Sunday, November 29, 2020
Christmas.... oh dear.
Daughter, Liz...came over and helped me drag The Tree, and Fifty Million...Totes of 'Christmas'...from the 'Secret' area John created 'solely'... for 'Christmas'...under the Staircase Landing.
oh my.
: )
<3 <3 <3
The Big Room...
looks like a BOMB Exploded within.
{This is Just...a snippet. oh dear. }
The Tree....is 12 feet tall.
We need two ladders.
One, 8 foot.
One...6 foot.
When we went to grab them...from beside the Gazebo....
they were gone.
Stolen.
We walked the entire property.
They...are gone.
Called Brandon, and Justin.
They...are Gone.
: (
Gratefully....Pal, Mark...had a 10 foot ladder, he brought it over, last night.
: )
Bless His Heart!!!
{Liz told me, several of her Neighbors in Elberon...borrowed their ladders, after the 'Hurricane', because their ladders had also...been stolen. : (
It's so sad...had they just asked to borrow them, we'd have been happy...to lend them.
The 6 foot ladder, was a Little Giant, John bought...for 'Us'...for Christmas...about 20 years ago.
: (
Losing That One....
really...hurts.
Seems...we've had a Few...'Grinch's'...around Home, lately.
: (
Bless Their...Hearts.
; ) }
I've got The Tree...about, half decorated.
Still...have the rest of the house...to go.
oh dear.
{Peanut...seems to Approve. <3
She's a little confused, with all of the Chaos.
{Me..Too!!!}
I was so Grateful...Liz, helped me set The Tree...up, yesterday.
<3 <3 <3
It's a Big....Deal!!!
oh my.
Seems to get a little 'Bigger', every year.
: )
oh...dear.
Hahaha!!!
Love...to You,
Prayers...for All.
<3
Barb C.
{So loved...Karen Carpenter... <3
She reminded me, of my Sister, Chery. <3
Chery, left us..in 2003.
Seems like yesterday.
Today...was our Brother, Larry's Birthday. <3 <3 <3
He...left us, a few years ago...too. Just a year...after, John.
Too many, heartbreaks. }
Friday, November 27, 2020
Thanksgiving...Past.
Hope...Everyone reading this...
had a Great Thanksgiving!!!!
Hope, like me...
Ya'll ate a little too much, and...enjoyed The Day!
; )
I was up early...cookin' up a Storm.
oh my.
I've never had to Haul...Masses of Food, away from Home, in my life.
Holy Smokes!!!
Jethro smelled like a Thanksgiving Feast...rollin' down the road!!!
Hahaha!
Katie, did a Fabulous Job...Hosting Thanksgiving, for the First Time!!!
Liz, and Adam...prepared the Turkey....Perfectly!
Everything was Great!!!
Always...Way Too Much Food!
I told the Kids, I am taking Nothing Home.
No Leftovers!
I'd be Grazing on the Rich...Buttery, Cheese Laden....Food, for a Week.
Feelin' like a Slug...Every Day!!!
Not Happenin'!!!
: )
They'll get it gone, a Lot...quicker, than me, and Peanut.
: )
I cooked the Potatoes, and Sweet Potatoes, at Katie's.
Little Justin, was Itching...to have me go 4 Wheelin'....
{me to...!!!}
so...
after I got the trays, made, and potatoes...simmering, I went with Justin...for a Ride.
: )
He wanted to take me...for a ride, Told him....I, didn't Think So!!!
Hahahaha!!!
He's a 'Hot Dog'!!!
I watched him, earlier....Hot Rod, on his Mini Bike...and 4 Wheeler, through the window...as I was cooking.
Hahahaha!
He wanted to take Grandma...for a 'Ride'!
Hahahahaha!
No Way.
; )
We rode double, I..drove.
: )
When we got back to the house, Justin wanted me to go back in the Timber, on their land.
He asked me to stop...so he could switch the 4 Wheeler, into 4WD.
Then... he asked me to get on a path...I hadn't been on, before.
I, did.
We came to a flooded Gully, told him to hang on tight...
as we Blasted through it!!!
Slingin' Mud...Everywhere, including us!
Hahahahaha!!!
Then, we rode around the pasture, then...back, to the house....so I could check on the Potatoes.
When I was walking up the steps, to the house...
Justin, was holding the door for me.
He looked at me, with a Big...Grin, and said...
"Grandma, I can't believe you went through that...Ditch.
I, was sure...you wouldn't."
Hahahaha!!!
I, said... "I saw your tracks, you'd been through there."
: )
He, said...
"Yeah....But, I didn't think YOU...would!!!"... with a Big...Grin!!!
I, looked at him...and said...
"Justin, you're not The Only...'Hot Dog'...in the Family. : )
Where do ya think, You...and your Dad...get it from???!!!"
Hahahahaha!!!!
His Grandpa John, was a 'Hot Dog', but...in a very different way.
<3
When it comes to Mud Runnin', Monster Trucks, and 4 Wheelin', well...
That's Grandma, Barb.
John had No Time...for climbing in those Ruff Ridin'...Tall....Monster Trucks.
If I was taking a Big Truck...somewhere, John...would drive his old Caddy, or Lincoln, separately.
Hahahahaha!!!!
John...liked a Smooth Ride.
With All The Comforts of Home!!!
: )
{ Many of our Wonderful Grandchildren, would Certainly...Ride with John,
over me...Any Day. <3 {Justin...would prefer The Trucks. ; ) }
I'm cleaning house...today, and getting it ready, to Embrace Christmas!!!
'The Tree' Goes Up...
this weekend.
<3 <3 <3
This House Explodes, at Christmas!!!
<3
There's something, so Magical about Christmas.
<3
It's not...about the gifts.
It's...about the Magic.
At least, it always has been, for me.
<3
John...always helped me put The Tree up.
It's quite a Job.
It's 12 feet tall.
Bless his Heart, for putting up...with my Insanity, over Christmas.
<3 <3 <3
It was so much work...and I know...he didn't have the passion, I did...for...The Tree, and Big...Christmas.
<3
But, because it meant so very much, to me...he always Put The Tree Up,
helped me put...over two thousand lights, on it.
Then, he'd walked away.
Hahahaha!!!
Let me Play, in the old...ornaments, tinsel...garland, Rudolph...
{I spelled Rudolph, originally, on this post today... like Peg did...on a Beautiful Christmas Gourd, she created for Friend, Audrey. Peg was Mortified!!!
Hahahahaha!!!
Audrey got a Kick out of it!!!
I, could fix it, on my post... today...easily : )
Peg...couldn't. : ) <3
Yes...we Both...Know how to Spell Rudolph, correctly. <3
Must be a Wink...from Our Peg!!! <3 }
a Cello, and whatever other Memories, I could wire...into The Tree.
Memories...
Memories.
<3 <3 <3
I remember, one year...John was watching me wire Rudolph, and the Cello, then...old Toy Trucks, and a Big...Tin Horse Weathervane, in The Tree.
: )
He said...
"That Tree...is going to Collapse. That's a Lot...of weight, on that Tree."
I told him...not to watch. ; ) It won't weigh as much...when it's done. ; )
Hahahaha...
<3 <3 <3
{He wasn't around...at Shows, when we Built Houses! Hahahaha!!
Give me a box of screws, a drill...a roll of Fencing Wire...oh my.... The Building could come down around us...but, The Simply Iowa Booth...would stay Standin' : ) }
We always put The Tree up, the day after Thanksgiving.
As soon as we got it up, and lit...and, had the Big Bell, hooked on the Chandelier...
{I don't Dig...Heights! Yikes! }
John...would head upstairs, make himself a Big...Plateful...
of Thanksgiving Leftovers, then...come back down, go sit in his 'Man Cave'...and watch T.V.
<3 <3 <3
He...was Done, with The Tree, until New Year's Day... when he helped me take it down.
<3
Hahahaha!!!
It's been a Push, without...John.
Not, because...of the work.
{I've even learned...to get past the 'Fear of Heights'...long enough to hang the Bell.}
but...
because...
I Miss...John, So.
Memories...
Memories.
This picture of John, had to have been taken, when we were setting up The Tree.
{It takes several hours, so...we must have been taking a break.}
: )
I see a wreath, laying in the chair, so...know, we must've been in the middle of it.
John, was holding old...Christmas Cards. {we save them all...}
{John, never liked having his picture taken! <3 }
If it wasn't for the Kids, and Grandkids, I...most likely...would've never put it up, again...
after John left.
That first year,...was so difficult.
Daughter, Liz...helped me.
<3
It, was hard...for her, too.
: (
I, told her...I wasn't sure..that I could.
She said...
" Dad...would be having a Fit! After All of the Years, helping you put up, and put away... that Monster, he'd be Pissed, if You...didn't keep it going."
Hahahaha!
Yes, indeed.
<3
I'm a bit...behind schedule...this year.
But, I'll get it done, this weekend.
: )
<3
I was just thinking about my Favorite Christmas Display, several years back, down the rabbit hole.
: )
I'd gotten in an Old...Tin Bathtub.
: )
Filled it Full...of Vintage... Pastel, Silver...and Gold, Christmas Ornaments, like they were Bubbles.
<3
I, could've Lived...in that area.
I, remember...sitting there, next to it, with candles lit, and sippin' wine, dreaming...
those were Real...Bubbles, and how I'd So... Love...to slip in...and...Soak.
<3 <3 <3
My Kinda...Christmas!!!
Had Eartha Kitt, playing... Non Stop.
'Santa Baby'.
oh my.
Hahahahaha.
I've done a Million 'Christmas Displays'...
but...That One, was The Dreamiest.
Ever.
<3 <3 <3
I'd better get Cleaning.
: )
LOADS To Do!!!
oh my.
Love...to You, and Prayers...
for All.
Barb C.
{I've so...often wished...our Son, Justin...could've really got to Know, my Dad.
<3
John, always said...if they could've really... 'Known' each other, we'd be in Big Trouble.
Hahahaha!!!
We'd have every Old Truck, and...Tractor in the County, here.
<3
Hahahaha!
It's True.
<3
Those Two...would've been Two Peas, in a Pod.
<3
Three Peas, now...with Little Justin. : )
oh my.
<3
It's Totally...a 'Conner' Trait.
; )
An 'Irish'...Thing.
; )
"Well...They say... 'it can't be done'...
???
So...
Let's Do It!!!"
{Whatever 'It'...may, be. Never mattered, what 'It' was...
as long as 'It' Sparked 'Intrigue'...'Curiosity'...and, had a whiff...of danger.}
Trouble!!!!!
Hahahaha!!!
<3 <3 <3
Yes...Three Peas, in a Pod.
<3 <3 <3
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Praise God!!!! I've Never Been More Grateful, on a 'Thanksgiving' Eve.
Had a Busy Day...ahead...
but, couldn't get these Break-ins off of my mind.
When I woke up this morning, I thought about what The Detective said....yesterday,
about finger prints.
He explained to me...it's best to get them off of a smooth surface.
It got me thinking....while I was laying in John's recliner, early...this morning,
there's a Starbuck's Coffee drink can... in the console of Jethro.
Under it, is a dollar, and some change.
I went outside, in my bare feet, first light....
to check and see...if the thieves had picked up that can, to search for cash.
: )
They Had.
; )
The money was Gone...from underneath the can.
: )
I picked up the can...with the longest stogie...in the ashtray,
careful...not to touch...or smear...any prints.
: )
Then, called The Detective, when I was heading into Town.
; )
Told him...I'd be Happy, to bring that can...to him.
: )
He, said... "well...they may have worn Gloves, but...put it in a paper sack, and a Deputy will pick it up."
Then...The Detective
Went On...
and said...
"I was just getting ready to call you.
We've Apprehended the thieves...And, Recovered your Son's Property."
OH MY LORD!!!!
I Melted.
Felt like a Ton had been Lifted from my Shoulders.
{The thieves took some very Important pieces, from our Son's Truck.}
I told the Detective...He Couldn't have Given us...a Better Thanksgiving.
I Couldn't Thank Him...and The Deputies, Enough.
Oh...My Lord.
<3 <3 <3
Asked him...if I could share the news...with our Son.
He said I could.
<3
I walked into Justin's Shop...
Yelled out, for him...
{Actually...I Was Dancing!!!}
Said...
"Justin, Get Over Here!! We're Dancin' a HAPPY Dance!!!"
He thought I'd lost my mind...until I told him what the Detective...had just shared with me.
I...saw a Ton...fall away, from our Son's shoulders...too.
<3 <3 <3
I Can't Thank...Those Amazing Folks, from The Linn County Sheriff's Department,
Enough.
Ever.
<3 <3 <3
I'm gonna have to send this...to the Sheriff's Department.
; )
We...All...Need to 'Laugh', once in a while.
Hahahaha!!!
I've gotten to know a few of the Deputies, over the last few years.
Being 'Served' by The Linn County Deputies, on behalf of Fairfax, over 'Chickens'.
{oh...my. : ) }
Being 'Served'... on behalf of the IDOT, for their Wrongful Suicide Trail...they condemned our land...wrongfully, solely.... for Fairfax.
; )
Yep, those Deputies....have heard it all.
They...remember me. ; )
<3
Bless Their Hearts!!!
<3
They, are Very...Special Folk.
May God...Bless Them.
Love to You.
Prayers...for All.
Barb C.
{I've always adored the Deputy Sheriffs.
They watched over my Dad, back...in the day.
<3
Cal Wagner, was One...of The Very Best. <3 <3 <3
He'd be Proud of Those, who follow.
<3
I, sure am. <3 <3 <3 }
A Different Perspective.
Spent the better portion of the day, yesterday...
on the phone with the Sheriff's office, and Detectives, concerning the thefts, day before yesterday.
I...gotta tell ya, I had some pretty raw....emotions.
I visited with three Deputies, the day of the thefts.
I...was pretty shook.
Angry, disheartened, and...ready to Chase the Thieves...to the End of The Earth!!!
oh my.
I, expected the same kind of Action...from the Deputies.
Let's Go Git ' Em!!!
NOW!!!
They...didn't seem to have the same....'Spirit', as I did.
I...was kinda disappointed in them.
: (
So...yesterday, I called a Detective I'd worked with, concerning a theft from the rabbit hole, a long while back.
He was Great.
On It!!!
<3
We visited on the phone...for a long, long...time.
oh my.
It was then...after talking to him....
I realized, the Deputies...that I was kind of disappointed in, weren't 'disinterested'...in doing their job, They Are Weary.
: ( : ( : (
When the Detective told me...what they are up against, over, and over...day in, and day....out, concerning these types of 'Break-ins'...
I...Got It.
: (
Wow.
He said., mostly...these types of thefts, are drug related.
I, kinda figured that...the way these thieves behaved, concerning these thefts.
Like the Detective said....
"They don't 'think'...like you, and me. "
Very strange...Very.
He said...how Important it is...that the Public is involved...and try to have pictures of items, and good descriptions.. keep a watchful eye, and call in any kind of tips, they have.
Which...I did, and sent images, on to him, which he shared with others, in his department, right away.
He, said...they are Buried....in this kind of work.
It's non-stop.
"We need all the Help...we can get."
: ( : ( : (
After our visit...I sat back, and thought...a lot.
oh my.
Wrote him an e-mail...telling him, that I...live 'down the rabbit hole', and am far removed...from the real world.
I...truly am Grateful...I can still 'feel' Outrage, when these things happen.
I am Blessed, that all of this...seems pretty foreign to me.
How Thankful I am, that I have to deal with these type of things, so rarely.
Those Deputies...weren't 'disinterested...
They Were 'Numb'.
: ( : ( : (
This...was just another Brick...in the Wall.
: (
They've been exposed to this stuff, and...so Much More, that...Gratefully, most of us, never see.
and...
How Sorry, I am...for All of Those, who have to 'Deal'...with this, non-stop.
oh my.
{and...They Still....go to work, every day. oh my.}
I Thanked him, for giving me another 'perspective'.
: (
I, so Feel...for our Law Enforcement...these days.
{Have for Years...}
I'm going to do...everything I can, to help them...any way, I can.
We All...need to.
<3
They Need Us.
<3
We...Need Them.
<3
Love to You, and Prayers...for All.
Barb C.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Never...a Dull...Moment, down the rabbit hole.
Oh...my.
: )
Had a Busy Day...goin'...this morning.
Another...'Rush, Rush...' Day.
Started out...early.
When I ran out the door, spotted a Deputy Sheriff, by John's Shop.
Walked over to him...asked, what the problem was.
He said...he'd been called in, because a vehicle had been broken into.
Son, Justin's Truck...had been broken into.
Sadly...he lost some important...valuables.
I visited with the Deputy, and Justin...then went on my way.
After the Ford...and I, got home...this Evening, thought I'd better run to the store, with Jethro,
{Ford...is loaded}
Another Busy...Day, tomorrow...
went to get into Jethro...and saw papers strewn all over.
There was a stack...of Million Dollar Bills, on the driver's seat.
I, thought..."What The Heck???"
Hahahahaha....
Apparently....Jethro, had been Violated, as well.
All of the papers from his glovebox, and console...had been gone through.
I can only Imagine....what the Thief must have thought, when he, or she...found the Stack...of Million Dollar Bills, tucked neatly, in Jethro's Glove Box....in the dark.
; )
then...
discover...
they were my Old...Old... Business Cards, John...had printed up for me, a decade ago.
oh dear.
: )
Unlike our Son....I leave Nothing...of Monetary Value, in any Vehicle.
Ever.
; )
they...look pretty Real, especially...in the dark.
: )
I, truly...had to chuckle, a bit.
I, was rattled, but...
thought to myself, later...
John...would've Loved...to have seen their faces.
: )
It wasn't over yet...tho.
As I was heading to the store, saw some...what looked like
Monkey Business...by John's Shop...again.
Had to call the Sheriff.
Me, and Jethro...waited, with The Brights On....until they arrived.
: )
Everything checked out...but, oh my....
; )
Mama's Radar...is Up.
: )
Scary Times....we're livin' in.
; )
<3
Love...to Ya.
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Changes...
This....
will be the very first Thanksgiving....
since, I was 15....
that I won't be preparing Thanksgiving Dinner, for our Family.
It seems so odd, just thinking about it.
This year, I suggested...we have Thanksgiving at Son, Justin's....and Katie's.
They have a larger home, with lots of land...now.
The Grandkids, will be able to roam...and play outside, if it's warm enough.
Here....everything is so upside down.
Katie...loves to cook, she's Great. <3
{All of our Kids...are Awesome Cooks. <3 }
Liz told me that Katie is disappointed, because she looks forward to Thanksgiving, here.
That...made me feel good. <3 I, told Katie, we don't have to go to her home...just thought, it would be easier for everyone, not having to load all of the Kids, for both Families.
But...reassured, all of the Kids...'Christmas'...is Mine. <3
I'm not giving that one...up.
<3
Told Katie...I wouldn't give Thanksgiving Up...to just...'anyone'.
<3
Never...have. ; )
<3
Liz..and Adam, will be smoking two Farm Raised Turkeys...and bringing them.
I'll...make the Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Pickle Wraps, Candied Yams...
along with meat, and cheese trays.
Probably...make a few pies.
: )
Some, I'll prepare here, some...at Katie's.
It's...gonna seem strange. Already does.
I'm kinda having second thoughts....: (
It, won't seem fittin'....that the old Harvest Table, will sit empty, this Thanksgiving.
The Stove, will be Cookin' Up...a Storm, but...then, sit quietly.
Usually, we're all crowded in the kitchen...
everyone taking turns, stirring something, as we're trying to get it All...Done, at Once.
: )
I shouldn't feel so melancholy...
So Many...aren't going to be together...this Thanksgiving, at all.
Covid, has run through all of our Family, weeks ago.
They've been out of quarantine, for a few weeks.
I, don't think I've had it...
I'll be careful.
Maybe...spend a little time on that Awesome... Hot Rod...4 Wheeler, of theirs.
: )
Love...to Ya.
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
{I always think...of the John Denver Tune,
'Back Home Again'...
while preparing for Thanksgiving.
<3
Yikes...
This...is gonna be kinda Tuff. }
{When I wrote about the Hospital Bills, yesterday...
It wasn't me, that 'Saved John's Sanctuary'.
It was the Hospital, Surgeon... {Awesome} and Doctors...for Working with Us.
<3 <3 <3
Along, with Dear Friends, One...especially, that I...know, tho...she'll never admit it, had an influence with the Hospital.
<3 <3 <3
The bills, were insane.
Without Them, we would've lost...Everything.
Tho, John...left us, very unexpectedly...only two months after his brain surgery....
he knew...we were covered.
He wasn't going to lose...everything he'd worked his life...away for.
We...were gonna make it.
No Liens.
{That...I worked Hard, to make sure...of. }
<3 <3 <3
What a Priceless Blessing, each...and Everyone, was...to John, me....and our Entire Family. }
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Simple...Words.
Was up...early, Friday...unloaded The Ford, with Helper...Brandon.
Then... unloaded the FUSO, Box Truck...to get a table out, for Peg's Granddaughter, Chelsea.
<3
It was Peg, and Michael's.
When Michael moved back to Iowa, he brought me all sorts of things.
I, was so Happy...to be able to give so much of it back to Chelsea....and Spencer, they could've taken it all...but, some of it, wasn't quite what they were Feathering Their....'Nest'...with. ; )
<3
They, just moved back to Iowa...as well. <3
Got everything loaded back, into the FUSO, along with the recent findings...that were unsheltered on The Ford.
It was a Trick...but, we got it done.
: )
Michael picked up their table, yesterday...for Chelsea.
<3
He brought more...of Peg's Treasures.
They used to be mine, long...ago, but...whenever Peg fell in love with something, down the rabbit hole, it went Home, with her.
<3 <3 <3
I would've given Peg...Anything. Anything.
I could never...ever, Give her...Enough, to repay....
Everything, she'd done for me...over the years.
Peg, was an Amazing Artist, like John.
<3
She had an Eye...for Detail.
When she saw the Victorian Hair Wreath...I'd just gotten in, she said...
"That's MINE!!!"
Yes...Ma'am....It Sure Is!!!!!
<3
Peg Adored...It.
Back, in the 1800's, women would save their hair, make jewelry, and artwork.
This one, is very large...and, is so finely done.
Many different colors of hair.
From Silver, to Auburn.
The wreath, inside the shadow box, below...is made of wool, instead of hair.
All hand pulled, and dyed.
It has a memorial in the center, that says, "At Rest".
These were made, sometimes...as remembrance pieces, but...not always.
I've had several...over the years.
Love Them.
So...Beautiful.
So Much...Work.
I'll always see Peg, when I look at these.
I'll Never forget, the way her eyes lit up...when she saw that Hair Wreath...laying on the seat of The Ford.
<3 : )
That's...what I'll remember.
Always.
Made plans with little Justin, to take him shopping with his Birthday Cash...for yesterday.
He wanted Scarlett to come with.
<3
Share in the Shopping Experience.
<3
We did this, last year...too.
It was a Great Day!
They...are Such...Good, little People.
<3 <3 <3
{Not enjoying having their pictures taken, however. : ) }
They both...decided, over Supper, we should make this a Tradition.
: )
Every Year.
Then, on the way...taking them home, I said...maybe, we should have a little get away, maybe...not, just once a year, but...once a month.
<3
Oh BOY!!!
They, were All Over That!!!
<3
They, are the Oldest...Children, in their homes.
They both said....they Love their little Siblings, but...it's sure nice, to have a break.
<3 <3 <3
{It was so cool, watching them shop.
They Both....think of their little Siblings, and, on their own...always pick out something, for each of them, with their own money.
<3 }
Christmas decorations...were up, and about...everywhere....we went.
They're beautiful...but, always....make me a little sad, especially seeing them before Thanksgiving.
When I woke up this morning...I, thought of my Favorite Christmas Display...ever, down the Rabbit Hole, above.
<3
It...was such a different time...then.
Seems like yesterday, and....a thousand years ago, at the same...time.
After working so hard, on Thursday...with the concrete, came in...sat down....
sipped on delightful...fermented grape juice.
: )
Pal, Wanda...called me, yesterday...checking up..on me.
Seems, once again...I was ranting, late at night, on FB.
oh dear.
Dropped the 'F' Bomb, a time...or, two...
oh my.
{deleted...the posts, I guess. }
It makes me...sad, how frustrated...and angry, I've become....with all of this wrongfulness.
Wanda...asked me why, I didn't load everything....into The Rabbit Hole, yesterday, instead of into the Box Truck.
Told her, I...just, can't.
One, there's no room.
Two...
I, just...can't.
Told her...I get it, that she, can't understand, this. All of This.
Went on, to say..."I, hope...and Pray, You Never...Ever...have to."
I, truthfully....wouldn't wish this kind of wrongful torment, on anyone, ever.
Not even...on those who are inflicting, and...have inflicted this upon us, no matter, how angry, I may seem, towards them.
That, however...doesn't mean, I won't call them out on what they've done, wrongfully, every chance I get...until, their 'Crooked Roads' are made straight.
To their faces, anytime, anywhere.
I, don't make claims, I can't back up.
While we were unloading the FUSO, found a copy...of our Settlement Agreement.
How...it got there, I have no...idea.
My life, has been so consumed with this wrongfulness...for 4 years.
Every job...every show...every trip....I've been on, I've carried documents, and research....paperwork, with.
The night I fell down the basement steps, trying to get ready to leave for Texas, the following morning, I was trying to get everything packed, rushing...rushing....
including...documents, I mustn't forget, concerning this...Fairfax/IDOT, mess, before....packing clothes.
I suppose, some people....might think, what's the big deal.
So, they lied, broke their recorded promises.
Took your land, wrongfully.
Butchered your dreams...so what.
: )
Is it all...worth 'this'?
Daughter, Liz...and I...sat in Jethro, last night, visiting about this Battle, when I dropped Scarlett off.
She asked, how would this be different, if her Dad...was here.
I, thought about it, for a little while.
If John...were here, we could fight them...together.
I'd be venting to him, instead of FB.
John, was my sounding board.
<3
He, had a way...of reassuring me.
When he told me not to worry...
I believed him.
<3
Without him, I...truly do feel like a bird, trying to fly...missing a wing.
When John was diagnosed with brain cancer....I, remember....leaving him, at the hospital...that night, to come home...and take care of our beloved hounds.
It was a good thing, for me to leave...for a bit, so we both....could try to absorb the Unforeseen Horror, the Dr.'s had shared with us, that day.
I, couldn't let John see my fear, nor...would he, let me...see his, either.
We both, were pretty good at being strong...for each other.
<3
I, remember...walking inside...the Big Room, letting the Hounds, outside....
then, closing the door, and screaming at the top of my lungs.
I've never heard that kind of anguish...anywhere, in my life, certainly...never coming out of my body.
I, knew...I, thought, because...because, I'd never think any other way, that John would beat this.
It was going to be a battle, most likely...we'd be putting out 'fires', with the cancer, but....
he was going to beat it.
I, also...knew, we were in Big Trouble, with the medical bills, and...John's Sanctuary, was in horrible jeopardy.
Everything...he worked his life...away, for.
Losing....'This', for John...would've been much more fatal, in so many ways, that cancer...couldn't begin to compare with.
Nobody...knew John, like I did.
Nobody.
I made many arrangements, with the bill collectors, and...Dr.'s.
John's Sanctuary...was saved.
<3 <3 <3
Until...
Fairfax, and The IDOT, wrongfully....came along, and slipped a suicide trail, through the back door, Condemned us, under the guise of 'Highway Maintenance and Road Improvement', which...I could prove, was Not True. {and...Did}
There are moments, I think...for a second, that I'm so glad, John...isn't here, to see this.
The thing is, that's not...true.
Selfishly, I'd Give Anything, to have him...here, even...heartbroken.
: (
and...he would be.
John, would never be the same Man, after watching...this wrongfulness....unfold, the way it has.
I'm living proof, of that.
'This' was Always...John's Sanctuary.
<3
My 'Sanctuary'...was wherever John was most content.
I told John...years ago, I could live out of an old Truck, as long as we were together.
That's a Fact.
Have to laugh, a little.
I, rarely...dropped the 'F' Bomb, until...this garbage, with Fairfax, and the IDOT.
John...on the other hand...hahahahaha!
<3 <3 <3
So, as I've said...many times, before...over the years, when you are Blessed to have a Soulmate, ya kinda become 'One'...person, over the years.
<3
So...maybe, that 'Language', I seem to be speaking so much more Frequently, and... Fluently....than before, John...left, is a little part of him, I have.....with me, yet.
<3 <3 <3
I'll Take It!
Proudly.
<3 <3 <3
Someday...
when, this wrongfulness has been Rightfully settled,
like I told Liz, last night...
Then...
I'll be able to fully... move forward.
Until...then, well...
like, an old....broken record, I'll Play, but...
not wholly, not...smoothly.
I'll do my best, to keep it to a dull roar, but...a 'roar', no less.
<3
Love to Ya...
Prayers, for All.
Barb C.
{Woke up this morning, and began humming 'Mona Lisa'.
Haven't heard, or...thought of that tune, in years.
It's a Beauty.
Then, began...singing it, in the Big Room.
: )
oh my...if those walls, John...built, could talk.
What....a Tale, they would tell.
<3 <3 <3 }
The bottom line...
John...would've traded his Sanctuary, to save a Child's Life.
John would be having a FIT, knowing...his Sanctuary, was going to have Any Part, of Fairfax's Suicide Trail, so wrongfully.
John...would've moved Heaven and Earth...to Stop It.
I, thought...I'd done that.
Seems there's a bit more 'Movin'...to be done.
Seems, the IDOT District 6, and Fairfax City Hall... don't like to follow the same Laws,
as the rest of us.
It was interesting...re-reading...the Settlement Agreement, yesterday.
oh my.
; )
It'll be Interesting....at The End of This Battle, what, those few...'Simple Words'...will be.
I, have a pretty good idea.
; )
{had to share this picture, of Peanut, tonight.... her perfect version...of Mona Lisa's Smile.}
: )
<3
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
