Those... damned bridges.

 

; )

This...

'This'

is why I Love Fairfax State Savings Bank, and... often refer to 'Them', as 'Family'.

<3

How many 'corporate banks'... 'on-line' banks....

would close their doors

to

Honor...

anyone?

Think about that, when you choose a bank.

'Family'

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Tuesday... was Full of Surprises.

Pal, Bill... and I...

 met at the upcoming Cedar Rapids, Iowa...

Estate House.

Checking on the Estate Family's 'progress'.

; )

They're working on the Home... 'updating', as it will be for sale.

It's been a LONG process for them.

Such Good People, they've had so much trouble finding Contractor's that keep their word.

: (

It's sadly... been a Mess for The Family.

: (

Bill, and I... did what we could, yesterday... but, until the Home is finished, it would be futile for us to 'do'.... much.

We brought in tables, so we can begin to sort... when we can, and, pulled out a few Fun Things, that were on the surface.

: )

Love... the above early 1900's Photo.

<3

: )

Oh My!!!

<3 <3 <3 

Finding That... Little Truck, in the garage, well...

: ) : ) : )

It's missin' a wheel... but,

 Who Cares???!!!

<3

Perhaps, we'll run across it, as we sort.

; )

if not...

Who Cares!!!

It's Adorable!!!

<3

I was intrigued by a cool... old, wooden 'suitcase', in the basement.

Asked Bill... to grab it, and see what it held.

It... was heavy.

?

; )

That... was a Surprise!!!

<3

We'd Never Seen One!!

COOL!!

; )

Traveling Piano/Organ!!

; )

Don't know... at this point, when... this 'Sale' is going to be.

The Home... has to be 'finished' before we can do our Job.

; )

It's Going to 'Happen', we assured The Estate Family.

{They worry. ; ) <3}

One Day... at a Time.

; )

We won't let 'em down.

<3

There's MUCH... at this Sale.

The Garage... is Packed.

The Home, Is... as well.

; )

Stay Tuned.

After leaving the Estate Home, received a text, from Pal, Gayle.

We were supposed to get together, last Saturday, after Michael's Celebration of Life.

When I received the news... of Polly's passing, during Michael's Memorial....

well,

I, uh... pretty much melted.

Forgot all about meeting with Gayle.

: (

Sunday morning, called Gayle, apologized for not hooking up.

 Gayle... understood.

<3

Gayle... knew Polly, too.

Through 'The Bank'.

I... directed Gayle to 'The Bank', several years ago.

She was in a mess. I Knew... Fairfax State Savings Bank, would help her, if they could.

: )

They did.

<3

{There's a Huge Difference between 'corporate banks' and 'Family Banks'.}

Gayle... was also, heartbroken.

: (...............

Called Gayle, as I was leaving The Estate Home, Tuesday.

Told her... I could meet up, for lunch... if that worked for her.

It did, we decided to meet at a Hy-Vee Grocery Store, that was between the two of us.

: )

Have a little lunch, visit. 

; )

The Hy-Vee 'between' us, is one I've rarely visited.

It's a Great Store, but... 

not in my

 'Stomping Grounds'.

As Jethro... and I... pulled in, off of the Highway, to the 

'Hy-Vee' entrance...

noticed a truck, nearly stopped, to my right,

and another... nearly stopped, to our left.

I chose...

to 

Brake, Jethro.

A 'Three Way Stop', perhaps.

?

 Jethro, and I... braked.

behind us, well...

a 

Big, New... Mopar Truck, and his driver...

LAID 

on his horn.

uh oh....

; )

That kind of attitude REALLY bothered John.

; )

me, 

not so much.

but...

That Attitude...

bothered,

 Old... Jethro, Tuesday.

uh...oh.

The Dodge Truck... held Tight to Jethro's bumper, into Hy-Vee's parking lot.

Jethro... took offence, to the Mopar's 'Crowding'.

uh oh.

He... kinda put his wheels down.

; )

So did his driver, when the Mopar Truck parked.

These... aren't the 'Days'... to screw with Jethro, or... his driver.

I... bailed out of Jethro, Stogie... In Hand.

; )

Walked... Eye to Eye, with that Dodge Truck... sitting under Hy-Vee's portico.

Apparently, the driver... had ordered his groceries 'online'.

; )

The driver... rolled his smoked windows down, about a third, as I was standing next to his door.

I.. asked the driver...

kindly, respectfully...

"where's the fire? 

: )

are ya.... in a hurry?"

: )

He... lowered his head, wouldn't look me in the eye, and said...

"no... I'm not in a hurry."

hmmmm.

then,

 I... looked across the parking lot... asked the mopar driver, 

"so... what was 'That' all about?"

His reply... 

"It wasn't a 3 way stop, you shouldn't have stopped."

: )

my reply...

to the mopar driver,

"Sir, I'm not familiar with this area. I saw a truck pulling up to a 'T' intersection in front of me.

 On my right, noticed another truck, sitting at my left, 

I was searching for a 'Sign', when I slowed down, 

I... didn't want to get 'Hit'."

silence.

silence.

silence.

: )

I... wished the mopar driver, to have a 'great day'.

Bless his heart.

; )

he...

wished me, the same.

; )

These aren't the days... to get cocky, with me, or anyone...

I'm a little, or a lot... thin skinned, 

'These Days'

; )

many, many... are.

Just... sayin'.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

'Heart'

Polly had posted the above, 'Heart' video.. one night, long ago, on FB.

<3

Love That Tune, Too!!

I tagged Polly in my post, Thanking her... for Posting It!!

It inspired me to 'Do' my hair... like we did 'then'.

; )

'BIG HAIR'!!

Jump in The Truck... and Drive!!

; )

Gonna Miss...

That

Girl.

Fairfarren...

Polly Girl.

<3

I... Miss You, Too.

Polly will be Deeply Missed by All who had the Gift of Knowing Her.

Polly, has been one of my Sweetest Friends, for decades.

<3

She was a Rock... at Fairfax State Savings Bank, and... has Always, Always...

looked out for me, and Mine.

Polly knew my account number by heart.

: )

If I was ever in a bind, Polly would say...

"Don't worry Barbie... We Gotcha!!"

<3

; )

{There's Many Reasons I refer to Fairfax Bank, as 'Family', 

Polly was One of Them.}

Polly has helped me navigate through the IDOT, and Fairfax City Hall messes, so many times.

<3

I'm very backward when it comes to computer issues, Polly... was a Genius.

 All I had to do... is ask her for a helping hand, it was 'Done'.

<3

When John passed away, Polly, and The Bank... were Here.

<3

When Polly answered the phone, at The Bank... oh my.

: )

We'd 'Visit' for a long, long... time.

<3

Polly Loved Antiques, she'd watch my FB, if I posted something she liked...

or, if she happened to see something she liked on the lawn, while passing by,

within minutes of her seeing it, I'd get a message from Polly...

"That's MINE... Barbie!!"

: ) : ) : )

Hahahahahaha!!!

Polly fell in Love... with the Tin Flowers, back in '22.

; )

Above was our last exchange.

One of our last, long.. visits, Polly said when she retires, she wanted to do...

what I do.

: )

Get in The Business.

<3

She was so Excited.

<3

{I... kinda tried to Warn her...; ) A 'Gypsy's' life... can be Quite 'Interesting'.}

Heartbreaking... that Polly didn't get the chance.

: (..............

Our last conversation... will haunt me, for a long... long, time.

I'm going to post a Tune... above this post, that Polly had posted on FB.

It made us Both...

Smile.

: ) : )

Polly is going to be So Deeply Missed.

Prayers... for All who Loved...

Polly.

The Reason... 'Why'.

I'll always question that.

Always.

 

Long Hauls.

Indeed.

Indeed.

Spent this 'Day'...

wrapped up tight, in a warm... soft... blanket, 

{cocoon}

cradled 

in the

 La-Z-Boy.

Watched... mind numbing old... shows, on TV.

; )

My 'pill'... for 'self- preservation'.

Put the phone, on silent... 

did, respond to a Dear Friend.

; )

She, sadly... like... most of us, understand...

'Life' can, does... and will...

 'change' in the blink of an eye...

yet,

for some...

that doesn't make it easier to 'accept'.

{The Lord... and me, are gonna have a LONG Conversation, when I reach

 'Those'...

 'Pearly Gates'.

; )

'St. Peter... Get Out of The Way...

I want to talk to

'Thee Man'.'

; )

In my mind, 'He' has some Explainin' to Do.}

; )

<3

I want to hear... His 'arguments' defending so much heartbreak.

Pretty certain, He'll have the Perfect defense. 

; )

I'd just like to hear it, understand it...

<3

Pal, Rob... sent the above image... today.

: )

We're gettin' there, this year...

It's been a Long... Haul.

One day... at a time.

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Don't Blink.

<3 <3

 

Too many good-byes.

Attended Peg's 'Michael's' Celebration of Life...

today.

<3

Michael told their Daughter, Sarah... he didn't want a funeral... when he left us, he wanted us all to have a

 Party.

"No Tears".

; )

<3

Sarah arranged Michael's Celebration, at 'Parlor City', in New-Bo.

{Cedar Rapids}

It was Lovely... and Packed.

: )

Michael... was Much Loved.

<3

I... ordered a Margarita, in Honor of Our Peg.

<3

They had live music... which was Great.

; )

 Spencer, Michael, and Peg's Grandson in Law...

put together a Wonderful recording of Michael's Voicemails, to them all... over the years.

<3

{I saved Michael's last one, to me... before he passed away. It...was So... 'Mike'. 

So... Funny!! <3}

Michael... never 'came around', after losing Peg.

He was horribly, horribly... grief stricken.

We visited often, after Peg passed away.

My heart... broke for Michael.

We all find comfort in knowing, they are Together...

again.

<3

It was Wonderful seeing Peg, and Michael's Daughter, Sarah...

her Beloved, Bill, and All of the Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren.

<3

Had... a Long visit with Michael's Brother, Greg.

{Tears. <3}

Sarah, is the Pretty Girl, in the striped shirt.

<3

She's.... so much like Peg, and Michael.

<3

The last many years have been very difficult, for Sarah.

As I was visiting, my phone rang.

Almost... didn't answer it, but... it was a Dear Pal.

Wasn't prepared for the news he was about to share.

Seems, a Sweet Friend, of ours.... suddenly passed away, this morning.

Younger than us.

He said... he didn't know much, yet...

just that she woke up early this morning, didn't feel well...

her Husband took her to the ER, where she passed away, shortly after their arrival.

I'd just visited with her... the other day.

It was her Birthday.

My heart... is sick.

She had so many.... Plans, for The Future.

Called Pals, Steph, and Patti... broke the news to them.

We All Loved Her, So.

The three of us, met... for Supper, tonight.

All... trying to make some sort of sense... out of 'Life'.

There is... no such thing.

Life is short.

Nobody...

is promised

'tomorrow'.

I'll be writing about our Sweet Friend, after everyone is notified.

She... was an Amazing Woman.

<3

and...

one of the FEW people on this planet...

that got by with calling me,

"Barbie"

: )

<3 <3 <3 

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Secret... Gardens.

Above... is dried Lily of The Valley.

<3

Wrote about it, in the post below.

It's Beautiful, to me...

Especially, in the Winter, when Snow is Flyin'.

; )