New Beginnings

After my husband and my mother died, I really didn't know what to do with my life. I could have just sat in my nightgown and stared at the four walls forever. I felt like my life was over. But my best friend for the past 54 years, ut oh I'm telling my age, gave me a daily devotional book entitled "New Beginnings." I thought at first, oh great, just what I need another daily devotional book. I finally opened this book, the introduction began to read, "As you graduate to the next phase of life, you've got decisions to make...lots of them." It talked about I was about to embark upon my next grand adventure.

I have to admit that I could not imagine that my life would start a new "grand" adventure without my husband, especially. I could tell him anything--if I dreaded something, if I didn't know how to handle a situation--he would always put a funny twist on it and I would laugh and go on. Now, my only outlet is my new puppy, Chloe, and she listens, but I just don't get any feedback except her cuddling next to me and licking my arm.

People have told me it would take time. I thought I was prepared. You're never prepared. My husband even had everything fixed or replaced at her home so I would be ok. Guess what, it seemed like everything started messing up--three toilets and something wrong with each one of them. Well, my new handyman is my cousin next door, Leon. Well, I do try to fix things myself and then I have to give up. I wish I had paid more attention when Charles told me how to fix something. Oh well, Leon, I need HELP! He's right over. There are 5 widows at the end of our street. I'm the youngest and Leon is helping all of us. I don't know what we will all do if something happens to Leon. I guess we'll be at Home Depot or Lowes taking some of those classes.

Each day I wake up, it is a new day and I can truthfully say that I am on the way to being happy again and looking forward to new things and new challenges. Now, I didn't say that I can get into any of my husband's clothes, tools, or his other personal effects. In time, I will be able to do that also.

If you are someone who has lost someone you love, there is hope. Give yourself time. Give yourself time to mourn. My friend of 54 years called and shared a verse with me, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Yes, I am having fun again. Thank you Charles for my convertible with xm radio. If you see a white haired lady in a white convertible with oldies playing very loudly speeding down the freeway, watch out, that's probably me!

NightMare Tax Free Weekend

Tax free weekend began Friday, but my daughter and I finally managed to get everyone together today (Sunday). Things started off rather peacefully. We ate at the Steak and Shake, and from there it began to be "Nightmare Tax Free Weekend." This is August and you would have thought it was Christmas Eve. My grandson, Christopher, is entering college and I had promised him a new laptop computer. We decided to wait until the tax free weekend. Our first stop was to Best Buy. The crowd was unbelievable. For the first time, we had to take a number. There was a guy standing there with a microphone calling out the numbers and would not let you pass until your number was called. We were number 31. Sounds pretty good until you realize we waited about 45 minutes for us to go back and talk to the salesperson about the computer we had already picked out. Our little guy had us so confused about the purchase, because he kept adding things on and when we would ask about a certain item the price would change and it seemed he was telling us a different story. We finally said we had to leave to talk about it. We left and went across the street to Office Depot. We found a better laptop computer and a guy who really knew what he was talking about. Then we had to stand in line about 30 minutes.

Our next stop was to the mall. I believe everyone in our city was there. If they weren't, they were trying to get in. We finally found a parking space and then entered the mall. I almost was run over by a train traveling around in the crowded mall with little children. We were dodging people constantly.

We finally made another purchase in a store (my younger grandson needed some new jeans) and we started our journey back to the car.

I just don't believe the journey was worth saving a few dollars, plus the temperature was almost 100 degrees, plus the gas that was used. I had parked my car and we were all in my daughter's van.

When we came back to my car, I just wanted to kiss it I was so glad to see it.

I never want to be a part of "Tax Free Weekend" ever again.