Exciting few weeks

How could I ask for anything more? Summers in Cleveland never disappoint. The last few weeks my Cleveland Indians have been up and down but still very exciting! How can you beat 'beating' the dreaded Yankees, then Carlos Carrasco dueling CC Sabathia, Pronk's walk-off come back win all heading into the All-Star Break where Cleveland's representation consists of Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez and Manny Acta.

I was fortunate to experience a dear friend's very first ballgame at Progressive Field and trip to the Terrace Club for girls' night out!

On the man front, an unprecedented summer like no other, though absolutely nothing has panned out yet.

In the movie, "Pretty Woman," there was a scene where the twins were speaking of Edward's 'flavor of the month.' Ironically, it seems there have been different boys stepping up to the plate each month....May had a charming boy-next-door suitor who still remains a friend....June brought a social media pal, who again, still remains a friend. July just brought an unsuspecting charming friend who I met at a station party in a bar of all places, and I instantly fell for his smooth lines. I violated many of my rules, one being never meet anyone in a bar! I could not resist. Where will this go? Who knows, but all my friends say just have fun and savor each moment.

My mystery man tossed me a line like I've never heard before charming me to no end. We have
a mutual friend so when I thought he left without saying goodbye, I still had a glimmer of hope knowing both of us could track each other down through our mutual friend. And sure enough, I received an email from my mystery man ....which started this unsuspecting rollercoaster ride leading who knows where?!????! I've seen my mystery man a few times already. Fingers crossed.

On the home front, very proud that I am finally crossing a few things off of my 'to do' list including important doctor appointments.....for the first time in a long time I feel as if I am catapulting the highest mountains....with an uneasy background feeling of 'what if' waiting for all of my test results. What will be will be.


Finally, wrapping up this whirlwind stretch at the "Taste of Tremont." What a tremendous festival. If you've never been before, please go next year.... you will sample the greatest fare of foodstuffs, adult beverages and music like no other. This street fair a small slice of the pie encompassing what happens in Cleveland, Ohio all summer long. It's a great place to live. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world!

There's a purpose, at least for a few weeks

Yes, I'm a bit revved with a purpose, at least for now, and the next few weeks....

Was it my mysterious texter who will probably be just that, my elusive texter? Maybe. Whatever revs me up, I'll take it for the moment.

Yesterday I treated myself to a well needed extravagance which will suit me just fine when I'm enjoying the sand and sun in FLA next week!

Every single day this week and next, the crack of dawn will be calling my name to cross important tasks off of my 'to do list.'

Normally the most organized in the bunch, I've not lost that trait, it just hides at times.

The list girl! Guilty as charged! Every day I wake up to a list of things that must get done, that should get done, that it would be nice if they did get done, and then of course those tasks which can get moved to the next day, the next week.

I must take care of things for my niece's wedding shower, for a baby shower happening when I get back from vacation, and of course packing for my Memorial Day break! These are all non-negotiable.

I really feel good like I have a handle on this as well as my fitness...as I've been going at least 10,000 steps each day. I'm pumped and loving life right now! Thank you Jesus!

How?

In my mind, this is a rhetorical question.

I couldn't do the 'How' without the 'Who' --God!

How else could I have:

• been scrubbing, cleaning into the wee hours of the morning


• lay my head on my pillow at 530am Thursday morning


• rise and shine again 3 hours later


• errand-city


• keep tabs on a parent who is battling some stomach virus


• repeat dialing all day efforting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction tickets, to no avail


• continue shoveling and salting


• clear out a whole slew of garbage in time for 'garbage day'


• grocery shop, especially for our big 'Night of 1,000 Dinners'


• dump a bunch of glass recyclables at the local recycle stand


• cross of 1/2 dozen items from my 'to do' list, but adding a dozen more


• wrap my final Christmas gifts which need to be sent in the mail Friday


• oh yea, WORK!

Be careful for what you wish! There was a time when I envied the likes of Diane Keaton in 'Baby Boom' and Melanie Griffith in 'Working Girl.' Oh, I said, 'how I wish I were like them!!!!'

Big mistake.

I hate to admit this, but in the midst of today's crazy day, I had to resort to taking a 'birdie bath!' I thought the days of 'birdie baths' were locked away with my youth. Think again, soap scum breath (when I do that, doesn't have the same effect as Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon).

I do take great pride in the fact that I am the lowest maintenance you could get, ever! I value being able to get completely dressed from head to toe including earrings and makeup and hair and contacts within minutes!

I sure look together. Thank God no one can see my insides!

'The Vacation' is dead as I once knew it

So I am on vacation this week. And it is wonderful not having to rush around to get everything done before I either take Mom to dialysis or head off to work....it's fantastic not having blaring scanners in my tender ears....or being tugged in 19 directions all at once, at least at work!

But I've realized the so-called 'vacation' as I once knew it is dead to me.

It will never again be the same.

Family and friends can flit off to foreign lands and be gone for 9 days or more enjoying the good life. Never again for moi! I can not even get to Tampa, FLA to visit one of my best friend's in the whole wide world for a long weekend!

I am more than halfway through my vacation and have not had one free moment to do all the back-logged stuff that I have been meaning to do over the last 5 years, including cleaning the awfully disgusting Kitchen Floor!

True, I took a night for Petty and we have been to a few Indians' games. But the rest of my days, so far, have consisted of dialysis....and numerous doctors appointments for Mom. Even when we are at the Indians' games, I am 'on call.' Mom is a handful, if you do it right.

Others tell me "oh, how hard could it be caring for you Mother."

Well, true. Mom has come so far from just one year ago. She's amazing and almost back to true form! That zest for life and fiesty-ness has been back for a long time! But it's all in the approach. When I do something, I like to do it RIGHT! Mom is a living human being that deserves to be pampered. Because I, by far, spend the most amount of time with her I know all her nuances--her medicines, when she should take them, how to feel the pulse in her fistula, what foods she is supposed to eat and likes, EVERYTHING! I certainly hope nothing happens to me or else Mom is screwed to the life she should live and is accustomed to living. She's my Mother who gave birth to me, raised me, and has given me an absolutely wonderful life! It's the least I can do to make her life as special as she has made mine!

Don't get me wrong, it has been AMAZING just being able to BE....to spend time with Mom, not rushing off to work, or worrying if I will get to work on time because we are waiting in a doctor's office (I am the designated 'take Mom to a doctor stooge' and spend a few days each week in some doctor's office!). A huge weight is off my back this week.

And the weather, holy cow, I feel like I AM in FLA! I always tell Craig, FLA is a great place to visit but not live because Cleveland IS just as nice from May through October if not later.

I still have 4 and 1/2 days left....and I am confident that at the end of my vacation, regardless of what I have been able to do or not do, to accomplish or again add to my 'TO DO LIST,' I will have gotten a little rest and will cherish the time and events of the week FOREVER!