After a few hard, long, sad weeks I am back. Life does go on and it's time I do it

I lost a very close friend to cancer last week, and felt terribly alone and lonely. No one to call in the middle of the night which is what she and I did for a long time. It didn't matter that we woke one another up, we needed each other, so we would call. That part is over and she is wherever she is, now free from pain and dancing again. We had a "gathering" memorial service for her on Saturday, and I played a few songs on the Dul for her.

So, on with life. Feel like I am starting over again.

Went to a Dulcimer workshop a few weeks ago, and guess what Vik is getting for Christmas. Yep, a new dulcimer. It's a bit different to the one I have in shape, but she likes it better than mine. It's a teardrop shape but has a wonderful tone. I wish she could have it now so as to learn how to play it with me, but it's easy so she will learn quickly.

As to my personal life, this has been interesting. As I have said before, I really do not want another romantic interest, but several have talked me in to signing up for free dating sites LOL. What a hoot this is................So, yes, I did do it, only to see what the hell is out there. Still not interested but, had a very strange encounter, almost. This one particular site, you sign in with zip code only, no name, and they don't have your actual email. It is all very private.

Anyway, the other morning, I had an announcement, so opened it. and was shocked to see a picture and name of a man I know. He had bought our jeep after DH had passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!But that isn't all. He is the father of my handyman, and grandfather of the boys that do my yard work. He has no idea who I am. His wife passed 6 months before DH, and really is a very nice man. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not interested................NO NO NO NO! I must admit there is one I heard from that sounds interesting, but he's 7 years younger. Not sure about that. Altho, my wonderful step-father was 10 or more years younger than my mother and they had a great life.

Last week, I was able to finally contact some first cousins that I haven't seen in many years, and pursuing the Indian Heritage. Yes, we are a small part Lakota, Sioux. A G G G grandmother was a schoolteacher and married a Lakota, in Nebraska. I haven't found out how we ended up in Michigan yet. But I do know she rode her horse side saddle all the way to MO. and somehow ancestors ended up in Mi. Time will be interesting.

I haven't had much contact with Vik lately, she is always busy with things they have to take care of. And not having Internet where she lives, makes it harder for us. I do miss that girl!

Later.......................

Ms. J.

As I sit here this morning, contemplating the things I need, should, want, to do today, I so far have done nothing except read newspapers online, play a game of Spider Solitaire, and stare out the window. When going to bed last night, I had lots of plans for today, but here I sit. Oh yes, I did the usual have to things, like make my coffee and feed the dogs.

Time to kick myself in the butt and get moving and doing, but will do this first.

A friend talked me in to joining Plenty of Fish, hahahaha. Well, that is a joke for me. I am not interested in any more relationships, having been spoiled rotten by the man I had for 13 years. But, I joined just to see what was out there, and can say no thanks. Maybe some of them are wonderful men, but not for me. I will stay single and alone when it comes to that. My pups and friends and Dulcimer keep me busy and happy, don't need someone interrupting my life.

I will say it would be great to have someone come mow my acreage..............that seems to be my hardest, but I can hire it done if needed. I do a little at a time, kill snakes when they are around. Had a couple of copperheads the other day that I took care of. Over the weekend, a squirrel decided it wanted to invade the deck. It won't invade anymore. At least that one won't. I think Mr. Redfox had a good dinner that night. Mr. Redfox travels the road out front, but never comes close to the house, and I do put food out by the road for it.

Since living up here, I have seen one bear. Had several coyotes a few times, but they have left now, not liking gravel shot up their buts. And the best is the big wolf that strolls buy once in a while. The wolf comes only very late at night, checks out under the front light and then leaves. It has never bothered anyone or anything up here.

Me weekend was quiet, altho I went shopping again and picked up a few things to replace some of the old, old kitchen utensils. I went all RED for utensils and a new dish drainer, lol. I love red! Came home and watched the Nascar Race while chatting with a friend online. We usually do that during the races. And that was my weekend, except for hoping to catch Vik online. I am sure they are busy...............I hope everything is going ok for them now that they are back in Futa. Maybe will hear from her today. I do miss that girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, it's time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Dogs are wanting me to go walk in the woods, and one wants to play ball, altho he won't let me have it.

Everyone have a great day, and Until next time.....................

Ms. J.

June 13, 2009

AH, today has been a strange one for me, and wasn't sure I was going to even do this. But, this is my first son's birthday, 49 years. He was the second child: Vicki being my first. I didn't know whether to post, play Dul, mow the yard, go shopping, or just what to do. Lots of thoughts went thru my head. My son was born in Blytheville, Ark, and I don't remember much about it. Not the same as with Vicki or the third one. We were stationed there with the
Air Force and I was not in a military hospital as I was with Vicki. It was not nice. Anyway I had a beautiful little boy, healthy and he is now a law enforcement officer in Texas, with a beautiful wife, and 4 lovely daughters, and 2 grandchildren. I am proud of him!

Happy
Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is how I got here

My DH was a contractor and commercial painter, down south, and did very well financially during the winter season. We had a lovely home, lots of friends, our weimaraners and beagle, and our race car. Yes, he raced a car on a local track and we had a blast doing that. In the summer, we would load up the dogs and take off for the mountains, and work for people from down south that homes and cabins up here. Sometimes we would camp in RV parks, and other times we would stay in the peoples cabins. I should say, our RV was large, 45 foot, and very nice.

After several years of doing this, we came to a very special area and I fell in love with it and told him, this is where I want to live. I was ready to sell out then and there, but he wanted to wait. Said the real estate there (south) was going to go sky high, so we waited, and he was right. We sold out, did what Vik and Greg did, sold , gave away, threw out, and stored. And up we came. Had no idea where we were going to park the RV, but found a wonderful, out of the way RV park that would let us park with the 4 dogs. 3 Weims and a beagle.

I won't go into all the problems we had trying to buy a home, but the main problem was that we had sold our home and held the paper. Would never do that again. Had that mortgage, and the RV mortgage. You can imagine. After 4 months I found this place and would have given my heart for it. Almost did..................We talked the owners in to holding the paper on this one for 3 years, paid a hefty down on it, moved in, and then..........................Our buyers reneaged. Holy crap, now what do we do. Well, we had a friend that took over, kicked those idiots out, and bought the house from us. Paid cash, and we paid off this one.

But in the meantime, Dr's in the other state, contacted us and said we had to come back down because DH would have to have cancer surgery. OK, so we head back down. When we got there we were given the runaround, and in the end, we headed back up here, contacted the DR's here and they said NO, no surgery
Treatments. Well, that is a long 3 1/2 years. But we got settled in, made some changes to our home, nothing major except totally remodeling the bathroom, and lots of outside work. We were able to pay off all past bills, and clear. DH made sure I was in good shape no matter what happened.

And happen it did.......DH passed away Nov 17, 2007

Do not feel sorry for me, I am fine. There is a lot I could have added but why bother, that is why I am here and this is where I plan to stay until I go with him in Our Memorial Garden.

How I got to where I am

Tonight, after all the work for today is done, I will blog about how I got on top of this mountain!

Another Day

This has been just another day up here on the mountain, not as quiet as usual. Seems the military is flying above us practicing whatever they practice. Most of the day I was chatting with dear daughter as she was preparing to go back home. So it will be a few days until I hear from her again. I do miss that girl.

Drove in to town to buy a new ceiling fan for the LR. Now isn't that exciting. The dogs spent most of the day out on the deck, and I practiced the Dulcimer for a while. My newest challenge is "The Cats Jig" by Joe Collins, a well known Dulcimer player. Finally had to give up out there and come inside where it was cooler. The past few days have been a bit warm. Why is it, that, in winter we want warmer, and in summer, we want cooler.

I was going to talk about my fur-kids tonight, but I want to wait until I get pictures of the others that have passed on to the Rainbow Bridge, and are now with their human dad. For another time.

And now, it is late, and time for the sandman to arrive, so until the next time, and maybe I will be more inspired.

Thank you to all for your comments, I enjoy those.

Ms. J.

Hello, Ms. J here, in the beautiful mountains, and starting life over after moving here 5 years ago, and losing my husband. Now it is just a few dogs and me and all the wild critters that show up from time to time. The first year was the hardest being alone and not sure what to do with my time.

I decided I wanted to learn to play a musical instrument, so since I am a mountain woman now, a Dulcimer seemed a good idea. I am now learning, teaching myself, and going to workshops once in a while.

And, BTW, my daughter made me do this, but may be a good idea. I would love to hear from anyone that is also a Dulcimer player.

That's all for now.

Ms. J.