Family

Some people believe that family is the people that live within their house. Some believe it is their Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents and people they see at the holidays. Some believe that they have friends that are as close as family and include all of the above.

Some people do not know the value of what they have. A family is a support system. A village that will help with anything or everything. The family that wants to be a part of your life and share in your joy and sorrow. Help you get through whatever trouble that you are going through.

Some people think they are an island and are not able to reach out to other islands. No telephone or telegraph, no texting or facebook. They are afraid. Afraid of what could happen. What someone would say worse yet what someone might think or do.

I am sometimes that peron who is afraid. I worry about what someone will say. But I have learned in life sometimes you have to reach out to others for help. It does not make you weak or less able to deal with your own troubles. It just makes you human.

If you think that your family just lives within the four walls of your house, there may not be someone who understands or that you can share your trouble or fear with. Maybe that is who you are fearful of.

Maybe you are limiting yourself and what you can be by not reaching out or up. I am not of the religious type. I am very faithful. Sometimes I just have to believe that things are going to get better. But if I do not make a change nothing is going to get better or worse.

So where am I going. I started this thinking of one person. In the time it has taken to write it I have thought of two others. Not in the same situations. But limiting your family to your house is like saying I only shop at one store or can only see out one window. I want to see out all the windows and I may even want a skylight to look up.

If you are someone who needs help and does nothing. You are always going to be someone that needs help. If you are someone who gets help then you are able to help others. That is me today. Not in every aspect of my life but in most. I try to remember that others have worse problems than me. There are those with more sorrow and more pain and even more fear.

If you have Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents that support you and your endeavors appreciate them and let them know. Return the gift of support. Sometimes a visit or a card could mean the world to a person you assume they know how much they mean to you. I did not mention a text or a facebook message. Put some effort into it. They are your family.

If you live in four walls with someone that you are scared of ask for help. Go out and ask for it. Demand it. Because you deserve a life that you are not afraid. That you are happy. Happy is not a white picket fence and 2.3 kids. Happiness is getting up in the morning and making choices for yourself. Healthy choices, mentally  and physically. Going to bed at night and knowing that you and all that live under your roof are safe and sound and knowing that you will sleep better and wake up tomorrow knowing you deserve happiness.

So tonight I am going to bed knowing that Brian and I are safe and sound. Tomorrow we will get up and go to church and I will think of those that are not. Not safe and sound and those that are no longer with us.

Happy Birthday Lisa.


                            I am thinking of you.

A funny story in Memory of Amber

Funny story about a trip to Sedona with our nieces (Amber and Brittany).

Well a few years ago my sister-in-law Lisa was in a terrible car accident. She was in the hospital  and rehab for about 9 months. Brian and I went to Arizona to help the girls (Amber & Brittany) while Nanny and Poppy had to go back to NC. We visited with the girls and Lisa. We thought that one day we would take the girls to Sedona. They said they had never been. Brian and I had been once before and it was beautiful. We wanted the girls to get away for a day and have some fun with us.

Amber said her car would be fine. We gassed up the car, checked the water and oil and off to Sedona. It was about a 2.5 hours to drive. Well it was going along great. We were about 30 miles outside of Sedona when Brian said, "Jeanne look out the back window." Plumes of black smoke and my first thought was Amber why didn't you say there might be a problem. So I told Brian to pull over at the next exit. He went by. He said,"we can make it." Famous last words. Sputter, sputter, clunk, clunk. He pulled off the highway about 1 mile too late. He goes to the front of the car and lifts the hood. The next thing we all see is flames shooting up the windshield. I told the girls, grab whatever you can and go up the hill. Brian wanted me to pull the hood release again after he dropped the hood at the suprize of flames. I pulled alright. I pulled the hood release and about 4 feet of cable. Either it had already melted or I did't know my own stregnth. Either way we could not get the hood up. The car was on fire and the windshield wipers started going, winshield fluid was spraying on its own, both front and back. It was so scary, it was funny.

Now here comes a guy with a radio and a gun on his hip. God I hope he is a cop? I sat with the girls up the hill in the shadow of a cactus, with all the worldly belongings of an 18 year old in a couple black garbage bags. The fire department came, a state trooper came. Once the fire was no longer a worry, I thought hmmm. How to we get anywhere from here. We are in the middle of the desert with 2 black garbage bags full of belongings and 2 hours away from anyone we know.  Did I mention a 1 liter bottle of water between the 4 of us. Not my brightest move. Which I was holding onto for dear life.

Well the State Trooper, Thank God had been through this a time or two before. He gave me a number for the closest rental car agent. Told me to explain what happened and even though they close early on the weekend they would wait for us to get there. Great but how are we getting there. The Trooper said that he would take me and 1 girl in his car to the rental agency and the tow truck driver would take Brian and the other to next exit back. There was a Denny's and they could wait there for me to pick them up.

So after the fire department hosed down the car it was put on a flat bed. The trooper explained if they don't get the fire completely out that as the tow truck drives away the wind will fan the smoldering flames underneath the hood and the whole car could catch on fire cruising down the interstate. (Of course it had just happened last week.)

Brittany and I got in the car with the trooper and now I am feeling faint. I am trying to hold everything together but I have finished off the bottle of water. The trooper said he would stop at a store so we could get more. But before we went anywhere and after Brittany and I were securely in the back seat of the cruiser he asked for my id. I laughed and said, "Wouldn't that be funny you already have me in the back seat and find out that I am wanted." He said, "I have had it happen before." So once convinced that I am not wanted and a pit stop for water. The State Trooper drives us to Sedona. Brittany and I admired the scenery along the way. The trooper was a regular tour guide. He knew everything about the area and shared stories as we drove. He waited until we came out to make sure we were ok and able to get a car. (The guy was awesome. And yes, I mailed a thank you note when we got back to Florida.)

Brittany and I hopped into the rental car and off we were to get Brian and Amber back at Denny's. So there they sit in a booth. In the middle of the afternoon with 2 black garbage bags of belongings. Brian said everyone looked at them when they walked in the door. He actually showed the waitress he had money because she looked at them like a couple homeless people.

We all got a bite to eat and then we finished our trip to Sedona.  The scenery along the way was beautiful. Red rock everywhere. My favorite view of Snoopy mountain that looks like Snoopy laying on top of the dog house. The town itself had lots of shops. We walked around took some pictures. We had a great time. As we drove back towards home we were not sure how Lisa was going to take the news of the car fire but I said, it will be ok. She will see that everyone is fine and we will have to wait to find out how the car will be.

Just to finish off the story. Lisa was concerned but happy we were all ok. The car did not make it. Hugo and Amber went back to see the car after the insurance adjusted said it was totalled.

We now have memories to last a lifetime with our 2 nieces we don't get to see often.  

I tell this story today because September 14 would be Amber's 24th birthday and I miss her and her mom and Lilly. I did not ever meet Jim but feel sad for the loss. And to send a Hug to Brit. So we all remember sometimes even hard times become great memories when you are looking through the rearview mirror of life. 

Happy Birthday Amber!

Vacation

Well, I was told by my sister that knows everything that the title that came across on her phone the other night was Day One Abuse. Well I do not want anyone to think that I am abused. Mentally self tortured yes but abused no.

So today I thought while still new at this I would change the name. Sunshine and Shadows is a more accurate name for what I want to share. I do have happy moments and sad ones.

I want to share both. I love to travel when given the time and money. Trust me I would find the time if I had the money.

So a little more about me.

Top 5 outdoor activities

Kayaking/Rafting/Canoeing/Tubing down a river.
Sailing
Swimming in a pool or at the beach. (But please do not get my ears wet.)
Walking on a nature trail. (without mesquitos)
Outdoor photography


Top 5 places I have been.

Mammoth Cave Kentucky
Cumberland Island Georgia
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
New York City
Bardstown, Kentucky


I love to cruise. Pack your bags get on a ship enjoy yourself. That simple. Get off the ship if you want. Sleep and eat the day away if you want. Do anything or nothing.

Been on a number of ships. Love Royal Caribbean. The last ship we were on had an Adult Swimming pool that was enclosed. My favorite Princess ship had a Piano Bar that we spent every evening at.
Played music trivia and Name that Tune.

On our last cruise I did the unheard of. I got up in front of a lounge full of strangers and played Don't forget the Lyrics. 8 contestants. I came in 2nd. I think it was rigged for the old guy to win.

For those of you who know me this is unbelievable. I still carry my medal I won on my key chain. I had to sing 3 songs.

1. King of the Road. (first learned the song in band in 7th grade)
2. Pina Colada Song (doesn't everyone know the words)
3. I can not remember. Was surprised myself by being able to get it.

I was last to go. As people started I thought well I will not be too embarrassed. I will get out on the first round and sit down and know the words to every other song. But as soon as the music started both Brian and I know that we had that one no problem.

With King of the Road I had every old person in the lounge singing along. Same with Pina Colada song. The ranking was by applause. The old guy just beat me out.

To this day I have never any other time stood up and sang in front of a group. But that night it was fun.

So on this holiday from work. I will think about some of the best places I have been on vacation. Hope at some point today you will too. That is why we all work so hard anyway isn't it. So we have some money and time to do something we love.

Happy Labor Day