He Stopped Loving Her Today....

When I first heard about George Jones dying today, I immediately had some memories come flooding back. My mother loved country music, and my passion has always been rock and roll. There are a few country songs that I really like and the song by George Jones, He Stopped Loving Her Today, was my favorite by him. I remember my mother was in the car with me and that song came on. I listened to the words that day and I told my mother, the man in the song died! My mother said, well haven’t you ever listened to the words? I told her no. I said that’s one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. It still has remained one of my favorites. Another time I watched a music video with my mother at her house. It was by Martina McBride and it’s called Freedom Rings. I had only heard the chorus on the Hannity and Combs radio broadcast. I couldn’t believe it was about domestic violence. Of course my mother told me the history of it. Another time I taught a friend of mine how to do makeup on some children who were doing a benefit for a man. Well, I knew this man’s name and the only person I knew by that name is a preacher. I couldn’t understand why this particular school was doing the benefit down at the Tivoli for him. I was down there the night of the benefit to help and then they announced that the “guest” was also going to wear the makeup that I sold. I was amazed to say the least. Well, my friend told me that I could stay for the benefit and I thought I would at least stay for the first part. The principal of the school came out and announced that he had known this man since he was in the second grade and followed his career. I thought how could that be, the principal is too young and the man I know is at retirement age. Well, when the “guest” came out I nearly fell out of my seat. He was an up and coming country music star. The next day I went over to my mother’s house and asked her if she knew this guy. She proceeded to tell me his history and how good he is. I then told her what had happened and I had wished I had told her. She would have loved to have been there. Well, I have other memories, but I have thought a lot about my mother today and how she always straightened me out on “who is who” in the country music world. But, I still have “He Stopped Loving Her Today” on my mind. DR 4/26/13

Get Over It

I heard these words the other day and they really hit home for me. I know I have written before that I am the queen of pity parties. I don’t know why I do that. I don’t even appear that way in public. I hide it really well. I’ll give an example: Last week was my birthday. I couldn’t have had a better day. I had so many “happy birthdays” from friends and relatives, phone calls, text messages, private messages on face book, and even a friend called and sang to me. I had a wonderful lunch with my daughter and that evening a wonderful dinner with my family. I love having fun and being with people. After we had dinner, I went over and spent time at their house and laughed and talked. Then I got into my car and headed home—I cried all the way home. I even asked myself why, why do I do this? I have nothing to cry about. I have a good life, wonderful friends, so why do I do this? I know the reason and it can’t be corrected—at least not bringing someone back from the dead. I so hate going home to my empty house. So, I need to just “get over it.” Now every time something happens that I think is not right or if I think that life is not fair to me, I’m saying, “Diane, just get over it.” There are so many things that are right. So, why do we tend to dwell on the things that we think are not right in our lives? I don’t know. Each day brings new challenges into our life. We need to look at each one and see if we can correct the problem or how we are going to let it affect us or how we can deal with it. Don’t look at the other person with envy and jealousy of what they have. We really don’t know what goes on inside of them. Who would ever know that I would let things get to me and cry so much? Who would ever know how depressed I get or how lonely I get and feel sorry for myself? You need to do what I am starting to do—just get over it! DR 4/18/13

You Never Know....

I had a wonderful time for my birthday, but when I got home, I realized that I had not heard from a friend in a few weeks. I was used to talking to him a lot. His mother had recently died and we talked about what he was going to do. The last time I talked to him I knew he was pretty distraught, but I was also caught up in my new office change. I thought of him late at night and would send him a private message, and I really thought it odd that he didn’t call because he always did. Well, this time I thought I should go to his face book page. I couldn’t believe it, he died a few weeks ago. I didn’t know and I am still upset about it. Why didn’t I stay in better contact with him? I knew he was upset. I read that he had a heart attack. He walked all of the time. He was thin. How could this happen? I still can’t believe that he’s gone and I’ll never talk to him again. I feel so awful. Then today, I heard some news that a close friend that lives up here on the mountain died. I was upset all day about her. My cousin and I talked about it and we said how we should have called her. Then we learned that the person who told that information was wrong and our friend is alive. How relieved we are. My cousin called her and told her what we had heard and how relieved we are that she’s ok. We never know when we may die, or when someone we really care about will die. We need to listen to that little voice inside of us that reminds us to call that person, go see that person, or just check to see if they’re ok. Why do we get so busy that we don’t take time to do that? I know that I always promise myself that I’m going to do better, and then I slip into that “busy” mode again. Oh God, please help me to reach out to the people I care about and let them know that I really do care about them. I hope you do the same. DR 4/13/13

What I Miss

In life we take so many things for granted. I know I took my husband for granted. He always told me that after he was gone, I would realize all of the things he did for me. Well, tonight I started thinking about what I am missing. He always wrote me poems on my birthday, valentine’s, and our anniversary. I couldn’t wait to see what he would come up with. I have them all in a notebook. I told him that I loved them better than any card that he could have picked out. I really liked the following poem: “My dearest, my darling, my – well you know the rest, You’ve made me so happy, cause you are the best, You’ve worked and you’ve suffered for me everyday, In appreciation for you, I’ve this to say, I desire you, I adore you, my lover, my all, I’d rather be with you, than at the poolhall. I love you, Charles” He always called me “My dearest, my darling, my lover, my all”, and he called me “Dar” for short. Charles never was the normal person. Everything he did was different and unique, even what he called me. You know, I am not and never have been a favorite of pet names. I have never wanted to be called honey or baby, but I loved being called “Dar”. A lot of times he would say the entire thing and yes, I miss hearing it. I especially liked this birthday poem because I know how much he loved shooting pool. I hope they have pool tables in heaven—just saying. DR 4/11/13

My Crazy Life

I used to live such a dull life. I really did. Talk about a rut, mine was really deep. I have a friend who told me recently that I’m more fun to watch than Days of Our Lives, she calls it Days of Diane. Well, I wouldn’t go that far, but I have to admit my life is at times a little crazy, or should I say that maybe I’m a little crazy, lol. Life is too short to not find fun and humor in everything. I love to laugh and maybe do some crazy things at times. I think we should laugh more, be more active, do more things. I think a lot of people are scared to step out of their comfort zone. When I decided to step out of my “box”, I have to admit it was pretty scary. I would be putting myself out there to be criticized, analyzed, judged, and maybe some other adjectives I can’t think of right now. I have come to the realization that if I do something to make you laugh, then I have accomplished something. If we can’t have fun, then just dry up and sit there and be your own morbid self. Life is for living. Life is for helping someone else to know that there is more to life than just being worried all of the time. Get out there and have fun. Last night I had my daughter in my car and I think I really scared her with some of my driving. I like to drive fast (I hope no policemen are reading this) but I am a careful driver. I looked at her last night and said, I sure don’t drive like Granny, do I? Of course, I was talking about my mother who was afraid to get on the interstate and thought if she went over 35 miles an hour she was speeding. Christi said no, you’re nothing like her. She said she always wondered if she would ever arrive at where they were heading when she was with my mother. With me, she wonders if she will arrive there alive and in one piece. Oh, I’m really not that bad. Although, I do remember one day when Becky chose three men agents to ride in my car, including my broker, (we did this every Tuesday to view houses that had just been listed) that when we were heading to my car, I turned around and they all had on motorcycle helmets. I asked, why helmets? They responded, we’re riding with you! Well, I know they were kidding even when we returned and one of the men kissed the ground when he got out of my car. Do you think that got me off from having people in my car on tour, no. Also, I’m not that bad. Anyway, I don’t think so. Take a ride with me this summer in my convertible and you’ll see. Well, just ask my Kristin. She was always ready to ride with me last summer. I really hope she is going to ride with me again this summer. We had a ball. Well, I did have a guy to ride with me. Ok, so what if he was only 48 and liked me. I’ve already said I like men younger than me. I told him when he got into my car he should fear for his life. He said, but you promised that you wouldn’t put me out anywhere. I said, yes I did promise you that, but I drive fast and I play my music loud. He was ok with that. He said he was really surprised that I like Blondie. For those of you who have never heard of Blondie, she was a rock singer in the 70’s or 80’s. We had a few dates until he moved back to Kentucky. That was fun, but he was a little too young. I’ve said all of this to say that sometimes we need to let go and have fun. I know I am. DR 3/30/13

Freedom

Today I was talking to my daughter and she was telling me that she is going to prepare a talk, and she named off three different titles. When she said freedom, I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to write about my freedom. Have you ever thought about the word “freedom.” What exactly does it mean for you? I guess I’m in a situation that may be different from yours. I don’t answer to anyone. Well, I do have an angry little Yorkie at times if I stay away from home too long. But, she is easy to please. She’s always happy to see me come home and as long as she has food and water, she’s happy. My freedom is that I can go anywhere, do anything, and buy anything I want. I can also not cook or cook some strange concoctions just for me. I’m usually always watching what I eat, so I don’t eat like the normal person. I can also watch tv in bed, keep my glasses on, and fall asleep without anyone waking me up to tell me to turn the tv off or you’d better take those glasses off. I have been known to make midnight runs to WalMart. I can go on trips to anywhere I choose without asking anyone if I can go. Well, my list could go on and on. I guess it sounds like the perfect life, but it isn’t always. I didn’t mention that sometimes it’s a lonely life, but most of the time I don’t even mind that. I’m beginning to get set pretty much in some of my own ways. Freedom, what does that mean to you? DR 3/28/13

Things I Hate to Do

I closed myself up for the past two days to do my taxes. I don’t know why I hate this project so bad, but I do it every year. I don’t procrastinate about many things, but this one I do big time! I always have to make the appointment with my CPA to ensure that my taxes will be done. I am also a pack rat. I remember a few years ago Charles asked our CPA how long we should keep copies of our taxes. I believe David said about seven years. Then Charles said, so, Diane can start destroying her taxes from 1963? I was so embarrassed. But, we all laughed. We had a big bonfire a few days later. I really hated to see those records go up in flames. I don’t know about you, but another thing I hate to do is go to the doctor, and especially to get blood work. Last week I had to get blood work. I didn’t dread it too much since the lady had no trouble the previous time. Well, this time she did. I have small veins and they roll. She had to get 3 vials of blood. She was able to get one vial out of my left arm and then she started hunting for another vein on my right arm. She took the blood out of a vein at my wrist. I had a large bruise on the left arm. One time it took five people to try to get my blood. I pity the poor vampire, if there are any such people, to try to get my blood! I know there are some other things that I hate to do, but right now all I can think about is that I have to go see my CPA tomorrow. He knows me like a book. He’s been doing our taxes for 30 years. I hope he never retires. I would hate to have to break in a new CPA. DR 3/26/13