’m ready to gain some more warm and lose some of the gray and feel less blah.
Got one on a driver’s permit here and he, too, has discovered these amazing mysteries behind the wheel. I’d like to add that nobody prepared me for the concept of teaching someone to drive a freaking car. No words, man.
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We just got back from another road lesson. Moo and I are still shaken up from Sassy’s acceleration during a turn. Like, we lost our appetite. Ugh. Still, all our girls have been “better” than the boy out the gate.
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As you said, it was a celebration of Aunt Barb’s life. I think it’s great you had a good time at it. That’s what a celebration is.
I finally went to the eye doctor this past week. It had been six years, which is too long. Macular degeneration runs in my family and I really should have it checked every couple of years. I got a clean bill of eye health: no macular degeneration, no glaucoma, and just the start of cataracts, which the doctor said everybody gets anyway. Did you get new glasses?
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The tech told me if people die before they get cataracts, it’s too short a life! I’m glad you got a clean bill of health for your eyes 🙂
I ordered glasses, I paid for glasses, but did I get them yet? No. I’m being patient tho, only complaining about it 2-3 times a day! lol
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So much stuff here to respond to, but I have a very short short term memory these days. On the girls driving. NO!!!! That is such a hard time IMO. Or my kids were just a pain in the neck. So sorry about the mistake you made. How awful to be fallible. I’m glad they didn’t can you, and bc they didn’t it means they wouldn’t know what to do without you!!! So you’re valuable to them.
I’m not there on the silver hair thing either, and I might never be. When you’re pale, white hair doesn’t look that great. I notice my friends who have recently gotten rid of hair coloring have dark eyes and olive complexions or are black LOL. And they look great.
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True story, my mother is tan and my MIL has deep brown eyes. I wonder if you’re on to something. I’m going to start paying attention.
The girls’ driving experiences haven’t been awful, but it’s hard on the nerves. (better than the boy one tho!)
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Oh, the boy one was awful! But both were not fun haha. Not gonna lie.
Interesting re the mothers. Women with the right complexions look stunning with white hair.
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Hi Joey, good to read ya! 🙂 Glad all is well, and sorry for your loss. ❤
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Spring has definitely sprung here. And by which, that means 81 degrees on Wednesday. I’m hoping we’ll have another glimpse or two of winter, but won’t be holding my breath.
Good luck with the driving lessons. I’ll probably be the one to teach LM as well, since my husband is so inattentive that he scares me when HE is driving, so supervising someone else might not be best for him.
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