My Friend Chas

Today I have a really heavy heart....a dear friend, an old friend, a very special friend passed away. He wasn't that old, wasn't that healthy, but I would never have thought he'd be gone this soon...he had a massive heart attack while awaiting by-pass surgery. I know he'd been having touble with his heart, I guess no one knew just how much borrowed time he was running on. I met him in 1970, while working with a theatre group in Mt. Clemens. He and Trish, who we lost last year, were kind of the patriarchs of our little odd family. He and I had a lot of fun times together, riding up and down Gratiot ave. scrounging for change to buy McDonalds fish sandwiches, and looking for wild plant life out near the RR tracks north of Mt Clemens. We camped together, we danced, he was such a dancer! He was the best date a girl could have for any affair, especially weddings! We had cocktails, got sick together, had lots of talks about everything. we smoked too much when we played cards. I loved to cook with him, he was a very good cook. We ice skated, him, me Seil and MJ in his back yard one winter...what fun. There were great parties at his house, quiet times, and just some times. I am going to miss him very much, I didn't see him very often, but always knew he was just a click or a call away. I sincerely hope he is in Heaven, or at least on his way....he was a great guy, he cared for those he loved. He will be missed by a lot of people. . I don't have a 2007 photo, we skipped the party that year because Trish was so sick, in the hospital so we waited until this past year, and had such a great time at K&J's. So Rock on Chas....love you very much

Happy New Year!

Whew! at last! 2009 is here and we have a whole new year to get it together...the "holidays" are fading and winter has settled in and, the days are getting longer! We had a very quiet Christmas, stayed home and had a quiet day...we decided to take a trip downstate to see my sister and we also went to the "GroupW" Christmas party, hosted by Kay and Jerry this year! We took Molly with us, and she was a very good girl...the only Lab mix I know that doesn't like to ride in the truck...I guess I need to take her more often. We had a quiet time with Judy,her kids were busy with their families so didn't get to see them or their kids, maybe next year? Got to get our favorite pizza when we're down there, Jets...very good for franchise. we stayed up and watched the latest Indiana Jones movie, he's so cool. I can see where the characters can evolve to the next generation. Saturday was spent relaxing, we did a little shopping, Aunt Judy got to babysit Molly for a couple of hours. We packed up and headed out to Kay and Jerry's. they have done some remodelling and their home looks great. They had lots of room for all 13 of us, plus 2 dogs...Mason was not amused by Molly. It was a good party. The obvious lack of Trisha's presence was there, but not in a bad way. She would have wanted us to celebrate, and appreciate our friendship. Deb, her sister came and it was good to have her there. She shared some of Patti's jewelry with the girls and I'll treasure the pieces forever.
It's hard to believe we have been getting together for 28 years...when I tell people about us, us GroupWbench friends ~ everyone is pretty amazed. If you are wondering what the Group W bench is, you have to be an Arlo Guthrie fan. Our lives have gone through many changes, but we still manage to stick it out. It's truly a blessing, and I am lucky to have been a part of it all this time.

Sunday morning, we headed back to the North Country. We got lucky with the weather, no big snow storms either way. It was pretty windy though. Even though we were only gone a few days, its always good to be home.

It then began time to think about the next holidays. One more trip around the sun. My birthday was pretty uneventful this year. With economics what they are, I am just grateful I made it another year!

New Years Eve we celebrated with friends at the "hall". Julie retired after 30 years as the county treasurer, so what a reason to celebrate! She had her time with some breast cancer issues, and thankfully has come through with flying colors. Now its time she enjoy the fruits of her labor.

Today ~ January 1st, I resolve not to make any resolutions. I'm going to concentrate on all the ones I've made in the past. Get healthy, that is a biggy....loose this extra weight, consider quitting smoking...a REAL biggy,and be a better human being.

So now, I get to the part that I comment on 2008 and look forward to 2009. I've decided that I'm keeping my thoughts and concerns about money to myself. Its occurred to me that all I seem to do is complain about it. I have resolved that I'm not going to ever have a lot of it, or even more than I have now. We're never going to get an inheritance, since my folks didn't believe in insurance, and the state took all my Mom had anyway...at least some was there for that. We're not going to win the lottery ~ damn it, so I can't count on that either. I do know that we have made a commitment to each other to seriously take control of our lives. One of my friends told me I need to re-read The Secret again, to re fire my desire to take control of my destiny...yada yada...so maybe I will. I really want to make a go of the candle lady thing. Its a really good company, quality stuff, and I really like doing it. So if you are reading this, go check out my website, and think about ordering something or having a party!

Let's face it, I never thought I'd make it to 56. I thought it was so old when I was in my 20's...with the whole world ahead of me. Here I am, still kicking, still having fun, and one more year has come and gone and I survived! That should give me enough Joy for a while.

I'm reading a book called 90 minutes in heaven. A true account of some one who was dead for 90 minutes and came back to tell the story. I'll let you know how it comes out! This book has been passed around from girlfriend to girlfriend, so from me it goes to ???

So that's my latest installment. I sincerely hope everyone a peaceful, prosperous New Year...