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Originally posted by JanieR:
[QB
I took my "baby" out for a birthday lunch yesterday; he turned "30"!!!!! Don't know how he turned 30 when I'm still only 45. :rolleyes[/QB]

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I do not know how our "Babies" do it but my "Baby" turned 17 this year and I am only 16. My father is only 39 or is that 29, I forget.

Lela! Because of the storms in NC, I keep getting knocked off line, but am SOOOOOOOOOO interested in your story! It almost parallels my parent's. I was born in '45, when my Dad was on Guam. He didn't see me for the first time 'til I was around 9 mo. old (if I remember the "stories" correctly). It was a very hard time for my mother, as she already had a 3-1/2 yr old son from a previous (really bad) marriage.

My Mom and Dad were soulmates (married) together for 57 years! I think that is totally wonderful.

Please, tell us more...........

Joe was married previously to his high school sweetheart. Then there was World War ll, Joe was drafted and spent 4 years in Germany and went through the "Battle Of The Buldge". A daughter was born shortly after he left for Germany. When he came home his wife had found a new love but Joe understood and they remained good friends over the years and shared the daughter equally.

I had no children and Joe had been single for 9 years when we married in 1960. Joe was such a dear man,for the first date he asked me to attend church with him. Then afterward we drove to a park and had hot dogs. How simple can one get ?

In 1960 I was to be moved to Detroit, Mi. for training in the computer field. I had to decide if I wanted my career or Joe. Guess who won ?

The Two Of Us.

In 1958 I was transfered from a Texas defense department,to an Ohio one called Erie Ordinance. As I was conducting a meeting in this large restaurants meeting room, I only noticed a short, fat bald headed man staring at me.

Later on that week a fellow I worked with who was a friend of Joe's wanted to call him and introduce me to him. He said that Joe had seen me at the restaurant and wanted to meet me. All I could see was this short,fat bald headed man. So I told my friend not to bother I definitely was not interested. My friend took it upon himself to invite me out with him and his girlfriend. Then he called Joe--

As I was leaving out in a huff I bumped into this tall dark ,good looking man dressed to the nine's,in a black suit,grey shirt and red tie. As he helped me get myself together ,he said where are you going little girl ? My name is Joe Nale and I am a friend of Fred's.

He wasn't short,fat nor ball-honey he had it all.

Hey this is turning into a book. Lela

Lela, what a nightmare all that must have been! GEEZ, it's hard to believe so much could have gone wrong in such a short period of time!

Did you enjoy the races? Sounds like you are definitely keeping on the move.

I'm curious about something: Would you be interested in telling us something about you and your Joe? Like, where you met; what was the initial attraction?; how long you dated; any kids?; how long married - you know just stuff like your life history!

What was his & your favorite thing to do; his & your favorite foods .. it just helps us to get to know one another better.

I took my "baby" out for a birthday lunch yesterday; he turned "30"!!!!! Don't know how he turned 30 when I'm still only 45. Know where he wanted to go? HOOTERS! Are you familar with that "restaurant"? I had a great time!

Later, Gators!
Janie

On May 28 I had written a check to the U.S.Treasury for my estimate income tax in June. Then my vacation started and I did not return until June 14 .

My bank statement was in the mail and someone had whitewashed that particular check,made the check out to themselves and signed my name. Can you believe that someone could be that dumb ?

The bank insisted I change my checking account into a new account. This was a headache because all my bills went to the bank electronically. We finally got all that done and I was beginning to relax a bit.

Viola !! A trip to Alaska was planned so I proceeded to write a check from a money market account from my broker. The travel agency said they needed a credit card.
Knowing this was a new card , I told her it probably wouldn't go through. She insisted so I took the money from the broker and put it into my checking account at the bank so things would be covered.

Yesterday the fraud department for this bank called me to ask if I was trying to use my credit card for xx amt. I said yes, the travel agency needs that amt. of money.
He then told me that the new credit card did not cover that amount. { pulling hair here}

So this morning after I walk the neighbors dog,off to the bank again to get the amt raised on my credit card and to tell them I plan to write a large check to cover my trip.
There is plenty money there --getting to it is the problem.

The police department has a mug shot of this person and the bank has fingerprints---as for me I am trying to keep people from looking at me as a criminal when I try to purchase things. Off to the races, will report later
as to how things go.

JOE I NEED YOU ...........

Hi Rich,
You have some great ideas to begin with but let's add one more.
Tips on reentering the workforce.

Perhaps others will have more suggestions.

Vicki

Somehow I knew that this would be popular. Now that we have a roof, I want to make some "rooms." Separate topic areas to channel energy and discussions. You all probably know better than me, but...

1. Introduce Yourself
2. Reclaiming Ourselves at Midlife
3. That Crazy World Out There
4. Coping With Loss

What else? Other Ideas?

Sorry it took me so long to check in but I could not decide on what to wear. The place looks nice. Janier, I love your pink sandals, they are sooooooooooooo shiney and sparkle when the sun hits them.

Well its midnight here in Florida and as usual I am wide awake. Have developed a bad habit of starting to read the morning newspaper at 4 pm. Start is all I do because I wake up at somewhere around 9pm.

This is an improvement though. After Joe passed away I was waking up every two hours as if I were still getting up to turn him over.

Will eventually get myself straightened out then no doubt I won't know how to handle that either. Sleep well my friends.

Yeah, Lela, I AM truly a "southern belle". Born and reared in NC.

Personally, I think I just needed a little more "silly" time.

So, I'll sign off now (since I've lost my "ding-a-ling") - while the rest of you get your SHOW ON THE ROAD!

Later, Gators!

Janie Mae,
Are you truly a Southern Belle ? If you are I hate to tell you deary,that you have lost your ding-a-ling .

Lets get this show on the road------- Are you all staying busy and working at getting your life back on track ? What do you do now for yourself ?

I will start. I am doing quiet a bit of traveling and have more on the drawing board.

LELA! LELA! LELA!!


Edith Ann! EA! EA!!


Vicki! Vicki! Vicki!!

Gee, it's pretty neat (healing, in fact) to be SILLY for a change.

Hope I can keep this "mind-set" for a few more days; I sure could use it!!

Janie-Mae

Oh, Vicki! That works great.

So we'll have 'em at EST time and at Calif. time (PST?). I sure do hope you, Lela and EA show up (and anybody else who wants to drop by and say "hey y'all").

I dressed for the "open house" celebration. I have on my pink gauze "flowing" sundressie thing, my huge pink straw hat with all the daisies and my tacky pink sandals with the rhinestones. What?!! They're pretty, really!

I surely hope lots of our friends show up for this special OPEN HOUSE. I've also made pecan pralines for this event, as well as pecan pie (since there is a huge pecan tree right off the veranda.)

Almost forgot about the comfy couches for the naps! How could I forget that - it's the most important part of my day now!! Ofcourse, we'll have them! What color should they be? After all, we can make them whatever we want, right?

Y'all come, now. We'll "leave the light on for you." (with apologies to whoever-it-is) Ha!

Janie-Mae

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: JanieR ]

Janie-Mae,
We should have lots of good books to read. A great sound system and a lot of comfy couches
for our naps.

Mint juleps at 5-ish it is. I will be waiting for everyone. Its only 2:45 in California.

Lela, are you going to be available?

Vicki

Hey, guyzzz! Know what? I sorta feel like the dog that chased the car - then finally CAUGHT it!

I liked the part, Lela, where you said we now have a "roof over our head". That was a pretty good analogy. It felt to me like, we were ALL in this great big house and everybody had their own "room" but me and I didn't know where MY room was. Now we've all found it!

By the way, what should we stock our room with? I suggest a frig., for those cold drinks; a microwave for midnight popcorn and ah .....
any more suggestions?

You all may now refer to me as "Janie-Mae" as I intend to transform myself into a Southern Bell Steel Magnolia.

Mint juleps out on the veranda at 5-ish, anyone?

Janie-Mae

Can't you just smell that purple Wisteria that's climbing on the trellis outside?

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: JanieR ]

HOORAY !!!
Thanks Casey for putting a roof over our head. This is great,now we can cry or tell tall tales or whatever .

This will be our "comfort zone".

Oh Yes ! Thanks Janie . It really doesn't matter what we are called as long as we have a clear identity. All those other topics surely did confuse me.

Rich,
You are a sweetheart! Thank you so much for creating this room for those of us who are no longer caregivers. YIPPIE!

Janie,
Right on! Because of your suggestion I am looking around our new home and I really like what I see! You go girl!

Vicki

Wow! Guess I musta' started something THANKS, GUYS!!!

I am proud to post here (as well as all the other places I've shown up.)

I must agree with Lela in one of her previous posts to the "What's My Name" site -- "I could post X number of times and I still would not continue to be a 'Caregiver'".

This is so very true, Lela. I liked "Survivor"; I liked "Veteran" ... it really doesn't matter to me; I just felt FAKE being labeled "caregiver". Even though, EA hit the nail on the head when she said, "Once a caregiver, always a caregiver." I so much agree with that, too!

So, it's not that I personally won't stay in touch with all the other sites and areas....it's just that I "FEEL" I belong HERE.

Thanks, Rich, for listening to the "little people".

Janie aka survivor aka veteran

[ June 27, 2001: Message edited by: JanieR ]