December 7th, sure it's Pearl Harbor Day, but it is also an important anniversary for Greg and I. It has been 20 years, today, that we first were formally introduced to each other and we then had lunch together. This was at the VA Hospital in Des Moines.
("Isn't he the cutest thing")...said in the voice of Sally Brown
A year later, on December 7th, we were engaged.
I love reminiscing about this time. I remember the laughter we shared, the love of music we had in common, and the instant connection and chemistry we both felt. It still blows my mind to think someone could love me like Greg does…. And I love him.
These are some of our first pictures taken at that time in our lives.
Here is first trip we took the summer of 1991 to meet his parents and brother... Our first car trip out east together…. Traveling is always a good test for a blossoming relationship… we passed with flying colors.
Look! We both had skinny legs back then... Greg still does!
The lights are shinning bright in our KC neighborhood…. So it is getting harder to ignore… only 3 weeks until Christmas.
But I’m a bit in shock about it, and in denial. I’m not ready for winter and Christmas this year… although I have my gift shopping done… I’m resisting the rest of it.
I just don’t feel like I have the energy to get on board the hectic seasonal rush of demands of decorating, baking cookies, sending out 70 Christmas Cards…. And so on.
This year, I am going to try to experience a more relaxed Christmas …. So sorry everyone…. No Christmas letter from Greg and I this year. It’s probably good to take a break every 18 years or so…. And now we are so connected on Facebook, everyone already knows how we are.
I believe one of the reasons I’m resisting December is that last winter was agonizing. The snow started early in December and lasted into February. I was able to stay positive most of this time, but late January’s ice storm broke my spirit…. And I still haven’t completely recovered yet.
PS: This morning there are light snowflakes in the air in Des Moines! OH NO... it's starting!
12-3-10 worn-out brain My brain is tired this week from work and study on learning the new rules which cover Lymphoma and Hematopoiectic cancer data collection. So I will refer you to an interesting article.
Sure this will be too long for most of you to read.... Sure it is easier just putting your head in the sand... But at least I'm giving you the weekend to "scan" this article by Andy Kroll. HERE
"It used to be that citizens in large numbers, mobilized by labor unions or political parties or a single uniting cause, determined the course of American politics. After World War II, a swelling middle class was the most powerful voting bloc, while, in those same decades, the working and middle classes enjoyed comparatively greater economic prosperity than their wealthy counterparts. Kiss all that goodbye. We're now a country run by rich people".
Well.... don't feel sorry for me or for yourself... feel sorry for your kids and your Grand-kids.
PS: No politics next week, I promise. PS: Cute kid picture came from this blog http://jcslocombe.blogspot.com/
12-2-10 caution:ranting brain Gee….. all this talk about the Federal Deficit and ideas to cut the deficit caused me to reflect back on 1992 and I went to my bookshelf and found this book by Ross Perot. Perot wrote this book to explain his “business” ideas on how to address the large deficit we had in 1992, as Clinton and Bush Sr. and Perot (as 3rd party) were campaigning for President.
I supported Perot in 1992 and I love his graphs and charts he used to explain where our money was going.
Graphs on page 7 showing increase in deficit from 1970 to 1992.
He gave some great ideas which could work today. He even stated “stop subsidizing the rich”…. He was for raising the tax rate on the wealthy from 31 to 33… and up to 35 percent, if needed. (Gee a successful , wealthy business man believed in raising taxes… imagine that!... oh those were the good old days of the 90's!) Of course he was for “controlling entitlement costs” also. Perot also was for increasing tobacco and gas taxes. He also wanted to reform education and create jobs, bring back “Made in America”.
Perot even addressed Heath Care back in 1992 writing about the need for health care reform… “We spend more than anybody else in the world on health care. We have 37 million people who aren’t covered at all. We rank 15th in life expectancy and 22nd in infant mortality. We’re paying top dollar for a front-row box seat, and we’re not even getting a bad show from the bleachers …. Our companies are forced to divert money from jobs, higher wages, and research and development because of sky-rocketing health and insurance costs”.
Gee, I kind of wish Perot would again enter Presidential Race in 2012…. At least he had ideas… and it wasn’t all about “cutting taxes” …. Or “taking our country back”.
It amazes me now to think that our 4 trillion dollar deficit in 1992 was turned around with the leadership of President Clinton and Newt Gingrich in congress.
How come today it doesn’t seem like this similar mix of Democratic President and Republican Congress will be able to do the same?
Won’t we ALL need to make some sacrifices…. Aren’t we all willing to do this?
Why won’t we insist that the wealthy top 1% step up and sacrifice too….. and just let the $^#*&* Bush Tax Cuts expire? I believe these tax cuts were part of the problem leading to the current deficit problems, along with some other bad circumstances and bad decisions in the 2000’s. (I guess this might be a plug for W. Bush’s new book…. Yah, come read all about it folks!)
12-1-10 proud brain Heather stayed in my guest room back in 2007-2008 during caucus in Iowa. I knew her when she was in law school and a campaign worker. NOW, She is getting some face time on Fox and MSNBC... so proud of her!
This guy on Fox News, Neil Cavuto, is a good example of why I don't usually watch Fox. I don't call this a real conversation... he keeps interrupting and asking 20 questions without listening to any of the answers. Heather keeps her cool and pushes on.... where I would have become irritated, kind of like Ross Perot would say.... "can I finish Neil? !! "
Back in late October or early November, I can't remember now, I was in KC for a week and it was a good time to harvest my garden of gourds. This vine all came from one gourd seed I had planted in late spring. Nothing grew for a long time, but finally in August a vine started to grow and went crazy. It grew up some bushes and covered a large patch of ground.
So finally late October, KC had a killing frost and the vines began to die off, revealing many gourds.
Much to my surprise I harvested at least 50 gourds of various sizes. My hope now is to dry these and have fun paining them next summer.
11-29-10 grateful brain Greg and I traveled to northern Iowa to have Thanksgiving with my folks. Wednesday evening in KC it was 58 degrees. Thursday when we arrived in Charles City it was about 20 degrees… (burrrrrrr...) it was sunny however, which made traveling the five hour trip from KC safer than trying to drive part way Wednesday night.
Our table was set for five this year; Mom and Dad, Bunny, Greg and I. Mom changed up the menu a bit. Instead of mash potatoes and gravy, she made “party potatoes”… the kind with cream cheese …. Very good I must say! Bunny brought a wonderful cranberry salad.
After dinner we had a surprise visit from my friend Ann. Although Ann lives in Des Moines, she was over in Waverly, 30 minutes away, with her in-laws and she brought us a yum-o pie.... and good company for my Dad.
Friday, Mom and I, along with Greg part of the time, got most of our Christmas shopping done, all at locally owned stores in Charles City. Mom commented that her friends all run over to either Mason City or Waterloo to shop, where as Mom makes a point to buy local. We spent money at two local clothing stores, “Lidds” and “Ellen's”… and a few gift stores; “The Rustic Corner” and “Oasis”.
Saturday morning breakfast out at Dave’s Restaurant was a treat (and a surprise) to see Robin, Tom, and their daughter Taylor, along with Jean Ann. It’s been at least a year and half… maybe two years since us three high school girl friends have been all together. Usually this happens either at the 4th of July or Thanksgiving. Neighbors Marg and Barb also joined us, as well as Mom stopping in for coffee…. So this was a mini Jefferson School neighborhood reunion.
