Monday, May 27, 2013

The Witch of The Pines

Legend has it that many, many years ago a wicked witch resided in the Land Where the Dandelions Grow.   She lived high on a hill in a tiny little house that could barely be seen through the pines and always, always kept one of her evil eyes focused squarely on the residents of the little cottages that lined the lake shore below.

I don't believe she had a wart on her chin or a cauldron filled with fish eyes and toadstools bubbling away in her fire place, but there was a step-son whom it is said she could have treated more kindly.  It was also rumored that after the wife of one of the cottage people passed away she would swoop down the hill on her broom late at night to comfort the bereaved widower.

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The Witch of the Pines was long gone before I arrived in the Land Where The Dandelions Grow so I can only speak of legend.  But I know one thing for certain,  some beautiful rhododendrons have grown and thrived in the ashes of her evil ways.

Perhaps her heart had a soft spot after all.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Let The Fun Begin

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Still painting.

Still rearranging.

All boxes unpacked.

Only one item remains in the barn to be brought down to the house.

The dock and the boat are in the water.

Let the fun begin.




Monday, May 20, 2013

She Did It

Nursing school isn't easy.  I know.  I did it.  The thing is that when I started down that road I was eighteen with nothing on my plate but school (and men).  My job was to do the best that I could and successfully complete three years of training, graduate and hopefully find employment.  There were ups and downs along the way but mostly it was full speed ahead with big RN spotlighted at the finish line.

Not so for her.

At the age of forty she found herself unexpectedly standing in the unemployment line.  The good paying job with one of the top freight companies in the country nothing but a bittersweet memory.  There she was, a single Mom with two growing boys to feed and clothe, car payments to make and a house to maintain. What was she to do?

After a year of trauma, drama and a fruitless job search I received this phone call:

Her:  Aunt Sue,  I have made a decision.  I'm going to nursing school.

Me:  Silence.

Me:  More silence, as I attempted to pick my jaw up off the floor where it had dropped in shock.

Her:  Aunt Sue?  Are you there?

Me:  I'm here.  Just trying to wrap my head around this.

Her:  You don't think it's a good idea?

Me:  I think it's a great idea.  But, but....you can't stand hospitals or the sight of blood or anything that is remotely related to nursing.  Do you think you can do this?

Her:  I can.  I don't ever want to be unemployed again.

And so it began.  Armed with little more than guts and gumption and weighed down by a backpack overflowing with responsibilities her  journey towards the coveted RN commenced.

There were trials along the way, both at home and at school.  But with a small village of supporters to lean on in the bad times she pulled herself up and persevered.  It was one step at time; one day at a time.

I remember one particular phone call just about a year ago.  She was finishing up her most difficult semester.  There was too little time.  Too little cash.  Too little of her to go around.  She was going to quit.  She just couldn't do it any longer.  I'll spare you the details of that lengthy conversation, but it is one I will remember always.

She didn't quit.

She turned the corner and found that big bright RN firmly in place waiting for her at the finish line.

Last week, with her village of supporters present, she crossed that finish line.  No, that's not quite right, she sprinted, with a smile as big as Texas and her boys by her side.  Not only did she finish but she did so in grand style.  She had been nominated by her instructors and voted on by her peers to be the key note speaker at graduation.

She did it her way.  With steadfast determination, hard work and a quirky sense of humor.  She walked the walk and now talks the talk of a nurse.  Along the way she set an example of commitment and strength of character for her boys that will last a life time.

As she led her class of graduate nurses out of the auditorium with that smile firmly in place I thought back on that long ago phone call and wondered how I ever doubted her.

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Today she she starts her new job.  The one with a title that has initials on the end.

I think she knows this but it doesn't hurt to tell her again.

Congratulations Jodi.  I couldn't be more proud of you or love you any more if you were my own.




Saturday, May 18, 2013

Not Quite Ready For Prime Time

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Did you think I forgot about you?  Got lost on the way north?  Or worse yet, that The Kid got tired of my chatter and left me stranded and alone on the side of the road?

Fortunately none of the aforementioned took place. (Although it was touch and go for awhile on the stranded and alone on the side of the road scenario. It is a long drive from Florida to Pennsylvania.)  We arrived at the lake two weeks ago, hit the ground running, and haven't yet come up for air yet.

We found Little Red all grown up but not quite ready for prime time.  I can tell you that she is beautiful.  Darn near perfect.  Her new rooms flow well and have added the storage space we so desperately needed.  She retains enough of the old to maintain the charm that grabbed hold of my heart three years ago yet she is clean and bright and warm and cozy and very much updated.

Sigh.

I love her.

And now the fun begins.  The walls were left primed as I have a difficult time choosing paint colors from a distance.  Thus I have had a paint brush in hand almost every day for two weeks.  I'm not finished yet, but making progress.  Also the yard is a MESS.  There is a 20 foot radius of dirt and debris around the house that we are in the process of grading and raking in preparation for seed and straw.  Hopefully that task will be completed before next weekend.  There are big plans for the exterior but unfortunately no funds  to execute those plans immediately.  Walkways and patios will be added over the next few summers, which means those plans will be revised and changed numerous times before they are finished.

I promise pictures will be forthcoming once I get the last of the paint on the walls and the remainder of our things moved down from the barn where they have been stored for the past eight months.  It's all in the details people.

Details take time.