"Congratulations Class of 2009!!!"

"CLASS OF 2009"

All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose....Brian Tracy

Summer

To see the Summer Sky Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie … True Poems flee” ~Emily Dickinson

There is a smell in the air, it's summer again! I love it!! The air smells of fresh cut grass, trees are full with new foliage as new flowers bloom in the garden. The sky is so blue with white, fluffy clouds and the sun beams down with gentle heat. Many live for this time of year. It's like a 'new beginning' for everyone. Nothing seems unobtainable, the sky is the limit! Fresh-faced graduates are facing a new phase of their lives. Little ones are leaving school for their yearly vacations. Everyone is happy!

Just the music from birds warbling brings back memories that were securely tucked away in our brains. Mine would have to be "My First Kiss". I was 13, Rodney was too. It was softball season and I had moved from the street I grew up on. I only moved six blocks away. One clear, summer night I was in my old neighborhood and it was time to go home. Rod offered to walk me halfway. As we walked, he was dressesd in his baseball uniform, I was in shorts and a T-shirt. We talked about the fun we had that day.
He gently hugged me with laughter and before I knew it, he was kissing me! Every hormonal circuit in me shot to high voltage. It was so innocent, so unexpected but yet so sweet....

Memorial Day Thoughts...

This past weekend like every year was a holiday. One in which pools, beaches & summer water parks open. Interestingly, it kicks off summer activities. Being outdoors again, summer BBQ, family & friends get together. Stores go wild with super sales for this holiday. Granted our economy needs the boost every chance it gets... But for me, it's not a weekend that I find I celebrate. It is a day granted by our government for remembering the young men and women who for years have fought for our freedom in war and gave their lives. For me this is not a 'happy thought'. I find the fact that my Uncle Nick (never had the chance to meet) who was shot down in his fighter plane during WW ll and lost his life not something I can celebrate about. I lost the chance to meet a very nice man. He gave his life at such a young age, never married, had children or came home to his family ever again. I had a very large Italian family growing up on my mother's side. Many aunts, uncles & scores of cousins. Every Sunday was a family get-together. He missed that too.

Every day on the news I am reminded of those that are losing their lives in Iraq. I hate it. I want our men & women to come home. I think enough is enough. And I think that if anyone can put the word 'Happy' before Memorial Day is not thinking about what this day is really meant for. I see no happiness in losing loved ones. I know people get anxious for summer to arrive but I wish the government would use the day in June when summer begins to be a holiday and change our country's outlook on Memorial Day. This year summer officially begins on June 21st. at 11:45A (EDT). That Sunday is also 'Father's Day'. Why not give 'Dads' that Monday off instead, the hard-working ones would welcome it. Even an extra day off from work for 'Moms' isn't a bad idea either. I just know that this weekend I spent my time reflecting on lost loved ones and thoughts of the many new widows and children who have suffered the loss of a parent due to the war we are fighting right now. Our U.S.government needs to wake-up! This is NOT a holiday one should be celebrating. It's very disrespectful...


Carol Cusick

MemorialDay

"You are gone, but on this day;

Remembered"

-Carol Cusick

"What is Normal?"

Yesterday, I was talking to my friend who is a bit older than me. She is always at me about the fact that I don't go out much. I don't understand why people who find out that you like being home have issue with that. I enjoy my home and being in it. Gone are the days of chasing after small kids, taking them to school, picking them up, grocery shopping, running errands, working two jobs and caring for an elderly Aunt & Uncle. Also, trying to maintain friendships, deal with single motherhood, a nasty ex-husband and still date. I was always on the go when I was younger. Frankly, I am happy with my life.

There are times I miss from my younger years but my health prevents me from doing certain things. I have grown accustomed to being limited to some degree but I don't think I am abnormal because I like to be home. I no longer live close to any of my long-time friends and their lives are busy. I am no longer in the working world but I find I really do not miss it. I am so tired of people questioning me about being home so much and trying to turn me into a head-case with Agoraphobia. I Do Not have that illness!!!

I go out when I want to. I am not afraid to go out. I have a very caring, sweet man for a husband who has a great sense of humor and is very loving. He would never prevent me from doing something I wanted to do. He has always advocated any endeavor I took on. My son, Kyle is great company after school but I make sure he has his alone time too. After school we talk a little, he gets a snack, does homework and then proceeds to finish his day as he sees fit. Seems normal to me. I spend my day as I see fit. I think if the men in the white suits had to be called to get me to go to the doctor's office or the store, out to dinner..."Then Houston, we have a problem!" But, right now, I am content to stay home, end of story...

"The In-Law Taboo"

I've been up all night trying to figure out why there is this thing I call "The In-law Taboo"?
Often I've thought about writing a book about it. It's like an automatic response that you are not supposed to like your In-laws. I've heard of people who have wonderful relationships with their in-laws, but my life doesn't work that way no matter how hard I try. I'm not talking about my husband's parents, although that has been bumpy at times, I have survived it. I'm relaying how awful it feels that my DIL dislikes me! I have never done a thing to her. He's changed completely toward me. I don't even know him anymore. This has gone on for 3 years out of 4.

Believe it or not this started over a Christmas Ham that I was late bringing to their house 3 years ago. Since then she has held a grudge against me and turned him on me as well. We didn't speak for over a year, then I begged him to be back in my life in Feb. and we are on speaking terms. For awhile it seemed to be straight. But...he very rarely comes here without her, he rides past my house at least 4 times a day as his business is on the other end of my street but he won't stop to see me. He never calls, he has told me not to call him, I am to email him. Before DIL, we were close and I couldn't have asked for a better person that I could call 'my son'. Now, it's gone. It's like in his eyes, I don't exist. I have fought with myself over why he allowed this to happen. I have done everything possible to repair my relationship with him and her but it just gets worse. I feel like he now just plain avoids me. I knew that once he married, they become one and he cleaves to her but no place in the bible says he should ignore his parents. I have kept my mouth shut (not easy for me) on numerous occasions and basically been told if I do see him, it's on his terms. Well...I don't even see him! I saw him the weekend before Mother's Day. Every holiday they are busy.

I ask myself should I just blow him off as well or what do I do? His wife speaks to me only if she has to and it seems very icy and cold through gritted teeth. I wish with all my heart she would just say what it is I did to really make her hate me. If I only knew...I would do whatever it would take to regain the friendship we once had. I never knew I could shed so many tears and be so hurt by something such as this. Usually, I can just move on but I can't get past it. Is it true? Is there In-law Taboo? Any comments left would be appreciated. There is way more to this but being disabled, it's too hard to go into all of it. I just know I am getting more and more depressed by it. I feel like an alien at times...