Issue X August 18th 2002
Editorial.
Hi Folks,
Well Junior has arrived back home....with an American accent!! Puzzled me for a while when I asked him things like, "Would you like a glass of milk with your dinner?" and the answer was "Sure!" Normally here we get either a 'Yes' or a 'No'. He has a glorious tan which contrasts with the colour of the rest of us, which is rust. Yep, folks still a dreadful summer here.
So with all the sprogs together again the full demolition team in back in form. How on earth do they manage to completely pull off the door handle on the kitchen door is beyond me! (Perhaps a ploy to get out of doing the dishes!) Now I know that blue and white towels are considered fashionable in some areas, perhaps thats why they splashed bleach on some of mine for those interesting thought-provoking ink blot patterns.
I must admit I never knew they were so interested in science until I delved below middle sprog's bed and discovered his fascinating mould collection in old coffee cups. Junior has a different tactic, he collects his on apple cores. Senior sprog was attempting to collect his on owl socks <pheww> but I think they take a while longer to mature, though his collection *was* pretty ripe.
Now Senior Sprog informs me he intends to head across the pond again, to visit a friend (of the female variety). Not too sure how I feel about that, seems like only yesterday I was potty training him. I remember it well, he took forever, all those hours spent holding a bright blue potty under a certain part of his anatomy. Him giggling, thinking this was a wonderful game where he had Mummies full attention. Then giggling even more when he ran off and decorated my carpet! Having three male babies was when I discovered that that extra lil' bit they own has a mind of it's own! Honestly! I soon became the fastest nappy (diaper) changer in the country. At one time I thought they were all destined to become Firemen when they grew up. BTW pee does *not* make a good shampoo!
<sigh> just listening to the kitchen door knob hitting the floor again.
I am happy to report that we have received a further update on Cousin Clem's trip to Germany. It's hilarious!!
I hope your all having a wonderful summer folks! See you all next month!
Any comments. articles, tips etc, please mail to LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
Lynda [Editor]
Contents.
Editorial.........................................................................Lynda
Line in the Sand............................................................Raca
Pas Auf, Deutschland, Der Clem Gekommen.............Cruise
Wrenched Thoughts.....................................................Wrench
A bit of Freedom...........................................................Raca
"Lil bits" from Ma'am..................................................Maureen
Happi News...................................................................Happi
So often we here decisions made based actions by another. "I won’t be her friend she likes...." or ‘ I will have nothing to do with you if you marry outside your church, your nationality, your race, your social status and on and on and on.
I remember hearing a comment from a man I respected about his daughters pending marriage, " I will never have some snot nosed half breed on my lap calling me grandpa."
How often do we find ourselves drawing such a "line in the sand" in our personal relationships? How often have we drawn a line that keeps us out of a grown child’s life? Killing the possibility of being in a grandchild’s life. Missing the face and voice of a child you co created with God.
Why do we feel we can set up "rules" that cannot be broken for any reason. Leaving no room for situations, mistakes and all those lifetime events. Deciding the path of another person is surly not God’s way. Our maker gave us paths to follow, a guide for a happy life. He also gave us the right to sin, to make errors, to partake of the forbidden fruit. The choice is ours.
He also gave us the gift of forgiveness. Do we offer the same? Do we lead our children or try to force them to be a perfect person by our standards?
Young children want and need guidance and rules . It is our place to provide them with such help. They will rebel against these rules as they get older. That is so natural or they would never leave home. I once heard a speech where it was said the reason teenagers we so hard to live with was so we wouldn’t mind when they left home to be on their own. Perhaps there is truth in his statement.
If we want our grown children to be our friends we must realize we need to start erasing some of those lines in the sand. Accept their actions as adults. Perhaps you may hate the sin, but love the sinner. I learned this from drawing the line with one my daughters.
I told this beautiful young woman "have a great life" and walked away. She will have nothing to do with me now. From others I have learned she is a wonderful mother raising a little grandchild I have never seen.
My friend who made the remark about a half breed grandchild? A few months later he brought a beautiful mixed race grandchild to the office for us to all see. He was adult enough to erase a line in the sand before it did too much damage. .Are we?
Cousin Clem is in a snit. He wanted to write the account of his trip to Germany but Bessie and I wouldn't let him. We read his account and it was filled with fabrications and exaggerations. So, with the help of Bessie, here is the true account of their trip.
If you'll recall, Fritz, Clem's German born neighbor, offered to take Clem and Bessie to Germany, at his expense, to visit Fritz's relatives.Clem had never set foot outside Blue Ridge County before so this was quite a unique experience for both him and Bessie.
Fritz and his wife Helga picked Clem and Bessie up and drove them to Charleston, West Virginia. Fritz would house his car at the airport's garage.
This all took place in late September of last year after the 9/11 event. I asked
Clem if he had any apprehension about flying so soon after the catastrophe.
He replied, "I shur 'nuff feel poorly 'bout all those good folks bein'
done in like they wuz. 'Minds me of the '36 flood in Johnstown when the dam
broke and plumb wiped out the whole valley. I ain't never flew in one of
these big birds so I don't rightly know if I'm skeered or an idjet."
Going through airport security was very near the end to the whole trip.
Clem emptied his pockets as requested and there was his prize possession, his
jackknife. Now if Clem's a terrorist, the Pope isn't Catholic. When they took
that jackknife from Clem, according to Bessie, here is what he said with his
fist in the face of the attendant:
"Thars nary but two things in this here world that I give a damn about. That's my Bessie and my jackknife. And I ain't fixin' to give you either one."
Well that brought a raft of people to the scene. A supervisor gently pulled
Clem aside and explained the reasons why he could not take the knife on board.
He further stated that the knife would be sealed in a packet and
stored in the airport's safe until he returned. Bessie wouldn't allow me to
repeat some of the things he said but he did, at last, relent.
Finally aboard, they flew to Kennedy where they boarded a 747 to Munich.
Clem was much more relaxed now that he had experienced his first flight. Safely
airborne over the Atlantic, Fritz and Clem were able, for the first
time to sit down together and talk.
.
Fritz began, " So Clem, vat you tink now of flying uber the ocean?"
Clem peered out the window and offered his opinion. "Derndest big pond I ever seed. You reckon thars any catfish in there?"
"Ach, my lieber Clem, there be fishes in there almost as gross vie dis airplane. Vat you tink of dat?"
"I'm athinkin' this here aeroplane best make it to tother side of
this pond. Hand me down that satchel above yore noggin thar Fritz and we'll
have a snort of squeezins which I snuck in. Iffin I might end up in this here
pond
and end up in the innards of some big fish, I'll feel a mite bit more tolerable
than that Jonah feller did."
After a few good swigs, the two buddies laid back their seats and enjoyed a good nap.
.......To be continued
Cruise
Wrench
A BIT OF FREEDOM
Freedom means different things to most of us, and the meaning can change over the years. Last fall I fell ill and my life changed suddenly. All at once I was dizzy when I stood up and grew tired often. My condition worsened until I was forced to quit working and became chair bound.
Pushing my own wheelchair was not possible as it caused my blood pressure to rise and vessels to burst in my eyes. I had to rely on my wonderful wife to push me along. In May she had an auto accident and could no longer be my "power". I was housebound most of the time except when friends or children were available to help.
One of my most enjoyable summer events over the years has been the Indiana State Fair. The noise, food, music and crowds were always a delight. I had no plans on going until my wife discovered we could rent a electric scooter for the fair. As usual my SHE RACA had a plan. She had saved and saved and we found one of the merchants sold used scooters. We bought one that day. Course, we had money left for some of the corn on the cob and pork chop sandwiches.
Since October 14th of last year I had not traveled alone. I could not drive
and depended on others for transportation. It was hard to accept.
Today, for the first time in many months, I left the apartment complex on my
own. I called my SHE RACA at work and told her to meet me at a shopping center
about four miles from our apartment.
I was almost Giddy as I headed for Wall Mart. The fresh air and feeling of freedom were hard to describe. I powered myself and went where I wanted to go. I enjoyed the traffic and even the stop lights. Many of my neighbors waved as they drove past me and the scooter. I was once again in charge of a little of my destiny.
I have learned that faith in God, trust in my Doctors and a loving wife goes along way. There are many many people who have it much worse than me. Those for medical and other reasons have lost their freedom. I am so happy I have regained a bit of mine.
RACA
Greetings and hope all is well with all of you. Can you believe that Summer
is almost over? Where the heck did it go? We have had few changes in the forum
this last month. Woolyback is officially a host and has done a wonderful job
taking over for our dear Owlie. I do believe Nightowl would be so proud and
sure he is watching over the Roost and shaking his head at all the "lasses"
Thanks Wooly for taking over.
Becca has had some great Vacation Spots to share. Some fantastic pictures and a lot of information. It seems the Friday night theme with Gin are now picture shows that can be extremely hilarious. Rascal is taking on the "newbies" and having a chat for new members every week, <ahem> yes the old-timers can go in also!!! The rest of the hosts are having their games "on time" and hope with colder weather approaching we will get back all our summer folks that have been traveling and just enjoying the outdoors.
We made some changes to our message boards. We have added European Issues, for all the UK folks to participate in. We also added New Library Uploads to keep you informed of new pictures in our library.
Until next month, take care and hope to see you all in rooms and posting on the boards..
~Ma'am~
First off, I'd like to say I miss you all and I hope everyone is doing well.
I have been quite busy here in the UK.
When I arrived, I had to sit in customs for 3 hours because the lady who
wanted to call Cavey and verify I was staying with him, decided that it was
the end of her shift and forgot to tell anyone what she was doing! So there
I sat and it took Cavey having to call them and ask for me! (I blame Lynda for
this, she said she was calling customs and telling them not to let me in!)
We've been touring lots of castles, openland, and for all the UK and Irish
friends in chat who will know what I mean, visiting The New Forest alot. If
anyone ever gets a chance to go to the UK, make sure you get to The New
Forest because unless you work on a farm, it is the most awesomest experience.
And I've even seen the home of Winnie the Pooh!
I've done lots of cooking (no, I have not burned anything), and I do believe Cavey and I have put on a few pounds (stones). I've been cleaning and straightening, redecorating and more cleaning. I've learned that it is hard to mop the floor when your foot is in the bucket. I've also learned that when you are in the UK and you are doing laundry, hanging clothes on the line is the method of saving water to wash clothes not dry them. I've learned that I do not want to attempt to drive over here. They have lots of circles in the road!! Put a fork in the road and I'd be ok. (why do americans have forks in the road and the british have circles?? shouldn't it be plates then?)
We've filed the first part of the visa procedures and that has gone through fairly quick. This past weekend we have gone into phase II of the visa process and are crossing our fingers that goes rather quick as well... we will keep you updated. It should be 8-12 weeks from now though.
We have decided on what state we are living in and are now in the process of looking for homes. Which is not an easy task to do in itself when you are in two different places! And we are planning our wedding!
To let all those who would like to know, we are getting married in October of 2002. I've already got my wedding dress and are in the process of getting the rest of it. I do have my colour scheme picked out. It is all very exciting and moving along very quickly.
My kids are all doing well. I talk to them almost every single day. They
have been spending the summer with thier cousins while I am here. They have
gone camping, to the beach, six flags, and lots of local activities. Of course
my sister hurt her ankle so they have also all been "helping" her
out.
I wanted to let everyone know how we where doing and that we will be back
soon! We are thinking of you all and miss you all very much. If any would like
to send us email, we would love to hear from you all and to have you
keep us updated on how everyone is doing. Reach me at Happy2cuhere0769@msn.com
or dats.happi@verizon.net either one of them is good.
Love to all in the chat....
Happi
Thats it for another month Folks! I hope you enjoyed this exciting issue!
Come on Everyone! Get those pens busy for next month. Mail any contributions to me at LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
We want all your contributions, don't be shy! This is a paper by the members for the members......that means YOU!Please remember, this is a fun/interesting/informative addition to the many features on offer at Casual Chat, critique is welcome but nothing that attacks members, personalities or other fora will be.
Lynda [Editor]