charliemama

I Love Hannah in Misc JoeUser Forums

BFD and I have 13 grandchildren and they are all pretty wonderful. (I have outside confirmation on this, lest you think I am baised!) The oldest is nearly twenty-six now, married though not yet a mother; but that could change at any time. The youngest is almost four. There are nine girls and four boys and they're all intelligent and loving. I can hardly stay up late enough to do justice to all of them tonight, or even one of them if I h

I Love Jacob in Misc JoeUser Forums

Not too long ago BFD and I stopped by to see our Number Two Son who was anticipating some minor surgery in the near future (he has since had the surgery, and he's fine). His wife was at work but it was a school holiday so their boy, Jacob, was at home with dad. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Jacob is "thoughtful". That seems a strange word even to me because Jacob is also athletic, intelligent, and affectionate. He loves s

Reply to Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone... in Misc Stardock Forums

It is always nice to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words. Now that BFD and I are together almost all the time, I feel anxious on the rare occasions when he has to go somewhere without me. I feel very blessed and lucky that he always comes back! Life being what it is, I'm concentrating on enjoying our retirement and trying not to worry too much about the future. Thanks again for reading, CM

Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone... in Misc JoeUser Forums

I was a terrible Army wife. I started out that way and I never got any better. One of the worst things about it was that my in-laws made sure I knew it, too. And feeling guilty about it on top of everything else made it even worse. I can't remember when I actually came face-to-face with the frequent separations that are a fact of Army life. All I remember is that I hated it and I never got over it. It always followe

Train Train in Misc JoeUser Forums

I've been trying to avoid too much post-election palaver about who shoulda an

I Strenuously Suggest... in Misc JoeUser Forums

Recently I have been hearing some good advice from various sources; TV, the internet, friends, family, sermons, and even kids. (Sometimes their ideas are so profound). Now I am still in favor of the Ten Commandments but life seems very complex lately and we need a little more help. I've included a few hints of my own that I'm convinced that are workable also. I'm not giving the reasons for these little

Reply to Paper Bag Kinda Love in Blogging Stardock Forums

Some people in this world are of such fine character that life is a different experience for them than for the rest of us...they know that challenges will come along, and they know that when they do they'll do the right thing every time...and God knows they will also. So life is not really a test for them, they're just being polished. Tonya, you are getting pretty shiny!

Reply to Preserving BFD in Misc Stardock Forums

Each time I hear this story (and it is a true story - the scar is still there!) I am more and more convinced that: there is a God, tha

Reply to Look Up in Misc Stardock Forums

You are so kind, Doc. I haven't written anything in a while but it is really nice to know that you are still here at JU. Thank you so much, MC.

Reply to Look Up in Misc Stardock Forums

All your littlies think you are the best grandma ever....I think so too.

Look Up in Misc JoeUser Forums

LOOK UP Been thinking...uh oh, not again! Some people go on the blog site and make tough -- rebel without a cause, grumpy to the very end, etc, etc. Then later when the blogster folks are kind or helpful to them, they show their soft insides. I like that. In many ways we're all the same! Like me, and a lot of my friends, and even Dr. Ruth (the Israeli Sniper sex therapist): nothing is more imp

Reply to The Weather Outside is Frightful in Misc Stardock Forums

"I'll be home for Christmas, You can count on me... please have snow ' and mistletoe and presents by the tree Christmas Eve will find me where the love-light gleams I'll be home for Christmas <p style="ma

Reply to Here It Comes in Misc Stardock Forums

Dear Doc: Thanks for being so gernerous and kind. I am feeling much better. I had a momentary shock and had to do a little whinning but I am counting my blessings and feel that everything's going to be all right. Many have burdens far heavier than mine, thanks again for being there.

Here It Comes in Misc JoeUser Forums

HERE IT COMES Went to the doc (neurologist) in Denver on Monday. Now it's Thursday (late at night). In some ways I wish I had not gone. Oh, why did I? I got a packet of information about Parkinson's Disease and, foolishly, I read it. And had one of "those" questions answered. You know the ones...where did I come from? Why am I here? And, as Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner" says, "How long hav

I Love Max in Parenting JoeUser Forums

Our son Jimmy and his family had just moved in with us and we were all adjusting. Not a bad thing, just an adjustment. One hot July evening, Max, our ten-year-old grandson, came upstairs

A Few Thoughts on Becoming Mum-ified in Misc JoeUser Forums

My daughter tells me that Mothers' Day is her least favorite of all the holidays. She feels inadequate for some reason...apparently she expected her children to be like her - quiet and obedient - but they're just the opposite, that is, hyper-active and rebellious. We have thirteen grandchildren in all, including my daughter's five mentioned above, and they are all gorgeous, intelligent, charming, talented...and a good percentage of them are hyp

Reply to Odds Are... in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I told BFD about this poem when his Dad died in '97; it gave him comfort at a time things were very difficult for him. I think it expresses very well the world in which we find ourselves when we haven't got much control over the situation.( Sometimes I call it "mortality soup".) But someone is in charge.. "Be like the bird, that Pausing in her fli

Reply to October 7th, 2010...D + 15,704 in Misc JoeUser Forums

I am having fits with JU tonight. I have tried three times to respond to your comments and three times I have been met with some message that claims I am a bad author or something like that and tells me to try again...I didn't think I was such a bad author! So I am going in through "Forums" to see if I can work it out here. Thank you all for your kind comments, we have had a long and successful marriage

Reply to October 7th, 2010...D + 15,704 in Misc JoeUser Forums

Lately when I wake up in the morning I'm feeling in my aching back all those years that have gone by and wondering how they went so fast. Then I look over at BFD and realize how blessed and lucky I am. He really is a wonderful man- everyone loves him- but I am the girl he belongs to. I can hardly believe it. He has taken care of me and the kids; he has been an example of hard work, patriotism, and faithfulness; and he is still here

Reply to JOBS ILLEGALS WOULDN'T DO in Misc JoeUser Forums

mis-post...sorry.

Reply to JOBS ILLEGALS WOULDN'T DO in Misc JoeUser Forums

I agree but want to add: 1. It doesn't matter to me if you cannot speak English. English is hard to learn and my require expensive classes which some cannot afford. I learned Spanish (an easy language) in American schools, so you are okay with me. 2. It doesn't matter to me if you work here, as long as you cross the border legally. I know

Reply to FAITHFUL in Life Journals JoeUser Forums

Thanks, Doc. I am glad you were inspired to call your mom. That's always a good thing. Your kind words always mean a lot to me.

Reply to LAZY in Misc JoeUser Forums

Doctor Guy: I have been trying for a happy medium for a long time. A friend of mine has been a real inspiration to me since we have lived here. She is a great cleaner but doesn't mind getting out all the stuff when doing a project or having people over. She has also become very understanding of the Messies. She has really helped me to improve. It also helps to be an empty-nester. And now that BFD is retired, I have a l

Error in Misc JoeUser Forums

Mispost

LAZY in Misc JoeUser Forums

LAZY Twice in my life I have had the same very strange conversation: the person I was talking to had kinder words to say about a murderer in prison than about a woman we knew who was a lousy housekeeper: She used words like "lazy" and "dirty" dripping with revulsion and self-righteousness, accompanied by that scornful "look" describing our friend the slattern, while she pitied the murderer: "there could have been exte